Travis Colby Band take it to a higher level on A Better Age
Travis Colby Band just dropped their sophomore CD A Better Age, and it’s chockfull of great blues guitar and piano styles. Colby has erased his New Hampshire accent entirely for this recording, sounding like a blues singer from a better time in the genre. There is also a lot of sophistication within this collection of cool blues, hot soul, and driving funk.
Soundwaves 2015 was a real blues treat; worthy cause supported
Listening to blues bands in a Boston Harbor cruiser while docked at Spectacle Island isn’t that much different from listening to blues in a bar and restaurant. The only difference is you have to get there first to enjoy a cool breathe from the open air setting as the boat cruises across the harbor to its destination. A vibe of anticipation could be felt as the engines work beneath one’s feet and the boat moves with the currents beneath it. Blues guitar licks waft through the air as the first band tunes up. There is nothing quite like standing in the front of the New Boston as it maneuvers closer to its docking point.
Red Sky Mary rocked The Village Trestle last Saturday night; offered startlingly good originals
Red Sky Mary have been on a roll these past few years. After releasing three CDs, the Portsmouth, New Hampshire based-band has been touring the country. At one stop, they ran out of copies of their latest album, River Child, and had their record company send another batch to their next hotel. Last Saturday night’s show at The Village Trestle was a good display of their musical prowess. While it was a cover song gig, Red Sky Mary did a fine job making other people’s music come to three dimensional life while occasionally injecting some of their catchy original material.
Sugar Ray & The Bluetones keep going after 35 years; playing Barnful
Sugar Ray And The Bluetones are widely considered to be one of the biggest, brightest attractions in the greater-Boston/New England blues scene. And although they haven’t played regularly in New Hampshire since the Rynborn in Antrim closed down, many blues fans north of the border must treasure them. They’re headlining the Granite State Blues Society’s Barnful Of Blues Festival this summer, August 1, in New Boston, New Hampshire.
Racky Thomas Band to play new songs at BluesNBrews Festival in Westford, August 22
Racky Thomas and his band are gearing up for another BluesNBrews Festival in Westford, Massachusetts this August 22. Thomas was part of the side stage duo at last year’s BNB and he had his full band there back in the summer of 2009. Thomas also has a new CD coming out at this time, so he is doubly excited.
Tokyo Tramps to appear at Barnful Of Blues Festival August 1
Tokyo Tramps will be making a special New Hampshire appearance this summer. The three piece blues band from Boston is slated to kick off the Barnful Of Blues Festival this year, August 1, 2015.
Craig Farrington ran a smooth open mic jam at Muddy Waters in Methuen last night
Blues men Craig Farrington and Alex Trebat have struck a gold mine of talent in Methuen, Massachusetts. Their Wednesday night Open Mic Jam at Muddy Waters Pub & Restaurant ran smooth as a well oiled machine last night, offering a lot of fine players and some of the best song ever recorded.
Peter Parcek trio made quite a few sparks at Strange Brew Tavern in Manchester NH last night
Peter Parcek and his trio played an impressive three set show of blues at Strange Brew Tavern in Manchester, New Hampshire last night. Fortunately, Strange Brew is quieter on Tuesday nights and there are more seats available near the stage so people could actually hear the band. Parcek unleashed several good blues guitar phrases at last night’s show and his adept rhythm section, bass guitarist Joe Klumpa and drummer Marco Giovino, kept things shuffling, thumping, and driving beneath his eternal flame guitar work.
Jennifer Greer certain to rock her Hey Tide CD Release Party July 11, 2015
Jennifer Greer will host a CD Release Party tomorrow night at The Lilypad Inman at 1353 Camb Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts at 8:00 p.m. July 11, 2015. If you know Greer, or if you’ve heard her latest album Hey Tide, or if you’ve heard any of her CDS, you know she’s a special artist with a special sound. Lively music with emphasis on tones is her specialty and each of her songs come to three dimensional life.
John Hall celebrating North River Blues Festival’s 20 years; organizing several other music events
Marshfield, Massachusetts’s booker-promoter John Hall is a one man utility machine, bringing huge music events to his South Shore community and beyond all year long. Hall, who will be hosting the 20th anniversary of his North River Blues Festival at Marshfield Fair this summer, brings the blues goodies home to many in his greater-Boston music scene. His greatest achievement is likely the North River Blues Festival that runs the second weekend at the Marshfield Far.
