The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Freight Train Band playing at Infinity Music Hall
Saturday, Infinity Music Hall in Norfolk has Kal David with Lauri Bono & The Real Deal plus The Real Deal Horns. The former lead singer/lead guitarist of the Fabulous Rhinestones, David played lead guitar with some of the genre’s biggest names including John Mayall’s Blues Breakers and Etta James’ Band. He is considered by many to be the finest blues singer/guitarist on the planet. If you haven’t seen him before then don’t miss this performance. Add the vocal accompaniment of Lauri Bono and you have a show that fills the house.
Meanwhile at Infinity Music Hall in Hartford, don’t miss Butch Trucks and his Freight Train Band. Butch Trucks and The Freight Train was formed one year ago, but is already receiving rave reviews for their fantastic live shows from the past three U.S. tours.
A founding drummer for the Allman Brothers Band, Trucks is joined by Berry Oakley Jr. on bass and vocals. Berry’s Dad was the original founding bass player of The Allman Brothers Band and this union between Butch and Berry Jr. marks the first time in 45 years that an “Oakley” and a “Trucks” are performing together again on the same stage. Not only does Oakley’s bass playing run in the vein as his Dad, but he also does it with his Dad’s famous, one-of-a-kind Fender “Tractor” bass guitar that was used on all the early Allman Brothers Band albums and tours.
World renowned blues guitar slinger Damon Fowler brings his highly acclaimed guitar playing and vocals to the Freight Train stage as well. He recently released his fifth full length album, to the delight of worldwide audiences.
Keyboard maste, Bruce Katz, who has appeared on over 72 albums, joins The Freight Train directly from his recent touring duties with The Gregg Allman Band. At the North Atlantic Blues Festival Katz played with John Hammond and the next day sat in with the Alexis P. Suter Band. Rounding out the band is the young and very talented Heather Gillis, whose vocals, guitar playing, and performance tie together this amazing representation of the past, present and future of Roots Rock and the Blues.
On Thursday, Butch Trucks and his Freight Train Band will be at FTC Stage One. Tuesday, FTC has Rich Robinson with Bonnie Bishop.
Mystic River Park continues its Blue Monday performances with the Boston Blues All-Stars. The band features Anthony Geraci, along with Sugar Ray & the Blue Tones. Add special guests Michelle “Evil Gal” Wilson and Darrell Nulisch for a full stage.
In 2016, Fifty Shades Of Blue was nominated for Album of the Year and Traditional Album of the Year. The title cut, Fifty Shades Of Blue, was nominated as Song of the Year. Individually, Geraci was nominated for the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year. The band made its mark with the Blues Foundation’s Blues Music Awards.
Geraci has honed his exquisite piano work for years. He has been spotlighted in the past with Sugar Ray & The Bluetones and with Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters.
If you would like to catch Jeff Pitchell playing acoustic, he will be at Tipping Chair Tavern on Wednesday.
Friday, Pitchell will be at Angelico’s Lakehouse with The Legends Live On! Concert. This features Allman, Neville, Pitchell, King, and Charles.
Saturday, Diane Blue is at Black-Eyed Sally’s. Blue is a soul-stirring vocalist, skillful harmonica player and a crowd-pleasing entertainer. Voted Outstanding Female Singer in the Blues Audience 2015 and 2011 Readers’ Polls, Blue is a soulful and sassy performer with a strong and energetic delivery, serving up her own spin on soul, blues and R&B.
She is the newest member of Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters, touring as lead singer with the legendary band. Blue tours in the U.S. and abroad as a featured performer, in addition to her duties with the Broadcasters.
Friday, Good Lord the Liftin’ is at Sally’s.
Some new venues for Blues Beat include Tiana in Middletown hosting Brandt Taylor on Saturday at 3 p.m. Landmark Café in Manchester has a Friday show with Skylark City. Down in Stamford on Thursday at Tavern 489, it is the Mojomatics. In Watertown it is Daveluy’s with Eran Troy Danner, acoustic duo.
Tom Guerra has a new CD out “Trampling Out the Vintage.” While not a blues CD, it is filled with creative guitar work, something Guerra is known for. The first stop on his promo tour is a visit to WTRC FM on Saturday. From 3:30-5:30 p.m., he will join longtime DJ Chris Cowles to spin the new disc and play some songs by their favorite guitarists.
You can tune in on at 89.3 FM or via the interwebs. http://www.wrtcfm.com/?p=4317. Get the complete Blues Beat schedule on Thursday at the blog http://bluesbeatnews.wordpress.com/. Any questions or comments should be sent to Domenic Forcella at TWBlus@aol.com.