The Blues Returns to Beirut - 21 July

My first show in Beirut in 3 years will be on July 21 at Salon Beyrouth!

Come on down to hear the real low down and rotten blues, as you ain't never done!

You can check out the event page [here]!

Gibson Guitars Going Bankrupt, But Are We Surprised?

Gibson Guitars, the iconic guitar maker, has filed for bankruptcy citing low guitar sales.

I, however, am not really surprised.

See, Gibson still saw itself as a traditional guitar maker, even though the advancements of technology and change in the atmosphere of music and how it's perceived by the young generation is on a fast track forward. This old-school mentality didn't match the other makers, mostly Fender (who have taken a role in adapting to the modern trends to stay relevant). What ended up happening was Gibson kept raising the prices of their guitars to be able to break even, but finally priced themselves out of the market.

As you can see, the standard US Les Paul goes for $3,300. That wouldn't be a major issue unless you follow the news that Gibson's quality control has been bad for a while.

Now see their classic competitor, Fender's offering:

Their standard US Strat is for LESS THAN HALF of the Gibson, which as per the reviews is one of the best made Fenders in recent memory.

As long as you consider yourself a luxury brand (this isn't cars we're talking about), and trying to sell to broke musicians or beginners, you're gonna end up with a bad time. Not only that, many other makers do the Les Paul better.

Gibson is too iconic to die, but hoping a change of management and vision will bring it back on track.

Two New Interviews on the Same Day!

Today I was pleasantly surprised to hear that not one, but TWO interviews of me were posted this morning!

First: local newspaper Arab Times: 

and second, with Jam Sphere Magazine:

My Album 'Gonna Die With The Blues' Launches, Video Up

I'm happy to announce that my debut album 'Gonna Die With The Blues' has officially launched worldwide on all major digital platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, Anghami, and others.

"From the sounds of the Mississippi Delta to inner city Chicago, with the stories of Ali Sleeq's personal life of blues, this album will be a one-of-a-kind blues release from the Middle East, with various inspirations across the genre"

To celebrate we prepared a small video for the occasion!

Mother's Day Blues

Today the day we acknowledge and thank the women of the world who have given their lives, effort, and time to take care of us. While mostly it is a time for celebration, the blues is always relevant.

Mothers go through so much to ensure we become better people, to stay healthy, to learn to do things right and to always be good.

It's definitely not easy to be a mother, so here's a small list of blues songs that talk about the hardships and tribulations of mothers everywhere.

Crying Mother Blues - Cripple Clarence Lofton

Mother Gone - Leroy Carr

Mother Blues - Son Seals

Nobody Loves Me But My Mother - B.B. King

Gone Mother Blues - Charlie Spand

Motherless Child - O.V. Wright

My Debut Album 'Gonna Die With The Blues' to be Released on April 5!

After announcing it a while back, I am finally happy to confirm the release of my debut album 'Gonna Die With The Blues' on April 5, 2018.

It has 10 tracks and features many great musicians on board. It will be released on all digital platforms, and will follow with some launch events later.

Please watch this space come launch day!

Blues for Lovers

Another year, another heartbreak, another lonesome day. Some of us might be in love, but that don't mean you don't have it down sometimes; Valentine's is a celebration of love, but in our case, it's just another day for the blues.

Here's a few songs for you if you feelin' like giving out some love.

I Want You to Love Me - Muddy Waters

Baby Please Don't Go - Big Joe Williams

Sweet Little Angel - BB King

I Need Love So Bad - John Lee Hooker

Brown Skin Woman - Sunnyland Slim

I'm in Love with You Baby - Otis Spann

 I Can't Quit You Baby - Otis Rush

Performing in Bahrain Tomorrow!

I'll be performing tomorrow at Hazel Rooftop Lounge in Adliya, Bahrain!

This marks the first time I perform in Bahrain under my own name, and I've assembled a talent group of local musicians to be my backup band, so you're in for a treat!

Also, you get 25% off on bourbon and whiskey so you can get in the real mood for the blues.   

Rolling Stones, Taj Mahal & Keb' Mo' Win the Blues Grammys

Another year has gone by, and in the mist of all the hoopla around the major pop artists, we get the neglected music section that doesn't show up on TV... the blues Grammy awards!

So from the nominees I mentioned in November, The Rolling Stones have won the Traditional Blues Album of the Year and Taj Mahal & Keb' Mo' won the Contemporary Blues Album of the Year.

It might not be the most exciting year for the blues, but it's still nice to see the old schoolers getting the wins, not discounting the other artists like Eric Bibb, Ronald Randolph, Robert Cray and the others.

So congrats to the winners and I'll see you again same time next year! Here's some songs from the winners off their winning albums:

Fender Announces 'American Original' Series

In a nice refresh of the American Vintage series, Fender just announced it's American Original series, a revamp and rebranding of the long running production (since 1982).

The biggest change is that the fretboard radius on these axes will be a flatter moden 9.5' instead of the vintage 7.25', which makes playing a bit easier. However the rest of the specs will be true vintage, down to pickups, the nitro laquer finish, color options, and neck profiles. The series no longer specifies the actual year it's trying to replicate, rather the decade (which combines a few things together).

Kinda pricey, and although the colors are awesome they are down to two or three options per guitar. Would have loved more options.

Here's the full lineup (not including the left hand models), more on www.fender.com:

50's Stratocaster

60's Stratocaster

50's Telecaster

60's Telecaster

60's Jazzmaster

60's Jaguar

50's Precision Bass

60's Precision Bass

60's Jazz Bass

70's Jazz Bass

Christmas Ain't Nothin' But Another Cold Day / Playlist

now THIS is the best Christmas Tree

I would like to wish you all a merry Christmas; please remember the more unfortunate who will be spending the holidays alone and in need. 

And this year I bring you another selection of Christmas blues tunes, some happy, and many sad:

Christmas Celebration - BB King

Merry Christmas - Lightnin' Hopkins

Xmas Baby - Riff Ruffin

Christmas Comes Once a Year - Albert King

Blues for Christmas - John Lee Hooker

Christmas Eve Blues - Blind Lemon Jefferson

Please Come Home for Christmas - Charles Brown

Just Acquired a Bluesmobile!

In the blues world, the ideal blues car is either a Cadillac, a V8 Ford, an Oldsmobile Rocket 88, or a Greyhound bus (see my post about blues transportation [here]). Basically, a huge American made land yacht; none of these puny European and Japanese 4 cylinder toys.

So in the spirit of the blues, I just acquired my own bluesmobile: A 1999 Lincoln Town Car, Signature Edition, in fantastic condition!

With a 4.6 liter V8 engine, boat measurements, and pillow-like leather seats, this is a premier vehicle to blast the blues in, and to make entrance to any gig a statement. Plus, it was for only $1,000!!

They certainly don't make cars like this anymore!

'Xanax Blues' - Jam by Ali Sleeq & Turk

Recently I had an awesome jam with my buddy Tarek 'Turk' Kabbani of Jaybird Studios (@turkhimself on Instagram) and we recorded a song of mine called 'Xanax Blues'.

As per the usual procedure, this track was all done in one take. I played the guitars and Turk did the drums and production. Hope you all enjoy this raw blues.

Speakin' The Blues Makes it to Top 30 Blues Music Blogs/Websites

I started this blog back in 2008, but started seriously blogging in 2011, with the sole message of spreading the blues to the region, and not only trying to share news but also coming up with my own type of content to separate myself from others.

It looks like it has paid off.

I have made it to Feedspot's Top 30 Blues Music Blogs & Websites at number 18, putting me in the same list of excellent and influential blues websites like American Blues Scene, The Blues Foundation (of which I am a member of), and many others.

As much as I know my uphill battle is with such a niche genre, and my obsession with it to the point people think I'm crazy is, my sole intention is to share the love that is the blues. And like I said in my upcoming song 'Gonna Die With The Blues':

I don't care what you think babe

Cuz I done paid my dues

and whenever I die

I'm gonna die with the blues

Thank you to all my readers and I hope I will increase my output for the remainder of this year. And remember, keep listenin' to the blues.

Hip Hop X Blues - 2 Live Blues / 2 Live Crew

2 Live Crew are a notoriously obscene, yet influential, hip hop crew from Miami. They were very popular in the 80's and 90's, known for controversial subject matter in their albums.

There's one track on their most famous 1989 album As Nasty As I Wanna Be called '2 Live Blues', which is them rapping over the ever classic blues call and response rhythm, which was sampled from blues/soul man Clarence Carter's 'Love Me With a Feeling'. So let's take a step back in time to classic hip hop.

*WARNING EXPLICIT LYRICS & CONTENT*

Celebrate 4/20 with the Blues

Yeah yeah we know, it's April 20. And potheads will be very sure to let us know, even if you only tried it once.

So if you want to get blazed, take a toke of Muddy Waters' anthem to the leafy green:

Valentine Blues Playlist

So, you got the blues on this special day? You're just in luck, because I got you covered with this lonesome blues playlist for you to drown your sorrow away.

So if you're single and alone, or in a relationship where you can't be satisfied, this list is for you:

Kind Hearted Woman - Muddy Waters

You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now - BB King

Wont' Be Hangin' Around - Albert King

A Man Like Me is Hard to Find - Lightnin' Hopkins

Last Time Blues - Charlie McCoy

I'm Getting Tired - Snooky Pryor

Nobody Loves Me - Memphis Slim

Sometimes I Wonder - Otis Spann

Blues Review 2016

Another year has gone, this time one of the harshest. Wars, many influential celeb deaths, and Pokemon Go.

This year was a turning point for me, as I was signed to a record label and my album is coming early next year, as well having some great gigs and played in Bahrain for the first time with my rock side-project The Watertowers.

My album, coming soon in 2017

Blog wise I was not that active this year, mainly because my life and music commitments too a lot of my blog slice of the pie; hopefully you stuck around with me and I hope to bring you more blues next year. Have a good one everybody.

Oh, and in case you missed it, here's my latest Youtube upload of my band performing Dust My Broom at the DAI Fall Festival last month:

Blues Nominees for the 2017 Grammy Awards

The official Grammy website has announced their nominations for next year's event. Of course, we don't give a crap about anythin' but the blues, so here are your nominees this year:


BEST TRADITIONAL BLUES ALBUM


Can't Shake This Feeling
Lurrie Bell

Live At The Greek Theatre
Joe Bonamassa

Blues & Ballads (A Folksinger's Songbook: Volumes I & II)
Luther Dickinson

The Soul Of Jimmie Rodgers
Vasti Jackson

Porcupine Meat
Bobby Rush

BEST CONTEMPORARY BLUES ALBUM

The Last Days Of Oakland

Fantastic Negrito

Love Wins Again

Janiva Magness

Bloodline

Kenny Neal

Give It Back To You

The Record Company

Everybody Wants A Piece

Joe Louis Walker

--

Not a bad list, but obviously there's a bit of genre cross-leaping; some are not 'blues' per se, but we gotta work with what we got. 

My picks for winners are Lurrie Bell for Traditional and Fantastic Negrito for Contemporary. 

See you on February 12!

Another Year Without Jazz at Dubai Jazz Fest

Oh look! It's that time of year where I bash the Dubai Jazz Festival again.

It's not even been one year since my last post about this goddammed festival, but hey if it wasn't for beating on dead horses it wouldn't be the blues.

This year ladies and gents, without even announcing the full lineup, we get this for the 2017 edition:

Dear god they done fucked it up again. And get this: the cheapest ticket (per night of course, since Mariah and Enrique are playing on different days) is $90!

For comparison, at the Winter Jazz Festival in New York in January, you can buy an all-out pass for 5 full days with over 50 JAZZ artists for only $160 :

I don't wanna be too unfair about ticket prices, because hey, it's Dubai right? I mean... you can't compare it to New York fuckin' City right? (hint: sarcasm)

I still propose an anti-Dubai Jazz Fest be launched at the same day as the true anti-thesis of that watered-down, commercialized festival will be. But I digress, we know that won't happen.

So for a story 3 years running, this has been your grumpy neighborhood bluesman signing off.