Keep Away From My Baby - Joe Hill Louis

Joe Hill Louis (September 23, 1921 – August 5, 1957), born Lester Hill, was an American singer, guitarist, harmonica player and one-man band. He is significant, along with fellow Memphis bluesman Doctor Ross as one of only a small number of one-man blues bands to have recorded commercially in the 1950s, and as a session musician for Sun Records.
Louis was born Lester (or possibly Leslie) Hill on September 23, 1921 in Raines, Tennessee. His nickname “Joe Louis” arose as a result of a childhood fight with another youth. At the age of 14 he left home to work as a servant for a wealthy Memphis family, and also worked in the Peabody Hotel, Memphis, in the late 1930s. From the early 1940s onwards he worked as a musician and one-man band
Louis’ recording debut was made for Columbia in 1949, and his music was released on a variety of independent labels through the 1950s, most notably recording for Sam Phillips’ Sun Records, for whom he recorded extensively as a backing musician for a wide variety of other singers as well as under his own name. His most notable recording was probably as guitarist on Rufus Thomas’s “Bear Cat”, recorded as an answer record to Big Mama Thornton’s “Hound Dog”, which reached No. 3 on the R&B chart and resulted in legal action for copyright infringement. He also shared writing credit for the song “Tiger Man”, which has been recorded by Elvis Presley, among others.

Around 1950 he took over the “Pepticon Boy” radio program on WDIA from B. B. King.

He was also known as “The Pepticon Boy” and “The Be-Bop Boy”
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Celso Blues Boy

Celso Blues Boy (born Celso Ricardo Furtado of Oak, Rio of January, 5 of January of 1956) is a singer, composer and Brazilian guitarist.

He began to work professionally in the 70's, accompanying Raul Seixas and Sá and Guarabyra. Foreign Legion mounted the band in 1976, with which it was showing up in bars and houses of show. he started to be more known from 1980, when he ordered a strip for the Radio From the state of Rio de Janeiro, in the Rio, turned to the rock repertoire. He cut the first disc in 1984, " Sound in the Guitar ", what was including his biggest success: " It increases that This There Is a Rock Roll ". One of the first ones to sing blues in Portuguese, chose the artistic name in honor of the idol B.B. King, one of the fathers of the type, with the one who also touched in the decade of 1980. At present he lives in Joinville, Saint Catarina.
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Arthur Neilson

Arthur Neilson born and raised in New York City, taught himself to play guitar on an electric Teisco Del Rey at age fifteen. After purchasing a Harmony acoustic, he honed his folk repertoire and fingerpicking skills. Then, one night, he heard Albert King. Arthur got goosebumps from his head to his toes, and has been hooked on the blues ever since. Arthur developed his dynamic guitar style by playing along with every blues record that he could find.
With a longing to play the blues, but unable to find the right situation, Arthur worked in rock & roll bands (he also loves Chuck Berry). Then, in the early seventies, he responded to an ad in the Village Voice, seeking a blues guitarist. He then formed the "A Train Blues Band" with Felix Cabrera. This propelled him into the burgeoning New York blues scene, which gave Arthur the opportunity to back up the late Victoria Spivey and jam with James Cotton and Hubert Sumlin.
In 1998, Shemekia Copeland found Arthur to be the guitar player that she was looking for to complete her band. Arthur has been performing with her across the globe and can be heard throughout her CD, "Talking to Strangers", as well as the Grammy nominated "Wicked".
In 1999, Popa Chubby asked Arthur to be part of his New York City Blues record (Dixie Frog). Arthur contributed four of his songs, including the track "Fenderbender", which showcases his intense fretwork.
With the Dixie Frog release of "a piece of wood, some strings, and a pick" (2000 release), Arthur Neilson brought together all the exciting aspects of his playing onto one record. He easily moves from deep, soulful blues on "Better Deal", to lightning speed, country chickenpickin on "That's Allright Mama", to back porch slide on "Walkin'Blues".

"Moan & Cry", the title of his second release, defines Arthur's raw and emotional guitar playing. He explores the raunchier side of blues in "Sleeping in my Clothes" and then delights us with his sweet soulfulness in "When It's Over".

Arthur's latest release is "Hell of a Nerve!"
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Only Bllues Music artist: PJ O'Brien - Jefferson Blues - New Release Review

I have just received and had the opportunity to review the new release, Jefferson Blues, by Australian music sensation PJ O' Brien. The 10 track self penned recording begins with One Hundred Years, played in a Texas style just like the kid was born in Austin. His command of the fretboard is terrific and he throws down a mix of country and blues riffs for a unique blend of rump shakin' music. Winning Hand has a bit of a funky back beat which will get you hopping around in your chair. Turn On Your Light seems to have roots in 50's R&B but keeping that Texas grind. There is a nice demonstration of PJ's guitar chops in this song and did I mention the kid can sing? Really cool. Cold Like The North Pole stays in the Texas style with a but if a funky groove. None of this really sounds just like anyone which of course I really appreciate. It's all PJ. Sure you can hear Hamilton Loomis or SRV but you know, this is all original. When I listen to SRV I can say I can hear Jimi or Albert King. It's all good. Moving Mountains breaks the Texas groove and sounds more like Muscle Shoals to me... no horns but that 60's soul soul groove. To Be is the first straight out ballad on the recording and it fits in nicely. Memphis Ribs is a cool groove bringing to mind Gatemouth Brown....not at all a bad thing!! I mean...I really like it! Into the fire is a piano driven song right out of the honky tonk.It rolls along pretty cool like JLL is playing and PJ throws down some cool double stops to tweak up the track. Out On The Town is more the airplay song on the recording with some pretty decent guitar riffs but with less bluesy guts. The recording finishes up with Times Like These, an acoustic track constructed with traditional JL Hooker style licks. Great finish to a really interesting new cd.

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Robert Cray announces new album and UK tour dates

Five-time Grammy award winning legend and Blues Hall of Fame Inductee Robert Cray heads into the studio this month to record a new album scheduled for release later this year. Cray’s new album will be released on the internationally renowned Mascot Label Group.

“I’m very proud to add the legendary Robert Cray to the Provogue roster,” says Label President Ed van Zijl. “Not only is Robert an artist of the highest calibre, he has worldwide name recognition that garners a tremendous amount of respect. We are honoured and dedicated to deliver a first-class campaign worthy of Robert's talent.”

Never content with interpreting his music the same way twice, Cray's daring innovations have placed him at the top of the business. His distinct guitar style that has become a signature blend of rhythm and blues, pop, rock, soul and traditional blues helping introduce old and new fans to a more contemporary blues sound.

Producing for the multimillion selling Cray will be famed rock producer Kevin Shirley (Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Joe Bonamassa, The Black Crowes). “I’m really enthusiastic about collaborating with Kevin, says Cray. “He’s done some amazing work in the past and I like the direction we’re taking for this album.”

“What an absolute honour to work with Robert Cray,” adds Shirley. “I've been a fan since Strong Persuader. He’s an extraordinary talent. It's really such a treat for me! My goal and challenge with this record, is to tap into the edgy vitality and spontaneity of a live Robert Cray performance, and wrap it up as a studio recording, with a big Blues bow!”

London BluesFest 2012
O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Tuesday 26 June
BluesFest Presents: Robert Cray
Tickets on sale Friday 16 March at 9:00am
Box Office: 0844 477 2000
Tickets: £27.50 / Doors: 7pm
www.ticketweb.co.uk
www.bluesfestlondon.com, www.o2shepherdsbushempire.co.uk
Shepherds Bush Green, London, W12 8TT

Glasgow O2 ABC
Thursday 28 June
Box Office: 0844 844 0444
Tickets: £27.50 / Doors: 7pm
www.ticketweb.co.uk
www.ticketmaster.co.uk, www.o2abc.co.uk
300 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JA

Birmingham Town Hall
Friday 29 June
Box Office: 0121 345 0600
Tickets: £29.50 / Doors: 7pm
Tickets pre-sale: Friday 16 March at 9:00am: www.thsh.co.uk
General on sale date: Saturday 17 March at 9am
www.ticketweb.co.uk, www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Victoria Square, Birmingham B3 3DQ

This will be the 21st release for Cray since he first arrived on the scene with Who’s Been Talkin’ before hitting the Billboard Top 20 with the album Strong Persuader (a moniker quickly given Cray) featuring the smash single Smoking Gun. Recently President Obama was credited for “pulling a Robert Cray” and a “strong persuader” when it came to touting his healthcare reforms.

Since the release of Smoking Gun, Cray went on to collaborated with some of the world’s greatest blues guitarists including Albert Collins, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn and BB King. Cray continues to perform with Clapton, taking the stage at his annual Crossroads concert. In addition to Clapton and King, Cray has written for Tony Bennett and worked with an array of artists from Tina Turner, Keith Richards, John Lee Hooker, Chuck Berry and Bonnie Raitt, to name a few.

The New York Times says, “His voice, alternately smooth and craggy, is often richer and more emotive than Mr. Clapton’s, and he knows the best ways to use it,” while Guitar Player Magazine says, “Robert Cray is not only making great music he's making history.”

He has his own signature line of Fender Guitars and just last year (still in his fifties) was, according to the Blues Foundation, one of the youngest ‘living legends” to be inducted into the 2011 Blues Hall of Fame.

Since the release of his last studio album , the Grammy nominated This Time (2009) and his live album Cookin’ in Mobile (2010), Robert Cray has toured extensively with The Robert Cray Band, performing on various TV shows including Late Show with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

The Robert Cray Band features childhood friend and bassist Richard Cousins, longtime Cray band member - keyboardist Jim Pugh, and drummer Tony Braunagel who joined the band in 2007.

Cray has received 5 Grammys, 15 Grammy nominations, and has performed thousands of sold-out shows worldwide. He made his film debut performing in the classic National Lampoon’s Animal House and was featured in Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues series. He has appeared in Tina Turner's TV special Break Every Rule, the Chuck Berry tribute Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll, and the Rolling Stones' pay-per-view video Voodoo Lounge.

ROBERT CRAY - ESSENTIAL WEB LINKS

Robert Cray – Official Website
www.robertcrayband.com

Robert Cray – Official Facebook
www.facebook.com/robertcraymusic

Mascot Label Group – Official Website
www.mascotlabelgroup.com

Shelton Powe's album available now - and don't miss out on Capitol Blues!

Don't miss out on Capitol Blues in DC! MMRF artists Ironing Board Sam, Captain Luke, Big Ron Hunter, and Shelton Powe will be at Clyde's of Gallery Place to rock out from 7pm to 10pm on March 27th. You'll want to make sure you see this show! Tickets are $100 and include beer and wine, hors d'oeuvres, and an awesome evening of blues! Proceeds from the event will directly benefit the elderly and impoverished Blues musicians throughout the South who are served by Music Maker. Buy your tickets here - don't wait, they're selling fast! Leyla McCalla returns to NC March 23rd! Don't miss Leyla McCalla withCary Morin, opening for Celtic band Lunasa at The ArtsCenter in Carrboro on March 23rd! Leyla's sultry vocals and rhythmically lilting cello will be complimented by Cary's guitar, ensuring a memorable evening for the audience. Don't wait, get your tickets today! Photo of the week Jerry "Boogie" McCain by Gregg Roth Quick Links: Website Merch Music Shelton Powe's album available now! MMRF artist Shelton Powe has released his first album, Carolina Blues and Gospel, and it's now available for purchase! The album melds together the fresh and the traditional, combining intricate melodies with a feel of spontaneity. Born in 1957 in Charlotte, N.C., Powe grew up on the tent revival circuit, surrounded by a family of Gospel musicians. The music he learned from his family still heavily inspires him, but his style and delivery are all his own. Check out tracks from the album on Shelton's page - or go to the Music Maker store to order! Listen: Robert Belfour - Black Mattie Diggin': Matt tells us about "Black Mattie" Robert "Wolfman" Belfour haunts me. It couldn't have been more than two years ago that I drove up Western Mississippi's Highway 61 into Clarksdale. I had never heard of Wolfman or listened to his style of Hill Country finger-picking before, but after a couple of hours with the guys at Cat Head Folk Art & Blues I had Wolfman's rhythmic, mournful "Black Mattie" stuck in my head and developed a permanent fascination with North Mississippi Hill Country blues. Robert "Wolfman" Belfour was born in the town of Red Banks, Mississippi, in 1940. His style of acoustic picking centers around repetitive, driving bass lines, open tunings, minimal chord changes, and deep, clear vocal refrains. He's percussive without using percussion. And as a drummer, that really hooked me. Check out Wolfman's version of "Black Mattie" above. Just see how long it takes for your foot to start stomping. -- Matt Matt Dailey, a Music Maker intern, hails from N.J. and is a graduate student of Library Science at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

Upcoming Shows: Click here for more info on upcoming events 3/23 - Leyla McCalla - The ArtsCenter, Carrboro, N.C. 3/27 - Ironing Board Sam, Captain Luke, Big Ron Hunter, Shelton Powe - Capitol Blues Night, D.C. 3/29 - Ironing Board Sam - Art with a Heart, Washington D.C. 4/13 - SOOTS 6th Annual Blues Review featuring John Dee Holeman, Tad Walters, & Justin Robinson & the Mary Annettes 4/14 - Big Ron Hunter - North Dakota Museum of Art 4/27 - Guitar Lightnin' Lee, Leyla McCalla - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 4/28 - Carolina Chocolate Drops - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 4/29 - Ironing Board Sam - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 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.

Black and Evil - Lightnin Hopkins

Sam John Hopkins (March 15, 1912 – January 30, 1982) better known as Lightnin’ Hopkins, was an American country blues singer, songwriter, guitarist and occasional pianist, from Houston, Texas. Rolling Stone magazine included Hopkins at number 71 on their list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.

Born Sam John Hopkins in Centerville, Texas, Hopkins' childhood was immersed in the sounds of the blues and he developed a deeper appreciation at the age of 8 when he met Blind Lemon Jefferson at a church picnic in Buffalo, Texas. That day, Hopkins felt the blues was "in him" and went on to learn from his older (somewhat distant) cousin, country blues singer Alger "Texas" Alexander. Hopkins had another cousin, the Texas electric blues guitarist, Frankie Lee Sims, with whom he later recorded.[5] Hopkins began accompanying Blind Lemon Jefferson on guitar in informal church gatherings. Jefferson supposedly never let anyone play with him except for young Hopkins, who learned much from and was influenced greatly by Blind Lemon Jefferson thanks to these gatherings. In the mid 1930s, Hopkins was sent to Houston County Prison Farm for an unknown offense. In the late 1930s Hopkins moved to Houston with Alexander in an unsuccessful attempt to break into the music scene there. By the early 1940s he was back in Centerville working as a farm hand.
In 1959 Hopkins was contacted by folklorist Mack McCormick who hoped to bring him to the attention of the broader musical audience which was caught up in the folk revival. McCormack presented Hopkins to integrated audiences first in Houston and then in California. Hopkins debuted at Carnegie Hall on October 14, 1960 appearing alongside Joan Baez and Pete Seeger performing the spiritual "Mary Don't You Weep." In 1960, he signed to Tradition Records. Solid recordings followed including his song "Mojo Hand" in 1960.
Houston's poet-in-residence for 35 years, Hopkins recorded more albums than any other bluesman.

Hopkins died of esophageal cancer in Houston January 30, 1982, at the age of 69. His New York Times obituary named him as "one of the great country blues and perhaps the greatest single influence on rock guitar players."
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Dance To The Music - SLY & THE FAMILY STONE

Sly and the Family Stone were an American rock, funk, and soul band from San Francisco, California. Active from 1966 to 1983, the band was pivotal in the development of soul, funk, and psychedelic music. Headed by singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist Sly Stone, and containing several of his family members and friends, the band was the first major American rock band to have an "integrated, multi-gender" lineup.

Brothers Sly Stone and singer/guitarist Freddie Stone combined their bands (Sly & the Stoners and Freddie & the Stone Souls) in 1967. Sly and Freddie Stone, trumpeter Cynthia Robinson, drummer Gregg Errico, saxophonist Jerry Martini, and bassist Larry Graham completed the original lineup; Sly and Freddie's sister, singer/keyboardist Rose Stone, joined within a year. This collective recorded five Billboard Hot 100 hits which reached the top 10, and four ground-breaking albums, which greatly influenced the sound of American pop music, soul, R&B, funk, and hip hop music. In the preface of his 1998 book For the Record: Sly and the Family Stone: An Oral History, Joel Selvin sums up the importance of Sly and the Family Stone's influence on African American music by stating "there are two types of black music: black music before Sly Stone, and black music after Sly Stone". The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

During the early 1970s, the band switched to a grittier funk sound, which was as influential on the music industry as their earlier work. The band began to fall apart during this period because of drug abuse and ego clashes; consequently, the fortunes and reliability of the band deteriorated, leading to its dissolution in 1975. Sly Stone continued to record albums and tour with a new rotating lineup under the "Sly and the Family Stone" name from 1975 to 1983. In 1987, Sly Stone was arrested and sentenced for cocaine use, after which he went into effective retirement.
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Christmas Man Blues - Bertha "Chippie" Hill

Bertha "Chippie" Hill (March 15, 1905 – May 7, 1950), was an American blues and vaudeville singer and dancer, best known for her recordings with Louis Armstrong.
Hill was born in Charleston, South Carolina, one of sixteen children, but in 1915 the family moved to New York. She began her career as a dancer in Harlem, and by 1919 was working with Ethel Waters. At age 14, during a stint at Leroy's, a noted New York nightclub, Hill was nicknamed "Chippie" because of her young age. She also performed with Ma Rainey as part of the Rabbit Foot Minstrels, before establishing her own song and dance act and touring on the TOBA circuit in the early 1920s.

She settled in Chicago in about 1925, and worked at various venues with King Oliver's Jazz Band. She first recorded in November 1925 for Okeh Records, backed by the cornet player Louis Armstrong and pianist Richard M. Jones, on songs such as "Pratt City Blues", "Low Land Blues" and "Kid Man Blues" that year, and on "Georgia Man" and "Trouble in Mind" with the same musicians in 1926. She also recorded in 1927, with Lonnie Johnson on the vocal duet, "Hard Times Blues", plus "Weary Money Blues", "Tell Me Why" and "Speedway Blues". In 1928, came the Tampa Red vocal duets, "Hard Times Blues" and "Christmas Man Blues", and in 1929 with "Scrapper" Blackwell & The Two Roys, with Leroy Carr on piano, the song "Non-skid Tread". Hill recorded 23 titles between 1925 to 1929.
She was back again in 1950, when she was run over by a car and killed in New York at the age of 45.
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Until The End - Clarence "Candy" Green

Though not one of the best known of the modern Texas blues guitarists, Clarence Green is regarded by his peers as one of the best. Green (not to be confused with the late Clarence "Candy" Green, a Texas blues pianist) did session work for Duke Records in the '60s with Junior Parker, Bobby Bland, and others, and performed with stars from Fats Domino to Johnny Nash. His own recordings have mostly been for small Houston labels. As Marcel Vos from Double Trouble Records wrote, "The Clarence Green of today plays a brand of Texas blues that is mixed with soul, jazz, and funk, not unlike the music of fellow Texans such as Roy Gaines, Cornell Dupree, and of course, his brother Cal Green."
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Wiggle Wobble - Les Cooper & The Soul Rockers

Les Cooper (b. Mar. 15, 1931, Norfolk, Virginia) was an American doo wop musician, best known for his hit rock instrumental “Wiggle Wobble”.

Cooper sang in several New York doo wop groups, including The Empires and The Whirlers, and was the manager of the group The Charts. In 1962, he signed to Everlast Records and released the single “Dig Yourself” b/w “Wiggle Wobble”, billed with his band as Les Cooper & the Soul Rockers. Both sides were produced by Bobby Robinson.
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Like It Or Not - Volker Strifler Band

The Volker Strifler Band (VSB), a popular Northern California based tour-de-force of musical talent, has become a rising musical phenomenon garnering local, regional and national recognition. VSB is fronted by their namesake and founder, Volker Strifler, whose remarkable talents as singer, songwriter, producer and guitarist extraordinaire are helping propel both him and the entire band toward world-wide recognition.

It's not hard to understand why VSB is making such a splash. This band moves languorously from jazz and roots, to blues/rock and a funky calypso rhythm; with performances highlighted by their show stopping guitarist, a thundering rhythm section, white hot horns, and one funky, soulful keyboardist!
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For Your Precious Love - Linda Jones

Have patience...she will sing!

Jones was born in Newark, New Jersey. She started singing in her family's gospel group the Jones Singers at the age of six. Her first recording was "Lonely Teardrops" under the name Linda Lane, on Cub Records in 1963, and she had unsuccessful singles on Atco Records in 1964 and Blue Cat Records the following year. She signed with Warner Bros. Records subsidiary Loma Records in 1967 and released the biggest of several hits, "Hypnotized". Soon after her career took off, however, she was diagnosed with diabetes and died at home in Harlem in 1972 while resting between matinee and evening shows at the Apollo Theater
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St. Louis Blues - Mound City Blue Blowers

The Mound City Blue Blowers were an American novelty jazz ensemble, formed in St. Louis, Missouri and given its nickname. It was co-founded by Red McKenzie and Jack Bland and performed during in the 1920s and 1930s.

First assembled in 1923, the group's original members were Red McKenzie playing comb and tissue paper, Dick Slevin on kazoo, and Jack Bland on banjo. The band also included, in lieu of a drum kit, a traveler's suitcase played with foot and whisk brooms. Their debut recording, the 1924 release "Arkansas Blues" b/w "Blue Blues", was a hit in the Midwest. They recorded twelve tunes in 1924 and 1925; Frankie Trumbauer and Eddie Lang played on some of the tracks.

In 1929-1931 the group also made at least two short performance films: The Opry House (1929) and Nine O'Clock Folks (1931), which included "I Ain't Got Nobody","Let Me Call You Sweeheart," "My Gal Sal" and "St. Louis Blues."

After 1925, McKenzie recorded under his own name as a vocalist, but returned to the Mound City name in 1929 for several sessions with jazz stars including Jack Teagarden, Coleman Hawkins, Glenn Miller, and Pee Wee Russell. In 1931, the group recorded with McKenzie, Hawkins, Muggsy Spanier, and Jimmy Dorsey. The last recordings to bear the Mound City name, 25 songs from 1935-1936, included appearances from Nappy Lamare, Spooky Dickenson, Billy Wilson, Bunny Berigan, Yank Lawson, and Eddie Miller.
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300 Pounds of Heavenly Joy - BigTwist andThe Mellow Fellows

Larry "Big Twist" Nolan was the titular leader of the horn-dominated band, Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows. He got his name from his 6' 4" stature, his weight (often in excess of 300 pounds), and his booming voice. Prior to joining the band in 1970, Twist was living in Carbondale, Illinois and playing drums for a country band. Born in Terre Haute, Indiana in 1937, Twist was a journeyman musician who performed everything from blues to pop in Midwest bar bands. As their stature increased, Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows moved from small, private fraternity parties to concert stages and blues clubs throughout the country.

Throughout the 1970s, Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows built their repertoire on a blend of soul, R&B, blues and rock. They performed at college fraternity parties, beer halls, and clubs throughout the Midwest. In 1978 the band relocated to Chicago and a year later they recorded their self-titled debut album for the Flying Fish label. Their brand of brassy R&B party music made them favorites among young and old alike.
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Darkest of Days - Funke and the Two Tone Baby

'His material was great, quite bluesy and dirty and performed with real gusto, manically stamping on the box to start and stop loops, frantically picking up different microphones and instruments like a magician pulling props out of a trunk to create some amazing sounds.'' - Tasty Sounds
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Stick Around Town - Blind Lemon

"Blind Lemon takes to the stage and a charismatic harmonica immediately ignites uniform foot-stomping. Their raucous blend of boogie and burning blues licks is exhilarating; the harmonica mesmerizes at every unpredictable turn. The wailing guitar and howling harmonica share centre-stage and complement each other perfectly. Blind Lemon are an early highlight latecomers will regret missing". Justin Grey, Time Off Magazine.

Blind Lemon has evolved from hardworking journeymen to one of SE Qld's most respected acts. The fluid and funky Blind Lemon engine room has established an enviable platform for the twin peaks of singer/dynamic harp player Jamie Symons and Strat-wrangler Harvey to work their magic.
..
Deriving elements from the earthy sounds of the '40's and '50's blues masters, the magic of '90's & current crop of successful blues and roots artists, soulful feel of '60's and '70's British blues and a new twist on electric harmonica to make your ears prick up. They are taking it a step up and to the left.

;Blind Lemon has wowed the fans at music festivals up and down the East Coast including Byron Bay Blues and Roots, and at the Gympie Music Muster. In May 2010 their electric live performances of their new album Drinker's Lament at Blues On Broadbeach (which they have appeared at since its inception in 2001) was a welcomed surprise to all those in attendance and added to the bands huge following. In 2008 the band won the Blues Association of South East Queensland's prestigious Performer of the Year award and as a result was a knock-out at the Australian Blues Music Festival in Goulburn early in 2009. Recently their songs 'Sugar Box', 'Little Girl' were highly commended in 2010 Q-Song awards.&;2011 Queensland blues awards voted most popular band and best song for Drinkers lament.
..
With Australia wide airplay on triple J, the 4th album (Drinkers' Lament) released 2010, has a blues foundation with a diverse edge featuring songs which are darker, edgier and they encompass all the drama and energy that is so evident in Blind Lemon's live performances.

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Stick Around Town

Blind Lemon | Myspace Video

They're Back!! "Hot 100" Band Scorch Sisters Blaze The Blues@Silly's This Friday

Music Connection Magazine "Hot 100" Artist Scorch Sisters Are Back...!!

*Band Featured In February "Blues Issue" Of The Music Initiative Magazine*

(Photo by Suze Lanier-Bramlett)

Scorch Sisters (l to r) are keyboardist-vocalist Alicia McCracken Morgan; lead vocalist Francesca Capasso; and guitarist Kimberly Allison. They were honored as a "Hot 100 Live Artist For 2012 " by respected publication, Music Connection. A new Scorch Sisters album will be released in the Spring.

Blazin' The Blues At Silly's In Winnetka This Friday, March 16

"This trio of top-notch Hollywood female musicians host All-Star Pro Blues Jams which are known to draw surprise guests to their performances."
Nicole Pajer/HOLLYWOOD PATCH

"Scorch Sisters wowed the Real Blues Festival 2 audience....be ready for these Hollywood hipsters because they'll 'blue' you away. I really dig these gals and I think you will too."

Casey Reagan/AMERICAN BLUES NEWS

"The Scorch Sisters seize the blues as their own and subsequently fire it up with a unique intensity. They will demand your respect with their powerful vocals all the while having you wonder where the "Hell" have these ladies been hiding! The Scorch Sisters deliver the blues straight up: can someone say 'Cheers'?" Jim Lederle/AMERICAN VETERANS RADIO

The Scorch Sisters are back, hotter and better than ever, and fresh off their recent accolades being recognized by longtime respected industry trade publication Music Connection as a "Top 100 Live Artist Of The Year For 2012" in their always-anticipated year-end issue. The ladies (Francesca Capasso, lead vocals; Alicia McCracken Morgan, keyboards-vocals; Kimberly Allison, lead guitar) were featured on the cover (see above) and inside with a two-page spread of "The Blues Issue" put out this past February by The Music Initiative magazine.

Come hear the Scorch Sister's Red-Hot Blues when they play live at Silly's Cocktails this Friday, March 16. 9 pm - 1:30 a.m. Free to all. 20160 Roscoe Blvd., in Winnetka. Info: (818) 993-3634 or www.sillycocktails.net.

A new Scorch Sisters CD is in the works and will be released on Kimberly Allison's Starliner Music label this Spring.

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I55 Productions artist: Willie Foster - Live At Airport Grocery - Review

This is a review of the release by Willie Foster called Live at Airport Grocery. Eight of the nine tracks on the recording are original Foster tunes starting off with a cool instrumental, Just Messin' Round, a swinging Chicago style blues shuffle lead by harp and jamming guitar riffs. Love Everybody is is a solid blues track driven by a solid bass track and Fosters vocals. Honey Ain't Sweet, a soulful ballad has some interesting harp playing. Hoochie Coochie Man give the band a chance to stretch out a little bit and Fosters vocals fit this song quite well. Janie On My Mind is a slow blues and possibly the best track on the release. Instrumentation is really solid and the vocal track is loose. Promise Me Love is an uptempo blues again harp driven and you can tell that Foster gets jazzed up during up in the mood with his hollerin'. My Dear old Dad and Willie's Boogie wrap up the set with straight up blues tracks. These have a semblance of JL Hooker and show the raw characteristics in Foster.

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Eddie King Milton has passed

I'm sad to report the death today of Eddie King, longtime guitar player with Koko Taylor's Blues Machine and Chicago blues veteran. Eddie died in Peoria; he had been in declining health for a long time. Sweet, nice guy and a true bluesman. He will be missed. - Bruce Iglauer

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