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Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation - Chicago, IL

Dixon Landing Music has teamed with legendary bluesman Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation  to sponsor "HOT BLUES NIGHTS... LIVE AT 2120!" (www.hotbluesnights.com) This 3-day event, held June 5th - 7th at the historic former Chess Records Studios, 2120 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, will be an after hours party when the Chicago Blues Festival retires each evening. The line-up schedule includes:
Thursday June 5th - Nellie "Tiger: Travis, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, The Blues Experience with Cash McCall, Alex Dixon, Steve Bell and Billy Branch Friday June 6th - David Jacobs-Strain, Billy Branch And The Son’s Of Blues, The Blues Experience With Cash Mccall, Alex Dixon, Steve Bell and Muddy Waters Jr. plus other Special Guests Saturday June 7th - David Jacobs-Strain, Lurrie Bell & Family, The Blues Experience featuring Cash Mccall, Alex Dixon, Steve Bell and Muddy Waters Jr. This is a limited attendee engagement......only selling approximately 115 tickets/night! Tickets are available at www.hotbluesnights.com. Additionally, the museum will be open from June 5th - 8th for tours.

Madison Blues Society - Madison WI

Madison Blues Society’s 6th Annual Blues Picnic is Saturday, June 21, 2008 from Noon to 9:30 PM at Warner Park in Madison, WI. Fantastic line-up of local and regional blues bands including Shari Davis & the Hootchy-Kootchy Band, Joe Nosek's Blues Kids, Cash Box Kings, Danny Miller Band, Mud Angels, Paul Filipowicz and Otis & the Alligators. The show is FREE and open to the public.

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  - June 2 Texas Groove from Springfield, IL, June 9 Shawn Kellerman from Ontario, Canada, June 16 Deak Harp Blues Band from Illinois, June 23 HARPER from Australia, June 30 Levee Town from Kansas City

The Blues Blowtorch Society - Bloomington, IL

Blues Blowtorch Society presents the 2008 Central Illinois Blues Challenge on September 21, 2008 at the Tri-Lakes in Bloomington, IL. The winner will be sent to Memphis in early 2009 to compete as our representative in the International Blues Challenge. This year we are limiting the number of bands to five. To be considered bands must apply by July 18, 2008. The solo/duo acts competition is to be determined based on interest.  For further information and submission guidelines, please contact Deborah Mehlberg, Entertainment Director at: Deborah464@aol.com

 NEW to the Blues? Sometimes it is hard for those new to the Blues to explore this journey called the Blues! IllinoisBlues.com's weekly spotlight introduces (or reminds experienced Blues fans) about a Blues artist or subject worth knowing about. This week we take a look at one of the most influential guitarists ever, Albert King.

Albert King

Born Albert Nelson on Apr 25, 1923 in Indianola, MS he started out playing gospel music in Arkansas. After King heard some early Blues artists like Blind Lemon Jefferson, he began playing Blues instead.

A large man at 6 foot 4 and 250 Lbs, King's left handed guitar style had a significant effect on his sound.  Instead of bending notes up like a right handed guitarist, King pulled the notes down resulting in a distinct sound. The sound of his single note sting bending style is still copied by both Blues and Rock guitarists. His signature use of the Gibson Flying V guitar also continues to influence rock guitarists.

King played in Arkansas until 1953 when he moved to Gary, Indiana where he ended up playing drums in a group with Jimmy Reed. At about this time he changed his name to Albert King shortly before he met and played with Willie Dixon.

In 1954 King moved to St Louis where he headlined clubs and enjoyed his first successes recording. His single "Don't Throw Your Love on Me So Strong" made it to #14 on the national R&B charts in 1961.

King's real stardom started after he signed with Stax records in 1966 where he teamed up with Booker T. & the MG's to produce a soul Blues sound which provided some of his most notable work. His 1967 release "Born Under a Bad Sign" was a huge success that influenced both Blues and rock guitarists including Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. In 1972, he released "I'll Play the Blues for You" which continues to influence Blues artists today.

All Music Guide has a biography and a complete discography of Albert King.  CLICK HERE to read to read more about him. They also include 15 second samples of most of his songs for you to listen to.  

There is also an good biography of him by Greg Johnson on the Cascade Blues Society's website. CLICK HERE to read it.

You can see some videos of this great Bluesman on our website. Click the links below to see the videos

- Albert King with the Blues Breakers

- Albert playing "The Sky is Crying"  with BB King, A young looking Stevie Ray Vaughn and Paul Butterfield on harp.

- 1978 PBS Soundstage footage of Albert with Luther Allison, Pinetop Perkins, Jerry Portnoy along with Neal Schon and the rock band Journey.

We have many more videos of Blues masters on our website. CLICK HERE to view them.

Linden, Texas hosts the 3rd Annual T-Bone Walker Blues Fest

Planned lineup so far:

Delbert McClinton, Marcia Ball, Kayla Reeves, Tyler Dow Bryant, TuTu Jones, Miss Blues (Dorothy Ellis), AJ & the Two Tone Blues Band, Betty Lewis and the Executives, Gary “Whitey Johnson” Nicholson, The Kesler Brothers, Wes Jeans, Almond & Johnson, Pocket Change, Big Red & the Soul Benders, Diddley Squat, The Blues Specialists, Dee Dee Williams, The Bluebirds, Stephen Bruton, Bobbie Oliver & Jam City Revue, Elliott Fikes & The Ezekiel Experience

Call (903) 756-7774 for more information or visit tbonewalkerbluesfestival.com

Rob Roy Parnell - Let’s Start Something
Blue Rocket Records
www.robroyparnell.com
 

12 songs; 42:29 minutes; Splendid

Style: Southern Blues-Rock / Texas Roadhouse

Usually artists do not like to have their music put into any category. They like to think their songs and styling are unique enough to defy all labels. So, Rob Roy Parnell must be having a good chuckle at my expense as I try to describe his fine new album of very enjoyable music. It is we reviewers who feel the need to label and categorize as a service to our readers.

Attempting to label his second CD, I concocted the phrase “Southern Blues-Rock.” While the music is not “Blues” enough to satisfy purists, it is neither Country enough nor Rock enough for those purists either. It is thankfully blues based, and Rob Roy plays harmonica that clearly leans on 12-bar influences.

Similarities to Delbert McClinton can be heard, in both likeable vocals and instrumentation. Kevin McKendree plays honky tonk piano on most tracks lending both lead and rhythm support to mainly James Pennebaker on lead guitar. Delbert’s saxophone player, Don Wise, checks in on a couple of numbers. Recorded at Omni Studios in Nashville TN, all the songs reflect a full sound that comes from professional production verses the many home-grown-studio-productions.

The first track, “I Know Better” immediately illustrates that full production with Wise on saxophone and Scott Ducaj on trumpet. James Pennebaker provides both rhythm guitar throughout and lead in the first mid-song solo. Beside him is McKendree’s two fisted piano pounding, Lynn Williams on drums, and Steve Mackey on bass. Rob Roy takes a tasty harmonica solo, and all except the horns join in on background vocals supporting Parnell’s lyric about heartbreak causing him to get smarter faster.

Pennebaker’s lead guitar drives the second track, “Sorry As They Come,” over his double tracked rhythm guitar for a nice effect and sound. McKendree scoots over to B3 organ so that Lewis Stephens can take over on piano.

Sweet screaming Southern-style slide guitar opens the third track causing a quick look to the liner notes. Sure enough, it is Rob Roy’s brother, famed slider Lee Roy Parnell. “Long Distance Love” also keeps Pennebaker’s guitars for the road-house rocking drive accented with piano flourishes.

In a Cracker Barrel gift shop, I once saw a humorous plaque that read, “If Mama Ain’t Happy, Ain’t Nobody Happy!” Rob Roy must have seen the same sign, because he and Will Indian wrote lyrics to fill in the details for their song, “If Mama Ain’t Happy.” Jonell Mosser adds appropriate female background vocals to the bouncy, upbeat number. “Better get it right, and make it snappy!”

Rob Roy Parnell has already “started something” – it appears to be a successful recording career. Never mind the labels, just categorize it as a fun set.

Reviewer 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.

Click image above to visit our website for tickets and more info!

11th Annual Briggs Farm Blues Festival
July 11 & 12, 2008
Nescopeck, Pennsylvania, USA
Camping On Site

Nora Jean Bruso, Big George Brock, Johnny Rawls, Lonnie Shields, Clarence Spady, Bobby Kyle, Colin John & Michael Hill, Kelly Richey Sarah Ayers Band, Donovan Roberts, Mickey Jr. Acoustic Blues Revue Mark Armstrong, Bret Alexander

www.briggsfarm.com   570-379-2003  richard@briggsfarm.com

The Code Blue Band

Tight at Midnight

Intensely energetic R&B, funk, and rockin' Blues

www.TheCodeBlueBand.com

www.myspace.com/ohiocodeblue

CLICK HERE to buy the CD

Live Blues reviews by Chicago Blues editor Lordy

Blues Beat: Chicago (Photos by August Lord)

Lordy will return soon with more live Chicago Blues reviews.

CLICK HERE to visit Lordy's website at ChicagoBluesBeat.com

To see a Chicago Area list of upcoming events CLICK HERE

17th Annual

Pocono Blues Festival

July 25 - 27, 2008

Big Boulder Ski Area
Lake Harmony, PA
570-722-0100

Root Doctor, Teeny Tucker, Lil' Dave Thompson, Joey Gilmore, The Kinsey Report, Sharrie Williams, Michael Burks, Nappy Brown, Kenny Neal, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Jimmy McCracklin,  Michael Roach, Johnny Mars, Byther Smith, The Holmes Brothers, Lurrie Bell, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Bobby Rush, Eric Bibb, Geno Delafose

Festival Website Click Here

Looking for Blues CD's by independent artists?

It's easy to find it here because Blues is all they have!

Looking for a way to market your bands Blues music?

At BluesDetour.com you can find independent Blues artists and their music.

Blues Fans can browse and purchase music from the independent Blues artists.

Blues artists now have a place to sell their Blues music to fans worldwide!

http://bluesdetour.com/

The Blues Experience w/Cash McCall - The Vintage Room
Dixon Landing Music
Run Time: 46:23

Sometimes the blues run in the blood. This CD unites the first generation of postwar Chicago blues with the modern day offspring (literally) of today. Featuring Steve Bell (Carey Bell’s harmonica-playing son), Alex Dixon (piano-playing grandson of the great Willie Dixon) and the old school Cash McCall, this CD is a throwback and not a throw away.

Produced and mostly written by Alex Dixon, the album features Chicago Blues tried and true. Nothing fancy here. No wah-wah pedals, no special guitar effects, just the bare bones. Most of these themes and riffs you’ve heard before. However, these themes and riffs are coming from the source of their originality, handed down a generation of course.

McCall’s guitar and vocals sound like a seasoned veteran filled with raw emotion and informed living. McCall’s vocals are assured on the tired standard of “I Just Want to Make Love to You,” recorded here for the sake of posterity. As written by Dixon, McCall has performed the song for over 25 years in his live shows and never touched it in the studio. It shows. He has the vocal nuance of the once-famed partner of Dixon’s grandfather, Muddy Waters.

What Dixon has borrowed in melody from his grandfather he hasn’t stolen in songwriting. He talks of people’s zeal to get ahead in the world with “Slice of That Pie.” Bell’s harmonica soars up and above the stinging guitar and vocals of McCall. Always in the background adding the Otis Spann-like piano is Dixon. Dixon tells us a story about the modern-day Job from the Bible in “Catch Me Before I Go,” telling us of a man who has everything taken from him but instead of enduring, he runs off. “One Touch” talks about a man’s arrogance to get any woman he damn well pleases. “Gypsy Woman” is an interesting prequel (hey I thought they only had those in Star Wars movies) to the classic song “Hoochie Coochie Man” about what went on before he came around.

If you’re a traditional Chicago Blues fan and are itching for that old sound, this album is just as it states on the cover, vintage, in sound. This is coming from the source. No frills. Just straight ahead, no watered down blues lite here! Expect a lot more of this great sound from the second generation of Willie Dixon and his friends!

Album is available from CD Baby. Find out more about The Blues Experience at www.dixonlandingmusic.com  and www.CashMcall.com .

Ben Cox is a Blues Songwriter, Musician, DJ and Journalist.

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.

 Place Your Blues Musician Want Ad here for FREE

Keyboard Player Wanted

Looking for solid keyboard player: Blues, jams, zydeco, creole blues, swamp blues, beach tunage also. Kit Jones - The Mud Bugs www.myspace.com/themudbugs 217-652-2617

Blues Singer Wanted

Central Illinois (Springfield) blues band is looking for a lead singer. Veteran four piece band (drums, keys, bass, guitar) covers blues from A to Z. Contact Sherman Elliott at 217-381-5234 or selliott88s@yahoo.com

Guitar for Sale

Telecaster, Brand new American Deluxe, aged cherry blond neck, Humbucker switch. Set up well, fast and absolutely beautiful. Impulse buy on my part, list for $1785, Paid $1300. I need to get rid of it, 1st $1000 takes her home......I live in Elmwood Park, IL I work in Addison. Craig 954-270-1525 cell 630-613-2435 office direct line pcLiberty@aol.com 

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Mud Angels

A Bolt From The Blue

 www.mudangels.com

www.myspace.com/mudangelsmusic

 "A wealth of vocal & guitar melodies, performed by front woman Laura "Torch" England and guitarist Kenny Cobb." - Blues Blast Magazine

To Purchase this CD CLICK HERE

To read the Blues Blast CD review CLICK HERE

Scott Albert Johnson - Umbrella Man

www.scottalbertjohnson.com

Umbrella Man, the first release by Jackson, Mississippi-based singer-songwriter Scott Albert Johnson, is a bit of a tricky album to write about. Not because it doesn’t have a lot of quality material on it—it does—but because it takes a jolting turn well into the cut list. I was all set to write, “Summertime is almost here, and here is the perfect collection for a long, slow summer…,” but as I got closer to the end….. More on that as you read on.

It is good to get to review a disk with virtually all original material, especially when it’s all quality stuff.

Umbrella Man, recorded at four different studios in Jackson, Mississippi, and New Orleans over a span of three years, and featuring a variety of backing musicians, offers up ten cuts, nine of which are Scott Albert Johnson originals. Most of the cuts are good, easy listenin’ blues or soft jazz, tailor-made for a hot summer evening. Here’s a look at what we found:

Cut one, “Spaceship,” is a non-sensible but lyrically clever song about hopping on the old space ship and escaping, all done in a pleasant New Orleans shuffle style. Next comes “Turn Out Fine,” a Little Feat style, almost improvisational jam featuring a wide-ranging harmonica solo, all as a tribute to seeing an old girl friends who, as the title suggests, turned out just fine. Following is Wynton Marsalis’ “In the Court of the King,” a breezy harmonica instrumental featuring the laid-back keyboard stylings of Mike Hood and the complimentary stand-up bass of Jason Stewart.

“What About Your Man?” conjures up images of Robert Cray as Johnson segues into the first real blues song on Umbrella Man in a song about our sometimes confusing inability to avoid temptation. “Hollywood” is next, a thoughtful song about chasing dreams—and the occasional consequences. “Hollywood” is easily the strongest and most commercial song on the disk, and if Randy Newman were to get tired of writing his own stuff….

Finding one’s roots and trying to re-learn some of life’s lessons is the theme of “Magnolia Road.” Then Johnson picks up the tempo with “The Yuppie Husband’s Lament,” a wailing blues number about dumping your cheating old lady and bailing out—in your BMW!

Next is “Walkabout.” Here’s where the disk begins to take a somewhat unpleasant turn. “Walkabout” is an unusual sounding instrumental featuring Phil Jones on the Didgeridoo, a traditional Australian wind instrument. Light up the bong and lava lamp…. Then comes the title song. “Umbrella Man” starts with some heavy-sounding guitar licks and ends up making you wonder when he’s gonna go shoot up the local post office. Frankly it’s a bit disturbing, although well done and thought provoking. Both “Walkabout” and “Umbrella Man” are interesting songs, but to me, they just don’t seem to fit the overall tone of this collection.

The disk ends with “The Best of Me,” a transition back to light blues, or even folk music, as Johnson sings of leaving something of value to the next generation from the troubles of the current generation. It’s a nice one to wrap up the CD.

If you’re into harmonica blues and having some summertime fun, this one may be for you. And if there’s some cuts on it you don’t like, with today’s technology you can just zap the cuts you don’t want when you download Umbrella Man to your I-Pod. That’s what I’ll probably do! One and a half Jax Beers up for Umbrella Man.

By Rob Paullin

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.

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