Tomislav Goluban

Chicago Rambler

Spona Records

Tomislav Goluban was inspired by harp masters Sonny Boy Williamson, Paul Butterfield, Gary Primich and others. The Croatian musician, whose surname translates to Pigeon in English, formed Little Pigeon’s Forhill Blues Band in 1997. His debut recording Pigeon’s Flight was released in 2005, and followed up in 2007 with “Mr. B”. In 2009 Goluban traveled to Memphis and competed in the International Blues Challenge. His sixth studio album 2014’s “Blow Junkie” was well received and cracked the Roots Music Report in May 2015. He has played in twenty European countries and at the prestigious Notodden Blues Festival in Norway. On his 2016 “Kaj Blues Etno” Goluban mixed Croatian songs and themes with his blues. In 2017 Goluban returned to Memphis to again compete in the IBC this time representing the Croatian Blues Forces. In early 2018 Goluban collaborated with pianist Toni Staresinic on the eclectic album “Velvet Space Love”.  Goluban has also founded a blues festival in his hometown, educates students with a “Blues in The Schools” program, and hosts his own radio show.

Last year Goluban made a pilgrimage to Chicago to record his tenth album. Goluban, harp and vocals, enlisted Chicago Blues guitarist Eric Noden; and the veteran rhythm section of E.G. (Greg) McDaniel, bass; and the Grammy nominated Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, drums. The album, co-produced by Goluban and Noden, was recorded January 30^th and 31^st, 2018 at the Joy Ride Studios. All of the songs are written by Goluban.

The opener “Pigeon Swing” inspired by Little Walter’s “Roller Coaster” recorded in 1955 is a rollicking instrumental with great harp work from Goluban. Originally slatted to be a bonus track, the strong band performance caused the producers to make it the lead track. The song is receiving a considerable amount of air time.

“Locked Heart” is a laconic Jimmy Reed styled tune featuring some discordant guitar from Noden. Both the south side shuffle “Bag Full of Troubles” and the Muddy Waters styled “Little Pigeon” feature fellow harmonica ace Joe Filisko who is often paired with guitarist Noden.

The rumba “Jerry Ricks On My Mind” is a tribute to Goluban’s friend “Philadelphia” Jerry Ricks who lived the later portion of his life in Croatia where he mentored the younger Goluban. An acoustic version follows. The Kastav Blues Festival in Croatia was established to honor Ricks.

“Do The Right Thing” features a Bo Diddley beat provided by Smith, and Goluban’s best vocal, and is another song receiving airplay. It is listed #2 on this week’s Chicago Blues song chart squeezed between Ronnie Baker Brooks and The Cash Box Kings. The closer “I’ll Go to My Cottage” is a traditional Croatian folk song transformed into a shuffle.

Goluban is a world class harp ace who walks the streets of Chicago on this set of originals.

Richard Ludmerer

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