Bman's Blues Report

Janie Hendrix, sister of Jimi and CEO of Experience Hendrix, has announced a new documentary about the guitarist's 1969 gigs at London's Royal Albert Hall. Hendrix (the sister) told Billboard that the film portrays "a day in the life of Jimi" and reckons it will offer a level of 'backstage' access that Hendrix fans won't have seen before. "There were about four cameras that followed Jimi and the guys around in Europe and filmed the two concerts at the Royal Albert Hall," revealed Hendrix. "As well as them coming off trains, planes and automobiles, signing autographs, Jimi backstage getting ready, in his apartment doing little apartment jams with his friends and then later playing the Speakeasy." "It's not an actor playing Jimi, it's Jimi and he really does forget the cameras are rolling. You see those sides of him, the stage and the sweetness with different girlfriends – there's several that are in the film – and how he...

"Sweet Emma" Barrett (March 25, 1897, New Orleans, Louisiana – January 28, 1983) was a self-taught jazz pianist and singer who worked with the Original Tuxedo Orchestra between 1923 and 1936, first under Papa Celestin, then William Ridgely. Also active with Armand Piron, John Robichaux, and Sidney Desvigne, Sweet Emma Barrett was at her most powerful in the early 1960s and became an iconic figure with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. In 1947, she accepted a steady job at a local club, Happy Landing, but it was her 1961 recording debut, with her own album in the Riverside Records New Orleans: The Living Legends series, that brought her recognition from beyond the Crescent City. According to the liner notes of this album, these were her first recording performances as a vocalist, most of the songs on the album were instrumentals. She was nicknamed, Bell Gal, because she wore a red skull cap and garters with Christmas bells that jingled in time with her music. She was featured o...

Rosalie (or Rosa Lee) Hill, guitar and vocal. Recorded by Alan Lomax in Como, Mississippi, September 25, 1959. From "Worried Now, Won't Be Worried Long," one of five albums commemorating the 50th anniversary of Lomax's "Southern Journey" field recording trip. Released in 2010 digitally by Global Jukebox (GJ 1002) and on LP by Mississippi Records (MR 058). Rosalie Hill was a daughter of the Mississippi Hill Country's composer, multi-instrumentalist, band leader, and musical patriarch Sid Hemphill. Sid taught Rosalie to play the guitar when she was six; by the time she was ten she was playing dances with him. The only two songs she recorded for Alan were marked by a desolate, keening intensity, although by all accounts she was a jolly woman. Her father died in 1961, after which, as blues researcher George Mitchell noted, most of the very musical Hemphills "just didn't feel like playing no more." Rosie hung up her guitar for a time, but by ...

(Valparaiso, IN) - In less than two years together as a working band, Head Honchos' have garnered reviews for their self-titled debut release in publications both far (BLUES MATTERS and METALLIVILLE in the U.K.) and near (BLUES SOURCE; VINTAGE GUITAR; CHICAGO EXAMINER; BLUESROCKERS; BARRELHOUSE BLUES; SOUTHLAND BLUES; AMERICAN BLUES BLOG; more). The Valparaiso, IN-based band play smokin' Chicago blues imbued with some elements of rock. Formed by guitarist Rocco Calipari Sr. (who is also a member of noted longtime Chicago band, Howard and the White Boys), Head Honchos' are now set to record the follow-up to their debut, tentatively titled "Come Strong." Head Honchos' return to their hometown to perform at Martini's, 1004 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso, Saturday, July 30. 9:30 p.m. No Cover. Info: (219) 464-0801 or log onto www.martinisinvalpo.com .

I'm a true believer in music's power to bring people together. During my career, I've seen music overcome national, ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic barriers in ways politicians can only dream of. For me, music's true purpose is bringing people together! Music, art and culture are important elements in the human experience. They are the means by which societies identify, express and ultimately heal themselves. In today's world, this is increasingly cross cultural. Musicians (real ones, not "Rock Stars!") are a little like Shamans . . . part Preacher, part faith healer. We use our gift to lift the mind, body and spirits of humanity. Musicians touch lives in many profound ways. Sir Bob Geldof's Live Aid, which raised millions of dollars to fight famine in Africa, comes to mind. Same with Michael Jackson and a host of other great music artists, with "We Are The World." Music is so much more powerful than we here in America are taught ...

I am starting a new segment TBNV specifically for music that is absolutely T errific B ut for which N o V ideo exists that I am aware of. There are so many terrific things that were never recorded on video that It Just has the right to be heard! This is the first of a hopefully long running series. Blue Matter is the third album by the band Savoy Brown. Teaming up once again with producer Mike Vernon, it finds them experimenting even more within the blues framework. Several tracks feature piano (played by Bob Hall, guitarist Kim Simmonds, and vocalist Chris Youlden, who even plays guitar here) as well as trombone. This album featured a mix of live and studio recordings. The live tracks were recorded at the now defunct City of Leicester College of Education, because the band was scheduled to tour the USA and needed additional tracks to complete the Album in time for the tour. The college had booked the band to perform a few weeks prior to the tour and the booking represented their only...

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David "Junior" Kimbrough (July 28, 1930 — January 17, 1998) was an American blues musician from North Mississippi. His best known work included "Keep Your Hands Off Her" and "All Night Long". Music journalist Tony Russell stated "his raw, repetitive style suggests an archaic forebear of John Lee Hooker, a character his music shares with that of fellow North Mississippian R. L. Burnside". Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Texas Singer/Songwriter Guthrie Kennard By the age of 14 Guthrie was playing with friend and fellow musician Joe Russell in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia. He left home to travel to Atlanta, Georgia, where Joe was signed with Bill Lowery Agency whose roster included artists such as Billy Joe Royal, Classics IV and Joe South. In Atlanta, Guthrie met people who were successful doing what they loved to do; his path was chosen. Back in Richmond, Guthrie formed the band Studio B and had his first opportunity to get serious and grow musically. Southside Johnny (of the Asbury Jukes) later moved down from New Jersey and became the bands lead singer. Guthrie originally came west in 1968, moving there to stay in 1971. During this time he started playing with Smokin’ Joe Kubek. Along with many other Texas artists. The next years were filled with great music and great musicians. He recorded with Smokin’ Joe and Doyle Bramhall, Sr, on Bird Records. Opening for artists including Robin Trower, Jo...

"I was literally out in a blues club every night of the week from 1991 through 1997. In that time, I saw probably over 300 different blues acts. My favorites were Otis Rush, Byther Smith, Jimmy Johnson, Roosevelt Booby Barnes, Big Jack Johnson, Dave Specter, Sunnyland Slim, Carlos Johnson, Buster Benton, Johnny B. Moore, Son Seals, Willie Kent, James Wheeler, Vance Kelley, Little Smokey Smothers, Rockin' Johnny Burgin, Jimmy Burns, Lurrie Bell, Eddie C. Campbell, Eddy Clearwater, Johnny Dollar, Little Arthur Duncan, Billy Flynn, Sammy Fender, Phil Guy, and too many others to mention. One thing that depresses me to this day, is that I didn't ever go see Johnny Littlejohn, Buddy Scott or Lefty Dizz, even though they were listed on marquees as playing all the time!!! I simply didn't know who they were then. But now their recorded work is some of my favorites. "

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Jimmy "Duck" Holmes is a blues musician and proprietor of the Blue Front Cafe on the Mississippi Blues Trail. He was born in 1947 to Carey and Mary Holmes, who were sharecroppers.[1] His parents opened the Blue Front Cafe the year after he was born.[1] They had ten children, but also raised four grandchildren when one of their daughters died. Jimmy Holmes was influenced by Jack Owens, who is part of the Bentonia School of blues musicians. He was recorded by several people, including Alan Lomax during the 1970s, but didn't release his first album until 2006 on the Broke and Hungry label. Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

This timely road movie will explore the thriving underbelly of a dying American art form in the land where it began – Mississippi. Planned as a weeklong journey through the birthplace of the blues, M for Mississippi seeks to capture the proverbial “real deal” in its home where it is most comfortable and authentic – the jukes, the front yards, the cotton fields. More than just a collection of concert performances, the film will collect the sounds, the images and the feel of both the performers and their native landscape – an environment essential to their livelihoods and inseparable from their art. Cultivating the fertile ground between such landmark theatrical travelogues as Buena Vista Social Club and Deep Blues, M for Mississippi aims to appeal to more than just the average blues fan. By showcasing such a fascinating foreign land so close to home, the filmmakers hope to inspire countless others to make their own road trips down Mississippi’s blue highways. Get Facebook support ...

Since finding an old Jedson guitar in the loft around 7 years ago, Jack Blackman set about meeting a challenge set by his dad. “Learn ten chords properly and I’ll buy you a decent one!” A few days and ten chords later he was totally hooked, especially to playing the blues. In 2006, Jack passed his grade 8 guitar exam and was successful in auditioning a place as a founder member of Warwickshire’s County Music Service Rock Band, Red Kyte. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 2008, Jack successfully applied for a BBC instrumental bursary, and this money paid for his American 1952 Reissue Fender Telecaster guitar. However, Jack’s musical career began when, on March 12 2008 (his 14th birthday), Paul Jones phoned, in response to a letter from Jack’s dad. He invited Jack to do a number sitting in with the Blues Band at Cox’s Yard in Stratford. After ...

Multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning Producer/Guitarist Pete Anderson is most widely known as the musical partner to Dwight Yoakam, whose records he produced/arranged/and played on from 1986-2003 resulting in sales of 25 Million and counting. Pete is also well known as a pioneer in the roots-rock genre and was an early champion of the Americana movement, where he had a hand in introducing the world to artists such as Lucinda Williams, Jim Lauderdale, Michelle Shocked, Rosie Flores, and, more recently, Adam Hood. He is also a renowned bandleader who has appeared on Saturday Night Live, David Letterman, and The Tonight Show (19 times since 1986) and has played over 3,000 live shows in upwards of 15 countries around the world. While Pete's work as a producer/arranger/guitarist has resulted in acclaimed records in the Country, Folk, Singer-Songwriter, Rock, Pop, R&B, and Red Dirt genres of music, his focus as a solo artist has always been his first musical love - The Blues. Pete...

Johnny Winter is in the studio working on his newest release for Megaforce Records. This recording will include Johnny doing his versions of songs that helped shape his legendary talent. Produced by guitarist Paul Nelson the CD will feature an array of notable guests along with his new band. After finishing up his CD in March it’s off to Japan where Johnny and his band will appear at the Zepp Tokyo Hall for 3 sold out shows. Vol 7 of the acclaimed Johnny Winter Live bootleg series has just been released already hitting in the top 15 on the Billboard blues charts. This CD also contains special liner notes by Warren Haynes. Watch out for Johnny appearing as guest guitarist on 2 up coming releases one by Sly Stone and the other by William Shatner… Yes that’s “Captain Kirk”

He was born and raised in Drew, Mississippi in the heart of Delta. It was the richest cotton land in the South and the large amounts of field workers attracted the best musicians from the surrounding areas. The entire Delta region was rich with blues, but the town of Drew was a particularly fertile one. Charley Patton stayed near Drew for many years and several legendary performers spent time there. Sharecroppers sang loudly to help pass the grueling hours of work and without a doubt Boo Boo developed his loud, bellowing voice based on the singing he heard in the fields as a young boy. In fact, that voice, through the years has demolished many amps and speaker cabinets. Boo Boo's father, Sylvester Davis farmed cotton and played several instruments. Musicians who he played with include John Lee Hooker, Elmore James and Robert Pete Williams. Boo Boo remembers these and other musicians dropping by and rehearsing at their house. At the age of five Boo Boo was playing the harmonica a...

You See Me Laughin' is a personal journey into the lives and music of the last of the hill country bluesmen who've kept their music alive on the back porches and in the tiny juke joints of the Mississippi backwoods. Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Julian Fauth (vocals, piano, guitar) blues, roots and 'barrelhouse jazz' "When I was six, my father, a radio journalist, brought home some discarded LPs from the radio station. (They played them a certain number of times and then got rid of them, because the grooves would wear out.) One of them was a blues LP called 'The Golden Blues Hour', with 20 tracks, from John Hurt to Buddy Guy. There was a live recording of Big Bill Broonzy doing 'Louise' at the 1938 Spirituals To Swing Concert on that LP, and some live recordings from, I think, the Newport Jazz Festival: John Lee Hooker doing what I still think of as the definitive version of 'Tupelo', Lightnin' Hopkins singing about his father, a "sack-shaker," who made him carry heavy bags of cotton, Muddy Waters praising the skills of a 19-year old girl whom, alas, he can't satisfy, and Otis Spann singing 'Sometimes I Wonder' through a cold. I haven't heard that LP in a long ...

Sources close to Amy Winehouse tell PerezHilton.com exclusively that they believe drugs were not responsible for the singer's untimely death. Instead, they believe Amy's passing was brought on by a massive seizure. "The hardcore drugs completely wrecked Amy's nervous system," an insider tells us. "She gave up all that [hardcore drugs] a while ago but she was still drinking heavily, which would bring on seizures." Amy had been suffering from seizures regularly and despite being warned by doctors kept drinking. An official autopsy has yet to be completed.