In Memoriam: Greg Poulos by TBone Hamilton

In Memoriam: Greg Poulos by TBone Hamilton

In Memoriam: Greg Poulos by TBone Hamilton

My friend for the past 30 years passed away on April 29th 2022. Greg Poulos was one of the most outstanding guitar players that EVER hailed from the Suncoast – his home. I personally known Greg since the time I was in the Poulos Ramsey Band. I wrote this piece to help heal the tremendous loss we are all feeling as family, friends, fans and band mates and to document a small part of his long successful musical career.

The Suncoast Blues Society asked me to permission to cross post this narrative from my website. Of course I accepted!

Its a story that needs to be shared since the SBS family has been fans of Greg for 25 years!!!

A shout out to Sarasota Guitar Legend – Greg Poulos.  Rest in Peace.

TBone Hamilton

 


In Memoriam: Greg Poulos

 

As I recollect, I met Greg Poulos in 1992. I was playing electric bass in Dan Electro (Mike Shannon) and the Silvertones. At that point I was an up-and-coming blues bass player, and I was fortunate enough to already have played with good bands. One man that was instrumental in my early career was Rock Bottom (David York), the harmonica extraordinaire. He scouted me out early on in the 1990’s. He had another band working with him at the time so I never really worked with him as a member of his band but he would recommend me to other musicians, the first being Clint “Deacon” Fuller. After spending some time with the Deacon Fuller Band, I was recruited by Dan Electro to join his band based upon Rock Bottom’s recommendation. Nineteen ninety two was a great year for me as that is when I met my girlfriend who is now my wife Carolyn Hamilton.

TBone & Greg hanging at Skippers Smokehouse

In the Silvertones, I got to play with a real good drummer named Dennis Laak, an excellent guitar player named Kirby Dietz, and Dan Electro on harmonica. That band played a little bit more funk and shook it up with other interesting tunes that I had not challenged before, and, hence, I was excited about being in the band. The Gator Club in Sarasota hired the band to be the house band. We were there 5 to 6 nights a week, Tuesday through Saturday, so literally it was a dream gig. We could leave our gear set up all week. I did not know Greg Poulos personally at this point; I only knew the name and knew that the man was an astounding guitar player.

Well, fast forward. Rock Bottom ended up having a heart attack and all the Tampa Bay blues community came together and had benefit concerts for him, one of which I performed at – the Gator Club in Sarasota, Florida.

READ MORE HERE > 

 

 

No More Worlds to Conquer Robin Trower

No More Worlds to Conquer Robin Trower

No More Worlds to Conquer Robin Trower

No More Worlds to Conquer

Robin Trower 

As he draws nearer to the age of eighty, guitarist Robin Trower just gains more momentum with consistent studio releases. Remaining sidelined from live performances in the last couple of years due to the pandemic, Robin just uses the downtime to go into the Provogue studio to record the endless number of compositions he keeps writing.

The man responsible for the classic rock 1974 opus Bridge Of Sighs has a special place in the hearts of those of us as teen-agers who had blacklight posters wearing headphones letting songs like “Day Of The Eagle” and “Bridge Of Sighs” transport us to that special place that was an adolescent comfort zone.

Other reviewers have coined the phrase “psychedelic blues” in describing Trower’s music. It’s an old cliche but it best describes Trower’s approach to his Hendrix infused pedal/reverb guitar lines that deeply resonate with soul he imbibes

Letting vocalist Richard Watts sing the tunes that fulfill his vision, the Strat tones shimmer and ride the groove immediately from the onset. The medium paced “Ball Of Fire” opens the party and can become a live staple in Trower’s live sets. The title track can do the same thing with Robin coaxing his reverb drenched notes awash in an elixir he can create.

It’s a long way from the seventies in which he reigned strongly in the concert arenas. Since then, Trower has become comfortable in his role as elder statesman of the blues. Never one for speedy deliveries or a thousand note attacks doesn’t hinder him from transmitting emotion that is strong in his single note attacks. It’s the stuff guitar geeks can soak up when they purchase their Fender guitars and Marshall amps. Add a pedal board to the mix and you have the tools of trade.

While his tunes don’t headbang with the fire and fury of his classic rock yesteryear, Robin lays down his psychedelic blues smoke in the hazy “Birdsong.” The tempo picks up with Robin’s lyrical lines in “Losing You” that segues into the same paced “Waiting For The Rain To Fall.”

These tunes follow the same blueprint. Slow approaches undercut by Robin’s ethereal spacy notes that serve the purpose of creating atmosphere. Not disrupting it.

“Cloud Across The Sun” can be a great addition to Trower’s live sets as it gallops with rocking urgency that recalls a younger Robin in his heyday. Then it’s back to the slow crawl of “Fire To Ashes” with Robin’s ghostly guitar riding the bedrock of rhythm fleshed out by soulful keyboards.

“Razors Edge” with its lyrics pointing fingers at the politicians taking the world in a downward trajectory is the package of blues rock histrionics that could have found a home on Trower’s earlier work. Blues awash in psychedelia that only Robin can play.

The Hendrix influence is strong within the love song “I Will Always Be Your Shelter” that can lull couples into a warm embrace with Trower’s airy guitar painting broad strokes across the canvass.

If one wants to think of Robin as blues of the twenty first century, then it’s an honorable designation to live with.

  • Gary Weeks

 

President’s Message for April 2022

President’s Message for April 2022

President’s Message for April 2022

What a weekend – don’t know about you but I need a week to recuperate from the Tampa Bay Blues Fest! So much great music and what a turnout – folks were obviously hungry for live music, and they were well fed! 

Your Suncoast Blues Society was there of course, and we want to thank all our loyal Blues lovers and supporters who bought merchandise and memberships (almost seventy!!) – we had a blast talking with everyone that stopped by. 

We could not have done it without our wonderful volunteers that helped us: Beverly Moribito,  Julie Deschaine, Mark Thompson, Warren McDougle, Mike Hennesey, Vinny Marini, John Herzog, and Liz & Doc Pennock – you were amazing!

Also want to thank Chuck Ross for supporting Youth Sunday again this year – about twelve young people and their chaperones had the opportunity to hear live Blues for the first time. This is a collaboration we do with Chuck every year as part of our mission to share Blues music with future generations.

So, let’s keep the music coming! YOUR Suncoast Blues Society has been busy working with venues to book shows for you. Here is a list of our upcoming events – mark your calendars:

  • 4/25 – Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones @ Masaryk Winery
  • 4/26 – Giving Challenge – Live Broadcast from the Music Compound & Bayboro Brewery
  • 5/1 – Memphis Lightning & Trey Wanvig @ Gill Dawg
  • 5/3 – Red Star Live Blues Night w/Damon Fowler & ‘Ed Zepplin’
  • 5/7 – RJ Howson Band @ The Florida One-on-One Doubles Championships!
  • 5/20 – SBS 25thAnniversary Party @ Skippers   
  • 5/31 – 9thAnnual Myakka River Blues Festival @ Snook Haven
  • 6/7 – Red Star Live Blues Night w/Damon Fowler & Ed Zepplin
  • 6/24 – EG Kight Trio @ Masaryk Winery
  • 7/15 – Alastair Greene @ Palladium Side Door
  • 7/16 – Tom Craig Band @ Masaryk Winery
  • 8/28 – SBS Annual Beach Bash!

 

Brother Johnny – An All-Star Tribute to Johnny Winter

Brother Johnny – An All-Star Tribute to Johnny Winter

Brother Johnny – An All-Star Tribute to Johnny Winter

Brother Johnny
An All-Star Tribute to Johnny Winter

Oh, have I been waiting for this one! And it was well-worth the wait.

When writing this review, I found it hard to separate the music of John Dawson Winter III from my life. Understandably so because Johnny Winter shaped much of my musical interests. It’s no stretch to say I would not be writing this review or even a member of Suncoast Blues Society without the influences of Johnny. So, when I saw the press release for the musicians coming together with Edgar Winter to record a tribute to his brother, I could not wait!

Right from the downbeat of this 17-song recording, Joe Bonamassa explodes with a wonderful rendition of Mean Town Blues. Playing in front of Edgar’s vocals Joe is faithful to Johnny’s original. A song these ears first heard on what I consider to be the best live recording in blues rock history, “Johnny Winter And Live.” On “Still Alive and Well” Kenny Wayne Shepherd plays virtually note for note the song Johnny issued on the 1973 album of the same name, shortly after recovering from his well-documented heroin addiction.

Keb’ Mo’ and Edgar paired well on Lone Star Blues and provide a moment to reflect on what a great slide guitar player Johnny was. A point reinforced when Billy Gibbons and today’s premier slide player Derek Trucks turn the heat up on, I’m Yours, I’m Hers. The original was Johnny at his raucous psychedelic best. Hearing this version my mind recalled blowing out speakers in my bedroom on this song.

I am so happy that Stranger made the recording. This has forever been my favorite slow and poignant song from Johnny. In high school I submitted these lyrics as an example of poetry. The teacher was not amused, as my grade attested to. Proving forever to me that poetry is however one defines it. As one who stays away from recordings featuring Michael McDonald, I must complement his vocals on this version. The pairing of Michael with Joe Walsh and Ringo Star is genius.

Both Johnny B. Goode and Highway 61 Revisited are my least favorite songs on this recording. Phil X performed the former in the style of The Rolling Stones, and the latter with “KWS” truer to Dylan’s original. Understandable as recreating the blistering incendiary version of “Highway” that Johnny recorded on “Captured Live” is beyond the capabilities of mere mortals.

Steve Lukather pitches in for a version of Rock ‘n’ Roll Hoochie Koo that brings the mind back to the days when Johnny and Rick Derringer were, in my opinion, the best blues rock guitar duo in existence. Great backing vocals accompany Edgar’s vocals on this one. Doyle Bramall II  performs When You Got A Good Friend in honor of Johnny’s 1969 self-titled recording. Traditional blues, and it’s something that Johnny returned to later in his career. More on this topic shortly.

The familiar licks to Guess I’ll Go Away explode off the guitar of Doug Rappaport and include marvelous vocals by the Foo Fighter’s late Taylor Hawkins. This version sounded as fresh as when first released on Johnny Winter And (studio version).

Edgar takes center stage singing a version of Drown In My Own Tears done in the style of the Charles’s – Ray and Ezra. Another example of the deep blues that Johnny is normally not associated with, but a song that he faithfully recorded on his self-titled album.

Joe Bonamassa returns with a true rendition of Self-Destructive Blues, a song Johnny artfully recorded on ”Scorchin’ Blues.” This song may have my all-time favorite Johnny guitar lick, and I suspect that Johnny is smiling over this version. Well done, Joe, especially recreating the lick that Johnny included in many of his song. “When I get through boogyin,’ they’ll be no more blues around.” Indeed.

Earlier I mentioned that Johnny paid homage to the blues masters. Winning three Grammy Awards for production work with Muddy Waters cemented his legacy with traditional blues. It was through Johnny that I received introductions to both Muddy and James Cotton. Back to the recording, Got My Mojo Working features Bobby Rush, and is evocative of “Muddy ‘Mississippi’ Waters – Live.” I closed my eyes and felt Muddy and James on this one.

Thank you, Quarto Valley Records, and Edgar Winter, for bringing this recording to life. I won’t be drowning in my own tears, but this recording brought a tear to my eyes, a happy one. Most excellent. Heartily recommended for fans of Johnny. And if you are unfamiliar with Johnny’s work this is a great jump-of point to embark on a marvelous journey of some of the best blues-rock licks every recorded.

  • Scott Morris

 

 

 

Larry McCray Blues Without You (KTBA.com)

Larry McCray Blues Without You (KTBA.com)

Larry McCray Blues Without You (KTBA.com)

(Suncoast Blues Society member Gary Weeks contributed the following review for your enjoyment. If you would like to review a new recording, please contact bluesnews@suncoastblues.org.)

Blues Without You 

The word “comeback” is an old cliche used many times to describe an artist re-entering a profession that sometimes isn’t kind if the individual doesn’t deliver the goods as promised.

 

That is not the case for blues troubadour Larry McCray. With production duties handled by guitar wizards Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, McCray’s latest offering Blues Without You is full of strong gospel inflected vocals and greasy hot guitar licks that McCray dishes out like a spicy gumbo.

 

With a Bo Diddley like rhythm, opening track “Arkansas” sets the boogie wheels in motion with McCray reeling off rocking Albert King leads. Keeping the party atmosphere going, “Without Love It Doesn’t Matter” augmented by barroom keyboards and a slithery drum groove is a soul meltdown that doesn’t let up in the hallelujah gospel redemption of “The Good Die Young.”

 

In “Down to The Bottom” only McCray can take us to church and feel the presence of the almighty. Choir harmonies set this number aglow and guest player Warren Haynes adds searing slide guitar fleshing this song out into deeper southern soul territory.

 

McCray continues to mine that soul territory in “Breaking News” that pushes Memphis Stax sounds like an old reliable train making its destination to the next stop. There is no overplaying or hot dog tendencies on display as Larry lets the guitar work be in service to the song.

 

Larry continues his Albert King chops in “Roadhouse Blues” which is not the same tune from The Doors’ infamous Morrison Hotel. The chances are the listener will care less as they hear McCray dip into his mojo bag of leads which he has dozens of. McCray just pours it on letting the guitar hero title cast its shadow.

 

McCray isn’t ready to leave the roadhouse. The fire and fury unleash itself in the keyboard boogie “Drinkin Liquor and Chasin Women.” The fretboard keeps burning only now Larry bolsters it even more with Chicago slide guitar queen Joanna Connor adding guitar histrionics that are over much too soon.

 

The title track “Blues Without You” brings the guitar barnyard burning down a bit with strings and horns being the bedrock for Larry’s guitar breaks.

 

Of course, if Joe Bonamassa is producing you, there you no way you can’t have him guest on a track. In the sleight laidback ambiance of “Mr. Easy,” McCray graciously lets Joe take the spotlight with that trademark Paul Kossoff sound that characterizes his DNA.

 

Closing acoustic number “I Play The Blues” exits this smorgasbord of soul, blues, and rock on a quiet note. It’s not to be confused with an epitaph. Just another tunnel McCray is opening to the light that sets him free.

  • Gary Weeks

Suncoast Blues Society member