New music: Rory Gallagher, Jhett Black, Bahamas

An essential live collection from Irish singer-guitar great Rory Gallagher, as well as new album releases from New Mexico-based blues champion Jhett Black and Canadian standout Bahamas are worth adding to your music library.

Artist: Rory Gallagher
Title: All Around Man — Live In London (UMe)
You might like if you enjoy: Gary Moore, Rory Gallagher, Alvin Lee, Joe Bonamassa
Tell me more: Rory Gallagher is widely regarded as one of the greatest electric guitarists of all time. The incredible talents of the late Irish artist — who sadly passed away in June 1995 at the age of 47 — are fully on display across the recent release All Around Man — Live In London. The 23-track live album available via triple LP (180 gram heavyweight vinyl) or as a double CD focuses a bright spotlight on a previously undocumented period in Gallagher's career; the tracks were recorded across a two-night run at the Town & Country Club (now known as The O2 Forum) in London in December 1990. These performances were staged in the wake of the release of Gallagher's 11th and last studio album Fresh Evidence that had been released in May 1990. All Around Man — Live In London has been mixed from the recently discovered multi track recordings and was mastered at Abbey Road Studios. The hard charging opener "Continental Op," British blues foray "Heaven's Gate," amped Chicago blues sortie "Don't Start Me Talking'," and Southern fried rocker "Kid Gloves" are among the highlights on LP1. The breathtaking classic rock mining "Moonchild," acoustic Americana nugget "Out On The Western Plains," instantly irresistible "Shadow Play" and Delta blues track "I Wonder Who" shine on LP2. The bluesy "Middle Name" and "Ghost Blues," dazzling "Messin' With The Kid," breakneck "Keep A Knockin'," and meteoric blues-rock closer "All Around Man" excite on LP3. Across the 23-track release Gallagher's top-tier lead vocals and stellar guitar work impress at every turn. Information: rorygallagher.com. 

Artist: Jhett Black
Title: Babel (Rumblestump Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Keb' Mo', Harlis Sweetwater, Lead Belly, Moreland & Arbuckle
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Jhett Black has returned with the bewitching blues album Babel, a disc ideally suited to showcase his rich baritone vocals and rich song craft layered amidst a Gothic soundscape with layers of Southern-fried guitar work and driving rhythms. Babel will appeal to fans of traditional and modern day blues. The infectious opener "Roll Out," heavy blues rocker "Mamma Told Me Not To," driving "Eve" and haunting title track are early standouts on the disc that conjures up classic and contemporary sonic forces. Babel's riches include the genre-defying "Gold," soaring "Wayward Son," gloomy "Devil Ain't An Only Child" and a decidedly nightmarish take on the Freddie King classic "Going Down." Information: jhettblackblues.com. 

Artist: Bahamas
Title: Bootcut (Brushfire Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Neil Young's "Harvest," Vince Gill, Glen Campbell
Tell me more: One of the year's great country albums has been released by an artist not typically associated with that genre. Bahamas' sixth album Bootcut finds Canadian singer-songwriter/guitar master Afie Jurvanen fusing his signature mix of folk, R&B, soul and indie rock with a decidedly country music bent. Recorded at the Sound Emporium studio in Nashville, this a collection sure to please discerning music lovers; Bahamas is that rare artist who balances deep real life introspection and comedic wit with artistic grace. The lovely "Just A Song" finds Jurvanen's affecting vocals adorned by pedal steel; the aptly-pegged "Working On My Guitar" is lyrically and musically playful. Other standouts on the wonderful album include the melodic "Somebody Just Like Me," reflective "Second Time Around," contemplative "Sports Car," shimmering "Gone Girl Gone" and beautiful closer "Nothing Blows My Mind." The artist deviates from the country stylings on the breezy "I'm Still," an R&B track bolstered by Jurvanen's funky guitar work. Information: bahamasmusic.net. 

Robert Kinsler

Award-winning Canadian artist Bahamas set to return with 'Sad Hunk' on October 9

Here is the offficial media release just out that confirms we will soon have a new album of material from acclaimed artist Bahamas. Listen to the breezy advance single "Own Alone" via the link below too...Robert Kinsler

Award-winning Canadian artist Bahamas returns on Oct. 9, 2020 with new album 'Sad Hunk' on Brushfire Records 

FRENETIC NEW TRACK “OWN ALONE” RELEASED TODAY LISTEN HERE

NEW YORK, NY – August 13^th, 2020 – Celebrated, award-winning artist Bahamas has announced the October 9th release of Sad Hunk (Brushfire Records). Bahamas’s sound defies genre categorization, yet it incorporates many – pop, R&B, rock, folk, soul, alternative, Caribbean, blues and more. Sad Hunk contains 11 songs that encapsulate all that legions of Bahamas fans have grown to love – great songs, insightful lyrics, infectious hooks, exceptional musicianship, distinctive arrangements and sharp wit. A prime example is captured on the brand-new song “Own Alone”, released today.

LISTEN HERE.

Bahamas is the moniker for singer/songwriter/guitar virtuoso Afie Jurvanen. Jurvanen, along with Christine Bougie (guitar), Don Kerr (drums), Mike O’Brien (bass), Felicity Williams (vocals), and longtime producer, multi-Grammy nominee Robbie Lackritz (Feist, Jack Johnson, Robbie Robertson) have elevated Bahamas music to the new heights on Sad Hunk. The new collection is the follow-up to 2018’s Earthtones, which won Adult Alternative Album Of The Year at the 2019 Juno Awards, and received a Grammy nomination.

From his vocal phrasing to his songwriting to his masterful guitar work, Sad Hunk reflects a natural progression of Jurvanen’s artistry. “Trick To Happy” is a laid-back, soulful entry point, while the quirky, self-conscious “Not Cool Anymore” offers a tropical acoustic ambiance. “Done Did Me No Good” and “Up With The Jones” feature signature up-tempo Bahamas style and harmonies that legions of fans have come to love. Jurvanen’s vulnerability is on display in the touching “Less That Love”, and he opens up his heart on the tender and beautiful “Half Your Love”.

Sad Hunk is an album inspired by domestic life and embodies an undaunted self-awareness. The album title and artwork finds the Jurvanen’s self-deprecating humor out front as the result of a nickname given to him by his wife in reaction to an overdramatic photo shoot a while back that was out of character.

Bahamas has achieved success in North America and overseas through their exceptional live performances. Their streaming numbers range around three million per month consistently on Spotify and continue to grow. Bahamas biggest streaming track “Lost In The Light” has racked up almost 100 million plays, while “All The Time”, the lead single from their third album Bahamas Is Afie, recently passed 70 million.

Single “Own Alone” available on August 14th:  https://Bahamas.lnk.to/OwnAlonePR

Pre-order Sad Hunk: https://Bahamas.lnk.to/SadHunkPR



ABOUT REPUBLIC RECORDS
A division of Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company, Republic Records is home to an all-star roster of multi-platinum, award-winning legends and superstar artists such as Ariana Grande, Drake, Florence + the Machine, Greta Van Fleet, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack Johnson, James Blake, James Bay, Jessie J, John Mellencamp, Jonas Brothers, Julia Michaels, Kid Cudi, Liam Payne, Lil Wayne, Lorde, Metro Boomin, NAV, Nicki Minaj, Of Monsters and Men, Pearl Jam, Post Malone, Seth MacFarlane, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Zendaya and more. Founded by brothers and chief executives Monte and Avery Lipman, it is also comprised of innovative business ventures, including American Recordings, Boominati Worldwide, Brushfire, Casablanca Records, Cash Money, Lava Records, Monkeywrench, XO, Young Money, among others. Republic also maintains long-standing strategic alliances with Universal Music Latin Entertainment (J Balvin and Karol G) and Hollywood Records.  In addition, Republic has expanded to release high-profile soundtracks for Universal Pictures (Fifty Shades of Grey), Sony Pictures (Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse) and NBC TV (The Voice), as well as other notable film and television franchises. Extending further into the worlds of film, television, and content, Republic launched Federal Films in order to produce movies and series powered by the label's catalog and artists. Its first production was the Jonas Brothers documentary Chasing Happiness for Amazon Prime Video.

Concert review: Bahamas Thrills at Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles

Review by Jon Gossard

Afie Jurvanen

Thursday evening, February 21, saw Toronto-based Bahamas visiting the lovely Teragram Ballroom in downtown Los Angeles and performing a sold out show in front of an appreciative audience in support of the recently released Earthtones LP.  

From the first notes of "So Free" to the final strains of "Any Place" over an hour later, the crowd was held in rapture by frontman and songwriter Afie Jurvanen and his able band.  Bassist Darcy Yates and drummer Jason Tait provided rock-steady rhythm for the duration of the show, ranging from the spartan requirements of "Waves" to the deep groove of "Bad Boys Need Love Too," always in pocket, always serving the song and allowing their bandmates to layer above with confidence.  Guitarist Christine Bougie provided tasteful accompaniment all evening long, adding texture throughout and providing several standout solos that built on the melodic elements of each song to create emotional high points.  Playing sans plectrum for the evening, Bougie’s sinewy six-string work provided compelling counterpoint to Jurvanen’s own terrific guitar playing, and at times some of her more staccato lines even reminded this listener of Stevie Wonder’s syncopated keyboard playing.  

A highlight of the evening was Bougie’s delicate work on the lap steel guitar on the haunting "Like A Wind," a dynamic song that makes the most of its quiet-loud-quiet structure.  The sublime Felicity Williams weaved her gorgeous backing vocals throughout each song, treating her voice as another instrument within the band, sometimes mimicking melodic lines in call-and-response with the guitars or soaring into the upper reaches in several spine-tingling moments such as in "No Wrong," and always amazing the audience with her ability to add depth and emotion.  

One ardent admirer of Williams’ in the audience was even called out by Jurvanen, eliciting a shy smile from Williams herself, who perhaps doesn't realize just how important she is to the overall sound of the band.  Not to be outdone, Jurvanen capitalized on the freedom afforded by having a crack band and shined as both guitarist and singer.  One of Jurvanen’s most intriguing qualities is his ability to unleash a line from his guitar that reminds you just how potent of a guitarist he is and yet he always plays within the song, never adding notes for the sake of notes, only playing what he believes the song needs.  

His statements on the guitar throughout the night’s performance were consistently in support of that one thing: the song.  Jurvanen is clearly comfortable as a vocalist as well, playing with the phrasing of his lyrics to the delight of the crowd and hitting upper register notes with ease and emotion, such as on the intense encore-opening "Never Again."  Jurvanen himself commented on the crowd’s respectful appreciation of the music as they provided the silence the songs need to be fully appreciated but also displayed hearty enthusiasm at the many musical and emotional highlights of the evening.  Bahamas continues to tour in support of the wonderful Earthtones and this reviewer strongly recommends that readers experience the band in an intimate environment such as the Teragram sooner than later.  By all rights, Bahamas will be entertaining much larger venues in the near future