Blues Pinoy

Cuarenta, Cebu's best Blues and classic rock band performs tomorrow March 11, 2010, 10:30 p.m. at the Tiki Bar in Bigfoot Mactan, Cebu. For more details, check them out here!

...timeless classic by the man, Wally Gonzalez himself - backed up by Cuarenta, performed during the 2010 Cebu Guitar Festival.

Here's proof that the Blues is alive and kickin' in the Queen City of the South! If you're a Blues fan and you happen to be in Cebu on the 4th, then don't miss this one. The Outpost is at 976-A Veteran's Drive Lahug, Cebu City (Nivel Hills before Cosmopolitan). Simultaneously, the Conspiracy Garden Cafe will be having its Blues Night, located at the Visayas Ave. (across Shell gas station), Diliman, QC featuring Blues Train, Blues Bruddahs, and the Blues Rascals. An open jam follows.

This is certainly one for the books - a very rare and historic occasion where Pinoy Bluesmen of different generations (and regions) congregate to create a musical masterpiece. Here's the great Wally Gonzalez jamming with Cebu's pride, Cuarenta (Arnold, Lyndon, Juel) and with the dude who does the vocals and great Blues harp riffs.

Who says that Blues is nonexistent in Cebu? Here's deltaslim and the harp guy doing a slow Blues number during the Cebu Guitar Festival 2010. Enough said - just listen and appreciate this excellent stuff. Video courtesy of Sir Junx/The Outpost.

Another great night of Blues in Cebu! Here's deltaslim, Kento Ido, Noli Aurillo, (i think) one cool dude doing the Blues harp, and the rest of the gang doing an upbeat number during the Cebu Guitar Festival.

With the passing of NU107's Crossroads comes the next generation of Pinoy Blues artists - and they're getting younger every minute! Here is 14-year-old IdoKento with Manny Amador of The Breed fame doing a Jimi Hendrix classic at The Outpost, Cebu. More info about the band on my next posts.

After a long, long wait, I finally got to see Delta Slim's Cebu gig. Wish I'd seen this live though. Also in this video, Delta Slim's new Harana acoustic guitar had its debut and we can see what an outstanding instrument it truly is. (I can hear Boss Anot in the background excitedly commenting as well as the appreciative Cebuano crowd roaring at the end of each number.) Again, another great performance from a great Blues man.

This could be the first Pinoy Blues supergroup! (Cuarenta y Uno?) Deltaslim will be jamming with Cuarenta in what will surely be an unforgettable night of Blues. No entrance fee, no exit fee either! Enjoy The Outpost's ice cold beer and reasonably low-down-priced goodies. Man, wish I could be there!!!

Southern Philippines' best Blues band will be performing this Friday - details below. "Cuarenta Plays at the Outpost Start Time: May 21 at 11:00 p.m. End Time: Tomorrow, May 22 at 1:00 a.m. Where: Nivel Hills, Lahug Cebu City No entrance fee :-) Pinoy Blues power!

Strange Brew by Cuarenta Now this is what I call music! A mighty round of applause for Cuarenta on this soulful rendition of the Cream classic Strange Brew in Pinoy Blues style! These guys never fail to impress. Great haunting vocals from Kay.

Expect another Blues rockin' night from southern Philippines' best Blues band! Event details: Featured band: Cuarenta When: Friday, March 26, 2010 at 9:00 p.m. Location: Tiki Bar, Bigfoot Mactan, Lapu-lapu City, Cebu

This is an old video taken at The Outpost featuring my good pals Grae on vocals and Vince Russo (Soul Mafia) on guitars. I believe this was during the Blues Night of the 2nd Cebu Guitar Festival. Enjoy both Jimi Hendrix and Muddy Waters classics!

Here's another great performance from Cebu's top Blues band, Cuarenta featuring Cream's classic hit. From Wikipedia: "Sunshine of Your Love" is a song by the British supergroup Cream. It features a distinctive guitar/bass guitar riff and an acclaimed guitar solo from Eric Clapton. It was written by bassist Jack Bruce, Pete Brown, and Clapton. In 2004, the song was named the 65th greatest song of all time by Rolling Stone magazine.

Once again, here is Cebu's top Blues band Cuarenta being featured on RCTV's "Tambayan sa Outpost." The video starts off with the band's history, from their '80s new wave heyday to its present incarnation as a solid Blues band. The real fun begins at 02:27 with the band performing their original "Boris Cat." If you're a Cebuano, I'm sure you'll understand what the pun is all about!. Cuarenta are: Kay on vocals, Arnold on 1st guitar, Henry on 2nd guitar, Randy on 3rd guitar, Lyndon on bass, and Juel on drums. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Special thanks to RealCebuTV for allowing me to embed their videos. Visit their website at www.rctv.com.ph to learn more .

Listen to this blazing guitar solo by Rey of Silhouette Band. "Silhouette Band - Greater Toronto/Brampton's band, who's members mostly hailed from Cebu originally. This group plays classic & contemporary songs from rock to pop music. Composed of brothers; Rey & Noel Mapeso, Alex & Dale Tecson and vocalist; Andrew Mission and Vonnie. Rey Mapeso (shown above at center) used to play with the Nightshift Band and also was alternating with the Firelights Band in 1986-87. Both bands were regulars at the Cebu Plaza Hotel at Nivel Hills."

Have a treat with this classic Blues number by Cuarenta, the best Blues/Blues-rock band in Cebu City. This song was written by Willie Dixon and first recorded by Muddy Waters. Cuarenta: On vocals, Kay; lead guitars, Arnold Ang; 2nd guitar, Henry; 3rd guitar, Randy; bass, Lyndon; and on drums, Juel. I was lucky to have the chance to jam with them when I resided in Cebu a few years back. Really a bunch of down-to-earth, extremely talented, and fun group to hang out with.

For the Cebuano Blues fans, this is for you. Here' Wilson (also known as 10STRINGS in his YouTube account) interviewing Arnold "Anot" Ang of the pioneer Cebu band 40 and currently the lead guitarist for Cuarenta (Blues, blues rock). Below is my attempt in interpreting some parts of the conversation: Arnold: For me, slow blues is more difficult to play because you need to put your emotions through it. Wilson: Would you prefer emotion over speed? Arnold: Yes, although we cannot blame the young bloods, we've gone through that, but I guess it comes with age, what your peers play, it all influences you. Wilson: Since Blues isn't that popular in Cebu and the Philippines, do you find it difficult to be accepted? Arnold: Yes, it's difficult, only a select few appreciate it, but it's a challenge for the band. But I have this personal philosophy that it's not the song genre that's important, but it's how you delivered it. It's enough that we played ...

CLICK HERE for Bisdak Blues!!! Done in 2006, using the backing track of 24/7 Blues, Faust gives us a hint of his musical influence - the Blues. I got to know this guy while I was in Cebu - a true bluesman to the core, he's one of the proponents of this music genre in that part of the country.

Cebu's Jimi Hendrix? See for yourself. This was taken during last year's Cebu Guitar Fest featuring the living legend Sammy Asuncion, Benjie Rigor, and Randy Pages. On bass is Lyndon of Cuarenta. "...and if my baby don't love me no more, I know her sister will."