Best of Tri-State Blues: A Review of Best of Bluegate Jams Volume One

The Blues Gate is a musician's coop bringing live blue jams to venues across the tri-state area of Northern Virginia, the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, and central Maryland. A talented musician (or musicians) host the evening and visiting talent share the stage to bring outstanding blues to venues such as Charles Town's Tap House or Longshots, Martinsburg's Hideaway Lounge, festivals at Berryville's Watermelon Park, Winchester's Continental After Hours and occasional stops in Hagerstown. The Best of Bluegate Jams Volume 1 is the first collection of highlights from these jams. It is a CD packed with eleven songs and over seventy minutes of the best local blues players jamming together. The collection was produced by Christopher Leipold at his Anywhere Studios.

Christopher Leipold also known by the stage name "Milkfoot" is widely represented on the disc. Milkfoot is a regular Blues Gate host. He has been a part of the local Harpers Ferry music scene for most of his live performing in such local bands as the Axis and Moon Blue to name a couple.

Paul Pfau is another Blues Gate host who is featured on the CD. Paul is just 22 but is is a guitarist on the rise. He recently shared the stage with the Beach Boys, and has opened up for bands such as the Kelly Bell Band and Anders Osbourne. Paul plays Blues Gates jams in between touring in support of his debut EP "Happy Girl Beauty Cry" available on CDBaby. His current tour has taken Paul to New York City, Philadelphia, and North Carolina.

The CD also features Travis Fouch of the blues band "Stone Cold Red." Terry Oates and Edddie Gumm from Terry Oates and the Mudcats also are represented on the collection. Keith Lovett formerly of Moon Blue and an area guitar instructor adds his skills to the jams as well. Rich Carter, Alan Lind, Michael Thomas, and Dan Cronin add their musical skills to the mix as well.

The collection covers such blues classics as "Little Red Rooster," "Ramblin'" and "Wang Dang Doodle." It opens with a fun jam called "Oreo Cookies Blues" and contains songs made famous by Eric Clapton and James Brown to highlight a couple. The CD is great way to discover and support some very talented local musicians. It also helps keep the blues alive and growing. There are fewer than 50 copies available of this collection. The CDs are available at Blues Gate Jams at a bargain price of $10 a copy. If you are not in the area and would like a copy you can contact Dennis at Bluesgate.com and I am sure he could help you get a copy.

Sources:

The CD

Bluesgate.com

Personal experience