Baza
Nashua, New Hampshire, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2010 | SELF
Music
Press
Doug and Geof have developed a special symbiosis; they are true compliments to each other as they play, each allowing room for the other to shine. The audience was captured from the beginning in their web of gritty and soulful sounds, tasty storytelling, and evident joy in what they do.
Doug Philbrook, guitar and lead vocals, always delivers with heart, soul, and a voice meant to sing the blues; and Geof Goodell on thoughtful, gritty harmonica and harmonies is the perfect partner in crime. It was especially cool to hear Geof do some lead singing during the evening, notably a thoughtful rendering of Paul Geremia’s “If a Woman’s Love Was Whiskey.”
Their second set, a journey through their new CD Reeds, Strings, Blues, and Rags, was perfect. They brought the audience on a mystical journey with their distinctive styling of classic tunes as well as Doug’s original songs, songs that seem right at home with the tradition that inspired them. They clearly love what they do and they have the chops to do it. Straightforward and smooth they played their souls, and the room was hooked. - Anya Zakiewicz
Discography
BaZa's new CD "Good Time Blues" is out and about! The CD features nine original songs that will keep your feet movin'. It is available for listening and downloading at itunes, amazon mp3, digstation.com, cdbaby.com, reverbnation and IMradio.
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Bio
Baza celebrates the tradition of the guitar-and-harmonica duo, performing original and pre-war country blues from the 1920s through the 1930s. This New Hampshire based duo features Doug Philbrook, resonator guitar and vocals and Geof Goodell, harmonica and vocals. They keep audiences entertained with their dynamic musical talents and historical knowledge of the music and the musicians that gave birth to the blues.
Doug was inspired to play the blues after hearing the recordings of Delta blues icon Robert Johnson. The polyrhythmic guitar playing and “tough living” lyrical poetry of Johnson’s music set the hook. Doug’s playing on National Resonator guitars employs a variety of blues tunings, picking and bottleneck styles and his vocals are emotive and evocative of the classic blues howlers. Doug's encyclopedic knowledge of the music and his ability to craft a story around facts is engaging and entertaining to listeners of all ages.
Influential in the development of Geof’s melodic and fluid style of harmonica playing is his enjoyment for many styles of music, including jazz, rock 'n' roll and bluegrass. His blues journey began with the music of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and harmonica stylist, Paul Butterfield. While Geof's harmonica sound can go from "silk to grit" his vocals are passionate and “spot on.” Geof's stage presence and ability to connect with his audience is in harmony with his easy going and laid back nature.
Together since 2002, these bluesmen conjure the sounds of the “Deep Blues” with wailing harmonica, sharp vocal harmonies and driving steel guitar rhythms. They play songs of hard living, love, lost love, natural disasters and celebration with deep respect and affection. Their performances paint a picture of the blues through the songs and stories of its pioneers and the times they lived. Their sound has been described as "gritty and soulful" and their story telling engaging and insightful.
On their latest release, "Reeds, Strings, Blues & Rags" Doug and Geof have captured the sounds of six classic country and Delta blues songs and three original songs that seem right at home with the tradition that inspired them.
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