British Blues Notables the Barcodes new album launch at Brooks Blues Bar The Barcodes a band consisting of some of the most noted names on the British scene release a long awaited new album ‘Best of the Barcodes’ – featuring Guitarist harmonic a player Alan Glen , Bob Hadrell on keyboards and Dino Coccia on drums it’s a super collection of jazz flavoured swinging R&B and features several guests including Papa George, Paul Cox and Val Cowell. Our reporter caught up with Alan Glen for a brief interview while he was preparing for the launch gig at Brooks Blues Bar (www.brooksbluesbar.com) I see the album is called ‘BE COOL – the very best of THE BARCODES -tell us about the content (songs / originals / covers/ obscure covers, etc) There are 10 original songs and instrumentals & 7 covers which we’ve arranged in our own style. And have you got a tour or launch gigs lined up? We have an album launch gig with some special guests on Saturday 9th April at Tony Bell’s venue ‘Brooks Blues Bar’ You can find other dates on our website – www.thebarcodes.co.uk I had a look at your bio on Wikipedia and its pretty impressive, but its all about you as a harmonica player; surely you’re just as much a guitar player? I guess because I’ve been in some ‘name’ bands such as ‘The Yardbirds’ and ‘Nine Below Zero’ where I was purely a harmonica player – that’s what most people associate me with – however I have always played guitar – in fact I started with guitar first. Bob Hadrell Keys & Vocals When I first saw you play as a guitarist and I was very taken with the style, what I noted particularly was your skill as an accompanist; solos were also very good; what’s your philosophy on playing guitar? I find that very few guitarists these days, in the UK, know how to accompany a harp player properly. Most seem to go for Stevie Ray Vaughan / Hendrix / Clapton rock blues lead guitar. I have made more of a study of the guys that helped Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson sound great – namely Robert Junior Lockwood, the Myers brothers and others in the Chess house band. Do you think there is too much emphasis on guitar ‘solos’ as against the all-round use of the guitar as an accompanying instrument? Don’t get me wrong – I enjoy playing a Peter Green or BB King style solo as much as the next man but I am just as happy playing rhythm guitar parts behind someone else to enhance what they are doing. Your major influences on guitar Kenny Burrell is my all-time favourite Jazz guitarist and he influences my playing in ‘The Barcodes’ – particularly on our instrumentals. I guess I tend to prefer the less-is-more style of playing on the whole. Let’s turn to harmonica – who are your major influences? Little Walter – he was, and still is, my favourite; also Sonny Terry / Junior Wells / Magic Dick / Kim Wilson & m More info

Panel Discussion, Slide Show & Music Tribute Featuring: Davy Knowles (Back Door Slam), Innes Sibun (Robert Plant), Jimmy Suhler (George Thorogood), Scott Holt (Buddy Guy), Roger Earl, (Foghat), Jeff Simon (George Thorogood), Andrew “Duck” MacDonald (Blue Cheer), Kerry Kearney, Neil Evens(Soulive), JP, Bertha & Surprise Guests! Your VIP Panel: Master of Ceremonies: UK Bob Donal Gallagher (Rory’s Brother) Panel Guests: Ed Christman (Billboard), Mike Carden (Eagle Rock President), Lindsay Brown (Eagle Rock  UK MD), Mark Klein (Host Blues Warehouse), Larry Yelen (Producer, “Eric Clapton Visual Anthology” DVD) Please contact Arnie Goodman at 718-474-1546 with any questions. Our mailing address is Blue Storm Music PO Box 940179 Rockaway Park, NY, NY 11694-0179 More info