Ruf Records artist: Joanne Shaw Taylor - Almost Always Never - New Release Review

I just received Almost Always Never, the newest release from Joanne Shaw Taylor. This recording, to be released on September 12, 2012, shows a different side of Taylor but one that will appeal to a large number of listeners. Soul Station, the opening track, has a dance beat and JST's meaty vocals but the guitar work is along the lines of a Jeff Beck track with more reckless abandon while under total control in JST's able hands. Beautifully Broken and You Should Stay, I Should Go are both quick paced radio oriented tracks with hot guitar riffs bringing up the rear. Piece Of The Sky is a cool neo soul style track putting me in mind of the earliest Macy Gray recordings (which I really like). There is a really hot guitar solo on this track adding to the overall impact. Frankie Miller's Jealousy is the only track not written by JST on the recording. This is really a blues ballad executed to a tee by JST with a solid but understated vocal bed of blues laid down in from of an explosive frenzy of guitar work. Excellent! Tied and Bound is a straight up rocker with a heavy bottom. JTS grinds out more solid guitar work on this track well complimenting her vocal lead. Standing To Fall is another track that pushes the envelope almost into pure shredding and the heavy side of rock. JST handles the task effortlessly. Maybe Tomorrow opens with a very light touch and a jazzy rhythm pattern but after just a short time, JTS opens the doors and the guitar fills the room. This recording gives JST the opportunity to really explore progressive soloing while keeping the basic track relatively simple. The final track, Lose Myself To Loving You, is a very slick blues ballad that could easily hit it big on airplay.
JST is backed by David Garza (keys and mandolin), Billy White (Bass and slide) and JJ Johnson (drums).


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This is not a track from Joanne's new release but I couldn't find one... here's Joanne if you don't know her work:

Bitch - Girls With Guitars

The name says it all. “Girls with Guitars” – the 2011 Ruf Records Blues Caravan Tour – presents three of the scene’s hottest young female guitar slingers on a single stage.
Over the past six years, the Blues Caravan has toured successfully in the UK, USA and throughout continental Europe. This unique triple bill revue has helped introduce bright new stars such as Ana Popovic and Joanne Shaw Taylor to an international audience. Following in their footsteps on the 2011 tour is a trio of dynamic, up-and-coming blues talents: Dani Wilde, Cassie Taylor and Samantha Fish.
Hailing from Brighton, England, Dani Wilde sings the blues with the old-school fervor of Aretha Franklin, but also takes a cue from contemporaries like Duffy and Joss Stone. The singer/songwriter/guitarist has just released her second album, Shine, a collaboration with renowned producer Mike Vernon (Eric Clapton, Fleetwood Mac). She has shared stages with luminaries like Robben Ford, Candye Kane and Koko Taylor. Says Paul Jones of BBC Radio 2: “Dani Wilde's voice is astounding, with a unique raw passion and energy. She sings with more conviction and passion than old legends from the Mississippi Delta.”
At the tender age of 21, Samantha Fish is already a hot property on the live music scene in and around her hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. She discovered the blues almost by accident as a teenager, but it has since become her singular mission in life. Her high-heeled, rock-edged performances have won her a loyal local following and carried her to venues like Rosa’s Lounge in Chicago, where she opened eyes during the 2010 Chicago Blues Festival. 2011 seems destined to be her breakout year.
Proud to call herself the “Daughter of a Bluesman,” multi-instrumentalist Cassie Taylor has appeared on eight critically-acclaimed albums by her father, Otis Taylor, and accompanied him on tours all over the world. She was also a featured vocalist on Gary Moore’s 2008 release Bad For You Baby. Still just in her early 20s, Cassie has been hailed for her commanding stage presence and “heavenly” voice (Boston Globe). Her music ranges from heart-wrenching ballads to hard-driving blues. Like her father, Taylor doesn’t shy from topical subject matter, nor shrink from breaching musical boundaries.
This trio of young, passionate performers is backed by a top-flight band of road-tested professionals for more than two hours of live blues excellence.
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Hoochie Coochi Man - Oli Brown

Oli Brown (born 23 May 1989) is a British blues singer-songwriter He was signed to the German blues label, Ruf Records, in January 2008. He released his debut album, Open Road, in July 2008 to good reviews.

Oli's second album, Heads I Win Tails You Lose, was released in 2010, and was produced by Mike Vernon. In the same year, Brown made his debut at the Glastonbury Festival.

Classic Rock magazine voted Heads I Win Tails You Lose the #3 blues album of 2010. Mojo voted it the #4 blues album of 2010.

At the 2010 British Blues Awards, Brown was named 'Best Male Vocalist' and 'Best Young Artist
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Ruf Records artist: My Home is a Prison - JW-JONES

Here's a cool blues tune from JW - Jones!JW-Jones has one of the most energetic and exciting live shows on the scene. It is no surprise that he has played throughout the world (CANADA, USA, EUROPE, AUSTRALIA, BRAZIL) and some of the biggest names in blues today, including The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Little Charlie & The Nightcats, Rod Piazza, Anson Funderburgh with Sam Myers, The Mannish Boys and the legendary Hubert Sumlin have invited him to join them on stage.

New on Ruf Records: Shine - Dani Wilde - New Release review

I just received the new release "Shine" by Dani Wilde. The release has a smooth club like environment with tasty guitar licks and solid mellow vocals in a very clean presentation. Nine of the 11 tracks on the release are new and written by Wilde. The release is produced by renowned Mike Vernon who has produced a lot of the British greats including Mayall, Clapton & Fleetwood Mac. The recording is strongly airworthy and vocal.

It is well put together and solid. I'm certain it will find a broad audience of listeners.

Enjoy!
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JW Jones Blues Band

JW-Jones (born July 15, 1980) is a Canadian blues guitarist, singer and band leader. Jones is signed to the NorthernBlues Music label in Toronto, Canada, CrossCut Records in Europe, and Ruf Records in USA. In the last decade, he has released six albums and played in 17 countries, 4 continents, over 260 cities and over 1000 appearances. Jones, who lives in Ottawa, Ontario, has performed at blues festivals and clubs in Canada, US, Europe, Australia, and Brazil. He records and tours with drummer Jeff Asselin, and Hammond organ player Jesse Whiteley. "J-Dub" endorses Gibson Guitars.
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ANA POPOVIC "UNCONDITIONAL" Tour Schedule

Ana Popovic is widely regarded as one of world's very best female guitar-players. Her new album, "Unconditional," was recorded at the famous Piety Street recording studios in New Orleans and is Ana's sixth studio release. It was produced by Ana Popovic and Grammy Award winning producer John Porter. "I recorded in eclectic cities like Memphis and Los Angeles, but always wanted to go to New Orleans to capture something of their rich musical history," says Popovic who was born in Belgrade, Serbia. "I loved being in New Orleans for a period of three months. I love everything about that city - its vibe, spirit and optimism, and not to forget, hospitality and kindness of the people. I think it influenced the album in more ways than just musically."



Popovic was recently honored to appear as a special guest at B.B. King's German shows. Her previous studio release, "Still Making History" made its way to #3 on the U.S. Billboard blues chart for a total of 19 weeks. On 2011's "Unconditional," Ana truly is a guitar goddess – illustrating a daring slide on a powerful guitar record that presents a soulful fusion of contemporary and classic blues. The album features a representation of New Orleans' finest musicians such as renowned slide guitarist Sonny Landreth, the amazing Jon Cleary and David Torkanowski on Hammond B3 and piano, Calvin Turner on bass and Doug Belote on drums. "I was fortunate to have the fabulous Sonny Landreth - my slide idol since my Belgrade years - to play on the album, a dream come true,'' says Popovic. Also the incredible harp player Jason Ricci makes a guest appearance.

08/19/11: Wausau, WI – Big Bull Falls Blues Festival

08/20/11: Norwich, NY – Chenango Blues Festival

08/21/11: Buffalo, NY – Sportemens Tavern

08/24/11: Annapolis, MD – Ram's Head w/ Walter Trout

08/25/11: New York City, NY – Hill Country BBQ

08/26/11: Teaneck, NJ – Mexicali Live

08/27/11: Rockland, ME – MV Monhegan Cruise

08/28/11: Marshfield, MA – North River Blues Festival

09/03/11: Long Beach, CA – Long Beach Blues Festival

09/05/11: Roanoke, VA – Blue 5

09/07/11: Omaha, NE – TBA

09/08/11: Lincoln, NE – Zoo Bar

09/09/11: Columbia, MO – Roots 'N' Blues BBQ Festival

09/10/11: Kansas City, MO - Knucklehead's w/ Walter Trout

09/11/11: Wichita, KS – Brickyard W/ Walter Trout

09/13/11: San Angelo, TX – Sealy Flats

09/14/11: Austin, TX – Antone's

09/15/11: San Antonio, TX – Sam's Burger Joint

09/16/11: Houston, TX – Dan Electro's

09/17/11: Grapevine, TX – Grapefest

09/23/11: San Francisco, CA – Biscuits & Blues

09/24/11: San Luis Obispo, CA – SLO Vets Hall

09/25/11: Guerneville, CA – Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival

09/29/11: Kaiserslautern, Germany – Kammgarn Int. Blues Festival

09/30/11: Bocholt, Germany – Alte Molkerei

10/01/11: Bielefeld, Germany – Jazz Club Beilefeld

10/06/11: Prague, Czech Republic – Lucerna Music Bar

10/07/11: Uhersky Brod., Czech Republic – Dum Kultur

10/08/11: Nuess, Germany – Hamtorkrug

10/09/11: Hoogland, The Netherlands – De Noot

10/12/11: Redange, Luxembourg – L'inoui Theater

10/13/11: Redange, Luxembourg – L'inoui Theater

10/20/11: Oslo, Norway – Oslo Bluesclubb

10/21/11: Finnsnes, Norway – Rocktober Festival

11/04/11: Unna, Germany – Lindenbrauerei

11/05/11: Freudenburg, Germany – Ducsaal

11/11/11: Bremen, Germany – Meisenfrei

11/12/11: Lubeck, Germany – Riders Café

11/18/11: Vlissingen, The Netherlands – Het Arsenaaltheater

11/19/11: Rheinberg, Germany – Schwarzer Adler

11/21/11: Ruiselede, Belgium – Banana Peel

11/24/11: Esslingen, Germany – Dieselstrasse

11/25/11: Burgbernheim, Germany – Rossmuhle

11/26/11: Tongeren, Belgium – Rockstage

12/01/11: Aschaffenburg, Germany – Colos-saal

12/06/11: Bremen, Germany – Meisenfrei

12/07/11: Lubeck, Germany – Riders Café

12/08/11: Flensburg, Germany – Roxy Music Hall

12/15/11: Dortmund, Germany – Musiktheater Piano

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Unconditional - Ana Popovic New release review

Just got the newest release from Ana Popovic. The album is really well produced and the guitar playing is actually really really tasty. Anyone who has heard Ana before knows what to expect from her vocals. In some cases I think she is just a little too polished but as I write this I listen to "One Room Country Shack" and it is a perfect blend of more raw vocal and hot blistering guitar riffs... "worth the price of admission" as they say. The cd also features the incredible slide guitar talents of Sonny Landreth and Bluesharp man Jason Ricci. I'll be listening to this for a few days to let it settle in. My first impression after listening to it only 2 or 3 times is "parts are great and parts are good". The guitar playing is consistent and interesting throughout. I'm a hard guy to please so that's a good rating.

House Burning Down - Ana Popovic

Ana Popović (Serbian Cyrillic: Ана Поповић, born 1976, Belgrade, Serbia) is a blues guitarist and singer.
Ana Popović's father first introduced her to the blues, through an extensive record collection and sessions hosted at the family home. Popović founded her first serious band at age nineteen. Within a year, she was playing outside of Yugoslavia and opening shows for American blues icons like Junior Wells. Her band Hush released their debut album, Hometown in 1998. The next year, Popović relocated to the Netherlands to study jazz guitar. She quickly became a fixture on the Dutch blues scene and soon ventured into neighboring Germany. Today Ana and her 4-piece band are booked all over the globe, playing major blues / jazz and rock festivals all over Europe, the US and Canada.

In 2003, she was nominated for a W. C. Handy Award in the United States.
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Treat Me Right - Peter Karp and Sue Foley

Sue Foley (born March 29, 1968, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian blues singer and guitarist.Foley has been writing and playing professionally since 1984. She has recorded ten albums, for both Antone's Records and Shanachie Records. She has spent over fourteen years on the road as a bandleader, lead vocalist, guitarist and manager of her own band. In addition to her own touring, she has also shared the stage with blues musicians, such as Back Alley John, B. B. King, Buddy Guy and John Lee Hooker. Her initial career began in Ottawa, Canada, at the age of sixteen where, in addition to solo work, she sang with the Back Alley John Revue.

Foley sent a demo tape of herself to Clifford Antone's label (Antone's Records) in 1990. Impressed, the record label arranged an audition for the guitarist. She moved to Austin, Texas and soon signed a recording contract with Antone's.

Foley appeared on the bill at the 1992 San Francisco Blues Festival.

In 2000 Foley won a Juno Award for Best Blues Album for Love Comin' Down.

Her 2007 album, Time Bomb (2007), features two other female blues players, Deborah Coleman and Roxanne Potvin. The opening title track, "Time Bomb", an instrumental where all three women take turns laying down leads, on the next nine songs the women trade off taking lead vocals and guitar duties of every third song until they come together again on the final track "In The Basement".
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Sittin`On Top Of The World - Jeff Healey Blues Band

Norman Jeffrey "Jeff" Healey (March 25, 1966 - March 2, 2008) was a blind Canadian jazz and blues-rock vocalist and guitarist who attained musical and personal popularity, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s.
Over the years, Healey toured and sat-in with many legendary performers, including Dire Straits, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, BB King, ZZ Top, Steve Lukather, Eric Clapton and many more. In 2006, Healey appeared on Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan's CD/DVD Gillan's Inn.

Healey discovered and helped develop the careers of other musical artists, including Terra Hazelton and Amanda Marshall.

In early 2009, Healey's album Mess of Blues won in The 8th Annual Independent Music Awards for Best Blues Album.
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Gangster of Love - JW-Jones

"One of this country's top blues guitar stars" writes the Globe and Mail about 29-year old, JW-Jones.
JW-Jones has one of the most energetic and exciting live shows on the scene. It is no surprise that he has played throughout the world (CANADA, USA, EUROPE, AUSTRALIA, BRAZIL) and some of the biggest names in blues today, including The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Little Charlie & The Nightcats, Rod Piazza, Anson Funderburgh with Sam Myers, The Mannish Boys and the legendary Hubert Sumlin have invited him to join them on stage.
During a special appearance with the band, Hollywood celebrity and fan, Dan Aykroyd said, "this is an amazing blues band, and I've played with the best!" Mr. Aykroyd wrote the liner notes for the 2008 release ‘Bluelisted’.
The new record "Midnight Memphis Sun" features special guest stars Hubert Sumlin and Charlie Musselwhite, while past CDs have had world-class musicians David ‘Fathead’ Newman (Ray Charles sax player), Little Charlie Baty, Junior Watson, Colin James, and multi-Grammy nominee Kim Wilson who appears on two discs and produced ‘My Kind of Evil’ in 2004.

Their music has garnered radio-play worldwide, including heavy rotation on commercial radio stations, and features on shows such as the internationally syndicated House of Blues Radio Hour.
In 2009, Guitar World Magazine featured a CD called ‘Guitar Masters Vol. 2’ that put Jones alongside guitar stars B.B. King, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana and more.
The buzz this band has created over the last decade has earned them a national award - the Maple Blues Award for Electric Act of the Year, and rave reviews throughout the globe. Jones endorses Gibson guitars, has been featured in Blues Revue Magazine and can be found in the books All Music Guide to Blues and Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings.
Musicians that tour with Jones, Jeff Asselin (drums) and the heavy grooves of Jesse Whiteley (organ) always add a powerful energy to the stage.
Canada's Top Touring Blues Act, Jones and his band are born entertainers, and with their unique sound, they continue to set the world on fire one country at a time!
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I'm Tore Down - Jeff Healey band

Norman Jeffrey "Jeff" Healey (March 25, 1966 - March 2, 2008) was a blind Canadian jazz and blues-rock vocalist and guitarist who attained musical and personal popularity, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s.
Over the years, Healey toured and sat-in with many legendary performers, including Dire Straits, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, BB King, ZZ Top, Steve Lukather, Eric Clapton and many more. In 2006, Healey appeared on Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan's CD/DVD Gillan's Inn.

Healey discovered and helped develop the careers of other musical artists, including Terra Hazelton and Amanda Marshall.


In early 2009, Healey's album of Blues won in The 8th Annual Independent Music Awards for Best Blues Album.
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Queen Bee - Sue Foley

Foley has been writing and playing professionally since 1984. She has recorded ten albums, for both Antone's Records and Shanachie Records. She has spent over fourteen years on the road as a bandleader, lead vocalist, guitarist and manager of her own band. In addition to her own touring, she has also shared the stage with blues musicians, such as Back Alley John, B. B. King, Buddy Guy and John Lee Hooker. Her initial career began in Ottawa, Canada, at the age of sixteen where, in addition to solo work, she sang with the Back Alley John Revue.

Foley sent a demo tape of herself to Clifford Antone's label (Antone's Records) in 1990. Impressed, the record label arranged an audition for the guitarist. She moved to Austin, Texas and soon signed a recording contract with Antone's.

Foley appeared on the bill at the 1992 San Francisco Blues Festival.

In 2000 Foley won a Juno Award for Best Blues Album for Love Comin' Down.

Her 2007 album, Time Bomb (2007), features two other female blues players, Deborah Coleman and Roxanne Potvin. The opening title track, "Time Bomb", an instrumental where all three women take turns laying down leads, on the next nine songs the women trade off taking lead vocals and guitar duties of every third song until they come together again on the final track "In The Basement".
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As the Years Go Passing By

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Healey was raised in the city's west end. He was adopted as an infant; his adoptive father was a firefighter. When he was eight months old, Healey lost his sight to retinoblastoma, a rare cancer of the eyes. His eyes had to be surgically removed, and he was given artificial replacements. After being signed to Arista Records in 1988, the band released the album See the Light, featuring the hit single "Angel Eyes" and the song "Hideaway", which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. While the band was recording See the Light, they were also filming (and recording for the soundtrack of) the Patrick Swayze film Road House. Healey had numerous acting scenes in the movie with Swayze, as his band was the house cover band for the bar featured in the movie. In 1990, the band won the Juno Award for Canadian Entertainer of the Year. The albums Hell to Pay and Feel This gave Healey 10 charting singles in Canada between 1990 and 1994, including a cover of The Beatles' While My Guitar Gently Weeps which featured George Harrison and Jeff Lynne on backing vocals and acoustic guitar.

On January 11, 2007, Healey underwent surgery to remove metastatic tissue from both lungs. In the previous eighteen months, he had two sarcomas removed from his legs.

On March 2, 2008, Healey died of cancer at St. Joseph's Health Centre in his home town of Toronto. His death came a month before the release of Mess of Blues, which was his first rock/blues album in eight years.

Healey is survived by his wife, Cristie, and two children. A tribute concert was held on May 3, 2008 to benefit Daisy's Eye Cancer Fund, which, according to Cristie Healey, had helped make major strides in research and future advances for people born with the same genetically inherited retinoblastoma which had plagued her husband since he was one year of age. Cristie and Jeff Healey's son was also born with the same disability.

In 2009, he was inducted into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame.
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Navajo

I think when Son House said blues wasn't meant for jumpin he was picturing Ana Popovic. Ana Popović's father first introduced her to the blues, through an extensive record collection and sessions hosted at the family home. Popović founded her first serious band at age nineteen. Within a year, she was playing outside of Yugoslavia and opening shows for American blues icons like Junior Wells. Her band Hush released their debut album, Hometown in 1998. The next year, Popović relocated to the Netherlands to study jazz guitar. She quickly became a fixture on the Dutch blues scene and soon ventured into neighboring Germany. Today Ana and her 4-piece band are booked all over the globe, playing major blues / jazz and rock festivals all over Europe, the US and Canada.

In 2003, she was nominated for a W. C. Handy Award in the United States.
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JW Jones Interview

I recently had the opportunity to catch up with JW Jones and he was kind enough to give us a little insight to his world.
Bman: Tell us how you got started. How long have you been playing?

JW : My dad used to play folk music, but more of my influence came from friends in the neighborhood. I grew up with a bunch of Greek guys that introduced me to Zeppelin and Hendrix and then later to the Fabulous Thunderbirds, B.B., etc. My first gigs were as a drummer, talent shows at school etc. My first proper gig as a guitar player was sometime around 1998, about two years after picking it up. It was probably opening for a UK band called "The Hoax" at a venue that no longer exists - Perfect Strangers, in Ottawa. I wasn't singing at the time, so I had a singer, drummer, bassist and keyboard player. We covered all of my favourite blues artists at the time, most of whom are the same today!

Bman: As a drummer. Interesting. Me too... although I'm not accomplished at it any more that as a guitar player. You know Jack White (Stripes, Raconteurs)started on drums too!

Bman: You have a number of great CD's out. Can you tell us which is your favorite and why.

JW : My "favourite" (Candian spelling haha) is usually my most recent, because I feel that we improve with every record. However, now and then, I will hear one of our old tracks on the radio or at a club and it will spark some memories, or remind me of some cool tracks we've recorded over the years. Of all my studio memories, I still cherish working with Kim Wilson on My Kind of Evil more than anything. Probably because I got to hang out and learn from one of my biggest influences for two weeks straight. It was like a dream-world every day, waking up and going for coffee and hearing the stories about the old days at Antone's and learning about how to deliver the "real thing" and what it all meant to him. Great memories. I have been so fortunate, and I mean it with all my heart, to have worked with my heroes, and great musicians and friends. I am a very lucky guy.

Bman: You have shared the stage with a number of great players. Are there any particular moments that stand out in your mind.

JW : In recent years we've done some festivals in Canada, USA, and Europe with Little Charlie Baty, and had some really great moments playing blues and swing with him. He's just absolutely unbelievable, and it really forces me to be a better guitarist when he's around. Not just when he's there on stage, but the affect is has on my playing on gigs after he's gone is where I really notice it. He's taught me many lessons as well, music and business stuff that can only come from a guy with as much experience as Charlie. Another great memory was playing with Hubert Sumlin for the first time. I was still pretty green at the time, and on a low down blues tune, I was playing some classic sounding rhythm stuff when he gave me a look that felt like he was giving me the "you're OK kid" kinda look. That kind of moment goes a long way, and is worth a lot more than any awards or nice reviews.

Bman: Yeah. I know what you're saying. He's seen it all. We know it isn't all about fast riffs and outrageous act... its the one note. Hubert knows and it's cool that he gave you the nod!

Bman: I'm a gear head. Tell me about your setup and what guitars you like to play and what kind of amp you typically favor.

JW : It always surprises the "guitar geeks", but I really don't know anything about amps, tubes, speakers, etc. I started with a Fender Strat that was a gift from my grandparents, played that straight for 9 years, and occasionally using my Gibson ES-295 for a few years in there before I started to worry about it's safety while traveling. In 2007, I switched to an Epiphone Dot (335 copy at a fraction of the price) after playing Rusty Zinn's guitar while sitting in with Mark Hummel. I couldn't believe how much easier it felt to play than the Strat. Why had I been battling a guitar for this long when this thing was so much easier to play!? A couple years later, I played Teddy Leonard's gold top Les Paul, and felt the same thing yet again, except this was even easier to play than the Epiphone Dot. This wasn't just any gold top though, it was chambered (lighter than a strat), and had a 60's profile neck on it. It shattered all my ideas of Les Paul's being impossible to play because of the heaviness and baseball-bat neck. I was in heaven! A few months later I tracked down the last of its kind in Canada, and have been playing it ever since. I now endorse Gibson Guitars as well, which is a fun step in my career that is kinda cool. Amp wise, I used to use a Bassman with Reverb Tank, but now my baby is a Fender Vibro-King, custom shop amp with 3 x 10" speakers and on-board reverb control with mix, dwell, and tone. I absolutely love this amp!

Bman: Well, a strat is the most common electric guitar on the planet so it isn't surprising that you started there. It was my first as well. 295 is a nice little guitar. I have a 225 with p90's . Gets a really nice round fat tone. Cool. Yeah... dangerous carrying older instruments on the road. They have a habit of getting broken or stolen. A friend of mine, Ron Armstrong, who was an ex Alembic, Stars, Excaliber guitar guy told me that I should get an Epi dot. He rigged it up for me with split coils and phasing as well as some Bart pickups. It really does a nice job and like you say, if someone steps on it, the cost isn't that high. Really nice instruments. I know what you're saying about the Les Paul. It is like a fine machine compared to the Dot, and it is really versatile. But I prefer to play it sitting. Clapton and Beck both changed over to strats just because of the weight. The LP does play really beautifully and easy and if you get a good one and the setup is great... it's hard to beat. I'm sure that the chambering has made a big difference not only in weight but I understand that it has helped in getting the golden tone. I have big hands and really love the feel of a baseball bat neck. You should try the obsolete and funky looking Martin EM 18's. They have a very unusual neck that really feels comfortable. Congratulations on the endorsement. That's great!! Regarding your amps, I really like the clean sound of the Fenders as well. The 10" speakers create such a nice full wall of sound without blowing everyone out of the club.

Bman: I see that you're currently on tour in Europe. The crowds there are getting a real treat. Are you set to tour the states any time soon?

JW : We are playing Norwood and Syracuse, NY in July, and then we probably won't head south again until January 2012 when we head back down to Key West to avoid the Canadian winter!

Bman: Good thinking!

Your music covers a lot of blues territory. Do you see yourself going more one direction than another?

JW : I try not to think of it as following one style. I just go wherever the tune takes me, and if it feels good, I am on the right track.

Bman: You seem to have great instincts there! Who are your greatest influences?

JW : B.B. King, Kim Wilson, Little Charlie Baty, Jimmie Vaughan, Junior Watson, Larry Taylor, Richard Innes, Anson Funderburgh, Charlie Parker, and a huge list that could go on and on!!

Bman: I know what you're saying. There is so much good stuff to listen to! Then what's your favorite blues cut of all time?

JW : Yikes, that is a scary question. Maybe B.B. King, Worry Worry, from Live at the Regal. I'll go with that!

Bman: Yeah. I love that cd a lot.

Bman: I appreciate the time. Please keep us posted of what you're up to and we'll be watching for you to come round here soon!