May-Jun 2013 CBS Newletter

2013 Blues Festival Season is Upon Us urday, August 24th in downtown Byron. Headlining are the Nighthawks at 9 PM. 7 PM Dave Specter and Sharon Lewis, Doug Deming with Dennis Gruenling and the Jewel Tones, Bobby Messano and Tweed Funk round out that great day.

Spring in our area brings the blooming of flowers along with the blossoming of outdoor music event. As the glaciers recede and weather warms the music events begin to pop up. And right in the mix are our two events plus a bunch of other nearby fests.

Chicago and Aurora lead into our June 22nd event. The Chicago Blues Fest is Thursday June 6th trough Sunday June 9th in Grant Park. Blues On The Fox moves across the river to River Edge Park, located at 360 N. Broadway Ave. (Rt. 25), in Downtown Aurora. Friday June 14th and Saturday June 15th are the dates for this fun event.

Saturday June 22nd we host our inaugural Field of Blues Festival. Gates open at 11 AM, the Flaming Mudcats are on at Noon, Aaron Williams at 1:30 PM, Toronzo Cannon is on at 3 PM, Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames are on at 5 PM, 7 PM is the Delmark 60th Anniversary Tribute with Muddy vs. The Wolf as Willie Buck, Tail Dragger

and the Rockin’ Johnny Band take the stage. Headlining at 9 PM are Lil’Ed and the Blues Imperials.

Blues Brews and BBQ Festival for 2013 will be June 28th and 29th in Champaign, IL. They’ve added a big motorcycle event to this free fest.

July 4, 5 and 6 is the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival at Leclaire Park in Davenport. IA. This is always a great event!

Prairie Dog Blues Festival is July 26 & 27th over in Prairie du Chien. The Waukesha BluesFest in Naga-Waukee Park, Delafield, Wisconsin wil be August 9th and 10th.

Our 4th Annual Byron Crossroads Blues Festival is Sat-

May-June 2013

Keeping the Blues Alive

The 25th annual Budweiser Illinois Blues Festival August 30 & 31, 2013 has three stages on the beautiful Peoria Riverfront, always a good event. The Paramount Blues Festival in Grafton is the weekend after Labor Day, September 6th and 7th. It is always a good time up there!

Lots of blues in the area this year once again– go out and support live music and help keep the blues alive and kicking!

Inside this issue: News Music Reviews Playlist Membership Application Upcoming Events

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Crossroads Blues Society Newsletter

Page 2

Recent Happenings in the Local Blues World

by Steve Jones

check ($10 per ticket) and a stamped, self addressed envelope to: Field of Blues Festival c/o 1043 Kingsway Lane Byron, IL 6010 The year did not start well. We had our first set of BITS programs with Reverend Raven and West Side Andy cancelled along with our Hurricane Sandy Fundraiser because of snow and ice. Then Bran Lee was hospitalized for BITS in February but the rest of the band perseLinda Valori at the Venetian Club in Rockford vered and we did two Wow- what a year 2013 is shaping up to BITS programs. The rescheduled fundbe! I don’t think we’ve ever been this raiser as part of the BITS evening show busy. Four months into the year and we was not too well attended but we made are embarking on the most ambitious year and donated $635 to the Robin Hood Fund in our history! for NY/NJ Relief Efforts. We also donated our first of three payments of $500 to the Everyone knows that we now have two Blues Foundation for the Blues Hall of festivals planned. Byron continues with Fame Capital Campaign. the 4th Annual Byron Crossroads Blues Festival. I talked to a few people who March brought us Dave Fields first visit to thought we’d replaced Byron with the new Rockford for a huge show at Mary’s Place festival and that is not the case. August and he will return June 12th for another at 24th we will be out there for our 4th year the Adriatic. March also allowed us to and ready to have another successful and make up the Reverend Raven and stellar event. The Nighthawks, Dave Westside Andy BITS programs along with Specter with Sharon Lewis, Doug Deming a big show at the Adriatic. Rob Tomaro and Dennis Gruenling with the Jeweltones, also did BITS programs for us in April Bobby Messano and Tweed Funk make along with an evening show at Just Goods for a strong lineup. The $7 advanced (see next page). Bobby Messano rounds ticket is one of the blues world’s biggest out BITS in May with two more programs bargains! and an evening show on March 3rd at the Adriatic. Bobby also appeared for us in Our new fest is on June 22nd at Rockford March with his band at Mary’s Place on Aviators Stadium and features the Flaming the 15th. It was a great, high energy Mudcats at Noon, Aaron Williams at 1:30 show!

PM, Toronzo Cannon at 3 PM, Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames at 5 PM, the DelWe had the good fortune to put together mark 60th Anniversary Tribute with Muddy two shows on very short notice with Italy’s vs. The Wolf as Willie Buck, Tail Dragger new top[ blues act, Ms. Linda Valori. Her and the Rockin’ Johnny Band at 7 PM and CD is reviewed in this issue. She has a Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials at 9 PM. voice that combines the raw power and $10 advanced tickets are available in depth of Ruth Brown with some Etta Loves Park at the Rockford Aviators StaJames, Sarah Vaughn and Martha Reeves dium Box Office and in Rockford: thrown in to boot. Her show at both the - Guzzardo's Music on Charles St. Adriatic on Thursday, April 18th and the - Toad Hall Records on Broadway Venetian Club on April 19th got two stand- CD Source on E State St ing ovations and encores! She is truly - Adriatic Bar on W Jefferson St amazing. Joining her on stage were Luca - Kryptonite Bar on W State St Giordano, who is the top blues guitar - Just Goods on 7th St player in Italy. Our own Barstool Bob They also can be purchased on Line at: Levis, whom Luca idolizes along with Otis http://fieldofblues.blogspot.com/ or send a Rush, also played both sets with his band.

Link Leary on drums and Al Teranna on bass were a steady and sure backline providing superb support. Don Collins also joined in on harp for Friday’s show. Her rendition of Etta James’ “At Last” is perhaps the finest covering of the song I have ever heard– truly, truly amazing. I had goose bumps listening to her. These and more are posted on my Facebook page along with You Tube.

Future events in the works include the big show that we are putting on with the Adriatic on May 24th. The one and only Ana Popovic appears there at 9 PM on that Friday evening. Tickets are $20 in advance and will likely sell out, so get yours early! I have them available for purchase as does the Adriatic. We are also trying to finalize IBC winner Selwyn Birchwood arrangement s for Wednesday July 10th to play the Adriatic.

Fall BITS is already in the works with one of our local favorites Gerry Hundt. This time he is bringing the fine, young harp player Ronnie Shellist to play with him on September 25th. Schools and the evening show are still being arranged. We also plan to work with Eric Noden and Joe Filisko on a couple of days of BITS, too.

We have had a spectacular year so far with lots of wonderful things n the works.

Check us out on Facebook and on our blogs to get the latest news from the Crossroads Blues Society!

Luca Giordano at the Adriatic Bar

Crossroads Blues Society Newsletter

Page 3

BITS Update

Music Reviews

Rob Tomaro came to Rockford for two school programs and an evening show on Monday, April 8th. Rob is an outstanding guitar player, singer, songwriter, music professor, world-renowned symphony conductor and composer.

Black Toppin’ The Cash Box Kings Blind Pig Records www.cashboxkings.com 13 tracks

His school programs were at Washington Academy and St. Bernadette’s School.

Over 400 students enjoyed the BITS program in the morning with Rob while just over 260 were at the afternoon performance and session. Both sessions were well received and a bit hit with students and the faculties.

The evening show was well attended at the Just Goods Listening Room. Rob did two sets of a mix of blues, rock, folk and jazz. He joked that he was the most overeducated guitar player in the world. He switched between acoustic and electric guitar and impressed the crowd who came out.

Our own Harmonica Joe sat in on harp for parts of both school sessions and the evening show. We like to kid Joe a lot, but he did an great job playing for the kids and the adults. Our thanks also go out to him and Rick Davis for setting up the programs, chaperoning Rob around to the schools and evening venue, and lugging equipment. Denny Barker also was out helping at the schools and evening show, too.

This puts us at 114 programs completed for over 34,000 students. Next up is Bobby Messano on Friday, May 3rd. Bobby will be at West Middle School and Boylan HS for two school programs and at the Adriatic Live Music Bar on Friday night for an evening show . Admission is $5, free for students and Crossroads members. That will conclude our Spring BITS events.

The Cash Box Kings have their new CD out and it is another superlative effort! Here on their second Blind Pig release we have the boys giving us another great mix of new stuff and outstanding covers. If it’s not their best effort yet it is damn close to it!

The cast of characters remains about the same, with regulars and guests doing what they do best- melding into a tight and focused CBK sound. Sharing the duties up front are the steadfast duo of Joe Nosek, who also does all the harp work, and Oscar Wilson. Nosek and Wilson contrast in styles in some ways, but both offer up an authentic Chicago sound. Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith’s son, shares the drum set with Mark Haines (who is on four tracks) and Alex hall (who is on one). Joel Paterson takes lead guitar on all but one track where Billy Flynn fills in; Billy also backs Joel up on three more tracks.

Beau Sample is the bass player, but Gerry Hundt comes in for four cuts on bass along with rhythm guitar on 5 more and backing vocals on one of those. Barrelhouse Chuck provided keyboards support on four tracks and Jerry Devivo is on sax for three cuts.

Ok, so now that all the personnel are identified, let’s get into the CD. The Cash Box Kings under the “tutelage” of Blind Pig have really solidified the sound that I have appreciated from their earlier recordings and many live shows I have seen. The songs they have presented here are right in their wheelhouse; nine new cuts and four great covers. Less “country” blues are here than their first Blind Pig effort, but Nosek still gives us a little variety with the jumping, swinging and rocking sounds at times that he does so well. “I Don’t Want to Fight” and “Gimme Some of That” feature Joe on vocals and Joel picking out a jumping bluesswing-rocking sound. Barrelhouse Chuck’s piano on the former and a little sax add nicely to the swinging arrangement while Nosek’s harp brings the latter firmly back to Chicago.

The covers are a very interesting assortment, especially the one that closes the CD. “Run Run Run” is a 1967 Lou Reed cut that Nosek cleans up a bit from the old Velvet Underground production. It has a cast of lyrical characters basically seeking

their next heroin fix. The backline beat and Patterson’s guitar swirl and create a mix of psychedelic blues and Nosek voice echoes as he sings about the Gypsy Death and all that the NY drug scene references. He adds harp to the wild mix and the song fades to close in a driving vortex. The other three covers are much more traditional and hearken back to the Delta and Chicago blues sound. Jimmy Rogers’ “Money, Marbles and Chalk” is handled by Oscar on the vocals and Nosek’s harp, Flynn’s guitar and Chuck’s piano reek of a smoke-filled Southside club serving up hot blues back in the day. Willie Dixon’s “Too Late” also features Wilson’s vocals and some beautiful overblown harp by Nosek. “Tom Cat Blues” takes us to the swamp. I could almost feel the Spanish Moss growing on me as this slow blues sound wound its’ way through my system.

The CD opens with a jumping tune called “Blues Falling Down On Me” that opens with Patterson on guitar backed by Barrelhouse Chuck on organ. After they grab you Nosek starts to sing and groan. I was sold early on in this number, and then the solos started. Patterson wails and Chuck pounds out the notes- a nice new cut! They transition into Wilson on the title track, which has Oscar telling his friend a story about what he’s going to go out and do. His ignorant friend doesn’t get it and it has to be explained to him that Wilson is sneaking out from his women to the other side of town to get what he needs. Trying Really Hard(To Get Along With Youth” vocally has a little country influence, but it’s really blues that Nosek is doing and doing well. The sax and guitar nicely take turns responding to Nosek’s lyrics. “Oscar’s Jump” is a short and sweet ride and Devino’s sax is perhaps sweetest here. Some Chuck Berry licks are snuck in, and Nosek blows some cool harp, but Wilson sells it with his strident vocals.

My Tinai” and “Hot Biscuit Baby” are straight up blues that Nosek and Wilson deliver up in the cool style we expect of the CBKs. Great blues right out of the South Side! Nice solos abound on guitar and harp.

The band has put together another superb album for their fans. Anyone who had yet to sample the CBKs will instantly appreciate what these guys can do. Their fans need to run out and get this because it is some great work that they deliver here for their listeners. I loved this album from start to finish! Most highly recommended!

Reviewed by Steve Jones

May-June 2013

Page 4 Easy Livin' Southern Hospitality Blind Pig Records www.southernhospitalityband.com www.blindpigrecords.com 12 tracks/60:37 When you cast your gaze on the cover, your eyes focus on a drawing of a shapely woman relaxing in a hammock, fan overhead and a cool drink nearby with exotic vegetation in the background. If you didn't know any better, you might think this was some unknown band trying to entice people to buy their disc for the cool cover artwork.

The reality is that Southern Hospitality brings together three extremely talented musicians, each with his own successful career. But when they gathered one night for a jam, the resulting musical merrymaking was all it took for guitarists JP Soars and Damon Fowler to decide to join forces with keyboard whiz Victor Wainwright to see how long the fun could last.

The rhythm section is comprised of Fowler's band mate Chuck Riley on bass and Chris Peet from Soars' group on drums.

The group's potential drew the attention of another extraordinary musician, Tab Benoit, who signed on as producer and brought the band to his Houma, LA studio, adding several more layers of southern feel to the project. And it's all there, a potent mix of blues, southern rock, country and Memphis soul wrapped up in a batch of songs that insinuate their way deep into your musical heart.

Opening with “Southern Livin' “, the band expounds on the joys of sun and beaches over a laid-back groove as Fowler demonstrates his artistry on the lap steel guitar while the vocal is passed around between all three front men, finishing with jubilant harmonizing. The pace picks up on “Long Way Home” and takes on a harder edge with Soars' gritty vocal riding the twin guitar attack. The band has some fun on another JP original, celebrating life on road on “Mile After Mile” complete with sound effects and another team-approach on the vocals. Wainwright rocks the 88's on “Come Back Home”, then Soars' rips off a blistering solo.

Fowler's “Kind Lies & Whiskey” is one of the highlights as the writer uses his nimble, higher pitched voice to lay down a hearty vocal on a country-tinged rocker

that finds him yearning for “..a soft place to catch me when I fall.” Fowler's emotionally-charged singing on “Powered For the Mountain” offers a sharp contrast to swirling primal stomp around him, which finishes with some hair-raising interplay between Wainwright on organ and the two guitarists. Fowler scores again with “Don't Feel Like Going There Today”, a song with a hypnotic reggae hook that will surely inspire more than a few people to forgo work for a day of fun. Wainwright's sweltering solo on the organ is sandwiched between sizzling solos from Soars and Fowler.

Wainwright takes the lead on “Shoestring Budget” as the band jumps the blues at a frantic pace as Soars fires off a barnburner solo that leads to a dazzling keyboard workout by the singer. He threatens to come unhinged on “Don't Boogie Woogie” when his doctor gives him onetoo-many restrictions to regain a healthy lifestyle. Once again, the three leaders contribute brief, but memorable, solos at a breakneck pace with Wainwright steamrolling his way to the finish. His finest moment occurs on “Certified Lover”, showcasing the enormous depth of his voice as it cries out in anguish, praying for someone to take the pain away.

The group reaches its instrumental peak on a sweltering rendition of Willie Bobo and Melvin Lastie's “Fried Neck Bones and Home Fries”. Sporting a Latin vamp that recalls the early days of Santana, each of the leaders gets to stretch out, Fowler and Soars expertly blending taste and intensity into fiery solos before Wainwright's fat organ chords push the proceedings into overdrive at the end. Closing with a ballad, “Sky is What I Breath”, Soars' haunting dobro licks set off the soul -wrenching vocals from all three singers.

It is a fitting climax for a disc that once again shows the truth of the old adage that the sum is greater than the parts.

While Fowler, Soars and Wainwright have received well-deserved recognition and acclaim for their individual careers, they shine even brighter on this outstanding recording. Don't try to label it – just sit back and enjoy some magnificent, powerful music made by five professionals having the time of their lives. Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Mark Thompson

Crossroads Blues Society Awarded Grant from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois to Support Inaugural Field of Blues Festival “Crossroads Blues Society has been awarded a grant of $2000 by the Community Arts & Humanities Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois,” Crossroads President Steve Jones said today. According to Steve, the grant will be used to support conducting the Inaugural Field of Blues Festival on June 22, 2013 at Aviators Stadium.

“Our Society has planned and conducted 112 Blues In The Schools (BITS) programs during the last eleven years,” Jones said. “The grant from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois will give us additional resources to conduct the festival and, with the assistance of Mother Nature, then raise a significant amount of funds that will enable us to greatly expand the number of BITS programs that we do each year.”

Crossroads Blues Society was founded in 1994 and has served 35,000 students in Rockford and the surrounding Northern Illinois school districts with their BITS programs. In addition to Steve, the Officers of Crossroads are Karl Dahlin (VP), Al McNary (Treasurer), Bonnie Fox (Secretary) and the Board Members are Rick Davis, Dennis Barker, Bob Haendler, Rich Gordon, and Terry Keller.

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is the area’s largest provider of grants and scholarships. Its mission is to attract, grow, and preserve an endowment for the needs of the people of Northern Illinois.

May-June 2013 Sunny Road Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup Delmark Records www.delmark.com 10 tracks/40:32 Delmark Records' Bob Koester has done it again with the release of Arthur Crudup's “Sunny Road” CD. This recording is a never before released 1969 studio session featuring 9 great tunes and a very thought provoking conversation between Crudup and Koester. On this recording Crudup is backed by Willie “Big Eyes” Smith on drums and Mark Thompson strumming bass plus guitar on one tune. Rounding out this group of strong blues musicians is Jimmy “Fast Fingers” Dawkins adding his his awesome guitar style to the mix on three tracks.

Arthur Crudup was around playing his style of deep feeling blues forever starting in the early 40's. He is well known for writing tunes such as “That's All Right”, “My Baby Left Me, “Mean Old Frisco” and “Rock Me Mama”. Considered to be the father of Rock & Roll by some, he had several tunes recorded by Elvis Presley.

Elvis did give Crudup credit for penning the tunes but he did not receive royalties for them. Because of this fact Arthur referred to Elvis as Elvin Preston. Different sources view his relationship with Presley in both the plus and negative way. After his passing, Crudup's family finally received some past due royalties.

Arthur's great guitar sound comes from using rotating Leslie speakers which create a very unique quality . Right from the start, with “Sunny Road”, we are aware that we are going on to hear a strong blues experience. To pick out 2 or 3 tunes that stand out on this CD is impossible as they are all outstanding listening material.

Almost all of the tunes have a somber, drag down, depressive tone to them. This may reflect upon the times Crudup was going through at this time. I guess, after all, that this is what the blues are about.

“Trying To Take Me For A Ride” is one of those “whoa is me, life sucks” stories.

With lyrics such as “ I'm my mama's bad luck child” and “My woman pays me no mind” Crudup conjures up a vision that life is just a bummer and “everybody I meet in the street is is trying to take me for a ride”.

This is truly some heartfelt blues. The guitar soloing on this track also standout.

My favorite on “Sunny Road” has to be “All I got Is Gone”. Crudup is joined on guitar with Jimmy Dawkins as Willie “Big Eyes” Smith beats out a unique drum line.

Page 5 The bass line from Mark Thompson is very good here also. This tune is filled with sad, almost mournful, heartfelt feelings about losing his spouse. This track is very emotional and seems like Crudup was struggling to make it to the end. This is the story of being “left alone with no one to care for me” and “why did the Lord take my baby from me”. Big Eyes plays the drums as if he is trying to get Crudup to the finish of the song. This is really a deep poignant tale of great personal loss.

Arthur Crudup had a voice that was truly an amazing instrument to tell us stories of life with great lyrics. “Sunny Road” is an outstanding example of great blues recorded and preserved for us to enjoy.

Thanks to Delmark records this great blues session was not lost in the dust.

Reviewed by Harmonica Joe Rooster Clay Swafford Lost Cause Records www.clayswafford.com 14 tracks/40:05 Clay Swafford, after many years of honing his blues and boogie woogie piano skills, has just released his debut CD “Rooster”. Having piano influences from Pinetop Perkins and David Maxwell and playing with fine musicians such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and Bob Margolin to name just a few, it becomes very apparent that Clay has paid his dues. He is a player that has earned praises from from many blues artist. Pinetop Perkins stated, “ I have 10 fingers, it looks like he has 20”. What a compliment this statement from a true great has to be.

“Rooster” is a raw, unadulterated recording with no tricks. This CD is the product of Clay's talent on an upright Weber piano and Diunna Greenleaf's vocals.

Greenleaf is a woman that does sing the blues. All five tunes that she sings on are powerful and sang with deep feeling for the music. Her credentials include having her own band, Blue Mercy, touring Europe, France, Asia and the USA. She has performed with many blues greats that include “Pinetop”, Hubert Sumlin, James Cotton and Carrie Bell to name just a few. Greenleaf's vocals are a real treat to listen to on this CD. Swafford opens “Rooster” with his full blown boogie woogie instrumental “Rooster's Boogie”, which sets the stage

for the fantastic show that is about to follow. Just maybe, Clay does have 20 fingers as his right hand travels along as his left hand is is laying down a low end line for our ears. This is a rollicking way to start out the recording. Taking us right into “29 Ways, a Big Joe Turner tune, Swafford introduces us to the powerful vocals of Diunna Greenleaf. As he takes us down the road with his skillful piano playing Diunna belts out the lyrics of this great old blues song. She takes command of the moment as she presents the tune with power, dynamics and feeling of the blues.

If you are looking for a slow blues tune, you will not be disappointed with Greenleaf's take on Big Mama Thorton's “Sometime I Have A Heartache”. Clay brings his piano down to bring us that deep drag down blues feeling as he draws out the blues lyrics from Diunna. This tune will linger with you for some time after it is finished.

The mix of Clay's free flowing piano instrumentals and tunes with his piano and the powerful vocals from Greenleaf make a strong statement for “Rooster” This is really a good debut CD for Swafford. Also included on this recording are two tracks with Bob Margolin adding his blues guitar and vocals on “Mean Disposition” and “Fine Little Mamma”. Bob Corritore and the All Stars are added also on a good version of “Tin Pan Alley”. Corritore adds his chromatic harp to the mix of the piano and vocals. This is great stuff as his blows a fine solo on this track.

Clay Swafford has done a great job presenting his piano talent to us with “Rooster'. Adding the vocals of Diunna Greenleaf is a true plus for the CD also.

Let it be known the Clay Swafford is here to stay with his vast feeling for the blues and his nimble fingers on the piano.

Reviewed by Harmonica Joe

2013 BCBF Logo Finalized

Crossroads Blues Society Newsletter

Page 6 Days Like This Linda Valori LeART World Music www.lindavaloriofficial.com 12 tracks

final track “If I Can’t Have You” is spectacular and features Linda in a duet Mike Avery and is one of the tracks featuring fabulous the horn section of Marqueal Jordan on tenor sax and Doug Corcoran on baritone sax and trumpet.

What do you get when you mix a little bit of jazz and blues divas Ruth Brown, Etta James, Martha Reeves, and Sarah Vaughn together with old school Pier Angeli and opera’s Cecilia Bartoli together with an good amount of original talent?

Well, you just might get something like this young lady, Linda Valori.

All of the above and the few other tracks make for a vibrant and beautiful initial effort. Valori’s vocal are like butter when she needs to be, but they can also bowl you over and flatten you like a bluesy steamroller when she wants to. This girl can sing! Her band is up the task, too, providing a great backdrop for this singer.

Keith Henderson on guitar, Tim Gant on keys, Billy Dickens on bass. Khari Parker on drums and Joe Rendon on percussion are the core group who provide a great framework for each song. Vincent Bucher’s harp is poignant on his tracks and Larry Skoller on guitar along with the other soloists are solid and add great depth.

Valori is 34, was born in San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy, and she continues to live in that area today. Her father is Italian, her mother Romanian, she has a degree in teaching psychology, but her passion is singing. Competing in bigger and bigger vocal competitions since 1995, she was “discovered” at the San Remo festival in 2004 and has gained popularity in Italy and across Europe singing blues, opera and a host of genres in between.

Working with Larry Skoller in Chicago, she has produced her first album, a collection of Chicago blues and very old-school R&B. One can hear the passion and feeling in her voice as she opens the CD with the title track, a Van Morrison piece that is transformed into an early 60’s girl group R&B classic by Valori. Her voice is powerful, husky, and filled with emotion, just wanted to declare that when things are not going wrong we can revel because “there will be days like this.” Shifting gears, the second track is where Valori attempts to overcome the aches of a lost lover in “Pain.” With her voice blazing like a trumpet, one believes her every statement. Mike Wheeler joins in on a big guitar solo on “I Idolize You” and again on “I Smell Trouble.” His guitar is as passionate as Valori’s intense vocals, whether jumping to the former tune or growling out slow blues in the latter. I smell trouble for Bobby Rush; move over, Linda Valori is in the house!

Janis Joplin’s “Move Over” get’s an R&B makeover and Linda is convincing with a voice that grabs your lapels and your head is moving up and down when she says “Come on baby, let me be, let me be!” There is also some solid harp here and a nice solo, too. The Ike Turner classic “The Way You Love Me” gets a swinging cover and Valori’s voice growls and makes a statement. She gets quite soulful in “So Doggone Good” and Luca Giordano adds a nice guitar solo. The

I’m sold on this gal. When we found out that she was in Chicago, we arranged to have Linda and her guitar player friend Luca Giordano out to Rockford for two great shows (see article on page 2). This is a great new artist who will light the blues world on fire. I am sure that America will fall in love with her as her homeland and Europe already have. Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Steve Jones Secretly Famous The Rev Jimmie Bratcher Ain't Skreet Tunes www.therevjb.com 12 tracks/41:48 “Secretly Famous” is Rev Jimmy Bratcher's 7th recording to be released.

Yes, he is a real preacher when not performing. He does his work by reaching out to those in need and also performs his music for prison inmates. It is always interesting to find out how a blues artist got started in the world of music. At the age of 12 Bratcher decided that he wanted a guitar. His father decided to place an ad in the paper to find him a guitar This ad stated, “will trade 1958 DeSoto for guitar and amp”.This is where it all started as Jimmie ended up with a white Gibson SG Jr and a Gibson amp. On this CD he used this same guitar on 2 tunes, “I Can't Shake That Thing” and “Starting All Over Again”. The Rev is a solid blues rocker who has honed his musical skills and lyric writing to a high level over the years.

The opening tune on “Secretly Famous” is “Jupiter & Mars” which was co-written by Jimmie and his son, Jason. This song is just enough off color to make one why a preacher is doing it. Lyrics such as “blinding light, flash of chrome, hot- head blonde in a tricked out Ford”conjures up visions of this is just not right for a man of the clothe. But, it is all good as he plays the blues. This track introduces the rest of Bratcher's power trio. Along with Jimmie's vocals and mastered guitar style we are treated to Lester Estelle’s drum skills as well as a strong bass line from Craig Kew. Both are very capable players on their own music endeavors. “Check Your Blues at the Door” shuffles along with Jimmie playing solid blues guitar riffs and solos.

His lyrics tell a tale of not bringing your toils and troubles into your home but leave them at the door. This is good advice as well as creating a song for the blues.

The Rev performs a solid cover of John D. Loudermilk's “Tobacco Road”. Estelle drives this track along on drums played clear and strong as Jimmie tells the tale with his vocals and guitar. This is another very enjoyable tune for “Secretly Famous”. Taking a more humorous vein is the catching song, “Bologna Man”, which is a story about something that maybe should not be called meat. “I like that meat that rhymes with pony” and “ I ain't too high class to eat that mess” gives you the idea what this is all about. This is a fun song with great vocals.

The Rev Jimmie Bratcher presents a strong picture of the blues with “Secretly Famous whether he is doing a shuffle, slow blues, rock blues or something else.

This CD showcases his vocals, guitar playing and lyrics as he is backed up by a strong band that makes it very enjoyable music to listen to. I agree that a preacher can perform the blues and Rev Bratcher has done it. It is two thumbs up for “Secretly Famous”.

Reviewed by Harmonica Joe

May-June 2013 Get It! Tinsley Ellis Heart Fixer Music www.tinsleyellis.com 10 tracks Tinsley Ellis is known for his fiery guitar and soulful vocals, but the Atlanta native has decided to forsake the vocals and go with a straight up instrumental album. He gives us eight new songs and a couple of interesting covers; we can still hear his “voice” in the superb guitar play throughout. After eleven disks and a long solo career, he returns to his roots with the Heartfixers and he showcases a variety of guitars and styles that he has loved and absorbed over the years. I was impressed and sat their listening intently to each track as they came up; this is perhaps the best he’s ever done on record, at least in my humble opinion.

Thoughtful and touching at times, evocative and wild at others, Ellis shows us the full range of emotions through the voice of his guitar and with some assistance from his great band here.

Ellis opens in Albert Collins style with “Front Street Freeze;” he gets funky on his Strat and Leslie, with the charm and flavors of Albert’s tone and style. It is a well done tribute with an authentic sound done in an original and tasteful manner. He sets the stage well for the listener and then gets with “Sassy Strat” he gets really into the funk and struts back and forth in this cool little number.

The “Milky Way” gives us the round, rich sound of, say, a Duane Eddy, but in a slow and thoughtful format. The strings vibrate and are almost chilling as Ellis emotes and he describes the solemn loneliness of space as described by his guitar and Kevin McKendree’s organ work. What a wonderful track! He stays old school and follows that with Bob Diddley’s “Detour;” it’s a 12 bar romp where he does Bo at times and adds his own flair to give us a fun, hip shakin’ ride. The echo and tone of his guitars (a 1967 ES345 and a Leslie) is beautifully displayed.

“Anthem for a Fallen Hero” pays tribute to Roy Buchanan and he uses his Les Paul and Echoplex to deliver a solemn eulogy for Buchanan. It’s is a stunningly impressive guitar attack as Ellis winds his way through the ballad and building on emotions with his guitar (along with the rest of the band). It is a truly emotional piece.

He then shuffles into the title track Texasstyle, a cool piece of work one would had expected from SRV or other Lone Star

Page 7 greats. He steps up the game even further with the blues rocking “Fuzzbuster” as his wah wah pedal gets a work out so he can give us one, too.

The album takes a turn as Ellis goes down a few notches in tempo with the wonderful cover “Freddy’s Midnight Dream.” He adds some beautiful layers to this solemn piece with the organ and the keys and guitar give substance and meat to this song. It goes almost church-like with the organ, and the rich guitar tones just sing out like a choir. Magnificent! “Berry Tossin’” pays homage to the great Chuck Berry. Ellis throws Berry’s licks around effortlessly in a nice blues shuffle. At times he seems to morph into Freddy King but then he’s back to Berry as the guitar rings out true. Kudos to the piano work here, too. The album concludes with “Catalunya” as Ellis takes a trip to Spain and gives us some nice electrified Spanish guitar influenced stuff. This is something like Carlos Santana might write and play. Evocative, stinging guitar notes climbing down the neck, the congas banging out a mellow thumping beat and Ellis just pulls up the covers for us and puts us and the album to bed as he completes our journey.

Ellis delivers his best work yet here. He provides all the guitars here and plays bass on half the tracks. Kevin McKendree on all keyboards adds depth and color to the mix. His backing work is super as are his solos; I was very impressed with his efforts. Lynn Williams provides all forms of drums and percussive support and Ted Pecchio is on bass on the other tracks.

It’s a solid quartet of musicians and the sound and production work is also spotless; McKendree did the production work.

Tinsley Ellis has stepped back into his roots and offers us a great look into the masters whom he respects and influenced him in his formative years (and who still influence him today). Get It is an exciting and expressive album and Ellis proves that he can make his six string axe sing as well as a person. If you don’t own any of Tinsley’s other disks, in my mind this would be the one to buy if you had to only have one. I don’t recommend that owing only one of his disks is the best thing for your music collection (since he has a number of other great ones already to his credit), but this is my new favorite. I highly recommend this CD become part of any blues fans’ collection!

Reviewed by Steve Jones

I used the term magnificent in the last paragraph. I must say I rarely use that word with regard to blues albums. Sumptuous foods and wines, massive symphonic pieces and stunning art work I might label as that but this album also allows me honestly use that adjective.

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Page 8 Rolling Soul Hadden Sayers Blue Corn Music haddensayers.com 12 tracks Hadden Sayers return to the limelight with 2011’s Hard Dollar put him squarely in position to relaunch his career. On the album was the cut "Back to the Blues;" it was nominated for the Song of the Year Award at the 33rd Annual Blues Music Awards and, in fact, was my favorite new song in 2011. I was excited to get Hadden’s new CD in the mail to review and I was not disappointed when I listened to it– it is another big hit!

Ruthie Foster returns to guest on a track.

“Lay Down You Worries” was written while Sayers was in Cancun. The song reflects that the people in one’s life is what is most important to us. Foster and Sayers were made to sing together. They compliment each other so well and get into a groove together that is so natural and easy to listen to.

Sayers write a love letter to his wife in “The Man I Am Supposed to Be.” Parts of it remind almost me of “Back to the Blues” wit it’s homey and loving charm. Sayers can really emote in his work, something that impressed me so much in Hard Dollar and again in this CD. The opening track “Don’t Take Your Love Out on Me” has Sayer’s growling out a tune focusing on the other side of a relationship and has a blistering guitar lead and solo that was passionate.

“Tippin’ In” is a swinging tune, with Hadden bopping and bouncing as he flips over his gal as is "Crazy enough;" Sayers can make you want to dance or cry oh so effectively. The closing tune “Can’t Get You Off of My Mind” blends some sweet sounding slide into the mix and Sayers gives us another solid performance.

“Insomniac Blues” takes it slow and Sayers strips it down effectively. He groans out the tune as he yearns for his women. In “Alone With the Blues” I wanted to male sure he had no sharp objects near by as he bares some very dark emotions. Very edgy and cool!!

All the cuts here are great. Sayers has another solid effort and once again has delivered a killer CD for us to enjoy. I really recommend this one!'

Reviewed by Steve Jones

Little Big Man Geoff Achison Jupiter Records 17 Tracks Geoff Achison is a native of South East Australia where he has practiced and performed guitar from an early age. His first gig was playing lead guitar with one of Melbourne's top blues bands Dutch Tilders & The Blues Club. In 1995, he was the representative for the Melbourne Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis and won the Albert King Award for his outstanding guitar skills.

After touring five years in his native country of Australia, he decided to take his music a different direction with his own band The Souldiggers in 1998. To date, he has been touring Australia, Europe, and the U.S. delivering his own brand of electric blues guitar. Geoff has also been working as a guitar instructor at the Fur Peace Ranch in Ohio with the support of the owner Jorma Kaukonen, former member of The Jefferson Airplane band and Hot Tuna.

His latest release is Little Big Man, features Geoff on vocals and guitar, Mal Logan on keyboards, Roger McLachlan on bass, Gerry Pantazis on drums, James Mack on percussion, and Nikki Nichols handling the backing vocals. Bonus tracks "Kerry Lou" and "Chance" feature the horn section of Paul Williamson on saxophone, Tibo Gyapjas on trumpet, and David Palmer on Trombone. The album is like an expensive cocktail, blended with blues, jazz, funk, world, Latin, and soul and served as an addictive musical extravaganza to be enjoyed over and over again.

This is some of the most eclectic music that I have had the pleasure to review.

You will never hear the same guitar style on any two songs making him one of the most distinctive and creative guitar players in the business. From the funky tune "Happening" to the burning blues number "Feel Like A King," this all-star band will take you on a journey that you can only hope will never end. "Never Give It Up" is a standout on the album with all the elements of Reggae, jazz, and funk.

Geoff Achison and the Souldiggers certainly are not afraid to break new ground, search for new avenues, and create original music all their own. Each song on Little Big Man flows flawlessly to the other with common treads weaving them all together into a musical masterpiece. This is a surprising good band that is definitely worth checking out.

Reviewed by Rick Davis

Six Pack of Cool Big Papa and the TCB Inland Blue Records www.bptcb.com 13 tracks I first heard this band at the now closed restaurant and seafood Shop in Redlands, California. This was my regular stop every trip to Redlands, which was a frequent event in my life for over four years. I had heard a couple of piano players there, but one day this band starts setting and they began to swing and bop and make some great sounds. I picked up their homemade CD and I have been on their mailing list since that first day I saw them. I saw them one more time, but being a Socal, Inland Empire fixture with my business there now complete I figured I probably would not run into them again soon.

Well, the CD came in the mail for review and I immediately knew who these guys were. Think a slightly stripped down version of Roomful of Blues with a little West Coast flair and you have Big Papa and the TCB, Chris Thayer fronts the band, plays guitar and wrote all or part of all but one track. He’s got a great presence and his vocals really sell each cut. Steve Brown on bass, Ray Wilson on drums, John Mila De La Roca on piano, Maurice Oliva on sax, and Marques Crew in trumpet really deliver a tight and solid sound; I love these guys!

Tracks like “A Lil Bit O’ Somethin’” showcase each artist as they jump and swing.

The solos are great, their “togetherness” is impressive and they just make you want to dance. “Papa’s in the House” opens the album and serves as a great intro to these guys; the call and response, vocals and solos showcase the great talents here.

Very T-Bone Walker-like stuff, yet fresh and cool. “Drink Drank Drunk” bemoans a bad night on the town that ends in the slammer, but it’s a fun ride; the sax on this cut is really sweet. “Big Bad Blues” adds a trombone to the horns and they just blow a big and groovy sound, more great solos all over the place! “My Way Back Home” closes; very scaled down with just vocals, piano and cupped trumpet. Quite moving.

“Showtime” has the boys in an all-out instrumental, no holds barred– superb! The one cover is Honey Piazza’s “Murder in the First Degree” and they take the Mighty Flyers song and make it their own– great cover!

If you like jump blues then go buy this CD. The horns are great, the piano is outstanding, the guitar is spectacular and the vocals are superb. You won’t regret “discovering” this band!

Reviewed by Steve Jones

May-June 2013 Independently Blue The Duke Robillard Band Stony Plain Records 12 Tracks For over four decades, Duke Robillard has earned titles like teacher, guitarist, bandleader, songwriter, singer, producer, session musician, and blues advocate. His musical journey began in 1967 when he and Al Copley formed Roomful of Blues in Westerly, Rhode Island. The band was able to accompany their musical paragons Big Joe Turner and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson on record and in live shows.

When he left Roomful of Blues after 12 years, he worked with rockabilly king Robert Gordon, the Legendary Blues Band, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Ronnie Earl, Jimmy Witherspoon, Tom Waits, Kansas City piano king Jay McShann, Billy Boy Arnold and Rosco Gordon, the Canadian band The Rockin’ Highliners, Dr. John, Maria Muldaur, and the jazz legend Herb Ellis. He also did studio work with Bob Dylan, Ruth Brown, Johnny Adams, John Hammond, Pinetop Perkins, and most recently with Sunny Crownover.

Joining Duke on his newest release are Monster Mike Welch on acoustic and electric guitars, Bruce Bears on piano, Brad Hallen on acoustic and electric bass, and Max Teixeira on drums and percussion, and the horns of Doug Woolverton and Billy Novick.

Independently Blue opens with two tunes "I Wouldn't-a Done That" and "Below Zero" that take advantage of the songwriting abilities of former Roomful of Blues band mate Al Basile. Duke delivers more a Jimmy Vaughan/Texas style guitar performance on "I Wouldn't-a Done That" and "Below Zero" that he co wrote with Basile.

Mike Welch and Duke team up for a dynamic guitar duo heard throughout the CD especially on "Stapled to the Chicken’s Back," an instrumental written by Monster Mike Welch. To add a little variety, the band takes you down to the streets of New Orleans with the dixieland tune "Patrol Wagon Blues" recorded originally

by Red Allen. The album takes yet another turn with the rock "n" roll fueled "Laurene." The haunting, spiritual tune "Moongate," is another Robillard original inspired by a visit to a mysterious 19th century mansion in the Berkshire Mountains. Al Basile contributed yet another tune to the mix titled "I'm Still Laughing."

On the second instrumental "Strollin With Lowell and BB," Duke dazzles listeners with guitar styles similar to both blues guitar legends. Another original tune "You

Page 9 Won't Ever" features the superb trumpet solos of Doug Woolverton, reminiscent of the jazz fusion trumpet player Bill Chase.

The sleepy, midnight jazz tune "This Man, This Monster," written by Mike Welch, features the rich sounds of both Mike and Duke on guitar. "Groovin' Slow" delivers once again, dueling guitar styles from Mike and Duke. On the final tune "If this is Love," Duke regenerates that West Coast guitar sound created by Hollywood Fats and his Gibson guitar. Muddy Waters once told Duke Robillard "If I had you and Fats (Hollywood Fats) in my band I'd rule the world."

Few blues performers have had the good fortune to enjoy the career and work with the number of legendary performers that Duke Robillard has experienced. He seems to currently be at the pinnacle of his professional career. Independently Blue is a testament to that statement.

Reviewed by Rick Davis Just For Today Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters Stony Plain Records 13 Tracks With every new album, Ronnie Earl continues to set the bar higher and higher, meeting and exceeding fan expectations with his soulful, emotional blues guitar style. On all of his albums, Ronnie’s instrumentals capture that intense style like no other blues artist that has performed both live and in the studio.

His latest release Just for Today is no exception, showcasing his guitar style with almost a total concentration of instrumental tunes. Listening to his masterful guitar phrasing, it takes his listeners to another world, almost placing an audience in a hypnotic trans. His unique guitar style is an influence from so many blues artists that he has worked with over the years before he established his own band Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters in 1988.

This intense and deeply soulful instrumental guitar style was inspired by the blues legends like Muddy Waters, T-Bone Walker, Big Walter Horton, Freddie King, B.B. King, Otis Rush, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Along the way, he worked with such greats as Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, Earl King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Allman Brothers, Sunnyland Slim, Koko Taylor, Jerry Portnoy, Earl King, Jimmy Rogers, Kim Wilson, Darrell Nulisch, Sugar Ray Norcia, and Jimmy Witherspoon as well as several of the

musicians that inspired him early on. Early in his career, he performed with groups like Johnny Nicholas and the Rhythm Rockers, Sugar Ray and the Blue Tones, and the all-star line-ups that followed with Roomful Of Blues from 1979-1988.

Ronnie continues to carry that torch from his influences in his music today.

Just for Today, is the seventh album for Ronnie Earl on the Stony Plain label and a follow up to widely acclaimed 2010 release, Spread the Love. The new CD is recorded live from The Regent Theatre in Arlington, The Natick Center for the Arts in Natick, and The Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River, venues all located in his home state of Massachusetts. Celebrating Ronnie's 25th year as Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters are long-time Broadcasters’ members Lorne Entress on drums, Dave Limina on piano and Hammond B3, and Jim Mouradian on bass. Joining this veteran cast is singer Diane Blue as a special guest vocalist on the Bill Foster, Ellington Jordan tune "I'd Rather Go Blind" first recorded by Etta James in 1967. Also joining the band is Nicholas Tabarias on guitar, accompanying Ronnie on the tribute song to Otis Rush "Rush Hour" and the original tune "Jukein'." Ronnie pays tribute to other artists and mentors by honoring Hubert Sumlin with the original tune "Blues For Hubert Sumlin," Robert Nighthawk with another original "Robert Nighthawk Stomp," as well as the cover song "Equinox" as a tribute to John Coltrane. They open the show by rockin' the house with the original instrumental "The Big Train." Ronnie is so painfully soulful on the second instrumental "Blues For Celie," that he will pierce your heart with his passionate guitar solos. The band will rival any Carlos Santana instrumental with the tune "Miracle." "Heart Of Glass" is as smooth as glass and note for note one of the best he has performed. Dave Limina takes center stage with his opening piano solos on the original boogie woogie classic "Vernice's Boogie" and the Porter Grainger, Everett Robbins tune "Ain't Nobody's Business. Just for Today concludes with a stellar performance by the entire band on the Ronnie Earl tune "Pastorale."

This is as nearly perfect a soundboard recording as you will hear on any live or studio album. The soundboard team creates a center stage, front row seat for this series of live performances. Ronnie Earl seems to be at the height of his career with this collection of live recordings. It is my only hope there will be many more albums to follow. Just for Today will be hard to match.

Reviewed by Rick Davis

Page 10 Live @ The Times Davina & the Vagabonds Self-Released 24 Tracks In opening her live performance at The Times Bar and Cafe in Minneapolis, Davina Sowers requests one thing from the audience and that is to just have fun. If you have ever had the pleasure of attending one of her live performances, you would know that this is a very simple request. It is nearly impossible to refrain from enjoying yourself if you are a fan of music from early vaudeville, blues, or New Orleans jazz. With her unique vocals Davina, has been able to revive the magic of the early New Orleans jazz of the 20s and Chicago jump blues of the 40s and 50s. Names like LaVern Baker, Ella Mae Morse, and Big Bertha Henderson were displayed on billboards during that bygone era. Those early New Orleans groups like The Chicago Footwarmers and Sam Morgan's Jazz Band have also been resurrected by Davina and The Vagabonds. Davina's vocals has been compared to the vocals of the late Amy Winehouse.

She opens the with the Mike Jackson / Andy Razaf cover tune "Knock Me a Kiss" from the 40s. Whether sung by the lovely Miss Davina Sowers, Ella Fitzgerald, or the classic version done by Louis Jordan, hearing it live will put a smile on your face.

She adds her own song writing skills to the first set with her own tunes "Pushpin," "Death," and "St. Michael vs. The Devil."

She covers the Bessie Smith blues tune "Muddy Water" written by Peter DeRose, Harry Richman, and Jo Trent. She is very creative with her arrangement of the traditional song "This Little Light of Mine." Also included in the first set are the John Sebastian hit "DayDream" and the Bob Dylan tune "Watching The River Flow" with backing vocals from the band on the Dylan tune. The Jessica Hoop folk song "Big Fish" is done New Orleans style and the Earl Hines/Sid Robin "Monday Date" will give you a full blast of Dixieland jazz, once again with help on vocals from her band.

She completes the first set with the soulful R&B tune "The Clock" written by George Sueref and performed originally by Little George Sueref & The Blue Stars.

The second live set opens with the originals "Love" and Hate." They follow up with the tune "No Buts, No Maybes" by New Orleans pianist Henry Roeland "Professor Longhair" Byrd. Songwriters Gus Kahn, Fabian Andre, and Wilber Schwandt created the tune "Dream A Little Dream Of

Crossroads Blues Society Newsletter Me" done superbly by Davina with Zach Lozier on trumpet, joining a host of earlier artists like Ella Fitzgerald/Louis Armstrong and Mama Cass Elliot. The next tune "Put A Lid On It," which is perfect material for the Charleston in the roaring twenties, was written by Thomas Maxwell of the Squirrel Nut Zippers in 1996. "I'm Gonna Be A Wheel Some Day," a popular song written

by Roy Hayes, Fats Domino, and Dave Bartholomew, is cause for celebration by the band. Another tune "Honey Pie," written by Lennon/McCartney and done originally by Paul McCartney, is done 20s style

by Davina and The Vagabonds. The band struts with the famous Joe Primrose New Orleans funeral march "St. James Infirmary" and Chuck Berry's "Back To Memphis." The next original tune "Under Lock And Key" is the title track from an earlier Davina and The Vagabonds album. Davina concludes the show with another original tune "Finally Home" after a short introduction to the song.

Davina and The Vagabonds is like a modern day New Orleans preservation hall band performing in a flashy 20s Vaudeville nightclub show. They have been described as a combination of blues, American roots, and New Orleans music. This double live CD set will give you a taste of this unique Minneapolis band taking the Midwest by storm. After listening to their live show, you are certain to seek out a concert near your hometown.

Reviewed by Rick Davis Here I Am Oli Brown Ruf Records 12 Tracks Oli Brown is establishing his presence with his third and newest CD Here I Am, available on Ruf Records. He is gaining popularity as a blues artist in both the UK and The United States. At the age of 13, he started playing guitar, with Jimi Hendrix as his major influence. Some of the other musical influences that helped him become established as a guitar player are Chris Cain, Albert Collins, Freddie King, B.B. King, Albert King, Hollywood Fats, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tom Waits, Jon Cleary, Jonny Lang, The Big Pill, and Psychedelic Zombies.

It was during his visit to the US, that he got an explanation of the history and a grasp of the real meaning of the blues from Carl Gustafson and his band Blinddog Smokin'.

Carl taught him the finer points of stage performance, soloing, and timing, all significant to the success Oli has experi-

enced. He has already worked with blues artists young and old like Joe Bonamassa, Walter Trout, Robben Ford, Devon Allman as well as the legendary godfather of British blues John Mayall. Hailing from the UK, he joins the list of younger generation blues stars like Simon McBride, Matt Scofield, Ian Siegal, Erja Lyytinen, Aynsley Lister, Dana Fuchs, Samantha Fish, Dani Wilde, Ian Parker, TUF, and Jimmy Bowskill just to name a few. Included in his list of accolades, Oli was named 'Best Male Vocalist' and 'Best Young Artist' at the 2010 British Blues Awards and 'Best Band' and 'Best Album' for Heads I Win Tails You Lose at the 2011 British Blues Awards.

Here I Am, the latest release by the 22 year old, is successful in taking blues in an entirely direction, transforming traditional blues into more contemporary, cutting edge blues-rock. Joining forces with Oli Brown are Scott Barnes on bass, Wayne Proctor on drums and percussion, and Joel White on Hammond & Rhodes. The hard driven title track "Here I Am" emphatically establishes Oli's own identity as a blues-rock artist, with blistering guitar solos and convincing vocals. "Thinking About Her" continues with heavy guitar solos blended with a catchy 60s sounding chorus, making this tune and "I Love You More Than You Will Ever Know" made famous by Al Kooper, Donny Hathaway, and Blood, Sweat, and Tears, very strong tunes. "Manic Bloom" is typical of grunge or alternative rock launched by groups like Nirvana and Pearl Jam in the 1980s. "All We Had To Give" has a more traditional rock sound with a superb guitar introduction and follow-up guitar solos. "You Can Only Blame Yourself" and "Start It Again" demonstrates the intensity of Oli's vocals with "Start It Again" somewhat reminiscent of a rock 'n' roll Rolling Stones style tune.

"Devil In Me" and "Mr. Wilson" deliver more of a traditional blues sound in both vocals and guitar solos. "Remedy," once again, could be a page out of the 60s classic rock era with explosive guitar solos.

"Like a Feather," a staccato style tune, features Dani Wilde who supports Oli on vocals. The CD concludes with an uptempo blues tune featuring guest harmonica player Paul Jones.

If you are looking for a very traditional style blues release, Here I Am does not fit that description. I feel it is a highly successful project that establishes Oli as a contemporary blues artist with mature vocals and a high-powered guitar. I really see blues moving in this direction in the future with some of the younger artists.

Reviewed by Rick Davis

Crossroads Blues Society Newsletter

Page 11 The Blind Owl Alan Wilson Severn Records www.severnrecords.com 20 tracks/77:47 Severn Records has released a 2 CD set celebrating the legacy of Canned Heat founding member Alan Wilson titled "The Blind Owl". Wilson received the nickname from good friend John Fahey because of the visually impaired artist's extreme nearsightedness. The set is a collection of 20 tunes, ranging from familiar hits to previously unreleased tracks, that show the skill and depth of Wilson as a vocalist, guitarist, song writer, and harp player.

The shy and humble Wilson also was a blues historian writing many essays on blues artists and gathering a large collection of blues recordings. As a serious student of the blues, and the artists that inspired him, many of Canned Heat's recordings are blues standards that have been reworked by Wilson. When Eddie "Son" House decided to relaunch his career in 1964, it was Wilson who was asked to reteach House the slide guitar that he had forgotten how to play. The grateful Son House then asked Wilson to join him at the Newport Folk Festival.

Wilson and his band also worked with the legendary John Lee Hooker and appeared on the double LP "Hooker'n Heat" in 1970.

It has been said that John Lee was awed

by Wilson's harp playing and has been quoted as saying "Alan plays my music better than I knows it myself".

"The Blind Owl" opens with "on The Road Again" a tune adapted by Wilson from a Floyd Jones tune of the same name. Powered by Wilson's unique tenor voice, great harp work, and the hypnotic effect of a droning tambura in the background, it became an international hit reaching number 8 on the UK Singles Chart, and number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA. "Going Up The Country", another international hit, would become the unofficial theme song for Michael Wadleigh's documentary "Woodstock" after Canned Heat performed at the legendary festival.

Some of the lesser known tunes are the 1969 single "Poor Moon", "Mean Old World", a cover of a Walter Jacob's tune, and "Human Condition" which was Wilson's last recording with Canned Heat.

"Skat" is simply the band jamming with Wilson skat singing. The set closes with "Childhood's End", an instrumental, with

the talented and versatile Wilson on chromatic harp.

This highly recommended 2 CD set is a testament to the multiple talents of one of the great contributors to the blues/rock music of the late 60's. Alan Wilson, "The Blind Owl" is no longer with us but he left us with a treasure trove of great music.

Reviewed by Dennis Barker Live Murali Coryell Shake-It-Sugar Records CD 11 Tracks DVD 10 Tracks To hear Murali Coryell live, is an experience that I have had on several occasions. Murali has that rare ability to write, sing, and play guitar, blending blues, soul, and jazz.

He reflects on artists like his father Larry Coryell, B.B. King (recommended by his father), Albert King, Albert Collins, as well as rock legends like Carlos Santana and Jimi Hendrix. He has opened for R&B and blues artists like George Thorogood, Gregg Allman, Wilson Picket, and B.B. King.

His recent live CD/DVD released by Shake-It-Sugar Records, captures magic of one of his finest recent performances on CD at Club Helsinki in Hudson, New York (7/30/12) and an older show on video at The Root & Blues Festival, Salmon Arm, BC (8/14/10). The CD lineup has Murali on guitar and vocals, Dorian Randolph on drums and vocals, Vince Leggiere and Henry Oden on bass, Bill Foster on guitar, Stacey Waterous on saxophone and vocals, Cameron Melville on organ, and Dave Fleschner also handling keyboards. The CD opens with Murali's introduction and dedication to Jimi Hendrix with his tune "In The Room With Jimi," the story about meeting Jimi as an infant at the Fillmore East. During his guitar solos he works his wah-wah petal to perfection as only Murali does in a live show. With soulful, gritty vocals, he captivates the audience with his own R&B tune "I Can't Give You Up." The smooth saxophone overtones, deeply emotional vocals, and rich guitar solos on the Hambridge/Nicholson/Linden song "I Could've Had You" create a relaxing aura. He brings the band way down on the best blues number of the show "Softly Let Me Kiss Your Lips" so the audience can in his words "feel the spirit." They pick up the groove with the Coryell/Hambridge/ Fleming tune "Sugar Lips" and the self-

penned tune "Music Sets You Free." The only blues cover blues song in the performance is Lowell Fulson's "Love Her With A Feeling" with both superb guitar solos from Bill Foster and saxophone solos from Stacey Waterous. Coryell sparks audience participation on the song "What's Going On" recorded by both Marvin Gaye and Donnie Hathaway. The live CD concludes with Coryell's lively song "The Blues Is Taking Its Place" and the classic Coryell/Hambridge tune "Closer To You Baby."

The live video show in the package includes Murali on guitar and vocals, Dorian Randolph on drums and vocals, Henry Oden on bass, and Dave Fleschner on keyboards. He doubles on the CD/DVD with the tunes "Sugar Lips, "In The Room With Jimi," and "The Blues Is Taking Its Place." He brings in some funk to the video with the Coryell/Hambridge song "Minor Funk." Murali performs more of his own material with tunes like "Calling From Another Phone," the blues shuffle "Please Please Baby, "The Same Thing," featuring Dave Fleschner on keyboards, and the rockin' blues tune "Way Too Expensive."

The show ends with an energetic version of Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home To Me." What makes a Murali Coryell live show so spirited is the creativity that he brings to the stage. He has the ability to draw his audience into the performance, making his show an incredible night of entertainment. The CD/DVD Murali Coryell Live brings that experience of seeing and listening to Murali live to his listeners who have not had the pleasure to actually see a live performance.

Review by Rick Davis

The Inaugural Rockford Field of Blues Festival is partially supported by a grant from the Rockford Area Arts Council which receives support from the City of Rockford, the Illinois Arts Council and its members.

Crossroads Blues Society Newsletter Blues With A Mood Big Bill Morganfield Black Shuck Music www.bigbillmorganfield.com 11 tracks/47:56 Big Bill Morganfield, Muddy Waters' son for those of you that do not know this, has a new CD “Blues With A Mood”. This year, being the 100th anniversary of Muddy's birth, is a proper for “Blues With A Mood”. Morganfield has put together 11 songs that hit hard on the blues genre and the the greats such as Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Robert Johnson and of course Muddy Waters. Bill has included 7 tracks that he wrote for the CD and features Eddie Taylor Jr., Colin Linen and Bob Margolin on guitar. Augie Meyers treats us with his fine piano playing on a bunch of the tracks while Tom “Mookie” Brill handles the bass work in a strong style. Chuck Cotton joins in with the drum line , Jim Horn wails away on sax as “Doc” Malone blows stand out harp on 4 tracks. This is a powerful group of musicians for any recording.

The opening tune is Bill's strong rendition of Muddy's tune “Look What You Done”.

His take on this song is not just a copy cat version of the tune. Morganfield's vocals take a different road by being a little softer hitting but still retaining a real strong blue feeling to the song. This track really becomes a standout as Steve Guyger jumps in with an awesome harmonica solo as Clark Stern adds his piano playing to the mix. Add the guitars of Bob Margolin and Brian Bisesi to make this really a well done blues tune.

Morganfield's lyric takes us into “Money's Getting Cheaper” which is a tale of the times in the present economy. Telling the story with his lyrics such as, “A dollar feels like a quarter and two seem like 50cents” and “if things get worse I'll be in the welfare line” is truly the blues. On this track we get the feel of Big Bill's awesome guitar work as he plays searing solos played with feeling and emotion. Meyers' piano playing is highlighted along with a fine guitar solo from Eddie Taylor Jr. This track is really another statement of the blues. Throwing some humor into the mix of things, Morganfield has penned “No Butter For My Grits” This story of searching the neighborhood , stores and just about everywhere else for butter for his grits is a good tale.

Even I know that you need butter for your grits. This is fun song but it is the blues.

“Doc” Malone blows some really great harp on this track.

Morganfield has filled “Blues With A Mood” with 11 tunes that all take a different path

Page 12 along the blues highway. His vocals have qualities that include the roughness of the blues as well a velvet smoothness on some tunes. His guitar work just screams out blues with open spaces that make you listen for more. This man is really a “Son Of The Blues” as the final tune pours out a deep story of a blues man taking the road of the blues as his father did. Big Bill did a swell job writing this one. “Blues With A Mood” is a powerful statement for Big Bill Morganfield that he has paid his dues and will keep the blues alive and well.

Reviewed by Harmonica Joe Poluyanskis This River JJ Grey & Mofro Alligator Records www.jjgrey.com 10 tracks/47:58 Raised in Jacksonville, FL, JJ Grey made his record debut in 2001 with Blackwater. "The River" is his sixth studio album. The album is named for the St. John's River near his hometown. Many of his songs portray his love for the North Florida wilderness. Although he doesn't consider himself an environmentalist, Grey works with multiple water and game conservation groups. Most tracks were recorded live at a studio in Saint Augustine and at Grey's home studio named, "The Egg Room".

Many of Grey's songs have appeared in film and television including "House", "Crash", "Flashpoint" and "The Hoot". In 2009, he wrote his first film score for the Emmy Award winning documentary, "The Good Soldier".

Grey has toured on four continents and shared stages with The Allman Brothers, BB King, Ben Harper, Jeff Beck, Mavis Staples, Booker T. Jones, to name a few. When asked about his past or future plans, he's quoted as saying, "I'm just a salmon swimming upstream. Going back home, I reckon. I don't know why and I quit caring why a long time ago. I guess there is no 'why' that my mind could understand anyway. All I do know is that I've enjoyed and I'm still enjoying every second of just being here and doing whatever it is I'm doing."

"The River" is a relatively long album, nearly 50 minutes, with most songs five minutes or more in length. There are lots of different instruments at work on this album along with various vocals. In my opinion, the best tracks are "The Ballad of Larry Webb", a song about a man who found joy in spite of his unenviable simple life and the title track with its minimalist guitar and

soulful lyrics about the healing power of Grey's beloved river.

Produced by Dan Prothero and JJ Grey All tracks except "On The Edge" written and arranged by JJ Grey JJGrey: Lead and Backing Vocals, Electric Guitar, Harmonica, Tambourine, Bass, Acoustic 6- & 12-String Guitar Andrew Trube: Electric Guitar, Lap Steel Guitar, Acoustic Guitar Anthony Farrell: Organ, Piano, Clavinet, Electric Guitar Todd Smallie: Bass Anthony Cole: Drums, Organ Art Edmaiston: Tenor and Baritone Sax Dennis Marion: Trumpet Stan Lynch: Special Guest Shaker Reviewed by Diane Mandell I’m A Bluesman Billy Jones Bluez American Blues Recording Company www.livebluesworld .com/profile/ billyjonesbluez 7 tracks/34:12 Billy Jones is a 49 year old bluesman from North Little Rock, AR. He started his musical interest as a little boy playing with a toy plastic guitar his grandfather gave him. Jones started playing real guitar by 5th or 6th grade and was accomplished enough by age 14 that he began playing gigs and traveling with other established musicians. By his twenties he had his own band and played to troops at military installments in 42 states for nearly a decade. His first album was released in 2004. His second album, "My Hometown", released in 2007, was ranked #6 by Real Blues Magazine in their top 100 CDs list.

Produced by Theophilus Jones Jr with most words and music also by Theophilus Jones Jr, Billy Jones Bluez is: Billy Jones, guitar, vocals, Corey Bray, keyboards, Derrick "Do Dirty" Kendrick's, bass, and Rickey "Quicksand" Martin. Also on album: Palmalee Byrd, bass and Reginald "the Professional" Hammeth on drums The musician some describe as reclusive does not have a lot of personal trivia available on the web. Jones has said he wants his blues to be modern enough to appeal to today's music listeners. The album uses simple, street lyrics about growing up in the ghetto, the blues and love relationships. Many of the tracks are layered with synthesizer special effects and backgrounds. My favorite tracks are "The Iceman" with its boogie keyboards and Jones' vocals reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix and "Do Right Baby" also with boogie keyboards and nice guitar riffs.

Reviewed by Diane Mandell

Crossroads Blues Society Newsletter Who Ya Kiddin’ Jimmy Nick & Don't Tell Mama Jimmy Nick Music www.jimmynick.com 5 tracks Now twenty-something, Jimmy Nick started playing in Chicago blues clubs at age 16. Suburban NightLife Magazine voted the group the best band under 21 in 2006 and 2007. Since then he's shared the stage with the likes of John Mayall, Ted Nugent, Savoy Brown, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Los Lonely Boys. Jimmy has also been a finalist in the 2012 Chicago Blues Guitar Slinger Challenge and the winner of the 2012 Illinois Blues Challenge. The band's first album, "Whiskey N' Rain", was released in 2011 with "Who Ya Kiddin'" their next offering.

Produced by Jim Goffron, Ben Thompson and Joel Bauer, this was recorded and mixed at Gretsch Studios, Elmhurst, IL. Along with Jimmy Nick Goffron on vocals, guitar and blues harp are Ben Thompson on tenor saxophone, background vocals, Lowell Todd on bass and Joel Baer on drums and background vocals The five tracks are rocking, high-energy blues with plenty of harp, sax and guitar.

The third track "Somebody Been Eating My Sweet Potato Pie" has great guitar riffs, sax rolls, and lyrics about the storyteller's feeling that someone else has been fooling around with his woman while he's been gone. Another track, "If You Don't Like My Cookin'...(Get The Hell Outta' My Kitchen) has ample harp and sax complementing the driving guitar. I'm sure we'll be hearing more from these "new" guys in the future!

Reviewed by Diane Mandell Tough Times Don't Last Grady Champion Shady Grady Music www.gradychampion.com 12 tracks/49:34 The youngest of 28 children, Champion was raised on a farm in rural Canton, Mississippi, near Jackson. He began singing gospel in the church choir at eight years old. After graduation he moved to Florida and played in blues clubs before recording his first album in 1998. A 2010 International Blues Challenge Winner and 2012 Blues Music Award Nominee, "Tough Times Don't Last" is his seventh album release.

Page 13 Champion's lyrics tell of hard times tempered with hope for a better tomorrow.

The album is a nice mix of blues, gospel, R&B and pop. "Glory Train" is rich with piano and harmonica and gospel-like lyrics, " ...Sometime this old world can make you feel you life's a life in vain. Never mind how you feel....the conductor will welcome you aboard this glory train."

Grady Champion is featured on Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica, Joining him are Caleb Armstrong: Guitar, String Arrangements, Production, Granard McClendon, Nathan Keck, Chris Gill: Guitar, Marquis Champion: Bass Guitar, Lil Cal Jackson: Drums, Larry Addison: Piano, Kevin Culver, Steve Wilkerson: Keyboards, Amy Lott: Clarinet, and Thomasine Anderson: Background Vocals.

My favorite track is "Mississippi Pride" with its folksy feel, sweet yearning harmonica, and lyrics about Champion's Mississippi childhood. The title track, "Tough Times Don't Last" has a nice clarinet solo that catches the ear. The surprise track is "What Would Christmas Be Without You?" which is definitely a refreshing switch from the usual holiday tunes. Certainly enough going on throughout the album to warrant a listen.

Reviewed by Diane Mandell Split Second Nicole Hart & Anni Piper Blues Leaf Records www.nicolehart.com www.annipiper.com www.bluesleaf.com 12 tracks/52:17 Although Nicole and Anni had never met before this recording, Blues Leaf Records brought Nicole from Florida, Anni from Australia, Juke Joint Jonny from California, and a host of other musicians together in New Jersey to create this collaboration. Both Nicole and Anni signed with the record label in 2008 and have released solo albums since then.

Nicole jokes she's been singing since the doctor took her out of her mama and spanked her for air, "....that was my first high note!" With her father's model as an opera singer, Nicole began singing church soprano as a young girl. Later she sang harmony in Capella madrigal groups and choruses.

Anni began playing electric guitar at 12.

She became a devoted musician at 14

when she received her first bass. She attributes her blues direction initially to the Paul Butterfield Blues Band when she first heard the band play "Born in Chicago".

Featured here are Nicole Hart on vocals and Anni Piper on bass and vocals. Ron Rauso plays electric guitar, Juke Joint Jonny is on acoustic guitar and dobro, Sandy Mack plays harp, Sim Cain is on drums and John Ginty handle the keyboards.

Another relatively long album, this one is definitely a keeper! Great female vocals and harmonies, blues harp by 2010 Blues Hall of Fame inductee, Sandy Mack, and a host of other musicians, combine their talents to create a great album you can listen to over and over again (I've listened to it at least 20 times so far in the past month).

Although I'm a fan of every single track, some of my favorites are the fresh takes of oldie-goldies hits like Roy Orbison's 1962 "Dream Baby" and the Everly Brothers 1961 "Walk Right Back". Nicole's soulful original song "Listen to the Rain Fall" is another absolute favorite. In a male-dominated business, it is always a treat to listen to women who can deliver the blues. Highly, highly recommended.

Reviewed by Diane Mandell

Crossroads Blues Society Supports the Blues Foundation and the “Raise the Roof!” Campaign for the Blues Hall of Fame

May-June 2013

Page 14 All In Sena Erhardt Blind Pig Records www,senaehrhardt.com 11 Tracks The Sena Erhardt band is creating quite a stir in the blues world with the release of their second CD All In, which was mixed, recorded, and produced by Jim Gaines at Bessie Blue Studios in Tennessee. The multi-Grammy Award winner Jim Gaines has worked with rock and blues artists like Santana, Luther Allison, Albert Collins, George Thorogood, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Sena recently shared some insight into the band’s first experience of working with Jim Gaines. “I had the good fortune of recording this album at Bessie Blue Studios in Tennessee with Jim Gaines. The gifts of his experience, insights and vision were so inspiring. In the stripped back setting of a country hometurned studio, Jim made the music the star, and helped bring the best performances out of all the musicians on the album. There were no pretenses—it was just about the songs and the stories behind them. I feel honored to have worked with such a legend and gentleman.”

The lineup remains the same regardless of whether they are in the studio or on the road. Ed Ehrhardt, Sena’s father, handles lead guitar, Steve Hansen is on bass, and Tim Hasler is the drummer for this solid, tight blues band, matching the vigor, drive, and intensity of Sena’s vocals and stage presence.

Seven of the eleven songs are originals written by Sena and her dad Ed on the new CD. They open with the heavy-duty original tune “Buried Alive.” Sena’s powerful voice combines with Ed’s blistering guitar solos. Sena’s vocals are straight from the heart on the Bert Russell R&B classic “Cry To Me” first released by Solomon Burke in 1962. The funky title track “All In” offers the convincing lyrics “either you are all in or I’m out.” Be prepared for fireworks on the Tom Hambridge/Gary Nicholson tune “I Want To Get You Back.”

Sena’s vocals are as explosive as Ed’s guitar solos. Listening to Sena sing the Jessie Mae Robinson tune “Cold Cold Feeling” will make your veins run cold.

The song was done originally by T-Bone Walker and later by Albert Collins. Ed Ehrhardt is magnificent as he delivers his guitar solos on this one. “Live and Learn,” another original, mixes in elements of blues and jazz guitar into one song. The next original “Man Up” is a hard driven

rock “n” roll tune. “Storm’s Coming” starts as a slow blues number and builds to some ferocious guitar solos from Ed. They follow up with the original “Baby Valentine” which expresses the maturity of Sena’s voice as well as any tune on the CD. The fourth cover song “So Excited,” written by B.B. King/Gerald Jemmott, is a perfect song for the band particularly with Sena’s sultry voice and Ed’s Riley B. King guitar style. The original closing song, “Dreamin’ Or Dyin,” is a slow, soulful ballad simmered with just a hint of country adding a nice finishing touch to the album.

This second album shows a tremendous about of creativity and versatility by a relatively new blues band with a rapid ascent to the top. The Sena Ehrhardt band is well on their way to achieving the notoriety they so richly deserve. This is one great band to watch in the future.

Reviewed by Rick Davis Robert Randolph Presents the Slide Brothers The Slide Brothers Concord Records www.slidebrothers.com 11 tracks Listening to Sacred Steel in and of itself can be a religious experience. Born in the House of God Church over 80 years ago, Robert Randolph is the most familiar of the standard bearers for this musical tradition and here he has brought together the preeminent men who are keeping this wonderful music form alive and thriving.

Calvin Cooke, Aubrey Ghent, Chuck Campbell and Darick Campbell are the Slide Brothers. They were all raised in the Church of the Living God and when you listen to this album you can see that some form of almighty power is motivating these guys to levels of stratospheric musical genius. Phil Campbell also sits in for some of the tracks on guitar as does Robert Randolph on guitar and slides.

The album opens with “Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’,” an Allman Brothers anthem that Duane and Dickey would amaze audiences with their dual slide prowess. Here the Campbell Brothers fill that role with Calvin Cooke providing the vocals. The lap steel sound adds an almost nasal sort of cool inflection to the high end notes and the slide slips and maneuvers over the strings. The two guitars flirt with the heavens as they wail out this great tune; it is a highly charged and emotional ride.

Things slow down for George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” but the emotions remain

high. Jimmy Carter’s vocals are in a great praise mode and then Aubrey testifies as the Campbells continue their guitar onslaught. Marvelous! Ghent and Cooke then wail on “Sunday School Blues” as Ghent sings and growls out this piece.

Then the Campbells perform a an almost mystical instrumental version of “Wade In The Water.” If God is not motivating and influencing these guys then I do not know what is because this was a truly amazing piece of work. Shemekia Copeland fronts the band and Randolph takes up the sacred steel for “Praise You.” Robert’s brother Marcus adds some cool dobro and Jason Crosby’s organ really churches this one up nicely as Robert and Shemekia both exit our Earth’s atmosphere.

Cooke fronts the Campbell’s in “It Hurts Me Too,” the classic Elmore James cut.

James would appreciate how these guys handle this song as the same guys also later cover his “The Sky Is Cryin’.”James influenced all the blues rockers along with these Sacred Steel masters and these two cuts are a beautiful homage to Elmore.

Ghent and Cooke sing and play “Catch That Train,” singing together and in a call and response; so simple a set of lyrics and yet such a moving piece. The Campbells manipulate the strings for the traditional “Motherless Children” as Drew Ramsey and Shannon Sanders sing. The guitars really steal the show from the vocals on this. Cooke does his own tune “Help Me Make It Through,” with just him playing and singing with a regular guitar and drums providing a backbeat. Extraordinary stuff; the slide and vocals trade off in fronting this. The CD closes with “No Cheap Seats In Heaven” as Ghent sings to testify behind his glorious guitar, hand claps and Lori Ghent’s and Drew Shannon’s backing vocals.

If you are new to Sacred Steel then this can serve as your primer. You can learn all about the various forms and uses of slide guitar in sacred and secular songs.

Transforming the traditional, popular and church songs into whirling dervishes of superlative musical sounds where the guitar takes on a voice of it’s own. This is not the SRV or Duane Allman sort of slide work, it is Nashville and the churches of the deep South sort of slide. Randolph brings us his friends and mentors on a super album of music that will inspire the listener while also completely entertaining them. The lines of sacred and secular blur, but even the most adamant atheist will be moved in some way here. Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Steve Jones

Crossroads Blues Society Newsletter

Top Blues Releases March 2013 Sunday Morning Blues WKGL-FM 96.7 The Eagle Rockford, IL The Cash Box Kings / Black Toppin' / Blind Pig Boz Scaggs / Memphis / 429 Records Andrew Jr. Boy Jones / I Know What It's Like / 43rd Big Idea Records Steve Freund / Come On In This House / 9 Below Productions Doug MacLeod / There's a Time / Reference Recordings Bobby Rush / Down in Louisiana / Deep Rush Big Bill Morganfield / Blues with a Mood / Black Shuck James Harman's Bamboo Porch / Live at "Little Village" / Gulf Coast Various Artists / Homeward Bound: A Loving Tribute to John-Alex Mason / Homeward Bound 4 Jacks / Deal with It / Eller Soul Hadden Sayers / Rolling Soul / Blue Corn Music Joe Filisko & Eric Noden / Missed Train Blues / Filisko-Noden The Fabulous Thunderbirds / On the Verge / Severn Eric Clapton / Old Sock / Bushbranch - Surf Dog Arthur Big Boy Crudup / Sunny Road / Delmark Sena Ehrhardt / All In / Blind Pig JJ Grey & Mofro / The River / Alligator Frank Bey with the Anthony Paule Band / You Don't Know Nothing / Blue Dot Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials / Jump Start / Alligator This list is submitted to Living Blues Magazine for inclusion in the March 2013 National Radio Chart. This list is compiled from actual radio air play statistics. WKGL-FM broadcasts 2 hours of the blues per week.

Rich Gordon Sunday Morning Blues WKGL-FM 96.7 The Eagle 3901 Brendenwood Road Rockford, IL 61107 Crossroads Blues Society Officers and Board Members Contact Info President: Steve Jones Vice-President: Karl Dahlin Secretary: Bonnie Fox Treasurer: Al McNary Board of Directors: Denny Barker Rick Davis Rich Gordon Bob Haendler Terry Keller

sub_insignia@yahoo.com baile12@t6wireless.com bonitafx@gmail.com agm22@hotmail.com harkthebark@mchsi.com rick_davis_937@comcast.net usblue5@aol.com rhaendler@comcast.net terry@markpack.com

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www.thebluesblast.com The free internet blues magazine!

Crossroads Blues Society P.O. Box 722 Freeport, IL 61032 On the web at: www.crossroadsbluessociety.com/ Our blogs: News: http://crossroadsbluessociety. blogspot.com/ Music Reviews: http://crossroadsreviews.blogspot.com/ Field of Blues Festival: http://fieldofblues.blogspot.com/ Byron Crossroads Blues Festival: http://byroncrossroadsbluesfestival.blogspot.com/ Email us at: sub_insignia@yahoo.com

Keeping the Blues Alive

Blues on Local Radio WNIJ - 89.5 FM Friday evenings from 9 PM to midnight with Jerald Fitzpatrick 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

July: Working on a show with IBC winner Selwyn Birchwood for the 10th. August: the 4th Annual Byron Crossroads Blues

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

May: BITS and an evening show with Bobby Messano May 3rd at the Adriatic (8 PM). May 18th we had Navy Blues Band Horizon for Armed Forces Day at the Bryon American Legion, but that got cancelled due to the sequestration cancelling all band travel. May 24th we have the hottest female blues guitarist in the world coming to the Adriatic for one show at 9 PM. Tickets are $20 in advanced and are selling like hot cakes! Get one before we sell out!

June: Dave Fields returns to Rockford for a Wednesday night show at the Adriatic on June 12th. June 22md we have our inaugural Field of Blues Festival at Aviators Stadium. $10 advanced tickets are available at the Aviator’s Stadium Box Office, the Adriatic Bar, Kryptonite Bar, CD Source, Toad Hall Records, Just Goods Store, Guzzardo’s Music, Cumulus Broadcasting, and by mail and on line, too.

Membership Application

Name_____________________________________________ Phone_____________________________________________ Street Address___________________________________ City________________ State______ Zip Code________ Email Address____________________________________ Festival is Sat., Aug 24th from Noon to 11 PM. $7 advanced tickets.

Sep/Oct: Fall BITS are in the works with Gerry Hundt and Ronnie Shellist for September 25th, We hope to have Eric Noden and Joe Filisko back for two days of BITS on October.

Lots of great stuff is in the works- keepin’ the blues alive!

New -orSend newsletter by:

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mail

This will be a membership for an: individual ($15) -or-

family ($25)

Please cut out or copy and mail this form and payment to: Crossroads Blues Society Bring this to P.O. Box 722 our next meeting Freeport, IL 61032 and get a free CD!

Special Inaugural Field of Blues Festival Section and hear how a great blues player can make a guitar weep…Lil’ Ed is a blues master at the top of his game.”

Welcome to the Inaugural Field of Blues Festival! Here is some biographical information about our superb acts.

The headline act is Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials. From working at Chicago’s Red Carpet Car Wash to appearing on national television, from gigging at the smallest ghetto blues bars to performing on the biggest international concert stages, master bluesman Lil’ Ed Williams has come a long way. Mixing smoking slide guitar boogies and raw-boned Chicago shuffles with the deepest slowburners, Lil’ Ed and his blistering Blues Imperials – bassist James “Pookie” Young, guitarist Mike Garrett and drummer Kelly Littleton – deliver the blues, from gloriously riotous and rollicking to intensely emotional and moving. Not since the heyday of Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers has a blues band made such a consistently joyful noise. Currently celebrating 24 rip-roaring years together, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials ply their musical talents with skills that have been honed to a razor’s edge. As much a family as a band, Lil’ Ed, Pookie, Mike and Kelly have outlasted sports stars and presidents, musical fads and fashion trends. And together, they continue to make blues history with each and every performance and new recording. The band won the prestigious Blues Music Award for Band Of The Year in both 2007 and 2009 and also took home the Best Live Band Award in the 2011 Living Blues Critics’ Poll. Blues Revue said, “Listen

Delmark Records are celebrating their 60th Anniversary and we have three hot acts from their stable of blues artists coming out to our festival. Two men with roots back to the heyday of Chicago Blues will be coming out to pay tribute to them. Willie Buck and Tail Dragger will perform in the Muddy Waters vs. Howlin’ Wolf Tribute with Rockin’ Johnny Burgin and his band backing them up. Blues vocalist Willie Buck was born in 1937 in the small town of Houston, Mississippi. Willie performed on what became known as the "Chittlin Circuit" bouncing between Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, North & South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Shortly after developing his reputation, Willie migrated to Chicago in 1953 where he truly immersed himself in the Chicago Blues scene and became a real force on "Maxwell Street". Willie Buck has been leading his own bands for over 40 years. Willie was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in Chicago in the summer of 2004. James Yancy Jones, aka Tail Dragger, was born in Altheimer, AR, in 1940. He was brought up by his grandparents and was influenced as a child by the electric Chicago blues of Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, and especially Chester Burnett, the Howlin' Wolf. Jones was a Howlin' Wolf devotee, right down to his deep, gruff voice. After moving to Chicago in the '60s, he began playing with

June 22, 2013

Keeping the Blues Alive

blues legends on the West Side and South Side. It was Howlin' Wolf who gave Jones the title "Tail Dragger" because of his habit of showing up late to gigs. When Jones first appeared on the Chicago blues circuit he was known as Crawlin' James. A number of local West Side and South Side blues artists, including Hubert Sumlin, Carey Bell, Eddie Shaw, Mack Simmons, and Willie Kent, got their start playing in Tail Dragger's bands. The two together enjoy the backing of guitarist Johnny Burgin, who came to Chicago from South Carolina to attend the University of Chicago, and earned the name "Rockin' Johnny" as a DJ at the college radio station WHPK. Rockin' Johnny began playing in the ghetto clubs of Chicago's West Side with blues singer Tail Dragger, and then began touring nationally as a sideman with former Howlin' Wolf drummer Sam Lay and blues piano legend Pinetop Perkins. After learning from the masters, he put his own band together. The Rockin' Johnny Band plays vintage Chicago blues, but also is known for a wide repertoire which ventures into Stax style soul, swing, and lots of originals that are harder to classify. On stage, the band performs with spontaneity and fun, always showcasing fantastic guitar playing. The band consists of true veterans: Rick Kreher (rhythm guitar) played rhythm guitar with Muddy Waters for four years; John Sefner (bass) was formerly with Studebaker John and Eddie Kirkland; and Steve Bass (drums) also plays with Chicago blues legend Eddy Clearwater.

bass. Dave and the band take traditional urban Westside Chicago into a new direction with this superb lineup. They have picked up their touring schedule and are always in demand here in the US and in Europe!

One thing missing from Lil’ Ed’s bio is that his co-conspirator in Westside and slide guitar and original band member was a guy named Dave Weld. As a child Weld heard the blues on old records and determined that he would become a professional musician. While studying in New Mexico, he was tutored on guitar by Kurt Black. He teamed up with the Hound Dogs, the legacy band of Hound Dog Taylor, which featured Brewer Phillips and Ted Harvey. He also worked at one point with the Howlin’ Wolf legacy band. In the mid-70s, Weld was back in Chicago where he interviewed J.B. Hutto for an article for Living Blues magazine. He extended his knowledge of blues guitar by taking tuition from Hutto, eventually becoming especially adept as a slide player. He also met up with fellow slide guitarist Lil Ed Williams, a nephew and also a pupil of Hutto’s. Weld, Williams and James Young, another of Hutto’s nephews, started playing together as Little Ed And The Blues Imperials in some of Chicago’s least salubrious blues clubs. In the late 80s, Weld led a band he named the Imperial Flames, touring internationally. In the 90s, Weld and Williams sometimes teamed up as their band was in demand and was frequently booked into leading Chicago blues clubs.

Weld received rave reviews for his appearance at the 1997 Weld made his first visit to the UK where he was very successful. Caring for a terminally ill relative has limited Dave’s ability to effectively tour but it also shows the heart and compassion of this great musician. The current band is staffed by veteran sax player Abb Locke (who has toured and played with all the Chicago greats and the Rolling Stones), the smooth voiced Jeff Taylor on drums , the sexy tones of Monica Mhyre on vocals, and the everfunky Dave Kaye on

Growing up in the shadows Chicago's blues mecca, Theresa's Lounge, had a lasting effect on Toronzo Cannon. As a kid, Toronzo would listen to the raw, soulful sounds of legends like Junior Wells, Buddy Guy and Muddy Waters. "It wasn't just the music that got me, but the effect on the people. I knew right then, that was what I was gonna do." These experiences led him to pick up his first guitar as a teenager and begin to learn to sing and play the sounds he heard. Inspired by the three Kings (Freddie, B.B. and Albert), a little Hendrix and some 70's R&B/Soul, Toronzo soon developed his own sound. "If I wasn’t gigging I was hitting every jam session I could find. I couldn’t get enough." It was during this time that he developed his own powerful, gospel-flavored vocal style and electrifying stage presence. After playing rhythm guitar with local artists like Wayne Baker Brooks and Joanna Connor, Toronzo decided to form his own band, The Cannonball Express. He immediately was in demand, playing some of Chicago’s greatest blues venues and then clubs and festivals nationwide. This will be a funky, energyfilled set.

Aaron Williams and the HooDoo formed as a trio in May of 2008; Aaron Williams (Vocals, Guitar), Eric Shackelford (Drums, Vocals) and Z (Bass, Vocals) have the blues deeply rooted in the music they love to play. The trio all met while Aaron was hosting a blues jam at the now defunct club, The Cuda Café in Madison. Word spread quickly beyond their hometown and the trio began to tour all over the Midwest playing sold out shows in North Dakota, Illinois and Indiana. As the band continues to grow musically they’ve fused blues, roots and rock music into and original sound that a growing fan base is recognizing and following. Aaron, like so many other determined young player’s had a veteran musician to learn the craft from, none other then his father, Hammond organist, Cadillac Joe Andersen. Cadillac Joe, noticing his kid’s prowess for the blues signed him on for his next project, The Cadillac Joe Blues Band.

Touring the Midwest extensively with his father, Aaron was able to learn the craft and business of music. With the stock rising on the Cadillac Joe Blues Band, one of the top blues clubs in the Midwest, Luther Blues in Madison, took them on as their house band.

This gave Aaron a large following and he was able to play with some of the foremost blues players in the world. Shemekia Copeland, Coco Montoya, Jimmy Thackery, Carey Bell, Lil’ Ed, Anthony Gomes, Ana Popovic, Taj Mahal, Canned Heat and the list goes on. Aaron Williams and the Hoo-

doo’s music is unwavering, filtering blues, soul, roots, and rock through a prism of emotional authenticity. What emerges isn’t a reinvention of the wheel, rather something undeniable, and the very definition of a force of nature.

It’s real American music at its core and at its best.

Opening the day will be a firm favourite in Auckland’s Blues scene (as in Auckland, New Zealand), as well as at national and international festivals, The Flaming Mudcats are a band that is well versed on what it takes to please a crowd, exhibiting levels of professionalism and musicianship that makes it easy to become a dedicated fan. The pieces don’t just fit together seamlessly, they belong together. Craig Bracken (Vocals & Harmonica), Doug Bygrave (Guitar), Ian Thomson (Drums) and Sean McCarthy (Bass Guitar) are a rip snortin', fire breathin' outfit that puts heart and soul into every note they play. Often gritty, sometimes raw, they hold nothing back and play the blues like they had no choice in the matter. Tinged with hints of Little Walter, George 'Harmonica' Smith, Magic Sam and Jimmie Vaughan, the ensemble lays down deep grooves marked by solos with an innate swing that is always impressive. The Mudcats ooze personality, and pull off the tricky task of playing tribute to their heroes without slavishly ripping them off. While their music may sound vintage, their attitude is definitely current. They confidently move through different components of the blues — shuffles, soul, funk, four on the floor rock and roll and low down blues. Harmonica, incorporated with Jimmie Vaughan and Ike Turner-inspired guitar licks is backed by the band’s hard working rhythm section (who are neither too loud or too showy. The Flaming Mudcats mission is to smile in your face and then kick you in the ass, musically speaking. They succeed.

Audiences have bruises to prove it!

Between sets the illustrious Steve Ditzell will be featured to entertain the crowds. A blues guitarist with an inborn knack for timing and phrasing, Steve Ditzell has performed consistently since 1976. He started out in Chicago where he performed on the Blues Stage at the Chicago Fest, and went on to tour the U.S. and Canada with Fenton Robinson Band.

He then joined Koko Taylor & her Blues Machine and toured Mexico with Son Seals, Willie Dixon, Blind John Davis, and Muddy Waters and was later the lead guitarist for Big Mama Thornton & the Jay McShann Jazz Orchestra in New York City's Carnegie Hall. Ditzell once again toured the U.S. and Canada, with the Junior Wells and Buddy Guy blues band and played festivals with Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Junior Wells.

He toured Brazil with Junior Wells, Albert Collins, and Buddy Guy and frequenty gigged with Junior Wells during the '90s. Ditzell also formed his own band in the ‘90s, the Blue Lightning Band, where most of his recent time and work have been focused. The ultimate buitar player, Rockford loves this multiple RAMI award nominee and winner.

The Crossroads Blues Society is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that primarily raises funds in order to host Blues In The Schools (BITS) programs in the greater Rockford area of northern Illinois. These programs are fully funded by CBS and there is absolutely no cost to area schools for these programs. BITS is a nationally acclaimed cultural and musical appreciation program that helps students under-

stand the rural and urban AfricanAmerican culture. Age appropriate content is formatted to deliver high quality learning experiences that meet the goals and fulfill the mission of Blues In The Schools, Inc. Based on this premise, this program was developed to suit the needs of students in a variety of settings from organizations to schools. Crossroads works to raise funds through membership, donations and festivals. Crossroads collect annual dues from members who share our conviction to keep the blues alive.

Thank you to all of our sponsors, who are shown on the next page. Our festival is supported with a grant from the Community Arts and Humanities Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois. The Community Foundation is the area’s largest provider of grants and scholarships. Its mission is to attract, grow, and preserve an endowment for Northern Illinois. Additionally, This program is partially supported by a grant from the Rockford Area Arts Council which receives support from the City of Rockford, the Illinois Arts Council and its members.

Platinum Sponsors

Local 1268

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Joe and Jeanette Geraghty Steve and Annette Jones Trish Rooney Service Security Technologies, Inc.

Bronze Sponsors Andrew Bieber Ken Blakely John and Pam Cappitelli Jim Deming Camille E. Einoder Kurt Foor Bob Haendler Chris Hill Jezebel Gourmet Bistro Jim and Sallie Krebs Brian Kobischka

Steve Leigh John Lundholm Ken Pearson Rock Valley Periodontics Mark Rodseth Bob Ruschman Norm and Piera Sagon Steve Simon Carl Swienton Jeff and Erica Wuslich