Beautiful Minds

Debbie  Smith is a woman who has earned respect over the years through her continued battle to honor her son's life, death, music and her unfaltering determination to impact the lives of other creative souls who suffer from a condition which is often left untreated.

Sean Costello was one of the brightest lights to burst upon the scene in the blues world.  As an up and coming star, he fell to darkness on April 15, 2008.  The Delta Groove Artist released Going Home, a poignant and perhaps telling song 14 months earlier.

Today, Sean's impact on the Blues industry is honored by two organizations.  First, the Blues Blast Magazine, which created and accepts nominations to the Sean Costello Rising Star Award.  Past nominees include: Eden Brant; Gina Sicilia; Damon Fowler; John Nemeth; Marquise Knox; Trampled Under Foot and Cash Box Kings.  The second, is the Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research.  Like her son, there is No Half Steppin' for his mother, Debbie.

THE SEAN COSTELLO MEMORIAL FUND FOR BIPOLAR RESEARCH PRESENTS BEAUTIFUL MINDS:  Bipolar Disorder Lecture and Performance Series

DATE:     Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 6:00 PM 

PLACE:   Briarcliff Campus of Emory University

                1256 Briarcliff Rd, Building A, 3rd Floor Auditorium

                Atlanta, GA 30306

WHO:    The Emory University Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program and The Sean Costello                    Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research

   

WHAT:  The Emory University Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program and The Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research are sponsoring a series of lectures on bipolar disorder, accompanied by performances by creative people who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The first lecture, "What is Type II Bipolar Disorder?" will be held at 6 PM, Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at the Briarcliff Campus of Emory University, 1256 Briarcliff Rd, Building A, 3rd Floor Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia 30306. Light refreshments will be provided.

We are looking for artists in any creative genre who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Performances/exhibits will be held in conjunction with each lecture. If interested, artists can contact Debbie Smith at debbie@seancostellofund.org.

The topics are appropriate for any audience, including families, caregivers, educators and people wanting to know more about the disease.

The schedule of the remainder of lectures will be announced in the near future.

For more information please contact Debbie Smith.

Contact: Debbie Smith
debbie@seancostellofund.org

 

Baton Rouge Blues Festival

If anyone is looking for an excuse to go to Baton Rouge, the Blues Festival this weekend might make a good one.  The more I read about the line up, the more I had to restrain myself from actually clicking on the Expedia App on my phone.

In addition to some of the Swamp Blues of the region, toss in a little bit of Kansas. It's not really just Kansas, it's Kansas with an eclectic spin. Like BBQ with various spice influences. When I think of Kansas, I think of My Grandmother, Ribs, Royals, Twisters, Dorothy, Irish Dance Scholarships, nice people and ....  one of my favorite lesser known duo's, although it escapes me as to why, Moreland & Arbuckle.  They will be playing tomorrow night at The Blues Festival in addition to Delbert McClinton, Jimmie Vaughn and others.

I became aware of Aaron Moreland and Dustin Arbuckle prior to the release of 1861.  I have almost as much patience in waiting for a much anticipated music release, as I do for books.  So, as with books, I started to listen to their previous artistic endeavors.  I started my research with Caney Valley Blues and found a song named "Red Bricks."   From that moment on, Moreland and Arbuckle, garnered my creative respect.  Another song made it's way to my playlist in '08 named "Fishin' Hole off the 1861 release.

Signed by Telarc, they released Flood, earlier this year.


Baton Rouge - Topix

Mark Your Calendars - 15th Anniversary of Blues On The Fox

Where can you see Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Kenny Neal, Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues, Charlie Musselwhite, Eric Lindell and the Hix Brothers all for $10?  Aurora, Illinois on June 17th & 18th.

Aurora, home to the 1930's RCA Bluebird Recording Studio in The Leland Hotel, recorded hundred's of songs considered precursers to the early Urban Blues, by artists such as Big Bill Broonzy, Roosevelt Sykes, Tampa Red, Sonny Boy Williamson and John Lee Hooker among others.

The only catch, it's a bring your own chair event.  "Libations" frozen or otherwise, are extra. Attendees would be wise not to bring their own.

"Something's Going Down"

There are several "Oh hell no" categories of music in my world:  Techno, Trance, Industrial Goth, and Rap.  They just hurt my head. Literally.  Or so I thought.

Twice this week I have found myself listening to things that would shock my traditional blues sensibilities. 

The first was to a young friend of my son's. That can be easily explained away.  He has been out trying to get gigs, I have an odd interest in struggling young artists.  I spent a while talking to him in my driveway about his music.   My son went to one of his gigs on the south side of Chicago.  I smiled as they said they were the only ones who didn't get searched. He has a long way to go, but he has that crazy sense about him that musicians and writers have, when they know that is what they are supposed to be doing.  I like the fact he has his own sense of style.  I can't say I have ever heard classical music, rap verbage, and a smattering of Polish mixed together, but it works for him.  I just might even check back to see if live videos are added.

Today I bought my first... I can't bring myself to say it... (Rap single.) I am sure I blew their whole demographic statistical deviance.  I probably would have bought a whole CD, but single was my only choice.  And... it's not really rap. Sure it has GLC and Twista.  But, it's Chicago.  It's Chicago musicians.  After Mystery, you never know what to expect from the baby Brooks.  But from the first few bars you know, it's blues.  Blues infused with a lil soul, hip-hop, rap, chicago blues.  Sorta like a strawberry smoothie, with a bunch of other fruits thrown in for flavor, but down deep, at it's core, it's a strawberry.   So there... coughs.. I didn't really buy a rap Download from itunes, I bought BLUES.

Besides, I had to buy it.  It has one of my all time favorite Grammy winning Blues men.... Sugar Blue on Harmonica.  It's got blues guitar, awesome drums, and talented keyboardist.  But the whipped cream on top of this smoothie? MiMi Brooks. She wove a blues feeling all through the track from beginning to end.  With any luck, we will all hear more of MiMi Brooks and this Chi Town Music out of Mr. Wayne Baker Brooks in the near future.  I feel so incomplete, just buying a single.

One of These Days (You're Gonna Realize)

It's that time of year, when Blues Lovers often wander down south in their musical taste to sample a little Swamp music.  Here is a fun one, featuring Love Potions and Snake Oil by D.B. Rielly set to more movies than I can mention.

For me, Mardi Gras does not mean beads and body parts on Fat Tuesday.  Maybe it is because I experienced it, before I had either, or maybe there was just a different emphasis in the 1970's.  Mardi Gras was my first experience with music that makes your feet move, and I never forgot it.

My first cultural immersion experience started right after the season began and lasted a week.   It is and was a veritable sensory explosion, on all fronts: Musicians jamming in unexpected places all times of the day and night; Scents of regional foods wafting through the night air simply not found in Central Illinois; and lastly, the vivid images of the Krewes and bright costumes started my love affair with Mardi Gras and regional music.  

I suppose, a sentimental aspect to the music exists as well.  It brings back memories of being nearly fifteen and experiencing Louisiana for the first time. Doing the tourist things, a Mint Julep at the Court of the Two Sisters, Beignets and Chicory Coffee at Cafe du Monde, getting up the courage to go into a VooDoo shop, being shoed back to my hotel before anyone discovered I was out adventuring, only to repeat it day after day, and finally getting lost in the music and recognizing nothing had ever made me feel quite like that.

Maybe, just maybe I might get around to taking a road trip.  I know two things.  One, I won't be there on Fat Tuesday. And two, I think I would have to keep a sharper eye on my offspring.  Something tells me, their feet would be moving too.

Chicago Blues Festival

Chicago Blues Festival

Chainsaw Ready to Rip Midwest

Did you ever wonder about chainsaws?  Where did they come from, and why?

I admit, I have never looked at where "Chainsaws" originated before today, and it was a bone shivering tale Wiki revealed. Some think the toothy chained invention was created by a German orthopedic surgeon in the early 1800's. Fortunately, the new and improved Chainsaw  provides superior healing, and a far more pleasurable experience.

David Dupont is not a Chicago native, but he is Chicago Blues, with a whole lot of diversity.  One of the draws to this artist is his ability to break out into his own individual style, and yet equally be seen as a traditional blues artist. He grew up in the Delta, and moved here when he was 14. His earlier guitar days include reggae and country, as well as blues, most notably touring with Junior Wells as his guitarist.

Blues fans are fickle.  What have you done for us lately, Chainsaw?  Well if you are a Chicagoan, history buff, or a well informed tourist, you might have heard of the Maxwell Street Market.  Once upon a time, blues musicians jammed there.  Dupont helped to revitalize this tradition by hosting a jam session on Sunday mornings during the past summer.  Now that, is a tradition no sports team can rival, even in Chicago.  We hope to see more of him in that capacity in warmer weather.

For those of you looking to get your Mardi Gras groove, and wish David good luck on the start of his Midwest "Acoustified/Electrified" tour, catch him at The Blue Note in Broadview on Thursday, February 24th.  It will be the best five bucks you have spent on live music in a long time.  CD's are available from Chicago Blues Records as well as the artist's website chainsawdupont.com

Other dates include:

·         Friday, February 25, Memphis On Main, Champaign, IL

·         Saturday, February 26, BB’s Jazz Blues & Soups, Saint Louis, MO

·         Sunday, February 27, Huey’s, Memphis, TN

·         Friday, March 18, Dick O’Dows, Birmingham, MI

·         Saturday, March 19, Harbor House, Detroit, MI

·         Friday/Saturday, May 7&8, Slippery Noodle Inn, Indianapolis, IN

Who Was August Wilson?

August Wilson is not related to Alex Wilson or any other blues musicians.  Nor is he my Black History Month artistic pick. He is one of those people, when you meet them, they command your immediate respect.  Only, I never met him. I only know what he left behind.

I first saw a tattered copy, of a bound play in a used bookstore, The Frugal Muse.  It was red, wrinkled and ancient.  I immediately liked it, especially for a quarter.  Expecting a book about the legendary female blues singer,  I thumbed through, and realized it was a play, set on the South Side of Chicago during the 1920's.  I had never heard of him, or it!  How could that be? Who was this guy?

Wilson was an amazing voice in the world of writing.  He grew up poor in Pittsburgh, and lived a mere sixty years, before passing within two months of a liver cancer diagnosis.  

He choose to wield a pen, not a pick or a brush. His art and calling, was writing, particularly, scriptwriting.  Blues, significantly influenced the writer's life, intentions and art.  He knew enough about the music, history, and good storytelling, to write and catch the nuance's of recording musicians to get his play produced at Yale in 1984. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is a behind the scenes historical glance at blues studio artists, contrasted with one indomitable female blues singer.  Wilson's play has become a must see of the Blues Community.  

Today, I saw on a newsfeed, The American Stage Theatre Company has extended the run of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" one extra week through Feb 20, at the Raymond James Theatre.  I think it's the perfect solution to the blizzard of 2011. There is a reason it was nominated for a Tony Award.

Wilson became a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright.  He is also known for such thought provoking productions as; Fences, Joe Turner's Come and Gone; and Radio Golf.  

"I see the blues as a book of literature, and it influences everything I do."   ~August Wilson

Poland Has Been "Spectified"

7 min ago | www.davespecter.com | 12 Bars of Fate

Dave Specter Wows Warsaw

by Renee Hyzy

Blues music fans in Poland were "Spectified," or at least introduced to "The West Side Strut," during Specter's Monday night performance. The Chicago Blues musician is finishing his European tour with Harmonica Hinds this week performing in Warsaw, Poland, at The Lucerne Blues Fest in Switzerland, and finishing the tour in Barcelona. His latest release "Spectified" made its debut earlier in the year. Specter plays Chicago House of Blues on November, 18, 2010.

(Image courtesy of Fret12)

The Real Guitar Hero

Enjoy! If you have no idea who Chainsaw Dupont is, do yourself a favor, and if you can't make it to a live show, check out his website.

Rosa's Lounge, Chicago, IL is the place to be tonight!

The Real Guitar Hero - Topix

The Dysfunctional Crossroad, Crystal Springs, Mississippi

Tommy Johnson doesn't have a headstone where he is buried. Bonnie Raitt contributed to one ten years ago. Where is it? Caught in the Crossroads of a long conflict, with little progress in the negotiation.

The Family of Tommy Johnson, The owners of a farm, and the Copiah County Board of Supervisors can't seem to come to the table to hammer out a win-win for all parties.

Crystal Springs, Mississippi is the home to 5,873 residents.  Founded in 1823, the Copiah County town became the "Tomatopolis of the World." Over history, many famous blues musicians have stepped foot into Crystal Springs. Significantly more tourists come to see the Robert Johnson Blues Museum and attend the blues festival.

The grave of the Blues Artist is unmarked, as it has been for a half a century at the Warm Springs Methodist Church Cemetery.  The past ten years, the headstone has been stored at the public library for the Tommy Johnson Blues Foundation in Crystal Springs.  Most reasonable people would ask,"Why?" at this point.  It seems the cemetery access road now lies on private property, and the owners (Keating) have denied access to Johnson's family several times, to allow them to place the headstone of their descendant.

Mention Tommy Johnson and Robert Johnson in the same sentence, and most assume the conversation will be about the long controversy of which Johnson is "The Johnson," and met the Devil at the Crossroads. There are many articles and books on the subject. About.com's Blues Guide states: " Robert must have been the better negotiator of the two (unrelated) musicians because Tommy Johnson became a mere footnote in the blues genre.."

How is it that an access road to a cemetery, once maintained by the Copiah County authority, is now private property?  Why would anyone want to deny passage to a cemetery to allow a marker to be placed? What logical basis could possibly exist?  Perhaps the owners are oblivious to the Blues world, and the Blues community.  The one in which Buddy Guy sings "Skin Deep" and the majority of genre fans believe, "There is no black, no white, just blues."

Problems without solutions are whining.  Two solutions might be to engage in an arbitration process and negotiate in good faith to insure the real issues are addressed and a timely outcome would result.  An alternative suggestion could be to have the three parties Come On In My Kitchen and sit around the table and study the meaning behind the lyrics of Canned Heat.  I am certain the issue would be resolved in a relatively shorter time frame.

 

I was sad to see, as I researched this article, how much has been written about this bizarre conflict over the past nine years, including an excellent blog post in the Sheyboygan Blues Society and an article on this morning's Topix Blues newsfeed from Frost Illustrated.  I read a Mississippi Senate Resolution to commemorate the life and legacy of Tommy Johnson. I saw a website that promoted T-shirts and encouraged readers to write the Governor of Mississippi. There is a deeper sense of injustice behind the story.  One that brings to mind a man, who once a long time ago, simply said, "Do justice."  Then there is the question of how we treat our neighbors in our community. That man, told us to "Love our neighbors as ourselves." The appearance of land deals, inept government, and lack of urgency steeped in bureaucracy, I leave to those who practice Law, and hopefully justice.  I want to acknowledge Andrew Buncombe of the U.K. for shedding further light on the issue in 2003.  

What will it take for a man to be allowed to finally rest in peace?  Do justice. 

Remembering and Honoring Blues Artists - Detroit Style

19 hrs ago | Posted by: 12 Bars of Fate

Detroit Blues Society Headstone Project

One of several 2010 goals and objectives listed by the non-profit include honoring, marking and recognizing two of Detroit's deceased blues musician's. The first is Mr. Bo Collins (If Trouble was Money), originally from Mississippi. Bo settled in Detroit in the earlly 1950's. The second is Harmonica player, Uncle Jessie White, White was also a Mississippi native and became endeared to many including Harmonica Shaw, Ann Rabson and many more.

In the blues world, it is not uncommon for another member of the community to secure a grave marker. Janis Joplin ensured her mentor's grave had a headstone, 33 years after the passing of the Empress of The Blues, Bessie Smith. The DBS started this project in 1997, ensuring Son House had a Headstone, believing "Proper recognition of deceased Detroit Blues greats is vital to teach history and to keep the music alive through remembrances."

The Detroit Blues Society received the Best Blues Society Award in 2006. Further information on the fundraisers, direct contributions for the Headstones and membership are available at their website, myspace or through the DBS Headstone Project Coordinator at spiderblues@sbcglobal.net

BMA - Hours Remain To Cast Votes

Blues fans, and conceivably more so the artists, wait with anticipation for the announcement of the coveted Blues Music Awards. With less than 24 hours remaining to vote in the The Blues Foundation's 31st Blues Music Awards, members are encouraged to vote before Monday, March 1, 2010 at 07:59:59.  Non-current members may sign up and then vote.

What is one more vote?  Often the deciding factor.  Joe Whitmer, in a gentle nudge email reminder to procrastinating members, stated that in the past, categories had been decided by as little as 10 votes.  As The Blues Music Awards are  "Universally recognized as the highest honor given to Blues artists," many feel voting is not only a right, but a responsibility as well.

Those entries with the most votes in each of the following categories will be celebrating in Memphis on May 6.  Tickets are available through the website and are non-refundable.  It is, however, one of the best shows, a blues fan can see.  The true difficulty, is selecting just one in each category.

Acoustic Album of the Year

David Maxwell & Louisiana Red, You Got to Move

Maria Muldaur & her Garden of Joy, Good Time Music for Hard Times

Saffire-the Uppity Blues Women, Havin' The Last Word

Samuel James, For Rosa, Maeve and Noreen

Various Artists, Things About Comin' My Way - A Tribute to the music of the Mississippi Sheiks

Acoustic Artist of the Year

Annie Raines & Paul Rishell

Doug MacLeod

Guy Davis

Louisiana Red

Samuel James

Album of the Year

Duke Robillard's Jumpin' Blues Revue, Stomp! the Blues Tonight

Eddie C. Campbell, Tear This World Up

Joe Louis Walker, Between a Rock and the Blues

Louisiana Red & Little Victor's Juke Joint, Back to the Black Bayou

Various Artists, Chicago Blues A Living History

B.B. King Entertainer of the Year

Candye Kane

Magic Slim

Rick Estrin

Super Chikan

Taj Mahal

Tommy Castro

Band of the Year

Duke Robillard's Jumpin' Blues Revue

Nick Moss & the Flip Tops

Rick Estrin and the Nightcats

The Mannish Boys

Tommy Castro Band

Best New Artist Debut

Greg Nagy, Walk That Fine Thin Line

Joanne Shaw Taylor, White Sugar

Marquise Knox, Man Child

Monkey Junk, Tiger in your Tank

The California Honeydrops, Soul Tub!

Contemporary Blues Album of the Year

Candye Kane, Superhero

Joe Louis Walker, Between a Rock and the Blues

Rick Estrin and the Nightcats, Twisted

Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, Living in the Light

Tommy Castro, Hard Believer

Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year

Bettye LaVette

Candye Kane

Janiva Magness

Ruthie Foster

Shemekia Copeland

Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year

Derek Trucks

Joe Louis Walker

John Nemeth

Michael Burks

Tommy Castro

DVD

Delmark Records, It Ain't Over! Delmark Celebrates 55 Years of Blues, Live at Buddy Guy's Legends

Eagle Eye Media, Live at Montreux 1993 (B.B. King)

Jo Films & Roadside Productions, Hot Flash (Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women)

Mojo Rodeo Records, A Night in Woodstock (Paul Rishell and Annie Raines)

Vincent Productions, Down to the Crossroads Vol. 1 (George Thorogood & the Destroyers w/ Eddie Shaw)

Historical Album of the Year

Bear Family Records, Taking Care of Business (1956-1973) (Freddie King)

Chess, Authorized Bootleg (Muddy Waters)

Eagle Records, Essential Montreux (Gary Moore)

Hip-O Select, The Complete Chess Masters (1950-1967) (Little Walter)

Landslide Records, Sean's Blues (Sean Costello)

Instrumentalist-Bass

Bill Stuve

Bob Stroger

Larry Taylor

Mookie Brill

Patrick Rynn

Instrumentalist-Drums

Cedric Burnside

Jimi Bott

Kenny Smith

Sam Carr

Tony Braunagel

Instrumentalist-Guitar

Derek Trucks

Duke Robillard

Joe Louis Walker

Lurrie Bell

Ronnie Earl

Instrumentalist-Harmonica

Billy Branch

Jason Ricci

Kim Wilson

Mark Hummel

Rick Estrin

Instrumentalist-Horn

Al Basile

Big James Montgomery

Deanna Bogart

Eddie Shaw

Keith Crossan

Instrumentalist-Other

Buckwheat Zydeco (accordion)

Gerry Hundt (mandolin)

Johnny Sansone (accordion)

Otis Taylor (banjo)

Rich Del Grosso (mandolin)

Pinetop Perkins Piano Player

Bruce Katz

David Maxwell

Eden Brent

Henry Butler

Henry Gray

Rock Blues Album of the Year

Derek Trucks Band, Already Free

Jason Ricci & New Blood, Done with the Devil

Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat, Tijuana Bible

Mike Zito, Pearl River

Tinsley Ellis, Speak No Evil

Song of the Year

Cyril Neville & Mike Zito, 'Pearl River' (Pearl River--Mike Zito)

James Johnson , 'Fred's Dollar Store' (Chikadelic--Super Chikan)

Joe Louis Walker, 'I'm Tide' (Between a Rock and the Blues--Joe Louis Walker)

John Hahn & Oliver Wood, 'Never Going Back to Memphis' (Never Going Back--Shemekia Copeland)

Vyasa Dodson, 'At Least I'm Not With You' (At Least I'm Not With You--The Insomniacs)

Soul Blues Album of the Year

Charles Wilson, Troubled Child

Darrell Nulisch, Just for You

Johnny Rawls, Ace Of Spades

Latimore, All About the Rhythm and the Blues

Mighty Sam McClain, Betcha Didn't Know

Soul Blues Female Artist of the Year

Barbara Carr

Denise LaSalle

Irma Thomas

Shirley Brown

Sista Monica Parker

Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year

Curtis Salgado

Darrell Nulisch

Jackie Payne

Johnny Rawls

Latimore

Traditional Blues Album of the Year

John Primer, All Original

Johnnie Bassett, The Gentleman is Back

Louisiana Red & Little Victor's Juke Joint, Back to the Black Bayou

Super Chikan, Chikadelic

Various Artists, Chicago Blues A Living History

Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year

Ann Rabson

Debbie Davies

Fiona Boyes

Shirley Johnson

Zora Young

Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year

Duke Robillard

John Primer

Johnnie Bassett

Louisiana Red

Super Chikan

Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival

This Saturday, a musical extravaganza unlike any other will take place at the historical Chicago site, The Congress Theater on North Milwaukee.

Thirteen hours of live music will be provided by twenty-five highly talented, extremely diverse and mostly local bands.

Included in the line up is this year's three time Grammy nominated Bela Fleck. Bela is no stranger to Grammy's having garnered six in the past, and nominated for many more. One of The Blues Foundation's 2009 IBC competitors, The Alex Wilson Band is scheduled to perform at 3:20 pm. Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater, another local blues favorite is also on the schedule for 4:30pm.

Tickets are $35 in advance through the website. Children are welcome, and those 12 and under are free. Not surprising for this genre, partial proceeds will be donated to two children's charities, Saving Tiny Hearts and Prevent Child Abuse America.

Another 501(C)3, Rock The Earth, will provide a cell phone recycling opportunity at their table.  Several contests and give-aways are offered through the main website.

Additionally, unique holiday shopping opportunities abound for those who appreciate roots music, including a limited edition Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival T-shirt for $10. Approximately 50 vendors and organizations will be on the premise.

Attendees are encouraged to bring an instrument for informal jam sessions and a camping chair.

Chicago's Exceptional Finalist's

Sitting in Buddy Guy's darkened blues club, Legends, while enjoying the Big Bayou Blue Plate and checking my notes, various conversations drifted past. It was the night of the IBC regional finals. Only three of the eleven acts would be making the trip to Beale Street in January, including the single youth entry.  They were to be judged by an impressive list of "Who's Who in Blues," albeit all male, on "Talent, Vocal, Blues Content, Stage Presence and Originality" according to The Blues Foundation.


Several hours later, I came away with three observations:

• First, anyone from Chicago can be proud of the quality of talented artists that stepped on stage;  
• Second, at the risk of sounding sophomoric, after the initial disappointment for those who wouldn't compete, came the realization that the success, was not about who performed best with such close votes on that particular evening; 
• And, third, I can't imagine not writing about them in the near future.  There were no losers in Legends, at least that performed. The musicians who played on stage are not the future of Chicago Blues.  They are indeed the present.

Three acts competed in the solo/duo category, each with a vastly different style from each other.  First up was Southsider Diamond Jim Greene, who demonstrated his wonderful storytelling in the tradition of fine Delta Masters.  Watching him play his guitars, I became acutely aware of my ignorance, and wondered how I had missed such a talent. I will go see him again.  And again.  And you should too.


Nigel Mack, was also impressive, managing to play harmonica and guitar at the same time, and maintain an engaging stage presence.  He did well with Willie Dixon and Robert Johnson as well as his own original song which will be on his upcoming CD, Chicago Bound.  That will make the Christmas list here. Originally from Canada, Nigel has been in the area since 2003.  He, too, is on the must see list.


Last, Matt Hendricks with Bill Curtiss on drums, gave an outstandingly solid  performance.  I usually can place a dialect, but not his.  His song Crawdaddy and If You See Me were clearly marks of exceptional songwriting talent.  A modest man, he told the crowd after accepting the award, "I'll make you proud in Memphis."  I suspect he will do just that.  You can spend New Year's Eve with him at Legends, if you want to see him sooner.


I found myself wishing we could send three.


As if deciding between those apples and oranges wasn't hard enough, the bands were even more diverse.   The $15 cover charge, which goes to help defray costs to the winners, was well worth the chance to see all of the performers.


First up was Dave Herrero.  It was my first time seeing him, and I liked what I saw.  Dave had excellent crowd involvement and the air of a true entertainer.  Not only did the words, playful and fun describe him, so did, savvy and intuitive.  I nearly spit out my sweet tea however, when he educated the crowd on his ethnic composition.  I love a musician who can make me laugh.  Dave has a couple other things going for him as well.  Uncle Felix on the bass, a drummer whose name I didn't catch, and a new CD.  Add another to the shopping list.  You can catch his Austin to Chicago CD on cdbaby.com.  It is described as "A vintage Texas blues sound with a modern twist."  But go see him live, you won't be sorry.


Next was Linsey Alexander delivering an interesting set. He is cut from a similar cloth to many of my personal favorites, I enjoyed the set, up until the last song and comment.  He ended it doing a cover of The Marshall Tucker Band's "Can't You See?" because there were so many "Caucasion faces in the crowd."  I have to ask, if my skin had been darker, would we have got a better song?  It certainly isn't one that's listed on his CDs.  But, I really can't hold one song choice against him, at least for long.  I would hire him, if I could afford him.


Toronzo Cannon was, well I can't reprint my notes, because I used a word that gets censored a lot.  But let's just say, he was fricking fantastic. Four members, all energetic, original music, worked the crowd. He is at Blue Chicago on November 27 and 28 with Big Time Sarah.  Start a new black friday tradition, his CD My Woman,should fit any blues lover's christmas stocking. 


The Alex Wilson Band was one of the most exciting surprises of the night. Matthew and Marc Wilson along with Alex, delivered true "Red, Hot, Smokin' Blues" and yet there was something completely fresh including original songwriting.  I had the sense of a new voice in blues, one that would appeal not to just those of the blues rock fervor, but to those of the next generation of blues fans. Look for the "The Moon is Shining" from their Tell Me Why CD. If you want to catch them in Chicago, check them out on 12/12/09 at the Bluegrass and Blues Festival according to their website.  


Rockin' Johnny added yet another dimension of blues with a style that blended from folk blues to rockabilly and back. The words "Modern King of the Chicago Westside Blues Guitar" have been coined on such sites as Myspace.  Johnny had two CD releases in the late 1990's - Man's Temptation and Straight Out Of Chicago. I want to see him in six months, my guess is, he will be better than he was before taking a break from the scene.

Chainsaw Dupont put on a great show, one that most didn't mind waiting for.  He is a long time Chicago favorite. Chainsaw has four CD's out on CDBaby, with more coming.  He performed Flame of Love from his Ghost Kings of Beale St 2007 CD.  That one made the list as well.  See him at www.chainsawdupont.com 


The woman of the night, was Grana Louise.  At 56, dressed to the nines, she tossed her shoes early on, and belted out blues as only a true "Mojo Mama" can.  Her song, Big Fat Daddy, from her Generations CD brought smiles and laughs to the crowd.  Grana also managed to evoke crowd participation, as she moved into an acapella number.  She has the ability to wander into soul and gospel territory and back to ribald blues women.  Just like the city she will represent,she is diverse, larger than life, and one suspects, has a big heart.




Who will be found to be the best unsigned blues band at the 26th International Blues Challenge?  The band, that garners the most votes, based upon who plays the best from Jan. 20 - 23 in Memphis.




jrh 11/09

Blues Artists to Represent Chicago at The IBC - Topix

Blues Artists to Represent Chicago at The IBC - Topix

An Interview With Fiona Boyes

Boyes, Blessings and Blues - Topix

The International Blues Challenge is one of my favorite events, as it helps to launch many relatively unknown talents, who have worked hard to be recognized.   I began taking note of Fiona Boyes when she became an IBC winner in 2003.  As a one time listener of ABS internet radio, her upbeat friendly voice could be heard coming to  you from Melbourne, Australia.  Recently, I had the fortune of seeing Fiona on at least three separate occasions.  I also had the unexpected pleasure of  having lunch with the finger picking guitarist extraordinaire,  and her husband, Steve, The Preacherman, who is ordained and has an interesting story to tell as well.  Between the two of them, they make a team that works in the industry.

Laurie Morvan is sure to Fire It Up!

Laurie Morvan is one of the hottest guitar wielding blues women in California.  Tall, blond, leggy and can play too.  Recently on the Pacific Blues Cruise, Laurie improvised a set with a drummer who played a cardboard box and a plastic tote lid under the tent of "Big City Rhythm & Blues."  Junior and Sugar's humor and random musicians joining in made the jam an unexpected highlight on the pool deck.  And then there was Laurie's genuine warmth and ability to read and connect with people, converting strangers into fans in record time.

Laurie is a born and bred Illinoisan from the New Lenox, Joliet, Plainfield area.  She is also a University of Illinois Engineering Graduate and volleyball team player.  So, how did this talented blues artist manage to escape the corn and soybeans?  She took a day job in LA, but in Aerospace, not music.  Music was reserved for her night time hobbies.  She was a rocker, until she discovered Stevie Ray Vaughn.   Earning her Master's Degree in Applied Mathematics, Laurie raised money for her passion by teaching college courses.

Her first release was in 1997.  Since then, she has put out three more.  The third CD, "Cure What Ails Ya," is what launched The Laurie Morvan Band and brought them well deserved recognition in not only the media, but by advancing as a finalist in two separate categories at the 2008 IBC awards in Memphis.

Her newest release, "Fire It Up," promises to be her best.  Twelve original songs, written by her, backed by her band, and delivered with the feeling a Midwestern native can evoke.  Songs include; Lay Your Hands, Let Me Carry Your Troubles, Come On Over To My BBQ, Livin' in a Mans World, and Cafe Boogaloo, named after a real juke joint.  Laurie noted on the cruise, that since there were so many songs dedicated to "Big Legged Women" that she felt Skinny Chicks needed love too,and so was born yet another playful, fun original song on the CD.  

Bessie's Last Drive

It's a long old road, but I know I'm gonna find the end.

- Bessie Smith

Born in Chattanooga, TN, Bessie Smith sang on street corners, until she was old enough to join a traveling theater company as a dancer in 1912. The Moses Stokes theater company was home to one of the first classic blues singers, Ma Rainey. It was she who taught Bessie about stage presence.

Bessie made her debut with Columbia Records singing Downhearted Blues in the early 1920's. Her recording of St. Louis Blues is considered by critics to be one of the finest from the era.

"The Empress of Blues" was in her early 40's when she passed away from injuries sustained in an auto accident. Her last performance was given in Memphis on Sept. 26, 1937. Late that night, Richard Morgan and Bessie Smith were in a tragic car accident headed South on Highway 61. They never made it to their next destination.

Cynthia Blank-Reid, an associate professor at Drexel University College of Nursing, in Philadelphia, recently reviewed the circumstances of the accident, treatment, and resulting death of the singer. Bessie's fatal crash and the surrounding rumors are clarified, compared and contrasted to the actual treatment and the probable treatment of today.

Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday and Mahalia Jackson claim Bessies influence. Her grave was unmarked until 1970. It was Janis Joplin who paid for the gravestone.

(Cover Art - Phil Hays; Picture courtesy of TN History For Kids)

The Midnight Flyer

Can you guess who is in the picture?

On the left is a guitar icon, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009 and will be playing on Valentines Day with Eric Clapton (for those of you who want to plan in advance). Most can guess Jeff Beck circa the 1970's. So, who is the guy with Jeff Beck?

The man with him, has made his own contribution to music, especially the blues genre, and like Beck, is still at it. Can't guess?

He's a syndicated DJ, writer/reviewer, producer, co-founder of the Boise Blues Society, creator of www.radiothrills.com, Norman Davis. Davis began his career in radio in the 1950's and still produces a great weekly show, including an on demand podcast for blues lovers. Midnight Flyer 59b

Norman clearly gets the blues, as reflected in his programming. To quote from his webpage;

Blues comes in all shapes and sizes.

There's blues for good times

and blues for hard times

Electric blues, acoustic blues,

city blues and country blues,

cold blues, hot blues,

pour yourself a shot blues.

(Courtesy of www.midnightflyerblues.com)