Critic's Quotes
“After years of playing rhythm guitar to the Jacksonville Jazz Festival's flashy lead, George's Music Springing the Blues appears ready to step into the spotlight for a solo. …Yesterday's festivities drew an estimated 20,000 people to performances by artists including Fruteland Jackson and Big Daddy & Red Hot Java. …Big Daddy had them dancing on the beach!” - Nick Marino (Florida) Times-Union 4/02
(Big Daddy & Red Hot Java’s) Firebrewed got me burning! Exciting, soulful, sexy, deep, undulating Blues with a kick... that's what Big Daddy & Red Hot Java delivers with it's Firebrewed CD. If Blues ever needs an anthem, This Is My Blues Too fills the bill extremely well. Thousand Shades Of Blue is one of the best Blues ballads I've heard in years, and the title cut Firebrewed jumps out of the speakers and grabs me everytime... almost like I've lived it. Friends tell me Big Daddy & Red Hot Java's live show is even better than the CD. I can't wait to catch one! - Kuanna Adams Kittles CDBaby.com 4/02
“Big Daddy’s Blues Stories” is a powerful acoustic tour through America’s great indigenous music of the Blues. Randall “Big Daddy” Webster is often called the “Pavarotti of Blues” as he wraps his four-octave voice around each note squeezing out every drop of emotion. Making “Blues Stories” even more special is the deeper understanding of the raw emotion behind the music as distilled through Webster’s years of performing, and teaching Blues-In-Schools. Master Blues harmonica player Michael “Doc” Palecki’s magical reed work brings texture and dynamic punch to a foot-stomping hand-clapping show. With “Big Daddy’s” capable guitar fretwork and booming voice, plus “Doc’s” magical harp, the wild hoodoo & voodoo of “Big Daddy’s Blues Stories’” will leave you spellbound and wanting more. You don’t want to miss this incredible live performance! -Vincent Cameretti The Chicago Tribune 12/01
“Big Daddy & Red Hot Java’s new line up is quite impressive. J. ‘General’ Mills on drums and John ‘Big Tone’ Toney on bass are extremely talented, and the tightest rhythm section I’ve heard in years. The new horn section of Kez ‘Thing’ Adams on sax and Saunders ‘Preacha’ Sermons on trombone add both punch and sizzle. And founding members Curtis ‘Cortez’ Hightman on lead guitar, and Randall ‘Big Daddy’ Webster on lead vocals and acoustic guitar carry the torch in a most magical way.”
- Rolly Cisnero Rochester Times Union 3/01
“Seven years is a long time for most bands, but Big Daddy & Red Hot Java just keeps getting better and better every time I see them. Always innovating, they combine fresh ideas pushing the Blues envelope, yet never stepping beyond the heart and soul of the music.” - Kiesha Calvin Timeout New York 2/01
“When did Big Daddy & Red Hot Java invent Progressive Urban Blues? I don’t know… but I do know that I like it… a lot. It has that real ‘down home’ Blues feel with a contemporary edge that nobody else brings to the genre.” - Jeanette Wilkinson WSIU-FM Radio 1/01
“Big Daddy & Red Hot Java rocks my soul.” - Paula Cambell CD Wherehouse Magazine 12/00
“The stinging guitar work of Curtis ‘Cortez’ Hightman shows his expertise with over forty years of fretwork. His artistry helps make Big Daddy & Red Hot Java a ‘mean cup of joe!’” - Ed Polk Blues Guitar Magazine 11/00
“Randall ‘Big Daddy’ Webster is the ‘Pavarotti’ of the Blues… powerful full operatic tones that can growl with a ‘down home’ feel that drips in texture. - Mercedes Rivera Chicago Tribune 11/00
“I’m a Big Daddy & Red Hot Java junkie… I can’t get enough!” - Kendra Holloway Blueslynx Online 10/00
“If anything Big Daddy & Red Hot Java’s new rhythm section of bassist John ‘Big Tone’ Toney from Miami and J. ‘General’ Mills of Hollywood has added serious punch to an already dangerous repetoire of original Progressive Urban Blues. I can’t wait for their new CD. This Blues is the real deal!” - Cole Bertrum Access Atlanta 9/00
“With four Ireland tours under their belt, Big Daddy & Red Hot Java brings it’s ministry of Blues from sunny Florida for the fifth time, and they never let their fans down!” - What’s On Hot Press Magazine 6/00
“Big Daddy & Red Hot Java plays original ‘Progressive Urban Blues’ built on the solid foundation of John Lee Hooker, Willie Dixon, and Muddy Waters, and layered with sweet Soul, tasteful Jazz, smooth R&B, and street Hip Hop. It works incredibly well!” - Linda Moultry Florida Jam Magazine 3/00
“Big Daddy & Red Hot Java takes no prisoners… this is monster Blues that will slay you!” - Paul Mesner Charlotte Observer 1/00
“Ain’t nothin’ but the truth!”-Jericho Parks Macon Enterprise 8/99
“Big Daddy & Red Hot Java packed them in and thrilled everyone with their powerful performance.” -Kisha Harris Capital Outlook 8/99
“Popping Pizzazzy Blues!” -Julie Alder Atlanta Weekender 6/99
“Mix a little New Orleans Funk, Memphis Soul, and Chicago Blues and you get the intoxicating brew of Big Daddy & Red Hot Java!” -Steve Eisley WVON-FM 2/4/99
“An expert tour of the great American Blues heritage; straight into the next millenium.” -Ray Charter Detroit News Press 12/3/98
“This is Blues but there’s no denying the Funk. Big Daddy & Red Hot Java plays with their instruments - teasing and taunting until you surrender your mind, body and spirit! -Maxine Walters Austin Globe 9/3/98
“Soul Shakin’ Blues!” -Erin Bray Break Magazine 8/14/98
“Wow! Big Daddy & Red Hot Java absolutely stole the show!”-Sharon Barker-James Tri-City Entertainment Guide 8/30/98
“POWERFUL!”
-Bill Monroe Washington D.C. Insight 5/6/98
“These guys will knock you out. POW!”-Calvin Post The Chicago Tribune 1/6/99
“Big Daddy & Red Hot Java commands serious ‘booty shakin’. Better lace up your boots!” -Katie Schardl Tallahassee Democrat 2/26/99
“Big Daddy & Red Hot Java plays the Blues the way it ought to be played…with raw intense primal energy! Don’t miss this ultimate Blues experience!”-Lincoln Beauchamp The Original Chicago Blues Annual and Review 1997
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