| Travelin' Hwy 49 Available now thru this website, (order thru "Contact Us" page) Main St Records |
Long Gone, 1996
Press release for the Blue Stew CD "Long Gone"
Ventura County & Coast REPORTER Nov. 14, 1996
"This local quartet does the kick-ass blues thing on
their dozen song debut disc, most of which are
originals. Powerful speaker-threatening blues here,
not that boring old crap. "High Roller," a John Boutell
tune fairly rages, and there’s no bad cuts. This one is
a keeper, just ask the hordes of dancers that show up
to their weekend gigs at Hi-Cees in Ventura.
Press release for the Blue Stew CD "Long Gone"
Ventura County & Coast REPORTER Nov. 14, 1996
"This local quartet does the kick-ass blues thing on
their dozen song debut disc, most of which are
originals. Powerful speaker-threatening blues here,
not that boring old crap. "High Roller," a John Boutell
tune fairly rages, and there’s no bad cuts. This one is
a keeper, just ask the hordes of dancers that show up
to their weekend gigs at Hi-Cees in Ventura.
" Singer John Boutell's "Rio Grande" is a
swank invitation to cut and run for the border,
where "I hear they got a rockin’ band/Triple-A,
you understand." It's nice to see such real
thought go into songwriting; the lyrics here are
much better than the standard "ooh baby" stuff
that permeates blues.
ED IVEY - BLUES REVUE, March 1999
swank invitation to cut and run for the border,
where "I hear they got a rockin’ band/Triple-A,
you understand." It's nice to see such real
thought go into songwriting; the lyrics here are
much better than the standard "ooh baby" stuff
that permeates blues.
ED IVEY - BLUES REVUE, March 1999
Stumbling Blocks & Stepping Stones (Main St. Records 2000-03).
Vocals from guitarists Michael Miller and John Boutell are
compelling. The music is eclectic, touching on the Allmans and
John Hiatt, maybe a hint of Little Feat, a Tom Waits homage
("Steppin' on Cracks") and gypsy jazz (She makes me feel that way").
Clean hints of zydeco, New Orleans and acoustic blues here too, all
wrapped up in wit and thoughtfulness.
BLUES REVUE, March 2001
Vocals from guitarists Michael Miller and John Boutell are
compelling. The music is eclectic, touching on the Allmans and
John Hiatt, maybe a hint of Little Feat, a Tom Waits homage
("Steppin' on Cracks") and gypsy jazz (She makes me feel that way").
Clean hints of zydeco, New Orleans and acoustic blues here too, all
wrapped up in wit and thoughtfulness.
BLUES REVUE, March 2001
2006
Blues Revue
Headed South
Joined by Mitch Kashmar (harp), Bill Flores (accordion, fiddle),
and Steve White (horns, keys), Ventura, California's "Blue Stew"
add other influences to their blues on their latest album,
"Headed South" (Silk City 2024). While "That's What Lovers Will
Do" and "The Laundromat" are straightforward, swinging shuffles
and "I'm A Slave To You" is a slow blues with a hipster attitude,
"Three Days To Louisiana" is reminiscent of Little Feat, and "La
Fayette Cajun Fest and Fais Do Do" is pure Cajun (even if it is
sung in English). Refreshingly, Michael Miller and John Boutell
are obviously more concerned with their roles as primary singers
and songwriters than with impressing listeners with guitar chops.
Case in point: Miller's evocative road trip song "Blues For The
Bearcat" is easily among the best recordings of the last year.
Tom Hyslop (April 2006)
Blues Revue
Headed South
Joined by Mitch Kashmar (harp), Bill Flores (accordion, fiddle),
and Steve White (horns, keys), Ventura, California's "Blue Stew"
add other influences to their blues on their latest album,
"Headed South" (Silk City 2024). While "That's What Lovers Will
Do" and "The Laundromat" are straightforward, swinging shuffles
and "I'm A Slave To You" is a slow blues with a hipster attitude,
"Three Days To Louisiana" is reminiscent of Little Feat, and "La
Fayette Cajun Fest and Fais Do Do" is pure Cajun (even if it is
sung in English). Refreshingly, Michael Miller and John Boutell
are obviously more concerned with their roles as primary singers
and songwriters than with impressing listeners with guitar chops.
Case in point: Miller's evocative road trip song "Blues For The
Bearcat" is easily among the best recordings of the last year.
Tom Hyslop (April 2006)
Although it did not win, Blue Stew's Headed South did make the final 5, still a great accomplishment
"Five CDs Remain in Best Self-Produced CD Contest
The final round of judging in the Best Self Produced CD is just around the corner. Round three was a real
challenge for the judges. They reported a difficult time in choosing from the remaining entries. The following
acts will be judged at the International Blues Challenge February 1-3, 2007 and the winner will be announced
at Band finals in the Orpheum Theater".
1.Mainly Blue ---Charles Pasi (Blues sur Siene – France)
2.Headed South – Blue Stew & Friends (Santa Barbara Blues Society)
3.We Are Mighty Lester – Mighty Lester (Triangle Blues Society)
4. If I Was a Fish – Matt Woods (Central Iowa Blues Society)
5. Rain of Days – Joe McMurrian (Cascade Blues Association
"Five CDs Remain in Best Self-Produced CD Contest
The final round of judging in the Best Self Produced CD is just around the corner. Round three was a real
challenge for the judges. They reported a difficult time in choosing from the remaining entries. The following
acts will be judged at the International Blues Challenge February 1-3, 2007 and the winner will be announced
at Band finals in the Orpheum Theater".
1.Mainly Blue ---Charles Pasi (Blues sur Siene – France)
2.Headed South – Blue Stew & Friends (Santa Barbara Blues Society)
3.We Are Mighty Lester – Mighty Lester (Triangle Blues Society)
4. If I Was a Fish – Matt Woods (Central Iowa Blues Society)
5. Rain of Days – Joe McMurrian (Cascade Blues Association
| © 2004 John Boutell All Rights Reserved | Updated Jan 2008 Site Designed & Maintained by "Main St. Entertainment" |
John Boutell
Guitarist, Recording Artist, Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Engineer and
Performer, recently relocated from Ventura, CA to San Francisco,
California. Several critically acclaimed CD's, he has been performing up
and down the coast playing his personal style of blues developed over
the years and conjured up from the feelings and experience's of one
traveling the road of life.
Currently performing thru-out the Bay Area with the "South City Blues
Band" check out
Guitarist, Recording Artist, Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Engineer and
Performer, recently relocated from Ventura, CA to San Francisco,
California. Several critically acclaimed CD's, he has been performing up
and down the coast playing his personal style of blues developed over
the years and conjured up from the feelings and experience's of one
traveling the road of life.
Currently performing thru-out the Bay Area with the "South City Blues
Band" check out
John Boutell
The Official Web Site
The Official Web Site
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