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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA January 1, 2002
It’s been nearly three years since their last release, but
legendary Canadian blues rockers, Powder Blues have come back
with a bang and a twist. Their new CD is composed entirely
of big band style swing tunes. Known for over two decades
of radio friendly boogie, r&b and rocking blues tunes, Powder
Blues’ past albums have always consisted of a variety of rhythms.
‘Swingin’ the Blues’ marks the first time the band has chosen
to stay with one feel for an entire albums’ worth of material
and the results are proving well worth the wait.
“There have been several waves of ‘swing revival’ over the
past decade that have helped introduce a whole new generation
to the joys of swing, remarks Tom Lavin, guitarist and vocalist
for the band. Although Powder Blues have played swing-style
material since the beginning, we’ve never released a specifically
swing-oriented record. Between the great number of requests
we’ve had for a record like this and the fact that we’ve done
this material on stage for years, ‘Swingin’ the Blues’ is
probably long overdue. Those who have heard advance copies
are calling it a party-in-a-box!” he enthuses.
“Among the eleven tunes on the CD, are not only versions of
some well known favorites such as ‘Caledonia’, ‘Good Rockin’
Tonight’ and ‘Flip, Flop and Fly’, but also a number of originals
that have been re-done with a larger horn section. These include
‘Boppin With the Blues’, ‘Lovin Kissin and Huggin’ and The
Rockchopper’. The instrumentation is primarily the same on
all tracks; vocal, guitar, bass, drums, piano, organ, two
trumpets, tenor, alto, baritone sax and trombone’, says Tom.
“I think the tightness of the arrangements is due to the fact
that we’ve all been playing together for so long”, he adds.
“We’re extremely excited about ‘Swingin the Blues’. Not only
are the tunes happy, energetic and positively made for the
airwaves, the production values and sonic quality are of the
first order. Blue Wave has enjoyed great success with the
Powder Blues both here in Canada and in the U.S. We’re taking
this CD to radio stations all across Canada, the States and
Western Europe; in short, wherever we’ve toured. Programmers
who’ve heard a taste say they can’t wait to get their hands
on it.
” Powder Blues was formed in 1978 in Vancouver, B.C. They
released their first album, ‘Uncut’, on RCA in 1980, which
has, since that time, gone on to sell nearly a million copies
worldwide. Over the years the band has toured continuously,
achieving a number of milestones including headlining the
Montreux Jazz Festival, touring the Soviet Union, and winning
a Juno and the W.C. Handy Award for Blues in Memphis, Tennessee.
Their discography includes twelve albums worth of material,
recorded over two decades. “Swingin’ the Blues” is their latest
release. For further information on contact:
Blue Wave Productions
34 West 8th Avenue
Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
V5Y 1M7
Tel: 604 873-3388
Fax: 604 873-4295
Email: tlavin@powderblues.net
www.powderblues.net
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