Arsen Shomakhov - Rain City Blues (2019)

Personnel:
Arsen Shomakhov - Guitars, Vocals
Aki Kumar - Harp (track 1)
Kid Andersen - Bass, Hammond, Piano, Back Vocals
Alexander Pettersen - Drums (Tr. 1-5)
June Core - Drums (Tr. 6-10)

Arsen Shomakhov, is a Maple Blues Award-nominated guitarist and singer-songwriter with a Russian background. He is an electrified blues artist who is really committed to roots music. But he also does not shy away from the related musical styles. Arsen had status as a blues-dedicated virtuoso musician in his native Russia and reached the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis in 2005. He also won the new talent competition at the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, AR in 2007. After his moving to Vancouver, BC in 2008, Arsen formed the Arsen Shomakhov Trio together with bass player Bruce O'Neill and drummer Chip Hart. He is truly an international artist who is now also conquering Europe and the US outside of Canada. Arsen's album "On the Move", released in the US in 2010, reached number two in America and a top ranking in Canada in the airplay charts of Roots Music Report. The release reached the top 25 of "Blues Albums of The Year" worldwide. In the same year, the Toronto Blues Society nominated Arsen for the Maple Blues Awards. Arsen Shomakhov Band went to Memphis to represent the White Rock Blues Society at the IBC in 2014 and 2016, and progressed to the semi-finals. The third album "Dynamic" was released in August 2014. Now there is "Rain City Blues". For this, singer / guitarist Arsen went with drummers Alexander Pettersen (track 1-5) and June Core (track 6-10) to Kid Andersen’s Greaseland Studio in San Jose, CA. The ten original songs diverge like never before. Kid is not only responsible for the production, but is once again becoming a true instrumentalist. The kick-off is given with the handsome blues shuffle "Full-Time Lover". Special guest Aki Kumar immediately comes into the spotlight with his blues harp. "No More" is an exciting piano jump boogie-woogie song and contrasts with the soul-sensitive "Sunset Beach" and the deep groove from "Woman and Whiskey". A quick trip to the West Coast for the swinging "Strolling In San Jose" and then head north for the Chicago blues driven "Rain City Blues". From the funky "Boogaloo!", Which is full of wah wah pedal tricks, the quick goes to the instrumental "Three Arrows" and the jazzy "Sitting On A Fenche". The concluding "Little Bird" is a fine example of dobro virtuosity. Let the party begins! ~Philip Verhaege