Billboard Magazine's ranked #1 blues artist Anthony Gomes will be at Rascals Live (1418 15th St.) in Moline on Saturday December 15. Advance tickets are for sale now at Rascals (1414 15th St.) for only $15. Day of show tickets will be $20. Tickets can be bought online by emailing Rascals at rascals@rascalsmoline.com or by calling Rascals at 309-797-9457.
Singer-guitarist Anthony Gomes lives by that credo of truth as an artist, constantly challenging himself to expand his explorations of heart and sound. The release of his latest album Up 2 Zero represents a full-circle return to his love of high energy, guitar-driven blues rock. The new collection of songs combines straightahead power blues compositions with tracks that incorporate soul-injected melodic moments.
Gomes was named BluesWax Magazine's "Artist of the Year," which elevated him to the top of the blues field. Music Is the Medicine, released in 2006, peaked at number four on the Billboard Top Blues Albums chart. Gomes' endless touring kept him atop the blues field as he continued to be nominated for BluesWax Artist of the Year awards for several years in a row. 2008?s LIVE is Gomes' greatest commercial success to date, reaching number one on the Billboard Top Blues Albums chart.
Up 2 Zero, Gomes' latest offering, bristles with that passion and personality of the blues, a testimony to the healing power of music to uplift, console, move and motivate the spirit. American Blues Scene writes, "Anthony Gomes is back. Not that he really left ? but he IS back, invigorated and full of fire. His new album oozes energy and renewal, and his band is kicking too! What makes this album really interesting is that though there are songs that are not strictly 'blues' per se, these still reference blues that the listener will recognize and appreciate." Up 2 Zero is the culmination of all that Gomes has learned over the course of his previous albums and touring.
One of the key songs on the new CD is the searing mission statement of "Back To The Start." Comments Gomes, "I wanted to begin the CD with a powerhouse shuffle to set the tone of where we are at musically. Lyrically, the song says it all. As simple as it sounds, you have to follow your heart and I had to get back to where I started. For me, it's the blues. I can always try different things, but I always find myself going back to where the music started."
Kenny Bailey
