DOUG DEMING & THE JEWEL TONES Groovin’ At Groove Now! – CD Review

DOUG DEMING & THE JEWEL TONES Groovin’ At Groove Now! – CD Review

DOUG DEMING & THE JEWEL TONES Groovin’ At Groove Now! – CD Review

DOUG DEMING & THE JEWEL TONES

Groovin’ At Groove Now!

Endless Blues Records

On so many levels, this live recording was a long time in the making. First of all, Doug Deming and his Jewel Tones is perhaps the genre’s hardest working band. For more than a decade, he and the band have regular Thursday through Sunday gigs at a variety of venues in his Florida stomping grounds. So one would think that a live recording could have been released years ago.

Enter the Basel, Switzerland’s The Groove Now! concert. Deming was hired to play the event in 2020. Guess what happened next: COVID. So the gig was postponed until Europe opened in 2021. Deming added a roster of guest artists to regulars Andrew Gohman skilled in subtlety and energy on bass and Zack Pomerleau on drums and harmonica. By adding Terry Hanck and Sax Gordon (saxophones) and Bill Heid (keyboard), Deming and the Jewel Tones morphed into a diamond-studded Basel blues performance.

The set was recorded and, upon further review, deemed perfectly suitable for a live CD release. Veteran Deming show goers will recognize the four+ minute format of these 11 tunes. High energy start, dense and complicated instrumental solos, followed by an over the top climactic ending, all held nicely together by Deming’s expansive guitar knowledge of blues, R&B, jazz, jump, and early ‘50s R&R. His opener, “East Side Hop” starts the show with a call to the dance floor. Each artist’s solo weaves in and out with Deming’s delightful chording as the constant. (Follow that chording throughout.) The set follows with the bluesy “Only Time Will Tell,” featuring Pomerleau’s unique drum and Chicago-styled harmonica. Also Pomerleau’s double reeds and skins duty is featured on Willie Dixon’s “Oh Baby.” Tell me the last time you’ve seen a drummer who can expertly handle an in-the-pocket shuffle and Chicago blues harmonica at the same time!

Every Deming show features the band’s ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll energy on the Fats Domino classic, “I’m Ready.” Here, the spirited reed work of Sax Gordon drives the engine. The frantic Jewel Tone pace slows with the dreamy, R&B ballad, “Every Night When I Get Home.” Pay close attention to the warm tones Deming coaxes from his archtop and how the piano and saxophones reinforce the mood.

Two other Deming set list regulars, “Bloodshot Eyes” and “Mamma Didn’t Raise No Fool,” come with all the muscle the band brings every week to its Florida regulars. “An Eye For An Eye” is the band’s deepest blues, with Pomerleau’s harp in a starring role again, sounding like any Muddy Waters’ 1950s style Chess recording.

For years, every blues fan living in the Sunshine State has followed this inspired trio at its weekly gigs. This live outing is the perfect way to either take the show home with you or experience a Sunday afternoon show at the Cortez Kitchen eating a grouper sandwich with a cold, long neck.

– Art Tipaldi 

 

Album review originally appeared in Blues Music Magazine

 

Joanna Connor – “Best Of Me” CD Review

Joanna Connor – “Best Of Me” CD Review

Joanna Connor – “Best Of Me” CD Review

JOANNA CONNOR

Best Of Me

Gulf Coast Records

Despite releases on several major labels earlier in her career, Joanna Connor never quite captured the attention of the wider blues audience. Acquiring two weekly gigs in several well-known Chicago clubs allowed her to stay close to home while raising her two children. Her 2021 release, 4801 South Indiana Avenue on Joe Bonammasa’s Keeping The Blues Alive Records, made it clear that her guitar work is as captivating as ever.

Her new album finds her on Gulf Coast Records, run by Mike Zito and Guy Hale. They wisely had Connor record with her band, giving the proceedings several extra layers of tightness that comes from deep familiarity with the ten originals and one cover. Her songwriting partner on most tracks is Shaun Gotti Calloway, who consistently lays down some deep grooves on his bass guitar. Jason J Roc Edwards is the other half of the crack rhythm section, adding taut accents with his expert stick work. Dan Souvigny handles the rhythm guitar duties, and plays keyboards on three tracks, while Curtis Moore Jr. plays a variety of keyboards throughout the project.

The opening declaration from Frank Pellegrino, of Kingston Mines fame, reminds listeners that Connor embodies funk, soul, and blues, with plenty of love in her heart. Once the band kicks in on “House Rules,” Connor immediately proves the accuracy of his assessment. The Grooveline Horns spice up the arrangement, with guest Eric Demmer contributing some hearty saxophone solos. “Pain And Pleasure” glides along with a soulful strut, giving Connor and guest Josh Smith space for a dynamic guitar dialogue. The title track wraps a sorrowful Connor vocal into a swirling musical landscape that forces listeners to feel every bit of her despair.

The horns return on “Two Of A Kind,” a funky rocker complete with one of Connor’s red-hot guitar soliloquies. The lone cover, the classic “Mercury Blues,” is a feature for Connor’s blazing slide guitar skills while the jaunty “Highway Child” finds her sharing the spotlight with Bonamassa for another guitar rave-up. Zito makes an appearance on guitar on “Shadow Lover,” as Connor pleads for some loving caresses.

The closer, “Shine On,” is a hard rocking tune with key contributions from Gary Hoey on guitar and Jason Ricci on harmonica. But it is the six-string magic from Connor that leaves a lasting impression, just as she does throughout this fine album that showcases her many talents in fine fashion.

– Mark Thompson     

Album review originally appeared in Blues Music Magazine

Interview – Doug MacLeod, Renowned Blues Artist

Interview – Doug MacLeod, Renowned Blues Artist

Interview – Doug MacLeod, Renowned Blues Artist

Interview – Doug MacLeod, Renowned Blues Artist

Prepared by Lynn A. Deglin, 7/8/23

Doug is an accomplished musician and performer.  Your Suncoast Blues Society is thrilled to have him back in the Tampa Bay area and has been instrumental in arranging some local events.

Where you can see Doug perform in the Tampa Bay Area

  • Fogartyville Community Arts Center in Sarasota on 7/21/23 @8pm (Tickets)
  • Cottonmouth Soul Kitchen in Bradenton on 7/22/23 @7pm (Tickets – SBS members get a discounted ticket of $15 at the door with SBS membership card)
  • The Side Door / Palladium Theater in St. Pete on 7/23/23 @3pm (Tickets– SBS members get a $5 discount)

Our very own Board member, Lynn Deglin, wanted to know more about Doug so she reached out to him to talk about some of his life experiences.


Some Highlights of Doug’s Blues Journey

Doug was very interested in R&B and the musicians of the time such as Albert King, B.B. King and Chuck Berry. Doug started off in St. Louis, MO, as a bass player. He was about 16 years old and decided that – in order to meet girls – he needed to switch to the guitar. When asked if that was successful, he indicated that it helped!

Doug said that he was 19 when he met Mr. Ernest Banks – an old one-eyed Blues singer – in Toano, VA. One night Doug said to Mr. Banks, “I don’t know nothing about picking cotton, never had to do it. And the stuff I’ve seen and learned from you about bones and mojos I don’t want to know no more about it. So what do I write about?” That’s when Mr. Banks said, “You ever been lonely, needed a woman? Need some money for that little apartment you got?”  I said, “Yeah.” He said “Then write about that boy … that’s the Blues too.” And that’s what Doug’s music is based on.

As time went on, Doug became an accomplished storyteller. This comes from letting people know that the songs came from Doug’s experiences – following what Mr. Banks told him.

Doug had several other mentors – namely, David “Honeyboy” Edwards and George “Harmonica” Smith. After hearing Doug play, George “Harmonica”  Smith said, “You sound like B.B. King.” Doug responded with “Thanks George.” George then said “That’s not a compliment. Let’s put Dubb out there and see what happens with Dubb.” George gave Doug the nickname.

Doug feels greatly honored to have been accepted into the fold by these Blues musicians and to be mentored by them. They knew a lot about life and having to make big decisions and although they were barely literate, they had a lot of wisdom.

Over time, Doug did a lot of work in Los Angeles, CA. There he had the good fortune to play with wonderful musicians like Mama Thornton, Big Joe Turner, Pee Wee Crayton and – of course – George “Harmonica” Smith.

Doug has traveled all over the world and – since 1993 – has performed solo. He has had many amazing experiences such as performing at an Artisan event in Belgium. There, he fell asleep to the smell of chocolate as he was staying above a chocolatier’s store.

Doug lives in Memphis, TN, with his wife. He has found a city where there is great respect for all types of music. He discovered Memphis when he attended a Blues Awards event. 

How the Music Business has Changed

Doug said that the music business has radically changed. When he started in the music business, a record company needed to have faith in you to make an investment. This system pushed out many talented musicians as there just weren’t a lot of slots for new musicians.

Now, anyone can make a CD (good or bad). Also, there is streaming which pays about .0072 cents per download. Musicians are going to Congress to ask that a change be made in this structure as it is not fair to the musicians. Doug recently decided to do an online release called  Raw Blues 1.

Doug noted that he misses the concept of a downtown (versus an online store) where one can visit local stores and bump into people and have chats. I mentioned that downtown St. Pete is a good place to have that type of experience.

Thanks much, Doug, for taking the time to chat with me as a board member of the Suncoast Blues Society!  If you want to learn more about Doug’s music and accomplishments, please go to his website.

#dougmacleod

#suncoastbluessociety

#palladium

#cottonmouthsouthernsoulkitchen

 

 

2023 Beach Bash…

2023 Beach Bash…

2023 Beach Bash…

2023 Beach Bash…

It’s that time of year again so dig out your swimsuit, sunglasses, and sun hat because your Suncoast Blues Society will be celebrating YOU, our loyal members, with our Annual Beach Bash on Sunday, August 27th from 1- 6:00 pm at the St Petersburg Lions Club Beach House.

Al Razz and the Rocking Blues Review will kick things off at 2pm, followed by our annual jam session. 

Bring your favorite dish to share. We will have some beverages available or BYOB if you prefer.  We are looking for donations of beer and wine – if you have a connection, please reach out to them or send us the info and we will gladly contact them.

You can renew your membership and receive 3 free CD’s – may as well bring a friend to join also.  We will be drawing the name of one lucky Blues fan that day for a guitar signed by many of your favorite Blues artists.

Looking forward to seeing everyone and definitely bring your dancin’ shoes!

P.S.  This is an Adults only event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Davy Knowles Review Cottonmouth, July 1, 2023

Davy Knowles Review Cottonmouth, July 1, 2023

Davy Knowles Review Cottonmouth, July 1, 2023

Davy Knowles Review
Cottonmouth, July 1, 2023

Sometimes, it all comes together, and such as the case at Cottonmouth southern Soul Kitchen when Davy Knowles and his band came to town. And gave those in attendance a night to remember. This was one of the best shows I’ve seen!

Touring with Tod Bowles on bass, and Mark Hansen on drums, the band hit the stage at 8PM and performed a non-stop 2-hour set that left the audience standing and asking for more.

But before we get to the review of Davy’s show, Steve Arvey opened for Davy, and in typical Steve fashion, had the audience entertained with his wit, songs, and guitar playing. First starting with a cigar box guitar instrumental, Steve switched to his signature acoustic guitar for most of the one-hour set.  Deftly using a stomp-box, Steve performed classic blues, and brought Deacon Gibson to the stage for harmonica playing. Steve entertained the audience, and solicited many laughs, with tales from his storied blues career. Make no mistake about it, while Steve is an entertainer, he is a serious musician with significant skills. These skills will be revisited later, as Steve ends his set playing a red Stratocaster that will be a central part of the show later in the evening.

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Playing from many of his recordings, Davy and the band took the stage and set a high-energy tone with Ain’t Much of Nothin’ from his 2016 recording “Three Miles From Avalon”. Davy’s blistering guitar work was spot on and engaged the audience from the downbeat. Next up was Riverbed, first heard during Davy’s days with Back Door Slam. Completing a frenetic first three songs the band launched into Catch The Moon from 2015’s “The Outsider”. If any newcomers to a Davy Knowles show did not know his guitar talents, they understood after the first three songs.

The band, and the audience, needed to catch their breath, and next up was Devil and the Deep Blue Sea from the latest release, “What Happens Next”. To be sure, this song shows a different side of the band and is a well-crafted entertaining piece of music. Equally, entertaining if not downright spectacular was the bands treatment of Cream’s Outside Women Blues. This song featured a tight jam with the band complete with some amazing technical guitar work by Davy.

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Changing guitars, Davy brought out the slide and demonstrated his significant skills with the slide while performing Ain’t No Grave, once again from “The Outsider”. Hell To Pay, from “What Happens Next” was a particular highlight, with Davy using dynamics to build and release emotions from the audience. Masterful.

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Steve Arvey was brought to the stage and traded licks with Davy on Garbage Man, and following this song Steve took the vocal lead on a nice version of Ain’t Nobody’s Business.  The band then surprised with a smoking version of the funky classic Fire On the Bayou, with Davy providing some of the hottest licks of the evening. But this surprise paled to what came next. For the first time in the evening, Davy showed his equally entertaining side of a storyteller. As expressed in my last article about Davy, he has a gift for storytelling and this art is part of the charm of a Davy Knowles performance.

Davy picked up Steve’s red Stratocaster, and proceeded to say that he just could not resist this opportunity.  And then explained that when he started playing guitar he wanted to be like Mark Knopfler. And there it was: the band launched their version of the Dire Straits classic Sultans of Swing. As someone who has attended many shows at Cottonmouth, the ovation at the end of this song was among the loudest and most sustained I’ve witnessed in Bradenton’s Village of the Arts. The song was a tour de force from start to finish.

The audience was unrelenting with their applause and the band provided an encore of Wake Me Up When The Nightmare is Over. Sort of ironic because this evening of music provided joy and sweet dreams for the attendees, who witnessed a special night of music in Bradenton. This band, if they should so choose, is ready to take the next step to larger venues. They are that good.

 

  • Scott Morris
  • Photo’s by Jim Hartzell