Black and Blue is a blues band from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne, France, formed in July 2002. Its repertoire focuses mainly on Blues classics from the 60s and 70s (Albert King, Freddy King, Otis Rush, Howlinâ Wolf...) performed in their own personal way,

10 MP3 Songs
BLUES: Electric Blues, BLUES: Chicago Style



Details:
Black and Blue is a blues band from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne, France, formed in July 2002. Its repertoire focuses mainly on Blues classics from the 60s and 70s (Albert King, Freddy King, Otis Rush, Howlinâ Wolf...) performed in their own personal way, and influenced by the sounds of funk, rock nâ roll and rhythm and blues.

They recorded their first album, with a keyboard player and a horn section in December 2003.

Having had very favourable reviews in specialist magazines, this album has progressively opened the doors of well known Blues clubs to the band, and meant they have been invited to open for Byther Smith, open the Chicago Blues Festival and open for Jean-Jacques Milteau.

Having played more than 60 concerts including famous places like Coopérative de mai, James Café⦠the band has just released its latest album called « at home⦻ and is looking forward to letting it be heard in Blues clubs and festivals.

On stage the group has masses of energy, give themselves a really good time playing together, and the audience can't help but catch their enthusiasm.

Who are Black and Blue? Renaud Villet, is lead singer and guitarist, Stéphane Mikaélian on drums (drummer for Bone Bop, and has also played with Too Bad, Patrick Verbeke, Jean-Louis Murat...) and Saïd Nejjar on bass.

What the press has to say about the latest album :

âBlack and Blue is a power trio, just as we like them here in Guitarist magazine. Renaud Villet on guitar leads the group with perfect timing. The telecaster crunchy sound of his guitar makes your ears drool for more, particularly when they play "I wanna get funky"â¦The sound is neat, clear, flawless and produced without resorting to any trickery. Blues is still alive !â (Guitarist Magazine â june 2006)

ââ¦With its roots in the electric blues of the sixties, (Albert King, Freddie King, Howlin' Wolf, Johnny Guitar Watson) the trio gives us an updated approach which is restrained, and based on the determined guitar playing and voice of its leader Renaud Villet supported by the firm rhythms of Stéphane Mikaélian and Saïd Nejjar. They are full of new and original ideas, with funky and reggae influences.â (Soul Bag â n°183)

ââ¦Black and Blue is a devilishly interesting group for more than one reason. First of all because their love of Albert King has enabled them to master his repertory in an almost magical way. âI wanna get funkyâ is a challenge that most would not attempt, as the original seems so perfect but this trio take it on board beautifully. Renaud's guitar often takes risks, the solos are fast, the sound is clear. How easy it would be to get it wrong. But Renaud doesn't. He does it with feeling and what dexterity...â (Mar Loison - Blues & Co n°35)

ââ¦Don't worry, this new line-up is awesomely efficient. Perfect osmosis between the members of the group, bags of complicity, unity and coherence together with a huge involvement in the project , all contribute to the final result. If we look at the scope of this group, we have a kind of more basic blues, but a sound produced by people who are passionate about their music, and they manage to transcend Albert King. Renaud's guitar is always brilliant. What a delight for the ears his phrasing is, and the stamp of the giant with his pipe is never very far away. The way they play is intense and lively, head-spinning in the trebles. It all reminds us of the great Albert...â (Joël Bizon â BCR La Revue)

ââ¦From the first notes, "At Home" impresses us by the quality of the covers. Renaud Villet gives us perfectly mastered guitar pieces. The voice is absolutely right too. Drummer and bassist Stéphane Mikaélian and Saïd Nejjar round off the trio. The group which only started playing together in 2002 has already reached a technical maturity that almost defies their 4 years together...â (INFO â march 2006)