| What's
Happs At OTB Records
 DAVE MASON JOINS
OUT THE BOX RECORDS
Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and founding member of the classic group Traffic, DAVE MASON Joins Out The Box Records and will release his first album in over 20 years this fall!
Timm Martin, president of Out The Box Records, proudly announced the news, saying: “I’m just thrilled to announce that Dave Mason has joined OTB. Dave brings so much – he’s a musician, a singer, a songwriter, and just a great guitarist. In his long career, Mason has played and recorded with many of the era’s most notable musicians – Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Fleetwood Mac, and even Mama Cass Elliot – its just so exciting to have this superb talent join us in our quest to create great music.” Click here to see Dave’s site.
Timm also confirmed the rumors that Dave has been working on a new album. “The record is done,” Martin said, adding: “I know you’ll love it, you’ve been waiting for more than 20 years and it will be released October 14th!” said Martin. “The album contains a number of singles. Good 2 U” is coming out right away. But then there’s Pink Lipstick, and Willie Nelson joins Dave on guitar in How Do I Get To Heaven. It’s just the great, classic Dave album you’d expect!” Mason hits the road right away, starting out west in California, then across the nation ending the year on the east cost and a show at BB Kings in New York. Click here for the complete tour schedule.
The album was produced by Dave with help from Mark & Brian Pastoria (Harmonie Park), Ron & Howard Albert (Miami Audio Vision), Ted Perlman, Tre Perry, and Phil Bonanno. Click here for more details on 26 Letters, 12 Notes.
MASON ON CONAN O’BRIEN WITH JOE COCKER
Dave Mason stopped by Conan O’Brien’s set On July 14th to say hi to Joe Cocker who was the musical guest. Dave and Joe performed Feelin’ Alright at the very end of the show – fitting for the author of the song and the one who helped make it so famous! Conan was one of the first to announce that Dave's new CD is coming out this fall...
CHICAGO BLUES REUNION ANNOUNCES DOUBLE LIVE CD & DVD
The Chicago Blues Reunion will be back on the road in 2009 support the release of a double live CD recorded earlier in 2008 in Chicago. Chicago Blues Reunion played a scorching 2 1/2 hour set with special guests, Dave Mason, Marcy Levy and Jimmy Vivino. The sold out show featured traditional Chicago blues, the wizard guitar of Harvey Mandel along with some old favorites by Dave Mason.
Also in the editing room is a new DVD filmed by producer John Andrson (Brian Wilsons "Smile") featuring some of the performances from the Chicago live show and with numerous interviews from bandmates and friends. A particularly interesting scene is when the Chicago Blues Reunion members return to their old haunts and visit the homes of Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. The DVD will be out mid 2009 just in time for the Chicago Blues Reunion 2009 Tour.
CHICAGO BLUES REUNION RECORDS PARK WEST SHOW IN CHICAGO
 The Chicago Blues Reunion, the all-star aggregation of Windy City blues legends anchored by Barry Goldberg (keyboards), Corky Siegel (harmonica), Nick Gravenites (guitar) and Harvey Mandel (guitar) raised the roof at the Park West on Saturday, March 22. WXRT’S award-winning Blues Breakers welcomed the blues stalwarts who performed along with special guests included the legendary drummer, Sam Lay (Little Walter, Willie Dixon, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and The Paul Butterfield Blues Band), Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Dave Mason (Traffic), Marcy Levy (veteran of Clapton’s touring band and co-writer “Lay Down Sally”) and Jimmy Vivino from the Max Weinberg 7 on Conan O’Brien (visit Jimmy's official website).
Harvey
Mandel at Clapton's Crossroads Festival
 CBR's
Harvey Mandel was invited to jam at Eric Clapton’s
Crossroads Festival all star jam on Saturday, July 28th
on the "Village Stage." Click
here to see photos. The “Snake” also
hosted a guitar clinic in the "Music Village"
at the festival. (See
the Crossroads Guitar Festival site)
Dorothy
Scott Joins OTB!
A
musical explorer whose works have incorporated blues,
folk, rock and jazz, Dorothy
Scott is widely credited by her fans and peers for
blazing a path for meaningful music. Often compared
to Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Van Morison and Jeff Buckley;
Dorothy's style and sound remain uniquely her own.
Dorothy is a true artist; her talent
is undeniable,” said Timm Martin, Founder and
CEO of Out The Box Records. “Her confidence comes
through in her vocals,” Martin adds, “its
just refreshing. We’re elated to have her join
Out The Box Records!”
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|
"Pass
It On,"
produced by Jim Tullio will be released this Spring
on OTB |
Her
latest release, Pass It On, produced by two time Grammy
winner Jim
Tullio, will be released this Spring on the Out The
Box Records label. (More
>> ) The album follows her top selling CD, Restless
Machinery, which was listed “#1 Local Favorites
Chart Section” in the June ’02 issue of Rolling
Stone Magazine’s June.
Check
out Dorothy's
Web site, and her MySpace
page with new music and new friends.
Known
for her daring and uncompromising performances and amazing
guitar playing, Dorothy has toured the U.S., Sweden,
Ireland and Canada. She has shared the stage with artists,
Carole King, Joan Armatrading, Jeff Buckley, Joan Osborne,
MELANIE, Janis Ian, The Frames, and The Siegel Schwall
Band. Dorothy is currently touring the Midwest and has
a Summer Tour planned (view
Tour Schedule).
 Marcy
Levy to tour with CBR
Marcy
Levy will re-join Chicago Blues Reunion band for
several tour dates in the upcoming 2007 CBR Tour both
in the US and European tours. Marcy originally played
with the band in ’03 and ’04 at various
festivals, but schedule conflicts precluded a greater
role. She has collaborated with CBR’s Barry Goldberg,
is featured on Marvey Mandel’s new CD release
and frequently joins Corky Siegel and the Siegel-Schwall
band on stage.
Marcy
sang with Eric Clapton for many years, touring, recording
and co-wrote one of his biggest hits: "Lay Down
Sally", and also, "The Core" on his "Slowhand"
lp. She was also in a very successful '90's group called
"Shakespear's Sister". Marcy has several solo
cd's under the name "Marcella Detroit", and
also appeared on Elton John's "Duets for One"
cd, doing the Motown classic, "Ain't Nothin' Like
the Real Thing". She’s just finished a blues
cd called "The Upside of Bein' Down" (buy
it at: www.cdbaby.com/marcylevyband).
Check out her blues site: www.marcylevyband.com.
Legendary
guitar virtuoso Harvey Mandel, aka "The Snake"
Releases New Album
True
to his word, Harvey
Mandel completed his "Harvey Mandel and the
Snake Crew album this past week. Marcy
Levy, Nick
Gravenites and Barry
Goldberg were among the 20 contributors to the project,
produced by Mandel and Michael Borbridge. Harvey credits
his decision to create on “just not sitting still!”
He explains, “when I took a step back from the
music scene, I realized how disposable the industry
had become and decided to go back into the studio in
an effort to create songs that are a reflection of where
I am in life and how my playing has morphed.”
Maximum
Ink Music Magazine's reveiw supports, quoting "An
explosive combination of cosmic groove, interstellar
funk-rock and impressive guest-stars...one of the most
intriguing records of 2006." We'll have a few clips
up soon, in the meantime, check out the allbum at Harvey's
site: www.harveymandel.com/
“OTB
is thrilled to be working with Harvey on his latest
album,” said Timm Martin, president of Out The
Box Records via a press release. Harvey is truly one
of the world’s most distinctive and innovative
musicians with his inventive style of electric guitar
playing,” Martin adds, “our extensive relationships
with retail and digital partners will enable us to cross-promote
Harvey’s new album on an unprecedented number
of levels.”
Mandel
Jamms with Warren Haynes
Harvey
Mandel, OTB recording artist, Chicago Blues Reunion
band member otherwise known as “the king of Sustain,”
jammed with Warren
Haynes and Government
Mule in San Francisco last month. Mandel was invited
up to join in the jam, then contributed in two blistering
encores. Another “6-string Hero” ranked
23 in Rolling Stone's list of all-time top guitarists,
Warren Haynes is among the hardest working performers
in music today (Gov't Mule, Allman Brothers Band, and
The Dead - currently claim Haynes as a member).
Harvey
is also collaborating with Jimmy
Vivino, the masterful musician
from the Max Weinberg 7 (house band for the Late Night
with Conan O'Brien) to produce a new, rich instrumental
mix. The new music blends Harvey’s pioneering
sustain and controlled feedback style with Jimmy’s
always high energy Wall of Sound style.
Worldwide Re-Release
of CBR DVDnow with Eaglerock
The greatly praised CBR DVD is being re-released both
in the US and internationally thru Eaglerock
Entertainment. “We’re excited to be
working with Eaglerock Entertainment,” says Timm
Martin, founder and CEO of Out The Box Records. “They’re
a powerhouse overseas as well as here in the US so they
give us fantastic worldwide distribution. With their
help and expertise, we’re re-packaging the DVD
to include the Live CD plus a new bonus track, "Let's
Work Together," which was a hit with Harvey Mandels
old band, Canned Heat. Fans will love it!” More
on Eaglerock at
their site.
McNeal
Back In Studio.
Eric
has just returned from Matt
Knowles' Music
World Entertainment recording studio where he wrote
and recorded with Knowles' hot young producers The
Bama Boyz. Work continues on Eric’s debut
record, soon to be released on OTB Records.
McNeal
Releases "Hold Up"
Eric
McNeal is ready for his "REDEMPTION." And
he’s ready for Platinum. Again.
 Eric's
debut album with the group Subway sold Platinum. His
first single under the OTB label was released May 17.
The new focus track, "Hold Up", was produced
by Brainz Dimilo (Jamie Foxx's "Unpredictable")
and features rap performance by Tavia and J.R. Ewing.
“REDEMPTION” is due out this summer. (More
on Eric)
CBR
Planning European Tour!
Continuing its’ live roots history, CBR will be
back on the road soon. A new European tour is being
planned now to coincide with a worldwide re-release
of the DVD + CD LIVE! We'll post the schedule shortly,
please Click
Here for the latest schedule.
CBR
recording “Let's Work Together"
“Let's
Work Together," the classic song that has been
a hit twice in the 1960s is nearly complete. The great
Shelly Yakus is putting the final touches on his masterful
mix. We’ll invite you for a special listen soon.
Check
out CBR in LA Times
Don Heckman, Special to The Times penned a great article,
“Chicago Blues Reunion reignites the '50s and
'60s vibe. But don't call it a revival.” But its’
the last line in the article that is best, as keyboardist
Barry Goldberg, who also produced "Buried Alive
in the Blues" said, "We come from a golden
era, a special, magical time. And the best part of our
performances, aside from the soulful feeling of seeing
people our age who remember the old days, is the excitement
of seeing young people discovering the blues."
Read
the full article
 Rolling
Stone 4 Star CBR Review
This
just in, “Buried Alive In The Blues” has
earned a 4 star review from Rolling Stone's David Fricke
in the 11/19 issue. Read
the review
Chicago
Blues Reunion Members’ Past Resonates With New
Dylan Release
Buried
Alive In The Blues, the DVD/CD set from Chicago Blues
Reunion on the Out The Box label through Bayside Distribution
features Barry Goldberg (keyboards), Nick Gravenites
(vocals, guitar), Sam Lay (drums, vocals), Harvey Mandel
(guitar) Tracy Nelson (VOCALS!), Corky Siegel (harmonica,
vocals) and continues to be a hot retail item as the
band plans its next touring foray this fall. Through
various undertakings, they defined the sound of their
generation in the 1960s; the just released Bob Dylan
set, No Direction Home underscores their legacy as history
continues to catch up with these icons of the blues.
While
their respective career paths have often crossed over
the past five decades, some very old chickens have just
come home to roost for two of their number just now.
Barry Goldberg and Sam Lay are heard on Dylan’s
No Direction Home, providing back-up on "Maggie's
Farm," recorded on the day 40 years ago that Dylan
“went electric” at the Newport Folk Festival.
 Out
The Box Records and Chicago Blues Reunion
Contribute To Farm Aid
Timm Martin, President of Chicago based Out
The Box Records presents a check and CD of the new release
"Buried Alive In the Blues" by the Chicago
Blues Reunion Band to Farm Aid board member Dave Mathews
at last month’s Farm Aid concert at the Tweeter
Center.
Tons
of Great Press for the Buried Alive In The Blues CD/DVD
Positive reviews just keep pouring in, here's a few
that caught our eye::
- Jeff
Johnson, writing in the Chicago Sun-Times, awarded
the package four (out of four) stars and noted, “The
musicianship is exceptional throughout, and Goldberg's
production takes full advantage of the great acoustics
at the Chicago area's favorite roadhouse. The accompanying
DVD, featuring interviews with B.B. King and Buddy
Guy, helps put the music in historical perspective.”
- And
on Christmas, 2005, the Chicago Sun-Times' Jeff Johnson
listed "Buried ALive In The Blues" as number
#1 on his 2005's best blues albums. Read
the article
- GOT
MY MOJO WORKIN,” says DVDFANATIC.COM ‘s
Joe Ciarall about the new Buried Alive In The Blues
CD/DVD. “It’s easy to picture in your
head. A small, dark bar, filled with smoke and sweat,
maybe a sign out front and, of course, a band in the
corner….” Read
the full 8/9/05 review at DVDFanatic.com News: 08/09/05
- DVD REVIEW: "Chicago Blues Reunion - Buried
Alive in the Blues"
- Tony
Gieske, of the The Hollywood Reporter, heard the band
at the Santa Monica Pier on 7/21 and suggested the
audience loved it..."After all, they had just
been buried alive in the blues. "
Read the full article
- Jim
Carnes, The Sacramento Bee,wrote..." 'Alive'
- and still kickin.' Chicago Blues Reunion celebrates
Second City deep-dish music style."
- Even
the Pioneer Press here in the Chicago burbs raved
with "Unboxing
Chicago Blues Reunion"
 Eric
McNeal signs with OTB!
Timm Martin, president and CEO of Chicago based Out
The Box Records, announced on 8/13/05 the signing of
Eric McNeal to the label. Eric was formerly lead singer
of the platinum selling band Subway. "We are simply
ecstatic to have Eric added to the Out The Box family.
Eric is a superstar and we are truly blessed to have
got him." The signing of Eric McNeal continues
Out The Box Records tradition of signing Chicago based
artists to the label. More...
Buried
Alive In The Blues in Billboard’s Top 5
The CD/HD-DVD set from Chicago Blues Reunion remains
in the Top 5 on Billboard’s Blues Chart for the
third week running while the band continues their barnstorming
tour North American Tour. Their triumphant return last
week to their “Sweet Home” Chicago saw them
performing before an overflow audience at Buddy Guy’s
Legends. The audience includes fans, friend and family
including two literal mothers of the blues. Guitarist
Harvey Mandel’s mom and keyboard man Barry Goldberg’s
mother who, at 102 years of age. is still a barrel house
piano power were in attendance as was the staff of Out
The Box, the Chicago-based label that released the Buried
Alive In the Blues via Bayside Distribution last month
that kicked the evening off with a reception at the
club.
CBR
in the Big Apple at BB Kings
Finishing the Kick-off ’05 Tour, the group performed
at B.B. King’s in New York where they were joined
on stage by Butterfield Blues Band alumnus Mark Naftalin
and Jimmy Vivino, of the Max Weinberg 7 of Conan O’Brien
fame.
Another
CBR sell-out!
The band’s Summer ‘05 tour included a 7/29
return to their ancestral “sweet” home,
for a performance at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago.
“It was a fantastic show,” said one fan,
“Seigel and Mandel did this back and forth thing
for 30 minutes and just blew my mind!”
Coincidentally,
both B.B. King and the aforementioned Buddy Guy are
seen and heard reminiscing about the Chicago blues scene
on the DVD that is included in the Buried Alive In The
Blues set.
Chicago
Blues Renuion Band Releases "Burried Alive
In The Blues" and it's takin' hold!
 Within
one week of its release, Buried
Alive In The Blues, the CD/HD-DVD set from
Chicago Blues Reunion has made a significant impact
on Billboard's Blues Chart with a debut at #3. The first
and second positions are occupied by "best of" collections
from George Thorogood and B.B.King. B.B. King, it should
be noted, is seen and heard commenting in the DVD that
is part of the total CBR package now in stores.
Tree's
Record Release Party held at The Kinetic Playground
on April 27, was a smash! The event, sponsored by The
Onion (Chicago) and emceed by DJ John Monds of WILV-FM
was a gathering of the Chicago music industry to celebrate
Rough Grooves Surface.
Tree
Thirteen Music Video is available now on Comcast On
Demand
The "Stupid Little Games" music video, filmed
in California was produced by Jay McMahon. An amazing
talent (Nirvana "You Know You're Right", No
Doubt "Running", Zed "Hard To Find Her",
Breed "Rap Game" and Tupak Shakur "Hit
Em Up"), Jay has assembled a team that brings out
the best in Tree Thirteen.
 Tree
Thirteen’s Rough
Grooves Surface, featuring rapper/singer/songwriter
“Tree”, and “DJ 007” is now
in stores nationwide, under the Out
The Box Records label (take
a listen).
The CD is available here;
individual tunes are availble via iTunes.
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