Delmart Records Update

The latest from Kevin Johnson at Delmark Records


Hello Friends of Delmark Blues and Jazz!
A friendly reminder about some very special Delmark related concerts, and our fall release announcements!!!

Wanted to let you know about a special benefit for the family of our dear friend, Little Arthur Duncan (1934-2008)

Little Arthur Duncan Memorial
Friday, September 19, 2008 - Rosa's Blues Lounge, Chicago, 9:30pm

Live performance from the Back Scratchers and MANY special guests- a who's who of traditional Chicago Blues!
Tail Dragger, Zora Young, Billy Boy Arnold, Eddie Taylor, Jr., Eddie C. Campbell, Mud Morganfield, Vernon and Joe Harrington, Little Al Thomas, and many more!!
Rick Kreher and Illinois Slim (gtrs) Michael Azzi (bass) Twist Turner (drums)

This will be a very special evening to celebrate the life of a much loved man. BLUES WITH A FEELING!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rosa's - Chicago's Friendliest Blues Lounge
www.rosaslounge.com
3420 W. Armitage (Kimball and Armitage)
773-342-0452
Thank you, Tony and Mama Rosa!!

www.myspace.com/littlearthurduncan
Arthur's forever "Singin' w/ the Sun"
We love you, Mr. BackScratcher!




We also hope you can come out and celebrate with us at...

Delmark Records' 55th Anniversary Tribute Concert at Old Town School of Folk Music !!
Friday, September 26, 2008, 8 pm
4544 N. Lincoln Ave in Chicago's Lincoln Square
773-728-6000

Chicago Blues/Jazz Summit with
Dave Specter (guitar, bandleader) www.davespecter.org, myspace.com/davespecter
Ari Brown (sax, bandleader) http://aacmchicago.org/richard-ari-brown, http://centerstage.net/music/whoswho/AriBrown.html
Nicole Mitchell (flute) www.nicolemitchell.com , myspace.com/blackearthsounds
Lurrie Bell (guitar, voc) www.lurrie.com, myspace.com/lurriebell
Jimmy Johnson (guitar, voc) http://www.sroartists.com/artists/jimmyjohnson/
Corey Wilkes (trumpet) www.coreywilkes.com , myspace.com/coreywilkes
and many special guests !

Ari Brown and his band with special guests Nicole Mitchell and Corey Wilkes will be performing an hour set @ 8-9pm
Dave Specter and his band with special guests Jimmy Johnson and Lurrie Bell will be performing an hour set @9:45- 11pm, with possibly a night ending blues/jazz jam session.

Our friends and neighbors at The Old Town School of Folk Music are throwing a party for Bob Koester and Delmark Records to celebrate this monumental music milestone. Do not miss this chance to honor one of the world's longest running, single-owned and operated independent record labels. Blues and jazz since 1953!!

We would love to see you at this special event held at the largest independent community arts school in the U.S.!
"Old Town School of Folk Music has the best small theater in the city, with excellent sound and sight lines" - Chicago Reader
www.oldtownschool.org
**Over a half of century of amazing music from both Delmark and Old Town School of Folk Music!
Happy 51st Birthday, Old Town School of Folk Music - Thank you, Colleen and Nick!
Happy 55th Birthday, Delmark Records





Delmark is also excited to announce our 55th Anniversary CD and DVD compilations for fall release! (end of Oct.)

Delmark • 55 Years of Jazz (Delmark DE-914) - Contains one CD and one DVD!
After wearing out Delmark’s 2003 set celebrating 50 years of great jazz, you probably thought you were going to have to wait at least until 2013 for another such anniversary collection. But when you’ve got a rich catalog like Delmark’s, and a label head like Bob Koester who is committed to keep expanding that catalog, why not seize every opportunity to throw a party for your enterprise--and all the great artists behind the candles on the cake? CD features Coleman Hawkins, Sun Ra, George Lewis, Curtis Fuller, Deep Blue Organ Trio, Francine Griffin, and more. DVD features Nicole Mitchell, Ari Brown, Fred Anderson, Chicago Underground Trio , and more.

Delmark • 55 Years of Blues (Delmark DE-915) - Contains one CD and one DVD!
Delmark’s 55th anniversary blues bash at Buddy Guy’s Legends on March 7, 2008 was suitably festive, with most of Delmark’s local blues roster on hand and a Delmark Day proclamation from Mayor Daley.The role that Bob Koester, his label, and his Jazz Record Mart have played since relocating some fifty years ago from St. Louis in nurturing and furthering the Chicago blues scene have broadened its horizons and benefitted virtually everyone involved in some way. CD features Junior Wells, Magic Sam, Otis Rush, Speckled Red, Willie Kent, and more. DVD features Tail Dragger, Byther Smith, Jimmy Burns, Zora Young's performance from the 55th anniversary bash, and more.

ALong with these 2 special 55th anniv. compilations, we are excited about our 2 other releases, including never before released '74 sessions from Sleepy John Estes and Hammie Nixon and a modern big band swing session from local big band leader John Burnett and his Swing Orchestra, featuring vocalist supreme Frieda Lee!


Sleepy John Estes - 80 Highway (Delmark DE-797)

John Adam Estes was born on January 25, 1904 in Ripley, Tennessee. His recording career spanned six decades from the '20s until his death on June 5, 1977. "Sleepy John Estes was one of the most individual of all recorded blues singers. He sang with phrasing that fairly dripped with expressiveness in a high crying tone that seemed often like he was speaking to the listener. The songs he wrote were well suited to this treatment, dealing frequently with his and his neighbors' lives in Brownsville, Tennessee." - Gerald Brennan. This session from July 19, 1974 was recorded just before Sleepy John and Hammie Nixon departed for a tour of Japan. None of these performances have ever been issued. Sleepy john Estes, vocals, guitar; Hammie Nixon, vocals, harmonica, kazoo.

John Burnett Swing Orchestra - West of State Street / East of Harlem
(with special guest Randy Sandke) (Delmark DE-584)

In addition to being the host of WDCB's "All Things Jazz" John Burnett is the leader of "maybe the best contemporary swing big band on the planet" -Amazon.com. Formed in 1999 this orchestra is comprised of top-notch Chicago musicians and features guest vocalist Frieda Lee. This live recording was captured at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn, IL (the album title refers to the street location of the venue) and the band is joined by special guest trumpeter Randy Sandke. Groovin' High, Night In Tunisia, Struttin' With Some Barbeque, One O'Clock Jump, Sweet Georgia Brown, April In Paris and more. "His object is to keep the big band alive and swingin'. In this, he has done admirably well." -Louie Bellson.






Saturday, September 27, 2008
Hyde Park Jazz Fest in Chicago! Free!
www.hydeparkjazzfestival.org

The 2nd Annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival on Saturday, September 27, will bring together world-class headliners and local emerging artists for fourteen hours of free, non-stop jazz for the serious and casual listener, alike.

Many Delmark artists are featured on this fantastic Fest, including ragtime pianist Reginald R. Robinson, flutist/composer Nicole Mitchell, saxophonist Ari Brown, saxophonist Fred Anderson, percussionist/composer Kahil El ' Zabar, pianist Willie Pickens, trumpeter Corey Wilkes, vocalist Dee Alexander, vocalist Frieda Lee, pianist Robert Irving III, and more!

The Festival will highlight performances by renowned jazz musicians and dance performances, while celebrating the music and culture of Chicago's Hyde Park. Ramsey Lewis is serving as this year's Honorary Festival Chair. Other standout performers include Ron Haynes, Sax in the City, Two For Brazil, Maggie Brown, Grazyna Auguscik, Orbert Davis, Henry Johnson, Edwin Sanchez, and many others. Festival shuttles will continually loop, transporting attendees, free of charge, to a variety of creative and unexpected performance venues and the main stage at the Midway Plaisance. Free performances will take place on the Midway Plaisance and at Checkerboard Lounge, DuSable Museum, Experimental Station, Hyde Park Art Center, International House, Little Black Pearl, Oriental Institute Museum, Quadrangle Club, Robie House, Rockefeller Chapel, and Smart Museum of Art.



**COREY WILKES on Chicago Public Radio's 848 next week!!
Look for Trumpet hero Corey Wilkes interview with Richard Steele and Dan Bindert on WBEZ' 848 program next Wednesday or Thursday, Sept 24 and 25th with a Delmark 55th show and Hyde Park Fest preview!!!



**Did you know that 2 Delmark recordings were listed in the newly published book, 1000 Recordings To Hear Before You Die? I highly recommend this well researched and highly diverse "must read" for music list fanatics!! Thanks to author, Tom Moon, for an essential new "listener's life list!"
Magic Sam's West Side Soul (Delmark DD 615)
Anthony Braxton's For Alto (Delmark DE 420)



Kevin Johnson, Delmark promotions, 773 539 5001
bluesjazz@delmark.com
www.delmark.com
www.myspace.com/delmarkrecords
www.jazzmart.com

The World's Largest Blues and Jazz Shop!- JAZZ RECORD MART
The World's longest running single owned and operated record label, Delmark Records (OK, maybe 2nd longest)

Delmark Records Update

Hey Friends of Delmark!

DELMARK DOINGS Spring into Summer 2008

In its 55th year, Delmark Records’ release schedule is as busy as ever, with four recent Spring releases hitting the blues and jazz market
(Dave Specter, Mississippi Heat, Jason Ajemian’s Smokeless Heat, and Wally Rose) along with four new highly anticipated summer releases on the way- Byther Smith's first live CD and DVD (w/ Jimmy Burns' band), rising jazz star and trumpet phenom Corey Wilkes' debut as a leader (!), never before released '66 stride piano duets from Willie “The Lion” Smith & Don Ewell, and a '81 swingin' Chicago jazz session from Cy Touff (bass trumpet) & Sandy Mosse (Tenor sax).

Four new Delmark Releases - (Street Date June 17, 2008)

1) Byther Smith Blues On The Moon, Live at the Natural Rhythm Social Club (Delmark DVD 1796, CD DE 796)
- First live album from the most intense Chicago bluesman around! Hell no, he’s not retired!! This slashing guitarist, menacing vocalist, and original songwriter is still in prime form, despite false rumors of retirement. “Blues on the Moon” (DVD 1796/DE 796) was captured Live at the Natural Rhythm Social Club on Chicago’s South side from last summer with Jimmy Burns’ fantastic backing band and is Byther’s first live album.

Byther Smith is a fighter, a scrapper, a hard worker and a survivor. As a child in Monticello, Mississippi he lost both his parents; his mother when he was one year old and his father six months later. Shipped off to Arizona as a young man, Smitty took up boxing in part to deal with the pain. "I had 69 amateur fights and I only lost one." Smitty came to Chicago in the mid-’50s and by the early ’60s was playing at Theresa's Lounge, where he backed Junior Wells. He also worked with Big Mama Thornton, George "Harmonica" Smith and Otis Rush. He recorded his first LP for the Grits label in 1983, two for Bullseye in the early ’90s, and this is his fourth Delmark CD - his first live album. DVD contains one bonus track and Byther Smith commentary special feature.
(Also available: Mississippi Kid (Delmark 691), All Night Long (Delmark 708), Hold That Train (Delmark 774), Junior Wells, Live at Theresa's 1975 (Delmark 787))

2) Corey Wilkes Drop It (Delmark DE 582)
We’re very excited to announce the debut recording as a leader from Chicago jazz trumpet phenom Corey Wilkes, “Drop It” (DE 582) This hotly anticipated release features the diverse original repertoire of the charismatic young Corey- “it’s imbued with the blues, infused with the rhythmic primacy of hip hop, incorporating the poignancy of poetry, and it utilizes the improvisation of jazz, thus taking the music out of its normal stylistic boundaries to create something unique and original.” This Riverside studio recording (with an additional live title track) also features the talented keyboard work of Robert “Baabe” Irving and the beautiful vocals from Dee Alexander.

Jazz trumpeter Corey Wilkes burst on the Chicago jazz scene in 2002. Corey took on the ghost of Lester Bowie and filled the vacant seat in the Art Ensemble of Chicago. Big shoes to fill for a new musician but Corey isn't an ordinary musician. He began at the age of 10, made the Illinois All State Honors Jazz Combo in high school and honed his talent at Berklee College of Music. His soulful notes can be heard gracing a variety of projects such as DJ sets by DJ Logic, Osunlade and Josh Deep; tracks on Hidden Beach's Unwrapped Vol. 4, also recorded with Roscoe Mitchell, Art Ensemble, Tortoise, Ernest Dawkins, Nicole Mitchell and Ethnic Heritage Ensemble's Hot ’N’ Heavy (Delmark DVD 1574, CD DE 574). With Chelsea Baratz, tenor sax; Jabari Liu, alto sax; Robert "Baabe" Irving III, piano and Fender Rhodes; Junius Paul, bass; Jeremy "Bean" Clemmons, drums. Drop It is Corey's debut CD as leader.

3) Cy Touff & Sandy Mosse Tickle Toe (Delmark DE 583)
A long awaited swingin’ session from 1981 from Chicago jazz heavies Cy Touff and Sandy Mosse.

One of the few bass trumpet specialists in jazz history, Cy Touff (1927-2003) was a fixture in Chicago for decades. Touff recorded albums for Pacific Jazz and Chess' Argo in the ’50s. He worked in the studios, performed in clubs and recorded with Chubby Jackson and Lorez Alexandria in 1957, and with the group Hyde Park After Dark in 1981. Tenor saxophonist Sandy Mosse (1929-1983) was born in Detroit but spent much of his American playing time in Chicago. He moved to Paris at age 22 and recorded historical sides in the bands of Henri Renaud and Django Rheinhardt. He returned to Chicago in ’55 and recorded for Argo. Touff and Mosse co-led an octet in the late ’50s/early ’60s called Pieces of Eight. Mosse relocated to Amsterdam in the late ’70s where he spent his last years. Tickle Toe is a swinging 1981 date with John Campbell (piano), Kelly Sill (bass) and Jerry Coleman (drums).


4) Willie "The Lion" Smith & Don Ewell Stride Piano Duets, Live in Toronto 1966 (Delmark DE 249)
Early jazz fanatics will rejoice with a never before released live duet recording from 1966 from 2 legendary stride pianists, Willie “The Lion” Smith and Don Ewell, “ Sophisticated and rollicking piano instrumental duets!

Willie "The Lion" Smith in the 1920s was considered one of the big three of stride piano, along with James P. Johnson and Fats Waller. He was an influence on the young Duke Ellington. Although he was a braggart (with his cigar and trademark derby hat) and appeared to be a rough character, Smith was actually more colorful than menacing, and a very sophisticated pianist. Because he remained active into the early '70s, Willie "The Lion" Smith was considered a living link to the glory days of early jazz. A major if underrated pianist, Don Ewell was inspired by Jelly Roll Morton and Earl Hines, but could stride like Fats Waller, too. Ewell started leading his own trios in Baltimore in the mid-'30s; played during the New Orleans jazz revival (starting in the mid-'40s) with Bunk Johnson, Muggsy Spanier, Sidney Bechet, and Kid Ory (1953) and was with Jack Teagarden during 1957-1964. Ewell sometimes played duets with Willie "The Lion" Smith in the late '60s before moving to New Orleans, where he worked regularly during his last years. This 1966 date, recorded live at the Golden Nugget in Toronto, features duets by the two piano legends, and has never before been issued!
(Also available: George Lewis & Don Ewell, Reunion (Delmark 220), Dewey Jackson, Live at the Barrel 1952 with Don Ewell (Delmark 245)).


Recent Delmark Releases from the Spring, 2008


1) Dave Specter, Live in Chicago, on Delmark DVD- 1794 and CD - DE 794, with special guests Jimmy Johnson, Tad Robinson, and Sharon Lewis - www.davespecter.org , www.tadrobinson.com , www.sharonlewisblues.com
We are thrilled with the return of outstanding blues guitarist Dave Specter to Delmark recording activity. “Live In Chicago” (DVD 1794/DE 794) is a “all-star blues/funk/soul revue” with special guests vocalists Tad “Mr. Soul/Blues” Robinson, the ageless Jimmy “The Bar Room Preacher” Johnson, and Sharon “The Texas Fire” Lewis each showcasing their unique talents while Specter lays down his deep blues/jazz guitar grooves. I challenge anyone to name another 79 year old who can play a more fluid and funky guitar than the legendary Jimmy Johnson! We just celebrated Specter’s new release with two CD/DVD release parties: one at Buddy Guy’s Legends (where Buddy Guy sat in with Dave and the supremely funky and soulful Jimmy Johnson) and one at Specter’s new music club in Evanston, S.P.A.C.E. Fantastic vocalists Tad Robinson (“What’s Your Angle?”) and Sharon Lewis (“Angel”) performed knock out sets both nights with Specter’s excellent band - Brother John Kattke (w/ Pete Benson at SPACE) (keys), Harlon Terson (bass) and Marty Binder (drums)


2) MISSISSIPPI HEAT, Hattiesburg Blues, (Delmark CD - DE 795), with special guests Lurrie Bell and Carl Weathersby - www.mississippiheat.net , www.lurrie.com , www.carlweathersby.org , www.gilescorey.us
Fantastic harp player/bandleader Pierre Lacocque and Mississippi Heat also return with their 2nd release on Delmark; this is a new ambitious studio CD and their best yet! “Hattiesburg Blues” (DE 795) features their dynamic lead vocalist Inetta Visor "Tiger Man", and Chicago blues guitar legends Lurrie Bell (“Chicago is My Home” should be a new Chicago blues anthem!) and Carl Weathersby ("Hell and Back"), along with relative newcomer Giles Corey (check out his catchy and funky "Say Something Good!") . The always reliable drummer Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith, The Chicago Horns, latin pecussionist Ruben Alvarez, and funky clavinet/keys from Chris "Hambone" Cameron also add significantly to this varied disc of almost all new original compositions from Pierre. You can listen to sound samples of this at http://www.mississippiheat.net/disc/hattiesburg.html

**DELMARK CD release party for Mississippi Heat's "Hattiesburg Blues"
FRIDAY, MAY 30TH, BUDDY GUY'S LEGENDS with special guest Carl Weathersby!! 754 S. Wabash, @10pm

3) JASON AJEMIAN’s Smokeless Heat, The Art of Dying (DE 581)
We are proud to release the Delmark debut recording as a leader of bassist Jason Ajemian (Chicago Underground Trio) and Smokeless Heat, saxophonist Tim Haldeman, and drummer Nori Tanaka. Ajemian and this inventive group of creative jazz players from the prolific Chicago scene recorded “The Art of Dying” (DE 581) with vibist Jason Adasiewicz, trumpeter Jaimie Branch, and guitarist Matt Schneider. This is a wonderful example of a recording that will appeal to both avant-garde and straight ahead jazz lovers.
“From gorgeous ballads and ethereal tone poems to simmering blues and angular post bop, the rotating line-up handles each style with utter conviction and carefree conversational acumen. Another brilliant document verifying Chicago's ancient to the future jazz aesthetic, The Art of Dying is a vibrant example of what lies ahead.” All About Jazz

4) WALLY ROSE - Whippin’ The Keys (DE 248)
Rounding out our first of 2008 Spring releases is “Whippin’ The Keys” (DE 248), a masterful ragtime piano solo session from influential Bay Area Trad Jazz pianist Wally Rose. These 20 selections were originally on two Blackbird LPs from 1968 and 1971 and reissued here for the first time.


To kick off the summer festival season, many Delmark recording artists will be performing at the 25th annual Chicago Blues Festival; Jimmy Burns, Big Time Sarah, Lurrie Bell, Jimmy Johnson, Karen Carroll, Charles Wilson, Eddy Clearwater, Magic Slim, Lonnie Brooks, Aron Burton, Little Arthur’s Backscratchers, Sharon Lewis, Inetta Visor, Billy Branch, Plas Johnson, and more.
Mississippi Heat (Pierre LaCocque and Inetta Visor) will also be performing for Delmark’s annual Blues Brunch at Jazz Record Mart Sunday morning (June 8, 10:30am) before you head off to the Fest! Don’t miss the post Blues Fest night activities with some amazing shows for you to choose from, including shows at Dave Specter’s new club in Evanston ( S.P.A.C.E.) with Specter, Jimmy Burns, Jimmy and Syl Johnson all headlining, along with a near South side gig at Reggie’s Rock club with Tail Dragger, Byther Smith, and more!

Don’t miss the post Blues Fest night activities with some amazing shows for you to choose from, including Delmark related shows at Dave Specter’s new club in Evanston ( S.P.A.C.E.) with Specter, Jimmy Burns, Jimmy and Syl Johnson all headlining, along with a near South side gig at Reggie’s Rock club with Tail Dragger, Byther Smith, and more!


SPACE 1st Annual Blues Festival!
June 4th - June 7th, 2008, 1245 Chicago Ave, Evanston- 847-492-8860 www.evanstonspace.com

-Wednesday June 4th: "Blues on the North Shore" with David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Eddy Clearwater, Barrelhouse Chuck & special guests. A Tribute to Chicago/Delta blues legend & 2008 Grammy Award winner David 'Honeyboy' Edwards. A celebration of his life, legacy and music. 8:00pm $25

-Thursday June 5th: Jimmy Johnson & Dave Specter
The legendary Bar Room Preacher meets Specter and his soulful, blues-drenched guitar. Featured together at Millennium Park and on Specter's "Live in Chicago" DVD & CD on Delmark Records. 9:00pm $10

-Friday June 6th: Jimmy Burns
Jimmy Burns' musical resume reads like a history of blues and R&B from the last fifty years - a charismatic performer with an expressive, soulful voice and a melodic guitar style to match. 9:30pm $10

-Saturday June 7th: Syl Johnson with Morris Jennings and Bernard Reed
Syl Johnson is one of the unsung heroes of Black American popular music and is a triple threat legend in blues and soul; he's a gritty blues harp man, a stellar R&B/Blues guitarist, and most importantly, one of the finest soul singers on the planet. 9:30pm $20





**Fri, Sat, June 6, 7 2008- post CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL - American Blues Legends Revue @ Reggie’s Music Joint
2105 S. State Street, CHICAGO, Illinois 60616, $15, 312-949-0120. www.reggieslive.com
American Blues Legends Management Presents - Heroes of Chicago Blues All-Star Blues Festival Performance - Hosted by guitarists Rick Kreher and Cadillac Zack. Performances by Jody Williams, Eddie C. Campbell, Elmore James, Jr., Byther Smith, Tail Dragger, and many special guests!!!! DO NOT MISS this- this is the real deal shit, y’all!


Byther Smith and Lurrie Bell will both also be wowing the crowds at the prestigious Poconos Blues Fest at the end of July, and versatile bluesman and entertainer supreme Jimmy Burns returns to the one of a kind Sunflower Blues Fest in Clarksdale, Mississippi in August. Bay area guitar master Steve Freund was just booked for the famous Lucerne Blues Festival in Switzerland in November.


Tail Dragger Stomps the Ponderosa!

7th annual Ponderosa Stomp Music Festival in New Orleans, April 29, 30, 2008 , www.ponderosastomp.com

What, you’ve never heard of the Ponderosa Stomp? Dr. Ike and the Mystic Knights of the Mau Mau from New Orleans have put together one of the most talked about music fests in the world today. Now in its seventh year, the Ponderosa Stomp “is an American Roots music festival dedicated to recognizing the architects of rock-n- roll, blues, jazz, country, swamp pop, and soul.” You will not find another insane music lineup like this funky fest: a colorful cast of alive and (mostly) well characters from our favorite records, predominately from the 50’s and 60’s. Unsung musical heroes, overlooked sideman, almost forgotten one-hit wonders, screamers, shouters, pleaders, testifiers, pickers, horn blowers, piano pounders, and behind the scene makers are all found on stage and shaking their tail feathers and money makers on the dance floor at the Stomp in New Orleans!
There are so many acts I would love to mention, but of course I was especially excited this year as two of our favorite Delmark recording artists were performing! The infamous Tail Dragger, aka Crawlin’ James, the best Howlin’ Wolf influenced entertainer/singer on the planet, along with Syl Johnson, who possesses one of soul music’s greatest all-time voices, were both huge hits and performed some of the most talked about sets at this year’s 2 day Stomp.
Tail Dragger headlined Night #1 of the Stomp (2-3 am slot!) and had the faithful and converted smiling and grooving with his lowdown and gritty blues preaching, along with his floor stalking and in your face growl and prowl. The New York Times even wrote a glowing review of the Stomp and mentions our Tail Dragger! “The Tail Dragger, a Chicago bluesman in a suit and cowboy hat, glared balefully as he sang about woman trouble with a growl worthy of Howlin’ Wolf!” Our Chicago friends guitarists Rick Kreher (Little Arthur Duncan’s guitarist) and Rockin’ Billy (who also backed Chicago area Sun rockabilly legend Hayden Thompson’s set), and drummer Twist Turner were Dragger’s fantastic backing band, along with Memphis’ Bo-Keys bassist Scott Bomar (who produced the great soundtrack to Black Snake Moan!) Rick Kreher was particularly inspiring on guitar, having to be heard over the overly busy harp playing of New Orleans character/motor mouth J. Monque’D. Kreher even channeled some deep Muddy Waters slide guitar; I guess not surprising since Rick was Muddy’s guitarist for over 5 years at the end of his career.
Syl “Is It Because I’m Black” Johnson stormed through a set of inspired Memphis to Chicago Soul and Blues showcasing his still magnificent falsetto vocals, along with his ol’ friends from Memphis’ HI Records, the Hodges brothers, who supply the perfect funky soul rhythm, bringin’ us back to the ‘70’s Memphis Soul Stew. “Back For A Taste of Your Love” “Take Me To The River”, “Anyway the Wind Blows!”
The guy I wasn’t familiar with who blew me away was obscure Alabama soul man, Ralph “Soul” Jackson, who performed as part of Chicagoan John Ciba’s Rabbit Factory label Soul Review, backed up by the Checkmates, a killer young band from Oxford, Mississippi led by guitarist J.D. Mark. Ralph Jackson has got it all- charisma, great smile and wig, distinctive quivering pleading vocals, and dance moves/stage presence. Where has this guy been? You never know who’s gonna show up and play at the Stomp- the Memphis/New Orleans underground legend Alex Chilton (of Box Tops and Big Star fame) was seen playing guitar during Soul Jackson’s fantastic set, calmly chomping on his gum while burlesque dancers gyrated on stage with Jackson! Rabbit Factory also featured other fantastic obscure Southern Soul singers Herman Hitson and Roscoe Robinson.
Other highlights were Little Freddie King, Louisiana Red, James “Blood” Ulmer, Mac Rebbenack (aka Dr. John on guitar!), Travis “Scratchy” Wammack, the Mighty Hannibal, The Collins Kids, Tammy Lynn, Deke Dickerson (who is the not so secret weapon, backing up everybody!), Roy Head, Lil Buck Sinegal, Roky “13th Floor” Erickson, and so many more, including the act that was the runaway most talked about set of the Fest, ? and the Mysterians!! ? and the Mysterians absolutely devastated the crowd with raucous and primal ROCK ‘N’ ROLL, an exhilarating 2+ hour set to close out the Stomp. These Mexican-Americans from Saginaw and Flint, MI (!!) are known for their one hit from ’66, the garage rock classic “96 Tears.” Flamboyant lead singer Rudy Martinez (?) is the Mexican Mick Jagger/Iggy Pop and has to be seen to be believed!
The age defying ? and original guitarist Bobby Balderrama (complete bad ass!!) have unbelievably been together since ’62!! Words cannot describe this act; do yourself a favor and do not miss this band if they are in your area- “Do you Feel It Baby?!”
I’ll have to say, I dearly miss the cozier confines, looser vibe, and artist approachability of New Orleans’ Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘N Bowl, which was the previous home base of the Stomp in New Orleans (besides the first year, held at the tiny Fine Arts Theater where Swamp blues legend Tony Joe White of “Polk Salad Annie” fame resurrected his career!) Since Katrina, it has been held at the roomier House of Blues to accommodate the growing Stomp devotees, and to also help tighten up/organize the inevitable mixed up or delayed time slots in the all day/night schedule of over 30 acts!!
This year’s Stomp also had an added bonus of having special daytime music conferences with musicians, historians, and roots music biz heavies sharing and trading fascinating intimate stories about rock’s secret history. The big hit of the conference was the charismatic Joe Bihari of Modern Records fame who everyone seemed to want to be around, hanging on his every word - he never shook a DJ’s hand without mucho $ in it!
Thank you Ira Padnos, Uncle Tony, and Michael Hurtt and the rest of the Mystic Knights for another unforgettable Stomp. Let’s take the Stomp to Chicago, y’all!

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Congrats go out to the amazingly talented Nicole Mitchell and Kahil el’Zabar for just being nominated for the ’08 Jazz Journalists Assoc. awards for Flutist of the year and Up and Coming Musician of the year for Nicole, along with Percussionist of the year for Kahil!!

On a sad note, our dear friend Little Arthur Duncan has been making a slow but encouraging recovery after being hospitalized with hemorrhaging in the brain and has been breathing on and off with a respirator. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Arthur!
We also want to express our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Chicago jazz legends who recently passed away, pianist John Young (’22-’08) and 95 year old saxophonist Franz Jackson, along with long time Willie Kent blues drummer Dave Jefferson.

Look ahead to the fall for a wonderful tribute concert to Delmark and Bob Koester in celebrating 55 years of blues and jazz!! This will be at our friendly neighboring venue, Old Town School of Folk Music (celebrating their 50th!!) with a Dave Specter’s Blues/Jazz Summit with many special guests!

--
Kevin Johnson
Director of Promotion
Delmark Records- 55 years young this year!
4121 North Rockwell
Chicago, Illinois 60618
www.delmark.com
Www.myspace.com/delmarkrecords
(773) 539-5001

Blues Legacy Records

Wow! The latest from Blues Legacy, including rare recordings of Muddy Waters!!

As many of you know, The Blues Legacy label have recently discovered a host of previously unreleased material from American Blues Legends including none other than Muddy Waters.

It was on this day (April 4^th) in 1915 that the legendary Muddy Waters (aka McKinley Morganfield) was born in Rolling Fork, Mississippi.Muddy Waters is known as one of the greatest, most influential and enduringly important musicians of the 20^th Century and we are celebrating the late, great blues man’s birthday today.

You can follow the link here to view information on the Blues Lost & Found release featuring unheard material from Muddy Waters recorded during his first ever visit to European shores:

http://www.blueslegacy.net/VOL_2.html

These recordings are available to purchase from our Secure Online Store for delivery worldwide or by Digital Download Stores including I-Tunes (Search under the title: Chris Barber Presents: Blues Lost 7 Found).

Here is a trailer for the Blues Lost & Found Series on You Tube:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=PZJYARj8Bq0

It was the British Jazz & Blues legend Chris Barber who invited Muddy and his pianist Otis Spann to tour Britain in 1958 – here are some exclusive excerpts from the liner notes from the release:

The formation of the 'Lost & Found' Series came into being, when the Jazz & Blues legend Chris Barber, came across some old 1/4 inch magnetic tapes. On these, he discovered the unique sounds of Sonny Boy Williamson in concert, recorded many decades ago, in England. Chris set about investigating his archives further, only to find more of these tapes, featuring his band together with Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee and Muddy Waters, to name but a few.

Long before Muddy Waters came to tour with The Chris Barber Band in October 1958, Chris had been talking to his lifetime friend, the great jazzman John Lewis, about his plans for Sonny and Brownie in May '58. Lewis said, "why haven't you booked Muddy Waters, he's the last of the real thing, you got to bring him". Chris said to John Lewis, 'I have no idea how to reach him'. "My impression of where Muddy was living would have been just near the cotton bush on the left, by the Stovall's plantation, but of course it wasn't." Lewis replied 'don't be silly, he's got an agent and a white Cadillac'. The seed was now planted, and arrangements were made to book him right away.

His arrival in Britain may well have begun with a degree of confusion for Muddy Waters. After agreeing the tour, he was requested to play a one off concert for the Leeds Jazz Festival on the Saturday prior to the first date. As the Barber Band were not available that day, Muddy was featured with The Jazz Today Unit (including the great Kenny Baker, best known for playing the trumpet on the Muppet Show). The group in question didn't really know the kind of blues that Muddy represented. "He probably arrived at the first concert of the tour with us in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, not knowing quite what to expect", says Chris Barber. “When they heard our band, both Muddy and his piano player Otis Spann were wreathed in smiles. They realized it felt just like coming home."

The outcome of a tour with the band was nothing short of a magnificent milestone in history. "You can hear the audience reaction on this recording", remarks Chris, "they loved it, the people who liked our style of Jazz were open and willing, and our crowd could understand there was something serious, special and great about this music". The tour with Muddy Waters and The Chris Barber band also introduced the American blues musician Otis Spann (1930 - 1970), considered by many as one of Chicago's leading pianists. Spann was a full time member of the Muddy Waters band at that time, and in throughout his lifetime, collaborated with many of the greats including Howlin' Wolf, Bo Diddley, B.B King, Buddy Guy, and later Eric Clapton and Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac.

Muddy Waters was a huge inspiration for musicians in the British scene and is known as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Not only did the tour with Chris Barber enhance Muddy's reputation in Europe, but in turn, reawakened an interest in the blues from the other side of the Atlantic. Arguably, it was this visit to British shores, with Muddy on electric guitar, which led to the phenomenal rise of the blues explosion.

Following the tour with Muddy Waters, The Chris Barber Band made their first American performances in Feb '59. They visited the legendary Smitty's Corner and experienced first hand, the unforgettable sound of Muddy Waters' full band and had the feeling of working with the great bluesman in his first environment. This provided Barber, Ottilie Patterson and the band with a whole new dimension in playing the blues. Having been called up onstage by Muddy with his band in Chicago several times, Chris and Ottilie took great encouragement in playing to an original and natural audience for the music they loved. "There was no, 'why are you playing our music?' just total acceptance. We just wanted to know more and they were keen to find out how we knew of it, it was a great atmosphere", says Chris. Muddy Waters returned to Europe several times in the 60s and 70s, solidifying his role as an instigator of the British Invasion. Chris Barber reminisces, "I don't think Muddy Waters thought of himself as being that important, he just did the job, and did it good too, he just loved the music".

Thanks for stopping by and checking out the website:

http://www.blueslegacy.net/

Document Records Update

From our good friends at Document

Many thanks again to all those who buy direct from Document; with your help we have been able to bring back into stock many of our long “deleted” CDs. We are also delighted to say we have a new “Search facility” on our main web-site, in which you will find a treasure trove of articles and archive material on many of the artists. Also there will be MP3 sample tracks from each new Document Records release, so that you can listen to the CD before purchase. ____________________________________________ Audience Participation ____________________________________________ To all of you who gave me such great information about Cleo Brown. I will be contacting them direct by email soon. VAUGHN DE LEATH: The Strange Tale of a Superstar Hidden From History I’m part way through writing a book about this astonishing lady. I am desperately seeking, Photos, Cuttings, Articles that feature or simply mention VDL. Also much appreciated would be any sheet music/label scans, and if any one can actually find a transcript or any info on the Law Suit involving Kath Smith…yes Kate Smith! gillian@document-records.com ____________________________________________ Spring Fling and Swing ! ____________________________________________ Well the Sap’s rising here at Document and you’ll have a spring in your step when you see these Boogie and Swing promotions. Ladies and Gentleman we give you Miss Cleo Brown and the Boogie Piano Players. Boogie Woogie and Barrelhouse Piano Volume 1 DOCD-5102 Click here to see the full list of discounted CDs

Vaughn De Leath Kate Smith

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____________________________________________ Cleo Brown Complete Recorded Works March 1935 ~ June 1935 JPCD-1532-2 ____________________________________________ Why not read the Cleo Brown Story by our own Gillian George. Click here to read Chapter One: Guinan, The Mob and the Birth of Boogie. Click here for a Cleo Brown slide show on You Tube Click here to buy Cleo Brown

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____________________________________________ Rufus Thomas Tiger Man DOCD-5683 ____________________________________________ Rufus Thomas The Teenager of POP. With the help of our collectors we present the Earliest Recordings Of Rufus Thomas 1950 ~1957, including previously unreleased tracks. Rufus Thomas Wiki Page Click here to buy Rufus Thomas

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____________________________________________ Harry Reser Trainin' The Fingers DOCD-1108 ____________________________________________ The world’s undisputed Banjo genius HARRY RESER “delivers” some jaw dropping toe tappers. Includes tracks such as Sweet Georgia Brown, Old Town Pump, The Clock And The Banjo, Trainin' The Fingers. Click here to buy Harry Reser Trainin' The Fingers

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____________________________________________ The Edison Podcast ____________________________________________ Here are the latest Edison Podcasts from Larry Tedder: Ada Jones First Lady Of The Phonograph Edison Podcast Running Time 54:44 Size of file 50.1 MB Track list and discographical details for the Ada Jones Podcast _______________________________________ Click here to view a larger copy of the above advert _______________________________________ To compliment the Edison series we have the 6 previously released podcasts compiled by Larry Tedder. Please click here to find out what they are If you are interested in the Edison collection and want to find out more information about it, please visit: American Sound Archive

Mr Edison calling Document Here is what one satisfied customer had to say about the podcasts: "Hi Folks, When will the next Podcast be posted? I so enjoyed the first one and have listened to it so many times I feel I know it word perfect. Please continue the great work." Regards Mike Hotz Australia

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____________________________________________ Document Records Top 10 ____________________________________________ "Now then, now then, pop pickers, 'eres yer Doctastic Top Ten CDs for all the young guys and gals out there in Docky land." A Beginners Guide to the Blues (and the Document Records Catalogue Part 1) This is a list made primarily for the first time visitor to the Document Records back catalogue. But the old time blues head might like to take a look as well... Click here to see the Document Records Top Ten

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____________________________________________ Reverend Gary Davis Manchester Free Trade Hall 1964 DOCD-32-20-14 ____________________________________________ As Bob Groom (sleeve note writer and then audience member) notes: "It sounds fresh and vital with Miss Gibson (his guitar) talking to him throughout. With "Come on up, Sonny Terry", Gary annouces the arrival on stage of his old playing partner. Their playing meshes perfectly throughout." Click here to read the winning articles of the Gary Davis Competition Click here to see Reverend Gary Davis on You Tube Click here for the Reverend Gary Davis Wikipedia page Click here for a site devoted to Reverend Gary Davis Click here to buy Reverend Gary Davis Live

Track List 1. You Got To Move 2. If I Had My Way 3. The Sun Is Going Down 4. I’m A Soldier 5. I Got A Little Mama, Sweet As She Can Be 6. Sally, Please Come Back To Me (Worried Blues) 7. Cocaine Blues 8. Cincinnati Flow Rag 9. Children of Zion 10. Coon Hunt (Harmonica Instrumental) 11. Maple Leaf Rag All material has been digitally remastered

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____________________________________________ Internet Excursions ____________________________________________ Click here for the Times article: It's Blind Blake's new blues record, 76 years late Click here for an article by the author of Revelation - Blind Willie Johnson - The Biography Click here to buy Revelation - Blind Willie Johnson - The Biography Click here for a review of Revelation - Blind Willie Johnson - The Biography Review of Hand Me My Travelin' Shoes: In Search Of Blind Willie McTell by Michael Gray Click here for a review of Hawaiian & Hawaiian Guitar Records 1891 - 1960 Squeeze My Lemon Blues Blog Click here to visit the Early Blues website

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____________________________________________ Forthcoming Releases ____________________________________________ Willie Egan - Come On Hawaiian Rainbow Hawaiian Music On Edison Records

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____________________________________________ Contact and Ordering ____________________________________________ CONTACT AND ORDERING You can order by using the product links or by telephoning sales at 01988 403200 or if you are calling from outside the U.K. 00 44 1988403200. Orders can also be emailed to: sales@document-records.com Further contact details can be found at: www.document-records.com kevin@document-records.com

Delmark Records Update

The latest from our friends at Delmark!




Delmark New Blues Releases just in!!- Street date - April 22, 2008 Although this nasty Chicago spring weather is a drag, we're really excited and proud about our 2 new Delmark blues releases that just came in!! They are both wonderful examples of blues recordings that are extremely diverse, each with multiple vocalists sharing the spotlight, both anchored by two of the best and hardest working Chicago Blues bands on today's scene. Almost like ol' school blues/funk/soul revues with everyone struttin' their unique talents with a few numbers while the main band rips it up behind them. You're gonna be blown away with some of the talent here, some old timers and some fresh faces as well.

* Dave Specter, Live in Chicago, on Delmark DVD- 1794 and CD - DE 794, with special guests Jimmy Johnson, Tad Robinson, and Sharon Lewis - www.davespecter.org , www.tadrobinson.com , www.sharonlewisblues.com
- Specter is definitely one of Chicago's best guitarists- blues, jazz, funk, soul.- heavy grooves!! (You like Otis Rush, Kenny Burrell, and early Leo Nocentelli?) Not only do you get Dave's signature heavy instrumentals, the new release has not one or two, but 3 special guests!
The ageless Jimmy "Bar Room Preacher" Johnson and Specter sound so great together- you can tell they really feed off each other's unique styles. Vocalist/harp player Tad "Mr. Blue-Eyed Soul" Robinson is one of the best soul/blues singers anywhere and he and Dave have worked together for years. If you don't already know Sharon "Texas Fire" Lewis, you won't forget her after hearing/seeing her original performances (esp. the moving "Angel") on this fantastic new release- one of Chicago's best female blues singers.

Dave Specter's "Live in Chicago" DVD/CD Release Parties!
Wed, May 21: Buddy Guy's Legends, 9:30-1:00, Featuring Tad Robinson & many special guests.
Thurs, May 22: SPACE (Dave's new club!) Featuring Tad Robinson & many special guests., 9:00-?, SPACE = Society for Preservation of Arts & Culture in Evanston, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston, IL

* MISSISSIPPI HEAT, Hattiesburg Blues, (Delmark CD - DE 795), with special guests Lurrie Bell and Carl Weathersby -
www.mississippiheat.net , www.lurrie.com , www.carlweathersby.org , www.gilescorey.us
This very underrated Chicago blues band is led by harp innovator/ band leader Pierre LaCocque and dynamic female vocalist Inetta Visor, along with their fantastic new guitarist Giles Corey (check out his guitar and vocals on his spotlight song "Say Something Good!") Chris "Hambone" Cameron on keys (including clavinet) and the ubiquitous all star drummer Kenny Smith. Special guests besides heavies Lurrie Bell (singing a new Chicago Blues anthem "Chicago Is My Home!") and Carl Weathersby ("Hell and Back") are guest vocalist, Devin Thompson (Chicago Catz, Rico), and latin percussionist Ruben Alvarez (Howard Levy's Chevere) and the Chicago Horns (Willie Henderson, Hank Ford, Bill McFarland, and Kenny Anderson) - making for a very full sounding (but not cluttered) blues recording, with some unique twists!

DELMARK CD release party for Mississippi Heat's "Hattiesburg Blues"
FRIDAY, MAY 30TH, BUDDY GUY'S LEGENDS with special guest Carl Weathersby!! 754 S. Wabash, @10pm





Delmark 55th Anniv. All Star blues party at Buddy Guy's Legends on March 7th was an absolute blast!

A big heartfelt thank you to all of the artists and fans who performed and attended and gave their support to Bob Koester and Delmark on this historic musical milestone. A very special thanks to guitarist Dave Specter and Delmark's GM, Steve Wagner for making sure the night ran smoothly, acting as MC's for the who's who of Chicago blues artists that performed! Also a very special thank you to the staff of Buddy Guy's Legends! Considering how many artists were involved, the show flowed really well with the all of the artists playing their heart out, and I think we all had a ball to say the least! To quote our friend, guitarist Scott Cable, "One of the best things about the night was that everyone's egos seemed to have been checked at the door- everyone was supportive!" If you can't wait for the DVD to come out, in the meantime you can check out the many great photos on the Blindman Blues Forum website. Thanks to photographers, esp Bill Steber, Jen Wheeler, Brat, Victoria...

The house band(s) who worked so hard all night providing perfect support:
Dave Specter with Harlan Terson (bass), Brother John Kattke (keys) and Marty Binder (drums)
And for the majority of the night - Kenny Smith (drums), Roosevelt 'Mad Hatter" Purifoy (keys) and the always smiling Bob Stroger (bass) with Lurrie
Bell handling rhythm and lead guitar like no one else can.

A list of the Delmark artists who performed:
Dave Specter, Jimmy Johnson, The Big DooWopper, Aaron Moore, Johnny B. Moore (!), Little Arthur Duncan, Lurrie Bell, Shirley Johnson, Eddie Shaw, Tail Dragger, Zora Young, and Byther Smith.
We also had special guests Nick and Kate Moss in fantastic support on guitar and bass-especially backing up The Big DooWopper (wow, was DooWopper having a ball, y'all!) One of the toughest harp players of all, Billy Branch, graced us with his formidable presence on many songs. Branch and our friend Scott Cable (guitarist/producer with Carey Bell, Nappy Brown, Eddie Kirkland) played well with Zora Young (a head turning guitar solo from Scott!) and Lurrie Bell. Tail Dragger's set was one of the many highlights, with his outstanding regular guitarist Kevin Shanahan and the underrated Davin "Big D "Erikson and Billy Branch on harp, tearing it up hypnotic Wolf style! Our dear friend and Back Scratcher rhythm guitarist extraordinaire Rick Kreher brought down the house with the charismatic crowd pleaser, the down home house rocker, Little Arthur Duncan. I always enjoy the down home raw gritty blues of both Little Arthur Duncan and Tail Dragger, and both of their sets surpassed my expectation.
There were so many musical highlights to mention (and remember) but a few personal ones for me: the ageless vocalist/guitarist Jimmy Johnson (is he really almost 80!) along with guitarist Dave Specter. I wish those 2 funk blues masters played together all the time! The premier blues saxophonist/singer Eddie Shaw sounded really great in his set as well- no one knew he had just left the hospital (same with Tail Dragger!) Eddie has the most distinctive sound on that horn, honkin' Blues saxophone at its best. Delmark's blues piano pounders were well represented by the criminally underrated vocalist/pianist Aaron Moore (still sounding great, even in his late '80's!!) and the wild and raw blues/gospel/soul stylings of street musician Big DooWopper! It was a special treat to have both Zora Young and Shirley Johnson grace the stage with their beauty, charisma, and powerful, yet sensitive vocals. Byther Smith closed out the highly successful night, playing the most intense BB King style you can hear these days.
The big surprise of the night was the return of vocalist/guitarist Johnny B. Moore, who had suffered a stroke a few years ago that severely affected him and his playing. He has improved vastly, and although he is definitely not the Johnny B from before (have you heard his incredible playing on the Willie Kent LP from Big Boy Records, "I'm What You Need" from '89- still not on CD?!), he sounded pretty damn good, especially his vocals. It is very encouraging how his health keeps getting better and better- we wish him the best in his recovery. We send our good friend, blues guitar tone king Jimmy Dawkins get well wishes as he was unable to attend due to illness. He sent his best and really wished he could have been there to celebrate.
Bob Koester and Buddy "Friendly Chap" Guy accepted the Grammy Hall of Fame award for Junior Wells' Hoodoo Man Blues on Delmark, arguably the greatest Chicago blues recording of all time. When Vice Chair of the Recording Academy/Grammy rep and Chicago jazz critic Neil Tesser presented the award, Buddy amusingly exclaimed "We were drunk as a Motherf*&(#er" during the Hoodoo Man sessions. Bob made the comment what a pleasure it was working with Junior Wells and what a nice guy he was, which Buddy jokingly disagreed. Bob K was quite moved by the mayor's proclamation of March 7th being declared Delmark Records Day in Chicago!! Thank you to Barry Dolins from the Mayor's Office of Special Events and Mayor Daley!
Thanks to all the musicians and movers and shakers of the blues scene who attended (forgive me if I missed you):
Lonnie Brooks, Scott Barretta, Michael Frank, Tom Marker, James Porter, Guy King, Justin O'Brien, Dick Shurman, Bruce Iglauer, Steve Sharp, Scott Dirks, Dave Waldman, Grana Louise, Gerry Hundt, Bob Kieser, Steve Tomashefsky, DId i see the obscure Delmark artist AL"WIld Card" Miller in the house?

If you get a chance, check out the April issue of DOWNBEAT with a wonderful feature story on Little Arthur Duncan by Chicagoan Aaron Cohen: WORKING BLUES - "I've been making neckbone money and I need some turkey or steaks" - find out what this blues purist has to say!

ALso - Check out the recent MOJO magazine from UK with a highly entertaining article on IKE TURNER from 2 of my favorite music writers, Andria Lisle and Michael Hurtt!

Keep it goin' Bob Koester- you are truly an inspiration and a great American Music hero!

Kevin Johnson
Delmark.com
773 539 5001
bluesjazz@delmark.com

Delmark Records Update

Delmark New Blues Releases soon!!- Street date - April 22, 2008

* Dave Specter, Live in Chicago, on Delmark DVD- 1794 and CD - DE 794, with special guests Jimmy Johnson, Tad Robinson, and Sharon Lewis - www.davespecter.org
- Specter is definitely one of Chicago's best guitarists- blues, jazz, funk, soul.- heavy grooves!! (You like Otis Rush, Kenny Burrell, and early Leo Nocentelli?) Not only do you get Dave's signature instrumentals, the new release has not one or two, but 3 special guests! Jimmy "Bar Room Preacher" Johnson and Specter sound so great together- you can tell they really feed off each other's unique styles. Vocalist/harp player Tad "Mr. Blue-Eyed Soul" Robinson is one of the best soul/blues singers anywhere and he and Dave have worked together for years. If you don't already know Sharon "Texas Fire" Lewis, you won't forget her after hearing her original performances on this fantastic new release- one of Chicago's best female blues singers.
Dave Specter's "Live in Chicago" DVD/CD Release Parties!
Wed, May 21: Buddy Guy's Legends, 9:30-1:00, Featuring Tad Robinson & many special guests.
Thurs, May 22: SPACE (Dave's new club!) Featuring Tad Robinson & many special guests., 9:00-?, SPACE = Society for Preservation of Arts & Culture in Evanston, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston, IL

* MISSISSIPPI HEAT, Hattiesburg Blues, (Delmark CD - DE 795), with special guests Lurrie Bell and Carl Weathersby -
www.mississippiheat.net
This very underrated Chicago blues band is led by harp innovator/ band leader Pierre LaCocque and dynamic female vocalist Inetta Visor, along with their fantastic new guitarist Giles Corey (check out his guitar and vocals on his spotlight song!) Chris "Hambone" Cameron on keys (including clavinet) and the ubiquitous Kenny Smith on drums. Special guests besides heavies Lurrie Bell and Carl Weathersby are guest vocalist, Devin Thompson, and latin percussionist Ruben Alvarez and the Chicago Horns (Hank Ford, Bill McFarland, and Kenny Anderson) - making for a very full sounding (but not cluttered) blues recording, with some unique twists!
DELMARK CD release party for Mississippi Heat's Hattiesburg Blues
FRIDAY, MAY 30TH, BUDDY GUY'S LEGENDS with special guest Carl Weathersby!!


We are especially excited and proud about these two new blues releases for Spring. They are both wonderful examples of blues recordings that are extremely diverse, each with multiple vocalists sharing the spotlight, both anchored by two of the best and hardest working Chicago Blues bands on today's scene. Almost like ol' school blues/funk/soul revues with everyone struttin' their unique talents with a few numbers while the main band rips it up behind them. You're gonna be blown away with some of the talent here, some old timers and some fresh faces as well.


Delmark 55th Anniv. All Star blues party at Buddy Guy's Legends on March 7th was an absolute blast!

A big heartfelt thank you to all of the artists and fans who performed and attended and gave their support to Bob Koester and Delmark on this historic musical milestone. A very special thanks to guitarist Dave Specter and Delmark's GM, Steve Wagner for making sure the night ran smoothly, acting as MC's for the who's who of Chicago blues artists that performed! Also a very special thank you to the staff of Buddy Guy's Legends! Considering how many artists were involved, the show flowed really well with the all of the artists playing their heart out, and I think we all had a ball to say the least! To quote our friend, guitarist Scott Cable, "One of the best things about the night was that everyone's egos seemed to have been checked at the door- everyone was supportive!" If you can't wait for the DVD to come out, in the meantime you can check out the many great photos on the Blindman Blues Forum website. Thanks to photographers, esp Bill Steber, Jen Wheeler, Brat, Victoria...

The house band(s) who worked so hard all night providing perfect support:
Dave Specter with Harlan Terson (bass), Brother John Kattke (keys) and Marty Binder (drums)
And for the majority of the night - Kenny Smith (drums), Roosevelt 'Mad Hatter" Purifoy (keys) and the always smiling Bob Stroger (bass) with Lurrie
Bell handling rhythm and lead guitar like no one else can.

A list of the Delmark artists who performed:
Dave Specter, Jimmy Johnson, The Big DooWopper, Aaron Moore, Johnny B. Moore (!), Little Arthur Duncan, Lurrie Bell, Shirley Johnson, Eddie Shaw, Tail Dragger, Zora Young, and Byther Smith.
We also had special guests Nick and Kate Moss in fantastic support on guitar and bass-especially backing up The Big DooWopper (wow, was DooWopper having a ball, y'all!) One of the toughest harp players of all, Billy Branch, graced us with his formidable presence on many songs. Branch and our friend Scott Cable (guitarist/producer with Carey Bell, Nappy Brown, Eddie Kirkland) played well with Zora Young (a turning heads guitar solo from Scott!) and Lurrie Bell. Tail Dragger's set was one of the many highlights, with his outstanding regular guitarist Kevin Shanahan and the underrated Davin "Big D "Erikson and Billy Branch on harp, tearing it up hypnotic Wolf style! Our dear friend and Back Scratcher rhythm guitarist extraordinaire Rick Kreher brought down the house with the charismatic crowd pleaser, the down home house rocker, Little Arthur Duncan. I always enjoy the down home raw gritty blues of both Little Arthur Duncan and Tail Dragger, and both of their sets surpassed my expectation.
There were so many musical highlights to mention (and remember) but a few personal ones for me: the ageless vocalist/guitarist Jimmy Johnson (is he really almost 80!) along with guitarist Dave Specter. I wish those 2 funk blues masters played together all the time! The premier blues saxophonist/singer Eddie Shaw sounded really great in his set as well- no one knew he had just left the hospital (same with Tail Dragger!) Eddie has the most distinctive sound on that horn, honkin' Blues saxophone at its best. Delmark's blues piano pounders were well represented by the criminally underrated vocalist/pianist Aaron Moore (still sounding great, even in his late '80's!!) and the wild and raw blues/gospel/soul stylings of street musician Big DooWopper! It was a special treat to have both Zora Young and Shirley Johnson grace the stage with their beauty, charisma, and powerful, yet sensitive vocals. Byther Smith closed out the highly successful night, playing the most intense BB King style you can hear these days.
The big surprise of the night was the return of vocalist/guitarist Johnny B. Moore, who had suffered a stroke a few years ago that severely affected him and his playing. He has improved vastly, and although he is definitely not the Johnny B from before (have you heard his incredible playing on the Willie Kent LP from Big Boy Records, "I'm What You Need" from '89- still not on CD?!), he sounded pretty damn good, especially his vocals. It is very encouraging how his health keeps getting better and better- we wish him the best in his recovery. We send our good friend, blues guitar tone king Jimmy Dawkins get well wishes as he was unable to attend due to illness. He sent his best and really wished he could have been there to celebrate.
Bob Koester and Buddy "Friendly Chap" Guy accepted the Grammy Hall of Fame award for Junior Wells' Hoodoo Man Blues on Delmark, arguably the greatest Chicago blues recording of all time. When Vice Chair of the Recording Academy/Grammy rep and Chicago jazz critic Neil Tesser presented the award, Buddy amusingly exclaimed "We were drunk as a Motherf*&(#er" during the Hoodoo Man sessions. Bob made the comment what a pleasure it was working with Junior Wells and what a nice guy he was, which Buddy jokingly disagreed. Bob K was quite moved by the mayor's proclamation of March 7th being declared Delmark Records Day in Chicago!! Thank you to Barry Dolins from the Mayor's Office of Special Events and Mayor Daley!
Thanks to all the musicians and movers and shakers of the blues scene who attended (forgive me if I missed you):
Lonnie Brooks, Scott Barretta, Michael Frank, Tom Marker, James Porter, Guy King, Justin O'Brien, Dick Shurman, Bruce Iglauer, Steve Sharp, Scott Dirks, Dave Waldman, Grana Louise, Gerry Hundt, Bob Kieser, Steve Tomashefsky, Did i see the obscure Delmark artist AL"WIld Card" Miller in the house?

If you get a chance, check out the April issue of DOWNBEAT with a wonderful feature story on Little Arthur Duncan by Chicagoan Aaron Cohen: WORKING BLUES - "I've been making neckbone money and I need some turkey or steaks" - find out what this blues purist has to say!

Keep it goin' Bob Koester- you are truly an inspiration and a great American Music hero!

Kevin Johnson
Delmark.com
773 539 5001