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San Luis Obispo Blues Society Check out these upcoming events! Saturday, December 9, 2000 Smokin Joe Kubek with B'nois King Opening Band: Oasis
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Saturday, December 9, 2000
Smokin Joe Kubek with B'nois King
BLUES
SHOW REVIEW
Jump start this
Holiday Season with some high-energy Texas Blues. Put on your best Christmas
outfit and dancing shoes and head to the annual San Luis Obispo Blues Society,
Semi-Formal Dress Optional, Holiday Extravaganza. This year’s show will
feature the Smokin’ Joe Kubek Band with Bnois King. Oasis will be
opening the show. The show is on Saturday, December 9 at 8:00 PM at the
SLO County Vets Hall (801 Grand Avenue). Tickets are $10 for members and
$12 for non-members. You can buy a membership for $10 at the door and get
$2 off for this show. Thinking about the perfect Christmas gift? We will
be raffling a box of Blues CDs at the show.
Smokin’ Joe Kubek Band with Bnois King
Smokin’ Joe Kubek seems to have been born to play the guitar, and has been demonstrating this ability for almost 30 years. A guitar prodigy at the age of 14, the Texas teenager frequented the Dallas Bar scene in the 70’s and early 80’s, playing with Stevie Ray Vaughan and the three Kings (B.B., Albert, and Freddie). However, Kubek didn’t really hit his stride until 1987 when he teamed up with jazz guitarist and singer B’nois King from Louisiana. Together, they create one of the most unique collaborations in contemporary Blues.
Smokin’ Joe and Bnois King are a study in opposites. Kubek slashes away on his blue stratocaster. He explodes on stage with a blazing blues/rock style born from the guitar traditions of Texas. King finesses fat chords with a hollow body Gibson and belts out blues with his whisper-to-growl voice. His background is rooted in the jazz sounds of Louisiana. Together, they form a musically intuitive partnership. Kubek’s impeccable guitar solos follow King’s sublime vocals perfectly. The jazz-infected blues guitar runs of King are sharp and inventive, and are a great counterpoint to Kubek’s slashing, stinging power and drive. King’s impassioned vocals are one of the most distinctive sounds in the blues. His vocals can bring tears to your eyes, sinking into lonely soulful blues or reveling in the joy of being alive, as he completely captures the heart of a song.
This duo has produced seven CDs since 1991, most for Rounder Records. Their latest release is “Bite Me”. What is most striking about his new album is Kubek’s slide playing, which can be raw and urgent like hardcore Elmore James or full of fire like the best of the rock blues guitarists. Despite the brilliance of Kubek’s guitar work, it does not overshadow the contributions of Bnois King. King's dry, T-Bone tinged vocals are fresh and distinctive, and his jazzy guitar is the perfect foil to Kubek’s incendiary style. As a songwriting team, they are creative and confident. “Their music is stripped and serious, hell-bent and beautiful. And it’s all sent from Texas with love” (Blues Access).
Oasis
The opening band Oasis has been on the SLO music scene since 1985.
This five person band is highly versatile, playing everything from Big
Band to Big Chill. For our blues show, they will be playing rhythm
and blues with a twist of Motown. The band includes Frank Gary on
saxophone, Ed Harris on bass, Willie Klearman on guitar and vocals, Dan
Murry on keyboard and vocals, and Joe Rodriguez on drums and vocals.
Their collective talent and enthusiasm for music makes Oasis one of the
most popular bands on the Central Coast.
