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Lee Ritenour: 6 String Theory

The Blues Blogger — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:51:51 +0000


This was an amazing album for me to produce and perform on... already one of my top favorites of recent times! ~ Lee Ritenour
As you look back and explore through close to three years worth of material featured on The Blues Blogger, you’ll discover the vast majority of the articles are guitar influenced. Of course it has a lot to do with growing up surrounded by lots of music. I also heard my brother practice guitar continuously every night for the first nine years of my life. So that just may have a little something to do with it too…    
When I heard about the 6 String Theory project, a celebration of the world’s most popular instrument, I thought I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a little something about the upcoming release on Tuesday June 29th. This is a serious guitar based album and one that should not be overlooked… 
Lee Ritenour’s 6 String Theory
     
The album is the vision of legendary jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour who is also celebrating his 5oth year of playing guitar professionally. Lee got his start at 16 years of age with some session work with The Mama’s and Papa’s. Over the last fifty years he has played on more than 3000 recording sessions. Ritenour has worked with artists such as Pink Floyd, Steely Dan, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Simon & Garfunkel and Frank Sinatra just to name a few. He also has an extensive solo discography.
To celebrate his love of guitar, Ritenour has brought together an incredible range of guest players from different genres. Throughout the album you’ll find a stylish mix of rock, blues, jazz, acoustic, country and classical. It’s a unique album that will take the listener on a musical exploration of the six string instrument. 
In total there are 20 incredible guitarists on the album! 
Here's the complete list:
1 Lee Ritenour

2 BB King

3 George Benson

4 John Scofield

5 Steve Lukather

6 Vince Gill

7 Slash

8 Pat Martino

9 Mike Stern

10 Neal Schon

11 Robert Cray

12 Keb Mo

13 Taj Majal

14 Jonny Lang

15 Joe Bonamassa

16 Andy Mckee

17 Guthrie Govan

18 Joe Robinson

19 Tomoyasu Hotei

20 Shon Boublil (Winner of Yamaha Six String Theory Competition)
Contributing vocals by B.B. King, Robert Cray, Vince Gill, Keb' Mo', Taj Majal, Joe Bonamassa and Jonny Lang, assist in giving this diverse album a cool blues feeling on selected tunes.
Yamaha Six String Theory Guitar Competition

Ritenour also made it his musical mission to help launch a new star of the guitar. In association with the Yamaha Corporation, Concord Records, Berklee College of Music, Monster Cable, D’Addario Strings and the Broad Stage, Ritenour announced "The Yamaha Six String Theory Guitar Competition." The contest ran from Oct 1st, 2009 to Feb 25th 2010. Contestants submitted their videos online in one of six categories: Rock, Blues, Jazz/Fusion, Country, Acoustic, or Classical/Flamenco. Top performers were chosen by a panel of online judges which included Captain Fingers himself Lee Ritenour. 
On March 22, 2010 they all competed in a live performance at The Broad Stage in Los Angeles to determine the grand prize winner. The winner received a guest spot on the Concord Records Six String Theory album and a four-year full tuition scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music. In addition the winner will be asked to participate at various clinics sponsored by Yamaha along with Ritenour and join in at a few key concerts. 
As well the winner received: a Yamaha guitar (acoustic, classical, or electric), a guitar endorsement from Yamaha Corporation, a 2 year string endorsement worth $1,000 from D'Addario String Company and become a Monster Cable "Famous Monster."
A belated congratulations goes out to sixteen year-old guitarist Shon Boublil of Montreal who came out on top and was the grand prize winner. 
You can see an example of his entry video below.
Have you heard about the 6 String Theory project in your travels? Are any of your favorite guitar players listed above? Please be sure to ad your comments below. Your input enhances the post and creates a forum to share your thoughts…     
The Blues Blogger



Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis: Play The Music of Ray Charles – DVD Review
The Blues Blogger — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:20:38 +0000

In many of my past articles I often reflect on the different genres of music that surrounded me while growing up. I recall my parents listening to Ray Charles and fondly remember how his music caught my imagination back then. There was always a brilliant blend of vibrant energy that could take an otherwise dull day and change it into a delightful scene in a finger snap. It was some of Ray’s tunes that influenced many of my earliest creative writing projects I worked on as a kid… I was reminded of some these eclectic moments while watching Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis Play the Music of Ray Charles DVD… 
Music is a journey to me… I love taking the educational tour down that creative road and exploring all the intersections as they form into one soulful passage. You may not always like everything you see along the way, but there’s usually something interesting to talk about. 
I decided to view this DVD in my home gym and get in a work out at the same time. As a writer I find exercising helps me work through some of those thought processes… Unfortunately my golden retriever Lucille had to look on with sadness as she knew a walk was not a reality at this moment. Eventually she closed her eyes to the steady burr of the treadmill and the “diverse grooves” that set my mind in gear… 
Originally Filmed and Recorded in February 2009 
This DVD featuring country music legend Willie Nelson and Pulitzer Prize-winning jazz artist Wynton Marsalis is the second collaboration for the duo. The first occasion was two years prior and resulted in the album “Two Men With The Blues.” This time they show even more in common by sharing their admiration and mutual respect for the late music mastermind Ray Charles. 

There are three great musical art forms in America that really come from the grassroots, and that’s jazz, country and blues. All three intersect together in Wynton Marsalis, Willie Nelson and Norah Jones. It’s a perfect collaboration, and each one of them is a leader in their own art form.

 ~ James Ackerman

Frederick P. Rose Hall 
Commonly known as “The House of Swing,” this hall is the world’s first performing arts institution devoted entirely to jazz. And it’s New York City’s Jazz at Lincoln Center home and the setting for this rare two-night performance. Along with the charming and talented Norah Jones, all these wonderful performers explore the legacy of Charles by weaving a collection of 15 songs that tell the story of a love affair through its many stages. This cool blend of musical styles creates a unique atmosphere that I found very intriguing indeed. 

The tone is set with “Hallelujah (Boy I Love Her So),” featuring Nelson’s long time harmonica player Mickey Raphael along with some improvised guitar riffs by Willie and company. Norah Jones is introduced for the song “You Are My Sunshine,” which is played in an exclusive and dissimilar manner. Nelson then leaves the stage for Jones to sing lead for the number “Come Rain or Come Shine.” Mellower than the previous selections, it brings to mind those smoky fifties jazz club metaphors. “Unchain My Heart” one of my favorite tunes Ray Charles recorded features extensive solos from Raphael and drummer Ali Jackson. 
Musicians
Vocals and Acoustic Guitar: 

Willie Nelson
Trumpet and Vocals

Wynton Marsalis
Vocals:

Norah Jones
Harmonica:

Mickey Raphael 
Piano: 

Dan Nimmer 
Bass: 

Carlos Enriquez 
Drums: 

Ali Jackson
Saxophone: 

Walter Blanding

Set List
01. Hallelujah Love Her So

02. You Are My Sunshine

03. Come Rain Or Come Shine

04. Unchain My Heart

05. Crying Time

06. Losing Hand

07. Hit The Road Jack

08. I’m Moving On

09. Busted

10. You Don’t Know Me

11. Here We Go Again

12. Makin’ Whoopee

13. I Love So Much (It Hurts)

14. What’d I Say

15. That’s All
The entire show has a very loose, spontaneous vibe. From “Crying Time,” “Hit The Road Jack,” “You Don’t Know Me” to “What I’d Say,” and the closer “That’s All,” there’s some fantastic moments on this DVD that take the viewer on a sundry adventure. 
Bonus Features Include 
never before seen rehearsal footage, interviews and photos that documents how this historic event came to play… More appropriately suited for a relaxing evening sipping wine by the fire rather than a treadmill workout, I still found Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis: Play The Music of Ray Charles and this interpretation of his work very satisfying. The music brought back early memories of my childhood when I would pretend I was a screenwriter and make up all kinds of crazy scripts. During those moments I would often use the songs of Ray Charles to help my imagination drive the scene. His legacy will always have a meaningful significance to so many of us, and this DVD continues to remind us that his spirit will forever live on through time… 
What words come to mind when you think of the work of Ray Charles? Do you have any favorite songs of Ray Charles that bring back memories for you? Your comments are always welcome.     
The Blues Blogger


			

				

			
		



Tal Wilkenfeld: Bass Guitar Prodigy
The Blues Blogger — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:45:34 +0000

This is an article I wrote last year… As there are so many new readers of The Blues Blogger in 2009, there’s a chance you may have missed this one. If you’ve already seen this, I hope you enjoy it the second time around…

November 2008
I used to get a little down around this time of season. Spring and summer were definitely my favorite seasons, and when it came time to turn the clocks back for the fall and winter, a wave of melancholy would set it in for a little while… For many reasons, I don’t feel that way anymore. The cooler darker months that lay ahead don’t have that same dismal effect on me. I look forward to coming home to my family, exercising and getting comfortable by a nice fire. And just let my thoughts drift off while writing…
My online persona of The Blues Blogger has brought out a side of me that helps generate that positive attitude. I owe a lot of that to my loyal readers that have been there over the course of this site’s development. Thanks for being a part of the wonderful growth of this reflective musical blog…
One of my personal favorite Blues Blogger articles was something I wrote on legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius… At the time I was writing that piece, I was also reading about Australian bass prodigy Tal Wilkenfeld whose latest accomplishments have been nothing short of mesmerizing. As different as Jaco and Tal may be, I discovered a similar tone. I became interested in writing something about Wilkenfeld, as she is an extremely talented individual. She has a mature soul and I hear many influences flow throughout her playing. One thing for sure, she is a very cool and extremely entertaining young lady to watch.

Tal Wilkenfeld
was born in Sydney Australia… She started to play guitar at 14, and then later switched to the bass 3 years later. Wilkenfeld would discover that the feel of the bass best matched her personality and form of expression. 
“I’ve always just picked up any instrument and been able to play it― I could sit down at the drums or the piano and just play for fun,” Tal says of her musical gifts. “But as soon as I started playing bass I knew it was my instrument. It was like, ‘Yes this is it. I don’t even want to play guitar anymore, this is amazing.”
Making a bold move, Wilkenfeld decided to drop out of high school at 16 and move to the United States; choosing to spend her time focusing on a music career. She first settled in Los Angeles and after completing school at The Los Angeles Music Academy, moved to New York City. It didn’t take long for Wilkenfeld to get work. She started performing as a side person and band leader and eventually gained recognition around New York’s jazz clubs. 
After only several months of bass playing, she was offered an endorsement deal with Roger Sadowsky; an independent guitar and bass designer and manufacturer… At the age of 20, she recorded her debut album Transformation. It features musicians Wayne Krantz, Geoffrey Keezer, Keith Carlock and Seamus Blake. Tal not only played bass, but composed, arranged and also produced the album. Shortly after Transformation, she would go on to have a guest spot with The Allman Brothers Band. 
The following year Chick Corea, who had heard about Wilkenfeld, was looking for a bass player. Tal goes on to say that…  
“Chick had heard about me and was looking for a bass player and so I sent them some of my stuff. Then I got this call from his people and they said: ‘Hey, do you want to do these gigs in Australia?’ And I was like, ‘Yes, sir!”

The gig that got her an incredible amount of public awareness was her collaboration with Jeff Beck for his summer of 2007 European tour. After playing in Europe the group would team up with on Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago. 
In November 2007, while playing another gig with Beck at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in London, Tal was joined on stage by Eric Clapton; a truly incredible accomplishment to cap off the year.


Tal Has Also Appeared 
with musicians such as: Herbie Hancock, Steve Vai , Joss Stone, Susan Tedeschi, Hiram Bullock, Wayne Shorter and Corinne Bailey Ray. In addition she has been voted as “The Years Most Exciting New Player” in Bass Players 2008 Readers Choice Awards. Quite an impressive portfolio by any veteran’s standards let alone a 22 year old who’s been playing the bass less than five years. 
It’s hard not to notice Wilkenfeld’s incredible achievement. Her story is truly inspiring! Tal’s haunting soulful sounds may even of had the great innovator Jaco nodding with approval.
If you’re looking for more information on Tal Wilkenfeld you can go to her website…  If you’re totally unfamiliar, perhaps a cool place to start is Wilkenfeld’s MySpace Page…Upon entering you will be greeted with a funky introduction that will help settle you in…
If this is the first time you’ve seen the videos in this post, then you’re in for a real treat… Are you familiar with Tal’s incredible musical journey? Your comments are welcome as usual…
The Blues Blogger


			

				

			
		



San Jose Jazz Festival: Celebrating 20 Years
The Blues Blogger — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 01:11:38 +0000

“The blues are an integral part of jazz and all music today,” Over the past 20 years, San Jose Jazz has presented some of the greatest blues talent in the world and this year is no exception. This year’s line-up will please everyone from the casual listener to the most avid blues fan.”  ~ Bruce Labadie, festival director  
Blues Stage Showcases Rising Talent and Audience Favorites
I wanted to briefly mention to TheBluesBlogger readers that if you happen to live or be in the San Jose area this weekend Aug-7-9, 2009, then you don’t want to miss The 20th Annual San Jose Jazz Festival. The festival features world-class blues acts on the Main Stage in the Plaza de Cesar Chavez as well as an entire stage dedicated to blues located on San Fernando Street between Almaden Boulevard and Guadalupe Parkway. 
 
The blues kick-start the festival  Friday night with Leroy Bell and His Only Friends, and continue on the Main Stage Saturday with Black Joe Lewis, rising sensation from Austin, Texas… Bettye LaVette headlines the Blues Stage at 7 pm on Sunday, August 9th. An incredibly inspiring and soulful singer, LaVette brings her unique voice to the climax of the Blues Stage on Sunday night.
Saturday’s lineup is topped by Bay Area favorite Chris Cain. Black Joe Lewis makes a second appearance on the Blues Stage on Saturday as well. Inspired by the sounds of Otis Redding, Lightnin’ Hopkins and James Brown, his brash style will generate lots of energy and character to already colorful event… Lara Price and JC Smith will bring their powerful music to the festival over the weekend. Some of the best blues harmonica players in the Bay Area will also be featured in the Harmonica Blowout. 
The Blues Stage 
is sponsored by Budweiser, Stella Artois and KKUP-FM radio. The stage operates Saturday from 1 pm to 10 pm. And Sunday from 1 pm to 9 pm. Admission to the festival is only $15 a day.
Saturday August 8th
1pm: Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88′s

3pm: The Lara Price Blues Revue

5pm: JC Smith Allstars w/Fillmore Slim, John Broadway Tucker/Pat Wilder

7pm: Black Joe Lewis

9pm: Chris Cain
Sunday August 9th
1pm: Tip of the Top

3pm: Harmonica Revue featuring Gary Smith, Aki Kumar/David Barrett

5pm: Ron Thompson and the Resisters

7pm: Bettye LaVette
Summer is a memorable time of season for music. And my favorite part is the variety of festivals/events that take place. Events like The San Jose Jazz Fest help capture those special moments when you see a great band you’re familiar with, or the fantastic feeling of discovering a new talent you least expected… Will you get the opportunity to checkout the festival this year? Have you ever been to this event in the past? If not, now’s your chance… Please feel free to add your comments below. 
TheBluesBlogger  
About San Jose Jazz
San Jose Jazz, producer of the annual AT&T San Jose Jazz Festival, is a public benefit corporation dedicated to promoting jazz through performance and education to enrich the lives of people in Silicon Valley. Proceeds from the performances help to support San Jose Jazz’s education and outreach programs as well as other year-round performances throughout Silicon Valley. For more on San Jose Jazz, please visit their website: jazzfest.sanjosejazz.org




			

				

			
		



Ana Popovic: New Release Blind For Love
The Blues Blogger — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 01:36:24 +0000
  
Summer Finally Heats Up
I was awakened by the soft clanking of the window blinds in the early morning breeze. Just as I opened my eyes, Lucille, my golden retriever, ran up on the bed and lay down beside me. Placing her head on my chest she began her steadfast stare. Did she really remember last night’s promise of an early morning jaunt? As the sun began to make its presence, I nodded in approval and Lucille jumped off the bed and waited patiently for me by the front door. This was a very methodical mission. There was music to be listened to and a little exercise to be had.      
My introduction to Ana Popovic’s music began with her 2007 release Still Making History. I heard some of her tunes from that particular album, but like most things in life the timing didn’t quite happen and I lost track… Just before Christmas of last year I was reminded by a friend about Popovic. The re-familiarization generated a burst of enthusiasm that had me craving for more. As a result, I did some research about her life and read about the tense surroundings in her early years in Belgrade during the Milosevic reign. 

Even though Popovic and myself are from very different backgrounds, I found some interesting similarities in how both our families were influenced by their love and appreciation of music; especially the blues. So impressed with her talent, I felt the need to write an article for TheBluesBlogger site… That blog post generated lots of viewers and also some interesting comments and questions. Many of which were addressed in Popovic’s latest release Blind For Love.  You can find that piece on Ana by clicking here.
Now I skimmed through Blind For Love several times since receiving it earlier in the week. In my typical fashion, I tend to savor things I think I’m going to enjoy for the right moment. One thing I noticed right off the bat was her songwriting skills had further matured since I listened last. Blind For Love features plenty of great blues, rock, jazz, and funky grooves along with some terrific guitar work put together in a slick concise package. 
I was anxious for my outing with Lucille as I felt Popovic’s album may just be one of those summer albums to talk about. And when I hear an album with as much vigor as Blind For Love I find it very hard to keep still, so I turn that energy into a productive workout… I grabbed a quick coffee, got dressed and grabbed Lucille’s leash. Heading out the door, I realized that the timing was perfect. The morning air was cool and comforting, but there was no doubt the day was about to get hotter… I pressed play on my MP3 player and our excursion began.


Now as I have said many times before, when it comes to reviews I’m not going to give a blow by blow account of each and every song and note. If the music moves me, makes me reflect back on a moment, or creates an energy that spurs some creative thought, then I’m happy. 
The opening track “Nothing Personal” did indeed start me off on the right track with its infectious pop groove. And the tempo would continue with the heavy hitting second track “Wrong Woman” and the foot tapping soulful “Steal Me Away.” Things slow down for the title track “Blind For Love” and “More Real,” but I’m not complaining about that either, this is a well thought out album… 
MUSICIANS:
Ana Popovic: vocals & guitars

Ronald Jonker: bass

Andrew Thomas: drums

Mike Finnigan: keys

Tony Braunagel: drums, percussion, background vocals

Lenny Castro: percussion

Darrell Leonard: trumpet

Joe Sublett: sax

Julie Delgado, Kenna Ramsey, Billy Valentine: background vocals

Halfway Into the Album 
Our morning run found us in our neighborhood park. I let Lucille off the leash and watched as she dash around the field with her golden smile. At this point I found myself repeating the next three songs “Putting Out the APB,” “Get Back Home to You” and “The Only Reason.” Extremely catchy songs with a great groove that picked up the pace again… Deciding to make our own way back home, I continued the rest of the album without repeating any more songs. “Part of Me” ( a lullaby written for her baby boy Luuk) and the closer “Blues for M” being the most noteworthy.   
Popovic is currently one of Europe’s hottest blues-rock guitarists, and Blind For Love is further proof of a career that continues to blossom. Becoming the first European artist to be nominated for a W.C. Handy Award in Memphis for “Best New Artist Debut” in 2003, she has released a total of six albums with the last two on Eclecto Groove Productions. Popovic continues to mesmerize the audience and has a reputation for being very engaging.
Blind For Love was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Mark Dearnley (AC/DC, Tom Petty and Paul McCartney) and included many of the members of her touring band. Bassist Ron Jonker is a member of her band that in my previous article was questioned by his absence on the last album Still Making History. His presence is going to make not only listeners to Blind For Love very happy, but is going to also delight audiences on the road as the chemistry he has on stage with Popovic is hard to deny.
Later In The Day  
With my faithful hound snoring at my feet, it was time to sit down and conclude this post… Obviously I really enjoyed this album. There’s no doubt blues purists may turn away from this release, but that’s always going to happen when you’re breaking new ground. Yes, I’ll admit Ana Popovic is very stunning, but you need to go beyond the looks and explore her talent. Whether you like it or not, she is a serious artist that continues to learn and will carve a path for a new generation of fans to follow. If you’re unfamiliar, then Blind For Love may be a good place to begin… Congratulations to everyone involved on this project, you have a real winner here!
And now its your turn. Are you familiar with her latest album or previous work? Have you seen her live before? Please add your comments below.
Cheers,
TheBluesBlogger        
Summer Tour Dates
JULY
07/25 @ Trasimeno Blues Festival, Trasimeno Italy

07/26 @ Baia Domizia Blues Festival, Baia Domizia Italy

07/27 @ Fetes De Genève, Geneva Swiss

07/31 @ Prairie Dog Blues Festival, Prairie Du Chien WI
AUGUST
08/01 @ Mount Baker Blues Festival, Deming WA

08/15 @ Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival, Salmon Arm BC, Canada

08/16 @ Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival, Salmon Arm BC, Canada

08/18 @ BB’s Jazz, Blues, and Soups, St. Louis MI

08/19 @ Zoo Bar, Lincoln NE

08/21 @ Famous Dave’s, Minneapolis MN

08/22 @ Seven Clan Casino Blues Festival, Thief River Falls MN

08/30 @ Pordenone Festival,  Pordenone (PN) Italy 
September 2009
09/10 @TBA, TBA, Serbia

09/12 @Blues IM Herbst,  Cloppenburg, Gernmany

09/13 @013, Tilburg, Netherlands

09/26 @Roots ‘n Blues Festival,  Columbia, MO 	USA

09/27 @BB’s,  St. Louis, MO USA