NEW YORK BLUES: The Beat Goes On- Michael Powers & Clarence Spady
I got the chance to briefly chat with Michael Powers after his set and along with being a fine player he is also very gracious. It turns out we played a couple of the same New York City clubs back in the day. I also found out later when reading his bio that he was in a band called Moonbeam. I remember seeing a band called Moonbeam at the Great Gildersleeves club, which Michael played at. I put the two together and it hit me that Michael was probably the guitarist in that band. Imagine that! 30 something years later Michael and I are in the same blues club with me photographing him. Can anyone say small world?!
I am new to the Clarence Spady sound but I was very impressed. Clarence has a smooth, fluid sound. The drummer, as you can see from the photo below, has a very basic kit but he locked it down on the 2 and 4. The band has no conventional bass player, instead the man on the Hammond organ plays the bass lines on foot pedals. Those familiar with the sound of a Hammond going thru a Leslie cabinet know it is a majestic sound. Jon Lord anyone?
Speaking of the Hammond and playing bass with foot pedals, anyone here remember a guy named Lee Michaels and his rousing version of Stormy Monday? It's from an album recorded in 1969 and features just Lee on the Hammond and vocals and a guy named Frosty on drums. That version takes me to church all the time and remains the best version of Stormy Monday I've ever heard.
Nelson G. Onofre
e-mail: nelson@electriceyes.us
http://www.michaelpowers.com/
http://www.myspace.com/powersblues
photo: Nelson G. Onofre
e-mail: nelson@electriceyes.us
Five Time Blues Music Award Nominee!!
"Michael Powers is without a doubt a true master of the guitar. It was his destiny from childhood. Influenced by the greatest such as Chuck Berry, Johnny Winters, Robert Cray, Jimi Hendrix and John Lee Hooker, Michael's music spans from "Muddy Waters to Jimi Hendrix" in one show! If you didn't like the Blues before, you will now! Even Michael's arrangements of other composer's songs are created into something unimaginably entertaining and new, some winning awards. He perfects anything he touches and never compromises that last detail."
http://www.michaelpowers.com/
http://www.myspace.com/powersblues
photo: Nelson G. Onofre
e-mail: nelson@electriceyes.us
http://www.michaelpowers.com/
http://www.myspace.com/powersblues
photo: Nelson G. Onofre
e-mail: nelson@electriceyes.us
www.myspace.com/clarencespadyband
photo: Nelson G. Onofre
e-mail: nelson@electriceyes.us
"Once described as "the future of the blues" by Bill Dahl (Chicago Tribune), his sound has matured and is now even more distinguishable. Clarence plays with a depth and sensitivity that can't be taught, effortlessly combining blues, jazz, funk, and rock into his own unique sound"
www.myspace.com/clarencespadyband
photo: Nelson G. Onofre
e-mail: nelson@electriceyes.us
www.myspace.com/clarencespadyband
photo: Nelson G. Onofre
e-mail: nelson@electriceyes.us
www.myspace.com/clarencespadyband
photo: Nelson G. Onofre
e-mail: nelson@electriceyes.us
www.myspace.com/clarencespadyband
photo: Nelson G. Onofre
e-mail: nelson@electriceyes.us
www.myspace.com/clarencespadyband
photo: Nelson G. Onofre
e-mail: nelson@electriceyes.us
www.myspace.com/clarencespadyband
photo: Nelson G. Onofre
e-mail: nelson@electriceyes.us
Artists that are Friends of American Blues News
- Alastair Greene
- Ana Popovic
- Brandon Santini & Delta Highway
- David Bromberg
- Ernie Hawkins
- Foghat
- Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers
- John Pizzarelli
- Jorma Kaukonen
- Lennie Jones - Folkart Blues
- Leon Russell
- Mark May Band
- Marshall Lawrence-Doctor of the Blues
- Mystic Knights
- North Mississippi All-stars
- Reba Russell
- Stacy Brooks
- Tangiers Blues Band
- Tim Woods
- Victor Wainwright
- Will Jacobs & Dirty Deal
More Artist Friends....
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American Blues News Staff
Mon: Memphis Correspondent - Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms
Nighthawk is our resident globetrotter and man behind the scenes, as he tours with the Reba Russell Band.
Tues: New York Correspondent - J. Blake
Blake is the American Blues News review and interview guru. You may catch him out and about in NY playing the blues.
Wed: National Correspondent - Monica Yasher
Monica is our executive director and artist interview specialist. You can catch Monica singing the blues around Pittsburgh or working on some country music songs in Nashville.
Thurs: Washington, DC Correspondent - Virginiabluesman
Geraldo offers inteviews and reviews. You may have seen him at an Ana Popovic concert or conversed with him on her websites, as he offers administrative support with her music.
Fri: Northeast Photographer - Nelson Onofre
Nelson offers a Friday column of blues photography and pictorial support for the interviews covered by the team.
Jim Stick in Colorado
Jim will be focusing on the Blues Festivals in the beautiful state of Colorado, and the artists that live and visit there.
Maureen Elizabeth, our resident art correspondent, will be focusing on blues art as she explores the creation of CD covers, or speaking with artists who also have a love of creating pictorial art in addition to their music! She may also feature some of her good friends in the Pittsburgh area. In her love of art, you may find Maureen's photography accompanying writer's articles on our pages. Maureen is also our marketing director.
Pittsburgh correspondent and photographer, CR Bennett, will share the Pittsburgh scene with all of you. You may also see CR's pictures accompanying other writer's articles.
We head to the big state of Texas! Abby Owen, our Texas correspondent.
Another big area to cover, the West Coast with Casey Reagan, Casey will feature many artists and events on this ocean's shores.
Lastly, we have our roving blues entertainment writer,
Chef Jimi.
And of course, we will surprise you sometimes!