Central Iowa Blues Society Winter Blues Fest

PRESS RELEASE

Subject: Winter Blues Fest

Date: Saturday, January 30, 2010

Place: Downtown Marriott, Des Moines, IA

Starting Time: 7 PM

Presented By: The Central Iowa Blues Society

For Immediate Release

It may be cold outside, but the Downtown Marriott Ballrooms and Rock River Lounge will have temperatures rising Saturday, January 30th when the Central Iowa Blues Society welcomes 9 acts on 5 different stages. This multi-band event will culminate with an After Hours Jam in the Des Moines Ballroom in the Downtown Marriott.

Wristbands for the event are only $12.00 in advance and will give you admission to all of the Ballrooms on the 2^nd and 3^rd floors, as well as Rock River Lounge on the second level. Tickets are available at Blues on Grand or online at www.cibs.org now. Price will be $15 on January 30.

This year’s Winter Blues Fest has a little bit of everything to satisfy the soul; be it, Texas blues/rock, incredible Blues harmonica, fabulous guitar, zydeco (swamp rock), or howlin’-at the-moon blues!

Check out The Midnight Dogs, the 2009 Iowa Blues Societies Solo/Duo Challenge Winner, at Rock River Lounge from 7:00-10 p.m.

The sounds of The Avey Brothers, the 2009 IA Blues Challenge band winner, will fill the air in the Salon D Ballroom starting at 7:30 p.m., followed by Delta Highway, the 2009 nominee for the Blues Music Awards for Best New Debut Artist at 10:30 p.m.

The Salon E Ballroom will fire up with the 2009 Blues Society of Omaha’s Blues Challenge band winner, The Side Effects at 7:45 p.m., followed by the 2009 Kansas City Blues Society’s Blues Challenge winner, Levee Town at 10:45 p.m.

Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat, nominee for Best Blues/Rock Album in the 2010 Blues Music Awards, are sure to get things heated up in the Dubuque Ballroom at 8:00 p.m., followed by the 2009 Greater Twin Cities Blues Music Society’s Blues Challenge band winner, Brandon Scott Sellner Band at 11:00 p.m.

Everett Smithson Band will get things jumping in the Des Moines Ballroom starting at 8:30 p.m.

The After Hours Jam kicks off at midnight in the Des Moines Ballroom with a set from Trouble No More, who will be this year's host band, with the Jam starting at 1 a.m. The Jam, which will last well into the wee hours, has the potential for some interesting combinations of musicians. All musicians are welcome to sign up and join in.

Food will be served starting at 8:00 p.m. and continue during the Jam.

The Downtown Marriott is offering special Blues Fest rates for the night. You can make room reservations by calling 1-800-514-4681 or 515-245-5500. Be sure to mention that you are going to be there for the Blues Fest to receive your special rate.

Sponsors for this event are the Central Iowa Blues Society, Budweiser, 95KGGO/98.3, Cityview and Downtown Marriott.

For more information on the Winter BluesFest, you can call (515) 225-6638, (515) 830-4213. Listen to KGGO (94.9) and 98.3 WOW for wristband giveaways. Do not miss this sure-fire cure for cabin fever!

Serena James

Marketing Coordinator

Central Iowa Blues Society

Bob Dorr's Big New Years Eve Blast!!!!!

well, not the LAST last Blue Note, the last Blue Note of 2009, the last Blue Note as an employee of the University of Northern Iowa, the last Blue Note as a bachelor and probably the last Blue Note that I'll be making a comment about the sign outside of Vickie's Place (Victoria's Secret). OK, I'm not givin' up Vickie's Place, but all the rest of those "lasts" are true! This one could really start to ramble, so let's get to the good stuff first...

Ticket sales for the BIG New Year's Eve/Wedding party have really started to pick up (we're over the 225 mark now) and as of Monday, there were only 7 rooms left in the Hilton and 40 rooms still available in the Extended Stay hotel across the parking lot. We've still got a chance at a sell out (400) which would be just about the best wedding present we could get. A spectacular party, with music from all over the state, great food buffet open for hours, champagne toast at midnight, followed by a marriage ceremony in front of 400 of our best friends, The Blue Band playing our first dance, and (the best of all) wedding CAKE after the ceremony! This is gonna be the party of a lifetime! And get this, there will be TWO Mr. & Mrs. Bob Dorr there! My friend from Colorado Springs, Bob Dorr, (we met when he did a Google search of "Bob Dorr" and saw an entry for "Bob Dorr & The Blue Band" playing in Denver and Keystone on our annual trip to the high country, so he drove to the club and walked up to me and said, "Hi, I'm Bob Dorr!") Anyway, Bob Dorr and his wife Carol (not to be confused with my soon to be wife Carolyn!) (this is starting to get weird, isn't it?) are making the trip all the way from Colorado Springs so that Bob Dorr can witness Bob Dorr getting married! But wait, this gets weirder. It's a Blue Moon (2nd full moon in a month) and we're getting married at 10 minutes and 10 seconds after midnight on the first day of 2010, which in Greenwich Time, is 00:10:10, 01/01/10. You've gotta be there for that numerology synchronicity! The only ticket outlet is the Hilton Garden Hotel, come on out tonight (Wednesday, 12/30, the Eve of New Year's Eve) and catch our annual pre-party with 2 Bobs and (this year) A Bunky. That's a free show, 9-midnight in the ballroom that will host the Blue Year party. Our funny friend Pink Stuff says she's got some "roast" material to try out before she does her comedy on NYE, so stop out, get a couple tickets to the Blue Year show, have a few laughs and catch some cool tunes. As always, the drummer is playing for tips! More info on this two day extravaganza, a complete schedule of the 3 stages, and a link to hotel info: www.theblueband.com/newyear.htm

I have figured out a way to DJ my own wedding reception! Well, kind of. This week's Backtracks show on Iowa Public Radio (my first as an "independent radio producer") is a collection of Love, Romance, Marriage, and Wedding songs. It took me a long time to come up with enough songs to cover the whole 3 hours, but it turned out great (not near as wimpy as I had feared) (except for Dinah Shore and that insidious melody "Love & Marriage, Love & Marriage, Go together like a horse and carriage") (hey, it's more campy than wimpy) It airs this Saturday (1/2), 7-10pm, find the frequency in your area or listen anywhere on the planet at www.iowapublicradio.org

In my last two days before my "retirement" from UNI, here's a quick public acknowledgment of how wonderful the University of Northern Iowa has been to me and how it has had a major hand in any successes that I have experienced in the last 40 years of my life. As a student, starting in 1970, I got a great education for a very reasonable price. As a sophomore, UNI allowed me to be part of the management team at the student radio station (KYTC) As a junior, UNI hired me to be an announcer on their public radio station (KHKE/KUNI). Before I graduated, I was working full-time at that radio station, becoming the Music Director after I graduated. For some reason, I thought I needed to play in a road band, so I left the University, only to come back begging for a job after starving as a road musician for 19 months. UNI took me back. And for the last 30 years has allowed me the freedom of artistic expression on their radio station that very few human beings EVER get to experience. And now UNI is giving me the opportunity to be worry free of health care coverage for the next 5 years! (no matter where you stand on Health Care changes, you have to admit that Health Care is the indentured servitude of the 21st century) I cannot thank UNI enough for the lifetime of opportunities I have gotten from that institution. It's scary leaving the security of knowing that I work for such a fabulous place. Thank you UNI students, faculty, staff, and management for such an exhilarating and encouraging ride...

After 57 very independent years (let's face it, my entire LIFE has been one very long bachelor party!) it's also a little scary getting married. Probably more scary for my bride! I am fortunate to be starting this new phase of my life with someone who has loved me thru the thick and thin of 22 years of "courtship" and STILL wants to marry me! As I become more and more like the Ozzie Osbourne of local blues players, I'm lucky to have someone like Carolyn voluntarily help look after me! If the marriage lasts as long as the courtship, I'm sure it will be "til death do us part"!...

Which finally brings me to Vickie's Place. The weather has been so challenging the last few weeks that the nightly walk has been four fast paced laps around College Square Mall. That's four times past Victoria's Secret. This week it's "buy one bra, get one half off" (well, it says 50% off , but that's half, isn't it?) So I was wondering if a half off bra is two breasts almost uncovered or one breast totally uncovered and the other in the bra cup? My bride kind of harrumphed when I posed that question, but rumor has it that her wedding gown reveals some cleavage and I've got know this stuff! Which brings me to an age old Blue Band rule: FOLLOW THE CLEAVAGE!!...

Next week, (1/8) our honeymoon will consist of a tour of greater downtown Sparkle City USA when the Blue Band does our monthly Friday night "geezer gig", 6-9p at The Hub (4th and Main, Cedar Falls) and a Saturday night (1/9) dinner in the original Capitol City of Iowa, Iowa City, when The Blue Band plays The Mill. Hopefully we can make this into a triumphant celebration of the Hawkeyes winning the Orange Bowl 4 days prior to our show!...

It's 4:45 in the morning the day before I'm supposed to produce a 7 act, 3 stage, New Year's Eve extravaganza, retire from a job I've been doing 30+ years and get married. What, me worry? All I've got to do now is FOLLOW THE CLEAVAGE! (one cup or two?) See yas on the New Blue Highway, rub yer washboard to the tune of I Knew The Bride When She Used To Rock 'n' Roll, get a ticket to the big show before they sell out, as we'd love to have you witness our wedding (will the REAL Bob Dorr please stand up?!) and always remember we love you. Happy BLUE Year! Bob Dorr & The Blue Band

Sonny Terry And Brownie McGee: I'm A Burnt Child

Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee on Live TV in the early 70s

Howling Wolf: Smokestack Lighting

The amazing Wolf, with Willie Dixon and Hubert Sumlin.

Sonny Boy Williamson: Nine Below Zero

Sonny Boy Williamson with Otis Spann on piano and introduced by Memphis Slim!

Soul Searchers Update

the soul searchers
click here for our website
click here for our myspace page
click here to buy the CD

wednesday, december 30, 8pm
greenwood lounge

3707 ingersoll ave, des moines

thursday, december 31, 9pm
tally's (formerly the B&B)

2712 beaver ave, des moines

. . . . and, if you're interested, soul searchers bassist erich gaukel will be doing a reunion performance with his college band, the steam boars, tonight (tues., dec ,29) at the vaudeville mews. click here for more info.

"the soul searchers lay down authentic west coast blues from their des moines, iowa surroundings" -BLUES REVUE magazine "the soul searchers are a veteran group of players who roll along slickly and confidently" -BLUESWAX "this band puts down energetic jump-blues with a vintage vibe that harks back to early fabulous thunderbirds" -OMAHA READER

Smokin Aces Update

Happy New Year! We're doing a live recording at The New World in Saugeties N.Y. We would like your help for crowd noise! CYA there Sonny

Big Gigs From Bluz Newz Entertainment

Happy Holidays from

Bluz Newz Entertainment

Thursday, December 31st, 2009
L. J. Echols - 8:00 pm
Turning Point Blues Lounge, 28th Street, Gulfport, Mississippi. New Years Eve Throw Down

Thursday, December 31st, 2009
"New Year Eve Bash Starring MiLaJa Records Recording Artist - 8:00 pm
Falisa Janaye'
"New Year Eve Bash Starring MiLaJa Records Recording Artist Falisa JaNaye'" on Thursday, December 31 at 8:00pm. The Bone Shaker Club, 614 Ladino St., W. Helena, AR

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

Event: New Year's Eve Bash with Zakiya Hooker
"Party, New Year's, Blues"
What: Holiday Party
Start Time: Thursday, December 31 at 9:00pm
End Time: Friday, January 1 at 12:30am
Where: Kingfish, 201 South B Street, San Mateo, California. 650-343-1226.

Zakiya says, "We hope you can come celebrate with us at Kingfish to ring in the New Year! Start it off right by supporting live music. Be sure and call for your
reservations now. Wishing you and yours Happy Holidays!".

Thursday, December 31st, 2009
Mel Waiters

Price: General Admission $28.50

Showtime: Dec 31, 2009 9:30 PM

The Monarch Event Center

Austin,TX

Thursday, December 31st, 2009
Sweet Angel - Doors Open at 9:00 pm
Vicksburg City Auditorium
901 Monroe Street
Vicksburg, MS 39180
Sweet Angel will be performing on New Year's Eve at the Vicksburg City Auditorium.

Bring in the New Year right!

Featured Artist: "The Platinum-Haired Singer and Saxophonist" Sweet Angel www.sweetangel.org

Many have wanted to see the ‘platinum-haired’ recording artist, saxophonist and downright sensational entertainer Sweet Angel in action. Just released and posted on www.youtube.com, Sweet Angel performing ‘Purple Rain’ at a concert in September of 2009 in Memphis, TN where her she packed the house single-handedly.

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=batpeuaoT4c

Smokin Aces Update

Hope every one is having a great holiday season! Hope to see you all at upcoming shows! Sonny

Si Cranstoun: Christmas Song Jack Frost

Some bouncy Ska for ya, from Si Cranstoun

Judy Garland: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

I thought some Christmas songs would be appropriate for tonight. Merry Christmas, and hope for better times next year. BTW, if you had a great year this year, lets hope for some more:-) God Bless, and be safe.

Blues Historian

Frank Sinatra And Dean Martin: Marshmellow World

Nate King Cole: Christmas Song

Bob Dorr And The Blue Band Update

Well the weather outside is frightful...it almost makes me thankful we didn't have a gig to try and get to these last two weeks. Almost...

Tonight, Christmas Eve, I'll be hosting my 35th (out of the last 37) LIVE Rockin' Christmas Eve show on Iowa Public Radio. All styles of music, from all eras, all Holiday songs, many picked out by listeners, some of whom check in from various parts of the US for this annual get together of many generations of rockin' Xmas song fans. If you have a favorite Xmas song or just want to say Hello, Happy Holidays, the toll free number (good in the lower 48) is 800-772-2440, ext. 5. I'll be the only one there and will answer all calls personally, so if you get thru, let it ring, I'll get to your call asap. You can also just respond to this note with an advance request. This is one of my favorite shows of the year and this year could be the last one. Get the frequency in your area or listen on line at www.iowapublicradio.org The show runs 7-10pm, as always, we'll keep an eye out for the fat man (Elvis, not Santa)...

I'm thrilled with the fact that I now have a signed, sealed, and delivered contract with Iowa Public Radio to continue producing and hosting the Backtracks and Blue Avenue shows after my retirement from UNI (one week from tonight) (YIKES!!) There is a (santa) clause in the contract that would allow me to do other "special" programs like Christmas Eve, so I'm hoping that I can continue that tradition. Otherwise, it's been an absolutely fantastic ride spending the holidays with my radio family and I hope you can join me one more time, TONIGHT!...

Speaking of special radio shows, I'm hoping to put together a collection of wedding/love/marriage songs for the Jan. 2 Backtracks show. Some people have been posting suggestions on the Blue Band Post-a-Note page and on my Facebook page. If you can think of any rockin' wedding songs, please let me know. The show runs 3 hours long, I've currently got about an hour and a half of material. Keep in mind that Backtracks deals exclusively in songs that are at least 25 years old...

I'm not sure what I was thinking when I thought I could manage a seven act, 3 stage, New Year's Eve extravaganza, in a hotel that we've never tried this before, plus be the band leader of the eight piece headline band, (which will again this year have all the other acts sit in for a song or two through the night) plus retire from a job that I've done for over 30 years, and GET MARRIED!! ALL ON THE SAME NIGHT!! What was I thinking?? Fortunately, I have great help from my band mates (you're gonna love Heath's vocal on Carolyn's request for At Last and Jeff's version of I Knew The Bride When She Used To Rock'n'Roll) and the hotel staff has been FANTASTIC in arranging for all the details, and the bride has really taken care of all the planning, ordering and marriage details. So what's to worry? In the words of that great philosopher, Alfred E. Newman, What ME worry? I'm really looking forward to the event and am just a little surprised that ticket and room packages aren't selling as well as I had expected. (if it wasn't enough that the Hawkeyes will be taking 10,000 people out of the state, The Cyclones will be taking thousands with them when they play the Goophers in Arizona) (OK, with about an inch of slick ice covering the Sparkle City streets, Florida and Arizona DOES sound appealing) The $50 NYE ticket (reduced from $55 last year) includes access to all 7 acts, buffet food for about 4 hours, champagne toast at midnight and wedding CAKE after the ceremony. Rooms packages are also available. The Hilton Garden is the only ticket outlet, get yours or reserve a room at Hilton Garden Inn Des Moines/Urbandale, 8600 Northpark Dr. Johnston, IA or 515-270-8890. I'm hoping to have the complete schedule of events posted on the NYE page (www.theblueband.com/newyear.htm) by the middle of the weekend. And, we're going to continue the tradition of the PRE-Party with 2 Bobs & A ? on Dec. 30th. Access to that gathering of band friends is FREE!! and this year will be held in the main ballroom. 2 Bobs (Rob Lumbard and myself) will be joined by Bunky Marlow on saxophones, in a very relaxed atmosphere, doing a couple sets between 9-midnight. Go ahead, check in a night early and join us...

I am told that a change in job/career, or marital status, or living situations can drive people nuts. I can see why! And so can I...See yas on the Happy Blue (year) Highway, practice playing your zydeco tie to I Knew The Bride When She Used To Rock'n'Roll, keep spreadin' the word about that house I have for sale in Cedar Falls (TWO places to shovel out!!) and come help us eat wedding CAKE. I hope your holidays are happy and healthy and that Santa brings you what you deserve. We love you. Bob Dorr & The Blue Band

Mac Walton (MacDaddy) RIP

I can't remember if I found MacDaddy, or he found me. I just remember the first time I saw his website, and we had the same blogger template, that we must be kindred spirits. MacDaddy loved the blues and jazz, and without a doubt he wrote some of the most powerful essays on the music. Far better than anything I could do. He would send me links to some of his best stories and I would post them to my blog.

I guess I like most of his readers was shocked to learn that he had been so sick. I certainly didn't think that the last email I would get from him would come on December 7th. It was one of his last posts.

FYI: Thought you might like this.

NINA SIMONE: "I LOVE YOU, PORGY"

Listen up: A friend emailed a brotha saying Luther Vanddross's song to his father was his favorite and asked "Who is your favorite?" I told him mine was Nina Simone's rendition of " I love you, Porgy."

Here are the words to the song:

I loves you, Porgy,
Don' let him take me,
Don' let him handle me an' drive me mad.
If you kin keep me,
I wants to stay here wid you forever,
An' I'd be glad.

I loves you, Porgy,
Don' let him take me
Don' let him handle me
With his hot han'
If you kin keep me
I wants to stay here wid you forever.
I got my man.

What's your favorite song?

Mac Walton
blog address: http://daddybstrong.blogspot.com/
e-mail: culturaldynamics@msn.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home

I wish I had posted it then.


I will miss Mac, it is sad to see another blues traveler leave, but since you are up there make sure to say hi to my old friend Jimmy.

God bless you.


Tom

Soul Searchers Update

the soul searchers
click here for our website
click here for our myspace page
click here to buy the CD

wednesday, december 23, 8pm
AND
saturday, december 26, 9pm

greenwood lounge

3707 ingersoll ave, des moines

"the soul searchers lay down authentic west coast blues from their des moines, iowa surroundings" -BLUES REVUE magazine "the soul searchers are a veteran group of players who roll along slickly and confidently" -BLUESWAX "this band puts down energet

Smokin Aces Update

Blues Historian Review: Arthur Adams: Stomp The Floor

Arthur Adams, Stomp The Floor, is a great CD of classic southern soul blues. This release from Delta Grove was sent to me a few weeks ago for review. Adams has all the soul of those classic Malco artists from the 80s who kept the blues alive. It's that awesome blend of soul and blues that is very popular in the south, and should be all over the nation. Adams also can play some great jazz guitar as well. Around The Sun, is one of those smooth jazz cuts that you wouldn't necessarily hear on a blues CD. Perhaps my favorite cut is You Can't Win For Loosing. A great classic song of living the blues. I am going through some health issues right now. I was driving some 45 miles to a specialist, and trust me when you are driving a long ways to the doctor time seems to slow down. Arthur Adams You Can't Win For Loosing, helped me a great deal, and as I am dealing with this stuff, I keep letting the song help me through the day. As Arthur Adams says, You Can't Win For Loosing, but you gotta keep trying! Those are words to live by.

This is the best CD that I have heard this year. So put this on your Christmas list, or give it as a gift!

Scottie Miller Update

From Scottie Miller

Purchase securely here:

Our new CD: SCOTTIE MILLER BAND - "LIVE" is NOW AVAILABLE at the newly updated: www.scottiemiller.com The CD features 10 new original songs. All recorded live at Famous Daves by John Heinen of A-440 Studios. Featuring all the Re-Uptake Inhibitors; Mark O'Day, John Iden, "Zoot"Simonds, Scotty Sansby and Joe Cruz. You can purchase all my CD's safely via PayPal at the new website! (2) SOLO PERFORMANCES THIS WEEKEND in Osceola, WI! My debut performance at: "Tippy Canoes Pub and Grub" - Osceola, WI - www.tippycanoes.com Friday and Saturday night, December 18-19 - 7:00PM - 11:00PM Great place in the valley! Dinner specials, and 'whole-lotta love". Hope you all have a safe, healthy and wonderful holiday season! Scottie

Purchase securely here:

Delmark Records Update

Some great news from Chicago's legendary Delmark Records

Delmark Doings and 2009 Blues Award Nominees for Delmark Artists

Hello and Happy Holidays to all of our friends from Chicago's Delmark Records

- "Santa's Messin' With The Kid"- Eddie C. Campbell

Santa come' once a year, we all know
Didn't use my chimney, had a key to my do'
Oh, Lord, look what Santa did
(He's messin' with me)
Call it Merry Christmas?
I say Santa's messin' with The Kid


We're excited to announce several Delmark artists were nominated for the 2009 National Blues Music Awards (formerly the Handys) in Memphis

A big Congrats goes out to the following Delmark blues artists:

31st National Blues Music Award Nominees

Album of the Year - Eddie C. Campbell, Tear This World Up (Delmark 799)

“THE KING OF THE WEST SIDE FUNK BLUES” returns with his highly anticipated comeback CD, Tear this World Up!
Eddie C. Campbell (born Duncan, MS 1939) is one of the most distinctive, original bluesman you’ll ever come across. He is one of the last of the originators of the West Side sound of Chicago blues still performing in their prime. Eddie C. is the absolute master at deep funk blues grooves, mesmerizing audiences with his devastatingly wild, vibrato guitar on his reverb-drenched metallic purple Fender Jazzmaster and his powerful, resonating, rich, & wide ranging vocals, along with a unique, personal, & witty songwriting style.
We’re more than excited to present the Delmark debut of this unforgettable Chicago Blues/funk legend, his first new recording in over a decade! Special mention must go out to our friend, blues historian/producer Dick Shurman (Dick co-produced Eddie’s classic first LP “King of the Jungle” from ’77 and many other modern blues classics, i.e, Albert Collins, Johnny Winter, Roy Buchanan.)
Some standout originals are the opening cut ”Makin’ Popcorn,” a relentless deep Mississippi boogie groove, while “Big World” is a hilarious original about sleepiness overcoming lust. “Voodoo’ is a spooky hypnotic groove with multiple guitar parts, and another killer funk blues is “Care”- check out his wild vocals. Eddie’s “All Nite” is a remake of one of his earliest 45’s on Hawaii Records in the late 60’s.

Magic Sam meets James Brown meets Johnny Guitar Watson on Chicago’s West Side! myspace.com/eddieccampbell


DVD of the Year - Delmark Records, It Ain't Over! Delmark Celebrates 55 Years of Blues, Live at Buddy Guy's Legends (Delmark DVD 1800/CD 800)

This DVD and CD features Zora Young (vocals), Jimmy Johnson (voc, gtr), Aaron Moore (voc, piano), the late Little Arthur Duncan (voc, harp), Lurrie Bell (voc, gtr), Shirley Johnson (voc), Eddie Shaw (voc, sax), Tail Dragger (voc), Dave Specter (gtr), Bob Stroger (bass), Harlan Terson (bass), Kenny Smith (drums), Marty Binder (drums), Roosevelt Purifoy (keys), Brother John Kattke (keys), Nick Moss (gtr), Rick Kreher (gtr), Scott Cable (gtr), Kevin Shanahan (gtr), Billy Branch (harp), & Big D (harp)

Bass player of the Year- Bob Stroger (on It Ain't Over!)

Drummer of the Year - Kenny Smith (on It Ain't Over!)

Guitarist of the Year - Lurrie Bell (on It Ain't Over!)

Harmonica player of the Year - Billy Branch (on It Ain't Over!)

Horn Player of the Year - (sax) Eddie Shaw (on It Ain't Over!)

Traditional Blues Female Artists of the Year - Shirley Johnson (Blues Attack, Delmark 798 and It Ain't Over!) and Zora Young (The French Connection, Delmark 802 and It Ain't Over!)


A big congrats and welcome home from their wildly successful European tours go out to the one and only Eddie C. Campbell and the charismatic Zora Young.

Zora Young's version of Sunnyland Slim's "Goin' Back To Memphis" on her fantastic new CD, The French Connection, now has extra special significance!





DELMARK DOINGS December 2009



Some very impressive music photography/art/history books have come out recently, and we’re excited that Delmark and Bob Koester are prominently featured in many of these beautiful artworks. These are all absolutely essential for your music and book collections- great Holiday presents!

1) DEVIL AT THE CONFLUENCE- The Pre-War Blues Music of St. Louis by St. Louis artist and music historian Kevin Belford is a fascinating illustrated history of St. Louis blues and jazz (mostly pre-war), and included is a companion CD that features all Delmark recordings of St. Louis blues legends, including Big Joe Williams, Roosevelt Sykes, and Robert Nighthawk! If you didn’t know, Delmark originated in St. Louis by Bob Koester in 1953 (named after St Louis’ Delmar Blvd) and moved to its permanent home in Chicago in ’58. Kevin Belford has contributed gorgeous cover art to many recent Delmark releases, including our 50th Anniversary Box Set, Cowboy Roy Brown, and Barrelhouse Buck. Check out Kevin’s blog, http://devilattheconfluence.blogspot.com/

2) CHICAGO FOLK- Images of the Sixties Music Scene by the late famed photographer Raeburn Flerlage is the gorgeous companion Chicago Folk photography book to Raeburn’s essential CHICAGO BLUES from ’00. Included are photos of Delmark artists Luther Allison, Billy Boy Arnold, Sleepy John Estes, Art Hodes, Hammie Nixon, Big Joe Williams, Sunnyland Slim, Speckled Red, and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott. Bet you didn’t know that there was a Ramblin’ Jack Elliot Delmark LP- Talkin’ Woody Guthrie??!! You must also see the priceless image of Koester playing piano while the late guitar hero Mike Bloomfield amusedly looks over his shoulder during the Sleepy John Estes’ Delmark recording session in ’63 for Broke and Hungry. Koester’s version of “The Dirty Dozens”, perhaps?!

3) FREEDOM RHYTHM & SOUND – Revolutionary Jazz Original Cover Art 1965-83 compiled by famed DJ and BBC radio journalist Gilles Peterson and Soul Jazz Records’ Stuart Baker from the UK. ‘When jazz album covers were as fiery as the music inside!” describes this incredibly beautiful collection of rare album art. Lo and behold, the first album featured in the entire book is Delmark’s Together Alone by Joseph Jarman and Anthony Braxton from ’73! Chicago’s AACM related albums are a big focus here, and other essential Delmark albums included are (Kalaparusha) Maurice McIntyre’s Humility in the Light of Creator from ’69 and (Muhal) Richard Abrams’ Levels and Degrees of Light from ’68 and Muhal’s Young at Heart/Wise in Time from ’74. Spiritual Black Power Jazz at its best!

4) LIGHT: ON THE SOUTH SIDE – This is a stunning and entertaining inside glimpse of 70’s Chicago South Side funky blues taverns and their fans and musicians from our friends and neighbors at Chicago’s NUMERO Group record label. The book collects over 100 images by Michael Abramson and the highlight is a killer companion 2 LP set of rare 45’s of both obscure and well known Chicago blues and soul artists during the real deal “vintage” ghetto funk blues prime period of the mid 70’s. Delmark artists Syl Johnson and Detroit Junior are featured, along with Bobby Rush, Little Mack Simmons and a recording from Jimmy Dawkins’ LERIC Records. (Look for a future Delmark release of Dawkins’ LERIC records compilation!!) Also included is a great track from former Chicago soul blues man James Kinds. “The Kind Man”, who has been based in Dubuque, Iowa for decades, recently recorded at Delmark’s Riverside Studio and still has his amazing, high-pitched vocals in prime form. I also have to mention Arlean Brown’s cult classic “I’m A Streaker Baby!” Did you ever hear about the time Koester and Earwig’s Michael Frank streaked through the blues club Elsewhere back when that fad was hot??!! Man, I wish today’s blues bands could play like funk the way it was meant to be played, down and dirty - “Take your time, son!’

Delmark’s Riverside Studio Activity - 2010 Delmark blues releases!

Besides the just mentioned James Kinds session (with members of Chicago Rhythm and Blues Kings) at Riverside,

Chicago’s Delmark Records is excited and proud to present the Delmark debut recording of one Chicago’s long time favorite blues bands, Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames! This is a killer veteran all-star, real deal Chicago blues band at its house rockin’ best, led by the Hound Dog Taylor and J. B. Hutto influenced guitarist/vocalist Dave Weld. Weld’s band is one of the hardest working, longest running and most talented and cohesive Chicago blues bands around. The Imperial Flames feature the one and only Abb Locke on saxophone, the soul and blues legend, Bernard Reed on bass, and the vastly underrated Jeff Taylor on drums and vocals. These guys have recorded and played with so many heavies, including Magic Sam, Otis Rush, Howlin’ Wolf, Elmore James, Earl Hooker, The Rolling Stones, and many, many more. There will also be a very special guest second guitarist on the soon to be released Delmark CD. This long time good friend and former band mate of Dave Weld’s name is Ed, smiles endlessly, and is Lil’!

One of our favorite Chicago blues bands, Mississippi Heat, also just finished recording at Delmark’s Riverside for another anticipated future Delmark CD. More fantastic original songs from leader/harp man Pierre LaCocque and vocalists Inetta Visor and Rhonda Preston, along with special guests legends Carl Weathersby and John Primer on guitar and vocals!

Also be on the lookout for a compilation of west side guitar legend Jimmy Dawkins' LERIC record label 45 recordings from the '80's with Queen Sylvia, Tail Dragger, Little Johnny Christian, Nora Jean, Sister Margo!!

I believe an unreleased rare studio session from the late blues legend, Arthur Big Boy Crudup will see the light of day in 2010!

JAZZ NEWS

Jazz cornetist supreme Josh Berman and his recording debut as a leader, OLD IDEA (on LP and CD) continues to earn well-deserved rave reviews. PLAYBOY magazine just listed Josh’s debut as the top 5 of the year – yeah, I read the articles! Both DOWNBEAT and the UK’s JAZZWISE just reviewed the LP and gave it 4 stars. More vinyl from Delmark, please!
Berman along with his cohorts in the Fast Citizens, young reedists Keefe Jackson and Aram Shelton will celebrate their new Delmark release, Two Cities (referring to the Bay Area where Shelton lives and his musical collaborating home of Chicago) on Sunday, December 20th at one of Chicago’s coolest bars, The Hungry Brain. Peter Margasak wrote recently about Shelton in DOWNBEAT, “Bay Area’s Chicago Ambassador.”
The greatest jazz flutist in the world, Nicole Mitchell, is as busy as ever, as she just finished a well-received European tour with her Indigo Trio in France, Italy, and Poland, Did you see the feature article on Nicole in JAZZIZ from Neil Tesser? Did you also see Michael Jackson’s feature article in DOWNBEAT on 80 year young saxophone legend Fred Anderson? “Inspirational Motivation.” The Velvet Lounge owner continues to amaze us with his youthful energy and inspiring playing and his Velvet booking the best in creative jazz the city has to offer. Thank you, Mr. Anderson, and congrats on your new Delmark DVD and CD with saxophonist, Kidd Jordan, 21st Century Chase. Look for a special New Year’s Eve show with Fred Anderson and Nicole Mitchell at the Velvet Lounge (naturally!)
Our favorite jazz organ trio, The Deep Blue Organ Trio is currently on tour opening for FM radio rock favorites, Steely Dan! Was that Fagan and Becker shopping at JRM?

BLUES NEWS
Zora Young and Eddie C. Campbell are both touring in France in support of their superb new Delmark recordings. Zora has many musical friends and collaborators in her 2nd home of France as displayed by her outstanding new Delmark recording, The French Connection, with French bluesman Bobby Dirninger and friends. Eddie C’s highly successful return to the studio, Tear This World Up, should be on every one’s best release of the year list. He stayed on top of Bill Wax’s national XM Bluesville radio charts for weeks!

The one and only Tail Dragger delighted his South American fans in Argentina on a recent tour; they have never seen anything like this real deal Chicago blues entertainer. A much-anticipated Dragger follow up Delmark DVD and CD has just been released. Live at Rooster’s Palace features the return to recording of underground guitar hero Rockin’ Johnny and his long time harmonica player with the best tone around, Martin Lang. Our friend with the unmistakable guitar sound, Jimmy Dawkins, guests on a cut, and I highly recommend you listen to the commentary tracks on the DVD for hilarious life stories from Dragger and his band and blues buddies. Rockin’ Johnny and Tail Dragger just tore it up in Madison, Wisconsin at the Frequency during their weekly Chicago Blues series. Dragger and Johnny also thankfully continue to play in some of the last of the west side ghetto clubs. A recent Birthday Party blues gig at Carolyn’s for veteran blues vocalist Mary Lane included the Rockin’ Johnny Band with many special guests, including Mud Morganfield, Milton Houston, and Tre’ (L.V. Banks’ son!)
Quintus McCormick’s Delmark debut, Hey Jodie!, is starting to making waves in the blues community. He is nominated for Blues Entertainer of the year and best blues album of the year in the 29th Annual Chicago Music Awards. Delmark Records is greatly honored for being nominated for record label of the year! Speaking of awards, Bob Koester won the 2008 Historical/Reissue Producer of the year in the August ’09 issue of LIVING BLUES.
The always tasteful blues/jazz guitarist, Dave Specter, is presenting a new series at his club in Evanston, S.P.A.C.E.- “Dave Specter’s Adventures in Guitar.” You have to check out the great review from Mark Baier in Linda Cain’s Chicago Blues Guide (http://www.chicagobluesguide.com/) of Specter’s first show with special guest, blues guitarist extraordinaire, Billy Flynn (who is on many Delmark classics.) Coming next in January is Specter with Delmark jazz recording artist and Tortoise guitarist, Jeff Parker!


Have a safe and healthy holiday season, and go out and support live music!



- Kevin Johnson, Delmark promotions


Diggin’ Deeper – Real Deal Chicago Blues you need to experience!

THE RETURN OF ROCKIN' JOHNNY!!! He’s back to re-claim his title as the “Modern King of the West Side Chicago Blues Guitar!”
Rockin' Johnny is featured on Delmark's new CD and DVD from the one and only Tail Dragger- Live at Rooster's Palace (DVD 1803/ CD 803)


We’re excited to report that one of our all-time favorite Chicago blues guitarists, Rockin’ Johnny Burgin is back on the scene after a very long and somewhat mysterious disappearance, and sounding better than ever. Johnny abruptly left the blues world to start a family, completely cutting off his ties to his blues family. It’s hard to believe that after seeing him play so well during this year’s triumphant comeback gigs that he hadn’t touched a guitar in almost a decade! It hasn’t been an easy road, but he’s thankfully now back pouring out his true to life blues for his eager fans who have been waiting, wondering, and missing this one of a kind talent.

Back in the ‘90’s, a young blues band then called Rockin’ Johnny and the La-Z-Boys created quite a stir on the Chicago Blues scene. Johnny Burgin (born in ’69, raised in Mississippi and S. Carolina,) along with his University of Chicago buddy Martin Lang on gigantic-toned harp, Sho Komiya from Japan on standup and electric bass, first Kelly Littleton (when Lil’ Ed was on hiatus) and then Kenny Smith (Willie Big Eyes’ son) on drums, and Rick Kreher (Muddy Waters’ last guitarist) on rhythm guitar developed a rabid and devoted following that centered around their weekly special guest filled Blue Monday gigs at the Smoke Daddy BBQ in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. This was not your typical North Side Chicago blues band plowing through rocked up blues for the tourists – what a refreshing and much needed addition to the scene to have a young band playing traditional ‘50’s/’60’s styled Chicago blues the way it is meant to be played – with soul, sensitivity, strength, originality & feeling! Oh yeah, and there were actually beautiful young Chicago women dancing to blues!! With the band’s encyclopedic knowledge, impeccable taste, and true feeling of postwar Chicago Blues, they are devastatingly good in a live setting. Burgin's singing is also damn good and really complements both his sensitive and powerful guitar playing. This guy plays killer originals and many classics that he makes his own (both obscure and popular) and can quote from so many guitarist's guitarists, like Luther Tucker, Eddie Taylor, Jimmy Dawkins, Fenton Robinson, Willie James Lyons, Bobby King, Hip Linkchain, Hubert Sumlin, & Magic Sam. He’s an absolute master at early ‘60’s electric blues instrumentals, ala Earl Hooker, Albert Collins, and Jody Williams, and also beautifully plays tasty jazzy, swingin’ blues ala Django Reinhardt, Lonnie Johnson, and Barney Kessel. His vaired sets also include tastes of rockabilly, dirty surf guitar, and vintage funk blues a la Johnny Guitar Watson and Bobby Rush.

Although the band centers around Rockin’ Johnny and his guitar and vocals, one aspect that set this band apart from so many others was how well they all played together as an ensemble, knowing when to play and not to play, and improvising often, never playing the same set list nor the songs the same way. They truly nailed down the power and finesse and swing of post war Chicago bands like The ACES (The much missed Myers brothers, Louis and Dave and drummer Fred Below.) In fact, the late bass legend, Dave Myers, went to go see the band so often that he was made an honorary member, and was always seen smiling and talking about how he loved the way these boys played. Special mention must go out to the best harmonica player you’re never heard of, the tremendously talented Martin Lang, with his monstrous tone and swing, heavily influenced by Little Walter Jacobs. These guys had done their homework and have collaborated with and learned from a who’s who of the elder statesmen of Chicago blues, such as the much missed blues royalty who have since passed away- The Myers bros, Big Smokey Smothers, Little Arthur Duncan, Jimmie Lee Robinson, Johnny Dollar, Jumpin’ Willie Cobbs, Golden “Big” Wheeler, Barkin’ Bill, Eddie Burks, John Brim, Prez Kenneth, Robert Plunkett, Big Mojo Elem, Yank Rachell and living legends such as Tail Dragger, Jimmy Burns, Sam Lay, Eddie C. Campbell, L.V. Banks, Johnny B. Moore, Lurrie Bell, Eddie Shaw, Billy Flynn, Billy Boy Arnold, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Mary Lane, Jimmy Dawkins, Pinetop Perkins, Little Smokey Smothers, Milton Houston, and many more.

Rockin’ Johnny first recorded as a sideman for Delmark in ‘92/’93 with the traditional Ice Cream Men backing up the down home vocalist/harp man Golden “Big” Wheeler (guitarist James Wheeler’s older bro) on Bone Orchard and the influential guitarist/bassist Jimmie Lee Robinson on his classic Lonely Traveller CD. The blues world really took notice when Rockin’ Johnny expertly backed up Jimmy Burns (Leaving Here Walking, ’96), Tail Dragger (American People in ‘99), Little Arthur Duncan (Singin With the Sun in ‘99), and Shirley Johnson (Killer Diller in ’02), all very well received Delmark albums, The band also backed up West Coast harp monster Paul deLay on deLay Does Chicago in ’99 on Evidence, with special guests Jimmy Dawkins and Zora Young. The Rockin’ Johnny Band’s own recordings are the special guest filled Straight Out of Chicago in ’98, Man’s Temptation in ’99, and a live one from ’00, More Real Folk Blues.

Rockin’ Johnny is thankfully now back busy with his own band again playing many well known clubs such as Buddy Guy’s Legends and B.L.U.E.S, and also backing up his long time friends and mentors, such as vocalists Mary Lane and Tail Dragger at some of the last of the funky West Side black neighborhood taverns. One of these taverns, Rooster’s Palace, is featured in a just released Delmark recording from the one and only Howlin’ Wolf protégé’ Tail Dragger. This very exciting DVD and CD, Live at Rooster’s Lounge, features Rockin’ Johnny and Martin Lang, along with special guest, the legendary Jimmy Dawkins on menacing toned guitar,

Check out the new issue (#149) of the outstanding Dutch Blues Magazine, BLOCK (since 1975!), on an excellent detailed feature article on Rockin' Johnny. Great pics even if you can't read Dutch. Thanks, Rien!
http://www.blockmagazine.nl/


Kevin Johnson – “less is more” blues fanatic








Kevin Johnson
Delmark Records, director of promotions
773-539-5001 office
773-539-5004 fax
bluesjazz@delmark.com
bluespromo@delmark.com
jazzpromo@delmark.com

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Blues and Jazz since 1953!!

"If Chuck Berry was the ROCK, and Fats Domino was the ROLL, what the @#$% was Bo Diddley?!"