Showing posts with label Delmark records. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Delmark records. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Blues Historian Review: Willie Buck, The Life I Love
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Blues Historian Review: Boogie Woogie Kings
I can remember growing up as a 8 or 9 year old, and loving my old K-TEL Records. If you are old enough you know what I am talking about, the long play 33 rpm records that promised the "Original Hits, by the Original Stars!" I must have worn the groves out of 2 or 3 of those LPs before I finally started buying records myself. So this Christmas I was pleasantly surprise to receive this great CD from my friends at Delmark Records. Certainly the new Delmark release Boogie Woogie Kings is one of those great discs that is full of amazing blues piano much in the spirit of those old K-TEL releases. Nothing but the stars and these guys rock. Some of the recordings are a little on the low fidelity side, and the piano is just a tad out of tune, but then that's what makes Barrel house, and Boogie Woogie sound so good. Also remarkable is that most of these sides were recorded back in 1939. In many ways these guys are the fore fathers of rock and roll! This disc also has solo, and multi dueling piano's! To buy this great CD Click HERE
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Delmark Records Update
Some great news from Chicago's legendary Delmark Records
Delmark Doings and 2009 Blues Award Nominees for Delmark Artists
Hello and Happy Holidays to all of our friends from Chicago's Delmark Records
- "Santa's Messin' With The Kid"- Eddie C. Campbell
Santa come' once a year, we all know
Didn't use my chimney, had a key to my do'
Oh, Lord, look what Santa did
(He's messin' with me)
Call it Merry Christmas?
I say Santa's messin' with The Kid
We're excited to announce several Delmark artists were nominated for the 2009 National Blues Music Awards (formerly the Handys) in Memphis
A big Congrats goes out to the following Delmark blues artists:
31st National Blues Music Award Nominees
Album of the Year - Eddie C. Campbell, Tear This World Up (Delmark 799)
“THE KING OF THE WEST SIDE FUNK BLUES” returns with his highly anticipated comeback CD, Tear this World Up!
Eddie C. Campbell (born Duncan, MS 1939) is one of the most distinctive, original bluesman you’ll ever come across. He is one of the last of the originators of the West Side sound of Chicago blues still performing in their prime. Eddie C. is the absolute master at deep funk blues grooves, mesmerizing audiences with his devastatingly wild, vibrato guitar on his reverb-drenched metallic purple Fender Jazzmaster and his powerful, resonating, rich, & wide ranging vocals, along with a unique, personal, & witty songwriting style.
We’re more than excited to present the Delmark debut of this unforgettable Chicago Blues/funk legend, his first new recording in over a decade! Special mention must go out to our friend, blues historian/producer Dick Shurman (Dick co-produced Eddie’s classic first LP “King of the Jungle” from ’77 and many other modern blues classics, i.e, Albert Collins, Johnny Winter, Roy Buchanan.)
Some standout originals are the opening cut ”Makin’ Popcorn,” a relentless deep Mississippi boogie groove, while “Big World” is a hilarious original about sleepiness overcoming lust. “Voodoo’ is a spooky hypnotic groove with multiple guitar parts, and another killer funk blues is “Care”- check out his wild vocals. Eddie’s “All Nite” is a remake of one of his earliest 45’s on Hawaii Records in the late 60’s.
Magic Sam meets James Brown meets Johnny Guitar Watson on Chicago’s West Side! myspace.com/eddieccampbell
DVD of the Year - Delmark Records, It Ain't Over! Delmark Celebrates 55 Years of Blues, Live at Buddy Guy's Legends (Delmark DVD 1800/CD 800)
This DVD and CD features Zora Young (vocals), Jimmy Johnson (voc, gtr), Aaron Moore (voc, piano), the late Little Arthur Duncan (voc, harp), Lurrie Bell (voc, gtr), Shirley Johnson (voc), Eddie Shaw (voc, sax), Tail Dragger (voc), Dave Specter (gtr), Bob Stroger (bass), Harlan Terson (bass), Kenny Smith (drums), Marty Binder (drums), Roosevelt Purifoy (keys), Brother John Kattke (keys), Nick Moss (gtr), Rick Kreher (gtr), Scott Cable (gtr), Kevin Shanahan (gtr), Billy Branch (harp), & Big D (harp)
Bass player of the Year- Bob Stroger (on It Ain't Over!)
Drummer of the Year - Kenny Smith (on It Ain't Over!)
Guitarist of the Year - Lurrie Bell (on It Ain't Over!)
Harmonica player of the Year - Billy Branch (on It Ain't Over!)
Horn Player of the Year - (sax) Eddie Shaw (on It Ain't Over!)
Traditional Blues Female Artists of the Year - Shirley Johnson (Blues Attack, Delmark 798 and It Ain't Over!) and Zora Young (The French Connection, Delmark 802 and It Ain't Over!)
A big congrats and welcome home from their wildly successful European tours go out to the one and only Eddie C. Campbell and the charismatic Zora Young.
Zora Young's version of Sunnyland Slim's "Goin' Back To Memphis" on her fantastic new CD, The French Connection, now has extra special significance!
DELMARK DOINGS December 2009
Some very impressive music photography/art/history books have come out recently, and we’re excited that Delmark and Bob Koester are prominently featured in many of these beautiful artworks. These are all absolutely essential for your music and book collections- great Holiday presents!
1) DEVIL AT THE CONFLUENCE- The Pre-War Blues Music of St. Louis by St. Louis artist and music historian Kevin Belford is a fascinating illustrated history of St. Louis blues and jazz (mostly pre-war), and included is a companion CD that features all Delmark recordings of St. Louis blues legends, including Big Joe Williams, Roosevelt Sykes, and Robert Nighthawk! If you didn’t know, Delmark originated in St. Louis by Bob Koester in 1953 (named after St Louis’ Delmar Blvd) and moved to its permanent home in Chicago in ’58. Kevin Belford has contributed gorgeous cover art to many recent Delmark releases, including our 50th Anniversary Box Set, Cowboy Roy Brown, and Barrelhouse Buck. Check out Kevin’s blog, http://devilattheconfluence.blogspot.com/
2) CHICAGO FOLK- Images of the Sixties Music Scene by the late famed photographer Raeburn Flerlage is the gorgeous companion Chicago Folk photography book to Raeburn’s essential CHICAGO BLUES from ’00. Included are photos of Delmark artists Luther Allison, Billy Boy Arnold, Sleepy John Estes, Art Hodes, Hammie Nixon, Big Joe Williams, Sunnyland Slim, Speckled Red, and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott. Bet you didn’t know that there was a Ramblin’ Jack Elliot Delmark LP- Talkin’ Woody Guthrie??!! You must also see the priceless image of Koester playing piano while the late guitar hero Mike Bloomfield amusedly looks over his shoulder during the Sleepy John Estes’ Delmark recording session in ’63 for Broke and Hungry. Koester’s version of “The Dirty Dozens”, perhaps?!
3) FREEDOM RHYTHM & SOUND – Revolutionary Jazz Original Cover Art 1965-83 compiled by famed DJ and BBC radio journalist Gilles Peterson and Soul Jazz Records’ Stuart Baker from the UK. ‘When jazz album covers were as fiery as the music inside!” describes this incredibly beautiful collection of rare album art. Lo and behold, the first album featured in the entire book is Delmark’s Together Alone by Joseph Jarman and Anthony Braxton from ’73! Chicago’s AACM related albums are a big focus here, and other essential Delmark albums included are (Kalaparusha) Maurice McIntyre’s Humility in the Light of Creator from ’69 and (Muhal) Richard Abrams’ Levels and Degrees of Light from ’68 and Muhal’s Young at Heart/Wise in Time from ’74. Spiritual Black Power Jazz at its best!
4) LIGHT: ON THE SOUTH SIDE – This is a stunning and entertaining inside glimpse of 70’s Chicago South Side funky blues taverns and their fans and musicians from our friends and neighbors at Chicago’s NUMERO Group record label. The book collects over 100 images by Michael Abramson and the highlight is a killer companion 2 LP set of rare 45’s of both obscure and well known Chicago blues and soul artists during the real deal “vintage” ghetto funk blues prime period of the mid 70’s. Delmark artists Syl Johnson and Detroit Junior are featured, along with Bobby Rush, Little Mack Simmons and a recording from Jimmy Dawkins’ LERIC Records. (Look for a future Delmark release of Dawkins’ LERIC records compilation!!) Also included is a great track from former Chicago soul blues man James Kinds. “The Kind Man”, who has been based in Dubuque, Iowa for decades, recently recorded at Delmark’s Riverside Studio and still has his amazing, high-pitched vocals in prime form. I also have to mention Arlean Brown’s cult classic “I’m A Streaker Baby!” Did you ever hear about the time Koester and Earwig’s Michael Frank streaked through the blues club Elsewhere back when that fad was hot??!! Man, I wish today’s blues bands could play like funk the way it was meant to be played, down and dirty - “Take your time, son!’
Delmark’s Riverside Studio Activity - 2010 Delmark blues releases!
Besides the just mentioned James Kinds session (with members of Chicago Rhythm and Blues Kings) at Riverside,
Chicago’s Delmark Records is excited and proud to present the Delmark debut recording of one Chicago’s long time favorite blues bands, Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames! This is a killer veteran all-star, real deal Chicago blues band at its house rockin’ best, led by the Hound Dog Taylor and J. B. Hutto influenced guitarist/vocalist Dave Weld. Weld’s band is one of the hardest working, longest running and most talented and cohesive Chicago blues bands around. The Imperial Flames feature the one and only Abb Locke on saxophone, the soul and blues legend, Bernard Reed on bass, and the vastly underrated Jeff Taylor on drums and vocals. These guys have recorded and played with so many heavies, including Magic Sam, Otis Rush, Howlin’ Wolf, Elmore James, Earl Hooker, The Rolling Stones, and many, many more. There will also be a very special guest second guitarist on the soon to be released Delmark CD. This long time good friend and former band mate of Dave Weld’s name is Ed, smiles endlessly, and is Lil’!
One of our favorite Chicago blues bands, Mississippi Heat, also just finished recording at Delmark’s Riverside for another anticipated future Delmark CD. More fantastic original songs from leader/harp man Pierre LaCocque and vocalists Inetta Visor and Rhonda Preston, along with special guests legends Carl Weathersby and John Primer on guitar and vocals!
Also be on the lookout for a compilation of west side guitar legend Jimmy Dawkins' LERIC record label 45 recordings from the '80's with Queen Sylvia, Tail Dragger, Little Johnny Christian, Nora Jean, Sister Margo!!
I believe an unreleased rare studio session from the late blues legend, Arthur Big Boy Crudup will see the light of day in 2010!
JAZZ NEWS
Jazz cornetist supreme Josh Berman and his recording debut as a leader, OLD IDEA (on LP and CD) continues to earn well-deserved rave reviews. PLAYBOY magazine just listed Josh’s debut as the top 5 of the year – yeah, I read the articles! Both DOWNBEAT and the UK’s JAZZWISE just reviewed the LP and gave it 4 stars. More vinyl from Delmark, please!
Berman along with his cohorts in the Fast Citizens, young reedists Keefe Jackson and Aram Shelton will celebrate their new Delmark release, Two Cities (referring to the Bay Area where Shelton lives and his musical collaborating home of Chicago) on Sunday, December 20th at one of Chicago’s coolest bars, The Hungry Brain. Peter Margasak wrote recently about Shelton in DOWNBEAT, “Bay Area’s Chicago Ambassador.”
The greatest jazz flutist in the world, Nicole Mitchell, is as busy as ever, as she just finished a well-received European tour with her Indigo Trio in France, Italy, and Poland, Did you see the feature article on Nicole in JAZZIZ from Neil Tesser? Did you also see Michael Jackson’s feature article in DOWNBEAT on 80 year young saxophone legend Fred Anderson? “Inspirational Motivation.” The Velvet Lounge owner continues to amaze us with his youthful energy and inspiring playing and his Velvet booking the best in creative jazz the city has to offer. Thank you, Mr. Anderson, and congrats on your new Delmark DVD and CD with saxophonist, Kidd Jordan, 21st Century Chase. Look for a special New Year’s Eve show with Fred Anderson and Nicole Mitchell at the Velvet Lounge (naturally!)
Our favorite jazz organ trio, The Deep Blue Organ Trio is currently on tour opening for FM radio rock favorites, Steely Dan! Was that Fagan and Becker shopping at JRM?
BLUES NEWS
Zora Young and Eddie C. Campbell are both touring in France in support of their superb new Delmark recordings. Zora has many musical friends and collaborators in her 2nd home of France as displayed by her outstanding new Delmark recording, The French Connection, with French bluesman Bobby Dirninger and friends. Eddie C’s highly successful return to the studio, Tear This World Up, should be on every one’s best release of the year list. He stayed on top of Bill Wax’s national XM Bluesville radio charts for weeks!
The one and only Tail Dragger delighted his South American fans in Argentina on a recent tour; they have never seen anything like this real deal Chicago blues entertainer. A much-anticipated Dragger follow up Delmark DVD and CD has just been released. Live at Rooster’s Palace features the return to recording of underground guitar hero Rockin’ Johnny and his long time harmonica player with the best tone around, Martin Lang. Our friend with the unmistakable guitar sound, Jimmy Dawkins, guests on a cut, and I highly recommend you listen to the commentary tracks on the DVD for hilarious life stories from Dragger and his band and blues buddies. Rockin’ Johnny and Tail Dragger just tore it up in Madison, Wisconsin at the Frequency during their weekly Chicago Blues series. Dragger and Johnny also thankfully continue to play in some of the last of the west side ghetto clubs. A recent Birthday Party blues gig at Carolyn’s for veteran blues vocalist Mary Lane included the Rockin’ Johnny Band with many special guests, including Mud Morganfield, Milton Houston, and Tre’ (L.V. Banks’ son!)
Quintus McCormick’s Delmark debut, Hey Jodie!, is starting to making waves in the blues community. He is nominated for Blues Entertainer of the year and best blues album of the year in the 29th Annual Chicago Music Awards. Delmark Records is greatly honored for being nominated for record label of the year! Speaking of awards, Bob Koester won the 2008 Historical/Reissue Producer of the year in the August ’09 issue of LIVING BLUES.
The always tasteful blues/jazz guitarist, Dave Specter, is presenting a new series at his club in Evanston, S.P.A.C.E.- “Dave Specter’s Adventures in Guitar.” You have to check out the great review from Mark Baier in Linda Cain’s Chicago Blues Guide (http://www.chicagobluesguide.com/) of Specter’s first show with special guest, blues guitarist extraordinaire, Billy Flynn (who is on many Delmark classics.) Coming next in January is Specter with Delmark jazz recording artist and Tortoise guitarist, Jeff Parker!
Have a safe and healthy holiday season, and go out and support live music!
- Kevin Johnson, Delmark promotions
Diggin’ Deeper – Real Deal Chicago Blues you need to experience!
THE RETURN OF ROCKIN' JOHNNY!!! He’s back to re-claim his title as the “Modern King of the West Side Chicago Blues Guitar!”
Rockin' Johnny is featured on Delmark's new CD and DVD from the one and only Tail Dragger- Live at Rooster's Palace (DVD 1803/ CD 803)
We’re excited to report that one of our all-time favorite Chicago blues guitarists, Rockin’ Johnny Burgin is back on the scene after a very long and somewhat mysterious disappearance, and sounding better than ever. Johnny abruptly left the blues world to start a family, completely cutting off his ties to his blues family. It’s hard to believe that after seeing him play so well during this year’s triumphant comeback gigs that he hadn’t touched a guitar in almost a decade! It hasn’t been an easy road, but he’s thankfully now back pouring out his true to life blues for his eager fans who have been waiting, wondering, and missing this one of a kind talent.
Back in the ‘90’s, a young blues band then called Rockin’ Johnny and the La-Z-Boys created quite a stir on the Chicago Blues scene. Johnny Burgin (born in ’69, raised in Mississippi and S. Carolina,) along with his University of Chicago buddy Martin Lang on gigantic-toned harp, Sho Komiya from Japan on standup and electric bass, first Kelly Littleton (when Lil’ Ed was on hiatus) and then Kenny Smith (Willie Big Eyes’ son) on drums, and Rick Kreher (Muddy Waters’ last guitarist) on rhythm guitar developed a rabid and devoted following that centered around their weekly special guest filled Blue Monday gigs at the Smoke Daddy BBQ in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. This was not your typical North Side Chicago blues band plowing through rocked up blues for the tourists – what a refreshing and much needed addition to the scene to have a young band playing traditional ‘50’s/’60’s styled Chicago blues the way it is meant to be played – with soul, sensitivity, strength, originality & feeling! Oh yeah, and there were actually beautiful young Chicago women dancing to blues!! With the band’s encyclopedic knowledge, impeccable taste, and true feeling of postwar Chicago Blues, they are devastatingly good in a live setting. Burgin's singing is also damn good and really complements both his sensitive and powerful guitar playing. This guy plays killer originals and many classics that he makes his own (both obscure and popular) and can quote from so many guitarist's guitarists, like Luther Tucker, Eddie Taylor, Jimmy Dawkins, Fenton Robinson, Willie James Lyons, Bobby King, Hip Linkchain, Hubert Sumlin, & Magic Sam. He’s an absolute master at early ‘60’s electric blues instrumentals, ala Earl Hooker, Albert Collins, and Jody Williams, and also beautifully plays tasty jazzy, swingin’ blues ala Django Reinhardt, Lonnie Johnson, and Barney Kessel. His vaired sets also include tastes of rockabilly, dirty surf guitar, and vintage funk blues a la Johnny Guitar Watson and Bobby Rush.
Although the band centers around Rockin’ Johnny and his guitar and vocals, one aspect that set this band apart from so many others was how well they all played together as an ensemble, knowing when to play and not to play, and improvising often, never playing the same set list nor the songs the same way. They truly nailed down the power and finesse and swing of post war Chicago bands like The ACES (The much missed Myers brothers, Louis and Dave and drummer Fred Below.) In fact, the late bass legend, Dave Myers, went to go see the band so often that he was made an honorary member, and was always seen smiling and talking about how he loved the way these boys played. Special mention must go out to the best harmonica player you’re never heard of, the tremendously talented Martin Lang, with his monstrous tone and swing, heavily influenced by Little Walter Jacobs. These guys had done their homework and have collaborated with and learned from a who’s who of the elder statesmen of Chicago blues, such as the much missed blues royalty who have since passed away- The Myers bros, Big Smokey Smothers, Little Arthur Duncan, Jimmie Lee Robinson, Johnny Dollar, Jumpin’ Willie Cobbs, Golden “Big” Wheeler, Barkin’ Bill, Eddie Burks, John Brim, Prez Kenneth, Robert Plunkett, Big Mojo Elem, Yank Rachell and living legends such as Tail Dragger, Jimmy Burns, Sam Lay, Eddie C. Campbell, L.V. Banks, Johnny B. Moore, Lurrie Bell, Eddie Shaw, Billy Flynn, Billy Boy Arnold, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Mary Lane, Jimmy Dawkins, Pinetop Perkins, Little Smokey Smothers, Milton Houston, and many more.
Rockin’ Johnny first recorded as a sideman for Delmark in ‘92/’93 with the traditional Ice Cream Men backing up the down home vocalist/harp man Golden “Big” Wheeler (guitarist James Wheeler’s older bro) on Bone Orchard and the influential guitarist/bassist Jimmie Lee Robinson on his classic Lonely Traveller CD. The blues world really took notice when Rockin’ Johnny expertly backed up Jimmy Burns (Leaving Here Walking, ’96), Tail Dragger (American People in ‘99), Little Arthur Duncan (Singin With the Sun in ‘99), and Shirley Johnson (Killer Diller in ’02), all very well received Delmark albums, The band also backed up West Coast harp monster Paul deLay on deLay Does Chicago in ’99 on Evidence, with special guests Jimmy Dawkins and Zora Young. The Rockin’ Johnny Band’s own recordings are the special guest filled Straight Out of Chicago in ’98, Man’s Temptation in ’99, and a live one from ’00, More Real Folk Blues.
Rockin’ Johnny is thankfully now back busy with his own band again playing many well known clubs such as Buddy Guy’s Legends and B.L.U.E.S, and also backing up his long time friends and mentors, such as vocalists Mary Lane and Tail Dragger at some of the last of the funky West Side black neighborhood taverns. One of these taverns, Rooster’s Palace, is featured in a just released Delmark recording from the one and only Howlin’ Wolf protégé’ Tail Dragger. This very exciting DVD and CD, Live at Rooster’s Lounge, features Rockin’ Johnny and Martin Lang, along with special guest, the legendary Jimmy Dawkins on menacing toned guitar,
Check out the new issue (#149) of the outstanding Dutch Blues Magazine, BLOCK (since 1975!), on an excellent detailed feature article on Rockin' Johnny. Great pics even if you can't read Dutch. Thanks, Rien!
http://www.blockmagazine.nl/
Kevin Johnson – “less is more” blues fanatic
Kevin Johnson
Delmark Records, director of promotions
773-539-5001 office
773-539-5004 fax
bluesjazz@delmark.com
bluespromo@delmark.com
jazzpromo@delmark.com
http://www.delmark.com
http://www.myspace.com/delmarkrecords
http://www.jazzmart.com
Blues and Jazz since 1953!!
"If Chuck Berry was the ROCK, and Fats Domino was the ROLL, what the @#$% was Bo Diddley?!"
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Blues Historian Review: Shirley Johnson, Blues Attack, and Various Artists: It Ain't over
Delmark records has a couple of great releases out now that all blues lovers need to grab. The first is Shirley Johnson and Blues Attack. Blues Attack, is a great disc that follows the spirit of Chicago blues, but also slips in some nice soul music for variety. Johnson is a great vocalists, and is just one of many great unsung blues performers that are keeping the blues alive and well. The band keeps a great grove throughout the disc. They also keep that rough and tumble live spirit going as well. Many times a studio recording can sound stiff and lack life, but Johnson's band does a great job of keeping it real. Luke Pytel does a great job on lead guitar. He is not super showy, but has great tone. I take tone over fast every time. If there is one problem with the disc, it is the cover tunes, Unchain My Heart, and 634-5789. Personally I like those songs, and play them myself, but they are best played for an audience. there is no doubt in my mind that when Shirley and the band start up those two songs that the dance floor fills up and everyone, band included has a great time. However, it is very hard to translate that kind of live energy on disc. Yet, don't let that keep you from buying this disk. The rest of the CD makes up for it with some great music from the heart.
Various artists: It Ain't Over.
Just when you thought the 55th anniversary of Delmark records was over, here comes two more presents for all of their fans. On March 7th 2008, at Buddy Guy's Legends they had a 55th anniversary party for Delmark. Somebody was pretty smart and had not only the audio recorder going, but the video camera as well! All I can say is wow from Zora Young's Til The Fat Lady Sings, to Tail Dragger's My Woman Is Gone, is 11 great live blues recordings one after another. Joining Zora Young, and Tail Dragger, is legend Jimmy Johnson, Aaron Moore, the late Little Arthur Duncan, the amazing Lurrie Bell, blues and soul singer Shirley Johnson, and the great Chicago Bluesman Eddie Shaw. However, if listening to great music is not enough, then check out the DVD of the show. Delmark continues their movement towards DVD, with this new release. I unfortunately did not get a chance to see the DVD since I just got the CD, but I am certain from the clip below, and from past DVD's that I have received from Delmark that this is going to be a great show. Furthermore anything that has one of the last performances of the much loved Chicago blues icon Little Arthur Duncan is worth the price of the DVD all by itself.
The nice thing about Delmark releases (or at least the ones I have listened to in the last 2 years) is that they always keep that live spirit in their cds. Too many times a recording can sound canned, and boring, but Delmark does a great job of keeping it loose, and keepin dem blues alive.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Chicago Big Show Alert!!!!!
From Kevin Johnson of Delmark
Hey Hey Chicago Blues Fans
JUST ANNOUNCED!!! We'd love for you to attend this special night of live Chicago blues from some of the most talented artists the city has to offer - Please spread the word! Come see Koester dance!
Delmark All-Star Blues Concert and new Delmark DVD screening ("It Ain't Over! 55 Years of Blues) at Buddy Guy's Legends-
When: Friday, July 24, 2009 - 5:30 pm til 2 am!!
Where: Buddy Guy's Legends, 754 S. Wabash, Chicago, south Loop - http://www.buddyguys.com/
Who: Live performances from Delmark All- Stars, including Aaron Moore, Quintus McCormick, Michael Coleman with special guests Shirley Johnson, Zora Young, and Jimmy Johnson! The rhythm section will be Merle Perkins on drums, Roosevelt "The Mad Hatter" Purifoy on keys, and Andre Howard on bass.
A very special live concert featuring many all-star blues performers from Delmark's celebrated roster, and this night will also include a showing of our recently released, much celebrated DVD and CD documenting Delmark Records' 55th Anniversary Concert from last year at Legends, IT AIN'T OVER! 55 Years of Blues (Delmark 800/1800)
5:30 - 6:30 pm Aaron Moore -(vocals, piano) solo piano acoustic set - one of the last of the boogie woogie blues masters - this classic style has become almost impossible to find these days!
7:00 - 8:30 pm Delmark DVD screening, It Ain't Over ! 55 Years of Blues - Have you seen this incredibly entertaining DVD yet??!! A historic night of classic Chicago Blues captured live at Legends last year!
9:00- 10:00 pm Quintus McCormick (vocals, guitar) - Look for Quintus' studio debut- HEY JODY, soon on Delmark! - A much anticipated blues/soul recording from the ever popular, hard working, young talent.
10:30 til close Michael Coleman (vocals, guitar) with Zora Young (vocals) , Shirley Johnson (vocals), and Jimmy Johnson (vocals, guitar) as special guests! Funky Blues with Feeling and Soul!!
Artist Details/bios below....
5:30 - 6:30 pm Aaron Moore -(vocals, piano) solo piano acoustic set - one of the last of the boogie woogie blues masters - this classic style has become almost impossible to find these days!
Aaron's Web page (Earwig Records) : http://earwigmusic.com/aaron.shtml
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywYk4P7_Pz8
Aaron Moore is one of the survivors of the classic boogie-woogie piano style that permeated the 1950s Chicago blues scene. Known primarily as a backing musician, Moore provided accompaniment for such greats as Little Walter, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Hound Dog Taylor, Howlin’ Wolf, Honeyboy Edwards and Lonnie Brooks in a career that spans more than forty years.
Born and raised in Greenwood, Mississippi, Moore was encouraged in his piano playing by his mother, who was a music teacher and church piano player. Early influences included Curtis Jones and Memphis Slim, but much of his distinct sound comes from boogie-woogie legend Roosevelt Sykes, whom he learned from and frequently performed with upon moving to Chicago. Moore focused on his career and family, working for many years and retiring from a job with the City of Chicago, playing many local club dates on weekends from the 1950s through the 1980s.
Upon retiring, Aaron has made playing his full-time interest. After backing up local bluesman Brewer Phillips on his Delmark debut, Moore gained the attention of producer Pete Nathan, who requested Aaron finally release his first solo album. His critically acclaimed debut, Hello World, and the subsequent Boot ‘Em Up (both on Chicago’s Delmark Records) solidified Moore’s place among the hierarchy of blues piano masters.
7:00 - 8:30 pm Delmark DVD screening, It Ain't Over ! 55 Years of Blues - Killer All Star Chicago Blues Concert captured live on DVD/CD from Buddy Guy's Legends - March 7, 2008
Delmark's 55th Anniversary Blues Bash at Buddy Guy's Legends featured most of Delmark's local blues roster, a Delmark Day proclamation from Mayor Daley, and a GRAMMY Hall of Fame Award for the groundbreaking HOODOO MAN BLUES album from Junior Wells and Buddy Guy. Live performances by Lurrie Bell, Tail Dragger, Zora Young, Jimmy Johnson with Dave Specter, Aaron Moore, Eddie Shaw, Shirley Johnson, and the late Little Arthur Duncan (his last recorded performances!) - sizzling live Chicago blues - there was truly something magic in the air that night! This historic BLUES PARTY was thankfully captured live at Legends on March 7, 2008. The featured band most of the night was Lurrie Bell (guitar) Bob Stroger (bass) Roosevelt "Mad Hatter" Purifoy (keys) and Kenny Smith (drums)
"I have a lot of respect for "thoroughbred" Bob Koester; he has brought a lot of sweet music to the soul and heart of this city they call Chicago!" - Eddie Shaw - Blues Legend
9:00- 10:00 pm Quintus McCormick (vocals, guitar)
http://www.myspace.com/quintusmccormickband
Look for Quintus' studio debut- HEY JODY, out soon on Delmark! - A much anticipated blues/soul recording from the ever popular, hard working, young talent of Chicago's Quintus McCormick! Featuring the Chicago Horns!
Quintus McCormick has toured the world with some of the most successful and important blues artists of our time: James Cotton, Otis Clay, A.C. Reed, and Lefty Dizz to name a few. Working as a sideman, Quintus’ reputation as a brilliant guitarist, gifted songwriter and astonishing vocalist spread like wildfire throughout the music community. His ever-evolving musicianship simply became too powerful to harness. Born and raised in Detroit, Quintus moved to Chicago where music legends Buddy Guy and James Cotton encouraged Quintus to form his own band. Thus, in 1994, he rounded up the best of Chicago’s elite musicians and established The Quintus McCormick Band. Quintus and his “on-fire” musical group have been a mainstay of the Chicago blues scene, appearing frequently in the city’s world-renown nightclubs. Quintus and his band have also performed at countless festivals and concerts.
10:30 til close Michael Coleman (vocals, guitar) with Zora Young (vocals) and Shirley Johnson (vocals) and Jimmy Johnson (vocals, guitar)!
Michael Coleman is one of the FUNKIEST guitarists on the Chicago area scene -
Michael's MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/funkymichaelcoleman
Voted one of the top 50 bluesmen in the world by Guitar World Magazine, and certainly one of Chicago's hottest guitar slingers, Michael Coleman has been a staple on the Chicago music scene for more than 30 years. A gift discovered at the age of 4 by his mother, at 8 he was performing with his father Cleo "Bald Head Pete" Williams; at 13 with the top 40 band Midnight Sun in the afternoon and with Johnny Dollar and Aron Burton at night; at 14 with Johnny Christian; at 21 on the road with Muddy Waters, and at 22 touring Europe with Eddy Clearwater. In 1979, at the age of 23, Michael began his ten year tenure with The James Cotton Band. Since 1991, with the Backbreakers backing, Michael's opened for such greats as B.B. King, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, John Lee Hooker, and Luther Allison, to name just a few. With 8 albums of his own, and having arranged some of the top blues hits and albums in the world, Michael brings a lifetime of experience to his professional, high energy, funky, bluesy, crowd-involved show. He recorded his American debut release, Do Your Thing!, for Delmark Records, who released the album in 2000, and Michael also led a various artists follow up for Delmark in 2006, a live concert, Blues Brunch at the Mart.
Shirley Johnson
*Shirley's current Delmark CD, BLUES ATTACK is currently #1 on the LIVING BLUES radio charts!! CD release party this weekend (July 10, 11 at Blue Chicago, 736 N. Clark)
*Shirley Johnson just headlined the first night of the Chicago Blues Fest, Friday Night on the Petrillo Main Stage
* Shirley Johnson is nominated for 2 categories in the 2009 Blues Blast Music Awards! Best Female Artist and Best Traditional Blues Recording for Delmark's Blues Attack!
you can vote here for the 2009 Blues Blast Awards - http://www.illinoisblues.com/bbma/2009/bbmavote2009.php
Shirley's All Music Guide Bio
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:fjfpxql5ldje~T1
Like so many African-American vocalists, Shirley Johnson started out singing in church and then went on to embrace secular music. The Chicago resident, whose influences range from Mahalia Jackson to Koko Taylor, Etta James, and Ruth Brown, is a gritty, big-voiced blues singer who can also handle soul and gospel. Although Johnson has spent much of her adult life in Chicago, the Windy City is not her hometown; she was born in Franklin, VA, on June 7, 1949, and raised in Norfolk, VA. Johnson came from a very religious family and she was only six when she started singing gospel in a church choir. Johnson's family didn't think much of either the blues or R&B, which are considered sinful in some of the stricter, more fundamentalist Christian churches. Nonetheless, she managed to hear the blues as a little girl and fell in love with secular black music; despite her parents' disdain for the blues and R&B, she developed a healthy appreciation of Brown, James, and Taylor, as well as male bluesmen like B.B. King, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Little Milton, and the late Z.Z. Hill. None of those artists have been blues purists and James, in fact, is primarily a soul singer who often detours into the blues and listening to them obviously taught her that the blues and classic soul often go hand in hand. When Johnson reached adulthood in the late '70s, she was free to pursue a career in secular music, so she made her presence felt in Norfolk's blues and R&B circles and went on to become an opening act for Aretha Franklin, Jerry Butler, Z.Z. Hill, and other well-known artists who were passing through town. In the early '80s, she recorded some singles for two regional labels in Virginia and those recordings caught the attention of a man who was planning to start a label in Chicago. The aspiring record man expressed interest in recording Johnson and sent her a plane ticket to Chicago, but when she arrived in the Windy City she learned he didn't have enough money to pay for a session. Nonetheless, she decided to remain in Chicago and became active on the city's blues circuit, where she has performed both blues and soul. The people she worked with in Chicago included Little Johnny Christian, Artie "Blues Boy" White, and keyboardist Eddie Lusk (who took Johnson on the road with him on international tours). In the '90s, Johnson made some recordings for the Appaloosa label, including her 1996 album Looking for Love. Then, in the early 2000s, she signed with the Chicago-based Delmark, which released Killer Diller in May 2002, following it up with Blues Attack in 2009.
Zora Young
Zora's All Music Guide bio and MySpace
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0xfqxqq5ldae~T1
http://www.myspace.com/zorayoung
- Despite the prominent presence of celebrated blues artist Howlin' Wolf in her family tree, singer Zora Young grew up singing not blues, but gospel. Even when the Mississippi native shook off her roots at the age of seven to relocate with her family to Chicago, she attended the Greater Harvest Baptist Church and continued to sing gospel. It wasn't until later that she switched over to R&B, and evolved into a powerhouse blues vocalist with three decades of experience behind her. She has performed with a long list of artists, including Junior Wells, Jimmy Dawkins, Bobby Rush, Buddy Guy, Professor Eddie Lusk, Albert King , and B.B. King . Her recording credits include collaborations with Willie Dixon, Sunnyland Slim, Mississippi Heat, Paul de Lay , and Maurice John Vaughn among others.
Her own recordings as a solo artist include releases from the labels Deluge, Black Lightning, and Delmark. Young has also performed on both stage and television. She is a veteran of more than 30 tours of Europe, and has been a featured performer three times at the Chicago Blues Festival. She has performed throughout North America, and on stages in Italy, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, France, Switzerland, Greece, Austria, Tai Pei, and Turkey. Her albums include 1991's Travelin' Light from Deluge Records and two releases from Delmark Records, Learned My Lesson in 2000 and Tore Up from the Floor Up in 2005. Zora just released a new CD this year on Sam Burckhardt's Airway Records, a tribute to Sunnyland Slim, and look for a new CD this September on Delmark, The French Connection, recorded in France!
"Chicago's Zora Young skillfully engages in the tug-of-war between force and restraint that marks great singing." - LIVING BLUES
"…Young is a dynamic, thrilling, and expressive singer with a style all her own. Various shades of blue are represented here- traditional, slow, shuffle, acoustic, soul, ballad, funk.. -BLUES IN BRITAIN
"Zora has steadfastly battled her way into the top echelon of Chicago's female blues belters….attractively spotlighting her gritty, soul-streaked pipes on an uncommonly wide variety of material. - BLUES REVUE
"Young demonstrates confidence and fire on the bandstand, and can also be sentimental, sultry, and suggestive. She's an ace performer, and this is her best work yet.- NASHVILLE CITY PAPER
"Zora's records are at times soothing, sweltering, joyful and sad, but most of all it is a joyous reminder of her wonderful talents…" -BLUES BYTES
Jimmy Johnson (voc, guitar)
"The Bar Room Preacher" The ageless (is he really 80?!) Johnson continues to be on top of his game - He's one of the most original, distinctive bluesmen around, the master at tasteful, funky soul blues!
http://www.shauntemusic.com/
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:fjftxql5ld6e~T1
All Music Guide bio from Bill Dahl
Chicago guitarist Jimmy Johnson didn't release his first full domestic album until he was 50 years old. He's determinedly made up for lost time ever since, establishing himself as one of the Windy City's premier blues artists with a twisting, unpredictable guitar style and a soaring, soul-dripping vocal delivery that stand out from the pack.
Born into a musical family (younger brother Syl Johnson's credentials as a soul star are all in order, while sibling Mack Thompson was Magic Sam's first-call bassist), Jimmy Thompson moved to Chicago with his family in 1950. But his guitar playing remained a hobby for years -- he toiled as a welder while Syl blazed a trail on the local blues circuit. Finally, in 1959, Jimmy Thompson started gigging with harpist Slim Willis around the West side. Somewhere down the line, he changed his surname to Johnson (thus keeping pace with Syl).
Since there was more cash to be realized playing R&B during the 1960s, Jimmy Johnson concentrated on that end of the stylistic spectrum for a while. He led polished house bands on the South and West sides behind Otis Clay, Denise LaSalle, and Garland Green, cutting an occasional instrumental 45 on the side. Johnson found his way back to the blues in 1974 as Jimmy Dawkins' rhythm guitarist. He toured Japan behind Otis Rush in 1975 (the journey that produced Rush's classic Delmark album So Many Roads -- Live in Concert).
In 1977 Jimmy recorded what was to be his first full LP, but it wasn't released stateside until Delmark released it as Pepper's Hangout on CD in 2000. With the 1978 release of four stunning sides on Alligator's first batch of Living Chicago Blues anthologies and the issue of Johnson's Whacks, his first full domestic set on Delmark the next year, Jimmy Johnson's star began ascending rapidly. North/South, the guitarist's 1982 Delmark follow-up, and the 1983 release of Bar Room Preacher by Alligator continued to propel Johnson into the first rank of Chicago bluesdom. Then tragedy struck: on December 2, 1988, Johnson was driving his band's van when it swerved off the road in downstate Indiana, killing bassist Larry Exum and keyboardist St. James Bryant.
Understandably, Johnson, himself injured in the wreck, wasn't too interested in furthering his career for a time after the tragedy. But he's back in harness now, cutting a solid set for Verve in 1994, I'm a Jockey, that spotlights his blues-soul synthesis most effectively.Every Road Ends, recorded in France and released on Ruf, followed in 1999. A collaboration with his brother Syl appeared in the summer of 2002, the cleverly titled Two Johnsons Are Better Than One.
Jimmy most recent recordings are on Delmark, as part of guitarist Dave Specter's live revue, LIVE IN CHICAGO (on CD and DVD) from 2008 and the new CD/DVD, IT AIN'T OVER, 55 Years of Blues (on CD and DVD.)
Coming soon on Delmark in September!
Quintus McCormick - Hey Jody (Delmark DE 801)
Zora Young - The French Connection (Delmark DE 802)
"The importance of Delmark and its founder, however, transcend the music itself. Bob Koester is not only one of Chicago’s most influential label owners and music retailers; he has served as a guide and role model for generations of aspiring jazz and blues fans and businesspeople." - David Whiteis, from Ain't It Over liner notes
Kevin Johnson
Delmark Records, director of promotions
773-539-5001 office
773-539-5004 fax
bluesjazz@delmark.com
bluespromo@delmark.com
jazzpromo@delmark.com
http://www.delmark.com
http://www.myspace.com/delmarkrecords
http://www.jazzmart.com
Blues and Jazz since 1953!!
"If Chuck Berry was the ROCK, and Fats Domino was the ROLL, what the @#$% was Bo Diddley?!"
Bob Koester in the New York Times -
"Happily Seduced By The Blues"
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/28/arts/music/28roht.html
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Blues Historian Review: Delmark 55 Years Of Blues
Blues recording companies come and go, but very few last as long as Delmark. Delmark has been around 55 years and some of the best of Chicago blues have recorded for Bob Koester. This anniversary release Delmark: 55 Years Of Blues showcases some of the great artists who recorded there. Trying to give you a blow by blow account of whats on this CD doesn't do it justice, you just need to buy it. It really doesn't matter if you are new to blues, or are an old timer this disc is a must have, because it is not only some of the best audio recordings, but it is also a DVD! Mr Koester must have been feeling really gracious when he put this package together, because it also has a full DVD collection of the best of the Delmark video releases. I have reviewed a few of the DVD releases and they are a treat, so getting a best of DVD with this CD was a nice touch. You can order this ultra cool collection on line HERE, or you can actually stop by the store at 4121 N Rockwell in Chicago Illinois.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Lester Davenport RIP
From Bob Corritore
March 23, 2009 * RIP Lester Davenport 1/16/1932-3/17/2009: Word has just come in from Kevin Johnson of Delmark Records that Chicago blues harmonica great Lester "Mad Dog" Davenport passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2009, after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was a respected figure in Chicago blues, best known for his stunning harp work on Bo Diddley's 1955 recordings of "Pretty Thing" and "Bring It To Jerome". Lester Davenport was born in Tchula, Mississippi on January 16, 1932, and moved to Chicago at age 14. Lester soon found work as a blues harmonica player working with Arthur "Big Boy" Spires and Homesick James before landing a gig with Bo Diddley that led to the famous recording session and a gig at the Apollo Theater. In addition to harmonica, Lester also played bass, drums, and guitar, which ensured him lots of work in the active Chicago blues scene. During the 1970s, he worked with W.W. Williams, Kansas City Red, Illinois Slim, Steve Cushing, Tchula childhood friend Jimmy Dawkins, and many others. In the 1980s he toured extensively with Big Daddy Kinsey & The Kinsey Report. Lester Davenport's career yielded 2 beautiful CDs: When The Blues Hit You on Earwig Music (1993) and I Smell A Rat on Delmark (2002). He also had a couple songs released on an anthology called It's Great To Be Rich on the Red Lightnin' label, and a song on Chicago Blues Harmonica, an anthology on the Wolf Record label. Lester's recording credits as a sideman are extensive: Bo Diddley for Chess records, Big Smokey Smothers for Red Lightnin', Willie Johnson, Maxwell Street Jimmy Davis, Johnny B. Moore for Wolf Records, Big Smokey Smothers, Big John Trice for Red Lightnin', Aron Burton on Earwig, and Bonnie Lee and Willie Kent for Delmark. Aside from all of these great credentials, Lester was just a wonderful man who was eager to welcome new friends and share his harmonica secrets to aspiring players. He had a warm smile and the ability to add humor to any situation. His harmonica playing will be remembered for its glorious, sweet tone and perfect phrasing. Though he never achieved great fame, he will always be remembered as one of the greats. Funeral services will be this Saturday, March 28, 2009, 10am to 12pm, at A.R. Leak Funeral Home, 5000 W. Madison, Chicago, IL 60644.UPDATE
From Bob Corritore
March 24, 2009
- Lester Davenport Updated Funeral Information: Kevin Johnson of Delmark Records and Michael Frank of Earwig Music have sent corrected information for Lester Davenport's funeral:
Visitation:
Friday, March 27, 2009
10am to 10pm
Funeral Services:
Saturday, March 28, 2009
10am to 12 noon
Location for both:
5911 W. Madison
Chicago, IL 60644
(773)626-4222
Note that out of town mourners may view the AA Rayner & Sons Funeral Home online obituary by clicking here, and sign the online guest book/offer condolences by clicking here.
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