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PLAYING OUT LOUD!
ARTICLES
Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Brook,
Southampton – Sunday July 22.
 Fabulous
Thunderbirds, The Brook, Southampton – Sunday July 22
The Fabulous Thunderbirds are a blues-rock band formed way back in 1974. After
performing for several years on the Austin, Texas blues scene they earned a
record contract with Takoma/Chrysalis Records, later signing to Epic.
The first two albums released in 1979 and 1980 did not initially sell well, but
are now regarded as successful white blues recordings. Their blues style mixed
Texas blues with the harmonica-laced swamp blues sounds of Slim Harpo and Lazy
Lester. Their third album, Butt-Rockin’ released in 1981 took the band closer to
old-style rhythm and blues and added a piano and brass section played by
additional musicians.
Although the Fabulous Thunderbirds had become favorites of fellow musicians -
they opened shows for the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton - and had been
critically well-received, their records didn't sell particularly well. Chrysalis
dropped the band following the release of T-Bird Rhythm, leaving the band
without a record contract for four years. While they were in limbo, they
continued to play concerts across the country. During this time, bassist Keith
Ferguson left the band and was replaced by Preston Hubbard, another former
member of Roomful of Blues. In 1985, they finally landed another record
contract, signing with Epic/Associated.
The single Tuff Enuff was featured in the Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster film
‘Tough Guys’ as was the follow-up single, "Wrap It Up". The band's music was
also played in John Cusack's 1987 movie ‘Hot Pursuit.’ The Fabulous
Thunderbirds' next album, Hot Number fell off the charts quickly and alienated
many of the bands' long-time fans due to its slick pop-oriented sound. The band
then began a long series of line-up changes and obscure, yet improved, albums
throughout the 1990s.
After the two poorly received follow-ups to Tuff Enuff, Jimmie Vaughan left the
band to play in a duo with his brother, Stevie Ray Vaughan; following Stevie
Ray's death in the summer of 1990, Jimmie pursued a full-time solo career. The
Fabulous Thunderbirds replaced Vaughan with two guitarists, Duke Robillard and
Kid Bangham.
During the early '90s, the Fabulous Thunderbirds were in limbo, as Kim Wilson
recorded a pair of solo albums. In 1994, Wilson re-assembled the band and record
their ninth album, ‘Roll of the Dice’ which was released on Private Music in
1995. High Water followed in 1997 with a live album after that in 2001.
The current lineup includes original member Kim Wilson, guitarist and vocalist
Nick Curran, guitarist Kirk Fletcher, Ronnie James Weber on bass, and Jay
Moeller on drums.
Larry Carlton & Robben Ford, Poole
Lighthouse, Wednesday July 11.
 Larry
Carlton & Robben Ford, Poole Lighthouse, Wednesday July 11
Fourteen-time Grammy nominee, three-time Grammy winner and all-time guitar great
Larry Carlton joins forces with exquisite blues-based player Robben Ford for an
unforgettable evening of duelling guitar solos and uncompromising blues later
this month.
Larry Carlton began taking guitar lessons when he was six. His first
professional gig was at a supper club in 1962. After hearing Joe Pass on the
radio, he was inspired to play jazz and blues. l. He honed his guitar-playing
skills in the clubs and studios of greater Los Angeles. He attended a local
junior college and Long Beach State College for a year until the Vietnam War
ended. Carlton toured with the Fifth Dimension in 1968 and began doing studio
sessions in 1970. His early session work included studio dates with pop
musicians like Vicki Carr, Andy Williams and the Partridge Family. In 1971, he
was asked to join the Crusaders shortly after they'd decided to drop the word
"Jazz'' from their name, and he remained with the group until 1976. In between
tours with the Crusaders, he also did studio session work for hundreds of
recordings in every genre. But it was while he with the Crusaders that he
developed the highly rhythmic, often bluesy style he has now. His credits
include performing on more than 100 gold albums. and writing and playing theme
music credits for TV and films include “Against All Odds” and “or Hill Street
Blues.”
Carlton delivered his self-titled debut for Warner Bros. in 1978, shortly after
he was recognized for his ground-breaking guitar playing on Steely Dan's “Royal
Scam” album. He released four more albums for Warner Bros, continuing session
work and touring in between, emerging again in 1986 on MCA Records with an
all-acoustic album, “Discovery.”
While working on his next album for Carlton was the victim of random gun
violence, and was shot in the throat by gun-wielding juveniles outside Room 335,
his private studio near Burbank, California. The bullet shattered his vocal cord
and caused significant nerve trauma, but through intensive therapy and a
positive frame of mind, Carlton completed the album “On Solid Ground” in 1989.
Carlton's most recent albums include two releases in 1996 for GRP Records,
“Gift” and “With a Little Help from My Friends.”
Robben Ford was born in Woodlake, California and raised in Ukiah and began
playing the saxophone at age 10, picking up the guitar at age 13. Robben began
playing professionally at age 18 when his Ford Blues Band, named after his
father got a gig backing Charlie Musselwhite. The band went on to record two
albums. Next Robben put together a band with Bay Area musicians that became
Jimmy Witherspoon’s backup band. Robben recorded two albums with Jimmy.
Robben joined the LA Espress led by saxophonist Tom Scott in 1974. In addition
to recording fusion albums, they served as Joni Mitchell’s backup band on the
album “Hissing of Summer Lawns” and the live “Miles of Aisles.” That same year
they backed George Harrison on his only tour.
After leaving Tom Scott, Robben recorded his solo album “The Inside Story” with
a band that was to become The Yellowcats with whom he made t wo albums.
Robben worked briefly with Miles Davis in 1986; before releasing his next album,
“Talk To Your Daughter” in 1988, a return to his blues roots. His best work in
the 1990's included “Robben Ford & The Blue Line” and “Tiger Walk.” In addition
to recording and touring with his own blues band, Robben continues to tour and
play with other bands/artists such as Jing Chi, (his fusion band, Greg Allman
and Phil Lesh.
TERRY REID, THE CELLARS, EASTNEY,
SOUTHSEA, FRIDAY JULY 13.
 TERRY
REID, THE CELLARS, EASTNEY, SOUTHSEA, FRIDAY JULY 13
Now in his late fifties, Terry Reid is an English rock singer and guitarist
noted for his soulful voice in the same vein as contemporaries Paul Rodgers and
Rod Stewart.
After leaving school at the age of 15, Reid joined Peter Jay's Jaywalkers after
being spotted by the band's drummer, Peter Jay. At the time Reid was playing for
a local band, The Redbeats. His public profile was enhanced in 1966 when The
Jaywalkers were named as a support act for The Rolling Stones for their concert
at the Royal Albert Hall. Graham Nash of The Hollies became friends with Reid at
that concert and suggested The Jaywalkers sign up with Columbia Records to
record with producer John Burgess. Their first single, the Soul-inspired "The
Hand Don't Fit the Glove," was a minor hit in 1967, but by then The Jaywalkers
had already decided to disband.
Reid came to the attention of hits producer Mickie Most, who became his manager.
His first single with Most, "Better By Far," became a radio favourite, but the
album, “Bang Bang, You're Terry Reid” was not a commercial success. A 1968 tour
of the United States with Cream did much to gain Reid a loyal following and his
final performance of the tour at the Miami Pop Festival garnered positive
reviews from the music press. In 1969, Reid supported various British tours,
notably Jethro Tull and Fleetwood Mac.
Yardbirds guitarist Jimmy Page became interested in Reid's work, and when The
Yardbirds disbanded, Page wanted Reid to fill the vocalist spot for his proposed
new group, which was to become Led Zeppelin. Reid suggested to Page that he
consider a young Birmingham singer, Robert Plant, instead, having previously
seen Plant's Band of Joy as a support act at one of his concerts. Reid later
turned down an offer to join Deep Purple when they decided to replace singer Rod
Evans; Ian Gillan was given the position instead.
Terry Reid's second album, “Terry Reid” (1969), is regarded by critics as his
best work. Reid toured the United States again with The Rolling Stones American
Tour 1969 and appeared at the infamous Rolling Stones concert at Altamont Music
Festival. Reid, however, became involved in a dispute with producer Mickie Most,
who wanted Reid to become a balladeer, and to strictly follow his own formula;
the same problem the Yardbirds had experienced with Most years earlier. Reid
then left England and settled in California to sit out the remainder of his
contract with Most, making only sporadic live performances during that period.
In 1970, he returned briefly to England to perform at the Isle of Wight
Festival. In 1973, Reid returned with a new contract with Atlantic Records and a
new album entitled “River.” Produced by Yes's Eddie Offord, the album received
favourable reviews, but was a commercial flop.
Over the next decade, Reid switched to different labels in search of a winning
formula; “Seed of Memory” released by ABC Records in 1976 (produced by Graham
Nash), and “Rogue Waves” released by Capitol Records in 1979. He retired his
solo career in 1981 to concentrate on session work, appearing on albums by Don
Henley, Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt. In 1991, Reid returned with former Yes
producer Trevor Horn, on the album “The Driver.” The album featured a cover
version of the Spencer Davis Group classic, "Gimme Some Lovin'", which had
earlier appeared on the “Days of Thunder” soundtrack. "The Whole of the Moon",
written by Mike Scott, was released as a single and received considerable
airplay. Reid has since been playing occasional live gigs with a band which has
included ex-Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor and Brian Auger.
In late 2005, Reid returned to the UK for his first tour in years. One venue
billed him as “The Man With A Hell Of A Story To Tell'. That same year, three of
his songs, “Seed of Memory,” “To Be Treated Right,” and “Brave Awakening”
appeared in the movie “The Devil's Rejects.”
VALERIE SMITH & LIBERTY PIKE, QUAY ARTS
CENTRE, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT, WEDNESDAY, JULY 18.
 VALERIE
SMITH & LIBERTY PIKE, QUAY ARTS CENTRE, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT, WEDNESDAY, JULY
18
Valerie Smith’s style is firmly rooted in the musical soil of her Missouri
childhood.
Music has always been there for Valerie. It's the lifeblood that flows through
her veins and is part of her earliest memories. No stranger to hard work, her
family raised tobacco, potatoes and corn, while her father worked in an auto
assembly plant. The child of musical parents, Valerie showed talent at an early
age, and soon began singing rousing Baptist hymns in church, and later began to
accompany her parents to play her fiddle and sing with local country and
bluegrass musicians in her hometown of Holt and the surrounding area. Not only
did Valerie learn to sing in front of an audience, but she learned to be an
entertainer as well, a skill which has endeared her to thousands of fans across
the world.
Missouri is the musical crossroads of the nation, and Valerie heard western
music drifting in from the high plains, jazz wafting along the Big Muddy from
Kansas City, and the clarion call of bluegrass from the east. A strong desire to
learn more and to teach others prompted Valerie to attend the University of
Missouri Conservatory of Music in Kansas City, where she received her B.A. in
vocal music education and further broadened her musical horizons. While
attending school, Valerie was to meet her future husband, Kraig Smith; and as
fate would have it, a chance opportunity led Kraig to a job in Nashville shortly
after they were married. By then, Valerie had been teaching school in her
hometown for two years, and even though she knew she would miss teaching, she
felt fate was pulling her toward Tennessee. In 1992 they arrived and settled
into their new life.
It didn't take Valerie long to get into the Nashville music scene, even while
holding down a job with an advertising agency, and then teaching middle school
music. She formed the acoustic country group "Fresh Cactus" and played
extensively in Nashville while honing her songwriting and performance skills.
Valerie's love for bluegrass music never waned, and while attending a festival
in Franklin, she met old time musicians Junior and Betty Parker. The Parkers
quickly adopted Valerie, and invited her to play with them in the tiny Tennessee
hamlet of Bell Buckle. It was here that Valerie met local entrepreneur J.
Gregory Heinike, owner of the Bell Buckle Café. Valerie, J. Gregory, and Kraig
Smith founded Bell Buckle Records and Valerie recorded her first highly
acclaimed CD, "Patchwork Heart" and formed her band, Liberty Pike.
Since then, Valerie's music has taken her from coast to coast and around the
world. She has become an ambassador of bluegrass music and has entertained music
lovers in New York, London, Berlin, Dublin, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and hundreds
of other venues throughout the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe. She
has been the recipient of IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association)
awards and has been nominated for a Grammy Award as part of the Ralph Stanley
"Clinch Mountain Sweethearts" project, and she has appeared on the famous Grand
Ol' Opry as guest of hall of famer Charlie Louvin.
PINE LEAF BOYS, LARMER TREE FESTIVAL &
TROWBRIDGE FESTIVAL, JULY.
 PINE
LEAF BOYS, LARMER TREE FESTIVAL & TROWBRIDGE FESTIVAL, JULY
At the forefront of a new generation of energetic Cajun musicians from
Louisiana, The Pine Leaf Boys fit two festival gigs in the South into their busy
schedule. They play the Larmer Tree Festival on Friday July 13 and also do a
Cajun workshop at the festival the following day. A week later they are at
Trowbridge Village Pump Festival on Saturday July 21.
They play authentic, traditional Cajun, Creole and zydeco dance-hall music, with
their own distinctive twist. Their music spans rocking two-steps, stirring
waltzes and raunchy Creole Blues, introducing audiences to the unique sounds of
the swamps and bayous of Louisiana. Guitars, fiddles, drums, and the
all-important Cajun accordion combine to create a foot-stompin’ mix of
traditional sounds played with youthful energy and drive.
Members of the band are Wilson Savoy, Cedric Watson, Drew Simon, Jon Bertrand
and Blake Miller. Wilson handles vocals with Drew and Cedric and plays accordion
and fiddle. He grew up on a farm near Eunice, Louisiana, later moving to Baton
Rouge. Wilson started his own band, The White Mule Boys at the age of 20, and
went on to play and teach accordion all over the States & France.
Cedric plays fiddle and accordion and brings a unique sound to the Pine Leaf
Boys. He studies ancient French and ballads of Blind Uncle Gaspard and Edious
Naquin and introduces a heap of new arrangements and original songs to the
group. Drew is the drummer in the band and was born and raised in Lafayette. He
is strictly a traditionalist, playing and singing in a style which has been
described as a "simple, older, blue collared cajun." As he sits behind the
drumset or the accordion, he hopes to bring back some of the memories, spirit,
and soul of a generation long ago, of Cajun musicians who told their life
sorrows and pains through their music. He is currently a student at UL-Lafayette
in Anthropology.
Jon is a guitarist and was raised in the thriving hub of Jeff Davis Parish that
is Pine Island or Crapeauville where he began life as a cowboy. He began playing
guitar and quickly became a rhythm machine, playing with Dexter Ardoin, Cory
McCauley, and the Lost Bayou Ramblers. Jon's major influences are Cory McCauley,
Harry Choates, the Hackberry Ramblers, Iry LeJeune, Austin Pitre, and Sonny
Meaux.
Blake is the bass player with the boys. He was born in Iota, Louisiana and began
playing the accordion at a very young age, and later the fiddle. Before even
graduating from high school in 2005, young Blake was a much sought after
musician locally after adding rhythm, lead guitar and bass to his repertoire. He
adds a new dynamic to the Pine Leaf Boys as a rhythm machine and an accompanying
second fiddle player.
DABY BALDE, TOWER ARTS CENTRE,
WINCHESTER, THURSDAY JULY 12.
 DABY
BALDE, TOWER ARTS CENTRE, WINCHESTER, THURSDAY JULY 12
After wowing crowds at Blues On The Farm in West Sussex with his band, Daby
brings his six-piece band to The Tower to play some West African sounds. Daby’s
style has been described “as an African version of the Waterboys circa
Fisherman’s Blues or Van Morrison in his more mystic vein” by Nigel Williamson
of The Eye.
Moutarou ‘Daby’ Balde was born in the city of Kolda in South Senegal and grew up
in the Cassamance region, a lush area famous for its deep roots and ancestral
values. Born into a noble family, Daby’s decision to pursue music as a carrer
was greeted by numerous objections by his family. When he left school in 1987 he
decided to go into exile, spending six months in Guinea and six years in The
Gambia, where he began learning the guitar.
He returned to his hometown in 1994 and became lead vocalist for the Kolda
Regional Orchestra, performing with them for nine months. He went on to perform
regularly in Dakar and Kolda.
Daby’s misson is to keep African culture alive, and his compositions are
messages of peace, love, brotherhood, social justice and faith in God. The
opening track on his latest album, ‘ Mamadiyel’ – which has an accompanying
music video is sung in a combination of Fula and Wolof. Daby’s sonorous voice is
perfectly brought to light as his lyrics greet the people of Gambia, artists
from all over the world and his family. Sung in Mandinka , the lyrics to ‘
Tamania’ praise hardworking African women who raise children and provide food
from the fields, and ‘ Waino Blues’ describes a visit to a diligent marabout – a
personal spiritual leader in the Islamic faith as practised in West Africa.
Introducing Daby Balde presents a celebrated Senegalese artist, whose talents
deserve to reach wider acclaim.
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Fabulous Thunderbirds
The Brook, Southampton – Sunday July 22
Larry Carlton & Robben Ford
Poole Lighthouse, Wednesday July 11
TERRY REID
THE CELLARS, EASTNEY, SOUTHSEA,
FRIDAY JULY 13
VALERIE SMITH & LIBERTY PIKE
QUAY ARTS CENTRE, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT, WEDNES, JULY 18
PINE LEAF BOYS LARMER TREE FESTIVAL &
TROWBRIDGE FESTIVAL, JULY
DABY BALDE TOWER ARTS CENTRE, WINCHESTER,
THURSDAY JULY 12 |
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