Hawkeye Herman Blues In Schools

Here is another article from fellow Iowan Hawkeye Herman.  Hawkeye teaches blues in schools, and this is another article about his program.  I really like what he has to say about No Child Left Behind.  He is right that we are training kids to take the test not how to think.  This article originally appeared in Big City Blues Magazine.

Blues in Schools



Hawkeye Herman
Blues Education More Important Than Ever

Big City Rhythm & Blues  Oct. - Nov. 2011
By "PROFESSOR" BONNI McKEOWN

Michael "Hawkeye" Herman, acoustic guitarist, mandolinist and historian, has been doing his Blues in the Schools programs for 33 years now. Today he says blues education is more important than ever.

Just as students in Spain learn about Miguel de Cervantes who wrote the first European novel, Don Quixote, in the early 1600s, and students in France learn about Impressionist artists, Americans young and old should learn about, and be proud of, the blues, he says.

"Students need to be informed that the world didn't start when they were born. Everything has history and roots in the past," says Hawkeye. He notes that blues has influenced today's popular music--rock, country, bluegrass, folk, rap/hip-hop, jazz, and even contemporary classical.

"Blues music developed from work songs/field hollers and sacred/spiritual music as a result of the experiences of oppression and disenfranchisement of African Americans," he states. Blues has deeply influenced many aspects of American culture, even world culture. "In my humble opinion, this original American art form, blues music, is the greatest cultural gift of the USA to the world. Blues music is what I refer to as the watershed of American popular music."

Hawkeye has found his own ways to keep the attention of today's easily distracted youth. He tells them the origins of blues in work songs of the cotton fields and levee camps, and points out music can make any of their own chores go faster. He gets them to sing his original ditty to remember the blues is the root of American popular music, and makes people happy, not sad: "The Blues had a baby and they called it rock and roll! It makes me feel good from my head down to my toes!"

Born in the upper Mississippi River valley in Davenport, Iowa in 1945, Herman tuned in to blues on the late night radio: Memphis, Shreveport, Dallas, New Orleans, Little Rock, Chicago, Detroit. He got his first guitar in 1959 at age 14, and two vears later was performing. Moving to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1968 to broaden his musical horizons, he sought out and studied with blues icons including Son House, Brownie McGhee, Bukka White, Mance Lipscomb, Furry Lewis, Lightnin' Hopkins, John Jackson, K.C. Douglas, and Sam Chatmon. He became a staple in the Bay Area blues scene as both a solo artist and a back-up guitarist and worked with Charles Brown, Haskell "Cool Papa" Sadler, Sonny Rhodes, Jimmy McCracklin, Buddy Ace, Charles Houf, Little Joe Blue, Boogie Jake, and many others.

Hawkeye began touring outside California in 1984, and has won a following at blues and folk festivals and concerts throughout the US, Canada and Europe. He performs traditional blues, ballads, swing, and original tunes on both six- and 12-string guitar, slide guitar and slide mandolin.

He first started doing blues education in 1978: "It's my way to repay the many iconic blues artists who took the time to teach me, personally, how to play the blues, for giving me the skills to make a living throughout my life via blues music, to repay African American culture for this greatest of gifts, and to bring more visibility and recognition to blues music and to those who went before us.”

Hawkeye studied theatre and communications in college, and his sister Ellie Herman, education professor at the University of Iowa, has helped him design teaching methods to share his love of blues history and music. His programs have reached over 500 schools, over 500,000 students from elementary through college level in 29 states and in eight foreign nations. In 1998 he received the Blues Foundation's "Keeping the Blues Alive" award for education. He served six years on the BF board of directors, chairing the education committee, and was inducted into the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame in 2004.

He has also designed and presented a “Teaching the Teachers” master class to help other blues educators use their talents to reach students for the Blues Foundation in Memphis, for seven blues societies in the USA, and for four years at the Blues sur Seine Festival in France. These workshops have trained 200 regional blues educators who are now working in all levels of education in the USA and in Europe.

Now based in Oregon, Hawkeye returned to his Iowa turf this year to give a blues-in-school residency for the Mississippi Valley Blues Society. He also did a residency in Reno, Nevada, and blues guitar workshops at the American River Acoustic Music Camp in California, as well as performing at the Willamette Valley Blues and Brews Festival in Springfield, OR, and Tumbleweed Music Festival in Richland, WA.

Hawkeye's experience has paid off. Even with today's cuts in arts funding, he says he is able to get teaching gigs with the help of blues societies around the world. He recognizes such societies for diligently pursuing corporate, government, and private grants to sponsor blues education.

Hawkeye adjusts each presentation to fit the age and ability of his students. He comes into each class not as an everyday teacher, but as a "stranger with a guitar." He says it's a special event for the students, and they tend to give him their undivided attention.

He keeps up with the latest education buzz words. "Cross curricular studies" is a good one. Hawkeye has been invited to use blues music and history to help teachers in English and literacy, history, geography, social studies, science, art, math, band and chorus. This makes students aware of the blues and its impact on history and culture. He also finds educators growing more aware how right-brain creative thinking and training can help in cross-curricular problem solving. They welcome artists to help out in this process.

Hawkeye takes a dim view of the "No child left behind" concept instituted in American schools in the last few years: "Due to this concept, we are teaching students how to pass tests, not how to study, learn, think creatively, problem solve, and be prepared for adult life," he says. "Students deserve diversity and alternatives in education, far beyond what is currently available to them. We should be providing students with the knowledge and skills that will give them abilities to create a bright future for themselves and everyone on the planet."

To Hawkeye, that includes the appreciation of American blues music and the life-lessons that blues can teach us today.

Michael "Hawkeye" Herman
www.HawkeyeHerman.com

George "Mojo" Buford RIP

From Bob Corritore

RIP George "Mojo" Buford - November 29, 1929 - October 11, 2011. Best known as the longtime harmonica player in the Muddy Waters Band, George "Mojo" Buford was well known for his beautiful, raw-edged harmonica style, and his rich, emotional vocals. He died in a hospital in Minneapolis this morning after suffering with various health issues since early this summer. He was 81 years old. Born in Hernando, Mississippi in 1929, Mojo relocated to Memphis, Tennessee at an early age, then landed in Chicago in 1952, and in 1962 he would find a home in Minneapolis. He had numerous periods of employment in the Muddy Waters Band spanning 4 decades; first in 1959, again in 1967, again in the early 1970s, and was part of Muddy's final band lineup of 1980. Mojo Buford was a sensitive ensemble harmonica player and could provide a gorgeous textural backing for any Chicago blues song. Mojo was also a master of the more difficult Chromatic harmonica. He would record many fine sides as both a leader and as a frontman. His own albums appear on Mr Blues, JSP, P-Vine, Blue Moon, Blue Loon, Fedora, Rooster, Blues Record Society and other labels. Mojo and Luther "Georgia Boy" Johnson were also featured vocalists for two albums on the Muse label that showcased the Muddy Waters Band of the 1960s. There was also a notorious LP on the Vernon label titled Ray Charles / On Stage At The Palladium, which actually only had 2 Ray Charles songs with the remainder by "Mo Jo & The Mo Jo Chi Fours." Collectors marvel over this false advertising - and the Mojo sides are just great! In addition to appearing on numerous sides by Muddy Waters, Mojo's harp graced recordings by Jo Jo Williams, Otis Spann, and Texas Red. Mojo was also responsible for helping Bob Margolin land his job in the Muddy Waters Band. Special thanks to drummer/manager Doug McMinn, who's efforts in the later part of Mojo's career kept him working and in the public eye. Mojo's passing, along with the recent deaths of fellow Muddy Waters alumni Pinetop Perkins, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, and Calvin Jones, leaves us with a huge void in our hearts as we remember the sound of that glorious band. Mojo was a sweet and generous individual with a beautiful toothy grin and a kind word for every situation. He will forever be remembered in blues history as one of the great harmonica masters of the Muddy Waters Band. To hear Mojo performing "Don't Go No Further" click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah9rK0354wk. To hear Mojo's great harmonica backing on Jo Jo Williams "All Pretty Woman" click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaLCrsvMWMs  To see a photo of Mojo. Pinetop Perkins and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith at last year's King Biscuit Blues Festival, courtesy of Bob Margolin, click here http://www.bobcorritore.com/images/Willie Smith 02.jpeg. God bless you George "Mojo" Buford.

James Peterson RIP

From Bob Corritore

• RIP James Peterson, November 4, 1937 - December 11, 2010 This sad news just in from Selby Minner. Tampa based, Alabama born singer/guitarist James Peterson died Saturday of a heart attack. He was 73. James was a stirring performer with an amazing voice, a powerful guitar style, as well as being a clever songwriter. James has numerous CDs to his credit, on labels such as Waldoxy/Malaco, Ichiban, Perception, and Hown Dog. James is also the father of the gifted Lucky Peterson. For an article on James' passing, click here. For a nice bio of James Peterson, click here. Another great one from the older generation of bluesmen is gone. Prayers to Lucky and to the Tampa blues community as well as all of James Peterson's many fans.

Calvin Leavy

From Bob Corritore

• 
  RIP Calvin Leavey 1940 - June 6, 2010. Arkansas blues singer/guitarist Calvin Leavey was best known for his often covered hit "Cummins Prison Farm". He died Sunday, June 6th of complications from Diabetes. He was 70. Aside from "Cummins Prison Farm", Calvin also had regional hits with "Going Back To The Dogs", and "If Life Lasts, Luck Is Bound To Change". Sadly his songs were prophetic as Calvin would be sent to Cummins for a drug related charge. He passed away with just one more year of time to serve. His rich, warm voice, great guitar work, and perfect blues songwriting will assure him his eternal place in blues history. To read more about Calvin Leavey, click here,  and to hear "Cummins Prison Farm" click here.

Mac Walton (MacDaddy) RIP

I can't remember if I found MacDaddy, or he found me. I just remember the first time I saw his website, and we had the same blogger template, that we must be kindred spirits. MacDaddy loved the blues and jazz, and without a doubt he wrote some of the most powerful essays on the music. Far better than anything I could do. He would send me links to some of his best stories and I would post them to my blog.

I guess I like most of his readers was shocked to learn that he had been so sick. I certainly didn't think that the last email I would get from him would come on December 7th. It was one of his last posts.

FYI: Thought you might like this.

NINA SIMONE: "I LOVE YOU, PORGY"

Listen up: A friend emailed a brotha saying Luther Vanddross's song to his father was his favorite and asked "Who is your favorite?" I told him mine was Nina Simone's rendition of " I love you, Porgy."

Here are the words to the song:

I loves you, Porgy,
Don' let him take me,
Don' let him handle me an' drive me mad.
If you kin keep me,
I wants to stay here wid you forever,
An' I'd be glad.

I loves you, Porgy,
Don' let him take me
Don' let him handle me
With his hot han'
If you kin keep me
I wants to stay here wid you forever.
I got my man.

What's your favorite song?

Mac Walton
blog address: http://daddybstrong.blogspot.com/
e-mail: culturaldynamics@msn.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home

I wish I had posted it then.


I will miss Mac, it is sad to see another blues traveler leave, but since you are up there make sure to say hi to my old friend Jimmy.

God bless you.


Tom

Larrry Fountain RIP

Larry Fountain was not your typical bluesman. He didn't play an instrument, or sing, but he lived and loved the blues. To the rest of world that reads this blog, you won't find Larry's biography on the internet, and unfortunately I never posted about Larry on Blues Historian until today.

I first met Larry sometime in the mid to late 90s when Jimmy Pryor was jamming around the various blues dives in town. Larry was Jimmy's right hand man. After Jimmy's second wife died, Larry was the one that kept him going. Larry would drive him to gigs, and watch out for him. He was Jimmy's Bodyguard, and friend. They might start the night at the Cloud, and then end the night at an after hour joint. Once Jimmy starting playing for bands again, Larry was still there watching out for his old friend. Still making sure he was getting where he needed to be. Later when Jimmy got married again, Larry could be found volunteering his time for the Central Iowa Blues Society, or hanging out at Blues On Grand. Larry was an kind and caring soul, and truly lived the life of a bluesman.

I am sorry old friend, that I didn't make it down to Des Moines much to talk to you and hang out with you after I moved to Storm lake. I truly miss your gentle humor, and your love for your fellow bluesman. I know you are looking out for Jimmy once again up there in the big blues arena in the sky. God bless you Larry, and say hi to Jimmy for me.

Tom Gary
Blues Historian

For those readers in Des Moines that know Larry here is the memorial schedule.

Larry Fountain visitation will be Saturday, Oct 31 from 10-11 am with a funeral service following at 11 am at the East University Church of God Christ. It is at 1639 E University.

Johnny Jones RIP

From Bob Corritore

October 19, 2009

• RIP Johnny Jones 8/17/36-10/16/09 Nashville blues and soul singer/guitarist Johnny Jones passed away on Friday Oct 16th. He was 73. Born in Edes, Tennessee and raised in a gospel oriented family, Jones became influenced by the blues of Memphis and Chicago and picked up guitar along the way. He moved to Chicago in the 1950s and worked gigs with Junior Wells and Freddie King. He moved to Nashville in the 60s and worked as a session guitarist and cut a few singles under his own name. He appeared on the Beat TV show as a second guitarist in Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown's Band. In later years Jones owned and operated a Soul Food restaurant but was rediscoved through the efforts of Fred James and European festival bookers. This led to festival appearances, a new European interest in this seasoned veteran, and some CDs. A wonderful guitarist with a warm and passionate voice, Johnny Jones will be remembered as a great blues artist to those lucky enough to have known him. Please note that this artist should not be confused with the blues artist of same name, who was famous for his piano work with Elmore James. For the complete story click here

John Lee Hooker: One Burbon, One Scotch, One Beer

Cool video of John Lee Hooker. Its always an adventure for sidemen when they play with the old master. John Lee had a tendency, like most elder statesmens of the blues to play a song different each time. You have to be on your toes and listen good to play with the greats! although I must admit that when I played with Jimmy Pryor he always knew where the changes were. BTW, Jimmy knew John Lee Hooker from his Detroit days, and the two of them played together quite often.

BB King In The Boston Globe Online

Boston.com the online home of Boston Globe, has an article about living blues legend BB King. It is a concert review, but it is also a very nice article about a living blues treasure. Click here to read it.

A Tribute To Willie King

DaddyBStong has one of the best written blogs around. He writes from the heart, and knows a lot about the blues. He wrote this post on Willie King since there are a lot of musicians who didn't know who he was. That is sad because Mr. King was one of the greats. He was featured in the PBS blues series, had a feature article in Living Blues, and Blues Revue and had a heck of a yearly concert in his back yard in Alabama! Willie King played the real juke joints down in the deep south where real bluesmen play. Willie was the real deal.

Check out DaddyBStrong HERE.

A great bluesman just died-Did you know him?.

The dancing crowd at Bettie's swirls around Willie King as he plays on Sunday night. King has played Bettie's on Sunday nights for close to 15 years.

"When you look at a fellow, if you taught yourself to look for it, you can see his song written on him. Tell you what kind of man he is in the world."
- Bynum, from August Wilson's play, "Joe Turner's Come and Gone," 1988

Listen up. The music took him from the juke joints of Alabama to big concerts "up North" in the United States and to huge crowds in Europe. Yes, the sad news came out of dusty roads of Montgomery, Alabama. Willie King, another great black blues guitarist, is gone. Debbie Bond, one of his band members, said King, 65, died of a heart attack on his way to the hospital. Did you know him. If not, why didn't you?

Why is it that we pay so little attention to our great musicians until they are past their prime , if then?

Why is it that oftentimes we don't know, or don't hear of, our own artists who have given such great gospel, blues, and Jazz to us and the world?

He was born in Prairie Point, Mississippi soon moved to be with his sharecropping grandparents in West Alabama. When he was 9, he began doing what a number of would-be-great blues guitarist did-- begin playing a one-string guitar. The string is usually nailed against a wall with a tin can at the top or put on a stick and cigar box. But it wouldn't take long for King to get a six-string guitar and begin playing. Soon, he would be playing in juke joints all around West Alabama.

King played around West Alabama for years and didn't become known elsewhere until 2000, the year his album"Freedom Creek" was released. The songs were strong with a drive and a tone that reminded the listener of the voice of the late great Howlin Wolf and the guitar sound of Hubert Sumlin, the Wolf's lead guitarist for years. And the entire album had that down-home, Mississippi-Texas feel; and, when it was over, you found themselves saying, "Now that was the blues!"

Released on the Rooster Blues record label, Freedom Creek received universal rave reviews. Soon, King would record several more albums and tour The United States and Europe, giving the fans what they wanted: good down-home blues. Along the way, King received several awards, including the "Best Blues Album" and "Best Contemporary Blues Album" by Living Blues magazine. And Living Blues named him Blues Artist of the Year in 2004.

But King's blues guitar was not only down-home. It was unique. Unlike other bluesman, many of King's blues were infused with political themes set within the traditional blues frame. Rick Asherson, King's keyboard, said of King:

"Willie once described his type of blues, which deal with things a lot of blues don't deal with, as ‘struggling blues,' and by that he didn't mean the usual things. He meant struggling with the injustices in life in the rural South." Peter Guralnick, author of two books about Elvis Presley, said that, in songs like "Last Train to Memphis" and "Careless Love," King "...combined the standard blues elements, but he sang about more than the standard blues subjects." He said he saw King perform live in juke joints and was surprised to see dancers and non-dancers singing political songs along with him, something almost unheard of in the blues.

King also visited schools. He felt a deep responsibility to make the younger generation more aware of their musical history. He would talk about the blues and demonstrate it on his guitar. In fact, the annual Freedom Creak Festival that King organized grew out of his work with youth in his community.

King's music and organizing work in his community inspired Dutch filmmakers Saskia Rietmeijer and Bart Drolenga do a documentary on him called "Down in the Woods." The DVD captures King not only in concert but in his community and on his farm.

He also appeared in the Martin Scorsese film "Feel Like Going Home."

Al Head, director of the Alabama State Council on the Arts and friend of King for more than 20 years, said King played the blues the way it is supposed to be played, "the right way." "When King played," he said, "...You can see on his face and hear in his guitar and you say, 'Hey man, that's what blues is all about.'"

A great bluesman died today. Did you know him? If not, why didn't you?

http://daddybstrong.blogspot.com/

Mark Sallings RIP

From Bob Corritore

• Memphis Harmonica Player Mark Sallings Killed In Auto Accident: This terrible news just in: Arkansas State Police say harmonica player Mark Sallings, 56, died when his 1995 Buick veered onto the westbound shoulder of Highway 64. Click here to see the story. Click here to see Mark's website, and here to see his MySpace with song samples. Mark was a good man, a fine harmonica player, and was very active musician in the deep south. We are so sorry to report his untimely passing.

UPDATE

From Bob Corritore

March 1, 2009

• Mark Sallings Services To Be Held: New information just in from Rayne Gordon of the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival, Charles Ragsdell, and Liz Lottman:

Services for our friend Mark Sallings:

Monday 03/02/09

Walk Down Beale Street - Blues Second Line

4:00 pm

Remembrances and jam at the Hard Rock Café

Tuesday 03/03/09

The McCrory, Arkansas Methodist Church

Viewing 9:00 am

Services 11:00 am

219 North Edmonds Ave.

McCrory, Arkansas

Wednesday 03/03/09

Burial will be 1 PM at

Brashears Cemetery

If you would like to send a card:

Sandra Sallings

181 Co Rd 734

Wynne, AR 72396

Please keep Mark's family in your prayers.

Big George Brock: Big Boss Man

Here is Big George Brock in a nice interview and song.

Taj Mahal: Dust My Broom

I was looking at my blog list, and saw that Crooks and Liars, had posted a video of Taj! I just had to steal it:-) Enjoy!!!

Johnny Copeland: Flyin High

The late great Johnny Copeland, doing a really great acoustic version of Fylin High. Copeland was one of those great underrated bluesmen, that seemed to slip under the public eye. Those who followed the blues and loved the blues certainly knew about his greatness, but the general public unfortunatly never really had a chance to hear him. He died back in the mid 90s of heart problems, as always way too soon.

Lots Of Cool Stuff From Billy Jones Bluez

Billy Jones Bluez sent me a lot of great promo material for you to look at. If you haven't checked out his music yet, then you need to! I have some past posts about his music HERE Billy Billy Jones Bluez is the real deal, and is one of those hard working blues/soul performers who travels and plays the blues as many nights as he can. Much like Bobby Rush, Billy Jones Bluez is one of those hard working bluesman that deserves more attention than he has gotten. So go to your local blues bar and tell them to book him now!!!

http://myspace.com/billyjonesbluez

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=551528789

"One of the very Best Authentic Modern Blues and Rock albums in recent memory."

www.realbluesmagazine.com/

" the Incredible resurrection, metamorphosis and re-invention of Blues and Soul music."

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

Visit the official Billy Jones websites :

http://myspace.com/billyjonesbluez

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=551528789

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

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

What music critics have to say about Billy's new cd 'my Hometown' :

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

Jay Sieleman
Executive Director
The Blues Foundation

“Billy Jones is the kind of artist that’s worth getting excited about. He wants to change the world, one listener at a time, and it’s an awfully exciting thing to be able to be a fan of an artist who believes that music can still be a vehicle for change.”

Bob Davis

Soul-Patrol.com

"Whether talking about the incredibly soulful and funky opener, “Here With You,” the slithering and additively seductive groove of “Crystal,” the rolling bass-line and plaintive vocals of “The Clown,” the gorgeously realized mixture of frustration and hopeful dreams locked into the aching soul-groove of “My Hometown,” down to the rollicking guitar line on “Bluez Comes Callin’” that closes the album, it’s as if every song chastises me for never having heard of this man or his music before now.

At times dark, mysterious, downright funky, and always compelling, each of the ten songs on the album guarantees I’ll be back for more."

"While I love and adore more traditional blues artists such as Son House, Howlin’ Wolf, Robert Johnson, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, etc., it was just so damned nice to be able to sit down and listen to something that speaks eloquently in the tradition of those older artists and traditions, and yet manages to bring something new and funky to the table."

Music Review: Billy Jones — My Hometown

Published:

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/04/09/095118.php

"I really think Billy Jones is great and very original. Originality is getting very seldom in the blues tradition."

Jan Mittendorp

Crossroads Blues Agency

"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..."

http://www.bluesbunny.co.uk/plist300937.html

Taking Blues to New Places with R&B, Soul, and Urban Style

"Billy Jones definitely puts his soul into this music as his vocals are a great blend of blues intensity and style with urban soul. The songs are compelling at the very least because they both pay homage to the blues and soul greats, but also because they show a wide range of influences and musical diversity.

There are some moments where I hear a straight soul feel, others remind me so much of another blues great, Robert Cray, and others are just a great blend of multiple genres while still maintaining a great late night, urban club feel.

No matter if you want to call it soul, blues, or R&B, Billy Jones can really put some emotion into his music, and as I say all the time, that is what music, and especially blues, is all about.

Overall I think Billy Jones definitely is making some great music worth checking out if you’re into blues and especially if you’re into soul, but also if you’re into more modern R&B. I think fans of all of these genres can probably find something they’ll like”. http://www.soulofrocknroll.com/?p=81

"A few words to let you know that I received on last Wednesday the new Billy Jones 'my Hometown' CD. Thank you for sending it!" ... thank you again! It will be played next Wednesday!"

Denis Claraz Radio kaleidoscope - Grenoble

"I really like the way that Billy Jones seamlessly segues from fierce grooves to smooth soul ballads. Thank you for sending them my way and rest assured I will be playing these a lot on my show which airs from 9:00 to 11:00 pm MST every Friday and can be heard on the web at www.ypradio.org."

Thanks again,

Art Hooker

Yellowstone Public Radio

“Original younger generation blues singer/songwriter. His blues are unique. He calls his music BLUEZ. He doesn’t copy nobody. Blues, pure soul without any sentimentalities. Excellent production incorporating modern programming techniques. Never sounding artificial. One of the best releases from the last couple of months.” Detlev Hoegen in the new CrossCut catalogue about 'my Hometown'.

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/

Billy Jones: tha ‘Bluez’

(Black & Tan Records)

" Exquisite Modern and Traditional Blues 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 Blues 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 albums in recent memory."

…A. Grigg

Real Blues Magazine

www.realbluesmagazine.com/

"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.

Nappy Brown RIP

This just in from Bob Corritore.

September 21, 2008

• RIP Nappy Brown 10/12/1929-9/20/2008: The legendary blues shouter Nappy Brown left us Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 10:30 pm. He was 78. In addition to being blessed with one of the greatest voices the blues has ever known, Nappy was a true character, and his action-packed stage performances were simply amazing. He had experienced a comeback of late after the release of his brilliant 2007 CD Long Time Coming, produced by longtime Nappy friend and advocate Scott Cable for the Blind Pig record label. He was born Napoleon Brown Culp on Oct 12, 1929 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and started his music career singing gospel before switching to Rhythm & Blues in the early 1950s. He landed a contract with Savoy Records in 1954 which yielded numerous hits, including “Don't Be Angry”, “I Cried Like A Baby”, and “Night Time Is The Right Time” (which Ray Charles would cover shortly afterwards). His music career had a resurgence in the 1980s with albums on Alligator, Ichiban, and Black Top. He also made guest appearances on albums by Bob Margolin and Bob Corritore, as well as appearing on the Rhythm Room Blues anthology released on HighTone (Nappy's photo appeared on the cover of that CD). His powerhouse performance last May at the 2008 Blues Music Awards ceremony was the highlight of that event. Shortly after that, Nappy was hospitalized; and never was able to get his health back. Information regarding his services (forthcoming on Saturday, September 27, 2008) will be posted as it comes in. Bob Corritore will play a number of sets of Nappy's unforgettable music throughout the course of his 5 hour show tonight; listeners may hear Those Lowdown Blues, anywhere in the world (real time Sunday nights from 6pm-11pm Phoenix time) via web streaming by clicking here, or on KJZZ in Phoenix at 91.5 FM in Phoenix, Arizona, 89.5 in Cottonwood, 98.9 in Tucson, and 99.1 in Kingman. Rest in peace, Nappy.

UPDATE

From Bob Corritore

September 22, 2008

• Nappy Brown Funeral Information: Arrangements have been made for Nappy Brown’s funeral. The viewing will be 1pm-1:30pm on Saturday, September 27, 2008, with services to follow. Both the viewing and the service will be held at:

St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church

1401 Allen St.

Charlotte, NC 28205

Tel: (704)334-5309

Fax: (704)376-0072

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Ed Eaves RIP

Another great Iowa blues bassist has left us way to early. Ed Eaves who played with many people, but is mostly remembered as playing with Brian "TAZ" Grant, and Dale "Saxman" Jones, has died at the age of 52. He suffered a stroke a couple of days ago and never recovered. I was lucky to have met and jammed with Ed a few times. He was a great guy. He and the late Jimmy Smith were one of the first Des Moines blues players that I had the opportunity to play with when I first moved back home in 1991. Taz was late for a gig at the old Kapplan Hat company and Ed found out I played piano. So he and Jimmy had me play for about a half hour until Taz could make it. Jimmy and Ed were quite the combo so it was pretty scary playing with them, but they made it fun.

Update Special thanks to Barbra who sent me a photo of Ed.

Update 2 Services have changed for Ed's Sunday Service from Bethel AME to Union Missionary Baptist 1348 McCormick (off east 14th & University).

Memorial service arrangements Sunday, Sept. 14 from 5-8 p.m. at Bethel A.M.E. Church and Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 11 a.m. at Cornerstone Family Church.

Cannon Mortuary is handling arrangements ‹ 515- 244-5253.

He died Sept. 8 at Mercy Medical Center. He was 52.