Nuno Mindelis

Nuno Mindelis - Free Blues - 2010 - Beastmusic

Free Blues, by internationally acclaimed Blues guitarist Nuno Mindelis, celebrates a Blues Phoenix arising from the ashes. Blues music has undergone rediscovery and rebirth as it is passed from generation to generation. Eric Clapton and others helped deliver Blues reborn in the 1960's and 1970's. The Blues deserve more than a rote replay in exactly the same way as we have heard it for over 40 years. There is more to Blues than merely Blues Rock. To honor those who have kept the Blues alive, Nuno first looked back to twelve themes which touched him deeply in his early teenage years. Tributes to the icons of the Blues, like Steve Cropper ("Get Stax, Jax"), are served, with tasty versions of the Blues classics ("Dust My Broom," "The Thrill is Gone," and many others, ending with a blistering rendition of Hendrix' "Red House"). Some tracks, like George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," and "Feelin' Alright" by Dave Mason, are not part of the traditional Blues canon, but are critical to the development of the Blues nonetheless. Nuno follows these early mentors, who injected electricity and rock into the origianal rural blues form. They triggered an explosion of innovation and revolution in the language of the Blues, making it accessible to new generations. Indeed, without this innovation, the Blues might now be found only in a museum. Free Blues continues the rebirth of the Blues, but now infusing the contemporary musical language instead of the Rock themes of the 60's. The true art is maintaining the traditional format of guitar and vocals as the foundation upon which Free Blues is crafted. Nuno creates a stunning and energized journey through the Blues that will both please Blues traditionalists and introduce this vital music to a new generation, just as the rock artists did decades ago. Make no mistake-- Free Blues is not electronica, hip hop, or some watered down Blues-tinged bouillabaisse-- it is the real Blues. Find out what Guitar Player Magazine's Best Blues Guitarist has created, building on his two CD's with Stevie Ray Vaughan's rhythm section, Double Trouble, and what audiences from the Montreal International Jazz Festival to Austin have been talking about. Sit back, take a deep breath, and take in Free Blues. © http://www.reverbnation.com/nunomindelis#!/page_object/page_object_blogs/artist_853786?blog_id=666174

Angolan-born Brazilian guitarist/singer/songwriter Nuno Mindelis is nicknamed "The Beast from Brazil" in his home country. Speaking about his first musical memories growing up in Angola / Brazil, Nuno said that "In the very early years, I used to listen to the classical music that my parents were listening to. When I was six my mother gave me a Beatles single, A side was Hey Jude, and B side Revolution. At the age of nine I heard Otis Redding, as per advice of an older mate who noticed my literal obsession for music. So I indirectly took acquaintance with Booker T & The MGs at that time too. By extension I heard James Brown, Wilson Picket and others, as I was very interested (and much impressed) by soul music. At eleven I remember having heard Big Bill Broonzy, and from then on I literally heard everything that was being recorded on the planet, US and English bands and artists, Spanish and Brazilian guitarists, jazz, fusion, everything. When I was 14, I was invited to play the guitar in one or two tracks for a prestigious Angolan band's album, the producer's idea was to mix their African music with psychedelia, Hendrix etc. That was my first paid work, I was in school (still wearing trunks), just a child, and a car (from Philips/Polygram?) was sent to pick me up, all my little mates were very proud of me. During the learning phase I was copying The Beatles, Otis,Santana (I copied Santana's version intro of Black Magic Woman's note by note at the age of 11). A bit later (14/15 years old) I founded a trio (Cavanah Blues Band) and we used to play Taste (Sugar Mama), Stephen Stills (Go back home), Big Bill Broonzy (Hush), The Bluesbreakers (All your love), Blind Faith (Had to Cry Today), Dave Mason (Feeling Alright), Ten Years After (I'm going home), Supersession (Kooper, Stills, Bloomflield), Rolling Stones (Lady Jane), etc. Then the war came and I had to take a long break... I guess that Steve Cropper, Santana, Hendrix, Clapton and B.B. King had a lot of influence in the way I play. Guys like Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, John Fogerty and bands like The Faces, Fleetwood Mac (early years) and Canned Heat too. As for the Rhythm Guitar, I had a lot of influence from piano players like Otis Span and Memphis Slim. I tend to use more piano typical lines and chords than guitar ones. Practically all the songs in my most recent album Free Blues have a special meaning to me. This was actually the main idea of the album, to do songs that somehow changed my life when I was a kid, while adding a more contemporary feel to it. Messing with the Kid, (also in Rory Gallagher's "Live in Europe" version) All Your Love, Feeling Alright , Red House, Thrill is Gone, Bullfrog Blues, Rock Me Baby, etc." Speaking about the recording of "Free Blues", Nuno said "It was a different process from what I am used to doing. In general I get to the studio with the band, count to four and record "live in the studio", no overdubs except for the vocals at the end. So basically we play together and have fun. In Free Blues, however, I did everything separately, first recorded the drums, (or used several drums samples sometimes combined with electronic drums or real drums played real time), then I would record the bass myself (in most of the songs) or would invite my bass player to do a track or two, etc. In this process I had time to think, to decide on the arrangements, if a song should go electric or acoustic, slide guitar or acoustic piano, things like that. In other words, a lonely (and less fun) process, because time generates doubts, and doubts generate anguish. (-: I also had to learn new technologies in music recording, electronic, samplings, beat loops etc. etc. It took me about three years of isolation and much loneliness to do Free Blues. But I think it was worth it. Everything has to evolve, and so does the blues. There is definitely something about the blues, some magic. I think that the Blue note has an addictive component, the same you find in drugs and when people fall in love. (-: Also, very deep roots, impossible to get away from. I have been wondering whether another "Blues messiah" would again appear. We had the blues boom in the 60s, (lasted until the very early 70s) then we had another rebirth with Steve Ray Vaughan in the early 90s which lasted until what, 2000, 2001... Meanwhile music changed a lot, either the way of doing it, selling it or listening to it. The blues that is getting produced these days is just repeating old formulas, the guys smoke and know the rules as nobody else, but simply won't change them. In case its language doesn’t get reinvented (by the ones who know it's rules very well, this is mandatory of course), the blues may become like rare paintings: priceless, but confined to museums or private collectors. Like traditional jazz (Jazz Festivals don't play jazz anymore, with a few exceptions). Note that the evolution (and revolution) of the blues was only possible because people like Eric Clapton, John Mayall, Stones, Zeppelin, Hendrix and all the many others we know injected electricity, psychedellia and rock & roll into it. It was already a reinvention by then ("real thing" people like Muddy came to disagree with such changes at the time). I'd say we’re living a similar moment, and the injection should also include electronic, and other contemporary elements. That's how things keep going from generation to generation and stay alive". Some of Nuno's career highlights include playing The Montreal International Jazz Festival, alongside people like Prince, Diana Krall, Oscar Peterson, George Benson, John McLaughlin and many others. Also, touring withTommy Shannon and Chris Layton, (and Uncle John Turner, Johnny Winter's first drummer), playing the Antone's 20th Anniversary in Austin/TX alongside Storyville (Chris, Tommy, David Grissom), Doyle Bramhall, Junior Wells etc.

“Nuno goes from good to better to best on an album that mixes blues and rock classics… while kicking in a few of his own songs. Both as a guitarist and singer, Nuno is sort of reminiscent of Clapton while his low key, understated and bluesy singing style is sort of a reminder of a modern J.J. Cale… Free Blues will have you coming back for more”. (www.mwe3.com) Nuno counts Larry McCray as his biggest influence on guitar playing. "Free Blues" is a a really good blues/rock/soul album with a touch of electronica from a talented guitarist who is not afraid to keep the blues alive by throwing in a few ideas of his own. The album is HR by A.O.O.F.C. Listen to Nuno's "Long Distance Blues" album, and read an interview with him @ http://www.burnleycitizen.co.uk/leisure/3598110.Interview__Nuno_Mindelis/ [All tracks @ 320 Kbps: File size = 101 Mb]

TRACKS / COMPOSERS

1. Messing With The Kid - Mel London 3:55
2. Feeling Alright - Dave Mason 3:38
3. Get Out of My Life, Woman - Allen Toussaint 3:40
4. All Your Love - Otis Rush 4:52
5. While My Guitar Gently Weeps - George Harrison 4:31
6. Thrill is Gone - Roy Hawkins & Rick Darnell 4:54
7. Dust My Blues (Dust My Broom) - Aaron “Pinetop” Sparks & Milton “Lindberg” Sparks 5:19
8. Rockin' Daddy - Chester Burnett 3:17
9. Rock Me Baby - Trad. 4:18
10. Think Stax, Jax - Nuno Mindelis 4:28
11. Bullfrog Blues - Trad. 4:01
12. Red House - Jimi Hendrix 5:06

MUSICIANS

Nuno Mindelis - Guitar, Vocals on all songs except Track 9: Bass Guitar on Tracks 1,3 (First Half), 4,5,6,9: Kork keyboards, machine drum & effects on all tracks: General Programming, Sampling & Editing
Rodrigo Mantovani - Bass on Tracks 2,3 (Second Half), 7,8
Lomiranda - Hammond B3 on Tracks 2,3 (Second Half), 11: Clavinet on Track 2: Additional Programming
Flavio Naves - Hammond B3 on Track 3 (First Half): Fender Rhodes on Track 9
Jax Baird - Hammond organ on Track 10
Endrigo Bettega - Acoustic Drums on Track 2
Humberto Ziegler - Acoustic Drums on Tracks 3,10
Guillherme Chiapetta - Programming of Drums, Bass, Percussion, Effects on Track 12, except Guitars, Vocals
Mike Bowden - Vocals on Track 9

BIO (WIKI)

Nuno Mindelis (born August 7, 1957, Cabinda, Angola), nicknamed "The Beast", is an Angolan-born Brazilian blues guitarist and singer-songwriter. Most of his recorded work has been sung in English; however, he recorded his 2006 album Outros Nunos in Portuguese, his native language. He has recorded two albums with the band Double Trouble. Mindelis counts Otis Redding and Johnny Winter among his musical influences. Mindelis became a guitar enthusiast at the age of 5. By the age of 9 he began building and playing self-made guitars. A primary influence at that time was Otis Redding and his rhythm section, Booker T. & the MG's. In 1990, an independent recording he had made began to receive airplay on local radio stations. In 1991, he recorded his debut solo album, Blues & Derivados, which received positive reviews in Brazilian media. In 1992, he recorded his second solo album, Long Distance Blues for Movieplay Records. In this album Mindelis was joined by Larry McCray, and the French harmonica player, J.J. Milteau. As part of his promotional tour for the album, Mindelis played at a blues festival in São Paulo, featuring Robert Cray, Otis Clay, Ronnie Earl, Lonnie Brooks and Bo Diddley. In 1994, Guitar Player magazine profiled Mindelis. In the article, Jas Obrecht (the editor at the time) compared Mindelis to Jimmy Page. Further recognition came in their May 1998 issue, as Mindelis was selected as "Best Blues Guitarist" in the 30th Anniversary Guitar Player competition. In 1995, Mindelis played at Antone's 20th Anniversary in Austin, Texas, opening for Guy Forsite and Junior Wells others. Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and Storyville also performed at the event. Later that year, Mindelis recorded his album Texas Bound, featuring Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton, of Stevie Ray Vaughan's rhythm section, Double Trouble. Texas Bound was the 12th best selling album seller in Benelux. In 1999, Mindelis released Blues On The Outside. Mindelis appeared at the 25th edition of the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 2001, and did other presentations in Quebec, Ottawa. Mindelis played at the festival again in 2004, after the release of his album Twelve Hours, and again played Quebec and Ottawa, and also the Montremblant Blues Festival, sharing the stages with Keb' Mo' and Jimmie Vaughan. Andy Grieg in Canada's Real Blues magazine asked, "Is the new King of the blues a man based in Brazil?" In 2005, Mindelis recorded the album, Outros Nunos, dedicated to Brazil, with all of the songs sung in Portuguese and including versions of Brazilian music standards.