I’m very happy to say this weeks interview is with Joe Louis Walker.  A few days ago Joe’s debut CD on Alligator Records was released called Hellfire.  Besides the usual great blues, blues-rock, and gospel that Joe does he takes everything up a notch this time out.  A few weeks ago producer/song writer/drummer Tom Hambridge was on the show and talking about how impressed he was with Joe’s music on Hellfire.  Now you’re going to hear some of those great songs they worked on together along with some great stories from Joe Louis Walker.

Joe Louis Walker’s Website

Buy Hellfire from Alligator Records

This episode is on a LA Blues Band “Idle Hands”.  Vince White is the guitar player for the band I’ll be speaking with.  They just released their new CD On Fire.  You’ll be on fire after listening to this too. Great stuff.

Idle Hands Website

Other stuff about the band

Buy Idle Hands’ CD On Fire  from Amazon.Com

See some cool videos of Idle Hands

This episode is on Texas guitarist Roy Trevino. This is Roy’s first solo CD.  He’ll be talking about this great eclectic CD he’s just put out as well as his background in music and working with veteran producer Jim Gaines. Roy’s catchy song “The Boy Can Play” should be getting a lot of air play along with the Spanish flavored song “Sin Ella”.

Buy Roy Trevino’s CD at Amazon.Com

Buy downloads of Roy Trevino’s songs at iTunes

This week’s show is with Toronzo Cannon.  He will be telling us about how he signed on with Delmark Records and how he got the president of a competing label to write the notes for his new CD. We will also be hearing a song from Toronzo’s CD, Leaving Mood. Toronzo is the vocalist, song writer, and guitarist.  He always turns out really good guitar solos.  Carl Weathersby plays guitar on two tracks and Matthew Sholler is the very capable harp player on three tracks. Toronzo Cannon is a blues man that takes you back to the great Chicago blues sound, great job.

Toronzo Cannon’s Website

Buy Toronzo Cannon’s Leaving Mood from Amazon.Com

Find other great blues artists at Delmark Records

I had the great honor talking with Sam Lay about his career in the music world.
Sam Lay is a drummer that has played in the bands of Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters and many others.

Jimmy Rogers, George “Wild Child” Butler, Eddie Taylor were members of his band at one time.

Sam Lay has also played with up and coming blues artists like Chris James & Patrick Rynn as well as Rob Stone.

Get Sam Lay’s CD’s from Amazon.Com

This weeks show is on Tom Hambridge and his newest CD Boom!  Tom is a drummer that sings, writes music with great lyrics, and produces CD’s for other artists.

In 2011 Tom won a Grammy for producing Buddy Guy’s Grammy winning CD Living Proof.  All but two songs on the last two Buddy Guy CD’s have been written or co-written by Tom Hambridge.
As you will hear, Boom is a CD of great music with lyrics that you really relate to.

Tom Hambridge Website

Buy Tom Hambridge’s CD Boom! from Amazon.Com

On this episode I’ll be talking with the real deal, Sharon Lewis.  She has a brand new CD out on Delmark Records called  The Real Deal by Sharon Lewis & the Texas Fire.  Sharon can really sing the blues as you will hear in this show plus she also has two old friends on the CD, Billy Branch and Dave Specter. This is a real Blues CD because Sharon Lewis is The Real Deal.

Buy Sharon Lewis’s CD from Amazon.Com

Also check out Delmark Records for the finest Jazz & Blues since 1953

Look out here comes Matthew Curry & the Fury.  Their new CD If I Don’t Got You is a must have CD.  If you’ve never heard of them don’t feel bad there very new.  Bob Kieser from Blues Blast Magazine just turned me on to this great band and boy are you in for a treat now.  These guys are a very good blues-rock band with sold vocals.

The great Bryan Lee said, “Hurry to hear Matthew Curry, he is the real deal!”

Matthew Curry & the Fury’s Website

Buy Matthew Curry & the Fury’s CD from CD Baby

Buy Matthew Curry & the Fury’s CD from Amazon.Com

I’d like to thank Bob Kieser at Blues Blast Magazine for turning me on to this great CD.

You may also find this review of Matthew Curry & the Fury’s new CD interesting by reviewer Steve Jones he is a Board Member of the Crossroads Blues Society

This interview is with Shane Dwight you should remember the show we did about a year ago on his CD Shane Dwight Plays The Blues.  That CD was incredible with some of the best live tracks of that year.  Shane’s back with a new CD it’s called A Hundred White Lies and it tells the story of his divorce along with all the crazy stuff that was going on around him.

Shane Dwight’s Website

Buy Shane Dwight’s A Hundred White Lies from Amazon.Com

This weeks show is with Kim Simmonds, the founding member of the English band Savoy Brown back in the mid-sixties.  After more than forty years in the business Kim still works hard to put out good blues records.  The newest one just came out a few weeks ago and is called Voodoo Moon.  With good songs like “Shockwaves”, “Round And Round”, and “Voodoo Moon” this CD should be very popular.  His song “Natural Man” has cool lyrics taken from popular sayings and other blues songs.  Savoy Brown has done it once again.

Savoy Brown Website

Buy Savoy Brown’s CD Voodoo Moon from Amazon.Com

This week I have an interview with British Male Vocalist of the year Ian Siegal.
The British Blues Awards gave him that award this year, he won Band of the Year in 2010.  Awards were also given to three former A1Blues interviewees Joanne Shaw Taylor for British Female Vocalist of the Year, Oli Brown British Blues Band of the Year, and Matt Schofield, of course for British Blues Guitarist of the Year.

Ian Siegal’s new CD The Skinny is an Englishman doing his best North Mississippi Blues style playing.  Ian went to Mississippi to record this CD with people from the hill country in order to get something that would resemble those sounds and the sounds of R.L. Burnside.

Ian Siegal’s Website

Buy Ian Siegal’s CD The Skinny from Amazon.Com

This week I have an interview  with Sugar Ray Norcia of the band Sugar Ray Norcia & the Bluetones.  Early on Sugar Ray had Ronnie Earl in his band and they backed artists like Big Joe Turner, Roosevelt Sykes and Walter Horton among others.  He also made three records while being the lead singer for Roomful of Blues.  Everyone who loves harp playing knows of his work on the Grammy nominated record Superharps with James Cotton, Billy Branch, and Charlie Musselwhite. Sugar Ray will talk about all this and his new CD Evening.  With songs like “Too Many Rules and Regulations” a song we can all relate too. “Dancing Bear” which has one of the most original and very beautiful intros I’ve heard in a long time to the hopping “I’m Certain That I’m Hurting”.  This is a CD you’re really going to enjoy. Oh “Monster” Mike Welch plays guitar on this too what could be better.

Sugar Ray & The Bluetones’ Website

Buy Sugar Ray & The Bluetones new CD Evening from Amazon.Com

This episode is on guitarist Jim McCarty.  He played in Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, Buddy Miles Express, Cactus, The Rockets and some lesser know bands. Jim MaCarty is better known as rock guitars but listen to this CD and you will hear Jim has been very underrated.  The new CD Jim McCarty & Friends changes styles of blues through out the CD as well as bands and guest artists.  The only thing that doesn’t change is how impressive all these songs.
Jim McCarty & Friends is a home run or it could be a great Christmas gift.

Jim McCarty & Friends Website

Get Jim McCarty & Friends from Amazon.Com

This week I have an interview with Aaron Moreland from the band Moreland & Arbuckle.  Aaron was one of the very early blues artists I got to interview and I’m very happy their band has become so popular.  Their last two CD’s, 1861 and Flood, did very well but the new CD, Just a Dream is even harder hitting than the last ones.  You are going to be hearing a lot of their unique sound in the coming months as Just a Dream climes the charts.

Moreland & Arbuckle Website

Get the new Moreland & Arbuckle CD Just A Dream from Amazon.Com

This week I have one of my two favorite artists of the year on Dana Fuchs.  Dana is one of the most powerful singers around today.  She starred in the leading roll of the off-Broadway show “Love, Janis” about Janis Joplin and stole the show in the film “Across the Universe”.  Now Dana Fuchs has one of the very best CD’s I’ve heard this year, Love To Beg. Which Dana and guitarist Jon Diamond wrote all but one of the songs on.  Love To Beg is a must have CD.  Her last CD, Dana Fuchs Live In NYC, is right up there too.

Dana Fuchs’ Website

Get Dana Fuchs CD from Amazon.Com

Chainsaw Dupont talks about his Blues Trilogy CD’s and playing at the Maxwell Street Market this past summer. I’ll also be playing songs from several of his CD’s.

If you’ve been using an ax it’s time to let the Chainsaw take over, Chainsaw Dupont.

Chainsaw Dupont’s Website

Be sure to go to Amazon.Com to get any of Chainsaw Dupont’s great music.

Sorry for the waste of your time re-downloading three of these shows.

The Scott Holt show and the Rich Del Grosso & John Del Toro Richardson show are both new shows.

Mark Wade

This week you’re in for a real treat.  Rich Del Grosso is a master  mandolin player like no one you’ve ever heard before and everyone says Jonn Del Toro Richardson has impeccable tone on the Guitar.

This CD Time Slips On By is going to be giving listeners new and exciting in blues to listen to.  Time Slips On By will not be slipping away it will be going to the top this year.

Rich Del Grosso Website

Jonn Del Toro Richardson Website

Scott Holt’s CD Kudzu just came out this week.  Scott will be talking to us about the new CD as well as the many years he spent playing in the Buddy Guy Band.

Scott Holt Website

Get Scott Holt’s Kudzu from his website

Get Scott Holt’s Kudzu from Amazon.Com

Last year ended with a show on Oli Brown, the young British Blues-Rocker that has been turning heads.  This year starts off with another young British Blues-Rocker, Joanne Shaw Taylor who is living in Detroit USA right now.

Last year Joanne Shaw Taylor made a big splash with her debut CD White Sugar on Ruf Records.  Joanne’s new CD Diamonds In the Dirt is going to get a lot more heads turning too.  Wow, what a CD to start the year off with.

Joanne Shaw Taylor Website

Buy Joanne Shaw Taylor’s CD Diamonds in the Dirt from Amazon.Com

Thanks to Mark Pucci for putting up with me always asking when will Joanne record the next CD, when is it coming out, and when can we do an interview.  Thanks for all your help Mark.

Oli Brown is one of the new British Blues Rockers who is attracting a lot of attention with his music.  Hear Oli Brown talk about his new CD Heads I Win Tails You Lose. Between Oli Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Matt Schofield, and others it looks like the Brits are doing a great job again of making Blues-Rock.

Oli Brown’s Website

Get Oli Brown’s Heads I Win Tails You Lose from his website.
Ask Oli to sign the CD for you at his website.

Get Oli Brown’s Heads I Win Tails You Lose from Amazon.Com

Thanks to Mark Pucci for setting this up.

Hear James Kinds talk about his new CD Love You From The Top on Delmark Records.  You may not have heard James Kinds music before but your luck has just taken a turn for the better.  A voice you will love from the top.

Get James Kinds CD Love You From The Top from his record label’s store Jazz Record Mart the biggest Blues & Jazz store in the world.

Check out Delmark Records too with new CD’s like Studebaker John’s Maxwell Street Kings or Junior Wells & The Aces Live from 1966.

Get James Kinds CD Love You From The Top at Amazon.Com

This week hear Jim Byrnes talk about all the great blues artists he saw growing up in St. Louis in the 60’s.  Jim just received some awards for his last CD Walking Stick and already put out a new CD this week called Everywhere West.

Jim Byrnes Website

Buy Jim Byrnes CD Everywhere West from Amazon.Com

In this episode hear Willie “Big Eyes” Smith talk about his history working in the blues world with Muddy Waters, Legendary Blues Band, solo records, and his new record with Pinetop Perkins Joined at the Hip. We’ve all read about how Willie was in Muddy Waters’ Band but what they leave out is that Willie “Big Eyes” Smith has been making some of the best Chicago Blues in the last ten years.  This is a blues legend that is putting out music worthy of that title.

Willie “Big Eyes” Smith Website
Watch cool video of Pinetop Perkins & Willie “Big Eyes” Smith working on Joined at the Hip.

Get Pinetop Perkins & Willie “Big Eyes” Smith’s CD Joined at the Hip from Amazon.Com

Get Willie “Big Eyes” Smith’s CD Born in Arkansas

This is a really great CD Willie made Way Back

This episode hear Anni Piper talk about her CD Chasin’ Tail.
Find out why people in the paradise of Australia are throwing money at their concerts .
If you thought Anni’s last CD was good you’re in for a real surprise Anni has taken Chasin’ Tail up a notch or two.

Get Anni Piper’s Chasin Tail from Amazon.Com

Go to Anni Piper’s Website

Hear Russell “Hitman” Alexander talk about his band Hitman Blues Band and their CD Pale Rider.  Hitman took some blues mixed it with a little rock and he’s got a hitman.  You’ll know what I mean when you hear this show.

The Hitman Blues Band Website, first choice to buy their CD’s

Buy Hitman Blues Band’s Cd Pale Rider from Amazon.Com

In this episode you will hear British-Blues-Rocker Matt Schofield talk about his music and hear tracks from his CD’s Heads, Tails & Aces and Live From The Archive.  Alot of you have wanted to hear Matt on this show and here he is.

Matt Schofield Website

Buy Matt Schofield’ CD Live From The Archive from Amazon.Com

Buy Matt Schofield’ CD Heads, Tails & Aces from Amazon.Com

In this episode you will hear Chris O’Leary talk about his new Blues-Roots record Mr. Used To Be.  Chris plays harmonica and fronts a seven piece band, wow that’s a lot of members for a blues band to have to pay but they do sound great as you will hear.

Chris O’Leary Website

Buy Chris O’Leary’s CD Mr. Used To Be from Amazon.Com

This is a must hear episode with Grammy Award Winner James Cotton Mr. Superharp himself.

Mr. Cotton talks about working with Sonny Boy Willimson, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters & more.  You’ll also hear songs from his new Alligator Record GIANT.

James Cotton Website

Buy James Cotton’s CD GIANT from Alligator Records

Also check out all the other new CD’s at Alligator Records like the number one blues CD by Charlie Musselwhite’ The Wall, or JJ Grey & Mofro’s  Georgia Warhorse or one of my favorites Smokin’ Joe Kubek and Bnois King’s Have Blues, Will Travel.

Hear a really fun interview with Chrissie O’Dell.  We talk about her new CD If I Had A Dime and play some great tracks from it. This is her first CD and it is HOT HOT HOT.

Please contact your radio station to play Chrissie O’Dell’s CD If I Had A Dime.
Chrissie O’Dell‘s CD is on the National Blues Chart for the first week at number 27.  

Buy Chrissie O’Dell’s CD from Bill Foolery Website

Chrissie O’Dell’s Website

Chrissie O’Dell MySpace

The Long Island Blues Society’s Website

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This week hear the unbelievable blues-rock guitar playing of JP Blues and his second CD I Will Not Go Quietly. If you think his last CD Die Happy was good wait till you hear I Will Not Go Quietly.
JP Blues CD is on the National Blues Chart for the first week at number 16.

JP Blues Website

Buy JP Blues downloads from Amazon.Com

This week I will be talking to the voice of the hit Blues Rock radio and podcast show Blues Nation.  Mark Kerr has also put out two great Blues Rock CD’s One Drink Away from the Blues in 2005 and now Blues Nation.

Buy Mark Kerr’s CD Blues Nation from Amazon.Com

Buy Mark Kerr’s CD Blues Nation from CD Baby

Buy Mark Kerr’s 1^st CD One Drink Away from the Blues from CD Baby

Mark Kerr’s Website

Vance Kelly also stops by to talk to us.

Buy Jimmy Dawkins’ The Leric Story from Delmark Records

Buy Jimmy Dawkins’ The Leric Story at Amazon.Com

This week hear JW-Jones talk about his new CD Midnight Memphis Sun.

JW-Jones Website

JW-Jones on YouTube

JW-Jones on Facebook

Buy JW-Jones’ Midnight Memphis Sun from Amazon.Com

This week you will hear Eddie Turner talk about his new CD Miracles & Demons as well as songs from it. If you’ve only heard Eddie on the Otis Taylor CD’s you’re in for a real treat.

Eddie Turner Website

Eddie Turner MySpace

Buy Eddie Turner’s CD from Amazon.Com

John Nemeth was the winner of the 2010 Living Blues Award for “Most Outstanding Blues Singer” Hear John Nemeth talk about his new CD Name the Day and songs from it.

John Nemeth Website

John Nemeth MySpace

Buy John Nemeth’s new CD Name the Day from Amazon.Com

Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
by Mark Wade

Hear Dave Weld from Dave Weld & the Imperial Flames talk about his Chicago Blues CD Burnin’ Love on Delmark Records.

Dave Weld & the Imperial Flames Website

Buy Dave Weld & the Imperial Flames’ CD Burnin’ Love at Delmark Records
Also check out other great CD’s on Delmark Records like Jimmy Dawkins Presents
The Leric Story, Mississippi Heat Let’s Live It Up, Delmark - 55 Years Of Blues

Buy Dave Weld & the Imperial Flames’ CD Burnin’ Love at Amazon.Com

This week hear Bob Carter the drummer for Nick Moss & The Flip Tops talk about his life in the music world.  Bob also talks about the Nick Moss’ solo record Privileged which he plays on.

Buy Nick Moss’ cd Privileged from Amazon.Com

This week hear Elvin Bishop talk about being in the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, his big hit “Fooled Around & Fell In Love”, working with his old mentor Little Smokey Smothers and of course his new CD Red Dog Speaks.

Elvin Bishop Website

Buy Elvin Bishop’s CD from Delta Groove Productions

Buy Elvin Bishop’s CD Red Dog Speaks from Amacon.Com

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Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
by A1 Mark

This week you will get to hear Charlie Musselwhite talk about his new CD The Well as will as songs from the CD.

Charlie Musselwhite just may be the best known living blues harmonica player around today.  His first record. Stand Back! Here Comes Charlie Musselwhite’s Southside Band, came out in 1967.  Many consider this a classic record but, after more than two dozen records and more years than he’d probably like to remember, The Well shows Charlie is only getting better.  His voice sounds more mature and fuller, the harp playing is great, and Charlie can really tell a story.

“Cadillac Women” is about growing up and learning you should stay out of trouble. “Cook County Blues” is a well written song about being locked up in jail. “Sad And Beautiful World” is an up tempo duet with Mavis Staples. “Clarksdale Getaway” and “Sonny Payne Special” are two great instrumentals that really let you hear why people think so highly of Charlie’s playing.  Then there is the title track “The Well” about a little girl who fell down in a well in Texas that gave Charlie the inspiration to quit drinking.  I know this doesn’t give you much information about the new Charlie Musselwhite CD The Well on Alligator Records but if you just push the play button you will quickly realize that Charlie’s well is overflowing with wonderful music.

2010 Blues Hall of Fame Inductee
7-Time GRAMMY Nominee
24-Time Blues Music AwardWinner
8-Time Living Blues Award Winner

Charlie Musselwhite’s Website

Buy The Well from Charlie Musselwhite’s Website

Buy The Well from Alligator Records

Don’t forget to check out all the new releases at Alligator Records like JJ Grey & Mofro, Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bnois King, Anders Osborne, The Holmes Brothers & Guitar Shorty.

Thanks to Charlie Musselwhite for taking time out from his tour to talk with me.
Thanks to Bruce Iglauer for setting everything up.

NOTE:

I’m going to be doing some new things with the show in the weeks to come.  Some shows will be about an hour long with one artist, others will have two artists one each half hour.  As you know the shows have been coming out every other week lately, this will be changing too.  I’m going to be shooting for three shows a month with some shows having two artists.  One of my big goals to be able to give you more opportunity to hear from more artists.  The one down side is the articles here at the website will end.  You will still be able to listen to the new show or any of the past shows.  There will be links every week to the artists website and where to buy the CD, just no article. Thank you for listening to this show wether it is on KCOR Kansas City Online Radio, the podcast. or here at the website.  We are going to keep the blues alive.

Mark Wade
A1Blues.Com

Bob Corritore is our guest this week he’ll be talking about his new CD Harmonica Blues.

Talking to Bob reminds me of talking to Bob Koester at Delmark Records or Bruce Iglauer at Alligator Records because he has such a vast knowledge of the blues. He’s met or played with most everyone.  Like the other two men Bob works very hard to help other blues artists whenever possible as well as recording some great blues himself.

Bob Corritore has played harmonica on over 35 releases to date. He hung around great harp players such as Big Walter Horton, Little Mack Simmons, Louis Myers, Junior Wells, Big John Wrencher, and Carey Bell, receiving harmonica tips and encouragement from many of them. He would regularly see the Aces, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Billy Boy Arnold, John Brim, Sunnyland Slim, Smokey Smothers, Eddie Taylor, and in many cases became personal friends with these blues veterans. Corritore worked with Tail Dragger, Big Moose Walker, Willie Buck, Louis and Dave Myers, and Eddie Taylor in the late 70s and early 80s (this paragraph was taken from his website).

Harmonica Blues is a wonderful CD with a real who’s who of the blues world.  Since Bob never sings, he has brought guest artists in to do the singing like Little Milton, Honeyboy Edwards, Nappy Brown, Eddy Clearwater, Big Pete Pearson, Koko Taylor and Dave Riley. If you think these names are impressive wait till you hear the music, it’s even better.  This is a must have CD, you will love every track, and why wait till it wins a bunch of blues awards. Get Harmonica Blues today (see links below).

Songs played on this week’s show:
“1815 West Roosevelt” with Eddie Shaw
“That’s All Right” with Robert Lockwood Jr.
“Sundown San Diego” with Tomcat Courtney
“Big Fat Mama” with Pinetop Perkins
“Things Have Changed” with Henry Gray
“Tell Me ‘Bout It” with Louisiana Red
“I Need To Be Be’d With” with Carol Fran

If you’re a real blues fan you should get on Bob’s mailing list for his news letter, it’s really good, and it’s free. See his website to sign up.

Bob Corritore’s Website

Bob Corritore MySpace

Get Bob Corritore’s CD Harmonica Blues at Delta Groove Productions

Get Bob Corritore’s CD Harmonica Blues at Amazon.Com

Thanks to Frank Roszak for setting everything up and of course to Bob for a very interesting interview. I hope to have Bob back many more times.

Blues Music and Interviews

A1Blues.Com

by A1 Mark

Hear Albert Castiglia [pronounced ka-steel-ya] talk about his new CD Keepin On that came out this week.

Albert Castiglia’s song “Bad Year Blues” was nominated in 2009 for “Blues Song of the Year” by the Blues Foundation.  I still say “Godfather Of The Blues” about Albert’s former boss Junior Wells is every bit as good or better of a song than “Bad Year Blues”.  Both songs were from the 2008 CD These Are The Days.  You can check this out for yourself after this week’s show by going to the first interview I did with Albert were we talked about his then new CD These Are The Days.

Keepin On is exactly what you want to do with Albert Castiglia new cd Keepin On because you want to keep on hearing more of his diverse guitar playing.  From the powerful guitar intro and tuff vocals on the first song “Cadillac Assembly Line” (killer guitar solo) through “My Baby Is Now On My Mind”, a slow kind of Latin shuffle (ditto on the guitar solo), to the last song “Closing Time” where Albert gives a passionate vocal and guitar performance.  Throughout the CD it is evident that he is able to change styles of playing without ever dropping his standers.

Keepin On also has Nicole Hart on some backup vocals and our old friend Sandy Mack doing some great harp work.  Even before I know it was Sandy I was really getting into what he was doing.   Hear the show on Sandy Mack.

Albert Castiglia has done it again with a great CD full of tight blues songs, some covers, and some he’s written are all worth owning.  Hopefully this time around people will realize what a great talents Albert has with both the guitar and his voice.

Don’t forget to get out this year to see Albert Castiglia in concert because he puts on a really good show.  I’ve seen him a few times and I always enjoy it.

Buy Albert Castiglia’s Keepin On at Amazon.Com

Albert Castiglia’s Keepin On is also available at iTunes, Barns & Noble, Napster & Rhapsody.Com

Albert Castiglia Website

Albert Castiglia MySpace

To book Albert in your town contact JoAnn Freda.

Thanks Albert Castiglia for doing the interview.

Thanks also to Rick Lusher, Mark Pucci and Blues Leaf Records.
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Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
by A1 Mark

This week hear Chris Bell talk about his brand new CD Devil, My Guitar & Me.

If you’ve been listening to this show for awhile you know about the last show I did with Chris on his CD Real Bluesman.  This time around Chris goes from blues to more blues rock and it works good for him.  All but one of the 14 songs are Chris Bell originals.  The exception is an old Allman Brothers song “It’s Not My Cross To Bear” which Chris does a nice job on.  Songs like “Sweet Josephine”, “Devil, My Guitar & Me”, and many others are good blues-rockers.  The song “My Jimi Hendrix Stuff” stands out with its cool lyrics.  Chris took the titles of a bunch of Hendrix songs to make the lyrics for this song.   It’s fun to listen to and pick out the song titles while still following the present story line.

Chris is also a huge John Lee Hooker fan.  He tells us about the time he got to meet John Lee Hooker which is the inspiration for Chris’ song titled “John Lee Hooker (Told Me So)”.  The last track, “Don’t Wake Me Up”, breaks out a sax player that gives a nice change of sound.  Chris Bell is the lead vocalist and plays electric, acoustic, slide, dobro and any other guitar as well as bass guitar on six tracks.  Chuck England is the bass guitarist and Bill Nuti plays drums.

Chris Bell & 100% Blues will be on tour all this summer so be sure to check their MySpace page for tour dates.  There are some great photos of Chris with other blues artists at his MySpace page too.  You really should check it out.

Chris Bell MySpace

Chris Bell Website

Buy Chris Bell & 100% Blues – The Devil, My Guitar & Me at Amazon.Com

Buy Chris Bell & 100% Blues – The Devil, My Guitar & Me at CD Baby

Hear Chris talk about his last CD Real Bluesman, it has a lot of great music too.

Thanks to Chris Bell for taking time away from his tour to talk about his new CD.

Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
by A1 Mark

This week hear both Chris James & Patrick Rynn talk about their new cd Gonna Boogie Anyway.

Chris James & Patrick Rynn were on this show back in 2008 talking about their last cd Stop and Think About It. Chris talks this time about how both cd’s are Chicago Blues but, this time around there is a change to Gonna Boogie Anyway.  It’s a little more stripped down including three real nice acoustic numbers with Patrick playing upright bass and Chris doing guitar and vocals.  One of them, “Heading Out West”, really comes off as sounding like there are more musicians playing than there really are. Then they add our old friend David Maxwell on piano for another acoustic number “You Can’t Trust Nobody”.

I was really pleased to hear David Maxwell on four of the numbers then Henry Gray shows up to play piano on four more songs.  Sam Lay even plays on a couple of songs which is very  appropriate because it’s the old blues artists like these that have drawn Chris James & Patrick Rynn to this kind of music.

Most of the songs are by the team of Chris James, Patrick Rynn and Rob Stone with four covers including one by Jimmy Reed and one by Robert Lockwood Jr.  Rob Stone also plays harp and some guitar on both their cd’s.  Be on the lookout for a new cd by Rob Stone called Back Around Here that just came out.

Like their last cd Stop and Think About It the new one Gonna Boogie Anyway is a great Chicago blues cd.  That will be winning a lot of awards because this is some of best Chicago Blues you will hear anywhere.   Chris James & Patrick Rynn are two blues artists we will be hearing a lot more from and that’s a good thing.

Songs in this week’s show:
You Can Trust Nobody  (with David Maxwell)
The Tables Have  Turned   (with David Maxwell)
Headed Out West
Money Don’t Like Me        (with David Maxwell & Sam Lay)
Gonna Boogie Anyway      (with Henry Gray)

Chris James & Patrick Rynn’s Website

Chris James & Patrick Rynn’s MySpace

Buy Chris James & Patrick Rynn’s new cd from Amazon.Com

Thanks guys, it was real fun talking with you again and get to St. Louis sometime.

This week you will hear Shakura S’Aida talk about her life as a blues artist and her new CD Brown Sugar.

On Shakura S’Aida’s (Shak –OO-ra  Sigh-EE-da) first record Blueprint (2008) she was singing blues covers from the 1940s and ‘50s.  This time Shakura wrote nine of the twelve songs on her new record Brown Sugar.  The songs are a little more Rythm & Blues than straight blues.  Whatever the style of music you wish to put this into it’s still very good.  A soulful band with well written songs that Shakura sings from a first hand understanding of the lyric situation.

Brown Sugar has a lot of good songs but probably none any better than “This Is Not A Love Song”.  A slow but strong building song with very nice organ work by Lance Anderson who really does a fine job of setting the feel for several of the songs.

Donna Grantis the co-song writer with Shakura is also the guitarist for the band who adds some very tasteful playing.

Songs in this weeks show:
Mr. Right
Walk Out That Door
Gonna Tell My Baby
This Is Not a Love Song

Buy Brown Sugar from Amazon.Com

Shakura S’Aida at Ruf Records

Shakura S’Aida’s Website

Thanks to Shakura for the interesting and fun interview also thanks to Mark Pucci for setting everything up.

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Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
by A1 Mark

This week you will get to hear an interview with Kirk Fletcher and songs from his new cd My Turn.

Kirk Fletcher was in one of Kim Wilson’s solo band and later asked to join The Fabulous Thunderbirds.  He’s also toured with Lynwood Slim, Janiva Magness, Charlie Musselwhite.  He’s a member of The  Mannish Boys and is on their new cd Shake For Me. Kirk also is a part time member in the Hollywood Blue Flames and plays on about half of their new cd Deep In America.

His last solo recorded was in 2004 Shades Of Blues it’s a great Chicago blues style record that should not be overlooked. The new record My Turn is more blues, and blues-rock.  While this record has a lot of good music it is overshadowed by three masterpieces “Continents End”, “Congo Square” and “Blues for Antone”.

The first time I heard “Continents End” it reminded me of Jimi Hendrix “1983 (A Merman I Should Turn To Me)” and “Moon, Turn The Tides…Gently, Gently Away” probably two of my favorite Hendrix songs from Electric Lady Land.  Kirk is not copying those songs, he is making something new and wonderful.  On “Congo Square” Kirk sounds like Carlos Santana and boy is it good.  Then there is “Blues for Antone” great blues-rock kind of in the style of Albert King.  This song should be nominated for the Blues Foundation song of the year.

Songs in this week’s show.
El Medio Stomp
Continents End
Congo Square
Blues for Antone

Buy Kirk Fletcher Cd’s from Delta Groove Productions

Buy My Turn from Amazon.Com

Kirk Fletcher MySpace

Learn more about Kirk Fletcher at Delta Groove Productions

Thanks to Kirk Fletcher for a really fun interview and to Jody Best for setting everything up.

Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
by A1 Mark

This week hear The Mannish Boy’s Randy Chortkoff talk about his life living in the blues world.

Shake For Me is the newest record by the all star blues band The Mannish Boys.  Reprising their all-star roles in the band are Finis Tasby, Bobby Jones, Kirk Fletcher, Frank Goldwasser, and Randy Chortkoff, joined here by an entirely new and outstanding rhythm section comprised of Willie J. Campbell on bass (The James Harman Band, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) and Jimi Bott on drums (Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Woodbrain).

Randy talks about going to Bill Graham’s Fillmore Auditorium, producing other blues artists, starting his own record label, Delta Groove Productions, and his own band The Mannish Boys.  If you’ve never heard The Mannish Boys you’re in for a real treat.

Mannish Boys in this weeks show:
Searchin’ Blues –  Lowdown Feelin’
Educated Ways – 2010 – Shake for Me
Those Worries – 2010 – Shake for Me
Raunchy – 2010 – Shake for Me

Buy the Mannish Boys record Shake For Me at Delta Groove Productions

More about Randy Chortkoff Their website

Check out other great artists on Delta Groove like Arthur Adams, Elvin Bishop, Hollywood Blue Flames, Kirk Fletcher, Mike Zito, Jason Ricci, Ana Popovic and that one guy that plays blues harp you know Rod Piazza.

Thanks To Jody Best for getting everything set up and for Randy taking time out of his busy day to talk with me.

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Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
by A1 Mark

This week you will hear Guitar Shorty talk about his life as a blues man of the road as well as tracks from his hard hitting new record Bare Knuckle.

Guitar Shorty’s last record won 2007’s Blues Music Award for “Contemporary Blues Album of the Year”. You can bet Guitar Shorty’s Bare Knuckle is another hard hitting record.

Guitar Shorty will be asked about working with Ray Charles Band, his first single with the help of Willie Dixon and about a very famous rock star who went AWOL to see a Guitar Shorty shows.

You’ll also hear the title track from his award winning record We The People plus three new songs from Bare Knuckle.

Songs played this week:

We The People (fom We The People)
Please Mr. President (from Bare Knuckle)
Too Late (from Bare Knuckle)
Texas Women (from Bare Knuckle)

Buy Guitar Shorty’s CD’s from Alligator Records

Check out other great CDs on Alligator Records
Like the new ones  by Smokin’ Joe Kubek and Bnois King , Anders Osborne,
Janiva Magness, The Holmes Brothers and Tinsley Ellis

Guitar Shorty’s Website

Guitar Shorty MySpace

Thanks to Guitar Shorty for the cool stories and Bruce Iglauer for setting everything up.

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Blues Music and Interviews

A1Blues.Com

by A1 Mark

This week you will hear Bnois King from the band Smokin’ Joe Kubek and Bnois King talking about their new record on Alligator Records called Have Blues Will Travel.

Bnois King like Smokin’ Joe Kubek plays guitar for the band but he’s also the vocalist and wrote or co-wrote all the songs.  Their last record the popular 2008 Alligator release Blood Brothers has been one of my fevered records of the last few years.   It’s been a long wait but the much anticipated new record Have Blues Will Travel come out this Tuesday.

The record is full of great guitar playing, good hooks, and the very pleasant voice of Bnois King.  Bnois really come up with some great lyrics like in the song “RU4 Real”  or “Payday In America” a song every person that works for a living will relate to.

Why take my word for it turn on the show and you will hear for yourself some of the coolest-hottest music of this summer.

Bnois said they will be doing a long tour so be sure to get out there and see them.

Smokin’ Joe Kubek and Bnois King – Website

Smokin’ Joe Kubek and Bnois King – MySpace page

To buy Smokin’ Joe Kubek and Bnois King’s CD’s Have Blues Will Travel & Blood Brothers

Check out other great CDs on Alligator Records like new ones  by Guitar Shorty, Anders Osborne, Janiva Magness & The Holmes Brothers

Buy Have Blues Will Travel from Amazon.Com

I’d like to thank Bnois King and Bruce Iglauer for their time and help in putting this show together.

Hear interviews Charlie Musselwhite, Albert Castiglia & Super Chikan on this weeks show.

This week’s show is about the Eureka Springs Blues Weekend being held June 3, 4, 5 & 6 in Eureka Springs Ark. in the USA.   Even if you don’t live in the United States or the Midwest where this event is being held you will love this show.  We have Albert Castiglia, the man whose song was nominated in 2009 for Blues Song of the Year.  Charlie Musselwhite, who’s been making blues records since 1967 and has been nominated for just about everything.  Then there is Super Chikan, this year’s winner of the Blues Foundation’s Traditional Blues Album of the Year for his record Chikadelic.

This event is a Fundraiser for The Blues Foundation’s Handy Artist Relief Trust and Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. The HART Fund provides assistance to musicians in need, including acute, chronic & preventive medical & dental care, as well as funeral expenses. For more information, please visit www.Blues.org.  Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is located seven miles south of Eureka Springs on Highway 23. It provides lifetime refuge to over 140 abandoned, abused, and neglected “Big Cats”, with emphasis on tigers, lions, leopards, and cougars. Natural habitats have been built over the past decade to allow the “Lions, Tigers & Bears” to live in more natural surroundings. For more information, please visit www.TurpentineCreek.org The Eureka Springs Blues Weekend is produced by an all-volunteer force, and 100% of all profits from our shows go to The HART Fund and Turpentine Creek.

Some of the artists performing at The  Eureka Springs Blues Weekend:

John Hammond
Charlie Musselwhite
Magic Slim
Bob Margolin
Albert Castiglia
Super Chikan
Marquise Knox
Shaun Murphy
Otis Taylor
Kelley Hunt
Grady Champion Band

For a complete list of performers go to www.EurekaSpringsBlues.Com

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Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
by A1 Mark

This week you will hear Andrew Duncanson of The Killborn Alley Blues Band talk about their new record Better Off Now.

The Killborn Alley Blues Band’s last record Tear Chicago Down came out back in 2007.  With good songs like “I’m Spent”, “Crazier Things” and “Fire With Fire” it’s been a long wait for a new record.   Andrew explained the band is even Better Off Now which is very true with songs like the Obama inspired “Nothin’ Left to Stimulate” or the strong vocal delivery on “Foolsville”.   “Whoa Yeah Woman” is a good stomping blues song with Joe Asselin delivering good harmonica.   “You Can Have The Tail” has good lyrics as well as guitar playing but the real star of the record is “Train To Memphis”.

As you will hear in the show their mix of Soul and Blues makes for a very enjoyable record.  This was also produced and mixed by Nick Moss for his label Blue Bella Records.  Nick wrote one song and plays guitar on a few others but this is most definitely a Killborn Alley Blues Band recording.

One other thing I should let you know is their concerts are real good too.  It’s not a slick show just good honest music from a hard working band.

Songs in this week’s show:

Train To Memphis
Whoa Yeah Woman
You Can Have The Tail
Nothin’ Left To Stimulate

Killborn Alley Blues Band Website

Killborn Alley Blues Band MySpace

Get Killborn Alley Blues Band CD from Amazon.Con

Thanks to Andrew for taking the time to be on the show and to Kate Moss for setting everything up.

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Blues Music and Interviews

Hear Dustin Arbuckle talk about the new Moreland & Arbuckle CD Flood.

Dustin Arbuckle is of course one half of the band Moreland & Arbuckle. They had a great CD back in 2008 called 1861. The new CD Flood, is just as good with a lot of good harp, blues guitar, and story telling.

The last show I did about the band was with Aaron Moreland the guitarist. This time I thought you might like to hear the other side of the band’s story from Dustin. This is a three piece band with Aaron Moreland on guitars, resonator, cigar box guitar, and banjo. Dustin Arbuckle is on the harp and singing. Both of them do most of the song writing. Brad Horner does a good job as their drummer. Yep, you figured it out there is no bass guitarist in the band and this is just one of the great original things that keep this band so interesting.

Push the play button now and you will enjoy some of the best blues roots you’re going to hear this year.

Songs played in this weeks show:
Bound and Determined
Don’t Wake Me
In the Morning I’ll Be Gone
Before the Flood
18 Counties
What You Gonna Do

Moreland & Arbuckle Website

Moreland & Arbuckle MySpace

Buy Moreland & Arbuckle’s Flood from their website

Thanks to Dustin for letting me interview him and to John Hahn for setting everything up.

This week you will hear members of the Hollywood Blue Flames talking about their musical history and their new record Deep in America.
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Al Blake, Fred Kaplan, and Junior Watson will be our guest this week on A1Blues.Com.  The Hollywood Blue Flames started out as The Hollywood Fats Band back in 1975. Michael “Hollywood Fats” Mann was the leader of the band but unfortunately he passed away in 1986.  The band folded until 2005 when original members decided to reform the band this time as The Hollywood Blue Flames.  Al and Fred do a good job in the show going into more detail about the bands history.

Deep in America is a double CD.  The first disc was recorded recently by The Hollywood Blue Flames.  Disc 2 is live recordings of The Hollywood Fats Band.

Band members on this record are:
Al Blake – Harp & Vocals
Fred Kaplan – Piano
Junior Watson – Guitar
Kirk Fletcher – Guitar
Richard Innes – Drums
Larry Taylor – Bass
As you can see this is a band of hard hitting professionals and the music is just as good as the stars of this band.

Songs in this weeks show:
Read About My Baby (The Hollywood Fats Band)
Rambler and a Rollin’ Stone
Crescent City Rock
Bad Boy Blues
Fly Like the Eagle, Cry Like the Dove

Hollywood Blue Flames Website

Hollywood Blue Flames MySpace

Buy Hollywood Blue Flames from Delta Groove Records

Buy Deep In America from Amazon.Com

Thanks to Al Blake, Fred Kaplan, and Junior Watson for letting me interview them.
Thanks to Jody Best for setting everything up.

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Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
formerly A1 Artist Spotlight. Com
by A1 Mark

This week you will hear Pierre Lacocque of Mississippi Heat talk about their new CD Let’s Live It Up.
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About a year ago I did a show on Mississippi Heat’s CD Hattiesburg Blues. Pierre talked about growing up in Europe, Israel, and later coming to Chicago to live.  While going to college in Chicago he discovered blues music. Pierre learned to play the harp, started a blues band, and the rest is history.  Yes, you’re right there is a lot more to it than that.  Click on this link and you can hear Pierre tell the whole story plus some great songs from their last CD Hattiesburg Blues.

This weeks show Pierre will be talking about Mississippi Heat’s CD Let’s Live It Up that just came out this Tuesday.  You are in for some really great Chicago blues music.

Even though Pierre plays harp this is not a harmonica CD.  He writes songs that incorporate everyone in the band so not just one person always takes the solos.  Inetta Visor is the lead singer and boy, this lady can really sing.  Giles Corey really pulls off some very nice guitar solos along with special guest Carl Weathersby and our friend John Primer.  John even sings on three songs.

Once again Mississippi Heat has put out one great CD that you’re going to be hearing a lot of in the next few months.

When you go to buy Mississippi Heat’s CD Let’s Live It Up you might as well pick up the last one Hattiesburg Blues too.  Both CD’s are on the Delmark Label.

Hear these songs from Mississippi Heat’s new CD:
She Died From A Broken Heart
Another Sleepless Night
Peace Train
Let’s Live It Up

Mississippi Heat Website

Mississippi Heat MySpace

Buy Let’s Live It Up! from Amazon.Com

Buy Hattiesburg Blues from Amazon.Com

Check out Delmark Records website for the finest in blues & Jazz since 1953.

Thanks to Pierre Lacocque for an enjoyable interview and thanks to Michel Lacocque for getting everything together for this show.

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Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
by A1 Mark

This week hear Zac Harmon tell about his very interesting life growing up in Mississippi in the shadow if people like Z.Z Hill, Sam Myers, and Sonny Boy Williamson.  After College Zac moved to L.A. where he became a studio musician working on a ton of records and later working on movie scores too.

In 2004 Zac won The Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge as “best unsigned blues band.” Since then Zac has made three records with the new one being From The Root.

From The Root has many high points with song writing, musicianship, and vocals.  One song that just about scorches you is “Hattie Mae” with help from Jimmy Z on harmonica.
On “Honey Bee” Zac digs down deep for some raw heart felt vocals.  How can you not like a song called “Keep the Blues Alive”.  Please be sure to buy Zac Harmon’s record From The Root, below is a link.

Songs in this weeks show:
Keep the Blues Alive
Since You Been Gone
Honey Bee
Hattie Mae

Zac Harmon Website

Zac Harmon MySpace

Buy Zac Harmon’s From The Root from his website

Thanks to Zac Harmon for taking time to talk with me and thanks to Larry B. Davis for all his help in setting everything up.

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Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
formerly A1 Artist Spotlight. Com
by A1 Mark

This week hear the interview with Donnie Walsh, founder of The Downchild Blues Band, now going by just the name Downchild.  You will also hear songs from their new record I Need A Hat.

The Downchild Blues Band has put out about twenty records starting with their first one Bootleg back in 1971. While members have changed from time to time Donnie Walsh has keep his vision and love for the blues alive in his band.

Donnie will talk about growing up in Canada, discovering the blues, Dan Ackarout using some of their songs in a Blues Brothers movie, and of course  about the new record by Downchild I Need A Hat.

Downchild Website

Buy the CD from Downchild Website

Buy Downchild cd “I Need a Hat” from Amazon.Com

Thanks to Donnie Walsh for a very enjoyable interview and to Mark Pucci for setting everything up.

A1 Mark

Hear Jeff Jensen talk about his new CD I’m Coming Home.

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The Jeff Jensen Band’s CD I’m Coming Home is some of the most enjoyable and fun blues I’ve heard in awhile.  This is a five peace band with trumpet, trombone, and sax added to give it a larger sound with a bit of a swing to it.  The CD kicks off with the B.B. King song “Ask Me No Questions” which Jeff said the band has been doing this for years.  They do it a little faster than BB and add horns, makes it work really good as the opener.  “Good Morning Judge” is a Wynonie Harris hit that Jeff and the band really do a good job of.  This is one of the songs you will play over and over because it really swings.  About half of the songs were written or co-written by Jeff.  Two of the more out standing ones are “Skinny Girls” and “She’s Evil”.  Both have somewhat funny lyrics with the latter having strong vocals not to mention good guitar work.  The real stand out (this has been going through my head a lot) is “Living In Los Angeles” with good hooks with fun lyrics. You will really like this song, well really the whole cd I’m Coming Home.

Songs on this week’s show:
Living In Los Angeles
I’m Coming Home
Skinny Girls
She’s Evil

Jeff Jensen Band Website (check out the videos)

Jeff Jensen Band MySpace (some nice videos there too)

Buy Jeff Jensen Band’s CD at CDBaby.Com

Thanks to Jeff Jensen for giving such a fun interview it was like talking to an old friend.
Thanks to Michael McClune Media & Mktg. set everything up

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Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
formerly A1 Artist Spotlight. Com
by A1 Mark

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Episode # 3 The Early Artists on Alligator Records

This week you will hear Bruce Iglauer continue his interesting story about the founding of Alligator Records and about some of the early artist that were on the label.
Big Walter Horton, Son Seals, Koko Taylor and Albert Collins were some of the early artists to record with this young record label. Now almost forty years latter many of these are considered the big names in the blues world.

Below is just a few of the great CD’s that Alligator Records put out in their early years.

Songs heard in this week’s show:
Big Walter Horton “Have A Good Time” from Big Walter Horton with Carey Bell
Son Seals “Help Me, Somebody” from Live & Burning
Koko Taylor “You Ain’t Worth A Good Woman” from Old School
Albert Collins “Master Charge” from Ice Pickin’

Be sure to go by Alligator Records to buy all these records and the many many other blues classics.  You should also check out NEW cd’s by The Holmes Brothers and Guitar Shorty.

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Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
formerly A1 Artist Spotlight. Com
by A1 Mark

This week you will hear Grammy Nominated John Primer talk about his solo record All Originals as well as some songs from that record.
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John Primer was born in 1945 in Camden, Mississippi, USA. He grew up with music all around, from family and friends playing to listening to old 78s. John said he always wanted to be a musician, a guitar player.

In 1963 John moved to Chicago and played guitar on Maxwell St. with a band called The Maintainers which also had Arthur Adams on guitar. John played in the house band at Theresa’s Lounge for eight years. In the show John talks about some of the artists he got to play with there as well as some of the different bands he played in like Willie Dixon’s, Muddy Waters’ and Magic Slim’s.

This weeks show will be focusing on his solo record All Originals. This is a record of good old blues, no screaming rock guitars just blues music. John Primer is a man that has played with some of the biggest names in blues and has walked away with the understanding of what makes a good blues song. This is evident by the fact that he has been nominated for two 2010 Blues Music Awards. One for Best Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year. The other one is for Best Traditional Blues Album of the Year.

Judge for yourself, these are the songs played on this weeks show. If you like them be sure to go to The Blues Foundation and vote for John Primer.
Other Man
Bad Child
Keep on Loving the Blues
At Home Alone

One more thing, John Primer along with Billy Boy Arnold, Billy Branch, and Lurrie Bell have put out a record called Chicago Blues: A Living History. This record was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album 2009.

Go to John Primer’s Website

See videos of John Primer playing

Buy All Original from John Primer’s Website

Buy John Primer All Original from Amazon.Com

A big thanks goes out to John Primer for letting me interview him and to Lisa Becker from Becker Booking & Promotion for setting everything up.
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Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
formerly A1 Artist Spotlight. Com
by A1 Mark

This week you will hear Shane Dwight talk about his CD Plays the Blues as well as some really good music from this CD.
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Shane Dwight is doing something I’ve only heard the “Boss” (Bruce Springsteen) and Guns N’ Roses do. He is releasing two records at the same time. Shane described Give Me Back the Money as more of an overview of his different influences. It has R&B, some kind of country stuff, as well as alternative rock. Shane feels this is some of his best studio music yet. The other CD is the one we will be talking about and playing songs from in the show. The name of the CD is Plays the Blues which starts out with five really good studio tracks. The last five tracks are live and they are great.

Shane’s guitar playing is really good on all the tracks. As you will hear in the show he has a unique sounding voice that’s really cool. “Standing” starts off with a really good lead guitar introduction as it goes into a solid blues rocking number. “Have Some of That” has hit written all over it with good hooks, good guitars, nice horns and clever lyrics. “She’s So Sweet” is another song that really gets you rockin.

Shane tells an unbelievable story in the show about how the live tracks came about. You will get a real kick out of his story. The Allman Brothers are know for Eat A Peach, B.B. King is known for Live at the Regal, for better or worse Shane Dwight will probably be known for the five live tracks on Plays the Blues. The only thing I don’t like about these tracks is I really don’t think he will ever be able to top these five songs. These five tracks are over the top. Shane’s guitar playing is great, the band is playing great and tight, the jamming is excellent, and Danny Whole’s saxophone playing is great too. The song “Ode To Albert” (of course Albert King) is six minutes of the best Albert King style music you may ever hear, this is a grand slam home run. The last song “Boogie King” is eight minutes of about the best boogie music you may ever hear. Plays the Blues is a great CD. The studio songs are really good, a few of which could be hits on blues or rock radio stations. You should call your local radio station and request “Have Some Of That”. If your radio station will play longer songs, you know beyond three minutes ask them to play “High Times”, “Ode To Albert” or “Boogie King”. You may like to warn the radio station their phones will be ringing off the hooks after these songs.

Shane Dwight’s Plays the Blues is a must have CD. Below are some links to where you can buy perhaps the best CD you buy this year.

Thanks to Kool Breeze at KCOR Kansas City Online Radio who does the show Kool Breeze & Sizzlin Blues for turning me on to Shane Dwight. I’ve really had a great time listening to Plays the Blues over and over again, Thanks Breeze.

Songs played on this week’s show
Have Some of That
Standing
High Time
Pretty, Young and Mean
Ode to Albert

Shane Dwight Website

Shane Dwight MySpace

Shane Dwight Facebook

Buy Shane Dwight’s CD at his Website

Buy Shane Dwight’s CD Plays the Blues from Amazon.Com

Thanks to Shane Dwight for taking the time to do this fun interview and to Rob Zolezzi for his help in setting everything up.

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Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
formerly A1 Artist Spotlight. Com
by A1 Mark

This week you will get to hear Tail Dragger talk about what the real blues are as well as songs from his new CD Live at Rooster’s Lounge.
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Tail Dragger was born James Yancey Jones in 1940 in Altheimer, Arkansas, USA. He moved to Chicago in 1966 where his idol Howlin’ Wolf let him get on the bandstand with him. In this show Tail Dragger talks a lot about working with Howlin’ Wolf and how Wolf not only gave Tail Dragger his name but was also a mentor to Tail Dragger.

Even though his history will be interesting to listen to, the real thrill is to hear this blues man and his music. This is raw music from the heart of Tail Dragger. He told me his job is to get out there and entertain the people. He said he never uses a playlist because he wants to see and feel what his audience will want to hear next. He also explains on the show why he never has rehearsals for the songs they are going to be playing. Rockin’ Johnny Burgin, the guitarist, seems to know where the song is going all the time even without rehearsals. Harp player Martin Lang does a really fine job on all the songs. Our old friend Jimmy Dawkins sets in one song called “Wander”.

Besides this being a really good old school blues CD there is also a DVD available of the concert. You really get a better idea of what it’s like to be in a club with an old time blues man that really wants his audience to have a good time. There is no rock n’ roll here it’s all low down gritty blues. Just like with the Byther Smith DVD Blues On The Moon from 2008 one of the real treats is the bonus track. It’s only an audio track with Tail Dragger and some band members talking about all sorts of things. Sometimes Tail Dragger is a little hard to understand and could maybe have used a little more of guidance on what to talk about. However, when it’s over you really feel you have stepped in to Tail Dragger’s world. I liked watching the DVD of the concert and the bonus track was really nice. Depending on how or what you listen to music on the DVD may be a better choice because you still hear all the songs and today’s TVs have really good sound quality. Whatever your choice is, run by Delmark Records and pick up a copy of Tail Dragger,
Live at Rooster’s Lounge. They also have a short video at Delmark Records website of Tail Dragger, check that out too.

The songs heard on this week’s show:
Wander
She’s Worryin’ Me
Stop Lying
Bought Me a New Home

Tail Dragger MySpace

To buy Tail Dragger’s CD\DVD or see the free video at Delmark Records

Check out other great CDs on Delmark Records like Quintus McCormick, Shirley Johnson, Zora Young, Eddie C. Campbell or Delmark Celebrates 55 Years of Blues.
All these artists are up for Blues Music Awards this year with the exception of Quintus who’s CD is too new to be on the list. It better be next year because it’s one of the best.
Thanks to Tail Dragger for taking time to do this interview.
Thanks also to Kevin Johnson for all his help in getting everything set up.

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Episode # 2 Bruce Iglauer & Hound Dog Taylor

This week you will hear Bruce Iglauer talk about why he thought Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers was such a good band even though the first time he saw them he didn’t get into what they were doing. Bruce talks a bit about what went into the recording of that first record in order to making it sound so full of energy like you were really there at a concert with them.

Getting the money to start Alligator Records was one thing. Getting radio stations to play an artist they’d never heard of could be a real problem but Bruce had a plan for selling Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers LP, boy did it work out good. He loaded his car with a bunch of LP’s and drive to all the radio stations asking them to play this record he had just made of his favorite artist and they did. Warning: to all you blues artists out there today don’t try this at home till you’ve listened to the show and understand how Bruce got radio stations to play his record and how he sold out of all the records before he got back home.

One of the things I liked so much about this episode is that besides hearing about how Alligator Records was started it’s also partly a show about Hound Dog Taylor, someone I’ve wanted to do a show on for quite awhile.

Bruce Iglauer will be back with us the first Thursday of next month to talk about the early years of this struggling record label and how they started getting well known blues artists to sign up.

Songs in this week’s show:
“She’s Gone” from Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers
“Give Me Back My Wig” from Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers
Elvin Bishop – “Let’s Get Funky” from Hound Dog Taylor A Tribute
“Gonna Send You Back to Georgia” from Release the Hound

Be sure to go by Alligator Records’ Website where you can read about all the artists that have been on the label, see when their tours comes near you, buy your favorite CD’s, DVD’s, T-shirts, or just enjoy the music on the Alligator Steaming Radio.

If you missed part one of the interview with Bruce Iglauer click here.

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Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
formerly A1 Artist Spotlight. Com
by A1 Mark

This week you will hear Henry Gray telling us about his rich blues history and about his new record Times Are Getting’ Hard.
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Henry Gray was born in 1925 in Louisiana, USA. He started playing piano when he was around seven or eight years old. His father was the deacon of the church and after some lessons from an elderly woman by the named of Mrs. White, Henry started playing piano and organ in church. Because many people in those days thought the blues was the devils music Henry was not allowed to play the blues in their home. Henry had to sneak to find places he could go to play the blues like to Mrs. White’s house. When he was 16 he got a job playing blues in a club. He served seven years during World War II in the south Pacific. After getting out of the army he returned home for a brief time them moved to Chicago. In the show Henry talks about getting to work in Chicago with Big Maceo Merriwether. Big Maceo was a big name in those days and he took Henry Gray under his wing. In 1956 Howlin’ Wolf asked him to join his band which is where Henry stayed till 1968. Over the years Henry has played with a who’s who of famous blues artists like Little Walter (whom he knew before moving to Chicago), Muddy Waters, Koko Taylor, Jimmy Reed, Otis Rush and many more.

Henry Gray does not have too many solo records considering how long he has been around and playing. Most of them are available through his website as well as a DVD. What I liked so much about Henry’s music the very first time I heard it is its old time Barrelhouse Blues sound. Seems like the only time you hear this style of music nowadays is on an old scratchy record with poor sound quality. Times Are Getting’ Hard was recorded in 2009 and the sound quality is real good. The music has a very strong beat similar to what would eventually become rock & roll. This however is led by the piano as the lead instrument instead of the guitar. This show is a great chance to hear one of the last blues men that played from the mid-forties to the mid-sixties talk about what it was like in those days. The music of course speaks for itself. If you only own one CD of Barrelhouse Blues Times Are Getting’ Hard by Henry Gray would be a really good one to have.

Blues Music Awards has nominated Henry Gray for the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player Award this year.

Songs in this week’s show by Henry Gray & The Cats:
Times Are Getting’ Hard
How Could You Do It
Katrina Katrina
Come On In
Goin’ Downtown
Barack Obama Boogie

Henry Gray’s Website

Henry Gray’s MySpace

Henry Gray’s Facebook

Buy Henry Gray’s cd Times Are Getting’ Hard from his Website

Thanks to Henry Gray for doing the interview and to Andy Cornett for all his help in setting everything up.
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Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
formerly A1 Artist Spotlight. Com
by A1 Mark

Hear Debbie Davies talk about her new instrumental CD Holdin’ Court.
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You probably recall we talked to Debbie Davies about her last CD Blues Blast not all that long ago (click here to hear that show). Blues Blast had a lot of special guest on it like Coco Montoya and Charlie Musselwhite. Past recordings have had guest appearances by people like Albert Collins, Ike Turner, Duke Robillard, James Cotton, Mick Taylor, and Peter Green. This time out Debbie has decided to do something different. The band you will be hearing is her touring band that consists of Debbie Davies on all the guitars, Casandra Faulconer on bass guitar and Don Castagno on drums. Paul Opalach plays organ on some tracks but is not part of the touring band. The other big difference in this new record is that it is an all-instrumental adventure in different styles of 1960’s blues artists that inspired Debbie to play guitar. This is a fresh change in what we have been hearing from most blues artists. In the past, people like Kenny Burrell and Albert Collins have done many instrumentals. Freddie King’s biggest hit was the instrumental “Hide Away”. Getting a whole record of blues instrumentals should not seem like an unusual thing however I cannot think of any that have come out in the last few years.

Debbie Davies’ Holdin’ Court starts with the Duke Robillard song “Fishnet”. This was not an instrumental on Duke’s New Blues for Modern Man but hearing Debbie do it you can’t imagine it any other way. Debbie said over the years she has been playing the Clarence Gatemouth Brown song “Oike Dokie Stomp” in her shows and a lot of fans have asked her to record that song. The fans know best because this is a really cool fast jazzy-blues song that is bound to put a smile on your face. There is also the John Lee Hooker song “I Wonder Why” that Debbie said she is doing more in a slow blues style of Otis Rush when he had done the song. As you probably remember from the last interview Debbie played guitar in Albert Collins band early on. “If You Love Me Like You Say” was a song she remembered playing in his band many times so she decided to recorded it herself this time. She also said her song “So What” is kind of based on the real funky blues style she got to play with Albert Collins.

In the show this week you will get to hear five songs Debbie wrote. She said some of the songs had appeared on her other records but got re-recorded for Holdin’ Court by her touring band. “Tryin’ to Keep It Real“ was on the 2005 record All I Found but appears here as a very nice instrumental. “Atras De Tus Ojos” was on the 1999 record Tales from the Austin Motel. This was redone even more beautiful than the last time with more Spanish flavor too. Holdin’ Court has been enjoyable to listen to as a regular record but also found it very refreshing to just hear music with no words, it really lets your mind follow the instruments more. Holdin’ Court is well on it’s way as my favorite CD to play while reading. Below are some links to buy Debbie Davies CD’s please pick one or two up and help keep the blues alive for another year.

The songs on this weeks show:
Tryin’ to Keep It Real
Atras De Tus Ojos
Percolatin’
Zoom-in’
Holdin’ Court

Debbie Davies Website

Debbie Davies’s MySpace

Debbie Davies on You Tube

Buy any of Debbie Davies CD’s at her Website Plus some exclovice Live ones ONLY at this website

Debbie Davies’ Live CD ONLY at her Website

Debbie Davies Tour Dates

Buy Debbie Davies Holdin’ Court at Amazon.com

Buy Debbie Davies Blues Blast at Amazon.com

Buy Debbie Davies All I Found at Amazon.com

Buy Debbie Davies Tales from the Austin Motel at Amazon.com

Buy Debbie Davies I Got That Feeling at Amazon.com

Thanks to Debbie Davies for taking the time to do this interview also thanks to Harley Erickson for setting everything up. You may want to listen to Harley Erickson’s MySpace page too she has some very good music.

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This week you will get to hear Duke Robillard talk about his Grammy nominated CD Stomp! The Blues Tonight.

Very little needs to be said about Duke Robillard because everyone knows him and respects him very highly. He was the founder of Roomful of Blues when he was still a teenager. In 1979 he left to work with Robert Gordon, then Legendary Blues Band then, just solo till about 1990 when he replaced Jimmie Vaughan in the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Duke will be asked about all of these bands he was in on this weeks show. After the Fabulous Thunderbirds he went back to being a solo act and has worked with just about everyone and has had his songs recorded by just about everyone too.

His newest record Stomp! The Blues Tonight was released by Stony Plain Records in June of 2009. This record is more of a jump blues style than his other records. Since not many people do this style of blues anymore it is very nice to get to have someone of Duke’s caliber doing this. He also has Sunny Crownover sing on some of the songs, which is a nice change of pace.

Besides being nominated for a Grammy Award in the “Best Traditional Blues” category, Duke has been nominated by the Blues Music Awards for “Band of the Year”, “Album of the Year”, “Instrumentalist-Guitar”, and “Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year”.

As you listen to this weeks show on Duke Robillard you will understand why he is up for so many awards, enjoy.

As Duke announced in the show he also has a new CD coming out February 2nd called Tales from the Tiki Lounge. You can order an advance copy of it from his website.

Songs played this week:
Swinging with Lucy Mae (is from 2008 -A Swingin’ Session with Duke Robillard)
Jumpin’ the Bone
Look But Don’t Touch
Stomp the Blues Tonight

Duke Robillard’s Website

Duke Robillard’s MySpace

But any of Duke Robillard’s CD from his Website (ask for it to be autographed free)

Check out other blues artists at Stony Plain Records like Joe Louis Walker, Maria Muldaur, Ronnie Earl and Jeff Healey.

Thanks to Duke Robillard for talking time do this interview and to Mark Pucci for setting everything up again.

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Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
formerly A1 Artist Spotlight. Com
by A1 Mark

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Episode # 1 Bruce Iglauer Way Laid By The Blues

This week hear Bruce Iglauer the founder of Alligator Records talk about how he got interested in the blues.

Alligator Records is one of the largest, if not the largest independent blues labels around today. Alligator is the status symbol of the blues record labels. An artist knows they have made it or at least well on their way when they are asked to record on Alligator Records. Just look at the names of some of the artist that have recorded one time or another for Alligator Records. Luther Allison, Lonnie Brooks, Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown, Roy Buchanan, Michael Burks, Tommy Castro, Albert Collins, Shemekia Copeland, James Cotton, Robert Cray and that’s only getting us through the A, B and C’s of the artists last names. Even with this I skipped big artists like Marcia Ball, Elvin Bishop and Cephas & Wiggins. There’s just way to many to list here. Check out a full list at Alligator Records Website.

To see a full list of artists signed to Alligator Records it’s truly amazing.

Bruce Iglauer, the founder of Alligator Records has agreed to be on the show the first week of the month for the next few months. This will be a very interesting and informative show since Bruce has worked with so many outstanding blues artists in the past 39 years. Put down that dry blues history book, step up to the speaker, and listen to Bruce tell you just how it was when he first heard Mississippi Fred McDowell playing the blues. How he got Luther Allison to play at his college and promoted it so good Luther stayed to play a second show. Bruce also got to work for Bob Koester, the head of another great blues label Delmark Records, where he got to see first hand Junior Wells and Buddy Guy record the 1970 record Southside Blues Jam. He saw many others recordings made and got ideas on how he would soon record his artists.

Be sure you take time to go to Alligator Records’ Website where you can read about all the artists that have been on the label, see when their tours comes near you, buy your favorite CD’s, DVD’s, T-shirts, or just enjoy the music on the Alligator Steaming Radio.

Songs in this week’s show:
Mississippi Fred McDowell “You Gotta Move” from You Gotta Move
Luther Allison “Cherry Red Wine” from Live in Chicago
Junior Wells & Buddy Guy “Blues For Mayor Daley” from Southside Blues Jam

Alligator Records Website

Thanks to Arhoolie Records for permission to play Mississippi Fred McDowell’s “You Gotta Move”. Click here to find out more about Mississippi Fred McDowell at Arhoolie Records website. They have some hard to find blues CD’s, LP’s and 45’s. Down Home Music Since 1960.

Thanks to Delmark Records for their continual support of this show as well as permission to play the Junior Wells & Buddy Guy song “Blues For Mayor Daley”. Be sure to go by Delmark Records’ website for the finest in Jazz & Blues since 1953. By the way if Junior Wells & Buddy Guy are not enough of a reason to buy this CD it is also the last studio appearance of Otis Spann.

To hear part two of the interview with Bruce Iglauer click here.
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Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
formerly A1 Artist Spotlight. Com
by A1 Mark

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This like last week will be some of the best songs from artists that have been on the show this past year.

January 7th I’ll be back with a new interview and great music.
The first show will be about someone who has had more to do with keeping the blues alive for the last forty years than probably any one else. This will be at least a four-part show airing the first Thursday of each month. You will love the stories he’ll be telling this is a must hear show.

If you have been wondering who to vote for in this years Blues Music Awards be sure to check the links at this website under “Past Shows”. Many of the artists have been interviewed here and more are coming in the next few months.

Have a happy New Year and always keep the blues alive.

A1 Mark

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This week and next will be some of the best songs from artists that have been on the show this past year.

January 7th I’ll be back with new interviews and great music.
The first show will be about someone who has had more to do with keeping the blues alive for the last forty years than probably any one else. This will be at least a four-part show airing the first Thursday of each month. You will love the stories he’ll be telling this is a must hear show.

If you have been wondering who to vote for in this years Blues Music Awards be sure to check this website many have been interviewed here and more are coming in the coming months.

Have a merry Christmas, a happy New Year and keep the blues alive.

A1 Mark

This week hear David Gerald talk about his new record Hell and Back.

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Recently Breeze who also does a blues show on KCOR Kansas City Online Radio called Kool Breeze & Sizzlin Blues (7pm CST USA time) was telling me about this new cd she was getting good response on by an artist named David Gerald. I had never heard of David but always on the lookout for good blues artists for the show I went to his website. There David has videos of five songs he is performing live. All five songs are covers of pretty much standard blues songs. What got me was how good he did these songs. I was not hearing someone just doing a good copying of a song. It was someone who was feeling the emotion of the songs. It was like you were hearing the songs for the first time. The first one is “I’ll Play the Blues for You” which most people know by Albert King, David’s version is right up there with the King’s. Most of you will remember Taj Mahal or The Blues Brothers doing “She Caught The Katy”. Then “Cold Shot” you will know from Stevie Ray Vaughan’s 1984 record Couldn’t Stand The Weather. David’s version of “Red House” is good but it’s when he does “The Thrill Is Gone” you really get to hear some wonderful music. It’s nine minutes of joy you’ll love. David does some really hot guitar solos on this song.

In this weeks show David Gerald talks about growing up in Detroit and how he started out loving the music of Prince, Michael Jackson and Eddie Van Halen. After having his heart broken over a girl or girls he started understanding the blues more. It was also people like Z.Z. Hill and remembering the artists his parents listened to that got him listening to the blues more and more.

David Gerald’s CD Hell and Back not only has those good live covers I was telling you about but really good studio tracks too. Like “My Guitar” an upbeat blues rockin’ song that will get people out on the dance floor. “Postman” has a steady thumping beat that delivers all the goods to your door. David will tell you about “Hell and Back” in the show but you should know this is a dark and haunting song that will get you wanting to play it over and over again. So the best solution is to go to one of the links below and buy David Gerald’s CD Hell and Back.

Songs on this weeks show:
My Guitar
Stay
How I Feel
Postman
Hell and Back

David Gerald Website

David Gerald MySpace

David Gerald Facebook

Buy David Gerald’s CD Hell & Back from his Website

Buy David Gerald’s CD Hell & Back from Amazon.Com

Thanks to David for taking the time to let me interview him.
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Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
formerly A1 Artist Spotlight. Com
by A1 Mark