John Hammond at Caffe Lena - 07/09/2011

John Hammond

With opener The Abrams Brothers “John's sound is so compelling, complete, symmetrical and soulful with just his voice, guitar and harmonica, it is at first impossible to imagine improving it…. He's a great force of nature. John sounds like a big train coming. He chops them all down.” —Tom Waits 2011 Blues Hall of Fame Inductee 2011 Blues Music Award Nominee for Acoustic Artist of the Year 2010 GRAMMY Nominee Those are just some highlights from the last couple years. All of the Grammy and Blues Award wins and nominations during the past two decades are too numerous to list. As T. Bone Burnett describes this foremost American blues guitarist: "John Hammond is a master... He is a virtuoso. A Conjurer... A Modernist... John is in a very small circle of men with a guitar and a harmonica (that includes) Jimmy Reed, Howlin' Wolf, Bob Dylan. The guitar is an orchestra. He's sending messages. Storytelling. All mystery. Protection. The language goes out through the night… " Hammond's latest album, Rough and Tough, is his 33rd since his 1962 debut. It features his National Steel and Guild guitars and harmonica and includes songs by Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Blind Willie McTell and Tom Waits, along with originals. Opening the shows are The Abrams Brothers—John, James, and cousin Elijah. They are the youngest Canadian band to have played the Grand Ole Opry. Their latest album, Blue on Brown, pays tribute to the songs of Arlo Guthrie and Bob Dylan.