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Hey Blues fans,

Be sure to mark your calendars for the first weekend in June 2008. It will mark the 25th anniversary of one of the biggest and best Blues events on the planet, The Chicago Blues Festival. This FREE four day Blues extravaganza in downtown Chicago's Grant Park is the Mecca for Blues fans, musicians and international visitors from all over the globe.

Of course if you make it to Chicago you are in one of the BEST places on the face of the earth for live Blues music. In a nod to the rich Blues Music  heritage of this fine city,  the Mayor of Chicago's office has created a multi-media website that offers us a virtual tour of Chicago Blues History narrated by Chicago's favorite son of the Blues, Buddy Guy! Audio versions of the tour can be downloaded in 5 languages! To see this historical video tour in English, CLICK HERE

Speaking of Chicago Blues, we are pleased to announce a new advertiser this week, Bluesadventures.com. They have put together a great Chicago Winter Blues Tour package this January that includes hotels and some meals and admissions to 3 of the Blues clubs mentioned in the virtual tour above including Buddy Buy's Legends. As many Blues travelers know, January is the month when Buddy Guy actually plays at his club. This  tour package includes reservations to see Buddy at Legends. See details in the featured advertisers section below.

2007 Grammy Awards Nominations for Blues Music

Best Traditional Blues Album (Vocal or Instrumental)

• Pinetop Perkins On The 88's - Live In Chicago  - Pinetop Perkins

• Live...And In Concert From San Francisco  - Otis Rush

• 10 Days Out: Blues From The Backroads  - Kenny Wayne Shepherd Featuring Various Artists

• Old School - Koko Taylor

• Last Of The Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen: Live In Dallas  - Henry James Townsend, Joe Willie "Pinetop" Perkins, Robert Lockwood, Jr. & David "Honeyboy" Edwards

Best Contemporary Blues Album (Vocal or Instrumental.)

• Into The Blues  - Joan Armatrading

• Is It News  - Doyle Bramhall

• The Road To Escondido - JJ Cale & Eric Clapton

• Truth - Robben Ford

• The Scene Of The Crime - Bettye LaVette

New to the Blues Blast & IllinoisBlues.com?  CLICK HERE to go directly to the IllinoisBlues.com list of Live Blues Music. Click a link for more Blues content.   Reviews  Links  Audio Interviews  Photos Videos  Blues Radio   To advertise your blues shows or event for FREE Click HERE!   To see The Blues Blast Archives Click HERE

 Blues Link of the Week

http://www.southlandblues.com/

Southland Blues Magazine is claims to be "the hub of the Blues in Southern California". It began as a small newsletter for local Long Beach area Blues fans in 1990 and has grown into Southern California's primary Blues print magazine throughout Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. Subscribers include readers in most of the states of the U.S. and many foreign countries. They have links, pictures and a live Blues calendar for LA and San Diego areas.

For more Blues links  CLICK HERE to visit the IllinoisBlues.com Links Page

If you know of a COOL Blues link, please send it to

 Streaming Blues Link of the Week

http://www.barrelhouseblues.com/

BarrelhouseBlues.com goals are to spread the beauty of the Blues to all who will listen. This group of East Coast Blues lovers has created a site for your Blues listening pleasure. They have 6 pages of full song audio samples from more than 70 Blues artists, video downloads and a many great Blues links. 

To go right to their Blues music gallery, 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!

 Featured Blues Reviews 

James “Skyy Dobro” Walker , noted Blues writer and Blues Blast contributor reviews a new CD by Jason Ricci & New Blood - Rocket Number 9

Jason Ricci & New Blood
Rocket Number 9

Eclecto Groove Records
www.jasonricci.com
 

By James “Skyy Dobro” Walker
12 songs; 74:11 minutes

At a party, I loaded my plate at the buffet table with water chestnuts wrapped in bacon strips and smothered in barbeque sauce. I eagerly bit into the first one and discovered it was actually a chicken liver wrapped in bacon. I immediately knew I had something different. That memory came to mind when I played the first notes of the first song of Rocket Number 9. I immediately knew this old blues music reviewer had gotten hold of something different.

Feeling adventurous? Read on. Again, here is an artist placed in the “Blues” category probably because he doesn’t fit anywhere else. If, like many baby boomers, you were raised on rock and roll, you’ll enjoy Jason Ricci’s crossover appeal. The album actually has something for everyone, but you may have to search to find it. Jason Ricci and New Blood mix Blues, Rock, Funk, Jam Band, Eastern, World, and Jazz into an eclectic and idiosyncratic stew. Joining Ricci on harmonica and vocals are Shawn Starsky (Stachurski) – guitars, songwriting, backup vocals, Todd Edmunds – basses and clavinet, Ron Sutton – drums, and guest Michael Peloquin – tenor sax on “Dodecahedron.” The producer is the legendary John Porter.

Halfway through the first track, “The Rocker,” one can hear influences of The Rolling Stones and Aerosmith. Performing Live, Jason Ricci reminds one of Steven Tyler or a swaggering Mick Jagger at his cocksure peak. According to Jason’s comments in the liner notes (providing explanations for each song), this song is about the paranoia and love/hate relationship an addict (or former one in Ricci’s case) has with crack cocaine, thus, The “ROCKer.” Reports Jason, Shawn Starsky on guitar “made sure the music rocked as hard, or harder, than the words.”

The extensive liner notes fold out into a 91/2” x 14” lushly colored, collage like poster with hidden faces of band members, heroes, and Jason’s harmonica influences like Little Walter and Paul deLay. There is even a hidden “Waldo”-like character. Use a magnifying glass.

The songs are all originals save one cover (the title track) of a 40 year old song by free form Jazz-er Sun Ra. While the lyrics are often self revealing and inspiring (e.g. an 11:15 minute “Loving Eyes”), the instrumentals may be the highlights. “Dodecahedron,” The Blow Zone Layer,” and “The Eternal Is” take blues fans on musical, mental, and soul journeys they have not been on in a long time, if ever. “The Way I Hurt Myself,” an “ode to self destruction,” is an actual Slow Blues, guitar and harmonica driven, number. The greatest departure is found in “Sonja,” an incredible, slow guitar instrumental with a wonderful melody (with Ricci adding background harmonica) composed by Starsky for his Mom.

Get this CD and give it a chance - at least three listens. You’ll be pleasantly surprised as Ricci puts the “eclectic” into the label’s name, “Eclecto Groove!”  CLICK HERE to listen to some sample tracks.

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.

We also feature a review by  Former Memphis radio guy Rob Paullin. Rob has sampled the blues in Venice, Kyiv and Beijing, among other foreign haunts.  He says Berlin is next on his list.

EB Davis and the Superband
Live at Yorckschlosschent
http://www.ebdavis.com/

Review by Rob Paullin

With the fall of the Berlin Wall and the break-up of the Soviet Union, doors opened across central and eastern Europe for western ideas, freedoms, attitudes, culture--and music. One who ran west to east through that door was American bluesman EB Davis, a Helena, Arkansas, native who learned and honed his craft on Memphis’ Beale Street before making the permanent move to Berlin.

While Davis remains on the other side of the Atlantic, his music is now finding a second home, in the land of his first home—America. His latest import (or export, depending on how you look at it) is 70 minutes of solid honky tonk blues, recorded live at the Yorckschlosschen, Berlin’s premier jazz and blues showcase venue located in the German capitol’s Mont-Martre art district. The disk even feels like a live EB Davis show, complete with audience repartee.

Davis opens with “Mary Ann,” taking this relatively obscure Ray Charles album cut and turning it into his own. He follows with “Drivin’ Wheel,” a driving non-stop blues powerhouse, complete with a German-accented audience sing-along! Next he introduces us to the first of four original tunes with “Howling.” This one features the stinging guitar work of his German band mate Juergen Baily. While the song seems a bit repetitive, I should note I was at a disadvantage: I was not there at the Yorckschlosschen with one arm around a girl and the other around a beer, when “Howling” was howled out….

Davis slows things down with another original cut, “Bluesman Sings the Blues.” This one is pure deep south soul, reflecting his upbringing along the banks of the Mississippi River south of Memphis.

He then puts his musical diversity on display with “Poor Man’s Blues,” which borrows heavily from the Harlem swing era. That song serves as a nice set-up for another Davis original, “Buttermilk Bottom,” which features the driving up-front keyboard stylings of band—and soul--mate Nina T. Davis.

Next up is the lively Davis original, “I Wanna Talk About You,” an ode to the excitement of love gone right. While this one is not really pure blues, either in performance or feel, it does help divide the disk nicely, as it probably did the performance for the live audience. He chases this one with the highly danceable Otis Redding funk cut, “Hard to Handle,” which give way to the blues power ballad, “Creeping Under My Skin.” This one will remind you of B.B. King, complete with the soulful trumpeteering of Don Marriot.

In “Temporary Lovin’” Davis makes the case against one night stands before sending his live audience home—or perhaps to the after hours clubs—with “Georgia On My Mind.” It’s not exactly Ray Charles, but with the saxophone artistry of Willie Pollack, it’s not a bad way to finish up.

Since I don’t have either girl or beer, that leaves both hands free to give EB Davis’s “Live at Yorckschlosschen” two thumbs up!

 Chicago Blues Update

Live Blues reviews by Chicago Blues editor Lordy

Blues Beat: Chicago (Photos by August Lord)

Barrelhouse Chuck at the Harlem Avenue Lounge

Barrelhouse Chuck brought his pounding boogie woogie to The Harlem Avenue Lounge. The self-proclaimed dinosaur brought his long-time drum friend John Carpender with him. I’m quite a bit older than both of them so I don’t particularly like the dinosaur reference, and I promise to do my part to protect this music from extinction. Barrelhouse Chuck has, however, played with most of the great keyboardist in this genre and others. He is certainly a living connection to some great players that have passed on. To complete the band, Chuck had Nick Moss and one of his Flip Tops, Gerry Hundt on stage. Nick and Gerry rotated through various instruments and helped B-Chuck with the vocals.

It’s always interesting to me to see what rig Barrelhouse Chuck will bring with him. Tonight’s organ was a road hardened Compact, but it could just as well have been one of his vintage Farfisas. As a matter of fact, vintage instruments were in abundance. The bass, played by both Nick Moss and Gerry Hundt, is an old black Silvertone that Nick’s brother Joe had given to him when Nick was ten years old. In their hands it sure sounded good. Chuck’s friend Bruce F. got up and had a try at it as well. When I was a kid doing my garage band stint, Silvertones got laughed at, and of course mine was the reason I was never any good. If I had only had a Fender. The name plate had fallen off the six string Nick and Gerry shared. The high mileage ax was identified by Nick as a Guild S50. In their hands, it sounded great whether by finger or slide. At one point Nick used a metal ashtray for a slide. After the smoking ban goes into effect in three weeks, I think proprietor Kenny Z. may have some Nick Moss Slides available for sale. Did I mention the Harmony mandolin Gerry plays? How about the slide mandolin? There was even a Fender Squire on board. While Moss and Hundt shared time on a variety of instruments, they thankfully brought their own harps (but did share the bullet mic).

With all that being said about the band, I must admit that Barrelhouse Chuck doesn’t need a band. On the piano, his left hand is all the rhythm section you need. It is clear that he began his musical life on the drums. His one man band includes incredibly tasty organ and piano riffs, fills and melodies. On top of all that, Barrelhouse Chuck brings T-Rex (kidding), convincing (not kidding), and heartfelt vocals.
 

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

To see a Chicago Area list of upcoming events CLICK HERE

If you know of a Chicago Blues event or news, please send it to

 Featured Advertisers

Bluesadventures.com presents....

 Chicago Winter Blues Tour
January 18-21, 2008

Sign up today!   Call Leslie at 512-627-4790 or email info@bluesadventures.com

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"REAL BLUES.......REAL HOT"
Our CD's - "HooDoo Blues" & "Its Gonna Be Alright

Top 100 CD's list for the last 9 months in Real Blues Magazine

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www.handlebarproductions.com

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 Blues Want Ads

Touring Artist Seeks Booking Agent

International blues artist is interviewing agents/agencies for representation in the United States and Canada. For more information visit the artist website at: http://myspace.com/billyjonesbluez
Send résumé and contact info to billyjonesbluez@aol.com

Music Lessons

Blues Guitar & Harmonica Lessons in Los Angeles CA. Affordable rates: $25/hour from my home or $35/hour from yours. 15 years of professional playing/performing experience, 10 years of professional teaching experience. Patient instructor, all levels taught (beginner to advanced). Strong communicator, well-organized step-by-step approach.  Passion/enthusiasm for music, good listener
Teach a wide variety of styles, including: Chicago/Texas/West Coast Blues, classic/contemporary rock, funk, R & B, Latin, jazz, soul, swing, rockabilly, alt. country, etc.

Utilize various teaching methods, including tablature, chord charts, taping lessons, ear training, fingerpicking, playing with soul, vibrato, bending, songwriting, and “comping” techniques on acoustic or electric guitar and mandolin. Contact Vince at blues9981@aol.com

Delta Dale A... Giving music lessons in my home:  (In the comfort of my sunny bright sunroom near downtown Green Bay, WI. Well stocked with over thirty instruments and amps, PA system, computer, video, etc...)

Slide guitar and tunings (open G, open D, etc)...Opening tunings and fingerstyle (Hawaiian slack key, DADGAD, DADDAD, DGDGBD, DADF#AD, etc)... Delta blues (Robert Johnson, Charlie Patton, early Muddy waters)... Finger picking(Travis, use of thumb & finger picks)... UKULELE, yes I now give Uke lessons! (I have a huge uke collection!) Music theory, chord relationships, circle of fifths, transposing keys, etc...

I taught blues, slide and old time guitar at University of Wisconsin Green Bay last summer for 60 students grade 8-12 from all over the USA. I worked with a team of six music teachers hailing from Michigan, Maryland, Minnesota and Wisconsin. I will be there again next summer July 27 through August 1! See: https://www.uwgb.edu/camps/

I'm looking to get a good schedule of students, young and old... Give me a call! 920-562-0018  Thanks! Dale Anderson www.myspace.com/thedeltajets

For Sale

Gorgeous 1998 Alembic Essence 4 string bass (with gig bag and locking strap) with a Bocate top, Mahogany body, Ebony fretboard, Maple neck with Walnut stripes, and a Walnut tone plate between the top and body. No alterations of any kind.  It has active electronics which uses a "Tone Filter" instead of the usual bass and treble controls. With this one control you can create an AMAZING amount of usable tones. The pickups are the MXYAlembic "activators". There is also a "pan" control and "volume" control. I believe this is the best type of electronics for Alembics basses. This professional bass is in top condition! $1500.00. evulich@mchsi.com 319.365.2686

Gigs Wanted

Organist looking to pick up work in the Peoria, IL  or quad city area (Moline,IL Davenport, IA) ( I’ve got good gear & dependable transportation)….Contact via email  tyedyeguru@yahoo.com

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