#Provogue Records

[plungermusic]

Même si ça change, c'est encore la même chose*

Plunger caught up with Connor Selby again at the Half Moon, Putney, more than five years since we last saw him and, not surprisingly, there have been a few changes since then: from profile-raising support slots for The Who and Pearl Jam to signing with Provogue/Mascot Records; and from collaboration with session men du jour Redtenbacher’s Funkestra; and a slick, don’t-frighten-the-horses makeover.

Those last two events left Plunger a little worried that Connor might have taken a different musical direction to that of the long-haired, Clapton-is-God-t-shirt-wearing artist we’d witnessed. But this show proved our fears were baseless: as evinced in the opening southern soul-influenced pairing of I Can’t Let You Go and Falling In Love Again, the former displaying rather Warren Haynesish guitar phrasing and the latter some lovely interplay between Connor and Joe Anderton in a brief but tasteful guitar-off.

After the slow but swinging blues of I Shouldn’t Care, a long and impressive organ solo from Stevie Watts introduced the soulful amble of If You’re Gonna Leave Me before a new song, Truth Comes Out Eventually provided a splash of snare-on-three Caribbean-spiced 60s blues-soul.

Connor’s deft touch with various shades of blues was shown in the echt, slow, slow-blues of Love Letter To The Blues featuring some highly Larry McCray-like tone and phrasing; a rather funky Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland-inspired version of Goin’ Down Slow with tight snare-and-bass underpinning, and era-correct Fender Rhodes-y electric piano; and a fabulously swinging The Deep End, drawing on one of Connor’s heroes Ray Charles, with rim-shots for that late-night smoky-dive vibe, and excellent jazzy piano throughout.

Much to Plunger’s delight there was plenty ‘southern soul’ in a 70s vein (of the kind that reeled us in on our first hearing of Connor): the melodic keys and guitar of a mellow Man I Ought To Be were reminiscent of solo Gregg Allman - not least in Connor’s fine-grained-sandpaper voice - topped off nicely by a delightful tremolo-laden chordal break from Joe; and Hear My Prayer’s Derek & The Dominos/Delaney & Bonnie brisker jangle included anthemic piano, ride cymbal-led drums, Joe and Stevie adding bvs, and a sweet southern-fried closing solo from Connor.

The closing pair of tracks reminded Plunger of the modern day torchbearers of that whole 70s southern soul thing, Tedeschi Trucks Band: the relaxed opening of That’s Alright with ticking rim-shots and swirly organ shifted up a gear with a full-band break-in with three part bvs, while the lithe TTB funk-soul of Show Me A Sign, with its Stax-y insistent-snare chorus and bustling bass lines, was the opportunity for solo spots from all, most notably a fiery British Invasion break from Joe, and a cracking keys outing featuring some surprisingly Jon Lordesque touches including a smattering of Bach! Connor’s own solo (perhaps the longest in a night where brevity and restraint were watchwords) ranged from clucking muted funkiness to soaring southern bends and all points in between.

An inevitable encore saw Connor switch from Les Paul to SG for an old Plunger favourite, Emily - a loping D&B southern soul-rocker with hints of the Louie Louie riff, a Wasted Words-style descending organ wash, and fabulous Billy Powell-style piano… a cracking finale to a cracking evening.

Some things may have changed but the accomplished songwriting, restrained non-grandstanding (but still highly fluid) playing and wonderfully soulful vocal are all still there, as good as they were, if not better.

* “Even if it changes it’s still the same thing” - with apologies to Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr

[rawrampmag]

CONNOR SELBY #ConnorSelby #TourDates with #BethHart #UKBlues

CONNOR SELBY #ConnorSelby #TourDates with #BethHart #UKblues

The Jules Fothergill Young Blues Artist of the Year (2021 UKBlues Awards) the Essex-born singer-songwriter CONNOR SELBY will release his self-titled deluxe album on 3rd March via Provogue. Connor will be touring in support of  Beth Hart this Spring (see poster below, for dates) He has also had several plays on the BBC Radio 2 blues show. He’s supported The Who at Wembley Stadium and played BST…

[metalshockfinland]

KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD Releases New Single 'Never Made It to Memphis', New Album Out Now

Photo credit: Mark Seliger Multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated blues-rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd has just unveiled his latest album, Dirt On My Diamonds, Vol. 2, out now via Mascot/Provogue Records. This release marks the culmination of a creative journey that began with last year’s Dirt On My Diamonds, Vol. 1, delivering a double-album experience that pushes the boundaries of modern…

[rich4a1]

Chris Daniels & The Kings with Freddi Gowdy Blues With Horns Volume II

Chris Daniels & The Kings with Freddi Gowdy Blues With Horns Volume II Independent The Chicago styled horn band “Chris Daniels and The Kings” was formed in 1984. They recorded their album debut “When You’re Cool” in 1987 on Moon Voyage Records. They also recorded for Redstone, Provogue, Flat Canyon, and Flying Fish Records before returning to Moon Voyage in 1998. The Kings have backed many…

[hard-rock-music]

Kenny Wayne Shepherd - Dirt On My Diamonds Vol​.​2 (2024)

Provogue Records is proud to announce the newest release from Kenny Wayne Shepherd entitled, ‘Dirt On My Diamonds Vol 2’. The highly anticipated follow-up to Shepherd’s 2023 critically acclaimed, #1 Billboard Blues Chart release – ‘Dirt On My Diamonds Vol 1’- Vol 2 builds upon Shepherd’s legendary repertoire. Continue reading Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Dirt On My Diamonds Vol​.​2 (2024)

[metalindex-hu]

Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Piszkos gyémántok

Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Piszkos gyémántok - https://metalindex.hu/2023/09/03/kenny-wayne-shepherd-piszkos-gyemantok/ -

A Grammy-díjra is jelölt amerikai bluesgitáros, Kenny Wayme Shepherd ‘Dirt On My Diamonds Volume 1’ címmel adja ki következő stúdióalbumát novemberben, amelyről egy dal már meghallgatható a világhálón.

November 17-én a Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group gondozásában jelenik meg Kenny Wayne Shepherd legújabb stúdiólemeze ‘Dirt On My Diamonds Volume 1’ címmel. „Minden albumot az adott pillanat szül és ez most egy különleges pillanat” – nyilatkozta az új anyagról a gitáros. Az anyag már hazai forrásból is előrendelhető CD-n és vinylen, az első kislemezdal a Sweet & Low. Kenny Wayne Shepherd szeptember 21-én 21 állomásos amerikai turnéba kezd, európai dátumokról egyelőre nincs hír.

‘Dirt On My Diamonds Volume 1′ dallista:

1, Dirt On My Diamonds 2. Sweet & Low3. Best Of Times4. You Can’t Love Me5. Man On A Mission6. Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting7. Bad Intentions8. Ease On My Mind

[bluesdoodles]

Wednesday Wave of Musical Delights

Wednesday Wave of Musical Delights - October album releases rom The Cadillac Three, Joe Bonamassa, Black Stone Cherry and Voodoo Six float to the top of the human game on a sea of tea

Bluesdoodles finding gems on Wednesday 2st October 2021

This is a grey, wet Wednesday at Bluesdoodles HQ. The room is warming up nicely, no not cranking up the heating, the speakers are turned up as we listen and watch the music that are forming Bluesdoodles Wednesday Wave of musical delights.

October Album Selections Cadillac Three New Album Tabasco & Sweet Tea Release Date: Friday…

[bluestownmusic]

Steve Cropper - Fire It Up

Guitar Legend Steve Cropper Announces ‘Fire It Up,’ Calling It His First Solo Album Since 1969    Out April 23rd via Mascot Label Group / Provogue Records On April 23rd, guitar legend Steve Cropper will release ‘Fire It Up,’ which he’s calling his first proper solo album since 1969, after decades of stardom in soul, blues, and rock and roll. “This album is different from everything out there…

[aaa-stammtisch-rhein-main]

A Record A Day Keeps The Blues Away

Joe Bonamassa „Tea Royal“

Label: Provogue

Price 45,-€ 2LP+CD 180g Limited Edition Artbook

Music Excellence Britisch Blues Rock

Sound Very good Audiophile

Pressing Very good No Noise

Heute frisch mit der Post gekommen und gleich auf den Plattenteller gelandet. Das neue Album Royal Tea wurde von Joe Bonamassa’s britischen Gitarrenhelden Jeff Beck, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, Eric Clapton und Cream inspiriert. Aus diesem Grund wurde das Album in den legendären Abbey Road Studios aufgenommen. Die Songs des Albums stehen selbstredend in der Tradition des englischen Blues Rock. Der erste Titel „When One Door Opens“ fängt mit einem klassischen Orchestral-Intro an, entwickelt sich in der Songmitte zu einem rockigen Part um anschließend wieder zu einem ruhigen Ende zukommen. Der Titeltrack „Royal Tea“ ist etwas härter, während „Why Does It Take So Long To Say Goodbye“ ein langsamer Blues ist. Bei dem Song „Lookout Man“ spielt Michael Rhodes einen feinen Bass, während „High Class Girl“ an Booker T & The MG’s erinnert. Der nächste Song „I Didn’t Think She Would Do It“ ist ein echter Blues Rocker mit einem tollen Gitarrensolo von Joe Bonamssa. Beim Titel „Beyond The Silence“ kommt das Keyboard mehr zu Ehren. Gewitters mit zwischendurch immer wieder aufblitzenden Keyboardblitzen. Der Titel „Lonely Boy“ geht als echter Rock’n Roll mit Piano unterstützung durch, während „Savannah“ countrybeeinflusst ist. Insgesamt betrachtet ist „Royal Tea“ ein rockiges, gitarrenlastiges Bluesalbum in der Tradition des britischen Blues Rock.

Just arrived by mail today and straight to the turntable. The new album Royal Tea was inspired by Joe Bonamassa's British guitar heroes Jeff Beck, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, Eric Clapton and Cream. For this reason the album was recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. The songs on the album are of course in the tradition of English Blues Rock. The first track "When One Door Opens" starts with a classic orchestral intro, develops into a rocking part in the middle of the song and then comes to a quiet end. The title track "Royal Tea" is a bit harder, while "Why Does It Take So Long To Say Goodbye" is a slow blues. On the song "Lookout Man" Michael Rhodes plays a fine bass, while "High Class Girl" reminds of Booker T & The MG's. The next song "I Didn't Think She Would Do It" is a real blues rocker with a great guitar solo by Joe Bonamssa. With the title "Beyond The Silence" the keyboard comes more to honor. Thunderstorms with keyboard flashes flashing in between. The title "Lonely Boy" passes as real Rock'n Roll with piano support, while "Savannah" is country influenced. All in all, "Royal Tea" is a rocky, guitar-heavy blues album in the tradition of British blues rock.

Tracklist:

01. When One Door Opens

02. Royal Tea

03. Why Does It Take So Long To Say Goodbye

04. Lookout Man

05. High Class Girl

06. A Conversation With Alice

07. I Didn’t Think She Would Do It

08. Beyond The Silence

09. Lonely Boy

10. Savannah

[plungermusic]

Moved by the muse or the mission statement?

Hicks’ says of his debut “I wanted people to feel like they're in a juke joint, listening to what the blues sounds like in 2019, my own spin on it.” The eleven tracks range across the genre’s spectrum, but are unified by a light, often poppy touch: to be fair if your in a juke joint (do they still have those?) then dancing is probably higher on the agenda than chin-stroking music appreciation nonsense. There’s certainly little in the way of grandstanding solos (in fact the guitar often seems surprisingly low in the mix), with Hicks’ vocal more often taking the lead role, again as you might expect.

Originals include Rather Be Blind’s slice of finger-snapping toe-tapping young BB; the rollicking revivalist rock’n’roll of Have Mercy On Me; a rather Troutish half-speed plodding roadhouse boogie in Headed Back To Memphis (where someone appears to be playing some rather nice slide, but in a different room) and the Blaxploitation funk-meets-urban beats of What The Devil Loves. There are a couple of short-but-sweet early-fade out instrumentals: Riverside Drive’s prowling-the-mean-streets vibe, and the swinging guitar-duel shuffle of 421 South Main which evokes old school Everyday I Have The Blues (ironically).

Ironically, because Hicks covers Everyday I Sing The Blues but in a jived-up Cream-do-Crossroads-style (where again the fade comes just as a solo begins!) Other covers are a mellow latinate take on Blood Sweat And Tears’ Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know with lush 80s synth strings, and a mournful minor key Help Me, which sees the most in the way of guitar showboaty twiddles and skittering bursts before switching up to the more familiar SBW loping rhythm and another earlyish fade.

Two more covers are the standouts: Gary Wright’s instrumental My Love Is Alive is punchy Soulive / Lettuce-style funk (not surprising as several members guest on it!) with plenty of horn action, while It’s Alright (Adam Faith, The Sonics, et al.) has a real Joe Walsh vibe, with phasetastic guitar and a rockier vocal delivery.

Although for Plunger’s tastes maybe a little earnest in some respects and a little too easy on the ear in others, Harlem is still a highly polished debut, with a super tight band and guests aplenty (including Jack White and Roger Earl). The light touch and minimalist track lengths are reminiscent of the 50s dancehall glory days of blues ‘45s, so mission accomplished, we guess.

King Solomon Hicks’ Harlem is released on Provogue / Mascot Label Group on 13th March.

[rawrampmag]

STEVE CROPPER @OfficialCropper #FireItUp #NewAlbum #blues #randb #NewVideo @ProvogueRecords #MLG_Rocks

STEVE CROPPER @OfficialCropper #FireItUp #NewAlbum #blues #randb #NewVideo @ProvogueRecords #MLG_Rocks

As the Stax records house guitarist with Booker T. & the M.G.’s “The Colonel” STEVE CROPPER has backed celebrated artists such as Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas and Johnnie Taylor. Although most will know him better as a standout member of the Blues Brothers band. The 20-year-old Steve Cropper became a founding member of the Stax house band along with Hammond musician…

[metalshockfinland]

KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD Releases Brooding New Single + Video 'Long Way Down'

Photo credit: Mark Seliger Kenny Wayne Shepherd, the multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated preeminent blues-rock guitarist, has just unleashed his latest single “Long Way Down,” a smoldering track that stands out as one of the most intense moments on his upcoming album Dirt On My Diamonds, Volume 2 out September 20th via Mascot/Provogue Records. “Long Way Down” takes listeners on a deep dive into a…

[rich4a1]

Steve Cropper Fire It Up

Steve Cropper Fire It Up #CDReview #indieblues #roots #makingascene #spotify #indie #blues #americana #newmusic #originalmusic #youtube #Sundaymotivation #MusicSundays @OfficialCropper

Steve Cropper Fire It Up Provogue Records/Mascot Music Steve Cropper is the Memphis born guitarist, songwriter and record producer who began as a member of the Stax Records house band, Booker T. & the M. G.’s. Besides backing artists Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Rufus Thomas and Johnnie Taylor; he played on the Mar-Key’s hit single “Last Night” in 1961; and on the M.G.’s mega-hit “Green Onions” in…

[bluesmagazine]

British Guitarist And Singer Songwriter Davy Knowles Inks Deal With Provogue Records - #DavyKnowles #ProvogueRecords via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B8wP6R3BSsF/

[listening-through-the-lens]

Eric Gales' Spiritual 'Middle Of The Road'

Eric Gales’ Spiritual ‘Middle Of The Road’

One of the best, if not the best guitar player in the world – Joe Bonamassa

He is absolutely incredible – Carlos Santana

(more…)

[hard-rock-music]

Beth Hart - 37 Days - 2007 (Provogue Europe 2008), FLAC

Beth Hart – 37 Days – 2007 (Provogue Europe 2008), FLAC

Genre: Blues Rock Disk Country: Europe Disc release year: 2008 Publisher (label): Provogue Records Country: USA (more…)