Chris Duarte’s Newest Album “Blues In The Afterburner” on Blues Bureau Int’l Records

Chris Duarte Blues in the Afterburner

This record, while featuring some of his most impressive and extended guitar work to date, also reveals him to be a strong singer/songwriter in the blues/rock genre.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) September 9, 2011 — I’m sitting here listening to blues recording artist and exciting virtuoso guitarist Chris Duarte’s new ALBUM “Blue in the Afterburner” and I must say I’m very impressed with everything… The song writing, song styles and selections… And, Chris’s heartfelt vocals make for a great production here too. I highly recommend this CD… I love a good blues guitar player who can go in a few other directions with the same intensity and beyond. Blues Maestro Chris Duarte fits that marquee. Scott Thomas – Guitarz Forever.com

Chris Duarte Blues In The Afterburner
BBI- BB 2078- $16.98

Blues in the Afterburner by Chris Duarte http://amzn.to/prfN9w  via @amazon

Chris Duarte on itunes: http://bit.ly/pnAT1V

Track Listing :

1. ANOTHER MAN
2. MAKE ME FEEL SO RIGHT
3. BOTTLE BLUES
4. MILWAUKIE BLUES
5. HOLD BACK THE TEARS
6. SUMMER’S CHILD
7. SEARCHING FOR YOU
8. BLACK CLOUDS ROLLING
9. DONTCHA DRIVE ME CRAZY
10. BORN TO RACE
11. I’VE BEEN A FOOL
12. PRAIRIE JELLY

BACKGROUND:

Chris Duarte Group emerged on the scene out of Austin, Texas in the early 90′s and gained notoriety after wowing a packed room of industry insiders at the South X Southwest convention.

In the wake of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s passing, Duarte quickly gained a national reputation as young man imbued with a playing style comparable at times to the late guitarist.

After fielding interest from a number of labels, Duarte signed to Silvertone Records and his debut album “Texas Sugar/Strat Magik” reportedly sold in excess of 100,000 units in the United States, no small feet for a blues/rock guitarist. This coupled with Duarte’s strong commitment to touring, was the impetus for Chris’ winning the “Best New Talent” in Guitar Player’s 1995 Reader’s Poll. He also finished fourth in the magazine’s “Best Blues Guitarist” category that year behind legends Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy and B.B. King.

Throughout the last decade, Duarte honed his chops as a guitarist, songwriter and singer as he recorded three more critically acclaimed records, “Tailspin Headwhack” in 1997, “Love Is Greater Than Me” in 2000 and “Romp” 2003, the latter two of which were on the Zoe/Rounder label.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Duarte has constantly worked on his growth as a musician and the years of recording culminated purposefully in this decade’s “Blue Velocity”, “Vantage Point”, “396” with Bluestone Company, Blues In The Afterburner and now “Blues In The Afterburner”. All records aptly showcases many sides of this brilliant artist in the context of high energy blues rock with moments that bring to mind legendary artists as diverse as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robin Trower, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Johnson.

Chris’ recordings have always been rooted firmly in the blues with a rock and roll edge which further established Duarte as one of the rare musical talents of his generation. “Blues In The Afterburner” continues in the tradition of smokin’ blues with doses of heavy psychedelia throughout. Blues In The Afterburner contains a heavy dose of Duarte’s legendary blues guitar chops over a diverse set of grooves and lyrical themes.

The Blues Bureau label has developed a strong following for its superior blues rock recordings. Chris Duarte takes his place among artists in the label’s legacy that includes such blues/rock legends as Rick Derringer, Pat Travers, Eric Gales, and Leslie West.

Chris’ masterful guitar and vocal performances on “Blues In The Afterburner” portend a great response from these loyal music lovers, as guitarists of this quality and intensity are few and far between.

The Chris Duarte Group is a perennial touring act, playing as many as 300 dates a year, and has developed a legion of loyal fans spanning across the United States.

Guitar Player Magazine has revered Duarte, and its readers have named him one of the greatest guitarists in the industry in a reader’s poll. Guitar Player Magazine chose Chris to perform at Guitar Player Live in September 2009, the magazine’s first-ever three day event for guitarists at which Duarte wowed the appreciative audience with salvo after salvo of his own brand of his stylized Texas blues rock chops.

Fans of guitar-oriented music have followed Chris Duarte for over a decade and the internet is buzzing with anticipation for this phenomenal record.

As a guitarist Duarte has been compared to some of the greatest players of all time. This record, while featuring some of his most impressive and extended guitar work to date, also reveals him to be a strong singer/songwriter in the blues/rock genre.

Press Information for USA please contact:
Scott Thomas – Online Promotions
512.523.8333
sthomas@austin.rr.com

Please remember to leave feedback. Thanks a lot!

Sincerely,
Scott

blues bureau records     blues rock     Chris Duarte     eric clapton     guitar music     Jimi Hendrix     mike varney     shrapnel records

Contact Information

• Name: Scott Thomas
• Company: Guitarz Forever.com
• Telephone: 5125238333
  

ALBUM REVIEW JOHNNY HILAND “ALL FIRED UP”

 

Johnny Hiland

JOHNNY HILAND  “ALL FIRED UP” by Scott Thomas

Hi music loverz… I’m at it once again sitting here listening to some mind blowin’ geetar pickin’ from the one and only and very talented Johnny Hiland. 

If you are into alt-country music and virtuoso guitar playing, then this New Album “All Fired Up” will have you looking for those ol’ cowboy boots for a nite out at your nearest dancehall. So get those puppies polished up and ready because after a listen to this “jaw dropping” CD which is rooted firmly in country music with a rock and roll edge, will have you chompin’ at the bit to get out of the house and on that sawdust-ridden wooden dance floor. Hiland’s mastery of the electric guitar puts him in exceptional company that includes only a handful of brilliant players who combine taste, touch and tone in such a way that they both define and break open the boundaries of his genre. Ricky Skaggs commented on Johnny, “I think Johnny Hiland is the most versatile guitar player I’ve ever heard. From Bill Monroe to Eddie Van Halen, he can play it all.”

This New outing from Johnny is chocked full of great songwriting in the styles of traditional country, western swing, rock and blues, with tasty guitfiddle playing by means of inviting vocals, country style licks, steel guitar-type accompaniments, and smoking chops! I highly recommend this uncompromising and well-rounded music for you and your urban cowboy friendz.

• http://www.reverbnation.com/johnnyhiland 

All Fired Up by Johnny Hiland http://t.co/jkYK3Vw via @amazon

JOHNNY HILAND “ALL FIRED UP”

Hello!

Johnny Hiland

All Fired Up, the NEW CD from country rock artist Johnny Hiland, is a seasoned blend of showboatin’ country music with a rock and roll edge…

JOHNNY HILAND  “ALL FIRED UP”  

Ricky Scaggs commented on Johnny, “I think Johnny Hiland is the most versatile guitar player I’ve ever heard. From Bill Monroe to Eddie Van Halen, he can play it all.”

The Album

Hiland’s new record “All Fired Up”,  is a virtuoso chicken pickin’ CD which is rooted firmly in country music with a rock and roll edge, aided and abetted by for Joe Satriani and Steve Vai bassist Stuart Hamm, Steve Vai/Billy Idol drummer Jeremy Colson on the drums and keyboard virtuoso Jesse Bradman. An instrumental CD brimming with high tech chicken pickin’, faux pedal steel chops laced with some incendiary rock and roll, “All Fired Up”, also boasts two vocal oriented bonus tracks which incorporate Hiland’s seasoned country voice  and his showboatin’ country chops.

Background

Johnny Hiland grew up in the small town of Baileyville, Maine.  He was born legally blind with an eye disease known as nystagmus, which did not allow him to grow up like most children.  He started playing guitar at age 2, and went on to perform his first TV show at age 7.  His career took off when Johnny won the “Talent America Contest,” at age 10, in New York City.  His father had taken him to see Ricky Skaggs perform, and Johnny immediately went from pickin’ bluegrass to wanting a telecaster.  As a teen, Johnny spent countless hours learning and developing his own blend of chicken pickin,’ rock, blues, and swing; while pickin’ in a number of different bands around the state of Maine..  After finishing high school, and 3 years of college, he moved to Nashville in 1996.  Since then, he has performed as a headline artist at the legendary Grand Ole Opry and has played on a number of records for artists like Toby Keith, Trick Pony, Randy Travis, Ricky Skaggs, Janie Fricke, Lynn Anderson, and Hank 3 among many others.  He later signed a record deal with Steve Vai and released a critically acclaimed guitar record on Vai’s Favored Nations label.  He then later released a second album on his own called “Loud and Proud”, released in 2007. Since then he has been touring the globe with his band, “The Johnny Hiland Band”. He has also performed on stage with super artists like Sammy Hagar, Ted Nugent, George Clinton and P-Funk, Les Paul, Steve Vai, Joe Bonamassa, G3, and many others.  He loves to teach, and has his own line of guitar instructional material as well; 2 Hot Licks videos, and a number of books/cds with Mel Bay.  He has had his own signature model PRS, and now has found his proper guitar home with Ernie Ball Music Man. 

“ALL FIRED UP” The Compositions

1. Barnyard Breakdown
2. All Fired Up
3. Bakersfield Bound
4. Forever Love
5. Minor Adjustment
6. Six String Swing

7. Gone But Not Forgotten
8. The Gloves Are Off
9. Double Stoppin’
10. Bluesberry Jam

** BONUS TRACKS
11. Breaker, Breaker, 1-9
12. Party Time

Points Of Interest

The Shrapnel Label Group has developed a strong following for its superior guitar recordings. Chris Duarte takes his place among artists in the label’s legacy that includes such blues/rock legends as Rick Derringer, Pat Travers, Eric Gales, Michael Schenker and Leslie West, among many others.

• Hiland’s masterful guitar and vocal performances on “All Fired Up” portend a great response from these loyal music lovers, as guitarists of this quality and intensity are few and far between.
• The Johnny Hiland Band is a live touring act, playing as many dates not only in the USA  but also in select foreign markets which has helped him amass a legion of loyal fans.
• Guitar Player Magazine has revered Hiland, and its many of its readers consider Johnny to be one of the greatest guitarists in the industry. Guitar Player Magazine sent one of their editors to the studio to catch the recording on film as it was going down and also to interview Johnny, some of which has already been posted on their website and is helping to prime the fans for this incredible CD’s release.
• Fans of guitar-oriented music have followed Johnny Hiland for over a decade and the internet is already buzzing with anticipation for this phenomenal record.
• As a guitarist, Hiland has been favorably compared to some of the greatest players of all time in his genre. This record, while featuring some of his most impressive and extended guitar work to date, also reveals him to be a strong singer/songwriter in the country rock genre.

MARKETING AND PROMOTION

• Consumer ads to be sought in popular music magazines.
• Visibility on major Internet music sites for Blues, Jam bands and classic rock and progressive country.
• Print advertising sought with major retailers and one-stops.
• Price/positioning and listening stations programs to be sought with key retail accounts.
• CD servicing to a selective group of musician-oriented, jam band, progressive country radio shows as well as college radio stations. For more retail information on this or any other Shrapnel Label Group releases, please contact your eOne sales rep.

Please call: The Shrapnel Label Group’ Tim Olayos at 415-898-5046 for your promo servicing needs.

Email: Shrapto@aol.com

BBI-2075- $17.98
File under Johnny Hiland
File under Country, Rock, Country/Rock

Press Information please contact:
Scott Thomas – Online Promotions
sthomas9@austin.rr.com
USA: 512-523-8333

Please remember to leave feedback. Thanks a lot!

Sincerely,
Scott

Blues Recording Artist Stoney Curtis Meets his HERO B.B. KING

I was invited to the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for a private BB King event held at BB Kings Blues Club.. Most were invited guests or people who paid a lot of dough to get in..

After the show, they had a meet and greet.. I was with my friend Joanie and girlfriend Jacque.. Jacque works for the Mirage, so I met the owner of BB Kings and a lot of other corporate people… BB was on stage taking pictures and saying hello.. The usual meet and greet.. Jacque and Joanie went up on stage and joked with BB, put their tits in his face and everyone was having fun.. Good, good times…
For the most part, these were people that were there, taking pictures with a celebrity, etc. Not true BB fans or even music fans.. When Jacque and Joanie were up on stage, I had Joanies camera, taking pictures and the 3 of them were having a good time.. ( we waited till most of the crowd had disbursed)…

When it was my time to go up, I went up to Mr. King who was seated.. I leaned down and told him in his ear, that the first time I saw him at ChicagoFest when I was a young kid.. That it was a moment that changed my life… He turned and looked at me… Now knowing I wasn’t just a guy taking a picture, he looked at me and said… That was the largest crowd I had ever played to up to that moment.. He remembered this night as well.. We struck up a conversation about music, Blues, Rock n Roll, women, life as musician and other moments that are just for me.. I look around and people are in tears.. You could sense what it meant to me, what it meant to him and people got to see genuine admiration from a true fan.. We chatted for about 5 minutes… 5 minutes that I’ll never forget… When Joanie went to take the pictures, I kneeled down, next to Mr. King.. I put my arm around him.. He reached down and grabbed my hand and held it.. He held it for a good minute, gave me some advice and we thanked each other for the moment..

It still gives me chills.. I’ll never forget the look on everyone’s faces… Jacque and Joanie were balling, people I never met before were in tears.. Wow.. What an evening.. Seeing BB King at ChicagoFest and the next day, purchasing LIVE AT COOK COUNTY JAIL truly did change my path… It was the night I met the blues.. Meeting Mr. King that night, cemented my admiration and respect for the greatest blues man and gentleman that has ever lived…

Stoney Curtis & B.B. King

BROUGHT TO YOU BY  SHRAPNEL RECORDS  

Amazon.com: stoney curtis band http://amzn.to/mRGUVX

PAUL GILBERT – “Fuzz Universe”

Paul Gilbert Fuzz Universe

Guitar wizard Paul Gilbert’s new solo instrumental album via Shrapnel Records

“Fuzz Universe is my third guitar instrumental album,” explains Gilbert. “Being a fan of pop music and rock bands, I am a reluctant convert into the art of instrumental rock music. But after touring with Joe Satriani’s G3,  I witnessed firsthand the power of the electric guitar to take center stage and rock the audience. Playing my guitar-driven songs live was a blast! This discovery led to a huge increase in my touring as a solo artist. In the last couple of years, I’ve played nearly 150 shows all over the world, with my guitar leading the way.”

Fuzz Universe title is inspired by Gilbert being so immersed in the world of guitar it made him realize that he lives in a Fuzz Universe. “Every generation of guitar players has their own terminology for the rock guitar sound: Distortion, Overdrive, Gain, Crunch, Saturation, Drive etc. For me, the word is Fuzz”

Gilbert’s extraordinary talent of arranging/composing lends to the new music’s fresh melodies for songs that shows his true diversity and only in Gilberts words will you understand:

“On Fuzz Universe, I think I’ve taken a giant step closer to the ultimate rock guitar sound and playing of my dreams. I’ve used many of my signature techniques from Racer X and Mr. Big, but twisted them into new chords, grooves, and emotions.

As always, my influences are diverse and not what you might expect from a “heavy metal” artist. While I was writing the songs for Fuzz Universe, I was immersing myself in Bulgarian Female Choir music, Baroque lute and violin pieces, Johnny Cash songs about trains, cows, mules, and mining coal, the Bee Gees, and Ronnie James Dio. I mix all this into my head, and out came endless new ideas for my guitar to chew on.

After several months of being locked in my writing room, I gathered my touring band together and headed to the studio. Jeff Bowders played drums. Craig Martini played bass. Emi Gilbert (my wife) played keyboards. And I bent the guitar strings until I couldn’t play anymore.

As usual, there are no dramatic stories here. No heroin overdoses, motorcycle accidents, celebrity divorces, or band-member boxing matches. The emotion, drama, and power are all in the music. That is the universe that I want to live in”

Paul Gilbert is regarded internationally as one of the greatest players in the industry. Starting his recording career with Shrapnel Records as a teenager in the late 80′s, Gilbert remains one of the most active guitarists from the original shred guitar scene. His rise to Platinum success includes a number one song with Mister Big, and cult status as founding member of the legendary and highly successful underground progressive metal band Racer X.

For more information visit: www.paulgilbert.com

Amazon.com: fuzz universe: Music http://amzn.to/hyawEy

String Skipping Pentatonic Style

A Vai Gilbert combination : Guitarist Jostein Odland ‘s “extremeskipping lessons” part 1

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, All Things Blue

Artist Name=Chris Duarte
Title=Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, All Things Blue
Record Company=Shrapnel Records

Review= I received Chris Duarte’s Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, All Things Blue CD a few days back and I must say that Chris Duarte’ is definitely one of today’s premier blues artist and guitar player… The Maestro is really without equal when it comes to blues rock today. His live shows are flawless and his mastery of the guitar is just down right incredible. As I listen to this CD, I notice how Chris really works the song with his awesome deep inner soul and feeling. He can go from subtle to incredibly driving blues in a matter of moments as in the song Something Wicked… He just digs down and gets his guitar singing some of that blackened voodoo hoochie-koo for sure. I mean songs like this just get me drunk w/ that whining dirty blues. His muse adds much more drive, funk and rock to that Texas blues sound.

I remember years ago seeing Chris in Austin when he use to do the free spring/summer concert series here. I remember hearing his playing off in the distance while walking to the concert area. I also remember telling myself that I had to get an up-close look at this master of the Strat. And that I did… I stood right in front of him while he did his whole-set and was just floored w/ his incredible blues playing and also enamored with his tone and over all sound. Who new it would be almost 20 years later I would be doing a CD review on him. However, I did feel at the time I was watching a prodigy in the making.

Chris plays a rhythmic style of Texas blues-rock that is at times reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s sound, and at other times reminiscent of Johnny Winter. The truth is, Duarte has his own sound that draws on elements of jazz, blues, and rock & roll. Although he is humbled by the comparisons with the late Vaughan, the San Antonio-raised musician began playing out in clubs there when he was 15 years old. After Duarte moved to Austin when he was 16, he began taking his guitar playing much more seriously, and at that time, Vaughan was still around playing in Austin-area clubs. Duarte was one of those lucky few thousand who got to see Vaughan at the Continental Club before the late guitarist got his first break with David Bowie. After a short stint in an Austin jazz band, Duarte joined Bobby Mack & Night Train and began getting heavily into blues at that point. He traveled all over Texas with that band before a big break came his way in 1994, when New York-based Silvertone Records released his critically praised debut album, Texas Sugar/Strat Magik. Tailspin Headwhack followed in 1997 and Love Is Greater Than Me appeared three years later. Romp from 2003 featured a cover version of Bob Dylan’s “One More Cup” and was followed by the 2007 album Blue Velocity, 2008′s Vantage Point, and 2009′s 396. My favorite tracks: Something Wicked, Sun Prairie Blues, Back In Town, Outside Man, Like Eric, Free 4 Me

Track Listings

1. Amy Lee
2. Sun Prairie Blues
3. Something Wicked
4. The Best That I Can Do
5. Satisfy
6. Let s Have A Party
7. Back In Town
8. Chattahoochee Side
9. Outside Man (Unreleased Studio Track)
10. 101 (Live Bootleg)
11. Baddness (Live Bootleg)
12. Like Eric (Live Bootleg)
13. Free 4 Me (Live Bootleg)

I give this compilation of awesome blues tunes 4 and a half Starz

Author=Scott Thomas

www.shrapnelrecords.com

Chris Duarte MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/chrisduartegroup