Black And Blue
P r e s e n t a t i o n
Black and Blue is a blues band from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne, France,
formed in July 2002. Its repertoire focuses mainly on Blues classics from
the 60s and 70s (Albert King, Freddy King, Otis Rush, Howlin Wolf...) performed
in their own personal way, and influenced by the sounds of funk, rock 'n'
roll and rhythm and blues.
They recorded their first album, with a keyboard player and a horn section
in December 2003. Having had very favourable reviews in specialist magazines,
this album has progressively opened the doors of well known Blues clubs to
the band, and meant they have been invited to open for Byther Smith, open
the Chicago Blues Festival and open for Jean-Jacques
Milteau. Having played more than 80 concerts including famous places like
Coopérative de mai, Utopia, One Way Café, James Café..
The band has just released its latest album called "at home..."
and is looking forward to letting it be heard in Blues clubs and festivals.
On stage the group has masses of energy, give themselves a really good time
playing together, and the audience can't help but catch their enthusiasm.
Who are Black and Blue? Renaud Villet, is lead singer and guitarist, Stéphane
Mikaélian on drums (drummer for Bone Bop, and has also played with
Too Bad, Patrick Verbeke, Jean-Louis Murat...) and Pascal Fauny on bass.
What the press has to say about the latest album:
..Black and Blue is a power trio, just as we like them here in Guitarist
magazine. Renaud Villet on guitar leads the group with perfect timing. The
telecaster crunchy sound of his guitar makes your ears drool for more, particularly
when they play "I wanna get funky". The sound is neat, clear, flawless
and produced without resorting to any trickery. Blues is still alive !.. (Guitarist
Magazine .. June 2006)
..With its roots in the electric blues of the sixties (Albert King, Freddie
King, Howlin' Wolf, Johnny Guitar Watson), the trio gives us an updated approach
which is restrained, and based on the determined guitar playing and voice
of its leader Renaud Villet supported by the firm rhythms of Stéphane
Mikaélian and Saïd Nejjar. They are full of new and original ideas,
with funky and reggae influences.. (Soul Bag .. n°183)
..Black and Blue is a devilishly interesting group for more than one reason.
First of all because their love of Albert King has enabled them to master
his repertory in an almost magical way. I wanna get funky... is a challenge
that most would not attempt, as the original seems so perfect but this trio
take it on board beautifully. Renaud's guitar often takes risks, the solos
are fast, the sound is clear. How easy it would be to get it wrong. But Renaud
doesn't. He does it with feeling and what dexterity.. (Mar Loison - Blues
& Co n°35)
..Don't worry, this new line-up is awesomely efficient. Perfect osmosis between
the members of the group, bags of complicity, unity and coherence together
with a huge involvement in the project, all contribute to the final result.
If we look at the scope of this group, we have a kind of more basic blues,
but a sound produced by people who are passionate about their music, and they
manage to transcend Albert King. Renaud's guitar is always brilliant. What
a delight for the ears his phrasing is, and the stamp of the giant with his
pipe is never very far away. The way they play is intense and lively, head-spinning
in the trebles. It all reminds us of the great Albert.. (Joël Bizon ..
BCR La Revue)
..From the first notes, "At Home" impresses us by the quality of
the covers. Renaud Villet gives us perfectly mastered guitar pieces. The voice
is absolutely right too. Drummer and bassist Stéphane Mikaélian
and Saïd Nejjar round off the trio. The group which only started playing
together in 2002 has already reached a technical maturity that almost defies
their 4 years together.. (INFO .. March 2006)
