I love finding blues from around the world. A while back I blogged about Paul Batto Jr. from Slovenia and how impressed I was with his talent. Paul recently contacted me to inform me that some new videos of his had been posted. I just have to share this one and then send you off to see the rest on Paul Batto Jr’s Myspace page. What an incredible talent Paul is. Enjoy and thanks Paul for sharing with worldofblues.com.
Today I came across the sweet sound of Paul Batto Jr. on myspace. Paul’s a great guitarist with a wonderful voice. Just what I needed this morning. So I wrote Paul to thank him for entertaining me this morning and he wrote us a nice little note to introduce himself. I’d like to invite you to watch and listen to this video and read the introduction Paul sent which follows:
Paul writes: I was born in 1967 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. When people ask me if I’m from the south I say YES - south of Europe. Growing up in a non-musical family I had to walk in through the back door, so to speak, but all I ever knew was I just had to do this. I have been asked many times about my decision to make noise for a living and my answer has always been - for lack of a better idea. It’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do.
My father observed how i always reacted to music as a kid and bought me my first guitar at the age of 5 - I strummed the thing with my thumb, got a huge blister and put the thing away for seven years. Picked it up again at about twelve and never put it down again.
Discovering the blues was a big thing and once it grows on you it never lets you go. I have been messin’ around with music for twenty some years now - singing gospel music, big band music etc. but I always end up back with with the blues. Someone once said to me : “It’s like coming home. You may go many places but you always come back to your good ol’ easy-chair”
Thanks Paul, that was well put.
Those who know me know I have a passion for blues and also a keen curiosity about the blues all around the world. But, this was not what attracted me to seek out Paul. I didn’t really know anything about him other than the music on his myspace page. I was in the mood for some mellow jazz and Paul really struck that chord for me with the tunes on his myspace page.
Thanks Paul, we’ve never met but you made my morning coffee very enjoyable this morning. I hope we hear lots from you in the future. Keep us all posted here at the worldofblues.com.
I have to thank Gavin on Twitter for bringing Oli Brown to my attention. According to Gavin, Oli is only 19 years old, and I have to say I’m impressed! Oli has been featured on classic rocks track of the day *(high praise), has a signature guitar in production by Vanquish Guitars in the UK his debut 2008 album was named as one of the Top 10 Albums of the year by Blues Matters Magazine. Check out this live performance:
Is that smoking hot guitar playing or what? So I could, and will, go on with a few more links but here is one bit of bad news. Oli’s CD is only available as an import at $38 in North America from Amazon (my side of the pond). But the MP3’s are available from amazon at just $0.99 for one or $0.89 for each of the others from the link to the right. Also you can order directly from Ruf Records for $15 US. Gotta Love the internet eh!
We’re bound to hear lots more from Oli Brown in the coming years. The band is signed with Ruf Records and that’s a whole other story I plan to do a post on real soon. In the mean time Oli is super accessible on the net (as you’d expect from any 19 year old I guess). here a just a few places to hear and learn more about Oli Brown and the Oli Brown Band.
The greatest thing about the Internet is the interaction with interesting people from all over the world. One of my major reasons for creating WorldofBlues.com was the hope of finding kindred spirits, blues fans, blues musicians, podcasters, music industry experts, other web enthusiasts and entertaining warm friendly fun helpful people. I didn’t expect to find all of this in one person but I did in Hairy Larry.
Deltaboogie.com The Blues Twibe
Then of course there is Hairy Larry’s Music. I think Larry must be a pretty generous guy you know. His videos frequently show close ups of the riffs he’s playing essentially inspiring and sharing on a deeper level with aspiring musicians such as myself. Here’s a fine example:
Now if you’re a guitar player I bet you’ve got that guitar in your hands right now after seeing that video. Just in case I guessed right here is yet another example of Larry’s generosity - a hammer on lesson:
Thanks Larry for all you do for the blues and music and thanks being a virtual friend of WorldofBlues.com.
Mountain Men was formed when a guitar playing Mr. Mat from France and harmonica playing Barefoot Iano from Australia joined forces in 2005. Their first album “Mat with Iano - Mountain Men” was released in October 2005 and when the stock was depleted they decided not to re-release because their style was evolving so quickly. However, you can get still get it directly from Barefoot Iano’s website. I’ve been waiting for their new release for a while now but I just can’t hold back on sharing this music any longer. Check this out:
Whew - now I bet there’s a few of us waiting for that new album to be released. The album was due to be released in spring of 2009 so I’m hoping it will be any day now.
For those who can’t understand the“Mr Mat …. Mountain Men” Myspace.com page (it is in French), I can tell you that the duo states they draw on influences of the pioneers of blues including Robert Johnson, Son House, Charlie Patton and Skip James as well as new bluesmen including Keb Mo’ and Eric Bibb. Thats a fine list of influences and I have to respect the fact they mentioned this list of people in particular. The styles and sounds can be heard through out everything I’ve heard by them.
While you and I may not have heard much from these people I can tell you that those who have been aware of them have paid them the recognition they deserve. Mr. Mat … Mountain Men went from meeting in 2005; recording in 2005; wining the band challenge at the 2006 Blues Sur Seine festival in France; invited to perform at the 2007 Montréal Festiblues and then represented France in in the Blues Foundation 2008 “International Blues Challenge”. That’s a pretty impressive progression from from 2005 to 2008. I can’t wait to hear their new album and I’ll be sure to announce it to everyone so stay tuned.
Being an acoustic guitar blues musician and fan myself I am in awe of Mr. Mat’s playing and vocals so I’ll leave you here with this solo performance:
I have to thank 
