Kevin Conley and The Blue Tornados: Press

Kevin Conley and the Blue Tornados "Walk In Love"

June 2007

“Their playing is crisp and crackles with expression.”

What we have here is an eight song sampler of the upcoming debut album by Kevin Conley and The Blue Tornados, a Northern California band that pays visible homage to the roots of rock and roll, while coincidently possessing the smarts to sling refreshing thoughts and ideas onto the canvas.

The title track of the disc mines a dreamy, soulful domain that immediately tells us the magic of Motown artists like The Temptations and Smokey Robinson and The Miracles has not been lost on this banner band. Navigated by steamy funk flavorings, "She's My Whole World" and "Inside or Outside Your Love" channels the ghost of Stevie Ray Vaughan to monumental effects. The guitar playing is fat and fluid and the vocals are incredibly passionate and assured. Professional and rehearsed but flexible enough to be earthy and earnest, Kevin Conley and the Blue Tornados are taut and constantly attuned to each other. Their playing is crisp and crackles with expression. The purring hum of a keyboard is also a prominent factor, which furnishes the band’s well-written and structured material with an occasional moody touch. Sporting an agreeable assortment of soul, blues, funk, pure rock and roll and even a splash of reggae, "Walk in Love" has something for everybody, no matter what their musical tastes may be. By all means, Kevin Conley and the Blue Tornados is a band to watch for.

Beverly Paterson
http://www.lancerecords.com/news2.htm#d

Blitz - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
http://blitzmag.blogspot.com/

BITS AND PIECES - NEWS ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE ARTISTS by Michael McDowell

WALK IN LOVE: A PROMISING DEBUT FOR
KEVIN CONLEY AND THE BLUE TORNADOS

Although their numbers have been somewhat disconcerting in their growing infrequency, every few years a pioneering artist nonetheless emerges with a debut that reminds everyone from the complacent to the fervent elitist of the power that music has to inspire and motivate. One such artist is Kevin Conley, whose band, the Blue Tornados has in Walk in Love one of the most original and captivating new releases of the millennium to date.

A native of the Los Angeles suburb of San Pedro who presently resides in Watsonville, California, Conley is one of those rare artists whose work truly defies categorization. Although musicologists who need a reference point may find elements of the work of such unlikely artists as the Blackbyrds and the Steve Miller Band in his material, Conley’s efforts remain invariably the result of his own cohesive vision.

Conley has a vision that involves blessing and enriching lives in ways that are outside of the parameters of the recording environment.

“Some things in life are beyond a price tag. In fact, the desire behind my album is to encourage people to find their creative voice, as an alternative to destructive attitudes and behavior. We also have a music fund for disadvantaged children called Mothers’ Children Music Fund, which funds and supports music education and musical instrument purchases for vulnerable kids. A portion of every CD sold goes into the fund. I believe we can help people by promoting creativity”.

While some of the titles might have graced earlier recordings by such pioneers as the Playmates, the Temptations and Bobby Vee, Conley has given those themes a vision that intrinsically reflects his own unique muse.

“I wrote all the songs, music and lyrics”, said Conley, with characteristic reserve. “But I am not a one man band. I had a lot of excellent musicians helping me. The Blue Tornados in various groupings are responsible for the arrangements”.

“This CD is absolutely FANTASTIC! Kevin's Music really sticks in your head. I really think his music is at the Major League Level. A fine piece of work. One of the best CD's in ages. Definitely something here to be proud of.”

“Great out of the gate. The first song just grabs you. Great guitar tones, too. This is CD of the month at Red Barn Studios.”