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Biographie
Originally formed under the moniker The Establishment by harmonicist, singer and guitarist John Popper and drummer Brendan Lee, the band’s earliest releases were in the form of cassette tapes featuring original songs as well as covers, including Van Morrison’s “Gloria". The band began jamming regularly and building a repertoire of songs before moving to New York City and performing on the club circuit, soon making a name for themselves as relentless live performers.
With a line-up consisting of Popper, Lee, guitarist Chan Kinchla, and bassist Bobby Sheehan, the band signed with A&M Records who released their self-titled debut album in 1990, and their subsequent album “Travelers & Thieves” in 1991. Following a dangerous motorcycle accident lead-man Popper was unable to perform for a number of months, however returned to release the band’s third studio album, aptly named “Save His Soul”.
The band’s fourth full-length “Four” in 1994 represented a mainstream breakthrough for Blues Traveler, despite poor sales to begin with. The 1995 Grammy Award winning single “Run-Around”, taken from the album, became one of the year’s most popular and best-selling singles and catapulted the album “Four” to popularity. Following the release the band played ’94’s Woodstock Festival and opened for the Rolling Stones. In an attempt to capture the magic of the band’s live performances they release the double album “Live from the Fall” in 1996, followed by their fifth full-length “Straight on Till Morning” in 1997.
In 1999 bassist Bobby Sheehan was found dead in his home with cocaine, Valium and heroin in his system, deemed an accidental suicide, he was eventually replaced by Kinchla’s younger brother Tad. Along with new keyboardist Ben Wilson, Blues Traveler released an EP entitled “Decisions of the Sky: A Traveler’s Tale of Sun and Storm”, followed by their sixth full-length “Bridge” in 2001.
With a move away from A&M to Sanctuary Records, the band released “Truth Be Told” in 2003, followed by another live album “Live on the Rocks” the year after. Blues Traveler subsequently released the Jay-Bennett-produced “Bastardos!” in 2005, a cover album of their own songs “Cover Yourself” in 2007, “North Hollywood Shootout” on the label Verve Forecast, and the group’s 11th studio album “Suzie Crack the Whip” in June 2012.
Avis
If you like the blues, chances are you’re gonna like Blues Traveler- and if you’ve never heard frontman John Popper’s second-to-none harmonica-playing skills before, prepare to be blown away.
The band formed in the early 1990s, along with the wave of Grateful Dead-esuqe jam bands like Phish and Widespread Panic, and have been playing the blues and, erm, travelling (back in the day they gained a reputation for non-stop tour schedules), ever since. Their blend of psychedelic rock, old-school blues and habitual improvised on-stage jamming makes their shows something continually unique, even with their playing nightly for months at a time.
Blues Traveler have made an annual occurrence of playing at the beautiful and iconic venue, Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, for the last 20-odd years, and this was were I caught the travelin’ band of Princeton blues rockers a couple of years back. They played amidst fireworks (!), and their close to 2 hour set consisted of solid classics like ‘Save His Soul’ (a rarity in their current live set), and the foot-stomping ‘Love Of My Life’, for which Popper traded his harmonica for guitar. The highlight though, had to be the band’s spectacular opener, a raucous cover of Jimi Hendrix’s unforgettable version of ‘The Star Spangled Banner’. This was a uniquely awesome show in a venue to match, and Blues Traveler are still doing what they do best, even two decades on.
louise_h
Blues Traveler are one jam band that I actually like. I saw them at H.O.R.D.E. Fest a few times back in the day and they were always awesome. In 2013, they performed Save His Soul in its entirety to celebrate the 20th anniversary of that album, and again, they were awesome. Last year they were also very good, but I just couldn’t get into their collaborative selections with 3OH!3. Unfortunately, it seems they have gone even further down that electronic/jam/hip-hop fusion road over the past year. The show started out great, with “Things Are Looking Up” followed by “Dropping Some NYC” and “But Anyway”, but then control was handed over to Rome Ramirez. I like Rome, but I found it strange that Popper was taking a step back from his own show. “Run-Around” put the train back on its track for a minute, but then it was time for another collaboration with Hanson…as if we hadn’t had enough of them. Covering “What I Got” with Rome provided a good taste of what’s to come at Reggae on the Rocks this year, but again, wasn’t this a Blues Traveler show? - See more at: http://ilistensoyoudonthaveto.com/2015/07/06/4th-of-july-red-rocks-07-04-15/#sthash.9PBpEXKt.dpuf
kmartini
Blues Traveler, the name is a great clue to the kinds of music they make, traditional blues with a wonderfully free spirited vibe. Although the genre of Blues is very much at the core of what the band does, there is influence from the genres of psychedelica, rock, folk and soul.
A band unmatched in musical passion, having toured their discography for over twenty years they appear to get better with every single show. Classic tracks such as 'Hook' have been re-imagined and developed to include more complex instrumental and is delivered in a generally more sincere manner. The crowd watches on in almost complete silence whilst the band works onstage and only make themselves heard to cheer loudly at the closure of each track.
By the time the band performs 'But Anyway' every musician onstage is quietly prepared to perform to their extreme for the audience and use all of their musical ability that is required for this folk heavy piece of Blues. Blues Traveler are very much an act who's values and processes do not appear to have changed in their 25 year career span.
sean-ward
Excellent show. Brothers Keeper were the supporting band - John Popper sat in with Brothers Keeper on their last number, before he came on with Blues Traveler. After the concert, we went into the Downtown Saloon where a local blues band were playing. When they finished, John Popper and Brothers Keeper got up and gave an impromptu concert in the pub! Brilliant! We had come to Leesburg from the UK to hear Blues Traveler - When We told John that he bought us a drink! Great guy!
peter-styles
The band was amazing!!! The venue was cool because its small and intimate. Good sound. The only complaint was the assholes that attended. Some of the audience were disrespectful and obnoxious...which happens at concerts, but this took the cake. Maybe because its Reno?
molly-kovalek
A very nice show but too few songs of the past. It was nice they played stuff from their up-coming album, but there's nothing better then the good ole rock and roll. It was a good night except for the security personnel who were a little too pushy.
buck-rogers-3
They put on a great show, lots of fun great music. The bass player is one of the best I have seen. John Popper just gets better with time. I can't wait to see them again.
The crowd was up moving and singing with them.
jon-carpenter-2
They were great... The whole band!!!!! I would recommend them to anyone......Best harmonica player I've ever seen.....better than john mayall.....plan on seeing them next time around.....put them on your list now....
max-thomas-3
First time seeing... And a freaken awesome time. Wife and I love the Kirby. No bad seats at all. Been to several shows there. Always good. But Blues Traveler!!! Wow!!! Jammed from stat to finish. Still got it!!
Webouski
They were great!! Love the band!! But the sound man's job had something to be desired.. Their strange show was amazing!! I loved their music and energy.. Would see them again if they came back to the area.
joanne-berry-1
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