Bob Dorr And The Blue Band Update

This just in from Bob Dorr!

Like the little girl in the movie said, "He's baaack..." For most people on this list, it's been about two weeks since the last note. For 193 people on the list (nearly one third of the entire list) it's been nearly two months without gettin' it (The Blue Note, I mean) The webmistress theeeeorizes that it was just coincidence that ghosts in the data base made it so that the message did not go thru to all those addresses, but because this started THE WEEK AFTER THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF POLITICO NOTES WENT OUT, us paranoids know "they" were conspiring to silence the masses and "hacked" our data base after days of trying to figure out the complicated password. If you missed those notes (I think between Oct. 3 and now) and would like to catch up on some of the "diverse" opinions Blue Band fans have in the political arena, just respond to this note with the subject Catch Up (as opposed to "make like a tomato and ketch up") and I will be happy to forward them to you...

I'm really looking forward to Saturday night at Famous Dave's in Minneapolis (Lake & Hennipin-UPTOWN, Baby!) Not only is it the #1 blues club in The Cities, but a bunch of Iowans should be in town for the Hogguy/Goopher football game AND we'll have The Peoples Horn Section playing in the band! Nathan is flying in from his new home in Denver CO (yes, his arms WILL be tired) and his dad Jerry is driving up from Des Moines. There is somethin' about the father/son connection that just trips my trigger when I watch both of them play with the band. Add to that, they both are celebrating the arrival of a THIRD generation sax player, as Nathan & Theresa's son, Finnigan Jeffrey, arrived at 3:07am, Nov 12th. (He's already living on musician hours!) Because we've been playing in The Cities for all 27 years of The Blue Band's existence, there's always a reunion-like atmosphere to the crowd. I hope you can be part of the party. We play 9-12:30ish. Come early for the award winning bar-b-que, stay late for dancing, be sure and congratulate the new father and grandpa!...

And speaking of party, let me tell you about the local Victoria's Secret store. No wait, I'm not done talking about Blue Band dates yet (squeeze me, tease me, baby) It's been about two years since we've had the chance to play in Iowa's #1 blues club, Blues On Grand in Des Moines, so please join us the day after Thanksgiving, Fri. Nov. 28, 9:30-1:30. BOG is also the home of the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame. There's a really nice picture of me on the wall! Need more information, try www.bluesongrand.com...

OK, so the Victoria's Secret party. OOOPs, forgot to remind you of the First Friday get together at The Hub, 4th & Main here in Sparkle City. Friday Dec. 5th (YIKES, we're talkin' DECEMBER here. Brrrrrr) This afterwork/end of week "Geezer Gig" (6-9pm) is really fun and who knows, we might even play Wooly Bully again (Will Play Anything For Tips) (or CAKE) And two dates that we just added this week, Sunday Dec. 21-The Mississippi Valley Blues Society Christmas Party and Fundraiser in the Redstone Room at the River Music Experience in Davenport, 5-8pm (thanks to Zimmerman Motors for sponsoring our appearance) and Sat. Jan. 24, an open to the public dance at the Ottumwa Elks Club, more info on that in the weeks to come...

Speaking of Brrrrr, I have to admit that I have become a cold weather woosie. The webmistress and I have moved our walking inside the mall already. This is where I ran across the Victoria's Secret store. (actually, I walked past it, I didn't run across it) In front of the store is a sign that says "PANTY PARTY! 7 for $25!" This brings to mind MANY questions that perhaps you can help answer for me. What IS a Panty Party? Do you get SEVEN Panty Parties for $25? Is that a good deal? Can you spread out (!) the parties over a few months, or do you have to have a Panty Party every day for a week? Or do you get 7 panties for $25? Is THAT a good deal? Would you wear all seven in one week? Is a week's worth of panties worth $25? Inquiring minds want to know! And one other thing, how 'bout some real live models in the Victoria's Secret store for holiday shopping! I'm sure that would put me in the holiday mood. Ho, Ho Ho...

I'll be the substitute host of Iowa Public Radio's Night Music show the night before, and the night of Thanksgiving, so TUNE IN YOU TURKEYS! I think I'm going to try and get my annual HyVee Turkey dinner in a Styrofoam dish a few days before Thanksgiving this year. You remember what happened to me last year the day before the holiday!...

See yas in dah nort'land on dah Blue Highway, dare, 'eh? and stroke yer zydeco tie while havin' a Panty Party at your local Vicortia's Secret store, especially if they have have BabyCAKES. We love you, Bob Dorr & The Blue Band

Bob Corritore Blues News

The latest blues news from Bob Corritore.

November 20, 2008

• Bob Corritore Cover Story in Back To The Roots Magazine is out! Belgium's Back To The Roots Magazine has just published its current issue featuring a cover story on Bob Corritore, complete with an 8-page interview/article by editor Franky Bruneel. The article (published in Nederlands or Dutch) features numerous great photos and a beautiful layout. We have posted this article online, and you can check it out by clicking here. Thank you, Franky!
• Rhythm Room All-Stars to Perform at the 2009 Spring Blues Festival in Belgium: This just booked: The Rhythm Room All-Stars are honored to be part of the 2009 lineup of the famed Spring Blues Festival in Ecaussinnes, Belgium on May 16, 2009. The Rhythm Room All-Stars feature a highly credentialed lineup consisting of Big Pete Pearson, Bob Corritore, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, and Brian Fahey.
• Chris James & Patrick Rynn CD on the Roots Music Radio Charts for 13 Straight Weeks! Chris James and Patrick Rynn are one of the great partnerships in the blues. Firmly rooted in the traditional Chicago blues sound, they have performed for decades together in their own Blue Four band, as well as with Sam Lay, Jody Williams, Dennis Binder, Tomcat Courtney, Rob Stone and the C-Notes, and of course, The Rhythm Room All-Stars. It is very gratifying to see the way that Chris and Patrick's CD, Stop And Think About It on the Earwig Music label, has been received. In addition to earning over 20 great reviews so far (click here to see them), this CD has been on the Roots Music Report's Blues Radio Charts for 13 weeks now, and as of November 14, 2008 it was at #6! The CD also debuted the Living Blues Radio charts in September at #8, was #6 in October, and #11 in November!
• Tomcat Courtney Nominated For Independent Music Award! Beth Lipham of Blue Witch Records just emailed to inform us that Tomcat Courtney/Downsville Blues has been nominated for an Independent Music Award for best blues CD! Tomcat is now 79 years old, and possesses one of the greatest voices in down home blues. Anyone can vote for the IMAs, so we encourage you to consider voting for the amazing Tomcat Courtney by clicking here to make your ballot choice. To see some great photos of Tomcat, click here and here. To read some of the great reviews of this record, click here.

• New Louisiana Red CD Released! Little Victor informs us that the new CD Louisiana Red/Back To The Black Bayou has just been released on Bluestown Records, based in Norway . Victor produced, arranged, and played on this wonderful Louisiana Red record and guests include Kim Wilson, David Maxwell, and Bob Corritore. This CD will remind the world of the great talent of the legendary Louisiana Red. To see the beautiful CD artwork, click here. Thank you, Little Victor, for this great album!
• Earwig Music to Release Bea and Baby Masters: Michael Frank, owner of Earwig Music, reports his plans to release a multiple CD set of music from Chicago's famed Bea and Baby Records. Frank states that this reissue will be an extensive release that will include not only the better-known blues tracks, but also some doo-wop performances from the label. Apparently, there are a number of rare and unissued sides that will appear on CD for the first time, including a session by Sleepy John Estes and Hammie Nixon. Bea and Baby Records was formed in 1959 by Narvel Eatmon, who went by the name Cadillac Baby. He named his label after himself and his wife, Bea. Eatmon recorded many great Chicago artists such as Sunnyland Slim, Little Mack Simmons, Eddie Boyd, Detroit Junior, James Cotton, L.C. McKinley, Willie Williams, Johnny Littlejohn, Homesick James, Hound Dog Taylor, and others. The label's biggest hit was Bobby Saxton's "Trying To Make A Living", which was released in 1960. The label also released records by vocal groups such as The Daylighters, Faith Taylor and The Sweet Teens, and The Chances. Eatmon also owned a club called Cadillac Baby's Show Lounge on 47th and Dearborn in Chicago, where many of his recording artists played. Michael Frank met Cadillac Baby in 1974, and the two became good friends; they even produced a session together in the 80s by a rapper named 3D (this session will be included in the CD). Eatmon passed away in 1991, but he left us with a treasured legacy of great recordings, which will be lovingly re-released next year on Earwig Music.
• Bob's Blues Radio Show to Celebrate 25 Year Anniversary in February 2009 with Commemorative CD and Special Event: Bob Corritore has hosted his radio program, Those Lowdown Blues on KJZZ in Phoenix, since February of 1984. Over the course of these 24 plus years, the show has been highly celebrated by both the Phoenix blues community and the blues world at large. The show has been annually recognized by the New Times Best Of Phoenix Awards, as well as winning a KBA Award from The Blues Foundation in 2007. Just this year, the show was honored at the Cognac Blues Festival in France, as an honorary membership to Collectif des Radios Blues was presented to Bob onstage just before his set with Dave Riley. Bob's radio show has always stood for the deep traditions of the blues, and the majority of the music heard on a typical show is from the 1950s. The show draws from Bob's extensive personal library of blues recordings. A CD has been compiled featuring highlights of on-air performances from the course of the program's history. The disc will be titled Broadcasting The Blues, and will feature great artists such as Lowell Fulson (from 1984 performing a solo version of "Sinner's Prayer"), Billy Boy Arnold, Louisiana Red, Dave Riley, Otis Clay and Johnny Rawls (together singing a spiritual), Willie Dixon (giving a spoken plug for the show), Chief Schabuttie Gilliame, Lazy Lester, Tomcat Courtney, Jerry Lawson (of The Persuasions), CeDell Davis, Chris James (who beautifully backed many of these artists on guitar), Margo Reed, Johnny Dyer, Henry Gray, Billy Flynn (doing a great harmonica instrumental), and more. This CD will be released on the Southwest Musical Arts Foundation label, and will be available in early 2009. To see the beautiful cover design by Tony Amato, click here. Also, Bob plans a big party on February 20, 2009 at the Rhythm Room, which will also be the pre-party for the Phoenix Blues Society's annual Blues Blast Festival. Bob's radio show can heard in Phoenix each Sunday night from 6 to 11pm at 91.5FM, or on 89.5 in Cottonwood, 98.9 in Tucson, and 99.1 in Kingman. It can be heard anywhere in the world (real-time) via online streaming at www.kjzz.org.
• More Blues Blast Music Awards Photos posted: Thanks to Lordy of Chicago Blues Beat for posting these wonderful images remembering a great party. The Blues Blast Music Awards, sponsored by Illinoisblues.com, happened Sunday, November 2, 2008 at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago. Lordy has divided his photos into two sections: the performances (click here to see) and the party (click here to see). Images include Magic Slim, Sugar Ray Norcia, Johnny Drummer, Michael Frank, Dave Riley and Bob Corritore, Lurrie Bell, Nick Moss, Deak Harp, John Németh, Eden Brent, Kilborn Alley Blues Band, Too Slim, Lonnie Brooks, Jennifer Wheeler, Mary Lane, and more!
• Odetta Hospitalized: Odetta was admitted to a New York hospital last week with kidney failure. Well known among fans of blues and folk music, Odetta has been called "The Voice Of The Civil Rights Movement". She is doing better and hopes to be able to perform at Obama's inauguration ceremony. You may send get well cards to:

Ms. Odetta Gordon

Room # 719, 7th Floor ICU Unit

Lenox Hill Hospital

100 East 77th Street

New York, NY 10021

Prayers for her speedy recovery. To see a great 1978 photo of Odetta with Louisiana Red, click here.

• Doris Carr additional Funeral Information: A little more complete information on Doris Carr's funeral:

Visitation is Friday, November 21, 2008 from 5pm to 7pm. Doris's "Homegoing Celebration" services will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, November 22, 2008. Both take place at:

Century Funeral Home

506 Ashton Ave.

Clarksdale, MS 38614

(662) 627-4182

Blues Historian Review: Elvin Bishop, The Blues Rolls On

Elvin Bishop's new CD The Blues Rolls On, is just another great example of why Elvin Bishop gets it. When most artists are blowing their own horn, Elvin is bringing much needed attention to a wide range of great blues artists. Bishop's career has been one that has helped a number of musicians and once again he does it on The Blues Rolls On.
Bishop's new CD features features 12 tracks that feature Elvin with help of his friends. Only his song Oklahoma, is him alone. This disc is very much an all-star event and Bishop does a great job holding this diverse group of blues players together. The title track opens the CD, and features Bishop, with Warren Haynes on guitar, and Kim Wilson on Harp. It is a rocking tune that features a lot of the names of players past and present who have kept the blues alive. John Nemeth and Angela Strehil sings the classic Night Time Is the Right Time. Nemeth is one of the new and upcoming singers who has created quite the stir down at Blues On Grand in Des Moines. Younder's Wall has a really great guitar break where Elvin, Tommy Castro, and Ronnie Baker Brooks, trade off guitar licks! It is a cool and much too short part of the song. Brooks in my mind was the best of the three, but it is probably because I love those classic Chicago blues licks. (also wanted to make a quick note that Scott Sutherland plays bass on the track, and he is a former Iowan:-) Struttin' My Stuff, is a great tune featuring Elvin on vocal and guitar, with the help of guitarists, Derek trucks, Warren Haynes, Johnny V Vernazza, and Mike Schermer. The next song Keep A Dollar In Your Pocket, features the guitar work of BB King, and a short interview between BB, and Elvin. The song is an old Roy Milton tune, and is the topic of the brief conversation before the disc. BB only plays guitar on the track, but is his usual "king of the blues" although at the end of the song he reminds Elvin that he has never called himself the king of the blues:-) John Nemeth returns to sing Who's The Fool, while the zydeco Black Gal, features R.C Carrier and Andre Thierry. Oklahoma is all Elvin and is the story of his career in the blues and features verses about his days in Chicago, and playing with southern rock bands. Come On In This House, is a cool song that features the young Homemade Jamz Band. They are a bunch of kids from Mississippi who can play the blues as good as anyone four times their age!:-) Nemeth returns again to sing I Found Out, which also features the harp work of James Cotton! Send you Back To Georgia features George Thorogood, and was recorded live at the Voodoo Lounge in Kansas City. The final song Honest I Do is an instrumental with Nemeth on harmonica and Bishop on Lead Guitar.
This is a great disc, and Bishop showcases a lot of great talent. If you have any money laying around with this bad economy then do yourself a favor and buy this disc!

The Chi Lites

Nice!

Vargus Blues Band: Blues Latino

VERY NICE!

Blood Sweat And Tears: Go Down Gambling

A cool live clip of Blood Sweat And Tears. You need to tolerate the over the top guitar solo, before the real song starts. It is worth the wait.

Hyena Records Update

Unfortunatly, I am still working without my own computer. For some reason I can't figure out how to transfer my graphics to the blog! ARGH! Well, here is some blues news from the folks at Hyena Records. They have some great stuff. I bought my Aces, to Aces, CD/DVD by Bobby Darin from them last year. Check out their stuff!!

Hey All--
Hard to believe that we're staring the beginning of 2009
straight in the face. These are tricky times for lots of folks. But as a
stubborn old school record label, we feel like we've got a responsibility in the
midst of all this uncertainty. When proclamations of crisis are hitting you from
all sides, what better than music to set your mind free? With that being said,
here's what we've got going on here at Hyena Records...
THE BRIDGEBlind Man's
Hill

Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, THE
BRIDGE are a defiant reminder that B-more is south of the
Mason-Dixon line. The band cooks up a stew of New Orleans rhythm & blues,
high & lonesome country pickin' and earthy Southern roots spiked with lyrics
that romanticize locomotives, poison wine, hurricanes and carnival barkers.
Check it out their new album Blind Man's
Hill and you'll be a believer too. They will celebrate the new
long-player with a hometown release party and performance on November 26 at
Ram's Head Live. In January '09, they hit the highway for a cross-country U.S.
tour.
Grab a free mp3 of "Let Me Off This Train."
Better yet, pick
up a copy of Blind Man's Hill here.

The
Bridge Tour Dates
December 4 / The Double Door Inn / Charlotte,
NC
December 5 / The Pour House / Charleston, SC
December 6 / Berkley Cafe
/ Raleigh, NC
December 26 / The Birchmere Bandstand / Alexandria,
VA
December 27 / World Cafe Live / Philadelphia, PA
December 28 / The
National / Richmond, VA (w/ Dark Star Orchestra)
December 29 / The Norva /
Norfolk, VA (w/ Dark Star Orchestra)
December 31 / Sheraton Center City
Ballroom / Baltimore, MD (w/ Rebirth Brass Band)
January 22 / Club Cafe /
Pittsburgh, PA
January 23 / The V Club / Huntington, WV
January 24 / 123
Pleasant Street / Morgantown, WV
January 28 / The Lantern / Blacksburg,
VA
January 29 / Boone Saloon / Boone, NC
January 30 / Smith's Olde Bar /
Atlanta, GA
January 31 / Mellow Mushroom / Tuscaloosa, AL
February 5 / The
Continental / Houston, TX
February 6 / House Of Blues / Dallas,
TX
February 7 / Stubb's BBQ / Austin, TX
February 10 / Winston's / San
Diego, CA
February 11 / The Mint / Los Angeles, CA
February 13 / The
Hopmonk Tavern / Sebastapol, CA
February 14 / Boom Boom Room / San Francisco,
CA
February 18 / WOW Hall / Eugene, OR
February 19 / The Goodfoot /
Portland, OR
February 22 / John's Alley / Moscow, ID
February 23 / Top Hat
/ Missoula, MT
February 27 / Quixote's / Denver, CO
February 28 / B Side
Lounge / Boulder, CO
GRAYSON CAPPSRott 'N' Roll

For
our friends in Europe, not only are you excited that we've decisively taken
action in the upper echelons of our democracy, but you should also ecstatic
because you're about to get a full on dose of "Rott 'N' Roll" by Grayson Capps
& The Stumpknockers.
It's been awhile since Grayson has been
over your way with his full band that turns supper clubs into roadhouses and
roadhouses into country shacks, but the time has come. In the meantime, here's
what folks have been saying about Rott 'N'
Roll here in the U.S.
"...his most varied offering to date, with
country (of shuffle, ballad and rockabilly varieties), boozy sing-alongs,
slow-burning R&B, hill country blues, ferocious rock, and even spoken-word
poetry." - No Depression
"Although his distinctive sound is rootsy at its
core, a Dixie-fried amalgam of twang-rock, Memphis soul, and roadhouse blues,
Capps' Tennessee-Williams-meets-Charles-Bukowski lyrical style is equal parts
Southern Gothic and Los Angeles noir. His songs are literate, imaginative, and
sometimes magical, his storytelling skills matched by an uncanny sense of
musical history that will grow on you like kudzu vine." - Blurt Online
"Take
the poetry of Texas troubadour Townes Van Zandt, combine with Steve Earle's edgy
attitude and stir with a little cup of the bayou- blues (think Howlin' Wolf) and
you start to get a taste of Capps' scrumptious gothic gumbo." - American
Songwriter
"Essential Listening" - NineBullets
"Grayson Capps & The
Stumpknockers play knock-down-drag-out-whiskey- laced rock and roll as if it
were the last call for their souls to be saved." - Swampland
Pick Up A Copy
Here

Grayson Capps Tour Dates
November 21 / Logjam
concerts / Weert, Netherlands
November 22 / Q-bus / Leiden,
Netherlands
November 23 / Willow Tree Concerten / Bierum,
Netherlands
November 24 / De Schalm / Westwoud, Netherlands
November 25 /
Paradiso / Amsterdam, Netherlands
November 26 / Cobblestone / Oldenzaal,
Netherlands
November 27 / Blues Garage / Isernhagen (Hannover)
Germany
November 28 / Real Music Club Germany / Lauchhammer,
Germany
November 29 / Slotplaats / Bakkeveen, Netherlands
December 2 /
John Dee / Oslo, Norway
December 3 / Tordensjold / Langesund,
Norway
December 12 / The Soul Kitchen / Mobile, AL
December 19 / Variety
Playhouse / Atlanta, GA
January 15 / Smith's Olde Bar / Atlanta,
GA
January 16 / The Nick / Birmingham, AL
January 17 / The Basement /
Nashville, TN
January 31 / Phoenix Hill Tavern / Louisville, KY
April in
Texas (Dates to Come)
BACKYARD TIRE FIREThe Places We Lived

If
you haven't checked Backyard Tire Fire out yet, you're sleeping on
one of the best rock bands out there right now---not to mention one of the best
rock records released this year--seriously!
Watch their new video for "How In
The Hell Did You Get Back Here?"
Also
check out a great acoustic performance of "Shoulda Shut It"from The College
Network, Palestra.net:
Pick Up A Copy Here

Backyard Tire Fire Tour Dates
November 22 /
Chicago Street Pub / Joliet, IL
November 29 / Double Door / Chicago, IL (FREE
show)
December 3 / Mercy Lounge / Nashville, TN (w/ Reverend Horton
Heat)
December 4 / Vogue / Indianapolis, IN (w/ Reverend Horton
Heat)
December 5 / Southgate House / Newport, KY (w/ Reverend Horton
Heat)
December 6 / Majestic Theatre / Detroit, MI (w/ Reverend Horton
Heat)
December 7 / The Intersection / Grand Rapids, MI (w/ Reverend Horton
Heat)
December 10 / Otto's / Dekalb, IL (w/ Reverend Horton Heat)
December
11 / People's / Des Moines, IA (w/ Reverend Horton Heat)
December 12 / Cain's
Ballroom / Tulsa, OK (w/ Reverend Horton Heat)
December 13 / The Village /
Little Rock, AR (w/ Reverend Horton Heat)
December 27 / House of Blues /
Chicago, IL (w/ Rusted Root)
December 28 / House of Blues / Chicago, IL (w/
Rusted Root)
December 29 / Eagles Ballroom / Milwaukee, WI (w/ Rusted
Root)
December 30 / St. Andrews Hall / Detroit, MI (w/ Rusted
Root)
December 31 / House of Blues / Cleveland, OH (w/ Rusted
Root)
LAFAYETTE GILCHRISTSoul Progressin'

If you listen to NPR chances are you've heard tracks
from Lafayette Gilchrist's new album, Soul
Progressin', coming in and out of the breaks on All Things
Considered, Weekend Edition and Fresh Air With Terry Gross. They've been all
over this genius pianist and rising star in the jazz world. Gilchrist pushes the
boundaries of his genre in the tradition of Monk, Sun Ra and Andrew Hill. Yes, I
did just mention him in the same sentence as those masters. I'm not
alone...
"4 Stars" - Downbeat
"Gilchrist is a musical visionary." - Beyond
Race
"Gilchrist injects the personality of his hometown into his
compositions, without succumbing to turntables or drum machines. His piano is
lively and rhythmic, but also quite considerate, a trait he might have developed
playing with luminaries like David Murray and Hamid Drake." - Dusted
"There's
a deep determination at work on the pianist's new Soul Progressin'. The swarm of
brass and reeds grinds against the rhythm section, giving the Baltimore
bandleader's New Volcanoes outfit a subtle fury. He's earned lots of kudos as
David Murray's go-to sideman, but this keening date shows just how fierce he is
on his own. Listen to the parade strolling out of his left hand." - Village
Voice
"Soul Progression (Hyena) avant-garde hip and street-smart funk from
the Baltimore pianist and his slamming ensemble, taking flights of piano and
horns into a cinematic, chase scene palpitations." - Positively Yeah Yeah
Yeah
"The D.C. native and Baltimore resident creates a CD of gutbucket intent
with puckish impulses. Think funk and Monk." - Philadelphia Inquirer
"The
pianist's music often exhibits a hardnosed inner-city edge, no doubt reflecting
his being raised first in Washington, D.C., and then in Baltimore, where he
still resides. Mix in Gilchrist's appreciation of D.C. go-go, soul, funk and hip
hop, and the end result is a naturally evolving contemporary vision,
unpredictable and non- cliched." - Jazz.com
"Mentioning that one of his songs
had been used in the epic television crime series The Wire, Gilchrist proceeded
to deploy his impressive range -- Monk motifs, silent-movie accompaniments,
darting single note runs, etc -- just beneath the swagger and howl of the massed
brass and reeds." - Howard Mandel, Jazz Beyond Jazz
Pick Up
a Copy Here

Lafayette Gilchrist Tour Dates
November 21 and 22
/ Twins / Washington, DC
December 6 / 8x10 Club / Baltimore, MD
December
12 / Joe's Square / Baltimore, MD
August 8 / Monterey Jazz Festival /
Newport, RI
COMMON MARKETTobacco Road

Many of you don't associate Hyena with hip-hop, but
much like ISWHAT?!, when we hear something with both that
old school magic and simultaneously modern approach, we're all over it. Tobacco Road is one of this year's biggest
underground hip-hop records.
Check out the video for the first single,
"Trouble Is":
Pick Up TOBACCO ROAD Here

JACOB FRED JAZZ ODYSSEYLil Tae Rides Again

JFJO
are just back from a tour of Europe where they hit a slew of festivals and
turned on a whole new world of fans. At The Cork Festival in Ireland, they won
the Guinness Award for "Best New Band," meanwhile Reed Mathis returned with a
treasure trove of soundboard recordings from the tour, so we might even get a
limited edition release of JFJO in Europe '08. Fingers crossed. Back in the
U.S., look for JFJO to maintain a high touring profile throughout '09. Their
album from earlier this year, Lil Tae Rides
Again, was a musical departure, but then again isn't every JFJO
album. Therein lies the beauty.

JFJO
Tour Dates
December 5 / The Deli / Norman, OK
December 6 / Granada Theater
/ Dallas,TX (w/Stanton Moore Trio)
December 31 / Blank Slate / Tulsa,
OK
Coming up in 2009...

Seth
Walker has put the finishing touches on his new album, Leap Of
Faith. Produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Gary Nicholson and including a
guest appearance by the great Delbert McClinton this record is going to blow
folks away. As if he wasn't already bringing an A-game, Seth has stepped up his
songwriting, singing and playing to entirely new levels. We can't wait for you
to hear it. Look for this to drop on March 3!

Mike Dillon's
Go-Go Jungle will return on February 10 with Rock Star Bench Press.
Dillon's been touring the world as part of Ani DiFranco's band, but in between
he's concocted one of the most twisted punk rock meets bebop meets electro clash
records you'll ever lay your ears on--if not the only one. And you can rest
assured that coinciding with its release will be the legendary marathon shows
that define the Go-Go Jungle--as anybody who's ever seen the band late night in
New Orleans will attest.
Lastly, we've got a brand new batch of Hyena
Records' American Apparel t-shirts available for $15. You will look damn
good wearing one, while feeling infinitely better about yourself. I
promise.

Get your t-shirt here.
Well, alright, that's
enough out of me. In honor of my plans to hit the legendary Reuben Wilson's gig
tonight in Brooklyn, write us back and tell us your favorite jazz organist.
We'll throw all the entries in a digital hat and the winner gets copies of Thelonious Monk (Monk 'Round The World), Rahsaan Roland Kirk (Brotherman In The
Fatherland) and Sonny
Stitt (Just The Way It Was). Three masterpiece archival packages
put together by Joel Dorn. It's been almost a year since he left
us, but there ain't a day that goes by where we don't think about how the world
is brighter for his time spent here.
Stay tuned and keep in
touch.
KevinHyena Records

Benny Goodman Quartet: Avalon

Not blues, but it features Lionel Hampton on the Vibes, and of course Benny Goodman on Clarinet. What makes Benny Goodman special is that he was the first white band leader to have an integrated band. Goodman grew up in Chicago and was greatly influenced by the African American musicians who played a new kind of music called Jazz. When he was able to put together his own band he added the best players around regardless of race. He also hired the great Fletcher Henderson to write his arraignments.

Robert Cray: Smoking Gun

Robert Cray on a TV appearance in the 1980s. It is amazing how fast time flies. I can remember the first time I heard this on the radio in Kansas City. I can't believe that this song is over 20 years old! YIKES!!!

Doris Carr Memorial Arrangements

From Bob Corritore

Doris Carr Memorial Information: This just in from Geni Ward, Sam Carr’s sister: Doris's services will be held at noon on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at the Century Funeral Home in Clarksdale, Mississippi: For further information:
Century Funeral Home

506 Ashton Ave.

Clarksdale, MS 38614

(662) 627-4182

Andy Coats Update

Hey folks,



This week we have two special events coming up:



First, another show with the living legend from Durham:



Fri., Nov. 21, 9:30 pm - 1 am
Andy Coats with very special guest, John Dee Holeman
Pizza Palace, $5 Cover Charge
3128 Guess Rd., Durham, NC
http://www.myspace.com/pizzapalaceofdurham

And, second, a special “Rent Party” event to help keep the Flipside open. This one runs from 2 pm – midnight and features 9 different bands.


Sat., Nov. 22, Flipside Rent Party, 2 pm - mid
Andy Coats and the Bank Walkers
408 E 2nd St, Clayton, NC 27520
No Cover Charge, but Donations Encouraged

For more info about this show, please visit:

http://www1.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.detail&eventID=469979.38152&hashcode=237A0CA4-F53C-48D9-823E-03F856BF497B





Thanks for all your support, and helping to “Keep the Blues Alive”.



Best,

Andy
www.andycoats.com
www.myspace.com/andycoats
www.myspace.com/andycoatsandthebankwalkers






AC-JDH-Nov21-PizzaPalaceFlyer.jpg

Second Annual Chicago Blues Party

From the Blues Triangle folks

The Blues, Jazz & Folk Music Society, Inc. November 17, 2008 www.bjfm.org PO
Box 2122, Marietta, Ohio 45750 Contact: Steve Wells 304.295.4323
bluesphotog@gmail.com Chicago's Chico Banks Plays Marietta The Blues, Jazz &
Folk Music Society present their Second Annual "Chicago Blues Party" on Friday,
November 21, 2008 at The Lafayette Hotel, 101 Front Street, in downtown
Marietta. This year's featured performers will be The Chico Banks Blues Band
with special guest Toronzo Cannon from Chicago. The Chicago blues starts at
8:30pm, and admission is $15 for BJFM Society members, $20 for non-members. All
tickets available at the door. No advance ticket sales for this show. Chico
Banks comes from a musical family; His dad and brother used to practice in the
basement when he was just a kid. Chico joined his first Top 40 band at the age
of 13, and before he knew it, he was backing Johnny Christian, along with his
brother. After Johnny, Chico played with Otis Clay, then moved on when he got
the chance to play with Buddy Guy for several tours. After that, he toured with
Junior Wells, and then James Cotton for three years. Over the next few years,
Chico played with almost everyone in Chicago, including Little Milton, Magic
Slim, Big Time Sarah and Tyronne Davis. In 1997, he hooked up with Mavis
Staples, and has done may tours throughout the world with Mavis, as well as The
Staples Singers. Special guest for the "Chicago Blues Party" will be Toronzo
Cannon, who is a show all by himself. Blues & Rhythm (UK) says: "Modern,
loud and funky blues…one of the striking new talents on the Chicago blues
scene…Cannon dazzles with his guitar playing." Since the release of Toronzo's
latest album, My Woman, he has been tearing up the stage and exciting crowds
from Chicago to the Balkins. At the core of Toronzo's appeal is his heartfelt
love for the music, whether it is blues, soul, gospel, jazz or rock – all of
which may creep into his show, and his respect for the audience. "If he doesn't
leave them sweatin' and smilin' he feels he hasn't done his job," said Banks
-30-Steve WellsThe Blues, Jazz & Folk Music
Societybluesphotog@yahoo.com304.295.4323

Computer Issues

Well, my hard working laptop finally gave up the ghost. I have been using an old gateway PC computer with a Pentium four processor. It starting acting strange a week ago, and I have been trying to save it. I used all of my limited knowledge of computers on it, but it is done:-( However, I did back up everything on an external hard drive. So it should be interesting to see if it actually worked!! I do know there are some Mac lovers out there in cyberland who love these things, but this is frustrating for me. I am slowly figuring out how to work this thing, but it still doesnt want to do what I want it to do. Plus I think Blogger is set up for PCs, because I don't seem to have much luck with copying and pasting, as slickly as my PC did it. I also miss my right and left click buttons on my mouse! The mac has one and it doesn't seem to work like I want it too:-)

Hang in there!

Tom

Bob Corritorie Blues News

November 11, 2008

Rhythm Room All-Stars Perform this Weekend at the Rhythm Room: There is something special about seeing the Rhythm Room All-Stars at their monthly home base gig. This Friday and Saturday, November 14 and 15, 2008, Big Pete Pearson, Bob Corritore, Chris James, Patrick Rynn and Brian Fahey (AKA The Rhythm Room All-Stars) take the stage and work their magical musical chemistry on the crowd. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $7. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at these events. This night will be a patio smoking only event; no indoor smoking will be permitted.
Tomcat Courtney CD Praised by Blues Revue: Much appreciation to writer Art Tipaldi for his glowing review of Tomcat Courtney/Downsville Blues on the Blue Witch record Label. Tomcat Courtney, now 79, is one of the few remaining direct links to the music of Lightnin' Hopkins, Lil' Son Jackson, and Smokey Hogg. To see this review, click here. Thanks, Art, and thanks, Blues Revue Magazine.
Cadillac Records, a Movie about Chess Records, Opens Dec. 5: Cadillac Records, a film depiction of the rise of Chess Records, will open in Theatres on Friday, December 5, 2008. Let's see how Hollywood will handle a subject so dear to every blues lover's heart. Certainly, the movie trailer is intriguing. Cadillac Records stars Beyoncé Knowles at Etta James, Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters, Adrien Brody as Leonard Chess, Columbus Short as Little Walter, Mos Def as Chuck Berry, and Cedric the Entertainer as Willie Dixon. The behind-the-scenes soundtrack musicians (who recreate versions of classic Chess hits) are top notch, and include Kim Wilson, Billy Flynn, Eddie Taylor, Jr., and Barrelhouse Chuck. To see the preview to Cadillac Records clic,k here.
Chicago Blues Guide Posts Article on the 2008 Blues Blast Music Awards! The Chicago Blues Guide is a website that celebrates and supports the great blues scene of Chicago. CBG contains listings for Chicagoland’s blues clubs, bands, radio shows, record labels and links. The webzine features plenty of photos, news and features on what’s happening in the current Chicago blues world, including interviews, events, DVD and CD reviews, and live blues reviews. Check out their wonderful article on the 2008 Blues Blast Music Awards (hosted by Illinoisblues.com) which took place on November 2, 2008 at Buddy Guy's Legends. This article was written by CBG chief Linda Cain and includes nice photos by Jennifer Wheeler. To see the piece, click here.
2009 KBA Award Winners Announced: The KBA (Keeping The Blues Alive) award is The Blues Foundation's recognition of those individuals and organizations that have excelled in their support of blues music and its community. The 2009 recipients have been announced, and include:
1) Agent: Steve Hecht, Piedmont Talent, Charlotte, NC

2) Art & Photography: Dusty & Val Scott, Dusty Blues, Pittsburgh, PA

3) Blues Club: B.L.U.E.S., Chicago, IL

4) Education: Monroe County Black History Month, Monroe County, MI

5) Festival: Telluride Blues and Brews Festival, Telluride, CO

6) Film, Television and Video: Willy Bearden, Memphis, TN

7) Historical Preservation: Shack Up Inn, Clarksdale, MS

8) International: Associazione Roots And Blues, Parma, Italy

9) Internet: Pandora.com, Oakland, CA

10) Journalism: Hal Horowitz, Marietta, GA

11) Literature: Craig Hopkins, Cedar Hill, TX

12) Manager: John Hahn, New York, NY

13) Organization: Washington Blues Society, Seattle, WA

14) Print Media: Il Blues, Milan, Italy

15) Producer: David Z., Nashville, TN

16) Promoter: Omega Events, Van Nuys, CA

17) Publicist: Betsie Brown, Blind Raccoon, Memphis, TN

18) Radio (Commercial): Kai Turner, Denver, CO

19) Radio (Public): John Kessler, Seattle, WA

20) Record Label: Delta Groove, Van Nuys, CA

21) Retailer: Manifest Disc, Charlotte, NC

22) Sponsor: Barbara Hammerman, Gig Harbor, WA

Congratulations to all these worthy recipients for their great work in the blues. The awards ceremony will take place in Memphis on Wednesday, February 4, 2009, in conjunction with the International Blues Challenge (IBC). For more information on these awards and their recipients, click here.

Biscuits & Blues Celebrates the Life of Francis Clay: Legendary drummer Francis Clay passed away on January 21, 2008. He was known best for his work in the Muddy Waters band, though he also worked and recorded with James Cotton, John Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, Lightnin' Hopkins and many others. In later years, he settled in the San Francisco bay area, where he became an esteemed community figure. For our complete obituary, please reference the newsletter of January 23, 2008 by clicking here, and scrolling to the date. This Sunday, November 16, 2008, Biscuits & Blues will host an event of reflection on this great man's life. The club's website titles this event "Music and Words Honoring Drummer Francis Clay" and the show will include speakers, musical performances, a slide show, a video presentation and cake (it would have been Francis's 85th birthday on this date). Biscuits & Blues is located at 401 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94102, tel. (415)292-2583. Doors open at 1:30pm, and the event runs from 2pm to 5pm. There is no cover charge, but donations are accepted for a headstone fund. To see a clip of Francis Clay performing with Muddy Waters on a classic 1960 performance of "Got My Mojo Working" live at Newport, click here.
Additions and Corrections to Last Newsletter: 1) The Robert Lockwood, Jr. Article in ABS Magazine was written by Mark Hoffman (Co-author of the Howlin' Wolf bio Moanin' At Midnight), and translated into French by Jean-Luc Varbes. 2) Apparently, Honeyboy Edwards did see the mystery photo speculated to be that of Robert Johnson, and did not give it his seal of approval. 3) Please note that we misspelled and omitted some of the names of the people at the Blues Blast Music Awards, and you can see an amended article by clicking here, and scrolling down.