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Muddy Awards - General Membership Meeting - Nov 5, 2009

Written by Greg Johnson Thursday, 15 October 2009 19:36

Grand Ballroom at The Melody
(615 SE Alder Street, Portland)
Thursday, November 5th, 6:30 pm

    Yes. It’s that time of year again for the Cascade Blues Association’s members to gather and celebrate the best of our Blues community. The Muddy Awards are celebrating their 21st anniversary and we’re inviting everybody to come down and see why this event has endured for so long. Heck, the Muddy Awards is even older than a number of those nominated this year!
    Annually we send out ballots to our members and ask for them to select those artists, venues and events that they feel made an impact in our region during the preceding year in 20 different categories. Two other awards are also presented, The Back What You Believe In Award chosen by the CBA Board of Directors and The Hurley Award given to a worthy stage crew member who consistently goes beyond the call of duty to help produce a terrific event.
    Besides the awards, there is also plenty of music to keep everybody happy. Opening the night will be the winners of this year’s Journey To Memphis competition, The Karen Lovely Band. Karen has been seeing quite a lot of attention this past year, including reaching the #1 spot on XM’s BB King’s Bluesville for “Picks to Click” and also debuting in the Living Blues magazine’s charts at #13. While preparing to represent the Cascade Blues Association in Memphis for the International Blues Challenge, Karen has also been working on a follow-up to her outstanding debut CD, Lucky Girl.

Read more: Muddy Awards - General Membership Meeting - Nov 5, 2009

Strange Tones release new Blazer Theme video

Written by Administrator Monday, 26 October 2009 14:46

Portland's favorite Crime-a-Billy blues band the Strange Tones released their own video version of the Portland Trailblazers' theme music. Here's what the Strange Tones had to say about their recent video.

In Portland Oregon people love their Blazer basketball and their Crime-A-Billy music. Playing in a band or on a basketball team requires similar skills and dedication. From fitness to teamwork, from sharing a seat on an airplane to sharing a seat in an Astro Van, out here it's all about that pioneering Northwest spirit. Leave the basketball to the Trail Blazers and the Crime-A-Billy music to The Strange Tones. This video of the Blazer Theme is not officially approved, licensed, sponsored or endorsed by the Portland Trail Blazers. The Crime-A-Billy sound is officially approved, licensed, sponsored or endorsed by The Strange Tones.

Rough Dried Woman

Written by Greg Johnson Friday, 23 October 2009 19:57

Magic Slim & The Teardrops

Wolf Records

    European label Wolf Records focuses heavily on recordings of blues artists, primarily those from Chicago and the Delta; many who do not see the type of attention they probably deserve in their own country. Magic Slim & The Teardrops certainly have seen their share of American releases that have garnered attention, but they have also had numerous sessions working with Wolf that have generated some exceptional tracks as well. This latest release featuring Magic Slim collects many of the finest selections from the band offered by that label. And as is expected with Slim and the guys, it includes stunning guitar work and some of the best ensemble work Chicago’s modern day players has to offer.
    All of these tracks involve what may have been Slim’s all-time best band that included his late brother, bass player Nick Holt and a superb guitarist in his own right John Primer, with drums filled in by Jerry Porter, Nathan Applewhite, Michael Scott or Earl Howell, depending on which session is involved. Even Wolf notes this, by placing right on the sleeve the statement “The best blues band on the planet.” Hefty words, but arguably it may just be a fact.
    Selections on the CD are almost completely covers, with the lone exception being Slim’s “Tell Me What Make A Woman Treat A Good Man So Bad.” But in the hands of Magic Slim, these sometimes all too familiar numbers breathe sparks that will ignite even the most die-hard blues purist. It seems that everybody may have recorded “Match Box Blues,” “You Can’t Lose What You Never Had” or “Mama Talk To Your Daughter,” for example, but Slim captures them as they were meant to be. There is nothing in a Magic Slim performance that is going to find him jumping around the stage with all kinds of hysterics and antics. It’s just pure blues. Guitar and band at it’s utmost collective best. And that is precisely what you’ll find on any of his recordings. But if you’re after a sampling of what Magic Slim & The Teardrops is all about, you certainly cannot go wrong with Rough Dried Woman. Guaranteed pure Chicago blues worthy of a long life on your player!

Total Time: 70:32
Rough Dried Woman / Match Box Blues / Tell Me What Make A Woman Treat A Good Man So Bad / Spider In My Stew / I’m Good / Bad Avenue / Mama Talk To Your Daughter / Ain’t It Nice / Before You Accuse Me / You Can’t Lose What You Never Had / Bad Boy / Blues At Sunrise / Stranded On The Highway / Hard Luck Blues

Corn Flakes & Gin

Written by Greg Johnson Friday, 23 October 2009 19:52

David Brothers

Self-Produced

 

Corn Flakes and Gin is the latest self-produced release by Portland guitarist David Brothers. A former recipient of the Cascade Blues Association’s Christopher Mesi Scholarship who has also studied directly under the guidance of both Robbie Laws and Terry Robb as well as being a member of the band H.B. Groove. He is an outstanding young player who is certainly coming into his own, which this fine recording bears witness to that fact immensely.

The guitar work is masterful and precise. Songwriting is brilliant with almost all of the tracks having Brothers’ hand in their penning, and his flair for arranging displayed on all. Two of the tracks included were previously available on Brothers’ 2006 release November’s Mistress ( “Dishpan Hands” and the title cut “Corn Flakes & Gin”), but fit in nicely again here. The traditional number “In Christ There Is No East Or West” David Brothers captures the song’s beauty to perfection, sounding a lot like Leo Kottke or John Fahey in the presentation. No matter which direction he takes on the selections, whether as a blues number, a jazzy bouncing riff, or a classical guitar approach, Brothers handles each with grace and inspiration.

Terry Robb helmed the production of this release at Falcon Studios and he also accompanies Brothers on four of the tracks. Other outstanding local artists who appear include keyboardists Janice Scroggins and Mario Carboni, guitarist Chazz Hamilton, rhythm section Dave Captein on bass and Kaci Anderson on drums, and nice mandolin work by Josh Cole.

In a city filled with exceptional acoustic guitar players, David Brothers can stand amongst the finest and is a name that should be watched closely, because we should be hearing quite a bit of accolades for this exceptional musician. Deservedly so!

 

Total Time: 42:16

My Old Man / Middle of the Afternoon / Better Days / I Feel Like Hank Williams Tonight / Corn Flakes & Gin / Sunny & The Wine-O / Betty / In Christ There is No East Or West / Miles Behind Me / Wednesday Blues / Friday Night / Playa Del Rey / Dishpan Hands

Nathan Paulsen - 2009 Christopher Mesi Scholarship Winner

Written by Administrator Friday, 23 October 2009 19:42

    At the September Monthly Meeting, the Cascade Blues Association was proud to announce Nathan Paulsen as their 2009 Christopher Mesi Scholarship winner.  Nathan, a recent graduate of Beaverton High School, played a significant role in his school’s music department.  While there, he performed in the Wind Ensemble on euphonium, horn, and trumpet, and performed in the Concert Band on trombone and tuba.  He was also a member of the Marching Band, played in the Pit Orchestra for three spring musicals, the Jazz Band, Brass Ensemble, and the school Pep Band.   Beaverton High’s Director of Bands, Josh Head, described Nathan as a leader with raw talent and a drive to succeed.  He wrote of his “natural ability as a teacher, and has, on many occasions, lead groups of younger students through difficult passages of music with patience and maturity beyond his years”.  Nathan’s tutelage and vision transformed the schools brass ensemble “from a fledgling group to a frequent performer at community events, school events, and on local radio”.  As a senior, Nathan developed, and directed, The Beaver Band, a student-directed band to play at assemblies and other venues not covered by the regular school bands.  He would organize gigs, schedule practices, and was in charge of getting the equipment in place.  The band will continue on, so Nathan has left his imprint on the school’s music department.

    Nathan described the school’s new band director as “the single most influential person in my life.  Lots of people make fun of me for this, but I wish to emulate him in as many ways as possible”.  He further said, “to him, teaching music isn’t a job, it’s his calling, a way of life.  And through him I have realized that I have that same calling and wish to follow in his footsteps”.  As for Nathan’s future in music?  With his $ 500 scholarship, he will be attending the University of Oregon’s School of Music.  His goal is to be a high school band director and “teach and help instill in other young people a love for music” like he has developed.  We wish him well as he carries on the mission of the CBA, which is preserving, supporting and promoting music.

-- Merry Larsen

Waterfront Blues Fest Ethos/Workshop Stage TV Schedule

Written by Administrator Thursday, 22 October 2009 22:24

For cable-TV subscribers in the Portland area, videos of presentations on the FedEx Workshop Stage at last summer's Waterfront Blues Festival, recorded by Ethos, Inc., will start airing in October. The production values on these recordings are quite good, and the performances are often spectacular.
-Peter Dammann, Talent Coordinator, Waterfront Blues Festival

Cigarbox Guitars : Jerry Zybach
Oct 24th (Sat) 9:30PM Channel 22
Oct 26th (Mon) 5:00PM Channel 23
Oct 28th (Wed) Noon Channel 11

J.P. Soars & the Red Hots
Oct 31st (Sat) 9:30PM Channel 22
Nov 2nd (Mon) 5:00PM Channel 23
Nov 4th (Wed) Noon Channel 11

Ryan Harder
Nov 7th (Sat) 9:30PM Channel 22
Nov 9th (Mon) 5:00PM Channel 23
Nov 11th (Wed) Noon Channel 11

Blues Photography Presentation : Dick Waterman
Nov 14th (Sat) 9:30PM Channel 22
Nov 16th (Mon) 5:00PM Channel 23
Nov 18th (Wed) Noon Channel 11

Read more: Waterfront Blues Fest Ethos/Workshop Stage TV Schedule

Day of the Dead Meets Delta Blues - Nov 1, 09

Written by Administrator Thursday, 22 October 2009 21:50

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Josh Coen
(541) 338-9338
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Master fingerpickers bring spirits of the greats to life to help fund Blues in the Schools and collect cans for Food for Lane County at November 1 Ghosts of the Delta event.

EUGENE, OR — In true Day of the Dead tradition, some of the area’s finest blues finger-style guitarists will resurrect songs, spirits, and stories of the early Delta Blues legends from the midst of a graveyard on Sunday, November 1, 2009 at Cozmic Pizza (199 W 8th, Eugene, OR).

Called Ghosts of the Delta, the all-ages event, from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., features Al Rivers, Jerry Zybach, Walker T. Ryan, and Adam Scramstad, who will honor more than a dozen departed masters, from Charley Patton and Son House to Muddy Waters and Mississippi John Hurt. KRVM DJ, Jivin’ Johnny Etheredge will emcee in costume to fit the theme.

The event raises money for the Rainy Day Blues Society’s Blues in the Schools program, which provides music programs to Lane County public schools free of charge. Admission is a suggested donation of $4-$8. Kids under 12 are free.

Read more: Day of the Dead Meets Delta Blues - Nov 1, 09

Sean’s Blues

Written by Greg Johnson Wednesday, 21 October 2009 19:31

Sean Costello

Landslide Records

    Without doubt, I would have to say one of the hardest hits to modern blues in the past couple of years had to be the premature death of Sean Costello. A young man starting to break out on to a larger scale of recognition for his incredible talents, yet haunted by his own personal demons brought on by his bi-polar condition, something that only a handful of people were knowledgable of (rightfully so as a private issue) until his passing.

    Sean Costello had broken into awareness for many when he won the Beale Street Blues Society’s blues talent contest in 1994, which allowed him to compete in the International Blues Challenge at the age of 15. He turned a lot of heads, including another competitor by the name of Susan Tedeschi who later hired Sean and his band to back her. That partnership found Sean playing lead guitar on the mega-hit album Just Won’t Burn by Tedeschi in 1997. Before that epic album, Sean recorded his first solo project for the Landslide label when he was 16. His debut was titled Call The Cops, with exceptional guitar work and songwriting by the young prodigy.

    Costello went on to release a trio of albums for Landslide (the other two being Cuttin’ In and Moanin’ For Molasses), that featured his core band of drummer Terrence Prather, Melvin Zachary on bass and harp player Paul Linden. This new release from Landslide, Sean’s Blues, offers tracks from all three and is not only a testament to Sean’s skills, but offer nice recognition to the band as well, especially Linden’s harmonica playing.

    Not simply just a greatest hits package, Sean’s Blues also collects twelve tracks previously unreleased. These are incredible numbers, including a trio of live pieces from a couple shows in Chicago and Marquette, Michigan, highlighted by a burning take of Otis Rush’s “All Your Love (I Miss Loving).” Other outstanding selections heard here for the first time include Robert Johnson’s “Walking Blues” with vocals from Susan Tedeschi, which along with her playing rhythm guitar on Bob Wills’ “Big Beaver” is a fine sampling of how well they worked together. Two more CDs followed, picked up by larger labels, the self-titled Sean Costello on Tone Cool and his final release We Can Get Together from Delta Groove. This disc closes with two numbers that were later re-recorded for those labels, heard here in their original form, “Feel Like I Ain’t Got A Home” and “She Changed My Mind,” a harbinger for the highly polished soulful vocals he became known for alongside his guitar playing.

Read more: Sean’s Blues

Ramblings On My Mind - Nov 09

Written by Greg Johnson Wednesday, 21 October 2009 19:18

Greg Johnson / CBA President

    I know I have mentioned this before, but looking at the events coming up in our area during the month of November, I find it amazing at how giving our blues community truly is. Three events noted here in the BluesNotes are all focused with offering assistance to worthy causes.

    Starting the month off on the 1st as Fiona Boyes headlines a concert at Grace Memorial Episcopal Church called Blessings & Blues, raising funds for charities including musician relief for times of need. Francine and Art West have pieced together another outstanding ABATE/Shiners Musicians Toy Run show at the Trails End, and the whole city seems to be coming together to help KBOO DJ Tom Wendt is in time of aid to help cover medical expenses. It certainly warms the heart to see so much giving from our musicians, venues, retailers and fans alike.

    Also in November, is the annual Muddy Awards celebration. This year’s ballot is full of first time nominees showing that the music here in our region is definitely still putting forth outstanding artists, while our veteran performers still craftily hold on to their niche at the same time. It proves that we can remain loyal to our all-time favorites and still have room for new ones, too!

Read more: Ramblings On My Mind - Nov 09

Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes Named Best Self-Produced CD Entry

Written by Greg Johnson Wednesday, 21 October 2009 19:10

    There were six entries submitted to the Cascade Blues Association this year to be considered for our organization’s representative in The Blues Foundation’s Best Self- Produced CD competition. Held annually in Memphis during the International Blues Challenge, the CBA has previously entered four discs in the contest’s four year history, including Joe McMurrian’s “Rain Of Days” which landed in the five finalists in 2007

    The six submissions to the CBA this year were: Boogie Bone “Bone-a-fied!,” David Brothers “Corn Flakes & Gin,” Steve Cheseborough “Fetch It!,” Eddie Courduroy “My Riverside,”  Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes “Playing The Game,” and the Rick Welter Band “I’m All Yours.”

    A panel of four Board Members met on a Sunday morning to listen closely to the six offerings. A scoring system based closely on the International Blues Challenge Judges score sheets were used, with weighted scores based on a 1 – 10 scale with 10 being the best. The five categories weighed were Blues Content (X4), Originality (X4), Sound (X3), Talent (X3) and Artwork (X2).

    The scores for all the discs were close, but in the end the judges’ scores revealed the CD that will be entered to The Blues Foundation will be Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes’ “Playing The Game.” From here, there are two rounds that’ll drop the number of discs submitted by associated Blues societies from around the world to five finalists. Then during the IBC, a panel of top record label people will gather to listen to the final five and select this year’s winning CD.

    Thanks to all the entries this year and good luck to Kevin and the guys in Memphis.

[Check out our CD Reviews, including Boogie Bone “Bone-a-fied!, Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes “Playing The Game,” and the Rick Welter Band “I’m All Yours.”  --Chris, Webmaster]