“This album wasn’t what it was intended to be at all. It’s actually better than it was meant to be because, in a way, I just let it happen. It’s an eclectic collection of songs that weren’t really on the map… If it’s a surprise to the fans, that’s only because it’s a surprise to me, as well.” ~Eric Clapton

Worldwide CD Giveaway – THIS CD GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED –

(Congratulations to Ron Grande & Tim Null who’ve both won a copy of the disc. Your new Clapton CD is now on the way to you… You’re gonna love it!!!)

Next month it’s The Blues Blogger’s 3rd Anniversary. However, to coincide with Eric Clapton’s upcoming 19th solo album “Clapton” later this month, I thought it might be fun to give away 2 copies of the CD and announce the winners on the day of the release… Your opportunity to win could not be simpler. In fact many of you reading this are already entered. I will explain shortly…

First

I Have a Question for You

If somebody asked you, “what song in your past acts likes a soundtrack to your youth?” Would you know right away? If you had to think about it, what song would play in your mind? I know what song that would be for me. And I’ve mentioned it many times from my very first post Electric Blues Masters, to Joe Bonamassa Live at The Royal Albert Hall and of course Freddie King I Am a Blues Master. That song is John Mayall & The Blues Breakers featuring Eric Clapton’s version of Freddie King’s Hideaway. It’s the first audible groove I vividly recall my brother playing along to on his guitar on the bunk bed below in the room we shared while growing up.

For Eric Clapton

some of the tunes that make him reminisce about his childhood, he got the opportunity to record on his upcoming album. These selections are gems which were passed down to Eric from his grandparents. It’s an assortment of songs by such noted composers as Irving Berlin, Fats Waller, Johnny Mercer and Hoagy Carmichael. Clapton covers everything from old brass bands to obscure country blues, in addition to brand-new originals. The result is tranquil, reflective, and quite different from anything he’s done in the past.

Working with guitarist and producer Doyle Bramhall II, Clapton brings together an impressive range of talent to back him on this self-titled release. Musicians and guests include drummer Jim Keltner, bassist Willie Weeks, and keyboardist Walt Richmond. Also featured on this eclectic offering is JJ Cale, Wynton Marsalis, Sheryl Crow, Steve Winwood, Allen Toussaint and Derek Trucks.

You can preview four complete songs, including the new single “Diamonds Made From Rain” from the Clapton album here on the widget below:

Clapton has also announced several live dates in 2011 including 4 nights at The Royal Albert Hall. And has assembled a remarkable band for the 2011 tour which will consist of long-time touring partners: Steve Gadd (drums), Willie Weeks (bass), Chris Stainton (keyboards) along with Michelle John and Sharon White as backing vocalists…

For more details you can go to Eric Clapton’s site by clicking here

While many of my long time readers are familiar with my posts, what many of you may not know was how Clapton inadvertently influenced the idea for me to create this blog three years ago.

Time has passed quickly since I succeeded in freaking my entire family out with the news of my heart attack 36 months ago. It forced me into a situation where I had a lot of time to think. When my brother heard the news and realized I would be alright, he told my wife TBBW on the phone to get me Clapton’s recently released autobiography. A hard cover copy of the book would be at my bedside when I opened my eyes one morning in the hospital. While reading that book and recovering at home, I got the idea of creating a music blog where I could combine my appreciation for music and my long time desire to write.

That desire to write started when I first heard Hideaway when I was a kid, but I never really concentrated too much on it until after I read Eric’s biography three years ago. The book made me reminisce about my own life and the music that surrounded me when I was young. The blog then became a therapeutic canvas for me. It would also be a place where lovers of blues, jazz, and fans of some good old rock n roll could come together and share their thoughts; past and present.

For these past three years The Blues Blogger site has grown in an extremely profound way, and as a result so have I. I’m truly very humbled by all your kind words and overwhelming support…

And Now…

Do You Want To Win a Copy of Eric Clapton’s Upcoming CD?

The Rules Are Simple – THIS CD GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED -

All email subscribers of The Blues Blogger anywhere in the world will get the opportunity to win 2 possible copies of Eric’s 19th solo album “Clapton” in a random draw giveaway.

(All current Blues Blogger subscribers are automatically entered.)

You will need to subscribe to my e-mail list at the top of the page where it says “Receive Updates by Email.” Enter your email address and press click here. When you submit the form, you will receive a verification message in your e-mail in-box. Once you respond to this message you are subscribed. That’s it! I promise no spam and you can always unsubscribe at anytime…

This random prize giveaway will end September 26th, 2010 at 11:00 pm eastern time in the U.S. When the winners are notified, they’ll have 12 hours to respond or a new name will be drawn.

But now if I could, I’d like to get back to my original question - Do you have a favorite tune that plays in your mind from the past? Are there any songs or performances from Eric Clapton from your youth that you’d like to share?

As an extra added bonus, if you comment on this post as well as being an active subscriber, I will put an additional ballot in the draw to increase your chances of winning. You have absolutely nothing to lose, and a terrific memorable record to gain.

I’d love to hear from you.

Good luck,

The Blues Blogger

“I feel the respect and affection for him that a father feels for his son. He is one of the most serious blues guitarists you can find today. He makes me proud.” ~ B. B. King

Early Morning

The clanking of blinds could be heard as the approaching autumn breeze sailed throughout the open north windows. Getting out of bed I couldn’t help think how time seems to move faster with every year that passes… Oh well, I refuse to spend unproductive time whining about the things I can’t control. So whenever I get up in the morning with a sigh, I raise the blinds and let the light shine in and continue to play those blues.

Yes, I suppose I was feeling a bit moody on this day, but I knew as soon as I heard the latest release “Spread The Love” from Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters things were on the right track… So I brewed some coffee, got my thoughts in gear, and let the music capture my imagination….

If you’re a regular reader of The Blues Blogger, you’ll often find me writing about the healing power of music. I believe there is no greater natural healer that exists like music. It’s obvious Ronnie Earl believes this too as many of the titles like “Miracle” and “Happy” on his latest Spread the Love suggest. While his influence may be deeply rooted in blues and jazz, the work on his latest release is an instrumentally thought provocative collection of songs that solicits the urge to daydream. And I have no complaints about that whatsoever.

Ronnie Earl

was born Ronald Horvath in Queens, New York, on March 10th, 1953. He started out playing the piano at 10 years old, but abandoned the instrument because he disliked the discipline of practicing at the time. Graduating from Forest Hills High School in New York in 1971, Ronnie attended C.W. Post College on Long Island for a year and a half studying American History. It was during this time frame at 20 years old that he started playing the guitar. Earl discovered his love for the blues after attending a Muddy Waters concert at the Jazz Workshop, a small club in Boston. By his third year in college he seriously pursued the guitar and made a quick impression.

Earl gained inspiration from Otis Rush, and also harmonica player Big Walter Horton. On several occasions he took bus trips to Chicago, spending time with the late Koko Taylor, who introduced him to the Chicago blues scene. In the late seventies while playing with Muddy Waters (who had trouble remembering the young guitarist’s last name) he decided to change his last name to Earl as a tribute to Earl Hooker.

He joined Roomful of Blues in 1979 and spent the next eight years touring and recorded a number of albums that were extremely demanding. The rigorous schedule unfortunately resulted in some heavy alcohol and drug use.

Leaving the band in 1988, Earl formed his own group called The Broadcasters named after the first Fender telecaster guitar distributed in 1950. The band released their first album, Soul Searchin, followed by Peace of Mind in 1990. The album Still River in 1993, recognized The Broadcasters as the first completely all instrumental blues group. They would then go on to release many critically acclaimed projects during the nineties.

Signed to his current label Stony Plain Records in 2003, Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters have released a series of successful blues albums, including 2007’s Hope Radio and Living in the Light in 2009; representing Earl’s excellent health and a life which is now firmly grounded in love.

Ronnie Earl is a two-time W.C. Handy Blues Award winner (currently known as Blues Music Awards) as Guitar Player of the Year. He also has served as an Associate Professor of Guitar at Berklee College of Music. Over the course of his career he has played alongside music greats like Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Otis Rush, Carlos Santana, Junior Wells, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton and The Allman Brothers Band, just to name a few.

Spread The Love

The energy throughout Ronnie Earl’s 14 track new release is wonderful. For me this album isn’t so much of a high energy offering, but an entertaining creative and soulful record that puts your mind at ease. From the opening cut “Backstroke,” and the expressive slow blues tribute for his wife “Blues for Donna,” to the jazzy blues rendition of “Chitlin’s Con Carne,” and the slow boogie Spann’s Groove,” there’s plenty of emotion and solid musical interplay. Through it all, Earl and his Broadcaster’s experience and passion make this release a very pleasurable listen indeed!

Later in the Morning

While I sat by the computer and finished writing this post, I noticed my wife TBBW walked by playing air guitar and grooving to the song “Blues For Slim.” Well, it just goes to show you, it never hurts to Spread the Love.

Are you fan of Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters? Do you have any favorite songs of Earl’s that make you want to drift off? Your comments are most welcome.

The Blues Blogger

“There is nothing wrong with electronic music as long as you’re putting some soul behind the technology.” ~ Joe Zawinul

Today marks what would have been Joe Zawinul’s 78th birthday. I remember first hearing Zawinul in my early teens when I worked part time in the blues and jazz department of a trendy record boutique back in the seventies. One of my many responsibilities was to keep all the albums in the bins stocked properly and re-order the hot selling items. I loved sifting through all the album covers and reading the liner notes. Something I continue to enjoy today. It was the intriguing vinyl covers of Weather Report where my personal discovery of Joe Zawinul began.

It was also around this time frame that I recall my interest for writing started. And when I heard the eclectic mix of sounds on albums such as I Sing The Body Electric, Sweetnighter, and later the masterpiece Heavy Weather, it opened the door to a whole new world of imaginative thought. I don’t think there’s been a single song that has made me tap my foot or snap my fingers more to its groove than Joe Zawinul’s Birdland. How sad it was to hear of his passing from a rare form of skin cancer back on September 11th 2007 at the age of 75.

Joe Zawinul

Born July 7th 1932, Zawinul grew up in a poor working class family during World War II in Austria. He played accordion on the streets to earn money and received classical piano training at the Vienna Conservatory. After the war, he grew interested in American jazz; and started making a name for himself on the local jazz scene.

“One thing about Viennese musicians, they can really groove, more than even the German bands can,” “It’s something in our nature, perhaps. We’re cosmopolitan and interracial — Czech, Slavic, Hungarian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Turkish a little bit.”

Zawinul came to the United States in 1959 on a scholarship to study at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, but left to join Maynard Ferguson’s big band. He next landed a gig with Dinah Washington; his funky style can be heard on her 1959 hit What a Difference a Day Made.

Zawinul stock started to rise after joining alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley’s band in 1961. He composed many tunes, but it was most notably the gospel-influenced, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, which climbed the pop charts and won a Grammy for Adderley.

In the late ’60s, Zawinul recorded with Miles Davis. His tune In a Silent Way served as the title track for the Miles’ first venture into the electric arena. Zawinul’s composition Pharoah’s Dance was featured on Davis’ groundbreaking 1970 jazz-rock fusion album Bitches Brew, which won Davis a Grammy in 1970.

In 1970, Zawinul and saxophonist Wayne Shorter founded Weather Report and produced a series of albums. Weather Report’s album Heavy Weather with Jaco Pastorius enjoyed its biggest commercial success in 1977. Zawinul went on to form The Zawinul Syndicate in 1986. For the next 20 years The Zawinul Syndicate brought together a global village of musicians who recorded such albums as the Grammy-nominated My People (1996) and World Tour. (1998)

Joe Zawinul did for jazz what Clapton and Bloomfield would do for the blues; becoming the leading force behind the often termed Electric Jazz movement. Like I said earlier, I listened to a lot of Zawinul’s music and found his style, groove and experimentation incredibly contagious. He is one of the people responsible for my appreciation for electric jazz; leading me to other jazz artists that would continue to inspire me to this day.

Are you familiar with Joe Zawinul and his musical legacy? Any moments you’d like to share? Please add you comments or birthday wishes below.

The Blues Blogger