May everyone find themselves with a joyous holiday behind them and looking forward to a great 2010 New Year! I know here at American Blues News we are all looking forward to 2010. Each and every one of us realize that we are blessed to have the year 2009 with our blues friends. We have attended some great American Blues Festivals, talked to some interesting, passionate artists and have heard some really fantastic music! It has been an amazing year for each and every one of us!
I just want to share some things for the upcoming year. We are making changes to our blues newswriting lineup. We have switched some writers around and you will find them on the following days:
Nelson will still be offering those great pictures every Sunday. Nighthawk, our traveling musician, will still be holding up the fort on Mondays. J.Blake will continue to share his reviews and interviews every Tuesday. I will be moving from Friday to Wednesday. Gatorman will be changing from Wednesday to Thursday offering coverage of Chicago. Bluesman, our new addition from Washington, DC, will be offering thoughts every Friday.
Our Saturday lineup in January is as follows:
1st Saturday - Scottsdale: Bob Corritore 2nd Saturday - Houston: Abby Owen 3rd Saturday - Pittsburgh: CR Bennett 4th Saturday - LA: Jerry Rosen 5th Saturday - We will share our first guest of the new year!
Don't forget the IBC's are in January! We look forward to sharing all of that news with you.
Now the question is how blue were we in December?
First, we introduced three new writers this past month. We have Abby Owen from Austin, TX, Bluesman from Washington, DC and CR Bennett from Pittsburgh. We are glad they have joined us and we look forward to hearing what they have to say!
Probably the most blues newsworthy item was the announcement of the 2010 Handy Award Nominees. We at American Blues News had the priviledge of speaking with many of the nominees this past year and were happy for all of the nominees.
Gatorman talked to Al Stone and Bruce Iglauer of Alligator Records.
This interview offered a lot of information about Bruce and Alligator Records that we offered a Part I and Part II. Our new writer, Abby Owen, talked to Seth Walker for us. I had a nice conversation with Tinsley Ellis, who was just nominated for a blues award in 2010. When I spoke with Lefty Williams, I had no idea that Tinsley and Lefty were collaborating on a few songs. Just a reminder of what a small world it is. I spoke with Teeny Tucker who will be releasing an album very soon. And J. Blake had the chance to catch up with Tommy Casto, another blues nominee.
Speaking of Blake, there seemed to be much todo about the article of Derek and the Dominos.
We did a few reviews. The first being a performance review of an extremely young upcoming artist named Michaela Rae. Bluesman offered his views of Michael Burks. And Blake caught the show of Hubert Summlin. Nighthawk shared the Celebration of Life Concerts.
Blake kept up with the CD reviews offering his findings on Steven Seagal's blues album.
We did get caught up in the holiday spirit this year. We offered a week worth of gift giving ideas for your blues fan such as a USB turntable. And, how could I not share at least one of my favorite Christmas Albums with you? So, I chose Ray Charles Spirit of Christmas. Blake offered a book review of Strange Brew. And Nighthawk is our gadget guy.
Did you know that every year in Memphis there is the Blues Ball? Why don't you take a read on that one and don't forget to view those awesome guitars!
I personally was touched by how the artist, Eric Bibb, could affect a life and wrote about that in my Christmas story, Christmas Connections. Nighthawk shared the workings of his friends in Memphis and the Christmas Kindness that Southern hospitality has.
Gatorman was quite creative this holiday season and shared a Blues Christmas poem with each of you.
We also brought on board another exciting photographer, CR Bennett who shared his coverage of Candye Kane, who has been nominated for a few blues awards for 2010.
I wish all of you a Happy New Year! Time doesn't seem to wait for anyone, does it? I put together the following slideshow for you. It's me singing 'Wait for Me' with my friend, Michael Bellava, playing acoustic guitar in the living room of our friend known as Musicman. I hope you enjoy! I'll talk to you next year!
There are artists and then there is Al Stone. Al is a true blue blues artist. He can hold his own with any top name blues/southern rock artist out there today. He has the stuff plain and simple. I met Al Stone while watching a live stream of a blues jam. Al was in the chat room. When I identified myself as a blues blogger he asked if I could listen to his CD. I said OK. I did not expect much, but man oh man, I was mistaken. I was totally blown away. Mr. Stone is a Chicagoan who now resides in the land of the gator Florida. I am looking out my window while writing this and Al is one lucky man for it is wintertime in Chicago and the snow is falling down. (song hmmmmm)His Chicago roots are very evident in his music and it also reflects his southern rock location. Al is also a genuinely good natured individual.
How did you come to the music world?
With dreams of a new Cadillac good whiskey and bad women. OK that was just a joke. Every one from my Mother and my three older sisters play music, and I was the youngest , when I was about 12 years old, my sisters had an all girl band called the Diamond Lenz. They toured the Midwest, and I was there roadie.
If it wasn’t music where would you be?
Well to tell you the truth, I used to work in forge shops like Wyman and Gordon and Commercial stamping and forging in the Chicago land area .
Do you come from a musical background?
Yes, as I was saying before, and to add to the fact that, every one in my family plays music, my mother played fiddle, mandolin, piano, and guitar like Chet Adkins, and every morning she would wake me by playing Church gospels, and she was also a singer on a live gospel, broadcast radio show in Jacksonville, Fl., when she was 19 [ wjax ]
Where did you grow up? Do you miss it?
I was born in Chicago, than moved to a suburb called Markham, but I hung out in the Chicago area, most of my late teens and early twenties , playing music . And I will be back in Chicago soon, planning on doing a couple of shows in March , Cant wait so yes I miss Chicago!!
Where do you call home now?
Chicago, is my Home and always will be in my heart . But I am living in Jacksonville, Fl. At the present time on a piece of land that has been in my family on my mothers side since the old days.
What was your very first paying job, when where?
I think it was at this party down the street from my house, when I was in 8th grade, like 13 years old, we only knew 4 songs. If I remember one of the songs was Tobacco Road .
When did you first start playing?
I started out with Drums at 10, then my sister, Lorren, who played bass Guitar gave me her first bass at 12 . It was a cheaper one that she replaced with a Gibson EB0, than in one of my earlier bands, we were playing this song, and the guitar player could not get the lead guitar break right so we switched guitars and from than on I played Lead guitar.
Who were some of your early influences?
Justin Pomeroy and Bob Carter, from a Chicago band called “ Pop “, Phil Lacafo from Midlothian Il. a band called Hartsfield, and Mike Bloomfield, Hubert Sumlin. Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Johnny Winters, my Mother and sisters, Marietta [ Lead and rhythm guitar ] and Lorren [ bass guitar ].
How did you come about your first Guitar?
I shoveled out the dirt and helped build forms to pour a cement side walk at a music store at about 13 years old.
What kind was it/ How about the first amplifier?
My first real six string guitar was a Gibson SG, blue metal flake, My first amp Wilder 2+2 that was a hand me down from my sisters when the got there duel showman fenders .
I really love the style of music you play. What genre would you put it in?
Electric Blues
Can you tell me what your current stage set-up is?
I am playing a custom hot rodded Peavey amp, but it is a temp, till the same guy that did the hot rod work [ Erik Guess ] gets my Train wreak Express Clone done . And a Ibanez AR250 made in 2002 its made like a Les Paul double cut away guitar. No effects straight into the amp, and a Seymour Duncan Pick up at the bridge.
Who was your favorite artist to play with?
There are two Bob Moseley, and Erik Guess. Bob Moseley, piano player, originally from Alabama, lives here in Fl. Now, Bob did some shows with me. Bob is older now and I am going to record some new songs with him in January. Erik Guess, even though I play slide Guitar, this Guy Erik is just great .
Who’s in your I-Pod or who are you listening to currently?
I don’t even have an I-pod, but I been getting into the older Guys from the 40’s 50’s 60’s you know Otis Spann, Muddy Waters, Sunny Terry, Brownie McGhee, James Cotton
Who is your favorite guitar player?
I don’t have a Favorite one , but I have a favorite few, Jeff Beck, Johnny Winters, Ry Cooder, are always in my favorite’s but I change from time to time with some of the new guys.
Do you have a favorite venue?
I love playing blues fests, but there is some thing to be said about the intimacy of a smaller club . being close to people brings out the deeper emotions of your playing, its like your havin a personal conversation with the people in the room that your playing for.
Is there anything in the works?
Yes, I am recording some new songs to be released asap, and I am focusing on a tour in the U.K. and South Fl. I will be At the House of Blues , Orlando . June 26 /27 . Oh and Chicago in March
Most of the songs I write, just kinda pop in my head , its like I see the guitar playing the song and the words are just there all at once, than I have to figure out what I heard and saw in my head .
Do you start with lyrics or music?
I try to write down the lyrics first as they flow from my mind, while all the while I hear the music in music head.
What would be your ultimate place to play?
That question,.. Its like a big menu at a great restaurant, to many choices to answer that one . I Guess it would be a show that was broadcast live, from a popular venue, so the world could view it.
What do you for see in the near future?
Good times, Great people, And music that tells the truth
Do you have any top secret things you’d like to share?
Yes, I Do and it is some thing that, I already know, some people will not get it, and others will love it, at least I hope. And as a matter of fact when we first met I shared it with you. and I am sure that, not many people have seen it. Do you Remember that test Video I did on a PC camera and a 70 year old 4 string regal. Well lets give them that. It will be fun. After all you said I should let people see it . So lets do it. Give them the link.
As an artist how do you deal with the business end of the art?
Its all good, just go with it. There are good and bad times for every one. And in the end if you did what you love and stuck to your Artistic believes . Than what ever happens, than its ok.
Let’s turn to your CD “I Want It All”. I received your CD in the mail and really did not think much of it until I listened to it. When I popped it in my player I could not stop listening. I literally listened to it 5 times before I took a break. It has to be one of my all time favorite CD’s. It has extremely strong vocals and outstanding guitar work. Very, very soulful and straight from the heart and I believe this could easily be a big hit in 2010. Thanks the journey well be fun Tell me a little bit about how it came about. The title cut “I want It All (’59 Cadillac)” has quite a funky groove. Tell me about it. Gatorman, that is honestly, one of the songs that jumped in my head as I walked past a piece of paper and started writing, there was words and music in about 15 minutes. And another years worth of work to make it play just right .
“Strange” another funky style blues with the wah-wah guitar. Where did it come from?
Strange was written on a stage at a club, here in Jacksonville, Fl. Where I hosted a jam, the story goes like this. It was early after noon the doors of the club were not open yet and I had my band on the stage for a quick rehearsal, I said got a new riff for the jam tonight, so we jammed it , I told the band the changes, than we took a break, and I drank beer and scratched out the words on a napkin.
“The captain” is as poignant as the opening line ”Like a knife driven suddenly through a strong cold heart of a winter’s night”. I am at a loss for words to describe this one. It is simply powerful and well done. Where did the idea come from for this song?
It Came to me as I walked on the ocean beach in Jacksonville, Fl.
I leave the idea of what it means up to the listener , for that is the magic in that song .
“She’s Gone” is a great lumpty lump romp into the rocking side of blues. “Blind Dog” is my favorite on the whole CD. What a great groove. Where did the song come from?
Blind Dog was inspired By Johnny Winter, I just love that Blues he plays like “ Going Back to Dallas “ and its about this mean dog that a girl friend had, and the dog didn’t like any one. So the first time I went to her house there I was walking up on a mean Dog that I didn’t Know and the dog just sat on my foot and liked me. The dog followed me every where till it got old .
“Pontiac Four Door” is quite humorous. Was that your intent?
No it’s a true store, and that is why its so funny. And as you know good blues is all about making real live hard times into stories that makes fun of being alive .
“Drunk Again” great southern blues rock song. Is it based on real life?
Well , I am quit sure some one is living that life, but it reminds me of a few people I knew in my own life.
“Old #9” Another great down home delta blues influenced song. Lumpty lump at it’s soul. “12 Personalities” Is it based on life experience?
Well has to do with the way I saw an old girl from back than.
“ Don’t Try To Change Me” What a rocker. Was that your intent or did it just happen?
Well it was what I said to the girl that didn’t want me to play music. I told her don’t try and change me !! So I guess it got an in your face kinda sound . it’s the old Blues had a baby and they called it Rock and Roll thing [ Muddy Waters }
The Regal guitar played in the video is made for a banjo player to play when he is not looking for a banjo sound, but wants to play a guitar sound . It is 1930 's and was only made for a few years. It is a four string tenor Guitar style with a banjo shape neck. In this video it only has three of the strings on it and they have been on the guitar since I was little about 45 years or possible more. , They are tuned to strings 4,5,6 of a guitar in E tuning , the song was made up on the spot, to test my web cam, and what you are seeing is the first time it was played. Making up the words as I went along. Song Title " Walkin Cane " has since turned into one of my completed new original songs I perform live at my shows, Starting with the first verse just me and a Dobro and the band kickin in on the second versus, and me kickin in on an Electric Guitar, with versus and solo breaks . inspiration comes when it comes !
It is October 1970. Eric Clapton has already been called “God” and found international fame with his previous bands, Cream and Blind Faith. In an attempt to step out of the spotlight, he spent four months as a supporting player with the American rock/soul group Delaney & Bonnie & Friends and during that time switched his axe of choice from Gibsons to a 1956 sunburst Fender Stratocaster affectionately called ‘Brownie’.
His latest musical endeavor, Derek & The Dominos, involves keyboardist/vocalist Bobby Whitlock, bassist Carl Radle and drummer Jim Gordon; the core rhythm section of Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett’s band and by now they have already spent the spring writing new material and the summer gigging in Europe with guitarist Dave Mason and backing George Harrison as the session band for his first solo album ALL THINGS MUST PASS.
The last few days of August and the first half of September were spent in Miami Florida at producer Tom Dowd’s Criteria Studios. The band has laid down a collection of blues standards, a Hendrix cover and nine Clapton/Whitlock original compositions. Clapton’s almost juvenile romantic obsession with George Harrison’s wife Pattie Boyd and the presence of Clapton’s recently realized guitar soulmate, Duane ‘Skydog’ Allman, has fueled the sessions with an energy that few studio recordings ever achieve.
On September 18th, just 8 days after Derek & The Dominos recorded a version of Little Wing as a musical tribute to Clapton’s dear friend, Jimi Hendrix died of mysterious circumstances at the age of 27. With the exception of returning to the USA with the intent of attending his funeral on October 1st and instead opting to spend that time putting the finishing touches on their then unfinished first album, Clapton and his band spent the remainder of September and early October playing a handful of European concert dates.
The Dominos’ American tour kicked off yesterday, October 15th, 1970 at Rider College in Trenton New Jersey. Unfortunately not much is known about that show specifically, but if tonight’s performance in Philadelphia is any indication, then the Trenton crowd was in for quite a treat. Clapton and his band will be spending two consecutive nights in Philadelphia, playing its legendary music venue The Electric Factory. Tomorrow night’s show will slip into obscurity and be barely remembered as time marches on, but thanks to an industrious bootlegger, a decent quality recording will document the band’s performance tonight, Friday the 16th; creating a ‘boot’ that will eventually be considered by many collectors to be among Clapton’s best.
The band’s set-lists up to this point have been mostly made up of material from both the forthcoming double-album LAYLA AND OTHER ASSORTED LOVE SONGS and Clapton’s recently released self-titled first solo album, but remarkably, tonight’s performance feature The Dominos performing a unique and very blues-heavy collection of songs.
With the exception of two shows in December, Duane Allman will unfortunately not be joining Clapton for The Dominos’ American tour, but the weeks they spent in the studio playing alongside one another have had an effect and influence on the British bluesman that will never be more evident than during tonight’s performance. As the band takes the stage, an introduction is announced over the P.A., “Ladies and gentlemen, Derek & The Dominos” and we watch as Clapton counts off the night’s opening number. Suddenly our ears are assaulted by a flurry of slide-guitar as the band launches into an Elmore James-esque version of Robert Johnson’sRambin’ On My Mind; a song that Clapton made his vocal debut with, on the now legendary BLUESBREAKERS: JOHN MAYALL WITH ERIC CLAPTON.
The bulk of tonight’s material may indicate that Clapton is here to play the blues, but that does not stop him from treating the audience to an electrifying preview of what will be on the band’s upcoming studio album. As the Johnson cover comes to a close, we hear a quick “thank you” before the band breaks into an extended and funky prelude to the Clapton/Whitlock composition Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad? This type of drum-driven introduction will prove to be commonplace for this song during the tour, but tonight we hear Clapton do something out of the ordinary. He takes on the role of an M.C., hyping the audience with a carnival-style bark, “Get ready to go! Get ready for the show! I’m gonna sing you song. Yeah yeah!” As the band explodes into what will later be considered arguably the best recorded version of this future fan favorite ever, Clapton’s fingers attack the 16 minute high-octane jam with an energy and fluidity that will rarely be summoned by the guitarist after this particular period of his career.
The rest of the show is bookended by long and spirited renditions of songs from the self-titled album ERIC CLAPTON; which was released just two months prior to this Philadelphia performance. These versions of Blues Power and Let It Rain are both wonderful and worth mentioning, but it is what the band plays between them that makes this show unique and historic. For their live shows, it is common for the Dominos to instantly follow the Clapton/Leon Russell collaboration, Blues Power, with a slow blues number in the key of ‘C’. They usually play either Stormy Monday or Have You Ever Loved A Woman? (a song that Clapton originally played with Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, but recorded just a seven weeks ago for the LAYLA album) and this night in Philly is no exception. Clapton’s guitar playing on Have You Ever Loved A Woman? is full of vigor and intensity. He plays through his normal pauses and assaults the 12-bar progression with extended stretches of 6-string agility that will one day be more often associated with Stevie Ray Vaughan than Ol’ Slowand.
The “LAYLA sessions” officially wrapped on October 2nd with Clapton and Duane Allman performing a Little Walter Jacobs song titled Mean Old World. Unfortunately the song will not make it on to the album, but it will eventually turn up decades later on various Clapton and Allman compilations. Clearly though, it is still freshly planted in Clapton’s mind, because tonight he breaks out the slide once again; treating the Philly crowd to an extremely rare live performance of the Little Walter standard. As with Rambin’ On My Mind, Clapton dances around the fret-board, bottleneck in hand, with a looseness that is atypical for the British guitar icon; who will eventually develop a habit of playing slide with almost too much precision for some people’s tastes. Once again the Skydog influence boils to the surface, as it does on the following song as well; the first known live performance of Clapton playing the Blind Willie Johnson composition Motherless Children. For you “non-Clapton junkies”, the reason why this is significant is that this song will not surface again in his repertoire until 1974, when a studio version of it is recorded for the album 461 OCEAN BOULEVARD. The song will eventually become a semi-staple of Clapton’s live shows, but for now, we hear a slightly less polished glimpse of what is to come…and it is amazing.
As mentioned earlier and like most of The Dominos’ live performances, the night ends with a lengthy (yet explosive) rendition of Let It Rain and it is a fitting finale to jaw-dropping night of music. For a concert that clocks in at just over 73 minutes, the fact that the band only played 7 songs is quite astounding. Clapton and his band’s ability to keep relatively basic blues and rock conventions interesting and entertaining for such extended periods of time, is both outstanding and commendable.
A week from now, on October 23rd and 24th, Derek & The Dominos will record two of their four sets at the Fillmore East in New York City and selections from those recordings will eventually be released, first as a double-LP titled IN CONCERT in 1973 and then as an extended double-CD collection titled LIVE AT THE FILLMORE in 1994. Nearly half of the songs performed in Philadelphia will not make it to the Fillmore stage, or any other Dominos performance for that matter. They instead will be replaced with more selections from the future Dominos studio album, other Clapton/Whitlock compositions and songs from Clapton’s past career, like Crossroads and Presence Of The Lord; two songs that for some reason will rarely make it back on to any of the band’s future set-lists.
The American tour will end at Suffolk Community College in Seldon New York on Sunday December 6th, 1970. The Dominos’ masterpiece LAYLA AND OTHER ASSORTED LOVE SONGS will be released just 5 days later (on 12/11/70) to mediocre sales and minor critical acclaim; though its title track will go on to be considered one of the greatest rock-guitar anthems of all-time. In spring of 1971, Derek & The Dominos will enter Olympic Studios in London to record their 2nd album, but tensions and stresses caused by substance abuse will lead to their breakup during these sessions and Clapton will go into nearly 3 years of heroin fueled seclusion before recording again. Sadly, Duane Allman will die in a motorcycle accident in Macon Georgia on October 29th, 1971 at the age of 24.
In 2006 and 2007 Clapton will revisit most of The Dominos’ material alongside Allman heir and Dominos namesake Derek Trucks, but it is in 1970, with Whitlock, Radle and Gordon, that Clapton played with a fire that he arguably will never be able to reproduce. Like all great artists he and his style will evolve throughout the coming years, cementing him as an important figure in not only blues and rock, but in popular music in general. Thankfully we have the recordings, both official and unofficial, to document these periods in time and music and to illustrate the creative evolution of artists like Eric Clapton and so many others.
(Memphis, Tennessee) This week we take a listen to The album, "Blues with a Backbone," by 14 year old guitar prodigy Michaela Rae Knox who hails from Colorado. I heard her play with Jasco at the Snowy Range Music Festival in Laramie, Wyoming, over this past Labor Day weekend. I was there playing keyboard and harmonica with the Reba Russell Band and after our show we headed over to hear Michaela play.
Michaela and Jasco jamming in Wyoming
I was very favorably impressed as she plays with great precision and has a very good tone. I have honestly heard many adults who who could take some lessons on execution and style from this young lady. Her guitar playing was excellent. At 14 Michaela Rae has already performed at Denver's Mile High Blues Festival and the International Blues Challenge. That festival is one not to miss, by the way.
Michaela's CD starts out with the Booker T. & the M.G.'s classic, "Green Onions." She and the band do an admirable job on this great old instrumental. She is accompanied on the recording by:
Dave Beegle - Guitar, Hammond B3 Michael Olson - Bass Matt Henderson - Drums
The CD is produced by Dave Beegle at Backbone Studios and the recording is tastefully performed with clean, clear sound and crisp tracks throughout. Among the eight tracks are Buddy Guy's "Mary had a Little Lamb" (which features some real cool Leslie guitar) and Jimmie Vaughn's "SRV Shuffle," which is the classic lumpty-lump bass line and some great harmonizing guitars and loads of hot solos.
Dave Beegle at this year's Snowy Range Music Festival
When I was talking with my friend John Catt he informed me that Michaela Rae was going to be this year's IBC Youth Showcase entrant from the Grand County Blues Society in Colorado. I look forward to seeing Michaela and her family here in Memphis for the big competition. I had an opportunity to speak with her father for a while in Wyoming and he is a genuinely affable and kind man. He told me that he had started her out on guitar when she was only 4 years old.
I thoroughly enjoyed Michaela's first CD and I understand that she is currently working up material for her next one. The guitar work and production were excellent and even the developing vocal styling of Michaela was always adorable, if not always perfect. As this blues player continues to develop the world will have some great performances to enjoy for many years.
When she's not playing the blues apparently Michaela Rae likes to drive fast in a straight line. This is a shot from her Facebook page of her dragster...cool, huh?
To get a copy of this Michaela Rae CD of your very own, click here:
Greetings and Happy Holidays blues fans! I hope Santa dropped off everything or almost everything on your Christmas list. I'm sure there were more than a few shiny new electric guitars left under Christmas trees. Any aspiring blues men or women out there?
This week I am submitting photos of Duke Robillard from his Oct. 28, 2009 show at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York. Duke has been on the scene for 30 plus years and is one of the most well respected guitarists in the blues community. He is the second most honored guitarist for The Blues Music Awards, having won 4 out of 5 years. Check out his website and see if he'll be performing at a club near you sometime soon.
Until the next go-round, keep supporting the Blues. As you can see, these cats are working hard to lay it down for you.
The Blues in our nations capital . We have some of the very best Blues coming thru our area , and some of the best Blues I have heard lately comes from the hot hands of Michael Burks .
I had the opportunity to see Mr Burks at a small venue called The State Theatre in Falls Church , Virginia . This is a renovated movie theatre that still has the balcony that graced many of the better theatres in out great country . It also has a dance floor in front of the stage , but , me being the lousy dancer I am , used it to get closer to the action . Closer to the Blues .
Michael Burks plays the Blues with the intensity of the great Blues artists of the past , and has a strong vocal style that reminds me of the great BB King during his heyday . The house was full of intense smokin' non stop Blues that electrified the small but appreciative crowd . It never ceases to amaze me that people are unaware of Blues artists like Michael Burks . I agree that the "main stream" artists ike Eric Clapton , Joe Perry , BB King , Jeff Beck and others too numerous to mention , are great musicians and worthy of the praise they receive from fans and critics , but THIS I know ... the only difference between these artists and Michael Burks is experience ; time in the studio and on the road .
Michael Burks is constantly on the road , and I would highly recommend catching one of his shows when he comes to your area . He plays many of the Blues festivals around the country , and I will post his tour dates on this site once the new year starts .
I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ! Due to this being Christmas Eve , todays post will be short . Here's hoping that Santa brings everyone what they want ( IF you can afford it ) , and please stay tuned to Washington DC Blues for all the best Blues news in the area !
The holidays sometimes are not all joy for everyone. There are many that hurt. This past week, I had one of my dearest friends call me. She told me that her son wrecked the car two weeks in a row. They didn’t have money for repairs. She told me that her husband, being self employed during the holidays, was not getting paid by those that he worked for and she didn’t have money for Christmas. And, the kids today seem to expect so much. She also told me, she didn’t think she could make it through. My friend is also bipolar.
I’ve had my own set of problems this year, but I knew what she was saying. My friend and I are connected. She has been my friend for probably ten years now. She didn’t think she could make it through…. I told her that she needed to go to the hospital. She is there now and I know she is safe. I know that the people there will connect with her and pull her through. I also know that on the 26th of December, everything she was worrying about for December 25th, would be done and gone. Just one day in a life makes such a difference.
There is a blues artists named, Eric Bibb. I am a fan of Eric's. Eric is one of those blues artists that finds joy in the world and uses the blues genre to convey his message. As a songwriter, it is amazing how so few words being said can have such a huge impact on people. I don’t have to tell you that a word as simple as, “Yes“, to a question, can bring tears or joy to a person’s eyes. The power of words. The connection of a thought. The connection of a word.
Eric’s word power was so profound for Jeffrey Salovich. Jeffrey Salovich shared the following story on Eric’s Fan page. I am sharing this with all of you so that you may realize that though things may seem simply awful one day, there is a better tomorrow and time does fix things. This writing is for those of you worried about tomorrow and is a reminder that you need to live for today, because today is what is important. As you read Jeffrey’s story, you can see why it is important to live for today. And, this is an example how the blues can be a healer. Here is what he shared:
I still remember being treated at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota, three years ago after under going brain surgery for an infectious abscess. During that time my wife, who was pregnant with our 4th child, just about lost him if not by the grace of God.
That time was uncertain for us as a married couple and for our three other children. Our trust was put in God, because we knew we could not do it by ourselves. We learned to let go and trust God, for better or worse.
During the spring of 2007, my wife was better and our child was growing strong in her womb. My treatment was working and I was feeling better. We took a trip up to Northern Minnesota along the shores of Lake Superior where we drove to Grand Marais, up the Gunflint Trail to a small cabin we rented for 3 nights. There we enjoyed being in the wilderness and in the quiet to reflect on life and enjoy one another as a family. We had much to be thankful for.
On that trip, we were searching radio stations in Grand Marais and came across WTIP- FM. It was on this station, that we first heard Eric Bibb. He was being broadcast from West Virginia and he was singing ‘Connected‘. His voice was so rich and the soul of the song caused me to ask my wife to write this man's name down so we could check him out at the music store when we hit the cities again. After ‘Connected‘, he sang 'For You', and 'I heard The Angels Singing'.
Fast forward to 2009. I graduated school. My family is healthy and our children are beautiful. My wife Amanda and I were finally able to see Eric perform live at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis, where he really and truly brought church to the Jazz Club scene. An amazing performance. We sat table side and were amazed and glad to be there. After, Eric took time to listen as we told him how we came about hearing of him. I told him, "Every time I hear you sing, I hear the gospel. And that's how I will always hear you." He smiled.
So, during this time of year where my family celebrates Christmas, I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and to my Jewish friends out there, A Happy Hanukkah! Life is precious and life is sweet. Sometimes I need a rough day to keep me grounded to the fact that it’s here and gone so soon. I pray for you all much Grace, Mercy and Peace to you and your loved ones. In love, Jeffery
Just to offer support to what Jeffrey is saying, every Christmas I am reminded of the importance of seizing opportunities today because they may not be there tomorrow. I remember Christmas of 1997 when my kneeling wise man in the nativity set broke in half. Now my Dad was a great repairer of porcelain. He asked me if I wanted him to fix it. Always being in a hurry, I said, “No Dad, I just want to get things packed and put them away for next year. You can glue it when I take it out for Christmas next year.”
My Dad was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in Spring of 1998 and passed away in September of 1998. Every year it is a constant reminder to me, when I take that wise man out, that I need to live the fullest for any given day. I find it interesting that it is a humble kneeling Wiseman that gives me that message yearly.
Take it from me, whatever you have worrying you, it will pass. And, I hope you find Eric’s song ‘Connected’ to be the blues healer that some of you may need this holiday season. Always keep in mind that you may be the connection that someone else needs.
So, this holiday season, connect with your family. Seize the day! Take care and may you and yours have a Happy Holiday!
Monica
Here is another great blues acoustic act American Blues News has covered: Chris Smither
A day before Christmas and blues played throughout the house Everyone's happy even the bass player's spouse Inside was drinking and dancing, a good time affair That merriment flowed right up the oak railed stairs
And Everyone knew the best blues for miles around no invite was needed to the best joint in town A Blue Christmas gathering with cold flowing champagne "Best blues" A Neon sign flashes proudly proclaims
For each and every Christmas a party she had She treated everyone with respect all felt glad Cash registers filled with money from bar maids little hands While sweet Leslie sounds flowed from that Hammond's blues man
Up on stage the guitarist made his blues guitar talk While the bass player went for a down home blues walk The Drummer played a bad Memphis style old fatback groove While shake dancers showed their shimmy-ing moves
All people were merry and happy all beamed with delight Except a red suited Grinch who said," it ain't right!" with long hair and red beard he loved that hackneyed rock and roll He wanted that non blues song before he would go
Red Grinch held up his beer and yelled Hey it's Free Bird time" and with one foot on the bar he started his climb. He slipped on a lemon twist and fell to saw dusted floor, Then mumbled Free Bird while bouncers showed him the door.
Quiet fell that moment then laughter such a sight they saw Like snow falling sawdust dropped from red bearded jaw He picked up his hat glowing deep blue from that neon light Bah humbug to you Merry Christmas, Good Night!
The world may have been shaken by the (somewhat) recent news that aging action-star Steven Seagal has been a deputy sheriff for the past 20 years, with his new reality TV series STEVEN SEAGAL: LAWMAN, but did you know that he’s been a ‘bluesman’ for even longer? Probably, the craziest revelation is that he is actually not that bad! As shown in a recent episode of his new hit series, when Seagal is not kicking ass in straight-to-DVD action flicks, or chasing down real bad guys in Louisiana, he fronts his own polished blues band, named Thunderbox. The fact of the matter is that this is something that he has been doing for awhile.
"I started out early on playing blues because those were the guys I watched and grew up with and learned from…To me, playing blues, it's like breathing…Movies are a job that keep what's going going. I couldn't live without the blues, it's a way of life more than a job." – Steven Seagal (taken from Stu Derdeyn’s interview from The Province, 05/12/06)
His first album, SONGS FROM THE CRYSTAL CAVE was released (outside of the USA) in 2004, and though I can respect the effort, it unfortunately lacks any kind of focus and just can’t seem to figure out what it wants to be. It almost seems like an experiment to see just how many styles of music he can fit on to one CD. According to Thom Jurek’s review on allmusic.com “There are so many styles here — from adult contemporary to soft rock, triple-A format pop tunes, rock tunes fused with Jamaican dancehall (no kidding!), softcore, nocturnal urban blues, and faux soul — that finding the album's center is difficult, to say the least.”
Thankfully, for his 2006 release MOJO PRIEST, he decided to focus on nothing but the blues. For this 14 track studio effort, Seagal dabbled in the many different styles of blues and surrounded himself with topnotch blues talent like Bob Margolin, Robert Lockwood, Jr., Homesick James, Henry Townsend, Bo Diddley and Ruth Brown. Despite covering classic genre standards like Little Red Rooster, Dust My Broom and Hoochie Coochie Man, the brooding Martial Artist is actually at his best on originals like Alligator Ass, with its swamp-groove and gospel-style backing vocals and Dark Angel, a raunchy rock-blues groove that lyrically lays out the eight-fold path to Buddhist enlightenment.
Now before I get bombarded with emails saying things like “you don’t know what you’re talking about” or “how can you write about the blues and like a CD by Steven Seagal?” Let me be clear. MOJO PRIEST is not amazing, but it’s not horrible either. It has high production values that sometimes help, but other times (like on the Willie Dixon covers) work against the music; in that the album, at times, seems almost too polished to be “real blues”. His voice and playing-style are not incredibly impressive, but then again I’ve heard worse. As for his songwriting ability, I find it to be hit or miss. Some of his originals are decent and some them, not so much.
What else can be said? It’s not great, but I like it and I’m slightly impressed that Steven Seagal pulled off a CD that is as good as it is. As a guy that reviews CDs, I listen to a lot of stuff and I unfortunately get subjected to all kinds of recordings that I find to be sub-par. MOJO PRIEST is certainly not the worst blues album I’ve ever listened to….or even listened to this year, for that matter.
(Memphis, Tennessee) This week we want to thank some of our friends of the BLUES who are making a real difference in the lives of others.
Steve Bryson, friend and philanthropist
Our friend, Steve Bryson, owner of I55 Productions is not only supporting Memphis BLUES and embarking on about a dozen new BLUES CD releases, but also has provided over 20,000 meals to the homeless and hungry during the holiday season.
Steve Bryson and Darren J. Fallas at the recent Dennis Brooks Celebration of Life in Memphis
"Bryson, Chief Executive Officer of the Cypress-based Global Electronic Technology, Inc. (GET) and founder of Never Forgotten Foundation (NFF), a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization donated 2,500 pounds of turkey and other meat products, 700 lbs. of ground beef, 1000 lbs. of chicken as well as enough canned and dried food to feed over 10,000 people. Other items consisted of thousands of pounds of canned vegetables, breakfast items, and bags of flour, sugar, pasta, and rice to help make the holiday season brighter to those who frequent the Long Beach Rescue Mission (LBRM) every day.
"I have long held the belief that charity should began at home. When we arrived last year during our initial donation and saw the long lines of people around the building and the dire need for food at the shelter, I wanted to make certain that we would more than double our efforts this year. It is my heartfelt desire to ensure that at least during this holiday season, not a single person in Long Beach would go hungry," states Steven H. Bryson.
These annual donations, solely funded by Bryson, has enabled him to develop key relationships with many local businesses such as Costco in Cypress as well as Smart & Final stores in Cypress and Lakewood to help provide well-balanced and nutritional meals for the homeless. With the collaboration of many who were gracious in their donations or gave discounts on purchased items, Bryson was able to maximize the amount of people fed. He also enlisted the help of his GET employees, who showed up in mass to help unload the massive amount of food from the 27 foot truck that was rented this very purpose.
Steve Bryson, I55 Productions
"The amount of food purchased has never been seen before. We felt fortunate to have been part of such a great deed," said Nick Espinosa, owner of Signal Hill's Casa de Carne, who also donated hundred of pounds of patties, sausage links, and crab cakes.
Last year, Bryson donated what was estimated to be enough food for 8,000 meals. This year Fred Sigrist, Director of Food Service at the LBRM, estimated that Bryson has exceeded the previous donation for an estimated 20,000 meals."
To read more about Steve Bryson's I55 Productions and some of the new music they are about to release, check out this link to an earlier story I wrote on their new label:
More great news from our friend, John Catt, who has been a proponent of the BLUES and all things musical for many years at events all across Colorado. John has befriended the Reba Russell Band and turned us on to some splendid gigs in Colorado over the years. I first heard about BLUE STAR CONNECTION a few months ago when I got to visit with John in Colorado. We were in Denver to play the Mile High Blues Festival, an event which was covered by me in an article earlier this year. Here's a link to that story: http://www.ameriblues.com/2009/12/memphis-cincinnati-to-denver-and-mile.html
Billy Branch and Michaela Rae jam
John Catt, BLUES protagonist and BLUES luminary Michaela Ray
John is a board member of the Grand County Blues Society, serving with President Cassidi Brickner and my friend Art Ferrari who serves as their Treasurer. These folks have a remarkable blues society, they put on some absolutely terrific shows, and they also do good works as well as keep the BLUES alive. Here's a link to their site:
On August 14, 2005, Colorado's awesome Grand County Blues Society pioneered the Blue Star Connection to help kids with cancer and other life threatening diseases.
This from their site:
"What is the Blue Star Connection?
The Blue Star Connection provides kids with cancer and other life threatening illnesses musical instruments and access to live shows with the help of our musician friends.
Most of our Blue Stars receive an electric guitar and amp. We prefer electric guitars because most of the kids don't have the strength in their hands to play an acoustic guitar and they get a real kick out of the power and noise. Keyboards have now gained a lot of popularity. We get almost as many requests for Keyboards now as guitars
Upon request, we have provided children with harps, saxophones and a violin.
To augment the program, we get them tickets to live shows and festivals around the country. A lot of the artists are kind enough to treat them to back stage access."
"This is Kaite and Ashleigh, Kaite inspired me at the Shining Stars Reunion. She's 10 years old in this picture , one of the toughest kids you will ever meet, beat two rare cancers and now she is just an amazing young lady."
John Catt
If you wish to make a cash donation or donate an instrument to Blue Star Connection please make checks payable to GCBS with Blue Star Connection in the memo. All of BSC donations are only used for Blue Star purchases. You can also have a donation sent in the name of someone and that money will be noted and an instrument will bear that persons name.
You can mail donations to GCBS P.O. Box 1530 Winter Park, CO 80482
Pleased to be part of this great blues adventure, some of the great blues artists she has met with are: Shannon Curfman, Delta Highway, Roger Earl, Jace Everett, Sue Foley, Sonny Landreth, Moreland & Arbuckle, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Bobby Rush, Gina Sicilia, The women of Saffire, G.E. Smith, Chris Smither, Derek Trucks, and Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds!
Monica's passion for music started with songwriting. She has been named as a suggested artist in the VH1 Song of the Year Contest. Her song, The Whiskey's All Gone, placed as number one on the billboard country blues charts on Soundclick.com. Her proudest accomplishment thus far, has been an invitation to perform at a weekday show at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville!
Having honed her skills with intensive one-on-one mentoring sessions with songwriting gurus John Braheny, Rick Beresford, and Debi Cochran, Monica continues to develop her songwriting craft.
Monica has studied voice with blues great, Gaye Adegbalola. Kirstie Manna has also mentored Monica on the many aspects of her stage performance as a blues artist. Monica is excited to share her words and music with you!
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