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John Lisi

LET GO OF THAT MOUSE AND PICK UP YER`GUITAR!

About Me


Stephen Stills once said that the “one thing blues ain’t is funny.” Obviously Mr. Stills has never sat in on an evening with John Lisi who, along with his band DeltaFUNK, has made a career of turning the pitfalls of everyday life into funky-bluesy-body-shakin’ music that just makes a person feel better. Hailed as one of the best guitarists in Louisiana by Offbeat magazine—quite a compliment in a state known for its musicians—John marries his sometimes humorous, sometimes serious lyrics with a guitar that can cry the blues one minute and break out the funk the next.
Originally from New Jersey and influenced by the roots music that was popular in his hometown, John began writing songs before he could play his first chord on a guitar. But it was when he first saw a replay of Woodstock that the direction of his life became charted. He watched in awe as Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townsend and Alvin Lee wailed on their guitars with unbelievable technique. Already proficient on the trumpet, the young musician knew then that he wanted to learn to play music like that.
By the time he was 13 years old, John had made his way to Florida and was fronting a band of much older musicians, honing the skill that would later become his trademark. Then it was on to Los Angeles, where stints with blues, funk, rockabilly swing, reggae, rock and even metal bands would lead to the montage of genres that defines his music today. He also spent time in television studios doing guitar work for popular shows such as L.A. Law and Quantum Leap.
After a few years spent performing on stages across the United States, Europe and Mexico, John made New Orleans his home and soon found himself playing with legends such as Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Raful and Kenny Neal, Rockin’ Tabby Thomas, Henry Gray, Big Joe Turner (Elvis Presley’s bass guitarist), Galactic, Big Luther Kent and Tab Benoit. Amidst a plethora of talent, the young man made a name for himself through his offbeat portrayals of life, the honesty ringing from his sultry voice and his ability to make his fingers fly over a Dobro, mandolin, steel guitar or Stratocaster as the mood took him.
In a city so filled with blues musicians, John stood out as authentic because his twist on the blues was so adventurous. Mixed with a bit of funk, a little country and some good ol’ rock ’n‘ roll riffs, then combined with lyrics that laughed at life, the songs that usually came to him while he was driving began to attract a following, and the crowds began singing along to his originals. His onstage presence and incredible guitar playing completed the package. All that was left was to put a few of those songs on a CD or two. John’s evolution as a musician is evident through his recordings. His first, Blues for Chloe, features more traditional blues. Funk: Language of New Orleans Volume 8 begins to show the versatility that would later become his signature, but this CD only hints at his true capabilities. On the last two, Can Ya Dig It? and the recently released Dead Cat Bounce, John comes into his own as he explores the realms of possibility, not only with his guitar, but with his lyrics and voice as well.
Currently, John plays more than 200 dates per year and is working on his next CD, which promises further exploration of ways through which to mingle stunning guitar riffs with blues and funk to create music that is just downright fun.
Deltafunk is:
John Lisi
Stephen Randall
Benjamin Strange
Six Strings Down
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My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 3/22/2006
Band Website: deltafunk.com
Band Members: John Lisi - guitar & vocals
myspace.com/johnlisi

Benjamin Strange - bass & vocals
myspace.com/benjaminstrange

Stephen Randall - drums & vocals
myspace.com/stephenrandall

Sounds Like:

Record Label: 219 Records
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Another fine "Dead Cat Bounce" review!

John Lisi's Dead Cat Bounce is moody and mysterious and full of resonance, but rocking and funky and fun at the same time. It's easy to see why he does so well in New Orleans, where only the good get ...
Posted by John Lisi on Thu, 15 May 2008 12:03:00 PST

Dead Cat Bounce review in RAMBLES Magazine

RAMBLES, Cultural Arts MagazineJohn Lisi & Delta Funk, Dead Cat Bounce (219 Records, 2007)If all you hear is the first (and title) cut, you may come away with the impression that John Lisi & Delta Fun...
Posted by John Lisi on Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:10:00 PST

Music Matters c d review

MUSIC MATTERS REVIEW, August 2007 _John Lisi & Delta FunkDead Cat Bounce_2007, 219 Records__John Lisi is a genuine guitar hero, playing funky rock and roll. It's been a while since somebody had ...
Posted by John Lisi on Wed, 22 Aug 2007 10:33:00 PST

Folk Salad Review

"This cat,John Lisi plays swampy blues with real style,loads of chops,and more than a touch of humor"-Folk Salad.
Posted by John Lisi on Mon, 18 Jun 2007 08:27:00 PST

El Bichos hive c d review

Tuesday, June 05, 2007 ..> ..>   Dead Cat Bounce & Texassippi Stomp - El Bicho's Hive Written by Fantasma el ReyFrom 219 Records comes two new hard-hitting blues albums, one from John Lis...
Posted by John Lisi on Sun, 10 Jun 2007 01:24:00 PST

Dead cat bounce cd review

Monday, May 07, 2007 ..>   John Lisi review on AllMusic.com John Lisi, Deat Cat BounceAllMusic.comThe confluence of roots hardened Delta funkers Cody Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars) o...
Posted by John Lisi on Tue, 08 May 2007 02:34:00 PST

Orlando Sentinel cd review

John Lisi Review, Orlando Sentinel Sentinel Pop Music Critic , Orlando FLJohn Lisi & Delta Fu...
Posted by John Lisi on Tue, 03 Apr 2007 06:09:00 PST