Sunday, December 11, 2022

Kenneth Cole


 

Kenneth Cole is a country artist, singer - songwriter, who has worked with some of Nashville's finest. He has recorded 3 albums and appeared at the Nashville Palace in Nashville, TN., as well as at the TSAI awards show and several TV shows. He has been nominated for various awards by the Tennessee Songwriters Association International and Millennium Music. All of his radio releases have gone high on the Cash Box, Cross Country, and Power Source Music Nashville charts. 

 https://www.kennethcolemusic.net/

Saturday, December 10, 2022

Anthony Krizan

 


Anthony Krizan’s rock roots run deep. He was lead guitarist of the Spin Doctors, opening 15 dates for the Rolling Stones with audiences of 70,000, and for the Allman Brothers. He played guitar with Jimi Hendrix’s legendary bassist, Noel Redding. Anthony is known for rocking the big stages and getting an audience on their feet. He’s an original member of Amphibian, with Phish lyricist Tom Marshall.

Anthony has also penned rock/soul staples such as Stand By My Woman with Lenny Kravitz, 5 songs on the Spin Doctors Greatest Hits, the theme of the Spin City TV series and The Howard Stern “Miss America” theme. Recently, Krizan co-wrote the title track to British rock singer John Waite’s new EP, When You Were Mine, and produced 3 tracks on the release. He also produced Waite’s 2022 release, Anything.

 https://anthonykrizan.com/

Friday, December 9, 2022

Tiffany Huntley

 


The world of music is the literature of the heart. It commences where speech ends. It washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life and takes you on an adventure.

My unforgettable adventures include:
2018 - Grand De Talent finals Menton, France
2019 - The Voice Kids Callbacks France
2022 - New release Crois En Toi album.
2022 - La Voie Des Talents Finales, France
2022 - Live Interview CHBN Radio / Thanks Jason for the support on my EP, special thanks to my U.K fans.

Tiffany Huntley was born in Alsace, France, and at 17 years old, she is a coming artist in France who is trying to break into the pop-country culture and has had success. She released her first album in 2022, Crois En Toi, and has been recognized by several newspapers and a local tv station in Alsace. In addition, 2022 has opened doors to her career by opening for several bands while touring in the region for her new album. 

 https://www.tiffhuntley.com/

 

Thursday, December 8, 2022

New music on the radio

 ADAM ADAMANT and KEVIN VILLAGE on JAM 66 Radio from today. Enjoy the station on http://jamradio.mex.tl





Paradise Blue

 


 

In the back of my mind, I have carried reminders of evenings engaged with Keith Jarrett’s 1975 The Köln Concert recording of improvisations played on a Bösendorfer Imperial Concert Grand. Solo piano is a precise arena for many a pianist. At once revealing, yet intimate and rewarding. Much to do with the broad range, possibilities, command, touch, and the instrument at hand. Jarrett achieved something few before had ever tested in front of a vast audience. Sit behind the piano and play. No script, no set list, no banter between entertainer and admiring crowds.

With Paradise Blue I explore the range of emotions, the many shades of the colour blue. Six of twelve tracks are improvised. The blues, a touch of classical and the accidental improvisational curves of jazz. And there is a backstory to my relationship with the piano.

In the ‘50s, Era King looked after the boys as dad worked the night shift at Colgate’s, and mom hemmed parachutes at the Quartermaster Depot. Era was my grandmother, old country in style, manners, and as stern as a woman could ever be. A weary upright piano stood near a soft lit window, the centrepiece of her daily life. Mid afternoons, the soap opera The Edge of Night and other Christian programming held her interest.

When playing, Era whispered along, invariably something sacred. I’d study her squinting eyes as they peered above wired-frame glasses while she leafed through a hymn book, hair rolled in a bun, and understood the wheezing soap opera organ in the background, the soundtrack of her daily life. The hymnals - a reprieve from separating agitated kids and averting the devil’s grip.

It was the most primordial sound. Melody and broken chords. No frills, just the occasional inverted triad, one that never disrupted a lyric or directive from the Lord. Slow-moving melodies, distinctive and meaningful. Folkish and rooted deep in civil soil.

I’ve long been intrigued with melody. The cry of a single note as it seeks a partner, suddenly a community member, and then a composition. It’s those moments when sound moderates the brain, and one tunes in. How and when a single note, a second, and third merge - stream down through the soundboard resting at the feet of the damper pedal.

Paradise Blue is the piano talking back at me. That light in the head momentarily eclipsed, hands in receipt of inspiration. Junctures of sweeping colour and others of blue intent. Fingers jabbing and prying at the space between black and white notes, the overtones, the undertones, wedged between the crevices. A solitary moment where melody and harmony linger beyond invitation.

In memory of those piano teachers that brought so much joy and clarity to my playing. Eva Smith, Don Murray – The Louisville Academy of Music, Jamey Aebersold, Oscar Peterson, Composition studies at Ursuline College and piano at the Louisville Conservatory of Music. That other worldly miracle of influence, pianist Martha Argerich.
Remembering Doug Tipple whose Yamaha C-3 resides in our kitchen, a gift from Laura Tipple and the love and care Doug shared with his beloved friend. Big hugs to my piano finder and friend – Helga Stephenson.

To Kristine for the lovely cover art, Jesse - cover design, Mike Haas the critical mastering – friends, Gary Slaight, Derrick Ross, Pat Silver, FYI MUSIC News, Saturday Night Jazz, Mark Ruffin, Martine Levy, Jane Harbury, Stephen Smith, Ilona Kauremszky, Jessica Bellamy, Ken Stowar, CIUT 89.5 FM, Gloria Martin, Mark Hebscher, Susan Perly, John Harris and my brilliant cousin, Linda Michelone Lang.

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Michael Massaro

 


Michael Massaro is in motion once again with his 5th full Album Release with ‘I Remember You’ as a follow to his latest Single Release of New World being played over 200 +Stations spanning over 20 countries! This Album consists of 12 Original eclectic and easy-to-listen instrumentals that are accessible to the listener. In other words, it covers different grooves, styles, and genres to connect on some level with everyone.

Michael Massaro is no stranger to the Canadian airwaves as he is one of Canada’s premier musicians. His distinctive saxophone recordings have been heard internationally since the eighties with major instrumentals such as ‘Flying Easy’, ‘L.A. Days New York Nights’, and ‘Wings of Glory’. His talents were heard on a Redmond Broadcasting compilation recording with some of Canada’s foremost instrumental performers including David Foster, Liona Boyd, Moe Koffman, Andre Gagnon, and Frank Mills to name only a few. Michael Massaro was thrilled to be included with such a stellar lineup and was humbled when the album was titled after the Massaro hit, ‘Flying Easy’.

https://michaelmassaro.bandcamp.com/

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Robert Ocean

 


In a domain as saturated as the music industry, it is very rare for an up-and-coming singer and songwriter to not only discover their niche very early on, but also to make it their defining attribute. This is exactly what Robert Ocean has done – by blending an array of dynamic acoustic ranges and marrying them with the bold hook of alternative rock, Robert Ocean has created a brand of music only he can truly champion.

Ocean has always prided himself in writing music with a higher purpose in mind. He has always aspired to create music that has the potential to inspire, enlighten, and initiate growth and forgiveness. Championing the theme of togetherness at its core, his entire discography stands tall as a riveting example of how music has the transcendent ability to foster love and care. 

 https://www.robertocean.com/

Monday, December 5, 2022

JAM 66 Radio

Listen to blues, bluesrock, rock, country, folk, jazz and the newest on http://jamradio.mex.tl. Open 24 hours a day.





Crystal Shawanda

 


JUNO Award-winning powerhouse singer-songwriter Crystal Shawanda is back with a new studio album, Midnight Blues, set for release this September 30th on True North Records. The latest fiery bluesy Americana collection features the first single  “How Bad Do You Want It” — showcasing her full-throttle raspy voice, unmatched in today’s musical landscape, and an authenticity for the genre dating back to her youth.

 “Growing up, all of my favorite music had these breadcrumbs that led me to the blues,” Crystal says. “I often quote Willie Dixon: ‘Blues is the roots and everything else is the fruits.’ Even today's pop music, there's all this influence that derives from the blues. I was just always really attracted to the rawness and the realness of the blues.”

Produced and engineered in Nashville by her husband and long-time collaborator Dewayne Strobel, Midnight Blues — her eighth studio album, and fifth since switching from a chart-topping career as a country artist —  is a collection of original songs, such as the seductive-sounding rocker “Midnight Blues,” swampy dance-floor groove “Rumpshaker,” and gentler “Take A Little Walk With The Moon,” as well as covers of the Howlin’ Wolf classic “Evil” and her take on Celine Dion’s hit “That’s Just The Woman In Me.”

“This is absolutely my favorite album I've ever recorded because I feel like my husband put me in a picture frame,” says Crystal. “He really captured who I am as an artist. He let my vocal shine. He brought out the best in me and all the songs that we wrote really capture my live show and who I am.”

Crystal was introduced to the blues by her eldest brother and to old-time country by her parents. “I was also into other styles of music that led me to the blues,” she says, citing everything from Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog,” written by Big Mama Thornton, to R&B-pop star Monica’s “Misty Blue,” by Dorothy Moore.

“I was one of those kids who read the liner notes,” Crystal says.  “I wanted to know everything, who are the songwriters, the musicians, the producers, the engineers. I'm always wanting to know who are the originators, who are the mothers of invention, who inspired all of us?  I’m a purist at heart, so I was always diving back to learn from the masters, like Etta James, as far as vocalists; Muddy Waters, as far as feeling; and Buddy Guy, as far as stylists who have a lot of swagger.”

And yet Crystal’s first foray as a professional singer was in country music, not blues.  She was in her early 20s and had immediate success after signing a U.S. record deal with RCA Nashville. 2008’s Dawn of a New Day, featuring the single “You Can Let Go,” reached No. 1 on the Canadian Country Album chart and No. 16 on the Billboard Top Country Albums, the highest charting album by a full-blooded Canadian First Nations country artist (in the SoundScan-era). Her first single, You Can Let Go,”

The following year she left the label and created her own, New Sun Records. Her first release was the holiday album I’ll Be Home For Christmas. Her next country album was 2010’s Just Like You, which won a 2013 Juno Award for Best Aboriginal Album, before she made the change to the blues with 2014’s The Whole World’s Got The Blues.

“I love all styles of music, but there was just always something drawing me to the blues,” she explains.  “I had a country hit on the radio, and I would show up at country music festivals and I'd do a BB King cover or Buddy Guy or Etta James. Within country music, as much as I loved it, I had to restrain my voice a lot. It's very hard to hold back, and sometimes it was exhausting, whereas with the blues, I could just let it fly.”

While other artists have been embraced when they’ve made the switch to a different genre — Taylor Swift from country to pop; Dallas Smith from hard rock to country; and Darius Rucker from pop/rock to country — Crystal doesn’t mind talking about the difficulties she’s encountered.

“Country music is so excited when anybody from any genre comes to their world, hoping it'll make their world more popular. It'll up the cool factor but switching from country to blues is a lot more difficult because the blues scene is very protective because it's such an original genre. They want it to be respected and preserved.”

She would’ve had an easier time if she had created a blues-influenced sound, like the Black Crowes, Sass Jordan, or Alannah Myles, but Crystal can hold her own in any conversation about the blues pioneers. Still, she still likes to cover an iconic Canadian artist in her inimitable way. Last album, it was The Tragically Hip’s “New Orleans Is Sinking” and this time, Celine Dion.

“Because I had so much friction coming to the blues where people were like, ‘You don't know nothing about the blues,’ I'm trying to show them not to be so close-minded because a lot of people are more inspired by the blues than they may realize. Again, I'm trying to reiterate that quote by Willie Dixon that the blues is roots and everything else is the fruit.” 

 http://crystalshawanda.co/

Sunday, December 4, 2022

The Livesays

 


The Livesays are an accomplished five-piece Heartland/Americana band fronted by the band’s namesake critically acclaimed singer/songwriter/guitarist Billy Livesay, who spent 12 years performing, recording and touring with E-Streeter Clarence Clemons' band "Temple of Soul." During his 12-year tenure with the beloved “Big Man,” Billy recorded and released "Live in Asbury Park" Volumes I & II at The Stone Pony, the second album which features Bruce Springsteen. Billy has shared the stage with so many industry giants, his resume reads like a "Who's Who of Rock n' Roll Hall of Famers."

Drummer Steve Rheingold, was formerly the beat keeper with the legendary Wayne Cochran.

The Livesays' lineup is rounded out with Jorge Laplume on bass, Victor "Cuqui" Berrios on Hammond B-3 organ, and Tim Murphy on piano, all of whom have impressive resumes of their own. Cuqui, who grew up in New York City, offers a touch of the Big Apple to the band with his Hammond B3 and impassioned vocals. Tim brings his ear for harmony and his unique Elton John style piano. Jorge hails from Havana, Cuba; with his Latin roots coupled with a steady diet of the rock groups The Who and Free, he delivers a bass sound that is both funky and thunderous.

The combination of these five seasoned pros, with their versatile backgrounds, incomparable harmonies, energy level, and undeniable chemistry, create real magic on stage together and put on one heck of a dynamic live performance.

The Livesays have created five full length albums that are both memorable and moving with stories ranging from adolescence to adulthood, from battling addiction to conquering depression, from finding love to losing love ... with lyrics that will surely touch your heart and quench your soul. 

 https://www.thelivesaysmusic.com/

Saturday, December 3, 2022

Womack III - Songs Of Downfall & Deliverance

 

Womack III - Songs Of Downfall & Deliverance is the latest offering from local heroes of small town called Forssa, in Finland.

Lovingly calling their hometown the deep south of gloomy north, this foursome embrace their smalltown boy roots and let their love of southern rock shine through their heavy metal influences.
 

As the album title suggests, this is the third full-lenght album from Womack, who, as a band have gone through a lot considering they were formed in 2010, and are quite young as an orchestra. After their first album "Prehab" they went through a line-up change as their original drummer chose to leave and Womack was left to reinvent themselves completely.
 

They did just that, and the result was a fully acoustic rock album "Strays" which was a whole new kind of challenge for the band, as they wandered far away from their comfort zone in search of new ways to express theirselves.
 

Out of that period they got behind the wheel of their distortion-driven side, backed with their new member, Jani Blomerus who has been instrumental in the development from an acoustic rock band to a heavier, groovier harder hitting riff machine.
 

The new album has been in the making for several years now: The groundwork was laid in the later days of 2016, and the album has been slowly cooking ever since. The band has truly given the process their all, and found a new level production-wise too, as the album was mixed and mastered by the legendary Hiili Hiilesmaa, who should need no introduction to anyone who has read their homework on finnish metal.

 

The band has released two singles, Back On The Hooch off the forthcoming record, and another track, Spittin´ Teeth a couple of weeks before the whole album will finally hit the virtual shelves of the streaming world.
 

The band is proud and satisfied with their magnum opus thus far, but are also keeping their collective sights aimed to the future: They kept themselves busy during the pandemic, writing new songs and rehearsing, so they would be among the first ones out the door when the world opens up again.
 

Womack is ready now. Let´s hope the world is ready for them.

 https://aivoimuri.wixsite.com/womack