Bman's Blues Report

Lazy Bill Lucas (May 29, 1918 - December 11, 1982) was an American blues musician, who was part of the birth of the Chicago blues scene during the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s, before taking his talents to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and becoming an important part of that city's blues history until his death. Born to sharecroppers in Wynne, Arkansas, United States, Lucas's family was always looking for better living conditions and worked their way north to Southern Missouri, then to St. Louis in 1940 and Chicago the year after. As a youngster, he sang on the streets of Advance, Missouri, where the mostly white audience preferred hillbilly songs, but in St. Louis, he teamed up with blues singer Big Joe Williams and started singing for a black audience. Until 1946, Lucas played guitar on the streets, often at the side of Sonny Boy Williamson II. Later that year, he formed a trio with Willie Mabon and Earl Dranes, joined the Musicians Union, and enjoyed a two week gig at the Tuxedo Lo...

Organist/pianist Ron Levy has devoted most of his career to keeping the flame of funky, bluesy soul-jazz alive. Born Reuvin Zev ben Yehoshua Ha Levi in 1959 in Cambridge, MA, Levy played clarinet as a child but switched to piano after seeing Ray Charles at age 13. When he encountered the music of Jimmy Smith, Billy Preston, and Booker T. & the MG's, he fell in love with the Hammond B-3 and made the switch. Levy began working the Boston blues club scene as a teenager, and was hired by Albert King in 1971, before even graduating from high school. He spent a year and a half with King, and then joined B.B. King's backing band, where he remained for the next seven years. He also began working with the Rhythm Rockers in 1976, an association that lasted four years, and then became a member of Roomful of Blues from 1983-1987. It was during that time that Levy recorded his first session as a leader, 1985's Ron Levy's Wild Kingdom for the Black Top label. Safari in New Orlean...

Doctor Ross (October 21, 1925 – May 28, 1993), aka Doctor Ross, the harmonica boss, was an American blues singer, guitarist, harmonica player and drummer — a one-man band[2] — who was born Charles Isaiah Ross, in Tunica, Mississippi. Ross played various forms of the blues that have seen him compared to John Lee Hooker and Sonny Boy Williamson I, and is perhaps best known for the recordings he made for Sun Records in the 1950s, notably "The Boogie Disease" and "Chicago Breakdown". In 1951 Ross began to be heard on Mississippi and Arkansas radio stations, now nicknamed Doctor because of his habit of carrying his harmonicas in a black bag that resembled a doctor's bag. Over the next three years he recorded in Memphis, Tennessee for both Chess and Sun, creating exhilarating harmonica or guitar boogies made distinctive by his sidemen playing washboard (with a spoon and fork) and broom. In 1954 Ross took a job with General Motors in Flint, Michigan, and reduced his pl...

Frank Bey, master of the art of blues, has been entertaining with his God-given talent since the tender age of 4. Frank enjoyed singing with his mother, Maggie Jordan ,who was a gospel singer, while growing up in Millen, Georgia. In a short time he had acquired the lead vocalist role in small gospel quartet called the Rising Sons. Accompanying him was his 5-year old brother and another pair of cousins, ages 5 and 6. Frank’s continued to sing throughout the Southeast Region during his teenage years In the 1960’s. He took advantage of an opportunity to tour with the Otis Redding Review. Here he learned how to become personal with the audience and create an atmosphere of excitement. Frank later joined Archie Jenkins and the Incredible Saxtons and toured throughout the United States, Spain and Canada. He became discouraged and left the music industry in 1977 after putting together a variety of bands and suffering through a bag record deal. Frank made a comeback in 1996 after n...

Chris Antonik News & Summer Schedule It has been a busy year for Maple Blues Award-nominated guitarist/singer Chris Antonik. In February 2012, Chris began work on his highly-anticipated second album, which will feature guest appearances by Grammy award-winning vocalist Mike Mattison (The Derek Trucks Band, The Tedeschi-Trucks Band), Maple Blues award-winner Shakura S'Aida, Juno-award winner Steve Marriner (MonkeyJunk) and more. British blues guitarist Ben Fisher and New York City songsmith Paul Olsen (Scrapomatic) also feature as co-writers. Look for the album in early 2013! This past March, Chris was one of the featured artists at the DAWG FM/Toronto Blues Society showcase for Canadian Music Week, and gave a live-to-air performance and interview on New York City's “Sounds of Blue” radio show. This summer, Chris and the band will be making appearances at blues festivals across Canada, including Manitoba’s Great Woods Music Festival...

I received a new CD called God Shaped Hole by Reverend Freakchild . The band here is Rev on Vocal, guitar, harmonica; Jon "Bones Richie" Robinson on bass; "Crazy" Joe Kaplowitz on Hammond B3; Drew Glackin on lap steel; Sara Alden on fiddle; and includes Sean Condron, Mamie, CC and Sal Paradise on vocals. The cd is made up of 11 original tracks. All Across America is a straight rocker and Supersubconcious has more of a soft country sound which could get airplay. My Good Friend Legbe has some really interesting slide resonator work and A Day Late and a $ Short is a cool swing blues rocker. Stupid Motherf#%!er is sure to be a crowd pleaser with it's straightforward irreverence. Don't Miss Nothing closes the set with some cool finger picking and slide work. If you like things a little off the beaten track, this may be your ticket. 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 ...

Borderline, London: 26/3/13 O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London: 27/3/13 HMV Hammersmith Apollo, London: 28/3/13 Royal Albert Hall, London: 30/3/13 Following the May 21st release of Joe Bonamassa’s critically acclaimed 13th solo album Driving Towards The Daylight , which is currently #2 in the UK's official album chart, the renowned guitarist will perform a series of four significant London concerts that chronicles his rise from playing the intimate Borderline to the prestigious Royal Albert Hall . Blues rock fans will be able to purchase tickets to see Joe perform at four different London venues including The Borderline (March 26 ), 02 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (March 27) , HMV Hammersmith Apollo (March 28) and the Royal Albert Hall (March 30) . Concert tickets, plus a very special Borderline ticket entry go on sale on Friday June 1st from the 24 Hour Ticket Box Office: 0844 478 0898 or can be booked online from www.thegigcartel.com/joevip . A special 4...

Gladys Maria Knight (born May 28, 1944), known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian, and author. She is best known for the hits she recorded during the 1960s and 1970s, for both the Motown and Buddah Records labels, with her group Gladys Knight & the Pips, the most famous incarnation of which also included her brother Merald "Bubba" Knight and her cousins Edward Patten and William Guest. Knight was born in Atlanta, Georgia, the daughter of Sarah Elizabeth (née Woods) and Merald Woodlow Knight, Sr., a postal worker. She first achieved minor fame by winning Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour TV show contest at the age of 7 in 1952. The following year, she, her brother Merald, sister Brenda, and cousins William and Elenor Guest formed a musical group called The Pips (named after another cousin, James "Pip" Woods). By the end of the decade, the act had begun to tour, and had replaced Brenda Knig...

This band appears to be from the Netherlands. If anyone knows anything about them...please let me know. 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 just got a copy of Unshakeable , the new 24th Street Wailers CD and they continue to grow as a band. Lindsay Beaver, lead singer and drummer for the band, Mike Archer on bass, Emily Burgess on guitar and Jon Wong on sax. The release opens with Home Cookin' and I have to say that Wong's horn work is impressive. I notice that the band has gone for a vintage sound with Beaver's vocals sounding like they are through a vintage ribbon mic throughout the recording. Love Triangle features guitarists Carter Chaplin and Marc Doucet along with the band adding an extended guitar exploration. Trouble shows solid writing and increasingly interesting instrumental contributions from the band. On What Can You Give Me Now , Burgess shows her chops with some super guitar riffs. I'm Not Free is actually a really interesting ballad and in my opinion the strongest track on the release. Another strong track is Jack, Jim Johnny and Me is a cool jump blues that is sure to get the listen...

Got something totally unexpected to listen to and it is surprisingly good! Country songwriting icon and honky tonk hero, Billy Joe Shaver is releasing the best of his catalog recorded Live At Billy Bob's Texas . This CD/DVD package will be released on July 17, 2012. Yes this is a blues report but as I have stated over and over, there are lines and it's more important the quality than the heritage. Billy Joe Shaver is a quality performer and this is a quality product. Some of my favorites on the recording are Honky Tonk Heros , Wacko from Waco , Old Chunk of Coal , Hottest Thing In Town , Ride Me Down Easy , I Couldn't Be Me and Old Five and Dimer . The thing that I most appreciate about this recording is that it sounds real and isn't "Sears" (Hollywood)country. If you enjoy the purity of country music prior to it's takeover by pop culture, this may be your ticket. If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for ...

Brother John Sellers (May 27, 1924, Clarksdale, Mississippi - March 27, 1999, Manhattan) was an American gospel and folk singer. Sellers played in gospel tent shows while young. He was discovered by Mahalia Jackson, who brought him to Chicago to perform with her. In the 1950s he began playing secular music, and recorded his first album in 1954 for Vanguard Records. While on tour in Europe he recorded with Big Bill Broonzy; he also plays on the Ella Jenkins record A Long Time to Freedom. Later in the 1950s Sellers relocated to New York City, where he became active on the folk revival scene of Greenwich Village. He started a longtime partnership with Alvin Ailey, working with him on dance performances such as "Revelations" and "Blues Suite". Sellers was involved in the Broadway production of Tambourines to Glory by Langston Hughes, and performed at appearances by Studs Terkel. If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for g...

Robert Timothy Wilkins (January 16, 1896 – May 26, 1987) was an American country blues guitarist and vocalist, of African American and Cherokee descent. His distinction was his versatility; he could play ragtime, blues, minstrel songs, and gospel with equal facility Wilkins was born in Hernando, Mississippi, 21 miles from Memphis. He worked in Memphis during the 1920s at the same time as Furry Lewis, Memphis Minnie (whom he claimed to have tutored), and Son House. He also organized a jug band to capitalize on the "jug band craze" then in vogue. Though never attaining success comparable to the Memphis Jug Band, Wilkins reinforced his local popularity with a 1927 appearance on a Memphis radio station. Like Sleepy John Estes (and unlike Gus Cannon of Cannon's Jug Stompers) he recorded alone or with a single accompanist. He sometimes performed as Tom Wilkins or as Tim Oliver (his stepfather's name). His best known songs are "That's No Way To Get Along" (to w...

John Henry Fortescue b. January 24, 1923 in Belhaven, North Carolina d. May 26, 1976 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina NOTE: This is the original Guitar Shorty. There's another 'Guitar Shorty' (currently active) by the real name of David William Kearney 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”

"Baby Face" Leroy Foster (February 1, 1923 - May 26, 1958) was an American blues singer, drummer and guitarist, active in Chicago from the mid 1940s until the late 1950s. He was a significant figure in the development of the post-war electric Chicago blues sound, most notably as a member of the Muddy Waters band during its formative years. Foster was born in Algoma, Mississippi, United States. He moved to Chicago in the mid 1940s, and by 1946 was working with pianist Sunnyland Slim and harmonica player John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson. He was introduced to singer and guitarist Muddy Waters by an acquaintance Waters met at a recording session in 1946, and was soon playing guitar and drums in Waters’ band, along with guitar and harmonica player Jimmy Rogers, with the band later joined by Little Walter on harmonica. Calling themselves the Headhunters, the trio were known for going from club to club and “cutting” other bands. Foster’s first recordings were made with pia...

The Brooklyn Blues Project 5 Boro PicNYC The Brooklyn Blues Project May ...

As the recipient of the 1988 BB King Lucille Award in Memphis, the 1995 MO Better Blues award in Atlanta, a 2002 Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame inductee, The BBC Jazz Fm Bluesman Of the Year award, three time recipient of Blues Songwriter of the Year award in Paris, five time nominee for WC Handy award in Memphis, 2004 Slim Harpo Ambassador for the Blues award in Baton Rouge, 2005 Recipient of the coveted Muddy's Club Bluebird award, Wienhiem Germany and two time recipient of The Bluesman of the Year award for Real Blues Magazine, Canada there's no wonder its been said over and over that Larry is one of contemporary blues finest. Larry is always looking for new talent to introduce to the world. 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”

“John Fairhurst is worth every bit of praise he’s already garnered. Capable of creating jaw-dropping moments live, he is possibly the finest guitarist you’ll ever see.” – Chris Long, BBC Manchester Heavy blues, slide guitar and deep growling vocals. John has used his years of travelling the globe to fuse Mississippi bottle-neck blues, rock & roll, tribal rhythms and Indian classical melodies into an explosive new live duo with drummer James Breen. With 2 albums under his belt, including ‘Joys Of Spring’ (2008) which The Guardian called “Truly exquisite”, and through extensive touring in over 14 countries (including UK, France, Germany, Spain, USA, Canada, Singapore, Australia & New Zealand) John has charmed audiences the world over with his enigmatic tales of hunger, roaming and reckless abandon, delivered through intense and uncompromising performances. Appearances at festivals such as Glastonbury, Green Man, SXSW, Edinburgh Festival, Tarragona Blues Festival and venues such a...

Larry started playing guitar at age 9, after his mom through his drumset out the window. Self taught on guitar. 1986 and 1987 Larry won the New York City "Limelight guitar solo contest. In 1988 Larry toured with Spanish/Italian artist Miguel Bose. In 1990 his first CD came out (Larry Mitchell Grude BMG) 1991 He played on Ric Ocasek's Fire Ball Zone Cd and appears in the music video "Rockaway". In 1991 Toured with Rock singer Billy Squier and appears in the music video's "She goes down" and "Hollywood". In 1992 toured with Folk pop sing songwriter Tracy Chapman. Larry has worked with worked with various artist- TM Stevens (black rock christmas TV show Germany and Japan The band was called "THe Crunch") Sandra Bernard's music video "Super Star". And in 1993 Waner Bros. released Larry's guitar instructional video 'The Linking System". In 1993 Larry's 2nd CD release "Mind Body Soul" came out on Gu...

Steve Johnson Band is made up of five diverse multi-talented musicians. SJB's sound bounces from its foundation in folk roots rock,to bluegrass with a strong gospel influence.This sound traverses all the way down to tribal laden, reggae funk. Lead by Steve Johnson with his folk based songs, the band has shared the stage with Rusted Root,Clint Black,Donna the Buffalo,Blues Traveler and The Duhks to name a few. Amanda Barton delivers a powerful funky fiddle sound and her breathtaking vocals,Steve Davis fills the band in on bass keys as he doubles up on lead keys,Jesse Gavin-aka "Norbbie" sets a dramatic backbeat with tribal laden, reggae funk. Teal Weatherley delivers backing vocals that completes the harmories that make your heart drop. The five have come together in what is known as the Steve Johnson Band from Jamestown New York. 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...