blues

Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers / "Love Whip Blues" (11/4/14)

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We are particularly thrilled to welcome Boston's Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers to the VizzTone family. Erin learned to play Delta Blues guitar at an early age from her father, Maryland area bluesman Neil Harpe. Erin's travels brought her an appreciation of World music styles, particularly Afro-Beat and reggae. Landing in Boston, she did solo blues gigs, simultaneously started a electro-funk dance band called Lovewhip, and self-released a couple of acoustic blues CDs. A few years ago, Erin formed the Delta Swingers, a deep blues-based group that was also a dance band with a wealth of influences. The sound was aptly christened "Charles River Delta Blues". The Delta Swingers immediately won the Boston Blues Challenge, and went to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge. "Love Whip Blues" was recorded in Boston, then post-produced, mixed and mastered by the amazing Dave Gross at his Fat Rabbit Studios, with guest appearances by Dave Gross and Bob Margolin. 

Read the whole article at vizztone.com.

DownBeat Magazine review

Editor's Pick, May 2014
Mikey Junior, Traveling South
(SwingNation/VizzTone)
"In 2014 it’s rare to encounter a blues album in which the production plays just as important a role as the music itself. Properly recording the diverse sounds of a harmonica in the studio is no easy task, and for his latest album, blues harp master Mikey Junior turned to his guitarist-producer Dave Gross, who has done a superb job. On the title track to Traveling South, the harmonica has a spooky, gothic vibe, and on “The Cheat,” Gross has framed the harmonica so that it has an almost three-dimensional sonic quality. Gross demonstrates great control of dynamics here: He makes Michael Bram’s mighty drums sound positively primal on “Morning On My Way,” while on the delicate fadeout to “Nobody Does It Like Me,” Mikey Junior’s subtle harmonica riffs evoke visions of a whispering ghost floating down a hallway. On his eighth album, Mikey Junior contributes 10 original compositions among the dozen tracks. As a composer, his subject matter is often interpersonal relationships, and as a musician, he’s not aiming to reinvent the wheel. But his amazing skills on diatonic and chromatic harmonicas—combined with muscular vocals that offer just enough growl without getting cartoonish—make him an exciting presence on today’s blues scene. The best way to hear his latest album is with the volume cranked way up."
—Bobby Reed

Albert Castiglia at Fat Rabbit Studios

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Amazing week in the studio with Albert Castiglia and his band, recording his new album. Holy smokes, this thing is burning! Best stuff I've heard from Albert...his vocals are supremely soulful, his guitar playing is raw, powerful and tasteful, and the songs were perfect to mold around his talents. Matt Schuler and Bob Amsel played their asses off too, as did a couple of special guests. It was a great time..if we weren't recording, we were laughing, and that stuff goes a long way to make a session stay relaxed and productive. Finishing up tracking early next week, psyched to be involved with this one!
 
www.albertcastiglia.com
 
 UPDATE (11/1/13): The album is complete and going out to mastering in the next couple of weeks. And congratulations to Albert for winning the Blues Blast Music Award for Best Blues Rock Album of 2013!

Mikey Junior comes to Fat Rabbit Studios

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It was an amazing 3 days in Fat Rabbit Studios producing/engineering & performing on Philadelphia roots/blues artist, Mikey Junior's upcoming record. There was something spectacularly rare about the chemistry between everybody involved, and the music undoubtedly reflects that. Everything felt perfectly natural and each song inspired a brilliant performance out of everyone involved. Thanks to Mikey Junior, Dean Shot, Matt Raymond and Michael Bram for giving it everything you got! I cannot wait for you all to hear what this album sounds like. This record is going to leave a big mark!

​http://www.mikeyjunior.com

Brad Vickers - "Great Day in the Morning" AVAILABLE NOW!

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Very proud to have worked on this very fine album, and happy to announce that it is officially out for you all to hear! This album delves deeper into the acoustic side of Brad's music, and possesses a sincerity and maturity that makes this album a standout among roots music releases. Features Brad Vickers, Margey Peters, Charles Burnham, Matt Cowan, Jim Davis, Bill Rankin, V.D. King, Christine Santelli, Gina Sicilia, Michael Bram, Jeremy Baum and myself.
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​Go and grab your copy of Brad Vickers & His Vestapolitans - "Great Day in the Morning" right now!

​https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/great-day-in-the-morning/id626818385
​http://www.bradvickers.com

New single by Greg Nagy, "I Won't Give Up"

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Please check out the BRAND SPANKIN' NEW single by my friend, Greg Nagy. It's one hell of a song/vocal/performance, and I had the pleasure of playing drums and mixing it. Please head on over to this page to get a sample, and then iTunes to grab it for less than a dollar!

http://www.gregnagy.com/single/listening_party.htm
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-wont-give-up-single/id597036251

Brad Vickers recording sessions start this week!

Very excited to get back in the studio this Monday with the wonderful Brad Vickers & His Vestapolitans. This time around, he will be bringing in Charles Burnham, Matt Cowan, Jim Davis, Margey Peters, Bill Rankin, Christine Santelli, Gina Sicilia and V.D. King. This is sure to be a very exciting trip through several decades worth of Brad's songwriting, and will be stripped down, honest and full of character. This will be Brad's 4th full length solo release. More updates to come as the sessions come to pass!