Traveling Blues show no. 56 July 18, 2012

The podcast is available here:

Traveling Blues show no. 56 July 18, 2012 

Tonight we had our friend Delmark Goldfarb in the studio,
and he brought with him 11 year old Elijah Eskins to accompany him on electric guitar.
We featured an album by veteran Blues singer and guitarist Bill Sims Jr.,
and celebrated the birthday of Washboard Sam (born Robert Brown)
Our Dirty Blues of the week  - Merline Johnson and Don't You Make Me High (Don't You Feel My Leg).


Here's our playlist:

01. Bill Sims Jr. - I Want To See You Again
02. Robert Belfour - Down the Road of Love
03. Merline Johnson - Don't You Make Me High (Don't You Feel My Leg)
04,. Bill Sims Jr. - Blues For Breakfast
05. Washboard Sam - Out With the Wrong Woman
06. Delmark Goldfarb - Got Something Good With Her
07. Delmark Goldfarb and Elijah Eskins (live in studio) - Early In The Morning
08, Delmark Goldfarb and Elijah Eskins (live in studio) - Big Boss Man
09. Delmark Goldfarb and Elijah Eskins (live in studio) - The Likes of Us
10. R.L. Burnside - My Woman Done Left Me
11. R.L. Burnside - You Don't Love Me
12. North Mississippi Allstars - Po' Black Mattie
13. Delmark Goldfarb and Elijah Eskins (live in studio) - Going To New York
14. Robert Belfour - Catfish Blues

Traveling Blues - show no. 55  July 11, 2012

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North Mississippi Allstars live in Tel Aviv, Tuesday, July 10, 2012

 Luther Dickinson with Israel Blues Society

 co-founder Ilan Jonas

More than 400 music fans from many different disciplines and from all over the country came out Tuesday night July 10, 2012 to the Barby club in downtown Tel Aviv.
A fair contingent of Israel Blues Society members, some dedicated "Deadheads" (Grateful Dead fans),
fans of jambands like the Allman Brothers and Gov't Mule, and just folks who enjoy good music, and heard about the show from friends and on Facebook.
The Barby club is an old warehouse type structure with very high ceilings and metal rafters to support the old roof, huge chandeliers that look over 100 years old hang here and there from the rafters.


The folks start filtering in and getting settled in seats around tables, or standing in the space in front of the stage. Many of us are old friends and acquaintances who see each other at concerts and festivals, and this is one of the biggest events we have shared all year.

Alvin Youngblood Hart comes on stage to open the show solo, playing Charlie Patton, Son House, and Skip James classics as well as a couple of his own songs with impeccable technique on the guitar and a very soulful voice. To tell the truth, many of us came to hear Alvin just as much as the features act. The crowd is warmed up nicely now, and ready for the main show, the air is already highly charged with lovely energy, and about 10 minutes after Alvin finishes his set, brothers Luther and Cody Dickinson come on stage.

 Luther Dickinson with 2 dedicated Blues fans

Cody immediately opens with a New Orleans style quick parade marching beat, as Luther straps on his guitar and begins picking out a song slowly and softly.
The brothers, also known as the North Mississippi Allstars, and also as the North Mississippi Allstars Duo LuCo, It is quite hard to believe how full the sound is coming out of just a guitar and drum set, but these two manage to make it sound like at least a full 4 piece band was on stage.

After an hour with a string of their best songs, going from playing hard and full out and back down to a whisper and gentle fingerpicking, the audience is rocking and swaying, and hanging on their every move, and that's when Alvin comes back on stage, and picks up the bass guitar. Luther sits at the drum kit, as Cody pulls out a metal laundry washboard that is hooked up to a microphone and electronic effects pedals, and literally stuns the audience by making some wild and amazing sound patterns with the amplified washboard. Alvin now takes up a guitar and Luther the bass, as Alvin sings a couple of his own songs, and then switches back to the bass, as Luther pulls out an amplified 2 string cigar box guitar and plays it with a bottleneck slide. Next, Luther picks up a 2 stringed amplified coffee tin guitar and plays it slide style as well as singing through the other end of the tin can like a megaphone...

After all this wildness, they all went off stage for a few minutes as the crowd all stood on their feet and waited for an encore, and encore they got - at least another 20 minutes of the amazing high energy North Mississippi Allstars show. As one person leaving the club said: "That's just what I needed, that music filled me up for a long time!"

Traveling Blues - show no. 55 July 11, 2012

The podcast is available here:

Traveling Blues - show no. 55  July 11, 2012

On tonight's show, we were still enjoying the high from the North Mississippi Allstars performance last night in Tel Aviv.
Blues birthdays of the week wre Casey Bill Weldon and Blind Boy Fuller. We featured a new release by singer guitarist Suzanne Thomas and the Blues Church.

There are two members of the Blues community that need our help - Graham Wood Drout of the Florida Blues band Iko-Iko, who is recovering from medical treatment for complications from severe diabetes,
and Curtis Salgado, who is undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous piece of his lung.

You can donate to Graham's Wood Drout medical fund at this website:
http://www.iko-iko.com/Iko-Iko/HELP_GRAHAM.html

You can chip in to Curtis Salgado's medical fund by clicking "chip in " on his website:
http://www.curtissalgado.com/

Here's our playlist:
01. North Mississippi Allstars - Shake  
02. North Mississippi Allstars - Going Home
03. Robert Belfour - Po' Black Mattie
04. Johnny Moore and the Three Blazers - How Blue Can You Get?
05. Iko- Iko - I've Got the Gris Gris
06. Curtis Salgado - Inside My Heart
07. Suzanne Thomas - Cheatin' On Me
08. Casey Bill Weldon - Somebody Changed the Lock on My Door
09. Blind Boy Fuller - Baby I Don't Have to Worry
10. Blind Boy Fuller - Walking My Blues Away
11. Robert Belfour - Hill Stomp
12. North Mississippi Allstars - The Horseshoe

Traveling Blues - show no. 55  July 11, 2012

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Traveling Blues show no. 54, July 4, 2012

The podcast is available here:

Traveling Blues show no. 54, July 4, 2012

Tonight's show featured an interview with Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars, and Blues birthdays for Mississippi John Hurt, Willie Dixon, Willie Pinetop Perkins, and James Cotton.


Here's the playlist:

01. Mississippi John Hurt - The Moanin' Blues 
02. Mississippi John Hurt - Satisfied 
03. Big Three Trio (Willie Dixon) - I Ain't Gonna Be Your Monkey Man 
04. Big Three Trio (Willie Dixon) - Violent Love 
05. The North Mississippi Allstars - Ain't None of Mine 
06. Pinetop Perkins - Baby What You Want Me To Do 
07. Luther Dickinson - interview 
08. North Mississippi Allstars - Lord Have Mercy 
09. James Cotton - Cut You Loose 
10. Daniel Dworsky - Don't Cry to Me 

Listen to Traveling Blues live Wednesdays at 8 PM (GMT+2) IDC Radio 106.2FM,
or http://1062fm.co.il/en/,

Listen to archived podcasts at www.icast.co.il/TravelingBlues

JUST CLICK THE GREEN BUTTON WITH THE EARPHONE ICON TO  OPEN THE PLAYER
OR CLICK THE GREEN BUTTON WITH THE DOWN ARROW TO DOWNLOAD THE FILE

Traveling Blues - My New Blues Radio Show!!!

Hey people,
I've got a brand new Blues radio show called "Traveling Blues"!!!

It airs on Wednesday nights at 8:00 PM (Jerusalem time, 6:00 PM GMT, 1:00 PM EDT), and you can listen to it live on radio (106.2FM in central Israel) or the internet from the IDC Radio site.
The show is also archived as an MP3 file/podcast that can be downloaded directly from the iCast site or streamed in the online popup player - just click the earphone icon.

The show is mostly presented in English
(shows no. 2 and no.5 are all in English,
and from show no.14 onward, we will present completely in English),
but you will certainly be able to make out the artist names and phrases that we discuss on the show, and we have a live artist in the studio on many of our shows.
Sooooooo, please tune in and turn on the Blues,
 and tell all your friends and Blues mavens out there too!!!

Charles Sawyer interviewed on IDC radio

In my recent "Traveling Blues" radio show on IDC radio,
I interviewed the man who wrote the first biography of BB King, Charles Sawyer,
a Blues harmonica player in his own right,
as well as a Blues historian, and photographer, who teaches an extension course at Harvard University on the Blues.

You can listen to and/or download the show at:
http://pod.icast.co.il/7841cb9​1-d266-4026-9cb4-30913a5bb835.​icast.mp3
or at
http://www.icast.co.il/PlayerW​in.aspx?file=http%3A%2F%2Fpod.​icast.co.il%2F7841cb91-d266-40​26-9cb4-30913a5bb835.icast.mp3​&IndexID=396590&name=iCast

Charlie Musslewhite - radio playlist from June 9th, 2011

Radio 90FM, Israel,
Thursday night, June 9th, 2011 24:00 - 02:00
Eli Dr. Blues Marcus as a guest on "Deja Vu" with host Benny Tavory.
This show was a tribute to Charlie Musselwhite, on the eve of his upcoming first show in Israel,
presenting the history and biography of Charlie Musselwhite.


------Artist----------**------------Song----------**-----------Album---------**-----------Label

01. Charlie Musselwhite, Finger Lickin' Good, from "Memphis Charlie", Arhoolie records
02. Charlie Musselwhite, WHere Highway 61 Runs, from "The Well", Alligator records
03. Charlie Musselwhite, Miss Bessie, from live recording, Cambridge, 1988
04. Big Joe Williams, Skin and Bone Blues, from "Watergate Blues", Ornament/CMA Music Production
05. Big Walter Horton, Back Home To Mama, from "Harmonica Blues Kings", Delmark records
06. Little Walter, Juke, from "Blues With a Feeling", Blues Encore
07. Junior Wells, Ships on the Ocean, from "Hoodoo Man Blues", Delmark records
08. Butterfield Blues Band/Paul Butterfield, Lovin' Cup, from "The Original Lost Electra Sessions", Elektra/Rhino
09. Charlie Musselwhite, Baby Will You Please Help Me, from "Stand Back!", Vanguard records
10. Junior Wells, Little By Little, from "Live at Theresa's, 1975", Delmark records
11. Charlie Musselwhite, Little By Little, from "Tenessee Woman", Vanguard records
12. John Lee Hooker, One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer, from "Live at Cafe A Go Go", ABC-Bluesway
13. Charlie Musselwhite, Wild Wild Woman, from "Memphis Charlie", Arhoolie records
14. Charlie Musselwhite, Cut You Loose, from "Memphis Charlie", Arhoolie records
15. Bonnie Raitt (duet with Musselwhite), Shadow of Doubt, from "Longing in Their Hearts", Capitol records
16. Cyndi Lauper (with Musselwhite), I'm Just Your Fool, from "Memphis Blues", Downtown records
17. Cyndi Lauper (with Musselwhite), Dwon Don't Bother Me, from "Memphis Blues", Downtown Records
18. Charlie Musselwhite, Dig the Pain, from "the Well", Alligator records
19. CG and the Hammer, Same Old Fool, from "Blues Heaven", independent (Israel)
20. Charlie Musselwhite, It Ain't Right, from Memphis Charlie", Arhoolie records
21. Charlie Musselwhite, Hoodoo Queen, from "the Well", Alligator records
22. Charlie Musselwhite, Help Me, from "Stand Back!", Vanguard records

Remembering Gil Scott Heron

I never got to see or hear Gil Scott Heron live, and when it was announced last year around this time that he was coming to perform in Israel, I thought I would finally get a chance, and maybe even to say hello, shake his hand, and tell him how much joy his words and music gave me over the years. Unfortunately, someone got to him before the date, and persuaded him to cancel his trip to Israel...

I believe that it was near the end of the 1970's that I picked up the album "Bridges", and fell in love with the infectious funky Jazzy sounds of Gil Scott Heron and Brian Jackson. That is probably his happiest, funkiest, most upbeat album of all the collection. Just check out a few of the tunes on these YouTube links:

Hello Sunday, Hello Road

Under the Hammer

Racetrack in France

Little by little, I also found some of his more political albums with more of his "rap" - he definitely had a way with words, and a strong sense of humor too. Gil Scott Heron was a poet, a stand-up comedian, political/social commentator, and a fine musician with deep Blues and Jazz roots.

Gil Scott Heron was a deadly serious man with a message, but he didn't hit you over the head with it - he preferred to present his views as a conversation with the audience, filled with positive ideas and lots of humor. When you heard him speak, everything he said made sense, he had some very astute observations, and most of the time, he could see right through the layers of lies that we build in our culture to try and protect or legitimize our way of life.

I really felt sad to hear that in recent years he had messed up his life with heavy drug use, got into trouble with the law, did jail time, and eventually, also destroyed his health - to the point where he just didn't make it, and passed away last week at age 62.

Rest in peace brother Gil.

Yesterday's Blues Phrase: Wild Women Don't Have the Blues

Wild Women Don't Have The Blues

movie clip

by Ida Cox
recorded July 1924





"I hear these women raving 'bout their monkey men
About their trifling1 husbands and their no good friends
These poor women sit around all day and moan
Wondering why their wandering papa's don't come home
But wild women don't worry, wild women don't have no blues

Now when you've got a man, don't never be on the square
'Cause if you do he'll have a woman everywhere
I never was known to treat no one man right
I keep 'em working hard both day and night
'Cause wild women don't worry, wild women don't have their blues

I've got a disposition and a way of my own
When my man starts kicking I let him find another home
I get full of good liquor, walk the streets all night
Go home and put my man out if he don't act right
Wild women don't worry, wild women don't have their blues

You never get nothing by being an angel child
You better change your ways and get real wild
I wanna tell you something, I wouldn't tell you a lie
Wild women are the only kind that really get by
'Cause wild women don't worry, wild women don't have their blues"

Today's Blues phrase: I'll be your mule

I'll be your mule



"A mule is a creature that can carry any load
up the highest mountain or 'long the roughest road
but you better feed him right and treat him like a friend
'cause once he turns his back on you ,
he will never look at you again"

"I'll be your mule, I'll be your mule, I'll be your mule
I'll be your mule, I'll be your mule
I'll be your mule, but I will refuse to be your fool"


Steve Freund,
from the album "I'll be Your Mule" (Delmark 752)

R.I.P. Willie Pinetop Perkins 1913-2011

I met Pinetop in 2006 on the Blues Cruise.

He was a very sweet man, and when he got on stage, it was as if he was 40 years old again, the voice, the piano playing, were all there as if he was in his prime.

Just 2 months ago he won a Grammy for his latest album with Willie Big Eyes Smith - "Joined at the Hip: Pinetop Perkins & Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith."

Here is one of the newspaper notices of his passing.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/8397186/Legendary-blues-musician-Pinetop-Perkins-dies-age-97.html

R.I.P. Big Jack Johnson - 1940-2011

Sad news from Bob Corritore (March 14, 2011) :

Big Jack Johnson passed away this morning at 6am in his hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi after a long battle with heath issues. He was 70 years old.

Big Jack's inventive, energetic, Delta-rooted guitar, rich confident vocals, down home songwriting, and larger than life stage presence made him one of the most celebrated bluesmen of Mississippi. His long music career included much national and international touring, many amazing record releases, and a huge amount of praise and respect.

Big Jack was born in Lambert, Mississippi in the summer of 1940, and learned guitar from his father at age 13. He rose to prominence in the early 1960s working as a key member of the legendary Jelly Roll Kings, a champion blues band which also included Frank Frost and Sam Carr. Big Jack first appeared on record in the 1960s as the guitarist on two famous Frank Frost albums; Hey Boss Man on the Phillips International label (an offshoot of Sun Records) from 1962, and My Back Scratcher on Jewel from 1966.

In the late 1970s, Michael Frank debuted his Earwig Music label with The Jelly Roll Kings / Rockin' The Juke Joint Down which also was a recording debut for Big Jack's great vocals. Soon afterward, Big Jack Johnson would start a solo career for himself, independent of the Jelly Roll Kings. His solo debut album, Oil Man (Big Jack used to hold down a day gig delivering oil barrels in Mississippi) on the Earwig label was released in 1987. This led to additional CDs for Earwig, a nice run with M.C. Records, and additional recordings for Rooster Blues, P-Vine Records, Right Coast Recording, and Big Jack Music. There was also a nice Jelly Roll Kings reunion album called Off Yonder Wall that came out in 1997 on the Fat Possum Records. Additionally, Big Jack appeared in the influential 1992 documentary movie Deep Blues. He was a popular festival and club entertainer, a warm and hospitable person, and an amazing musician.

Big Jack Johnson was the last original member of the Jelly Roll Kings. His passing leaves a gap in the blues that will never again be filled. To see his amazing performance of "Catfish Blues" from the movie Deep Blues, click here. Thanks for all the great music Big Jack. You are loved!"

******************************

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I remember Big Jack visiting Israel and playing in a small club in Tel Aviv.

The host guitarist who invited him to Israel (and shall remain nameless) was trying his usual tricks of one-up-manship and trying to intimidate his guest, as he often does with various people he invites on stage.

Jack Johnson didn't even flinch, stood his ground, played and sang his solid Blues, and managed to push this rude host guitarist into the opposite corner of the stage with his no-bones Mississippi roots attitude. I think that this was the first time I saw anyone really stand up to this guy, and Jack Johnson gave a great show that night!

R.I.P. Robin Rogers 1957 to 2010

This news comes just 2 days after Robin was nominated for Contemporary Blues Female Artist for the 2011 Blues Music Awards. This week her latest CD reached # 4 on the Blues Roots Music Charts.

From Bob Corritore's newletter:

"Singer / harmonica player Robin Rogers has died today in her hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. She had been struggling with terminal liver cancer for a month now. Robin was well loved within the blues community and had some highly successful CDs which frequently ended up with nominations, and she was honored with a Blues Blast Music Award in 2009, for "Best Female Artist".

Her humble and sincere personality, coupled with her unmistakable talent, made us all take her in as an adopted little sister. She had lead a very hard life, complete with homelessness, and drug and alcohol abuse, but she had turned her life around, and found a positive outlet in blues music. She had been sober for 21 years and happily wed to her husband, and musical partner Tony Rogers who was by her side until the end.

Many benefits sprouted around the country and her latest record Back In The Fire, on the Blind Pig label, was met with great success, and has recently been nominated for a Blues Music Award. Please spend a few minutes to hear the NPR interview with Robin, from a few weeks ago. . Thank you Robin, for your great music, and your strong heart. To read more about Robin Rogers, please visit www.robinrogers.com"

R.I.P. James Peterson 1937-2010

I first discovered James Peterson's solid Blues on a CD from the early 90's. Only later did I discover that he was also the father of the high energy singer (and multi instrumentalist) Bluesman Lucky Peterson.

Well, James Peterson passed away this week, on Dec. 12, 2010.

He was active in recent years in the Tampa Bay Florida Blues scene.

Rest in peace James.

See and hear James Peterson - live performance video.

Open Letter to Gil Scott Heron

Hello Gil,
I was so elated when I first heard that you were coming to perform here in Tel Aviv, both my wife and I were really looking forward to seeing and hearing you in person.
I have been a big fan since the 1970's when I happened upon your album Bridges (Hello Sunday, Hello Rose), and I have tried to follow your career through the years, as well as introduce my friends to your music. I also do the occasional radio show and I have broadcast your music many times, as well as introduced other radio people here in Israel to your albums.

Today, I am very disappointed in you. The newspapers are announcing that you have canceled your Israel show at the urging of a few individuals and based on hearsay and political propaganda.
I really thought you were more intelligent and sensitive than to swallow lies from propaganda machines. In the past, I think that you had the keen observation tools to see through the establishment "bull", and to form your own very unique opinions - that is at least the Gil Scott Heron that I thought I knew...

Regardless of your scheduled performance here, I invite you to come to Israel, walk around Jerusalem with me, walk around a few other towns, meet some local artists, feel the pulse of the people here, see for yourself!!!

A couple of things to ponder -
would a country or a people that has such a "bad rap" politically in the world today be able to produce a democracy where Arab citizens of Israel sit in its parliament and openly criticize the government on a regular basis?
Would an "ogre" or a "pariah" people have such great artist and musicians, especially in the international Jazz world which requires sensitivity and creativity at the highest level?

Please do not take the word of those who only seem to have hatred, death and destruction on their agenda, and completely deny our right to exist peacefully, come here and make up your own mind!!!

And maybe you can help to bridge the gaps and change attitudes with the magic of music!!!

Sincerely,
Eli ("Dr. Blues") Marcus

Lazer Lloyd Blues Band - new Blues in the Holy Land

This is a repost and update - the Lazer Lloyd Blues Band is recording a new album,
and I hope to have more news soon of special appearances and touring by this amazing dynamic power Blues/Rock trio.





Lazer Lloyd is an American guitarist and phenomenal Blues/Rock artist who lives in the Holy Land of Israel.
He is known worldwide for his power Rock Blues trio Yood.

Lazer has recently renewed his Blues power trio -
the Lazer Lloyd Blues Band,
and he's opening on March 27, 2010 for the Snowy White Blues Project,
which is performing in Tel Aviv, Israel for the first time.

Listen to recent recordings by Lazer on his MySpace page,
and check out live video at Lazer Lloyd's YouTube Channel


enjoy...

R.I.P. Marva Wright - NOLA Gospel and Blues singer

Gospel, blues artist Marva Wright dead at 62

(AP) – 7 hours ago

NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans blues and gospel singer Marva Wright died Tuesday at age 62, her former manager said.

Adam Shipley confirmed that Wright died of complications from a stroke she suffered last year.

She sang traditional jazz and gospel standards but was better known for sultry, sometimes bawdy blues songs. Among her best known songs were "Heartbreakin' Woman" and "Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean."

She released a series of albums on local and international record labels, and frequently performed in Europe and at blues festivals around the country. With her band, the BMWs, she drew large crowds for performances at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

As a child, Wright listened to her mother sing and play piano at church. Among her childhood memories were visits to Chicago, the adopted home of New Orleans gospel great Mahalia Jackson, who had grown up with Wright's mother.

"My mother would go to the national Baptist convention," Ms. Wright once said, according to an account in The Times-Picayune newspaper. "When it convened in Chicago, Mahalia would say, 'Girl, you don't need to get no hotel. Stay with me.' That's what my mother would do. I met Mahalia when I was 9 years old, but I never realized she was that popular until I got older."

But Wright didn't start singing professionally until she was almost 40, according to a biography on her Web site.

Wright was hospitalized last June after suffering a serious stroke following a gig at the CoCo Club on Bourbon Street. Relatives said then that she had just recovered from an earlier, less serious stroke.

On the Net:

• http://www.marvawright.com

Poor man, but a good man, Skip James

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***James Coburn * James Brown *****
***Etta James * Steve James *********
***Jesse James * Jameson*************
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*** Skip James Skip James Skip James ***
*** Skip James Skip James Skip James ***
*** Skip James Skip James Skip James ***
*** Skip James Skip James Skip James ***
*** Skip James Skip James Skip James ***
*** Skip James Skip James Skip James ***
*** Skip James Skip James Skip James ***
*** Skip James Skip James Skip James ***
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***Jimmy James & the Blues Flames***
*** James Bond * Bob James***
***Elmore James * King James***
***Frank James * James bay***
***Susan James * Ellen James***
James James James James James
James James James James James
James James James James James
James James James James James

****Skip town for 33 years***

James James James James James
James James James James James
James James James James James
James James James James James
James James James James James
James James James James James
James James James James James
James James James James James
James James James James James
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R.I.P. Nick Holt - (1940-2009) - brother

Longtime Chicago and Lincoln blues player Nick Holt died Monday.

Holt, 69, had played at the Zoo Bar and other Lincoln venues since 1975, mostly with his brother, Morris “Magic Slim” Holt.

And like his brother, he moved his family from Chicago’s South Side to Lincoln in the 1990s to get his kids and grandchildren out of the city. Most of the extended family still lives here.

Holt recovered from a 1987 bout with throat cancer, but he had been sick for several months.

In 1999, he was nominated for a W.C. Handy Award as best blues instrumentalist on bass. At the time, he played bass with Magic Slim and the Teardrops.

“He was one of the best bass players I’ve ever heard, and he really influenced me in my playing,” said Zoo Bar co-owner Jeff Boehmer, who plays bass himself.

“I probably would have been 4 or 5 or younger when they started coming to town, so I’ve known Nick my whole life.”

Funeral services are pending.

*********************************
RIP Nick Holt 1/15/1940-6/22/
Bruce Iglauer reports that Nick Holt, the bass-playing younger brother of Magic Slim, died of brain cancer on Monday, June 22, 2009 in Lincoln , Nebraska , where he had been living. He was 69. Born in Granada , Mississippi in 1940, Nick moved to Chicago in 1956. Four years later, he and his brother formed the notorious Magic Slim & The Teardrops. This band persevered to become a mainstay of the Chicago blues scene. Slim's raucous guitar and Nick's insistent bass lines anchored the band, and created a tough, rock-solid groove so propulsive that it packed the dance floors nightly. It wasn't that Nick did anything fancy or flashy on the bass; he just played it simple and right. Magic Slim & The Teardrops recorded numerous albums for a wide array of labels such as Rooster Blues, Blind Pig, Wolf Records, Alligator, Isabel, Delmark, Red Lightnin', Black & Blue, Evidence, and others. The band relocated to Lincoln , Nebraska , where they had a huge following from their touring appearances at the Zoo Bar. Nick had not been touring for the last few years, possibly for health reasons. In addition to scores of Magic Slim & The Teardrops records, and various sessions as a sideman, Nick leaves us with three releases bearing his name:
Magic Slim And Nick Holt/You Can't Lose What Never Had (Wolf Records)
Nick Holt/You Better Watch Yourself (Wolf Records)
Little Boogie Boy Blues Band featuring Nick Holt/We Do It For The Blues
Many blues fans will warmly remember seeing Magic Slim & The Teardrops with the brothers’ towering presence filling up the stage while they knocked out the heaviest of shuffles. Such a loss for the blues. Prayers to Magic Slim in this time of grief. Thanks, Nick, for the great times, and the spectacular music.


A celebration of Nick’s life is planned for Wednesday from 6pm-9pm at The Zoo Bar. Magic Slim and his Lincoln band will perform.

Happy Birthday Buddy Guy!

George "Buddy" Guy is 73 years young!!!!
born : 7/30/36 Lettsworth, Louisiana




27 WC Handy Awards

5 Grammy Awards

Blues Hall of Fame

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Happy Birthday Buddy!!!!

...A Rose by any Other Name

John Lee Hooker was a very interesting character, an iconoclastic musician with his own very personal and individual style, he was also a survivor - a Blues musician who knew early on how to sell himself to record companies.





And sell himself he did, maybe too well - over the years from 1948 to the mid 1950's, John Lee Hooker recorded for no less than 20 different record labels!!!
Of course, this was done under a number of different aliases to get around contractual problems, since he often recorded the same material for those various labels.

Hooker certainly wasn't the first musician to do such a thing - Thomas 'Fats' Waller was reputed to have periodically gone through the famous Brill building, from door to door, selling the same compositions under different names to different music publishers so that he could get a bit of cash in his pockets to go out and get drunk...

The aliases Hooker created for himself were just as varied as the labels who were eager to record his music.
(Modern, King, Regent, Savoy, Danceland, Staff, Sensation, Chess, Acorn, Gotham, Regal, Swingtime. Federal, Gone, Chance, DeLuxe, JVB, Chart, Specialty, and Vee-Jay)
Here is a list of known aliases John Lee Hooker recorded under:

"Texas Slim"
"Delta John"
"Birmingham Sam and His Magic Guitar"
"Little Pork Chop"
"Johnny Williams"
"John Lee Booker"
"The Boogie Man"
"Johnny Lee"
"Sir John Lee Hooker"
"John Lee Cooker"
"Johnny Lee Hooker"
"John L' Hooker"


"What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet..."
from Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare

References used:
Bill Dahl, "John Lee Hooker: Biography", http://afgen.com/john_hooker.html

Claus Röhnisch, "John Lee Hooker Complete Singles Discography"http://web.telia.com/~u19104970/johnnielee1.html#singles

R.I.P. Jackie Washington (1919-2009) - Canadian Jazz and Blues icon

Canadian Jazz and Blues icon Jackie Washington passed away on Saturday, June 27, 2009

I feel honored and privileged to have known him and even jam with him on occasion.
Jackie was the sweetest, nicest man I knew in the music business in Canada.
He was a great entertainer, singer, instrumentalist, playing both piano and guitar, Blues, Jazz, Boogie Woogie, and "Sentimentals" as he called part of his repertoire.

Jackie was a walking living encyclopedia of old Jazz and Blues,
I think he knew at least a few thousand songs and could play them all perfectly.
His one big fault was that he loved music so much, he just couldn't say no to an all night jam,
even when staying up and playing all night would threaten his health...
Rest in peace Jackie.

sample some of Jackie's music:
Borealis Records website 1

Borealis Records website 2

Hamilton, Ontario local news:
http://www.thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/590760

"Blues Trek- the Next Generation"

Here are three female Blues Divas to watch out for,

now that the Queen Koko Taylor has passed on -

Diunna Greenleaf - Houston, Texas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBXGgrFFsdg
(I was at this show! standing on the right taking pictures... Blues Cruise Jan. 2006)

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Lady Bianca - Oakland, California

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmJdSqXuu4U

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Nora Jean Bruso - Chicago, Illinois (born in Greenwood, Mississippi)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6iSu54Y--Q&feature=related

Koko Taylor - Queen of the Blues R.I.P.

The Queen has left us, Koko Taylor, the Queen of the Blues has passed away at age 80
Rest in peace Koko...


"I got 29 ways to get to my baby's door
I got 29 ways to get to my baby's door,
and if he needs me real bad,
I can find about two or three more"
Willie Dixon - Koko Taylor

"... We gonna pitch a Wang Dang Doodle,
all night long..."
Willie Dixon - Koko Taylor

The Blues is...

The Blues is about humanity,
the personal touch,
touching people's lives,
touching everyday life

"the Blues gives you back your soul" Taj Mahal

"Reggae gives you back your body.
Jazz gives you back your mind.
And Blues gives you back your soul."
Taj Mahal
June 2009 Blues Revue magazine


It's hard to believe, but artist Taj Mahal just turned 67 years old! Anyone who has seen him in person in recent years, would hardly believe that the man who almost single-handedly started a new wave of young Black Blues artists in the 1970's, can now be considered one of the "elder statesmen" of the Blues.
The newest issue (June 2009) of Blues Revue magazine contains an interview with Taj,
go out and your copy today!!!

25th International Blues Challenge - Memphis 2009

25th International Blues Challenge

here is the list of winners for 2009:

Band, 1st place
South Florida Blues Society--JP Soars & the Red Hots

Band, 2nd Place
Cascade Blues Association--Ty Curtis Band

Band, 3rd Place
Ottawa Blues Society--MonkeyJunk

Best Guitarist (in a a band) Award
JP Soars

Solo/Duo, 1st place

Blues Society of Tulsa--Little Joe McLerran

Solo/Duo, 2nd Place

Crossroads Blues Society of Mississippi--Alphonso & Richard

Best Self-Produced CD Award

"Hollerin'!" Nathan James & Ben Hernandez took home the Best Self-Produced CD Award for their newest effort (Many of you will recall, this duo won the 2007 International Blues Challenge).

Here is a summary of the IBC week (from http://blues.org/ibc/past.php?YearId=25)

From the opening night, with last year’s runner-up Shakura S’Aida belting out the National Anthem at the Memphis Grizzlies game to the Wednesday night party at the New Daisy Theater featuring previous IBC Winners like Trampled Under Foot, Sean Carney, Homemade Jamz and Jonn Richardson to the 184 acts from around the world to the all day Saturday finals to jams in every Beale Street venue, the IBC has become THE winter blues event to attend.
It was not that long ago that the IBC, aka the International Blues Challenge, hosted 20 to 30 acts which competed in one or two clubs on Beale. Solo performers and bands were lumped in the same category and the few fans, mainly family, crammed into the New Daisy theater. Today it has grown into a world class event with enough music to satisfy every blues taste.
For those not familiar with the format, 10 clubs on Beale Street each host 10 bands for a 25 minute performance on both Thursday and Friday nights. Another 6 clubs host 10 solo/duo acts during the same period. The top scoring band in each venue then moves to the Saturday finals.
With program in hand, one simply darts from club to club starting at 5 PM searching out the best of Beale. When the dust finally settles, around midnight, your friends will tell you about all the great bands you missed. That sets up your Friday schedule.
This year, the Blues Foundation started Friday’s music at 11 AM with two exciting showcases during the afternoon. Alfred’s hosted a showcase of 11 International acts which came to Memphis to compete. High energy bands from France’s Blues Sur Seine, Norway, Croatia, Ottawa, Quebec, Australia, Israel, and Italy showed all afternoon that the blues thrives around the world. At the same time, the Foundation hosted a Youth showcase for 24 bands whose members were under 21 years old. Blues Societies were asked to send their best Youth band to showcase talent. Held in four clubs on Beale, the Youth Showcase featured a 9 year old string slinger, a 15 year old slide guitarist, bass players whose bass is bigger then they are, and a 14 year old boogie woogie master. This showcase was enough proof that the blues can still catch the ears of today’s younger generation.
As it that was not enough music, Blind Raccoon and Yellow Dog Records each held showcases in the Rum Boogie and King’s Palace respectively. At the Blind Raccoon show, fans could hear musicians like Dave fields, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, Tas Cru, Billy Gibson, Steve Howell, and the Delta Flyers. The highlight here was when Super Chikan unveiled his OBAMA guitar, complete with Chikan’s unique stimulus package. Yellow Dog’s show included the varied musical Mary Flower, Rich Del Grosso and Fiona Boyes.
Highlights of my two days of running from club to club included the Grady Champion revue from Jackson, MS. I first met Grady 13 years ago and haven’t seen his show in almost 10 years. His combination of Southern soul, funk, and blues was a refreshing break from blasting guitars. Another highlight was the sweet, acoustic stylings of Washington’s Alice Stuart. There were explosive sets by Austin’s Mike Milligan and the Alter Boyz, Conrad Oberg on both piano and guitar, Dan Treanor’s trippy Afrosippi blues band, and the Phil Gates band. On the street I had difficult choices between the booming voice of Austin “Walkin’ Cane,” the dense guitar groove of Darrell Raines and George Caldwell, the finger picking of Roger “Hurricane” Wilson and the hill country blues of 80 year old veteran L.C. Ulmer and his 17 year old student, Chase Holifield.
The finals included the soul stylings of Monkey Junk, Ottawa’s top blues band, the four handed boogie-woogie of Poland’s Boogie Bo ys, the sultry come hither blues of Phoenix’s Meredith Moore, the passionate guitar work of Pryor Baird, the fresh blues vision of Boston’s Delta Generators and the gorgeous 10 minute slow blues guitar of eventual band winner, JP Soars and the Red Hots. Follow that with a 6 act performance in the solo duo category won by the gorgeous Piedmont finger style of 24 year old Little Joe McLerran and Saturday was a night that satisfied every blues taste.
But the music never stops when the shows end. Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin hosted his annual after party jam at the Rum Boogie on both Friday and Saturday night. On Saturday, Michael Burks and Shemekia Copeland both stopped by to join Bob’s jam. The New Daisy hosted a Youth Jam session on Friday night that produced enough energy to light the night. And on Saturday night, Big City Blue hosted a showcase at Morgan Freeman’s new Memphis Ground Zero.
Congrats to the Blues Foundation for having the vision to let this event grow into one of the premier music events on the Blues calendar.

Blues at the Grammy's - 2009

Blues Grammy Winners:

The 51st Grammy Awards were held on Sunday, February 8, but you didn’t see the Blues categories, which were held earlier.

Below are the nominees in the Blues-related categories. They winners are in bold:

Best Traditional Blues Album

The Blues Rolls On - Elvin Bishop - Delta Groove Music

Skin Deep - Buddy Guy - Silvertone Records

All Odds Against Me - John Lee Hooker, Jr. - Steppin' Stone Records/CC Entertainment

One Kind Favor - B.B. King - Geffen Records

Pinetop Perkins & Friends - Pinetop Perkins & Friends - Stoneagle Music/Telarc

Best Contemporary Blues Album

Peace, Love & BBQ - Marcia Ball - Alligator Records

Like A Fire - Solomon Burke - Shout! Factory

City That Care Forgot - Dr. John And The Lower 911 - 429 Records

Maestro - Taj Mahal - Heads Up International

Simply Grand - Irma Thomas -Rounder Records

These are all winners!

The Blackmailers - Blues and Fun from Moscow

Zlato Zrno Blues (2004)

My friend Alex S. introduced me to the music of the Blackmailers about 2 years ago, and suggested that I contact them.
They kindly responded by sending us copies of their first two albums.

Featuring a with a nice horn section, their sound reminds me of Blood Sweat and Tears, and the full voice of the lead vocalist reminds me allot of David Clayton Thomas.
Even though the singing diction isn't perfect, the overall message comes across -
these guys love the Blues and are having a good time when they play!!!

Guitarist Alex Baryshev and singer Timo Kopylov provide us with an interesting mix of Jump Blues, Chicago Blues, some Jazzy Blues, and a strong spicing up with some Balkan music!!!

Paradise Fanfare Blues (2006)

I give these 2 albums 4 thumbs up (out of a possible 5).

Sam Bluzman Taylor - 1934- 2009

Where Sam Bluzman Taylor is concerned, I can profess almost total ignorance. I had hardly heard the name 'till someone mentioned a live show of his on one of the Blues forums. But the minute I checked him out, I found a charming, dynamic, and powerful "Bluzman" who was quietly tucked away in the Long Island, N.Y. area, and was a respected member of the Long Island Blues Society, . His musical history includes playing in early funk and soul bands such as BT Express and Joey Dee & The Starlighters. He was awarded Blues Trust Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003, as well as being inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.
To me, Sam Taylor strongly resembled Matt "Guitar" Murphy Wikipedia: Matt Murphy which made me more curious about him, and once I heard his music I found a powerful singer with strong roots in gospel and soul, as well as a fine electric Blues guitarist.



Here are
some video clips of Sam

here are a few selected Obits and references to Sam Bluzman Taylor:

Long Island Music Hall of Fame site

Newsday Obituary

Keith Gordon - About.com Guide to Blues on Sam Taylor