Bobby Parker RIP

Blues and soul guitarist Bobby Parker died October 31st at the age of 71.  His hit Watch Your Step influenced John Lennon on two Beatles songs Day Tripper and I Feel Fine . 

His Obit can be found here on the Washington Post

Brian Setzer: As Long As I'm Singing

This song originally written by Bobby Darin lasted a whole 90 seconds and was so good that I would play two or three times because it was just to darn short!  Brian Setzer channels Darin, and plays a freaking smoking guitar on this.  Then at the end they jump into Tequila, not literally of course:-)

Stevie Ray Vaughn: Tightrope

Stevie is still the man even though he has been dead for over 20 years.  I have a DVD of Stevie's last Austin City Limits show, and I show the whole thing to my students at the end of my blues history class.  Granted, a lot of Stevie clones followed after his death, and none of them could hold the masters guitar pick, but if musicians want to see how contemporary blues should be made and play they need to watch this video.  IT IS NOT ABOUT HOW MANY NOTES HE PLAYS, BUT HOW HE PLAYS EVERY NOTE!  Listen to him play he breathes when he plays phrases.  Its those little breaths of silence that makes him better than the musical self pleasing that goes on with today's guitar players.It is good to play with passion, but Stevie played with control. Over the last 20 years I have heard a lot of great guitar players, but they all invariably make the same mistake.  They can't control themselves and go on long loud boring solo binges, with no phrasing, and little musical value.  It is really sad when a guy has controlled himself for half of the set, and then can't take it any more and goes nuts.  You wonder if it was really that important to musically please yourself, to just go crazy and blather a million notes?  The nice thing about Stevie was he knew about melody and keeping the song alive.  He also knew respect.  Watch any video with him playing with Albert King, Albert Collins, or BB, and see how Stevie sat back and comped for the old bluesmen.  Stevie didn't make it about him, it was ABOUT THE BLUES!  The sooner today's guitar players learn this the sooner we can get the blues back up and running again. 

Gary Moore RIP

Legendary blues rock guitarist Gary Moore has died.  According to several sources he died in his sleep in a hotel in Spain.  While a few sites are reporting more, it is pure speculation until an autopsy is done.  Moore played with Thin Lizzy, and was also known as an amazing guitar player who had a great solo career. He was 58 years old.  For a quick report click HERE.  I will update if more information becomes available. 

Below are some songs he is most recognized for.

Kirk Fletcher

Here is a much too brief video of Kirk Fletcher.  If you like Freddie King, Albert King, a slice of Stevie Ray, and a touch of Hendrix then you will love this guy.  I have a review of his latest CD coming up later in the week

Mike Zito: Holding Out For Love

Mike Zito has a great voice and plays a great guitar. I should have a review shortly of his new release. Until then enjoy this video of him live in St. Louis.

Blues Historian Review: Erick Hovey, Recylced Souls, Blues Farm

Erick Hovey is not your typical farmer, nor is he your typical blues guitar player, yet if you met him on the street you would think you are meeting Joe Average. However, the 5th generation gentleman farmer from Badger is one of Iowa's best guitar slingers in the state. As typical with Erick, he doesn't do things like the rest of us. Instead of releasing one CD, he puts out two. Recycled Souls, and Blues Farm, are two great discs of blues, jazz, and blues rock. Both these discs are similar. You really can't put Erick into a box. In one track he sounds like Eric Clapton, then the next song he is David Gilmore, or chunking along like a train in a jump blues style. Hovey's guitar just soars through out this disk. It isn't that over the top, wish I was Stevie Ray Vaughn style of guitar, but the playing of a guy who knows what he is doing and making great music.


Furthermore, his writing style is incredibly eclectic.
Erick kind of takes words from out of the ether, and sometimes an almost zen like quality of word play. Then at other times it is just down and dirty blues.

Throughout the disk Erick is supported by Dan Lodden on bass, Jeff Forman on drums, and the breathy ethereal vocals of Heather Kelly of H And K. A few friends drop by to help Erick out, Andy Schinder plays bass on Sweet Fire Rain, from Recycled Soul. While harp maestro Andy Blumenthal blows on harp on Blues Farm. Then there is also some piano player I have never heard of named Tom Gary, that sort of plays piano and organ on a few tunes:-)

This is a great CD to pick up. I can't recommend one over the other, just buy BOTH!! CD Baby has both discs For Recycled Soul Click HERE, for Blues Farm Click HERE.

Stevie Ray Vaughn: Life Without You

Gee kids, this is how you do it. Nice thing about Stevie is that he could breath with his guitar. It is not a thousand notes a minute. Check the phrasing, of both his singing and playing. Plenty of silence. I know it sounds easy, but it is hard! Stevie just makes it look easy. Also check out how sometimes he plays chords, some time lead lines. Its not all the same bazillion notes a second. That's also what made Hendrix great. There is a good reason that these two guitar players are compared all the time. Same school, old school, blues school.

Carl Verheyen Band: Trading 8s

Just got this via email today. Check out the guest list on this CD, must have been a heck of a party! Those are some mighty fine blues guitar slingers listed there!

The

Carl Verheyen Band

Announces the release of their new CD:

Trading 8s

A brand new recording of all new music featuring performances by some of Carl's favorite guitar players, including:

Steve Morse

Robben Ford

Joe Bonamassa

Scott Henderson

Rick Vito

Albert Lee

Drums: Walfredo Reyes, Jr

Bass: Dave Marotta

Keys: Jim Cox

Order today from www.carlverheyen.com

A big benefit for bipolar disorder in the memory of Sean Costello is coming up in March. Here is the press release

Media Contact:
Debbie Costello Smith
President/CEO
info@seancostellofund.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2009 9 A.M. EDT
BENEFIT CONCERT TO BE HELD IN HONOR OF SEAN COSTELLO
ATLANTA, GA - The Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research will hold its first benefit concert Sunday, March 1, 2009 at the North Atlanta High Center for the Arts. Sean was a beloved blues musician from Atlanta, who was internationally acclaimed, and in his honor, fellow musicians Lurrie Bell [2008 Living Blues Awards for Blues Artist of the Year and Most Outstanding Guitarist], The Wood Brothers, King Johnson, Felix and the Cats with Jon Liebman and the Soul Shakers will lend their time and talent to this cause. Doors will open at 4:30p.m. for review of silent auction items with entertainment to follow at 5:00p.m. Tickets are $30 and will be available online and at the door. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Donations are tax deductible.

The benefit emerges as the first project of The Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research, an organization founded by his mother, Debbie Costello Smith, upon Sean’s untimely passing. Sean was acclaimed for his musical prowess at a very early age. He was designated the Beale Street Blues Society Best Performer at age 15; was nominated for a W.C. Handy Award for his album Cuttin' In in 2000; was voted Best Blues Band in Creative Loafing and Atlanta magazine; was featured on the cover of Blues Revue in February of 2002; and was named the Best New Act by the French Blues Feste in 2003. Most recently, Sean was nominated for two Blues Music Awards: Best Contemporary Blues Album and Best Contemporary Blues Male Artist of 2008.

Sean resided in Atlanta, but was known throughout Europe and the U.S. as a talented, but humble musician who readily shared his talent with young and old. He played with musical greats BB King, Buddy Guy, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Hubert Sumlin, Elvis Costello, Etta James, Pinetop Perkins, Bo Diddley, Little Jimmy King, Nappy Brown, Bob Margolin, and many others. He formed special and lasting relationships with Felix Reyes, Donnie McCormick and Levon Helm. Sean had the honor of playing for James Cotton’s birthday, as he was Mr. Cotton’s favorite band.

Sean passed away suddenly in April last year on the eve of his 29th birthday, after quietly battling depression and anxiety for more than 10 years. It was only a year before his passing that Sean was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. At the time of his passing, he was in treatment to overcome the debilitating symptoms of this mood disorder and the often associated self-medication.

The Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research is a non-profit organization that has attracted a dedicated Board of Directors and an Advisory Board of renowned clinical researchers as a direct result of Sean’s reputation as an artist, an exceptional person and friend. In creating the fund, the board hopes to increase research for treatment, develop and support education for early diagnosis and intervention, and eventually create a program for musicians and artists seeking holistic support in their effort to lead functional, healthy lives.

For more information, please visit http://www.seancostellofund.org

Press Images

Sean Costello:
http://seancostellofund.org/mediakit/SeanCostello.jpg

The Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research Logo: http://seancostellofund.org/mediakit/SCMF-logo.eps

Billy Jones Bluez

Billy Jones Bluez is the real deal. About once or twice a year he sends me this cool promo pack loaded with photos and reviews. I know a lot of people who book bands stop by here from time to time, so if you haven't heard of Billy Jones Bluez, then check him out!

http://myspace.com/billyjonesbluez

http://losangeles.going.com/billyjonesbluez

"...what really got to me were the lyrics... it is “blues” transformed, updated and urbanized."

Re: "...the re-emergence of blues music as serious social commentary."
"No one who I can think of, except perhaps James “Blood” Ulmer, has taken a truly contemporary look at traditional blues with the musical and lyrical intensity of Billy Jones. While Ulmer’s music is often dark and angry, Jones takes a more restrained and soulful approach while still expressing deep love, despair, and other intense feelings with his music.
Musically, there is a mix of styles on the CD. Jones can hammer out some hard, driving blues or go more traditional in his approach. But what really got to me were the lyrics. There are several songs where Billy gets into the urban problems of his "hometown."
The modern, urban blues lyrics start right from the beginning of the CD. He starts out with some slow jam/blues in a ballad called “Here With You”. He sings of how deep his love is: “your love is much warmer than my prison cell, so if the homies ride tonight I think I’m gonna stay right here”. With the second track, “Pull My 44”, Jones sings of a jealous lovers' rage. He describes his lovers' beauty and talks about how he’s jealous and if “I catch you messin’ wit’ my woman, Man I’m mo’ pull my 44”. The music has a Mississippi Delta component to it, yet it is modern and urban. Later, we hear “Crystal”; this is a semi-psychedelic rocking song about his addiction and the dangers of Crystal. It’s not a girlfriend named Crystal, but crystal methamphetamine. In the title track, “My Hometown’, Jones talks frankly about the problems in the ghetto. Schools not teaching you what to do, gangs, violence, meth labs, broken families, and a repressive system all become part of these modern blues.
Jones goes a more traditional R&B route with music and lyrics in cuts like “Right Now” and "Never Let You Go”. The deep bass notes driving the beat and his vocals are a throwback to an older soul era where he sings of loves won and lost. In “The Clown” Billy goes to his guitar and sweetly bends some notes to punctuate the song about his lost love, where he states “and girl for you I’m just a clown.”
Top to bottom, this is a nice little CD.
Jones calls his music “Bluez” and sings about the problems of his life and hometown with heart and feeling; it is “blues” transformed, updated and urbanized. This North Little Rock, Arkansas musician is the real deal and “my Hometown” is a great CD!"
http://crossroadsreviews.blogspot.com/

"It certainly caught my ear which is saying something!! I will give it another listen soon."

Jay Sieleman
Executive Director
The Blues Foundation

Arkansas artist hits #1 on XM Satellite Radio.

BLUESVILLE PICK TO CLICK FOR THE WEEK

1. “My Hometown” – Billy Jones – Black and Tan Records

Program Directors/Radio Stations :

click here to download 3 free tracks from this cd at http://www.radiosubmit.com/rs/bands/647/

...bluez from the ghetto ...bluez for the ghetto :
"Billy Jones is one of the ‘good guys’. He is a young man from Arkansas who is truly interested in advancing and extending ‘Great Black Music' from the Ancient to the Future’ and making sure that it is available for future generations.
As such he is one of my personal musical heroes.
We don’t have enough artists like him and hopefully he is going to inspire others.
Updating the blues for the 21st century is not an easy matter... Billy Jones has managed it.
Think Bobby Womack with Curtis Mayfield's social conscience and you are getting close.
Perhaps the most important thing to note is that his sound is more acceptable to modern ears and maybe that will get more people to listen to his message.
Jones has a voice that will enchant you. This is a fine, soulful album.
It's a first person rumination about "growing up in the ghetto" that packs a poignant wallop. The message is deep and heartfelt... lyrically-inspired Contemporary R&B."
http://www.Soul-Patrol.com
http://www.blackplanet.com/billyjonesbluez

"It certainly caught my ear which is saying something!! I will give it another listen soon."

Jay Sieleman
Executive Director
The Blues Foundation

http://www.livebluesworld.com/forum/topics/re-the-reemergence-of-blues?page=1&commentId=1598513%3AComment%3A74113&x=1#1598513Comment74113

" the Incredible resurrection, metamorphosis and re-invention of Blues and Soul music."
The Incredible Resurrection, Metamorphosis and Re-invention of Blues and Soul Music :
Taking Blues to New Places with R&B, Soul, and Urban Style :
"Exquisite Modern and Traditional Blues and Neo-Soul by one of the most talented artists on the contemporary scene.
Billy Jones is a young, genius-level, totally charismatic veteran who shows all the signs of becoming as big or bigger than Buddy Guy. This young man has enormous talents.
I recently witnessed a 2-song DVD by Billy and his band that just added to my excitement regarding this on-stage dynamo who boasts movie-star good looks, a Huge voice, great guitar-playing and a Hot repertoire of tunes. All tracks were written by Billy ...and what a voice!
With Billy Jones showing so many talents and covering every single genre close to Blues, the Man is a ‘can’t miss’ star-in-the-making…No wait, he’s not in-the-making…He’s made!
If a major U.S. label doesn’t scoop up this high-level Blues genius within the next 3-4 months then we’re all in trouble! But, whatever happens, No One is going to keep a lid on Billy Jones. He’s off on-a-rocket folks and we certainly need a Big Blues talent like his."
"One of the very Best Authentic Modern Blues and Soul albums in recent memory."
http://www.realbluesmagazine.com/
http://myspace.com/billyjonesbluez

Lübeck International Blues Festival

Werkhof / Lübeck, Germany :

"With a smile a yard wide and moves that could make Shakira blush, Little Rock product Billy Jones is a

smart, concise player... his live performances are sweaty, gritty, and alive.

His 90-minute set offered danceable funk, plus plenty of the mellow Southern soul... and on white-hot

Albert Collins-style electric blues, Jones proved he can tear it up when he feels like it.

He told the story of a “Juice Headed Woman” with the authority of someone who's been there.

Later, Jones morphed into Hendrix for a few bars, reaching out to that portion of the crowd that whoops

instantly when a guitarist plays with his teeth.

Watching Jones stay focused and complete a thoroughly professional set, I couldn¹t help but think of the

song title “Poor Boy a Long Way From Home”. Jones and his band belonged not here, but in some smoky,

cramped, sexual-tension-filled room where people are on the make and ready to party. Most of the audience

wasn¹t any older than Jones. They just acted that way."

by Vincent Abbate, Blues Revue Magazine

http://www.bluesrevue.com/

When I got the cds from Billy Jones Bluez and popped the first one in the player, I sat there listening and thinking, “I can’t believe I never heard this guy before, he’s so damn good - where has he been and why haven't I heard of him before?”

http://www.mississippipolitical.com/billyjonesbluez.htm

Hi everybody,

Our European tour was a great success.

The band had a wonderful experience at the Cognac Blues Passions Festival in France!

I enjoyed listening to all the outstanding groups who performed at the festival, and getting to meet some

of my idols like Willie King, Joan Baez and of course my all time hero Bobby Rush and his beautiful wife.

We also met the chairman of the Hennessy Corporation and had a caviar and escargot "brunch" at the

Hennessy Castle while two butlers waited on us hand & foot. ...very impressive... weird, but impressive.

Then we got to perform for about 15,000 screaming French fans, sign a lot of cd's and autographs and

take a lot of pictures. I was humbled by the experience.

Please visit the Blues Passions website and check out the PDF pamplets to find out what happened at

this historic event.

thanks,

Billy Jones

p.s... My band is mentioned in the 24 Juillet and the 25 Juillet issues of the "Nothing But the Blues"

CHRONIQUE DE COGNAC BLUES PASSIONS.

http://www.bluespassions.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=161&lang=fr

http://www.bluespassions.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=161&lang=fr

Fan Mail :

http://myspace.com/billyjonesbluez

"Dear Billy – How funny because I am fan of yours too. I have the new disc and I will be adding at least two of the tunes in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for all you do to help keep the blues alive and well."

Bill Wax - XMRadio.com

http://www.xmradio.com/onxm/channelbio.xmc?ch=74

"I like your performance and I love your voice. I love it, how you play your guitar and I love your glances. You are awesome, Billy.

Since the last time, I see you, I can't get you out of my mind. You have touched me deep inside of my heart. Your positive vibes, your charisma...however that may be...

you have woken up something in me...whenever I listen to your songs I could cry and laugh at the same time!

"Since you've been gone, I stay awake all night long..."

I hope, you will return here. I want to see you again some day...look at you and see your wonderful smile...listen to your music, which make me feel...

I bought all of your CD's and I like the lyrics, especially "Here with you", "My Hometown" and "Reconsider Baby".

Billy Jones, I wish you all the best. Hope to see you soon! Take care of yourself!"

Love, SANDRA

Bluez Addict

Germany

Hello Billy,

I am from Denmark and you would make me very glad if you would send me your autograph.

I am sure that you are getting other inquiries of this kind but I do hope that you will take your time and send a letter to Denmark.

I wish you all the best for the future.

Thanks and kind regards,

INGOLF CLAUSEN

Kongevejen 132

DK-2830 Virum

Denmark

Hello Billy,
I'm a collector of guitar picks and I already have about 400 picks of famous
rock & country stars. Unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to see you live in concert and
ask you for a guitar pick personally.

If you mail me your address I would like to send you a return envelope (with
stamp) for a guitar pick.

If your name is not printed on the pick it would be very nice if you signed.

In case this is not the right address to write to could you please send the
letter to the right place or let me know the address to write to?

Thank you for your efforts in advance.

Sincerely Yours
Susanne

my Hometown

Prime Suspect for the Blues tha’ Bluez

( special pre-black &tan underground recordings )

Billy Jones Links :

http://billyjonesbluez.hyves.net/ europe

http://myspace.com/billyjonesbluez usa

http://musictrax.jp/billy_jones_bluez japan

http://www.blackplanet.com/billyjonesbluez usa

http://losangeles.going.com/billyjonesbluez los angeles
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=551528789 usa

http://us.profile.myspace.cn/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=4761893 china

http://www.bluespassions.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=161&lang=fr europe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oWMVvlG64U video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raoYbdFUdrg video

http://www.nextcat.com/billyjonesbluez

http://reverbnation.com/billyjonesbluez

http://www.livebluesworld.com/profile/billyjonesbluez

Billy Jones

phone: 501-372-4998

billyjonesbluez@aol.com

"Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure."

"We are the masters of our own destiny. We are the makers of our own fate."

“Know thy self and you will know all the secrets of the gods of the universe”.

"Without COURAGE, we cannot practice any other virtue consistently."

"TRUE GREATS...
Are Not Those Born With
"GOLD SPOONS" In Their Mouths
But Those...
Who Through "HARD WORK"
Turn Their Own "WOODEN SPOONS"
Into "GOLD"

Note*

All reviews in this Electronic Promo Package are in English.

For reviews in other languages by European publications please visit the websites below :

http://www.billy-jones.com

http://www.crossroads.nl/

www.black-and-tan.com/

Freddie King: Big Legged Woman

This is a classic Freddie King clip. King was a master of combining funk and blues. another one of those great blues performers that died way too soon.

Stevie Ray Vaughn: The Things That I Used To Do

This is from 1984. Amazing how long Stevie has been gone. It just seems like yesterday.

Chico Banks

Here is a short guitar solo by Chico Banks. This guy is going to be missed a lot! I guess it is true that only the good die young.

Chico Banks RIP

From Bob Corritore Blues News

• RIP Chico Banks: Word just came to us from Michael Freeman of Coachouse Industries that the young Chicago blues guitarist Vernon "Chico" Banks passed on December 2, 2008. He was 47. He was the son of legendary guitarist Jesse Banks (of The Mighty Clouds Of Joy), and he represented a younger generation in the Chicago Blues scene that mixed elements of rock and funk into the blues. He has performed and/or recorded with Willie Kent, James Cotton, Mavis and Pops Staples, Little Milton, Magic Slim, Big Time Sarah, Buddy Guy, Melvin Taylor, Freddie Roulette, Otis Clay, and others, as well as being a star in his own right. A popular hometown attraction with an international reputation, Chico will be greatly missed. There was no additional information available at the time of this writing.

UPDATE

from Bob Corritore comes an update. ChicoBanks died today. It is unfortunate in this day of the internet that sometimes news travels faster than reality. I am sorry that I jumped the gun on this. Here is what Bob wrote today:

• More Info on Chico Banks: News has come in Chico Banks apparently died just today Word from Katherine Davis via Chris James is that Chico was pronounced brain dead yesterday and died this afternoon. Apparently yesterday's word around Chicago of Chico's passing was premature, but was nonetheless circulating throughout the city. After receiving Michael Freeman's notification, we did a web search and found other listings of Chico's passing before we published our newsletter notification. We apologize for our part in spreading inaccurate news on such a hurtful subject. We just pass on what information comes to us and we always list our sources. Let's hope that Chico is at peace now, and that those of us who cared about him can heal and focus on celebrating his life's contributions. Rest in peace, Chico Banks.

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