Bob Corritore Blues News

Bob Corritore Update

January 26, 2009

• Tomcat Courtney's 80th Birthday Party! Tomcat Courtney has been called the greatest living example of the down home Texas blues tradition. He knew Lightnin' Hopkins, Lil' Son Jackson, and Smokey Hogg, whose musical styles are apparent in Tomcat's music. He came to California in the 1960s, stopping first in Flagstaff, Arizona, then living in Los Angeles before moving to San Diego in the 1970s. Tomcat's 2008 release Downsville Blues on the Blue Witch record label has recently propelled Tomcat into the international blues spotlight. Tomcat turned 80s years old this week, and will celebrate his birthday on Friday, January 30, 2009 at Humphrey's in San Diego. This show is being put on by Blues Lovers United of San Diego (Thanks to BLUSD president Michael Kinsman). Tomcat will be backed by Chris James, Patrick Rynn, Bob Corritore, and Kurt Kalker. For more information on this event, click here.
• Dave Riley & Bob Corritore Wednesday at the Rhythm Room: The 2008 BMA and BBMA-nominated team of Dave Riley & Bob Corritore perform this Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at the Rhythm Room. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Rd in Phoenix. Doors open at 7pm, cover charge is $5. This night will be a patio smoking only event; no indoor smoking will be permitted.
• Rick Estrin New DVD: Blues harp maestro Rick Estrin has produced a DVD titled Rick Estrin Reveals Secrets, Subtleties, And Tricks Of Blues Harmonica. Rick lovingly shares some great blues harmonica tips and demonstrates them with great performances backed by guitarist Rusty Zinn. Rick also interjects his wonderful humor with a series of comedy skits that run throughout the DVD parallel to his harp pointers. This DVD is an absolute harmonica player's delight. It's available at www.filmbaby.com, and soon to be available at www.rickestrin.com. To read more about this DVD, see a sample clip, and to order, click here.

Andy Coats Update

Hey folks,

I hope 2009 is treating you well so far. If you’re in the Triangle area, please join me next Thurs.:

Thurs., Feb. 5, 8:30-11 pm
Andy Coats solo
Blue Bayou
106 S. Churton St. Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-732-2555
www.bluebayouclub.com

**NO COVER CHARGE**

Also, Sherry Johnson of “Triangle Rockin’ Blues” will be giving away 2 VIP Packages, which will include special seating, and free copies of my CDs, “Song & Pony Show” and “That’s What they Call the Blues”.

Just reply to this email and we’ll get your name into the drawing!

Hope to see many of you down at the Bayou – it’s been a good while since I played there last.

All the best,

Andy

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

VOTE! The 2008 Blues Critic Awards!!!

VOTE NOW!! The 2008 Blues Critic Awards Reader's Poll CONTEMPORARY BLUES VOTE

Billy Jones Bluez

Billy Jones Bluez is the real deal. About once or twice a year he sends me this cool promo pack loaded with photos and reviews. I know a lot of people who book bands stop by here from time to time, so if you haven't heard of Billy Jones Bluez, then check him out!

http://myspace.com/billyjonesbluez

http://losangeles.going.com/billyjonesbluez

"...what really got to me were the lyrics... it is “blues” transformed, updated and urbanized."

Re: "...the re-emergence of blues music as serious social commentary."
"No one who I can think of, except perhaps James “Blood” Ulmer, has taken a truly contemporary look at traditional blues with the musical and lyrical intensity of Billy Jones. While Ulmer’s music is often dark and angry, Jones takes a more restrained and soulful approach while still expressing deep love, despair, and other intense feelings with his music.
Musically, there is a mix of styles on the CD. Jones can hammer out some hard, driving blues or go more traditional in his approach. But what really got to me were the lyrics. There are several songs where Billy gets into the urban problems of his "hometown."
The modern, urban blues lyrics start right from the beginning of the CD. He starts out with some slow jam/blues in a ballad called “Here With You”. He sings of how deep his love is: “your love is much warmer than my prison cell, so if the homies ride tonight I think I’m gonna stay right here”. With the second track, “Pull My 44”, Jones sings of a jealous lovers' rage. He describes his lovers' beauty and talks about how he’s jealous and if “I catch you messin’ wit’ my woman, Man I’m mo’ pull my 44”. The music has a Mississippi Delta component to it, yet it is modern and urban. Later, we hear “Crystal”; this is a semi-psychedelic rocking song about his addiction and the dangers of Crystal. It’s not a girlfriend named Crystal, but crystal methamphetamine. In the title track, “My Hometown’, Jones talks frankly about the problems in the ghetto. Schools not teaching you what to do, gangs, violence, meth labs, broken families, and a repressive system all become part of these modern blues.
Jones goes a more traditional R&B route with music and lyrics in cuts like “Right Now” and "Never Let You Go”. The deep bass notes driving the beat and his vocals are a throwback to an older soul era where he sings of loves won and lost. In “The Clown” Billy goes to his guitar and sweetly bends some notes to punctuate the song about his lost love, where he states “and girl for you I’m just a clown.”
Top to bottom, this is a nice little CD.
Jones calls his music “Bluez” and sings about the problems of his life and hometown with heart and feeling; it is “blues” transformed, updated and urbanized. This North Little Rock, Arkansas musician is the real deal and “my Hometown” is a great CD!"
http://crossroadsreviews.blogspot.com/

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

Jay Sieleman
Executive Director
The Blues Foundation

Arkansas artist hits #1 on XM Satellite Radio.

BLUESVILLE PICK TO CLICK FOR THE WEEK

1. “My Hometown” – Billy Jones – Black and Tan Records

Program Directors/Radio Stations :

click here to download 3 free tracks from this cd at http://www.radiosubmit.com/rs/bands/647/

...bluez from the ghetto ...bluez for the ghetto :
"Billy Jones is one of the ‘good guys’. He is a young man from Arkansas who is truly interested in advancing and extending ‘Great Black Music' from the Ancient to the Future’ and making sure that it is available for future generations.
As such he is one of my personal musical heroes.
We don’t have enough artists like him and hopefully he is going to inspire others.
Updating the blues for the 21st century is not an easy matter... Billy Jones has managed it.
Think Bobby Womack with Curtis Mayfield's social conscience and you are getting close.
Perhaps the most important thing to note is that his sound is more acceptable to modern ears and maybe that will get more people to listen to his message.
Jones has a voice that will enchant you. This is a fine, soulful album.
It's a first person rumination about "growing up in the ghetto" that packs a poignant wallop. The message is deep and heartfelt... lyrically-inspired Contemporary R&B."
http://www.Soul-Patrol.com
http://www.blackplanet.com/billyjonesbluez

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

Jay Sieleman
Executive Director
The Blues Foundation

http://www.livebluesworld.com/forum/topics/re-the-reemergence-of-blues?page=1&commentId=1598513%3AComment%3A74113&x=1#1598513Comment74113

" the Incredible resurrection, metamorphosis and re-invention of Blues and Soul music."
The Incredible Resurrection, Metamorphosis and Re-invention of Blues and Soul Music :
Taking Blues to New Places with R&B, Soul, and Urban Style :
"Exquisite Modern and Traditional Blues and Neo-Soul by one of the most talented artists on the contemporary scene.
Billy Jones is a young, genius-level, totally charismatic veteran who shows all the signs of becoming as big or bigger than Buddy Guy. This young man has enormous talents.
I recently witnessed a 2-song DVD by Billy and his band that just added to my excitement regarding this on-stage dynamo who boasts movie-star good looks, a Huge voice, great guitar-playing and a Hot repertoire of tunes. All tracks were written by Billy ...and what a voice!
With Billy Jones showing so many talents and covering every single genre close to Blues, the Man is a ‘can’t miss’ star-in-the-making…No wait, he’s not in-the-making…He’s made!
If a major U.S. label doesn’t scoop up this high-level Blues genius within the next 3-4 months then we’re all in trouble! But, whatever happens, No One is going to keep a lid on Billy Jones. He’s off on-a-rocket folks and we certainly need a Big Blues talent like his."
"One of the very Best Authentic Modern Blues and Soul albums in recent memory."
http://www.realbluesmagazine.com/
http://myspace.com/billyjonesbluez

Lübeck International Blues Festival

Werkhof / Lübeck, Germany :

"With a smile a yard wide and moves that could make Shakira blush, Little Rock product Billy Jones is a

smart, concise player... his live performances are sweaty, gritty, and alive.

His 90-minute set offered danceable funk, plus plenty of the mellow Southern soul... and on white-hot

Albert Collins-style electric blues, Jones proved he can tear it up when he feels like it.

He told the story of a “Juice Headed Woman” with the authority of someone who's been there.

Later, Jones morphed into Hendrix for a few bars, reaching out to that portion of the crowd that whoops

instantly when a guitarist plays with his teeth.

Watching Jones stay focused and complete a thoroughly professional set, I couldn¹t help but think of the

song title “Poor Boy a Long Way From Home”. Jones and his band belonged not here, but in some smoky,

cramped, sexual-tension-filled room where people are on the make and ready to party. Most of the audience

wasn¹t any older than Jones. They just acted that way."

by Vincent Abbate, Blues Revue Magazine

http://www.bluesrevue.com/

When I got the cds from Billy Jones Bluez and popped the first one in the player, I sat there listening and thinking, “I can’t believe I never heard this guy before, he’s so damn good - where has he been and why haven't I heard of him before?”

http://www.mississippipolitical.com/billyjonesbluez.htm

Hi everybody,

Our European tour was a great success.

The band had a wonderful experience at the Cognac Blues Passions Festival in France!

I enjoyed listening to all the outstanding groups who performed at the festival, and getting to meet some

of my idols like Willie King, Joan Baez and of course my all time hero Bobby Rush and his beautiful wife.

We also met the chairman of the Hennessy Corporation and had a caviar and escargot "brunch" at the

Hennessy Castle while two butlers waited on us hand & foot. ...very impressive... weird, but impressive.

Then we got to perform for about 15,000 screaming French fans, sign a lot of cd's and autographs and

take a lot of pictures. I was humbled by the experience.

Please visit the Blues Passions website and check out the PDF pamplets to find out what happened at

this historic event.

thanks,

Billy Jones

p.s... My band is mentioned in the 24 Juillet and the 25 Juillet issues of the "Nothing But the Blues"

CHRONIQUE DE COGNAC BLUES PASSIONS.

http://www.bluespassions.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=161&lang=fr

http://www.bluespassions.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=161&lang=fr

Fan Mail :

http://myspace.com/billyjonesbluez

"Dear Billy – How funny because I am fan of yours too. I have the new disc and I will be adding at least two of the tunes in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for all you do to help keep the blues alive and well."

Bill Wax - XMRadio.com

http://www.xmradio.com/onxm/channelbio.xmc?ch=74

"I like your performance and I love your voice. I love it, how you play your guitar and I love your glances. You are awesome, Billy.

Since the last time, I see you, I can't get you out of my mind. You have touched me deep inside of my heart. Your positive vibes, your charisma...however that may be...

you have woken up something in me...whenever I listen to your songs I could cry and laugh at the same time!

"Since you've been gone, I stay awake all night long..."

I hope, you will return here. I want to see you again some day...look at you and see your wonderful smile...listen to your music, which make me feel...

I bought all of your CD's and I like the lyrics, especially "Here with you", "My Hometown" and "Reconsider Baby".

Billy Jones, I wish you all the best. Hope to see you soon! Take care of yourself!"

Love, SANDRA

Bluez Addict

Germany

Hello Billy,

I am from Denmark and you would make me very glad if you would send me your autograph.

I am sure that you are getting other inquiries of this kind but I do hope that you will take your time and send a letter to Denmark.

I wish you all the best for the future.

Thanks and kind regards,

INGOLF CLAUSEN

Kongevejen 132

DK-2830 Virum

Denmark

Hello Billy,
I'm a collector of guitar picks and I already have about 400 picks of famous
rock & country stars. Unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to see you live in concert and
ask you for a guitar pick personally.

If you mail me your address I would like to send you a return envelope (with
stamp) for a guitar pick.

If your name is not printed on the pick it would be very nice if you signed.

In case this is not the right address to write to could you please send the
letter to the right place or let me know the address to write to?

Thank you for your efforts in advance.

Sincerely Yours
Susanne

my Hometown

Prime Suspect for the Blues tha’ Bluez

( special pre-black &tan underground recordings )

Billy Jones Links :

http://billyjonesbluez.hyves.net/ europe

http://myspace.com/billyjonesbluez usa

http://musictrax.jp/billy_jones_bluez japan

http://www.blackplanet.com/billyjonesbluez usa

http://losangeles.going.com/billyjonesbluez los angeles
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=551528789 usa

http://us.profile.myspace.cn/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=4761893 china

http://www.bluespassions.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=161&lang=fr europe

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

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

http://www.nextcat.com/billyjonesbluez

http://reverbnation.com/billyjonesbluez

http://www.livebluesworld.com/profile/billyjonesbluez

Billy Jones

phone: 501-372-4998

billyjonesbluez@aol.com

"Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure."

"We are the masters of our own destiny. We are the makers of our own fate."

“Know thy self and you will know all the secrets of the gods of the universe”.

"Without COURAGE, we cannot practice any other virtue consistently."

"TRUE GREATS...
Are Not Those Born With
"GOLD SPOONS" In Their Mouths
But Those...
Who Through "HARD WORK"
Turn Their Own "WOODEN SPOONS"
Into "GOLD"

Note*

All reviews in this Electronic Promo Package are in English.

For reviews in other languages by European publications please visit the websites below :

http://www.billy-jones.com

http://www.crossroads.nl/

www.black-and-tan.com/

Bob Dorr And The Blue Band Update

My memory being what it is, (what were we talking about?) I hope I can remember how the songs go (after a 3 week layoff) at tonight's (Sat.) gig at the Elks Club, 413 S. Iowa, in Ottumwa. They're also having a steak/chicken fry before we play, so come early for great food and stay late for dancing. We play 9-midnight (or a little after). More info 641-684-6549. We'll be the full 6 piece band with Heath and Al in the horn section...

I'm going to be hosting Iowa Public Radio's Talk at Twelve show (at noon) (duh) on Monday afternoon. The subject centers on the 5 day festival being held in Clear Lake around the Surf Ballroom, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the tragic plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Richie Valens shortly after they played the Surf in Feb. 1959. The international Rock'n'roll Hall of Fame is officially designating the Surf as a national historic site this year and the 5 day celebration features performances by LOTS of noted performers including Graham Nash! Join the conversation noon-1pm Jan. 26. Find out more or listen on-line at www.iowapublicradio.org...

Next Friday (1/30) join us at the new Porky's Pub and Garage, 5125 NE 14th St. (a little north of I-80 on 14th St) in Des Moines. Jerry Peoples (papa Peeps) will join us in the horn section, we play 9-1. Sat. 1/31 we play a private birthday party...

I was able to dig out the equipment truck from the current 12" of snow on the ground, during the two days this week when we (almost) got above 32 degrees, but for the most part, exercise is still power walking in the mall and that means walking past Victoria's Secret, err, Vickie's Place. The sign in front now says: Sleepware-take another 50% off. Let's face it. There's not much to Victoria's Secret sleepware in the first place. So if you take another 50% off, there's next to NOTHING left! Ya gotta love a store like that. But(t) not to be out done, the other women's store (Christopher & Banks) sign says that Bottoms are down to $9.99 and up! And the shoe store is advertising: Slippers, half off. (make up yer own joke) (Slip 'er? YOU slip her, you brought her)...

This week's Backtracks show (tonight, Saturday, 7-10p) is the reprise of a show that I did comprised of 45rpm records that I bought at an auction last summer. Don't worry, pops and scratches at NO extra cost and after a two week vacation, I'm back to hosting Sunday Night Music 6-10p...

We were able to add a few more gigs to the tour schedule this week including two VERY special dates. Friday June 19 at the Iowa Speedway Pit Stop Weekend in Newton (this is a national race with 30,000 people expected) and our first invitation in ten years to be part of the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival in Davenport, July 2 on the Bandshell stage. Both of these opportunities happened because people on the entertainment committees went to bat for us. Thank you for helping to open these doors for us. Blue People ROCK!...

I'm really looking forward to getting back out on the Blue Highway this week, despite the predicted sub-zero windchills. We've got three generations of zydeco tie players in Ottumwa so let's get to rubbin' it (!) and hopefully someone's going to bring CAKE since it's our first show since my birthday! Life's good, we love you. Bob Dorr & The Blue Band

Clarence Dobbins: Don't Give Up On Me

"Don't Give Up On Me" #1 on the American Blues Network #1 at Blues Critic Radio Top 5 WZZA Blues Playlist etc... Clarence Dobbins LISTEN VISIT CDS