Pressbook

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=125 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="60e467d1egerdp.gif"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Home page"><U><B><IMG SRC="85466580.jpg" border=0 width="102" height="88" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>   </B><A HREF="id491.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Index page in English"><U><B><IMG SRC="85662550.jpg" border=0 width="98" height="85" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>   </B><A HREF="id255.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Concerts in Festivals"><U><B><IMG SRC="85860530.jpg" border=0 width="96" height="83" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=355 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div>  <IMG SRC="a0023d60.jpg" border=0 width="291" height="214" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Tahoma" ><B><IMG SRC="51da6530.jpg" border=0 width="166" height="83" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></FONT></div> <div>                                   <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial Narrow" >Photo: Ángel Marín</FONT></div> <bR> <div> "Big Mama Montse made vibrate the public joined in Fadura (Getxo-Spain) that really applauded her performance." </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>EGIN JULY 91 </B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The night revolution began with Big Mama and The Blues Messengers... When they started the performance people drove crazy. To vibrate, they vibrated until the supports of the microphones... Many people sent themselves to a wild dance. At the end of the gig all the public in Fadura was shouting:  `one more!,  one more!´... " </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>DEIA  4 JULY 91</B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="469" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 23 WIDTH="465"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="23" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="465" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> "... Big Mama appeared on stage and she was a close torrent of sensations and bluesy convictions ... the vocal energy of her singing elevated the temperature of the theater (San Juan Evangelista in Madrid)"</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>ABC   3 DECEMBER 91</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The first session of this Blues Festival in Barcelona was opened by a Big Mama full of voice, whose function was rather further on that the one of playing before The Fabulous Thunderbirds... Big Mama marked an excellent concert." </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>EL OBSERVADOR   6 APRIL 92</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Big Mama offered a good fresh blues session with Mediterranean perfume. She put what there is to put upon a scene. Good professional." </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>LA VANGUARDIA    6 APRIL 92</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Big Mama is the new musical queen of the blues in Barcelona. The special feeling that envolve her interpretations makes her into a great singer... Big Mama put the tenderness and Johnny Adams the fire. " </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>EL PERIÓDICO   24 MAY 92</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Big Mama appeared in scene by singing classic blues with impeccable form. After the last song, the public asked her for more, unusual thing in a first on performance. Big Mama sang another blues before Luther Johnson´s show." </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>EL DIARI DE TERRASSA   13  MARCH 93</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Week after week and during some years, Big Mama and The Blues Messengers have been present in the most important clubs of Barcelona, creating a faithful liking to the blues and giving credibility to it, influencing in many groups and contributing to create a blues tradition in Catalonia." </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>GUÍA DEL OCIO  Nº 802    APRIL 93</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Montse Pratdesaba (Big Mama) is a singer overturned totally to the blues. Leading a sober band and singing night after night, she obtains that La Boîte, the club that she helped to make popular in Barcelona, records her a Live album. The CD gathers with reliability the sweat, the tears, the smoke, the glasses and the energy that she gives and receives from the public." </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>24 THURSDAY NOVEMBER 93</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How can it be possible that a girl that´s been born in Catalonia sings the blues as if she has lived in the Mississippi area? It´s an inscrutable mystery to me and it was too for the North American artist  Spanky Wilson that after listening to Big Mama exclaimed subjugated: ` Man, what a voice!´. If you pay attention to some of the Big Mama´s recordings, they can suggest to you that she is a brilliant inheritress of the Empress of the Blues. Her powerful voice and her feeling reminds us to the great Bessie Smith.</div> <div> In these three or four years we´ve listened to Big Mama accompanied by small sets, singing ferocious blues with a black touch. She has traveled by Spanish geography and also in France, and everywhere she goes she has received a fervent welcome. It is really fascinating that, in a moment that pop-rock stars prevail, somebody that sings the blues obtains the applause of nourished groups of young people who are not used to hear that kind of music. </div> <div> Big Mama does not have bad taste, she adores Elmore James and Bessie Smith. She also loves the great black orchestras just like Count Basie´s one. And she wishes to deepen her knowledge of the blues arcanes,  to improve her singing and to continue by giving the blues message everywhere. Big Mama is all freshness, Big Mama is all force, with a powerful swing. Believe me, she´s a great  artist." </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>ALFREDO PAPO </B></div> <div> <B>CUADERNOS DE JAZZ JANUARY-FEBRUARY  94</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Big Mama & The Blues Messengers is a Spanish outfit who have a penchant for classic American blues and soul. Mama´s influences are many but her vocal style stems from the Bessie Smith school, brought up to date with echoes of Koko taylor. Big Mama manages to put the right emphasis on the lyrics with a suitable emotional strain. Although I´m not generally an advocate of the white blues scene, Big Mama and her boys offer an acceptable interpretation of the genre."</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>DAVID LANDS </B></div> <div> <B>JAZZ JOURNAL  SEPTEMBER 94</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The vocal qualities of Big Mama are a positive surprise because of her feeling and her bluesy legitimacy." </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>ALBERT MALLOFRÉ </B></div> <div> <B>LA VANGUARDIA  25 FEBRUARY 95</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "When Big Mama sings Bessie Smith´s repertoire, something shakes from her throat with an uncontrollable strength that cuts the atmosphere; ` Me and my gin´ and ` There ain´t nobody´s bizness if I do´ are two examples with which Big Mama captivated the place, rendering the audience on her feet."</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>JAZZOLOGY Nº 7 JANUARY 95</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The audience were thrilled by Big Mama's powerful voice and the sure touch of her two accompanists right up to the last of the encores. <I>How Long Blues </I>completed a recital full of well-known classics which the public really knew how to appreciate."</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>GARA   26 NOVEMBER 99</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Big Mama is famed as one of the greatest voices you can hear in these latitudes."</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>EL PUNT (GIRONA)  15 APRIL 2000</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Blues on CD interpreted by one of the great voices of the speciality on our peninsular. Big Mama, superbly supported by the guitar of Miguel Talavera and the harmonica of Joan Pau Cumellas, has achieved a stunning recording."</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>EL PAÍS   30 NOVEMBER 2000</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Last Sunday evening I witnessed an exceptional concert at Vilanova del Camí by Tableau de Blues, a trio with Joan Pau Cumellas playing harmonicas, Miguel Talavera guitars, and Big Mama singing and playing guitar as well. Just the name of this importance is enough to attract her loyal public. And evidently last Sunday's concert wasn't an exception."</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>LA VEU DE L'ANOIA   20 OCTOBER 2000  </B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I was present during the live recording of this disc <I>(TABLEAU DE BLUES)</I> at Cova del Drac. Without doubt it is a great disc, but I loved the live experience even more. All fans of electric and urban blues will be tempted to buy the CD. Big Mama's voice reaches its hottest point with the suggestive and intense backing of Joan Pau's harmonica and Miguel Talavera's guitar. With total security I can say that this trio represents the most important blues show and recording in Catalonia."</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>ONADA DE CULTURES   JUNE 2001</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The classic <I>Georgia</I> stood out in the performance, a magnificent version which highlighted Big Mama's vocal qualities. Also memorable were their versions of <I>Mystery Train</I>, featuring Joan Pau <I>Cumellas</I>, and especially the song <I>Johnny, Jim o Jack</I>, written and interpreted by Big Mama. In this she demonstrates her creative capacity, with lyrics in Catalan full of feeling and irony. It is poetry turned into music."</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>BAIX PENEDÈS   10 AUGUST 2001</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Montserrat Pratdesaba said she was surprised by the warm welcome of the public at the concert which the blues singer, guitar in hand, together with Joan Pau Cumellas and his harmonicas, gave in the Iglesia de Pont last Saturday night. Hundreds of people crammed the seats and aisles of the church. Big Mama and Joan Pau, in front of the altar, filled the space with good music, virtuosity and feeling. The public did not stop singing, clapping and whistling to encourage them. They were rewarded with three encores."</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>LA MAÑANA (LLEIDA)   21 AUGUST 2001</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Big Mama and the blues are an indestructible partnership. `I didn't know what my next step would be until Joan Pau Cumellas gave me some lyrics written by his English friend Andrew "Growling Bear" Neilson. Many people send me lyrics but very few move me. These quickly inspired me to compose music and work on them.' To ten songs written with Neilson, Big mama has added an original composition in Catalan and two versions of classic blues. <I>STIR THE POT, </I>released by DiscMedi, is full of blues feeling, but Big Mama says ` it's more correct to say that my music is inspired by the blues.'"</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>ENDERROCK   NOVEMBER 2001</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "On this CD the excellent blues singer Big Mama is in a duo with Joan Pau Cumellas on harmonica, and she herself keeps rhythm on the guitar. All the compositions except two are by Big Mama and the lyrics (except three) by the English poet A. Neilson. Armes per gana, entirely by Big Mama, is sung in Catalan. The two famous numbers not by Big Mama or Neilson are Nobody knows you when you're down and out, and Make me a pallet on the floor. Big Mama proves herself to be an excellent composer especially in Stir the pot, and Beat up Woman. She sings superbly and Joan Pau Cumellas is inspired on harmonica. A recommended disc."</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>HOT CLUB MAGAZINE nº 516/OCTOBER 2002</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "BIG MAMA CONTINUES INVESTIGATING IN THE ROOTS OF THE BLUES IN HER NEW ALBUM. `Blues Rooted´ is the title of Big Mama´s new album. The artist continues investigating in the roots of the blues and delights to her many fans with 15 exquisite songs. In the constant search of an aesthetic emotion, Big Mama has been able to thread a series of agile texts that pierce deep in the listener. Don´t miss the opportunity to savor the songs that breathe freshness and calmness in this Blues Rooted that soon will sound live in territories of Lleida." </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>LA MAÑANA    17 OCTOBER 2005</B> </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "By presenting "Rooted Blues" like a kaleidoscopic album, Big Mama found the term exact to describe it!  To taste without moderation from evening till morning and vice versa…" </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>FRED DELFORGE </B></div> <div> <B>WWW.ZICAZIC.COM November 3, 2005 </B></div> <div> <B>BLUES AGAIN nº 4 </B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Blues Rooted, last CD, I have just flown over it…! At the first listening, I am very pleased to find a hot voice that suits with the blues feelings. The red pocket… Olé…! With a beautiful photograph of Big Mama, a beautiful small booklet with the words of the lyrics… Super…!  I go back in listening: that´s so much good!" </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>JEAN-MARCEL LAROY </B></div> <div> <B>BLUES MAGAZINE nº 39 WINTER 2006 </B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> " Big Mama dedicates this disc to everyone, but particularly to people who suffered, which lived tortures and ill-treatments. She would like that the music and the lyrics of these songs relieve their suffering. That´s Big Mama. " </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>ERIC DUMEIGE </B></div> <div> <B>BLUES & CO nº DECEMBER 34, 2005 </B></div> <bR> <div>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  </FONT></div> <div> "PUTUMAYO PRESENTS</div> <div> BLUES AROUND THE WORLD</div> <div> Putumayo world music </div> <div> COUP DE COEUR</div> <div> <B>Pourquoi un coup de Coeur pour cet album?</B> Eh bien, Putumayo World Music est une association qui met en avant tout ce qui touche la World Music. Si vous achetez ce CD, une partie de la vente sera reversée à la fondation Music Maker, bien connue. Mais pour revenir au CD proprement dit, c´est très intéressant, il y a un mélange des genres tour à fait surprenant, avec des artiste venant de tous les horizons. Le Blues sous toutes ses formes vous est proposé ici, avec des pays aussi différents que le Brésil, l´Argentine, l´Espagne, la Mauritanie, et même Taiwan. Il faut aussi vous parler des artistes qui sont tous des pays cités auparavant, tel: Big Mama d´Espagne, Amar Sundy de Tunisie, Long-Ge de Taiwan, Botafogo d´Argentine, Blues Etílicos du Brésil, ou The Unseen Guest mélange d´Irlande et d´Inde.<B> Un très bon album qui regrupe les différentes influences du Blues. De plus, le livret est très bien fait, en trois langues (anglais, français et espagnol), ce qui est un gage de qualité. Chaque artiste y figure, avec un mini biographie. En fait un très bon produit."</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>ANDRÉ PERRONET</B></div> <div> <B>BLUES MAGAZINE nº50 (Octobre - Novembre - Décembre 2008)</B></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>