Wed 28 Jan 2009
Hear the Chris Bell interview and songs from his CD Real Bluesman. This is a CD full of blues and blues-rock if you like Albert King, Albert Collins, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan or even more traditional acoustic blues there is something here for you.
Chris Bell was born February 15, 1962 in Washington DC but was raised in Massachusetts. Chris’ father Professor, Dr. Bell turned Chris on to jazz and blues. His mother past on more the rhythm & blues, including Lou Rawls, Aretha Franklin even some gospel. The next thing that made a big musical impression on Chris was seeing bands on TV. He remembers watching Don Kirshner’s Rock Concerts, and different varity shows that had bands on them. Just yesterday he was watching an old episode of the Dick Cavett Show that had Jimi Hendrix on. Chris said between his parents influence in music then seeing bands on TV this really got him more into music. Chris attended Berklee College of Music in Boston but did not like living in the city. He moved back home to attend the Univeristy of Massachusetts as an Art major with a minor in music. Chris ended up spending all his time in the music department.
In the nineties, Chris moved out to California where he played in a lot of different rock bands. At one point their singer got hurt so Chris took over on vocals. This was so good that Chris became the front man for the future bands he was in. Chris made a demo CD called 100% Blues that all his friends liked and gave him encouragement to carry on.
Chris Bell Cd’s
2005 - Real Bluesman
2004 - Year of the Blues: Live
2003 - Hell Is Too Hot for Me
2003 - Blues 2001
DVD - Stage On Fire
Chris Bell and 100% Blues’ CD Real Bluesman is a diverse blues-rock CD that touches on many of the sounds of the founding blues rock artists we all love. Real Bluesman will also touch on a little jazz-blues, like in the song “Cool Cat”. “Cotton Pickin’ Blues” is a rural country-blues instrumental with Chris doing some very nice dobro playing. Then you have more of a Robert Johnson Mississippi Delta type song called “Travellin’ Shoes” with more dobro work going on. The real highlights of this CD or maybe I should say the real focus of Real Bluesman is of course blues-rock songs. If you’re a fan of Albert King, like I am you will find many songs that will move you. If you like the blue-rock songs of Albert King you will like “That Ain’t Right”. If you’re more into his big band sound you will certainly enjoy “Bad News”. We can’t forget Albert’s slow blues sound on “It’s A Shame”. If you’re like me at times I’d like to hear something new by Albert King but have played through his CD so much it’s hard to do. Now I’ll just put on some Chris Bell. Chris was very excited about having met one of his big guitar heroes Stevie Ray Vaughan. You will hear Stevie’s influence on “Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees”. This is one of the few songs that’s just a three-peace band. Chris said “Forgive and Forget” is kind of like Otis Rush doing “Stormy Monday”. Real Bluesman has several styles of blues, but it is mostly blues-rock. All 14 songs are Chris Bell’s original compositions that you will love as much as any of the before mentioned artists he has been influenced by. Please stop by his website or CD Baby’s website and buy Real Bluesman you will be glad you did.
Don’t forget to check out his concerts they’re full of raw rockin’ blues. Many of the songs on the CD’s are expanded when played live. You will also get to hear a few new songs from the next CD they will be working on soon. Be sure to go up and say hello to Chris he loves talking to the audience, autograph CD’s or take request. Chris has done some Jimi Hendrix tribute shows and can play some good Hendrix songs. Check out this real blues man live.
Songs in the show:
My Cadillac
Cool Cat
It’s a Shame
Real Bluesman
That Ain’t Right
Bad News
Buy any of the CD’s or DVD’s at Chris Bell’s Website
Buy Real Bluesman at CD Baby Website
Buy Hell Is Too Hot for Me at CD Baby Website
Buy Blues 2001 at CD Baby Website
I would like to thank Chris Bell for taking time out of his very busy week to talk to me.
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Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
formerly A1 Artist Spotlight. Com
by A1 Mark
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