Saturday, March 29, 2025

#738- > Tony Holiday - Keep Your Head Up (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

Tony Holiday

Keep Your Head Up
2025 – Forty Below Records
Release Date : Apr. 18, 2025

By Phillip Smith; Mar. 29, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

There is new music from Tony Holiday and it is outstanding. Keep Your Head Up, the fifth album from the Memphis-based bluesman pulls me tightly in with its soulful grooves and expressive blues. This eight-track release, produced by Eric Corne, features Jad Tariq on guitar on each song and includes an amazing guest list consisting of Edde 9V, Kevin Burt, Laura Chavez, and Albert Castiglia.

From the beginning of the album, I’m onboard. In a splash of Seventies dramatic R&B, Holiday is joined by Eddie 9V on “She’s a Burglar”. I love the fiery guitar licks Eddie lets loose on top of the horns and keys. “Twist My Fate” brings Kevin Burt, triple winner of the 2018 International Blues Challenge, to the microphone to join Holiday in a fabulously blues-soaked duet. I absolutely love the cover of Little Sonny’s 1971 single “Woman Named Trouble”. Previously recorded on Enterprise Records, a subsidiary of Stax Records, this version strongly emits that Stax rhythmic sound fueled by drummer Andrew McNeil, keyboardist Sasha Smith, and a horn section comprised of Mark Pender and David Ralicke. That Memphis soul-driven sound carries on as 2023 Blues Music Award winner for Best Guitarist Laura Chavez steps in on lead guitar for “Shoulda Known Better”. It’s great to hear Albert Castiglia join in for a riveting cover of the Snooks Eaglin 1971 cut “Drive It Home”. This one absolutely cooks.

Tony Holiday’s Keep Your Head Up sits among my favorite albums of the year. I highly recommend it.

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Photo Credit - Mary Gunning

WEBSITE & SOCIALS

Tony Holiday

https://tonyholidaymusic.com/

Past articles on PhillyCheeze Rock & Blues Reviews featuring Tony Holiday

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=tony+holiday

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