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Live at the Sutter Street Saloon
One of the biggest mysteries of the 1990s blues boom is why a band as tremendous as The Blues Rockers aren't world- renowned stars,but that may change thankfully, in the upcoming year, to their signing with the British JSP label. Long regarded as the best band in the Western US., their fame has been confined to California and neighboring states as well as Europe, where they successfully tour each year to the delight of thousands of Blues Rockers fans. European fans know their blues and for them to be this rabid about a band speaks volumes for the Mick Martin crew.
Martin is a big bear of a man, multitalented as a fine vocalist, exceptional as a harp-blower (top 5 in North America) songwriter, and outside of the band' he's a top Sacramento blues dee-jay; a film critic and respected journalist. Whew! The Blues Rockers are the best blues band in the western U.S., all long-time veterans with tremendous talent and a life long love affairs with the blues. Tim Barnes is the guitarist and sometime lead vocalist as well as Martin's song-writing partner, and Tim play a rock-based blues style that is full of fire and totally unique. He makes no apologies for not being a StevieRay/BuddyGuy/B.B.King clone and he'll quickly earn your respect for his individuality.
The award winning rhythm section of Jerry Banks (drums) and Steve Schofer (bass) is the envy of many. With the mountain of awards and accolades Mick Martin & The Blues Rockers have accumulated, you'd think someone like Alligator or Black Top would be rushing out to sign them up, but that's not happened as yet. Perhaps this will change in 1998. In any event' this disc is a perfect example of why the Blues Rockers are such a revered band of blues road warrior's.
Recorded at the Sutter Street Saloon (in Sacramento) in front of a very appreciative audience, this disc shows what a deadly serious authentic group of blues virtuosos can sound like in direct contrast to many of the "live' recordings one hears these days. Need I say more? Okay I will, add to that the perfect sound, fine song selection and loads of music with 70 minutes of blues for the purchaser Heaps of big blues harmonica and stellar guitar (Barnes goes bananas on Clean & Mean") and the ending of"Got To Play The Blues/The Blues is all right" is devastating proof that these guys are one of the best "live" acts working today 5 bottles for yet another great disc from the most-deserving-of-fame-with-a-big-fat-contract band I know of. Keep it coming guys. Karma is on your side.
- Andy Grigg
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PHONE: 916.348.1955 FAX: 916.381.1124 |
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Copyright 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, & 2008 by Mick Martin and the Blues Rockers |