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Here's a plan: Quit the day job, travel around the country for three years playing at least one concert in all 50 states, record a CD in every state and, along the way, sell the discs to benefit child-breathing disabilities and reforesting the planet. And before you head out, release a CD in your hometown.
That's the quixotic and ambitious plan for veteran Cincinnati blues rock guitar slinger John Redell, who plays a CD release party for his "Oasis of Love" 9 p.m. Saturday at Arnold's, downtown, with opener, The Flock.
Redell, 53, a Northern Kentucky native, has been a tireless worker for the Cincy Blues Society's Blues in the Schools program...
He's putting those gigs on hold to pursue what he likes to call "The Journey." He will head out later this fall to play music in all 50 states. Along the way he will record his sets, and put them up for sale on his Web site (www.johnredell.com) and document his journey with a diary and music. All proceeds from the CDs go to the above-named causes.
Indeed, Redell is looking for inspiration...
Babbling brooks, waterfalls, a bunch of birds. It will all be on the CDs.
...Redell is at least accomplished enough to entertain and pull it off as he tours in the troubadour spirit. His new CD shows off his versatility as a singer, guitarist and songwriter. He soulfully covers Van Morrison and Hank Williams, while interspersing the project with elegant, quiet, classical and flamenco-influence guitar instrumentals mixed with searing electric blues and folksy love songs.
- Rick Bird 10-26-06
Guitarist and facilitator of the "Blues In the Schools" program John Redell celebrates the release of his new CD, Oasis of Love, Saturday at Arnold's. Redell will be joined by The Flock and other special guests for the free, 8 p.m. event.
Redell's next recording projects are shaping up to be quite ambitious; he plans to travel to all 50 states over the next three years, recording tracks for a Classical guitar album in each state. When he completes his journey, he also plans to record more material inspired by his travels and hopes to release two more CDs, one for children with breathing disabilities and another to "help reforest our planet."
For more on Redell and his various projects, check his newly launched Web site: johnredell.com. - Mike Breen, City Beat 10-25-06
The System of Infinite Possibilities is the debut full-length release by singer/songwriter John Shoemaker. This album was crafted with the expert help of many talented artists, including music industry veteran producer Lon Van Eaton and world class guitar virtuoso John Redell.
This CD is full of reality, hope and inspiration. It's truly a statement of positive intention that appeals to a very diverse audience. In a cynical social climate, this CD stands out as a light of hope.
- John Shoemaker
I've always felt myself captivated by Funk's guitar playing, often getting lost in the music. Redell is another story. Listening to Redell makes me nervous. And I don't mean that in a bad way by any means.
Redell is such a great guitarist and overall storyteller, that he's intimidating. Speaking as a guitarist, I can't play or even think about playing guitar when around this guy. What he delivers is so often so beautiful and so perfectly done that I often feel like playing anything less than his level is just pointless.
When these two collaborate, it's a wonderful thing, no matter if they're playing the blues, hard rock, or just jamming for a few hours. They know each other so well (since Funk is a student of Redell) that nobody else could ever compliment each other's playing quite like the way they do for each other.
- Beefy from Beefy Radio
Teen blues: Another round of the "Under 21 Jam" kicks off 3-6 p.m. Sunday at Jim Dandy's Family BBQ, 2343 East Sharon Road, Sharonville. The quarterly event sponsored by the Cincy Blues Society and its Blues in the Schools program is designed as an outreach program to under-21 aspiring musicians to help them hook up with like-minded players with an interest in the blues. While it is a blues-based session, young players are encouraged to strut whatever their musical stuff may be. No charge.
"This is truly a jam setting, so be prepared to try something you may never have played before," said John Redell, the vocalist/ guitarist, BITS coordinator and MC for the event.
It's plug-in and play. The Blues Society provides a drum kit, guitar amps, etc., with signup at the door.
- Rick Bird, the Post 1-5-07
Discography
"Oasis of Love", "Mercy", "the Oregon Trail", "Spirit", "She's Having a Baby", "Key West" to name several.
Beyond his own extensive library of recordings, he has recorded with “the Oinks” and “the Source”. Another 2 Projects that have just been released are the Flock’s, “That Last Blaze of Glory” and John Shoemaker’s, “The System of Infinite Possibilities”.
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Bio
John is on a Journey that is taking him to all 50 States and some other points of Interest around the World. Using his own Tuning while improvising never before heard pieces on a Classical Guitar, he intends to record a minimum of 100 CDs, 2 from each State. All the profits from the sales of any and all copies Created from 50 of the CDs, will go towards helping children with breathing disabilities. All the profits from selling any and all copies of the other 50 CDs, will go towards reforesting our Planet. More trees means better air, which should mean fewer breathing problems.
Sweet Lucy recording artist, John Redell, has been playing Guitar for over 4 decades. He grew up in Northern Kentucky in a time when Guitar Music was exploding all around him. Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Cream were a few of the heavy hitters of the day.
At the age of 12, a friend taught him “Tom Dooley” and he went home and played it for his Dad. The next day, his friend’s older brother taught him “Wild Wood Flower”. He went home and played that for him as well. This inspired his Dad, who went out the very next day and bought John a Gibson Melody Maker and an amp. The 1st Song he taught himself was “Purple Haze”.
From the time he was 17, he has been involved in Bands that focused on original and improvisational Music. Known mostly as a Teacher, which he has been doing since he was 21, he only performed live several times a year, till his recent stint with a Cincinnati based Irish/Celtic/Folk Band known as “the Flock”, which he considered himself Fortunate to be a member of for almost 4 years.
John has been involved with the Cincy Blues Society’s “Blues In The Schools” for 7 years. He does in-school Presentations and serves as Mentor to the overall BITS Program. As an outreach of BITS, he has also worked with a Jam for Kids, known as the “Under 21 Jam”, which is on standby at the moment.
His CD “Mercy”, filled with Pieces he Created on his Classical, runs the gamut of emotions as he takes you on a ride to the deeper regions of the Soul, where he draws from a Wellspring of Creative possibilities. His fingers glide over the strings in a myriad of dips and turns that carry the listener along, as he almost effortlessly weaves his way through a maze of tones and textures rarely pulled from a Classical Guitar.
The release of “Oasis of Love” in the fall of 2006, ushered in a new era for John’s Musical Odyssey. With a handful of cover Songs and a few of his own, interlaced with Masterful acoustic and electric Guitar Pieces, the story of Love found and Love lost, is told once again by someone who still Believes. His voice calls and beckons the listener to hear his Tale, to feel his Joy, to feel his angst, to sense his acceptance and experience his Hope of a better day.
Whether you are witnessing him summon new Pieces from the Universe or listening to him sing from the Heart, songs of Life and Love, you will find a Man who is comfortable with his instrument and himself. To him, Life is a Wondrous Adventure…
Cincinnati Bands over the last several years, other than "the Flock", have included “John Redell and the Company He Keeps”, “MC Blue”, “Out of the Myst”, “Shepherd’s Pi”, “the Bottom Line” and a 6 month crash course in the Blues with “Sweet Alice and the Unfinished Business Blues Band”. Currently on occasion, he performs with the Cincinnati based "Voodoo Blues Band", “the Chuck Land Band", “2 Days Away”, “Aaron Hedrick and the Working Class Villains” and “II Juicy”. And when the opportunity arises, he is also honored to join John Shoemaker with his Project, “The System of Infinite Possibilities".
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