The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
‘Black Snake Boots’ plays the Maple Tree Cafe
Maple Tree Café joins with the Connecticut Blues Society on Saturday to present Black Snake Boots. Finalists in this year’s Blues Challenge, they offer a good mix of harmonica and guitar. Once a month, the CTBS will bring in a band.
Roberto Morbioli has been stopping in Connecticut when he visits the United States. On Friday he will be at Black-Eyed Sally’s. Morbioli was born in Verona and started playing the guitar at an early age. At the age of 15 he discovered his greatest passion to be the blues. Morbioli’s personality and unique playing style are evident in all his interpretations while at the same time recalling the styles of great blues artists.
Roberto is a passionate and commanding guitarist, laying down great groove in every song he plays. Each note comes straight from his heart. Add his ability as a vocalist and you have a very entertaining evening.
Infinity Music Hall Norfolk has a Saturday show of Kal David, Lauri Bono & the Real Deal. As the former lead singer/lead guitarist of the Fabulous Rhinestones, lead guitarist for John Mayall’s Blues Breakers and Etta James’ Band, David’s reputation as one of the finest blues singer/guitarist has been more than confirmed. If you haven’t seen him before, plan on catching this performance. David is not just a great blues guitarist, he has a wide range of styles, soulfulness and grit. He is also a true vocalist, a professional with way above vocal chops.
The vocals of Lauri Bono, music partner of Kal David for many years, is as the band’s name says: a featured member. As a one of the lead members of the band, she is an amazing and dynamic female vocalist. Bono can sound like soft velvet, or turn on the gravel and guts, and then pull you right back into another soft passage. It a gift that she has chosen to share with Kal David as they travel the globe making records, playing concerts and major VIP events. There is something so special about the chemistry between these two artists. Although each can stand alone, they are a real deal team.
Toad’s Place on Wednesday has Samantha Fish. While she’s well known as a purveyor of blues, having been lauded by such legends as Buddy Guy, the Royal Southern Brotherhood and Luther Dickinson, she has a real love for raw, scrappy rock and roll. Working with various musicians, she realized just how much that basic, unfettered sound meant to her. Fish ventured off in another new direction, one she was exploring for the first time in her career. She joined forces with members of the Detroit Cobras, a band that plays the Midwest punk/ blues scene. For what can be best described as a pure slab of rocking rhythm n’ blues, you will have to see her.
The blues/folk/bluegrass/trio, the Ben Miller Band, make their Bridge Street debut on Thursday. Since its formation in 2004, the Ben Miller Band has staked out a singular niche that’s established the Joplin, Missouri threesome as both a potent, creative force and a perennial fan favorite. “Any Way, Shape or Form,” the BMB’s New West debut release, showcases the seasoned threesome’s fierce, creative spirit and infectious performing chemistry, as well as Miller’s melodically catchy, lyrically resonant songwriting.
The hard working threesome has already won a substantial grassroots fan base. The Ben Miller Band’s homespun, self-reliant approach extends to the lo-tech, and largely self-built, instruments that the members play on stage. The band’s use of offbeat instrumentation, however, shouldn’t be taken for a gimmick — instead, they have mastered the challenges to produce a uniquely evocative ensemble sound that offers a compelling frame for Miller’s compositions.
Summer weather means the outdoor venues and town concerts are a big part of the blues schedule.
Troy Danner has two set this week. The Torrington Green will host him on Friday from 7-9 p.m. On Monday, he is at the Southbury Memorial Green as part of the Southbury Summer Concert Series Live on the Memorial Green.
The New Haven Green has its Wednesday lunchtime series with Bluzberry Pi this week.
Dan Stevens will be at the Farmers’ Market in Old Saybrook Saturday at 11 a.m., and later at Rose’s Berry Farm at 3:30 p.m.
Powder Ridge Ski Resort has Basically Blues Band playing at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The Art League of New Britain is hosting Renee’s 40th Birthday Art Show and ALNB Charity Party with EasyBaby from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday.
Rich Badowski Blues Band is at the East Hartland Fireman’s Carnival Thursday for a 6 p.m. show.
The New Hartford Pavillion has The Regulators from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday.
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.