Boston Blues, Brews and BBQ Blog

Sunday Afternoon Blues Jam -The Limelight Lounge - The Tap -Host - Michael Fioretti

2010-11-08T18:53:00.000-08:00

Sunday Afternoon Blues Jam
The Limelight Lounge - The Tap
Haverhill, MA
Host - Michael “Fee” Fioretti

Review by Georgetown Fats

The Patriots had just had their backsides handed to them by the lowly Cleveland Browns, the fall nip in the air continued to drop into the bitter range, and the intermittent clanging of my furnace reminded me of just how ridiculously expensive it is to live in Massachusetts. I had the blues, and with my own band spending Sunday afternoon recovering from a Saturday night of chasing women, there was only one way to let these blues out.

While other areas of the state are losing blues locales due to the economy and low turnout, those of us in the Greater Haverhill area are fortunate enough to have bar owners still looking to cater to a blues-loving crowd. Michael “Fee” Fioretti has recently taken over as the host for the Sunday afternoon Blues Jam at The Tap’s new “Limelight Lounge,” and extended an open invitation to the jam and cemented it with the promise of a micro-brewed beer to-be-named later.

With a house band consisting of Steve “Tats” Taturunis on bass and Dave Mattacks on drums, Fee and his jam rhythm section opened the afternoon jam up with a quick forty-five minute set. Due to a previously booked event at the Limelight Lounge, the jam was moved down to the main dining room at The Tap. While The Tap may not have a juke joint vibe, the acoustics in this old mill building are just exceptional for live music. The floors creak, the steep stairwells offer an interesting exercise in depth perception for those who may have consumed a bad ice cube, nothing in the room is level, and the exposed brick wall offers both visual and audio appeal. And the special appearance of the flashing blues lights from Haverhill’s finest through the uninsulated windows provide both an impromptu light show and a moment of comic relief for the assembled blues and beer enthusiasts. The old mill building in which The Tap is located provides a vibe and ambiance rarely found outside of New England.

Mindful of his jazz and funk roots, Fee keeps almost every sound out of his custom homemade guitar and boutique amp tinged with jazz and funk, which are complemented perfectly by his soulful vocals. Though capable providing a lot of sizzle with his bass work, Taturunis provides a low-end foundation and groove big enough to drive a cement mixer through. Like a reality television star, “Tats” has the innate ability to appear whenever there is a crowd, live music and alcohol. Unlike a reality television star, “Tats” has actual discernible talent, justifying his ability to be an in-demand local musician. Mattacks’ drum work propels and swings the trio through an exercise in tempo and creativity. They started every piece in the same key and tempo, and finished every piece in the same key and tempo -- not always the norm with a piecemeal backing band.

Probably one of the one of the most entertaining aspects of anything musical Fee involves himself in is the ability to push the envelope of blues. Fee and the assembled group of musicians brought their ‘A Game’ delivering an afternoon of deep tracks and a sprinkling of original pieces. A sampling of this particular Sunday afternoon had Bob Leger pulling out Lloyd Price’s “Mean Disposition” and Howlin’ Wolf’s “Who’s Been Talking,” Dave Thompson of The Resuscitators singing Kim Wilson’s “Wait on Time” and an original composition called “So Free” while holding down an airtight groove on the drums. With ‘Rockin’ George Leh and John Shiavoni patiently waiting for their turn to jam, by no means was the quality of the jam going to diminish as the afternoon went into early evening.

Ever mindful that while the dining room had been taken over by the jam, it was a full service eating establishment, Kirsten and Zaida provided more than the appropriate level of hustle, charm and navigation through tables and instruments to make sure all were taken good care of. Glasses were kept full and appetites were satiated despite being slightly understaffed for the situation. Clearly, ownership and management of The Tap knew that the best way to handle the scheduling issue was to put some of their best waitstaff together to handle the thirsty blues-lovin’ crowd.

So if you find yourself in the Haverhill area on a Sunday afternoon and have that itch for live blues, the Michael Fioretti Trio’s Sunday afternoon blues jam at The Limelight Lounge at The Tap is well worth the investment of your time. Or be sure to check out their other nights of live blues, which have featured Gracie Curran and The High Falutin’ Band, Blind Billy and The Spectacles, Jeff Norwood, Drivin’ Blind, Lydia Warren, and The Ten Foot Polecats. While the weather may not be warm enough for the jam to take place on The Tap’s expansive back deck overlooking the Merrimack River, The Michael Fioretti Trio have assembled quite an assortment of local musicians to keep it plenty hot inside at their Sunday afternoon jam.

Shirley Lewis Going Back To Her Roots With A Special Gospel Concert

2010-11-06T20:15:00.000-07:00

Shirley Lewis Going Back To Her Roots With A Special Gospel Concert

Boston blues queen Shirley Lewis will present a special Gospel Jubilee Concert at 9 p.m. Dec. 3 at Hajjar's T-Room, 969 Washington St., Weymouth. Doors will open at 8 p.m.

Tickets cost $20 in advance, or $25 at the door. It is a 21-plus show.

There will be a cash bar, with food available from the regular restaurant menu.

The show will feature the Lewis Gospel Singers, plus special guests and friends who will treat you to some rockin' gospel and soul santifying songs.

There will be a 50-50 raffle, half of which will be donated to a food pantry in Waban (Newton) where Shirley herself has gone when times are hard. They need food!

Tickets can be purchased via Paypal at www.shirleylewis.biz, or by contacting Shirley at 857-776-3479.

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David Maxwell's "Conversations in Blue" Release Party - AJ Wachtel

2010-11-06T20:01:00.000-07:00

David Maxwell "Conversations in Blue" Release Party
Passim's, Cambridge, MA

Nov. 3, 2010

Tonight's music is impressive on a few different levels: first, this trio has reached the highest rung of musicianship. Maxwell may be the best blues/boogie-woogie piano player in the world, guitarist Troy Gonyea is a Fabulous Thunderbirds/Booker T veteran, and drummer Per Hanson plays in more Grade A local blues bands than any other percussionist. Harpist Rosy Rosenblatt guests after the intermission on a few melodies also. Seeing live music in Passim's is similar to seeing a band in your own living room: the throbbing beat surrounds the crypt-like club and makes the performance seem almost interactive between the band and the audience. The feeling is SO intense that the listener is swept up in the atmosphere too and becomes part of the event. Lastly, the covers, including "Marie," an Otis Spann instrumental, and Muddy Waters’ "Five Long Years" are performed very intimately; and the originals, including "Sister Laura Lee," a gospel-influenced tune, and a new song "R.I.P.," a slow instrumental blues, are as good as the covers. So Tight. So Professional. So Good.

By A.J. Wachtel

Fundraiser to send Satch and Cindy Daley to Memphis for the IBC

2010-11-05T19:51:00.000-07:00

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, NOV. 5, 2010

RE: MEMPHIS BOUND BENEFIT FOR CINDY DALEY AND SATCH ROMANO

BBS winners Cindy Daley& Satch Romano, winners of the solo/duo blues
category of The Boston Blues Challenge will hold an all day benefit to
raise funds for their trip to Memphis to compete in The (IBC)
International Blues Challenge from Feb 2-6, 2011.

The event will be held on Sunday, Dec. 5 from 2PM and end when it ends.
Location: The Next Page Blues Cafe'
550 Broad Street, E. Weymouth, MA 02189
http://www.reverbnation.com/venue/thenextpagebluescafe

The following bands and artists will be performing (Not necessarily in
order).
Satch Romano& The Mighty HouseRockers Big Band
The Cindy Daley Band
Mission of Blues feat. Johnny "Bluehorn" Moriconi
Chris Fitz
Racky Thomas
"The Regal Queen of Blues" Miss Shirley Lewis
Driving Blind
Throwdown Blues Band
The Blue Gils with a possible very special guest TBA!
Gracie Curran& The High Falutin' Band
Gypsy Thieves
Lickity Split
One kick ass blues jam at the end!
More TBA! Look for my email or Facebook event updates next week!

There will be some fine Next Page pies served throughout the day and pot
luck refreshments are encouraged as well. There will be prizes and
50/50 raffle.

A splendid time is guaranteed for all!
Requested min. donation $10.00. Sponsors are also welcome.

Sponsored by The Boston Blues Society& The Next Page Cafe'.

CONTACT: Satch Romano satchblues@comcast.net or 781-258-5232.

WACHTELIGENCE - David Maxwell Ten Fingers -Infinite Hooks - by AJ Wachtel

2010-11-02T08:50:00.000-07:00

Wachteligence

By A.J Wachtel

David Maxwell

"Ten Fingers- Infinite Hooks"

Even if David Maxwell wasn’t globally known as the heir apparent to the musical legacy of Otis Spann his enormous contributions to the history of the development of the Blues genre would still insure his place in any Blues Artists Hall of Fame. And even if he never played another note again his knowledge and verbal renditions of his involvement in the evolution of the entertainment scene is both spellbinding and priceless: from growing up and learning the Blues with Alan Wilson from Canned Heat to touring with Freddie King and having gigs with Muddy, Eric Clapton and Keith Richards to his current involvement with the release of "Conversations In Blue" (Vizztone), David's biography is fascinating; sort of like a storybook character coming to life. Read on and catch a glimpse:

BBS: You grew up with Alan Wilson from Canned Heat in Arlington, Ma. How close were you two, and were you friends with him in the mid 60’s when he played his open-tuned guitar on Son House's recordings?

MAX: Alan and I grew up in adjacent towns: me, in Lexington MA and him in Arlington. I forgot how we met exactly; possibly through one of his friends who was at Lexington High School with me (Class of '61). Alan was into real New Orleans music at the time: George Lewis, Kid Ory and the like. Alan played trombone: we had regular jams at an older drummer's parent’s house in Lexington, joined by another musician or two. Alan and I were close: he was philosophical and sensitive and explored many musical worlds: early New Orleans music, jazz, ethnomusicology, and blues. All this brought us together, whether it was in a listening booth in one of the Cambridge record shops or going on excursions into Harvard Square to Albioni's all night cafeteria.

"Baddest dude since Otis Spann- and that's MAJOR! Different than Spann-he's Moagy and in his own right-He got it right and moved it forward. A man and a player to be hailed" - T-Blade (Steve) Berkowitz

BBS: Alan was known for his blues harp with the fat tone and great vibrato. Did you know him as a harpist or a guitar player?

MAX: My family moved to Arlington just a few blocks away from Alan's family house in the mid-sixties. We were still friends, of course and I was aware of his work with Son House. Alan had moved into Harvard Square, and at some point migrated to CA where the Canned Heat project was spawned. I knew him when he began to play guitar and harp. (He had abandoned trombone because he couldn't surmount some "lipping problems"- so he just dropped it and moved on to mouth harp). He eventually started messing around with Indian string instruments; sitar, tanpura and vina. He had great ears and tuned his instruments precisely.

“David Maxwell is literally a genius of Blues piano," is what I thought the first time I saw him more than 40 years ago. He proves it in thousands of gigs and recordings since then. His soulful talent is a gift to us." – Bob Margolin

“A TRUE piano man of boogie-woogie; God bless David Maxwell" – Preacher Jack

BBS: Any good stories about you and Alan you'd care to share?

MAX: Alan was a sensitive guy, concerned about the state of the world and the suffering of so many people, as well as the ecology of the planet, etc. etc. Alan Watts and his lectures on Buddhism were up there on his list. He wasn't too concerned about his personal appearance when we were hanging out; it was all about the music, art and philosophical concerns (and baseball). When he met Skip James and wanted to learn something about playing harp, I seem to remember Alan's feelings were hurt when Skip told him that he was "fat"-that really bummed him out. Overall, Alan was so into the sounds-transcribing music (Skip James' piano style and Robert Pete Williams' guitar licks, among others) that were published in Broadsides Magazine. But it wasn't just pre-war and post-war blues for Alan. He was curious and listened a lot: Cecil Taylor, Sam Rivers, Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Thelonius Monk, Ali Akbar Khan, Ravi Shankar, John Cage and contemporary classical music, etc. In short, his tastes were eclectic, and I credit him with turning me on to stuff I didn't know about. He was kind of a purist; for instance he used to complain about Northern Indian music that the time sped up as the raga unfolded whereas in Southern Indian music the rhythm held steady and that agreed with his nature.

BBS: What was the local music scene like when you two were getting into the blues in suburban MA? Who did you listen to on the radio and where did you go to see shows? What great artists did you see growing up?

MAX: The local music scene: for a kid in Lexington, MA in the late 50's and early 60's............nothing. I remember seeing posters on street lamps and telephone poles in Boston advertising.....BB King, Bobby Blue Bland, etc at Louis Lounge and soul acts at Estelle's and jazz guys at Connolly's (I saw Sunny Stitt there) but in high school where were we to go? I played gigs but it was the teenage band kind of thing: a little R and B, some pop covers and some jazz. In junior high school I played Dixieland, and for a bit in high school before I got a little more "hip" with the jazz sounds Soon, Alan and I and the guys we were jamming with in high school played Bobby Timmons, Cannonball, Fathead- no "folk blues". Alan played trombone-no harp at all. On the radio, WILD played soul and blues and gospel (Skippy White's programs), but coming out of high school, I was more focused on the jazz scene. I went to NYC and remember one show at the Jazz Gallery downtown on New Year's Eve, 1960. Drinking age was 18 back then. I sat overlooking the stage from around 9 PM to 3 AM watching back to back performances of the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet featuring James Moody on sax and Lalo Schifrin on piano, and the Thelonius Monk Quartet with Charlie Rouse on sax! that afternoon (Sunday) I remember getting off the bus at the Port Authority Building and walking into the Metropole Club and hearing Lionel Hampton's Band blasting away. I thought that stuff too square-I was disappointed-it was the hipper shit I wanted to hear (which I did) later that night. Later on it was Cecil Taylor and Alber Ayler and Slugs, down on the Lower East Side.

BBS: Alan's body was found in Bear Hite's backyard in '70 under strange circumstances and Hite died in '81 of a supposed heart attack. Do you know the real stories behind their deaths?

MAX: All I know of Alan's death was that he misjudged the dose of sleeping pills.....unintentionally. He liked sleeping outside and under the redwoods particularly. I have no information about Bob Hite's death.

BBS: Do you currently keep in touch with his family still in Arlington?

MAX: I keep in touch with Alan's mother in Arlington, although it has been awhile. His father passed away years ago and Alan's siblings and their families are in the area.

BBS: You appeared with John Lee Hooker on the Dick Cavett Show in '69. How did this happen and what was Hooker like? Any funny stories about the gig or the man himself you'd like to talk about?

MAX: I began playing with Hooker when he came to Boston-when he needed a band behind him. Peter Malick was involved in that as well and Billy Colwell earlier. So when Hooker was invited to appear on a pilot show of Dick Cavett's in the summer of '69 in NYC, I tagged along with the rest of the band That same weekend Woodstock was happening and Canned Heat played. I wanted to get there but traveling was impossible. Hooker was great any time he came to town; he stayed at the Lenox Hotel in Copley Square (he played at the Jazz Workshop on Boylston St.) and used to hold court in his hotel room. the talk and action between us was mostly about women; one old dog to one aspiring young dog. He loved Otis Spann and he really liked my playing; we remained always great friends throughout the decades.

BBS: In the early '70's you toured with Freddie King. I recently saw a great video from '73 of "Have You Ever Loved a Woman?" from the 1973 Montreaux Music Festival. You told me you had an interesting story about that show. Care to share? Also, what was touring with Freddie like for you being young and white? What do you miss most about Freddie?

MAX: When I was with Freddie it was a very intense time for me. (I was) out on the road for the first time, getting a taste of that blues culture: both the down-home African American Southern stuff and the crossover to middle class white America. The story on Montreux on "Have You Ever Loved a Woman" is this: in that tune Freddie always gave me a solo. If you watch the camera pan to Freddie near the end of my solo you can see him wind up and get ready to stroke it at the top of the next chorus. However, I thought I would stretch it and take another chorus (probably the first and only time I did this). So you see the grimace on Freddie's face when he realizes what is happening: it’s an agonized look, as though someone had kicked him in the stomach-or worse. Priceless! At one point, we had an old beat up Greyhound bus. Freddie knocked out a seat near the back and put a piece of plywood on the frame and turned around the next seat so- there was our card table. Freddie loved to gamble and drink and it was kind of mandatory to play poker if you knew how, so there goes my money.......he would fine me as well for stuff: leaving peanut shells in the bus or one time he detected some sardine oil that had spilled on a seat and fingered me; another time I was a few minutes late making it to the club, another time I was too high. He liked to play the boss-and also wanted his band to sound good. I was the only white guy in the band and I think he kind of relished messing with me a little. I would laugh in his face when he fined me-he liked my playing and never fired me. I left on my own accord because I wanted to do some other stuff. A few weeks later I joined Bonnie Raitt.

BBS: On that video, Freddie plays with no pick; just using his fingertips to pluck the strings. Was this his usual M.O. when playing the guitar?

MAX: He played both ways-fingers and picks-I didn't pay too much attention to that.

BBS: You've played with Muddy too. How did this happen and what was Muddy like? What was your favorite song to play in his band and why?

MAX: One night in Boston in 1969 at the Jazz Workshop Muddy asked me to fill in for Otis Spann who was sick. It was a great thrill. I asked Muddy how I did and he said "OK-stay in one place more." I knew what he meant; be more supportive. Don't show off so much. I loved playing the slow stuff with Muddy, particularly "Five Long Years".

BBS: You backed up Keith Richards and Eric Clapton on Hubert Sumlin's 2005 CD "About Them Shoes". Were you all in the same room playing together at the same time? What are Keith and Eric like? Did you talk blues with them? Did you jam together? If so, what songs did you play together?

MAX: On the Hubert album I was in the studio three separate times. Eric came in and was all business; played his tunes, a few photos and that was it. On a separate session with Keith it was one long jam with his buddies. Eric played Long Distance Call" and "I'm Ready". Keith just played and played. On the album a duet with just him and Hubert was used-none of the other stuff.

BBS: Your music was used in the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes" and on the TV series "Touched by An Angel". Tell me about this.

MAX: I did some music for a sound library. One of the sequences was used on an episode of "Touched by An Angel". On the 'Fried Green Tomatoes" sound track I was recording with Ronnie Earl and Peter Wolf singing. Ironically, what ended up in the actual movie, behind a car jockeying battle in a parking lot, was the high end piano solo of one of the tunes we recorded. Go figure.

BBS: You were on Late Night with Conan O'Brien in 1999. Did you talk blues or Boston with him? Is he a blues fan?

MAX: I played with the band on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. We never talked on stage. My friend, guitarist Jimmy Vavino, was responsible for getting me on the show.

BBS: You've had 7 W.C. Handy Award nominations correct? And you've won Grammy Awards too, right?

MAX: I've been nominated seven times for the "Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year" for the national W.C Handy/Blues Music Awards. I won the 2010 Blues Music Award: Acoustic Album of the Year" for a CD I produced and played on with Louisiana Red called "You Got to Move". I contributed to the 1998 Grammy Award winning album James Cotton's "Deep in the Blues". I've contributed to a handful or more of albums nominated for Grammys and Blues Music Awards. There's been other stuff too, like the Boston Music Awards "Best Blues Act" for 2009 and 2008.

BBS: You write most of your own material. What covers have you done onstage and on your releases?

MAX: My blues based material is a synthesis of classic styles (like Spann and Pinetop) mixed in with some boogie- woogie feels derived from the greats (Albert Ammons, Pete Johnson and Meade Lux Lewis) with some gospel/jazz stylings (Ray Charles, Richard Tee and such) combined with my own jazz predilections and phrasing. One cover I particularly enjoy playing is "After Hours”, he Avery Parrish classic. Some of my instrumentals are modeled on some Spann influenced licks. I play a lot of jazz-tunes and such, but I particularly enjoy open improvisation. I do regular gigs around town with some great musicians. One series I call "OutTakes Unlimited”. I just came back from NYC to hear an Iranian trance/dance group. Some of my favorite music is Iranian Classical and Japanese Gagaku. Also (I enjoy), Balinese Gamelan, North African, Egyptian, Turkish, Afro-Cuban and on and on. There is so much great stuff out there; indigenous and folk music from ethnic groups all over the globe. And don’t get me started on contemporary Classical composers: Ligeti, Messaien. Xenakis, Morton Feldman, Stockhausen, and many lesser known artists.

"What's exciting about David's playing isn't just his blues mastery-although he is the most direct link to music's greatest piano man, Otis Spann- but his incredible range, which can shift from classicism to pure gut improvisation to Eastern music all within the passage of a few measures. He is truly an under-appreciated giant of the instrument, as well as being a colorful, interesting person." - Ted Drozdowski (The Scissormen)

"David Maxwell has been THE Blues piano player in Boston for good forty years now-hands down, no contest. He's worked around the globe with so many of the Blues heavyweights; he's really become a bit of an icon himself and the rightful heir to Spann's throne. But beyond that, he's a brilliant, wide-ranging player who applies his soulful style to anything he touches." - Rosy Rosenblatt (Vizztone Records)

BBS: What are you up to now?

MAX: I have a new CD "Conversations In Blue" to be officially released next spring although there will be a pre-release party at Club Passim (the location of the seminal Club 47) in Cambridge, where I used to hear Muddy with Cotton and (Otis) Spann. Son House, Skip James and so many more in the mid to late sixties (would also play the Club 47). The Club 47 used to be on 47 Mt. Auburn St where Joan Baez and so many more folkies played. In high school, just to tie all this in, Alan and I went to the original Club 47 to hear Sam Rivers, the great sax player. Sitting in one night was this 12 year old drummer, Tony Williams. Years later, when I heard that the Club 47 was doing blues, and not just the folk stuff I wasn't into , I decided to hear one of these guys that had been "rediscovered"-possibly Son House-and I showed up at the old location on Mt. Auburn St. not realizing the club had relocated to its present spot in Harvard Square. So, on Nov.3rd, I will be playing at Passim and I will have copies of the new CD. The CD features four "duets" with Spann and me (where I've overdubbed instrumentals from the 1960 Candid Records sessions, one with Robert Junior Lockwood that Alan and I used to listen to), seven new solo pieces of mine where I bring out the Spann influences and a Spann solo piece. Plus (there is) a 12 page booklet describing aspects of my blues journey. Wednesday, No. 3rd at Club Passim is the pre-release party at 8 p.m. Troy Gonyea (The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Booker T) will be playing guitar and Per Hanson will be on drums.

BBS: Any advice for young aspiring blues artists on how to survive and get your music heard today in this tough economy?

MAX: Advice to young aspiring blues artists. Play what's in your heart and say what's important to you; be true to the blues sound but be open to fresh concepts. Keep blues out of the museum by making your message vital, reflecting what's happening today. Master networking skills.....and find another way to make money if you need to. You can live simply, but there's no virtue in scuffling.

For more information on David Maxwell’s shows or back catalog, please check out www.davidmaxwell.com

Motor City Josh -Forty Four A Tribute to Howlin’ Wolf - Review by Georgetown Fats

2010-11-01T15:38:00.000-07:00

Motor City Josh
Forty Four – A Tribute to Howlin’ Wolf
Fordco Music
By Georgetown Fats
When presented with the opportunity to review Motor City Josh’s “Forty Four-A Tribute to Howlin’ Wolf”, skepticism immediately surfaced. The musical catalogs of Willie Dixon and Chester Burnett are well-mined sources, and, given that the late great John Lee Hooker is often associated with The Motor City, it was also curious of Motor City Josh, also known as Josh Ford, to have been chosen Howlin’ Wolf.

Given Jason Ricci’s special guest status on the disk, and given Ford’s choices of tracks, “Forty Four – A Tribute to Howlin’ Wolf” was worth a few initial spins.

“Forty Four – A Tribute to Howlin’ Wolf” opens with Ford’s interpretation of one of Wolf’s signature tunes “Forty Four”. Though possessing a similar vocal timbre’ to Wolf’s, Ford wisely leads his five piece band with this arrangement. Though Ford has the grit, attributed to his fourteen plus years of smoking, he does not have Wolf’s growl. So by making his arrangement of “Forty Four” into an up-tempo blues rock piece Motor City Josh added some originality and play to the strengths of the band.

On “Spoonful” though Motor City Josh’s recording does have a great sound bite from an audio recording of Howlin’ Wolf, the arrangement is a lackluster rehash of previously recorded versions. Even the somewhat reserved harp fills from Jason Ricci and Wolf’s own vocals can’t save this one.

For “Evil is going on” Ford once again kicks the tempo up over the original recording and focuses the track on his own slide guitar rather than trying to reproduce another classic track. The use of stop time and Justin Headley’s drum work provide a big funky groove for Ford to lay down a fairly strong slide guitar solo. It is a cover that Motor City Josh certainly has people up and dancing to with this rendition in a live setting.

Sadly Motor City Josh felt the need to also cover “Sittin’ on top of the world”. Not as widely known as the majority of the other hits on this disk, Ford’s attempt would have been best left on the cutting room floor or as a B-Side. Ford’s gruff vocals are not up to the challenge by yet he tries to reproduce the original rather than take it into a new direction. Again he processes Wolf-like vocal grit, but there is a difference between achieving the grit through 14+ years of smoking as opposed to growing up singing field hollers and blues yodels.

Ultimately the 13 tracks on "Forty Four – A Tribute to Howlin’ Wolf" are a musical mixed bag. When Motor City Josh takes some risks and leaps with arrangements "Forty Four – A Tribute to Howlin’ Wolf" is very good. When they don't take risks and leaps, the results leave Ford sounding more than happy to walk in Wolf's immense shadow and path rather than trying to create his own.

Live Review - Danny Klein's Full House - AJ Wachtel

2010-11-01T15:33:00.000-07:00

Danny Klein's Full House
The Chicken Bone Framingham
Live review - AJ Wachtel - 10/1/10

As the evening progresses, I realize the set list sounds like a group of titles from my autobiography, songs that formed my life: "Nothing But A Party,” "Give It To Me,” "Must Have Got Lost,” “Love Stinks,” “Freeze Frame,” "Centerfold" and "Whammer Jammer.” And I quickly realize this band is tight with a capital T: only 2 seconds separate the songs. And this is feel-good music performed powerfully. At one point singer Artie Eaton says: "I expect this roof to shake”; and with people shouting out J.Geils requests and singing loudly along with the songs, his wish is quickly fulfilled. Hearing everyone doing the "na na na na na-na's" to "Centerfold" or singing along with every word in "Love Stinks" is thrilling. D.K. is playing a 5 string bass, harpist Rosy Rosenblatt's superb solo in "Whammer Jammer,” complete with five measures of "When The Saints Go Marching In" thrown in, the hard rocking guitar of Stevie Gouette, the melodic strains of keyboardist Dave Quintiliani and the heavy pounding of drummer Jim Taft combine to make a memorable performance. This band is as good as the Geils band: just different.

Recap filed with both The Boston Blues Society (www.bostonblues.org) and The Noise (www.thenoise-boston.com)

Wachteligence - Honeyboy Edwards - By A.J. Wachtel

2010-11-01T15:30:00.000-07:00

Wachteligence - Honeyboy Edwards
By A.J. Wachtel

AJ: Honeyboy, is it fact or fiction you were with Robert Johnson on the night he was poisoned?

Honeyboy: Yes, me and Sonny Boy (Williamson II, AKA Aleck Miller) were there. It was nine or ten at night and the lights on the street started blinking. It was the sign for all the blacks to get off the street. It was in Greenwood (Mississippi.) So we went into the bar and there he (Johnson) was, sitting in the corner with his Gibson (guitar) in his arms. I was real young then. He was messing with a woman whose husband owned the bar he was playing at. He got sick from the whiskey. The guy (the bar owner) poisoned him ‘cause he thought that he (Johnson) was messing with his wife. And it took him three days to die. He didn’t just die right there. He died on a Wednesday and they buried him on a Wednesday ‘cause he wasn’t embalmed and they had to do it quick. They didn’t embalm black people then. The next day his sister had him dug up so she could see him.

AJ: So he wasn’t buried at a crossroads?

Honeyboy: No.

By A.J. Wachtel

The Closing of Harper's Ferry - AJ Wachtel

2010-11-01T15:19:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween -
By A.J. Wachtel
October 2010

Oct. 31 will mark the closing of one of the iconic nightclubs in New England history. Located in Allston, Harper's Ferry will end its run after almost 40 years. Originally called Riley's, the club changed its name in the late 1970s when owners Ed Connolly and Charlie Abel ushered in a new era of entertainment by bringing the best musicians in the area to perform at the club located on Brighton Avenue near the corner of Harvard Avenue. And when legendary entrepreneur Mickey O'Halloran was hired to book the club in the mid-80s, he brought the weekly blues jams that the venue became known for.
For many decades, New England's best and not-so-best performers flocked to Harper's to be seen and heard, and to promote themselves to growing numbers of fans who started packing the place to see the shows. National acts followed and the nightclub’s legend grew. There have been so many phenomenal performances they can’t all be listed here- but seeing Bo Diddley, James Montgomery and Johnny Winter, Al Kooper, Country Joe (and the Fish) and the remaining members of Canned Heat there come to mind as timeless and top notch performances.
For all local bars, summertime is the slowest time of the year for customers, and when Harper's fell two months behind in their rent their landlord went on the warpath. Smaller things like not sweeping the parking lot only aggravated the property owners.
In October, the landlord photographed everything and stated "everything on the property belongs to them and the only things that can be taken are the stools," according to an employee.
But after Halloween, with the club closed, the lawyers will sort all the legal issues out and the same source tells me "it’s not a done deal." Until the issues are resolved, the bar license is up in the air and nothing will happen. After that, we can only hope that Harper's Ferry will be able to relocate and continue to be an important venue in the local music world.

Just last week, Live Nation announced plans to take over and re-name the venue as Brighton Music Hall, and will allow the 340 person room to be the venue for new bands breaking into the local scene: the groups will initially gig here and then move on to Live Nation's larger clubs. Don Law's Opera House Ventures will handle the booking and the new space will open around New Years Eve.

Tokyo Tramps - "Young, Bluesy and all the way from Japan" - by AJ Wachtel

2010-10-27T08:11:00.000-07:00

Tokyo Tramps
"Young, Bluesy and all the way from Japan"

By A.J. Wachtel

It's always cool for an aging hippie like me to walk into a nightclub and be totally blown away by the music and vibe that surrounds me. And when the performers are young, well-versed in the R&B founding fathers and transplanted from Japan to conquer the American Blues scene, it becomes my honor and duty to help them spread the word. Their opening tune was a taut slide guitar version of Muddy's "Rollin' and Tumblin’" and I immediately became a fan dedicated to enlightening everyone about this trio's true talents. Just back from a visit back to the Far East to decide the best way to ship their American success back home, female bassist and vocalist, Yukiko Fujii and guitarist Satoru Nakagawa took time to impart their observations of the local blues scene to this interested writer. (Drummer Kosei Fukuyama was unavailable for this discussion.) Read on and get impressed:

BBS: What are three young Japanese musicians doing in Boston playing the blues?

TT: Somehow our paths crossed in Boston. We decided to stay in the States to play music rather than going back to Japan. We love American music and each of us has quite different musical backgrounds but we have one thing in common: we all want to make and play music for a living.
BBS: How big is American blues in Japan? Is there much chance for young musicians to hear and purchase music from blues musicians?

TT: It's not so big, but remember, Japan is the second largest market in the world. You can easily find blues recordings if you want to.

BBS: What do you see as major differences between blues in Europe and Asia compared to America? In terms of audiences, places to play and other opportunities?

TT: We don’t know much about the blues scene in Europe so we can’t quite answer about the differences there, but there IS a blues scene in Japan. We don’t know about other Asian countries.

BBS: Who are your blues influences?

Satoru: John Lee Hooker, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Taj Mahal, Elmore James, too many to mention.

Yukiko: I came to Berklee to study singing so I have influences from female singers like Bonnie Raitt and Etta James. Recently, I'm into Irma Thomas and Janiva Magness.

BBS: Is there much of a concert circuit in Japan? Can you make a living playing the blues there? Do any major blues artists go on tour through Japan?

TT: We just went back there to search for that. There is a scene in Japan and making a living playing music is as hard there as anywhere else. The common system of live music venues in Japan is "pay to play" or heavily dependent on cover charges. Restaurants and bars hire jazz musicians and there are some venues for blues in major cities like Tokyo and Yokohama where clubs normally charge a $25 or $30 cover. I believe every major blues artist has been there at one time or another: B.B. King, Albert King, Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, and so on. I wonder how often they go to Japan. Pop/Rock and Hip Hop artists often tour through Japan and they are always welcomed - even new and young groups - but I'm not sure blues artists are treated in the same way.

BBS: What blues artists did you get to see growing up?

Satoru: Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Dr. John.

BBS: Are English blues artists better known than American blues artists in Japan?

TT: U.S. blues artists are better known.

BBS: Did you three meet and start playing in Japan or here and how did it happen?

TT: Satoru and Yukiko met while attending Berklee College of Music in Boston. Kosei graduated Berklee as well but didn’t join the Tramps until much later, almost three years ago.

BBS: When was the first time you heard the blues and what did hearing it do to you?

Satoru: My first record was by John Lee Hooker. I listened to the entire album once and I put it away for a year. I was seventeen and it was the hardest sound I'd ever heard.

Yukiko: Back in the 70s and the 80s, I grew up listening to a radio station called FEN (Far East Network) in Tokyo. It was part of the American Armed Forces Network and it played American Top 40, The Wolfman Jack Show, The King Biscuit Flour Hour, etc., 24/7. So not just blues, but American music in general was the huge thing in my life. It drove me to study English, Music, History, and so on. I spent all my money buying records and going to concerts and ended up forming an all-girl band when I was 14.

BBS: Are there any blues groups that sing their lyrics in Japanese?

TT: There used to be Japanese blues bands like Yuka-Dan and the West Road Blues Band that did but they're both no longer playing together.

BBS: What's in the future for Tokyo Tramps?

TT: Our next big thing is to attend the International Blues Challenge in Memphis next February, not representing the Boston Blues Society but The Blues, Jazz and Folk Music Society in Marietta, OH because we won the River City Ohio Blues Competition last February. We might be the first all-Japanese Blues band to participate in the IBC so we hope we get some recognition for being truly unique.

For more information on The Tokyo Tramps, please check out;
www.tokyotramps.com/
www.myspace.com/tokyotramps
www.cdbaby.com/cd/tokyotramps

November Music Schedule - Smoken' Joe's BBQ and Blues - Brighton MA

2010-10-25T19:37:00.000-07:00

November Music Schedule

Monday at 7pm November 1 Bruce Marshall Open Mic

http://www.brucemarshall.net

Tuesday at 7:30pm November 2 Ed Scheer’s Tuesday Night All-Stars

w/Kit Holliday and Timo Arthur

Wednesday at 7:30pm November 3 Alizon w/ Mario Perrett (sax and vocals)

http://www.alizonmusic.com

http://www.marioperrett.com

Thursday at 8:30pm November 4 Phil Pemberton Band featuring Ron Levy

http://www.myspace.com/philippembertonband

http://www.levtron.com/

Friday at 9pm November 5 About Tyme

http://www.myspace.com/abouttymeltd

Saturday at 9pm November 6 Erin Harpe & The Delta Swingers

http://www.erinharpe.com

Sunday at 7pm November 7 Geoff Bartley w/ Special Guests

http://www.geoffbartley.com

Monday at 7pm November 8 Bruce Marshall Open Mic

http://www.brucemarshall.net

Tuesday at 7:30pm November 9 Ed Scheer’s Tuesday Night All-Stars

NEW ORLEANS NIGHT w/ Henri Smith, Bruce Bears and John Moriconi

Wednesday at 7:30pm November 10 Alizon Lissance w/ Wendy Sobel, Salley Swezer, & Ed Scheer

http://www.alizonmusic.com

Thursday at 8:30pm November 11 Phil Pemberton Band featuring Ron Levy

http://www.myspace.com/philippembertonband

http://www.levtron.com/

Friday at 9pm November 12 Juke Joint Five

http://www.myspace.com/jukejoint5

Saturday at 9pm November 13 Soul Alley

http://www.alleyblues.com

Sunday at 7pm November 14 Geoff Bartley w/ Special Guests

http://www.geoffbartley.com

Monday at 7pm November 15 Bruce Marshall Open Mic

http://www.brucemarshall.net

Tuesday at 7:30pm November 16 Ed Scheer’s Tuesday Night All-Stars

w/Mario Perrett and Big Jack Ward

Wednesday at 7:30pm November 17 Alizon w/ Cheryl Arena and Ed Scheer

http://www.alizonmusic.com

http://www.myspace.com/cherylarena

Thursday at 8:30pm November 18 Phil Pemberton Band featuring Ron Levy

http://www.myspace.com/philippembertonband

http://www.levtron.com/

Friday at 9pm November 19 Sarah Thompson Band Featuring Ron Levy

http://www.sarathompson.net/

http://www.levtron.com/

Saturday at 9pm November 20 Barrett Anderson, Ron Levy & Per Hanson Allstar Band!

http://www.barrettanderson.net

http://www.levtron.com/

Sunday at 7pm November 21 Geoff Bartley w/ Special Guests

http://www.geoffbartley.com

Monday at 7pm November 22 Bruce Marshall Open Mic

http://www.brucemarshall.net

Tuesday at 7:30pm November 23 Ed Scheer’s Tuesday Night All-Stars

w/ Brian Templeton and Billy Loosigian

Wednesday at 7:30pm November 24 Alizon's Monthly Jam

http://www.alizonmusic.com

Thursday at 8:30pm November 25 Closed for Thanksgiving

Friday at 9pm November 26 Shirley Lewis Band

http://www.shirleylewis.biz/

Saturday at 9pm November 27 The Love Dogs

http://www.thelovedogs.com

Sunday at 7pm November 28 Geoff Bartley w/ Special Guests

http://www.geoffbartley.com

Monday at 7pm November 29 Bruce Marshall Open Mic

http://www.brucemarshall.net

Tuesday at 7:30pm November 30 Ed Scheer’s Tuesday Night All-Stars

w/ GUITAR SUMMIT NIGHT w/ Roberto Morbioli and Rick Russell

Do you want to find out more about our featured artist? Sign- up for our e-newsletter

A note from Chris Stovall Brown

2010-10-21T10:04:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

A few more local gigs this week before hitting the road for another Watermelon Slim ground tour. Friday night with Shirley Lewis and Saturday night with new mom, Sweet Melissa!

FRIDAY - OCTOBER 22 (9:15 PM)
SHIRLEY LEWIS with CHRIS STOVALL BROWN
NEXT PAGE CAFE
550 BROAD STREET
WEYMOUTH, MA
781.341.1300

SATURDAY - OCTOBER 23 (10:00PM)SWEET MELISSA with CHRIS STOVALL BROWN
GRUMPY'S PUB
FALMOUTH, MA
508.540.3930

SUNDAY - OCTOBER 24 (7-11PM)
PARKER WHEELER BLUES PARTY
with CHRIS STOVALL BROWN
THE GROG
NEWBURYPORT, MA
978.465.8008

Passim Folk Music and Cultural Center presents The David Maxwell Blues Trio Maxwell - Tribute to Otis Spann and Club 47

2010-10-18T10:43:00.000-07:00

Passim Folk Music & Cultural Center
presents

The David Maxwell Blues Trio

in a

Tribute to
Otis Spann
and the
Club 47

with
David Maxwell on keys
Troy Gonyea on guitar
Per Hanson on drums

Wednesday, November 3, 8 pm

"Pinetop Perkins is a wonderful living legend of
Muddy Waters' era piano boogie,
but for my money
nobody does Otis Spann
like David Maxwell"
(Don Wilcock, Blueswax)

(Cambridge, MA) The David Maxwell Blues Trio in a Tribute to Otis Spann and the Club 47. Featuring David Maxwell (keys), Troy Gonyea (guitar), and Per Hanson (drums). Wednesday, November 3, 8:00 pm. Tickets: $14-$16. Passim Folk Music & Cultural Club, 47 Palmer St., Cambridge, MA 02138. For tickets and information: 617-492-7679 or log onto www.clubpassim.org.

David Maxwell first saw his muse the late great Otis Spann perform with Muddy Waters in Paris in 1963 and then in Cambridge at Club 47 in 1966. By the late 60’s, Maxwell and Spann (1930-1970) had become friends and their musical relationship was established.

Since Spann’s death in 1970, Maxwell has been identified with Spann’s post-WW II blues piano playing. To a large degree, Maxwell and Spann continue to have a strong musical connection that now stretches over nearly half a century. In an upcoming recording entitled Conversations In Blue, Maxwell collaborates with Spann in a remarkable way using original tracks from the 1960 Candid Records recording Otis Spann Is The Blues. The original Spann sessions were produced by Nat Hentoff, writer, music critic, and civil rights activist, who also worked as Candid’s A&R director.

According to Maxwell, “Discovering and connecting to Otis Spann in my early twenties changed the course of my musical direction. When Richard Connolly asked me what I thought about doing a new recording based on ‘Otis Spann Is The Blues’ — the 1960 Candid record Alan Wilson and I first listened to nearly fifty years ago — I wondered how I could possibly improve upon Spann’s masterful performances. I have my own slant on things. Some of that is informed by my own jazz and world music tastes and predilections. But there’s something about playing blues and feeling deeply rooted in that music that seems to be natural to me — natural in the sense that I was truly able to express myself after hearing Spann and my musical direction was transformed. When we recorded ‘Conversations In Blue,’ I wanted to have musical conversations with the person whose music has transformed me. I wanted to create a new way of looking at his music and at my music.”

“David Maxwell plays with fire and soul.
He keeps the spirit of Otis Spann alive.”
(James Cotton)

“David Maxwell and Otis Spann are
the baddest two piano players I know.”
(Junior Wells)

David Maxwell has amassed an enormous resume throughout the years playing piano with some of the greatest and well- known musicians in the blues. He plays many styles of blues, jazz and improvised music, but he is best known for his soulful virtuosity and unmatched ability to reach the heart of post-war Chicago Blues. Through his work, he has gained the respect of artists, critics and fans and has established a reputation as one of the finest blues pianists alive.

Over the last decade, Maxwell has received a Grammy Award (James Cotton’s “Deep In The Blues”) and over a half dozen Grammy and national Blues Music Award nominations for albums to which he has contributed, along with seven Blues Music Award nominations for Pinetop Piano Player of the Year. He has played with many of the greats including tours with Freddie King, Bonnie Raitt, James Cotton, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin, Jimmy Rodgers, Charley Musselwhite, Johnny Adams and Ronnie Earl; and gigs with Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Levon Helm, Jimmy Witherspoon, Lowell Fulsom, Junior Wells and many others. He has been involved in well over fifty recording sessions and can be found playing keys on many blues albums that have been released over the last 25 years. Maxwell backed up Keith Richards and Eric Clapton for Hubert Sumlin's CD, "About Them Shoes" released in 2005.

Maxwell’s most recent recognitions:
-- 2010 Blues Music Award "Acoustic Album of the Year" for "You Got To Move" (with Louisiana Red), performed and produced by David Maxwell;
-- 2010 Blues Music Award nomination "Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year";
-- 2008 and 2009 Boston Music Awards "Best Blues Act";

-- 2007 and 2008 Blues Audience "Outstanding Keyboard Player".

Maxwell's music was used in the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes" and in the TV series "Touched By An Angel". He has performed on "Late Night With Conan O' Brien" and is on several videos playing with Freddie King in the early 70's (Rounder). Maxwell's first CD as a leader "Maximum Blues Piano" (1997 Tonecool) received high critical acclaim. His new album, "Max Attack" (2005 95North Records), features guests James Cotton, Kim Wilson, Ronnie Earl, Duke Robillard, Hubert Sumlin and Pinetop Perkins.

Maxwell is often compared to the great blues pianist Otis Spann (of the Muddy Waters band), for his ability to resurrect the spirit and sound of the master of post-war Chicago Blues Piano. But Maxwell is no mere imitation. He has created a style and sound uniquely his own. His diverse experience, technical virtuosity, sense of timing and rhythm, and ability to complement other band members has earned Maxwell a reputation as one of the finest blues pianists alive. David Maxwell was featured on "On Point," hosted by Anthony Brooks. Give it a listen at www.onpointradio.org/shows/2006/04/20060420_b_main.asp.

For more information on David Maxwell go to www.davidmaxwell.com, www.myspace.com/maximummaxwellmusic and www.facebook.com/pages/David-Maxwell/29039162267.

"Dave has always been one of the
most amazing piano players I've ever heard."
(Bonnie Raitt)

"I don't think anybody could be tighter playing the blues on the piano
than David Maxwell. He plays the blues like it should be played.
He plays the low-down, dirty, funky blues. He's got it all together."
(John Lee Hooker)

For the Tribute to Otis Spann and the Club 47, Maxwell will be joined by Troy Gonyea on guitar (www.troygonyea.com, Booker T, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) and Per Hanson on drums (Ronnie Earl, James Cotton). The upcoming recording Conversations In Blue is scheduled to be released in early Winter 2010.

NEW ROOMFUL OF BLUES ALBUM COVER CONTEST CHANCE TO WIN A FREE CD

2010-10-05T10:30:00.000-07:00

NEW ROOMFUL OF BLUES ALBUM COVER CONTEST CHANCE TO WIN A FREE CD

We're looking for YOU to help us choose the cover art for Hook, Line & Sinker, the next Roomful of Blues release on Alligator Records. Go to the link below, tell us which of these covers you like better for Roomful's January 2011 release and fill in your contact info.

From all submissions (whether the cover you vote for wins or not), ten voters chosen at random will receive a free copy of the CD when it's released.

Click here to view the choices and to cast your vote. You can also cut and paste this link into your browser.

http://www.alligator.com/index.cfm?section=covercontest

For more information on anything Alligator, go to www.alligator.com or if you have specific questions about our online store or anything in our catalog, you can call us toll-free at 1.800.344.5609.

Bringing you the best houserockin' music for over 39 years, ALLIGATOR RECORDS

JUKE BLUES REBELS SCISSORMEN ON TOUR BEHIND NEW ROBERT MUGGE DOCUMENTARY AND NEW LIVE CD

2010-10-04T18:25:00.000-07:00

JUKE BLUES REBELS SCISSORMEN ON TOUR BEHIND NEW ROBERT MUGGE DOCUMENTARY AND NEW LIVE CD

Playing Cambridge on Saturday, Nov. 20 at the Lizard Lounge w/Peter Parcek!!!!!!!

Scissormen are on tour following the release of a new feature-length movie starring the contemporary Mississippi-style juke joint blues band and a new live CD recorded this year in Switzerland. They’ll play The Lizard Lounge on Saturday, November 20. The club is at 1667 Massachusetts Ave. Call (617) 547-0759 or visit www.lizardloungeclub.com

The show, sponsored by the Boston Blues Society, will also feature Peter Parcek 3, whose new album The Mathematics of Love was produced by Scissormen’s Ted Drozdowski, and opener Barrett Anderson. Scissormen will also feature special guests during their concert, including Boston’s 10 Foot Polecats and A.K.A./C.O.D.’s Larry Dersch.

Details:

• BIG SHOES: Walking and Talking the Blues, the latest documentary by famed roots-music filmmaker Robert Mugge (http://robertmugge.com) starring Scissormen debuts at the Starz Denver Film Festival this November 5 and 6 and previews on this October’s Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise. For the trailer, click this link: http://vimeo.com/channels/bigshoestrailerIt is the director’s first film to feature original music exclusively, all written by Scissormen’s Ted Drozdowski.

• Bootleg: Live at Blues Rules 2010, Crissier, Switzerland is Scissormen’s fourth, just-released album. The disc, which captures the band on stage in May, is the first in a series of limited-run fan club releases also available at Amazon and iTunes to the general public.

• Scissormen have an international reputation for fiery live performances based on leader Ted Drozdowski’s incendiary slide guitar. They have been featured at Bonnaroo, France’s Cognac Blues Passions, Memphis in May and other major festivals. They’ve also been played on more than 140 radio stations in the U.S. Drozdowski also teaches slide guitar clinics and has an award from the Blues Foundation for writing about the music. He was consultant for the PBS series Martin Scorsese Presents: The Blues.

QUOTES:

The late roots music legend Jim Dickinson said, "Ever wonder what would have happened if Bukka White had discovered the Fuzz Tone? Or if Skip James had played piano with Antenna Jimmy and Drumbo from the Magic Band? Scissormen is acid blues for the 21st century."

“Mind blowing shows…incredible slide guitar work…Luck in a Hurry propels the raw, ethereal sounds of Mississippi hill country blues into the 21st century with Scissormen's take no prisoners approach. Simply put, if you're a hill country or slide guitar fan, this disc will blow your doors off their hinges."--Blues Bytes

"Both on record and in live performance, Ted Drozdowski is a guitarist of spellbinding invention and intelligence. His slide playing shears the skin off your bones, and he can unleash roaring gales of sound. But lyricism and

musicality lie at the heart of even his wildest moments. I have never

listened to him and not been transported to a strange, beautiful place I'd never been before."--Rolling Stone’s Anthony DeCurtis

November Music Schedule - Smoken' Joe's BBQ and Blues - Brighton MA

2010-10-03T11:09:00.000-07:00

Smoken' Joe's BBQ and Blues

351 Washington Street

Brighton, MA 02135

November Music Schedule

Monday at 7pm November 1 Bruce Marshall Open Mic

http://www.brucemarshall.net

Tuesday at 7:30pm November 2 Ed Scheer’s Tuesday Night All-Stars

Wednesday at 7:30pm November 3 Alizon w/ Mario Perrett (sax and vocals)

http://www.alizonmusic.com

http://www.marioperrett.com

Thursday at 8:30pm November 4 Phil Pemberton Band

http://www.myspace.com/philippembertonband

Friday at 9pm November 5 About Tyme

http://www.myspace.com/abouttymeltd

Saturday at 9pm November 6 Shirley Lewis Band

http://www.shirleylewis.biz/

Sunday at 7pm November 7 Geoff Bartley w/ Special Guests

http://www.geoffbartley.com

Monday at 7pm November 8 Bruce Marshall Open Mic

http://www.brucemarshall.net

Tuesday at 7:30pm November 9 Ed Scheer’s Tuesday Night All-Stars

Wednesday at 7:30pm November 10 Alizon Lissance w/ Wendy Sobel, Salley Swezer, & Ed Scheer

http://www.alizonmusic.com

Thursday at 8:30pm November 11 Phil Pemberton Band

http://www.myspace.com/philippembertonband

Friday at 9pm November 12 Juke Joint Five

http://www.myspace.com/jukejoint5

Saturday at 9pm November 13 Soul Alley

http://www.alleyblues.com

Sunday at 7pm November 14 Geoff Bartley w/ Special Guests

http://www.geoffbartley.com

Monday at 7pm November 15 Bruce Marshall Open Mic

http://www.brucemarshall.net

Tuesday at 7:30pm November 16 Ed Scheer’s Tuesday Night All-Stars

Wednesday at 7:30pm November 17 Alizon w/ Cheryl Arena and Ed Scheer

http://www.alizonmusic.com

http://www.myspace.com/cherylarena

Thursday at 8:30pm November 18 Phil Pemberton Band

http://www.myspace.com/philippembertonband

Friday at 9pm November 19 Sarah Thompson Band Featuring Ron Levy

http://www.sarathompson.net/

http://www.levtron.com/

Saturday at 9pm November 20 Barrett Anderson, Ron Levy & Per Hanson Allstar Band!

http://www.barrettanderson.net

http://www.levtron.com/

Sunday at 7pm November 21 Geoff Bartley w/ Special Guests

http://www.geoffbartley.com

Monday at 7pm November 22 Bruce Marshall Open Mic

http://www.brucemarshall.net

Tuesday at 7:30pm November 23 Ed Scheer’s Tuesday Night All-Stars

Wednesday at 7:30pm November 24 Alizon's Monthly Jam

http://www.alizonmusic.com

Thursday at 8:30pm November 25 Closed for Thanksgiving

Friday at 9pm November 26 TBA

Saturday at 9pm November 27 The Love Dogs

http://www.thelovedogs.com

Sunday at 7pm November 28 Geoff Bartley w/ Special Guests

http://www.geoffbartley.com

Monday at 7pm November 29 Bruce Marshall Open Mic

http://www.brucemarshall.net

Tuesday at 7:30pm November 30 Ed Scheer’s Tuesday Night All-Stars

Do you want to find out more about our featured artist? Sign- up for our e-newsletter

SHEMEKIA COPELAND - LIVE - THE BULL RUN - OCTOBER 8th

2010-09-30T14:37:00.000-07:00

FRI., Oct. 8 @ 8pm

SHEMEKIA COPELAND

"She belongs to the school of blues belters whose roars could move rocks up hills" - Jay Ruttenberg, Time Out NY

New Queen of the Blues, Shemekia Copeland has opened for the Rolling Stones, headlined at the Chicago Blues Festivaland numerous festivals around the world, scored critics choice awards from The New York Times and The Times of London and shared the stage with Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Taj Mahal and John Mayer. After the release of her debut album, "Turn the Heat Up", The Boston Globe proclaimed, "She roars with a sizzling, hot intensity".

Opening act: Barrett Anderson

The Reel Blues Fest - October 8, at the House of Blues

2010-09-28T06:18:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release: September 15, 2010 Contact: Ellen Gitelman American Graphiti

617-426-6668

elleng@americangraphiti.com

The Reel Blues Fest to Honor Delta Blues Legend & 2010 Lifetime Grammy Award Winner David “Honeyboy” Edwards October 8, at the House of Blues

95 year old to perform with Aerosmith’s Brad Whitford, the James Montgomery Band & more

BOSTON, MA— In honor of his 2010 Lifetime Achievement Grammy, the Reel Blues Fest presents a special tribute to legendary Delta Blues guitarist David “Honeyboy” Edwards at 7:00 PM on Friday, October 8, at the House of Blues in Boston. Edwards will be joined on stage by Aerosmith’s Brad Whitford, the James Montgomery Band featuring David Hull of the Joe Perry Project, Santana’s Mike Carabello, Barry Goudreau (former member of the band Boston), the Uptown Horns (Rolling Stones horn section), and other special guests. Ernie and the Automatics, featuring Barry Goudreau and Sib Hassian (also a former member of the band Boston), opens the show. The evening raises funds for musicians’ health care and first time filmmakers.

Honeyboy, who at age 95 still maintains a heavy touring schedule, is Robert Johnson’s only living disciple and one of the last original acoustic Delta blues players. His life has been intertwined with almost every major blues legend, including Howlin' Wolf, Lightnin' Hopkins, Muddy Waters, Charlie Patton, Big Joe Williams, Rice "Sonny Boy Williamson" Miller, Peetie Wheatstraw, Sunnyland Slim, Big Walter, Little Walter and Magic Sam. He has influenced a lifetime of musicians and won numerous awards, most recently a Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album of 2008.

The Reel Blues Fest, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded in 2001 by blues musician James Montgomery and Woods Hole Film Festival founder Judy Laster. Musicians who have supported the festival in the past include members of Aerosmith, Jim Belushi, Delbert McClinton, Dr. John, Dickie Betts, Koko Taylor, Robert Cray, James Cotton, and Shemekia Copeland, to name a few.

Tickets are $30 and are available through www.ticketmaster.com. VIP tickets, which include a buffet and meet and greet with the performers in the Foundation Room from 6:00-7:00 PM and a VIP lanyard, are $120 each. For more information about the festival call 508-495-3456 or visit www.thereelbluesfest.org.

###

The 2010 23rd Boston Blues Challenge line-up

2010-09-28T05:50:00.000-07:00

October 03 - semi-final #1 (top 2 bands will advance to finals)

1 - 5:30 - Kid Pinky

2 - 6:00 - Erin Harpe

3 - 6:30 - Barrett Anderson

4 - 7:00 - Lois Greco

5 - 7:30 - Drivin Blind

October 10 - semi-final #2 (top 2 bands will advance to finals)

1 - 5:30 - Delta Generators special preformance (not part of challenge)

2 - 6:00 - Sit Down Baby

3 - 6:30 - Gil Correia

4 - 7:00 - Gracie Curran

5 - 7:30 - Throw Down Blues

October 17 - solo/duos and finals

1 - 5:30 - Max Sullivan

2 - 6:00 - Satch Romano

3 - 6:30 - Willie McBlind

4 - 7:00 - final band #1

5 - 7:30 - final band #2

6 - 8:00 - final band #3

7 - 8:30 - final band #4

CSB & Madeleine Hall at The Next Page this weekend‏

2010-09-21T05:21:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Been a very busy summer touring with Watermelon Slim. Hope you all had a great summer. As my touring season with Slim winds down I wanted to let people know that I'm playing several regional dates this weekend and that I'm aware my website is down. I've been working with my isp to remedy the problem but they're not very responsive (thanks rcn!). In any event here are a couple of the local dates I'll be on this weekend. I hope to see some of you at these dates before I leave next week for Australia!

SATURDAY-9/25

1:25-2:25 PM-Westport (CT) Brews & Blues Fest with Dave Howard & Black & White

9:15 PM - NEXT PAGE CAFE-Weymouth, MA - Madeleine Hall with Chris Stovall Brown - Live Recording

SUNDAY-9/26

11:30 AM - 1PM - MT. Ida College - CSB with Shirley Lewis-Gospel show- MT. IDA family day

3-7 PM - Cady's Tavern, Chepachet, RI - CSB (on harp) with Rick Russell & Rick Harrington

Gracie Curran and The High Falutin' Band - Live at The Tap

2010-09-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

Gracie B. Curran & The High Fallutin’ Band
Live - The Tap
September 18th, 2010
Review by Georgetown Fats

It was a great night for blues music in the Merrimack Valley. Gracie B Curran, making her debut at The Tap in Haverhill, backed by the High Fallutin’ Band channelled Etta, Janis and others to deliver a high impact show to the assembled and disassembled masses.

With the support if Marty Phillips as a guest sax player, Tommy Carroll on guitar and band leader, Ross Liberti in drums and Geoff Murfitt on bass the high energy Gracie B Curran lead her band through sets of well travelled covers tweaked appropriately for a female vocalist.

Curran’s command of the microphone was only exceeded by her command of the crowd; full of vocal talent and sass she had already whipped the assembled crowd into a party before we had arrived. With deft ability, Curran made sure to throw bon mots to her assembled colleagues and band mates while never interrupting the flow of her own show. She owned the room with a combination of pure vocal talent and exuberance.

Almost as entertaining as the show was Curran’s handling of a a gentleman who may have had a few bad ice cubes. Allowing the gentleman ‘just enough rope’ to add to the entertainment, Curran kept her cool and never lost her command of the room.

In between sets, I also had a chance to steal away to the new club opening in the former function room for The Tap. Schedule to open in the beginning of October and featuring dedicated blues nights the room is bound to enhance an already burgeoning Haverhill music scene.

For more information on Gracie and The High Falutin’ Band check out;
www.myspace.com/graciebmusic

For more information on The Tap check out;
www.tapbrewpub.com

The Boston Blues Society Presents - The 23rd Annual Blues Challenge

2010-09-14T18:29:00.000-07:00

THE BOSTON BLUES SOCIETY PRESENTS

“THE 23^RD ANNUAL BOSTON BLUES CHALLENGE”

SEMI-FINALS SUNDAY OCT. 3^RD AND 10^TH

FINALS OCT. 17^TH

JOHNNY D’S—DAVIS SQUARE—SOMERVILLE MA.

THE BOSTON BLUES SOCIETY IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE ENTRANTS INTO THIS YEAR’S BLUES CHALLENGE. WE ARE THRILLED WITH THE ENTHUSIASM THE BLUES COMMUNITY HAS SHOWN AGAIN THIS YEAR. WE WILL BE ANNOUNCING THE TIMES AND LINEUP VERY SHORTLY AND ALSO WILL BE RELEASING THE NAMES OF OUR JUDGES AND EMCEES AS THE PLANS ARE FINALIZED.

SOLO/DUO ENTRANTS: BAND ENTRANTS:

SATCH ROMANO/CINDY DALY DUO BARRETT ANDERSON BAND

MAX SULLIVAN- SOLO ERIN HARPE AND THE DELTA SWINGERS

WILLIE AND BABE/DUO LOIS GRECO BAND

KID PINKY BAND

SIT DOWN BABY !

DRIVIN BLIND

THROW DOWN BLUES BAND

GIL CORREIA AND THE BLUGILS

GRACIE CURRAN AND HER HIGH FALUTIN BAND

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ALSO VOTED TO SEND ELI CATLIN TO THE CHALLENGE IN MEMPHIS IN THE YOUTH COMPETITION.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ALSO VOTED TO SUBMIT THE NEW CD “HARD RIVER TO ROW” BY THE DELTA GENERATORS INTO THE IBC’S BEST SELF PRODUCED CD CATEGORY.

Smokin Joe Kubek and Bnois King - New England Tour Dates

2010-09-12T09:48:00.000-07:00

"Raucous, high-energy Texas roadhouse blues-rock. Blistering guitar solos, irresistible shuffles and subtle ballads." -Living Blues

The red-hot rockin' Texas blues band Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King will celebrate the release of their new CD, Have Blues, Will Travel with a live performance at the Tupelo Music Hall in Londonderry on Friday, September 17, 2010.

Kubek's raucous roadhouse fretwork is expertly complimented by the equally fiery guitar and soulful vocals of Bnois King. Together, the two create a one-two punch of raw, tough, Lone Star blues-rock.

Concert information is as follows:

Date: Friday, September 17
Venue: Tupelo Music Hall
Address: 2 Young Road
City: Londonderry, NH
Phone: 603-432-5100
Showtime: 8:00 p.m.
Ticket price: $22
Website: www.tupelohalllondonderry.com

The red-hot rockin' Texas blues band Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King will celebrate the release of their new CD, Have Blues, Will Travel with a live performance at the Venue Music Bar in Portland on Saturday, September 18, 2010.

Kubek's raucous roadhouse fretwork is expertly complimented by the equally fiery guitar and soulful vocals of Bnois King. Together, the two create a one-two punch of raw, tough, Lone Star blues-rock.

Concert information is as follows:

Date: Saturday, September 18th
Venue: Venue Music Bar and Grille
Address: 865 Forest Ave.
City: Portland, ME
Phone: 207-899-4350
Showtime: 9:00 p.m.
Ticket price: $15
Website: www.venuemusicbar.com

**REMEMBER--ALWAYS CONTACT THE VENUE TO CONFIRM DATES & SHOW TIMES

Bob Malone - Johnny D's Uptown - September 18th, 2010

2010-09-10T07:03:00.000-07:00

BOB MALONE - Johnny D's Uptown

The "Ain't What You Know" New England CD Release

Saturday, September 18 at 7:00pm

17 Holland Street, Somerville, MA 617.776.2004

"Bob Malone doesn't just accompany himself on piano. He supports his singing with pulsating, roaring keyboard work that grabs you and shakes you until you cry for mercy"

Keyboard Magazine

(Los Angeles) - Blues/rock piano man Bob Malone has been touring nonstop for a year behind his latest album "Ain't What You Know," which has been receiving raves in magazines, newspapers and blogs on three continents. Bob kicked off the "Ain't What You Know" Tour at Los Angeles's The Mint for a special release show with the all-star musicians featured on the album, including Leland Sklar (Jackson Browne, James Taylor), Mike Baird (Bob Dylan, Journey, Hall & Oates), Marty Rifkin (Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty), and Lee Thornburg (Tower of Power, Chicago, Rod Stewart). The tour has since continued on to Europe, Australia and most of the US, including high-profile support slots with Dr. John, Leon Russel, and Subdudes.

Bob's show at Johnny D's will feature his great East Coast touring rhythm section and the first 20 people in the door will receive a free copy of the video single for "No One Can Hurt You." Cover is $10, and children are welcome with parents with dinner reservations.

Called a musician's musician and a pianist's pianist, Malone is touted by critics across multiple genres.

"A new peak in what's been a rather mountainous career, Malone's latest shows off everything that makes him great and more...the kind of record you can listen to over and over, the way records used to be. Great songs, amazing production and playing, it doesn't get much better than this" says Filter Magazine.

"The presence of first-call players like Leland Sklar and Marty Rifkin, alongside the artist's New Orleans drenched piano, raises the bar for this troubadour. On "Ain't What You Know," Bob Malone is clearly in the big leagues," raves Music Connection.

"US blues pianist Bob Malone cakewalked all over the keys with rip-roaring pyrotechnics that were part skill and part showmanship, often eschewing the piano stool and jumping around like a rock star. [But] beneath the banter and the wizardry Bob Malone revealed a raw and splendidly large heart" says The West Australian.

Known for his dazzling stage show, Bob Malone is a favorite across the country, across the pond and even down under. "Ain't What You Know" was produced by Bob DeMarco of DeMarco Productions ("Entertainment Tonight, "Dr. Phil.") through Delta Moon Records and is distributed by Burnside Distribution.

For more information on Bob Malone

visit www.bobmalone.com

Hi-res photos at www.bobmalone.com/media.html

CDs and vinyl available for review!

###

Popa Chubby coming to Franklin MA

2010-09-09T16:42:00.000-07:00

POPA CHUBBY COMING TOFRANKLIN!

Raucous guitar-slinger Popa Chubby is bringing his Hi-Octane show to Franklin, NH as follows:
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH
ELKS LODGE192 CENTRAL STREET
(570) 822-2992
8PM / $25

Charlie Musselwhite - Touring New England in support of The Well

2010-09-09T16:34:00.000-07:00

Famed harmonicist/vocalist/songwriter/guitarist Charlie Musselwhite celebrates his return to Alligator Records with his new CD, The Well, and a live performance at;

Tupelo Music Hall in Londonderry on Thursday, September 16, 2010
Venue Music Bar and Grille in Portland on Friday, September 17, 2010.
The Met in Pawtucket on Saturday, September 18, 2010.

The album is an authentic slice of Charlie's deep blues roots with musical flavors from Mississippi to Chicago to California, including help on one song from legendary vocalist and friend Mavis Staples.

The Well is the first full-band recording in Musselwhite's almost 50-year career in which he wrote every track on the album, and it is the most personal and emotionally open cycle of songs he has ever created. The revealing, autobiographical songs recall specific events and places in Musselwhite's amazingly colorful life. His worldly-wise vocals and masterful harmonica work are perfectly matched with the stories he tells. Simply put, The Well is Charlie Musselwhite at his very best.

Peter Blewzzman Lauro on Chuck Van Riper and Dave Thomas About The Blues

2010-09-03T13:02:00.000-07:00

Chuck Van Riper & Dave Thomas

"About The Blues"

Pitkethly Music

By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © September 2010

"About The Blues" is the debut release by the duo of Chuck Van Riper & Dave Thomas. Although the band is a true duo, by no means would I consider this release a duet. You see, between them they play six instruments and sing as well. On guitar, bass, trumpet and vocals is Chuck and on guitar, piano and lead vocals is Dave, with the drum samples written by Chuck. On the project - a mix of electric and acoustic blues as well as a mix of blues styles - they're both responsible for all the original music.....and obviously lots of overdubbing.

It took me all of three notes of the opening track to realize I was going to like this disc. The song was "Free To Go" and those notes were from a scorching guitar riff that lasted the length of the track.

The title track is based on some poor soul's life that truly is all "About The Blues". It seems that the lyrics of blues songs were written from him being followed and having his life written about. Damn, that's sad. This one features great lead and harmony vocals with good guitar and piano work from Dave.

This one is a slow, soft and absolutely beautiful love song about a couple that are a "Perfect Fit". Dave's emotional and tender vocals make it sound as if he were singing the song to the love of his life. If you have someone in your life who is that perfect fit, make sure you let them know - as a matter of fact, play this song for them. Sensual guitar work is another of this tune's jewels.

There will come a time in all of our lives - despite admitting it or not - where we just "Can't Rock No More". You'll know it when you "can listen but - not take the floor" or when you "watch pretty girls shake it so nice, but joining them just ain't worth the price". Besides being very clever, the lyrics will one day be all too true. Great vocals and rhythm highlight this sing-along song.

"Please Don't Tell Me Now" is another of my many favorites. The tears Chuck's guitar is weeping and the melancholy lyrics so sadly and soulfully sung by Dave are - to use the words of a previous song title - a perfect fit. Great stuff!

On "I'll Follow You", the guys actually had this usually non acoustic liking listener enjoying what he was hearing. Dave's outstanding down home vocal style and Chuck's pickin' at the acoustic guitar strings have them sounding as good as any acoustic duo these ears have heard.

Other tracks on "About The Blues" include" "Do You Know Who You Are?", "Mexicali Blues", "Get Outta My Way", "One Last Time", "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow", "When We Get Together"and "Look What I Found".

Right about now you should be thinking you'd like to hear more from these guys. That's why you need to go towww.abouttheblues.com and let them know. Once you're there, also let them know the Blewzzman sent ya.

Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro

Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com

Johnny Barnes - Post Hurricane Party

2010-09-02T19:12:00.000-07:00

Johnny Barnes & The NightCrawlers are playing a Hurricane Earl After Party at The Boat Show at The Seaport Inn and Marina at the Rte 6 Fairhaven- New Bedford Bridge.

SATURDAY SEPT 4 ... we're on stage from 5 to 7 PM.

Its in a big tent.... if the tent don't get blown away!!! Come and check out the cool boats. Bands all day and night. www.johnnybarnes.com

A Note from Blewzzman regarding Robin Rogers health..

2010-09-02T07:36:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my Blues Society contacts.

Below is a copy of an email that was forwarded to me by my friend Tom. It contains information about the serious situation Robin Rogers is involved with. I thought you might like to pass this along to your members.

Let's all hope for the best for her.

"The BLUES is my PASSION & THERAPY"

Pete the Blewzzman

www.Mary4Music.com

Hi Tom

Wish I had some good news to pass along but things are pretty rough. Robin

finished the tour with Debbie (8 weeks), was home 2 days, went to Europe with

Janiva and Thorreta Davis for a week, home 2 days, off to St Louis and a couple

other stops, back home and collapsed on the 18th. She was in ICU in very serious

condition until the 29th when she moved to a regular room. I spent a few hours

with her yesterday, and the Doctor was talking about her going home or to a

physical therapy center the next day. I left around 3PM and Tony called around 7

saying the internal bleeding had started again and she was back in ICU. Today

they transferred her to The Med in Charlotte and surgery is being scheduled now.

All this comes from her liver not functioning properly due to Hep C.

There are a couple benefits being put together in Charlotte and a medical trust

fund has been set up. Her new CD comes out this month and the planned release

party has been scrapped along with all tour dates for the rest of the year. A

bunch of DJs around the country are sending out mass press release to let

everyone know about the new disc and to tell them to go to robinrogers.com to

order. Maybe we can get some decent sales generated through the web site, cause

there ain't gonna be any sold from the stage for a while.

The girl is fighting her ass off right now and she has a very long and hard road

to recovery. I'll tell Robin and Tony you were asking about her. Wish I had

better news.

Mike

Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival - Fredericton NB Canada -September 14-19th, 2010

2010-08-30T16:01:00.000-07:00

September 14-19th, 2010

Fredericton NB, Canada

The Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, is celebrating its 20th anniversary from September 14th to 19th in what’s sure to be a jam-packed week of world-class performances by over 125 artists on 23 stages across four downtown city blocks!

The Festival takes over the entire downtown of New Brunswick’s capital city for one week in September, as the best of blues, jazz, world and alternative music spread through big-top tents, open-air stages, theatres, and bars.

Headliners of this year’s Festival include blues giants such as the Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi Band, John Hiatt, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Maria Muldaur and a New Brunswick native who took first place at the 2010 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Matt Andersen.

On the jazz side, the Festival has Grammy winning jazz singer Kurt Elling, all-star jazz ensemble Jane Bunnett’s African-Cuban Jazz Project, New Orleans’ Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers, rising star Meaghan Smith, and Richard Underhill, as well as unique jazz collaborations playing in our all-jazz venue all week long.

The Festival knows how to rock out as well, with shows by Canadian rock royalty, Big Sugar, The Trews, Hill Country Revue (the new project of members of the North Mississippi All Stars), Elliott Brood, and Australian troubadour Xavier Rudd & Izintaba, to name a few.

Over 35% of our programming is free, while ticketed shows range from $5-$55 dollars, allowing something for everyone, no matter your musical taste or budget!

Come soak up the music, experience our famous Maritime hospitality, and have a week you will never forget! Enjoy amazing performances in uniquely intimate festival venues and outdoor stages with historic backdrops along the beautiful St John river...truly the best international festival experience on Canada's East Coast!

For more information on the Festival,

visit our website at

www.harvestjazzandblues.com

Harvest is also on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/harvestjazzandblues

and Twitter at

http://twitter.com/HarvestFest20th

Whiteboy James And The Blues Express -Last Time Was The Last Time - Peter Blewzzman Lauro

2010-08-30T15:19:00.000-07:00

Whiteboy James And The Blues Express
"Last Time Was The Last Time"

Rip Cat Records
By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © August 2010

Whiteboy James And the Blues Express, a band that's self proclaimed as being "a detonative force not to be reckoned with" consists of: Whiteboy James on vocals and harmonica; Scott Abeyta on guitar; Blake Watson on bass; Max Bangwell on drums; and having absolutely nothing to do with the music at all, but certainly adding pleasure to the discs appearance - Bridget Blonde as the cover model.

Everything I'm reading about this band - the one sheet included with the disc, the liner notes written by Dan Jacobson of Southland Blues Magazine and quotes at the bands' website - all indicate that this is one hell of a band to catch live. Let's see if my ears will lead me to agree.

The opening track, "Chicken And The Hawk", immediately starts off in high gear and never lets up. This smoker is highlighted by wickedly wild rhythm from Max - on drums, and Blake - on what sounds like a stand up bass. Dancers, especially the swingers, will surely love this one.

The title track, "Last Time Was The Last Time" is one of several tracks which feature Whiteboy playing harp. As good as he is, I'm surprised there aren't a lot more of these wonderful harp highlights. The rhythm, as you'll probably hear me say throughout, is once again intense.

This instrumental is only 80 seconds long, but it's full throttle all the way. It could be that there was a "Fat Chance" the guys could go on at this pace much longer. I got out of breath just listening.

Being written by the guitarist, "T-Bone For Daisy" just so happens to feature some of the discs best guitar work. From the pen to the pick, this instrumental is all Scott. Slow, scorching blues, just the way I like it.

"Worried Life Blues" is another of what appears to be many well done tracks. Strong vocals from Whiteboy and hard driving guitar from Scott highlight this one. As a matter of fact, right about now I'm wondering how the heck I haven't heard of this incredible guitarist - who also happens to own the label - before this disc.

Untamed musicians, performing untamed acts on their instruments can only lead to one thing - "Untamed Melody". Track after track the Blues Express has continued to blow me away. This is another free for all instrumental led by "Mad" Max on drums and "Scorching" Scott on guitar.

"Shave 'em Dry #2" is another of the tracks that the "Parental Advisory" on the disc jacket applies to. On this one Whiteboy seems to take pleasure in graphically describing his sexual pleasures as well as patting himself on the back for his apparent superior ability in performing them. If you can hear past the lyrics on this one you'll experience some remarkable guitar chords from Scott.

Other tracks on "Last Time Was The Last Time" include: "By My Side", "Upside Your Head", "Reefer Man", "Don't Fuck Around With Love", "Keep It Clean", "Walk Around The World" and "Kiss Me When I Kiss".

From what I just heard, I'd have to agree with live show sentiments mentioned earlier. The guys are certainly talented enough, definitely entertaining enough and surely crazy enough to make me want to see them.

If you'd like to pickup a copy of "Last Time Was The Last Time", and I think you should, just go to www.whiteboyjames.com. While you're there, please tell the guys that the Blewzzman's hoping they make it to Florida someday.

By the way - and this might be a good idea for interested radio stations - there is a PG version of the disc available. Just ask the band for the details.

Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com

A big weekend at Smoken Joe's BBQ - August 27th-29th

2010-08-25T07:20:00.000-07:00

A BIG weekend at;

Smoken’ Joe’s BBQ and Blues

Peter Parcek Trio

Friday, August 27 at 9PM

Sara Thompson featuring Ron Levy

Saturday, August 28 at 9PM

Geoff Bartley w/ Special Guest

Sunday, August 29 at 7PM

351 Washington Street Brighton, MA 02135

617-254-5227 www.smokenjoesbbq.com

The Boston All Star Blues Revue - Londonderry NH - September 10th, 2010

2010-08-24T19:28:00.000-07:00

Check out this UNBELIEVABLE show on September 10 at Tupelo Music Hall in Londonderry NH at 8pm. The Boston All Star Blues Revue featuring Toni Lynn Washington, Monster Mike Welch, Brian Templeton, Lydia Warren, Bruce Bears & Mr. Nick with backing band The Dirty Tricks. Tickets are only $20 for this phenomenal show. Please come support these stellar Bluesicians and enjoy what will surely be a night to remember!

Blind Willy - Willing to Crawl - Peter Blewzzman Lauro

2010-08-24T19:13:00.000-07:00

Blind Willy

"Willing To Crawl"

Spec Records

Blind Willy consists of: Doug Jones on vocals, guitar and harmonica; James Cook on bass and background vocals; Derek Mixon on drums; Johnny Neel on keyboards; Joanna Cotton on background vocals; Chris West on saxophone; Adam Jones on trombone; and Dan Cohen on guitar (1 track). The disc is an EP which contains five outstanding original tracks.

Doug may be "Living The Blues" but, as he happily states on this opening track, he's "not going down without a puttin' up a fight - 'cause he fells like rockin' tonight". Atta boy, Doug! Right from the get go the band gets into one of those toe tappin', head bobbin' grooves - led by the rhythm work of James, Derek and Johnny - and they lock it right in. That, combined with the amazingly harmonic vocals and background vocals sung by Doug and Joanna, make this one hell of a track. While writing this paragraph, it's a close call as to what my fingers hit more - the keypad or the replay button. Excellent stuff!

In order to get his woman back, Doug's not only man enough to let her see his teardrops fall, but he's also "Willing To Crawl". The emotions relayed through his powerfully yet passionate vocals, leave absolutely no question as to his sincerity. With a steady, intense organ background and a strong drum rhythm behind him Doug's at discs best as he squeezes tears out of his guitar as well.

"My Little Feelgood" is a heck of a party song. As a matter of fact, there's quite a party going on in the background. This one's highlighted by wind - hot wind and lots of it - Doug blowin' it into the harp and Chris and Adam blowin' it into their horns. Add some hand clapping, lots of laughing and several people singing background and you've got a real smoker goin' on.

"Leave The Light On" is an absolutely exquisite and sensually sung ballad. About two thirds into the track Doug hits some notes that sent chills through my body. I know there are literally thousands of beautifully sung love songs out there, but this one's got to be one of the best. My apologies to the rest of the guys in the band - I know you're there, but I'm lost in the vocals on this one.

I'm sure the guys worked up a "Sweat" while recording this one, because they all sound on top of their game. James, Derek and Johnny are at it again - serving up some intense rhythm, Chris and Adam are blowin' fire outta their horns, and Doug..... oh he's just up to his usual singin' the hell out of the song.

Even though it's an EP, I believe I may have just listened to the front runner in the 2010 "Blewzzy Award" competition. Short of offering a money back guarantee, I am promising you that there won't be one second of this disc you will not love. Go - right now - to www.blindwilly.com and get one (being an EP, it's priced right). And while you're there, tell Doug the Blewzzman says "WOW!"

Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro

Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com

Pat Ramsey and The Blues Disciples - "Live In Key West!"

2010-08-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

Pat Ramsey and The Blues Disciples
"Live In Key West!"
Snailworx Productions
By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © August 2010

Prelude

It's a pleasure and an honor to have the opportunity to work with this posthumously released Pat Ramsey CD. Besides being one of my favorite harmonica players and vocalists, Pat was also a very dear friend. It seemed like we bonded from the very first minute we introduced ourselves, at Alligator Alley, in Sunrise, FL. That was ten years ago, and since then the club is gone and so is Pat. Although it saddens me that he won't be able to read these words, I'll always have a fond memory of Pat that will forever put a smile on my face. Following a Saturday night gig about 10 minutes from my house, I had Pat and the band over for a good old fashion Sunday afternoon Italian dinner, before they headed back to Tallahassee. I swear, I never saw a bunch of skinny guys eat so much, and after we were done, Pat said it "was the best Italian food he's ever had." It's a compliment I'll never forget, especially since it came from the best harmonica player I ever heard.

"Live In Key West!" was recorded from Pat Ramsey and The Blues Disciples in Key West, FL shows during 2004. The band consisted of Pat Ramsey on vocals and harmonica, Dave Renson - Pat's band mate for over ten years - on guitar and Dobro, Duane Waider on drums and John Wentzien on bass.

The sincerity in his voice, and the feeling he puts into his words, leads you to believe he really needs it when he says "Somebody Loan Me A Dime". The first eight minutes of this eleven minute soulful ballad is all Pat - singing and blowing his heart out as he did so well. Of course, on a track this long you couldn't keep Dave quiet the whole time. Some excellent crying guitar licks add to the melancholy mood.

Just saying the name of this track pretty much tells the whole story - "Whammer Jammer". Those two words should be listed in the dictionary with a description that states: "One hell of an ass kicking, all out free for all instrumental jam led by fierce and frantic harmonica playing." Did I make my point? I'm betting even Magic Dick and J. Geils would love this version.

One of the two original tracks on the disc, this one penned by Dave, is "Got Love If You Want It". Coincidence or not, some of the discs best guitar work can be heard right here. Fueled by a hot rhythm, led by Duane on the drums, Dave tears it up on this one.

One of my favorite styles of harmonica playing is the type that Jimmy Reed made famous - that high pitched, sharp, piercing sound. On the cover of his "Honest I Do", Pat nails the sound. The smooth sound coming out of Dave's guitar and the mellow rhythm being produced by Duane and John, on drums and bass, make this a classic for a slow dance.

At the opening of "Dead Shrimp Blues" there's a three minute harmonica intro that could have been a song in itself. Then there are several vocal breaks where the band, at discs best, just locks into a groove that would have had me saying "lock the door and throw away the key" if I was in the room. Great rhythm, great guitar leads, and great vocals make this the best version of this song I've ever heard.

Other tracks on "Live In Key West!" include: "Dog House Blues", "Jammin' In The Jungle", "Stingin' Stang", "Highway 49/Highway 61 Revisited" and "Last Night".

This is the part of the review where I always advise the reader to visit the artists' website - to purchase a disc, and to send my regards to the artist as well. Well, you can get the disc at www.snailworx.com, but the regards part won't be necessary. My friend Pat already knows I'm thinking of him.

Epilogue

It's always been my opinion that Pat Ramsey was one of the artists that the blues community so wrongfully overlooked. How or why he never achieved the recognition he so deserved still baffles me. Maybe his time is yet to come - here are some words from someone who believes that as well......

"The overall musicianship of the band was outstanding and Pat's vocals sounded like the real thing. I was very impressed by the dynamics, performances and song combinations of Pat Ramsey & The Blues Disciples. My label has just submitted this CD for Grammy consideration for Best Contemporary Blues Album."

Michael Lewis
Snailworx Productions

Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com

Review of JJ Grey & MOFRO - Georgia Warhorse

2010-08-23T20:24:00.000-07:00

JJ Grey & MOFRO

Georgia Warhorse

Alligator Records (B003TTZSY2)

Release date : August 24th, 2010

Review by Georgetown Fats

If the legendary Bruce Iglauer thinks enough of a group or an artist to sign them to his label, then the artist or group is worth my time to give a few spins. For Iglauer to have formed Alligator Records just to record Hound Dog Taylor, and then to make Alligator Records a home to such legendary artists as Koko Taylor or Charlie Musselwhite or up and comers Lil Ed & The Blues Imperials then his opinion and label holds a great deal of weight in my music purchasing decisions. After a few spins of “Georgia Warhorse”, clearly I am missing something.

For those who have lived under the same rock I have recently, JJ Grey & MOFRO are a seven piece soul/funk/R&B/Blues/southern rock band from Jacksonville Florida. Have been the latest ‘it’ band for “Blues Review” or people cover musicians on the blues jam circuit looking to do something a little different during their sets, I had expected a great deal when I finally had a chance to be exposed to their original recordings. Having learned this was their 2nd release on the legendary Alligator Records label, I have to give Mr. Iglauer a pass for signing this radio friendly/pedestrian act.

“Georgia Warhorse” opens with “Diyo Dayo”. Guitarist Daryl Hance’s abrasively thin guitar tone does nothing to distract from JJ Grey’s overly processed vocals. By the time the rest of the band kicks in with the song, I am already uninterested. From the opening track, Grey may be a multi-instrumentalist by being credited with work on piano, acoustic and electric guitar in addition to harmonica in addition to his vocals. He should focus on his vocals first.

The opening of “King Hummingbird” features JJ Grey’s acoustic guitar work accompanying his vocals. While Grey may show some soul in his vocal work during “King Hummingbird”, his brand of soul is derivative. Other advertised soul artists have delivered a lot more convincing performance with a lot more originality.

“Hottest Spot in Hell”, the sole hotspot on “Georgia Warhorse” Grey’s overly processed vocals and guitarist Daryl Hance’s abrasively thin guitar tone may be back, but due to the subject matter it fits. In one of the few rockers on “Georgia Warhorse” it is bound to be released as a single, delivered to bait many into random purchases.

Ultimately I expect JJ Grey & MOFRO to earn considerable airplay with this radio friendly release. The mix of radio-friendly soul/blues is bound to sell a considerable volume of units helping assure Alligator Records can continue to bankroll more original artists. So they serve a purpose. Just allow me to go out on a limb, and predict JJ Grey & MOFRO tunes to one-day reach overplayed/over-covered contemporary blues status.

Charlie Musselwhite - The Well - Alligator Records

2010-08-23T14:44:00.000-07:00

Charlie Musselwhite

The Well Alligator Records (B003TYOABO)

Release Date – 8/24/10

Review by Georgetown Fats

Scheduled to be released on August 24th, 2010 back with Alligator Records since 1993, Charlie Musselwhite’s latest offering “The Well” puts the legendary Alligator Record label back with “The Ace of Harps”. Reunited and it sounds so damn good. “The Well” contains thirteen tracks of autobiographical material covering early days in Mississippi, complimented by succinct liner note for each track.

Opening with the mid-tempo shuffle “Rambler’s Blues”, testifies to his love of the open road. As Musselwhite attests in the liner notes, this song reflects some of his earliest desires and passions to roam the world over. Musselwhite’s effortless and mellow vocal style continue his matter-of-fact delivery detail how he “rolls in with the dust, and out with the wind”.

Musselwhite treats the listening to a geography lesson, delta style, on ‘Where Highway 61 Runs”. Part updated rendition of the Musselwhite classic “The Blues Overtook Me” part aural Mississippi Delta Tourism brochure, Musselwhite proves that though he his home base may be in San Francisco his heart and soul will always be in Delta.

With the help of his long-time friend Mavis Staples, Musselwhite’s offers a heart-wrenching piece on missed opportunities and guilt after the loss of his mother. Having lost his mother to a murder in Memphis, Musselwhite obviously carries considerable pain from the incident and has the skills of offer this cathartic piece. Though Staple’s vocal melody is restrained to match Musselwhite’s delivery her soulful gospel voice shines throughout.

Though Musselwhite does carry himself southern gentleman way, there was a time earlier in his life when personal demons allowed him to run afoul of the law. This time in particular, Musselwhite details being sentenced due to a cop who had lied about his case. Having only been introduced to Charlie Musselwhite in his southern senior years it is another poignant piece on the emotional scars inflicted over his hard living phase of life.

Approaching his 67th year, though Musselwhite has carved out a secondary career as an in-demand session player and harmonica clinician, with the release of “The Well” Musselwhite proves he still has many more stories to tell and stops on the road.

James Superharp Cotton LIVE at Fitchburg State University

2010-08-23T13:07:00.000-07:00

Living blues legend James “Superharp” Cotton, a Grammy-winning member of the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis, comes to Fitchburg State University in his 66^th year in the entertainment business. Cotton performs at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at Weston Auditorium on the Fitchburg State campus as part of the CenterStage at Fitchburg State University arts and culture series.

Tickets are $28 for adults, $25 for seniors and $10 for students.

Born in Mississippi in 1935, Cotton’s earliest memories include his mother playing chicken and train sounds on her harmonica. He learned to play on a 15-cent harmonica and by age 9 was playing with Sonny Boy Williamson. Soon he was playing with the legendary Howlin’ Wolf and was recording on Sun Records by the time he was 15 years old. And he was just 19 when Muddy Waters came to him in need of a harp player.

Cotton’s performance at Fitchburg State is co-sponsored by Worcester Magazine.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.fitchburgstate.edu/cultural/.

Pole-Catting Around with Jim Chilson of The Ten Foot Polecats

2010-08-23T06:43:00.000-07:00

Pole-Catting Around

Jim Chilson of The Ten Foot Polecats

Live at the Heavy Rebel Weekend

Being a musician, just like for the music fan, the festival season is an exciting time. Not only do you get to see a lot of music under one tent, but it provides you the opportunity to play your music for larger audiences than you would normally get at a weekend club/bar show. Blues festivals run rampant in the summertime not only here but across the country as well. But there are also festivals across the country that are almost untapped to Blues based acts but they could very well fit into their musical lineups. These festivals are hot rod/chopper shows and you can find them from New England to California in all different forms. Basically these festivals offer a plethora of activities such as: vintage hot rods, custom vehicles, tattoo artists, pinup contests, strongman competitions, etc. In turn these festivals typically bring in anywhere from 300 to 600 (or more) people due to all the different activities. However, the main theme is live music and this past summer we got to play at three of these events: Muddy Roots Festival in Cookeville TN, Heavy Rebel Weekender in Winston-Salem NC, and just recently we played Return to Milltown IV in Palmer MA, and have two more on tap for September.

I hate to use labels on music, but just for description sake, at all of these festivals there were an eclectic mix of music ranging from Rockabilly, Psychobilly, Outlaw Country, Bluegrass and Appalachian music mixed with Punk. But you also had some influx of juke joint Blues in there as well. The audiences were, let’s just say, alot less reserved than you see at a typical festival. Some of the things you might see from this crowd at these festivals, as we were witness to and victims of, are getting empty beer cans thrown on the stage (which is a form of applause), getting beer sprayed on you while you are playing, sloppy yet inspired dancing in front of you and on you sometimes,…err..lots of drinking (obviously), and even a mosh pit. You don’t find many mosh pits to country, bluegrass, or blues music!

This might not be your cup of tea as some of you reading this might not like what you hear from the details, BUT there is something very exciting about an active audience that drives a musician. From my impression, they don’t want to hear Stormy Monday and old blues standards but they want to hear what you have inside you and what you need to express. Frankly, blues has always been a renegade music , especially in it’s early inceptions, and they are accepting of original hardcore renegade blues music as part of this scene as well.

Because of these festivals, we got to meet a lot of new musicians, friends, fans, promoters, and venue owners. We also got to set up more shows with these promoters, venues and musicians across the country. But most importantly, it brought our music to a new fan base that might have never heard us in the first place. Just something to think about for 2011.

Jim Chilson

Ten Foot Polecats

Daddy’s Beach Club - Hull MA

2010-08-22T17:05:00.000-07:00

DADDY IS CALLIN’

By Karen Nugent

I remember going to Nantasket Beach - and of course its famous amusement park- as a child. It was a blast then, and it’s still a lot of fun. But I’m talking grown-up fun, as in blues, cocktails, and to-die-for pizza.

While the amusement park is long gone, something almost as exciting has sprouted.

The Boston Blues Society recently formed a partnership with Daddy’s Beach Club, 280 Nantasket Ave. in Hull, right across from the beach.

The club, formerly the Dry Dock, re-opened in April, after owners Jeffrey Lemkin and Paul Papetti, the general manager, spent more than $750,000 on renovations and back taxes.

The 135-seat club has a full bar – including a dozen or so micro-brew beers- and has become well-known by foodie-types for its thin crust New Haven-style pizza. That comes with all kinds of great toppings such as artichokes, baby spinach, olives- you name it.

“There is never a cover charge,” Papetti said. “We know people are on a budget. They can come here for good food, great music, and a cold beer. The pizza is the main stay. People say it’s the closest to Italy they’ have ever had.”

Daddy’s, which is open year-round, features mainly blues acts on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with a 2-6 p.m. show each Sunday, along with a second evening show. Sometimes, there are rock bands in the mix, and in the summer, there is the occasional reggae band to add to the tropical beach ambiance.

Recent acts included Mission of Blues, Greg MacKenzie, and Erin Thornton and the Soul Drivers. Lois Greco, that rockin’ blues babe, is a regular, Papetti said. Guitar great Ricky King Russell is scheduled for September.

“I love it there,” said BBS Secretary Carole Mellor. “You can sit by the big open windows and the sea air comes in. It is a very good size with the dining room to the left overlooking the ocean, and a very large bar area with tables to the right and stage in between. I feel like I'm on vacation when I am sitting there by the ocean enjoying the music and eating the awesome pizza.”

“Also, it is kid friendly and early in the evening you can see little kids eating and dancing in their seats to the music,” she said.

Actually, there’s something for everyone each night of the week at Daddy’s. Mondays are open mic nights, and its karaoke time on Tuesdays. Wednesdays showcase country and cowboy music; Thursdays are DJ dance nights.

Papetti, a Mattapan native, has been in the music management business for more than 30 years, booking acts and managing clubs. He decided to re-open after nearly five years because of the great location.

“It’s always a beach party!” he said.

www.daddysbeachclub.com

Smoken Joe's BBQ September Music Schedule

2010-08-22T16:55:00.000-07:00

Smoken Joe’s BBQ, is dedicated to the promotion, education, and preservation of Southern culture through good down home cooking and lively entertainment. It is features nightly live music seven days a week. For more information call 617-254-5227 or visit the website at smokenjoesbbq.com

September Music Schedule

Wednesday 7:30pm SEPT 1 Alizon Lissance w/ Cheryl Arena
http://www.alizonmusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/cherylarena

Thursday at 8:30pm SEPT 2 Phil Pemberton Band featuring Ron Levy
http://www.myspace.com/philippembertonband

Friday at 9pm SEPT 3 Juke Joint 5
http://www.myspace.com/jukejoint5

Saturday at 9pm SEPT 4 Shirley Lewis
http://www.shirleylewis.biz/

Sunday at 7pm SEPT 5 Geoff Bartley w/ Special Guests
http://www.geoffbartley.com

Monday at 7pm SEPT 6 Bruce Marshall Open Mic
http://www.brucemarshall.net

Tuesday at 7:30pm SEPT 7 Soul Alley
http://www.soulalleymusic.com

Wednesday at 7:30pm SEPT 8 Alizon Lissance w/ Diane Blue
http://www.alizonmusic.com
http://www.dianebluemusic.com

Thursday at 8:30pm SEPT 9 Phil Pemberton Band featuring Ron Levy
http://www.myspace.com/philippembertonband

Friday at 9pm SEPT 10 Timo Arthur Band
http://www.myspace.com/timoarthur

Saturday at 9pm SEPT 11 TBA
Sunday at 7pm SEPT 12 Geoff Bartley w/ Special Guests
http://www.geoffbartley.com

Monday at 7pm SEPT 13 Bruce Marshall Open Mic
http://www.brucemarshall.net

Tuesday at 7:30pm SEPT 14 Soul Alley
http://www.soulalleymusic.com

Wednesday at 7:30pm SEPT 15 Alizon Lissance w/ Henri Smith
http://www.alizonmusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/henrismithjazz

Thursday at 8:30pm SEPT 16 Barrett Anderson, Ron Levy & Per Hanson Allstar Band!
http://www.barrettanderson.net
http://www.levtron.com/

Friday at 9pm SEPT 17 Erin Harpe & The Delta Swingers
http://www.erinharpe.com

Saturday at 9pm SEPT 18 David Maxwell's Maximum Blues
http://www.davidmaxwell.com

Sunday at 7pm SEPT 19 Geoff Bartley w/ Special Guests
http://www.geoffbartley.com

Monday at 7pm SEPT 20 Bruce Marshall Open Mic
http://www.brucemarshall.net

Tuesday at 7:30pm SEPT 21 Soul Alley
http://www.soulalleymusic.com

Wednesday at 7:30pm SEPT 22 Alizon Lissance w/ Ed Scheer
http://www.alizonmusic.com

Thursday at 8:30pm SEPT 23 Phil Pemberton Band featuring Ron Levy
http://www.myspace.com/philippembertonband

Friday at 9pm SEPT 24 Love Dogs host Blues Audience party
http://www.thelovedogs.com/

Saturday at 9pm SEPT 25 Prof Harp Band
http://www.professorharp.com

Sunday at 7pm SEPT 26 Geoff Bartley w/ Special Guests
http://www.geoffbartley.com

Monday at 7pm SEPT 27 Bruce Marshall Open Mic
http://www.brucemarshall.net

Tuesday at 7:30pm SEPT 28 Soul Alley
http://www.soulalleymusic.com

Wednesday at 7:30pm SEPT 29 Alizon's Monthly Jam
http://www.alizonmusic.com

Thursday at 8:30pm SEPT 30 Phil Pemberton Band featuring Ron Levy
http://www.myspace.com/philippembertonband

AJ Wachtel interviews Livingston Taylor as submitted to “The Noise”

2010-08-19T10:56:00.000-07:00

AJ Wachtel interviews Livingston Taylor as submitted to “The Noise”

A member of Massachusetts First Family of Music, Livingston has just released a new cd, "Last Alaska Moon", and its wonderful folk-inspired melodies may be the best music release of the year.

And currently on tour performing his catalog on the left coast, he was cool enough to call me from an airport between flights and then again the next day during some rare down time to make sure we were able to talk. Read on and hear what this master musician has to say:

The Noise: You're a great storyteller and in your new songs you specifically mention people by their names-Little Jimmy T, Katy, Erin, Stan, Henry Crossenfeld, Abigail, Grace and Gwynnie. Are these real people and are the songs telling about actual events in your life or are they fictional and mentioned for other reasons?

Livingston: They are generally fictional. Gwynnie, I just used cause I liked the name Gwynnie. Gwyneth Paltrow's name is Gwynnie, but the song has nothing to do with her, I just really like the name. I DO know Katy and Stan, and Erin is a young woman who I met when I was writing the song and I found her a very nice person and I just used the name Erin. And there's Erin Burnett from CNBC. I like the name.

The Noise: Many of the song titles on Last Alaska Moon seem to have spiritual meanings-"Never Lose Hope", "Answer My Prayer", "Walk until Its Heaven" and "Christmas Is Almost Here". What is your message to the listener and why is this feeling important for you to share?

Livingston: It's really not a message. It's things that interest me. I don’t have a sense I have a message for my listener. Hopefully, it’s interesting for other people to listen to. Hope is a good thing. Walk until its heaven; I love that image. To keep it going till you get it right. Until it does get right. The idea of "moving forward" and "moving ahead" is very compelling to me.

The Noise: The tunes on your new CD range from folk with an easy, acoustic sound to folk ballads and country & western, bluegrass and blues with a southern feel. Can you comment on this?

Livingston: The fact is I'm enamored with good melodies. I’m a very melodic guy and I’ve loved them since I was a little boy. In my most successful melodies I write the melodies first then find a story to put to that melody.

The Noise: What musicians do you listen to these days?

Livingston: Well, I find that generally, like the rest of the world, I pick and chose a song here and there. Anita Baker, Mamas and the Papas with Cass Elliot, Karen Carpenter, Frank Sinatra, it's all very eclectic and all over the board.

The Noise: You and your sister Kate both have new releases in 2010. Is this a coincidence or part of a bigger Taylor music conspiracy?

Livingston: (Laughs) I wish in this case it was the result of a vast conspiracy but it’s just a coincidence.
The Noise: The Taylor family has great songs about your childhood state, North Carolina. James with "Carolina (In My Mind), Kate with "Sun Did Shine In Carolina" and your new "Call Me Carolina". What is the story behind this? And what's the difference between music scenes down south and those up in New England?

Livingston: It's the word Carolina. Certain states have a very sayable word, like Carolina. NY-less so. NJ-it’s just-it’s a tough sell. Minnesota-it doesn’t work so well. And more important is the "Carolina experience". Down there, the idea of creative arts as a career choice is very acceptable. Nothing is better than being in an infrastructure where your music can be heard.

The Noise: Kate told me her song" (Sun Did Shine) in Carolina" is "about my brothers and our time in Chapel Hill, NC". What do you think of her recollections?

Livingston: Well, I think her recollections are lovely. Kate is a wonderful songwriter and a beautiful spirit. I treasure her recollections, I have different ones.

The Noise: Any advice to give to young artists trying to get their music heard?

Livingston: Yeah, above all else you must play live. You must bring your music to the people. You must watch it land. You have to watch what effect it has on your audience.

The Noise: What did you find most challenging in recording and releasing "Last Alaska Moon"?

Livingston: Again, the great challenge is finding the financial resources to hire the best players on the planet.

The Noise: In "Never Lose Hope" you sing "even Boston lost the curse". Is this a reference to the "curse of the Babe" and the Red Sox?

Livingston: Yes it is. It was a cheap little line that just fell in there at the time.

The Noise: Tell me about the musicians and the production behind your new cd.

Livingston: I used a great recording studio, Paragon, in Franklin, Tenn. I had great players and a GREAT mixer.

The Noise: Why Last Alaska Moon? Why not Last Vineyard Haven Moon?

1. Livingston: It just really alliterated great and I really liked the image of Last Alaska Moon.

The Noise: When I went to your brother A.T's wake you, James Hughie and Kate sang "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" together. Do you ever sing together anymore?

Livingston: We don’t get together terribly often. It's light and informal if we do. We've spoken about going on tour together but that's really in James' hands. And it’s not something he's waiting to do other than single shows.

The Noise: There's another generation of Taylor family performers. Do you ever get together with them and sing?

Livingston: Absolutely! My niece Sally and my nephew Ben. I love to play with those guys, they're great music forces, and it’s FUN!

The Noise: What's in the future for you? Are you very prolific these days? Are you writing songs for your next CD yet?

Livingston: I'm writing all the time. The great problem isn’t writing its getting the financing to get these projects to life. Right now Shelly Berg, head of the music dept. at the University of Miami and I are thinking of doing a project together. And I have plenty of things in the works like that.

The Noise: How are people on the left coast enjoying your shows?

Livingston: Yeah, again, when I come out West people who haven’t had a chance to see me in a while come to the shows. It's beautiful and much appreciated.

Diane Blue w/ Jimmy "Two Suits” Capone and The Chan Clan

2010-08-18T19:48:00.000-07:00

Diane Blue w/ Jimmy "Two Suits” Capone and The Chan Clan
Live at Chan’s
Review by Georgetown Fats

Live disks from a mostly cover band can be a very dicey proposition. Usually the cover material chosen has been so overdone that the covers never stand up to the originals, which probably also have live renditions by either the songwriter or the artist that made the songs famous. Very few live cover recordings and cover acts can challenge the originals. Thankfully Diane Blue w/ Jimmy "Two Suits" Capone and The Chan Clan happen to have the chops which help make their “Live at Chan’s” recording such a welcome aural relief.

“Live at Chan’s” is not entirely a cover CD. Ms. Blue and company do provide some stirring renditions of four of Ms. Blue’s original works. They are all good, solid offerings. It is when the recording heads deep into ‘pop blues/wedding band act’ that “Live at Chan’s” shines.

“At Last”, the track made famous my Etta James, has taken on a “Stormy Monday” for female vocalists. Having even witnessed Etta James extoll venom on the commercialization of the tune and how the majority of listeners miss the point of the track, I was extremely skeptical Ms. Blue could pull off a rendition anywhere as close to the original. For the second track on the disk, it was a very bold choice. Luckily Diane has the power and chops to stand up to the challenge. Bolstered by the work of the Chan Clan Horns, Jimmy “Two Suits” Capone, Bruce “The Goose” McGrath and Johnny “Blue Horn” Moriconi sticks close to the original arrangement which allow Diane to give a maximum effort performance.

On the Bill Withers classic “Use Me”, guitarist Timo Arthur locks in with bassist Lenny Bradford and Hammond B3 player Cliff Spencer on that signature hook. Ms. Blue shows plenty of finesse by singing just a hair behind the beat, creating an irresistibly carnal dance groove. When Timo Arthur takes the requisite guitar solo he does nothing to distract from the groove, there is just enough wah-wah to keep that that lustful groove but not enough to completely muddy up his tone.

Probably my personal favorite track on “Live at Chan’s” is Diane Blue w/ Jimmy "Two Suits" Capone and The Chan Clan is the rendition of “Fever”. Sticking close to the Peggy Lee arrangement embrace the pop standard. Jeff “Jungle Boy” Thompson’s drum work keep the sparse instrumentation moving forward and locked in on this slow burner. “Jungle Boy” proves to have the finesse to keep this jazzy rendition going while giving just enough power in the drum fills as to offer a spike in the dynamics without getting in the way of the tune.

“I’ll Take You There” also sticks close to the Staples Sisters recording, highlighted by Johnny “Blue Horn’s” stirring trumpet solo. In addition to the trumpet work, Diane Blue proves to not just be a vocalist with a rocking yet understated harp solo. Not content to just shred notes at a dizzying speed, Blue’s harmonica work offer justification to the adage of “it’s not just about the notes you play, but it’s about the spaces between the notes"...

Diane Blue w/ Jimmy "Two Suits” Capone and The Chan Clan “Live at Chan’s” is available through Ms. Blue’s web site http://www.dianebluemusic.com/ or available at any of her live gigs such as their CD release party at Ryles on August 28th, 2010.