Jerry Wexler is dead
Jerry Wexler - 1/1917 to 8/2008
RIP
The legendary record producer Jerry Wexler died on August 15th, 2008 at his home in Sarasota, Florida. See the NY Times obituary here.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Isaac Hayes is dead
Isaac Hayes - 8/42 to 8/08RIP
The great soul singer, songwriter, and keyboardist Isaac Hayes died on August 10th in Memphis, TN. Click here for the NY Times obituary.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Jimie Jean & Kirk Tuttle Benefit - Update #1
Here's the band lineup for the Jimie Jean and Kirk Tuttle benefit scheduled for September 14th at the Salmon Bay Eagles Club in Seattle (I will fill you in on the actual appearance schedule in a later post):
The Jimie Jean & Kirk Tuttle Benefit Fund
Wells Fargo Bank
2358 California Avenue SW
Seattle, WA 98116
Attn: Laine Rivera
It's gonna be a goon 'un - please come out and support this worthy cause!
Here's the band lineup for the Jimie Jean and Kirk Tuttle benefit scheduled for September 14th at the Salmon Bay Eagles Club in Seattle (I will fill you in on the actual appearance schedule in a later post):
- All Stars & No Stripes
- Mike Lynch & Nitelife
- Little Bill & the Bluenotes
- Sweet Talkin' Jones & the Muscletones
- The Crossroads Band
- The John Stephan Band
- Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin' Daddies
- Paul Green & Straight Shot
- Chris Stevens' Surf Monkeys
The Jimie Jean & Kirk Tuttle Benefit Fund
Wells Fargo Bank
2358 California Avenue SW
Seattle, WA 98116
Attn: Laine Rivera
It's gonna be a goon 'un - please come out and support this worthy cause!
The Miltonian Institute turns 70
On July 19th I drove up to the Alligator Soul Restaurant to participate in the 70th birthday party for the Miltonian Institute. No, it's not a financial instution, it's the name I came up with years ago to describe the musical entertainment dynamo that is better known by the name of Leslie "Star Drums" Milton." A native of New Orleans, Leslie has been active on the Seattle blues scene since the late '70s, when he played with the band BlueLights (which also included the now well-known keyboardist Chuck "Barrelhouse Chuck" Goering and Seattle guitarist Daddy Treetops).
The Alligator Soul recently moved to a new, larger facility on Everett's Broadway street. Leslie, resplendent in a canary yellow jacket and matching shoes, and his musical partner keyboardist Gael "Lady Keys" Kurath were set up on a nice large stage, and during the evening were joined by several guests, including another drummer, a bassist, guitarist, plus Seattle blues harpists Kim Field and yours truly. Leslie and Lady keys have been playing at the Alligator Soul every Saturday now for 10 years - the last time I saw them was at the old location years ago when my band was playing up the street at the now defunct Horseshoe Restaurant.
Leslie "Star Drums" Milton and Gael "Lady Keys" Kurath
Leslie Milton
Kim Field and Leslie Milton
On July 19th I drove up to the Alligator Soul Restaurant to participate in the 70th birthday party for the Miltonian Institute. No, it's not a financial instution, it's the name I came up with years ago to describe the musical entertainment dynamo that is better known by the name of Leslie "Star Drums" Milton." A native of New Orleans, Leslie has been active on the Seattle blues scene since the late '70s, when he played with the band BlueLights (which also included the now well-known keyboardist Chuck "Barrelhouse Chuck" Goering and Seattle guitarist Daddy Treetops).
The Alligator Soul recently moved to a new, larger facility on Everett's Broadway street. Leslie, resplendent in a canary yellow jacket and matching shoes, and his musical partner keyboardist Gael "Lady Keys" Kurath were set up on a nice large stage, and during the evening were joined by several guests, including another drummer, a bassist, guitarist, plus Seattle blues harpists Kim Field and yours truly. Leslie and Lady keys have been playing at the Alligator Soul every Saturday now for 10 years - the last time I saw them was at the old location years ago when my band was playing up the street at the now defunct Horseshoe Restaurant.
Leslie "Star Drums" Milton and Gael "Lady Keys" Kurath
Leslie Milton
Kim Field and Leslie MiltonLeslie has played with just about everybody over the years, including Johnny Otis, Lee Dorsey, Sonny & Cher, and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, and Seattle's Slamhound Hunters and the Isaac Scott Band, to name just a few. He and Lady Keys and friends put on a great show for a full house of well-wishers. Man, I hope that I've got half of Leslie's energy when I turn 70!
Happy birthday, Pops!
Monday, August 04, 2008
Early Warning - September 14th Benefit
NW Blues fans - Please put September 14, 2008 on your calendars. Our long time friends, blues drummer Kirk "KT" Tuttle and his wife, Jimie Jean, the long time blues music coordinator (18+ years of Thursdays) at Seattle's Salmon Bay Eagles Club, are both battling severe health issues and need the help of our music community!
We are planning a benefit for KT and Jimie 0n September 14th, from 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM at the Eagles Club. We will have nine bands playing that day, about a gazillion jammers, plus food and a silent auction. Check back here for more details, including the band lineup, which should be finalized in a few days.
Here's some details about the gig:
Date; 9/14/08
The Salmon Bay Eagles Club
5216 20th Avenue NW
Seattle, WA 98107
206-783-7791
Showtime: 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Can't make the benefit? No problem - You can still send money to support this worthy cause.
Send checks to:
The Jimie Jean & Kirk Tuttle Benefit Fund
Wells Fargo Bank
2358 California Avenue SW
Seattle, WA 98116
Attn: Laine Rivera
Thanks in advance for your support!
Mike Lynch
NW Blues fans - Please put September 14, 2008 on your calendars. Our long time friends, blues drummer Kirk "KT" Tuttle and his wife, Jimie Jean, the long time blues music coordinator (18+ years of Thursdays) at Seattle's Salmon Bay Eagles Club, are both battling severe health issues and need the help of our music community!
We are planning a benefit for KT and Jimie 0n September 14th, from 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM at the Eagles Club. We will have nine bands playing that day, about a gazillion jammers, plus food and a silent auction. Check back here for more details, including the band lineup, which should be finalized in a few days.
Here's some details about the gig:
Date; 9/14/08
The Salmon Bay Eagles Club
5216 20th Avenue NW
Seattle, WA 98107
206-783-7791
Showtime: 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Can't make the benefit? No problem - You can still send money to support this worthy cause.
Send checks to:
The Jimie Jean & Kirk Tuttle Benefit Fund
Wells Fargo Bank
2358 California Avenue SW
Seattle, WA 98116
Attn: Laine Rivera
Thanks in advance for your support!
Mike Lynch
Saturday, August 02, 2008
In the Pocket with Mr. Solid
A Weekend in the Life of a Journeyman Professional Blues Band
By John Lee
We began set two with a little more bite to our sound. But just as we began to work up a good groove, someone motions that they had more announcements. A bit more talking from some of the city fathers, then we were allowed to finish up with a fairly lengthy set with a very nice amount of dancing couples. A nice warm up for the next two days, when we would play one 45 minute set, and a one hour set.
Dennis and Steve had come in Steve’s van, Dan and I in my car (Dan and I live fairly close to each other), and Dave drove with some family members. On our way back to Seattle and beyond , we ran into a one hour construction delay on I-5 near Everett, Washington, about 35 miles from Seattle. What the hell! This is 11PM on a Friday night. We all finally worked our way home for an evening of much deserved rest. The next day we played the granddaddy of Puget Sound street fairs, the University Street Fair in north Seattle.
Seattle’s University District, Saturday May 17th 2008. We had a nice time slot at 3PM and the weather was beautiful, 80 degrees and sunny. The band played a really nice set that included Crossroads favorites including “Too Young to Die,” “How Long,” “Can’t Judge A Book,” and “Don’t Leave Your Daddy Home.” Two of the songs, “I Want Some Love,” and “Up One Side And Down the Other” were written by Dan Newton. Dan is a talented and sharp guy with three and a half years of music theory at North Texas State University and a masters degree from the University of Washington in Russian Language and Russian Literature. He is working on his Phd at this time. Dan is a multiple threat musically, playing outstanding guitar, rockin’ piano, and delivering nice vocal work. He’s also one hell of a songwriter. Dan is a good man to have on your team.
After the street fair set, we all headed to my house for a dinner of Memphis Beale Street chicken, potato salad, and a tossed green salad. After a very tasty meal the band piled into Steve’s van and headed towards the Grand Coulee Dam and our rooms for the Sunbanks R&B Festival. Along the way we listened to Bumble Bee Slim and Johnny Otis’ tour de farce group, Snatch and the Poontangs. We were having too much fun. The band arrived at the Grand Coulee Motel at 11PM and somehow I ended up with my own room. The other four guys had to share two rooms. Sometimes things work out and you get a little extra quite time. It’s all good!
Grand Coulee Washington , Sunday May 18th. My motel room was quite comfortable and I slept well, but not long. By 8:00AM and I was showered, dressed and awake! When you live both as day people and as night people (I have a day job too) the sleep patterns get very strange. I walked out onto the steps leading to my room, and I saw Steve Bailey. We both mentioned breakfast, and we looked up and saw a sign that said “Flo’s Café.” We entered and found the place to be down home and full of locals. We ended up talking to one local man who is retired and living close by. The omelets were quite good and seemed to live up to the café’s motto: “10,000 Flies Can’t Be Wrong”.
Steve Bailey is my long time friend. I’ve played in a number of musical settings with him, most notably Steve Bailey and the Blue Flames. Steve is another one of those multi-talented guys. Steve Bailey is a world class blues harmonic player, a damn fine guitar man in both single note and slide styles, a good singer, and an excellent songwriter. Plus, he speaks fluent Spanish (he was a Spanish teacher at one time). Steve is a very good recording engineer also. He’s engineered dozens of Northwest recordings (hey he’s guiding The Crossroads Band’s latest CD effort right now. We have six basic tracks in the can right as I speak.)
We walked down the hill to a Safeway grocery store for a cold beverage and on the way back we run into our drummer man Dave Hudson. Dave was the driving force behind The Hudson Blues Band for many years, and he is a fine player with a great love for blues and classic R&B. Most drummers don’t even have Muddy Waters or Howlin Wolf recordings in their collections. Dave not only has the material in his collection, he knows the titles of all the songs. Most drummers listen to jazz recordings and aspire to that style. Brother Hudson is a breath of fresh air and one hell of a drummer! Dave was looking for espresso and I had seen a stand near Safeway. Steve headed back to his room, and Dave and I made the slight decent toward the stimulants! Dave had some kind of coffee drink, and bought me a chai latte with coconut syrup.
Dave and I headed back to the motel, and, as I went to my room, I ran into piano man D.K Stewart and his drummer, Carlton Jackson out of Portland , Oregon. D.K. Stewart is one of the finest keyboard players in all the Northwest, having played with some of Portland’s great blues and R&B artists like Curtis Salgado and the late Paul deLay. They gave me a copy of their new CD, "The DK4- In the House." There was just time for a short chat, then a quick goodbye. They had a 5PM gig outside of Portland .
I dropped into Flo’s which was now packed, and our great honkin' sax man Dennis Ellis was there for breakfast. Dennis and I chatted for a few minutes. Dennis is a fine sax player, an excellent flute player and outstanding singer. Dennis brings a swing and cool scuffle element to the band. He’s also easy to be around and a very, very funny guy. I also ran into Tom Hunniwell, the excellent music photographer who I know from back in Seattle . It’s always good to see Mr. Honeywell. I walked back to the motel and found Dan awake and ready to go. It was time to get dressed again and head to the festival site.
We arrived about 11:30AM at the Sunbanks Resort where the festival in held twice a year. The first person we checked out was Billy Stoops, the energetic Southerner who is the driving force behind The Sunbanks R&B Festival, and also the band Junkyard Jane. Steve Bailey knows Billy from awhile back. I first talked to Billy Stoops on the telephone about booking Crossroads into Sunbanks a year and a half ago, and I joked with him about owing me a few bucks for my phone bill. We ran into a few other folks we know, like Rhea Rolf, former president of the Washington Blues Society, and Cholo Willsin, who, back in the day, was a doorman at Larry’s Greenfront in Seattle ’s Pioneer Square . Cholo has been associated for many years with the Winthrop R&B Festival and most recently with the Blues for Food Fest. www.myspace/bluesforfoodfest (Crossroads will be featured at this year’s Blues for Food Fest August 30th, 2008 at the Magnusson Park amphitheater in North Seattle ).
We played a nice one hour set that featured some real nice sax by Dennis Ellis and excellent piano work by Dan Newton. After our show we hung around and chatted with a dozen or so blues fans, then we went to the Cantina (a bar and restaurant located at the Sunbanks Resort) to cash in our food coupons provided by Mr. Stoops for a meal provided to all the festival musical participants. The cook wouldn’t start until 3:30PM and the bartender said all she could put together were appetizers. So that’s what we did, we had appetizers. Coming and going to the Cantina we came across 10 or 12 people who said they dug the band. The Sunbanks R&B Festival site is very pleasant, a sparely wooded area leading up to a large stage that has its back almost at the lake's shoreline. We hung around near the stage for a while longer and caught most of the File Gumbo Zydeco Band’s set. Then it was time to head back to Seattle . It would take four hours to get home.
We had to travel a long way to play music for a relatively short period of time, but it was a very rewarding weekend. The band played good music and we got to hang out together in a setting other than a bar or nightclub. I’m very lucky to get to play good music and be friends with such a talented and solid bunch of guys. I feel like I can relate to what the roots music legend Delbert McClinton said in the title of one of his recent albums “One of the fortunate few.” Then the next day, it was back to our other lives!
American Music Icons Bo Diddley and Jimmy McGriff Pass On
Born Ellas Bates, Bo changed it to Ellis McDaniel when his mother’s cousin adopted him. Then he eventually took the stage name Bo Diddley with the help of his Bomp ba-bomp-bomp, bomp- bomp “shave and a hair cut” rhythm”. Bo was on his way with the 1955 single "Bo Diddley/I’m A Man" to becoming one of the most influential guitar players and songwriters of early rock and roll. With a style steeped in blues and R&B he created such classics as "Mona," "Pretty Thing," "Can’t Judge A Book," "Road Runner," and "Who Do You Love" to name a few. Many groups from the 1960’s covered Bo’s songs, including the Rolling Stones. The legendary bluesman Muddy Waters took Bo’s "I’m a Man" and made it his own as the title “Mannish Boy.”
I met Bo Diddley for just a few minutes back stage at a show Bo was going to perform in the mid-seventies in Anchorage, Alaska . He was making fried chicken in an electric skillet while he chatted. He seemed pleasant enough. Bo Diddley was 79 years old. R.I.P.
Jimmy McGriff was one of the finest soul/jazz Hammond B3 organ players of all-time. McGriff broke onto the national scene with the instrumental version of Ray Charles’s “ I Got a Women” in 1962. Jimmy McGriff never liked being called a jazz musician, he always said he was a blues player. Mr. McGriff was childhood friends with the legendary Hammond B3 man Jimmy Smith in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . Organ great Richard “Groove” Holmes played at Jimmy McGriff’s sister's wedding. For over 40 years Jimmy McGriff played blues, R&B and soul drenched organ driven instrumentals with some of the most soulful musicians of his time like saxophones players, Hank Crawford, David “Fathead” Newman, Red Holloway, and drummer Bernard “Pretty” Purdie. McGriff also made some nice recordings with blues vocalist and harmonica player, Junior Parker. He was as good as it gets. Jimmy McGriff was 72 years old. R.I.P.
Quote of the Month
My dear friend, the late Jim Schroy, as we were leaving a Little Richard show at Seattle’s annual Bumbershoot Festival, said “ That’s the best concert I’ve ever seen by somebody from Mars.” Little Richard was so odd, that after what I witnessed that day, I think Jim might have only scratched the surface.
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.
A Weekend in the Life of a Journeyman Professional Blues Band
By John Lee
Over the last ten to fifteen years gigs for a Northwest blues or roots music group have become less and less in number. These days, the band might have a Saturday or maybe a Friday and Saturday night. But every once in a while a weekend shows up that you have three engagements in one weekend, then it feels like back in the day when it seemed you were playing music for people all the time. The Crossroads Band had one of those weekends just this spring of 2008. The Crossroads Band are: Steve Bailey - harp, guitar and vocals, Dennis Ellis - saxophone, flute, and vocals, Dan Newton - guitar, keyboards, and vocals, John Lee - bass and vocals, and David Hudson - drums.
Here’s what happened from my perspective:
Anacortes, Friday May 16th 2008. The Crossroads band was booked to play the kick-off dinner for the Waterfront Festival in Anacortes, Washington, in a decorated warehouse on the waterfront, about 75 miles north of Seattle. It was an early start (6PM) and the bonus is that the client provided a PA system. This was truly wonderful, because we didn’t have to haul Steve Bailey’s PA and set it up and tear it down. It was a dinner, so we had a soft take-off (played quietly). After a 45 minute set the speeches and acknowledgments took place. This was a cue for the band to grab a bite to eat. The buffet included salmon, chicken, and beef. The buffet also had the usual starches, veggies, and salads. I especially liked the garlic mashed potatoes. The food was done well and much appreciated by me and my musical brethren.
Anacortes, Friday May 16th 2008. The Crossroads band was booked to play the kick-off dinner for the Waterfront Festival in Anacortes, Washington, in a decorated warehouse on the waterfront, about 75 miles north of Seattle. It was an early start (6PM) and the bonus is that the client provided a PA system. This was truly wonderful, because we didn’t have to haul Steve Bailey’s PA and set it up and tear it down. It was a dinner, so we had a soft take-off (played quietly). After a 45 minute set the speeches and acknowledgments took place. This was a cue for the band to grab a bite to eat. The buffet included salmon, chicken, and beef. The buffet also had the usual starches, veggies, and salads. I especially liked the garlic mashed potatoes. The food was done well and much appreciated by me and my musical brethren.
The Crossroads Band - Anacortes Waterfront Festival - Photo by Steve Berentson
We began set two with a little more bite to our sound. But just as we began to work up a good groove, someone motions that they had more announcements. A bit more talking from some of the city fathers, then we were allowed to finish up with a fairly lengthy set with a very nice amount of dancing couples. A nice warm up for the next two days, when we would play one 45 minute set, and a one hour set.
Dennis and Steve had come in Steve’s van, Dan and I in my car (Dan and I live fairly close to each other), and Dave drove with some family members. On our way back to Seattle and beyond , we ran into a one hour construction delay on I-5 near Everett, Washington, about 35 miles from Seattle. What the hell! This is 11PM on a Friday night. We all finally worked our way home for an evening of much deserved rest. The next day we played the granddaddy of Puget Sound street fairs, the University Street Fair in north Seattle.
Seattle’s University District, Saturday May 17th 2008. We had a nice time slot at 3PM and the weather was beautiful, 80 degrees and sunny. The band played a really nice set that included Crossroads favorites including “Too Young to Die,” “How Long,” “Can’t Judge A Book,” and “Don’t Leave Your Daddy Home.” Two of the songs, “I Want Some Love,” and “Up One Side And Down the Other” were written by Dan Newton. Dan is a talented and sharp guy with three and a half years of music theory at North Texas State University and a masters degree from the University of Washington in Russian Language and Russian Literature. He is working on his Phd at this time. Dan is a multiple threat musically, playing outstanding guitar, rockin’ piano, and delivering nice vocal work. He’s also one hell of a songwriter. Dan is a good man to have on your team.
After the street fair set, we all headed to my house for a dinner of Memphis Beale Street chicken, potato salad, and a tossed green salad. After a very tasty meal the band piled into Steve’s van and headed towards the Grand Coulee Dam and our rooms for the Sunbanks R&B Festival. Along the way we listened to Bumble Bee Slim and Johnny Otis’ tour de farce group, Snatch and the Poontangs. We were having too much fun. The band arrived at the Grand Coulee Motel at 11PM and somehow I ended up with my own room. The other four guys had to share two rooms. Sometimes things work out and you get a little extra quite time. It’s all good!
Grand Coulee Washington , Sunday May 18th. My motel room was quite comfortable and I slept well, but not long. By 8:00AM and I was showered, dressed and awake! When you live both as day people and as night people (I have a day job too) the sleep patterns get very strange. I walked out onto the steps leading to my room, and I saw Steve Bailey. We both mentioned breakfast, and we looked up and saw a sign that said “Flo’s Café.” We entered and found the place to be down home and full of locals. We ended up talking to one local man who is retired and living close by. The omelets were quite good and seemed to live up to the café’s motto: “10,000 Flies Can’t Be Wrong”.
Steve Bailey is my long time friend. I’ve played in a number of musical settings with him, most notably Steve Bailey and the Blue Flames. Steve is another one of those multi-talented guys. Steve Bailey is a world class blues harmonic player, a damn fine guitar man in both single note and slide styles, a good singer, and an excellent songwriter. Plus, he speaks fluent Spanish (he was a Spanish teacher at one time). Steve is a very good recording engineer also. He’s engineered dozens of Northwest recordings (hey he’s guiding The Crossroads Band’s latest CD effort right now. We have six basic tracks in the can right as I speak.)
We walked down the hill to a Safeway grocery store for a cold beverage and on the way back we run into our drummer man Dave Hudson. Dave was the driving force behind The Hudson Blues Band for many years, and he is a fine player with a great love for blues and classic R&B. Most drummers don’t even have Muddy Waters or Howlin Wolf recordings in their collections. Dave not only has the material in his collection, he knows the titles of all the songs. Most drummers listen to jazz recordings and aspire to that style. Brother Hudson is a breath of fresh air and one hell of a drummer! Dave was looking for espresso and I had seen a stand near Safeway. Steve headed back to his room, and Dave and I made the slight decent toward the stimulants! Dave had some kind of coffee drink, and bought me a chai latte with coconut syrup.
Dave and I headed back to the motel, and, as I went to my room, I ran into piano man D.K Stewart and his drummer, Carlton Jackson out of Portland , Oregon. D.K. Stewart is one of the finest keyboard players in all the Northwest, having played with some of Portland’s great blues and R&B artists like Curtis Salgado and the late Paul deLay. They gave me a copy of their new CD, "The DK4- In the House." There was just time for a short chat, then a quick goodbye. They had a 5PM gig outside of Portland .
I dropped into Flo’s which was now packed, and our great honkin' sax man Dennis Ellis was there for breakfast. Dennis and I chatted for a few minutes. Dennis is a fine sax player, an excellent flute player and outstanding singer. Dennis brings a swing and cool scuffle element to the band. He’s also easy to be around and a very, very funny guy. I also ran into Tom Hunniwell, the excellent music photographer who I know from back in Seattle . It’s always good to see Mr. Honeywell. I walked back to the motel and found Dan awake and ready to go. It was time to get dressed again and head to the festival site.
We arrived about 11:30AM at the Sunbanks Resort where the festival in held twice a year. The first person we checked out was Billy Stoops, the energetic Southerner who is the driving force behind The Sunbanks R&B Festival, and also the band Junkyard Jane. Steve Bailey knows Billy from awhile back. I first talked to Billy Stoops on the telephone about booking Crossroads into Sunbanks a year and a half ago, and I joked with him about owing me a few bucks for my phone bill. We ran into a few other folks we know, like Rhea Rolf, former president of the Washington Blues Society, and Cholo Willsin, who, back in the day, was a doorman at Larry’s Greenfront in Seattle ’s Pioneer Square . Cholo has been associated for many years with the Winthrop R&B Festival and most recently with the Blues for Food Fest. www.myspace/bluesforfoodfest (Crossroads will be featured at this year’s Blues for Food Fest August 30th, 2008 at the Magnusson Park amphitheater in North Seattle ).
We played a nice one hour set that featured some real nice sax by Dennis Ellis and excellent piano work by Dan Newton. After our show we hung around and chatted with a dozen or so blues fans, then we went to the Cantina (a bar and restaurant located at the Sunbanks Resort) to cash in our food coupons provided by Mr. Stoops for a meal provided to all the festival musical participants. The cook wouldn’t start until 3:30PM and the bartender said all she could put together were appetizers. So that’s what we did, we had appetizers. Coming and going to the Cantina we came across 10 or 12 people who said they dug the band. The Sunbanks R&B Festival site is very pleasant, a sparely wooded area leading up to a large stage that has its back almost at the lake's shoreline. We hung around near the stage for a while longer and caught most of the File Gumbo Zydeco Band’s set. Then it was time to head back to Seattle . It would take four hours to get home.
The Crossroads Band at the Sunbanks R & B Festival - Photo by Tom Hunnewell
Dan Newton - Photo by Tom Hunnewell
David Hudson - Photo by Tom Hunnewell
Dennis Ellis - Photo by Tom Hunnewell
John Lee - Photo by Tom Hunnewell
Steve Bailey - Photo by Tom Hunnewell
We had to travel a long way to play music for a relatively short period of time, but it was a very rewarding weekend. The band played good music and we got to hang out together in a setting other than a bar or nightclub. I’m very lucky to get to play good music and be friends with such a talented and solid bunch of guys. I feel like I can relate to what the roots music legend Delbert McClinton said in the title of one of his recent albums “One of the fortunate few.” Then the next day, it was back to our other lives!
American Music Icons Bo Diddley and Jimmy McGriff Pass On
Bo Diddley - December 30, 1928 to June 2, 2008
Born Ellas Bates, Bo changed it to Ellis McDaniel when his mother’s cousin adopted him. Then he eventually took the stage name Bo Diddley with the help of his Bomp ba-bomp-bomp, bomp- bomp “shave and a hair cut” rhythm”. Bo was on his way with the 1955 single "Bo Diddley/I’m A Man" to becoming one of the most influential guitar players and songwriters of early rock and roll. With a style steeped in blues and R&B he created such classics as "Mona," "Pretty Thing," "Can’t Judge A Book," "Road Runner," and "Who Do You Love" to name a few. Many groups from the 1960’s covered Bo’s songs, including the Rolling Stones. The legendary bluesman Muddy Waters took Bo’s "I’m a Man" and made it his own as the title “Mannish Boy.”
I met Bo Diddley for just a few minutes back stage at a show Bo was going to perform in the mid-seventies in Anchorage, Alaska . He was making fried chicken in an electric skillet while he chatted. He seemed pleasant enough. Bo Diddley was 79 years old. R.I.P.
Jimmy McGriff-April 3, 1936 to May 24, 2008
Jimmy McGriff was one of the finest soul/jazz Hammond B3 organ players of all-time. McGriff broke onto the national scene with the instrumental version of Ray Charles’s “ I Got a Women” in 1962. Jimmy McGriff never liked being called a jazz musician, he always said he was a blues player. Mr. McGriff was childhood friends with the legendary Hammond B3 man Jimmy Smith in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . Organ great Richard “Groove” Holmes played at Jimmy McGriff’s sister's wedding. For over 40 years Jimmy McGriff played blues, R&B and soul drenched organ driven instrumentals with some of the most soulful musicians of his time like saxophones players, Hank Crawford, David “Fathead” Newman, Red Holloway, and drummer Bernard “Pretty” Purdie. McGriff also made some nice recordings with blues vocalist and harmonica player, Junior Parker. He was as good as it gets. Jimmy McGriff was 72 years old. R.I.P.
Quote of the Month
My dear friend, the late Jim Schroy, as we were leaving a Little Richard show at Seattle’s annual Bumbershoot Festival, said “ That’s the best concert I’ve ever seen by somebody from Mars.” Little Richard was so odd, that after what I witnessed that day, I think Jim might have only scratched the surface.
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.Sunday, July 20, 2008
Gasoline Blues
I don't know about you folks, but I'm really feeling the pinch from these rising gas prices. I'm back working full-time, which is great news, but the office is in Auburn, which is a 60 mile round trip from my home in West Seattle, five days a week.
I don't know about you folks, but I'm really feeling the pinch from these rising gas prices. I'm back working full-time, which is great news, but the office is in Auburn, which is a 60 mile round trip from my home in West Seattle, five days a week.That's 300 miles a week, or a tank of gas. So, at the current prices it is costing me about $240 a month just to drive back and forth to the office. There are no bus or rail lines that come close to the office, so drive I must. Fortunately, there are grocery stores, pharmacies, and even a budget theatre within walking distance of my house. Even the kids' school is only four blocks away, so my car stays parked whenever possible.
This has really affected my willingness to go out and see bands play. I really think about it before driving across town (or farther) to see even my favorite bands play. I can just imagine how gas prices are affecting the cash flow for both bands and nightclubs. Bands' wages haven't changed much since the '70s, but the price of gas has tripled, so the math is pretty simple. And, I can't be the only person that is thinking twice before spending money on a night out at a club, so I'll bet that attendance at shows has to be falling off too. I wonder if we will be seeing more clubs closing because of this?
What do you think? How have rising gas prices, just one aspect of our sagging economy, been a affecting your life?
What do you think? How have rising gas prices, just one aspect of our sagging economy, been a affecting your life?
David Brewer Turns 60
Article and photos by Phil Chesnut
Seattle's Thursday night blues bastion, the Salmon Bay Eagles, held a rare blues celebration on a Friday night last week. If Thursday's Mike Lynch show wasn't enough, the SBE then gave us blues fans a very special show commemorating Seattle blues legend David Brewer's 60th birthday.
David Brewer
Though not official, I don't feel bad by saying that the second band of the evening, starring the Man of the Hour, could certainly be called the "Intimidators." With veteran Intimidators Bill Freckleton on bass, the horn of Raven, and "Pete the Beat" Langhans righteously filling the drummer spot usually held by Chris Leighton, it looked and sounded like the Intimidators to me. Of course, David Brewer & the Intimidators have been mesmerizing Northwest blues fans for decades, but since Brewer is usually on a European tour this time of year, it made this event all the more extraordinary.
Left to right: Pete Langhans, Bill Freckleton, and David Brewer
Playing to an appreciative, eager full house, 'til well into the AM hours, Brewer & Co set the room's energy level to an even higher notch. With a pair of sets featuring all of those unique Brewer originals, plus a few new Brewerized cover tunes, this remarkable night of the blues was truly be memorable for all. Sounding like a well rehearsed band, with a ton of shows behind them, Brewer and crew were sharp and on it, contrary to the fact that it was only their second show. With their first show played to a less than savvy crowd at Tacoma's JazzBones, the band was more than appreciative to then play to true fans while laughingly calling the JazzBones gig their rehearsal.
This was also my first chance to get my hands on Brewer's brand new, CD! Going in a different direction on this newest project, The new album is all Brewer and nothin' but. Covering ten blues standards, all with that special Brewer arrangement, David Brewer's "Ghost Dance" is certainly destined for wide recognition and accolades, not only in the Pacific Northwest, but world-wide. Created and produced at Sheri and Raven Humphres' Black Wing Studio, all of the instruments and vocals are rendered, by Brewer himself, and though no credit is given, it's obviously Brewer's pen and ink illustration on the back, tray card.Though well known in the US and Europe for his power bands, Brewer has recently revised is presentation and now tours solo, making "Ghost Dance" his first album featuring this new side of David Brewer. Long known to be proud of his native heritage, the CD's title is derived from a cherished Native American parable, who's essence is emoted in each and every of these selections. Certainly a landmark album of 21st century American Blues, "Ghost Dance" will be essential to any true blues fan's audio collection.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
The day I met Bo Diddley
By John Stephan
Bumbershoot Arts Festival, Seattle, Washington, 1981 or '82.
As a member of the Isaac Scott Band, I opened for Bo Diddley at the Mural Amphitheatre for a crowd of about 10,000. We'd played a great set, and they wanted an encore; much to the chagrin of Bo and his road manager, who was telling us to stop because "Bo's got to catch a plane after his set." This guy was pulling our AC cords out of the wall one minute, and then asking me if Bo could use my amp!
I had just about the only 100-watt Mesa Boogie amp in town, then. Bo was trying to connect my amp with an old rented blonde Fender Twin, as Jr. Cadillac (his backing band), a video cam operator, and 10,000 people watched on. The Twin was blowing a tube or whatever, and I refused to let him connect the two amps together. Bo, with a little piece of fried chicken hanging out of the corner of his mouth, had no more patience for me, and said "You don't understand- I don't play like you. I don't play that one-note shit, I get down!". Isaac was practically rolling on the stage laughing!
So Bo got up there and completely tore that crowd up! He was great, and had only 2 strings left on his guitar when it was all over (it still sounded about the same!). I grabbed my amp, and Bo caught his plane. He never thanked me! So goes the story of how I repaid my portion of the world debt to Bo Diddley for all the great music he's brought us.
By John Stephan
Bumbershoot Arts Festival, Seattle, Washington, 1981 or '82.As a member of the Isaac Scott Band, I opened for Bo Diddley at the Mural Amphitheatre for a crowd of about 10,000. We'd played a great set, and they wanted an encore; much to the chagrin of Bo and his road manager, who was telling us to stop because "Bo's got to catch a plane after his set." This guy was pulling our AC cords out of the wall one minute, and then asking me if Bo could use my amp!
I had just about the only 100-watt Mesa Boogie amp in town, then. Bo was trying to connect my amp with an old rented blonde Fender Twin, as Jr. Cadillac (his backing band), a video cam operator, and 10,000 people watched on. The Twin was blowing a tube or whatever, and I refused to let him connect the two amps together. Bo, with a little piece of fried chicken hanging out of the corner of his mouth, had no more patience for me, and said "You don't understand- I don't play like you. I don't play that one-note shit, I get down!". Isaac was practically rolling on the stage laughing!
So Bo got up there and completely tore that crowd up! He was great, and had only 2 strings left on his guitar when it was all over (it still sounded about the same!). I grabbed my amp, and Bo caught his plane. He never thanked me! So goes the story of how I repaid my portion of the world debt to Bo Diddley for all the great music he's brought us.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Bo Diddley is dead.
Bo Diddley - 1929 to 2008RIP
To see Bo's NY Times obituary, click here. What are your favorite Bo Diddley tunes? Mine are "Roadrunner" and "Crackin' Up." Check this video out (my thanks to one of my favorite drummers, Russ Kammerer):
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