Kirk Tuttle is dead.
Kirk Tuttle - 1942 to 2011
RIP
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Seattle Amp Porn - Pt. 1
Our good friend and excellent guitarist/bassist/singer Greg Roberts recently invited Jet City Blues to his Seattle home to check out his collection of vintage amps and guitars. Here are some photos from that visit for you gearheads out there. Enjoy!
Our good friend and excellent guitarist/bassist/singer Greg Roberts recently invited Jet City Blues to his Seattle home to check out his collection of vintage amps and guitars. Here are some photos from that visit for you gearheads out there. Enjoy!
Greg Roberts with his 1956 Alden guitar. Similar to the Stratotone guitars, these axes were manufactured by the Harmony company and were available through Montgomery Ward back in the day.
A 1938 Gibson EH-185 amp and matching 11-string lap steel guitar.
The amp and cabinet is in beautiful condition. The amp has both bass and treble controls, an unusual feature at the time.
The amp is actually a head that can be removed from the cabinet. Here you can see the original 12" speaker, which still sounds great!
A 1950 Fender Pro Amp with a Jensen P-15N speaker. This "TV" model cabinet would have had a tweed covering originally, but someone thoughtfully covered it with fake snakeskin sometime in the past.
It's not unusual to find old Fender tweed amps recovered or painted black (a friend of mine has a old Bassman that someone painted red!). It's a mystery why someone cut the two holes in the bottom back panel here.
A 1963 Fender Reverb tank, prized by many players as the best sounding outboard reverb units.
This cabinet is also the wrong color, with the exception of the back panel. Fender made the brown tolex covered amps for only three years.
Guild amp, circa 1961-62. Similar to the Fender Pro it also has a single 15" (Utah) speaker.
Rear view of the Guild amp. Note the wood reverb/tremolo footswitch.
A 1969 Fender Vibrolux Reverb amp. This was manufactured shortly after Fender was bought by CBS, but still has the pre-CBS circuitry. This is the same type of amp that Roy Buchanan played.
Rear view of the Fender Vibrolux Reverb. Two 10" speakers and reverb/vibrato footswitch.
A Magnatone Model 213 Troubadour amp with reverb, vibrato, and one 12" Utah speaker.
These Magnatone amps have a beautiful true pitch-bending vibrato.
An early '50s Leilani amp with a 6" speaker and Mother of Toilet Seat covering. All distortion, all the time!
Last but not least - a very nice 1967 Gibson ES-330 guitar with single-coil pickups.
I am aware of a couple of other amp/guitar collections here in the Seattle area. Keep an eye out for more amp porn to follow soon!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
This just in from Zab Zyvoloski over at the Salmon Bay Eagles Club:
Salmon Bay Dance Series with Brian Lee & the Orbiters!
Brian Lee and Zab Zyvoloski
On Sunday evening Sept 12th, the Salmon Bay Eagles and Zachariah Cassady will be presenting the first Swing Dance lesson & DJ dance. We are expecting everyone from beginners to veteran dancers! The lessons will occur from 6 until 7pm and then Zachariah will have a DJ dance afterwards until 8:30 pm. Two and a half hours of dancing, and what a great work out! Who needs to go jogging or bike riding when you can dance instead! Spending time practicing in your living room during the week, so you can be better for the next lesson, is a fabulous way of getting fit and graceful at the same time. And Hey! What better way can you think of to get socially active at the same time as getting physically active?
On the 26th, after the dance lesson, instead of the DJ dance, Brian Lee & The Orbiters will provide LIVE music and really get the dancers moving! You know what a great blues band this is, and they are fantastic to dance to. This Sunday dance format will be continued for the indefinite future, so you can always show up for a lesson and/or a dance on any Sunday. The live band dances with Brian Lee & The Orbiters are targeted for Sundays towards the end of each month, with Oct 24th, Nov 28th, & Dec 19th set as the next dates in the series. The next live dance with the Orbiters will be on Sunday, Oct 24th.
It will always be $5 for the lesson and another $5 for the DJ dance afterwards. The Brian Lee & The Orbiters Dance is a $10 admission or only $12 for both lesson & dance! Come for one or both! For Salmon Bay Eagles members, the dance lesson, the DJ dance, and the live performance of Brian Lee and The Orbiters, are all free.
Zachariah is also planning on having a Waltz dance session from 1 to 4pm on the first and third Sunday of the month, just prior to the Swing Dance lesson, and he will use the same format as the Swing dance. Check Zachariah’s website for the particulars at:
http://www.waltzetc.com/sunday.htm
Come on down the Salmon Bay Eagles at 5216 – 20th Ave NW in “Definitely Different” Ballard, and get fit, have fun and meet new people! Grab your dancing shoes and we’ll see you there…
http://www.salmonbayeagles.com/
brianleeorbiters@gmail.com
Hey Fellas!
Help this guy out, he's doing double duty!
Here's how...
Salmon Bay Dance Series with Brian Lee & the Orbiters!
Brian Lee and Zab Zyvoloski
On Sunday evening Sept 12th, the Salmon Bay Eagles and Zachariah Cassady will be presenting the first Swing Dance lesson & DJ dance. We are expecting everyone from beginners to veteran dancers! The lessons will occur from 6 until 7pm and then Zachariah will have a DJ dance afterwards until 8:30 pm. Two and a half hours of dancing, and what a great work out! Who needs to go jogging or bike riding when you can dance instead! Spending time practicing in your living room during the week, so you can be better for the next lesson, is a fabulous way of getting fit and graceful at the same time. And Hey! What better way can you think of to get socially active at the same time as getting physically active?
On the 26th, after the dance lesson, instead of the DJ dance, Brian Lee & The Orbiters will provide LIVE music and really get the dancers moving! You know what a great blues band this is, and they are fantastic to dance to. This Sunday dance format will be continued for the indefinite future, so you can always show up for a lesson and/or a dance on any Sunday. The live band dances with Brian Lee & The Orbiters are targeted for Sundays towards the end of each month, with Oct 24th, Nov 28th, & Dec 19th set as the next dates in the series. The next live dance with the Orbiters will be on Sunday, Oct 24th.
It will always be $5 for the lesson and another $5 for the DJ dance afterwards. The Brian Lee & The Orbiters Dance is a $10 admission or only $12 for both lesson & dance! Come for one or both! For Salmon Bay Eagles members, the dance lesson, the DJ dance, and the live performance of Brian Lee and The Orbiters, are all free.
Zachariah is also planning on having a Waltz dance session from 1 to 4pm on the first and third Sunday of the month, just prior to the Swing Dance lesson, and he will use the same format as the Swing dance. Check Zachariah’s website for the particulars at:
http://www.waltzetc.com/sunday.htm
Come on down the Salmon Bay Eagles at 5216 – 20th Ave NW in “Definitely Different” Ballard, and get fit, have fun and meet new people! Grab your dancing shoes and we’ll see you there…
http://www.salmonbayeagles.com/
brianleeorbiters@gmail.com
Sunday, September 05, 2010
This just in from our friend and unindicted co-consirator John "Mr. Solid" Lee:
The J & M Café and Mr. Solid Productions Presents
The Sunday Evening Social Club and Jam, featuring the rockin’ and funky sounds of the Seattle Houserockers. Also tap dancer Tim Hickey will be performing some hot numbers for all to see. Every Sunday beginning September 12th 2010. 7 to 11pm.
The weekly gathering will also be a jam session of sorts as friends and musical compatriots drop by to join in the fun every week. Joining the Houserockers for the kick-off will be some of the Puget Sound area’s finest and lasting blues and roots players.
Guitarist Jack Cook has played with virtually everyone on the Seattle blues scene including the legendary Issac Scott. At this time Jack leads his own cool ensemble, The Phantoms of Soul.
Mark Dufresne is an extraordinary vocalist, harmonica player, and songwriter. Mark was the vocalist for 5 years with Roomful of Blues, and during that time the band won the “best band” award from the national Blues Music Awards and one of the two recording projects he did with Roomful, “That’s Right!” was nominated for a Grammy in 2004. Mark is a true delight to hear!
Mike Lynch, harmonica and vocals, has been a mainstay on the Seattle blues scene for many years always fronting top notch groups with excellent players. Mike has been a sideman with both Tom McFarland and Issac Scott. His band the Harmonica Playboy and His Midnight Movers was voted “best band” by the Washington Blues Society in 1998.
The Seattle Houserockers are:
John Marshall- harmonica, vocals ( Wild Rhododendrons, Trouble At Home )
Dan Newton- guitar, keyboards, vocals ( the Crossroads Band, the Mark Dufresne Band )
John Lee- bass guitar, vocals ( the Crossroads Band, the 3J’s )
Marty Lockwood- drums, vocals ( the Blue Flames, Laurinado Almeida)
www.myspace.com/seattlehouserockers
Tim Hickey has worked on TV, film, and stages all over the world and now produces and choreographs shows with a focus on live music.
http://www.timtapshickey.com/
The J&M Café and Cardroom is a historic Pioneer Square landmark. The J&M is Seattle ’s oldest bar established in 1889 and has long been a popular watering hole. With new ownership, a little makeover, great food, tasty libations, and top flight blues and roots music, the J&M Café is a great spot to let the good times roll. From 7 to 9pm families are able to join in the Social Club fun. Also, bassist John Lee, former cook at both, Miz Sadie’s at the Owl Café and the Highway 99 Blues Club will be conjuring up his red beans and rice as a weekly special.
http://www.thejmcafe.com/
J&M Café and Cardroom
201 1st Ave. South
Seattle , Washington 98104
206-517-7864
Come on down and get you’re groove on. No cover charge.
The J & M Café and Mr. Solid Productions Presents
The Sunday Evening Social Club and Jam, featuring the rockin’ and funky sounds of the Seattle Houserockers. Also tap dancer Tim Hickey will be performing some hot numbers for all to see. Every Sunday beginning September 12th 2010. 7 to 11pm.
The weekly gathering will also be a jam session of sorts as friends and musical compatriots drop by to join in the fun every week. Joining the Houserockers for the kick-off will be some of the Puget Sound area’s finest and lasting blues and roots players.
Guitarist Jack Cook has played with virtually everyone on the Seattle blues scene including the legendary Issac Scott. At this time Jack leads his own cool ensemble, The Phantoms of Soul.
Jack Cook
Mark Dufresne is an extraordinary vocalist, harmonica player, and songwriter. Mark was the vocalist for 5 years with Roomful of Blues, and during that time the band won the “best band” award from the national Blues Music Awards and one of the two recording projects he did with Roomful, “That’s Right!” was nominated for a Grammy in 2004. Mark is a true delight to hear!
Mark Dufresne
Mike Lynch, harmonica and vocals, has been a mainstay on the Seattle blues scene for many years always fronting top notch groups with excellent players. Mike has been a sideman with both Tom McFarland and Issac Scott. His band the Harmonica Playboy and His Midnight Movers was voted “best band” by the Washington Blues Society in 1998.
Mike Lynch
Members of the Seattle Houserockers are journeyman professional musicians who have performed at festivals and in clubs all over the world. After decades of performing and contributing to dozens of recordings, the Seattle Houserockers have formed to play a cool mix of classic R&B, Blues, New Orleans beat, fatback, and boogie.The Seattle Houserockers are:
John Marshall- harmonica, vocals ( Wild Rhododendrons, Trouble At Home )
John Marshall
Dan Newton
John Lee
Marty Lockwood- drums, vocals ( the Blue Flames, Laurinado Almeida)
www.myspace.com/seattlehouserockers
Tim Hickey has worked on TV, film, and stages all over the world and now produces and choreographs shows with a focus on live music.
http://www.timtapshickey.com/
The J&M Café and Cardroom is a historic Pioneer Square landmark. The J&M is Seattle ’s oldest bar established in 1889 and has long been a popular watering hole. With new ownership, a little makeover, great food, tasty libations, and top flight blues and roots music, the J&M Café is a great spot to let the good times roll. From 7 to 9pm families are able to join in the Social Club fun. Also, bassist John Lee, former cook at both, Miz Sadie’s at the Owl Café and the Highway 99 Blues Club will be conjuring up his red beans and rice as a weekly special.
http://www.thejmcafe.com/
J&M Café and Cardroom
201 1st Ave. South
Seattle , Washington 98104
206-517-7864
Come on down and get you’re groove on. No cover charge.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Some forthcoming musician benefits that you should know about...
1. Charles White Benefit Concert
Date: Sunday, July 11th
Time: 4:00 to 11:00 PM
Where: New Orleans Creole Restaurant
Address: 114 1st Avenue South, Seattle (Pioneer Square)
Seattle blues singer "Sir" Charles White has been diagnosed with and is battling Light Chain Myeloma cancer. This is a benefit concert to raise money to cover out-of-pocket expenses that his health insurance doesn't cover. Admission is $20 with 100 percent of the proceeds going to Charles' medical expenses.
Featured bands will include:
4:00 to 4:45 - The Fabulous Roofshakers
5:00 to 5:45 - Steve Bailey & Crossroads
6:00 to 6:45 - Tim Turner Band
7:00 to 7:45 - Mark Whitman Band
8:00 to 8:45 - Mary McPage Band
9:00 to 9:45 - Stacy Jones Band
If you plan on donating to the Washington Blues Society's (WBS) Musicians' Relief Fund (MRF) on behalf of Charles, you will need to identify your donation as such. All WBS-MRF donations earmarked for Charles will get to him. If you are unable to make the benefit, please consider mailing a donation (checks or money orders - no cash) to:
Washington Blues Society
Attn: Charles White MRF Fund
PO Box 70604
Seattle, WA 98127
For more information please contact:
Mary McPage: mary_mcpage_band@yahoo.com
Bill Blackstone: charleswhiteband@yahoo.com
2. Mauva Belle Family Benefit Concert
Date: Sunday, July 25th
Time: 3:00 to 6:00 PM
Where: Salmon Bay Eagles Club
Address: 5216 20th Avenue NW, Seattle (Ballard)
Leslie "Star Drums" Milton and Gael "Lady Keys" Kurath will host a benefit on Sunday, July 25th at the Salmon Bay Eagles for the family of premier singer and entertainer, Mauva Belle, who passed away on May 20th in New Orleans of pancreatic cancer. She was only 49 years young. After spending three months in the hospital with no medical insurance, donations are being requested to help her family with the medical bills. Her husband, James White, will try to fly up from New Orleans to attend the benefit, and is very appreciative of the Seattle musical community coming together to celebrate the life of one of our own.
Mauva's CDs will be auctioned off, and musicians are welcome to sit in with Star Drums and Lady Keys. Some confirmed musical guests (at this date) include: Mike Lynch, Bruce Ransom, Gary Lee Johnson, Walter Young, Matt Clausen, and Lonnie Williams.
1. Charles White Benefit Concert
Date: Sunday, July 11th
Time: 4:00 to 11:00 PM
Where: New Orleans Creole Restaurant
Address: 114 1st Avenue South, Seattle (Pioneer Square)
Seattle blues singer "Sir" Charles White has been diagnosed with and is battling Light Chain Myeloma cancer. This is a benefit concert to raise money to cover out-of-pocket expenses that his health insurance doesn't cover. Admission is $20 with 100 percent of the proceeds going to Charles' medical expenses.
Featured bands will include:
4:00 to 4:45 - The Fabulous Roofshakers
5:00 to 5:45 - Steve Bailey & Crossroads
6:00 to 6:45 - Tim Turner Band
7:00 to 7:45 - Mark Whitman Band
8:00 to 8:45 - Mary McPage Band
9:00 to 9:45 - Stacy Jones Band
If you plan on donating to the Washington Blues Society's (WBS) Musicians' Relief Fund (MRF) on behalf of Charles, you will need to identify your donation as such. All WBS-MRF donations earmarked for Charles will get to him. If you are unable to make the benefit, please consider mailing a donation (checks or money orders - no cash) to:
Washington Blues Society
Attn: Charles White MRF Fund
PO Box 70604
Seattle, WA 98127
For more information please contact:
Mary McPage: mary_mcpage_band@yahoo.com
Bill Blackstone: charleswhiteband@yahoo.com
2. Mauva Belle Family Benefit Concert
Date: Sunday, July 25th
Time: 3:00 to 6:00 PM
Where: Salmon Bay Eagles Club
Address: 5216 20th Avenue NW, Seattle (Ballard)
Leslie "Star Drums" Milton and Gael "Lady Keys" Kurath will host a benefit on Sunday, July 25th at the Salmon Bay Eagles for the family of premier singer and entertainer, Mauva Belle, who passed away on May 20th in New Orleans of pancreatic cancer. She was only 49 years young. After spending three months in the hospital with no medical insurance, donations are being requested to help her family with the medical bills. Her husband, James White, will try to fly up from New Orleans to attend the benefit, and is very appreciative of the Seattle musical community coming together to celebrate the life of one of our own.
Mauva's CDs will be auctioned off, and musicians are welcome to sit in with Star Drums and Lady Keys. Some confirmed musical guests (at this date) include: Mike Lynch, Bruce Ransom, Gary Lee Johnson, Walter Young, Matt Clausen, and Lonnie Williams.
For more information, please contact:
Barbra Crain: bcbayou@comcast.net
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Dana Lupinacci Band at the Eagles Club
Here are some photos I took of the Dana Lupinacci Band playing at the Salmon Bay Eagles club about a week ago. My old pal Jeff Ziontz is playing guitar in this version of the band, and the group sounded great - swinging and not too loud. I sat in with the band for a couple of tunes, as did harp maestro John Marshall.
So what's not to like about the Eagles? The Thursday night gigs are early (8:00 PM to 12:00 AM), there is never a cover, and the inexpensive drinks are nuclear powered.
Left to right: Jeff Ziontz, Dana Lupinacci, Dave Petrie, and Charlene Grant
John Marshall sitting in on the harp and vocals.
Katie, the Eagles's singing bartender.
These guys were trying to get me to join the Ballard VFW. I'm considering it!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Nitelife with Johnny Mercury
Here are some photos from a gig that Nitelife did at the Highway 99 Blues Club last month, with our special guest Johnny Mercury. Johnny is well known in the Northwest country/rockabilly scene and is a fine guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Thanks for the helping hand, Johnny!
Note: All photos in this blog were created by Cathy Borste.
Left to right: Greg Roberts, Mike Lynch, Russ Kamerer, Johnny Mercury, and Guy Quintino
Johnny Mercury
Our friend Brice reminding us the that the Liquor Control Board is cracking down on musicians drinking on stage. We wouldn't want to encourage drinking in the nightclub!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Rockabilly & Country Show at the Shanty Tavern
I wandered down to the Shanty Tavern in Lake City last Saturday with Greg Roberts and Bubba McCoy to see a rockabilly/country music show that was being put on by our friend and guitarist Johnny Mercury.
The Shanty is a small roadhouse out on Lake City Way that, as far as I can tell, is only open for music events. I recall playing at a short-lived jam session there years ago. The tavern shares a large parking lot with the Seven Seas Chinese Restaurant, which is convenient because you can buy liquor there between sets at the Shanty.
There were three bands performing at this show, and I really enjoyed all of them. First up was Johnny Mercury's trio (with our pal Guy Quintino on bass), followed by Lisa and Her Kin (a fine country band from Portland), and finally, the Rainieros, another cool country band from Seattle.There was a good turnout for the show, lots of nice lookin' ladies, and great music. I highly recommend checking out some shows at the Shanty - they feature plenty of events that fans of roots music will enjoy.
Here's some photos from the show:
I wandered down to the Shanty Tavern in Lake City last Saturday with Greg Roberts and Bubba McCoy to see a rockabilly/country music show that was being put on by our friend and guitarist Johnny Mercury.
The Shanty is a small roadhouse out on Lake City Way that, as far as I can tell, is only open for music events. I recall playing at a short-lived jam session there years ago. The tavern shares a large parking lot with the Seven Seas Chinese Restaurant, which is convenient because you can buy liquor there between sets at the Shanty.
There were three bands performing at this show, and I really enjoyed all of them. First up was Johnny Mercury's trio (with our pal Guy Quintino on bass), followed by Lisa and Her Kin (a fine country band from Portland), and finally, the Rainieros, another cool country band from Seattle.There was a good turnout for the show, lots of nice lookin' ladies, and great music. I highly recommend checking out some shows at the Shanty - they feature plenty of events that fans of roots music will enjoy.
Here's some photos from the show:
The Johnny Mercury Trio - Left to right: Guy Quintino, Brian Elledge, and Johnny Mercury
Dancers!
These guys were playing at the Seven Seas - I didn't catch their name.
Did I mention the ladies? Left to right: Megan, Samantha, Michelle, Jenny, and Marjory.
Thanks, gals!
Marc and Gaby Bristol were also at this show. Marc is the publisher of Blue Suede News
Lisa and Her Kin
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Jet City Blues CD Review
Up One Side...Down The Other by the Crossroads Band
Blues Town Records - Available at all Crossroads Band gigs, or CDs can be purchased from the band by contacting dennis@crossroadsblues.net.
This CD, released by Seattle's Crossroads Band in 2009, is easily one of the best regonal recordings I have heard recently. The Crossroads Band features seasoned Seattle blues veterans Steve Bailey (harp, guitar, slide guitar, and vocals), Dan Newton (keyboards, guitar, lap steel guitar, and vocals), Dennis Ellis (tenor and baritone saxophones, and vocals), John "The Savage" Lee (bass and vocals), and David Hudson (drums and vocals). Did I mention that everyone sings? Pretty unusual for a local blues project, my friends.
There is lots of good stuff on this disk, including five cool originals mixed in with some carefully chosen covers. One of the unique things that you will hear here are the horn arrangements, which are usually played on harp and sax, but sometimes created by Dennis overdubbing tenor and baritone saxes (Dennis also plays the flute on some tunes at Crossroad band gigs). The tunes range from Roy Brown-style jump tunes ("Fannie Brown Got Married"), Chicago blues ("The Sun Is Shining," Stop Now"), New Orleans funk ("Something You Got," "Walk Your Blues Away"), to West Coast boogaloo ("Get Back"). The blues, the whole blues, and nothin' but the blues, baby!!
Here's my take on the tunes offered here:
"Fanny Brown Got Married" - A swinging Roy Brown tune with great vocals and gritty honking tenor sax by Dennis Ellis. Check out the overdubbed horn parts. Note to the Washington Blues Society members - Dennis was not nominated AGAIN this year for best horn - why, pray tell?!
"Up One side And Down The Other" - An original by Dan Newton. I'll call it a Texas-style boogie - whatever, this tune rocks! I wish the lap steel guitar was a little easier to hear, but check out the oddball bridge which builds up tension between verses.
"Who" - An original by Steve Bailey about a ne'er-do-well lover. Love this song! "...now who's gonna fix your broke down car/pick you up when you drunk down at the bar..." Indeed!
"Something You Got" - The classic New Orleans Chris Kenner tune, shouted with feeling by bassist John Lee. There's that horn section again, a funky bariton sax solo, and Nawlin's style piano by Mr. Newton. Waiter - gimme some red beans and rice!
"The Sun Is Shining" - A tribute to the late great Hound Dog Taylor, with vocals and slide guitar by Steve Bailey. Steve manages to find the appropriately destroyed-sounding slide guitar tone here. You gotta turn this one up.
"Get Back" - The Jimmy McCracklin tune about about problems that can be encountered at the nightclub. I dig Dennis Ellis' vocals, sax solo, and the harp/sax horn section on this one.
"Mixed Up Fool" - Another Bailey original. A real Chicago blues grinder - great harp playing on this one, from a true northwest original!
"My Baby" - A teen beat tune credited to Charlie Musselwhite. The cool vocals make it sound like a Don and Dewey tune to me (that's a good thing!).
"Walk Your Blues Away" - A good rockin' Professor Longhair tune with excellent piano by Dan Newton, vocals by Dennis Ellis, and great backup horns. OK, I'm ready for some jambalaya now.
"Stop Now" - Steve Bailey plays excellent Sonny Boy II style harp on this tune about impending doom associated with a love affair suddenly gone wrong.
"She Used To Be Mine" - Another Dan Newton original about a good love gone bad, very bad. I dig Steve and Dennis' harp/sax solos on this one.
"Why Do People Act Like That?" - The first time I heard this Bobby Charles tune was on Muddy Waters' "Woodstock" album. John Lee shouts this one again. They ought to play this one on Wall Street, methinks.
"Black Nights" - Nope, not Charles Brown - this is the Lowell Fulson tune. A cool example of West Coast R&B, check it out!
"Double-Eyed Whammy" - A great version ofthe Tommy Ridgley tune that sounds amazingly like "San-Ho-Zay" when you remove the lyrics. You can tell that Steve's been doing this one for a while.
"Big D Walks In" - A cool swinging instrumental that features Dennis Ellis on the sax, of course. This sounds like a long lost Johnnie Otis tune to me.
I see that this CD has been nominated for a Best Blues Recording by the Washington Blues Society. This is a fine recording created by long-time veterans of the seattle blues scene, and deserves to win this award. My vote is in, how about yours?
Up One Side...Down The Other by the Crossroads Band
Blues Town Records - Available at all Crossroads Band gigs, or CDs can be purchased from the band by contacting dennis@crossroadsblues.net.
There is lots of good stuff on this disk, including five cool originals mixed in with some carefully chosen covers. One of the unique things that you will hear here are the horn arrangements, which are usually played on harp and sax, but sometimes created by Dennis overdubbing tenor and baritone saxes (Dennis also plays the flute on some tunes at Crossroad band gigs). The tunes range from Roy Brown-style jump tunes ("Fannie Brown Got Married"), Chicago blues ("The Sun Is Shining," Stop Now"), New Orleans funk ("Something You Got," "Walk Your Blues Away"), to West Coast boogaloo ("Get Back"). The blues, the whole blues, and nothin' but the blues, baby!!
Here's my take on the tunes offered here:
"Fanny Brown Got Married" - A swinging Roy Brown tune with great vocals and gritty honking tenor sax by Dennis Ellis. Check out the overdubbed horn parts. Note to the Washington Blues Society members - Dennis was not nominated AGAIN this year for best horn - why, pray tell?!
"Up One side And Down The Other" - An original by Dan Newton. I'll call it a Texas-style boogie - whatever, this tune rocks! I wish the lap steel guitar was a little easier to hear, but check out the oddball bridge which builds up tension between verses.
"Who" - An original by Steve Bailey about a ne'er-do-well lover. Love this song! "...now who's gonna fix your broke down car/pick you up when you drunk down at the bar..." Indeed!
"Something You Got" - The classic New Orleans Chris Kenner tune, shouted with feeling by bassist John Lee. There's that horn section again, a funky bariton sax solo, and Nawlin's style piano by Mr. Newton. Waiter - gimme some red beans and rice!
"The Sun Is Shining" - A tribute to the late great Hound Dog Taylor, with vocals and slide guitar by Steve Bailey. Steve manages to find the appropriately destroyed-sounding slide guitar tone here. You gotta turn this one up.
"Get Back" - The Jimmy McCracklin tune about about problems that can be encountered at the nightclub. I dig Dennis Ellis' vocals, sax solo, and the harp/sax horn section on this one.
"Mixed Up Fool" - Another Bailey original. A real Chicago blues grinder - great harp playing on this one, from a true northwest original!
"My Baby" - A teen beat tune credited to Charlie Musselwhite. The cool vocals make it sound like a Don and Dewey tune to me (that's a good thing!).
"Walk Your Blues Away" - A good rockin' Professor Longhair tune with excellent piano by Dan Newton, vocals by Dennis Ellis, and great backup horns. OK, I'm ready for some jambalaya now.
"Stop Now" - Steve Bailey plays excellent Sonny Boy II style harp on this tune about impending doom associated with a love affair suddenly gone wrong.
"She Used To Be Mine" - Another Dan Newton original about a good love gone bad, very bad. I dig Steve and Dennis' harp/sax solos on this one.
"Why Do People Act Like That?" - The first time I heard this Bobby Charles tune was on Muddy Waters' "Woodstock" album. John Lee shouts this one again. They ought to play this one on Wall Street, methinks.
"Black Nights" - Nope, not Charles Brown - this is the Lowell Fulson tune. A cool example of West Coast R&B, check it out!
"Double-Eyed Whammy" - A great version ofthe Tommy Ridgley tune that sounds amazingly like "San-Ho-Zay" when you remove the lyrics. You can tell that Steve's been doing this one for a while.
"Big D Walks In" - A cool swinging instrumental that features Dennis Ellis on the sax, of course. This sounds like a long lost Johnnie Otis tune to me.
I see that this CD has been nominated for a Best Blues Recording by the Washington Blues Society. This is a fine recording created by long-time veterans of the seattle blues scene, and deserves to win this award. My vote is in, how about yours?
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