Album Notes

The taste of cold beer is on your lips and the smell of Southern Barbecue is in the air! The down-home sounds of acoustic bottleneck blues guitar and soulful harmonica with inspired vocals comes wafting through the dense evening air...

FELONIUS BLUES REVUE brings the spirit of the traditions of the early part of the 20th century into the new millennium. Like a walking archive, FELONIUS BLUES REVUE unearths rare musical gems recorded by bluesmen that have inspired contemporary greats from Eric Clapton to Hot Tuna to the Rolling Stones - and performs them with authenticity and often a unique, personal twist.

With his standout finger-picking style and slide guitar expertise, Jeff "Felonius Smith" makes his playing seem as easy as a lazy afternoon on the front porch of some old Smoky Mountain retreat. Mark Fenny brings to mind the music of timeless troubadours like Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson with his skillful harmonica work. Rounding out the lineup, guitarist Philip Wendover Johnston takes a warm, organic approach to his instrument that serves as the solid foundation to the band's well-worn sounds.

FELONIUS BLUES REVUE picks up the torch by taking the music of the originals and resurrecting it into a modern standard while still retaining the integrity with which it was played long ago. Piedmont Blues, Delta, Country Blues, and Folk-blues can be found on "Sketches In Blue" - the latest recording of this outstanding three-piece combo.