The Crossroads--the intersection of Highways 61 and 49 in Clarksdale, MS—is where bluesman Robert Johnson allegedly sold his soul to the Devil in the early 1930s in order to become the King of the Delta Blues. His death in 1938 left him nearly forgotten until rockers in the 1960s picked up his musical legacy and paid it forward. Sadly, that blues-infused vibe has almost disappeared from twenty-first century rock. Almost, but not quite…
61/49 is a New York City-based band comprised of three Native NYC musicians: bassist Duane Lozada (ex- Tantrum , -Trash Can Baby), guitarist Angelo Kay (ex- Tantrum , -Mirror Mirror, -Archer), and drummer Joe Scarangella (ex- Tantrum , -Hyway, -Ten Ton Tide, and -Power Windows). Vocalist Hanz (ex-ZToyz, -The Lonely Ones, and Van Helsing’s Curse ) is a New York transplant from New Orleans. The idea for the band originated from a drunken conversation between Duane and Hanz during a night of debauchery after a Van Helsing’s Curse show in Las Vegas. After their return from Sin City, they enlisted Angelo and Joe to form a classic “three-piece with frontman†lineup for playing original, stripped-down hard rock with a bluesy, early-70s feel. Formed around the Crossroads of the millennia and at a Crossroads between north and south, 61/49 infuses Urban grit with Old South decadence.
61/49's debut CD is entitled “New York City Cowgirl.†Produced and engineered by Angelo Kay , its eight tracks include an acoustic cover of Robert Johnson’s “Crossroad Blues.†So, seventy years after his death, it’s our turn to pay it forward.
Check out "Glory", featuring ripping gospel harmonies from our good friends The Dumas Sistahs: Lisa McQuade and Alie Twyford ( Van Helsing's Curse) , and MILITIA ( Van Helsing's Curse ; Swear On Your Life ; Militious Productions).
Wanna a copy of "Cowgirl"? You can get your hands on one FOR FREE IF YOU COME TO ONE OF OUR SHOWS! Check back for showtimes and locations.
*Crossroad Blues (Take 2)
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