tag:deltamoon.com,2005:/blogs/babylon-is-falling-available-on-vinyl?p=2"Babylon is Falling" Available on Vinyl2020-01-27T17:16:49-05:00Delta Moonfalsetag:deltamoon.com,2005:Post/60199762019-12-14T21:28:49-05:002019-12-14T21:29:35-05:00Interview in Creative Loafing Atlanta<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/417385/f82c22ebb567c4cbe33f98614022d55803671fe5/original/good-moon-rising-cl-atl.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>November 3, 2019</p>
<p>Nice article by Hal Horowitz in this week's <a contents="Creative Loafing Atlanta." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://creativeloafing.com/content-464696-blueLarissa.Slezak@sonymusic.coms-beyond-good-moon-rising" style="" target="_blank"><em>Creative Loafing Atlanta.</em></a></p>Delta Moontag:deltamoon.com,2005:Post/60187942019-12-14T10:17:16-05:002019-12-14T10:17:16-05:00Creative Loafing Atlanta Names Delta Moon Best Blues Act of 2019 <p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/417385/7bf7010a680583dab264c9bdea08107b538288ae/original/28424798-10210771151066079-5315133108049893069-o-1030x682.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>September 14, 2019 </p>
<p>It happened again! If you just survive long enough you will have to get a bigger wall. <br>The Creative Loafing Atlanta Readers Poll has named Delta Moon <a contents="Atlanta’s Best Blues Act of 2019" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://creativeloafing.com/best-of-atlanta-2019-poets-artists-and-madmen#contentWinners-2" target="_blank">Atlanta’s Best Blues Act of 2019</a>. Our thanks to everyone who voted. We are honored.</p>Delta Moontag:deltamoon.com,2005:Post/60166752019-12-14T00:26:46-05:002019-12-14T00:26:46-05:00Mark Johnson on the cover of ToneQuest Report<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/417385/cd228e13c1c9b93752e5e44d6c7959693ecf44e0/original/tqrmar19-cover.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>March 6, 2019</p>
<p>Mark Johnson is on the cover of this month’s <a contents="ToneQuest Report" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.tonequest.com/" target="_blank">ToneQuest Report</a>. </p>
<p>“Delta Moon has been touring and spreading the good thang for 16 years. Their sound is a mix of sophisticated rhythm and blues with lots of interplay between guitarists Mark Johnson and Tom Gray.” – David Wilson</p>Delta Moontag:deltamoon.com,2005:Post/60072562019-12-12T23:52:46-05:002019-12-14T00:30:15-05:00"Blues in Britain" Concert Review<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/417385/aa45a19b6b0997d2887f9675ede81685b01c86bb/original/bluesinbritain-crop.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span>February 21, 2019 </p>
<p>By Lionel Ross</p>
<p>Delta Moon</p>
<p>Overton-on-Dee Village Hall</p>
<p>7.9.2018</p>
<p>The band’s first visit to the UK in more than ten years, and its first ever appearance in Wales, was their first gig on this European tour and a significant achievement for the Goin’ Up The Country blues initiative.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/417385/636dc937eddbec31d02efa0d540a80d9bf18b93b/original/blues-in-britain-photo.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Fronted by the highly personable and richly-talented Tom Gray, the Atlanta-based outfit was in top form and delivered two magnificent sets to the delight of a highly appreciative audience. They presented a lively opening in the form of “Black Cat Oil” and “Hellbound Train” before calming things down with “Long Way to Go”. “Coolest Fools” then upped the pace, which was further cranked up with the rockabilly-tinged “Skinny Woman”, superbly driven by the rhythm section of drummer Greg Baba and bass player Franher Joseph, while lead vocalist Tom Gray and Mark Johnson combined brilliantly on a magnificent slide guitar-based solo.</p>
<p>The steady roller “Lucky I Guess” allowed some breathing space in advance of the heavier-rocking “The Day Before Tomorrow” and the fast-moving “One More Mountain”, which provided another helping of scintillating guitar work. “Nothing You Can Tell a Fool” then saw Tom Gray indulge in a walkabout while he orchestrated an enthusiastic bout of audience participation before the set was concluded with a tasty serving of “Black Coffee”.</p>
<p>“Lonely” provided a bouncy opening to the second set, followed by an upbeat rocker and the spiky title track of the band’s latest album Babylon Is Falling, which featured exemplary drumming and great backing vocals. The Tampa Red-influenced “You Gotta Move” led into the foot-tapping “I’m a Witness” while the pace was ramped even higher with a breathtaking instrumental.</p>
<p>“Trouble in the Home” welcomed bass player Franher Joseph to the role of lead vocalist, which he fulfilled to great effect with his splendidly deep, velvet-toned voice. Greg Baba was then afforded the opportunity to showcase his considerable talent with a sprightly drum solo — a fitting prelude to the set’s final number, which featured more slide-based magic from Mark Johnson.</p>
<p>Two loudly-demanded encores completed the sensational performance, climaxing in a terrific rendition of “Shake Your Hips”, which prompted a richly deserved, universal standing ovation.</p>Delta Moontag:deltamoon.com,2005:Post/60070322019-12-12T22:51:26-05:002019-12-12T23:33:58-05:00Review of "Babylon is Falling" in Blues Blast Magazine<p>January 24, 2019</p>
<p><a contents="Blues Blast Magazine " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.bluesblastmagazine.com/issue-13-4-january-24-2019/" style="" target="_blank"><span class="font_large">Blues Blast Magazine </span></a></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/417385/3d076e2362ec34e60dda259f4dcdbc369f49a6aa/original/blues-blast-2019.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p><strong>Delta Moon – Babylon Is Falling <br>Jumping Jack Records 12018 <br>11 songs – 41 minutes </strong></p>
<p>Since their beginnings in the clubs and coffeehouses around Atlanta about 20 years ago, Delta Moon have consistently enthralled audiences with a double-barreled mix of bottleneck slide and lap steel guitar and tunes that are both topical and thought-provoking. That winning mix continues with this pleasing collection of five originals and six freshly reworked covers. </p>
<p>Blending Southern rock and roots, the band took their name after watching the moon rise above Muddy Waters’ home on Stovall Plantation in Mississippi. They’ve been touring relentlessly after bursting into prominence in 2003, when they represented the Charlotte (N.C.) Blues Society in the International Blues Challenge and captured top honors.A veteran four-piece unit, this is their tenth release, and several tunes in their catalog have made appearances in the soundtracks of shows on Showtime, the Food Network and more. </p>
<p>They’re fronted by Tom Gray, the 2008 Roots Music Association songwriter of the year. A multi-instrumentalist who contributes vocals, lap steel, keys and harmonica, he and longtime slide guitarist partner Mark Johnson have penned all of the originals here. An in-demand tunesmith, Gray’s work has included Cyndi Lauper’s “Money Changes Everything” and material recorded by a wide range of artists, including Manfred Mann, Carlene Carter and Bonnie Bramlett. </p>
<p>Recorded by Jeff Bakos, Spencer Garn, Marlon Patton and Vic Stafford at Bakos Ampworks and Diamond Street Studios in Atlanta, the lineup features Franher Joseph on bass and three percussionists: regular drummer Stafford, Marlon Patton and Adam Goodhue. </p>
<p>A haunting chord and spare rhythm opens the Hill Country-flavored “Long Way To Go,” which offers a shoulder to lean on for the long journey ahead. Although never specifically mentioned in the lyrics, it could refer to social upheaval and the struggle for racial equality. It ties in neatly with the title song, “Babylon Is Falling.” Not to be confused with a tune of the same name recorded by Slightly Stoopid, this one’s a funky, modern remake of a traditional gospel number and features call-and-response from Gray answered by Johnson and Joseph. </p>
<p>Next up is “One More Heartache,” a tune written by the Miracles and a 1966 hit for Marvin Gaye. Stripped of its Motown feel, it’s dramatically different from the original with its rootsy, bluesy rearrangement, but the emotions – and tears – come through loud and clear. The medium-fast shuffle “Might Take A Lifetime” continues the theme forward before a rollicking take on R.L. Burnside’s “Skinny Woman” and Tom Petty’s “Louisiana Rain,” which remains faithful, but comes across as more of a love ballad than the original. </p>
<p>Slide lovers will be drawn to the original “Little Pink Pistol,” which features Gray and Johnson trading licks. They’re powerful, but sweet in their understatement. The medium-paced shuffle describes a lady who’s both decent at target practice and no one to mess with if she’s uninterested in your advances. As the lyrics state: “She can make you happy/She can make you hurt.”Two more covers — the traditional “Nobody’s Fault But Mine,” first recorded in 1927 by Blind Willie Johnson, and a funky, rock-steady version of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Somebody In My Home” – get 21st Century updates before two more originals – the uptempo rocker “One Mountain At A Time” and the swamp-flavored “Christmas Time In New Orleans” – close the set.</p>
<p>Available from most major online retailers, Babylon Is Falling melds blues and roots into a pleasing package. If that’s your bag, you’ll definitely love this one. </p>
<p>Blues Blast Magazine Senior Writer Marty Gunther has lived a blessed life. Now based out of Charlotte, N.C., his first experience with live music came at the feet of the first generation of blues legends at the Newport Folk Festivals in the 1960s. A former member of the Chicago blues community, he’s a professional journalist and blues harmonica player who co-founded the Nucklebusters, one of the hardest working bands in South Florida.</p>Delta Moon