AMERiCA EMBRACES ACHiSON
After a year living in the US, Australian guitarist/songwriter Geoff Achison has had a big impact on the Blues/Roots music scene here. And America has had it's own impact on him, his wife and 5 year old son, who see the US for the first time.
Geoff Achison is about to complete his first year as resident of the country from which the music he adores originates. With countless radio interview and performance spots, multiple television broadcasts, tireless touring and international radio airplay more people than ever have been exposed to Geoff's sound. His recent critically acclaimed live release, Souldigger CD, has helped. It reached #23 on the US Roots Blues Chart, and was identified by a variety of DJ's and many Internet sites (including Jambands.com and Kweevak.com) as one of the best releases of 2007. On his latest tour of the UK in the summer, he returned to the BBC Studios to again record a national radio program there. He also is proud to have completed his tenth year of teaching at Jorma Kaukonen's (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna) Fur Peace Ranch Guitar Camp. Needing an amp, he was fortunate to develop a relationship with an American manufacturer (Kustom Amps) who provided him with a tube guitar amp to use for the duration of his time in The States. (a '72 Coupe).
While Geoff still performs solo in some shows, he also has a slew of new musical friends who frequently join him for his full band performances as Souldiggers (Geoff's band wherever he is.) These musicians include drummers like Yonrico Scott (Derek Trucks Band), Chris Fryar (Oteil and the Peacemakers) and Tyler Greenwell (Susan Tedeschi Band) and bassists such as Charlie Wooton (Zydefunk), David Stoltz (Dickey Betts Band) Ted Pecchio (Susan Tedeschi Band), and many others across the US. “Each musician brings their own particular style to the band," Geoff says, “and that keeps my ears open to new ways of playing some of my old tunes." The ever-evolving Achison further explains, “I'm able to treat these songs as sort of inter-stellar space vehicles that we can fly to different planets and back. Well sometimes we come back!"
He also has co-billed with, and/or been joined onstage by the iconic Colonel Bruce Hampton (Aquarium Rescue Unit, The Quark Alliance), Tom Principato, Webb Wilder, Delta Moon, Oliver Wood (Wood Brothers), The Red Elvises, Watermelon Slim and fellow Aussie, Harper. His January performance with Randall Bramblett (Traffic, Steve Winwood, Allman Brothers) and Atlanta folk legend Caroline Aiken was so well received at Atlanta's Eddie's Attic that the trio is being encouraged by industry players to do a regional tour. His co-bill with gritty Atlanta songsmith Donna Hopkins was covered by Jambands.com magazine, has been downloaded thousands of times on the Live Music Archive website, and even spent some time on their Top 10 Critic's list.
Geoff and his wife Michelle have enjoyed their experience with American culture as well. Geoff was able to take Michelle and their 6-year-old son Jacob to Memphis to experience the musically significant city and visit the site of his 1995 International Blues Challenge victory. The family members also took part in their first full-on, American Halloween experience replete with ghosts, ghouls, skeletons and trick or treating for the young Jacob, not to mention costumes for Geoff and Michelle! The couple's parents even made the trip to Georgia in December and were able to experience an unusually wintry Atlanta Christmas. “I fell in love with Decatur and Atlanta quickly," says Michelle, “The warmth and generosity shown to us by Geoff's friends and fans has overwhelmed me. Decatur in particular is a wonderfully artistic and creative community."
However, Geoff certainly has not forgotten his beloved native country, and the jumbo jar of vegemite delivered to him by fans visiting from Australia in September helped as well. One particularly Acho-friendly Atlanta-area venue even had a vegemite pizza baked just for Geoff when he was performing in their room in celebration of Australia Day!
RHYTHMS iN BLUES AWAiT THE LOWER KEYS
BIG PINE KEY, Florida Keys -- The tranquil blues of the subtropical sky are to blend with melodic blues at the seventh annual Lower Keys Jazz and Blues Festival, scheduled 1-6 p.m. Sunday, April 13. The event is to be presented by the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce on the grounds of the chamber's visitor center, mile marker 31 oceanside.
Themed "Rhythms in Blues," the fest features masterful musicians performing sultry jazz and blues in a shady open-air setting International touring and recording artist Joe Donato is to head the talent lineup.
A composer with hundreds of original melodies to his credit, Donato electrifies audiences with a repertoire that spans early and contemporary jazz, blues, Broadway classics and more.
Other scheduled performers include regional favorites Quintessence, the Southernmost Brass Band, Injade and vocalist Libby York.
Attendees also can discover a different type of blues -- and virtually every other hue -- in the oils, watercolors, sculptures and fine crafts available on site. A juried art show is planned to complement the musical offerings.
The arts of cuisine and mixology won't be neglected at the event. Food and libations, including cocktails from an exotic martini bar, are to add to the afternoon's appeal.
Music lovers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to provide comfortable seating as they savor the jazz and blues wafting through the property.
Tickets are $20 per person in advance or $25 per person at the door and can be purchased at the chamber's visitor center.
For
information about the event and accommodations in the Lower Florida
Keys, call the chamber at (305) 872-2411 or (800) 872-3722
or visit
the Florida Keys Web site at
www.fla-keys.com
RUSTY WRiGHT BAND
Rusty Wright is an incendiary guitarist and from his first note the stage practically sizzles with high octane energy as he throws down a six-string gauntlet and challenges his band to ever greater heights as tasty guitar, sax, Hammond B3 and vocal riffs volley back and forth across the stage. BluesBunny.com, a Scottish blues webzine describes the RWB sound as “Kind of like Poppa Chubby without the urban aggression.”
Fronting the band with Wright is his wife, rhythm guitarist and vocalist Laurie LaCross-Wright, a compelling singer with a vivid and expressive vocal style that stretches with ease from a breathy, crooned endearment into a two-octave slide that becomes a throaty affirmation of her ability to wail. The chemistry between Wright and his wife is both obvious and refreshing as they exchange playful banter onstage and share anecdotes about the songs and their lives with the audience.
Musically, they soar. Their passion for music and performing is evident as they take turns playing off each other. Laurie laughs with delight when Rusty plays a particularly inventive riff. His guitar work echoes the dynamics and emotion of her voice as she sings. He closes his eyes and loses himself in the music as he plays. She, in turn, looks directly out at the audience, smiling widely from the stage, as if to say You'd better believe this is every bit as fun as it looks!
THE LIVE SHOW
The RWB live show focuses on material from their critically acclaimed first CD Ain't No Good Life. In January, the band will also introduce new material from their upcoming second CD, slated for release in April 2008. The new disc will include two previously unreleased tunes penned by Warren Haynes of Govt. Mule.
RWB has dynamic 45, 60 and 90-minute concert sets that are ideal for keeping a diverse, multi-generational audience entertained. The crowd response says it all - more often than not Rusty and the band receive standing ovations during their performances, and they leave audiences on their feet clamoring for more.
Rusty Wright Blues also has a feel-good, energetic nightclub show that expands on the band's concert sets. In addition to their own brand of sizzling hybrid-blues and engaging onstage husband/wife banter, the band pulls out the big box of crayons to color their blues as they pay tribute to a wide spectrum of artists whose music has inspired them.
"They're probably some the best blues I've ever heard." ~ Craig Martin, director, Pix Theatre, Lapeer MI.
"There are many who may not have heard of this band before their performance, but I doubt any will forget them afterwards. They were the darlings of the festival on Sunday. If you get a chance to get out and see them, go! go! go!"
Cheryl Olson, music reviewer, WOAS FM radio personality, Porcupine Music Festival Talent Coordinator
"When we book a band for a festival we want a full sound, great vocals, and somebody that can work the crowd. We got all of that and more with the Rusty Wright Band. That's why we keep bringing them back!"
Dennis Massingill, Kalamazoo Blues Festival
"They may not have won the contest, but they did win critical acclaim from the likes of Bill Wax from XM Radio, Legendary Blues Manager and photographer Dick Waterman, and Alligator Records Czar, Bruce Iglaur. Rumor has it that Rusty and the gang will be on the festival circuit next year and that a trip to the Virgin Islands' St. Johns Blues Festival is in the offing."
Steve Allen, Detroit Blues Society President
DELTA BLUESMAN JAMES "BOO BOO" DAViS
TO START EUROPEAN SPRiNG TOUR
Next month, March 7, 2008, Delta bluesman Boo Boo Davis will start a Spring European tour. The real deal. Boo Boo is still alive and kicking, writing and singing his music….. raw first-hand experience blues directly from the Delta.
Boo Boo's father, Sylvester Davis farmed cotton and played several instruments. Boo Boo remembers these and other musicians dropping by and rehearsing at their house.
At the age of five Boo Boo was playing the harmonica and singing in church with his mother. This band traveled all throughout the Delta and Boo Boo recalls a Battle of Music between The Lard Can Band and a young BB King.
In the early sixties Boo Boo and his brothers moved to East St Louis and started playing real drums.
In 1972 Boo Boo formed another Davis family band known as the Davis Brothers Band, It was the weekend house band at a club called Tabby=s Red Room in East St Louis for eighteen years.
Boo Boo can be heard on the Arthur Williams CD AHarpin= It Out@. The CD (East St Louis) got very nice reviews in the international blues magazines and is played on blues radio stations all over the world.
In the USA Boo Boo performed among others at the KING BISCUIT BLUES FESTIVAL (Helena, AR) and the POCONOS BLUESFESTIVAL. Colne GB Blues Festival (UK) and the NORTH SEA JAZZFESTIVAL (NL).
For his new recording project, Boo Boo teamed up with Ramon Goose (from nublues) and they fused the raw blues sounds from the Mississippi delta with modern grooves. MOJO Magazine (UK) listed it with the 10 best blues records of 2006 and Boo Boo was invited to perform for the 2007 edition of the POCONO BLUES FESTIVAL, one of the biggest blues festivals in the USA. In March this year Boo Boo performed live on CBC Radio One (Montreal) national radio in Canada.
March 7, Beauvais (F), Le Blues Autour du Zinc
March 8, Beauvais (F), Le Blues Autour du Zinc
March 11, Winchester (UK), Tower Arts Centre
March 13, Monaghan (IRL), McKennas
March 14, Keighley (UK), Bronte Blues Club
March 15, Castor, Peterborough (UK), Shakedown Blues @ Village Hall
March 16, Menai Bridge (UK), Victoria Hotel
March 18, Sheffield (UK), Boardwalk
March 19, Glasgow (UK), The Ferry
March 21, Laxey / Isle of Man (UK), Riverside Pavilion
March 22, Bocking, Essex (UK), The Retreat
March 23, Burnley (UK), BURNLEY BLUESFESTIVAL
March 24 (afternoon) , London (UK) session for PAUL JONES SHOW/BBC RADIO
March 24 (evening), Hampton (UK), The Raven 'n' the Blues @ BFBS Radio 2
March 25, Hoegaarden (B), 't Nieuwhuys
March 26 (afternoon), Hilversum (NL), live @ NPS Studio 6 (Dutch national radio)
March 28, tba (Canary Islands), tba
March 29, Fuerteventura (Canary Islands), Festival Internacional de Blues
April 2, Frth (D), Kofferfabrik
April 3, Fribourg (CH), La Spirale
April 4, Torino (I), Folkclub
April 5, Douzy (F), Chorus @ Salle des Fetes
ALBERT COLLiNS LiVE AT MONTREUX
Eagle Rock Entertainment will release both the CD of Albert Collins Live At Montreux 1992 and its companion 102-minute DVD on March 4. These stunning documents mark one of the last concerts that the late bluesman (1932-1993) performed before he succumbed to cancer on November 24, 1993. Prebook date is February 13.
Collins was known throughout the blues world as "The Ice Man." With his trademark Fender Telecaster and his distinctive fingerpicking style, Collins, on this night, delivered a career-spanning set of originals and covers.
Bonus tracks on the DVD include four lengthy jams from Montreux '79: "Listen Here, " "Snatchin' It Back, " "Cold Cold Feeling" and "Frosty."
Collins was a Texan, a distant relative of Lightnin' Hopkins, who, as a kid, soaked up the regional blues styles of Chicago and Mississippi. His first band, in 1952, played Houston bars. His first independent album, in 1965, The Cool Sounds Of Albert Collins, came after he relocated to Kansas City and included the instrumental "Frosty." In '67, he moved to San Francisco, a mecca for exploding rock'n'roll of the hippie subculture, where he found national fame playing alongside some of the biggest bands in the country. One such band, Canned Heat, helped him get a major label deal. The 1968 Imperial result was one of the great '60s blues album, Love Can Be Found Anywhere (Even In A Guitar).
He moved back home to Texas as a star in 1973. In 1978, he signed to Alligator for that year's Ice Pickin', the first of seven albums for the Chicago blues label. The '80s and '90s saw him tour around the world, influencing generations of blues and rock performers. He won the 1983 WC Handy Award for Don't Lose Your Cool (Blues Album Of The Year). His 1985 Showdown album with Robert Cray and Johnny Copeland won a Grammy Award.
CALGARY BLUES MUSiC ASSOCiATiON
ANNOUNCES FiRST ANNUAL
CALGARY MiDWiNTER BLUESFEST
Feb 04, 2008 – Calgary, Canada - Calgarians will have the opportunity to chase away the winter blues and enjoy two festivals this year courtesy of the Calgary Blues Music Association (CBMA). Organizers have announced the first annual Calgary Midwinter Bluesfest will run from February 25 to March 1, and in keeping with CBMA's tradition, wil feature the finest in regional and international blues in a range of workshops, concerts and special events.
Topping the bill is Chicago blues icon Hubert Sumlin, who will make two rare Calgary appearances as part of the festival. Sumlin is considered a living blues legend, and among his many credits the 74-year old bluesman has played with Pinetop Perkins, Willie Dixon, The Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry and countless others. He counts among his biggest fans Jimmy Page, Carlos Santana, and John Mayer as well as Keith Richards and Eric Clapton, both of whom play on About Them Shoes, his new album.
Fellow headliners announced to date include Canadian blues guitar greats Bill Johnson (Victoria), who's fiery fingers have opened for the likes of Delbert McLinton and Otis Rush, Canada's first lady of slide guitar, Ellen McIlwaine (Calgary) and Juno award-winning Jack Semple (Regina).
Signature events will include the Acoustic in the Round concert, slated for Thursday, Feb. 28, the concert offers an up-close and intimate view of festival artists. On Friday, Feb. 29, Guitarmania lX sees the return of the ever-popular event showcasing the best in blues guitar in a full roster of headline artists. On Saturday, March 1, the great Hubert Sumlin will be featured in the Calgary Midwinter Bluesfest Headline Concert, backed by a local band of blues veterans.
Wednesday, Feb. 27, the Twilight Blues Jam features some of Calgary's finest players hosting a red-hot jam session. As part of the evening's activities, the Calgary Blues Music Association will induct several local artists into the newly-founded Calgary Bluesfest Hall of Fame.
Kicking off the week is the Blues Vocal Camp, one of three workshops offered that week. The two-part camp is designed for aspiring blues singers, who will receive instruction from professional voice clinicians on Monday, Feb. 25 in preparation for performance with a band before a live audience on Tuesday, Feb. 26.
Wednesday afternoon's Emerging Artist Workshop features John Rutherford, blues musician, former radio host, and founder of the Carma Acoustic Blues Series held annually at the Epcor Centre's Engineered Air Theatre.
Friday afternoon's Midwinter Guitar Workshop is hosted Jack Semple, who will share his music, guitar and industry expertise.
CALGARY MIDWINTER BLUESFEST SCHEDULE
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25
Blues Vocal Camp - Workshop
Ironwood Stage (1429 - 9 Ave SE)
8 pm
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26
Blues Vocal Camp - Performances
Ironwood Stage (1429 - 9 Ave SE)
8 pm
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27
Emerging Artist Workshop
Kits on 16th Downstairs (720 - 16 Ave NW)
3-6 pm
Twilight Blues Jam
Calgary Bluesfest Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Kits on 16th (720 - 16 Ave NW)
8 pm
HURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28
Acoustic in the Round
Ellen McIlwaine - Bill Johnson - Jack Semple
Mikey's Juke Joint & Eatery (1901 - 10 Ave SW)
8 pm
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29
Midwinter Guitar Workshop
Kits on 16th Downstairs (720 - 16 Ave NW)
3-6pm
Guitarmania lX
Bill Johnson - Ellen McIlwaine - Jack Semple - Hubert Sumlin
MacEwan Hall (University of Calgary)
8 pm
SATURDAY, MARCH 1
Mid-Winter Bluesfest Headline Concert Starring Hubert Sumlin
Kits on 16th (720 - 16 Ave NW)
8 pm
LEVON HELMS "DiRT FARMER
GARNERS GRAMMY LOVE
Levon Helm’s first solo, studio recording in 25 years, Dirt Farmer, was released to the public on October 30, through Dirt Farmer Music LLC in conjunction with Vanguard Records. Levon sings and plays drums, guitar and mandolin on the CD, accompanied by Larry Campbell on guitars and fiddle, and the voices of Amy Helm and Teresa Williams. The record explores songs Levon learned as a boy in Arkansas and others in that style.
“Growing up on a cotton farm in the Arkansas Delta, Dirt Farmer rings true to home,” Levon said. “Amy encouraged me to go all the way back and try to record some of the family songs from home that we always loved best.”
The record reveals the essential beauty of traditional songs like “Little Birds” and the Stanley Brothers’ “False Hearted Lover Blues,” and takes a new look at Paul Kennerley’s “A Train Robbery,” Buddy and Julie Miller’s “Wide River To Cross” and another sentimental favorite, Lauralyn Dossett’s “Anna Lee.”
Levon said: “‘The Girl I Left Behind’ was one of the first songs my parents taught me as a child, along with ‘Little Birds’and ‘Blind Child.’ ‘The Poor Old Dirt Farmer’ is a song that my wood-carver musician friend Michael Copus and I learned together when we worked with Jane Fonda on The Dollmaker down in Tennessee. ‘Single Girl, Married Girl’ is one of my favorite songs of the whole session. It gave us the chance to address a traditional standard with the entire rhythm section using non-electric instruments and a full set of drums. It also gave us the chance to monkey up the rhythm of a traditional country beat.”
