September 20, 2006
Thank You Robert!
Boston Blues Week enjoyed a regal kickoff Sunday night, with a performance by Robert Lockwood Junior at the Bull Run. The Samuel Adams Brewer’s Dinner set a new standard for our presentation of important American musicians. The Blues Trust Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by Ronnie Earl, who sites Lockwood as one of his musical inspirations.
We would like to thank all that came to enjoy an evening of great food and excellent music. Lockwood’s performance would have been excellent for anyone half his 91 years! We’re grateful for those that supported the fundraiser and especially for those that shared the evening with their children.
Have a Cigar
Join us for our second presentation of Boston Blues Week 2006. Thursday September, 21, The White Owls play the Blues Trust Club Night at Atwood’s Tavern, 877 Cambridge, Street, Cambridge. 617-864-2792.
We learned the following at The Samuel Adams Brewer’s Dinner and we plan to put it into practice. How to taste a Samuel Adams Boston Lager:
Step One: Color and clarity
Golden to amber and clear, no haze.
Step Two: The Aroma or Nose
Piney, citrus and floral; caramel, toffee and sweet.
Step Three: Body and MouthFeel
Smooth and full bodied but not heavy.
Step Four: Flavor
Balanced and complex with a lingering finish
We’re not going to kid you; this will not be an early night. Showtime is 10 PM. But if you show up early and buy a Boston Blues Festival Button, you will receive a free appetizer with the purchase of an entrée. Speaking of free, there is no cover to hear hardcore Blues music, played by the stellar lineup of Andy Plaisted, Dean Cassell, Steve Sadler, Mike Dinallo and Dennis Brennan. The Blues Trust will be handing out some free Blues CDs and you can take a shot at winning some money on the 50/50 raffle. Just like a proud papa or a victorious politician, we’ll even be handing out stogies!
The reasons to celebrate are many. A memory comes to mind of a dozen years back, when we first got the OK from the MDC to have a free Blues Festival at the Hatch Shell. We lit up a cigar and thought we’d won the lottery. What we didn’t know then! But in retrospect, the relationships this journey has afforded us, the fun we’ve had and the music we’ve shared, make it time to sit back, smoke a fine cigar. It brings to mind a few old tunes, one by Traffic and the other is a Jesse Fuller / Charles Brown song.
“You’re trying to tell me ‘bout the birds and the bees, the skirt that you’re wearing is way past your knees, either Light up or Leave me Alone”.
“Drinking and gambling and staying out all night, just livin’ in a Fool’s Paradise.”
Get a Button, Be Cool
Pick up your 2006 Boston Blues Festival Button at the Blues Trust Club Night and immediately enjoy a better life. Use your button as a fashion statement of your Blues support and visit the great establishments that make the free Boston Blues Festival happen. We’ll see you on the town!
Blues Fest Preview
Don’t forget to tune into Fox Morning News this Friday, to catch Brian Templeton playing live on Channel 25 at 8:20 AM. He will be featuring music from his new disc, Bloozin’, in advance of his performance at Sunday’s Boston Blues Festival. You can hear cuts from the recording on Brian’s site. We’re really excited to see our buddy on the tube and thankful to Fox for giving Blues some wider recognition.
FREE Blues
They are coming by plane, they’re coming by boat. Where are you coming from to attend this weekend’s free Boston Blues Festival at The Hatch Shell? We already told you about the performers traveling to town for the show from Europe and throughout the country, but we also have friends coming to town from Indy, Arizona, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and folks off the Carnival Cruise Liner docked in Boston this weekend!Stop by the Blues Trust Resource table and say hi. The fan who came the Farthest to The Fest, will receive some yet to be determined recognition. Maybe free swimming lessons in the Charles River
The lineup and approximate set times for this weekend’s free Boston Blues Festival:
Saturday Noon to Six, rain or shine, the music’s fine.
Noon: Mary Lou Ferrante
1 PM: Danny Vitale and Loaded Dice
2 PM Boston Blues Express
3 PM Jimmy & The Soul Cats
4:30 PM Rockets Reunion, Featuring Anson Funderburgh and Darrell Nulisch
Sunday Noon to Six, rain or shine, the music’s fine.
Noon: McQuaid, Fitting & Sadler
1 PM: The Dave Hannon Band
2 PM The Soul Band
3:30 PM Enrico Crivellaro, Brain Templeton and Finis Tasby.
September 17, 2006
Welcome to Boston Blues Week
Boston Blues Week kicks off tonight, with a performance by Robert Lockwood Junior at the Bull Run in Shirley. The second annual Samuel Adams Brewer’s Dinner, is at 5:30, followed by a 7:30 performance from Delta Blues Legend, Robert Lockwood Junior. Call now for a reservation for tonight’s festivities. 978-425-4311.
Everyone attending tonight’s performance will receive a free Boston Blues Festival Button, good for Blues Week discounts all over the area. CD giveaways, a great meal, paired with the best of our local brews, all topped off with an evening of music by a true American icon; make this a terrific way to celebrate another Boston Blues Week.
You Ain’t Nuttin’ Without Ya Button
Fashionable Blues fans will be sportin’ their Boston Blues Festival Buttons and enjoying Boston Blues Week discounts at participating venues. For those that miss out on a free one at the Brewer’s Dinner tonight, you can buy one at the Blues Trust Club night with The White Owls at Atwood’s Tavern on Thursday, September 21.
This will be another opportunity to celebrate the music with us, get together with friends and listen to great music. Follow the link to read about the savings your Boston Blues Festival Button gets you at these excellent venues. Pay them a visit and thank them for once again, backing the Blues!
Blues - Coming to a TV near You
Thanks to Bill Cuccinello and Paul Gatusso for putting together a video promo piece about the free Boston Blues Festival. It is currently running on WBZ CBS 4, WCVB and Fox 25. Let us know if you see it!
On Friday, September 22 at 8:20 AM, Brian Templeton will be performing live on Fox Morning News. Brian plays the Boston Blues Festival on Sunday, September 24, with Enrico Crivellaro and Finis Tasby.
Finally, something worth watching on Television! So don’t forget to tune in on Friday and contact the station and thank them for having Brian on live and tell them;
“More Blues please!”
Freedom of Assembly
Blues Trust Productions is proud to bring you two days of free Blues at the Hatch Shell on Saturday, September 23 and Sunday, September 24. The event provides, not only an entertainment element, but serves to educate a younger generation; through it’s free access and exposure to the music, at this family gathering. Bring the family, pack a lunch and enjoy something you can’t experience anywhere else at any price. Enjoy!
September 14, 2006
Boston Blues Week kicks off in style with Robert Lockwood Junior, this Sunday, September 17 at the Bull Run.
Make your reservations now online or by calling the Bull Run directly at 978-425-4311. Make sure you reserve now to guarantee your menu choice is available and to ensure that you don’t miss a special evening of food, friends, music and libations, that will be remembered for years to come. Tickets are also available through Strawberries Record Stores. If you can't make the dinner at 5:30, you can still come for the performance. Seating for the show only is at 7:15.
2006 Blues Trust Lifetime Achievement Award
Robert Lockwood Junior has been playing the Blues for seventy years! Make sure to be there when the Blues Trust recognizes him with the Blues Trust Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sam Adams Brewer’s Dinner at the Bull Run this Sunday.
Lockwood was born in Turkey Scratch, Arkansas in 1915 and has been an integral figure in American music.
Don't miss this opportunity to see a living Blues legend and witness a direct lineage to Robert Johnson, the King Biscuit radio program and experience the Blues of a major contributor to the Chicago Blues sound.
Keep It Free
Your support of Blues Trust ticketed events, like the Sam Adams Brewer’s Dinner, allows us to present the free Boston Blues Festival at the Hatch Shell each September.
If you can’t make it to Sunday’s show, but would still like to see us present the free festival at the Hatch Shell, your contribution will help support the entertainment events and assist us in aiding Blues musicians. Please consider a donation to Blues Trust Productions so we can continue our mission.
Gibson Guitar Auction
You can place a bid on a brand new, never played, Gibson ES 335 to benefit the free Boston Blues Festival and Blues Trust musician aid programs. The guitar is finished in attractive Black Satin and includes the quality hard shell travel case. All money bid, above and beyond fair market value for the guitar, is tax deductible.
September 7, 2006
Robert Lockwood Junior
It gives us great pleasure to be able to present Robert Lockwood Junior as this year’s performer to kick off Boston Blues Week. The Delta Blues Legend will be appearing at the Bull Run, 215 Great Road in Shirley, MA at the 2 nd Annual Samuel Adams Brewer’s Dinner. The evening benefits the Blues Trust and your support of the event allows us to present the free Boston Blues Festival, and assist Blues musicians.
You may not read about Lockwood in the mainstream media, until his death, when the obituary will outline his contributions to American music. This unfortunate reality makes our role a crucial one and your participation by attending the event and forwarding this message to as many people as possible very important. Mr. Lockwood is now 91 years old and we are blessed to have him traveling from his home in Cleveland, Ohio to join us this evening. Call the Bull Run right now to make your reservation for this very special evening and be on hand as we honor him with the Blues Trust Lifetime Achievement Award. Everyone attending receives a free Boston Blues Festival Button and a Blues CD. That represents $25 of free stuff and you will be treated to a memorable performance by an American music legend and a scrumptious four course meal. Your menu choices:
~First Course~
Artichoke, Cheese and Samuel Adams Boston Lager Dip
Served with Boston Lager
~Salad~
Tossed Garden Salad, Samuel Adams Octoberfest Vinaigrette
Served with Octoberfest
~Entrée~
choice of
Sam Adams Light Beer Battered Fish n Chips
Served with Sam Light
Or
Scotch Ale Braised Short Rib of Beef
Served with Boston Ale
Or
Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat Ale Roasted Pork with Cherry Wheat Jam
Served with Cherry Wheat
~Dessert~Bull Run’s Signature Midnight Chocolate Layer Cake
Served with Black Lager
Come On Down
We would like to thank Music Drives Us, a Boch Family Foundation for their support of the free Boston Blues Festival. Their recognition of the importance of music in our culture and their endorsement of our belief in keeping music accessible to everyone is a well needed boost to our mission.
Blues Trust Productions is happy to be able to showcase local talent that you may be familiar with and to introduce you to newartists you may not know during the free Boston Blues Festival. But we would also like to fill you in on some behind the scenes work that led to the unique pairing of talent that you will only witness at this weekend’s Boston Blues Festival.
Since the early 80s there has been a New England and Texas Blues connection. The Fabulous Thunderbirds 1981 release, Butt Rockin’ featured the devastating duo of Anson Funderburgh and Jimmie Vaughan on guitars and drummer Fran Christina from Rhode Island was joined by friends from Roomful of Blues, including Al Copley, Greg Piccolo and Doug James.After the death of Sam Myers this summer, we wondered about Anson Funderburgh’s musical future. Anson and Sam teamed together for twenty years as the Rockets. The Blues Trust knew that Funderburgh must be experiencing a good deal of grief and loss and searched for a way to make a negative situation more positive. Texas native Darrell Nulisch, who now makes his home on Cape Ann, was the original vocalist with Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets. Matt McCabe, who now lives in New Hampshire, spent six years playing keyboards with the Rockets.
We are happy that Anson and the guys decided to reunite at theBoston Blues Festival. Joined by the first call rhythm section of Mudcat Ward and Per Hanson, we hope that this great combination of talent will not only provide a unique entertainment experience, but one that strives to accomplish what we know the Blues is capable of. That is to heal the past, celebrate the present and give strength for the future.
Another unique coming together of talent at the 2006 Boston Blues Festival is that of Finis Tasby and Enrico Crivellaro. We first met a young Italian guitarist at the Cambridge House of Blues, when he was attending guitar camp with Ronnie Earl over ten years ago.Enrico moved to California, where we also ran into him at The Blue Café in Long Beach! He caught on to the West Coast Blues Scene, playing with acts like Royal Crown Revue and The James Harman Band.
Meanwhile Dallas native, Finis Tasby had been living in California since the 70s and ended up collaborating with Crivellaro. Both artists record for Andrew Galloway’s Electro-Fi Records. Enrico plays guitar on Finis’ recording, What My Blues Are All About and he is a guest vocalist on Enrico’s disc, Key to My Kingdom.
When touring Italy, vocalist Brian Templeton teams with Enrico.He, along with Ed Spargo on bass and drummer Forest Padgett, will be the vortex of this Blues convergence that bridges over 6,000 miles. To paraphrase the great American songwriter Tim Gearan; “You head East and I’ll head West, I’ll meet you in the middle and we’ll do our very best.” Visit bluestrust.com the complete lineup of the free Boston Blues Festival.
Blues Trust Club Night
Celebrate Boston Blues Week on Thursday, September 21 at our Blues Trust Club Night at Atwood’s Tavern in Cambridge. Admission is free, we will have free CDs and a 50/50 raffle to enefit the free Boston Blues Festival and Blues Trust musician aid programs. Music is from The White Owls, featuring Dennis Brennan. If you’re sporting your Boston Blues Festival Button, you even receive a free appetizer with the purchase of one entrée. Hell, we might even throw in a free cigar!
June 16, 2006
BLUES TRUST SEEKS DESIGNER
Blues Trust Productions is seeking a graphic artist to volunteer their talent designing the Boston Blues Festival brochure and event program. This is a great opportunity to have your design work seen by people all over the planet and assist our non profit spread the good word about Blues music and our mission of promoting it and the musicians who play it.
If you or somebody you know have experience in graphic art and design work and can dedicate 15 - 20 hours on this project, reply to this message with your contact information. The successful candidate will enjoy a lifetime of good Karma and all the VIP Blues Trust privileges we can throw your way!
MUSIC SCHEDULE CHANGES
Two past performers at the Boston Blues Festival are leaving their musical residencies. Matt Stubbs, who hosted the Holy Ground Monday Night Blues Jam in Quincy and Wednesday nights at Kitty O'Shea's in Beverly is moving to California to join the band of award winning Blues vocalist, Janiva Magness. Next Wednesday will be his last one at Kitty's and he'll celebrate his move to the West Coast with a Blues Bash at The Holy Ground on Thursday, June 22 with special guest Brian Templeton.
Dennis Brennan has two more Wednesdays remaining in his residency at Cambridge's Lizard Lounge. He has been performing with Mike Dinallo and Andy Plaistead in a Blues band called the White Owls on Sunday nights at Sally O'Briens in Somerville. On Monday nights you can see him with his Iodine Brothers, Duke Levine and Kevin Barry at The Druid on Cambridge Street in Inman Square. Dennis is also set to release a live recording of his Lizard Lounge shows.
THE ORIGINAL SOUL QUEEN OF NEW ORLEANS
Betty Harris recorded with Allen Toussaint in the 1960s. Since then she moved to New England and put her career on hold. Her family, through an online search discovered that Soul fans cherished her recordings. She was encouraged to resume her musical pursuit and you can witness that at Johnny D's on Friday, June 23. Read more about Betty Harris.
RETURN OF THE SLIM MAN
Watermelon Slim makes his triumphant return to town on Sunday, July 2 when he will be the special guest at Parker Wheeler's Sunday Night Blues Party at The Grog in Newburyport. Slim, who's originally from the Boston area, now resides in Oklahoma. His latest release on Northern Blues, Watermelon Slim and The Workers, has been riding high on the Living Blues radio charts. He will be joined by Chris Stovall Brown and Ed Scheer. Some other upcoming Sunday Night Blues Parties in July:
Sunday, July 9 Nicole Nelson, Ken Clark
Sunday, July 16 Chris Fitz, Ken Clark, The Boston Horns
BONAMASSA BLUES
Joe Bonamassa brings his guitar driven Blues to The Bull Run in Shirley on Saturday, July 8. He has been playing since he could walk and all fans of screaming guitar will be well served to be in the house on this night.
May 23, 2006
ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-TWO YEARS OF BLUES
Robert Lockwood turned 91 at the end of March, David Honeyboy Edwards hits that mark next month. On Saturday night, June 3 they bring their Blues experience to The Regattabar in Harvard Square for two shows at 7:30 and 10 PM. Legends of The Delta Blues pairs two gentleman, whose four eyes have seen the music move from the fields to the cities and every point in between. Seize the evening and relish the moment, this will be a very special occasion indeed.
For those heading to the Chicago Blues Festival in a couple weeks, you can celebrate Honeyboy's birthday with him in his adopted hometown. On Saturday, June 10, Honeyboy will join with his Earwig Records labelmates at The Hothouse to mark the milestone. The show starts at 10 PM, so make sure you grab a nap so you can stay up with the big kids.
SCULLERS HOSTS CELEBRITY BASH
Last night at Scullers in the Double Tree Guest Suites, Danny Klein was treated to a surprise Birthday bash for the ages; or aged as the case may be. The guest list was a who's who of Boston music culture. The evening included a reunion of Danny's bandmates in The J. Geils Band. Peter Wolf, Seth Justman, Magic Dick, Jay Geils and Stephen Jo Bladd joined Danny onstage for a short blast through the past.
Through the rust of years, the reunited band took us back to memories of a Boston Garden concert with Duke and the Drivers and an unlicensed drive in a borrowed canary yellow Pontiac Firebird. Subtle, the seventies were not!
Other musicians included James Montgomery, The Uptown Horns, Johnny A and the retired pro football player/rock drummer, Doug Flutie. Radio DJs who came out included Oedipus, Carter Alan, Steve Morse, Cha-Chi Lo Prete, Holly Harris, John Guregian and Morgan Huke. The biggest celebrity sighting may have been superstar producer Bill Szymczyk, who made the trip to Boston from North Carolina.
Past and present club owners and booking agents included Marshall Simpkins of the Inn-Square Men's Bar (Ladies Invited), Fred Taylor of Scullers, Paul's Mall and The Jazz Workshop, Joe and Paula of the Sea Note and Maureen from the Purple Eggplant. It was nice to see the boys put aside their differences for a few moments of fun. Danny's wife, Valerie Schechter-Klein, did a remarkable job pulling this special evening all together.
HONORING TEO
Junior Wells, Jimmy Rogers, Little Milton, Johnny Copeland, Luther Allison and William Clarke all performed at the original House of Blues in Cambridge. They have all left us, the House of Blues moved out of town and the man responsible for bringing all those late greats to the area, Teo Leyasmeyer is gone too. Who knew that the 1990s would ever be considered the Golden Age of Blues in this town, but looking back in retrospect, it may have been.
There will be a memorial service for Teo this Saturday, May 27 at the Hancock United Church of Christ, 1912 Mass. Ave. in Lexington at 2 PM. For those who can't attend and would like to assist Teo's wife and children, a fund has been set up. This may be a more beneficial alternative than sending flowers. Send donations to:
The Teo Leyasmeyer Family Fund
C.O. Hege Leyasmeyer
11 Hamblen Street
Lexington, Ma. 02421
Through your continued support, Blues Trust Productions was able to make a donation last week. This is an excellent opportunity to once again express our gratitude to our contributors and musicians like Maynard Silva and Mudcat Ward who recognize the sustaining value of give and take.
STOVALL'S ITINERARY
Chris Stovall Brown and wife Madeline Hall have some upcoming local appearances:
MADELEINE HALL BAND w.CSB
Thursday, May 25
The Holy Ground
1600 Hancock Street
Quincy, MA
617-773-4334
SWEET MELISSA w. CSB
Friday, May 26
Onset Bay Blues Cafe
SWEET MELISSA w. CSB
Saturday, May 27
Kilroy's Cafe
site of the former Yardrock club
SWEET MELISSA B. and CSB
Melissa and CSB Special guests at Parker Wheeler's Blues Party
Sunday, May 28
The Grog
13 Middle Street
Newburyport, MA
978-465-8008
MAXWELL ON THE MOVE
Local Blues pianist David Maxwell has a busy spring and summer schedule lined up, playing festivals with James Cotton in the States and Japan and with his own lineup in New York and Canada. But before he heads out of town, you can catch him with vocalist Leamont Swinson at The Regattabar this Saturday, May 27 for two shows at 7:30 and 10 PM.
BLUES AND BBQ
Better than peanut butter and jelly any day, get your fix at Dante's this Friday night!
The Chris Fitz Band
Dante's
350 East Main Street
Marlborough, MA 01752
508-357-8883
ON DISC
Canada's Stony Plain Records has just released a commemorative recording celebrating thirty years of recording history. Thirty Years of Stony Plain is a two CD set, which contains a bonus DVD. The recording is a compilation retrospective of the imprint's dedication to Roots, Rock, Folk, Country and Blues music. Among the artists that the label has recorded and appear on this disc are Jay McShann, Rosco Gordon, Billy Boy Arnold, The Holmes Brothers, Sonny Rhodes, Long John Baldry, Jimmy Witherspoon and locals like Duke Robillard, Ronnie Earl, Jay Geils and Doug James.
This compilation is a great way to sample the label's artists to see which musician's recordings you'd like to own. Congratulations to our friends north of the border for a job well done.
Irma Thomas' new release on Rounder celebrates both her 65th Birthday and a twenty year collaboration with Rounder producer Scott Billington. After The Rain sees the Soul Queen of New Orleans paired with some of the Crescent City music scene's brightest lights, including Sonny Landreth and Corey Harris. Her takes on classics like, Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor, Another Man Done Gone Blind Willie Johnson's Soul of a Man, make this recording worth owning alone.
A reminder; we don't review, we recommend. So if you're reading about it in the Blues Trust News, it's worth owning. Support the music by buying the artist's recordings and attending their live performances.
May 17 - UPDATE
LEYASMEYER PASSES
Teo Leyasmeyer died yesterday afternoon at St. Elizabeth's Hospital. The Blues pianist and booking agent at the original House of Blues in Cambridge was 59.
Thanks to those that took the time to express their sentiments. Teo's family takes comfort in the outpouring of emotion sent his way. David Maxwell asked us to relay the message that he is contacting fellow musicians for a memorial benefit for the family, "A benefit will be forthcoming...a huge one."
SILVER LINING
It is difficult being the portal for pain, so we have to lighten the mood with some hope after the rain. We neglected to mention in our review of the new Brian Templeton disc, Bloozin', that he is playing in Maine this Saturday evening. If you haven't come out from under your umbrella to take a peek at the news, you may have missed the fact that York Beach, ME was hit particularly hard. But as they say in the biz, "The Show Must Go On." Here is a forward of Brian's email about the situation at Inn on The Blues. It's worth the drive just to pick up the CD. As we always like to say on the True Blues radio show "To Keep The Blues Alive, you gotta see it live!"
=======================================================
Hello Blues Music Lovers
I am emailing you with a request to come out this Saturday evening and join us for a fun filled night of music and dancing at the
Inn on the Blues
7 Ocean Ave.
York Beach ME
207-351-3221
Some of you may have seen Joe Lipton (the owner) on the news the past few days, paddling up to the club in a canoe. I called him yesterday, figuring for sure that my gig there this weekend would be canceled, but Joe said he wants to persevere and overcome. Check out these photos of the flooding up there. Joe is a great guy and a big music fan. He told me that he has lost a great deal of his stock for the season and is trying to make the best of a seriously grim situation. Please if at all possible, make the jaunt up to York Beach (only about an hour and a half from Boston) this Sat. night (or Friday to see my pals Mr. Nick's Blues Mafia) and help him to get back on track. This venue has been one of only a few rooms to really support and stimulate a waning Blues scene, and Joe treats us musicians like people. He has also been ready to help others, donating his club for various benefit shows, including one for former owner Jackie. The cover is only $6.00 and I promise you we will rock the house! If you can't make it this weekend please check their schedule (or sign up on their email list) and try and get up there at some point this summer, so we can help keep this room afloat (oops - sorry Joe!)
thanks and peace2u
bt
May 16, 2006
MUSICIAN AND AGENT TERMINAL
Teo Leyasmeyer, keyboard player for Blues greats like Johnny Copeland was admitted to Boston's St. Elizabeth Hospital. We are sorry to report that the former booking agent suffered liver and kidney failure and has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
He is in Intensive Care and has requested no visitors or flowers. If you would like to send a message to him, we would be glad to forward that to his family. Just don't wait, because the word that comes to us is, he won't be with us much longer.
PELETIER SUFFERS PERSONAL TRAGEDY
The home of videographer, Richard Peletier was destroyed by a four-alarm fire Saturday night. Peletier, who owns and operates RP Video, has done a good deal of documentation of live Blues performances. Much of his work was destroyed in the fire of his Nahant residence, along with records of scheduled work. Customers are asked to call to confirm upcoming work at 781-599-3474. The fire that destroyed the home and studio was NOT that of Juke Joint Video's Richard Pelletier, who lives in Windham, NH, not Nahant. For a look at some of Richard's outstanding work on behalf of Blues artists, visit his website: Juke Joint Video
WHAT'S OLD IS NEW AGAIN
Atwood's Tavern has opened it's doors to live music at 877 Cambridge Street in Cambridge. It is the same site as the former Overdraught Pub. Boston Blues Festival goers may remember the after fest bash with Lil Joe Washington in 2004 when he played one set, passed the hat and was spotted in a cab out front exclaiming, "where 'my stayin' at."
Tim Gearan has some gigs there on Friday nights through mid-June. Those dates are: 5/19, 5/26, 6/2, 6/9, 6/16 and 6/23. He will be featuring special guests each week. There is no cover; so show up, grab a bite and a brew and find out who.
Atwood's Tavern
877 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA
617-864-2792
LYDIA WARREN BAND - NEW SHOWS, NEW SONGS
The Lydia Warren Band has been busy. They just released a live CD, have four new songs that they have been performing live and have a busy touring schedule planned for the next couple of months. Those gigs include one at Tommy Doyle's in Cambridge, sight of the original House of Blues!
5.05.06 Inn On The Blues York Beach, ME 9 PM
5.12.06 Press Room Portsmouth, NH 9 PM
5.18.06 Jimmy's Seaside Stamford, CT 9:30 PM
5.20.06 Theodore's Springfield, MA 10 PM
5.26.06 The Sea Note Nantasket Beach, MA 10 PM
5.28.06 City Hall Auditorium w/ Commander Cody Newburyport, MA 7:30 PM
5.30.06 Tommy Doyle's Cambridge, MA 9:30 PM
6.02.06 Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom w/ Little Feat Hampton Beach, NH
6.09.06 Kelley's Row Dover, NH
6.10.06 Dante's Marlboro, MA
6.14.06 Newport Blues Cafe Newport, RI
6.16.06 Paddy's Portsmouth, NH
6.17.06 Cafe Fantastique (inside Rotmans, 2 shows at 6 PM & 8 PM) Worcester, MA * ALL AGES *
6.25.06 Midnight Blues Auburn, ME
6.26.06 Time Out Pub Rockland, ME
6.27.06 Midnight Blues Waterville, ME
6.30.06 Whale's Tale Hampton Beach, NH
STONECRAZY, DK BIRTHDAY
Stonecrazy have three area shows coming up and bassist Danny Klein will celebrate a milestone Birthday. The band plays a charity event at George Wright Golf Course, promoting arts in Hyde Park. The show is free and so are the refreshments.
the date is May 18 from 6 PM to 8 PM.
George Wright Golf Course
West Street
Hyde Park, MA
The next evening, Friday, May 19, the band performs at The Purple Eggplant on Route 18 in Abington.
The Purple Eggplant Cafe
400 Bedford Street
Abington, MA
781-871-7175
On Saturday, May 20, Babe and Kenny Pino won't have to travel far for the gig at J.J.'s House of Blues in Worcester.
J.J.'s House of Blues
395 Grafton Street
Worcester, MA
508-459-7879
We understand that Danny Klein, who plays bass for Stonecrazy and is an original member of the J. Geils Blues Band, is old enough to be considered an adult. We fully expect that he will continue to act like a teenager; at least that's what we're hoping!
DWIGHT AND NICOLE DUO RELEASE NEW EP
Dwight Ritcher and Nicole Nelson have released a new EP, with help from Lou Ullrich on bass and Andy Plaisted on drums.
The Dwight Ritcher Band plays The Middle East on June 2. The lineup is Scott Aruda on Trumpet and John Aruda on Tenor Sax, with Andy Plaisted on the Drums, Greg Paraskos on bass, and special guests Jeremy Parker on Hammond B3 and Nicole Nelson on percussion and vocals. Show starts at 11:30. Other gigs below:
June 7 Dwight and Nicole Duo at Toad, Cambridge Mass. 7-9 PM
June 8 Vermont Jazz and Blues Fest. Dwight and Nicole opening for Maceo Parker.
June 13 Dwight and Nicole EP release at the Bitter End, NYC, 8 PM
2120 OPENING FOR ERIC BURDON
2120 South Michigan Avenue have scored the opening gig for Eric Burdon and The Animals July 1 show in Lowell. They perform Chicago and Texas Blues classics and have the following shows lined up for the spring and summer.
Friday, May 26 Jakes' Dixie Roadhouse, 220 Moody Street, Waltham, MA. 9:30 PM
Friday and Saturday, June 16 & 17 Firehall Pub & Grille, Derry, NH. 9:00 PM
Friday, June 23 Jakes Dixie Roadhouse, 220 Moody Street, Waltham, MA 9:30 PM,
Saturday, July 1 Lowell Summer Series Boardinghouse Park, Lowell, MA. 7:30 PM
Friday, July 7 Strange Brew Tavern, 88 Market St., Manchester, NH 9:00 PM
MORE OF A GOOD THING
Blues on Sunday on 92.9 WBOS has expanded its hours. You can now listen to Holly Harris beginning at 7 PM each Sunday night until 11 PM. Then it's brush your teeth and lights out!
HELLO BIRDIE
Congratulations to Blues Trust board members, Dan and Mandy Nelson on the birth of daughter number two. Bernadette Nelson was born on Sunday, May 7. Another Blues Trust volunteer. Thanks you guys!
JERRY & MERLE
Every now and then, a golden drop of rain falls amongst the deluge. We receive many mediocre recordings each week, that after time, tend to leave us numb. We were happy and surprised to receive a package from Beverly Hills last week containing a recording of the Best of Merle Saunders & Jerry Garcia. Well Matched, features ten tracks, half of which appeared previously on the recording, Live at Keystone.
The highlight of this release just may be the live cut, recorded for KSAN broadcast, of the Doc Pomus penned Lonely Avenue. Both Ray Charles and Van Morrison have covered this song, but neither to this effect. Also included are Junior Parker's Mystery Train and Jimmy Rogers' That's Alright, with Vassar Clements and David Grisman. There are excellent versions of Jimmy Cliff's The Harder They Come and a previously unreleased cover of Smokey Robinson's I Second That Emotion. Throw in a studio take of J.J. Cale's After Midnight and this recording is a great representation of what Jerry Garcia was doing when not touring with the Grateful Dead.
For those that remember those Jerry shows and dancing in the aisles of the Orpheum with Redheaded girls in peasant skirts, prepare to experience the flashbacks that you were warned about, but have only wished for. Garcia was a master of instrumentally articulating the lyrics of a song on guitar. His covers of songs by Dylan (Positively 4th Street here), the Beatles and others who inspired him, would always get a run through that included the words and then Jerry would play a verse and let his guitar do the singing. These guys took the Great American Songbook, ripped up the pages, threw them in the air and when they landed, they made them their own.
BLOOZIN'
Brian Templeton has made the next Radio Kings record that everyone was waiting for. Only, he didn't do it with the Radio Kings. Templeton has assembled a "Dream Team" of local players for his latest disc, including Monster Mike Welch and Kid Bangham on guitars, David Maxwell on piano, Travis Colby on organ, Greg Piccolo on sax, Scott Aruda on trumpet and our favorite rhythm section of Mudcat Ward and Per Hanson. The Family Jewels sing backup on the disc.
The title track, Bloozin' was written by W. Leslie Damon, a tin pan alley era showtune and vaudeville composer that waited a lifetime to hear his music recorded. Let's hope that Templeton includes the short subject documentary about Damon, which he shot while recording the songs, on his new website. The launch date for briantempleton.com and the official release date of the disc is June 1.
The Reign speaks of the inability of a father in Afghanistan to explain to his children why his God would allow bombs to "rain" down on his family. Timely for inclement Boston weather is the refrain, "I can't stop the reign."
Eight of the twelve cuts are penned by Templeton and others on the session. Kid Bangham adds some sick guitar to Evil Love and You Ain't Coming Home. Sugar Girl and Stay Gone are also great. It's refreshing to receive a recording containing original music, played by excellent musicians. It's truly rare to witness a talented vocalist, who understands the music and has the power to lead his fellow musicians to common ground. We are lucky to have such a person in our own backyard. Even if it is flooded!
April 28, 2006
STRANGE THINGS HAPPENING
This week in Blues Trust News we have lots of information about exciting events in the lives of some of our Blues Trust Lifetime Achievement Award recipients. Shor'ty Billups can be seen in today's Boston Globe, hamming it up with Aerosmith's Tom Hamilton.
Last night in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Lazy Lester received the Slim Harpo Award. He is also a featured performer in the 5th Ponderosa Stomp, which bills itself as "Three Nights of Insane Rock and Roll." The event takes it's name form a Lazy Lester song and usually takes place in New Orleans, during the annual Jazz Fest. Since the city is still in recovery from Hurricane Katrina, the Mystic Knights of the Mau Mau decided to move the event to the Gibson Guitar Factory during the Memphis in May celebration. It will be presented as a benefit for Gulf Coast musicians. To read more about the stellar lineup, visit Ponderosa Stomp.
Lester's career has flourished since his 2002 Boston Blues Festival appearance. He has moved from Pontiac, Michigan to the mountains of California, where he is living with a woman he met at the San Francisco Blues Festival. Lester is also featured on the latest Blues Harp Meltdown release along with Carey Bell.
LEGENDS
That is the name of the latest Blues Harp Meltdown Vol. 3 recording. That is a title that is hard to argue with when it includes Louisiana Swamp Blues harpman, Lazy Lester and the Windy City's Carey Bell. Neither of these legends still live in the areas where they rose to Blues fame. But you won't find any better living examples of the distinct regional Blues styles that their approach to the instrument represents.
Kudos to Connecticut native and West Coast Bluesman, Mark Hummel for another great effort. He customarily assembles stellar harp players, the majority of them authentic Blues Legends and the best practitioners of the instrument on this great series of releases on Mountain Top Productions.
HONEY AT HARRY'S
Don't forget to check out the return of another legend to our area next week. David Honeyboy Edwards, will be at Harry's in Hyannis next Thursday night, May 4. Our friend Honeyboy is in his 10th Decade on the planet, but he can still rob the shirt of your back in a game of dice!
JP BLUES
Last weekend's all ages, all star Blues extravaganza at the Milky Way Lounge in Jamaica Plain was a hit. Weepin' Willie, joined the Dave Hannon Band onstage after their set and an opening stint of Country Blues by Erin Harpe. Let's hope this is the start of more of these afternoons, where kids too young for "the nightlife" get a chance to experience their American Music Culture in a live performance setting.
We are very pleased that our past Blues Trust Lifetime Achievement Award recipients are experiencing a renewed appreciation for their contributions to American music. We, by no means are attempting to jump into the limelight with them. We much prefer sitting to the side in quiet appreciation as we report the results and thank you for your continued support.
ON TAP
Here are a couple of options for live Blues this evening, West and South of Boston. At Jake's Dixie Roadhouse in Waltham, The Porch Rockers celebrate the release of their new recording, Covers.
Down the Cape at Harry's, take advantage of seeing the Matt Stubbs Band with special guest Sax Gordon. Matt is on his way out of New England soon, joining the band of West Coast Blues Diva Janiva Magness.
Jake's Dixie Roadhouse
220 Moody Street
Waltham, MA
781-894-4BBQ
Harry's Cajun Restaurant and Blues Club
700 Main Street
Hyannis, MA
508-778-4188
SACRED GROUND
Lying in bed last Sunday morning, we awoke to a call from sacred ground. There were no voices on the line, just the sound of screaming Formula One cars emanating from the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy. Brian Templeton, with Sunday off from touring the land of Lamborghini, was attending the race with Italian guitar hot shot Enrico Crivellaro.
Of course we wished we were with them, but it reminded us of how fortunate we are to have the support of some great gastronomical establishments, that specialize in authentic Italian cuisine. If you are anywhere within 50 miles of Waltham, Massachusetts, you owe it to your tummy to stop at Domenic's Panini to try one of their tasty creations. They make their own bread daily and once you taste it, your outlook on life will change!
Domenic's Panini
987 Main Street
Waltham, MA
781-899-3817
The Prince Restaurant in Saugus has been a Route One landmark for over 40 years. The famous, "Leaning Tower of Pizza" has been beckoning motorists on the Newburyport Turnpike since gas was 25 cents a gallon. The pizza goes beyond authentic because they have a unique pie with a buttery crust, that you just won't find anywhere else. We just made ourselves really hungry; Manga!
The Prince Restaurant
617 Broadway, Route 1 South
Saugus, MA
781-233-9950
April 6, 2006
CHOICE BLUES
The following is a brief list of choice live Blues music options for this weekend and beyond. As always, call ahead to confirm performers or to make reservations!
Weepin' Willie plays Dante's at Firefly's tomorrow night, April 7. This is a great venue for Blues, that deserves your support. The BBQ ain't bad either!
Boston's Elder Statesman of The Blues also plays a special all ages afternoon Blues Revue with Dave Hannon and Erin Harpe at The Milky Way Lounge. The date is Saturday, April 22, 1 PM - 5 PM. All Stars, all ages, how can you go wrong?
Dante's
350 East Main Street
Marlborough, MA
508-229-BLUES
The Milky Way Lounge
405 Center Street
Jamaica Plain, MA
617-524-3740
Roomful of Blues play Saturday, April 8 at The Bull Run in Shirley. May we recommend the Prime Rib of Beef, followed by plenty of dancing! Showtime is 8 PM.
2120 South Michigan Avenue open for Jeff Pitchell and Texas Flood on April 22.
The Bull Run Restaurant
215 Great Road, Route 2A
Shirley, MA
978-425-4311
Darrell Nulisch plays on The Cape Saturday, April 8 at Harry's. DAVID HONEYBOY EDWARDS WILL BE BACK AT HARRY'S ON THURSDAY, MAY 4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Harry's Cajun Restaurant and Blues Club
700 Main Street
Hyannis, MA
508-778-4188
If you're on the North Shore Sunday, April 9, check out the Sweet Roy Jones tribute at The Grog. "Remembering "Sweet" Roy Jones with Sharon "Brown Sugar" Jones, "Rhythm Method" guitarist/vocalist Pete Peterson, guitarist Myron Kibbee, saxophonist Amadee Castenell, Ken Clark keyboards, bass player Dave Hull, drummer Steve Bankuti and special guest James Montgomery.
Next Sunday, April 16 join Parker Wheeler and friends Sax Gordon Beadle, Amadee Castenell, Chicago Bob, Chris "Stovall" Brown, Keith Munslow, Wolf Ginandes and Steve Bankuti.
The Grog
13 Middle Street
Newburyport, MA
978-465-8008
Next weekend Johnny D's has a great lineup of Jumpin' Blues and Soul. On Friday night April 14, fresh from their performance at Blind Lemon Aid, The Soul Band appears in Davis Square.
The Love Dogs celebrate their 12th Anniversary on Saturday, April 15 at Johnny D's. Congratulations to a Boston Institution; Twelve is pretty old for a dog! Look for a fun night full dancing and appearance by Love Pups past and present.
Johnny D's Uptown Restaurant and Music Club
17 Holland Street
Somerville, MA
617-776-2004
At the end of the month, The Porch Rockers are at Jake's in Waltham on Friday, April 28th. On Friday, May 26, 2120 South Michigan Avenue move to Moody Street.
Jake's Dixie Road House
220 Moody Street
Waltham, MA
781-894-4BBQ
GOOD FOR WHAT AILS YA!
Music and Blues music in particular, has always been a source of solace and healing. Don't forget to help others and help yourself next weekend at The Mai Cramer Memorial Real Blues Festival. The event honors the late Mai Cramer, a pioneer in Boston Blues radio, who died of Breast Cancer. Boston's Blues elite come together to play this benefit for the Pine Street Inn.
Performers include 2120 South Michigan Avenue featuring guitarist Peter Hi-Fi Ward, Michelle Willson, David Maxwell, Sugar Ray and The Bluetones and Ronnie Earl. Showtime is 7:30 for this special night of entertainment and charity.
The Regent Theatre
7 Medford Street
Arlington, MA
781-646-4849
ON THE RADIO, ON THE WEB
We are very fortunate in the Boston area to have access to so much great Blues programming. You don't have to accept the garbage that Big Media feeds the general public. With a little effort, you can find many ways to listen to great Blues and Jazz programming on the radio and online.
Join Michelle Willson every Saturday from 4 - 6 PM on WICN, Worcester. Jazz n' Blue features artists, songs and interesting tidbits from the 1930’s through the present day; a mix of swinging jazz n’ blues.
We just found out about another webcast, which originates from Boston's Back Bay. Dino's Dockside features two themes; news of The Charles River Community and Blues music! It is an hourly webcast, each Wednesday night at 9 PM, with streaming rebroadcasts available 24/7.
MAKING PALS
Blues Trust Board members met last Friday with Suzanne Jenkins of The Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston. We're hopeful that this new relationship will lead to an increased participation in our initiatives by the Boston Business Community. The outreach is part of our ongoing effort to grow and improve as we strive to provide you with quality Blues entertainment and to further our mission of assistance for artists.
THANKS FOR READING
As always, we appreciate you taking the time to read the Blues Trust News and supporting the music and the musicians. We'd like to say Hi and welcome to new readers from Boston and beyond. Lisa, Christie, Karen, Dino, Steve and Dennis from the Boston area. Also, Wendy from Indy, Esther from NH, Robert from Washington and Tano and Ermanno from Italy.
March 14, 2006
INFORMATION WITHOUT BOTHERATION
Our goal with each Blues Trust News is to provide newsworthy Blues info as a resource to interested parties. We realize that messages, even those you expect and want, can sometimes become annoying when received too frequently. That being said, we apologize if this message falls into that category.
We receive many requests from artists, venues and labels to publicize upcoming releases and live performances. Our mission is to oblige the artists, without an utter barrage to our readers and their inboxes. We add new readers each week and are thankful for your attention and the momentum we have been able to generate in the last decade on behalf of Blues music. Here it comes, the obligatory disclaimer: If you are receiving The Blues Trust News in error and do not wish to receive Blues news from Boston and beyond, simply reply with REMOVE in the subject line.
WALKING TOGETHER
The first few years of this organization's efforts to publicize Blues and the artists who play the music, were very difficult. Boston is very much a wait and see city. Patience, persistence and just the passage of time have improved the situation somewhat. But there is still a perception that the music is only enjoyed by the destitute and broken hearted! Which event would you think that a bank is more willing to sponsor; a Blues festival or a polo match?
The Blues Trust Audience Survey proved the above a misconception. The majority of respondent's household income was above $50,000 and we had many with incomes over $100,000. Two entities, which have contacted us, interested in forming partnerships may provide added revenue and publicity.
The Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston is a leading catalyst for creating dynamic partnerships across the arts and private sectors to strengthen the economic vitality of the Greater Boston region. Blues Trust Productions is in the process of exploring ways which we can partner with the agency to stimulate our sponsor participation and the organization's earned income. In order to execute our mission, we need some fire in the furnace.
The Blues Trust has also been contacted by an international media company, which specializes in production of High Definition Television programming. The negotiations for this partnership are still in the preliminary fact gathering phase, but we are hopeful that this will lead to an increase in the publicity of the music we all love and a better environment for the artists, whose challenge it is to earn an income, while preserving our musical heritage.
SCRATCH MY BACK
In a perfect world, there would be no need to request reciprocation. Since, we are all well versed in the Blues, it's obvious we aren't living a Utopian lifestyle here on Planet Earth. So the following plea is precipitated by a recent occurrence. As a contributor to the Berklee College of Music Scholarship Fund, we receive their publication, Berklee Today. There on page 25, is a photo of a saxophonist mugging it up backstage with Luther Guitar Junior Johnson and Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater at The West Side Chicago Reunion, which was a Blues Trust Production presented during Boston Blues Week 2005. But you wouldn't know that by the caption! The photo was used to boast about a European Tour, on which he accompanied the Muddy Waters Band guitarist.
What's the point? If you are a musician and play the Boston Blues Festival, New England's premier Blues showcase, write it down in your promo! Not, "I played a Blues show at the Hatch Shell or the Regent Theatre." Cooperation benefits all involved. C'mon people now, get together.
THE MIDWEEK BLUES
Chicago Bob Nelson performs in Harvard Square tomorrow night for a CD Release Party for his new recording on 95 North Records. Bob is a protege of the swamp Blues artists, who recorded for Excello such as Slim Harpo and Lazy Lester.
Joining Chicago Bob at The Regattabar on Wednesday night are many of the performers from the recording, including Monster Mike Welch, David Maxwell and Per Hanson. Mudcat Ward, who is touring Europe with Sugar Ray and The Bluetones, will be replaced by Jon Ross on bass.
The Regattabar
One Bennett Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-661-5000
NORTH SHORE SHOWS
Also on Wednesday night, there are two free shows in Beverly. You can head over to the Wild Horse Cafe to see the Soul Band and then to Kitty O'Shea's, where Brian Templeton is a "Subbie" for Matt Stubbs. If you are paying to watch free TV on cable and stay home to watch American Idol, you are missing the REAL Reality.
Templeton, who we like to refer to as the Bob Geldof of Boston, presents his Blind Lemon Aid show at The Regent Theatre in Arlington on April 1 and then is off for a tour of Italy in mid-April. Our European friends can get those dates here.
For those in Metro-West, Sam Gentile plays a live music venue, which is gathering momentum in Marlboro, this Thursday night. Sam appears with his band, Basic Black at Dante's, which is a separate room at Firefly's. They have a new band showcase there each Thursday night.
Dante's
350 East Main Street
Marlborough, MA 01752
508-357-8883
COTTON IMPROVING
We heard from Tom Holland, guitarist with The Shuffle Kings and the James Cotton Blues Band, that the legendary harmonica player's health continues to improve. He is looking forward to getting back on the road to do what he does!
March 6, 2006
BLUES TRUST PLANS TO CONTINUE BOSTON BLUES FESTIVAL
The difficulty in presenting two free days of live Blues each fall at the Hatch Band Shell caused Blues Trust Productions to think hard about whether to continue. From feedback through the Blues Trust Audience Survey and input from Blues community members, we've come to the conclusion that we should continue to present New England's premier Blues showcase. We've been asked and in some cases begged to keep it going.
However, wanting it and being able to pull it off are two different stories. All we can promise is that we will give our best effort to once again present twelve hours of free Blues music this fall at the Hatch Band Shell. In order for the event to continue we must lobby the State to decrease our usage fees, which have spiraled under the Romney administration. We also need to find sponsorship to help present the event. We plan to reach out to new and untapped sources to help us once again scale the mountain to get to the 2006 Boston Blues Festival this fall!
NEW AND IMPROVED
BluesTrust.com has been updated and we invite you to visit, for this year's festival dates and updated links to your favorite Blues artists, live music venues and restaurants, which support the Blues. Mandy Nelson has done an excellent job with the site and we're very proud to provide this Blues resource for you!
A report of usage statistics for BluesTrust.com indicates the site has been accessed by Blues fans from 54 total countries. Usage in 2005 peaked on Wednesday, September 23, the first day of Boston Blues Week, with 7,474 hits. This tells us that Boston Blues Week and the free Boston Blues Festival, creates a greater interest in the Blues in Boston, than at any other time of year.
WE CAN'T DO IT ON OUR OWN
To quote Willie Dixon, "You've got to help me."
We're grateful that Blues fans are using BluesTrust.com for a resource to learn about the organization, read what's happening on Blues Trust News and learn about the careers of Blues Trust Lifetime Achievement Award recipients. One thing we would like to see change is the visits to our sponsor page. These are the great folks that are responsible for bringing you the Boston Blues Festival! Without them, it WOULD NOT exist. We can't stress this strongly enough.
You can make a difference by choosing where to spend your money. The next time you're looking for a thirst quenching adult beverage, make it a Sam Adams. Java drinkers should choose Starbucks, they support the free Boston Blues Festival AND Racky Thomas works there!
When you're traveling, stay at a Doubletree Inn and fly there on JetBlue Airways. If you're in the market for a musical instrument, check out the Gibson Family of Brands. If you're in search of imprinted wearables, an award or employee incentive, contact Sharon at Sun Specialties. And don't forget to tune in to True Blues on WBRS this Wednesday from 10 AM - Noon, streaming live Blues at wbrs.org. Peter Hi-Fi Ward will be in studio at 11:30 AM to talk about next months Mai Cramer Memorial Real Blues Festival at Arlington's Regent Theatre.
If our sponsors decide that their money is spent better elsewhere, then the Boston Blues Festival is spent too. Really! So please, when you visit the clubs, restaurants and businesses that bring you the music, thank them for their support and tell them you heard about them from Blues Trust News. If you do this, it WILL make a difference. If you would like to take matters into your own hands, an individual contribution to Blues Trust Productions is the best way to do so. All donors of $50 or more are listed in the Boston Blues Festival event program. You can donate directly online or send your contribution to:
Blues Trust Productions
75 Altamont Avenue
Melrose, MA 02176
UPCOMING SHOWS
Some upcoming shows of interest:
Wednesday, March 8, David Maxwell plays Scullers Jazz Club with a stellar lineup. Joining David are vocalist Nicole Nelson, Troy Gonyea on guitar, Amadee Castenell on tenor sax and flute, Marty Ballou on bass and Per Hanson on drums. There will be two shows at 8 PM and 10 PM.
Joe Bonamessa comes to Scullers on March 21 and 22 and Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers will be at Scullers March 31 and April 1.
Scullers Jazz Club
400 Soldiers Field Road
Boston, MA
617-562-4111.
Duke Robillard will hold a guitar seminar on Blues, Jump and Swing in Rhode Island on Sunday, March 12 at 3 PM. It will be held at the Blackstone River Theater. Follow the link above for more information.
Blues Trust Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Shor'ty Billups is back at the Holy Ground in Quincy on Thursday, March 16. Showtime is 9:15 PM.
The Holy Ground
1600 Hancock Street
Quincy, MA
617-773-4334
Upcoming shows at Harry's Cajun Restaurant:
Friday, March 10 Johnny Hoy & The Bluefish
Saturday, March 11 Toni Lynn Washington
Friday, March 17 James Montgomery
Friday, March 24 Brian Templeton
Saturday, March 24 Ricky "King" Russell
Harry's Cajun Restaurant and Blues Club
700 Main Street
Hyannis, MA
508-778-4188
HERE AND GONE
On Saturday, March 11, Scissormen play an all ages show in Rockland, before heading on a southern tour, with stops in Thomas, WV, Nashville, TN, Jackson, Vicksburg and Hattiesburg, MS and Macon, GA. They'll be back in New England on March 23 in Fairfield, CT and Westbrook, ME on Friday, March 24.
New Song Arts Center
76 Park Street
Rockland, MA
781-335-0249
Sugar Ray and The Bluetones are heading to Europe in Mid-March. Last we heard, Sax Gordon was in Paris, but we're sure he's gone now!
DJ TAKES SILVER
Bob Nelson celebrates 25 years in broadcasting on Sunday, March 12. Salem State College Radio, 91.7 FM WMWM, will be broadcasting a marathon edition from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Bob Nelson has been a DJ at WMWM since March 12, 1981. In 1988 he founded the current blues show, The Juke Joint, which airs on Sunday afternoons from Noon to 3:00 PM. The show will start out with Bob spinning some vintage recordings and excerpts from past shows, including live performances from the archives.
Bob will be receiving an award from the Salem Sate College faculty and another from the DJs and staff at the station, to be presented by local icon Skippy White. Live music will follow from The Soul Band.
BOSTON BLUES SOCIETY IN RESTORATION
There will be a benefit for the Boston Blues Society on Sunday, March 19 at Club 58 in Quincy. President elect, Heather Ms. Fest McKibben is working hard to get the Blues Society back on its feet and in compliance with the Massachusetts Public Charities Division. From experience, we know how fun that can be! Help Heather help the Boston Blues Scene by attending this huge blowout.
The festivities start at 3:00 PM and include many of the past winners of the Boston Blues Challenge. For more info on the benefit and the bands scheduled, visit the BBS.
Club 58
58 Ross Way
Quincy, MA
617-471-7788
SERVICES SET FOR LEGENDARY BASSIST WILLIE KENT
Chicago bass player Willie Kent, passed away last Thursday from cancer at the age of 70. Born in Inverness, Mississippi in 1936, Kent moved to Chicago and played with a who's who of Windy City Bluesmen, including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter and Junior Wells. He also had his own band, Willie Kent and The Gents.
Funeral services for Willie Kent will be held on Friday, March 10 at the Bread of Life Baptist Church, 1924 W. 63rd St., Chicago. Visitation from 10:00-11:00 AM. Service at 11:00 AM. In the afternoon following the funeral service on March 10, there will be a repast with remembrances, speeches, and sharing at Blue Chicago, 736 N. Clark, starting at 3:00 PM.
February 23, 2006
MAI CRAMER MEMORIAL REAL BLUES FESTIVAL
On Saturday, April 15 there will be a benefit performance for the Pine Street Inn at the Regent Theatre in Arlington. For 24 years until she died of breast cancer on Feb. 25, 2002, Mai hosted the popular "Blues After Hours" every weekend on WGBH-FM. The concert pays tribute to Mai and her dedication to the music and to the people who played and enjoyed listening to the blues.
The concert is being organized by her husband, Peter Hi-Fi Ward, who plays guitar for 2120 South Michigan Avenue. They will be playing the benefit, along with Michelle Willson, David Maxwell, Sugar Ray & The Bluetones and Ronnie Earl. Showtime is 7:30 PM; tickets are available now for $22, $25 the day of the show.
The Regent Theatre
7 Medford Street
Arlington, MA
781-646-4849
CAN'T DO MY HOMEWORK, ANYMORE
Call it a necessary evil, or just plain painful, but in order to continue our mission of aiding Blues musicians through promotion and presentation, we must constantly engage in fundraising. One component of that effort is grant writing. We are currently writing the application for organizational support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
The positive outcome of the process is that it improves our organization by forcing us to look inward and to constantly improve our capacity to fulfill our mission. (Can you tell we're in grant writing mode!) Just like that nasty tasting medicine you need to swallow in order to get well, it's time to for us to open wide.
NEW BLUES BROTHER
Blues Trust Productions is pleased to announce the addition of a new member to the Blues Trust Advisory Board. Ron Sanders, chief correspondent of CBS 4 News Worcester Bureau, has a keen interest in the Blues and the musicians who play it. He is an Emmy Award winning reporter who, in addition to producing, writing and reporting extended television pieces on Sippie Wallace and B.B. King, has written songs with former Motown writer/producer Ivy Joe Hunter and co-written a song for David Ruffin, late of the Temptations. We look forward to working together with Ron to broaden the appeal of Blues music.
COTTON CANCELS PERFORMANCES
The Blues Trust has word that legendary harmonica master James Cotton is very ill and in the hospital. His performances at Scullers Jazz Club, scheduled for March 3 and March 4 have been canceled. We hope that, as he has so many times in the past, he can pull through his latest challenges and return to performing real soon.
SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC
There are many great upcoming shows to attend. Pick one or pick 'em all!
Madeleine Hall plays her first area gig in five years this weekend. She'll be joined by her husband and guitarist Chris Stovall Brown Saturday night at 9:30 at The Purple Eggplant in Abington. Holly Harris of WBOS Blues On Sunday will host the evening.
The Purple Eggplant
400 Bedford Street, Route 18
Abington, MA
781-871-7175
The C'mon Man Trio, featuring Scott Shetler on Sax, Tom West on Organ and Zac Casher on Drums plays two shows this weekend. Thursday night they are at The Press Room in Portsmouth, NH from 9:00 PM until 12:30 AM. Sunday they appear at Glen's Cool Bar In Newburyport from 7:00 Pm until 10:00 PM.
The Press Room
77 Daniel Street
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
603-431-5186
Glen's Cool Bar
Phone 978-465-3811
Johnny D's has a pre-Mardi Gras party tonight with CJ Chenier. Tomorrow night The Holmes Brothers come to Davis Square. On March 7 Chris Smither performs.
Johnny D's
17 Holland Street
Somerville, MA
617-776-2004
Looking ahead to March 26, Bass player Ed Spargo has a CD Release Concert at the Regent Theatre in Arlington at 7:30 PM. Ed is joined by Steve Hunt on keyboards, Dino Govoni on Sax, Brendan Byrnes on drums and John LaMoia on percussion. Opening the show is the Paul Speidel duo.
Matt Stubbs is traveling with Janiva Magness for the next month, on the West Coast and southeast. His Monday night Jam at The Holy Ground in Quincy and Wednesday night residency at Kitty O'Sheas in Beverly continue with some of New England's premier Blues talent. Instead of the Stubbies, call them the Subbies. They include Chris Stovall Brown, who has been bounced after years playing Mondays at Wally's! Also, Ricky King Russell, Brian Templeton, Racky Thomas and Nick Adams will be subbing for Matt.
UPCOMING RELEASES
Some upcoming Blues releases to look forward to:
Janiva Magness Do I Move You? on Northern Blues Records
Duke Robillard Guitar Groove-A-Rama
Doug MacLeod Where I Been Black and Tan Records
2/9/06
BLUES TRUST HEADLINES
UNION BLUES ALL DONE
SHOWS, SHOWS, SHOWS
WATERMELON SLIM'S PHATT RELEASE
DEBT OF GRATITUDE
The Worcester Telegram and Gazette reported this week that Union Blues will close its doors at the end of the month. The club opened to fanfare and high expectations in February 2004 in the renovated Union Station in Worcester.
Owner Lee Beaudoin has been a gracious host and was responsible for bringing first rate Blues and Jazz entertainment to the region. No expense was spared (the custom Bose PA system is said to be worth $40,000) and the room's great sound and friendly staff made for a pleasurable musical experience. The sad reality is that the revenue couldn't keep up with expenses and the club faces eviction from the Worcester Redevelopment Authority after accumulating $100,000 in back rent.
The Love Dogs play Union Blues this Friday night. Make a point of getting out to dance and thank Lee for his effort on behalf of the music and musicians. The loss of this establishment is sad for the proprietor, performers and the fans. Blues Trust Productions relied on Union Blues' sponsor support to help present the free Boston Blues Festival each fall. Our challenge to sustain that vision has just been made more difficult.
TO KEEP THE BLUES ALIVE...
you have to see it live. In light of the latest demise of a great live music venue, the Blues Trust urges you to make a special effort to see some live music this weekend and support the artists and the venues that present them.
Tonight at Tequilas in Peabody, Sweet Willie D is the special guest at Joe Mack's Blues Jam. Willie will be appearing with his band, Continental Walk the next evening.
Tequilas
80 Newbury Street (Route 1 South)
Peabody, MA
Racky Thomas plays Johnny D's on Friday night.
17 Holland Street
Somerville, MA
617-776-2004
He is starting a new residency on Monday nights in Woburn at Tanners Tavern.
428 Main Street
Woburn, MA
(781) 935-0777
Lydia Warren has a new live CD and will be performing at Dantes at Firefly's in Marlborough this Saturday night February 11 at 9 PM.
305 East Main Street
Marlborough, MA
508-229-BLUES
Also this Saturday night, Brian Templeton plays a rare local performance in Rockland with a stellar lineup. Joining this top notch vocalist will be Monster Mike Welch and Kid Bangham on guitars and the great rhythm section of Mudcat Ward on bass and Per Hanson on drums. They assemble the next day in the studio to start work on what Templeton refers to as, "a straight ahead Blues record." Sounds exciting to us!
D.J.s Pub
365 Centre Avenue (Rout 123)
Rockland, MA
781-871-2123
If you are up north this Saturday night, you can catch Jimmy & The Soul Cats' first performance in Portland in five years. The will be playing at the Spring Point Tavern, starting at 9 PM.
Spring Point Tavern
175 Pickett Street
South Portland, ME
207-767-4627
Some great National acts are coming to Boston this weekend. The list of legends includes Bo Diddley, Johnny Winter and Dr. John.
Bo Diddley performs in Harvard Square Friday night at the Regattabar in the Charles Hotel. Showtime is 7:30.
As mentioned previously in an earlier edition of the Blues Trust News, Johnny Winter's show at the Bull Run in Shirley this Saturday night is sold out. A second show has been added this Sunday evening.
The Bull Run
215 Great Road (Route 2A)
Shirley, MA
978-425-4311
The Superbowl in Detroit. The Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. The Regent Theatre in Arlington. What do these destinations have in common? They are all on Dr. John's performance schedule this week. You can see the legendary Night Tripper this Sunday at Arlington's showplace of entertainment.
Dr. John is touring is support of his latest release Sippiana Herrcane. All proceeds from sales of the recording this Sunday at The Regent benefit the New Orleans Music Clinic.
Dr. John and The Lower 911 will be performing two shows on Sunday at 6:30 PM and 9:00 PM. Dwight Ritcher and Nicole Nelson open the evening.
The Regent Theatre
7 Medford Street
Arlington, MA
781-646-4849
We are VERY lucky to have so many entertainment choices. The important point is to make one! If you don't, it is guaranteed that those choices won't be so numerous in the future. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!
LOCAL BOY MAKES GOOD
He is an overnight sensation; three decades in the making! Watermelon Slim (AKA William Homas) is hitting his stride. But don't let the accent or Hokie Okie demeanor fool ya. He is one of us. Bill Homas grew up in the Boston area, the son of a prominent attorney. He resides in Norman, Oklahoma these days and has a great perspective on blue collar Blues, garnered while driving trucks for a living.
Slim is through with ditching the State Patrol and the Interstate Commerce Commission and paying fines for overloaded cargo. He is singing the Blues full time now and doing a damn good job of it. His latest release, on Canada's Northern Blues Records, may be his best to date. Watermelon Slim & The Workers consists of 14 tracks of Slim's special brand of philosophy. He sings about the life he knows, driving trucks laboring and Juke Joint Women. It may have taken over 30 years, but his nomination for best new Blues artist is bought and paid for.
2/2/06
TO THE BRINK
Blues Trust Productions just received a new license agreement from BMI for the public performance of copyrighted works. Our organization has been paying $150 to BMI each year for this license for the two day FREE Boston Blues Festival. The notice cancels our current agreement as of March 31, 2006, and demands that we sign a new agreement that raises the minimum fee to $190.
Think of the worst criminal organization that you can imagine. BMI hides behind US copyright laws to extort money from presenting organizations under the guise that they are protecting songwriters. Please, the average songwriter in America makes $3000 a year. The money that BMI collects isn't helping these writers and if they keep on strong arming vulnerable arts organizations to the brink of collapse, it will be to the detriment of those they say they protect.
ON THE SHELF
Once again the Radio Kings have dissolved as a working band. Mike Dinallo and Brian Templeton, the band principals had been performing in the US and Europe for the past year and a half. The two fielded inquiries from fans for the previous five years about a reunion. However, many of their US shows suffered from poor support. The question is, where have all the Blues lovers gone?
Their CD release party for the Bullseye release, Money Road was such an event, there was a line halfway down Holland Street waiting to get into Johnny D's. The last two times they played the club, let's just say, you could have your choice of seating.
Without support, Blues festivals bands and club venues will continue to fall. Think of that the next time you forgo an evening out for a night in front of the wide screen TV.
IN THE STUDIO, ON THE TOWN
Templeton is heading into the studio to record a solo release next week. Those slated to join him include Monster Mike Welch, Kid Bangham, Mudcat Ward and Per Hanson. Most of them will be appearing with Brian on Saturday night, February 11 at D.J.'s Pub, 365 Centre Street in Rockland, MA. 781-871-2123.
Scissormen have also been in the studio working on a new release. They have been collaborating with local guitarist Peter Parcek on the project. You can catch them this Friday, February 3 at Chili Head Barbecue in West Bridgewater, MA. 508-941-0707. There is no cover and music begins at 8.
Chicago Bob Nelson has also been in the studio, recording for 95 North Records. Chris Stovall Brown, David Maxwell, Mudcat and Per are also involved with that recording.
The Love Dogs are at Harry's in Hyannis this Saturday night. 700 Main Street. 508-778-4188.
Toni Lynn Washington is at Ryles that same evening. 212 Hampshire Street, Cambridge. 617-876-9330.
On Friday, February 10, Racky Thomas is at Johnny D's 17 Holland Street, Somerville, MA. 617-776-2004.
Shor'ty Billups will be at The Holy Ground on Thursday, February 16. 1600 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA. 617-773-4334
Johnny Winter's show on Saturday, February 18 at The Bull Run, 215 The Great Road in Shirley, MA is sold out. A second performance has been added for Sunday, February 19. 978-425-4311.
HELP THE HOMELESS
Once again the Blind Lemon Aid Organization is spearheading a benefit to help the homeless in the Boston area. The event is on Saturday, April 1 at 7 PM at Arlington's Regent Theatre. Featured performers include The Soul Band and The Family Jewels. Tickets for this worthy cause are $30. There will also be a BLA fundraiser on Saturday, March 11. It is an 80's dance party at the Woburn Elks Club, 295 Washington Street at 8 PM.
DOO WOOPIN' BLUES
Dion DiMucci grew up listening to Blues and Country music on the radio in the days before Rock & Roll. The artist that gave us The Wanderer and Runaround Sue, listened to Black music growing up Belmont Avenue in his Italian Bronx neighborhood. Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker and Jimmy Reed were all big influences on the future star of Doo Woop. His sensitivity towards social issues was cultivated through his love of the Blues and later resurfaced in his song Abraham, Martin and John.
Dion has released a tribute to his early influences. Bronx in Blue features quality versions of classic Blues recordings by Robert Johnson, Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Rogers, Blind Willie McTell and more. He does a good job honoring the music, which was recorded on his trusty cutaway Black Martin guitar, accompanied by just some simple percussion. This recording is an important testimony to the music's standing in American culture and a release that is a great addition to anyone's music library.
1/24/06
SPECIAL NIGHT OF BLUES LEGENDS
If you can't make it to Cozy's in Southern California this weekend to see Delta Blues Legend, Honeyboy Edwards, you'll have another excellent opportunity next month in Dallas. Honeyboy will perform on a bill with Robert Lockwood, Pinetop Perkins and Henry Townsend at the 1st Annual Blue Shoe Project and Silent Auction. The event is on Friday, February 10, 2006, 6:30 PM at the Palace Arts Center.
The Blue Shoe Project is an excellent organization that is dedicated to music education and sharing our culture with younger generations. The comprehensive effort involves students from elementary school through the college level, including after school and special needs programs.
This will be a very special night of music for a great organization, which enriches the community and furthers the mission of the music. Tickets are extremely limited and may be purchased online by following the ticket link above or by dialing 1-800-714-6019.
THE THINGS THAT I USED TO DO
No other Blues guitarist influenced so many, yet receives so little credit as Guitar Slim. Born Eddie Jones in Greenwood, Mississippi, he lived just 32 years. Yet he set the groundwork for so many other guitar heroes that duplicated his flashy style and showmanship. Buddy Guy copied Slim's forays into the audience and into the street, using guitar cords that stretched several hundred feet.
Others he influenced and who recorded his music include Albert Collins, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Guitar Shorty, Chick Willis and Duke Robillard. Many have heard his songs, Well I Done Got Over It, Sufferin' Mind, Something To Remember You By and The Things That I Used To Do as covers, but seldom do you hear his original versions on Blues radio.
His Specialty recording, Sufferin' Mind will be the featured disc tomorrow on WBRS True Blues. You can listen online, starting at 10:00 AM EST on wbrs.org. If Buddy Guy, riding Slim's coat tails, slid into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, then what about the cat who inspired him? Time to give credit where credit is due!
IT'S HARDER NOW
Another American Music Icon has left us. Wilson Pickett passed away last week, dying of a heart attack in Virginia at the age of 64. An Alabama native, he lived in Detroit during the "Motown Era" and returned to the South to wax some of his signature recordings for Atlantic Records at Memphis' famous Stax Studios and back to 'Bama at Muscle Shoals Studios. He recorded with Duane Allman and also teamed with Steve Cropper to record In The Midnight Hour. Other great Pickett tunes include 634-5789, The Land of a Thousand Dances, 99 and a Half Won't Do and of course, Mustang Sally. It is our true belief, now that The Wicked Pickett has left us, that Mustang Sally should never be played again by any wannabe Soul and Blues bands. EVER! True Blues will also include a tribute to Pickett tomorrow. Tune in!
January 12, 2006
WE SAID IT, YOU READ IT
While on the throne in the Blues Trust Library, we were digesting the latest issue of Blues Revue magazine. While reading a Kim Wilson quote, in a Severn Records Ad for Sugar Ray & The Bluetones, we scanned further down and almost fell off the hopper! There was a quote that we wrote (we think) back when Blues Trust News was called The Boston Beat. Just like diner fare, words can repeat themselves too. Frankly, we're surprised that we were ever that eloquent!
The issue is not only worth picking up to read our two cents worth, the cover story on the late Gatemouth Brown captures his personality perfectly. We were rather surprised by the few number of respondents to the Blues Trust Audience Survey who subscribed to a Blues music publication. They are a great resource for music and artist information that we suggest you take advantage of. Supporting the genre includes support of the infrastructure that popularizes the culture of the music.
These resources are a great companion to the live entertainment and education initiatives that Blues Trust Productions presents in our effort to enlighten the public about a segment of American culture that enjoys way too little mainstream publicity. Consider subscribing to one of the quality publications such as Living Blues, Blues Revue and Down Beat magazine.
MUSIC FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
Mighty Sam McClain performs a concert in tribute to Dr. King this Saturday, January 14 in Stratham, NH. The concert takes place at 7:30 PM at the Thomas Meehan Performing Arts Center at Coop Middle School, Academic Way, Stratham, NH. Doors open at 7 PM. For more information call 603-775-7415 or email EveningwithArts@cs.com
A tribute on disc to the Civil Rights Hero can be found on the following discs:
The Jelly Roll All-Stars, Must Be Jelly. King Motel, includes a reference to January 15th.
Ronnie Earl, Language of The Soul, includes the instrumental tribute, Blues For Martin Luther King.
THE SOUL TRUTH
Jimmy and The Soul Cats are back on the prowl with two upcoming shows in their home state of Maine. This talented trio performed at the Hatch Shell during the 1997 Boston Blues Festival and it is great to see that they are playing out again. They will be appearing at the Sunday River Ski Resort at The Foggy Goggle on Sunday, January 28 at 3 PM. On Saturday, February 11, Jimmy and The Soul Cats will make their first appearance in Portland Maine in over five years. The venue is the Spring Point Tavern in South Portland at 9 PM. Well worth the drive; wherever you live!
FOREIGN FRIENDS
We'd like to take the opportunity to say hi to new friends and old on the Blues Trust News email list, especially those in foreign lands. Thanks for reading and your correspondences to John in England, Peter and Rick in the Netherlands, Herman in Belgium, George in Japan and our Ducati friends Rudiger in Germany and Ludovica at the factory in Bologna, Italy.
OUT WEST
David Honeyboy Edwards will be playing two shows in California at the end of the month at one of our favorite West Coast Clubs. Cozy's in Sherman Oaks hosts Honeyboy on the 27th and 28th of January. On Friday night he plays with Rich Del Grosso and on Saturday night he is on a twin bill with Doug MacLeod. We were at Cozy's for Juke Logan's CD release party and it is an excellent venue. This will be a very special weekend, one not to be missed if you are anywhere in the vicinity. If not
JetBlue Airways flies to Long Beach, San Jose and Oakland!
TEXAS CONNECTION
You can now, "get there from here." Starting next week, JetBlue Airways
commences service between Boston and "The live music capital of the World," Austin, Texas!
LOCAL GIGS
Tonight, New Orleans Sax Sensation, Amadee Castenell joins Joe Mack for the Blues Jam at Tequilas on Route 1 in Danvers, MA. Next Thursday, it's "The Legendary" James Montgomery.
Toni Lynn Washington plays on The Cape at Harry's in Hyannis tomorrow night.
Parker Wheeler's Blues Party at The Grog in Newburyport has the following performers slated for the remaining Sundays in January:
January 15, Nicole Nelson, Dwight Ritcher
January 22, Vykki Vox
January 29, Joe Bargar & The Soul Providers
On Saturday, February 18, Johnny Winter returns to The Bull Run Concert Series in Shirley, MA.
TO KEEP THE BLUES ALIVE, YOU GOTTA SEE IT LIVE!
December 30, 2005
LAST DAYS OF THE YEAR
We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge everyone who supported the Blues Trust this past year. Thanks to all the artists, individual contributors, volunteers, 2005 Boston Blues Festival Button Venues, Boston Blues Festival Sponsors, media friends and in kind donors who made this a successful year for Blues Trust Productions and enabled us to present the 10th Annual Free Boston Blues Festival.
LONG DISTANCE CALL
Delmark Records bookends the year 2006 with a bundle of Blues releases on DVD and audio disc. The year began with the excellent recording by J.B. Hutto. Stompin' at Mother Blues, was recorded in the vacant Chicago Blues club of the same name. To wrap up the year, they have made available a great set of live Chicago Blues, recorded thirty years ago. Otis Rush, All Your Love I Miss Loving, Live at The Wise Fools Pub Chicago, is a burning set of a dozen tunes that captures Rush on a good night at his very best. The three other releases from Delmark this December are, from Zora Young, Tail Dragger and Mississippi Heat.
The last two are live performances, which are also available on companion DVDs. Koester's camera takes you into the West Side club, Vern's Friendly Lounge for a performance by Tail Dragger. My Head is Bald, features a stellar lineup of Chicago Blues veterans, including Billy Branch, Lurrie Bell and Jimmy Dawkins. The rhythm section of Bob Stroger and Kenny Smith is augmented by the long haired Kevin Shanahan on rhythm guitar and Willie Young on Sax. Boston Blues Festival fans may remember Shanahan from his performance with Nick Moss & The Flip Tops in 2002.
James Yancy Jones performs in the style of Howlin' Wolf and was given the nickname Tail Dragger by The Wolf himself. This is old school Chicago Blues performed in an intimate setting, where the artist mingles and flirts with the crowd. The camera makes you feel as though you are there, although at times, the constant focus on bar patrons is tiring. The ambiance is certainly captured, from the ubiquitous year round Christmas lights strung through the club, to the posters and banners of Windy City sports teams. (How the Celts pennant got up on the wall is anyone's guess!)
The other DVD is of the band Mississippi Heat, taped live at Rosa's Lounge. The band is the brainchild of Pierre Lacocque, whose International travels have taken him from his birth in Israel, to France, Belgium, Germany and college years in Montreal. The Mississippi Heat bandleader and harp player has employed a revolving cast of musicians in its fifteen year history. Female vocalist, Inetta Visor is a certified Blues belter and Kenny Smith also shows up on drums on this set. The wildcard on both DVDs however, is the son of harmonica legend Carey Bell, Lurrie on guitar. Under appreciated outside the Chicagoland area, his versions on 19 Years Old and Cold, Cold Feeling, are the highlights of the night.
While production value on both of these DVDs falls short of what anybody would call, "Filmaking", to their credit, they do capture live Chicago Blues in an intimate setting and the sound is great. There is no background material and interviews that keep viewers from enjoying the raw footage of performance, which plagues many other "superior" productions.
TOP TEN
The following releases were the most played Blues recordings of 2006 on WBRS True Blues. The list was compiled from the monthly playlists as reported to Living Blues magazine.
1. Sugar Ray & The Bluetones / Hands Across The Table / Severn
2. Nick Moss & The Flip Tops / Sadie Mae / Blue Bella
3. (TIE) Albert Collins / Live at Mount Fuji / Fuel
Carlos Guitarlos / Hell Can Wait / Nomad
5. Various, Lackawanna Blues Soundtrack / Vanguard
6. (TIE) J.B. Hutto / Stompin' At Mother Blues / Delmark
Billy Boy Arnold / Consolidated Mojo / Electro-Fi
8. Paul Oscher / Down In The Delta / Blues Fidelity
9. Finis Tasby / What My Blues Are All About / Electro-Fi
10. Hubert Sumlin / About Them Shoes / Tone Cool
SO LONG FRIENDS
The Blues community endured tremendous losses in 2006. The Delta region suffered huge physical damage from the natural disasters of hurricanes and floods. But as the great floods of the early 20th Century inspired songs of the South, levee camps and the music and gambling it attracted, so will the hardships of this past year shape the art and culture of the region for decades to come. Through it all, the Blues endures, inspires and heals.
We lost a number of good friends this past year, including three American music icons. Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Little Milton and R.L. Burnside will be remembered for their contributions to American music and culture. But, they will also be remembered for their wit and wisdom; some of it wicked. Gate would shine with joy when an unmindful Blues fan would try to soften his crusty exterior. Never wanting to be type cast as purely a Blues artist, he would set the oblivious straight with a cold stare from one eye, while winking in the wings with the other.
Little Milton Campbell was trying to untie his tongue to do a station ID after an alcohol fueled set of music at the old House of Blues in Cambridge. He was aware enough to catch us stretching the truth about age; blurting out, "I'll kill you, you're older than Santa Claus!"
The Fat Possum folks always knew that the best way to keep R.L. Burnside up onstage playing and away from the bar, was to bring the bar to him. Presented with a baby doll in between songs, he would light up like a proud Grandpa, cooing out loud, "Come to Poppa." He then proceeded to twist the head off the doll, revealing a pint of whiskey hidden inside, his real source of joy.
Yes, our country has lost a bit of it's culture, but we have also lost some true characters that made the world a better place purely through their playful personalities. Thanks for the memories.
Lastly, we have learned that a friend of the Blues collapsed and died Wednesday. The follwing is the notice for Patti Maureen Marcus.
http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?Id=LS16143300X
We knew her as Patti Wilde and remember her as an excellent female frisbee player at the annual Blues Bash on the South Shore hosted by J Place.
BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2006 FROM ALL AT
BluesTrust.com
December 16, 2006
'TIS THE SEASON
No matter what your denomination or belief, year's end brings with it reflection and renewed optimism to improve, share and give to others.
We are happy to report that two of our Blues Trust Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, both formerly homeless, have stable living conditions right now. Lil Joe Washington, as reported in the Living Blues magazine feature article, now resides in a rented house in Houston.
Weepin' Willie Robinson's situation is also better than earlier in the year. He now lives at Mount Pleasant Home and is comfortable and well cared for. Thanks to the efforts of Jim Carty, Gary Barcus and Reta Gilpatric, who we are working with to contribute money towards some Christmas gifts for Willie, we hope to create some more joy for Boston's Elder Statesman of The Blues this holiday season. If you are sending holiday greetings this year, please remember to include Willie on your list.
Greetings can be sent to him at the following address:
Weepin' Willie Robinson
Mount Pleasant Home
301 South Huntington Avenue
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
YEAR END PLEA
Thanks to all who have supported our efforts to keep Blues vital and assist those who share their talents with us. The end of the year brings lean times for Blues Trust Productions. All the festival costs have been met and contributions made, but the revenue stream slows to a trickle this time of year. For those that didn't contribute earlier and find at year's end that they would rather see their money go to a worthy cause than give it to the tax man, we urge you to make whatever contribution you can afford to Blues Trust Productions.
Those of you who have security under a corporate umbrella, may also inquire with your Human Resource Department about matching contributions. Many companies, such as Verizon, have great programs that will match your donation to a worthy non profit. Our costs and financial challenges are ever escalating and we must reach out wherever we can to keep presenting free Blues each September at the Hatch Shell. One small example of the money grabbing we must endure to fulfill our mission is the DCR breakdown of Esplanade usage for the event. We paid the state money this year for tree climbers. Did you see any tree climbers? Nice to know that they were there, just in case a cat got stuck up a tree or something!
Any contribution that you can afford, may be sent to:
Blues Trust Productions
75 Altamont Avenue
Melrose, MA 02176
WE'RE THERE FOR YA
Don't forget to visit BluesTrust.com and use it as a Blues Resource. You can check on entertainment choices by visiting the websites of our Blues Trust Button Sponsors for schedules, menus, phone numbers and addresses. We urge you to support these great businesses through your patronage throughout the coming year.
The Blues Trust Audience Survey is up on the site until the end of the year. We want to know what you like and don't like so we know how to improve and to better serve both you and the music that you love. Whether you like it or not, one thing that is a certain fact, a major reason for the success of NASCAR racing is the fervent loyalty the fans of the sport show for the sponsors that make the sport possible. If we could translate a fraction of that fidelity to the Blues audience, we would surely achieve the goal of a greater presence for Blues music.
December 8, 2005
BLUES TRUST AUDIENCE SURVEY
Thanks to all who took the time to provide us with demographic and consumer information in the Blues Trust Audience Survey. We will use the data to give prospective sponsors a more accurate profile of the Boston Blues Festival audience. No personal information will be shared, but the overall picture will be easier for them to determine whether or not the crowd is one that they would like to promote to. And what a good looking crowd it is!
The winner of the JetBlue Roundtrip Flight Certificate is Barbara Mitchell of Paso Robles, California. Congratulations and thanks once again to all who took the time and effort to submit a survey.
ANOTHER NORTH SHORE HANG
Tequilas, Route 1 South in Danvers (at Route 114), is now presenting a Blues Jam on Thursday nights. The night is hosted by guitarist, Joe Mack and tonight's featured guest is Chris Fitz. The jam is off next Thursday for a private party, but returns on December 22 with Sax Gordon as special guest. Also, word has it that Cheryl Arena will stop in during the holiday week, when she is visiting from Texas.
WILDWOOD
Also on Thursday nights, Guitarist Jim Atkinson hosts a Metro West Blues Jam at The Wildwood Lounge in Upton. Start time is 8:30.
The Wildwood Lounge
64A West Main St., Rte. 140
Upton, MA
508-529-7782
HOLY BRIAN!
South Shore Blues Hounds can catch Brain Templeton tonight at The Holy Ground in Quincy. Three options; you can't go wrong with any you choose!
The Holy Ground
1600 Hancock Street
Quincy, MA
617-773-4334
November 28, 2005
SURVEY SAYS!
OK, the Blues Trust Audience Survey really does exist. Thanks to those that made an effort to find it in cyberspace and who have already participated. But now, for your added comfort and convenience, the survey is posted on our site. Go to http://bluestrust.com/2005survey.htm . It takes less than 5 minutes to do and everybody who participates and includes their contact info, is eligible to win a Roundtrip JetBlue Airways Flight Certificate, anywhere they fly to! The deadline to be eligible for the drawing has been extended to December 7, 2005.
Just to remind you, we are gathering this data to present to prospective sponsors and prove to them that Blues music lovers are a crowd worth spending their sponsor dollars to promote their products to. In order for this survey to be even somewhat effective we need across the board participation from everybody on this list. So if you are somebody in the Blues Music Community and you haven't yet participated, get on it! There is a special section, just for musicians to list your favorite instruments and gear. This is an area, that potentially could provide greater resources of support.
For anyone who doubts the scientific authenticity of this survey, please be informed that all those administering this query are in fact wearing white lab coats!
COMINGS AND GOINGS
Gary Bernath, who had joined forces with the West End Blues Band, is once again leading his own band. They appear Friday, December 2 in Cambridge at Phatt Boys, located in Harvard Square at 50 Church Street. Music starts at 9.
Jim Atkinson, is still continuing to lead the West End Blues Band and has been spearheading a Blues Jam in Boston's Metro West area.
The Lydia Warren band is finishing up a new live CD, which will be released after the first of the year. In the meantime, you can catch them at the following shows:
12.02.05 Press Room in Portsmouth, NH 9 PM
12.30.05 Kelly's Row in Dover, NH 9 pm
1.08.06 Milky Way Lounge in JP, MA 8 PM
1.20.06 Theodore's in Springfield, MA 10 PM
Local Country Blues performer, Mary Lou Ferrante has scored a choice opening slot for Guy Davis. (Astute Blues Fans may have noticed Davis' instrumental, Thanksgiving Day, used as a music bed during Patriots All Access TV magazine show on WCVB this past weekend)
The show is Saturday, December 3 at Framingham's Amazing Arts Center, located at 55 Nicholas Road. Tickets and info: 508-405-ARTS
MORE LIVE BLUES
This Thursday at Quincy's Holy Ground, Matt Stubbs, Chris Rivelli and Sax Gordon will join West Coast Blueswoman, Janiva Magness for the start of a brief New England Tour. Other dates include Harry's in Hyannis on Friday, December 2, Saturday, December 3 at House Rockin Productions in Franklin, NH, Sunday, December 4 at Midnight Blues in Auburn, ME and Monday, December 5 at Time Out Pub in Rockland, ME. Make it a priority to catch one of these shows.
Toni Lynn Washington is at Johnny D's Friday night December 2.
Cheryl Arena will be back in Boston for the holidays. She will be Matt Stubbs special guest on Monday, December 26 at The Holy Ground.
The Radio Kings will be ringing in the New Year at Harry's in Hyannis this New Year's Eve.
Please support live music and make a statement through your presence that clubs should continue to book the music that you love!
NOTEWORTHY RELEASES
Two recent releases have caught our attention lately. The CD release party for John Juke Logan's, The Truth Will Rock You, was last April at Cozy's in Sherman Oaks, California. We were lucky enough to attend that great evening of Blues. Janiva's husband, Jeff Turnes was the bass player that night, with Rick Holmstrom on guitar. The release is receiving a second dose of promotion, through Christine Vitale and Juke's tune, Designated Drinker is in heavy rotation on the cable TV station Music Choice. Recorded in Texas, using some great musicians like Johnny Moeller and Gary Primich, this is one release that continues to please.
From Canada's Electro-Fi label comes an intriguing release by Julian Fauth. Songs of Vice and Sorrow, presents 16 songs (17 if you include the 5 second record scratch sound effect)! of life, love and loss. One gets the impression that this modern day tunesmith is writing directly from his own life experiences. Think of it as a train wreck between Chris Smither and Tom Waits. In fact, the release includes the song about being a hobo on the Trans Pacific Rail, titled Cobalt. The ode to riding the rails, details what they do to those caught, "riding the blinds". A true must for all railway buffs!
He also sings of the heartbreak on the faces of parents, as they watch their son dragged from a court house. Topics from drugs, suicide and murder are expounded on through his lyrics and piano pattering. The last song provides the message;
"You can't choose the world you live in, but maybe you can choose the way you live. You can't choose what they take away, you know you might choose what you give."
Joined by Paul Reddick on harp and legendary Blues guitarist Mel Brown this is a hidden gem worth digging around to find.