Down Home Blues - ZZ Hill

Arzell "Z. Z." Hill (September 30, 1935 – April 27, 1984) was an American blues singer, in the soul blues tradition, known for his 1970s and 1980s recordings for Malaco. His 1982 album, Down Home, stayed on the Billboard soul album chart for nearly two years. The track "Down Home Blues" has been called the best-known blues song of the 1980s. This track plus the songs "Taxi", "Someone Else Is Steppin' In", and "Open House" have become R&B/Southern soul standards.
Born in Naples, Texas, United States, Hill began his singing career in the late 1950s as part of a gospel group called The Spiritual Five, touring Texas. Around 1960, he started collecting records by B. B. King, Freddie King, Sam Cooke, Bobby "Blue" Bland and Wilson Pickett and began singing and writing songs influenced by these styles.

In 1964, Hill moved to California and recorded "You Were Wrong" on his brother's M.H. record label. The single charted and Hill released several more singles for Kent, but none of them charted. He moved labels several times, including signing with Phil Walden's Macon, Georgia based Capricorn label, but Hill refused to record for Walden, and his recording contract was bought by Jerry "Swamp Dogg" Williams' Mankind label, where Hill finally fulfilled his end of the deal.

In 1971, Williams recorded Hill in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and they had hits including "Faithful & True" (Cash Box Top 100) and "Chokin' Kind" (Cash Box R&B #50). With his brother's help, Hill then signed to United Artists, where he released several successful singles. During the United Artist period in the mid 1970s, he was aided by arrangements and compositions by established R&B talents like Lamont Dozier and Allen Toussaint.

One of Hill's biggest selling hits came while signed to Columbia, "Love Is So Good When You're Stealing It," which spent 18 weeks on the Billboard R&B chart in the summer of 1977. Signed to Malaco Records in 1979, Hill's next hit single was "I'm Gonna Stop You From Givin' Me The Blues," in 1980. Hill's recording of songwriter George Jackson's "Cheatin' In The Next Room," was released in early 1982 and broke into the top 20 nationally, spending a total of 20 weeks on the charts. He had a number of best-selling albums on Malaco, the biggest one being Down Home Blues, which sold in excess of one million copies.[citation needed] Other Malaco sides that received airplay in the early 1980s were "Someone Else Is Steppin' In", "Bump And Grind", "Shade Tree Mechanic", and "Get You Some Business". George Jackson also wrote Hill's signature tune, "Down Home Blues", which label-mate Denise LaSalle later recorded.

Hill's song, "That Ain't the Way You Make Love", was sampled by Madvillain in their track, "Fancy Clown".

In 1984, Hill died in Dallas at the age of 48 from a heart attack after a road accident 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”

Hello Baby - Arelean Brown

Arelean Brown's ( d April 29, 1981)very last performance was for a Day Care Center. Accompanied by the wonderful Buddy Scott and Riptips with Special Guest.
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Voodoo Child - Kevin Van Dort

Blues guitar player from Missoula Montana.Maybe Kevin will send us a bio
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”

Karp/Foley release #1 on national radio chart!

"BEYOND THE CROSSROADS" #1 ON BLUES RADIO CHART Beyond The Crossroads, the brand new release from Peter Karp and Sue Foley, jumped into the top spot on the Roots Music Report's blues chart, which is compiled from radio airplay reports. The album of twelve brilliantly crafted original compositions is the latest collaboration between the two acclaimed singer-songwriter guitarists. It's a followup to their ground breaking 2010 song cycle, He Said She Said, which was #1 on the Roots Music chart for six weeks. To hear samples from the new album or to view a video of the pair performing one of the songs, "More Than I Bargained For," please click HERE. Radio: Peter Robinson radio@blindpigrecords.com 773-772-0043 Publicity: Debra Regur pigpress@blindpigrecords.com 415-550-6484 For more information visit www.blindpigrecords.com.

Tech Talk - LaPlante Classical - Concert, Classical, Nylon String Classical Guitar

David LaPlante is a well respected Luthier who is approaching his 100th instrument, a testament to his experience and love of the craft. LaPlante guitars are played by Muriel Anderson and other prominent concert artists. This particular LaPlante is a powerful guitar that will fill any hall. This is a great example of what aged and mature Spruce sounds like. Every note is articulate and bold with great expression and limitless power. The body is crafted from dark, rich Brazilian Rosewood for lush warmth as well.
Measurements
Body Size: Medium
Scale: 660 mm (26 in.)
Nut Width: 2 3/64 mm (2.05 in)
String Spacing: 2 13/32 mm (2.4 in)
Body Length: 19 3/8 in.
Upper Bout: 11 3/8 in.
Lower Bout: 14 3/8 in.
Serial #: 35
Body Depth @Neck Heel: 3 3/4 in.
Body Depth @Tail Block: 3 3/4 in.
Frets to body: 12
Woods & Trim
Back/Sides: Brazilian Rosewood
Top Wood: Spruce
Fingerboard: Ebony
Neck Wood: Mahogany, 1 Piece
Bridge: Brazilian Rosewood, String Through
Rosette: Mosaic
Binding: Rosewood
Fingerboard Bindings: None
Headplate: Brazilian Rosewood
Headstock Bindings: None
Headstock Inlay: None
Top Trim: Violin Lines
Back Strip: Lines
Fret Markers: None
Tuners: Sloane
Tuner Finish: Gold With Ebony Buttons


"I have developed my guitars after decades of building, utilizing time honored and traditional aesthetics joined with my own perception of optimal design and construction. My plantilla is based on an amalgam of Torres, Hauser and Romanillos as well as my own earlier designs. The #90 guitar is illustrative of this plantilla.

I use a domed construction technique which was developed by Torres and further refined through the work of and taught to me by Jose Romanillos. This allows for a solid natural spruce top, very thin, light, flexible and extremely responsive. Bracing is all aged German spruce in a pattern based on traditional Torres design with the modern addition of a treble bar. The addition of a single angled cut off bar, my own innovation, enhances a bright loud treble response and eliminates the problem of boomy unfocused bass.

Presently I’m using genuine German spruce for the top. This is a very special aged (30-40 years) material of which I have a limited supply. Backs and sides are Indian rosewood or Spanish cypress. Brazilian rosewood is also used on a limited basis. Necks are Spanish cedar with “V” joint headstock construction, a feature seen on only the finest guitars. The traditional bridge features the new 18 hole design. The highest quality tuning machines are fitted to all instruments and depending on price and aesthetic may vary. My typical favorites include Rodgers, Reischl and Sloane.

All guitars feature hand made rosettes of my own traditionally inspired design and execution as well as marquetry purflings to match on the more elaborate examples. Each guitar is individually concepted and built to be an extremely responsive and unique musical companion for the discriminating player. "
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Broke & Hungry Records / Cat Head Delta Blues and Folk Art - Soundtrack: We Juke Up In Here - New Release Review

This is part 2 of a review of the incredible package that has been put out by Stolle and Konkel who earlier did M for Mississippi and Now We Juke Up In Here documentaries. The cd starts with the title track, We Juke Up In Here, performed by Big "A" and the Allstars. I mentioned during my review of the film that I could sit and listen to it for quite some time. The song has a Stax type sound and it's solid and it real. I love this track. Big "A" Anthony Sherrod commands the crowd with his vocals and music style. (I'm already preparing for something on him!) Rabbit in a Log is preformed by Louis "Gearshifter" Youngblood. This song has more of a rock a billy sound but watch out for that axe (solo) in the middle... woah! You Know I've Tried is performed by Lil' Poochie & Hezekiah Early. Lil' Poochie is a great vocalist and this is a terrific song to demonstrate his skills. Baby (Do Anything For Me) is performed by Terry "Harmonica' Bean.This is a great track in it's unpolished form. Could've Been Married, performed by Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, is really performed in my absolute favorite style of playing, not unlike early John Lee Hooker... a man and his guitar, a rhythm between the vocals and the guitar somewhat like a man trying to sing in between his own playing. There is something particularly endearing to me listening to the way he expresses his feelings in vocals and keeps the simple rhythm and then adds the next vocal line where he see's fit as opposed to where the standard structure commands it to be. Elmo Williams & Hezekiah Early perform Jug of Wine, a primitive form of blues rock. It's the way rock began and possibly how it should have remained (Early throws a flashy drum solo in the middle) but the primitive rock blues style is way cool! Get Rich and Marry You, performed by Louis "Gearshift" Youngbloog is up next. This track really shows how similar blues is to country (and is a specific reason I don't use standard definitions for types of music... it's all just music...some is good...and some is bad). This could just have easily been done by Johnny Cash. Big "A" is back with his second track, Call Me A Lover. This is another great song showing both an evolution to city style blues and a firm hold in the early JL Hooker styling and phrasing. Great sound! Bring You Fine Self Home, performed by Lil' Poochie & Hezekiah Early takes the form of a fast rock style boogie and again Lil' Poochie demonstrates his great vocal capability and command as a performer. Down South, performed by Big George Brock, sounds just great with Big George on vocals and harp and Frank Vick on drums. Makes you wonder why anyone needs anything else. I don't hear anything missing... and I seriously doubt that there are any overdubs! Holmes, Bean and Vick team up on the last track, Someday (Get Over You) with Holmes on Guitar and vocals, Bean on Harmonica and Vick on Drums. The song is a standard can't count the bars (that's good) blues and a great track to wind down the recording. Duck is such an interesting vocalist and guitar player and Bean a fine harp player and it shows on this track. There is one unlisted track on the recording and it is played in the streets with all of the trucks passing by in the recording. It actually adds a lot to the authenticity of the recording. This is an absolutely great cd and allows you to get a great filling (not feeling) of the music tasted in the film. It's terrific that the film makers have made available this cd of the music from their exploration because only short snippets of the music is actually present in the film. You'll listen to this cd over and over. It's filled with great honest music!
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Soul Survivors Festival celebrates music's living history in Ferriday, Louisiana (May 26, 2012)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"SOUL SURVIVORS FESTIVAL" CELEBRATES MUSIC'S LIVING HISTORY IN FERRIDAY, LOUISIANA — SATURDAY, MAY 26, 2012 "SOUL SURVIVORS FESTIVAL" CELEBRATES MUSIC'S LIVING HISTORY IN FERRIDAY, LOUISIANA -- SATURDAY, MAY 26, 2012 April 26, 2012 (Ferriday, Louisiana) — Performers at the May 26th Soul Survivors Festival in Ferriday, Louisiana, may not be the sole survivors of the area's musical history. But they're close. "There is so much music that has come from this region, and so many important musical figures who spent time in Ferriday, that it absolutely makes sense to celebrate it every year," according to organizer Tommy Polk. "This is our third edition of the Soul Survivors Festival, and it promises to be our biggest and best yet." For families, the festival also promises plenty of fun children's games, chalk painting, jump rope, jumpers and train rides. There will also be great food, refreshments and more available for purchase. Still, it's the music that's the big draw for out-of-state and international attendees. "In Ferriday, Louisiana, we like to say that our little town is 'Where Music is Born'," said Polk. "By that, we mean that all of the music isn't in the past. It's still very much alive -- both here and nearby in Mississippi." To that end, the Soul Survivor Festival continues to specialize in an authentic blues and roots music line-up showcasing the region's surviving musical traditions. This year, acts such as Sylvia Johns Richie & Crew, Nathan Shell, Lil' Poochie, Jimmy Anderson, Elmo Williams, Hezekiah Early, YZ Ealey Band and Angola Prison Band will perform in the new Jerry Lee Lewis Rockabilly Park and Plaza. Best of all, the price of admission is free from 11am to 7pm. "This is a pretty amazing line-up for a festival that is both free and relatively new," noted music promoter Roger Stolle. "From acclaimed recording artists like Elmo Williams & Hezekiah Early to the legendary Angola Prison Band, this is really an impressive combination of acts performing in a town steeped in musical history. Fittingly, this year's festival will feature a ribbon cutting by Mayor McGlothin for a new million-dollar Will Haney Big House Music Hall plus the Jerry Lee Lewis Rockabilly Park and Plaza and Concordia Hotel. In addition, Will Haney Circle and Peewee Whittaker Avenue will be dedicated, and a very special guest is expected. The ribbon cutting events kick off at 7pm across from the Soul Survivors Festival grounds. "We are very fortunate that the Mayor and Town of Ferriday have so much positive energy going on right now," Polk said. "We are also fortunate to have a number of generous sponsors helping to keep the daytime portion of Soul Survivors Festival free." Festival sponsors include Delta Bank, Concordia Bank, Tensas Bank, Marsala/Budweiser, Gozone/Not Rocket Science, Delta Music Museum/Friends of the Delta Music Museum, Stan's Rock and Roll, Town of Ferriday, Louisiana, Concordia Parish Sheriff's Department, Entergy, and Bryant Hammett & Associates. In a related event at the conclusion of the Soul Survivors Festival, Easy Eddie and the Party Rockers will perform at the Will Haney Music Hall Stage ($3 admission). For more information on the third annual Soul Survivors Festival and related events, please go to www.ferridaymusic.com or contact Tommy Polk at 601-431-6149 or tommypolk@hotmail.com. (Visit Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/events/391393470884369/)

Dressed Up To Fess Up : The Strata-Tones - New Release Review

I just finished listening to the new Strata-Tones cd called Dressed Up To Fess Up. The recording has 8 of 10 original tunes.The Strata-Tones is a 7 piece band made up of Bruce Krupnik on Lead Guitag, Kevin McCracken on Harmonica and Vocals, Ken Burton on Keys and Hammond, Valerie Johnson on Lead Vocals, Wil Anderson on Bass, Rick Pittman on Drums and Terry Lawrence composing the horns. The Strata-Tones are a jump oriented band with definite roots in the earlier modern sound of the 40's and 50's. This Old House is one of the stand out tracks on the release with a track that just gets into the groove with solid playing as been seen throughout the recording as well as cool harp and guitar solos. T.W.F.S. is a very cool instrumental that will certainly get your attention with Albert Collins style guitar riffs, stretched out Hammond solo and a cool harp solo. The grand finale is a take on Ball and Chain (Live). Johnson actually does a nice job and capturing the emotion of the huge singers who have tread this path before her.
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”

Be Careful With The Blues - Hop Wilson

Hardin "Hop" Wilson (April 27, 1927 – August 27, 1975) was an American Texas blues steel guitar player. Wilson gained the nickname "Hop" as a devolution of "Harp" due to his constant playing of a harmonica as a child. His low sounding playing gave several of his tracks, even "Merry Christmas Darling", a morose, disillusioned feel
Wilson began his career performing with Ivory Lee Semien in the 1950s, recording tracks in 1957 for Goldband Records in Lake Charles, Louisiana. In 1960, Wilson signed with Ivory Records in Houston. Wilson led recording sessions, but despised touring, and only played locally until his death in Houston in 1975. Aged 48, the cause of death was given as brain disease.
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”

I Can't Stand the Rain - Ann Peebles

Ann Peebles (born April 27, 1947) is an African American singer-songwriter who gained celebrity for her Memphis soul albums of the 1970s on the Hi Records label. Two of her most popular songs are "I Can't Stand the Rain" and "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down", which she wrote with her husband, Don Bryant, and radio broadcaster Bernard "Bernie" Miller and were subsequently popularized in cover versions by, among others, Eruption (1978) and Paul Young (1984), respectively.
A native of St Louis, Ann Peebles was given her first opportunity as a professional performer by Hi Records' Gene "Bowlegs" Miller during a 1968 trip to sit in singing with him at a Memphis nightclub. A popular local bandleader, Miller was known for helping other musicians, such as members of the Hi Rhythm Section, get their start in the Memphis music industry. Peebles soon began penning and singing hits for the label, co-writing with label staff songwriter Don Bryant, whom she married in 1974. She released a number of commercially successful and critically well received albums produced by Willie Mitchell on Hi Records throughout the 1970s, until the rise of disco music in the late 1970s took her music out of the limelight. Although Hi Records was sold in 1977, she reunited with Mitchell in 1989 to produce her comeback album, Call Me.

In 2006 she released the album Brand New Classics, which consisted of re-recordings of some of her songs in an acoustic style.

Peebles has been sampled by many hip hop artists, in particular RZA and the Wu-Tang Clan. Furthermore her track "I Can't Stand The Rain" was first covered by Patrice Banks of Graham Central Station on the 1975 release of Ain't No 'Bout A Doubt It album and has also been utilized as a sample by the hip hop duo Reflection Eternal (a collaborative group comprising conscious hip hop artist Talib Kweli, and producer Hi-Tek) for their song "Memories Live" on their debut album Train Of Thought. "I Can't Stand the Rain" was also recorded by Grammy Award-winning singer Tina Turner for her 1984 Private Dancer album and released as the sixth single from the album in early 1985. In 1997, Missy Elliott recorded "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)", an interpolation of "I Can't Stand the Rain", as the first single from her debut album, Supa Dupa Fly. In addition, "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down" was sampled in the track "The Plan" by Wu-Tang Affiliated group Sunz of Man.

Peebles joined Cyndi Lauper on a recording of Rollin' and Tumblin' on Lauper's 11th studio album, Memphis Blues.
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Big Legged Woman - Cecil Barfield

Better known to the tax man as William Robertson, Cecil Barfield is a true Blues original who recorded this, his debut album with George Mitchell in 1978, originally for the Southland imprint. One of the few active Bluesmen remaining in Georgia at that time, Cecil lived in a shack with no running water or electricity and learned to play on a one stringed cooking oil can. His distinctively accented vocals can remarkably contort from a moaning hum to wrenched squeeze in the space of a few bars, miraculously morphing from track to track with the effect of sounding like a different singer each time. The glorious sleeve notes accompanying the record expand on his legend and unique style, but we’re sure that after one listen to this fella you’ll immediately be under the spell of a truly original player.
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”

Massa John - Alexander's Realtimeband

Alan Alexander III is a singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist with numerous credits. As a performing musician he has toured internationally (US, Europe, the Caribbean and Japan), headlining and opening for artists like UB40, Jimmy Cliff, Ziggy Marley, Taj Mahal, Third World and many others. He is perhaps best known as the former lead singer, principle songwriter and producer for the critically acclaimed world beat band, Dub Squad. Alan has composed source music and original scores for several motion pictures including: 'Hear No Evil' (20th Century Fox), 'Alien Invaders' (National Endowment for the Arts),'Street Talk and Tuxes' (Susan Shadburne Productions) and, most recently (summer 2011), the feature length independent film 'Stuff' by director Larry Johnson. He resides in Portland Oregon.
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”

BETE STUY Headed for greatness! - Mike Packer guest writer

This lady is headed for greatness. Coming out of Bed-Stuy in Brooklyn NY BETTE STUY got her chops singing in church. She has worked with some of the biggest names in the business. Ray Charles took an interest in one of her songs and invited her to collaborate but unfortunately he passed on before the relationship fully developed. Bette has toured the world. She performed live on a popular Dutch radio show on Yorin FM to a European broadcast market of over 15 million listeners.

Bette Stuy and her band can be seen electrifying crowds at various New York City clubs such as BB Kings, The Knitting Factory and Groove where Chaka Kahn got her start. In her spare time she volunteers at ' God's Love We Deliver' A charitable organization that provides food for the less fortunate.

On Sunday May 20 @ Kenny's Castaways in New York City Bette Stuy will be inducted into the Blues Hall Of Hame as a great blues artist from New York. Like I said in the beginning of this profile "destined for greatness!": - Michael Packer
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Call Me Anything But Call Me - Big Memphis Ma Rainey

Ma Rainey (April 26, 1886? – December 22, 1939) was one of the earliest known American professional blues singers and one of the first generation of such singers to record. She was billed as The Mother of the Blues.

She began performing at the age of 12 or 14, and recorded under the name Ma Rainey after she and Will Rainey were married in 1904. They toured with F.S. Wolcott’s Rabbit Foot Minstrels and later formed their own group called Rainey and Rainey, Assassinators of the Blues. From the time of her first recording in 1923 to five years later, Ma Rainey made over 100 recordings. Some of them include, Bo-weevil Blues (1923), Moonshine Blues (1923), See See Rider (1924), Black Bottom (1927), and Soon This Morning (1927).

Ma Rainey was known for her very powerful vocal abilities, energetic disposition, majestic phrasing, and a ‘moaning’ style of singing similar to folk tradition. Though her powerful voice and disposition are not captured on her recordings, the other characteristics are present, and most evident on her early recordings, Bo-weevil Blues and Moonshine Blues. Ma Rainey also recorded with Louis Armstrong in addition to touring and recording with the Georgia Jazz Band. Ma Rainey continued to tour until 1935 when she retired to her hometown
Gertrude Pridgett was born April 26, 1886 in Columbus, Georgia. (This can be questioned, however, as the 1900 Census listing for Pridgett shows her as being born in September, 1882.) She was the second of five children of Thomas and Ella (née Allen) Pridgett, from Alabama. She had at least two brothers and a sister named Malissa, with whom Gertrude was later confused in some sources. She came onto the performance scene at a talent show in Columbus, Georgia when she was 12–14 years old. A member of the First African Baptist Church, she began performing in show tents. Around 1902 she was first exposed to blues music, hearing a girl sing in a tent in Missouri, and incorporated it into her performances.

Pridgett met a singer, dancer and comedian named William "Pa" Rainey and they married February 2, 1904, when she was 18. From then, she performed as "Madame Gertrude Rainey", and later, "Ma Rainey". They sang and danced together in Black minstrel shows, and for several years toured with F.S. Wolcott's Rabbit Foot Minstrels. From 1914, the Raineys were billed as Rainey and Rainey, Assassinators of the Blues. Wintering in New Orleans, she met musicians including Joe "King" Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet and Pops Foster. Blues music increased in popularity and Ma Rainey became well known.
In 1935 Rainey returned to her hometown, Columbus, Georgia, where she ran two theaters, "The Lyric" and "The Airdrome", until her death from a heart attack in 1939. She was inducted into the Blues Foundation's Hall of Fame in 1983, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

Ma Rainey died in Rome, Georgia in 1939.
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”

Little Freddie King's album re-released, MMRF heads to Jazzfest!

Music Maker heads to Jazzfest! Music Maker is headed to Jazzfest! Artists and staff leave this week to prepare for some awesome shows! Big Ron and Ardie Dean will be down at Jazzfest backing up Ironing Board Sam for his long-awaited return to the festival. Who knows what tricks Sam has up his sleeve this year - last time he was at Jazzfest, in 1980, he performed underwater! Don't miss MM artists at their shows: 4/27 Leyla McCalla, Lagniappe Stage 2:20-3:20pm 4/27 Guitar Lightnin' Lee, Lagniappe Stage 5:15-6:25pm 4/28 Carolina Chocolate Drops, Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-do Stage 4:20-5:35pm 4/29 Ironing Board Sam, Blues Tent 1:50-2:45pm 5/4 Little Freddie King, Blues Tent 5:45-7:00pm Photo of the week Two of MMRF's spring interns: Christy Ray and Matt by Aaron Greenhood The 78 Project benefits MMRF Don't miss out on tickets for The 78 Project at City Winery in New York City on May 20! The event benefits MMRF with a Benefit Auction, and there will also be a live music revue featuring Dawn Landes, The Reverend John Delore & Kara Suzanne, Vandaveer and more special guests. Tickets range from $25 to $65, and you can purchase them here! To read more about the 78 Project, check out their website! We thank the 78 Project for supporting our mission! Quick Links: Website Merch Music MMRF Advisory Board member Levon Helm will be missed Levon Helm, a Music Maker Advisory Board member and supporter, passed away last week at the age of 71. He will be missed by all of us, but his contributions to music will live on, and we will remember him fondly. Click here to read Music Maker Founder Tim Duffy's account of first meeting Helm. We will always be thankful for all he did for our mission, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Listen: Little Freddie King - Mardi Gras Stomp Diggin: Little Freddie King album re-released A true innovator, Little Freddie King is recognized as one of the first musicians to bring the electric blues to New Orleans. His landmark 12-track album At Home in the New Orleans Musician's Village celebrates Little Freddie's return to the blues, as it was his first completed recording since 1970. Featuring what King calls 'gut bucket blues,' the record is an important step toward preserving his unique style for future generations. Music Maker is re-releasing this album with new artwork - and we're hoping you'll enjoy this track! Check out the song above and click here to check out the whole album. --Corinne NC Youth Tap Ensemble performs at the Carolina Theater! Love dance? Enjoy rhythm? Then go see the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble (NCYTE) in "Gotta Dance" at Durham's Carolina Theater this Saturday, April 28th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 29th at 2 p.m! Music Maker musicians and NCYTE performed together in the fabulous "Tap the Blues" in November. This show promises to be just as good. "Gotta Dance" features the company members, ages 8 to 18, performing cutting-edge contemporary choreography along with traditional rhythm tap, accompanied by live music. Special guest performers: NCYTE alumna and Bessie Award winner Michelle Dorrance and Austin-based Travis Knights. Tickets -- $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students -- are available online at www.carolinatheatre.org. For more info, call 919-260-7585.

Upcoming Shows: Click here for more info on upcoming events 4/27 - Cool John Ferguson, Captain Luke, and Shelton Powe - Havelock Blues Festival, N.C. 4/27 - Beverly "Guitar" Watkins' Birthday Bash - Northside Tavern, Atlanta 4/27 - Guitar Lightnin' Lee, Leyla McCalla - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 4/27 - John Dee Holeman - Cat's Cradle, Carrboro N.C. 4/28 - Carolina Chocolate Drops - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 4/29 - Ironing Board Sam - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 5/11 - Music Maker Blues Revue - Back Porch Music, Durham, N.C. 5/11 - Ironing Board Sam - The Depot, Hillsborough, N.C. Music Maker Relief Foundation, Inc. helps the true pioneers and forgotten heroes of Southern music gain recognition and meet their day to day needs. We present these musical traditions to the world so American culture will flourish and be preserved for future generations.

Medely - Let's Buzz

Let's Buzz plays the paladins ...a rock a billy/blues formation from Schiedam Holland

Martin van der Moer
Serge van der Kuil
Marcel Gootjes

Three Dutch friends paying tribute to the work of 'The Paladins', Dave Gonzalez, Thomas Yearsley, Brian Fahey.
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”

M.C. Signs Debbie Davies!

Northport NY - M.C. Records is proud to announce the signing of Blues guitarist/singer/songwriter Debbie Davies. Her debut for the label, After The Fall will be released world-wide on July 17. Asked about the signing Debbie said, I am so proud to have signed a deal with M.C. Records! I'm thrilled to be in such good company along side Kim Wilson, Odetta, Cyril Neville, and many more!

In her amazing career Debbie has received 10 nominations for Blues Music Awards, and in 1997 and 2010 won the award for Best Contemporary Female Blues Artist. Debbie has recorded and performed with such blues luminaries as John Mayall, Albert Collins, Tab Benoit, Kenny Neal, Ike Turner, James Cotton, Mick Taylor, Peter Green, Coco Montoya, Duke Robillard, Tommy Shannon, Chris Layton and Charlie Musselwhite.

After The Fall (MC-0069) is Debbie Davies' 11th solo recording and is an all-original affair with Debbie writing or co-writing six of the 11 songs. In 2010, Debbie lost her dear friend, blues musician Robin Rogers and later that year Debbie broke her arm. As she began to heal, she started writing and putting many of her experiences and feelings into songs. The result is 2012's,

After The Fall.

I don't often give endorsements or references, but once in a rare while I hear a musician of such talent that I want people to know. I believe my reputation backs up my ability to recognize exceptional blues guitarists. Such a one is

Debbie Davies. Hear her now. - JOHN MAYALL

She wields an electric guitar as if it were a wand. - Los Angeles Times

Check out Debbie's passionate vocals and stinging guitar playing on this slow burner. Recorded earlier this year at the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise!

Debbie Davies and her band will be touring world-wide to support After The Fall. Stops include major cities in the U.S, Canada, England and Scotland.

The Debbie Davies Band is booked by Piedmont Talent

www.piedmonttalent.com

5/16/2012 BOULDER CO - BOULDER OUTLOOK HOTEL
5/18/2012 PHOENIX AZ - THE RHYTHM ROOM
5/19/2012 SAN LUIS OBISPO CA - SLO VETS HALL
5/20/2012 NICASIO CA - RANCHO NICASIO
5/23/2012 SAN FRANCISCO - CA BISCUITS & BLUES
5/25/2012 PHILLIPSVILLE CA - RIVERWOOD INN
5/30/2012 LINCOLN NE - THE ZOO BAR
5/31/2012 OMAHA NE - THE 21ST SALOON
6/1/2012 MINNEAPOLIS MN - FAMOUS DAVE'S BBQ & BLUES
6/4/2012 THRU 06-09-2012 - EDMONTON CANADA - BLUES ON WHYTE
6/19/2012 BIRMINGHAM AL 3 WORKPLAY THEATRE
6/20/2012 NEW ORLEANS, LA - THE MAPLE LEAF
6/23/2012 GOODLAND FL - LITTLE BAR
6/25/2012 KEY LARGO FL - DIGIORGIO'S CAFÉ LARGO, BAY
6/27/2012 FORT MYERS FL - THE INDIGO ROOM
6/28/2012 ORLANDO FL - 3 MCWELLS RESTAURANT & BAR
6/29/2012 TALLAHASSEE FL - BRADFORDVILLE BLUES CLUB
6/30/2012 BRADENTON FL - 3 ACES
7/6/2012 MONT-TREMBLANT CANADA - TREMBLANT INT'L BLUES FESTI
7/9/2012 MYSTIC CT - MYSTIC RIVER PARK
7/13/2012 ALBANY NY - PAULYS HOTEL
7/14/2012 NEW YORK CITY NY - LUCILLE'S BAR
7/21/2012 POINT PLEASANT B NJ - POINT PLEASANT JAZZ AND BLU
7/26/2012 MANCHESTER ENGLAND - BAND ON THE WALL
7/27/2012 EDINBURGH SCOTLAND - EDINBURGH JAZZ FESTIVAL
7/28/2012 CUMBRIA ENGLAND - MAYPORT BLUES FESTIVAL
8/3/2012 SPRINGFIELD OR - WILLAMETTE VALLEY BLUES &
8/11/2012 NORTHAMPTON MA - IRON HORSE

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”

Soulstack's Debut CD Big Red Garnering Great Reviews and Airplay Across North America

In a few short weeks since its release, the debut album Big Red from Ontario's Soulstack has been getting phenomenal reviews and climbing the radio airplay charts.

Here is what reviewers have to say about Big Red:

"Musically this album is great; every member of the band plays their part competently sounding like a well seasoned band. It’s effortless, absorbing and extremely well executed blues with a number of influential music styles, which makes the album flow magnificently with each song as good as the last. Big Red is the most soulful album of the year so far and a must for everyone to have on their summer playlist." The Review: 9/10
- Blues Rock Review
bluesrockreview.com

"Soulstack has simply blown me away with their release of "Big Red" and it is an album I can't help but really highly recommend you all give it a listen. You will, I am sure be very impressed, with this great new and very exciting group on the Canadian Music Scene. 5***** for "Big Red"
- John Vermilyea, Blues Underground Network
bluesundergroundnetwork.com

"Soulstack’s new CD is one you should get as soon as possible. It may turn out to be your favourite album of the year."
- Velvet Rope Magazine
velvetropemagazine.com

"Vocal harmonies and instrumentation is really integrating throughout this entire recording. I believe that it will find a strong audience not only with vocal oriented and radio audiences but also with listeners with more instrumental tastes. Great job!"

- Bman's Blues Report
bmansbluesreport.com

"The band plows down the competition by the sheer weight of its musical performances here. Their invigorating mixture of whiskey-inflamed vocals, classic-sounding organ work and some super tasty guitar licks all add up to a kind of rootsy realism that is mostly non-existent these days."

- Uptown Magazine
uptownmag.com

Big Red is available on iTunes

There is an intensity and urgency in the vocal style of Jon Knight, guitar player, songwriter and front man of Soulstack. While mixing penetrating lyrics and accomplished fretwork, Soulstack’s debut recording Big Red is a refreshing blend of gritty swamp blues, danceable soul, and good old fashioned roots. Big Red could be the favorite musical companion on a road trip from the belly of the Delta, and northward up through Detroit.

Based in Ontario, Soulstack was formed from the ashes of the popular Toronto blues band Wickens-Knight and features multiple award-winning members Jonathan Knight (vocals/guitar) and Tom Bona (vocals/drums) with the addition of Mark Wessenger (vocals/keys) and Josh Knight (vocals/bass).

Recorded over two days, in the dead of winter 2011 at Canterbury Music Company in Toronto with Jeremy Darby (Van Morrison, Smokey Robinson, and Keith Richards); Big Red is rich with the sounds of vintage Wurlitzer, Hammond organ and piano along with swampy tremolo guitar.Featuring 11 original tracks and a brilliantly arranged version of the traditional gospel song ‘In My Time Of Dying’. Keyboard player Wessenger’s strong vocals are highlighted on two of the songs.

This long awaited debut recording from one of Ontario’s best kept musical secrets is certain to become a cherished addition to the collection of roots, blues and soul music fans across the continent.

www.soulstack.com

Preview Stone Cold Man

Preview Let Me Be Your Fool

Landfall Records:Elemental Journey - Sonny Landreth - New Release Review

I have been listening to the newest recording by Sonny Landreth, Elemental Journey to be released on May 22. This is a really different recording for Sonny Landreth in that not only is the music somewhat unstructured (more orchestrated) or hyper structured dependent upon your perception and also that it has no vocals. What I mean regarding the structure is that most of the music that I review has a very basic structure and much of it a formula. A very simple formula. Any experienced listener can listen to the average song, say here's the singing, this is where the guitar solo will be...there will be singing after that and this is the end. This recording is much more complex than that and really quite heady. Landreth has enlisted guitar wiz Joe Satriani and Eric Johnson to assist in the implementation as well as members of the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra to pull off this masterpiece of fluid music. The recording, made up of 11 tracks is really put together as a sonic story pulling components of many types of music into the fabric with different instruments leading you in every path and weaving a auditory picture of the journey that you're taking, creating space and sonic dynamics to accentuate the milestones. I find it really interesting to see musicians experiment outside of the box that they are typically confined to and applaud Landreth on this very successful project.
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”