Wow! I am amazed that I have posted 1000 items about the blues! I wish that I had added my counter at the beginning of the blog, but I waited a month before I did. So since May 1 I have had 11,446 visits, and 17,747 page views! That is over 2,000 hits a month, and over 3,000 page views a month! The main page is by far the most popular destination on the blog, but one artists has five of the top ten page views. None other than Taylor Hicks! Taylors fan club has really helped launch the blog, and I like to think that us blues fans have found a new soul/blues singer to listen too. I also hope that we have helped expose some great blue artists to all of Taylors great fans.
I enjoy all of your comments! They make things interesting and I like reading them. It is nice to know that you like what is going on here, and it keeps me posting even when I am tired and need some sleep, but I think hey, I got a blog to post!!!!!!! I also want to thank all of the people around the world who have written to me, and have added my link to their blogs and webpages. I have learned that the blues is a world wide musical phenomenon. I have had 98 countries from around the world that have visited the blog! I am glad that you have stopped by and have enjoyed some of the greatest music of all time.
I also want to thank all of you who email and suggest new videos to post. At this point I have 451 blues videos on the blog. These videos are going to be great for my students when they start my blues history class in January!
Once again thanks for stopping by and helping make my little blog about the blue into something that has exceeded my wildest expectations. I figured I would get a handful of hits a month! Wow was I wrong. Keep on stopping by, and I will keep trying to provide you with the best of the blues past, present and future!
Tom
Friday, November 2, 2007
Guy Davis Interview
From the Carrol County Times in Westminster Maryland, comes an article about bluesman Guy Davis. Read about it Here.
Vieux Farka Toure Interview
The London Times Online has an interview with Vieux Farka Toure, son of the late legendary Saharan bluesman, Ali Farka Toure. Click here to read more about Toure.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
James Cotton Harp Solo On A Slow Blues
James Cotton playing some hot blues on a cool slow blues song! This video was shot at the Maintenance Shop in Ames Iowa.
Lurie Bell Interview
Check out the interview of Lurie Bell in the Daily Herald. Bell has a new album out, so read about it here.
Tinariwen Interview
Learn something new! The Aspen Times, has an interview with Tinairwen a west African band from the Mali area. However, they are not Malian, but Touareg, an ethnic group found in the northern dessert of Mali. It is an interesting connection between Africa and blues. Click HERE for more.
UPDATE
For some reason the link is dead. Here is a link to Wiki with a bio of the band. Here is a link to a myspace page with their music.
Having listened to the music, it is an interesting hybrid of African folk, and blues. I am not sure about the politics. Apparently there is some connection between the rebels and Muammar Al Gaddafi of Libya.
Bob Corritore Interview
Voice Of America has an interview with Bob Corritore who helped build the Phoenix Arizona Blue Scene. To read or listen to the Levine Report just check out this link HERE.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Billy Preston And Eric Clapton: Will It Go Around In Circles
Here is a great video of Clapton with Billy Preston! Billy died way to young at the age of 59.
Vote On The Internet Radio Poll
I have added a poll question to the top of the blog so I can get a grasp on what you want to hear on the station, and if you are listening:-) On the good news front it looks like a deal might happen between internet broadcasters, and Sound Exchange. However I am thinking of pulling the plug on the station after I rebroadcast all of the Iowa Blues Showcases. This Sunday I probably will rebroadcast the 1-17th show later at night. Not too many people are catching the show at 10am.
Do fill out the poll, and be sure to enjoy some great Iowa Blues!!!
Do fill out the poll, and be sure to enjoy some great Iowa Blues!!!
Hot Blues Show Alert
I don't often advertise single gigs, but since there are so many of you from Chicago that read the blog I wanted to let you know that Back Door Slam is playing the windy city Saturday night at Martyrs located at 3855 No. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago. These cool cats from England are the real deal so check them out!
Blues Shows From Illinois Blues
Just got this email from Illinois Blues on upcoming blues fests and show!
Upcoming Blues
So you thought the Blues season was over? No Way! This week brings the South Padre International Music Festival in South Padre Island, TX, 512-275-1336, The National Women in Blues Festival in Wilmington, NC, Jasper's Blues on the Marsh, in Ridgeland, SC, The Lucerne Blues Festival, in Lucerne, Switzerland, The Efes Pilsen Blues Festival, in 19 cities in Turkey, Cyprus, Russia and Serbia, The Mississippi Delta Regional Blues Challenge, in Indianola, Mississippi, The Ultimate Blues Show - Winter Editions in Jackson, Tennessee, The Charles Brown Day Of Remembrance Blues Festival in Texas City, TX, The Carl Black GMC Sarasota Bluesfest in Sarasota, Florida, The Blues Bash 4 in Taipei, Taiwan, and Blues on the Eastside Festival in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
John Lennon And Chuck Berry: Memphis
A rough start, but a classic John Lennon and Chuck Berry on the Mike Douglas show, oh, and the screeching in the background, thats Yoko:-)
Johnny Max Band: You're A Lesson I've Learned
Here is a youtube video of a great soul tune by the Johnny Max Band.
More Johnny Max Band
If you happened on to this post (click here) you might remember an cool soul band that I had stumbled upon on Dailymotion.com. I recieved an email from the band, and I found out they are from Canada, but the lead singer is from Scotland, so that explains the accent. I think these guys are great. The Johnny Max Band website is here, and their myspace is here. I have been listening to You're A Lesson I Learned, Wow! Great song!
Get Well Gilbert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My good friend Gilbert Davis in undergoing back surgery, which will keep him out of work, and out of the blues scene for awhile. I will update information when it becomes available. Meanwhile, Check out his Iowa Blues Hall of Fame induction webpage HERE.
Gilbert currently plays with his brother George Davis in the band Sumptum To Do. They are one of Des Moines great soul and blues bands. I wish they had a myspace page, or a video on Youtube, because they are truly one of the gems of Des Moines blues.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Movie Clip Of Huddie Ledbetter, and John Lomax
A clip from 1935 about John Lomax and Huddie Ledbetter, also known as Leadbelly.
Judi Silvano
From the good people at Ariel Publicity, I received some information about Judi Silvano. She is definitely Jazz, or at least most of what I have heard is jazz, but it is nice to mix it up some times:-)
Webpage Click HERE
Myspace: Click HERE
Buy here cd HERE
Upcoming dates for Judi!
| Nov 30, 2007 | Temple Israel | Croton-on-Hudson, NY |
| Dec 01, 2007 | The Flynn Theatre | Burlington, VT |
| Dec 28, 2007 | Orvieto Jazz Festival | Orvieto, ITALY |
| Feb 12, 2008 | Tel Aviv Jazz Festival | Tel Aviv, ISRAEL |
| Feb 16, 2008 | Hassadna Conservatory | Jerusalem, ISRAEL |
| Mar 07, 2008 | Enzo's | New York, NY |
| Mar 08, 2008 | Ann Street Gallery | Newburgh, NY |
Mississippi Blues Marathon!!
It's not what you think! Of course a marathon of blues would be a lot of fun, but this is an actual marathon! It takes place January 5th in Jackson Mississippi. (click here for more details) A portion of the proceeds are going to the Mississippi Blues Foundation to promote Mississippi blues artists.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Artist Of The Week: Back Door Slam
Artist of the week is Back Door Slam. Hot guitar playing from Britain. In fact, I have a copy of the new CD in my hands! I hope to have a review sometime in the next two weeks. (I still owe you a Soul Searcher review!!) Davey Knowles is a heck of a blue player. Very much in the blues rock mode of Stevie Ray. It is great to hear someone who has such respect for the music. The nice thing about blues is that this kid will improve as he ages. Just listen to Clapton today versus Clapton from the 60s, and you will see what I mean.
To enjoy the music just click on the video box located on the left side of the blog.
Photo Of The Week Rick Mosqueda
One of the better drummers in Des Moines is Rick Mosqueda. Rick was the house drummer for the Iowa Blues Showcase. Right now he plays drums for Harlan Thomas and the Backstage Boogie Band. Rick is also one of the owners of Tasty Tacos. If you caught todays rebroadcast you heard an ad for Tasty Tacos recorded by Rick's brother Andre (who also is an owner). Andre is the Keeping the Blues Alive winning DJ from KGGO who host the Roadhouse blues show on Sunday mornings. Stop by Tasty Tacos in Des Moines and say Hi!!
Top Cat Records
Top Cat Records Home of Texas Blues! I just added them to the links section. Top Flight Texas blues!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Check them out HERE
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