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Blues Underground Network |
Teeny Tucker "Keep The Blues Alive"
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"Keep The Blues Alive" is a not only a captivating, but it is also a mesmerizing new release from Teeny Tucker, and it not only reaffirms ones belief that the Blues is truly alive, it reinforces it as well. Hot on the heels of her critically acclaimed “Two Big M’s”, Teeny Tucker reels you in and doesn't let you go as she sings her version of the blues her way, and that is straight up, in your face, telling you like it is, Blues. When it comes to Teeny Tucker and the Blues, you could pretty well say that together they are the Perfect Storm, as natural and awe inspiring as it gets and "Keep The Blues Alive" is the Perfect Result of that amazing fusion. "Keep The Blues Alive" consists of 11 powerful tracks of music, and shows the other side of Teeny's immense talent, as she co-wrote 8 of the 11 songs, each one as powerful and creatively presented as the next. When it comes to Teeny Tucker, you quickly realize that you are listening to someone whom sings with true genuineness, right from here heart and straight into yours. With, "Keep The Blues Alive", it is now time for those that have held the crown in the past to gracefully step aside and let the new Queen Of The Blues, take her rightful throne. "Keep The Blues Alive" is, by far the best blues release by a female artist, in 2010 and may be the best blues release so far this year, from anyone, period. Highly Recommended and Thoroughly Enjoyable... A 5***** Album, for sure. John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network) Other Info and Reviews Album Notes Keep The Blues Alive” features a bold display of raw, edgy, and mind-blowing emotionally-charged material. BBMA Female Blues Artist of the Year nominee is hot on the heels of her critically acclaimed “Two Big M’s” which caused the Living Blues reviewer to exclaim; “Tucker’s emergence into the front line of contemporary blues women” An advance review from the Radioindy team declares: “Tucker will reel you in with her exquisite voice as it is strong and soulful with an abundance of sincere emotions coming straight from the heart.” Teeny has appeared on the same bill with great blues artists such as: BB King, KoKo Taylor, Etta James, Buddy Guy, The Holmes Brothers, Calvin Owens, Robert Cray, Keb Mo, Kenny Neal, Bobby Rush, John Mayall, and many others.
Teeny Tucker Normally, I cringe when I hear the phrase "Keep the Blues Alive" around contemporary blues music. I'll save you, dear reader, the lecture about the philosophical living and saving of the musical art form we all so dearly cherish called the blues. I set those apprehensions aside because two names were attached to this project: Teeny Tucker and Robert Hughes. Teeny and Robert are some of the most genuine, hardworking musicians out there today. I have the deep pleasure of calling them both friend, so it was easy to sit my philosophical points aside. Teeny's re-emergence with Two Big M's a couple years back was testament to her vocal prowess and interpretative skills to the traditional catalogs of Big Maybelle and Big Mama Thornton. Tucker demonstrates her more original side with this project with only 2 cover songs and co-writing 8 of the 11 tracks. The album covers a wide swath of topics and styles and demonstrates what a wide range of influences Tucker pulls from, including her own blues heritage of being the only daughter of 50s R&B/Blues singer Tommy Tucker. Taking on a more soul/gospel approach at times and then turning swiftly to filthy, funky blues; the fans of Teeny and new fans will find a little something to enjoy here. In simpler terms, there's something for everyone on this disc. Refusing to confine herself to the simple 12-bar and traditional lyrical formats of standard traditional blues, Tucker paints poetical stories on tunes like "Ain't That the Blues" and the "Old Man Magnet." Tucker even pays an honest tribute to the great Piedmont Bluesman John Cephas here, which both her and Hughes got to know personally. A plus to the disc is Tucker taking on the Preston Foster warhorse "Got My Mojo Workin'" a la the great Ann Cole's version, instead of the overused Muddy Waters version. Tucker takes on Cole's blues shouter meets gospel clapper here. Hughes is deeply in the pocket with regards to the guitar chores and shows ample force with both classic soul tinges or the downhome blues. Check out his fancy backing on "Respect Me and the Blues" as the lone accompaniment to Teeny's scintillating phrases about giving everyone their just space to create their own blues. As the great B.B. King told Teeny in 2008, she is not just a blues singer but a singer of the highest rapport. She can hold her own with any of the female heavyweights in contemporary blues. With Hughes directing a super tight unit behind her, Tucker's star is well-deserved and well-received wherever she goes. Mark this album down as yet another top notch effort that will finds it way to blues radio near you. Juke Joint Soul http://jukejointsoul.blogspot.com/2010/05/teeny-tucker-keep-blues-alive.html Tracklist 1. Ain't That the Blues
4:13 Listen To Samples Here
Although Teeny was born into Blues royalty, (Daughter of Tommy Tucker) one need only to hear Teeny to know that she has cultivated and developed her “gifts” into her very own uniquely compelling “world-class” package.
As a child, this Dayton Ohio native began singing in the church choir. This experience, like so many other “soulful” success stories, undoubtedly began to chart the course of Teeny’s music career. The paths which would lead to her abilities to musically interpret with soulful, bluesy, and uniquely stylistic renderings were set.
Teeny professional singing career began in November 1996 when she caught the attention of a German Blues promoter and manager who had promoted European tours for her Father. Since then, her musical journey has seen Teeny performing at many of the major Blues Festivals in the US, Sweden, France, Switzerland, Belgium, and Italy. Teeny was chosen for the cover of July/August 2004 edition of King Biscuit Time Magazine accompanied by a featured story of her musical journey.
Teeny has been invited to appear on the same bill with great blues artists such as: BB King, KoKo Taylor, Etta James, Buddy Guy, The Holmes Brothers, Calvin Owens, Robert Cray, Keb Mo, Michael Burkes, Kenny Neal, Johnny Mars, Bobby Rush, John Mayall, Kid Ramos, Robben Ford, Joe Bonamassa, Homemade Jamz, Eden Brent, Laurrie Bell, Kilborn Alley, Henry Butler, Janiva Magness, and many others.
Teeny wrote the lyrics for 8 of the 11 songs on her second CD, titled “First Class Woman.” which can be heard in heavy rotation on XM Satellite, Music Choice and Blues radio stations all over the country. Her songwriting abilities earned Teeny a place as a top-ten finalist in the International Songwriting Competition. Teeny is a two-time, top-three finalist in the International Blues Challenge which is held annually in Memphis, Tennessee.
In 2008, Teeny Tucker was invited to appear on the MAIN STAGE of the Monterey Blues Festival, Poconos Blues Festival, Ozarks Blues Festival, Nothin’ But The Blues Festival, and Buddy Guy’s Legends. She was nominated for the “2008 Best Female Blues Artist” of the year by BluesBlast. Teeny’s newest CD “The Two Big M’s” was ranked in the 15 spot on the Bob Davis list of 2008 top 25 releases. “Two Big M’s” was ranked for 22 weeks on the International Blues Roots Chart, and was nominated for best self-produced CD by the Blues Foundation of Memphis Tennessee. http://www.myspace.com/teenytucker
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