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The Blues Historian will not be published tomorrow due to a big gig out of town, but will resume Sunday. BTW, our archive is huge, so take a look at some older posts, and videos. There are some great things lurking in there. BTW, I hope that the big corporations who are tying to take apart Youtube realize that they are killing the goose that laid the golden egg. First, Youtube is a big corporation itself, so I suppose in a round about way it is interesting to watch to big Goliaths go at each other. However, what will happen when Youtube is out of business?? Simple sites outside the US will pop up. already daily motion has a ton of music clips and is located outside the US. Of course, the next step the big companies will take is what they have done with music sharing. They will then selectively start going after people who download the files. It will get ugly. What the big companies don't understand is that they can use Youtube for marketing. Most people are not interested in siting in front of their computers watching a full length movie from Youtube. the majority of clips on youtube are under five minutes. People are more likely to buy the full movie if it is available. I do know that some of the file sharing sites have full length movies on them. So Viacom, NBC, and others should go after them. Youtube is small potatoes compared to rapidshare, kazaa, and many others. Youtube has the high traffic, and has the money. Viacom, NBC, and the rest are licking their chops thinking about how they are going to slice this pie up. I suppose that an out of court settlement is in the works. Youtube stays in business and the big corps get a handsome paycheck. Stay tuned.

HEARTBREAK!

Just when you thought it was safe to follow the cubs they break your heart again, and again. Last week they were rolling, and in the middle of a winning streak, and this week they lost 2 out fo 3 to the freaking Pirates! ARGH!!!!!!!!!!! At least the Iowa Cubs are winning!! 8 straight games!! First place in the PCL north. That is pretty good considering the Chi Cubs have been calling up and sending down guys left and right.

Nat King Cole Route 66

The Nate King Cole trio was rather unique for its day. Piano, bass, and guitar was an unorthodox trio mix for jazz. Many people thought that it would lack rhythm. However, the piano and guitar if played right, (like in this clip) keep up the percussive elements of the song. My blues trio is the same set up, and on some of our recordings it almost seems like a drum is back there. for an example check out my space page, and listen to Cheap Bourbon. It is just guitar, piano, bass, and vocal.

Nat King Cole Trio-Route 66
Uploaded by redhotjazz

JERRY JEFF WALKER -

Jerry Jeff Walker and Mr. Bo Jangles. You need to make it through the interview with Dandy Don Meredeth before the song. It is an okay interview, but the song doesn't start until the 2:20 mark.

Sam Brownbeck ?

I had to look twice to see who sponsored the bill to save Internet radio. Sam Brownback Senator from Kansas and arch-conservative co-sponsored the bill. Hard to believe but its true. I would have thought that the big corporations wouldn't allow someone like him to co-sponsor a bill that will bring competition to the big boys. Read it here.

Review of the BMAs

Check out the Memphis Commercial Appeal website for a review on last nights awards, a few photos, and a list of who won.

Even More Blues From India

I think a new niche in the blues has been created. Here is a review from Blogcritic, on a new release featuring blues songs played on guitar, sitar, and tabla. the review sounds good, but I am not sure I want to plunk down money on this just yet. If you would like to read the review CLICK HERE.

BMA Winners

Here are the BMA winners from last night.

2007 Blues Music Awards announced
Comeback Album of the Year: Jerry Lee Lewis - Last Man Standing
Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year: Robert Lockwood, Jr.
Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year: Etta James
Acoustic Artist of the Year: David "Honeyboy" Edwards
Acoustic Album of the Year: Rory Block - The Lady and Mr. Johnson
Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year: Marcia Ball
Instrumentalist-Guitar: Hubert Sumlin
Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year: Bobby Rush
Soul Blues Female Artist of the Year: Irma Thomas
Soul Blues Album of the Year: Irma Thomas - After the Rain
Historical Album of the Year: Shout! Factory - Hooker - John Lee Hooker
Contemporary Blues Album of the Year: Guitar Shorty - We the People
Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year: Janiva Magness
Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year: Tab Benoit
Instrumentalist-Harmonica: Charlie Musselwhite
Instrumentalist-Bass: Mookie Brill
Instrumentalist-Drums: Willie "Big Eyes" Smith
Instrumentalist-Horn: Eddie Shaw
Instrumentalist-Other: Robert Randolph
Best New Artist Debut: Slick Ballinger - Mississippi Soul
Song of the Year: "Church is Out" - Charlie Musselwhite
Traditional Blues Album of the Year: Charlie Musselwhite - Delta Hardware
Album of the Year: Charlie Musselwhite - Delta Hardware
Band of the Year: Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials
B.B. King Entertainer of the Year: Tab Benoit

Benny Goodman - Roll 'Em (1942)

a little rocking swing from Benny Goodman. Nice stuff.

Albert Collins - Iceman

Albert Colins! Nice video of Albert doing one of his more popular songs.

Rufus Thomas

Rufus Thomas and Walking The Dog. A great Memphis soul tune from the 60s.

Vacation Ideas For The Summer

One doesn't think of Niagara Falls as a hot bed of blues, (okay, no one thinks of Iowa as a hot bed of blues either, but we are:-) but this summer both sides of the falls, (the Canadian, and US) will have a ton of blues fests and shows. Also Remember an earlier post HERE. with all the local blues jams going on up there.

Her is the schedule of events from the Niagara Gazette

Among the shows touted by Cross Border Blues this summer are:

• Blues shows put on by Artpark this season, including national artist Kelley Hunt.

• Lewiston Council on the Arts’ Blue Mondays, 7 p.m. on Monday nights at Lewiston’s Hennepin Park starting July 9.

• Blues Society of WNY Super Jam, June 3 at The Creekside Grove in Cheektowaga

• Blues in the Park in Ontario’s Firemen’s Park (schedule not yet announced).

• Canal Bank Shuffle, held in Thorold, Ontario, in the fall.

• Steve Burnside’s Summer Music Series, held in Firemen’s Park (schedule not yet announced).

What I like about what is going on up in Niagara Falls lots of local music, plus a healthily dose of some national touring acts.

Irma Thomas Review After The Rain

Blogcritic has a nice review of Irma Thomas's BMA nominated blues album of the year. Tonight is the big night at the BMA's I don't have BMT, so I will scan the net. If the winners get posted before Midnight central time, I will post them here on the blog.

More Blues From India

India has a traveling folk/blues/world music fest. Apparently India is really into blues! I just thought the one band who competed in the finals in Memphis was an anomaly, but apparently not. For more read this article from The Telegraph in Calcutta.

Funny Poltical Ad

This is pretty good! I still don't think he has the money, or name recognition to win, but he makes a good ad:-)

The Ghosts Of Youtube!

last night the Phantom poster posted three videos from Youtube! Actually these were the videos I warned you about a couple of days ago. They disappeared in cyberspace, and POOF! they suddenly showed up on my blog this morning around 3:30am!!! Very strange since I posted them at least two days ago! I don't know where they went, but they probably were swirling around in dem Internet tubes:-)


Tom

Mississippi Fred McDowell - John Henry

Mississippi Fred McDowell playing some electrified delta blues.

Little Stevie Wonder, Fingertips!

Stevie Wonder on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers

Doo Wop from the early days of Rock and Roll. A very cool tv recording of Frankie Lymon.

Frankie Lymon - Why Do Fools ...
Uploaded by jolber

Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival

A very cool poster for the Blind Willie McTell Blues Fest. Delbert McClinton is the headliner, but the show also features, Francine Reed, Rory Block, The Wiyos, John Nemeth, and The Breeze Kings. Sounds like a great show. It starts this saturday in Thomson Georgia. For more info go HERE.

Delbert McClinton Interview And History

From the Metro Spirit in Augusta Georgia, comes a fine interview about Delbert McClinton. They cover his early days, to the legend that he taught John Lennon how to play harmonica on Love Me Do. Very nice article. Also he is appearing Saturday May 12th at the Blind Willie McTell Blues Fest in Thomson Georgia.

They Do Book Blues At The Ground Zero Blues Club

Unlike the House Of Blues, The Ground Zero Blues Club located in Clarksdale, and soon in Memphis books the blues. Co-owners Bill Luckett and Morgan Freeman, (yes, that Morgan Freeman) will , and do book delta blues at both clubs.

According to the Memphis Daily News:

"The main ingredient of that club and this club is we're going to play blues music," Luckett said.

The musical focus will be Delta blues, with many musicians from Clarksdale and the surrounding area making the trip to Memphis for regular gigs. Luckett estimated four or five nights of live music each week, and he'll use his Clarksdale booking agent, Roger Stolle of Cat Head Presents, to schedule the acts.

Hmmmmmmmm, what a novel idea! Book blues in a blues bar! Hmmmmmmmmmm why didn't I think of that! Hey, wait! shouldn't someone tell the House Of Blues!

Buddy Guy 70 And Still Kicking

Here is a great article about Buddy Guy. It is pretty funny, and it shows Buddy still has the fire after all these years. His daughter is into hip hop, has worked with ludacris, and has a CD coming out. Some pretty good stuff, read it here.

Wiki Blues

I have been perusing the Wiki for a couple of years, and I have to admit for an encyclopedia it is pretty good. This is amazing since it is an encyclopedia that anyone can edit, at any time. One would think that letting anyone post and edit would lead to an immature, incorrect, source of historical material, but amazingly it is not half bad. Now, would I use it as a source for a history paper???? NO, but I wouldn't use an encyclopedia as a source for a history paper.

(Hey Students here some good free advice. Encyclopedias are good starting point, but never, never, never, use them as the bulk of your research! Automatic F!! Profs hate encyclopedia entries, and they can figure it out by reading just a couple of sentences! How do they know??? Because, they are the ones who write the things:-)

Anyway, here is the link to the blues page on Wiki. It is pretty good, and I give it 9 out of 10 stars!

Fats Domino

So I am reading a post lamenting how blues historians ignore R&B artists! WTF??? So I am looking through my archive of blues, and there are tons of Blues, R&B, and Soul music on the site. So I suppose the big question is what is blues??? My personal feeling is that R&B, Soul, Swing, Jazz and some Rock and Roll, are part of the blues, because they directly descend from the blues. I do know blues purists out there who start in the delta then work their way up to Memphis, and end up in Chicago, and pretty much skip the rest. However, the music started in the deep south, and then went with African Americans as they migrated North and West. Each area and city developed its own sound, and we end up blessed with the greatest folk/popular music of our time.


Anyway, enough talk! More music! Here is Fats Domino singing Blue Monday from the movie The Girl Can't Help It.

Fats Domino
Uploaded by Gatorrock784

Hubert Sumlin Still Playing And Teaching The Blues

Chicago Bluesmen are getting older and fewer by the day, but Hubert Sumlin is still going strong. Here is a nice review of a show he did recently in Greensboro North Carolina. One of the interesting stories is about a near death experience he had after suffering a heart attack.

From the News-Record of Greensboro

I Ain't Through Yet.

And he ain't. Ask him, and he'll tell you. Prod him for more, and he'll go on with story after story about how he slept with his guitar and learned to play by plucking a baling wire nailed to a wall.

Then, he'll tell about his dreams. Like the one after he had his heart attack. He saw his old boss, Howlin' Wolf, the man who called him "son." Howlin' Wolf was playing in heaven.

"I felt better up there, but I knew I had to do something else," said Sumlin from the back seat of a Chevrolet Blazer, his taxi Saturday night. "I knew I had to teach somebody — the blues, the old stuff. I knew I had more work to do."

Sumlin is 75. He has an ailing heart and only one lung. His other was taken by cancer. But he feels good, and he feels he's on a God-anointed mission to teach as many people as possible about the blues.

Read the rest here.

Hopefully Hubert will have many more years to play and teach the blues. God Bless you Hubert!

Duke Robillard's World Full Of Blues

Duke Robillard has a new CD coming out June 23rd called World Full Of blues. The title is a nice tribute to an all-star band he put together years ago called Room Full Of Blues, which at one time featured the vocals of the great Big Joe Turner. Jazz News has more of a Duke Robillard history, then a CD review, but it is worth your time to check it out.

Two Big Iowa Shows

I Thought I would post a couple of press releases from KUNI. KUNI is the NPR station located in Ceder Falls- Waterloo Iowa. They play blues, jazz, world music, plus the typical NPR shows. They are having a couple of shows one in Clear Lake at the famous Surf Ballroom. The Surf was the location of the final show of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper. After the show they chartered a plane in a snowstorm and crashed in a cornfield. Truly the day the music died. However, the blues lives now at the surf, and KUNI is having a Bike, Blues, and BBQ fest in Clear Lake. more details below. the second show is a blues cruise featuring Bob Dorr, and the Blue Band. The cruise takes off from Dubuque at 7:30 and returns at 10:30. The important details are below. However, if you haven't seen the blue band, especially my readers in Illinois, you need to catch them while you can. Bob Dorr is in the Iowa Blues Hall Of Fame, the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, and is a legendary DJ in Iowa. He has had a great run with the Blue Band, and even though the personal has changed through out the years, Bob has always had one of the best blues, rock, and soul shows going in the Midwest. You need to check them out.

OKAY Below are both press releases for both shows:

KUNI Night at Clear Lake’s “Bicycle Blues & BBQ” Festival

Saturday, July 7, 2007 – 7 p.m.

The Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake, IA

The Bicycle, Blues & BBQ festival gets underway in Clear Lake on Friday, July 6 at 5:00 pm with food and cycling vendors and culminates with a USCF-sanctioned race on Sunday, July 8 at 7:30 am. Inflate those tires, find your helmet and get biking! KUNI will participate in this Clear Lake event with a great night of blues on Saturday, July 7 at the Surf Ballroom featuring a CD release party from R&B pianist/vocalist KELLEY HUNT, blues diva CANDYE KANE in support of her new release "Guitar'd and Feathered," and Iowa City's ambassadors of soul THE DIPLOMATS OF SOLID SOUND featuring THE DIPLOMETTES!

KUNI BLUES NIGHT AT THE SURF (Saturday):

KELLEY HUNT: These days it's rare when a blues-based artist shows up with both tradition and true originality on their side. Roots R&B / Americana singer / songwriter / piano player KELLEY HUNT is just such an artist -- a woman who has muscled her way onto the scene on her own terms with an identity that is clearly steeped in blues/roots/gospel but reaches out toward refreshingly unexpected horizons. That freshness together with a commanding, passionate stage presence and superior skills as a vocalist, piano player and writer have earned Kelley the respect of critics and fans across the country. Born in Kansas City, Hunt’s love for her craft was fine tuned listening to early blues, R&B, roots rock, jazz and gospel influences including Ruth Brown, Mahalia Jackson, Billie Holiday, Ann Peebles, Ray Charles, Dinah Washington, Aretha Franklin, Charles Brown, Wanda Jackson and a crossection of the New Orleans/St. Louis/KC piano traditions of Professor Longhair, Toots Washington, Johnnie Johnson and Kansas City masters Jay McShann and Mary Lou Williams among others. While subtle reminders of those very traditional influences can be heard in Kelley’s live performances and recordings, her lyrics, soul and passion are all her own. Kelley will be touring in support of a brand new release and this stop in Clear Lake serves as Kelley Hunt's CD release party, so don't miss it!

CANDYE KANE: In the tradition of none-too-shy, brassy, larger-than-life flamboyant blues singers like Memphis Minnie, Bessie Smith, Big Mama Thornton and Etta James comes CANDYE KANE. The Blues was a place where women had colorful pasts - many were plus sized like herself. Most had grown up in oppressive, horrible circumstances and yet were still able to make music and celebrate their sexual lives. She sings of her life in a way audiences all over the world can relate to. Such candor, combined with excellent showmanship and a crackerjack band has helped Candye Kane rise in the world of the blues rather rapidly. Her eighth cd, tentatively titled "Guitar'd and Feathered" will feature performances by many of Candye's closest guitar playing pals. A remake of the song "Female Trouble;" penned by drag queen Divine for the John Waters movie of the same name, was recorded earlier this month in Amsterdam with Ana Popovic. Other guitar slinger guests will include Sue Foley, Junior Watson, Dave Alvin, Poison Ivy of the Cramps, Popa Chubby and Nick Curran. Produced by former Muddy Waters guitarist, Bob Margolin, Kane's latest effort proves to be an exciting merger of Candye's powerful vocals with scorching guitar icons.

DIPLOMATS OF SOLID SOUND featuring THE DIPLOMETTES: Steeped in the sizzling, funky gumbo of Booker T & The MG's, The Meters, James Brown and the B-3 driven, backyard barbecue jams of Jimmy Smith, Lou Donaldson, Jimmy McGriff, Lonnie Smith, and Brother Jack McDuff, THE DIPLOMATS OF SOLID SOUND surge forward in their passionate crusade to steam-clean the planet's dancefloors with their instrumental soul stew. THE DIPLOMETTES' smooth and sassy vocal stylings hit the scene in July 2006 and they've been shakin' a tail feather and gettin' down ever since. Together with The Diplomats of Solid Sound, all three write original tunes, such as "Already Gone," "Gotta Decide," and "Smokey Places." Look for their new album with The Diplomats - out soon!!

2 FOR 1 SPECIAL AT THE SURF! Buy one ticket for KUNI's Saturday night show with Kelley Hunt and get one FREE ticket for The Surf's Friday night show with blues axeman Walter Trout at 8 pm! While supplies last.

Advance tickets can be ordered online at www.iowatix.com and www.kuniradio.org (in the STORE section) or by calling KUNI weekdays at 319-273-6400 or 800-772-2440, ext. 0. Advance tickets are also available at Bob's Guitars in Cedar Falls and CDGB’s in Mason City.

Scott Vezdos

Marketing Manager/Special Events Coordinator

KUNI/KHKE Public Radio

University of Northern Iowa

3rd Floor, CAC

Cedar Falls, IA 50614

p: (319) 273-3497

www.kuniradio.org

www.myspace.com/kuniradio

HERE IS THE SECOND PRESS RELEASE FROM KUNI

KUNI Blues Cruise with Bob Dorr & the Blue Band

Friday, June 1, 7:30-10:30 p.m. (boarding begins at 7 p.m.)

Spirit of Dubuque, 3^rd St. Ice Harbor, Dubuque

Join KUNI and the Spirit of Dubuque for a three-hour tour on the mighty Mississippi for the 2007 Blue Cruise with Bob Dorr & the Blue Band!

The Blue Band is celebrating 25 years, with KUNI’s very own Bob Dorr recently being inducted into the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame. The Blue Band has acquired a dedicated fan base of all ages and has become one of Iowa's most revered and requested bands.

The Spirit of Dubuque is a replica of a century-old Mississippi River steamboat with decorative smokestacks, a scalloped canopy over its open-air deck, Victorian red and gold decor throughout the enclosed dining salon. The gangway and dining area are handicapped accessible for standard wheelchairs.

Set sail with us on Friday, June 1. Boarding begins at 7:00 p.m. at the 3rd Street Ice Harbor in Dubuque. Cruise departs at 7:30 p.m. and returns at 10:30 p.m.

Blues Cruise tickets are $15 in advance. Advance tickets can be ordered online at www.kuniradio.org in the STORE section or by calling KUNI weekdays at 319-273-6400 or 800-772-2440, ext. 0. Advance tickets are also available at Dubuque River Rides, Bob's Guitars in Cedar Falls and Moondog Music in Dubuque.

Financial support for this event is made possible by The Busted Lift (Dubuque) and Best Western Midway Hotel (Dubuque) – the official hotel of KUNI’s Blues Cruise.

Scott Vezdos

Marketing Manager/Special Events Coordinator

KUNI/KHKE Public Radio

University of Northern Iowa

3rd Floor, CAC

Cedar Falls, IA 50614

p: (319) 273-3497

www.kuniradio.org

www.myspace.com/kuniradio

Flood Update

Well, the basement is drying out, so I am posting for now:-) Watching the radar on the computer, and praying that the big storm clouds keep moving south! Looks like a week to dry out before the next big rain. It's enough to give ya Da Bluze.

Ray Charles and Billy Joel

This is a great clip from just over 21 years ago! My how time flies! A very nice piano blues called Baby Grand by Billy Joel, with his hero the great Ray Charles. This was an awsome song. the piano playing is seemless. It is hard to tell where Billy begins, and Ray ends. Very nice playing.

Chris Thomas King as Tommy Johnson, Dressed as Robert Johnson, singing a Skip James Tune!

From the movie O Brother Where Art Thou. Chris Thomas King is playing Tommy Johnson, but he is dressed like Robert Johnson in the famous photo graph. Check out his hat is tilted, and his knees are crossed just like the photo! Then to add to the confusion he is singing a Skip James tune, known as Killing Floor.

Artist Of The Week Carey Bell

In honor of the late Carey Bell, I have set the google powered video bar to Carey Bell. You can watch several of his great performances from the Youtube/Google archive on the left side of the blog.

Photo Of The Week Sam Salamone AKA Sam Anothony

Sam Salmone, or to the Jazz fans of Center Street days, the great Sam Anthony. I first saw Sam when he was playing with the Cavaliers. A lounge band that played mostly dance cover tunes in the 1980s. At the time I had no idea that he was one of the legendary blues, and jazz players of Des Moines. However, even though he was playing music for dollars, I knew he was an outstanding keyboard player. Over the years I have tried to pick up some of his licks, especially his outstanding left hand, but he is just way too fast. If you really want to be amazed then catch him when he is playing with Bob Dorr, and the Blue Band. The band has no bass player, and Sam plays bass with the pedals of his Hammond B-3. Sam is a member of both the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame, and the Iowa Jazz Hall Of Fame.

Sam is also one of the best Cajun cooks in Des Moines. He makes jambalaya, gumbo, and red beans and rice, but I like his Chicken Creole. Hhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, good eating.

RIP Carey Bell

Carey Bell passed on. Modern Guitars has a nice obit on its web page. GO HERE.

RIP Big Joe Duskin

Big Joe Duskin boogie piano player from Cincinnati died. for a short bio go here.

New House Of Blues Opens in Dallas

Wow! Another House Of Blues opens up in Dallas. In fact, the Blues Brothers are going to play for the grand opening! well, sort of, its Dan Ackroyd, and Jim Belushi, as Elwood Blues, and Zee Blues. However, Matt Guitar Murphy will be featured. (thank goodness, have you heard those guys sing! OUCH!) According to the press release the House of Blues empire which is run by Live Nation:

Live Nation is the world's largest live music company. Our mission is to inspire passion for live music around the world. We are the largest promoter of live concerts in the world, the second-largest entertainment venue management company and have a rapidly growing online presence. We create superior experiences for artists and fans, regularly producing tours for the biggest superstars in the business, including The Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, U2 and Coldplay. Globally, we own, operate, have booking rights for and/or have an equity interest in more than 160 venues, including House of Blues(R) and Fillmore(R) music venues and prestigious locations such as Nikon at Jones Beach in New York and London's Wembley Arena. Our websites collectively are the second most popular entertainment/event websites in the United States, according to Nielsen//NetRatings. In addition, we also produce, promote or host theatrical, specialized motor sports and other live entertainment events. In 2006, we connected nearly 60 million fans with their favorite performers at approximately 26,000 events in 18 countries around the world. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol "LYV."

Oh, yeah, one more thing. THEY DON'T BOOK DA BLUES:-)

Iowa Blues Hall Of Fame Class Of 2006

I have had the info for a few weeks and was waiting for a press release, or even a web page link to send you too, but nothing is out yet. However, the Blues Crier, the official newsletter of the Central Iowa Blues Society has announced the IBHOF of 2006, so here it is:

Rick "Rico" Cicalo
Craig Erickson
Steve "Cheif" Hayes
and
Bo Ramsey

Iowans will certainly recognise Craig Erickson, and Bo Ramsey as two of our more famous blues/roots rock performers. However, Rick Cicalo, and Steve Hayes are two of the most important sidemen in Eastern Iowa. They are probably not as well known as the other two, but certainly deserving of the membership in the hall.

I assume that the IBHOF website, and CIBS will have some sort of official press release soon. As soon as I find it, I will give you the hotlink.

Ten Years After Slow Blues In C

Alvin Lee is probably pretty underrated as a blues player, and I suppose he does veer into the blues rock side of things. However, this is still a nice slow blues tune.