OurStage

WILLIE PHOENIX  Plastic Blues and Grooves Willie is a singer/songwriter/guitarist with a real pedigree. He was taught guitar by his father and bluesman, the Rev. Willie Creagh who played with Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson 2 and who is also Willie's godfather. On this CD Willie has Hendrix, Santana,Cream,The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The 60's British Blues Scene, and mixed and matched in a present day setting. He's moulded classic '60's guitar riffs, which he plays with skill and passion,with lyrics that go from intensly profound on one track to the more commercially accessible the next. The opening track, 'English Tea', is rock-Blues with mean axe and lyrics that suggest maybe the industry could do with a Hendrix type today-just to stir things up. Otis Rush's 'All Your Love'  is the only cover on this 15 track CD-and it is class. "The Birthday' is the Stones meet The Beatles, who go head-banging with the Status Quo! 'Burning Blues' is a slower Blues ballad, with a touch of soul and passionate guitar bemoaning lost love. 'Protest Song 99' and 'Dead Soldier', again a guitar cries for a generation of young soldiers, poignantly point out the futility of war. If anyone has grasped the true ethos and roots of '60s music, it is Willie Phoenix on this CD.  Carol Borrington www.bluesmatters.com      

"Here's the thing about Willie Phoenix that most young, as well as not-so-young, bands should know and fear: Point him in any musical direction and the son-of-a-gun can write a song like nobody's business." "..he does on "Plastic" what a lot of musicians can't ever do in the studio: transferring his considerable live charisma—this is a guy who's spent his entire life playing in clubs—into something often quite meaningful on tape. And I'm not just talking about the lyrics, which are often more original than anything else on the record." John Petric

"Dare to imagine Jimi, Santana, Cream, Stones, Beatles, all in one voice and ten fingers, and you already love Willie Phoenix." Paul Bondarovski

"Here is one of those cases where I am really, really, really happy I started this little 'zine! Willie here is easily one of the greatest artists I have run across in years!" Carl Isonhart

"The only question that I have after listening to the new release by Willie Phoenix and his band is, which Woodstock should they have played at? Answer? Both!!"

"Willie Phoenix is '....a raging guitarist with a ton of attitude and stage presence.'His juiced up versions of classic blues tunes performed in his live show are also something that should not be missed."

"Willie's selection as Community Festival's Honored Artist recalls memories of lengthy, manic performances:Willie jumping onto speakers, scaling lighting towers, hanging from rafters and climbing into balconies."

I had a shoot in St. Louis a couple of months ago. My cousin Mark lives in Columbus, Ohio so I decided to visit him since its so close. After dinner we stopped by his local dive bar for a beer. I had an early call time the next day, so I wasn’t planning on hanging out too late. But while we were at the bar, the bartender tells us that Willie Phoenix is playing tonight. Apparently, he’s the Jimi Hendrix of Columbus and Mark assured me it would be worth it to stick around for this. Of course, he didn’t have to twist my arm too hard. I have to say, he did not disappoint. The guy’s a genius. He plays bluesy rock and roll, and maybe its the fact that he’s left handed and plays a white Fender, but I’m telling you - this guy channels Jimi Hendrix! I felt like I had stumbled upon a hidden gem.

Willie Phoenix is the electrifying voice for Cooper Tires. You can catch the ad on the ESPN College Football Half-time Report every Saturday.