Johnny Lang Releases Video For Stronger Together - New Album To Be Released on September 8th

Jonny Lang’s brand new studio album, Signs, will be released in North America on September 8th via SayRai / Concord Records.  The album (his sixth major label release) is his first in four years. Signs was released in Europe this past Friday via Provogue Records / Mascot Label Group.

Today, Jonny debuts the first video from the new album with “Stronger Together” directed by Norwood Cheek. You can watch the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh02ZG8DWY8&feature=youtu.be

This past Sunday, the Daily Express (UK) called Signs “…superbly written and constructed: kicking off with the raw stomp of Make It Move before settling into a series of compositions that effortlessly combine his hard-edged but soulful voice with a real feel for the sort of melodic blues that connects with a pop audience.”

Anyone who originally discovered Jonny Lang through his searing instrumental work will revel in the huge guitar tones and go for broke solos on Signs, while those who have appreciated his growth as an honest and passionate songwriter will find that honesty and passion unabated. Though he long ago left blues purism behind, Lang has never abandoned its spirit of universal catharsis through the relating of personal trials. Signs reaffirms his commitment to the blues and the guitar without sacrificing the modern approach that has made him such a singular artist. 

It is hard to believe that at only 36 years old Jonny Lang has already had a successful career for two decades. Easier to believe when you learn he released his first platinum record at 15—an age when many young people are just beginning to play music. Lie to Me revealed a talent that transcended the crop of blues prodigies floating around in the late Nineties. No flashy re-hasher of classic blues licks, even at that early age Lang was a full-blown artist with a style of his own. Also, setting Lang apart from the wunderkind crowd was a 15-year-old voice that sounded like a weathered soul shouter. Actual life experience was yet to come, and has been subsequently chronicled in a series of five uniformly excellent recordings.

Since the release of his debut album, Grammy Award winning Jonny Lang has built a reputation as one of the best live performers and guitarists of his generation. The path Lang has been on has brought him the opportunity to support or perform with some of the most respected legends in music.  He has shared the stage with everyone from The Rolling Stones and B.B. King to Aerosmith and Buddy Guy, who he continues to tour with today.

JONNY LANG SIGNS WORLD TOUR

9/08     Aspen, CO                                                                 Belly Up+

9/09     Boulder, CO                                                                Boulder Theater +

9/10     Arvada, CO                                                                 Arvada Center +

9/12     Tulsa, OK                                                                   Cain’s +

9/14     Dallas, TX                                                                   House of Blues +

9/15     Houston, TX                                                                House of Blues +

9/16     Austin, TX                                                                  ACL Live +

9/18     Kansas City, MO                                                        Knuckleheads #

9/19     St. Louis, MO                                                             Pageant #

9/21     Milwaukee, WI                                                           Potawatomi Casino #

9/22     Milwaukee, WI                                                           Polawatomi Casino #

9/23     Chicago, IL                                                                 House of Blues #

9/24     Louisville, KY                                                            Bourbon & Beyond Festival 

9/26     Indianapolis, IN                                                          The Vogue #

9/30     Hartford, CT                                                               Infinity Hall +

10/01   Fairfield, CT                                                               Warehouse +

10/03   Boston, MA                                                                The Wilbur Theater #

10/04   Portland, ME                                                               Aura #

10/06    Cranston, RI                                                               Park Theatre #

10/07   Hampton Beach, NH                                                   Hampton Beach Casino #

10/08   Reading, PA                                                                Reading Blues Festival

10/19   Huntington, NY                                                          Paramount

10/22   Zwolle, NL                                                                  Hedon

10/23   Cologne, Germany                                                      Gloria

10/25   Berlin, Germany                                                          Columbia Club

10/27   Hamburg, Germany                                                    Mojo

10/29   Copenhagen, Denmark                                                Amager Bio

10.30   Oslo, Norway                                                             Rockafeller

10/31   Stockholm, Sweden                                                    Nalen

11/04   London, UK                                                                SBE (London Folk and Roots Fest)

11/05   Leuven, Belgium                                                         Hep Depot (Leuven Blues Festival)

11/07   Cleon, France                                                              La Travene (Blues de Travene)

11/09   Marseille, France                                                         Espace Julien

11/10   Six-Fours-les-Plages, France                                      Espace Malraux

11/11   Paris, France                                                               La Cigale

11/13   Prague, Czech Republic                                              Lucerna

11/14   Vienna, Austria                                                           Porgy and Bess

11/16   Sumperk, Czech Republic                                           House of Culture (Blues Alive Fest)

11/27   Spokane, WA                                                              Bing Crosby

11/28   Seattle, WA                                                                The Neptune

11/29   Vancouver, BC                                                           Commodore Ballroom

12/01   Grants Pass, OR                                                          Rogue Theatre

12/02   Tahoe, NV                                                                  Montbleu

12/03   Sacramento, CA                                                          Crest Theatre

12/05   Santa Cruz, CA                                                           The Catalyst

12/06   Solana Beach, CA                                                       Belly Up

12/08   Pasadena, CA                                                              The Rose

12/09   San Juan Capistrano, CA                                            Coach House

12/10   San Juan Capistrano, CA                                            Coach House

1/09     Buffalo, NY                                                                Tralf

1/10     Cleveland, OH                                                            House of Blues

1/12     New Buffalo, MI                                                        Silver Creek Event Center

1/16     Jacksonville, FL                                                          FL Theater

1/18     St. Petersburg, FL                                                       Palladium

1/19     Lake Buena Vista, FL                                                 House of Blues

1/20     Myrtle Beach, SC                                                       House of Blues

1/22     Atlanta, GA                                                                 Centerstage

1/23     New Orleans, LA                                                        House of Blues

1/25     Lafayette, LA                                                              Acadiana PAC

1/26     San Antonio, TX                                                         Aztek Theater

1/27     Oklahoma City, OK                                                    Diamond Ballroom

2/01     Agoura Hills, CA                                                        Canyon

2/02     Scottsdale, AZ                                                            Talking Stick Casino

# - Jack Broadbent – Direct Support

+ - Guthrie Brown – Direct Support

Album Review: The Rolling Stones - Blue and Lonesome

The Rolling Stones have returned to their roots of 1962 and it is a fantastic and unexpected blessing for fans of the band. The Stones began as the best blues rock band ever formed and Blue and Lonesome reminds all the faithful why they were the best blues rock band ever formed. Sure, it’s a covers album, and most readers of The Guru know how I feel about covers albums, but this is THE ROLLING STONES. And on top of that it’s The Rolling Stones doing what they do best---playing the blues. Every song on Blue and Lonesome is a masterpiece; a treat for the ears. Covering the greats of yesteryear like Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, and Willie Dixon (just to name a few), The Rolling Stones pay tribute to some of their heroes and influences on an astounding record.

I will admit my bias here. The Rolling Stones are one of my favorite bands (number 4 on the all-time list), but that only means I am more critical of a new release from the group, not less. Each song on Blue and Lonesome is a short, sweet, sharp blast to the solar plexus; a reminder of how great music can be if celebrated correctly. There’s also plenty of harmonica to go around. Mick Jagger dusted off his harp skills and served a memorandum to how great a harmonica player he is. Keith and Ron’s guitar riffs hang in the air, each guitarist playing off the other in fabulous fashion. Charlie Watts and Daryl Jones keep the rhythm section tight on the drums and bass respectively. It all adds up to one of the best records ever released in the Rolling Stones long and storied career. My one lingering thought is what would this album sound like if Brian Jones were still alive and in the band? Could he have improved on the near perfection of Blue and Lonesome?

After a few spins of Blue and Lonesome you are bound to dust off your copies of early Rolling Stones records and give them a whirl as well. This record would fit into the early 62/63 era Stones with the best of them. However, the real treat, is that we get this record in 2016, close to 50 years after the Stones changed their style from the greatest blues rock band ever formed to a famous pop/rock band that took over the world. Blue and Lonesome is a return to the blues done right; loose, easy, and fun. It’s that quick and easy style that makes the record so grand. Originally intended to be warmup sessions for the next album of original material, Blue and Lonesome should have The Rolling Stones rethinking that idea. More records like this would be welcomed and well received. And while I liked A Bigger Bang, I LOVE Blue and Lonesome.

My lone complaint, and it’s a minor one, is that Keith does not have lead vocals on any songs throughout the record. This is the first Stones album without a lead vocal by Keith since Their Satanic Majesties Request in 1967. To some, they may be a welcome treat, but I’ve always liked Keith sung songs for the contrast they provide.

Overall, the Rolling Stones have provided us with an early Christmas present. I can’t think of a better gift to be had this holiday season. If Blue and Lonesome doesn’t please your musical palate, you may have to ask yourself if you are truly a Rolling Stones fan.

Ryo’s Rating: 9 (out of 10)

Track Listing

Just Your Fool

Commit a Crime

Blue and Lonesome

All Your Love

I Gotta Go

Everybody Knows About My Good Thing

Ride ‘em on Down

Hate to See You Go

Hoo Doo Blues

Little Rain

Just Like I Treat You

I Can’t Quit You Baby

Eric Clapton Special To Air On MTV Live And VH1 Classic On May 20th

MTV Live and VH1 Classic will air ERIC CLAPTON: I STILL DO – AN INTIMATE DISCUSSION ABOUT ROCK, THE BLUES AND SHEPERD’S PIE, an hour-long special on Friday, May 20^th at 8pm on Vh1 Classic and 9pm on MTV Live.  The special coincides with the release of Clapton’s newest album I Still Do.  A music video for the new song “Spiral” is out now on YouTube.

Music legend Eric Clapton has reunited with famed producer Glyn Johns for his forthcoming 23^rd studio album I Still Do, set for release on May 20, 2016 on his Bushbranch Records/Surfdog Records. Clapton and Johns – who has also produced albums for The Eagles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and The Who – most famously worked together on Clapton’s iconic Slowhand album, which is RIAA-certified 3x-platinum and topped charts globally. The 12-track record includes some original songs written by Clapton. This album follows his last release, the 2014 chart-topping Eric Clapton & Friends: The Breeze, An Appreciation of JJ Cale.

After his time with the Yardbirds in 1963, Clapton began a career as a professional musician that has seen numerous bands, an abundance of albums, countless worldwide sold out shows, an impressive array of accolades, unwavering critical acclaim and his consistent display of legendary guitar work. Clapton’s career has resulted in 18 Grammy Awards and the distinct honor of being the only triple inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.