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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

Saturday, March 11, 2023

#600 : 'daBluesapalooza 2023 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

The Olympic Southside Theater

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

February 18, 2023

By Phillip Smith; Mar. 11, 2023

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

Last year, KCCK Jazz 88.3 celebrated thirty years of playing ‘da Blues over the airwaves, and marked the occasion by producing a well-oiled blues event in Cedar Rapids called ‘daBluesapalooza. This five-hour long live blues show honored radio show hosts Bob DeForest and John ‘Big Mo’ Heim and featured many local and regional artists. The event was such a success, another gathering of the blues tribe was warranted, and daBluesapalooza 2023 was held at Olympic Southside Theater in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on February 18.

Ship of Fools, a band from the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy in Cedar Rapids, kicked the evening off in a big way. These young musicians sounded like seasoned artists as they lit up the stage with a most impressive cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child”. The lineup for the rest of the evening included outstanding sets from Craig Erickson Band, Dennis “Daddy-O” McMurrin, Homebrewed, Charlie Morgan, Tanya English Band, Johnny Kilowatt, Kevin Burt, Saul Lubaroff, Matt Panek, Wonderful Smiths, and Evan Stock Band. With the blues gushing out of every performance, the evening flew by way too fast. Seeing the artists sit in with each other for musical collaborations was extra special and made for a unique experience. I really hope this event keeps going. I absolutely love it.

· All photos by Phillip Smith

Ship of Fools

Blake Shaw w/ Craig Erickson Band

Craig Erickson Band

Dennis "Daddy O" McMurrin, Rob Haskell, Craig Erickson

Dennis "Daddy O" McMurrin & Craig Erickson

Dennis "Daddy O" McMurrin, Rob Haskell, Craig Erickson

Dennis "Daddy O" McMurrin & Craig Erickson

Dennis McMurrin, Eric Douglas, Dan Johnson

Homebrewed

Charlie Morgan

Charlie Morgan, Matt Panek, Kevin Burt

Tanya English Band w/ Saul Lubaroff

Rob Haskell

Tanya English, Ed English, Saul Lubaroff

Bill Peterson

Tanya English & Johnny Kilowatt

Saul Lubaroff & Ed English

Johnny Kilowatt

Kevin Burt & Saul Lubaroff

Kevin Burt

Johnny Kilowatt

Matt Panek

Kevin Burt & Dan Johnson

Craig Erickson & Matt Panek

Craig Erickson, Matt Panek, Dan Johnson, Kevin Burt

Kevin Burt

Wonderful Smiths

Evan Stock Band

Craig Erickson & Evan Stock

Evan Stock Band

Craig Erickson

Craig Erickson & Evan Stock

Evan Stock Band

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