Buddy Guy / Moreland & Arbuckle, The Roseland, Apr 23, 2010

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If you’re a blues fanatic, then this is a concert you will not want to miss. Buddy Guy will be returning to The Roseland Theater on Friday, April 23rd for what will surely be another sold out event. But to make it even more tempting, Moreland & Arbuckle, one of the fastest rising blues acts today will open the show.

When it come to the most recognized names in the blues world today, perhaps only B.B. King is more well-known than Buddy Guy. Since first breaking onto the scene in the late 1950s, Buddy Guy has amassed a following of guitar enthusiasts and blues fans too numerous to count. And it’s not just your run-of-the-mill fans either. Big time players like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck all cited Guy as a major influence. And he’s reaped a ton of awards during his career as well, including more Blues Music Awards than any other person in the history of the honors, the Presidential Medal of Arts, Billboard’s Century Award, induction in both the Rock & Roll and Blues Hall of Fames, named by Rolling Stone as one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time, and coming up in May he will be the recipient of The Blues Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Buddy Guy performances are truly a spectacle to behold. He moves about the stage and often into the audience with a fiery presence and attitude of watch me now! His guitar playing is unsurpassed in the genre and his shows are legendary. People go over and over again, because they’re always entertained, and guitar aficionados intently watch his every movement on the frets. Definitely one of the not-to-miss blues artists of his time.

Guitarist Aaron Moreland and harmonica ace Dusty Arbuckle have played in Portland numerous times over the past few years and this Kansas-based band gains legions of new fans with every appearance. Strongly influenced by the sounds of the North Mississippi Hill Country, Moreland & Arbuckle have developed that inspiration into their own blend that pushes them toward the upper ranks of today’s roots artists. Their latest release Flood (their first on the Telarc label) follows on the heels of the outstanding 1861 album, that continues their exploration into the rawest forms of American music.

Friday, April 23rd, 8:00 pm. 21 & older only. Tickets for this event are available through TicketsWest.com. $29.50 for general admission and $45 reserved balcony seating.

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Additional Information

CD Reviews

"Joy"

Root Doctor

Self-Produced

rootdoctorfeaturingfredd Joy is the fourth recording from previous Blues Music Award nominated band Root Doctor. Hailing from Lansing, Michigan, this outfit continues to release some extra greasy, soulful blues that has enough bite to grasp your nerve endings with ecstasy. Front man Freddie Cunningham’s voice delivers first rate performances whether it be funky, soulful or down in the alley blues and he is backed by artists that make everything on the disc come to life.

There may have been some concern when this band lost two key members from its original line-up when B-3 man Jim Alfredson jumped ship to join Janiva Magness’ band and guitarist Greg Nagy went on to a successful solo career. But have no fears, the band has recruited top flight musicians in their place with keyboard player Mike Skory, string-man Bill Malone and new drummer Bobby Gardner. Matched with Cunningham and founding member James Williams on bass, there is nothing lost in the band’s driving approach that makes them quite enjoyable and this new album proves just that. Skory especially makes his mark with the band, contributing writing credits on five of the numbers, including the title track and two (“Dark Eyes” and “”Don’t Have To Worry No More”) that he shares composition with guitarist Malone. Greg Nagy still shows a little presence as well as the band offers his song “Live For Yourself” in the mix.

But make no mistake, this is Freddie Cunningham’s band. Without his vocal lead the band may still be exceptional, but he is the factor that makes its sound come alive. A natural blues and soul man of the highest degree, his voice carries emotion, enlightenment and perception that cannot be learned. Perhaps it is his Mississippi upbringing, but be it that or whatever cause he should be recognized alongside the elite singers of his generation. Just listen to “Last Call” and the ease he delivers this powerful number, it just seems to roll effortlessly while Malone’s guitar offers nasty biting jabs backed by extraordinary horn riffs.

Joy makes certain to let us know that Root Doctor is not going to go away anytime soon. All ten tracks on this disc, okay eleven, as “It’s Cold Outside (And You Ain’t Going Nowhere)” is listed as a hidden track (is it really hidden if listed on the sleeve?), will get you into a soulful or rockin’ groove with little effort. Good bands just do that, and Root Doctor is a lot more than just a good band. They bring home the goods and then some. Another winning album for certain.

Total Time: 48:10

Dark Eyes / Don’t Have To Worry No More / The Message / Time Zone / Joy / Heavenly Faces / Detroit City / Use This Love / Live For Yourself / Last Call / It’s Cold Outside (And You Ain’t Going Nowhere)

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