Showing posts sorted by date for query kevin burt. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query kevin burt. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Saturday, May 18, 2024

#685 : Kevin Burt & Big Medicine - Thank You Brother Bill : A Tribute To Bill Withers (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 


2023 – Gulf Coast Records

By Phillip Smith; May 18, 2024

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

I’ve been listening to Kevin Burt perform his magic behind the microphone for almost thirty-two years now. He is one of the most gifted singers I know. His well of talent runs quite deep and that talent brought him awards in three categories at the 2018 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. He walked away that year with First Place Solo/Duo , First Place Solo/Duo Guitarist, and the Lee Oskar Award for Best Harmonica Player.

His fourth album Thank You Brother Bill (A Tribute to Bill Withers) breathes new life into a dozen Bill Withers songs. It couples Burt with a stellar backing ensemble called Big Medicine comprised of Scot Southerland on bass, Ken Valdez on lead/rhythm guitar/backing vocals, and Eric Douglas on drums.  

From the opening notes of “Who is He (and What is He To You)?” I’m all-in. I love how Burt's voice suavely fills the air radiating off the funky groove constructed from Big Medicine. The funk gets stronger on “Kissing My Love”. Topped with a smokin’ splash of harp, this track absolutely cooks as Valdez tosses in his searing guitar licks. The tempo drops and the bluesy soulful goodness of “World Keeps Going Round and Round” hits with an amazing heaviness as the tension tightens like a tourniquet. Then “Just the Two of Us” rolls in like a ray of sunshine with Burt opening up the song on harmonica. I can’t help but feel good when I hear this song. It’s such a delight. I absolutely love his cover of “Ain’t No Sunshine”. The emotion Burt packs into his delivery on this track cuts to the bone. It’s additionally fortified by Douglas slapping out a ferocious beat on congas. “Lean on Me” brings back a flood of memories of hanging out with one of my best friends growing up. The song is a gift of time-travel, as I recall those care-free days.  Bringing the album to its close, is the title-track “Thank You Brother Bill”, written by Burt to show his gratitude and “Big Love” for music of Bill Withers. It really makes for the perfect closer for this album.

Thank You Brother Bill is one of the most perfect tribute albums I’ve heard by a single artist. Kevin Burt does an outstanding job of taking on these treasured songs and I highly recommend this recording.

 

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For more information about Kevin Burt, visit his website at https://www.kevinburtmusic.net

 

Follow the link below for more PhillyCheeze reviews featuring Kevin Burt:

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=kevin+burt

 

 

Monday, May 13, 2024

#683 : Big Llou's Fundraiser and Vizztone Showcase : Memphis on Beale St. - May 8, 2024 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)




Blues Music Awards Showcase
Presented by BratGirlmedia
Rum Boogie Cafe
Memphis, Tennessee
May 8, 2023
 
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
I made it down to Memphis for the Blues Music Awards last year for the very first time. I had so much fun and heard so much fantastic music, I had to return for another round this year. It was another amazing experience. 
On May 8th, the evening before the BMA's, I attended a pair of music showcases. One was Big Llou's 10th Annual Blues Hall of Fame Tribute Fundraiser at Alfred's on Beale, The other was Vizztone's All-Star Blues Party on Beale St./Blues Music Award Showcase at Rum Boogie Cafe.
And just like last year, without camera in tow, I still captured a few photos of these fabulous events on my iPhone while I bounced back and forth between the venues.  
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* all photos by Phillip Smith


Big Llou's at Alfreds

Vince Johnson & the Plantation Allstars

Chris Cain with Vince Johnson

Vince Johnson & the Plantation Allstars

Chris Cain with Vince Johnson


Mathias Lattin

Tony Holiday

Tony Holiday

Mr. Sipp

Mr. Sipp

Southern Avenue

Southern Avenue


Southern Avenue

Southern Avenue

Johnny Rawls

Johnny Rawls






Vizztone/Bratgirl Media at Rum Boogie Cafe

Blackburn Brothers

Blackburn Brothers

Blackburn Brothers

Albert Castiglia

Bob Margolin

Bob Margolin


Deb Ryder

Deb Ryder, Bob Margolin, Rosy Rosenblatt, Ben Levin


Rosy Rosenblatt, Ben Levin

Albert Castiglia & Kevin Burt


Albert Castiglia & Kevin Burt

Kevin Burt, Cliff Moore

Ephraim Lowell

Cliff Moore, Kevin Burt

Ben Levin

Albert Castiglia, Ephraim Lowell, Cliff Moore
 & Kevin Burt

Kevin Burt, Ephraim Lowell, Cliff Moore



Sue Foley

Sue Foley , Cliff Moore, Rosy Rosenblatt

Mike Zito

Mike Zito

Albert Castiglia & Mike Zito

Albert Castiglia & Mike Zito

Cliff Moore, Albert Castiglia & Mike Zito

John Primer

John Primer, Tony Braunagel, Cliff Moore, Mike Zito, Bob Corritore

John Primer & Mike Zito

Cliff Moore, Mike Zito & Bob Corritore

Lara Price