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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!


Please email me at Info@Bmansbluesreport.com
Showing posts with label Music Maker Relief Foundation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music Maker Relief Foundation. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Music Maker Relief Foundation partner artist singing weekly outside of nursing home

Pat "Mother Blues" Cohen, a Music Maker Relief Foundation partner artist sings weekly outside of a nursing home that's had an outbreak of COVID, where her brother lives. Pat's is a powerful story of artist giving back the way they can, even while the artist herself, with cancelled shows, little money, little digital literacy, and underlying health problems, is at a disadvantage. This is true of so most of the MMRF partner artists, primarily older black musicians. Pat had to leave New Orleans after Katrina flooded her house and was set to make a major comeback there with a slot at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fest, which is obviously not happening now. She lives outside of Charlotte, NC these days. Following are pieces from PBS NewsHour, CNN, and Rolling Stone.com on Pat, as well as her compatriots Sam Frazier, Jr. of Birmingham, AL, Ironing Board Sam (also formerly from NOLA) of Montgomery, AL, and New Orleans' Alabama Slim, and how Music Maker works closely with each them. Goes without saying that the music is also killer. Frazier is supposed to get a kidney replacement soon and Slim has had an album put off due to the crisis.

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

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PBS Story
CNN Story
Rolling Stone Story

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Music Maker Relief Foundation artist: John Dee Holeman - Last Pair Of Shoes - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Last Pair of Shoes, from John Dee Holeman and it's super. Opening with Chapel Hill Boogie, Holeman shows you that age is no obstacle at 90 years. This is a pure boogie with a great attitude. Accompanied by Tad Walters on harmonica this track is gold. Digging in on Muddy Water's She Moves Me, Holeman hunkers down and grinds it out with terrific highlights by Walters on harp. Excellent! On Lightnin' Hopkins' classic, Shotgun Blues, Holeman really has it stripped down to a basic electric guitar, kick drum and harmonica and it's as real as it gets. Holeman's expressive vocals feel like real pain … real blues. Hound Dog Taylor's masterpiece, (Give Me Back My) Wig gets my vote for favorite track with a relaxed (rather than HDT's high energy) attack. This is a great track and with Holeman's vocals and Walter's harp work, with solid supporting electric guitar and light cymbals. Wrapping the release is Muddy Waters' Two Trains Runnin' (Still A Fool). This is a gritty take on the track with cool Hammond work and scattered electric guitar soloing over Holeman's vocals. Solid finish for a really cool release. 

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

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“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Music Maker Relief Foundation compilation: Blue Muse - Various Artista - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blue Muse, from Music Maker Relief Foundation. This cd will accompany a photography book of the same name by Tim Duffy coming out on March 28th. Opening with an acoustic jam, The Grotto Sessions, featuring Simon Arcache on guitar, Dr. Burt, Ironing Board Sam, Etta baker, Captain Luke, Rufus McKenzie, Alabama Slim and Guitar Gabe on vocal, plus a sea of others this is raw and adventurous. Taj Mahal is up next on John Hurt's Spike Drivers Blues with his distinctive vocal and guitar styling. Very nice. Eddie Tigner is up next on vocal and piano with a great boogie, Route 66 with Matt Sickles on bass, Ron Logsdon on drums, Paul Lindon on harp and with really nice guitar runs by Felix Reyes. Excellent! No question that my favorite track on the release is Robert Finley's Age Don't Mean A Thing, the title track from the spectacular release of the same name. Dom Flemons' Polly Put The Kettle On is a great country blues with Flemons on lead vocal and harp, Ben Hunter on fiddle, Guy Davis on guitar and Joe Seamons on backing vocals. With great vocal style Algia Mae Hinton is featured on acoustic guitar and vocal performing Snap Your Fingers. Raw and pounding, I Am The Lightning, is a great track. With Willie farmer on vocal and guitar, Will Sexton on mellotron, Mark Stuart on bass, and George Sluppick on drums, this track is hot. Sweet Valentine features the beautifully harmonized vocals  of Martha Spencer and Kelley Breiding, both who contribute acoustic guitar. Very nice. Eric Clapton pairs with Tim Duffy for some real fine finger picked acoustic blues on Mississippi Blues. Guitar Gabriel's solo, Landlord Blues, is the polished edge of raw blues with solid vocals and cool guitar work. Very cool. Dripping in southern gospel, The Branchettes sing I Know I've Been Changes totally acapella. Powerful. Wrapping the release is Something Within Me featuring Theotis Taylor on vocal and piano in a very nice spiritual track with plenty of soul. This really is a super release with plenty of diverse flavor for all to savor. 

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

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 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Robert Finley Partners with the Black Keys' Dan Auerbach for Graphic Novel Soundtrack!



The Graphic Novel Murder Ballads to Include Soundtrack from Dan Auerbach (the Black Keys) and Robert Finley

Music Maker is thrilled to announce a new project from partner artist Robert Finley. For Free Comic Book Day on May 6th, Z2 comics will release The Ballad of Franklin Bonisteel. The comic will include a free download of the the classic Leadbelly tune In the Pines by Robert Finley & Dan Auerbach as well as a preview for Murder Ballads - the graphic novel that will be accompanied by an original soundtrack by Robert Finley & Dan Auerbach.
Less than two years ago our Executive Director Tim Duffy met Robert playing on the streets of the King Biscuit Blues Festival! Robert's meteoric rise would not be possible without the support we receive from donors like you. Thank you.

Diggin': Dom Flemons - Georgia Drumbeat 

The Next Generation interprets the past with this great tune - here!
Advisory Board Member Col. Bruce Hampton Passes Away
 
A unique musical legend was lost on Monday - here!
Keep up with Music Maker's gigs

See who's playing in your area! You never know when a Music Maker artist will be rolling through your town. Check out the Tour Calendar - here!

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Ironing Board Sam Will Prevail!





Ironing Board Sam Will Prevail!

Ironing Board Sam - Danny Boy
Ironing Board Sam plays Danny Boy at UNC Hospital with Artist Services Coordinator Aaron Greenhood

The past few months have been especially challenging for our partner artist, Ironing Board Sam. In October, just days before his album Super Spirit was released in on Big Legal Mess Records, Sam suffered a stroke. Music Maker was by his side to help him through the evaluation process and in finding the help he needed. At Sam's request we have shared his story with supporters and fans on the Music Maker blog.
 


Diggin': Ironing Board Sam -  I Wanna Be There

Read Abby's Diggin' on this great tune from Super Spirit - here!
 
Don't Forget to Get Etta Baker - Railroad Bill
 
This Limited Edition 12" Vinyl release is going fast. Get yours - here!
Keep up with Music Maker's gigs

See who's playing in your area! You never know when a Music Maker artist will be rolling through your town. Check out the Tour Calendar.





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Our mailing address is:
PO Box 1358
Hillsborough, NC 27278