BIO:
I’m Gonna Live The Life I Sing About is the album that legendary guitarist Danny Kalb says “Is the record I always wanted to make” and marks his debut on Sojourn Records. I’m Gonna Live The Life I Sing About was produced by Mark Ambrosino and recorded at The Madhouse studio in Queens, NY featuring Kalb performing in both electric and acoustic trio settings.
The bulk of these performances were captured in 2006 through 2007 but other tracks are gems that Kalb has been stockpiling since the late 1990’s, plucked from relaxed periodic sessions with his various live line-ups. Kalb’s playing throughout is dazzling, yet understated, no-nonsense yet deeply emotional — the work of an undisputed Old Master.
(Photo courtesy of David Sokol)
Danny Kalb has long been recognized as one of America’s foremost guitarists. He is best known as the founding member of the legendary the Blues Project along with Al Kooper, a band that became one of the best-loved of the mid ’60?s, developing a strong national following and influencing untold numbers of aspiring young blues guitarists.
Born into a musical family, Danny was raised in Mt. Vernon, NY. He spent his childhood surrounded by his parents’ folk, blues, jazz and classical records. He picked up the guitar at the age of 13 and hasn’t put it down since. He attended the University of Wisconsin but couldn’t resist the pull of Greenwich Village which was in the midst of a musical explosion boasting the likes of Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Richie Havens, Eric Anderson and Odetta. A protege of the great Dave Van Ronk, Danny established himself on this seminal folk and blues revival scene, first as a solo performer and session player with Phil Ochs, Pete Seeger and others, and later in his own right and in The New Strangers, his duo with Sam Charters. He absorbed the scene, jamming with blues greats Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker.
Danny founded the Blues Project in 1965. One of the classic bands of the period, their The Blues Project Live at Cafe Au Go-Go won great critical acclaim and won them their first gold record. On this album Danny’s signature tune “Alberta,” a soft ballad and “Down To Louisiana,” a rocking electric blues, established him as one of the preeminent blues players of his generation. Four albums followed that cemented their place in rock history.
In the years that followed, he formed other bands and spent several years in retreat, living mainly in California. During this time, he continued to perfect his art and perform for his loyal following. He also contributed to recordings by Judy Collins, Phil Ochs and Dave Van Ronk among others. In addition to playing all dimensions of the blues guitar — both electric and traditional — he explored other genres of guitar composition: modern atonal and open tunings. Danny is also a teacher and has taught seminars and clinics. Danny has performed as a solo artist and in trio settings up and down the East Coast in recent years, and this is the part of his career that’s inspired I’m Gonna Live The Life I Sing About. Gritty blues, originals, and standards, his touch on the guitar is as exciting and individual as ever. From folk to blues to jazz, Danny’s experimental mindset and talent played significant part in redefining musical genres and boundaries and he is still an influence, as ahead now as he was when he began.
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