It’s a funny thing about people. You spend some considerable time with them, think you even know them quite well, and then you go to the Rheinaue Flohmarkt. There I was, a few years ago, flipping through racks of ‘Top Pops’ and ‘Schläger Allstar’ discs – the average fare at a market stall CD stand in fact. Suddenly, staring back up at me was a familiar black and white face – John Harrison. Like most of the visitors to Bonn Folk Club I had no idea that John had ever gone into anything other than a sun studio, yet he had visited a recording studio and here it was, a gem of a Blues disc called ‘Blues to make your Ice Water’. Tell the truth – who else but a Brit could write a title like that? Meet The Trentonians and grab some chips early at Kunst!garten.
Tag Archives: blues
Connie Lush Band – Renaissance (Plastic Head Distr.)
Just when I thought all the ‘best kept secrets’ in British Blues were out, this landed in the post. It’s had some stiff competition for time in my CD player recently with Tedeschi Trucks, Gary Clarke Junior and the new Layla Zoe all competing for space and time but I keep coming back to Connie Lush. Her new release Renaissance really is THAT good.
Red hot and Blue sisters
‘Blue Sisters’ is this year’s title for the RUF Records Blues Caravan Tour that rolled into Bonn on Sunday. Following on from last years ‘Guitars with Guitars’ though perhaps ‘Maidens with Microphones’ would have been more in keeping?. Certainly there was Blues in the music, but none of these girls was playing it Bessie Smith style. Texan girl Tasha Taylor had the roots of her Soul star father Johnnie’s sound to draw on, Finland’s Ina Forsman made more than a passing nod to Reggae in her set and Layla Zoe’s closer was clearly tilted firmly in a Rock direction.
Julian Sas, the Red Lady, and a friendly Dutch invasion
There are three ‘givens’ in life: Death, taxes, and a Julian Sas gig at the Harmonie in November. At least it seems that way. The only change I can remember from the shows past is that I seem to vaguely recall there being room to move from one part of the hall to stand somewhere else. Or maybe that was just a fantasy. Certainly it hasn’t been possible for several years now – and Saturday night was no exception.
Rockpalast at the Crossroads 2015
Four days of music as assorted as a box of chocolates, Rockpalast brought it’s twice yearly Crossroads show once again to the Harmonie in Bonn this week. From the Unknown (IndianAgeFlüster) through the rising stars (Die Nerven) to the established icons (Wolf Maahn) and Blues from finest (Sonny Landreth). If you missed out on a ticket – share mine…
True to Blue – Samantha Fish Interview
From the Knuckleheads Saloon in Kansas to the Harmonie Bar in Bonn. Samantha Fish has come a long way in a short time. Before her recent Bonn show with Mike Zito she supplied some tips for keeping sane on the road, along with news on the next disc she’s working on. Call it Blues? Best call it the next Samantha Fish disc – categories are for music shops – not for music fans. 3SongsBonn had a few minutes to talk with the blonde bombshell from Kansas.
New Blues, New Start – Mike Zito in interview
“I am not writing this blog because I think I am a spiritual guru or because I believe I have special insight into the recovery programs that might save your life – I am writing this blog to save mine“.
Mike Zito pulls no punches in the introduction to his online blog ‘A Bluesman in Recovery’. It’s his description of a successful battle against drug and alcohol abuse. It’s a bold, honest statement; and it’s also typical of Zito’s sincerity as I discovered when he took the time for a short interview before his recent appearance at Bonn Harmonie. Along the way I also discovered why he felt it was time to quit a Supergroup and why the future of the Blues is a healthy one…
Nimmofied! – The Nimmo Brothers in Verviers
Does half of King King equal half the fun? Wayne Proctor on drums and an unkilted (trousered!) Alan Nimmo are joined by Matt Beable on bass and the other half of the main attraction Stevie to present The Nimmo Brothers. How would this double Gibsoned outfit sound? “I think you’ll like it” said a smiling Wayne Proctor before the show at Spirit of 66 in Verviers.