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  "......But it's up to people worldwide to support live music , no matter what kind of music . If people don't show up we have no gig . Go see your local artists , appreciate their hard work and if I come to your town please say hello!" - Anthony Geraci

       

            Anthony Geraci - Tears In my Eyes - Blue Heart Records - blueheartrecords.com - www.anthonygeraciblue.com - All songs by Anthony Geraci - Liner Notes by Walter Trout - Recorded at Wellspring Sound , Acton , Massachusetts - and - Studio Faust Records,Prague , Czech Republic    Promotion - Blind Raccoon

 

      Anthony Geraci - Pianist , Hammond B-3 organist and composer - Anthony won the Instrumental-Piano/Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year Award in 2021 and 2023 . He has had 17 (!) Blues Music Award nominations , including a nomination for best Traditional Male Blues Musician . His band was nominated three times as Band of the Year and his album - Fifty Shades of Blue - was nominated for Traditional Blues Album of the year - the title track nominated for Song of the Year - Fifty Shades of Blue was also ranked as one of the top blues recordings of the year by Living Blues Magazine . Anthony contributed to an album - SuperHarps - that earned a Grammy nomination . 

       He began playing piano at age four and still practices every day.

        "I'm proud to release my latest recording , Tears in My Eyes , on the Blue Heart Records label," says Anthony . "It is an honor to have Walter Trout provide the liner notes . I look forward to sharing this new music worldwide , both via recording and especially in live performances."

         The first clue to the exciting nuggets contained within Anthony Geraci's new release is provided by Sallie Bengston herself,"This cover art for this project is reflective of Anthony's music itself , in its textures , tones and feelings . We are so pleased to include Tears in My Eyes in our catalog."

             Listening to "Tears In My Eyes " one recent  summer springtime here in New Jersey , sitting on my deck enjoying the eccentric New Jersey weather , I was  instantly taken back to those days of a cozy jazz club , where an old fashioned bar is serving up my favorite cocktail , a comfortable and inviting atmosphere where rubbing shoulders with jazz legends is the rule , an exciting hotspot where the unpredictable nature of the music on stage is truly an adventure . Taking in those sweet sounds of blues and jazz , the unique listening experience of those unpredictable rhythms making your heart race , your pulse quicken , and your feet find grooves  that you never knew existed . The music of Anthony Geraci and his bandmates takes you to another time and place , a truly enjoyable listening experience that is unpredictable , timeless , and uniquely their own . The electic combination of influences runs deep , a meandering river of hooks , melodies , and rhythms that snares the listener and holds them tight . 

            While on tour in Europe Anthony Geraci and his band found themselves with a few days off . Rather than just relax and unwind a bit Anthony found a studio in Prague , Czech Republic . Using a beautiful Steinway piano Anthony Geraci and his mates recorded for two days , coming up with about half of the "Tears In My Eyes " sessions . Seven tunes emerged from the Studio Faust Records in Prague . The remaining tracks were finished in Boston , February , 2023 . 

              With special guest appearances by violinist Anne Harris and vocalist Sugar Ray Norcia , featuring the three-time Blues Music Award All-Stars ;  Paul Loranger , bass , and Kurt Kalker , drums , played with the late , great  Candye Kane for many years ; the music is an exceptional world soundtrack , a bewitching and tempting combination of the finest musical ingredients , crafted with utmost care .

               "Memphis Mist" - 'I got the inspiration for it walking down near the Mississippi River at 6 or 7 am and there was this beautiful hypnotic mist over the river - almost embracing and engulfing you, but not giving up any secrets . Anne plays on that song and her playing is beautiful."

              You can hear it all hear - from the legendary piano playing of such luminaries as Johnnie Johnson , Pinetop Perkins , Earl Hines , Eddie Harris , Sunnyland Slim , Ramsey lewis , Duke Ellington, and Otis Spann ; the soul-jazz homage to Les McCann and Eddie Harris ; the smooth flowing work on the 88's reflecting the spirited waters of the mighty Mississippi ; powerful bump and grind blues and hip shakin' boogie; the Southern soul and musical delights of Macon , Georgia ,  "Eating A Peach" while sampling some "H and H" Soulfood; smokin' hot swing - welcome to the music of Anthony Geraci.His work on the 88's has never sounded better , beautifully crafted solos , music that , simply , clings to your soul. Sugar Ray is in great form , his soulful vocals belting out one great song after another. One of may favorites , the title track , "Tears In My Eyes" , is a rockin' out blues track that has shades of Dylan's " All Along the Watchtower" with some beautifully done guitar work from Barrett Anderson , who takes on vocals as well;and the perfect "Blues for Willie J " , is a euphoric celebration , a beautifully performed instrumental dedicated with admiration and affection to the late Willie J. Campbell , a bandmate of Anthony Geraci during their time together in the All-Star ensemble , " The Proven Ones". If you desire some exceptionally "Hot Sax " then this is the place for you as well ( check out Drew Davies on " Owl's nest"). For guitar fans out there you will be drooling at the surprises around every corner . Every musician here is a part of the whole , a total ensemble that pulls together with masterful results.

          "Tears In My Eyes" is another exciting , fun-filled , inventive musical journey that is both familiar and exhilaratingly new . Anthony Geraci and his multi-talented bandmates provide the listener with another unique , intimate , and richly enjoyable musical experience . Pulling inspirations from the past , reflecting the whirling vortex of the world around us , every composition is feel good , good time music that delivers plenty from start to finish . Lively and fun , "Tears In My Eyes" is certainly going to be an award contender for sure in 2024 . Don't pass this one up ! This release is hard to resist !

                 "I think there is a big difference in how people listen to music now .I remember taking the bus to New Haven to buy Wheels of Fire by Cream the day it came out. It was important.Now all you need is two thumbs and you can get anything you want.People my age would sit down and listen to a whole record . People don't listen to a whole record anymore. They just listen to one or two songs. We used to love sitting down and listening to a new record with friends . I think everybody is in too much of a hurry these days and that is too bad." (Blues Blast Magazine - Anita Schlank - February 4 , 2024)

 

We would especially like to thank the band...who know to rock the blues and keep it swingin' - 

     Anthony Geraci - Piano / Vocals /Hammond Organ * Sugar Ray Norcia -Vocals * Barrett Anderson-Guitar * Drew Davies - Saxophone * Kurt Kalker - Drums * Anne Harris - Violin *Paul Loranger - Bass * Marty Richards - Drums * Mario Parrett - Saxophone

 

And check out - Michael Limnios Blues Network - April 6 , 2020 - Anthony Geraci - Daydreams With the Muse