Pressbook

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=150 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <A HREF="id491.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BIG MAMA MONTSE WEB ENGL."><U>HOME</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id252.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Info and booking"><U><B>I</B></U></A><A HREF="id252.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Info and booking"><U>NFO & BOOKING</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id80.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Biography"><U>BIO</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id251.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CD´s and songs (lyrics and audios)"><U>CDS</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id293.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Photograph album"><U>PHOTOS</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id255.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Concerts in Festivals"><U>FESTIVALS</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id253.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pressbook"><U>PRESSBOOK</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id788.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="History"><U>HISTORY</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id789.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Songbook"><U>SONGBOOK</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id672.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U>LINKS</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="https://play.spotify.com/user/bmamamontse/playlist/7nT0ykPEqnwYW3FxFKexVh" TARGET="_top" TITLE="https://play.spotify.com/user/bmamamonts"><U><IMG SRC="185a58250.jpg" border=0 width="88" height="37" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="https://itunes.apple.com/es/album/all-by-myself/id667968780?i=667969885&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" TARGET="_top" TITLE="https://itunes.apple.com/es/album/all-by"><U><IMG SRC="185c572a0.jpg" border=0 width="87" height="42" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/user/bmamamontse?gl=ES&hl=es" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.youtube.com/user/bmamamontse?"><U><IMG SRC="159556240.jpg" border=0 width="86" height="36" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Mama-Montse/125618197517139" TARGET="_top" TITLE="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Mama-"><U><IMG SRC="159659260.jpg" border=0 width="89" height="38" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <IMG SRC="15bf47470.gif" border=0 width="71" height="71" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><FONT SIZE="7" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Tahoma" >  </FONT><FONT SIZE="7" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Bradley Hand ITC" ><B>PRESSBOOK</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> "Big Mama Montse made vibrate the public joined in Fadura (Getxo-Spain) that really applauded her performance." </div> <div> <B>EGIN JULY 91 </B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The night revolution began with Big Mama and The Blues Messengers... When they started the performance people drove crazy. To vibrate, they vibrated until the supports of the microphones... Many people sent themselves to a wild dance. At the end of the gig all the public in Fadura was shouting:  `one more!,  one more!´... " </div> <div> <B>DEIA  4 JULY 91</B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="469" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="465"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="465" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> "... Big Mama appeared on stage and she was a close torrent of sensations and bluesy convictions ... the vocal energy of her singing elevated the temperature of the theater (San Juan Evangelista in Madrid)"</div> <div> <B>ABC   3 DECEMBER 91</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The first session of this Blues Festival in Barcelona was opened by a Big Mama full of voice, whose function was rather further on that the one of playing before The Fabulous Thunderbirds... Big Mama marked an excellent concert." </div> <div> <B>EL OBSERVADOR   6 APRIL 92</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Big Mama offered a good fresh blues session with Mediterranean perfume. She put what there is to put upon a scene. Good professional." </div> <div> <B>LA VANGUARDIA    6 APRIL 92</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Big Mama is the new musical queen of the blues in Barcelona. The special feeling that envolve her interpretations makes her into a great singer... Big Mama put the tenderness and Johnny Adams the fire. " </div> <div> <B>EL PERIÓDICO   24 MAY 92</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Big Mama appeared in scene by singing classic blues with impeccable form. After the last song, the public asked her for more, unusual thing in a first on performance. Big Mama sang another blues before Luther Johnson´s show." </div> <div> <B>EL DIARI DE TERRASSA   13  MARCH 93</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Week after week and during some years, Big Mama and The Blues Messengers have been present in the most important clubs of Barcelona, creating a faithful liking to the blues and giving credibility to it, influencing in many groups and contributing to create a blues tradition in Catalonia." </div> <div> <B>GUÍA DEL OCIO  Nº 802    APRIL 93</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Montse Pratdesaba (Big Mama) is a singer overturned totally to the blues. Leading a sober band and singing night after night, she obtains that La Boîte, the club that she helped to make popular in Barcelona, records her a Live album. The CD gathers with reliability the sweat, the tears, the smoke, the glasses and the energy that she gives and receives from the public." </div> <div> <B>EL JUEVES, 24 NOVEMBER 93</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How can it be possible that a girl that´s been born in Catalonia sings the blues as if she has lived in the Mississippi area? It´s an inscrutable mystery to me and it was too for the North American artist  Spanky Wilson that after listening to Big Mama exclaimed subjugated: ` Man, what a voice!´. If you pay attention to some of the Big Mama´s recordings, they can suggest to you that she is a brilliant inheritress of the Empress of the Blues. Her powerful voice and her feeling reminds us to the great Bessie Smith.</div> <div> In these three or four years we´ve listened to Big Mama accompanied by small sets, singing ferocious blues with a black touch. She has traveled by Spanish geography and also in France, and everywhere she goes she has received a fervent welcome. It is really fascinating that, in a moment that pop-rock stars prevail, somebody that sings the blues obtains the applause of nourished groups of young people who are not used to hear that kind of music. </div> <div> Big Mama does not have bad taste, she adores Elmore James and Bessie Smith. She also loves the great black orchestras just like Count Basie´s one. And she wishes to deepen her knowledge of the blues arcanes,  to improve her singing and to continue by giving the blues message everywhere. Big Mama is all freshness, Big Mama is all force, with a powerful swing. Believe me, she´s a great  artist." </div> <div> <B>ALFREDO PAPO - CUADERNOS DE JAZZ JANUARY-FEBRUARY  94</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Big Mama & The Blues Messengers is a Spanish outfit who have a penchant for classic American blues and soul. Mama´s influences are many but her vocal style stems from the Bessie Smith school, brought up to date with echoes of Koko taylor. Big Mama manages to put the right emphasis on the lyrics with a suitable emotional strain. Although I´m not generally an advocate of the white blues scene, Big Mama and her boys offer an acceptable interpretation of the genre."</div> <div> <B>DAVID LANDS - JAZZ JOURNAL  SEPTEMBER 94</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The vocal qualities of Big Mama are a positive surprise because of her feeling and her bluesy legitimacy." </div> <div> <B>ALBERT MALLOFRÉ - LA VANGUARDIA  25 FEBRUARY 95</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "When Big Mama sings Bessie Smith´s repertoire, something shakes from her throat with an uncontrollable strength that cuts the atmosphere; ` Me and my gin´ and ` There ain´t nobody´s bizness if I do´ are two examples with which Big Mama captivated the place, rendering the audience on her feet."</div> <div> <B>JAZZOLOGY Nº 7 JANUARY 95</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The audience were thrilled by Big Mama's powerful voice and the sure touch of her two accompanists right up to the last of the encores. <I>How Long Blues </I>completed a recital full of well-known classics which the public really knew how to appreciate."</div> <div> <B>GARA   26 NOVEMBER 99</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Big Mama is famed as one of the greatest voices you can hear in these latitudes."</div> <div> <B>EL PUNT 15 APRIL 2000</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Blues on CD interpreted by one of the great voices of the speciality on our peninsular. Big Mama, superbly supported by the guitar of Miguel Talavera and the harmonica of Joan Pau Cumellas, has achieved a stunning recording."</div> <div> <B>EL PAÍS   30 NOVEMBER 2000</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Last Sunday evening I witnessed an exceptional concert at Vilanova del Camí by Tableau de Blues, a trio with Joan Pau Cumellas playing harmonicas, Miguel Talavera guitars, and Big Mama singing and playing guitar as well. Just the name of this importance is enough to attract her loyal public. And evidently last Sunday's concert wasn't an exception."</div> <div> <B>LA VEU DE L'ANOIA   20 OCTOBER 2000  </B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I was present during the live recording of this disc <I>(TABLEAU DE BLUES)</I> at Cova del Drac. Without doubt it is a great disc, but I loved the live experience even more. All fans of electric and urban blues will be tempted to buy the CD. Big Mama's voice reaches its hottest point with the suggestive and intense backing of Joan Pau's harmonica and Miguel Talavera's guitar. With total security I can say that this trio represents the most important blues show and recording in Catalonia."</div> <div> <B>ONADA DE CULTURES   JUNE 2001</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The classic <I>Georgia</I> stood out in the performance, a magnificent version which highlighted Big Mama's vocal qualities. Also memorable were their versions of <I>Mystery Train</I>, featuring Joan Pau <I>Cumellas</I>, and especially the song <I>Johnny, Jim o Jack</I>, written and interpreted by Big Mama. In this she demonstrates her creative capacity, with lyrics in Catalan full of feeling and irony. It is poetry turned into music."</div> <div> <B>BAIX PENEDÈS   10 AUGUST 2001</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Montserrat Pratdesaba said she was surprised by the warm welcome of the public at the concert which the blues singer, guitar in hand, together with Joan Pau Cumellas and his harmonicas, gave in the Iglesia de Pont last Saturday night. Hundreds of people crammed the seats and aisles of the church. Big Mama and Joan Pau, in front of the altar, filled the space with good music, virtuosity and feeling. The public did not stop singing, clapping and whistling to encourage them. They were rewarded with three encores."</div> <div> <B>LA MAÑANA (LLEIDA)   21 AUGUST 2001</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Big Mama and the blues are an indestructible partnership. `I didn't know what my next step would be until Joan Pau Cumellas gave me some lyrics written by his English friend Andrew "Growling Bear" Neilson. Many people send me lyrics but very few move me. These quickly inspired me to compose music and work on them.' To ten songs written with Neilson, Big mama has added an original composition in Catalan and two versions of classic blues. <I>STIR THE POT, </I>released by DiscMedi, is full of blues feeling, but Big Mama says ` it's more correct to say that my music is inspired by the blues.'"</div> <div> <B>ENDERROCK   NOVEMBER 2001</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "On this CD the excellent blues singer Big Mama is in a duo with Joan Pau Cumellas on harmonica, and she herself keeps rhythm on the guitar. All the compositions except two are by Big Mama and the lyrics (except three) by the English poet A. Neilson. Armes per gana, entirely by Big Mama, is sung in Catalan. The two famous numbers not by Big Mama or Neilson are Nobody knows you when you're down and out, and Make me a pallet on the floor. Big Mama proves herself to be an excellent composer especially in Stir the pot, and Beat up Woman. She sings superbly and Joan Pau Cumellas is inspired on harmonica. A recommended disc."</div> <div> <B>HOT CLUB MAGAZINE nº 516/OCTOBER 2002</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "BIG MAMA CONTINUES INVESTIGATING IN THE ROOTS OF THE BLUES IN HER NEW ALBUM. `Blues Rooted´ is the title of Big Mama´s new album. The artist continues investigating in the roots of the blues and delights to her many fans with 15 exquisite songs. In the constant search of an aesthetic emotion, Big Mama has been able to thread a series of agile texts that pierce deep in the listener. Don´t miss the opportunity to savor the songs that breathe freshness and calmness in this Blues Rooted that soon will sound live in territories of Lleida." </div> <div> <B>LA MAÑANA    17 OCTOBER 2005</B> </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "By presenting "Rooted Blues" like a kaleidoscopic album, Big Mama found the term exact to describe it!  To taste without moderation from evening till morning and vice versa…" </div> <div> <B>FRED DELFORGE - WWW.ZICAZIC.COM November 3, 2005 - BLUES AGAIN nº 4 </B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Blues Rooted, last CD, I have just flown over it…! At the first listening, I am very pleased to find a hot voice that suits with the blues feelings. The red pocket… Olé…! With a beautiful photograph of Big Mama, a beautiful small booklet with the words of the lyrics… Super…!  I go back in listening: that´s so much good!" </div> <div> <B>JEAN-MARCEL LAROY - BLUES MAGAZINE nº 39 WINTER 2006 </B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> " Big Mama dedicates this disc to everyone, but particularly to people who suffered, which lived tortures and ill-treatments. She would like that the music and the lyrics of these songs relieve their suffering. That´s Big Mama. " </div> <div> <B>ERIC DUMEIGE - BLUES & CO nº DECEMBER 34, 2005 </B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "PUTUMAYO PRESENTS</div> <div> BLUES AROUND THE WORLD </div> <div> Putumayo world music </div> <div> <B>VERY FAVORITE</B> <B>*****</B></div> <div> <B>Why a "very favorite" for this album?</B> Well, Putumayo World Music is an association which proposes all that concers with World Music. If you buy this CD, part of the sales will be transferred to the Music Maker foundation, a very well-known organization. But to return to this CD itself, it is very interesting, because there is a mixture of styles that gratefuly surprises the listener, and that includes artists coming from all the horizons. The Blues is proposed in all its forms, from many countries as different as Brazil, Argentine, Spain, Mauritania, and even Taiwan. And the most important thing is also to mention the artists who represent of the countries quoted before, such as: Big Mama from Spain, Amar Sundy from Tunisia, Longt-Ge from Taiwan, Botafogo from Argentine, Etílicos Blues from  Brazil, or The Unseen Guest than comes from Ireland and India. A very good album which regrupe various influences of the Blues. Moreover, the booklet is very well made, in three languages (English, French and Spanish), which is a pledge of quality. Each artist appears there, with a mini biography. In fact a very good product." </div> <div> <B>ANDRÉ PERRONET - BLUES MAGAZINE nº50 (OCTOBER - NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2008)</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>"BIG MAMA - BLUES ROOTED - Discmedi</B></div> <div> <B>VERY GOOD **** </B></div> <div> ... On this album Big Mama recalls the link between the blues from all continents and the roots of this music in Africa. This entire album is perfectly coherent and each song comes impeccably fit into a totality entitled 'Blues Rooted'.</div> <div> <B>DOMINIQUE BOULAY - PARIS-MOVE & BLUES MAGAZINE (NOVEMBER 2010)</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>"BIG MAMA - TABLEAU DE BLUES -  Discmedi</B></div> <div> <B>VERY GOOD ****</B></div> <div> ... On this album 'Tableau de Blues', Big Mama sings with her heart and her voice reaches by itself the power of multiple instruments. We feel that she lives intensely everything that her voice expresses... This album was recorded 'live' at La Cova del Drac in Barcelona on 2000, where the atmosphere was warm and intimacy between the audience and the musicians. It is welcomed the courage of this artist who prefers to record alive, without the artifice of the studio. And in this case, a very great lady of Blues...! And seventy minutes of pure bliss...! </div> <div> <B>DOMINIQUE BOULAY - PARIS-MOVE & BLUES MAGAZINE (NOVEMBER 2010)</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>"BIG MAMA - BIG MAMA & THE BLUES MESSENGERS - Mas i Mas Records</B></div> <div> <B>VERY GOOD ****</B></div> <div> This is accompanied by a Big Band that Big Mama recorded a 'live' album called Big Mama & The Blues Messengers. This took place on 6, 7 and 8 April 1993, at La Boite in Barcelona. The set is perfectly consistent from first to last song. The machine is well oiled and seems to be entirely devoted to the new diva of the blues. Some well-known composers such as Floyd Dixon, WC Handy, Clarence Gatemouth Brown and Robert Johnson, and other lesser known, provided the inspiration of this Lady and her fabulous voice to charm the audience of these three parties who are able to be relived again and again on this CD.</div> <div> <B>DOMINIQUE BOULAY - PARIS-MOVE & BLUES MAGAZINE (NOVEMBER 2010)</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>THE EVENING OF 18 SEPTEMBER AT JAMBOREE (BARCELONA)</B></div> <div> THE EVENING OF 18 SEPTEMBER TO JAMBOREE IN BARCELONA</div> <div> To conclude this excellent week in this beautiful city of Barcelona, we went to see the concert given by Big Mama Montse at Jamboree Club, Plaza Real. She plays with her group, Big Mama & The Crazy Blues Band, composed by Victor Puertas harmonica and occasionally piano, Isaac Coll on bass and Olivier Rocque on drums. Exceptionally that evening, her friends, Joan Pau Cumellas on the harmonica, and guitarists Miguel Talavera and Peter Puertas, that came to lend a hand to honor her performance. We were able to attend a friendly harmonica duel between Victor and Joan Pau and some melodic arpeggios from Miguel and Peter. Congratulations to Big Mama for bringing together all these people and for keeping the Blues alive in Barcelona. </div> <div> <B>JEAN-MARCEL LAROY - BLUES MAGAZINE nº 63 JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2012</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>"BIG MAMA & THE CRAZY BLUES BAND Blues all over </B></div> <div> <B>VERY FAVORITE</B> <B>*****</B></div> <div> Recorded and mixed in January 2012, this is the latest CD from what I consider one of the best singers of Blues, The Great Lady of Blues in Spain: Big Mama! Blues everywhere! That's the way she named the 52 minutes that take our attention, Blues all over. (...)  With Big Mama and after listening her album, you want to start again and everything is possible...! That's Blues!"</div> <div> <B>JEAN-MARCEL LAROY</B></div> <div> <B>BLUES MAGAZINE nº 65 JULY-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2012</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>"BIG MAMA & THE CRAZY BLUES BAND Blues all over </B></div> <div> <B>****</B></div> <div>  (...) An album that takes us from the confines of jazz swing to those of the boogie, while touching flok and gospel music, without forgetting the traditional blues,... A feast of melodies on which the voice leads us, charms us and fills with pleasures ... The Crazy Blues Band are perfectly in harmony with the Diva: Isaac Coll (bass) and Olivier Rocque (drums) offer a remarkable rhythmic ground of finesse but solid, and concerning to Victor Puertas I can't find words to describe him...  A precious album to be listened over and over again!"</div> <div> <B>TONTON ERICK - BLUES & CO nº 60 JUIN-JUILLET-AOÛT 2012</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://blues.gr/profiles/blogs/an-interview-with-calatan-blueswoman-big-mama-montse-a-priestess" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://blues.gr/profiles/blogs/an-interv"><U><B>AN INTERVIEW WITH CATALAN BLUESWOMAN BIG MAMA MONTSE: A PRIESTESS OF EUROPEAN BLUES SCENE</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>BIG MAMA MONTSE: BIG VOICE AND SOUL</B></div> <div> <I>"I learned how to recognize my deepest emotions and express them without shame and with sincerity. To me, blues is the root from which I take some kind of substance to live..."</I></div> <div> <B>BY MICHALIS LIMNIOS - BLUES GREECE  11 SEPTEMBER 2012</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>BLUES IN SEM 2012</B></div> <div> This year we arrived on Friday, time to go to church to listen to a superb duo, <B>Big Mama & Victor Puertas</B> playing and taking about the history of blues. Nearly two hours of excitement, emotion and pleasure caused by a beautiful voice and equally superb harmonica. On saturday volunteers are active and public comes to the Festival (...) The Canadian Marc André Léger opens the evening. (...) Short break after the first concert and Big Mama comes to the scene with her <B>Crazy Blues Band</B>, Víctor Puertas (keyboards - harmonica), Olivier "Philippe" Rocque (drums) and Isaac Coll (bass) for a big show. Mama has filled us with her warm voice, powerful, expressive and sensual singing the blues of her last great album "Blues all over", a subtle blend of hot blues, slow blues, gospel, not to mention a swinging jazzy mood...  The entire audience is captivated, not only by the powerful voice of Montse, but also by the virtuosity of Víctor Puertas, harmonica and piano. The Crazy Blues Band are supported by a rhythm section as strong as the surrounding mountains, and I won't forget the guitar, as effective as sober, played by Mama... a perfect group completelly cohesive causing great pleasure to the public that do not want to let them go."</div> <div> <B>TONTON ERICK - BLUES & CO nº 62 DEC. 2012 - JAN. - FEB. 2013</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>INTERVIEW AT  "HOTEL BLUES" - BADALONA RADIO, WRITTEN BY LAURA NOVENSÀ.</B></div> <div> <A HREF="http://fondablues.blogspot.com.es/2013/03/25-anys-dhistoria-del-blues.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://fondablues.blogspot.com.es/2013/0"><U>25 ANYS D'HISTÒRIA DE BLUES. 27 - MARCH - 2013</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>BIG MAMA MONTSE  25th Anniversary & Taller de Músics All Stars </B></div> <div> <B>(Taller de Músics – 2013)  </B></div> <div> She has spent half of her life in music as a professional, leaving off her engineering of telecommunications job in the Catalan television for a troubadour life that fits her very well. Fifteen personal records, numerous collaborations with other artists and some participations in major Festivals in France and Spain have helped Big Mama Montse to become a complete artist who, in addition to be a singer, is also a journalist for the French magazine Blues & Co and a new member of the Board of the European Blues Union. A quarter century of music under the name of Big Mama deserved a huge tribute that she has prepared with the band Taller de Músics All Stars where we can find Riqui Sabatés on guitar, Alejandro Di Costanzo on piano, David Pastor on trumpet, Aljosa Mutic on tenor sax , Isaac Coll on bass and Xavi Maureta on drums. The diva from Barcelona offers not only an album but also a series of concerts in which she interprets in her own way music by Bessie Smith, Taj Mahal, Big Bill Broonzy, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino and a few others. An irresistible charisma and a rich voice surrounded by beautiful orchestrations, full of spontaneity and warmth. Big Mama Montse commands her band with a perfectly balanced blend of her blues knowledge and her talent as a performer. She is totally at ease on tracks like "I'm Crazy About The Blues" that she co-authored with Andrew Neilson or others as "The Train Of Change" by Doug Macleod, "Driving Wheel" by Roosevelt Sykes or "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke. To her great human qualities, Big Mama Montse has also an extraordinary musical ability and she has produced undoubtedly an album with all the happiness she unveils a jubilee and that it is for celebrating in good company. Let's start with the party!</div> <div> <B>FRED DELFORGE   </B></div> <div> <B>ZICAZIC 28 MARCH 2013</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>BIG MAMA MONTSE  25th Anniversary & Taller de Músics All Stars </B></div> <div> <I><B>Taller de Músics TMDM 056 </B></I></div> <div> <B>VERY FAVORITE</B> <B>*****</B></div> <div> The Grande Dame of Blues in Spain, which I consider one of the best Catalan singers Blues, Big Mama, held to mark 25 years dedicated to the Blues. She is surrounded by the best musicians in the jazz section of the Music School of Barcelona, Taller de Músics, with whom she worked: Riqui Sabatés on guitar, Alejandro di Costanzo on keyboards, David Pastor on trumpet, Aljosa Mutic on tenor sax, Xavier Maureta on drums and Isaac Coll on bass. In this company, she has recorded nearly 52' of a repertoire with 12 takes from Bessie Smith (<I>Young Woman Blues</I>) to Fats Domino (<I>All By Myself</I>), with songs by Taj Mahal (<I>Strut</I>), Doug McLeod (<I>The Train of Change</I>) Big Bill Broonzy (<I>Big Bill Blues</I>), Roosevelt Sykes (<I>Driving Wheel</I>), Sam Cooke (<I>A Change Is Gonna Come</I>), among others, all beautifully interpreted. It should be noted that she co-wrote the first song to this CD with Andrew Neilson (<I>I'm Crazy About The Blues</I> ... This will tell you how she is imbued with the blue music with which her warm voice, she has no difficulty to charm us. Another CD that we rate nearly that other one: <I>Blues All Over</I>  (January 2012)... (See BM No. 65), ie, among the best ....!</div> <div> <B>JEAN-MARCEL LAROY</B></div> <div> <B>BLUES MAGAZINE nº 69 JUILLET-AOÛT-SEPTEMBRE 2013</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.llull.cat/catala/actualitat/actualitat_noticies_detall.cfm?id=29979&url=big-mama-_he-dut-aquest-sobrenom-amb-molt-orgull-perque-me_l-van-adjudicar-meus-col%C2%B7legues_.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.llull.cat/catala/actualitat/a"><U><B>INTERVIEW TO BIG MAMA PUBLISHED AT THE WEBSITE OF INSTITUT RAMON LLULL</B></U></A><B>, by DAVID ESCAMILLA</B></div> <div> <B>18 - JUNE - 2013</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>BIG MAMA MONTSE & ORIGINAL JAZZ ORQUESTRA TALLER DE MUSICS</B></div> <div> <B>Bluesin’ the jazz   (Taller de Musics – 2013)  </B></div> <div> She had celebrated her twenty five years of musical career by offering an album in which she paid tribute to the greatest blues artists with the most famous musicians of the genre in Spain, and she confirmed it too with a new effort who engages more or less the same exercise, but this time in the company of a true jazz band led by Pastor David, a formula that further enhance the richness and warmth of the voice of Big Mama Montse. Determined to pay tribute to the great blues singers of the 20s, the diva from Barcelona between unreservedly sings in their role and lends herself to it, as her idols, on a jazz-blues cooperation very attractive that brings us back in time, to the days of Ma Rainey and Memphis Minnie, when the blues ladies wrote the first pages of music that later revolutionized the history of a country and a large part of the world. We cross over the tracks of the masterpieces like "See See Rider" and "Rocks In My Bed" and others as "Send Me To The ' Lectric Chair", "Confessin' The Blues" and "A Good Man Is Hard To Find" before an incredible and inimitable "Summertime" by Gershwin, and the equally inevitable "Everyday I Have the Blues" which convinces that blues and jazz are brothers who are at that best when they join forces. Add the class and the talent of Big Mama and you get with "Bluesin ' The Jazz" a good model that all schools of music should imperatively have to take full advantage of their students!</div> <div> <B>FRED DELFORGE   </B></div> <div> <B>ZICAZIC 21 MAI 2014</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>BIG MAMA MONTSE & SISTER MARION "REAL WOMEN BLUES". Autoproduit 2014</B></div> <div> Rien n´arretera cette passion qui la dévore et toujours sur la brêche, la Diva de Barcelone, Big Mama Montse, nous offre après un cd en compagnie d´un jazz band, une somptueuse rondelle enregistrée cette fois à l'intime, un piano, une voix et un ukelele, c´est du tout... Ah, oui j´allais oublier: le public! Car c´est en live au "Golferichs Cultural Center" de Barcelone que l´objet a été commis. Cet album tourne autour des femmes du blues (rien de surprenant à cela quand on connait Montse) et est une musique ce qu´elle est. Montse reprend des titres interpretés et écrits au début du 20ème par des personalités comme Gertrude Ma'Rainey, Bessie Smith, Trixie Smith, Alberta Hunter, etc... Soit 13 titres (deux compos) de blues pur, partfaitement, restitués de façon intime dans un style dépouillé, nature et qui, compte tenu de sa réaction, a l´aire de satisfaire le public présent. Sister Marion (Miriam Aparicio) est une superbe pianiste, à l´origine de formation classique, mais qui se commet, depuis un certain temps, au sien du Totablues Band dans le registre cru du Chicago "south side" blues. Montse, autre sa formidable voix, a pour l´occasion sorti le ukelele, dont elle use avec dextérité. 16 ou 17ème album d´un personnage incourtournable dans le monde bleu de Barcelone, et encore une rondelle soignée et passionante.</div> <div> <B>TONTON ERICK</B></div> <div> <B>BLUES & CO nº 69 SEPT.-OCT.-NOVEMBRE 2014</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>BIG MAMA MONTSE & SISTER MARION "REAL WOMEN BLUES". Self Production 2014</B></div> <div> Genuine real blues coming from Barcelona city is what you will find in "Real Women Blues", an album performed by two real blues ladies, Big Mama Montse and Sister Marion, two musicians really appreciated in the blues circles who have already crossed the borders of their city to become a real treasure of Spanish blues, especially Big Mama who has now more than twenty-five years of professional career. The album was recorded live by Sister Marion on piano and Big Mama on vocals and ukulele at the Centro Cívico Golferichs in Barcelona in March 6th, 2014 and it is really a true pleasure for the ears and a real treasure for your senses. Both women join forces in a unique elegant journey along twenties and thirties blues, with suggestive songs coming from Ma Rainey, Trixie, Bessie Smith, Alberta Hunter or Wynona Carr, plus some Big Mama’s one ones and other interesting ones by different composers of that particular time. Thirteen cuts with an intense colour that will delight all those people who really love blues in the broadest sense of the term, because these two women have got spirit, power and magic enough to catch us with the essence of this musical genre that has deeply captured our mind and soul. GREAT.</div> <div> <B>VICENTE ZÚMEL</B></div> <div> <B>LA HORA DEL BLUES, JANUARY 2015</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>"The Jazz gives an award to Big Mama</B></div> <div> The "Jazzterrassaman" 2015 will be for a woman of the blues. Yesterday, at the presentation of the Terrassa Jazz Festival schedule, it was announced that this year's the award recognizes the career of Big Mama Montse and her relationship with the city. "I have Terrassa's festival in my heart" said the famous blues singer, who since 1989 has participated in eleven editions of the festival. The program this year offers a total of 32 concerts between March 4 and 22."</div> <div> <B>DIARI DE TERRASSA, 20 FEBRUARY 2015</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>"Big Mama Montse & Sister Marion “Juke Joint Sessions”.</B></div> <div> The new album of singer Big Mama Montse and piano player Sister Marion includes a selection of thirteen songs, may be less classic ones than in their previous album but, probably, more intense and varied. This time Montse has decided to perform a range of compositions, completely different stylistically, coming from artists like Nina Simone, Julia Lee, Buddy Johnson, Curtis Mayfield, Joe McCoy, Susan Tedeschi and Rudy Toombs, together with six Montse’s own songs that reflect the multiple influences she has assimilated with a constant and careful dedication along her already extensive career, influences that have gradually taken a big effect both in her personal and professional life. The vocal exposure and the personal way Montse displays the repertoire, always chosen with great commitment, makes it become a beautiful portrait of the various facets where she feels comfortable and totally relaxed. On the other hand Sister Marion brings her always wonderful good taste and variety to the piano, which makes her able to not repeat tempos or riffs, drawing with her right hand a great diversity of delicious piano phrasing along the whole album, always performed with an extreme care and elegance. This is simply a delicious recording. GREAT."</div> <div> <B>VICENTE ZÚMEL</B></div> <div> <B>LA HORA DEL BLUES, AUGUST 2016 </B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>"BIG MAMA MONTSE .BAND "Seed of Love"</B></div> <div> Now it's time to focus on the queen of the blues, the Catalan Big Mama Montse with three decades of experience and more than 20 albums behind her, or rather on her superb vocal cords! Big Mama Montse is perfectly backed by a rhythm section with Isaac Coll (bass) and Andreu Moreno (drums). Together they have marked an eclectic and tasty "Seed Of Love", with 7 tracks of Montse and 4 excellent versions. First of all we want to highlight the awsome illustration on the cover with the heart and the fruits of this project. They begin with the fantastic homonymous son "Seed of love" by emphasizing the funk on the rhythm, and in addition the voice of our particular Bessie Smith. For "Howlin 'on the ground" they go from shuffle to swing, while "Sex appeal" is pure funk fantastically sung by Montse. Some guitars of  "No words on the line" remind  to J.J. Cale. Then comes "Peace to the world", popularized by B.B. King, spiced with gospel spots. To end with this album they play a Kermit Ruffins' tune from New Orleans funerals, "When I die, you better second line". Big Mama Montse .Band should not be on any second line but on the first of the best representatives of the best blues. Here is a great proof of that  and I hope they play live everywhere to show the world what they can do!"</div> <div> <B>TXEMA MAÑERU</B></div> <div> <B>www.elgiradiscos.com, APRIL 2017</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>"BIG MAMA MONTSE .BAND </B></div> <div> <B>Seed of love (Gaztelupeko Hotsak – 2017)  </B></div> <div> <B>Duration 46'09 - 11 Tracks</B></div> <div> She is an artist that can not be forgotten once her voice has been heard and, it is not by chance, that her personal discography counts around fifteen albums to which can be added many collaborations always very noticeable. On this new album recorded last winter in which Big Mama Montse has put seven original compositions and a few others of Wynona Carr, Trade Martin, Eric Bibb and Kermit Ruffins, Big Mama Montse .Band offer us original pieces well thought and played, to call pure and strong feelings through titles such as "Seed Of Love", "Howlin 'On The Ground", "No Word On The Line" or "No More Tears & Pain". Titles that the singer interprets with a deep voice to plunge into it without the slightest hesitation. She and her band add impeccable instrumentations on "Act Right", "Peace To The World", "Don't Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down" and "When I Die, You Better Second Line". You get the perfect album, the one that all fans of Big Mama Montse were waiting with real impatience. Essential!""</div> <div> <B>FRED DELFORGE</B></div> <div> <B>www.zicazic.com  27-APRIL-2017</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>"Big Mama Montse .Band</B></div> <div> <B>Seed of Love</B></div> <div> 'Seed Of Love' is a title that perfectly matches the personality of Big Mama Montse, which real name is Montserrat Pratdesabat. Charismatic, with feeling on the skin, this artist (singer and guitarist) celebrated 25 years of career in 2013. She is also the President of Barcelona Blues Society. Her life has been dedicated to blues and jazz and if it takes several decades to become an icon, she's far from being on a pedestal. On this album, there's also Tofol Martínez on guitar and Dobro, Isaac Coll on bass, and Andreu Moreno on drums and percussion. This album has eleven songs on rhythmic tracks like 'Howlin' On The Ground' (rock /swing) or ' Sex Appeal' (funky) or 'Peace To The World' written by Trade Martin. Montse is often dealing with a mixture of blues tinged with jazz. She practices the scat on a easy and natural way and you can hear her on 'When I Die, You Better Second Line', an adaptation of the song by Kermit Ruffins. She has the art to vibrate her voice, modulate it and make you believe that she sings only for you, perfectly seconded by excellent musicians.  'Tell Me Why You Look So Evil' , 'No Words On The Line' will convince you. If she plays near your town, go to see her, whether she is in a small group, as in this disc, or with a big band... you'll follow under her charms."</div> <div> <B>CÉSAR</B></div> <div> <B>www.bluesagain.com   MAY-2017</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>"BIG MAMA MONTSE .BAND Seed of love </B></div> <div> <B>****</B></div> <div> A veritable institution of the Catalan scene, or even more, Big Mama Montse, in line with the divas of the blues, perpetuates the tradition with an obstinacy that matches with her talent and humility. This superb blueswoman, with youthful freshness, aligned 30 years dedicated to the blues and all an amount of albums, writings, kilometers and a permanent investment on the promotion and defense of the blues (...) Montse offers us a gift of swinging and funky blues, refreshing and energizing. Eleven tunes of a good eloquence, interpreted with talent and good taste. Seven of them are composed by Montse, which shows that she is overflowing creativity, and four times very cleverly chosen. (...) A cd full of good taste, with a huge singer and a precious work ..."</div> <div> <B>TONTON ERICK</B></div> <div> <B>BLUES & CO nº 80 JUIN-JUILLET-AOÛT 2017</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>"BIG MAMA MONTSE OPENS THE TERRASSA'S NOVA JAZZ CAVA WITH A COMMEMORATIVE CONCERT.</B></div> <div> The opening concert of this venue will celebrate three decades of Big Mama Montse as one of the most important blues personalities. For this event, the artist will be accompanied by another of the relevant females of the style in Catalonia, the pianist Sister Marion, along with musicians Balta Bordoy on guitar, Matías Míguez on bass and Xavi Hinojosa on drums. Big Mama Montse is presented as the heiress of the great blues ladies and is remembered as part of the collective memory of any blues singer. She is also the only woman awarded with the Jazzterrassman prize of the Terrassa Jazz Festival. "</div> <div> <B>DIARI DE TERRASSA 2-MAY-2018</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>"BIG MAMA MONTSE: THE BLUES HELPED ME TO GROW AS A PERSON.</B></div> <div> The balance that the artist makes of her thirty years of trajectory is very positive. Her new songs talk about liberating emotions and feelings, and about some experiences to express her truth. Big Mama sings and composes since she was very young, and has been a blueswoman for thirty years.  In addition  of her interpretive level, her songs reveal her as an outstanding composer."</div> <div> <B>DIARI DE TERRASSA 4-MAY-2018</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>