New Orleans guitarist Peter Novelli starts with the blues and ends with the blues. In between those indigo goal posts the man throws in zydeco and swamp boogie. He shreds thick and heavy, funky and mean. He’s like a cape-less guitar hero one minute, or a gently strumming Delta troubadour the next, and then he careens into live polyrhythmic jams. It’s red hot throughout. He has shared the stage and the studio with cats like Dr. John and Chris Thomas King (“O Brother Where Art Thou?”) to name a few. Genuine road-burnin’ blues.
— Frank DeBlase, CHOICE CONCERTS, ROCHESTER CITY NEWS June 20, 2012
…a rich blend of south Louisiana blues-rock, touches of zydeco, and plenty of Crescent City grooves and sensibility…Fans of Tab Benoit and Sonny Landreth, as well as those interested in the current New Orleans music scene, would do well to check out Peter Novelli’s Louisiana Roots & Blues.
—Melanie Young Living Blues Magazine, August-September 2012
“It was hot stuff…” – (live on Frenchmen Street New Orleans) LiveMint/Wall Street Journal
“Novelli’s guitar work recalls Louisiana’s native son Sonny Landreth…”
-Gary Weeks, BLUES BLAST MAGAZINE
Novelli’s 2nd CD Louisiana Roots & Blues, released June 12, entered the charts on July 3, reached No. 3 on Roots Music Report for Louisiana artists and No. 32 national blues chart. It’s gotten widespread critical acclaim and radio spins, including heavy rotation on BB King’s Bluesville radio show.
Novelli is now touring as a trio with his best rhythm section ever: Legendary New Orleans drummer Darryl White (Tab Benoit, Chris Thomas King) and Austin bassist Andrew Molever.
Novelli’s debut CD followed several years with zydeco/cajun bands, sharing stages with some of the best, absorbing the grooves and blending it with his first love, the blues. The Peter Novelli debut CD was critically acclaimed, got a LOT of radio play and climbed the charts. Musicians include: the late Gatemouth Brown’s rhythm section David Peters/David Hyde, Dr. John, Paul Barrere (Little Feat), Augie Meyers (Texas Tornados), Greg “Fingers” Taylor (Jimmy Buffet), Joe Krown (Gatemouth) and more. The historic “Slim Harpo” Tribute features James Johnson, Rudy Richard from Harpo’s band, and the late Raful Neal.
Novelli has worked, recorded, shared stages with some of the “who’s who” of blues, rock, roots, country, R&B, cajun and zydeco, artists and he brings all of those influences into his own unique sound.