Friday, March 17, 2017

Sights and Sounds: Jack Bruce, Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo', Tedeschi Trucks Band

Here are a few choice items pulled from my inbox...


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 17, 2017) – If you are only familiar with Jack Bruce’s legendary work with Cream, you are missing out on a critical part of Rock and Roll history. Now, that legacy is in the spotlight with the release of Jack Bruce and Friends: Live From The Bottom Line, available now at all physical and digital retailers. The release is distributed exclusively by BFD through RED distribution. The two disc set, taken from a March 19, 1980 show is the first album released since Bruce’s passing in October 2014.

Growing up in Scotland, Bruce honed his skills in acts such as Graham Bond Organization, Dick Heckstall-Smith’s bands, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Alexis Korner, and Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. In 1966, Bruce, along with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker, formed the classic group Cream. Though they were only together for a short time, the music the trio made together made a definite mark on the musical landscape, earning them induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. After the group disbanded, Bruce released the first of fourteen solo records, 1969’s Songs For A Tailor.

Bruce also recorded with Lou Reed, The Tony Williams Lifetime, and Frank Zappa. This historic Bottom Line performance captures his unique solo take on many of Cream’s classics, as well as his own catalog. And, the band is just as legendary, featuring Mahavishnu drummer Billy Cobham, and original East Street Band keyboardist/guitarist David Sancious (both already had brilliant solo careers), with none other than Clem Clempson, fresh from Colosseum and Humble Pie, on lead guitar.

Bruce’s peers continue to rave about his talent, which is on prominent display with each and every note on Live At The Bottom Line:

“I worked with Jack in the ‘60s when we were playing free jazz. He played double bass, and it was like working alongside an erupting volcano. He would stand very close to me, and his playing was as much percussive as it was harmonic. There was a lot to learn if you were listening. He always seemed to be way ahead of his time. I doubt anyone will ever catch up” - Jon Hiseman

“Jack Bruce changed the whole culture of rock bass playing. He was The King of Power Trio Bassists, and he influenced a whole generation of bass players - including myself!” – Michael Anthony

Live At The Bottom Line Track Listing:
 
Disc One:
01. White Room (6:59)
02. Jet Set Jewel (6:18)
03. Post War (10:44)
04. Born Under A Bad Sign (6:33)
05. The Loner (5:57)
06. Politician (6:47)
07. Running Through Our Hands (6:06)

Disc Two:
08. Theme for an Imaginary Western (5:18)
09. Quadrant 4 [Cobham] (5:03)
10. Childsong (8:28)
11. Bird Alone (19:05)
12. Sunshine of Your Love (8:16)

About Bob Frank Distribution:
BFD was formed in 2013 as the distribution arm of BFE (Bob Frank Entertainment). BFD is a boutique audio and audio–visual distributor with sub-distribution arrangements with Sony / RED Distribution in North America, Essential Music in Europe and The Orchard throughout the world. BFD currently distributes over 30 companies with thousands of masters including Magna Carta, Blixstreet, Tesla, DPTV, Big Deal Records, Synergy Records, Virtual Label Group, A-Train Entertainment, The Atlantic Screen Group (Filmtrax), REMT, UFO as well as artist owned labels and catalogs such as Dale Watson, Dave Davies, Don Williams, Renaissance and Charlie Daniels.



TAJ MAHAL AND KEB’ MO’ - TWO GENERATIONS OF AMERICAN MASTERS –
JOIN FORCES FOR FIRST COLLABORATION TAJMO,
OUT MAY 5 ON CONCORD RECORDS

ALBUM FEATURES CAMEOS FROM BONNIE RAITT, JOE WALSH,
SHEILA E., LIZZ WRIGHT AND MORE

LISTEN TO “DON’T LEAVE ME HERE” HERE

On May 5, 2017 Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo' will join forces to release TajMo on Concord RecordsTajMo is a historic collaboration between two generations of blues giants, converging their singular talents for the first time ever on an album of original songs and covers, featuring cameos from Bonnie Raitt, Joe Walsh, Sheila E., Lizz Wright, and many more. Listen to the first single “Don’t Leave Me Here,” written by Taj and Keb’ here.

While the two have known and influenced each other for decades, and Taj played a key role in Keb's first record deal, TajMo marks the first proper collaboration between Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’. The album was self-produced by the duo and was recorded by Zach Allen, John Caldwell and Casey Wasner at Nashville’s Stu Stu Studio. The 11-song set includes covers of John Mayer and The Who, as well as 6 original songs.

TajMo brings out the best in both artists, with the pair merging their distinctive voices, personalities and guitar styles to create vibrant, immediate music that's firmly rooted in tradition yet ruled by a playful sense of adventure. “Don’t Leave Me Here” is a love letter to the south that sounds like an instant classic, and “Soul” interweaves world music with blues in a way that only Taj could pull off. Taj and Keb’ put a soulful spin on Mayer’s “Waiting on the World to Change,” on which Raitt lends her unmistakable vocals.

“He's a stellar human being, just a brilliant man,” Keb’ says of Taj, who first saw him play at a high school assembly. “Making this record was a really big deal for me.”

"Keb's really good at keeping the ball up in the air," Taj notes. "He's a hell of a guitar player, and I'm just amazed at some of the stuff that he put out there.”

Taj Mahal has been recording and performing his unmistakable blend of blues and world music for over 50 years, winning multiple Grammys and collaborating with the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and more along the way. Keb' Mo', who has often cited Taj as one of his musical heroes, is a 3-time Grammy Winner who has collaborated with everyone from Raitt to Jackson Browne and Buddy Guy.

TajMo: The Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ Band will be touring extensively in support of the record.

TajMo Tour Dates
May 30 - Fort Collins, CO - Lincoln Theater
Jun 1 - Denver, CO - Denver Botanic Gardens
Jun 2 - Boulder, CO - Chautauqua Auditorium
Jun 4 - Salt Lake City, UT - Red Butte Gardens
Jun 6 - Tucson, AZ - Fox Theatre
Jun 7 - Scottsdale, AZ - Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Jun 10 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl (Playboy Jazz Festival)
Jun 13 - Modesto, CA - Gallo Center for the Arts
Jun 15 - Napa, CA - Uptown Theater
Jun 16 - Saratoga, CA - Mountain Winery
Jun 18 -  Seattle, WA - Benaroya Hall
Jun 20 - Sunriver, OR - John Gray Amphitheater
Jun 22 – Chico, CA – Laxson Auditorium
Jun 23 - Berkeley, CA - The UC Theatre Taube Family Music Hall
Jun 24 - Tahoe, NV - Montbleu Casino Resort
Aug 9 - Washington D.C. - Lincoln Theatre
Aug 10 - Wilkes-Barre, PA - The F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
Aug 16 - Portsmouth, NH - Prescott Park
Aug 17 - Albany, NY - The Egg
Aug 18 - Hyannis, MA - Cape Cod Melody Tent
Aug 19 - Cohasset, MA - South Shore Music Circus
Sept 6 - Minneapolis, MN - Hennepin Theatre Trust
Sept 7 - Skokie, IL - North Shore Performing Arts Center
Sept 9 - Kettering, OH - Fraze Pavillion
Sept 10 - Ann Arbor, MI - Michigan Theater
Sept 12 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater
Sept 14 - Kansas City, MO - Uptown Theater
Sept 17 - Santa Fe, NM - Santa Fe Opera House
Sept 20 - Dallas, TX - Strauss Square - AT&T Performing Arts Center
Sept 22 - Austin, TX - ACL Live at the Moody Theater
Sept 23 - Houston, TX - House Of Blues
Sept 24 - New Orleans, LA - Orpheum Theater
Sept 29 - La Grange, GA - Sweetland Amphitheater
Oct 1 - Charleston, SC - Gaillard Center
Oct 3 - Wilmington, NC - Cape Fear Stage
Oct 4 - Durham, NC - Durham Performing Arts Center
Oct 6 - Boone, NC - Schaefer Center
Oct 7 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
Oct 21 - 28 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise


TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND RELEASE FIRST EVER CONCERT FILM AND NEW LIVE ALBUM 'LIVE FROM THE FOX OAKLAND', OUT TODAY VIA FANTASY


Today marks the release of Tedeschi Trucks Band's new concert film and live album Live From The Fox Oakland, on Fantasy Records. Filmed and recorded in a single night on September 9th, 2016, 'Live From The Fox Oakland' provides an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the touring juggernaut. Watch a performance of "Let Me Get By" from the film here via Rolling Stone who call the rendition "roaring," praising Tedeschi's and Trucks' "exemplary live interplay.": http://www.rollingstone.com/country/news/see-tedeschi-trucks-bands-roaring-live-let-me-get-by-w472563

Live From The Fox Oakland is the Grammy-winning band's second live album and first ever concert film that American Songwriter calls, "the perfect way to absorb the impact of the Tedeschi Trucks Band firing on all cylinders in their natural habitat." In addition to the 15 blistering tracks, the film also features extensive behind the scenes footage, including Derek's recent visit to Marc Maron's garage for the WTF! Podcast, and an interview with Derek and Susan conducted by Rolling Stone critic David Fricke for SiriusXM Satellite Radio. 

As Trucks explains, "We've been wanting to properly document the progress of this band for a while and it really felt like we were hitting our stride last fall." What began as an eight-piece group has now expanded to an onstage lineup of twelve musicians who have mastered the emotional commitment and determined celebration of their music. Tedeschi adds, "The audience in Oakland was great and the band played with passion. I am thankful we captured this moment in time."

'Live From The Fox Oakland' was mixed using a vintage Neve console to achieve an exquisitely immersive sound experience, and mastering guru Bob Ludwig added his craft to the full 5.1 surround sound mix and album audio. The film was produced and directed by Jesse Lauter (Bob Dylan In The 80s: Volume One) and Grant James (Father John Misty) with Trucks continuing in his role as producer on all music elements. 'Live From The Fox Oakland' is available in multiple formats including vinyl, DVD and Blu-ray. 

"There aren't many acts that can shift from riveting blues standards to soulful renditions of Leonard Cohen classics to digging deep into the catalogs of artists as disparate as the Beatles and Miles Davis, bringing their unique style and approach to each," says the Chicago Tribune. The breadth of Tedeschi Trucks Band's style is exemplified on 'Live From The Fox Oakland', which features set staples like Leonard Cohen's "Bird on the Wire" and Bobby "Blue" Bland's "I Pity the Fool," two songs which feature the full range and power of Tedeschi's vocals.

TTB's touring profile - and renown - has grown year-over-year since the band's inception in 2010. In 2016 they spent over 200 days on the road and the band started off strong in 2017 playing to packed houses including 3 night runs in each Chicago, Washington DC, and Nashville's famed Ryman Auditorium. Summer will bring what is quickly becoming another annual TTB tradition, the third and biggest installment of their 'Wheels of Soul' tour, this year featuring support from Hot Tuna and the Wood Brothers. See below for a full list of upcoming tour dates.

Album Track List
1. Don't Know What It Means
2. Keep On Growing
3. Bird On The Wire
4. Within You, Without You
5. Just As Strange
6. Crying Over You
7. These Walls (featuring Alam Khan)
8. Anyhow
9. Right On Time
10. Leavin' Trunk
11. Don't Drift Away
12. I Want More (Soul Sacrifice outro)
13. I Pity The Fool
14. Ali
15. Let Me Get By

Film Track List
Don't Know What It Means
Keep On Growing
Bird On The Wire
Within You, Without You 
Just As Strange
Crying Over You
Color Of The Blues
These Walls (featuring Alam Khan)
Leavin' Trunk
I Pity The Fool
I Want More (Soul Sacrifice outro)
Let Me Get By
You Ain't Going Nowhere

Buy "Live From The Fox Oakland"
http://smarturl.it/TTBliveOAKitunes
http://smarturl.it/TTBliveOAKamzn


Tedeschi Trucks Band Tour Dates
Mar 17 - Munich, DEU - TonHalle Munchen
Mar 18 - Zurich, CHE - Kongresshaus Zurich
Mar 19 - Milano, ITA - Alcatraz
Mar 22 - Koln, DEU - E-Werk
Mar 24 - Berlin, DEU - Tempodrom
Mar 25 - Nurnberg, DEU - Bluesdays
Mar 26 - Karlsruhe, DEU - Tollhaus
Mar 30 - Brussels, BEL - Cirque Royal
Mar 31 - Amsterdam, NLD - Heineken Music Hall
Apr 3 - Frankfurt, DEU - Batschkapp
Apr 4 - Tuttlingen, DEU - Stadthalle
Apr 5 - Stuttgart, DEU - LKA Longhorn
Apr 7 - Copenhagen, DNK - Amagar Bio
Apr 8 - Randers, DNK - Vaerket
May 27 - Jacksonville, FL - Daily's Place Amphitheatre
May 28 - Orlando, FL - Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
June 8 - Philadelphia, PA - Merriam Theater
June 9 - Philadelphia, PA - Merriam Theater
June 10 - Philadelphia, PA - Merriam Theater
June 16 - Wilmington, NC - Greenfield Lake Amphiteater
June 17 - Selbyville, DE - The Freeman Stage at Bayside

Wheels of Soul Tour (w/ The Wood Brothers and Hot Tuna)
July 1 - Gilford, NH - Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion 
July 2 - Essex, VT (Burlington) - Midway Lawn at Champlain Valley Exposition 
July 3 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center 
July 5 - Vienna, VA (DC) -Wolf Trap 
July 7 - Providence, RI - Providence Performing Arts Center
July 8 - Rochester, NY - Highland Bowl Amphitheatre
July 9 - Simsbury, CT - Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center 
July 12 - Virginia Beach, VA - Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheatre
July 14 - Raleigh, NC - Red Hat Amphitheatre 
July 15 - Atlanta, GA - Fox Theatre 
July 16 - Charlotte, NC - Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre 
July 19 - Indianapolis, IN - Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn 
July 21 - Cincinnati, OH - PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center 
July 22 - Huber Heights, OH (Dayton) - Rose Music Center at the Heights
July 23 - Rochester Hills, MI (Detroit) - Meadow Brook Amphitheatre 
July 25 - Rogers, AR - Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion 
July 27 - Albuquerque, NM - Sandia Casino Amphitheatre
July 29 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre 
July 30 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre 
Aug 2 - Bonner, MT - KettleHouse Amphitheatre

More Info
http://tedeschitrucksband.com
http://shorefire.com/client/tedeschi-trucks-band
https://www.facebook.com/DerekAndSusan
https://twitter.com/derekandsusan
https://www.instagram.com/derekandsusan
https://www.youtube.com/TTBFromTheRoad 

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