1. No category

BLUES IN
F r e e
BiTS
World HQ
THE SOUTH
e v e r y
-
BLUES
-
BENTWORTH
BLUES
FESTIVAL
CONTACT:
editor@bluesinthesouth.com
2 Brook Meadow TWITTER:
EX8 4HH
@bluesinthesouth
ROCK & ROLL
s i n c e
1 9 8 7
SPONSORED BY
www.bluesinthesouth.com
D BY
SORE
SPON
15, 16, 17 AUGUST 2014
JANUARY 2015
JAZZ
m o n t h
- ZYDECO
-
GOSPEL
-
BLUES ROCK
BLUES MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES
O
n December 10, 2014 the nominees for the prestigious Blues Music Awards 2015. under the aegis of
the Blues Foundation were announced. The international organization will present the award to categor
winners at the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, on Thursday, May 7, 2015.
The Blues Music Awards are universally recognized as the highest accolade afforded blues music performers.
The annual Blues Music Awards ceremony is the premier event for blues professionals, musicians, and fans from
a l l
over the world. The focus of this celebration is to honour this rich cultural tradition by
recognizing the past year's superior achievements in blues performance, songwriting,
and recording.
Leading with six nominations each are
,(l)
and
. Veteran slide guitarist Bishop must be doing something right as
his
CD and its humorous title track secured three
nominations and propelled him to additional artist, entertainer and band
nominations. John Németh continued his hot hand, or should we say voice, this year's
release
and artist nomination possible. Sugar Ray and
album also received song and album
band and instrumentalist recognition. Blues
,
nominations.
and newcomer
Tickets for the Award show are now on
soon be sent to all Blues Foundation members
which nominees will actually take home the Blues
join and become a member at blues.org!
with The Bo-Keys garnered about every album
the Bluetones and their
recognition and they also added artist,
Hall of Famer
,
each received three
sale at www.blues.org. A ballot will be
as they have the privilege of deciding
Music Award in May. Of course, anyone can
Every year, the Blues Music Awards ceremony itself proves to be one of the best shows of the year. After all,
almost every nominee not only attends, but also performs - creating a lineup comprised of the best of the best in
blues all in one evening. A complete nominee list, as well as membership, voting, ticket and host hotel information
can be found at The Blues Foundation's website-www.blues.org. For more information, call 901.527.2583.:
BLUES GIGS: FROM EXMOUTH TO EASTBOURNE WITH A BIT MORE BESIDES - JANUARY 2015
02 PLATFORM POSSE @ THE PLATFORM TAVERN, SOTON,
06 STAN'S BLUES JAM @ THE THOMAS TRIPP, 10 WICK LANE, CHRISTCHURCH BH23 1HX
08 SLOE GIN @ THE PLATFORM TAVERN, SOTON DEBUT
09 NUALA HONAN AND KIT HAWES @ THE PLATFORM TAVERN, SOTON
10 PETE HARRIS BLUES BAND @ MARSHALS SPORTS BAR,74 LONDON RD. SOUTHAMPTON
10 THE HANNAH ROBINSON BAND (DEBUT) @ THE PLATFORM TAVERN, SOTON
10 BOB PEARCE BAND @ NURSLING VILLAGE HALL (SMALL DOOR CHARGE
FOR CHARITY
11 CHARLIE’S VINYL & PIE NIGHT – BRING, PLAY, TRADE & SWAP YOUR
RECORDS & EAT PIE! @ THE PLATFORM TAVERN, SOTON
11 BLUES JAM @ THE WHITE HART, WOODBURY, DEVON, EX5 1H
12 BLUES AT THE BRIDGE @ THE BRIDGE INN, TOPSHAM, OPEN MIC:
BLUES
R A D IO
LISTIN
GS
ACOUSTIC ONLY. DOORS 8.15 FOR 8:30 CLOSE 10:30. FREE FOR ALL
INCLUDING LISTENERS
15 FRANK STATESBORO - BLUES/COVERS (DEBUT) @ THE PLATFORM TAVERN, SOTON
15 PETE HARRIS, JERADINE HUME, JON VAUGHAN, @ THE RISING SUN, SHORE RD. WARSASH
16 BEN GUNN & THE JUNKYARD ANGELS @ THE PLATFORM TAVERN, SOTON
16 PETE HARRIS BLUES BAND @ THE BENT BRIEF, LODGE RD. SOUTHAMPTON
17 BICTON STREET BLUES (,ACOUSTIC)
FOR BLUES
RADIO
PLUS CHRIS BILLINGS AND STEVE EWART @ THE
BRIDGE INN, TOPSHAM, DEVON
17 STEAMER @ THE FOREST PARK HOTEL, RHINEFIELD ROAD, BROCKENHURST SO42 7ZG
21 STAN'S BLUES JAM @ MARSHALS, 74 LONDON RD, SOUTHAMPTON SO15 2AJ
22 LATEMOUTH BLAKE (AKA STOMPIN’ DAVE’S BLUES SET) @ THE PLATFORM TAVERN, SOTON
23 JC & ANGELINA GRIMSHAW @ THE PLATFORM TAVERN, SOTON
24 PETE HARRIS R&B ALL STARS @ MARSHALS SPORTS BAR,74 LONDON RD. SOUTHAMPTON
24 PETE LEIGH AND THE UNION, THE PLATFORM TAVERN, TOWN QUAY, SOUTHAMPTON.
27 BLUES AND FOLK JAM @ THE PLATFORM TAVERN, SOTON
28 STAN'S BLUES JAM 2 @ THE OWL'S NEST,196 CHRISTCHURCH ROAD, WEST PARLEY,
FERNDOWN, BOURNEMOUTH BH22 8SS FREE ENTRY
29 SUNFLOWER @ THE PLATFORM TAVERN, SOTON
29 NAZARETH @ THE BROOK, SOUTHAMPTON SO17 3SD - A MUST SEE FOR ALL HARD ROCK
FANS - £18 ADV
30 JON AMOR (OF THE HOAX) @ THE PLATFORM TAVERN, SOTON
30 PETE HARRIS BLUES BAND @ THE GROVE TAVERN, SOUTHBOURNE GROVE, BOURNEMOUTH
30 STEAMER @ MONTY'S LOUNGE, 926 CHRISTCHURCH ROAD, POKESDOWN, B'MOUTH BH7 6DL
(NEAR POKESDOWN RAILWAY STATION)
31 THE JIMMY HILLBILLIES - BLUEGRASS/MAYHEM (DEBUT) @ THE PLATFORM TAVERN, SOTON
31 RIVERSIDE BLUES BAND @ MARSHALLS, LONDON ROAD, SOUTHAMPTON SO15 2AJ
01/02/2015,PETE HARRIS, JERADINE HUME, JON VAUGHAN, @ THE PLATFORM TAVERN, TOWN
QUAY, SOUTHAMPTON, 1.30-4.30
Listings are provided as a guide only. Don’t forget to check the venue before you leave home to ensure that the gig is still on. The listing here is far from complete, so
check out www.bluesinthesouth.com too as that is updated all the time: LAST DATE FOR FEBRUARY 2015 is 10th JANUARY 2015
THE 36TH BLUES MUSIC AWARD NOMINEES
E
Acoustic Album
Hard Luck Child: A Tribute to Skip
James – Rory Block
Jericho Road – Eric Bibb
Jigsaw Heart – Eden Brent
Son & Moon: A Tribute to Son
House – John Mooney
Timeless – John Hammond
Acoustic Artist
Doug MacLeod
Eric Bibb
John Hammond
John Mooney
Rory Block
Heavy Water – Fo’ Reel
Making My Mark – Annika
Chambers & the Houston All-Stars
One Heart Walkin‘ – Austin Walkin’
Cane
Instrumentalist-Bass
Bob Stroger
Lisa Mann
Michael “Mudcat” Ward
Patrick Rynn
Willie J. Campbell
Contemporary Blues Album
Can’t Even Do Wrong Right – Elvin
Bishop
Original – Janiva Magness
Refuse to Lose -Jarekus Singleton
Hornet’s Nest – Joe Louis Walker
BluesAmericana – Keb’ Mo’
Instrumentalist-Drums
Jimi Bott
June Core
Kenny Smith
Tom Hambridge
Tony Braunagel
Contemporary Blues Female
Artist
Beth Hart
Bettye LaVette
Janiva Magness
Marcia Ball
Shemekia Copeland
Album
Can’t Even Do Wrong Right – Elvin
Bishop
Living Tear To Tear – Sugar Ray &
the Bluetones
The Americani: Shawn Amos,
Memphis Grease – John Németh
Refuse to Lose – Jarekus Singleton Contemporary Blues Male Artist
Wrapped Up and Ready – The
Elvin Bishop
Mannish Boys
Gary Clark Jr.
Jarekus Singleton
B.B. King Entertainer
Joe Bonamassa
Bobby Rush
Joe Louis Walker
Elvin Bishop
John Németh
Historical
Rick Estrin
From His Head to His Heart to His
Sugaray Rayford
Hands – Michael Bloomfield
(Columbia/Legacy)
Band
Live at the Avant Garde – Magic
Elvin Bishop Band
Sam (Delmark)
John Németh & the Bo-Keys
Soul & Swagger: The Complete “5”
Rick Estrin & the Nightcats
Royales 1951-1967 – The “5”
Sugar Ray & the Bluetones
Royales (Rock Beat)
The Mannish Boys
The Modern
Music
Rev Shawn
in fullSessions
flow on stage 19481951 – Pee Wee Crayton (Ace)
Best New Artist Album
The Roots of it All-Acoustic Blues –
Chromaticism – Big Harp George
Various Artists (Bear Family)
Don’t Call No Ambulance – Selwyn
Birchwood
Instrumentalist-Guitar
Anson Funderburgh
Joe Bonamassa
Johnny Winter
Kid Andersen
Ronnie Earl
Instrumentalist-Harmonica
Charlie Musselwhite
Jeremy Parzan Charlie George, and John Krylow.
Kim Wilson
Mark Hummel
Rick Estrin
Sugar Ray Norcia
Instrumentalist-Horn
Al Basile
Deanna Bogart
Jimmy Carpenter
Sax Gordon
Terry Hanck
Koko Taylor Award
Alexis P Suter
Diunna Greenleaf
EG Kight
Ruthie Foster
Trudy Lynn
Pinetop Perkins Piano Player
Barrelhouse Chuck
Bruce Katz
David Maxwell
Eden Brent
Marcia Ball
Rock Blues Album
Step Back – Johnny Winter
Goin’ Home – Kenny Wayne
Shepherd Band
Time Ain’t Free – Nick Moss Band
heartsoulblood – Royal Southern
Brotherhood
The Blues Came Callin’ – Walter
Trout
Bobby Rush
Curtis Salgado
John Németh
Johnny Rawls
Otis Clay
Traditional Blues Album
Common Ground: Dave Alvin and
Phil Alvin Play and Sing the Songs
of Big Bill Broonzy – Dave Alvin and
Phil Alvin
For Pops (A Tribute to Muddy
Song
“Another Murder in New Orleans”
Waters) – Mud Morganfield & Kim
written by Carl Gustafson & Donald Wilson
Markowitz, performed by Bobby
Livin’ it Up – Andy T-Nick Nixon
Rush and Dr. John with Blinddog
Band
Smokin’
Living Tear To Tear – Sugar Ray &
“Bad Luck Is My Name” written and the Bluetones
performed by John Németh
The Hustle is Really On – Mark
“Can’t Even Do Wrong Right”
Hummel
written and performed by Elvin
Wrapped Up and Ready – The
Solomon Burke
Bishop
Mannish Boys
“Let Me Breathe” written by|Janiva
Magness & Dave Darling,
Traditional Blues Male Artist
performed by Janiva Magness
Billy Boy Arnold
“Things Could Be Worse” written by John Primer
Ray Norcia, performed by Sugar
Lurrie Bell
Sugar Ray Norcia
Ray & the Bluetones
Sugaray Rayford
Soul Blues Album
Blues for My Father – Vaneese
- See more at:
Thomas
http://www.blues.org/2014/12/36t
Decisions – Bobby Rush with
h-blues-music-award-nomineesBlinddog Smokin’
announced/#sthash.8tZUTb4p.d
In My Soul - The Robert Cray Band puf
Memphis Grease – John Németh
Soul Brothers – Otis Clay & Johnny
Rawls
Soul Blues Female Artist
Candi Staton
Missy Andersen
Sharon Jones
Sista Monica
Vaneese Thomas (Top r)
Soul Blues Male Artist
Vaneese Thomas
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Janiva Magness
Walter Trout
S
A
L
A
H
TC
E
C
N
NEW ORLEANS, LA @ NIGHT
BOURBONSTREET
CRESCENTCITY
DRJOHN
EARLKING
FRENCHQUARTER
GARDENDISTRICT
GUMBO
JAMBALAYA
JAMESBOOKER
KIDORY
LOUISARMSTRONG
MARDIGRAS
PRESERVATIONHALL
RAMPARTSTREET
ROYALSTREET
SIDNEYBECHET
SNOOKSEAGLIN
VIEUXCARRE
VOODOO
ZYDECO
In the graphic above you wll see a “Wordsearch ©” matrix. The matrix is made up of words or word pairs, (all about
New Orleans) placed horizontally, vertically, diagonally and occasionally backwards (sdrawkcab). Your task, should
you decide to accept it, is to find the embedded words or word pairs, from the list at the right. However, one of the
words or word pairs is not in the list and that is what you must find. When you have identified the missing word
or word pair, answer this
tie-breaker question “What is the name of the New Orleans university, and
who had a hit song with the same name? And send your answer(s) to competition@bluesinthesouth.com by
December 25 2014. The winner will receive a bundle of no less than eight (8) CDs and the one runner up will
receive five (5) CDs.
on December 31. The Editor’s decision is final.
. In the event of an unresolved tie, a draw will beheld
THE BITS INTERVIEW Dave Allen
by Ian McKenzie
D
ave Alan is a powerhouse performer. Under the persona “Stomping Dave”, he plays banjo to competition
standard, guitar with skill and panache, fiddle with fire and as if that’s not enough he is also an
accomplished pianist and flat-foot dancer, often tapping and leaping away whilst playing the fiddle or
the banjo. I have seen him soaked through with sweat at the end of a performance which has been delivered with
jaw dropping energy. As well as the solo work, he fronts a number
of differing bands, including a bluegrass band and an electric
blues band, and has now developed another professional alter-ego
that of Latemouth Blake, a performer in the tradition of itinerant
acoustic blues musicians of the early 20th Century; blues men like
Blind Blake, Tommy Johnson and Blind Boy Fuller. Ian McKenzie
spoke to Dave in the latter’s home near Bridport in Dorset.
Not surprisingly, Dave was into music in his youth. “I was into
Clapton and Hendrix in my teens. That stuff influenced me to get a
guitar and I went from there really. A bit later he got into the flat foot
dancing. How did that heppen?. I started to learn the banjo - I was
living in Bournemouth at the time - and I heard of an Appalachian
dance group called Spank The Planks (see here) who needed a banjo
player. I got into playing the banjo with them and started to learn the
dances. I had a lot of fun!
Dave has a degree in Music . “I had banjo lessons with Pete Stanley
as part of my degree and I ended up majoring on fiddle with Pete Cooper” As noted Dave plays fiddle, guitar, banjo and
piano but says, “I don’t have any favourite instrument or at least, as I am sitting in my music room and they are all
listening, I am not saying if I have any favourite!.
Dave continued, “I used to do street entertainment before I could dance, and after I learned the dancing I thought why
not do that too and make a real show of it. So I did that almost as soon as I left university. Has he ever had a ‘proper
job? I’ve been very lucky. I have played with a rock and roll band in the last few years, Earl Jackson and do lots of
different styles of music including blues and the result is that I have never done a day’s work in my life!
If you have seen Dave perform, the reality belies that statement, as by the end of a performance, he is overcome by sweat
and exhaustion but “It’s fun isn’t it? It is really absolute fun!”, he says,
Although Dave now has his own band “Stomping Dave’s Electric Band”, he spent a period working with the south
coast’s renowned band The Producers. “Yeah, that was great fun as well, that was 2000/2001, pretty much as soon as I
left university. It was brilliant ‘cause they were really riding on a high at the time and I really liked playing with them
and I still keep in touch with Dave [Saunders] and Harry [Skinner]. The band stopped playing for a while, but they are
quite active again now. I have had a couple of support spots with them and it's nice to hear then producing great music
again.
Dave plays in bands, in duos and solo and says “I like to mix it up, doing different
things. Now I am doing Latemouth Blake for less than a year. I’ve always been really
into the old style blues, so I thought that I would put together a whole act like that. I
have always included some blues in everything. People expect me now to dance around
but now I’m just gonna play and sing.” In the advertising for Latemouth Blake gigs,
Dave specifies ‘NO STOMPING. NO BANJO” and says well I do that because of experiences
I have had where I advertise “Stompin’ Dave’s Electric Band” and I have people turn up saying ‘Ooh,
I wanted to hear the banjo.’ People put you in a box and they expect you to me the same all the time.
Changing around all the time may not be a good tactic as far as being commercial is concerned but I
don’t seem to be able to help myself! I just like to enjoy myself. But you can say that it keeps up
people’s interest as well if things aren’t always the same.”
Where did the name of the persona Latemouth Blake come from? Well, Gatemouth [Brown]
is the starting point and I am a big fan of Blind Blake so I thought that was a nice
combination. I have been singing quite a few double-entendre songs and I thought that ‘Latemouth’ has echoes of
‘adult entertainment’ so I though it was a good play on words!
“Sometimes, there is a bit of confusion with my different names. When I was Dr Stomp [Dr Stomp and Prof. Oz]
people called me Dr Spock and Dr Stamp and now I’ve been getting Widemouth Blake, But some people have said
they like it and I feel that it has gone down well.
I’ve been doing Latemouth once or twice a month so it feels successful. I think that people love that [1920’s and
1930’s] style of music and they want to hear it. I suppose that you could say it’s a bit of an acquired taste. In fact, all
the music I play is a bit niche, suppose.
The ‘new’ music is much more ‘revivalist’ in the sense that it is Dave’s attempt to recreate the sounds, arrangements
and musical dexterity of those accomplished musicians that he loves. “I have always really loved that music. I have
always love that early blues music. When I was working with ‘Oz’ and he and I had been at college together doing a
course on Jazz and Pop. When we first started we did a lot of jazz with some blues and we found that we got a much
better reaction from the audiences with blues, so we started doing more of that.
I put it to Dave that he was, with his new persona, on what the Blues Brothers called, ‘A mission from God’ The
mission being to bring to the public the amazing music and musical skills of these outstanding musicians. “It is a
mystery to me, Ian, why so few people have heard the music of the likes of Blind
Blake, Sam Chatmon, Fuller and the others. Why doesn't everybody know the music of
Mississippi Fred McDowell and of Mississippi John Hurt? Their music is, and they are
legendary. Whatever I can do to show people what it was all about, I’ll do it.
In all the years of experience that Dave has had, what is the worst thing that has
happened to him? “Well.” He confides. “I did ‘Britain’s Got Talent 'and got buzzed off that was not very nice. In hind site it was a foolish thing for me to attempt really, but
there you go. As far as I know they didn’t show me on the telly. I did about ten seconds
and they all pressed the buzzers! The crowd was clapping along and then it just went
quiet and I walked off in silence”
Dave does 150 to 200 gigs a year and has recently turned his hand to promoting, putting
other bands in art centres and things, “… so I may be doing a little less now . I tend now
to concentrate on the bigger gigs when they come along.
One thing is for certain, Dave will be picking, fiddling, tickling the ivories and dancing himself into a lather for
many years to come. It is possible that some of those reading this will not know Dave’s work. Try and redress that as
soon as possible. You will never regret it. .He is a passionate, agile and most agreeable talent.
R
E
V
I
E
W
S
JACK ROBERTS HARVEY BAND
Devil On A Dirt Road
Autoprod
Superlatives simply prevail here. Stunning debut album of great blues with strong Americana and gutsy down and
dirty Rock tinges from the JRHB. From LA, this hugely talented Californian trio
- only a trio, seems unbelievable with this sound - comprises only Tony Jack
Grigsby on Bass - the Jack of the band - Jim Roberts on guitar and vocals, and
Mike Harvey on Drums.
Material ranges from the old traditional US standard, 'Amazing Grace', here
cooked in a refreshingly different slippery, slide sauce, to another nine selfwritten songs with a great groove going throughout. This is a band that clearly
knows its way around the music with a capacity to produce material of enormous
quality.
If anything, the most surprising thing about this outfit is probably - why haven't
we heard of them before now?! Genuinely amazing debut from a truly talented
US band. Can't wait to hear their next effort. Onward and upwards, I reckon.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Devil On A Dirt Road
Tears In The Dust
Snakebit
Soul Worth Saving
Quicksand
New Day
Alligator Shoe
Anjohnette
Hurricane Road
Amazing Grace
www.jackrobertsharveyband.com
Iain Patience
ALBERT KING
Live In The ‘70s
Retro World FLOATM6241
If ever a man knew how to bend a guitar string, it was Albert King – pick any track completely at random! This set
draws from concerts in New York, and Hollywood California (the “Wattstax”
concert, I think), when Albert was in the midst of his Stax contract and the line-up
– at least a couple of horn players – and the material reflects that. This was the high
point of his career, with his tough, ringing guitar playing way out front – this is the
sound that has influenced so many of today’s blues guitarists, his dry comments
delivered in an almost speaking voice, and the material often managing to be both
funky and low-down. There are also three titles from 1974 and the closing ‘I’ll
Play The Blues For You’ from 1978. Well known numbers like ‘Crosscut Saw’,
‘Oh Pretty Woman’, ‘Born Under A Bad Sign’ and the introductory ‘Blues Power’
can all be found here, with the live situation allowing Albert to stretch out for longer
than he generally did in the studio. He also turns in a version of Ray Charles’ ‘I
Believe To My Soul’ – “that was just to break the monotony”, he quips! The sound quality is generally fine. Albert
King is always worth a listen, and particularly when he is in as good form as he is here.
Norman Darwen
FREDDIE KING
Live & Loud 1968
Retro World FLOATM6243
OK, first things first – the date – 1968? Well, that seems an unlikely year for this set, recorded mostly at the Fillmore
West. You see, Freddie closes out with the heavy blues-rocker ‘Going Down’, a
staple of his 70s gigs. It was drawn from his first album for the Shelter label,
“Getting Ready”, released in 1971 –it was not on his set list at the Ann Arbor Blues
Festival in 1969, when he would certainly have included it if possible (don’t confuse
it with his later 1972 appearance) but the real clincher is that the original version
of the song only first appeared in 1969, on an album by Memphis band Moloch. So
we’re probably looking at the early 70s for this. Now that’s out of the way, don’t
let it mar your enjoyment as we are left with a fine album. Freddie was the youngest
of the Three Kings (the others being BB and Albert), with an energetic guitar style
that massively influenced Eric Clapton and many others. He provides two versions
of his big instrumental hit ‘Hideaway’ here, and there is plenty of hot, rocking blues
guitar or his slow, impassioned playing (try the opening ‘Ain’t Nobody’s Business’), and although the sound is a little
muddy in places his big, strong voice comes across well too. There are bonus tracks from the aforementioned Ann Arbor
Festival in 1969 and another from Sweden in 1973, rounding out a release that may not be essential but that will certainly
please all blues lovers.
Norman Darwen
BOBBY SPENCER
Hurricane Unleashed
R. Music, no issue number
Let’s have a sax player for a change! Bobby Spencer is from Oakland, California, but now lives further south along the
West Coast in Los Angeles. Besides being a fine tenor sax player, he also possesses
a warm singing voice and writes some good original songs – take a listen to the
fine rocking blues of ‘Camarillo’ which namechecks jazz legend Charlie Parker.
Do you like soul music? Then try the smooth ballad ‘You’re All I Need’ and the
southern tinged ‘Lover’s Hill’, both of which fit the description “sweet soul music”,
though some may well find ‘You Make Me Crazy’ just a little too saccharine.
‘Little Mama’ is a Latin-tinged blues, and this CD also includes four bonus tracks
from Bobby’s 2003 debut album “I Got The Blues” – all of which fit that
description perfectly (vocally he sounds very like BB King on ‘Big Maybelle’,
and he lets loose his King Curtis licks on ‘Call Your Dogs Off’). Bobby has many years of experience of playing the
blues with the likes of Sonny Rhodes, Jimmy McCracklin, Etta James and ZZ Hill, and it shows on this varied, entertaining
and very satisfying CD.
Norman Darwen
THE DAMNED AND DIRTY
Rolling In To Town
Autoprod
Kevin de Harde and Micha Sprenger are the duo The Damned and Dirty. They hail from Holland a country with a
massive support for blues music of all kinds. Both of the duo members hav long
histories of working in bands and solo of a long time. Their first eponymous
album was released as a free download on the internet in 2012 and proved to be
a resounding success. Their second album Sell Your Soul was released 2013 .
BOTH of the CDs won the Dutch Blues Award for Best Album in each
respective years, 2012. 2013. Quite an achievement.
Rolling Into Town is in one sense ‘more of the same’ but with a vengeance. I
was critical of their Sell Your Soul release, because of IMHO an inordinate
amount of gratuitous swearing. Not too much of that here. But be warned it is
not expletive free. That aside, the album is filled with outstanding guitar licks
(finger picked and slide) and some searing harp work. Fifteen tracks, all selfpenned, ranging from "The Meanest Woman" an oustandingly good song, that
IMHO will be covered many times before too long, through the relaxed, small group blues, of "Sounds Of Eyes"
The title song "Rolling Into Town" opens with some compelling harp work by Kevin while "The Devil Again" gets
down and funky with some tight drumming by Frank Travertine. “Seventeen” evokes the sounds of Mississippi John
Hurt.. This is an outstanding album which I expect to win a shed-load of awards. Well done indeed.
Ian McKenzie
BENNY TURNER
Journey
http://www.bennyturner.com/music.html
Benny Turner is the (half?) brother of the late Freddie King. As you might expect, he was born and bred in Texas
and was exposed to early influences not just from his brother’s work but also
from a family steeped in the blues. Benny can remember his mother playing
guitar and here we have that reminisence in the form of “My Mother’s Blues” a
delightful instrumental piece of jazzy, funky blues which of course honours Ella
Mae (King) Turner. The album also inclues “My Uncle’s Blues (Fannie Mae)”
honoring his uncle Leon King. The music draws on a wide range of influences
like doo-wop, R&B, gospel, soul, and blues and binds them all together in an
excellent gumbo (Turner now lives and works in New Orleans) which is
strongly recommended . The lyrics of the songs come with dashes of humour
and the expected added undertones of saddness and trouble.
Check out ‘What’s Wrong With The World Today’ and the foot-tappingly funky ‘Don’t You Ride My Mule’. Benny
is a bass player with occasional stabs at guitar work, but, he has surrounded himself with some excellent musicians
who gell well. Benny calles his band “Real Blues”, a great name as that is what they deliver. More please.
Ian McKenzie
ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW & THE LOW RIDERS
Zone-O-Tone
Proper Records: PRPCD110
Andy Fairweather Low is a Welsh superstar, without doubt. Think Wales and Tom Jones probably comes to mind. But
think again: AFL is the guy who brought the 1960s hits 'Paradise', Bend Me,
Shape Me' etc to the musical table as frontman of Amen Corner.
In the 70s he again hit the UK charts with the wonderfully colourful and wittily
emotional, 'Wide Eyed And Legless', before going on to help Clapton put
together the arrangements for the multi-million selling, 'Clapton Unplugged'
release. Indeed, for the past couple of decades, Low has been a permanent
annual touring fixture, as guitarist, with Clapton's own band.
In addition, he tours regularly with ex-Pink Floyd Roger Waters, and former
Rolling Stone bassman, Bill Wyman. He has also played with a veritable who's
who of rock and modern music royalty: Bob Dylan, Elton John, Dave Crosby,
BB King, Joe Cocker, Bonnie Raitt, The Who, Jimmy Page, Van Morrison,
Phil Collins, The Bee Gees. The list is virtually endless, impressive and
illustrates the importance and high esteem with which this guy is held among
his critical contemporaries. A major figure who, despite the astonishing
credentials and CV, somehow always seems to ride and roll just below the radar.
Now actively touring with his own excellent band, The Low Riders, 'Zone-O-Tone' is a 13-track album featuring
Fairweather Low's strong and subtle songwriting skills together with marvelous ensemble performances from a
fabulous foursome. This must be one of the most enjoyable, polished albums of the year. An absolute winner! A
sparkling gem from a true genius.
www.andyfairweatherlow.com
Iain Patience
WILY BO WALKER & KARENA K
A Long Way From Heaven
Mescal Canyon Records: MCREX019
A Long Way From Heaven maybe a bit closer to the fires below with this very strong bit of blues and grit from a
talented duo. The Devil's music at its best in this six-track extended EP or short
CD album. It's really take your pick here.
All tracks are gripping and wonderfully produced to provide an excellent overall
result.Fretwork is excellent, swampy and slithery at times with Wily K Walker's
vocals rasping along like a road-repair crew shoveling aggregates. This guy has
a voice that would make Dean Martin seem gritty! Luckily his vocals are
perfectly counterbalanced by the sweeter notes of his partner, Karena K.
A positively recommended effort from an exciting, dynamic pair of quality musicians. Worth checking out.
www.wilybo.com
www.karenak.com
Iain Patience
ESSENTIALS: ALL THE STUFF YOU NEED TO KNOW
F
ollowing her outstanding performance co-headlining with Robert Cray at London’s
BluesFest at the Royal Albert Hall in October 2014, Grammy nominated singersongwriter, Beth Hart will embark on a 7-date UK tour in May 2015.
Sultry blues, jazzy influences, rocking tunes and touching ballads - Beth Hart does it
All.
Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday 12 December via the 24 hour
ticket box office: 0844 871 8819, or can be booked from
www.alt- tickets.co.uk/beth-hart-tickets.
May 2015 Tour Dates
Bristol Colston Hall
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Friday May 1
Sunday May 3
Glasgow O2 ABC
Wednesday May 6
London Barbican
Friday May 8
Leeds Academy
Saturday May 9
Cambridge Corn Exchange
Monday May 11
Nottingham Rock City
Wednesday May 13
B
ritish blues rock guitarist and singer-songwriter, Ben Poole (Bottom r) , has been added as special guest on
Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s (Top r) May 2015 UK tour. Poole, who’s “Live at the Albert Hall" album went to
No.4 in the official Amazon UK blues chart, has
been described as Britain’s brightest blues-rock guitar
talent.
Poole will join five-time Grammy-nominated and
multi-platinum-selling blues rock guitarist Kenny Wayne
Shepherd on a 5-date UK tour that will culminate at the
O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London on Wednesday
April 15. Tickets can be booked online from The Gig
Cartel or from the 24 hour box office: 0844 478 0898.
April 2015 UK Tour Dates
Salisbury City Hall
April 10
Holmfirth Picturedrome
April 11
Glasgow O2 ABC
April 12
Aberdeen Lemon Tree
April 13
London O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
April 15
The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band features long-time vocalist Noah Hunt, plus drummer Chris Layton, a 2014
inductee into the Musicians Hall of Fame as a member of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, ex-Firm bassist
Tony Franklin and former Willie Nelson keyboardist Riley Osbourn.
RTON
U
B
H
AS
IVAL
T
S
E
SF
BLUE
ER
NM
* The date's been confirmed, 22/23/.24 May 2015, the Bank
L C RA
E
A
H
IC
M
M
Holiday
weekend,
so you don't have to rush back until Tuesday, or, stay on and
E F RO
G
A
S
S
relax.
A ME
* The venue's confirmed. Seale-Hayne, just a couple of miles outside Ashburton, the same as the
last Festival in 2012. Here's a link:
* I haven't released the line-up yet! You know I like to keep you guessing. But I can absolutely guarantee that it
will be the very, very best of the Blues.
* The website isn't live....yet. But it will be soon: ashburtonbluesfestival.co.uk
* Tickets will be on sale via the website to make it easier to buy
* Accommodation will also be available via the website. There's a variety, from simple comfortable and stylish
double rooms, with shared bathroom facilities; stylish en-suite rooms with tasteful decor, great facilities and double
doors opening onto the hillside behind; and, for the posh Festival-goers, Glamping! Set on elevated platforms in a
little dell with views across the glorious Devon countryside towards the coast. Camping pitches, and Caravan and
Camper van sites are also available.
* The super food and drink which we know you all love, will be available throughout the day and night
* There will be three stages,Quad and Acoustic in the Quad during the day, and the terrific Yellow Room at
night
​That’s enough for now. Link for updates to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashburton-BluesFestival/210800975611657
Twitter; @ashburtonbluesfest
57th Grammy Blues Nominees
The 57th Grammy nominees in the Blues category are:
Common Ground – Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin Play And Sing The Songs Of Big Bill Broonzy – Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin (Yep
Roc Records)
Promise Of A Brand New Day – Ruthie Foster (Blue Corn Music)
Juke Joint Chapel – Charlie Musselwhite (Henrietta Records)
Decisions – Bobby Rush With Blinddog Smokin’ (Silver Talon Records)
Step Back – Johnny Winter (Megaforce Records)
The 57th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony will be held on February 8, 2015 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles,
California. The show will be broadcast live by CBS.
- See more at: http://www.blues.org/2014/12/57th-blues-grammy-nominees/#sthash.n75U6Qoc.dpuf
2015 KEEPING THE BLUES ALIVE AWARD RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED
The Blues Foundation will honor 15 individuals and organizations with its 2015 Keeping the Blues Alive Awards
during a recognition luncheon Friday, January 23, 2015, in Memphis, Tennessee. Each year, The Blues Foundation
presents the KBA Awards to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to blues music.
The KBA ceremony will be held in conjunction with the 31st International Blues Challenge, which begins January 20
and features the final rounds of the world’s largest and most prestigious blues music competition, as well as
seminars, showcases, and receptions for blues societies, fans, and professionals.
BiTS is delighted to confirm that Mike Vernon, the producer of outstanding blues records for many many years, and
the harvester of talent from the BiTS area , is one of this year’s recipients. Mike is the founder of the blues record
label, Blue Horizon. More here
The KBAs are awarded by a select panel of blues professionals to those working actively to promote and
document the music. KBA Committee Chairman Art Tipaldi notes, “The KBA Committee always looks to honor
longevity. This year’s slate of 15 recipients comes with over 400 years of dedicated service to spreading blues music.
With so many dedicated organizations here and abroad, the committee decided to honor two blues society affiliates,
one American and one international. The Blues Foundation is pleased to honor these people and organizations as a
tribute to the years each has given to supporting blues music.”
The 2015 Keeping the Blues Alive Awards recipients are:
1. Affiliated Organization: Asociación Musical Blues Hondarribia – Hondarribia, Spain
2. Affiliated Organization: Sacramento Blues Society – Sacramento, California
3. Club: Rosa’s Lounge – Chicago, Illinois
4. Education: Jerzy Kossek – Katowice, Poland
5. Festival (International): Bluesfest Eutin/BluesBaltica – Eutin, Germany
6. Festival (U.S.): Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival – Winthrop, Washington
7. Film, Television and Video: Peter Carlson – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
8. Historical Preservation: Guido van Rijn – Overveen, Netherlands
9. International: Goran Stensrud – Fetsund, Norway
10. Journalism: B.J. Huchtemann – Omaha, Nebraska
11. Literature: Ben Sandmel – New Orleans, Louisiana
12. Photography: Pertti Nurmi – Helsinki, Finland
13. Producer: Mike Vernon (pic right) – Antequera, Spain
14. Radio (Commercial): Charlie Frazier – Burlington,Vermont
15. Radio (Public): Gary Wagner – Long Beach, California
PRESS RELEASE: DAVE KELLY TO APPEAR AT MILFORD BLUES NIGHT
14 MARCH, 2015
The next in the series of Milford Blues nights is on Saturday 14 March, featuring Dave Kelly. The venue is The
Milford-on-Sea Community Centre http://moscommunitycentre.org.uk and tickets (£10) are on sale in advance. The
show starts at 8pm (doors open 7.30pm)
Most of the year, Dave Kelly tours with The Blues Band, but having enjoyed these solo shows so much he returned to
his roots on a more regular basis with a series of solo performances in 2014 and more are planned for 2015.
Dave Kelly was the founder member of The Blues Band with Paul Jones, Hughie Flint and Tom McGuinness 33
years ago. When The Blues Band started back in 1979 Dave was already a seasoned blues artist with a reputation
across the world. In the early sixties he started performing acoustic, mostly Mississippi style blues, in folk clubs. His
first performance was a floor spot at The Half Moon Putney in 1964- a session run by Gerry Lockran, Cliff Aungier &
Royd Rivers. In 1966 he went to the USA and played at Gerde's Folk City in New York. On returning from the States
he joined The John Dummer Blues Band as lead vocalist and guitarist. It was with The Dummer Band that he made
two UK tours backing John Lee Hooker and one backing Howlin Wolf. After leaving the JDBB late in '69 he went
back to solo performing and toured and recorded with the legendary Eddie 'Son' House..Since then he has recorded a
TV show with, and backed in concert, Buddy Guy and Junior Wells as well as continuing to tour with The Blues Band
In late 2012 Dave released, on Hypertension Records, a new album entitled: Dave Kelly - Family and Friends.
Featuring tracks with various family and friends recorded over the past 45 years. Guest include: Jo-Anne Kelly, Eric
Bibb, Long John Baldry, Maggie Bell, Chris Barber, Jona Lewie, Christine Collister, Chuck Leavell, Paul
Jones, Howlin Wolf amongst others.
The show will be hosted, as usual, by Bob Long and will include an opening set from the young and highly
talented Elsie Franklin who impressed the Milford Blues Night audience with her last performance here in January.
Enquiries: long.boblong@gmail.com
FORUM - THE STATE OF THE BLUES
In Last months BiTS we ran a latter from Stan Cockeram, front man of the popular Riverside Blues Band who had put finger
to keyboard with observations about the state of the Blues in the UK . Click HERE to see Stan’s original comments.
We have received the following letter from Phil Jackson, a regular reviewer and contributor to these pages.
I do share Stan's concerns about the 'broad church' that blues is being marketed as - Now that's fine if it's
clearly labeled 'blues and soul' but that doesn't seem to be the case here. I too have seen Virgil and the
Accelerators supporting Joanne Shaw Taylor and thought they were a heavy rock band. I must admit I like
blues CDs sent to me to review to be just that- it's OK for a bit of soul, gospel or jazz to come in - but it
must be, quintessentially, THE BLUES. And there's nothing wrong with covers- take Erja Lyytinen's splendid
take on 'The Sky Is Crying'. The blues is a limited format and it's difficult to take in a new direction and
trying to do an album of 'originals' is often not the best way. We all know the artists who have taken blues
music forward and it is recognizably THE BLUES . A happy Christmas to Ian and BITS, and long live Buddy
and Hopkins!
Phil Jackson
How do you feel about Stan’s concerns? Email your thoughts to editor@bluesinthesouth.com..Let’s have a debate
Below is the IBBA air-play chart for November 2014 produced by Dave Raven
for the Independent Blues Broadcasters Association and which is based on the
air-play choices of the albums by members on their shows. There were
four‘pick s of the month’ CDs :They were Matt Woosey - Wildest Dreams;
Richard Townend /Mighty Bosscats- & Deadly Sins; The SpikeDrivers - Live
in London and Katy Bradley -Anchor Sessions. Each of those was given
preferential play by the members on their shows. The remainder are free
choices. Congrats to Zoe Schwarz’ Blue Commotion for their continued
POSITION -ARTIST -ALBUM
1
2
3
4
5
7
8
9
16
18
20
24
26
30
MATT WOOSEY BAND - WILDEST DREAMS
RICHARD TOWNEND/ MIGHTY BOSSCATS - 7 DEADLY SINS
MATT SCHOFIELD - FAR AS I CAN SEE
THE MOJO MAKERS
- DEVILS HANDS
GEORGE SHOVLIN BLUES BAND - GOT BLUES IF YOU WANT IT
THE SPIKEDRIVERS
- LIVE IN LONDON
IAN SIEGAL AND JIMBO MATHUS - THE PICNIC SESSIONS
KATIE BRADLEY BAND - ANCHOR BABY SESSIONS
ROSS CONNORS - AIN'T NO FOOL
BAD BOB BATES
BRIDGE STREET
KIRK FLETCHER - BURNING BLUES
GINGER ST. JAMES & THE GRINDERS - DIESEL AND PEAS
ZOE SCHWARZ' BLUE COMMOTION - EXPOSED
DOGHOUSE SAM AND HIS MAGNATONES - KNOCK KNOCK
THE DAMNED AND DIRTY - ROLLING INTO TOWN
LISA MILLS - I'M CHANGING
JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR - THE DIRTY TRUTH
EMPIRE ROOTS BAND - HARLEM STREET SINGER
KING KING - STANDING IN THE SHADOWS
KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND - GOIN' HOME
THE WILD BLUESMEN - HOMECOMING
THE HOAX - RECESSION BLUES
DANA FUCHS - SONGS FROM THE ROAD
HOWLIN' BILL HUNGRY
STEVE LURY & ANDRES ROOTS - LIVE IN LERWICK
ERIC BIBB - BLUES PEOPLE
MARCUS BERG - CUT ME LOOSE
VARGAS BLUES BAND - FROM THE DARK
REVEREND SHAWN AMOS - TELLS IT ALL
THE BLUES SPIDERS - ALL MY FAULT
PEE WEE CRAYTON - DEEP FEELING
KELLY'S LOT - DON'T GIVE MY BLUES AWAY
GLAS - FROM THE BLUES TO YOUR SHOES
PAUL LAMB AND THE KING SNAKES - HOLE IN THE WALL
HALF DEAF CLATCH - THE BLUES CONTINUUM
COLIN POLLOCK & HIS BAND - THREE CHERRIES RED
COLOSSEUM - TIME ON OUR SIDE
BLACKTOP DELUXE - TURN UP, BE NICE, PLAY HARD
IBBA ‘PICKS’ for
JANUARY 2015
The IBBA Picks for
January 2015 are:
George Shovelin and the
Radars - EP
Benny Turner - Journey
Doghouse Sam and his
Magnetones - Knock Knock
The Bruce Katz Band Homecoming
CLICK ANY OF THE PICS
ON THE LEFT AND YOU
WILL BE TAKEN TO
YOUTUBE FOR A GREAT
VIDEO TREAT.
WALTER and MARIE TROUT Christmas Greetings
BARBECUE BOB (ROBERT HICKS) - MISSISSIPPI HEAVY WATER BLUES
KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD - VOODOO CHILD LIVE - Vocal Noah Hunt
Contents
Blues in the South
Is proud to support
Kansas City Online Radio
(KCOR)
Blues Radio 24/7/365
Blues Rock And Cool Talk
Check out
The Acoustic Blues Club
on
Monday at 10pm UK time
Blues music the way it should
be heard!