Review Centre: Blues Bands

" Such a joy working with this crew, starting with Tom (lead) who ensured all my requests were fulfilled. Amazing sounds. Friendly and accommodating. My surprise birthday event was such a huge success. The birthday celebrant was super happy and so were all my guests. Highly recommend!!!"

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"The Sexton Connection was amazing! They were the PERFECT addition to our big day! Having music before the ceremony in the lobby and during the happy hour set the mood for the day! Very professional and timely! Talented singers and musicians! I highly recommend! "

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"Girl Friday is a Great band performing great Jazz and Blues. My favourite local musicians playing music for everyone "

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"There’s more to Johnny Ticktin than meets the eye. Well-versed in the blues, having once served as lead guitar player for the legendary Louisiana Red, the open-minded Ticktin is a sponge, soaking up the subtle six-string nuances and intricacies of a multitude of genres—from surf to classic R&B, swing and even Mambo—on his eighth album with The Headhunters, That’s All I Need. It would feel right at home in any rough-and-tumble roadhouse. The title is borrowed from a song, covered here in all its dark, swampy glory, off Magic Sam’s 1967 iconic electric blues marvel West Side Soul. Watery, backwoods ripples of Sam’s tremolo guitar style and seductive rhythms meander through Creedence Clearwater Revival’s mysterious kudzu on Johnny & The Headhunters’ version, as Ticktin and company paddle up a lazy river of Bayou groove. Just as fluent in nasty rockabilly, they thrive in the sweltering heat of the 1957 obscurity “Chicken House,” giving it a warm buzz and making it rumble and swagger, while the lascivious, infectious funk of “Body and Fender” – a Doc Pomus/Duke Robillard joint originally built for soul crooner Johnny Adams – shakes all over and ogles the female form. A rousing, boogie-woogie version of Lowell Fulsom’s Chess Records’ hit “Rock ‘Em Dead” is wonderfully shambolic, and Ticktin rides the lightning of the Link Wray instrumental “Ace of Spaces” like a champ, gleefully wheeling through edgy garage-rock riffs with appropriate vim and vigor. What feel he and his band have for this material. There is not the slightest bit of indifference to it anywhere on this record. Not that they need it, but help arrives in the form of keyboardist Tam Sullivan, who wraps smoky, sensual organ and wraiths of piano around a soulful remake of Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “Lead Me On,” and singer Liz Springer, who joins her brazen vocals to Ticktin’s in the cheeky, but charming, duet “Watch and Chain.” And, with the solid machinery of a good backing band at work behind him, Ticktin can just let loose – witness the slide-guitar fury of their cover of Elmore James’ “Shake Your Money Maker.” For aficionados of tasteful guitar work and music that time shouldn’t have forgotten, this is what you need. —Peter Lindblad SPREAD THE NEWS! FacebookTwitter RELATED STORIES September 3rd, 2023 Rhythm & Roots Festival August 28th, 2023 Rhythm & Roots: Family Fave July 28th, 2023 When Rock & Roll is a Verb"

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"Cowboys and Indians… that’s a great little track - I've got a lot of time for that! And the Indian chants at the end are great – Magpie22? – Nice! "

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"Αυτή η ορχήστρα πραγματικά ξεπέρασαν τις προσδοκίες μας στον γάμο μας! Από τα πρώτα λεπτά της εμφάνισής τους, η ατμόσφαιρα γέμισε ενέργεια και όλοι οι καλεσμένοι χόρευαν διαρκώς στην πίστα. Η μουσική τους κράτησε την πίστα γεμάτη και το κέφι όλη τη νύχτα. Είναι η ιδανική επιλογή για κάθε γάμο! Σας ευχαριστούμε πολύ για ολα!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Mng of The Inn at Silver Lakes says, The Joe Ferraro Band has great stage presence. They engaged effortlessly with the audience, creating a strong connection that enhanced the overall atmosphere. The performance was a testament to their professionalism and commitment to delivering an exceptional live show."

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"LaQuin did an amazing job at my client’s wedding! I reached out to him with an initial inquiry for providing ceremony music for my client’s big day. She knew that she wanted a saxophonist, but wasn’t sure if the songs that she wanted would be compatible with that specific instrument. LaQuin literally made me a quick “mixtape” of all the songs she wanted to show her how they would sound beforehand. Who does that?!!! We booked him on the spot! He came fully equipped with all of the background tracks and sound system. He was so easy to work with and worked seamlessly with the DJ and my staff with cues for the breaks in the ceremony. The ceremony was flawless. The prelude, ceremony, and postlude music was a perfect mix of traditional and contemporary songs. He can literally learn/play anything. I would absolutely hire him again!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Neil, just a huge thank you ,for playing our birthday bash . You blew everyone away with your amazing set. I always knew you were very good, I didn’t know you were that good.Mate, you are a legend and Thank you so much, "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Father’s Day Weekend with Joe and Gayle A plethora of high quality musical events greeted the mountain community on the long Father’s Day weekend. The weekend kicked off with the dynamite power trio, The Joe Ferraro Band, on the patio at Mountain High North on Saturday, June 17th. Forty-one vintage rock and blues offerings were delivered with high energy by Joe ( guitar and vocals) and the solid rhythm section of Phil Thomasson (bass) and Joe Faraci (drums). This veteran outfit featured vintage songs of Eric Clapton and Cream on “Badge”, “Outside Woman Blues”’, “Politician”, and “Strange Brew”. Joe Ferraro nailed the vocals and guitar artistry of arguably the best (“cream of the crop”) rock trio in history. The audience was treated to a fare by Howlin’ Wolf ((Spoonful; I ain’t Superstitious; Hootchie Cootchie Man)) and Ferraro’s own “Slewfoot”. Ferraro learned a thing or two from Albert King (“Crosscut Saw and Born Under a Bad Sign”);B.B.King (“Worried Life Blues”) and Freddie King (“I’m Tore Down”). The Fabulous Thunderbirds were well represented (“She’s Tuff” and “Tuff Enough”), as were Stevie Ray Vaughn (“Empty Arms” and “Mary Had a Little Lamb”). Want some Hendrix? How about “Stonefree and The Wind Cries Mary”? So many great songs played by Ferraro’s terrific group, if you closed your eyes, you would testify that Clapton had visited Wrightwood! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you so much for performing at our daughters wedding in December. You are an extremely talented group of musicians and you certainly added ' a touch of class' to such a wonderful day. We all thoroughly enjoyed the style and quality of your jazz music; you provided a unique and varied tempo that complimented and enhanced our other musical selections for the wedding. Many of our guests commented on how much they enjoyed listening to you. Thank you all once again for contributing to such a memorable day and we wish you all the best."

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"Alice and Tom made my birthday unforgettable with an exceptional performance! Alice’s gorgeous voice and Tom’s virtuoso piano playing created a magical atmosphere. Thanks a million guys! "

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"Great band. Love the energy and everyone is kind to heart awesome people. Truly a great band to book for all of your entertainment needs"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thanks in part to you, our evening was absolutely perfect! Everyone enjoyed it very much, and complimented us many more times on the great sales meeting and outings. I say, it was definitely worth repeating! So who knows, we might see you again in the future. Good luck with the band, you guys are a joy to listen to! That's one thing for sure."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We hired On The Rocks for our wedding reception in Hathersage, and we really enjoyed your contribution to the night! Your music was definitely a highlight of the day, and we only wished we’d been able to spend more of the night sitting and listening to you. We especially enjoyed your rendition of Menina Moca, which is one of our favourites. So thanks for that – it was much appreciated! We also received a lot of feedback from our guests on how much they enjoyed the music."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: