Sights and Sounds: The Proven Ones, Katie Malco, Datura4

Here is a roundup related to some upcoming releases...

Blues rock supergroup The Proven Ones
to release new album

Featuring Kid Ramos, Brian Templeton, Anthony Geraci,
Willie J. Campbell and Jimi Bott

You Ain't Done Drops via Gulf Coast Records April 17, 2020 

It’s one thing to claim you are “proven,” it’s quite another to have the credentials to back it up. Comprised of five of the most formidable musicians on the blues scene today — guitarist Kid Ramos, vocalist Brian Templeton, keyboardist Anthony Geraci, bassist Willie J. Campbell and drummer Jimi Bott — the band has collectively amassed a slew of accomplishments; dozens of awards won, decades of years playing top-notch music, hundreds of recordings, thousands of hours on the road, and millions of fans worldwide. These five musicians have proven their worth to the world over decades of hard work.

The Proven Ones upcoming album, You Ain’t Done, expands the blues-rock template initially established with their debut effort, Wild Again. The latter garnered a 2019 Blues Music Award Nomination from the Blues Foundation for Best Contemporary Blues Recording and also brought Campbell, Geraci, and Bott individual nominations as well.

The upcoming album finds the band expanding their musical limits and making an even bolder statement. Produced, mixed, and engineered by Bott, and coproduced by the equally legendary Mike Zito, it was recorded at Dockside Studio in Maurice, LA (with additional recording at Roseleaf Recording in Portland, OR and Rear Window in Brookline, MA) and features songwriting contributions from each musician in the band. 

“We wanted to stretch the boundaries for this record” Templeton explains. “For the most part we are all known as blues musicians, and rightly so, but we love many styles and naturally want to indulge in them as well. I think we’ve accomplished that with this record. There’s rock, soul, country, some Latin influence, a bit of pop, and, dare I say a punk vibe in parts as well. I believe it’s going to break down a few walls.”

Members of TPO hail from bands such as The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Radio Kings, The Mannish Boys, and Sugar Ray and the Bluetones. The Proven Ones can claim credits on literally hundreds of recordings.  They have shared the spotlight with innumerable world class musicians at major music venues across the globe. Together, they make for a potent force all their own. Vivascene declared, “The familiarity between these musicians breeds a feeling of comfortability and a palpable camaraderie… that enhances each and every note they play.” Individually, their respective resumes place them in the upper echelon of contemporary blues players.

Katie Malco announces new album 'Failures' out June 5, 2020 on 6131 Records
NEW SINGLE "ANIMAL" STREAMING NOW

UK-based musician Katie Malco has announced her first proper full length and her first new music in nearly seven years. The album, 'Failures' due out June 5th, 2020 on 6131 Records, finds Malco at her all-time best, taking all she's learned in recent years, both personally and musically, and combining both with an unmatched songwriting prowess. She's both vulnerable and intense, pouring herself into each song with an uncanny relatability.

Malco has recently toured alongside the likes of Julien Baker, Dawes, The Joy Formidable, and S.T. Manville (with whom she recently released a cover of The Counting Crows' "Colorblind"), as well as having supported We Were Promised Jetpacks, Jenny Lewis, and many more.

UPCOMING SHOWS
03/20 Austin, TX @ The Velveeta Room (6131 SXSW Showcase)
07/09 Cheltenham, UK @ 2000trees Festival

https://www.instagram.com/katieannemalco
https://www.twitter.com/katiemalco
https://www.facebook.com/katiemalco
http://6131records.com

Datura4 drops their fourth studio album 'West Coast Highway Cosmic' on April 17, 2020 via Naturalsound Records

THE VINYL DISTRICT IS PREMIERING THE AUSTRALIAN ROCK BAND'S LATEST SINGLE "YOU BE THE FOOL" FROM THEIR NEW LP | CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT!

Hot on the heels of their critically acclaimed third album, Blessed is the Boogie, Australian rockers Datura4 have hit the motorway running for another sonic journey through burning boogie, dirty blues and rock & roll soundscapes on their follow-up opus West Coast Highway Cosmic. The title was inspired by the highways that the band has traveled to get to the recording studios they’ve been using over the four albums they’ve done so far. The two studios are 200 kilometres [124 miles] apart and situated along the southwest coast of Western Australia. The long and sometimes lonely drives back and forth along these routes have definitely played its part in the band’s creative process, and whether it be new ideas or just listening back to what they’ve done in a previous session the ‘West Coast Highway Cosmic,’ as they like to call it, has been a constant spirit over all of Datura4’s studio recordings.

West Coast Highway Cosmic sees Datura4 stretch out and experiment with their sound that they’ve been building on ever since their debut release Demon Blues in 2015. “I see every album as an extension from the previous one,” admits frontman Dom Mariani, “and I’m conscious about not rehashing the same things over. The collection of tunes on WCHC is slightly more eclectic than on the previous albums, which makes it really interesting and exciting for albums in the future. There was a more spontaneous and looser approach for the majority of the recording, where we would take the basic song idea and let things go until we had the take that we liked. We got into the grooves you might say.”

“Bob Patient, who joined the group toward the end of the Blessed is the Boogie recording, was involved from day one on the new album and his keyboards play a bigger part and have added an additional flavour to the D4 sound," Mariani adds. “I wouldn’t say it’s a different direction, but more about exploring additional possibilities as musicians.” 

Datura4 is: 

Dom Mariani: guitar and vocals

Warren Hall: drums

Stu Loasby: bass

Bob Patient: keyboards

Datura4’s new studio album West Coast Highway Cosmic will be released April 17th on vinyl, CD and digital/streaming formats via Alive Naturalsound Records. Click here to pre-order the limited edition ‘70s Psych Splatter Vinyl of Datura4’s West Coast Highway Cosmic.

HERE'S WHAT CRITICS ARE ALREADY SAYING ABOUT WEST COAST HIGHWAY COSMIC:

“Eminently grooveable. - M. L. Rio, THE VINYL DISTRICT

“Datura4’s new single ‘You’re The Only One’, one of the standout tracks on their upcoming album, finds the band channeling the acoustic swamp blues of Tony Joe White alongside the big rock and roll harmonies of acts like the Black Keys.” – Neil Ferguson, GLIDE MAGAZINE

“If you need to just check the hell out of whatever’s going on around you (for just shy of four minutes, anyway), this soft, suspenseful fusion of haunting blues, slide and wild west flavours on Datura4’s single ‘You’re The Only One’ is your guy.” - Polly Glass, CLASSIC ROCK

[4/5 stars!] “West Coast Highway Cosmic is as consistent as white lines flashing past in the middle of the road, and is once again loaded with snarly, stripped-back riffage and keys-heavy, bad-ass blues jams. Datura4 are on a first-rate, four-album roll here – blessed with Dom’s honest, earthy DNA and with a little ‘patience’ thrown in to broaden their sound. Cosmic, indeed….stellar, even.” - Mark “Mad Dog” Shaw, GET READY TO ROCK

“If you enjoy the Boogie, you’re gonna love this band! Think of American bands like Grand Funk Railroad or British bands like Deep Purple and you’ll have a good place to start from. The music is stripped down and Bluesy, with solid rhythms providing the groundwork for great harmonica breaks and fine guitar licks.” - FEAR AND LOATHING

Doheny Blues Festival returns this weekend

My concert preview was originally published in The Orange County Register on Thursday, May 15, 2014.

Gregg Allman, the Doobie Brothers and guitar legend Buddy Guy headline the annual event.

Buddy Guy returns to Doheny Blues Festival this weekend

Blues fans aren’t the only concertgoers excited by the arrival of Doheny Blues Festival, Orange County’s beachfront bash returning to Dana Point this weekend (May 17-18, 2014).

This year’s lineup features one of the most diverse musical casts in the history of the annual festival, with a mix of veteran artists (Gregg Allman and Buddy Guy, above, headline on Saturday, while the Doobie Brothers and Gov’t Mule close things out on Sunday) and celebrated newcomers (the Americans, John Nemeth, Vintage Trouble and Ruthie Foster for starters).

“The selection of artists took a bit longer this year because we are always seeking the proper mix of blues artists, music legends and up-and-coming acts,” said Rich Sherman, president of Lake Forest-based Omega Events, which puts on the event.

“And given our 17-year history, we know that the fans want to see strong headliners, and so we were very patient in trying to pair Gregg Allman and Buddy Guy on Saturday, along with the Doobie Brothers and Gov’t Mule for Sunday. These are four of the busiest acts in music, and the old adage of ‘patience pays off’ certainly rang true this year.”

Another celebrated artist coming to Dana Point is Keb’ Mo’. The singer-songwriter will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of his self-titled debut, as well as the rich songs that fill his newly issued album Bluesamericana. Released April 22 on Kind of Blue Music, the disc debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard blues chart and No. 2 on the Billboard folk chart.

“The response I’m getting from the record … this was like ‘wow,’” Keb’ Mo’ said. “I had no idea. I just know I learned a lot from recording The Reflection (his previous album). I always tell people The Reflection was not as well received as this one (Bluesamericana), but I think it’s a very good record. And while making that record, I was told it was like a college course for me ... because I had to really work at some things that I hadn't worked at before. I think this record is a really great result of all the work I put in at Reflection to bring myself to another level, of efficiency, to be a communicator and really put a point over.”

On Bluesamericana, Keb’ Mo’ handles lead and backing vocals, as well as guitar, bass, keyboards and even banjo. Often celebrated as the modern-day ambassador of the blues, he said his focus is strictly on making the best music he can.

“I’m just concerned about making a good album. That’s my only concern, whatever it is,” Keb’ Mo’ said. “If it’s blues, I want it to be good. If it’s a poppy song or a country or folk song or an R&B song, I want it to be good. I want the subject matter to be relevant, and I want people to be inspired by it in some kind of way.

Many of the songs on Bluesamericana deal with challenges Keb’ Mo’ and his wife, Robbie, faced in their marriage. “Do It Right” and “I’m Gonna Be Your Man” are among the songs that tackle those struggles. His songs are delivered via a distinctive blend of tuneful blues, folk and Americana.

“The great thing about it is we came out the other side of it really strong,” Keb’ Mo’ said of the challenges chronicled on the album. “It’s new for me to come out the other side of a big crisis in a relationship because I was the one who tended to run.”

In addition to Keb’ Mo’, other acts slated to attend include rock ‘n’ soul sensation Vintage Trouble and Chicago blues icon James Cotton.

“People throw the phrase ‘living legend’ around too often, but there is no question that James truly is one,” Sherman said of the 78-year-old harmonica king. “His new recordCotton Mouth Man has an incredible list of special guests, many of whom are at Doheny this year (Allman, Haynes, Ruthie Foster, Keb’ Mo’) ... so who knows what’ll happen?”

As for Vintage Trouble, anyone who caught the group at Coachella last year or while opening for The Who or Rolling Stones over the past few years knows the Los Angeles quartet’s style.

“Vintage Trouble can play in front of any crowd and slay them, and we’ve seen that over the past two years at many festivals and concerts,” Sherman said. “We are thrilled that they are playing Doheny this year. ... it’s hard to call Charles Bradley a newcomer when he is 65 years old, but (since) he was fairly unknown until his solo record debut at age 60, then he’s just been killing the festival circuit the past few years. They call him the ‘Screamin’ Eagle of Soul,’ and I am personally thrilled to have him coming to Dana Point this year.”

DOHENY BLUES FESTIVAL 

Who: Gregg Allman, Buddy Guy, John Nemeth & the Bo-Keys and others Saturday; The Doobie Brothers, Gov't Mule, Vintage Trouble, James Cotton Blues Band, Keb' Mo' and others Sunday

Where: Doheny State Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive

When: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, 11:15 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Sunday

How much: Prices range from general admission ($60 for single day; $110 for weekend pass) to Gold Passes ($225 for single day; $425 for weekend pass). Visit the Doheny Fest website for more details.

Information: dohenybluesfestival.com

The Offspring and Kid Ramos to be honored at Orange County Music Awards on March 8, 2014

Two long-time champions of the Orange County music scene are rightfully being honored at the OCMAs next month. 

The Offspring will be honored at the 2014 OCMAs.

The Offspring will receive the Orange County Impact Award. The band, which formed 30 years ago in Huntington Beach, has sold more than 40 million records around the globe. It's fitting the Offspring is being honored 20 years after the band released its breakthrough 1994 full-length disc Smash.

David "Kid" Ramos

Kid Ramos is being honored with the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award at the OCMAs ceremony to be held at City National Grove of Anaheim on March 8. Born in Fullerton, CA, I first caught the blues-rock guitarist in the early 1980s when he was a member of the influential James Harman Band. I've since caught the long-time Anaheim resident when he was a member of the Fabulous Thunderbirds and later with Los Fabulocos, as a guest with the 44's at the Doheny Blues Festival in 2011, and most recently at the Doheny Blues Festival where he was unleashing his fiery guitar work with singer Janiva Magness in May 2013 (Click here to read my review of that show). Read more on David "Kid" Ramos' selection as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award here.

Doheny Blues Festival offers two full days of memorable performances in Dana Point

Tedeschi Trucks rocks the Doheny Stage. Photo: Bob Steshetz

My coverage of Doheny Blues Festival 16 was originally published in The Orange County Register on May 19 and 20, 2013.

Here is my review that was published on May 19, 2013:

Doheny Blues Fest shimmers on Day 1

May 19th, 2013, 10:44 am ·

The teaming of Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite caps off a perfect first half.· 

posted by ROBERT KINSLER, FOR THE REGISTER

Day 1 at Doheny Blues Festival was one of the most perfect in the 16-year history of the event with sunny skies stretching from morning to nightfall and a shining musical lineup to match. The long day's headlining act, a teaming one-two punch from Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite, lived up to its top billing. The duo's 2013 release Get Up! is that rare disc where everything is as it should be – meaning the songs, performances and integrated styles of the artists gel completely.

That chemistry proved itself to be just as persuasive on a beautiful night in Dana Point, with singer-harmonica legend Musselwhite and singer-songwriter-guitarist Harper and his solid three-man backing group tore up the Doheny Stage for just over 100 minutes before a near-capacity crowd.

Opening with "I Don't Believe a Word You Say," a fiery blues tune that has Harper's blistering vocals and Musselwhite's equally potent blues harp work exchanging blows, the set never let up. Even when performing quiet material ("Don't Look Twice," "Get Up!") there were so many dynamics courtesy of Harper's slide work, Musselwhite's harp blasts and the band's groove that the intensity never wavered.

The performance reached its zenith near the end of the rewarding set when the ensemble ripped through an extended cover of Led Zeppelin's "When the Levee Breaks" boasting loads of Musselwhite's harmonica attack amidst the fire of Harper's slide.

James Hunter. Photo: Bob Steshetz

Saturday's lineup was truly an exhibition of the wide range of artists whose sounds are inspired or rooted in blues music. The James Hunter Six, led by British singer-songwriter-guitar master Hunter, definitely got a huge crowd positioned in front of the Sailor Jerry Stage dancing and grooving to its blend of blues, R&B and soul. Playing cuts off the newly released "Minute By Minute" ("The Gypsy" definitely hit home), he also explored his back catalog. On an uptempo take on "Jacqueline," Hunter showed off his guitar playing when he did some smart licks in tandem with his two sax players.

One of the toughest choices for concertgoers was deciding whether to see Tedeschi Trucks Band on the main Doheny Stage or Mark Hummel's Blues Harp Blowout on the intimate Backporch, since both sets overlapped. This writer opted to take in the first four songs of Tedeschi Trucks before running to catch the harmonica-centric tribute to Little Walter.

Guitarist Derek Trucks solos. Photo: Bob Steshetz

As evidenced when husband Derek Trucks and wife Susan Tedeschi last performed at Doheny Beach in 2011, the 11-member troupe is a powerful force that has a full arsenal thanks to Tedeschi's mighty soprano, Trucks' power on the slide guitar and a mix of backing singers and other players that got their collective moments to shine, too. Of the songs I caught, "It's So Heavy" impressed as a blues-drenched ballad showcasing Tedeschi's range and the nuanced performance by the large ensemble around her.

Another promising performance yielded big returns with a well-timed tribute to Little Walter. With the recent release of "Remembering Little Walter," the majority of the collection's players joined forces to pay tribute to the late harmonica giant before a crowd that cheered, often danced and genuinely seemed ignited by the power of many of today's best blues harmonica players.

While Musselwhite watched from the wings, Hummel, Billy Boy Arnold and Sugar Ray Norcia performed their versions of many of Little Walter's best-known tunes. Little Charlie Baty inflicted some skilled guitar playing throughout the long set as well. Highlights came via Hummel's gentle take on the extended instrumental "Blue Light," Sugar Ray Norcia's blazing "Mean Old World" and Arnold's original song "Wandering Eye."

Of the day's first seven performances, Harry Manx (joined by fellow Canadian Steve Marriner of the group MonkeyJunk) was the most impressive. His blend of blues, folk and world music was a welcome expansion on the wide-ranging spirit of day one. His "Coat of Mail" was among a number of outstanding original songs that connected.


Photo: Bob Steshetz



The other standout was singer-guitar virtuoso Joanne Shaw Taylor (pictured on the left). A British blues guitarist whose hard-hitting and dazzling chops recalled those unleashed by a young Joe Bonamassa or Walter Trout, she will likely be a future returnee to the fest based on the enthusiastic reception from the Doheny crowd packed in front of the Sailor Jerry Stage.

Bring on day 2.

Here is my review that was published on May 20, 2013:

Doheny Blues Fest among strongest ever

May 20th, 2013, 11:34 am ·

The diverse lineup included guitar virtuosos Joe Bonamassa and Robert Randolph, closing with a rocking set by George Thorogood.· 

posted by ROBERT KINSLER, FOR THE REGISTER

Doheny Blues Fest 16 ranks as one of the greatest in the history of the annual event, with the range and power of so many of the performances drawing comparisons with the 2007 fest when Al Green and John Fogerty were the headliners.

But in terms of diversity, 2013's blues fest even had that year's running beat.

Guitar Shorty in action. Photo: Robert Kinsler

After a strong Saturday (May 18, 2013) capped by a performance from Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite, Sunday offered two great options at 11:30 a.m. I opted to catch Guitar Shorty on the Backporch first, where a huge crowd was on hand for the so-called "Hangover Set." The 73-year-old singer-guitarist pioneered a blistering style that influenced a number of guitarists in the 1950s and '60s, most notably Jimi Hendrix.

As evidenced by the first half of his set, the Houston, native still has the ability to thrill. Using speedy runs as well as the various knobs and the whammy bar on his instrument he created all kinds of sound and effects in the support of solid vocal performance on an ambitious 15-minute version of "Too Late." He offered up many of his guitar theatrics while venturing out into the crowd.

I then ran over to the main Doheny Stage in time to catch 15 minutes of Gino Matteo and his five-member band. A strong singer and guitarist, he impressed with his blend of roots and blues styles.

Cindy Cashdollar. Photo: Robert Kinsler

Other Sunday highlights also featured guitar greats showcasing their talents on the fest's three stages. First came the Louisiana-tinged "Toast of the Coast" set featured slide guitar great Sonny Landreth joining forces with steel guitarist Cindy Cashdollar, singer-pianist Marcia Ball and Zydeco hero Terrance Simien for 75 glorious minutes. Memorable turns included the beautiful instrumental "Salvation" with Ball and Cashdollar shining, and "Hell At Home" with Landreth and Cashdollar showing off licks while Simien kept time on his frottoir (a Cajun washboard).

Shemekia Copeland, a blues singer with a thundering soprano, delighted a big crowd gathered in front of the Sailor Jerry Stage. A highlight was the forceful ballad "Ain't Gonna Be Your Tattoo," on which the mix of power and nuanced delivery showed her artistry.

The first of Sunday's best two performances came courtesy of singer-guitar virtuoso Joe Bonamassa dazzling untold thousands with his set on the Doheny Stage. Over the past six years, since I first caught the Malibu-based guitarist in concert, his abilities continue to impress. His dexterity, ability of play with incredible speed while articulating each note and putting those runs together in artistically-rewarding ways is unique.

On the opener "Slow Train," which boasted a heavy groove, and subsequent "Dust Bowl," Bonamassa was fully in control of his instrument while his solid backing trio provided the perfect groove for his dynamic forays. "Midnight Blues" was distinctive for his strong vocal performance, where he sprinkled short guitar fills and runs that amazed.

The other outstanding performance of the day was the return of guitarist David "Kid" Ramos to the stage, where he joined singer-songwriter Janiva Magness for part of her set on the Backporch.

Anaheim-based Ramos, who has been fighting a well-publicized battle with cancer for more than a year, was introduced about mid-way through Magness' set and received an immediate standing ovation from the crowd.

"Thank you so much; I'm so happy to be here," Ramos said. "I just started chemo two days ago."

Ramos likely drew strength from the big welcome, and fully proved that his mighty talents on the guitar remain as strong as ever. Magness, a powerful singer whose style effortlessly blends soul and blues, has an approach that was perfect for Ramos' stellar lead guitar work to be featured over the course of just over 20 minutes.

Next came Robert Randolph & the Family Band, a group that immediately got the blues faithful moving with Randolph's amazing runs on his pedal steel guitar. With temps finally cooling, many got to their feet in the grassy area in front of the Sailor Jerry Stage and danced to Randolph's mix of blues, rock, soul and gospel.

It is fitting that the long weekend closed out on a festive note. Those coming for the party could raise a drink (or their fists) and sing along with George Thorogood & the Destroyers throughout the quintet's 90-minute set. There was little depth in the group's rock 'n' blues attack, just an invitation to live for the moment courtesy of "Who Do You Love?," "I Drink Alone," "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" and "Move It On Over."

Thorogood was a gracious host and rocked the beach armed with his electric guitar and distinctive slide guitar. His set came to an end with a rollicking "Madison Blues," with Thorogood soloing while videos of him in the early days of his career flashed on big screens.