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Hey Blues fans,

The IH Mississippi Valley Blues Fest was awesome!  IllinoisBlues.com was there and we've got reviews and pictures for you! 

 To see ALL the legendary Blues stars who performed,   Click Here 
 

A review of Robert Randolph's performance from James "Sky Dobro" Walker is included below.

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Click HERE for Central US Blues shows list.

 Blues Radio - Streaming Link of the Week

Bryan Lee, Hubert Sumlin and Kenny Wayne Shepherd video clip

http://www.braillebluesdaddy.com/KWS_02142007_01.asx

OK, so this isn't a streaming Blues "radio link", but a link to a video worth watching. It is so cool we watched it 5 times in a row! We found this video on Bryan Lee's website. (http://www.braillebluesdaddy.com)

Kenny Wayne  Shepherd has a a new CD/DVD "10 Days Out...Blues From the Backroads" that is currently one of the best selling Blues CDs. This clip is the song "Tina Marie" from a recent Kenny Wayne appearance with Bryan Lee and Hubert Sumlin on the Tonight Show.  If you have never heard Bryan Lee, you will be an instant fan of this blind New Orleans Blues MONSTER.

The camera switchers at NBC are GREAT letting you really see these bad boys kickin' it! Check out when Bryan calls out piano player Ronnie Osborne for a solo break. Cool zoom!

A blooper for Jay Leno here. He comes out and extends his hand to shake hands with Bryan Lee. OOPS! 

Click Here to listen and view now.  Turn your speakers up LOUD! 

 Blues Link of the Week

Illinois Central Blues Club  -  http://www.icbluesclub.org

If you liked the Bryan Lee link above, you will understand why we think this site is worth a look. The Illinois Central Blues Club is a VERY active Blues society. They have live Blues shows every Monday night at the Alamo in Springfield, IL. They have been sponsoring these Blue Mondays every week for the last 21 years! We caught Bryan Lee live there 2 weeks ago for Blue Monday. After 21 years they still only charge $1 cover at Blue Monday. Not a bad show for a buck! Check their upcoming schedule.

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 info@illinoisblues.com

 Blues Reviews of the Week! 

ROBERT RANDOLPH AND THE FAMILY BAND - Performance review
Live at the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival June 29th, 2007 - By James “Skyy Dobro” Walker

Robert Randolph is the victim of too much hype. I interviewed people following his performance. They gave mixed reviews. I was expecting glowing accolades from most, but I was surprised a few said he wasn’t that goodl. The uninformed and semi-familiar think he doesn’t just play music, he can walk on water.

What Randolph did do, is bring the largest Friday night crowd ever to the 23rd annual MVBF. It also brought a younger crowd. As one pundit said, “Hopefully, they came in early enough to catch an act or two before Randolph so that they can get turned on to ‘The Blues.’”

Robert Randolph is a mega talented singer and steel guitar player. He is an energetic entertainer from the East Coast Pentecostal churches where, beginning in the 1930s, a sub genre of Gospel music developed called Sacred Steel. Often criticized by church elders for taking the music into the secular world, Randolph has become the toast of the contemporary music scene, garnering gigs with the likes of Eric Clapton.

Robert was seated out front, center stage at his custom 13 string pedal steel guitar surrounding him. The crowd was on their feet grooving throughout the show, shouting their approval. The tempo was always rapid with a Funk beat often morphing into an Allman-esque jam. Robert and his guitar player even did twin lead guitar, ala Betts-Allman of the original Allman Brothers. Things slowed only slightly for “Press On” with the fantastic falsetto voice of cousin and bassist Danyel Morgan. Later, Randolph picked the opening to Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Chile (slight Return)” on his steel guitar to thunderous approval.

Wearing a New York Mets (#15 Beltran) jersey, a black doo rag, and a constant smile, Robert would often leave the guitar and dance around the stage demonstrating movements for the audience members to copy. Later, he strapped on a metal-flake red Telecaster guitar and sang four part harmony on “Soul Refreshing.”

By the end, one could understand why young people like him so much.

We also feature another CD review by James of the new Mannish Boys CD, Big Plans

Mannish Boys - Big Plans - Electro Groove / Delta Groove

www.themannishboys.com
www.deltagrooveproductions.com

By James “Skyy Dobro” Walker
15 songs; 57:39 minutes; Excellent

Perhaps it would be good to include a fourth category at the beginning of each review called “blues content.” Besides the number of songs, album length, and rating, fans might like to know what the blues album offers: rock, r & b, soul, country, or actual blues. For this, and the previous two Mannish Boys albums, blues content is five out of five – most all in the Chicago Blues vein!

Named for the Muddy Waters song, the Mannish Boys are all-stars from the West Coast assembled by Delta Groove head honcho Randy Chortkoff. Most of the members either lead or are integral members of successful touring and recording bands.

On Big Plans, vocal contributions come from Finis Tasby and Johnny Dyer (plus harp), and guest vocals are by Jody “Return of a Legend” Williams, Bobby Jones, and Rob Rio. Guitar duties are handled by Kid Ramos, Frank Goldwasser, Kirk “Eli” Fletcher, and guest guitarists are Rick Holstrom and Jody Williams. M.B. electric bassist Tom Leavey gets support from upright bass guests Larry Taylor and Jeff Turmes while pianist Leon Blue finds guest Rob Rio at the piano on half the songs. Boss Randy Chortkoff adds vocals on one track and harmonica on two, but guest Mitch Kashmar honks on two tracks while David Woodford blows saxophone on six. The drummer on all tracks is Richard Innes who keeps the beat steady for all 15 tracks.

For me, I would buy the CD just for the two Jody Williams songs. That is how good his voice is, and his guitar playing (backed here by Holstrom) is legendary with Bo Diddley, Howlin’ Wolf, Jimmy Rogers, Otis Rush, and on his own early singles. Another price-of-admission track is the up tempo “I Can’t Stay Here” with lyrics and lead slide guitar by Frank “Paris Slim” Goldwasser. “Mary Jane,” written by Leavey but sung by Bobby Jones, is a fun romp with just enough double entendre to keep the listener guessing whether the protagonist’s passion is carnal or herbal. For some blues heaven check Kid Ramos’ super clean guitar backed by Rob Rio’s piano and Tasby’s vocals on “I Get So Worried.”

With both strong originals and seldom heard covers of songs by artists like Howlin’ Wolf, Jimmy Rogers, and Otis Rush, plus first-class production, readers should make “big plans” to grab this volume of contemporary blues done right!

To Purchase this CD - CLICK HERE

Click HERE for More Blues CD reviews

Featured Blues Events

Nothin' But The Blues Festival

July 20th and 21st, 2007

LOCATION CHANGE

Tri-Lakes Club - 2100 Bunn St
Bloomington, Illinois   * Directions *
 CLICK HERE for Festival Website

CLICK HERE For Tickets or further Info

Friday July 20th

Gates Open at 5:00 pm

6:00 pm Rooster Alley
7:00 pm Doña Oxford
8:15 pm John Primer and the Real Deal Blues Band
9:30 pm Blues Caravan 2007 "The Guitar Women"
**Sue Foley - Debra Coleman - Roxanne Potvin*"

   
Saturday July 21st
Gates Open at NOON

1:30 pm The Gumbo Element - Featuring Steve "The Harp"
3:00 pm Soulard Blues Band
5:00 pm Darrien Saffron and the Soul Sensations
6:15 pm Big Ray and Chicago's Most Wanted
7:45 pm Tab Benoit
9:45 pm C.J. Chenier

FOR THE KIDS
1:00 - 4:00 pm Kids Face Painting
1:00 - 4:00 pm The Unique Twist

Prairie Dog Blues Festival

The only Blues festival in the Midwest held on an island in the middle of the Mississippi River!

  July 27th & 28th, 2007
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin on St. Feriole Island

Click HERE for Complete Schedule

Friday, July 27, 2007

The Tom Hunter Band - Shannon Curfman - Alvin Jett & Phat noiZ - Tab Benoit 
Plus Big Daddy Cade & The Blues Masters 

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Everett Smithson Band - Kevin "B.F." Burt & the Instigators - Mark Sallings & the Famous Unknowns 
Steve Arvey & The Saxtelles  - Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials  Anthony Gomes
Plus  Pete Cornelius  (from Australia)

Festival Website www.prairiedogblues.com

Miller Lite
Spoon River Blues Festival

JULY 28, 2007 - NOON TO MOON

INGERSOLL COUNTRY MANOR (Route 78 N. - North of Canton, IL)
 

DEVON ALLMAN’S  HONEYTRIBE

The Dave Chastain Band

Steve the Harp & the Blues Deacons

The Sally Weisenburg Trio

All roads lead to Sun Prairie for the 1st Annual

Sun Prairie Blues Fest

Angell Park, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin

Saturday, September 8, 2007 Noon to 10:00 p.m.

Featuring

Wayne Baker Brooks

Shari Davis & the Hootchy-Kootchy Band

Tate’s and the 008 Blues Band

Queenie and the Blue Cats

The Cashbox Kings

Paul Flipowicz Blues Band

Tickets: $10.00 in advance / $15.00 at the gate

For Complete Information and schedule CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE to visit Festival website!

7th Annual

August 23-25, 2007

The Longbranch, Winton, MN - DIRECTIONS

Thursday, August 23

7:00 Both Barrels

9:00 PM Scottie Miller and the Re-Uptake Inhibitors

Friday, August 24

3:00 PM  Scottie Miller and the Re-Uptake Inhibitors

5:00 PM Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin' Alter Boys

7:00 PM Jason Ricci & New Blood

9:00 PM Shawn Kellerman

Saturday, August 25

1:00 PM Lisa Wenger

3:00 PM  Johnny Rawls

5:00 PM  Diunna Greenleaf and Blue Mercy

7:00 PM Paul Mayasich With Benderheads

9:00 PM Anthony Gomes

For more information call 218 365-2440     www.elyblues.com

 Featured Blues Artists

 Blues Want Ads

Lead Guitar Player looking for a working Blues band

Lead guitar player in the Detroit area looking for a blue's band with gigs. Quality equipment and no ego.  I'm in my early 50's.......played for years.

Seasoned blues drummer

Available for work. You can check out my stuff on www.jamwave.com . Keep them blues alive!! JB  Ratamacue19@aol.com  

Harp Players?

I live in Marseilles, IL.  Trying to find others who are interested in getting together to play for fun and or practice. Would be thrilled to find other players in the area.  Jeff -  jgarner@commandercabinets.com
 

 Place Your Blues Want Ad for Free

Place your WANT AD here for FREE. Buy or sell, musicians wanted, gigs wanted etc. Limit 500 words. One ad per week will be randomly selected to appear in the Blues Blast.

 Send your ad submission to info@illinoisblues.com to be  consider for next weeks Blues Blast.

 Blues Society News

Central Iowa Blues Society - 2007 Solo/Duo Iowa Blues Challenge

Preliminary rounds - Des Moines, August 16, 2007 & Davenport August 17, 2007
Finals - September 2, 2007 At Blues on Grand
Prizes include cash, travel expenses, as well as performance opportunities plus the winners will compete at the Blues Foundation International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN during February 2008.

Information and applications are available from the Central Iowa Blues Society at (515) 225-6638
and our website www.cibs.org  The deadline is July 16, 2007.

The Illinois Central Blues Club - ICBC Blues Challenge August 25, 2007

Call for band entries. Illinois Central Blues Club - Springfield, IL is holding it's first Annual Blues Challenge during the Old Capitol Blues & Barbeque, August 25, 2007. The winners will receive $500 in travel monies to represent ICBC at the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN in February 2008. Interested bands should go to the ICBC website at http://www.icbluesclub.org  for contest rules and forms, or email markredmiston@msn.com  or call 217-622-0340. 

PERFORMERS FROM ANY STATE OR AREA ARE WELCOME TO COMPETE!  At least one member of the band must be a member of the Illinois Central Blues Club. Applicants can join ICBC by contacting Mark at the above email address and phone. Applicants should submit photos, band biography, a cassette tape or CD of the band’s music. Quality of recording/picture is not considered in selecting and only the first 3 songs will be considered. Entries must be accompanied by a $10 entry fee. Entry fee will be returned if your band is not selected to compete in the August 25th competition.

DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED! ENTRIES MUST BE POSTMARKED BY JULY 16, 2007 

Blues Blowtorch Society - Call for Blues Festival Volunteers

The Nothin But The Blues Festival July 20 & 21 will be at TRI-LAKES in Bloomington, Il.  45 volunteers are needed to help with every aspect of running this event. If you would like to volunteer please contact Richard Goff @ 1-217-433-3140 to claim your position.

PLEASE NOTE: The location of the Nothin But The Blues Festival location has been changed to TRI-Lakes in Bloomington, IL due to construction at the Sale Barn!

Send your Society's BIG news or Press Release to:
 info@illinoisblues.com  to be considered for next week

 Mojo Street Teams

Do you enjoy listening to Blues CD's and telling others about how great they were? Do you go to live Blues shows and want to share the great music you hear? Want to help "Keep The Blues Alive" in YOUR backyard?

IllinoisBlues.com is looking to find a few good Blues folk for our new Mojo Street Teams. We are seeking Blues news, reviews, photos, interviews, videos and commentary to share on our site with other Blues fans everywhere. Our  street teams will help promote Blues in YOUR backyard by letting the world know about events in YOUR area.

If you are a Blues fan, photo journalist, writer, musician or just a plain ole Joe, please email us today at info@illinoisblues.com   to volunteer for the Blues!

Live Blues Calendar
 

 Performance dates were submitted by Musicians, Club Owners, Blues Societies and Blues festivals.

IllinoisBlues.com is not responsible for errors or omissions.

or click a state to see Blues shows by State

Alabama  Arkansas  Indiana  Illinois  Iowa  Kansas  Kentucky  Michigan 
Minnesota  Mississippi   Missouri  Ohio  Pennsylvania  Tennessee  Wisconsin  Other

 Submit your blues performances for FREE at: http://www.illinoisblues.com/submitnews.htm

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IllinoisBlues.com also offers paid/sponsored advertising for Festivals and Club Owners, Recording Companies and Performers selling their own music or performances. We can put your Blues advertisement on our homepage at: http://www.illinoisblues.com  either as a sponsored event or as a featured event, product, recording or merchandise .

We have a very large and growing email list of Blues Fans, Musicians, Club Owners, Blues Societies and Festival Promoters all over the Central US. We send out weekly Blues Blasts of Blues events and news. With paid advertising we can feature your event or product in these emails. Our website is new and is growing fast. We are getting an enormous amount of visitors and hits. Our rates are very reasonable.

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