:: Saturday, March 13, 2004 ::

Buffalo Record Artists at SXSW

Buffalo Records is the most progressive label in Japan, producing and distributing the best of American roots music— Acoustic Swing, Old-Time, Western Swing, Americana & SSW, New Orleans & Jazz, Blues, Jam Band.

Their catalog of artists they have produced or distributed include: The Asylum Street Spankers, The Hot Club of Cowtown, The Bo-Keys, Jazz Pharohs, The String Cheese Incident, Los Hombres Calientes, Papa Grows Funk, Big Walker, Mark Lemhouse, and the Texas Trumpets.

One of the labels Buffalo distribute is Memphis-based Yellow Dog Records, whose Big Lonesome Radio, the debut album by roots blues guitarist Mark Lemhouse has been nominated for W.C. Handy Awards in "Acoustic Blues Album of the Year" and "Best New Artist Debut" categories. (See below).

"If we had more distributors like Doug, I wouldn't have any worries," Michael Powers, president of Yellow Dog Records, told me earlier this month at the 2nd Blues Alive Blues Symposium in Oxford, Mississippi.

This year, for the first time, Buffalo will have a presence at the South By Southwest Music Festival at Tambaleo (302 Bowie St., formerly the Electric Lounge) on Friday afternoon, March 19.

"Most of the key artists on Buffalo Records label are based in Austin, Texas, and I'm really excited to tell you that this year for the first time, we'll be having a Buffalo showcase (unofficial) during SXSW," Buffalo Records President Doug Allsop told The Blues Blog in an e-mail

Here's the line-up:
Buffalo Records "Big In Japan" party
   1:00-1:20 Jazz Pharaohs
   1:30-1:50 Dave Biller Combo
   2:00-2:20 TorcH
   2:30-2:50 Stanley Smith & Friends
   3:00-3:30 Hot Club of Cowtown
   3:40-4:10 Asylum Street Spankers

"It's an open event, no wristband or badges needed. Free Chinese food, lots of drink specials. And all of these bands are great live. If you'll be in Austin for SXSW, I hope that you can make it; tell your friends! It'll be a lot of fun," Doug said extending a welcome.

Buffalo Records has released eight remarkable albums, all of which were highly recognized by the media—I have reviewed several titles for The Daily Yomiuri—as well as by music lovers in Japan who have been waiting for "good music."

Check out the Buffalo Records Web site (http://www.buffalo-records.com/index.html) today as they are holding a promotional Buffalo Bazaar from March 5 to April 30. Anyone who buys any Buffalo CD gets a free copy of Buffalo Bazaar, a 17-track sampler of Buffalo artists, until supplies run out. The sampler includes four unreleased tracks—two by the Spankers (one of which is "Hick Hop" from the Tokyo show), one Stanley (a track from his Cay show), and one Torch ("Peel Me a Grape".), which translates as more tunes for yo bucks.

Buffalo has also worked with concert promoters to help bring some of our key artists to Japan, such as The Asylum Street Spankers Tour last year (See below for details of upcoming tours by Buffalo artists).


Buffalo Artists on Tour:
Papa Grows Funk
   March. 17, PGF is reportedly be performing at an event in Iga-Ueno in Mie Prefecture. Details a little hazy on this at present, so check back.
   March. 30 Club Quattro Shibuya, Tokyo, Tel: 03-3477-8750, Doors open 6 p.m. Starts 7 p.m., Tickets: Advance ¥5,000
   March. 31 Big Cat, Osaka, Tel: 06 6258 5008, Doors open 6:30 p.m. Starts 7:30 p.m., Tickets: Advance ¥5,000
   April. 1 Taku Taku, Kyoto. Tel: 075-351-1321. Doors open 6 p.m. Starts 7 p.m., Tickets: Advance ¥5,000 Info: http://www.geisya.or.jp/~takutaku/
   Promoters: Chocolate Cream Productions

Hot Club of Cowtown Japanese Stomp Tour '04
   Oct. 11 Club Quattro, Tokyo
   Oct. 12 Tokuzo, Nagoya
   Oct. 13 Mokkiriya, Kanazawa
   Oct. 15 Club Quattro, Hiroshima
   Oct. 16 Banana Hall. Osaka
   Oct. 17 Thumbs Up, Yokohama

Buffalo Records Reviewed:
still Dream Walking    Big Derrick Walker

Vol. 4: Vodou Dance   Los Hombres Calientes

Shakin'   Papa Grows Funk

The Royal Sessions   The Bo-Keys

Mercurial   The Asylum Street Spankers

Big Lonesome Radio nominated for two W.C. Handy awards!
Big Lonesome Radio, the debut album by roots blues guitarist Mark Lemhouse, has been nominated for W.C. Handy Awards in "Acoustic Blues Album of the Year" and "Best New Artist Debut" categories.

"Mark is staggered by the honor of being recognized by dual Handy award nominations," said Michael Powers, president of Yellow Dog Records. "We're thrilled at the fantastic reception the album has enjoyed from radio, press, and other members of the nominating committee."

"Big Lonesome Radio" was nationally released by Yellow Dog Records in March 2003 to international acclaim in major publications including Blues Revue, who proclaimed that the album "should give blues lovers hope for the future of the genre," MOJO Magazine, Sing Out!, and Blues Matters!. Currently, Lemhouse is one of eight "rising young blues acts" profiled with a two-page article in the Feb/March issue of Blues Revue. The release has also enjoyed strong airplay on nearly 150 stations nationwide, charting on the Living Blues radio chart and Roots Music Report Blues chart. The album is distributed nationally by Burnside Distribution.

You can vote for Mark online in the Handy Awards. He's in the second and third categories on the ballot. Voting closes March 14th.

:: Les Coles Saturday, March 13, 2004 [+] ::

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International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum Announces 2004 Inductees

"We received votes from gospel music fans in the United States, South Africa, Japan, Europe, Jamaica, Tobago, London and numerous other locations, which is what we envisioned when we added 'international' to our name last year. The reach of gospel music is truly global." " —Hall of Fame founder David Gough.

DETROIT (March 8)— Gospel recording artists Donnie McClurkin and CeCe Winans, Savoy Records Executive Director Rev. Milton Biggham, the late Anna Crockett Ford, Dr. Albert J. Lewis, Jr., Bill Moss & The Celestials, the O'Neal Twins and Joseph Niles are this year's inductees to the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

The 2004 inductees were announced by the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum board. Brief bios of all inductees can be found on the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum Web site, www.igmhf.org.

"We are delighted to have such an outstanding group voted into the Hall of Fame," said founder David Gough. "For the first time, the inductee list extends beyond U.S. borders as it recognizes the achievements of renowned gospel singer Joseph Niles of Barbados. We received votes from gospel music fans in the United States, South Africa, Japan, Europe, Jamaica, Tobago, London and numerous other locations, which is what we envisioned when we added 'international' to our name last year. It's an affirmation that the reach of gospel music is truly global."

The induction and awards celebration for this year's top nominees will be held in Detroit on Saturday, October 23, 2004.

Nominees to the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum must have been involved in gospel music activities for at least 25 years. Individuals, groups, choirs, quartets, broadcast personalities and promoters are represented among past years' inductees. Among nearly 100 previous inductees are Della Reese, The Dixie Hummingbirds, The Caravans, Dr. Bobby Jones and the Mississippi Mass Choir.

Founded in 1995 as a non-profit organization by DoRohn Entertainment's president and gospel artist David Gough, the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum preserves and celebrates the work of the world's legendary and influential gospel music artists and entertainers.

The museum, open for tours by appointment, is housed in the studios of DoRohn Entertainment. Its collections include recordings, documents, photographs and memorabilia. Archivists and music experts are also available to assist students and researchers. Plans are now underway to build a new facility for the Hall of Fame and Museum in Detroit.

International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum
18301 West McNichols
Detroit, Michigan 48219
Phone: 313-592-0017
Fax: 313-592-8762
www.igmhf.org

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McGuinty government gives boost to the blues

March 9 — Once again, the Big White is proving itself way ahead of its southern neighbor when it comes to sponsoring the arts as the adminstration of Dalton McGuinty, the premier of Ontario, is shelling out big bucks to revitalize Toronto's tourism industry and attract visitors by investing in seven cultural organizations.

"Cultural tourism plays a vital role in the province's tourism industry, which generates almost $20 billion in annual revenues," Canadian Minister of Culture Madeleine Meilleur said March 9. "Our investment will help increase marketing efforts and attract visitors from across Canada and the United States. By rebuilding audiences, it will strengthen these organizations, and display Ontario's vibrant cultural sector to a wider public."

As prove of its commitment, the administration is giving $7,000 to the Toronto Blues Society and $40,000 to North By Northeast Music Festival. Other recipients are The Canadian Stage Company ($160,000), Harbourfront Centre ($140,000), Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall ($138,000) and Casa Loma ($57,000).

These projects are part of a cultural marketing program that recognizes the unique challenges faced by cultural agencies, attractions and events in carrying out the increased marketing efforts necessary to rebuild lost tourism and revitalize the industry.

"As we well know, 2003 was a challenging year for the culture and tourism sectors," Meilleur said. "Investing in cultural tourism today is an investment in the prosperity of the province, and will provide a high quality of life for all Ontarians."

Last month, the McGuinty government announced $30 million in new funding to promote tourism and economic growth in Ontario.

Now if only all countries had such a progressive stance rather than the "sink-or-swim" attitude taken by most toward the arts.

:: Les Coles Saturday, March 13, 2004 [+] ::

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Last Chance to vote online for 25th W.C. Handy Blues Awards Nominees

Seeing as how the good folks at The Blues Foundation have this year for the first time thrown open to the public the right to vote in the annual W.C. Handy Awards, don't you feel you should take advantage of the offer and vote?

Online voting ends March 14. This is the last day you can register and vote for the nominees listed below.

2004 W.C. Handy Blues Awards Nominees

ACOUSTIC ALBUM
Eric Bibb - Natural Light - Earthbeat
Rory Block - Last Fair Deal - Telarc Records
Guy Davis - Chocolate to the Bone - Red House
Buddy Guy - Blues Singer - Silvertone
Fruteland Jackson - Blues 2.0 - Electro-Fi
Mark Lemhouse - Big Lonesome Radio - Yellow Dog Records

ACOUSTIC ARTIST
Eric Bibb
Rory Block
Guy Davis
John Hammond
Corey Harris
Alvin Youngblood Hart

BEST NEW ARTIST DEBUT
Renee Austin - Sweet Talk - Blind Pig
Nick Curran and the Nitelifes - Doctor Velvet - Blind Pig
Ellis Hooks - Up Your Mind - Evidence
EG Kight - Southern Comfort - Blue South records
Mark Lemhouse - Big Lonesome Radio - Yellow Dog Records

BLUES ALBUM
Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets - Which Way Is Texas? - Bullseye Blues
Buddy Guy - Blues Singer - Silvertone
Bettye Lavette - A Woman Like Me - Blues Express
Otis Taylor - Truth Is Not Fiction - Telarc Records
Kim Wilson - Lookin' for Trouble! - MC Records

BLUES BAND
Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets w/Sam Myers
Little Charlie and the Nightcats
Magic Slim Band
Bob Margolin's All Star Blues Band
Rod Piazza Band
Roomful of Blues

ENTERTAINER
Solomon Burke
Shemekia Copeland
B.B. King
Bobby Rush
Kim Wilson

INSTRUMENTALIST--BASS
Johnny B. Gayden
Calvin Jones
Willie Kent
Bob Stroger
Bill Stuve

INSTRUMENTALIST--DRUMS
Jimi Bott
Sam Carr
Sam Lay
Joe Maher
Willie "Big Eyes" Smith

INSTRUMENTALIST--GUITAR
Michael Burks
Ronnie Earl
Anson Funderburgh
Duke Robillard
Junior Watson

INSTRUMENTALIST--HARMONICA
James Harman
Charlie Musselwhite
Rod Piazza
Snooky Pryor
Kim Wilson

INSTRUMENTALIST--HORNS
Gordon Beadle - Saxophone
Mark Kazanoff - Saxophone
Calvin Owens -Trumpet
Roomful of Blues - Horns
Eddie Shaw - Saxophone

INSTRUMENTALIST--KEYBOARDS
Marcia Ball
Henry Butler
Dr. John
Honey Piazza
Jay McShann

INSTRUMENTALIST--OTHER
Gatemouth Brown - Fiddle
Andra Faye - Mandolin/Violin
Robert Randolph - Pedal Steel
Sonny Rhodes - Lap Steel
Otis Taylor - Banjo

SONG
"Foreclose on the House of Love" - writer, John Lee Sanders - So Many Rivers/Marcia Ball
"Hard Times Won" - writers, Barry Levenson/Johnny Dyer - Hard Times Won/Johnny Dyer
"I Smell Smoke" - writers, Jon Tiven, Sally Tiven and Roger Reale - I Smell Smoke/Michael Burks
"Lookin' for Trouble" - writers, Kim Wilson/Amanda Taylor - Lookin' For Trouble!/Kim Wilson
"Southern Comfort" - writers, EG Kight/Tom Horner - Southern Comfort/EG Kight

COMEBACK ALBUM
Mickey Champion - What You Want - Tonedef
Jim Dickinson - Free Beer Tomorrow - Artemis Records
Bettye Lavette - A Woman Like Me - Blues Express
Deacon John Moore - Deacon John's Jump Blues - Vetter Communications
Howard Tate - Rediscovered - Private Music

CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
Marcia Ball - So Many Rivers - Alligator
Michael Burks - I Smell Smoke - Alligator
Nick Moss & the Flip Tops - Count Your Blessings - Blue Bella
Otis Taylor - Truth Is Not Fiction - Telarc Records
Kim Wilson - Lookin' for Trouble! - MC Records

CONTEMPORARY FEMALE
Marcia Ball
Deborah Coleman
Shemekia Copeland
EG Kight
Janiva Magness

CONTEMPORARY MALE
Buddy Guy
Taj Mahal
Otis Taylor
Joe Louis Walker
Kim Wilson

HISTORICAL ALBUM
Slim Harpo - Complete Excello Singles - Hip-O
Sister Rosetta Tharpe - The Gospel of the Blues - MCA/Decca
Muddy Waters - Muddy "Mississippi" Waters Live - Legacy Edition
Howlin' Wolf - The London Sessions (Deluxe Edition) - MCA/Chess
Various Artists - 50 Years of Jazz and Blues -Blues- Delmark

SOUL BLUES ABLUM
Bobby Blue Bland - Blues At Midnight - Malaco Records
Etta James - Let's Roll - RCA/Private
Bettye Lavette - A Woman Like Me - Blues Express
Mighty Sam McClain - One More Bridge to Cross - Mighty Music
Howard Tate - Rediscovered - Private Music

SOUL FEMALE ARTIST
Etta James
Bettye Lavette
E.C. Scott
Toni Lynn Washington
Lavelle White

SOUL MALE ARTIST
Solomon Burke
W.C. Clark
Mighty Sam McClain
Bobby Rush
Howard Tate

TRADITIONAL ALBUM
Jimmy Burns - Back To The Delta - Delmark
Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets - Which Way Is Texas? - Bullseye Blues
Bob Margolin - All Star Blues Jam - Telarc Records
Johnny B. Moore - Rockin' In The Same Old Boat - Delmark
Various - Shout, Sister, Shout! - A Tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe - MC Records

TRADITIONAL FEMALE ARTIST
Alberta Adams
Precious Bryant
Mickey Champion
Maria Muldaur
Odetta
Koko Taylor

TRADITIONAL MALE ARTIST
Willie King
Robert Lockwood, Jr.
Magic Slim
Pinetop Perkins
Otis Rush


The Handy Awards are presented by:

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Blues Hall of Fame Inductees 2004

The following esteemed individuals and recordings have been selected for induction into the Blues Hall of Fame by The Blues Foundation's Hall of Fame committee, chaired by Jim O'Neal, founding editor of Living Blues. The induction ceremony will be conducted in association with the Foundation's Charter Members Dinner, Wednesday, April 28, in Memphis Tennessee, the night before the 25th W.C. Handy Blues Awards.


Performer: Bo Diddley: Ellas Otha Bates McDaniel, better known as Bo Diddley, was born in McComb, Mississippi in 1928, and moved to Chicago in the mid-'30s, where he eventually would shock the music world in 1955 with his 2-sided hit "Bo Diddley"/"I'm A Man" on Chess Records. The distinctive syncopated rhythm of his self-titled song captured the primal spirit of restless youth of those times. He followed that success up the next year with "Who Do You Love," solidifying his place in history as the originator of what has since become known around the world as the "Bo Diddley Beat." Other Diddley classics include "Pretty Thing," "Mona," and "You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover."

Performer: Blind Boy Fuller: Fulton Allen, also known as Blind Boy Fuller, was one of the most influential and popular Bluesmen of the 1930s. Born in Wadesboro, NC in 1908, Fuller was one of the pioneers of the Piedmont style of Blues that helped define the sound of the Southeast Atlantic coast of the United States. He recorded an impressive collection of songs in a short span from 1935-1941 on his National steel guitar. He was a master of deep Blues, but was best-loved for his Ragtime influenced hits like "Rag Mama Rag," "Trucking My Blues Away," and "Step It Up and Go."

Non-Performer: J. Mayo Williams: Besides being one of the three pioneering African-American men of early pro football, the multi-talented J. Mayo Williams managed to have a long career of 35 years in the record business beginning in the late '20s. He is best know for his production work for the Paramount, Brunswick, Vocalion and Decca labels. He produced and recorded many top Blues artists, including Blind Boy Fuller, Louis Jordan, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Ma Rainey, Tampa Red and Muddy Waters, among others, playing a large hand in bringing Blues music to the world. . He was owner and President of both Harlem Records out of New York and Ebony Records in Chicago.

Classics of Blues Literature: Juke Blues magazine: Juke Blues magazine was founded in 1985 in London, England by John Broven, Bez Turner, and current Editor Cilla Huggins. A prime source for articles, interviews, reviews, discographies and photos, Juke Blues is a treasure trove of facts, info, and stories that illuminate the lives of the artists that create the Blues, Soul, Zydeco, Gospel and Jazz music that we love. Many Blues aficionados contribute their expert writing to the magazine, making Juke Blues one of the most respected Blues periodicals of all-time.



Classics of Blues Recordings - Singles or Album Tracks: Jimmy Reed, "Baby What You Want Me To Do": Like so many other Bluesman, Jimmy Reed, was born in Mississippi, but made his mark after moving to Chicago. But no other Chicago Blues artist had more success than Reed at churning out hits, even crossing over to the Pop charts 11 times. Reed's unique, lazy loping style of vocals, guitar and harmonica would go on to strike a chord in listeners' hearts for years. Perhaps no other Reed tune has been covered by other artists more often than "Baby What You Want Me To Do." Many folks know the song by other titles such as "You Got Me Runnin'" and Peepin' and Hidin'." Interestingly, the words Jimmy sings are "Baby, why you want to let go" and this title can be heard on the introduction of the song on the original session tape.

Classics of Blues Recordings - Albums: Slim Harpo, Raining In My Heart: No one defined the Louisiana Swamp Blues sound of Baton Rouge better than Slim Harpo. Born James Moore in 1924, he would go on to have almost as much success as Jimmy Reed, his chief influence. Moore began his career as Harmonica Slim, but upon beginning his relationship with the Nashville-based Excello label under the direction of producer J.D. Miller, his name was changed to Slim Harpo. His first single, "I'm A King Bee," was released in 1957, starting a string of singles that eventually found their way onto the classic album 1961 Raining In My Heart. It featured the infectious, mid-tempo ballad title track which was his first chart record.

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Crosby, Hash & Gun

FREDERICK, Md. — Three weeks before he was arrested on marijuana and gun possession charges (See Blues Blog March 7 post), singer David Crosby told a newspaper he was through with drugs.

Crosby, who was to perform Friday in Frederick, told The Frederick News-Post in a mid-February interview that drugs were no longer a part of his life. "I haven't been tempted by that stuff for 15 years. You get past it," he said. The newspaper published the story Thursday. Police say they found an ounce of marijuana, a .45-caliber handgun and a knife in a suitcase Crosby left in a New York hotel room. He was arrested Saturday when he returned to pick up the luggage.

"When I really got toasted toward the end of the hard drugs, it made me not want to write," he told the newspaper. "I wasted a lot of time when I could have been making music." Crosby, 62, was a founding member of both The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

Meanwhile, refunds were being offered to fans who bought tickets to this Saturday's show at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, N.J. Crosby, who is free on $3,500 bail, is to play Monmouth University's 700-seat Pollak Theatre. The refund offer was posted on the university's Web site, although the reason wasn't stated. Two telephone calls to his agent at the William Morris Agency were not returned.

:: Les Coles Friday, March 12, 2004 [+] ::

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Muddy Waters' Daughter Turns Herself In On Murder Charge

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 12)—The daughter of blues artist Muddy Waters surrendered Friday after a warrant was issued accusing her of being involved in the 1996 murder of a Florida man. An Alchua County sheriff's spokesman says Rosalind Morganfield, 34, surrendered about noon today after being charged in the death of Timothy Jason Harrington Morganfield will make her initial court appearance tomorrow.

Authorities say Morganfield is not cooperating with detectives, so they don't know where she has been living. Court records say Harrington was shot in December 1996 and that his death was linked to a drug deal involving three pounds of marijuana. His remains weren't found until 2000. Another suspect in the case, 38-year-old David Myhand, was arrested Wednesday for first-degree murder and is being held without bond at the Alachua County jail. Muddy Waters, who was born McKinley Morganfield, died in 1983.

Alachua County Sheriff's Lt. Jim Troiano said investigators have talked with Morganfield's family members, friends and artists, including musician Bo Diddley, who lives in Gainesville. Detectives believe she lives in the Hillsborough or Pinellas County area, although she has been seen in Gainesville in recent weeks. Muddy Waters, who was born McKinley Morganfield, died in 1983. Troiano said Waters' daughter has acquaintances in the Gainesville area and local arrests for her date back to 1994.

Muddy Waters died in 1983

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Les Paul performs at opening of his own exhibit at Rock Hall of Fame

March 10 —Five-time Grammy winner Les Paul showcased his legendary chops when he and his band performed for the opening of the new exhibit, "The New Sound: Les Paul and the Electric Guitar" at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Friday, March 5 in Cleveland. The exhibit is part of part of a permanent exhibit called "The Architects of Rock and Roll" on the second floor of the Museum. (See Blues Blog Jan. 4 post)

Known as the "Wizard of Waukesha" (Wisconsin), Les is the world's most famous guitarist and has been the leading proponent of the solidbody electric guitar since he built his own in 1941. He joined forces with Gibson to create the Gibson Les Paul model in 1952, and his endorsement agreement with Gibson eventually became the most successful in the history of musical instruments. The distinctive, trademarked Gibson Les Paul body shape is now recognized around the world as an icon for rock and roll music.

Paul, 89, played classics including "Sleep," "All of Me" and "The Tennessee Waltz," which he recorded with his singing partner/former wife Mary Ford. As an innovative jazz-pop player, Paul recorded No. 1 hits including "How High the Moon" and "Vaya Con Dios" with Ford.

"The Log," Paul's 1941 electric solidbody, is on display at the Museum, as well as other artifacts including "The Clunker," the Epiphone guitar that Paul customized and played on many of his hits. The first Gibson Les Paul from 1952 is also part of the exhibit. Paul was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.


Les performing with Lou Pallo, guitar; Nicki Parrott, bass; John Colianni, piano; Les' son Russ on drums. Photos by Neal Hamilton/Courtesy of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

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Inaugural World Guitar Congress set for June 2-9

Attendees include: Robert Lockwood, Jr., Bob Margolin, Derek Trucks, John Hammond, & Les Paul

Classical, jazz, country, rock, blues, flamenco and fusion guitarists from around the world will converge on Baltimore, Maryland, in June for The First World Guitar Congress.

The weeklong guitarfest being held at Towson University and the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall from June 2 - 9 will include include clinics and master classes by such artists as John Scofield and Ralph Towner; as well as symposia, including: "What Makes the Blues So Special?" with panelists Robert Lockwood, Jr., Bob Margolin and Derek Trucks—moderated by Bob Sekinger; and "Women in Jazz and Rock" with panelists Sheryl Bailey and Jennifer Batten, moderated by Beth Marlis.

Also in attendance will be the father of the electric guitar—Les Paul.

An estimated 20,000 people are expected to attend the event, which has a budget of about $1 million that was raised from a variety of sponsors, Helene Breazeale, a professor of dance at Towson University and an event organizer said, adding the idea grew out of a similar event she helped organize for the cello that was held in Russia in 1997

Guest guitarists include:
Brazilian Guitar Quartet, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Howard Alden, Sergio and Odair Assad, Sheryl Bailey, Jennifer Batten, Dusan Bogdanovic, Jimmy Bruno, Dick Dale, Jerry Douglas, Marty Friedman, Jim Hall, John Hammond, Steve Herberman, Johnny Hiland, Sharon Isbin, Eric Johnson, Albert Lee, Robert Lockwood, Jr. & Bob Margolin, Beth Marlis, Juan Martín, Pat Martino, Adam del Monte, Les Paul, Paco Peña, Tony Rice, David Russell, John Scofield, Andy Summers, Martin Taylor, Marija Temo, Ralph Towner, Derek Trucks, Tuck & Patti, Benjamin Verdery, Frank Vignola, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Mo' details: http://www.towson.edu/worldmusiccongresses/guitar.html
Registration form

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"The Memphis Blues"

In 1909, Handy and his band were asked to play for the campaign of the Memphis political boss, Edward H. Crump. At the time, the most popular song in their repertoire was a piece called "Mr. Crump" which contained some lines not exactly complimentary to their patron:

Mr. Crump doan allow no easy riders here.
We doan care what Mr. Crump doan allow,
We gonna Barrel-house anyhow.
Mr. Crump can go and catch himself some air.

But Boss Crump was not interested in the lyrics if he ever even heard them. What he was interested in was the drawing power of Handy's music, which proved so successful that Crump won the election. Later new words by George Norton were added, and the title was changed to "The Memphis Blues."

It was the first blues Handy ever wrote. Many consider it to be the first blues song in history, although due to Handy's problems finding a publisher it was preceded in print by "Baby Seals Blues" by Artie Matthews, in August of 1912 and the "Dallas Blues" by Hart A. Wand in September of the same year. Handy's song, which had been released as an instrumental in 1910, came out at the end of September or the beginning of October 1912, when Handy finally decided to publish it himself.

The Memphis Blues
Words by George A. Norton and Music by William Christopher Handy

Chorus 1:
Folks I've just been down, down to Memphis town,
That's where the people smile, smile on you all the while.
Hospitality, they were good to me.
I couldn't spend a dime, and had the grandest time.
I went out a dancing with a Tennessee dear,
They had a fellow there named Handy with a band you should hear
And while the dancers gently swayed, all the band folks played
Real harmony.
I never will forget the tune that Handy called the Memphis Blues.
Oh them Blues.

They've got a fiddler there that always slickens his hair
And folks he sure do pull some bow.
And when the big Bassoon seconds to the Trombones croon.
It moans just like a sinner on Revival Day, on Revival Day.

Chorus 2:
Oh that melody sure appealed to me.
Just like a mountain stream rippling on it seemed.
Then it slowly died, with a gentle sigh
Soft as the breeze that whines high in the summer pines.
Hear me people, hear me people, hear I pray,
I'm going to take a million lesson's 'til I learn how to play
Because I seem to hear it yet, simply can't forget
That blue refrain.
There's nothing like the Handy Band that played the Memphis Blues so grand.
Oh play them Blues.

That melancholy strain, that ever haunting refrain
Is like a sweet old sorrow song.
Here comes the very part that wraps a spell around my heart.
It sets me wild to hear that loving tune a gain, the Memphis Blues.


Crump, Edward Hull (1874-1954)
Also known as Edward H. Crump; "Boss Crump" -- of Memphis, Shelby County, Tenn. Born near Holly Springs, Marshall County, Miss., October 2, 1874. Democrat. Mayor of Memphis, Tenn., 1910-15, 1940; delegate to Democratic National Convention from Tennessee, 1924, 1928, 1936, 1940, 1944; U.S. Representative from Tennessee, 1931-35 (10th District 1931-33, 9th District 1933-35); member of Democratic National Committee from Tennessee, 1936-45. Died in Memphis, Shelby County, Tenn., October 16, 1954. Interment at Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis, Tenn

Crump was also one of the "Goat Feathers," who resurected THE MEMPHI, (The Mystical Society of the Memphi) , the well-known Memphis Mardis Gras Krewe.

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Major London blues event planned

It's not official &mdas; but London is set to become blues heaven on April 28. Concert industry Web site Pollstar indicates a big roster of blues stars, ranging from such legendary figures Robert Lockwood Jr. and Little Milton to more widely known performers such as Ike Turner, will play the John Labatt Centre then. Toronto-based promoter House of Blues is organizing the event, billed as The Blues on Tour. The tour has been mentioned on Lockwood's Web site.

The blues veteran, who turns 89 this month, learned guitar from Robert (King of the Delta Blues Singers) Johnson at age 11. Pollstar says other artists on the tour include guitarslinger Duke Robillard, R&B singer Ruth Brown and pianist Pinetop Perkins. More details, including ticket prices and availability, are expected later this week.

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Plans for new B.B. King club in Jackson, Ms., discussed

March 11—Restoration of some buildings in Farish Street, in the entertainment district of Jackson, Ms., could begin in two months, but project officials are mum on potential tenants.

The Jackson Historic Preservation Commission approved architectural drawings Wednesday to refurbish 212 Farish St., 230 Farish and 232-234 Farish.

Renderings called for $1.3 million in brickwork, windows and structural improvements in the vacant, crumbling buildings between Amite and Griffith streets.

The names of restaurants, stores or clubs looking at the spaces were not discussed. Project officials briefly mentioned ongoing talks with B.B. King Blues Club. There are B.B. King clubs in Memphis, Nashville, Los Angeles and New York.

The $12 million renovation of Farish Street will start this year, said Cato Walker III, senior vice president of development for Performa Entertainment Real Estate. Past estimates pegged the project at $15 million to $20 million.

Memphis-based Performa also is negotiating with Mississippi College School of Law on Griffith Street to build apartments on a vacant lot across from the school, said Deputy City Planner Corinne Fox. She did not disclose details.

Law school Dean Jim Rosenblatt said he has not participated in the talks. "The law school believes its students would like the opportunity to seek housing close to the law school," Rosenblatt said, adding "We would like to see downtown Jackson develop a greater after-hours life."

The preservation commission, which is a citizens advisory board, must approve all architectural plans, because Farish Street is a local historic district.

During the meeting, Walker mentioned creating blueprints for a B.B. King Blues Club.

Outside the meeting, he said Performa is negotiating with the blues legend's company to locate in downtown Jackson. He would not discuss other prospects.

Any decision to open a B.B. King Blues Club on Farish Street won't come soon, said Tommy Peters, company president.

"It's not on the front burner right now," Peters said from Memphis. However, Jackson is not ruled out, he said.

:: Les Coles Thursday, March 11, 2004 [+] ::

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News Briefs—March 12

♦ Jennifer Lopez has been tapped to star alongside Nicole Kidman in the movie "American Darlings", a period drama about a white female swing band that teams up with black and Hispanic musicians during World War II. The Chicago Sun-Times says that J. Lo and Kidman will sing together in the film.

♦ While in New York City for Traffic's induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Steve Winwood will perform on "The Late Show" with David Letterman on Monday, March 15. He will perform a song from his new album, About Time.

♦ Diana Ross has been ordered to return to Tucson, AZ to serve a two-day jail sentence for her drunken-driving conviction. The singer, who pleaded no contest to DUI last month, had arranged to serve her sentence in Greenwich, CT where she lives. But during her jail time, she left and returned multiple times, and that means she did not technically complete her sentence. Arizona law requires DUI defendants to spend at least 24 consecutive hours in custody, which Ross did not. A hearing is set for April 1 to determine her new jail time.

♦ Paul Winfield, an Academy Award-nominated actor known for his versatility in stage, film and television roles, including a highly praised 1978 depiction of Martin Luther King, has died at 62. Winfield died Sunday of a heart attack, said his agent, Michael Livingston. Winfield was Emmy-nominated for best actor in the title role of the 1978 miniseries, King, and nominated the next year in the best supporting actor category for Roots: The Next Generation. He finally won an Emmy in 1995 for a guest appearance on Picket Fences.

:: Les Coles Thursday, March 11, 2004 [+] ::

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The Alcoholic Blues (Some Blues)

Here's something I found tooling around The Library of Congress:



The Alcoholic Blues (Some Blues)
Words by Edward Laska, Music by Albert Von Tilzer

Verse 1:
I love my country, 'deed I do,
But oh that war has made me blue.
I like fightin', that's my name,
But fightin' is the least about the fightin' game.
When Mister Hoover said to cut my dinner down,
I never even hesitate, I never frown.
I cut my sugar, I cut my coal.
But now they dug deep in my soul.

Chorus:
I've got the blues, I've got the blues,
I've got the Alcoholic Blues.
No more beer my heart to cheer,
Good bye whiskey, you used to make me frisky,
So long highball, so long gin,
Oh, tell me when you comin' back again?
Blues -- I've got the blues
Since they amputated my booze.
Lordy, lordy, war is well, you know,
I don't have to tell.
Oh, I've got the alcoholic blues,
Some blues.

Verse 2:
Prohibition, that's the name,
Prohibition drives me insane.
I'm so thirsty soon I'll die,
I'm simply goin' to 'vaporate, I'm just that dry.
I wouldn't mind to live forever in a trench,
Just if my daily thirst they only let me quench.
And not the Bevo or Ginger Ale,
I want the real stuff by the pail.

Chorus:
I've got the blues, I've got the blues,
I've got the Alcoholic Blues.
No more beer my heart to cheer,
Good bye whiskey, you used to make me frisky,
So long highball, so long gin,
Oh, tell me when you comin' back again?
Blues -- I've got the blues
Since they amputated my booze.
Lordy, lordy, war is well, you know,
I don't have to tell.
Oh, I've got the alcoholic blues,
Some blues.

:: Les Coles Wednesday, March 10, 2004 [+] ::

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Woody Guthrie Folk Festival hits the road

(PRWEB) March 10 %mdash; Organizers of the annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival have scheduled a benefit concert and CD release celebration titled Woody Guthrie Folk Festival — On the Road beginning at 7:30 p.m. March 27 in the Meacham Auditorium at the Oklahoma Memorial Union, 900 Asp Ave., on the campus of the University of Oklahoma in Norman.

The dual purpose of the concert is (1) to provide a sampler of the music featured at the annual summer folk music festival in Okemah, Okla., birthplace of internationally known songwriter Woody Guthrie, and (2) to mark the release of Welcome Home, Woody: An Oklahoma Tribute to Woody Guthrie," a limited-edition CD of live performances recorded at the 2003 Woody Guthrie Folk Festival.

Many of the performers at the "On the Road" concert also are featured on the limited-edition CD, including Jimmy LaFave, The Red Dirt Rangers, Joel Rafael and Mary Reynolds. The live recordings capture a homespun event that is a tradition at the festival — a tribute concert in which each year's festival performers play Woody’s most popular songs. Noted musicologist and Guthrie scholar Dr. Guy Logsdon also is featured at these tributes and on the CD, reading from Guthrie’s writings between some of the songs.

The musicians at "Woody Guthrie Folk Festival – On the Road" will be performing a mix of their own songs and a few Guthrie standards (and, surely, some not-so-standards). The lively, free-spirited concert will offer an early taste of the annual five-day festival, which occurs each July (on or near Guthrie's birthday, July 14, 1912) in and around the town of Okemah. This year's festival will be the seventh annual and take place July 14-18, 2004. Several acts already are confirmed, including Woody's son Arlo Guthrie.

The roster of performers for the "On the Road" concert March 27 includes, in scheduled order, Bob Childers and Randy Crouch, Karen Mal, The Red Dirt Rangers, Joel Rafael, Mary Reynolds and the So & So's, and Jimmy LaFave. The house band backing up each act will be led by Terry "Buffalo" Ware and featuring Ray Van Hooser, T.Z. Wright and Don Morris.

"Our festival is such a popular event, we've decided to take it on the road to satisfy the demand of some of our Woody fans and supporters who just can’t wait for our summer event," says Randy Norman, president of the Woody Guthrie Coalition, the organizer of the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival. "This concert is a nice sample of the positive spirit and good-natured, family-friendly music spotlighted at our festival, and the CD documents one of the festival's favorite events. Both of these support our festival and help keep it a free event for everyone."

Tickets to the concert are $20 and available in advance through Tickets.com or by calling (800) 511-1552. "Welcome Home, Woody" CDs are $15 and will be available at the concert, through www.woodyguthrie.com and (if supplies last) at the festival in July. Proceeds from ticket and CD sales benefit the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival.

For more information on both the "On the Road" concert and the seventh annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, call (405) 932-1210 and visit www.woodyguthrie.com. The Web site has complete details, plus directions and a map to the concert

:: Les Coles Wednesday, March 10, 2004 [+] ::

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Allegro Music offer 25% off EPM Musique titles

Allegro Music is offering 25 percent off the MSRP on all it's EPM Musique CDs.

EPM Musique is an historical Jazz & Blues label based in Paris, France. (Although I believe it is now a division of Buda Records.) The label's primary focus is to reissue the finest Jazz & Blues recordings in Cedar remastered digital clarity. Many of these recordings have not been available since the days of 78 rpm vinyl discs. This week, the entire EPM catalog--over 300 titles--is 25% off, making the bulk of the
catalog $8.23.

Recommendations:
Various Artists
Boogie Woogie 1940-1950
Featuring: Pete Johnson, Albert Ammons, Jimmy Yancey, Big Maceo, Lloyd Glenn, Jay McShann, Cecil Gant, Amos Milburn, Fats Domino, Milt Buckner, Lionel Hampton & Count Basie

Boogie Woogie is where R&B and Rock 'n Roll were born. The artists featured on this themed compilation, mostly pianists, are truly the pioneers of this energetic and joyful music. This specially-priced disc is a must for anyone who enjoys the sounds of piano played for the true joy
of it! 22 tracks! 25% OFF: $8.23 ($10.98 Retail)


Memphis Slim
Memphis Slim, V.2 1946-1948
These legendary Chicago recordings were Memphis Slim's first recordings under his own name after his country blues records from 1941. This disc includes two rare versions of the original "Everyday I Have the Blues."
20% OFF: $8.23 ($10.98 Retail)

Lucille Bogan (as Bessie Jackson) & Walter Roland
Reckless Woman 1927-1935

These are the last recordings as Bogan, and the first as Jackson, rechristened after being discovered in a Birmingham brothel as a singer/hostess. Often compared to Memphis Minnie, Bogan became known for her risque lyrics after she began recording under her new name--as a result of her working experience. 25% OFF: $8.23 ($10.98 Retail)

Browse the entire EPM Records label listing:
http://www.allegro-music.com/label_search.asp?label=EPM

Search by title, artist or catalog number on Allegro Music's Expanded Search page:
http://www.allegro-music.com/search_form.asp

B.D. Woman's Blues
by Lucille Bogan (a.k.a Bessie Jackson)
recording of March 7 1935, New York City


Comin' a time, B.D.¹ women, they ain't gonna need no men
Comin' a time, B.D. women, they ain't gonna needs no men
Oh, the way they treat us is a low down and dirty thing

B.D. women you sure can't understand
B.D. women you sure can't understand
They got a head like a sweet angel² and they walk like a nach'l3 man

B.D. women, they all done learned their thing
B.D. women, they all done learned their thing
They can lay their jive just like a natch'l man

B.D. women, B.D. women, you know they sure is rough
B.D. women, B.D. women, you know they sure is rough
They are drink up many a whisky and they sure can strut their stuff

B.D. women, you know they work and they make their dough4
B.D. women, you know they work and they make their dough
And when they get ready to spend it, they know the place where to go

__________
Note 1: B.D., Bull Dyker
Note 2: sweet angel, standard transliteration is "sweet angel" but it sounds more like "Swiss engine". Swiss engines were saddle-tank locomotives (almost cubical) used for moving timber.

:: Les Coles Wednesday, March 10, 2004 [+] ::

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Ruth Ellington Boatwright—the Duke's only sibling—dies

Ruth Ellington Boatwright, Duke Ellington's only sibling, died March 7 aged 89. Boatwright was born in 1915 and was 16 years younger that Duke. She graduated from Columbia University with the intention of becoming a physician but ended up running Tempo Music, Duke's publishing arm, she served as president from its inception back in 1941 until she sold 51 percent of the company to a New York publisher in 1995.

After Duke's death in 1974, Boatwright and her nephew Mercer, gathered together Ellington's artifacts and donated same to the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. She was also interviewed extensively by Janna Tull Steel for the latter's book, "Duke Ellington — A Spiritual Journey" After hearing Oliver Jones "live" at Sweet Basil in September of 1987, Ruth is quoted as saying, "How my brother would have loved him."

A funeral this week will be followed by a memorial at St. Peter's in NYC at a later date.

:: Les Coles Monday, March 08, 2004 [+] ::

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Keb' Mo's Champs-Elysées blues

FORT WORTH— Keb' Mo' continued to make the blues safe for the 21st century in his concert at the Ridglea Theater on Friday night.

Once, blues songs dealt with a very limited range of topics, usually the singer's lack of something important -- my baby, shoes, a job, tax-free municipal bonds, etc.

But those are old, Mississippi Delta-based blues. Mo', who grew up as Kevin Moore in Compton, Calif., covers a lot of ground that the blues legends did not. His blues have been to town.

Take France, one of the many tunes from his new CD, Keep It Simple, that he performed for the standing-room-only crowd of about 800. In France his baby does not want to be taken to a honky-tonk in Memphis; she wants to go hang out on the Champs-Elysées.

So the world of Mo's blues is not so much miserable as it is complicated. House in California, about Left Coast real-estate prices, is another good example.

Mo's blues are also a bit different from other blues because of the surprising range of influences, such as country, in his music. He and his five-piece band covered Hank Williams' I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, and some of Mo's tunes, like Angelina, have a country feel. The lanky singer-guitarist may be the only blues musician working today who also plays mandolin in his live performances.

But most of Mo's set, including Riley B. King, a tribute to B.B. King, was about the blues. The generous, two-hour-plus show really took off toward the end with tunes like Gimme What You Got and Am I Wrong.

The show had an easy, spontaneous feel to it, underscored by the star's casual chatter with the audience. But there was nothing offhand or glib about the fine, tight playing.

Opening the concert was guitarist Kaki King, who came across as a sort of a messy Leo Kottke. King used an interesting and creative technique, but not as pristine as Kottke's, to build an amazing wall of sound.

She also had a good sense of humor. At one point, King blurted out that she was Mo's daughter. The crowd got the Norah Jones-inspired joke immediately.

Source: By Punch Shaw, Special to the Star-Telegram

:: Les Coles Monday, March 08, 2004 [+] ::

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3rd Annual Ponderosa Stomp — Dates & Lineup

Celebrating the Unsung Heroes of the Blues, Soul, Rockabilly, Swamp Pop and New Orleans R&B

April 27, and 28, at the Rock N' Bowl, New Orleans
From 5 P.M. till 2 A.M Nightly, Admission $35 per Night

NEW ORLEANS, La. — Unsung creators of rock 'n' roll, R&B, rockabilly, blues and swamp pop — ones who made influential vintage recordings, maybe scored a hit, and have been long forgotten by today’s pop mainstream — will be once again celebrated as Ponderosa Stomp announces the lineup for its third annual music festival.

The two-night music festival, scheduled for April 27-28, 2004, again will take place at the Rock'N'Bowl Mid City Lanes in New Orleans. Tickets sell for $35 per night through the festival’s web site, http://www.ponderosastomp.com and through Ticketweb.com, http://www.ticketweb.com. Prospective attendees are advised to purchase tickets well in advance as both nights are expected to sell out.

Billed as "two nights of insane rock'n'roll," this year's fun begins on Tuesday, April 27th, 2004 with Toussaint McCall, Billy Boy Arnold, Homesick James, Ray Sharpe, Matt Lucas, Dennis Binder, Alvis Wayne, Jimmy Lee Fautheree, Deke Dickerson and the EccoFonics, Hi Rhthym Section with Wille Cobbs, Lady Bo, James Burton, King Lloyd Band, Henry Gray, Joe Clay, Jay Chevalier and John Ellison

The craziness will continue on Wednesday, April 28th, 2004 with Bobby Charles, Phil Phillips, Barbara Lynn,Long John Hunter, Lazy Lester, Fillmore Slim, Ernie "Dapwalk" Vincent, Lil Buck Sinegal and his Buckaroo Allstars, Rockie Charles, Lil Bob, Guitar Gable, King Karl, Swamp Pop Extravaganza with CC Adcock and the Mau Mau Playboys, Tommy McLain, Gene Terry, Zigaboo Modeliste, Willie Tee, Warren Storm, Roy "Boogie Boy" Perkins, Classie Ballou, Carol Fran, Eddie Bo, The Bad Roads, Little Freddie King, Phil Phillips, Oliver “Who Shot the La La” Morgan, and Al "Carnival Time" Johnson.

Ponderosa Stomp is presented by the Mystic Knights of the Mau-Mau, a group of rock'n'roll fanatics who are obsessed with celebrating the overlooked pioneers of country, swamp pop, blues, jazz, soul and New Orleans R&B. In the past three years, the Mystic Knights have presented more than 30 shows featuring a combined roster of more than 120 musical legends which reads like an impossible dream lineup of American roots music.

Ponderosa Stomp has won numerous citations in the media. The New York Times’ Jon Pareles wrote, “The Ponderosa Stomp plunges into the obscure byways of rock'n'roll past—regional hits and eclectic combinations—a dream!" Added Gambit magazine, "For roots aficionados, the Stomp was nirvana; you almost had to pinch yourself to make sure it wasn’t a dream." And CNN, advancing the event, proclaimed, "History will be in the making at the Stomp." In addition, the festival has been covered by MSNBC, Associated Press, Mojo, Christian Science Monitor, Offbeat, Living Blues and more.

The Mystic Knights of the Mau-Mau (MKMM Charities, Inc) is a 501(c)(7) organization, seeking to recognize the forgotten and unsung pioneers of blues, rock'n'roll, country, jazz and soul by presenting those pioneers to today's audiences through an annual series of live, intimate house party settings in New Orleans. Their shows have helped resurrect the careers of two lost music legends — soul singer Howard Tate and blues guitarist Jody Williams —both of whom played their first shows in 30 years for the Mystic Knights of the Mau-Mau.

Lineup
Tuesday, April 27th
The Fabulous Wailers
Rudy Ray Moore
Toussaint Mccall
Billy Boy Arnold
Homesick James
Ray Sharpe
Matt Lucas
Dennis Binder
Alvis Wayne
Jimmy Lee Fautheree
Deke Dickerson and the EccoFonics
Hi Rhthym Section with Wille Cobbs
Lady Bo
John Ellison
James Burton
King Lloyd Band
Henry Gray
Joe Clay
Jay Chevalier

Wednesday, April 28th
Bobby Charles
Phil Phillips
Barbara Lynn
Long John Hunter
Lazy Lester
Fillmore Slim
The Bad Roads
Ernie "Dapwalk" Vincent
Lil Buck Sinegal and his Buckaroo Allstars
Rockie Charles
Lil Bob
Guitar Gable
King Karl
Swamp Pop Extravaganza with CC Adcock and the Mau Mau Playboys
Tommy McLain
Gene Terry
Warren Storm
Roy "Boogie Boy" Perkins
Classie Ballou
Carol Fran
Eddie Bo
Willie Tee
Ziagboo Modeliste
Little Freddie King
Oliver Who Shot the La La Morgan
Al Carnival Time Johnson

Howard Tate has cancelled and will not be performing at the Stomp.

More performers will be added over the coming weeks. This list above is still tentative and subject to change, so check back regularly, you here?.

Tickets
Tickets are $35 per show can be purchased now online via Ticketweb. We strongly encourage you to purchase your tickets online as we are expecting a sell out.

The Rock n' Bowl, Mid City Lanes, New Orleans The venue for the Pondeorsa Stomp. The Stomp will be using the upstairs and the downstairs for performances, with one admission for both venues. The upstairs capacity is about 700 and downstairs is 300. The Rock and Bowl has a full service bar and serves food- and you can even bowl. For more information visit www.RocknBowl.com.

Hotel Accommodations Special discounted hotel rooms are available for the Stomp at $75.00 plus tax at the Hotel Le Cirque. The rooms can be booked online at Hotel LeCirque, call 1-800-684-955. Please mention the rooms are under the Mystic Knights of the Mau Mau.

:: Les Coles Monday, March 08, 2004 [+] ::

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The Village Voice Announces Date for
Village Voice 4th Annual
SIREN MUSIC FESTIVAL
at Coney Island

Saturday, July 17, 2004


New York, NY (March 8) The Village Voice, America's largest alternative weekly newspaper, is excited to announce the Saturday, July 17th date for the Village Voice 4th Annual SIREN MUSIC FESTIVAL at Coney Island, 12:00 noon - 9:00 p.m.

The Village Voice, celebrated for its writing and reporting on the vanguard of music and the arts, was extremely pleased by the huge success of the last three Village Voice produced SIREN MUSIC FESTIVALS. Last summer's 2003 festival solidified its status as a premier outdoor indie rock event by drawing a record 150,000 music fans with its standout international and national lineup. Once again, this free, all-day, all-ages, multi-stage music festival will feature live national and local bands performing on two outdoor stages in historic Coney Island.

Since its inception, the Village Voice SIREN MUSIC FESTIVAL has established itself a leader in showcasing indie rock veterans and emerging artists. Past performers have included stalwarts Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Sleater-Kinney, The Donnas, Guided By Voices, Modest Mouse, The Shins, Idlewild, Superchunk, Man or Astro-Man, Quasi, Mooney Suzuki, The Dirtbombs and Bob Log III playing alongside up and coming artists such as Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Datsuns, Hot Hot Heat, Pretty Girls Make Graves, Liars, Peaches, Sahara Hotnights, Les Savy Fav, Radio 4, Ted Leo/Pharmacists, !!!, The Kills, Northern State, The Black Heart Procession, The Von Bondies, Rainer Maria, shannonwright, The Pattern, Rye Coalition, Enon, Oneida and The Witnesses.

Past press coverage includes: MTV, MTV2, Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, New York Times, New York Post, New York Daily News, Newsday, Time Out New York, New York Magazine, New Yorker, YM, High Times, Bergen Record, Paper, VH1.com, NME.com, Spin.com, Billboard, Magnet, Pollstar, CMJ New Music Monthly, Tripwire, The Onion, Pitchfork, Flavorpill, Flyer and Citysearch.

Budweiser, who has supported the Village Voice SIREN MUSIC FESTIVAL since it's inception in 2001, returns as the exclusive festival beer sponsor of 2004.

Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.

Programming, Booking and Production:
Diane Perini x14100 dperini@villagevoice.com
Event Sponsorships and Sales:

Sean Pierce x14157 spierce@villagevoice.com
Neil Pineschi x12153 npineschi@villagevoice.com

:: Les Coles Monday, March 08, 2004 [+] ::

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19th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Awards

The following artists will be inducted at the 19th Annual Induction Ceremony, which will be held Monday, March 15th in New York at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel:

Jackson Browne — For more than three decades, Jackson Browne has been one of rock’s consummate singer-songwriters. Writing intricately crafted, deeply personal songs, he made his mark as a master chronicler of the affairs of the heart.

The Dells — The Dells began recording in 1953 and still perform today with virtually all original members. They have performed and charted in every decade since the 50s, making them one of the most influential vocal groups of all time. (For a bio on The Dells see the Dec. 26 post)

George Harrison — Post-Beatles, George Harrison's career spanned three decades during which he not only furthered his artistry as a musician, songwriter, and producer (of music and numerous films), but as a humanitarian on the world stage.

Prince — Self-produced since his debut at age 20, Prince is one of the most unpredictable as well as one of the most magnificently charismatic figures in the entire pop landscape. His fusion of rock, funk, soul, metal and punk has defied all stereotypes.

Bob Seger — Detroit's standard-bearer of rock and soul began his multiplatinum streak in 1975, followed by a decade of nearly 20 consecutive top 40 singles, all of which celebrated Bob Seger's allegiance to and love affair with the music that provided his escape from an impoverished childhood.

Traffic — Nurtured in the communal flush of the British Invasion, Traffic outgrew its psychedelic pop roots to become a true fusion group — melding a folk-inspired simplicity with bluesy jazz improv that was given plenty of space on its extended compositions.

ZZ Top — With the Texas soul, outlaw boogie, and souped-up hot rod funk served up by the durable power trio of Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard — ZZ Top — is literally the last word in rock. Three-plus decades on, these Funky Kings might just go on forever.

Stars set to induct the honorees include Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, Tom Petty, OutKast and Alicia Keys. VH1 will tape the event for broadcast March 21.

In commenting on this year's inductees, Evans said, “These inductees represent many influential genres of rock and roll, including pop, funk, soul, boogie and psychedelia. We expect this year’s show to be unique and exciting with highly anticipated moments.”

Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. Criteria considered includes the influence and significance of the artist's contribution to the development and perpetuation of rock and roll.

The Foundation's nominating committee, composed of rock and roll historians, selects nominees each year in the "artist" category. Ballots are then sent to an international voting body of about 700 rock experts.

Jann S. Wenner, chairman of Wenner Media and founder of Rolling Stone Magazine will be inducted in the Lifetime Achievement in the Non-Performer category.

In 1967, Wenner cofounded Rolling Stone magazine with writer Ralph J. Gleason. Treating the interests of America's increasingly vocal youth with a seriousness unknown before, Rolling Stone spoke to—and for—an entire generation.

Due to Wenner's vision, Rolling Stone uniquely contributed to the perpetuation and popularity of rock and roll with thoughtful, in-depth, and often controversial coverage that legitimized rock’s artistic contribution. Rolling Stone's unprecedented access to major artists put the magazine in a class of its own.

Hall of Fame History

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation was formed in 1983 and the inaugural Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction dinner took place in 1986 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, which has been, for the most part, the longtime home of the event.

All inductees are represented in the "Hall of Fame", a permanent exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum, in Cleveland, Ohio.

A select group of people joined the foundation's board of directors. They included Ertegun as chairman, Wenner as vice chairman, Sire Records co-founder and president Seymour Stein as president, attorney Suzan Evans as executive director and attorney Allen Grubman as secretary/treasurer.

"My only regret was that we didn't start a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame sooner," Stein says. "We were having so much fun in the music business it didn't occur to us to have one sooner. We don't tend to realize the value and importance of rock 'n' roll. Music is the thing that unites us around the world, and so much of it is American and rock 'n' roll."

19th Annual Induction Ceremony Simulcast

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation eventually bought the rights to the Hall of Fame name. And the board immediately decided against a TV broadcast of the induction ceremonies.

However the 19th Annual Induction Ceremony can be seen live via simulcast at the Rock Hall. This is the only place outside the Waldorf-Astoria you can see the Induction Ceremony in its entirety &mdash the full-length performances you won't see on TV. Tickets are $10 and are currently on sale.

The event is sponsored by Bank One, Q104, Miller Lite, Zima, Coors Light, Absolut and WNCX.

:: Les Coles Monday, March 08, 2004 [+] ::

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Hip-Hop circus comes to town

MACON,GA.— Cedric Walker, founder of the UniverSoul Big Top Circus eases forward onto the edge of his chair to explain how crazy he is. "They all think it," he begins. "They've told me that about everything I've done." Walker is publicizing his latest crazy idea, a "dream circus."

"When I tried to create a rap festival, they thought I was nuts. In those days, no one had heard of rap, and here I was putting it in an 18,000-seat arena. Well, we sold out. And when I decided to do a Black circus, they said, 'You're crazy. Blacks don't go to circuses.'" He slumps back in his chair. "Oh, yes, they do," he says, a smile appearing for the first time on his poker face. Walker seems anything but crazy. His circus has been acclaimed an artistic and technical triumph.

Atlanta's Journal Constitution dubbed it "Cirque du Soul," when it debuted there in 1994 to a sold-out crowd. Circus Report, a trade weekly, called it a "masterpiece of production, staging and promotion." In 1999, the hard work and dedication paid off when HBO recognized the UniverSoul Circus with a special filming detailing the excitement of the show.

The Soul Circus, as it's also known, is the first circus in a century to be completely owned and operated by African-Americans. It features a troupe of international performers of African descent, recruited by Walker from some of the world's best-known circuses. Furthermore, Walker is committed to placing his circus in African-American communities which have long been underserved by the entertainment industry. And all of the people involved in its maintenance, from raising the big top to policing the circus grounds, are contracted from the communities where the circus touches down.

Walker's Soul Circus features traditional circus acts-but set to an African-American beat. Rather than "Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye," high-stepping ringmaster Casual Cal (one of the circus's co-creators) greets the crowd with "Yo, yo, yo, yo" and dance movements à la hip-hop and James Brown while the clowns pratfall through the often absurd history of Blacks in American TV. The amazing Willey family knew they had to work harder and bring new excitement to the high wire act if they were not only to succeed, but to stand out out from the crowd. Through their dedication, they have been recognized as premier performers in a world that demands so much more from everybody.

"You've got to realize," Walker says, sliding forward once more on his chair, "these guys come from all over the world and have never had the chance to perform before their people. So their hearts and souls are There."

The two-hour circus is staged at what Walker terms "a high-energy, hip-hop speed," accompanied by gospel, jazz and blues music-and with state-of-the-art, computerized special effects, a rock-style laser show, and high-tech sound. "Our technology is second to none," Walker says. "Our creative director and producer, Tom Marzullo, designed road tours for Prince, KISS, and Guns 'N' Roses. The technology for this show is as expensive as the show itself. It moves on about 10 trucks. Tommy makes it an art form." Walker asserts that his circus is unique in that "we wanted to express the culture of a people. To have more of an impact than just having Black people performing circus feats-that in itself was going to be great. But we wanted to actually make a difference, to track Black entertainment from slavery to now," he says. To criticism that the Soul Circus smacks of a 21st century minstrel show, Walker retorts that his circus is the mirror opposite of minstrelsy. That form, created by 19th century Whites for the pleasure of Whites, presented comics in black face acting out grotesque, demeaning depictions of Blacks. This, Walker says, is just the sort of stereotype his circus was created to debunk, with its positive images of Black life and achievement lovingly (and astoundingly) portrayed.

Walker spins quite a tale, of course. An all-Black circus dreamed up and produced by Blacks. The opposite of minstrelsy. Race-conscious but not racist. International and all-American. The glowing big tent in the tough part of town. And the motley troupe-from Africa, Trinidad, England and Spain, and straight out of America. The gaggle of clowns, the aerialists, the peanut vendors, and the ringmaster-all daughters and sons of Africa. The story he tells of his own American odyssey is quite a fable as well. He was a business-minded church boy from Baltimore who became a wayward street tough. He was a Tuskegee University dropout who went on the road with the Commodores (his uncle's then little-known house band). Next came his storybook life as a fast-lane R&B promoter-with the obligatory sex, drugs and blues, and the inevitable crash and crawl up from the bottom.

In the 1980's, after his season in hell, Walker was one of the first to see the significance of hip-hop. In a two-year association with then-neophyte mogul Russell Simmons, Walker mounted rap's first national tours. Then again: "I squandered it. Lost the money. Lost the acts. I started over again." From 1990 to 1994, Walker invested in two wildly successful musicals, Mama Don't and A Good Man Is Hard to Find. The plays centered on problems afflicting African-American urban life: drugs, dysfunctional families, crime.

As Walker noticed people bringing young kids to these plays "because they wanted their children or husbands to hear the message," he saw a need for a different kind of entertainment. With Atlanta-based entertainer "Casual Cal" Dupree and others, Walker researched live family attractions for a modern Black audience. They discussed animal acts, vaudeville, variety shows and hip-hop musicals. One night Dupree said, "It sounds like we need to do a circus!"

As a boy, Walker had dreamed of running away with the circus. But under the big top the only role models available to Blacks were janitors. "When I first saw a lion tamer, I loved it, but I never aspired to be one," Walker says. "When you see someone you can relate to doing it, you can aspire to be it. I saw Black folks being janitors, so I wanted to wear one of those red or blue outfits and scoop up the elephant do-do. That's how I figured I could be in the circus." Now that he is founder and president of the first African-American circus in nearly 100 years-his dream come true-he is asked if he has other dreams yet to fulfill. "Yes," he says with a bemused grin. "I want to create a Black Disneyland-a Black theme park. You can quote me on that because they won't believe me anyway. They all think I'm crazy."

:: Les Coles Sunday, March 07, 2004 [+] ::

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Luther Vandross wins 4 NAACP Image Awards

LOS ANGELES (March 7)— Luther Vandross won four NAACP Image Awards in a ceremony that blended politics with a wide range of honours for works by and about people of colour.

Vandross is recovering from a stroke and was not at Universal Amphitheatre Saturday to pick up his prizes for best male artist and his music video, song and album titled Dance With My Father. The sentimental favourite won four Grammys last month.

The Gospel music comedy "The Fighting Temptations'' won for best movie. Cuba Gooding Jr. was honoured as best actor for "Radio,'' and Queen Latifah was named best actress for "Bringing Down the House.''

Hip-hop group OutKast won for outstanding duo or group, and rotund young R&B star Ruben Studdard won best new artist after crooning from his seat in a performance early in the night.

Studdard thanked his grandmother for "being part of the struggle in the '60s,'' one of several references to politics and the civil rights movement.

Ray Charles was inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame after a tribute performance by B.B. King, Stevie Wonder and Bonnie Raitt.

"They do so much to help so many,'' Charles said of the NAACP. ``I want you to know this is truly an honor and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.''

The awards by the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People are determined by show business professionals and NAACP officials nationwide. The ceremony will be broadcast Thursday on Fox.

Special awards went to the Dave Matthews Band and T.D. Jakes, a nationally known evangelist and pastor of Dallas-based The Potter's House, one of the America's fastest-growing churches with 59 ministries.

List of Music Award winners of the 35th annual NAACP Image Awards:
Outstanding new artist: Ruben Studdard, ``Soulful,'' J Records/BMG.
Outstanding male artist: Luther Vandross, J Records/BMG.
Outstanding female artist: Alicia Keys, J Records/BMG.
Outstanding duo or group: OutKast, Arista.
Outstanding jazz artist: Ramsey Lewis, ``Simple Pleasures,'' Narada Jazz/EMI.
Outstanding gospel artist, traditional or contemporary: Donnie McClurkin, ``Donnie McClurkin ... Again,'' Verity Records.
Outstanding music video: Luther Vandross, ``Dance With My Father,'' directed by Diane Martel.
Outstanding song: Luther Vandross, ``Dance With My Father,'' J Records/BMG.
Outstanding album: Luther Vandross, ``Dance With My Father, J Records/BMG. - AP

:: Les Coles Sunday, March 07, 2004 [+] ::

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Blue Humor

Cartoon courtesy of The Blues Foundation

Jason Nocera, creator of the music cartoon Buddy and Hopkins, has produced a comic strip specifically designed to help promote the Blues Foundation. The comic strip features Buddy exasperated at the fact that two young preteens have no knowledge of Blues musicians. Hopkins saves the day by directing everyone to the Blues Foundation's Web site.

The special comic strip is available for FREE to all Webmasters and Editors. "The hope is to raise awareness of The Blues Foundation and to help increase their membership. This is not just for Blues musicians, but for all musicians and all fans of music. After all, Blues is at the root of it all" Jason Nocera said.

:: Les Coles Sunday, March 07, 2004 [+] ::

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Gibson releases Chet Atkins Studio

Gibson Montana, the guitar giant's acoustic division, has enhanced the performance of its popular solidbody acoustic design with the introduction of the Chet Atkins Studio. The new nylon-string classical model incorporates elements of classical guitar construction that give it truer acoustic tonality as well as unamplified acoustic capabilities.

"The Chet Studio's enhanced acoustic performance is something that players have been increasingly asking for ever since Gibson and Chet Atkins got together in 1981," said Henry Juszkiewicz, Gibson chairman and CEO. "We're sure that Chet would be proud of this model."

The late Chet Atkins, legendary guitarist and record producer, came to Gibson in 1981 with an idea for a nylon-string acoustic guitar with a solid body, so that it could played onstage at high volume without feedback. Gibson introduced the first of these revolutionary "solidbody acoustics" in 1981, and they were adopted by a wide range of players, from Willie Nelson to Earl Klugh.

In 2003, Gibson moved production of the nylon-string line to the acoustic specialists at Gibson Montana, and the Bozeman-based division began designing a new model, the Chet Atkins Studio. Among the Studio's new features:

Fully hollow thin body for increased acoustic volume
   •Braces and tone bars underneath the top carefully placed to match the tone of guitars made famous by Ramirez and other Spanish builders
   •Gibson Songwriter Deluxe style bridge
   •Elegant circular rosewood plate inlaid on the upper top bout to house 4-band EQ and volume control
   •Oval soundhole in the lower back of the guitar to enhance the player's acoustic experience
   •The Chet Atkins Studio CE has standard nut width of 1.75 inches while the Chet Atkins Studio CEC features the classical nut width of 2 inches.

Tech Specs

Chet Atkins Studio CE/CEC
Manufactured in: Bozeman, MT
Download Chet Atkins Studio CE/CEC Datasheet

BODY
Body Style: Advanced classical Acoustic Chamber
Top Species: Solid Cedar
Back and Sides: Solid one-piece carved mahogany
Body Binding: Multi-ply top

NECK
Species: Mahogany
Profile: Traditional Spanish styling
Neck Joint Location: 12th fret

FINGERBOARD
Species: Ebony
Scale length: 26"
Nut Width: CE 1.8125" or CEC 2"
Frets: 24
Peg Head Angle: 14°

BRIDGE
Species: Ebony
Shape: Sculpted Madagascar rosewood

HARDWARE
Tuners: Gold
Pickup: Special design transducer with controls

OTHER
Features: Active volume and 4-band EQ system and unique player's sound hole port in the rear body
Case: Hardshell

:: Les Coles Sunday, March 07, 2004 [+] ::

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Eric Burdon to try nujazz?

There are rumors circulating everywhere that Eric Burdon is considering working with a permanent band again. This time the genre is nujazz. Eric has always liked jazz, note the Animals hit remake of the Nina Simone penned, "Don't Let me be Misunderstod."

:: Les Coles Sunday, March 07, 2004 [+] ::

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Fats Domino turns 76

Still playing catch-up with stories that broke while I was at the 2nd International Blues Symposium.
Here's another

NEW ORLEANS (Feb 26)—Fats Domino found his thrill on his 76th birthday, as friends and family members came by his home bearing gifts. He kept the party going, playing some of his classics like "Ain't That A Shame" and "I'm Walkin'."

His newest song tells it all. It's called "I'm Still Alive and Kicking."

He was born Antoine Domino on Feb. 26, 1928, in New Orleans. On Thursday, he reminisced about the days before his 1950 recording of "The Fat Man," often called the first real rock 'n' roll record. "I used to deliver ice, and before that I worked in a lumber yard," Domino recalled. During his rounds delivering ice, he said, pianos often got in the way. "If I'd see a piano, I'd stop for a while and they'd have to come and get me," he said.

Domino has sold more than 110 million records. His legendary recording career produced 22 million-selling singles, including "Blueberry Hill" and "Ain't That A Shame," and he was one of the first 10 honorees named to the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.

:: Les Coles Sunday, March 07, 2004 [+] ::

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