PARADISE KINGS INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE-BOUND
PARADISE KINGS INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE-BOUND, TO BE REPRESENTING THE SANTA BARBARA BLUES SOCIETY.
Wednesday, January 17th and Thursday, January 18th – (Venue/Time TBD)
Paradise Kings, winners of the recent “Battle of the Blues Bands” presented by the Santa Barbara Blues Society (SBBS), travel to the Epicenter of All Things Blues, Memphis, Tennessee, to compete at International Blues Challenge #34, Wednesday, January 17 and Thursday, January 18(Venue/Time TBD). Additional IBC info at http://blues.org/.
The Santa Barbara-based five-piece blues/swing group (Henry Garrett, lead vocals; Jan Ingram, backing/lead vocals; Jeff Gring, guitar; Michael Robertson, bass; George Lambert, drums), known for their high-energy live shows, also captured the SBBS’ “Best Self-Produced CD” for their recent release Controlled Burn. The Santa Barbara Blues Society is the country’s oldest established Blues Society based in Santa Barbara, CA.
Controlled Burn has received stellar print reviews around the globe while also being featured on syndicated radio program Blues Deluxe and American Veterans Radio.
“What makes Controlled Burn so good is the fun that ensues the moment we hit the “play” button. “69 Chevy” gets the party started with a slammin’ rockabilly vibe, dripping with guitar. “I’d Sing the Blues If I Had ‘Em” has a welcome Nighthawks feel to it, and “Three Strikes” is a fine tip ‘o the hat to the wonderful Stax records we all grew up on. They play blues that’s rockabilly, and blues that swings.They play with passion, and they play well.”
“Four-piece ensemble (vocals, guitar, bass, drums) plays high-energy blues on the eight original cuts here…best tune is up-tempo shuffle that kicks off the disc, “’69 Chevy,” starting with an extended lead guitar intro from Jeff Gring before singer Henry Garrett steps up to the microphone. This one swings.”
“Paradise Kings play a mojo-filled brand of old-school blues with a modern feel. These guys have a wicked-cool sense of humor in their songs, too. The story of a guy who always seems to end up on “Easy Street” is the man who says, “I’d Sing The Blues If I Had ‘Em,” set over a walking-beat groove. Here’s hoping “Controlled Burn” will bring them that richly-deserved acclaim!”
Paradise Kings’ Drummer George Lambert briefly describes each of the eight tracks on Controlled Burn:
’69 Chevy: “Good-time, swingin’ trip back to the times of fast cars and faster women…”
I’d Sing The Blues If I Had ‘Em: “Straightforward blues shuffle about the juxtaposition of a lucky guy who loves blues music.”
Three Strikes: “Funky blues tune about a guy whose luck has run out and is facing serious time for his crimes. One gets the feeling he really understands the severity of his actions.”
Slow Down: “Blues shuffle about an older guy trying to keep up with today’s society (and a younger woman) all at the same time.”
Butter Me Up (vocals by Jan Ingram): “Classic, James Brown-influenced funk tune about a woman who’s not being treated well by her man. Imagine that…”
Patience: “A 6/8, slow blues tune about a guy who loves his girl and wants to get at her quickly, but she has different ideas about just how long things should take.”
Poor Me, Poor Me, Pour Me Another Drink: “Classic rock tune about a guy who drinks way too much and does nothing about it but complains.”
Money Ain’t My Friend: “Live track recorded in Santa Barbara about a guy who’s trying like hell to make it, but just can’t make enough money to satisfy his lady. One gets the idea that he has hope that his luck’s gonna change.”
LINKS
News and Related Stories
Indie Pulse Music – Controlled Burn CD Review
American Blues Scene – CD Review
Nashville Blues Society – CD Review
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