Internet Radio: Blues From Oxford

Tonights Internet Radio spotlight goes to Blues From Oxford. A station run by the rockmachine, and dedicated to Oxford area blues performers. Yup, thats right Oxford England! So enjoy some British blues tonight. As always click on the link below, then click on the yellow circle with the speaker on it, and you will soon be listening to some sweet blues!

Blues from Oxford

More Cool Local Blues News

As you know I am a fan of local blues bands. These can be the weekend warriors, to the retired blues star who likes to stay at home. These people truly keep the blues alive. They also keep alive the local blues sound. Unlike Rock, or Country, Blues is still a local style. All towns develop their own sound. Kansas City, New Orleans, and Chicago blues are just a few examples of local blues styles. so When I come across something that promotes a local area I sometimes like to post it. In the Fayetteville Observer, from North Carolina comes an article about Claudia Swartz, who puts on a local blues showcase every year. (hmmm sounds like something I used to do:-) Brian Dukes does the reporting, and actually shows some compassion for the music, and some knowledge too. None of this blues is dying crap:-) It is a short article, but it is worth your time Click HERE to read it.

Bonnie Raitt: Something To Talk About

I like Bonnie Raitt's slide guitar playing on this. It reminds me of George Harrison, a touch of country and blues mixed up. a great song.

The Tramps: Disco Inferno

This is soul music. Yeah, I know a lot of you will refuse to watch, because of some sort of disco phobia, and rightly so, because disco like the Bee Gees, was nauseating, but this really is soul music. I say listen to it, give it a try, and I bet you will like it:-)

Blogcritic: Solomon BurkeThe King Live At AVO Session Basel

Ouch! Poor Solomon Burke gets raked over the coals over this DVD reviewed by Blogcritic. Of course Blogcritic also dissed Janiva Magness last release, and it did quite well:-) As always take reviews as interesting tidbits of information, but if you like the artist buy the DVD. In defense of the king of soul, Solomon Burke is getting up there in years, he is not the artist he was years ago, when he and Ray Charles ruled the early days of soul music. So I would cut him some slack. Comparing Burke, to James Brown, as the reviewer did, is really more like apples and oranges. Plus, James Brown stayed in amazing shape till the very end, and still put on a great show. Not everyone is gifted with that ability to perform at top level at that age. I also tend to disagree with his assessment of 70s soul. Most of it was pretty good, even when disco hit its height there were still some decent songs that fit the disco age, but still had soul, like the Tramps,(Disco Inferno) and Commodores. (Brick House) (okay, Linoel Richie had a few stinkers, but the commodores were still pretty good)

However, from my perspective it is good that Solomon Burke is still out there making music. It may not be for everyone, but I can bet, that many of you will love the DVD anyway.

To read the review Click HERE

Kentucky Blues Festival August 4th

The Kentucky blues Society is putting on the Kentucky Blues Festival, Saturday August 4th. The fest is located in Bowling Green Kentucky at Fountain Square Park, and several other locations. For more information check out their website.

Here is the list of performers from the Kentucky Blues Society webpage:

The Kentucky Blues Festival - start to finish

FOUNTAIN SQUARE PARK

NOON Wayne Harper (acoustic)

12:20 Michael Gough, John Martin, Brent Travelsted

1:00 Chuck Wells and Stone Cold Blues

2:00 Ernie Small Blues Band

3:00 The Fender Benders

4:00 CJ Vaughn & Highway 58

5:00 Lew Jetton & 61 South

TIDBALLS

Kentucky Statewide Blues Jam

starts at 6:00

featuring everybody

CAPITOL

7:30 Sam Bush w/Duckbutter

UTLEY'S

6 Steve English, Kelley Coleman, Brent Travelsted, Jason Gregory

7 Wayne Harper and Friends

8:15 Lew Jetton & 61 South

9:45 Chuck Wells and Stone Cold Blues

11:30 Jason Gregory, Delbert Fields, Dave Rich

BREWING COMPANY

8 One Shot Johnny

9 C J Vaughn & Highway 58

10:15 The Ernie Small Blues Band

11 45 Kyle Daniels new band "The Last Straw"

Filmmakers Needed For Blues Movie In Mississippi

From the Clarion Ledger:

Mississippi Public Broadcasting in Jackson will be the host of a training session this fall for filmmakers, focusing on the culture and history of the Mississippi Delta and the impact of blues music in America.

The session, scheduled for Nov. 11-17, is sponsored by the National Black Programming Consortium, a provider of public television programming that recognizes the cultural heritage of African Americans and the African diaspora. Organizers are searching for 25 participants.

The week-long on-site residency session in Jackson follows a six-week virtual workshop series — NBPC’s New Media Institute, a professional development training program for new and experienced filmmakers interested in working with the latest in digital technology.

For more details Click HERE for the NBPC website.

Cubs In First!

I haven't posted about the Cubs recently since I didn't want to jinx them. Superstition and baseball seem to go hand in hand. I suppose it has something to do with mojo:-) However, since Sweet Lou Pinella was thrown out of a game back in June, the Cubs have gone on a tear. Of course they also have done it with a bunch of Iowa Cubs. The I-Cubs were in first at the beginning of the season, but have dropped to second place since then. That is also the reason I worry about the Cubs. All of those Iowa Cubs who are now up in the majors are for the most part career minor leaguers at some point these guys are going to stop producing. After all it is August and the Cubs might be due for an August swoon. Hopefully Kerry Wood returning this week will shore up the bullpen, and the Cubbies can hold on to first. Otherwise it might be a long August.

The Commitments Trailer

This movie was a huge influence on me for two reasons. First it is such a true story about the life of a band. I swear I have been in that band more than once:-) I think the knock down drag out fight near the end of the movie has happened in a couple of bands I have been in! Second, I love anything Irish. I am half Irish, and any movie that has Ireland in it, is top on my list. So this movie had Ireland and soul music, well, that makes it one of my all time favorites! I used to own the video on VHS, but I wore it out. Now I have it on DVD, but it is full screen, I like widescreen, but I think that movie is so old, that there isn't a widescreen version.

Bottom line, that movie showed that the Irish have soul, and if you know the history of the Irish it really makes sense. By the time the movie was made Ireland had, had its freedom from England for around 7o years, but it was still mired in a terrible economic slump. Ireland was known as the third world of Europe. The movie shows the poverty in Dublin at the time. However, in the last 15 years Ireland has rode a wave of economic expansion due to companies that deal with computers and other information age related businesses. If you watch the movie many of the comments about Ireland are no longer accurate, especially in its relationship to Europe and England.

Elvin Bishop, Pinetop Perkins, and Little Smoky Smothers

A very cool video of interviews and conversations with Elvin Bishop, Pinetop Perkins, and Smoky Smothers. This is a great video that you really need to watch. Also Elvin briefly lived in Red Oak Iowa, although from his accent you wouldn't think so:-)

Johnny Winter: Mean Town Blues

Johnny Winter at Woodstock with Uncle John Turner on drums, and Tommy Shannon on bass. Johnny's brother Edgar Winter played Keyboards also at Woodstock with the band.

Uncle John Turner RIP

Hard times in Texas. Another Texas bluesman has left us. Uncle John Turner died on July 26th. He became famous as the drummer for Johnny Winter, and then years later he was in the band Krackerjack with Stevie Ray Vaughn. For an extensive bio and obit check out the Houston Press blog HERE. For even more information you should check out this website HERE.

Oliver Morgan RIP

Just received this from the Yahoo Post war email list. New Orleans musician and recording artist Oliver Morgan died. He had one hit back in the mid 60s known as Who Shot The La La. According to his obit, he returned to New Orleans and played there until Hurricane Katrina. He then moved to Atlanta. In 1998 he recorded an album called I'm Home.

To read his obit Click HERE.

Red Wood City Blues Jam

I don't normally post about blues jams, but this is a worthy exception. Sometimes a Jam session can be the catalyst for a growing blues scene. I know that in Kansas City, the KC Blues Band and their legendary jams certainly gave a struggling KC blues scene a shot in the arm. Also what would Austin Texas be without the jams at Antoine's.

The Bay area has a jam that also has attained legendary status. The Red Wood City Blues Jam has an incredible mix of national, regional and local players who each week get together at the Little Fox Theater, and play some hot licks. They have a great webpage, you can check it out here.

(Pictured is the founder of the jam (Westside
George Schoenstein)who is one of those guys who has done a ton of great things to keep the blues alive. Read about him HERE)

This is a quote from the website that really sums up what goes on there:

Every Wednesday from 7 PM to 11 PM, the beautiful historic Little Fox opens its doors to the jam hosted by the elite of Bay Area Blues - Kenny Neal, Steve Freund, Volker Strifler, Daniel Castro and Mark Hummel just to mention a few. What follows is a jam like no other. Some of the finest blues artists, national artists on tour, local luminaries and amateurs, start to mix it up. For the musicians, it's an opportunity to play the blues with peers of unbelievable talent. For the fans in the 240 seat capacity crowd, it's an amazing show every week with new talent and the unpredictable excitement that only a blues jam can bring.

If you are in the area this is a must see. It reminds me of the Sunday night blues jam at the Roxy in Overland Park, when Oliver Reilly and the Blue Notions were at their hight. National acts stopping by, hundreds of people dancing and grooving, and a hot house band.

Thanks Vince for the Tip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Garbled Posts

I was looking through some old posts and seen that they have become garbled. I am not sure what happened. When I fixed the post and republished they ended up even more garbled, and some text that was missing the first time reappeared! If you run across any posts that are garbled please email me so I can fix them.

Mississippi Tourism

Visit the delta website now has a myspace page. I think that they just set it up since I couldn't access it this afternoon. It might be tomorrow before it is online, but go check it out. I posted about their cool trip across the delta contest a few weeks ago. If you can't check out the myspace page, then check out their home page since it is very cool, and has a lot of great information about the home of the blues.

Delta Rhythm Blues: Rigoletto Blues

a very strange clip from the 40s of the Delta Rhythm Boys. Very strange indeed:-)

Delta Rhythm Boys - Rigoletto Blues
Uploaded by edudelrio

Hawkeye Herman: Nobody Loves You When You Are Down And Out

Iowa's own Hawkeye Herman performing a classic melodic blues tune.

Illnois blues Update

Some cool fests and shows are coming up in the area. These come from the great people at Illinois blues. First the Capitol city of Illinois has a blues and BBQ fest coming up on August 25th. You know you can't go wrong with BBQ and Blues:-)

Downtown Springfield & The Illinois Central Blues Club presents
Old Capitol Blues & BBQ

August 25, 2007 Noon to Midnight
Fifth & Washington Streets - Downtown Springfield, IL
Admission is just $5

Featuring
Sonny Landreth

Cephas & Wiggins

Little Rachel & the Rhythm Busters

Zac Harmon

Bill Lupkin & the Chicago Blues Coalition
w/ Willie "Big Eyes" Smith

Illinois Central Blues Challenge - 9 Bands competing

I think I listed this show a few weeks ago, but hey sometimes once is not enough. After all this is their first festival, so if you are in the area try to make it out there so they will do it again!

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!

Blues in the Ozarks! I always look at the Ozarks as home of country music, and large lakes. However, they have a blues fest coming up.

500 N Campbell Ave Springfield, MO

Friday, September 7, 2007

6:30PM Aunt Kizzy'z Boyz

8:00PM Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials

9:30PM Joe Bonamassa

Saturday, September 8, 2007

1:00PM The Cate Brothers (Reunion)

3:00PM Lara Price Band

5:00PM Anthony Gomes

7:00PM Leon Russell

9:00PM North Mississippi All Stars

CLICK HERE for Ticket Info * Map *

Festival Website: http://www.greaterozarksbluesfest.com

Jimmy T-99 Nelson RIP

bad news from the Houston Chronicle. Jimmy T-99 Nelson died on July 30th. A nice history of Jimmy can be read here. Nelson had a couple of hits T-99 Blues, and Meet Me With Your Black Dress On. Another nice story on Nelson can be read here at the Houston Press Blog.

Houston Press also found a video of Nelson on Youtube. It is a very nice version of Piney Brown Blues done at one time by Big Joe Turner. It was about one of the classic bars down on Vine Street in KC, and Piney Brown owned one of the best clubs down their.

Bobby Robinson Faces Eviction in NYC

Got this tip for the Yahoo Post-war newsgroup. According to the Daily News. Music store owner and hit record producer Bobby Robinson faces eviction from his long time spot in New York City. Considering the price of real estate in the area it is amazing he has hung on as long as he has. For more info read the article from the Daily News HERE.

KM Williams: Texas County Boogie

Why the blues are alive reason number 27! Found this video of KM Williams. Another great delta acoustic blues player. KM keeps the blues alive.

Tab Benoit: Garbageman Blues

An old blues standard sung by Tab Benoit. Also a very popular tune in Des Moines when the legendary George Davis sings it.

St Louis Blues

Yet another article dealing with St Louis, and the blues. It also covers WC Handy and the original St. Louis Blues. Also, check the script, is the blues dying??? Journalists just can't get past that! Hey guys! get a life!

It is nice that in the article one person pretty much tells it like it is. The blues ebbs, and flows. It always has, and always will.

Anyway, to read the story check out the KOMU TV website in St. Louis.

Tinsley Ellis Inteveiw

A very nice interview with Tinsley Ellis in the Tahoe World.

Wingnut Adams

I don't know who Wingnut Adams is. I have never heard of him, but he has an interesting name. I don't know if he realizes that "Wingnut" is slang for rightwing crazies! Perhaps he is, after all it takes all types. I certainly know a few republican blues performers, but they are few and far between:-) However, there is an interview in the Pine Tree net, which is an online news source for Calaveras County in California. there isnt a whole lot about the guy in the interview, so perhaps wingnut, is just a wingnut:-) If you would like to peruse his website CLICK HERE.

Craig Brewer Interveiw

The writer and director of Black Snake Moan, has an interesting interview at Moviehole.net. If you haven't rented Black Snake Moan you really need to. It is a throwback to the 70s exploitation films, yet, it also has a very strong message of the redemptive powers of the blues. This movie is not for children! So don't make it a family night film!!!! However, it is not a too nasty of a film, and the end of the film, while expected, albeit a bit too happy of an ending. However, there is powerful healing mojo in the blues so who am I to question the power of the blues:-)

Clarence Frogman Henry: Frogman Blues

They played the heck out of this song in Kansas City. Not on the blues stations, but on the top rock station. At the time I think they thought they were making fun of the record, but people loved it! They also tried the same thing with an song from Lyle Lovett Called She's No Lady She's My Wife. That backfired too! This was before Lyle Lovett was a household name, and was married to Julia Roberts.

Here is the Frogman Blues from Clarence Frogman Henry.

Stevie Ray Vaughn: Crossfire

Actual video of Stevie Ray's Crossfire. I can barely remember watching this when it came out.

Crossfire
Uploaded by nicoflo

Big Muddy Blues Festival

Fun times in St. Louis! The Big Muddy Blues Festival is coming up next month September 1-2. here is the scheadule of events from the Laclede's Landing website.

Schedule

Saturday, September 1st

Main Stage: First & Lucas Street

3:00 - 4:15 p.m. Big George Brock & The Houserockers
5:00 - 6:15 p.m. Joanna Connor
7:00 - 8:15 p.m. Alvin Jett & Phat Noiz Blues Band
9:00 Big Sam's Funky Nation

2nd & Lucas Street Stage

3:00 - 4:00 p.m Leroy Pierson
4:45 - 5:45 p.m. Dogtown Allstars
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Ground Floor Band
8:15 - 9:15 p.m. Cryin' Shame Band
10:00 – 11:00 p.m. Marsha Evans Coalition w/ Stacy Johnson

2nd & Morgan Street Stage

3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Brian Curran
5:15 - 6:15 p.m. Bottoms Up Blues Gang
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. David Dee & Hot Tracks Band
8:45 – 9:45 p.m. Marquise Knox & Rough Grooves Band
10:30 - 11:30 p.m. Marcell Strong & The Apostles

Sunday, September 2nd

Main Stage: First & Lucas Street

3:00 - 4:15 p.m. Terry “Big T” Williams & Wesley “Junebug” Jefferson,
5:00 - 6:15 p.m. Kim Massie Band
7:00 - 8:15 p.m. Devon Allman's Honeytribe
9 p.m. Ike Turner & The Kings of Rhythm

2nd & Lucas Street Stage

3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Tom Hall
4:45 - 5:45 p.m. Bone Daddy & The Blues Shakers
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Soulard Blues Band
8:15 - 9:15 p.m. Los Carnales Blues Band
10:00 – 11:00 p.m. Uncle Albert

2nd & Morgan Street Stage

3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Ron Edwards & Silvercloud
5:15 - 6:15 p.m. Melissa Neels Band
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Inner City Blues Band
8:45 - 9:45 p.m. Billy Peek
10:30 - 11:30 p.m. Boo Boo Davis Blues Band

Ike Turner Day Turned Down By St Louis

The Mayor of St. Louis, turned down the Big Muddy Blues Festival Organizers request to declare an Ike Turner Day. Ike is not the most likable person in the world, and he is being punished for his past history with his ex-wife Tina, and past drug use. However, the guy is 75 years old, and isn't time to move on. He is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has a star on the St. Louis walk of stars, and he is an important figure in the history of Rock & Roll. Most of these old blues guys, and gals have not lived model lives.
However, it is the mayor, and the city of St Louis's decision. Certainly Ike has a good attitude about it. His answer was he was coming to play music and make the people happy, not coming to get an award. He did say that he was sorry for what he did to Tina all those years ago. At the very least he apologize to Tina and that was a good step.

For more info Click here, here, here, and here.

Blues At Northampton University England

I found an interesting press release about the University of Northampton's blues week. From August 5th through the 10th. I like the idea of an University having a blues week, or concert series. It is great for the music. For More Information Click HERE. The players who will perform next week from PressZoom.com

• Michael Baytop - 'Bones'

Hailing from Washington DC, Michael plays the 'bones' as a percussion instrument to sound like castanets and tap drums. He will be giving a 'bones' workshop, demonstrating rhythm techniques associated with various blues styles. He learned this instrument from Richard 'Mr Bones' Thomas, a master craftsman and regular fixture on the Washington DC music scene.

• Danny McCormack - Keyboards

Danny will be accompanying vocals classes on keyboards throughout Blues Week 2007. Currently playing with Roy Wood, Danny was born in London and now based in Birmingham. He started playing piano aged 12 and at 17, he joined King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys. He has also played with Van Morrison and Bobby Parker amongst others.

• Stefan Grossman - Guitar

Stefan has recorded over 20 solo albums and started Kicking Mule Records in 1968, a label that showcased blues guitar. A true pioneer, his Stefan Grossman's Guitar Workshop and Vestapol Videos have set the standard for all of the teaching that takes place in blues workshops throughout the world.

• Ari Eisinger - Guitar

A guitarist and singer who plays blues from the early years of its development. The authenticity with which he recreates some of the best and instrumentally complex guitar music is unprecedented.

• Grant Dermody - Harmonica

A harmonica player known for his rich tone, tasteful solos and solid rhythmic playing, Grant Dermody is making a welcome return to Blues Week 2007 after his successful workshops last year.

• Dennis Gruenling - Harmonica

Dennis has been laying down some of the best blues and roots harmonica in the East Coast of America region for over a dozen years now. Dennis has been pulling in countless fans and numerous accolades from critics and musicians for his swinging, highly original harmonica sound and top-notch band.

• Michael Messer - Bottleneck Slide Guitar

Michael Messer is a slide guitar master. His obsessive appetite for knowledge of the art is virtually unequalled. To further reflect the esteem in which he is held, Newtone Strings in conjunction with National Reso-phonic Guitars have a Michael Messer brand specifically made for National guitars.

• Scott Ainsley - Bottleneck Slide Guitar

Scott has forty years studying and playing traditional music, visiting and documenting senior musicians in America's old-time banjo and fiddle music, blues and gospel traditions. He produced a teaching DVD on the guitar techniques of delta blues legend Robert Johnson, and a book on Johnson's music 'Robert Johnson/At The Crossroads' ( Hal Leonard, 1992 ).

Michael Roach, Founder of the European Blues Association and Director of Blues Week 2007, also hosts his own guitar and vocals masterclasses at the event. Firmly established within blues music circles, he has four solo acoustic CDs under his belt and has just released the highly acclaimed album I betcha!.

He is now known as a vocalist and leader of his own eight piece soul/rhythm and blues band.

Artist Of The Week: Bob Pace

Artist of the week is a local bluesman. Bob Pace is from Des Moines Iowa, and has been playing blues and country music for years. Bob is known for his lighting fast guitar licks, and guitar pyrotechnics. He currently has a band with Iowa Blues Hall of Famer Steve George. Check out his website HERE. As always to watch the videos click on the Google video box on the left side of the blog.

Photo Of The Week: John Woody Wood

Today's photo was taken back in 1999. John "Woody" Wood was a great friend of mine. We both shared the same birthday, although he was seven years older than me, he acted several years younger than me. He was one of a few musicians who I could truly call my brother. We both had family from the same small Warren County town of Milo, Iowa, and we joked about playing in Milo back in the 1960s. Woody as you can see was a ladies man, and he never had problems finding new girls, even after he was married:-) He also had a wonderlust that was never cured. He always was leaving Des Moines for greener pastures, and yet we could always count on his return like Spring following Winter. In fact, the last time he left many of us pretended to take bets on his return. Sadly, his last trip would never find his way back to Iowa. He left for California and started a band called Too Many Bad Habits. Over a three year period he returned to visit, but he always went back to California. Unfortunately he got sick with Cancer and through a short but valiant struggle he died in Texas seeking an elusive cure.
I think what I miss the most about Woody was his calming ability. Our band was a basketcase, and Woody was the sane one. He was the glue that held us together, and the fact that we lasted as long as we did is testament to his good humor. I can recall a few out of town gigs, that I felt sick and tired, both physically, and with the band, and wanting to quit before we left town, but Woody could get me to reconsider, and by the end of the night I would be ready to play five more gigs. I think that Woody could put things in perspective since he had faced things that would floor most people. When he was young he had incredible long hair. Then almost over night it was gone due to Alopecia. I am having trouble accepting thinning hair on the top of my head, but think about being in your mid 20s, and having no hair. What was amazing about him, is he was so cool with it, and accepting of it. In fact, the women loved it too.
Its on days like these where I miss Woody, Jimmy, and Chicago Rick. They were good friends who left far too soon. They were family to me, and to a lot of the blues musicians in town. They are people that you can't replace, and are hard to forget even a year later.
I hope that in the next few weeks to highlight some of the local blues guys who have left in the last few years, so that their memories can remain in cyberspace as long as this blog goes on.

Internet Radio : Blues Radio

Today's featured Internet radio station is Blues-Radio.com. This station is run by Joe Buckel from Baltimore Maryland. Like always follow this LINK. Then click on the yellow circle with the speaker on it.

No news about the future of Internet radio. Things are still in limbo. Hopefully something permanent will happen in the near future. As for today, the high fees are still on hold, so Internet radio is still going. However, if you want to save Internet radio, then call your Representative, and Senator TODAY! Even though Sound Exchange, has agreed to hold off on collecting fees, that is no means a win for Internet radio. They could change their mind tomorrow. So make sure that you let Washington know how you feel.

UPDATE

Please check out this link to Rusty On Radio. It is pretty much what I thought above. There is no settlement, and perhaps Sound Exchange is trying to do an end around. Typical corporate BS. Muddle the truth, pretend to negotiate in good faith, and then when they have enough politicians, and the public on their side, pull the rug.

I will add Rusty On Radio to the link lists.