John Lee
Hooker
The music John Lee
Hooker produced at the beginning of his career was a little different to the
sound that we remember him for. He spent his early days shouting and moaning the
blues to the foot-stomping rhythm of his customized guitar. It was in later
years that he developed his sound to include his band, however, he still
maintained the mesmeric Hooker beat, his trademark. For me personally, his
finest performances are where he growled his Blues whilst thumping out that
irresistable rhythm.
Cynthia Basinet A fabulous young woman with the most gorgeous voice...Sultry, & Sexy, she's the best thing in jazz since the double bass. Her style's been described as 'Epic electronic - always experimenting from "dream-pop" to current, "crooner"'. Dave Reitzes of 'mPlode.com' wrote "Had vocalist Cynthia Basinet been born seventy or eighty years ago, she might well have been a household name. Well, the Jazz Age has come and gone, but Basinet has such a mesmerizing voice and such an alluring way with a love song that its all but inconceivable her name wont be recognized in a fair amount of households before she's through." She really does deserve a listen.
B.B. King Ole B.B. can do things with guitar strings that you and I could only gawk at and admire... He really has made some of the most fantastic Blues music that I have ever heard. I can only imagine what it's like to listen to him perform 'The thrill Is Gone' live...My advice is to just crank it up and drift off into that smoke filled club...His riffs are mean his voice is raw, plus the guitar's enough to make you weep into your whisky.What else can I say about the King of the Blues?
Blue Train Blue Train comprises of Alan Brown (Keyboards), Steve Sherriff (Sax), Jason Orme (Drums & Percussion), Matt Gruebner (Acoustic & Electric Bass), Robbie Karena (Guitar) and Aaron Nevezie (Guitar). Blue Train has developed since 1991 from a two to a five piece band, focused on writing & performing original Jazz-Funk instrumental material, Blue Train have gained a large following in New Zealand, releasing 3 albums and winning New Zealand Jazz Album of the Year Award in 1996 for their album "No Free Lunch". I love this band, they're a nice fresh listen, combining Jazz & Funk to make their own unmistakeable sound. Eric Clapton If you've heard this guy play, then you won't need to wonder why I think he's a guitar god...What's more annoying is that he makes it all look so effortless. The bastard. I am saying no more on this subject.
Matt 'Guitar'
Murphy
Yes, that Matt Murphy.
The one in the Blues Brothers film. Born in Mississippi in 1929, Murphy made a
name for himself in 1950's Memphis where he played both jazz and blues guitar.
He was one of the few artists who successfully bridged the gap playing with both
factions. Murphy migrated to Chicago in the mid 50s where he became one of the
founding fathers of the "electric blues" movement. He was the house guitarist at
Chicago's Chess Records playing on recordings by Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, and
Sonny Boy Williamson. Matt even traded licks with Willie Dixon...Most recently
Murphy has toured as a bandleader with his repertoire showcasing blues, funk,
jazz, R&B and a few Blues Brothers gems. His latest disc, The Blues Don't
Bother Me, is put out by Roesch Records.
Earl
Hooker
Earl Zebedee Hooker,
arguably the finest guitarist of the post-war Chicago blues scene, has been
greatly under-appreciated when compared to the notoriety attained by Chicago
players like Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Magic Sam, and Fenton Robinson, all of whom
developed their craft after Charlie Christian, T-Bone Walker and B.B. King
brought the electric guitar to the front of the bandstand.. While Earl Hooker
died young, all of the above mentioned players, save Charlie Christian and Sam,
have had fairly long careers, and even if any of them had passed on in their
prime, their recorded work to the end of the 1950's would have been strong
enough to enshrine them in the blues Hall of Fame. Almost 30 years after his
passing, "Zeb" is just beginning to gain the status that he deserves, due in
large amount to efforts by guitarist Ronnie Earl to feature his music, and
through acknowledgement by some of Hooker's contemporaries like Buddy Guy.
I am not responsible for the accuracy of the information on this page. It might in fact be a load of arse, you've only only got my word for it. Tee hee.