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Thursday, January 22, 2009

Illinois Blues Blast Newsletter


All news BLUES in the US!

FREE Blues E-Magazine

from IllinoisBlues.com

January 22, 2009

© 2007 - 2009 IllinoisBlues.com

News, photos, reviews, live Blues links & MUCH MORE in this issue! - Scroll or Page Down!


IllinoisBlues.com quick website links: Reviews Links Photos Videos Blues Radio Blues Shows near YOU! Advertise for FREE! The Blues Blast Archives


Hey Blues Fans,

We are excited about the 25th International Blues Challenge (IBC) in a couple weeks. We can't wait. We suggest you don't wait either if you want to attend one of the best Blues events anywhere!

The IBC will bring more than 180 Blues acts from 36 states and 9 countries, including Australia, Canada, Croatia, France, Israel, Italy, Norway, Poland and the United States to perform on Beale Street in Memphis February 5th to the 7th, 2009. This is the largest gathering of Blues performers on the planet with 98 Bands, 64 Solo/Duet acts and 25 Youth Showcase acts scheduled to perform. And this doesn't even include at least 2 artists showcases tucked into the Beal Street clubs during the Challenge including the Roots & Blues Showcase presented by Blind Raccoon which features some great Blues artists like Super Chikan, Billy Gibson, Chris James & Patrick Rynn, Dave Fields, Jon Justice Band and many more.

Of course that is not all this great Blues gathering includes. The IBC also features other events happening at the same time. The "Keepin The Blues Alive" awards, Blues Publicity and Marketing Seminars and more. There are always Blues jams in several of the Beale Street clubs long into the night. Bob Margolin holds a jam in the Rum Boogie on both Friday and Saturday after the IBC events end. Grab your guitar and come on down!

Don't miss the silver anniversary of this great Blues competition that promises to be one the best ever put on by the Blues Foundation. Blues Blast magazine will be there covering all the action and YOU should be there too! For more information CLICK HERE or see their ad below.


Blues Wanderings

The Wednesday Blues series put on by the River City Blues Society (RCBS) in Pekin, IL featured Central, Illinois favorite Robin Crowe this week. Robin with husband Tony Crowe on bass and guitar wizard Kurt Grey on lead guitar played two sets of music for a crowd of well over 100 fans and Blues society friends.

The Blues series put on by River City compliments the Blue Monday series sponsored by the Illinois Central Blues Club (ICBC) in Springfield, IL. Next week RCBS brings in Blues guitarist James Armstrong and ICBC is bringing in the Juke Joint Duo with Cedric Burnside and Lightnin Malcolm. It may be cold in Illinois but man the Blues is HOT! For more information on these great weekly shows see the Blues Society news section below.


Blues Reviews and MORE!

Blues Reviews this week - James Walker reviews a new CD from Mitch Kashmar. Belinda Foster reviews a new CD from Fatback Deluxe. Mike O'Cull reviews a new CD by Chick Willis. Also, our good friends Mike and Nanci Livermore send us some pics from the 2009 Chicago Winter Blues Tour. Our Blues Video this week is a classic John Lee Hooker clip. All this and MORE! SCROLL DOWN!!!


Featured Blues Review 1 of 3

Mitch Kashmar - Live at Labatt

Delta Groove Productions, Inc.

10 songs; 66:07; Suggested

Style: Electric Harmonica Blues, Harmonica Lead Electric Chicago Blues, West Coast Jazz- Blues

“Ethiopian spit-whistle, Mississippi saxophone, tin sandwich, mouth organ, harmonica, harp....” – call it what you will; it is one of the most celebrated instruments in the blues. The pantheon of great players is equally celebrated as true blues fans recognize the harmonica as one of the earliest instruments in the genre, dating in the US to the middle 1800s.

Among modern harp players, California’s Mitch Kashmar has earned a well deserved reputation as a master on both the diatonic and chromatic harmonicas, in addition to being a soulful vocalist. In this live set, the recipient of 2006 and 2007 Blues Music Award nominations is particularly entertaining on chromatic harp.

Mitch became curious about blues and live music as a teenager checking out local bands in Santa Barbara. By 1980, he formed his own group, The Pontiax, and performed throughout Southern California. Around the mid-80s, Mitch moved to Los Angeles, and The Pontiax recorded their first CD and soon went on the road touring throughout the US, Canada, Europe and the South Pacific. By 2000, Kashmar had gained acclaim as a solo artist, even touring with the funk-rock band War and appearing onstage alongside legendary British rocker Eric Burdon & War for a reunion concert held on April 21, 2008 at London's Royal Albert Hall.

This live CD is from Friday, August 24, 2007, when Kashmar performed at the 9th Annual Edmonton's Labatt Blues Festival in Canada. Joining Kashmar on this release are ex-Pontiax drummer Tom Lackner, bassist Steve Nelson, pianist Jimmy Calire, and former William Clarke guitarist John Marx. The live concert format allows Kashmar and the band to stretch out instrumentally, running all songs past the five minute mark. It is a fun program featuring fan favorites off his two critically acclaimed Delta Groove releases and additional material including “Lollipop Mama,” a tribute to the late great William Clarke.

The set opens upbeat with “I Got No Reason,” one of three Kashmar originals, and it instantly defines the swinging West Coast sound. He keeps stoking the fire with “Dirty Deal,” another Kashmar original that has the audience audibly grooving along.

Humorously dedicating the third cut to his “ex,” Mitch tweets his way into a slow version of Lou Donaldson and Leon Spencer’s “Whiskey Drinkin' Woman.” Mitch’s emotive vocals explain that she is so bad that she “puts whiskey in her beer” and “whiskey in her whiskey.” The narrator lovers her, but she’d “pawn my wedding ring” for another shot! John Marx’s guitar solo really shines here.

Track five is where Mitch switches to chromatic harp and the West Coast magic kicks in on the nine minute plus, jazz-tinged “Song For My Father,” that features some deft bass work and band interplay highlighted by Kashmar’s scales.

Kashmar next pays tribute to Muddy Waters on “Sugar Sweet” and Jimmy Rogers in the seven minute workout “You're The One.”

A short intro regarding the Southern California harmonica “style of our own” and “good old buddy” William Clarke precedes Mitch's up tempo romp on “Lollipop Mama.”

Mitch’s own CD title track, “Wake Up and Worry” smoothly swings as it deals with bad economic conditions like, “... it doesn’t take a mathematician to see I owe more than I can pay.”

“Castle Rock,” a song Mitch credits having learned from playing with guitarist John Marx closes the set. If there was an encore, it sadly did not make it on the album.

Many will advocate that blues is best heard live. The crowds and cold beer may be missing, but this CD goes a long way supporting that argument!

Reviewer James “Skyy Dobro” Walker is a noted Blues writer, DJ and Blues Blast contributor. His weekly radio show “Friends of the Blues” can be heard each Thursday from 4:30 – 6:00pm on WKCC 91.1 FM in Kankakee, IL

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.



Blues Video of the Week

John Lee Hooker - Boom Boom from 1966

We found a great classic video of the legendary John Lee Hooker.

Hooker was born near Clarksdale, Mississippi on August 22, 1917. By 1940 he had moved to Detroit and began a career that spanned more that 50 years. In 1948 "Boogie Chillun." became his first number-one jukebox hit and sold over a million copies.

His credits include 4 Grammy awards, induction into the Rock n' Roll Hall Of Fame in 1991 and, in 1997, a star in the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. He went on to become one of the most influential Blues musicians of all time. By the time of his death in 2001 he had toured all over the world, headlining festivals and inspiring generations of Blues artists and fans.

This video is a 1966 clip of him doing his classic song, Boom Boom. To see the video, click the play button below.

.

To visit the official John Lee Hooker website CLICK HERE

For other videos on our website CLICK HERE.


New CD

'Le Blues Hot'

CLICK HERE to Purchase this CD

www.myspace.com/vestapolitans

To read a review of this CD, CLICK HERE


Featured Blues Review 2 of 3

Fatback Deluxe - Rat Now

Recorded in the Lions Den, Tucker, GA

www.myspace.com/fatbackdeluxe

www.fatbackdeluxe.com

12 tracks; 44 minutes 17 seconds; Suggested

Styles: Chicago-Texas-Swing Blues, and West Coast Jump with guitar, bass, drums and harp

They say ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’, but when did I start listening to what they say? Hey, I expected (or should I say suspected) something good. The ‘cover’ in this case is the 1930s-40s period picture of a country watering hole and bbq joint on the Fatback Deluxe Rat Now CD. You see a country watering hole like this and know there’s gotta be something good inside, so you go in. And that’s exactly what happens when this vintage photo cover begs you to open up the CD pack, take out the CD and plug it in. The joint was rockin!

The players: Ira Malkin on vocals and harp, Chris Kramer on electric guitar, Ben Gettys on Upright Bass, Pete Maier on Drums and additional musician Matt Wauchope on piano and organ. There are 5 originals all written by guitarist Chris Kramer and 8 covers including those by Magic Sam, Buddy Guy, BBKing, Dave Bartholomew & Fats Domino and Johnny Guitar Watson.

I also noted the recording was dedicated to the memory of the late great Sean Costello. After checking out Fatback Deluxe’s Myspace page, I understood why. There were photos of Sean Costello sitting in with them at Northside Tavern in Atlanta. From what I could see in the photos, this must have been one hot jam that night.

Ira has an incredibly soulful voice and delivery. When you can listen to a CD, close your eyes and feel like the singer is in the same blues room as you’re in, singing directly to you, now that’s real. His voice is seasoned, rich and strong and I bet he can really cut lose like a Little Richard or James Brown whenever he takes a hankering to do so. And his harp playing is true blues--musically and emotionally moving.

And the muti-talent doesn’t stop there. Chris Kramer provides the perfect match of talent on electric guitar, strategically laying down each note with just the right amount of gusto, tempo and beat whether they’re playing the early tunes of a Magic Sam or boogie woogie blues. With his song writing talent, guitar licks and Ira’s voice and harp talent, these two are a great match up. And of course, there’s got to be a nice tight pocket to showcase front talent; and there is exactly that with Ben Gettys and Pete Maier on bass and drums.

The Track 1 version of Sam Maghett’s (“Magic Sam”) “You Belong To Me” dishes up some great guitar licks, organ, and soulful early rock R&B. Chris Kramer’s original “Mercy” falls right in place on Track 2 with an up tempo swinging beat that most anyone would want to get up and dance to. “Sitting on the Boat Dock” is the catchy Sonny Thompson song that Ira sings with conviction. Chris lends his own with a great guitar solo. Magic Sam’s back with Track 4’s “She Belongs To Me” – more of the great stylings of both Ira and Chris from vocals, to guitar to harp solos.

Track 5 is “Country Boy (Running Wild)”, a Dave Bartholomew and Antoine “Fats” Domino early boogie woogie beat reminiscent of the ‘50’s era west coast beach rock sounds.

“The Sun Shines Down” is Track 6, another Chris Kramer original sung from the heart by Ira; again the theme’s pretty much the same through out on all the tracks—great vocals and harp by Ira, followed by great guitar solos by Chris all within a cohesive veteran traditional blues music pocket. Track 7 “Jump With You” is a Riley “B.B.King” tune that had everyone who was in the room while I was playing Rat Now ‘a foot tappin and slappin’. And following “BB” on Track 8 is another great song, a Buddy Guy original, “She Suits Me To A Tee”. The title track “Rat Now” is Track 9, a Johnny Guitar Watson original. Ira paints a vocal portrait of a man’s painful lament as he’s blues jonesing for his woman. Next is Johnny’s “Looking Back”—performed with a fun early beach boys rocking groove. The final three tracks are “Darkness Falls”, “Steel Blade Fan”—a Chris Kramer original—and Track 13 “Gawjook Boogie”, a fast jumping blues boogie with more great Ira harp and vocals.

Had I randomly stumbled on this act one night in a blues club, not knowing who they were, I would think it’s my lucky night. I would stick around until last call and lights on. Thank goodness now we don’t have to hope for random ‘good band’ luck to strike—support this group and take in one of their shows as I plan to do. Minimally, go on-line and buy their CD. It’ll make a great blues addition to your collection. All I know is that it’s a good thing these guys are just a couple hours drive away from my South Carolina town…I may be laying down some tracks to Atlanta real soon.

Belinda Foster is a Columnist and Contributing Writer for Greenville SC Magazine “Industry Mag” and former manager of Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’Blues. She currently books blues-rock-jam musicians and is a devoted promoter and supporter of live blues root music and history, making frequent trips to “The Crossroads” and Clarksdale Mississippi, birthplace of the blues. Her column “The Upstate Blues Report can be found on line at www.industrymag.net

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.


Benefit Concert - March 1, 2009

The Atlanta School of Performing Arts (Sean Costello's high school) will host a benefit concert to raise funds for the Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bi Polar Research on March 1st, 2009 in Atlanta, GA.

The concert features Lurrie Bell, the Wood Brothers, King Johnson, Felix Reyes and the Cats with Jon Liebman, and the Soul Shakers. Tickets are $30.00. The fund is a 501 C3 IRS approved Charity.

There will be a silent auction of donated items from Delta Groove Music, Levon Helms other blues memorabilia. To donate to the cause or volunteer call 770 422-0100

For tickets and further information CLICK HERE


Blues Want Ads

Blues Musicians Place Your Want Ad here for FREE

"workin Blues performers" ONLY can place Want Ads here for FREE. NO Commercial Ads!
Buy or sell equipment , musicians wanted, gigs wanted etc. Limit 100 words.

Blues Music Reviewers wanted

Blues Blast Magazine is looking for reviewers to review new Blues CD's and live music shows. If you have a background and experience with Blues music and like to write we can provide new CD's for you to review. Must be willing to write a minimum of one to three reviews a month. Reviewer keeps the CD's for writing the review. If interested please send a sample of your writing and a short bio of your Blues background to info@illinoisblues.com

All ads submitted will be used if space allows. If space is limited, ads will be randomly selected to appear in the Blues Blast. Ads may be edited. Send your ad submission to


Live Blues Review - Chicago Blues Tour

The Winter 2009 Chicago Blues Tour - January 17th, 2009

Review by Mike & Nanci Livermore

Hello fellow Blues Fans,

Nanci and I, with a few friends drove up to the Blues City (formerly called Chicago) to get a fix on the Blues scene there. Although we regularly make it up to the Chicago Blues Festival in June, we haven’t had much of an opportunity to go to the different Blues establishments in the City of Chicago.

The Chicago Blues Tour gave us an organized and easy way to be able to get our Blues club fix. We purchased our advanced tickets from the website which got us out and about early. We stayed at the Club Quarters Central Loop Hotel which was within walking distance from our designated starting point at Alcock’s Inn. There we were entertained by Deak Harp who is a one man band of sorts playing his harp with ease and giving us that old front porch style Blues.

We had a departure time of 6:40 to Lee’s unleaded Blues. There we got a chance to see Johnny Drummer & the Starliters.

Great set, man right off the get go I could have stayed there all night. But, time to move. This tour was our first, and I must say it was very well organized. Folks came through the venue holding up a sign making you aware of the next bus departing and it was up to you to get moving on or stay until the next one. The bus ride was always an adventure too. On one trip the whole group sang songs together from the beginning to end.

I do not wish to write this article to critique any one band or group playing at the local venues. All the bands that played at the various venues were playing the great art form we like to call the Blues. I would like to say thanks to all the performers at all the venues for entertaining us and keeping it alive. And whoever the sax guy was at Checkerboard , man that was some cool playing there. Also thanks to the guy I believe was the owner of Wallace’s for the hospitality and treating us strangers like we were regulars.

We got back to Alcock’s by 2:00 a.m. and met some old friends for some more conversation and laughs. If you could not make it this year I would put this on your blues calendar that I know we all have hanging somewhere and give it a ride. That’s it. See ya at another Blues adventure down the road, maybe Memphis?

Mike & Nanci Livermore are lifetime members of the Mississippi Valley Blues Society in Davenport, IA. They are strong supporters of the Blues and won the Society's award for volunteers of the year in 2008 for their work on the entertainment committee and board of directors.


Featured Blues Review 3 of 3

Chick Willis - The Don Of The Blues

CDS Records

www.chickwillis.com

Chick Willis is an old-school blues and R&B performer whose career goes all the way back to the 1950?s and who has worked with many notable artists, including Elmore James. He released a few semi-obscure singles on his own as a bandleader until striking pay dirt with his infamous 1972 hit "Stoop Down Baby" which has sold somewhere in the neighborhood of three million copies to date. That hit set Willis on his course as a master of risqué or "blue'" material, which he still continues to record.

His latest CD release, The Don Of The Blues, features cuts like "Bootie Call", "Your Cat Is Killing My Dog", 'Undercover Hootchie', and "Big Leg Woman", leaving no doubt as to what is on Willis' mind. Underneath all the innuendo, however, is a solid singer and guitarist. Willis is a bit more R&B than straight up blues here and he fronts an excellent band. It is obvious he is still capable of rocking any house in the world, even after many decades in the business.

It is a shame that despite a long musical life and great talent Willis hasn't attained the name recognition of performers like Buddy Guy and B.B. King. The adult-oriented material he specializes in is much tougher to get airplay with. The fact that the modern blues audience seems to favor more straight-ahead material than Willis' smoother R&B sounds doesn't help. Still, Willis is a national treasure

Willis just keeps moving forward and doing things his way and that is great news for those of us who are hip to what he does. If you get a chance to catch him in your town or at a festival, make the most of it. You may find Willis' smoother flavor quite appealing..

Reviewer Mike O'Cull is a noted Chicago music writer and Blues Blast contributor. Visit his MySpace page at:

www.myspace.com/mikeocullmusic

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.


The River City Blues Society presents

Wednesday Blues featuring

James Armstrong

January 28, 2009 - 7:00pm

The Dragons Dome
3401 Griffin Ave, Pekin, IL.

To see Map- CLICK HERE

Admission $3 or free with new Society membership


The BEST Way To Promote YOUR Next Blues Project!

BANDS, BARS, AND LABELS: Is your promo material getting you the gigs and business you desire? If not, call music journalist and copy writer Mike O'Cull for all your promotional needs. Mike is a veteran music journalist and musician and writes for the Illinois Entertainer, IllinoisBlues.com, and www.Chicagomusicguide.com and can deliver the highest quality promotional writing around quickly and at a reasonable price.

Mike's specialties include bios, press releases, liner notes, and web content. Full press kit design, including graphics, is also available. Clients include The Joe Moss Band, Carl Davis, TruSoul Entertainment, B.A. S. Entertainment, and many others. Samples available on request. Email mocull@mac.com , call Mike O'Cull Music at 847-608-0357, or visit us online at www.myspace.com/mikeocullmusic for more information.

Mention the Blues Blast for a $10 new customer discount.


Blues Society News


Send your Blues Society's BIG news or Press Release to:

Please submit a maximum of 175 or words or less in a Text or Word format ONLY.


The Magic City Blues Society - Birmingham, AL

The Magic City Blues Society is proud to present Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials on March 3, 2009 at the fabulous Workplay Theatre in Birmingham, Alabama. Tickets available for $10 and are available at www.magiccityblues.org or at Workplay at 205-380-4082.

River City Blues Society- Peoria, IL

The River City Blues Society's Wednesday Blues Series in Central, Illinois are early shows each Wednesday at 7:00pm, featuring the best traveling regional and National Blues musicians. The shows feature a budget priced cover charge of $3. The shows are held at the Dragon's Dome, 3401 Griffin Ave in Pekin, IL.

Shows scheduled are: Jan 28 - James Armstrong, Feb 4 - Blind Dog Willie, Feb 11 - Bill Lupkin, Feb 18 - Sean Kellerman, Feb 25 - TBA, Mar 4 - Lil Dave Thompson, Mar 11 & 17- TBA, Mar 25 - Sally Weisenburg & The Famous Sidemen, Apr 1 - Reverend Raven & The Chain Smoking Alter Boys, Apr 8 - TBA, Apr 15 - Too Slim & The Tail Draggers

Illinois Central Blues Club - Springfield, IL

Blue Mondays- Held at the Alamo 115 N 5th St, Springfield, IL (217) 523-1455 every Monday 8:30pm $2 cover Jan 26 - Juke Joint Duo / Cedric Burnside and Lightnin Malcolm, Feb 2 - Big Jeff Chapman, Feb 9 - Jim Suhler, Feb 16 - Shawn Kellerman, Feb 23 - Deak Harp

Mississippi Valley Blues Society - Davenport, IA

The Mississippi Valley Blues Society presents the Daddy Mack Blues Band, from Memphis, on Sunday, January 25 at Creekside Bar and Grill, 3303 N. Brady St. in Davenport. Show time is 5 to 8 p.m.; admission is $6, $5 for Mississippi Valley Blues Society members. For more information Contact: Karen McFarland, (563) 508-6596

Also Blues guitarist and educator T. J. Wheeler will conduct workshops at eight schools, one university, and the Putnam Museum for the week of February 2-6, during Black History month, as part of the Mississippi Valley Blues Society’s Blues in the Schools program. He will also conduct three FREE, open-to-the-public performances at the Bettendorf Family Museum on Monday Feb. 2 (6:00 p.m.), at Borders in Davenport on Tuesday Feb. 3 (7:00 p.m.), and at Mojo’s in the River Music Experience in Davenport on Wed. Feb. 4 (7:00 p.m.). For more information Contact: Karen McFarland, (563) 508-6596

Phoenix Blues Society - Phoenix, AZ

The Blues Blast 2009 will be held on Saturday, February 21st, 2009 at the Mesa Amphitheatre. The 20th anniversary of this Blues festival sponsored by the Phoenix Blues Society will start at 11:00 AM. Headlining the show is Janiva Magness. Other artists appearing at Blues Blast are: Omar & the Howlers, The Juke Joint Duo of Cedric Burnside & Lightnin' Malcolm, The Mikel - Meridith Band, Kathy Mabry, Kevin Casenhiser and a special Phoenix Blues Artist Showcase and Retrospective featuring many of the Valley's finest Blues Musicians. Here's a partial listing of the line-up: George Bowman, Bob Corritore, Terry "TD" Davis, Nancy Delessandro, Jim Dorholt, Brian Fahey, Jim Glass, Chuck Hall, Mario Moreno, Hans Olson, Big Pete Pearson, Jimmy Peyton, Johnny Rapp, Rochelle Raya, Paul Thomas, Scotty Spenner. For more info contact info@phoenixblues.org or check out the website at http://www.phoenixblues.org/

Crossroads Blues Society - Rockford, IL

The Crossroads Blues Society along with Big Cities Lounge is proud to present Kim Wilson Tuesday, February 3, 2009, at 8:00 PM at Big Cities Lounge in Rockford. Appearing with Kim will be Doug Deming and Jewel Tones. Kim is best known for his work with the Fabulous Thunderbirds and was recently was called on to put the band together for the movie Cadillac Records and it was his harmonica that you heard throughout the film. His solo and T-Birds CDs have sold millions of copies over the last 30 years of performing and recording.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Big Cities or from Steve Jones or Mark Thompson. Call 779-537-4006 or 414-416-1884 for tickets or information.


New CD

Mighty Mighty

CLICK HERE to Purchase this CD


Blues Blast Magazine is proud to be a media sponsor of the 25th International Blues Challenge. The silver anniversary of this great Blues competition promises to be one the best ever put on by the Blues Foundation.

In case you are not familiar with this event, it is an international search for the best undiscovered Blues band on the planet. Each year the Blues Foundation's 160 affiliate Blues societies from all over the globe hold "local" or "regional" Blues challenges.

They send the winners to compete in the semifinals in Memphis in February. There are categories for both bands and solo/duet acts.

In 2008, 100 bands and 60 solo/duo acts filled the clubs up and down Beale Street for the semi-finals on Thursday and Friday. This is a Blues show you do not want to miss. It is literally the worlds largest gathering of Blues Bands!

Beale Street is the legendary Blues Mecca in Memphis. Each club on Beale has 6 or 8 acts competing in the semi-finals. By the rules of the competition, each act plays exactly 30 minutes all using the same stage setup for a panel of judges and a packed crowd of Blues fans. They are judged on Blues content, vocal and/or instrumental talent, originality and stage presence by a different panels of judges each night (See scoring criteria HERE).

The scores are averaged and the top scoring act from each club advances to the finals that are held at the Orpheum Theater on Saturday. (To see some photos of last years fun CLICK HERE)

Tickets to this historical event are just $75 and include entrance to all the clubs on Beale Street both Thursday and Friday and the finals on Saturday. CLICK HERE to get yours now.

Be sure to get your hotel reservations NOW too as some of the host hotels are already sold out! CLICK HERE for hotel info


Live Blues Calendar

YOU can submit your Blues performances for FREE at: http://www.illinoisblues.com/submitnews.htm

Performance dates were submitted by Musicians, Club Owners, Blues Societies and Blues festivals.

IllinoisBlues.com is not responsible for errors or omissions.

CLICK HERE - for the Latest Complete Blues Calendar on our website at: IllinoisBlues.com.

or click a state to see Blues shows by State

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware D.C. Florida Georgia
Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey
New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Other

Performance dates submitted by Musicians, Clubs, Blues Societies and Blues festivals.

IllinoisBlues.com is not responsible for errors or omissions.


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Festivals... The Blues Blast & IllinoisBlues.com's website are great ways to promote ANY Blues event or product. In fact we believe we just might have THE best Blues advertising vehicle anywhere to promote YOUR Blue event!

Blues CD's... For less than the cost of one small ad in a newspaper, you can advertise your shows, new CD or any Blues product. A great way to get the Blues word out!

Blues fans WANT to know about your Blues event of product. Call Bob at (309) 267-4425 or send an email to for a confidential quote today!

llinoisBlues.com covers Blues all over the US - NOT just in Illinois!

IllinoisBlues.com also offers effective advertising for Festivals and Club Owners, Recording Companies and Performers. Put your Blues advertisement on our homepage at: http://www.illinoisblues.com either as a sponsored event or as a featured event, product, recording or merchandise. We get 10,000 visitors and 800,000 hits A MONTH on our website!

Nearly 11,000 Blues Fans, Musicians, Recording Companies, Club Owners, Blues Societies and Festival Promoters in all 50 states and in 40 countries read the Blues Blast magazine each week. You can feature your event or product in the largest FREE internet Blues magazine delivered right to your inbox each week.

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Robert Johnson UPDATE


We have an update on the recording studio used by Robert Johnson in Dallas Texas. From The Dallas Observer, They have posted a PDF file of an interview Don Law gave for Frank Driggs who was producing Robert Johnson King of the Delta Blues Singers. That recording was a pivotal record that introduced Eric Clapton to Robert Johnson. Most of the notes and information from the questionnaire would end up on the liner notes for that LP. It is some great history, so follow this link HERE to read it.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Dewey Cantrell and Jodi Bodley At The Botanical Center In Des Moines

Big gig for my good friends in Des Moines.


No football this Sunday and it’s gonna’ be a cold one outside … that’s enough to give folks the blues. A great way to beat ‘em is to check out the Botanical Blues series in the warmth of the Botanical Center courtyard. Jodi Bodley & Dewey Cantrell will be performing this Sunday, January 25th from 1pm - 3pm. Admission is cheap to spend a couple hours in a 75 degree tropical paradise … Adults just $4, ages 6-17 only $2, and the little ones 5 and under are free. Grab some friends & family and come on down for food, fun, and entertainment!

http://www.botanicalcenter.com/SubPage.asp?MainLinkID=1

Dewey Cantrell
The Blues Bureau

(515) 256-7891

http://www.thebluesbureau.com/

Yesterday And Today Available As Digital Download!

If you use any of these digital download services you can now purchase my CD for either 99 Cents a song, or for the whole disc 8.99!!!!!! WOW!!!

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You can even buy the whole CD at Amazon.com!!!! Now you have even more choices to buy my CD. No more excuses about shipping charges!!!:-) Help out a poor bluesman today and buy my disk today!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Bob Corritorie Blues News


January 20, 2009

· Blues Blast Festival Weekend Activities. Henry Gray Added to Pre-party! Phoenix will be a blues hotbed on February 20-21, 2009. The activity centers around the Phoenix Blues Society’s annual Blues Blast Festival, happening on Saturday, February 21, 2009 at the beautiful Mesa Amphitheatre. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Phoenix Blues Society, which has consistently sought to further the cause of the blues in the community. Blues Blast has become a popular event among out-of-town blues lovers, who also enjoy Arizona's warm February weather. This years lineup includes Janiva Magness, Omar & The Howlers, The Juke Joint Duo (Cedric Burnside and Lightnin’ Malcolm), The Mikel Lander/Meridith Moore Band, KC Blues, and a Phoenix Artist Showcase and Retrospective that will include appearances by Big Pete Pearson and Bob Corritore, as well as many others. Gates open at 11am, music begins at noon, and ends around 6:30pm or so. For more information on Blues Blast 2009, click here. Also that weekend are pre- and after-parties at the Rhythm Room. The pre-party on Friday, February 20, 2009 will also be a celebration of the 25 year anniversary of Bob Corritore's blues radio show, Those Lowdown Blues on KJZZ 91.5FM, and a CD release party for Broadcasting The Blues (click here for more information on this CD). The lineup for the pre-party includes The Rhythm Room All-Stars (Big Pete Pearson, Bob Corritore, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, and Brian Fahey), plus special guests including piano legend Henry Gray, Dave Riley, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame, and more! By the way, Henry Gray just celebrated his 84th birthday yesterday! He was born on January 19, 1925 in Kenner, Louisiana. The festival after-party and celebrity jam is also hosted by The Rhythm Room All-Stars, and tends to attract numerous artists from the festival stopping in and playing a few songs. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Rd in Phoenix.

  • Hungarian Review of Broadcasting The Blues! Speaking of the Broadcasting The Blues CD, It has just been reviewed on the Hungarian website BluesVan.hu. Click here to see this website and the review. Special thanks to Attila Horváth. To see all the reviews so far of Broadcasting The Blues, click here.
  • Bob Riedy Reunion Show Retrospective Online: Check out a recap of the late October/early November 2008 gathering in Lake Geneva of the Bob Riedy Blues Band, plus special guests Eddy Clearwater, Sam Lay, Chris James and Patrick Rynn, and Bob Corritore. To see this recap by Bob Riedy himself, click here.
  • R.L. Burnside YouTube Clip! Please enjoy this clip of the great Mississippi bluesman R.L. Burnside performing a great solo acoustic version of the classic “When My First Wife Quit Me”. Click here to see.

Monday, January 19, 2009

CIBS Winter Blues Fest

PRESS RELEASE
Subject: Winter Blues Fest
Date: Saturday, February 14th, 2009
Place: Hotel Fort Des Moines
Starting Time: 7 PM
Presented By: The Central Iowa Blues Society
For Immediate Release
It may be cold outside, but the Hotel Fort Des Moines Ballrooms and Chequers Lounge will have temperatures rising on Valentine’s Day Saturday, February 14th when the Central Iowa Blues Society welcomes 10 acts on 5 different stages. This multi-band event will culminate with an After Hours Jam in the Independence Hall in the Hotel Fort Des Moines.
Wristbands for the event are only $12.00 in advance and will give you admission to all of the Ballrooms on the 2nd floor, as well as Chequers Lounge on the first level. Tickets are available at the Hotel Fort Des Moines and Blues on Grand now. Price will be $15 on February 14th.
This year’s Winter Blues Fest has a little bit of everything to satisfy the soul; be it, incredible blues harmonica, fabulous guitar, Delta and Hill Country Mississippi Style Blues or howlin’-at the-moon blues!
Check out Case of the Blues Brad McCloud & John Zantow, the 2008 Iowa Blues Societies Solo/Duo Challenge Winner, at Chequers Lounge at 7:00 p.m., followed by the Greater Twin Cities Blues Music Society Solo/Duo Challenge Winner, Brothers Curtis, at 9:45 p.m.
The sounds of Bill Lupkin & the Workers will fill the air in the Grand Ballroom starting at 7:30 p.m., followed by Jason Ricci & New Blood, the 2008 BluesWax nominee for Artist of the Year and BMA nominee for Instrumentalist-Harmonica at 10:30 p.m.
The State Ballroom will fire up with Iowa’s own 2008 Blues Challenge band winner, Avey Brothers at 8:00 p.m., followed by the Joe Moss Band at 11:00 p.m.
Moreland & Arbuckle, another 2008 BluesWax nominee for Artist of the Year, are sure to get things heated up in the Wedgwood Room at 7:45 p.m., followed by the 2007 Iowa Blues Societies Blues Challenge Winner, Matt Woods & The Thunderbolts, at 10:45 p.m.
King King, the Kansas City Blues Society Blues Challenge Winner, will get things jumping in Independence Hall starting at 8:30 p.m.
The After Hours Jam kicks off at midnight in the Independence Hall Ballroom with a set from Trouble No More, who will be this year's host band, with the Jam starting at 1 a.m. The Jam, which will last well into the wee hours, has the potential for some interesting combinations of musicians. All musicians are welcome to sign up and join in. Food will be served starting at 8:00 p.m. and continue during the Jam.
The Hotel Fort Des Moines is offering special Blues Fest rates for the night. You can make room reservations by calling 1-800-532-1466 or 515-243-1161. Be sure to mention that you are going to be there for the Blues Fest to receive your special rate.
Sponsors for this event are the Central Iowa Blues Society, Budweiser, 95KGGO/98.3WOW, Cityview, and Hotel Fort Des Moines.
For more information on the Winter Blues Fest, you can call (515) 225-6638 or (515) 830-4213 or go to www.cibs.org . Listen to KGGO (94.9) and 98.3 WOW for wristband giveaways. Do not miss this sure-fire cure for cabin fever!
Serena James
Marketing Coordinator
Central Iowa Blues Society

Bob Dorr And The Blue Band Update: YES THEY ARE PLAYING TOMORROW:-)

Wasn't it Mark Twain who said "everybody talks about the weather, but nobody DOES anything about it!"? Well here I am proving my shallowness by talking about the weather. This morning, Sparkle City tied an ALL TIME record of 34 below zero. This is without the windchill! That's right, I've now lived thru the coldest temperature EVER recorded in my hometown. Something people never talk about, is that when it's 34 below zero, it's SIXTY SIX degrees below the temperature that water freezes! Wasn't I the one who said last year "NO MORE IOWA WINTERS!"? (yes I was)...

Speaking of the weather, (the shallowness continues) the 7" of snow on Tuesday forced postponement of the trio performance that Jeff and I were going to be part of in Storm Lake. It was postponed until yesterday (Thur.) Then -45 windchills forced a second postponement. So, Tuesday Jan. 20 will now be attempt #3 (third time's the charm, 'eh?) Jeff and I will join Tom Gary for a trio performance in Anderson Auditorium, Buena Vista University, in Storm Lake. Showtime is 7pm, open to the public, free of charge. The prognosticators say Tuesday will be the warmest day of the week and may even be above freezing! Break out the Hawaiian shirts and shorts! And speaking of 7" of snow (no shallowness there) Cedar Falls now has TWICE as much snow at this point this year as we had last year at this time! Last year was the 4th greatest snowfall total of all time. I'm thinkin' THAT record will now be ours too. Aren't we special?...

Let's face it. The reason that I'm still enduring Iowa winters is because this is the only place that I've got something going on! But that could change too! Usually the band's summer performance calendar is pretty much filled by now. Not so this year. We've got more open weeks at this point of year than ever before (apparently it IS a record setting year) and an all staff meeting has been called at (the station formerly known as) KUNI for 2:30 this afternoon. Rumors of budget "challenges" are rampant. So be sure and let your local town festival organizers/entertainment committee know about us and be sure and pay your annual dues to the Friends of Iowa Public Radio. Otherwise, I might have to come and live in your garage and you don't want that!...

We're hoping to see you Saturday the 24th at the Ottumwa Elks Club and Friday the 30th at the new Porky's Pub and Garage, 5125 NE 14th in Des Moines. Sorry, you need an invitation to attend the birthday party on Jan. 31...

My annual Elvis Presley special on Iowa Public Radio's Backtracks show happens tomorrow (Sat. 1/17) 7-10p and will include a nationally syndicated hour long spotlight on the King's 1968 Comeback TV special. Listen anywhere on the planet at www.iowapublicradio.org. You can make a pledge of support there too! Thankyou, thankyouverymuch for listening...

The weatherman is saying that the temps have zoomed up to -6, so I gotta get out and start shoveling out the band equipment truck (maybe if I start now, I'll have it dug out by next Saturday when it's got to go to Ottumwa) See ya on the Blue Highway, if you rub that zydeco tie fast enough, maybe it'll become like a space heater, it's not too late to send birthday CAKE (hey, it's still my birthday WEEK) and remember our love for you runs hot, even in record low temperatures. Bob Dorr & The Blue Band

PS: our friends Checker & The Bluetones play the "geezer gig" at The Hub tonight, 6-9p. Bring your dancing shoes...

Delmark Records Update

Delmark Records Ramblings for the New Year- New Releases, Koester vs. Kanye, Return of Rockin' Johnny

Hello good friends of Delmark,

We're wishin' you a Happy New Year and hope you do fine and shine in '09!
Hey, check out the new issue of Signal To Noise and the November JAZZIZ, both with features on Delmark and Bob Koester celebrating our 55th Anniversary! Signal to Noise's Pete Gershon wrote up a very interesting, entertaining, and in depth article on Senor Koester and his life in the record "biz." Thank you, Pete! In the JAZZIZ piece written by Michael Jackson, Koester declares "They used to call me ornery, now I'm honorary!"


We're excited to announce our new jazz and blues releases for 2009

NEW Delmark Jazz and Blues Releases for the new year!

Street Date : Feb 17, 2009

http://www.delmark.com/delmark.upcoming.htm

Shirley Johnson

Blues Attack Delmark DE 798 (CD)

"Raised in the church but evidently born to sing the blues, Shirley Johnson belts like a spiritual daughter of Koko Taylor, flexing her husky voice on ballads and up-tempo love songs, hitting gravel when she reaches for a higher note or pushes her volume." -Ted Drozdowski, PULSE! from a review of Shirley's first Delmark CD Killer Diller (Delmark 757)

"Shirley Johnson sings with a rare sensitivity, particularly on the ballads. But there is no mistaking her for being passive: The lady still possesses a lot of gusto in her delivery." - James Porter, Time Out Chicago

Shirley is back with that same blend of traditional good-rockin' Chicago blues, smoldering R&B and poppin' soul. Almost all of the 14 songs on Blues Attack are new original compositions by various musicians on the CD and also great covers of classics "Unchain My Heart" and "634-5789".

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Rob Mazurek Quintet

Sound Is Delmark DE 586 (CD)

Jazz cornetist Rob Mazurek consistently pushes beyond the expectations of his listeners, drawing together ideas out of sound, personalities out of space, and fusing color and light into the tones of his music. The debut record of this new quintet, featuring John Herndon on drums (Tortoise, the For Carnation), Matthew Lux on bass guitar (Isotope 217, Iron and Wine) Josh Abrams on acoustic bass (Town and Country, Black Earth Ensemble) and Jason Adasiewicz on vibes (Loose Assembly, Rolldown) pulls together an astounding array of personalities into a seamless and effervescent whole. Sound Is features 14 new Mazurek compositions.

"Originally rooted in the tradition of hard bop jazz, cornetist Rob Mazurek developed into one of the most consistently exciting pure improvisers of his time. As a founding member of the multi-faceted Chicago Underground collective and the 21st century fusion outfit Isotope 217, his playing has redefined musical boundaries through vibrant sonic palettes that defy categorization." - Nathan Bush, All Music Guide

Rob Mazurek (born Jersey City, NJ 1965) is a sound/vision abstractivist, cornetist, improviser, composer and multi-media artist with a unique style drawing from many facets of contemporary and non-contemporary sound and vision. A prime mover in the vibrant Chicago sound scene, he is the leader/organizer of the Exploding Star Orchestra, Chicago Underground collective, Mandarin Movie and Sao Paulo Underground.

http://www.robmazurek.com/
http://www.myspace.com/robmazurek
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Red Holloway
Go Red Go! Delmark DE 585 (CD)

featuring Chris Foreman and George Freeman


Red Holloway is one of the greatest tenor sax players in the history of jazz, period. There's an upper echelon of players like Cannonball, Golson, Moody, Stitt, Griffin and, of course, Red. The ageless Red is unbelievably in his early 80's now, so it would be impossible to review his career in one short paragraph. On Go Red Go, Holloway returns home to Chicago where he grew up and gets down with some good, greasy organ combo music. Wonderful accompaniment from Chris Foreman, Hammond B3 organ, George Freeman, guitar and Greg Rockingham, drums. Great blend of straight ahead jazz, blues and ballads.

"Gritty, sweat streaked, bluesy tenor saxophone is an essential ingredient in what's come to be known as soul jazz, and tenor man James "Red" Holloway was seducing crowds with that sound well before "soul" was a term people applied to popular music." John Corbett, Chicago Reader

http://www.redholloway.com/
Red's MySpace - http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=155030164


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Garvin Bushell
and friends

One Steady Roll Delmark DE 250 (CD)

Jazz clarinetist Garvin Bushell's 1988 autobiography is rightly titled "Jazz From the Beginning". Bushell recorded with great pianists -- James P. Johnson, Fats Waller, Willie "The Lion" Smith, Jelly Roll Morton -- and with important swing orchestras, such as those led by Fletcher Henderson, Cab Calloway and Chick Webb. In mid-century Bushell recorded with many of the period's greatest jazz names, including John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Gil Evans, and King Curtis.
This 1982 session features Garvin Bushell, clarinet, bassoon; Richard Hadlock, soprano sax; Ray Skjelbred, piano; Stu Wilson, bass; John Markham, drums; Leon Oakley, cornet; Barbara Lashley, vocals on 3 songs.

"Although best known as a jazz soloist and sideman, Bushell also played oboe and bassoon with symphony orchestras and was a highly regarded instructor of woodwinds. In Jazz from the Beginning, Bushell vividly recounts his musical experiences, featuring candid assessments of the legends with whom he performed as well as eye-opening accounts of the early days of jazz and the racism that he encountered on the road. Based on a series of interviews conducted by jazz scholar Mark Tucker, these memoirs provide a colorful account of Bushell's extraordinary life and career as well as an important record of seventy years of America's musical history.- from preview of Bushell's autobiography, Jazz from the Beginning


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Delmark nominees for National Blues Music Awards and Chicago Music Awards

2009 30th National Blues Music Awards!!

Congrats to Delmark nominees:

** Little Arthur Duncan - Live at Rosa's Lounge - DVD of the year!! (rest in peace, Arthur - we miss you dearly!)

** Sleepy John Estes - On Highway 80 - Historical Album of the year!

** Bob Stroger - Bassist of the year!

** Kenny Smith and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith - Drummer (s) of year!

** Lurrie Bell - Guitarist of the year!

** Tad Robinson - Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year!

** Lurrie Bell - Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year!

Blues Foundation presents 2009 National Blues Music Awards


30th Blues Music Awards -(formerly the Handy Awards)
Thursday, May 7, 2009 in Memphis, TN
Cook Convention Center, 255 N. Main, Memphis, TN
TICKETS: $125

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Nominees for 2009 Chicago Music Awards

The 28th Annual Chicago Music Awards

IN HONOR OF PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA

- Sunday January 18, 2009 at the

PARK WEST : 322 West Armitage Avenue : Chicago, Illinois
DELMARK nominees!

** Jimmy Burns- best blues entertainer
** Byther Smith - Blues on the Moon -best blues recording
** Ari Brown - best jazz entertainer
** Ari Brown - Live at the Green Mill - best jazz recording
** Corey Wilkes - Drop It - best jazz recording
** Bob Koester, Sr. Delmark - record producer of the year
** Delmark Records - record label of the year
** Mississippi Heat - most outstanding band or group

Look who Bob Koester is running against for producer of year: Koester vs. Kanye!

35) Record Producer of the Year..........
Andre Maneses
Bob Koester, Sr. - Delmark Records
Kanye West
Nael Shehade- ForceOneSeven
R. Kelly

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Hey Cadillac Records Fans
- Little Walter's pre-Chess, early recordings on Delmark with Muddy Waters!

Did you know that some of the earliest recorded sides of the best harmonica player of all time are on Delmark? (including Little Walter on guitar!!!)

The Blues World of Little Walter -
Little Walter, Muddy Waters, Baby Face Leroy Foster, Jimmy Rogers, J.B.Lenoir, Sunnyland Slim, and more
Delmark Records - DD 648, 1988
(recorded Jan 1950-Oct 22, 1951)

Did you also know that our friends Billy Flynn, Eddie Taylor, Jr, Barrelhouse Chuck , along with Kim Wilson provided the music to this major motion picture?

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THE RETURN OF ROCKIN' JOHNNY!!! Can he re-claim his title as the Modern King of the West Side Chicago Blues Guitar!

Welcome back Good Rockin' Johnny Burgin to the Chicago Blues scene! Saturday, Jan 10 - Nick's, 1516 N. Milwaukee, Chicago

Our good friend, Johnny Burgin, one of the best Chicago blues guitarists we've ever heard, has resurfaced after way too long of an absence. Yeah, he's back, and ready to turn heads again and fill up the blues dance floor. With his encyclopedic knowledge, and impeccable taste, and true feeling of postwar Chicago Blues, Johnny can be devastatingly good in a live setting. Burgin's singing is also damn good and really complements both his sensitive and powerful guitar playing. This guy plays originals and classics and can quote from so many guitarist's guitarists, like Luther Tucker, Jimmy Dawkins, Eddie Taylor, Fenton Robinson, Willie James Lyons, Bobby King, Hip Linkchain, Hubert Sumlin, etc. Come out and give him a warm welcome this Saturday, January 10th, 2009 at Nick's on Milwaukee in Wicker Park, Chicago. Johnny's ready to pour out his real life blues for his eager fans who have been waiting, wondering, missing...

Johnny will have the amazingly talented Billy Flynn on guitar (and harp), and legendary smilin' Bob Stroger on bass, and Rob Lorenz on drums.

from Rockin' Johnny's MySpace
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=163209866
THIS IS A TRIBUTE PAGE TO ROCKIN' JOHNNY:

Johnny Burgin moved to Chicago to attend the University of Chicago in the late 1980's, but began playing blues in all the black clubs in town, backing Taildragger, Big Smokey Smothers and many other characters.

Eventually, Rockin' Johnny and the Lazy Boyz (with the tremendously talented Martin Lange on harp) became basically the modern equivalent of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Except, in this writer's humble opinion, Johnny was a far more-accomplished west side slinger than Bloomfield. In the 1990's there was no one who worked more, or harder, or played more varied or deeper west side Chicago blues in town.

Johnny was a highly in-demand session player (similar to Robert Jr. Lockwood in his heyday) on some great recordings for Delmark and other labels, as well as being an admired hero to many budding young guitarists on the scene.

Unfortunately, a few years ago he mysteriously vanished from the Windy City and fell into obscurity, one guesses, to raise a family (?). The gap he left in the blues world still has not been filled and probably never will.

We can only hope that he will re-emerge someday and re-claim his title as the Modern King of the West Side Chicago Blues Guitar!

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SECRET HISTORY OF CHICAGO MUSIC!!
http://www.plasticcrimewave.com/
Have you heard of our friend Steve Krakow, aka Plastic Crimewave and his incredibly entertaining Secret History of Chicago Music "comic strip?"
Guitar hero, and Delmark artist Jimmy Dawkins, will be featured soon on this great document of "pivotal Chicago musicians that somehow have not gotten their just dues"
Other Delmark recording artists who have been featured are: Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, Syl Johnson, Mighty Joe Young, Magic Sam, Muhal Richard Abrams!

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Rest in Peace Robert Ward, Master of the Magnatone!
Robert Ward - Unsung hero of soul and blues
Here is some YouTube video footage of Robert Ward at Delmark's Riverside Studio from Delmark's 50th Anniversary DVD, currently out of print. (part of the 50th Anniv BLues and Jazz Box set)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiWaFGKneIY

Robert Ward , New Role Soul
Delmark DE-741 from 2000

Robert Ward's singing has the urgency and immediacy of the great southern soul singers, and his guitar playing is legendary in the history of blues and soul. Possessed of a playing style so unique, Robert's sound is instantly recognizable. He pioneered the use of the Magnatone amplifier on his '60s singles and backed The Falcons, featuring Wilson Pickett, on "I Found a Love" one of the most inspired Soul records of all time. Robert did session work at Motown and is on the Temptations' All Directions album (which included "Papa Was A Rolling Stone"). Robert was off the scene until he was re-discovered in 1991. He toured entensively, came out with three albums and won over many new fans. Soul. Truth. Power. Love. Conviction. New Role Soul -- The positive message all rolled up into an undeniable, dynamic groove.


_____________________________________________________
Kevin Johnson
Delmark Records, director of promotions
773-539-5001 office
773-539-5004 fax
bluesjazz@delmark.com
bluespromo@delmark.com
jazzpromo@delmark.com

http://www.delmark.com
http://www.myspace.com/delmarkrecords
http://www.jazzmart.com
Blues and Jazz since 1953!!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Buddy Guy And Carlos Santana: Guitar Jam

Two great guitar players! Buddy Guy and Carlos Santana jamming away!

Muddy Waters And Mick Jagger: Champange And Refer

Muddy and his pal from England singing a song about drugs and alcohol! YIKES!!!


Muddy Waters:Hoochie Coochie Man

Muddy Waters enuf said!:-)

Robert Johnson Museuem


With the recent news about the former studio used to record Robert Johnson, I received an email from the Robert Johnson Museum reminding me that there is a very nice museum dedicated to the memory of Robert Johnson. Here is there response and some great news about their upcoming blues festival.

Just saw your blog about Robert johnson. We represent the foundation and family. There is a museum in crystal springs, ms. Operated by Robert’s son and grandsons. It is new and just getting started. There is also a festival that they operate. This year it is may 9 in crystal springs. Check out www.robertjohnsonbluefoundation.org. and www.robertjohnsoncrossroads.com

Murali Coryell Gig Update


Here is Murali Coryell's tour dates through August of 2009!


Murali Coryell CD "The Same Damn Thing" named
one of top Blues
releases of 2008 by WRTB-FM Rockford, IL buy @
http://cdbaby.com/cd/murali6

Live shows:

Friday, January 23rd, 2009
TJ's Flightline Pub
solo acoustic - 7:00pm
20 Saratoga Road
Scotia, NY 12302
518-399-8401

Saturday, January 24th, 2009
TJ's Flightline Pub
Murali Coryell Band - 9:00pm
20 Saratoga Road
Scotia, NY 12302
518-399-8401
Price: $5

Friday, February 13th, 2009
Theodores Blues, Booze, & BBQ - http://www.theobbq.com/
9:00pm
201 Worthington St
Springfield, MA 01103
413-736-6000
Price: Free

Saturday, February 14th, 2009
Keltic House - http://www.thekeltichouse.com/
Valentines Day - 10:00pm
1004 Main St.
Fishkill, NY 12524
845-896-1110
Price: $5

Friday, February 20th, 2009
Billy's Lounge - http://billyslounge.com
9:00pm
1437 Wealthy St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI
616 459-5757
Price: $5

Friday, February 27th, 2009
Towne Crier Cafe - http://www.townecrier.com
8:00pm
130 Route 22
Pawling, NY 12564
845-855-1300
Price: $20

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009
Roadhouse Rags
8:00pm
Austin, TX
Price: $5

concert will be recorded live!

Thursday, March 12th, 2009
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa
Lost Pines, TX

Friday, March 13th, 2009
Evangeline Cafe - http://www.evangelinecafe.com/
9:00pm
8106 Brodie Ln # 110
Austin, TX 78745
512-282-2586
Price: $5

Saturday, March 14th, 2009
Segovia Spanish Restaurant - http://segoviaaustin.com
Austin, TX

Friday, March 27th, 2009
Frank Guido's Little Italy - http://www.frankguidoslittleitaly.com/
7:00pm
14 Thomas St
Kingston, NY 12401
845-340-1682
Price: free

Saturday, March 28th, 2009
Oasis Cafe - http://www.cabaloosa.com/
Murali Coryell Band - 11:00pm
58 Main St
New Paltz, NY 12561
845-255-2400
Price: $5

Saturday, April 18th, 2009
The Turning Point
9:00pm
468 Piermont Avenue
Piermont, NY 10968
(845) 359-1089
Price: $20

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009
Skip's Lounge - http://www.skipspartyplace.com/Schedule.html
9:00pm
112 West Maumee
Angola, IN 46703-1944
260 665-3922
Price: $5

National Blues Night at Skips Party Place!

Saturday, August 22nd, 2009
The Press Room - http://www.pressroomnh.com/
8:00pm
77 Daniel St.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
603-431-5186
Price: $10

Sunday, August 23rd, 2009
The Grog - http://www.thegrog.com/main.htm
with Parker Wheeler and friends - 7:00pm
13 Middle Street
Newburyport, MA 01950
978.465.8008
Price: $7




Eric Sardinas At The Winter Blues Blowout!!

This just in from IPR. Eric Sardinas to perform at the Winter Blues Blowout!!!



For immediate release: January 14, 2009
Contact: Joan Kjaer, 319-335-5746

Eric Sardinas & Big Motor to headline 2009 Winter Blues Blowout for Iowa Public Radio

1/14/09 (Cedar Falls) - Eric Sardinas brings his signature brand of delta dynamite to the Electric Park Ballroom in Waterloo on February 21 for the 2009 Winter Blues Blowout, presented by the Friends of KUNI/KHKE on behalf of Iowa Public Radio.

Picking up the guitar at the age of six, Eric Sardinas reaped a heapin' helpin' of inspiration from a melting pot of influences numbering R&B, gospel, rock and roll and most tellingly, his profound love of traditional blues forms. All inform the songwriting and incendiary playing on the new album, "Eric Sardinas and Big Motor." And while those influences inexorably shape his playing he's no mere mimic. Instead, he's absorbed all those styles into his DNA, reinterpreting them into his own driving contemporary blues/rock sound.

On his latest album, the artist delivers a powerful musical statement that stands as his most accomplished release to date, fueled by a wily sense of adventure, imagination and ferocious lead guitar finery. Honest, soulful and fire-branded with a gritty passion, Eric Sardinas is the real deal, infusing his music with an embattled spirit, reconfiguring deep southern blues with the finesse of a master. Scoring accolades for his previous studio albums (1999's "Treat Me Right," 2001's "Devil's Train" and 2003's "Black Pearls"), Sardinas has garnered acclaim for his explosive live performances, which clearly demonstrate his consummate six-string agility. A veteran of the live circuit, he’s racked up thousands of performances worldwide.

Opening the show is Iowa City area's Kevin "BF" Burt & the Instigators. Showtime is 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.).

Tickets are $20 in advance ($25 at the door). Advance tickets can be ordered online at www.iowapublicradio.org or by calling 800-772-2440, ext. 0. Advance tickets are also available at the KUNI Studios and Bob's Guitars in Cedar Falls. All proceeds benefit Iowa Public Radio.

Financial support is made possible by The Warner Group, Inc. (Waterloo), Lucky 13 Design (Des Moines), Blue Monday Monthly (Owatonna, MN), Blackhawk Hotel (Cedar Falls) and the Friends of KUNI/KHKE.

Iowa Public Radio informs, enriches and engages Iowans through radio programming and other media. Iowa Public Radio includes the WOI Radio Group (Iowa State University, Ames), KUNI-KHKE (University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls), and KSUI-WSUI (University of Iowa, Iowa City).

###

Scott Vezdos

Iowa Public Radio Marketing/Communications Specialist

Iowa Public Radio

University of Northern Iowa

3rd Floor, CAC

Cedar Falls, IA 50614

p: (319) 273-3497