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Your Blues Internet Magazine |
from IllinoisBlues.com |
December 27, 2007 |
© 2007 IllinoisBlues.com
News, reviews, live Blues show links AND MUCH MORE at Bottom! - Scroll Down!
Hey Blues Fans,
It it officially Winter in the Central US and when cold winds blow our thoughts long for some hot live Blues music to warm us up a bit. Bluesadventures.com is offering a January Chicago Winter Blues Tour that includes 3 nights at a 4 star hotel, some meals and admission and transportation to and from the hotel to the 3 Chicago Blues clubs on the tour. This looks like a great hotel and music package that culminates with reservations to see Buddy Guy himself at Chicago's Legends Blues Club on Sunday night. The tour dates are January 18th to January 21st, 2008.
We are pleased to welcome a new advertiser this week, Chicago Blues Tour. Chicago Blues Tour also offers a great Chicago Blues tour package. They have a one day package for January 19th, 2008 that includes admission to seven Chicago Blues Clubs plus a shuttle bus that runs between the seven Blues clubs making for easy safe transportation. (All different Blues Clubs from Bluesadventures.com Winter Blues Tour). While the Chicago Blues Tour package includes no hotels and no meals, it is VERY reasonably priced . ($25 till January 5th and only $30 after that.)
These Blues tour dates overlap so what is a Blues person to do? This is a no brainer! Book BOTH OF THESE TOURS! As it turns out the Bluesadventures.com tour has no specific activities scheduled for Saturday night so if you are already in Chicago you will want to hear some Blues on Saturday night and you can not beat the price of $25 to get admission and transportation to seven Chicago Blues clubs! Check out these tours in the Featured Advertiser section below.
New to the Blues Blast & IllinoisBlues.com? CLICK HERE to go directly to the IllinoisBlues.com list of Live Blues Music. Click a link for more Blues content. Reviews Links Audio Interviews Photos Videos Blues Radio To advertise your blues shows or event for FREE Click HERE! To see The Blues Blast Archives Click HERE
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Blues Link of the Week http://www.tylerdowbryantband.com/ While checking out some Blues links on Craig Hopkins website ( http://www.stevieray.com ), we came across a link to this impressive young man's website. In a couple months Tyler Dow Bryant will turn 17. As you know IllinoisBlues.com is always enthusiastic about young Blues talent. Here we offer you another shining example that the future of this American art form called the Blues is very much alive. Keep an eye on this one! OK so what, another kid with a good website who plays Blues. Yea, BUT! This kid can sing and play guitar WAY beyond most folks of any age. But it is not just US who sees how amazing this young man is. At the age of 15, Tyler got his first endorsement with Ernie Ball/Music Man. In May of 2007, Tyler was awarded the Robert Johnson Blues Foundation's New Generation Award, naming him the most promising blues artist of 2007. You can tell all this from his 2006 CD too. Check out three tunes from Tyler's CD "Born In Texas" at his MySpace site http://www.myspace.com/tylerbryantband . Also to see a video of Tyler live CLICK HERE For more Blues links CLICK HERE to visit the IllinoisBlues.com Links Page If you know of a COOL Blues link, please send it to
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Streaming Blues Link of the Week
Music Maker Relief Foundation, Inc. is a tax exempt, public charity under IRS code 501(c)3. Their mission is to help the true pioneers and forgotten heroes of Southern music gain recognition and meet their day to day needs. Their Board of Directors and Advisory Board includes some big Blues names such as Taj Mahal, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Dickey Betts, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, Sue Foley and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. The Music Maker Relief Foundation offers financial support with the following programs:
Musician Sustenance - grants to meet basic life needs and emergency relief.
Musical Development - grants and services for recipient artist professional development and career advancement.
Cultural Access - supports the preservation and proliferation of American musical traditions.
New Orleans Musician's Fund - assistance to musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina.
They have lots of great Blues music and videos on their website. Some great stuff here from obscure artists. To go right to their Blues media page and listen to some great Blues, CLICK HERE. Just click on one of the songs or videos and turn it up LOUD!
Don't forget to make a tax deductible donation to this great Blues organization while you are there listening. Tax time will be here before you know it and a donation to support the Blues can lower your tax bill and help others! How can you top that?
Check out other great Blues Music Streams Click HERE
Other IMPORTANT News Help Save the music! CLICK HERE to Keep Blues Radio Alive!
Featured Blues Reviews
James “Skyy Dobro” Walker , noted Blues writer and Blues Blast contributor reviews a "new" CD by Ellis Hooks - Another Saturday Morning
Ellis
Hooks
Another Saturday Morning
By James “Skyy Dobro” Walker
16 songs; 58:27 minutes; Recommended
Out of the mouths of babes: “Dad, this album has a 1960s sound – that rocking Soul music.” That spot on assessment came from my 26-year-old daughter after hearing the first two songs. She has both thoughtfully and subconsciously listened all her young life to the music I have played. It is no coincidence the Stax and Muscle Shoals sound permeates many songs. Producer, writer, and player Jon Tiven produced and wrote the late Wilson Pickett's comeback album It's Harder Now (recipient of three W.C. Handy Awards and a Grammy nomination). Tiven knew what he had found in a chance meeting with Ellis Hooks January 2000.
Echoes of the Stax/Volt horn section are heard as the very first notes of both the first track “Black Dirt” and the second track, “You Move Too Fast.” Amazingly, that horn section is one man, Jon Tiven on alto and tenor saxophones. While Ellis Hooks is a polished guitar player and is pictured as such in the liner notes, he picks nary a note on this CD, his third for Evidence Music since 2003. All the emphasis is on Hooks’ sensual, gravelly tenor voice (witness Steve Marriott meets Otis Redding) while Tiven additionally handles guitar, sitar, Hammond organ, harmonica, and percussion. Tiven’s wife Sally plays bass with no less than seven guests on drums. Tiven’s production on these sixteen originals is studiously concise; not a wasted note. Do the arithmetic: sixteen songs in 58+ minutes means no song goes more than a few seconds past four minutes (several closer to three).
“I love almost all kinds of music. If it moves my soul, then it moves me!” says Ellis Hooks. Ellis attributes his Soul style to his hometown roots, “I think that maybe comes from the church.” The 13th child of an African-American Alabama sharecropper and his Cherokee bride, Hooks got kicked out of the Baptist choir in his preadolescent years when he discovered that Sam Cooke sang more than gospel. It was from there that he headed on his own into other territories like soul, blues, and rock.
Ellis Hooks sure got soul with songs like “Do I Ever Cross Your Heart.” His voice has a range that plunges up and down the scale, and packs an emotional punch that should make even the most stoical blues critics take notice.
You can hear authentic emotion on “Your River”, the title track, and bonus track “If I Give You My Heart For Christmas.” None of these originals are twelve-bar blues selections, but never mind. Blues feeling is intertwined into Ellis’ songs via his raw and heart felt vocals. For example, guys, relate to his passing-pubescence-leads-to-heartbreak-song “Churchyard Girl.”
Ellis Hooks’ bio reveals he has a Ph.D. from the school of hard knocks, but his tremendous efforts and musical support from the Tivens have all paid off in spades, again.
To hear some sample tracks or purchase this CD CLICK HERE for more information.
For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.
IllinoisBlues.com also features a CD review by Blues Songwriter, Musician, DJ and Journalist, Ben Cox.
Stevie
Ray Vaughan
Solos, Sessions, & Encores
Running Time: 69:48
Most SRV fans, Vaughanabes, and die hards will have heard most of these tracks either released or unreleased on this 14 track CD from the late virtuoso’s vault. If you bought the SRV box way back when, most of the stuff was included. However, for those who don’t quite yet have their Vaughan collection complete, this is a good start.
The first track is one of my favorites from Vaughan’s live recorded catalog “The Sky Is Crying” featuring other guitar giants B.B. King and Albert King along with harmonica legend Paul Butterfield. Vaughan plays some quiet fills along next to his teacher Albert King in the opening of the number, showing that the guitar legend knew when to be heard and seen and when not to.
The set unveils a long-time bootlegged 1978 session in Nashville with Vaughan’s then-girlfriend Lou Ann Barton, showing a bare bones style that would later mold into the SRV we all came to know in 1983. The track with Barton on vocals “You Can Have My Husband” is reminiscent of some of the chunk-a-lunk of Stevie’s brother Jimmie with the early portions of the Fabulous Thunderbirds.
Another great standout track (oft-bootlegged as well) stemming from the SRV-produced Strike Like Lightning album tour with Lonnie Mack is the diabetic-inducing “Oreo Cookie Blues” in which both teacher and student unleash an onslaught of some nasty guitar fretwork.
Another previously unreleased track from 1985’s Saturday Night Live appearance with brother Jimmie, “Change It” demonstrates how Vaughan had come full circle from a backing track on a 1983 David Bowie Top 40 hit (which makes its appearance in this compilation on the final track) to guitar iconoclast in the public eye by the time of his death in 1990.
Other mainstays of the Vaughan catalog that have oft been released by never in single disc form is the live with Jeff Beck “Goin Down,” “Pipeline” with Dick Dale, and “Don’t Stop By the Creek, Son” with Johnny Copeland.
Overall, as a historical disc, you can gather much more of Vaughan’s legacy on some previously released sets like the aforementioned box set released in 2000 or the Blues At Sunrise compilation that demonstrated more of Stevie’s traditional leanings and slow blues textures. More of a marketing deal introducing young guitarists to the great Texas blues-rock hero, this disc likely won’t stay in your rotation for very long for lack of stand out recordings. Better still, it is just another collection piece for many in already wonderful catalog.
CLICK HERE for more information or to purchase.
Chicago Blues Update
Live Blues reviews by Chicago Blues editor Lordy
Blues Beat: Chicago (Photos by August Lord)
The Chicago Rhythm & Blues Kings at B.L.U.E.S.
“You have to be careful so that you don’t make those around you sick.” said the doctor in a somber tone. I was aware I had MTS, but I thought I had it under control. You see Music Trivia Syndrome, while relatively harmless to the carrier can irritate the hell out of others. I had no more record labels to read, or album covers to study, but then came CD inserts, and the internet. Sometimes I will ask a stranger, “Who wrote that?” “Who was the drummer on that session?”
The good news is that in the Blues genre, the history of sessions, and players, labels and real names is part of the charm. Go to your computer and “Google” Gene Barge. I didn’t know all that. I did know him as a key player in the legendary Chicago horn driven Big Twist & the Mellow Fellows. Appearing at B.L.U.E.S. with several BT&TMF alumni, and some talented youth, they are known as The Chicago Rhythm & Blues Kings. Now forget the legend that is Daddy G, and know that this is still one monster live horn section.
The youth was Rob Blaine who provided both incendiary guitar and strong bluesy vocals. His guitar work was a good match for this world-class horn section. Mike Ciamcanelli on bass and Lou Palmer on drums provided a solid beat and bottom to a night of great rhythm and blues.
Besides vocals, Mr. Barge (Daddy G) paired his tenor sax with the tenor sax of Terry Ogolini. The brass was provided by trumpeter Dan Tenuto. These three have been playing together so long; they seem to breathe together as a horn section. During their respective solos, it is obvious they are virtuosos, but to me the magic is in the vibrant presence of a live horn section that doesn’t come across on recordings. Chicago has a tradition of music with great horn parts, but it you just have to hear it live.
All right now: Name three Chicago based groups that successfully used horn sections. I’m sorry doc.
CLICK HERE to visit Lordy's website at ChicagoBluesBeat.com
To see a Chicago Area list of upcoming events CLICK HERE
If you know of a Chicago Blues event or news, please send it to
Featured Advertisers
MALKUM GIBSON and
THE MIGHTY JUKE
"REAL
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Top 100 CD's list
for the last 9 months in Real Blues Magazine
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Coast
to Coast
Booking by -
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Bluesadventures.com
presents....
Chicago
Winter Blues Tour
Say goodbye to the winter blues & hello
to your weekend adventure in the Blues Capital of the world!
What's Included:
3 nights hotel accommodation at the Hilton
Palmer House Hotel - a Four Star hotel
www.palmerhouse.hilton.com
Friday Night - transportation and admission to two
fabulous blues clubs - dinner & entertainment included (Kingston Mines &
Rosa's)
http://www.kingstonmines.com/flash/main.html
Saturday Afternoon - 2 hour Gangster Tour
- See where Capone & Dillinger had their adventures in the 20's and 30's!
Saturday Night - on your own to shop the Magnificent Mile (just steps from
your hotel) or get recommendations for dinner & blues music that night from
your Tour Director
Monday Morning - Farewell breakfast - say goodbye and
exchange contact info with your new friends!
Cost:
Our CD's - "HooDoo Blues" & "Its Gonna Be Alright
Oh Whata' Records
www.handlebarproductions.com
January 18-21, 2008
Sunday - and this is the big event! Included in your adventure are tickets
to see Buddy Guy at his Legends Club! He only plays his club in January and
we scored very big to get these hard to come by tickets! It WILL be sold
out! www.buddyguys.com
This is going to be a fantastic trip at a great price! Singles welcome! Couples welcome! It's a great Christmas present to yourself or someone else. We'll do our best to find you a room share if you need one. Space is limited so check out the details and get signed up for a fabulous weekend of blues & fun, Chicago style!
Chi-Town is one of the most architecturally interesting cities you have ever seen. The people are friendly and it's very easy to get around. Take the "L" from either Midway or O'Hare to your hotel, it's quick and easy! We provide all the details and the fun. Ya'll come and enjoy! For more information, visit our website at
: www.bluesadventures.comSign up today! Call Leslie at 512-627-4790 or email
info@bluesadventures.comNEWS! 12/12/07 - Willie King DVD nominated for a 2007 Blues Award by the Blues Foundation!
Dutch film-makers Saskia Rietmeijer and Bart Drolenga of Visible World Films came to America with the intention of producing a documentary about African American arts and culture in the deep South. When they met Willie King, they decided instead to devote their efforts to creating a DVD about Willie's life and times.
Over a period of several months, the couple recorded Willie King as he worked with his community in Pickens County and performed at festivals, juke joints and parties.
The DVD is a fascinating collage of Willie King's life and many activites, illuminated by searing live performances and interviews with his family and friends. It enables the viewer to experience what it is like to be a modern bluesman living in the Alabama Black Belt, "down in the woods."
To Purchase this DVD Now CLICK HERE
Featured Events
Quad-Cities "only Blues"
venue!
3303 Brady St. Davenport, Iowa * MAP * (563) 324-4619
No Cover Charge!
Blues Society News
Illinois Central Blues Club Springfield, IL - Blue Mondays
Held at the Alamo 115 N 5th St, Springfield, IL (217) 523-1455 every Monday 8:30pm $2 cover
Dec 24 & Dec 31 - no Blue Mondays (Christmas
Eve and New Year's Eve)
Jan 7 - Blues Deacons Jan 14 - Delta Highway from Memphis
Jan 21 - Bill Lupkin & the Chicago Blues Coalition w/ Barrel House Chuck
Jan 28 - Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat from Texas February 4 - Deak Harp Blues Band
Feb 11 - The Groove Daddies Feb 18 - The Sofa
Kings
Feb 25 - The Todd Wolfe Blues Project originally from PA - guitarist for Sheryl
Crow 1993-1998
The River City
Blues Society - Peoria. IL
RCBS is pleased to announce the newly elected 2008 officers. President - Bob
Kieser, Vice President - Scott Gregory, Secretary - Tadd Swanson, Treasurer -
Jim Buckley
Blues Want Ads
Artist/Graphic Design Help Wanted
Long Hours - LOW Pay for "Keepin' The Blues Alive"! Print advertising experience helpful. Please send résumé and contact info to:
Touring Artist Seeks Booking Agent
International blues
artist is interviewing agents/agencies for
representation in the United States and Canada. For more
information visit the artist website at:
http://myspace.com/billyjonesbluez
Send résumé and contact info to
billyjonesbluez@aol.com
Music Lessons
Blues Guitar & Harmonica Lessons in Los Angeles CA.
Affordable rates: $25/hour from my home or $35/hour from
yours. 15 years of professional playing/performing
experience, 10 years of professional teaching
experience. Patient instructor, all levels taught
(beginner to advanced). Strong communicator,
well-organized step-by-step approach.
Passion/enthusiasm for music, good listener
Teach a wide variety of styles, including:
Chicago/Texas/West Coast Blues, classic/contemporary
rock, funk, R & B, Latin, jazz, soul, swing, rockabilly,
alt. country, etc.
Utilize various teaching methods, including tablature, chord charts, taping lessons, ear training, fingerpicking, playing with soul, vibrato, bending, songwriting, and “comping” techniques on acoustic or electric guitar and mandolin. Contact Vince at blues9981@aol.com
I'm looking to get a good schedule of students, young and old... Give me a call! 920-562-0018 Thanks! Dale Anderson www.myspace.com/thedeltajets
For Sale
MUST SELL For sale, please help a guy out! I bought my telecaster no money down and now I have to pay for it. American Telecaster Deluxe, Aged Cherry with pearl pick guard, Blonde neck. Humbucker switch for pickups w/Hard shell case. It is the most beautiful guitar I shouldn't have bought, Paid $1300.00 List at $1785.oo (ok right) make me an offer Like Village Indiana Address, Just south of Chicago 1 hr 219-992-9455 Craig
Gigs Wanted
Blues guy 54 yrs old, can play some, can sing some, Need to be in a band. I have a strat and deluxe reverb. I am south of Chicago 1 hour but will travel. I have about 12-15 songs I can play and sing right now but tired of playing alone. Just moved here. I would like to find a blues group that needs a helping hand. If I am not there PLEASE leave a message. Craig 219-992-9455
Organist looking to pick up work in the Peoria, IL or quad city area (Moline, IL Davenport, IA) ( I’ve got good gear & dependable transportation)….Contact via email tyedyeguru@yahoo.com
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Place your WANT AD here for FREE. Buy or sell, musicians wanted, gigs wanted etc. Limit 500 words. All ads submitted will be used if space allows. If space is limited, a selection of ads submitted will be randomly selected to appear in the Blues Blast.
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