Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW 5 Things to Do on the Fourth ... Our View: Appearance matters, even for government buildings ... Head and boulders above the rest ... 5 Things to Do on the Fourth ... Our View: Appearance matters, even for government buildings ... Head and boulders above the rest ... MUSIC Blues duo releases 'Over the Moon' Phil Newton's and David Pinsky's new album is a fresh take on blues duets of the '50s and '60s Rogue Valley blues artists Phil Newton and David Pinsky are over the moon. The pair aced the category for blues duo in June in the Portland-based Cascade Blues Association’s Journey to Memphis competition — a win that will send them to the International Blues Challenge in Tennessee in early 2015. Comment By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 24, 2014 at 4:00 PM Updated Sep 26, 2014 at 6:10 PM By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 24, 2014 at 4:00 PM Updated Sep 26, 2014 at 6:10 PM » Social News Rogue Valley blues artists Phil Newton and David Pinsky are over the moon. The pair aced the category for blues duo in June in the Portland-based Cascade Blues Association’s Journey to Memphis competition — a win that will send them to the International Blues Challenge in Tennessee in early 2015. The achievement also put them on the Front Porch Stage at Portland’s Waterfront Blues Festival in July. “It’s fairly prestigious to represent the Cascade Blues Society,” says guitarist and vocalist Pinsky. “I think it’s the largest blues society in the United States. It’s really an honor. We get to open the CBA’s big award show, The Muddy Awards, in November." Newton’s and Pinsky’s win in 2013 at Eugene’s Rainy Day Blues Association took them to the IBC in Memphis in January 2014. It takes cash to get to Memphis, so Newton and Pinsky sat down this summer to write songs and record a new CD at Hartkop Productions in Central Point. The album, “Over the Moon,” is a good representation of the music Newton and Pinsky play at live shows, a collection of 11 stripped-down front-porch blues songs inspired by deep American traditions. “It’s like two guys sitting on a front porch with a guitar and harmonica,” Pinsky says. “Phil and I have known each other a long time, and we enjoy hanging out and playing together. That shows in our music. “If you’re a blues artist, you’re inspired by older blues artists,” Pinsky says. “We all are, as musicians. When we write songs, the inspiration goes deep into our connection with the blues. I’ve been in the business for about 45 years. There are influences like Howlin’ Wolf on a lot of things we do. Muddy Waters, the standard Chicago and Memphis guys, Little Junior Parker … the litany of names goes on and on and on. “But these are songs about us,” Pinsky says. Newton’s “3303 Burdeck Drive” is about growing up in Oakland, Calif., and “Black Highway” is about Highway 238, the road that Newton and Pinsky live on, albeit 40 miles apart. Pinsky’s “Telephone Blues” was inspired by T-Bone Walker, and his “Mama’s in the Kitchen” draws from the New Orleans sounds of Clifton Chenier, Chris Kenner and Fats Domino. “The album’s feel is Mississippi Delta,” Pinsky says. “So you hear Howlin’ Wolf, who was a big influence on both of us. He played guitar and harmonica on his recordings, and he’s got some great tunes. We do versions of ‘Smokestack Lightning,’ ‘Howlin,’’ ‘How Many More Years.’ ” Like Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry, Newton and Pinsky collaborate on music that is based on guitar, harmonica and gravelly, forceful vocals. Though “Over the Moon” is a throwback to the old blues duets of the ‘50s and ‘60s — what you'd hear in big-city clubs and coffeehouses of those eras — its new songs give listeners a fresh and inspirational take. Newton and Pinsky will perform at CD release parties set for 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at DANCIN Vineyards in Jacksonville, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Howiee’s on Front in Medford and 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, at Bella Union in Jacksonville. “Over the Moon” will be available at Newton's and Pinsky’s live shows, and also at Amazon.com, iTunes and www.davidandphil.info. The CD and a digital download are available at CD Baby. Newton and Pinsky also will perform a CD release show Nov. 6 at The Lehrer on Canyon Lane in Beaverton — the site of the CBA’s Journey to Memphis showdown in June.     By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 24, 2014 at 4:00 PM Updated Sep 26, 2014 at 6:10 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501