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April 2, 2009 |
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Hey Blues Fans, We have news of more great line ups from major US Blues festivals this week. Get your calendars marked and make your hotel reservations NOW! The 10th Annual Highway 61 Blues Festival in Leland, MS is Saturday, June 6 and 7th, 2009. Performing at the fest will be Eddie Shaw and the Wolf Gang, Cedric and Lightnin' Malcolm, David "Honeyboy" Edwards with Michael Frank, Rocky Lawrence, Lil' Dave Thompson, T Model Ford, The John Horton Band, Mississippi Slim, Eddie Cusic, Pat Thomas, Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, Mickey Rogers and the Soulmasters, Mike's Blue Groove (Sweden), The Mayhem String Band, Rob Mortimer Band, Pokey Lafarge and Lazy Bone. The Greeley Blues Jam is June 12 and 13th, 2009 in Greeley, Colorado. Festival performers are Walter Trout, Charlie Musselwhite, Marcia Ball, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Doug Kershaw and others to be announced soon. The IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival runs July 2nd to 4th, 2009 in Le Claire Park in Davenport, IA. It is one of the biggest and best Midwest festivals celebrating their 25th Anniversary this year. Here is their lineup: Thursday July 2nd - Bob Dorr & the Blue Band, Pena Brothers, Cobalt Blue, Roy Rogers & the Delta Rhythm Kings, Radoslav Lorkovic, Hawkeye Herman, Bo Ramsey, Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women Friday July 3rd - Ellis Kell Band, J.P. Soars & The Red Hots, Eugene Hideway Bridges, Ric E Bluz, Eddie "The Chief" Clearwater, T.J. Wheeler, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Fiona Boyes, Dee Alexander, Sugar Pie DeSanto Saturday July4th - Steady Rolling Blues Band, Robin Rogers, Craig Horton, Larry McCray, Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, Marquise Knox, Junk Joint Duo, Kenny Brown, Diunna Greenleaf, Magic Slim and the Teardrops If these are any indication of what the summer Blues fest season is going to be like hold on to your hats because this is gonna be one HOT Blues summer! Blues Wanderings We made it out to see David "Honeyboy" Edwards in Urbana, IL. playing a show with Kilborn Alley Blues Band. Honeyboy as you probably know is the last of the original Delta Blues men. He was there the night legendary Blues man Robert Johnson was killed. He and longtime partner Michael Frank opened the show with an hour set and then Honeyboy signed autographs and visited with fans as Kilborn Alley entertained the crowd with a set of tunes from their new CD to be released in June.
Afterward, Honeyboy joined Kilborn Alley on stage for a few more songs and the crowd loved it! At the age of 93, we are amazed at the stamina and passion for the music this man still has!
In this issue - Blues Reviews and MORE! James Walker reviews a new CD from Phil Berkowitz. George Fish reviews a new CD by Paul Reddick. Tom “THE ENERGIZER" Schlesinger reviews a new CD by Walter Trout. Mike O'Cull reviews a new CD from Rev. Jimmie Bratcher. Our video of the week is a clip of Muddy Waters playing "Long Distance Call" with Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Calvin Jones, Jerry Portnoy, Bob Margolin and Pinetop Perkins. All this and MORE! SCROLL DOWN!!! |
Featured Blues Review 1 of 4
Phil Berkowitz - All Night Party Dirty Cat Records www.myspace.com/philberkowitzandthedirtycats 14 songs; Time 58:44; Suggested Style: Chicago Blues, West Coast Jump, New Orleans R&B “My fellow Americans, we must return to simple basics in this country! For example, when investing, do not put all of your eggs in one basket!” General Wetnight, 2009. As if answering the good General’s call, Phil Berkowitz sings, “‘I Want a Roof Over My Head’ and bread on the table and love in my heart just for you, where we can have peace of mind....” Now, it just doesn’t get more basic than that. And, speaking of “basics,” it feels so good to get back to some basic Blues done really well after reviewing three non-Blues records in a row. This is harmonica player Phil’s “fourth official CD,” and, with eight original songs, it is a solid winner from start to stop. Berkowitz is able to convey fun and excitement in the songs, and the title, “All Night Party” seems as natural as a Jamaican work-free drug place. Studio recorded, Berkowitz and Danny Caron co-produced the album with Caron co-writing three numbers and adding some guitar. Studio guests include Sean Carney on guitar and Bill Stuve on bass. At the core are a group of Bay Area musicians: Tim Wagar, Bowen Brown, William Beatty, and Marvin Greene. The few horn parts are from Jeff “Irv” Irvin, Robert Dehlinger, and Doug Rowan. Craig Knudsen added some background vocals. Phil Berkowitz is a San Francisco Bay area based blues harmonica player and vocalist with an energetic musical style. He is a New Jersey native and the fourth child in a family of six. He relocated to California in early 1989 to complete his college degree. It was during this time at Sonoma State University that he began playing the harmonica and fell in love with all forms of blues and jazz influenced music, especially that of Louis Jordan. He decided to front a band of his own and embarked on a journey of mastering every facet of the diatonic and chromatic harmonica. “All Night Party” is the opening track as well as the CD’s main theme. This title track sounds live and does a great job of immediately bringing the listener through the door to the party. Set at medium tempo, the song’s piano, harmonica, guitar, guests, and vocals are all intoxicatingly intertwined. The party does not end until the last song titled, “The Party’s Over,” but its rollicking piano leaves us in our dancing shoes; it doesn’t let down easy. “Straight Up” is wonderful straight up Chicago Blues. Starting with the song’s pace, it’s classic in every way from the lyric message challenging a lover to choose to Sean Carney’s mid song guitar solo to Phil’s scolding harmonica. My favorite song is an instrumental titled “Tonka T.” Berkowitz’s chromatic harmonica eloquently explains why it is also called a “mouth organ.” Phil claims the song was inspired by a favorite dog, so imagine a perky, playful pooch as the song bounces along. Other standouts: “Midnight Rooster” with its slowly wrought message of timeless values, “Fine Little Honey Dripper” featuring inspired string work by Marvin Greene, and “Beach Bar Boogie” inspired by a 2007 trip to St. John and infused with an upbeat New Orleans style. Berkowitz claims the cover songs gave him opportunity to pay tribute to idols: Jimmy T-99 Nelson, Ray Charles, Billy Boy Arnold, Louis Jordan, and Earl King. Tired of Rock being passed off as Blues? Then get back to the basics with Phil Berkowitz. Not only is his music authentic, it is a party! Reviewer James “Skyy Dobro” Walker is a noted Blues writer, DJ and Blues Blast contributor. His weekly radio show “Friends of the Blues” can be heard each Thursday from 4:30 – 6:00pm on WKCC 91.1 FM in Kankakee, IL For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE. |
For tickets and info CLICK HERE |
Blues Society News
Send your Blues Society's BIG news or Press Release to: Please submit a maximum of 175 or words or less in a Text or Word format ONLY. Central Mississippi Blues Society – Jackson, MS The CMBS presents Blue Monday at Hal & Mal’s (200 Commerce St., Jackson, MS) every Monday night. Doors open @ 8:00 and music begins @ 8:30. Cover is $5. The Blue Monday Band is comprised of the “best of the best “ musicians in the Central MS area. Featured artists are King Edward, lead guitar/vocalist and Pat Brown, Abdul Rasheed and Dennis Fountain as vocalists. Other regular band members are Dwight Ross and Rick Lewis (drums), Keith Collins (bass), Johnny Sharpe (keys) and Malcolm Shepherd (CMBS President) on Congas. Most of these musicians appeared in The Last of the Mississippi Jukes. The Blue Monday Band plays the first set and then the event turns into a jam. For more info see: www.centralmississippibluessociety.com or call Peggy Brown @ 601-613-7377 Friends Of The Blues Shows - Kankakee IL The Friends of the Blues has started their 2009 Blues concert Series. Here are thie shows for April. Tuesday, April 14- Too Slim & The Taildraggers, 7:00 Pm, Legacy Bar & Grill, 135 N Kinzie Ave (Route 50), Bradley Il 60915. (815) 936-1649. Saturday, April 18 – Reverend Raven & Chain Smoking Altar Boys, 8:00 PM, Kankakee Valley Boat Club, Cobb Boulevard, Kankakee IL(815) 936-1699 Tuesday, April 21 – Damon Fowler, 7:00 PM, Kankakee Elks Country Club, 2283 Bittersweet Drive, St. Anne Il. 815-937-1228 Arkansas River Blues Society - Little Rock, AR The Arkansas River Blues Society has settled in to its home base at Jazzi's, 5200 Asher Ave. in Little Rock. The jam is held on the 1st Wed. of each month. A different house band is featured each month and on April 1st it will be Jess Hoggard and Southern Soul featuring Charles Wood. The May house band is Unseen Eye from Hot Springs. Recent house bands have been Joe Marks and NTO, Joe Pitts Band, Mike Dollins and the Cruise Bros., Big John Miller Band, N-2 Blues, and John Craig. Regular jammers have been Dan Sokoloski, Jawbone and Jolene, Charlotte Taylor, Ed Bowman, Charles Wood, and G-Funk the Tree Trunk. Joe Pitts brought in a touring band from Italy called Shanghai Noodle Factory. Jam begins at 8:30 and runs till midnight. People are friendly and the food is good. You can find out about special events by visiting the MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/arriverbluessociety Mississippi Valley Blues Society - Davenport, IA The Mississippi Valley Blues Society presents the duo of Hal Reed and Donald Kinsey for its Blues in the Schools Artists in Residency Series for April. Hal and Donald will conduct their “Generations of Blues” workshops at nine area schools and four Open to the Public performances between April 6 and 10. Free, Open to the Public Performances are Monday, Apr. 6, 11:45 a.m. at CASI, 1035 W. Kimberly, Davenport. IA. Monday, Apr. 6, 4:00 p.m. at M.L. King Center, 630 9th St., Rock Island, IL. Wednesday, Apr. 8, 7:00 p.m. at Mojo’s in the River Music Experience, 129 Main, Davenport, IA. Thursday, Apr. 9, 1:30 p.m.at Bettendorf Public Library, 2950 Learning Campus Dr. Bettendorf, IA. For more info contact call the MVBS office at 563-32-BLUES or Hal Reed at 563-650-4303 Illinois Central Blues Club - Springfield, IL BLUE MONDAY SHOWS Held at the Alamo 115 N 5th St, Springfield, IL (217) 523-1455 every Monday 8:30pm $2 cover - Apr 6 - Blues Deacons, Apr 13 - Too Slim & the Taildraggers, Apr 20 - Pleasure Chest, Apr 27 - Nothin' But Trouble River City Blues Society- Peoria, IL The River City Blues Society's Wednesday Blues Series in Central, Illinois are early shows each Wednesday at 7:00pm, featuring the best traveling regional and National Blues musicians. The shows feature a budget priced cover charge of $4. The shows are held at the Dragon's Dome, 3401 Griffin Ave in Pekin, IL. Shows scheduled are: Apr 8 - Third Degree Blues Band, Apr 15 - Too Slim & The Tail Draggers, Apr 22 - Damon Fowler Group, April 29 - Bob Dorr & The Blue Band, May 6 Shannon Curfman, May 13 - Scott Ellison, May 20 - Deak Harp, May 27 - The Insomniacs |
Featured Blues Review 2 of 4
Reviewer George Fish lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, home of blues legends Yank Rachell and Leroy Carr, and writes a regular music column, “Blues and More” for the online Bloomington (IN) Alternative. He’s also published in the regional Indiana blues and alternative presses as well as Living Blues and Blues Access, and wrote the notes for Yank Rachell’s Delmark album, Chicago Style. He has also published on blues and pop music for the left-wing press as well, and has appeared in Against the Current and Socialism and Democracy, as well as the online Political Affairs and MRZine. For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE. |
The BEST Way To Promote YOUR Next Blues Project! BANDS, BARS, AND LABELS: Is your promo material getting you the gigs and business you desire? If not, call music journalist and copy writer Mike O'Cull for all your promotional needs. Mike is a veteran music journalist and musician and writes for the Illinois Entertainer, IllinoisBlues.com, and www.Chicagomusicguide.com and can deliver the highest quality promotional writing around quickly and at a reasonable price. Mike's specialties include bios, press releases, liner notes, and web content. Full press kit design, including graphics, is also available. Clients include The Joe Moss Band, Carl Davis, TruSoul Entertainment, B.A. S. Entertainment, and many others. Samples available on request. Email mocull@mac.com , call Mike O'Cull Music at 847-608-0357, or visit us online at www.myspace.com/mikeocullmusic for more information. Mention the Blues Blast for a $10 new customer discount. |
BJ Allen & Blue Voodoo "Heartless" "From fun to funky to soulful ballads and back again" - Blues Blast Magazine To read the complete review CLICK HERE Available now at:
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Blues Want Ads
Its "MOJO MADNESS" At WGLT In Normal, Illinois The Whole Month Of March !!! 89.1 & 103.5, And On The Web At www.wglt.org Just Click On "Listen" Listen to GLT Blues every weekend in March for MOJO MADNESS! It's your chance to win tickets to the Illinois Blues Festival in Peoria on Labor Day weekend as you call GLT to vote for your favorite blues artists. Here's the deal: We've seeded and bracketed 32 great blues artists from yesterday and today for a blues tournament we're calling "MOJO MADNESS." MOJO MADNESS is just like the NCAA Basketball tournament every March, except YOU decide the winner of each round with your phone votes. If you're the 89th voter in a particular match, you'll win concert tickets. You may call to vote as often as you like, but you can only win once during the tournament. Every person who wins concert tickets by being the 89th voter qualifies for the Grand Prize: A Black Cat Bone ... that is, an iPod with songs from all 32 artists who made it into the 2009 MOJO MADNESS bracket. Look at and download your own MOJO MADNESS bracket so you can keep track of the winners, as well as the date and times of each MOJO MADNESS match. Here's the link to the bracket: http://wglt.org/programs/blues/mojo-layout.pdf
This Weeks Mojo Madness Championship Match Saturday April 4th (1:00pm) John Lee Hooker vs. BB King Listen Live and phone in your votes at 309 438-8910 Last Weeks Winners
Week Three Winners
For more info, go to http://www.wglt.org To tune in to GLT Blues Radio 24/7 and Play MOJO MADNESS simply CLICK HERE |
Blues Video of the Week
Muddy Waters "Long Distance Call" This week we feature a video from a 1976 that has Blues legend Muddy Waters playing with a great collection of all star Blues players in his band. It is a classic you have got to see! His band included Willie "Big Eyes" Smith on drums, Calvin Jones on bass, Jerry Portnoy on harmonica, Bob Margolin on guitar and Pinetop Perkins on piano. To see this cool video on our website, click the play button below.
For other videos on our website CLICK HERE. |
| The River City Blues Society presents Wednesday Blues 7:00pm Early Shows featuring April 8 - Third Degree Blues Band The Dragon's Dome To see Map- CLICK HERE Admission $4 - One free admission with new Society membership
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Featured Blues Review 3 of 4
For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE. |
Featured Blues Review 4 of 4
For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE. |
Live Blues Calendar
YOU can submit your Blues performances for FREE at: http://www.illinoisblues.com/submitnews.htm
Performance dates were submitted by Musicians, Club Owners, Blues Societies and Blues festivals. TheBluesBlast.com is not responsible for errors or omissions.
or click a state to see Blues shows by State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware D.C. Florida Georgia Performance dates submitted by Musicians, Clubs, Blues Societies and Blues festivals. The BluesBlast.com is not responsible for errors or omissions. |
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