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John 'blueshammer' Hammer
Blue Monday Monthly Magazine
www.bluemondaymonthly.com
Hammered By The Blues Weekly Radio
KOWZ 1170am/ 100.9fm
510 West McKinley
Owatonna, MN 55060
Monday, March 12, 2012
John Hammer Blues News
John 'blueshammer' Hammer
Blue Monday Monthly Magazine
www.bluemondaymonthly.com
Hammered By The Blues Weekly Radio
KOWZ 1170am/ 100.9fm
510 West McKinley
Owatonna, MN 55060
Bob Dorr And The Blue Band Update
TONIGHT!! (Fri) It's The Hub, Bub, 4th & Main, Sparkle City USA, monthly GEEEEZER Gig. This is our 7th gig this year. It will be the 4th different rhythm section! (next week will be the 5th!) The guys who set the beat, the drummer and bass player, are the guys we call the rhythm section. Since becoming a sexagenarian in mid January, the combinations have been The Chief/Mark; The Chief/Muddy; John/Muddy, tonight: John/Mark! That's right, Mark has stopped in Waterloo for clean clothes, and to play The Hub, before literally catching the train to continue to avoid winter for another 2 weeks. (Really, I almost liked winter this year (almost is the key word there) Cold enough to kill the bugs, warm enough to not fall down and hurt myself) (I did a lot more of that back in my drinking days) So welcome Mark back, celebrate TGIF with pizza by the slice, adult beverages, great house sound system, nice dance floor and people who don't act their age. What's not to like, right Avis? Oh, and Avis' husband Bob playing the on-fire green guitar behind his head while playing his new red trombone to the tune of the Green Bay Packer fight song while doing the shing-a-ling with his wife on the dancefloor. Now THAT you've got to see. Show time's 6p, we play til 9:30, you'll be home for the 10 o'clock news. Cool...
Jeff really bears the strain when we have musical chairs in the rhythm section and really deserves all the credit for keeping the band on the right page song to song. Fortunately, we've got some really great substitute players that are helping us keep it going. These days, one of the biggest "band leader challenges" seems to be staffing. Finding the top notch players that The Blue Band is known for, that love the music we play, and will do it for the money I can afford to pay, (as well as schlep the gear!) is getting to be more challenging every month. This is going to get even more complicated in the next couple of weeks. Al is having some on-going health problems. He is also part of the music faculty at Coe College and state-wide high school band educator/judge. His jazz disc made the national jazz charts last month and there may be new doors opening for him. All of that adds up to Al asking to be more of a part-time player in the group. Well, JAZZ. (four letter word) He's scheduled to play tonight at The Hub and next Saturday at the River Music Experience in Davenport and then has promised to play the dates where less travel would make it easier on his health. Al has been a HUGE presence (rim-shot) in our group for four years. He actually codified our horn charts. Because of that, his presence will be with us even when he's not on the band stand. I'm really going to miss hearing him play that trumpet, but most of all, we now need to find a new choreographer! Jeff and I both like the one guitar/horn section sound that we've got going on these days, so help spread the word that we're looking for a second horn guy (trumpet/sax/TROMBONE)...
Speaking of Jeff, he posted this on our website chat page the other day: After 40 years and over 5000 gigs the old Flying V has been determined to be in pretty bad shape. One repairman told me it was basically unfixable. Got a second opinion from the guys in D.M. who seemed to think they could bring it back to life. It's still in the shop. Will know more in a week. Would appreciate a good thought for it. I know it's only a material thing and your energies could be directed to more important things but am hoping it still has some life left. Thanks. JP. Blue People, Let's face it. That Gibson Flying V is part of Jeff's body AND soul. How many notes do you think he's coaxed out of that guitar? Say a little prayer to get the V flying again...
Next Saturday, we get to be part of the all day St. Patrick's Day music celebration at the River Music Experience, 2nd & Main, in Davenport. We get the GEEEEZER Gig hours again (isn't that great?) 7-10p. I'm hoping to be the guy in the Kiss Me I'm Iowaish t-shirt, and that's no blarney (rim-shot)...
In the last three weeks, we've added a few more dates to the appearance calendar including being asked to play a wedding of some longtime friends in Denver Colorado in September! It would really be cool if we could string together a few more dates while we were out in the high country. If you know people out there, put in the good word! And speaking of putting in the good word, please keep telling your local festival entertainment committee about us. For that matter, what about a garage/block party in your neighborhood this year? Plain and simple, we need the work, keep spreadin' the True Blue word, it's too late to stop now (http://www.theblueband.com/contactBob.htm)...
Saturday night's Backtracks radio show is a LIVE edition of the program (http://iowapublicradio.org/studio-one/backtracks/) If you have advance requests (that always helps me find the song and get it on the program for you) just reply to this email or call during the show, 800-772-2440, ext. 5. It's a one-man operation, so I answer all the calls myself in between producing/engineering the show and trying to find requests in the library. If you get thru, let it ring, I'll answer asap. The toll free is good anywhere in the lower 48, you can listen anywhere in the world via streamed audio at www.iowapublicradio.org.
I'm really excited about being part of the fundraising team on Iowa Public Television next Tuesday when they air Elvis '56, the documentary about The King, during their Fundraising Festival 2012. The show airs 6:30-8pm, get out your checkbook and make a generous pledge to IPTV so I can personally say thankyou, thankyouverymuch...
One sad note. Long-time Blue Person Julie Morse succumbed to brain cancer this past week. The Blue Band played Julie & Ken's 25th wedding anniversary. They were there for The Blue Band's 25th Anniversary concert at IPTV. Our hearts go out to Ken, his son Jason, and all family members...
Tonight will be this season's last GEEEEZER Gig in the dark (daylight saving time starts Sunday morning at 2am. I'll be there to welcome it back, will you?) See ya on the Blue Highway, rub yer washboard tie to the tune of On The Road Again, CAKE would be a great way to welcome Mark back, (but gas money in the tip jar would be more appreciated!) spring has sprung and love is in the air. Share it. Bob Dorr & The Blue Band
Honeyboy Turner Update
Honeyboy Turner Band
Duggans Pub
411 S. 11th Lincoln, NE
Friday, March 16th, 5:00p.m.
The Old Pub
480 S. 11th, Lincoln, NE
St Pat's Day
Saturday, March 17th, 6:00p.m.
Duggans Pub
411 S. 11th Lincoln, NE
Friday, March 16th, 5:00p.m.
The Old Pub
480 S. 11th, Lincoln, NE
St Pat's Day
Saturday, March 17th, 6:00p.m.
Illinios Blues Blast
Cover photo by Marilyn Stringer © 2012
MJStringerPhoto.com
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In This Issue
We have the latest in Blues Society news. Terry Mullins has our feature interview
with Ruthie Foster.
We have six CD reviews for you! Rainey Wetnight reviews a new CD by
Jo Harman and Company. Gary Weeks reviews a new CD from Peter Novelli. Ian McKenzie
reviews a new CD from Sharon Lewis & Texas Fire. John Mitchell reviews a new
CD from Hunter Wolfe & ARE. Mark Thompson reviews a new CD from
Detroit Frank DuMont & the Drivin' Wheels. Steve Jones reviews a new CD from
Chris Yakopcic. All this and MORE! SCROLL DOWN!!!
From The Editor's Desk
 Hey
Blues Fans,
In case you missed it, you can still view the PBS Special "In
Performance at the White House: Red, White and Blues" which ran
last week on PBS.
It was a great show celebrating Blues music. It featured Shemekia Copeland, B.B.
King, Buddy Guy, Keb Mo, Gary Clark Junior, Trombone Shorty, Booker T.
Jones, Warren Hayes, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Mick Jagger and Jeff
Beck.
You even get to see President Obama joining in and singing "Sweet
Home Chicago".
Click play button or go to the link below to check it out now.
Wishing you
health, happiness and lots of Blues music!
Bob Kieser
Kickstarter.Com
- Why It Is Important For Independent Musicians
Recently we had an advertiser, Long Tall Deb Landolt, who advertised her
efforts to raise funds for a new album to follow up on her critically
acclaimed 2009 release Diamonds on the Desert Floor using
Kickstarter.com. We knew
of this website but Deb's ads made us more aware of how useful this
website can be. Here's how it works, when someone creates a
project, you can pledge your $$ to help fund the project. If the project
gets the goal amount pledged, the project becomes successful and then
and only then will your pledge be charged to your credit card.
What do you get for helping out? It depends on the individual project
and how much you donate but in most cases a $10 to $15 donation to a
project will get you an advance copy of the new CD when it is finished.
In many cases if you get to higher donation levels above $100, you can
get get your name in the credits on the CD and possibly more for your
donation!
It is a great way for independent artists to have their fans and friends
help bankroll their music projects. Here are links to some of the recent
Blues related projects we found. Check them out and donate to a few of
them. We did! We are pleased to say that Long Tall Deb's project was
funded and is moving forward with completing the new release. Here are
some examples of recent Kickstarter projects.
Long Tall Deb New Album Project
-
Project ended 2/11/12 Goal $18,000 Project was successful
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/longtalldeb/lets-make-a-tasty-new-record
Eddie Shaw
and Jackie Scott - New Album Project - End date 3/31/12 - Goal $2750
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/eddieshaw/blues-in-the-757
We Be Kings Movie featuring Magic Slim as I Be King, Grana Louise as
Lilly, Bianca Ryan as Layla, Quinn Sullivan as Dustin, Pryce Watkins as
Sam, Cee Cee James as Ellen and featuring the TEARDROPS, Magic Slim's
band...
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/647017682/we-be-kings-movie-project Project end date 3/16/12 Goal $7,500
Cee Cee James - New Album Project
- End date 3/15/12 Goal $7,000
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/687146751/blood-red-blues-in-your-veinscan-you-feel-it
Vincent Hayes Project - New Album Project
- Ended 2/27/12 Goal $20,000 Project successful
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/vhp/the-vincent-hayes-project-wants-you-to-be-part-of
Gina Sicilia - New Album Project
- End date 3/17/12 Goal $25,000
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ginasicilia/gina-sicilia-needs-your-support
Scott
Albert Johnson - New Album Project - End date 4/21/12 - Goal $27, 990
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1690977570/scott-albert-johnsons-new-album-going-somewhere
Dave
Herrero - New Album - Project ended 8/11/11 Goal $4000 Project was
successful
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1226770777/dave-herrero-wants-you-to-be-part-of-his-new-album |
 The 2012 Blues
Blast Music Award Nominations
We are accepting
submissions from labels and artists until April 15th, 2012. Artist do not
necessarily have to submit their releases to be considered but any
that do will have their recordings actually screened by the nominators.
(Our Nominators can't nominate something they haven't heard!)
We have 30 nominators so you need to send 30
individual copies to be considered before April 15th, 2012. Any
received after that date may not get sent to the nominators.
There is no charge for this. We will
cover the cost and effort to get your eligible CD or DVD release
into the hands of the nominators if you send them in.
We reserve the right to change this policy in
future years. CD's received after April 15th, 2012 may not reach the nominators so hurry
and get your submissions in today! For complete details,
CLICK HERE
Nominators begin submitting their nominations May
1st and final nominations will be announced after May 31st, 2012.
Voting Begins in July.
|
Featured Blues Interview -
Ruthie Foster
 Discipline.
Any
discussion of this country’s armed forces will usually bring the word
‘discipline’ into the conversation at some point in time.
Without it, our armed forces would essentially be nothing more than a
collection of bodies gathered together. Discipline helps keep a unit
functioning as a successful one.
The
discipline garnered in a tour of duty in our armed forces has also
proven it can have a positive effect on a person’s success in the
civilian world, as well.
For Texas
dynamo Ruthie Foster, the discipline that was engrained upon her during
a stint in the U.S. Navy has paid huge dividends in her rise through the
ranks of the blues world - even if at first glance there doesn’t seem to
be much common ground between ships and the Navy and guitars and the
blues.
“I think
there’s a whole lot of correlation in how I went about it. I actually
went into the Navy because I was a little burnt out on what I was doing
musically,” she said. “I was just out of college, and I took a year off
being around so much music. And I got back into music in the Navy band
and I toured with them for the rest of my term (in the service). And
that really did set me up for what I do right now. It taught me how to
be a leader in a band and deal with different personalities. It taught
me a lot about how to tour and how to rehearse a band. It really set up
to be a working musician, successfully.”
 Foster
burst upon the scene in a big way with 2007’s The Phenomenal Ruthie
Foster, a release that served notice that a major new talent was set to
light up the sky.
Buzzing
with Foster’s off-the-chart soulful vocals, while also showcasing her
impressive skills at working up and down the neck of a six-string with
gut-wrenching intensity, The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster helped pave the
way for a pair of nominations (2008-9) in the Traditional Blues Female
Artist of the Year category at the Blues Music Awards. A year later, at
the 2010 BMAs, Foster was named as the Contemporary Blues Female Artist
of the Year.
And if
that, or 2009’s The Truth According to Ruthie Foster, didn’t make blues
lovers sit up and take notice (it was nominated for a Grammy Award),
Foster’s newest album, Let it Burn (Blue Corn Music), is certainly
poised to do the trick.
More than
just a thrown-together batch of songs that have been played to death in
the blues realm, Let it Burn is an interesting collection of songs from
all over the map – including works associated with Johnny Cash, Los
Lobos, The Black Keys, Adele, Crosby Stills, Nash & Young and Pete
Seeger. A challenging collection of songs if there ever was.
“A lot of
it was (producer) John Chelew’s ideas. He sent me a list of songs he
wanted me to listen to, then I also had a few songs of my own that I’d
been sitting on,” said Foster. “We knew we wanted to make this record
very different – as in more of an interpretation of songs. It kind of
all started out with the arrangement that I had for “Ring of Fire” and
then we took it from there. Some of the songs (on the album) had been
recorded before, but we did them in a different way – took them in a
different direction.”
 That
different direction the tunes off Let it Burn took also included a bit
of a left turn for Foster’s role in the proceedings, as well. For the
first time on one of her CDs, she left her guitar sitting in the corner
and just solely contributed vocals to the recording sessions.
“This album
came together as more of a vocal album for me, because I didn’t really
play anything on it, I just sang,” she said. “We wanted to put the
emphasis on the vocals on this one. The plan was to concentrate on
vocals first and then just let the instrumentation wrap around that.”
Lending a
hand to Warren Haynes’ latest solo offering, the excellent Man in Motion
(Stax Records), played a bit of a role in determining how Foster
approached Let it Burn.
“It kind of
worked that way. I’ve always been a believer when it comes to my career,
to just stay out of the way when opportunities like that come around,”
Foster said. “And the opportunity to do background vocals and tour with
Warren - I didn’t want to pass that up. And that just kind of flowed
into this project. So (just singing background vocals for Haynes) it
really did help prepare me for this project. It really did set me up and
helped to keep my head in the game and focus on what I had to do
vocally. And Chelew made it a point to let me know months before we went
into the studio that he didn’t expect me to play (guitar). He really
wanted me to concentrate on singing.”
While
Foster certainly hit another home run with her amazing voice on Let it
Burn, the cast of musicians that took care of the backing tracks also
knocked it clean out of the park, too.
That’s no
surprise, considering George Porter Jr. played bass, Ike Stubblefield
laid it down on the Hammond B3, Dave Easley took care of the guitar
chores and Russell Batiste kept the groove going on drums. That’s a
dream team if there ever was one.
“Going into
the studio with this great group of musicians from New Orleans was a
nice plus. With their background, we just kind of let them do what they
do,” Foster said. “I was familiar with George and knew of Ike’s
reputation as this master on the B3, but I had no idea just how much of
a beautiful, musical mind-reader he is when it comes to playing with
others. I’ve never worked with anyone of that caliber on the B3. He
really does know that instrument. He wanted the B3 to speak with my
voice and I really appreciate his approach to playing.”
While she
may not have been immediately familiar with Easley’s guitar work before
hand, consider Foster sufficiently impressed with the end results.
“Dave
Easley was someone I had never heard of, because we had Derek Trucks
and
even Warren (Haynes) in mind – but we heard him and then he came in
and
added some phenomenal atmosphere to the album,” said Foster. “All the
fellas were really excellent to work with. Russell was a great add to
the mix, as well. He’s a little younger than some of these guys, but
he
added a little edge to what we were doing. I’m really happy with the
way
the album turned out.”
 William
Bell guests on his smash hit “You Don’t Miss Your Water” and the Blind
Boys of Alabama show up to sprinkle a dose of their undeniable magic on
four tracks.
“I love the
Blind Boys. I’ve had a chance to tour with them a few times and they
were gracious enough to come down to New Orleans and put their shine on
everything,” Foster said. “You know, when they walk into a room, they
really light things up. They came down just to sing on a track or two,
but we played them some of the other stuff and they ended up being on
quite a bit of the material, which is a really nice plus. I’m really
grateful to them for sticking around and doing that.”
Foster’s
association with the eclectic Papa Mali (Malcom Welbourne), who produced
and played on guitar on her Phenomenal album, might have had a bearing
on some of New Orlean’s finest lining up to play on her new disc.
“In a
round-about way, I think it did. We’ve been friends for a long time and
he had a lot to do with my eventually moving to Austin to live,” she
said. “And his background is New Orleans – Louisiana - so I think that
was a connection to me getting these guys to play on the new record.”
Truth be
told, even though she was born in central Texas’ Brazos Valley, if you
looked deep inside Foster, you’d probably find a good deal of blues from
Chicago, jazz from New Orleans, soul from Memphis, country from
Bakersfield and folk from Greenwich Village, all just waiting to come
out through those incredible vocal chords of hers.
And one way
or another, by force or by their own choice, those influences do find
their way to the surface.
“Usually, I
just let that happen (melding of vocal styles), but with this project,
we went in with the conscience decision to bring all those elements to
the table, because I was just going to focus solely on vocals for this
album,” said Foster. “And that was a huge thing for me, to be able to
really just focus on how I was going to deliver a song, vocally. And I
had a few folks in mind – Cassandra Wilson, who I’m a huge fan of and
Norah Jones, I listen to a lot of her music and Mavis (Staples), for
sure. She’s at the top of my list. It’s really a precious moment to do a
tune and have her in mind, vocally.
 In fact, on the song “This Time,”
the Los Lobos tune, I really had The Staple Singers and Mavis in mind -
just to keep it low and not really growly, but just straight-forward
with the soul bubbling and simmering.”
Although
Foster just had a hand in penning two songs on Let it Burn, she’s
constantly got her ears and eyes open for new inspiration that will lead
to a song, no matter which direction it might come from.
“I use a
lot of my own experiences. And I hope to focus on that in the upcoming
year or so, really focus on writing about my experiences,” she said.
“But I do also use other people’s stories, like friends’ or families.’
If it’s an extraordinary story, that’s something I can use and try to
put my own spin on. And sometimes, it’s taking a title or even a great
guitar riff and building off of that.”
With music
playing such a significant part in life from such a young age – from
singing hymns with her mom, to watching country music shows on TV with
her grandfather, there was probably little doubt that Ruthie Foster
would end up making her living just like she’s doing these days.
And Foster
wouldn’t have it any other way.
“When I do
what I do with my music, or come to town with my band, we’re there doing
what we love to do. It’s what I truly believe I was put here to do,” she
said. “To make music and use music as a healer, because that’s what it’s
done for me. It’s gotten me through a lot of things in life, and it
still does. And I hope that comes through in my music, no matter what
I’m singing about. I believe there’s a way of reaching people in how
your approach a song, or how you approach a note. It’s all about the
message inside the song. I hope people get a little bit of something
they’re missing when they listen to one of my songs.”
Photos by Marilyn Stringer © 2012
MJStringerPhoto.com
Interviewer
Terry Mullins is a journalist and former record store owner whose
personal taste in music is the sonic equivalent of Attention Deficit
Disorder. Works by the Bee Gees,
Captain Beefheart, Black
Sabbath, Earth, Wind & Fire and Willie Nelson share equal space with
Muddy Waters, The Staples Singers and R.L. Burnside in his compact disc
collection. He's also been known to spend time hanging out on the street
corners of Clarksdale, Miss., eating copious amounts of barbecued
delicacies while listening to the wonderful sounds of the blues.
For other reviews and interviews on our website
CLICK HERE
|
Featured Blues Review 1 of 6
 Jo Harman
and Company - Live at Hideaway
Chief Recordings #003/Self-produced 2011 release
8 songs; 42:39 minutes
Styles:
Blues Rock, Roots Rock, Blues Ballads
Blues and Rock music is not only popular in North America, but has a
significant following “across the pond” for decades! Jo Harman, a
songstress with long legs and a voice like thick and tangy honey, proves
this with her posse “Live at Hideaway.” This prestigious London club had
the honor of hosting her on a snowy December evening. Fortunately for
both the band and its fans, no one’s enthusiasm ran cold as the rocking
performance blazed on. Born in England’s capital but raised in Devon,
Johanna Harman trills her way through both covers and original songs
with ease. Eight renditions are featured in this live concert, but by
the end of the album, listeners will be hungry for more! Here are three
of its most notable numbers:
Track 3: “Heartstring”-- Leaning towards the rock side of blues as does
most of the set, this accusatory offering is sharp and pointed.
Featuring the magnificent Stevie Watts on keyboards, John McKenzie on
bass, and Martin “Magic” Johnson on drums, this is the band’s best
mid-tempo melody. “So you cry, baby, but you’re wasting my love,” Jo
sneers, and one wonders how long it will be before she calls it quits
with her partner. Guitarist Mike Mayfield is featured on some scorching
fret runs.
Track 5: “Sideways”-- Even though Jo Harman’s version is a re-working of
“Citizen Cope” Greenwood’s classic, it’s still the best blues song on
“Live at Hideaway.” It’s one of slow and passionate mixed feelings, a la
Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game.” In this song, one cannot honestly tell if
Jo Harman and Mike Mayfield, in a harmonic duet, wish to stay together
or part ways. The lyrics point out that sometimes, it’s hard to sort out
how one truly feels when involved in a romantic relationship: “These
feelings won’t go away--they’ve been knocking me sideways!”
Track 7: “Sweet Man Moses”-- Jo wrote this poignant ballad for her
brothers in light of their father’s premature death. Consequently, raw
emotion bleeds forth from every word that escapes her lips, even though
they‘re soft and sweet. The deceased may not have been a perfect man,
but Harman exhorts her siblings to “raise the bar where he went wrong”
and remember their father was “warm as the daylight on the roses.” A
quavering eulogy, its message is one of forgiveness and love.
On her website, Harman says this about Live at Hideaway: “I want to make
a classic album, one that sounds just as good in ten years’ time. I’ve
had [several people] all telling me to follow the main chance and they
are all well-meaning, but I’m just going to go ahead and make it!” Her
efforts have paid off, and this album already fulfills Jo’s goal of
bringing a timeless sound to timeless songs.
Reviewer Rainey Wetnight is a 32 year old female Blues fan. She brings
the perspective of a younger blues fan to reviews. A child of 1980s
music, she was strongly influenced by her father’s blues music
collection.
For other reviews and interviews on our website
CLICK HERE
|
Featured Blues Review 2 of 6
 Peter Novelli –
Peter Novelli
Time: 72:11
With special guests Paul Barrere, Dr. John, Raful Neal, Greg "Fingers"
Taylor and Augie Meyers,
you can’t go wrong in releasing a CD brimming with musical vitality.
Musician Peter Novelli knows how to cook a mean gumbo and does it quite
well in his release simply titled Peter Novelli.
Novelli’s guitar work recalls Louisiana’s native son Sonny Landreth.
Without Landreth’s slide shenanigans it’s still sweet, direct to the
point and doesn’t stray into territories of over-indulgence due to
tasteful restraint. If you are unable to make it to this year’s Mardi
Gras or Jazz-Fest, pay it no mind. This music will transport you there
with the intoxicating effect of losing yourself in the French Quarter.
Working in a trio format in opening shuffle “Texas Tonk,” Novelli sets
the pace for original material that is strong in character and avoids
musical clichés that can otherwise mar a tasty piece of work.
It’s clear that the musical climate of Louisiana plays a role
instrumental in Peter’s take on things. So why not take on the tune “I’m
Going To Louisiana?” Written by Rusty Kershaw, it’s a slow simmering
Cajun boil of a good time party that you never want to end. Think of a
musical meeting between the Radiators and Little Feat.
In mentioning Little Feat, let’s not forget their guitarist Paul Barrere
who drops in to add his own hot spice of slide guitar to Delbert
McClinton’s “Lie No Better.” If you have a bottle of Southern Comfort
nearby, now’s your chance to do a shot because it’s a happy, funky, slow
strut of a tune that can make you forget all about your worldly
problems.
Novelli does display a penchant for going into the weird side of things.
You can either view “Grand Isle Dawn” as a throwaway cut or Novelli’s
attempt into creating movie soundtracks. At best it seems suited for a
film shot on location in the Louisiana swamp. An updated Cajun version
of the movie Deliverance, it’s a nocturnal affair blending Novelli’s
slide guitar, Nelson Blanchard’s synth and Curtis Coubelle into a
synthesis of sounds that are just right for a full moon rising over the
Bayou. It segues just perfectly into the ominous sounding “Wrong Number”
with Novelli’s solos being short and concise and working in conjunction
with the tune to bolster its framework into funk rock mode.
And what’s New Orleans music without Dr. John? The legend himself
appears on “Since The Hurricane” showering the tune with his down-home
piano mojo that sweetens the track like sugarcane against Novelli’s
inspired guitar work. Peter’s vocals are sandpaper rough but are the
thread that holds the songs together.
Certainly some tunes could have been left off for the next release.
Obviously Novelli feels with a heavy arsenal of quality tunes, there’s
no reason to hold anything back. Especially in the B.B. King inflected
“Open The Gate” that sees Novelli reaching for sweet tones that hover
between Michael Bloomfield bravado and Gulf Coast heat. This might be
the only moment Peter is eager to show off chops. But it’s nothing
flashy and stays aboveboard. While “Bulverde, Texas” shows keyboardist
Augie Meyers playing his best carnivalesque runs, this tune could have
ended up on the cutting room without any danger of being missed. Soon
things are off and running with fine New Orleans party in a tribute to
Slim Harpo. The Congo Square fiesta is in fine form with
“Te-Ni-Ne-Ni-Nu” that has Dr. John leading the ensemble with piano
playing hot as Louisiana Tobasco.
This music is as close to I-10 as you are going get. Novelli assembles a
fine cast of musicians to help host a party you would be willing to
travel miles too. The problem is once you get there, you just might
settle into the backwoods swamp for good.
Reviewer Gary Weeks is a contributing writer. He resides in Marietta,
GA.
For other reviews and interviews on our website
CLICK HERE
|
Featured Blues Review 3 of 6
 Sharon
Lewis & Texas Fire - The Real Deal
13 Tracks - 59:04
Ms Lewis calls herself “The Real Deal” and on this showing, that title
is well justified. She is without a doubt a challenger for the title
Queen Of The Blues because, like Koko Taylor she has the ability and the
voice, to move from raw, rough edged blues to sublime Gospel stylings in
the blink of an eye and to do it all with a sense of humor and panache.
She is well known in and around Chicago and brings to this CD a fabulous
band featuring ace Chicago axe man Dave Specter and other outstanding
musicians like harp man Billy Branch. Most of the songs on the album are
Sharon’s own work and there are two covers, of which more in a moment.
The opener, “What’s Really Goin’ On” is a super foot-tapper with a
delightful guitar break and a fiery delivery by Ms Lewis. The title
track “Real Deal” comes with a fabulous horn section and a clever lyric
“There’s some people who think they know all about the blues”…but Lewis
has lived the life and knows the truth!
Truth and honesty abound and tracks like “Do Something For Me” and
“Blues Train” (with some wonderful harp work) are worth the price of the
CD alone.
Miss Lewis is a fine singer and an excellent song writer. She can
clearly attract the cream of the crop of musicians to join her and she
deserves the highest accolades.
I suppose the idea of including the two covers (Bill Withers, Ain’t No
Sunshine” and Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love”) was to show that Ms Lewis can
do soulful stuff written by other people. There was no need. Her own
songs are much better and are delivered with a personal conviction that
is almost tangible. By way of example, check out “Mother Love”, a
delightful song delivered with commitment, fire and passion; it is
wonderful!
This is an excellent follow up to “Everything’s Going To Be Alright” and
is already getting air play. This release augurs well for the future:
“Onward and Upward”.
Reviewer Ian McKenzie lives in England. He is the editor of Blues In The
South (www.bluesinthesouth.com)
a monthly flier providing news, reviews, a gig guide and all kinds of
other good stuff, for people living and going to gigs along the south
coast of England. Ian is also a blues performer (see
www.myspace.com/ianmckenzieuk) and has two web-cast regular blues
radio shows. One on www.phonic.FM
in Exeter (Wednesdays: 1pm Eastern/ 12 noon Central), the second on
KCOR – Kansas City Online Radio
(on Fridays at 1pm Eastern/ 12 noon Central).
For other reviews and interviews on our website
CLICK HERE
|
Featured Blues Review 4 of 6
 Hunter
Wolfe & ARE – The Go
Self Release
13 tracks; 43.09 minutes
Hunter Wolfe comes from Tulsa and is a champion on National Slide
guitar. He has twice performed at the IBCs and is now resident in
Virginia where this, his first album, was recorded. The album is
primarily a duo affair with a female drummer who goes by the moniker ARE
and co-wrote all the songs with Hunter. However, this is definitely a
plugged in duo with intense drumming and slide, somewhat reminiscent of
The White Stripes. Indeed, one track is entitled “Mr White”! All the
songs are original and the only other musicians on the CD apart from
Hunter and ARE are Cassie Taylor who plays bass on three tracks and
sings on one and Jackie Scott, Lamar and LeeTee who each sing on one
track.
Most of the songs are relentlessly up-tempo with busy drums and frenetic
slide guitar. “Make You Mine” is probably the most typical of that
approach whilst “Aberdeen” is one of the few quiet tracks and the only
one on which ARE takes a break. Without the drums and at a slower pace
we can hear Hunter’s breathy, almost spoken vocals well on a song that
gives a dark impression of life in that Mississippi town. Another of the
slower paced songs is “Guiding Light” the lyrics of which feature on the
CD sleeve though I was puzzled by the chorus: “I don’t mind looking like
Superman, when it comes to you, I’ll do all I can. Cause you know you
are my kryptonite and I will always be your guiding light.” I listened
several times to “McKinley Morganfield" to try to discover the Muddy
link, but could only find a rather repetitive song about ‘going home’,
so the reason for the title escaped me.
Track 5 is “Midnight Heat” on which Cassie Taylor’s bass and Jackie
Scott’s vocals add to the basic format. Jackie’s voice is always a
pleasure to hear and this was one of the tracks that I preferred. It’s a
song about love and lust and Hunter takes the opportunity of a larger
ensemble to throw down some tasty guitar licks, doubletracking himself
over the basic riff. The other two tracks on which Cassie plays are
“Letter”, on which she duets with Hunter in her light and pleasant
voice, and “Your Death (Is Killing Me)”. Guest vocalist Lamar’s
contribution is a rap on “On The Tracks” which did nothing for me, I’m
afraid. LeeTee duets with Hunter on the final track “50’sKay” which
starts as a cover of “Chevrolet” then transforms into a version in which
the object of desire is a guitar (50’s Kay) rather than a car! No drums
on this one as ARE and Hunter produce the rhythm with handclaps and
footstomps.
Interestingly the information supplied with the CD suggests that this is
“Blues/Rock/Garage” and will appeal to fans of The White Stripes, Black
Keys, Cage The Elephant, Band Of Skulls and Crash Kings. Also mentioned
in this section are the more familiar names of Robert Johnson, Son House
and David Honeyboy Edwards. It will appeal to those who enjoy some of
the acts mentioned above, particularly those at the start of the list.
Reviewer John Mitchell is a blues
enthusiast based in the UK. He also travels to the States most
years to see live blues music and is currently planning a visit to the
Tampa Bay Blues Festival.
For other reviews and interviews on our website
CLICK HERE
|
Blues Society News
|
Send your Blues Society's BIG news or Press Release
about your
not-for-profit event with
the subject line "Blues Society News" to:
Submissions must be a maximum of 175 words or less in a Text or MS Word document
format.
Santa Barbara Blues Society -
Santa Barbara, CA
The SBBS, the oldest existing blues society in the U.S., celebrates
its gala 35th. birthday by presenting lauded bluesman James Harman
and his band on Friday, March 30, 2012 in Warren Hall at the Earl
Warren Show grounds. Originally from Alabama, Harman has been a star
exemplar of the West Coast blues sound for over 3 decades, and a
multiple nominee of Blues Music Awards from the Blues Foundation.
His appearances for the SBBS, including his most recent in 2006 with
stellar guitarist Jimmy Thackery, have been consistent sell-out
crowd-pleasers.
The show will feature a large dance floor, BBQ snacks, and birthday
cake! as well as great music. Doors open at 7 PM, with opening act
by S.B.’s own Stiff Pickle Orchestra. For information, log onto
www.SBBlues.org or call
(805) 722-8155.
The Great Northern Blues Society -
Wausau, WI
The Great Northern Blues Society is putting on our annual
Fundraising Show “Blues Café’ 2012” on 3/31/12 at the Rothschild
Pavilion near Wausau, WI. Chris Duarte’, Albert Castiglia, Howard &
the Whiteboys, Jumpship Blues Band, and Donnie Pick & the Road band
will be performing from 1:00PM – 11:00PM.
www.gnbs.org for further
information. $15 in advance - $20 at the door.
The Phoenix Blues Society -
Phoenix, AZ
The Phoenix Blues Society is proud to announce that its 21st annual
Blues Blast Festival will be held on Saturday, March 10th, 2012 at
the Margaret T. Hance Park located at 200 East Moreland in Phoenix.
Appearing at Blues Blast will be, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, The
Sugar Thieves, Big Daddy D & the Dynamites, George Bowman the
Baddboyz Blues Band featuring Lucius Parr, Common Ground Blues Band
and Dave Riley and Bob Corritore. The gates will open at 10:00 A.M.
for Blues Blast and the Festival will run from 11:00 A.M. to 6:00
P.M. The website for Blues Blast is
www.bluesblast.info and all
ticketing for the event is being facilitated by Eventbrite at
www.bluesblast.eventbrite.com.
For further information, please feel free to contact Phoenix Blues
Society President, Kyle Deibler, at phxbluesprez@cox.net or on his
cell at 602.770.5936.
River City Blues Society
- Pekin, IL
River City Blues Society presents: Bringing The Blues To You with
the following shows - March 23rd at 7:30PM • Hurricane Ruth, March 28th at 7PM • Albert Castiglia, April
11th at 7PM • Sean Chambers. Location Goodfellas 1414 N. 8th St, Pekin, Illinois
$5.00 non-members $3.00 members. For more info visit:
www.rivercityblues.com
or call 309-648-8510
Illinois Central Blues Club -
Springfield, IL
The Illinois Central Blues Club's 26th Anniversary Celebration will
be Saturday, March 10, 2012, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2200
S. Meadowbrook, Springfield, IL from 7:30 pm to 12:00 am. Kicking
off the celebration at 7:30pm will be local favorites Tombstone
Bullet, the ICBC 2011 Blues Challenge winners with Lil’Ed and the
Blues Imperials taking the stage at 9:30pm.
This event serves as a fund raiser for the ICBC’s “Blues in the
Schools” programs which bring live blues music and oral history of
the blues to children and adults in the community. The admission fee
is $8.00 for members and $10 for non-members.
The Illinois Central Blues Club presents "Blue Monday" every Monday
night for the last 25 years - BLUE MONDAY SHOWS - Held at the Alamo
115 N 5th St, Springfield, IL (217) 523-1455 every Monday 8:00pm $3
cover. Mar 12 – Todd Wolfe Band, Mar 19 – The 44s, Mar 26 – RJ
Mischo, Apr 2 – Brad Vickers & His Vestopolatans, Apr 9 – JP Soars
&
the Red Hots, Apr 16 – Too Slim & the Tail Draggers, Apr 23 –
Andrew
Jr Boy Jones. icbluesclub.org
The Friends Of The Blues - Watseka, IL
Friends of the Blues present 2012 shows:
Tues, March 13, Harper & Midwest Kind, 7 pm, Bradley Bourbonnais Sportsmen’s Club Thur, March 29, Albert Castiglia, 7 pm, Kankakee Valley Boat Club Tues, April 10, Sean Chambers, 7 pm, Bradley Bourbonnais Sportsmen’s Club Tues, April 17, Too Slim & Taildraggers, 7 pm, Kankakee Valley Boat Club Thur, April 26, Al Stone, 7 pm, Kankakee Valley Boat Club
West Virginia Blues Society
- Charleston, W.V.
The West Virginia Blues Society, Inc. and Thornhill Auto Groups
present the 5th Annual Charlie West Blues Fest May 18, 19 and 20,
2012 at Haddad Riverfront Park, Charleston, WV including headline
performances by Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers
and Ruthie Foster. For more information visit
http://wvbluessociety.org/
Prairie Crossroads
Blues Society – Champaign-Urbana, IL
Prairie Crossroads Blues Society shows: Friday April 6, 1st Friday Blues, Johnny Rawls. For more
info:
www.prairiecrossroadsblues.org
Rosedale Crossroads Blues Society - Rosedale, MS
Rosedale Crossroads Blues Society presents The Crossroads Blues and
Heritage Festival, Saturday, May 12, 2012 at the River Resort at
Highway 1 South in historic Rosedale, MS featuring Bill Abel,
Cadillac John, Big Joe Shelton, DSU Ol’ Skool Revue and other area
artists.
Gates open at 12:00 noon, music starts at 1:00 Admission $5 –
adults, $1 – children under 12 Bring your own ice chest – $10 No
beer sold – No glass – No pets, please Parking $5
|
Featured Blues Review 5 of 6
 Detroit
Frank DuMont & the Drivin' Wheels - Live Blues
Self-released
11
tracks/68:45
This disc
captures a solid blues band holding court at Ziggie's Bar, the oldest
blues bar in Denver, running through a list of familiar tunes and having
a good time. Leader Frank DuMont has traveled the world playing guitar
with some great blues musicians. Starting his career in his Detroit
hometown, DuMont backed up Eddie Burns and Bo Bo Jenkins. Later, DuMont
headed to California where he eventually hooked up with keyboard ace
Deacon Jones, who was a long-time member of Freddie King and John Lee
Hooker's bands. The migration continued with stops in Hawaii and Europe
before DuMont decided to settle in Colorado Springs.
The Drivin'
Wheels consist of Scott McClure on bass, Johnny Z on drums, Woogie
Boogie on keyboards and Detroit Gary on the rhythm guitar. DuMont
handles the lead vocals and all guitar solos. He also plays a little
harmonica on one track.
The vocals
are buried in the mix, sometimes so deep that DuMont's gruff voice
sounds like it is coming from another room, as is the case on “Everyday
I Have The Blues”. DuMont is a competent singer with a limited range.
This set list of blues standards is given straight-forward readings that
brings few surprises to the table.
Dumont
covers four songs from the Freddie King catalog, with the instrumentals
“The Stumble” and “Hideaway” providing plenty of space for the leader's
taut guitar work. He uses a biting, harder-edge tone on “Love Her With a
Feelin'” while the opening segment on “Have You Ever Loved a Woman”
shows that DuMont understands the use of dynamics in building a solo,
capable of firing off lightning-fast licks but also not afraid to create
space for the music to breathe.
Woogie
Boogie uses the organ to fill the arrangements on “Drivin' Wheel” and
“Stormy Monday”, getting his a chance to strut his stuff on the latter
cut. The same tune finds DuMont demonstrating his ability to tastefully
stretch out on a slow blues number. The band sounds a bit stiff on
“Shake for Me” but DuMont recreates Hubert Sumlin's signature guitar
lick. They rock harder on Jimmy Reed's “Shame, Shame, Shame”, with
Woogie Boogie firing off a brief, spirited solo on his electronic
keyboard to get things started. “Papa's Got a Brand New Brand” is done
as a short, funky instrumental with the focus on DuMont's staccato
guitar playing.
This one
captures a good band on a good night. No revelations but lots of good
guitar from DuMont, who plays the blues, not some blue/rock fusion that
seems to be the norm these days. It would be great to hear what these
guys could do in a recording studio with some original material.
Reviewer
Mark
Thompson is president of the
Crossroads Blues
Society in Rockford. IL. He has been listening to music of all kinds
for fifty years. The first concert he attended was in Chicago with The
Mothers of Invention and Cream. Life has never been the same.
For other reviews and interviews on our website
CLICK HERE
|
Featured Blues Review 6 of 6
 Chris
Yakopcic - Done Found My Freedom 'Fore My Technique
Self
Released
10
tracks
Chris
Yakopcic is an ambitious and accomplished solo acoustic guitar player.
He represented Western Pennsylvania in the IBC's last month. His guitar
style is very traditional and the songs are all well done originals. His
finger picking is quite good and he claims to be a student of the
Piedmont and Delta styles; he's apparently learned well. His style of
guitar work is very much fresh and raw and in a down home style and I
was impressed with his abilities.
The CD
opens with one of my favorite tracks on the album. "99 Juke Joints" is a
catchy song where he blends guitar and vocals into a timeless and well
constructed cut. He follows that with "Hard Soled Shoe", another great
track, where he masterfully picks the strings and bangs on his guitar's
body while soulfully singing about his baby.
Vocally, I
had a few reservations with most of the rest of the tracks, but I
checked out live versions on line and listened in a few formats to see
what I could find out. While I listened on my stereo and in my car
several of the tunes on the CD seemed to get just a little off key here
and there occasionally. On my headphones it was less off but it was
still there. I think he was straining to get more bluesy and the stress
put his voice on the edge of getting flat. The live performances on his
site and Youtube of the same songs were much more on, less nasal and
more focused.
The closing
track features some dirty harp work by Chris. He really stays true to
the roots of this kind of music with a raw and energized approach. He's
quite the musician!
The songs
he's written are all excellent. His work on the acoustic guitar is
really tight. The vocals stain just a bit here and there, but overall
he's trying hard and with some more effort I am sure he will get it all
together. There is a lot of potential here and I think with the right
vocal work he can become a top-notch acoustic bluesman. Hell, even given
the minor vocal fluctuations here and there, one can see that this is a
very talented young man who can put on a great show!
Reviewer
Steve
Jones is secretary of the
Crossroads Blues
Society and is a long standing blues lover. He is a retired Navy
commander who served his entire career in nuclear submarines. In
addition to working in his civilian career, he writes for and publishes
the bi-monthly newsletter for Crossroads, chairs their music festival
and work with their Blues In The Schools program.
For other reviews and interviews on our website
CLICK HERE
|
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