MAY-JUNE 2016 - Natchel Blues Network

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MAY/JUNE 2016 • WWW.NATCHELBLUES.ORG
Bluesletter of the Natchel’ Blues Network • www.natchelblues.org • Vol. 32 No. 3 • MAY/JUNE 2016
Bluesletter of Natchel’ Blues Network • www.NatchelBlues.org • Vol. 30 No. 4 July/August 2014
Chubby Carrier
Photo by Cathy Dixson
27th Annual
Bayou Boogaloo
& Cajun Food Festival
June 24-26, 2016 Town Point Park –
Downtown Norfolk, Virginia
(See more on pages 8-9)
Details on pages 7 - 9
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Natchel’ Blues Network
P.O. Box 1773
Norfolk, VA 23501-1773
Words From the President
BLUES NEWS
Published bi-monthly by the NBN, Inc. ©2016
All Rights Reserved.
BLUES NEWS
The official publication of the Natchel’ Blues
Network, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization, run by volunteers dedicated to
promoting the blues as America’s
one true musical art form.
EDITOR
Beth Jarock
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Cathy Dixson
DESIGN & LAYOUT
Anne Bousquet
CONTRIBUTING
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Joel Becker, Wendy Podmenik Darugar,
Cathy Dixson
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Brian Beachum, Cathy Dixson, Bill van Elburg,
Beth Jarock, Lorena Rice, Toby Rice,
Dr. Joseph G. Smith
2016 NBN BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Brian Beachum, Cathy Dixson, Ben Keyes,
Jim Kidder, Colleen Smith, Dr. Joseph G.
Smith, Nick Vandergrift, Steve White
2016 OFFICERS
Cathy Dixson - President
Steve White - Vice-President
Vacant - Secretary
Colleen Smith - Treasurer
WEBMASTER
Brian Beachum
The views & opinions expressed in this publication
by individual writers are not necessarily the opinions
of NBN or Blues News. The staff cannot guarantee the return of submitted material. Dates, times and
venues are subject to change without notice.
www.NatchelBlues.org
[email protected]:
As you can obviously see from the photo illustration above, Blues at the
Beach has run its course and will not be held this September. I want to thank
everyone who supported the festival over its 22-year run, and especially to
Mark Johnson who booked so many great acts over the years. Another big
thank you goes out to Bobby Melatti and his staff at Beach Events – Mike Hilton, John Lesko, Kathy Sweeney, LD Davis and all of their crew. But the biggest thank you goes to all the volunteers from the NBN who stepped up to the
plate and made this event happen. Without you, our volunteers, this organization would cease to exist. THANK YOU, EVERYONE!
So, in lieu of no blues festival in September, we are looking at scaling down
and having a couple of shows in the upcoming months. We are hoping to
bring in the Billy Price Band and possibly another national headliner at a later
date. Make sure you have signed up to get the E-BLASTS on the NBN website:
www.natchelblues.org so you can hear about upcoming events.
We are losing one of our board members. Dr. Ben Keyes has taken a teaching position in Arlington, VA and will be moving. Thank you Ben for all your
hard work. You will be missed.
With the loss of Dr. Keyes, we now have 2 board positions open. If you are
interested in helping run this blues society, please let me know and I will put
you to work. The board meets every month on the first Thursday at the library
in Ocean View starting at 7 pm. I really need a volunteer chair and a membership chair. Do you think you might be able to spare a few hours of your time
each month?
Another board member, Nick Vandergrift, lost his dad, Walter, last week.
Our heartfelt condolences go to Nick and his family. Our thoughts and prayers
are with you.
Lastly, I want to thank the band Urban Hill for stepping up and filling in
for Anthony Rosano & the Conqueroos on Sunday, April 24th at the blues jam
in Portsmouth at Roger Brown’s. Poor Anthony came down with strep and
couldn’t play. Hopefully by the time this paper reaches you, Anthony will be
all healed and back playing. We had a good turnout for the event and Roger
Brown’s was a great place to hold it. We’ll be looking at partnering with them
more in the future. If you haven’t been there, please go. The food is really
good.
That’s it for this issue. Go out and hear some live music and support our
local musicians.
Contents
Out of the Box Festival.............4
Blues Radio shows....................4
CD Review ................................5
WHRV Fundraiser ....................5
Blues Bits .................................6
Blues Birthdays ....................... 6
In Layman Terms ..................... 6
CD Reviews ............................. 7
Bayou Boogaloo ................... 8-9
Blues Vinyl Flashback.............. 9
NBN New Members and
Company Members .......... 10
CD Reviews ...................... 11-13
Bands that Play Blues in
Hampton Roads................14
NBN Membership Form .........14
Membership Discounts..........15
Recipient of the
Keeping The
Blues Alive
Award for Blues
Organization
of the Year
1998
Cathy Dixson
President
MAY/JUNE 2016 • WWW.NATCHELBLUES.ORG
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Out of the Box Festival
S
aturday, April 9th was the 2nd Out of the Box Festival held outside
on the grounds of WHRV studios in Norfolk. It was the kickoff of the
station’s Spring Pledge Drive and hosted by deejays Paul Shugrue and
Hunter Hughes.
Unfortunately the weather was a bit uncooperative with snow showers, temps in the upper 40s and wind gusts up to 60 mph; however, a few
diehard fans did came out along with the bands scheduled to play.
Two of Hampton Roads blues bands were on hand – Bobby BlackHat
Walters and Anthony Rosano & the Conqueroos.
Thanks to Paul and WHRV for holding this now annual event.
Blues Radio Shows
TIDE RADIO
92.3 FM (Peninsula)
102.1 FM (Southside)
House of Blues Radio Hour
hosted by Dan Akroyd as Elwood Blues
Sunday 8-9 p.m.
WHRV 89.5 FM
Out of the Box with Paul Shugrue
Monday-Thursday 7-9 p.m.
Saturday: 1-5 p.m.
Blues Stage with Melvin
Van Peebles
Thursday: 12:00 a.m.
A Shot of the Blues with
Paul Shugrue
Friday: 8-10 p.m.
Tom Euler and Bobby
BlackHat Walters
Co-hosts Paul Shugrue and Hunter
Hughes pulling a raffle ticket.
Anthony Rosano
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Photos by Joel Becker
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MAY/JUNE 2016 • WWW.NATCHELBLUES.ORG
Blues Before Sunrise with
Steve Cushing
Sunday: 1-6 a.m.
WFOS FM 88.7
Blues Traffic Jam
Mon.-Fri.: 3-7 p.m.
WRVS FM 89.9
Elizabeth City, NC
www.cooolcat.com.
TheBluesAlley.com
24/7 online blues music
http://thebluesalley.com
CD Review
M.S.G. ACOUSTIC BLUES
TRIO
The Flood
M.S.G. Acoustic Blues Trio MSG004
www.acousticbluesmsg.com
Their slogan says they are the
“Non-Toxic Preservative of the Blues.”
They play Acoustic Blues, Roots, and
Spiritual music in the Piedmont style.
M.S.G. Acoustic Blues Trio is THE
Piedmont Blues group in America. The
Flood, produced by Grammy winner
Cathy Fink, is M.S.G.’s fourth release
and is testament to their growth, not
only through strong songwriting, but
also through expanding instrumentation. Together since 2002, M.S.G.
is Jackie Merritt (harmonica, vocals,
guitar, uke bass & soprano uke),
Miles Spicer (guitar & vocals), and
Resa Gibbs (vocals, cigar box strumstick, washboard, bike horn & bells).
In earlier recordings and live shows,
Jackie also plays the bones; Resa plays
a mean kazoo.
The title song “The Flood, ”
penned by David Bird & Miles Spicer,
kicks off the CD with emotional
power. The first instrument you hear
is Merritt’s uke bass. It looks like a
ukulele, but sounds like an upright
bass. Resa adds the strumstick shortly
after that. When Spicer adds the guitar
and guest Phil Wiggins comes in on
harmonica, it sounds like a movie
soundtrack where the character has
gone from a fast walk to a run. Miles
sings, “Where you gonna go?” Later
in the song, Resa ad-libs, “Water
keeps on rising…” and the song ends
abruptly. It still gives me chills when I
listen to it.
Jackie Merritt sings her original
“Money Makes You Crazy” next. Besides vocal harmonies, the only other
thing you hear is the trio doing hand
jives. The song is light-hearted—nice
tongue-in-cheek humor after “The
Flood.” Her other originals include
“Front Porch Blues” and “Do You See
Me Now?” (written from the voice of a
homeless person).
Guitarist Miles Spicer gives the
group its distinctive sound with his
Piedmont style of fingerpicking. He
learned from the best--John Cephas
and Michael Baytop. Among other
tunes, his fingerpicking is prominent
in “I’m Down Today,” “My Old Ride,”
and “My Little One.”
Lead vocalist Resa Gibbs has
a rich, warm and soothing voice.
M.S.G.’s mentor, John Cephas, would
be proud of her moving vocals on
“Going to the River” (one of his
signature songs). Other tunes featuring Resa’s vocal prowess include Son
House’s “Grinnin’ In Your Face,”
“Good While It Lasted,” “Angel From
Montgomery,” and the spirituals “I’ll
Fly Away” and “Glory, Glory, Hallelujah.” Her velvety a cappella on “New
Familiar” (Merritt’s original about
caregiving for an aging parent) will
bring a tear to your eye.
Other than Phil Wiggins, talented
guest musicians on this CD are Marcy
Cochran, Cathy Fink, Sam Gleaves,
Ralph Gordon and David Jackson. Get
The Flood! Not only will you be taken
on a musical journey, you will be
holding a work of art in your hands.
Jackie Merritt, who also is a renowned
painter and artist, created the cover
art.
Beth Jarock
WHRV Fundraiser
Tuesday, April 12th, NBN manned the pledge phones at the WHRV studios in Norfolk to help raise money during the station’s
Spring Pledge Drive. NBN President Cathy
Screen shot showing the
Dixson was co-host with Paul Shugrue.
total raised for
The goal for the evening was $3500.00; howthe evening
ever we exceeded that amount by raising over
$4300.00.
Thank you to the volunteers who donated their time to help out:
Joel Becker, JoDee Cook, Brian Beachum, Colleen Smith, Jim Kidder,
Paula Rosati and Jim Kruger.
Joel Becker helps Jim Kruger with a caller
NBN volunteers: JoDee Cook, Brian Beachum, Colleen Smith, Jim Kidder, Paula Rosati,
Joel Becker and Jim Kruger.
Photos by Cathy Dixson
Traveling Down the Blues Highway
Sometimes you take to the road to find the Blues and sometimes it finds you.
The Blues found us recently at the southern most point of the continental U.S.,
Key West, Florida. After a nice seaside dinner we took a stroll and wandered into
a cigar shop on Greene Street, just a few blocks from the famous Duval Street and
Sloppy Joe’s bar. After purchasing a couple of nice cigars we stepped outside to
the unmistakable sound of the Blues. We followed our ears just next door and
entered Chicago’s Restaurant whose logo states they are “Bringing the Midwest to
Key West” offering live Blues, Jazz and Motown every night. The space is just the
right size with comfortable seating, soft lighting and a nice sized bar. We settled in
at the bar and ordered a couple of drinks from the bartender. The place was busy
for a Monday, with locals and tourist alike drawn in by the funky Blues sound of
Biscuit Miller and his band. In 2012 Biscuit Miller won the Blues Music Award for
Bassist of the Year. The band was great, playing a mix of original and classic Blues
tunes. The menu, which is on a large electronic tablet, offers local and traditional
Chicago fare and by all accounts is delicious. We returned the next night after a
short “crawl” down Duval Street. That night we had a cute, friendly young lady
as our bartender and after seeing our bartender from the previous night we found
out he was actually the owner, Ben Richmond. Ben is a friendly guy who took the
time to talk with us about his business, where we were from, and of course the
Blues. So the next time your down in the Keys stop by Chicago’s. We promise you
won’t be disappointed.
Toby & Lorena Rice
MAY/JUNE 2016 • WWW.NATCHELBLUES.ORG
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Blues Bits
n OUR OWN JACKIE MERRITT is one of the artists on the 2-disc Ruf Records
release, Blues Harp Women. Jackie and M.S.G. Acoustic Blues Trio perform her original
“Fast Food Mama.” Check it out! http://rufrecords-shop.de/Blues-Harp-Women/en
n 33RD ANNUAL CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL will be held June 10-12, 2016 in
Grant Park. This is the largest free festival in the world!
June 10: Alligator Records’ 45th
Anniversary Celebration (Shemekia
Copeland, Curtis Salgado, Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials, Corky Siegel & more)
June 11: Fred Wesley & The New JB’s, Irma Thomas, Wee Willie Walker & more
June 12: Special Tribute to Otis Rush
Much more! See the full schedule at www.chicagobluesfestival.us
The young talents of In Layman Terms took over The Camel in Richmond on April
8th to release their highly anticipated debut album, Tangled. Cole and Logan Layman were
joined on the stage by friends such as The Bush League, Bobby BlackHat Walters, Tom Euler,
Shelly Thiss, Dwayne Cabaniss and others. Tangled features 8 tracks, ranging from
originals penned by the duo themselves, to covers of classics by Howlin’ Wolf and Janis
Joplin that shine with Logan’s accomplished vocals and Cole’s guitar solos. The bluesy
evening culminated with Cole playing guitar right in the audience in a celebratory jam
session. Tangled has already received multiple rave reviews and is available for purchase on
www.3inlaymanterms.com
Blues Birthdays
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JUNE
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Cole Layman is
joined on stage with
fellow musicians
Big Maybelle
Little Walter Jacobs
Homesick James
James Brown
Blind Willie McTell
James “Sparky” Rucker
Robert Johnson
Papa John Creach
Phil Wiggins
A.C. Reed
Bob Margolin
Kansas Joe McCoy
Guy Davis
Larry Johnson
Cleveland Chenier
Taj Mahal
Big Joe Turner
Jimmy Thackery
Sterling “Satan” Magee
Mamie Smith
Junior Parker
T-Bone Walker
Lafayette Leake
Mose Vinson
Baby Doo Caston
Memphis Minnie
Jimmy Rogers
Tinsley Ellis
S.P. Leary
Raful Neal
James Harman
Les Paul
Skip James
Johnny Ace
Hattie McDaniel
Howlin’ Wolf
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Eddie Hinton
Sara Martin
Jimmy Cheatham
Jerry “Boogie” McCain
Lazy Lester Johnson
Ella Johnson
Helen Humes
Lucille Spann
Clifton Chenier
Big Bill Broonzy
Big Moose Walker
David “Honeyboy” Edwards
Roy Buchanan
Cole Layman
Bobby
BlackHat
Band
Logan
and Cole
Layman
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Logan
Layman
Photos by
Wendy
Podmenik
Darugar
MAY/JUNE 2016 • WWW.NATCHELBLUES.ORG
CD Reviews
greats as Koko Taylor, NRBQ, Skip
Castro, Roy Buchanan, Nils Lofgren and Stephen Stills. You can
catch The Jon Spear Band playing
in clubs around Richmond, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg and other
central Virginia cities.
If you are looking for an addition to your blues collection that
is a great example of live performances of some great blues tunes,
pick this one up. It will be a fantastic primer for when you get in your
car and ride up the road to catch
these guys performing live around
the clubs in central Virginia. Hopefully, they will play the 757 area
soon.
Brian “The Bluesman” Beachum
THE JON SPEAR BAND
Live Music Is Better
www.jonspearband.com
The Jon Spear Band’s second
release is a live recording from a
performance at the Southern Café
& Music Hall in Charlottesville, VA
on November 27, 2015. This CD
gives you a chance to sit in on one
of their gigs right in the comfort
of your home or car. But be careful when you put this one in the
player. Get ready for one hell of
a party! Before I get into reviewing the music and the band, I have
to talk about the fine production
of this live CD. It’s very tough to
record a band in a studio to start
with. Now, to move that production into a live venue with less than
ideal conditions, and you have
a recording nightmare for most
recording producers. But the folks
who recorded this new release for
The Jon Spear Band pulled off a
great result. You really feel like you
are in the venue and can hear the
full-range of what the band is laying down.
The CD is full of great tunes
that range from classic blues and
R&B tunes to some finely written originals. From some classic
funk like “Cissy Strut” to a soul-
ful “Have You Ever Loved A
Woman,” the band knows how
to play some strong variations on
some known tunes. The band’s
originals hold their own, too. They
can play everything from slowroll blues like “Paid In Full” to fun
boogie-woogie like “Blues About
You Baby.” Some other stand-out
cuts include the title cut from the
band’s first release Old Soul -- the
funky tune “Before The Bullets
Fly,” the funny, killer piano standout “I Love My Skin,” and the title
cut of this CD, “Live Music Is Better.”
The band is a collaboration of
some of Central Virginia’s finest
and most dedicated blues musicians, brought together by their
love of blues music and their
active participation in the Central
Virginia Blues Society. The band
consists of Jon Spear, Dara James,
Andy Burdetsky and John Stubblefield. Jon Spear is an awardwinning singer-songwriter and
guitarist. Jon has performed with
numerous bands from New York
through DC and Virginia, playing a wide range of styles including swing, rockabilly, classic rock
and blues. His electric playing has
been influenced by guitarists such
as Hollywood Fats and Debbie
Davies. Dara James is an amazing
young talent with outstanding vocal, guitar and harmonica skills far
beyond his years. Drummer John
Stubblefield started playing drums
around the time the Beatles made
their U.S. debut. His Dad owned
radio stations and he grew up loving all styles of music. In college
he played with The Charlottesville
Blues Allstars (later called just The
Allstars). Bassist Andy Burdetsky
has been playing bass for over 35
years. Andy has shared the stage
and/or sat in with such musical
MAY/JUNE 2016 • WWW.NATCHELBLUES.ORG
MARK CAMERON
Playing Rough
COP Records LPM-1677
Released January 15, 2016 (digital)
Released April 1, 2016 (vinyl)
www.markcameronmusic.net
Playing Rough is Mark Cameron’s fourth release on COP
Records and is a solid CD, wellmixed with boogie, ballads, slow-
roll blues and hard-hitting, mean
guitar-pickin’ blues. There’s a lil’
something for everyone. Mark is
known for his “rough-around-theedges” style of blues and his ability
to string together strong melodies
and memorable lyrics. This latest
release proves the rumors to be alltoo-true!
Mark pulls together a tight
band with some terrifically talented artists. Mark Cameron is a charismatic front man, soulful guitarist
and vocalist. Sheri Cameron adds
a sweet edge to the sound on flute.
Bill “Killer” Keyes just highlights
every tune that he plays on with
his edgy harp style. Scott Lundberg
is absolutely solid on bass and Dan
Schroeder holds it all together on
the drums.
Playing Rough kicks off with a
Southern-style boogie beat number
tagged “Doctor In The House.”
“Somewhere Down The Line” is
a funky, get-down blues tune that
will have you up out of your seat
and dancing ‘round the room.
A nice tribute to the King, that’s
B.B. King, is featured on the tune
“Bluesmans Lullaby.” Soul sisters
Sara Renner and Tonia Hughes
get together on the up-beat gospel
rocker “Together.”
This fine release by Mark
Cameron is a fantastic mix of blues
styles, musical talent and incredible songwriting talent. You’ll want
to add this great blues CD to your
collection. It’s also available in a
vinyl release, as well. So whatever
way you like to spin your blues, go
pick this one up.
Brian “The Bluesman” Beachum
7
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27th Annual
Bayou Boogaloo
& Cajun Food Festival
June 24-26, 2016 - Town Point Park – Downtown Norfolk, Virginia
Friday: Noon - 2pm (free & open to the public), 2pm - 10pm (ticketed)
Saturday: Noon - 10 pm (ticketed) Sunday: Noon - 6pm (ticketed)
NBN is looking for volunteers to staff their
Friday, June 24
2:00 pm New Breed Brass Band (Missing Kidney Stage)
6:30 pm Royal Southern Brotherhood (Main Stage)
8:30 pm Anders Osborne (Main Stage)
Saturday, June 25
3:45 pm Brass-A-Holics (Main Stage)
6:00 pm Buckwheat Zydeco (Main Stage)
7:15 pm Gill Landry (Missing Kidney Stage)
Sunday, June 26
TBA
Merchandise Tent (Fri-Sun),
and Beer Tent (Saturday only).
You will receive Free admission to the festival
for the day that you volunteer.
To volunteer, visit www.natchelblues.org
Show your pride! Wear your NBN t-shirt when volunteering!
This is info as of press time.
For a complete schedule, please visit
https://festevents.org/events/2016-season-events/
bayouboogaloo/lineup/
New Breed
Brass Band
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MAY/JUNE 2016 • WWW.NATCHELBLUES.ORG
Brass-A-Holics
BLUES VINYL FLASHBACK
by Dr. Joe
Anders Osborne
Buckwheat Zydeco
Royal Southern Brotherhood
Gil Landry
ALBERT KING King of The Blues Guitar Atlantic Records SD 8213 (1969)
www.atlanticrecords.com
From start to finish, this is a musthave for any true Blues fan. The Velvet
Bulldozer
does it
again
in this
masterpiece
as he
displays
his vocal prowess and mastery of the
Flying V (maybe that’s what led me to
Michael Burks).
Gifted with this gem by The Notorious Will i.e. many years back, it has
remained one of my all-time favorite LPs
ever since. Covered and sampled by
many artists of many genres, none good
enough to name in the same breath with
Albert King, this LP can stand on its
own as a body of work unsurpassed
by most. No question about it, if it
wasn’t for Drink Small, Albert King
would be my number one all-time
favorite bluesman bar none.
You will find it hard to believe
that this Delta-born son of a preacherman taught himself to play with a
wire unwound from the neck of a
whisk broom, secured at one end
to a peg in the ground, at the other
to a nail in the wall, and tuned with
a turn-buckle. His beloved “Lucy”
guides the way as Albert raises the
bar for guitar slingers and musicians
of all sorts for decades to come. Still
better than 99.9% of anything you
will hear today anywhere, this classic
Blues Vinyl sounds especially divine
on my new Anders Nicholson Hi-Fi
system (with combo receiver, CD and
double cassette), especially on my
outdoor speakers while I am smoking
some pork butts. I have the luckiest
neighbors.
MAY/JUNE 2016 • WWW.NATCHELBLUES.ORG
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NBN Company Members
We want to thank our Company Members for their continual support
of the Blues. Be sure to pay them a visit and consider them for their
goods or services.
• Brian Beachum
Beachum Studios, Inc.
• Mark Brownell
King Neptune’s Mini Golf
• Stuart Burnley
Hermitage Farms Nursery
• Dirt Cheap Blues Dance Co.
• Bruce Harlow
The Original Rhondels
• Ruth & Tim Morgan
Ruth & Tim Enterprises
• Seven Venues/Attucks
Theatre
• Steve Wilkins
Wilkins & Associates, Inc.
New NBN Members & Renewals
Thanks to the following new members or renewals over the last
couple of months. Your support is helping to keep the Natchel’
Blues Network and blues music in Hampton Roads alive!
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JOHN ANDY
LEE ANN BROOKS
DALE & ANDREE BUTCHER
DAN CHESSON
DON CLOUTIER
ALAN & VALERIE DALY
MAY/JUNE 2016 • WWW.NATCHELBLUES.ORG
DARRELL FLYTHE
E.L. LANE
JULIE MITCHEM
MARY ANN TOBOZ
GARY WILSON
ANDY WINCH
CD Reviews
by Bill “Big Dog” van Elburg
Deliveries here at the Big Dog’s house are usually confined to bills and junk mail in the mailbox, online-purchased electronics sent via UPS left on the front porch,
and legal documents delivered and sent courtesy of FedEx… and the occasional pizza. One of the best things about my work as Programming Director of The Blues Alley radio is acquiring the latest albums from both established artists as well as
those just starting to break. So it was with both glee and curiosity I ripped open the mailer recently received from Top Cat Records. Oh, my! What a veritable jambalaya waited within, three new albums including a Top Cat’s two disc 20th Anniversary Blues Extravaganza and a new/old one from Mitch Parker & The Hash
Brown Band. Right on top, getting a good steady boil going, I had me some Louisiana Red. Mm-mm-mm! Thought I’d follow that with a big ol’ greasy helping of 40 cuts from
Top Cat’s catalog and maybe finish off with a little taste of Mitch Palmer & The Hash Brown Band.
Working Mule (2015, Top Cat Records – TCT 5132)
by Louisiana Red (Iverson Mintor) is
a compilation of
14 previously unreleased
live
tracks
recorded
over a
ten-year
period from the mid-‘90s to 2007. Producer John Angelatos deserves at least
three Michelin stars for pulling the 10
original and 4 standard songs together
to create a satisfying presentation of
the musical flavors comprising Mr.
Mintor’s work during this period.
This acknowledged blues master and composer of over 270 songs
recorded 40 albums of his own, and
lent his slide guitar work and voice to
at least a dozen albums by a veritable
who’s who of the Blues and Rock
world including those of his erstwhile
mentor, Muddy Waters, and his longtime collaborator, John Lee Hooker.
Louisiana Red’s slide work is a shot
of white liquor burning down your
throat; his voice is a dipper of cool
spring water on a sleepless southern
night.
In 1994 Louisiana Red fused the
blues with the urban Greek music of
the bouzouki player Stelios Vamvakaris. This influence, as well as the instrument, can be heard on some of the
songs on this album. “Guitar” Johnny
Nicholas & The Backbone appear on
two of the cuts; Bob Brozman, who
passed in 2013, is featured on four,
including “Goodbye Jack Dupree” and
“Keep on Playing The Blues” – a couple of my personal favorites. Louisiana
Red left the bandstand for the last time
in 2012. He died in hospital following
a stroke near Hanover, Germany, his
home since 1981.
Top Cat Records 20th Anniversary
Blues Extravaganza (2015, Top Cat
Record’s – TCT 0312) is a real combo
platter
of 40
cuts by
revered
Blues
artists
including
Texas
Slim,
Big Mama Thornton, and Muddy
Waters with Pinetop Perkins on the
88’s; Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and
George “Harmonica” Smith; Big Walter Horton and Hollywood Fats and
The Paladins to name just a few. Mind
you, these ain’t fresh cuts, but they’re
choice… cooked nice and slow. This is
one of those albums you want to listen
to when you can really savor its deep
down Blues goodness.
Every cook knows it’s impossible
to simply throw a bunch of stuff in
a pot and come up with something
tasty. The secret is in the right combi-
nation of ingredients, herbs and spices.
Producer Richard Chalik has done a
great job pullin’ together this wellseasoned sampler, which has benefited
greatly from the deft mastering and
editing of Russ Ragsdale of Ragsdale
Studios in Nashville. Hard work, but
these guys did it!
Two discs - forty cuts of some
damn fine Blues. This is a must have
collection for those who like to dig a
little deeper into the music and listen
to not only the greats, but some of
the less well known Blues and R&B
masters of the second half of the last
century. Now, if this don’t fill you
up… you eat too much!
She’s Lookin’ Good (Top Cat Records,
2015 – TCT 1152) is a re-release of a
1997
recording of
14 Blues
and R&B
standards by
Mitchell
T & the
H.B’s
featuring the evocative vocals of Mitch
Palmer and virtuoso guitar work and
vocals of guitar slinger, Brian “Hash
Brown” Calway. Hash Brown lends
his considerable talent to this already
meaty mixed grill of tunes penned by
the likes of Memphis legend Rufus Thomas, Wilson Pickett, Jimmy
Hicks, Buddy Guy and others. Like
MAY/JUNE 2016 • WWW.NATCHELBLUES.ORG
a peppery dry rub, the bottom end is
anchored by Terry Montgomery on
bass and Bobby Baranowski on drums.
On first listen I was reminded of early
J. Geils Band - only better!
I continue to enjoy this album
even after the usual two or three
helpings. Especially two cuts: “Give It
to Me” (a Mitchell T. Palmer original
and a particular favorite of mine), and
Magic Sam’s “Sawed Off Shotgun.”
Both feature the inspired lead guitar
work of Andrew Baxter, Jr. who was
about 11-years old going on fifty-three
when playing on this album.
This album is indeed worthy of
re-release and hits the shelves in June
with bookings already scheduled for
the band to take advantage of the
buzz, which will undoubtedly be
generated. Now those who know me
know I never do snarky, and the only
thing I can say even remotely close has
nothing to do with the music. It has to
do with branding of all things. These
guys seem caught up in some kind of
identity crisis! On the CD case, insert
and press release, they are cumulatively listed as Mitchell T. & the H.B.’s,
Mitchell T. Palmer & The Hash Brown
Band, and Mitch Palmer & The Hash
Brown Band. Pick a name already! I
suggest The Palmer Calway Band to
give due credit to the two great artists
who make this album rock. Pick it up
when released, ‘cause no matter what
their name they don’t disappoint!
11
CD Reviews
by Dr. Joe
BOBBY BLACKHAT
WALTERS
Accidental Blues
Bobby BlackHat Music
www.bobbyblackhat.com
It has been interesting, to say the
least, watching this musical maestro progress and age like a fine
wine over the last 10+ years. I must
admit that I have been a Bobby
BlackHat fan since the first time
I saw him over a decade ago. I
probably played his You Changed
Your Mind Again CD 1000 times.
Whenever I see him play, I always
ask for a song from that CD. It is
no wonder he is a 2016 IBC Finalist. Always a fixture at local blues
shows, Bobby is a consummate
showman. Whether on the vocals,
on the harp, or directing traffic
at Blues at the Beach, Bobby will
never leave you wanting more. His
latest CD is no exception. With 15
tracks of good old blues, Bobby has
another hit on his hands with this
one. He reprises his crowd-pleasing “Nursery Rhyme Blues” and
gives it a 2015 upgrade. Many new
original songs highlight this CD
including the now-famous “HRBT
Blues,” which tells the tale of woe
4
12
of the Tidewater commuter. Pick
this one up so the next time you
are sitting still in traffic and the
“Congestion Next 6 miles” sign is
on, you can pump this up, sit back,
and smile. And wonder why they
don’t just paint it up there.
the grinder “Big Behind” they tell
the story about a woman with a
prominent posterior, shelf-like. So
be the first one on your block to
upstage $ir Mix-a-Lot, and be High
Steppin’ like The R-O-Y. Your ears
will thank you.
BLINDDOG SMOKIN’
High Steppin’
Silver Talon Records STF-457
www.silvertalonrecords.com
This CD struck me immediately
because of the cover art and title.
The name “High Steppin’” hits a
sentimental tone with me because
it was one of the catch phrases
and dance moves of my good
buddy the R-O-Y (1965-2015) who
left this earth too soon. And as a
man who appreciates a fine set
of pimp shoes, this band is right
up my alley as they break into
“Pimp Shoes” as the opening song.
Pretty much every song on this
CD is different from the one that
precedes it, so you never know
what is coming next. They can go
from swamp boogie blues to slow
melodic heartbreaker and keep
on going. Good guitar and harp
accompany excellent lyrics on
songs such as “Bayou Woman,”
“If I Died Today,” and others. In
TOMMY CASTRO &
THE PAINKILLERS
Method To My Madness
Alligator Records
www.alligator.com
After seeing so many people pick
this as one of their top CDs of 2015,
I figured it was time to give it a
spin. One of the first things that
I noticed was the unmistakable
influence of the Velvet Bulldozer.
This has never been as clear as it
is on “Lose-Lose,” by far the best
track on the CD. If you close your
eyes, you would think that Albert
King had put out some new music.
And to quote Albert if I may, if
you don’t like this song, “you got
a hole in your soul.” This song
embodies everything that blues is,
was, should be, and always will
be. He does a great cover of B.B.’s
“Bad Luck” and shows some fine
guitar skills and vocals to match.
Having performed at the now
world-famous Natchel’ Blues Network’s Blues at the Beach, Tommy
MAY/JUNE 2016 • WWW.NATCHELBLUES.ORG
Castro is no stranger to Tidewater
Blues fans. Expect great things in
the future from this artist for many
years to come. Next time you are
around some friends who “don’t
like the blues,” pop this gem in for
them, and watch their head start to
bobbin’ from side to side. This is
the real deal.
EUGENE HIDEAWAY BRIDGES
Hold On a Little Bit Longer
Armadillo Music Limited ARMD
00036
www.bluearmadillo.com
Coming from a musical background is always a plus, and
Eugene has a pedigree to be
impressed with. His father, Otheneil Bridges, performed as a blues
guitarist under the name “Hideaway Slim,” and his mother was
a relative of Anna Mae Bullock,
better known as Tina Turner. He
previously had a career in gospel
with The Mighty Clouds of Joy.
Quite a pedigree indeed, but make
no mistake about it this man is not
resting on his laurels. Great horns
accompanied by good guitar and
vocals, this Veteran and Texan
made the jump down under and
hasn’t looked back since. He even
has a song about how much Perth,
WA reminds him of his home in
Texas. This is a well-seasoned
bluesman…having met the greats,
played with the greats, and now on
his way to being one of the greats.
Reprising an old C&W song made
famous by my man Frankie Laine
and others, Eugene gives “Along
the Navajo Trail” a traditional
jump blues approach and it turns
out great. The rocking “Long Way
from San Antone” pumps it up
and jams in a not-so-Charlie Pride
approach. Singing songs about
the Great State of Texas come
naturally to Hideaway, and we
wouldn’t want it any other way. So
slap some ribs on the smoker for 5
hours at 225, pop this CD in, and
get to smoking!
ented this group is. But even I was
astounded by the depth and range
on this latest CD. I am also quite
impressed with the soul, feeling,
and emotion Logan puts into the
vocals as she melts the microphone
with her ballads of love gone
wrong. Particularly when you take
into consideration that, by her own
admission, she has never BEEN
in love nor felt the heartbreak that
eventually befalls all of us when
we let our heart overrule our brain.
Not to be outdone, brother Logan
rips it up on the guitar at a level
competent with others three times
his age. I would pay to hear him
play a $5 ukulele in a phone booth.
It is for these reasons that this is
my pick as CD of the month. To
pick a favorite song on this one
would be like trying to pick a
favorite donut at Krispy Kreme.
THEY ARE ALL EXCELLENT! So
run out and buy this CD as fast as
you can, while the Hot-n-Now sign
is still lit.
the late-‘60s to the early-‘70s, Lydia
Pense & Cold Blood helped forge
their own specific brand of funky
soul and R&B, which came to be
known as East Bay Grease. This
style continues to set the standard
today, inspiring old-schoolers as
well as new generations of musicians. This new CD holds its own
as they continue to funk it up and
lay it out in an R&B style that will
have you ready to go by September’s and head on over to The Pavillion Club, with maybe a stop at
Mitty’s on the way. It’s been a quite
a journey for this crew, spanning
six decades if you do the math. So
it’s no surprise that in “Long Time
Gone,” Pense sings how it’s been a
long time coming, but it’s gonna be
a long time gone. She can still belt
it out like a soul sistah and melt
the mic with a slow blues tune that
makes the hair on the back of your
neck stand up. Great horns, lyrics, keyboard, and guitars all meld
together in unison to form a tight
unit that only gets better when
IN LAYMAN TERMS
Tangled
National Media Services Inc
3inlaymanterms.com
Cole and Logan Layman jump out
of the box again with a blistering
blues CD sure to please all blues
newbies and veterans alike. How
on Earth people this young make
music this good is beyond me.
But regardless of their age, this is
a group to be reckoned with now
and for decades to come. Having
witnessed them recently at a Foodbank benefit, as well as with their
alter ego The UnXpected, I was
already well versed on how tal-
LYDIA PENSE & COLD BLOOD
Soul of the Gypsy
Cold Blood
www.lydiapense.com
Lydia Pense & Cold Blood are no
strangers to the blues. Way back
in the ‘60s they debuted when the
Fillmore was at its peak as one of
the nation’s musical Meccas. From
MAY/JUNE 2016 • WWW.NATCHELBLUES.ORG
Lydia grabs the mic. In “All Alone”
she sings of being lonely and missing her man, but being available
when he is ready to come back. A
nice smooth horn solo on this song
should make it a big hit with the
crossover crowd. These guys seem
to blur the lines between several
genres of music, which for me
makes it better each time I listen to
it. A special treat is added in “Out
Da Box,” a bonus track available
for free at lydiapense.com. This
gives you one more extra funky
treat for dessert after you have finished off the main course. So many
good funky jams on this CD it’s
hard to pick one that is the best, because they are all sure to get your
body moving and groovin’! So get
your Afro Pick with the fist on the
end, put on your platform shoes,
and do your best Soul Train impersonation because this CD will have
you ready to Funk it Up in that old
familiar way. Maybe you can hit
Adam’s for Happy Hour!
13
Bands That Play Blues in Hampton Roads
Amy Ferebee ..................................... 757-434-5385
Anthony Rosano &
the Conqueroos..............................757-285-5061
Bartones ...............................................757-622-7235
Black White Blues ............................. 757-947-4669
Blues Empacts ................................... 757-880-5451
Blues On Fire ............................................ 872-8580
Bobby “BlackHat” Walters .............. 757-871-5485
Clarence Turner Band ...................... 240-988-9375
Corporate Woods Drive .................. 757-748-6775
Cosmo Kings ..................................... 757-255-0648
Darryl Ellyson ................................... 804-617-8820
dc3........................................................ 757-463-2384
Elifino...................................................757- 615-3788
Grant Austin Taylor Band ............... 757-439-2064
Groove Cats ........................................757-289-7324
HammerHead Blues ........................ 757-483-1350
Herbie D & the DangerMen ........... 757-679-9671
H.M. Johnson Band .......................... 757-547-4506
In Layman Terms .............................. 813-778-2054
Incognito Brothers .............................757-651-0073
Jackie Scott & the
Housewreckers ............................ 757-777-7127
John Baldwin Group ........................ 757-735-4409
Julius Pittman & the Revival .......... 757-634-1816
Lisa Lim Band ................................... 540-379-6589.
Michael Clark Band .......................... 757-418-1788
More Cowbell .................................... 757-624-5225
M.S.G. Acoustic Blues Trio ............. 757-434-0447
Next Weeks Blues ............................. 252-642-2701
Planet Full of Blues ........................... 804-815-3016
Rhythm Kings ................................... 757-460-6414
Rock and Blues Society Band ......... 757-581-3363
Ron Fetner .......................................... 757-810-0599
Rooster Foot ....................................... 903-343-7424
RYLO .................................................. 757-729-4660
Shakedown ........................................ 757-566-3770
Shelly Craig-Potter ............................757-546-1528
Stevie Hoover .................................... 570-902-9331
Straight Up Blues Band ................... 757-289-3117
The Doc Robin Band ........................ 757-593-7820
The Janitors ........................................ 757-285-8707
The J.D. Silvia Band .......................... 757-376-2468
The Mike Lucci Band ....................... 804-814-4298
The UnXpected ................................. 813-778-2054
Tim Morgan ....................................... 757-875-0447
Tom Dikon ......................................... 757-262-8525
Tom Larsen Band ............................. 410-651-9457
Tough Deal ........................................ 804-241-5503
Urban Hill ..........................................757- 570-9138
Newsletter Deadlines
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15