Electro-Fi Records
Fall/Winter 2012:
While it certainly still can be a Mean Old World at times, 2012 has turned out to be an excellent year here at Electro-Fi Records, so first and foremost we want to thank you, our fellow Blues aficionados for sharing our deep love of the Blues. We couldn't begin to do what we do without all of your interest and kind support.
Back in June we had 5 of our releases listed on the U.S. Roots Music Top Fifty Radio Chart, and in May we had the distinct pleasure of attending Electro-Fi artist and Chicago Blues Legend BILLY BOY ARNOLD'S induction into the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis, during the Blues Foundation's Blues Music Awards week.
Speaking of Billy Boy Arnold, he has asked us to thank you for helping to make his "Billy Boy Arnold Sings Big Bill Broonzy" release one of 2012's Traditional Blues highlights. This CD was a project close to all our hearts, and it's sure nice to see an artist from Chicago's Golden Age of the Blues step up and put out such a strong and vital album in 2012. A tip of the hat to producer ERIC NODEN, BLAISE BARTON @ Joy Ride Studio in Chicago and our pal BOB RIESMAN for his insightful liner notes, If you haven't picked up Bob's definitive Big Bill Broonzy Biography "I Feel So Good" yet, you are missing a great read. Check it out at: www.press.uchicago.edu
It's equally satisfying to work with an emerging artist who brings her own limitless musical imagination to the Blues in 2012. We've been more than happy to welcome SHAKURA S'AIDA and her 2 CD release "Time" to the Electro-Fi label. Shakura has been nominated for 5 MapleBlues Awards including Female Vocalist and Recording of the Year. The awards will be held January 21st, 2013 at Koerner Hall in Toronto. www.shakurasaida.com
Continental Guitar Ace ENRICO CRIVELLARO made a whole lot of Blues Guitar lovers happy with the release of "FREEWHEELIN' " this spring. Check out Enrico's newly updated website www.enricocrivellaro.com
"Another Winner from a Fantastic Guitarist" - Amazon.com
"Enrico Crivellaro has matured into one of the most convincing and varied axemen now around" - RED LICK (U.K.)
"Enrico brings Heart, Soul, Passion and creative awareness of Blues and beyond Guitar playing to life for everyone lucky enough to hear him". Frank John Hadley - DOWNBEAT
Electro-Fi Artist and West Coast Harp Maestro MARK HUMMEL has announced his January 2013 Harmonica Blowout Guests and Tour Dates. This year features Mark and his ultra tight band the Blues Survivors along with KIM WILSON, LAZY LESTER, LITTLE CHARLIE BATY, RICK ESTRIN, RON THOMPSON, KENNY NEAL and JOE LOUIS WALKER ! Watch for news on an exciting new album from Mark and some spectacular guest guitarists on Electro-Fi in the Fall of 2013. Tour dates at www.markhummel.com
Barrelhouse Piano man JULIAN FAUTH'S brand new album "EVERYBODY OUGHT TO TREAT A STRANGER RIGHT" continues to mystify and amaze, as Julian opens the Blues up into fresh territory. The album landed at # 6 on the U.S. Roots Music Report Top 50 in just it's 2nd week of release. Julian has been nominated for Songwriter and Keyboard Player of the year MapleBlues Awards.
"Julian Fauth is a Force of Nature" - Blues Revue
Check out Mako Funasaka's cool video on the making of the album.YouTube video www.julianfauth.com
2012 has been a busy year for HARRISON KENNEDY who's just home from a very successful tour of France. Harrison's new album SHAME THE DEVIL won "Blues Album of the Year" and he was recognized as "Male Vocalist of the Year" at the Hamilton Music Awards. Harrison has also been nominated for 2 MapleBlues Awards.
Harrison's plans for 2013 include recording his next album for Electro-Fi in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Watch for a Fall 2013 release. www.harrisonkennedy.ca
We wish FATHEAD a very happy 20th Anniversary as a band. Not an easy feat in today's music world. Their new Electro-Fi release "Twenty Years Deep - The Very Best of Fathead 1992-2012" contains tracks from all 7 of their albums. As well as bonus tracks with Chicago Blues Legend LITTLE MACK SIMMONS. Check out this 2 time JUNO Award winning band at www.fathead.biz
"Fathead is one of the best bands I've heard in a long time" - LEVON HELM 2003.
Road Warrior MORGAN DAVIS took his wonderful and unique Blues music directly to the people old school style with a 3 month tour of one nighters this Fall in support of his recent Electro-Fi release "Drive My Blues Away". Don't miss him when he comes to your town. www.morgandavis.com
Chicago's FRUTELAND JACKSON continues to introduce new generations to the beauty and wisdom of the Blues through his inspirational Blues in the Schools program. Fruteland was a big hit at this years KING BISCUIT Festival. Catch him at Buddy Guy's club on your next trip to the Windy City and check out his Electro-Fi album Blues 2.0 www.fruteland.com
Motor City Mojo Master HARMONICA SHAH has been keeping busy performing at John's Carpet House in Detroit during the Summer months and with guitarist Howard Glazer at several club and festival venues. Shah made the trip north to Toronto in September for a memorable performance with Jack de Keyzer and Julian Fauth at the Southside Shuffle Festival. Watch for a new album from Harmonica Shah in 2013.
Canada's Award Winning Blues Duo DIANA BRAITHWAITE & CHRIS WHITELEY spent 2012 hard at work touring, including performing an original work "Blues Suite" at the Glenn Gould Studio theatre, and most importantly of all writing and recording an amazing new album "Scrap Metal Blues" due out in the Spring of 2013. Chris and Diana will be touring the United Kingdom, Canada and the U.S. during 2013 in support of the new disc. www.braithwaiteandwhiteley.com
Speaking of new releases for 2013. We are extremely proud to announce the release in association with CHRISTIAN RANNENBERG of a very special album that pays homage to an unsung master of 20th century Blues music "THE WALTER DAVIS PROJECT" features newly recorded and unreleased versions of Walter Davis songs by CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE, BILLY BOY ARNOLD, JIMMY McCRACKLIN, HENRY TOWNSEND with BOB CORRITORE and CHRISTIAN RANNENBERG with KEITH DUNN. We are completely stoked by this album and we're sure you will be too, once you hear it. Much more info about this album in our next newsletter.
To celebrate both the Holiday Season and Electro-Fi's 15th anniversary we bring you SANTA'S GOT MOJO 2 - An Electro-Fi Christmas Blues Celebration.This is a fun, funky and fabulous follow up to 2002's successful SANTA'S GOT MOJO, and features a collection of original and classic Christmas Blues from SHAKURA S'AIDA, HARRISON KENNEDY, FINIS TASBY with ENRICO CRIVELLARO, PAUL OSCHER, FATHEAD, JULIAN FAUTH, DIANA BRAITHWAITE & CHRIS WHITELEY, FRUTELAND JACKSON, MORGAN DAVIS plus Chicago Bluesman JOHNNY LAWS and Guitar Legend MEL BROWN and the Homewreckers.
Check out this video of Shakura S'Aida performing "Be My Santa" from Mako Funasaka of Talkin' Blues Media, stay tuned at the end of the video for Holiday Greetings from our fine family of Electro-Fi Recording Artists to you and your Family. YouTube video
We thank you for all your support in 2012, sharing our music with your listeners, readers and friends, and we look forward to sending more good Blues your way in 2013.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays with Peace and Prosperity in the New Year!
Andrew Galloway Gary Collver
The purpose of this quarterly newsletter is to inform, not annoy you. To be removed send an email to [email protected].