Tag Archives: Mike Zito

August 7, 2012

Photo Gallery/Festival Review: Riverfront Blues Festival, Wilmington, Delaware

Sometimes things don’t go as planned.

There are times when it takes so much just to take a breath.

This weekend was one of them, as we planned our annual visit to the Riverfront Blues Festival we learned of my brother, Emil’s early passing. All bets were off, and who knew what was in store, most likely it was not gonna be the best of times.

Well family, friends, everyone gathered and we did what we needed to do, be sad, and celebrate his life. It was great too see folks who were not family there to tell us how he touched their lives in a positive way and tome that was one of the high lights of that sad few days, but we decided to scoot down to Delaware for some of Saturday and all of Sunday’s shows.

We got there and was checking in when Gary Allegretto came walking out of the festival to cool down. Gary is an amazing cat, and seeing him and hearing his words of solace and a big ol’ hug, set me up for enjoying some music – didn’t know how long but we were in a good place. Zac Harmon was just finishing his set, his new release is “Music Is The Medicine” seemed so appropriate right now. He spoke of loss of family and of others losses too and it seemed that we were all there at that spot for a reason. It was what I was looking for, some musical medicine.

I said hi to Chris Cain and Steve Evans (killer bassist) and they offered kind words and Chris promised to play something special. To me that is anything this cat plays. But thru the set he would look over and give me that toothy smile and I knew he felt the pain and did his best to offer some medicine of his own mixing. The band never ceases to amaze me, tight, solid, funky and all giving they are just incredible. I did not succumb to “Drinkin’ Straight Tequila” as his tender love song he wrote with a crayon suggests, just took it in aurally.

That was it for Saturday – we were pretty wasted and drained from the previous few days, so off we went to Leslie’s parents home for some comfort and relaxation, oh yeh and a Jimi-Do List ! ! ! !

Sunday was a new dawn and a new day – as the Blues411 buttons were passed out and stockpiled at the gates The Nighthawks took the stage. One solid set folks, these guys have been at it for more years than I can recall and they are always in stride and the vibe is pure party. The two Mark’s plus band whipped up the crowd and got them off their butts to dance.

The Royal Southern Brotherhood were next up. Now I have heard a lot of pub about these cats, all wearing their musical pedigrees and history like a badge or medal (Royalty?) so, as I am want to do, I was real curious about how they would be together. I must say it didn’t take me too long to fall right in line with everyone else – These guys are just flat out freakin’ good!

Featuring Devon Allman, Mike Zito, Cyril Neville, Charlie Wooten, and Yonrico Scott they tore the playhouse down – room by room, note by note! Devon is an amazing guitarist who also knows how to work the stage, pit, crowd and amps for the utmost in performance. Mike Zito seemed to have found his spot with these guys. He adds a swampy touch and his guitar work blends itself nicely with Devon and other cats in the band. Cyril Neville is a master percussionist and singer – when he hits it there ain’t no stopping the feelings. Combine his Afro-Latin mix to the drumming of Yonrico Scott and bass voyages of Charlie Wooten and what comes out of the RSB blender is a purely intoxicating mix of Blues, Rock, Jazz, Afro-Latin, New Orleans, St. Louis amalgam of unlimited possibilities.

WHOA

Good friends are always welcomed, and the Brooks Family Dynasty are considered good friends. Featuring Ronnie & Wayne (as Father, Lonnie could not fly) it was a slightly different set but a solid one all in all. Was nice to see Wayne being featured some more as his works contain just a little bit more soul R&B feel to them, and as always Ronnie is the Prince of the Blues – always fun and his guitar skills are to of the line.

We were dragging arse by halfway thru the set so we headed over to Harry’s Seafood to meet up with my nephew and his finance’ to relax and just have some quiet time with them. Next year we will have to try to get them to join us at the festival.

Thanks to everyone who offered condolences, prayers, thoughts and everything else to us during these times, thanks to the musicians for their music which truly is a medicine. It was a rough weekend and there are still things to deal with this week but I have to admit it’s getting better, little by little and since I found the Blues I’ve been in the pink. Ok thanks to the Beatles, Junior Wells and Theresa James for these song titles.

Home » Photo Gallery/Festival Review: Riverfront Blues Festival, Wilmington, Delaware » Riverfront Blues Festival

Riverfront Blues Festival

Three days of great music and fun, this little gem is a must do festival on our summer schedule. Thanks to all involved and to all the peeps who partook in the good times.

Slideshow

View 51 photos

View the album Riverfront Blues Festival

Until next time,
Love, Peace & Chicken Grease
chefjimi
©Blues411.com 2012
Where the Blues Thrives
photos: Leslie K. Joseph, Blues411

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Filed under Blues, Blues411, Bluescruise, Entertainment, Festivals, Opinion, Performance Review, Photo Gallery, Rock & Roll

Tagged as American Roots Music, Betsie Brown, Bev Zimmerman, Bill Wax, Blind Raccoon, Blues, Blues Music Awards, Blues411, Chefjimi, Chris Cain, Cyril Neville, Devon Allman, Gene Fontana, Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, Leslie K. Joseph, Maria Muldaur, Mike Zito, Riverfront Blues Festival, Rock & Roll, Roger Nabor, Royal Southern Brotherhood, The Blues Foundation, The Nighthawks, Tony Colter, XM 70 Bluesville

April 24, 2012

Interviews: Samantha Fish Swimming In The Blues

A great turn out across Western NY State for this up and coming Blues lady, Ms. Fish is riding a wave that started with her appearance on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, then Girls With Guitars, and now reaching further with her release ‘Runaway’ being nominated for a Blues Music Award in the Best New Artist Debut.

We enjoyed her and her band, Go Go Ray (drums) & Paul Greenlease (bass) performing to a packed house at the famous Dinosaur BBQ in Rochester, NY (where the music is always free) and spent a little bit of time chatting her up so we can all get to know more about her.

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B411: So by the turn out tonight – which was really great – I would think that the ‘Girls with Guitars’ tour helped with getting you and your music out there for people. You did appear here with them last year for the Jazz festival.

Samantha Fish: I definitely think it helped a lot. We got exposure to markets we have not been to before. I hadn’t been to these areas in the East before, I am still a young artist and before Girls With Guitars I was doing mostly regional work, and with Girls we got to Canada, Europe and it opened a lot of doors for me. I also led me to Piedmont Talent, it has been very helpful.

B411: When I first saw you on the cruise you were jamming in with Trampled Under Foot, or with the Girls tour, and now finally with your own band. My how you have grown !

SF: The cruise was a jam thing, I jammed with everyone. Mike Zito helped me get to a lot of the jams, Pro-Am’s, Pros, Am’s – I just jammed the cruise away. I jammed with Tab Benoit, so everyday I hit all the jams. So with Girls With Guitars it still wasn’t my music – it was more of a collaboration, it was great, a fun project. Now you get to see me do my own thing. I am more comfortable now. It’s been kinda cool, I get to play with my own band and my own music. So I think one does get more comfortable after playing a lot and getting used to being up there.

B411: Yes, but there is comfortable and then there is the engaging part of it. You just won the crowd over with your openness and repartee with them. I saw it, it’s was very professional and personal. Plus they loved your set.
It was great to see some of the younger folks there, and I overheard them referring to you as sort of Stevie Ray Vaughn styled blues-rock, that’s great because you drew them in and they stayed the majority of the set.

SF: Yeh all the young kids go thru that, they hear a guitar and they go “Stevie Ray Vaughn”. That’s funny he was one of the first people I picked up on when I was getting into the Blues. I was a kid, and he bridged that gap to the main stream. I’m twenty three now so he was a major person when I was picking up the guitar.

B411: That’s so important to bring people your age and younger into the Blues, otherwise we are gonna crawl off into a corner and die.

SF: That is so true, and I am so aware of that. A few years ago I met Shirley King, B.B. King’s daughter, and she wanted me to come up to the Chicago Blues Fest to meet some people and jam. Oh, I jammed I front of Koko Taylor – Shirley was so nice to me, but she told me that we need to get young people into the Blues because they bring younger demographics into it. Kids relate to kids, it’s about being able to relate to the music, so it does open the door for kids to get into the Blues, and then they can learn more about it’s history. I mean after I started playing I fell on love with Charley Patton and Skip James, Freddy King – but Stevie Ray opened the door. We need someone to bridge the gap for young people.

B411: Yes, but there is the fact that they were here tonight, not in a sterile environment like an iPod…

SF: Live music is so important – you can’t get the same feeling. I mean there are some recordings that I go wow over, but it happens the most when you see it in concert. For me the last time was when I was on the Bluescruise and Tab Benoit was singing “These Arms of Mine”, and the wind was blowing and he had a horn section with Jimmy Thackery – man there never was a better moment than that one. That’s what live music will do to you. It kills you!

B411: Speaking of Tab, you mentioned him as one of your influences on guitar, tell me more.

SF: I’d definitely say so. A lot of the guys that influenced me the most, I did take a lot from older recordings, like BB & Freddie King and the Stones and Tom Petty were big also. But when I started to going to see live shows, it was guys like Ronnie Baker Brooks. Mike Zito, Tommy Castro, Trampled Under Foot and Tab really deeply influenced me. I almost had to leave the shows because I wanted so to just go home and play guitar. I think when you see it right up front is when it moves you the most.
It’s all those things that inspired me but live music hits me the hardest.

B411: How long have you been playing?

SF: Since I was fifteen. I really didn’t start playing out live till I was nineteen, twenty. I know it doesn’t sound like a long time but for me it’s a giant chunk of my life. I feel like I have learned a lot.

B411: It was interesting, you opened with your version of “Rollin’ & Tumblin’” classic straight up Blues. You also did “Goin’ Down Slow”, big time classic Blues numbers.

SF: I wasn’t sure if I should open with a cover, but that one “Rollin & Tumblin’” has always has been one of my hardest hitting songs. It’s a guitar driven song, and I can sing my butt off so it helps set things up. Now “Goin’ Down Slow” is a bastardized version of a Howling Wolf song, re-done by Bobby Blue Band, re-done by Albert Castiglia and bastardized by me. Castiglia’s version of that – he played it in Kansas City and I was right down in front and I felt I just had to learn that song. It’s funny because now I look at my set list and I’m going “holy crap I should write some songs’. I mean I also never thought that I would be playing at the same festivals as these folks, it’s so great.

B411: So ‘Runaway’ is more of your own music than covers.

SF: Yes, a lot of original songs. Actually Mike Zito produced that album, he did a great job. We even co-write a song “When Push Comes To Shove” we’ve yet to play it together, but we are doing a lot of festivals together so we’re gonna have to re-learn it. Mostly we will be doing mid-west gigs, I am opening for Royal Southern Brotherhood in a few places. Yeh, I’m gonna force Zito to come up and play that song with me, get ready Mike!

B411: The line between doing covers and originals is tough to call – I mean you just did ‘Wild Horses‘ by The Stones, and it was waay good. So sometimes they become part of your experience and as an artist you need to do them, with your take on it.

SF: I love that song, and have had some many people want us to put it on a record, but i am writing so many ballads these days I’m not sure I can do that one too.

B411: It can just be a live treat from you. On “Runaway” you did an excellent version of “Louisiana Rain” it just kicked the original’s ass. Sorry Tom!

SF: Thank you. I love Tom Petty, my dad listened to Tom Petty, he was my parents favorite artist. I love his songwriting, him and Tom Waits, they are so imaginative and creative storytellers. I hadn’t heard that song, I was in the studio with Mike Zito in November and we were discussing what we would put on the album, and we decided on Tom Petty and he said ‘Louisiana Rain‘ – I had never heard it. So I wound up listening to it in my room and played it about thirty times, and I just fell in love with the song. I wondered what was wrong with me since I hadn’t heard the song – I thought of myself as a fan.

B411: Was it off of “Damn The Torpedoes”, I don’t recall?

SF: Yeh, it was, I have that album and probably never listened to the song, it musta been the mandolin intro that I thought would never end. See what I’ve missed.

B411: On a personal note if I may, you and Kris Schnebelen (Trampled Under Foot) have been together a few years now. With both of you performing and touring artists how easy (hah hah) or difficult is it for you guys to keep it together?

SF: We’ve been together for over three years now, a pretty long time for me in life years. It wasn’t like this in the beginning of the relationship because neither of us was touring a lot. They had just won the IBC’s so they were getting their feet into it. It can be like ships passing in the night, but what’s cool about us is that we understand what each is doing. He is the most supportive person I have, the love and support will pull us through it. We feel lucky for the time we have together. Who knows we might wind up hating each other if we spend all our time together (we both laugh aloud). Nah, it makes our time thankful for the time we have together, and we appreciate that we both have something to do that we love to do for a living.

B411: Some very wise words from one so young, I understand perfectly as Leslie and I have been together going on thirty-three years and also appreciate the time away and agree with you on the time spent together. Thanks so much and see you in Memphis hopefully holding a nice new statue in your hands.

For a photo gal1ery and quick review of her performance in Rochester, visit http://blues411.com/?p=3988 also contains photos from good pal to Blues411 Martin Goettsch.

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Filed under Blues, Blues411, Bluescruise, Entertainment, Festivals, Interviews, Music, Performance Review, Rock & Roll

Tagged as Albert Castiglia, American Roots Music, B.B. King, Bill Wax, Blues, Blues Music Awards, Bobby Blue Bland, Chefjimi, Chicago, Dinosaur BBQ, Entertainment, Freddie King, Girls With Guitars, Howlin' Wolf, IBC's, Jimmy Thackery, Kris Schebelen, Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, Leslie K. Joseph, Mark Pucci Media, Memphis, Mike Zito, Rochester, Rock & Roll, Roger Nabor, Rolling Stones, Royal Southern Brotherhood, Ruf Records, Samantha Fish, Tab Benoit, The Blues Foundation, Tom Petty, Tommy Castro, Tony Braunagel, Tony Colter, Trampled Under Foot, XM 70 Bluesville

October 5, 2011

CD Reviews: Music The Healer

So I decided that after Labor Day this year I’d get that long aching left knee scoped. Result is that the existing arthritis and meniscus tear taken care of. The issue of how do I spend my R&R time, led me to South Carolina and sun, beach and beer-can chicken (always a good remedy for what ails ya). Add to that mix some good Blues music and I am almost ready to hit the high seas once again at the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise end of October.
Here is what has been playing in the workout room, on the iPod while biking and keeping me company in the air during my return to Rochester.

Samantha Fish: Runaway (Ruf Records)

Right away – Down in the Swamp – a well paced riff-driven blues with the bite of a ‘gator exposes Samantha’s fine understanding of the guitar and how to make it talk to us. Continuing the aural display we are treated to an upbeat boogie number ‘Runaway‘. The title track keeps the feet moving and allows her to showcase her adroit skills at plucking leads in a tasty manner that enhances the overall mood of the song.

This is her solo debut release containing nine originals and two covers. Produced by Mike Zito, who co-wrote ‘Push Comes To Shove’ where he performs a nice duet with her in a song that is somewhat reminiscent of the Sue Foley/Peter Karp ‘He Said, She Said’ of a while ago. On this release we also get to hear Ms. Cassie Taylor on bass, who is one third of ‘Girls With Guitars’ (along with Samantha and Dani Wilde) who have been burning down festivals across the country this summer.

My favorite cover is ‘Louisiana Rain’, the Tom Petty chestnut, which is presented with perfectly crafted vocals by Samantha, who then adds some thick, sweet slide guitar that refreshes this well known to a new level – and it’s perfect played loud while driving in the car !

I first met Samantha on the an LRBC cruise when she had to step in for an very ill Danielle Schnebelen of Trampled Under Foot, she was outstanding and I believe that opportunity solidified in her mind what her potential really was. She certainly showed it to the crowd who loved every moment of her performance with the band.

Terry Hanck: Here It Comes
(Delta Groove Music)

There aren’t a lot of things to make ya feel good – or better – than a sweet tenor sax and soul filled vocalist. Well Terry Hanck provides all this and more. This is Terry’s 6th release, his first for Delta Groove, and it provides us with an outstanding collection of covers and originals.

Terry covers Chick Willis’ ‘Keep A Drivin’ layered with the languid feel of ‘The Stroll’ and some rough gritty sax work complete with background vocals. A stepping West Coast Swing version of Tiny Bradshaw’s ‘Train Kept a Rollin’ is a rollicking jaunt on the rails of good old fashioned Rock & Roll, and it’s way better than Aerosmith’s version (trust me).

As a songwriter Terry has always been capable, creative and most importantly – enjoyable. In what has become my theme song and expression du jour Terry has given us ‘Appreciate What You Got’. A poignant but uplifting homage to the current state of distress we are all living in we are treated to a scorching guitar solo by co-producer Kid Andersen. Then Terry announces that he will appreciate his own self and gives us a rollicking, swaggering sax solo that recalls the sound of King Curtis and has the feel of some fine old Memphis greasy rock & soul music.

Terry is one of the very best saxophonists around today. He has a complete understanding of where the instrument stands in history but takes it off the mantle and keeps it alive and well. His singing is deep and soulful and his music does what music is supposed to do in it’s purest form – make ya move to it !

Ian Siegal and the Youngest Sons : The Skinny (Nugene Records)
release date October 25, 2011

Ian Siegal is one of the most gifted singers and smart song writers that I know of. That’s a helluva statement to make, and by doing so I hope I don’t alienate people, but damn this guy puts it out there. I have been a fan of his for quite some time, first discovering him with his ‘Meat and Potatoes’ release (2005). Methinks I am not alone as he just won the British Blues Award for Male Artist of The Year.

With ‘The Skinny’ we see Mr. Siegal cross the big pond and come to America to record with American Blues Artists. This is a time honored tradition, done by such British Blues bands as the Rolling Stones, Yardbirds, Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. Mr. Siegal came to the North Mississippi studio of the late Jim Dickinson, to record with Cody Dickinson (son of Jim), Garry Burnside (son of R.L.), Robert Kimbrough (son of Junior) and Rodd Bland ()son of Bobby ‘Blue) – all of them the youngest sons of their legendary fathers – hence the name reference.

The title track ‘The Skinny’ is a pulsing, grinding down-to-the-bone low down on what is happenin’ right here and right now – the skinny = the truth delivered in a menacing straight up rhythm. ‘Stud Spider’ is a Tony Joe White tune presented as a dark metaphorical look at the world of male/female relations. Robert Kimbrough’s solo is an incredibly dizzying venture down into a web of sound, only to be pulled out at the end by a rattling, clanking scratching at the strings that had seemed to have given up the fight just seconds earlier. No black widow feast here.

There is not a soft spot here, as come to be expected from Mr. Siegal. ‘Master Plan’ is a open pledge to acquire the apple of his eye much in the same way that ‘Ruby Baby’ stated ‘Ruby bay, how I want you, like a ghost I’m gonna haunt you’ but with more conviction than that dark pop song had. ‘Devil’s In The Details’ is a treat for us to experience the sound of some really fine Hill Country Fife and Drum music featuring Andre Turner on fife with some call and response added to fullness.

If you are a fan of Ian Siegal then this is a must. If you have not yet had the pleasure than this will serve as a proper introduction. It is pure Ian but served up with a raw and edgy side of Mississippi Hill Country Fried Poke Salad.

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