The Blues Report E-Zine (A Blues Underground Network Presentation)

The Blues Report E-Zine
A Blues _Underground Network Presentation

April 2009 Issue #89

New Subscribers Always Welcome

Opening Act Click Link or Scroll Down To Read Opening Act

Featured Canadian Blues Artist - Curley Bridges

Featured Non-Canadian Blues Artist - Pete Herzog

Featured Blues Video - Stevie Ray Vaughan & Albert King - Don't Lie To Me

Featured Blues Legend - Charlie Musselwhite

Featured Blues Essay - BluesWax Sittin' In With Cyril Neville

Blues Bands Spotlight - The Insomniacs

Featured Blues Podcast - Hambones' Blues Rumshack 34 Podcast

Blues Quote - This Issues Blues Quote is from Ma Rainey

Featured Blues Website - CanadianBlues (Canadianblues.ca is now back. New and improved!)

Opening Act

Hi Everyone,

...Well I must say I am glad to be back in the saddle again, so to speak. I know it has only been a short while but it seems like forever since the last Blues Report E-Zine. I must say though that the break was refreshing and it gave me the time needed to recharge the old creative juices.

Since our last correspondence, a few things have happened Network wise. I have softened up the main page of Blues Underground Network a little and have added a few topics etc., from the main page to my new project, The Blues Report Forum, previously called Blues Forum Canada.

Thanks to all that have joined up to date, appreciate it. The Blues Report Forum will contain all the future posts of The Blues Report Blog, Plus a few extra added Categories. Offering that info in a Forum also offers the opportunity to open up more discussion.

...Would like to send out a special hello and thanks to the many new subscribers on Twitter whom are now following me via Twitter, and also those new Facebook Friends whom are also following my Posts to my Blog and the Forum. I am quite amazed on how popular my postings have become on Twitter with approximately 10 new people a day signing up to follow them.

...Editorially Speaking

Is it just me or should The Blue Grotto, which calls itself "Kamloops Premier Rock and Blues Club", be thinking about changing it's name to simply "Kamloops Premier Rock Club".

In conversation with friends whom used to frequent the Venue more often, it became quite apparent to them that Blues was being offered far less than in the past. Recently looking over its Event Calender, it is obvious that Blues, which was solely responsible for reviving live music in Kamloops a few years back, may perhaps no longer be a priority. Sure the Club still brings in the odd great blues act, but when it was truly a Blues Venue, each and every weekend was a great blues act.

It is certainly kind of sad to see this kind of trend continue, especially when so much hard work was done in the past to bring Blues Music to the forefront in Kamloops.

For further discussion, follow this link to The Blues Report Forum http://bluesundergroundnetwork.com/Blues_Board/index.php?topic=134.0

As a sidenote I must say that for those individuals whom prefer live rock music, The Blue Grotto in Kamloops is the place to go. http://www.thebluegrotto.ca/

...Dawg FM Update

By way of an update, the CRTC hearing into our Ottawa station was adjourned until June 12, 2009. An update has been posted on our DAWG FM facebook group with more details, at this time we are hopeful that we will get our license to broadcast shortly as the CRTC is looking into other available frequencies.

www.bluesincanada.com is now streaming 24/7 Canadian Blues artists. Use the link on Bluesincanada.com to give our program Director feedback or to get your MP3 in his hands.

Please send a letter of support for our Halifax, Nova Scotia, Blues application at www.bluesincanada.com

OR you can send a letter of support directly to the CRTC by going to this link http://support.crtc.gc.ca/rapidscin/default.aspx?lang=en&applicant=2009-158

Then click on the application by Frank Torres OBCI – that’s our Blues application

...Lots of New Videos At Blues Underground Network @YouTube including Videos of Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Ray Charles, and BB King, Canned Heat, Stroudwater Blues, Santana, Jimmy Page & Aerosmith, Allman Brothers, Amberjack's Blues Jam, Lightnin' Hopkins, Bullfrog Brown, Willie Dixon, Taj Mahal, Eddie Clearwater, and Many More.

Blues Underground Network @YouTube now consists of over 260 great videos.

Weekend Warriors

Weekend Warrior Garry Ager has joined the stars of the big stage.
The stage that all stars shine forever.

Whether you're a Weekend Warrior or a full time Warrior we all end up as stars.

In Memory of Garry Ager

(Click Image To View Video)

This Month's Featured Submitted CD Artist Photo

Click Above Image To Check Out John Valenteyn's April 2009 Blues Picks At Maple Blues Online

New CD's Submitted To The Network

(Click Artist Link below to View additional CD and Artist Info)

The Maple Blues Revue - Live At Twisted Pine

The Maple Blues Revue is an assembly of Canadian blues veterans and award winners pieced together as the house band for the 2000 Canadian Maple Blues Awards ceremony. Collectively they are the recipients of over thirty Maple Blues Awards and countless nominations.

The Maple Blues Band was formed by its musical director and Downchild Blues Band’s bassist Gary Kendall in association with The Toronto Blues Society to be the house band at the 2000 Canadian “Maple Blues Awards” ceremony. To this day they continue to be part of that annual event. In 2004 they decided to branch out and perform at festivals and concerts as The Maple Blues Revue, adding vocalists Dawn Tyler Watson (2005 and 2007 Female Vocalist of the year), John Mays (2001, 2002 and 2004 Male Vocalist of the Year) and Chuck Jackson (1999 and 2007 Male Vocalist of the Year). The Maple Blues Revue hosts other Downchild veterans such as Michael Fonfara on piano and organ, Pat Kerry on tenor sax as well as front man Chuck Jackson. 2007 Juno award winner and multiple Maple Blues Award winner Fathead is represented by vocalist John Mays and sax man Al Lerman. Blues veterans Chris Murphy on baritone sax and Chris Whitely on trumpet round off the powerful horn section. Guitarist Teddy Leonard and Tom Bona on drums join Gary Kendall to complete the rhythm section.

The Maple Blues Awards have been recognizing achievements in blues music across Canada since 1999. Jeff Healey was a recipient of a Maple Blues life time achievement in 2001.

Dedicated to Canadian jazz blues and rock legend Jeff Healey, 1967 to 2008, sales of the CD will benefit the charity that Healey supported for years, The Daisy’s Eyes Cancer Fund.

The show was recorded May 19th, 2008 at the Twisted Pines Music and Arts Festival in Penetanguishene, Ontario. The CD and performance captures Canada’s finest blues vocalists driven by one of the strongest blues bands the country has to offer.

L.R. Phoenix & Mr. Mo'Hell - Wrecked

I really don't know how the musicians in Europe especially those in countries bordering the Sea of Finland, have managed to take the Genre of Blues, which some of us can safely say, has in some cases become a little to complicated, and offer a much leaner, cleaner, and I think more closer ideal of how the Blues was originally meant to be played like. Such is the case when it comes to L.R. Phoenix & Mo'Hell newest album, "Wrecked".

"Wrecked" is simply a brilliant representation of the old Blues, played in a simply manner with just a Guitar, Drums, and the good old Harmonica thrown in for good measure. The beat on this Album is infectious, the music and vocals are crisp and clear. If your head in not bobbing and your feet tapping from the opening track, you are simply not awake yet.

In the tradition of Bullfrog Brown, another 2 piece group from the same area, whom I have called the “The New Voice and Sound of the Old Blues.”, L.R. Phoenix & Mo'Hell also carry the torch that will continue to light the way for the old blues for a long time to come.

If you are not familiar with L.R. Phoenix & Mo'Hell, please do yourself a favor and give them a listen.

Favorite Tracks: All Of Them, Especially "Wrecked"

I give "Wrecked" a 5 Star Recommendation

Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)

Mark "Guitar" Miller - Whatcha Gonna Do & Naked Soul

Mark "Guitar" Miller takes the blues to another level with this sophomore release. Mark was joined by his good friend Brad Delp for some fabulous lead and background vocals, which perfectly match Miller’s singing and superb guitar playing.

Tracklist (Whatcha Gonna Do!)

1 My Mojo Ain't Workin 2 Nothin but the Blues 3 Tired 4 Whatcha Gonna Do 5 Goin' Down By the River 6 Blue Bird Flies - Live
7 Dance With Me All Night Long 8 Keep Your Little Red Dress On 9 Me and My Guitar 10 Dream Land 11 Guitar Man 12 Love Knows

Tracklist (Naked Soul)

1 Make My Guitar Talk Talk Talk to You 2 Pick It Up 3 Everyday I Got The Blues 4 Back To Memphis 5 Old Gray Ford
6 Motherless Children 7 It Has To Rain To Make A Rainbow 8 Trouble 9 You're A Rain Maker 10 Ain't Got The Blues The Blues Got Me
11 True Love 12 Right Man 13 Naked Soul

notes

As we have just released Mark's latest CD, "Whatcha Gonna Do!", he wanted to include the dedication from the CD here: "This CD is dedicated to my good friend, Brad Delp, June 12, 1951 - March 9, 2007, whom I call the King of Kindness. He was kind enough to drive from New Hampshire to Maine twice to sing on this CD with me. Brad was one of the greatest singers in the world. We'll miss you, my friend."

Brad Delp said, “Mark 'Guitar' Miller is one of the best bluesmen in the country”. As lead singer for Boston, he’d seen a lot of players, so he had some basis for his opinion. Mark played guitar for Brad for three years on Brad's solo project, which, in the end, was never released. Nevertheless, Brad later reciprocated by traveling to Maine twice to lend his distinctive voice to many tracks on Mark’s "Whatcha Gonna Do!" CD project. Mark’s fans in northern New England will agree with Delp, Mark Miller has been the region’s legendary (blues and acoustic) guitarist for decades.

Black Smokers - Used

There are some groups that are content with just hovering around on the surface and playing it safe and then there are others whom like to dig deep down in the dirt and pull up a little treasure now and then. The Black Smokers are definitely the later and their newest album titled "Used" is most definitely a treasure, especially to listen to.

Hailing out of Italy, Black Smokers have already taken Europe by storm and now have there sights set on winning over the North American public, with their astonishingly infectious blend of Deep Delta Blues and Straight Up Rock "n" Roll.

Reminiscent of ZZ Top and often called a "Psycho Blues Duo", band members Marcello "Blues" Milanese (Guitar, Vocals), and Ivano "Little Lung" Zanotti (Drummer), brings us 16 Power Packed Tracks, all original, except for Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues, which they have put a little burner underneath and cranked up the heat and the beat, successfully branding it to their style.

Listening to "Used" will give you not much time to rest because as their name signifies, their music is really smoking.

This is the first I have heard of Black Smokers and after listening to this Album, it fills me with anticipation for the next treasure they manage to dig up.

Congrats Guys and Welcome to America...

Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)

Pete Herzog - Homestyle

Open guitar tunings, flat picking and bottlenecking fill "Homestyle," a new collection of acoustic blues by Rogue Valley guitarist Pete Herzog. The CD was digitally recorded live at Hartkop Productions in Central Point and released late this year.

Herzog's often uses alternate tunings on his guitars. He used an old Gibson and older arch top Kay to create the harmonics for "Homestyle."

"One is tuned oddly," Herzog says. "And the other is tuned even more oddly. Early blues players tuned their guitars in a style compared to Leo Kottke — he plays in a lot of open tunings. Even though Kottke isn't a blues guy, he's been a big influence on me."

Of the 18 tracks on the album, all but three were written by Herzog. One of the covers, "Last Kind Words," was recorded in 1930 by blues singer and guitarist Geeshie Wylie for Paramount Records.

"The song goes back to a time after World War I when there was no set style for the blues," Herzog says. "It was a mix of roots, African and European influences. It reflects the kind of music that I try to play."

Another cover, "House of the Rising Sun," dates back as early as 1932 with uncertain authorship. Also known as "Rising Sun Blues," Eric Burdon and the Animals, an English pop group, made the song a hit in 1964.

"I've also developed my own style of picking without meaning to," Herzgog says.

When Herzog discovered blues and roots music as a teenager, he wasn't aware that most of it was played finger-style.

"It's a style where you use your thumb to create an alternating bass line while the melody is picked with the fingers," Herzog says. "It was a way that blues players in early juke joints could sound larger."

Herzog learned to play this style with a flat pick. It gives his music a different sound. He uses the Kay for slide. The guitar is from the '30s, and a friend of Herzog's bought it in the '40s in a Chicago pawn shop, Herzog says.

"I can sort of feel the history of all that have played it before me," Herzog says.

Herzog was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and moved to Trail in 1967. He started playing Hawaiian lap steel guitar as a youngster, but picked up a six-string when the Beatles became famous. He relates strongly with rural music, delta and country blues, bluegrass, roots and jug band styles.

"I've lived most of my life in the country and spent countless hours pickin' guitar on the back porch," Herzog states in his bio. "To me the blues have always been more than three chords and twelve bars. Sometimes one chord is plenty to tell a story and convey a feeling. The blues is mostly about a man and woman, the yin and yang, the light and dark, the tension and release, but it doesn't always have to be sad. Some of my favorite blues are more about being happy and doing something about it."

"Homestyle" is available at Musichead in Medford, the Music Coop in Ashland, Off the Wall Music in Central Point and at cdbaby.com and other digital stores.

Doug Cox & Salil Bhatt - "Slide To Freedom 2"

Fusing Blues music with Indian music has been tried before, but no one has done it quite as successfully as Doug Cox and Salil Bhatt (the son of V.M. Bhatt). That's because they have been thinking and practicing for over a year before actually recording together.

Slide to Freedom 2 was recorded by Miles Wilkinson, one of the best sound engineers from Nashville - necessary for capturing the intricacies of the Mohan Veena, V.M. Bhatt's 19-stringed instrument; the amazing tabla of Ramkumar Mishra; and Salil's instrument, the Satvik Veena, which has 20 strings (3 for main melody, 5 for drone, and 12 sympathetic strings). Order

Doug Cox - one of Canada's best slide guitarists, teams up with Salil Bhatt - one of India's best slide instrumentalists, along with special guest, Grammy-Award-Winning V.M. Bhatt (Salil's father), and New Orleans Cajun / Soul singer John Boutte.

V.M. Bhatt won a Grammy in 1994 with Ry Cooder for their album, Meeting By The River, and he was considered by George Harrison (and now by Eric Clapton) as one of the world's best musicians.

Bullfrog Brown - with Steve Lury & Peeter Piik

We are happy to report that as promised, the new Bullfrog Brown album - Bullfrog Brown with Steve Lury - has been completed before the holidays and will be released as scheduled on February 13th, 2009. Unfortunately, myspace is doing what it was doing when we put out our last CD - i.e. not accepting any song uploads (the bastards). Therefore, three tracks from the upcoming CD have been posted for your listening pleasure here: http://www.purevolume.com/bullfrogbrown

In addition to Steve Lury on harmonica, the new CD will feature Peeter Piik of Rajaajaja and Kiritöö (and along with the rest of Bullfrog Brown, formerly of Green Bullfrog) on various basses throughout; half the album will be studio, half live, mixed and mastered this time by Asko-Romé Altsoo. Cover photo by Mats Õun, design by Siret Roots...

Hills And Lemelin - "Neither Here Or There"

Bill Hills, harmonica and Ray Lemelin, guitar, combine the best in Traditional and Piedmont style acoustic blues on their great new CD. Playing to great crowds and sold out shows, and receiving heavy airplay don't miss them when they come to a venue near you.

"A fine CD,. wonderful, outstanding" ...Holger Petersen CKUA EDMONTON

"I'm impressed .." Bruce Iglauer Alligator Record

"..excellent new CD..." Reverend Ron CJSW

"While it is always a pleasure to hear Juno-nominated blues/jazz/folk duo Twilight Hotel, I was more impressed with Calgary delta-blues duo Bill Hills and Ray Lemelin, opening up the Feb. 19 show at the Slice. The charismatic singer/harp player Bill Hills gave off a strong Big Dave MacLean vibe while Lemelin nailed the delta blues licks on the guitar, adding the odd vocal harmony as they “left this cold winter behind,” while snow fell outside.

The new CD “Neither Here Nor There” is the first one they recorded together. It wasn’t officially to be released until Feb. 22. It includes six originals and eight classic blues covers. “It’s getting lots of attention,” Hills said of the CD that receives regular airplay on CKUA and CBC. Hills attributed the the duo’s really full sound enveloping the Slice to bringing top shelf and expensive recording mics on the road with them." Richard Amery Lethbridge Sun Times - Feb 25 09

Andre Bisson - "Rhythm and Blues Experience"

Rockin' Rhythm & Blues, Funk, Swing all brought to life with the power of a five piece horn section.

Rhythm & Blues doesn't get better than this. With some of Canada's top drawer musicians Andre Bisson has brought together an excellent new album that keeps true to the classic rhythm & blues sound from the 60's and 70's, Andre has definitely done his homework.

Andre Bisson is a Hamilton, Ontario musician who began playing in bars and restaurants at the age of 15 in Sault Ste Marie singing 50’s Rock ‘n’ Roll music such as; Elvis, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry. He accomplished a lot at by age 17, André came 11 out of 150 in the Collingwood Elvis Competition, and at 18 he joined and played in a rhythm and blues band in Sault Ste Marie. Some great musicians that he has opened up for are; Jason McCoy, Diane Chase, and Beverley Manhood.

When he came to Hamilton he started a 6 piece Rhythm & Blues band called Andre & the J-Tones Rhythm & Blues Experience which includes a rhythm section as well as a Trumpet and Saxophone, the band now continues to play in Hamilton, Burlington, Mississauga, Streetsville, Stoney Creek, Sault Ste Marie, Oshawa, Brantford, and Milton. Along with his originals, the band also performs music from Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, The Commitments, The Blues Brothers, Joe Cocker, Stevie Wonder, CCR, The Guess Who, Bill Withers, James Brown, and so much more.

With a great presence André’s vocals have the power of Wilson Pickett as well as the gentle sound of Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, the great talent of arranging, guitar playing, business knowledge, and of course his gutsy, raspy, and passionate/soulful voice. André has no problem delivering his songs with a heavy groove line making everyone in the room sit up and listen.

There's nothing more important to Andre than been able to play the music that he loves, getting the crowd on the dance floor, and at the same time managing to have an unpretentious and the most professional attitude.

The musicians performing on his CD are; Mark Kelso, Collin Barrett, Marc Rogers, Dave Murphy, Dan Rodrigues, Jason Logue, Rob Somerville, John Johnson, and Steve Bijakowski

The Blues Underground Network Proudly Features The Music Of 192 Artists

Please Check Out The Following Recommended B.C. Interior Blues/Music Venues Websites For Good Music/Blues

Lorenzo's Cafe The Dream Cafe Ashcroft Opera House

Minstrel Cafe & Bar The Blue Gator Bar & Grill

Check Out Other Kamloops & Area Music Listings Here
http://www.kamloopsmusic.com/

Don't Miss Out On These Great Radio Shows On The Weekend

Randy Bachman's Vinyl Tap
(Saturdays at 7 p.m. (8 p.m. AT, 8:30 p.m. NT) on CBC Radio One)

Two hours of music and stories from one of Canada's musical legends. Playing with The Guess Who, Bachman Turner Overdrive and as a solo act, Randy Bachman has provided a veritable soundtrack to the last thirty years of popular music. Now he's come to CBC Radio to play his favourite songs and tell stories from his life on the road and in the studio.

Saturday Night Blues
(Saturdays at 10:00 p.m. (10:30 NT) on CBC Radio One)

On Saturday Night Blues each week you'll hear a mix of classic blues from the "Petersen Vaults", concerts, interviews, artist features, new releases, plus anything that boogies, jumps, or swings, plus your requests from the Bluesline.

At The Crossroads

Every Sunday At 7:00 PM on 98.3 CIFM Hosted by Brant Zwicker. A Great Mix of Traditional and Contemporary Blues... http://www.atcblues.ca

Well that's it for the Opening Act. Return to Index and enjoy the rest of The Blues Report E-Zine.

John Vermilyea (The Blues Underground Network)