Welcome back to new music...
If you enjoyed the taste of Raphael Saadiq last week and want to check him out live, here is his touring schedule:
Sat/Feb-28 San Diego, CA House of Blues
Mon/Mar-02 Los Angeles, CA House of Blues
Tue/Mar-03 SF,CA The Fillmore
Thu/Mar-05 Seattle, WA The Showbox @ The Market
Fri/Mar-06 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom
Sat/Mar-07 Vancouver, BC Richard's On Richards Cabaret
Tue/Mar-10 Denver, CO Bluebird Theater
Wed/Mar-11 Kansas City, MO Voodoo Lounge @ Harrah's Casino
Thu/Mar-12 Chicago, IL Park West
Fri/Mar-13 Minneapolis, MO Fine Line Music Cafe
Sun/Mar-15 Detroit, MI City Theatre
Mon/Mar-16 Toronto, ON Phoenix Concert Theatre
Tue/Mar-17 Montreal, QC Cabaret du Musse Juste Pour Rire
Thu/Mar-19 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club
Fri/Mar-20 Philadelphia, PA Theatre Of The Living Arts
Sat/Mar-21 NYC, NY Fillmore
Mon/Mar-23 Baltimore, MD Rams Head Live!
Tue/Mar-24 Washington DC 9:30 Club
Thu/Mar-26 Charlotte, NC Wachovia Atrium
Sat/Mar-28 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
If you enjoyed the taste of Raphael Saadiq last week and want to check him out live, here is his touring schedule:
Sat/Feb-28 San Diego, CA House of Blues
Mon/Mar-02 Los Angeles, CA House of Blues
Tue/Mar-03 SF,CA The Fillmore
Thu/Mar-05 Seattle, WA The Showbox @ The Market
Fri/Mar-06 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom
Sat/Mar-07 Vancouver, BC Richard's On Richards Cabaret
Tue/Mar-10 Denver, CO Bluebird Theater
Wed/Mar-11 Kansas City, MO Voodoo Lounge @ Harrah's Casino
Thu/Mar-12 Chicago, IL Park West
Fri/Mar-13 Minneapolis, MO Fine Line Music Cafe
Sun/Mar-15 Detroit, MI City Theatre
Mon/Mar-16 Toronto, ON Phoenix Concert Theatre
Tue/Mar-17 Montreal, QC Cabaret du Musse Juste Pour Rire
Thu/Mar-19 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club
Fri/Mar-20 Philadelphia, PA Theatre Of The Living Arts
Sat/Mar-21 NYC, NY Fillmore
Mon/Mar-23 Baltimore, MD Rams Head Live!
Tue/Mar-24 Washington DC 9:30 Club
Thu/Mar-26 Charlotte, NC Wachovia Atrium
Sat/Mar-28 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
Are you a fan of The Offspring? If so, The Offspring debut their video for "Kristy, Are You Doing Okay?" from their 8th studio album, Rise And Fall, Rage And Grace on Spinner.com. "Kristy, Are You Doing Okay?" was directed by Lex Halaby. Check it out HERE.
This week we introduce you to Chris Huff.
We are in pocession of his first CD North Cathedral Way.
From his bio:
Chris Huff is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer specializing in hooky retro pop songs that combine different genres. His sound has been described as "Bob Dylan and David Bowie jamming in Jamaica"; his songs have also been favorably compared to The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Lou Reed, Woody Guthrie, Kurt Cobain, Martin Sexton, and Dr. Dog.
Chris's musical background goes something like this: started on classical piano, moved to jazz bass with a big band, strummed some folky guitar after a bike accident as therapy, sang a cappella, opera, and gospel both solo and with award-winning choirs and ensembles, studied bluegrass in Kentucky, immersed himself in the electric guitar (focusing on anything pre-Van Halen), and hit the streets singing and playing in bars, clubs, restaurants, and wherever would have him (venues including Carnegie Hall and CBGBs).
Along the way he has played and sung with progressive rock bands, large soul groups, little alternapop combos, scored for independent film, and written and performed children's songs and new age Kirtan chant. So, at this time in history where mixing and matching genres to create endless subgenres is all the rage, Chris is uniquely qualified for this sort of work with his eclectic, all-encompassing musical background and multi-faceted, flexible writing and singing voices.
For some people, this kind of genre-hopping might indicate a lack of focus but for Chris it serves to highlight his core musical philosophy. "I think of what I do as musical gumbo," he says. "In the way the great jam bands pool together all of their musical influences to produce something new, my main goal with my Death and Texas LP was to create a retro pop album that pulled from a variety of sources. It would be almost like listening to a mix tape except, of course, all the songs would be performed by the same person."
Chris has opened for Hamell on Trial, Brooks Williams, Stanley Jordan, and played "The Killing Moon" live with Echo and the Bunnymen. He has also worked as a sideman with Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul, and Mary), Amanda Green (lyricist of Bway's High Fidelity), and Chuck Hammer (Lou Reed, David Bowie, TV/film composer).
Two from this CD, which can be yours for the asking in comments..."Short-Term Memory Blues" and "The Spider & The Fly"...
We are in pocession of his first CD North Cathedral Way.
From his bio:
Chris Huff is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer specializing in hooky retro pop songs that combine different genres. His sound has been described as "Bob Dylan and David Bowie jamming in Jamaica"; his songs have also been favorably compared to The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Lou Reed, Woody Guthrie, Kurt Cobain, Martin Sexton, and Dr. Dog.
Chris's musical background goes something like this: started on classical piano, moved to jazz bass with a big band, strummed some folky guitar after a bike accident as therapy, sang a cappella, opera, and gospel both solo and with award-winning choirs and ensembles, studied bluegrass in Kentucky, immersed himself in the electric guitar (focusing on anything pre-Van Halen), and hit the streets singing and playing in bars, clubs, restaurants, and wherever would have him (venues including Carnegie Hall and CBGBs).
Along the way he has played and sung with progressive rock bands, large soul groups, little alternapop combos, scored for independent film, and written and performed children's songs and new age Kirtan chant. So, at this time in history where mixing and matching genres to create endless subgenres is all the rage, Chris is uniquely qualified for this sort of work with his eclectic, all-encompassing musical background and multi-faceted, flexible writing and singing voices.
For some people, this kind of genre-hopping might indicate a lack of focus but for Chris it serves to highlight his core musical philosophy. "I think of what I do as musical gumbo," he says. "In the way the great jam bands pool together all of their musical influences to produce something new, my main goal with my Death and Texas LP was to create a retro pop album that pulled from a variety of sources. It would be almost like listening to a mix tape except, of course, all the songs would be performed by the same person."
Chris has opened for Hamell on Trial, Brooks Williams, Stanley Jordan, and played "The Killing Moon" live with Echo and the Bunnymen. He has also worked as a sideman with Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul, and Mary), Amanda Green (lyricist of Bway's High Fidelity), and Chuck Hammer (Lou Reed, David Bowie, TV/film composer).
Two from this CD, which can be yours for the asking in comments..."Short-Term Memory Blues" and "The Spider & The Fly"...
Chris Huff isn't bad. I think I like the instruments better than his vocals. I can't put my finger on it but there is something missing. There seems to be a little soul or blues missing from his "Short Term Memory Blues." Maybe I'm just expecting a little more rasp in his voice, like a Delbert McClinton or B.B. King. I don't know, the songs are good, I'm just missing a little something in the vocals.
I really like this stuff and would love to hear more!
The second one kinda rambles on too long...but I still think he has potential!
Thanks for introducing him to us!
I think I agree with Drilleraa. I wouldn't turn this off if I heard it on the radio, but not sure if I'd buy it. He might be one of those artists that grows on me after awhile.
I agree with Travis. I liked Chris very much and could definitely listen to him. I like his guitar picking and his voice is very easy to listen to. As to if I would buy his music, I honestly don't think so.
Great New Music Monday! Thanks Vinnybond!
I wanted to also say Thank You for the CD. I just love it!!! :-)
Hugs,
Kimmie
This guy is pretty good. I could see myself going down to the pub and listening to him if he was playing there and having a good time.
Jay's got a point; this guy is good pub music, but his voice isn't full enough for blues. It lacks....something.
Getting back into the swing of blogging again and just wanted to drop in to say HI!
DRILLERAA: Thanks for your feedback. I certainly see/hear your points and they are well made.
JULIE: Thanks for your opinion...I will keep the 'wanting to hear more' in mind
TRAVIS: Thanks ...
KIMMIE: The kind of feedback I am always looking for, thank you
JAY: I agree he would be fun in person
SONGBIRD: You and Jay hanging in pubs now? LOL thanks...
MAGS: Welcome back...HI!
Eeek! Scary. This album was recorded 10 years ago, so please keep that in mind. Maybe you folks would like my newer stuff better - all available to listen to for free at www.reverbnation.com/chrishuff - thanks to Bond for the post! Much appreciated :-)
How cool that the artist (Chris) commented.
Not really my musical style. sorry
CHRIS: Thanks for your comment...My guests are nothing but honest and they have strong opinions about music...We will let them hear some of the newer stuff tomorrow.
JEFF: Isn't it though.
It's great to see the artist comment here. Looking forward to hearing some newer stuff.
You are very welcome! Again, thanks to Bond so much for posting these tracks -
I stand by both tunes but think maybe some context helps...
"Short-Term Memory Blues" was NEVER meant to be Robert Johnson or even Delbert McClinton...it is more like a Blind Willie McTell goofy song...but I would never put it in the category of "real" blues though it originates from a deep love of it...it is included on the CD b/c it was a live staple from 95-98 when I was shuffling around NYC...got a lot of laughs...comic song not serious blues...
"Spider and the Fly" is a VERY atypical song for me even from the NCW album (maybe 1 other song on there like that) - my attempt at Nick Drake-dom long before the VW commercial - my wife's favorite song on the CD lol - the most folk I have ever gone really...
:-) you all seem like well educated, honest, sensible peeps. Tomorrow you will see what I am doing now which is not at all a folkie coffeehouse thing. Appreciate the chance to show my other side! Rock on.
I like Chris =)
LOVE The Offspring. Wish Dexter would grow his dreads back.