Author: David Scott
Following the widespread cancellation of tours and gigs, with associated loss of income, American Blues Scene contacted four UK and Irish blues musicians to assess the impact of this awful virus on their livelihoods. We also asked them how they are coping and what steps they are taking to continue promoting their music and engaging with fans. Grainne Duffy: Irish singer, songwriter, guitarist Well, of course it’s had a huge impact on my life and my husband too as we are both musicians, so it’s our employment gone temporarily (and our upcoming festivals). We were super excited about returning to…
It is significant that Green Note in Camden, near to where Sean Taylor resides, should provide the setting for a Live In London album representing the pinnacle of his musical achievements after two decades as a road warrior. The intimacy of this iconic venue (Taylor’s spiritual home), and the presence of family, friends and fans who packed the place to the rafters, makes it a special night. With a guitar on his back and an old fedora hat, the troubadour walks nonchalantly onto the stage and launches straight into “Heaven” with its trademark fingerpicking, mesmeric strings’ accompaniment and hushed vocal…
At a time of increasing gloom and doom it is important to look out for and to share the green shoots of recovery. One such moment is “Blue Skies” as Irish guitarist, songwriter and chanteuse Gráinne Duffy looks beyond the dark clouds to those clear blue skies.
For the past 100 years, America has been home to the best female blues singers in the world. Starting in 1920, Mamie Smith entered blues history as the first African-American female artist to make vocal blues recordings. In 1923 Bessie Smith was hailed as the “Empress of the Blues” and the first blues superstar, around the same time as Ma Rainey gained the title “Mother of the Blues.” Billie Holiday was regarded as the “First Lady of the Blues,” and she began recording in the 1930s. Other illustrious names since then include Sister Rosetta Tharpe who also pioneered the electric…
“Blues music is…stronger than many people realize and is as relevant now as it was when W.C. Handy first heard the slide guitar on that darkened train platform way back when.”
Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London is one of the world’s most famous music venues. And it’s the perfect, intimate setting for the sold out launch of Ruby Turner’s 20th solo album, Love Was Here, because it is her spiritual home. Indeed, a residency over two weeks was needed to meet demand for tickets such is the immense popularity and reputation of the Jamaican-born, UK-based songstress who has found considerable fame, latterly with Jools Holland & His R&B Orchestra. Turner and her four-piece band opened with the mid tempo, jazz-infused, coolly sensuous “On The Defence” from her Responsible album, providing…
R&B soul queen, songwriter and actress Ruby Turner, MBE is enjoying an illustrious career. Ruby announced her arrival on the UK music scene in 1986 with her first solo album, which included a sensational version of the Etta James classic “I’d Rather Go Blind.” By 1990, Turner had topped the USA charts with “It’s Gonna Be Alright” and for the past quarter of a century she has traveled the world as vocalist with Jools Holland and his R&B Orchestra. Millions celebrate New Year’s Eve with Ruby on BBC TV’s Jools’ Annual Hootenanny, making her one of the nation’s best known…
Debut singles don’t get any better than “I’d Give It All (Redux).” It only takes a few seconds to recognize a star in the making with a voice reminiscent of the great 20th century American chanteuses. Released independently by Blank Studios, the word redux at the end of the song title indicates this is a revival of a ballad from the UK gypsy-folk and rock band Holy Moly & The Crackers’ best selling Take A Bite album. However, it is much more than that, because “I’d Give It All (Redux)” marks the debut solo single release of Ruth Patterson, the highly…
The art of the luthier reaches its zenith with this beautifully constructed custom guitar from the master craftsmen at Gibson whose passion, perfection and precision are evident in their prized instrument. To make an identical replica of what a 60-year-old ES-335 looked like at Woodstock in 1969 is an achievement of pure genius. The aging cherry wood adds to the distressed appearance, the scratches are consistent with years of hard playing and the guitar is authentic in every detail including the famous sticker motifs. Gibson has made 50 limited edition signature replicas of this fabled ’69 Festival’ axe. The famous Nashville…
The Sage Gateshead is one of the UK’s most iconic concert venues and has hosted the biggest international names in music from Beth Hart to Joe Bonamassa, The Beach Boys to Randy Newman. It is located on the south bank of the River Tyne in North East England, overlooking the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, home of Holy Moly & The Crackers. Their performance on October 4th at Sage Gateshead was going to be extra special as the band returns after a lengthy tour of festivals across Europe. At the beginning of the decade the three original members, Conrad Bird,…