Stefan George - Song Tower

Styles : Folk Blues, Acoustic Blues
Released : 1992
Lable : Blue Bhikku Records

01 - Road Song
02 - Barbara Jane
03 - What's This
04 - Too Much Too Dream
05 - Sad Eyes
06 - Long Night
07 - Terminal Cafe
08 - Man In Blue
09 - Electric Avenue
10 - 1.000 Points Of Light
11 - Wonderful World
12 - Moon's Companion

Stefan began playing guitar at age eleven. Inspired by legends like Doc Watson, Mississippi John Hurt, and Brownie McGhee, he eventually studied with John Jackson, Steve James, and Del Ray. He made his stage debut at thirteen performing at Green Haven State Prison in upstate New York. At nineteen he hitchhiked around Europe playing cafes and pubs and had a house band gig in Turkey in a Vegas style night club backing a sword dancer. He left NY in the early 70's and played in San Francisco before settling in Tucson, Arizona. He founded a dance crazed World Beat, R&B band: "Brain Damage Orchestra" with partner Lavinia White in 1983, that broke club attendance records around the South West for ten years.

He then began dedicating himself to honing his acoustic guitar, songwriting, and slide guitar playing skills in earnest. Since then he's been a finalist in the Telluride Troubadour, the Kerrville New Folk, the Music City, and the Just Plain Folks songwriting competitions. He's won TAMMIE Awards (Tucson Area Music Awards) for Solo Artist, Acoustic Guitar, Songwriter, and Acoustic Ensemble and has been inducted into The Tucson Musicians Hall of Fame and The Arizona Blues Hall of Fame.

He's opened for and/or performed with a plethora of music greats such as: James Cotton, Mose Allison, Dave Van Ronk, Pete Seeger, Guy Davis, Norman Blake, Taj Mahal, Junior Lockwood, Honey Boy Edwards, Rory Block, Leftover Salmon, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Louden Wainwright III, Little Feat, Elvin Bishop, and many others.

Recent performance highlights include a solo tour of Germany, two tours with his blues trio "The Conrads" in Germany as well, a National Public Radio concert in Honolulu, featured artist on the internationally syndicated radio show "Beale Street Caravan", the SXSW music conference in Austin, Texas, host and performer at The Kerrville Folk Festival's "Blues Project", The Telluride Blues and Brews Festival, The Mammoth Lakes Bluesapalooza in California, The Silver City Blues Fest in New Mexico, The Lawton International Festival in Oklahoma, The Leverkusen Jazz Fest and The Verdener Blues Tage in Germany, and many, many other great club and festival shows in eight countries and two continents...

original CD from sussex

R.J. Mischo - Make It Good

Styles : Harmonica Blues
Released : 2012
Lable : Delta Groove

01  - Trouble Belt
02  - The Frozen Pickle
03  - Make It Good
04  - Papa's S.T. Special
05  - Minnesota Woman
06  - Arumbula Part 1
07  - Not Your Good Man
08  - I Got You Covered
09  - Up To The Brim
10  - The Biscuit Is Back
11  - Elevator Juice
12  - All Over Again
13  - Arumbula Part 2

We have RJ Mischo's older brother Mike to thank for having the foresight to present his younger sibling with his first Hohner Marine Band Harmonica around the age of twelve. That very same brother was also responsible for aligning Mischo's career trajectory by taking him to see a Muddy Waters concert when he was only 16-years old. Sitting just a mere 10-feet away from the pioneering blues legend at the Bel Ray Ballroom in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Mischo was awe-struck. Witnessing Waters' magnetic performance instilled a life-long hunger and appreciation for the blues that Mischo continues to nourish to this day.

Mischo's formal music career got its start over 30 years ago while working his way up through the thriving Minneapolis blues scene?his first paying gig came by way of Mississippi-bred singer/guitarist Percy Strother in the late-1970s. By the early '80s, Mischo was working with Muddy Waters' band alumni, George "Mojo" Buford, and had discovered the secrets to achieving a full-tone on his harmonica via tongue-blocking, a method taught to him by recent Los Angeles transplant, Lynwood Slim, who had taken up residence in Minneapolis at the time. About a year after establishing an all-star blues jam with guitarist Teddy Morgan every Sunday evening at the Five Corners Bar in 1991, the pair released their collaborative debut effort, "Ready To Go," featuring vocalist Percy Strother on Blue Moon Records. Mischo's first official solo album, "Gonna Rock Tonight," followed in '94. Mischo continued to release top-shelf recordings, building up an impressive and sizable catalog in the process, while always employing the services of high caliber musicians such as Jeremy Johnson, Steve Freund, Junior Watson, Frank Goldwasser, Rusty Zinn, Kid Andersen, Barrelhouse Chuck, June Core and Richard Innes. He's also maintained a consistently aggressive touring schedule, making regular trips overseas to Europe, and has even travelled to South America for performances with Brazil's own blues emissaries, the Igor Prado Band.

His Delta Groove debut, "Make It Good," is RJ Mischo's tenth release and he makes good on the promise of that title by delivering a high-octane fueled album?complete with 100% original material?backed by a formidable stable of talent featuring Austin's foremost blues elite. Mischo explains: "I was at the King Biscuit Blues Festival watching a performance of Anson Funderburgh when the vision for this album came to me. I knew the drummer Wes Starr lived in Austin, Texas. I asked him right then and there if he would be interested in working with me on this project." Joining Starr on the Austin sessions are guitarists Nick Curran and Johnny Moeller, bassist Ronnie James Weber, and pianist Nick Connolly. Drummer Richard Medek, and Mischo's old pal, guitarist Jeremy Johnson, are also on board for a couple of lowdown tracks recorded in St. Paul, Minnesota. Prepare yourself for some big blues and a little rock 'n roll, on what most assuredly adds up to one of RJ Mischo's toughest sounding and most satisfying ventures yet…make it good indeed!

Brian Kramer - A Tribute To Robert Johnson

Styles : Acoustic Blues
Released : 2011
Lable : BKB

01  - Phonograph Blues
02  - Ramblin' On My Mind
03  - Stones In My Passway
04  - Dead Shrimp Blues
05  - Drunken Hearted Man
06  - Honeymoon Blues
07  - When You Got A Good Friend
08  - Steady Rollin' Man
09  - Stop Breakin' Down
10  - Last Fair Deal Goin' Down
11  - Little Queen Of Spades

A Tribute To Robert Johnson, Brian Kramer does it justice with clear blues acoustic guitar playing and an understanding of traditional blues. His voice is full of emotion and clarity so that every word is heard and the stories behind the songs clearly unfolds.

Sympathetic and skilful production has been used recording live in a studio with no over dubbing, this is an genuine recognition of Robert Johnson delivered by Brian who has passion for traditional blues. Brian's 1932 National pounds out the rhythm demonstrating all the lessons he has learnt from the greats including Junior Wells who was both his friend and mentor putting these skills to great use on the CD.

Eleven tracks have been carefully crafted from the opening number 'Phonograph Blues' through to 'Little Queen Of Spades'. The combination of his voice and guitar skills makes this a fine tribute and a must for traditional Blues and Robert Johnson fans alike.

All songs written by Robert Johnson (traditional), music arranged by B. Kramer

Personnel:
Brian Kramer: Vocals, acoustic guitar & slide on 1932 National steel Duolian
Mats Qwarfordt: Harmonica
Bert Deivert: Mandolin

The Kai Strauss Band - This Time

Styles : Modern Electric Blues

Released : 2012

Lable : Timezone

01 - Damned If I Do, Damned If I Don't
02 - A Good Day

03 - 07.30 (Seven Thirty)

04 - This Time
05 - The Harder You Love

06 - One Woman Man

07 - A Whole Lotta Medicine

08 - Just The Man I Am
09 - I Wish I'd Known

10 - Still A Fool

11 - No Easy Way

12 - Procrastination Blues

Actually known as a guitarist Kai Strauss on the side of Gonzales memo, the original American blues with rock 'n' roll ambitions. But Strauss has now freed itself and with singer Jeffrey Amankwa started a band, the Soul, beaten rock, pop and reggae to a vibrant mix. Result: an album titled "This Time", where the blues act governs in the background.

Terry 'Harmonica' Bean With The Cornlickers - Rock This House Tonight

Styles : Harmonica Blues, Juke Joint Blues

Released : 2011

Lable : Mississippi Railroad Recordings

01 - Old Macdonald

02 - Hoochie Coohie

03 - Come On Baby

04 - Men Go Crazy

05 - Love Me

06 - Little Red Rooster

07 - Hey Pretty Baby

08 - So Long

09 - Who's Gonna Be Your Sweet Man

10 - Lookin' Good Tonight

11 - Who's Gonna Be Your Sweet Man

12 - Story 3 - Terry's Dad

13 - Lookin' Good Tonight

Bean first heard downhome blues at home. His father Eddie Bean, a native of Bruce, sang and played blues guitar and prior to Terry’s birth traveled with an electric blues band.

For many years Eddie Bean, who died in 1985, hosted informal music and gambling gatherings at the family’s house on 'Bean Hill' in west Pontotoc. He also worked as a sharecropper, enlisting Terry and other of his fourteen children to pick cotton in the surrounding fields.

Terry began playing guitar and harmonica as a child, and eventually his father began featuring him at the home gatherings and taking him along to other house parties. Terry decided to 'get serious' about the blues in 1988 after visiting the Delta Blues Festival in Greenville. Every weekend for three years Terry traveled to Greenville and its environs to play harmonica with James 'T-Model' Ford as well as Asie Payton at various juke joints. He also played across the Delta with artists including Lonnie Pitchford.

These days Terry travels the world solo and with his band bringing Hill Country and Delta blues to every growing authentic blues loving fan base. His live performances are an amazing example of what it means to have fire and raw power. He is one of the best living bluesman in the world and would have held his own in any generation. Terry is hands down at the top of the heap as a Harmonica and Guitar player.

On this live album, Terry "Harmonica" Bean and the Cornlickers take you back in time with "Rock This House Tonight", an incredible recording that captures the sound and furry of the house parties Terry grew up with.

Chino & The Big Bet - 100 Years - Tribute to Robert Johnson

Styles : Acoustic Blues, Country Blues

Released : 2010

Lable : Selflable

01 - Stop Breakin' Down Blues

02 - I Believe I'll Dust My Broom

03 - Come On In My Kitchen

04 - Stones in My Passway

05 - Love In Vain

06 - Last Fair Deal Gone Down

07 - Rambling On My Mind

08 - They're Red Hot
09 - 32-20

10 - If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day

11 - When You Got A Good Friend

12 - Malted Milk

13 - From Four Till Late

Hernan Senra "Chino" has proposed to pay tribute to one of his historical references. This album recorded by 16 August (day of his death) contains 13 of the 29 songs recorded by Robert Johnson. In this adventure is accompanied by Rod Deville on bass, Marti Elias on drums, and Victor collaborations doors on harmonica and ukulele Albert Bello.

Getting out of the lane along the shoulder and avoiding the use of trying to copy note fornote,"Chino" revisits the teacher, as they did at the time who electrified the music of "Delta" during the first half of the twentieth century.

Keeping the essence, but by appropriating the issues and impregnating them with his character, "Chino" delights us with a record that simply tastes like Blues ...

Robert Pete Williams & Son House - Live

Styles : Country Blues, Delta Blues

Released : 1966

Lable : Roots

01 - Son House - Depot Agent Blues

02 - Son House - County Farm Blues

03 - Son House - The Pony Blues

04 - Son House - Death Letter Blues

05 - Robert Pete Williams - I'm A Poor Boy Long Ways From Home

06 - Robert Pete Williams - Workin' Woman Blues

07 - Robert Pete Williams - I'm Down On My Knees

08 - Robert Pete Williams - Oh Lord Please Help Me On My Way

09 - Robert Pete Williams - I'm Drunk Now

Robert Pete Williams recorded in Hinterbruhl, Austria, 1966.

Son House recorded in 1965.

original LP from sussex

Andy Cohen & Jack Radcliffe - Four Hands No Waiting

Styles : Acoustic Blues, Piano Blues

Released : 2005

Lable : Wepecket Island Records

01 - Four Hands No Waiting

02 - Midnight Hour Blues

03 - Cincinnati Flow Rag

04 - It's Too Short

05 - Organ Grinder Swing

06 - Weenie Man

07 - Furry's Blues

08 - Miss New Orleans

09 - Cold In Hand Blues

10 - Cow Cow Blues

11 - Florida Blues

12 - If I Could Be With You

13 - Honey It Must Be Love

Andy Cohen and "Ragtime" Jack Radcliffe were strong-armed into conducting a piano "duel" at a folk music convention in New York in November, 2003, and the joint was positively jumpin'! Since then, the two have collaborated (and traded musical and verbal insults) on a number of occasions. The recording was done at Sounds Interesting Studios in Middleboro, MA, and features piano and guitar duets as well as some four-hand, two-piano work.

Andy Cohen:
Andy grew up in a house with a piano and a lot of Dixieland Jazz records, amplified after a while by a cornet that his dad got him. At about fifteen, he got bitten by the Folk Music bug, and soon got to hear records by Big Bill Broonzy and the Jim Kweskin Jug Band, both of which reminded him of the music he grew up to. At sixteen, he saw Rev. Gary Davis, and his course was set. He knew he had it in him to follow, study, perform and promote the music of the southeast quadrant,America's musical mother lode.
A list of Andy's musical friends and acquaintances would fill several pages. He has studied the music
of hundreds of blues guitar players and piano players. Here is a list that hits the high points:
Willie Walker, Lemon Jefferson, Lead Belly, Davis, Broonzy, Skip James, Bukka White, Rev. Robert Wilkins, Brownie McGhee, the list goes on. He's been "lead boy" for Jim Brewer, Rev. Dan Smith, and Brother Daniel Womack and briefly, Rev, Davis himself; hung out with John Jackson, Phil Wiggins, John Cephas, Hank Duncan, Honeyboy Edwards, Mad Dog Lester, Big Joe Duskin, Pigmeat Jarrett, Howard Armstrong, Carl Martin,Ted Bogan, Elizabeth Cotten, Etta Baker, John Dee Holeman, Fris Holloway, Larry Johnson, Eugene Powell, Johnnie Shines,Will Dukes and many others. He has given support when he could to deserving players, and arranged work for many more, organized festivals and small venues for them and others to play in, written about several of the old guys and studied their work in a systematic way, and taught a couple of dozen players who are now professionals.
Andy salutes Tony Piedade, who sold him his first fiddle half a lifetime ago.

"Ragtime" Jack Radcliffe:
Jack also grew up in a house with a piano and a lot of Dixieland Jazz records.Another barber shop figured prominently in Jack's early musical development. Next door to Romie's Barber Shop on
Mechanics Lane in New Bedford was the Windsor Music Store. After every haircut, Jack would take a few quarters into the music store and buy sheet music, mostly Dixieland arrangements for small combos. Matt Perry, who occasionally subbed on piano for the late great Frankie Carl, was Jack's piano teacher and between the Bartok and the Brahms he'd slip Jack some pointers on boogie woogie and big band.The folk music revival of the 50s came along just in time, as well, and by the time Jack ran into Larry Johnson he had a pretty good understanding of country blues. At that time Larry was being touted as the next generation of country blues players. Prestige even released an album titled "Blues:The Next Generation," produced by Sam Charters. Jack and Larry worked at a few gigs doing a Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell kind of thing. After hitting the road on the folk music circuit during the coffeehouse surge of the 60s, Jack settled in very musical Newport, R.I. Jack's band,"The New Viper Revue" roared and stomped throughout the Northeast in the early and mid-70s, preaching the joyful gospel of the fusion of New Orleans Jazz, Rhythm and Blues and Piedmont Blues.
But it was his 15-year, 2,500-plus-gig partnership with the late clarinetist Al Oliveira where
Jack sprouted his own roots in traditional American jazz and blues.
And the funny thing about this new partnership with Andy Cohen is that Tony Piedade and his barber shop were the cause of it all. It was time for Andy to get back to New Bedford and pick up another of Tony's wonderful instruments ... and Jack just happened to have moved back to his native city.

original CD from sussex