Bluesology: Ghalia Volt s One Woman Band, Mick Kolassa, Sugar Ray and more
Mike Greenblatt s monthly Bluesology column inspects the recent notes of Ghalia Volt s One Woman Band, Mick Kolassa, Sugar Ray and more.
Author:
Any new
Mick Kolassa album is cause for celebration. This longtime champion of the blues helped The Blues Foundation become a guiding force in this music and, indeed, 100% of the proceeds from the sale of
If You Can’t Be Good, Be Good At It (on his own Endless Blues Records) helps support that effort. And what an album! Give Jeff Jensen some credit here. The leader of his own band has settled into a groove with Kolassa over the latter’s last few album and here his guitar shrieks split the black night like lightning. Whether it’s Howling Wolf (“Who’s Been Talking”) or even James Taylor (“Lo And Behold”), the Kolassa/Jensen production gives the attention-to-detail highs priority while not sacrificing the big bass bottom. Kolassa’s voice has neve
Damon Fowler Band
Englewoods on Dearborn, a restaurant that also hosts music by national and local blues acts, is set to feature Florida s own Damon Fowler this week. The guitarist, singer-songwriter and former Anna Maria Island resident released his last album “The Whiskey Bayou Session” on Tab Benoit’s Whiskey Bayou Records and plans this year to release his new record Alafia Moon, sharing a name with the Hillsborough County river and community. Fowler has also played in the Dickey Betts Band, and in the supergroup Southern Hospitality with Grammy-nominated pianist Victor Wainwright and fellow Floridian bluesman J.P. Soars. 7 p.m. today; Englewoods on Dearborn, 362 W. Dearborn St., Englewood; $7; 941-475-7501; englewoodsondearborn.com
Jah Movement
Sarasota area reggae favorites Jah Movement will celebrate the birthday of a legend in the genre, Bob Marley, at a show at Bradenton s Motorworks Brewing, with food from Irie Mon Jamaican Grill. The group features soulful singer Shantel Norman as well as Damie Caines, who used to play in fellow popular area reggae band Democracy alongside his late father, Oswald Caines. Jah Movement also performs weekly at downtown Sarasota s Gator Club. 9:30 p.m. today; The Gator Club, 1490 Main St., Sarasota; 941-366-5969; facebook.com/thegatorclubsrq; 7 p.m. Saturday; Motorworks Brewing, 1014 Ninth St. W., Bradenton; 941-567-6218; motorworksbrewing.com
Albert Castiglia
Englewoods on Dearborn, which features live music from local and national blues acts, is scheduled to host Albert Castiglia as part of this week s lineup. The South Florida guitarist and singer-songwriter played in legendary bluesman Junior Wells’ band before starting a solo career, most recently releasing last year s “Wild and Free,” which won a Blues Blast Music Award for Live Blues Album and was recorded at Boca Raton’s The Funky Biscuit. Castiglia previously put out 2019 s Masterpiece,” which earned him a Blues Music Award for Blues Rock Album last year. 7 p.m. today; Englewoods on Dearborn, 362 W. Dearborn St., Englewood; $7; 941-475-7501; englewoodsondearborn.com
Sam Woolf
Singer-songwriter Sam Woolf, who reached the finals on the 13th season of American Idol while a senior at Braden River High School, will return to the area for a show at Sarasota venue The Blue Rooster. Woolf continued to pursue a musical career after American Idol, recently releasing the mellow pop single Ease My Mind and multiple collaborations with duo The Como Brothers. He s also stayed busy during the pandemic performing livestream concerts, including a 360-degree show using virtual reality headsets. 7 p.m. today; The Blue Rooster, 1525 Fourth St., Sarasota; $10; 941-388-7539; blueroostersrq.com
Big Al and the Heavyweights