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March 12, 2008 |
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Hey Blues fans, We know it seems like a repeat each week for the last few weeks but again..... another Blues packed week and another Blues packed issue! We were fortunate to be on hand for two momentous celebrations last weekend.
Delmark Records 55th Anniversary Friday night we made it to the 55th anniversary celebration of Delmark Records at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago, IL. Bob Koester started Delmark in 1953 and both he and Delmark are alive and well. Their All Star Blues Tribute Concert featured most of their artist roster including Byther Smith, Jimmy Johnson, Dave Specter, Eddie Shaw, Shirley Johnson, Little Arthur Duncan, Aaron Moore and Lurrie Bell among others. Blues luminaries on hand for the celebration included Alligator records president Bruce Iglaur, Earwig records CEO Michael Frank, Blue Bella Records head Nick Moss and of course the man himself, Bob Koester. The fun ran way past midnight making for a great show to say the least. To see ALL the fun pictures, CLICK HERE
Illinois Central Blues Club's 22nd Birthday Party
Each week they have their Blue Monday shows that bring in national acts on a Monday night for 2 bucks. (See Society News below for current schedule.) And just last month they had a Blues education afternoon that was a real treat and a free show too! These folks know how to throw a Blues party! This celebration featured an opening solo set by Bluesman Robert Sampson (2008 IBC finalist). This guy can really play some cool Blues! Check out his unorthodox left thumb slide style. He gets a great sound. The headliner for their party was another Delmark Records Blues act, The Mississippi Heat. The group has changed a bit since we last saw them. Harp player Pierre Lacocque and Mississippi Heat have added lead vocalist Inetta Visor. They were great before and they are even better now! After a smoking set and a short break, Mississippi heat invited Robert Sampson up to sit in for a song at the beginning of the second set. The band had never heard of Robert and it was cool to watch as he took a smoking solo which brought yells from the crowd. After the song, Mississippi Heat asked him to stay on stage and kept him up there trading solos till the end of the set. (Much to the delight of the crowd and this editor!) Mississippi Heat will have a new CD "Hattiesburg Blues" released in April so keep an eye out for it. Based on their show in Springfield, it will be a good one! To see pictures of this celebration, CLICK HERE More Blues reviews! This week we have 6 Blues reviews for you! James Walker reviews Carolyn Wonderland's new CD, Rob Paullin reviews a new CD by Tommy Keyes, Blues trooper Ben Cox pulls out all the stops this week doing triple duty with reviews of new CD's by the North Mississippi Allstars, Chris Bergson Band and a new CD by Tad Robinson. Chicago editor Lordy reviews a show by Mr. G and the mystery Band. Enjoy! |
Blues Society News
Send your
Blues Society's BIG news or Press Release to: Max of 125 words, Text or Word file preferred. Illinois Central Blues Club Springfield, IL - Blue Mondays
Held at the Alamo 115 N 5th St, Springfield, IL (217) 523-1455 every Monday
8:30pm $2 cover Mississippi Action for Community Education - Greenville, MS 31st Annual Mississippi Delta Blues & Heritage Festival - Poster Contest. (MACE) is accepting entries for the poster design for the 31st Annual Mississippi Delta Blues and Heritage Festival to be held on September 20, 2008. The theme for this year’s festival is: "Rollin’ Goin’ Home to da Blues". Winning entry will receive $500 cash. Entry deadline is April 30, 2008. Mail entries to: Mississippi Delta Blues Festival Poster Contest, 119 South Theobald Street, Greenville, MS 38701. Contact William Brown at 662-335-3523 or macetop@bellsouth.net for more info. Visit www.deltablues.org , for contest rules and application form. The Blues, Jazz & Folk Music Society - Marietta, Ohio 17th Annual River City Blues Festival Overtakes Marietta Festival starts Friday, March 14th and continues all day and evening on Saturday, March 15th. PerformersInclude: Mikey Jr., The Holmes Brothers, E.G. Kight, Thornetta Davis, Sean Carney Band, and Watermelon Slim & The Workers. For complete festival information CLICK HERE The Grafton Blues Association - Grafton, WI
The Grafton Blues Association will host
it’s annual Blues in the Schools and Scholarship fundraiser with the Legends of
Chicago Blues! |
Thursday, May 22 - Saturday, May 24, 2008 Email: bluesandthespirit@dom.edu Phone: (708) 524-6050 |
A Symposium on the Legacy of Blues & Gospel Music Dominican University (located just minutes from the Chicago Loop) hosts the Blues and the Spirit Symposium, emphasizing the heritage of African-American Chicago and exploring the shared roots of Blues and Gospel.
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Streaming Blues Link of the Week
This website claims to have the top 100 songs from the golden years of popular music - plus more of our musical heritage. They have the Top 100 songs in many styles of music. To see the list of their top 100 Blues tunes CLICK HERE. You can listen in random order or you can scroll their list to the song of your choice. To HEAR their 100 Top Blues songs, CLICK HERE Check out other great Blues Music Streams Click HERE Other IMPORTANT News Help Save the music! CLICK HERE to Keep Blues Radio Alive! |
May 9th &
10th - Fort Madison, IA |
Friday May 9th
Saturday May 10th |
Blues Link of the Week
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducts Little Walter http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/little-walter Blues harmonica pioneer Walter “Little Walter” Jacobs was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this week. Check out the link above to see the the Hall of Fame page for him. You can also get more information on Little Walter at The Official Little Walter biography website at http://littlewalter.net Also check out Little Walter at the Bluesharp Page at: http://www.bluesharp.ca/legends/lwalter.html For more Blues links, CLICK HERE to visit the IllinoisBlues.com Links Page |
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Top Croatian Guitarist Nebojsa Buhin Guitar Language
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MARCH 19 to MARCH 23rd
THE 6th ANNUAL ST. JOHN BLUES FESTIVAL
Coral Bay Ball Field – Coral Bay
Tab Benoit
Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band
Waylon Thibodeaux
Sean Carney & The Sean Carney Band
For further information contact Steve Simon at 340-693-8120
stevesimonlive@yahoo.com or go to
www.stjohnbluesfestival.com
6 live Blues shows over 5 days beginning on March 19th and running through
March 23rd.
Featured Blues Reviews
Bismeaux Productions # CD9591 By James “Skyy Dobro” Walker 12 songs; 44:35 minutes; Meritable True of False:
“Blues” is a big house with many rooms. If you answered “true” to all three quiz questions, then you will enjoy Carolyn Wonderland’s seventh feature release, Miss Understood. Even those who answered “false” to any of the questions will enjoy the amazing first song “Misunderstood.” If you answered “false” to all three, then you will not find the “blues” you seek, beyond the first track. Featuring Wonderland on down right inspiring lap steel guitar, “Misunderstood,” after just two listens, became my favorite song of 2008 with no one else’s single even close. A wonderland original, the mid-tempo shuffle starts with Carloyn’s lap steel slide bursting a repeated series of catchy notes. But, that ain’t nothing – realized when she creates an intricate mid-song solo. Her ear-perking vocals are in that perfect female register that implies, “I can love you or kill you, either one, if I am not too busy already!” Do you ever get the feeling that there are so many music artists, past and present, that you will never get to hear (or even “hear of”) them all? Sometimes it is down right embarrassing when a “new” artist comes along, so that I have to ask, “Where have I been?” Carolyn Wonderland presents just such a case. Well known in Texas, familiar to touring mates like Buddy Guy and Johnny Winter, and admired by fans like Bob Dylan, I have just been made aware of her by this album. Carolyn Wonderland is a singer/songwriter/pianist/ trumpeter/guitarist originally from Houston, Texas. In Houston, she won awards in The Houston Press for everything from Best Guitarist, Female Vocalist, Songwriter, Blues, to Release of the Year and Musician of the Year -- virtually sweeping the awards for five years from the time she was a teenager. Now residing in Austin, Ms. Wonderland says, “I moved to the land of free guitar lessons!” Wonderland's songs have been featured on NBC's “Homicide” and Fox's “Time of Your Life.” She likes to incorporate elements of Blues, Country, Swing, Zydeco, Surf, Gospel, Soul, and some nights, maybe even a Cumbia into the musical mix. Stretching out musically, she has recently worked some whistling and scat singing into her shows. In addition to her trusty guitar, ‘Patty,” Carolyn has been regularly playing her trumpet, and even occasionally the accordion, mandolin, or keys. Miss Understood has plenty of Texas pedigree – witness the producer, Asleep At The Wheel’s Ray Benson and Cindy Cashdollar on dobro. Lloyd Maines, father of Dixie Chicks’ Natalie Maines, guests on five different types of guitars, and Jamie Oldaker drums on some songs. Other guests include Guy Forsyth, Cole El-Saleh, Dave Sanger, Glenn Fukunaga, Jon Blondell, and that is the short list. One surprise is a cover of Rick Derringer’s “Still Alive and Well.” Full of multi tracked electric guitar by Wonderland, the song rocks and drives with all the punch and fun of the original - think instant flashback and chorus sing-a-long. Another track, “Bad Girl Blues” verges on Country with Maines’ steel guitar and Wes Hightower adding harmony vocals. Throwing some John Mills horns in the mix, “Walk On” is an upbeat number with Wonderland sounding like a lit up Marcia Ball. If you’re gonna play in Texas, you gotta have a fiddle in the band, and “Long Way To Go” does that courtesy of Jason Roberts. How about some lounge-jazz understated guitar behind some bedroom vocals – try “I Don’t Want To Fall For You.” Full production number – yep, on JJ Cale’s “Trouble In The City.” For some blues theme, try “I Live Alone With Someone.” As you can see, Carolyn Wonderland is no one trick pony. This CD should go far to remove wonder throughout the land about who she is. James “Skyy Dobro” Walker is a noted Blues writer, DJ and Blues Blast contributor. His weekly radio show “Friends of the Blues” can be heard each Thursday from 4:30 – 6:00pm on WKCC 91.1 FM in Kankakee, IL For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.
If you’re into straight ahead, uncluttered piano blues and jazz, then Side Street Boogie, the latest disk from New York City area barrel house bluesman Tommy Keys is just what your doctor ordered. Indeed, it’s hard to listen to the work of the 2006 International Blues Challenge Solo Finalist and convince yourself he’s from Long Island and not New Orleans. Combine his thoughtful lyrics with his smooth but pleading voice, and a judicious choice of backing musicians on several of the cuts, and you have with Side Street Blues the real piano boogie deal. The disk contains six originals and a couple of traditional blues tunes combined with several nicely-done covers. Here’s some highlights: First up is “High Blood Pressure,” a fun-sounding danceable love song with a definite New Orleans piano bar feel and a nice jazzy piano solo riff. Keys chases that with the first of the originals, “Rum Boogie Woogie,” a lyrically clever tune complemented by some nice walking bass. I’m guessing Tommy wrote this one after a night at the Rum Boogie Café on Beale Street! The bluesy original, “Singing the Blues,” is enhanced by some excellent harmonica work from Keys, followed by another original, “Lazy Day Blues,” a catchy tune that’ll remind you of sitting on the levee drowning yourself with a mimosa or mint julep in the summer sun while watching the paddle boats go by. Even if you never sat on a levee…. Keys displays a slightly pained lilt to his voice with the original “Oh Marie,” as he tries to coax his baby back to his bed. He then transitions to an easy rolling rendition of the traditional blues classic, “Boogie Man.” If you like slow dancin’ you’ll enjoy the Keys original, “Blue Moon River” before spinning your partner into the upbeat cover of Sunnyland Slim’s “All My Life.” Keys next calls on the harmonica of Ken Korb to spice up Robert Johnson’s “From Four Until Late,” which will transfer you from the river to the rails for long, dusty train ride back in musical time. When the train ride ends, you’ll find yourself on Bourbon Street in New Orleans for Mardi Gras for Keys’ instrumental send-up of the traditional, “When the Saints Go Marching In.” You can almost feel the blues dripping off “Early in the Morning,” before Keys wraps up by bringing out the steel pedal guitar for the original, “A Song For You,” a tune with a strong down home country blues style. If you have fond memories of the piano bar at Pat O’Briens around the corner and down a side street from New Orleans’ Bourbon Street, then you’ll want to wrap yourself around this one. Two hurricane glasses up for Tommy Keys and Side Street Boogie. To hear some of the CD tracks, CLICK HERE Rob Paullin is a long-time radio and television journalist. He has also taught at universities in the USA, Eastern Europe and China
Songs of the South The All-Stars have come a long way since their critically-acclaimed released Shake Hands with Shorty. Shake Hands with Shorty was heavily influenced by the romp and stomp of the North Mississippi Hill Country blues sounds of Junior Kimbrough and R.L. Burnside. Since then they’ve taken odd turns into jam band rock, psychedelic, and the old sixties term of “freak out music.” The band’s creative director/producer Jim Dickinson returns to the production helm on this aptly titled album (named after the Dickinson’s hometown in Mississippi) to head up his sons Cody & Luther on guitar and drums and bassist Chris Chew. If you long for sounds of the power trio Cream, the freak out of Spooky Tooth, the hard overdriven blues approach of Big Brother and the Holding Company and Jimi Hendrix than this album is for you. With my tastes being more of a traditional, I felt the album is a little bit of a misnomer being filed under blues at times, and at other moments I see it as another pushing the blues’ limits possibly making it more accessible to my (younger) generation of fans on the jam band circuits. On tracks like “Shake Yo (Mama)” and “Keep the Devil Down” you can hear the influence of the stomps of Burnside and Kimbrough laced with the Clapton-drenched fuzzy woman-toned guitar of the sixties. Then, Luther Dickinson who steps aside from the vocal mic on the tongue in cheek “I’d Love to Be a Hippy” with Chris Chew taking up the vocal reins, turns in some of the most blues-inspired guitar on the whole disc. Chew’s turn at the vocals also leaves one wondering why he doesn’t sing more throughout. Luther, who now tours with the Black Crowes, turns in some of the most mature guitar playing I’ve heard from him yet. However, Luther’s father turns in some of the sloppiest, laid-back production work I’ve ever heard. The band sounds completely relaxed and borders on stumbling at times throughout the disc, especially when they get away from the blues and blues-rock that they are known for. The groove of the disc seems to fall apart a little half way through the disc, while the band tries to show off their diversity in influence. If you’re a straight ahead blues fan, this disc probably won’t appeal to you because of the All Stars abilities to appeal to the rock crowd by submerging their blues roots into rock riffs and Hendrix-esque distortion. However, if you are of an on-the-fringe blues fan looking for a toss-back to the blues rock of those old Johnny & Edgar Winter records or the Cream days, this disc might be for you Ben Cox is a Blues Songwriter, Musician, DJ and Journalist. For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.
2 Shirts Records One part Steve Katz of Blood, Sweat & Tears, one part Gregg Allman, one part recording in Levon Helm’s studio in Woodstock NY, and one part Taylor Hicks look alike equals Chris Bergson Band’s disc “Fall Changes.” Bergson first burst on the scene in 1997 for tiny Juniper Records in NY and began woodshedding around the New York area for ten years as one of the most sought-after jazz guitarists in the state. Bergson however had another love and that was roots rock and blues. Teaming with BMA-nominated piano/organ guru Bruce Katz and you get the product we have here; a solid blue-eyed soul/roots rock record that hearkens to post-Duane Allman Allman Brothers Band; jazz-rock Blood, Sweat, & Tears, and some songwriting in the mind of The Band. Bergson’s Allman & Steve Katz-esque vocals work quite well and his guitar playing is superb, complemented by the punch of the tiny horn section that is throughout the disc. Bergson pens all but four tracks on the CD, which are hiply minded and definitely going to make a break on any AAA radio station out there, if it hasn’t already. Bergson & Co. give a soul & RnB like reading of Bob Dylan’s “When I Paint My Masterpiece.” Bergson tone’s down any notion of Hendrix on “Are You Experienced?” and gives more of a Robbie Robertson approach to the song. Bergson was also definitely paying attention to Gregg Allman’s cover of “Drown In My Own Tears” from Derek Trucks Band’s album Soul Serenade in 2003, as the version he presents here is not very far off from it. The album will probably garner a few nods from Contemporary Blues radio for its soul feeling and the jazz-inspired licks that Bergson handles with superb ability throughout. Bruce Katz’ name is also going to cause it to pass there, too. Although, his playing is very understated and never out in front throughout. Besides the covers on this record, Bergson’s approach to writing is a very throwback style to a lot of the names I’ve already mentioned that some sorely miss in the music of today. Amy Helm also adds supporting lead vocals on two tracks on the album “Float Your Mind” and “Rain Beatin’ Down,” giving them a very Delaney & Bonnie-like feel in the vocal play and musicianship. No doubt that Bergson is a superb player with a laundry list of folks he’s played with and opened for. He’s sure to continue walking down that path and doesn’t look to be deviating from it anytime soon. Check out more of Chris & Co. at his website www.chrisbergson.com where this and his other previous releases are available for purchase. Album is also available at CD Baby, ITunes, Amazon and any other internet based retailer. Ben Cox is a Blues Songwriter, Musician, DJ and Journalist. For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.
Severn Records Tad Robinson is a throw back, a hearkening to years gone by to an era when soul and R&B and soul blues weren’t muddied with sampled beats and the hard pounding bass or the overtly sexual and derogatory lyrics that sometimes bombard us when we throw on a contemporary R&B station these days. Robinson takes us back to when the church and the secular were a very fine line. He takes us back to the days when R&B still had rhythm and the blues in it. With some of the finest pipes in the business and purest timbre, you’ll not get a finer soul-blues release from 2007 than A New Point of View, which is twice nominated for a BMA this year in the soul blues categories. With two covers and nine originals, Robinson demonstrates prowess as not just a vocalist but as a relevant song writer and harmonica player as well. Robinson’s band is not a bunch of slouches either. He has the great bandleader Willie Henderson (Tyrone Davis, Chi-Lites) arranging his horn section that sounds like its straight out of Memphis’ Hi Records years, just see track seven “Two of A Kind Blues” and you’ll know what I’m talking about. Anchored by some of the most soulful and funky guitar playing I’ve heard in awhile in the form of long time partner Alex Schultz and rounded out by the solid rhythm section of Scott Gomes (bass) and Robb Stupka (drums) and Victor Williams (percussion). This album smokes from beginning to end. “Long Way Home” the album’s opening cut helps us reminisce to the soul of 70s Gamble & Huff Philadelphia; drenched in horn punctuation, funky fuzzy guitar, and string laced choruses. Then, Robinson turns around and slams us with the ample Johnnie Taylor cover “Ain’t That Lovin’ You (For More Reasons Than One).” Robinson displays his wide range of influence by delivering the 70s Atlantic signature Tyrone Davis riff on “You Get to Keep the Love,” and delivers it with no less authority than the originator’s influence. On, “More Good Than Bad” Robinson walks the fine line of church and secular backed by the gospel-grooved organ of Kevin Anker. The knock out punch is delivered on the Chicago traditional slow blues burner in “Broken Hearted Man.” The song demonstrates the tight arrangement of the band at the bridge, as it switches to a call and response that conjures Muddy Waters’ “Rolling Stone” and then driving back into the groove. Schultz shows some jazzy slick guitar riffs as well. The horns become a little invasive in the song, but nothing to fret over. Robinson has already nailed the door to the coffin but provides a solid burying blow with the “When You’re Ready,” which probably could’ve been an Al Green B-side in the Hi Records days. He takes you home with the final track full of funk that can barely keep you in your seat called “Back For More,” which leaves you wanting more. I’ve not been able to take my ears away from such a wonderful soul-blues CD. This guy surely knows the music just as good as anyone. He’s studied and polished as they come and lets everyone know that though Johnnie Taylor and Tyrone Davis have gone on, their legacies are in good hands as long as Tad Robinson is around. Keep up with Tad Robinson on MySpace and at his website www.tadrobinson.com. This album is available at all major record outlets Ben Cox is a Blues Songwriter, Musician, DJ and Journalist. For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE. |
Chicago Blues Update
Live Blues reviews by Chicago Blues editor Lordy Blues Beat: Chicago (Photos by August Lord) Mr G and the Mystery Band at The Harlem Avenue Lounge
The Mystery Band is no mystery to those familiar with great Chicago blues magicians (musicians). Tony Palmer was on guitar, James Carter on drums, E.G. McDaniel on bass and the great Osee Anderson on the other guitar. I feel some mysterious providence was involved because I was originally headed for a different venue (gasp). As the mystery unfolds I found myself at The Harlem Avenue Lounge for three sets of great live blues.
Mr. G covered George Harmonica Smith, who he considers King of the Chromatic. Speaking of which Mr. G. has an interesting collection of harps. I think my favorite song was I’m Gonna Go it Alone. It is a Mr. G. original. Of course I asked him which CD might have that song on it. This is a problem. Mr. G. had not been in the recording studio yet. One issue of course is that his band is a mystery from gig to gig. Another is that the band members have other gigs. For example, three of tonight’s players are also the Jimmy Burns Band. Whether or not Mr. G and his Mystery Band ever get recorded, and I think they should, it will always be better live. I can’t get too exercised about you not being in attendance because I almost wasn’t myself, but it would be a mystery to me why you wouldn’t look out for them to catch there next show. CLICK HERE to visit Lordy's website at ChicagoBluesBeat.com To see a Chicago Area list of upcoming events CLICK HERE
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