2007: CLICK HERE TO BUY :)
- Listen:
- Honey Pie
- I'm Ready
- Have A Ball
Honey Pie
Honey Pie To Be Released:
May of 2007
Honey Pie To Be Released:
May of 2007
2006: CLICK HERE TO BUY :)
- Listen:
- Rocket 88
- Hey Baby
- Monkey Business
Monkey Business
San Diego Music Awards
Nominated: Best Blues Album
San Diego Music Awards
Nominated: Best Blues Album
08-19-2008 9:57 PM - Nominated for Best Blues SDMA 20008
Please remember for vote for us for the San Diego Music Awards best blues band
www.sandiegomusicawards.com
It takes just a second and every vote counts!
Congratulations to all this years nominees!
07-12-2008 7:03 PM - James Cotton
Karl recently got a chance to catch up with Chicago Blues Legend and fellow Seydel Harmonica Endorsee James Cotton at Anthology supper club in San Diego .. what an HONOR!
07-12-2008 6:39 PM - 9pm start time Fridays at the San Diego HoB
Fridays start at 9pm
06-25-2008 9:48 PM - Downtown Disney!
06-23-2008 2:26 PM - Honey Pie and Monkey Business CDs back in stock at CD Baby...
click...
06-18-2008 9:05 PM - New Summer Hours for HOB Fridays
NOW Friday night Shows start at 7pm.
06-18-2008 08:36 AM - July 19th a special show at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix
06-14-2008 1:03 PM - West Of Memphis CD's on sale in Downtown Disney!
Effective immediately... Both West Of Memphis Critically Acclaimed and award nominated CDs are now avaiable for purchase at the Anahiem House Of Blues in Downtown Disney!
West Of Memphis is booked at twice monthly the HOB Anaheim...
Going to Disney land or California adventure ?? Stop by the HOB company store in Downtown Disney and pick up our cds Honey Pie and Monkey Business.
... and don't forget our cds continue to be available in the San Diego House of Blues Company store...
06-02-2008 11:26 AM - Rest in Peace--
RIP BO DIDLEY
05-31-2008 10:30 PM - How Seydel Harps are made and tuned by hand..
Interesting stuff....
05-18-2008 11:42 AM - Dinner at House of Blues
Come see us at the House of Blues San Diego... Click on the link below, Print the coupon and receive 20 percent off ...
20% off your dinner receipt. Alcohol, tax, gratuity not included. Valid up to 6 people. Manager reserves all rights. Offer expires May 31, 2008. Expiration dates are renewed the last week of each month. Coupon is not valid with other offers or on holidays. House of Blues Don't miss the gospel brunch, an all-you-can-eat Southern-style buffet. Every week different gospel groups from around the region perform live on stage! Kitchen open daily 4pm-11pm and 1am on Fridays & Saturdays. 1055 5th Ave., Downtown, 619-299-BLUE www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues/sandiego
Print the coupon here: COUPON
05-17-2008 10:56 AM - West Of Memphis working on film
Were working on a trak for the latest Grey Sand Entertainment film "The Hightower".
There is no easy money...
Please stay tuned for release news
Check out the 1st trailer here:
www.greysandent.com
05-08-2008 9:11 PM - Seydel Harmonicas introduces Karl Cabbage
In their latest newsletter:
05-08-2008 8:28 PM - Hard Rock Hotel
May 17th we're doing a show in the Edge.
04-30-2008 8:32 PM - Special Blues Show on March 22 with our friends..
Hey our Friends in the Burnville Band ad us will be throwing down at the second wind on Thursday May 22.
04-26-2008 11:44 AM - House of Blues Anaheim
Performing a the House of Blues Anaheim This Summer!
May 29th
June 12th and 26th
July 3rd, 10th and 24th
August 14th and 28th...
04-21-2008 10:25 PM - Karl is Endorsed by and plays Seydel Harmonicas
The Oldest Harmonica Company in the world is now making the finest harmonicas to hit the market in years.
Karl Cabbage is now an Official endorser.
03-30-2008 08:20 AM - Honey Pie
03-17-2008 2:21 PM - Friday Night Happy Hour Specials at the House Of Blues San Diego
03-15-2008 12:06 AM - West of Memphis is the Featured Artist on Blues Detour this Month
Our Friend John Whitaker is a fellow Californian who loves the Blues.. When he told me about the concept for online distribution of Blues Records I was impressed. This Month we are the featured artist!
Bluesdetour.com
Bluesdetour.com
03-09-2008 2:07 PM - Very Special Event This Thursday!
Bring your dancin' shoes!
03-09-2008 05:04 AM - Need Piano Service?
Some time back I purchased a 1920's Hobart Cable Upright Grand Piano... Its Beautiful...
but it just sat in my garage studio forever because I thought it would cost a fortune to fix and tune ..
But Then I called Sal...
Sal Fillipelli..
He's completely restoring my upright to its roaring twenties form ... at an awesome rate!
... Need Work done on your Piano??
Call Sal
03-08-2008 11:37 PM - West Of Memphis CD's Back in Stock at CDBABY..
If you can't get to one of our shows... go to CDBABY and pick up a copy of one of our Award Nominated CD's!
Thank you for your support!
03-08-2008 10:42 PM - Great Review from The Colorado Blues Societie's "The Holler"
West of Memphis, Honey Pie,
2007, independent
2007, independent
West of Memphis, a Chicago Blues bandbased in San Diego, recorded this CDin Montreal. In reality a duo, harmonicaplayer Karl Cabbage spent some timein Memphis honing his chops whileguitarist Tom Walpole hails from Hawaii.
Memphis, Chicago, San Diego, Montreal, Hawaii … no matter how you add it up, this CD is full of some of the hottest Blues I’ve encountered for some time! Jumps rightout the speakers!
Karl Cabbage’s tone is big, on a par with William Clarke’s. And his vocal delivery is up there, too—BIG (so’s Tom’s)! Tom Walpole’s guitar work, laid on top of the steady 2–4 back beat,gives their music that unmistakable second-line swing that the West Coast blues artists picked up and ran with. There’s not a lotof fancy footwork here. But their music oozes with the heart and soul that made us all fall in love with the blues to start with.
They’ve got plenty of what you want to hear; Muddy, Willie andWalter are all in here. Their cover of Dixon’s “I’m Ready” is adead-on match for Muddy’s original version. But they’ve included some originals in the mix that are bound to make you smile.
The title cut, “Honey Pie,” was penned by a friend of the band, Geoff“the Guru” Starin (who also appears on the CD via the phone …ya gotta hear it to fully appreciate it). It’s a great sing-along with a terrific, classic-sounding guitar tag line. The fat-toned harmonicais the cherry on top.
“I Can Tell,” a Walpole original, is a greatslower shuffle that the band had a big time with.
Cabbage andWalpole team up for some testifying on “Cell Phone Blues,”lamenting the fact that although technology may have changed,men and women haven’t.
The West Of Memphis web site (www.westofmemphis.com)points out the fact that the band has held down the Friday nightchair at the San Diego House of Blues since 2006! That’s quite a run and a testament to the ability of this dyed-in-the-wool Chicago Blues band. Sounds like the place to be on Friday nightin San Diego. Hope they make it out his way someday. If they do, join me at the show; dare ya not to dance!
John Toebbe
03-05-2008 05:05 AM - Dancing at Cottonwood ...
West Of Memphis performing live
at the
Cottonwood Club
On the grounds of the beautiful Cottonwood golf course.
Thursday March 13th at 8pm!
On the grounds of the beautiful Cottonwood golf course.
Thursday March 13th at 8pm!
Dance Contest
1st prize 100.00 Cash
For the Benefit for the San Diego Braille Association
Tickets at the door
$10 per person and
$15 per couple
Fully stocked Bar
Hamburger Buffet $10
Live music and dancing in a beautiful and safe setting
See You there!
02-22-2008 11:42 PM - West Of Memphis Booking 2008
Yes its 2008 and West Of Memphis is booking.. If you would like to book West Of Memphis for your Venue, Festival, Private Party, Corporate event Please have a look at our presskit and give us a call.
This is a first pass of our presskit that will soon be beautifly formated on its own page..
Check it out PRESSKIT
02-22-2008 11:19 PM - Dancing -- Hellzapoppin
02-19-2008 12:03 AM - James Harman in Town Tonight
*James Harman with Special Guests The Fremonts and Mighty Joe, Chet and The Committee opening.
-2/18, TONIGHT Humphrey's Lounge - 2241 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego CA. from 7-11 pm. Dancing, Good Food, Friendly Service, Cocktails etc. . . for more on this cool music, venue, and event Visit
www.myspace.com/jamesharmanband / www.thefremonts.com / www.humphreysbythebay.com . Come and Celebrate President's Day with some Authentic Lowdown Blues Harmonica and Storytelling. $15.00 at door, Proceeds finance the 9th Spring Harmonica Festival! www.springharpfest.org
-2/18, TONIGHT Humphrey's Lounge - 2241 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego CA. from 7-11 pm. Dancing, Good Food, Friendly Service, Cocktails etc. . . for more on this cool music, venue, and event Visit
www.myspace.com/jamesharmanband / www.thefremonts.com / www.humphreysbythebay.com . Come and Celebrate President's Day with some Authentic Lowdown Blues Harmonica and Storytelling. $15.00 at door, Proceeds finance the 9th Spring Harmonica Festival! www.springharpfest.org
02-15-2008 10:29 AM - Bharath and his Rhythm Four with Junior Watson
Bharath and his Rhythm Four with Junior Watson
Friday Night Fatty
By David Barnard
Hearing this CD brings two things to mind. One: are there any better interpreters of traditional Chicago-style harmonica blues alive today? Two: it’s amazing but this CD was recorded in 2007. Montreal singer/harp player Bharath Rajakumar has been slowly building a name for himself since the late ’90s. Winning the Toronto Blues Society’s New Talent Search contest in 2004, he took his time before recording this debut. As proof of his street cred, he’s joined by a very special guest, who happened to be a fan of the band, American blues guitarist Junior Watson. Bharath’s harp style is over-amped and wide-open, following the footsteps of Little Walter in particular. A tribute to Walter, the recording beautifully creates the 1950s tone of Chess Records studios. What makes this debut outstanding is Bharath’s ability to expand the harp legacy he so admires with his virtuosic energy and panache. He also has a flair for writing his own tunes. Check out “I Need A Change” and be convinced. (Independent)
buy it here http://cdbaby.com/cd/bharathahrf
02-15-2008 10:15 AM - Sue Palmer wins BEST Self-Produced CD from the Blues Foundation - Sophisticated Ladies
Congratulations Sue..
"It's hard to imagine a blues scene without Sue Palmer. San Diego is most fortunate to have such a talented and committed blues player; someone who appreciates and respects tradition and finds a way of delivering the past to today's doorstep. On 'Sophisticated Ladies,' Sue reaches deep into her arsenal to make certain we understand that the swagger of Hadda Brooks wasn't for nothing and that blues doesn't have to rock to work, that it can swing away, and be just fine. In New York, Paris or Istanbul, Sue Palmer would be celebrated as a cultural icon. Sadly, even after she turns out an album as delightfully seductive as this, she won't get her proper due in her hometown. She won't be discouraged, though. Sue's piano playing and arranging skills are first class. She's got Deejha Marie to sing and April West and Jonny Viau to drive their horns through the heart of the music. San Diego's Queen of Boogie Woogie is way more than just another working musician. She's a bright light ready to take chances and retrofit the past into a vibrant, classy version of what blues should be. 'Sophisticated Ladies' is proof of that.
--Michael Kinsman, President of the San Diego Blues Society, "Blue Ink," June 2007
Check out:
http://www.suepalmer.com/
02-12-2008 9:25 PM - Policies
02-11-2008 12:37 AM - House of Blues Promotion for Honey Pie and Monkey Business CDs
The at the House of Blues San Diego are offering a promotion on Friday nights in the gift shop.
Basically when you purchase one of our award nominated CDs' you'll receive a 5 dollar gift card that can be used throughout the venue --
Basically when you purchase one of our award nominated CDs' you'll receive a 5 dollar gift card that can be used throughout the venue --
Use it to by a drink -- toward a meal or heck
use it to buy our other cd...
this deal is for Friday nights during our show but our cds are for sale 7 days a week in the gift shop .. So pick up your copies today....
02-11-2008 12:20 AM - Spring Harp Fest 2008
Last year we had a great time at this event, and although we're not playing the event this time around, This years' lineup should make it a great one.
Here's more:
9th annual Spring Harmonica Festival
-March 22, Harry Griffen Park - 9500 Milden St. La Mesa, CA Mark Your Calendar! with The Fremonts, Billy Watson, Ken Schoppmyer and Delta Heat, Bob Corritore, The Two Harp Boogie with Lance Diekemann and Harmonica John, Rachelle Danto, Mark Abbott, Dan Byrnes, Budd Willis and Unknown Players Jam, John "Juke" Logan, Spoonman, Chet's All Star Jam.
Sponsors and Volunteers still needed for the coolest event in town! e-mail Budd Willlis: BuddLite@cox.net or Chet: BluShouter@aol.com For the groovy details.
Visit www.springharpfest.org or www.myspace.com/SpringHarpFest Tell a friend. . . they will thank you later! Take the tour by clicking on this link below: www.uncutvideo.aol.com/users/blushouter/66b2fa1a65d5c278a935cdd977e2f6a4?index=12
02-03-2008 10:34 PM - East County's Newest Live Music and Dance Venue Premiers March 13, 2008
- East County's Newest Live Music and Dance Venue Premiers March 13, 2008
East County's Newest Live Music and Dance Venue Premiers March 13 Finally, an East County Live Music and Dancing Venue... Living in San Diego's East County you don't always want to Drive downtown or out to a Casino to go out have a couple drinks and dance. To fill this void promoter Gary McCoy Has secured the events Pavilion at The beautiful Cottonwood golf course. Come out, dance and have some fun in a clean, safe and appealing environment... and FREE PARKING... more on this event in the comming weeks... Club Cottonwood 3121 Willow Glen Drive, El Cajon, CA 92019
01-30-2008 12:29 PM - Jazz 88 San Diego moved our Favorite program
Jazz 88 San Diego moved our Favorite program
A typical Friday night we finish the last set the lights come down ... and I dart outside for a smoke before my favorite part of the show .. Loading the gear...
After paying the players, Tom, Harry and I jump in the mobile and head for highway 94...the way home...
We turn on the Radio to 88.3 FM and listen ... Closely..
For two years now we've been groovin to the sounds of Raymond's Honkin and Screamin Program...
The hippest show on the radio... He plays the best stuff..
American classics most of us have never heard before..
I mean where else are you gonna hear Tiny Grimes or Pinnochio James on the radio in 2008?? Totally cool stuff
But Now they moved the show to late Saturday night... Bummed out... is all we have to say...
01-23-2008 09:32 AM - New Online retailer for Honey Pie
Our Friend John Whitaker is a fellow Californian who loves the Blues.. When he told me about the concept for online distribution of Blues Records I was impressed. Bluesdetourlink
http://www.bluesdetour.com/products/0003.html
So after much preparation we're proud to say that "Honey Pie" is being offered on John's site
www.bluesdetour.com
as one of the first records offered.
Congratulations John!
Take a Blues Detour and get our disc here:
http://www.bluesdetour.com/products/0003.html
01-22-2008 11:03 AM - Martin Luther King's Birthday
Don't forget
We Never will
We Never will
01-22-2008 03:29 AM - Honey Pie #11 Best Blues CDs of 2007 Smokestack Lightin'
Smokestack Lightnin’s Top 60 Blues CDs for 2007 Part. 2 (#30 thru #1)
(Part 1 aired last week and is now in the archive)
#30 Hot Monkey Love/Angel/Speakin’ Evil/Brother Monk
#29 Mason Casey/Nine Times A Man/Sofa King Badass/Northern Blues
#28 Hope Waits/Drown In My own Tears/Hope Waits/Radar Proof
#27 L.A. Jones/Floodin’ In California/Little Albert/Barking Blues
#26 Dave Hole/Ramblin’ On My Mind/Rough Diamond/Blind Pig
#25 Joan Armatrading/Liza/Into The Blues/429
#24 Matt Walsh/One look/Hard Luck/RawTone
#23 Ellis Hooks/Don’t Come Runnin’/Another Saturday Night/Evidence
#22 Omar Dykes & Jimmie Vaughan/Aw Shucks, Hush Your Mouth/On The Jimmy Reed Highway/Ruf
#21 Hamilton Loomis/Best Worse Day/Ain’t Just Temporary/Blind Pig
#20 Little Axe/If I Had My Way/Stone Cold Ohio/Real World
#19 James Blood Ulmer/Commit A Crime/Bad Blood In The City/Hyena
#18 J.J. Grey & Mofro/A Woman/Country Ghetto/Alligator
#17 Duke Robillard/Treat Me So Lowdown/World Full Of Blues/Stony Plain
#16 Koko Taylor/Bad Rooster/Old School/Alligator
#15 Lurrie Bell/Earthquake & Hurricane/Let’s Talk About Love/Aria B.G.
#14 Big George Brock/I Just Want To Make Love To You/Heavyweight Blues/APO
#13 Watermelon Slim & The Workers/The Wheel Man/The Wheel Man/Northern Blues
#12 Ana Popovic/U Complete Me (The Blues Version)/Still Making History/Electo Groove
#11 West Of Memphis/Back Door Friend/Honey Pie/self
#10 Jimmy Hall/Still Want To Be Your Man/Build Your Own Fire/Zoho
#9 L.A. Blues Alliance/Maybe Your Baby/What A Life/Babyree
#8 Tab Benoit/For What Its Worth/Power Of The Pontchartrain/Telarc
#7 The Soul Of John Black/Swamp Thang/The Good Girl Blues/Yellow Dog
#6 Otis Taylor/Little Betty/Definition Of A Circle/Telarc
#5 Mannish Boys/I Can’t Stay Here/Big Plans/Delta Groove
#4 John Hammond/Mean Ol’ Lonesome Train/Push Comes To Shove/Back Porch
#3 Phillip Walker/If You See My Baby/Going Back Home/Delta Groove
#2 Ronnie Baker Brooks/The Torch Of The Blues/The Torch/Watch Dog
#1 Joe Bonamassa/Ball Peen Hammer/Sloe Gin/J&R Adventures
#30 Hot Monkey Love/Angel/Speakin’ Evil/Brother Monk
#29 Mason Casey/Nine Times A Man/Sofa King Badass/Northern Blues
#28 Hope Waits/Drown In My own Tears/Hope Waits/Radar Proof
#27 L.A. Jones/Floodin’ In California/Little Albert/Barking Blues
#26 Dave Hole/Ramblin’ On My Mind/Rough Diamond/Blind Pig
#25 Joan Armatrading/Liza/Into The Blues/429
#24 Matt Walsh/One look/Hard Luck/RawTone
#23 Ellis Hooks/Don’t Come Runnin’/Another Saturday Night/Evidence
#22 Omar Dykes & Jimmie Vaughan/Aw Shucks, Hush Your Mouth/On The Jimmy Reed Highway/Ruf
#21 Hamilton Loomis/Best Worse Day/Ain’t Just Temporary/Blind Pig
#20 Little Axe/If I Had My Way/Stone Cold Ohio/Real World
#19 James Blood Ulmer/Commit A Crime/Bad Blood In The City/Hyena
#18 J.J. Grey & Mofro/A Woman/Country Ghetto/Alligator
#17 Duke Robillard/Treat Me So Lowdown/World Full Of Blues/Stony Plain
#16 Koko Taylor/Bad Rooster/Old School/Alligator
#15 Lurrie Bell/Earthquake & Hurricane/Let’s Talk About Love/Aria B.G.
#14 Big George Brock/I Just Want To Make Love To You/Heavyweight Blues/APO
#13 Watermelon Slim & The Workers/The Wheel Man/The Wheel Man/Northern Blues
#12 Ana Popovic/U Complete Me (The Blues Version)/Still Making History/Electo Groove
#11 West Of Memphis/Back Door Friend/Honey Pie/self
#10 Jimmy Hall/Still Want To Be Your Man/Build Your Own Fire/Zoho
#9 L.A. Blues Alliance/Maybe Your Baby/What A Life/Babyree
#8 Tab Benoit/For What Its Worth/Power Of The Pontchartrain/Telarc
#7 The Soul Of John Black/Swamp Thang/The Good Girl Blues/Yellow Dog
#6 Otis Taylor/Little Betty/Definition Of A Circle/Telarc
#5 Mannish Boys/I Can’t Stay Here/Big Plans/Delta Groove
#4 John Hammond/Mean Ol’ Lonesome Train/Push Comes To Shove/Back Porch
#3 Phillip Walker/If You See My Baby/Going Back Home/Delta Groove
#2 Ronnie Baker Brooks/The Torch Of The Blues/The Torch/Watch Dog
#1 Joe Bonamassa/Ball Peen Hammer/Sloe Gin/J&R Adventures
01-10-2008 02:51 AM - On Page 16 of the 300th issue of the Jazz and Blues Report:
Ron Weinstock's Review of Honey Pie..
WEST OF MEMPHIS Honey Pie WEST OF MEMPHIS
Comprised of vocalist-harmonica player Karl Cabbage and guitarist Tom Walpole, and various sidemen, West of Memphis is a blues band hailing from San Diego. The band’s name stems from the fact that when Cabbage was stationed at a Naval base forty miles West of Memphis, he hitchhiked to busk and play harp on Beale Street and catch various blues heroes. The band was formed in 1999 and has been holding down a weekend gig at San Diego’s House of Blues since early 2006. Yes, imagine a House of Blues having a regular gig by a blues band. They have just issued their second CD,Honey Pie, produced in Montreal by a superb Canadian harp player, Bharath Rajakumar, and this recording certainly will please fans of jumping Chicago styled-blues. There is a nice variety of material including solid remakes of songs from Jimmy Rogers (Back Door Friend and That’s All Right), Little Walter (Who and I Got to Go), Muddy Waters (Crosseyed Cat), and Johnny Young (I’m Having a Ball), along with solid idiomatic originals like Canary in Her Cage, the title track and Cell Phone Blues. One would be hard-pressed to find any tracks that stand-out as every- thing is done so nicely.
They do a solid straight cover of Willie Dixon’s I’m Ready with, I assume, Walpole as the one ably handling the vocals, while Cabbage takes a solid chromatic solo. Cabbage handles the vocal mike on the Little Walter in- terpretations and Johnny Young’s exuberant I’m Having a Ball on which Bharath showcases his formidable harp playing. One of the originals Cell Phone Blues is preceded by a call from the song’s co-writer Geoff Starin, before Cabbage opens the song with some blasting harp as he tells his woman to close her cell phone baby, because “he don’t love you like I do.” There is some great guitar from Walpole in a Junior Watson vein while the pianist, M. Gagnon, helps supply the bottom with his strong two- handed playing (as he does throughout this disc). Bharath takes the vocal on That’s Alright, where Cabbage plays some nice harp in the vein of Sonny Boy Williamson II. Miss Sugarpuss Boogie is a crisp feature for Walpole’s guitar that comes across as a fifties’ styled number. The closing shuffle, Chupacabra, is a hot harmonica duet by Bharath and Cabbage that ends a strongly ap- pealing disc.
01-03-2008 03:09 AM - Live Version of Chicago Bound
For those of you who may have missed it.. Here is a Link to the KUSI TV spot.. We do a abbreviated Verion of the Jimmy Rogers Classic Chicago Bound..
Link:
http://www.kusi.com/news/goodmorning/12925682.html
01-02-2008 10:37 PM - Honey Pie Offered on Pacific Blues
Pacific Blues Recording Company's website www.pacificblues.com has selected to offer "Honey Pie" as one of 3 new releases for January '08.
Link to Buy:
http://www.pacificblues.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=427
01-02-2008 04:37 AM - Great review from the Troubadour
From http://www.sandiegotroubadour.com/
West of Memphis
Honey Pie
Written by Raul Sandelin
According to David Allan Coe, every good country and western song has to mention mama, trains, trucks, prison, and getting drunk. While this profundity may have been pronounced tongue-and-cheek, it does beg a certain truth: should a music borne of a specific epoch and region deal with subject matter that's true to that time and place? Those listening to the country charts know that country doesn't really sing about rural life anymore but tries to appeal to a decidedly suburbanized, metro-sexual America. The same dilemma strikes the blues: should a music borne of field hollers and hard traveling, of smoky juke joints and bad whiskey alter itself now that its home-nation has passed into the third millennium and onto a gestalt markedly, if not completely, distant from the harsh, post-Reconstruction South?
Fortunately, when listening to West of Memphis, one doesn't have to endeavor in the above-philosophic quagmire because WoM stays sonically and topically true to its inspiration: the blaring blues bars of Chicago's post-war South Side, where freight trains rumbled past and third-class passenger cars carried the likes of McKinley Morganfield and his kin up from the Delta to their new home where southern black hardship suddenly crashed with new-found electric instrumentation and hot rodded harmonica. West of Memphis, despite its name, has nailed the Chicago Blues! Honey Pie is a live CD that captures the band at the Griffintown Café in Montreal. I say band, but, in fact, WoM is a duo, featuring transplant San Diegans Karl Cabbage out front on harp and Tom Walpole on guitar. The two share center stage with a tight combo backing them up from the shadows. The sound is gritty. Think Little Walter with Otis Rush or the earlier Junior Wells/Buddy Guy collaborations. Unlike the later Blues influenced by British guitar heroes, the WoM sound is that of an ensemble, all of the instruments including vocals melding together into one, sonic locomotive. Those inducted into the blues club via Clapton, SRV, Walter Trout, and the greats of the past 30 years are in for a treat. Before guitar pyrotechnics, band members found the groove together and held onto each other to form one, cohesive mass of rumbling glory. And, WoM does an authentic job of that. The song list combines standards such as "I'm ready" with a number of originals. One of the latter — "Cell Phone Blues"— caused me to rethink my earlier comment about sticking to period subject matter. Perhaps, country and western and the blues (but never Bluegrass) can be about mama, trains, trucks, prison, getting faced and cyber-space. These days West of Memphis can be heard burning coal at the House of Blues downtown during Friday night happy hour. With their authentic Chicago sound, they're sure to put the blues back into that venue'
12-20-2007 10:43 AM - A New Years Bash is commin .. Lets Have a Ball!!
12-16-2007 03:08 AM - RIP IKE
Thanks for the music!
12-02-2007 07:39 AM - That's My SIS!!!
Some people know that I am related to a super talented singer songwriter named Annie Dru...
Her Current Project "The Flimz" has just released their self titled debut CD... Its awesome!
She just received an A+ review from Mr. Jim Trageser of the N.C. Times.. Jim doesn't throw out A pluses very often Here's the reveiw:
A+
"The Flimz"
The Flimz
Self-released
Separately, Annie Dru and Amy Mayer have been gigging around the local acoustic scene for years, earning raves from San Diego music fans for their smart songwriting and gorgeous voices. With absolutely no disrespect at all intended, however, nothing they did apart could possibly have prepared listeners for the positively stunning CD they've turned out together as The Flimz.
Lush vocal harmonies and rich arrangements combine with some charming instrumentation and 10 great new songs to create a sound nestled somewhere between old British music hall and '60s hippie folk music. The sound (which seems to owe as much to Steve Forman's arrangements as Dru and Mayer's own considerable talents) on this record is warm and cozy and yet still fresh and new-sounding.
The disarmingly winsome sound starts with the two women's voices: Dru and Mayer create a beguiling allure in their vocal harmonies. Forman then frames those vocals with a pump organ, a cello, a clarinet and an upright bass.
That approach wouldn't work in too many settings. But given the richness of their vocal harmonizing and the caliber of songs that Dru and Mayer have brought to the recording, the kind of stripped-down arrangement needed to bring a clarinet or cello to the fore only highlights the detailed figure work they have embedded in their compositions.
Dru wrote or co-wrote most of the songs here, and brings a smart, sassy, fun-with-a-wink attitude to both the construction and the lyrical wordplay.
To illustrate with just one example, "Everybody Wonders" is a seemingly simple ditty built around a gently dancing melody, almost like a children's song. It opens with just a plucked acoustic guitar and Dru's voice; as the second verse starts, more instruments begin to chime in and Mayer adds a vocal harmony before a Beatles-esque bridge on cello leads to Mayer singing a counterpoint harmony behind Dru on the third verse. Suddenly, you have a song hypnotic in its immediacy, yet with so much going on that you find yourself hitting repeat on the CD player to go back and hear what you missed the first, the second, the third times through.
And that kind of magic just isn't found very often.
The Flimz play Sunday at the Becky's House fundraising concert at the San Diego Wine and Culinary Center in San Diego.
Way to go Sis!
-Karl
11-02-2007 08:28 AM - Bharath and his Rythym Four
Bharath Rajakumar ranks among my best friends. He Produced our album Honey Pie this past Jaunary in Montreal. He and his Band the Rythym Four.. recently released their album Friday Night Fatty.. It is awesome! Bharath is a master of the Chicago and Arkansas Blues Harmonica and his band is perhaps the best in North America. The Editor of Bluebeat music has this to say Bharath and His Rhythm Four- Friday Night Fatty (feat. JR. WATSON) IF YOU LIKE THE SOUND OF 50'S CHICAGO BLUES ALA LITTLE WALTER THIS CD WILL KILL YOU!!!! AN AMAZING COLLECTION OF CLASSIC TUNES DONE IN THE CLASSIC STYLE WITH AN AMAZING HARP PLAYER AND A TOTALLY KILLER BAND.....SOME OF BHARATH'S PLAYING IS ON PAR WITH KIM WILSON AT HIS BEST OR MANY OF THE MASTERS FROM THE 50'S.....DO NOT MISS THIS RELEASE...IT IS REALLY GOOD!!!!!! Get your copy today: http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/ -Karl
10-27-2007 04:27 AM - Corey Fayman's Book
Our good Friend Corey Fayman has wriiten a great new book that reminds me of the dot com days...
Check it out!
Book Description
Rolly Waters is a recovering rock musician and part-time private eye. One night his band performs at a blowout party for EyeBitz.com, a fast-rising Internet startup that has the city of San Diego talking. When Rolly returns after hours to retrieve his guitar from the host's mansion, he finds a dead body floating in the swimming pool. His discovery sets in motion a series of intrigues that drag him into the surreal world of dot.com culture, as well as the dark heart of his own uneven past.
Black's Beach Shuffle updates the classic Southern California gumshoe world of Raymond Chandler and Ross McDonald with contemporary technology riffs, new millennium anxieties and sun-blotted humor. It pumps out a page-turning mix of plot twists, colorful characters and laugh-out-loud humor as Rolly's investigation ricochets him from the high-tech industrial parks of Torrey Pines Mesa to downtown blues clubs, from street taco shops to the penthouse of the La Jolla Hyatt, from the hallowed halls of academia to the sands of Black's Beach, San Diego's official clothing-optional playground.
About the Author
Corey Lynn Fayman has been a professional musician, songwriter, sound designer, educational technologist, and multimedia developer, and has outlived any number of rock and roll bands and Internet start-ups. He lives with his wife in San Diego, where he teaches interactive design and multimedia. For more info, visit www.coreylynnfayman.com.
10-09-2007 11:49 AM - Honey Pie T-Shirts!
10-05-2007 9:59 PM - Hitt'n The Note Magazine reviews "Honey Pie"
From Reviewer Tom Clarke:
"Honey Pie is the second album by San Diego's West Of Memphis and it's the kind of disc that knocks you sideways with talent and presentation, and then makes you dance. It's the blues from Chicago to California, with a bit of the South in there because that's where it all came from. Produced live in the studio, all the power and miniscule nuances of a group of players who really have it nailed are nailed. It all started in 1994 when, as a Navy man, Karl Cabbage would steal away to nearby Memphis to entertain with his voice and harp. With guitarist Tom Walpole, now he leads a group that knows exactly how to make the old sound exciting as hell and the new sound right there with the old--on every one of 14 songs. In a world where they fly planes into buildings, we all need to do the 'Miss Sugarpuss Boogie' now and again."
09-26-2007 11:08 AM - An Amazing Review of "Honey Pie"
CD Review – West of Memphis "Honey Pie"
Smoky Mountain Blues Society
Submitted by: blue barry July 2007
Well every summer I sit around and wait for that special blues harmonica CD to pass over my turntable with blessings and spiritual things I will need to make it through the winter. Well it has arrived! It's from a group called West of Memphis, and the CD is "Honey Pie." Just killer! Exactly what I wanted to hear all summer. Great harmonica, hard blues, a real throwback to the 30's. None of that fancy 100 licks a second guitar. Then repeat. No..... just tasty stuff that goes down real good with some cold refreshments after a long day at the.......wherever. I played the first cut and said, "wow" but it won't last. Well it did. Every cut is great. Wailing harp, slow blues, the works. These guys are really good. Not fancy, but right on the money. Can you imagine, no guy playing lead drums, no alter ego guitar player, no everyone plays at once, just sit back and wait for the next turnaround and see what happens. I love it. Believe it or not this is their 2nd CD, the first was a San Diego Music Award nominee for
Best Blues Album. This one will be too. You wait and see. Karl Cabbage is the band leader and most excellent harp player. Tom Walpole is a Hawaiian guitar player. They put the band together in 1999. "Honey Pie" was recorded live in Montreal, Canada. Talk about a road trip. We have 14 tracks here and a ton of good stuff. Check it out. I won't lie to you about harp players since I am one. Visit the band's website at www.westofmemphis.com On yea, the cover art is great. I hope they got a t-shirt with that cover. I WILL have one if that's the case. Enjoy your summer. This will help. One love............blue barry
09-16-2007 11:31 PM - Honey Pie now available at Barnes and Noble on the "Red Dot system.
The reason is a musical preview system at Barnes and Noble that greatly reduces the possibility of making a poor buying decision. In the store's music department, there are numerous headphone-equipped listening stations. Simply step up to one of them and place the bar code on the CD label under the Red Dot scanner. Instantly, the first cut of the disc starts playing. You can preview the first 90 seconds of every cut on every CD in the store! One of the first rules of marketing is to reduce risk for the buyer. The Red Dot system effectively takes the fear out of buying CD's.
09-10-2007 03:39 AM - Nena Anderson
Recently, West of Memphis has been blessed to have a very special guest singer sit in at local shows. Her name is Ms. Nena Anderson and she is truly a point of light in San Diego County. Last night at Carvers Steak and Chops in Rancho Bernardo Nena sat in on a couple of numbers... The band started and she just wailed! Her singing reminded me of mid-century American music in its Hey-day! Nena plays throughout the county(and beyond) with her combo that consists of some of the very best musicians available. Please check out her site at www.nenaanderson.com
09-05-2007 05:55 AM - Sign Up to recieve info about upcoming shows
08-31-2007 2:19 PM - Honey Pie now Back in stock at CD Baby!
08-29-2007 08:39 AM - Honey Pie now on sale at House of Blues Gift Shop
The Next time you find your self downtown... stop buy the House of Blues Gift shop. They are currently selling both of our records.
The 2006 SDMA Nominated "Monkey Business"
and
The 2007 SDMA Nominated "Honey Pie"
Get your Copies Today!
08-28-2007 6:46 PM - Building a Better America
Take advantage of this opportunity to converse with Congressman Filner in a private lounge. This event will take place at the House of Blues located in Downtown San Diego. The price is $25 per person and includes a benefit dinner and concert. Entertainment is provided by West of Memphis. Seating is limited, RSVP by August 17, 2007 (858) 450-1443. Find out more about Congressman Filner at www.house.gov/filner/biography.htm. Hope to see you there!
08-25-2007 10:37 AM - Honey Pie Review by Graham Clarke
From http://www.bluenight.com/BluesBytes/
out of Arizona:
West of Memphis, a blues band from the San Diego, has a rare distinction. They’re one of the few actual blues bands to play the House of Blues, having enjoyed a long-running regular gig at the San Diego venue for a couple of years. Having released a regional CD that received a lot of local attention in 2005, the band has now released their nationwide debut, Honey Pie, which marvelously recaptures the raw and ragged sound of ’50s era blues.
Led by harp man Karl Cabbage and guitarist Tom Walpole, West of Memphis has the same sort of loose feel of those great Chess recordings from way back, the great harmonica and rhythm section, and even has some studio chatter mixed in as well. There are 14 songs on Honey Pie, including the terrific jumping opening cut, “Canary In Her Cage,” and some dazzling remakes of classic Chicago songs like Jimmy Rogers’ “Back Door Friend” and “That’s All Right,” and a pair of Willie Dixon standards (“Who” and “I’m Ready”). In addition to the opening track, the band also wrote several other keepers, among them the Geoff Starin-penned title track, an amusing romp complete with boozy chorus, the highly relevant “Cell Phone Blues,” and Walpole’s “I Can Tell.”
Other highlights include a tasty cover of Muddy Waters’ “Crosseyed Cat,” a hard-driving take on Little Walter’s “I’ve Got To Go,” and a pair of original instrumentals that groove hard, “Miss Sugarpuss Boogie” and “Chupacabra.”
Fans of the vintage late ’40s and ’50s sound will love this one. It won’t make you want to throw away those old classic recordings you have, but you will want to put this highly recommended set next to it in your collection. For purchasing information, go to www.cdbaby.com.
--- Graham Clarke
08-24-2007 09:58 AM - Topping the charts around the country!
Smokestack Lightnin’s Top Ten Blues CDs for the week of Aug. 18, 2007
#10 Popa Chubby/VooDoo Chile/Electric Chubbyland/Blind Pig
#9 Teresa James/Put A Squeeze On Me/The Bottom Line/New Light
#8 Omar Dykes/Jimmie Vaughan/Lou Ann Barton/You Upset My Mind/On The Jimmy Reed Highway/Ruf
#7 Hot Monkey Love/Speakin’ Evil/Speakin’ Evil/Brother Monk
#6 Delta Moon/Lap Dog/Clear Blue Flame/Jumping Jack
#5 Duke Robillard/Steppin’ Out/World Full Of Blues/Stony Plain
#4 Ellis Hooks/Bad Me/Another Saturday Morning/Evidence
#3 Tab Benoit/Midnight Lonesome/Power Of The Ponchartrain/Telarc
#2 The Soul Of John Black/Fire Blues/The Good Girl Blues/Yellow Dog
#1 West Of Memphis/That’s Alright/Honey Pie/self
#9 Teresa James/Put A Squeeze On Me/The Bottom Line/New Light
#8 Omar Dykes/Jimmie Vaughan/Lou Ann Barton/You Upset My Mind/On The Jimmy Reed Highway/Ruf
#7 Hot Monkey Love/Speakin’ Evil/Speakin’ Evil/Brother Monk
#6 Delta Moon/Lap Dog/Clear Blue Flame/Jumping Jack
#5 Duke Robillard/Steppin’ Out/World Full Of Blues/Stony Plain
#4 Ellis Hooks/Bad Me/Another Saturday Morning/Evidence
#3 Tab Benoit/Midnight Lonesome/Power Of The Ponchartrain/Telarc
#2 The Soul Of John Black/Fire Blues/The Good Girl Blues/Yellow Dog
#1 West Of Memphis/That’s Alright/Honey Pie/self
08-06-2007 10:25 AM - Vote for us for Best Blues Band!
08-06-2007 10:05 AM - Honey Pie - Nominated for Best Blues Album
Hey everybody - we just found out that our 2nd album "Honey Pie" has been nominated for a San Diego Music Award in the Best Blues Album category - thanks to everyone who made it happen!
07-28-2007 10:56 PM - WOM on KPRI FM 102.1
Hey - lots of love to Astra Kelly at KPRI for putting us on the show tonight!! Catch her show every Saturday night at 9pm
Listen to it here
07-27-2007 2:45 PM - Honey Pie CD Review on Pop Syndicate
Having troubles? Life got you down? Looking for something real? Then Honey Pie, West of Memphis’ second album, might be what you need. It’s low down, the perfect soundtrack for drinking whiskey alone on a hot summer night.
I liked this album before I even listened to it. The cover art features a 40’s style pin-up resting on a harmonica. The band describes Honey Pie as a record “with music and artwork influenced by the dawn of the electric blues era.” But don’t let that throw you. West of Memphis aren’t a novelty act. They deliver a solid blues album that tells timeless stories.
Co-founded in 1999 by Karl Cabbage and guitarist Tom Walpole, West of Memphis derive their name from Karl’s musical apprenticeship playing the harp on Beale Street (the home of the blues) in Memphis. Honey Pie retains an organic, spontaneous feel. They even include some of the banter that goes on during the recording process. It strives for a live feel. With music like this there’s no place to hide. Bands can’t fall back on noise or expansive production. And you can tell that these guys love the music.
Mixing originals with covers like Willie Dixon’s “I’m Ready,” the songs speak to sadness and loss but always with that redemptive quality the blues requires. Highlights include the dirge like “Back Door Friend.” If you’ve got the blues it hits the spot. The title track sounds like it was recorded in some roadhouse where the drunk crowd started singing along. It’s a highpoint in a wonderfully relentless album that’ll wear you down. Honey Pie surprised me, especially the Cabbage/Walpole song, “Cell Phone Blues.” But then again it’s hard not to like songs built around the harmonica and a heavy beat.
To quote the liner notes, songs like these keep the “good times rollin’” and the “good booze flowin’”
07-26-2007 6:01 PM - West of Memphis on KPRI 102.1 FM San Diego!!
07-19-2007 08:21 AM - Honey Pie now on Sale Online!
07-19-2007 08:19 AM - Honey Pie Preview By The Music City Blues Society in Nashville, Tennessee
WEST OF MEMPHIS
HONEY PIE
WESTOFMEMPHIS.COM
CANARY IN HER CAGE--BACK DOOR FRIEND--WHO--I'M HAVING A BALL--HONEY
PIE--I'M READY--GURU CALLIN'--CELL PHONE BLUES--CROSSEYED CAT--I CAN
TELL--I'VE GOT TO GO--MISS SUGARPUSS BOOGIE--THAT'S ALRIGHT--COPACABANA
West of Memphis is definitely that--west by some 2000 miles!! Based
in San Diego, CA, these guys must be doing something right, as they've
been playing real-deal blues on the weekends in the area's House Of
Blues(!!!) since early 2006!
They are a purveyor of the Chicago blues combo sound. Led by Karl
Cabbage on harp and Hawaii native Tom Walpole on guitar, they've learned
their lessons well. Their latest release, "Honey Pie," hearkens back to
the early days of postwar blues, and could've been easily recorded at the
Chess studio in the mid-Fifties.
These guys are clever writers, too. Half of the fourteen cuts are
originals, several with the aid of Geoff Starin. Check out the topical
"Cell Phone Blues," where Karl asks his woman to "turn off your cell
phone, it don't love you like I do." "Miss Sugarpuss Boogie and
"Copacabana" are wailin' instrumentals, and there's a fine cover of Jimmy
Rogers' "every married woman, she's got a Back Door Friend."
We had two favorites, too. The first is the jumpin' leadoff cut,
"Canary In Her Cage" that sets the tone for the rest of the set. And,
women everywhere beware, for "I Can Tell" if you've been cheatin' lyin' or
leavin!" This one is a good example of Karl's storytelling abilities and
features some cool piano work, too!
It's easy to see why these guys have such an enthusiastic following.
They do a fine job of giving the "old-school" sound a modern twist.
Listen to "Honey Pie" today for a look at a unique band, indeed!! Until
next time....Sheryl and Don Crow.
07-10-2007 2:26 PM - "Honey Pie" Reviewed
BluesSource.com
"Your Source For The Blues"
West Of Memphis
Honey Pie
Self Produced
Respectful of Memphis, but be warned -- It's not B.B. King's Memphis. It's Howlin' Wolf's Memphis, it's Rice Miller's Memphis, and Jackie Brenston's, and Robert Nighthawk's. It's a weekend haunt and prowl, the culmination of years of rehearsal and a week's pay ready to blow in one night of mistakes.
Amplification is there to bring the instruments into audible balance with one another, not to make the music electric. The harmonica is a harmonica, not an amp. The vocals are stories told on this planet to people from this planet who want to listen because the stories are theirs.
Is it better than the first cuts recorded in Memphis by earlier, more authentic blues artists? No, but it's equal, and that's rare enough. If you're a blues fan and you hang out with other blues fans, you've heard the early Muddy and some of the Sonny Boy and Memphis Slim, and you and your friends have picked that tree pretty thoroughly. Here's something new and good and in that pocket. **This CD is currently available on their website, but will soon be available at amazon.com.
(C) 2007, Arthur Shuey, BluesSource.com
2007-07-10
07-07-2007 9:01 PM - Crowsfeet Productions
Honey Pie (Real World Records 2006)
The House of Blues misnomer, drinking whiskey with Pinetop, and Hawaiians.
West Of Memphis announces their sophomore release, an album with music and artwork influenced by the dawn of the electric blues era. “Honey Pie” is the band’s national level debut to be released on July 24th. It is the follow up to 2005’s “Monkey Business,” a regional and critically acclaimed CD and 2006 San Diego Music Award nominee for Best Blues Album.
The House of Blues. Anyone involved with the blues industry is aware of the misnomer. Yet thanks to a spirited fan base and energetic live performances, West of Memphis boasts a long-running residency at the San Diego venue. This is not a typo…they have been performing blues music on weekends regularly since early 2006. Imagine that!
In 1994 Karl Cabbage was stationed on a Navy base 40 miles from Memphis. Whenever possible he hitchhiked to busk and play harp on Beale Street and/or catch new heroes Primich, Copeland and B.B. King. Off base, Karl quickly joined the scene and now treasures memories such as sipping warm-up whiskey in the pouring rain with Pinetop and Snooky Pryor before taking stage at the Arkansas Heritage Festival. These memories and experiences constitute the band’s name West of Memphis.
Guitarist Tom Walpole is a Hawaiian native whose style is influenced by the slack key guitar. Tom seamlessly grew into the blues after playing Hawaiian music as they both originate from deep roots within a culture and sprout from social oppression.
Karl and Tom both worked at the San Diego based MP3.com in its heyday. They co-found the band in 1999 after performing and recording with an array of sidemen. Despite being a Slurpee™ addict with intriguing views on Bigfoot and such a rabid soccer fan he married a Brasilian, Karl prefers to let the truth of their blues music speak for the band. Tom, being Hawaiian, doesn’t have that much to say either.
'Honey Pie' was recorded at the Griffintown Cafe in Montreal, Canada and produced under the watchful eye of producer Bharath Rajakumar. It contains 14 tracks of authentic American blues music, including numbers penned by Tom Walpole and Karl Cabbage. Other tracks include two titles authored by Blues savant Geoff 'the Guru' Starin and a selection of genuine blues favorites.
# # #
Media contact: Michael McClune, 310.319.1199, Michael@crowsfeet.biz
07-02-2007 2:46 PM - West O Memphis on The Roadhouse Podcast again
From
www.roadhousepodcast.com
Roadhouse #124
We’re following the mood of the music in this edition of The Roadhouse. Twelve great contemporary blues cuts that blaze a path all their own. And, it’s a fine chair-dancing mood from start to finish. Tommy Castro, Duke Robillard, West of Memphis, Shemekia Copeland, and Charlie Wood lead the way in a show that’s filled with new blues music. Don’t let your co-workers look at you too funny when they catch you rocking in your own world to another hour of the finest blues you’ve never heard – the 124th Roadhouse Podcast.
This is the 3rd time West of Memphis has appeared on the program hosted out of Iowa City, Iowa.
06-28-2007 12:29 PM - West Of Memphis in the NCTimes
06-22-2007 4:24 PM - West Of Memphis on KUSI
06-20-2007 01:59 AM - Welcome to our new site ... just in time for...
