Two more newsletters for 2022!
That wonderful boss of mine told me to take off the holiday season to frolic in parts unknown so I will be off from NOV. 4 until JAN 5 doing just that.Don't worry. You also should be holiday merrymaking yourselves and likely won't even notice my absence. FINAL 2022 NEWSLETTERS
OCT 7–NOV 3
NOV 4–JAN 5 2023
THINKING OUT LOUD
CHANGING OF THE GUARD. Kimberly Horton, a former music manager/agent and former Blues Foundation board member, has been named interim president and CEO of The Blues Foundation after the resignation of President and CEO Judith Black. Black had only been president and CEO since Jan. 1, 2022. When trying to find the apparently nonexistent news page on The Blues Foundation website, I did accidentally learn a few things I did not know––or I forgot:
Chicago's own Billy Branch is a member of the board of directors;
The submission process for the 2023 Blues Music Awards closes on OCT. 18; and
The International Blues Challenge will be held Jan. 24–28 on Beale Street in Memphis.
GET ON THE BUS. The Chicago History Museum is hosting a four-hour Chicago Blues Bus Tour on Sat, Oct. 29, with guide Wayne Galasek. Stops will include Maxwell St., the Pilgrim Baptist Church (the future home of the National Museum of Gospel Music) and a private tour of Chess Records (note that this tour involves stair climbing). Masks are optional. LEARN MORE/GET TICKETS
ALL MUSICALS SHOULD BE BLUSICALS. The long-awaited “Blusical” Back Door Man will be previewed Oct. 1, 2022, at a special event. The play, which was postponed due to COVID, takes a close, tongue-n cheek look at blues genius Willie Dixon and his cohort, Leonard Chess, exploring "what might have been." This play stars Willie Dixon’s son Freddie, along with the Rhute Doctor, Michael Damani, Janet (X)tra, and The Freddie Dixon Blues Band (Bob Lassandrella, Judy Lei, Tom Stober and Grant Niebergall). According to playwright Linda C. Walker, "It will challenge your imagination and stimulate your psyche." The production was made possible by a grant from City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs (DCASE). If you would like to attend this special preview, send an email to: gj2644@yahoo.com. Freddie Dixon photo by chicagoBLUESnews/Karen Murphy
MEMPHIS BOUND? Congratulations to the winners of Round 1 of the Windy City Blues Society's Chicago Blues Challenge:
Bill Grady (Solo/Duo Category)
Brenda Taylor & The Earth Shakers (Band Category)
Round 2 will be held Sept. 24 at the Roger C. Claar Performing Arts Center ( 375 W. Briarcliff Rd., Bolingbrook). Bands that will compete are Darren Jay & The Delta Souls, Kevin Purcell & The Nightburners, Lil Harvey & The Chi Town Blues Band, The Sean McKee Band and Win Noll & The Rockin' Souls. Duos competing are Downtown Charlie Brown & Binford, Tip Jar Stars and Hendricks & Cash. The finals will be Sunday, Nov. 13 @ Buddy Guy's Legends. The winning bands will go on to Memphis in late January to compete in the International Blues Challenge.
HONKY BLUES.Hank Williams Jr. recently released a blues CD called Rich White Honky Blues. I really like his voice and many of the songs he recorded, BUT...the chatter included on the recording (and some of the raunchy explicit lyrics––Cadillac p**sy?????) are even too much for me–––especially when they are followed by the final song: Jesus, Won't You Come By Here. So confusing.
LAST CALL. You have until Sunday, Sept. 4 to see Swedish photographer Hans Ekestang's exhibition of his blues photography at the Swedish American Museum (5211 N. Clark St.; 773.728.8111). He also published a beautiful book in 2018––Great feelings and meetings––of mostly B&W images that showcases his more than 50 years photographing blues and R&B greats. IMPORTANT NOTE: The museum may still require ALL VISITORS to wear masks.
DUMB MISTAKES FROM THE LAST NEWSLETTER #1 A reader who is a bigger fan of the Blues Brothers movies than I am told me that Zee Blues was NOT in fact John Belushi's character in the original blues brothers movie. He was "Joliet Jake" Blues opposite Dan Ackroyd as Elwood Blues. Jim Belushi is Zee Blues––and never was in the Blues Brothers 2000 movie because of an existing television deal. Somehow I knew some of that, but forgot. SOME FUN MOMENTS FROM THE MOVIES
1980 Blues Brothers Jailhouse Rock scene Ray Charles clip
#2 I also inadvertently referred to the 1815 Club as Howlin' Wolf's club when it was actually owned by Eddie Shaw, who bought the joint in 1974. I guess I wanted to say (should have said?) that it was Wolf's home base when he was in town. Thanks to both of my eagle-eyed readers for paying such close attention since my blind proofreader is no longer available.
SAVE THE DATE. It's not exactly blues, but it surely is blues-adjacent. Bill German will be having a book release/signing of the updated version of his book, Under Their Thumb: A Nice Boy from Brooklyn Got Mixed Up with The Rolling Stones (and Lived to Tell About It), Saturday, Oct. 8 at noon at Rattleback Records ( 5405 N. Clark). The book was originally released in 2009.
ONE MORE WHINE. When I was complaining (just a little) about the 2022 Chicago Blues Fest in the last newsletter, I forgot one important whine: PLEASE RELEASE THE SCHEDULE A LOT BEFORE LATE MAY.
REST IN PEACE
Big James Montgomery
11.4.61–7.7.22, 60
Chicago-based singer, trombonist, songwriter and producer who played often at Buddy Guy's Legends, Rosa's Lounge and other local clubs. He was inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame in 2017. HAVE A LISTEN On ROCK MY ASS I am what I am (At Rosa's Lounge)
Big James & The Chicago Playboys
Late Night Blues live from Rosa's Lounge - Stay-Home Series Complete Show
**************************** Bobby "Slim" James
aka Robert J. Newson
?–8.15.22
Chicago blues guitarist and songwriter
The family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to pay for funeral expenses since James did not have an insurance policy or any savings.
**************************** Bill Pitman, 102
2.12.20–8.11.22
Guitarist for the famed group of session musicians known as the Wrecking Crew. During his 40-year career, he played on tracks such as Be My Baby (The Ronettes) and Good Vibrations (The Beach Boys). He died after four weeks at a rehabilitation center in Palm Springs, where he was being treated for a fall that fractured his spine. He was in hospice at home at the time of his death. TRIVIA: Leon Russell was one of his fellow session musicians. NY TIMES OBIT WATCH Denny Tedesco’s 2008 documentary, The Wrecking Crew.
**************************** Jaimie Breezy Branch, 39
6.17.83–8.22.22
An American jazz trumpeter and composer LEARN MORE THE NPR ARTICLE
**************************** Joey DeFrancesco, 51 4.10.71–8.25.22
American jazz organist, saxophonist, trumpeter and singer, who many considered to be the best jazz Hammond B3 organ player in the world NY TIMES OBIT
**************************** Kelly Joe Phelps, 62
10.5.59–5.31.22
Guitarist and singer whose music delved into blues, country and jazz Guitar World Obit
FREE TICKETS!
IT'S TRUE!
I've got two three-day passes for the 2nd Annual Berwyn Blues Festival to give away to one lucky winner.
Follow the rules and remember one thing:
You can only enter ONCE A DAY.
DEADLINE TO ENTER
Wed, September 14 @ 5pm FIND OUT MORE
GET OUT!
SEPT 2 @ Rosa's Lounge CD RELEASE PARTY Bob Stroger & The Headcutters
featuring Ben Levin TICKETS
SEPT 11@3–8pm BLUES IN THE BACKYARD
Bear Williams Band
2054 W. Morse, Chicago 60645 SUGGESTED DONATION: $20
BYOB, Bring a lawn chair, snacks
100 person limit RSVP
FESTIVALS
SEPT 3 @ Noon–9pm 2022 Rockwell
Blues & Jazz Street Stroll
Parking lot. behind Burning Bush Brewery
Rockwell and Irving Park Rd. SEE THE LINEUP
FRI–SAT, SEPT 16–17 Best Dam Blues Festival
Thiensville, WI LEARN MORE
FRI–SUN, SEPT 23–25 Berwyn Blues Festival
FitzGerald's, Berwyn LEARN MORE
OBVIOUSLY... CHECK THE ONLINE CALENDAR chicagoBLUESnews Online Calendar
We've got blues just about every day and every night so it's pretty easy to get your blues fix.
Know about a gig I don't?Give me a heads-up.
Updates to the calendar are made regularly––not just once a month. The listings include shows in nearby states and festivals all over the map that just look fun to me.
AUG 18 Tracee Adams
Blues Heaven Foundation
and Venue Overdrive PHOTOS
No matter who Taj Mahal has backing him up (in this case it was the Taj Quartet–Bobby Ingano, guitar; Bill Rich, bass; and Kester Smith, drums) I always want to be in the audience. As an added treat for the 2nd show crowd (there was a 5pm show, too), Billy Branch joined Taj for the first three songs. It pays to stay up late.
Tell me, in what city in America, could you find this much talent on one stage for FREE on a Sunday afternoon? Yes...you shoulda been there.
In case you actually do want to get off the couch every now and then, Reggie's has a few more great afternoon shows for those who need to be in bed by 9pm:
SEPT 11 @ 330pm (after Bears Game): Stefan Hillesheim
SEPT 18 @ 2pm (sidewalk show): Frank Bang Three
NOTE: There will be regular afternoon shows after the Bears games.
Two trips to Aurora within a month? Not for me, but photographer Howard Greenblatt was more than happy to make the trek to photograph the Tedeschi Trucks Band.
They Might Have a Point
"I don't want no skinny woman
I want the woman got plenty of meat
I don't want no skinny woman
I want some woman with plenty of meat
Now we can roll all night long
And this woman won’t have
to stop and eat…."
––Skinny Woman The Blue Quarantinos
featuring Luther Dickinson and Cody Dickinson
A slightly altered version of the RL Burnside song
So many new releases coming out recently. These are just a small sample so save your pennies. More next month.
John Primer and the Real Deal Blues Band | Hard Times RELEASE DATE: SEPT 16 (Blues House Productions)
There are 13 original tracks on Primer's latest recording. He is backed by his regular Real Deal Blues Band (Steve Bell on harp, Lenny Media on drums and Dave Forte on bass). Guests include Rick Kreher on second guitar, Johnny Iguana on keyboards, and Primer's daughter Aliya, who makes her singing debut on Tough Times.
Breezy Rodio | Underground Blues RELEASE DATE: AUG 5(Windchill Records)
Rodio's latest release was produced by the great Texas guitarist Anson Funderburgh, who also appears on the recording, which has 14 original tracks. HAVE A LISTEN
Buddy Guy | The Blues Don't Lie RELEASE DATE: SEPT 30 (RCA)
This is Guy's 34th release in his career, released 65 years after he arrived in Chicago. It follows the 2018 Grammy winning recording, The Blues is Alive and Well. Special guests include Jason Isbell (Gunsmoke Blues), Mavis Staples (We Go Way Back), James Taylor (Follow the Money), Bobby Rush (What's Wrong With That), Elvis Costello (Symptoms of Love) and Wendy Woten (House Party). NOTE: Buddy is celebrating his 86th Birthday TONIGHT at Legends with Omar Coleman, NuBlu Band and the Mike Wheeler Band. Yes...it's a belated party, but Buddy was on the road when his birthday rolled around in July.
Rory Block | Ain't Nobody Worried RELEASE DATE: OCT 7 (Stony Plain Records)
This is the third volume of Block's Power Women of the Blues Series and features music from the 1960s through the 1980s, which is a lot longer ago than I would like to admit. Songs on the 11-track recording include Cried like a Baby (Koko Taylor), I'd Rather Be Blind (Etta James), Dancing' in the Streets (Martha and the Vandellas) and Freight Train (Elizabeth Cotton).
GA-20 | Crackdown RELEASE DATE: SEPT 9 (Colemine/Karma Chief Records)
It's the third release from this powerhouse trio who give us music from the intersection of traditional blues, country and rock 'n' roll. It follows the band's tribute to the great Hound Dog Taylor, Try It...You. Might Like It! This recording offers 10 tracks, nine of which are originals. NOTE: The band says it has already recorded two more albums that will be released in the next 18 months or so. Overachievers? HAVE A LISTEN
Duwayne Burnside | Acoustic Burnside – Clear & Purple Splatter RELEASE DATE: SEPT 2 (Dolceola Recordings)
This is the first recording in 17 years from this former member of the North Mississippi Allstars and the son of R.L. Burnside. There are 12 tracks, including tracks from his father and also classics by Junior Kimbrough.
Mike Morgan & The Crawl | The Lights Went Out in Dallas RELEASE DATE: SEPT 23 (M.C. Records)
This is Texan guitar slinger Mike Morgan's 10th release, the first in 15 years. He is joined by guitarists Anson Funderburgh and Shawn Pittman on this new recording, which has 13 songs, 10 of which are originals.
Marcus King | Young Blood RELEASE DATE: AUG 26 (American Records/Republic Records)
King gives listeners 11 high-voltage tracks on this latest release, which was produced by the Black Keys' frontman Dan Auerbach.
Derrick Procell | Hello Mojo! RELEASE DATE: AUG 1 (Catfood Records)
This is the latest release from Chicago-based soul blues singer Derrick Procell. It was produced by fellow labelmate Zac Harmon and Harmon guests on three tracks.
Chris Antonik | Morningstar RELEASE DATE: AUG 5 (Second Half Records)
Canadian blues rocker Antonik pushes out from his blues rock comfort zone into soul, future-punk, psychedelia, and other influences on his fourth recording, which includes 14 tracks. Guests include Jarekus Singleton, Paul Deslauriers (Annika Chambers) and Mike Mattison (Tedeschi Trucks Band) He is a three-time Maple Blues Award nominee.
ONE MORE THING The Dig 3 CD is out now and you should get it. You can listen here and then pay for a download. I drove all the way to Urbana to go hear this band...and, for someone who really does not like driving, that was a BIG deal...but it was worth every boring mile between Chicago and Urbana. The Dig 3 are Ronnie Shellist, Gerry Hundt and Andrew Duncanson. AT THE ROSE BOWL IN URBANA This is not the show I saw, but it is the same venue.
The next chicagoBLUESnews:
FRI, OCT 6–NOV 3 (Mails on THURS OCT 5)
o see Swedish photographer Hans Ekestang's exhibition of his blues photography at the 
