Peter McGraw
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Peter McGraw

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"Critics Choice"

An astonishing array of Toronto’s rock and blues history is on display every Sunday afternoon through September when Diamondback takes the stage at Dominion on Queen. Its members have past ties to everything from Ronnie Hawkins to Lou Reed, Downchild, Steppenwolf and Aerosmith. Led by guitarist Mike McKenna, Diamondback’s lineup also includes keyboardist Scott “Professor Piano” Cushnie and Mike Fonfara, drummer Sonny Bernardi, bassist Joe Agnello, sax virtuoso Rick Morrison and singer Pete McGraw. Diamondback’s Sunday matinees have become a kind of musical magnet, attracting special guests and fellow travelers Luke Gibson and Keith McKie (Kensington Market), among others. Best blues and R’n’B revival show in town.
-Greg Quill
- Toronto Star


"More McGraw"

Peter McGraw
"More McGraw"
Blues Destiny Records

BY PETER "BLEWZZMAN" LAURO, © June 2009

It was just six short months ago that I sat here reviewing "Follow Me To The Blues", by Peter McGraw. At that time, knowing that this - his next release - was already in production, and being as impressed as I was with that first release, I ended that review by stating that I was certainly ready for "More McGraw"....and here it is.

"More McGraw" contains eleven band originals and features Peter McGraw on Vocals & Backup Vocals, Ronny Sessum on Lead Guitar & Rhythm Guitar, Hans McMinamin on Rhythm Guitar, Donny Walsh on Harp & Backup Vocals, Richard Love on Drums & Backup Vocals, Roy Powers on Keyboards & Backup Vocals, Larry Mayo on Bass and Paige Roper on Backup Vocals.

Having made it's debut on the "House Of Blues Radio Hour", it's easy to see why "Party, Party, Party!" has become the disc's breakout hit. It's an all out jam, written by Peter, which features rowdy vocals, blazing hot rhythm, fierce guitar leads and smokin' harp. Everyone's tearin' it up big time on this one.

Things slow down a bit on a beautifully done ballad called "Big Hill". Lead by soothing piano and organ work by Roy, the band settles into a relaxed groove and allows their star to shine - and shine he does. This is surely one of the discs best and these are the kind of songs that Peter McGraw was born to sing. As a matter of fact, this listener would love nothing more than to hear a whole disc of this type of ballad sung by this masterful vocalist.

Another of the discs highlights is "Ain't That A Crying Shame". It's a funky tune featuring more great, gravel voiced, vocals along with lots of good harmony from the backup vocalists. Ronnie, Richard and Larry highlight this one with good guitar leads and tight rhythm.

I'm sure I won't be alone in my thinking that "I'm Alone" is a total masterpiece. This is one of those songs that literally takes you to another place. It immediately caused my eyes to slowly close, picturing the set of American Bandstand, watching my teenage peers caressing as they "slow danced". Honestly, I replayed this classic '50's sounding track so many times, that it took me nearly 50 minutes to reach the end of this five minute recording. Guys, you all nailed this one.

You can hear the concern in Peter's voice as he says "I Think I Lost My Mojo". And rightfully so, we all know how that can suck. Even his doctor said that if he didn't find his Mojo he just might wake up dead. This one's fast and furious, and unlike the previous mentioned track, it's the fast dancers who will now be filling the floor. Richard, Roy and Donny light it up on drums, piano and harp.

"What A Shame" is a dark, yet very true interpretation of the effects of crack cocaine - not just on the people it destroys, but on the surviving loved one's as well. This one is all about the vocals - Peter's soulful and heartfelt leads and the solemn sound of the backup singers.

Other tracks on "More McGraw" include: 'My Suitcase Is Gone", "I Gotta Go To New Orleans", "They Call Me The Mad Dog", I Had The Blues" and "Wait A Minute".

This is the part of the review where I usually send you to the artist's web site and suggest you pick up the disc. However, this time, when you get to www.bluesdestinyrecords.com, I'm going to suggest you not only pick up "More McGraw", but you pick up - if you haven't already - "Follow Me To The Blues" as well. Make sure you tell Peter that Pete the Blewzzman sent ya and he's already looking forward to even more McGraw.

Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com - Mary4Music.com


"Follow Me To The Blues"

Peter McGraw
Follow Me To The Blues

Blues Destiny Records

By Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro
February 2009

If you're going to release a record with nine of the ten tracks being covers of blues standards, and you hope it will get some recognition, then you - and the rest of the musicians on the disc - better be very good. On Follow Me To The Blues, Peter McGraw, and the rest of the musicians, are exactly that.
On his first solo album, vocalist McGraw is joined by: Donnie “Mr. Downchild” Walsh on harp; Hans McMinamin on guitar; Roy “The Maestro” Powers on keyboards, Richard Love on drums, and Larry “O” Mayo on bass.
The disc opens with the title, and sole original track, written by Powers.
The song does exactly what an opening track should do - impress and expose the listener to a taste of what they're in for. In barely more than two minutes, everyone gets in some impressive highlights and McGraw establishes himself as a singer I want to hear a lot more of. My immediate thought was that if this was the type of stuff I'd hear, I'd follow these guys anywhere.
By the next track, “Sweet Home Chicago,” the guys are locked into a groove they never lose. Love, Mayo, and Powers, old band mates in The Vagrantz, are obviously still in tune with one another after all these years. Their outstanding rhythm on this - and the rest of the disc - is evidence of that. With repeated harp highlights by Walsh, great guitar riffs from McMinamin, and gruff, yet melodic, vocals from a voice that was made to sing the blues, by McGraw, this one's a winner.
In the first 60 seconds of “The Sky Is Crying,” the little pieces you'll hear from everyone in the band will make you happy that there are eight more minutes of it still ahead. I don't care how many times you've heard this track and how many bands you've heard do it - this version will knock your socks off. With everyone at their best, this one's unquestionably the disc’s best.
Another track that will have you comparing it to the original is “I Got A Woman.” With Love absolutely relentless on the drums behind him, this one has McGraw sounding as soulful as Ray Charles.
Anyone who has ever read my reviews of CDs containing the song “I'd Rather Go Blind” already knows that the song is my all time favorite. As a matter of fact, I've been known to bring the Koko Taylor version of it to clubs with me, so that I could lend it to the band to learn it. The results were always good - I've never heard a version of the track I did not like. McGraw’s version allows me to keep that thought intact. This song is meant to be sung by a strong, soulful and raspy voiced vocalist and ya don't get any stronger, more soulful and raspier than Peter McGraw. Of course, you also need an incredible guitar lead to make this one work and McMinamin is all over it. Great stuff!
Another track that had me shaking my head in awe was “As The Years Go
Passing By.” This ballad is one of the slower and more low-down blues tracks....the kind that always make me smile. With the rhythm section so softly locked in just the right spot, McGraw, McMinamin, and Powers excel on the vocals, guitar and keyboards.
Other tracks on Follow Me To The Blues include: “Hoochie Coochie Man,” “Bring It On Home To Me,” “Unchain My Heart,” and “Let The Good Times Roll.”
EDITOR’S NOTE:
This review has been complimentary written for www.bostonblues.com by Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro, a contributing writer for BLUESWAX and the Blues Editor at www.Mary4Music.com where you can read many more CD and live show reviews, view lots of blues photographs and find an abundance of blues material. He can be reached at Blewzzman@aol.com - Boston Blues


Discography

LITTLE JOHN AND THE FRIARS
1963-1965

THE DIPLOMATS
with Bob McBride (Lighthouse) 1965-1968

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR This group after Vegas became CANADIAN ROCK THEATRE and recorded an album with MGM Records in Los Angeles 1970 - 1971

DIAMONDBACK Blues Band
with Michael McKenna and Scott Cushnie 1974-1976 (Warner Brothers)

SOUTHERN PACIFIC Rock Blues Band
with Goldie McJohn (Steppenwolf) and Paul Butterfield 1976-1978

SMOKED MEAT Rock Blues Band 1980-1985

DIAMONDBACK Blues Band 2000 - 2008
album '1974' Released 2008 (Pacemaker Entertainment Ltd.)

PETER MCGRAW BLUES BAND
'Follow Me To The Blues' Featuring Donnie Walsh (Downchild Blues Band)Released 2008 (Blues Destiny Records)

'More McGraw' Featuring Donnie Walsh (Downchild Blues Band) Released 2009 (Blues Destiny Records)

Photos

Bio

Peter McGraw is a consummate interpreter of Blues with a giant voice that is unmistakable throughout the Blues Community. Starting in the mid-60’s in Toronto Canada, Peter’s vocals took off like a rocket. One has only to scan the past to find it full of his notable work with some of the best of the best, such as STEPPENWOLF, LITTLE JOHN & THE FRIARS, THE DIPLOMATS, DIAMONDBACK, SOUTHERN PACIFIC, SMOKED MEAT, and on and on.

Peter was a lead singer for THE DIPLOMATS, along with the late great Bobby McBride, performing in Southern Ontario. In 1970 his big voice took him to JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR for a successful run at the International Hilton in Las Vegas. He followed that gig with another as lead singer in CANADIAN ROCK THEATRE and, ultimately, an album for MGM records.

In 1973, Peter returned to Canada, joining DIAMONDBACK to record an album, which received critical acclaim. Three years later he formed SOUTHERN PACIFIC along with Goldy McJohn (Steppenwolf) and guest star, Paul Butterfield. This amazing group made three national tours over the next two years. The following year Peter joined STEPPENWOLF for their national tour, adding his stellar vocals to the famous band. In 1980 he formed the band SMOKED MEAT with Ralph Cole and Paul Hoffert of Lighthouse and that year Peter also began working in television production both behind the stage and on it for over 20 years. Peter was a founding member of SUPER-SESSION, a group of professional singers that performed on CBC-TV for over ten years. During the run of this time he worked with such talent as: Eddie Kendrick of The Temptations, David Clayton Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears, Randy Bachman of The Guess Who and legendary groups like The Byrds and Motherload.

Peter is now the front man of his own blues band, and has released two incredible albums, ‘FOLLOW ME TO THE BLUES’ and ‘MORE MCGRAW’ both with a rich sound and feel. Peter has a tremendous reputation in the Blues community, particularly in Canada. Over his varied career he has performed with legendary musicians, and his giant voice has been featured alongside the late great Paul Butterfield, Goldy McJohn and Donnie Mr Downchild Walsh, among a long list of others.

In 2000 Peter released his first solo album ‘Follow me to the Blues’ to rave reviews of Blues enthusiasts. In 2008 he came back with ‘More McGraw’ this time with more of his own creations of never-before heard authentic Blues material.

Today Peter McGraw’s Blues Band features his longtime friend Michael McKenna (Mainline, Luke & the Apostles) on Lead Guitar. Audiences are treated to a special brand of entertainment as Peter feeds off his outstanding band, and in turn his raw emotional performances motivate his band to even greater musical moments.