Review Centre: Blues Bands

"You might expect an album with edgy, teal-lit cover art and the title of The Isolation Blues, by the Mike Goudreau Band, to be either dark and brooding or a real barroom stomper, showcasing the loudest guitar you’ve heard since Jimi Hendrix’s. Instead, from the first notes, you’ll find it’s a peppy ensemble extravaganza with horns galore. More’s the better, too – the Winter Solstice is coming up, and we need an eye-opening blast of sunshine in the middle of it. Smooth, jazzy-influenced, and boasting crystal-clear vocals, it’s a must-play on New Year’s Eve. Born in 1965 in Newport, Vermont, into a musical family with an English mother and a French-Canadian father, Mike Goudreau picked up his first guitar at age 14 and hasn’t stopped playing since. His early influences included the Beatles, Chuck Berry, Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, and later, Albert King, Freddie King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Powder Blues and Downchild – to name a few. Such diverse interests help to explain why Mike is comfortable in so many musical genres, especially jazz and blues. Since 2007, Mike’s songs have been heard on hundreds of network TV shows and films, such as the TV movie The Happiest Season (Hulu), Dynasty (CBS), the Universal Pictures film Dark Waters, the Hollywood film The Banker, starring Samuel Jackson (2020), The Neighborhood (CBS), NCIS Los Angeles (CBS), and Chicago PD (NBC), among several others. Joining Mr. Goudreau (vocals, guitars, bass and hand claps) are Jean-Francois Begin (think Menachem Begin, not “begin”) on drums and percussion, Dany Roy on tenor sax and trumpet, Ira Friedman on organ and piano, and Pascal Veilette on harmonica. You know all the shows and films mentioned earlier? Together, they spell diamond-level QUALITY. That’s what’s been poured into each of the fourteen original tracks on this CD. Every note, every musical phrase, glimmers like the light off one of that gem’s many facets. This is real-deal blues, whether in swing/jump form (as on the opener “Let’s Go Down to the River”), the angsty, harmonica-infused title track, the guitar and piano boogie known as “The Mooch,” or the laid-back instrumental “Sea Breeze Blues.” Any band can crank out an album in their garage or basement and deem it good enough, but not Goudreau and his posse. They care about their offerings like Michelangelo cared about David, or Da Vinci the Mona Lisa. That’s because they’re not just musicians. Not just craftsmen. They’re artists, and don’t you forget it. Got The Isolation Blues? Here’s the cure, or at least the vaccine! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I only want to emphasise what my wife has written about the band that played at our wedding. The music was superb, and all the guests said how impressed they were with the choice of songs. They really did make our wedding a perfect day and gave us and our guests the party that we wanted. We can not praise them enough and its a shame that we can only give them 10 out of 10. Thank you all so much x"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"love this band ---they are great -- put on a great show "

Reply by Stacy Jones Band
thanks so much Stacy jones band

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Dawn Kelly & Neil Bailey are Magpie 22 and they released their single 'Cowboys and Indians’ on February 14th (iTunes, Amazon, Spotify etc). The song starts off quite atmospherically and then keeps this theme with a great story line so the lyrics are very important in this song and need to be listened to. Dawn’s voice is very strong and the music too is excellent making for a very expressive, enjoyable and memorable song and one that will no doubt evoke a few emotions. You can find out more about Dawn and Neil at their Facebook site."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Where do I begin? In a nutshell, Mike Goudreau Trio put our event over the top. He communicated with me prior to the event to iron out the details, they arrived promptly to set up, and my guests are still commenting on how wonderful their music was! I used Gig Masters for the first time, and they delivered the best! Mike, you and your group made my parents anniversary party extra special. I told you in person, but once again you did an amazing job. Anyone looking for a talented, reliable, exceptional group for their event should look no further than Mike Goudreau!!! See you at our next family gathering. Your fan and very satisfied client, "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Rock and Roll Jukebox performed on Saturday 29th September for my Mom's 80th birthday party . They were absolutely amazing, they had everyone up on the dance floor the whole night long. It was all very professional and they were incredibly friendly guys. I would recommend them to anyone. Thanks for a great night."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gruppo rock con ampio e bellissimo repertorio. Musicisti di prim'ordine e molto coinvolgenti. Festa riuscitissima. AAA consigliatissimi"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I booked this band for my personal wedding and i couldn't choosen better!!! They are one of best band listened in my life!!! Thank you Malena & Andrea...see you soon!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Ho chiamato i ragazzi per una festa privata e ne sono rimasto alquanto sorpreso! Sono stati in grado di coinvolgere tutti i miei invitati con il loro format del viaggio della musica! Le canzoni del passato presente e futuro ci hanno fatto scatenare, ballare e anche commuoverci! Divertimento garantito e professionalità al top! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Deuces Wild organised a fundraiser for a friend who had a stroke to help with his medical bills. I let them have said fundraiser at my establishment, they also performed as they are a great professional Rock/Blues band ,had the place packed to capacity with people lined up at the door wanting to get in, they raised close to $4000.00 when all was said and done and had a fun entertaining night doing it."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Here's more clear evidence courtesy of Italian-born saxophonist Mirko Fait's quintet that tasteful jazz doesn't run its course at America's borders. These are accomplished musicians who know how to swing and can hold their heads high in any company, foreign or domestic. On the other hand, there is nothing here that sets Fait's group apart from many others of its size and makeup; it is simply a well-schooled working ensemble doing its thing, no more and no less. Fait, who plays soprano and tenor sax, is joined on the front line by flugel Roberto Piermartire, who, like Fait, is an accomplished musician whose solos are invariably polished if not otherwise exceptional. Pianist Antonio Zambrini is another strong soloist, while bassist Rodrigo Amaral amplifies the group's persona by adding his husky baritone on four selections. The quintet's other member, drummer Roby Giannella, is a solid timekeeper who tends to his duties without stepping on anyone's toes. Guitarist Giampiero Spina adds a pastel solo voice on "Sad Eyes Child," "B Mine" and "Funny Day." The program is composed primarily (eight of ten tracks) of compositions by Fait, and they are melodic and charming if less than memorable. Several are in a Latin mode including Amaral's vocals on "Quanno Chiove," "Rebecca Smile," "Nada Mais" and "Aquarela." While the quintet is pictured on the inside jacket performing at the Sant' Elpidio Jazz Festival, Confidences was recorded in a studio, most likely at Fait's home base, Milan. Other particulars are elusive, as the liner notes are in Italian. What is most germane, of course, is whether Fait's quintet is proficient and worth hearing, and the answer to that is yes. The songs, all originals, are for the most part bright and charming, and the quintet plays them well. Although there is nothing here that blazons superiority, neither is there anything that is less than well-managed. Track Listing: Lastlove; Sad Eyes’ Child; Quanno Chiove; Never Alone Melita; Rebecca Smile; All I Missed; B Mine; Nada Mais; Funny Day; Aquarela. Personnel: Mirko Fait: soprano, tenor saxophone; Roberto Piermartire: flugelhorn; Antonio Zambrini: piano; Giampiero Spina: guitar (2, 7, 9); Rodrigo Amaral: electric bass, voice; Roby Giannella: drums. Title: Confidences | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Jazz Di Marca"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I have had the pleasure of enjoying Girl Fridays music on a number of occasions. Great band and Michelle is a great vocalist, They have a great repertoire of music and certainly know how to entertain a large or small audience. I would highly recommend them if you are looking for some live music for your next event"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We jammed to every song they played, loved it. I would recommend them for your special occasion!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"This is an incredible band. They’ve played for our company outing several times. Everyone seems to love them they’re very professional. Just a really good show. Love the clothing in the atmosphere that they bring. To any event "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hope you, family and band had a fun evening. And a birthday to remember. Many thanks to you all for your music - everyone really enjoyed the evening."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: