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- Written by: Deb Hebert
Artist: Ray Goren
Album: Save My Soul
Label: RJRay Entertainment, Inc.
Release Date: September 23, 2014
14 year old Ray Goren is the definition of the word Prodigy. By the age of five, Goren was already playing his favorite tunes by Thelonious Monk, J.J. Johnson, Miles Davis, and Oscar Peterson on a keyboard. Later, while searching Youtube, Goren stumbled on a clip of BB King, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy and Albert Collins playing together. Before the day was over, with the Internet at his disposal, Goren discovered many other blues and rock greats including Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Otis Rush. After talking his parents into getting him a guitar, Goren found his calling, according to the artist's biography.
A few years later, Goren started to write his own original music which draws from a wide range of influences in all musical genres. Subsequently, Goren penned five songs on the EP, LA Sessions, which was released to critical acclaim in June 2014.
"From first to last note, LA Sessions, is a hit parade, with Goren strumming to his own beat, as the young composer cleverly integrates jazz, rock, pop, rhythm, and blues elements into one distinctly modern soundtrack," writes Bluebirdreviews.
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- Written by: Giovanni "Gio" Pilato
One cannot certainly deny two things about Joe Bonamassa: he is one of the most talented guitarists around and one of the hardest working bluesmen ever.
Different Shades Of Blue is an all-original record of 11 tracks co-written with a team of veteran Nashville songwriters, except for the opening track "Hey Baby," an obscure Hendrix cover. Superbly produced, as always, by Kevin Shirley, the album title maintains exactly the promises made by its title. Bonamassa manages successfully to experiment even further his tried-and-tested formula based on solid blues-rock, in tracks such as the powerful centrepiece of the record "Oh Beautiful," which is a crossover between a Delta Blues lament and a psychedelic-rock anthem.

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- Written by: Bluebird
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers: Hypnotic Eye
Reprise Records/Warner Bros.
Released: July 29, 2014
Produced by: Ryan Ulyate, Tom Petty, Mike Campbell
This is a really exciting release from Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and we are honored to preview it. Early press from Rolling Stone and others have said this record was a revisit to Petty's first two albums, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1976) and You’re Gonna Get It (1978). Just a look at the cover art and it is reminiscent of long running LP's that we classic rockers cherish. Album rock is back. However, Petty continues to take this history and move it forward, bringing all of the writing experience, independent attitude and new inspirations right along with him.
Singles were available last month and fans grabbed on to the solid foundation of classic rock that continues to be Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. His vocals sound as solid as they did back in the 1970's, with the warm textures and unique tones that are signature Tom Petty. The Heartbreakers rock out in this 13th release, the 2nd album in the last 12 years. Petty told the LA Times, (who now consider TPATH an LA BAND!) that they worked on the record between tours and were newly inspired by young rock bands. This new album is not as thick with blues as Mojo, but there are some gems that go right to not only blues, but roots. Tom Petty fans can be reassured, the Mud Crutch days are still in our midst.
- Details
- Written by: Deb Hebert
Artist: Ray Goren
Album: LA Sessions
Label: RJRay Entertainment, Inc.
Release Date: June 24, 2014
Don't let his bashful, adolescent expression mislead you. Ray Goren, a 14 year-old guitar prodigy from California, has the potential to reinvent any genre he explores.
"By the age of five, Goren was already playing his favorite tunes by Thelonious Monk, JJ Johnson, Miles Davis, and Oscar Peterson on a keyboard.
A few years later, while searching Youtube, Goren stumbled on a clip of BB King, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy and Albert Collins playing together," reads Goren's press biography. "After talking his parents into getting him a guitar, Goren found his calling."
What's more, the young artist has played all around the United States since he was 10 years-old, performing in front of thousands of music go-ers at big draw events like Detroit Jazz Festival (2011) and Doheny Blues Festival (2012).

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- Written by: Bluebird
The music of Michael Marquart is a walk through images, presented to the listener in symbolic dreams. Historically, he has been the understated writer for many ground breaking music projects, and a drummer for A Flock of Seagulls. Recorded in Marquart's revamped Windmark Recording studios, and mixed by Jason Elgin (Creed, Collective Soul), his newest release, via band name A BAD THINK, is simultaneously sparse and dense. Progressive and current, Marquart lends his creativity to the score of it with vocals, drums, bass, guitar and keys. The layers are viewed by Ralph (voodoo man) Bruner's guitar and mandolin, with ethereal textures added through the vocals of Samantha Marq. Finally, additional guitars underline the edges by Mark Woerpel.
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- Written by: Lee Hebert
Review by Lee Hebert
RICH ROBINSON TO RELEASE NEW SOLO ALBUM
June 3, 2014 Circle Sound/THE END RECORDS
Stream the record on ROLLING STONE.
Every time an artist releases a solo record, and he or she is a prominent member of a relevant band, there will be comparisons. This very relevant record by Rich Robinson is going to be no different.
He is a member of one of the finest bands in rock & roll, The Black Crowes. He is a principle songwriter, band leader, musical director, guitarist and singer in the band. So consequently, Rich's influence on the sound of the Crowes is huge.
Being a Crowes fan, I realize that Rich Robinson has more to do with The Black Crowes sound than anyone else. Even his brother, front man, singer and songwriter, Chris Robinson, doesn't make solo records that sound like The Black Crowes music. Chris' vocals, of course, but his music, no.
So, with that being said, this is not a Black Crowes record. Ceaseless Sight is a Rich Robinson record. The music has a lot of the familiar song structuring, intros and the same wailing guitar licks that Crowes fans have come to crave. The big difference here, is that Rich is singing all the lead vocals. As the opening song begins, you feel the music could be The Black Crowes, but the voice isn't. By the second chorus, the Crowes leave your mind, as you dive into the strongest Rich Robinson solo album to date.

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- Written by: Bluebird
The-Quartet Shattering
Like many things in life, if we are open to the journey of exploration, a deeper understanding of ourselves occurs, and more threads appear to be followed, weaving what we love into a personal tapestry. In a conversation with Jack Hues, we discussed projects that are outside of Wang Chung. Hues' interest in jazz has been long standing. Illuminated and Shattering are two gems in the jazz music catalogs of Hues and pianist Sam Bailey. In our interview, drummer, Dave Smith is described as 'heroic' in his mastery of genre eclectisism. The Quartet and special guests are equally entrancing, progressive and pull the listener into the story lines. They create molds, for the sole purpose of breaking them.
Enter: The Quartet with Shattering on Helium Records (2008).
