Franco Paletta & The Stingers-Can't Kick Love  201 ASCAP

I am a fan of Facebook.  Thanks to Facebook I can reconnect with old friends, make new friends and keep in touch with all of them at once.  Another reason I like Facebook is all the previously unknown (to me) artists that I am becoming aware of.  Franco Paletta & The Stingers are a great example.  I was vaguely familiar with this Portland, OR band but never knew much about them.  All that changed when Franco became a fan of my radio show, Blues Therapy, and hooked up with me online.  In short order he sent me a CD and I soon became pleasantly surprised.  The nine originals on this disk are all keepers.  There isn't a weak song in the bunch.  The music reminds me a lot of the stylings of Roomful of Blues or the James Harman Band.  Franco's unique vocals and sweet harp playing really standout as does the writing on the catchy tunes included here.   In 2007 Franco represented the Cascade Blues Association in the International Blues Challenge competition in Memphis.  Although the competition there is among the toughest you will ever find Franco did well.  It's amazing to me this band remains unsigned. When I compare them to other great Northwest bands (The Insomniacs, John Nemeth) it occurs to me that they are every bit as polished and entertaining. 

Balancing out the regular lineup is Timmer Blakely on bass (also with the Lloyd Jones Band).  Timmer has over 30 years in the business.  He writes and records music for the non-profit organization Songs of Love which dedicates itself to writing personalized songs for children and teens facing tough medical, physical or emotional challenges.  He is also a staff writer for Columbia River Records and he composes songs for television, movies and video games.

  On guitar David Ward has over 20 years gigging and is a founding member of two Roots/Rockabilly/Surf Bands, The Vibrasonics and The Ignitrons

  On drums Jon Beyer splits time with two other bands-The Touchables and The Quags. 

  Together, as Franco Paletta & The Stingers this band is hot.  There are no other adjectives needed.  If you don't have this disk yet you need to get busy because you are missing out.

  Biggdaddy

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Kevin Selfe And The Tornadoes- Playing The Game  Sept. 2009-Mojo Productions

 
  The album, self(e) produced along with Mojo Productions, is the second CD by Kevin Selfe and The Tornadoes.  The first CD, entitled "Selfe-Contained" was released in January 2006 with Selfe and The Tornadoes.  After the realease of that CD, Selfe moved to Portland, OR and found new musicians to make up a west coast version of the tornadoes.  They have become a Northwest favorite.
  "Playing The Game" has ten original cuts, all written by Kevin Selfe.  Things start out with a cool blues shuffle, "Just Like Pulling Teeth", that shows off Selfe's guitar and harp playing as well as his great blues voice.  Every one of cuts on this CD is a winner, they showcase the Tornadoes abilities and tightness.  The CD starts hot and never cools down.  Suffice it to say, I really liked "Playing The Game" and highly suggest that you add it to your collection.

The Doctor

Blues Therapy Show
KWCW Walla Walla       

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Elvin Bishop-Red Dog Speaks June 2010 Delta Groove Music

 

 
  Just as BB King has Lucille and Albert King has Lucy, Elvin Bishop has his Red Dog, a 1959 Gibson ES-345.  On "Red Dog Speaks" Elvin Bishop shows us what a versatile little puppy Red Dog is. 
  Thru the years Bishop has played with a long list of great talent, many who show up for the party on this CD.  John Nemeth, Buckwheat Zydeco, Roy Gaines, Tommy Castro, Ronnie Baker Brooks and Kid Anderson join Bishop and Red Dog to bring us an upbeat mixture of blues, R&B, some rock & roll, a little doo wop, zydeco and gospel.  This CD has it all, about the only thing missing is a little opera and some rap.  When you listen to "Red Dog Speaks" you just feel good.
  "Red Dog Speaks" is my favorite Elvin Bishop CD to date.  When Red Dog speaks you just gotta sit, stay and listen.

The Doctor
KWCW

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Seasick Steve-Man From Another Time  2009 Warner Music

  I became an instant fan of Seasick Steve.  For me the best Blues tells tales and does so without a lot of extra production.  This is an artist along the lines of Super Chikan- a guy who plays homemade instruments and sings about his life experiences with catchy and sometimes solemn phrasings.   The music is rhythmic and real and grabs your attention right away with the first cut, “Diddley Bo”.    Now a song like this must be played using a diddley bo and that’s just what Seasick Steve does.  The bow was actually made by Super Chikan for him and consists of a 2-ftoot piece of 2x4 with broom wire nailed to it and played with a screwdriver for a slide.    It’s a great lead song.   The music on this disk is all written by Seasick Steve and every song is a gem.  His experiences range from a tough life on his own since he was 13.  Riding the rails for work as a carny, migrant worker and for an occasional odd job Steve Gene Wold bounced around from Mississippi, Tennessee and many other states.  He even ended up in Washington (check out the song “Wenatchee” for a great story).  Early on he became friends of Janis Joplin and Joni Mitchell and then, much later, Kurt Cobain.   He has travelled the world and often made money as a busker (street musician).  He silently built a following and became a “very big deal” in England winning the 2007 Mojo Award as Best Breakthrough Act.  Following this he played at several sold out festivals.  He has five releases to his name.  His love of interesting instruments includes his favorite called the 3-string Trance Wonder.  This guitar resembles a Fender Coronado but only has three strings.  Why?  Well you can read the story of that on Wikipedia.com.  It’s a good read.

  Seasick Steve makes music you don’t hear enough of anymore.  Using unconventional instruments, stomp boxes and an interesting array of gear his is a sound that is both raw and, yet also very refreshing.  Sometimes less is more.  Seasick Steve for sure sounds like a Man From Another Time.  I’m sure glad his time is now.

·         Highlights for me: -“Diddley Bo”; “Wenatchee”; and, “Seasick Boogie”.

“Biggdaddy” Ray Hansen-Blues Therapy Radio Show  KWCW Walla Walla, WA