Mar-Apr 2014 Newsletter

2014 International Blues Challenge and Keeping the Blues Alive Luncheon Review

By Steve Jones, CBS President The 30th Annual International Blues Challenge was held in Memphis from January 21st through the 25th. This was my first time to attend the event. As President of Crossroads Blues Society I was also attending on behalf of the club to receive our Keeping the Blues Alive Award for Blues Foundation Affiliates. I must say that I was impressed with the 5 days of planning and execution, but more importantly I was impressed with the depth and spectrum of talent that I got to see and hear.

Attending the event from Crossroads with me were my wife Annette and Dennis Barker. Also attending were Mark Thompson who had flown in early on Wednesday and Bob Haendler, Rick Davis, Karl Dahlin and Aimee Maldonado who were coming in on Thursday. We arrived in Memphis at 430 PM on Wednesday the 22nd on the first day of the Quarterfinals. As we were driving down from Byron the lineup for the evening was announced at 12:30 PM and we

found out that our band competing in the Challenge, the Alex Wilson Band, was kicking things off at 5 PM. With our ETA improving with every mile per hour I exceeded the speed limit, we managed to pull into the Doubletree Hotel at 4:30 PM, parked the car, checked in, threw our bags in the room and ran to the Blues City Café where Alex and the Band were going to perform. We made it with 10 minutes to spare!

Alex began his set right on time and the crowd was really into it. Built around original tunes and finishing up with a combination of two great Magic Sam songs, the crowd went wild for every one of them. They open with the sultry “Sacred and Untrue” with Liban filling in on harp and overall vocal harmonies abounding. Jim Liban used his circular breath-

2nd Annual Field of Blues Festival Crossroads Blues Society is proud to present the Second Annual Field of Blues Festival on Saturday, June 28th at Rockford Aviators Stadium in Loves Park. It is exciting to be able to bring an event like this to the Rockford area and help keep the blues alive! The 2014 Field of Blues Festival lineup is official. We have a great lineup led by our head-

March-April 2014

Keeping the Blues Alive

ing to amaze the crowd and hold a note for a couple of minutes as he laid down and acted out taking a rest on stage. “Take It Easy Baby” follows and then with a Bo Diddley styled instrumental Alex and his brother Matt did their takeoff on the Brooks Family playing each other’s guitars where Matt stands behind Alex and plays Alex’s guitar while Alex reaches behind him to play Matt’s bass. “The Moon is Shinin’” follows that. Uncle Marc on drums kept a steady beat and was one of the top drummers I heard throughout the week. They closed with Magic Sam’s “I continued on page 3

liner John Nemeth!

We are looking to begin at noon, so the doors will open at 11 AM. We have our Crossroads Blues Challenge winners the Alex Wilson Band opening the day for us.

Alex made the semi-finals and was beaten out by the band that won the IBC, so he has nothing to hang his head over– they represented us well! Alex and his band were truly superb competitors! continued on page 2

20 Years of Crossroads Achievements  20 years of publishing our newsletter which is now in full color with each edition read by over 500 people  Two annual major blues festivals with fantastic lineups of talent  122 Blues in the Schools programs for 38,000 students since May 2002  Over 100 live blues shows in clubs and public venues that were open to the public  Dedicated on-line presence:  Music Review blog with over 700 reviews since 2007  News blog with all Club activities  Strong Facebook presence  Web site with BITS info and links to our other sites  2 Festival sites/blogs Inside this issue: News 1-7,11,18-19 Music Reviews 7-18 Playlist, Members 19 Membership Application 20 Upcoming Events 20

Crossroads Blues Society Newsletter

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Second Annual Field of Blues Festival Set for Saturday, June 28, 2014 for the festival are tax deductible and are used to cover the many costs of running a music festival.

While the lineup and times may change, right now we are looking at Liz Mandeville to take the stage at 2 PM. Liz is based in Chicago and has a high energy act that will surely delight our crowd. Inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame and nominated for a host of awards over the years, Liz is a fixture in the blues world who can hold her own with the best of them because she is one of the best herself!

The Jimmy's will bring their swinging blues and other styles of music to the Rockford Aviators Stadium at 4 PM. Jimmy Voegeli on keys, Perry Weber on guitar, the Young Horns, Mauro Magellan from the Georgia Satellites on drums and if that is not enough Bun E. Carlos will also sit in on drums! If their show Saturday in Loves Park was any indication, a party will break out when these guys play!

At 6 PM, the ever cool Doug Deming and Dennis Gruenling will take the stage with the Jewel Tones. These guys both put out fantastic CDs that have gotten much radio airplay and when they were featured in our Byron Blues Fest they were fan favorites! This will be a great set of rocking and swinging music!

At 8 PM our headliner will be the fantastic blues and soul singer and harp master John Nemeth. John is one of the hot, young acts in the blues world. Crossroads members have seen him in action at several festivals and shows; he made a weeknight stop at Big Cities several years ago that wowed the local crowd. His new

Costs include band fees, lodging for nonlocal bands, a stage, sound and lights, electrical work, insurance, licenses and more. It takes a lot of money and effort to run an event of this magnitude. We had a dedicated core of volunteers who support us.

CD that is soon to be released features the soulful Bo-Keys along with John. His last release was a duo of CDs, one entiled simply “Blues Live ” and one called “Soul

Live” and they received great critical acclaim. He has amazed crowds across the US and the globe with his vocal prowess.

Between acts we will feature local acoustic blues man Dan Phelps up in the covered pavilion on the third base side of the stadium. Acts are on stage on the field, between acts music is up on the concourse. 10 hours of music from noon to 10 PM. Tickets will once again only be $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

As most of you know, Crossroads Blues Society is an all-volunteer 501c3 nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of Illinois that works to conduct Blues in the Schools programs for area schools. Profits from the festival are used 100% for BITS. Sponsorship donations

Festival sponsorship levels: · Festival Sponsor: $5,000. One available. Festival name will included sponsor (e.g. “The Acme Field of Blues Festival.”

Benefits include logo integrated into festival logo on tee shirt front and all uses, name on banner on stage, recognition in program and other advertising plus 100 free tickets · Platinum: $1000 and up. Benefits include larger logo on tee shirt, name on banner on stage, recognition in program and other advertising plus 25 free tickets. · Gold: $500 to $999. Benefits include smaller logo on tee shirt, name on banner on stage, recognition in program and other advertising plus 10 free tickets. · Silver: $200 to $499. Benefits include name on banner on stage, larger name on tee shirt, recognition in program and other advertising plus 4 free tickets. · Bronze: $100 businesses, $50 individuals. Benefits include small name on banner on stage, recognition in program and other advertising, small name on tee shirt plus 2 free tickets.

Gold and above sponsors also get to have a tent/booth at the festival and may place banners in the park. All sponsors are also frequently noted on stage after each act.

We expect a large crowd at our festival.

Any level of sponsorship can help to make this dream a reality. In-kind sponsors for services and such are also desired.

Check us out at http:// fieldofblues.blogspot.com/ or call 779-5374006 for more information!

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March-April 2014

2014 International Blues Challenge and Keeping the Blues Alive Luncheon Review (continued)

By Steve Jones, CBS President former. Solo/Duo was also going on and we then stopped in at King’s Palace to hear Between Dead Stations, a guitar and drum duo from Maine, and Scale House, dual guitar players who focus on educational blues programs.

We were then off to Flynn’s to hear the Mikey Mo Band, but they were ahead of schedule and we got to hear the Octavia Blues Band from Lancaster, PA. The R. Mutt Blues Band followed, sponsored by the North Central Florida Blues Society.

Then it was more solo/duo acts at the Pig on Beale. The Delta Swamp Rats with former Chicago guitar bluesman Steve Arvey from Sun Coast Blues Society, The Co Dependents with Benny Rickun on harp from Grafton Blues Association, and the Christine Jude Duo from the Oklahoma Blues Society. We got to sample a full dozen IBC acts on day one.

Alex Wilson at 2014 IBC Feel So Good” and then “Lookin’ Good;” Alex played in the crowd and then got up on the bar to the delight of a packed house. They ended within the challenge limits and the crowd went wild. Going first may not be best, but in my mind they just set the bar high for the 10 bands that followed them. We congratulated Alex and the band on their set. Both Alex and Jim suffered colds throughout the challenge but no one noticed as they toughed it out and gave their all.

We heard a bit of Anthony and the Conqueroos after Alex and then made our way down to the Rum Boogie to listen to Mr. Sipp from Vicksburg, MS, another band who had performed well in a prior year. Great front man with organ, bass and drums backing him, Mr. Sipp was a very good act but I felt the performance was held back a bit, perhaps by the venue, perhaps just not their best day. We listened to three of their five songs and made our way to a quick dinner at the Blues City Café.

After gobbling down some catfish and ribs we were off to Coyote Ugly to see Grafton’s Band, Katz Sass. They are a heavy, rocking blues band whom the crown there enjoyed. We then ran back up the street to Club 152 to see the Sun Coast entry the Lauren Mitchell Band. She is quite the chanteuse; her vocals really impressed me and I thought she was a great per-

Having gotten up at 530 AM and then driving nine hours to Memphis, it was now after 1130 PM and what else was there to do but go listen to more music? We hit the Rum Boogie and listened to the young harp great Brandon Santini and his band.

Our good friend Dennis Gruenling was asked up first to play some harp and as always did a spectacular job. Nic Clark who plays harp with Bad Brad and the Fat Cats, competing IBC band from Colorado, sat in for a few songs in the first set. We made it through that set and said hello to Brandon’s bassist Nick Hearn whom we’d met several times as part of Bryan Lee’s Blues Power Band. Nick is a great kid who stayed at our house with Brent Johnson and John Perkins last February and we got to catch up a bit before returning to the hotel a little before 3 AM. After 22 hours up I gave up and fell asleep.

There is no rest for the weary as we made our way to BB King’s to listen to John Nemeth and the Bo-Keys along with soul man Percy Wiggins.

It was a great show with lots of energy and displayed for everyone the funkier, more soulful side of Nemeth. He’s producing an album with the Bo-Keys and I am looking forward to hearing that. We rushed off to the Purple Haze to catch part of our good fiend Dave Fields and his opening set for Betsie Brown’s Blind Racoon Showcase. Betsie’s artists were doing two days of prechallenge shows at the Purple

Haze. Dave electrified the attendees with his rocking sound and got things going nicely for the event. We spent some time chatting with Dave and he may be back in the Rockford area in May, so we are looking forward to seeing him at home. We caught a bit of Dan Bubien and ran out for a fast lunch at the Blues City Café again, then returned to the Purple Haze as they had a lineup of artists we had reviewed CDs of but had not seen live before. Debbie Bond and the Tru Dats, Terry Quiett Band, Grand Marquis and Jason Elmore and Hoodoo Witch all did short sets. Debbie Bond put on a very nice show as did Terry Quiett and his band. I spent some time chatting with Terry who had been in Rockford recently and expressed that we’d love to have him back. Grand Marquis has a big sound with the bass player switching off to tuba and all of them giving us a great show. Ellmore’s raw style and energy was also a crowd favorite.

We left the Purple Haze for the second night of quarterfinals. The rest of our crew arrived late at the Purple Haze so we took them to see the Delta Swamp Rats at the Pig and them to see Lauren Mitchell up at Club 152. As bands were missing not participating, we next got to hear Jarekus Singleton who gave a powerful performance, both on his guitar and vocally.

Straight up electric blues, edgy, soulful and really cool. His B3 player also put on a great show- overall one of my top bands of the IBCs. We ran over to Jerry Lee Lewis’ Club and saw Danny Dreher from Connecticut and the Flamin’ Crows from Perth, Australia. Draher is a Duke Robillard styled act and is a good guitar player. The Crows were a fun band that we also enjoyed. We met up with them the next day at Rum Boogie, too,

Alex Wilson Band at 2014 IBC

Crossroads Blues Society Newsletter

Page 4 on vocals. He is a great talent, too! At the end of the set Nick asked his wife Kate up to play guitar while Nick took on the bass duties. Lots of schmoozing and socializing on the break. We were beat but waited for the second set to start as they had Dennis Gruenling up for some harp. We called it a night after a few songs and trekked back to the Doubletree.

Mr. Sipp, 2014 IBC Winner having a drink before the Friday events.

We then ran over to Flynn’s to catch the Randy Oxford Band. Randy plays trombone and I was very impressed with the bass playing female vocalist who fronted the band through most of the set. Annette, Denny and I went Johnny’s for some Gumbo, Red Beans and Rice and Etouffe.

Mmmm, good.

Next up was the Blues City Café to get in place for Alex Wilson’s second night act.

We caught the Boogie Patrol first, with a great guitar player and a young singer who growled out the songs. Alex went second and performed the same set as on Wednesday, exuding more energy and topping his already great showing from the day before. We were impressed that he could step it up more! Bad Brad and the Fat Cats followed with a very animated and highly charged set- well done!

Anthony and the Conqueroos closed the night and did a good job, too. All in all we caught 10 IBC acts on Thursday. Oh- and we also waited to hear the semifinalists names get read out and Alex Wilson was one of them! On to the next round! I was surprised Lauren Mitchell did not make it, but other than her organ player her band was a little weak and that may have detracted from her scores. She is, as I said, a great vocalist!

Nick Moss was featured late that night at the Rum Boogie so we ran down there for his show. As always, Nick did a fantastic job. Michael Ledbetter, Nick’s other guitar player and vocalist, seems to be taking on more and more of a lead role, especially

Friday was the KBA luncheon at the Doubletree. It got underway at 11 with a sort of vegetable gumbo/ratatouille soup then a fried catfish and baked chicken breast with baked regular and sweet potatoes and green beans. The food was ok for banquet food. Dessert was on the table when we arrived (red velvet cake and a maple-iced yellow cake); both had begun to harden and get stale, so I skipped them. The twenty awards were presented mostly by Art Tipaldi, head of the KBA Committee. Jay Sieleman presented a few awards. It was a very interesting process that went on for about 3 hours (after the first hour for lunch). Highlights for me were to hear and meet Dick Waterman (whose book with some great photos that I purchased and got autographed), Myron Mu who books acts for his San Francisco Blues Bar “The Saloon,” and Tas Cru from Syracuse, NY, who is a long time great blues educator and musician. I also finally got to meet my good friend from afar Frank Roszak who got the award for Publicist; he’s a great guy with a good sense of humor. Our good friends from the Quad Cities were there to get the award for the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. Hawkeye Herman was there to join them and we got to catch up more that we had in passing on Beale St. I gave a short speech for our award, getting a laugh talking about the highs of BITS with Hawkeye and Fruteland Jackson and the lows like when Matt Hill decided he needed to play “I’m Gonna Murder My Baby” at Spring Creek Elementary School. I was a bit nervous (yes, I was nervous!) and my speech was the shortest of the 20 award winners, not counting the missing award recipients (yes, I was terse!!!). Mark and the officers and board in attendance joined me on the podium as we received our award. It was nice to have us all up there. I think Art Tipaldi was taken aback seeing six people rush the stage, but he got over it. A very humbling and nice event!

We got prepped and hit Beale St. again, doing a birthday drink with Rick Davis at the Rum Boogie. The FLamin’ Crows lead singer and guitar player Alan Rogers and his friend were there. We got to re-

count tales of WA and their band and it was a fun chat. At 5 PM we were off to Silky O’Sullivan’s to see Youth Showcase acts Jack Gaffney (Colorado) and then Macyn Taylor (Grafton). Macyn is a phenomenal guitar player, working on her master’s degree in music at age 19! Then back to the Rum Boogie to catch two more youth acts, the suave Riddle ‘n’ Blues Band and the very young and cutely brash Brimstone. Talented young lads they were! Following them at the Boogie was Alex and his Band who stepped it up another notch with a fantastic set! Well done by Alex and the boys! The best performance by them yet! Dinner at the Pig quickly for Annette and I and then back on the street.

We did flybys of the Casanovas at Club 152, then Ben Rice and the iLLamatics and the Tommy Z band at Flynn’s, then up to BB Kings for the MVBS’ Rock Island Rollers, the duo Nico Wayne Toussaint and Michael Folzon at King’s Place and then finally the Old No. 5’s at Club 152. I enjoyed tem all! 11 more acts (4 youth and 7 IBC) for Friday night! Then it was back to the Rum Boogie for the Vizztone artists with Bob Margolin.

Bob was up with two new North Carolina protégés. Then he brought up Dennis Gruenling on harp and Laura Chavez on guitar. I love both of them. Laura and Bob went back and forth with some awesome licks. The place was packed to four or five times the seating capacity and we chatted with dozens of people as artists came and went from the stage. They broke for a spell and the announcement of

John Nemeth at BB King’s

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March-April 2014 fles. Annette and Denny also ordered the same- salmon croquettes, fried green tomatoes, eggs over easy, and pancakes.

Nice soul food breakfast. The star was the salmon croquettesamazing!

Tim Williams Solo/Duo Winner of the finalists. The Rum Boogie entry into the finals disappointed us as it was not the Alex Wilson Band’s name we heard called out. Also surprisingly missing was Jarekus Singleton; he gave a stirringly great musical performance in my mind! The finalist bands were: Bad Brad and the Fat Cats out of Wet Willie’s, Ben Rice and the iLLamatics from Flynn’s, Billy the Kid and Regulators out of Club 152, Brad Absher & Swamp Royale from the New Daisy, the Brat Pack out of Hard Rock, DieDra & Ruff Pro Band from Alfred’s, Ghost Town Blues Band from BB King’s, Katy Guillen & Girls from Blues City Café and Mr. Sipp from the Rum Boogie. I really thought Alex’ act was superior, but I was not a judge and I may be partial. On the Solo/Duo side were Arthur Migliazza from Silky O’Sullivan’s, Erik Ray from King’s Place, Lucious Spiller from 12 Bar, Matt Tedder from Blues Hall, Nico & Michel from King’s Palace, Suitcase Brothers from the 12 Bar, Tim Williams from Silky O’ Sullivan’s, and Wendy DeWitt w/Kirk Harwood from the Blues Hall. They were to begin at noon at the Orpheum the next day. We consoled Alex; there are no losers in this challenge.

He did a great job and it was not his day.

He can hold his head high as can his band mates for doing a fantastic job!

Saturday morning began for Annette, Mark, Denny and I with a cab ride to Alcenia’s for breakfast. We got there at 8:55 AM and the staff was mostly not there for the 9 AM opening. One table was ahead of us and already there. We got in, waited a half hour to order, another our to get breakfast and ate and sat around until 11 AM. Not speedy but the Saturday brunch was delicious. You chose one meat/fish, two sides and one starch. Mark and I chose white meat fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, eggs (scamnled with cheese for me, omelet for Mark) and waf-

We hoofed it the mile back to the Doubletree and then went down to Beale and up to the Orpheum Theater. We missed the opening act but had seen them before Bad Brad and the Fat Cats. We pretty much sat through the rest, taking some breaks for water, bathroom, and the silent auction. The acts were all good, with some standouts. I felt the best of the solo/duo was Nico and Michelle with the Suitcase Brothers in second; I was way off as Tim Williams from Edmonton won with Lucious Spiller. Williams was a superb guitar finger picker, one of the best I’ve heard.

However, he did all covers and no original sounding interpretations. He was excellent but I did not think he’d win given the criteria. Lucious Spiller was raw and inspired in second place and was original.

He also had a great, earthy, raw and growling sort of muttering delivery that was cool. Such are the vagaries of judgement. On the band side I pretty much agreed with the judging. Third was Billy the Kidd and the Regulators (I had Brad Absher slightly ahead of them but it was close), second was The Ghost town Blues Band (I agreed) and in first was Mr. Sipp (I also agreed with that). Billy the Kidd had a fun horn section of three guys with Billy on guitar lead and vocals and a keyboard.

Good sound, tight. I preferred the two piece horns of Swamp Royale and Brad Absher but they were close. Ghost Town were local Memphis guys and they were a lot of fun. Trombone and sax with organ and the guitar/vocal lead were excellent. Mr. Sipp won me over with an animated show. They dressed like Steve Erquel with taped glasses, and suits with high water pants along with fedoras. It was all about Mr. Sipp.

The organ, bass and drums did not solos and were there to back Sipp on their 5 songs. He was the star and he carried the show. The 5 songs were all originals and good, but they all were cut from the same

mold. At least our band was beaten by the #1 rated act- there was some justice for Alex. I still preferred Alex’ act and music, but Chicago styld blues seemed to have no place in Memphis. The gril band was raw, young and needed work but the crowd response to their rocking style was huge. The bands with horns get huge responses from the crowds and judges.

The low multiplier stage presence seems to get a large piece of the evaluation as bands routinely jumped off stage, moon walked, spun guitars, dressed to the nines and performed all sorts of non-music related acts. Not exactly my cup of tea; a musician who commands my attention with his or her presence and music is what I am looking for, but we are in the post Madonna and Michael Jackson world of Lady Gaga and Grammy Awards where somehow a trapeze was required. So be it; I remain staunchly a dinosaur.

Mr. Sipp is a great band. They deserved with win the finals. I especially loved his tone and great guitar work. He also won the guitar award and gave us all a sample of that wonderful beast of a guitar and amp combo that he’d won. Kudos to the Blues Foundation for putting this all together and pulling it off for the 30th time!

At this point Annette, Denny, Bob, Rick and I were starving. Karl and Aimee were off in Clarksdale and Mark was at the Hank Mowry and later Vizztone 2nd night shows at the Rum Boogie. The 5 of us went up Main Street from the theater looking for new food venues and happened upon a great Chinese restaurant that we loved. We ate, chatted and relaxed until after 10 PM and then picked up a couple of six packs to drink back in the hotel lobby. We headed back and did just that for about an hour, ten went up to our rooms to rest up for the 9 hour drives back home.

Macyn Taylor (Youth Showcase)

I had a great time there in Memphis as did everyone else. It was something to experience at least once as a blues fan and really is something I’d go back to again and again. 255 acts from 14 countries from 25 blues societies embarked on the challenge. There were 255 winners in my book- congratulations to all of them for making the biggest blues music festival in the world a truly great event!

March-April 2014

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Hope and Anchor Kicks off Monthly Blues; Local Shows on the Rise

Ben Mille r and his Band at Mary’s Place

Anni Piper with Brent Johnson and the Call Up at Mary’s Place

The Jimmy’s at the Hope and Anchor

Alex Wilson at the American Legion IBC Benefit

Alex Wilson at Mary’s Place

March-April 2014

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Music Reviews Blues Shock Billy Branch Blind Pig Records www.blindpigrecords.com 11 Tracks Billy Branch was attending college when he met Willie Dixon, who encouraged him to finish college. He took the advise but changed his plans to go to law school and instead started touring with Willie. Touring with the Willie Dixon's Traveling All-Stars allowed him to travel and work as an under study for the blues legend Carey Bell who was planning to leave the band to start his own band. With the absence of Bell, Billy Branch took over his spot and toured with Dixon for six years.

Since his start with Willie Dixon, Billy has performed on 150 recordings with other blues legends Johnny Winter, Lou Rawls, Koko Taylor, Eddy Clearwater, Honeyboy Edwards, Syl Johnson, Lurrie Bell, Ronnie Baker Brooks, John Primer, and Taj Mahal. His accolades include three Grammy nominations, winning multiple W.C. Handy Awards from the Blues Foundation, an Emmy Award, an Addy Award, two Chicago Music Awards, and several humanitarian achievement awards. He served on the Grammy Board of Governors for two consecutive terms, and founded the Grammy Blues Committee. In addition to performing and recording, he has been very active in the Blues In The Schools program at the national and international level, educating students and adults in the United States, Europe, South America, Asia, and Mexico. Branch also teaches in the Grammy Museum Music Revolution Project.

The Blues Keep Following Me Around (1995) on Polygram Records was Branch's last solo album. His latest release Blues Shock on, Blind Pig Records, features a star studded cast of musicians including Nick Charles on bass, who has shared the stage with Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King, Tina Turner, Eddie Shaw, Valerie Wellington, and the Rolling Stones, Mose Rutues Jr., the drummer for Billy Branch's Sons Of Blues for 25 years, who previously played with such legendary greats as Major Lance, McKinley Mitchell and Joe Tex, Sumito "Ariyos" Ariyoshi on keyboards, who shared the stage and toured the world with such legends as Otis Rush,

Jimmy Rogers, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Eddie Shaw, Valerie Wellington, B.B. King, Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and rounding out The Sons Of Blues is guitar extraordinaire Dan Carelli, who has played previously with A.C. Reed, Byther Smith, Aaron Burton, Sammy Fender, and Nigel Mack. Guests on this lastest album include Ronnie Baker Brooks, Johnny Iguana, Justin Jon Kopp, Billy Dickens, Andrew "Blaze" Thomas, and the fabulous Chicago Horns with Bill McFarland, Hank Ford, and Kenny Anderson, and a host of other background singers and studio musicians.

Chicago Horns return for the original, "red hot" jump blues song "Baby Let Me Butter Your Corn," a match for the Louis Prima classic "Jump Jive An' Wail," only with outstanding chromatic harp tone from Branch. S.O.B. complete the album with a smooth, spiritual, jazzy, instrumental "Song For My Mother."

Blues Shock opens with one of the most powerful original tunes on the album, "Sons Of Blues." It features superb vocals and harp from Branch, along with the heavy-duty Chicago Horns. He co-wrote this tune with one of his professors at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Sterling Plumpp, a song defining the next generation of bluesmen. The band pays tribute to his early mentor with the Willie Dixon tune "Crazy Mixed Up World," featuring Branch on the chromatic harp and Sumito "Ariyos" Ariyoshi on piano. The band turns the blues world upside down the original song "Blues Shock." Billy Branch and Ronnie Baker Brooks lament the fact that life is miserable since they are once again in the "Dog House," a tune written by jazz artist Bobby Bryant. The Holland, Dozier, and Holland "hip shakin," jazz/R&B song "Function At The Junction" made popular by the Ramsey Lewis Trio, was the next tune of choice for the S.O.B.

Reviewed by Rick Davis

They bring in a cello and violin to add to Branch's vocals on the tune "Going To See Miss Gerri One More Time," the stirring story of the famous 47th Street Chicago venue, Gerri's Palm Tavern, the rendezvous for entertainers like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Frank Sinatra. Sumito "Ariyos" Ariyoshi, S.O.B. keyboard player wrote the next selection "Black Alley Cat," a jazz instrumental featuring Branch on harp and Ariyoshi on piano. The next tune "Boom Boom" is worth the price of CD, delivering a medley of "Boom Boom" and "Boogie Chillen," a rousing tribute to the late great John Lee Hooker. The drummer, Mose Rutues Jr., takes center stage, delivering the vocals on the slow blues original "Slow Moe," with hot guitar solos from Dan Carelli and a stellar piano performance once again from Ariyoshi. The

It has been a long wait for Blues Shock, a musical showpiece that I would consider one of Billy Branches best solo albums.

Hopefully the next album from this legendary bluesman won't take as long. This is one you will want to add to your collection!

Crossroads Tee Shirts and KBA Shirts Exclusive for Crossroads Members A limited supply of black short sleeved Crossroads tees shirts are available for members of the society. They have the Crossroads word logo (as on the top of the first page of the Newsletter) on the left front chest and the large circle logo on back of the shirt. Printing is in white.

They are sized from men’s small to 3XL in very limited numbers. Small through XL are $15, 2XL are $16 and 3XL are $16.50.

We are also considering getting some polo and other shirts with this embroidered on front:

Price will be in the $15 to $20 range.

Crossroads Blues Society Newsletter

Page 8 Live at the Avant Garde Magic Sam Delmark Records www.delmark.com 16 tracks/67:50 For many blues fans, this disc will qualify as one of those “holy grail” recordings.

There have been several live recordings of Magic Sam released over the years by Delmark Records. None of them approach the sound quality of this exhilarating live set capturing Magic Sam at a club in Milwaukee backed by Big Mojo Elem on bass and Bob Richey on drums. The set was recorded by Jim Charne, a regular at the Avant Garde, on a Roberts reel-to-reel tape deck. Now, after forty-five years, listeners can finally hear Charne’s work in all of its glory.

Magic Sam – Samuel Maghett – was one of the brightest stars on the Chicago blues scene in the late 1960’s. His emotionallycharged vocals and stinging guitar work mixed pure blues from Chicago’s west side with elements of burgeoning soul music genre that was dominating the radio airwaves. His two Delmark studio recordings from that period, West Side Soul and Black Magic, are considered classics.

Starting off with a spirited cover of Freddie King’s now-familiar instrumental “San-HoZay,” Magic Sam showcases his fluid guitar picking before his urgent vocal energizes “I Don’t Want No Woman,” followed by a pensive run-through of “I Need You So Bad” with great fretwork over a bouncing bass line from Elem. Then the guitarist tears into “Feelin’ Good,” complete with taut guitar licks behind a soaring vocal.

On the originals “You Belong To Me” and “ Bad Luck Blues,” the raw emotional force of Magic Sam’s artistry come to the fore, especially on the latter tune, a declaration of heartache accompanied by hypnotic guitar riffs. The jubilant “That’s All I Need” finds him celebrating the liberating power of love.

“Come On In This House,” a Junior Wells classic, packs a punch due to Magic Sam’s wrenching cries of anguish. Covers of “Hootchie Cootchie Man” and “Still A Fool” make it clear that he had a deep understanding and respect for Muddy Waters, sticking close to the original versions. A haunting “All Your Love (I Miss Loving)” finishes off with cascading guitar runs that echo the bone-chilling anguish of Sam’s singing.

Also included is a tightly-wound version of the guitar showcase, “Lookin’ Good,” Sam’s frantic picking riding the boogie rhythm for all its worth. The band brings things to a close with B.B. King’s “Hully Gully Twist,” Magic Sam riffing with that gleeful intensity that was a hallmark of his style.

The package, designed by Kate Moss at Moonshine Design, includes liner notes from Charne that provide a brief history of the Avant Garde club and sets the stage for this historic recording. Magic Sam left this world at the age of thirty-two, laid low by a heart attack. We will never know what innovations or new directions might have come from him had his artistry had more time to develop and flourish. Thankfully, we can now take comfort in this riveting live set that once again reminds us that Magic Sam is indeed one of the true legends of the blues. Without a doubt, this one comes highly recommended!

Reviewed by Mark Thompson Midnight Blue Tinsley Ellis Heartfixer Music www.tinsleyellis.com 10 Tracks Chances are this Georgia based blues guitarist is not a new name to you. Tinsley Ellis has released 15 recordings (9 released on Alligator Records). He started with his band The Heartfixers (1981), but most are solo (1988 on). During his entire career he has played with his southern roots on his sleeves. His gritty vocals go well with his guitar style. He has toured a great deal, and is well respected for his playing. For this disc he continues with his high octane guitar style on 10 originals. He is supported by Kevin McKendree (organ/piano), Lynn Williams (Drums), and Ted Pecchio (Bass).

The disc opens with “If The River Keeps Rising”. Tinsley starts with an acoustic intro, and flows into a tough gritty electric guitar with a bit of slide. His moaning vocals help carry the song. Next he rolls a heavy R&B tinged blues called “Mouth Turned Dry”. The band lays a nice groove that Tinsley slides into and shows us his licks. Up next is “Surrender”. This is a sexy gliding song that steals a bit of Memphis soul. He packs a nice solo into this mid-tempo song.

On the 4th cut “It’s Not Funny” we get a

New Orleans second line feel from the first note. It’s very up tempo and had a great drum line in it. Little Feat would be at home with this tine. “See No Harm” is a slow ballad with some blistering guitar work. I like the drumming on this song.

There might be some Ray Charles influence in this song. A fine guitar intro sends us into “The Only Thing”. This boogie number, with some Texas guitar influences is a fine piece of work. This will be a live favorite I bet. “Peace and Love” is written about a lot. This is an uplifting message with an R&B delivery fine solo is heard about half way through the song.

The keys fill in well on this song.

Up next is “Harder To Find” is a bit Claptonesque. As the song rolls on, we get strong keyboard fills and guitar fills. The vocals are strong. The CD pulls some blues rock for the next tune. “That’s My Story” is a guitar hero song, full of strong string bending and great drumming.

There are some fun lyrics ‘life with you is hairier than Planet of the Apes’. This solid disc closes with “Kiss Of Death”. This closer is a slow inspiring blues number.

Tinsley’s guitar playing stops for his growling vocals as this songs moves firmly forward. It is the longest cut at over 7 minutes. You will enjoy it.

Tinsley Ellis is a master of 80’s and on blues guitar. His vocals fit his guitar and song style. This disc brings his style to the front. Great guitar, strong vocals, and the ability to keep generating new and relevant songs keeps Tinsley Ellis as a strong part of the blues guitar scene. I have all 15 of his recordings. I will be waiting for #16 some time soon. In the meantime, he is touring. Please go check him out and pick this CD up.

Reviewed by Mark Nelson

March-April 2014 Fabbo! Boffo!

Smasho!

The Halley DeVestern Band Willie May Music www.halleydevestern.com 8 Tracks Hailing from the New York City area, Halley DeVestern and her band are a four person band. She has sung with Big Brother & the Holding Company, so there are some Janis Joplin comparisons. This is their 5th release. The Halley DeVestern Band play some gigs, but do not seem to be a big touring band. Blues-Funk-Rock are included in their repertoire.

The CD opens with “Muscle Memory”, a funky, horn laden popish song. Her vocals are up front, with a very funk greasy groove. Very uptempo here, without being overwhelming. “Kangaroo Momma” is the second funky track. It has good lyrics, and a solid bass/organ line. This is another upbeat track that would fit into a dnace club setting. For “Money Ain’t Time” the bands slides into a R&B groove. Halley keeps a Janis tinge to the vocals here. A great organ groove keeps the song moving, though not providing great power here. This might have been a good Bettye LaVette cut.

Track 4 “Tore Up” is a Stevie Wonder tinged dance floor treat. I moved past this type of music many moons ago. The band is fine for this type of a tune, and the vocals hold up, but don’t make me go “WOW”. Up next is “Boil”. It’s more of a rocker than blues of funk. Her voice is pushed better on his cut, fitting the song much better. Track 6 is American Pain.

This track is a slower, quiet gospelish song. The vocals are not terrible, and they jump out to you right way. No real blues here at all.

“Code 9“ is a R&B rocker with good horns and pretty good lyrics. The keyboards show up here as well. Halley shows her vocal range here too. Might be my favorite track on the CD . The CD closes with a more good feeling gospel number called “The Jesus I Know”. It does have a strong message, with well thought out lyrics.

There is nothing wrong with this song as a gospel tune. A big booming chorus might make it a great gospel tune.

Overall I was looking for the blues, and it’s not here in force. I find some funk, some R&B, certainly gospel. I have not heard any of her other discs to know if this is per usual or a different direction for her. Cer-

Page 9 tainly from the cover and some of the write-up I thought this would rock out more and show a bluesier side.

Reviewed by Mark Nelson 'Til The Pain Is Gone Bob Lanza Blues Band Self produced 12 Tracks Bob Lanza has been around the blues on the east coast for many years. Playing on the bar scene for 30 years, he has played with names like Cancellation Blues Band, Cruisin For A Bluesn, The Bob Dwyer Band, Fat Chance, Riff Raff, The Homewreckers, Blue Swirl, Big Nancy and Supreme Court, Ann Rabson, Johnny and The Tutones, Big Daddy and The Wildcats, The Randy Lipincott Band, Charlie Hilbert, Bobby Kyle, Filthy Rich and The Poorboys, The Bluzemonsters, Floyd Phillips and The Mudflaps, Jason Ricci and New Blood, and James Cotton.

He meet Floyd Phillips in 1997 while playing with The Bluzemonsters and as a result Floyd Phillips and The Mudflaps were formed. Phillips played piano for Johnny "Clyde" Copeland and worked with TBone Walker, Albert Collins, Johnny Adams, O V Wright, Lowell Fulson, and Gatemouth Brown. After losing his good friend Floyd Phillips in 2001, Bob Lanza took the advise to started his own band, The Bob Lanza Blues Band. In 2009 they released their debut album Things Ain't So Bad. The band was sent by the New York Blues & Jazz Society to the 2011 International Blues Challenge.

As a follow up this release, the Bob Lanza Band just came out with their newest album 'Til The Pain Is Gone. His many years with Phillips and backing James Cotton has helped him establish himself as an experienced emerging new artist.

After hearing his first album, I wondered why I had never heard Lanza, a guitar slinger of this caliber. His explosive guitar style can be heard on both albums but his second definitely showcases his guitar style and vocals. The Pain Is Gone features 12 original and cover songs backed by the Reverend Sandy Joren on bass, Noel Sagerman on drums, David "Snakeman" Runyan on harmonica, and a number of guest artists, including his son Jake Lanza on guitar. They open with Mike Bloomfield’s "Maudie" with Jake and Bob tearing it up on guitar and Joe Cerisano featured on vocals. The high powered horn section heard on the first CD has

been replaced with the superb piano and organ work of Ed "Doc" Wall heard throughout the new CD. The Bobby Bland classic ballad "I'll Take Care of You" is an outstanding rendition bringing all of the instruments and raw, tough vocals of Lanza center stage. The first original tune, title track "'Til The Pain Is Gone," is a display of both songwriting and guitar expertise with vocals "I was born into pain, yes, people think I’m insane, but if y’all live my life, you probably jump in front of a train." David “Snakeman" Runyan takes charge on the second original tune "Snake Byte," an instrumental, blowing his chromatic to perfection and complementing the rhythm and lead guitar of Lanza.

The band employs the guitar work of Lee Delray on the Big Bill Broonzy classic "Outskirts of Town" with both Delray and Lanza nailing that soulful groove heard in the blues phrasing and timbre, as they trade guitar solos. They shift the focus to the streets of the Chicago with Runyan back on the chromatic and Lanza emulating Chicago blues with his axe on Willie Dixon's "I'm Ready." Moving from the Southside to the Westside of Chicago, Rob Chaseman is featured on horns for the Magic Sam gem "Every Night & Every Day," honoring one the best bluesman to play the "Windy City." Lanza's gritty vocals and high powered, fiery guitar solos, Runyan's outstanding harp attack, Wall's unstoppable keyboard performance, complimented with Sagerman's and Joren's fine rhythm section, make this cut the best on the CD. They feature the Texas shuffle written by Pat Ramsey entitled "Build Me A Woman," allowing Lanza to describe the perfect female. The Chicago blues standard "Sugar Sweet" written by Chicago songwriter Mel London, showcases the piano skills of Ed "Doc" Wall much like we would hear from the late great Pinetop Perkins. The mournful ballad "Lonesome," a recording by Memphis Slim, reminds us that "a bedroom without a woman is like a heart without a beat." The last original shuffle "Our Life" is a captivating acoustic guitar/harp duet that is one of a kind. The Bob Lanza Band completes their new collection with the 1956 Preston Foster tune made famous by Muddy Waters, "Got My Mojo Working," placing their signature on this classic.

From classics to originals, this CD has it all. Once you hear the Bob Lanza Band with his all-star cast, you will be hooked for life. It is a testament to the new talent that is alive and well in the blues world today.

Reviewed by Rick Davis

Crossroads Blues Society Newsletter

Page 10 Might Just Get Lucky Deb Ryder Bejeb Music 10 Tracks Deb Ryder grew up in a musical family in Illinois, moving eventually to Chicago where she was exposed to some of the finest blues artists in the world. She was introduced to a multitude of jazz, blues, and gospel at a young age by her father Al Swanson, a popular local Chicago singer. After moving to Los Angeles, she was reunited with the blues through a neighbor and family friend, Bob Hite of the band Canned Heat. Canned Heat performed at the famous 70’s Rock and Roll club, The Topanga Corral owned

by Deb's stepdad. Canned Heat eventually recorded a live album at the Topanga Corral. She had the opportunity to open there for rock and blues legends like Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Taj Mahal, Big Joe Turner, and Charlie Musselwhite, as well as numerous blues artists that would show up for Big Joe Turner's weekly blues night.

After studying music at UCLA, she enjoyed a successful career as a studio musician and vocalist, performing on several national commercials for television in addition to singing background vocals on many albums. Another accolade for Deb was lead vocalist for the highly successful winning Las Vegas show "Splash." She then made the decision to focus on the blues as a singer, songwriter, and lead vocalist where she met her husband, bassist Ric Ryder. Encouraged to write and perform the blues by Ric, they formed the blues band Bluesryders, and began playing at local clubs, and West Coast Blues festivals.

Her long awaited debut CD, Might Just Get Lucky, is a grand slam album with ten original tunes all written by the sensational writer, producer, and performer, Deb Ryder. It really reflects the jazz and jump blues styles typical of her mentors Etta James and Big Joe Turner. Deb will have you shaking as she delivers her vocals on the opening tune "Get A Grip," simmered with a B.B. King guitar style from Kirk Fletcher and harp from Larry David. The band lets the good times roll with the retro style jump blues song "Blues Collar Blues," this time accompanied on guitar by the legendary Albert Lee. Deb really belts the blues as she echoes those lonely words "I got a bad, bad feeling this time you are really gone," on the tune "Really Gone," with the return of guitar solos from

Kirk Fletcher and Stan Behrens with his harp attack. She really shifts gears with her vocals on the sultry, steamy, jazz drenched title track "Might Just Get Lucky." Her vocals along with the keyboard of Greg Hilfman will hypnotize and mesmerize her audience, creating a smoky lounge environment on this tune.

At this point, is was hard not to change the mode to repeat. However, the show does continue with the a fiery song "Come On Home To Me" with the advice from Deb "I got what you need." They stir up a zydeco recipe, New Orleans style, on the next tune, "Ce Soir Ce Soir," with Albert Lee adding the magic ingredient on guitar.

Deb will reduce you to tears with her soulful, heartfelt blues vocals on the tune "Bad Bad Dream." Kirk Fletcher is stellar with his guitar solos on this tune as well as the next ballad "The Angels Cried," the story of how a man met his terrible fate. Dave Dills takes over on guitar and Greg Hilfman smokes on the keyboard, along with Deb's high powered vocals, delivering the low down blues tune "two-timin', double-dealin', "Love Stealin' Liar." They conclude this cavalcade of blues with a gospel, delta roots tune "These Hands," featuring James McVay on the dobro and Deb Ryder's powerful voice blending with superb backup vocals.

Might Just Get Lucky has set the standards very high for her next album, whenever that might be released. Her debut album was the SoCal Blues Society entry in the IBC’s for 2014 Best Self-Produced CD. After listening to this celebration of the blues, you will understand why it was nominated.

Reviewed by Rick Davis Moon Chillun Willie May Willie May Music http://www.williemaymusic.com 10 Tracks Willie May hails from the Buffalo, NY area. The Willie May Band is a 5 time Buffalo Area Music Award winner. Willie has shared the stage with many national and international touring acts. On this release he sings and plays guitar, bass, dobra, kalimba and jaw harp.

I count 14 releases on his web site. He is a veteran act. Willie wrote or co-wrote all of these songs. It is a fine collection of songs influenced by blues, roots, reggae, with some Cajun spice added.

“Riverside Blues” opens up as a mid tempo banjo/Cajun tinged tale of the river. It is well played, and gets a nice attention getting beat. Up next is a more fast paced tempo number called “Geraldine”. Blues songs have to have tales of lost love, and here is a good one. There is some fast picking here. Nice song! The 3rd cut is “Back To Glory”. Evan Laedke adds some keyboards to this number. The song is a mid-tempo acoustic number that is very pleasing.

Reggae tinged “Blues Parade” is the 4th cut. It shows Willie’s vocals and some pretty good lyrics. There are some tasty guitar licks against the backing reggae beat. “Don’t Know Where” is a Cajun tinged blues number. The lyrics talk of a man trying to figure where to go with life.

It makes for good listening. The next cut is a solid blues riff called “Jason Twisted My Arm Blues”. We get some call and response here, with a more electric feel.

“Sometimes” is up next, telling the tale of life and its ups and downs. This is a country tinged blues song that is telling a story about moving through life.

The 8th cut is ”Thirty Days”. This is a bluesy number about the usual subject of 30 days. This is good country blues, with a driving beat and Willie playing jaw harp.

The vocals are a bit snarling, and somewhat sunk into the mix. Up next is “On Vacation” a rockier number than any others on the disc. It is done well, and I bet is an encore number for the band live.

Closing out the disc is “Everything Is Alright”. This is a slower blues/folk song with guitars and vocals. Here again some lyrics do shine through with a good message about going forward with life.

This is a fine disc. I reviewed Nights Of Luna last year and I think I enjoyed this disc even more. I hope Willie gets to travel this way one day soon. I’d be in the audience to check him out. For now, all of you pick up this disc and see his showshis shows!!

Reviewed by Mark Nelson

March-April 2014 The Devil You Know Tommy Castro and The Painkillers Alligator Records www.alligator.com 13 Tracks Early in his career, Castro was a disciple of legendary blues artists like Eric Clapton, Elvin Bishop, and Mike Bloomfield. As time evolved, he searched the guitar styles of Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Freddie King, Buddy Guy, and Elmore James and listened to singers like Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett and James Brown. On the road for two years in the 80s with the ever popular Dynatones, he honed his guitar skills to perfection. Since 1991, Tommy Castro has been capturing the hearts of blues fans from coast to coast, developing a following along the way. He won the Bay Area Music Award for Best Club Band in both 1993 and 1994. In 1996, after the release of his debut album on Blind Pig Records, his career accelerated. In 1997, Castro was awarded the Bay Area Music Award for Outstanding Blues Album, and the award for Outstanding Blues Musician that same year. In 2010, The Blues Foundation awarded Castro the Blues Music Award for Blues Male Artist of the Year, Contemporary Blues Album of the Year, B.B. King Entertainer of the Year, and the Band of the Year.

His latest release The Devil You Know is newest studio album since his 2009 debut CD on Alligator Records, Hard Believer.

This CD packs all the punch that his previous studio albums did, with even more to lift your spirits with the addition of several guests on this project. The Painkillers current lineup consists of Tommy's steadfast bass player Randy McDonald, Byron Cage and David Tucker on drums, and James Pace on keyboards. Guests include Marcia Ball, the Holmes Brothers, Joe Bonamassa, Tab Benoit, Magic Dick, Samantha Fish, Mark Karan, and Tasha Taylor. Additional guests that appear on this new album include Mike Duke on piano, Mike Finnigan on organ, Bonnie Hayes on the Wurlitzer piano, also cowriting tunes with Castro, Jimmy Pugh on organ, Vicki Randle on percussion and background vocals, and Leah Tysse on background vocals.

The fearsome foursome put the pedal to the metal on the original opening title track "The Devil You Know," delivering a raw, high octane sound, setting the pace for this latest album. They keep a driving beat on "Second Mind," pulling in different percussion rhythms throughout the song. Joe

Page 11 Bonamassa is featured on fiery guitar solos, complimenting Castro's gritty, soulful vocals on "I'm Tired," a tune written by Chris Youlden of Savoy Brown fame.

"Center Of Attention" delivers guitar riffs much like a 60s rock and roll classic, with drums, bass, and keyboard adding to the psychedelic driven tune. Castro's slide guitar is superb on the J.B Lenoir classic "The Whale Have Swallowed Me," featuring the deep, rich vocals of Tasha Taylor.

"When I Cross The Mississippi" features the vocals and guitar of Tab Benoit supporting Castro, Mark Karan also on guitar, and Mike Finnigan on organ. Castro and Marcia Ball cook up good old fashioned Louisiana gumbo on the Zephire Andre Williams, Clarence Paul, Barbara Paul tune "Mojo Hannah" made popular by English performer Elkie Brooks. They pull out all stops on "She Wanted To Give It To Me" and the driving, swamp blues original "Two Steps Forward," featuring The Holmes Brothers on background vocals and Magic Dick on harp.

Tommy's vocals are soulful on the Southern tune "Keep On Smilin'," made famous

by Wet Willie, with Mark Karan teaming up with Tommy on guitar, also featuring Mike Duke on piano, giving this tune a spectacular Southern rock sound. "Medicine Woman" will put a voodoo spell on you with its mysterious rhythms, driving guitar, and the hypnotic vocals of Castro and featured guest Samantha Fish. Castro creates a new guitar sound that will penetrate your soul to accompany his vocals on the original tune "That's All I Got." Released earlier on a 45rpm was "That's All I Got" and the final tune "Greedy," which quickly became the most requested Tommy Castro song.

It has been a while since Tommy's last release but The Devil You Know was worth the wait. You owe it to yourself to pick up the latest from Tommy Castro And The Painkillers.

Review by Rick Davis

Crossroads Goals Organizational goals can help any group. They provide a framework for common efforts and to unify the approach to the running of an organization. Here is what we came up with and you can see we will need volunteers for the fests and to better staff our organization!

1. Increase membership and new member involvement a. Expand membership into more diverse communities; our membership is predominantly middle aged and Caucasian and needs a younger and more ethnic diversity to better represent Blues Fans b. Recognize new members and renewals in the newsletter (see inside the back page) c. Get new members involved by personally inviting them to shows and to participate in events/fests/ committees 2. Get committee structure more firmly in place a. Move to have people head committees and move away from centralized leadership b. Solicit members to join them based on interests and skills c. Study how other clubs like ours make committees work 3. Improve festival attendance a. Ticket sales venues b. Advertising c. Sponsors d. Brainstorm ways to attract more festival goers e. Implement feasible and cost effective ideas 4. Change the ways we handle the Newsletter a. Get a committee in place to create the newsletter b. Professionally print newsletter i. Follow up on bids and get Mar-Apr 2014 edition printed ii. Continue to fold and prep for mailing by hand as this number is declining & email is growing 5. Have an audit of our books conducted in September a. Find members or people who can do this skillfully on a voluntary basis who are not Board Members or beholden to one b. Conduct the audit of our books at the end of this coming fiscal year (September)

Steve Jones President

Crossroads Blues Society Newsletter

Page 12 Sounds Of Home Damon Fowler Blind Pig Records www.blindpigrecords.com 11 Tracks At the age of 12, Damon Fowler picked up a guitar and quickly developed an aptitude for playing the instrument. After hearing the blues, it was evident this would be the direction he was headed with his musical career. It wasn't long before he started playing clubs around the Tampa Bay area, native to his birthplace Brandon, Florida.

His Southern bayou blues style has been labeled as a special blend of soul, R&B, country, rockabilly, and swing. His roots guitar style and expertise on the dobro and petal steel guitars has taken him far beyond just another blues artist.

After hearing the early album, Live at Skipper's Smoke House, I had a feeling that he was destined for stardom. Since his early start in Florida, his virtuosity for slide guitar has become his trademark. He continued to develop a fan base, earning spots on support tours and the festival circuit, working with legends like Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter and Edgar Winter, Robin Trower, Gregg Allman, Jimmie Vaughan, Junior Brown, Rick Derringer, Delbert McClinton, Bernard Allison, Chris Duarte, and Indigenous. His songwriting skills, musicality, and soulful vocal style has brought him many accolades including "Best of Tampa" poll, as well as the Creative Loafing Magazine naming him "Best Guitarist, Slide Guitarist, Lap Steel Player, and Dobro Player."

As a result of an impromptu 2011 post festival jam in Florida, where Damon Fowler, J.P. Soars, and Victor Wainwright jammed together, a new group emerged called Southern Hospitality. After touring for a year with Southern Hospitality, Damon decided to return to the studio to start his third solo project for Blind Pig Records, Sounds of Home. He chose swamp blues artist Tab Benoit to produce and record him at Tab's rural Louisiana home studio and also join him on the album.

Damon opens the album with some blistering slide guitar on the petal steel and soul drenched vocals on "Thought I Had It All." The hard driving, funky title track "Sounds Of Home" takes him back home to his roots with Tony Joe White style vocals and fiery electric guitar solos, creating a soulful tribal sound. "Trouble" does a superb job of blending funk and blues into one of the strongest originals on the al-

bum. "Spark," the fourth original, is a blend of county and rockabilly. "Old Fools, Bar Stools, And Me," a southern ballad, brings out some Duane Allman guitar riffs.

You can visualize yourself dancing down a dusty Delta road to the tune "Where I Belong" as you enjoy the return of the lap steel guitar. "Grit My Teeth" has the same Southern flavor of a ZZ Top tune with the addition once again of slide guitar.

"Alison" a tune written by Elvis Costello, is a slow, laid back ballad much like a James Taylor song. The petal steel echoes loudly and Damon delivers soulful vocals on a favorite Johnny Winters blues tune "TV Mama." Damon's last original tune "Do It For The Love" is a slow county tune reminiscent of the Vince Gill tune "When Love Finds You," featuring Tab Benoit on the petal steel guitar. Damon completes the album with a finger-picked interpretation of the traditional gospel tune "I Shall Not Be Moved."

plays harmonica on two tracks. Other members of the band include Myron Bennett on bass, Samuel Scoot Jr. on drums & percussion, and Carlos Russell on harp on two cuts. Producer Sam Brady, who also engineered the recording sessions, appears on four songs playing organ.

With the success of the his new band Southern Hospitality, and his thriving solo career, it seems Damon Fowler has soared to the top of the blues world. He can now add to his accomplishments one superb new CD, Sounds of Home.

“Pay to Play” is a toe-tapper about a woman tired of being mistreated. Cotton fires off a steady stream of staccato notes that drive the message home. The downhome country feel on “Back in a Bit” offers a different mood with Russell’s harp echoing Cotton’s multi-tracked vocals. Slipping into a slinky, infectious groove on “My Boo,” Cotton uses his honeyed voice to convey his excitement over his woman’s new hairstyle.

Reviewed by Rick Davis Here I Come Eddie Cotton DeChamp Records, LLC. www.eddiecottonjr.com www.dechamprecords.com 10 tracks/38:17 Ten years ago, I saw Eddie Cotton at the Mississippi Valley Blues festival. Playing on the band shell, Cotton electrified the crowd with a set that featured his fine vocal skills and impressive guitar playing. An added bonus was that I was able to purchase a copy of Cotton’s hard-to-find recording, Extra, that he had released the previous year. Since then, Cotton simply vanished and except for an occasional mention in a blues publication, he was missing in action. An search of the internet revealed that he had spent much of his time working with his father, a pastor, to run their church in Mississippi, especially after his father passed away in 2009.

Now Cotton is back with a new release that highlights all of his talents as a singer, songwriter and musician. DeChamp Records was formed by Grady Champion, a talented artist in his own right. Champion

The opening strains of the title track make it clear that Cotton has a bad case of the blues, laying down a smoldering groove punctuated by fiery guitar solo. “A Woman’s Love” slows the pace even further as Cotton offers an incisive testament to the strength of his love for his woman. Bennett’s popping bass establishes the funky driving rhythm on “Get Your Own,” as Cotton paints a vivid portrayal of a bluesman’s financial plight. Champion blows some mean harp over the propulsive, driving beat on “Leave Love Alone,” then fills in behind Cotton’s lusty singing on “Berry So Black”.

Other standout tracks include “Friend to the End,” a soulful ballad with Cotton pleading for a friendship that is stronger than an exchange on Facebook. Cotton’s tastefully layered vocals take you to church on “No Love Back,” with a hint of reggae capping off a memorable examination of love’s transformational power.

It may be early in the year but you can bet this recording will be getting plenty of attention come awards time. Eddie Cotton sails through one polished performance after another, some with a gritty edge while others rely on his melodic singing and inspired guitar playing. It is great to have him back. Don’t miss this stellar recording!

Reviewed by Mark Thompson

March-April 2014 Smokin' Blues Mark T Small Lead Foot Music www.marktsmall.com Playing Time 34:49 Released 1-28-14 Lead Foot Music presents Smokin' Blues from Mark T Small. In Mark's own words, "This CD contains a collection of my favorite guitar grooves played using both fingerpicking and flatpicking guitar techniques. My love for this music in large part stems from how strongly the tunes hold up with just one guitar. I have always been inspired by players like John Lee Hooker and many others who were truly one man bands. In their day they were the Juke Box and they had the ability and grooves to get the entire joint jumpin'. I am very grateful for their contributions and hope that this CD does their work justice."

For his fourth solo recording effort Smokin’ Blues offers a range of excellent covers from the likes of Blind Boy Fuller, John Lee Hooker, Howlin’ Wolf, Reverend Gary Davis, Elmore James and Charlie Patton. True to his word, Mark covers these classics with his own influential style that captures the feeling of solo performances. The only effect Small added was the lo-fi “radio tone” on Hooker’s “My Daddy Was a Jockey.” The album is entirely solo except for vocal accompaniment from 81-year-old bluesman Shor’ty Billups on “Walkin’ the Dog” and harmonica from Walter Woods on “Moanin’ at Midnight.” The more I listened to this CD the more I enjoyed it.

First off is Rudolff Moore's “Shake It Up and Go,” Blind Boy Fuller's biggest hit. Small uses a heavy flatpicking style to bang out this boogie woogie number. Hudsson Whittaker's “Sell My Monkey” was an interesting number I've never heard but really liked lyrically and musically. Small does a nice job playing the piano part on guitar rather than the slide portion. On John Lee Hooker's “My Daddy Was a Jockey “the Hooker groove is unmistakable and Small infuses his own lead guitar admirably. Next is the ever classic Saint Louis Jimmy Oden's Goin Down Slow embodies blues with a feeling while Small again displays his lead guitar chops while maintaining the signature 1 guitar, 1 voice, 1 format. “Buck Rag,” a Reverend Gary Davis number, demonstrates Small's versatility with hints of his bluegrass background. Short but sweetly done. “Walkin The Dog” by Rufus Thomas features 81 year old Shor'ty Billups together with Small provides a suitable rendition of this number.

Not my first choice for a blues CD. “Moanin At Midnight” by Chester Burnett features fine harmonica work by Walter Woods that lends some nice flavor to enhance Small' s delivery of this Howlin' Wolf classic. “Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning” is anoth-

Page 13 er Reverend Gary Davis number that features Small giving us a dose of his picking and slide playing prowess. The Reverend would surely approve.

The Elmore James “Early In The Morning” selection is a tribute to honoring one of the best influential bluesmen . Just try and keep your feet from moving when hearing Small bring the goods. “Railroad Blues” by Sam McGee once again is a display of Small proving he is no average picker. I must say that although Small's vocals are more than adequate he doesn't try to be anyone other than himself. “Stone Pony Blues” by Charlie Patton continues to feature Small at his fingerpickin' best. His passion was evedent and I'm guessing this is one of Small's favorite songs to play. Very well presented.

Last but not least is a patriotic tribute to this country with Small's America Medley. An acoustic only little number that seemed a fitting end to an overall very well presented blues CD. Again, I believe Small accomplished what he set out to deliver. Well worth a listen.

Reviewed by Bill Graw Mistress The Flaming Mudcats Ode Records www.theflaming mudcats.com 14 tracks Members and friends of our Blues Society who attended our Inaugural Field of Blues Festival last June will fondly remember the Flaming Mudcats who opened our event. The crowd was enamored with their cool and authentic sound; the band from half way around the globe became a big hit in the Rockford area. The boys returned home to Auckland, New Zealand, shortly after their tour here and began work on their second CD release. As the band notes, “This one’s a cracker!” and I must strongly agree!

The band is Craig Bracken on harp and vocals, Doug Bygrave on guitar, Sean McCarthy on bass, and the inimitable and eclectic Ian Thomson on drums and percussion. They add a trio of piano players, Justin James, Craig Denham, and David Thomas, two of whom also venture over to the organ. The Hellfire Horns add a lot of depth and fun; they are Mike Booth on trumpet, Andrew Hall on tenor sax, and Jonathan Tan on trombone.

The guys give us all new stuff except for one cover here and it is some impressive stuff. “My Baby Rocks” opens, a rocking blues guitar tune written by Sean that is a super “hook” for the CD. The horns are spectacular in support, the organ is cool and Craig’s suave vocals sell us to set the

hook. Sean’s “Can’t Take it With You” follows and the dirty harp and barrelhouse piano along with the great groove make this a really nice cut. The lone cover, “Breaking Up Somebody’s Home,” has the boys do justice to this Albert King song. The horns give it a truly soulful flavor and spice things up. “Big Bad Wolf” follows and revisits the classic fairy tale in a gritty blues style. Another Sean McCarthy tune, BTW, and then we have “Drinking My Life Away” which was written by Craig. Slow blues with a soulful harp intro and then Bracken bleating out the lyrics of this booze-ful lament make for an interesting song. “Lately” and “Itchin’ and Scratchin’” are then up, two more by McCarthy. “Lately” is a sweet little blues ballad, while the latter takes an upbeat approach with some bongos and percussion supporting a very well done song about love gone wrong. The harp is spectacular and the piano and other musical support fills in nicely here, too “Why’d You Break My Heart” continues in the vein of lost loves. Another Bracken song, the horns come back for more and blast through this one as Craig howls out the lyrics and blows mean harp. Doug has a sweet and dirty guitar solo here that impressed me, too. “Blue Nun” is a song about something I also imbibed a lot in during my younger days. As Craig laments, Blue Nun does not help you forget about a woman that drive you nuts. Bygrave offers up another mean guitar solo on this one, too.

“What’s Good For the Goose” starts with some harp and guitar crying to us and then Craig gives us another nice narrative on lost love. The guitar picking is sweet and the organ background really sets a tone and then the harp layers it on for more soul.

Those last two were Sean songs, and then Craig gives us “Easy to Please” and we finally have a guy waking up happy because of his woman. A pleasant little blues ditty with more great harp and an organ solo, too!

“Superman” is a rockabilly cut where Bygrave says his baby is Kryptonite because she really knocks him out! A driving beat with great vocals, harp and guitar. “Heavy” is heavy into bouncing blues that opens like a Little Walter number and Bracken sings about his heavy, heavy mama and blows some distorted harp. The guitar later comes in heavy to boot. They finish with another Bracken cut after the last two by McCarthy and swing to the end with “Boogie Tonight.”

Very much in the style we locally know so well from the Jimmy’s or Mel Ford and Westside Andy, this is just a super little swing tune that hits on all cylinders!

It’s another winner by this great little band– I highly recommend it if you like traditional and swinging blues. A fantastic sophomore release from a band I’d love to host in the USA again and again!

Reviewed by Steve Jones

Crossroads Blues Society Newsletter

Page 14 Dusty King James Bound for Glory Full Armor Productions www.facebook.com/ DustyKingJames 11 tracks Bound for Glory is an eclectic group of faith based musicians who are produced

by Full Armor Productions. They are a production and retail business of what’s I’d liken to be called “Christian Realists.” They are very realistic as they sell music, products videos and books. Here is how they describe their music, “This ain’t your mama’s Sunday school music!

Southern rock with bluesy-jazz overtones.

Real Christian music for real people.

Probably unlike anything you’ve ever listened to, we promise, you’re gonna love it.”

But this is not just music for Christians; it is uplifting and cool and fun for everyone who loves the folksy blues with a bit of a Southern tang. It is available from them and from CD Baby and it talks about us, our society and life in general, a nice mix of blues and gospel. The Dusty King James project is Mark Bush, Glenn Kaiser, Johnny Neel, Russell Gulley, Mudcat (Daniel Dudek), Larry Howard, and Maz Mitrenko doing the vocals for a song or two and testifying to the Lord as their bare their souls in a very inspiring and fun CD. These guys have the horsepower and they delver some powerful performances.

So let’s get into it. Mark Bush begins with the title track. Johnny Neel starts us off with some nice organ and then Bush come in with a road weary and gravelly tone that grabs you. Joanna Cotton and Shelly Case on backing vocals are poignant and really do a slick job. The guitar work is grimy and gritty and cool, provided

by Chris Anderson, Doug Jones, Gulley and Mitrenko. I heard this and was hooked. It is a superb introduction to the set and Is a fine original song about the dusty old bible by the bed that is being ignored but really shouldn’t be. Glenn Kaiser opens “Crossroads” with some slick guitar and then gives the old Robert Johnson song some new life. Just a trio of players but it is a wild and vibrant ride with a few added lyrics by Kaiser to spice things up and his guitar is really great!

Mudcat follows with an original, “I Want to Be Ready” where he sings about preparing for when Jesus comes. It’s a very traditional gospel song, but Chad Mason on piano and Lil’ Joe Burton on trombone also take it a little bit to New Orleans.

Nicely done! Russell Gulley cleans up the

old “John the Revelator,” adds some lyrics and gives it a very country fried interpretation. Neel and Jones add some neat harp and the acoustic finger picking is sweet.

“Real Miracle Man” by Larry Howard follows. He growls out that he doesn’t need fortune tellers, mojo hands and other things of the occult because he’s got the savior of the whole wide world living inside of him. He testifies in a growling fashion as he picks out the tune in support of himself. Jimmy Nalls on dobro completes this tune. The old Woody Guthrie piece “This Train” gets a fresh coat of paint with Johnny Neel manning the engine. He gives a Greg Allman styled interpretation as he pounds out the organ and piano as he sings; he and Jones also team up on harp again. Another cool cut that builds into a frenetic finish! Kaiser rearranges “Since I Laid My Burden Down” and slowly and prayerfully goes through the lyrics. He really emotes and nails it and Nalls’ dobor once again completes things well.

“No Holds Barred” gives us a Gulley original. His delivery sort of reminds me of Watermelon Slim at times: authentic, homey, and country with a nice blues feel.

The harp and guitars and he blend into a well done delivery as he battles the devil in song. We go back to bigger and electric with Mitrenko’s “The River.” It’s the big entourage again with organ, piano, and guitars. Maz’ vocals are equal to the rest of the fine deliveries and there are some grooving piano and guitar solos to boot.

Neel returns with his own “Maybe Jesus.”

Very churchy approach with just him singing and playing organ. He testifies here about how maybe Jesus can help him understand his life and tell him he loves him were others do not. The band closes with the full group doing another Mark Bush cut, “Still Got Time.” The group chants and screams behind Bush as he warns that sinners still have time. Primal, thumping good stuff!

Seven of the cuts come from the band members listed in the first track (along with Dennis Gulley on bass and Daryl Burgess on drums and was recorded for this CD together while the other four bring the lead artists and their bands into the mix and it is a fine one, indeed. This CD is just ten bucks on their web site with free shipping, so go buy it now. Jesus may or may not care if you do but you most certainly will once you get it and listen to it!

Reviewed by Steve Jones

Lost On the Highway/ Solo Recordings Lazer Lloyd Blues Leaf Record www.bluesleaf.com 13 tracks/51:42 As advertised, Lost On the Highway, delivers 13 original solo recordings featuring Lloyd playing 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars and some harmonica. Most are reminiscent of raw folksy blues.

The first cut and title song, Lost On the Highway, Lloyd sings an often heard story of a man on the road with a strong, full, but pleasing voice. The fingerpicking and slide work are laced with confidence.

"Higher Ground" is a folk blues number and again Lloyd brings some very nice fingerpicking with some intense harmonica segments thrown in along the way.

"Been Trying" is another recognizable theme about finding one's place in the world. This is one of the better songs on this CD. "Swamp Meditation" once again allows Lloyd to let his guitar work do the speaking with this slow rolling Delta blues number. "Back Porch" appears to be another a capella tune but well into this song he sings a verse. What's interesting about this song is the non-traditional use of his chord choices that adds a rather exotic flavor. "Politician" is a socially generic persnickity commentary about elected officials not aimed at any one but more so all politicians. "Talk" as well as "Man" takes us on a journey back to the Garden of Eden and "Landlord Blues" travels to the end of the journey with judgement day connotations.

Born Eliezer Bluman in New York, Lloyd first picked up a guitar at age 15. After attending Skidmore college he was headed to Nashville to work with Gary Tallent (Springsteen's bassist) when he realized his true calling. He was asked to play at the Millinery Center Synagogue with the late Ray Shlomo Carlebach (The Singing Rabbi) when he was challenged to take his music to Israel where he has lived the past 19 years crafting his music with various musicians, bands, as well as his own power trio Yoon.

Lost On the Highway provides an interestingly fresh interpretation of the blues.

Lloyd's guitar work, songwriting, and vocal delivery are worth a listen. He toured the States last summer with the release of this CD and hopefully we will get the chance to see him again soon.

Reviewed by Bill Graw

March-April 2014 Troubles John and Sylvia Embry Delmark Records www.delmark.com 17 tracks Singer/bassist Queen Sylvia Embry and her guitarist husband John Embry were staples on Chicago’s blues scene in the ‘70s performing on both South and North Sides. This CD, now retitled Troubles, was originally released by Razor Records in 1979.

That same year, Razor issued the 45 “I Love the Woman/Johnny’s Bounce” and later released the original version of this album which was then entitled After Work. John “Guitar” Embry and his ex-wife Queen Sylvia Embry remained friends and recorded this album on January 19, 1979, just 35 years ago; it was also during the perilous blizzard of 1979. Like many sessions at Chess studios, the After Work studio session was recorded live to give the disc a more authentic sound. The original album did not include the single’s sides as the recording levels had not been properly set and the sound was more focused on John’s playing. Half of the ten tracks were originals and the other half a mix of superb covers. The two sides from the 45 have been added to this re-release along with five other cuts featuring John and Sylvia. The result is a meaty 17 track CD; After Work had only 10 cuts.

John Embry was a superb blues guitar player. He passed away in 1987, and only left us a small recorded legacy. Schooled by the likes of Muddy Waters and Hound Dog Taylor and influenced by Buddy Guy, Albert King and Sammy Lawhorn, he was also befriended by Jimmy Reed who became his best friend. Reed would stay with Embry every time he was in town. Queen Sylvia passed in 1992 before her 51st birthday. She was best known as the vocalist and bass player for Lefty Dizz and the Shock Treatment and also worked extensively with Jimmy Dawkins. On the brink of huge success, cancer robbed her of her life and blues fans of a truly great artist. Her recordings on Razor on L&R/Evidence have also been released on Arhoolie, Alligator, L+R, EPM and Leric/ Delmark.

The album opens to their tune “Wonder Why” with Sylvia testifying in a style that hints a bit at her gospel background. John offers up a huge and stinging guitar solo here that is superb. The title track follows, a slow blues original by the Embrys. John’s guitar rings out loud and clear as he plays with great support and a long solo as Sylvia testifies to us with power and poise. The first cover is next, “Lie to Me,” which swings nicely. “I’m Hurtin’” is pure Chicago blues, penned by Sylvia and with the former couple delivering the goods. John offers up another

Page 15 immense solo here. “I Found A Love” is a slow Wilson Pickett ballad on which the Embrys turn the heat up; drummer Woody Williams also shares the lead vocals. It’s a great cover with the two vocalists belting some soaring, soulful harmonies, singing back and forth divinely. Jimmy Reed’s “Goin’ to New York” follows; this is where the sequencing changes from the original album.

Williams backs Sylvia here again and it’s a great ride to the Big Apple with them.

Reed’s version is more laid back; Sylvia belts it out big time and John offers his immense guitar to the piece.

“Mustang Sally” follows, again with Williams in support. Being that it was 1979 the “No Mustang Sally Rule” was not yet in effect, but even if it was, these guys would get a pass as they deliver a really fine rendition.

Williams starts it off soulfully as John provides a bouncing guitar line. Sylvia comes in for the chorus and blows things away and then John offers up another burning solo.

Williams and the Queen finish by singing the chorus together, over and over, to close it out.

The next five tracks are the add-on cuts.

“Gonna Find My Baby” is soulful and the big guitar solo sound is sweet and even a little out of tune, but very cool. “Early Time Blues” is similar, with stinging vocals and guitar.

“Razor Sharp” is a beautiful and driving instrumental with John showing us what he could do. He really laid it all out here. “Keep Your Hands Off Her” brings Williams back for vocal support. Recorded live, the audio quality of this one is lacking but the emotion in their playing makes up for it on this Roosevelt Sykes cut. “Blues This Morning” is more sweet, straight up stuff that also is live.

John delivers another giant solo on this cut.

For track 13, Delmark returns to the original release with the re-sequenced “After Work” title track from the original album. It is a thoughtful piece with John opening with an almost tender approach; he maintains that feel throughout the instrumental. Another live cut; they come from a session at the Bold One Lounge. “Worry Worry” follows with Riler Robinson offering up the vocals and some guitar for a nice twist. “62nd Street Luau” concludes the live stuff and the songs from the original album. It’s a very short and soulful instrumental with a bit of a Hawaiian flare inside of some Chicago blues.

Taken from the 45 record, the final two cuts are the A and B sides that were previously released alone. No tape of these songs remains. “I Love the Woman” begins with a ringing guitar intro and John on vocals. It’s a nice change of pace with this single obviously focusing on John. The final number, “Johnny’s Bounce,” is a cool cut but suffers a little from some surface noise from the 45.

The guitar work is really special, though, and we see what a great loss his early death delivered to Chicago’s music scene.

Delmark once again has given us a special piece of history to appreciate and savor note by note and song by song. Kudos to Bob Koester and his team for restoring this body of work and providing the recordings to us to enjoy. I urge you to pick this one up as it offers the only glimpses on CD that is out there of this great duo and their bands. The recording on vinyl is long out of print but this Delmark offering is now here and belongs in your collection of great Chicago blues!

Reviewed by Steve Jones “I Am the Blues” Michael Packer Iris Music Group www.michaelpackerbluesband.com 18 Tracks Michael Packer has the blues. His life has been filled with adversity, diversity, and controversy. His experiences of being beaten, jailed, involved with drugs and weapons, a street person and a host of troubles large and small certainly qualify to sing the blues as any color of man.

This CD is the story of his life. Filled with narration and songs related to his experiences, we get many glimpses into the life that has been Michael Packer. His history involve a multitude of things that he was imprisoned over. He claims his troubles come from his family, which includes an uncle Al who was a murderer and cannibal. NYC and SF have been his bases of operations and he sings of them, but NYC has been and is his home. Heroin and booze was a big part of his life, but he has now overcome those addictions and other issues to be a blues hall of famer and respected musician. His bands Papa Nebo and Free Beer, his association with Bob Dylan and meeting and losing the love of his life are topics of interest and subjects of his songs. His life on the Bowery was a result of his drinking and we hear about that in both word and song, too.

The songs take on a variety of styles, from blues to 60’s rock to swing to funk and are delivered in groups from the scaled down to the larger and more filled out. Solo acoustic in a Dylan-esque style or with horns and organs and other accompaniment, we hear a variety of approaches and styles. The first 16 tracks are historical original songs and narrations. He finishes up with the traditional “This Train” and “See That My Grave is Kept Clean.” This is not top 40 stuff, it is dirty and gritty and poignant.

This is not a CD to impress a date with listening to it over a fancy meal. This is a CD to sit down and listen to and hear how a white got the blues and lived to tell about it.

Interesting stuff!

Reviewed by Steve Jones

Crossroads Blues Society Newsletter

Page 16 60 Years of Blues Assorted Artists Delmark Records www.delmark.com 16 tracks/64:49 To celebrate Delmark Records' 60th anniversary, owner Bob Koester released a collection of great stuff including some previously-unreleased performances and new material, under the cover, "60 Years of Blues".

In 1963, Koester started his own label under the name Delmark Records in St. Louis, but soon moved the business to Chicago. His goal was to give Chicago's new artists a chance to be heard on vinyl. Today, Delmark Records is the longest-standing, and one of the most well known, independent blues and jazz labels in America. Every five years they now celebrate with a great compilation disc and for their 60th they’ve done another super job!

The 16 tracks feature some of the best vocals, guitar, harp, piano, percussion, and drums in the blues world. Artists include: Harpist Junior Wells doing a Muddy Waters' standard ("Rock Me Baby"); guitarist Linsey Alexander ("Raffle Ticket"); guitarist Quintas McCormick ("Fifty/ Fifty"); vocalist Sharon Lewis ("Blues Train"); guitarist Lurrie Bell ("She's A Good 'Un"); Mississippi Heat vocalist Inetta Visor ("Let's Live It Up!"); pianist Detroit Jr. ("Key To The Highway"); vocalist James "Tail Dragger" Jones ("Tend To Your Business"); and guitarist Toronzo Cannon ("John The Conquer Root"), as well as many other blues greats.

Every track is an absolute gem. Blues aficionados should consider this album a "Must Listen" as there is stuff they otherwise will not be able to get their hands on along with some newly and soon to be released stuff. Thank you, Delmark, for your great cadre of artists and long commitment to keeping the blues alive!

Reviewed by Diane Mandell Editor’s Note: Crossroads Blues Society presented Delmark with a framed 60th Anniversary Tribute Certificate at the Inaugural Field of Blues Festival last summer. Delmark Operations Manager and Publicity Director Kevin Johnson was there to receive the award on behalf of Bob Koester. Delmark artists Toronzo Cannon, Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames, Willie Buck, Tail Dragger and Rockin’ Johnny Burgin were on the bill for the fest and were there at the presentation.

Gates open at 11 AM On the Stage on the Field of Blues; Noon: Alex Wilson Band 2 PM: Liz Mendeville 4 PM: The Jimmy’s 6 PM: Doug Deming and Dennis Gruenling and the Jewel Tones 8 PM: John Nemeth

Between acts in the covered Pavilion: Dan Phelps (1:30 to 2, 3:30 to 4, 5:30 to 6 and 7:30 to 8 PM) No coolers and outside food and beverages allowed.

No pets, please.

Bring a chair and sit on field or sit in the stands or up in the Pavilion.

Contact us for sponsor and volunteer opportunities.

March-April 2014 Blue Yonder Hard Garden Hard Garden Music (Self Released) www.hardgarden.com 11 tracks/39:51 The Seattle-based trio's (Son Jack, Jr, Michael Wilde, Garrett Williams) debut album is a mix of delta blues with programmed backup to merge blues with electronic dance music. The album may well irritate purists of both. The band says the album's concept is to "...bring forward all that's appealing and meaningful about deep blues and give it a more contemporary feel. The blues is not unlike an old plot of land that was once fertile but has suffered from neglect over the years, and become a hard garden." Jack and Wilde are acclaimed traditional Delta blues artists but her they depart from the traditional to blaze new paths.

Consisting of ten original tracks and one cover ("Depot Blues"), the lyrics are frequently a bit dark. The vocals are deep, often growling. My favorite tracks are "I Can Tell" with its prominent harp and flamenco-style guitar instrumentals and the humorous "Pour Me Another", a lyrical twist about an increasingly libated bar patron and a talking dog.

This is not your mama’s old style blues.

Hard Garden takes the blues to an unbefore travelled place. Starting in the Mississippi Delta, these young guys applied all sorts of technical stuff to their music to make it edgy and novel. I don’t think you can be ambivalent to it, it is music that will make you either love it or hate it. When taken as an experiment as to where the blues can travel to, the listener will find it interesting even if they don’t particularly like it.

Reviewed by Diane Mandell Bluesoul Terry Gillespie Self Released www.terrygillespie.ca 13 tracks/49:42 Canadian-born Gillespie has over 40 years as a bluesman. Called Canada's "King of Roots Music", Gillespie has played with blues legends like Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker and Buddy Guy. Gillespie wrote most of the tracks, also doing Dylanesque lead vocals, guitar, trumpet, and harp. Peter Measroch is masterful on the

Page 17 keyboards. The music was recorded live at the 2012 Maxville Musicfest in Maxville, Ontario at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.

Born in Canada and then raised in England and then as a teen in Michigan, Gillespie snuck into bars to listen to the likes of John Lee Hoooker and Howlin’ Wolf. At 6 feet tall, the 16 and 17 year old passed for 21 and wet his appetite for the blues in Michigan’s blues bars. He moved back to Canada in 1968 and that has been his home since. He has dispelled demons in his life and now commits himself to his music and his love for Jaguar cars, Norton motorcycles and cigars.

Gillespie has been favorably compared to musicians like Mark Knopfler and listening to him and his band one can understand why. His blues blends in a frim understanding of jazz and African music and makes the listener sit up and take note.

This album is solidly rooted in the blues. My favorite tracks are the ones where Measroch's keyboards really shine: "Early In The Mornin'" (nice harp, too); "My Mama"; "It Wasn't Me"; "16 Days"; "She Walks Right In"; and "The Devil Likes To Win Reprise".

Gillespie delivers some great new songs an performances and the keyboard work is spectacular. If you like your keyboards upfront and your blues delivered authentically, give this one a listen.

Reviewed by Dian Mandell Can't Shed A Tear Jim Gustin & Truth Jones Self Relaeased www.jimgustin.com 14 tracks/62:33 Gustin, a well-known Southern California composer, guitarist and vocalist, and the Truth Jones band deliver their brand of blues-rock-gospel-country in this debut album of 14 originals. Gustin's gutsy and raspy vocals are quite predominant throughout, although a few tracks highlight the Truth Jones band's lead singer, Jeri Goldenhar for a stark contrast to the gruff and tough sounds of Gustin. Goldenhar is an exceptional vocalist in her own right and more of her would have been welcome. Instrumentals on this CD are above par, with solid guitar, excellent keyboards, sax and a little harp now and then.

My favorite track is the New Orleans style "My Baby Just Left Me Again" with its playful piano and clarinet, along with some real nice slide guitar. I also enjoyed the guitar in the title track "Can't Shed A Tear" and "Beauty For Ashes". "No Faith In Forever" features some great sax as well as a duet between Gustin and Goldenhar. "If God Made Something Better" has some interesting lyrics and a grooving beat with some especially nice organ work.

If you like your blues with a Gospel tinged hard rocking edge, this one will intrigue you. Gustin provides a hard edge while Goldenhar displays a mellower side. The two are great counter points for each other and they and the band deliver some interesting tunes and performances.

Reviewed by Diane Mandell

35th Blues Music Awards 2014 Here is the basic schedule for the 2014 Blues Music Awards, the 35th year of these prestigious awards. When making your travel plans, rest assured that by the time May rolls around there will be plenty of other great musical events before and after the Blues Music Awards. There always is!

Official Events at Sheraton Memphis Downtown and, 250 North Main Street Cook Convention Center, 255 North Main Street Wednesday, May 7 6:00pm Hall of Fame Reception, Dinner and Induction presented by the Charter Members 10:00pm Big Llou's Blues Hall of Fame Tribute Jam (Raise the Roof! Fundraiser) Hard Rock Cafe Thursday, May 8 1:00pm - 3:00pm Health Fair & Screening Sheraton lobby 5:30pm The Party Begins reception featuring performances by 2014 Blues Music Award nominees. Grand Lobby, Convention Center 5:30-9:45pm Silent Auction & Blues Music Award Merchandise Sales Outside the Ballroom, Convention Center 7:00pm-1:00am -- Dinner, Awards & Nominee performances Ballroom, Convention Center Additional Events: Friday May 9 7:00pm-10:00pm Beale Street Mess Around (Raise the Roof! fundraiser) Rum Boogie Cafe Hosted by Brandon Santini

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Crossroads Blues Society Newsletter

Making My Mark Annika Chambers & the Houston All-Stars Montrose Records www.annikachambers.com www.montroserecords.com 12 tracks/55:04

ates a reflective mood to start “Down South”. Chambers uses an introspective delivery that soon builds more dramatic in nature as she unleashes the full weight of her magnificent voice. Bobby Charles’ “Jealous Kind” has been covered many times but Chambers employs an understated approach that hits home with more outstanding vocalizing.

Even though she attained the rank of Sergeant, Annika Chambers left the US Army after eight years to pursue a career as a singer. Knowing that the road would be tough, Chambers continued working on a Bachelor’s degree in Communications as a back-up plan. But one listen to her debut recording makes it crystal clear that Chambers made the right choice. She is a skilled vocalist with a magnificent voice that leaps out of the speakers and brightens up your world.

There are plenty of other notable all-stars from the Houston musical community who participated in this project. All of their contributions are duly acknowledged in the liner notes for the disc. As strong as the musical accompaniment is, the real star here is Annika Chambers – a singer with plenty to say and a voice that can go from tender to an all-out shout without missing a beat. And amazingly enough for a singer just starting her recording career, she avoids the strident vocal gymnastics that so many singers seem to favor today.

Throughout this fine recording, Annika Chambers reaches for the emotional center of each song. Once she wraps her vibrant voice around each one, they erupt with life as you find yourself unable to resist her siren’s call. This very impressive debut comes highly recommended!

The opening track, “Move,” rolls along with a smoldering vamp while Chambers offers an earthy depiction of how the blues has changed her life. Then she breaks out her sassy persona on the lusty “Barnyard Blues,” with Barry Seleen’s Hammond organ washing through the arrangement. “Lick ‘Er” is a sexy boast about the benefits of Chamber’s lovemaking compared to the effects of alcohol. Brad Absher’s rocking guitar sets the pace on “Trust Me” and the addition of Kyle Turner and Anthony Terry on saxophones creates a formidable wall of sound. Chambers’ voice easily cuts through the beefed-up arrangement, mixing her impressive range and meticulous phrasing for a memorable performance.

Joe Sample’s “Put It Where You Want It” has a slippery groove supplied by producer Larry Fulcher on bass, Tony Braunagel on drums, and Samantha Banks (Ruthie Foster band) on percussion as Chambers’ robust voice engages in a spirited exchange with Terry’s hardy tenor sax.

Chambers gets an assist from Dominique Fulcher, whose rap vocal on “That Feel Good” offers a modern counterpoint to Chambers’ burnished tone. The steadyrolling rhythm of “It Hurts Me to My Heart” will undoubtedly lead to some bellybumping on the dance floor while “Love’s Sweet Sensation” is a joyous celebration that features a soulful duet between Chambers and Fulcher.

When the pace slows down, listeners are rewarded with glimpses of the full extent of Chambers vocal skills. Her soaring voice illuminates the ballad “Guitar Boy,” gliding effortlessly through her expansive range as she lifts up a plea for love. Randy Wall’s lush piano work cre-

Reviewed by Mark Thompson Empty Roads Dan Bubien Self Produced www.danbubien.com 11 tracks Dan Bubien from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, has released his first CD. It contains all original cuts of original blues mixed with funk, pop and R&B. Gary Ripper joins him on bass, Andy Taravella is on drums and Timmy Mabin is on keys. Eleven others join in on the fun instrumentally and vocally. The photos on the packaging show a lonely dobro giving the impression (at least to me) that this will be a more stark and acoustic styled album. It is not– Dan and band create some sweet full sounding songs.

The title tracks opens things and gets funky from the start. Some slick vocals and dirty guitar solos are featured here along with some introspective lyrics. He then moves into “Fight Club” at a full funk.

Eric Defade is on sax and does a spectacular job. Bubien bounces through the vocals and Mabin’s organ solo is also sweet. He switches to a big, soulful R&B sound on “Crazy Days” before giving us

some down home country blues in “Exile Blues.” Chris Nacy’s harp here makes a nice addition and Mabin gets another shot to interject a good solo. “To Youngstown” gives us a more Delta-based sound and Nacy again wails on harp. “Brother” takes us over to a pop side as Bubien offers up a pretty ballad.

“Dizzy Eyes” has a Philly sort of R&B sound with big horns and a feverish guitar beat. On “Irony” gives us some soulful rhythm and blues in the style of perhaps Smokey Robinson and he sells it well. A stining guitar solo punctuates the mix about half way through. Another soft ballad follows in “Keep Love In Mind.”

Bubien’s vocals are expressive and he really offers up some feeling in this one!

“Love Games” takes a more uptempo approach with honky tonk piano and a big horn sound. Fiery and tight stuff. He concludes with “Sniper” in which he does go old school and breaks out the dobro. He slides and makes the song much more upbeat than the morbid lyrics about a spurned stalker.

I liked this CD more and more with each listen. Bubien is a talented guy who plays, sings and writes quite well, switching from blues to R&B and back again. He’s got some great band mates, too– it is well worth a spin!

Reviewed by Steve Jones

Hope and Anchor English Pub Monthly Saturday Blues The 2014 Hope and Anchor Saturday Blues Schedule is fully fleshed out now for the second Saturday of each month.

8 PM to Midnight, $5 cover after 7 PM. 1/11/2014 The Jimmy's 2/15/2014 Alex Wilson 3/8/2014 Bobby Messano 4/12/2014 Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys 5/10/2014 Tweed Funk 6/14/2014 Aaron Williams and the Hoo Doo 7/12/2014 Joel Patterson and the Modern Sounds with Jim Liban 8/9/2014 Toronzo Cannon 9/13/2014 Nick Moss 10/11/2014 The Cash Box Kings 11/8/2014 The Jimmy's 12/13/2014 Bobby Messano and Dave Fields

Crossroads Blues March-April 2014 Society Newsletter

Top Blues Releases February 2014 Sunday Morning Blues WKGL-FM 96.7 The Eagle Rockford, IL Billy Branch and the Sons of the Blues / Blues Shock / Blind Pig Tommy Castro and the Painkillers / The Devil You Know / Alligator John Hammond / Timeless / Palmetto Joe Louis Walker / Hornet's Nest / Alligator James Armstrong / Guitar Angles / Catfood Robben Ford / A Day in Nashville / Provogue Damon Fowler / Sounds of Home / Blind Pig Tinsley Ellis / Midnight Blues / Heartfixer Music Catfish Keith / Honey Hole / Fish Tail Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings / Give the People What They Want / Daptone Toby Walker / What You See Is What You Get / LTW Catherine Russell / Bring It Back / Jazz Village Johnny Winter / Roots / Megaforce

This list submitted to Living Blues Magazine for inclusion in the February 2014 National Radio Chart. This list is compiled from actual radio air play statistics.

WKGL-FM broadcasts 2 hours of blues per week.

Rich Gordon Sunday Morning Blues WKGL-FM 96.7 The Eagle Crossroads Blues Society Officers and Board Members Contact Info President: Steve Jones Vice-President: Karl Dahlin Secretary: Bonnie Fox Treasurer: Terry Keller Board of Directors: Denny Barker Rick Davis Bob Haendler Ken Pearson Bill Graw

sub_insignia@yahoo.com baile12@t6wireless.com bonitafx@gmail.com terry@markpack.com harkthebark@mchsi.com rick_davis_937@comcast.net rhaendler@comcast.net cntrylivng@aol.com williamjgraw@gmail.com

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www.thebluesblast.com The free internet blues magazine!

Membership News and Updates Our members are very important to us.

We want to recognize our new and returning members in our newsletters.

Our current membership sits at 164 people, 99 individuals and 65 people in our family memberships.

One of our very active members is moving to Indiana. Steve Roach and his wife Linda are off to the Hoosier State to take care of elderly parents and we wish them the best ! We will especially miss Steve printing the newsletter for us along with his great culinary delights and volunteer work!

We got to catch up with Mark Thompson in Memphis at the IBCs and KBA luncheon. Mark resides in Gulfport, FL, and will be back for the Field of Blues Festival in June.

We have a ot of new folks interested in Crossroads. A bakers dozen oif new members have recently signed up, so welcome to our new members: Lynn Anderson Mike, Maria and Justin Gates Ken Hopkins Larry Keller Nancy Keller Lisa Mastrangoli Anita Luna and Janet Williams Aimee Maldonado Randy Palmeno Cary Thompson We also thank returning Crossroads members who have recently renewed: Sam Barmore and Gloria Hyatte Andrew Bieber Jim and Dean Cooper Bob Davis

Jim and Jamie Deming Steve Dougherty Dixie Ferguson Joe Filisko Rick and Pam Hein Ron Holm Dave and Diana Hoover Steve and Annette Jones Ted Lawrence Steve and Linda Leigh Lenny Levinson Matthew and Sandy Mace Diane Mandell and Ronnie Struck Rev Milhone Karen and Wayne Naleway Christine Olson Mark Shedd Jim and Mary Speicher Matt Thompson Chuck Wagener Dave Weld

Crossroads Blues Society P.O. Box 840 Byron, IL 61010 News Blog with our Latest Info: http://crossroadsbluessociety. blogspot.com/ Music Reviews: http://crossroadsreviews.blogspot.com/ Field of Blues Festival: http://fieldofblues.blogspot.com/

Keeping the Blues Alive Since 1994

Byron Crossroads Blues Festival: http://byroncrossroadsbluesfestival.blogspot.com/ Email us at: sub_insignia@yahoo.com Also on the web at: www.crossroadsbluessociety.com/

Blues on Local Radio WNIJ - 89.5 FM  Friday evenings from 9 PM to midnight with Harold Brown  Saturday afternoons from 1 to 4 PM with Patrick Sheehan  Saturday evenings from 9 PM to midnight with David James The Eagle - 96.7 FM  Sunday Morning Blues 6 AM to 8 AM with Rich Gordon

Blues News and Upcoming Events March and April will hopefully bring us warmer weather, but if not we’ve got the blues comin’ to keep us warm!

Saturday March 1st and April 5th we have Dan Phelps acoustic solo at Leombruni’s Italian Village in Byron at 8 PM, no cover.

BITS returns on March 4th and 18th with Dan Phelps working at Roosevelt Alternative School in Rockford. We are doing an interactive program with the Fine Arts Department Saturday March 8th we continue our monthly blues showcase at the Hope and Anchor 8 PM to midnight with Bobby Messano. $5 cover after 7 PM. Monday March 31st we have a Blue Monday event at Mary’s Place. Jared James Nichols brings his rocking blues in at 7 PM, $5 cover.

Saturday April 12th we have Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys at the Hope and Anchor 8 PM to midnight. $5 cover after 7 PM. Then in May on Saturday the 10th we continue our monthly blues showcase at the Hope and Anchor 8 PM to midnight with Tweed Funk $5 cover after 7 PM.

Two great shows are planned in May at Mary’s Place! Saturday May 17th we have the Terry Quiett Band at Mary’s Place, $5 cover with an 8 PM start.

Saturday May 24th we go Euro with Italy’s Luca Giordano on guitar and Spain’s Quique Gomez on Harp backed by the Barstool Bob Blues Band.

8 PM start at Mary’s Place, $5 cover.

Luca and Quique will also be at Leombruni’s Italian Village as a due on Friday, May 23 in Byron. No cover for that show.

Our 2nd Annual Field of Blues Fest is Saturday June 28th. See inside for more info.

Be a wise guy or gal and stay tuned on line and via email for what’s going on blues-wise!

Membership Application www.crossroadsbluesociety.com Yes! I’d love to be a part of the Crossroads Blues Society!

Name_____________________________________________ Street Address___________________________________ City________________ State______ Zip Code________ Phone_____________________________________________ Email Address____________________________________ New -or-

Returning Member

This will be a membership for an/a: Individual ($15) -orvia email

Family ($25) -orvia email

Individual ($20) -orFamily ($30) via regular mail via regular mail

Please cut out or copy and mail this form and payment to: Crossroads Blues Society Bring this to P.O. Box 840 our next meeting Byron, IL 61010 and get a free CD!