Blues | Musicosity

Blues

Bettye LaVette

With one of her first singles turning into a national hit, 1962's "Let Me Down Easy", Detroit-raised LaVette would seem a natural soul star, but she was never able to cut an album deal. In 1972 her album A Child of the Seventies was shelved by Atlantic Records, then thought lost forever in a fire. She eked out a living on the European festival circuit, occasionally surfacing such as with the disco single "Doin' the Best that I Can"...

Artist Type: 

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

If you would like to share Jon Spencer Blues Explosion lyrics with other users of this site, please see the bottom of this page on how to submit Jon Spencer Blues Explosion lyrics. Members include Judah Bauer (born in WI), guitar; Russell Simins, drums; Jon Spencer (born c. 1965, in NH; son of a university professor and a cardiology technician; attended Brown University, mid-1980s; married Christina Martinez), vocals and guitar.

Artist Type: 

Harry Manx

Harry Manx is a musician who blends blues, folk, and Hindustani classical music. Born on the Isle of Man and raised in Ontario, he is currently living on Saltspring Island, BC, Canada. He plays slide guitar, harmonica, six-string banjo, cigar-box guitar and the Mohan Veena (a 20-stringed guitar/sitar hybrid). He studied for five years in India with Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. Discography: * Dog My Cat (2001)
* Wise and Otherwise (2002)
* Jubilee (with Kevin Breit) (2003)
* Road Ragas Live (2003)

Artist Type: 

Mick Pealing

Mick Pealing was born in the 50's in Adelaide, South Australia to an English migrant father and a local girl mother, both music lovers Mick along with three sisters and a brother were brought up on a healthy menu of jazz and the eclectic playlist of 60's commercial radio, which would play everything from Motown to Mersey and all stops in between.

Not actually knowing he could sing, or have a voice that might be pleasing to the ear, Mick decided one afternoon in the early 70's to go to a local concert put on by some local musos, where he reluctantly got up to sing after being pointed out as someone who might know the words to "Alright Now". Although he sang with his back to the audience, Mick sang the song well enough to be asked to join the band. This band contained two members which, in a couple of years, would become "Stars".

A reputation as a singer soon emerged and Mick, after trying his luck with local acts "Flight" and "Nantucket", eventually came together with members of "AstraKhan" which featured Mal Eastick, Glyn Dowding and Andy Durant (who was about to go overseas for some time). Along with Graham Thompson, this became a 4 piece band known as "Flash" which specialised in hard rock covers from "Free" and "Deep Purple", along with some original material.

After a year or so of supporting interstate acts at Hindley Street's "Countdown" among other venues in South Australia, Beeb Birtles saw some potential and recommended the band to Michael Gudinski of Mushroom Records.

A deal was signed with Mushroom and the band by this time known as "Stars" went on to record two singles, "Quick On The Draw"(produced by Beeb) and "With A Winning Hand".

Realising they might not have the ability or time to come up with enough songs for their first album, Andy Durant, who by this time had returned from overseas with a clutch of self penned songs, was approached and rejoined the band. Graham Thompson was also replaced by former Little River Band bassist Roger Maclachlan which resulted in Stars first album, "Paradise".

With relentless touring around Australia, healthy sales of the album and two hit singles ("Look After Yourself" and "Mighty Rock") a follow up album was recorded ("Land Of Fortune"). With a new rhythm section, JJ Hackett on drums and Ian McDonald on bass, the band continued their non stop touring to promote the new record, notching up support slots with The Beach Boys, Linda Rondstadt, ELO and many others along with their own well received headlining shows.

Unfortunately, "Land Of Fortune", although critically acclaimed didn't sell as well as hoped and along with Andy's health issues and a no end in sight touring schedual, Mal Eastick decided to get off the merry go round, which cemented the end of "Stars". A further 6 months of touring to tidy up debts and a final contractual agreement, the live album "1157" was released. Four years had whipped by in the blink of an eye.

Andy Durant passed away in early 1980 from cancer and a fitting tribute was held later that year at The Palais Theatre in St Kilda, Melbourne. Being one of the first of its kind "The Andrew Durant Memorial Concert" featured Andy's songs performed by the remaining members of Stars, Cold Chisel, Renee Geyer, Richard Clapton and basically the cream of Australia's rock talent at the time. The concert was recorded and a double album topped the charts around the country, with all proceeds going to The Peter McCallum Cancer Clinic in Melbourne. The concert was also filmed for a TV presentation and later released on VHS, both are now available on CD and DVD. Over the next three decades Mick continued to front his own bands, The Ideals, The Method and The Spaniards with former "Feretts" singer/songwriter Billy Miller. A single "God Is A Shield",produced by Molly Meldrum, and mini album "Locked In A Dance" were released.

Today, Mick continues his love for British hard Rock from the 60’s and 70’s with the band Raw Brit featuring members of Boom Crash Opera, Angels, Rose Tattoo, Skyhooks & Baby Animals.
A newly reformed Stars is touring Australia and about to release its second album, a follow up to the critically acclaimed first album Boundary Rider it once again features songs written by Mick & fellow band member Nick Charles.

Last.fm Tags: 

Fiona Boyes

One of the best fingerstyle blues guitarists on the planet. From Melbourne in Australia, but now resident in Portland Oregon, Fiona stands securely at a relatively young age among the new breed of blues players. She was the first woman and first Australian to win the solo/duo section of the Memphis International Blues Challenge. Her electric blues big band album Lucky 13 was a finalist in the International Blues Challenge in 2007. Her big voice, her strong support of blues traditions and her distinctive style of playing make her one of the emerging greats of the blues.

Black Coffee

There are several artists named Black Coffee: 1) <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/+noredirect/%D0%A7%D1%91%D1%80%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B... class="bbcode_artist">Чёрный кофе</a> (Cherniy Kofe/Black Coffee) a Russian heavy metal band, singing both in Russian and in English. 2) A Swedish band (<a href="http://www.blackcoffee.se/" rel="nofollow">http://www.blackcoffee.se/</a>)
(<a href="http://www.myspace.com/blackcoffeebluesrock" rel="nofollow">http://www.myspace.com/blackcoffeebluesrock</a>) 3)Durban-born (South Africa) Nkosinathi Maphumulo has been on the music scene for over a decade but only got his break a few years ago. Nkosinathi, otherwise known as Black Coffee, is popular for his smash hit remixes, most of which have dominated the airwaves in the past couple of years.

Last.fm Tags: 

chase the sun

New arrivals on the blues and roots scene; Chase The Sun have spent no time garnering widespread critical acclaim for their soul-tinged song writing, blues sensibilities and the powerhouse live delivery of guitar star-on-the-rise Jan Rynsaardt. Combining elements of old-school acoustic blues, Stevie Ray Vaughn boogie, hillbilly finger picking and Hendrix flash; three-piece Chase The Sun crank out a new take on a classic sound.

Artist Type: 

Big Jay McNeely

Cecil James ("Big Jay") McNeely (born on April 29, 1927, in Los Angeles, California) is an American rhythm and blues tenor saxophonist. He grew up in the community of Watts, California, where he occasionally observed Simon Rodia constructing the Watts Towers. McNeely is known for his intense playing and his energetic and acrobatic stage performances. For example, at a 1949 concert in the old Wrigley Field baseball stadium in Los Angeles, he played while walking through the stands and then while crawling from home plate to first base on his back.

Santana

Santana was formed originally in 1966 in San Francisco, California. Carlos Santana is a Mexican-born American. Originally named The Santana Blues Band, they rose to international fame when they performed at the Woodstock festival in 1969. This led to their second studio album, Abraxas (1970), becoming a Latin-Rock standard and a huge critical and commercial success. Over the years their line-up has changed constantly, allowing them to evolve with the times. Over 50 musicians have been in Santana over its 40 year history, but the only constant has been Carlos Santana himself.

Artist Type: 

Robert Randolph & The Family Band

Robert Randolph & The Family Band is a multicultural American blues and funk band composed of Robert Randolph, Marcus Randolph (drums), Danyel Morgan (bass), and Jason Crosby (organ). Frontman Robert Randolph was trained as a pedal steel guitarist in the House of God Church, Keith Dominion, and makes prominent use of the instrument in the band's music. The group's sound is inspired by successful 1970s funk bands such as Earth, Wind & Fire and Sly & the Family Stone, another multicultural band comprised of former members of the Church of God in Christ.

Last.fm Tags: 
Artist Type: