"Blues Approved" by guitarist Pete Schmidt & bassist Shane Scott features 15 original blues songs - including 3 instrumentals in a classic Chicago/Texas/Westcoast style.

Packed with great musical guests; including among others, W.C. Handy award winner Mel Brown (Bobby Blue Bland, Albert Collins, T-Bone Walker etc) and Inkspots/Platters vocalist Ricky Day, Downchild Blues Band vocal powerhouse Chuck Jackson. Toronto harmonica greats Jerome Godboo, Little Bobby, David Rotundo, Doctor Nick & Mark "Bird" Stafford. There's lots of cool guitar tones (archtops, Strats & vintage tube amps), great vocals and fiery harmonica throughout the CD.

Pete Schmidt - Musical Biography

Pete first discovered the blues from listening to local Toronto blues radio shows and quickly began to search out recordings from the masters of Chicago, West Coast, Delta and modern blues.

Pete has a primary interest in the guitar stylings & tones found on electric blues recordings of the early 1950's as well as urban Chicago blues from the 1960's. A raw and ambient sound that ranges from upbeat and swinging to gritty & lowdown. The most important ingredient of this style of guitar playing and of the music in general is establishing a groove with the "right feel".

As a sideman, Pete describes his role as a back-up musician to various front men using traditional blues lead and rhythm guitar styles. The main focus is to contribute a guitar style which will help to create a strong "ensemble" sound in order to fit the musical direction & mood of the show.

Influences range from Chicago, Texas, California stylings as well as blues based jazz. Artists such as: (harmonica/vocalists) Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, (guitarists) Jimmy Rogers, Jimmy Reed & Eddie Taylor, Magic Sam, Tiny Grimes, the great T-Bone Walker, (Organ players) Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, Jimmy Smith & Bill Doggett. They all have a different sound and a very appealing take on the blues.

Shane Scott Biography (MySpace)

As engineer/producer/vocalist/bassist (upright and electric) Shane Scott has made a name for himself, winning the Canadian MapleBlues award for "bassist of the year 2003" and responsible for over 30 full-length recordings to date. Two receiving Juno awards, two of which have received nominations for blues album of the year Juno Awards, blues album of the year Canadian Independent Awards, new blues artist of the year Maple Blues Awards And winner of the CBCs New Galaxy contest.

Shane has become one of the hardest working bass players on the scene. He was a member of the legendary Jack Dekeyzer band for a number of years and now works regularly with David Rotundo, Peter Schmidt and occasionaly plays with Mel Brown, Mark Bird Stafford, J. W-Jones Band, Dr. Nick, Danny Marks, Andy Earl, Paul Redick (of The Sidemen)and Little Bobby and The Jumpstart's. Shane plays with a powerful but simple approach, often switching between upright string bass and electric bass during live performances.

Shanes main influences on bass are Willie Dixon, Larry Taylor And James Jamison which can be heard in his playing. During his time with the Jack Dekeyzer Band, he also had the great privilege of playing with Muddy Waters drummer Willie Big Eyes Smith and opened up for B.B. King, Buddy Guy and Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.