Acoustic based blues music, uplifting, original, on National steel resonator guitars. "Brian Kramer lays it down with the real feeling of the blues; communication between people." Great Stuff." -Bob Brozman

Details

Contents

#		Title	Length	Sample
1		I Want My Illusion	3:11
2		Mr. Gray	4:09
3		Lucky You Are	4:14
4		My 2 Cents	5:02
5		Reaper	4:56
6		What She Would Say	5:56
7		*winning Notification*	4:42
8		Where There's a Will...	3:04
9		Maybe Someday	4:16
10		Let It Go	3:22
11		Shed a Little Light	3:59
12		Ada 548	2:42
13		Dala-delta	1:09

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Description

Latest release from Brian Kramer featuring the incredible
National Slide Guitarist BOB BROZMAN!
"...one of the most satisfying examples of the
new blues song-writing genre.
-Bluestime

I Want My Illusion makes the top 100 blues CD awards list for 2006
Real Blues Magazine


"As usual it is musicality above the ordinary. Lyrics that are thought through & want something more than to just go in one ear and out through the other.
It is seriousness, it is stories, it is life-philosophy and it is reflections that make you want to pick up the booklet to follow along.
It is hard to find better newly composed music within the narrow path of blues today than what Kramer and Qwarfordt achieved and the Couch Lizards perform.
Yet another knock-out-victory for Brian and his fellow musicians to carve a notch in the master belt."
-Jefferson Magazine

BRIAN'S BIO;
When Brian Kramer from Brooklyn was barely out of his teens he was hanging out with legendary blues men, picking up tips and advice from folks such as Buddy Guy and
Junior Wells when they would visit his hometown in N.Y.C.
Junior took a particular liking to Brian and paid careful attention in showing him the right
moves and how to play from the heart.

In 1989:
Junior would join Brian on his first record Brian Kramer and the Bluesmasters featuring Junior Wells, Win or Lose. He backed Brian up on almost every track and Brian backed Junior up on four of his songs.
Former Rolling Stone, Mick Taylor was also part of these sessions as well as a gathering of the finest, most respected sidemen in the U.S.
Throughout the 90s Brian toured and continued to be a fixture within the New York club scene, performing frequently with the great Blues man Larry Johnson until re-locating overseas, seeking a broader range of opportunities.

In 1998:
Brian was asked by internationally acclaimed artist Eric Bibb to join up with him and perform on the road.
Over the next two years, he accompanied Bibb on four successful coast-to-coast tours of the U.S. and Canada, throughout England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Scandinavia and Japan.
Brian is also featured on Bibbs W.C Handy nominated CD release Home To Me, where from the opening notes of the very first track till the final riff of the last cut, Brians National slide guitar is like a thread in the tapestry on some of Bibbs most important and diverse music.
One of the strengths of Home To Me is Bibbs original blues tunes, such as the bodacious, struttin New Shoes, co-authored with Brian Kramer -CD NOW- review
Brians slide guitar can also be heard on Erics collaboration with his dad, 60s icon & folk singer Leon Bibb, called, A Family Affair.

In 2000:
he recorded, Brian Kramer Trio and Friends, Live at the Folklore Center, an intimate, all acoustic recording. This recording has caught the attention of renowned writer-producer Sam Charters who has praised the music saying,
This is wonderful, spirited music, Im a sucker for that kind of blues.

In 2001:
Brian & his band were invited to the UK by Armadillo Records to record with legendary blues man and old friend, Larry Johnson for his CD; Larry Johnson featuring Brian Kramer & the Couch Lizards, Two Gun Green (available internationally). Sam Charters, who wrote extensive liner notes for this project once again praises Brian & his crew, writing;
The group working with Larry on this album reflects some of the new realities of the blues Were deeply fortunate hes here with Brian and the Couch Lizards to lay it down for us.
Kramer delivers some fine acoustic slide, sounding a bit like Muddy Waters with his steel bodied National.
Living Blues Magazine US

In 2002:
Brian, in collaboration with label Armadillo records, released the CD;
Everybodys Story to positive reviews:
Everybodys Story is executed with magnificent picking and always a merry rhythm once is definitely not enough The guitar, slide rather, is to be honored and demonstrates that the blues is not necessarily gloomy
La Gazette de Greenwood France

Brian Kramers new CD is a record of blues based music that makes you happy while listening to it. Depression blues is nowhere to be found, this is music for the party, good love and happiness Its a record full of solid and good lyrics plus superb musicianship RECOMMENDED!
Jefferson Magazine Sweden

Brian has a clear bright style, full of sensitivity and very good taste present throughout this CDs eleven songs, all performed with a deep feeling that gets inside blues lovers hearts
-GREAT! La Hora Del Blues Spain

In 2004:
Armadillo Records releases Brian Kramer & the Couch Lizards, No Regrets (ARMD 00019) recorded in the UK and distributed Internationally.
No Regrets has risen to the Top 25 Roots/Blues chart on National U.S radio, as reported in Living Blues Magazine.
Reviews from around the globe have been outstanding;

ITALY
No Regrets is one of the most satisfying examples of the new blues song-writing genre.
-Recommended with no reserve. Bluestime

UK
"Brian Kramer & The Couch Lizards live up to their name. This is laid-back,lazy-afternoon, folksy music, well-written and played and produced with a gentle touch.
Juke Blues

SWEDEN
Brian Kramer & the Couch Lizards must be one of Swedens best kept musical secrets...
Their new record No Regrets shines strongly.
Jefferson Magazine

USA
Known for his stand-out flourishes on National Steel guitar and bottleneck slide, this album tastefully showcases a surprisingly competent singer, exceptional songwriter and arranger who has clearly learned all the right lessons from his esteemed list of teachers
The focus here is on the songs and they are clearly Kramers ace in the hole
This even-paced recording drifts down a lazy, meandering stream like something out of a Mark Twain novel, pausing to reflect on life and love along the way
The musicianship is spellbinding as dual guitars merge with an upbeat rhythm section.
No Regrets is a casual stroll down a country lane in a comfortable pair of shoes
Just pure, subtly delivered material that is artfully played and kissed, as it is, by the soft soul of country blues.
Eric Thom- Blues Revue

In 2006:
Brian releases his new CD: I Want My Illusion (BKB 0003)
featuring Bob Brozman, unparalleled exponent of the National Slide Guitar & internationally acclaimed world music artist.
"Brian Kramer lays it down with the real feeling of the blues; communication between people.
His easy groove puts everyone in the blues spirit,
in the best sense of the word. Great Stuff!" -Bob Brozman

I have to say I like your take on modern life,
email scams etc...
Heading into my late 50's I've heard 50000+
folks trying to refry the old guys
with varying degrees of success,
so your music has a welcome 'fresh' theme.
Bellissima! Another winner!!"
-Colin McCubbin Notecannons.com

The Tavla Foundation for the arts in Sweden has awarded Brian a culture prize, in recognition of using his music within the environment with a positive focus.

When hes not touring you can find him every Saturday afternoon hosting his famous
jam session at club Stampen in Stockholm.
The club is packed tight each week and the jammers wont let Brian off the stage because they all want to trade licks with him.
These jam sessions have also proven to be very fertile ground, nurturing Swedens hottest new young blues talent.
Brian has been an active part of Scandinavias club and festival scene, often appearing at Club Fasching, also the Stockholm Water Festival and Stockholms International Jazz and Blues Festival. Other international events include The Cambridge Folk Festival, Bull Durham Blues Festival, Chicago World Music Festival, Notudden Blues Festival, Portugal Simply Blues Festival etc.
In addition to recording with Junior Wells, Eric Bibb, Larry Johnson & Bob Brozman, Brian has contributed tracks to: Cyndee Peters, Derrick Big Walker & others.
Also a childrens recording, released in the U.S on the Grammy winning, Music for little people label.
He has also sat in the producers chair on a number of projects recording some of Swedens most unique, talented, blues artists & has been featured on Scandinavian National Television and radio

Brian has opened shows as special guest artist for Taj Mahal, John Mayall and has shared the stage & traded licks with Alvin Youngblood Hart, Bobby Rush, Bernard Allison,
Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Bob Brozman, Sven Zetterberg, Otis Grand, Jimmy Dawkins and many others.
He also conducts workshops and performs benefit concerts.
Whether hes with his full band, acoustic trio, duo or just by himself with his National Steel guitar, Brian will no doubt leave you with an unforgettable impression. His desire is to lift the spirits of his audience, connecting life to life through dynamic music.

Brian Kramers music represents the future of the Blues
-101 Years Of The Blues, (Radio P2, Sweden) -Thomas Blom