Amuse Bouche in the First State - by chefjimi

It is simply amazing at the high quality Blues festivals that are within a good days driving distance from almost anywhere out here. Case in point, The Riverfront Blues Festival in Wilmington, Delaware which is in it's 13th year put on one spectacular three-day event for fans from all over. This year set an attendance record of over 7000 for the weekend.

Local Selections from the First State
Kudos to the Tina Betz and others at the Wilmington Mayor's Office Department of Cultural Affairs and to Gene Fontana of the Diamond State Blues Society, and to all the volunteers (A.J., gets special thanks) who year after year put this festival on. A very nice thing, and something more should think about doing - have it downtown in the heart of the city. Hotels close, beautiful Christina River backdrop, holy crab cakes Batman, this place was very close to Blues heaven.



lower case blues. In case you haven't noticed my affinity for e.e.cummings (in my name ?) this power trio from Newark (New- Ark) Delaware fell immediately into favor with me. Featuring lead guitarist Jake Banaszak, B.J. Muntz on bass-vocals and Rick Webster on drums and muggs ! These boys were the local International Blues Challenge winners and are way too good for their age.

Gary Allegretto (2 time Grammy Nominee) a super harp player from Wilmington made a repeat appearance at the festival. He turned the 'second' stage into the main stage as he displayed some superb harp-attack sensibilities and threw some

heat with a local song entitled 'Dela-where' dedicated to his home state. Gary has been on the main stage three times prior and there was fear they might change the name to the Allegretto Blues Festival.

Firsts in the First State
First time seeing Bernard Allison, John Lee Hooker, Jr., Skyla Burrell, The Nouveaux Honkies and Mitch Kashmar. Not a disappointing act in the group.

My darling bride's mother, Geri, joined us for the Friday night show, we trekked her down from Devon, PA and she was the belle of the ball.


Meeting our friends, musicians and (her best moment) meeting Sugar Mae and Robert Jr. from Big City Rhythm & Blues Magazine. Geri knows no strangers, just friends she hasn't met yet !


The Delta Groove Harp Blast's Mitch Kashmar was cool in his white shirt and nicely coiffed hair, but hot on the harp and vocals as he had the crowd bringing presents to him after the closing set on Friday night.

The Nouveaux Honkies partnered with veteran Blues Man, Matt Guitar Murphy for some dazzling and varied forms of Blues. It was good to see Matt out there playing again, this man is clean, I tell ya, note for note each one rings true and clear.

On a hot Sunday afternoon (95) John Lee Hooker, Jr. & the Hooker Band were incendiary. Having lost their trailer on the way with their clothes and stuff, they hit the stage and grabbed the crowd by the scruff of their necks and shook

them till they had enough. Ok like if that wasn't enuf, John Lee, Jr. had a 'booty shake call' - wherein he brought up four women to dance and shake their booties and the crowd voted with applause to select the winner. That was just a hoot - a whole lotta shakin' going on !

Travellin' Bands
OK, so to show how well thought of this festival is by the artists, we had Mike Zito come in from Colorado on the red-eye. Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers from California. Deanne Bogart flew in mid-afternoon Sunday from Des Moines. But the wildest travel schedule was any the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Review band (a good part of them) as they flew in from Norway – yeh THAT Norway, not Norway, Michigan (look it up).

Each of these performers – all of these performers – gave outstanding shows. I had been contacted about Zito Band just slaying them in Colorado, well they repeated the gesture in Delaware. Rod and the Mighty Flyers brought that West Coast Swing style and transplanted it on the shores of Delaware. Deanna & the LRBR band brought a little bit of the Legendary Cruise Jam sessions with them and closed out the festival with such high-energy that people were left slack-jawed by the energy level and musical talent they displayed.

Senior Discounts and Kids Play Free

Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin, point man for The Perfect Age of Rock & Roll Band brought with him none less than the storied Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Williee 'Big Eyes' Smith, Mojo Buford, and Bob Stroger. These legendary artists are among our last links to The Wolf, Muddy and others who are gone but not forgotten. In spite of the defibrillators, oxygen tanks and a noticable slowed pace these gentlemen of the Blues just know how to play it right.

These guys were the most welcoming to the fans and those of us who were working the fest. Allowing pictures of them with fans, kisses (gentle) and firm handshakes highlighted the back stage occurrences.

As for kids, we did have Bernard son of Luther, John Lee Jr., both of these 'chips off the old blocks' proved that the Blues bloodlines run deep and sturdy. Both of these artists share the award for giving the 'best face' during their performances.




Now kids come in all sizes and ages. Gary Allegretto has an organization 'Harmonikids' that puts harmonicas in underprivileged kids hands and mouths and spread s the blues worldwide. On Saturday and Sunday between main stage acts he workshops on how to play a harmonica. His audience ranged from six to sixty (give or take a few) and everyone came away with a harmonica in the key of C, and a cheat sheet with Hootchie Cootchie Man and other exercises for the grand sum of $5. You can find out more about this organization at this link http://www.harmonikids.org/ .



Menu Planning
One cannot live on music and beer alone. Well, wait a second now....
speaking of beer the beer tent had roughly 7 or 8 types of beer on tap ranging from a light beer thru a banana toned weissen, to a thick roasted chocolate porter.

The food was an interesting mix of local chefs, all were quite good. Saturday my breakfast was a Caribbean Jerk chicken plate, with Beans and rice
and cabbage to catch the jerk juice. Lunch


(a short time later) was Fat Ricks BBQ, and good Q at that. Heck, when last seen, John Lee Jr. was carting off a small stockpile of plates from Rick. One fun snack was the Popcorn vendor who had a list of 20 or so options for your popcorn. Dill Pickle, Sour Cream and Chives, and others to compliment those colds drafts that kept appearing in my hand.

Dessert – A Tale of the Tongues
As has become a somewhat regular part of these menus, we now feature the piece de' resistance' or overheard snippets from the Riverfront Blues Festival.

“I want to go up and kiss him, he's so cute” – backstage missus on Pinetop Perkins

“Heck, give him a lap dance, he'd appreciate that a helluva lot more” - male friend to her.

“Why, in every picture of me, I am holding a beer?”

“ Just where will this all access pass get me with you?”

“Dela- who, Dela- what, Dela – when, Dela-why, Dela-where”

Second Helpings
As if the LRBR wasn't enough of a 'land cruise' adventure, there was a massive showing of force by the East Coast Bluescruise family. As the fest grew closer Face Book and the LRBC chat room were abuzz with peeps reaching out to see who was going to be on site at the festival. With the likes of Keb' Man & Mary Beth, Kenny from Long Island, the JoPats, Carrie, KatluvsBlues and many more it was a nice reunion in the warmth of Wilmington. We are all getting ready for the January Cruise, and some are making the trek to San Diego for the friendly confines of the October Blues cruise.

Second Son – Second Base, to First - Double Play !
With Gary Allegretto hailing from Wilmington, nearly everyone in attendance knew him. But none other than George Thorogood is from Delaware (band was 'Delaware Destroyers') and that he played semi-pro baseball in Wilmington in the seventies. Now, of course, everyone knows George, and from the sound of what people were telling me, just about everyone played baseball with him at one time or another. Go figure.
Now George was no slacker, he played second base and was Rookie of the Year in his first year with the Destroyers team. When I spoke to George about this a short while after the festival he only asked one question and it was “did they say I was the best guy playing there? If so then they really did play with me'. That's pure classic George, funny and sly like a fox.

And it would be remiss to not mention the third of the Wilmington Triumverate, Mr. Bill Wax, of Sirius/XM Radio, and recently was elected President of the Blues Foundation.

Until next time,
Love, Peace & Chicken Grease



If you enjoyed this serving of the Blues, you might want to check out my other articles, as I roam around seeking out the Blues wherever they are happening.
http://www.ameriblues.com/search/label/chefjimi

all photos used by permission
courtesy of Leslie K. Joseph, chefjimi.

copyright © 2010 – bluesuitspeaks, all rights reserved.

Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010 - by Mark Bastin

WOW! What can I say? It's been days and I'm still on a musical high I refuse to come down from! After the event I ventured out on an extended leave of sorts and I've returned to share that which was Crossroads Guitar Festival! It was the largest single music event I've ever attended and gave promise to be the most amazing assembly of musicians I've ever witnessed live and it didn't disappoint! First off, let me tell you the weather was warm but a gorgeous sunny day which turned into one unbelievable evening! As the day started people made there way into Toyota Park, finding their place on the field which was covered with a removable flooring, others located their seats in the stands. You could feel a sense of excitement in the air as every face you met gave way to a smile, as there was much to smile about! Prior to the actual Crossroads kickoff they had Kirby Kelley, Guitar Center's King of the Blues winner out to perform the track which won him the title and prizes. It was a tease of sorts as people including myself filed into the area in front of the stage reserved for the first 3,000 attendees who entered that morning. They all had wrist bands, some with cameras, many sporting previous Crossroads shirts, finding their way to the stage as the event was about to open. Bill Murray once again graced the stage as Ambassador of Chicago to begin the festivities and Crossroads 2010 was under way!! I'll come back to the music highlights but I want to continue on in describing the event and the attractions.

I was able to move about freely while my photographer Raymon Guajardo was stationed on the photo riser just left of the sound booth on the field, as I walked within those on the flooring it was apparent many were return visitors from the 2007 event and the conversations combined to highlight past performances and praise what was ahead. The best part of moving through the crowd which was evident throughout the whole day was the unity displayed. Guitar fanatics unite!! Early in the afternoon I had made my way over the far end stairs to investigate the Guitar Village which wrapped that end at ground level. My discovery was both exciting and educational! Among all the vendors one theme was constant, plug and play!! You could walk up to Fender, Gibson, Guitar Center, and many other vendors and sample their offerings to the guitar world with many on hand to field questions and encourage purchases. Guitar Center had a Legends display showcasing three world famous guitars, two of Clapton's most famous including his strat named Blackie. The third was one which stopped me in my tracks, the strat played by the man responsible for drawing me to blues, Stevie Ray Vaughan's 1965 Lenny! As I stood in front of the guitar my eyes began to swell, now I realize this was most likely a replica of Lenny but I was struck with the overwhelming feeling that came when I heard Stevie's music which still gives chills when listening. I had my picture taken in front of the larger than life picture display of Stevie, it's now my phone background.


As I strolled through the village it was my intent to hear Ryan McGarvey, the Ernie Ball contest winner who earned the right to perform on the Ernie Ball Stage placed within the village. It was a small trailer stage and very much like walking up to a game at a local fair which had a huge impact on my day! It was early afternoon as Ryan and his band began to play with many from the midwest who knew nothing of him on facebook or myspace as they were all asking his name. As Ryan's set proceeded viewers began to gasp in amazement for never knowing of such a talent! Words like incredible and hot were used to describe the young guitarist as the crowd grew larger around the stage. The song which impacted the audience most was saved for his finale, a nine minute instrumental called "Mystic Dream" and it delivered as the crowd erupted after his guitar solo where he displayed why he was the winner! As the song and set ended Ryan gave thanks for the invitation to Crossroads and to the crowd for listening. After a blistering acoustic set from Joe Bonamassa on the same stage I was off to hear more from the main stage. Joe was equally as exciting and gracious to the fans with more to come on him in the arena.

Crossroads on the main stage began as it did in 2007, an intro from Bill Murray introducing Eric, then Eric introducing Sonny Landreth and the music was off and running. Sonny performed Promiseland with Eric onstage in one of his songs reminding us all why Sonny opens the show and is who he is! Robert Randolph and the Family Band followed with Joe Bonamassa and Pino Daniele assisting. Joe's only song of his own he performed was Further On Up The Road and it was stellar as usual but it was odd only seeing Joe lead on one song. Robert and Pino both took lead vocal honors with Robert's sister assisting as well. On the next set Robert Cray, and Hubert Sumlin, took the stage with Jimmy Vaughan performing an emotional rendition of Six Strings Down in their set. As each performance ended they spun the rotating stage around to speed the transition so we all had little down time between sets, it was very effective and pleasing to the crowd. I don't want to overlook the fact Robert Cray sounded better than ever and any time Hubert Sumlin is on stage makes it a legendary performance! Moving further into the day I found myself listening to Jesus Just Left Chicago once again having just seen ZZ Top at the Indy 500 Carb Day show but the difference on this day was they sounded better than any time I've ever heard them live! They also covered Foxy Lady which drew great approval. Albert Lee, Keb Mo, and Vince Gill jammed together with Albert's daughter joining in on lead vocals on one song. Vince performed his top hit, Whenever You Come Around but his guitar play was really what took center stage! Then Vince covered with permission, Eric's song, Lay Down Sally, with Sheryl Crow assisting on vocals and James Burton and Earl Klugh jamming on guitar. It was exciting to see and hear all the genres covered with all the musicians on stage as rock, country, blues, and jazz were all represented by many of the best in their respective genres, although blues was the theme of the day.

I spoke of my trip to the guitar village earlier in the day which unfortunately meant I had to miss someone on the main stage, this was a big sacrifice for me as my favorite guitarist, Doyle Bramhall was on stage with Sheryl Crow and I missed it all. Fortunately a few fans had videos online allowing me to see what I missed but as with any live show it's more moving when it's in your face. The next group in our face was Chicago legend Buddy Guy along with Ron Wood, and Jonny Lang, representing three generations of blues and or blues rock. They were like three little boys on stage!! To see Buddy still playing as he does at a young 73 is simply remarkable!! Ron and Jonny's guitar play pleased the crowd as well while Buddy makes the comment, "it's a blast between two who play like that, makes me feel like I'm in heaven." We were all feeling it as Buddy screams and goes into playing the Rolling Stone's song Miss You, while Jonny begins to sing requesting the crowd to join in. This was my favorite set on the big stage as all three have meant so much to me musically so I was truly in heaven with them! This being my largest music event ever to cover I was struggling to focus on covering the event versus falling into an all out blues rock fanatic coma! There were some great songs but the musicians stood out on this day as Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, and Warren Haynes performed in place of the Allman Brothers since Gregg was unable to attend due to a successful liver transplant. David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas from Los Lobos also joined in. They covered the Allman Brothers song Soul Shine as a tribute and it was well received!

Johnny Winter slowly walked out and sat on a chair performing a cover of Red House as the fans all showed respect for the elder statesman of blues. It was a magical day of music and Jeff Beck added to the magic with a magical musical score of his own which left you writing the story in your head as the notes took you to another place. Jeff was also sporting a new bass player named Rhonda Smith who not only had some amazing bass lines, but she also thrilled the crowd with her vocals! After such an amazing performance you'd expect more of the same right? What followed was Bill Murray in one of his many costumes over the course of the day. He was Elvis and wiped his forehead with a red cloth which he revealed was a Chicago Blackhawks Flag, the crowd cheered as he through it in the audience as Elvis had thrown a scarf. A last minute addition to the event was Citizen Cope as he performed I Shot The Sheriff with Clapton leading into Steve Winwood's performance with Eric Clapton and a stirring Clapton style cover of Voodoo Chile which was very intense! Cocaine and Mr. Fantasy were also favorites played for an estimated crowd of 30,000.

The final set was upon us with what appeared to be 20 guitar amps across the stage as Eric, Jimmy Vaughan, Robert Cray, and B.B. King took the stage. As the three younger artists strummed softly B.B. began to tell a story which took a very long time to complete but the living legend of blues was given his due and began to sing Rock Me Baby. Watching this finale made me realize I could be seeing things I may never see again so it was both amazing and emotional for me. These four men then went into another B.B. tune, The Thrill Is Gone, and it was equally special to witness! From there many of the day's performers took the stage to sing Sweet Home Chicago and nearly all of the crowd had remained in their seats to witness another historical ending in the making! It was a truly sweet ending to an extraordinary day in witnessing some of the best musicians the world had to offer, leaving memories which would last forever! One last note, Eric Clapton spoke at one point in the day stating that the crowd was reason to say there would be another Crossroads, so for those who had heard this was the last one, rejoice, and get to the next one, it will be all you had hoped it would be. I know it was for me, an unforgettable experience as a writer, fan, and music lover, one I will cherish!

Mark Bastin

American Blues News

Photos courtesy of Raymon Guajardo

http://www.crossroadsguitarfestival.com/

The Art Of the Blues. The Karmic Canvas: An Interview with Michael Maness

Michael Maness paints a colorful picture – especially when he tells his life story. The 2009 winner of the “Keeping the Blues Alive” award for Art and Photography, whose friends and fans are a veritable palette of blues musicians, talked with me about his life, his art and the karmic canvas on which he paints.

Tell me about your evolution as an artist.

I sold my first drawing when I was 8 years old – although I didn’t know it at the time. I was flirting with my teacher who had great legs. I was a stutterer and nobody would talk to me. So I would send cartoons with funny captions up to her and what I later found out was that she was selling them to Jack and Jill Magazine. But my art truly came from the side effects of my stem cell transplant. I am a four time survivor of cancer and I died – I died on the table. I was lying on the bed while they were giving me my stem cells (after I was told by the nurse I had a 90% chance of dying on the table) when I knew I needed a new legacy. My legacy up to that point was that I was a bar whore who drank, picked up women and had lots of fun. And I also picked up the tab. I had a great job but I never worked in the town I lived in. So I came up with a marketing campaign because I had so little time to live. My marketing campaign was “give it all away”. I had been told I was not supposed to be around - I had 30 days to live, I had a week to live – and so I began my campaign.

When did you first pick up the paintbrush?


Right after my stem cell transplant! The drugs they had me on made me paranoid, violent and angry. They had me in isolation for two months. I snuck out and got arrested for assault and battery and I had no idea what I was doing. They were going to throw me in a home and put me on Prozac but I had a canvas and some paint from a job from years before so I painted this really bright picture of Santana and I didn’t yell at anybody. I didn’t yell at my mother - that is not my personality anyway - but on those drugs that’s how I was. I was nice again. So my sister literally ran out and bought me hundreds of dollars worth of paint. Suddenly I was in galleries all over the world.

How did that happen?

I gave it all away! I went to a charity tennis tournament and wanted to give them a portrait of Pete Sampras – long story short, they built me a gallery there and I sold 35 out of 40 paintings and I was on my way. Just like that.

On your website you have astonishing portraits of blues artists-what created that relationship?

How I got to the blues was I read a newspaper about the Blues Foundation needing about $10,000 dollars. So I pulled up to their offices and gave them 100 prints of BB King that I had drawn. I told them that if they sell them they could make a killing. I dropped them off, got in my car and left! So about a year later there I am hanging around with John Hahn, who is in the advertising Hall of Fame who became a songwriter/producer. I met John through Steve Cropper who is now one of my best friends. He was my idol growing up and as a kid I learned how to play guitar because I loved his riffs on Green Onion. And it’s all because I gave away a painting. Everything, everything is because I give. I just give it away. Now mind you, I have a $4000 a month medical insurance bill and I haven’t filed for bankruptcy yet. So, John Hahn was a member of the board of the Blues Foundation and they were all chatting in 2005 about having a special poster for the awards in 2006. “We want a special poster for '06 - we want something like a Mike Maness, can we get something like a Mike Maness?” And John goes I can get you Mike Maness. Eventually I got an email from John saying don’t be surprised if you are asked to do a poster for the BMA’s! I am the only artist in the history of the Handy awards and the BMA’s who didn’t charge them! And I gave them the original painting! It started an incredible relationship, so since 2005 and a half I donate to the IBC’s and the BMA’s. I was told when I won the award for Keeping the Blues Alive that when I give them my Stevie Ray Vaughn’s and my BB King’s it is like printing money. This year when I gave them my Stevie Ray Vaughn it went for more than my original paintings did. That’s how it all began.

How do you create your paintings?

I take whatever photo I can find and I draw it and then I project it on to the canvas. Then I draw in black and white. I never want to know what color it is going to be as I am drawing. I take the basic image and throw away the original picture and decide where the light is going to come from and then I decide how all my shadows are going to play. I project it in on the canvas to save time. Traditionally, you paint, then draw, paint, then draw, but if you have a template up there and you know you are not going to follow it anyway - just go for it – that’s what I do. I never know what it is going to be, I just paint until I am finished ,until I reach my “wow” factor- that’s when I can stand back and say ohh how the hell did I do that?

Where does that come from?

I have no idea. I am a trained illustrator, but this painting stuff just comes from the heart, the soul.

So tell me about Karma…

Karma is my entire life it’s 100 percent pay it forward and expect absolutely nothing in return.

You live without expecting a return.

It feels so good – it’s amazing when you hear that you have helped to raise $38,000 for a charity in one hour! In 2007 I was onstage with Steve Cropper. I had painted an actual guitar on the front and on the back. Steve wrote the lyrics to Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay on front and on the back he wrote the lyrics to In the Midnight Hour. The bidding started at $5,000 and then went to $10,000. It closed out at $22,500 and I got kissed full on the lips by Tanya Tucker. This is what happens when you give.

You’ve met some incredible blues musicians because of your work.



Pinetop Perkins was in my gallery Friday. I had met Pinetop in 2006. I had done a painting of him and I wanted to give it to him. We had just gotten a brand new baby grand piano on consignment for the gallery so when he walked in he was asked if he would like to play it. He smiled and gave an impromptu concert for us! We put my painting up on the piano in front of him like it was sheet music. I have some great photos of that moment. Do you know what he plays when he’s thinking about what to play next? Jingle Bells. It’s great. Then there’s Hubert Sumlin. He’s cool. He died once too. He flatlined and went to heaven. We had a great discussion in 2006 about dying. It was a spiritual discussion about death – very interesting. A few days later I saw Hubert pushing Pinetop in a wheelchair. A 94 year old pushing a 98 year old! Hubert said to me “I’m not good on names but I know you and I had a great talk once!”

I am interested in what I would call a transformative moment when you were in that awful space following your stem cell transplant and you picked up that paintbrush. You were obviously able to tap into to something and express it.

I only paint bright – people want me to paint dark but I won’t I won’t paint negative. Bill Nelson, one of the most incredible colored pencil pastel guys I know wrote me a letter and in it he said “Mike, I don’t know how you did it, I don’t know how you do it, but you make color breathe.” I framed that letter. Steve Cropper said that when I paint musicians, you can hear the note. When I paint music I want you to hear the note and feel it. Right now I am painting songs. I paint my vision of a song. When I am finished the songwriter writes his lyrics on it and the artist signs it and it sells for thousands of dollars for charity.

What do you hope for when you paint?

I want to create three things in people – I want them to say “Ahhh” or “Oooh” or just smile.

So you somehow infuse life into what could be two dimensional; you breathe life into it.


Eric Clapton’s production director saw a painting I did of Clapton and asked me how I knew that when Eric was really into it, his hair stands up on his arm. I said “huh?” He said “look what you did to his arm!” And somehow or other it looks like his hair is standing up on his arm and I remember when I did it – when I painted it - it was that “wow” moment for me.

So you are tapping int o something “other.”

My whole life is “other.” It is karma. I am lecturing to a college art class and I am supposed to tell them how I do it – how I paint. But I have no idea. I paint in the dark and I just grab color. Half the time you can’t see what the colors are – you are in such euphoria.

Like a zone of sorts.


Or else I’m a very big flop and I don’t know what I am grabbing! I don’t know where it comes from but it comes.

When you consider the original blues artists and you consider that their songs were born out of something tragic or harsh or painful and yet somehow they created this amazing music –do you feel that your own life has been born out of something painful and yet you have been able to create something very beautiful, very alive…

I decided that I am not going to be brought down. These wonderful things are happening to me and I don’t know why and I’m not asking. There is no bad and as long as you look at the world as if there is no bad – then there is none.

“I used to see the world in black and white, not a contrast of right and wrong, not in popular culture, but in life and shadow. Now because of changes in my life I see the world through a kaleidoscope. I see the colors that make up a color. I hope to show through my colors and tone that happy ending.” –Michael Maness on his website.

To view Michaels’ art go to his website at: www.artbympm.com.

BMA Amuse Bouche by chefjimi patricola

As a chef I know lots of fancy French terms for food and such, but one of my all time favorites is Amuse-Bouche. It means happy mouth, or mouth pleaser, it is usually reserved for that small offering a chef will send to your table as you are settling in before the meal. It is a way of tantalizing and exciting you while holding forth promises of even more joy and pleasure that will be coming your way.
I have chosen this title for my premier article for American Blues because of those implications and a promise of more exciting stuff that will be coming to you via my musings.

---------------------------------

With the Blues Music awards recently behind us, I would like to offer you, dear readers, some Amuse Bouches from there. The pre-party, awards, bars, street scene, breakfast just about everything that went on while I enjoyed myself almost too much. They are not in any order of import or impact, just random morsels so please enjoy them, with my compliments.

….and the winner is Tommy Castro (repeat as needed, up to 4 times).

Bonnie Raitts' obvious love and respect for Buddy Guy as she presented him with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Buddy Guy's ear to ear smile, one of the sweetest sights on this earth.

Meeting Sirius/XM 74 Bluesville's 'voice of god', Big Llou Johnson. He is as sweet as he is big, and that's sayin' sumthin'.

Award winning piano player, David Maxwell showing why he is one of the most sought after guys in the business; tireless, professional and always up for a jam. Seen playing with Louisiana Red at the Awards (and winning Acoustic Album Of the Year w/Red), Rum Boogie, and almost everywhere else there was a keyboard.

The Blues Foundations touching tribute to those who have passed on last year, sad to see them go but uplifted when we saw Koko Taylor on the screen as she smiles down on us all. While we are here, Koko's daughter, Cookie presenting the inaugural Koko Taylor Award to Ms. Debbie Davies.

An amazingly strong representation of peacocks parading around the Convention Center on Awards night. The ladies might need to step it up a notch next year cos' the men were bringing it sartorially speaking. Oh yeh, as it turned out this years color was blue. Next year it will be green, so start shopping now!

The happy loving young couple of the Blues, Dave Gross & Gina Sicilia arm in arm. Brings joy to us all.

The United Nation of the Blues, players and fans from all over the world. Australia, Norway, Germany, England, Latvia, Canada, America, and more. The Blues is universal and makes it one world we can all share.

Fiona Boyes' tribute to Memphis Minnie at the Center for Southern Folklore.

Just tearing up the Rum Boogie Cafe, Wednesday night. Sean Carney & Jonn Richardson. Followed by Billy Gibson, Nick Moss and Flip Tops, J.W. Jones, and a very special tribute to the real heroes, the working people, by Eugene 'Hideaway' Bridges.

Big Ass Beers and Walk 'Em Downs, on Beale Street. Y'all know what I'm talking about, if not, be there next year.

Jason Ricci, skipping tra-la, tra-lee, to the stage to accept his well-deserved harp Player of the Year Award, and his acceptance speech which included the phrase 'girly-boy'.

Delta Highway playing on Beale Street, and capping the set off with a harmonica blowout that was way too good. Featuring Brandon Santini of Delta Highway, Billy Gibson (former Harp player of year), Dustin Arbuckle (Moreland & Arbuckle), Vince Johnson, and young harp slinger and local talent Damon Young (D – make sure you always have business cards).

While on harps, Billy Branch just nailed a version of 'Hoodoo Man Blues'.

Eden Brent adding a new XM 74 Bluesville Top Ten Blues commandment, 'thou shall not covet the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year Award.' She was gracious and thanked Pinetop and her mentor Boogaloo Ames.

Chatting with Brad Vickers about the history of the Blues, he needs to get this down on paper (hint). Look for his new release very soon.

Seeing the support, love and encouragement for all the artists everywhere by everyone. Karen Lovely, awarded the Blues cheerleader title, as she and a whole cast of next generation Blues artists waiting to break out were everywhere were sighted everywhere rooting fellow artists on.

Gus' Fried Chicken with fried pickles, damn dat's good, that's Greg Nagy (Best New Artist Nominee testifying).

Super Chikan and the Fighting Cocks, tearing up the stage after winning the award for Traditional Blues Album, for Chikadelic. Yes good friends, a real live Juke Joint broke out on the Convention Center floor.

The Awarding of a Memphis Brass Note to Gus Cannon in front of the historic Daisy Theater, wherein family members broke into an impromptu chorus of 'Walk Right In, Sit Right Down'. It was great to be there and see the love and appreciation from the family for this honor.

The beautiful person, Mr. Hubert Sumlin sharing breakfast with young blues musicians at Blue Plate Cafe, and can I get an 'amen' for those biscuits n'n gravy !

The ribs, atmosphere, and service at The Majestic Grille on S. Main Street. Plus the amazing array of Haiku on the tablecloth provided by some outstanding guests.

Washboard Jo and Jason Ricci a.k.a. The Sex Kittens.

What may be the last appearance of Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women onstage, thank you ladies for all the great music.

Pat Pepin unleashing 'Mr. Johnson' (her saxophone) on the Beale Street and knockin' 'em dead.

Monkey Junk winning New Artist of the year, and bringing the house down as final act, oh Can-a-da !

Conversation snippets:
"...don't you know who I used to be?"
"...you're just so freakin' good"
"...well the break came and no one ran with it, so I did, was there a problem?"

"...I'm here with my wife, no, that's not her, she's a friend"

That's it, kitchen closed. If I can borrow a line from Polly's on Beale Street,

Love, Peace & Chicken Grease
chefjimi

copyright © 2010 – bluesuitspeaks, all rights reserved.
photo credits:
Leslie K. Joseph, Amy Brat, Leslie K. Joseph, chefjimi, Karen Lovely, Wendy Schumer.

all photos used with permission.

Questions, comments email me: chefjimip@gmail.com

NEW YORK: Howlin' For Hubert Concert Review - by J. Blake

On Tuesday night, November 24th, New York City blues fans were treated to a program of music titled “Howlin’ for Hubert” at B.B. King’s Bar & Grill in Time Square. New York Dolls front-man David Johanson and legendary blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin, led a band of solid professionals through two sets of authentic electric blues that paid tribute to one of the genre’s most beloved and respected figures and Sumlin’s former employer for over 20 years, Mr. Chester Burnett a.k.a. Howlin’ Wolf.

Sumlin, who celebrated his 78th birthday the night of the performance (though his birthday was actually on the 16th), could easily be called “long in the tooth” and is unfortunately past his prime. The elderly bluesman’s singing voice is not exactly strong, which is not helped by the fact that he now operates with only one lung. His fingers don’t quite move with the fluidity that they once did and on more then one occasion, Johanson had to notify him that he was playing in the wrong key. However, with all that said, he came across as very charming and funny and he commanded the stage with a vigor that the rest of us will surely envy when we’re his age. He is a veteran and a legend and despite the negatives, it was a thrill to see him perform in such a small venue.

Johanson, not really a “bluesman” by trade, was clearly the conductor of the group; calling out songs and keys, choosing what musician should solo and where they should do it, etc. His stage presence is probably a little too flamboyant for some blues fans, but it is entertaining and it compliments the shear comedic irony of a wafer-thin glam-punk rocker singing Wolf classics like Built For Comfort (I Ain’t Built for Speed) and 300 Pounds of Joy. His larger than life persona and the “unpleasant” gravely quality of his voice, surprisingly make him the perfect candidate to carry the Howlin’ Wolf torch. I can’t imagine too many front-men being able to pull off the material as well as he does.

The band itself was clearly made up of experienced professionals. Unfortunately it was also quite clear that this was not a band that plays together regularly; but instead a group of hired guns called in for the evening. They lacked the tightness that comes from taking the stage together as a band night after night. Though great blues is sometimes played with a certain tastefully executed looseness, the music of this particular evening was at times perhaps a little too loose; featuring a few too many sloppy intros and missed endings. From experience, I’m aware that such things happen from time to time, but for a group of musicians of that caliber, charging the cover that they were charging, these kinds of mistakes should be kept to an absolute minimum.

Now as many of you are muttering to yourself “the nerve of this guy”, referring to my negative comments, I assure you that I only call it as I see it. I have seen Hubert Sumlin play before and this particular evening was not one of his better performances, but despite all the mistakes and all the negatives (not all of which can be attributed solely to the blues legend), it was a very enjoyable night of blues music. Though Sumlin and Johanson have been working together for a few years now, the pairing is still unique to say the least and a program of almost exclusively Howlin’ Wolf classics is both rare and a welcome treat. It was far from the best show I’ve ever seen, but it was fun and I would certainly recommend seeing this unlikely duo to all blues lovers.

*If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy: Psychedelic Blues Power

Copyright © 2009 - J. Blake. All Rights Reserved.
*Live Photos: Copyright © 2009 - Nelson G. Onofre. All Rights Reserved.