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Review by John MacLeod
- 411
YouTube - Billy G and the BlueZone
Billy G and the BlueZone live .... - Billy G and the BlueZone
“Great energy, excellent grove, musicianship, and dynamic style! Bllly G and the BlueZone sound great!”
TAXI
- TAXI
Billy G and the BlueZone are a fantastic blend of musicians, Rhythm & Blues, and dam good music…
Off The Beat-n-Track Show
- Off The Beat-n-Track
… funky rhythm & blues' grooves with a hot tasteful blues guitarist and soulful vocals and harmonies.
CD Baby
- CD Baby
Billy G and the Blue Zone @ the Wahconah Country Club, Dalton: The band’s members live in three different states, but after getting together a year and a half ago, they’ve worked together with a single focus. Led by Stephentown guitarist-vocalist Billy Gilbert, the Berkshires-based blues-groove funk band fires up the dance floor for a celebration of their 15-track debut disc, “No Time for the Blues.” The album features a number of special guests, including wailin’ harmonicat Ted Hennessy.
Nippertown
- Nippertown
“Billy G and the BlueZone explores every facet of rhythm and blues on their latest CD, ‘No Time For The Blues’: Funky blues (Dancing is Allowed), slow blues (Angelee), soulful blues, (Sweet Inspiration), and fast punchy rocking blues. This is a must get CD and a must see band. Hang on New England!”
WIZN Blues for Breakfast, Burlington, Vermont
- WIZN Blues for Breakfast, Burlington, Vermont
Billy G and the BlueZone have played the MCLA Funk Fest opening for Big Sam’s Funky Nation and have been a part of FOD fest at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield Ma. The band has just completed their second CD release, “No Time For The Blues”.
The CD is fifteen songs deep of original “rhythm and blues groove.” “Billy G and the BlueZone explores every facet of rhythm and blues on their latest CD, ‘No Time For The Blues’: Funky blues (Dancing is Allowed), slow blues (Angelee), soulful blues, (Sweet Inspiration), and fast punchy rocking blues. This is a must get CD and a must see band. Hang on New England!” WIZN Blues for Breakfast, Burlington, Vermont.
“Billy G and the BlueZone, continued the festive mood at FunkFest, getting the crowd ready for Big Sam’s Funky Nation with their own style reminiscent of Buddy Guy and Eric Clapton’s Cream, among other blues artists. They performed songs from their CD including "No Time for the Blues", and "Blind in the Midnight.” “Billy Gilbert played a mean guitar, sounding off some awesome sounding rips. There was no doubt the BlueZone’s music was tight and in the pocket. That, together with their top notch vocals and harmonies electrified the dancing crowd.” .
Adrian Trabakino A&E editor MCLA Beacon Online
(Sep 26, 2010) - MCLA Beacon
Discography
Riding That Train
One of Everything
Sweet Inspiration
Dancing is Allowed
Blind in the Midnight
Outside Looking In
Big Mama
Pieces of a Dream
All Night Long
Man of No Shame
Angelee
Really Doing Bad
No Time for the Blues
Can't Take It Back
Duality
Photos
Bio
Billy Gilbert of Stephentown, NY has played guitar with many local blues bands since the age of 15. Billy has opened for The James Montgomery Band, The Ernie Williams Band, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, and has played for the cast and crew of “The Departed”. Billy G has been described by blues guitar players as an “energized soulful blues guitarist with hot tasteful licks..”
Noble Francoeur grew up in the Berkshires and currently resides in Johnson, Vermont. He has been playing bass at Vermont blues festivals and venues with East Coast Muscle since the late 70’s. He has opened for James Montgomery, James Cotton, and Tab Benoit.
Tony Gubelman is originally from Long Island, New York where he started playing piano at the age of 8. He has played throughout the Northeast, performing with Ruby, The Earth Angles as well as being a member in several funk, R&B and soul bands.
John Garcia of Windsor has played drums in many popular Berkshire County bands such as The Potter Mountain Road Band,The Eastre Rebellyon, and The Continentals over his lengthy drumming career. He has opened for The Young Rascals, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, and Al Andersen and the Wild Weeds. John’s wife, Cathy Garcia of Windsor, has played and sung backup vocals since the early 1990’s.
Sideman Ted Hennessy is a longtime Blues Harp Honker, Singer and Songwriter from Upstate NY. He was featured on the "Best of Upstate Harmonica Blowoff" recorded live at the Dinosaur B-B-Q. Received Songwriting accolades in REAL BLUES magazine for best original blues song, 2002 for "Graveyard for the Blues" . Ted has worked with Rick Welter (former Musslewhite and Delay Guitarist) Pete Kanarus (former nighthawk's guitarist), the Chicago Blues Allstars featuring Lurrie Bell and Tail Dragger, the late Bill Hesch, and Scotty "GB" Evans.
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