We got our first official snowfall over night, so it appears that winter is truly here. Heading out to see Bohemian Rhapsody this afternoon, and can’t wait because we have always been huge Queen fans. Before we go, we wanted to share some new music with you, so check out these five amazing artists.
Artist Name: Diane Durrett & Soul Suga
Album Name: Live
Label: Blooming Tunes Music
Genre: R&B/Blues/Soul
Track Listing: 1. Intro Soul Suga; 2. Bright Side; 3. Interlude – Top 10; 4. Butters in the Skillet; 5. Interlude – You Say; 6. It is What it Is; 7. Interlude – Feeling Better; 8. Interlude – Bend or Break; 9. Wish it Would Rain; 10. Interlude – Feeling the Love; 11. Love has a Right to be Wrong; 12. Story – Dog Rescue; 13. Be Somebody’s Angel; 14. Story – Grandmother Says; 15. All is Well; 16. Interlude – Thank Ya’ll; 17. In Between Times; 18. Junebugs Percussion Solo; 19. Sassy Larùe; 20. Interlude – Buzzin; 21. Summertime; 22. Don’t That Bring you Back; 23. Interlude – Fun Time; 24. Woohoo; 25. Soul Suga Band Intro
Publicist: Blind Raccoon
Review: Eddie’s Attic has always been a venue where indie artists love to perform. It is easy to understand why as we listen to this amazing live album, recorded during her two shows which captures the vibe and feel of that famous place. Interspersed between their ten originals and one dynamic cover are some great moments of improv, storytelling and spontaneity. Durrett and her band ROCK this joint with a mixture of R&B, soul, blues and gospel, creating a memorable performance that is now available for all to have, especially the horn-infused Top 10 tune “Butters in the Skillet.” The message of the music is hope and perseverance, something our country desperately needs. We think you will find what you’re looking for in this dynamic album, so keeping looking at the “Bright Side” and “Be Somebody’s Angel.”
Recommendation: By all means, rush out and Get this one.
Artist Name: Eric Tingstad
Album Name: Electric Spirit
Label: Cheshire Records
Genre: Blues/Roots/Instrumental
Track Listing: 1. Electric City; 2. French Quarter; 3. Oh’ Shenandoah; 4. Bessie; 5. Amazing Grace; 6. There’s More; 7. South to Carolina; 8. Big River; 9. Key West; 10. Flamingo Club; 11. The Train of Thought; 12. Over the Rainbow
Publicist: Lazz Promotions
Review: Eric Tingstad is another amazing artist we have met because of the Durango Songwriters Expo. He is a Grammy-winning musician who has brought us albums in a myriad of genres, including New Age, Alt Country, Blues, Roots/Americana, Rock and Smooth Jazz. On this album, he continues in the roots/Americana style with a healthy dose of blues guitar, perfectly demonstrated on the opening track, “Electric City.” While there are some amazing vocals by Chloe Dolandis on “There’s More,” this album is primarily an instrumental one, displaying Tingstad’s amazing abilities for all to enjoy. His covers of traditional songs like “Oh’ Shenandoah,” “Amazing Grace,” “Big River,” and “Over the Rainbow” will amaze and impress, as will his original tunes, providing further proof of why he has become such a prolific and award-winning musician, composer and arranger.
Recommendation: Definitely Get this one.
Artist Name: Peter V Blues Train
Album Name: Shaken but not Deterred
Label: Self-released
Genre: Blues
Track Listing: 1. Don’t Wanna Leave Memphis; 2. Blue Monday; 3. By the River; 4. For all we Know; 5. In Demand; 6. T Bone Shuffle; 7. Alibi; 8. Don’t Cheat on my Lady; 9. Rodeo (No BS); 10. Getting Closer Now; 11. Been so Long; 12. Shaken but not Deterred; 13. LIVE: Worried Life Blues (bonus track)
Publicist: Blind Raccoon
Review: While most artists seem to drop a new album about every two years, indie artists are more prolific with their music. Case in point is the Peter V Blues Train, which has just released their second album of 2018. We reviewed their previous one back in March, and this one is no less amazing. It raises the awesomeness factor another notch, especially those amazing vocals and guitar licks of Peter V and that incredible sax of Danny Walsh. This time around the album includes nine originals and four covers, including Fats Domino‘s “Blue Monday,” Donnie Hathaway‘s “For All we Know,” and the blues standard “T Bone Shuffle.” Add another diamond to the crown pf one of the best blues bands in the world.
Recommendation: Peter V and his band deliver once again. Run out and Get their latest offering.
Artist Name: Michelle Lewis
Album Name: All That’s Left
Label: Self-released
Genre: Pop
Track Listing: 1. That’s What They Say; 2. All That’s Left; 3. Push On; 4. Dancing in the Dark; 5. How; 6. In Love Again; 7. Scars; 8. You and Me; 9. Please Don’t Go; 10. Lay on my Pillow
Publicist: Devious Planet
Review: While much of today’s pop scene is pure escapism, the music of Michelle Lewis is more down-to-earth, keeping us grounded in reality but still providing a healthy dose of hope in overcoming adversity, especially in the area of finding true love and overcoming loss. Although her third album continues to showcase her amazing songwriting chops, it also includes something she has not previously done before, a cover of Bruce Springsteen‘s amazing song “Dancing in the Dark.” Among her originals, best tracks include “Push On,” “How,” the amazing duet “In Love Again,” “Scars,” and “Please Don’t Go.” The theme of the album is best summarized in the words of “Push On” – “You’ve got to push on.” Thank you Michelle for giving us hope that tomorrow can be brighter. We love your spirit.
Recommendation: Don’t even think about it – Rush out and Get this one today!
Artist Name: Gaetano Letizia & the Underworld Blues Rock Band
Album Name: Beatles Blues Blast
Label: Letizia Records
Genre: Blues
Track Listing: 1. Come Together; 2. Do it in the Road; 3. Drive my Car; 4. Money; 5. Tax Man; 6. While my Guitar Gently Weeps; 7. She Came in Through the Bathroom Window; 8. I Want You (She’s so Heavy); 9. And I Love Her; 10. Can’t Buy me Love; 11. You Can’t do That; 12. Yesterday; 13. Get Back; 14. With a Little Help From my Friends; 15. Birthday; 16. Blackbird; 17. A Day in the Life
Publicist: Blind Raccoon
Review: Believe it or not, The Beatles, like many of the other British Invasion bands, started out as a blues band, and this album reimagines 17 of their songs as if they had stayed that way. Featuring the amazing guitar work of Gaetano “Tom” Letizia, these covers retain all the appeal of The Beatles’ originals while giving them new life as future blues standards. It is only fitting that it took a band from the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to accomplish this feat.
Recommendation: If you love The Beatles and blues, then this is the perfect combination of the two. Get it.