Robi Zonca And His Band feat. Luther Kent 2006 Magic Box Live

Genre: Blues
Rate: 128 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 01:15:20
Size: 68,84 MB



Review by Alex Henderson

European blues fans, like European jazz fans, are a highly enthusiastic bunch; they aren't nearly as large a group as the European rock audience, but they are quite devoted. And Europe has given us some talented blues artists. Among them: Sven Zetterberg from Sweden, Ana Popovic from the former Yugoslavia and Robi Zonca from Italy. Of course, being Italian does not mean that a bluesman is obligated to play with Italians exclusively -- and on Magic Box (which was recorded live in Zonca's home town of Bergamo, Italy on March 9, 2006) singer/guitarist Zonca and four fellow Italians (guitarist Stefano Galli, bassist Paolo Legramandi, drummer Marco Sacchitella and keyboardist Antonello "Jantoman" Aguzzi) are joined by New Orleans bluesman Luther Kent.

Although Zonca and Kent share the lead vocals, Kent sings more often -- and Zonca's American guest is in very good form on performances of Big Joe Turner's "Flip, Flop and Fly," and Willie Dixon's "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man." Like a lot of people in the modern blues scene, Zonca is blues-oriented without being a blues artist. He has rock and R&B influences as well, and this Italian concert reflects that. Kent's soul credentials are obvious on inspired performance of Benny Latimore's 1974 hit "Let's Straighten It Out" (which is bluesy soul or soul-blues, not straight-ahead blues), Bobby "Blue" Bland's "Nothing You Can Do" and the Meters' "Hey, Pock-a-Way" (a prime example of Crescent City funk). Before this live recording, Zonca provided some studio recordings that are worth owning. But Magic Box is more essential, and it is the most logical album to start out with if one if making his/her first Zonca purchase.


Tracklist:

01 - Bob's Intro 01:59

02 - New York City Blues 04:09

03 - Nothing 05:01

04 - Just A Little Bit 04:31

05 - I Will Love You Anyway 05:30

06 - Flip Flop & Fly 06:14

07 - Teeny Weeny Bit 04:12

08 - Let's Straighten It Out 07:52

09 - Sick And Tired 04:32

10 - 99 Woman 07:16

11 - Hoochie Coochie Man 05:57

12 - Big Legged 04:40

13 - Nothing You Can Do 05:41

14 - Pocket Way 07:46





Robi Zonca And His Band feat. Luther Kent here:

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Robi Zonca & His Band 2007 Rebel!

Genre: Blues
Rate: 224 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 00:56:36
Size: 90,64 MB



Album Notes

Recorded in 2006 on two continents; North America & Europe- specifically in the New York City area, and Milano, Italy, with the devoted dedication, commitment, and outstanding contribution of many gifted musicians from both the U.S.A. and Italy, including world renowned musicians like the legendary drummer Bernard “Pretty” Purdie (who is arguably the most recorded musician in modern day music history,) plus Jerry and Jimmy Vivino (The Vivino Brothers Band & the nationally syndicated Conan O’Brien TV Show,) and last but not least- Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame/New Orleans blues legend and singer- Big Luther Kent, all make outstanding guest appearances on Zonca’s latest offering “Rebel!”

Zonca’s music is known for the exciting and unpredictable arrangements, and his entire band, Antonello"Jantoman"Aguzzi on keyboards,Stefano Galli on guitar,Paolo Legramandi on bass and Marco Sacchitella on drums, is up to the task of crafting a very unique sound providing the perfect backdrop for Robi’s compositions which regularly take dynamic twists and turns throughout this recording, showing yet another dramatic step forward in the evolution of Zonca’s music, in this third chapter of Robi’s studio recorded music.

Appropriately “Rebel!” starts out with Robi’s nod to New York with “New York City Blues,” followed by the title track (also composted by Zonca,) which were both recorded in New York with special guests; the Vivino’s and Bernard Purdie. The gorgeous “Hey Man” composed by Zonca & Stefano Galli’s flows perfectly creating a delightful mood for “Rebel!”

Next it’s blues time with Big Luther Kent reunited again with Zonca, on the B.B. King/Jules Taub classic “Woke Up This Morning” which shows off the powerful vocals of Luther Kent which meld perfectly with Zonca’s Italian band. There is one other cover that being John Lennon’s “Instant Karma.” Lennon has always been and will probably remain one of Zonca’s deepest musical influences, so it’s no surprise that “Instant Karma” makes its appearance on “Rebel!”

Other standout tracks are all penned by Zonca, that being “Wait For Me, “Please Policeman,” “Tonight is the Night,” and the “Man I Am.”

The other two tracks that were recorded in the USA with the Vivino’s & Purdie are “You Got to Get Closer,” and “Brown Panther,” the later being a instrumental gem that closes this very fine recording, which has extremely catchy changes, nice guitar work from both Zonca & Jimmy Vivino, plus brother Jerry’s tenor, Purdie is right up front in the mix and truly propels this very cool and hip tune. Be sure to checkout the musicians dialog at the end of the tune, where you hear Robi, Paolo, Jerry & Jimmy Vivino, and Purdie shucking and jiving comments.

So there you have it, Robi Zonca’s 2007 offering “Rebel! Here is to looking forward to many more recordings from this very talented and unique recording artist- Robi Zonca. (Bob Putignano - President of New York City Blues&Jazz Society )


Tracklist:

01 - New York City Blues 04:14

02 - Rebel! 05:54

03 - Hey Man 05:25

04 - Woke Up This Morning 03:28

05 - C'mon Baby 06:18

06 - Instant Karma 04:48

07 - I Got You 03:49

08 - Wait For Me 03:26

09 - You Got To Get Closer 04:30

10 - Please Policeman 03:21

11 - Tonight Is The Night 03:48

12 - The Man I Am 03:05

13 - Brown Panther 04:30





Robi Zonca & His Band here:



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