Albums are available by order from record shops, and at Amazon.co.uk & other sellers on line. They are distributed in the UK by Proper Music

You can also buy mail order from this site (UK only)

USA: For quicker, cheaper delivery you can buy on line from  DWM Music

Below is a list of Forthcoming Gigs, some other information that doesn't seem to fit on the other pages, a few quotes from Reviews, and Other Stuff:

Gigs:

September 2009

October 2009

November 2009

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June 2009

July 2009

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More coming up . . . . so stay tuned.

Quick Quotes

BBC Radio 2:  Paul Jones:

“ . . . very, very good stuff!  Excellent songwriting . . . very subtle, beautiful, and lovely side guitar.”  

Americana.co.uk :

“ . . . he sings with as much understated soul as anybody has a right to expect.  Tortora is something of an undiscovered treasure. Well worth catching on the occasional times he plays live.”

Maverick (UK):

"Tortora is the epitome of a working musician.  He displays an easy and comfortable way with a blend of country, blues and even the odd hint of jazz.  One of those musicians who, for some reason, seem to fly under the radar of fame, they go about their business with skill and dedication, coaxing and caressing the most out of [each song] . . . there is a real depth of feeling to Tortora's music.”

Blues Matters!  

"What a way to start 2008! A new CD from the excellent Guy Tortora that shines out in the January gloom.  Make a resolution to buy (Living on Credit), it is more than worth the price . . . every track stands out."  

Rootstown (Belgium):

" . . . sounds as if recorded during a trip down Highway 61.  What’s more each song glows with a patina that dates from 7 decades ago.  Tortora could be  Alvin Youngblood Hart & Rainer’s  cousin."

Indie Music Review:

"Blues music of the past is like a history lesson put to melody. But the trick to making the blues sound relevant is matching its ageless sonic and sentiment with contemporary lyrics. Guy Tortora understands this unique artistic combination completely."

Blues4ever.com:

“Guy Tortora is one of an elite band of American blues musicians who have found their niche on the UK and European blues scene.  Like all musicians of his calibre he has the ability to move effortlessly between acoustic and electric guitar and between traditional and open tunings.” 

Ashwyn Smyth’s “Digital Bluesletter” :

Guy is, in my opinion, unique, whether he is playing his own highly original material such as the aforementioned “Two Fried Eggs”, the almost Latin style “No Substitute”, the bluesy “My Town” or “Soul Mate” which saw another demonstration of Guy’s beautiful slide guitar or one of his totally individual takes on standards such as “Crossroads”, “Sweet Home Chicago” or “ Walking the Dog”. His band is one of those which is made up of individually highly talented and experienced musicians who gel superbly . . . every track on his CD is gorgeous.”

France: “Blues & Co Magazine, No 22.”:

Completely unknown on this side of the Channel, this Californian who has adopted England as his home, plays an acoustic blues as smooth as silk, with a finesse & a subtlety rare in these times of harsh sounds.   This craftsman of all things blue has the power to transform the classics into shining and delicate gems . . . A magic atmosphere on every track!  Sait tout faire:  écrire, compose, chanter, arranger, jouer et rêver.”

USA:   Blues Review Magazine #83 :

. . . A propulsive, contemporary groove reminiscent of Robert Cray’s work.  The “Footnote” album offers a satisfying balance of acoustic and electric arrangements; 

Blues  Matters!:

“Jefferson Drive takes you on a magical journey from start to finish . . .can’t fault it!”  

Blues in Britain:

“Repeated listenings are well rewarded”

Feenstra.com  (UK):

“Made you think Ry Cooder had just entered the building”

Blues & Rhythm – the Gospel Truth:  (UK)

“Bold & sensitive, full of grace & feeling” 

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More Reviews & Such

Paul Jones' Comments on R2 Session :  My Town:  "Very, very good stuff.  Excellent songwriting."    Watch Over Me:  ". . . Marvellous performance.  Very subtle, beautiful, and lovely slide guitar"  Living on Credit:  " . . . Up to his usual standard!"

Album Distribution & Availability:  Guy's album's are distributed by Proper Distribution, who specialise in the folk and roots field.  You Can Buy on Line from Amazon.co.uk  using their secure credit card ordering system.  Distribution through Proper means you can go to "Any Good Record Store" and order a copy of the CD's.  The newest album is titled  "Living On Credit", and contains seven original tracks written by  Guy, and five covers including arrangements of JJ Cale's "Super Blue", Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready", and Blind Willie Johnson's "Nobody's Fault But Mine" .  The album was recorded at the Cowshed Studio in London.  In the USA Guy's music is stocked by on line sellers DWM Music.  "Living On Credit" is also available on line as a download.

Maverick-UK: 

An artist who is dedicated and extremly skillful
If the title of his latest album is anything to go by, it appears that GuyTortora knew something the financial and political worlds missed when he made "LIVING ON CREDIT". If these troubled times are in search of an anthem
then look no further than the title track which kicks the album off.  Born and raised in Pasadena, California and now living in London, Tortora is the epitome of a working musician. He displays an easy and comfortable way with a blend of country, blues and even the odd hint of jazz. Falling is a hearteningly warm and honest slice of nostalgia that is impossible to find fault with and easy to be enchanted by. Even the fiery White Boy Blues flows quite naturally, it sounds neither forced nor manufactured, Tortora simply sets the song loose and watches it gather pace of its own accord.  Only the ear of an experienced and canny musician could have followed that
with a version of the classic People Get Ready that is stunning in its purity, voice and steel guitar dance around each other with a grace and elegance. To call it a cover is to cheapen a memorable experience and
insult both artist and song.  Guy Tortora is one of those musicians who, for some reason, seem to fly under the radar of fame. They go about their business with skill and dedication and treat their songs well, coaxing and caressing the most out of Like It That Way and Mama's Tired.  But there is a real depth of feeling to Guy Tortora's music, nowhere more so than on the apocalyptic Cotton Was King, a song as bleak in style as the
story it tells.  LIVING ON CREDIT may never catapult its author into the upper reaches but it's a grown up album that Guy Tortora should be rightly proud of. MM

Americana-UK -- Jeremy Searle:  reviews  "Living on Credit":

An American domiciled in London, Guy Tortora sings the sort of rural blues that exists beyond the dictates of transitory trends like Americana. Anchored by a cover of Blind Willie Johnson’s “Nobody’s Fault But Mine”, Tortora sings a mixture of covers and originals, their common denominator being that they sound as if they could have been recorded yesterday or 80 years ago. So Kreg Viesselman’s “Sharecroppers” blends seamlessly with Tortora’s “Cotton Was King”, and both ease they way around JJ Cale’s “Super Blue”.

“Cotton Was King” is one of the two standout tracks, a slow, almost spoken, blues that begins “They say the Mississippi delta begins in the lobby of the Peabody hotel in Memphis, and ends in Vicksburg on Catfish Row” and rolls on like that mighty river, brooding and ominous, gradually disappearing into the distance to the sound of a moaning harmonica. Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready”, where Tortora’s fingers slide over a resonator guitar and he sings with as much understated soul as anybody has a right to expect, with backing vocals that say Chicago even if they’re from Haringay, is the other notable offering here. The remaining tracks aren’t that far behind though, and Tortora, whose third album this is, is something of an undiscovered treasure. Well worth buying and catching on the occasional times he plays live.

Blues Matters! -- Ashwyn Smythe -- Digital Blues:    "Living on Credit"

What a way to start 2008! A new CD from the excellent Guy Tortora that shines out in the January gloom. Guy is a very individual singer/songwriter/guitarist and can always be relied upon to produce a varied and interesting collection and this CD is no exception. The title track, although written more than a year ago, strikes a very current note and there will be many that identify with the lyrics. It also features the excellent Giles King guesting on harp and he also contributes to the swampy and steaming ‘Cotton Was King’. This 12 tracker has an almost equal mix of originals and fine covers including a super-chilled take on JJ Cale’s ‘Super Blue’ and a passionate version of Curtis Mayfield’s classic ‘People Get Ready’ featuring some gorgeous slide guitar plus shimmering Hammond from the unique Janos Bajtala and Guy’s daughters on bvs. Delicious strings, including a beautiful cello solo, make ‘Mama’s Tired’ a dreamy treat.  ’White Boy Blues’ is a wonderfully wry song which cannot fail to strike a chord with many. The beautiful ‘Falling’ features Richard Studholme on mandolin and accordion which brings another texture to this fine CD. There simply is not a weak track here. Every song stands out and this collection is a tribute to all involved but especially to the creativity, artistry, talent and poeticism of Guy himself. Make a resolution to buy this CD, it is more than worth the price, even if you put it on credit!  

Rootstown Magazine (Belgium):    "Living on Credit"

Guy Tortora’s 3^rd CD proves that escaping from America to London doesn’t mean you need to lose contact with your native country’s roots music. These songs sound as if they were recorded during a trip down Highway 61. What’s more each song glows with a patina that dates from 7 decades ago. This is semi-acoustic Blues (sprinkled with a touch of jazz) fished up from the Mississippi mud. Tortora could be  Alvin Youngblood Hart & Rainer’s  cousin. The fact that he’s also listened to Ry Cooder and Bob Dylan is used to his advantage when he’s working all these sources. Next to the main self-composed stuff on Living on Credit  we also find wholly original reworkings of Nobody’s Fault But Mine (Blind Willie Johnson), Super Blue (J.J. Cale), People Get Ready (Curtis Mayfield) and Share Croppers (Kreg Viesselman).  National Steel, Hammond and mouth harp accent the local colour.  The album closes, countryrocking-style, with Rick Estrin’s Don’t Do It. Roots Record of the month! (GTB)

Cri du Coyote Magazine  (France)  April ‘08

How about a little walk through Bluesville?  It’s not every day . . .  you come across the likes of Guy Tortora, a Californian exiled in London, who on this album “Living on Credit”, is clearly oriented towards blues/roots.  From Clapton to JJ Cale (his version of Willie Johnson’s Nobody’s Fault But Mine could be a lost track from EC’s “Unplugged” sessions), with some jazzy detours and solid playing, this here guy seems to lead a charmed life, playing the music that he obviously loves, and letting everything else go hang. The production is great:  big and clear.  A faultless effort  --  powerful.  --  Eric Supparo  

Indie Music Review (USA)  April '08

Blues music of the past is like a history lesson put to melody. But the trick to making the blues sound relevant is matching its ageless sonic and sentiment with contemporary lyrics. Guy Tortora understands this unique artistic combination completely, which is what makes his Living On Credit CD such a delight.

He opens his 12-song disc with a title track that is especially noteworthy for the ears of our recession-bound America. Too many citizens are relying on credit cards to support a high-living lifestyle. But what will they do when it’s time to pay The Piper? The last I heard, The Piper doesn’t take American Express.

Tortora also includes a couple of familiar, but always welcome, covers. One is Blind Willie Johnson's "Nobody's Fault But Mine." It’s neither Led Zeppelin’s heavy metal workout, nor Johnson’s original stripped down take. Instead, Tortora fills his take with honky-tonk piano and acoustic guitar. Tortora also takes on The Impressions’ “People Get Ready." This has been a gospel shout in the hands of Aretha Franklin, and a sweet pop offering from Rod Stewart. But Tortora chose to find a middle ground between these two approaches. The instrumentation is minimal, but Tortora’s vocal is passionate.

One of this CD’s best tracks is “White Boy Blues." It is fuelled by soulful organ and stinging lead guitar. Tortora sings it like a man on fire. Its lyric also explores the unique position of a “white boy” singing the blues. Instead of moaning about prejudice, segregation and the plight of being a minority in a land that is supposedly free, the white blues singer is just worried about surviving and making a buck. Oh, and he's also concerned about being believable, too, of course.

Although Tortora doesn’t seem to have any particular spiritual aims with his music, his “God Don’t Change” is a powerful statement about The Almighty. While sung over a stomping beat along with backing female vocals, its lyric acts as a reminder that -- although change is a constant in our society -- God remains the same.

Far too often, blues albums end up being hot-to-trot guitar slingers showing off their stuff. But Living On Credit focuses on great songs that are well sung, instead. This is not to say that the playing is shoddy. To the contrary. Tortora plays guitar well, and is helped out by a few equally skilled friends. But at the end of the day, it’s this CD’s fine songs that will stick with you most. – Dan MacIntosh

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Blues Matters! reviewer Darren Howells on "Jefferson Drive":  

"I can now see (well hear!) why I have heard so many great things from other writers about Guy Tortora and why he is becoming such an 'in demand' act on the live circuit. Guy was raised in Pasadena (USA) but is based in the UK (although the songs "feel" and subject matter are firmly rooted in America), this release consists of 13 tracks (11 originals) which mix acoustic with electric Blues and the results are remarkable. The first thing I noticed listening to this album is the fair (or should that be rare?) amount of class to each of the songs, each telling an interesting short story (with a fair amount of wit)…my particular favourite being 'Two Fried Eggs' an eulogy to Guy's favourite breakfast where he likes 'two fried eggs and some ham on the side' but 'don't boil it, you'll spoil it', brilliant! Guy is backed by, a more than accomplished band consisting of, Janos Bajtala (Keyboards), Brendan Canty (Bass) and Neil Littman (Drums) and the production is out of the top-drawer. This one pulls out of the Drive and takes you on a magical journey from start to finish…can't fault it!"

Digital Bluesman  & Phoenix  FM  DJ Ashwyn Smyth made these comments about "Jefferson Drive" on his reviews pages:

  "As I look through the CD’s that have come in for review over the last few months I am struck by the fantastic variety of the music on them. None more so that this wonderful CD from London based, Pasadena, California native, Guy Tortora with his excellent band. This is Guy’s second CD and is subtitled “Blues & Other Stories” which is a bit like the Ronseal ad, it is what it says on the sleeve! 13 tracks, wonderfully varied, displaying Guy’s great songwriting and guitar picking skills and also the skills of his regular band, Brendan Canty on bass, Neil Littman on drums and the wonderful Janos Bajtala on keyboards, including some very tasty Hammond B3 . . . Every track on this CD is gorgeous and Guy  should be very proud indeed of what he has produced and I have no hesitation in urging you to get your hands on a copy and go catch Guy live, his live performance is every bit as bewitching as this CD, if not more so."

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Live!

Recent years have been a great time for Guy & the Band, with a warm welcome from club & theater audiences all over the UK.   There have been so many outstanding audiences  --  Thanks to everyone who's come out to the shows for making us feel so welcome!  

UK performances at The Great British R 'n' B Festival  in Colne, Lancs, Bushy's Big Wheel Blues Festival at Laxey on the Isle of Man, and at the Blues on the Bay Festival,  Warrenpoint, N. Ireland, Crawley Folk Festival, Blues on the Farm Festival,  and many, many Arts Centers and festivals in the UK and the Continent, where  Guy has appeared on the same stage as John Mayall, and Peter Green's Splinter Group, among others.

GUY TORTORA BAND @ Dorchester BluesNights:

The Guy Tortora Band's first visit to BluesNights at the Dorchester Arts Centre heralded the start of an American Blues Weekend - and they were funky! It's a word I don't use very often, but it seems spot on for a band that was very tight with an obvious empathy which comes from playing together for some time. Featuring Californian Guy Tortora (guitars/ vocals), Janosch Bajtala (keyboards), Neil Littman (drums) and Brendan Canty (bass/backing vocals).
Guy started off with a beautifully executed solo rendition of Robert Johnson's "Crossroads Blues". During their first set there was a wide variety of songs ranging from ballads to hard driving R&B. Willy Dixon's "I'm Ready" featured powerful and rhythmic keyboards from Janosch, something he frequently delivered during the evening.
Guy also used a National Steel showing his picking and slide playing skills. Tony Joe White's "Did Someone Make A Fool Of You" was superb. An appreciative audience swung to Duke Robillard's "Love Sliped In" and an own composition "Love Not Money" with the rhythm section of Neil and Brendan driving things along, making it swing. Minus their usual backing singers on this occasion, Brendan also provided some excellent vocal support to Guy. Finishing this first set was another of the latter's tunes "Late Starter" which he described as their theme tune!

Kicking off the second half, Guy performed solo on "I Need A Car" an ode to the auto. This was followed by a strong attacking version of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine". I did enjoy that - as did the audience judging by the rapturous applause as it ended! The tightness and empathy within the band shone through on "Early In The Morning" and they excelled on "Sitting On Top Of The World". Guy's playing on BB King's "Help The Poor" had that BB feel to it, quite uncannily so! "Sanctified Love" was very cool and funky! Bringing the set to a close they chose "Let The Good Times Roll", Guy actually has a very good voice for this type of sound; very tight bass/drums on this number.

The audience, having been treated to a superb evening's entertainment, got them back for an encore which was Rick Estrin's "Don't Do It" a real powerful and hard driving rocker.
Well I've seen them, I've heard them, and they are a band to be reckoned with; very entertaining and both I and the audience were truly satisfied. My advice to promoters - book them, and to punters -go and see them soon!

Lewis A Harris  --  Dorchester Bluesnights Reviewer

Bottleneck Blues Club

A performance by Guy & Band at this club in Kent, UK, drew these comments from club owner John Adams:  

“Guy Tortora from Pasadena, Ca. was an unknown, I think, for everybody, a last minute replacement for Café R&B who cancelled their UK tour but what a great substitute!!  Superb original songs, a few old favorites & wonderful arrangements.

I will definitely be having him back again & if you missed this gig do NOT miss these guys when they return ~ I'm serious ~ this was top international entertainment at its best.” 

"Blues in Britain":

The album launch for Guy Tortora’s album Footnote to the Blues was a classic gig.  The venue, though a packed low-ceilinged basement, was cool and smoke free.  

    The set started off with three standards:  “Crossroads Blues” which is on the album, an unusual take on “I’m Ready”, then “Key to the Highway”.  For Tony Joe White’s “Did Somebody Make a Fool Out Of You” Janos moved on to a shaker and Brendan sang harmonies.  Next up was a quorum of songs also on the album:  “Hallowed Ground” which featured slide from Guy, “Long Slow Blues”, the first track and then Guy, solo, played “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “I Need A Car”.  The latter is a humorous take on the American’s divine right to drive.

    For another unusual rendition, this time “Sweet Home Chicago”, the band was joined by two of "The Family Jewels": Guy’s daughter Frankie and friend and honorary “Jewel” Charlene providing backing vocals on this and “Oh Mary Don’t You Weep”, joined by a third “Jewel” aqua daughter Rebecca.  The girls’ harmonies on “Love Nor Money” were exquisite.  Eat your heart out ‘cause you weren’t there!  The band finished the set with Guy’s “Late Starter” a driving, wry autobiographical number.

    The second set started sans drums, with “Tough Love” also written by Guy, followed by “As the Years Go Passing By” for which Guy donned a turquoise Strat.  His “Sanctified Love” is played at a brisk strut.  The three girls joined in on bv’s for “Help the Poor”.  They finished the set with a shuffle “Days of Old”.

    Three encores were demanded and delivered:  “Gimme One Reason”, and the unscheduled “Next Ex Wife” and “I Just Want to Make Love to You”.  The album is great and the gig was even better."

FRAN LESLIE

Thoughts on:  "Footnote to the Blues:"

GARY HEARN, writing for "Blues & Rhythm -- the Gospel Truth" :

. . . so far so good, a warm recommendation for an album that bears many repeated plays.  However you have to be bloody-minded, bloody foolish or bloody good to take on Motown’s finest composition [“Heard it Through the Grapevine”].  In its original form, it is repeatedly selected as the greatest single track – ever.  So what the blue blazes is it doing here?  I’ll tell you.  This version is a stunning rendition, bold and sensitive, full of grace and feeling.  Tortora ain’t got a voice like Marvin (who has?) – he doesn’t need it in this version.  His delicate playing does the singing.  We’ve all been hurt in the same way, pain embellished by finding out second hand;  this interpretation moves the standpoint left-field slightly to a place where the raconteur tells his side of the tale to a not entirely sympathetic friend.  Catch this version:  delete quirky, substitute excellent.

From FRANK FRANKLIN's review in “Blues in Britain” :

When an artist is multi-talented it can be easy to under appraise any one aspect of their performing or recorded presentation.  Such is the case with American-in-London Guy Tortora, singer, songwriter, arranger, guitarist, harpist and co-producer.  On this release he spans the range from stripped down acoustic to full band titles all with a contemporary edge.

                It is hard to imagine an acoustic portrayal of the classic “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (Whitfield/Strong) working so well.  The opening “Long Slow Blues” not being anything like a slow blues is a bit of a misnomer.  In the publicity notes Guy states that this  “ . . . is a metaphor for Something Else Completely”.  This title along with “Love Nor Money” contains some good harp work.    Whilst “Hallowed Ground” has echoes of Eric Bibb, partly owing to the accordion of Charlie Hart, “I Need A Car” is very Bibbish.  This is not only in general sound but also in subject matter and metre.  It is quite easy to imagine that Eric himself could have penned this particular number, which contains the witty historical reference-line:  “I never asked my baby for water, I told her to bring gasoline”.  Both Bibb and Tortora have an intelligent approach to song writing with clear ideas cleanly presented.  Having said that, both are very much their own man with distinct voices and here the comparisons must end.

 Driving,  compelling rhythms are on the five tracks adorned with the percussive inventions of co-producer Wan Hewitt.  “Did Somebody Make a Fool of You” (Tony Joe White) and “Tough Love” are both songs of such intense communication they beg the question “is this personal?”  This is particularly the case for the former.  The remaining non-original title “Crossroads Blues” (Johnson) is approached from a contemporary angle in a surprisingly refreshing electric rendition.  The closing number “Going Down Slow   (Pt II)”  is a long mainly slow eight minute original blues with Janos Bajtala featured on piano and one Sam Kelly on drums.

AL TAIT  --  "Blues Matters!" :  

. . . So what are my own thoughts? Well first of all it's a superbly well produced album, a fact superbly demonstrated on the track "Tough Love", one of Guys own songs (eight of the eleven are) "Tough Love" has excellent lyrics, is well sung, excellent instrumentation with guitar
piano and double bass, but it's the production that pulls it all together giving the song loads of atmosphere. The standard of "Tough Love " applies to all of Guys songs with only one slight moan from me which is to bring the guitar out a bit more otherwise it just sounds
like part of the backing.  A worthwhile album, the acoustic work is especially good and there's a quality about the song writing which is pleasing

Ashwyn Smyth  --  "Digital Bluesletter"  

"Guy Tortora, Pasadena, Ca. born but now resident in London, has produced a CD called “Footnote to the Blues”, an eclectic collection of originals as well as some fine covers, all of which have been given his own treatment.

 Guy is a top rate guitarist, playing acoustic and electric and with a mean line in bottleneck. He has been compared to Albert Collins and Ry Cooder but comparisons are often invidious. Above all he is Guy Tortora. There are a number of different styles here whether it be the Cajun style “Hallowed Ground”, the solo acoustic “I Need a Car”, the BB King style “Late Starter”. . . (which) features some nice stinging guitar from Guy as well as some lovely Hammond from Mark Breen. “Love nor Money” has a great rhythm, very thoughtful lyrics and an excellent harp solo from Guy . . . A solo acoustic version of the soul superclassic “ I Heard it Through the Grapevine” captures the hurt of the original but brings a whole new dimension to it, (there is) a wonderful slow blues on Tony Joe White’s “Did Somebody Make a Fool Out of You” . . .This is a solid first CD and Guy, with music like this you are welcome here in the UK . . ."

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"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs . . . There's also a negative side." -- Hunter S. Thompson 

"A capo allows the banjo player, once out of tune in one key, to quickly be out of tune in any other key" -- Jim Rosenstock in Anybody Can Play the Banjo, Why Not You?