Archives for category: Music

Alabama Juke Joint Gip’s Place Shut Down; UPDATE LIVE TEXT FEED FROM MTG

May 7, 2013 //

Gip’s Place, Bessemer, alabama

Owner Henry Gipson (aka Mr. Gip) had his residence, known as Gip’s Place for over 60 years for “house parties” that are as close to a good ol’ juke joint that Alabama has left was closed down on May 4^th, 2013, for not having the proper business license by Bessemer Police.

Debbie Bond at Mando Blues, photo – Brad Hardisty

The residence was never intended to be a business since Gip doesn’t serve food or drink and is a BYOB place where blues lovers can enjoy regional blues masters like Debbie Bond as well as national performers such as Bobby Rush jam in front of a Birmingham area get together.

Opened in 1952, Gip’s Place was considered a “house party” and not a business and was considered a bright spot on the Bessemer, Alabama map.

There is a meeting today, Tuesday May 7^th at 6PM before the Bessemer City Council regarding the matter. Please be there, if you can attend. For further information contact Mayor Kenneth Gulley’s Assistant by email : mayorasst@bessemeral.org.

If you would like to find out how you can support Henry Gipson and Gip’s Place contact Cindi McGee at cindig34@hotmail.com.

A poll being conducted on al.org shows that an overwhelming 64% want Gip to be left alone by the city of Bessemer.

The closing of one of the last of Alabama’s true juke joints is creating international media attention.

Feel free to leave comments here, if you like. I will forward comments to those involved in supporting Henry Gipson and his privately owned residence. I am in contact, right now, with those involved in showing support in Alabama I will post updates when available here on The Nashville Bridge.

Feel free to link this article to your Facebook page or re-blog and get the word out. This is all about property rights, liberty and pursuit of the Blues! Be in Bessemer, Alabama by 6Pm if you can.

Blues Power!

Reports from Bessemer City Council Meeting regarding the closing of Blues Hall of Fame Member Gip Gipson’s Juke Joint: The following was a live text feed from inside the council meeting last night:

6:59PM The City Council will not even schedule the issue on the agenda. They claim they needed a weeks notice – though they shut down Gip’s on Saturday.

7:01 PM One person will be allowed to speak at the end of the meeting for 3 minutes.

7:09 PM The Circle X Film Group that is in the process of producing a documentary film on Gip’s is in the council hall filming for the doc.

7:10PM Many wouldn’t sign the film release. They will be blocked out. The city council is sitting here recognizing the achievements in poetry writing of the local kids…

7:15 PM All local news outlets are providing coverage.

7:24 PM Gip just arrived to a round of applause.

A single council member suggests that Gip’s should be moved out of the neighborhood and provided a venue near other city attractions. There is no response from any other council member. The Council President says that moving doesn’t matter because that involves another process and the problem is that Gip is operating an illegal business.

7:58 PM Gip speaks before the council: States that he is going to do what he is going to do and there’s not going to be a license and he’s not going to move.

Other members of the community are allowed to speak for three min each.

8:05 PM All speakers, community members, neighbors are in support. Much is said about the heritage that needs to be preserved and the failure of the leadership of City of Bessemer to have a vision that upholds the traditions of the community and the wider heritage of American music history.

People speak of the failure of the city to do anything related to crime, abandoned houses and other blight in the same area yet they are singling out a man that gives back to his community through charitable work and has brought pride and recognition to the town. That until the City shut down Gip’s they featured his Juke Joint on their website.

The council president will not allow anymore public comment related to the heritage and unique history of Gip’s.

There has not been a SINGLE person at the meeting who has raised any complaint or spoken against Gip.

8:07 PM Reporter from Italy is speaking up. The Council President tries to have her sit down, she moves to the mic anyway and describes how people in Italy see the value of preserving their cultural treasures and she cannot fathom why the city cannot see what they are doing is the destruction of American heritage. She says that Gip’s Place is like nowhere else in the world and an incredible example of Southern culture.

8:10 PM The city council pres is saying no more public comment. Many people are still raising their hands to be recognized. Now the Mayor is saying that no one is above the law and that he receives complaints from the neighbors every week about children seeing people urinating in their yards. The mayor is asked where these complainants are and told that there are more neighbors that wish to speak in support of Gip. They are not recognized. The Mayor calls the public assembly a mob. The council President tells the police to prepare to clear the room If any one else tries to speak. He singles out several previously recognized speakers to be removed if they say anything else.

8:12 PM A lady minister stands up and is trying to speak about peacefully working with the city to resolve this issue and the President told her to sit down. He states only the council is allowed to speak. The Police are to remove anyone else who defies the end of public commentary.

The city attorney speaks declaring that all members of the government and the police are required to honor their oaths to enforce the law and no man is above the law. He states that if the public wishes to change they are welcome to go through the process of changing the law.

8:19 PM – The council motions to adjourn. They call the meeting to a close.

Gip after leaving the council building is greeted by news crews, film makers & and the rest of his supporters who could not get into the assembly. The meeting was filled to capacity. – live text from T. Moreaux, Church of the Last World Singers

There are many questions as to why local city goverment is getting involved when this has been a major pride of the neighborhood since 1952 and at this point unsubstantiated allegations are being pursued regarding neighbor complaints even though many neighbors were in attendance to speak on Gip’s behalf but were not allowed to speak.

Update from 5/11/2013 – Gip did open up last saturday night, but, there were two police roadblocks going in and out of the area with a total of aproximately ten troopers, according to my source, looking for any reason to ticket any patrons going in an out of Gip’s Place. Gip also closed down early at 11 PM. Although there was a police presence that was intimidating patrons of his house party, they did not attmept to shut it down…stay posted.

– Brad Hardisty, Nashville, TN thenashvillebridge@hotmail.com

Tags Bessemer Police, Bobby Rush, Debbie Bond, Gip's Place Bessemer Alabama, Henry Gipson

Categories Alabama, Alabama Music, Blues Music, Music

Cyndi Hanley at Lucy’s Tiki Bar

May 4, 2013 //

Cyndi Hanley was at Lucy’s Tiki Bar in Castalian Springs, Tennessee last night sitting in with Third Shift in a full throttled jamming session of Trisha Yearwood songs and other delights.

Session ace bassist, Roger Lewis was in on the action where everybody’s minds were on the recent passing of George Jones.

Ken Barrett did some seriously good renditions of George Jones classics as well as some Merle Haggard.

It was a “Country when it was Country” night at Lucy’s Tiki Bar at the Shady Cove Resort & Marina just about 30 minutes outside of Nashville on a decidedly chilly evening.

Winter seems to be hanging on for a long time this Tennessee year, even though Cyndi was able to warm up the crowd to 98.6 degrees.

Cyndi Hanley has recently started sitting in with serious Country musicians in and around Hendersonville after being on hiatus for several years.

Cyndi was discovered in the 90’s while gigging in Missouri and won several vocal contests and ended up performing on Ernest Tubb’s “Midnight Jamboree” back then.

Third Shift at Lucy’s Tiki Bar, photo – Brad Hardisty

Matt Walker played some classic Don Rich style lines on his flowery rather than Paisley Tele. Amazing what the Bakersfield sound did to Country music back in the 60’s.

After moving to Nashville, Cyndi ended up moving into normal life as many do, raising a daughter and going through a relationship or two before finally deciding it was time to get back up on stage.

With the support of the music community, Cyndi Hanley is getting her groove back on and rocking the house.

There is no time like now. Cyndi’s song choices were right on.

Cyndi will be playing with members of Ray Stevens’ and Merle Haggard’s band during the coming summer months.

– Brad Hardisty, Nashville, TN thenashvillebridge@hotmail.com

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Tags Cyndi Hanley, Lucy's Tiki Bar, Third Shift

Categories Country Music, Music, Nashville, Uncategorized

Infinity Cat Opens Visitors Center

May 4, 2013 //

Following on the several year stint and recent upgrades to Third Man Records Company Store and the recently opened Fond Object in Riverside by The Ettes, Infinity Cat realized that so many fans were making pilgrimages from all over the world and knocking on the door looking for hard-to-find label merch that it was time to just open the door and say “welcome.”

Infinity Cat Records made the following announcement:We have opened the Infinity Cat Visitors Center at Infinity Cat headquarters. Why? Because you asked us to. We receive so many requests (“Hi, we live in London and coming to Nashville. We own pretty much everything Infinity Cat. Can we come visit?”). Wanna come say hi? Call 615-730-8417 and we’ll let you know if we are there. The rest of these words come from Steve Haruch’s great article. “There will be records for sale, of course, and ICR logo coffee mugs, but “the best part,” Orrall says, “is that 80 percent of it will only be in the store” and not available through the label’s website. That stuff includes out-of-print items like the last original MEEMAW T-shirt, for instance, and band tour posters, some of them from other countries — that sort of thing.

The not-a-shop is a response to requests from fans who have wanted to stop by when they’re in Nashville. Now they’ll have something to visit aside from a small office and a kitchen. And while there won’t be regular business hours, there will be impromptu times of openness, which will be announced via the label’s various social media accounts. Instagram followers will get to see new items (including vintage records, radios and magazines) as they are added to the ~~shop~~ visitors’ center.

Thank you Steve Haruch for a great description and great photos. What will be the first thing you want to buy? “Loose Jewels” by Diarrhea Planet. Why? Well, let’s let MTV do the talking now: “”Take away the branding, the deal-making, the app-launching, the corporate sponsorships, the giant Doritos stage, Train playing the Rachel Ray day party, the free piggyback rides, the weird giveaways, the free beer, the expensive cabs, the long lines and the Justin Timberlake, and really what you have left is a little ol’ dusty festival with a band named Diarrhea Planet on the schedule. Decades from now, when those of us who attended SXSW 2013 are on our deathbeds, we’ll whisper but two words to our loved ones, and those words will be “Diarrhea Planet.” They won’t understand, but we will.” – MTV Hive

So come on buy, pick up something special, and say hi to the official Infinity Cat, D. Boone. See you soon!

Visitors center photo from Infinity Cat press release. All other photos, Brad Hardisty taken at Infinity Cat 10th Anniversary shows of Heavy Cream, Skyblazer, Infinity Cat Sandwich and Diarrhea Planet and Infinity Cat front door taken for Performer Magazine .

Tags Diarrhea Planet, Heavy Cream, Infinity Cat Records, Skyblazer, The Ettes, Third Man Records

Categories Music, Music City, Nashville

George Jones Passing Hits Music City

April 26, 2013 //

“I believe if you ask any singer who was the greatest country music singer of all time, they would say ‘George Jones‘. He was without question and by far the BEST! I first met and worked with him when I was 13 years old; I am so very grateful that he was my friend.” – Barbara Mandrell

Reaction to the passing came quick and fast on the news that Country Music Hall of Famer, Grand Ole Opry member, and Kennedy Center Honoree George Glenn Jones died Friday, April 26, 2013 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. He was hospitalized April 18 with fever and irregular blood pressure.
Born September 12, 1931, Jones is regarded among the most important and influential singers in American popular music history. He was the singer of enduring country music hits including “She Thinks I Still Care,” “The Grand Tour,” “Walk Through This World With Me,” “Tender Years” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” the latter of which is often at the top of industry lists of the greatest country music singles of all time.

“A singer who can soar from a deep growl to dizzying heights, he is the undisputed successor of earlier natural geniuses such as Hank Williams and Lefty Frizzell,” wrote Bob Allen in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s “Encyclopedia of Country Music.”

Jones was born in Saratoga, Texas, and he played on the streets of Beaumont for tips as a teenager. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps before returning to Texas and recording for the Starday label in Houston, Texas. In 1955, his “Why Baby Why” became his first Top 10 country single, peaking at number four and beginning a remarkable commercial string: Jones would ultimately record more than 160 charting singles, more than any other artist in any format in the history of popular music.

Jones’ first number one hit came in 1959 with “White Lightning,” a Mercury Records single that topped Billboard country charts for five weeks. He moved on to United Artists and then to Musicor, notching hits including “She Thinks I Still Care,” “The Race Is On,” “A Good Year for the Roses” and “Walk Through This World With Me.”

Jones signed with Epic Records in 1971 and worked with producer Billy Sherrill to craft a sound at once elegant and rooted, scoring with “The Grand Tour,” “Bartenders Blues” and many more. Sherrill also produced duets between Jones and his then-wife Tammy Wynette, and in the 1970s they scored top-charting hits including “We’re Gonna Hold On,” “Golden Ring” and “Near You.”

By the time “Golden Ring” and “Near You” hit in 1976, Jones and Wynette were divorced, and Jones was battling personal demons. His solo career cooled until 1980, when he recorded “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” a ballad penned by Curly Putman and Bobby Braddock that helped Jones win Country Music Association prizes for best male vocal and top single. “He Stopped Loving Her Today” revived a flagging career, and Jones won the CMA’s top male vocalist award in 1980 and 1981. He also earned a Grammy for best male country vocal performance.

In 1983, Jones married the former Nancy Ford Sepulvado. The union, he repeatedly said, began his rehabilitation from drugs and alcohol and prolonged his life. He signed with MCA Records in 1990 and began a successful run, and he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992. His guest vocal on Patty Loveless’ “You Don’t Seem To Miss Me” won a CMA award for top vocal event in 1998, and it became his final Top 20 country hit.

In 1999, Jones nearly died in a car wreck, but he recovered and resumed touring and recording. He remained a force in music until his death, playing hundreds of shows in the new century and collecting the nation’s highest arts award, the Kennedy Center Honor for lifetime achievement, in 2008. In late 2012, Jones announced his farewell tour, which was to conclude with a sold-out, star-packed show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on November 22, 2013. Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, Charlie Daniels, Kenny Rogers, Sam Moore, The Oak Ridge Boys and many others were set to perform at Jones’ Bridgestone show.

Jones is survived by his loving wife of 30 years Nancy Jones, his sister Helen Scroggins, and by his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews

Ricky Skaggs – “THE Country Music singer of all time. The words ‘Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes’ has never been more true than today.”

Larry Gatlin – “Years ago someone asked Coach Bum Phillips if Earl Campbell was in a class by himself. Bum replied, ‘Well if he ain’t, it sure don’t take long to check roll.’ I say the same of the late great George Jones. Rest in peace POSSUM. You were always kind to me… THANKS.”

Sammy Kershaw – “George Jones has been a major part of my personal and professional life for a long time. I have been inspired by his music for the last 50 years and for 42 of those, I had the pleasure of knowing him personally and professionally. He was IT to me. George was and will always be my guy. I am luckier than a lot of people on this Earth because God let me be a part of George’s life and him a part of mine. And on this day, his song couldn’t be more true: ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today.'”

Mel Tillis –“I met George when he came to Nashville and we became good friends. I’m really going to miss him. The world has lost the greatest singer to have ever lived.”

Ray Stevens –“George Jones may be gone but his music will live on forever. What a great voice and a great friend.”

Pam Tillis –“Country music as we know it would be vastly different if it weren’t for George Jones. He’s in our musical DNA. All country artists will have to figure out how to even begin to live up to his kind of legacy. ‘Honky Tonk Heaven,’ here he comes… though we’re not ready to let go.”

Restless Heart –“The greatest most soulful voice in history is gone. RIP George Jones… the guys of Restless Heart will miss you greatly.”

The Marshall Tucker Band –“We met George many times over the past 50 years. This is a terrible loss for his family, friends, the country music industry and the world. He’s the most identifiable and inspirational country artist that has ever lived.

-Doug Gray

Billy Dean –“George Jones was a mentor and a giant to my generation of country singers. He was there for my first Ralph Emery Show appearance. Backstage I was so nervous and expressed concern to George that if Ralph Emery didn’t like me, my career may never get off the ground. The first thing George said to Ralph when they went on air was how nice of guy he thought I was. George Jones was our country music soul singer, no doubt. Who’s gonna fill those shoes?”

The Bellamy Brothers –“We’ve lost one of the greatest voices in history. Prayers and condolences to his family.”

Sweethearts of the Rodeo –“Sharing the same vocal booth with George Jones on ‘Traveller’s Prayer’ was without a doubt THE highlight of our career. He was a true legend, generous and supportive and he will live on and on in our hearts.”

– Brad Hardisty, Nashville, TN thenashvillebridge@hotmail.com

Tags George Jones

Categories Country Music, Country Music Hall of Fame, Country Radio, Music, Music City, Nashville, Uncategorized

Hunter Live Down On Lower Broad

April 24, 2013 //

It all starts down on Lower Broad with musicians like Hunter who likes to kick it on the guitar and inter-act with the tourists. Outside the honky tonks, Hunter can be found busking and working the passers-by into his lyrics and repertoire.

The Nashville Bridge salutes Hunter!

– Brad Hardisty, Nashville, TN thenashvillebridge@hotmail.com

Tags busking, Hunter, Nashville, street musician

Categories Music, Nashville

Deadstring Brothers at High Watt

April 21, 2013 //

Kurt Marschke brought his current incarnation of Deadstring Brothers to the High Watt just after releasing Cannery Row on Bloodshot Records . Kurt moved here with the Sao Paulo era band back in 2010 and after some personnel and a few years, one could really tell the effect on his songwriting working with Nashville musicians.

The music has moved away from the decidedly Mick Taylor – Rolling Stones vibe to more of a Flying Burrito Brothers- Bob Dylan / Nashville Skyline thing going on. It’s not that it sounds exactly like that; Kurt is just good at creating that vibe. It’s hard to say if the songwriting is stronger on Cannery Row or just different.

Sao Paulo will probably be an underground classic. The Sao Paulo set at The Basement brought out a bunch of curious musicians back in 2010 and now some Nashville cats are making things happen with the new album.

The night started off with Lexington, Kentucky natives Fifth On The Floor with the Shooter Jennings produced Ashes & Angels material which has a raw backwoods outlaw country feel that was less southern comfort and more Kentucky corn squeezin’s goin’ on.

Nashville’s own The Smoking Flowers, brought a rather organic but different if not a little East of Nashville groove with the vocal duet of Kim & Scott Collins that fits with what the future Nashville reality is. Especially if you listen to the cuts being recorded for the Nashville TV show under the watchful eye of T. Bone Burnett, Buddy Miller and Colin Linden.

If that type of Nashville moves forward, then songs like “Someday” should be huge hits.

Kurt started off the Deadstring set with some new cuts playing a Strat rather than his trusty beat-up Telecaster Deluxe. The new vibe is rather akin to the Charlie Daniels/ Pete Drake – Dylan sessions with some excellent pedal steel work. The B3 swells Mike Webb was throwing down kind of kicked a little Heartbreakers territory into the mix.

When Kurt took off the Strat and put on the beat up Tele , it was a whole vibe change. It was time for the Sao Paulo material which meant changing out Pete Drake Pedal Steel for another great local musician to bring a little of that Mick Taylor lead vibe.

It felt like the crowd was ready to here the Sao Paulo material. It may be the hooks, it may be that it just has that rock swagger. Nashville is kind of getting hit over the head with roots country rock Americana right now. There is so much of it and only a few skilled leaders at it.

When I think of roots country rock, Hayes Carll and Ryan Bingham come to mind. Ryan Bingham is a good case in point. Ryan’s new album has a lot of great atmosphere in the sonics, but when I saw him at Marathon last year, the crowd connected with “Hard Times” from three albums before. In fact, the three or four cuts from that previous album brought the biggest crowd response.

Obviously, the title Cannery Row is a nod to Nashville and Kurt’s new found friends, but, it seems that the music is trying to too hard to sell itself on the new album. It really sounds good, but, I didn’t walk away with a particular new cut that stuck in my head. The Strat was almost a prop, kind of like Dylan when he went electric, but the Sao Paulo Tele hooks with his combination of single lines and slide guitar seemed effortless to connect with the audience.

The new album will probably connect Deadstring Brothers with the Americana Music Festival crowd, but, how many writers can write Stones vibe tunes without ripping them off? Maybe somewhere in the middle would be a good place to be.

Cannery Row material seems like discovery material or an in-betweener. The next album may be the real Nashville era showstopper.

– Brad Hardisty, Nashville, TN thenashvillebridge@hotmail.com

Tags Deadstring Brothers, Fifth On The Floor, The Smoking Flowers

Categories Music, Nashville, Uncategorized

Vinyl Rules Digital Sucks!

April 17, 2013 //

Record Store Day Returns this Saturday April 20^th and for Nashville that means long lines at Grimey’s, The Great Escape, Third Man Records and The Groove for special limited edition vinyl released in just about any vinyl format.

Record Store Day was started by a couple of record store clerks just a few years ago to celebrate the format and give the last independent record stores something exciting to drive in music lovers to buy and enjoy music.

It was like the line drawn in the sand. It was the last final stand for vinyl. They knew they were right. That first year drew people to independent record stores.

I bought a simple Sony turntable for $89 at the last chain record store FYE that was housed in the once beloved Tower Records Nashville before it closed and got tore down to enjoy some new 7 inch vinyl and a couple of long play 12 inch records I bought out of the back.

Can’t Turn You Loose Side B recorded Live

I had a feeling it was going to be good. When I dropped the needle in the groove and the turntable was hooked into my recent generation Sony 6.1 100 Watt per channel receiver I expected to get that natural sound wave vibe back in my face. I kind of did. It wasn’t as great as I thought it was going to be. I chalked it up to a cheaper turntable; after all, I had a newer state of the art consumer Sony receiver and a pair of good ears.

I started buying a lot of 7 inch singles new and old in anticipation of an eventual late 50’s Seeburg Jukebox purchase for the house. I figured they would sound better with the old tube circuits and the fat second order mids that digital cannot handle.

Well, last year the Sony receiver that I had got such a good deal on from Craigslist gave up the ghost and I was without raging CD and DVD quality going through my JBL studio monitors and unmatched Zenith subwoofer.

I went back to Craigslist and found an old school first generation home theater Marantz SR780 from the early 90’s. This was a beast with heavy transformers. The Marantz cost $4500 back in the day and I picked it up for $75 after taking it for a test drive in the guys East Nashville living room. It didn’t come with a remote and there was barely a legible read out of whether it was a CD, Tape or wow… the new format, DVD! It was 100 Watts per channel as well and even though it was rated the same as the Sony my DVD Movies were sounding huge.

I hooked up the entry level Sony turntable and threw on a 7 inch original Stax release of “ Time Is Tight” by Booker T. & The MG’s. The beef was back! It wasn’t the cheap turntable. It was the new Sony receiver that had newer generation lightweight digital transformers and was EQ’d for the weakling in the room: digital!!!

Now, it sounded like the four piece combo was in my living room. Steve Cropper’s Fender Twin was right at my feet. It was soothing. It was peaceful. It was medicine for the soul. It was the truth. A needle travelling through a sound wave is the most natural representation of what was recorded. If you want more truth, get bigger grooves.

Neil Young said it best when he noticed something was missing from digital and he said,” It is like looking through a screen door. You can see what is going on, but something is missing and blocking everything from coming through.”

Digital is incapable of completely reproducing the complexity of sound between 50 and 7k. It’s just not there. Music equipment and speakers are being designed to mimic what Digital is good at which is everything below 40k and stuff above 16k. It is stuff that our ears were not really designed for and it is why we get listeners fatigue and become edgy after listening to CD’s and even worse…MP3’s.

As far as Sirius radio, all out music deconstruction is going on. Every song sounds like Heart’s “Barracuda” ran through a cheap flanger stomp box into a Maestro Phase Shifter giving the effect of a cheap car stereo speaker being shaken not stirred in a half full Slurpee cup, round and round she goes what frequencies you get nobody knows!

Another thing is going on. Digital music is a numeric algorithm going on to reproduce the sound. The algorithm itself is wearing us down. I think that is the real reason most people do not put the value in purchasing music that they once do. It is not soothing to the soul. The human brain is much more complex a machine than a computer and our brain is sensing the algorithm process going on constantly and micro nano seconds of each frequency are not locking together because of the math processing needed for each band in the frequency pool. The music is not locked together. The groove is gone. It may be only by microtonal variations, but, our mind and body sense it and eventually gives up on reaching harmonic harmony.

Go buy some old vinyl where the band was recorded virtually live in the studio. Look for some vintage Booker T. & The MG’s or The Ventures records. The band is locked together solid. The groove is locked together. Get a 7 inch original of Parliament, “Tear The Roof Off The Sucker.”

I played the old Parliament vinyl on Casablanca for a record company head that works with Funk, Soul and Jazz. He stood there for a while in amazement. He hadn’t heard a vinyl version of this stuff in a while. The brain can tell the difference. After all these years and HD Pro Tools, digital cannot lock the groove together. Even with a good engineer or producer sliding tracks around in Pro Tools or any other digital recording model, the groove is not there, it can’t. Groove is a community of musicians’ thing.

One musician is playing slightly forward while the other is playing deep in the pocket. It is a group of musicians finding their space in the composition. A digital format cannot mimic that. It is too complex. They can design an algorithm called natural groove and create a numeric value for that, but, it is impossible.

When Roland decided they had finally come up with a digital algorithm good enough that it could mimic the classic Electric Rhoads Piano they invited Ray Charles for a private test drive at West L.A. Music where I worked back in the day. He sat down and played for a minute and said, “It sounds pretty good, but, does it have stretch tuning?”

Roland quickly packed it up and went back to the drawing boards and at least came out with a stretch tuning patch. It sucked. Digital cannot compensate for what a skilled music creator and a tuned set of ears can produce.

Anyway, Record Store Day is upon us. There is a great list of stuff coming out. An employee at United Record Pressing said that they had not been this busy since they opened the doors in 1947 getting stuff pressed for Record Store Day 2013. Vinyl is on the rise. CD’s are on the decline and MP3’s are a rip off!

Do yourself a favor. Be there! You better get there real early. If you haven’t bought a turntable, buy one after you get yourself a handful of vinyl. There are a lot of releases that never made it to CD. Do some research and you will find stuff to go out and look for.

Also, they were not referred to as 7 inch, 10 inch and 12 inch vinyl unless it was a weird format like a 12 inch 45. They were 33’s, 45’s and 78’s. We referred to it by the speed brotha!

– Brad Hardisty, Nashville, TN thenashvillebridge@hotmail.com

Tags Grimey's, Record Store Day 2013, The Great Escape, The Groove, Third Man Records

Categories Music, Nashville

Memphis Blues Alumni Jimmy Wolf Pays Tribute to Little Johnny Taylor

April 16, 2013 //

Jimmy Wolf pays some due respect on the self-released A Tribute to Little Johnny Taylor to the Conway, Arkansas native that shows the blues did not start and end in Mississippi. Little Johnny Taylor’s approach was sometimes compared to Bobby Bland although Little Johnny Taylor had several successful R&B chart successes of his own in the 60’s and 70’s which included a couple of pop crossover hits “Part Time Love” and “Everybody Knows About My Good Thing” which are both featured on this collection.

Jimmy Wolf makes some use of his deep knowledge of living and playing on Memphis’ Ground Zero for the Blues down B.B. and Furry Lewis’ playground; Beale Street where he spent several years jamming with some artists that one wouldn’t know much about unless you spent time listening to the late great Fred Saunders among others.

By picking from the Little Johnny Taylor catalog, Jimmy Wolf has a deep reservoir of great songs that have not been exploited time and time again. Many of the songs on this album may be a first listen to a lot of new blues fans just like when Eric Clapton brought Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads” to a modern generation. In fact, the material is so strong; Jimmy could have easily done a Volume Two.

The gatefold photos of Jimmy with Little Johnny Taylor probably back when he was playing in Memphis and a shot closer to when Little Johnny Taylor passed away is worth the price of admission alone. Jimmy probably has some great stories about playing with the greats in Memphis for a big chunk of his life.

“Walking The Floor” kicks off with a swing boogie sing-a-long that would get any room going. He’s got a strong band on this album and Jimmy’s first hand Memphis experience with a cross of Albert Collins’ Ice Pick bite and Albert King’s early 70’s lead vibe has lots of swagger and nasty string bends. Jimmy plays like he has something to prove.

“Zig Zag Lightning” has the strident snare 1-2-3-4 hits of the original Galaxy records cut but with a little bit of some modern Memphis street funk especially in the hi-hat accents and plenty of B3 vibe thrown in. Jimmy’s playing is smooth almost Curtis Mayfield groove before hitting the pedal for his lead break which breaks through a sheet of ice and staggers through a big gain stage closeout reminiscent of what Gary Moore was after with the blues before passing away with some Paul Kossoff trigger finger vibrato..

“Everybody Knows About My Good Thing” kicks out the beginning with a little Albert King on the V type break. Jimmy plays as if he has to get the crowd response hear and now. The playing is not laid back for the record. This might as well have been recorded on a hot august night down on Beale Street where the crowd will walk out on you if they aint feelin’ it. Jimmy’s good thing is solid cut through the mix lead breaks.

Other stand-out tracks are “Junkie For Your Love” with the 70’s wah blues lead-in to some serious groove as well as the barn burning classic “Part Time Love,”

The album is a big enough showpiece that Jimmy Wolf and his band, Thomas “T.C.” Carter on Bass, Joe “Lawd Deez” Cummings on Keys and Stephen “Rythmcnasty” Bender on drums should be doing a multi-night stand at The Drop Zone in Northern Arkansas while Conway gives Jimmy the key to the city and proclaims Little Johnny Taylor day.

– Brad Hardisty, Nashville, TN thenashvillebridge@hotmail.com

Tags Beale Street, Jimmy Wolf, Little Johnny Taylor

Categories Blues Music, Memphis, Music

Tyler Bryant Shakedown at Exit In

April 15, 2013 //

Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown played a solid set returning from the road to a Nashville hometown two hundred plus crowd at Exit/In on Rock Block last Friday night.

Although Tyler Bryant was spotted early on by Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck a few years ago, this band has really solidified as a unit out on the road.

The dual guitar work of Tyler Bryant and Graham Whitford builds instead of clashes with roots in blues rock, but, coming from two different angles.

Graham definitely has some solid tone and fingerboard finesse like his father, Brad Whitford, but, he proved himself worthy when he was in the top 5 of a national Guitar Center competition out of 4000 entries at the age of 17. Graham’s tone was impeccable through a custom shop 18 Watt Marshall as well as a brown tolex Mr. Fender favoring the Les Paul Burst. Graham’s playing even had a little Paul Kossoff vibrato bends going on as well.

Tyler, on the other hand, had a pink Strat, Les Paul Juniors as well as some other toys like some clean Metal Resonator with a pick-up with some serious finger picking going on going through a pair of vintage reissue Fender Deluxe Twin tweeds.

One local who has seen the band several times said he could tell that they were slowing things down a bit and creating more dynamics and groove.

As a band, they just keep improving.

Graham Whitford at Exit/In, April 2013, photo – Brad Hardisty

There is nothing that can replace time on the road the way it has always been done.

A band is really a sense of community and while Tyler is a quintessential front man with Steve Marriott looks with a voice somewhere between Eric Martin and John Waite, he was always quick to shine the spotlight on his other band members, drummer and Belmont University neighborhood musician, Caleb Crosby, bassist Noah Denney who also has Belmont University experience, but, most especially was quick to share the spotlight with co-gunslinger Graham Whitford.

You can tell these guys have the chops, the girls and are having fun the way Elvis and The Beatles started out.

If one wanted to compare them to Aerosmith you would have to really stretch.They would be a closer comparison to Humble Pie during the Frampton years with a Johnny Winter heart.

Tyler and Graham both show a penchant for Texas and boogie blues as well as Classic Rock.

The crowd was quite diverse both in age and male/female split since anybody in their right mind could connect to solid guitar playing and a good night out.

They may not be The original Yardbirds, but, in the same vein that Phil Lynott said he wanted Thin Lizzy to be a modern Yardbirds known for strong guitar players, this is the real deal. If they can hold it together for a couple of years, this will be the guitar tag team to be reckoned with.

Electric Blues infused up to date rock is just what the doctor ordered and in the words of Steve Marriott, “I Don’t Need No Doctor.”

– Brad Hardisty, Nashville, TN thenashvillebridge@hotmail.com

all photos (c) Brad Hardisty

Tags Caleb Crosby, Graham Whitford, Music, Noah Denney, Tyler Bryant, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown

Categories Music, Music City, Nashville, Rock Music

Debbie Bond Radio Taping For Mando Blues

April 14, 2013 //

Debbie Bond was the guest last Monday night on WRFN Radio Free Nashville’s Mando Blues Show recorded in a huge army tent at Omega Studio high on the top of a peak at an undisclosed location in the nearby Nashville wilderness.

A fantastic crew with Tony Gerber , known for his electronic music compositions, acting as host for the night, went to work on soundcheck with Debbie and her band featuring Rick Asherson on keyboards and Dave Crenshaw on drums getting a much bigger than it looks sound going into the green spec recording layout.

Omega has developed a layout for power using not much more than six car batteries, car stereo amplifiers and LED lighting to run at a deceptively low 1600 watts with state of the art recording as can be seen by linking to the net recordings of the summit.

Debbie brought much more than just blues experience playing with Willie King and Johnny Shines for almost thirty years in Alabama displaying soulful grooves with a nod to Muscle Shoals, Alabama writers like Eddie Hinton, Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham. In this case, the western Alabama juke joint grooves may be at the heart, but, this was soulful blues.

Debbie brought three new songs that will be featured on her next album, “Find A Way,” That Thing Called Love” and “Steady Rolling Man,” that fit right in with “I like It Like That” from her days with Willie King as well as some songs from her most current release Hearts Are Wild with a stand-out version of the slow ballad blues of “Falling.”

Nashville session saxophonist Tom Pallardy sat in later in the set after a successful collaborative prior night set at The Nashville Jazz and Blues Awards at Bourbon Street in Printers Alley.

Host Tony Gerber paid tribute to female blues artists with his in-between tracks that also featured some rare Richie Havens and alternative version material.

Mando Blues is an esoteric record store workers dream where true collectors and music geeks get to hear all things blues and related materials. They all get a little spotlight. There may be no show quite like this in the world.

An invited group of about 10-12 people got to sit-in on the live recording happening that fit a BBC type production with high production values and plenty of meat in the interview.

Tony asked the right questions that will give any listener the feeling they knew where Debbie came from and what she is about after listening to the two hour show.

Although there are provided links to watch video of each one of the songs, it is well worth the price of free admission to listen to the entire show to get the interview segments as well as Rick’s “Monty Python meets Muscle Shoals” sense of humor.

Debbie is a native of California, but, her time growing up was spent in England and Europe while Rick’s roots are Londontown. Debbie and Rick almost crossed paths in College back in England, but, never actually met until Alabama Bluesman, Willie “Sweet Potato Man” King suggested they get to know one another in Western Alabama.

Roy Wooten aka “Futureman” stopped by to listen in and dug the Alabama soul groove coming out of the eventual four piece band with Rick sometimes playing the utility guy playing bass with one hand on the Nord keyboard and blues harp with the other hand and singing back – up vocals. If he had one more arm, they probably could have a full horn section.

Tom Pallardy’s sax fit right into the song as if he had been playing with Debbie for years but, in reality he had not heard much of the material. Dave Crenshaw brought down the volume on the drum kit to match the production set up without losing any of the grooves, in fact, it brought out the true dynamics of the songs.

Debbie was so happy with the production and final mix of the material that she has already talked about further recording collaboration with the Omega team.

It can be said, that there is probably know recording studio like it in the world, with its MASH style tent set up and being at the mountain peak as well as a crew with ears straight out of a JBL lab anechoic chamber. They know what they are doing and they love what they are producing.

While production was going on, some of the staff was busy cooking a meal fit for a king in a wood burning cast iron stove in cast iron pots. The band and crew were treated to Venison Stew, fresh picked greens and chicken after the final wrap.

– Brad Hardisty, Nashville, TN thenashvillebridge@hotmail.com

all photos (c) Brad Hardisty

Tags Alabama, Dave Crenshaw, Debbie Bond, Mando Blues Show, Music, Nashville, Omega Studio, Rick Asherson, The Alabama Blues Project, Tom Pallardy, Tony Gerber, Willie King

Categories Blues Music, Muscle Shoals Alabama, Music, Music City

Owner Henry Gipson (aka Mr. Gip) had his residence, known as Gip’s Place for over 60 years for “house parties” that are as close to a good ol’ juke joint that Alabama has left was closed down on May 4th, 2013, for not having the proper business license by Bessemer Police.

Cyndi Hanley was at Lucy’s Tiki Bar in Castalian Springs, Tennessee last night sitting in with Third Shift in a full throttled jamming session of Trisha Yearwood songs and other delights.

“I believe if you ask any singer who was the greatest country music singer of all time, they would say ‘George Jones‘. He was without question and by far the BEST! I first met and worked with him when I was 13 years old; I am so very grateful that he was my friend.” – Barbara Mandrell

It all starts down on Lower Broad with musicians like Hunter who likes to kick it on the guitar and inter-act with the tourists. Outside the honky tonks, Hunter can be found busking and working the passers-by into his lyrics and repertoire.

Record Store Day Returns this Saturday April 20th and for Nashville that means long lines at Grimey’s, The Great Escape, Third Man Records and The Groove for special limited edition vinyl released in just about any vinyl format.

Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown played a solid set returning from the road to a Nashville hometown two hundred plus crowd at Exit/In on Rock Block last Friday night.

Debbie Bond was the guest last Monday night on WRFN Radio Free Nashville’s Mando Blues Show recorded in a huge army tent at Omega Studio high on the top of a peak at an undisclosed location in the nearby Nashville wilderness.

Owner Henry Gipson (aka Mr. Gip) had his residence, known as Gip’s Place for over 60 years for “house parties” that are as close to a good ol’ juke joint that Alabama has left was closed down on May 4^th, 2013, for not having the proper business license by Bessemer Police.

Record Store Day Returns this Saturday April 20^th and for Nashville that means long lines at Grimey’s, The Great Escape, Third Man Records and The Groove for special limited edition vinyl released in just about any vinyl format.