Some History
Born in upstate New York John's family moved around the United States and finally settled in Southern California in the early 60's.
During a time of great musical changes in the world of music, a record of John Lee Hooker came into his possession which made
a lasting mark on his musical journey. During the sixties John played with numerous groups and began to form a musical style
based in the roots of blues, whether playing folk influenced rock or experimental music, the style came through.
In 1967 he was playing with a band that had signed to Delphi Records, this resulted in a move to Hollywood where his professional
career began. Although unsuccessful in getting a record released with this company it was a springboard for many years of a
successful professional career and in 1970 in Denver, CO a memorable moment backing up John Lee Hooker for 2 nights.
John spent most of the early 70's on the college concert circuit performing with many original acts and opening for many nationally
known artists.
In 1975 his son was born and life on the road was not agreeable with raising a family and later that year made the decision to come
back to Southern California and tend to the family. Although playing the occasional gig, for the next 15 years music took the back
seat to his family.
In 1990, a musical cohort and friend, Rudy Ruiz, pulled John out of seclusion and he began a 2 night a week gig that lasted for the
next 2 years. This reignited the light and started him back on the musical path that has lasted on to today and most importantly;
back singing and playing the blues. Thank you Rudy
Before moving to San Francisco, he had enjoyed being a member of "Blue Stew", one of the best Southern California Blues Bands
around, and as a founding member produced & engineered 4 critically acclaimed CDs.
John also performs with "The Renegades" which is yet another form to present his musical style. This group is made up of bass,
guitar, drums and adds a different soloist, harmonica or saxophone for each performance. This group delves into 50's bebop, 20 &
30's swing, and always the blues and is quite a spontaneous experience.
John currently resides in San Francisco and can be found playing several times a week around the Bay Area.
Some more Reviews
(Main St. 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, mid tempo minor material like "Bringing Home the Blues" and "Missing You" works great; you can find hints of
zydeco, New Orleans and acoustic blues here too, all wrapped up in wit and thoughtfulness.
BLUES REVUE, March 2001
Rocktalk Top 12, LA TIMES, January 1, 1999
"Destination: The Blues" Blue Stew This is the group's second album of laid-back, totally comfortable, yet rocking blues. The guitar
players John Boutell and Michael Miller write most of the songs, and they are masters of their craft.
Recordings:
Blue Stew:
Long Gone, 1996, remix & re- released 2004 (Main St Records)
Destination The Blues, 1998 (Main St Records)
Stumbling Blocks & Stepping Stones, 2001 (Main St Records)
Headed South, 2005 (Main St Records)
John Boutell:
Travel'in Hwy 49, 2007 (Main St Records)
From the Past
Born in upstate New York John's family moved around the United States and finally settled in Southern California in the early 60's.
During a time of great musical changes in the world of music, a record of John Lee Hooker came into his possession which made
a lasting mark on his musical journey. During the sixties John played with numerous groups and began to form a musical style
based in the roots of blues, whether playing folk influenced rock or experimental music, the style came through.
In 1967 he was playing with a band that had signed to Delphi Records, this resulted in a move to Hollywood where his professional
career began. Although unsuccessful in getting a record released with this company it was a springboard for many years of a
successful professional career and in 1970 in Denver, CO a memorable moment backing up John Lee Hooker for 2 nights.
John spent most of the early 70's on the college concert circuit performing with many original acts and opening for many nationally
known artists.
In 1975 his son was born and life on the road was not agreeable with raising a family and later that year made the decision to come
back to Southern California and tend to the family. Although playing the occasional gig, for the next 15 years music took the back
seat to his family.
In 1990, a musical cohort and friend, Rudy Ruiz, pulled John out of seclusion and he began a 2 night a week gig that lasted for the
next 2 years. This reignited the light and started him back on the musical path that has lasted on to today and most importantly;
back singing and playing the blues. Thank you Rudy
Before moving to San Francisco, he had enjoyed being a member of "Blue Stew", one of the best Southern California Blues Bands
around, and as a founding member produced & engineered 4 critically acclaimed CDs.
John also performs with "The Renegades" which is yet another form to present his musical style. This group is made up of bass,
guitar, drums and adds a different soloist, harmonica or saxophone for each performance. This group delves into 50's bebop, 20 &
30's swing, and always the blues and is quite a spontaneous experience.
John currently resides in San Francisco and can be found playing several times a week around the Bay Area.
Some more Reviews
(Main St. 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, mid tempo minor material like "Bringing Home the Blues" and "Missing You" works great; you can find hints of
zydeco, New Orleans and acoustic blues here too, all wrapped up in wit and thoughtfulness.
BLUES REVUE, March 2001
Rocktalk Top 12, LA TIMES, January 1, 1999
"Destination: The Blues" Blue Stew This is the group's second album of laid-back, totally comfortable, yet rocking blues. The guitar
players John Boutell and Michael Miller write most of the songs, and they are masters of their craft.
Recordings:
Blue Stew:
Long Gone, 1996, remix & re- released 2004 (Main St Records)
Destination The Blues, 1998 (Main St Records)
Stumbling Blocks & Stepping Stones, 2001 (Main St Records)
Headed South, 2005 (Main St Records)
John Boutell:
Travel'in Hwy 49, 2007 (Main St Records)
From the Past
Biography
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1968 Recording of Beauregard Ajax, Released in
Europe in 2005 on vinyl, CD released Summer 2006.
Excerpt from review found on the internet;
"Here is one of the best albums we ever laid our
hands on. Perhaps better than Public Nuisance and
as good as Brain Police from Rockadelic. This album
is a milestone such as Cold Sun's Dark Shadow. Not
one track is losing energy (and there are 14 great
ones). The album was recorded in April 1968 at
Western Sound Recorders L.A. for a famous surf
label, but was never released. Songs such as:
'Loneliness Is A Sometime Thing,' 'Dead Woman
Blues' and 'Deaf Priscilla' are outstanding but as
highlights of this album we would vote all 14 tracks.
Just perfect vocals, tons of fuzz guitar and tough
lyrics. We will love this album forever."
Available on Shadocks Records
Europe in 2005 on vinyl, CD released Summer 2006.
Excerpt from review found on the internet;
"Here is one of the best albums we ever laid our
hands on. Perhaps better than Public Nuisance and
as good as Brain Police from Rockadelic. This album
is a milestone such as Cold Sun's Dark Shadow. Not
one track is losing energy (and there are 14 great
ones). The album was recorded in April 1968 at
Western Sound Recorders L.A. for a famous surf
label, but was never released. Songs such as:
'Loneliness Is A Sometime Thing,' 'Dead Woman
Blues' and 'Deaf Priscilla' are outstanding but as
highlights of this album we would vote all 14 tracks.
Just perfect vocals, tons of fuzz guitar and tough
lyrics. We will love this album forever."
Available on Shadocks Records
