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Downbeat critic Frank John Hadley says "the new album is a gem! Vocals have true distinction, many try to reach that level, very few succeed."

"I listened to the album 3x this afternoon. [Karen Lovely's] best so far."
- Gary 'The Wagman' Wagner, host of KKJZ "Nothin' But the Blues"

FISH OUTTA WATER debuts at #13 on Billboard Blues Album chart!!!

"Lovely’s style begins from sources within such classic blues singers as Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith, and, like Janis Joplin before her, she has translated those influences into an utterly gripping, contemporary style of her own."
- Don Heckman (former music critic NY Times, LA Times, Village Voice)



“A star in the making.” - Bill Wax


Check out some great concert footage on the band video page! (And if you like the show, you can throw a tip in the virtual tip jar: https://paypal.me/karenlovely)


 

 DISCOGRAPHY

Fish Outta Water - the new album by Karen Lovely

BLUES MUSIC AWARD NOMINEE
"Contemporary Blues Female Artist"

BLUES BLAST MUSIC AWARD NOMINEE
"Female Artist of the Year"

MUDDY AWARD WINNER
"Best National Recording"

TOP BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR
- Roots Music Report
- Blues Music Magazine
- Making a Scene Magazine
- KMUW Crossroads
- Blues Van

Downbeat Magazine Editor's Pick! read the article

#1 - Top 50 Contemporary Blues Singles (Roots Music Report)
#1 - Top 50 Albums State (Roots Music Report)
#4 - Top 50 Contemporary Blues Albums (Roots Music Report)
#4 - Top 50 Blues Albums(Living Blues Chart)
#4 - Top 50 Blues Albums (Roots Music Report)
#13 - Billboard Top 100 Blues Albums

REVIEWS

"a truly exceptional album of thoughtful and moving songs" - Blues Blast

"fantastic" - Downbeat Magazine

"powerful, passionate and eclectic...blues at its finest" - Reflections in Blue 

"Establishing her soul/blues cred right away, vocalist Karen Lovely takes the occasional off-ramp into other regions just as accommodating to her confident, strong but never overplayed approach. Suitably nasty and lyrically potent r&b tracks such as “Everything Means Nothing” and the title track mesh well with the country-noir mood of “Big Black Cadillac” and the moody acoustic ballad “Hades’ Bride (There Was A Time)”. Fresh instrumental touches here and there highlight the first-rate production." - Roots Music Report

"If you follow the remarkable releases of blues and related music in recent years, one thing becomes clear: apart from a retro movement and the still booming Bluesrock, the most exciting music is actually on the border between Blues, Soul, Roots and Americana , Karen Lovely deliberately emphasizes that she does not regard herself as a traditional artist in this scene. Blues and Country meet with each other, Rootsrock and Soul." - Wasser-Prawda/Germany 

"I've never given a review like this. This CD is just incredible...the best I've heard all year."
- Smoky Mountain Blues Society 

"This highly recommended album is one of the year’s best." - Making A Scene

FISH OUTTA WATER
12 tracks of all new original contemporary Blues, Soul, & Americana

Rick Holmstrom - guitars (Mavis Staples)
Doug Pettibone
- electric and acoustic guitar (Lucinda Williams)
Al Bonhomme
- guitar, mandolin (Dwight Yoakam)
Ben Rice
- electric guitar,dobro (IBC Winner Best Solo/Duo guitar)
Eamon Ryland -slide guitar (Mickey Avalon)
Taras Prodaniuk - bass (Elvis Costello/Lucinda Williams)
Matt Tecu - drums, congas, shaker, tambourine (Janiva Magness)
Skip Edwards Hammond organ, farfisa (CMA Winner Best Keys)
Phil Parlapiano
Hammond organ, piano (John Prine)
Sasha Smith - Wurlitzer, piano (Tom Waits/Walter Trout)
DJ Bonebrake
on marimba (X)
Alan Mark Lightner steel drums, timbale, congas, guiro (Mos Def)
Dave Ralicke
- baritone sax and cornet (Beck/The Shins)
Eric Gorfain
- violin (Christina Aguilera/Sam Phillips/Ryan Adams)
Richard Dodd
- cello (Boz Scaggs/Robert Plant/Tom Petty)
Eric Corne - background vocals, harmonica,acoustic guitar


TEN MILES OF BAD ROAD

Release date: October 2015

2016 BLUES MUSIC AWARD Nominee - "Best Contemporary Blues Female Artist"
2015 Blues411 "Jimi" Award - WINNER "Best Contemporary Blues Female Artist"

NW Music Scene Top 10 Albums of 2015
Roots Music Report Top Blues Albums of 2015
Roots Music Report Hot Singles Chart - 3 songs in one week!
Roots Music Report National Charts - Top 25
Roots Music Report State Chart - #1
Living Blues Chart - Top 25

Top 25 Blues Album list for radio stations across the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Ten Miles of Bad Road, recorded at Ultratone Studios in Studio City, CA with Grammy-winning producer Tony Braunagel is a powerful mix of contemporary blues, roots and soul performed by a killer session band including Johnny Lee Schell on guitar (Bonnie Raitt/Phantom Blues Band), the "Godfather of Outlaw Blues" Grammy nominee Alan Mirikitani (BB Chungking of the Buddhaheads) on guitar, James "Hutch" Hutchinson (Bonnie Raitt) on bass, Jim Pugh on piano and B3 (Robert Cray/Etta James), Tony Braunagel on drums (Bonnie Raitt/Taj Mahal/Robert Cray/Eric Burden/Phantom Blues Band), with special guest artists Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds on harp, Joe Sublett of the Phantom Blues Band on saxophone and Les Lovitt on trumpet. 

The 13 tracks include 12 all new, original songs written by Lovely, Dave Fleschner, Vyasa Dodson and Grammy winning songwriters Alan Mirikitani and Dennis Walker. The title track was inspired by award-winning vocalist/songwriter/harmonica icon Curtis Salgado, who also shares songwriting credits with Lovely and Dave Fleschner.

REVIEWS

"All fans of blues rock will enjoy this album, but for different reasons; the lyricism of some of the slower pieces will speak to the poetry and the heartache that founded the genre, and the imaginative guitar work will appeal to those who are looking for more than twelve-bar blues." 
- BLUES ROCK REVIEW

"Ten Miles of Bad Road, the fourth album from Portlander Karen Lovely, boasts thirteen magnificently performed original songs. Her extraordinary vocals are beautiful and lush as she delivers the blues in her own unique style. Karen Lovely is way ahead of the curve when it comes to vocal artistry and songwriting. This album is definitely one that should be heard."
- PHILLYCHEEZEBLUES

"In a world where the strongest recommendation you can give an artist is apparently “sounds like…”, creativity and relevance are two things the blues genre desperately needs. From the beautiful and thoughtful “Cross the Water”, to the pleading “Save Me”, to the raucous “Frank the Spank” everything here is fresh and unique." - BLUES E-NEWS

"Karen Lovely is a rare bird with a voice and heart born to the blues. Her new album, Ten Miles of Bad Road is a collection of blues rock magic that feels especially fresh considering its roots in the past. Across the entire album, Karen’s vocals sound effortless, making this album infinitely listenable." - MOJOLISTS

"Ten Miles of Bad Road combines elements of blues, soul, and perhaps even a touch of country and gospel.  The result is a disc that is utterly incredible." - REFLECTIONS IN BLUES


STILL THE RAIN

Release date: May 18th, 2010

Nominated for three 2011 Blues Music Awards:

"BEST CONTEMPORARY BLUES ALBUM"
"BEST CONTEMPORARY BLUES FEMALE ARTIST"
"SONG OF THE YEAR" - "Still The Rain"

#1 "Pick to Click" XM RADIO BLUESVILLE

Karen Lovely's second full length studio album produced by Grammy winning producer/songwriter Dennis Walker (Robert Cray/Bettye LaVettte/B.B.King). Nominated for three Blues Music Awards including "Best Contemporary Blues Album", "Best Song" and "Best Contemporary Blues Female Artist."

Re-designed with original artwork by Karen Lovely and cover photo by Brian Lovely. 

credits

released April 15, 2010 

PRODUCED BY Dennis Walker 
CO-PRODUCED BY by Alan Mirikitani 
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Lori Haynes, Mimi Margulies 
RECORDED AT Dawwg House Studio Burbank,CA 
ENGINEERED BY Alan Mirikitani 
MIXED BY Alan Mirikitani and Dennis Walker 
MASTERED BY Alan Mirikitani 
LYRICAL INSPIRATION BY James Lee Burke 

PHOTOGRAPHY Julie Nelson 
DESIGN Karen Lovely & MacJack Media 

VOCALS - Karen Lovely 

DAWWG HOUSE RHYTHM SECTION 
DRUMS - Lee Spath 
BASS - Richard Cousins 
PIANO/B3 ORGAN - Jim Pugh 
GUITAR/LEAD GUITAR - Alan Mirikitani 

TENOR SAX - Michael Vannice 

ALL SONGS WRITTEN BY Dennis Walker & Alan Mirikitani, except "Other Plans" WRITTEN BY Dennis Walker and "Knock, Knock" WRITTEN BY Karen Lovely & Allen Crutcher 

ALL SONGS PERFORMED BY DAWWG HOUSE RHYTHM SECTION except "Glad You're Gone" PERFORMED BY Lee Spath - DRUMS, Alan Mirikitani - BASS, Alan Mirikitani - GUITAR and LEAD GUITAR, Michael Vannice - PIANO and TENOR SAX

 


LUCKY GIRL

#1 "Pick to Click " XM Radio's Bluesville 
#13 Living Blues Chart 
#1 Blues City Radio 
#1 Oregon Roots Radio Blues Chart

credits

released October 10, 2008

These are the last copies remaining of Karen's first album recorded in 2008. This album was a #1 Pick to Click on XM Radio Bluesville and features great blues covers, as well as original tunes penned by Grammy winning producer/songwriters Dennis Walker and Alan Mirikitani.

Too Little, Too Late (A. Mirikitani, D. Walker)
Boogie Some (A. Mirikitani, D. Walker)

Drums - Lee Spath
Bass - Richard Cousins
Piano, Organ - Jim Pugh
Guitar - Alan Mirikitani

Tell Me Baby (B.B. King, S. Ling)
You Don't Move Me No More (Willie Mae Thornton)
Unlucky Girl (Willie Mae Thornton, Dupree)
Boom Boom (John Lee Hooker)
It's Too Late (A. Bunn)
Blues is My Business (T. Cerney, K. Bowe)
Lucky Girl/Hoochie Coochie Woman (Willie Dixon)

Harp - Andy Just
Drums - Tom Stamper
Bass - Jeff Addicott
Piano/Organ - Dave Scoggins
Baritona, Alto, Tenor Sax - Michael Vannice
Guitar - Joe Diehl
Guitar - Brent Norton
Guitar, Sax, Bass - Alan Mirikitani

Rock Me (B.B. King, J. Bihari)
I'm A Little Mixed Up - (B. James, E. Johnson)

Guitar - Richard Bredice
Drums - Frank Cotinola
Bass - Alan Deremo

Produced By: L. Haynes, Karen Lovely, Ken Orsow

Recorded at:
Woodland/Bredice Studio, Irvine CA by Richard Bredice
Wing and A Prayer Studio, Central Point OR by Ron Davis
Limberleg Studio, Ashland OR, by Ken & Mike Orsow
Dawwghouse Studio, Burband CA by D. Walker & A. Mirikitani

Mixed and Mastered:
Dawwghouse Studio, Burbank CA by Dennis Walker and Alan Mirikitani

Photography - Brian Lovely
Art Direction and Design - Jacquelene Ambrose


PROHIBITION BLUES

A loving tribute to the classic female blues artists of the Prohibition era. Features songs made popular in the 1920s & 30s by Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Alberta Hunter and Victoria Spivey. Recorded live at Jimmy Mak's, Portland, OR.

credits

released April 24, 2014 

ANY KINDA MAN (V. Spivey) 
FIFTEEN CENTS **(Frankie Jaxon) 
GIMME A PIGFOOT (Wesley Wilson) 
YELLOW DOG BLUES (W.C. Handy) 
GIN HOUSE BLUES (F. Henderson, H. Troy) 
LAST KIND WORDS ** (G. Wiley/E. Thomas) 
PICK POOR ROBIN ** (G. Wiley/E. Thomas) 
PROVE IT ON ME (Ma Rainey) 
EVERYBODY LOVES MY BABY (Palmer/Williams) 
NOBODY KNOWS YOU ** (J. Cox) 
IF I CAN'T SELL IT (A. Razaf/A. Hill)) 
PENNIES FROM HEAVEN (A. Johnston/J. Burke) 


VOCALS: Karen Lovely 
PIANO - Dave Fleschner 
BASS - Tyler Smith 
DRUMS - Carlton Jackson 
GUITAR - Alan Hager 
TRUMPET- Joe McCarthy 
CLARINET/SAXOPHONE - Doug Bundy 
CLARINET/SAXOPHONE - Brad Ulrich 


*Many thanks to Special Guest Artist MARY FLOWER: 
GUITAR - "Last Kind Words" 
GUITAR/BACKING VOCALS - "Pick Poor Robin" 
www.maryflower.com 

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Alex Papalexis, Karen Lovely 
PRODUCED BY Karen Lovely 

RECORDED LIVE AT: 
Jimmy Mak's, Portland OR 

MIXED AND MASTERED: 
Dawwghouse Studio, Burbank CA 
BY Alan Mirikitani 

**MIXED BY Dave Fleschner, Portland OR 
www.davefleschner.com 

COVER PHOTO: EJ Bellocq 
INSET PHOTO: Michael Udell 
ART DIRECTION & DESIGN: Karen Lovely

 


LIVE! in Los Angeles

RECORDED LIVE August 31st, 2010, Herb Alpert's VIBRATO, Los Angeles, CA

Karen Lovely - VOCALS
Leonard Griffie - GUITAR
Michael Vannice - PIANO, TENOR SAXOPHONE
Bob DiChirto - BASS
Teri Cote - DRUMS

PRODUCED BY Karen Lovely
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Alex Papalexis
MIXED and MASTERED BY Alan Mirikitani
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Steve Spoulos
ALBUM DESIGN BY Karen Lovely

ALL SONGS WRITTEN BY Dennis Walker and Alan Mirikitani except
"Other Plans" WRITTEN BY Dennis Walker
"Knock Knock" WRITTEN BY Karen Lovely and Allen Crutcher
"You Don't Move Me" WRITTEN BY Willie Mae Thornton
"Ocean of Tears" WRITTEN BY Sidney Wyche and Theodore McRae

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