Ladies and Gents ...T-Bone Erickson here, inviting you to KFMG's 1st Birthday Bash this Sunday!Obviously, many of you have already heard about this event, and may even have your tickets, or may even be Charter Members, but just in case, I did not want you to miss out on this special event and wanted to make sure that you are reminded that it is indeed this Sunday and I would love to see you there!Please join me and the rest of the KFMG staff in celebrating our first full year as the radio station that supports Des Moines musicians, artists and cultural events.There will be Live Entertainment. Prize drawings throughout the event. Food and beverages available for purchase.KFMG’s 1-YEAR BIRTHDAY BASH April 6th!
Jon us Sunday, April 6th as KFMG celebrates with YOU our first year anniversary at the Hotel Ft. Des Moines at 10th and Walnut in downtown Des Moines!
There will be the CHARTER MEMBER HOUR from 3-4 p.m. for all of our Charter Members that have helped support KFMG get started and rolling! You will be able to meet the Nadas, tour the station, and enjoy some appetizers.
Then the Birthday Bash begins for everyone at 4 p.m., featuring live musical performances:
4:00-5:00 p.m. - Jason Walsmith and Mike Butterworth of the Nadas playing unplugged
5:30-6:30 p.m. - Lady Blue featuring Tina Haase Findlay
7:00-8:00 p.m. - Sam Salomone - master of the Hammond organ and host of the "Jazz Gumbo" show on Sunday nights from 7-9 p.m. on KFMG
There will be prize drawings throughout the event. Food and beverages (including alcoholic) will be available for purchase.
Admission to the Birthday Bash is $30 per person/$20 per student at the door. (Students must show student ID at the door.) Children under 16 free with paid admission.(Please keep in mind that KFMG is a non-profit station and depends on listener support to stay on the air!)
SPECIAL OFFER: $50 Charter Membership includes admission for two and participation in the Charter Member Hour.
Please come join us and help us celebrate!
For more info contact us at kfmg@efr.org or call (515) 473-6001.
You can register for advance tickets by going to www.kfmg991.org!
KFMG - a service of Employee and Family Resources and the radio station that supports Des Moines musicians, artists and cultural events!
Streaming the entire planet at www.kfmg991.org!And remember that I will be doing on the air doing my "Blues & Groove" show this next Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. and "The Chill Zone" from 9-10 p.m.Thanks!Don "T-Bone" EricksonDJ - KFMG
Saturday, April 5, 2008
KFMG 1st Birthday Bash
Just got this from T-Bone even if you are not in Des Moines you can catch KFMG on the internet.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Andy Schneider: First Flight On New Wings
Cool Video of ex Iowan, now New Yorker Andy Schneider performing with his funky bass/guitar hybrid guitar!!
First Flight on New Wings Live in Minneapolis, MN
First Flight on New Wings Live in Minneapolis, MN
Chicago Blues Fest: Koko Taylor And Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater
Media Contact: Official Chicago Blues Fest Website:
Blythe Lopez 312/744-3869 www.chicagobluesfestival.us
Royalty On Tap For 25th Annual Chicago Blues Festival
June 5-8, 2008
Blues fans will get the royal treatment at the 25th Annual Chicago Blues Festival, June 5-8 in Grant Park, with Friday night’s headliners fit for a King and Queen!
Chicago Blues Festival’s second night will be second to none, with Friday night headliners Koko Taylor and her Blues Machine, Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater, and a special set honoring the past, featuring Ruby Andrews, Cicero Blake and Jackie Ross.
Koko Taylor, the Queen of the Blues, is no stranger to Chicago, which she calls home. Known for her rough and powerful vocals, Taylor has recorded for Chess Records, and most recently with Alligator Records where her fan base grew tremendously while recording more than a dozen albums. Taylor won more than 25 W.C. Handy awards and she performs more than 100 concerts annually. Her talent has influenced powerful female musicians such as Bonnie Raitt, Janis Joplin, and Shemekia Copeland.
Eddy Clearwater is a versatile Chicago blues performer who at a young age, was influenced by the Delta blues and gospel music. Clearwater has been nominated for and won several W.C. Handy awards and is known for his stage performance as a showman, which includes his left-handed upside down guitar playing. Eddy Clearwater has worked with producer/songwriter Duke Robillard, (who performs opening night of the Chicago Blues Festival in a special set honoring centenarian Louis Jordan), on several recording projects.
Taylor and Clearwater join a list of headliners that includes already released names James Cotton and Johnny Winter who appear together on the festival’s opening night.
The Chicago Blues Festival has grown tremendously in its twenty-five years and now features more than ninety performances on six stages and extended hours of 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Chicago Blues Festival is known world-wide as one of the biggest and best Blues events on the planet, drawing hundreds of thousands of people from around the world to Grant Park, year after year.
Chicago Blues Festival is sponsored by 93XRT, Chicago Tribune, CLTV-Chicagoland’s Television, Dominick’s, Hinckley Springs, U.S. Cellular, WGN-Television and more generous sponsors to be announced. For more information, visit www.chicagobluesfestival.us or call 312/744-3315. For hotel information, visit www.choosechicago.com
Bob Dorr Update
By Bob Dorr
I know that I told you that there probably wouldn't be a Blue Note this week, but some cool stuff has come up and I thought I'd share it. (I'm feeling a little embarrassed because of the "down" tone of last week's note) So, gimme some GOOD news:
It seems like every gig, someone comes up and asks how Nathan is doing in Texas. I admit that I've been holding back some news for a couple weeks, but it's now officially offical! Theresa is pregnant and it looks like yet another generation of Peoples horn players is on the way! Nate is slowly weening his way from the Target store employment by taking on more and more sax students and currently has 10 band gigs lined up for this month. (The Blue Band only has 2 gigs this month!) I'm proud of that kid. I'm his "uncle" ya know! Congrats Nathan and Theresa! Speaking of Nathan's uncle, how 'bout that trumpet player-Al Naylor-who's been playing with the band lately?! Back when I was in college in the early 70s, Al played in a band with Nate's dad Jerry called Sisters. They were the BADDEST, horn driven, 10 piece band I've ever personally known. I idolized those guys and I'm sure their big band/family-vibe approach had a major influence on the sound and vibe of The Blue Band today. Last Fall, Al was playing in a band that was on stage right before us and I reconnected with him for the first time in about 10 years. (he actually played on a song or two on a couple of records we made in the mid-80s) I started telling him about "this kid sax player that's in The Blue Band these days has charted out all the tunes, so you'll have to come and play with us some time" So Al says, "oh yeah, is that Nathan Peoples?" and that's when Nathan pulls up, jumps out of the car and says "UNCLE AL!" It turns out that Al spent so much time at the Peoples house when Nathan was about a year old that Nathan actually thought Al was his uncle! Al also was a founding member of The Salsa Band and played with them for 20 years. He is also a state-wide, noted, (pun intended) music educator. I am in awe of him, so I'm stunned to tell you that Al wants to become a regular member of The Blue Band and do as many dates with us as possible in the coming year! So now Nathan has TWO uncles in the Blue Band!...(that was a long story to get to that punch line, wasn't it?)...
So anyway, we're hosting our monthly TGIF party at The Hub, 4th & Main, here in Sparkle City, Friday night (4/4) 5:45-9:00pm. Heath is making the trip from Des Moines to play sax and Al says he's going to be in town for other business, so he's gonna slide by to give us that horn section sound AND our long-time friend Bob Guthart has promised to bring one of his guitars and sit in for a few tunes (Bob owns Bob's Guitars in Cedar Falls and will somehow have to decide which of his FOUR HUNDRED guitars he's going to play with us!) Sounds like fun to me! BRING CAKE!...
Then it's on to Iowa Public Radio fundraising, literally starting minutes after the last note at The Hub. My local music show Down On The Corner runs 9-11pm Friday night and will be comprised entirely of live recordings, mostly recorded and produced by long-time Blue Band sound tech/advisor Phil Maass. (who's REAL job is that of Special Events Producer and Wizard of Wires, Solder, and Knobs at KUNI) You'll be amazed at the great quality of those live recordings and hopefully phone in a pledge so Phil will be able to go out and make more, great, exclusive Iowa Public Radio recordings for us in the coming year. The pledge number is 800-861-8000. If I don't get ya Friday night, how 'bout a pledge during my rock'n'roll history show Backtracks on Saturday (7-10p) or during Sunday Night Music 6-10pm? Pledge anytime at www.iowapublicradio.org The fun-drive runs 4/4-4/11 and I will be doing some other begging at various times during the week. Make a pledge. I need the job! (did I happen to mention that we only have TWO Blue Band gigs this month?!)...
With the IPR fundrive all next week and no Blue Band gig, there will absotively, posilutely be NO Blue Note next week. Enjoy the Spring, don't step on yer crocus, enjoy the Tulips (of the one you love) keep workin' on that zydeco tie solo, wish Jeff a Happy Birthday, and celebrate yer uncle by bringing CAKE! We love you, Bob Dorr & The Blue Band
Blues At The State Historical Society Of Iowa In Des Moines
Some great blues going on at the State Historical Society in Des Moines! ( I need to say Des Moines since there is also a building in Iowa City as well!) Blues Before Sunset makes it seventh appearance (And once again Frank has not booked me! Gee Frank Can't you get over it! After all I was the one who put that show together in the first place:-) Also a very, very, very, cool show staring BF Burt and the Blues Instigators who will be putting on African American Blues in Iowa. That show is scheduled for April 12. Check out the press release below for more details.
Blues Before Sunset Launches 7th Annual Summer Concert Series
A host of new faces will make their way to the 2008 Blues Before Sunset stage this summer, as the popular summer music series returns to the State Historical Building June 6.
The event will be held Friday nights from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on East Locust Street in front of the State Historical Building at 600 E. Locust in the heart of Des Moines’ East Village. The event is free and family-friendly with beer, wine and an assortment of beverages available for sale. Food vendors will be available on site. Guests are asked to bring their own seating.
The weekly outdoor event has become a favorite start-of-the-weekend activity for metro workers. Now in its 7th year, Blues Before Sunset supports the local Blues scene by hiring homegrown talent.
“This year we’re focusing on exposing the audience to new talent, so a lot of the names they see might not be familiar to them” said Sarah Oltrogge, event coordinator. “Regardless, every band on the roster is top notch local talent. Then we’ll end the season on a high note when we welcome Bo Ramsey whose distinctive guitar playing and talent are well known across the U.S.”
The 2008 Blues Before Sunset schedule is:
June 6: Hot Tamale & The Red Hots
Hot Tamale & The Red Hots features Cindy Grill who provides a dynamic range and the soul of a true blues vocalist. Founding member Kevin Bodtke wails on harmonica and is backed by the experienced talent of Bobby Cassady on drums, Rod Moulin on bass and Alan Smith on guitar and vocals.
June 13: The Andy Schneider One-Man Blues Band
To introduce him as a one-man band may not prepare you fully, nor do justice to the authenticity of the music. Andy Schneider preaches the blues: playing 8-string guitar (a combination of both bass and lead guitars), harmonica, drums and singing. Simultaneously. With a reverent nod to his blues and country roots, Schneider reinvents the traditional bluesman’s role, igniting the music with a fire and passion that leaves audiences breathless.
June 20: Blues Bureau
Jody Bodley and Dewey Cantrell lead this band that has been a staple on the Des Moines Blues scene for several years. With Bodley’s vocals reminiscent of Janis Joplin, and master guitar player Dewey Cantrell, the duo cover a range of songs to satisfy every taste.
June 27: Jonny and the Rectifiers
Based in Des Moines, Iowa, the band played for 9 years as The Delta Kings. With a new rhythm section in 2005 the Rectifiers were born. Playing the Iowa club circuit and private parties and blues festivals, the Rectifiers favor vintage instruments, tube amps and a live audience to fuel a party. Sets vary with the mood of the room from smokey Chicago and Texas blues to vintage rockabilly rants. Frontman Jon East, a second generation Iowa veteran musician handles vocals and guitar chores. The band also features keyboard/Hammond organ player Jeff Daniels, Scott Hartung on drums and Jeff “JB” Baker on fender and upright bass, a disciple of the late Keith Ferguson and Ronnie James Weber of the current Thunderbirds.
July 4: NO SHOW – 4th of JULY HOLIDAY
July 11: Lady Blue
Formed in the Summer heat of 2005, Lady Blue featuring TINA HAASE FINDLAY (band leader, vocals) does indeed feature a very special lady, who has been belting out her passion for more than 20 years. The band includes Findlay’s husband, Brandon Findlay on lead guitar and vocals; Ben Williams on guitar, vocals and percussion; Randy Ramaekers on drums; and Kevin McGinnis on bass and vocals. With her band by her side, Tina continues to celebrate not only the richly diverse history of the blues, but also its vibrant future.
July 18: The Bob Pace Band w/Steve George
This can range from rockabilly to delta blues to country, to what Pace calls "blues with a rock edge, in the style of Jimi Hendrix or Johnny Winter." Throughout this lifelong musical journey, Bob Pace has developed a guitar style all his own, although Pace admits to being heavily influenced by Carlos Santana, Muddy Waters and Eric Clapton. Pace has a particularly special bond with Clapton. The band is led by Iowa Blues Hall of Famer Steve George, a veteran of the Des Moines music scene who performed in clubs on the legendary Center Street of Des Moines.
July 25: Erick Hovey Band
Erick Hovey is a fifth generation farmer from Fort Dodge. His central location allowed him to absorb music from all over the country and develop a style that blended the best of what he likes. The result is music built on a sturdy foundation, with easy-to-identify-with subject matter and sharp arrangements. Erick and the band play with genuine heart and engaging personality, producing an unstrained delivery and easy grace that makes the material seem utterly uncontrived. At times smooth and wistful, at times rockin’, but always cloaked in cool blues.
Aug. 1: Bo Ramsey
Despite the title of his new album, Bo Ramsey’s guitar playing and songwriting are anything but fragile. Perhaps most widely recognized for his amazing guitar prowess on Lucinda William’s Grammy award-winning CD “Car Wheels On A Gravel Road,” as well as his work playing on and producing records for the preeminent singer/songwriter Greg Brown and rising star Pieta Brown, Bo Ramsey will release “Fragile” on April 8, 2008. This is his first new album of all original music in 10 years and somewhat ironically, his strongest work to date. The album, the 11th in his 30-year career, features 11 new songs all written or co-written by Ramsey, and finds him firmly at the forefront of a resurging Iowan musical renaissance, tastefully supported by world-class, Midwest-based musicians. The demand for Ramsey’s unmistakable imprint on other artists’ work has tended to keep his own work on the back-burner, but Ramsey is a fine, evocative and passionate writer in his own right and a commanding singer and performer.
Blues Before Sunset is sponsored by the State Historical Society of Iowa and Central Iowa Blues Society with promotional support proudly driven by 100.3 The BUS and Capital 106.3, “quality music from then and now” and additional support by Baratta’s restaurant.
The State Historical Society of Iowa is seeking food vendors for the 2008 Blues Before Sunset Concert Series.
The 8-week Friday evening event is held on East Locust Street in front of the State Historical Building at 600 E. Locust from 5:30-7:30 p.m. beginning June 6 and running through Aug. 1 (no July 4 performance).
Vendors offering prepared food and/or ethnic foods and snacks are particularly encouraged to apply. Limited power sources available. Vendor fees are $30 per event (minimum of 3 events) or $250 for all 8 weeks for a 10’ x 10’ booth space.
For a vendor application or more information, call (515) 281-4011 or e-mail Sarah.Oltrogge@iowa.gov. Applications are due Thursday, May 1.
The Iowa Arts Council will celebrate African American Blues in Iowa next month when it presents Kevin “B.F.” Burt and the Instigators, who will perform, talk and jam at the State Historical Building.
Thanks to funding from the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces Initiative, this free, family-oriented performance will take place 1-3 p.m. April 12, 2008, at the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust Street in Des Moines. More information is available at 515-281-5111 or www.culturalaffairs.org. Audience members are encouraged to bring instruments and jam with the band.
Burt and the Instigators are featured performers in IAC’s Cultural Express program, funded in part by a National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America Access to the Arts grant. This project was created in collaboration with traditional artists and communities. Tabletop exhibits, resource kits for activities, and live two-hour programs explore Danish, American Indian, Lao, Bosnian, Asian Indian, and Vietnamese folklife, as well as traditional Gospel, Blues, Latino, Old Time Anglo-Scots-Irish, and Czech and German Polka music.
Born and reared in Waterloo, Burt grew up listening to church choirs and became a social worker.
When a co-worker praised his powerful voice several years ago, Burt began attending local blues jams where he met a group of musicians who decided to form their own band, Kevin Burt & the Instigators. Led by Burt on lead vocals, the group includes John Lane on bass, Eric Madson on drums and Matt Panek on guitar.
This four-member band has toured the Midwest for 11 years playing songs on the funky side of the blues.
They perform a blues repertoire of old and new songs by such artists as Bill Withers, Muddy Waters and Creedence Clearwater Revival to create an indigenous Iowa sound. Kevin Burt & the Instigators perform at various blues venues and festivals from small towns to major cities such as Kansas City, Chicago and St. Louis.
Burt, along with Panek, was a featured performer at the Smithsonian Institution’s 1996 Festival of American Folklife in Washington, D.C. and at the Sesquicentennial Festival of Iowa Folklife, as well as at subsequent state and regional folklife festivals. He has shared billing with B.B. King, Koko Taylor, Lonnie Brooks, Ellis Hooks, David ‘Honeyboy’ Edwards, Robert Lockwood Jr., Little Ed, Long John Hunter, Rod Piazza, Kenny Neal, Jonny Rawls and more.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Blues Historian ONE YEAR OLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today is the offical 1st birthday of the Blues Historian Blog! I started this adventure on April 2 of last year. I have posted 1,438 posts in that year! I wish I had put up a counter on day one, but I actually waited a month. However, with that in mind here was are my yearly stats!
27,774 Hits
40,143 page views
The front page has been hit over 16,000 times, and the most popular page over the year was the Taylor Hicks/Keb Mo Sweet Home Chicago video with 401 views. Taylor Hicks dominated the top 20, but Muddy Waters family guy cartoon, Steve Goodman's Go Cubs Go, and Bonnie Raitt artist of the week also made the top of the list. Once again a big thanks to all the Taylor Hicks message boards that have linked my site, and also a big shout out to Bluestown who has sent over 3000 people this way.
This has been a great year, and as I have posted before I never intended for this blog to be anything but a teaching tool for my students, but it took off, and has become my little promotional place for the blues. I hope the next year continues the growth of the blog, and I hope to see some of you at a few festivals this year:-)
Thanks for stopping by
Tom Gary
27,774 Hits
40,143 page views
The front page has been hit over 16,000 times, and the most popular page over the year was the Taylor Hicks/Keb Mo Sweet Home Chicago video with 401 views. Taylor Hicks dominated the top 20, but Muddy Waters family guy cartoon, Steve Goodman's Go Cubs Go, and Bonnie Raitt artist of the week also made the top of the list. Once again a big thanks to all the Taylor Hicks message boards that have linked my site, and also a big shout out to Bluestown who has sent over 3000 people this way.
This has been a great year, and as I have posted before I never intended for this blog to be anything but a teaching tool for my students, but it took off, and has become my little promotional place for the blues. I hope the next year continues the growth of the blog, and I hope to see some of you at a few festivals this year:-)
Thanks for stopping by
Tom Gary
Chicago Blues Festival Press Release
I recieved a number of press releases from the City of Chicago dealing with the upcoming Chicago Blues Fest. I will post them over the next few days. The Chicago Blues Festival is one of the great blues festivals in the United States, so make your plans now to attend.
Winter and Cotton Go Together at the
25th Annual Chicago Blues Festival
June 5-8, 2008 in Grant Park
Chicago is setting the stage for the 25th Annual Chicago Blues Festival, a lakefront tradition in beautiful Grant Park, June 5-8, 2008, with opening night headliners that honor the city’s first blues festival.
Just as in 1984, opening night pays tribute to Muddy Waters featuring headliners Johnny Winter and James Cotton, performing Thursday, June 5 at the Petrillo Music Shell.
Winter hasn’t performed at the event since the very first Chicago Blues Festival, creating a much anticipated and exciting show! For more than 30 years, the native Texan has been one of the most respected singers and guitar players in the rock and blues scene. His trademark sound shifts between simple country blues, to all-out electric slide guitar blues-rock. Winter has been nominated for several Grammy® awards, and most recently earned a W.C. Handy award.
Mississippi-born harmonica player James Cotton is a Chicago Blues Festival veteran. In 1954, Muddy Waters was in need of a harp player, introduced himself to Cotton and hired him for his band. Breakin’It Up, Breakin’ It Down is a recently released album featuring James Cotton, Muddy Waters and Johnny Winter during a brief tour. This evening’s set will reprise the one performed at the inaugural blues festival.
In 1984, the very first Chicago Blues Festival took place in Grant Park, paying tribute to Muddy Waters, who passed away the year prior. The three-night festival included performers such as Winter, Cotton, Bobby Rush, Buckwheat Zydeco, Billy Branch, Willie Dixon, Magic Slim, Sunnyland Slim, John Lee Hooker, and more.
Pinetop Perkins, Honeyboy Edwards and other blues luminaries in the Muddy Waters vein are scheduled for this year’s Chicago Blues Festival, while up-and-coming blues performers such as Fernando Jones and the Columbia College Blues Ensemble pave the way for the future of Chicago blues.
The festival has grown tremendously, and now features more than ninety performances on six stages and extended hours of 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Chicago Blues Festival is known world-wide
as one of the biggest and best Blues events on the planet, drawing hundreds of thousands of people from around the world to Grant Park, year after year.
Celebrating twenty-five years will be a memorable experience for people of all ages, with many exciting acts and programs featured, including larger seating areas, a children’s program, folk art from Mississippi, and more! Stay tuned for more headliners to be announced in the next few weeks!
Chicago Blues Festival is sponsored by 93XRT, Chicago Tribune, CLTV-Chicagoland’s Television, Dominick’s, Hinckley Springs, U.S. Cellular, WGN-Television and more generous sponsors to be announced. For more information, visit www.chicagobluesfestival.us or call 312/744-3315. For hotel information, visit www.choosechicago.com
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Taylor Hicks: Rockin Pnemonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu
Taylor Hicks doing an classic rocking blues tune by Huey "piano" Smith. I know I have another version of this posted, but hey enjoy a different take.
Blues Historian Review: Jason Ricci And New Blood, Rocket Number 9
Jason Ricci has a new CD out, and it is a burner. Rocket Number 9 is not classic blues in any sense, but Ricci is a classic blues harp player in every sense. Ricci can smoke on the harp, and his eclectic combination of songs shows off his talent as both a harp player and a vocalist. His disk opens with the self titled Rocker, The Rocker. The song rocks with burning guitar leads, and classic distorted blues harmonica. Just when you have figured this is going to be a collection of hard rocking songs, the band follows up with I'm A New Man, which is a nice mellow soul tune. Loving Eyes is a long jam song, while Dodecahedron is an amazing jazz rock instrumental. Dodecahedron really showcases just how tight the band is, and you could certainly stack up this recording with any of the great jazz rock sides from the 1970s. Mr. Satan is a funky rock song that also shows off the tight arraignments of the band. A soulful blues tune Deliver Us is next and opens with a James Cotton type harp break, but then moves into a soul tune. If you are a hardcore blues fan then The Blow Zone is the song you were waiting for as Jason shows off his skills on the harp on a nice jump blues instrumental. Ricci has played and learned from the masters of the blues and it really shows on this song. Blues fans will also love The Way I Hurt Myself. It is a slow blues tune, and the vocal is very reminiscent of the great Al Kooper. More funky blues follow with The Eternal Is, once again the band is tight and the harp playing is outstanding. Snowflakes And Horses is a rocking blues tune, while Sonja is a beautiful melodic tune with a touch of western twang. The CD ends with the title song Rocket Number 9. I wish I could adequately describe this song. I think it is a song that you need to listen to for yourself. It has elements of avant jazz, with some punk sensibilities thrown in, and some bizarre experimental music thrown in for good measure. Jason Ricci and New Blood certainly are a talented group, and the band is incredibly tight. They know their instruments and they smoke. Perhaps they might scare off some of the older more conservative elements of the blues crowd, but I know that these guys put on a great show. I have heard some rave reviews of their gigs down in Des Moines so if they can fly in Des Moines they can fly anywhere:-) (btw, I know Des Moines loves the blues so everyone flies in Des Moines, but the rest of the world thinks we live in the middle of the cornfields:-)
Lonnie Johnson Article
the great Lonnie Johnson is subject of a new tribute CD Rediscovering Lonnie Johnson. The Star Online out of Malaysia doesn't go into details about the new CD, but the article has an excellent biography on Johnson. To check it out Click HERE. To check out the myspace page for the CD Click HERE.
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 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
Monday, March 31, 2008
Photo Of The Week: Jimmy Pryor's Last Public Performance
The Photo Of The Week is one I took of Jimmy Pryor during his last public performance. Jimmy had been ill for quite some time, but he came out to perform one last time during a concert to celebrate Jimmy's life story that was published in Living Blues. I was suppose to write a biography about Jimmy, but I unfortunately failed to deliver. However, I did have enough material to write an article about my friend and bandmate. The band Blues Instigators played that day, and they graciously allowed Jimmy to perform with them. I tried to film a song but unfortunately the sound was so bad that I didn't save the clip. Yet, I did get some great pics of that day. I still miss Jimmy. He was a great person, and being around him always lifted my spirits. He was everyone's friend, and he was without a doubt the King of Des Moines Blues.
Artist Of The Week: Paul Butterfield
Last week (okay two weeks ago:-) artist of the week was Mike Bloomfield, so logically you have to follow up Mike with his friend and band mate Paul Butterfield. Paul also left us way too soon. Drugs seemed to take away a lot of great musicians from the 60s and 70s. Butterfield was also one of a group of white blues players who searched out the great Chicago blues artists and learned to play the blues from them. These guys would go to clubs on the Chicago southside, and then brought the blues out to the college kids of the day. To see Butterfield, and Bloomfield in action just look for the youtube videos located on the right side of the blog.
Sean Costello: Hard Luck Woman
Nope not the kiss song, but a great blues song by Sean Costello. See the Blues Historian review below!!!!!
Blues Historian Review: Sean Costello, We Can Get Together
Sean Costello is a young man with an old mans soul. His newest disc, We Can Get Together, is a nice combination of blues, soul, and even some old time spirituals, that to my ear comes from an artist much more mature than a guy who hasn't even hit his 30th birthday. His opening song Anytime You Want, is a classic. A Rollicking blues tune with smoky vocals that just screams like some honky tonk/ juke joint hit from the 50s to the 70s. Same Old Game follow the same path with some gritty vocals and tasty guitar work. After two great blues tunes Costello follows up with a nice soul tune called, Can't Let Go. Just like any working blues band today, Costello and company knows that you can't live on the blues alone, and Can't Let Go delivers some sweet, sweet soul music. Told Me A Lie, is a funky song with a sousaphone, and accordion! The chorus has a nice spiritual feel to it, and the sousaphone, which is very much like a tuba gives the song almost a New Orleans funeral/second line sound. Returning back to the blues is the song Hard Luck Woman, raunchy, smoking and a great guitar line, make this a great tune. How In The Devil is classic Chicago Blues, and the band even does the odd count at the turn around, just like a classic Muddy or Wolf tune. Costello returns to Soul music with a nice melodic tune called, Have You No Shame. It reminds me of some classic Clapton tunes from the mid 70s. Finally a slow blues tune Going Home follows. Going Home is a traditional spiritual song, but this is played much more like a grooving slow blues in the tradition of the old Malaco sides. All This Time is a return to classic soul, while Feel Like I Ain't Got A Home, is a blues rock tune. Costello ends his CD with Little Birds. The song starts off with slide guitar and has a delta feel to it. This is a great CD that features a tight band. Costello also has great tone on his guitar. His ability to jump from style to style is remarkable. Many player are good at one type of blues, but Costello seems to be able to incorporate many different ways of playing the blues, and yet he maintains his own unique style. If you are into classic blues, or you are a hardcore blues fan than this is the disc to buy.
Bob Corritore Newsletter
By Bob Corritore
March 30, 2008
- Robert Lockwood, Jr. Featured Tonight on Bob's Radio Show: This past Thursday would have been Robert Lockwood, Jr.’s 93rd birthday. Though he left us in November of 2006, his music and legend will live forever. A pioneer of electric guitar and the inventor of many of the great guitar lines of classic Chicago blues, Robert never quit growing; and late in life switched his preferred instrument from 6 string to 12 string guitar. His music is remembered this evening with feature sets each hour of Bob's show. (show details) Here are some YouTube clips of Robert: Robert singing Leroy Carr's "In The Evening" (click here), Robert and Johnny Shines live (click here), Pre-Grammy® TV short (click here), and Robert performing "Stormy Monday" (click here). Listeners may hear Bob Corritore’s KBA-Award-winning radio show, 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.
- Dave Riley & Bob Corritore Duet to appear Wednesday at the Rhythm Room: On Wednesday, April 2, 2008, Bob Corritore will appear with Dave Riley at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix, AZ. Doors open at 7:30pm, cover charge is $5. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This night will be a patio smoking only event; no indoor smoking will be permitted.
- Photos from Spring Harp Fest and Tomcat Courtney San Diego Gig: Check out some of these recently posted photos from Bob's recent gigs in San Diego with Tomcat Courtney at Patrick's II by Bengt Nyman (click here), and the Spring Harp Fest photos by Joan Hart (click here).
- Bob Corritore Interview to Air Next Sunday in India! Ravi Khanolkar will be airing a Bob Corritore interview on World Space Satellite's Radio's Spin Station; which, according to Ravi's description, has the majority of its listeners in India. Ravi has been a big advocate of Bob's recordings on his radio show. Ravi describes his radio program as "the only exclusive blues show in the country (India). I do not play any specific genre or era of the blues, but give my listeners an entire spectrum of the same, along with a little bit of history about the origins of the song, era, influences and the like". Ravi's show is aired from 10 pm to midnight (India time) on World Space Satellite Radio. Thanks, Ravi.
- Big Pete Pearson/I'm Here Baby CD is # 6 on Spain's Blues Radio Charts! Thanks to Vicente "Harmonica" Zumel for sending a copy of Spain's SBB Blues Magazine (Societat de Blues Barcelona)(Hivern 2008 issue), in which the "Top Blues En La FM Estatal" chart lists Big Pete Pearson/I'm Here Baby on Blue Witch Records as # 6! This chart lists 16 blues radio shows from various parts of Spain as their source. ¡Gracias, Spain!
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