Smithsonian Folkways releases epic box set celebrating 50 years of New Orleans Jazz Fest

Smithsonian Folkways Releases 5-Disc Epic Box Set of Louisiana Music Legends Celebrates 50 Years of New Orleans Jazz Fest Key Musical Legends in the Box Set Include Trombone Shorty, Irma Thomas, Big Freedia, Professor Longhair, The Neville Brothers, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Kermit Ruffins, Terence Blanchard, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Champion Jack Dupree, Buckwheat Zydeco, and more Coverage from Rolling Stone, The FADER, Billboard, Bandcamp, Newsweek, Relix, LA Times, Jazziz, All About Jazz, and more For 50 years, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage         Festival,         known to Fest-goers as simply Jazz Fest, has brought the sights, sounds, and         tastes of the Big Easy to millions of festival goers. In celebration of         Jazz Fest’s golden anniversary, venerable record label Smithsonian         Folkways is proud to         present a comprehensive box set of live recordings from the festival’s         past. The five discs in Jazz Fest: The New Orleans         Jazz & Heritage Festival present the sounds of the festival as you’d hear them while         wandering across the 145 acres of the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race         Track in the Gentilly neighborhood. Though the festival attracts some of         the biggest rock stars on the planet, the focus of this ambitious new         box set is on the roots of Louisiana music, which comprise the vast         majority of the festival’s bookings, from Jazz to Bounce, Zydeco to         Gospel, Brass Bands to R&B. Carefully selected from countless hours         of live recordings, the box set includes unreleased material spanning         the years 1974 to 2016 and features key moments with celebrated artists         like Trombone Shorty, Irma Thomas, Big Freedia, Professor Longhair, The Neville Brothers, Allen Toussaint (solo and in a duet with Bonnie         Raitt), Dr.         John, Kermit         Ruffins, Terence         Blanchard, Preservation         Hall Jazz Band, Champion         Jack Dupree, and Buckwheat         Zydeco, among many         others. The music is accompanied by a 135-page book, filled with         exclusive photographs drawn from the archives of the New Orleans Jazz         & Heritage Foundation, The Historic New Orleans Collection and         independent photographers, as well as historical essays by journalist         Keith Spera and         author Karen Celestan, a retrospective of the music heard at         Jazz Fest by Robert H. Cataliotti, and in-depth notes by Jeff         Place and Huib         Schippers of         Smithsonian Folkways, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation         archivist Rachel Lyons, WWOZ’s Dave Ankers, and Jon Pareles of the New York Times. “We are simply         delighted with this collaboration,” says Smithsonian Folkways director         and curator Huib         Schippers.         “It immediately made sense to us as soon as we started discussing it.         There is a compelling and beautiful synergy between the first fifty         years of an iconic music festival and a 70-year old record label         committed to documenting and celebrating this country’s sound legacy         and keeping it available in perpetuity, in whatever format, for a         listenership of 230 million and growing. We are so pleased that we can         bring some of the amazing sounds and sights and impressions from New         Orleans to new and familiar audiences.”   The box set starts         with the song “Indian Red,” sung here by The Golden Eagles, a song         traditionally sung at the opening of iconic Mardi Gras Indian parades         and gatherings. And it ends, as the festival did for many years, with a         rousing version of “Amazing Grace.” Between these bookends, five albums         of music, taken from WWOZ radio recordings and live stage recordings,         bring us some of the best Louisiana artists to ever grace the stage.         Each track was selected by a committee of individuals who know the 50 year         history of the festival intimately. The set recreates the joy and         spirited energy of Jazz Fest, placing each listener on the grounds of         the festival, walking between stages, discovering new music and great         moments. Most of these recordings have never been released commercially         and sparkle with life. Jazz Fest: The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is an immersive         experience, both for listeners discovering the festival for the first         time and for some of the millions who’ve been there in person. Champion Jack Dupree & Allen Toussaint Musical genres roll and flow across the         Fair Grounds at Jazz Fest, and the varied arrangements of the discs         showcase this musical diversity. Disc One strolls         through the powerful jazz offerings at the festival, with a festive jam         from New Orleans saxophonist Donald Harrison Jr and a racing traditional jazz tribute to         Louis Armstrong from Kermit Ruffins, plus boogie-woogie piano from Champion         Jack Dupree. Discs         Two and Three guide         the listener through Jazz Fest’s many ties to New Orleans blues, soul,         and R&B, from the legendary Allen Toussaint to definitive soul singer Irma         Thomas, with detours         to virtuoso guitarist Snooks Eaglin, and New Orleans soul natives Dixie         Cups. Highlights         include the great Dr. John on “Litanie des Saints,” and a remarkably         spirited cover of “My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It” from Preservation         Hall Jazz Band.         Gospel deep dives come in Disc Three with a powerful performance of “Old Rugged         Cross” from Irma Thomas, and inspired sets by the Zion         Harmonizers and Johnson         Extension. Disc         Four brings the         listener to the Cajun and Zydeco Fais-Do-Do stage, with sets from Buckwheat         Zydeco, Boozoo         Chavis, The         Savoy Family Cajun Band,         and Beausoleil, before moving to the mainstage and major live sets from The         Neville Brothers and         Allen Toussaint & Bonnie Raitt. Disc Five is the most genre-smashing selection,         with mainstage sets including a surprising cover of “Take the ‘A’         Train” from blues guitarist Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, and a burning “Fire on the Bayou” from The         funky Meters. As a         city that’s always birthed new American music forms, New Orleans’         hip-hop is paid homage to here with a blazing set from Bounce         ambassador Big Freedia. To thrive for         fifty years, any festival needs to learn how to fight and survive, and         some of the story of this box set speaks to these battles for cultural         survival. The indelible impact of Hurricane Katrina, which shook the         festival itself and almost led to its cancellation, echoes through         these selections. New Orleans singer John Boutté’s impassioned reworking of the song         “Louisiana 1927” is one of the most powerful moments in the set, and,         to this day, in the festival’s history. Sonny         Landreth’s “Blue         Tarp Blues” speaks to the devastation of Katrina as well. Beyond         Katrina, it’s been a fight to keep the festival going so long with so         many cultural changes and the economic pressures on festivals today.         The foundational vision of Jazz Fest that has helped it endure so long         is a boundless love for the music and people of New Orleans and         Louisiana. It seems like a simple idea for a festival’s core mission,         but Jazz Fest’s embrace of little known but locally celebrated musical         geniuses like Professor Longhair or Dr. John is still radically out of step with the         profit-driven world of big music festivals. Though later years have         seen huge headliners on the main stage, there’s a humility to everyone         who performs at Jazz Fest, no matter how famous, a recognition that New         Orleans is the birthplace of American music. Jazz Fest: The New         Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival was created by The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage         Foundation,         utilizing its Archive and with the assistance of the Jazz &         Heritage radio station WWOZ; the production was made possible through         the generous support of The Helis Foundation, a Louisiana family foundation dedicated         to increasing access to the arts. The Helis Foundation has pledged to         donate copies of the box set to every branch of New Orleans Public         Library, ensuring all citizens of New Orleans can access this         unparalleled collection.   The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell is a co-production of Festival         Productions Louisiana, LLC. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Festival         Productions, Inc.-New Orleans) and AEG Louisiana Production, LLC. (a         subsidiary of AEG Presents). *****

VizzTone Label Group artist: Tony Holiday - Porch Sessions - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tony Holiday's Porch Sessions and I really like it. Vocalist and harmonica player, Tony Holiday has put together a great release here with a who's who of the blues business. Opening with Pick-Pocket Fingers a cool shuffle track Holiday on lead vocal is joined by James Harman on harmonica, Kid Ramos on guitar, Landon Stone on guitar and Kid Andersen on bass, this is a cool opener. John Primer steps in on lead vocal and guitar on They Call Me John Primer with featured harp work by Bob Corritore and Holiday and Joel Meza Jr. on drums. I always love Primer's slide style and Corritore has beautiful tone. Very nice. An easy, funky track, A Woman Named Trouble, showcases John Nemeth and Jake Friel with Holiday on vocal and harmonica. This is a funky funky track with a great bass line by Anderson. Excellent! Mitch Kashmar and Ronnie Shellist join Holiday for Three Way Party and slower but soulful guitar and harmonica soloing gives this track a rich feel.  Guitar boogie, Goin' To Court features Harman and Ramos and it's hot. With a great rhythm guitar line by Stone, Harmon plays for style and Ramos smokes the frets. Very nice. On Coin Operated Woman, Holiday has the mic again and Chicago guitar man, Rockin' Johnny Burgin fans the frets. Holiday is front and center on harp and does a really nice job balancing his smooth vocals and lead harp and Burgin is restrained but his riffs are tight and aggressive. Wrapping the release is This Time I'm Gone For Good featuring the excellent vocals of William Kidd. Holiday's harmonica nicely surrounds the deep richness of Kidd with only a touch of Stone's precision guitar punctuation. Very nice closer for a strong release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

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

VizzTone Label Group artist: Mighty Mike Schermer - Bad Tattoo - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bad Tattoo, from Mighty Mike Schermer, and I really like it. Opening with She Won't Be Coming Back, a cool Latin rhythm rocker features Mighty Mike on vocal and guitar and in particular Eric Bernhardt on bari sax. Nancy Wright slaps down a really nice tenor sax solo of her own and with Paul Revelli on drums, Steve Ehrmann on bass and Austin Delone, this is an excellent opener. Slipping into a really nice R&B groove on Lover's Hall Of Fame, Schermer shows his outright style on vocal and guitar backed by D'mar on drums, Kid Andersen on bass and organ and Dennis Love on congas and vocal. Shifting gears again on How Much Longer, Schermer gets on a country track with a really nice Cajun spice. With Revelli on drums, Ehrmann on bass, Delone on piano/Farfissa and Lisa Lueschner Andersen on backing vocals this track has great radio flavor and sets up explosive guitar riffs by Schermer. Title track, Bad Tattoo has a great loping swing and a solid, funny, story. With horn warmth and slick riffs by Schermer, this is definitely one of my favorites on the release. Tex Mex track, Hey Francine, is another of my favorites with tight drum rhythms, a cool guitar riff and nice lead and backing vocals by Schermer and Andersen. Excellent! Baby Down The Well is another track of specific note with Aki Kumar on harp, a slapping drum beat and a solid vocal delivery by Schermer, not to mention his hot slide work. Very cool. Make sure you check out Suffocating Love, in Johnny Guitar Watson style. Yeah, I'm talking that funky R&B blues, with a real back beat. Schermer doesn't mimic Watson's guitar style but plays twin leads and alternating solos with Chris Cain. Very very cool! Wrapping the release is Up All Night with a bright, Clapton/Cale style. Delone takes a nice piano solo, Schermer flashes his cards a few times and harmonizes with Andersen but holds back on an explosive ending. This is a nice track keeping you wanting more. This may not be the flashiest releases you will hear all year, but it may be one of the most solid end to end. Very nice work!

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

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

Luca Burgalassi - On The Other Side Of The Water - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, On The Other Side Of The Water, from Luca Burgalassi and it's a cool, laid back fusion of blues, country, folk and jazz. Opening with title track On The Other Side Of The Water, Luca Burgalassi presents a soft, rich melodies and harmonies accompanying himself on guitar and harmonica, with Dave Hufstedler on bass, Gianni Apicella on drums and Valentina Sorberra on backing vocals. Soothing. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Blues In My Mind with a James Taylor like style. Trading electric guitar riffs with Franco Ceccanti gives the track an extra kick. Very nice. On Broken Heart Blues, a solid shuffle track, Burgalassi shares the mic with Resa Gibbs who adds real spice. Backing by Jackie Merritt on harmonica and Dave Hufstedler on bass gives the track texture. Easy flowing electric jazz number, Minor and Major Change has a real nice sway and understated but charged electric guitar soloing by Burgalassi and Ceccanti.Very nice. Wrapping the release is I've Got The Blues For Christmas, a clever pop track with a memorable melody, smooth instrumentation and featuring Fabrizio Poggi on harmonica. This is a smooth release with a lot of warm tracks. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

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

 

Bigfoot Records artist: AG Weinberger - Reborn - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Reborn, by AG Weinberger and it shows a smooth transition from earlier hard core blues to a more relaxed and flexible release. Opening with Willie Dixon's Wang Dang Doodle, AG Weinberger's approach has a cool jazz feel with light piano and double bass by Hars Viktor under his smoky vocals it's a different approach that I haven't heard and I like it. His guitar soloing is much more progressive with a more improvisational and less traditional approach... actually breaking time and going into a running jazz line. Excellent opener. With a bit of New Orleans funky jazz, Cseke Gabor on piano and excellent drums rhythms by Pusctai Csaba, Sweet Little Number is a great platform for Weinberger's R&B vocal approach. Very nice. On shuffle track, The Fool's Lucky Day, Weinberger approaches 50's bebop jazz and both his vocals and guitar are up to it pared with Bob Margolin on slide guitar. This is a nicely crafted track with perfect balance. Excellent! Slippery Slope takes it to the next level with more bebop styling. Weinberger's tight guitar riffs over the excellent groove developed by Gabor, Csaba and Pusctai is exceptional. Gabor shows an excellent feel for jazz piano when his turn comes and this groove really runs. Very vice. Digging back into contemporary blues styling, Weinberger leads off shuffle Cadillac Blues with solid blues riffs. Yes...by this time, you're stomping your foot. Weinberger really lets it all hand out here with flat out stinging electric guitar riffs. Excellent! Title track, Reborn takes the transition a little further with progressive jazz styling. Weinberger works his steel guitar against his eccentric lead electric, and the solid capabilities of the band for a very successful fusion track with ballad overtones. Wrapping the release is I Am The Water, a quiet ballad featuring the sensitive vocals of Weinberger over the brilliant piano work of Gabor. Solid closer. This is a really interesting release and one that I am interested to listen to further on my home system.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

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

 

Highlander Records artist: Kerry Kearney Band - Smokehouse Serenade - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Smokehouse Serenade, from Kerry Kearney Band and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Shakin' Like Jelly, a driving shuffle, Kearney on lead vocal and guitar leads the way with some fiery riffs, supported by Frank Kingbee Latorre on harp, Mario Staiano on drums, Gerry Sorrentino on bass and David Bennett Cohen on keys. Blind Willie McTell's Statesboro Blues gets a dash New Orleans with a stepping rhythm and cool trumpet by Victor Poretz and Charlie Wolfe on harp. Fireplug is a somewhat funky blues rocker. Staiano's rhythm on this track sets the pace and I like Cohen's bouncy piano soloing. A more traditional delta style blues, No Way Back Blues gives Kearney a solid opportunity to show his acoustic blues guitar work. Very nice. Wake me, Shake Me, Bake Me is one of my favorites on the release with a great rhythm, a hot guitar, piano and harp solos. Very cool. Sittin' On Top Of The World has a cool laid back feel with really nice acoustic slide, piano (by Mark Mancini) and vocals. Excellent! With a real New Orleans beat, Goin' To the Mardi Gras has all the party elements. With Bob Paopucci on harp, an excellent trombone solo by Poretz, Jeff Naimoli on percussion, tight drums by Staiano and excellent slide by Kearney, this is a solid top track. Wrapping the release is Pretty Baby, a lumbering blues rocker. Kearney's vocals are solid and with a tight bottom by Staiano and Sorrentino  and his own guitar punctuation, a solid closer.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

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

Gulf Coast Records artist: Tony Campanella - Taking It To The Street - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Taking It To The Street, by Tony Campanella and I really like it. Opening with title track, Taking It To The Street, Tony Campanella, and it's an aggressive blues rocker with a veracious guitar sound and a Jimi style swagger.  Shuffle's have never sounded so good as when SRV was cooking but Pack It Up sounds great. Mike Zito's rhythm guitar is fat and solid and Campanella's lead is firm and authoritative. Very nice. Slowing it down a bit on One Foot In The Blues, Campanella shows he has great vocal shops and his lead guitar work is strong and soulful. Backed by Terry Dry on bass, Matt Johnson on drums, Lewis Stephens on keys and Zito on rhythm, this track is hot! My first exposure to Good Morning Little Schoolgirl wasn't Sonny Boy or even Johnny Winter. It Was Alvin Lee and Ten Years After. Every take I've heard on this track has been solid but this is a real nice one with hard kick bass drumming and tight guitar riffs. Kicking in the funk, Finger On Your Trigger, has a super bottom giving Campanella a great rhythm to jam over. His riffs are clean stinging. Very nice. Eddie Cleanhead Vinson's Mr. Cleanhead gets slowed down a notch and Campanella throws not only great vocals but super, quick Albert King flavored riffs on the mix making this one of my favorites on the release. Excellent! Texas Chainsaw is a primitive style blues with rugged vocals and Campanella matching guitar solos with Mike Zito. This is a loose jam but with great feel. Wrapping the release is blues ballad, Those Are The Times with simple BB King styling. Campanella's vocals shine bright and his guitar retort is gripping and smooth. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

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

Blind Pig artist: Mitch Woods - A Tip Of The Hat To Fats - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Tip Of The Hat To Fats, by Mitch Woods and it's terrific. (Live from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2018) Opening with boogie track, Solid Gold Cadillac, Mitch Woods is slammin right out of the gate. With his smooth vocals and hot piano riffs, Mitch it rockin'. Backed by Amandee Castenell on tenor sax, Brian Cayolle on tenor sax, Roger Lewis on bari sax, John Fohl on guitar and Terence Higgins on drums, this track great. Down Boy Down is another excellent track with smoking riffs by Fohl and Castenell. Woods shows his New Orleans chops on Mojo Mambo and Fohl isn't shy to lay down dome riffs of his own. Flavorful! Rolling into a Fats Domino set, Woods pulls up Blue Monday featuring real nice tenor and bari sax solos setting the pace. Walking To New Orleans is another nice showcase for the horn section with Woods leading and fanning the flames. Getting the piano rolling boogie style, Woods pulls out Rocket 88 and a real romp. Driving the train with super piano runs, Woods sets the charge and with a full horn compliment drives it home. Wrapping the release is classic, The House of Blue Lights. Woods' vocals are solid and his piano playing on fire. This is a great show and one that the crowd was sure to enjoy.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

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

Queen of Blues/Rock Guitar Joanna Connor Performing At The Dallas Guitar Show

Queen of Blues/Rock Guitar Joanna Connor Performing At The Dallas Guitar Show New Album Coming This Summer & Lots of Festival Dates

Northport NY - M.C. Records is proud to announce that the Queen of Blues/Rock Guitar, Joanna Connor will be performing at The Dallas International Guitar Festival this Friday. Other legendary guitarists performing at the weekend long event include Sonny Landreth, Paul Reed Smith, Larry Mitchell, Eric Gales and many more. Click the photo of Joanna to get the complete schedule for all three days.                                                           Joanna Connor might be the best—or most original—blues-based slide guitar player you're likely to come across today. Or tomorrow.  Guitar World  - https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/joanna-connor-shreds-slide-guitar-video  If you’re seeking amazing guitar talent, you need to check out the string-bending, mind-blowing Joanna Connor.  Elmore Magazine                                                  Joanna Connor is currently working in the studio working on her follow up to 2016's "Six String Stories." The new, untitled release will be coming out later in the summer and will be available on vinyl on M.C. Records. Joanna has had several videos that have been viewed millions of time on You Tube. You can find out more about Joanna here, http://joannaconnor.com/bio/         Joanna Connor on Tour  - Contact: Crystal Crawford Talent- 615.206.4428 crystal@crawfordtalentgroup.com  Selected tour dates - Her complete list of dates can be found here, including all her shows in Chicago. http://joannaconnor.com/shows/ FRI. 7 JUNE - Chicago Blues Festival 2019 - Chicago IL  FRI. 21 JUNE - Northwoods Blues Festival - Chippewa Falls, WI SAT. 22 JUNE - Winnetka Music Festival - Winnetka, IL MON. 8 JULY– TUE. 9 JULY - Tremblant International Blues Festival - Mont-Tremblant, QC, Canada SAT.  13 JULY - Lighthouse Blues Festival - Kincardine, ON, Canada THUR. Aug. 1 - City Winery - Chicago IL - Opening for John Mayall FRI. 9 AUGUST– SAT. 10 AUGUST - Knuckleheads Kansas City, MO FRI. 16 AUGUST - Chenango Blues Festival  - Norwich, NY SAT. 17 AUGUST - White Mountain Boogie n' Blues Festival - Thornton, NH SUN. 18 AUGUST - McHenry Rotary Blues, Brews & BBQ - Mchenry, IL  SAT. 24 AUGUST - Kenlake Hot August Blues - Murray, KY, SAT. 31 AUGUST - Lefty's Live MusicDes Moines, IA   SUN.  8 SEPTEMBER - Big Blues Bender @ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Las Vegas, NV   SUN. 15 SEPTEMBER - Joanna Connor @ Telluride Blues & Brews Festival - Telluride, CO                                                                  ***

Cash McCall (January 28, 1941 - April 20, 2019)

Cash McCall (January 28, 1941 - April 20, 2019)

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Cash McCall passed away on April 20, 2019 after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer. His gentle spirit, humble nature and genuine kindness were a joy to behold, and he will be deeply missed. Funeral details for Cash Saturday, May 4, 2019 Wake: 10:30 am Funeral: 12:00 pm The Healing Center Full Gospel Baptist Church, 3885 Tchulahoma Rd, Memphis, TN 38118

Cash McCall July 1978 Montreux Jazz festival, Switzerland Photo By Lionel Decoster Cash McCall July 2018 Ecko Studio, Memphis Photo by Nola Blue Records

Born Morris Dollison, Jr. in New Madrid, Missouri on January 28, 1941, Cash McCall spent his early years on Chicago’s North Side.  From there, the family moved to Mississippi, where Cash first learned to play guitar—on a piece of baling wire nailed to the side of their home.  As a young man, he served his country in the US Army, where he was seriously injured while training to be a paratrooper. After completing his military service, Dollison returned to Chicago where he began his gospel career, singing and playing guitar or electric bass with well-regarded quartets including the Jubilee Hummingbirds, the Pilgrim Jubilees, the Gospel Songbirds, and the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi.  By 1964, he’d appeared on singles by the Jubilee Hummingbirds and the Gospel Songbirds.  After dabbling in the secular world as a sideman, Dollison recorded his single, “The Earth Worm,” for One-derful’s M-Pac! imprint.  He continued working for One-derful! as a songwriter & session guitarist, writing several songs for Otis Clay including his hit “That’s How It Is (When You’re In Love)”.  By 1966, Dollison had written a new single, "When You Wake Up," and took it to Thomas Records where he cut it with the house rhythm section.  Later, Monk Higgins added horns and background vocals and Thomas Records issued the single under the fictitious name of Cash McCall. Unbeknownst to Dollison, he learned of his new alias when first hearing his song on WVON radio.  “When You Wake Up” became a national R&B hit.  When Thomas folded in 1967, Higgins convinced McCall to join him at Chess Records. In addition to writing two singles of his own—“S.O.S.” and “It’s Not How Good You Make It”— Cash wrote for many of the label’s major names, including Little Milton (his hits “More And More” and “Let Me Down Easy”), Etta James (“I Prefer You”), and Rotary Connection, as well as Muddy Waters, Koko Taylor and many gospel stars. McCall was also a session guitarist on countless Chess/Checker records. It wasn't until 1974 that McCall released his first full-length album, "Omega Man," on Paula Records (where he also did some producing). When Minnie Riperton offered him a gig as guitarist with Los Angeles-based Rotary Connection, McCall and his wife relocated to L.A.  Cash later released albums "No More Doggin’" for L+R in 1983, "Cash Up Front" on Stone in 1988 and "The Vintage Room" in 2007 on Dixon Landing. His strong connection with Willie Dixon brought McCall one of his proudest moments when he played on Dixon’s Grammy-winning 1988 album "Hidden Charms." He also played on Dixon’s Grammy-nominated soundtrack album "Ginger Ale Afternoon" the next year. In the early 90’s, McCall and his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee.  In 2018, upon reuniting with longtime friend Benny Turner, the two returned to the studio to pay homage to their Windy City Roots on the acclaimed album, "Going Back Home," released on Nola Blue Records in 2019.  (excerpts from bio by Bill Dahl, Music Journalist, on www.cashmccallmusic.com)

Jay Kipps Band - How To Polish Your Longhorns - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, How To Polish Your Longhorns, from Jay Kipps Band and it's a cool blend of different style of music with a mutual theme of good stuff. Opening with Colt 45, a great western style instrumental track in the vein of Rawhide with a bit of Dick Dale mixed in. Chard Burford leads the charge with solid finger work and backing by Jay Kipps, Chris Lubker on bass and Cory Bruyea on drums. Low slung, funky blues, Rotten Apple Blues has deep rooted guitar riffs by Burford and Kipps, and Kipps own harp and vocals give it real texture. Big Old Engine is a cool, country style blues (think upbeat Grateful Dead) with slick guitar riffs, an aggressive bass line and smoking harp supporting Kipps masterful vocals. Very nice. Another twist is Sinister with it's tight pop rock style. If you know The Eagles of Death Metal, that's the format and Kipps really executes well. Gonzo (Live) is one of my favorite tracks on the release with adventurous abstract delivery. This track has spoken vocal lead and a great bass/guitar/drum unified dialog like a sort of Gunn/Crimson/Belew assembly. Excellent! Another live track, JJ Cales' Call Me The Breeze uses the pace of Skynyrd but with a more easy handed delivery like Cale's original.  Kipps vocal and harp attack over Burford's guitar riffs  is authoritative and confident.  Wrapping the release is surf (Dale) style track, Surffarie with bass and guitar lead and Dalesque runs. This is a cool closer to a totally enjoyable release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

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

Taylor Scott Band - All We Have - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review All We Have, the most recent release by Taylor Scott Band who mixes smooth ballads with clean rockers. Opening with funky rocker, Somebody Told Me, lead vocalist and guitarist, Taylor Scott shows powerful pipes, backed by Jon Wirtz on piano, Chris Harris on bass, Lem Williams on drums. His slick guitar styling and the and tight drumming by Williams make this a great opener. Salted Watermelon has all of the qualities of a great radio track with it's strong melody, solid vocal lead, well blended backing vocals by Steve Watkins and nicely blended instrumentation. One of my favorites on the release is Carry Me Away with it's jazzy overtones, dual guitar lead and springy rhythm. Another well crafted ballad, The Walk, shows real radio potential with a super melody, glistening keyboard work and some of Scott's best vocals on the release. With horn backing by Mark Gonzalez (trombone), Josh levy (bari sax), Gilbert Elorreaga (trumpet), and Wirtz on organ, very nice track. Wrapping the release is Good Things, an easy paced contemporary pop track with acoustic guitar, moog and keys giving the release a modern and moody closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

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