BOOGIE BONE
''BONE-A-FIED''
2009
54:17
1. Angel Preamble/1:21
2. Avenging Angel/4:08
3. Lovin' On the Run/4:17
4. Where's My Lady/4:46
5. Don't Mean A Thing/6:41
6. Make It Easy/4:18
7. Boogie Bone Boogie/4:54
8. Long Goodbye/3:21
9. Blues Police/5:02
10. My Way Home/3:29
11. Hold It Down/4:12
12. I Don't Know/3:38
13. Gotcha Baby/4:10
Howlin’ Jake Johnson - vocals
Steven Dee Williams - guitar
Steve Snyder - Sax, harp, flute, keys
Todd "Spud" Stevens - Drums
Henry "Groove Master" Gavaldon - Bass
REVIEW
By Greg Johnson
It has been said, “The blues had a baby and they named it rock & roll.” But sometimes, that child does not stray too far from its mother’s bosom. That is where Boogie Bone is quite at home. Blues with an edge. Riding on the brink of rock & roll. With guitar riffs that burn. A solid rhythm section that drives directly from the pocket and keeps everything directly focused and on pace. Vocals that tear at one’s soul and can soar in a manner that cannot be ignored. Then there’s this other guy, who fills all the extra necessary needs that without the band just wouldn’t be the same. It’s that extra piece that brings everything home, blending with a power surge that makes the band unique.
For their sophomore effort, Boogie Bone took their time, making certain that everything was just right. That lengthy wait between their debut and this second disc, “Bone-A-Fied,” was more than well worth it. As fantastic as that first record was, this one takes it to another level. Kind of like Spinal Tap’s “eleven” volume amps, you just know it’s one better. Songwriting, performance and group comradery; it’s the full package!
Boogie Bone can easily trace its roots to blues shouters and high energy rockers. Guitarist Steven Dee Williams tears into monstrous riffs a la the likes of Johnny Winter, Gary Moore or Roy Buchanan, providing a starting point and pulse that plays throughout each number. Definitely the focal point of their live performances. Williams is a no prisoners taken musician easily at home burning down the house on a Stratocaster or delivering Delta-fueled licks on his steel-bodied guitar (“Angel Preamble”). You just know that Jake Johnson listened closely to vocalists like Paul Rodgers or Robert Plant, because he has that same ability to reach those ranges only few others can match seemingly with no effort. Drummer Todd “Spud” Stevens and bassist Henry Gavaldon are certainly unsung heroes of this band, but without either of them everything would fall flat. There is a second-sense between a band and its rhythm section and with really good ones everything is like clock-work. That’s the synergy that this pair provide. And what could possibly be said about Steve Snyder? Is there anything that this guy cannot play? Switching between saxophone, harmonica, flute and keyboards, he is like a one-man dream team that would make any act he’s with on a level one step above everybody else.
The music on “Bone-A-Fied” is all original and quite engaging. It drives straight to your nerve endings, bringing on an excited sweat, compelling you to shake and dance. Don’t try to stop that urge, it’ll only make you that much more restless. It’s aimed at eliciting such a reaction. Boogie Bone wants to rattle your bones. And it all comes home to that fine line between blues and rock. But they may be the first to admit they’re guilty of playing rock & roll, as stated in the song “Blues Police.” But make no mistake. It may kick you in the butt, but it’s all the blues. That much you can take to the bank! Yes sir!!
OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY
Boogie Bone has emerged as influential contributors to the fertile blues scene in Portland, Oregon, but not without ruffling some feathers along the way. In four years they have released three critically acclaimed self-produced records and shared the stage with blues legends: Coco Montoya, Rick Estrin and the Night Cats, Tab Benoit, and Duke Robillard. In 2010 they were added to the bill for prestigious Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival (largest blues festival west of the Mississippi). They have received Muddy nominations for: Best New Act, Best Contemporary Blues Band, Performance of the Year (twice), Male Vocalist of the year (twice), and
Northwest Album of the Year (Bone-A-Fied). The latest release “Pro-Bone-O” already considered their best effort is receiving world wide airplay since it’s release mid January 2011.
The blues purists may be put off by there aggressive style and imaginative interpretations, but the devotion of their passionate fans (The Boneheads) can’t be questioned. The song writing duo of guitarist Steven Dee Williams and vocalist Jake Johnson have matured into a creative force, with genre defying craftings that keep the listener on their toes, while weaving clever lyrics with deft musical offerings. Their style has brought comparisons from Lead Belly to Led Zeppelin and many influential artists in between. But be warned: If you like your blues in a can, this band may not be for you.
Oregon Music Hall of Fame multi-instrumentalist Steve Snyder brings a swiss army knife approach to musicianship, playing three saxophones, harmonica, flute, and keyboards. This versatility enables the band to easily shape shift from traditional blues to
rockers, and from jump blues to funk masters. The rhythm section of Randy Herbert and Ben Laing provide the foundation that allows the band to spring in whichever direction the composition demands.
The band formed in 2006 when Williams, Johnson, and original drummer Todd Stevens got together to put on a show for a local beer brewers club. All three were long time friends that had played in various bands together in the past, but never in the same
band at the same time. The gig was a hit, and it felt good enough to see “where it would lead”. They tried a couple of bass players before they called upon another old band mate Henry Gavaldon. At this point all four guys had known each other for over 20 years
and were really a “band of brothers”. In 2007 while playing a gig on the Oregon coast another friend (Steve Snyder) was by chance spending the weekend with some friends in the same town. He sat in that night, changed the dynamic of the band, and has
never left. In 2012 Stevens and Gavaldon were replaced by Randy Herbert and Ben Laing.
Preparing for their third release: Pro-Bone-O more friends were called upon to help with the live show. Another Oregon Music Hall of Famer: Ricky O on trumpet, and Louisiana native and piano wizard Steve Kerin. Encores ensued.
Discography
Boogie Bone - Bone Daddy Records - 2007
Bone-A-Fied - Bone Daddy Records - 2009
Pro-Bone-O - Bone Daddy Records - 2011
''BONE-A-FIED''
2009
54:17
1. Angel Preamble/1:21
2. Avenging Angel/4:08
3. Lovin' On the Run/4:17
4. Where's My Lady/4:46
5. Don't Mean A Thing/6:41
6. Make It Easy/4:18
7. Boogie Bone Boogie/4:54
8. Long Goodbye/3:21
9. Blues Police/5:02
10. My Way Home/3:29
11. Hold It Down/4:12
12. I Don't Know/3:38
13. Gotcha Baby/4:10
Howlin’ Jake Johnson - vocals
Steven Dee Williams - guitar
Steve Snyder - Sax, harp, flute, keys
Todd "Spud" Stevens - Drums
Henry "Groove Master" Gavaldon - Bass
REVIEW
By Greg Johnson
It has been said, “The blues had a baby and they named it rock & roll.” But sometimes, that child does not stray too far from its mother’s bosom. That is where Boogie Bone is quite at home. Blues with an edge. Riding on the brink of rock & roll. With guitar riffs that burn. A solid rhythm section that drives directly from the pocket and keeps everything directly focused and on pace. Vocals that tear at one’s soul and can soar in a manner that cannot be ignored. Then there’s this other guy, who fills all the extra necessary needs that without the band just wouldn’t be the same. It’s that extra piece that brings everything home, blending with a power surge that makes the band unique.
For their sophomore effort, Boogie Bone took their time, making certain that everything was just right. That lengthy wait between their debut and this second disc, “Bone-A-Fied,” was more than well worth it. As fantastic as that first record was, this one takes it to another level. Kind of like Spinal Tap’s “eleven” volume amps, you just know it’s one better. Songwriting, performance and group comradery; it’s the full package!
Boogie Bone can easily trace its roots to blues shouters and high energy rockers. Guitarist Steven Dee Williams tears into monstrous riffs a la the likes of Johnny Winter, Gary Moore or Roy Buchanan, providing a starting point and pulse that plays throughout each number. Definitely the focal point of their live performances. Williams is a no prisoners taken musician easily at home burning down the house on a Stratocaster or delivering Delta-fueled licks on his steel-bodied guitar (“Angel Preamble”). You just know that Jake Johnson listened closely to vocalists like Paul Rodgers or Robert Plant, because he has that same ability to reach those ranges only few others can match seemingly with no effort. Drummer Todd “Spud” Stevens and bassist Henry Gavaldon are certainly unsung heroes of this band, but without either of them everything would fall flat. There is a second-sense between a band and its rhythm section and with really good ones everything is like clock-work. That’s the synergy that this pair provide. And what could possibly be said about Steve Snyder? Is there anything that this guy cannot play? Switching between saxophone, harmonica, flute and keyboards, he is like a one-man dream team that would make any act he’s with on a level one step above everybody else.
The music on “Bone-A-Fied” is all original and quite engaging. It drives straight to your nerve endings, bringing on an excited sweat, compelling you to shake and dance. Don’t try to stop that urge, it’ll only make you that much more restless. It’s aimed at eliciting such a reaction. Boogie Bone wants to rattle your bones. And it all comes home to that fine line between blues and rock. But they may be the first to admit they’re guilty of playing rock & roll, as stated in the song “Blues Police.” But make no mistake. It may kick you in the butt, but it’s all the blues. That much you can take to the bank! Yes sir!!
OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY
Boogie Bone has emerged as influential contributors to the fertile blues scene in Portland, Oregon, but not without ruffling some feathers along the way. In four years they have released three critically acclaimed self-produced records and shared the stage with blues legends: Coco Montoya, Rick Estrin and the Night Cats, Tab Benoit, and Duke Robillard. In 2010 they were added to the bill for prestigious Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival (largest blues festival west of the Mississippi). They have received Muddy nominations for: Best New Act, Best Contemporary Blues Band, Performance of the Year (twice), Male Vocalist of the year (twice), and
Northwest Album of the Year (Bone-A-Fied). The latest release “Pro-Bone-O” already considered their best effort is receiving world wide airplay since it’s release mid January 2011.
The blues purists may be put off by there aggressive style and imaginative interpretations, but the devotion of their passionate fans (The Boneheads) can’t be questioned. The song writing duo of guitarist Steven Dee Williams and vocalist Jake Johnson have matured into a creative force, with genre defying craftings that keep the listener on their toes, while weaving clever lyrics with deft musical offerings. Their style has brought comparisons from Lead Belly to Led Zeppelin and many influential artists in between. But be warned: If you like your blues in a can, this band may not be for you.
Oregon Music Hall of Fame multi-instrumentalist Steve Snyder brings a swiss army knife approach to musicianship, playing three saxophones, harmonica, flute, and keyboards. This versatility enables the band to easily shape shift from traditional blues to
rockers, and from jump blues to funk masters. The rhythm section of Randy Herbert and Ben Laing provide the foundation that allows the band to spring in whichever direction the composition demands.
The band formed in 2006 when Williams, Johnson, and original drummer Todd Stevens got together to put on a show for a local beer brewers club. All three were long time friends that had played in various bands together in the past, but never in the same
band at the same time. The gig was a hit, and it felt good enough to see “where it would lead”. They tried a couple of bass players before they called upon another old band mate Henry Gavaldon. At this point all four guys had known each other for over 20 years
and were really a “band of brothers”. In 2007 while playing a gig on the Oregon coast another friend (Steve Snyder) was by chance spending the weekend with some friends in the same town. He sat in that night, changed the dynamic of the band, and has
never left. In 2012 Stevens and Gavaldon were replaced by Randy Herbert and Ben Laing.
Preparing for their third release: Pro-Bone-O more friends were called upon to help with the live show. Another Oregon Music Hall of Famer: Ricky O on trumpet, and Louisiana native and piano wizard Steve Kerin. Encores ensued.
Discography
Boogie Bone - Bone Daddy Records - 2007
Bone-A-Fied - Bone Daddy Records - 2009
Pro-Bone-O - Bone Daddy Records - 2011
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