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Vince Agwada : Eyes of the City
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The new CD, Eyes of the City from Chicago-based Blues/Rock axeslinger Vince Agwada is one of the most powerful debut efforts to come along in quite some time. Coming in at just under 78 minutes, this CD is a fascinating sonic journey.
Genre: Rock: Classic Rock
Release Date: 2008
Eyes of the City Record Label: Rocketnoodle Music
  • Buy CD - $12.97
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Preview Song Name Time Format Price Select
It's a Shame 5:23 Album Only
Blooze 5:18 Album Only
Does it Really Matter? 4:28 Album Only
Car Wash Blues 6:16 Album Only
I'm Coming Home 6:31 Album Only
Rain 7:59 Album Only
Confidence Man 4:58 Album Only
Tubed Out 4:02 Album Only
Hard to Cry 7:32 Album Only
Come on In 5:58 Album Only
Ellie 7:35 Album Only
Bottle 4:12 Album Only
Eyes of the City 6:43 Album Only
preview all songs

Album Notes

"Eyes of the City” is the long awaited, self-produced debut release from veteran Chicago-based guitarist/singer/composer/producer Vince Agwada that finds the journeyman guitarist tearing loose on an exciting 13-song collection of Blues, Rock, Jazz and R&B based numbers that will blow your socks off.

Check out Agwada’s muscular fretwork on such scorching tracks as “Blooze” and “I’m Coming Home” and you’ll soon discover why this great player is the guitarist of choice for some of the best known names in the blues. Other highlights include “Ellie” with its strong contemporary jazz feel, and the magnificent “Come on In” that features some of Agwada’s vicious slide work. Harmonica virtuoso Sugar Blue guests on the majestic “Rain,” while “It’s a Shame,” “Car Wash Blues,” and “Hard to Cry” find Agwada putting his personal stamp on some of the most engaging contemporary blues to be released this year. “Eyes of the City” is a terrific new album that marks the coming of age of a truly unique artist.

Vince Agwada has been a fixture on the Chicago Blues scene for over 25 years. He has toured the United States, Canada and Europe with many of Chicago's premiere acts including Bernie Mac, Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Zora Young, Jimmy Johnson, Son Seals, Junior Wells, Valerie Wellington, The Dells, Sugar Blue, Larry McCray, and Magic Slim as well as his own outfits, One Eyed Jax, and the Vince Agwada Band. In 1996 he was voted one of the top 40 Blues artists under 40 in the country by Living Blues Magazine (issue 120).

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REVIEWS

NEW RELEASE PART 2 – CARRYING IT ON:
author: Beverly Zeldin-Palmer Illinois Entertainer August 29th 2008
The answer to Buddy Guy’s musical question above can be found in the new release Eyes Of The City (Rocketnoodle) by master guitarist/vocalist/songwriter/ producer Vince Agwada. Agwada is an exceptional guitarist who combines technical prowess with soul. Eyes Of The City is a blast of modern and contemporary blues, blues rock, R&B, funk, jazz, and pop that will take you back to the 1975-90 hotbed of live blues in Chicago. From the opener, “It’s A Shame” (a funky groove featuring Agwada’s flawless fretwork and dead-on lyrics, including a rap), to the closer, the title track (a sophisticated jazz/pop tune reminiscent of a smoky ’70s film noir soundtrack), Agwada and company smoke and burn through 12 originals and one cover, John Hiatt’s “Confidence Man.” I first heard Agwada play in Toronto in the early ’80s when he was on tour with Guy. Once a staple on the worldwide scene, Agwada retired from the road for a number of years to work in the studio, where he honed his technical chops at Chicago Trax. He has returned to performing with a vengeance on this, his first solo album, where he is accompanied by the best musicians of his generation. Harp guru Sugar Blue (who lives in Milan) guests on rocker “Rain,” and Bill McFarland And The Chicago Horns appear on the jazzy, “Does It Really Matter?” Agwada is a fully realized musician who brings his creativity to whatever genre he plays. He came of age at heady time in American music, when various musical styles co-existed. Eyes Of The City is at once an homage to this musical potpourri and a welcome return to the present of this gifted artist. – Beverly Zeldin-Palmer Illinois Entertainer August 29th 2008
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Impressive blues and rock album with skillful instrumentals and husky vocals
author: Rodney and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
"Eyes of the City” is the impressive debut release from veteran Chicago-based musician Vince Agwada. The guitarist/singer/composer/producer provides an electrifying collection of self-produced songs covering many styles including Blues, Rock, Jazz and R&B. Agwada’s sound is defined by his signature blistering guitar work, husky vocals, and crafty arrangements. The aptly titled “Confidence Man” encapsulates his highly-original, driving, aggressive sound. His noteworthy blues guitar is on full display with the swampy “Car Wash Blues” and the slow-moving but deliberate “Hard to Cry.” “Come on In” introduces us to Agwada’s ferocious slide work and further illustrates his mastery of the blues guitar. Agwada also shows his versatility with the upbeat shuffle tune “Bottle,” the contemporary jazz feel of “Ellie,” and the title track “Eyes of the City,” which features a lush string arrangement and soprano sax melody. “Eyes of the City” is an exciting debut release where Agwada shines not only in his artistic and musical abilities, but in his production capabilities as well. This release has a lot to offer to the fans of Rock and Blues in the style of Albert Collins and Buddy Guy.
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