Wednesday, October 14, 2009

New for summer and fall '09


Wow! Has it been two months since my last update? I guess so... if you follow me here at bobboulding.com then hats off to your patience. I’ll try to put the past several weeks into a digest:


Two albums have recently dropped which I had the pleasure of playing on.


“Don’t Explain”, by Brian Cram was released on Bright Orange Records in September; I was encouraged to play in-your-face bluesy style lead guitar all over it. Brian is one of the two Crams brothers whom I performed and recorded with throughout the 90’s (his brother Chris also appears on the album), and our history is vast. The album is available on iTunes and at http://www.briancram.com/.


“Colors And Chords”, by Dan Krikorian has just been released on his own eponymously named label. Dan is an über talented singer-songwriter from Orange County, CA, and on this, his second release, he has hit his stride as a fully developed artist. The songs are wonderful, and the sound is pure California pop-rock; the interplay between the musicians is palpable, and features some great players such as drummer Shawn Nourse, bassist Taras Prodaniuk, and keyboardist Carl Byron. The album is available on CDBaby. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/dankrikorian2


I’ve played about 35 shows with the Young Dubs since August. We saw the east coast to the Rockies; along the way we gigged in some familiar markets like NYC, Philly and Annapolis, as well as some new stops, like Norfolk, CT where we played the Infinity Hall, a beautifully restored theater where Mark Twain once spoke.


One of the highlights was sharing the bill/stage with Dropkick Murphys at the Minnesota Irish Festival in St Paul. Incredibly rockin’ vibe. I got to turn my amp up to 11 for that one!


Another major gig was the Tønder Folk Music Festival in Tønder, Denmark. One of the largest festivals in Europe, this multi-stage event featured some legends, such as Arlo Guthrie, Bela Fleck, Eileen Ivers, Michael McGoldrick. Getting to share the bill and meet such great musicians, to hear their stories, was a life experience.


Currently I am back in Los Angeles, regrouping and practicing my new muse, lap steel guitar. Soon the Young Dubliners will embark on the 4th Irish Tour this November - time to bust out the passport!


All the best,


Bob

October 14

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