Friday 12 November 2010

Charlie Musselwhite talks to the American Blues Blog

Courtesy of American Blues Blog!

I recently interviewed Curtis Salgado and during our chat he talked about a particular lifestyle down south that inspired the deep country and blues sounds. Charlie Musselwhite is the type of southern raised artist that Salgado eluded to.

Born in Mississippi in the rural hill country, being a musician was hereditary for Charlie Musselwhite and everyone in his family played.
As a toddler, Charlie's family moved to Memphis and he experienced first hand, one of the greatest musical eras to date, as several types of music were being tossed into a big kettle
and stirred, resulting in the birth of rock and roll.

Well over 20 albums later, with 6 Grammy awards and 24 Blues Music awards to his credit with no end in site, Charlie Musselwhite is clearly still at the top of his game. 2010 has proven to be a great year for him with his release of "The Well" and the tour behind it.

When I started the interview I made the offer to talk off the record about Charlie's recovery from alcoholism, being sober myself, I understand that for some people it can be a private aspect of their life that they don't wish to broadcast but not so with him. He knows that sharing his story may help others and if you listen to his music, he talks about where he came from and draws his inspiration primarily from personal experience. He has been sober since 1987.
I asked Charlie how performing was when he first got sober(I had read somewhere that he had never played sober before he quit for good). He said he was a little nervous at first but it didn't last long after he realized that he could perform better. He soon found out that everything in life was better. He felt better, looked better, slept better, treated everyone around him better and he said his wife sure was happy too!
When asked if he had any difficulties early on in his recovery, Charlie made it clear that he felt like he was done, so it wasn't too hard. He hung out at a few places in Santa Rosa very close to where he lived, with some others who weren't drinking and that gave him some extra support.
Charlie goes on to explain what lead up to him giving up alcohol. He told me that he been scaling way back on his intake, down from 2 quarts a day to a much lesser amount but wasn't able to stop completely, partly because he didn't think he'd be able to perform sober. Then, In 1987, Jessica McClure fell in a Texas well and the story of her ordeal completely gripped a nation and especially a man named Charlie Musselwhite. He thought about how courageous she was while she trapped in there and it totally diminished his personal struggle with booze. He decided that if she could survive down there, then he could survive without drinking, so he made a deal with himself that he wouldn't drink until she got out. Of course, she emerged 3 days later and Charlie still hasn't touched a drop.
Charlie has never met Baby Jessica, even though she a profound impact on his life. I also asked him if she has any idea what she did for him and he told me he has no idea but he did say that if the opportunity ever arouse, he would love to meet her.

The subject switched over to the music as we were listening to his band starting to warm up during sound check at Jazzbones in Tacoma, a venue Charlie is very familiar with.
The aforementioned "The Well", is Charlie's first non-acoustic album that featured all original songs written by him and I wanted to know if this was an accident or if it was planned that way. He said his producer Chris Goldsmith was behind the idea to write all the music himself for this release. He said it more of a suggestion and then it just kind of happened that way. Certainly not going to argue with the results, "The Well" is a fantastic album and the songwriting was brilliant. The liner notes are great too as they give a snapshot of what was going through his mind at the time. (See my review from 10/21/2010) I prodded Charlie a little to see if he was thinking about doing this again and he said that he was concentrating on promoting and touring for "The Well" right now but he said they might try it again down the road.

We then talked about his return to Alligator Records and how they are treating him. Charlie said he is really happy to be back home at Alligator. "They are great, they really take good care of their artists and they know how to sell records. I don't know of another record label as big as they are, where the owner gives you his cell phone number and says if you ever have a problem with anything, you call me".

One of my personal favorites on "The Well" is a very interesting song called "Hoodoo Queen".
Charlie's inspiration for the song was the story of Marie Laveau. The Voodoo charmer of legend has fascinated many a southern boy and Charlie Musselwhite was no exception. He has been to her grave on many occasions, starting back in 1957 and a few years ago he wondered how Hurricane Katrina had affected the gravesite. So he visited it after the storm,  he found it intact, although it was much cleaner now. A long time ago when he used to visit there, it was always heavily decorated with different mementos and charms by her fans and followers. Charlie offered that the song has been on his mind for a while now.
One of the lines of the song talk about a grave robber named Dr John. I asked him which Dr. John the song is referring to, the musician or the Voodoo practitioner but that will remain a mystery, despite my request, Charlie said, "It's whichever one you want it to be".

As the interview was coming to an end, I could tell Charlie was itching to get up on stage with his awesome band and jam. I certainly can't knock him for that they were sounding great and I was thinking the same thing! We talked a little bit about his opinion about the state of traditional blues and what it will take to keep the blues alive. Contrary to what some in the blues feel, Charlie said he thinks it is very much alive right now and that there are many good young players out there playing traditional blues.

My thanks to Josh Lindner and Marc Lipkin(Alligator Records), Danno(Jazzbones), Shawn Skager(Electric Phase) and to Mr. Charlie Musselwhite for the conversation, you are a true gentleman.

CLICK ON THIS CD COVER TO BUY A SIGNED COPY OF THE WELL

Visit Charlie Musselwhite's website here

You can find the American Blues Blog on Facebook

By Glen Casebeer/Northwest Music Scene
With Shawn Skager/Electric Phase

Thursday 11 November 2010

Bob Corritore Blues Newsletter, Blues Blast Music Award winners!, Bob Corritore to accompany Jessi Colter, Bob Cor

November 4, 2010

Bob Corritore Blues Newsletter - Off to Chicago, Blues Blast Music Awards, Staple Singers on YouTube, RIP Reggie B

October 27, 2010
  • Off to Chicago! Dave Riley & Bob Corritore to perform Thursday at Blues Blast Music Awards! Bob Riedy Reunion on Friday with Eddy Clearwater & Sam Lay! Bob Corritore heads back to his old stomping grounds for 2 shows in the Chicago area. Dave Riley & Bob Corritore will be a part of a star-studded lineup at the 3rd annual Blues Blast Music Awards on Thursday at Buddy Guy's Legends (700 S. Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605, (312) 427-1190 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (312) 427-1190      end_of_the_skype_highlighting). The following night Bob Corritore will participate in the Bob Riedy Chicago Blues Band reunion show featuring Eddy Clearwater and Sam Lay at Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket at 645 Joliet Road in Willowbrook, Illinois.
  • Bob Corritore & Friends / Harmonica Blues in the news! Thanks to all for the warm reception for Bob Corritore & Friends / Harmonica Blues on the Delta Groove record label. In addition to being #2 last month in the Living Blues Radio Charts and # 5 the month before, the CD is currently a "Clicks To Pick" on XM / Sirius Satellite Radio's Bluesville station. There are currently 55 great reviews posted for this release with more coming in every few days (click here to see these reviews). Thanks to the great Delta Groove label for their fantastic advertising campaign, and all their great promotional effort. Thanks to all the radio programmers, reviewers and writers for their wonderful support. Thanks to all the amazing musicians who participated in this project and gave it their all. And thank you to all the wonderful fans who have encouraged and embraced this release.
  • Bob Corritore to accompany country legend Jessi Colter for Shooter Jennings opening set. Country music legend Jessi Colter and Bob Corritore join forces for an opening set for Shooter Jennings (Shooter is Waylon Jennings and Jessi's son). Jessi Colter and Bob have worked together occasionally over the last 7 years. They stylistically meet each other in the middle with a warm mix of country ballads, some gospel and some blues. The show happens on Thursday, November 4th, 2010 at the Rhythm Room and Jessi & Bob hit at 8pm.
  • RIP Reggie Boyd - Birthdate information unavailable - October 17th, 2010. Sad news via Dave Specter and Dick Shurman from David Bloom of the Bloom School of Jazz and a former student of the man. Bloom writes:
    "Reggie Boyd Sr., an icon Chicago Jazz guitarist-teacher died Sunday October 17. He taught three generations of great jazz musicians on all instruments. Reggie did some recording on his own, including his Age 45 "Nothing But Good"/"Nothing But Poison" which also featured Earl Hooker, bass on the Vibrations' hit "Watusi" and guitar on Fenton Robinson (I Hear Some Blues Downstairs) and Milt Buckner LPs, plus other sessions with Syl Johnson, Jimmy Rogers, Etta James, etc. He did the horn charts on Fenton's Blues In Progress/Nightflight LP which I co-produced in '84; seeing those two old friends work together was quite a treat. But he may have been best known for being THE teacher other Chicago guitarists turned to, including many blues legends. Otis Rush, Howlin' Wolf, James Wheeler, Louis Myers, Willie Johnson, Jimmy Johnson, Dave Specter, Syl and Fenton were just a few who took lessons from Reggie. Not long before he died, Robert Jr. Lockwood wanted to record Reggie and tried to discuss it with him, but it was too late for various reasons. Some purists criticized Reggie for "ruining" Chicago blues guitarists by teaching them too much sophistication; there's a well known story of Wolf waving a $1,000 bill at Reggie while telling him that he (Wolf) couldn't make that kind of money playing the "progressive sh*t" Reggie was trying to teach him. But he obviously had something a lot of his peers wanted, and his knowledge of theory and technique were truly formidable. Hopefully he's in a better place today, surrounded by his former students." Dick Shurman adds "Reggie was from Jackson, Tennessee, and Billy Boy Arnold also took lessons from him." Reggie's blues guitar work is most prominently exemplified with his fleet fretwork on Jimmy Rogers' "Rock This House" and "My Last Meal" cut in 1959 for Chess Records. Unfortunately, Reggie Boyd was a "behind the scenes" giant of a musician, so not much information is available. His work will live on through the recordings he made and by the many musicians that he influenced.
  • Nissan names car after the famous Little Walter song! Coincidence or not, it has come to our attention that Nissan has new car model called Juke! This is also the name of Little Walter's classic harmonica instrumental hit of 1952, that launched his solo career. Juke also is a term widely used for a roadhouse or rural bar where blues music is performed (also known as a Juke Joint). To find out more about the Nissan Juke click here. To hear the classic Little Walter instrumental called Juke click here. To see some photo pages devoted to Little Walter click here, and here.
  • Additions and correction to past newsletter items.
    1) Concerning the Robert Lockwood YouTube, Sumito "Ariyo" Ariyoshi tells us that the video was indeed recorded in Japan and the lineup is a fine U.S. band with Robert Lockwood, Jr, (Vocal&Guitar), Odie Payne Jr. (Drums & Vocal), Gene Schwartz (Bass), and Sumito "Ariyo" Ariyoshi (Piano). Ariyo reports that it is an excerpt from a P-Vine Video (recently DVD) called "Annie's Boogie -- Live in Japan," recorded on July 10th 1985. For more information on this DVD click here. Thanks Airiyo!
    2) Paul Oscher reports that his new CD, Bet On The Blues, on the Blues Fidelity label, is now available on CD Baby. To see this CD and to order click here.
    3) Concerning the Dennis Taylor obit, Eric LeBlanc provided the birth-date and place of November 13, 1953, Barton, VT, and adds that "Dennis died in a Greenville, TX hospital while on tour with Delbert McClinton. He lived in Nashville, TN., with his wife, publicist-songwriter
    Karen A. Leipziger."
  • Staple Singers On YouTube! The Staple Singers provide such an amazing sound complete with their family formed gospel harmonies and Pops' Mississippi blues guitar. Please enjoy their wonderful adaptation of the Buffalo Springfield hit "For What It's Worth" converted into a freedom song. Click here to see.

Bob Corritore Blues Newsletter - Tail Dragger at Rhythm Room this weekend. Blues Blast Music Awards, Bob Riedy Blues Band Reunion, RIP Dennis Taylor, and more. ..

October 21, 2010
  • Tail Dragger howls in Phoenix this weekend! The unstoppable Tail Dragger travels from Chicago to Phoenix this weekend to play a 2 night engagement at the Rhythm Room on Friday and Saturday, October 22nd, and 23rd, with the Rhythm Room All-Stars (Bob Corritore, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, and Brian Fahey). Tail Dragger is perhaps the leading Howlin' Wolf styled vocalist, and was named after the famous Wolf song by the man himself. His CDs and DVDs on the Delmark record label have earned him world-wide recognition. To see a photo page devoted to Tail Dragger click here.
  • Blues Blast Music Awards at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago on Thursday, October 28th! The 3rd annual Blues Blast Music Awards ceremony happens this year at Buddy Guy's new location of 700 S. Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605, (312) 427-1190 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (312) 427-1190      end_of_the_skype_highlighting on Thursday October 28th, 2010, 5pm doors, 7pm show. Performers slated to perform are Candye Kane (with Laura Chavez), Dave Riley & Bob Corritore (with Dave "Yahni" Riley, Jr. on bass, and Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith on drums), Jackie Scott & The House Wreckers, Little Ray Neal, Marquise Knox, Eddie Shaw, Zora Young, Shaun Murphy Band, Mississippi Heat, Kilborn Alley Blues Band, Quintis McCormick, Cash Box Kings, Joel Paterson, and a special tribute pertormance with surprise guests honoring Otis Rush who will receive a lifetime acheivement award that night. To see a complete list of all nominees, click here. For more information on the event and to purchase tickets, click here. Thanks to the Blues Blast Music Awards for providing another avenue to reflect and celebrate the music and musicians keeping this music alive.
  • Bob Reidy Chicago Blues Band reunion with Eddie Clearwater and Sam Lay on Friday, Oct 29th! Blues pianist Bob Riedy was a pioneer bandleader in the early 1970s in Chicago, and was a major force in bringing blues artists to the North Side. He will be reuniting members of his 1970s outfit including Eddy Clearwater, Sam Lay, Mark Wydra, Jon Hiller, and of course, Bob Riedy. Also joining in the lineup will be Bob Corritore who has in recent years served as the reunion's harmonica player. This night will certainly be a celebration of old school Chicago blues! The reunion takes place at the Blue Rooster Lounge at Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket at 645 Joliet Road in Willowbrook, Illinois. To see some of the photo collection of Bob Riedy reflecting many of the artists he worked with in the 1970s, click here.
  • New photo page of last November's European Tour! In November of 2009, Dave Riley & Bob Corritore, along with Tomcat Courtney, made numerous festival, club and school appearances in Switzerland and France. They appeared at Visp Blues Night, The Lucerne Blues Festival, Blues Sur Seine Festival, Semaine Blues, Blues Station, The Beautiful Swamp Blues Festival, various clubs in the Bordeaux region of France, various schools, and the Poisy Prison! Note that the Rhythm Room All-Stars joined in the fun for the Lucerne Blues Festival. Please click on the various festival links to see this year's wonderful lineups! Though a wonderful trip, we should mention that the night we played at Blues Station in Tournon De Agenes, Dave Riley got the news that his ailing mother had passed away. Dave decided to continue the tour per his mother's wishes. The photo page shows some of the visual highlights of this very special trip including the wonderful blues musicians that we ran into on the road. Special thanks to webmaster George Vaught for his hard work constructing this page. To see this page click here.
  • Dave Blake's Images of Amanda's Roller Coaster - There have been many great photos and videos posted from the amazing event called Amanda's Roller Coaster held earlier this month at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix. It was a spectacular showcase of the blues harmonica tradition. You can see these photos and videos all over Facebook, and YouTube and each one shows a different facet of this wonderful blues gathering. We thought we would highlight a photo page by blues photographer David Blake who has put together a set of images of this event in an exceptionally fine presentation. Click here to see Dave Blake's photos from Amanda's Roller Coaster.
  • RIP Dennis Taylor, 1954 - October 17, 2010. Saxophonist Dennis Taylor is best known in blues circles for his work on the road and in the recording studio with Delbert McClinton, Buckwheat Zydeco, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Earl Gaines, Duke Robillard, and others. Dennis also worked with Michelle Shocked and Todd Snider. He passed away at age 56 of a heart attack while on tour with Delbert McClinton. In addition to his live performances, Dennis also authored the aclaimed instructional books Blues Saxophone: An In-Depth Look At The Styles Of The Masters, Jazz Saxophone, and Amazing Phrasing. A tasteful, soulful player with a great sense of tradition, Dennis went above and beyond the call of duty by providng a heartfelt and informed sound each time he picked up his sax. To read the article about Dennis Taylor in the Tennessean, click here.
  • Robert Lockwood on YouTube! Robert Lockwood pays tribute to Robert Johnson, his teacher and stepfather, on his version of the Johnson song, "Steady Rollin' Man". Though no credits are given, it is likely that this was recorded live in Japan with a Japanese Band who lovingly back him. Lockwood made regular trips to perform in Japan where he was a very popular and influential blues performer. Lockwood sings beautifully and plays marvelously understated guitar. Click here to see.

Bob Corritore Blues Newsletter - Dave Riley & Bob open for Eric Bibb tomorrow, King Biscuit name returned, RIP Albertina Walker, Paul Oscher new release and more! ...

October 14, 2010
  • Dave Riley & Bob Corritore open for Eric Bibb appear Friday (tomorrow) at the Mesa Arts Center. The masterful contemporary blues singer / songwriter Eric Bibb appears on Friday, October 15th, at the Mesa Arts Center with an opening set by Dave Riley & Bob Corritore. The showtime is 7:30pm at Mesa Arts Center - Piper Repertory Theater, One East Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85211. To read more about this event, click here.
  • King Biscuit name is returned to festival! In a surprise announcement broadcast on the Main Stage at the opening of the 2010 Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival, Bill Sagan, founder and CEO of Wolfgang’s Vault said, "On behalf of the whole Wolfgang’s Vault family of companies, including King Biscuit, we are pleased to announce a rekindled partnership between King Biscuit and the Blues Festival. It our pleasure to announce that beginning next year, 2011, this Blues Festival will once again be named the King Biscuit Blues Festival in honor of the great historical music legacy we share." Six years ago blues fans and organizers of Helena, Arkansas’s King Biscuit Blues Festival received a shock when they discovered that a contract had been signed that effectively turned their long-lived name over to a management group from New York. As a result, the 25-year old event was forced to change its name from the ever popular King Biscuit Blues Festival to the Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival. After several years of effort, event organizers learned that the rights to the name had been sold to Wolfgang’s Vault, a private music-focused company established in 2002 dedicated to the restoration and archiving of live concert recordings and the sale of music memorabilia. After learning of Helena’s interest in having the King Biscuit name back, Sagan negotiated a new relationship with the Festival that will see the name return for the 2011 event. The King Biscuit name is taken from the Helena based flour product that had a daily radio broadcast on KFFA that used live performances by Sonny Boy Williamson II to advertise. That program was heard throughout the south and made Sonny Boy Williamson the most popular and influential harmonica in the south., Congratulations to the King Biscuit Blues Festival for regaining its rightful name.
  • RIP Albertina Walker - August 29, 1929 to October 8, 2010. Gospel legend Albertina Walker has passed away. Per the Chicago Tribune "Albertina Walker, the Grammy-winning vocalist known around the world as the "Queen of Gospel" who helped launch some of the biggest names in traditional gospel through her vocal ensemble, the Caravans, has died. She was 81. Walker died of respiratory complications Friday morning at RML Specialty Hospital in Chicago." Simply an amazing and charismatic vocalist Albertina, will forever leave her definitive mark on gospel music. To hear an example of her fine singing with the Caravans, click here. For the Wikipedia biography of Albertina Walker, click here .  
  • Paul Oscher to release new album! Harmonica ace Paul Oscher is important not only for his rich harp sound, but because he was the first white harmonica player in the Muddy Waters band, effectively breaking the perceptions of racial barriers in the blues music idiom. Paul has announced that his new CD, Betting On The Blues will be available later this year on his Blues Fidelity record label. This release will be a limited edition pressing with un-mastered roughs and a Little Walter story with explicit language. These days Paul is a multi-instrumentalist who works primarily as a solo act. He sings and plays guitar, harmonica, and piano. For more information on Paul Oscher, and to check out his web site, click here
  • Muddy Waters on YouTube! Please enjoy this spirited 1960's concert the Muddy Waters Blues Band performing "Got My Mojo Working." The band includes Otis Spann on piano, and Paul Oscher on harmonica! Click here  to see.

Bob Corritore Blues Newsletter RIP Solomon Burke - March 21, 1940 - October 10, 2010.

October 10, 2010
  • RIP Solomon Burke - March 21, 1940 - October 10, 2010.
This sad news comes to us from Ben The Harpman from his excellent Juke Joint Soul newsletter. We quote Ben's obit:
Solomon Burke, the legendary 60s R&B/Soul singer and hitmaker has died at the age of 70 in the Netherlands. He was 70.
Burke was found dead on a plane en route from his home in Los Angeles to the Netherlands where he was scheduled to perform on Tuesday. No cause of death has been determined as an autopsy is set to be performed. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Burke was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and began his life in the pulpit. He hosted a gospel radio show on-air in the City of Brotherly Love and met fellow Baptist minister Martin Luther King, Jr. several times. After having a minor gospel hit on the Apollo label, Burke was snatched up by Atlantic Records in 1960 and by 1961 had his first R&B Chart success with the country standard "Just Out of Reach (Of My Two Empty Arms)." Burke, who had grown up listening to the Grand Ole Opry, became known for blending his R&B and Soul tinges with country & western, which many say opened the door for Ray Charles' later success in the same vein. Between 1961-1964, Burke was one of the driving forces at Atlantic with six Top 10 R&B hits, with four crossing over into Top 40 Pop - “Just Out Of Reach (Of My Two Empty Arms),” “Cry To Me,” “Got To Get You Off Of My Mind,” “You’re Good For Me,” (penned by Don Covay), “Tonight’s The Night” and “If You Need Me” (written by Wilson Pickett). After the mid-60s, Burke's hit making waned but he continued to record vigorously.
Burke worked in obscurity throughout much of the 70s through the 90s. However, he saw an interest return in his career in the 80s when the soul comedy act The Blues Brothers covered his soul standard "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love" for their hit movie. Later on in the 80s, the late Patrick Swayze would seduce the character Baby (played by Jennifer Grey) to Burke's "Cry To Me" in the blockbuster romance Dirty Dancing. Again, Burke's success would be short-lived and he would return to both touring, recording, and even running a mortuary in his new home of Los Angeles. In 2001, Burke would be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and in 2002 win his first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Recording Don't Give Up On Me on Fat Possum Records. This revival would once again see Burke headlining shows across the country in mostly blues arenas. Burke enjoyed a special relationship with the Catholic Church throughout his life and in 2000, he and his family were invited to perform at the Jubilee of the Family at the Vatican. Since then, he has been invited back to the Vatican for it's Christmas celebration.
The last few years saw Burke checkered across the world on star-studded lists performing on national late-night talks shows to appearing at Jerry Lee Lewis' "Last Man Standing" Concert in 2006. Burke also graced #55 on the Country Charts in September 2006 for his recording Nashville, which returned him to his country roots. He also honored Ahmet Ertegun by co-hosting the March 2007 celebration of the Atlantic founder’s life at Lincoln Center, participating in the American Master’s documentary “Atlantic Records: The House That Ahmet Built” and in December of that year, performing at the private after-party of the Led Zeppelin reunion concert along with Ben E. King, Percy Sledge and Sam Moore. Earlier in 2009, Burke joined famed R&B producer Willie Mitchell at Mitchell’s Royal Studio in Memphis to work together on a new recording, marking the first time the two ever worked together. Mitchell would pass only a short time later. In May of this year, Burke toured Japan for the first time.
Though these are only a small list of his many musical achievements, Burke always was quoted as saying his greatest achievement was his large family of 21 children, 90 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren. They all survive. Burke had one more musical achievement to go, which now will be released posthumously. Set to be released later this month, Burke went in the studio with Dutch rockband De Dijk and performed their songs in English with them. It would have been his second album to come out this year.
If you would like more information on Burke, his music, and his career; click here.
Juke Joint Soul will have more information on arrangements, etc. as they become available.
- Posted By Ben the Harpman to Juke Joint Soul at 10/10/2010 04:43:00 AM

Bob Corritore Blues Newsletter The "Biscuit", Harmonica Blues #2, Amanda's Roller Coaster, Big Pete, Dave Riley & Bob Corritore to open for Eric Bibb, Muddy Waters & Sonny Boy Williamson II together on YouTube! and more! ...

October 5, 2010
On Sunday, October 10th, Pinetop Perkins' annual homecoming celebration happens at Hopson’s Plantation in Clarksdale, Mississippi. There is a big commissary, which has been converted into a bar, and once again, this year the host band is Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, including many special guests such as Pinetop Perkins (of course), Bob Margolin, and many more. Special thanks to Patricia Morgan, who promotes this event each year. Pat is the manager of Pinetop Perkins and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. Pat is a simply amazing woman, who, in addition to the demands of looking out for Pinetop, makes sure that this event is flawlessly organized; kudos to Pat.
  • Bob Corritore Helena CD Release party this Saturday at the Biscuit! Each year as part of the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival, the Delta Cultural Center hosts a series of showcases at their annex located on the ground floor of the Miller Hotel, located at 223 Cherry Street. On Saturday, Oct 9, at 12:30pm Bob Corritore will have a release party for his new CD Harmonica Blues on the Delta Groove record label. The band will include Bob Margolin, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Bob Stroger, Bob Corritore and other special guests. They will perform a 75 minute set.There is no cover charge
  • Bob Corritore / Harmonica Blues CD rises on the charts!  Bob Corritore / Harmonica Blues on the Delta Groove label continues to receive great airplay support. It appears at #6 in this week's Roots Music Report Blues Charts (click here to see). We also just heard from Jim McGrath that Harmonica Blues rose to # 2 for September on the Living Blues Radio charts! Thanks for all the support! To see the growing number of great reviews for the CD click here .
  • Big Pete Pearson Health Concerns. Per a recent posting by French blues journalist Jocelyn Richez on Blindman's Blues Forum: "I just got from his European agent, my friend Georges Lemaire, that just before he planned to come to Europe, Big Pete had a few tests and was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Fortunately, the cancer is at a very early stage, so chances are it can be cured. Still, Big Pete has to undergo an uninterrupted 45 days treatment that prevents him from coming over." Big Pete Pearson, who recently relocated from Phoenix, Arizona, to Maine, was unavailable for further comment. Prayers and best wishes to Big Pete for successful treatments.
  • Amanda's Roller Coaster Recap. About 6 months ago I received a phone call from Amanda Taylor (Kim Wilson's wife). She told me of a dream she had the night before that she would have the greatest harmonica show ever at the Rhythm Room. She wanted to showcase different generations; from the surviving legendary inventors, to the generations that followed, all the way to some select up and coming harmonica greats. She wanted this to be an important event that people would travel from far away places to attend. She wanted to document the show through filming, photography and sound recordings. She wanted to include her friends and have it be a family reunion of sorts. Amanda had seen the Rhythm Room in a similar role in the past as she and Kim had participated in the filming and recording of Time Bring About A Change, A Floyd Dixon Celebration, as well as Kim Wilson's Smoking Joint live recording (Thank you to Clarke Rigsby who's talent and hard work make live recording at the Rhythm Room a positive and great sounding experience). I was so honored to get the call and without hesitation opened my calender as we started this huge undertaking.
Amanda's dream was realized last weekend with a 3 day show called Amanda's Roller Coaster, named after the brilliant Little Walter instrumental. The harmonica players included James Cotton, Billy Boy Arnold, Lazy Lester, Kim Wilson, Paul Oscher, James Harman, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Johnny Dyer, Bharath Rajakumar, Johnny Sansone, Jerry Portnoy, Al Blake, Dave Waldman, Bob Corritore, Troy Gonyea, RJ Mischo, Steve Marriner, Scott Dirks, Chef Denis Depoitre, Joe Filisko, and Vincent Bury. Fans came from all around the world and were treated to a simply unreal experience. The backing bands mostly alternated between Kim Wilson's All-Stars with Larry Taylor (bass) , Richard Innes (drums), Barrelhouse Chuck (piano), and / or Billy Flynn (guitar), Junior Watson (guitar), or the Fabulous Thunderbirds with Randy Bermudes (bass),  Jason Moeller (drums), Jon Moeller (guitar), and Mike Keller (guitar). Some of the additional players were Hubert Sumlin (guitar) who guested on the James Cotton set, Laith Toma, who played guitar on Vincent Bury's set, Dave Riley, his son Dave Riley Jr., and Leon Blue, who played on my set, and an appearance by the Swedish band Trick Bag. Various combinations were used and the top notch backing always sounded fresh and accommodating to the artist featured
Prior to all this music was the frantic 6th month, full time preparation done by Amanda Taylor, who had never done anything like this before. She booked and contracted all the artists, made the film arrangements, booked flights and hotels, oversaw poster designs, had numerous meetings and conferences, interviewed on Sirius/XM Satellite radio(Thank you Bill Wax), and did everything that could possibly be done. She innately knew or soon discovered how all the resources would work together; having the Rhythm Room to do its part (Thanks to Rhythm Room GM Mona Watkins), leaning on her husband Kim Wilson as the musical glue needed to connect the various elements, seeking the advice of Mark Carpentieri, Rand Chortkoff, Rueben Williams, myself and others, and knowing that she could count on Clarke Rigsby to make the recording agenda work flawlessly. She and I talked on the phone numerous times a day, often for no other reason then focus and moral support.
So fast-forwarding to last week, Kim and Amanda came into Phoenix early and set up camp in a wonderful rental house. They hosted a wonderful Wednesday night casual dinner party with a small group of musicians and friends as a perfect warm up for the week. On Thursday the proceeding began with a pre-party at the Rhythm Room that I had set up to compliment Amanda's event and to provide an outlet for many of the harmonica players who had come into town but were not on the bill. Many people from far away places had come to Phoenix to celebrate the blues harmonica and this was a perfect way to kick off the proceedings. After a great set from the Nighthawks, Bill Tarsha opened a harmonica player's showcase with three masterful songs before an array of special guest harmonica players made their appearances. Everyone sounded great with Dennis Gruenling especially being a crowd pleaser. Kim and Amanda did not make it to this event as they were hosting another dinner party to greet the many artsits on the bill that had just come in that day.
On Friday the three days of Amanda's Roller Coaster officially began with non-stop greatness. From the opening notes of Vincent Bury (the first act) everyone knew they were in for something very special. Simply everyone brought their A game to the proceedings. Each performance had a unique craftsmanship and personality. The backing bands did an unimaginably good job in finding just the right groove behind each artist. What impressed me was the generational aspect with the originators being represented by Billy Boy Arnold, Jame Cotton, and Lazy Lester, to the next generation of veterans represented by Kim Wilson, Paul Oscher, Jerry Portnoy, James Harman and Al Blake, to the "coming of age' generation represented by RJ Mischo, Joe Filisko, Johnny Sansone, Dave Waldman, Scott Dirks, and myself, to the young-bloods represented by Bharath Rajakumar, Steve Marriner, and Vincent Bury. Chef Denis Depoitre (who had a wonderful set) was in a category of his own, being of the veteran generation with his fine harmonica work being little known outside of his community. Denis is best known as a supporter and booker of other harmonica players as well as a masterful chef. The audience was such a spectacular part of the event by showing a universal love for harmonica blues. The "hang aspect" was indescribable with every possible combination of people gathered in conversation. It should be mentioned that three prominent blues authors were in attendance: Scott Dirks (Blues With A Feeling: The Little Walter Story) Mark Hoffman (Moanin' At Midnight: The Life and Times of Howlin' Wolf) and Kim Field (Harmonica's, Harps, and Heavy Breathers: The History of the Harmonica and Its Role in American Music). Two blues label chiefs were in attendance: Mark Carpentieri of MC Records who will be releasing the CD next year, and Randy Chortkoff of Delta Groove Productions. Amanda looked stunningly beautiful, and wore a simply gorgeous outfit each of the three nights. She was glowing with love for all the harmonica players, and she was so happy to see her event flawlessly fall into place. So many photos were snapped. Rather then giving the event a play by play, I will just say that every part of every performance was magical.
In summary, Amanda conceptualized, strategized, and accomplished perhaps the greatest harmonica blues event that has ever been done. Looking ahead, there must be over 16 recorded hours of great performances to sort through, and some hard choices to try to fit the best into a CD. We will keep you posted on this process. Photos from this event will follow shortly. I will leave this by stating my gratitude to Amanda Taylor for accomplishing a modern miracle. Thank you Amanda.
To see a great example of the high quality at Amanda's Roller Coaster, please enjoy this video of Johnny Dyer with Kim Wilson & Junior Watson (Click here to see.)
  • Dave Riley & Bob Corritore to open for Eric Bibb at Mesa Arts Center. On Friday, October 15th, Dave Riley and Bob Corritore will have the honor of opening for the masterful blues/singer/songwriter Eric Bibb at the at the Piper Repertory Theater at the Mesa Arts Center. One East Main Street, Mesa AZ 85201. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
  • Muddy Waters & Sonny Boy Williamson II together on YouTube! Here is a wonderful video of Muddy singing his hit "Got My Mojo Working" with a great band including Sonny Boy Williamson II on harmonica, Otis Spann on piano, Matt "Guitar" Murphy, on guitar, Billy Stepney on drums, and Willie Dixon on the bass. This was filmed in 1963, in Germany for the American Folk Blues Festival. Click here to see.