Category Archives: Festivals

May 6, 2013

Preview 2013 Blues Music Awards

Blues Music Awards

Yes indeed, it’s our time to shine.

On May 9, 2013 all eyes are turning to Memphis, Tennessee as the 34th Blues Music Awards will take place at the Cook Convention Center. The event brings together Blues performers, industry representatives and fans from all over the world to celebrate the best in Blues recordings and performances from the previous year. Each year, the Blues Foundation presents The Blues Music Awards to the artists selected by its members. They are universally recognized as the highest honor given to Blues artists. As always, a pre-party will immediately precede the Awards. To see the list of nominees visit here.

The Blues Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Charter Members’ Dinner will be held the night before on Wednesday, May 8. Only Charter Members of the Foundation attend this joyous event, but there is so much going on you will surely enjoy the night before.

Without getting into too many words describing what is going on I will post these event posters so you can get the drift of the significance and scope of what goes on here. If you are a Blues fan, or casual dabbler, one visit to Memphis for this event and all that surrounds it will hook ya for life.

Blues Hall of Fame Tribute Jam & Fundraiser for the Raise the Roof Campaign and Music Heals Memphis
At B.B. Kings Blues Club, featuring performances by Russ Green, Zac Harmon, Big LLou Johnson, Bryan Lee, Maria Muldaur, Greg Nagy, John Primer, Jackie Scott, Eddie Shaw, Van Shaw and Redd Velvet. This is the Party After for the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Hosted by SiriusXM Bluesville Proprietor, Mr. Bill Wax, and the ‘voice’ of Bluesville, Big Llou Johnson. There will be a signed Gibson guitar auction ongoing so bring your checkbook,, credit card or cold hard cash to take this baby home.

This event will be broadcast as a live PPV event by VenMundi – visit www.venmundi.com for tickets and more info on the PPV portion.

For more info on event go to: http://blueshalloffamejam.eventbrite.com/#

Memphis Blues Society ‘Jammin’ On Beale Street’

Join the Memphis Blues Society for a night of sweatin’, stompin’ blues from around town and around the world at Mr. Handy’s Blues Hall right there on Beale Street.

At this point we have some insider information that folks like Shakura S’Aida, Kevin Selfe, Barbara Carr, Jeff Jensen, Ms. Ruby and a full tilt of others will be there to jam the night away and make you shake what yo’ mamma gave you.

Stop by after the Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremonies, no cover 7pm – till closing (whenever that may be).

For more info on The Memphis Blues Society click it!

Blind Raccoon/Earwig Music

The Blind Raccoon/Earwig Music Showcase

At the Purple Haze Nightclub, with a full bar and food for all yer cravings, Betsie Brown of Blind Raccoon, and Michael Franks of Earwig Music will be putting on a showcase featuring some of their finest talents. Featuring Andy Cohen, Leo Hull, Tommy McCoy, Guitar Mikey, RB Stone, Johnny Drummer and Chris James & Patrick Rynn.

These are always a joy to be at, there is such a wide variety of musical styles, and Purple Haze is a very cool place to catch live music and meet up with some friends. They make exceptional Bloody Mary’s (trust me on this one), perfect for the morning after, well the 2:00pm after!

Brandon Santini presents ‘The Beale Street Mess Around”

This is a benefit to help Raise The Roof for the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis. Featuring Greg Nagy, John Nemeth, Little G Weevil, Dennis Gruenling, of course the host, Mr. Brandon Santini himself, and many more that will thrill ya and make you do things ya didn’t know you could.

This will be at the (in)famous Rum Boogie Cafe, the seeming headquarters for all ancillary events at the BMA’s this and every year. It will be the first part of a two part party (see below).

The Vizztone Blues Party on Beale

At the aforementioned Rum Boogie Cafe, this is the event that many folks consider the highlight of the week, jus’ sayin’.

No this is not a jam, so leave those axes, 88′s, and mouth harps home and come down to watch the Vizztone collection of artists kick out the jams till they shut down Beale Street.

Featuring Mr. Bob Margolin, Doug Deming, EG Kight, Long Tall Deb, Gina Sicilia, Dave Gross..OK OK OK y’all get the picture here. If not just read the poster.

There are many other things going on these days. On Wednesday night Davina & The Vagabonds and Nick Moss will be in town at rum Boogie, The Blue South entertainment group will be tearing it up at the Hard Rock Cafe on Friday night. During the day on Friday you can mix baseball and the Blues as John Nemeth will play before the Memphis Redbirds take on the Sacramento River Cats (Big Llou will do the 7th inning sing along). Yellow Dog Records will have a showcase Wednesday at BB King’s featuring Colin Linden, Eden Brent and ‘daughter of a bluesman’ Cassie Taylor. Also check out the Center For Southern Folklore where Bill Sims, Jr & Mark Lavoie will be playing, and others thru the week.

So as you can see it’s gonna be a hot time in Memphis town, won”t ya join us – if not this year then plan on it for 2014. Can;t make it this year…..WAIT ….NEWS FLASH SiriusXM Bluesville #70 will be broadcasting the Blues Music Awards LIVE, Thursday beginning at around 7:30 on the East side of town straight thru till the final notes at some point on Friday morning. Listen in as Bill Wax, Tony Colter, Big Llou man the mic’s and special guests stop by to say hi. Too late for you? OK one last chance Bluesville will re-broadcast the musical portions of the awards starting that Friday every hour on the hour thru till Monday 3:00 am, now there is no excuse for not catching even a little bit of our day to honor all the great talent that we have here in the Blues world.

See ya there, stop me and say hi, get yo’ butts to Gus’s Famous Fried Chicken and try the fried pickles also! While there is almost too much to do, remember you can make it if you try, and too much ain’t never enough!

Love, Peace & Chicken Grease

chefjimi
©Blues411.com 2013
Where Blues Thrives
Photos: Courtesy of artists

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2013 The Year of Live Music Update

So here we be about at the “Ides of March”* on the calendar and just want to check in on where we have been and ask where have you gone to support your pledge to make 2013 the Year of Live Music.

With the late December post we, challenged everyone, including ourselves, to make a concerted effort to support live music in 2013, even including a printable calendar to help you keep track on. So here is our meager effort along those lines.

January started with a quick trip to Chicago accompanying radio promotion mega-star Frank Roszak, and spent some quality time at Rosa’s Lounge. Then hit the high seas for some Blues cruisin’ with Roger Naber and the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise family, which is always a delight and test of one’s fortitude.

As January faded into February we got ourselves to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge. This is an amazing event where you can enjoy artists from around the world displaying their talents in open competition (which is somewhat at odds to the profession) and should be on any music lovers bucket list.

Later in February to alleviate some winter time malaise we hit the road to Buffalo’s Tralf Music Hall, to see Tab Benoit bring some Swamp boogie ‘n’ blues to Western NY. One nice surprise that occurred a short while later was a visit from Michael Cloeren, all around music impresario and host of the Pennsylvania Blues Festival amongst other great music events. So he was travelling back from a Folk Symposium in Toronto, Canada and stopped by for some homemade chili and brought two of his friends with him. As it turned out one cat was John Francis a very talented singer songwriter. This guitar playing young man – who treated us to a ‘house concert’ – is out of Nashville where I seem to be finding more and more great blues artists these days.

Ah, back to March. I am hoping to get to the Dinosaur BBQ on the 20^th, for the fabulous Samantha Fish and her band. Then jump an airliner for the West Coast where I will host the Earl Thomas Raise The Roof Benefit Concert for the Blues Hall of Fame. This event will take place March 24, at 1pm PST. It will feature a cavalcade of stars, and be broadcast as a Pay Per View event by VenMundi from Club Fox in Redwood City, California.

The cost of a PPV ticket is $15, with half of the money going directly to the Raise the Roof fund, it is a great opportunity for fans to accomplish three things (at least) at once. Support the Blues Hall of Fame, see great live music and support The Year of Live Music pledge. How cool is that. For tix to the webcast show go to http://bit.ly/V28cxD or for tix to the live in person show go to http://clubfoxrwc.com/.

So that’s where we stand here at Blues411 in regard to the Live Music pledge, where are you at? Let us know by commenting on the post here or going to the Blues411 page on Facebook and share with all of us.

Look for updates as we thaw our way into the Spring and Summer Festival Season and any other surprises we come across.

*In modern times, the term Ides of March is best known as the date on which Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C.E. Caesar was stabbed (23 times) to death in the Roman Senate by a group of conspirators led by Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus. The group included 60 other co-conspirators according to Plutarch. Another point which arises is Shakespeare’s use of the Ides of March and (the lack of doubt in) Marcus Brutus’ decision to assassinate Caesar to portray an atmosphere of madness, pleasure, and pandemonium. It is said that on ides of March the sea succumbs to chaos and the full moon brings high tides. All these points give the Ides of March a very mysterious quality.

Love, Peace & Chicken Grease

chefjimi
©Blues411.com 2013
Where Blues Thrives
Photos: Leslie K. Joseph, Blues411

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CD Reviews: Travel Music

Here is a review of some of the music I have been exposed to during my recent jaunt from Chicago, to the Bluescruise and Caribbean, to Memphis and finally back home.

Mr. ‘Sax’ Gordon Beadle is an amazing sax player and walking knowledge bank of saxophone history. He is the consummate professional, exciting, talented and his abilities make everyone better. We spent time together in Chicago and I got to know this man and I am just flat out honored to have had the opportunity to share words, food and music for a short time with him.

Bobby Lindstrom’s music appeared one day in the mail, with a note to someone else so I was not sure I was supposed to get it. So time passes and he is on the Bluescruise, we meet – laugh at the mix up. Seems another person got my mail with my note in it – it’s all good. So as the cruise goes on one day I pass where Chris Gill is playing guitar, and he motion me over to play, I push back not wanting to offend the ears of cruisers gathered. Chris insists, and Bobby offers up his gorgeous Breedlove Acoustic/Electric guitar ‘Belle’ for me to use. What a sweet lady she was, and thanks to Bobby for allowing her to play me.

Ms. Sunday Wilde and I became friends on Face Book a few short years ago, in that time she has won the 2011 Jimi Award for Best International Recording (http://blues411.com/blues411-the-jimi-awards-for-2011/) as well as high praise from those in the know. I finally met her on the streets of Memphis at the IBC this year where she was part of the first Blues Women International recording in Clarksdale, MS. Look for this historic very soon.

Showtime!

Sax Gordon: Showtime! (Continental Blue Heaven)

Showtime! INDEED. Mr. ‘Sax’ Gordon Beadle goes for the throat and then never lets go. One of the most entertaining and able saxophonists in the world today. With this release he flat out kills it and the title says it all.

So let’s start with ‘Showtime!’ Strap on the seat belt and lock the doors because Sax starts in high gear leaving tire tracks on the pavement and takes the curves at warp speed. Blowing, honking and super charged attacks fill this track and is an apt description of what you get with Mr. Gordon. Who better than Mr. Jr. Watson to play guitar and match Sax’s pace and energy and he does so with equal passion and verve – a great pairing.

Slowing it down (phew) we get treated to the Sonny Knight tune ‘Coldest Cat in Town’. With the opening horns recalling Junior Parkers’ ‘Driving Wheel’ we hear the lament of one who was loved and too cool for school to quickly becoming the one left aside as things turn sour, yet there is the last verse which warns of his remembering how ti was and is now but when the good times roll again he will still be the ‘Coldest Cat in Town’. Matt Stubbs provides tasty and appropriate guitar work with just the proper amount of R&B feel to the track as Mr. Beadle shows his range musically and artistically here.

Let’s give an ear to ‘Big & Hot’ with it’s vintage stroll feel and lyrics that are as sweet as a Carolina Pine. Penned by Mr. Ed ‘Duato’ Scheer, this geographical and subtle love song is kept together perfectly by the assembled band members with Mr. Scheer on the background vocals testifying that she is all that.

Mr. Gordon gives all the posers and others fair warning in his wonderful tribute to the badness of himself with ‘Don’t Mess with Me’. Rolling trombone by Jeff Golindo then add some baritone sax from Mr. Tino Barker makes this a track a dance master for any time of day. Citing all the things in the world that are just too bad to mess with, Mr. Beadle adds his name to the list and then mentions that Mr. Jr. Watson may be the only one who can really mess with him. Mr. Jr, then proceeds to establish that as truth as he just tears apart his guitar solo and them relinquishes it to Sax for his turn.

One last track – for straight out blaring killer rock and roll listen to ‘That Girl’ featuring Mr. Matthew Stubbs coercing the guitar into giving him everything and more that it could offer.

Great fun, tasty sax music – tribute to but keeping it alive and thriving is what Mr. Beadle is about. His understanding of the instrument and of how to coax the very most out of it is a study course for all artists follow. See this cat live, he will slay ya.
http://www.saxgordon.com/

Between A Rock and A Blue Spot

Bobby Lindstrom Band: Between A Rock and A Blue Spot (independant)

There is so much rock in the blues these days it seems like the paradigm has shifted, child is now father to the man (thank you Al Kooper BS&T). So upon putting this release in system, I was pleasantly surprised to hear ‘Corrina’ to the strains of some beautiful acoustic guitar. Reminescent of Ry Cooder & Taj Mahal back in the early days of Blues rediscovery this version is refreshing and very pleasant on the ears.

‘Come In M y Kitchen’ offers up some Robert Johnson in a nice combination of acoutic and electric fireworks. Mr. Lindstrom seems at home when he massages ‘Belle’s’ neck and gets her to sing wonderful notes that would fit in anywhere in any genre.

Another RJ tune, ‘Steady Rollin’ Man’ starts in a nice spot, tight riff work on the frets and a not to distant acknowledge to some of the blues that came out of the Delany & Bonnie camp (along with Mr. Clapton). It is solid, well mixed and has enough beat to it to make us understand why they be steady rollin’.

Mr. Lindstrom approaches Willie Dixon’s ‘I Aint Superstitious’ in a funky way. Bobby has a way of approaching riffs that are at once familair but not quite overworn. With the help of his band they are clean and tight and offer what one should hear when hearing a band play. No over domination by onen instrument – but a nice almagam of all instruments and talents working for the better good.

On a disc of ten covers ranging from Little Walter, Sonny Boy to Paul Butterfield and a very nice version of Peter Green’s ‘Long Grey Mare’. We were just discussing when and where Mr. Green’s name would pop up. It seems as we move forward we also look back and Mr. Green’s contributions are slightly underappreciated these days. I hope this is a good sign.

Mr. Lindstrom is an accomplished guitar player who knows the hows, whys and wherefors of his chosen instrument. He is a true example of where the blues is most dear, hard working, self-employed musician where every day and every night the blues is so much more than music – it is a way of life. Whether he is volunteering at a juvenile detention center, or waking up each new day clean and sober, Mr. Lindstrom is a case in point of how the blues can get ya down and the redeeming power that they possess.
http://www.bobbylindstrom.com/

He Gave Me A Blue Nightgown

Sunday Wilde: He Gave Me A Blue Nightgown (Socan)

Oh Canada, ya surely now how to nurture Blues artists. Especially lady blues artists. Here we re-visit a friend Sunday Wilde and it’s like old friends getting together again, good times guaranteed.
First off I am drawn to ‘No Matter How Far’. From the wilds of Northern Ontario we hear traces of Patsy Cline, as the band works it’s melancholy mood over the music as Ms. Wilde thickly vocalizes the depths of the love for her man and in spite of the distance, that it still is strong and burns hot inside her.
A short while later we hear the other side of the life with ‘Tell Me To Hush?’ Opining about why should a man tell a women like her to ‘honey hush hush’ as she counts the ways that he is out of line and how he has no need to confront her about anything. Smoky, haunting guitar work perfectly fills in the dark corners with just enough light but not too much. After all some things are better with less than more light.

The eternal appreciation of how her chosen man does what he does is apparent in ‘He Thrills Me Up’. Ms. Wilde’s vocals provides a jaunty ride down the country road as the acoustic and slide guitar play about like two cabbage moths dancing in the breeze. There is a feel good tone to this track that just makes one smile.

We get to take a peek ‘down the alley’ and into the world of obsession and the total commitment that it takes to live and appreciate it. Shadows of Billie Holiday and the many other Blues Ladies stir to greet Ms. Wilde as she sings of having not eaten, or taken care of herself since she found this love. She is on a ‘Love Bender’. The similarity to serious drug addiction is not lost on Ms. Wilde as she rides the waves of ecstatic emotions – yet wonders why it fades so fast, and at what final cost. ‘Love Bender’ is, simply put, an amazing song.

Thirteen tracks, twelve originals of remarkable depth and feeling with the only cover being a totally unique version of ‘Amazing Grace’. I have never heard such an approach to this song. It is often said that when an artist covers a standard (or any song) they should add something of their own self to it, to make it their own, well here it is in spades. Give this ‘cover’ some ear, you won’t believe how fresh and new it sounds, it’s totally Sunday and totally great.

http://www.sundaywilde.com/

So there ya have it. There was so much that I didn’t report on, review or give ‘props’ to during this stretch, but the best way is to get yourself out to these events and become part of it.

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