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Joel Astley - Seattle to Greaseland - Produced by Kid Andersen and Joel Astley - All songs by Joel Astley 2023 - 

Blue Heart records - www.blueheartrecords.com

Publicity and Promotion - Blind Raccoon

 

               

        Joel Astley - Met Joel Astley during the " Can't Stop the Blues " sessions and we became friends . Like so many other folks who became fascinated by his performances during the pandemic I was not only impressed by his blazing harp work but respected his entire approach to " the Blues "  - exceptional bandleader and performer , the great songwriting , and Joel's smooth and very strong vocals .  You have to give enormous applause to an artist who has received 18 " Best of the Blues " Awards from the Washington Blues Society - Best Harmonica (2018,2019,2020,2021 , 2023) ; Best Male Vocalist (2019,2021,2022) ; Best Songwriting(2020 , 2021 , 2023) and Best Performer (2023) . He is currently sponsored by Lee Oskar Harmonicas . 

       Joel was a visual artist for 10 years before abruptly switching to music 10 years ago . He has become a well-respected artist whose work includes hand-drawn sketches , watercolors , block prints , album art , and even clothing design . His drawings and paintings and prints reside in countless private collections . 

       On a nondescript street in San Jose , California , sits an unassuming , sunbaked house . Within this unremarkable structure some of the best music in the world is being created each and every day . Welcome to Greaseland Studios ! This music mecca is overseen by the Master of Mojo himself , Kid Andersen . Artists from across the United States , and travelers from the far corners of the world , come seeking that special treasure trove of musical knowledge one can only hope to uncover within the hallowed rooms of the Greaseland Studios . Every surface of the house is plastered with photos , records , and memorabilia . The control booth is in the garage-filled with computer monitors , recording equipment , and a chaos of wires spilling out in all directions -  and the laundry room holds the vocal booth . An amp or two might accompany you in the bathroom . Guitars of every kind hang on the walls of the living room . Don't be surprised by the grand piano in the kitchen along with a harpsichord and a sitar . Closets are used if amplifiers need to be isolated . In the living room you'll find a set of drums and perhaps even more pianos . What started out as a home studio is now a studio home . Chris Cain - who might still be living somewhere on the premises of Greaseland - has said that he loves recording at Greaseland , havin' so much fun , staying until he is tossed out  by Kid or one of the " Greaseland All-Stars " . Tommy Castro says that folks flock to Greaseland because of Kids " love of blues and greasy old soul music" . Aki Kumar - an Indian-born , Silicon Valley harmonica player , states that Greaseland Studios is a  "one-stop show for awesomeness" . Kid Andersen , and his lovely wife Lisa , an amazing talent unto herself , have created a place where music rules and. through a great deal of fun and a whole lot of interesting collaborations , incredible productions reign supreme . Kid Andersen - the Madcap Mayor of Musical Mayhem , an award-winning producer , multi-instrumentalist , renowned guitarist - has the instincts of Indiana Jones when it comes to uncovering hidden gems of extraordinary talent.

         Joel Astley - Seattle to Greaseland - The title says it all - Young Seattle , Washington vocalist and harmonica man has collected a bucket filled with well-deserved music awards . For his debut album this lightning strike of a talent has traveled to Greaseland Studios to work with some of the best musicians in the business - " Kid " Andersen ( The Nightcats ) ; Johnny Burgin ; June Core and  Randy Bermudes ( Charlie Musselwhite's rhythm section) handle bass and drums . Backup vocalists include Marina Crouse and Jill Dineen . Joel has found the perfect environment to let himself go - that scorching harp work , those soulful vocals - a set filled with truly impressive originals that run the gamut from kick ass swing; to groove-driven jump blues ; to the euphoric , rhythmic gospel of  "No Brighter Gold " ; and everything in between . Joel's lyrics are a blend of sarcastic wit and real world experiences with plenty of double entendres thrown out to amuse you along the way . " Seattle to Greaseland '' has been played by me in my car untold times . I have played this release for friends who have marveled at how good every song is , from " Born Cryin" (1) to "No Brighter Gold " ( 11) . We laugh at the lyrics - ( " My baby got a sweet tooth all she wants is more...you can always find her at the candy store....when she gets a taste..all she wants is more";"One year I got a bike , thought my folks were going soft , then I seen the serial numbers been scratched off...seems the blood in my veins had a previous owner....all I own been owned before....hell my wife had a ring on when I met her..." ; "She's hot as hell.....favorite cocktail is a molotov....on the dancefloor I got my turn and went home with third degree burns..." ; " Don't matter if you're ugly , don't matter if you're not , the trick is to work with what you got....." .

             " Seattle to Greaseland " - the perfect recording all set up to receive quite a few honors throughout 2023 - Great songwriting by Joel Astley , all set around outstanding musicianship from seasoned veterans and a top-notch band , first-rate production from Kid Andersen and Joel Asley , and you can tell that everyone had a great time pulling this all together . I can only imagine the shenanigans emanating from the hallowed halls of Greaseland as these sessions were taking place . Well done !!! Absolutely outstanding !! Great fun!! Music that raises your spirits high and is food for the soul...

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