mardi 19 avril 2011
Review of Crossroads to Freedom by Jerry W Henry in the Tannehill Trader April 2011
by Chris Dair on Sunday, 17 April 2011 at 16:06
I have been in the music business pretty much all my life. I have a love for music that seems to control most of what I do in life. I am a music journalist along with several other music related jobs and projects. As a music journalist I don’t review the bad stuff. I only write reviews on releases that have merit. I listen to an average of 4 releases to find 1 worthy of a review.
~ Jerry W. Henry (JerryW.Henry@yahoo.com)
Chris Dair’s Crossroads To Freedom (self released) is a 13 song collection for those who want serious guitar work. The guitar work on Crossroads To Freedom is amazing - tastefully amazing. Chris Dair is French, he sings very well and can play guitar with the best of them. That’s all I know about the man. Track 2 is “See The Stars” which has a moody melody that is hard to get out of your head once you have heard it. Listening to “Lovin’ You Too Much,” I checked the liner notes to make sure it wasn’t Johnny Winters.
On “Never Comin’ Home Blues” he added sounds like it was on a 78 rpm vinyl disc. When he plays “Last Fall” you think is from the swamps with a sound somewhat like Tony Joe White or J.J. Grey. I enjoyed every single track on this blues masterpiece. Don’t expect an hour of Hendrix frenzy. There are all kinds of tempos and he never overplays. This guy is brilliantly creative. Diversity in styles and composition make this a great blues listen.
by Chris Dair on Sunday, 17 April 2011 at 16:06
I have been in the music business pretty much all my life. I have a love for music that seems to control most of what I do in life. I am a music journalist along with several other music related jobs and projects. As a music journalist I don’t review the bad stuff. I only write reviews on releases that have merit. I listen to an average of 4 releases to find 1 worthy of a review.
~ Jerry W. Henry (JerryW.Henry@yahoo.com)
Chris Dair’s Crossroads To Freedom (self released) is a 13 song collection for those who want serious guitar work. The guitar work on Crossroads To Freedom is amazing - tastefully amazing. Chris Dair is French, he sings very well and can play guitar with the best of them. That’s all I know about the man. Track 2 is “See The Stars” which has a moody melody that is hard to get out of your head once you have heard it. Listening to “Lovin’ You Too Much,” I checked the liner notes to make sure it wasn’t Johnny Winters.
On “Never Comin’ Home Blues” he added sounds like it was on a 78 rpm vinyl disc. When he plays “Last Fall” you think is from the swamps with a sound somewhat like Tony Joe White or J.J. Grey. I enjoyed every single track on this blues masterpiece. Don’t expect an hour of Hendrix frenzy. There are all kinds of tempos and he never overplays. This guy is brilliantly creative. Diversity in styles and composition make this a great blues listen.
John Vermilyea - Blues Underground Network Reviews Crossroads to Freedom
Blues Underground Network
Chris Dair "Crossroads To Freedom"
Just before I started this review I headed over to Chris Dair's main website and noticed some scrolling text on the top of his homepage. It said "Chris Dair is now NUMBER 1 on the Reverbnation BLUES charts for FRANCE!!", certainly a worthy accomplishment for any blues artist. Chris Dair however is not just any blues artist, nor is he just a blues artist, for his talents far exceed such a simple classification.
Chris Dair's introduction to musicianship was sparked by hearing the famed flamenco artist Manitas De Plata, whom after hearing "him play at Arles in 1964, Pablo Picasso is said to have exclaimed "that man is of greater worth than I am!". At 14 Chris Dair's love of the Blues quickly got him gigging with the likes of John Mayall and John McVie, at many great London Venues. While still a young lead Guitarist, Chris Dair jammed and played with many of the greats such as Rory Gallagher, Jimmy Paige, Ginger Baker, Mark Knopfler, Led Zeppelin, Peter Green, Jeff Beck, and Bukka White, to name just a few. Chris Dair is also a very talented Composer in the Film and Media Industry, for Nickelodeon, Guinness World Records (USA), The Vibe, Brian Waddell (USA), True Hollywood Story (USA), ITV, and Planet Television, to name a few.
"Crossroads To Freedom" is Chris Dair's fourth Album and his first Album completely dedicated to the blues. It consists of 13 tracks which are all Originals, written by Chris and while you could certainly over simplify it by saying that "Crossroads To Freedom" is a Collection of 13 great songs, you would not being doing that Album justice, for it is much more than a Collection of Songs, it is quite simply a Mosaic of exceptional music. It is also an Album, that of course has many Blues Styles, but that are done in such a way that they transcend Geographical borders and would better be classified as World Blues.
Most of songs that you will hear on "Crossroads To Freedom", may certainly be familiar in style to other well known musicians, such as B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and yes even Jim Morrison, but they are brought forward by Chris with a uniqueness of delivery, that you may find even more amazing considering the fact that the only musician and vocalist on "Crossroads To Freedom" is Chris Dair. This is a fact I confirmed with him via email in which he stated, "all of the instruments are played by me, bass, guitars, harmonica, etc. I recorded and produced the album in my small studio at home." Something I also found unique was Chris Dair's fantastic ability to match his vocals to what ever particular style he is playing, which is a rare talent indeed.
I found listening to "Crossroads To Freedom", to be more of a long uninterrupted journey than simply a bunch of quick stops. The music Chris Dair presents on this Album is put together in such a way that it gracefully and logical blends as one, almost like the score one would expect on a great movie.
Pulling out a few songs that could be said were my favorites would be doing this Album a disservice, somewhat like pulling the teeth out of a persons mouth that had a perfect smile already. Each song on "Crossroads To Freedom" has it's own unique specialness and does not deserve the classification of being "better than the rest".
"Crossroads To Freedom" shows off the amazing talent that is Chris Dair, a talent that can certainly be put up and compared to the best musicians,vocalists, and songwriters, out there today.
Not to much thought was required for me to see that "Crossroads To Freedom" certainly deserved my highest rating of 5*****. A rare find, from a rare Artist.
Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)
Additional Info
Nominations are currently taking place for the British Blues Awards 2011, of which Chris Dair is hoping to be Nominated for Best British Guitarist, a nomination that I am more than sure he deserves after listening to "Crossroads To Freedom"
The Nomination Stage closes March 31rst. http://www.britishbluesawards.co.uk/nominations.htm
Tracklist
1.No Reason Blues
2.See The Stars
3.Obsession
4.Crossroads To Freedom
5.Please Don't Let Me Go
6.Never Comin' Home Blues
7.I Feel The Need
8.Lovin' You Too Much
9.Last Fall
10.Leavin'Town Blues
11.Ya Smile At Me
12.Goldwater Mountain
13.Lost In Wasted Time
Listen To Samples Here...
Websites:
http://chrisdairmusic.com
http://chrisdair.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/chrisdair4
Facebook
Chris Dair "Crossroads To Freedom"
Just before I started this review I headed over to Chris Dair's main website and noticed some scrolling text on the top of his homepage. It said "Chris Dair is now NUMBER 1 on the Reverbnation BLUES charts for FRANCE!!", certainly a worthy accomplishment for any blues artist. Chris Dair however is not just any blues artist, nor is he just a blues artist, for his talents far exceed such a simple classification.
Chris Dair's introduction to musicianship was sparked by hearing the famed flamenco artist Manitas De Plata, whom after hearing "him play at Arles in 1964, Pablo Picasso is said to have exclaimed "that man is of greater worth than I am!". At 14 Chris Dair's love of the Blues quickly got him gigging with the likes of John Mayall and John McVie, at many great London Venues. While still a young lead Guitarist, Chris Dair jammed and played with many of the greats such as Rory Gallagher, Jimmy Paige, Ginger Baker, Mark Knopfler, Led Zeppelin, Peter Green, Jeff Beck, and Bukka White, to name just a few. Chris Dair is also a very talented Composer in the Film and Media Industry, for Nickelodeon, Guinness World Records (USA), The Vibe, Brian Waddell (USA), True Hollywood Story (USA), ITV, and Planet Television, to name a few.
"Crossroads To Freedom" is Chris Dair's fourth Album and his first Album completely dedicated to the blues. It consists of 13 tracks which are all Originals, written by Chris and while you could certainly over simplify it by saying that "Crossroads To Freedom" is a Collection of 13 great songs, you would not being doing that Album justice, for it is much more than a Collection of Songs, it is quite simply a Mosaic of exceptional music. It is also an Album, that of course has many Blues Styles, but that are done in such a way that they transcend Geographical borders and would better be classified as World Blues.
Most of songs that you will hear on "Crossroads To Freedom", may certainly be familiar in style to other well known musicians, such as B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and yes even Jim Morrison, but they are brought forward by Chris with a uniqueness of delivery, that you may find even more amazing considering the fact that the only musician and vocalist on "Crossroads To Freedom" is Chris Dair. This is a fact I confirmed with him via email in which he stated, "all of the instruments are played by me, bass, guitars, harmonica, etc. I recorded and produced the album in my small studio at home." Something I also found unique was Chris Dair's fantastic ability to match his vocals to what ever particular style he is playing, which is a rare talent indeed.
I found listening to "Crossroads To Freedom", to be more of a long uninterrupted journey than simply a bunch of quick stops. The music Chris Dair presents on this Album is put together in such a way that it gracefully and logical blends as one, almost like the score one would expect on a great movie.
Pulling out a few songs that could be said were my favorites would be doing this Album a disservice, somewhat like pulling the teeth out of a persons mouth that had a perfect smile already. Each song on "Crossroads To Freedom" has it's own unique specialness and does not deserve the classification of being "better than the rest".
"Crossroads To Freedom" shows off the amazing talent that is Chris Dair, a talent that can certainly be put up and compared to the best musicians,vocalists, and songwriters, out there today.
Not to much thought was required for me to see that "Crossroads To Freedom" certainly deserved my highest rating of 5*****. A rare find, from a rare Artist.
Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)
Additional Info
Nominations are currently taking place for the British Blues Awards 2011, of which Chris Dair is hoping to be Nominated for Best British Guitarist, a nomination that I am more than sure he deserves after listening to "Crossroads To Freedom"
The Nomination Stage closes March 31rst. http://www.britishbluesawards.co.uk/nominations.htm
Tracklist
1.No Reason Blues
2.See The Stars
3.Obsession
4.Crossroads To Freedom
5.Please Don't Let Me Go
6.Never Comin' Home Blues
7.I Feel The Need
8.Lovin' You Too Much
9.Last Fall
10.Leavin'Town Blues
11.Ya Smile At Me
12.Goldwater Mountain
13.Lost In Wasted Time
Listen To Samples Here...
Websites:
http://chrisdairmusic.com
http://chrisdair.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/chrisdair4
John Stracey @ Blues Connections Review of Crossroads to Freedom
April 2011
Crossroads To Freedom is written and performed entirely by Chris Dair and is his first album dedicated purely to the blues from the Mississippi delta all the way to the streets of Chicago and beyond! What is refreshing is that there appears to be no limitation as to how Chris Dair interprets the way his guitar should be played, having jammed with the best of them down the years including Jeff Beck, Peter Green, Rory Gallagher, Jimmy Page, Mark Knopfler and the great Bukka White to name but a few!
Crossroads To Freedom gets straight down to business with 'No Reason Blues' that is classic Chicago blues harking back to the Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf era! Influences abound here as you would expect from such a seasoned artist, with a somewhat mystical sounding 'See The Stars' offering more than a hint of Ravi Shankar, before the Santana inspired instrumental 'Obsession' transcends over proceedings. Some of these recordings might easily lend themselves to a film soundtrack, that incidentally is not new territory for this man who is not afraid to experiment, as is well demonstrated on the innovative title track 'Crossroads To Freedom' which delivers some very interesting psychedelic blues! 'Please Don't Let Me Go' cruises into some really cool jazz tinged blues ahead of the vintage sounding 'Never Comin' Home Blues', which is given some authentic worn vinyl treatment that many listeners may find intriguing? Right from the first note on 'I Feel The Need', you become spellbound as his guitar riffs and smooth vocals combine to find the perfect blend and are only set free once a wailing harmonica introduces 'Lovin' You Too Much', as he connects his wah-wah pedal to unleash some screaming guitar SRV style! The laid back 'Last Fall' and 'Leavin' Town Blues' lead us well into JJ Cale chartered territory and on 'Ya Smile At Me', he even finds time to mix in some rare juice harp with some good ole country blues. Listening to 'Goldwater Mountain', you discover a fabulous example of American acoustic roots music (reminiscent of the early Doobie Brothers), before 'Lost In Wasted Time' delivers a dreamy guitar solo that even Roy Buchanan might have taken his hat off to!
Crossroads To Freedom is the album you always wanted to own and could never remember the name of, and it also marks the moment Chris Dair stepped out of the shadows to become a genuine blues artist in his own right! Check him out on his website at http://www.chrisdairmusic.net/ where you can also order a signed copy of the Crossroads To Freedom CD, and discover what you've been missing!
samedi 2 avril 2011
mardi 29 mars 2011
On the Back Porch with Chris Dair and Glen Casebeer, the American Blues Scene
Who has been your biggest musical influence?
I suppose it all started with people like Manitas de Plata, Andres Segovia, basically whoever I could get to hear on the radio or TV. At about the age of 12 I also had a great interest in Indian classical music through a friend lending me an album by Ravi Shankar. From that I developed a deep interest in Indian and World music in general, not only string instruments but percussion, through to pipes and flutes, I sought sounds from all over the world.
I used to follow the TV mags to see what programs there might be with any kind of guitarists playing. I had a little tape recorder that I talked my brother into lending to me, and if there was anything on the TV of interest I would hold the mic to the speaker and record the music. It didn’t work too well but I could play it over again and it was a real breakthrough, if you like, for me, as before I had to keep the sound in my head while I was trying to play it. I used this for quite some time. As I collected a few more records, a friend lent me a record player to play them on, So I learned a lot from a very wide variety of music, from classical to rock and so on. I think it’s important to be versatile in what you play, and listening to such a wide variety of music as a kid has given me the diversity in what I do today. I love Indian classical, African rhythms, Cuban, Latin and so on, it all gets infused into what I do.
When I first heard Jimi Hendrix I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and he completely bowled me over. I guess he was my biggest musical influence at that time. Other influences would be John Mayall, Santana, Eric Clapton and Peter Green, and after that John McLaughlin and so on. I listened also to Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Weather Report, King Crimson, and Chick Corea much later. I was big into Jaco Pastorius and John Patitucci.
It wasn’t necessary for the artist to be a guitarist to inspire me. I admire many different artists that play other instruments, not just guitar. Through all of this I was listening to a lot of the very old Blues masters, John Lee Hooker, Bukka White, Big Bill Broonzy, Robert Johnson, Lightning Hopkins, Leadbelly and Chicago and Detroit blues, Muddy Waters and even some of the great blues singers of that period, like Bessie Smith, they had so much style and technique to learn from. They just took me away with this wonderful raw blues sound, it was just so gripping to me.
How do you think today’s blues scene compares to that of say 15-20 years ago or longer?
I think that 15-20 years ago blues was not as prominent in the media as it should have been. In the UK there were very few radio programs dedicated to the blues, or TV. I think in Europe blues was listened to much more than the UK. With the break up of Cream, and Peter Green went off the scene and so on, gradually other styles took over in popularity. There were the Blues Legends tours around the US and Europe, but those couldn’t give the exposure to the music that it deserved.
Now, however, I see a big resurgence of Blues, it’s really great to see so many radio stations and shows are dedicated to the Blues. The net has helped to revitalise awareness, and therefore love of the blues. I don’t think people have stopped being into the blues, it’s just not been so available to them to listen to.
What is the blues to you? Can it even be defined?
I guess the blues is a sound that hits you deep inside. I remember a friend playing Dust My Broom and to see that being played live in front of me was such an incredibly emotional experience. I’d be about 11 years old, I have been passionate about the blues ever since.
Blues has this rawness, a simplicity and an undisguised passion in it’s expression of life’s experiences. There is something almost primitive about the rythms, it’s not called roots music for nothing. I play many different styles of music, but my whole core of what I do comes from the blues, whether it be a Fusion Jazz or an Eastern improvisational piece, or a percussion piece it contains elements of the blues that grew up with me.
When a band kicks off a slow blues rythm and your in the blues room listening, it resonates all through your body, you feel the whole thing, the life in it, it is an incredible experience, and you know that the whole audience feels that.
Blues has a resemblance to flamenco, it has that same passion and origin. Creating music is a passion, if it is not, it isn’t music.
How helpful has the internet been to you in spreading your music to a worldwide audience?
Absolutely crucial, there would be no other way of gaining worldwide exposure without it unless signed to a label with considerable promotional resources, but even then if you were signed to a label you wouldn‘t have that personal interaction that you can have with your fans via the net.
Music fans look to the net now for their music fix in all genres, and it has made music completely accessible. I also think live performances are vital and we do just that.
What advice could you give someone just starting out and trying to make it in the music business?
If an artist is determined to make a career in music it’s very important that they become very proficient in what they do before they start to gig or record. I can’t stress enough that they must push their limitations way out, be your own very tough critic. OK, there’s a great deal of short-lived success out there, but if you want to survive, it’s only great music and total dedication that will keep you there.
Take a step back, listen to what you’ve recorded, ask yourself is it clean, flawless, accurate and says what you want to say – then try to get it to someone on local radio, get a reaction from as many other people as possible. Listen to the feedback and use it constructively.
Be as dedicated to your fans as they are to you. They are friends that will stay with you.
I read that you played with Jimmy Page and some other members of Zeppelin. Was that just a jam or did it happen more than once? Also, what was that experience like for you?
It was just a jam. Led Zeppelin were invited to open a new dance club in my local town in the late 60s. I had friends who had contacts at the club and I was introduced to Jimmy Page before they went on, and subsequently Robert Plant. It was just a small opening night, but needless to say it was packed. I chatted with Jimmy Page for a while and he asked me if I’d like to try his Les Paul. Well what do you say to that? I remember it being a beautiful guitar to play, the action was very low. Before we plugged it into the amp it appeared to buzz a bit on the strings, but once the amp kicked in it was perfect. Jimmy played on acoustic and we did some kind of blues boogie thing. They were very well known at the time, but they just came over as really cool guys. It was a great evening.
The club is still going to my knowledge today and has since moved location in the same town. When they reopened they wanted a Led Zeppelin reunion but that wasn’t possible. However, they hosted the Marshall Roadshow, and Jim Marshall was present himself. They invited the Climax Blues Band, and myself as I’d played at the original opening, I’d also played with Climax for a short while before.
Is there any artist that you have heard in the last year that really blew you away? If so what was it that drew you in?
It would be the band Sigur Ros! What drew me in was the ethereal way they play their music, and the combination of the elements infusing rock. folk and classical in their own unique style. The vocalist makes the whole thing stand out even more, he’s such a powerfully individual vocalist. I only recently discovered this band from Iceland, and realise now that they’ve been around a while. I find their music a great inspiration.
You’re newest release “Crossroads To Freedom” has been out for a little while now and I reviewed it and enjoyed it. How well has it been accepted and how do you feel it compares to your earlier stuff?
Chris Dair - Crossroads to Freedom
Crossroads to Freedom was uploaded online end of Dec 2010, but we didn‘t start to send it out until the end of Jan 2011, so it‘s very new. Yours was the first review of the album, and it was fantastic! Reviews are exciting, it’s an edge kind of thing, you never know what will be said!
Crossroads to Freedom is being universally accepted, and great reviews are coming in from the major blues sites. There are more to come and obviously I hope that it will continue to be as well accepted. For me, if people enjoy my blues, I’m happy !
I don’t think it’s any more or less than my previous releases, it’s just that with the blues I’ve been able to focus on that genre and extend this focus to the listeners. I have always been diverse in musical styles, and this is OK, but I feel that concentrating on the blues has enabled people to recognise me as a blues and blues rock or blues jazz guitarist, I think if that continues to establish itself in peoples minds, they will not be so surprised when they listen to say Strange Island. I think the blues always has some influence in whatever I do. The most recent review from John Stracey at The Blues Connections has really blown me away, and his referral to the album as a World Blues is particularly gratifying. I’m currently working on another blues album but at the same time an album of Blues/Jazz/World Fusion is emerging, that I call Guitaraga.
Last question….what is the thing that makes you keep going in regards to playing music?
It’s like breathing, if I stop, I die. I’ve been playing all my life and I could never give it up, that would be unthinkable. It’s more exciting now for me than it ever was. I wouldn’t know what to do if I didn’t have my music and didn‘t play. For me, what else is there?
Thank you, Glen…
I suppose it all started with people like Manitas de Plata, Andres Segovia, basically whoever I could get to hear on the radio or TV. At about the age of 12 I also had a great interest in Indian classical music through a friend lending me an album by Ravi Shankar. From that I developed a deep interest in Indian and World music in general, not only string instruments but percussion, through to pipes and flutes, I sought sounds from all over the world.
I used to follow the TV mags to see what programs there might be with any kind of guitarists playing. I had a little tape recorder that I talked my brother into lending to me, and if there was anything on the TV of interest I would hold the mic to the speaker and record the music. It didn’t work too well but I could play it over again and it was a real breakthrough, if you like, for me, as before I had to keep the sound in my head while I was trying to play it. I used this for quite some time. As I collected a few more records, a friend lent me a record player to play them on, So I learned a lot from a very wide variety of music, from classical to rock and so on. I think it’s important to be versatile in what you play, and listening to such a wide variety of music as a kid has given me the diversity in what I do today. I love Indian classical, African rhythms, Cuban, Latin and so on, it all gets infused into what I do.
When I first heard Jimi Hendrix I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and he completely bowled me over. I guess he was my biggest musical influence at that time. Other influences would be John Mayall, Santana, Eric Clapton and Peter Green, and after that John McLaughlin and so on. I listened also to Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Weather Report, King Crimson, and Chick Corea much later. I was big into Jaco Pastorius and John Patitucci.
It wasn’t necessary for the artist to be a guitarist to inspire me. I admire many different artists that play other instruments, not just guitar. Through all of this I was listening to a lot of the very old Blues masters, John Lee Hooker, Bukka White, Big Bill Broonzy, Robert Johnson, Lightning Hopkins, Leadbelly and Chicago and Detroit blues, Muddy Waters and even some of the great blues singers of that period, like Bessie Smith, they had so much style and technique to learn from. They just took me away with this wonderful raw blues sound, it was just so gripping to me.
How do you think today’s blues scene compares to that of say 15-20 years ago or longer?
I think that 15-20 years ago blues was not as prominent in the media as it should have been. In the UK there were very few radio programs dedicated to the blues, or TV. I think in Europe blues was listened to much more than the UK. With the break up of Cream, and Peter Green went off the scene and so on, gradually other styles took over in popularity. There were the Blues Legends tours around the US and Europe, but those couldn’t give the exposure to the music that it deserved.
Now, however, I see a big resurgence of Blues, it’s really great to see so many radio stations and shows are dedicated to the Blues. The net has helped to revitalise awareness, and therefore love of the blues. I don’t think people have stopped being into the blues, it’s just not been so available to them to listen to.
What is the blues to you? Can it even be defined?
I guess the blues is a sound that hits you deep inside. I remember a friend playing Dust My Broom and to see that being played live in front of me was such an incredibly emotional experience. I’d be about 11 years old, I have been passionate about the blues ever since.
Blues has this rawness, a simplicity and an undisguised passion in it’s expression of life’s experiences. There is something almost primitive about the rythms, it’s not called roots music for nothing. I play many different styles of music, but my whole core of what I do comes from the blues, whether it be a Fusion Jazz or an Eastern improvisational piece, or a percussion piece it contains elements of the blues that grew up with me.
When a band kicks off a slow blues rythm and your in the blues room listening, it resonates all through your body, you feel the whole thing, the life in it, it is an incredible experience, and you know that the whole audience feels that.
Blues has a resemblance to flamenco, it has that same passion and origin. Creating music is a passion, if it is not, it isn’t music.
How helpful has the internet been to you in spreading your music to a worldwide audience?
Absolutely crucial, there would be no other way of gaining worldwide exposure without it unless signed to a label with considerable promotional resources, but even then if you were signed to a label you wouldn‘t have that personal interaction that you can have with your fans via the net.
Music fans look to the net now for their music fix in all genres, and it has made music completely accessible. I also think live performances are vital and we do just that.
What advice could you give someone just starting out and trying to make it in the music business?
If an artist is determined to make a career in music it’s very important that they become very proficient in what they do before they start to gig or record. I can’t stress enough that they must push their limitations way out, be your own very tough critic. OK, there’s a great deal of short-lived success out there, but if you want to survive, it’s only great music and total dedication that will keep you there.
Take a step back, listen to what you’ve recorded, ask yourself is it clean, flawless, accurate and says what you want to say – then try to get it to someone on local radio, get a reaction from as many other people as possible. Listen to the feedback and use it constructively.
Be as dedicated to your fans as they are to you. They are friends that will stay with you.
I read that you played with Jimmy Page and some other members of Zeppelin. Was that just a jam or did it happen more than once? Also, what was that experience like for you?
It was just a jam. Led Zeppelin were invited to open a new dance club in my local town in the late 60s. I had friends who had contacts at the club and I was introduced to Jimmy Page before they went on, and subsequently Robert Plant. It was just a small opening night, but needless to say it was packed. I chatted with Jimmy Page for a while and he asked me if I’d like to try his Les Paul. Well what do you say to that? I remember it being a beautiful guitar to play, the action was very low. Before we plugged it into the amp it appeared to buzz a bit on the strings, but once the amp kicked in it was perfect. Jimmy played on acoustic and we did some kind of blues boogie thing. They were very well known at the time, but they just came over as really cool guys. It was a great evening.
The club is still going to my knowledge today and has since moved location in the same town. When they reopened they wanted a Led Zeppelin reunion but that wasn’t possible. However, they hosted the Marshall Roadshow, and Jim Marshall was present himself. They invited the Climax Blues Band, and myself as I’d played at the original opening, I’d also played with Climax for a short while before.
Is there any artist that you have heard in the last year that really blew you away? If so what was it that drew you in?
It would be the band Sigur Ros! What drew me in was the ethereal way they play their music, and the combination of the elements infusing rock. folk and classical in their own unique style. The vocalist makes the whole thing stand out even more, he’s such a powerfully individual vocalist. I only recently discovered this band from Iceland, and realise now that they’ve been around a while. I find their music a great inspiration.
You’re newest release “Crossroads To Freedom” has been out for a little while now and I reviewed it and enjoyed it. How well has it been accepted and how do you feel it compares to your earlier stuff?
Chris Dair - Crossroads to Freedom
Crossroads to Freedom was uploaded online end of Dec 2010, but we didn‘t start to send it out until the end of Jan 2011, so it‘s very new. Yours was the first review of the album, and it was fantastic! Reviews are exciting, it’s an edge kind of thing, you never know what will be said!
Crossroads to Freedom is being universally accepted, and great reviews are coming in from the major blues sites. There are more to come and obviously I hope that it will continue to be as well accepted. For me, if people enjoy my blues, I’m happy !
I don’t think it’s any more or less than my previous releases, it’s just that with the blues I’ve been able to focus on that genre and extend this focus to the listeners. I have always been diverse in musical styles, and this is OK, but I feel that concentrating on the blues has enabled people to recognise me as a blues and blues rock or blues jazz guitarist, I think if that continues to establish itself in peoples minds, they will not be so surprised when they listen to say Strange Island. I think the blues always has some influence in whatever I do. The most recent review from John Stracey at The Blues Connections has really blown me away, and his referral to the album as a World Blues is particularly gratifying. I’m currently working on another blues album but at the same time an album of Blues/Jazz/World Fusion is emerging, that I call Guitaraga.
Last question….what is the thing that makes you keep going in regards to playing music?
It’s like breathing, if I stop, I die. I’ve been playing all my life and I could never give it up, that would be unthinkable. It’s more exciting now for me than it ever was. I wouldn’t know what to do if I didn’t have my music and didn‘t play. For me, what else is there?
Thank you, Glen…
mardi 22 mars 2011
FABULOUS Review from John Stracey @ THE BLUES CONNECTIONS on CROSSROADS TO FREEDOM
Chris Dair – Crossroads To Freedom
Crossroads To Freedom is written and performed entirely by Chris Dair and is his first album dedicated purely to the blues from the Mississippi delta all the way to the streets of Chicago and beyond! What is refreshing is that there appears to be no limitation as to how Chris Dair interprets the way his guitar should be played, having jammed with the best of them down the years including Jeff Beck, Peter Green, Rory Gallagher, Jimmy Page, Mark Knopfler and the great Bukka White to name but a few!
Crossroads To Freedom gets straight down to business with 'No Reason Blues' that is classic Chicago blues harking back to the Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf era! Influences abound here as you would expect from such a seasoned musician, with a somewhat mystical sounding 'See The Stars' offering more than a hint of Ravi Shankar, before the Santana inspired instrumental 'Obsession' transcends over proceedings. Some of these recordings might easily lend themselves to a film soundtrack, that incidentally is not new territory for this man who is not afraid to experiment, as is well demonstrated on the innovative title track 'Crossroads To Freedom' which delivers some very interesting psychedelic blues! 'Please Don't Let Me Go' cruises into some really cool jazz tinged blues ahead of the vintage sounding 'Never Comin' Home Blues', which is given some authentic worn vinyl treatment that many listeners may find intriguing? Right from the first note on the laid back 'I Feel The Need', you become spellbound as his guitar riffs and smooth vocals combine to find the perfect blend and are only set fee once a wailing harmonica introduces 'Lovin' You Too Much', as he connects his wah-wah pedal to unleash some screaming guitar SRV style! The laid back 'Last Fall' and 'Leavin' Town Blues' lead us well into JJ Cale chartered territory and on 'Ya Smile At Me', he even finds time to mix in some rare juice harp with some good ole country blues. Listening to 'Goldwater Mountain', you discover a fabulous example of American acoustic roots music (reminiscent of the early Doobie Brothers), before 'Lost In Wasted Time' delivers a dreamy guitar solo that even Roy Buchanan might have taken his hat off to!
Crossroads To Freedom is the album you always wanted to own that you could never remember the name of, and it also marks the moment Chris Dair stepped out of the shadows to become a genuine blues artist in his own right! Check him out on his website at http://www.chrisdairmusic.net/ where you can also order a signed copy of the Crossroads To Freedom CD, and discover what you've been missing!
John Stracey – Blues Connections
Crossroads To Freedom is written and performed entirely by Chris Dair and is his first album dedicated purely to the blues from the Mississippi delta all the way to the streets of Chicago and beyond! What is refreshing is that there appears to be no limitation as to how Chris Dair interprets the way his guitar should be played, having jammed with the best of them down the years including Jeff Beck, Peter Green, Rory Gallagher, Jimmy Page, Mark Knopfler and the great Bukka White to name but a few!
Crossroads To Freedom gets straight down to business with 'No Reason Blues' that is classic Chicago blues harking back to the Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf era! Influences abound here as you would expect from such a seasoned musician, with a somewhat mystical sounding 'See The Stars' offering more than a hint of Ravi Shankar, before the Santana inspired instrumental 'Obsession' transcends over proceedings. Some of these recordings might easily lend themselves to a film soundtrack, that incidentally is not new territory for this man who is not afraid to experiment, as is well demonstrated on the innovative title track 'Crossroads To Freedom' which delivers some very interesting psychedelic blues! 'Please Don't Let Me Go' cruises into some really cool jazz tinged blues ahead of the vintage sounding 'Never Comin' Home Blues', which is given some authentic worn vinyl treatment that many listeners may find intriguing? Right from the first note on the laid back 'I Feel The Need', you become spellbound as his guitar riffs and smooth vocals combine to find the perfect blend and are only set fee once a wailing harmonica introduces 'Lovin' You Too Much', as he connects his wah-wah pedal to unleash some screaming guitar SRV style! The laid back 'Last Fall' and 'Leavin' Town Blues' lead us well into JJ Cale chartered territory and on 'Ya Smile At Me', he even finds time to mix in some rare juice harp with some good ole country blues. Listening to 'Goldwater Mountain', you discover a fabulous example of American acoustic roots music (reminiscent of the early Doobie Brothers), before 'Lost In Wasted Time' delivers a dreamy guitar solo that even Roy Buchanan might have taken his hat off to!
Crossroads To Freedom is the album you always wanted to own that you could never remember the name of, and it also marks the moment Chris Dair stepped out of the shadows to become a genuine blues artist in his own right! Check him out on his website at http://www.chrisdairmusic.net/ where you can also order a signed copy of the Crossroads To Freedom CD, and discover what you've been missing!
John Stracey – Blues Connections
vendredi 18 mars 2011
jeudi 17 mars 2011
jeudi 10 mars 2011
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