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Blues Music Online Weekly Edition The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise #34 The 2020 International Blues Challenge &
Blues Mus ic Onl ine Weekly Edi t ion
The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise #34
The 2020 International Blues Challenge
&
Mick KolassaBlind Lemon Sessions
Eric Hughes BandEric Hughes Band
Mick Kolassa & the Taylor Made Blues Band
A Good Day for the Blues
David DunaventA Storm is Coming
Our Celebrated 2019 Releases!
LOOK FOR THE FOLLOWING TITLES IN 2020
CHECK OUT THESE SHOWCASES DURING THE 2020 INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE IN MEMPHIS!
I M M E D I A T E LY F O L L O W I N G T H E E V E N I N G ’ S C O M P E T I T I O N
Endless Blues Showcase JANUARY 30 @ BLUES CITY CAFE
Featuring Tennessee Redemption / Tullie Brae / Sister Lucille / Eric Hughes Band / In Layman Terms / Kern Pratt / Mick Kolassa and the Taylor Made Blues Band featuring David Dunavent
Women in Blues ShowcaseJANUARY 30 @ ALFRED’S ON BEALE
Featuring Keeshea Pratt with special guest Gaye Adegbalola and a host of blues women. More info at www.nationalwomeninblues.com
D E D I C A T E D T O H E L P I N G I N D E P E N D E N T B L U E S A R T I S T S G E T T H E I R M U S I C T O T H E W O R L D !check out all the latest and upcoming releases at endlessblues.com
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2 0 W O M E N R O C K I N ' T H E L R B C # 3 4 B y A r t Ti p a l d i
2 4 2 0 2 0 I N T E R N AT I O N A L B L U E S C H A L L E N G E B y J a c k S u l l i v a n
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B L U E S M U S I C O N L I N E F e b r u a r y 9 , 2 0 2 0 - I s s u e 3
PHOTOGRAPHY © BOB SEKINGERCOVER PHOTOGRAPHY © BOB SEKINGER
Table Of Contents
R I S I N G S TA R S • S E A S O N E D V E T E R A N S B A D A S S D E B U T S • W O R L D - C L A S S B L U E S
check out all the latest and upcoming releases at vizztone.com
“It’s not Disney World. It’s about people relaxing, enjoying themselves, and spending time with others who enjoy the same kind of music as they do. It’s amazing how people can really connect through the Blues and R&B. Every year you can set your clock by it.”– Taj Mahal, Multi-Grammy Award Winner
“This is probably the most beautiful thing I’ve ever been a part of. I don’t think anything in my life could touch this experience.” – Chris Cain
“For those who never sailed; believe me, it will change your life forever!” – Ana Popovic
“The Blues Cruise totally frickin’ rocks, man!” – Shemekia Copeland
“This blues cruise was better than Woodstock!” – Johnny Winter, 2010
“It’s like this, once you do it, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t do it before. There are so many musicians and it brings everybody together. It’s really a wonderful thing, because blues is not promoted the way pop music is. So we’re a community – you know white, black, yellow, gay, straight, you know whatever – and the friends you meet on this cruise will be your friends for the rest of your life.” – Joe Louis Walker
Tab Benoit Ruthie Foster Quintet
Fabulous ThunderbirdsLegendary Rhythm & Blues Revue
Tommy Castro, Tinsley Ellis, Vanessa Collier & John Nemeth
Taj Mahal Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Performers Aboard The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise #34
Ana Popovic Victor Wainwright
The California Honeydrops John Hammond
Tommy Castro & The Painkillers Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience
Performers Aboard The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise #34
The Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling & Kate Moss Vanessa Collier
Larry McCray Sugaray Rayford
Albert Cummings Thornetta Davis
Performers Aboard The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise #34
Nick Schenbelen Dexter Allen
Mississippi Heat w/ Lurrie BellGumbo, Grits, & Gravy
Anne Harris, Guy Davis, and Marcella Simien
Guy Davis Hadden Sayers
Performers Aboard The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise #34
Bettye Jo Miller & Mack Davis Barry Cuda
Mitch Woods Rev. Billy C. Wirtz
Jontavious Willis Ms Hy-C & Fresh Start
Performers Aboard The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise #34
Chuk Barber’s Soul Lounge Randy Oxford
Scottie “Bones” Miller Leon Blue
Lola Marcella Simien
Performers Aboard The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise #34
Dave Gross Shari Puorto
Performers Aboard The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise #34
Performance Schedule By Days Aboard LRBC # 34
Saturday Performance Schedule Aboard LRBC # 34
&Are proud sponsors of
The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruises
JULY 11+12 2020ADVANCE TIX $35/DAY-$60/WEEKEND • ADVANCE TIX SALES END MONDAY JULY 6, 2020 • TIX AT THE GATE $45/DAY-$75/WEEKEND
FESTIVAL HOTLINE 207.691.2248 • NORTHATLANTICBLUESFESTIVAL.COM
HARBOR PARK in ROCKLAND MAINE
Featuring Vanessa Collier, Ana Popovic, Marcella Simien, Ruthie Foster, Anne Harris,
and Thornetta Davis.Hosted by Editor-In-Chief Art Tipaldi
With seven days, seven stages and 30 bands, the biggest decision every cruiser
makes is whether to sit through a band’s entire show or run from stage to stage catching three or four-song sampler. Inevitably, however, one will always miss numerous magical moments. It is those spontaneous pairing, often happening with little or no warning, that makes cruisin’ on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise a fan’s ultimate event.
This year’s winter cruise was no different. Music happens on these stages that doesn’t happen anywhere else. This is a place where the music grows from day one. The week is shaped by the musical ideas of musicians who can relax from the grind of day after day touring. Whether it was Ana Popovic sitting in with Sugaray Rayford or Jontavious Willis jamming in a hallway with Dennis Gruenling or Kim Wilson pulling out
PHOTOGRAPHY © ART TIPALDI
Women Rockin' The LRBC
By Art Tipaldi
his harmonica to accompany Leon Blue at the Piano Bar or Anne Harris playing her violin with Terrance Simien or the California Honeydrops asking Taj’s lap steel guitarist Bobby Ingano or any one of a hundred other pairings, boogie ‘til dawn was every cruiser’s reality. My role on these cruises is to offer a workshop focusing on some aspect of the blues. Recently, I’ve hosted talks about Reinventing the Blues, Carrying the Torch, Mississippi Blues: Yesterday and Today, and Learning From the Masters. On this cruise, I hosted Women Rockin’ The LRBC with Ruthie Foster, Ana Popovic, Thornetta Davis, Anne Harris, Vanessa Collier, and Marcella Simien to a full house on the main stage. There, we addressed the women who were early influences, the challenges they have faced, the power of the song, and their message to young women intent on following a career as a musician. Their universal advice was, “Follow that muse, no matter what others tell you.”
PHOTOGRAPHY © LAURA CARBONE
John Hammond & Kim Wilson
Art & Bonnie Tipaldi
Bobby Ignano
Ana Popovic
Lance Ellis, Anne Harris & Terrance Simien
Taj Mahal & Bill Rich PHOTOGRAPHY © BOB SEKINGER
Blues Cruise Photography by Bob Sekinger Blues Cruise Photography by Laura Carbone
Jontavious Willis & Andrew Alli
Susan & Jack Sullivan
Lido Pool Deck Stage
Thornetta Davis
PHOTOGRAPHY © LAURA CARBONE
Blues Cruise Photography by Bob Sekinger Blues Cruise Photography by Laura Carbone
Around Memphis
The Blues Is InternationalIt's been six months now living in Memphis, TN, since our relocation from Bradenton, FL, where we've lived for over eight years. Our time there was very productive for the blues scene including several thousand new subscribers added to Blues Music Magazine, co-founding The Bradenton Blues Festival, Camping With The Blues, and The Suncoast Blues Festival with two of the three continuing in our absence, and they are tremendously successful. The next few years our focus will be Memphis, Nashville, Mississippi, and Louisiana. We'll continue to do our best to share America's National Music - The Blues. Memphis has been a learning curve as any new town would be, but traveling here for over twenty years has made the transition easier. What we have discovered is the incredible number of international tourists visiting Memphis in search of their connection to the music. It is rare that a visit on any night of the week to listen to blues on Beale Street that we not meet fans from around the world.
This year's winners of the International Blues Challenge held in Memphis from January 28 through February 1 illustrate how blues music is reaching the four corners of the globe. The first place band winner HOROJO Trio are from Ottawa Blues Society in Canada and include JW-Jones who won the Gibson Guitarist Award. Second Place Band winner, The Jose Ramirez Band represented the DC Blues Society, where the band leader Jose has relocated from his native Costa Rica. Hector Anchondo, the first place Solo/Duo winner representing the Blues Society Of Omaha, has Latin roots and also won the Memphis Cigar Box Award. Felix Slim was the second place Solo/Duo winner and the Lee Oskar Harmonica Award winner. Slim was one of Spain's leading blues men and spent several years living in Greece. Blues Societies from Finland, Canada, Korea, France, Israel, Norway, Switzerland, Austrailia, and more joined us in Memphis, all for the love of Blues.
By Jack Sullivan
The Blues Is International
W here The Blues Is Still Hip!
BETTY FOXPeace In PiecesFoxycavanagh Productions
There is a lot to be said for making your dreams come to life. That is exactly what Betty Fox and her crack band did when they journeyed to Muscle Shoals, AL, to record at the acclaimed FAME Recording Studios, where singers like Aretha Franklin, Etta
James, and Candi Staton cut tracks that have inspired Fox throughout her career. Original songs like “Feels So Good” or the title track jump out at you, Fox making a joyful noise over the driving rhythms from Barry Williams on bass and Chris Peet on drums, fleshed out by horn accents from Brad Guin on saxophone and Ken Watters on trumpet. “Let Go Or Be Dragged” takes a more contemporary approach on heartbreak, highlighted by Josh Nelms’ shimmering guitar lines. Another highlight is the touching “Sweet Goodnight,” a tribute Fox wrote for her father. The band breaks into a swinging shuffle on “Rising Strong,” a sassy declaration on Fox’s will to overcome. Another legendary artist, Spooner Oldham, fills out the arrangements on “Winter’s Cold” with delicate electric piano tones. Noted member of the FAME studio crew, Clayton Ivey lays down organ-drenched accompaniment on “Green Light”. “Fireflies,” is a gentle rumination on love with a country tinge, Nelms echoing the passion through his guitar. “Sweet Memories” and “Runnin’ Back To You” sound like classic soul tunes, and Fox makes you feel every note. “Marie” is a beautiful homage to a special woman who nourished the good in everyone around her. The lone cover, “‘Til The Storm Passes By,” takes Fox back to her gospel roots, providing more clear evidence that the spirit runs deep through every Fox performance. When they made it to the finals of the 2015 International Blues Challenge, the band came at listeners with a no-holds barred approach, Fox using her muscular voice to demand attention. Whether it is additional experience or the magic of the recording setting, Fox now understands the art of singing, her voice creating sonic textures that never fail to connect with listeners. This absorbing album is proof positive that dreams do indeed come true!– Mark Thompson
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Little Steven & The Disciples of SoulSummer Of SorceryWicked Cool Records
The Winthrop, Massachusetts-born, New Jersey-raised Little Steven Van Zandt [born Steven Lento] has managed to make quite a career for himself since his early days in the music business during the mid-1960s. During that time he met what
would become his longtime friend and “boss,” Bruce Springsteen. However his entry in to the E-Street Band as a permanent member wouldn’t come until 1975. Up until that point, Little Steven was a founding member of an equally famous New Jersey act called Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes. His time with them was legendary, writing and producing Johnny’s first three albums, before being lured away to tour with Springsteen and the E-Street Band. On his new album Summer Of Sorcery, Little Steven rekindles that New Jersey shore sound with his Disciples of Soul band featuring Marc Ribler (guitars), Rich Mercurio (drums), Jack Daley (bass), Andy Burton and Lowell “Banana” Levinger (keyboards), Tony Almonte (percussion), the horn section of Eddie Manion (baritone sax), Stan Harrison (tenor sax and flute), Ron Tooley and Ravi Best (trumpet), Clark Gayton (trombone) along with Jesse Wagner, Sara Devine, and Tania Jones on backing vocals. This is a monumental project that sounds just as mammoth as its players and production. The 12-songs on Summer Of Sorcery soar magnificently through the aurasphere with whirring keyboards, incendiary guitar playing, blaring horn lines, heavenly backing voices and Little Steven’s gutsy lead vocals. Songs that will shake roadhouses and radio waves across the globe include the brilliantly penned “Gravity,” the Asbury Jukes-inspired “Communion,” “A World Of Our Own” and “Love Again,” the feel good, ‘50s infused “Soul Power Twist,” the high steppin’ “I Visit The Blues,” and the album’s invigorating and revelatory title track “Summer Of Sorcery.” You’ll never forget Little Steven as Silvio in the TV series, The Sopranos, his role as Springsteen’s right hand man in The E-Street Band or as a Sirius XM radio personality, but this is where his heart truly lies. In the music he plays and creates, and nobody does it better than he. Outstanding!– Brian M. Owens
BRAD VICKERS AND HIS VESTAPOLITANSTwice As NiceMan Hat Tone
The blues is a big-tent community; from jazzy Bessie Smith to screaming Buddy Guy and everything in between. On Twice As Nice, Brad Vickers’ sixth album, he brings the tent and the whole three-ring circus. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, and much more going
on than the musicians’ proficiency makes it seem. The overall feeling of this 11-track, 44-minute performance leans more toward Leon Redbone than to Walter Trout. Several tunes are danceable, but they’re as easily appreciated while having a sandwich and tapping your toes. Vickers, 68, pulls out blues classics, then transforms them into barely recognizable arrangements with imaginative elements of Dixieland clarinet or boogie-woogie keyboards. Originals are mostly penned with longtime writing partner Margey Peters. “We continue to be inspired,” says Vickers, “by the music that has shaped us musically: blues, folk blues, ragtime, and roots ‘n’ roll.” FYI, Vestapolitan is derived from Vestapol, an open D-major guitar tuning that Vickers prefers. He liked the complementary “V” too. On Twice As Nice, Vickers doubles his regular quartet – him on guitars and vocals, Jim Davis on reeds, Peters on bass and vocals, and Bill Rankin on drums – adding top-quality guests Mikey Junior, harmonica, Dave Keyes, keyboards, Dave Gross, guitar, V.D. King, multiple instruments, Dean Shot, guitar, and Charlie Burnham, violin. The skillfully reworked covers include “Worried Life Blues” (Maceo Merriweather), “Close Together,” (Jimmy Reed), “Stealin’ Stealin’,” (William Shade/Memphis Jug Band), and “Look A There Look A There” (Hudson Whittaker/Tampa Red). On “Stealin’ Stealin’” and several slow, swinging cuts, Peters shows off her smooth, sensual voice. Those include “Close Together” and her sweet reminiscences on “Brooklyn Evenings.” Although Vickers claims the album is twice as nice because of added musical talent, the title tune itself is a vampy, sexy come-on from Peters. “Love Can Win” offers a hopeful world message, while a droning “Red Dust” laments the fate of American Indians. One real rocker, “Coast To Coast,” is a road-trip tune that reminds you instantly of “Route 66.” It’s good fun, and perhaps a nod to the many greats Vickers has played with, including Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Pinetop Perkins, and Hubert Sumlin. Grab a cold one and/or your dancing shoes. Sit down front and let ringmaster Vickers escort you through multiple pleasing acts in several thigh-slapping styles.– Dan D. Harrell
NEW CD RELEASES - CLICK ANY REVIEWED CD COVER TO ORDER TODAY
NEW CD RELEASES - CLICK ANY REVIEWED CD COVER TO ORDER TODAY
DIANA REINQueen Of My CastleGulf Coast Records
The first song of the hour-long set of fifteen original tunes is “Yes I Sing the Blues,” and yes, she does, and plays it, too. This is the third album by Diana Rein, triple threat blueswoman: singer, guitarist, and
songwriter. Rein is no stranger to performing; she has been a vocalist since her pre-teen years, and a child actress who appeared in several mainstream films. Signing with a major (albeit relatively new) record label should help her attain the recognition that she deserves. Rein wields a supple soprano voice with a substantial range and puts it to good effect here. Her songs are catchy, often establishing an infectious groove. She particularly gravitates toward shuffles, so prepare to boogie on the dance floor if you put this album on your player of choice. Most of her songs adhere to the standard twelve-bar blues format and many share a pattern: an initial few bars of crunching chords, a mid-song six string solo or two, and some rapid forays into the high register of the guitar toward the end. However, she doesn’t flaunt her obvious instrumental talent with overly long or flashy note cascades. Rather, her virtuosity brings to my mind that of the late, under-rated Michael Burks, who could shred with the best but also play deliberate heart-rending solos. On this outting Rein is backed by a trio of experts: Dave Osti on bass, Michael Leasure on drums, and Drake Munkihaid Shining on keyboards. Osti serves up a steady foundation, and Leasure (Walter Trout’s regular drummer) lends some dazzling drumming as well as producing the set. Shining is left low in the mix on almost all of the tracks, but does get a stirring minute-long organ solo on “In The Chill Of The Night,” the longest track of the set, a moving slow number. The intermittent slow tracks are welcome, including the only instrumental, the last track, “Zoe,” wherein Rein plies her guitar chops in a Jimi Hendrix-style that Jimi would have approved. Although there is no weak song in the bunch, in mid-set Rein really hits a peak with “Pure Soul” and “It’s You,” the latter introduced by several bars of Osti insistently vamping. Both have creative and scorching guitar solos; in fact, that’s true of every track, and represents the greatest strength of this zesty album.– Dan Stevens
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