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Thursday, June 18, 2009

Bob Corritore Blues News


June 17, 2009

  • Elmore James, Jr. on YouTube! Please enjoy this video of Elmore James, Jr. performing a cool shuffle at the University Of Chicago Folk Festival on February 8, 2009. The band includes Billy Flynn on guitar, Jim Murphy on bass, and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith on drums. Elmore Jr., who is a fine guitarist, just sings on this one. To watch, click here.
  • Chicago Recap: This year's Chicago Blues Festival recap will be quite different, as a busy gig schedule allowed for minimal time to enjoy the festival itself. There are so many amazing satellite events that happen around the actual festival that you might even call it the "Chicago Blues Festival Underground". To get an idea of the scope of these satellite events, check out the Chicago Blues Guide's article called "Beyond The Blues Festival" (click here to see). Among the things happening outside the blues festival was the late Koko Taylor's visitation and funeral services, which received much deserved attention. That being said, what I did see at the festival was just great, and my experience playing at the fest this year was very satisfying.

Kim and I arrived in Chicago late on Wednesday, and just had time to check into our room at the Congress Plaza Hotel. On Thursday, we eased into the day with lunch at Caffé Baci on Michigan Avenue before heading to Koko Taylor's visitation. It would be our only opportunity to pay our respects to the “Queen of the Blues”. We went a little ahead of the scheduled opening, since I had a performance shortly afterwards. The visitation and services were scheduled at Jesse Jackson’s RainbowPUSH Coalition National Headquarters, which had a huge chapel. Though we arrived early, the room was already filling up, and we waited our turn in line. There were rows of floral decorations to honor the Queen of the Blues. As we passed by one of the flower arrangements, we noticed it was from Mayor Richard Daley and his wife. Koko was in the glass covered casket, looking just beautiful with a sequined gold lamé dress and shoes, and she was wearing a tiara. (To read the Chicago Tribune article about Koko's funeral, click here.) Though we were just stopping by for the few minutes, we ran into Eddie Taylor, Jr. and Clarence Stevens of Blues You Can Use of WGVE 88.7 of Gary, Indiana. So sad to say goodbye to a woman who symbolized the place for all women in the blues. A Queen indeed. Then, on to a gig at Fat Tone Guitars in Northbrook, where Chris James, Patrick Rynn, and myself conducted a workshop called "How To Create A Blues Trio". Fat Tone Guitars is simply a beautiful guitar shop, with many gorgeous retro guitars neatly hanging in a series against the wall with panels of various color pastels behind them. We played through some wonderful amps, and Chris tried numerous guitars, each with their own unique tone. This workshop was put together by Lynn Orman, who was involved in numerous Earwig celebration events. After the workshop, we stopped by S.P.A.C.E. in Evanston to check out their guitar showcase with James Wheeler, Jody Williams, Billy Flynn, and Lurrie Bell (whose set we regrettably missed), with a special appearance by venue partner and guitarist Dave Specter. It was great to visit with Dave, Billy, and his wife Mary, and to reconnect with Wheeler, who was mutual good friends with the late Little Willie Anderson.

On Friday we began our day at the fest, consigning CDs at the Best Buy tent, and saying hello to numerous friends, including Michael Freeman of Coach House Productions, who spoke of his plans for the next Pinetop Perkins CD (Michael produced the last Grammy®-nominated Pinetop Perkins CD). We also saw Steve Cushing, Fritz and Sissy, Matt Socey, Kurt Swanson, and many others. We stopped by Bob Riedy's booth where he was showing a film collage from the Bob Riedy Blues Band Reunion show featuring Eddy Clearwater from earlier this year at the Rhythm Room. We did not stay long at the festival, as we had to make it to a sound check for Blues On The North Shore at S.P.A.C.E. in Evanston. This event was very special as it was to honor the 30th anniversary of the infamous Earwig Music label and its chief Michael Frank. Earwig's contribution to advancing the cause of the blues cannot be overstated. I feel a special connection with Michael and his label as we were buddies in Chicago and started producing records at around the same time. Three of the titles I produced found a home on Earwig Music (Little Willie Anderson/Swinging The Blues, Big Leon Brooks/Let's Go To Town, and Louisiana Red/Sittin' Here Wonderin'), and most recently, I played harmonica on Chris James and Patrick Rynn's Earwig CD Stop And Think About It. Michael Frank and Earwig Music are family and that made this celebration especially meaningful. Bill Wax flew in from Maryland to emcee the show, which was being filmed and recorded for a later broadcast on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio. The night began with Chris James and Patrick Rynn with Allen Batts on piano, surprise guest Willie "Big Eyes" Smith on drums (how cool!), and yours truly on harmonica. This was followed by a brilliant Honeyboy Edwards set with Aron Burton on bass, John Primer on second guitar, and Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith on drums. It is so inspirational to hear this blues master perform some classic blues, sung and played as only Honeyboy could. At the end of the set, Honeyboy was presented with a birthday cake to honor his forthcoming 94th birthday (Honeyboy was born June 28th, 1915). Then came great sets by John Primer with Rob Stone, Johnny Drummer, and Big Jack Johnson (Big Jack was part of Earwig Music's first release The Jelly Roll Kings/Rockin' The Juke Joint Down). Dennis Binder, who was scheduled to be on the show, was unable to make it due to recent open-heart surgery. This memorable night was produced by Lynn Orman, Michael Frank, and Denise Ardizzone.

Saturday started with a noon set at the Front Porch stage. As a part of the Earwig Music 30th anniversary there was a set honoring the late Chicago blues piano patriarch Sunnyland Slim that included pianists Allen Batts and Aaron Moore (the recovering Dennis Binder was also supposed to be on this show but obviously could not make it). Unfortunately, at this time of day, the rainfall was severe, and this affected the attendance. Still, the diehard blues fans weathered the storm, and provided hearty rounds of applause after each song or solo feature. The Allen Batts set kicked off with Chris and Patrick along with Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith, saxophonist Rodney Brown, and myself on harmonica. Rob Stone was called up to sing two numbers at the end of Allen's set, and then backed up Aaron Moore on most of his set while I stepped down. I was called back to the stage to close out the set for Aaron's encore. It was a really wonderful set! From there, Chris and Patrick played an informal set at the Zone Perfect tent with Rob Stone and I alternating on harmonica. The sun began to peep out around this time, and the festival was filling up with people. People came to the stage alternately to hear some blues and get their free Zone Perfect energy bar sample. We left shortly after that, as I had an appearance scheduled at Reggie's for a show honoring Chicago's great Delmark Records, where I was to make a guest appearance backing my longtime friend and former employer, Tail Dragger. The night was packed from start to finish with blues lovers from all around the country and the world. Guitarist Cadillac Zack of American Blues Legends Management kicked off the night with a sweet set that included a guest appearance by the harmonica ace Scott Dirks. From then on were non-stop killer sets with Jesse Fortune, Johnny B. Moore, Rockin' Johnny (back in action), Eddie C. Campbell, a surprise set by Big Jack Johnson, and finally, Tail Dragger. What a fun and rowdy night, and kudos to Cadillac Zack for pulling off another great showcase (Zack also produced a great show last year in conjunction with blues fest).

Sunday was a relaxed day with all of the gigs completed. We were drawn to the Woodlawn Tap Room in Hyde Park where my longtime friend and harmonica mentor Dave Waldman organizes a weekly traditional blues gathering that features the amazing Ardella Williams, the daughter of Jazz Gillum. Ardella possesses a naturally wonderful voice and a penchant for singing the old school blues of Memphis Minnie, Big Maceo, Little Walter, and her father. I had been hearing great things about her for a while, but this was my opportunity to see her. Her understated band included Scott Dirks on drums (yes, drums!) Justin O’Brien on bass, Willie Greeson on guitar, and Dave Waldman alternating between guitar and harmonica (simply the best harmonica I heard on the trip!). Ardella's brother, Donald Williams, was also on hand to sing some Muddy Waters songs. I was called up to play a few with Ardella, and then again to back Willie Buck, whom I used to work with in the late 70s and early 80s. It was great to connect again with Willie as we swapped stories of the old days playing with Louis and Dave Myers, Big Moose Walker, and Odie Payne, Jr., who Willie would hire regularly as his backing band. Kim and I only intended on staying for an hour, but we were having so much fun that we could not break away. We rushed back to the festival only to catch the last few numbers of Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings and hang out with Andrzej Matysik of Poland's Twój Blues, and his lovely daughter. It was a wonderful trip to Chicago!

A few people that we recall seeing at or around the Chicago Blues Festival (please forgive me if I forget anyone) are photographer Daniel Swadener, photographer Dusty Scott of Dusty Blues, Tom Marker of WXRT, photographer Amy Brat, Dick Shurman, Robert Jr. Whitall and Shirley Mae Owens of Big City Blues Magazine, Kevin Johnson of Delmark and his lovely wife Briana, Jocelyn Richez, Claude Dannic of BCR, André Cochepin-Mingarro, Bernard Delvoie, Dave Waldman, Timm Martin (my high school buddy and owner of the Out Of The Box record label), Bonnie "Queen Bee" Stebbins of the Capital Area Blues Society in Michigan, Rafi Abrichamtchi of Radio Sound Milano, harmonica player Jim Phipps, Jan Tore Lauritsen, Michael Salberg, Seth Dobbins, Stephen Kenyon, Kari Kempas of the Finnish Blues Society, Paul Hanover (blues harmonica player), Tenry Johns, Al Puerini, Jim Carty, Frank Orts of the Bay-Car Blues Festival, Kathy Bewell, Katnip of KKFI in Kansas City, MO, Ralph "Ike" Lacobone, Bob Kieser of Blues Blast Magazine, Matt Eimer of the Simply The Blues Festival, Larry Kapson, Kate Moss, Jean-Luc Varbes and Marcel Benedit of ABS Magazine, Andrzej Matysik of Twój Blues, Phil Vickman of Fat Tone Guitars, Nico Wayne Toussaint, Bob McLaren, photographer Michael Kurgansky, Jeff Dale, Bill Bates, James Segrest (co-author of the Howlin' Wolf bio Moanin' At Midnight), Rick Kreher, Jerry Del Giudice, Christian and Rene Boucour, Phil Vickman, Michael's lovely wife, Barbara Frank, Dave Specter, André and Lil Hobus, Paul Klapper, Terry "Harmonica" Bean, Little Smokey Smothers (who sadly had both his legs recently amputated due to diabetic complications), Bill and Sheila Wax, Big Rockin' Daddy, Jim O'Neal, drummer Bob Carter, Jean Pierre Urbain of ABS Magazine, drummer Rob Lorenz, Liz Sykes of the Ottawa Blues Society, Mary Flynn, harmonica player Chris Harper, bassist/producer Karl Meyer, writer Sandra Pointer-Jones, Peaches Staten, John Valenteyn of the Toronto Blues Society, and many others.

-Bob Corritore

Illinois Blues News


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© 2007 - 2009 IllinoisBlues.com

Latest news, photos, reviews, links & MUCH MORE in this issue! - Scroll or Page Down!


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


2009 Blues Blast Music Awards

We are pleased to announce the 2009 Blues Blast Music Awards. See the complete list of nominees below, SCROLL DOWN!

Like last year our friends and sponsors at GLT Blues Radio 24/7 have a created a "listening page" where you can sample the music of the nominees BEFORE you vote.

To check out the website and begin listening to these great artists now, CLICK HERE!

Voting begins on July 1st. Details on the voting and the Awards ceremony coming soon.


Blues Wanderings

Blues Blast Magazine made it to the Chicago Blues Fest last weekend for three days of real Blues fun.

In fact it was so much fun you could say it was truly a "Blues Blast"! There are so many GREAT Blues musicians in Chicago it boggles the mind. Here are a few of the great artists who were there. (Charlie Musselwhite, Big Bill Morganfield, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and Eddie C. Campbell)

We will have a review of the Chicago Blues Fest with pictures of ALL the fun in next weeks issue.


Great Blues Fests This Weekend

If you are in the Southwest part of the US check out the T-Bone Walker Blues Fest in Linden Texas this weekend where the headliners will include Jimmie Vaughan, Gary Nicholson, Bugs Henderson, Guitar Shorty on Friday and David “Honeyboy” Edwards, Wes Jeans, TuTu Jones and 19th Street Red on Saturday. Plus much more. See their ad below.

If you are in the great state of Missouri don't miss the Parkville River Jam in Parkville, Missouri where the lineup includes The Rev. Jimmy Bratcher, Angela Hagenbach and Harper on Friday and Tommy Andrews Band, The Sons of Brazil, Roger "Hurricane" Wilson w/ Levee Town and Stacy Mitchart on Saturday. For tickets and complete info visit their website or see their ad below.

Also this weekend Blues On The Fox in Aurora, IL will feature Big James & the Chicago Playboys and Davy Knowles & Back Door Slam on Friday and The Hix Brothers, Henry Butler, Cedric Burnside & Lightnin’ Malcolm, Sugar Blue, Watermelon Slim & the Workers and Los Lobos on Saturday. Blues Blast Magazine will be there too so say hello to the photographer in the Blues Blast T-shirt!


In this issue - Blues Reviews and MORE!

James Walker reviews a new CD from Louisiana Red. Belinda Foster reviews a new CD by Shirley Johnson. Steve Jones reviews a new CD by Roy Rogers. George Fish reviews a CD by Curtis Salgado. We welcome new reviewer Craig Ruskey who reviews a new CD by Duke Robillard.

Ben Cox has a review of a show by British guitar sensation Joanne Shaw Taylor. Mark Thompson reviews the Chicago Recording Academy's Chicago Blues Fest kickoff show at Buddy Guy's Legends.

Our classic Video of the week is from 1965 and features Blues legend John Lee Hooker.


2009 Blues Blast Music Awards Nominees

The Blues Blast Music Awards recognize the best Blues performers and their music. Our nominators included Radio stations, Blues DJ's, Blues Bloggers, Blues Critics, Journalists, Festival Promoters, Managers, Musicians and Blues Societies. They have nominated the BEST in Blues Music today.

We want to recognize as many of these great artists as possible so we have included nominations for the top six artists nominated in each category for your votes.

BE AN INFORMED VOTER

Like last year our friends and sponsors at GLT Blues Radio 24/7 have a created a "listening page" where you can sample the music of the nominees BEFORE you vote. GLT Blues Radio 24/7 streams GREAT Blues radio to you FREE, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 356 days a year on the worldwide web!

To check out the website and begin listening to these great artists now, CLICK HERE Voting begins on July 1st. Details coming soon.

Best Contemporary Blues Recording

" At Least I’m Not With You” The Insomniacs

"Love Me Tonight" John Nemeth

“Live at Chan’s Vol 2” Nick Moss

"Clean Getaway" Curtis Salgado

"What Love Will Do" Janiva Magness

"Never going Back" Shemekia Copeland

Best Blues Band

Nick Moss and The Flip Tops

Lil Ed And The Blues Imperials

Kilborn Alley Blues Band

Mannish Boys

The Insomniacs

Watermelon Slim and The Workers

Best Traditional Blues Recording

"Chicago Blues: A Living History" Various Artists

"Sweeheart Like You" Guy Davis

"All Original" John Primer

"Lowdown Feelin" Mannish Boys

"Blues Attack" Shirley Johnson

"One Kind Favor" BB King

Best Male Blues Artist

John Primer

Bobby Jones

Nick Moss

Lurrie Bell

John Nemeth

Elvin Bishop

Best Blues Song

“Bad Year Blues” Albert Castiglia

"At Least I'm Not With You" - The Insomniacs

"Mr. Coffee" Chris James & Patrick Rynn

"20 Years of B.B. King" Curtis Salgado

"Let Life Flow" Kenny Neal

"See That My Grave is Kept Clean" BB King

Best Female Blues Artist

Shirley Johnson

Robin Rogers

Diunna Greenleaf

Shemekia Copeland

Eden Brent

Janiva Magness

Best New Artist Debut

"Stop And Think About It" Chris James & Patrick Rynn

"White Sugar" Joanne Shaw Taylor

"Austin To Chicago" Dave Herrero

"2 Man Wrecking Crew" Cedric Burnside & Lightnin' Malcolm

"Livin It" Guy King

"Mississippi Number One" Eden Brent

Sean Costello Rising Star Award

Eden Brent

Kilborn Alley Blues Band

Joanne Shaw Taylor

Albert Castiglia

Dave Gross

Cedric Burnside and Lightnin' Malcolm



Blues Want Ads

Blues Musicians Place Your Want Ad here for FREE

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

Musicians Wanted for Gigs

Professional "Blues/Soul/R&B Singer and Nightclub Owner" seeks professional Blues Band or Musicians for house band, and working situations. Open weekends, but "Have Songs, Will Travel". Check out our live entertainment and special events venue at www.starlightstheatre.com and contact Jerry at starlightstheatre@live.com .

Touring Guitarist Available

Professional studio and touring guitarist available for traveling. George Walker has played with Barry White , Lou Rawls, Freda Payne, Bill Cosby and more. I would like to play all styles. Please contact at gww36@hotmail.com 402-496-2233 Video and sample CDs available on request.

Web Design Intern wanted

Great opportunity for a motivated college student who wants to work with a large music organization. Do you have experience and training with web design? Do you know how to work with simple SQL databases on the web? If so we seek an intern who wants beef up their resume. This in an unpaid internship but will be a GREAT reference for a web designer in the music business world. If interested please send your resume to

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


Featured Blues Review 1 of 5

Louisiana Red & Little Victor’s Juke Joint - Back to the Black Bayou

Ruf Records GmbH / Bluestown Records

www.louisiana-red.com

www.myspace.com/louisianared

12 songs; Time 39:04; Library Quality

Styles: Chicago Blues, Modern Electric Blues, Slide Guitar Blues

When I was introduced to Texas guitar slinger Jim Suhler, my friend played “Too Poor to Die” from the “Live at Blue Cat Blues” CD, with Alan Haynes. It was an “Oh My Gawd” moment! Then, when I saw Suhler live in 2008, he opened the show with a burning version of the oft requested number.

As good as Suher can cover the song, the originator’s latest version takes the listener all the way back down home! Louisiana Red (born Iverson Minter, 1932, Bessemer, Alabama) wrote and first recorded the both humorous, poignant and recessionary apropos single for Glover Records. On “Back to the Black Bayou,” Red re-records the song in a version that will send Blues purists to heaven (if they are not too poor to die).

Re-recording and showcasing Louisiana Red on his classic songs is the essence of this new CD. Produced by Little Victor, and originally released on Bluestown Records, it was recorded at the Juke Joint Studio in Notodden, Norway, a state-of-art, old-school analog studio with a 24 track 2" tape machine, vintage RCA ribbon microphones, rare tube limiters and the original 1960s Audiotronics mixing console that once belonged to the Stax Studio in Memphis.

Little Victor has long idolized Red and has a long history of performing with Red (a resident of Germany since 1981) playing second guitar and harp. That gave Victor an inside prospective of the artist and his repertoire. Love and mutual respect between artist and producer is the cornerstone of this record. Victor carefully chose some of his favorite numbers and surrounded Red with a stellar band. Red is naturally featured on guitar and vocals, Little Victor handles guitar and harmonica, Robert Alexander Pettersen drums, and Bill Troiani plays upright bass. Special studio guests include Kim Wilson, Bob Corritore, David Maxwell, Reidar Larsen, The Hawk, Josten Forsberg, and Peter Lundell.

The results exemplify the producer's loving vision of a definitive Louisiana Red record. It is filled with Red’s deeply felt vocals, fine guitar, harp and lots of terrific, gritty, raw electric music. Red wrote all of the tunes on this one and incorporates some of his life experiences, as he has in the past. The liner notes for each song are interesting and a very welcome addition.

The Album opens deep in the gut bucket with “I’m Louisiana Red.” Minter has recorded this twice on different labels (Roulette and Atlantic), but this fresh take finds Kim Wilson’s harp in first position and top form.

Following “Alabama Train,” a signature tune of Red’s with Bob Corritore’s powerful harmonica work, a stunning 12 bar tribute to Elmore James comes on “Crime In Motion” with Red playing some blow-the-doors-off slide guitar. “Sweet Leg Girl” also shows off Red’s weeping slide on a slow blues of the finest Chicago Blues vintage.

Every song is a winner; not a throw-away in the bunch. More standouts are the rockabilly “I Came From Louisiana” with the Bo Diddley beat and the Muddy Waters instrumental tribute “At The Zanzibar.”

Having recorded more than 50 albums and best known for his song “Sweet Blood Call,” Minter came by the Blues early on when he lost his parents early in life. His mother died of pneumonia shortly after his birth, and his father was lynched by the Ku Klux Klan when he was five. He was brought up by a series of relatives in various towns and cities.

Red recorded for Chess Records in 1949, before joining the army. After leaving the army, he spent two years in the late 1950s playing with John Lee Hooker in Detroit. His first album, “Lowdown Back Porch Blues,” was recorded in New York with Tommy Tucker and released in 1963, with second album “Seventh Son” released later the same year. He maintained a busy recording and performing schedule through the 1990s, having done sessions for Chess, Checker, Atlas, Glover, Roulette, L&R and Tomato among others.

Though a product of his tutelage with some of the greatest blues artists in history (Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins, Elmore James and others), his music retains an individual stamp of personality, while remaining true to his teacher's lessons.

In 1983 he won a W.C. Handy Award for Best Traditional Blues Male Artist. He has lived in Hannover, Germany since 1981, and he continues to tour, including regular returns to the US.

Ok, Blues purist whiners, put you CD purchasing money where your mouth is and get this album of ground pounding, nitro burning, real-deal Blues! You won’t find contemporary, old school blues produced and packaged with any more care, love and devotion that this one!

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.


For more info visit: http://www.urbanablues.com


Blues Video of the Week

John Lee Hooker
Hobo Blues 1965

This week we feature a 1965 video by Blues Legend John Lee Hooker from the 1965 American Folk Blues Festival.

Hooker was in his prime here but had not made the the big time of Blues yet.

It is easy to see that he would continue on to be regarded as one of the best ever in a few years..

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

.

For other videos on our website CLICK HERE.



Blues Society News


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

Please submit a maximum of 175 or words or less in a Text or Word format ONLY.


River City Blues Society- Peoria, IL

The River City Blues Society's Wednesday Blues Series features the best traveling regional and National Blues musicians each Wednesday at 7:00pm. The shows are held at the Dragon's Dome, 3401 Griffin Ave in Pekin, IL. Admission is $4. Shows scheduled are: June 24 - Gina Sicilia, July 1 - Kilborn Alley Blues Band, July 8 - The Avey Brothers, July 15 - Nick Moss & The Flip Tops, July 22 - Joanna Conner w/ Donna Herula opening act

The Alabama Blues Project - Northport, AL

The Alabama Blues Project's award-winning Summertime Blues Camp gives students the opportunity to take music workshops in their choice ofguitar, harmonica, drums or voice with some of the greatest professional musicians in our state, including Shar-Baby and Debbie Bond. Students who show exceptional skills will also be offered intermediate level classes. In addition, the Summertime Blues Camp offers art classes headed by internationally renowned artists including Lonnie Holley and Miz Thang, lessons in songwriting, life skills and blues history. The Blues Camp will also feature some very special guests including B. J. Miller and Dr. Burt!

Blues Camp is 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from Monday, July 13th to Friday, July 17th. Friday's session will be an Open House Blues Café where the young musicians will showcase their talent with a music performance and art show. Family, friends and the wider community are invited!

The cost for Blues Camp is $200 per student. There are scholarships available for families with a limited budget. Space is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please contact Cara Smith a.s.a.p. at (205) 752-6263 or to register your child(ren) today. Thank you!

The Madison Blues Society - Madison, WI

The Madison Blues Society presents their 7th Annual Blues Picnic On June 20th, 2009 from Noon to 9:00PM at Warner Park in Madison, WI. MBS calls their event a “Blues Picnic” because of the family-oriented atmosphere. This event is free because we believe that Blues music should belong to all of the people, regardless of their ability to pay, as it has been throughout American history.

Performers include Aaron Williams and the Hoodoo, The Karri Daley Band, Joe Nosek's Blues Kids, The Cash Box Kings, The Jimmys, Linsey Alexander, and The Groove Hogs. The event is Free and open to the public. For more information visit : www.madisonbluessociety.com/picnic09.htm

Blues Blowtorch Society – Bloomington, IL

3rd Friday Blues - The Treehouse Lounge, 2060 Ireland Grove Rd, Bloomington, IL (309) 662-5231 A blues show the 3rd Friday of every month at 7:00 PM. June 19th – Watermelon Slim & The Workers

The Arkansas River Blues Society - Little Rock, Arkansas

The Arkansas River Blues Society presents a monthly Blues jam at Juanita’s, 1300 Main Street, Little Rock, Arkansas the first Tuesday of every month, beginning July 7th, at 8 pm. The jam will feature a different house band each month. Unseen Eye, from Hot Springs, has been chosen as the first house band. Admission is $5 for the public and $3 for members of ARBS. Participating musicians are FREE and this is an open jam. For more information contact Babs at 501-920-7783 or check out www.myspace.com/arriverbluessociety

Central Mississippi Blues Society – Jackson, MS

The CMBS presents Blue Monday at Hal & Mal’s (200 Commerce St., Jackson, MS) every Monday night. Doors open @ 8:00 and music begins @ 8:30. Cover is $5.

The Blue Monday Band is comprised of the “best of the best “ musicians in the Central MS area. Featured artists are King Edward, lead guitar/vocalist and Pat Brown, Abdul Rasheed and Dennis Fountain as vocalists. Other regular band members are Dwight Ross and Rick Lewis (drums), Keith Collins (bass), Johnny Sharpe (keys) and Malcolm Shepherd (CMBS President) on Congas. Most of these musicians appeared in The Last of the Mississippi Jukes.

The Blue Monday Band plays the first set and then the event turns into a jam. For more info see: www.centralmississippibluessociety.com or call Peggy Brown @ 601-613-7377

Mississippi Valley Blues Society - Davenport, IA

The Mississippi Valley Blues Society presents British sensation Joanne Shaw Taylor on Thursday June 18 at Creekside Bar and Grill, 3303 Brady Street in Davenport. Admission is $8.00, $6.00 for MVBS members. The show starts at 7:00 p.m. For more info call the MVBS office at 563-32-BLUES.

Illinois Central Blues Club - Springfield, IL

The Illinois Central Blues Club will be conducting its Third Annual Blues Challenge during the Old Capitol Blues & Barbeque, August 29, 2009 beginning at noon. Deadline to apply is July 15, 2009. Official rules can be viewed on the ICBC’s website, www.icbluesclub.org . The Challenge includes both the band competition and the solo/duo competition on the same day. The winner of the band challenge will receive $1,000 and the winner of the solo/duo challenge will receive $500 in travel monies to represent the Club at the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, TN January 20-23, 2010. Inquiries regarding this press release should be directed to Mark Edmiston, President of the Illinois Central Blues Club, at (217) 679-0721 or e-mail markredmiston@msn.com

BLUE MONDAY SHOWS - Held at the Alamo 115 N 5th St, Springfield, IL (217) 523-1455 every Monday 8:30pm $2 cover - June 22 - Harper, June 29 - Deak Harp


For complete info visit: www.bearcreekblues.com


Featured Blues Review 2 of 5

Shirley Johnson - Blues Attack

Delmark Records

14 tracks; 62 mins 53 seconds

Style: Chicago Style Blues, R&B, Funk-Soul and Gospel Roots

Rating: Library Quality

Some say there’s a female blues singer revival going on and perhaps that’s true, especially at a time when we’re mourning the loss of the great Koko Taylor. That’s why I hope you’ll take a minute to check out native Virginian Shirley Johnson and her long history of singing the blues via that well-known gospel-pop-soul train that eventually dropped her off in her now Windy City home over 25 years ago—the same home that produced the likes of Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin’ Wolf, and Muddy Waters.

I’d like to think this ‘revival’ isn’t so much a revival after all. What are we reviving? There’s always been leading edge pioneering African American female blues singers. Our veterans aren’t going through a revival; they’ve never stopped! And those like Shirley Johnson have made and continue to make a historical impact that illuminates the female’s vital role and contribution to blues--back then and now.

So get this straight: Shirley isn’t good or in demand because she’s been singing for 50+ years; she’s been singing and in demand for 50+ years because she’s GOOD! And at age 60, she’s still bringing it. How many Shirley’s do you know who can boast of being a product of the blues movement from the 60s to the present? Whether you take in her show at the downtown Blue Chicago club where she’s had a regular gig for over 17 years or buy her CDs, you should add Blues Attack to your collection.

Blues Attack is Shirley’s first release since her Delmark best seller debut Killer Diller in 2002. It was recorded in June 2008 at Riverside Studio in Chicago with a reunion of the Killer Diller bandmates and songwriters Maurice John Vaughn and Roosevelt Purifoy on keys, the legendary Chicago Horns, and back up vocalists Roberta Thomas and Danielle Smith. With the addition of Herb Walker of the Tyrone Davis camp and the BBKing stylings of guitarist Luke Pytel, you’ll be in sweet home Chicago before you know it.

From the moment Blues Attack hits your player, Track 1’s “You’re Reckless” gets straight to the point of dishing out that comforting Chicago smooth blues auto-pilot groove. Guitarist Luke Pytel lets us know early on that he’s a BB-style man and pianist Roosevelt Purifoy tickles an ivory solo for Shirley to do her thing. They showcase their talents again in Track 2 Blues Attack. It’s obvious Shirley takes the stage and the studio with only the best players who feel the music the same way she does. In Blues Attack they add just enough light jazzy classic soul and funk to support her veteran convicting blues delivery.

In the next 3 tracks, “My Baby Played Me For A Fool”, “634-5789”, and “Just Like That”, Shirley and the band move effortlessly back and forth between classic soul old school complete with background vocal harmony and horns to the more classic blues upbeat tempos with female attitude. Here in South Carolina, we’d be a shagging to some of these tunes…ahem, that’s a Carolina dance style, not London’s definition….

In Track 6 “You Shouldn’t Have Been There”, Shirley sings like she knows from experience what it feels like to find out your lover’s been slipping out. She emits raw emotion, and with the band’s laid back melancholy rhythmic rolls, you might just find tears in your eyes. She takes you there with her. And coming at you with head-on sentiment is exactly what a blues musician is suppose to do—move you.

But you won’t stay down for long! Shirley’s picking up the groove in Tracks 7 and 8, “I’m Going To Find Me A Lover” and “Felt So Good”. With belting vocal conviction and the sassy background horns and horn solo, look out….you’ll be right back up.

There’s no effected pretense with Shirley. Unlike some artists, she doesn’t have to scream, screech or stretch at the top end of a note to hit a note, she simply nails it from the heart and has that natural voice range to do it--the note, the pitch, the soul and the story line. She’s a story teller who paints a mesmerizing visual ethereal environment using the powerful passion that’s behind her singing.

And finally! Someone who can take a cover song and make it their own, “Unchain My Heart”. A little drum roll shimmer, some sliding caresses of the piano and organ keys, Shirley’s gospel ‘well well, I know you don’t love me no more baby, I know you gotta another woman somewhere’ puts you right there in the front row of church where Shirley’s about to get unchained from the pulpit. You’ll also love the background old school vocal harmony and doo wops of Roberta Thomas and Danielle Smith. There’s a classic revival 60’s feel to this one; you’re going to love her version.

Track 10’s “Selfish Kind of Gal” takes us back to Chicago; Shirley hands off the middle to Roosevelt who tears it up on the organ solo. Horns rock out the start of Track 11 “Take Your Foot Off My Back”. Shirley and her funky groove players then settle into a hypnotic R&B beat with attitude. “Lost And Alone”, “Let It Rain” and “You Just Using Me” finish out this superb aggregation of from-the-heart players and singers who do it with feeling, the way music’s suppose to be done.

This is what blues, R&B and Soul are really all about—if you can’t sing it, play it, feel it or listen to it from the heart, then you probably should just go mechanize and digitize in another genre. There’s no hiding emotion when it comes to Shirley. She’s going to pull you in, just like the preacher, whether you ever thought you could open up that heart-door or not. We all need some gritty spirituality seasoning in our blues diet. Get it here with Shirley Johnson’s Blues Attack!

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.


For Tickets and more info visit: www.mvbs.org


Featured Blues Review 3 of 5

Roy Rogers - Split Decision

Blind Pig Records

12 tracks

Roy Rogers latest effort showcases this slide master’s guitar in a variety of styles across the CD’s dozen cuts. His reunion with label Blind Pig also happens to be his first studio recording with his band, The Delta Rhythm Kings. He experiments in style with the songs he has penned for this new album and I have to say he succeeded quite well in his efforts.

Rogers aptly described his effort CD in the accompanying promotional material. He noted: "My influences are from all over the map. I love combining different elements on a recording, but ultimately it is about 'the feel' of a total record. I hope that shines through in a positive way for people." That is certainly evident and he slides his way from jazz to a grungy sounding combination of blues and rock and to country, with several stops in between. Several of the tracks stay true to a bluesy rock/rockabilly style that Rogers is quite adept at, but it really gets interesting when he branches out into the other worlds.

The opening track “The Calm Before the Storm” is a song about a cheating woman who is living through the calm before a confrontational storm, but this tune is anything but calm. Rogers blasts his way into this CD with a grunged-out driving beat and fuzzed out and distorted guitar work. When I first heard it I knew that this CD would be a little different.

He then shuffles into the next track, a catchy little honky-tonk track called “Patron Saint of Pain”. Here he sings of a woman walking into a disastrous relationship with a guy he calls the Patron Saint of Pain. Some barrelhouse piano riffs by Phillip Aaberg and Roy’s electric slide convinced me this was going to be a fun ride.

“Rite of Passage” is a great instrumental jazz track with George Brooks’ tenor sax featured. In the middle of it all the song swings over to a greasy slide guitar solo from Roy. A stark contrast to most of the songs on the album, it may be my favorite cut. The other instrumental is a short and almost Spanish acoustic guitar-styled number with Roger’s soloing and sliding his way through. Very interesting and quite good!

If you are a Roy Rogers fan, you’ll love his newest set of songs. It gives one a great sense for the talents of this experienced musician. His slide guitar work is so much more than solid and his vocals are more than up to the task. This CD is fresh and full of great music in a variety of sounds, styles and tempos. The Rhythm Kings (Steve Ehrmann on bass and Billy Lewis on drums) and the other accompanying guest musicians blend together well. Roy Rogers and Blind Pig have put together a great effort here!

Reviewer Steve Jones is Secretary of the Crossroads Blues Society in Rockford. IL

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For info and tickets visit www.briggsfarm.com


Featured Blues Review 4 of 5

Duke Robillard's Jumpin' Blues Revue - Stomp The Blues Tonight

Stony Plain Records (2009)

www.dukerobillard.com

16 tracks, 66 minutes. Recommended

Duke Robillard should be no stranger to blues fans around the globe regardless of stylistic preferences; his music catalog now encompasses more than thirty years with the guitarist having offered everything from straight-ahead electric blues to swing, jazz, rock n' roll and full-tilt rhythm and blues. His latest is a reminder to the multiple efforts of the great Johnny Otis whose recorded efforts over the years were often packaged as all-star blues and R&B shows.

Roomful Of Blues alumni play a large role here with horns provided by Doug James, Rich Lataille, Al Basile and Carl Querfurth. Acoustic and electric bass chores are capably handled by Jon Ross and Marty Ballou, while Mark Teixeira delivers the riveting backbeats. Bruce Bears contributes piano throughout and the vocals are courtesy of Robillard and the fabulous Sunny Crownover.

Musically, this disc is right up Duke's alley, reflecting the numerous and diverse styles of horn-based jump blues that first inspired the Rhode Island native four decades ago. Whether it's the slow and blistering “Three Hours Past Midnight” with Duke mimicking Johnny "Guitar" Watson's acidic Stratocaster tone, or “Jumpin' The Bone” and “Frankie And Johnny” where he calls on the ghosts of T-Bone Walker and Tiny Grimes respctively, Robillard has all cylinders wide open.

Be sure to catch his dizzying whammy bar antics on Ike Turner's “Tore Up” as well. Crownover shines beautifully on “Look But Don't Touch”, “Million Dollar Secret”, “For You My Love”, “Ain't Nobody's Business”, “I Wanna Hug You” and “Hands Off!” Her phrasing is pure and unfettered and she never once falls victim to slavish interpretations of the classics she's featured on.

Stomp The Blues Tonight should easily garner votes as the best dance recording of the year and it wouldn't come as a surprise if it took home a few more honors at next year's Blues Music Awards. A hands-down winner on all counts.

Reviewer Craig Ruskey is a New England native who has been listening to Blues for more than thirty-five years. He has played guitar for twenty-five years in a number of regional Blues bands and has toured with Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson. Craig has been actively writing about Blues music for more than ten years. He contributes reviews to a number of blues forums and websites and his reviews have been published in both Blues Access and Living Blues magazines.

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.


12th Annual Prairie Dog Blues Fest

Friday, July 31, 2009

Queenie & The Blue Cats Curtis Salgado The Groove Hogs Ana Popovic The Swamp Kings

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Perry Weber & The Devilles, Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers Johnny Rawls Lil' Brian & The Zydeco Travelers Davy Knowles & Back Door Slam Jon Justice

Festival Website www.prairiedogblues.com

The only Blues festival held on an island in the middle of the Mississippi River!

Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin on St. Feriole Island


Live Blues Music Review 1 of 2

Joanne Shaw Taylor LIVE - Pekin, IL June 17, 2009

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Blues Rock hater. I'm going to go out and see if the hype is really true. Can she play with the fire and reckless abandoned that her heroes played with night in and night out for the next ten years? Can she give us the legendary live albums and performances that people will be talking about for the next ten years? Is she ready for these weighty comparisons? Only time will tell. This is a pretty solid first effort that will no doubt bring some otherwise fair weather fans out to the festivals this year to catch a glimpse of the pretty blonde haired girl who can play like the big boys only better. Is it probably fair that I'm judging so harshly, probably not but hey, I'm just one critic. Pick up the album and judge for yourself."

That was the last paragraph of my review of Joanne Shaw Taylor’s White Sugar debut on Ruf Records from last May at my site Juke Joint Soul. I’m not a big blues rock fan. In fact, most of the time, it gives me a solid headache. However, one would ask me: “Ben, why would you drive 2 hours north to see said blues rock girl?” The answer is in the above paragraph. I was intrigued. I was curious. I wanted to see if the pretty blonde haired girl from the Black Country of England could get down and get it with the big boys. I wanted to see if she could crank out the energy to 10 for a 3 hour show and not let up. I wanted to see if she would fall into the trappings and noodlings of some of the other disciples of the blues-rock pathos. To put it simply, I wanted to see firsthand what I was hearing for myself.

The answer to my questions came swift and complete as Taylor hit the stage at the Dragon’s Dome in Pekin, IL on Wednesday June 17. As stated in the CD review, Taylor can play with the big boys and her licks do hit with a ten ton hammer, directly to the heart. I was overtaken with surprise as she mixed in originals from her debut, almost playing the album in its entirety along with several familiar covers. Taylor packed in one of the largest crowds I’ve seen at the Dragon’s Dome, though reports from some of the frequent goers say they’ve only had one or maybe two bigger shows. The fact of the matter though, the crowd stayed for the entire three hours. That’s no small feat on a middle of the work week gig.

Taylor mixed in covers of Otis Rush, Freddie King, Jeff Beck, and ultimately Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Taylor wowed the crowd with her lightning-fast and honorable cover of Vaughan’s “Rude Mood.” She then followed it with her set closer, Hendrix’s “Manic Depression.” Taylor’s phrasing is very energetic and full-fledged fire. Even for heavy traditionalists like me, it’s easy to see that the talent and knowledge of her instrument is truly there, bar none. The thing about her guitar work, though, that sets her apart from the rest of her blues-rock brethren is her use of dynamics. Rather than playing at one volume and one speed all night long like the rest, Taylor knew when and how to bring the volume and the pace way down for maximum effect and then drop the pedal to the floor for fire-breathing intensity. This last statement also says a lot about her timely rhythm section, who were just thumping right on time. It was excellent foray into the power trio setting.

As a critic, once in awhile it’s good to eat your words or be pleasantly surprised by an artist. Taylor did just that and I’m glad to say it’s so. She’s an exciting performer that will no doubt bring a lot of new fans to the blues via her dose of blues-rock. Watch out blues fans and see if she’s on the road to your town.

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

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.



Live Blues Music Review 2 of 2

The Chicago Blues Fest Kick-off Jam - Buddy Guy's Legends Chicago, IL June 10, 2009

On Wednesday, June 10, Crossroads newsletter editor Steve Jones and I made it to Buddy Guy’s Legends club for an exciting event that heralded the start of another Chicago Blues Fest. The show was hosted by the Chicago Chapter of The Recording Academy. This is the local chapter of the organization that stages the annual Grammy Awards. The show was a fundraiser for the Academy’s Professional Arts Education programs that are held throughout the Midwest, and a tribute to Chicago’s rich musical heritage.

Arriving at the club, we were directed to a press table where we joined Blues Blast editor Bob Kieser. As Bob gave us the latest news in the blues world, the friendly staff at Legends came by with a seemingly endless supply of tasty treats including some delicious mini-crab cakes. Each of us took a moment to check out the silent auction items that included a framed photo of the late queen of the Blues, KoKo Taylor, and another package that include an original artwork featuring piano legend Pinetop Perkins. Both packages also included your choice of ten CDs from the Alligator Records catalog.

Radio personality Buzz Kilman and NBC5 entertainment reporter Lee Ann Trotter were the hosts for the show. The music started off with the Brother John Kattke Band featuring the leader on guitar and vocals backed by a three piece horn section and the great Marty Binder on drums. Kattke used his wah-wah pedal effectively on a couple of tunes and turned in a strong version of “I’ll Play the Blues For You.”

Brother John Kattke

Vino Louden

Next up was guitarist Vino Louden, a long-time member of KoKo Taylor’s band. Louden suffered life-threatening injuries in an auto accident a year ago. After being told he would never walk again or have the use of his left arm, Louden proudly took the stage for his first live appearance since the accident and proceeded to show the audience how wrong the doctors were.

The highlight of his set was a moving cover of the bobby Blue Bland classic, “IE2ll Take Care of You.” Kattke remained on stage and switched to keyboards for Louden’s set.

Matthew Skollar

Nick Moss

Each artist got to do a set of four of five songs. Matthew Skoller was next and started his portion of the show with a hot instrumental featuring his splendid harmonica work. Backed by Nick Moss on guitar, Skoller later did an emotional tribute to Junior Wells on “Hoodoo Man Blues.”

Following Skoller, the band did an instrumental that featured Nick’s inspired guitar playing that was one of the evening’s highlights. That was the set-up for the appearance of Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick fame. Brother John switched back to guitar and traded licks with Nielsen on powerful version of “Ain’t That A Shame”. Nielsen then asked if anyone wanted to come up and sing with the band on “I Want You to Want Me” A woman quickly volunteered and did a decent job on the vocal while Nielsen ripped off some monster power chords on his guitar.

Rick Nielsen

Pinetop Perkins

The next highlight was a set featuring Pinetop Perkins, who was quite dapper in his suit and Fedora hat. Perkins may be 95 years old but he can still navigate a piano keyboard, which he aptly demonstrated on “Down in Mississippi.” Part of the way through his set he was joined by his former band mate Willie “Big Eyes” Smith on harmonica. Smith has developed into a fine harp player and his presence elevated the energy level on the stage. Perkins picked out a rolling boogie pattern on “Big Fat Mama” and traded vocals with Smith on “Got My Mojo Working”.

The band switched around a bit as Moss was joined by his regular drummer, Bob Carter, and his wife Kate on bass, with Brother John back at the keyboards. They did several tunes that gave Nick the space to showcase his prodigious talent as a guitar player. Another musical highlight occurred when Lurrie Bell added his guitar to the group. Lurrie took the lead vocal on “Don’t Lie to Me”20as he and Moss took turns dazzling the audience with masterful fretwork. Willie Smith returned to the stage and added his harp to “I Got My Brand on You.” It was a treat to be able to hear Moss and Bell trade licks.

Billy Branch

Lurrie Bell

Billy Branch arrived at the club after playing the national anthem before the White Sox game. Branch stated that he only missed one note in his rendition. He led the band through several selections including an energetic “Eyesight to the Blind”, his harp playing as strong as ever. Branch then invited Tracee Adams to the stage for “Rock Me Baby” and her powerful voice woke the crowd up. Her performance injected plenty of sparks into the classic tune. The next special guest was singer Nellie “Tiger” Travis, who also dazzled the crowd with a rockin’ “Let the Good Times Roll”. Travis has a strong, expressive voice and knows how to win over an audience. Branch executed some intricate lines on his harp, at one point hitting and holding a note to great effect.

Michael McDermo tt was up next. This hometown boy is more of a rocker but he started his set with “In My Time of Dying” on acoustic guitar. Another song repeated the phrase “drunk again” and its’ dark nature made it a blues tune at least in spirit.

Then it was time to make the long trip back home. It was an exciting evening and the show certainly served as a tremendous start to the Chicago Blues Fest weekend. Thanks to Robin Clement of the K101 Agency for inviting us and arranging to get us on the press list. Also a big thank you goes out to The Recording Academy- Chicago Chapter- for staging an event featuring some of the best blues musicians in town. Make sure you look for ads for next year’s event and get an early start on the festivities.

Reviewer Mark Thompson is president of the Crossroads Blues Society in Rockford. IL

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.


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Featured Blues Review 5 of 5

Curtis Salgado - Clean Getaway

Shanachie Records

www.curtissalgado.com

Four-category 2009 Blues Music Award nominee Curtis Salgado lets it all hang out on Clean Getaway with 12 cuts of masterful soul, R&B and rock, all with a touch of the blues. Clean Getaway is a masterful effort that readily evokes the classic work from late1960s-early 1970s labels such as Stax, Hi and Atlantic, along with the classic male singers from those labels Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Al Green. A demonstration that soul is alive and well indeed, not ready either for the scrap heap or the museum display case.

The 12 songs on Clean Getaway are all very good songs, with none of them the familiar chestnuts we all heard then on Top 40 radio. The only song that might be taken as an obvious cover would be track 10, Al Green’s “Let’s Get Married;” but here as elsewhere, while Salgado’s vocals may evoke memories of Green, or on other tracks, Otis Redding or Wilson Pickett, they only evoke, don’t copy, thus making Curtis Salgado sound throughout just like—well, Curtis Salgado!

Plus, there’s a lot of variety in the song types, styles and delivery. While much of the CD might be called straight-ahead classic soul, track 5, “What’s Up With That,” is in a traditional B.B. King mode, with driving horns and solid King-like guitar work from Johnny Lee Schell. Another song evoking this particular King of the Blues (for there were two others as well, Albert and Freddie), track 8, “20 Years Of B.B. King,” builds around the melody and guitar work of “The Thrill Is Gone” with reference in the lyrics to several of King’s familiar works to limn a classic blues of betrayal. This particular song was nominated for Song of the Year at the Blues Music Awards this past May. One of my favorites, track 3, “Who’s Lovin’You,” is a stream-of-consciousness portrait in pure emotion, much like Otis Redding’s “Try A Little Tenderness” or James Brown’s “Please, Please, Please.” But track 9, “Heartache,” is piano driven New Orleans R&B, with the delightful augmentation of Julie Delgado’s emphatic soulful cries, while track 7, “I Don’t Want To Discuss It” and the final track, the Eric Clapton/Bonnie and Delaney-penned “Bottle Of Red Wine,” are rock ‘n’ roll. And while love and its vicissitudes are at the top of the themes addressed, the opening cut, “Clean Getaway,” tells instead of chucking it all and making that “clean getaway” into an anonymity free from one’s troubles.

Musicianship is solid, built around the seminal studio Phantom Blues Band at its core, with several guest musicians, background singers, and the multi-tracked sax of Joe Sublett and trumpet of Les Lovitt providing a solid horn section on five cuts. Salgado adds harp complement to his vocals on four tracks, playing bluesy around the melody line on track 2, “Both Sorry Over Nothin’;” track 4, “My Confession;” track 6, “Alone;” and more traditional blues harp solos on “Bottle Of Red Wine.”

As Indianapolis bluesman Governor Davis keeps reminding us locally, while blues did have one baby and they called it rock ‘n’ roll, blues also had another, and they called it soul. Curtis Salgado’s effort on Clean Getaway recalls the work of Little Milton and Z.Z. Hill, who could not only move naturally and effortlessly from blues to soul, but always put some of that blues with a feeling into their soul work as well. Summing up Clean Getaway—fresh, sparkling wine from those old bottles of the soul tradition that just tastes good again and again!

Reviewer George Fish lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, home of blues legends Yank Rachell and Leroy Carr, and writes a regular music column, “Blues and More” for the online Bloomington (IN) Alternative. He’s also published in the regional Indiana blues and alternative presses as well as Living Blues and Blues Access, and wrote the notes for Yank Rachell’s Delmark album, Chicago Style. He has also published on blues and pop music for the left-wing press as well, and has appeared in Against the Current and Socialism and Democracy, as well as the online Political Affairs and MRZine.

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.


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