The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Guitar legend Albert Lee coming to Sally’s
Now that the holidays have passed, the blues scene is getting back on schedule. Big names are touring, although fear of snow slows down some acts.
Guitar legend Albert Lee is coming to Black-eyed Sally’s on Friday. Opening up this show is special guest, Atlas Gray. Lee first came to prominence during a 1964-68 stint in British Blues and R & B withtThe Thunderbirds. He has an extensive resume with musicians of all types.
After working with bands in the UK, work with U.S.-based-greats led to collaborations with Don Everly, and Lee contributed to his 1974 solo effort “Sunset Towers.” The move to California also led to work on sessions for the debut album of Jackson Browne.
Lee joined Joe Cocker’s band in the mid 70s, a time that included recordings for the April 1976 release “Stingray.” From there A & M records signed Albert as an artist in his own right. An invitation in 1978 led to a five year stint in Eric Clapton’s band
In his fifth decade as a professional musician, Lee is part of a rarefied fraternity. He is respected across the globe and pretty much living out a professional career that most of his colleagues, when he started out, could only dream of.
Saturday, Popa Chubby drops in on the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center. Popa Chubby has been hard-rocking the blues in his fierce and soulful way for more than 25 years, and has gained a state following with his stylings. Over the course of a career that dates back to 1994, he has become a force to be reckoned with on the guitar, and his tempestuous, soulful playing has never been more powerful. An imposing figure with a shaven head, tattooed arms, a goatee and a performance style he describes as “the Stooges meets Buddy Guy, Motörhead meets Muddy Waters, and Jimi Hendrix meets Robert Johnson,” Popa Chubby is an endearing character who is one of the genre’s most popular figures. He can take that fierce style and slow it down with a moving ballad.
His career has always been about moving forward and carving a place for himself in the imposing terrain of the music business. He has built a constantly increasing base of fans across the world. A native New Yorker, his first gigs were in the New York City’s punk scene. Right from the start, he was immersed in rock ‘n’ roll as theater.
The blues however, was the foundation of his playing style. He recalls, “Since I’d grown up on Hendrix, Cream and Led Zeppelin, when I started playing blues in New York clubs I understood that the blues should be dangerous, too.” Popa Chubby is his own man for better or worse.
Daryl’s House has Johnny A. for a solo show on Friday, doing a celebration of the British songbook of the 60’s. Saturday, another strong guitar player, Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters, hit the stage.
Sunday at 2 p.m., June’s Outback Pub hosts The Redliners. The show is a fundraiser for Steve Hatch, who won the Connecticut Blues Society Solo Duo Challenge and will go to compete in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis later this month.
Friday, the Kathy Thompson Band debuts at Crystal Bees.
Petey Hop is at The Falcon Underground creating a “home” for traditional blues and roots music. On the third Wednesday, it’s a strict “no pedals” policy and philosophy to keep it raw and true to the original music.
The Note Kitchen & Bar has a variety of blues coming in this week. Friday, it is Dan Zlotnick, followed on Saturday by Jake Kulak & the Lowdown. Wednesday, Elle Sera takes the stage.
Milford Arts Council thought you might need something to look forward to after the holiday festivities. Saturday and Sunday, kick off the dead of winter with an indoor bluegrass and blues festival that’ll warm you inside and out. Ticket information at https://www.milfordarts.org/https/souped-upblues-grass-bash.
Stafford Cidery is hosting a Feed Our Feathered Friends event on Saturday at 2 p.m. You can help support Horizon Wings with a contribution being made for every pint sold between 2-5 p.m. to the “Feed Our Friends Fund,” which helps purchase food for the birds being cared for at Horizon Wings. And of course, donations made directly to Horizon Wings are greatly appreciated.
This just in from Pete Scheips: Salty Dog Band is hosting the Open mic every Tuesday at The Press, 187 Allyn St., Hartford.
It is not too late to make plans for the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Bands from Connecticut, Steve Hatch, solo/duo and Jake Kulak & the Lowdown will be joined by more than 200 other bands from around the world. It is a chance to see some up and coming talent and maybe discover a future star or two. The list of participants who have gone on to get recording contracts and make the festival circuit are many.