“Helluva songwriter,” says bluesman Jimmy D. Lane of Hallal.

“The right elements of blues and funky sensibilities keep it real” with his “gutbucket” band, says The Noise of Boston

Their sound is “tight… smoldering… electrifying…” declares Blues Bytes.

And their new album, Hatchet Blues, is one of the Top 100 CDs of the year, judges Real Blues magazine, in the company of releases from Elvin Bishop, Roomful of Blues and other notables

“Lyrically and sonically… a fine piece of work,” says the UK’s Blues Matters!. 

Have a taste.

INGREDIENTS

Jim Antonellis (drums): Brother-in-arms with Hallal for some 15 years. His shuffle grooves and 4-to-the-floor stomps recall Chicago blues drummers Ted Harvey and Fred Below. Influences include Gene Krupa and Charlie Watts

Robert DeCorte (bass, vocals): Longtime jam partner and vinyl-hunting bud of guitarist Schluntz. Wrote and sings the evocative “Last of the Great Train Robbers” on new album. Also plays with Rhode Island jam band institution, Loose Change

Mike Hallal (guitar, vocals): Some “superb” songs, says Blues Matters! of Hallal’s latest material on the new album. Early influences include Beatles, Stones and Robert Johnson. Hatchet Blues is the 10th full-length release featuring his songs and performance.

Chris Schluntz (lead guitar): His burning axe work shines thruout the new hour-long album, helping ignite riff-heavy cuts like “Crying at the Sun” and the title track. Also authored the funk for “World’s a Place.” Vinyl collection includes Buddy Guy and The Black Keys.

RADIO PLAY FOR HATCHET BLUES

WMRA 90.7, Blues Valley (Harrisonburg, VA
WUCF 89.9, Smokestack Lightnin’ (Orlando, FL
KDHX 88.1, Stumble in the Dark (St. Louis, MO
WMBR 88.1, Pipeline (MIT, Cambridge, MA
WHUS 91.7, Bluesline (Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
WRUW 91.1, Diversified Inc. (Case Western, Cleveland, OH
LT38 104.3, Desde La Torre (Entre Rios, Argentina & Atlanta, GA
CFBX 92.5, At the Crossroads (Kamloops, BC, Canada
UKW 104.5, Bluescorner (Schopfheim, Germany
RTV Raalte 105.1, Bluestown (Kwadendamme, Netherlands
VFM 91.6, Boom Boom (Vinkovci, Croatia
Radio 2: 94.1, Mojo Blues (Skopje, Macedonia
mvyradio.com, Local MusiCafe (Vineyard Haven, MA
jango.com (New York, NY
loudcaster.com, Charlietown Blues (Columbia, SC
radioukinternational.com (Basingstoke, UK
live365.com, Midnight Special Blues Radio (Paris, France)

ALBUMS ON iTUNES*

Hatchet Blues

Live at Lizard Lounge

Chains of Being

Label: Pi Records

*Also available at all other major music sites, including Amazon, eMusic and Rhapsody.

LINKS

iTunes

Jango Radio