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The Blues411 Annual ‘Jimi Awards’ 2012 Edition

This is the third edition of the Blues411 Annual Awards, somehow they seem to have taken on the name of ‘The Jimi’s which is fine with me. Yet whatever we call them, they serve as a vehicle to pay tribute to all the fine musicians and friends that have come into contact with Blues411 this past year. Remember only releases which have been received at our headquarters are eligible for an award, so if ya wanna get one of these babies then get your stuff to us for review.

This third year has seen many changes, new look for site, a 200+ fold of readers, fancy-schmanzy email campaign, regular appearances on Music On The Couch, festival and media partnerships, Tier1 Supporters and so on. It has been unbelieveable to me the growth and success of this venture, thank you all.

The Special Drink of 2012:
Two years we sat back and poured a straight Jameson, last year we were kicking back with a pitcher of  The Gingerbread Housewrecker - this year we are imbibing with a classic cocktail ‘The Manhattan‘. This is mostly due to the fact that it was my departed brother Emil’s long standing favorite. We now raise a glass to him whenever we get together. . So here’s to you ‘old  man’ rest well. For info (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_(cocktail).

….and away we go (winners in Bold)!

Best Live Recording:
Colin Linden “Still Live”
Suzie Vinnick: “Live at Bluesville”
Sauce Boss: “LIVE at the Green Parrot”
Harper & The Midwest Kind: “LIVE at the Blues Museum”
Sybil Gage: “NOLA Calling”
there was something inside this recording that captured the soul of Harper and the band.

Acoustic Blues Album:
Steve Strongman: “Natural Fact”
Brandon Isaak:  ”Ghost Town”
Rory Block: “I Belong To The Band: A Tribute to the Reverend Gary Davis ”
Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bnois King: “Close To The Bone”
Eric Bibb: “Deeper In The Well”
an absolute stunning release featuring the voice of B’nois King and guitar work of Smokin’ Joe Kubek (who shares my birthday).

Best Soul, R&B Release:
Lady Bianca: “Servin’ Notice”
Dorothy Moore: “Blues Heart”
Johnny Rawls: “Soul Survivor”
John Lee Hooker, Jr.: “All Hooked Up”
Barbara Carr: “Keep The Fire Burning”
Mr. Hooker pulls no punches with this one and beats out some very, very excellent releases.

Best Roots Album:
Paul Thorn: “What The Hell Is Goin’ On?”
Little Joe McLerran: “Facebook Blues”
Peter Novelli: “Louisiana Blues & Roots”
Corey Lueck & Smoke Wagon  Blues Band: “It Ain’t Easy”
Tas Cru: “Tired of Bluesmen Cryin’”
Davis Coen: “Hard Luck Cafe”
Davis is a modern day songwriter who covers all his bases with a wide brush and a vocal pallete that is unmistakable. 

Best New Debut Release:
Sena Ehrhardt: “Leave The Lights On”
Ron Tanski: “Dragged You Down”
Royal Southern Brotherhood: “Royal Southern Brotherhood”
Tyler Mac: “Already Home”
Little G Weevil: “The Teaser”
Memphis Cradle: “Love, Lies, Burning”
Cassie Taylor: “Blue”
Solid and formidible start to what may be the next ‘super-group’ of the Blues. Lots of good first releases this year.

Female Vocalist:
Ruthie Foster: “Let It Burn”
Dorothy Moore: “Blues Heart”
Janiva Magness: “Stronger For It”
Cee Cee James: “Blood Red Blues”
Lawrence Lebo: “The Best of Don’t Call Her Larry”
All these ladies are deserving of the award, but Ms. Moore brought something just the other side of ‘spot on’ perfection in all her vocal treatments.

Male Vocalist:
Ian Siegal
Mike Finnigan (Phantom Blues Band)
Bnois King
Dion
Freddie Cunningham (Root Doctor)
Dion’s voice has not faltered at all since his younger days, in fact it has mellowed and grown along with his understanding of how to deliver a song.

Guitar Hero (Electric):
Debbie Davies
Jimmy Thackery
Joanne Shaw Taylor
Anders Osborne
Rick Holmstrom
Anthony Gomes
Ms. Davies and Mr. Thackery stand apart from these other worthy folks, I can see no arguement here. Each of these folks brings a new light to the guitar-hero phase of rockin’ blues.

Badass Bass:
Todd Edmunds: Otis Taylor Band
Larry Fulcher: Phantom Blues Band
Joseph Veloz: Mississippi Heat
Lisa Mann: Lisa Mann Band
Mark Bumgarner: Jimmy Thackery Band
This cat can flat out play any style, pace or pattern, a true badass bassist.

Radiating Them 88′s Piano Player:
David Maxwell: “Blues In Other Colors”
Scottie Miller: “Rise Up”
Lee Pons: “Togged To The Bricks”
Joe Fingers: “Tales of Love and Coffee”
Ron Tanski: “Dragged You Down”
Some new, some familiar here, but Mr. Miller showed me much with his versatility and prowess and takes this one home.

Harmonica Player:
Dennis Gruenling
Pierre LaCocque
Sugar Blue
Marco Pandolfi
(Peter) Harper
Mr. Blue still is the most original harp player anywhere on this earth.

Drum Thumper Award:
Eric Selby: Billy Thompson Band
Drum Counselor (Go-Go Ray): Samantha Fish Band
Justin Headley: Sauce Boss/Fatty Waters Band
Larry Thompson: Otis Taylor Band
D’Mar: Paula Harris Band, Chris Gill
His work with Samantha Fish adds such power and feel to her music that he is the rock-solid foundation that all else is built upon.

Instrumentalist Other:
(Peter) Harper: Didgeridoo
Anne Harris: Violin
Phil Parlapiano: Accordian
Harry Manx: Mohan Veena
Chris DiFrancesco: Saxaphone
Ms. Harris has  revitalized the violin in blues music restoring it to a place of prominence.

Coolest Release Title:
JR Clark: “Icicles On My Ceiling”
Mighty Sam McClain: “Too  Much Jesus (And Not Enough Whiskey)”
Kerry Kearney: “Ghosts of Psychedelta”
Paula Harris: “Turning On The Naughty”
RJ Knapp & Honey Robin: “Don’t Blame The Dynamite…If You Can’t Light The Fuse”
Some great titles here, but gotta go with Mr. McClain’s.

Best Traditional Release:
Liz Mandeville: “Clarksdale”
Guy Davis: “The Adventures of Fishy Waters: In Bed With The Blues”
Mississippi Heat: “Delta Time”
Tim ‘Too Slim’ Langford: “Broken Halo”
Brad Vickers & The Vestapolitans: “Dallas Blues”
A recreation of an old timey songs- done with the perfect feel and sense of timing that deserves the award. 

International Release of the Year:
Hans Theessink & Terry Evans: “Delta Time”
Philipp Fankhauser: “Try My Love”
The 24th Street Wailers: “Unshakable”
Ian Siegal: “Candy Store Kid”
Marco  Pandolfi: “Close The Bottle When You’re Done”
This was an amazing year for International releases, if I could, I would put them all up for an awards. No shame in not winning but Mr. Frankhauser gets this award for his stunning release.

Song of The Year:
“Turn Off Your TV”: Walter Trout
“Running From The Devil”: Zac Harmon
“Hard Pressed (Wha Da Fuzz?)”: Ian Siegal
“Hard Times”: John Lee Hooker, Jr.
“I Won’t Cry”: Janiva Magness
“Coming Down With The Blues”: Dorothy Moore
“Mind of A Junkie”: Anders Osborne
This sing-song track whose simple structure and catchy beat hides a deep rooted problem, wins in a very tough category.

Album of the Year:
Otis Taylor: “Contraband”

Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps: “Come On Home”
Lady Bianca: “Servin’ Notice”
Anders Osborne: “Black Eye Galaxy”
Zac Harmon: “Music Is Medicine”
John Lee Hooker, Jr. “All Hooked Up”
Overall Mr. Taylor (and band)’s work on this release sets him atop the pinnacle of his career.

22st Century Distribution Channel Award:
Bea B & The Axxemann: “Born With The Blues”
Franc Robert: “Why Do I Never Win”
Beth McKee: “Next To Nowhere”
- spice packet included in press kit wins it!
Lawrence Lebo: “Don’t Call Her Larry”
Gaye Adegblola: “Blues In All Colors”
Some great new ideas out there, but Ms. McKee wins it with the spice packet and instructions for a god time. 

Blues Book of the Year:
When I Left Home: Buddy Guy w/David ritz
Blues Highway Blues: Eyre Price
The Language of The Blues: From Alcorub to Zuzu: Debra Devi
The Beautiful Music All Around Us – Field recordings and the Amercian Experience: Stephen Wade
Mr. Price has given us a thriller full of blues, rock and roll and music history complete with rapscallions, thugs, and bad people too!

Outstanding Fan/Supporter of Blues411:
Martin Goettsch
Billy Thompson
Vinny Marini
Pete Enright
Marcia Goodwin Adams
Host of ‘Music On The Couch’ Mr. Marini is live every Monday with Musicians You Should Know, and has found time to feature Blues411 every first Monday of the month.

There were so many great releases and songs this year I am thrilled to have had them in my life. Thanks to Mark Pucci, Frank Roszak, Betsie Brown, Doug Deutsch and all the artists who took the time to feed me the goods so that I may share with all of you.Thank you  to my readers and supporters (as well as artists) who make this worth the  effort. So until next time, this edition of “The Jimi’s” is signing off, see ya in cyber-space.

Until next time,
Love, Peace & Chicken Grease
chefjimi
©Blues411.com 2012
Where Blues Thrives

 

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CD Reviews: A New York State of Mind

I’m not sure why people tend to dismiss NY State when it comes to being a breeding ground for Blues Music. Maybe cos it has a reputation of being ‘hi-brow’ or too intellectual for the Blues – Woodie Allen has been a force for Jazz here – but the Blues are alive and well here is this big old state of New York. From the Lafayette Tap Room in Buffalo, a string of Dinosaur BBQ’s thru western NY, Chenango Blues Festival, Town Crier in Pawling NY, down to the big apple itself with Kenny’s Castaways, Iridium and B.B. King’s dead in the heart of NYC in Times Square.

So with that in mind let’s give a minute or ten to some NY artists that cover the range from local to national and are as good as they get. Their releases here are just a smattering of the fine artists that are out there for us to enjoy.

Michael Packer:
Live at the Turning Point
(
self released
)
A New Yorker with a definite Chicago feel for the Blues, Mr. Packer offers up a live recording that gives us a glimpse of what he does almost every night of the year. Straight ahead Blues, no set list, no low down and dirty and with a fell that reaches down to the soul.

Opening with “Mr. Packer” he introduces himself to us. Featuring Rob Paparozzi on harp, this steady rollin’ groove has the feel of all that is available in NYC street music. A mix of Latin, Blues and all other forms which makes it a great opening track.

An interesting cover of the late Toy Caldwells’ “Can’t You See” featuring piano master David Maxwell filling in between the spaces with thoughtful sweet sounding notes and adding a rich fullness to the track. It is somewhat slowed down from the original version, but in doing so he has given it a bluesier feel and makes it more relative to the genre.

Michael was Honeyboy Edwards sideman for many years, and the recently departed Honeyboy, along with Michael Franks on harp joined the band for the Fred McDowell classic “61 Highway” that night. Honeyboy taking the vocal lead and Michael adding his flawless harp playing gives us a taste of the old style, timeless Blues that he was known for. Here is a quote that I find just so cool and insightful about Mr. Packer from Honeyboy “He plays like he drank” – and Mr. Edwards nailed it square on. Mr. Packer is many years into sobriety and we are thankful for that fact, but the raw passion and lust for life has not disappeared.

The disc wraps up with Howlin’ Wolf’s “Killin’ Floor’ featuring Mr. Eddie Jackson on bongos. Eddie also has the knack to recall Mr. Sam Cooke on some of his vocals (Back At The Bar) and is always a thrill to hear whether vocally or in severe percussion mode.
A great representative release of Mr. Packers’ music and just shows you what you can find nightly in NYC.
http://www.michaelpackerbluesband.com/ 

Murali Coryell:
Sugar Lips
(
Murali’s Music
)
Just up the river (literally) and a slight jag to the left from NYC is Woodstock NY. Yeh we know all about that famous festival, but Woodstock is also a hot bed of artists, free-thinkers and Mr. Murali Coryell. When not playing with Joe Louis Walker (amazing pairing) or with his dad, legendary Larry Coryell, Murali finds time to create his own brand of music that is both inspiring, insightful and varied.

On Sugar Lips we visit the different realms of Mr. Coryells’ world. Kicking it off with horns charted for outer space we hear him acquiescing to the accusers in “Blame It On Me’. Behind the rolling sound there are some great lyrics that certainly put things in perspective of why some cat would write this song.

Moving into a different, but still horn driven, form is “What You Gonna Do About Me?” At it’s core it confronts the eternal question that is all so obvious to us when involved a relationship going south, but it succinctly captures the passion and pain thru scorching guitar licks and hoarse emotional vocals. Mr. Coryells’ song writing is at it’s pinnacle on this release. Smart, witty, and double-edged sharp his words cut through and reveals to us what is going on in his world is also pertinent in our world also.

There is a certain undercurrent of pure sweet funk that shines through much of his music. It’s sophisticated but contains more than enough grit to reach out and grab you by the throat. Whether he is recalling her ‘…sugar lips and honey hips’ (from the title track) or getting down low on “Minor Funk’ working with Joe Louis Walker simply stating that ‘…he’s in a minor funk, can’t get a chunk of my baby’s love’. It’s there and I found my head rolling from side to side and up and down and those tasty grooves filled the room.

Legendary drummer, producer and man about town, Tom Hambridge produced this release and co-wrote many of the songs (as well as playing and singing on many of the tracks). Also featured are the aforementioned Joe Louis Walker, Reese Wynans, and his dad Larry Coryell. The senior Mr. Coryell is featured on the last two tracks “Music Sets You Free” and “Where Is The Spirit?’
Check out this release – I know you will dig it as much as I do. Murali is a giant talent, a triple threat to be sure, guitar, vocals and songwriting.
http://muralicoryell.com/ 

Petey ‘Hop’ Hopkinson:
The Levee
(
self released
)
Someone recently said to me that with most releases all ya want to know about an artist is contained in the first four tracks, those are the best of the bunch and after that ….. well I must say if that’s a true statement I woulda missed a whole lot of good music from Petey and his band.

Now the first track is a rallying call to cure your negative blues by doing one simple thing “Stay Out All Night”, a jumpy rock & roll styled dance number that gets the message across and heck if the band is playing this I surely will stay out all night as long as they are playing.

Second up is ‘My God‘ a Mississippi hill country styled stomper that gets to the root of many of our belief questions and offers a possibility to coming to terms with them. I always love it when artists can put a dead on serious message into a toe tapping song – blows me away. The lyrical images that Mr. Hopkinson paints for us within this song are priceless and poignant and worth the price of purchase.

A sweet drum roll intro by Nick Longo, opens up ‘Why Should I Complain‘ that leads into jazz flavored piano by Jeremy Baum that sets off the sax work by Chris DeFrancesco and we are off and running on the answer to this rhetorical question. I coughed from the smoke and had to throw down another shot of Jameson to clear my throat, as Petey and band just painted a very dark but enjoyable song that captures the dark side of life and ensuing feel of madness that is often the light at the end of that tunnel.

I could go on to track four, but then I’d want to keep going – and that’s not what I am here to do. My purpose is to hip y’all to some serious music and this release is definitely that. The Band lovingly known as the ‘Jackrabbits’ are a top notch band. Capable of playing just about any style of music or combination thereof with aplomb and a virtuosity that is staggering. A big shout out to Mr. Duke Robillard who produced this gem and also contributed some significant guitar tracks to several cuts on this release.

There is not a soft cut on this album, and they all will hit you hard like the morning after a bout of binge drinking and the realization that you are just gonna do it again. A deep look at life and it’s pitfalls, and dark corners presented in a wonderful array of musical offerings. Check it out and you won’t be sorry.
http://www.peteyhop.com/ http://www.reverbnation.com/peteyhop 

So there is a sampling of NY State of Mind Blues, hell there are so many more out there that we could have hit on. Guitar man Dave Fields, classic old styled blues man Steve Grills, power axe player Michael Hill, exceptionally talented piano man Dave Keyes, award winning singer-songwriters Rory Block, and Guy Davis, Tas Cru of Central NY state  – man I could go on but you get the picture. New York state is a deep and varied hot bed of the Blues that has the ‘nads to stand up to any region.

PS: Just couldn’t leave without giving a shout out to Brad Vickers & His Vestopolitans and the release celebrating the centennial of  the first published blues song “Dallas Blues”. Besides being cool historically all proceeds from the sale goes to the Blues Foundation HART Fund which provides medical assistance to musicians and those related to the industry financial assistance, You can do your part by heading here to download it: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bradvickersdallasblues

Until next time,
Love, Peace & Chicken Grease
chefjimi
©Blues411.com 2012
photos: courtesy of artists

 

 

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2012 – 33rd Blues Music Awards

The Blues Foundation will present the 33rd Blues Music Awards on May 10, 2012 at the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. Performers, industry representatives and fans from around the globe gathered to celebrate the best in Blues recording and performance from 2009.

The Blues Music Awards are universally recognized as the highest honor given to Blues artists. The presenting sponsor will once again be The Gibson Foundation. 2012 Blues Music Awards sponsors include ArtsMemphis, BMI, Blue Mountain Artists, Catfood Records, Eagle Rock Entertainment, FedEx, First Tennessee Foundation, Gibson Foundation, Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Sony/Legacy and the Tennessee Arts Commission. The nominees in each category and winner (in bold) are below.

Acoustic Album

Brand New Eyes Doug MacLeod

Conversations in Blue David Maxwell & Otis Spann

Misery Loves Company Mary Flower

Shake ‘Em on Down Rory Block

Troubadour Live Eric Bibb

 

Acoustic Artist

David Maxwell

Doug MacLeod

Eric Bibb

Guy Davis

Mary Flower

Rory Block

 

Album of the Year

Chicago Blues A Living History the (R)evolution Continues Billy Boy Arnold, John Primer, Billy Branch, Lurrie Bell, Carlos Johnson

Evening Sugar Ray & the Bluetones

Medicine Tab Benoit

Revelator Tedeschi Trucks Band

Rock and a Hard Place Eugene Hideaway Bridges

The Lord is Waiting and the Devil is Too Johnny Sansone

 

B.B. King Entertainer

Candye Kane

Lil’ Ed

Ruthie Foster

Tab Benoit

Tommy Castro

 

Band

Bo-Keys

Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials

Sugar Ray & the Bluetones

Tedeschi Trucks Band

Tommy Castro Band

Trampled Under Foot

 

Best New Artist Debut

Bad Girl Demetria Taylor

Choice Cuts Big Pete

Leave The Light On Sena Ehrhardt

Runaway Samantha Fish

The Mighty Mojo Prophets The Mighty Mojo Prophets

 

Contemporary Blues Album

Don’t Explain Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa

Medicine Tab Benoit

The Lord is Waiting and the Devil is Too Johnny Sansone

The Skinny Ian Siegal & the Youngest Sons

Tommy Castro Presents The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue–Live! Various Artists

Unconditional Ana Popovic

 

Contemporary Blues Female Artist

Ana Popovic

Bettye LaVette

Candye Kane

Janiva Magness

Susan Tedeschi

 

Contemporary Blues Male Artist

Joe Louis Walker

Johnny Sansone

JP Soars

Tab Benoit

Tommy Castro

 

DVD

Live At Antone’s Ruthie Foster (Blue Corn)

All Jams on Deck Various Artists (Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise & Mug-Shot Productions)

An Evening at Trasimeno Lake Ana Popovic (ArtisteXclusive)

Live at Montreux 2010 Gary Moore (Eagle Rock)

Play the Blues Wynton Marsalis & Eric Clapton (Rhino)

The Emporium to the Orpheum Trampled Under Foot (Redwood)

 

Gibson Guitar Award

Derek Trucks

Duke Robillard

Kirk Fletcher

Lurrie Bell

Michael Burks

 

Historical Album

Bear Family Texas Flyer 1974-76 (Freddie King)

Chess Smokestack Lightning/The Complete Chess Masters 1951-1960 (Howlin’ Wolf)

Delmark Hoodoo Man Blues (Junior Wells Chicago Blues Band with Buddy Guy)

Electro-Fi Teardrops Are Falling – Live in 1983 (George “Harmonica” Smith)

Virgin The Essential Modern Records Collection (Etta James)

 

Instrumentalist-Bass

Biscuit Miller

Danielle Schnebelen

Larry Taylor

Michael “Mudcat” Ward

Patrick Rynn

 

Instrumentalist-Drums

Chris Layton

Jimi Bott

Kenny Smith

Robb Stupka

Stanton Moore

Tony Braunagel

 

Instrumentalist-Harmonica

Charlie Musselwhite

Kim Wilson

Lazy Lester

Rick Estrin

Sugar Ray Norcia

 

Instrumentalist-Horn

Al Basile

Doug James

Keith Crossan

Sax Gordon

Terry Hanck

 

Instrumentalist-Other

Ben Prestage, diddley bow

Lionel Young, violin

Otis Taylor, banjo

Rich Del Grosso, mandolin

Sonny Rhodes, lap steel guitar

 

Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)

Diunna Greenleaf

Maria Muldaur

Nora Jean

Ruthie Foster

Tracy Nelson

 

Pinetop Perkins Piano Player

David Maxwell

Eden Brent

Jon Cleary

Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne

Marcia Ball

Victor Wainwright

 

Rock Blues Album

2120 South Michigan Ave. George Thorogood & the Destroyers

Dust Bowl Joe Bonamassa

Greyhound Mike Zito

Man In Motion Warren Haynes

Shiver Too Slim and the Taildraggers

 

Song

Appreciate What You Got Terry Hanck (Look Out! – Terry Hanck)

Back to the Blues Hadden Sayers (Hard Dollar – Hadden Sayers)

Memphis Still Got Soul Bob Trenchard & Johnny Rawls (Memphis Still Got Soul – Johnny Rawls)

Thank You for Giving Me the Blues Grady Champion, Zac Harmon & Chris Troy (Dreamin’ – Grady Champion)

The Lord is Waiting, the Devil is Too Johnny Sansone (The Lord is Waiting and the Devil is Too – Johnny Sansone)

The Older I Get the Better I Was Joe Shelton (The Older I Get the Better I Was – Big Joe Shelton)

 

Soul Blues Album

Dreamin’ Grady Champion

Got to Get Back! Bo-Keys

Memphis Still Got Soul Johnny Rawls

Rock and a Hard Place Eugene Hideaway Bridges

Show You A Good Time Bobby Rush

 

Soul Blues Female Artist

Alexis P. Suter

Denise LaSalle

Jackie Johnson

Sharrie Williams

Sista Monica Parker

 

Soul Blues Male Artist

Bobby Rush

Curtis Salgado

Eugene Hideaway Bridges

Johnny Rawls

Otis Clay

 

Traditional Blues Album

Chicago Blues A Living History the (R)evolution Continues Billy Boy Arnold, John Primer, Billy Branch, Lurrie Bell, Carlos Johnson

Evening Sugar Ray & the Bluetones

Trying To Hold On Diunna Greenleaf

Victim Of The Blues Tracy Nelson

You Better Listen Lazy Lester

 

Traditional Blues Male Artist

Charlie Musselwhite

John Primer

Lazy Lester

Mac Arnold

Magic Slim

for more info om awards and travel, hotel and seating….http://www.blues.org/bluesmusicawards/nominees.php#ref=bluesmusicawards_index

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