Some deLay memorial concert snapshots.

I attended the recent Paul deLay memorial concert in Portland, OR, and took the snapshots seen below with my trusty Canon. Ironically, I was given an all access pass to this show (thanks, Megan!), but didn't realize that I could go backstage until the show was over. DOH!!

So, these photos were created in the venue's lobby or in the downstairs bar. The show was being simulcasted on a big screen in the bar and the sound was pretty good in that room, so a lot of the participating musicians were hanging out there between sets. Oh yeah, there was beer there too.

Here ya go:

Guitarist Chris Carlson and vocalist Duffy Bishop

Bassist Don Campbell and pianist/vocalist DK Stewart

Harp maestro/vocalist Mark Dufresne and friend

Pam Kelley-Elend, Susan Waterworth, and Megan deLay

Harp maestro Bill Rhoades and his wife Cindy

Ahem...let's talk about the Bluestars, OK?

In my travels throughout the Internet musical wilderness, I have discovered some disinformation associated with my old band, the Bluestars. I dunno why this sticks in my craw, but I'm going to take a minute to set the record straight...

The Bluestars were a rockin' little blues band that played a lot in the Seattle area in the late '80s. The band was a four piece, and consisted of Leslie Milton or Kirk Tuttle on drums, Mark Dalton on bass, Jeff Ziontz on guitar, and yours truly on harp and vocals. Occasionally, other players such as Jack Cook (guitar), John Lee (bass), or Jim Mesi (guitar) would also play with the band.

Jeff Ziontz and Mark Dalton - Bluestars gig at the Old Timer's Cafe (Seattle)

Leslie "Star Drums" Milton

So, the other day I was looking at Kate (formerly Kathy) Hart's web page, and in her bio, she informs us that, shortly after arriving in Seattle from Detroit, she "...put together a band called the Bluestars." Then, on the site's Photo page, there appears this photograph of the "Original Bluestars."

Back: Kathy Hart

Front, left to right: John Lee (bass), Jim Mesi (guitar), Dave Freeblen (keyboards), Leslie Milton (drums), Robbie Jordan (sax), and Doug Canning (trumpet). Photo created by Mike Lynch

I took this photograph with my trusty Yashica after I finished playing this date (at a Bellevue, WA office plaza) with the band. I don't know why it's so out of focus - a screwed up scan, maybe? Anyway, below is another photograph from my vault created at this same gig, this time by an innocent bystander using my camera again. Hey, there's the missing band member! This was a pick-up gig, and I believe that this might have been the only time that this particular configuration of musicians played with Kathy.

Back: Kathy Hart and Mike Lynch

Here's the 411 on Kathy Hart's relationship with the Bluestars. Kathy had decided that she wanted to focus on doing blues material, and we discussed having the Bluestars back her up on a few gigs. She was the bomb at booking gigs, and it seemed like a good idea at the time (to me, anyway), but immediately after our first gig with her, both Dalton and Ziontz quit the band. If I recall correctly, their spots were filled by Patty Mey and Jim Mesi respectively, and Leslie Milton hung in with us for a while. We played quite a few gigs with Kathy and various other keyboardists, horn players, and drummers, including opening for Roy Orbison at the Bumbershoot festival (he was really short), and the first Seattle Women in Blues show at the Backstage in Ballard. By the way, both of those gigs were total trainwrecks, but the crowds didn't seem to notice. Go figure.

I eventually decided to call it quits on the gig with Kathy, and we agreed that she could continue to use the Bluestars band name. Various versions of her "Bluestars" band soldiered on until she finally moved back to Detroit.

Unfortunately, I don't have any more photos of the real "original Bluestars" (all together, anyway), but I do have a few more of the AKH (After Kathy Hart) versions of the band, including this one that I took at the West Seattle Street Fair. That's my Fender amp next to Patty Mey.

Left to right: Dave Freeblen, Jim Mesi, Kathy Hart, Leslie Milton, and Patty Mey . July 1987

Speaking of Jim Mesi - the last time I cruised by his web site, I noticed this link on the News page to an article written about Jim by Greg Johnson for the Cascade Blues Association's Blues Notes. In this article, we're told that, during Jim's stay in Seattle in the late '80s, he fronted his own band called Little Jimmy & the Blues Stars.

Krikey!!! Jim played with the Bluestars many times, both with and without Kathy Hart, but I don't recall him ever fronting his own band in Seattle, by that or any other name. Someone correct me if I'm wrong about this, please?

OK, I feel better now. Thanks, I needed that...

Paul deLay Memorial Concert

By Phil Chesnut

Last Sunday, April 1st, I was among the privileged few who were witness to a truly spiritual event, the memorial concert, celebrating the life and music of our beloved blues giant, Paul deLay. Held on two floors of the Portland Art Museum, the 5 hour, sold out show was a first class operation, thanks in great part to longtime deLay bandmates, Peter Dammann and Dave Kahl. Originally devised as a benefit for Paul's widow, Megan, and immediate family, the show was a huge success, even though a much larger venue would have easily sold out too. Hosted by the deLay band and it's many current and former members and featuring a multitude of fantastic blues talent, all paying their own personal respects, this special evening was truly memorable.

The evening's theme, "Remember Me," came from the title of one of Paul's many original songs. A heartfelt reflection on love and loss, Paul's song certainly helped set the mood for the night. With Paul's special harmonica case and his familiar bullet microphone resting on his trusty stool on the front, center of the stage, the evening's performances were all just a backdrop for this stunning image, reminding all of our great loss. Setting up each set and the various player's historical significance to Paul, was the night's MC, the renowned blues scholar, Ray Varner. "Uncle Ray" also helped set the tone by reminding us just how fortunate we were to have had this great bluesman with us at all.

Considering the huge list of musicians eager to pay their on homage to Paul, the concert ran smoothly and efficiently throughout the program. With the sound dialed in, a multi camera, large screen, video simulcast to the first floor lounge, a true photo pit for the pro shooters and a well catered green room, it was obviously run by someone with experience in important blues events. Of course, Dammann, the deLay guitarist for the past 2 decades, is also the man behind the gigantic, Waterfront Blues Festival and thus the reason for the high quality of this event.

This glorious night offered volumes of deLay songs and stories, interpreted by the fine talent that were all influenced by this hugely talented man. Long known for his great insights on human nature and his wry sense of humor, the savvy Portland crowd showed a festive feel for the majority of the night. The concert opened with a raucous set by Brown Sugar, the very first band to feature Paul. With old friend and fellow Portland harp ace, Bill Rhoades, taking Paul's parts and original band members Jim Mesi tearin' it up on guitar and a very rare performance by Lloyd Jones on drums, this opening set offered a good example of things to come.

With a rotating cast of deLay band members and alumni taking on the house band chores, the quality of the night's music was superb. Other deLay members that enhanced the night's show included keyboard masters, DK Stewart, David Vest and Louis Pain, with Don Campbell and John Mazzocco on bass, and drummers, Mike Klobas, Jeff Minnick and Kelly Dunn. Although the house band's personnel was in continual rotation, the love and appreciation for Paul was apparent all night. Highlights of this multi set memorial came from such NW blues greats as Terry Robb, from No deLay Band front person Linda Hornbuckle, blues belter Lily Wilde and Seattle's own writer, vocalist, and harp master Mark Dufresne. Certainly a high point of this massive showcase was a brilliant duet by Portland blues legends, Curtis Salgado and Lloyd Jones.

Demonstrating his own love and respect for Paul was the legendary Pinetop Perkins. The 93 year-old, former Muddy Waters pianist, not only left his scheduled tour to perform at this concert, he also broke his own long standing rule by playing the blues on Sunday. Probably the most memorable portion of this blues marathon came when NW blues darling, Duffy Bishop took the stage. Singing her own special dedication the big guy, which included a "duet for one," Duffy was the only one to use the sacred stool and play to the tools he left, that had decorated the stage all night. Upon receiving a framed, Duffy/Paul photo, late in her set, Duffy's true emotions surfaced, reminding all of our great loss. At that point, there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

The final 90 minutes, or so, became an ever evolving, star studded, jam. With multiple mini sets from an outstanding list of even more worthy blues folk, including soulman, JC Ricco, Harpdog Brown from Canada, and So-Cal guitarist Frank Goldwasser. Along with the earlier headliners and numerous other artists not mentioned here, they continued to share anecdotes of Paul and tunes by Paul. The midnight, grand finale was an all artist, final collaboration, expressing their final gratitude for a man who touched so many.

Brown Sugar Band

Left to right: Jim Mesi, Mark Dufresne, D.K. Stewart, and Don Campbell

Curtis Salgado and Lloyd Jones

Left to right: Peter Dammann, Dave Kahl, and Pinetop Perkins

Duffy Bishop

Paul deLay's Space Case

Note: All of the photos in this article were created by Phil Chesnut.

Down to the nightclub...

Man, I've got nightclub photos piled up everywhere around here at the tastefully appointed World Headquarters of the Jet City Blues blog. Here, take a look:

The Broomdust Blues Band at the Highway 99 Blues Club

Left to right: Garrett Smith, John Widell, David Hudson, Bubba McCoy, and Greg Roberts. Photo by Phil Chesnut.

Photo by Phil Chesnut.

Jeff Herzog sittin' in. Photo by Phil Chesnut.

Photo by Phil Chesnut.

The David Brewer Band at the Tractor Tavern

Left to right: Ron Weinstein, David Brewer, Raven, Bill Freckleton, and Chris Leighton. Photo by Phil Chesnut.

Photo by Phil Chesnut.

Photo by Phil Chesnut.

The Blue Healers at the Conor Byrne Pub

Left to right: Diane Forsyth, Greg Roberts (sitting in), Don Forsyth, and Billy Spaulding back there on the drums.

Blues From the Past Jam at the Conor Byrne Pub

The day Paul deLay died. Left to right: Kim Field, Mark Dufresne, Pam Kelley-Elend, Susan Waterworth, and Mark Dalton. Photo created by Chris Stevens and contributed by Susan Waterworth.

Washington Blues Society Mardi Gras Party

John Marshall's Mardi Gras Band. Left to right: John Marshall, John Stephan, Kirk Tuttle, Charlene Grant, and Steve Flynn.

Rocky and Eric

WBS President Rhea Rolfe

Mardi Gras fans Isis, John Marshall, and Sandy

Little Bill & the Blue Notes at the Salmon Bay Eagles

Left to right: Dick Powell, Chris Leighton, Little Bill, Rod Cook, and Paul Green (sitting in).

Jeff & the Jet City Fliers at the Corner Inn

Left to right: Bill Lovey, Jeff Herzog, Les Merrihew, Brady Millard-Kish, and Steve Flynn

Dave Prez & the Combo Nation at the Highway 99 Blues Club

Left to right: Billy Reed, Eric Daw, Dave Prez, Billy Spaulding, Jack Cook, and Mark Dalton

Dave Prez - the Man, the Myth, the Legend!

Adam Gussow will be visiting the Jet City.

Adam Gussow (left), the well-known harp player with Satan and Adam, will be visiting Seattle this month (4/19-21) to deliver a paper at this years EMP Pop Conference. Adam is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English and Program in Southern Studies at the University of Mississippi.

Adam has a lot of blues-related stuff going on, including a series of excellent free harp lessons that can be seen on YouTube, as well as some never before seen videos of Satan and Adam performing. You can check these videos out at Adam's YouTube "channel" here:

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=KudzuRunner

AND, Adam has a new book coming out in June, entitled "Journeyman's Road: Modern Blues Lives From Faulkner's Mississippi to Post-9/11 New York."

I am hoping to hook up with Adam when he hits town, so keep an eye out for us in the nightclubs that weekend. I understand that he is scheduled to do a taping for Marlee Walker's Blues-To-Do TV show while in town, so keep an eye out for that show in the near future also.

Best blues jam?

It looks like the Blue Monday jam that I used to host with the Midnight Movers at the Highway 99 Blues Club has been nominated for a BB Award by the Washington Blues Society (WBS). While I am honored by this nomination, I would like to encourage the members of the WBS to NOT vote for this gig. Here's why:

• I haven't participated in this event at the Highway 99 since last December. The Blue Monday gig continues at the club, but is being hosted by a different band.
  
  
• While the club was kind enough to let us host Blue Monday for two years, the truth is that the gig was never very well attended, with the exception of a small core of players and fans (see the photo below).

Look Ma, no fans!

I'd like to suggest that the jam most worthy of blues fans' votes this year is the Johnny Broomdust's Blues of the Past Jam at the Conor Byrne (in Ballard). Hosted by the terrific Broomdust Blues Band, this gig has been running even longer than Blue Monday, and a lot of great players and blues-loving fans actually show up at the gig. The Broomdust Blues Band is also nominated for best traditional act this year, an award they truly deserve.

So do the right thing - don't vote for "my" event this year!

In the Pocket with Mr. Solid

By John Lee

The American Folk Blues Festival Volumes 1-3

I recently borrowed the three DVD set, "The American Folk Blues Festival," from my friend Jeff Herzog, harp player and front man for the boogie-blues band, Jeff and The Jet City Fliers. John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, Willie Dixon, T-Bone Walker, Little Walter, Big Mama Thornton, Son House, Skip James, and Howlin’ Wolf are some of the blues artists that appear at different times through out this incredible film series. Each disk comes with a cool 24 page booklet. Bill Wyman, former bass player with The Rolling Stones, who wrote the forward for the booklets says: “Things would have been a whole lot different in Britain without the American Folk Blues Festivals; they proved to be a rich legacy for musicians throughout Europe .” These are some of the great bluesmen and women at the top of their game.

Volume 1 (1962-1966) - The highlights for me on the first disk in the series is John Lee Hooker doing “Hobo Blues” and Sonny Boy Williamson backing Muddy Waters on “Got My Mojo Working.”

Volume 2 (1962-1966) - The Howlin’ Wolf tunes are incredible. T-Bone Walker is also very cool, showing why he’s a major influence on so many guitar players.

Volume 3 (1962-1969) - Dr. Isaiah Ross’s “Feel So Good” is very cool. Dr. Ross plays guitar, harp in a rack, a bass drum keeps the beat and the good doctor's left foot plays a high hat. He sings well too. A great example of a one man band. Big Mama Thornton doing “Hound Dog” with Buddy Guy on guitar, Son House’s “Death Letter Blues” and Otis Rush backing up Big Joe Turner are just some of the highlights of disk 3.

If you like classic blues, check out The American Folk Blues Festival. I think you’ll dig it as much as I do.

Black Snake Moan

Just last weekend I went to The Varsity Theater located in Seattle’s University District to see the film "Black Snake Moan." The film stars Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci, and Justin Timberlake. Black Snake Moan was written and directed by Craig Brewer who also directed the highly acclaimed "Hustle and Flow."

The film is a steamy telling of a “reformed” black bluesman named Lazarus, played by Samuel L. Jackson, who has just found out that his wife is running off with his younger brother. He finds the local “nymphomaniac” Rae (Christine Ricci) badly beaten after she has gone on a bender when her boyfriend (Justin Timberlake) joins the service. After Lazarus puts her on his couch and cleans her up, he inquires with friends about who she is. When he finds out that she is the local hussy, he decides to nurse Rae back to health and to cure her of her evil ways. He goes to the barn and finds a large and lengthy chain and chains her around the waist and keeps her in his house against her will until she is “cured”. Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci both give great performances, but a weak script keeps this from being a truly great film.

The true star of Black Snake Moan is the blues soundtrack. Scott Bomar, bass player for the Memphis instrumental group The Bo-Keys, put together this great soundtrack. Mr. Bomar performs on three tracks for the soundtrack including the opening theme. R.L. Burnside, Jesse Mae Hemphill, Precious Bryant, Bobby Rush, and the North Mississippi Allstars are some of the artists that contribute to this great soundtrack. Despite some flaws in the film I still had a good time. At the beginning and near the end of the film are film clips of the great Son House giving his take on “Ain’t but one kind of blues”. This will make a great rental. Check out Samuel Jackson’s rendition of "Stack O Lee," I think you’ll dig it too.

Charles Brown- A Life in the Blues

"Charles Brown- A Life in the Blues" is a DVD and CD of Mr. Brown and his band recorded live at The Lone Star Roadhouse in New York City in 1990. Charles Brown was one of the finest purveyors of piano blues, and it’s easy to see why Ray Charles considered Charles Brown his major influence!

This dynamite club set consists of 10 tunes including the classics "Driftin’ Blues," "Black Night," "Merry Christmas Baby," and "Please Come Home for Christmas." Mr. Brown and the band, especially guitarist Danny Caron, really cook. The DVD also has two short films of Charles Brown with Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers in 1945, two interviews with Mr. Brown, a photo gallery and a complete discography of the master piano man’s music. The set comes with a great booklet with a complete history of his music written by Chip Deffae and liner notes by Bonnie Raitt.

Charles Brown is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Blues Foundation Hall of Fame, and winner of numerous W.C. Handy awards. He is a legend of blues music and I think this collection is a must for the blues music fan. Do yourself a favor and check it out sometime. I would like to thank my friend Ed Maloney at the Highway 99 Blues Club for turning me on to this incredible set.

Southern Soul Radio

I was recently checking out the Malaco Records (the modern soul/blues/R & B/gospel label based in Jackson, MS) web site when I discovered a link to http://www.southernsoulradio.com/ This very cool internet station plays the likes of Little Milton, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Z.Z. Hill, Denise LaSalle, Tyrone Davis, and Bobby Rush to name a few. If you dig soul music like I do, you’ll dig Southern Soul Radio. Their motto is “Goin’ home ain’t never felt so good.” It’s 24 hours a day too!

Paul deLay

Paul deLay the great harmonica player, singer, and songwriter from Portland , Oregon died March 7, 2007 from leukemia. I have seen Paul deLay play dozens of times and it always struck me what a incredible harp player he was. He was a big influence on dozens of harmonica players in the Northwest. He was a gentle soul and his immense talent will be sorely missed. My sympathy goes out to his friends, family, band mates and his wife Megan. Paul deLay was 55 years old. R.I.P.

Quote of the Month

I toured and played bass with John Lee Hooker twice. To hear him talk was almost as cool as to hear him sing. One of my favorite sayings of The Hook was: “Nothin’ but the best, and later for the rest. Nothin’ but the best, and later for the garbage.”

Electric bassist John "Mr. Solid" Lee was born in Alaska and has been active in the Seattle blues scene for about 30 years. He currently plays with the Crossroads Band. Photo by Mike Coyote.

"Sunshine" Sonny Payne

This just in from the Fatcat (who is now living in Greenville, SC, in case you were wondering). Seems like a no-brainer to me!

"There is a movement afoot to get "Sunshine" Sonny Payne (left) inducted into the Blues Foundation's Blues Music Hall of Fame. He has hosted the "King Biscuit Time" radio show out of Helena, Arkansas since 1951. He's 81.

Here's a website and a petition to sign on his behalf. Would you mind spreading the word?"

http://www.sunshinesonnypayne.com/

Consider the word spread, Bruh!

"Remember me..."

A memorial concert celebrating the life, music and spirit of Paul deLay
Sunday, April 1, 2007, 7 pm - midnight
Kridel Grand Ballroom at the Portland Art Museum (1219 SW Park)

Featuring Duffy Bishop, Linda Hornbuckle, Lloyd Jones, Terry Robb and other special guests to be announced, hosted by former members of the Paul deLay Band in its various incarnations over the years (DK Stewart, David Vest, and Louis Pain on keyboards; Jim Mesi, Peter Dammann on guitar; Dave Kahl, John Mazzocco, Don Campbell on bass; Mike Klobas, Jeff Minnick, and Kelly Dunn on drums).

Tickets are $20, and are available in advance through the Portland Art Museum, 503-226-0973, or online at www.communityboxoffice.net. All funds raised will be used to defer the immediate family's medical and related expenses.

Open to All ages. Food and refreshments available at the venue.

Paul deLay wrote the haunting lament "Remember Me," after his mother, and the mothers of three band members, passed away during a two-year-period in the late 1990s. It was released on the Paul deLay Band's Heavy Rotation CD (Evidence Music) in 2001.

Paul deLay passed away on March 7 from complications due to late stage leukemia, diagnosed only days earlier. For more see John Foyston's piece in the Portland Oregonian:

http://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/1173327939191310.xml&coll=7

Paul deLay Memorial

By Susan Waterworth

A memorial gathering for “Friends of Paul” deLay was held in Portland, OR at the Kennedy School pub on Monday, March 13. Mark DuFresne and I traveled from Seattle to pay our respects. All of Portland’s blues cognoscenti were there, of course, and Curtis Salgado, Lloyd Jones, Ray Varner, and others told stories or paid tribute to Paul. Many former band mates spoke of their awe at Paul’s musicianship and songwriting talent.

A steady stream of mourners shared their love and admiration of Paul with his widow Megan, who met Paul at Seattle’s Owl Café when she was just 21, 17 years ago. Megan provided a slide show with musical soundtrack that played throughout the evening, showing the domestic deLay enjoying his beloved cats, friends, and family. Megan’s father Don Gill choked back sobs as he greeted friends, grieving for his family’s loss - “they were just so devoted to one another.” Susan Reese, the attorney who had seen Paul through his troubles with the Feds, and then later performed Paul and Megan’s wedding ceremony, told the assembled that when she’d go to visit folks at Paul’s “camp,” she’d wait to visit him until last because his humorous take on his situation never failed to cheer her up.

The love and grief for Paul were palpable. Peter Damman, Paul’s longtime guitarist and booking and organizational maestro, provided an uplifting close to the event by playing footage of an absolutely gleeful Paul at the Waterfront Blues Festival shortly after his release from prison in 1995. He was beaming as he sang of his love for Megan and his freedom from addiction.

A public tribute and benefit concert for Paul’s family is being planned in Portland, tentatively scheduled for April 1. It may be recorded so that sales can benefit the family. Stay tuned here for information on how to donate to the Paul deLay Memorial Fund, which will benefit Paul’s widow, Megan. Plan to travel down and “have a good time on purpose,” as Uncle Ray exhorted, quoting Paul.