January 13, 2005

New fanmail

Marc Laflamme writes:
"the beauty of being a blues fan is that you can see the very best blues performers in small intimate venues. I can't stress enough that you should all get out and see Paul and Annie live, whatever it takes to get there. As good as their recordings are, their live performances reveal so much of their personalities, and how much they enjoy performing together. These people are not just people who play blues music, they are authentic blues artists that are, in a very real way, shaping the genre with some fantastic original song writing. Equally as important, they are preserving, invigorating, and sharing classic blues material from the great blues artists, past and present. I personally feel a debt of gratitude to them for performing a lot of material that isn't widely recognized by the casual fan, arranging it and adding their special magic to it, preserving it for the next generation of blues fans and performers. I am very grateful for their dedication to this music, it has enriched my life so much. And the best thing about Paul and Annie is that they are just such nice people, regular folks.
The world can be a tough place at times and it is good to know that the two of you are out there smoothing out some of the bumps with your music. Thanks " --Marc Laflamme

Paul from MA writes:
I saw you open for Ronnie Earl in Maynard, MA sometime around 1992 & it was one of the most memorable & satisfying shows I've ever seen.
Your unpretentious delivery of great tunes & great tone still reverberates in my memory as an exceptional musical moment. I hope to catch another of your shows sometime soon. You are each truly unique musical resources & I wish you continued success & hapiness with everything you do.

Posted by Annie at January 13, 2005 5:01 AM
Comments

When God puts great music and great people together in his kitchen............the resulting product is Paul & Annie...Love you guys.......Lembo

Posted by: Peter Lembo at March 21, 2005 3:07 PM

My husband and I saw you open for Leon Russell in Great Barrington last fall. I must say you blew us away. I could have listened to you all night. You had the theater rockin.
I am trying to find a place where i can get your cd's.
Karen

Posted by: Karen Selva at April 7, 2005 1:54 AM

Hey Paul, long-time-no-see (like 15 years or so).
I have been loving _Goin' Home_, what a delight. I live on a remote island in Southwest Florida now, and there is actually a good little blues scene developing around here, with an annual music festival in the Autumn. We saw John Koerner here a few months ago, and last year Cheryl Arena & co actually moved here for awhile until (I guess) the hurricanes scared them away... The folks around here would love to hear y'all, if you ever do a Southern tour. And we'll treat you to a fine day at the beach!
Shake It Babies,
love, Amy G

Posted by: Amy Gallagher at April 9, 2005 4:51 AM

Annie and Paul,

I haved many albums and cds but have three special cds that I play continually...one of them is Goin' Home....I love the nostalgic flavor of the songs and the masterful musicianship...the whole album is full of heart and there is magic in how you two work together...The gods must smile when they hear you play.

I am suspecting that Marc Laflamme's note above is true---that you are even better in person than on cd---I'll be finding out soon at merlefest and Birchmere...I'm prepared to be "blown away" as Karen says...

Nice to see curly-haired folks doing so well...enjoy your trip and please plan to tour the south again....

NL
A graduate of the jon gindick book for the musically hopeless (but no further--cursed to be a straight harp player who can only pucker for the rest of my life)

Posted by: Nick Lape at January 31, 2006 4:08 AM

I just got back from the two sets in Worcester MA tonight and I whole heartedly agree with Marc LaFlamme's observation on the live performance. I got to listen to the "new" CD on the way home and it just reminded me of how really great tonight's show was. I think I'll be purchasing the Live In Woodstock item (so hurry up and mix that thing).
s./Thom

Posted by: Thom C at November 5, 2006 3:35 AM

Saw your show at Rotman's "FANTATASTIC". Annie showed great energy and presence, and Paul is always the ultimate craftsman. You guys are the best blues act New England has to offer. I would like to see more of Annie on the mandolin. Not too many people do a good blues mandolin. Keep on keeping on, and I hope to see you again, real soon. Maybe in Portsmouth, NH.

Posted by: Ken LeBlanc at November 10, 2006 3:22 PM

Heard "Some of These Days" on XM radio Bluesville. Love it love it.

What else to say...beautiful blues.

Posted by: Melinda at January 22, 2007 2:21 AM

I heard your blues from my tent at old songs in upstate new york this past weekend, it was really cold and i just wanted to get warm, when i heard the music, i put on 2 hoodies and my son's army coat and headed back to the stage. I WAS AMAZED!!, I WAS DELIGHTED, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!, if not for being very cold and not nearly drunk enough, i would have stood on my chair and screamed out Oh MY GOD!! when annie's harmonica took us all on a thrill ride, only to be completey,masterfully perfectly tied up by paul's guitar and vocals.I am looking into all your bookings for the Northeast and hope to fill my library with your CD's, Thank you, Thank you so much!

Posted by: celeste strenn at June 28, 2007 7:07 PM


Looking good on the recent cover of Harmonica World (UK). Is that a sharkskin suit??

Posted by: Nick Humphrey at June 29, 2007 4:23 PM

Hi,

Although I've been a fan for awhile, I just found the web site recently. Since then I've been really enjoying the U-Tube clips. Which leads to a couple of questions.

When will the DVD be avaialble?

When will you be playing in the Pacific Northwest?

You have a lot of fans in the Seattle-Portland-Vancouver, BC area that would love to come see you play. Unfortunately, the closest gig on the 2008 calendar was in Northern California.

Keep Smilin'

Chris

Posted by: Chris Owen at January 29, 2008 7:15 PM

Thanks for your comment. I'm glad you're enjoying the video clips.
The DVD has been a little tied up in post -production, but we're pretty sure we'll be able to get at least a CD version out by the summer and with any luck the DVD will follow shortly after.
We had a fantastic time as usual in Port Townsend. We don't have anything scheduled currently in the Northwest, but I really appreciate your letting us know we have fans there. It's a long haul from Boston, but well worth it. We'll keep working on it and let you know.

Posted by: Annie at February 1, 2008 4:12 PM
© 2006, 2007 Paul Rishell and Annie Raines.