Blues

Todd Wolfe - The Todd Wolfe Band Live (2011)

2012-11-03T17:18:08Z

Todd Wolfe - The Todd Wolfe Band Live (2011)


1. Ready For Love 	
2. Crowded In My Soul 	
3. Cold Black Night 	
4. Beg Forgiveness 	
5. Gates Of Heaven 	
6. Roll Over 	
7. Black Hearted Woman 	
8. Silver Blue 	
9. Change Will Come 	
10. Love Gone Bad
11. Shame

Musicians:
Todd Wolfe –guitar, vocals
Suavek Zaniesienko -  bass
Roger Voss - drums.

The Todd Wolfe Band, consisting of Wolfe on vocals and guitar, Suavek Zaniesienko on bass, and Roger Voss on drums, is heard here at a show performed at McCoole's Arts Place in Quakerstown, Pennsylvania. The CD is the complement to a DVD version that has eight more songs (four from the Quakerstown concert and four more from a German gig). Wolfe, a native of Forest Hills in Queens, New York, is a blues-rock journeyman who has played on his own and backed other artists including Sheryl Crow. The set here displays his influences in an overt way. The main one seems to be Jimi Hendrix, whose playing is particularly recalled on "Cold Black Night," as the rhythm section sets up a pattern and Wolfe solos extensively over it. Jimmy Page's work with Led Zeppelin is recalled on "Roll Over," while "Black Hearted Woman" sounds like something Cream could have played. And Wolfe is not shy about sounding like a guitar hero of the late '60s; in case you missed the point, he concludes the Hendrix-like "Change Will Come" by quoting both Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" and Hendrix's "Voodoo Chile." As a singer, he resembles Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and his songs sometimes have the roadhouse blues sound of the Thunderbirds and Stevie Ray Vaughan. This is not, thus, innovative or particularly original music, but it is well-played blues-rock in an established tradition, and there is always an audience for that. ---William Ruhlmann, Rovi

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Todd Wolfe Band - Stripped Down At The Bang Palace (2009)

2011-03-15T09:29:24Z

Todd Wolfe Band - Stripped Down At The Bang Palace (2009)


01 - Wing Of A Dove 
02 - Stranger Blues 
03 - She's Nineteen Years Old 
04 - Bad Boy 
05 - Black Night 
06 - Roll Over 
07 - Come In My Kitchen          play
08 - Evil 
09 - Mississippi Queen           play
10 - Three O'clock Blues 
11 - It's All Over Now 
12 - Light Of Day 
13 - Wreck My Life

Personnel: 
Todd Wolfe (vocals, guitar, mandola); 
Sarah Ayers (vocals); 
Rich Frikkers (percussion); 
Suavek Zaniesienko (background vocals).

This is the best disc Todd Wolfe has made, and that is saying quite a lot. Again Todd Wolfe brings the guitar fire and the searing vocals he is known for, although everything here is better than I expected it to be. It's a blues trio disc with Todd Wolfe's regular band--Todd on guitars and vocals, Suavek Zaniesienko on bass and backing vocals, and Roger Voss on drums and percussion. The only guests on this set are Sarah Ayers on vocals, (and she adds a great Bonnie Bramlett-style vibe) and Rich Frikkers on percussion. It was recorded and engineered by Theo Aronson at The Bang Palace in Bethlehem, PA. It is obvious that Todd Wolfe and the band feel very comfortable in the space--things are smooth and powerful and tightly musical throughout.. Highlights include a great version of Muddy Waters' "She's Nineteen Years Old" that updates the original, a spooky "Black Night" that would have been perfect for Halloween, a very fine version of Howlin' Wolf's "Evil" that is like the proverbial watched pot--it's a slow boiler, but it gets there. There's a fine cover of BB King's "Three O'Clock Blues," and a soulful Delaney & Bonnie duet style take of "Come In My Kitchen," and a fun cover of the old Mountain chestnut "Mississippi Queen" with Wolfe playing what sounds like an acoustic National steel body slide guitar. There's a powerful cover of "It's All Over Now" that sounds like it could be by Tommy Castro--and shows just how far Todd Wolfe has grown from his days as Sheryl Crow's guitar player. And he throws in these little touches--a bit of the Allman Brothers on "It's all Over Now," a bit of Led Zeppelin on "Roll Over"--that remind me how this music is supposed to be fun.

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Todd Wolfe - Borrowed Time (2008)

2011-03-13T19:35:01Z

Todd Wolfe - Borrowed Time (2008)


1 Tears Of Rage                       play
2 Ready For Love 
3 Cold Black Night 
4 Baby I'm Down 
5 You're Not The Only One 
6 California 
7 Oh Well 
8 Who's Been Talking 
9 If This Is Love 
10 Big Nose Kate (Borrowed Time)      play

Personnel: 
Todd Wolfe (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, slide guitar); 
Leslie West (vocals, guitar);
Tad Wadhams (vocals, bass instrument); 
Nick Pierone, Mary Hawkins, Susan Cowsill (vocals); 
Michael Fossa (piano, organ, Wurlitzer organ, keyboards); 
Michael Fossa (piano, organ, keyboards); 
Rob Fraser (bass instrument); 
Suavek Zaniesienko (bass guitar); 
David Hollingsworth (drums, drum); 
Dave Hollingsworth (drums); 
Rich Frikkers (drum).

Todd Wolfe is a heavy blues guitar slinger. He was the lead guitarist in Sheryl Crow's band 1993-1998, and then he led the Todd Wolfe Blues Project, and here is a solo disc. There are a lot of things to like about this disc--some of it seems to echo Santana, some of it echoes Leslie West circa Mountain, some of it sounds like Cream. In tone and style of guitar, this disc also reminds me a little of Albert Castiglia's latest, "These Are The Days." (see my review of Albert's disc on this blog in 2007.) Both discs feature good fretwork, lots of original songs, good backing bands. They are both well worth buying.

The drumming by Dave Hollingsworth III here is a highlight throughout. Suavek Zaniesienko plays bass, keeping things full in the bottom, and Michael Fossa plays keyboards with taste and restraint. There are guest appearances on "Borrowed Time" by Leslie West, Susan Cowsill, Mary Hawkins. Susan Cowsill adds distinctive backing vocals on "California," a song co-written by Sheryl Crow. Mary Hawkins sings on "If This is Love," which is terrific--one of the best songs here. Wolfe's slide guitar work had me smiling and thinking of Ronnie Earl. "Baby I'm Down" has a southern rock, Allman Brothers Band feel. "You're Not The Only One" has a Cream vibe, with heavy echo on the vocals and very sweet guitar work. Wolfe tackles the Peter Green Fleetwood Mac tune "Oh Well" and does it quite well, with a train-pulling-into-the-station ending. The other cover here is Howling Wolf's song "Who's Been Talking," and I think the master would approve of this take.

Taken all together, this is a very good disc. If I gave stars, this one would be a 5 star disc. I'm excited about Todd Wolfe. He can play guitar great and he sings really well, and the future looks bright. This disc is on Blues Leaf Records.

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Todd Wolfe - Why Thank You Very Much (2006)

2011-03-12T09:29:21Z

Todd Wolfe - Why Thank You Very Much (2006)


01 - Cissy Strut 
02 - Heaven 
03 - Woke Up This Morning 
04 - Got To Get Better In A Little 
05 - Need Your Love So Bad 
06 - Forty Four 
07 - The Great Liberator         play
08 - Shame 
09 - Who's That Coming           play

Musicians:
Todd Wolfe - Guitar & Lead Vocals
Eric Massimino Bass & Vocals
Eric Massimino – Drums

Todd Wolfe rozpoczął naukę gry na nowojorskiej scenie już w 1979 roku ze swoim zespołem Troy & Tornados. Jest znany większemu ogółowi jako były gitarzysta Sheryl Crow, z którą koncertował, nagrywał i komponował przez 5 lat. W tym okresie zjeździł cały świat na wspólnych turnee z takimi artystami jak: The Rolling Stones, The Eagles, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Page & Plant i wiele innych. Po tym czasie Todd rozpoczął działalność niezależną i stylistycznie zbliżył się bardziej w kierunku bluesa, który jest jednym z podstawowych elementów Jego muzyki.Pierwszą płytę koncertową wydał jako Todd Wolfe Blues Project, z czasem nazwa grupy została uproszczona do Wolfe, a obecnie formacja występuje pod marką Todd Wolfe Band.W ostatnim czasie bardzo czesto koncertuje w Polsce.

Guitarist/singer Todd Wolfe’s music is deeply rooted in the blues origins of artists such as B.B., Freddy and Albert King, Otis Rush, Hubert Sumlin and Buddy Guy, but amped up to 10 with an energy level that recalls guitar superstars like Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter, Leslie West, Peter Green and Jeff Beck. With Roger Voss on drums and Suavek Zaniesienko on bass, The Todd Wolfe Band has developed as a major road band, with constant touring in the past two years both in the U.S. and overseas.

Todd Wolfe was born and raised in Forest Hills, New York, and got his first guitar at age 13. Through a succession of early bands and now with his own group, he’s become a guitarist of immense power and passion, capable of captivating audiences with his intense, yet melodic, playing. During his formative years, he opened shows for such artists as Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, Albert Collins, Johnny Winter, Robin Trower and The Neville Brothers.

In the ‘80s, he also met and played with both Carla Olson of the Textones and Sheryl Crow, who when she needed a band to tour after the success of her debut multi-platinum-selling album Tuesday Night Music Club, asked Todd to be her lead guitarist. Over the course of the next five years, Todd played with Sheryl Crow in her band, touring world-wide on concert stages with such legends as Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, The Eagles Robert Plant/Jimmy Page and Elton John.

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Todd Wolfe - Delaware Crossing (2003)

2011-03-11T09:31:21Z

Todd Wolfe - Delaware Crossing (2003)


1 Stranger Blues 
2 No Returns - No Exchanges 
3 See What Love Can Do 
4 Tumblin' down 
5 One Lost Love 
6 Black Hearted Woman       play
7 Beg Forgiveness 
8 Love Gone Bad 
9 Crowded In My Soul 
10 Wolfe Jam                play
11 Gates Of Heaven

Personnel: 
Todd Wolfe (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, lap steel guitar, National guitar, mandolin); 
John Popper (harmonica); 
Karl Frick (piano, organ); 
John Cree (percussion); 
Chuck Hearne, Barbara Walker (background vocals).

Todd Wolfe zdobył sławę jako gitarzysta formacji Sheryl Crow, z którą przez wiele lat nagrywał i koncertował i dla której pisał teksty. W tym okresie zjeździł cały świat. Występował m.in. z The Rolling Stones, The Eagles, Bobem Dylanem, Eltonem Johnem, Page & Plant. Po rozstaniu z Sheryl Crow, rozpoczął niezależną działalność, a jego muzyka przemówiła bluesem, który stał się obecnie jednym z podstawowych jej elementów.Pierwszą płytę koncertową wydał jako Todd Wolfe Blues Project, z czasem nazwa grupy została uproszczona do Wolfe, a obecnie formacja występuje pod marką Todd Wolfe Band.

If in the world of rock and blues guitarists Eric Clapton is "God", then surely Todd Wolfe sits on the right side of the throne of ole Slowhand! "Delaware Crossing" is about as hard driving a guitar players album/cd as can be found on ANY side of the famous river, or ocean for that matter. Warning: this is NOT music for the faint of heart, or to be played during some wimpy romantic dinner. Wolfe plays and sings as if he is taking no prisoners on tracks such as "Beg Forgiveness", "Stranger Blues", and "Tumblin Down". Yet, he will have mercy on you with "One Lost Love", and "Love Gone Bad". However, the uplifting Claptonesque "See What Love Can Do" (my personal favorite) will stick in your head and and renew your spirit. The styles range from A-Z, Allmans to ZZ Top but definitely Todd Wolfe's own signature. The rythem section provides the drive to allow Wolfe to go places where few guitar players tread whether it be his slide playing, distortion, wah-wah, or clean and smooth guitar licks. "Wolfe Jam" is a reminder of what once was during the Allmans heyday. "Black Hearted Woman" confirms why the blues existed in the first place. "Crowded In My Soul" makes me want to sell my guitars altogether! And "Gates Of Heaven" will make me want to buy them back. If you appreciate true rock/blues guitar, and dont care what the neighbours think, dare to cross over "Delaware Crossing"!. ---The Bixbys

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Todd Wolfe Blues Project - Live From Manny's Car Wash (1999)

2011-03-10T19:26:49Z

Todd Wolfe Blues Project - Live From Manny's Car Wash (1999)


1 Can't Quit You 
2 Evil                  play
3 Stop Messin' Round 
4 On The Run 
5 Same Thing 
6 Wreck My Life         play
7 4 Walls 
8 Homework 
9 Eyesight

Musicians:
Todd Wolfe - Guitar/Vocals
Eric Massimino - Bass
Mike Lattrell - Keyboards
Yves Gerard - Drums/Back Vocals
Paul Unsworth - Drums {1,2,5,7}

Todd Wolfe spent five years playing guitar behind pop songstress Sheryl Crow. Now he fronts his own band, a strongly blues-based rock outfit whose first recording, Live From Manny's Car Wash, delivers heavyweight guitar heroics from the old school. The players are finely tuned and capable of expressive dynamics: bassist Eric Massimino and drummers Yves Gerard and Paul Unsworth don't sound strictly like moonlighting rockers, while keyboardist Mike Lattrell, with his supportive rhythm work and strong soloing, is a tremendous asset. Wolfe's guitar sensibility is a rock 'n' roller's, bringing a searing quality to the band's Cream-y explorations. That's a useful point of comparison for Wolfe's style: Drop the needle (as it were) anywhere on Live, and you'll hear strong echoes of Eric Clapton's playing. Wolfe has adopted the legato note-cramming and highly ornamented approach of latter-period Clapton. He's imaginative, varying his attack song by song, and it's refreshing to discover a guitarist who doesn't smack of Texas or the West Coast. Wolfe's tone isn't far from Clapton's, though judging from the high noise level in his signal, his compression comes from a high-gain amp rather than from his pickups. Wolfe doesn't sound like a natural singer, but he gives a spirited and relatively unmannered performance. The set list is a traditional, with selections such as "Same Thing," "Evil," "I Can't Quit You Baby" and "Homework." A high-energy "Stop Messin' Round," from Fleetwood Mac (possibly via Gary Moore), keeps the Brit Flag flying. Wolfe shows his songwriting hand only on "Four Walls," a Son House-style Delta slider arranged for a band, and the excruciating warp-speed power boogie "On the Run." So Live serves as a calling card, introducing Wolfe and his guitar but revealing little of the artist. For many that will be enough, and this is quite a good album in "gunslinger" terms. ---Tom Hyslop

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