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 
 

 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 CLICK HERE to read more of this review 

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 CLICK HERE to read more of this review 

 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!

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

Featured Blues Events

Nothin' But The Blues Festival

July 20th and 21st, 2007

Bloomington, Illinois   * Directions *
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

Prairie Dog Blues Festival

  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)

Spoon River Blues Festival

JULY 28, 2007 - NOON TO MOON

DEVON ALLMAN’S  HONEYTRIBE

The Dave Chastain Band

Steve the Harp & the Blues Deacons

The Sally Weisenburg Trio

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

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

 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 

Live Blues Calendar

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P.O. Box 721 Pekin, Illinois 61555