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Saturday, April 26, 2008

Andy Coats Update


Come on down to the Martini, for some downhome roots & blues!

Andy Coats, solo
Sun., April 27, 8 pm - mid
The Blue Martini
No Cover Charge
116 N West St # 100
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 899-6464
http://www.bluemartiniraleigh.com

All the best,

Andy
www.andycoats.com
www.myspace.com/andycoats
http://www.myspace.com/andycoatsandthebankwalkers

Another great article from a reader of Blues Historian! This time about a Russian blues artist who won the 2007 Emerging Artist Contest at the Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival. I think this is probably a press release from folks at the ABHF.




Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival Announces Emerging Artist Winner

Helena, Arkansas, April 4, 2008:

The Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival (formerly KBBF), recognized as one of the largest free blues festivals in North America announces the 2007 Emerging Artist Contest Winner. This past year over 150 bands and performers applied to participate in the contest. A local favorite of Moscow, Arsen Shomakhov, was selected by the Festival to take the stage and show the fans their version of blues. Mr. Shomakhov so wowed the audience and our judges with his version of the Delta Blues that he took home to Russia the coveted bragging rights of being the 2007 Emerging Artist Top Performer and proved to us that you do not have to be from the Delta to sing or know about the blues, and renewed the fact that blues is a unique and universal language all its own.

The Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival is recognized for its continuing efforts to preserve the traditions of the Delta Blues. Launched in 1986 the King Biscuit Blues Festival attracts over 100,000 blues fans to the banks of the Mississippi River. The festival takes place in Historic Helena, Arkansas home to blues legends Robert Johnson, Sonny Boy Williamson, and at one time Muddy Waters.

The festival was started to preserve the traditions of the Delta blues. The organizers realized the best way to preserve these traditions was to ensure that they are passed on to a new generation of blues artist. Artist are selected to participate in the contest for several reasons, original music, blues traditions, and the festival organizers hope that while these new artist sit around backstage with blues legends they will learn first hand the history of the music

As part of the winning package Mr. Shomakhov and his band will travel to Helena to perform at the 2008 Festival October 9-11, 2008 and play on the Sonny Boy Williamson Main Stage.

For additional information please contact:
Rosie Swan
Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival
P.O. Box 118
Helena, Arkansas 72342
Festival Office 870-995-6569
Email:bluesandheritage@yahoo.com


helena_rsn.jpg picture by barkie_07


Arsen Shomakhov-Arkansas Blues & Heritage Fest-Oct. 6, 2007

http://arsenic.blues.ru/

Buddy Fleet Benefit Shreveport LA

Just received this from email about a fund raiser for Buddy Flett. Kenny Wayne Shepherd and a host of area musicians are putting on a show tomorrow in Shreveport. I don't have a hot link to the newpaper with more information, but as soon as it comes in from the reader, I will update the post.

Hi, I happened across your website by chance, and saw that you had a
review of Buddy Flett's album, Mississippi Sea.

Your readers may not know that Buddy has been quite ill recently.
Tomorrow night, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and many local friends and
musicians will be putting on a benefit show at Shreveport's historic
Strand Theatre. Here's a link to the local newspaper article about
Buddy's medical condition and the benefit. Please spread the news,

Thank you,



Friday, April 25, 2008

Bob Corritore Newsletter


April 25, 2008

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Freddie King: She Put A Whammy On Me

The great Freddie King! Wow! This is a cool video from a TV show that was playing in Memphis back in the 60s. Very cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Albert Collins: Mastercharge

This is a really cool video that I stumbled upon while trying to find a different Albert Collins video. I had no idea that Albert Collins had played Carnige Hall in 1986! I have seen some other videos from about that time of other Alligator record artists, so I wonder if that was a show put on by the record company?

Otis Rush: So Many Roads So Many Trains To Ride

Perhaps the best known song of Otis Rush

Illinois Blues Update

Illinois Blues - www.IllinoisBlues.com - Blues news across the USA.


All news BLUES in the US!

FREE Blues Internet Magazine

from IllinoisBlues.com

April 24, 2008

© 2007 - 2008 IllinoisBlues.com

News, photos, reviews, live Blues links & MUCH MORE in this issue! - Scroll or Page Down!


IllinoisBlues.com quick website links: Reviews Links Audio Interviews Photos Videos Blues Radio Blues Shows near YOU! Advertise for FREE! The Blues Blast Archives


Hey Blues Fans,

It was a busy Blues week! Since we found quite a bit of Blues right in our own backyard last week, we decided to venture out a bit further this week. Here is a summary of our 800 miles of Blues travels and fun.

Thursday we made it to Bradley, IL to catch the fun at Brandon Casey as "The Friends of the Blues" put on another early show bringing Smokin Joe Kubek and Bnois King to town for another well attended Blues event.

This band is really hot right now as they are touring to support their newest CD release Blood Brothers. (Alligator Records)

See all the pictures CLICK HERE


Then on Saturday we made it to a show put on by the Mississippi Valley Blues Society in Davenport, IA.

They brought John Nemeth with Junior Watson along with Mark Hummel's rhythm section in for a show at Blueport Junction.

It was easy to see why Junior Watson is regarded so highly especially among guitar players. Pure Blues genius!

John Nemeth is a 2008 Blues Music Award nominee for "Best New Artist Debut" for his current CD Magic Touch.

To see all the pictures CLICK HERE


Finally just to put a few more miles on the car at $3.50 a gallon, we made it to Illinois Central Blues Club's "Blue Monday" show in Springfield, IL to hear Bryan Lee and the Blues Power Band at the Alamo. If you are not familiar with Bryan you should be.

Check out this clip of Bryan fronting a band that includes Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Hubert Sumlin on the Tonight show - CLICK HERE

Bryan was great this night singing his heart out and playing blazing Blues for a very appreciative crowd. Another great thing about seeing Bryan is his other guitar player Brent Johnson.

Brent know how to lay back and let Bryan shine but man when this kid takes off on a lead or breaks out his slide you are in for a real treat. Don't miss Bryan and this fine young guitarist if they come anywhere near you!

See all the picture of the Blue Monday fun, CLICK HERE


MORE Blues Reviews

James Walker reviews a CD by The Mud Angels. Ben Cox sends in a review of the new CD by Kim Field & the Mighty Titans of Tone and Chicago Editor Lordy is back this week with a show review by The Harry Garner Band at The Pump Room. All this and much More! SCROLL DOWN!




Chicago Blues Update

Live Blues reviews by Chicago Blues editor Lordy

Blues Beat: Chicago (Photos by August Lord)

The Harry Garner Band at The Pump Room

The Harry Garner Band brought its rollicking barrelhouse blues to the Pump Room Bar to provide the soundtrack for a great night of dancing, drinking and friends. This is a perfect venue for Harry and his band. Sure they pack the famous Harlem Avenue Lounge and I have even seen them light up a country club lounge, entertain restaurant patrons, and put smiles on the riders at biker fests. In my humble opinion, shot and beer bars are home sweet home for the HGB. The band consists of Al Lopeztello behind the kit. He keeps the place tapping and spices up his work with a host of percussion surprises. The bass duties are in the hands of Mark “The Shark” Wydra, who spends most of his musician time as a “go to” six string player. J.R. (not junior) Wydra is the HGB guitar player. J.R. is also guitar man in Linsey “Hoochie Man” Alexander’s band.

Guess what Harry “The Harp” Garner plays. Harry handles most of the vocals, but the two guys named Wydra chip in as well. Harry has a distinctive vocal style that growls yet allows you to hear each word clearly. When he sings Dead Presidents, for example, you get it all. Harry was not raised in Chicago, but he surely has earned his blues stripes. He was originally from South Philly, which is, of course, and Eastern suburb of Chicago. From there to another urban mecca named Cleveland. After a stint in the Marines, Harry wandered a bit and found himself married to a Playboy bunny in Chicago. I will let you finish the story. Then, as he says, “I found the blues”. Harry is a private, intelligent individual with a serious intention to be true to Chicago blues. He means what he plays. Mark the Shark, is a music dictionary and has no problem throwing in riffs from rock or country to see if you’re awake. Not a problem, as I can’t imagine anyone falling asleep to the HGB.

.

CLICK HERE to visit Lordy's website at ChicagoBluesBeat.com

To see a Chicago Area list of upcoming events CLICK HERE

If you know of a Chicago Blues event or news, please send it to


Barstool Blues

New Release by Big Paw Records

Chicago style Blues Guitar
High energy all the way to the low-down

Chicago Bluesman Bob Levis with a host of Chicago area Blues greats including Lonnie Brooks, Brother Dave Kaye, Steve Ditzell, Westside Andy Linderman, Dennis "Link" Leary, Larry Pendelton, Jimmy Voegeli, Ted Lawrence, Marty Binder and Dave Wood.

"Authentic sound, infused with gritty energy of Chicago Blues." - Blues Blast Magazine

CLICK HERE to Purchase this CD




Click image above to visit our website for more info!

(Note: Our prayers are with Little Arthur! The Backscratchers will perform with another harmonica player if Arthur is unable to perform.)


Featured Blues Review (1 0f 2) SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE

Mud Angels - A Bolt From The Blue

Self Release - www.mudangels.com
www.myspace.com/mudangelsmusic

12 songs; 52:14 minutes; Splendid

Genre: Blues-Rock

Help! I’ve fallen in the mud, and I can’t get up. I am not calling for rescue; I am calling for company! Join me, neck-deep-in-love with the slide guitar opening, rocking rhythm, two six string mid-song solos, and angelic vocals from the Mud Angels’ debut album’s first track, “Derailed.” The album is a wealth of vocal and guitar melodies, performed by front woman Laura "Torch" England and lead guitarist Kenny Cobb. Sure, it’s a CD from a “regional band” in the Madison, Wisconsin area, but so what. Even The Beatles were a local hit before their inter-galactic success.

Laura England is the real star in this tone-rich, guitar-driven outing. The timbre of her voice instantly calls one’s attention away from even an interesting task, and she is wonderfully versatile across varying styles, emotions, intensities, and ranges. Her comely looks (seen in the liner photos) put the peanut butter square in the middle of this chocolate bar. England also shines as a songwriter; she crafted all of her vocal melodies, most of the lyrics, and some of the song structures. Born and raised in North Carolina, England only in recent years began singing Blues. Blues and Rock highlight the strength and style of her voice. "The expressive and challenging melodies of the blues feel so natural -- it’s like this is where my voice belongs," says England.

The Mud Angels are a Blues-Rock band justly nominated for three awards in both the 2007 and the 2008 Madison Area Music Awards competition (Female Vocalist of the Year, Blues Song of the Year, and Blues Artist of the Year). Their sound is created by England on vocals, Kenny Cobb and Jackson on guitars, Mike Burden on bass guitar, and Andy Mosey on drums.

At the band’s core are Andy Mosey, Mike Burden, and Jackson, who have been playing together in various forms for more than ten years. Serendipitously, they recruited singer Laura England to front the band in the spring of 2005 and lead guitarist Kenny Cobb in the fall of 2006 to complete their guitar-driven, vocal highlighted sound. It is Cobb, the band’s newest member, who provides the stylistic adhesion that pulls together the tightness of the core and vocals with crafty fretboard fireworks to create their full and rousing sound.

Through two years performing the influential bluesy tunes of powerhouses like Susan Tedeschi (to whom England is frequently compared), Sue Foley, Candye Kane and The Allman Brothers Band, the Mud Angels steadily added original songs to their set until this album shaped up.

The Mud Angels released A Bolt From The Blue in February 2008. The record includes 12 original tunes with a variety of styles coming from having three writers in the band, Laura England, Kenny Cobb and Jackson. The record showcases many moods, like slow, sexy numbers "You Sang My Note," "Bring Color Back," and "River Landing." "Kiss Me Slow" is downright sensual while "You Say I'm Picky" exudes sassy confidence. "On My Side" finds England chastising a selfish lover for soured love, but singing sweet devotion on "I Gotta Know." "Tell Me Where We're Going" and "It's Late" are flat out, catchy-guitar-hook, rocking blues. Jackson takes a turn at vocals on his edgy and bitter lyrics found in "Politics."

But, for a fun oddity, try the 90-miles-per-hour Rock and Rolling ode to sweet summer fruit, “Summer Tomatoes.” How many varieties of love apples can you name? There are no less than 21 types are listed in the lyrics.

The Mud Angels will be touring around Wisconsin and beyond in 2008 to promote this new record, with appearances at a number of regional blues festivals. Keep an eye out and both ears open to the Mud Angels for more of their catchy originals and favorite blues rock covers! To Purchase this CD now CLICK HERE

Reviewer James “Skyy Dobro” Walker is a noted Blues writer, DJ and Blues Blast contributor. His weekly radio show “Friends of the Blues” can be heard each Thursday from 4:30 – 6:00pm on WKCC 91.1 FM in Kankakee, IL

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.


Click image above to visit our website for tickets and more info!


Bull Riding and Blues?

After many failed attempts to secure a Country Band for for the Redneck Rodeo in Fort Madison, IA on April 26th, The Rodeo decided to try something different.

Blues slide master Eric Sardinas And Big Motor will perform at 9:00pm followed by Freebird - The Ultimate Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Band

Start time for the rodeo is at 7:00 PM

This should be a great time and very interesting. For advanced tickets ($10) contact Nichole at (319) 470-3068. Admission is $12 at the show.

The host hotel is the Travelodge (formally The Iowan) (319) 372-7510.

If you have not seen Eric Sardinas LIVE and Outdoors, don't miss this!


Blues Want Ads

Place Your Blues Musician Want Ad here for FREE

Blues Society Seeks Artist Dressing Trailers for Blues Festival

The Mississippi Valley Blues Society (Davenport, IA) seeks some Blues fans who have a large vacation trailer and want to attend one of the best Blues Festivals on the planet for FREE.

If you have a large travel trailer, touring coach or motor home (Air Stream etc) that we could use as a dressing room for our festival performers during the MVBS festival (July 3-5th, 2008) we can offer FREE VIP backstage passes and Hotel accommodations at our Festival hotel (The Lodge) in Davenport, IA in return for the use of your mobile trailer. For more information please contact the MVBS office at (563) 322-5837 or by email at mvbs@mvbs.org

Venue Wanted for Blues Jam

The Twist and The Groove Machaine Band are looking for a new home to host open night jams for thursday nights. We are out of the Will county area (Illinois). We have a good following, just need a good place to host. so if you are a bar, club, or theatre owner and you have live blues and R&B and can open your doors to us. Then drop us a line at jeffruffinsgiftworld@yahoo.com We just closed out a two (2 1/2 ) year run in Plainefield,I L. You can see video clips at myspace.com/jeffruffinthemuffinman

Equipment For Sale

Hartke XL 4-10 400 watt bass cabinet with cover. Used very little. $285.00. Cedar Rapids, IA.319.365.2686 evulich@mchsi.com

"workin Blues performers" can place Want Ads here for FREE. NO Commercial Ads!
Buy or sell equipment , musicians wanted, gigs wanted etc. Limit 100 words.

All ads submitted will be used if space allows. If space is limited, ads will be randomly selected to appear in the Blues Blast. Ads may be edited. Send your ad submission to



New CD

Mighty Mighty

CLICK HERE to Purchase this CD

The Rutledge Youth Foundation’s
Annual Harley Raffle -
Kickoff Party

A Night Of Blues

Friday, April 25th, 2008 - 7:00 PM

Capital City Bar and Grill
3149 S. Dirksen Parkway - Springfield, Illinois

FREE Admission

Introducing

Tombstone Bullet

With special guests

SHUN KIKUTA
(Guitarist for Koko Taylor’s Blues Machine)

Elizabeth Eckert (of American Idol)

Luca Giordano (Italian Blues Artist)

Brother Ray and the Blades


Thursday, May 22 - Saturday, May 24, 2008

http://www.dom.edu/blues

Email: bluesandthespirit@dom.edu

Phone: (708) 524-6050

A Symposium on the Legacy of Blues & Gospel Music

Dominican University (located just minutes from the Chicago Loop) hosts the Blues and the Spirit Symposium, emphasizing the heritage of African-American Chicago and exploring the shared roots of Blues and Gospel.

  • Panels and presentations with Timuel Black, Portia Maultsby, Horace Maxile, Paul Garon, Sterling Plumpp, Gayle Dean Wardlow, Barry Dolins, Jim O’Neal, Marie Dixon, Bob Davis, Bob Koester, Fernando Jones, Bob Marovich, David Whiteis, Scott Barretta, Salim Muwakkil, Sandra Pointer-Jones, Suzanne Flandreau, Bob Riesman, Stephanie Shonekan, Morris Phibbs, Bob Jones, Billy Boy Arnold, Stan Mosley and others.

  • Blues Workshop with Billy Branch and Gospel Workshop with James Abbington
  • Multimedia Presentations, Raeburn Flerlage Photography and Outsider Art Exhibits
  • Musical Appearances by Larry Taylor, James Wheeler and Bob Stroger
  • Bronzeville Tour with a stop at the Blues Heaven Foundation, located in the former Chess Records
  • Chicago Blues Club Crawl
  • Otis Clay and Sharon Lewis in Concert CLICK HERE to see schedule and registration information


Blues Link of the Week

http://blindman.forumhoster.com

The Blindman's Blues Forum is a Blues Blog. This is a place Blues fans and musicians can read about or participate in contemporary discussions about any Blues topic.

You do not have to "join" to just read what is going on but if you join (It's Free!) you can start Blues discussion topics and reply or comment on any on going discussion thread.

It is a great place to read about subjects such as Rock, Soul & Folk Blues, Pre War and Post War Blues and more. It is also a great place to go if you have a question about any Blues topic. The Bloggers on this forum are mighty friendly and they probably have an answer to your Blues question. Enjoy, and tell them the Blues Blast sent ya!

For more Blues links, CLICK HERE to visit the IllinoisBlues.com Links Page


Looking for Blues CD's by independent artists?

It's easy to find it here because Blues is all they have!

Looking for a way to market your bands Blues music?

At BluesDetour.com you can find independent Blues artists and their music.

Blues Fans can browse and purchase music from the independent Blues artists.

Blues artists now have a place to sell their Blues music to fans worldwide!

http://bluesdetour.com/


Blues Society News


Send your Blues Society's BIG news or Press Release to:

Max of 125 words, Text or Word file ONLY.


Illinois Central Blues Club Springfield, IL - Blue Mondays

On April 28. 2008 the Illinois Central Blues Club brings BMA nominees the Kilborn Alley Blues band to the Alamo 115 N 5th St, Springfield, IL (217) 523-1455 Music starts at 8:30pm - $2 cover.

The Blues Blowtorch Society - Bloomington, IL

Blues Blowtorch Society presents Too Slim and The Tail Draggers Thursday, May 08, 2008 in a 7:00 PM Early Show at NV Ultra Lounge, 107 East Beaufort St. Normal, Illinois 61761 Tickets are $5.00 At The Door




Featured Blues Reviews (2 0f 2) SCROLL UP FOR MORE

Kim Field & the Mighty Titans of Tone - Blue Smoke

Harmonotone Records
http://mightytitansoftone.com/

Run Time: 70:27 (live recording)

The Northwest in recent years has been a hotbed for new blues talent. However, Kim Field and his Mighty Titans of Tone have been plugging away as barnstormers on their own and in various bands in Seattle WA for well over 30 years. Touting themselves as, “Little Walter brawling with the Thunderbirds while a spaghetti western soundtrack plays in the background,” make a sound statement on their national release.

Musicianship is the supreme element and talent in this band. Normally, dual lead guitars in a blues band frighten me a little as it leaves plenty of room for some wanking to occur. You’ll get none of that here. In this album full of mostly covers and usually touted as classic cuts, it leaves no room for said guitar vomit and the musicians prove it. Field has a pure harmonica tone and his voice instantly reminded me of Kim Wilson with its deep, rich baritone and emotion. Steve Yonck and Eric Daw are about as solid, tasteful and refreshing as they come when it comes to the guitar, just listen to the opening two instrumentals Pee Wee Clayton’s “Texas Hop” and Albert Collins’ “Don’t Lose Your Cool” and you’ll understand. Billy Spaulding and Brady Millard-Kish on drums and bass, sound like they’ve been playing together for years.

The album makes no bones about separating tracks as they were recorded over 2 nights in September last year in Seattle. With only one track running just a smidge over seven minutes, you won’t be bored with any senseless and endless jamming. The arrangements, like the band, are tight and to the point without losing any of its entertainment power.

The only fault I see in the whole production are the two vocal tracks handled by Spaulding and Daw. The vocals at best are a little weak while the musicianship carries the song. Magic Sam’s “You Belong To Me” and Ray Charles “A Fool For You” just are two tunes that have to vocally sound right and be played right to resonate. I tip my hat for the effort but, it does present a hole in the disc. However, the follow up to these two songs is the Henry Cooper/Field penned zydeco number “Dis Pas Ca” which jumps right back at you with the whole package.

The band is tight and Field is in his prime or better. Look for them as they branch out on a nationwide tour this year to support the album.

Visit Kim Field & the Mighty Titans of Tone at Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kimfieldandthemightytitansoftone

Ben Cox is a Blues Songwriter, Musician, DJ and Journalist.

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.



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.

CLICK HERE - for the Latest Complete Blues Calendar on our website at: IllinoisBlues.com.

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With the new year, Blues festival promoters and Blues societies begin work planning a great 2008 Blues season for all. Festival committees are hard at work booking Blues performers, planning their advertising budgets and getting ready to put on the next great Blues show.

For those of you doing the planning for these great Blues events, remember that the Blues Blast & IllinoisBlues.com's website are great ways to promote ANY Blues event or product. In fact we believe we just might have THE best Blues advertising vehicle anywhere to promote YOUR Blue event!

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