Doug Cox: News/Journal

Volume 2 of the Slide To Freedom Project (called Make A Better World) has been recorded and I am very happy with the results. My friend, Spider Robinson, has heard the roughs and here's what he has to say about the new CD...
Doug Cox and Salil Bhatt’s first album SLIDE TO FREEDOM was a genuine musical landmark, brilliant players successfully marrying rural “roots” traditions from opposite sides of the planet. Mississippi Delta meets Ganges Delta. Their latest collaboration, powered once again by the tablas of Ramkumar Mishra and guest appearances by Salil’s esteemed Grammy-winning father Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, proves conclusively that this musical intermarriage was not just a stunt but the start of a new world genre.

MAKE A BETTER WORLD is even better than its predecessor, thanks in large part to vocals by New Orleans soul singer John Boutté that take things all the way down the Mississippi, to the foot of Canal Street in the French Quarter, without ever losing their back-country flavour. Call them Planetary Po’ Boys. The brand-new-but-instantly-timeless sound they all create together makes the point that all over the world, the rural poor and the urban poor all sing the same blues, all yearn for the same things. Musical communication like this is one of the surest ways to make a better world.

--Spider Robinson, podcaster and author of VERY HARD CHOICES [Baen Books]

The tour has been fantastic! Thanks to everybody who came out to see us. We are in Edmonton tonight. Big blizzard and the first winter Salil and Ram have ever seen! Next, off to Ashcroft to record the new CD.

Check out the feature from the Indo-Canadian Report with Wojtek Gwiazda at Radio Canada International.

The actual audio file is at:

http://www.rcinet.ca/rci/console/index.asp?langue=EN&IDExtraits=757907

I'm just back from another amazing week in Gimli, Manitoba - teaching at Aboriginal Music Performers (AMP) camp. It was a blast hanging out with a group of generous talented musicians. I'm a lucky guy!
Today - I was laying down some Dobro tracks for the new Lynne Hanson CD - sounds great Lynne! Check her out on MYspace.
I am setting up my home studio next week which means I can now do remote tracks for anybody who wants a Dobro in their music. Drop me a line if you're looking for a Dobro...I'd love to do it.
I like to Slide!
Cheers,
Doug

Hey Everyone,
Thanks for all the nice comments in the guestbook. I would love to tour more in other countries - if you have any ideas on booking agents who could help, please let me know.
I'm off to Ontario this week to work on demos with April Verch and Tony McManus for the 'Strung' project - we hope to do a CD soon.
It also looks like we will be doing another 'Slide to Freedom' CD in April here in Canada with Miles Wilkinson at the helm . Wahoo!
Thaks for all your interest and support,

Doug

Best right now :
Doug Cox & Salil Bhatt with Ramkumar Mishra *Slide to Freedom* (Northern Blues)

Indian music and delta blues, Doug Cox resophonic guitars and indian rythm instruments: A complete synthesis of heavenly beauty and earthly
concretion.

- Magnus Eriksson / Rootsy -

Celtic Connections in Glasgow was a blast! If you have never been, it's a wonderful festival, with a great mix of musics. I hope to return next year.
Next, I'm off to Ontario for rehearsals with April Verch and Tony McManus for the 'Strung' project.

I am looking for any photos from gigs I did with Long John Baldry. I know lots of folks took pictures and I don't have a single shot! If you have one of John and I please send it to me at dougcox@shaw.ca.
Or, if you have photos from other dates/camps please send them and I'll post them here.

My long-out-of-print CDs; including my first two solo CDs and the first Travels With Charley CD are now available as downloads at http://www.cdbaby.com/all/dougcox

What a great year it's been! From touring with the 'New Voices in Slide Guitar' and 'Strung' folks to being shortlisted for a Grammy Nomination with 'Slide To Freedom,' to releasing the 'Blues From Forbidden Plateau' CD with Sam Hurrie, it has indeed been a great musical year. We never got the nomination - but just being that close felt good. Plans are underway for lots of new recording projects for 2008 and tours as well. More to follow on all that soon. Meanwhile, have a great holiday season.