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The Iowa Blues Showcase is on the AIR

Download the latest podcast on ITUNES

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Lucky Peterson: Little Red Rooster

This is how its done! Lucky Peterson way back in 1990!

Lucky Peterson: Who's Been Talking

Lucky Peterson is one of the most underated blues players around today. This is a video from 1993, and trust me he is even better today then he was then.

R L Burnside: Old Black Mattie

R L tells a cool tale about playing the blues.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Sweet Angel Update

Friday, April 3rd, 2009
Sweet Angel LIVE!
COUPLE'S

4511 Byrd Drive
Jackson, MS 39209
USA
601-923-9977


Hosted by DJ Outlaw
SWEET ANGEL AT COUPLE'S, JACKSON, MS

Saturday, April 11th, 2009
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL - 9:30pm
BLUE'S NIGHT CLUB

1405 AIRWAYS BLVD
MEMPHIS, TN 38114
USA
901-246-7545

Price: $15.00 advance ~ $20.00 at door

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
WITH
ECKO RECORDS' RECORDING ARTIST
SWEET ANGEL
Photobucket

Michelle Miller

Carl Marshall said "Good Loving Will Make You Cry", then Bigg Robb agreed and did a remix....but we needed to hear it from a woman's point-of-view....

mm





mmMichelle Miller "Good Loving Made Me Cry"
The New CD produced by Carl Marshall
for Unleashed Records.
If you're looking for smooth R&B, you've definitely come to the right place. The title track, "Good Loving Made Me Cry," is an answer to the HOT single by New Orleans' own Carl Marshall's hit, "Good Loving Will Make You Cry." Released January 2009, 10 tracks, including:

01- Good Loving Made Me Cry
02- I'm Looking for the Party
03- I Trusted You
04- The Bills Don't Stop
05- I'd Rather Be Alone with Nobody
06- I Got My Love Sleeping Next to Me
07- I'd Rather Not Say I Hurt
08- Get Your Groove On
09- I Can Satisfy
10- I'm Looking for the Party (club mix)





cmAlso available....Carl Marshall "Look Good For You"


The Voice

The BJFMS UPDATE is back.
Just about every week (or so) you'll be getting a little something in your inbox from the BJFM VOICE which will include everything WE know about what's going on with LIVE MUSIC here and around here. That is, unless we hear from you that you want us to STOP, in which case we will take your name and email OFF the list - just reply with "STOP." Otherwise, just be patient and give us a little while to get this thing up and running. On the other hand, if you know anyone who would appreciate getting this information, just email me and we'll ADD their name and email address to the list. I really want to be just the EDITOR of all the stuff YOU, the MUSIC PEOPLE (and you KNOW who you are) send me to include here. I'm L@@KING for NEWS of WHO'S PLAYING WHERE, REVIEWS of any LIVE music, CD and MUSIC DVD REVIEWS, FESTIVAL REVIEWS, whatever YOU think the MUSIC PEOPLE would want to hear about. EMAIL any and all to: voice.blues67@gmail.com
Don't be shy. All articles, comments, suggestions and criticisms are welcome.

It's Festival Time Again...
Don't miss it!!

Festival Brings National Acts to Marietta

Some of the best blues acts from around the country will be heading to Marietta for the 18th Annual "River City Blues Festival" on Friday, March 20th and Saturday, March 21, 2009. Known as one of America's best small blues festivals, the local Blues, Jazz & Folk Music Society will be presenting their annual event once again at the Lafayette Hotel, on the river in downtown Marietta.

"This year's festival lineup is strong, and we expect a strong turnout to enjoy the blues," said Steve Wells, vice president of The Blues, Jazz & Folk Music Society (BJFMS). "The blues was America's first original form of "popular" music," said Wells. "And blues is the roots of all American music since then. It's where rock 'n roll came from, and jazz, and R & B, and even country," he said. "More and more people are getting into the Blues. That's why we're predicting another successful festival," said Wells. "We expect our shows to sell out, and the restaurants, bars and shops in town to be full all weekend. Everybody wins," he said.

"Cobbler" John Bolen, president of the BJFMS, puts the festival together, and this year he's "out-done" himself," said John Gifford, BJFM board member and stage manager for the event. "We have a strong lineup for all three shows: Friday night, Saturday afternoon, and Saturday night," said Gifford.

Friday night kicks off with "Hot Texas style Blues" from Diunna Greenleaf & Blue Mercy from Houston, at 8PM. Greenleaf is one of the most sought-after lady blues singers on tour today, and she has the awards to prove it: 2009, nominated 30th Blues Music Awards (the Grammy's of blues music) "Best Traditional Female Artist of the Year"; 2008, nominated Blues Blast Music Awards, "Best Female Blues Artist" and "Best New Artist Debut Recording"; 2008, winner, Blues Music Awards, "Best New Artist Debut"; 2005, 1st Place Winner, The International Blues Challenge in Memphis, and on and on. (www.diunna.com)

Put Diunna in front of some amazing musicians who play together flawlessly and tightly, and you have one of the hottest acts in the Blues. Her guitar player, John Richardson, is a "monster" guitar player in his own right and winner of The Albert King Award at the IBC for "Most Promising Guitar Player" in 2005.

"Diunna Greenleaf & Blue Mercy" is one of the strongest acts we've had on a Friday night in a long time," said Bolen. "She will really get the crowd warmed up for Nick Moss & The Fliptops, our Friday night headliners at 10PM.

Nick Moss & The Fliptops are from Chicago, and one of the new generation of performers keeping the heritage of traditional Chicago blues alive. Nick Moss & his Fliptops sizzle in live performance hundreds of times a year. Nick Moss knows he has something special happening. "I feel like I'm one of the only bands from Chicago that's actually still playing Chicago Blues the way people think of Chicago Blues. I've gotten praise from a lot of the old-timers that have seen us play, even guys who are not from Chicago like Kim Wilson, Rod Piazza, and Charlie Baty and Rick Estrin of Little Charlie & The Nightcats. They say it's great to see there's actually a band from Chicago that actually plays Chicago Blues," says Moss.


For the third year in a row, Nick Moss and his great band have been nominated for the prestigious title of "Band of The Year" at the 2009 Blues Music Awards. Nick's albums have made the nomination list for "Contemporary Blues Album of The Year", and blues icon Buddy Guy says "Nick Moss is one of the local favorites at my club, Legends. I always enjoy the way he plays and works hard to please our audience." (www.nickmoss.com)

"Chicago Blues. Those two words conjure up the most powerful and evocative images in the entire history of American music," says BJFMS' Wells. " We have a strong representation of genuine Chicago Blues all weekend, starting with Nick Moss on Friday night. Our Friday night may just be the best show of the entire festival," declares Wells. "Not to be missed."

Then, Saturday afternoon is set to be another strong example of the powerful force that is the blues. At 1230PM, alumni from the BJFMS "Blues in The Schools" project at Marietta Middle School, now at Marietta High School will perform as "High Schools That Rock" under the direction of Mark Doebrich. Doebrich has been involved with "Blues in The Schools" since its beginning in Marietta, and has been extremely vital to its local success.

At 1PM on Saturday, the winners of the 17th Annual "River City Ohio Blues Competition" will take the stage for a 1-hour set. "Long Tall Deb & The Drifter Kings" are from Columbus, and features Deb Landolt out front on lead vocals, with one of Columbus' hottest guitar players (Ritchie B.) and an equally outstanding rhythm section. This is the band that will represent the BJFMS at The International Blues Challenge (IBC) early next year in Memphis. "It's everybody's chance to see the very best from the competition," said John Gifford, Competition Director for BJFMS. (www.longtalldeb.com)

At 220PM, Saturday afternoon's traditional acoustic blues slot in the program brings Thomasina Winslow of the world famous Winslow Family Band. She is a singer/songwriter and music educator from up-state New York. Her newly released CD is "Essential Tunes" a collection of what she terms "heritage music" that draws from her roots of traditional acoustic blues and folk. (www.thomasinawinslow,com)

At 3:50PM, get ready to dance, 'cause Big James and the Chicago Playboys will rock the house when they bring their horn-driven contemporary Chicago Blues to the stage. Lead by "Big James" Montgomery on trombone and lead vocals, The Chicago Playboys are performing regularly at many of the well known blues clubs around Chicago. "Big James" is a former band member with the famous Little Milton, Albert King, Johnny Christian and yes, Buddy Guy. His first CD entitled "Funkin' Blues" received rave reviews from musicians, critics and fans all around the globe. His newest release called "If It Wasn't 4 Da Blues" is proving to follow suit. "This young and exciting Chicago bluesman will have you up and dancing at, yes, 4PM in the afternoon 'cause we doubt you'll be able to sit this one out," says the "Cobbler." (www.bigjames.com)

"Our Saturday afternoon show is a complete journey on the Blues Highway," says Bolen. "From Columbus to upstate New York to Chicago, it's all there," he said. "After all that, you'll be hungry, so we're taking a dinner break from about 5:30PM until 8PM."

The music gets rolling again at 8PM, with the Joey Gilmore Blues Band from South Florida. "Joey Gilmore is no opening act," declares Steve Wells of the BJFMS, "Joey can and does headline at festivals and venues all over the country (and the world)," says Wells. In the business for going on 50-years, Joey has spent the last 30-years living in South Florida, playing with most every major blues act that travels anywhere close by. He is a true blues and R&B master who incorporates new and varied styles into his music, performing original compositions mixed with traditional standards in his high-energy live shows. By the way, Joey Gilmore is the only blues act in history to win The International Blues Challenge in Memphis TWO consecutive years in a row. (But that's another story.) Safe to say you don't want to miss Joey Gilmore on Saturday night.


Then, at 10PM, it's back to Chicago; this time to see a true Chicago legend right here in Marietta. Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater is an intense, flamboyant blues-rockin' showman who has ruled many a Chicago stage and festival. He's equally comfortable playing the deepest, most heartfelt blues tune, or rockin' the house with good time party music. Downbeat Magazine said, "Left-handed Eddy Clearwater is a forceful six-stringer...he lays down some gritty West Side shuffles and some belly-grinding slow blues that highlights his raw chops, soulful vocals and earthy, humorous lyrics." (www.eddyclearwater.com)

Between his slashing left-handed guitar work, his room-filling vocals, his self-defined "rock-a-blues" style (a forceful mix of blues, rock, rockabilly, country and gospel) and his boundless energy, Clearwater is among the very finest practitioners of West Side Chicago Blues working today. The blues world recognized his great talent by giving him the Blues Music Award for "Contemporary Blues - Male Artist of the Year" in 2001. His last release , 2003's Rock 'N' Roll City was nominated for a Grammy Award, Now he's back with his very first CD on the Alligator label, aptly titled West Side Strut, which has been nominated this year for "Traditional Blues Album of The Year" at the Blues Music Awards, along with Eddy (The Chief's) nomination for "Traditional Blues Male Artist of The Year." The BMA's will be given out in May.

"This is why we're known a one of the best small blues festivals in the country," said Wells. "You'd have to go a long way to beat that lineup, and lucky for us, "Cobbler"John does it every year. That has led to growth and a very high rate of return festivalgoers for our River City Blues Festival."

Tickets will be sold at the door, but advanced tickets and weekend passes are suggested. For tickets, passes and information, call Peggy Bolen at 740.376.0222 (evenings). Weekend passes to all three shows are $50 for members/$70 for non-members. Tickets for individual shows are: Friday Night: $15/$25, Saturday Matinee: $15/$25, and Saturday Night: $20/$30. The ballroom at The Lafayette Hotel will be set up with a large dance floor and a cash bar. As with all BJFMS events, the festival will be a non-smoking event. Complete information about the 18th Annual River City Blues Festival is available at www.bjfm.org

Special "blues rate" room rates are available at the Marietta Holiday Inn ($45+tax) and at The Comfort Inn in Marietta ($52.99+tax). Taxi service will be available for the 1.8 mile trip downtown to The Lafayette.

The festival at a glance:

18th Annual River City Blues Festival
March 20-21, 2009 Lafayette Hotel, Marietta, Ohio

Friday, March 20, 2009
8PM - Diunna Greenleaf & Blue Mercy
HOT TEXAS BLUES with Gospel-influence from Houston. 2008 BMA: "Best New Artist of the Year"; 2005 IBC Winner
10PM - Nick Moss & The Fliptops
Traditional Chicago Blues doesn't get any better than this! Nick Moss is nominated for "Album of the Year" and "Band of The Year" at The Blues Music Awards.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

1230PM - BITS /"High Schools That Rock"
Directed by Mark Doebrich
1PM- 2009 Blues Competition Winners:
Long Tall Deb & The Drifter Kings - Columbus
220PM - Thomasina Winslow
From World Famous Winslow Family Band -
Singer/Songwriter/Educator from Up-state New York
350PM - Big James Montgomery &
The Chicago Playboys

From Guess Where (Chicago). Big James is former band member with Little Milton, Albert King, Johnny Christian and yes, Buddy Guy. You'll dance, guaranteed!

8PM - Joey Gilmore Blues Band
Florida Legend, Blues and R&B Master. 2-time IBC Winner - South Florida Blues
10PM -
Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater
Chicago's premier blues showman. "The Chief" of authentic West-Side Chicago Blues


See you there, everybody...
GOOD STUFF THIS WEEKEND
From Todd Burge...
RADIO SHOW RESUMES LIVE TAPINGS
THIS SATURDAY!!
Songwriter Night with Todd Burge will resume taping in front of a live audience at the Galley (Upstairs) in Marietta this Saturday.
Songwriter Night with Todd Burge, the only live radio program featuring performing singer songwriters of the Mid-Ohio Valley, will be taping live shows on the second Saturdays of March, April and May.
The popular radio show and podcast is heard on Classic Rock Z106, WWVU-FM92 in Morgantown and online at http://www.songwriternight.com
The first live recording of 2009 will be Saturday March 14th at 7pm and will feature John Lilly from Charleston with Special guest Joseph Henry from Vienna.
"The Galley's upstairs is the perfect place to record my radio show," said Burge. There's only room up there for about 70 audience members, so it is very intimate and this is the way a great song was meant to be heard, in an intimate listening atmosphere with a fine meal! And these songwriters are indeed great!"
Header Music News
John Lilly's original, traditional, and classic country music hits home and rings true. From hidden masterpieces by Hank Williams, Jimmie Rodgers, and the Louvin Brothers to ancient folk ballads and creative original songs, John Lilly presents music of unusual depth and sincerity.
Biography
John Lilly is a multi-talented acoustic music performer from Charleston, West Virginia, specializing in Americana, country roots, and traditional folk music. He writes new songs that sound as old as the hills, and performs older songs like they were made yesterday. According to one reviewer, "If Hank Williams had a sunny disposition, he'd be John Lilly."

John has released four self-produced CDs. His latest, "Haunted Honky Tonk," achieved the #1 position on both the Freeform American Roots (FAR) and the Euro Americana radio charts. "Broken Moon," released in 2000, earned enthusiastic reviews and widespread radio airplay. Bluegrass Unlimited magazine called it one of the "most unusual and interesting acoustic disks of the year." John's second CD, "Last Chance to Dance," released in 2003, debuted at #1 on the FAR radio chart and rose to #4 on the Euro Americana radio chart. His 2005 CD release, "Blue Highway," is a collaboration with legendary Tennessee fiddler Ralph Blizard.

John is recognized internationally as a powerful performing songwriter. In 2005, he won the national Ghost Writers In the Sky songwriting contest, sponsored by HankFest, a Chicago-based festival honoring the music of Hank Williams. John won a customized guitar for his original song "Blue Highway." He was a finalist in the 2002 Chris Austin Songwriting Competition at MerleFest in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, chosen from 853 entries and placing third in the Country category for his song "Broken Moon." John Lilly's 2008 Mountain Stage radio performance is available at NPR Music.

John was born in Illinois in 1954 and has traveled and performed widely. A former member of the Green Grass Cloggers dance team, John spent years playing traditional string band music with groups including Ralph Blizard and the New Southern Ramblers. He is a former a tour guide at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, and is currently editor of West Virginia's Goldenseal magazine.
Listen to John Lilly on NPR's Mountain Stage podcast now
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100331568
John Lilly's website
www.sonicbids.com/johnlilly
Joseph Henry
"Joseph Henry (Vienna WV) is the most amazing new songwriter. In all my years, I've never heard anybody more original. In a single tune you'll hear Bowie, Lennon, Ben Folds and even Randy Newman. To miss him perform, is to miss an event." Todd Burge, host of Songwriter Night
Listen to Joseph Henry here
www.myspace.com/thegalleymariettaoh.com
The Details at a glance.....
Songwriter Night with Todd Burge Radio Show Taping
Featuring John Lilly and Joseph Henry
Saturday, March 14th 7pm-9pm
Galley (Upstairs)
203 Second Street
Marietta, Ohio
Tickets $8
We take all major credit cards. Purchase now Available online www.songwriternight.com
Or reserve seats by calling
304-481-2766
Pasta Buffet will be served at an additional charge
All legal beverages
Afterwards there will be a
Songwriter Invitational at the Galley (Downstairs)
9pm
Songwriters are invited to sign up here
www.songwriternight.com
Contact Todd Burge for interviews
Songwriternight@hotmail.com
304-481-2766
Let's get out there and support our local songwriters and musicians. voice
Court Street Grill Report
Support your local juke joint....
Court Street Grill, 112 Court Street
Pomeroy, Ohio 740-992-6524

It's a Rock 'n Roll Party Friday night
with local rockers' Jimmy Dryjaw!
Showtime at 9pm, No Cover!

Saturday, Fresh and Funky Blues --
with the Jon Justice Band! (from Cincy)
Young guitar slinger, Jon Justice, returns to the Grill for a heavy dose of Blues and Groove!
Showtime at 9pm, No Cover!

Happy St. Patty's Day, Erin Go Braugh
and all that other stuff...
Tuesday, March 17th, the Grill will be serving piping hot plates of traditional Lamb Stew with pints of Guiness! All day!

COMING TO THE GRILL:
Jon Justice Band - 3/14
Luke Jivetalker - 3/28
Johnny Rawls Revue - 4/3
Eddie Shaw & The Wolf Gang - 4/10
Common One with Shannon Scott - 4/11
Blackberry Jam - 4/18
Bill Lupkin & Chicago Blues Coalition - 4/24
Marietta Brewing Company
167 Front Street, Marietta, Ohio 740-373-BREW
LIVE MUSIC at THE MARIETTA BREWING CO.
FRIDAY, March 13th: The New Relics
SATURDAY, March 14th: Train Jumpers
TUESDAY, March 17th: Justin Arthur of Radio 1 - St. Pat's Day
FRIDAY, March 20th: Swinging Orangatangs
SATURDAY, March 21st: Dave Martin Band
TUESDAY, March 24th: D.W. West of Muffintop Removal
FRIDAY, March 27th: IZZY & CHRIS (GREAT ACOUSTIC BLUES)
SATURDAY, March 28th: Cold Shot
TUESDAY, March 31st: Bobby Kirl
COMING SATURDAY, April 11: Jon Justice Band from Cincinnati
It's Saint Patty's Day
ALL WEEKEND @ MBC
Friday through Tuesday
A Great Irish Menu:
Shepherd's Pie
Corned Beef & Cabbage
Angel Hair Pasta
Irish Guinness Stew
Black and Tan Onion Rings
Homemade Stout Bread
and Saint Patty's Day ONLY
on tap
Kelly's Pride
The Marietta Brewing Company's Famous
Green Beer
Emerson Sports Grill
4000 Emerson Ave, Parkersburg, WV 304-422-7655
Starting back up on Emerson
from Bill Poole...

Hey music lovers and sports fans the newly remodeled "Emerson Sports Grill" formerly the Front Row is the place in Parkersburg to catch every single second of "March Madness" and also starting in March "Friday Night Live Unplugged" featuring the region best singer songwriters and acoustic musicians unplugged. A smaller room, a softer sound equals a cozy and more intimate listening experience.
Hope to see you there.
BP

Here's The Emerson Sports Grill lineup of singer/songwriters for March:
FRIDAY, March 13th: Todd Burge
FRIDAY, March 20th: Joseph Henry
FRIDAY, March 27th: Josh Buskirk
FRIDAY, April 3rd: Bobby Kirl

EMERSON SPORTS GRILL,
Woody Hawley Concert Series
Walker Theater at The Clay Center
Charleston, WV
March 21: Craig Bickhardt


It's time for the next Woody Hawley Concert ! We will proudly present
Craig Bickhardt www.craigbickhardt.com a week from Saturday on March21 at the Clay Center's Walker Theater at 7:30. Craig is another super successful songwriter. His songs have been recorded by Johnny Cash,
Willie Nelson, Trisha Yearwood, Ray Charles, BB King, Alison Krauss,
Art Garfunkel, Dianne Shuur, Kathy Mattea....... the list goes on. He
wrote two songs for Robert Duvall's movie "Tender Mercies" and has
just released a CD called "Brother to the Wind" that features artists
such as Tim O'Brien, Terri Hendrix and Beth Nielson Chapman.

Craig is an accomplished guitar player and singer in addition to being
an engaging performer and storyteller. I met him at the Newsong
Academy several years ago and was impressed by his mastery of
songwriting and by his relaxed and friendly performance style. I knew
that he would be right at home on the Woody Hawley stage.

Singer/songwriter Jim Savarino www.jimsavarino.com will make the trip
down from Morgantown to perform a 30 minute opening set featuring
songs from his new CD "Don't Let the World Get You Down".

Tickets are $15 general and $10 for seniors 60 and over. They can be
purchased online at www.theclaycenter.org , by phone at 304-561-3570,
at the Clay Center box office during business hours, or at the door
the evening of the concert. The entrance to the Walker Theater is
located at the rear of the Clay Center diagonally across from CAMC
Generals ER.

Great music, great sound, great atmosphere. See you there !

Take care,

Ron Sowell
Artistic Director
The Woody Hawley Concert Series

Next month alert ! April 18 featuring Chris Smither with opening act Bare Bones

Legendary Bluesman Willie King
Dies Unexpectedly
Willie King
On Sunday, March 8, 2009, the outstanding Alabama blues musician Willie King passed away near his home in Old Memphis, Alabama, following a massive heart attack. His career started on a plantation with a one-string, homemade diddly-bo. Six recordings, a DVD, numerous national and international festival performances later, Willie King gained a substantial national and international reputation.

Ever since he first heard a blues musician play at his grandmother's juke joint over sixty years ago, Willie King was consumed by the blues. His life story is about great music, but equally it is about care, interest and concern for the community he grew up in - King's own definition of the "blues life."
The loss of this great blues man will be felt by fans and musicians all over the world who have been touched by his unique juke joint blues and uplifting message of peace, love and social justice.
The funeral is scheduled for Sunday, March 15th, and will be held at the City Hall in Aliceville, Alabama, with viewing the day before at Lavender's Funeral Service, Aliceville. Timing and other details will be posted, when available, at Willie King's web site, www.willie-king.com.
Alabama Blues Project
Sweaty Betty Blues Band
Saturday, March 14th
The Baja Bar @ the Old Fox Chapel Yacht Club welcomes
Sweaty Betty Blues Band
for a special performance
on March 14 at 9:00pm.

Don't miss an evening of live music with Sweaty Betty *

The Baja Bar is located at 1366 Freeport Road Pittsburgh 15238
A great venue for live music, the Baja Bar hosts many popular local bands.
Check it out! This Saturday. Hope to see you there.

www.sweatybettybluesband.com

www.bajabargrill.com

thank you for supporting live music in Sixburgh
About The Blues, Jazz & Folk Music Society
www.bjfm.org P.O. Box 2122, Marietta, Ohio 45750
The Blues, Jazz & Folk Music Society is a non-profit, 501 (c) 3 all-volunteer "force" of music enthusiasts on a mission to enhance the appreciation of American Roots Music in the Mid-Ohio Valley and we do it by presenting concerts, workshops, conferences, and a forum for education and development in the schools.

The BJFM Society celebrates and perpetuates blues and roots music as a traditional, evolutionary, and uniquely American art form. During the grant period, we will continue to present live music in genres not normally available in a small town like ours, to educate and expose our audiences to music new and unfamiliar to many of them. Our goal is to keep blues, jazz and roots music alive in our area.

With the help of volunteers from our membership, and an 8-member board of directors, the BJFM Society will continue to produce and present our "core events" plus other shows throughout the year as the opportunity presents itself. The BJFM Society has also undertaken the expense of production and presentation of the nationally recognized multicultural "Blues in the Schools" program here in our local schools
The Blues, Jazz & Folk Music Society Board of Directors:
John Bolen - President
Steve Wells - Vice President, Director of "Blues in The Schools"
Peg Bolen - Treasurer
Maren Beery - Secretary
John Gifford - Board Member, Competition Director
Helen Holt - Board Member
Mary Ann Orborne - Board Member
Kezia Douglass - Board Member



Bob Dorr And The Blue Band Update


Ok, so the week starts with Daylight Savings Time to mess with my "biorhythm" and then Tuesday, I'm sitting in a dentist chair being stuck with syringes full of some numbing substance (somehow I don't think this is what Pink Floyd was talking about with the song Comfortably Numb) (more like UNcomfortably Numb) at 10am (but my body thinks it's the UNGODLY hour of 9am) Then before I knew it, two people had their fingers in my mouth for 75 minutes doing a root canal procedure and when it was all over, I owed them $945. The next day I woke up with the worst cold I've had in three years (probably had nothing to do with all those fingers in my mouth) and have had to sleep way too much the last couple of days, which further complicates the Daylight Savings Lag. And then the music shows that I was scheduled to co-host for Iowa Public Television's fundraiser tonight (Thurs) got "postponed" so they could run a Suze Orman special! (must be a sign of the times) But how's your week goin'?...

Well, if it's Daylight Savings Time, it must mean we play outside! Every year, The Twisted Parrot (6500 Hickman in Des Moines) has a GIANT multi-day festival for St. Patrick's Day in a huge heated tent. This will be our second year playing on Saturday night. It actually bordered on being too hot in the tent last year (bikinis are optional) so come on out and boogie your scruples away. We play 7-11p (geezer hours!) Heath and Al are scheduled to be in the horn section. More info on the 5 day festival: www.thetwistedparrot.com...

Next week we're back in Des Moines, Friday, Mar. 20 at Porky's Pub and Garage, 5125 NE 14th St., 9-1. Bunky is scheduled to make the trip on sax...

And be sure and make plans to join us Sat. Mar. 28 for our first appearance at the River Music Experience Red Stone Room in my old hometown, Davenport. (Ya shoulda seen me throw that ball for the Central BLUE Devils!) Our friends at the Mississippi Valley Blues Society are puttin' on a fundraiser. It's the 25th anniversary year for their world reknowned festival. Last year's flooding in Davenport took a toll on their financial reserves, hence this effort to have some fun while raising some funds. Zimmerman Motors in Rock Island is sponsoring our band (thanks, Mark!). Doors open at 7:30p, showtime is scheduled for 8:30. More info: www.mvbs.org...

We are fortunate to have the skills of Phil Maass on our team. Single handedly he managed to engineer, record, mix, edit and master the recordings from this past New Year's Eve into a really cool 80 minute souvenir of the evening, including the performances of Joe Price, Rob Lumbard, Paul Rottenberg, Lynne Rothrock, and Matt Woods and the Thunderbolts along with the 9 piece version of The Blue Band. There's some longtime Blue Band favorites and some heretofore never recorded/released songs. I think you're gonna like it. We'll probably have some for sale in Davenport on Mar. 28...

We've managed to add a few more festival dates to this summer's calendar, but still have some prime open dates in June for that spring party on your deck at your mansion outside of town...

The NyQuil is starting to take effect (remind me to tell you sometime about the days in the 70s when I thought it was cool to chug NyQuil and then try and play the gig) (that's probably one of many reasons I can't seem to remember a damn thing!) See yas on the Blue Highway (it'll be light outside when you drive to the Parrot for that 7pm showtime) I hear rubbing yer washboard protects against colds, bring green CAKE, and always remember we love you. Robert O'Dorr and the McBlue Band...(we're all Irish on St. Paddy's Day aren't we?)

Soul Searcher Update


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


saturday, march 14, 6-10pm
chad's restaurant (in the historic hotel panora building)
204 w main street, panora
641/755-4554 or 641/755-3030
($15 advance/$20 door - includes food - bring your own beer/wine)

then, next week, celebrate ST. PATRICK'S DAY with us . . .
tuesday, march 17, 7:30pm

skybox lounge (formerly coach's corner/fratello's)
1261 8th street, west 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 energetic jump-blues with a vintage vibe that harks back to early fabulous thunderbirds" -OMAHA READER

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Illinois Blues News


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Hey Blues Fans,

We have news of one of the best Blues Festivals on the planet, The Chicago Blues Festival. This years 2009 festival is a week later and a day shorter than in the past few years and will run from Friday June 12th through Sunday June 14th in Grant Park in Chicago, IL.

And of course we have a sneak peek at part of the lineup for you!

On Friday June 12 they will have Trudy Lynn, Charlie Musselwhite, Pinetop Perkins, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and Big Bill Morganfield.

On Saturday June 13 they have Lil' Dave Thompson, Travis Haddix, Samuel James, Eden Brent and Bettye LaVette.

On Sunday June 14th you will see Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Johnny Drummer, David 'Honeyboy' Edwards, The Lee Boys and Dom Flemon.

We will keep you updated as more artists are confirmed. Stay tuned as the complete 2009 performance schedule will be announced in April.

Mark your calendars and book your hotels NOW!


Willie King - 3/8/1943 - 3/8/2009

From the Alabama Blues Project www.alabamablues.org - On Sunday, March 8, 2009, the outstanding Alabama blues musician Willie King passed away near his home in Old Memphis, Alabama, following a massive heart attack.

His career started on a plantation with a one-string, homemade diddly-bo. Six recordings, a DVD, numerous national and international festival performances later, Willie King gained a substantial national and international reputation.

Ever since he first heard a blues musician play at his grandmother's juke joint over sixty years ago, Willie King was consumed by the blues. His life story is about great music, but equally it is about care, interest and concern for the community he grew up in - King's own definition of the "blues life."

The loss of this great blues man will be felt by fans and musicians all over the world who have been touched by his unique juke joint blues and uplifting message of peace, love and social justice.

The funeral is scheduled for Sunday, March 15th, and will be held at the City Hall in Aliceville, Alabama, with viewing the day before at Lavender's Funeral Service, Aliceville. Timing and other details will be posted, when available, at Willie King's web site, www.willie-king.com.


In this issue - Blues Reviews and MORE!

James Walker reviews a new CD from Matthew Stubbs. Belinda Foster reviews a new CD from Judy Roderick. Ben Cox reviews a new CD by John Black . Our video of the week is a clip of Piedmont Blues at it's best with John Cephas and Phil Wiggins. All this and MORE! SCROLL DOWN!!!


MonmouthBlues.com presents

The Rivoli Theatre - Monmouth, IL

CLICK HERE to Purchase Tickets


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.


Mississippi Valley Blues Society - Davenport, IA

The Mississippi Valley Blues Society presents E. C. Scott at Nan’s Piano Bar Sunday, March 15, 2009. Nan’s Piano Bar in the Freight House complex at Ripley and River Drive in downtown Davenport, IA. The show starts at 7 p.m. For more information Contact: Karen McFarland, (563) 508-6596

The Mississippi Valley Blues Society presents Bob Dorr and the Blue Band at the Redstone Room Saturday March 28 Davenport, IA ( 129 Main Street). Doors open at 7:30 and the music begins at 8:30 Admission is $10. The show is a fundraiser for the MVBS. For more information Contact: Karen McFarland, (563) 508-6596

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 - March 16 - Kilborn Alley, March 23 - Chris Bell and 100% Blues, Mar 30 - Frank Herrin & Blues Power, Apr 6 - Blues Deacons, Apr 13 - Too Slim & the Taildraggers, Apr 20 - Pleasure Chest, Apr 27 - Nothin' But Trouble

The Connecticut Blues Society - Higganum, CT

The Connecticut Blues Society will have it's annual benefit " Blues Blizzard " on Saturday, March 14, 2009 @ The West Hartford VFW. Five of the areas hottest Blues bands will donate time for the CT. Blues Society. Performing this year from 7PM - 12 are; Crystal Blue Project ( w/young "Hot" guitarist Trey Wilson ), The Kingpins, Mojomatics, Eric Ducoff Band , Gene Donaldson & The Stingrays. There will be plenty of food and drink available. $10 donation or 2 for $15. For info contact 860-292-6112 or e-mail r.p.m@sbcglobal.net

Monmouth Blues - Monmouth, IL

The hard-driving blues-rock of The Kelly Richey Band will take center stage at the Rivoli Theatre on Friday, March 13th, 2009 at 7:30pm. This pre-Spring show is the first of three scheduled 2009 blues events sponsored by MonmouthBlues.com. Opening the show will be Galesburg’s own Mike Budde’s Rhythm Circus. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.

In addition to the concert, the Kelly Richey Band will be presenting a program to local students in an assembly at the Monmouth High School at 10am. For more information go to www.MonmouthBlues.com or call 309 536-0854

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 $3. The shows are held at the Dragon's Dome, 3401 Griffin Ave in Pekin, IL.

Shows scheduled are: Mar 18 - Chris Bell & 100% Blues, Mar 25 - Sally Weisenburg & The Famous Sidemen, Apr 1 - Reverend Raven & The Chain Smoking Alter Boys, Apr 8 - 3rd Degree Blues Band, Apr 15 - Too Slim & The Tail Draggers, Apr 22 - Damon Fowler Group, April 29 - Bob Dorr & The Blue Band, May 6 Shannon Curfman, May 13 - Scott Ellison, May 20 - Deak Harp, May 27 - The Insomniacs


Advertising Special

Blues Blast advertising rates slashed

(Ads must be reserved by March 31st, 2009)

Blues Blast Magazine would like to remind you that we are a great way to promote the Blues. More than 12,000 Blues fans, Blues society members, festival promoters, record companies, artists and Blues publishers read our Blues Blast magazine each week. They are located in all 50 states and in more than 60 countries. We get more than 800,000 hits and more than 10,000 visitors a month on our website.

If your Blues Society is organizing a Blues Fest we offer cost effective advertising that really "Gets The Blues Word Out"! If you are a Blues performer, we can help promote your new CD. We know times are hard and Blues music is the Music for the times! So for a limited time Blues Blast Magazine is offering "recession prices" on festival and CD advertising.

Normal 2009 Advertising rates are $30 a week for Blues Blast magazine ads. Website ads are $40 per month for a small ads on the sidebar of the homepage and $55 per month for a larger ad on the main homepage area.

BUT, for a limited time, you can advertise your Blues event or CD in Blues Blast Magazine for less that the cost of a small ad in your local newspaper. If you reserve and pay for your ad space by March 31st, 2009 we are offering a special combo rate of $100 a month to get both a weekly Blues Blast magazine ad AND a sidebar ad on our website (Minimum of 2 months).

SO for $200 your ad will run in eight issues of the Blues Blast and be on the website for 2 months. Your ad will be seen by THOUSANDS of Blues fans!

Ads can be scheduled for any dates in 2009. Space is limited during some summer festival season times and will be sold on a first come first served basis. To get more information email


Featured Blues Review 1 of 3

Matthew Stubbs - Soul Bender

VizzTone Label Group

www.matthewstubbs.net

www.myspace.com/mattstubbs88

11 songs; Time 37:09; Splendid

Style: Retro Electric Instrumental Blues

According to Blind bluesman Bryan Lee, unsighted musicians actually hear better than sighted ones. Bryan claims that once the distraction of what is “seen” is removed, one is forced to listen more closely, with positive results. Something analogous to that happens here where there are no song lyrics to distract from the pure music. Anyway, a guitar and saxophone can communicate emotion as well as any song lyric.

Yes, Matthew Stubbs is an electric guitarist, but fear not – this is not a Rock-Blues shred fest nor a power chord pop-off. As the title implies, it's a deeply soulful album of varying classic flavors from the 1960s.

To be fair, “Sax” Gordon Beadle should have been given equal billing because he sure has equal playing time in the CD’s mix. Beadle arranged the horn parts, and he and his accompanying players, Tino Barker and Scott Aruda, have plenty of space to complement Stubbs and fill out the sound. Chris Rivelli handles drums and percussion, and bass duties are filled by John Bunszell and Wolf Ginandes.

AND NOW, it’s time to play “Name That Tune, Riff, or Artist!” Grab a friend who knows his music and try to identify all the classic snippets one will hear in the album. For someone born after 1982, Stubbs has absorbed an incredible amount of music that comes out in his playing, almost like sampling. Here he blends it all in original, fresh songs that are full of references.

I’ll not spoil the fun by telling you where they are located, but, among all the samples you’ll hear, listen for “Little Latin Lupe Lu,” “Willie and the Hand Jive,” and the opening guitar riff from Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild.” Typically, you’ll have to listen fast and closely because the snippets are succinct – sort of like how Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown would throw “Pop Goes the Weasel” into the middle of a song. Just as it hit your consciousness, he would move on to passages completely unrelated leaving the listener wondering, “Did I just hear what I think I heard?” Each song has a memorable guitar hook on which Stubbs tastefully expands, never going over the top with unrestrained youthful exuberance.

Some listeners may insist that, instead of a song riff, they hear passages that sound like artists such as Steve Cropper (Booker T and the MGs), Freddie King, Bo Diddley and his patent beat, and The Ventures’ surf sounds.

This CD offers fun for young and old. Know someone born after 1993 who’s interested in guitar? Give them a copy of this CD as an introduction to wonderful sounds played in a classic style and add, “Shred not, young man, shred not!”

Bio: Hailing from a small New England town, Matthew Stubbs is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the premier Blues guitarists. Whether performing with his own band or as a sideman, the 25 year old always delivers.

In 2003, The Matthew Stubbs Band won first place in the Boston Blues Society’s “Blues Challenge.” He followed that success with a third place finish at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. The exposure was immense, and Stubbs soon joined many of today’s blues greats on stage. Stubbs did time with John Nemeth and also spent a year and a half touring North America with Janiva Magness.

Currently, Matthew Stubbs is performing with The Charlie Musselwhite Band. Stubbs can also be found doing select tours/shows with Lynwood Slim, Junior Watson, Sax Gordon, Brian Templeton and many other top acts.

Stubbs has earned a reputation for his ability to write catchy instrumentals. As found in this debut album, the songs which he composes are a cocktail of Memphis Soul, Blues, R&B, Surf, Rock n’ Roll and Groove, all perfectly mixed together. His real knack is being able to blend all of these styles with economy and simplicity like he was born in 1950.

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
To See James “Skyy Dobro” Walker's CD rating system, CLICK HERE

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.



Its "MOJO MADNESS" At WGLT In Normal, Illinois The Whole Month Of March !!! 89.1 & 103.5, And On The Web At wwe.wglt.org. Just Click On "Listen"

Listen to GLT Blues every weekend in March for MOJO MADNESS! It's your chance to win tickets to the Illinois Blues Festival in Peoria on Labor Day weekend as you call GLT to vote for your favorite blues artists. Here's the deal:

We've seeded and bracketed 32 great blues artists from yesterday and today for a blues tournament we're calling "MOJO MADNESS." MOJO MADNESS is just like the NCAA Basketball tournament every March, except YOU decide the winner of each round with your phone votes. If you're the 89th voter in a particular match, you'll win tickets to the Illinois Blues Festival in Peoria Labor Day weekend, or tickets to see Bonnie Raitt at the Peoria Civic Center. You may call to vote as often as you like, but you can only win once during the tournament. Every person who wins concert tickets by being the 89th voter qualifies for the Grand Prize: A Black Cat Bone ... that is, an iPod with songs from all 32 artists who made it into the 2009 MOJO MADNESS bracket.

Look at and download your own MOJO MADNESS bracket so you can keep track of the winners, as well as the date and times of each MOJO MADNESS match. Here's the link to the bracket: http://wglt.org/programs/blues/mojo-layout.pdf

The first "match' this week is Friday night from 8pm - 9pm, featuring Albert Collins vs Katie Webster . Call with your vote beginning at 8pm. Listen Live and YOU decide the winner of each round with your phone votes. To vote call 309 438-8910 Here are the matchups for this weekend:

This weeks matches

  • Fri March 13 (8:00pm) Albert Collins vs Katie Webster

  • Sat March 14 (1:00pm) Big Momma Thorton vs Big James

  • Sat March 14 (3:00pm) Howlin Wolf vs Johnny Winter

  • Sat March 14 (5:00pm) Pinetop Perkins vs Otis Rush

  • Sat March 14 (7:00pm) Stevie Ray Vaughan vs Big Time Sarah

  • Sat March 14 (9:00pm) Eric Clapton vs Elmore James

  • Sun March 15 (1:00pm) Etta James vs Bryan Lee

  • Sun March 15 (3:00pm) Albert King vs Roomful of Blues

Week One Winners

  • BB King vs. Little Walter = BB King

  • Bo Diddley vs. Tab Benoit = Bo Diddley

  • Muddy Waters vs. Marcia Ball = Muddy Waters

  • Ray Charles vs. Luther Allison = Luther Allison

  • Buddy Guy vs. Sue Foley = Buddy Guy

  • Freddie King vs. Magic Slim = Freddie King

  • John Lee Hooker vs. Nick Moss = John Lee Hooker

For more info, go to http://www.wglt.org To tune in to GLT Blues Radio 24/7 and Play MOJO MADNESS simply CLICK HERE


Blues Video of the Week

John Cephas and Phil Wiggins

Richmond Blues

Last week we passed on the sad news of the death of Piedmont Blues guitarist John Cephas.

We had the pleasure of hearing him live a few times. If you never got the chance to hear him or wonder what real Piedmont Blues sounded like, you want to check out this video.

John Cephas was the best Piedmont Blues guitarist of our generation and Phil Wiggins harmonica playing was the perfect compliment to his incredible guitar playing.

To see this cool video on our website, click the play button below.

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For other videos on our website CLICK HERE.


www.tooslim.org


New CD

'Le Blues Hot'

CLICK HERE to Purchase this CD

www.myspace.com/vestapolitans

To read a review of this CD, CLICK HERE


Featured Blues Review 2 of 3

Judy Roderick & The Forbears with Special Guest Mac “Dr John” Rebennack - “When I’m Gone”

Dexofon Records

www.judyroderick.com

www.whenimgone.dexofon.com

12 Tracks; 45 minutes 11 seconds; Reference Quality

Style: Folk Revival Vintage Jazz-Country Blues

Judy Roderick 1942-1992

Who would have thought that a young folksy 19 year old Caucasian teenager from Boulder, Colorado via Wyandotte, Michigan could hold her own with the early 1960’s female African American Blues pioneers, much less land Columbia and Vanguard deals with titles like Ain’t Nothing But the Blues and Woman Blue, all by the early age of 21?

You should probably sit with that opening, just for a minute. Maybe go back and read it a second time, to understand what an amazing contribution this less-recognized female blues and folk singer-songwriter made during a time when music was a critical vehicle for youth to communicate the social, political and philosophical sentiments of our nation. Think “Bob Dylan” if you must, who was born in 1941 only 1 year before Judy. And think ‘1964 Newport Folk Festival’, renowned for introducing Joan Baez and Bob Dylan. Johnny Cash and Howlin’ Wolf were there too where this ‘60’s blues revival was being rediscovered from its ‘40’s Delta heyday. Yes, that’s the company she was keeping.

Fast track from there to the UK to the Today Show in NYC and lots of performances in between, “When I’m Gone” is the 1982 remastered and rereleased recording of Roderick and her band the Forbears consisting of Washboard Chaz Leary, Don Debacker, Tim Martin and Dexter Payne. Her long time partner, band mate and collaborator, Dexter, deserves major kudos for bringing her back to life for those of us too young or less fortunate to have heard her prior to her much-to-early demise in 1992. Special guest Mac “Dr. John” Rebennack and some great horn players help create a disc that gives us a yearning to go back 40 years ago to a talent said to have inspired the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Joni Baez and Janice Joplin.

Track 1 is a Roderick/Ashford original, Gone To Memphis. This retro-rocking funky county blues tune has Judy sliding all over the pitch of the notes in a powerfully effortless way while the players have fun laying down a whacky blues pocket. Track 2 appropriately falls in place with the cover I’m So Glad, an Ernest “Little Son Joe” Lawlers tune you’ve all probably heard through Memphis Minnie. I LOVE Judy’s folk country blues version with the horns integrating a jazzy Vaudeville touch.

Want a little West Coast a-go-go surf rock lift with a Joplin punch? Listen to Queen of the Street. Sing it Judy! Judy’s tender delivery of Surprises in Track 4—with its slow emoting old timey country-gospel feel—is one that even Johnny & June Cash could appreciate in a Kris Kristofferson song writing way. The enhancement of the horn section with Forrest Means, Chris Lege and Fly McLard and topped off with Dr John’s keys make this one quite heart-wrenching.

There’s great horn arrangements and keys embellishing title Track 5’s When I’m Gone. Playful sassy dialog exchanges back and forth between the horn section and Judy’s sultry vocal delivery with an occasional wallop of male harmony. Ironically, the words Judy sings, “please don’t talk about me when I’m gone” are almost my invitation to be doing just that as I type this!

Track 6 is ragtime post-depression fun—Live in Love (Always) originally by W Walker and G Sullivan. Judy’s rendition is convincing as she shouts Live In Love! Live in Love! at the song’s end. If you like a vintage scratchy not-slicked-up-studio version old school sound, you’ll love this one. All the instrumentals held their own when the ball got tossed their way. The song compelled me to go out on the streets and shout something with a smile, or celebrate something, like when saints come marching in!

Track 7, Your Eyes Remind Me, has a nice harp introduction that leads into a country heart breaking ditty; who hasn’t ‘been there’ where Judy was when she wrote this song? Track 8 (American) Money Blues, is one of my favorite, with the grooving bass start, the psychedelic rock style opening rift, followed by a jazzy intro to what turns into a blues-rock Judy-belted-ballad, about the woes of money blues. Judy nails the blues vibe in this one. History apparently does repeat itself since we still seem to be having us some American Money Blues! I’d love to see this one hit the current XM radio satellite waves.

Our horns and keys come back with Judy and band mates all doing some serious blues struttin’ on Track 9’s Denver to Dallas. “Daddy used to be a rollin’ stone, mama was the kind to keep her man at home’. Track 10 is a wonderfully moving jazz rendition of Dream of You that made me want to be solo sipping Woodford Reserve on the rocks in some obscure dark corner of a smoky off-the-beaten-path jazz joint. It also made me wonder if Amy Winehouse had taken some lessons from the history pages of Judy Roderick.

Track 11 Shout Sister Shout (A. Crudup) starts with a gospel upbeat and jazzy horn intro that continues the pace throughout with horns, guitar rifts, ‘shout’ harmony of the boys, Dr John’s keys and Judy slinging her foot-stomping jazz chords of her own.

The disc concludes with Floods of South Dakota and I felt touched yet sad to see it over: “Someday—you’ll build a cabin on the hillside, someday—you’ll find the gold you’re lookin’ for, and maybe someday, in the diamond mines of friendship, you will find someone to share that winding road. For all time, you can count on me and all that’s mine.” Wow, Judy just emotes sincerely from inside her heart on this moving folk ballad.

Judy was truly one of the same Joplin-Dylan-esk folk-blues magnets that major labels were clamoring for in the 60’s; yet she also crossed all genres and has continued to be respected and admired for her works, to this day. I think sometimes it doesn’t matter how savvy a music reviewer you are: trying to actually put into words the description of tracks you listen to on a CD is DIFFICULT at best. How many adjectives and poetic packages can we use before we all sound the same with the same ole boring reads?

I know I’m lengthy here, but my sincere desire is to educate the reader about the person behind the music, as that's where the best music comes from, the people who can sing it, the people who can write it, and the people who can do both. It’s why we like to take blues cruises with the musicians, meet them face to face and attend their live shows—we want to know the person behind the greatness.

Some say Dylan was probably one of the worst singers, and Judy's no Celine or Patsy Cline, BUT both he and she left profound and inerasable marks, nonetheless; and that’s her great tribute to our music history.

From folk, blues, country, rockabilly, rock and roll, gospel to jazz and swing, Judy certainly had a gift of exploring, crafting, expanding and personalizing all musical styles that were born from original true root blues, as illustrated in this disc. I’m so honored to have met her here. Thank you, Dexter, for introducing her to me, and for sharing her again with those who already knew and loved her.

Belinda Foster is a Columnist and Contributing Writer for Greenville SC Magazine “Industry Mag” and was former manager of Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’Blues. She currently books blues-rock-jam musicians and is a devoted promoter and supporter of live blues root music and history, making frequent trips to “The Crossroads” and Clarksdale Mississippi, birthplace of the blues. Her column “The Upstate Blues Report” can be found on line at www.industrymag.net

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.

Featured Blues Review 3 of 3

The Soul of John Black - Black John

Electro Groove Records

Run Time: 51:01

He’s been a session man for everyone from Dr. Dre and Everlast to Bruce Hornsby, Nikka Costa and Miles Davis. John “JB” Bigham is the heart and soul of the neo-soul/funk band The Soul of John Black. On his third release, The Soul of John Black turns on the funky retro grooves and doesn’t let up.

If you are looking for a set of something to get up and bump to, try on this 12-track set here.From the opening number and title track to the ode to 70s female funkster Betty Davis “Betty Jean,” The Soul of John Black brings back the sounds of funky Isley Brothers, the more soulful side of the Ohio Players, Philadelphia Soul, and adding in roots elements a la funky Albert King styled guitar grooves and this one stays in the pocket from start to finish.

Blues fans won’t find much blues here. This one is more of a straight-up folk funk number. However, contemporary and on the fringe blues fans will ultimately recognize Bigham’s tips of the hat in lyrics and guitar playing to past electric blues greats. If your taste falls in line with more Nikka Costa, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, G Love & the Special Sauce, or the funkier sides of Everlast and Sublime; then you might want to pick up this set.

The groove doesn’t stray and there are plenty of danceable tracks here to get this to crossover to the AAA radio format. Bigham has worked with some of the best in any genre, so it’s no doubt that this is a veteran piece of funky goodness..

Reviewed by Ben "the Harpman" Cox. Visit his website Juke Joint Soul

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.


The River City Blues Society presents

Wednesday Blues featuring

Chris Bell & 100% Blues

7:00pm March 18th, 2009

The Dragon's Dome
3401 Griffin Ave, Pekin, IL.

To see Map- CLICK HERE

Admission $3 - One free admission with new Society membership


www.lightningred.com

www.cdbaby.com/cd/lred


Live Blues Calendar

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Performance dates were submitted by Musicians, Club Owners, Blues Societies and Blues festivals.

TheBluesBlast.com is not responsible for errors or omissions.

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

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