Vote Today For Your Favorite Delta Groove Artist

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	Voting is underway for the 2013 Living Blues Awards. It's that time of year again…time to vote for your favorite Delta Groove artists in the Living Blues Awards!Delta Groove artists have received a total of 6 nominations this year, including The Mannish Boys "Double Dynamite", Tail Dragger & Bob Corritore "Longtime Friends In The Blues", and Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King "Close To The Bone" for Best Blues Album of the Year (New Recordings),Kirk "Eli" Fletcher for Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar), Bob Corritore for Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica), and Elvin Bishop for Best Blues DVD of 2012 for "That's My Thing". Vote online and support your favorite Delta Groove artists. It's quick, simple, and easy to vote. All ballots must be received by July 15, 2013. Best Blues Album of 2012 (New Recordings) TAIL DRAGGER & BOB CORRITORE "LONGTIME FRIENDS IN THE BLUES" "One of the great personalities of Chicago blues is the unstoppable Tail Dragger, whose charisma fills up any room he plays in." - Bob Corritore "One day this boy (Tail Dragger) will take my place." - Howlin' Wolf "…a damn good harmonica player (Bob Corritore) with a lively sense of history." – Downbeat "If Phoenix, Arizona, had a blues mafia, then Bob Corritore just might be its resident godfather." – Living Blues Best Blues Album of 2012 (New Recordings) THE MANNISH BOYS "DOUBLE DYNAMITE" "With personnel ranging from duets up to horn-fired big-band charts, this quintessential backup band takes center stage on their way to deserved recognition as a premier blues group in their own right." – All Music Guide "…an infectious revival of both '40s jump and '50s to '60s Chess-like styles from a band that lives inside the music..." – Wall Street Journal "The Mannish Boys' dedication to preserving the past is matched only by their musical aptitude." – Living Blues Best Blues Album of 2012 (New Recordings) SMOKIN' JOE KUBEK & BNOIS KING "CLOSE TO THE BONE" "King's jazzy guitar work is the perfect foil to Kubek's more incendiary style. They are simply the best guitar tandem on the scene today." - Blues Revue "Potent, undiluted 100-proof Texas blues honed to a razor's edge." – Guitar One "I'm very excited to have them in the Delta Groove family. I'm blown away by their great songwriting and performances - a true Texas duo." – Randy Chortkoff (Founder and President of Delta Groove Music) Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar) KIRK "ELI" FLETCHER "Fletcher favors toothy Strat tones, stinging bends, and flurries of tight, staccato riffs that seem to pop from his fretboard like little firecrackers." - Guitar Player Magazine "Fletcher clearly has ensemble dynamics down, suggesting that his years as a sideman have been fruitful. But he's also unabashed as a bandleader, and his guitar work earns its prominence." - Blues Revue Magazine "Kirk Fletcher is a young man with a big reputation... he exudes class and style, knows all the classic licks but never resorts to mere copying, always with his own take in his trick bag." - Blues & Rhythm Magazine Best Blues DVD (2012) ELVIN BISHOP "THAT'S MY THING" (DVD) "Before Eric Clapton was old enough to shave, Elvin Bishop was hanging out in Chicago with the first generation of electric bluesmen." – Guitar World "Forever a crusader for fun blues and rock 'n' roll, Bishop gives his cherry red 1959 Gibson ES-345 a hug and places emphasis on his terrific slide guitar chops…" – Downbeat "…Bishop's muscular guitar provides the sets pulse, as his soulful slide ripples through R & B classics and rowdy blues alike." – Relix Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica) BOB CORRITORE "An incredible harmonica player." – Hohner Harmonica's Easy Reeding Magazine "Corritore's taste in studio partners is matched by his musical execution." – Living Blues Magazine "…from party-time boogies to melancholy after-hours serenades, Corritore's got the Blues for you." – Omaha Reader "(Bob Corritore's) a damn good harmonica player with a lively sense of history." – Downbeat Magazine TO HEAR AUDIO CLIPS FROM ALL THE NOMINATED ARTISTS VISIT US ONLINE AT: WWW.DELTAGROOVEMUSIC.COM

Elvin Bishop/Janiva Magness/Steve Riley headline Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Fest. May 25-26, 2013

ELVIN BISHOP, JANIVA MAGNESS, SMOKIN’ JOE KUBEK PLUS
GRAMMY WINNERS STEVE RILEY & THE MAMOU PLAYBOYS
HEADLINE 24th ANNUAL
SIMI VALLEY CAJUN & BLUES MUSIC FESTIVAL,
SATURDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 25-26
Los Angeles area’s largest Cajun and Blues festival, held over Memorial Day weekend, features two stages, a Mardi Gras parade, kids’ stages, crafts and dozens of food booths

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — The 24th annual Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Festival will rock over Memorial Day weekend, May 25-26, at Rancho Santa Susanna Community Park, 5005 Los Angeles Ave., in Simi Valley. The festival features two full stages for each of its musical genres. Music will proceed non-stop each day from 12 noon until 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20 (adults 13+) and $15 (children) and are available online at http://www.simicajun.org or at the gate. Parking is ample and free. Fast-moving California Hwy. 118 (Ronald Reagan Freeway) can be taken to the Stearns Street exit; the festival is four blocks south.
Co-headlining the blues stage this year, Alligator recording artist Janiva Magness and Elvin Bishop will lead a Tribute to Finis Tasby.
Janiva Magness received the coveted 2009 Blues Music Award for B.B. King Entertainer of the Year (she is the second woman to ever win this award; Koko Taylor was the first). She also won Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year for three years. She has received a total of 22 Blues Music Award nominations to date, including five nominations this year. Her album Stronger For It is her tenth.
Elvin Bishop, who will lead a tribute to ailing Texas bluesman Finis Tasby, a member of the Mannish Boys, with John Nemeth and Kid Anderson, began his career with the Butterfield Blues Band. He notched a #3 pop hit with the single “I Fooled Around and Fell in Love” in 1976. His latest recording (and 18th album) is the live Raisin’ Hell Revue on Delta Groove Records.
Meanwhile, on the Cajun stage, Rounder Records artists and two-time Grammy Award nominees and 2013 winner Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, will headline both Saturday and Sunday; Swampland star Teresa Russell, Southern California’s own Lisa Haley, Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners, David Sousa & the Zydeco Mudbugs, J Paul D. & the Zydeco Nubreeds and Andre Thierry & the Zydeco Magic will create a Louisiana-style fais-do-do. A sizeable dance floor will be built alongside the stage. The annual Mardi Gras Parade will take place both days at 4 p.m.
Meanwhile, back at the blues stage (and festival goers are encouraged to go back and forth), other performers include the Mannish Boys with guests Curtis Salgado, Kevin Selfe, Peter Dammann, Otis Grand and Audrey Turner; Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bnois King with guests Bob Corritore, Rand Chortkoff and Big Pete; Sugar Ray & the Bluetones, Andy T/Nick Nixon Band with Anson Funderbaugh; James Herman’s Back Porch Revue; and the Delta Groove Harp Blast.
The blues stage also presents two young blues up-and-comers, redefining the genre for a new generation: Nathan James & His Rhythm Scratchers and Kara Grainger. Nathan James plays his self-invented washboard guitar, harmonica and kazoo. His 2012 What You Make of It album was called “one of the most original blues CDs (and bands) to come along in a long time.” Of Australian-born Kara Grainger — soon to release her Delta Groove Records debut album — Nashville’s Tennessean newspaper noted, "There's a whole lot of Bonnie Raitt in (her songs) . . . Grainger's alternately throaty and honeyed voice floats over a . . . bed of bluesy accompaniment."

The festival has received national press accolades: “Everywhere you turned, there was something exciting happening. Put this on your 2013 festival calendar,” wrote Blue Revue editor Art Tipaldi, who made the trek from New England. The Blues Blast writer enthused, “I attend many venues and festivals throughout the year but the ones that seem to impress me the most are the ones that serve the community in some way. I highly recommend you put this on your calendar for next Memorial Day weekend.” And the music industry trade journal Hits added, “As the last strains of (Candye) Kane’s set rang in our ears, we left the grounds fully sated by music, food, drink and, as the saying goes, bon temps.”
This family-friendly event boasts a huge kids’ area with bouncers, rock walls. specialty acts, crafts and talent shows.
The festival boasts dozens of food booths featuring a variety of fare: authentic Cajun creations and Southern BBQ as well as multi-cultural cuisine. More than 100 craft booths and retailers will be scattered throughout the festival grounds.
Tickets may be obtained online at http://wl.flavorus.com/rotaryclubofsimisunrise/cajunbluesfestival
Support of the not-for-profit Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival has benefited dozens of local community, national and international organizations a list of which may be found at http://www.simicajun.org/2013/whobenefits.html.
Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Festival web site:http://www.simicajun.org/2013/index.html

Ruth Davies' Blues Night with Elvin Bishop and Friends

Photos on the Steinway grand in Ruth's living room reflect her musical career. Several pictures get one's attention. Her mother, a music teacher, inspired Ruth to earn a music Bachelor of Arts degree. Mom poses with Dad in front of a venerable Harley Davidson motorbike. There's a group of young musicians glowing during a workshop. Ruth embracing Toots Thielemans in a Baku caravansary. Ruth playing at Bill Clinton's inauguration. Ruth hamming it up with singer Jackie Ryan and composer Amina Figarova. Some photos include celebrities or famous musicians. Others simply grab one's interest. What a life Ruth has had! Ruth has performed with such jazz and blues greats as Keb' Mo', Charles Brown, Clark Terry, John Lee Hooker, Bonnie Raitt, Jay McShann, Van Morrison, Maria Muldaur, Junior Mance, Barbara Morrison, Etta Jones, Terry Gibbs, Jimmy Witherspoon, and Little Jimmy Scott. Her discography (including several Platinum and Grammy-winning CDs) covers various jazz and blues styles as well as movie soundtracks. She has recorded with Charles Brown, Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker, Van Morrison, Clark Terry, Vassar Clements, Toots Thielemans, Ernie Watts, Elvin Bishop, Maria Muldaur, Jackie Ryan, and Ramblin' Jack Elliott, among others. She toured the world for ten years with the late Charles Brown, performing at major jazz festivals and concerts and on radio and television broadcasts worldwide. Ruth continues to spend considerable time abroad. She has recorded and performed internationally with Maria Muldaur, Denise Jannah, Dmitri Matheny and European pianist/composer Amina Figarova. Lately she has "returned to the roots" and travels with Elvin Bishop's band. Ruth believes in teaching and in bringing music to the public schools. She has been on the faculty at the Stanford Jazz Workshop for twelve years and has had a very successful "Ruth Davies Blues Night" series at the Stanford Jazz Festival. The San Francisco Symphony’s "Adventures in Music" program and the "Just Say Jazz" project deliver music education to the classroom. By any conservative estimate, Ruth has presented music programs to over one thousand school groups. That's a serious commitment. If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

Vote Today - Blues Music Awards - Delta Groove Receives 9 Nominations!

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	The nominees for the 34th Blues Music Awards have now been announced, and once again Delta Groove and its artists continue to make their presence felt. This year you can find our artists acknowledged in 9 categories including the prestigious Album of the Year, Traditional Blues Album of the Year, Band of the Year, and the Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female). The 34th Blues Music Awards will be Thursday May 9, 2013 at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee. Show your support for your favorite artists and releases by voting today! To register and become a member of The Blues Foundation and be eligible to vote for your favorite artists, please visit the Blues Foundation website at www.BLUES.org. 34TH BLUES MUSIC AWARDS - DELTA GROOVE NOMINEES ARE: THE MANNISH BOYS "DOUBLE DYNAMITE" (2 CDS) Album featuring Finis Tasby, Sugaray Rayford, Randy Chortkoff, Kirk Fletcher, Frank Goldwasser, Willie J. Campbell, Jimi Bott, and more! Special Guests: James Harman, Elvin Bishop, Mud Morganfield, Mike Finnigan, Jackie Payne, Rod Piazza, Kid Ramos, Junior Watson, Jason Ricci, and many many more! NOMINATIONS: - Album of The Year - Band of The Year - Traditional Blues Album of The Year "With personnel ranging from duets up to horn-fired big-band charts, this quintessential backup band takes center stage on their way to deserved recognition as a premier blues group in their own right." – All Music Guide "…an infectious revival of both '40s jump and '50s to '60s Chess-like styles from a band that lives inside the music..." – Wall Street Journal "The Mannish Boys' dedication to preserving the past is matched only by their musical aptitude." – Living Blues Magazine TRACY NELSON "VICTIM OF THE BLUES" & "THE BLUES BROADS" NOMINATIONS: - Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female) "Tracy Nelson isn't so much a singer as she is a force field — a blues practitioner of tremendous vocal power and emotional range." - Alanna Nash, Entertainment Weekly "…a bad white girl…" - Etta James, from her autobiography, Rage To Live "Tracy Nelson proves that the human voice is the most expressive instrument in creation." - John Swenson, Rolling Stone ELVIN BISHOP "THAT'S MY THING: ELVIN BISHOP LIVE IN CONCERT" NOMINATIONS: - DVD of The Year "Before Eric Clapton was old enough to shave, Elvin Bishop was hanging out in Chicago with the first generation of electric bluesmen." – Guitar World "Forever a crusader for fun blues and rock 'n' roll, Bishop gives his cherry red 1959 Gibson ES-345 a hug and places emphasis on his terrific slide guitar chops…" – Downbeat "It's impossible not to like Bishop (his lyrical persona is not just for show). He's always singing something lowbrow and uplifting..." – Chicago Sun Times "…Bishop's muscular guitar provides the sets pulse, as his soulful slide ripples through R & B classics and rowdy blues alike." – Relix BOB CORRITORE "LONGTIME FRIENDS IN THE BLUES" Album featuring Tail Dragger, Kirk Fletcher, and more! NOMINATIONS: - Instrumentalist-Harmonica "…a damn good harmonica player (Bob Corritore) with a lively sense of history." – Downbeat "If Phoenix, Arizona, had a blues mafia, then Bob Corritore just might be its resident godfather." – Living Blues Magazine "An incredible harmonica player." – Hohner Harmonica's Easy Reeding Magazine TERRY HANCK "LOOK OUT!" Album featuring Chris "Kid" Andersen, Johnny "Cat" Soubrand, and more! NOMINATIONS: - Instrumentalist-Horn "Terry Hanck is a fine vocalist, an amazing showman and my favorite sax player." – Elvin Bishop "Tenor sax player Terry Hanck sings like he blows — sweetly, with a touch of grit…" - Blues Revue "… he's one of the most formidable saxophonists in the blues and soul business." – Lee Hildebrand WILLIE J CAMPBELL Willie J. CAMPBELL (THE MANNISH BOYS) NOMINATIONS: - Instrumentalist-Bass JIMI BOTT (THE MANNISH BOYS) NOMINATIONS: - Instrumentalist-Drums Jimi Bott: The most nominated blues drummer in history…but no award yet! Vote in the Blues Music Awards and help Jimi finally win! Although this is his 14th nomination, Jimi Bott has YET to bring home the award. That is 14 nominations in the 18 years there has been a drummer category, and 12 in a row. His 14 nominations now make him the MOST nominated drummer in the history of the awards! That is more nominations than legendary drummers, Willie "Big Eyes' Smith (Muddy Waters) and Sam Lay (Howlin Wolf, Little Walter, Muddy Waters). But yet a lot of people still do not know who he is. My purpose of this is not necessarily to get you to vote for him, even though he truly is one of the most talented, deserving, and humble musicians around. It is to bring awareness of who he is and what he has done, for those of you who might not be familiar with him, so you can make an educated choice when it does come time to vote. Jimi has one of the most impressive resumes around as he has spent nearly three decades touring the world with The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Mannish Boys, Rod Piazza, and Mark Hummel. He has over 70 recordings to his credit including William Clarke, Billy Boy Arnold, and James Harman. But this is not about his past resume…this is about what Jimi has done just THIS year! He recorded on numerous CD's including The Mannish Boys "Double Dynamite" which is nominated for three 2013 Blues Music Awards, and Smokin Joe Kubek and BNois King's "Close To The Bone". In 2012 he performed over 150 shows in the U.S. and Europe, including the 2012 Blues Music Awards Ceremony (Memphis, TN), Notodden Blues Festival (Norway), Zouk Mikael International Music Festival (Lebanon), Cazorla Blues Festival (Spain), Simi Valley Cajun and Blues Festival (Simi Valley, CA), and The Waterfront Blues Festival (Portland, OR). JIMI BOTT VOTING ENDS FRIDAY, MARCH 1ST 2013! TO HEAR AUDIO CLIPS FROM ALL THE NOMINATED ARTISTS VISIT: WWW.DELTAGROOVEMUSIC.COM

Annie Mae - Elvin Bishop and Little Smokey Smothers

Little Smokey Smothers (January 2, 1939 – November 20, 2010) was an African American, Chicago blues guitarist and singer. His elder brother, Otis (died 1993), was known as the bluesman Otis "Big Smokey" Smothers, with whom he was sometimes confused. Albert Abraham "Abe" Smothers was born in Tchula, Mississippi, learned guitar at the age of 15, and relocated to Chicago two years later. He soon appeared on stage playing alongside Arthur “Big Boy” Spires, Magic Sam, Otis Rush and Lazy Bill Lucas. In 1958 he joined up with Howlin' Wolf, and played on Wolf's recording session for Chess Records the following year. Tracks Smothers contributed to included "I've Been Abused," "Howlin' for My Darling," and "Mr. Airplane Man." In 1961 he founded Little Smokey Smothers and the Pipeplayers. He later met Paul Butterfield and became a founding member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. He was replaced in the band by Elvin Bishop, but developed a friendship that lasted a lifetime. Throughout the 1960s Smothers appeared with Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Earl Hooker, and Junior Wells. Musical opportunities dried up in the 1970s, and Smothers worked in construction. He recorded again, after several years break, in 1979 as part of Mojo Buford's Chicago Blues Summit album. He re-appeared in the 1980s with The Legendary Blues Band. Their 1989 recording, Woke up with the Blues, included contributions from Smothers. In 1993, Bishop made a guest appearance on Smothers first solo album with the Dutch Black Magic label, Bossman! The Chicago Blues of Little Smokey Smothers. The recording also included work from Smothers' cousin, Lee "Shot" Williams. Bishop and Smothers played at the 1993 Chicago Blues Festival. Smothers had open heart surgery in 1995, but the following year issued Second Time Around. Smothers performed at the 1999 San Diego Blues Festival, and at a party for Mick Jagger's 55th birthday. Alligator Records then issued That's My Partner (2000), a live album recorded in San Francisco, which saw Smothers reunited with Bishop. Smothers also appeared at the 2000 Chicago Blues Festival. He also featured in Martin Scorsese's 2003 television series The Blues, with excerpts from his live show. In 2006 Smothers and Bishop played live at the Ground Zero club in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Latterly Smothers experienced health problems, and had both legs amputated due to diabetes. In 2009, Bishop compiled the benefit album, Chicago Blues Buddies, incorporating recordings made by Smothers and Bishop dating back to 1992. Proceeds from the album helped to pay for Smothers' medical costs. On November 20, 2010, after a spell in a Chicago hospital, Smothers died of natural causes. If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, -  ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!

New Release: Elvin Bishop "That's My Thing" (DVD)

	ELVIN BISHOP "THAT'S MY THING" DVD A BLISTERING PERFORMANCE FEATURING 18 ROLLICKING HITS PLUS A BONUS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ELVIN BISHOP! Retail: $25.99 Discounted Price: $17.99 + s&h "Before Eric Clapton was old enough to shave, Elvin Bishop was hanging out in Chicago with the first generation of electric bluesmen." – Guitar World "Forever a crusader for fun blues and rock 'n' roll, Bishop gives his cherry red 1959 Gibson ES-345 a hug and places emphasis on his terrific slide guitar chops…" – Downbeat "It's impossible not to like Bishop (his lyrical persona is not just for show). He's always singing something lowbrow and uplifting..." – Chicago Sun Times "…Bishop's muscular guitar provides the sets pulse, as his soulful slide ripples through R & B classics and rowdy blues alike." – Relix DETAILS FORMAT: DVD (ALL REGION) # OF TRACKS: 18 (96 MINS) RELEASE DATE: 10/16/12 CATALOG #: DGPDVD010 UPC NUMBER: 850021001704 MUSICIANS Elvin Bishop: Guitar and Vocals Bob Welsh: Guitar Ruth Davies: Bass Ed Earley: Trombone & Percussion Bobby Cochran: Drums & Vocals S.E. Willis: Keys & Accordion DVD CREDITS A VenMundi Production Produced by: Jarid S. Johnson TRACK LISTING 01. That's My Thing (5:17) 02. My Dog (5:10) 03. Gettin' My Groove Back (5:49) 04. Mellow-D (4:47) 05. What the Hell is Going On (3:40) 06. Arkansas Line (5:52) 07. Got to be New Orleans (5:16) 08. Travelin' Shoes (7:53) 09. Fishin' (6:52) 10. Stomp (5:26) 11. Stealin' Watermelons (6:09) 12. Rock My Soul (5:42) 13. Calling All Cows (5:12) 14. El Bo (5:13) 15. Booty Bumpin' (4:42) 16. Party 'Til the Cows Come Home (5:35) 17. Little Brown Bird (6:04) 18. Bishop's Boogie (2:11) Elvin Bishop's music has been making people smile for over 50 years. A founding member of the ground-breaking Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Elvin has performed and recorded with music legends such as B.B. King, John Lee Hooker and The Allman Brothers. From deep down gut-bucket blues played in smoky South Side Chicago taverns, to raucous roadhouse R&B, Bishop's instilled all of his music with passion, creativity and a healthy helping of wisdom, wit and good humor! That's My Thing: Elvin Bishop Live In Concert DVD presents a blistering performance by Elvin Bishop and his road-tested touring band recorded live in front of a sold out crowd on December 17, 2011 at Club Fox in Redwood City, California. Bishop exuberantly struts his stuff while simultaneously coaxing his "Red Dog" to howl (aka his trusty cherry-red1959 Gibson ES-345 axe) on a selection of 18 rollicking numbers including Travelin' Shoes, Rock My Soul, Fishin', Stealin' Watermelons, Gettin' My Groove Back, Party 'Til The Cows Come Home, Little Brown Bird, Calling All Cows and 10 more ! In addition to his live concert performance, the DVD also includes a bonus exclusive interview of Elvin Bishop taped at Hog Heaven Studio. This is the DEFINITIVE interview of Elvin, tracing his life and career from the farms of Oklahoma, through his blues apprenticeship in Chicago, to his breakout as a solo star (including his hit Fooled Around and Fell in Love), all the way to his present career. VIDEO PREVIEW: Trailer/Clip: Elvin talks about his guitar "Red Dog". UPCOMING TOUR DATES: 11/23/12: Brooks, CA - Cache Creek Casino Resort 11/24/12: Healdsburg, CA - Raven Theater 11/26/12: Fort Lauderdale, FL - Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 12/07/12: San Francisco, CA - Biscuits & Blues 01/20/13: Fort Lauderdale, FL – Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 01/21/13: Fort Lauderdale, FL – Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 01/22/13: Fort Lauderdale, FL – Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 01/23/13: Fort Lauderdale, FL – Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 01/24/13: Fort Lauderdale, FL – Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 01/25/13: Fort Lauderdale, FL – Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 01/26/13: Fort Lauderdale, FL – Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 02/22/13: Park City, UT - The Egyptian Theatre 02/23/13: Park City, UT - The Egyptian Theatre BOOKING: THE ROSEBUD AGENCY Mike Kappus Phone: (415) 386-3456 Fax: (415) 386-0599 mikek@rosebudus.com www.rosebudus.com WWW.DELTAGROOVEMUSIC.COM

Delta Groove artist: Elvin Bishop - That's My Thing DVD - New Release Review

First I've got to say...WOW!! I love Elvin Bishop and I am thrilled that he has been captured in concert. I've been a Bishop fan for more years than you can imagine and although I love his CD's the man just is a great performer! There is a sincerity and lack of pretentiousness that Bishop just brings along with him and a man with his credentials... it just makes me proud to be one of his greatest fans. I have traveled to both coasts to festivals based upon whether he was playing or not (other performers were icing but Bishop was the incentive). Now on with the show.I have the to be released DVD (available October 16, 2012) and let me tell you what's up!  Bishop opens with That's My Thing, a simple country blues romp with Crabshaw on old Red Dog and there aren't too many guitars in the world that I'd prefer to have. This guitar not only has provenance, it has character! It has tone! This guitar has seen stuff that blues fans only dream about! And here Elvin has it in a club and it sounds great! I also think Ed Earley is a great contributor with his perfect tone on trombone. Like Miles, his tone is his own and he fits Bishop like a glove. Next up is My Dog, a personal favorite and one that has personal feelings for me having lost my own personal companion "Wood" last week. Bob Welsh plays a smokin' guitar solo on this track and Bishop kills it on the end. He gets the crowd a howlin' and barkin' and having fun is what this is all about. There is one thing that is particularly cool about listening to such a variety of music (like I do) and that's that you really get to see what's different and what's all the same. Bishop has his own style and he is tremendously inspiring. Gettin' My Groove Back finds Bobby Cochran (drums) on sweet lead vocals and the band gets a Louisiana blues going with S.E. Willis on accordion coming through. Again Welsh plays an inspired solo and Bishop is sitting with Red Dog in his Over Hauls (Bib Overalls)and boots just rippin' out the tone. Next up is Bishop playing slide on Mellow-D. This is played on a more modern 345 and although it doesn't have the guts of Red Dog, I love Bishops tone on slide. His early tracks from the late 60's and 70's are definitely worth searching out. After a nice solo from Welsh, Bishop plays some first position slide work on the 5th and 6th string. That is the guts of the guitar ...then moving to the upper octave for the glory. Sweet. Next up is What The Hell Is Going On, with Elvin back with classic vocals. Elvin's voice is a perfect match for Red Dog's bark and this is a great track to illustrate that. Before I forget I want to mention Ruth Davies who holds down the bottom really tight on an electric upright. Welsh pushes Crabshaw with fine riffs on what looks to be a 60's sg with a Bigsby. Great clean (compared to Bishop) tone. Digging back into the 70's Bishop pulls out Arkansas Line and gives it a real Tex Mex sound (with a touch of New Orleans). This was a great track on Juke Joint Jump and now sounds fresh as ever with a new slant. It's really cool that Elvin plays Red Dog most of this concert cause the dog really likes to sing.

Pic by Bill Horton

This is pure music. It's really great seeing this in my own living room at my leisure (and permanent). Got To Be New Orleans is a great funk track with Crabshaw leading the way. This track should show up on Treme (hint guys). If you haven't seen Treme and you love new Orleans music, it's a must! This track is really loose and and the vocals just gotta make you smile. Welsh flashes some funky riffs on a white tele to punch up the belly of the song but this track is really about the slack! Another great 70's track, Travelin' Shoes is up next. One of my best friends in college actually turned me on to Elvin Bishop. He was a football player from Mississippi (Ernie Webster)and he was known as the Big E. He had the logo from JJJ painted on the front of his hippie van. This track sounds great and Willis does a nice job on keys. Elvin has altered the word to this tune a few times to describe the "a-whoppin" he was gonna lay on somebody head. Welsh rips out a great solo on this track and Elvin gets the dog barking in tandem. Great music! Elvin asks the crowd if they're having a good time... and he means it! Next up is Fishin' which is really the track that brought Bishop out of the blues/r&b line and into his own unique style. He had some really great tracks that strayed on earlier albums but this track I think was the major departure to Elvin getting into his having fun openly. Watch clips of Bishop at the Fillmore and catch the chills run up your back. Bishop is like Picasso who can paint a perfect portrait but have found his own unique and extremely potent style. He pulls a fishin' pole guitar out for the punch line and fishes a blonde out of the audience to join in the party letting her strum the old dog. Stomp is a terrific slide instrumental from Rock My Soul and another that I'm glad to see him revisit! Stealin' Watermelons is a funky track from Let It Flow. Again back on the modern 345 Bishop sets a great stage for the band to play. Davies sets a solid bottom and Willis takes his turn on keys, Walsh on his tele and the heads are bobbin as the band sings. There is just great electricity produced by this band and Elvin chides them along! Breaking back to Rock My Soul, a great old R&B tune (from Rock My Soul) Elvin and gang get the grind. Cochran sings Jo Bakers part and although he isn't Baker, the voices (with Earley) sound great. the breakaway with Elvin, Welsh and Earley is terrific! On Calling All Cows  the tandem guitar work was always great and equally matched here with a dash of New Orleans. Bishop and Welsh each take riffs on slide. Bishop takes a walk through the crowd on El Bo and pulls out the old Chicago licks. This is a great track and giving Crabshaw the space to show what Red Dog can really do. Earley gets a nice run on the trombone and Welsh also plays a nice solo before joining with Bishop for some dueling guitar. Elvin grabs a great riff to finish the track. The band plays Booty Bumpin', an uptempo boogie giving Davies a brief bass solo and Elvin gives Red Dog a thumpin again. I hope that the audience appreciates what a tremendous treat they were witnessing 'cause I sure do. Party Till The Cows Come Home which I only remember in live form from the Fillmore release, has become one of Bishops trademark songs. Little Brown Bird has appeared on a few live recordings and Bishop always does a tremendous job. Not only does Bishop sing his guts out, he really kicks the crap out of the guitar on this track! I know that Bishop is all fun and games, but when the man stops to say something serious, people you need to listen. This is it!! Elvin wraps the set with Bishop's Boogie. Like any great entertainer you leave the crowd on an uptempo track and Elvin kicks it in gear for a terrific encore! The icing on this cake is Elvin Speaks, a frank discussion with Elvin in what appears to be his home studio. This is a really great one on one look at Elvin's exposure to the blues as a child, his first concert, life in Oklahoma in the 40's and 50's, his perceptions of music (he even uses the same expression that I do when I talk about "stale music" "How Much Is That Doggie In The Window!") at the time, his trip to Chicago; his trips to Maxwell street, and exposure to older blues players that we've mostly only seen faint films of. He also reminisced about his times with Smokey Smothers (if you haven't heard Smokey you must check him out!) and Paul Butterfield, his first real band mate. He talks about Bill Graham and his influence on the integration of all genres of music into the mainstream. He even does a little short on Red Dog for guitar heads like me and talks Fishin! He takes a walk through his small garden and shows his real life. He talks about getting Mickey Thomas on his big hit and why. The grits and gravy is when he talks about his take on playing blues...he hits it square on the head. Enjoy this unique video of one of the great blues entertainers of our time. If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

 This is not from the film but representative of current work...enjoy!

Newport - Paul Butterfield Blues Band

Paul Butterfield (17 December 1942 – 4 May 1987) was an American blues vocalist and harmonica player, who founded the Paul Butterfield Blues Band in the early 1960s and performed at the original Woodstock Festival. He died of drug-related heart failure.
The son of a lawyer, Paul Butterfield was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in the city's Hyde Park neighborhood. He attended the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, a private school associated with the University of Chicago. After studying classical flute with Walfrid Kujala of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as a teenager, he developed a love for the blues harmonica, and hooked up with white, blues-loving, University of Chicago physics student Elvin Bishop. The pair started hanging around black blues musicians such as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter and Otis Rush. Butterfield and Bishop soon formed a band with Jerome Arnold and Sam Lay, both hired away from the touring band of Howlin' Wolf. In 1963, the racially mixed quartet was made the house band at Big John's, a folk club in the Old Town district on Chicago's north side. Butterfield was still underage (as was guitarist Mike Bloomfield.)
Paul Butterfield died of peritonitis due to drug use and heavy drinking on May 4, 1987 Los Angeles, California. Before then, Butterfield tenor sax player Ruben Riera had taken him to Bellevue Hospital in New York City for emergency surgery for perforated intestine. He died at his home in North Hollywood, California. A month earlier, he was featured on B.B. King & Friends, a filmed concert that also included Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Etta James, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan and Eric Clapton. Its subsequent release was dedicated to Butterfield in memoriam.

In 2005, the Paul Butterfield Fund and Society was founded. It petitions for Butterfield's inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

Robert Mugge - All Jams On Deck - Film Review

I have had the pleasure to watch Robert Mugge's All Jams On Deck, a documentation of late night jams as they take place on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise. The scene opens with an interview of guitarist and band leader Tommy Castro and one of my absolute favorite artists, Elvin Bishop (the beginning of a dialog that continues throughout the film in clips). The film then cuts to a live jam with Castro and a backing band with guests including such luminaries as Commander Cody (Keys), Keith Crossan (sax), Randy Oxford (trombone), Tom Poole (trumpet), Mike Schermer (deluxe Tele). The first thing that strikes me is how incredibly clear the sound track is and how great of tone Tommy Castro is laying down. This film is incredibly clear considering that it is being shot in pitch black in the middle of the ocean! Tommy is playing a two pickup reverse Firebird and his tones are really creamy through what appears to be Blackface Super (one of my personal favorites). This first jam is a horn driven boogie and as much of a guitar geek I am, I have to commend all the players but especially Oxford who absolutely smoked me on his trombone! Tommy explains how he plans out his set to give every guest musician the opportunity to jam without waiting all night to get on stage. The second jam cuts in with the addition of Coco Montoya playing his upside down Strat and it's clear as a bell. Lee Oskar is playing in this jam as well and really gets a unique sound from his harp. Everyone remembers Lee from his days with War (and subsequent solo career) and now the Lowrider Band. The Commander and the gang all take turns again with the addition of Ed Earley on trombone and George T. Gregory III on Bari sax. These guys lay down a real nice horn duel. The entire band gets into it and it stays tight and doesn't sound like everyone is trying to step on the other guy...one of my pet peeves with "Jam" sessions. A further interview clip adds guitarist Jimmy Thackery, Bluesville Program Director Bill Wax, and Blues and Jazz Record Producer Bob Porter who discuss the fine art of jam etiquette. Next up is Johnny Winter and Elvin Bishop on a slow blues jam. It's nice to watch Elvin in a supporting role to Johnny where he can really lay back and just have a good time. Elvin has one of the best tones on the planet and my dream guitar is his old red 345. I just love that guitar. Johnny plays some interesting riffs on his headless Lazer guitar and Elvin plays around him with rhythm and warm slide action. They are joined on stage with Johnny's little brother Edgar Winter on keys although Edgar is an exceptional sax player. There are inserts of Marcia Ball from one of the ports just filling in some of what it's like for a musician to be a part of this program. Marcia then takes the stage for one of the best tracks on the film. Those of you who aren't that familiar with Marcia... this is the real deal. Marcia really gets the joint blusin' with her great vocals and exceptional keys playing. She is backed by the full horn section and it sounds just great. Also onstage are Jimmy Thackery (on Strat) and Terry Hanck (tenor sax), Steve Berlin (bari sax) and Darryl Cloutts (Hammond organ) who all lay down some exceptional solos. The continue dialogue includes guitarists Larry McCray and Coco Montoya discussing the chemistry required to play with musicians from other bands without extensive practice. Coco's Band is next up and he gets a real signature grinding tone from his Strat which has some custom bar pickups installed. The conversation continues with guitarists Vasti Jackson (Strat) and Laith Al-Saadi (Custon Shop Tele with bar pickups) discussing the call and response and a little demonstration jam. It's also really telling of the video that you can easily distinguish who is playing by the tones of their amps. Al-Saadi has beautiful clear tone. Jackson joins Montoya's band for the next track and lays down a blistering jam. I mean...who is this guy!! Kim Wilson (harp) and Lee Oskar (harp) contribute a discussion about the waiting game to where you actually get your turn to shine. Now Kim gets his shot as band leader and he comes on strong with great lush harp tone playing a short duel with Bishop. And then Lee and the Lowrider Band with their rhythm infused blues sound. Oskar definitely has his own sound and Al-Saadi lays down a great double stop filled solo over the Latin inspired track. Lance Ellis (Bari sax) takes a great soulful solo showing great chops and Larry McCray rips out a great solo on his Les Paul Deluxe. Percy Williams continues the jam with a cool trumpet solo and Sista Monica Parker joins mid song with some soul infused vocals. McCray adds his own vocals to the song and he is a great singer singing in the style of Muddy Waters. I love Elvin's shoes which are actually work boots like I wear but Elvin takes it to the next level. He has the lower boot strung with original laces and the upper with a white lace... like I got the bottom comfortable...not touchin' that. Now I have to get my foot in and keep it on.... I know...two laces...brilliant!! (I got this far through the summary without mentioning Al_Saadi's NORML t-shirt). Next up is Bishops hit "Fooled Around And Fell In Love" ... not my favorite Bishop song due to the amount of airplay but I will say that Elvin can really make that old Red Dog bark and he does so on this tune! John Nemeth, sounds incredibly like Mickey Thomas who originally sang this song. Billy C. Wirtz and Commander Cody take the time out to discuss blues structure as an into to an extensive piano jam with Cody, Leon Blue, Steve Willis (Hammond) and Kelley Hunt. Eden Brent joins the jam and takes the stage by storm. This ends up with six players on 3 keyboards (with organ too). Next up is Kim Wilson joined by Rick Estrin playing a Chicago swing and Earley again smokes out a great Trombone solo. It's so great to see these back line guys get their day in the spotlight. John Nemeth blows a great solo on this tune as well as Estrin who gets right into the Chicago groove. The director of this film has gone to great lengths to show each of the band members and to feature each of the players. As the credits roll Oskar and Wilson play a little harp duo which is a fitting conclusion to a great documentary film. This is a film that anyone who loves contemporary blues would enjoy.

Oh...And I dig the cover art by George Hunt!

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All Jams On Deck trailer from Robert Mugge on Vimeo.

My Dog - Elvin Bishop

One of the coolest guitar players on the planet...you gotta listen...and by far one of the coolest guitars... I've heard some great guitars but Red Dog is one of the best guitars on the planet... and Elvin has a great time!! Love this guy!!
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