Wolf Mail
Wolf Mail | |
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 Mail playing The MG-Hybrid in 2017 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Wolf Mail |
| Born | 1972 (age 51–52) Montreal,Quebec,Canada |
| Genres |
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| Occupation(s) |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1984–present |
| Labels | ZYX,Productions LEA, BSMF Records |
| Website | www |
Wolf Mail(born 1972) is a Canadian-born guitarist, singer-songwriter who embarked on hisBlues & Rootsmusic journey at the age of fourteen. Mail has recorded eight full-length albums, internationally distributed and has toured in over twenty-six countries. He is influenced byblues,jazz,soulandcountry.[1]
Early years
[edit]Born inMontreal,Quebec,raised in theSouth of FranceandCalifornia,Mail spent much of his early years traveling. He began playing the guitar at the age of ten, heavily influenced byElmore JamesandJohn Lee Hooker.[2]Later, Mail received guitar lessons from fellow Canadian guitarist David Goodman.[3]At age seventeen he put his own project together and left home shortly after to tour with his band.[4]
Career
[edit]Mail recorded two independent albums in the mid-'90s before signing up with ZYX records. Since then he has released eight albums.
His first effort,Solid Ground,included the ballad "Hello" which stayed in the best selling music charts in Japan for three weeks and had fans declare their "favorite love song of all time".[5][6]
Pre-production for his second albumBlue Fix[7]started in Los Angeles withGary Mallaberon drums andGerald Johnsonon bass. The recording was completed in France with Niko Sarran on drums.[8]
Mail then recorded a live CD and DVDLive Blues in Red Square[9]in Moscow.
His fourth albumElectric Love Soul[10]was recorded in 2009 in Los Angeles at Dawghouse studios by Grammy Award winner Alan Mirikitani, andRobert Crayproducer Dennis Walker.
His follow-upThe Basement Session[11]was recorded in Sydney, Australia, at the Basement, which has hosted artists such asPrinceandAlbert Collins.
His sixth album,Above The Influence[12]was released in October 2013. Rhythms Music Magazine said "it sees Mail return to where he cut his teeth, our teeth, everyone's teeth – again, searing electric blues."[13]
Mail wrote and recorded his seventh album "The Wolf is at our door "in Sydney, Australia. The album was released in March 2023."A contemporary bluesy vibe, slow burn vocals, and moments of psych-like sound that bring to mindMuddy Water’s Electric Mud, wrote theBlues Rock review[14]
Influences
[edit]Elmore Jamesis the artist that Wolf cites as his first inspiration.
Wolf's playing style is a fusion of traditional blues, soul, and rock influences. He draws inspiration from guitar legends such asAlbert Collins,Johnny WinterandPeter Greenwho have contributed to his playing style.
Wolf's playing ranges from stop-start staccato runs to Winter's more fluid style with lightning-fast runs. His intense, feverish style cuts a swathe betweenBuddy GuyandRory Gallagher.
International
[edit]
For over two decades, Wolf has toured theUS,Japan,Australia,andEurope,performing at clubs, festivals, small towns, and big cities. His passion for music has earned him a dedicated following, and he has developed a niche but loyal global audience.[15]
Awards and recognition
[edit]Player Magazine Japanselected Mail as the "Close-up" artist of the month in June 2005.[16]Other artists have includedRobert CrayandBrian Setzer.MusicOz Australia gave Wolf Mail best top 10 international performer of the year award for 2012.[17]
Musical instruments and gear
[edit]
Wolf uses a Mark Gilbert WM1 signature bearing his name along with the Mark Gilbert BC electro-acoustic guitars.[18]
For recording sessions Wolf also uses a 1957Fender Telecasterand a 1972Gibson Les PaulDeluxe.
His guitar rig also includes several effects pedals such as an original 1978 Boss OD1 overdrive, a Boss CE-2 and a custom boost pedal.
For many years, Wolf was endorsed by Carvin Audio,[19]and was one of the first artists withJoe Walshto use the Carvin Bel Air vintage series.
Although Wolf still owns several Bel Air amps, he now uses Mesa Boogie Lonestar amplifiers.
Discography
[edit]Wolf Mail
- 2002 –Solid Ground[20]
- 2005 –Blue Fix[7]
- 2009 –Live Blues in Red Square[9]
- 2010 –Electric Love Soul[10]
- 2011 –The Basement Session[11]
- 2013 –Above The Influence[12]
- 2015 –Oseana Auditorium[21]
- 2023 –The Wolf is at Our Door[22]
Collaborations
- 2015 –Blues Christmas(withLeslie West,Eric Gales,Kenny Neal,Pat Travers,Joe Louis Walker,Chris Spedding).[23]
- 2018 –Live at the Lazy(with Milena Barrett)[24]
DVDs
[edit]- Live Blues in Red Squarewas released in 2009, and recorded at the Jazz Town Theater, in Moscow, Russia.[25]
- Oseana Auditoriumreleased in 2014 was recorded during Wolf's 2013 tour of Scandinavia, while supporting Blues legend Johnny Winter.
Bibliography
[edit]- Rock my world Canada[26]by Mike Carr. A comprehensive and historic reference book on Canadian blues artists.
Record labels
[edit]- Japan/ Asia – BSMF Records
- Europe – ZYX Music
- North America – Cleopatra Records
References
[edit]- ^"Wolf Mail".RetrievedFebruary 24,2013.
- ^"Wolf Mail Biography".RetrievedJanuary 22,2013.
- ^"David Goodman Canadian guitarist".RetrievedAugust 22,2013.
- ^"Mark Gilbert Guitars".RetrievedJanuary 22,2013.
- ^"Belly up 4 blues".BellyUp4Blues.com.July 17, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 22,2013.
- ^"Perth Blues Club".RetrievedJanuary 22,2013.
- ^ab"Wolf Mail - Blue Fix".Discogs.
- ^"Australian Guitar Magazine CD".
- ^ab"WOLF MAIL Live Blues in Red Square".
- ^ab"Wolf Mail / Electric Love Soul - BSMF RECORDS".
- ^ab"The Basement Session by Wolf Mail".
- ^ab"Wolf Mail - Above the Influence".Discogs.
- ^Fell, Samuel J. (November 18, 2013)."Wolf Mail – Above The Influence".Rhythms Music Magazine.RetrievedMay 27,2014.
- ^"The Blues Rock Review".Blues Rock.
- ^"Wolf Mail".Wolf Mail.
- ^"Player Magazine, Japan, magazine spread".RetrievedJanuary 24,2013.
- ^"MusicOz Awards".RetrievedJanuary 24,2013.
- ^"Mark Gilbert Wolf Mail Signature Guitar".
- ^"Carvin audio Bel Air endorsee".
- ^"Wolf Mail - Solid Ground Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic".AllMusic.
- ^"Oseana Auditorium by Wolf Mail - DistroKid".
- ^"The Wolf is at Our Door by Wolf Mail".
- ^"Blues Christmas (CD) – Cleopatra Records Store".
- ^"Album Lazybones, Wolf Mail | Qobuz: Download and streaming in high quality".
- ^"Wolf Mail - Live Blues in Red Square".Discogs.
- ^"Spill Book Review: Mike Carr - Rock My World Canada Presents: Canadian Blues Reference & Collector's Guide".September 22, 2020.
External links
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