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| April 9, 2009 |
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| Hey Blues Fans, Reviewer James Walker made it to Nick Moss and the Flip Tops and Lurrie Bell's CD release party for "Live at Chan’s – Combo Platter No. 2" last weekend. The party was held at Buddy Guys' Legends in Chicago . It was quite a show and even Buddy Guy himself got into the fun sitting in for a bit. See James' review of this new CD in this issue below. Blues "Births" We all have the same passion for Blues music! That's why we do the Blues Blast, to keep the Blues alive. So we were pleased to hear of a couple Blues "births" this week. Two new Blues Societies sent us press releases this week. Massachusetts residents now have the newly formed Massachusetts Blues Society. Their organization was created to further the acceptance and popularity of the Blues. Their website is http://www.massblues.org. The Windy City Blues Society is a new organization in Chicago, IL. They plan to offer a new Visitors Guide to Chicago Blues Festival 2009 on their website at www.WindyCityBlues.org featuring a list of recommended hotels, Chicago Blues clubs and other businesses that provide discounts to their members. They are also planning a 3-day ‘Instant Friends’ party in Grant Park during the fest. If you plan on visiting Chicago for the Biggest Blues Festival on the Planet, check them out. Both of these organizations would like to do link exchanges with other Blues societies and fans so check them out and help them keep the Blues alive! In this issue - Blues Reviews and MORE! James Walker reviews a new CD from Nick Moss & the Flip Tops and Lurrie Bell. George Fish reviews a new CD by John Parker. We welcome new reviewer Przemek Draheim this week. Przemek is a Blues journalist from Poland. He hosts two Blues radio shows and is editor of www.blues.pl – the oldest Polish on-line Blues magazine. Przemek reviews a CD from Garrett Mason and a new CD from Ingrid Gerdes. Our video of the week is a clip of Delta Bluesman Robert Belfour. Our streaming Blues Radio link of the week is Przemek Draheim's Blues radio shows. All this and MORE! SCROLL DOWN!!! |
Featured Blues Review 1 of 4
| Live at Chan’s – Combo Platter No. 2 Style: Electric Chicago Blues, Modern Electric Blues “Attention ladies and gentlemen: Please adjust your seats, pour yourself a tall drink, and light up a smoke. This ship on the-river-of-time is about to set sail, and your captain, Nick Moss, promises to not “Rock” the boat! Our vessel for this journey is the finest in newly crafted and guitar powered vehicles that will free your mind from your body, allowing it to pleasurably cruise along for the next 79 minutes. On this excursion, expect turns, rapids, riding cresting waves and slow rolling – all to a steady rhythm. Lurrie Bell, the First Mate, and the crew consisting of The Flip Tops are ship shape and tuned to please. So, sit back and enjoy!” -- More than any other player, Nick Moss playing guitar live, and in this case recorded live, takes me on a time cruise where nothing matters but the music. Nick Moss’ deft ability to be a modern and progressive artist while remaining faithful to Chicago Blues customs is explained by Craig Ruskey in the liner notes: Moss is “...the perfect blend of an artist straddling the fine line between soaring imaginative guitar efforts and traditional, firmly rooted blues grooves....Moss traverses the electric blues guitar landscape effortlessly, without ever sounding like numerous others who appear to have lifted their licks off a dusty museum shelf. Check out, too, his inspired singing....” Nick’s first live recording in 2006 done at Chan’s Eggrolls & Jazz in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, was so successful and delicious, it called for a second helping. This time special guest Chicago’s critically acclaimed Lurrie Bell plays guitar and sings on four songs alongside Gerry Hundt, Willie Oshawny, Bob Carter, and wife Kate Moss who more than ably helps with bass duties on five songs. Six of the songs are originals by either Nick Moss or Gerry Hundt or Nick and Gerry. Covers include songs by Muddy Waters and Eddie Boyd. Nick Moss & the Flip Tops have consistently been nominated for a Blues Music Award for Band of the Year. They truly deserve a win because they are, first, a true band – not a studio amalgam and, secondly, each player easily trades off instruments for various songs. For 2009, more BMA nominations include: “Instrumentalist-Other” Gerry Hundt – Mandolin, and Lurrie Bell with two BMA nods: Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year and Instrumentalist-Guitar The cruise leaves the dock in high gear with a loping instrumental workout appropriately titled, “Spare Ribs & Chopsticks.” Nick’s fluid guitar tones are completely in his control - from harmonic chords to ringing runs to stinging staccatos. Band member Piano Willie Oshawny gets a nice solo about four minutes into the eight minute plus romp. For the second cut, Kate Moss joins and takes the bass guitar, moving “The Trouble Shooter” Gerry Hundt to heart-felt harmonica. Now in a five piece Chicago Blues ensemble, the band pays tribute to the genre. The song does not stop at the classic three minutes, however; their contemporary 12 bar approach carries for eight minutes. Nick’s plaintive vocals expertly seal the deal explaining he wants to “try to be the man you want me to be.” The pace quickens slightly as Hundt masterfully switches to the mandolin for a cut off of his own “Since Way Back” CD titled “Whiskey Makes Me Mean.” Here, Nick plays harmonica like it is his main instrument. Track four is a fun romp using a hook reminiscent of the one that goes, “She can’t help it; the girl can’t help it.” “Lonesome Bedroom Blues” is one of the afore mentioned, float-me-away songs. Nick plays and forlornly sings a slow blues with plenty of harmonica from Gerry and keyboard mastery from Willie while Kate and Bob Carter on drums power the rhythm section. Track six, “Fill’er Up” was originally a three minute acoustic number during the “Smithsonian Set” on Nick’s last album, the double CD, “Play It ‘Til Tomorrow.” Here it is presented as an electric number with Gerry again smoking on harmonica while Kate takes the bass. Tracks seven through ten demonstrate why Lurrie Bell in 2008 was twice a magazine cover boy, a Living Blues magazine double award winner, and the Blues Blast Music Award winner for Best Traditional Blues Recording (“Let’s Talk About Love”). According to Nick’s introduction, no one plays pure, straight Chicago Blues guitar any better! Lurrie’s whiskey edged vocals on “Don’t You Lie To Me,” the thirteen minute “Five Long years,” and “I’m Ready” are a complement to his scorching and inventive guitar playing. These four songs are a five-some with Gerry on bass and Kate sitting out. Nick Moss and Lurrie Bell trading leads and guitar licks – it just doesn’t get better than that! The sold-out audience at Chan’s audibly gave their many approvals. Keeping the Blues not just alive but vigorously healthy? Nick Moss gets it....and gets it right. This is one Blues Cruise you don’t want to miss, and you don’t even have to go near the water! 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. |
Nick Moss and The Flip Tops with Special Guest Lurrie Bell| For tickets and info CLICK HERE |
Blues Society News
Send your Blues Society's BIG news or Press Release to: Please submit a maximum of 175 or words or less in a Text or Word format ONLY. Central Mississippi Blues Society – Jackson, MS The CMBS presents Blue Monday at Hal & Mal’s (200 Commerce St., Jackson, MS) every Monday night. Doors open @ 8:00 and music begins @ 8:30. Cover is $5. The Blue Monday Band is comprised of the “best of the best “ musicians in the Central MS area. Featured artists are King Edward, lead guitar/vocalist and Pat Brown, Abdul Rasheed and Dennis Fountain as vocalists. Other regular band members are Dwight Ross and Rick Lewis (drums), Keith Collins (bass), Johnny Sharpe (keys) and Malcolm Shepherd (CMBS President) on Congas. Most of these musicians appeared in The Last of the Mississippi Jukes. The Blue Monday Band plays the first set and then the event turns into a jam. For more info see: www.centralmississippibluessociety.com or call Peggy Brown @ 601-613-7377 Friends Of The Blues Shows - Kankakee IL The Friends of the Blues has started their 2009 Blues concert Series. Here are thie shows for April. Tuesday, April 14- Too Slim & The Taildraggers, 7:00 Pm, Legacy Bar & Grill, 135 N Kinzie Ave (Route 50), Bradley Il 60915. (815) 936-1649. Saturday, April 18 – Reverend Raven & Chain Smoking Altar Boys, 8:00 PM, Kankakee Valley Boat Club, Cobb Boulevard, Kankakee IL(815) 936-1699 Tuesday, April 21 – Damon Fowler, 7:00 PM, Kankakee Elks Country Club, 2283 Bittersweet Drive, St. Anne Il. 815-937-1228 Mississippi Valley Blues Society - Davenport, IA The Mississippi Valley Blues Society presents Toronto guitar wizard Shawn Kellerman and his band on Monday, April 20 at the Rock Island Brewing Company, 1815 Second Ave., Rock Island, IL. Admission is $7.00, $5.00 for blues society members, and the show starts at 7:00 p.m. For more info contact call the MVBS office at 563-32-BLUES or Hal Reed at 563-650-4303 Illinois Central Blues Club - Springfield, IL BLUE MONDAY SHOWS Held at the Alamo 115 N 5th St, Springfield, IL (217) 523-1455 every Monday 8:30pm $2 cover - Apr 13 - Too Slim & the Taildraggers, Apr 20 - Pleasure Chest, Apr 27 - Nothin' But Trouble River City Blues Society- Peoria, IL The River City Blues Society's Wednesday Blues Series in Central, Illinois are early shows each Wednesday at 7:00pm, featuring the best traveling regional and National Blues musicians. The shows feature a budget priced cover charge of $4. The shows are held at the Dragon's Dome, 3401 Griffin Ave in Pekin, IL. Shows scheduled are: Apr 15 - Too Slim & The Tail Draggers, Apr 22 - Damon Fowler Group, April 29 - Bob Dorr & The Blue Band, May 6 Shannon Curfman w/ opening act Barb Hamilton, May 13 - Scott Ellison, May 20 - Deak Harp, May 27 - The Insomniacs |
Featured Blues Review 2 of 4
Reviewer George Fish lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, home of blues legends Yank Rachell and Leroy Carr, and writes a regular music column, “Blues and More” for the online Bloomington (IN) Alternative. He’s also published in the regional Indiana blues and alternative presses as well as Living Blues and Blues Access, and wrote the notes for Yank Rachell’s Delmark album, Chicago Style. He has also published on blues and pop music for the left-wing press as well, and has appeared in Against the Current and Socialism and Democracy, as well as the online Political Affairs and MRZine. For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE. |
John Parker - Self Titled
Blues Radio - Streaming Link of the Week
| Przemek Draheim is a radio DJ and Blues journalist from Poland. He host two Blues radio shows and is editor of the online Blues magazine www.blues.pl There are more than 100 of his radio shows, concert recording and more on his website at blues.pl/draheim/?s=archives. To listen to these shows or a concert recording choose the one that interests you by clicking on its date. (Descriptions tell you which artists are in each show) After a few seconds a music player will load, then press play button. Tell them the Blues Blast sent ya! Check out other great Blues Music Streams Click HERE |
| New CD from Alex Dixon Band Rising From The Bushes For more info CLICK HERE Dixon Landing Music
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Blues Want Ads
| Blues Musicians Place Your Want Ad here for FREE "workin Blues performers" ONLY can place Want Ads here for FREE. NO Commercial Ads! Blues Music Writers wanted Blues Blast Magazine is looking for reviewers to review new Blues CD's. If you have a background and experience with Blues music and like to write we can provide new CD's for you to review. Person must be willing to write a minimum of one review every other week. Reviewer keeps the CD's for writing the review. If interested please send a sample of your writing and a short bio of your Blues background to 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 |
The Smokie Blues International Festival - August 14 - 16, 2009
The Golf Hotel, Carnoustie, Scotland
For tickets an info www.SmokieBlues.com or www.oxfordhotelsandinns.com
http://cdbaby.com/cd/brandonscottsellner
Blues Video of the Week
| This week we feature a video by Delta Bluesman Robetr Belfore. If you have ever wondered what a real juke joint Blueman sounds like Belfour is the real thing. You can often find him playing in a club like Red's in Clarksdale. Mississippi, which is a legendary juke joint. He discusses the juke joint performance experience and then demonstrates by playing this song. To see this cool video on our website, click the play button below. . For other videos on our website CLICK HERE. |
Robert Belfour 
| BJ Allen & Blue Voodoo "Heartless" "From fun to funky to soulful ballads and back again" - Blues Blast Magazine To read the complete review CLICK HERE Available now at:
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Featured Blues Review 3 of 4
For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE. |
Garrett Mason - Love & Sound
Featured Blues Review 4 of 4
For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE. |
Ingrid Gerdes - The Eclectic Collection| | The River City Blues Society presents Wednesday Blues 7:00pm Early Shows featuring April 15 -Too Slim & The Tail Draggers The Dragon's Dome To see Map- CLICK HERE Admission $4
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Live Blues Calendar
| YOU can submit your Blues performances for FREE at: http://www.illinoisblues.com/submitnews.htm
Performance dates were submitted by Musicians, Club Owners, Blues Societies and Blues festivals. TheBluesBlast.com is not responsible for errors or omissions.
or click a state to see Blues shows by State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware D.C. Florida Georgia Performance dates submitted by Musicians, Clubs, Blues Societies and Blues festivals. The BluesBlast.com is not responsible for errors or omissions. |
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