Multi-Grammy Nominee and 4x Blues Music Award-Winner Duke Robillard's Lost Album 'Roll With Me' Is Out NOW

Stony Plain Records has officially released Roll With Me, the new album from two-time Grammy nominee and four-time Blues Music Award-winning guitarist Duke Robillard.
 
“Back in the early 2000’s I was given the OK to start a new blues album for Stony Plain,” Duke Robillard explains about the new album’s genesis.  “It was a very prolific period for me, and somehow after recording nine hot blues tracks, I got another album concept and we started another album session. I said we’d get back to the blues album soon after finishing the new project. As things sometimes go, we got busy with gigging, touring and life, and the blues album we cut kept getting put aside and we kept coming up with new album concepts within months of release of the last one.
 
“Finally, after two decades and dozens of recordings, we got to the place where it was time for my final Stony Plain record.  All this time, I knew we had to get back to the album we had started back in 2005. I knew those tracks were really strong, but until I listened to them again, I didn’t realize just how strong they really were.”
 
On  Roll With Me, Robillard pays blazing tribute to Texas immortal Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown on “You Got Money” and the instrumental “Boogie Uproar;” legendary blues shouter Big Joe Turner on a piano-driven “Boogie Woogie Country Girl” and New Orleans kingpin Fats Domino on the rumba-rocking “Are You Going My Way.” There’s also a trio of Chicago blues classics from the respective songbooks of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Eddie Boyd. Duke’s vocals connect with the same power as his razor-sharp guitar (Chris Cote takes over at the mic for “Look What You’ve Done” and “You Got Money”).
 
Duke invited some heavy hitters to back him up. Pianist Matt McCabe is on all but two tracks (those feature Bruce Bears), while bassist Marty Ballou and drummer Mark Teixeira keep the rhythm section cooking. Doug James and Rich Lataille are among the muscular saxophonists; Sugar Ray Norcia guests on harp for “Look What You’ve Done.” Duke cools the tempo down to lights-out level for an elegant “Give Me Back My Money,” but the title track sums the mood up: this album hurtles forward like a hard-charging midnight express.
 
Recorded at Duke's Mood Room in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, by Thom Hiller and Lakewest Recording in West Greenwich, R.I. by John Paul Gauthier, Roll With Me is the latest in a long and distinguished series of albums the guitarist has made for Holger Petersen’s Canadian indie Stony Plain. Their working relationship harks back to 1993, when the two met at a folk festival in Winnipeg. Petersen was the executive producer on Robillard’s album, Duke’s Blues the next year. Duke developed into a Stony Plain mainstay with Stretchin’ Out Live (1998), Living with the Blues (2002), Exalted Lover (2003), Blue Mood—The Songs of T-Bone Walker (2004), Guitar Groove-A-Rama (2006), Duke Robillard’s World Full of Blues (2007) and The Acoustic Blues of Duke Robillard (2015). 
 
“I’m traveling and playing all over the world still, so this is definitely not a farewell record,” Robillard happily reports.  Now it’s time to roll with Duke!

PAT FULGONI BLUES EXPERIENCE

A live review of Pat Fulgoni over at SXSW in Austin, Texas in Billboard Magazine declared that “Fulgoni could sing a pearl from its oyster”. They ain’t wrong and Blues Matters adds "completely blown away because he can sing, I mean really sing, ridiculously well”

In his time Pat has sung across many genres and worked with award winning producers as well as touring the world as a live artist. As far as the blues goes, he cut his teeth over in the Czech Republic with various greats from that scene, performing on breakfast TV and playing the Blues Alive Festival, Sumperk. Returning to that festival in 2021 with new UK blues band Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience one Czech reviewer wrote it was "like meeting up with an old friend” as the outfit blazed their way onto the national TV highlights.

Pat's new blues journey with the Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience started when a local food bank fundraiser in his home town of Huddersfield demanded a set having seen his performances on YouTube Fulgoni obliged and cobbled together a local line up just before Covid kicked in. The gig was awesome and left him wanting more especially after the grim months of lockdown.

Pat’s previous release "Dark Side of the Blues (Pat Fulgoni Live In Prague)’ was very well received, Chicago Blues Guide saying  “a collection of impeccably reworked blues and rock cover.” And now after 3 years of gigging at shows including festivals like Colne Blues, Buxton Blues, Blues Alive (Czech), Beatherder, Leeds Unity, venues and clubs including Pat’s own beloved Huddersfield Blues Club and Bluesbury festival efforts, the Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience band is clearly a sought after live booking, and the time is very right for an album release!

Sit back and listen to this rocked out and funked up blues opus! From the originals like “Drifter" and “Keep The Blues Alive” through to the covers like “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven” and “Midnight Train” its a soulful, funky, psychedelic take on the blues rounded off by the epic original 12 bar “Stickin The Knife In Blues” with its deep, dark but conscious lyrics.

Fantastic musicianship is on display here with young guitar slinger Jacob Beckwith, the seriously tight bass and drums combo of Rory Wells and Zebedee Sylvester and the lush piano skills of Sam Bolt underpinning Pat’s unique soulful blues vocal. This album is honest, vibey and full of soulful dynamics, 2 of these cuts are just piano and vocals and the album is mixed by Crosscut Saw’s Alex Eden who also contributes some amazing harmonica.

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/7Gogzwu5zALopGXhnAqbrv?si=E4q6gswgSg2tCXkhORCIoQ

Colin James Adds Heavy Hitters To The Line-Up On 'Chasing The Sun'; "Devilment" Feat. Charlie Musselwhite

To a recording artist, having a bunch of big-name guests on your album can be a double-edged sword: It’ll get you some attention, sure, but there’s always the danger you’ll find yourself pushed out of the limelight—a supporting player in your own production.

Fortunately, no one elbows Colin James into the wings. With nearly four decades in the business—and an armload of sales records and peer accolades to show for it—the Vancouver blues-rocker has thrown open the door to welcome a house party’s worth of friends and mentors on his 21^st and latest, Chasing the Sun. Appearances by the legendary likes of Charlie Musselwhite, Lucinda Williams, Darryl Jones and Charley Drayton energize an album that cooks with the intensity of a thousand spotless reputations. But the formula remains 100-proof James throughout—a distillation of the singular and passionate vision that’s enshrined him in the hearts of millions of record buyers worldwide as a musician’s musician.
Take spotlight track “Devilment,” a title-appropriate blast of fire-and-brimstone blues that revels in some red-hot harmonica from the iconic Musselwhite. You can hear every breath of the authenticity Musselwhite has lived and exhaled for more than half a century as both a Grammy-nominated harpist in his own right and a revered sideman to heavyweights like Bonnie Raitt and the Blind Boys of Alabama. Yet his own contribution never overpowers James’ stinging guitar and barroom-approved vocal as the latter sings the praises of a woman who’s not only “lovely” and fine” but has “the devilment on [her] mind.”

Pumping the ardor even further into the stratosphere are bassist Jones and drummer Drayton, whose miles-long pedigree (both together and apart) includes work with everyone from the Rolling Stones, Miles Davis and Neil Young to Sting, Paul Simon and Johnny Cash. And that isn’t even factoring in the extra instrumental assist by co-producer Colin Linden, who played guitars, bass and dobro on the album—and just happens to have co-written “Devilment” in the first place. (Previous versions of the song appeared on separate 2009 albums by Linden and its co-author, Toronto bluesman Paul Reddick.)

To Linden, who’s produced six albums with James since they started collaborating back in 1997, the new album is definitely a case of sweetening, not diluting, his pal’s boundless talents. “Colin is still so engaged with his own artistic development,” he marvels. “And it just got better every time we dug in deeper, which is not always the way it is. There are some places on the record where I can’t tell if it’s me or him playing guitar, even though we play differently. There is this blending of styles indicative of the vibe of serving the music.”
That means serving it wherever it chooses to go. For the spiritual flip side of “Devilment,” cop a listen to album opener “Protection,” a sinuously driving cover of Williams’ 2014 plea for salvation from life’s dark forces. James’ rendition soars on the perfect sync between his own singing and an unmistakable vocal assist from the Americana icon herself.

“Lucinda is such a revered songwriter, such a legend,” James raves. “But she’s so nice. And hearing our voices together on tape was such a pleasure.” And with gospel greats Ann and Regina McCrary chiming in too, who up in heaven could deny their tenderest mercies?
Captured for posterity at Nashville’s Pinhead Recorders—a 1,000-square-foot, “purpose-built,” standalone home studio in Linden’s backyard—Chasing the Sun is a cannily assembled set of songs pulled in from all over the place. Scorching originals like “Star Studded Sky” and “This Song Kills Hate” represent career-best collaborations between James and a host of Canadian compadres, including Tom Wilson of Junkhouse and Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and Colin and John-Angus MacDonald of rock maulers The Trews. Adding flavor are four meticulously chosen covers from the songbooks of giants like John Hammond and Paul Butterfield. The track list runs to 11 numbers in total—nine on the album proper, and another two offered as downloads (including “Come to Find Out,” another team-up with Musselwhite).

Chasing the Sun is the latest landmark in a career that’s been hitting high after high since 1988, when James’ self-titled debut became the fastest-selling album in Canadian history and won him his first JUNO Award. (It helps when one of your earliest champions enjoys a profile like Stevie Ray Vaughan’s.) Since then, James has collected multiple gold and platinum awards, scored a #3 radio hit in the United States (“Just Came Back”) and shared musical airspace with a who’s who of greats, including Keith Richards, Albert Collins, Albert King, ZZ Top, the Chieftains, Carlos Santana, and Buddy Guy. In the process, he’s received eight JUNOs and 31 Maple Blues Awards and been inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame. Last year, he scored his first nod from the Memphis-based Blues Foundation, which nominated him in the Best Blues Rock Album category for his 2021 collection, Open Road.

So don’t pigeonhole him as an early bloomer: To James, the road has only gotten easier and more rewarding over time. “Maybe people don’t buy into a blues guy in his early ‘20s,” he laughs. “When you’re knocking at the door at age 60, people are like ‘Oh yeah, come on in.’”

Blues Rock Guitarist Frank Cosentino Readies to Conquer the Airwaves with New Single ‘VIBIN’ Ahead of ‘COMEBACK’ Album Release

  

Blues rock guitarist Frank Cosentino ready to take over the airwaves with new single ‘VIBIN’.

 

After more than four decades of touring, writing, and producing new music Frank Cosentino realized he needed to change his lifestyle.

 

“I overcame the challenges of addiction and got sober seven years ago,” he stated. “With renewed inspiration, I returned to songwriting with increased focus and energy.”

 

After working with producer Derek Downham at Studio Cardinal Toronto, Cosentino is ready to release his next album to the world.

 

The upcoming album, aptly titled ‘COMEBACK’, includes his soon-to-be-hit ‘VIBIN’, which took over the airwaves on July 23, 2024.

 

“The story of ‘VIBIN’ symbolizes my journey,” he explained. “Fate guided me towards collaboration with Juno-winning producer Derek Downham. Together we brought my newfound creativity to life. Throughout the process, my progress was evident and I emerged as a stronger writer, player, and human.”

 

Cosentino’s guitar driven blues rock, combined with his poetic lyric style, will wow fans and newcomers to his music alike. Inducted into The Blues Hall of Fame as a Master Blues Artist in 2017, Cosentino is considered a real gentleman of the blues, making it his mission to keep the art of blues guitar growing and moving forward.

 

His new music does just that – drawing on his past experiences, which include sharing the stage with greats like Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, and Jeff Healy, and new blues talents Sue Foley, Phillip Sayce, and Anthony Gomes, Cosentino creates new classic blues in his personal style.

 

“It’s been my personal goal as a producer to work with other artists who have a grand understanding of their respected genres and Frank Cosentino has been a lifelong stalwart of blues and a ferocious lead player,” stated Downham, who plays keyboard, drums and bass on the track.

 

Frank’s goal is to ignite and stoke the flames of ambition at the heart of the listener. A song that pushes forward against the naysayers and gatekeepers, the hero is within each and every one of us but you can’t wait for the call. We ultimately walk alone into the ring to face the variables life hurls at us. Weather the storm and your reward is truly living a life fulfilled.

 

COMEBACK will hit music retailers in Canada on September 20^th 2024.

 

Until then, keep up with Cosentino on his website, and his Instagram and Facebook pages.

Ottawa-Based Blues/Roots Singer Songwriter Jeff Rogers Nominated For Blues Blast Music Award

Canadian blues and roots singer-songwriter and keyboard player Jeff Rogers is having quite a year.
 
His new album Dream Job has just been nominated for Soul Blues Album of The Year at the 17th Annual Blues Blast Music Awards in the U.S.
 
“I’m very grateful for the honour and proud to be considered for Soul Blues Album of The Year,” says Rogers. “It’s special when your peers recognize your work.”
 
Dream Job was released Internationally on February 16, 2024 (Diesel Entertainment/MVD/Fontana North) and was recorded in the revered music mecca of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where many of the greats including, Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, Bob Seger, Etta James, Paul Simon, Otis Redding and The Black Keys, have recorded.
 
For this album, Jeff was accompanied by some of the legendary musicians, including Kelvin Holly (Little Richard, Bobby Bland), Clayton Ivey (The Staple Sisters, Thelma Houston), Justin Holder (Keb Mo’, Delbert McClinton) and Shonna Tucker (Booker T. Jones, Drive-By-Truckers). Dream Job is co-produced by Dick Cooper of The Cooper Brothers and features special guest appearances by Grammy Award winner, Colin Linden, and Juno Award-winning singer, Kellylee Evans.
 
Rogers was thrilled to open for The Legendary Downchild Blues Band last fall on their Canadian theatre tour and just performed at the Ottawa Jazz, opening for one of his favourite bands, Lake Street Dive. With more show slated for 2024, he looks forward to performing at festivals in the US in 2025.
 
With stellar album reviews in DownBeat Magazine and Blues Matters in the UK, Jeff Rogers is making an impact around the world with his new album. His unmistakably soulful voice often evokes weighty comparisons to the past - whether that’s Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles or even Otis Redding…. yet, his tone, range, phrasing, and sincerity, all make him unmistakably contemporary – and totally original. 
 
“…emotional honesty and a measured assurance…intelligent self-composed songs on troubled pleasurable romance….” - DOWNBEAT
 
“Look for Dream Job and Jeff Rogers to make a mark in 2024.”- Billboard Canada
 
Listen to Dream Job at https://jeffrogers.lnk.to/DreamJob
 
For more information on Jeff Rogers see www.jeffrogers.ca

Blues Rock Guitarist Frank Cosentino Releases New Single ‘You Can’t Call Back’ From Upcoming COMEBACK Album

After more than four decades of touring, writing, and producing new music Frank Cosentino realized he needed to change his lifestyle.

“I overcame the challenges of addiction and got sober seven years ago,” he stated. “With renewed inspiration, I returned to songwriting with increased focus and energy.”

After working with producer Derek Downham at Studio Cardinal Toronto, Cosentino is ready to release his next album to the world.

The upcoming album, aptly titled ‘COMEBACK’, includes his soon-to-be-hit ‘You Can’t Call Back,’ is out now.

“The story of ‘You Can’t Call Back’ symbolizes my journey,” he explained. “Fate guided me towards collaboration with Juno-winning producer Derek Downham. Together we brought my newfound creativity to life. Throughout the process, my progress was evident, and I emerged as a stronger writer, player, and human.”

Cosentino’s guitar driven blues rock, combined with his poetic lyric style, will wow fans and newcomers to his music alike. Inducted into The Blues Hall of Fame in 2017 as a Master Blues Artist, Cosentino is considered a real gentleman of the blues, making it his mission to keep the art of blues guitar growing and moving forward.

His new music does just that – drawing on his past experiences, which include sharing the stage with greats like Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, and Jeff Healy, and new blues talents Sue Foley, Phillip Sayce, and Anthony Gomes, Cosentino creates new classic blues in his personal style.

“It’s been my personal goal as a producer, songwriter, and artist to work with other artists who have a grand understanding of their respected genres and Frank Cosentino has been a lifelong stalwart of blues and a ferocious lead player,” stated Downham, who plays keyboard, drums, and guitar on the track.

“Our goal was to write a song that would ignite and stoke the flames of ambition at the heart of the listener. A song that pushes forward against the naysayers and gatekeepers. The hero is within each and every one of us but you can’t wait for the call. We ultimately walk alone into the ring to face the variables life hurls at us. Weather the storm and your reward is truly living a life fulfilled.”