Johnny Carlevale (USA)
That Ain't No Way To Spend A Friday Night
JC02
© Johnny Carlevale 2006

Johnny Carlevale - vocals/rhythm guitar
Greg Burgess - lead guitar
Jack Hanlon - double bass
Jeremy Kroger - drums
Dick "The Poet" Lourie - sax/trumpet
Rodney Caron - sax
Ryan Hartt - harp
Amy Latka - vocals on track 8

Known for his stint with rockabilly bands (Dana Stewart & The Old Howards & Ace Brown) Johnny Carlevale is also an avid blues and rhythm’n’blues fan (he also wears some of the greatest sideburns I’ve ever seen). After one mini album recorded in 2005, he’s back with a full length which is, paradoxically, more varied
and less repetitive.
Almost all aspects of blues music can be found on this platter. The opening track one of the two covers of the album is a tasty and groovy jump blues ala T Bone Walker with appropriate sax and guitar licks. Also backed by saxes is “You Ain't Puttin' Out Nuthin' But The Lights” – a six minute tour de force with a nod to “Loveless Love” in the sax solo - which brings a bit of New Orleans style. The harmonica led “My Baby Aint Home” is reminiscent of the Chicago Blues style and so is “You Wore Me Out”.
Carlevale’s vocals are always true and never sound fake like many who tries to sing the blues but are only caricature of what they think a bluesman is… this guy is the real deal and he proves it with two Delta Blues influenced acoustic tunes “Alabama Woman Blues” and “The I-80 Blues”.
Both of those songs sure awake the hobo that sleeps in you. “Hi-Tail, Then Boogie” is a jumpin’ boogie with a rockabilly beat perfectly supplied by the slappin bass of Jack Hanlon (The Stumbleweeds) and guitarist Greg Burgess (ex Amazing Royal Crown) literally jumps in his chorus. This guy is really amazing
on songs like “You Talk Too Much”, a fast paced swing tune about a girl who cant stop talking which he illustrates with brilliant and fast guitar licks. And his job on “That Ain’t No Way To Spend A Friday Night” reminded me, not exactly the same style maybe but the same virtuosity, of Little Charlie Baty. Another fine song is “Mean Mean Thing” . Have you heard about Rumba blues? Probably not but I haven’t found any other word to describe this one and I guess you can imagine how it’d sound.
And last but certainly not least, coming from the all girl garage band “Ghouls Night Out”, Amy Latka tries herself at blues singing on “Love me” and she’s more than convincing. A faultless album rounded in a damn fine packaging, who could ask for more? - Fred "Virgil" Turgis - Jumping From 6 To 6 - France

Rate This CD! Rating: After 3 Votes 5/54/53/52/51/5

1. Give It Up
2. My Baby Ain't Home
3. Hi-Tail, Then Boogie
4. Mean Mean Thing
5. Tongue Tied
6. Alabama Woman Blues
7. Whiskey Like Water
8. Love Me - featuring Amy Latka on vocals
9. You Wore Me Out
10. You Talk Too Much
11. Put Out The Lights
12. The I-80 Blues
13. That Ain't No Way To Spend A Friday Night
14. You Ain't Puttin' Out Nothin' But The Lights

  >> Play CD >>

Eddie Boyd (USA)
Mello' Hello! - Eddie Boyd In Finland
BNCD003
© Blue North Records 2005

This CD consists of the material from the three Eddie Boyd's taped recordings made by the Finnish Broadcasting Company (Suomen Yleisradio, YLE).

SESSION # 1: EDDIE BOYD TRIO
Eddie Boyd, piano & vocal  – Eddie Hunton, drums - Pentti Tiensuu, double bass. Recording date and place: 09.04.1970. Yleisradion Liisankadun studio, Helsinki. Original session producer: Heikki Annala.

Tracks 1 - 3 are taken from the first session  Eddie ever made for YLE  in April 1970. They also represent that classic Boyd sound and introduce him as a mature pianist and singer. The Big Boat is a number which he had recorded recently in England backed by the Fleetwood Mac. It is interesting to compare how the playing works so well without Peter Green's majestic guitar. Eddie is backed by excellent musicians; on bass Pentti Tiensuu, on drums Eddie Hunton, who was on the Eddies's album “Praise to Helsinki” published in the same year.

SESSION # 2: EDDIE BOYD QUARTET
In the first session the musicians were accomplished jazz musicians and the recording technique used was mono, here Eddie got Finnish rock musicians of the younger generation to back him, and the recording itself was performed in the YLE's new “stereo unit”. Albert Järvinen would rise soon to the fame in the most legendary rock band of all time in Finland, namely (The) Hurriganes, and Österberg was already a drummer of another classic Finnish group, Wigwam. With this line-up the tour of Europe was also made.

EDDIE BOYD & HIS QUINTET
These pieces are taken from the Eddie's last public blues gig in Helsinki, and here his ageing is already audible especially in his singing. However, this is not reflected in the feeling itself and having seen the concert, I can say that the atmosphere was magnificent. The whole performance lasted well over two hours. The musicians are again Finland's elite jazz and rock players of the time, as exemplified by the Pekka Sarmanto's double bass virtuoso in Blow Wind Blow. After this Eddie recorded only one album “Lovers' Playground” for Jonas Bernholm, and concentrated on the gospel thereafter.

Rate This CD! Rating: After 4 Votes 5/54/53/52/51/5

1. My Idea
2. The Big Boat
3. Curtain Out
4. Interview (by Pekka Gronow)
5. Praise To Helsinki
6. Five Long Years
7. 24 Hours
8. I Got To Know
9. I Cried
10. Number Nine
11. Sweet Leila
12. Double Clutching
13. Talking To The Operator
14. I Don't Need No Fireplace
15. Blow Wind Blow
16. The Right Time

  >> Play CD >>

Bo Weavil (FR)
Midnight Rumble With...
1021
© Lenox Records 2001

Boogie Matt (vocals, harmonica, guitar), Sleepy Vince (drums), Stack-O-Lu (piano)

A fantastic trio who's ability to capture the true feel of the original legendary Blues artists, combined with their outstanding talent makes them one of the best ''authentic'' bands performing today. A fine collection of all-original songs from this exceptional French Rockin'' Blues combo!

Rate This CD! Rating: After 5 Votes 5/54/53/52/51/5

1. Duckin' & Dodgin'
2. Dumped Me Lke A Clown
3. Boogie Blues
4. Come On'n Boogie
5. I Ain't Got A Dime
6. Oh Mama
7. Fool About You Baby
8. Please Don't Leave Me Baby
9. Talking Too Long Blues
10. Hey Now Baby
11. The Junker
12. My Baby Makes Me Loose My Mind
13. One Foot In The Grave
14. Money Talkin' Woman

  >> Play CD >>

Big Boy Bloater and his Southside Stompers (UK)
What You Been Prayin' For?
BRC 2006
© Big Boy Bloater 2006

Big Boy Bloater - Lead Vocals and all Guitar
Lil Lisa Jane - 2nd Vocals and Baritone Saxophone
Tim Chimes - Tenor Saxophone
Deacon Turner - Piano
Stewart Pannaman - Double Bass
Dave Terrey - Drums

This is the fourth top-selling studio CD from one of the UK's top 50's Blues and Boogie bands around. Big Boy Bloater is lauded as one of the top blues shouters in the UK today as well as one of the most gifted guitarists and entertaining front men. Backed by his powerhouse 6-piece band this is a CD that
any blues, boogie or rock'n'roll fan should not be without.

"The title of this CD could be the response from Bloater’s many fans for a CD from this great band and this is the first featuring Bloater’s new line-up which has been going down a storm wherever they play. In my humble opinion this band is highly underrated and should be much better known than they are and this CD just proves my point.

12 wonderful r’n’b (the real kind) tracks, some covers although covers of less well known numbers and some stonking originals with vocal duties being mainly undertaken by Bloater, very much in the blues shouter mould, but with two great tracks featuring the super cool voice of baritone sax player, Li’l Lisa Jane who, together with Tim Chimes on tenor, creates a sound that is dirrrrty in the best possible sense, and, along with the great piano playing of Deacon Turner, creates a wonderfully full sound that oozes with energy and drive. Standout tracks for me are the classic blues style title track and ‘I Wanna Do More’, Li’l Lisa’s sings ‘I wanna do more and more for my baby’ and you wish that she were singing just to you”! I love this CD and congratulate all involved. "
BLUES MATTERS MAGAZINE, UK

Rate This CD! Rating: After 5 Votes 5/54/53/52/51/5

Big Boy Bloater and his Southside Stompers (UK)
You Better Believe It
SPIN011
© Big Boy Bloater 2001

Big Boy Bloater - Guitar and Vocals
Lil Lisa Jane - Tenor Sax and Vocals
Chad Sexington - Baritone Sax
Deacon Turner - Piano
Cletus McPhee - Double Bass
Dave Terrey - Drums

The second CD from the UK's best loved Jumpin' RnB band. Led by the irrepressible Big Boy Bloater this is a very entertaining collection of great RnB tunes all with that authentic 50's sound. Released in 2001 this has already been re-pressed more than once due to demand. Fantastic musician doing what they do best.

For 14 years Big Boy Bloater's energetic blend of Blues, Boogie and Rock & Roll has thrilled audiences far and wide. With savage guitar and blues shouter vocals backed up by pounding piano, honking and screaming saxes and a rhythm section like an express train - you just can't help but get down and boogie to the Bloater beat! Big Boy Bloater’s blues shouter voice has been compared to the likes of Big Joe Turner, Howlin' Wolf, Wynonie Harris & Fats Domino and his wild guitar style is heavily influenced by the early sounds of Ike Turner, Johnny 'Guitar’ Watson, Mickey Baker and BB King.

As well as touring major cities all over Europe, the Middle East , USA & Canada, Big Boy Bloater and his band have made numerous TV and Radio appearances - including a week as the house band on Channel 4’s Big Breakfast (when it used to be good!), a live session and interview on Canada’s top morning TV programme 'Montreal Today', two sessions for Paul Jones' Radio 2 Rhythm & Blues Show and most recently a live session for Mark Lamarr's 'God's Jukebox' show on BBC Radio 2.

Bloater regularly appears with leading musicians from the current blues and R & B scene and has played in some of the most famous venues in the world including the World Trade Center, NYC, The Jello Bar in Montreal, The Gold Coast Casino in Las Vegas, the Brown Derby in Hollywood and the Forum and Hammersmith Palais in London. As well as playing in Chicago style blues band The City Shakers Bloater is also the guitarist of choice for some of the greatest legends of 50's music that have visited the UK over the years as well as modern artists such as Mike Sanchez, King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys, Diz Watson, Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne, Li'l Rachel and he backed the lovely Imelda May on her first ever UK appearance.

Rate This CD! Rating: After 4 Votes 5/54/53/52/51/5

The Blackjacks (UK)
High Roller
BJ002
© The Blackjacks 2002

Wanderin' Wilf Taylor - harps, vcls; King Louis Borenius - drums; Mighty Mick Taylor - gtr, vcls; Simon 'Tex' Sparrow - bass, vcls; Rory 'Coolhand' Cameron - gtr, vcls

"High Roller swings like a tree full of chimps and punches harder than Marco Antonio Barrera. If you're a fan of contemporary electric blues played with a traditional feel and a touch of class, it's just about everything you need." Blues In Britain

Rate This CD! Rating: After 4 Votes 5/54/53/52/51/5

1. Ouch!
2. The Thing You Love
3. Three Card Trick
4. One Woman Man
5. Rhythm Of The Blues
6. Poor Boy
7. Clive's Jive
8. Liar
9. Blackjack Boogie
10.Special Sauce
11. Let's Talk About It
BONUS TRACK - Scarborough Fair

  >> Play CD >>

Big Dave (BELGIUM)
Tellin' You
© Naked Productions 2004

Big Dave (born 1969) began playing harmonica at the age of 14.  A few years later he got in touch with blues music listening to harmonica-players such as William Clarke, Kim Wilson, James Harman, etc..

He formed “the Dizzy Dave Band” when he was seventeen and they played steadily for about eight years.

Learning more and more about the old-school blues he wanted to play forties and fifties style and so co-started “the Electric Kings” in 1994.   This band knew a lot of recognition in Europe with their mixture of Swing, Jump and Chicago-blues.

The last few years you could also hear Big Dave play as a sideman in “the Elmore D. band” (pre-war blues with a 21st century approach).

Influenced by all the great harp-players (both Walters, both Sonny Boys, G. Smith,...)  Big Dave plays a fat-toned, straightforward harp while singing with a strong relaxed voice.

Rate This CD! Rating: After 5 Votes 5/54/53/52/51/5

Down Home (SPAIN)
Running Out Of Time
©El Toro Records 2006

Crazy bluesin’ shaky rhythm & groovy boogie!

Barcelona’s Down Home have been shaking venues and festivals with their particular “neo swing crazy bluesin’ shaky rhythm & groovy boogie”.
Running Out Of Time is their first release, they have nothing but the most personal way to put together a voice, a slide guitar, a double bass, two saxophones, drums and playing original songs inspired on the 50’s swing & blues with the taste of this new century.

Rate This CD! Rating: After 4 Votes 5/54/53/52/51/5

1. Running Out Of Time
2. Maybe Tomorrow
3. Foolish Mouse
4. Watch Your Back
5. Blue Blue Blue
6. Along The Darkness
7. In Trouble
8. Let My Boogie Shake Your Bones
9. Drivin' My Blues Away
10. Back To My Arms
11. You Don't Have To Go

  >> Play CD >>

More great rockin' titles from El Toro Records!

Devils Creek (UK)
Bullfrog Blues

©Devils Creek 2006

Guy Rosewall - Lead Guitar / Vocals
Terry Brown - Drums
Tim Chapple - Bass

"You guys have a great sound. Very full and hard drivin'. Your bass player gets things goin' and keeps the fire lit throughout, on all songs. I really like your guitar playing and vocals. Excellent solos. Drumming is very complimentary to the style being played. I like the guitar and bass echoing each other on Family Song. I hear a blend of music spanning several decades. I hear the rhythm section on Seven Days as back in the 70s with such bands as Grand Funk etc. I also hear guitar from hard rockin' "hair bands" of the `80s and 90s. I think you've done a great job of blending different flavors of music together to make a very enjoyable listening experience. It gets one movin' as well. I also like your take on JT's Fire And Rain.

I will turn my 17 year old son onto you guys. He`s getting pretty good on his Fender bass, and I like to share other hard thumpin` bass players with him for inspiration.

Best of luck to you on your CD release and gigs ahead.......R.K." (Rick Kendrick - www.rorygallagher.com)

"Wikkid version of Seven Days - I love it!" (Barry Barnes - Sinnerboy)

"You're absolutely fookin stunning!" (The B-Man)

"It's good to hear the great old roots that you fellas' apply in your rock & rock & roll. Please don't ever stop!!"
(John Garner - Sir Lord Baltimore)

"A great tribute to Rory Gallagher" (www.rorysfriends.de)

"Devils Creek really blew me away, and I can't for the life of me believe that it sounds so good. Every 2 minute snippet (cd baby) from this release had me wanting more!" (Kim -www.rocknrolluniverse.com)

"The band is driven beautifully by Terry Brown on drums and Tim Chapple on bass, the latter laying down a stomping beat on every number.......... on the showing of this album I would strongly recommend them" (Ian McKenzie - Blues In The South).

Rate This CD! Rating: After 7 Votes 5/54/53/52/51/5

1. Seven Days
2. The Family Song
3. Dead Man Walking
4. Poor Boy
5. Messing With The Kid
6. Shadow City
7. Fire And Rain
8. Hear Me Calling
9. Demolition Man

  >> Play CD >>

Gyan Dookie & Telecaster Combo (FINLAND)
Twenty Years After
BNCD006
©Blue North Records 2007

Gyan Dookie & Telecaster Combo: 20 Years After

A sudden stir was heard among the restaurant crowd when the night's orchestra entered the stage. Five young men dressed up in suits dating back to their grandfathers' time, began to play their primitive looking instruments. Although blues had by then emerged as a party music especially favoured by young adults, this time it also featured distant echoes from the earlier decades. "So what is all this about now?", were uncertain listeners wondering. "Well, this is Gyan Dookie & Telecaster Combo, don't you know", advised a member of the Finnish Blues Society who was sitting in the same table, "a group, that aspires to bring an authentic early 1950's blues band to the futuristic 1980's".

A special reason to be proud of was Telecaster Combo's EP record released on blues society's own Blue North label. Although the group's well groomed outward appearance with brim hats and limelight sparkling silk neckties, in its way, reflected the time's narcissistic atmosphere, first and foremost all the band members were skilled musicians deeply acquainted with the blues style they had chosen. The goal of Gyan Dookie & Telecaster Combo was to catch the magical 1950's sound of Chicago's most significant record company Chess. Naturally the label's most glorious blues artists, Muddy Waters and Little Walter, the king of blues harmonica players, became their leading role models.

For being one of the most popular blues groups of its time, Telecaster Combo's active period limited surprisingly to only a couple of years. They didn't do too much recordings either. Besides the previously mentioned 4-track EP Telecaster Combo appeared only on Blue North label's compilation album "Living Finnish Blues".

In the fall of 2007, the band assembled once again to perform after a hiatus of twenty years. To honour this comeback, Finnish Blues Society now reissues all their historical recordings, finally on CD, even added with newly recorded material. These songs are more than tailor-made to prove that Telecaster Combo's still got that old magic of Chicago.

Rate This CD! Rating: After 4 Votes 5/54/53/52/51/5

1. Be Careful
2. Rough Ridin' Pony
3. You're So Fine
4. Walkin' By Myself
5. Standin' Around Crying
6. It Ain't Right
7. Clouds In My Heart
8. Hate To See You Go
9. Honey Bee
10. I've Been Abused
11. Moonshine Whiskey Blues
12. Too Late
13. Telecaster Shuffle
14. I got To Go

  >> Play CD >>

Buttnaked (BELGIUM)
Big Splash
© Naked Productions 2004

Rate This CD! Rating: After 2 Votes 5/54/53/52/51/5

1. Cool Conversation
2. Dog Days
3. The Big Splash
4. You
5. Hit Me
6. Mr. Gonzales
7. No Chicks
8. Little Prayer
9. Sunlight
10. Train
11. Beggin' And Pleadin'
12. Transsylvanian Devil