Mariella Tirotto & The Blues Federation "Dare To Stand Out"

 

 

Every now and then a band sends me a CD that just blows me away, with Mariella Tirotto & The Blues Federation and "Dare To Stand Out" being the most recent, and I am not the only one being simply blown away with this bands music, as the following accolades prove.

 

"An explosion of delightful blues music (Saal Birgit, Viersen on Juke Joint Bluesradio), One of the best and most exciting blues bands, currently touring the country, in my opinion, is Mariëlla Tirotto & the Blues Federation (Eric Campfens, barnowlblues.punt.nl), A power woman with a big voice and lots of humour. Mariëlla Tirotto & the Blues Federation really rocked the place during their concert at "Flames". (Rother Bluestage, Hans von Draminski, Hipoltsteiner Zeitung)".

 

Winners of the Dutch National Blues Awards in 2010 and selected to play in the 2011 Dutch Blues Challenge, Mariella Tirotto & The Blues Federation are taking the Blues world by storm with their fresh, powerful, and intoxicating take on Blues and Blues Rock, reminiscent, for me of the Blues and Blues Rock super groups of the late 60's and early 70's.

 

"Dare To Stand Out" consists of 12 powerful Tracks of which 11 had the music/lyrics written by 3 members of Mariella Tirotto & The Blues Federation, with one Traditional cover called "Black  Coffee", a song which was first "published in 1948. Sarah Vaughan charted with this song in 1949 on Columbia. Peggy Lee first released her version in 1953. " Mariella Tirotto does a wonderful job slipping into that smoky bar room style song.

 

The members which make up this amazing band are Italian born singer Extraordinaire Mariella Tirotto, Harald Koll (Guitar/Bass), Michel De Kok (Blues Harp), Heins Greten (Bass/Piano), John Kakiay (Drums), Onny Tuhumena (Percussion). Mariella Tirotto, Heins Greten, and Harald Koll were in on the music credits either together or separately on the 11 Tracks. Of those 11 Tracks, 2 were instrumentals written by Harald Koll, and were the last 2 Tracks on this album, "Embrace 1" & "Embrace 2". Harold Koll also wrote the music with Mariella Tirotto on 3 Tracks and Heins Greten wrote the music with Mariella Tirotto on another 3 Tracks and in addition to writing all the Lyrics on 9 of the Tracks, Mariella Tirotto also exclusively wrote the music on 3 Tracks. The talents of Mariella Tirotto and Heins Greten does not however stop their as they were also in on the Production, Mastering, and Art Direction, either together and separately.

 

The music on "Dare To Stand Out" hits you hard and fast, right from the opening and for the better part of 60 minutes, you best have nothing else planned to do. The album for the most part is full speed ahead Blues and Blues Rock but there are a few Tracks that show us that Mariella Tirotto & The Blues Federation are more than a one trick pony as they also offer up a Jazzy/Soulful/Funky edge to some of their music as well, particularity on Track 6 "Black Coffee" and Track 7 "You Don't Call The Shots". The last 2 Tracks "Embrace 1" & "Embrace 2", are amazing closers to "Dare To Stand Out". Those instrumentals will certainly take you back to the times when Santana ruled, as they infuse the Latin beat beautifully into their style.

 

Mariella Tirotto & The Blues Federation have everything going for them, with an amazing singer, superb musicians and extraordinary writers. Their sound is fresh and dynamic, taking you back to the good old days of Blues and Blues Rock, but still offering up a inspirational new take on those styles. "Dare To Stand Out" could not have been a better choice of titles for their newest albums, because Dare or Not, this band and their music certainly Stand Out.

 

"Dare To Stand Out" is the best European CD I have had the good fortune to listen to, so far in 2011. Many more accolades coming their way for sure. Highly Recommended and Thoroughly Enjoyed.

 

Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)

 

 

Listen To Samples Here...

 

Additional Artist Info... http://www.tirottoblues.eu/