The News Review:
- ‘Blues Night Out’ to honor Muddy Waters
- After 50 years blues great Clearwater is still smoking
- Vrydagaand/Saterdagaand
- Aussie Harper adds Michigan roots to blues repertoire
- James Hunter Tampa Bay Blues Fest swing into St. Petersburg
‘Blues Night Out’ to honor Muddy Waters
Huntington Herald Dispatch – Apr 10, 2008
00 at the door; blues music will begin at 9 p. A special "Blues Night Out" cash buffet will also be offered. "It’s a real celebration of a blues music icon West Virginia style" said Jack R. Rice WVBS president organizer of the event.
After 50 years blues great Clearwater is still smoking
phillyBurbs.com – Apr 10, 2008
He recorded a few tracks for his uncle’s Atomic H label but didn’t release his first album until 1980′s “The Chief. ” Fourteen live or studio albums have followed including 2003′s Grammy-nominated (for best traditional blues album) “Rock ‘N’ Roll City. In 2001 Clearwater received a prestigious Blues Music Award as contemporary male blues artist of the year. Fame outside the blues community has eluded him but Clearwater doesn’t mind. And he’s not giving up on that possibility either. “I take it in stride” said Clearwater who survived triple heart bypass surgery in 1997. “Whatever’s coming to you in life that’s what you’ll receive.
Vrydagaand/Saterdagaand
iafrica.com – Apr 10, 2008
All the traditional instrumental elements of blues music are there such as the Dobro slide guitar and the harmonica (all played by Swart). His soulful lyrics don’t take second place to his talent for writing melodies. He seems like someone who’s spent a lot of time listening to Bob Dylan (as any serious musician should). And like a boere Bruce Springsteen (like The Boss his instrument of choice is the Fender Telecaster) Valiant’s 12th studio album is big on nostalgia. ‘Somer 86′ recalls when he was still a struggling musician yet happy; ‘Wellington’ pays homage to his hometown (“Ek dra jou altyd saam Wellington”).
Aussie Harper adds Michigan roots to blues repertoire
mlive.com – Apr 10, 2008
grew up in Perth Australia and tours the world on a regular basis. But the well-traveled blues artist known as Harper has taken quite a shine to Michigan. Harper who prefers to be identified by his singular stage name was well-known in his homeland of Australia when he first ventured to these parts in 1996. After roaming the country for a few years with his rootsy brand of electric blues the vocalist songwriter and harmonica player eventually signed with Blind Pig Records and settled down on some sprawling property in Grass Lake near Ann Arbor. “I’m just getting used to being cold again” Harper said of his recent return home following a lengthy tour that included stops in California and Florida. “But I’ve always had this Midwest thing going on… “The label wanted me where they can keep their eyes on me. You have the best music in the world here. There’s plenty of music seven nights a week. In Australia people get comfortable at home but here people go out for music and it’s nice to see. “We’ve built a good fan base over here too” he added. “Some people drive five hours to see me if I’m not coming any closer.
James Hunter Tampa Bay Blues Fest swing into St. Petersburg
Tampabay.com – Apr 10, 2008
He’s on the phone from yet another tour stop in Vancouver British Columbia. He jokes that he can’t even "afford to trash a hotel room anymore. " Looking like James Bond but singing like Sam Cooke the constantly touring 45-year-old is part of this weekend’s Tampa Bay Blues Fest at Vinoy Park in St. And when he takes the stage Friday evening he will carry with him the well-worn tag of the Next Big Thing. If only hype could pay the bills. Despite Van Morrison calling him one of the best-kept secrets in music and his 2006 album People Gonna Talk being nominated for a Grammy Hunter remains a cash-strapped cult fave a spellbinding talent with a small but passionate following… And when he takes the stage Friday evening he will carry with him the well-worn tag of the Next Big Thing. If only hype could pay the bills. Despite Van Morrison calling him one of the best-kept secrets in music and his 2006 album People Gonna Talk being nominated for a Grammy Hunter remains a cash-strapped cult fave a spellbinding talent with a small but passionate following. "I’ve pretty much been impoverished for the past two decades" says a chuckling Hunter who has opened for Aretha Franklin Etta James and Boz Scaggs and was part of Morrison’s traveling Rhythm and Blues Revue. "But being on the brink of erupting keeps me going actually. " At this point his almost-fame feels a bit like luggage — dinged-up Samsonite with character to spare. Not that Hunter is unaccustomed to tough times.