Hey there. I won’t lie. It was a pretty rotten week.
2020 is hanging on like the shark in Jaws.
Not sure when or where he’s gonna pop up again. Or how hungry he’s gonna be. I just know we’re gonna need a bigger boat.
Maybe if we all work together, we can turn this thing around. I, for one, would rather end up like the Sheriff, and not old Quint!
This week: The Spotlight’s shining on a new husband-and-wife duo. (They’re Brits of course.)
And then in Short Licks I’m gonna tempt you to shop locally, reveal a wunderkind sighting, and at the end, show you a store that must be somewhere just inside the Pearly Gates.
Spotlight – When Rivers Meet
When Rivers Meet – nobler.co.uk
Personal Fusion
The name of this duo (When Rivers Meet) is a metaphor of sorts. In geography, when rivers meet, they join to form a new, stronger river.
And that’s what’s happened here on their debut album “We Fly Free.”
Grace and Aaron Bond have joined together to create a sum greater than their musical parts. Grace’s lead vocals and Aaron’s guitar work form the foundation.
But it’s the mixture of all the other musical elements that really create something … well, tasty.
The Puzzle Pieces
To begin with, the songwriting’s quite good. And so is the song variety.
The mix of different instruments (especially the percussion) stood out to me. Plus, everything was arranged in a way to really let the vocals shine through.
And it’s the vocals that really stand out.
Grace is a gifted vocalist – full stop. She could carry the album all by herself. But she doesn’t have too because Aaron is pretty darn good too.
Their harmonies are excellent. And they stitch everything together in a contemporary, Bluesy Rocky way.
Thriving During Lockdown
Like every other musician in the world, their career screeched to a halt with Covid. And, like every other musician in the world, they had to adapt.
When their UK lockdown started, they started to live-stream. In fact, they’ve done a live-stream once a week for 40-some weeks. That’s allowed them to reach literally hundreds of thousands of new fans and grow their fanbase.
When their lockdown eased, they finished their album – properly socially-distanced of course. But now with new restrictions in place, it’s back to just live-streaming.
Side Note: their live-streams are adorable!
The Outro
When Rivers Meet has a distinctive sound that’s somewhere between Larkin Poe and Ida Mae. It’s the kind of sound that can easily translate from recording to live show.
And with the fanbase they’ve grown over the last year, they should do very, very well when they can start gigging again. I know I’ll line up.
So if you’re looking for a little bit of a change of pace that still hits that Bluesy spot, “We Fly Free” is a real good listen.
Short Licks
Photo by Gabriel Gurrola on Unsplash
A Vinyl Survival Revival
I know we’re all shopping a lot online right now. That’s convenient, sure, but what do you say we try to keep some local businesses open too? Case in point, local record stores. Most have adapted to online sales and have their own websites. So you can buy your vinyl electronically in between your Doom-Scrolling on Twitter. Then, when we’re all vaccinated, you can get back to combing through the Blues record bins in person. (Remember what that was like?)
Precocious Child
So the the 2020 Boston Music Award for Blues Artist of the Year went to 17 year-old Veronica Lewis. That might seem surprising. But after you see her perform, not so much. She’s another one of those rising stars on the Blues scene that we should keep an eye on. (Good God; I have socks older than her!)
That’s Some Kinda Drug Test
“The zero-tolerance approach doesn’t work, it’s been a tried and tested method now for decades, and it doesn’t keep people safe.” So a company in the UK (Boomtown Fair) allows concert-goers to test their own stash before concerts, to make sure they’re not taking anything dangerous. Keeping people safe through awareness and education. (One pill at a time.)
Drugs At Festivals: ‘The Zero-Tolerance Approach Doesn’t Work’
Zero Drink Minimums
That’s what all live-streams are right? Well, here’s a good one coming up – Shemekia Copeland. She’ll be doing a live-stream from the Lincoln Center in NYC on January 14th (10:30 p.m. ET). Shemekia has more Blues awards than I can list here. She also has a commanding Blues voice that empowers every song she sings. Tickets are $10. (Remember to tip your waitress.)
Shemekia Copeland: Uncivil War Debut Concert
Hungry Eyes
Here’s a little video tour that’s guaranteed to make the Blues musician in you salivate with lust. New guitars, vintage guitars, and a showroom to die for. The Chicago Music Exchange is more like an art gallery than a music store. (A definite bucket-list stop.)
Chicago Music Exchange Store Video Tour
I’ll Leave You With…
“We’re All In This Together” by Walter Trout
(Now more than ever before!)
Thanks for reading,
Jon
Jon Beres
I’m one part Blues Fan and one part Digital Native (with a dash of Curmudgeon.) I’m also the publisher of AlltheWayBlue.com. If you love the Blues, I have a feeling we’ll get along just fine - cheers!
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