Dr. Duke Tumatoe - I Just Want to Be Rich

Electro Glide Records

www.duketumatoe.com

10 songs; 43:34 minutes; Library Quality

Styles: Tumatoe Style; Rhythm and Roll, Rock and Roll, Guitar Blues

When I first met D’Arcy “Shuffle Shoes” Ballinger, co-host of the Friends of the Blues Radio Show, we discovered a mutual fanatical love and respect for Dr. Duke Tumatoe. Living in the Midwest has afforded us multiple opportunities over the last 40-plus years to see and meet this Chicago native and Indiana resident.

“Dr. Duke has humor and a wit that won’t quit,” said Ballinger. “He is a national treasure -- located in the Midwest. He has affected so many people in his life. Our friend Doug has patterned a lot of his life, stories, and sayings from Duke. In Jamaica as a tourist, I do my Dr. Duke impersonation by throwing my arms out like I am flying and saying, ‘The man of tomorrow here today,’ and they just love it!” That line can be heard in the opening track, “Bionic Tumatoe.”

Defying labels, Tumatoe’s music should just be called “Duke Tumatoe Music” – a genre of its own. For having a reputation for funny songs (e.g. “It’s Christmas (Let’s Have Sex),” he is damn serious when it comes to music and guitar playing. Not afraid to show his uniqueness, he has capitalized on it whereas others hide their quirks.

The man who always wears read Converse tennis shoes with shirt and tie when performing is also an astute business man. This CD, his 15th (or so), is his debut on Electro Glide Records and his and his band’s first completely family-friendly one. “It's the first album I've ever done that I can actually play for children and not worry about it,” the 63-year-old performer said in an interview posted on his website. “There's plenty of mischief and everything in it, but nothing profane or too blue for everyone's ears.”

In the opener, Dr. Duke takes on the role of psuedo-superhero in the rocking and Theremin infused “Bionic Tumatoe.” He sings, “...I was illum-nified [sic] by a cosmic ray.... don’t use my powers to fight crime or save the world, but I just might use them on a very pretty girl. ... I’ve been transillumnamalgamatemogrified by a cosmic ray!”

“I Just Want to Be Rich” is the best dance inducing, ear-worm song of the last ten years. It’s up tempo drum rhythm (Joseph Maddox) and pulsing bass line (Bill Ritter) are joined by Don Holmes’ piano and Dr. Duke’s driving guitar in a prime example of, simply, “Duke Tumatoe Music.” Guaranteed, you’ll wake up the next day unwarily singing, “I just want to be rich; I don’t want to work!” Further, your brain may be repeating lines like, “I want to go to restaurants and act really rude. I want to talk loud with a mouth full of food. ...in my car I’ll have a hot-tub installed; I’ll hire a hairdresser even though I’m bald.”

By track 7, Duke plays killer, solo acoustic slide guitar on “Barbeque” and pays homage to a late friend and BBQ purveyor on 38th street. (“Because of Duke and this song, I’m going today for some BBQ,” reported Shuffle Shoes.)

“One Good One Left” refers to one good punch left in the old man who is ready to protect his young college bound daughter with all those “...hound dogs out there hanging around.”

The Phoenix Blues Society - Phoenix, AZ

The Phoenix Blues Society is pleased to announce that Memphiswest Music is producing a fundraising concert on its behalf. The event, “Ladies’ Night Out – Women of the Blues”, will be held on Saturday, January 22nd at the Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA). TCA is located at 700 West Rio Salado, Tempe, AZ 85281. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and the show will start promptly at 7:00 p.m.

Headlining the show will be muli-Grammy award nominee and international recording artist Dorothy Moore. Dorothy burst onto the scene with the chart-topping Misty Blue. Joining Dorothy on the card is Chicago’s Nora Jean Bruso. The “Hit” of this year’s Chicago Blues Festival, Nora Jean brings one of the strongest female voices in Blues today to the TCA stage.

Rounding out the performer’s list is Karen Lovely from Ashland, Oregon. Karen’s band took 2nd place at last February’s International Blues Challenge and her new record, Still The Rain, garnered Karen three Blues Music Award nominations.

Tickets are available through the Tempe Center for the Arts Box Office. Their phone number is: 480-350-2822. Other event information can be found at www.memphiswestmusic.com and at www.phoenixblues.org. For other info and questions contact Phoenix Blues Society President Kyle Deibler at phxbluesprez@cox.net. He can also be reached at 602.770.5936

The Grafton Blues Association - Grafton, WI

The Grafton Blues Association & the Cedarburg Cultural Center will present Tinsley Ellis on Thursday March 24 at the Cedarburg Cultural Center. Doors open at 6pm show starts at 7pm. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Tickets are $14 in advance for GBA and CCC members, $15 in advance for non-members and $17 at the door for everyone. For more info visit - www.graftonblues.org

Colorado Blues Society - Boulder, CO

On Feb 13, 2011 please join CBS for an afternoon of Blues and Heart Awareness at Jazz at Jacks in the Denver Pavillions (500 16th Street Suite 320 Denver, Colorado 303-433-1000) . National recording Blues star, Deanna Bogart is headlining the event. Deanna, the 'Girl in the Band', is a multi talented award-winning pianist, writer, songstress and saxophone player, who has performed with the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise Revue in addition to fronting her own outstanding band. Joining Deanna on the marquee are three extremely talented Colorado Blues bands: Papa Juke, the Delta Sonics, and Eef & She Grooves.

In addition to a fabulous Blues lineup, the afternoon will present valuable information on cardiovascular disease and strokes. There will be an AHA informational booths and Heart Check America will provide free heart scans to emphasize the importance of heart health awareness and early detection. There will also be silent auctions and raffles with some pretty amazing prizes.

The funds raised will be presented to AHA and will go towards public health education, early detection, research and community service. Tickets are $20. www.coblues.com

The Great Northern Blues Society - Wausau, WI

The Great Northern Blues Society in Wausau, WI will be hosting their annual fundraising event “Blues Café’”, on Saturday 3/26/11 at the Rothschild Pavilion. (Near Wausau, WI)

Performing will be Jumpship Blues Band, 12 Year Old Tallan Noble Latz, Red White & Blues Band, Young British Blues Diva Joanne Shaw Taylor, and Atlanta Based Blues Guitar Flamethrower Tinsley Ellis. The Fun Starts at 1:00PM. $13 in advance, $18 at the door. Bulk ticket rates also available. For more info see www.gnbs.org

Blues Blowtorch Society - Bloomington, IL

The Blues Blowtorch society present Blues Blast Music Award winners Mississippi Heat for their monthly 1st Friday Blues event at The Castle Theatre at 209 East Washington Street in Bloomington, Illinois on February 4th, 2011. The show starts at 7:00pm. Admission is $5 for the general public and only $2 for BBS members. BBS members MUST present their membership card to receive the discount.

For more information call 309-820-0352 or visit www.bluesblowtorch.org.

Dayton Blues Society - Dayton, OH

The Dayton Blues Society presents the 3rd Annual “Winter Blues Showcase” on January 22nd at Gilly’s Nightclub in downtown Dayton. The show will highlight the DBS Blues Challenge Solo/Duo Winners Gary Applegate & Sal Barbera along with DBS Blues Challenge Band Winner Ellie Lee & Blues Fury. The Headliner this year will be that hot Chicago traditional blues band Mississippi Heat (www.mississippiheat.net). Show starts at 9pm – tickets are $15 for DBS members / $20 for non-members and can be purchased at www.daytonbluessociety.com.

Windy City Blues Society - Chicago, IL

The Windy City Blues Society presents 3 fundraising events featuring the 2011 WCBS Chicago Blues Challenge winners. These fundraisers will be held to help defray costs for these artists trip to compete at the IBC in Memphis this February.

January 15, 2011- Donna Herula/John Jochem, winners of the WCBS Chicago Blues Challenge Solo/Duo Division perform at 8:30pm at C. J. Arthur’s, 1168 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette, IL

January 22, 2011 - Jamiah On Fire and the Red Machine, winners of the WCBS Chicago Blues Challenge Youth Division perforn at 2:00pm at La Rosas Bar & Pizza, 6817 S. Indianapolis Blvd, Hammond, IN.

January 28, 2011 - Rob Blaine’s Big Otis Blues, winners of the WCBS Chicago Blues Challenge Band Division perform at 9:30pm at B.L.U.E.S., 2519 N. Halsted, Chicago, IL

For more information about the WCBS  please visit http://www.windycityblues.org  or the WCBS Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter Sites

West Virginia Blues Society - Charleston, WV

The West Virginia Blues Society presents the Charlie West Blues Fest May 20 & 21, 2011in Haddad Riverfront Park, Charleston, WV Here is the lineup: Friday May 20 - Sit Down Baby, Izzy & Chris, Mojo Theory, Lil Bryan & The Travelers, Davina & the Vagabonds and Joe Louis Walker. Sat. May 21- IBC Band Winner, Slim Fatz, Trampled Under Foot, Sean Carney, Kristine Jackson, Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bnois King and Ana Popovich.  The Charlie West Blues Fest is produced by the West Virginia Blues Society, Inc. www.wvbluessociety.org and www.charliewestbluesfest.com

River City Blues Society - Peoria, IL

The River City Blues Society presents Blues shows during the winter season. The shows start at 7:00pm at Good Fellas Pizza and Pub, 1414 N 8TH St Pekin, IL. Admission for all shows is $4 or $3 for RCBS members. Shows currently scheduled are: January 26th - Matthew Curry, February 9th - Gina Sicilia www.rivercityblues.com

Cincy Blues Society - Cincinnati, OH

The Cincy Blues Society celebrates its hottest Winter Blues Fest line up yet! On January 28 and 29, 2011 The Southgate House in Newport, KY, will be rocking with 25 of the best local blues bands.

At 6:00 pm on each evening, the Fest will be kicked off with special performances by Cincy Blues Society's Blues in the Schools (BITS) Band. The full line up includes: B. Hatfield Band, Bad Men on a Mission, Balderdash, The Blue Birds, The Blues Merchants, Blues Therapy Rx, Chuck Brisbin & the Tuna Project, The Electric Souls, G. Miles & The Hitmen, The Gear Shifts, John Redell & Company, The Juice, Kayneevol, Leo Clarke Band, Miss Lissa & Company, The Mudpies, Ralph & the Rhythm Hounds, Richie & The Students, Sonny's All Blues Band, Tempted Souls Band, Them Bones, Thomas Long & Blue Sacrifice, and Voodoo Puppet. This line-up may be subject to change.

Advance tickets will be available for purchase on January 1 online -- a link to the new ticket vendor will be on the CincyBlues.org website -- for $15 (plus a $2.75 service fee per ticket) On each day of the show, tickets will be $20 at the door. A full list of performers and scheduled times is available on Cincy Blues Fest's website: http://cincyblues.org

Crossroads Blues Society - Rockford, IL

Crossroads Blues Society is proud to sponsor a benefit for the Lance Corporal Alec Catherwood Memorial Scholarship Fund on Saturday, January 15, 2011. The benefit will be at the American Legion hall in Byron, IL and will run from 7 to 11 PM. JB Ritchie and the Power Blues band will play their rocking style of hot Chicago blues.

The evening will also feature silent auctions, ticket raffles and a 50-50 raffle. The suggested donation to attend is $10 per person. All proceeds from the door and event go to the Alec Catherwood Memorial Scholarship Fund. Alec was killed in action in Afghanistan on October 14, 2010 and the scholarship fund was set up in his honor. To donate items for the silent auction and raffles or for more information call Steve Jones at 779-537-4006.

The Blues, Jazz & Folk Music Society - Marietta, Ohio

The Blues, Jazz & Folk Music Society will host the 19th Annual River City Ohio Blues Competition on February 18 & 19, 2011, at the historic Lafayette Hotel in Marietta. Blues Bands and Solo/Duo blues acts will compete for cash prizes and BJFMS sponsorship to the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, TN, in early 2012.

For more information contact Steve Wells at 304-295-4323 or email bluesphotog@gmail.com or visit www.bjfm.org.

Illinois Central Blues Club - Springfield, IL

The JT Blues Band – 21st Century Blues

Self Release 2010

11 tracks, 46.42 minutes.

www.myspace.com/thejtbluesband

The JT in The JT Blues Band refers to Joe Territo who is the guitarist and main composer of the material on the CD. The other players are Joe Scrivo on bass, Rick Baker on drums and Rick McDonald who handles the lead vocals. The band is from Buffalo NY and has been around since 2004 but this appears to be their first main release.

The artwork for the CD cover is excellent, with a silhouette image of an old bluesman playing an enlarged IPOD, thereby cleverly representing the title of the album. It is also to the band’s credit that they have gone for all original songs. However, the songs are not particularly original and the quality of the CD is not really 21st Century, the sound sometimes suffering from the guitar being too strong in the mix. For instance, in “Buffalo Is Still My Home” all that I can hear is the guitar riff, both in the rhythm beneath the vocals and the solo sections. It is repetitious in the extreme and the vocal is mixed down low, so there is no escaping the guitar.

“Send Me Your Love” is a slow blues and the longest track on the CD, clocking in at over 7 minutes. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this track more than many on the album as there is less emphasis on rhythm playing from the guitar. “Run Right Into The Blues” is an upbeat tune with a catchy chorus which revisits some of the icons of the blues – “I saw a Red House yonder, I swear the sky was crying; passed right by the crossroads, I saw Mr Johnson flying” – is quite a clever lyric, one of the best songs on the album.

I would have liked to be more positive about this release but at a time when so many self-releases are brilliantly recorded this CD was a disappointment, with a rather dull sound and the balance issues of guitar and vocals already mentioned. Perhaps on a future project the addition of some keyboards would avoid the over-reliance on rather ‘samey’ guitar riffs.

Chrissie O’Dell & One Hot Mess - If I Had a Dime

Dime Time Productions

www.chrissieodell.com

10 tracks

If I told you that before I listened to this CD that I knew who Chrissie O’Dell was I’d be lying to you. As it turns out, she is one of the Long Island Blues Society’s entries into the upcoming IBC for best self-produced CD, and she made it past the first cut of 22 from the original 55 entries. She’s got a controlled, yet powerful voice and her vocals are really deep and dark but quite appealing.

The backing band is John Bendy on Guitar, Bassist Craig Costa, “Papa” John Mole on Drums, Bill Quinn on the Hammond Organ, and added vocals by Libby Cabello & Nancy Bahnsen. They are an excellent group of musicians, but the front person for this band is what really makes the CD special. Bendy’s guitar work is very solid and clean, Quinn’s organ work adds a nice depth to the CD, and the backline and backup folks are more than up to the task. But as I said, O’Dell is the real deal!

From the opening title track to “Forecast Calls for a Change” that closes the set, we get to see what this band has to offer, and they do have a lot! Her vocals lead the charge, with soul and heart and pain and joy all wrapped up into one dynamically presented package. She wrote 9 of the 10 tracks and they are above average songs that are fun to both listen and dance to. Slow and dirty blues like “Simple Kinda Women” and “I Miss You” are delivered with guttural and visceral passion. She switches it up on other slow tracks like “Sleep All Day” where the softer side of Chrissie emerges. But when she turns up the heat on songs like “You Lied to Me” and “Cut You Lose” she’s smoking hot. She gives us a little funk, too, on “Hot Potato”. A nice variety of stuff that is all done up so very well!

This is a very strong first effort for this artist who has done her time in the NY area music scene. Her CD is really good and deserves the national recognition it’s getting and going to continue to get. She, Bendy and the rest of the band offer up some outstanding and authentic sounding blues with a nice, fresh sound! Check this lady and her band out- you won’t be sorry for doing so!

Chris Duarte Group - Infinite Energy

Blues Bureau International

www.myspace.com/chrisduartegroup

Infinite Energy is the latest release to come from the Chris Duarte Group on the Blues Bureau label.

Like his previous outings, "Infinite Energy" is the full package from the Chris Duarte we know and love. Music that is a mixture of Lone Star riffs and Hendrix/Vaughan single note attacks that send the dials into the red zone.

Only sometimes you get the impression Chris wants to step beyond those parameters. Of course tracks like "City Life Blues" grow on you with its tasteful jamming. But it's not all bombast threatening to split your skull. Though it flexes a Vaughan muscle, "Cross My Heart" shows a degree of musical restraint that is still maintained in the mid-tempoed rocker of "Waiting On You" that rides on cruise control.

You'll only think somethings wrong with Chris if he doesn't acknowledge Hendrix. Opening track "Ridin" comes with chording a la Axis Bold As Love. And "Voodoo Chile" hoodoo is unearthed in "Sundown Blues" which sounds like an outtake from Electric Ladyland.

And you really appreciate Duarte when he aspires to be John McLaughlin meeting Eric Johnson on the space blues- jazz of "Cold Cold Day." Believe it or not, the sound seems to soften a few notches in "My Heart Don't Want To Let You Go" until Duarte turns up the heat with impassioned soloing lifted from the Stevie Ray tablatures.

Then it's back to the Hendrix cocoon with the menacing brew of "Killin Time" and the beautiful psychedelic wave in "Hamra St." By the time you get to the track "Purple Gloaming," the steam subsides until "Me All Me" clobbers you with a Hendrix mallet.

Despite Chris dipping into his standard bag of tricks, you feel he is on the cusp of wanting to take his music to the next stage. He might be closer to his goal then we all realize.