The New Soul Cowboys, by Virginiabluesman

 (Washington DC) What a week in the nation's capital! We are just starting to get over our last snow, and now the weather man projects 1-2 feet of snow(depending on the area). I'm a bit West of DC, and we typically get more snow than the city does, so we are in for a long weekend. Too much snow can definitely make a person Blue in D.C.

I originally had an interview with Anthony Gomes planned for this weeks article, but something came up on Anthony's side, so I will substitute the interview with a review of Mr Gomes band called the New Soul Cowboys. I know what you're thinking ... why would a band named New Soul Cowboys be on a Blues site? Anthony Gomes music is deeply influenced by the Blues, and has just recently changed his bands style to a form of Southern Rock. New Soul Cowboys describe their sound as Outlaw Rock 'N' Roll.

New Soul Cowboys are a power trio out of Nashville that can play kick@ss rock with the best of them. The band is composed of singer/guitarist Anthony Gomes, bassist David Karns, and drummer Peter Lang. It is great to see a band like this come out at a time where I feel Rock was taking a back seat to RAP , R&B and other styles of "music". No offense to those who like R&B ... I like it myself but these guys are going to make a big splash on the music scene very soon, and I am glad to see this resurgence. Here's a shocker ... these guys can actually PLAY their instruments, and very well at that.

Anthony Gomes

I will admit that I have only seen this band's videos on YouTube and have heard many of the tunes from their CD. No live show yet, but I will say that they are near the top of my list! Anthony Gomes is a well respected guitarist in the Blues world. I saw him jam with Miss Ana Popovic at a small venue a year or so ago, and he was totally awesome. He has total command of the guitar and has a great vocal style. The jam session was 99.9% Blues, which is always fine with me. He puts out an amazing tone, and he gives 101% for his fans, as did Ana.

"We have created a sound that embodies the rebel spirit of musical outcasts like Led Zeppelin, Johnny Cash and Howlin' Wolf. We're here to take back Rock 'N' Roll", the guitar-slinger boldly but unapologetically exclaims. "We are part of a new revolution in Rock. A place where bands know where the music came from, can really play their instruments, write their own songs and take no prisoners doing it. We couldn't care less about American Idol, we're here to take our music to the streets." All I can say is, THANK YOU so much Mr Gomes for bringing the Rock back to the people! Your bands music is sorely needed these days, and your band's versatility will take you to the top.

Anthony Gomes

I checked their tour schedule, and as of today, I don't see a show on the East Coast. I am sure that he will be doing shows in this area once the weather warms up and the Blues festivals begin. You can be sure that those shows will be posted on this site as soon as they become available.

"It's high noon, and I've got my six string by my side. I've been baptized by the Blues and saved by Rock 'N' Roll." Amen!

Check out The New Soul Cowboys at their official site http://www.newsoulcowboys.com/

The Delta Flyers CD Review - by J. Blake

(New York, NY)

The Delta Flyers is a Houston-based blues duo creating new and exciting music that stays true to their Mississippi Delta roots, while managing to seamlessly incorporate flavors from Chicago all the way down to New Orleans.

Their 2007 album, ON THE LEVEE ROAD, showcases the talents of front-man Stevie DuPree and guitarist Jack Saunders. With this studio effort, the duo is not striving to take the blues to a new level or reinvent the wheel, but they do deliver a fun and authentic collection of originals; that jumps back and forth from upbeat acoustic/folk bounce to down and dirty electric roadhouse “raunch”…and I mean that in a good way.

DuPree’s vocals are clean and passionate and though his harmonica playing is not as flashy or upfront as many blues fans may prefer, it shows a refreshing amount of restraint and seems at home with the material presented. The same can be said about Saunders, whose playing also demonstrates a “less is more” attitude. His guitar-work is tasteful and low key; and his talents are best represented on the tracks where he is playing slide (like on "Dancin’ With The Devil" and "Aidie Jean"). It should also be noted that Rich DelGrosso’s mandolin adds a wonderful flavor to 3 of the album’s 10 tracks.

ON THE LEVEE ROAD is recommended for fans of “roots” music and acoustic/folk blues. The amount of flash and electric guitar shredding is practically non-existent here. So if you’re looking for the next heir to Stevie Ray Vaughan’s style of Texas blues-rock, this album may not be for you.

For our Memphis readers and everyone else that is lucky enough to be attending this week’s International Blues Challenge, make sure you keep an eye (and ear) out for The Delta Flyers featuring Stevie DuPree and his current guitar playing sidekick Travis Stephenson. They made their IBC debut in 2008 and have been a staple of the famous Memphis blues event ever since. So head on down to Beale Street and check ‘em out!

*If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy: Benny Maygarden CD Review

Thanks and keep reading American Blues News!!!

Copyright © 2010 - J. Blake. All Rights Reserved

Geoff Muldaur CD Review - by J. Blake

(New York, NY)

Geoff Muldaur emerged as a music artist in the 1960s as part of the era's growing folk, blues & folk-rock scenes. Among the many groups and musicians he has played with over the years, Muldaur was one of the original members of The Jim Kweskin Jug Band of Cambridge, Massachusetts as well as the Woodstock based group, Paul Butterfield’s Better Days.

In 2008 Muldhaur’s longtime friend and fellow musician, Stephen Bruton, was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Shortly after, the two veterans entered the studio with a formidable group of roots music all-stars and recorded an excitedly authentic and entertaining exploration of traditional American folk, blues, country, ragtime and jug band music.

The fruit of those sessions is a band and album both named GEOFF MULDAUR AND THE TEXAS SHEIKS. The album, which was released in fall of 2009, features a collection of traditional arrangements and songs penned by arists that include Big Bill Broonzy, Skip James and Robert Johnson. It is undoubtedly these songs, All By Myself, Hard Time Killin’ Floor and Travellin’ Riverside, that blues fans will gravitate to, but the album as whole is a fun listen and will transport you to a simpler time, when banjos, mandolins, dobros, standup basses and fiddles didn’t seem so out of place in popular music.

This album may not satisfy the standard electric blues fan, whose tastes may lean more toward blues-rock, but fans of delta blues, folk, bluegrass, country and even some jazz, may be pleasantly surprised that collection of songs played this well and authentically, with production values as high as this, could be released in 2009…the same year as such notable dreck as The Black Eyed Peas’ Boom Boom Pow and I Gotta Feeling.

Sadly Stephen Bruton passed away in May of 2009, before the release of GEOFF MULDAUR AND THE TEXAS SHEIKS, but with albums like this one, his music and in turn his spirit lives on…as does, thankfully, the music of a nearly forgotten era in American history.

*If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy: The First Family of Jazz

Thanks and keep reading American Blues News!!!

Copyright © 2010 - J. Blake. All Rights Reserved

Washington DC:Introduction for Bluesman

First of all , I'd like to introduce myself . My name is Geraldo , AKA Bluesman , and I will be handling the D.C. area Blues scene here every Friday .

My plans for this great site are as follows , but not limited to : Reviews of D.C. area music venues , Concert reviews , CD reviews , Interviews and much more . D.C. is a hotbed for the Blues , and generally a person can see a top Blues entertainer in a small but NICE venue without having to brave the big crowds .

Some of the Blues clubs in the DC area that will be reviewed here are Blues Alley , The 9:30 Club , Madam's Organ Blues Bar , The Zoo Bar and many others . Some of these venues also go with Rock and Jazz but some are strictly the Blues . My goal is to help get the word out about the Blues life DC has to offer . When you're ready to listen to some Blues , come HERE and find the best places available in the area .

Reviews of shows like Joe Bonamassa , Michael Burks , ANA Popovic , Jason Ricci , Joe Perry Project , Candye Kane and so many others will be found here as well . Where are they playing , how much is the admission , is there a dress code , how to get tickets etc : I will do my best to answer these questions for you in my posts .

I chose the picture above for this post for two reasons : (1) I took the picture (2) This is one of my favorite entertainers in the world today . For those of you who may not know who she is , her name is ANA Popovic . She has the rare ability to electrify a crowd with her stage presence and her amazing mastery of the Fender guitar . Her name will pop into many of my postings and her music / shows will often be featured here , along with all the other greats of the Blues world , especially those frequenting our area nightclubs and Blues festivals .

I'm hoping to see all the D.C. area Blues people here to get all the latest Blues updates in the area . I also cover the local talent here and not just the legends , so if you know of a local Blues act (DC area) who deserves a bit of attention , please feel free to let me know the details . I can not guarantee the acts reviews will make it to this site but I will do my best to consider all requests .

Thanks everyone for reading on , and please make this your place to get all the latest Blues scoops in the Nation's Capital !

Bluesman

Pittsburgh: Ann Rabson Interview by Monica Yasher

Monica: I am here with Ann Rabson of Saffire, and we are at the West Virginia Blues festival. We want to ask her a couple of questions. It is my understanding this is the Have the Last Word CD tour and these are the final concerts for Saffire.

Ann: Right. Our final tour, the farewell tour.

Monica: I saw that you wanted to be musically promiscuous.

Ann: Yeah. Funny you should mention that. I was just talking to a bass player and drummer, and hey, told them if they needed a piano player to let me know. I’ve enjoyed over my career backing up a lot of wonderful, wonderful musicians and meeting a bunch of wonderful, wonderful musicians and I would like to do more of that.

Monica: You write songs. Do you think this will give you more time to write?

Ann: I hope to. Yeah. You never know. I’m not in charge of that. It just happens when it happens, and I wish I was more prolific…and I wish I could make it happen. But sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t.

Monica: Let’s talk a little more about your songwriting. Do you start with lyrics or a great chord progression? How does it start for you?

Ann: Each song is different. I have, for example, on the new album…I have one song where I’ve had the lyrics for probably 10 years and kept changing them and changing them….putting them in different settings. It’s a song called, Since You’ve Been Gone. and it just got a lot of lyrics. It’s actually hard to remember them all (lol). Some of the songs like, there’s one on my most recent solo album called, I can’t get my mind off of you...I had the tune for years before I had the lyrics. In fact, I was inspired to write it when my dog died.

Monica: Oh

Ann: So, yeah. But when you write, you don’t want it to be about anything specific. So you make it about loss, because everyone has been there. So, there has been stuff like that. Another song that took me years to write is on my Strutting My Stuff recording and it’s called, Late November Afternoon. I finally gave up. I couldn’t…all the lyrics that I could think of were either too trivial or to whiney for the melody so I enlisted another co writer. A person named David Almay. He wrote the lyrics. I wrote the music, then we sat on the piano bench in his house, and wrote the lyrics and music to the bridge together.

Monica: You’re a Handy winner?

Ann: No No. No. I’m very often a Handy nominee. Many, many times. Well I mean, I’m in a category with Koko Taylor. I always said I would rather Koko be around than win the Handy. But, unfortunately, that’s not true anymore. So maybe if I’m nominated…who knows.

Monica: Let’s talk about those nominations. That’s still amazing! What do you attribute to being on that list so many times? Is it the songwriting, performance? What do you think put you there?


Ann: I really don’t know. I think one of the things…there are several different things I’ve been nominated for. One is songwriter, and that was years ago for a song called Elevator Man. Many…most of them have been for traditional female blues artist. That’s partly because I sing. I write. I play guitar, which most people don’t know. I play piedmont style guitar, and I play barrel house style piano. So I have a lot of area to cover. I think that is where that maybe comes from, and then one of my albums Music Making Model, my first solo album was nominated for a traditional album of the year and acoustic album of the year. But again, I’ve been up against people like BB King, Buddy Guy, and I’m just so honored to be one of the nominees. One of the best five female blues artists in the country. Come On THAT’S nice. I can’t be concerned.

Monica: Do you think for the blues, that women have it harder to make it than men?

Ann: You know, I have an essay on that on my computer.

Monica: Do you? (laughs)

Ann. I think, again. It works both ways. On the one hand it is very hard to be taken seriously. But on the other hand, people pay more attention to you, and one you got their eye, if you can do it, if you can play, if you can sing, if you can write, then you got fans. But you got noticed. Another advantage which I think is disappearing sadly very fast, is the older blues gentlemen are very, very kind to women, and the older blues woman are very very kind to women. So you kind of have the older generation backing you up.

Monica: Let’s talk about….do you want to talk about….why saffire is not going to go on after this year?

Ann: I just think we all have other directions that we want to go in. I know that I started playing blues professionally in 1962. Saffire started in 1988. So I have a background and all during this time. I have been playing solo, and playing with other people backing up old guys and just playing in a lot of different bands. So I’ve just been enjoying that. I just want to do more of it.

Monica: Where are you going in the future? CD’s, Websites, touring? What do you want to tell us about? What do you have in store for us?

Ann: OK. I’m working on an instructional video on how to play barrelhouse piano for Hal Leonard. I’m almost done with the script. I only have a couple more lessons to script out, and then I’ll record it. Probably after the big push of Saffire. So, that’s coming out. I’m hoping to teach at more workshops. I really enjoy that. I teach at one in Elkins West Virginia.

Monica: Have you ever been to the Fur Peace Ranch?

Ann: I have twice. I am so honored to be asked to teach piano at a guitar camp (laughs). The other thing. There is a place called Centrum out in Washington state where I taught. But there’s a lot of workshops for guitar, but not a lot for piano. I hope to do more of that. I hope to do a lot of solo work, and I hope to accompany other people. I enjoy these. I just don’t want to be in a band all the time.

Monica: When you say you want to accompany other people, who is your dream gig? Do you have one?

Ann: Wow! Are we just talking about one gig? (We laughed.) There are a lot of players out there I would like to play with. Unfortunately most of them are dying. But, there are still quite a few. Actually one of my favorites is Magic Slim. Oh my goodness! He’s wonderful! I’ve enjoyed…There’s actually a number of people I have already played with. Pinetop and I had a nice little duet. Marsha Ball and I have done some duets. I’m trying to think…there’s just a lot of \people. Like I said, a lot of them aren’t with us anymore, and I missed opportunities on quite a few.

Monica: Whenever you put in a CD or listen to your ipod, what are you listening to? Do these people inspire you?

Ann: Very Much! Very Much! I listen to a lot of new artists. I’m at a lot of festivals this summer, and I am hearing a lot of new artists…and I’m really enjoying hearing some new people that I really haven’t heard before. I heard Chris Thomas King once before, and was impressed by what he was doing. But, I heard him THIS year and I am VERY impressed.

Monica: So he grew as an artist?

Ann: He grew as an artist. I think he had to get older. He was doing some stuff that was very edgy and that’s fine. I want something from the heart more and he’s back to that.

Monica: That’s what the blues is about.

Ann: I think so. The blues is a big tent. You got the rock blues, jazz blues, folk blues. There‘s even classical blues. I mean…there‘s just all kinds of stuff. I love it. I love all the corners. If you listen to my solo CD’s you see there’s stuff by ZZ Hill and then stuff by Ray Charles. There’s country blues. I like the whole….and if it’s good…I even like the rock blues. Speaking of which, going to be here soon is Ronnie Baker Brooks. I think he is terrific! He’s kinda rocky.

Monica: Have you met him before?

Ann: I have! I knew… I know his Dad. I would love to play with Ronnie. I’m very impressed with him. Very impressed with him. I like him. I like his music. I like his attitude. I don’t know if you have time for this story.

Monica: Sure!

Ann: I did a festival as a solo…I think in Ohio, and he did a Ray Charles song with a line about if you walk around here with your head so hard I think I’m gonna have to use my rod. I believe I believe. I thought, How’s he gonna deal with that? You’re walking around here with your head so hard I think I’m gonna havta play my guitar! He went to this great solo and rocked it out!

Monica: So, he worked it!

Ann: Yeah! He did. I know he is raised right cause his Daddy is a sweetheart!.

Monica: Cool. Anything else you want to tell me?

Ann: I’m going to do some more recording. I just haven’t figured out what to do just yet. I have all these things in my mind…like all Ray Charles…like all people that were popular when I was coming up.

Monica: Thank you Ann. I look forward to hearing all these good things you have planned.

Ann: Thank you.

I turned off the recorder here and we chit chatted a bit more and I got “Turn that recorder back on!”

Ann: One other thing I was thinking about doing for the next festival scene. I was thinking about…You know how they have those harp blowouts and guitar? I want to get a piano shootout going. A number of people I’ve been thinking about. Maybe Erwin Helford, Daryl, Amos and maybe Barrelhouse Chuck. There’s a whole bunch of great piano players, and I don’t think they get…3 players, 3 pianos…everyone plays a little bit by themselves and then together. What do you think?

Monica: I think it’s awesome! That’s a CD for sure! I love that idea!

Ann: Ok. We are now good and thank you.


Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As the female perspective at American Blues News, I want to remind everyone who has a special lady in their lives to remind them to take care of themselves by doing thier breast exams! I shouldn't have to tell you, but will tell you, that the lady in your life will most likely put herself last. So, be sure to tell them you love them by reminding them to take care of themselves! And, if you find someone you love battling to be a survivor, here is a great video by Saffire reminding us you can still shine....Here is Bald Headed Blues:




If you enjoyed this article, you may like: Gaye Adegbalola, Andra Faye

Or please read about another Handy Nominee: Gina Sicilia
Copyright © 2009 Monica L. Yasher. All Rights Reserved.
Photo Copyright © 2009 Maureen Ciedro. All Rights Reserved.

To purchase the rights to reprint this article, please email Info@americanbluesnews.com.

Thank you for reading American Blues News!

Pittsburgh: Andra Faye Interview by Monica L. Yasher

“A very special moment for me in Saffire…Just having the love of KoKo. Having some blues artist like her, be so welcoming to a young Midwestern white girl.”

That’s just one thing that Andra Faye shared with us. As promised, this is the second part in our three part feature of Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women. They are on their final farewell tour, which ends next month.

The day of my interview we arrived at the Heritage Blues Festival, and Maureen and I were walking around the food stands checking things out. The food...GATOR? Everything fried! There goes the diet I keep saying I'm on! And, I spied Andra's husband, Chris. I haven't seen Chris for a few years. But, he is someone that you just don't forget once you meet him. If you ever met him, you would know exactly what I mean! I used that old line, Hey I know you! And, Chris stops to chat, since he is our contact for the Saffire-Uppity Blues Women interviews! Chris makes the connection via cell phone and we are off to our interviews of the ladies.


I enjoyed speaking with Andra. Her smile is big, and she is just one of those special people you like to talk to! She likes to laugh. She tells me she laughs at Chris' jokes all the time around the house. And, from speaking with her, she likes to live; and, music has allowed her to live life and go places a midwestern girl can only dream of!

Monica: We’re here with Andra from Saffire and she is on the Saffire final concert tour.

Andra: Yes I am.

Monica: It ends in November

Andra: Yes.

Monica: What are your feelings of the final concert tour?

Andra: Well it’s been very exciting. It’s been fun to be able to full steam ahead again. We had kinda decreased for different health reasons and things, and it’s been really fun to be back up and in full tilt boogey mood mode! It’s bitter sweet you know.

Monica: I know.

Andra: Come November 8 after the last show, I’ll be like ah oh now what?

Monica: And, what now? Do you have any ideas?

Andra: Well I have several irons in the fire. I also have begun to give private music lessons at a music store-it pays the mortgage. A kinda nice thing. So I’m touring under my own name. A band that works quite a bit called Andra Faye and the mighty good men.

Monica: Is it acoustic or electric?

Andra: It’s both . It depends on the gig. I have drummers with me sometimes. Go electric sometimes. Go acoustic sometimes. It’s nice to have the flexibility to do both.

Monica: You were the country blues influence in the group. Are you going to carry that through more heavily in our own efforts?

Andra: Core roots I‘d probably say. Sometimes when I do a blues set I want to do a country song and if I do a country set full time I want to do more blues. I’m contrary that way. I just like…I really love…all kinds of roots music.

Monica: Do you think you will ever take on the title, I hate to say this since it’s a blues website, of Americana?

Andra: I don’t mind Americana. It’s right in there with roots.

Monica: Yeah. I think so to.

Andra: I’m probably a better fit there than other places. It’s hard to pin hole your music and I just like to sing what I want to sing. So, if it’s Americana that’s fine. If it’s roots, that’s fine. It’s blues that’s fine. Whatever just call me! Call ME!

Monica: What do you think is your most requested song?

Andra: Man-that probably depends a lot on what album people have. Gaye’s, Middle Aged Blues Boogie, is an all time….now are you speaking of one’s I sing? Or across the board?

Monica: Whichever you want to share.

Andra: The new album has our new little hit and it’s one that I do sing, called, Too Much But. And, there ain’t no such thing as Too much.

Monica: I think I have that on our site. I found a you tube copy and posted it. It’s not the best copy out there.

Andra: There’s a few of them out there. There’s a woman dancing to it called Chocolate Thunder. (laugh)

Monica: The one I found had you doing an acoustic set, and the crowd was going wild and just loving it!
I remember your husband singing that at the Augusta Camp. I thought he wrote it.

Andra: It was Gaye’s idea. It’s been around Fredericksburg and is a local hit. The guy who wrote it travels and is a comedian musician named Art Bruce. What’s really cool is it has been a guy’s point of view for all of these years, and I moved to town and heard it and thought. I just moved to town and how could there be a song about me already? You know. But some women didn’t like it. I thought it was fun. So Gaye suggested putting it in the first person. A lot of people….like women….kinda like it now. They’re owning it more rather than having someone talking about them. They’re kinda talking about themselves.

Monica: You can laugh at yourself.

Andra: That makes it kinda cool.

Monica: You know I had the great opportunity of speaking with Chris Smither. He wrote love me like a man.

Andra: Sure did!

Monica: That was the first time I heard it from the male perspective. That song is so hot!

Andra: That’s a great song! I can love ya like a real man. Yeah, right. That’s good.

Monica: That’s just tweaking the right person that the song is written in. What a difference it can make in a song!

Andra: It’s hard to say. Not all songs can be tweaked. But, it’s nice because it brings it such a fresh attitude to the song.

Monica: Absolutely!

Andra: I’m sure he’s happy Bonnie covered it though!


Monica: What does it mean to be musically promiscuous to you?

Andra: Well I am already musically promiscuous. I play with a lot of folks locally. You know for the past 5 years I’ve been the electric bass player at a jam every Wednesday when I was home. So I like to play with a lot of different great people. I give lessons. I’m always looking for opportunities to play with other people. I’ve been stepping out for a while. (she laughs) Which is true. Actually in the past couple of years we haven’t been gigging as much. So, I was looking for other opportunities just to play music outside of my living room. You need to meet other people. You never know when you might need another bass player, drummer that kind of stuff.

Monica: In your tenure with Saffire, what do you think was the best memorable moment you had? Do you have one?

(Andra got quieter) There’s a lot. There’s so many. I think you are going to make me cry. Best moments.. there are so many. One thing that is true for me is that I have always loved to travel…and so I‘ve gotten to go around the world. Barcelona, Spain, Brazil, New Zealand, Africa. Just so …it‘s amazing where our little band has gotten to go because of music….and having the experience of people enjoying your music that don‘t even speak your language enjoying your music is pretty cool. And, plus our music is so vocally oriented, when we are at a place where they don’t even speak the language we play really good. We try to make the music speak. You know. That has been for me, a dream come true.

Monica: Cool. Who do you listen to?

Andra: Eden Brent is pretty exciting. I listen to old favorites a lot. Etta James, Bonnie Raitt, KoKo..I just recently listened to KoKo. My own little tribute ’cause I love her so. A very special moment for me in Saffire…Just having the love of KoKo. Having some blues artist like her, be so welcoming to a young Midwestern white girl

Monica: That’s awesome.

Andra: It’s really awesome. I just finished listening to a whole 2 CD compilation of KoKo of her youth.


Monica: Are you a songwriter as well?

Andra: I am. I am not as prolific as Gaye, by any means. They cook. They take a while to cook. They have to sit on the back of the stove and boil a while. I have two on the new album.

Monica: Any thing you want to tell us?

Andra: Sure. My website is AndraFaye.com. I’m always interested in meeting other women musicians and hearing what’s going on in the world. Our world is kind of small really. It’s nice to get to other festivals and hear other bands and stuff.

People who liked this article, also liked: Gaye Adegbalola and
Ann Rabson



Copyright © 2009 Monica L. Yasher. All Rights Reserved.
Photo Copyright © 2009 Maureen Ceidro. All Rights Reserved.

To purchase the rights to reprint this article, please email info@americanbluesnews.com.

Pittsburgh: Interview with Chris Smither by Monica Yasher

I first met Mr. Chris Smither this summer at a Summersounds concert in June. At that time, we talked about his new release and doing an interview. I met up with Chris a week ago via the phone and we talked a lot about songwriting, acoustic guitars, and how Bonnie Raitt found his song, Love Me Like A Man. I personally learned a lot about songwriting in this conversation. So, why don't I begin to share the conversation with all of you?


Monica: Hey! A new album, Time Stands Still. Thank you so much for the copy. I was listening to it this morning. Thank you.

Chris: Your welcome.

Monica: And why are you so excited about this new piece of work?

Chris: Because it’s a new one (Laughing). I’m always excited when a new record comes out.. I don’t know.…I work and I work and I work on it and I don’t let it out of my hands until I think they’re good. You know. They have to be good and then I’m excited about it. How did you know that I’m excited about it?

Monica: Well you should be.

Chris: Oh OK.

Monica: That’s right you should be! Why would you put out something you weren’t excited about? I noticed in my interviewing all the artists…it’s a passion… it’s your passion so you have to be excited about it if it’s your passion!

Chris: That’s right. And, if you’re not, there’s something wrong.

Monica: Right, right. So lets talk about… that you said you work on it and work on it…. let’s build on that. How long did it take to write the songs…to how did it come about?

Chris: Well. How long did it take to write the songs? Well you know in a certain sense it took 3 years to write the songs.

Monica: Did it?

Chris: Because that’s when the last record came out. But, that wasn’t steady work. I guess from the time that I actually really started working on it to it was done...was probably eight or nine months.

Monica: Wow.

Chris: Then a couple of months spent playing them and practicing them and trying to figure out what makes them work. I don’t think it took us more than three days to make the record though.

Monica: Oh really?

Chris: Yeah. It was very fast. You actually work and work and work on it. I mean this…it’s the only thing on my mind for months at a time…. and there is a certain amount of worry and anxiety involved too because I start every project…. that with the over riding thought that I will never get this done. It’s never going to come out right.

Monica: Oh?

Chris: And, every time I make a good one, I think that’s it because the next one will have to better than this (Laughs) and I don’t think that I got it in me.

Monica: Are they usually though?

Chris: Yes they’re fine. Every single one of them has something about it that I like better that the ones before.

Monica: Which one is your favorite on this one? Do you have a favorite?

Chris: Do I have a favorite song on this one? I like so many of the songs on this one. A favorite. A favorite. Not really you know. There are some that are fun to play. And, also some are kind of easy. And, I like that aspect of it. The first song, Don’t Call Me Stranger, is like that. Time Stands Still is like that. And, I Don’t Know. The one that my daughter actually wrote.

Monica: I love that. That one is my favorite. And, I loved to see you do that one in person more than listen to it. So I hope that whenever the audience gets your CD that they actually see you perform that song, because it’s cute how you perform it. It’s all through you. As you perform it…when you go… I don’t know. I don’t know if you realize it or not, you nod your head as a child saying I don’t know. (He laughs) That song is all through you and I really enjoyed watching you perform it.


Chris: Well the audience loves it and it’s always a standout at the show. Most people get into it.

Monica: It’s great. Who do you think your listener is for this CD?

Chris: Everyone who listened to me before. In a way I try not to think about that. Because I just put the songs out there. I don’t write for anyone in particular. I write for myself. So when they’re finished there’s no point in worrying about who’s going to listen to them. I mean, I’m not kidding you, I find myself at times wondering if anybody is going to like any of this stuff. You know, is anybody going to like this stuff? Then I say it doesn’t matter. I don’t really have another choice. All that I can do is what I do. But you know if you ask me in general what kind of person likes my songs probably people who are more literate than most. I think they would appeal to people who read.

Monica: OK As a songwriter do you still have…in quotations… practice songs even after you’ve been doing this for as many years as you have? Do you still have practice songs or are they all usable, viable songs as a songwriter?

Chris: I never finish a song that can’t be used.

Monica: OK.

Chris: Yeah. I think the last record, Leave the Light On. I was having a terrible time getting started on that record. And, I finally wrote one song. I just pulled out every little songwriting trick that I knew, to try to get something down. I knew if I could just finish just one song that would sorta open up the gates and it worked! And, the song turned out to be quite good! In it’s own way it’s a one of the better ones on the record. That’s the only time I can think of that I have ever done anything like that. As far as writing a song, as you put it, as a practice song. No. It’s too hard to write songs for me to write one that not’s going to be useful. Too much effort involved. You know at having said that. I know a lot of artists who write 100 songs and throw away 90 of them. That’s a whole style of songwriting. And there’s lots of songwriters who do that. I just don’t write that many songs. It’s too hard for me to do it.

Monica: Thank you. In regard to when I asked you who you’re listeners are you said someone well read. Let’s talk about being well read and you are part of a book.

Chris: Oh yeah. You mean the short stories?

Monica: Yes, do you want to talk about that?

Chris: I was approached by the editors and they said they were putting together a project of songwriters writing short stories, because songwriters are always writing in three and four minute batches-very short chunks. They were wondering what they would do if they had a chance to spread out a little more. And, so they asked me if I would be interested in writing a short story. I said what do you mean by a short story? They said well about four thousand words (laughs). And, I said that’s doable ‘cause that’s only about ten pages.

Monica: OK

Chris: Then I said yes I would like to do that and I had a lot of fun doing it. I really did. I enjoyed it. It was great. It was very different from songwriting.

Monica: Let’s talk about your acoustic guitar. Number one-do you ever play electric?

Chris: Occasionally. I have played occasionally on records and on other people’s records. I have them kicking around the house and I like to play with them around here. But I don’t play them on stage.

Monica: For acoustic guitar you were voted within the top three for being the best acoustic guitarist which was way cool. And, I see that you have a DVD acoustic guitar instructional.

Chris: That’s acoustic blues guitarist not just acoustic guitarist.

Monica: OK. Thanks!


Chris: It was nice. It was nice. I was in some really nice company there. You know. Me and Jorma and Keb ‘Mo. I know both of those guys, and you know, I thought it was nice to be grouped in there. I don’t know what to say past that. I think it’s very nice. Basically the leadership of acoustic guitar is probably in front of the most sophisticated artists for this kind of playing that you will find. Believe me. To be ranked like that is nothing’ to sneeze at.

Monica: I only asked for 20 minutes of your time. So how about one blast from the past kind of question. Could you tell me how Love Me Like a Man got into the hands of Bonnie Raitt?

Chris: Oh, she lived down the street.

Monica: Really?

Chris: Yeah. We were friends, good friends before either one of us ever made the record. So, when she started making records she turned to her friends. Yeah. When she started recording. The songs she picked were songs that were songs she liked. When I first wrote it she kept saying, I gotta do that song. I gotta do that song, and she did!

Monica: Whenever I saw you perform it, that was the first time that I heard that song performed from a male perspective..

Chris: Yeah I’m about the only guy that does it. So you may never hear it again. (laughs)

Monica: I’ve been telling my guy musician friends that they have to do that song. It’s awesome! And I guess it’s true when they say….when you’re trying to pitch a song….when you get the demo singer always try to get the man, because a woman will always do a man’s song but a man will never do a woman’s song.

Chris: That’s it.

Monica: I’m seeing that to be very true.

Chris: You know they won’t turn it around. They won’t. The thing that is brilliant about Bonnie’s version is that how she changed the song to being a woman’s perspective. You know. She put these little lyric changes that changed the whole thing. And, she slowed the tempo down and it was great. And that ‘s the best kind of cover when someone makes it their own song.

Monica: I want you to know that I really enjoyed yours ….the man perspective. It was way cool. I keep talking to my male friends to get them to do it.

Chris: Well. God Bless You. You know maybe you’ll get someone to do it. And it will be a hit all over again.

Monica: I don’t think I have that much clout. I think about that song your little girl inspired and I think the opening song to a children’s show on PBS.

Chris: Really?

Monica: Yes, that’s what I thought! That’s perfect.

Chris: I had another friend tell me that if I took out the second instrumental bridge I would have a Grammy for sure for children’s songs.

Monica: Well who says you can’t put yourself in the running just as it is?

Chris: Well, we’ll see what happens.

Monica: Why not? One last question. I did try to tap my foot with your music as you do front to back front to back. How do you do that ALL NIGHT LONG?

Chris: The front of your shin starts to hurt, right?

Monica: Oh, I couldn’t even get to that point. That’s like training for a marathon I’m sure.

Chris: I know.

Monica: It sounds fabulous and the crowd really loves that you do that. But, I sort of felt your pain for a while.

Chris: It doesn’t hurt. I’m totally not conscious of what my feet are doing.

Monica: It’s amazing. How you sing, play and do that. It’s just amazing. I don’t think people know how hard it is to get to all that working together.

Chris: The funny thing is it was never a conscious effort to learn to tap my feet. I can’t not do it. I can’t not do it. If you were to hold my feet still, I can’t play.

Monica: Like I said when you are nodding your head in the child’s song the music runs all through you. So you have just reaffirmed it, huh?

Chris: Yep.

Monica: Your new release is September 29, right?

Chris: Yes that’s right.

Monica: I would like to thank you for your time.

Chris: No problem at all.

Monica: And, you have good luck with it. I’m a fan. And, I wish you best.

Chris: Good luck to you too.

Monica: Thank you. Bye Chris.

Chris: Bye.

Here is a song from the performance I caught Chris at in Greensburg, PA.





You may wish to read my review of Mr. Smither's show.
If you enjoyed reading about this acoustic blues act, you may enjoy this one:

Izzy and Chris

PITTSBURGH: Gaye Adegbalola Interview by Monica Yasher

"I think blues does more than anything to heal the broken heart. There is no pain greater in the whole wide world than a broken heart."

I met Gaye Adegbalola a few years ago at the Elkins Blues Camp. She was my mentor in singing the blues. I took the blues vocal class. While there, I found that there are many sides to Gaye. She is able to speak her mind with forcefulness. She is able to be a teacher in a nurturing environment. She is able to talk lovingly of her mother and son. I am glad that I met Gaye; And, she is one of the most intelligent women I have met in my life. Don't take my word for it though. Read what Gaye shared with me and decide that for yourself!

Monica: I am here with Gaye from Saffire, and it’s my understanding that this is the last tour you will be doing with Saffire.

Gaye: That is correct. We have been together 25 years. Actually, Ann and I have been playing together since 78, so that’s 31 years we have been working together. And all along we worked to get to where we are and I was just telling you that I’m 65, so Lord willing I might have 10 more good years. Lord Willing, you know what I’m saying? So, I’m willing to put my energy in a different direction. If I should stay with the blues…if I stay with music….I’ll stay with the blues. And if I do, I’ll want a different sound. I want to play..you hear that drum set? (Delta Highway was playing.)

Monica: Yeah. (She laughs…)
That’s more you, huh?

Gaye: Yeah. I love doing what I’m doing. Don’t get me wrong. But, at this age, if I’m going to try something different, now is the time. I can’t keep on putting it off. So Saffire has been an amazing journey and we still love each other and we still make good music but that’s that’s where I am.

Monica: That’s one of the nice things about the blues…you always pick up and you meet and you still jam. That’s.. that’s the beauty of the blues so even though…

Gaye: Another good thing about the blues is that unlike some other kinds of music, the older you get… the more the authenticity…or the more you are revered you are welcomed to the family. You become a matriarch, instead of an old has been. People give you more respect. So I guess we’re at a point now where a lot of the people we really looked up to have passed on… KoKo Taylor, John Cephras, uh Ruth Brown. And, you know, of that tier who is left? Pinetop, you know Etta James is not that old. But, she is up there with them. So, you know you just keep moving on up and up. Yeah.

Monica: Let’s talk about the musical journey you have had. You are an individual artist too, and just in the past year you were nominated for contemporary blues female artist of the year ..

Gaye: Right.

Monica: So what do you think you did from other artists that put you in that group?

Gaye: Did you hear my last solo release? It is called Gaye without Shame. And that’s what it’s about. I am fully open and fully embracing who I am.

And, what I try to do in the CD is I try to take gay lesbian issues, or I should say queer issues, that’s more inclusive. Otherwise you get into transgender questioning or bisexual. I try to take queer issues to the blues community and I try to take blues to the queer community. So on that CD there is jump blues, piedmont blues, delta style blues, there’s classic blues. There’s all these different genres…different types of blues, and at the same time there are issues how I closeted myself. There’s a song for transgender folks. I wrote a love song with a woman. There are 2 rock songs with women. I sing with Resa (Gibbs) on one and I sing with…was Cleome there the year you were there?

Monica: No.

Gaye: OK alright. It was really…a contemporary undertaking, and Bob Margolin was the producer. So it had a real different sound from a Saffire sound. It had everything from accapella choir…to a just me and
Bob with his guitar and my vocal to a full band.

Monica: That Accapella choir, is that the song you shared in class? You invited a bunch of friends on a Sunday to do with you?

Gaye: That’s it. That’s the last cut of the CD.

And also on the CD is a segment of a speech I did at a pride rally, which compares the struggle for gay rights to the struggle for blacks and their rights. And, the differences of the two things. And, I end up by saying that you know you didn’t have to tell your Mama that your black. But, the hardest thing in life is to tell your mother that you’re gay. You know. So there’s such a big difference and a struggle. So that CD addressed all of those things. And, I played with Roddy (Barnes) a lot touring to promote the CD.

Monica: Was it hard to do or was it liberating to do?

Gaye: It was very liberating to do. I took it to Alligator at first and they weren’t interested. Instead of going to other record labels, I opted to do it myself. And then I had it distributed by Vizztone and PR’d by Vizztone, which is a different kind of label group. But, I knew I wanted to..I’ve always been an activist and I knew I wanted to curve my activisms in that direction. And, I had to do it through my music. So, no. It was not hard to do. I performed some of those songs at the blues music awards this year and…

Monica: How was that?

Gaye: Well I didn’t know how people were going to accept it.

Monica: Oh?

Gaye: And, uh, it was fine.

Monica: You were nominated. How could you think that people wouldn’t accept?

Gaye: Well because those that nominate are really like blues expert archivists, and they really know the music. Really…inside and out. A lot of people that vote, it’s like a popularity contest. And, I hadn’t toured a lot last year.. My touring is with Saffire. And Saffire, you know… Ann had three life threatening diseases last year. And in 2007, I had four hand surgeries. So in ‘07 and ‘08, Saffire didn’t work that much. So, I’m grateful that enough people heard Gaye without Shame, that I got the nomination this year.

Monica: How is the playing with the guitar and such?

Gaye: It’s good.

Monica: Oh good.

Gaye: It’s good.

Monica: Where you worried about that?

Gaye: No, guitar’s really not my long suit. No. I played just enough guitar to keep from dividing the money by more than three. And, so, I beat my guitar a lot. And, uh, I do different kinds of rhythmic patterns. Something like a… just a little background cushion . So it would be worse off If I couldn’t write.

Monica: Yeah, cause you are songwriter.

Gaye: Yeah my songwriting is much better than my guitar playing.

Monica: You say you’re a songwriter before a performer and all so..yeah.
(talking to Maureen) One thing Gaye taught me is that you shouldn’t be just a chick singer. I haven’t done anything with that yet. I still just show up and just sing. I’m hoping someday to do more than …

Gaye: All I’m saying, you know, is that if you play guitar or piano you can be independent. You don’t have to look for somebody to always accompany you. And, it doesn’t matter if it’s just a bum, bum , bum. It just gives you a cushion. And I so I just try to encourage people to accompany yourself. Another reason why I played guitar all the time, was just so whoever is in the audience they see 3 women on stage playing as opposed to a chick singer. I don’t know any other band like that. I mean look at the Dixie Chicks or the Indigo Girls. You name any of them, and , uh

Monica: That was going to be one of my questions, that I felt that you were one of the first women acts in blues. How did you get inspired for that?


Gaye: We didn’t set out to be that.

We set out to be just friends. Ann and I were together before the third person was added. We were two friends playing music and we got work. And, we happened to do a lot of songs by Bessie Smith. We happened to do a lot of songs from like the classic blues era of the 20’s. And then, I don’t know if Ann told you or not, she was teaching computer at a community college and one of her students couldn’t make the final exam. So Ann went to her house to give the exam because she had a piano for us to practice on. We’d been sneakin’ in at a local college to practice. So, after her student finished the test, that was Earlene, she came down in and joined in on bass. So Saffire was born. And we only had one personnel change, Andra replaced Earlene. So, it just happened.
You know…we didn’t set out to be three women playing music. And, at first it kind of worked against us - they looked at us as a kind of novelty act. They would say: “Oh it’s three women playing blues.” “Oh it’s three old women playing blues.” “Oh its three old culturally diverse- a black, a Jew and Earlene was part Cherokee-playing the blues.” And then it was like.. Oh they happen to play good music. So it took a while to get through all of the labeling, before we were just accepted musically. But, I think it also worked in our favor you know.

Monica: Tough huh, pretty tough?

Gaye: Well yeah. But not too tough I think that the most negative thing we get is probably from sound technicians. They figure we’re women and we don’t know.

Monica: Yeah. LOL

Gaye: Yeah. That’s the hardest. The most sexism we run into. I think early on the media, they always want something to write about, right? As well as your self. You know? So your looking..

Monica: Well I just like you and happen to want to talk to you!

Gaye: But, you’re looking for a different angle to write from, so it’s not the same old thing. So, of course, they write from the three women angle. Not from they play good music.

Monica: What I would like to write about is what you have in the future. You said you may or may not be doing blues. Would you like to tell us what you have in the works with your websites and things?

Gaye: Well I don’t know. If I do blues, I’ll either continue with Roddy… I love… He’s very easy to work with. And he gives you such a fat cushion. And some background vocals like Resa or 3 part harmony background. I like vocals and I might experiment with that a little more. OR, I would love to….if I have the where with all, I would love to work with an electric band. I have never put a band together by myself. Saffire’s different because we’re a democracy. Usually there’s a leader in the band and then a side person in the band. So I’ve never done that. And I know how much work it requires. And I don’t know if I’m up to what kind of work it takes. I don’t know. I’m tired. I am tired.

Monica: Are you?



Gaye: I broke up with my partner this year-18 years.

Monica: Oh my gosh.

Gaye: I had to put my Mom in a nursing home. I turned 65; got Medicare. That’s a slap in the face. Um. My Mom had to deal with Medicaid. It’s been a bad year and I am tired. I should be grateful cause I’m in between 2 albums you know. I got a solo album that got great revues. And Saffire’s CD got great revues, and we’ve been doing a great job. But, also, my career is in there. So, it’s been a hard year and I’m tired. And, it takes a lot of work to manage a band. Not so much to lead a band, but to manage a band… to work out travel arrangements is hard. To work out rehearsal schedule with everybody having different jobs is hard. So, I don’t know what I’m going to do on that front. I’ve been approached by several people. I’ve been approached about writing my autobiography. And, that would be interesting. I know my story would be interesting…giving the oppression…giving the abuse… giving the career changes and um, I’ve also been talking about doing a book of my songs and how I wrote each one. Where they come from.

Monica: Oh-I would love that!

Gaye: Yes, and yesterday I was called by the university in my home town. They need a multicultural program director.

Monica: Teaching? Maureen she was teacher of the year in Virginia.

Gaye: So I don’t know. They need that person now and I really don’t have that kind of time until November. But people are meeting with me and it would be real nice to have a fixed income for a while. As it is with us we never know from month to month if it is going to be a good month or if airfares are going to wipe out money. You just never know.

Monica: Yeah.

Gaye: I’m not sure. I think I need to take a couple of months and just go to an island. But, my mom is 96 and she is my heart and I’m an only child. My son is an only child and we got her spoiled rotten. (both of us LOL) So, if I go to the island I probably have to go for a week and come back home.

Monica: Yeah.

Gaye: She is a real blessing to me that she’s she’s still in good shape.

Monica: Well Good! Excellent.

Gaye: Part of my thing would be just to enjoy my mother.

Monica: OK. Well is there anything you would like me to put in the writing? Anything you want me to add?

Gaye: You can put in there that I am so proud that you are doing this!

Monica: Awe, thank you!


Gaye: And, you know whatever it takes to get to your passion, wether it is writing, photography, playing, teaching. If you love something, you have to go after it. I believe that music will save the world. I think that the arts will save the world. I think that it is a dire necessity. I think blues does more than anything to heal the broken heart. There is no pain greater in the whole wide world than a broken heart. You can chop off my leg before you break my heart. You know what I’m saying?

Monica: I do.



Here are some events that Gaye has plAnnd:

" MIZ A & THE FREEDOM BAND" - DEBUT PERFORMANCE - 9/12/09
Saturday night, September 12, will be the debut performance of "Miz A and the Freedom Band" at the Colonial Tavern in downtown Fredericksburg. Reservations are suggested. Call 540.373.1313. This is a "pay as you are able" event. We want everyone to hear this new sound. (A suggested donation is $10, but don't let money stop you from coming out.) The show will be two sets from 9 p.m. to 12.

The band consists of:

RODDY BARNES ~~ piano & backing vocals;
JEFF COVERT ~~ lead electric guitar
RESA GIBBS -- 2nd vocal & percussion;
JACKIE MERRITT ~~ electric bass & harmonica;
JUNO PITCHFORD ~~ drums (yes, that's my son); and of course,
GAYE ADEGBALOLA ~~ vocals & occasional acoustic & slide guitar.

This will be a new and interesting sound for Gaye -- one that's mainly electric. Thier main objective is to have fun -- for the listener and for the band! The first set will be songs from the "Gaye Without Shame" CD. The second set will be full of surprises. Let the good times roll!

• THE FREDERICKSBURG PRIDE FEST ~~

The Fest will take place in downtown Fredericksburg on Saturday, September 12 during the day. Gaye will be performing solo at the festival at 10:15 and 11:40 a.m. The performance site is at the intersection of Charlotte and Sophia Streets. That evening, "Miz A & the Freedom Band" will perform at the Colonial Tavern. The Fest celebration continues here!

• SAFFIRE'S FINAL CONCERT TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE ~~

Saffire's final concert is on November 7, 2009. Tickets are now available by mail order only until September 30th. After September 30th, tickets will only be sold by retailers in the Fredericksburg, VA area. Ticket prices and seating details are located at http://www.uppityblueswomen.com/final_legacy_concert.html

If you are unable to attend the final show, check out our full schedule, visit http://www.adegbalola.com/schedule.html

You may also like to read about the other members of Saffire:

Ann Rabson
Andra Faye
Copyright © 2009 Monica L. Yasher. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2009 Copyright Maureen Ceidro. All Rights Reserved.

To purchase the rights to reprint this article or photographs,
please email info@americanbluesnews.com.

NEW YORK : The Great Republic of Rough and Ready by our guest writer: Jacob Hyman

Some bands make a career of striving toward the new: new sounds, new techniques, new combinations, new instruments. Few bands live in the past, making bygones relevant once again and resurrecting parts of music that died well before the start of the twenty-first century. But when a group like The Great Republic of Rough and Ready comes along, with the power to conjure the ghosts of music past, it can be a magical, albeit nostalgic feeling.


Everything about The Great Republic is of another time. From their hand-woven album artwork to the ‘30s jazz-club presentation of the music at bars around New York, The Great Republic reeks of a time and place in America that has been lost for the better part of a century. Guitarist Samuel Stein, sitting on a stool with only his guitar mic’d, never speaks a word and wears his vagabond suit and argyle socks as if he’s only just stepped off the steam-engine train after an arduous journey. He projects the style of a grizzled vet, wise beyond his years.



Singer Elissa Spencer stands at the microphone, completely at ease, oozing confidence and consistently sipping whiskey that, despite her outwardly obvious twenty-something years, gives her voice a sixty-something fineness. Think Nina Simone. Think Ella Fitzgerald. No effort at all…just smooth and smoky.





This picture that was painted in the dim light of Banjo Jim’s on Manhattan’s Lower East Side is painted just as clearly on The Great Republic of Rough and Ready’s eponymous debut EP. From the opening croon of “Candyman”--the song that drew me toward the front of the room at Banjo Jim’s and whose sweetness seeps from the speakers--to the closing electric riff of “Gospel Ship,” The Great Republic of Rough and Ready is twenty minutes of ephemeral and ethereal time travel. As Spencer croons “Candyman” again and again, accentuated only by a light mandolin, the silences between her breathy pleas are rife with both pleasure and pain. Her a cappella jazz-vocal intro to “See See Rider Blues” harkens back to a barbershop quartet. At first Spencer is a lone voice, but slowly (as the magic of computers allow), three other Spencers fill the sound, signaling the entrance of Stein’s fingerpicked guitar licks and droning bassline that underlie the remainder of the song. Stein whips out the electric on “Cherry Ball Blues,” and his driving groove dances playfully with Spencer’s choked, meandering vocals. The intricate electric guitar riffs on “Gospel Ship” play similarly with Spencer’s carefully crafted melody, but with a more rhythmic and lyrical focus. This is all to say that, despite the EP’s diminutive runtime, between jazz vocals and blues riffs and subtly experimental instrumentation, The Great Republic of Rough and Ready have covered nearly half a century of American blues tradition.


The Great Republic of Rough and Ready’s twenty minute journey tells of a transient man and a weathered woman from the early 1900s putting on a traveling show, telling the stories of their life together. Through the quaint simplicity of a guitar and a voice (with some horns, strings, harmonium and mandolin sporadically and subtly thrown into the mix), this brief yet powerful narrative seems very honest in a way that more modern electronic music simply cannot be. It sounds like the roots of Americana and folk and Southern blues just reaching through space and time to remind us that, without such sound routes, the Justin Vernons and the Sam Beams and, yes, even the Elissa Spencers, would be nowhere at all.



And now about our guest writer:
Jacob Hyman is a freelance writer and musician in New York. He is currently the drummer in two musical projects: the experimental electronic pop quintet, Freelance Whales, and the power blues trio, Jon and the .44. He began his writing career at the G.W. Hatchet in Washington, D.C., and continues to write for web and print for Starved Magazine and the Princeton Record Exchange, among many others. He also keeps his own music blog, A Stereo Sun, which can be found at www.jakehyman.net.

Pittsburgh-Heritage Blues Festival 2009 by Monica L. Yasher

As promised, I wanted to give everyone an account of the Heritage Blues Festival. And, a special thank you to Bruce Wheeler who is the chair for the entire event! I had the opportunity to speak with many of the artists at this festival. And, I couldn't help but watch Bruce as I was backstage. He seemed to be EVERYWHERE! I overhead that he even setup chairs for the venue the night before. When I spoke with Bruce, he told me he helped with everything but THAT! I noticed that Bruce touched base with every artist that was going to perform. Bruce, next year if Maureen and I are there, we will have to get you some pictures for your scrapbook! Bruce was quite the host, and I didn't see one picture taken of him.


I told Maureen that I felt like I was on a mini blues vacation! The weather was excellent, the entertainment incredible, and the boats on the river were just vacation like!

Unfortunately for me, I couldn't attend on Friday evening to see Eden Brent, John Nemeth, The Soul of John Black, or Elvin Bishop. It seems like the Pittsburgh area was quite the hot spot this particular weekend. I also had to miss George Thorogood and Jonny Lang that same night! What Maureen and I did do that night, was go see some rockin' blues with Foghat! What a great group of guys. And, to think that Bryan Bassett is originally a Pittsburgher! Look for the upcoming interview with Roger Earl!

It seems like Maureen and I were driving and driving on Saturday to get to the festival. We thought there was some serious construction and took a bunch of back roads. Well, at least we had a lot of time to talk about stuff!

When we did finally arrive, I met up with my friend Tuck (who is quite the harmonica player BTW) at the Blues Society of Western PA tent. Tuck asked me if I knew Little Joe McLerran who happened to be standing right there! Well within the next hour I knew a lot about the 2009 IBC solo winner. He was kind enough to give an interview at the spur of the moment. Thanks Little Joe!

From there we met up with Delta Highway. What a great bunch of guys! I had a lot of fun with them on Saturday and Sunday. I can't wait to share with you what they had to say! And, their show was incredible. I think I told you all before that a harmonica gets me every time!

This is the final tour for Saffire and I had the privilege of speaking with each and every one of them. I knew these fine ladies from the Elkins Blues Camp and it was nice to see them again. Look for the Saffire interviews the first Friday of every month for the next 3 months. So, if you haven't had a chance to see these fine ladies together, you need to mark your calendars and get out there and catch their show! Time is a wastin'! (Andra Faye pictured below)



The next person Maureen and I met up with was Walter Trout, only because we were strategically situated by the Utze pretzel jar. These poor guys were traveling and hungry! We told them for every pretzel they ate, they owed us a picture (lol). Frankly, I was a bit scared of Walter when I first saw him. I saw his pictures on the internet and I was intimidated by those sunglasses and leather vest. So, when I saw Walter, I said, “Walter, I’ve been trying to get an interview with you!” And, Walter informed me that he was an interview kinda guy. I liked Walter immediately! He is very personable and seems to be like a big ol’ Teddy Bear. Right now I have to say that those leather pictures are nothing like his personality. So, I am hoping to do a phone interview with Walter in the future. But, take a look at his website. He is extremely busy! So, everyone, keep your fingers crossed for that one. Pretty much that day, Maureen and I talked to Sammy Avila and Rick Knapp. These two guys are the nicest guys you could come across, ladies! And, can these guys play when you add Michael Leasure to the mix! Excellent show Walter Trout!



Lastly, I spoke to Bobby Rush (pictured left)! Bobby Rush is a caring individual. He had a band mate not feeling the best that day, and he was like a father taking care of his kids. I told Bobby Rush we could talk at a later time. But, Bobby Rush insisted on doing the interview. He is another sweet individual that I met up with on my musical journey! Bobby Rush-I enjoyed your show and where did you get women’s underwear that BIG?! When Bobby Rush was performing, I could look out at the audience and see everyone smiling. Now, that is entertaining!


On Sunday I trekked to WV with my two kids in tow, and they sat in as I spoke to many of the artists.



















The first band that I had a chance to speak with was Moreland & Arbuckle (above with moi!). These guys have a rockin’ kind of edge to them and my son truly enjoyed the guitar work. They are very down to earth guys and I bet we will hear much about them in the near future! I just bet.










I didn't have the opportunity to speak with Ruthie Foster or Magic Slim (pictured on the left). But, I will tell you they were both real crowd pleasers!






I had the opportunity of saying hello to Sonny Landreth, and I will be talking to him in the next couple of weeks. I don’t know how many guitars he played for his show. But, I know that I was impressed! Sonny, as well as his crew, are also a nice group of guys. Seems like the blues have a lot of nice guys, huh? Sonny seems to be a quiet person with huge guitar sounds! Thanks for a great show, Mr. Landreth!

The last person I spoke with that day was Kim from the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Kim was kind enough to speak with me after his show at about 11 pm on Sunday night. Kim was very insightful for me in regard to performing the blues. The Thunderbirds gave a high energy show and Sonny Landreth joined them on stage for a song or two. Was that cool or what?



It was hot in WV that weekend. And, I don’t mean only with the weather. What a great blues mini vacation. I can’t wait to share with all of you what the artists had to say. This was a great deal of fun for me. I think I’ll be there next year!

If you liked reading this, you may also like to hear about the Pittsburgh Blues Festival.
You may also like to read some of the interviews from the festival:

Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds
The Women of Saffire: Gaye,

Copyright © 2009 Copyright Monica L. Yasher. All Rights Reserved.
Photo Copyright © 2009 Copyright Jessica A. Yasher.All Rights Reserved.
Photo Copyright © 2009 Copyright Maureen Ceidro. All Rights Reserved.

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