ISSUE 107 OUT NOW!

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Highlights in Issue 107 are…

• Reece Wynans is one of the most sought after keys sidemen in the business and he’s played with just about everyone. Here, he talks about branching out on his own project with a brand new debut release.
• Robin Trower, one of our own homegrown blues talents, here Trower takes time out to chat about his new album, how it came about, what it all means and where he’s heading.
• Roger Earl, we met up with one of the USA’s finest imports from these shores, a drummers drummer, and now a frontman. He talks to us about his debut release and his new band Earl and the Agitators.

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• Steve Cropper is a highly sought after Grammy and Award-winning bluesman who has played with the best of the best. He is a founding member of Booker T. & the MG’s, the Mar-Keys, and an original member of the Blues Brothers. He was involved in every record issued by STAX from 1961 – 1970. He co-wrote (Sittin On) The Dock of the Bay, Knock On Wood and In the Mightnight Hour. He is the creator of some of the most memorable R&B and Soul music out there.

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• John Hammond is singly most responsible for Columbia Records’ posthumously releasing Robert Johnson’s collected works on King of the Delta Blues Singers in 1961, 23 years after Johnson’s death. He has a 54-year  recording career as a blues guitarist, harp player, and singer whose talent rivals that of Robert Johnson. Jimi Hendrix was in his band before going to England in 1966. He has collaborated with Tom Waits, he’s credited with putting The Band on the map, and for introducing Bob Dylan to Levon Helm.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][dfd_single_image image=”15368″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_zigzag][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][dfd_single_image image_size=”medium” image=”15372″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]US guitar ace Gary Hoey talks about his latest self-produced album Neon Blues Highway which is out on Provogue Records and features guest performances from artists such as Eric Gales, Josh Smith and Lance Lopez.

We also hear about his songwriting process, playing with his son, his musical influences and more.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_zigzag][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]George Benson at the age of seventy-five, George Benson has spent a lifetime as an influential musician. He has recorded and toured the world, and has just released a new blues album, Walking To New Orleans, his first release for six years.

The album is a tribute to Fats Domino and Chuck Berry, and George is as excited as ever to discuss his new album. We discuss his long career, the highlights, his motivations, and working with legendary rock and metal (and blues!) producer Kevin Shirley.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][dfd_single_image image_size=”medium” image=”15375″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_zigzag][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][dfd_single_image image_size=”medium” image=”15377″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Joe Louis Walker has released 23 albums since 1986 for labels as varied as Alligator, Telarc, Evidence, and Provogue. He’s won one Grammy, been nominated for 52 Blues Music Awards and won 4.

He has just released Journey to The Heart of The Blues with pianist Bruce Katz and harp player Giles Robson, this acoustic album features fresh renditions of rare and classic blues numbers by Sonny Boy Williamson, Blind Willie McTell and more.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_zigzag][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Italian Blues troubadour Mike Sponza catches up with us to discuss his latest album, Made In The Sixties, which is out on Epops Music and features an impressive gaggle of guests.

He could not have chosen a recording studio more evocative of the ’60s, than the legendary Abbey Road in London.

Did he invoke the spirit of legends gone before him, you’ll have to read the article to find out what he said.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][dfd_single_image image_size=”medium” image=”15378″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_zigzag][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Features…

• In this issue, we cover some exciting topics. We have regulars such as Dani Wilde’s Phenomenal Woman and in this edition, she covers Deborah Coleman. There is also some news from Down Under with Matty T. Wall’s piece on Australian Blues, plus we have some Scandinavian Blues covered here too.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_zigzag][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][dfd_single_image image=”15381″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]We also had an exciting opportunity to sit down with Ron Sturm, owner and manager of the legendary New York City music club The Iridium.

Originally known as a jazz club where Les Paul would play a Monday night residency for many years, in recent times they have evolved by adding blues and even rock performers to their schedule.

Ron discusses this interesting and iconic venue and talks about the many, many amazing artists who have performed here over the years. Ron and Billy Gibbons are featured on the cover of this edition of Blues Matters.

At The Iridium we also catch up with our cover artist, ZZ Top guitarist and lead singer Billy Gibbons where he chats about being taught to play the guitar by Jimi Hendrix and working with Muddy Waters…and he tells us who his favourite guitarist is but you’ll have read the article to find out who he mentions. (and no it’s not Jimi!).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_zigzag][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Reviews…

• We have many Festivals, Gigs, Books, DVD’s & Albums covered just for you.

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Regulars…

• Blue Blood – Newcomers to introduce you to this issue are Jennifer Porter (USA), Snakewater (UK), The Blue Fingers (UK), and When Rivers Meet (UK).
• IBBA Blues Top 50

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Festival News & Reviews from…

• The Great British Rock & Blues Festival, Skegness. Plus we have a feature on our Blues Matters stage at Jaks bar, Skegness.
• Gig Reviews from The Stumble, Kris Barras Band, and Ricky Cool & The In Crowd.

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