Etta James, who has died aged 73 after suffering from leukaemia, was among the most critically acclaimed and influential female singers of the past 50 years, even if she never achieved huge popular success. From her first R&B hit, in 1955, the risqué Roll With Me Henry – cut when she was only 15 – through a series of classic 1960s soul sides (the lush ballad At Last, the raucous house rocker Tell Mama and the emotional agony of I’d Rather Go Blind), then a series of critically acclaimed 1970s and 1980s albums that won her a broad rock audience, to more recent albums of jazz vocals, James proved capable of developing and changing as an artist. (more…)
Tokyo Joe’s Shaping Up February 9, 2012
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The latest edition of Tokyo Joe’s Blues Bar and Restaurant on Sukhumvit Soi 26 is being beaten back into shape after the interim owners missed the point a tad when it came to ideal blues venues or otherwise. Jeff and his crew have re-located the kitchens a floor or two higher and built the stage back where it belongs in time for the Blues Extravaganza next Tuesday – that’s Valentine’s Day and the day Glenn Patrik flies in for a one-off special at this specialist blues venue. This born again blues bar has new lighting and some new stage equipment so it should be sounding as good as it looks on the big night…
Led Zeppelin Studio Secrets Revealed January 25, 2012
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Jimmy Page stands among the heaviest of six-string heavyweights, and most often with one of his iconic Gibson Les Pauls slung around his shoulders. But Page’s sonic genius extends well beyond the fretboard and composition, and into the studio.
Page was one of the greatest record producers of the 1960s and ’70s – a sonic innovator and perfectionist whose vision made Led Zeppelin albums vivid listening experiences, rather than simple recordings. Compare the six discs Led Zeppelin made from 1969 through 1975 with other classic titles from the period: King Crimson’s initial releases, the Jeff Beck Group’s LPs, Blind Faith, The Rolling Stones, pre-Dark Side Pink Floyd. Sonically, Page’s work with Led Zeppelin put his band’s studio albums on an entirely higher sonic plane. (more…)
Johnny Otis Leaves the Building January 21, 2012
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Johnny Otis
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Johnny Otis, the “godfather of rhythm and blues” who wrote and recorded the R&B classic “Willie and the Hand Jive” and for decades evangelized black music to white audiences as a bandleader and radio host, has died. He was 90. Otis, who had been in poor health for several years, died at his home in the Los Angeles foothill suburb of Altadena on Tuesday, said his manager, Terry Gould. Otis, who was white, was born John Veliotes to Greek immigrants and grew up in a black section of Berkeley, where he said he identified far more with black culture than his own. As a teenager, he changed his name because he thought Johnny Otis sounded more black. (more…)
January 21, 2012
Posted by Inside Bangkok Jungle in Blues, gigs in Thailand, Music in Motion.comments closed
Bangkok Music Fans, your guru Tambourine Man tells us that due to the large numbers of talented musical performers (including a very welcome JAWA reunion) of various styles attending the Open Mic night at DET 5 on Sukhumvit Soi 8 for the past two weeks, the Open Mic will continue every Monday from 8.30pm to 11.30pm and all are welcome. The gig also features pool, food and some interesting ‘software’. Some other up-coming music events that may be of interest:- Every Thu, Fri, & Sat WILD SIDE (who in their formative days used the Open Mic to polish their classic rock menu) are now playing at The Sundowner Lounge, Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel (from 7.30pm to midnight). Free
- Fri 27th Jan PETER DRISCOLL AND THE CRUISERS play early Rock’n'Roll and Rockabilly at TOKYO JOES, Sukhumvit Soi 26 from 9.30pm.Free
- Sat 28th Jan MARTIN GRAND, a recent Open Mic regular will be featured ”In Concert” at DET 5, Sukhumvit Soi 8 from 8.30pm. Pop/Rock accoustic.Free.
- Fri 3rd Feb SPIKE NIGHT with AUTOGEN (from Latvia) plus local support at Club Culture, near Democracy Monument. Spike, known for his “off the wall” late night live renditions at open mic will be DJ host for this event. 180 Baht inc 1 drink.
- A heads-up for Blues fans with news that Glenn Patrik will play Tokyo Joe’s February 10, backed by the Soi Dog Blues Band. Details to be confirmed.
January 21, 2012
Posted by Inside Bangkok Jungle in Blues, Jazz, Obituaries, R & B.comments closed
Etta James’s approach to singing and to life was one of wild, desperate engagement. Photograph: Sherry Rayn Barnett/Getty Images
Open Minds! January 7, 2012
Posted by Inside Bangkok Jungle in Blues, Country, Folk, gigs in Thailand, Humour, Irish, Jazz, Latin, Music in Motion, Rock.Tags: blue monkey, open mic night, stand up comics
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ATTENTION ALL MUSICIANS, POETS, STAND-UP COMICS! WELCOME BACK FROM YOUR XMAS HOLS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! THE NEXT BLUE MONKEY BAR OPEN MIC NIGHT IS ON Thursday the 26th of January. HAPPY HOUR PRICES WILL CONTINUE AS LONG AS PEOPLE ARE ON THE STAGE PERFORMING! (more…)
Chris Duarte’s Blues In The Afterburner Gets Rave Reviews December 4, 2011
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Virtuoso blues guitarist Chris Duarte’s new ALBUM “Blues in the Afterburner” sees the Texan master enter a new decade finding ways to keep his playing out there in the world. Though he’s approaching his senior years in life, he still feels that his best years are in front of him. “It’s the insatiable will to learn and the desire to evolve that keeps me alive. I’m always going to want to find a new way to approach music even if I’m restricted by financial constraints to explore completely different directions. I’ll find a way to work within what my musical confines dictate.” Thus with that it brings us to his latest release on Blues Bureau International; Blues In The Afterburner.
tHE wORD iS rEVOLUTION November 26, 2011
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Rolling Stones to rehearse November 11, 2011
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Keef confirms three of the four Stones are to meet for rehearsals in London later this month, fuelling speculation that the band could be gearing up for a 50th-anniversary tour
Stoned again … Keith Richards fuels reunion rumours with rehearsal plans. Photograph: Henry S Dziekan III/Getty Images
The Rolling Stones are getting back to work. Keith Richards has confirmed plans for the band to meet in London later this month, rehearsing for the first time in “three or four years”. While three of the four members are planning to attend, Richards said, Mick Jagger has still not given his RSVP. ”We’re just going to play a little together,” Richards told Rolling Stone magazine. “You don’t necessarily want to rehearse or write anything – you just want to touch bases. That’s a good start: me, Charlie and Ronnie. Mick’s welcome, and I’m sure he’ll turn up, but right now we just want to get our chops down.” (more…)
