ARL Roots Review 64 & 65

Oh man, we do have fun at American Roots Live!












But sometimes what happens is I'm forced to combine two weeks of roots reviews - for one reason or another - and such is the case this week for two reasons; busy and busy - AND for having to be out of town on personal business for a short stent - actually two.

I am grateful, however, the shows went on as they did during this busy time with lots of great players and loads of fun, but especially grateful for the show in my absence that went so smoothly due specifically to the spirit, dedication and team work of ARL All Stars JR Bradfield, John Powers, Len DePiano and Mimi Nowak. Thanks guys.

I've combined the ARL 64 and 65 playlists here and peppered a few cool pics through-out; thanks to photogs Win and Ed Pampani, but do have to close on a somewhat somber note, none-the-less.




With two shows per week at Orphan Annie's, Thursdays at 9 and Sundays at 8, ARL 64 and 65 covered a total of four shows. Some of the talented folks listed here came to more than one show, while some made it to all... BRAVO!

Why don't you come to American Roots Live with Nasty Ned and read your name in print here and maybe even see your picture on this page, too.

ARL 64 and 65's playlist included: JR Bradfield, Johnny Charles, Kim Brewer, Len DePiano, Ed Pampani, Roy Macnamara(pic 3), Ed Avilia, Chris O'Sullivan, Chet Smith, Doug Diettman(pic 1), Fred Malley, Frank Cerulli, Dave Carta, Paul Obremski, Bob Giglio, Mimi Nowak, The Kaytells, Ron Siebert, Joshua Reyes, Phil Liebergall, Joe Salerno, John Powers, Bob DelRosso, Bones Sanford, Gavin Lawrence, Randy Marinelli (pic 2), Arnie Englund, Robert Zee, Carlo Trentacosta, Tony Bozza, John Bozza, Chaz, Carl Marcantonio, Rich Koerner, Gene Goodman, and Walter Foot.

Thanks to Orphan Annie's, Rick, Karin, Frank, Annie, Win, Ed, Big Nancy, Stevie, Elmore Magazine and The American Roots Live All Stars.

***As we remembered our fallen brother, guitar great and ARL All Star, Bernie Brausewetter with a grand memorial concert and final CD release party Sunday at the Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ - the music world mourned yet another true great this past week in Bill Perry. So sad. Such a loss.

In honor of Bill Perry and for sake of remembering his genius, I have posted a CD review here that I am proud to have written for Elmore Magazine a few months ago.

RIP brother.



Bill Perry
Don't Know Nothin' About Love
(Blind Pig)





Bill Perry may know nothin' about love, but he sure knows how to rock the blues. And that's exactly what the veteran bluesman from Chester, NY does on his fourth Blind Pig release in four years with one funky infectious groove after another.

Don't Know Nothin' About Love finds Perry at his artistic best as once again he is matched in the studio with producer and New York City blues legend, Popa Chubby. And Chubby seems to know something about Perry. He brings out the best in the artist capturing on disc the raw power and brilliant honesty Bill is known for in his live performances.

The album features eight new and vigorous Perry originals and three covers, including a remarkable remake of the Temptations classic, "Ball of Confusion" complete with a ferociously rocking guitar.

The title track pines traditional, while "My Baby Loves to Dance" makes you want to. "Can’t Afford to Die" is a smoldering tone-tender blues that Perry smokes way down low proving that phrasing and feel define an artist more than anything else.

To say Bill Perry's guitar talks is an understatement. It actually screams and cries and it preaches. It deeply communicates the blues. In fact on the self penned, socially relevant "Down in New Orleans" Perry brings us even deeper than the blues with a dark chill that will make you feel the flood waters rise.

I will not make a comparison here, but must say, I can't remember being spoken to so intimately by a guitar since Stevie Ray's.

Bill Perry's performances here are inspiring, fluid, soulful, biting, funky and as gritty as a gravel road. Don't Know Nothin' About Love is well worth your hard earned money. And if you like to dance, you'd better roll the rug back off the floor before pressing play.

Keeping it real,

Ned

ARL Roots Review 63

Our time with HoneyBoy Dupree at American Roots Live with Nasty Ned was a blast as the bluesman from Phoenix, Arizona, and his big voice ripped through some of his tried and true favorites; Howlin', Bring It On Home To Me, You Can Leave Your Hat On among others, and a smokin' slow blues that he made up as we went along.









I especially had a great time playing with Dupree and Lee Fink. It was our first time together on stage since ARL 18. We were joined this night by drummer Jamo Flynn and keyboardist Len DePiano.



There was so much talent in the house at ARL 63, I wondered if we were violating some kind of monopoly-on-talent law.

The ARL 63 playlist read: John Powers, JR Bradfield, HoneyBoy Dupree, Lee Fink, Len DePiano, Ed Pampani, Robert Zee, Bones Sanford, Jamo Flynn, Keith McGonigle, Josh Gebhardt, Lori V, Snakeman Runyan, Ed Avilia, Paul Obremski, Nancy Coletti, Roy Macnamara, Richard Poliner, Andy Koenig, Chris O'Sullivan, Chet Smith, Doug Diettmann, Bob Giglio and Arne Englund - and the All Stars autographed guitar is getting filled with the names of special people.


Hurry out to American Roots Live at Orphan Annie's for your chance to win this awesome guitar. Raffle tickets are only $3 each or get five chances to win for only $10. It's a collector's piece, yes, but it's also the exact same guitar as one Johnny Charles plays so sweatly.



As always, many thanks to OA's, Rick, Karin, Annie, Frank, Elmore Magazine, Win for these photos and Stevie for the M&M's.

See you soon.

Keeping it real,

Ned

ARL Roots Review 62

John Powers must be a long-ago drifter reincarnated into a young man with a special gift; the ability to communicate age-old human experience through music.

Whether you call it alternative country, Americana or just rockin' emotion with a hook and a beat - John Powers writes and performs songs that get stuck in your head, your heart and your soul. There is no escape from them playing over and over again in your mind.

Once you've heard them, they're in you.

The audience at American Roots Live 61 was treated to an extended set by this talented song smith who previewed several melodic, message laden gems for us from his forthcoming John Powers CD, "Highway Lines". Infectious.

And another great night of roots music celebration was underway.

Again they came from near and far - New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Los Angeles and Florida. This week; Phoenix, Arizona and San Francisco, California. Last week and the week before; North Carolina and Kentucky as word of all the fun we're having at ARL spreads.

And last week, we started collecting ARL All Star's autographs on a new guitar (soon to be completely covered with artist's names) and raffled off - a means to pay for our new drum kit. Tickets are $3 a piece, two for $5 and five for $10 - and you won't even have to be present on the night of the drawing to win.

Come to American Roots Live for your chance at the collectible and playable autographed guitar, and soak up the sweat sounds that are the heartbeat of our culture - American roots music.

ARL 61's play list read: John Powers, JR Bradfield, Len DePiano, Ed Pampani, Carl Bittman, Jamo Flynn, Roy Macnamara, Garry Hodgson, Bob DelRosso, Chris O'Sullivan, Chet Smith, Robert Zee, Ed Avilia and Arne Englund.

Thanks go to Orphan Annie's, Rick, Karin and Annie, Elmore Magazine, Stevie, Cynthia, Kenny and Joe, Honky Tonkin' Tracey Stones for her spirit, Win for these photos and Len DePiano for the extra mile.

We're having way too much fun for just one night so this Thursday we're kicking-off our first week of "two big ARL nights per week" with a 5th of July party. This will be one for the books. That's right, American Roots Live will now play every Thursday at 9 and every Sunday at 8 starting July 5th.

And this party will be lights-out-over-the-top as our Arizona blues brother, HoneyBoy Dupree joins Lee Fink and friends, on stage and many, many more... and there is a distinct possibility we'll be joined by a very special surprise guest as well. Watch your email and circle your calendar.

Happy Birthday America! We'll see you on the 5th of July.

Keeping it real,

Ned