Borrowed Blues. You may recognize that inimitable smile on the front cover, as Kevin Gullage recently graced the stages of ABC’s American Idol, wowing the judges, advancing to Hollywood, and making it to the final 50 contestants.While he won’t be the next American Idol, Kevin is motoring forward with the release of his first full-length LP, several tour dates, and a residency with Disney Cruise Lines. While many were introduced to Kevin Gullage through the Idol stage, the young entertainer has a long resume, and quite the existing following in his hometown of New Orleans. A graduate of the Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp (whose alumni include Jon Batiste, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, and “Big Sam” Williams), New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, and Loyola University New Orleans—his musical education is outshined only by his practical experience growing up in the orbit of New Orleans legends such as Henry Butler and Davell Crawford, performing on stage with Blues Traveler, appearing in films with Chevy Chase & Wendell Pierce, holding a residency at B.B.
King’s Blues Club New Orleans, and being welcomed as an official Hammond artist. Reflecting on his Idol experience Kevin says, “Idol wasn’t the stage meant for me. I could never argue that,” but assures his fans, “I love you all and I promise I will see you soon!” The release of Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed Blues is an integral step in Kevin’s musical mission to bring his music to the world.
There’s a reason the biggest word on the album cover is BLUES; this is the blues album of the year. With a professional polish featuring not only the Blues Groovers, but a large cast of special guests, and ensemble players, this album is full of juicy horn stabs, searing guitar solos, and a whole lot of soul. The apt title gives the listener an idea of what to expect, as the album explores many avenues of blues music with classics such as “Sweet Home Chicago,” which appropriately features Chicago blues-man, Ronnie Baker Brooks on guitar paying homage to the Chicago-blues legacy, and “Ain’t Nobody’s Business if I Do” representing “something old.” Gullage flexes his songwriting chops presenting “something new” with several new original works including “Movin’ On,” “So Called Friends of Mine,” and “My Baby Gave Me The Blues (feat. Norman Sylvester)” With these compositions young piano-playing singer demonstrates he has the life experience to craft great blues songs. With their bluesified version of the as-made-famous-by Amy Winehouse hit “Valerie” Kevin & the Blues Groovers show they are comfortable borrowing songs from any genre to lay down some blues. The album is rounded out with a Little Milton blues anthem performed by many blues bands the world over, and a statement anyone can get behind, “The Blues is Alright.”
Pick up a copy of Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed Blues at your favorite independent music store, or any online service. Available July 15, 2022.
Links
Basin Street Records Website | Review: Kevin & The Blues Groovers ‘Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed Blues’
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