TIME AWAY FROM HOME IS ALL SLOWHAND'S FAULT.Byline: Fred Shuster Music Writer Blues-rocking Valley resident Doyle Bramhall II doesn't spend much time at home with his wife and new baby these days. Blame it on Eric Clapton. The Texan guitar slinger has been touring with Clapton since spring as opening act on Slowhand's arena trek. Friday and Saturday, the show comes to Staples Center This article has multiple issues: * Its neutrality is disputed. * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * It does not cite any references or sources. . Bramhall developed an unexpected friendship with Clapton, guesting on Eric's last two albums as guitarist and collaborator. His most recent work with Clapton is the single ``Superman Inside,'' from Clapton's ``Reptile'' disc. ``Eric got hold of an album I did in 1999 and liked the songwriting and the way the record was made,'' Bramhall, 32, recalled this week on a rare day off. ``He phoned and said I was one of his favorite contemporary guitarists and wanted to perhaps cover two of my songs. He invited me down and had me play.'' Along with Clapton's arena shows, Bramhall and his band, Smokestack, are fitting in club dates - including a gig tonight at the Troubadour troubadour One of a class of lyric poets and poet-musicians, often of knightly rank, that flourished from the 11th through the 13th century, chiefly in Provence and other regions of southern France, northern Spain, and northern Italy. - in support of the just-released ``Welcome'' album. ``We're actually getting good response in the stadiums,'' Bramhall said. ``Usually an opening act is just filler and nobody pays attention unless it really stands out. But we must be doing something right 'cause we've gotten standing ovations.'' Bramhall has name recognition among blues-rock connoisseurs. Born in Dallas and raised in Austin, he was surrounded by music from an early age thanks to his dad, guitarist-producer Doyle Bramhall, a bandmate of Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan Stephen "Stevie" Ray Vaughan (October 3, 1954 – August 27, 1990), born in Dallas, Texas, was an American blues guitarist. His broad appeal, combination of unbelievable speed, precision, energy, passion and emotion and constant expansion of his Blues style into Funk, Jazz, in the '60s and '70s. At 16, Bramhall II toured with Jimmie Vaughan's Fabulous Thunderbirds and later co-founded the rock band Arc Angels Arc Angels are a blues rock band formed in Austin, Texas in the early 1990s. The band was comprised of guitarist and singers Doyle Bramhall II and Charlie Sexton and two former members of Stevie Ray Vaughan's band Double Trouble, drummer Chris Layton and bassist Tommy Shannon. with fellow Texan Charlie Sexton sex·ton n. An employee or officer of a church who is responsible for the care and upkeep of church property and sometimes for ringing bells and digging graves. . Bramhall's 1999 solo effort, ``Jellycream,'' drew telephone calls from Clapton and Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, who hired the guitarist for world tours. ``It's not intimidating playing with these guys because I was exposed to lots of great players growing up,'' Bramhall said. ``It was Jimmie Vaughan Jimmie Lawrence Vaughan (born on March 20, 1951 in Dallas, Texas) is an American blues guitarist and singer. He is the older brother of Stevie Ray Vaughan. Jimmie Vaughan's style was influenced by Freddie King who gave him personal advice. who taught me that guitar playing is more about music and less about guitar. He showed me the foundation starts with rhythm, chords and melodic ideas rather than making everything about solos.'' DOYLE BRAMHALL II & SMOKESTACK Where: Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Santa Monica (săn`tə mŏn`ĭkə), city (1990 pop. 86,905), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1886. Tourism and retailing are important, and the city has motion-picture, biotechnology, and software industries. Blvd., West Hollywood West Hollywood A community of southern California northeast of Beverly Hills. It is mainly residential. Population: 36,600. . When: 8 tonight. Tickets: $12.50. Information: (310) 276-6168 or www.troubadour.com. What else: Friday and Saturday, Smokestack opens for Eric Clapton at Staples Center. |
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