Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "angela strehli"

Blues on the Green

2010-09-29T08:58:51Z

On Sunday September 26 Capital Public Radio hosted a Swell Productions Event; the second annual Blues on the Green. Performers included The Nick Gravenites Band and the Blues Broads with Mick Martin emceeing the event.

The Chicago born and Blues Hall of Famer, Nick Gravenites entertained the audience with stories that accompanied each song. I’ve heard other musicians trying to tell a story regarding a song they’re about to play but never before have I heard anybody peak my interest as Nick did. He has a good story about each of his songs making it more interesting and fun to listen to his Blues Ballads. He had wonderful tales to tell that peaked everyone’s interest.

Nick sang a couple of my favorites; Born in Chicago, There’s no Blues in California (I’m not sure if this is the exact name) and Since the Gas Station Left Town. Mick Martin came on stage a few times to accompany the Nick Gravenites Band playing the harmonica. Other fan favorites included songs he wrote for Janis Joplin and other bands in the late 60s and early 70s

Some people in the audience had no choice but to get up and dance. The music was heartfelt and you couldn’t help but enjoy the music and dance. Wine, beer, food and Capital Public Radio merchandise was on sale at different stations. At the beginning of the concert everyone tried to find a shady spot to sit but after a few songs it’ didn’t really matter people just tried to sit closer to the stage.

After the Nick Gravenites Band ended their performance Mick Martin came onstage. He thanked some sponsors and Swell Productions for putting on the show. At this point Mick Martin was recognized for his contributions to the Blues in Sacramento. A California Senate Resolution award was given to him for his work in promoting the Blues. He was quite touched and grateful to receive the recognition.

Soon afterwards he introduced the Blues Broads. Angela Strehli started the set by singing Austin’s Home of the Blues. Each of the Blues Broads took turns singing lead vocal. They sang a total of 18 songs and came back for one encore.

Tracy Nelson was getting over a cold and was concerned about her voice but she didn’t need to worry her voice came through beautifully on each song that she took the lead on. Her gospel sounds touched the spirits within of all those in attendance.

Dorothy Morrison was great as usual and brought her sister, Diana, on stage to sing Tell me Something Good. Dorothy introduced Diana and indicated that she lives in Sacramento.

About a third of the way through their set Annie Sampson was singing Baby Blue and as she sang her voice became quite penetrating. She sang that song to perfection and it really touched me. After that, each song on the set just got better.

The Blues Broads finished their set with Oh Happy Day. Mick Martin came back on stage to ask the audience to show their appreciation for the Blues Broads and the audience enthusiastically responded. He then asked the Blues Broads to come back on stage for one last song Jesus I’ll Never Forget was their encore.

Photos:

1 - Blues Mick Martin

2. - Nick Gravenites, 3 to 7 - Nick Gravenites Band

8 - Mick Martin Recognition, 9 - Mick Martin

10 - Blues Broads, 11 - Angela Strehli, 12 - Dorothy Morrison, 13 - Tracy Nelson, 14 - Annie Sampson

15 to 19 - Blues Broads Band

20 - Angela Strehli, 21 - Sisters Dorothy and Diana, 22 - Dorothy, Tracy, and Angela

Blues on the Green 2 - Interview With Angela Strehli

2010-09-25T20:19:29Z

Capital Public Radio and Swell-Productions presents Blues on the Green 2 on September 26, 2010. Featured performers will be The Blues Broads and The Nick Gravenites Band with emcee Mick Martin. Tickets for the much anticipated event can be purchased at The Beat and Dimple Records locations and if the event is not sold out you can also purchase tickets at the gates.

One of the Blues Broads, Angela Strehli, sometimes known as the “First Lady of Texas Blues” took time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions. After a couple of rehearsals, on the morning of the interview, she indicated her voice might be going out. As luck would have it her voice held up and she answered all questions.

The Sacramento Press: How was the name chosen and who came up with the name Blues Broads?

Angela Strehli: I did. Broad can be interpreted in different ways. It does not mean girl. It’s more like a female with a little attitude. It’s a female who’s had life experience. It just fits into our music which is mostly blues with some gospel.

SP: When did you interest in music begin?

AS: I’ve been interested in music all my life. I’m a big fan of all kinds of music.

SP: Have you been touring or recording lately?

AS: Haven’t done much touring lately. It takes up quite a bit of time to come up with original songs and to put a record together. I’d like to end up with a record that I can be proud of and maybe tour to share that with our fans. There are a few places we’ve played. Playing overseas in Europe and Japan is a bit different. They know and appreciate the blues so it’s exciting to tour over there.

SP: Being from Texas do you think this early influence is still a big part of your musical background?

AS: Yes the Texas roots have had quite an influence on my music. I grew up listening to every type of music from western, blues, swing and everything in between. There was a wonderful mix of musical tastes in Texas. I was exposed to wonderful music from Mexico and nearby Louisiana; Texas was a hotbed for music and I learned a lot from all the different types of music. This was wonderful and at the same time it made it a challenge to meet the standards set by some of these musicians.

SP: Do you have any current projects in the works?

AS: Blue Highway was the last one. I'm just enjoying time with the Blues Broads. I’ve been putting some tunes down but don’t’ feel they’re yet worthy of a record. I’d like to put something together that I can be proud of and comes across like I've put the time and effort into it.

SP: Do you play any instruments?

AS: I play the bass and a little harmonica. I used to really enjoy playing bass when I first started and was later “tricked” into being a singer. As it worked out I’ve been doing vocals ever since.

SP: Is this your only gig in Sacramento? Have you played here before?

AS: I’ve played a few times here but not recently.

SP: You've collaborated with many artists, are you currently in any projects with any of them?

AS: I’ve done guest vocals on several projects with Marcia Ball and Lou Ann Barton. I've enjoyed working with Maria Muldaur and Paul Horn. These types of collaborations are lots of fun.

SP: Are there any artists you wanted to work with but haven't had a chance?

AS: No but I’m really excited about the Blues Broads. We all have our individual styles and influences. We’ve combined all these styles together and enjoy putting them all together. On shows, we all take turns singing while the others complement with backup vocals. We’ve been able to put on shows at Rancho Nicasio and the Roadhouse.

SP: I also read that you studied Argentinean folk music and spent time in South America.

AS: I was lucky that my dad was into old folk music. We spent some time in Mexico where he had a musician friend. We would visit and we learned some songs in Spanish. The Mexican music influence developed with these experiences. My mom is from Puerto Rico and my grandparents have some roots in Spain. They had 6 or 7 children and for a time they were all in Panama working at the Panama Canal. The kids went to school there in the middle of the jungle. My mom loved it, it was a great experience.

SP: Do you still have family in Texas or have they made the move to California?

AS: I have a daughter there and so I go there to visit her and the grandchildren. I was just there also to celebrate Antone’s 35th anniversary. I was very pleased with the event and got a chance to reminisce.

SP: How would you compare your early career to where you are now?

AS: Well, when I first started people thought we were crazy for not doing (playing) what white middle class kids did. People asked “what do you think you’re doing? Why aren’t you doing rock and roll?" We just loved the blues and wanted to learn all about it. This became a passion and if it wasn’t for the encouragement of the masters, such as Muddy Waters, it may have been different. Their support made a difference at a time when blues seemed to have lost its drawing power. At the time it seemed that the younger generation of blacks was not interested in blues. Blues did not seem to be drawing young talent. You know kids don’t want to listen to the same music their parents do. So this is where we all come in and music unites us. In blues we draw from within. We extract those intense feelings and humor that draws us to the blues. But you know it all worked out the music generation keeps evolving and going back to its roots.

SP: I think this is all I have; I want to thank you for your patience and granting this interview. Before I let you go is there anything else you’d like to add?

AS: If you really enjoy music don’t give up in your quest. Persevere if you love it. Keep going on your own level don’t try to be something you’re not. Just have the patience to continue. It takes a long time to become a professional. Sometimes you may not be enjoying or you're having a hard time so you draw from these experiences. Doing this type of art sometimes you don’t have enough to live on but you have to keep at it. It’s gotta be real if you’re going to sing (the blues). When things are hard you have to make that extra effort, the love of music will prevail.

Angela Strehli has been a key figure in the blues music scene and has worked with many artists such as Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Maria Muldaur amongst others. Angela was instrumental in keeping the Austin Texas blues alive and helped propel the scene into the international musical market. During the interview she indicated that she’s noticed Sacramento has a rich blues venue and is looking forward to the concert on Sunday.

.“BLUES ON THE GREEN 2” Concert Stars Chicago and Texas Blues Legends

2010-09-23T20:26:51Z

A double shot of the deepest Chicago and Texas blues--from the some of the biggest living legends of the genre are arriving in town this Sunday to play an afternoon all ages concert in Sacramento.“BLUES ON THE GREEN 2” stars The Blues Broads and the Nick Gravenites Band. Honored emcee is blues radio legend and harp man, Mick Martin.

Sunday, Sept. 26 The Green @ Capital Public Radio/ southernmost corner of Sac State University

7055 Folsom Ave./Sacramento Doors: 1 PM Showtime: 2 PM

With a wall of soul sound that could tumble Jericho, four powerful women singers stand at the front of the stage and make believers of every audience member. Rocking, scolding, testifying and torching, the Blues Broads are legendary singers Tracy Nelson (Mother Earth), Annie Sampson (Stoneground), Dorothy Morrison (Edwin Hawkins Singers) and Angela Strehli. Each one of them have had successful careers and led their own bands for decades. Nelson wrote her classic “Down So Low” which has been covered by Linda Ronstadt, Etta James, Maria Muldaur and Cyndi Lauper. Nelson, along with Janis Joplin and Lydia Pense have forever been noted as the three greatest voices that were discovered in San Francisco during the 1960s.

National Public Radio recently ran a “Weekend Edition” feature piece on Nelson on July 31, and she is set to release her 25th album in 2011. Morrison is the Grammy-winning lead singer of “O, Happy Day,” the only traditional gospel song ever to cross over and become a bone fide pop hit. Sampson starred in the long –running production of “Hair” and has recorded with Elvin Bishop, Taj Mahal, Buddy Miles, Maria Muldaur, Eddie Money and Country Joe MacDonald. The “Queen of Texas Blues,” Strehli worked with Stevie Ray Vaughan and every other Austin and Chicago blues player of note through her decades of guiding work with Antone’s –both the famous club and the record label. Now, as a vocal team with an all-star Bay Area backing band, including Nancy Wright on sax, these four women are having some of the most fun of their lives.

According to author and pop music critic Joel Selvin, Nick Gravenites is "the original San Francisco connection for the Chicago crowd." He was born in Chicago, but not in 1941, as the first lines of his classic blues manifesto, “Born in Chicago,” punch out in the legendary Paul Butterfield Blues Band’s signature song. The original white blues man of the rock era, he was hanging out in south side blues clubs in 1957. Singer and songwriter of other classics such as “East West” (with Michael Bloomfield), “You’re Killing My Love’ (Otis Rush), “Groovin’ is Easy” (Electric Flag), “Work Me Lord” and “Buried Alive in the Blues” (Janis Joplin). He sang lead in Bloomfield’s ill-fated super band, Electric Flag, an American Music Band, which made it much-hyped debut at the 1967 Monterey International Pop Festival.

His Columbia Records debut of 1969, My Labors, exhibits a batch of his best songs (“Killing My Love,” “Holy Moly,” and “Gypsy Good Time”) and some of Bloomfield’s most lyrical playing. With Bloomfield, he produced Otis Rush’s “Mourning in the Morning” in Muscle Shoals in 1968, James Cotton, and assembled Janis Joplin’s solo debut, The Kozmic Blues Band. He produced the debut Quicksilver Messenger Service album and Brewer and Shipley’s “One Toke Over the Line.” He replaced Joplin for a short stint in Big Brother and the Holding Company. Has recorded seven solo albums including, Animal Mind and Live in Athens with Quicksilver guitar god John Cipollina. Gravenites is as deep and as personal a blues songwriter and performer as there is, shouting the blues with the best of them. When Gravenites steps on stage with his band, all the gravitas and legacy of the great Chicago blues masters step on stage with him.

For details about the show and ticket information, visit the Swell Productions website at www.swell-productions.com.

Blankets and low back chairs only. No outside food or drink-there will be quality beer/wine and soul food catered by The Drooling Dog BBQ from Auburn, California.

FAQ at www.swell-productions.com and http://www.capradio.org/events/2010/09/26/blues-on-the-green-2

~~ Mindy Giles is co-owner of Sacramento's Swell Productions and is the co-promoter of this event.