Blues Historian: John Hammer Blues News

Be sure to visit www.bluemondaymonthly.com to read our entire August issue. Pass this along to friends and tell them they can sign up for this weekly e-bluesblast right on the bottom of the first page of the website. Check out the links and support yer local blues band! Hope to see you at a LIVE show soon! Until then, Take care of each other, and we'll catch up with ya real soon!

John 'blueshammer' Hammer

Blues Fine as Frog Hair on the Radio

My friends; join us on our travels as we take the old blues bus on the open road and regale on the ditch to ditch tour. This week on Hammered By The Blues ( Sunday on KOWZ 10pm on 1170am. Classic episodes rebroadcast on line Tues at 9am and Sat at 11am on www.boundarywatersradio.com) we will share magnificent patented soul blues by good friend Tommy Castro as he shares his heart with ya off his latest 'Hard Believer'. We will then put you in the healin' spot that an angels voice takes ya as we allow Sister Uvee Hayes minister to your mojo with the miracle salve that eminates from her latest work, 'Play Something Pretty'. I know, I know; but there is MORE! We turn the wheel over to the Watermelon Man himself to take us just a little further down the road. 'Escape From The Chicken Coop' is the latest milestone in the journey that IS Watermelon Slim. We've done all the work; you come on in and enjoy the ride!

With Tommy Castro he preaches cool Blue Soul;

He will heal those wounds, and that'd be our goal;

We add some Ms. Hayes just to make it alright;

Then Watermelon takes wheel to bring all home at night!

Hammer-time!

Blues Shuffle
This Blues shuffle article teaches how to play a blues shuffle. If you are a blues guitar player, you better know how to play a blues shuffle or else! The funky blues shuffle and the slow blues are the two main rhythms of blues music. Good luck and funky blues!

Origin of the Blues Shuffle
The blues shuffle has roots in shuffle beat rhythms of North Africa, Middle East and East Africa. What's the secret to playing a good a blues shuffle? Break every rule in classical music - or as Chuck Berry said - "Roll Over Beethoven and tell Tschaikowsky the news!"

Below are things to keep in mind when playing blues shuffles.. as I said, the beat stays the same, but the chords may be anything from trhee chords blues to jazz changes.

Have you ever listened to African music? Well, you might find it interesting... Today's blues shuffle has roots in the shuffle beat rhythms of North Africa, the Middle East and East Africa. If have not listened to Affrican music - just do it! My teacher Arnie Lawrence said, "The blues is the heart of all contemporary music in the world".. and I believe him.

Blues Shuffle Tips
Approach - be aggresive not passive A blues shuffle is sexy

- the opposite of classical music Blues starts on "and of" beat

- classical music on the beat Blues is a trumpet

- classical music a flute Blues is stacato classical music legato Blues is pentatonic

- 5 notes - classical music 8 notes Blues is intuitive

- classical music formal

-Blues casual music - classical music formal

By Johnny Mayer.

YOUR 7 DAY BLUES FORECAST