“Blame Me” by Ira Walker was delivered to my house a short while ago. Having tossed it into the CD player while on my way to a blues event, I must admit….I wished that the drive was longer. I had the chance to listen to it once, then twice. Later that evening, I tossed it in [...]
Articles By: Jonnye Weber
Jus’ Blue- Barbara Blues is a true friend of the blues
Blue Barbara blue Barbara Blue….blues fans from around the world call her a true blues woman. I call her a true, blue friend. Barbara Blue does what she says and says what she does. She promised her fans a true blues CD….and that is what she has sent our way with her latest CD, “Jus’ [...]
Recipe for a Blues Adventure…Sand, Sun, Surf, Blues and Family
The little Hyundai had just rolled out of the tire shop. Gently, he tried out his new wheels. He was soon stomping and pawing the pavement, anxious to make up for lost time. Suddenly, without warning, the little Hyundai reared up on his hind legs and shook his head into the wind. He let out [...]
Blues Revival with his Plate Full O’ Blues…Live at the Grey Eagle
I first saw Mac Arnold two years ago on the LRB Blues Cruise. He was playing his signature gas can guitar, left handed. That guitar captured our attention and Mac Arnold captured the audience. Mac was kind with words and generous with his smile, but that guitar playing slayed everyone. His first band included Charles [...]
A Cinderella Experience…Sena Ehrhardt added an unmatched glow to the Blues Music Awards
The Cook Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee was beckoning those who had travelled from around the world to attend the Blues Music Awards (Blues Grammies). It was to be a night unlike any other throughout the year…. a night of glamour and glitz while honoring and recognizing those that contribute to the blues world. (The [...]
“LIfe without blues is no life at all.”
DISCLAIMER…THE FOLLOWING IS NOT FOR THOSE WHO THINK INSIDE THE BOX. Life is much like a song…. A Blues Somg. In the beginning there is mystery, in the end there is confirmation, but it is in the middle where all the emotion resides to make the whole thing worthwhile. Yes, the word is out…..if it is [...]
Pittsburgh girl returns to the “burg to deliver a big dose of the Barbara Blue Blues
“You don’t piss into the wind, you don’t play leapfrog with unicorns, you don’t test the depth of the water with both feet and you don’t go to Memphis without saying hi to Barbara Blue. She has been a staple at Silky O’Sullivan’s for over 10 years for a good reason. She’s good and she [...]
Blues in all Flavors…A Satisfying Blues Treat for all ages
Blues in all Flavors Gaye Adegbalola Vizztone “Blues in all Flavor”….The Most Delicious, Nutritious, Entertaining & Educational Blues You’ll Ever Taste! Those were Richard Rosenthal’s words in a recent press release from Vizztone Records. A curious statement. Even more curious, it was listed as a children’s blues CD by acclaimed blues singer, Gaye Adegbalola. Why [...]
Cyndi….We all know that ‘girls just want to have fun’….but what took you so long!
Cyndi Lauper, yes THE Cyndi Lauper, renown songstress with hits: “Girls just want to have fun” and “She Bop” has finally got her blues on. Cyndi Lauper has embraced the blues; giving it all that she has ….and it shows. To Memphis with Love, a live DVD/CD, was taped at the Warehouse in Memphis with [...]
and….Soul Blues Female Artist Winner of the Year …2011…Irma Thomas
Having garnered the title, Soul Queen of New Orleans, Irma Lee (Thomas) has had an intense biography that would weaken one of less character. Born in New Orleans, Irma Lee started singing in a Baptist Church at the age of thirteen, auditioned for Specialty Records at 13, discovered while waiting tables and by the age [...]
Rick Estrin…Dressed to Kill; Armed with a Killer Harp
The music was in full swing when Rick Estrin took center stage. Dressed in a finely tailored suit, Rick’s only accessory was ….a killer harp. He stood for a moment, looking intently into the crowd. Then… with a mischievous smile, that consummate showman started playing his harp. The wailing and energy of his romping harp [...]
Nick Moss….His life took a strange turn. That curve in the road led to the blues.
The unexpected sharing of a life changing story, the discovery of what makes or shapes a person is always a rare find when it enriches your life and makes you all the better for it. Nick Moss was that rare find on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise. Feverishly running from event to event on [...]
Bluesin’ on the high seas…holding a ship and its contents hostage…. the adventure was priceless!
The bags were finally packed. The winter weather was cold and snowy. The plane tickets were in hand. Destination: Blues Cruise extraordinaire a.k.a. Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise. The messages were numerous. The cruisers build the excitement for weeks in advance to keep everyone in the “loop” of what is about to unfold. The blues [...]
What does one do after a night of competition on Beale Street?
What does one do after a night of competition on Beale Street? First, you shake off the “competition” mode that you were in all day. You head out to all of the clubs to find out what is happening or what has happened. You ‘walk the talk’…the blues people are always eager to share what [...]
The curtain is slowly falling…
The semi finals at the 2012 International Blues Challenge had finally ended. The clubs were packed…. the fans and their bands were anxiously awaiting the results. A cry resounded in B.B. King’s around 10:30 pm. The acts that were moving on to the finals were announced. The gasps, the whoops, the cheers, the tears….it was [...]
