Pinetop Perkins RIP

Sad news, the great Pinetop Perkins has died.  Pinetop was one of the last of the Chicago Boogie Woogie piano players.  Below is an obit from Bob Corritore, but I did want to add one story of my own.  I was lucky to have met Pinetop one snowy night in Des Moines Iowa.   Pinetop was headlining a show at Connie's Lounge with the Soul Searchers.  Pinetop was late due to the storm, so I was fortunate enough to get a chance to play with the Soul Searchers while we waited for him to arrive.  Once he was got to the bar I was able to sit down next to him and talk awhile.  He was an amazingly nice old man, (probably in his late 70s then) and he complimented my piano playing, which he was probably just being nice, but it really meant a lot to me back then!  When Pinetop finally got warmed up he got up to the piano and blew the doors off the place.  That was the first time that I realized that bluemen only get better with age.  Unlike popular music, where you are washed up once past 30.  You are only getting started in the  blues when you hit 50.  The blues unlike any other medium honors its elder blues players with a reverence like no other.  Certainly older players get recognition in Jazz, and Country, but the blues still see you as a vital contributor to the music.  God bless you Pinetop and may you, Otis, Sunnyland, Memphis Slim, and Lafayette jam away for all eternity.

From Bob Corritore

March 21, 2011

• RIP Pinetop Perkins July 7, 1915 to March 21, 2011. Nobody can live forever, but for a period of time in his long life of 97 years, the legendary Pinetop Perkins made us think it was possible. It is with tears that we say goodbye to one of the most loved and highly respected blues musicians of our time. Pinetop Perkins died today of heart failure at his home in Austin, Texas. We know that Pinetop led a rich and happy life, and that he understood the simple pleasures, which he enjoyed everyday. Pinetop Perkins was born in Belzoni, Mississippi. He began his career as a guitarist, but then injured the tendons in his left arm in a fight with a choir-girl in Helena, Arkansas. Unable to play guitar, Pinetop switched to the piano. He got his moniker from playing the popular "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie", a 1928 hit by pianist Pinetop Smith.Pinetop accompanied Sonny Boy Williamson II on the Helena based radio program King Biscuit Time on KFFA. He worked with Robert Nighthawk, accompanying him on the 1950 Aristocrat recording of "Jackson Town Gal". In the 1950s, Perkins joined Earl Hooker's band and began touring, stopping to record "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie" at Sam Phillips' studio in Memphis, Tennessee. Pinetop was a major influence on the young Ike Turner, whom he taught piano. Pinetop joined the Muddy Waters Band in 1969, replacingOtis Spann, and playing in the band for over a decade. It is from his time with Muddy that Pinetop became a well known name in the blues. Pinetop would leave Muddy's band with other band members to form The Legendary Blues Band before restarting his solo career. Along the way, Pinetop was helped by the confident direction provided by manager Patricia Morgan, who was a tireless and diplomatic advocate. Pinetop won three Grammy Awards, and so many Handy Awards that he gracefully took himself out of the running by changing the piano category award to his namesake. Though he rose to the highest of stature, Pinetop was always very accessible and appeared on numerous albums, and projects. He remained active, healthy and happy until the end, even with a daily habit of cigarettes, and McDonald's (double mac with cheese, medium sprite, and an apple pie). He spent his 97th birthday flying to Spain to play a blues festival, and this year he won his third Grammy for "Best Traditional Blues album" for Joined At The Hip, his collaboration with Willie "Big Eyes" Smith on the Telarc label. We should also mention Barry Nowlin,Michael Freeman, Bob Margolin, Hugh Southard of Blue Mountain Artists, Onnie Heaney, Little Frank Krakowski, Bob Stroger, Diunna Greenleaf, and Pete Carlson for their support roles in Pinetop's life. We will miss Pinetop's distinctive voice and his elegant, interactive piano style. He has touched all of us with his charm, his talent, and his loving approach to life. Though we hate to say goodbye, we have to be thankful for the great joy that he brought us. God bless you Pinetop. To see some great photos of Pinetop Perkins click here, and here
  
  UPDATE FROM BOB CORRITORE
  
  
  
  

  Pinetop Perkins obit correction and funeral information. Please note that in our Pinetop Perkins obituary we listed the wrong birth year. Pinetop was born in 1913, not 1915 as we mistakenly stated. Pinetop's funeral information is as follows:

   

  Visitation
  Sunday, March 27, 2011 - 3:00pm - 5:00pm
  Cook-Walden Funeral Home
  6100 North Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78752
  512-454-5611
  
  Funeral Service
  Monday, March 28, 2011 -  5:00pm
  Colonial Chapel of Cook-Walden Funeral Home
  6100 North Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78752
  512-454-5611

  Celebration of LifeMonday, March 28, 2011 - 8:00PM
  Antone's Blues Club
  213 W 5th St
  Austin, TX  78701

   

  Burial services will be on Saturday, April 2, 2011 in Clarksdale, MS.
  Details are still being finalized.

John Hammer Blues News

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Gettin' in Shape on the Radio   OK; we all need a little tune up before festival season. Let's bust a few grooves and sweat a little. March 27th on Hammered By The Blues  (every Sunday on KOWZ 1170AM at 10pm)we start our audio workout by shakin' the dust out 'cher ears as Blues Dragon turns the beast loose settin' the pace with select tracks off their self titled CD (simply called) 'Blues Dragon'. While yer still feelin' the burn we call on sister Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce to set yer backfield in motion with shared experiences off 'Tales From Lenny's Diner'. At this moment you WILL be compelled to jump up and shout fer a little cardio action as  Stevie J tightens up yer yaya's with a handful off his latest 'The Diversity Project'. To bring our back alley boogaloo session to a sweet cool down, we invite BB Queen to set yer mojo free with a few intense rep's off her brand new CD 'I Can Play The Blues'. Now didn't that workout make ya feel better?!     Ya know gettin' yer blues in shape will never sting; It's where the mind goes, the body follows thing;   Our job is to inspire and turn yer mojo loose;     Dancin' yer spirit free while tightenin' yer caboose! Hammer-time!  Fresh Stuff Ya Wanna Know   March Blue Monday  NOW On Line Mar. 26- Robert Cray w/Lisa Wenger   at the Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake, IA  'Your order is ready at Hammered By the Blues'  Listen On Line Now: Click Here <- Episode #255 featuring: Howard Glazer & the EL34's, Rich DelGrosso & Jonn Del Toro Richardson, Gordie Tentrees, and Sweet Claudette Be sure to check out brand new blues on the Juke Box Page, vote for your favorite song and enter to win a Limited Edition Blue Monday Lapel Pin   'Hammered By The Blues' now on  ROCKIN U RADIO on LIVE365 11pm to 1am Monday, Wednesday and Friday! Give a listen - > CLICK HERE for LINK Print Out The 'OPPORTUNITIES LIVE' section at Blue Monday OnLine offering somethin' to do in LIVE MUSIC in Minnesota, Iowa, St. Louis, Omaha, Lincoln, Clarksdale, and Memphis at:    Blue Monday Calendar  Just click on the link above -or- type the name into your browser; right click on the Calendar page you want, save and print. Yes, it is just that easy!

John 'blueshammer' Hammer 
Blue Monday Monthly Magazine 
www.bluemondaymonthly.com 
Hammered By The Blues Weekly Radio 
KOWZ 1170am/ 100.9fm 
510 West McKinley 
Owatonna, MN 55060

Melvin Sparks RIP

RIP Melvin Sparks - March 22, 1946 to March 15, 2011. Guitarist Melvin Sparks is better known in jazz circles, but he occupied that wonderful "Jazz meets Blues " niche and excelled as a guitarist. He released a number of albums for the influential Prestige Records, later recording for Savant Records. He appeared on several recordings with musicians including Lou Donaldson, Charles Earland, Sonny Stitt, Leon Spencer and Johnny Hammond Smith. he was known as a leading light of the "Acid Jazz" movement. Last year he did a memorable performance at Bob Porter's 70th birthday party with a set that included sit ins by Duke Robillard, Shemekia Copeland, Lou Donaldson, and many others. To hear his extra cool version of "Thank You", a single on the Prestige label produced by Bob Porter, click here.

Herman "Roscoe" Ernest III RIP

From Bob Corritore

• RIP Herman "Roscoe" Ernest III - Birthdate not available to March 6, 2011. Drummer Herman "Roscoe" Ernest III, a veteran of the New Orleans R&B scene, died March 6 at age 59 after a long bout with cancer. He was a member of Dr. John's band for over 20 years and appeared on many of the good doctor's records. His resume also included important recordings with Lee Dorsey, The Neville Brothers,Earl King, Irma Thomas, Aaron Neville, Snooks Eaglin, Johnny Adams, Anders Osborne, Al "Carnival" Johnson, Solomon Burke and LaBelle. Obviously considered among the top musicains of the Crescent City, Herman "Roscoe" Ernest III will be greatly missed.

Bob Corritore Blues News

March 18, 2011

• Dave Riley / Bob Corritore / Juke Joint Blues Band Live Recording session this weekend! Tonight is Dave Riley's birthday party! The Dave Riley / Bob Corritore Juke Joint Blues Band (Dave, Bob, Dave "Yahni" Riley, Jr., and Brian Fahey bring their down home blues romp to the Rhythm Room tonight and Saturday night. Both nights will be recorded by the award winning Clarke Rigsby of Tempest Recordingand a track or two will be included in the forthcoming Rhythm Room 20 year anniversary CD. Also tonight,Dave Riley will celebrate his 62nd birthday! Note that Dave and Bob are busy in the studio these days working on their third CD! The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014.
• Blues at the Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Festival on May 28 and 29!. Last year the long standing Simi Valley Cajun Festival became the Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival with separate stages for each music style. Each year the festival happens on the Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.Delta Groove label chief Randy Chortkoff is also the festival blues coordinator. He has just announced the festival's blues lineup for this year's. On Saturday May 28th acts will include The 44’s, Los Fabulocosfeaturing Kid Ramos, Mikey Jr & Stone Cold Blues, Arthur Adams, Ana Popovic, John Nemeth, and theMannish Boys Revue with Tracy Nelson, Rusty Zinn, Lynwood Slim, The King Brothers, Bob Corritore,Peter Dammann and more. On Sunday May 29th, 2011 the lineup is Cadillac Zack with Special Guests, Mitch Kashmar Band, Kirk Fletcher Band, Big Pete tribute to Lester Butler with special guest Al Blake, Shawn Pittman, Elvin Bishop's Hell Raisin Review, and  Maria Muldaur! For more information about this festival check out the fest website by clicking here. 
• New William Clarke Photo Page! William Clarke was the epitome of the post George "Harmonica" SmithWest Coast harmonica style. His huge harmonica tone and unapologetic intensity made him stand out among his peers. He passed away at the young age of 45 on Nov 2, 1996. He is considered legendary for his amazing performances and great recordings. Special thanks to his widow, Jeanette Clarke-Lodivici for sharing many of the photos included on this page which also appear on the "William Clarke Remembered" Facebook fan page. To see our photo tribute to William, click here.
• New Tail Dragger web site! We just got word form Kevin Johnson of Delmark Records about Tail Dragger's new website, designed by his friend Peter Struijk. To see this great site devoted to one of the most hard hitting Chicago bluesmen around, you can go to www.taildraggerbluesband.com.
• Big Bill Broonzy book forthcoming! After devoting 10 years of his life to research, author Bob Riesmanwill finally see his long awaited book I Feel So Good: The Life and Times of Big Bill Broonzy published by the University of Chicago Press on May 1. Bob Riesman also announces that the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago will present a "Tribute to Big Bill Broonzy" concert and book signing on Friday, June 17 at 8 pm. The lineup includes Billy Boy Arnold with the Sanctified Grumblers, Mark Dvorak, Joe Filisko, the Pickin' Bubs, and more. Billy Boy Arnold will be playing selections from Billy Boy Sings Big Bill, his upcoming CD on Electro-Fi, so it will be a rare chance to hear Big Bill Broonzy songs performed by someone who knew the man himself. For information about this book, click here, and for information on the concert/book signing click here.
• J.C. Davis Chess single features Big Walter Horton! Scott Dirks recently brought to our attentention the instrumental "Feznecky" by tenor sax player J.C. Davis with some standout harmonica work by Big Walter Horton. This 1960s recording was released as a single on Chess Records. To hear this great song, click here.
• Additions and corrections. The link that we sent out for the 2011 Moulin Ospel Blues Festival poster was broken, so to see the poster you can click here. Concerning the John Lee Hooker YouTube clip, UK photographer Brian Smith adds "The fabulous Hooker clip is from s BBC show called Beat Room in 1964, the band being John Lee's Groundhogs, with Tony ("T.S") McPhee on guitar". Susan Nichols commented on the Big Jack Johnson obituary, mentioning that Arthur Williams was also a Jelly Roll King. Indeed he was, and he contributed great harmonica work to the 1966 album Frank Frost / My Back Scratcher onJewel. Susan also mentioned that Arthur who has been dealing with health issues of his own, is distraught over the news of Big Jack's passing.
• Big Jack Johnson funeral information. Here is information about Big Jack Johnson's funeral for those able to make it to Clarksdale. Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m., Friday, March 18 at Delta Burial Funeral Home in Clarksdale. The home going service will be held Saturday, March 19 at 11 a.m. at the Pinnacle at Coahoma Community College. For more information click here.
• Mance Lipscomb on YouTube! Please enjoy this great clip on Mance Lipscomb, the Texas songster, in concert performing "Take Me Back" and "Goin' Down Slow". Note the rich guitar sound and the wonderful vocals. Lance was a champion of country blues. Click here to see.