tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45394649440927183162024-03-13T01:07:46.013-04:00Blues Society of Western PA - NewsletterBlues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comBlogger436125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-32892971565149182862012-04-07T23:36:00.000-04:002012-04-11T23:40:21.071-04:00Walking in Memphis...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Within the first 10 minutes of stepping into a club on the corner of Beale Street, I heard TWO Otis Redding tracks back to back over the sound system. I knew this week would be great, since this was the first time I ever heard this happen outside of my apartment. It was exhilarating to be so close to the places where so many of my favorite albums were recorded. Other than the overwhelming amount of great music, one of the things I’ll remember most is dragging my guitar through crowds of people to go play for the night. Occasionally, I would look down to see my feet slipping on the brass notes stitched into the stone commemorating so many songwriters and performers that I have been influenced by (from Frank Stokes to Sam and Dave). I was happy to see Mississippi Fred McDowell get his name added to the sidewalk on Thursday, who wrote one of the songs I performed at the blues challenge in Pittsburgh last April. In closing, I would like to thank everyone in the BSWPA for giving me this opportunity; hopefully this won’t be my last time competing in the IBC. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>~ Chris Yakopcic</i></b></span></div>Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-8947297700037255512012-04-07T23:35:00.000-04:002012-04-11T23:36:14.907-04:00Pittsburgh's Own Bubs McKeg<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bubs McKeg is an award winning blues singer, guitarist, songwriter, and performing artist. He is known for his soulful voice and finger-picking blues guitar. Bubs has been a fixture in the Pittsburgh music scene since the 1960's entertaining rock and blues fans for over fifty years.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Born Bob McKeag, Bubs started playing professionally as a teen in the 1960’s with the “Igniters". The Igniters were Pittsburgh’s first 1960’s era R&B band to release a single on a national label. In the summer of 1963 two 14 year-old guitar players "Bubs" McKeag and "Little Joe" Arena started jamming together in Penn Hills. McKeag and Little Joe recruited drummer Bill Flowers and bass player Joe Santivica to join them. The Igniters became a popular live band. Performing to packed houses at their regular teen gig at Oakmont’s Varsity House, they played R&B and blues. Later in 1963, calling themselves “Inflammable Dan and the Igniters" they released the single "High Flyin' Wine" that was written by radio DJ Charlie Apple. With Apple's help it received local radio airplay. Little Joe Arena left the band in 1965 and was replaced by Bubs’ grade school friend singer Frankie Czuri. Upon their graduation from Penn Hills High in 1966, the Igniters signed with promoter Pat DiCesare who booked gigs for them throughout the region. Constantly on the road performing, they earned a decent living.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">In 1968 Atlantic records signed the Igniters to a contract, making them the second white band on the label after the Rascals. Insisting that the Igniters change their name to Jimmy Mack and the Music Factory Atlantic released their first single, a pop soul tune, “Baby I Love You" in 1968. It received airplay on some stations across the country. It made it to number #41 on WAVZ in New Haven, Conn. Changing their name again to “The Friends” they recorded two original songs on Atlantic that went unreleased. They continue to perform live around the Pittsburgh area and at a regular gig at a club called Psychedilly. They called it quits in 1970. Frank Cruzi joined the Jaggerz. Bubs and Joe Santivica joined the Navy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Fresh from his Navy gig in 1974, Bubs was ready to rock again. Hooking up with Frank Cruzi again, Bubs joined with Norman Nardini and Robbie Johns to form the rock band, Diamond Reo. Working with producer Tom Cossie, Diamond Reo recorded a demo tape at East Liberty's Red Fox Studio and sent it off to Atlantic Records. The Atlantic subsidiary, Big Tree Records released Diamond Reo’s first album “Diamond Reo” in 1975. Scoring a top 40 hit with Bubs singing the lead on a version of the Marvin Gaye song, "Ain't That Peculiar" the band launched a national tour. They appeared on Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" and performed with Kiss, Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, Frank Zappa, Kansas, Ian Hunter, Blue Oyster Cult, and Canned Heat. After Diamond Reo left the Atlantic label, Bubs left Diamond Reo. The band went on to record two more albums before their breakup in 1978.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">After leaving Diamond Reo, Bubs recorded as a solo artist under the name “McKeg” on Buddah Records and Phantom Records. He released the single ‘Gimme Some’ / ‘Our Love’ on Buddah Records in 1977 that reached the top forty. Joining with James Lawson, Bubs formed the "McKeg Lawson" band. They became a well-known act in the Pittsburgh blues scene. In 1994 James Lawson lost his battle with cancer. Bubs kept the "McKeg Lawson" band going for five more years. Since that time he has been performing under his own name and writing and recording blues. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Twice, Bubs has won the he Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania’s International Blues Challenge for solo/duo artist. He won the award as a solo artist in 2009, and as a duo with Doc Blue (Dr. Jeff Coben) as a duo in 2008. Bubs performed at the 30th Annual Helsinki Blues Heritage Festival in Finland. In 2007 he placed fourth in the blues category in Finland's international songwriting competition. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b><i>~ Jack Thompson </i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><em><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/pittsburghmusichistory/">http://sites.google.com/site/pittsburghmusichistory/</a></span><span style="background-color: yellow;"><o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*On a personal note, Bubs is a dear friend who goes out of his way to help others. He and his wife, Judy, are generous, kind and giving of their time and talents to many worthy causes. Bubs is also fun to be around, loves to laugh, and it is truly an honor to call him a friend. He is still one of the consummate blues guitar and slide guitar players and vocalists in the Pittsburgh and surrounding regions. He helps run a fantastic blues jam every Saturday from 4 to 8pm at the Inn Termission on E. Carson Street on Pittsburgh’s historic South Side. It is well worth the time to go and see Bubs perform live at the jam, and with the Igniters, who are once again becoming a popular draw in the blues music scene. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>~ Marcy Brown</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-31377168129573604392012-04-07T23:32:00.000-04:002012-04-11T23:38:10.097-04:00BSWPA International Blues Challenge 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-83033327366773048742012-04-07T23:31:00.000-04:002012-04-11T23:31:49.656-04:00AD - James Street Gastropub & Speakeasy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-43487641623958794452012-04-07T23:30:00.000-04:002012-04-11T23:42:12.111-04:00On Top of the World at B.B. Kings in Memphis, TN<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I am disappointed, but not dissatisfied.” Those were Jill’s words as our band had dinner at Pig’s on Beale Street on the final evening of the International Blues Challenge. Those words perfectly summarized exactly how we felt about our fourth trip to Memphis for the competition. Our last trip (the second sponsored by BSWPA) had been so dissatisfying, with sudden band personnel changes and technical issues during the gig, that it felt necessary to make the trip once more in order to give ourselves some redemption. We did that, and it felt great! We consider ourselves very lucky to have won the regional competition in 2011 so that we could have this chance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year, Jill flew down on her own after having one day at home following the Legendary Blues Cruise. The rest of us decided to drive together for the first time. Our first stop was Nashville, where we spent the evening watching some incredible blues. On a Monday night in a small bar downtown we got to see both Mike Zito and Bart Walker (Bart was the second place winner this year – with Reese Wynans on keys… They were phenomenal.). The bar was friendly and we got to sit in for a few songs as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We went on to Memphis the next day, via an obligatory stop at a Waffle House. That night we spent time all over Beale Street, soaking up the scene, meeting other bands, and generally having a very good time. I think a few of the other bands were not feeling too well the next day due to our efforts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our first show in Memphis was early, we were the second band. Thanks to our instrumental requirements, we were lucky enough to be put in BB King’s club for the first round. What a great room and stage. We also had the best and nicest sound man that we saw in any of the venues. The show went well that night. We played only three songs – two of which had never been played in Memphis before, and received great complements from many of the people there. Since we were done early, we had the chance to go check out some of the other bands in town. We saw Bart Walker again, a kid from Topeka named Nick Hern (who we also had met in Nashville) and threw our support behind our local friends, Ron Yarosz and Chris Yakopcic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day, after a stop at the never-ageing Graceland, we were given the next to last spot in the competition, around 11 PM. One or two of us still had to show up at 7 o’clock and stay there. Have you ever tried to sit in a bar in Memphis, watch eight blues bands, and not have a beer? Somehow, we managed. After sitting around for hours, it was our turn. The night almost took an ugly turn as Steve, while climbing the stage with his piano in his arms, nearly fell backwards off it! Luckily, members of the Spanish band the Travellin' Brothers were there to catch him. Nice guys and great musicians. Although we didn’t feel like we played very well that night, the crowd was complimentary and by the end of the night, we had made the semifinals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The competition the next day was interesting. We played first out of only four bands. This is where we made our week. We played very well, so well that we don’t believe we could have done better. At that point, it’s up to what the judges in the venue prefer. Well, they picked a talented band from Tampa led by Selwyn Birchwood. They were great and had an interesting sound, performing in an entirely different style from us. In the end we were disappointed, but not dissatisfied. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unbeknownst to us, we were chosen to compete in the consolation competition on Saturday night. We received an e-mail stating this fact on Saturday morning at 10 AM, but by that time we were already out shopping and eating on Beale Street and on our way to visit Sun Studio. It is unfortunate that we were ignorant, but the free time was not wasted. After our dinner together at the Pig, we made a trip to the casinos in Tunica, saw some great music by an old-style country band from Nashville (we were a bit blues-ed out by then), and were lucky enough to meet the self-proclaimed Arkansas Moonshine Man. For more details you will have to ask a member of the band…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We would like to thank BSWPA for the chance to go down to Memphis again, and wish the next winner the best of luck. We all feel that we completed this trip on a high note, both musically and personally, and are looking forward to spending the next year performing as often as possible. It’s what we do, and we can’t seem to stop.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> ~ Nick Crano</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-43158804908481448372012-04-07T23:29:00.000-04:002012-04-11T23:29:31.490-04:00Jill West and Blues Attack ...<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: Verdana; mso-ascii-font-family: Verdana; mso-currency-font-family: Verdana; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Verdana; mso-default-font-family: Verdana; mso-greek-font-family: Verdana; mso-hebrew-font-family: Verdana; mso-latin-font-family: Verdana; mso-latinext-font-family: Verdana; mso-thai-font-family: Verdana;"><b><i> ... </i></b>would like to thank the Western Pennsylvania Blues Society for their help and dedication in Memphis for the International Blues Challenge. Special thanks to our friends and family along with Jonnye Weber, Ron Moondog Esser, Sean McDowell from WDVE and Ron Yarosz and the Vehicle.<br />
Look for the new live CD from Blues Attack coming soon! </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana; language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: Verdana; mso-ascii-font-family: Verdana; mso-currency-font-family: Verdana; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Verdana; mso-default-font-family: Verdana; mso-greek-font-family: Verdana; mso-hebrew-font-family: Verdana; mso-latin-font-family: Verdana; mso-latinext-font-family: Verdana; mso-thai-font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-29995275162644362162012-04-07T23:28:00.000-04:002012-04-11T23:41:26.897-04:00Blues Year's Eve 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">This was our second year at the Clarion for The New Years Eve blast. After seeing Studebaker John play until 2:30 AM at our Christmas party the year before , I figured he would be perfect for a New Years' party. He was ! He let local musicians sit in, in spite of their inebriation in some cases. John again played until 2:30. It's not just the time, it's also the quality and the style that I love about John. He's a truly Chicago Blues musician and he plays guitar and harp equally well. People have a hard time believing the sound he gets from only a trio. Miss Freddye and Blue Faze opened up the show and Miss Freddye was her usual energetic self. She got the crowd in the mood for a party with her powerful voice, excellent band and her stories. John Erskine, drummer for Miss Freddye, showed his talents with a plethora of percussion instruments. Drums, tambourine and cowbell and more!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">It was nice to see so many familiar faces. Some from the inception of the BSWPA, some newer. Also , I met members who introduced themselves and complimented us on our writing and for all the work we do. We met some new faces who came as a last minute choice and ended up joining the BSWPA. We take that as quite a compliment. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">One of the highlights of our New Years' Party is the drawing for the autographed guitar. The name was drawn and handed to me. It was the first time I recognized the name. Also a first, we didn't have to go far to get it to him . I had seen him there, so I let everyone know first, the winner is in this room! Grover Taylor! Grover attends many blues events with his family. The Taylor family have been great supporters of the BSWPA and blues music in general. It was nice to see it go to someone who knew the true value of what he had. I spent some time helping him identify the signatures . He was truly happy and that made us all happy. Congrats , Grover ! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Thanks to all who made it to the party . I had a great time and so did every person I spoke to. That includes Studebaker John , who told me at breakfast what a good time everyone had including himself. This year I only saw one person kissing a support beam and only had to pick one person up off the floor, so perhaps people aren't indulging as heartily. So, if you didn't make it this year or last, you owe it to yourself to come see the "Nighthawks" with Jill West and Blues Attack" opening for them for 2013! See you then. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>~ Don Vecchio</i></b></span></div>Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-75231291848591401062012-04-07T23:23:00.000-04:002012-04-11T23:26:08.999-04:00"Ruby Sings the Blues"...Blues in the Schools<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">An Avonworth Middle School teacher was working with a reading unit this past semester. The topic...slavery. The teacher incorporated spirituals into the lesson plan and led discussions encompassing their meaning and purpose for the African-American community. Eugene Morgan was invited to speak and sing about spirituals. He was also asked to discuss how field hollers and spirituals played a role in the development of American popular music. Thank you, Eugene!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Eugene also travelled to Dilworth Elementary, a performing arts school, in February to talk about the blues and its rich history during a <em>Black History Month</em> presentation. The students were exuberant with what Eugene shared with them. Many jumped on stage afterwards to "jam" with the ever patient, ever smiling Mr. Eugene.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Note: </b>A book entitled "<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ruby Sings the Blues</i></b>" was placed in the student's library in memory of late BSWPA president, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jim Weber</i></b>, who first brought the Blues to Dilworth Elementary. It was their way to express their appreciation for the music lessons and the programs that the BSWPA has brought to them. There was a sea of hands that went up from the many students who have benefited from the donated instruments that have resulted from the PITCH program. (Putting Instruments in the Children's Hands) The BSWPA has given many guitars, amps, a drum kit, a sax, harmonicas and an upright piano to their school. They thanked Jim for making that and their young dreams possible. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Long live the blues!</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">The Blues went to School once more. Thanks to Deb Moore and her uncle we gave a young student at Dilworth a guitar to play. Way to go! Eugene talked at length about the guitar. It was from the late 60's, early 70's. It was similar to a Gibson but made affordable for the "everyday" players. Eugene said he had one just like it. He still plays it because it </span><span lang="en-US">has a "real sweet sound." Thanks for helping us to help the kids.</span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-60859393652364287402012-04-07T23:17:00.000-04:002012-04-11T23:42:50.492-04:00Preserving the blues....one story at a time<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black;">A Blues collaboration by Maureen Elizabeth and Jonnye Weber</span></i><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black;"><o:p>(</o:p></span></b><span style="font-style: italic;">Representatives of American Blues News (www.ameriblues.com)</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The blues...an <i>American made product...</i> was years in the making. It took decades to cultivate the many sounds that we know today. The blues players and singers of that era were a hearty breed who endured much to play their music and have it accepted as a genuine craft. They lived, breathed, and nurtured the music... drawing on their life experiences to enrich and enhance the stories that they put into music form. Their numbers have dwindled at a fast clip over the last few years. Their music and their real life stories from the past are heartfelt and colorful. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is alarming that the last of an era, Honey Boy Edwards, has also left us. It is also frightening to think that a generation of players has been lost to the ravages of time. Will their memory and their music endure the test of time? Will their stories and the music of those who have lived and breathed life into the blues be preserved? Will their rich legacy be cherished and passed to the next generation...or risk being forgotten. Many of those stories are quickly drifting away and are being lost in the layers of time. When someone shares the story of a player from "back in the day," it is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"our privilege; our duty"</b> as blues fans to rescue those bits of cultural, historical and musical memories. It is a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"right" </b>that we should share, relish and bestow that wealth of knowledge onto others for its continuance in the years to come. If children are the ones to hear those anecdotes...all the better. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blues in the Schools Program</i> is a fast growing project throughout the world. It is an undertaking that takes the music to the children, increasing its chance of survival. Three years ago, I was honored to meet with Ken Lockette, (principal of Avonsworth Schools in the Pittsburgh area), while listening to the blues presentations in the Children's Music tent at the Pittsburgh Blues Festival. We later worked together on several projects (Blues in the Schools) where Eugene Morgan was asked to take the blues to the Avonsworth School. Eugene Morgan, a blues man from Georgia who has made his home in Pittsburgh, was also an integral part of a cultural presentation for the student body and their families. Ken, a true blues fan, had once lived in Chicago. We began talking about the Chicago Blues scene. I shared my story of my meeting with Honey Boy Edwards and his long time music partner and manager, Michael Frank, on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues cruise. Pittsburgh native Michael was quick to share many of the chapters of his and Honey Boy's life together as blues men. Hearing that, an excited Ken Lockette told how he had crossed paths with Honey Boy Edwards and Michael Frank. Ken then shared his story of how he introduced a class of young people to the blues via...Honey Boy Edwards.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">The following is Ken Lockette's (</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">BSWPA blues member<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">) story...</b></span></i><span style="color: black;">I was at the end of my first year as a teacher. I worked in a middle school in Springfield, Illinois, teaching 7th grade language arts. It was the Spring of 1993, and I was planning a unit on American folklore. Previous to moving to Springfield to teach, I lived and went to graduate school in Chicago. I spent whatever change I had going to see and listen to music, mainly at the north side blues clubs, and I would comb the used record stores for folk and blues CDs. I had run across a documentary on Robert Johnson and the "crossroads' myth," which prominently featured Honey Boy. I also had recently bought a Honey Boy Edwards CD produced by Michael Frank at Earwig Records. When I noticed the address, I realized that the Earwig location was on Pratt Avenue, the same street where I used to live in Chicago. On a whim, I looked up Michael Frank's phone number and gave him a call. I was astonished that I got a hold of him. I told him that I was a young teacher and what I was doing. Springfield was a couple hours away, but I inquired if Honey Boy Edwards could be a guest in my classroom. Michael Frank called me back a day or so later, and said that Honey Boy would come down for $250 and a bus ticket. I had not involved anyone else in the planning. I was going to foot the money but knew that I would need to tell my principal. When I told him what I was going to do, my principal did not chide me, but told me that the school would pay for the visit, and that they would invite the whole school to hear Honey Boy play!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">When the day arrived, Michael Frank called me and said that Honey Boy would not be taking the bus but that he would drive him himself. I took Honey Boy up to my classroom for a Q & A session. The students had seen Honey Boy on the documentary, so he had instant credibility. He cut a venerable presence with an old dark sport coat and a baseball cap with a blue "Pearl Jam" emblem emblazoned on the front. After Honey Boy spoke about Robert Johnson, a student asked him, motioning to Honey Boy's hat, "Hey, Honey Boy, I see you have a Pearl Jam hat; do you like Pearl Jam." Honey Boy paused for a second, realizing the student was commenting on his hat, and replied, "I saw this hat when I was in Portland, and saw that it had 'jam' on it, and I like to jam, so I bought it." He did not have any clue who Pearl Jam was, and it was his genuine nature that further endeared him to the kids. He went on and played a 40-minute set in the school gym for the whole student body, plugging in and ripping through several blues classics. I had the pleasure to take him and Michael Frank out to dinner, and Honey Boy was still full of stories and was going on about "hobo-ing" from train to train with Kansas City Red. I wished that I had a tape recorder and am sorry that I only have a spotted memory of that conversation nearly 20 years ago. I am now a school administrator and have a signed photo of Honey Boy on the window sill in my office. </span><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: black;">American Blues News </span></strong><strong><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">(Maureen Elizabeth)</span></strong><span style="color: black;"> spoke with <strong>Michael Frank</strong>, CEO of Earwig Music Company, Inc. and originally from Pittsburgh) about the stories Honeyboy left behind and the things that he will miss the most...</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">“<em>There’s always room on the neck, there’s room on the neck to learn more</em>.” </span></b><span style="color: black;">That’s what Honeyboy would say. Morgan Freeman has dubbed t Honeyboy Edward's offerings as “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">quintessential American music.”</b> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: black;">Maureen: How did you come to know Honeyboy?</span></strong><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: black;">Michael Frank</span></strong><span style="color: black;">: We had a unique relationship. I met Honeyboy as a result of being a record collector in High School and college...buying several thousand LP’s and reading liner notes and Blues magazines. I was interested in the black music. The culture of black music, soul, jazz and especially the blues- on an emotional level -it somehow spoke to me. I always was interested in language, and the lyricism of the Blues got my attention too. As I read more and more, I realized what a commitment it took from a Blues musician or a Jazz musician to stay working at that, their entire life, with the choices they had to make. I wanted to meet these folks and just hang around and hear their music in the local communities they were making it in. I got to Chicago in the first week of June in 1972 and met Honeyboy in November of 1972. I had some compilation albums that he had a few tracks on – he had no full length albums at the time. He was playing at a club with another guy named Jim Brewer, a.k.a. “Blind” Jim Brewer, from Brookhaven, Mississippi- so I just started talking to them. They were down to earth and very approachable. I just started going to visit them at their houses, taking them to the few jobs they had, getting them a few jobs and then I started playing harmonica with Honeyboy at his house -and that’s how it started.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>M:</strong> At the time you met him, you obviously knew who he was- but did you feel that the general population, at the time, were aware?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>F:</strong> No. Honeyboy was a minor figure in the history of the Blues at that time, in terms<br />
of being known, because he had never had a full album out and only a few of his tracks were available. He had made a few recordings for different labels in the 50’s and early ’64 but none of those had been released until 1970. So nobody knew who he was, much, except a few Blues fans. The older guys in the black community knew who he was. He was playing in all the taverns in the 50’s and 60’s. He played with Carey Bell, Little Walter, Big Walter Horton, Floyd Jones – those are all the people I had met.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>M:</strong> So you not only watched the evolution of his popularity but you also helped him...</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>F:</strong> I decided I wanted to hear him more often and the only way that was likely going to happen was if I got him to work! So that’s what I did. He got a few things on his own and he got calls to play at things like the University of Chicago Folk Festival and he went to Austria. In ’72 to ’76 I did some local booking for him. After that, I was much more involved in managing his career- he went to Canada and Europe in 1979-I booked both those tours. When I wasn’t working a full time job I would go with him, but he was young enough at the time to go on his own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>M: </strong>What is it that you miss most about him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>F:</strong> One thing I just noticed. The night before last, there was a show on prohibition on Public Television, and he and I had talked, in his book and in various stories, about bootleggers and illegal whisky and such – there was so much I wanted to talk about with him after watching that show and I realized that I couldn’t. You know, I can’t go to his neighborhood and stop by anymore. We had a good time playing shows. In the last 15 years he wanted a rhythm guitar player with him too, so we had a half a dozen rhythm guitar players scattered around the U.S. and Europe that we booked and those times were a lot of fun- playing and hearing stories and making stories of our time together.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>M:</strong> Was writing the book his idea or did you encourage him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <strong>F:</strong> It was both of our ideas. Around 1988, I don’t know where we were, he was probably telling me some stories, and we both said we should document these stories, get them down and do a book! He, at that point, liked that idea and we made a commitment together to work on the book by recording his stories. At that time we did it with a little cassette recorder and sometimes a lapel mic, sometimes not. Once we made that commitment, then he allowed me to record for years. I booked Honeyboy, Kansas City Red, Floyd Jones and Sunnyland Slim on the King Biscuit Blues Festival –I believe it was in 1988- that was the first time they played in Helena probably since the 40’s. They allowed me and Paul Schen, a filmmaker, to drive Honeyboy and Kansas City Red and Floyd Jones down there. Sunnyland decided to drive on his own. We recorded them with a beta-cam camera and a boom mic at the festival <em>and</em> while telling stories all the way down. Honeyboy and Red agreed to stay down there another week with us and so we went around to places that later ended up in the Honeyboy documentary and the book. That was the first time that we really started recording Honeyboy’s stories. I have 17 hours of beta-cam taped of that week in Mississippi with Honeyboy and Kansas City Red. After that I would go to his house and record on my little cassette recorder and when we’d go on tours, he would allow me to stick the mic on in the car. I'd turn it on as I’d be driving and he would tell me stories.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>M: </strong>The title, </span><em><span style="color: black;">The World Don’t Owe Me Nothin’</span></em>- how did that come about?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>F:</strong> That was one of Honeyboy’s favorite sayings. He said it a lot- not just to me."The world don’t owe me nothin’" was how he felt about how his life had played out, the experiences he had, and done, in his life and how he felt satisfied with all of that. He felt that he did everything and had everything that he really, essentially, wanted.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>M:</strong> No regrets... <strong>F</strong>:</span><span style="color: black;"> Yeah.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>M:</strong> That’s a good way to live one’s life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>F:</strong> That’s how he saw his life at the time we were doing the book and that’s how he saw his life at the end of his life- which is pretty powerful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>M:</strong> <em>Yes it is – that says volumes about his philosophy on life and his perspective.</em></span><o:p></o:p></div>Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-82796455161581235422012-04-07T23:15:00.000-04:002012-04-11T23:16:02.942-04:00Musicians' Corner ... Did You Know?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeANEIBi6TetsnNtQMeLOVK5NMr__mzfBMuYvSmL5mNQKkVWh_LlYTCRXZvVESGEZ0OUGrkVADTFzcwArtryc90C-61KAZM2X1a_9jpH-wo-yLcqK8KOeeNaeRXFR2tGn85_6tyPUexdb1/s1600/Ruby+Red+Photo+Landscape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeANEIBi6TetsnNtQMeLOVK5NMr__mzfBMuYvSmL5mNQKkVWh_LlYTCRXZvVESGEZ0OUGrkVADTFzcwArtryc90C-61KAZM2X1a_9jpH-wo-yLcqK8KOeeNaeRXFR2tGn85_6tyPUexdb1/s400/Ruby+Red+Photo+Landscape.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ruby Red & the Dirty Devils</span></b><b><span style="color: #365f91; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">is a new six piece electric blues band based in Washington, PA. The band consists of lead singer Kim </span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Lucchini, guitarists Dave Roth and Mark Heselbarth, Paul Kuzupas on bass, Jeff Kessel on keyboards and Murray Perry on drums. The band performs most of its material as a full band, occasionally joined by guest back-up singers. They also perform as a Quartet featuring slow blues and jazz.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ruby Red & the Dirty Devils</span><span style="color: #365f91; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">perform songs in a variety of blues styles as well as R & B and original material. Their songs range from some of the earliest blues recordings of the original blues women to re-worked versions of contemporary blues and R & B standards. The band takes pride in highlighting obscure little gems sung by such early blues Diva’s as Bessie Smith, Sippie Wallace and Memphis Minnie, as well as songs written by local and nationally known blues mentors of Miss Ruby.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Q: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How did you first get interested in the blues?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">A: Kim: I first fell for the blues in the early 90’s while living in Chicago. That’s where I discovered KoKo <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Taylor, Buddy Guy, Magic Slim & Son Seals. Blows my mind to think that most of the time they were so <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">close I could reach out & touch them… </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Q: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How did the band come together?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">A: Kim: It’s been like a magic carpet ride… A little over a year ago, I came back from a week of Blues Boot<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Camp at Augusta, Davis & Elkins College, where I met my Blues Diva, Gaye Adegbalola, <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> and found my voice. I knew Jeff was great on keys so we decided to start as a Duo. One by one, the rest<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> of the band just sort of happened by word of mouth until we had a 6 pc. band. I never dreamed such<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> accomplished musicians, singers & writers would want to play with me! Somebody pinch me! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Q: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What's been the biggest challenge in getting a new band started?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">A: Kim: Balancing time. As a new singer, it’s hard to balance my time between co-management of the <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> band & building a repertoire from zero. Then of course there’s the roller coaster of life… <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Jeff: Most of my playing experience was in high school & college. Trying to coordinate practice &<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> performance schedules is a lot more difficult when you’re older playing with people that have full time <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> jobs. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Q: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What makes your band different from other blues bands?</i><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">A: Kim: We have 4 singers and the ability to do some amazing harmonies. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Jeff: We emphasize the history of the blues more than most bands. We see part of our mission as<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> educating our audiences about the blues while also entertaining them, particularly with respect to <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> women pioneers like Bessie Smith, Memphis Minnie and Sippie Wallace, to name a few. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Paul: The diversity of instruments we can play. It’s always good to know we can switch it up.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Q: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">At what age was your first live paid performance?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">A: Kim: 48 (Alberta Hunter set the bar when she reinvented her singing career in her eighties…) <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Jeff: 15<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Dave: 18<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Mark: 18<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Paul: 15 (I lied and said I was 16 to get the gig)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Murray: 15<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Q: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What other instruments do you play?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">A: Dave: Pedal steel guitar; claw hammer & bluegrass banjo; drums <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Paul: Anything with strings; percussion; anything you can bang on…<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Q: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Who are your biggest musical influences?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">A: Kim: Sippie Wallace; Ella; Gaye Adegbalola; Patsy Cline; Bonnie Raitt; Annie Lennox; Candy <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Kane <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Jeff: The Rolling Stones; Hank Williams Sr.; The Velvet Underground<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Dave: Tony Janflone Sr.; WILCO; Dylan; The Dead<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Mark: Wes Montgomery; Django Reinhart<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Paul: Ray Davies of the Kinks (his constant state of melancholy contrasted against his wicked little grin).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Murray: Ginger Baker; Billy Cobham; Gene Kruppa<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Q: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What’s the best advice you’d pass along to new musicians?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">A: Kim: As Gaye always says, “sing your heart” & keep learning your craft (Augusta is a great start…) <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Jeff: Just like there’s always someone with more money than you, there’s always someone who plays better than you. Don’t be intimidated – just go out & play.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Dave: Get a good teacher.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Mark: Practice, practice, practice! And when you’re done, practice more!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Paul: Quit so there’s more gigs for us!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Murray: There’s no “I” in band.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Q: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What's your most memorable experience playing in a band?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">A: Kim: Playing our first big gig at Moon Dogs to a packed house. That was wickedly cool! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Jeff: I sat in with a blues band in Chicago. The drummer played with Muddy Waters & the bass player <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> with James Cotton.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Dave: Closing my eyes & tapping into the music of the spheres… & then floating away.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Paul: Playing in a parade in the back of a flat bed truck that was moving when a guy fell off the roof, <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> broke his leg and destroyed my amp. Double ouch! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Q: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murray, you’ve been around the world 3 times drumming for a wide variety of well known artists, who<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> impressed you the most and why?<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">A: Murray: Tony Bennett. A class act – both professionally and personally.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Q: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What’s next for Ruby Red & the Dirty Devils?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">A: Kim: Short term: Continue to improve our repertoire & overall performance.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Long term: Compete in the 2013 BSWPA Blues Challenge. (Woo! Hoo!) <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Jeff: Get more gigs in Pittsburgh now that we have a good demo CD & write more originals with Paul.</span>Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-18736409521681467222012-04-07T23:11:00.000-04:002012-04-11T23:11:10.225-04:00ADS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-27464090043237854432012-04-07T23:07:00.000-04:002012-04-11T23:43:36.795-04:00DVD REVIEW: Cadillac Records<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We’ve all heard the old cliché that blues music created rock ‘n’ roll and became the foundation of modern American music. But how much do you really know about the personal lives of the early legends who transformed the blues into what we know today? <i>Cadillac Records</i> (2008) is a groundbreaking film that takes you on a dramatic behind-the-scenes perspective of blues musicians in 1950s Chicago, who broke down the racial barriers of segregation and helped bring blues music to the masses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The feel of the movie is gritty, authentic, and sensual – not a bland documentary, but a thrilling drama that breathes life into the culture and times of the early blues musicians who innovated the music industry. <i>Cadillac Records</i> is based on a true story and chronicles the early life and career of Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf, and Willie Dixon during the heyday of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city> blues. It follows the life of Leonard Chess, a white producer from the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city> ghetto who was instrumental in helping “race music” cross over to broader audiences with <i>Chess Records</i>. The film also vividly depicts the sudden rise and popularity of Chuck Berry and Etta James and their crossover into segregated white radio through blues-based Rock ‘n’ Roll and R&B.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The characters are vibrant and genuine, played by a talented cast of Adrien Brody, Cedric the Entertainer, Mos Def, Jeffrey Wright, Columbus Short, and Beyonce Knowles. <i>Cadillac Records</i> is an entertaining and provocative glimpse into the history, glamour, hedonism, and sometimes dangerous world of the early blues legends.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~ <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Stanley</st1:place></st1:city> J. Mikolajek</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-73218163040180406582012-04-07T23:06:00.000-04:002012-04-11T23:06:51.914-04:00CD REVIEW: Conversations in Blue<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">David Maxwell and Otis Spann</span><o:p style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">If you are a true fan of straight, raw, solo blues piano, or just are attracted to the steady rhythmic nuances of this style of piano playing, this album is a treat. This is the equivalent of acoustic blues from guitar players only you have straight acoustic pianos being used. Otis Spann was considered to be one of the top blues pianists in Chicago in the 50’s and early 60’s playing with the Muddy Waters band from 1952 to 1968 along with many other blues artists and passed away in 1970. David Maxwell is a current artist that has taken the art of this style of playing to another level playing with the likes of Buddy Guy, Albert King, Big Mama Thorton, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds just to name few. Technology has enabled both of these great players to play actual duet tracks together on this album along with solo tracks for each. What a treat to experience the feelings and soul of these great artists together, transcending time resurrecting and sharing the same groove. Truly a great example of the power of music.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><b><i> ~ John Decola</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After listening to a few CDs the last couple months and not knowing which to recommend to you folks, I found this long-titled CD (see above). Knowing Mac Arnold's style and seeing the list of players on the CD, I gave it a listen. Then many more listens. This is blues at its best. It's a mix of original and cover tunes with a Chicago blues flavor. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mac has an interesting history. His first band had James Brown as the pianist. Yes "Sex Machine" James Brown. Later and most importantly, he was bass player for Muddy Waters. He also played bass for Buddy Guy and Tyrone Davis. This CD (all live by the way) has half the tracks by his band "Plate Full o' Blues". The last half is with "The Muddy Waters Reunion Band" featuring Mac Arnold, Bob Margolin, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and Kim Wilson (Fabulous Thunderbirds). All former band mates of Muddy except Kim who was a former student and friend. The first half are mainly his originals and some good ones. The only cover they do is " Drivin' Wheel", a great old tune I love. These guys do a hot kickin' version, which features banter between band members. All the other songs the band does are good tunes. Some great blues titles, too. "Gitty Up", "Backbone and Gristle" and " Ghetto Blue". </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Muddy reunion band played all covers. Some by Muddy of course. There are some authentic tunes by authentic artists. This CD is great for newbies and seasoned blues fans alike. "Sloppy Drunk" ( Sonny Boy Williamson), " Got My Mojo Workin' and " Screamin' and Cryin'", ( both Muddy Waters tunes) and "Big Boss Man" ( originally done by Jimmy Reed) along with a hot version of "Love Attack" featuring Kim Wilson are all on the second half. What makes it interesting is the way they combined old blues with modern times. On the Muddy tune "Screamin' and Cryin" , Bob Margolin forgot the words, so improvised "I didn't have seven wives like Mac, but I have 5,000 Facebook friends". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bob Margolin also write the liner notes. He also referenced linking up old-time blues with current times stating "We were entertainers on a bandstand in 2010, not a museum exhibit".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i> ~ Don Vecchio</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Note</b>: I didn't want to say anything negative in the article and there is nothing but good things in this CD. However, I do have a comment to make. Once again, "Got My Mojo Working" has found its way on another CD. While I think the song is a lot of fun and has a hot beat, it has become the "Stairway to Heaven " of blues tunes. I think I've heard it just twelve times too many. There, I said it. Sorry to you "Mojo" fans, but it had to be said. ~ Thank You , Don Vecchio </span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">*Mac Arnold has been nominated for the 2012 Best Male Traditional Blues Artist at the Blues Music Awards.</span></i></div>Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-35308037496908230162012-04-07T23:04:00.000-04:002012-04-11T23:01:25.634-04:00An Interview with Pittsburgh Blues Guitarist, Jimmy Adler - Listening to blues is a spiritual experience<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<i style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.2pt;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 14pt;">"</span></i><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.2pt;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Blues music expresses the emotions of the human condition and makes one feel good."</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 10pt;">Jimmy Adler: Absolutely Blues!</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Jimmy Adler is a live-wire entertainer who packs passion and energy into every performance! His music is a blend of Chicago Blues and West Coast Jazzy Jump. His passionate, powerful vocals compliment his spirited playing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://blues.gr/profile/MichalisLimnios" target="_self"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #485781;">Interview by Michael Limnios</span></span></b></a></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">M:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">When was your first desire to become involved in the blues, who were your first idols & what does<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>Blues offered<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">?</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">J</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">:</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Hearing B.B. King’s live recording of “How Blue Can You Get?” was explosive. I played that record over and over again.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">M</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">:What do you learn about yourself from the blues, what does the blues mean to you? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">J:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Listening to blues is a spiritual experience. Blues music expresses the emotions of the human condition and makes one feel good. When I play blues I am always reaching for that special feel good place.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">M</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">:How would you describe your contact to people when you are on stage?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">J:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">I try to play well enough for the audience to be able to get some of those good feelings through the music. I am a bit of an animated player but it’s only because I am physically reaching for that special place through the playing of my guitar. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">M</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">: What compliment do you appreciate the most after a gig<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">?<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">J:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">I am first and foremost a guitar player so I am most appreciative when someone comments on how well they like my singing voice.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">M</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">:<b> </b>Which is the most interesting period in your life and why?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">J</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">: ...</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">the here and now.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">M</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">: </span></i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">What experiences in your life make you<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> a GOOD BLUESMAN?</i> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">J:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The more one listens to the art form the more one is able to attempt to emulate the sound and capture the essence or spirit of the muse.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">M</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">: Any of blues standards have any real personal feelings for you & what are some of your favorite? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">J:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">B.B. King is truly the king of the blues. When you consider all he has done for the blues, it is just immeasurable and will have ripple effects for all of eternity.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">M</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">: Where did you pick up your guitar style & what were the first songs you learned? What were your favorite guitars? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">J:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Like many of my generation, I learned by Rolling Stones records. The Keith Richard’s guitar solo on “Sympathy for the Devil” on the “Ya Yas” record is the first solo I learned by putting the needle on the record over and over again. Yet some of my earliest memories were playing along to the records of Jimmy Reed and Elmore James. I enjoyed Jimmy Reed because it was slow enough for me to follow and Elmore because it was that open tuned slide guitar sound. Yet B.B. King was always the most explosive sound.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">M</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">:What characterizes the sound of Jimmy Adler?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">J</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">: </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">I eventually got serious about the west coast sound that is derived from T-Bone Walker and I was blown away by the prowess of Little Charlie Baty who took that playing to a whole other level. The Jimmy Adler sound is a combination of all that I have absorbed over the years. Plus, I usually play without a pick and that gives a very distinctive tone to the guitar.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">M:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> From whom have you have learned the most secrets about blues music? </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">J:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> I’m not so sure that I’ve learned any secrets. Having your guitar in a particular open tuning will make it easier to emulate certain slide styles. Studying with jazz great Jimmy Ponder was priceless.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">M</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">: What are some of the most memorable tales with Magic Dick? How do you describe him. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">J:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Magic Dick: a regular guy with a powerful and influential song. I met him at a festival in Wheeling and had the opportunity to play with him at a late night jam. Later that year, he was part of Tommy Castro’s Blues Review and I was selected by our local blues society (BSWPA) to play a 30 minute set with the band where he remembered me from hanging out at Wheeling.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">M</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">: What's been their experience with Willie Big Eyes Smith? </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">J:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> I was performing at the Pittsburgh Blues Festival on the same stage and went back stage to hang with Hubert Sumlin. Later that evening, we invited the band to come to Moondog’s for a late night jam. I had the opportunity to play several songs with both Hubert and Willie who was blowing harp and singing. I met him other times when he came to town and he just always seemed like a genuinely nice, down to earth person.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">M</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">:</span></i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Are there any memories from Tommy Castro & Ronnie Baker Brooks, which you’d like to share with us? </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">J:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> When I had the opportunity to play the 30 minute set with the band, Ronnie was cool enough to have a little call and response segment between his guitar and mine. It was a real highlight. He could have slayed me with his chops instead he allowed me to shine as we went toe to toe on our guitars. He was also a very cool down to earth guy to talk to. Castro has often handed me his guitar during the last song of his shows at Moondog’s. I was honored to be able to open the show for him back in late 2011.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">M</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">:How did you first meet Hubert Sumlin, what kind of a guy was Hubert Sumlin?</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">J:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> I met Hubert at a festival and then I played a festival before his band and got to hang with him backstage. We played at a club that night and I met him several times there after. I drove him to the airport one morning after he played Moondog’s with the Nighthawks. I believe that he was genuinely nice to everyone he met. He was kind, enthusiastic, funny, and just a great person to talk to.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">M</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">: What’s the best jam you ever played in? What are some of the most memorable gigs you've had?<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">J:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Memorable gigs were the times when I had the opportunity to play alongside people like Hubert, Willie Big Eyes, Eric Lindell, Tommy Castro, and many other great artists.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Some music styles can be fads but the blues is always with us. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">M</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">: Why do think that is? Give one wish for the BLUES. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">J:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The blues is the truth. It is pure and honest. I wish that it will last forevermore.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">M</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">: Is there any similarity between the blues today and the old days? </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">J:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> The blues has always had many flavors. I especially like guitars that are plugged straight into a Tube Amplifier without any effects. One should be able to play the blues on an acoustic guitar and still capture the essence and purity of the spirit.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">M</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">: What<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>advice would you give to aspiring musicians thinking of pursuing a career in the craft?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">J:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Practice every day and keep listening to the sounds that inspire you. Listening is as important as playing. It is also important to see a live show and see as many performers as you can.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">M</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">: How you would spend a day with the Four Kings: B.B., Freddy, Albert & Earl King?</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">J:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> I would thank B.B. for paving the way and teaching everyone how to act in a dignified manner both on and off the stage; I would love to pick Freddie’s brain about all of those great original instrumental compositions where he created timeless melodies and beautiful tension; I’d like to watch Albert bend the string down to just the right tone; I’d like to listen to Earl King’s stories about New Orleans and the “Big Chief.” </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">~<span style="color: #485781;"><a href="http://blues.gr/profile/MichalisLimnios">Michalis Limnios BLUES blog @ GR</a></span></span>Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-57005104528558038322012-04-07T23:03:00.000-04:002012-04-11T23:44:43.402-04:00Three Good Blues Singers<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were leaving Pier 39 on San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf when we heard the faint sounds of a guitar and harp playing Little Walter. We had visited the wharf to see the sea lions, who resemble either my family after Thanksgiving dinner or the bar at Moondogs around 1 AM after a show. The music was a surprise, since we found that blues music was not big in SF. There were few bars or clubs booking even the national acts, and, like Pittsburgh, the local acts apparently have a difficult time getting stage time. In fact we were heading for <a href="http://www.louspier47.com/">Lou’s Restaurant and Blues Club</a>.com to see what was on that evening when we encountered Dave Earl, a well known SF bluesman and very talented multi-instrumentalist playing on the sidewalk. Dave was using a rack mounted harp, a National guitar and some electronic backing tracks to entertain, collect tips, and sell his CDs and generally showoff his songwriting and playing skills.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I talked with Mr. Earl for a while and bought 2 CDs: Blues Instrumentals and Sidewalk Boogie. His CDs are available from </span><a href="http://www.davearl.com/"><span style="font-weight: normal;">www.davearl.com</span></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">. Although I did buy 2 CDs and am recommending him to the BSWPA members, our usual disclaimer applies: No money or gifts changed hands in connection with this review.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Blues Instrumentals: 17 songs, with an array of sidemen: Pinetop Perkins, Mark Hummel, Steve Freund among others on lead guitar, 3 sax players and Francis Clay on drums. Earl plays guitar, harp and bass guitar. The songs are high quality blues instrumentals that will remind you of a range of sounds you’ve heard: any of the Kings playing guitar, Walter Horton, Little Walter Jacobs on harp with a solid bass section keeping the beat. I strongly recommend that BSWPA members visit Earl’s website and listen to the samples from his 8 CDs, go to the YouTube videos to see him playing on the wharf (you have to see the National O guitar—beautiful!) and do some business with this throwback musician who makes his entire living this way.<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Sidewalk Boogie was produced at backtrack Record studios in California. Dave earl’s co-players include some of the musicians mentioned above. Two thirds of the songs are Earl composed; covers of Jimmy Reed (Big Boss Man) and Louis Jordan (Let the Good Times Roll) with Earl on harp and guitar. Very enjoyable mix of songs, with a truly distinctive version of Amazing Grace, in fact, the only version of this clichéd song I’d even consider for my own funeral.<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></span><v:shape alt="Jo Ann Kelly + Woody Mann" id="Picture_x0020_10" o:spid="_x0000_s1027" style="height: 106.15pt; margin-left: 1.5pt; margin-top: 0.25pt; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-horizontal: absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 70.65pt; z-index: 2;" type="#_x0000_t75"> <v:imagedata o:title="Jo Ann Kelly + Woody Mann" src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.jpg"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> <w:wrap type="square"> </w:wrap></span></v:imagedata></v:shape><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Funerals is a rough transition to the second blues player I want to call to your attention. Jo Ann Kelly died aged 46 in October 1990 of malignant brain cancer. I recommend if you have never heard of her or heard her play that you do a Google search on “Jo Ann Kelly.”You will given sites such as </span><a href="http://www.wirz.de/music/kellyfrm.htm">http://www.wirz.de/music/kellyfrm.htm</a> <span style="font-weight: normal;">where you can read about her career. Amazon has some of her CDs available. It was said of Kelly that it was amazing that there would be any British women noted as great blues artists (name another). She was recommended by Frank Scott in his Roots and Rhythm newsletter and turned out to be the revitalized spirit of Memphis Minnie, one of my favorite classic blues guitarists. Kelly sounds like Minnie or Dinah Washington, with a deepness and range that makes her version of Minnie’s Black Rat Swing really fun. Her guitar playing is exceptional, as is Minnie's. <o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">In her “Key to the Highway” CD Kelly is accompanied by a wonderful piano player named Bob Hall, who played for Savoy Brown for a long time. Hall has CDs of his own. "Don’t Play Boogie and At the Window" are in my collection. He is the perfect accompanist for Kelly, with Otis Spann-like fills and even some retro sounds that Walter Roland might have used. There are 23 songs in “Key’—very listenable.<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<v:shape alt="http://www.thecountryblues.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/a17evans_t607-400x275.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_7" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" style="height: 81.55pt; margin-left: 1.5pt; margin-top: 11.4pt; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-horizontal: absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 73.25pt; z-index: 3;" type="#_x0000_t75"> <v:imagedata o:title="a17evans_t607-400x275" src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image005.jpg"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <w:wrap type="square"> </w:wrap></span></v:imagedata></v:shape><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Finally, I want to call your attention to a musicologist who sings old style country blues. Dr. David Evans is an ethnomusicologist at the University of Memphis. The University pays him money to explore American roots music, write books and articles, do presentations and teach it to others. In addition to this grueling work Dr. Evans plays guitar and sings and makes CDs. A flattering resume is available on The Country Blues website, which lists and provides biographies for dozens of country blues artists. My blues library includes his Big Road Blues and the NPR Guide to the Blues. Evan’s CDs are available from Amazon. His songs range from traditional hymns, hokum songs, country blues and even modern jug band sounds. One of my favorite CDs is Evans and friends playing as The Last Chance Jug Band with their “Shake That Thing” CD. In the song “Last Chance Blues” Evans sings: “Baby-This is your last chance, you used to wear dresses, now you want to wear my pants!” The politically correct 21<sup>st</sup> century doesn’t sing those lines anymore, except in rap, and especially accompanied by a jug. Although Evans does not have a classic blues voice, he carries the songs well and provides a living bridge to a time and music not played much anymore.</span></h3>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> ~ V. Robert Agostino</span></i></h3>Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-56870984020197178752012-04-07T23:02:00.000-04:002012-04-11T22:26:00.965-04:00Blues to Fight Blindness<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: 'AR ESSENCE'; font-size: 28pt;">Blues to Fight Blindness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: 'Futura Hv BT'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">June 10, 2012 - 2 pm <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: 'Futura Hv BT'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">Hop House<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14pt;">Igniters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14pt;">Nancy Mckeen Bluz Machine with special guest Chris Nacy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14pt;">Jimmy Adler Band<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14pt;">Ruby Red and the Red Devils<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14pt;">Bubs McKeg and Chris Nacy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14pt;">… and special guest:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;">Shari Richards<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14pt;">....more to be announced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">21 and older only. Blues members with active membership card will get 10% off food.</span></div>Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-20025028655697584802012-04-07T23:01:00.000-04:002012-04-11T22:25:43.126-04:00AD - Big Cat Entertainment<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOxc_CUw3t3B3LFdjBe7-eY_zkUrokqNvdn_J08KoTEUnQXeQGhXbkzUK9yq9miZMRYVRzwuCDvrVhsiLi-VL5UxbrwX0H2Nlu3V-8APfUYx8g09P90y8lBx8cKZiIMdbRSvpTHX2K5u3/s1600/BigCatEntertainment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOxc_CUw3t3B3LFdjBe7-eY_zkUrokqNvdn_J08KoTEUnQXeQGhXbkzUK9yq9miZMRYVRzwuCDvrVhsiLi-VL5UxbrwX0H2Nlu3V-8APfUYx8g09P90y8lBx8cKZiIMdbRSvpTHX2K5u3/s640/BigCatEntertainment.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-79912561179891137912011-07-18T22:03:00.001-04:002011-07-18T22:31:16.847-04:00BSWPA's 7th International Blues Challenge (IBC's)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOjw1Zi0hB9QGdCyJPZ5rRSU04oKnOZ6vTGjxLIObx7y-Om-Fn6KbHxBMzihyphenhyphen8sHJ838h-hTDqcrqqXwsWAXvPfMidNFcWfSP4uHq6dAVPHon3wJRYX5LDxhtAnuEjAnWDefiCFBs3waF/s1600/winners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOjw1Zi0hB9QGdCyJPZ5rRSU04oKnOZ6vTGjxLIObx7y-Om-Fn6KbHxBMzihyphenhyphen8sHJ838h-hTDqcrqqXwsWAXvPfMidNFcWfSP4uHq6dAVPHon3wJRYX5LDxhtAnuEjAnWDefiCFBs3waF/s320/winners.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We had success last year at the Clarion for the 6th IBC's in many ways. It was our largest crowd ever, we made enough money to pay for all the expenses and more. Mostly, we had the best group of competitors ever. We promptly decided to not mess with success and do it there in 2011. This year we had to cover more costs, though. We did not get the same amount of sponsorship that we did last year. We had to pay a sound man which we were happy to do after last year's fiasco. For those who didn't hear, we had a sound man who volunteered his services to get advertising and get in with the Blues Society. He got a call in the middle of the day and left! Poof! We were lucky he left the equipment and that Jim Hamel was knowledgeable enough to handle the sound for the rest of the night. Thanks to the blues fan, TJ who has since passed for assisting Jim. This year we had an excellent sound team, Big Cat Entertainment, who we paid for but at a much reduced rate. It was well worth it. Great job, Charlie and Jeff.<br />
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That was only one improvement over last year. The competition was even better than last year! There was not a weak spot in the line-up, as all the judges echoed. This is the thing that amazed me, though. Three years ago, we had to call bands from other areas to get enough bands for an interesting competition. Some people liked it, because there were new bands to hear. Others thought we should just do a half day with the few bands from the area who joined. We had 15 acts this year. Most thought it was the most talented that we have ever had ...AND every band was from Western Pennsylvania! This was the first time since I have been a member (5 years) that we have had all Western PA bands. More evidence of a growing pool of talent in the region. It was a good mix of bands we all know, like the band winners, Jill West and Blues Attack. This was their third win. Good luck to them. They had new stuff and they closed with their trademark "freeze." They ran away with first place this year (four 1st places and a 2nd on the score sheets). I thought that was unusual considering the level of competition, but way to go Blues Attack! The next three bands were separated by fractions of a point. Ron Yarosz and the Vehicle (last year's winners),Wayne and Wildroot and the Jimmy Adler Band. All of the bands got good comments. The judges had told me that this was the highest level of competition, top to bottom, that they had seen. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMw6Rz3VMLYd054z914TaBVD_1DQChqBu5kNBsO60Hsikyc3v5vu3BGz1RvHDPfcZvDX1PeG1jXYrMZD1yMGpkY2tWQowyLeolJZ6tAPvy9aaMPZLDQzFRS2FWhDbT_5dFKDZKUmj6gc2/s1600/2011IBCs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMw6Rz3VMLYd054z914TaBVD_1DQChqBu5kNBsO60Hsikyc3v5vu3BGz1RvHDPfcZvDX1PeG1jXYrMZD1yMGpkY2tWQowyLeolJZ6tAPvy9aaMPZLDQzFRS2FWhDbT_5dFKDZKUmj6gc2/s640/2011IBCs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
As far as the solo competition, the voting was tight. All three entries had solid marks. It was both tie-breakers that gave the victory to Chris Yakopcic. It was his solid guitar playing that gave him the victory. He plays old style blues guitar and switched up a guitar and dobro. The judges liked that. <br />
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The crowd was good again and we received many comments (most of them good) about the venue, the bands and mainly the atmosphere. The mix of tension ,excitement ,expectation and curiosity was everywhere. For those who have yet to come to an IBC competition, you don't know what you are missing. I remember my first. While the level of competition and few entries were nothing close to what we have today, it was still exciting. Make it next year! <br />
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So, thank you to the people who came to hear the bands. Thank you to the bands for giving their best 20 minutes. Thank you to the judges who have the toughest job. All I can say is "wait till next year!"<br />
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<b><i>~ Article: Don Vecchio, Photos: Tom Martin</i></b>Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-63528323757701569632011-07-18T22:02:00.000-04:002011-07-18T22:31:36.340-04:00Pittsburgh Blues Festival - July 22-24, 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBgJbtooaN5FZxmv1Nds_mmrdGZof75IyOmfFlhPTfdQK2xzPcgRLoArFQMXp3MV3fTzoRSEDl6OQUZVV9wpa9GRZOwpUS3KCnFaRK0LGSPDz2tfzP1mNBU80RBefR7rkdRGXurmaNZR5/s1600/DONE+-+AD-PghBluesFest.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBgJbtooaN5FZxmv1Nds_mmrdGZof75IyOmfFlhPTfdQK2xzPcgRLoArFQMXp3MV3fTzoRSEDl6OQUZVV9wpa9GRZOwpUS3KCnFaRK0LGSPDz2tfzP1mNBU80RBefR7rkdRGXurmaNZR5/s640/DONE+-+AD-PghBluesFest.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All times subject to change.</div><br />
<div class="content_main" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 760px;"><img class="left" height="291" src="http://www.pghblues.com/img/magness.png" style="float: left;" width="247" /><br />
<h2 style="color: #330000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: 900; padding-left: 10px; padding-top: 30px;">Friday, July 22nd<br />
<span style="font-size: 18px;">Gates Open at 4:00 PM</span></h2><div class="bandname" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: 400; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.janivamagness.com/" style="color: #330000; text-decoration: none;" target="band">Janiva Magness</a> (8:45 pm)</div><div class="bandname" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: 400; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.kellyrichey.com/" style="color: #330000; text-decoration: none;" target="band">Kelly Richey</a> (7:00 pm)</div><div class="bandname" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: 400; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;">Blueswomen of Pittsburgh (6:00 pm)</div><div class="bandname" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: 400; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.olgawatkinsband.com/" style="color: #330000; text-decoration: none;" target="band">The Olga Watkins Band</a>(5:00 pm)</div></div><div class="content_main" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 760px;"><div class="photo_right" style="float: right; padding-left: 20px;"><div style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: 400; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"><br />
</div></div><img class="left" height="291" src="http://www.pghblues.com/img/trucks.png" style="float: left;" width="247" /><br />
<h2 style="color: #330000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: 900; padding-left: 10px; padding-top: 30px;">Saturday, July 23rd<br />
<span style="font-size: 18px;">Gates Open at 1:30 PM</span></h2><div class="bandname" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: 400; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.tedeschitrucksband.com/" style="color: #330000; text-decoration: none;" target="band">Tedeschi Trucks Band</a> (8:30 pm)</div><div class="bandname" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: 400; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.lionelyoung.net/" style="color: #330000; text-decoration: none;" target="band">Lionel Young Band</a> (7:00 pm)</div><div class="bandname" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: 400; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.johnnemethblues.com/" style="color: #330000; text-decoration: none;" target="band">John Németh</a> (5:30 pm)</div><div class="bandname" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: 400; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;">Pittsburgh All-Stars (4:30 pm)</div><div class="bandname" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: 400; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.bluescaravan.de/artists" style="color: #330000; text-decoration: none;" target="band">2011 “Girls with Guitars” Tour</a>(3:00 pm)</div><div class="bandname" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: 400; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"><a href="http://jimboandthesoupbones.com/site/" style="color: #330000; text-decoration: none;" target="band">Jimbo and the Soupbones</a> (1:45 pm)</div></div><div class="content_main" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 760px;"><img class="left" height="291" src="http://www.pghblues.com/img/winter.png" style="float: left;" width="247" /><br />
<h2 style="color: #330000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: 900; padding-left: 10px; padding-top: 30px;">Sunday, July 24th<br />
<span style="font-size: 18px;">Gates Open at 1:30 PM</span></h2><div class="bandname" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: 400; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.johnnywinter.net/" style="color: #330000; text-decoration: none;" target="band">Johnny Winter</a> (8:15 pm)</div><div class="bandname" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: 400; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.tommycastro.com/" style="color: #330000; text-decoration: none;" target="band">Tommy Castro</a> (6:30 pm)</div><div class="bandname" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: 400; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.jillwest-and-bluesattack.com/" style="color: #330000; text-decoration: none;" target="band">Jill West and Blues Attack </a>(5:30 pm)</div><div class="bandname" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: 400; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.savoybrown.com/" style="color: #330000; text-decoration: none;" target="band">Savoy Brown</a> (3:45 pm)</div><div class="bandname" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: 400; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;">The Igniters (2:45 pm)</div><div class="bandname" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: 400; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.bottomshelfrocks.com/" style="color: #330000; text-decoration: none;" target="band">Bottom Shelf Band</a> (1:45 pm)</div></div>Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-75927234163433974562011-07-18T22:01:00.000-04:002011-07-18T22:31:43.020-04:00Did you know?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTmK_03V5dV95yMdgw2k3Pi4U3y_H3EcgUQsJahA7Pze0s9um_7ZX6INCT2dnUOk72guk5GvuqhSlHfdml1XxNoBkyk59VTlrlKxaSV9XsSHi9hiJr2d4M7KuuKj1GDuuXYUYNkV4pPrF/s1600/JonnyWinter2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTmK_03V5dV95yMdgw2k3Pi4U3y_H3EcgUQsJahA7Pze0s9um_7ZX6INCT2dnUOk72guk5GvuqhSlHfdml1XxNoBkyk59VTlrlKxaSV9XsSHi9hiJr2d4M7KuuKj1GDuuXYUYNkV4pPrF/s1600/JonnyWinter2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCMb2SifObwvsjagIfKmKwjlc9MCuw4FdzZpvFVsgWLWddJCy8-HbpVZ6p-iouhkGPUURz7btZrluJiLzcDmYnlry1LqkKD9W0q_ZQeXksG6vyniKR_20lnSxgi8IRPNAIVSoGoce_45X/s1600/JonnyWinter1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCMb2SifObwvsjagIfKmKwjlc9MCuw4FdzZpvFVsgWLWddJCy8-HbpVZ6p-iouhkGPUURz7btZrluJiLzcDmYnlry1LqkKD9W0q_ZQeXksG6vyniKR_20lnSxgi8IRPNAIVSoGoce_45X/s1600/JonnyWinter1.jpg" /></a>Johnny and Edgar Winter's grandfather and father, a former mayor of Leland, owned and operated a cotton business, J.D. Winter and Son. The door to their office is now housed in the Highway 61 Blues Museum along with many other collectables from Johnny, Edgar and other blues legends from the area. <br />
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Johnny Winter saluted Leland, MS in the song "Leland Mississippi Blues" in 1969 on the first of his many hit albums for Columbia Records.Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-44327827460882996802011-07-18T22:00:00.002-04:002011-07-18T22:17:21.968-04:00Advertise With Us<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-align: center;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: #006699; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">The WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA BLUES SOCIETY<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-align: center;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: #006699; font-family: Arial;">is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and affiliated member of the <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-align: center;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: #006699; font-family: Arial;">Blues Foundation<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-77275641036563325032011-07-18T21:57:00.000-04:002011-07-18T22:32:16.251-04:00Interview with Charlie Musselwhite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnQcF5FYKixlS1aqCp1DrzaOMkYOp0I-ZT5rKAJk6EBytfbbkP9jDL6pShk3990Yx9B9S6NAdJCfLdSl4EGrZSn9ua0bpUrc3xlW96ZAZJaDDYUUGgYgA4L0LZYuCI7p0TU-P3Q8YO2ED/s1600/DONE+-+CharlieMusselwhite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnQcF5FYKixlS1aqCp1DrzaOMkYOp0I-ZT5rKAJk6EBytfbbkP9jDL6pShk3990Yx9B9S6NAdJCfLdSl4EGrZSn9ua0bpUrc3xlW96ZAZJaDDYUUGgYgA4L0LZYuCI7p0TU-P3Q8YO2ED/s320/DONE+-+CharlieMusselwhite.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div>"The Blues Overtook me" is pure Charlie Musselwhite. A groundbreaking recording artist since the 1960s, Musselwhite continues to be a trail blazer in music while remaining firmly entrenched in the blues. His heart felt vocals, rich, melodic harmonica playing and deep country blues guitar work reflect his often autobiographical, original songs. Living Blues has stated, “Musselwhite’s rock-solid vocals creep up and overwhelm you before you know it. He plays magnificent harp with superb dexterity and phrasing. The results are amazing.” Blues Revue Magazine proclaimed , "It is hard to think of anything that harmonica master Charlie Musselwhite has not done. He should have been co-owner of the Blues Music Awards, having received 35 nominations and winning 23 times, including Album or Blues Album of the Year seven times! Musselwhite has been nominated six times for Grammy Awards and joined the Blues Hall of Fame in 2010." The Chicago Times stated that Charlie "is in top form with his deeply personal tales (newest CD, the Well)… a formidable talent, he defines the cutting edge in contemporary blues, putting a Chicago accent on his rural Southern harmonica chops.” At the 2011 Blues Music Awards, Charlie won the Best Instrumentalist-Harmonica Award and Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year! The Well, a CD just released in 2010, was nominated for the Traditional Blues Album of the year and his song, "Sad and Beautiful World," was nominated for Song of the Year.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Growing up in Memphis, he listened to the workers singing in the field. He once commented, "The feeling in that music-it described just how I felt. Man, it just wrapped itself around me ......It affected me so strongly that I just wanted to make that sound myself. Charlie Musselwhite is known for taking risks in music, broadening his perspective of the blues. Charlie plays hard-edged blues, up-tempo swingin' shuffles, dark jazz, a little rockabilly, some New Orleans swamp and even Latin-flavored blues from Rio and Cuba. His advice to new harp players: 'Don't imitate anybody. Be yourself. Playing what you feel inside is really the key. I call it following the will of the music. When you're playing that way, you're having fun with it. When you're having fun, you're learning. If you set it up like work, you're not gonna get the feeling in the music part. ...I 'm always thinking about the different places I try to get at musically. It's like reachin' into this unknown strange room to try and find the spark. There's a level where you play the stuff you just know by rote from years of playin' the traditional, but I'm always waiting for that door to open to the next level. When I can slide through, things become more spontaneous. When I get really hacky, I go over the top into where it really takes off. I feel like I'm standin' next to the tracks and there's a train highballin' right by the end of my nose. I can't even grab a hold of it. I can only just try to keep up with it. It's so fleeting, it's like trying to capture a moonbeam. You can't think at all or you lose it, you're just a witness to it. The more I play, it's easier to find that magical door." (Children of the Blues, Art Tripaldi)</div><div><br />
</div><div>Recently, I was listening to a song from the Powder Blues Band, the words "wrong side of town but the right side of blues" mirrored the life that Charlie Musselwhite embraced as a young man. I felt the need to talk with this man who has orchestrated his life through his love of the blues.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Jonnye:</b> Growing up in Memphis, you were accepted as a player on Beale Street," the other side of town." What did you do to win their acceptance?</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Charlie: </b>(warm and congenial) I was interested in the blues from a young age and would follow the street singers. They were there and I was there. They were flattered that I was showing them interest and complimented that I wanted to watch and learn. They were glad to teach a little kid the blues. The difference, I was a little white kid hungering for the music.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>J: </b>You were quoted as saying, "Playing in Memphis was strictly for my own gratification. There was something in me that needed to be satisfied . I just wanted to play for myself and learn from those guys." Who influenced you or who taught you the most in your journey.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>C:</b> (Slowly, in a quiet voice) Will Shade from the Memphis Jug Band taught me guitar and harp. Furry Lewis taught me slide guitar. They recorded in the 1920s and the 1930s. Furry outlived Will and went on to work the Folk circuit at college campuses.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>J:</b> Elvis was on the scene in Memphis while you were there. You stated that his popularity gave you and your fellow musicians hope, validated your type of music and encouraged the players to be more active. What comes to mind when you think of those times.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>C: </b>(softly chuckling) Elvis was just like me...we were kids from Mississippi. The nearest big town was Memphis and that's where we would go. We dressed the same and were considered white trash. When Elvis became popular than we were not seen as being so bad. We were okay.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>J:</b> You were "schooled" in Chicago. In the 1960's, Chicago was the "living room" of Blues, a symbolic home-style offering of music that migrated from the South to the North. It was a time when white blues enthusiasts were able to mix it up on the streets, in the taverns, and in homes with the first generation music makers of all types. (Sounds like the words from one of your songs.) How did the music scene transform or affect your life.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>C: </b>(seriously) I went to Chicago to get a job in the factory. There was a migration where people traveled from Memphis to Chicago looking for great jobs. I stumbled on the blues scene. I saw signs in windows advertising Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. I would hang out in clubs. No one knew that I played. There was nothing better than to sit and listen to Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. (softly chuckling) A waitress finally told Muddy that I was a player. He recognized me from being in the clubs. The word got out. I had no plans to play but I was getting offers for gigs that paid money. (Laughing) What could be better? Just like in Memphis, the Chicago players were knocked out and flattered when someone wanted to learn.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>J:</b> You have said, "It’s about the feeling, and about connecting with people. And blues, if it’s real blues, is loaded with feeling. And it ain’t about technique, either. It’s about truth, connecting to the truth and communicating with the people.” You have had a long, varied life of good times and bad times....Your music always tells a story...How do you do this...I always feel that you are talking personally to us.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>C: </b>(a pause, quietly) I just play from my heart. (earnestly, seriously) It is just a simple way of saying it...not putting on a show but expressing from my heart. I just play what I know, the best that I can.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>J:</b> I love your Brazilian Blues...how did that evolve.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>C: </b>I would search junk stores in Memphis to find records. I could get them for a nickel back then. I would look for blues or any type of music from other parts of the world that would look interesting. I took a liking to Flamenco early on. Every culture has a music of lament...good times, bad times, lost love, a commonality. Music is natural to the world and I am a fan. I especially like the country and working people's type of music from around the world... those songs that are not the top 40.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>J: </b>With your new awards, where do you go from here. You are highly regarded by your fellow artists....what keeps you going.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>C:</b> (hesitating and with a soft chuckle)( I could feel the humble smile) I am flattered by the awards and I appreciate them. I don't let it go to my head. I don't deserve something special. I am lucky to be on the scene...(seriously) to be healthy and alive and to play music. Life is good. I do what I do and hope that people like it. It is no mystery...(seriously) I simply do what I do.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>J: </b>We will see you at the Heritage Festival in Wheeling on August 13. What would you like to tell the blues fans.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>C: </b>(laughing) (I could feel the smile) Come early, stay late! We'll blow all the blues away...at least until the next day! We will have fun! See you in August!~Jonnye Weber</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>After note:</b> I shared with Charlie an amazing tribute. During a difficult time, my late partner had arranged for a nurse to purchase a ticket for me to see Charlie at the Rex. Walking into the building, the music wrapped its arms around me. Charlie helped sooth my wounds. It was a wonderful night to let the blues “wash away the dust of life.” I chatted with Charlie later in the evening. I felt like I was there with a close friend...and his music. At the end of the night when I returned to my husband’s bedside...the ultimate blues lover smiled a very tired smile and asked if Charlie had cheered me up....and how was my dose of the blues for the evening. Charlie's response: (a soft, uplifting chuckle) We are brought together for awhile with the music. Blues is not sad. It's about getting rid of the bad feelings. Blues...well, to quote John Lee Hooker...Blues is a Healer!</div><div><br />
</div><div><b><i> - Jonnye Weber</i></b></div>Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-37106415400563807462011-07-18T21:54:00.005-04:002011-07-18T22:34:42.991-04:00AD - Thunderbird Cafe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37ZZ2CyUzAO1BTgAiFBiUcgtwsZnedDTuviNbiNMnPSwP73my7fGm1ko0pLf5fFtf5JEABuirkmFwd4XAjGvhadv27DZqb1xTtygq5bUK1Ho3Q01-wDr2Jq2l2996Hxov7k6Y339DSo9W/s1600/Thunderbird_cl_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37ZZ2CyUzAO1BTgAiFBiUcgtwsZnedDTuviNbiNMnPSwP73my7fGm1ko0pLf5fFtf5JEABuirkmFwd4XAjGvhadv27DZqb1xTtygq5bUK1Ho3Q01-wDr2Jq2l2996Hxov7k6Y339DSo9W/s400/Thunderbird_cl_sm.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539464944092718316.post-10347270778404791602011-07-18T21:54:00.004-04:002011-07-18T22:06:38.545-04:00Sharon, PA - City Blues Fest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeOLZPJ6Mj9Mk4ABUk7_Fg70G-wXV7nIWR0xwegzGOJ0vA0457Vs5Zn3LKFb4Np5vsNXGClvkPh6429AN_HJovcIp-8lF3T0VXKVlSD_9j9vxIDpYRUnnm2jGcgKdjD7JLJl18uYaGxGW/s1600/SharonFestival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeOLZPJ6Mj9Mk4ABUk7_Fg70G-wXV7nIWR0xwegzGOJ0vA0457Vs5Zn3LKFb4Np5vsNXGClvkPh6429AN_HJovcIp-8lF3T0VXKVlSD_9j9vxIDpYRUnnm2jGcgKdjD7JLJl18uYaGxGW/s640/SharonFestival.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania - Maria Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975583445335060188noreply@blogger.com