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Hirsch, who's known far and wide around these parts as a chameleon-like guitarist, possesses unholy talent in nearly every style imaginable. He's also won two consecutive Wammie awards in the "Best Guitarist" category, and plays like no other in town. If acoustic blues is your bag...then your ship is about to arrive.
Show Up
July 2000
- Weekly Alibi
Stanton Hirsch is hands-down New Mexico's finest blues guitarist.The Albuquerque native has been playing professionally since he was 15, and his career includes ensemble work as well as the solo acoustic blues he's most recently renowned for. Titled NO ROOM TO REASON, the disc contains 13 stunning examples of Hirsch at his best. His guitar work is mesmerizing and his soul-drenched vocals are unlike any you're likely to hear west of the Mississippi Delta. Find out for yourself by picking up a copy of Hirsch's compelling debut, available at most local independent record stores, or www.stanhirsch.com.
Weekly Alibi
Michael Henningsen
- Weekly Alibi
Stan Hirsch's low voice sounds like it has built-in slapback echo, giving it a haunting quality well-suited to his stylized blues compositions.Hirsch plays solo acoustic guitar, blending dark texas and delta blues with the occasional ray of John Hurt sunlight.Unafraid of the stray odd interval,Hirsch must count John Campbell and John Lee Hooker as equal inspirations;his"NO ROOM TO REASON" will challenge and reward.
Tom Hyslop
Blues Revue
- Blues Revue Mag.
The blues howled and wailed and sobbed at the Dingo Bar last Thursday night. Vocalist/guitarist Stan Hirsch let loose some high-energy blues. As soon as the music began, the club transformed itself, as though someone had flipped a good-time switch. "Blues is jammin' music," Hirsch said between sets. It certainly was last Thursday night.
"Night Moves" -- Kate Bennett
Albuquerque Journal
- Albuquerque Journal
International Bluesbeat: Spain "...the highlight of the night was the appearance of Stan Hirsch, Albuquerque, NM-based guiatarist. 'Stan the Man', as the locals had quickly christened him, thrilled the crowd, and especially the other musicians, with half a dozen solo acoustic classis. this included one of the best versions of 'Crosscut Saw' that I have heard in a long time. If this is the shape of things to come at Joe Bar, then local blues fans are in for a good winter."
Terry Clear
Radio Host & Spain Blues Columnist
- International Bluesbeat
Three notes into the first song of his new and very strong self-released CD "NO ROOM TO REASON" you know it's Hirsch plucking away on his battered acoustic. HIs sound- which manages to sound unique and familiar at the same time-falls somewhere between old-school country blues and greasy clubhouse. Apparently Hirsch recorded all the songs-just voice, guitar, and all-original music on the first take; The result is unwaveringly tasty, in a home fried kind of way. I can highly recommend " NO ROOM TO REASON" , Hirsch makes the blues worth having.
Michael Koster
Venue North (Santa Fe)
- Venue North (Santa Fe)
Stan Hirsch, NO ROOM TO REASON **** (four stars) Hirsch is thrilling to listen to on his new album "NO ROOM TO REASON". He commands your attention with his deep-in-the-well singing, his knowledgeable fingering and his fresh compositions.Together,these elements make you think he was born to the blues.For information on buying the album go to his web site www.stanhirsch.com,
Blues aficionado or not, you will be drawn to Hirsch's bewitching blues.
The Sunday Journal
Dave Steinberg
- The Sunday Journal
Discography
Three solo Albums
"Stanton Hirsch-Solo acoustic guitar"-1984)
"No Room to Reason"-2000-BFM032)
"Covered in Blues"-2003-BFM031)-------
-The two Duet Albums
Ongoing collaboration with Eric McFadden (guitarist with George Clinton & the P-Funk Allstars, and Eric Burton) whenever their schedules collide.
The acoustic duet has released two CD's-
"Live at the Dingo" (NMW Records -313es)
"Captured Alive"- Doin' Jazz-(Blue Falcon Music -BFM 041)
Photos
Bio
Short Press Bio; Stan Hirsch
Stan Hirsch has earned his living with guitar in hand for over 40 years. Currently performing as an acoustic blues based solo act, he has also worked as a session player, sideman and bandleader. And , of course, as a member of various groups.
Following the success of his first acoustic Blues CD, No Room To Reason (2000), he has performed solo in clubs, concerts and festivals across the USA and Europe.
Hailing from New Mexico U.S.A., Stan has also taught guitar for over 30 years--doing workshops, giving private instruction and writing instruction material.
A master of solo acoustic blues, he can drive a fiery bad-ass boogie that sounds like a 3-piece band, or soar with a gut-wrenching, sweet, string-bending slow blues. Together with his commanding vocals, Hirsch delivers a dynamic performance.
In his own words; "I love the sounds coming from my hands thru the guitar. I am thankful everyday that I have been able to follow life's path as a working musician. Even after forty something years, I still enjoy the performing, teaching and learning. The bottom line- I just love to play."
www.stanhirsch.com
stan@stanhirsch.com
Stan Hirsch-Bigger Gigs-
Blues Fest.'s-
Guinness Blues Festival (Ireland)- -
Telluride Blues & Brews Festival- -
Madrid Blues Festival---
Silver City Blues Fest.---
Thirsty Ear Blues Fest.----
Blues Burner Fest.---
ABQ Blues Fest.--
Truckload of Blues Fest.(S.F.)---
Augusta Blues Week (W.V.)
Three European tours
Spain, Ireland, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland
And...Closer to home... New Mexico Jazz Workshop-Soldout concert @ Outpost Performance Space, detailing Blues history in music. -
And of course, All those "regular" gigs in New Mexico, California, Florida,etc...
Videos-
Top of charts music video "Put Yourself in my Place" with Pam Tilles
PBS-"Roly Poly Blues" (documentary soundtrack)
The Arts Channel-30-min. program,
"Stanton Hirsch-Solo Artist"
Radio-
"Ear to the ground"- one full hour on Hirsch and his music.
KUNM FM-"Blues in the Bathroom"w/ JohnStrader
.Awards-
"Best Guitarist"-New Mexico Wammie Awards (3 years)
"Best Live Performance or Show"-Alibi Magazine(N.M.)
Chosen as talent ("blues player") for Ad campaign (Japan)
Records -
Three solo Albums
"Stanton Hirsch-Solo acoustic guitar"-1984)
"No Room to Reason"-2000-BFM032)
"Covered in Blues"-2003-BFM031)-------
-The two Duet Albums
Ongoing collaboration with Eric McFadden (guitarist with George Clinton & the P-Funk Allstars, and Eric Burton) whenever their schedules collide.
The acoustic duet has released two CD's-
"Live at the Dingo" (NMW Records -313es)
"Captured Alive"- Doin' Jazz-(Blue Falcon Music -BFM 041)
Actually "Advertized" Opened for, as a solo artist:
Earl Scruggs--Cephas & Wiggins--Tommy Castro--Gatemouth Brown--Joe Lewis Walker--Foghat--Bob Margolin--Johnny Copeland--Phillip Walker--Anson Funderburgh--Kenny Neal--Little Charley & the Night Cats--Albert Collins--James Harmon...
On the same Show-"shared the stage with".-
Buddy Guy--Dr. John--Shemekia Copeland--Odetta--Taj Mahal--Rory Block--John Mayers--Odetta--and 100 others...
For Press kit Bio and full history go to http://www.stanhirsch.com
History Bio;
I am a product of that most wonderful musical fusion of all time. Commonly called Rock & Roll--it was a mid 20th century musical revolution. One unlike any before, anywhere at anytime. The music of an emerging popular culture. The product of an incredible melting pot that was boiling over in the U.S.A.
The label Rock & Roll was used as a marketing term, but a new classification was needed. All these musicians hearing other musicians then creating a different music for a different audience. The main "styles" that made up this Rock & Roll were Blues, Gospel, Folk, Hillbilly, Jazz and pop. (Each of these were made up of dozens of fused styles.)
I would not classify myself as a rock and roll artist per se’, but as a fusion artist--a musician who has been influenced by most all those styles and sub-styles that are part of that same stew.
The 1st. 45 record I bought was Marty Robbins-El Paso.Bought that because the Mexican guitar sound really moved me. Actually any "live" guitar playing I would have heard as a young kid would be the Mexican guitar (in resturants, or mariachi in Old Town). And country music was everywhere (at the state fair and on radio). So it made sence that El Paso would catch my ear.
I guess that is my "roots"-along with all the Blues and R&B that early Rock & Roll would have brought. In fact, the 1st 45 record I wore out (my dad's)was Rock around the Clock by Bill Haley. That was a 12-bar swing. One of my dads favorite songs was In The Mood by Benny Goodman(his favorite group), which was also a 12-bar swing. So that swing/shuffle was a feel that always came natural to me. Then between Elvis, Chuck Berry and Ray Charles on the radio, I pretty much got the rest.(plus
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