Archived :: May 28, 2004
HI Everybody!
It's been a long time since you've heard from me, and I'll bet your quite upset about that...Right! I've been in email purgatory. So many of you were commenting on the fact that your email to me kept bouncing back, and that you hadn't received the email I was sending you.blah, blah, blah. So, I decided to switch servers. I went from the itty bitty indie I had been with for years, to a biggie, SBC! Well, I made the switch just in time to be affected SBC's strike! My God! What a mess! In The Bay Area, pissed off employees were cutting phone lines in expression of their of their dissatisfaction w/the conglomerate. I understand some demonstrators were so upset, they hurled rocks at the sign over SBC Park...that'll show the bastards! Needless to say I was w/out a server for 2 weeks. The way I was carrying on, you'd have thought I was left with nothing more than a chisel and a slab of stone. Anyway things are ok now, I think.
I want to get right to the music stuff, so I won't off on a rant about the price of gas, or the war in Iraq, or the threat of terrorist attacks in the US this summer, or our inadequate public school system, or President Bush......hmmmmm seems to be a common thread here. Why, I'm beginning to feel a bit redundant..I'll stop now.
Well one more thing. No, two more things.
#1 Have I been is SF too long, or did most of the made-over women on The Swan look like post op men? The only show of the series I watched was the finale, the "beauty" pageant. Jeezus! I could have sworn it was taped South of Market, in SF!
#2 Ok, this is it....Congrats to Fantasia! ....There, I did it. I burst out of the American Idol closet, and I'm sure no one will think less of me for it.
The Pauline Machine
Well, finally! Pauline York's second release MUDDY WATER, is out and making quite an splash. Yup, I said that. MUDDY WATER is a cool, fresh mix of heartfelt originals and underdone covers. Pauline is getting a lot of attention without having to dress like a lap dancer, hmmmmmm -- imagine that! This young woman's musical talent alone, is enough to stimulate your senses. Look for Dave Rubin's review of MUDDY WATER, in an upcoming issue of Guitar One Magazine. Catch her if you can:6/8 The Smokedaddy, Chicago; 6/12 Jonaha's 2601 Oyster Bar, East Peoria, IL; 7/3 Blue Saloon, Columbus, OH; 7/9 Moonlight Lounge, Erie, PA http://www.paulineyorkband.com
Hey There, Cover Boy!
Tommy Castro graces the cover of the June 2004 issue of Southland Blues Magazine....Oh my!
I'm surprised he was in one place long enough to pose for a photo. The photo was shot by Johnny Ace, and the interview was conducted by Peter Sardon. Tommy's been spending any spare time he has, preparing for his next CD release. Writing songs like a madman, he's come up with some pretty hot stuff...I had the privilege of hearing some of what he's been working on. Tommy & his band are looking forward to their upcoming Rocky Mountain tour, which sets off a summer of non-stop, back-to-back touring. A few upcoming dates: 5/30 Santa Cruz Blues Fest, Santa Cruz, CA; 6/10 The Gothic Theater, Denver; 6/27 Irvine Lake Blues Festival, Yorba Linda, CA; 7/5 Marin County Fair, San Rafael, CA. For a complete schedule, or to download the latest addition to the TCB MP3s, go to his website:http://www.tommycastro.com
Jeez Craig, It's About Time!
Bad Daddy Records' recording artist, Craig Horton is finally giving us a follow-up to IN MY SPIRIT.His new release TOUCH OF A BLUESMAN is hitting the streets in JulyŠmy ear tells me there's some food for a Handy Award, here. produced by Rusty Zinn, TOUCH OF A BLUESMAN is must have for any blues lover. Catch Craig live: 6/2 The Saloon, San Francisco; 7/4 The Alameda County Fair, Pleasanton, CA; 7/5 Marin County Fair; San Rafael, CA; 7/24 The Torch club, Sacramento, CA http://www.baddaddy.com
June, Is Hadden Sayers What?
Hadden Sayers month. June is Hadden Sayers month at Homer's Record Stores. To celebrate the release and success of Hadden's latest release 12 BARS & THE NAKED TRUTH, every Homer's Record Store is using the entire month of June to promote the artistry of Texas Roots Rocker, Hadden Sayers. 6/23, hear Hadden's live interview on Omaha's KEZO FM, on Todd & Tyler In The Morning; and at 11:30am on 6/23, see him on KETV channel 7. What's all the hoopla about? Find out for yourself: 6/1-6/6 Margaritaville, Key West, FL; 6/16 The Rib Room, Ft Smith, AR; 6/21 Zoo Bar, Lincoln, NE; 6/23 Murphy's, Omaha http://www.haddensayers.com
Hog Wild!
The Groove Hogs have got it goin' on. A band of 10, blazing a trail through the "what's hot, what's not" music scene of the 21st century, the Hogs are breaking all the rules. Like who can afford a 10-piece band these days? Well, when a band is as good as The Groove Hogs, people pay enough to keep a 10 piece band on the road. Having just signed a deal with PixelMax Entertainment, the Hogs are getting ready to release their 4th CD BLUE RHYTHMS WHITE LIES. It makes my -- oh, I can't say that here. It's really great! BLUE RHYTHMS WHITE LIES was produced by none other than Jim GainesŠtalk about food for a Handy Award. I'm anxious to start working this release, but I'm gong to have to wait until later this summer...BLUE RHYTHMS WHITE LIES is being distributed by City Hall Records, SanRafael, CA. Wanna go Hog wild? 6/11 Minnesota Music Cafe, St Paul; 6/24 Summerfest (Harley Stage), Milwaukee, WI; 7/9, Kalamazoo Blues Festival, Kalamazoo, MI; 7/17, Windsor Blues Festival, Windsor, Ontario, CAN http://www.groovehogs.com
Mo' Jim Gaines
I found my Texas Tea, in Ruben V. WoooHoooo! Jim Gaines, produced Texan, Ruben V's 5th CD I AM, then sent him my way....and I AM glad he did! Singer, songwriter, guitar player, Ruben V's style is a perfect blend of American music, with some of the most heartfelt, passionate lyrics I've ever heard. I'm chompin' at the bit to get working' on this one, but Old Dog Records isn't planning to release I AM, until late summer. Meanwhile, catch Ruben V. live: 6/3 Rebar, San Antonio; 6/4 Doc Riokits, Corpus Christi, 6/12, Gus & Woodrow's, San Antonio,TX; 6/15 Casbeers, San Antonio. http://www.rubenv.com
Oh, Homey!
For the past year,my homeboy Paul Filipowicz, has been threatening to put out a new release. Well, he's finally done it, and it's by far his best to date. CHINATOWN is a very, very dramatic blues CD. Very intense ŠYup, this alumnus of Luther Allison's band has outdone himself . Raised in Chicago, one of Paul's favorite places to go, as a kid was CHINATOWN...the music tells the story.
6/27, Paul is at Summerfest (the Legends Stage 3-5pm), Milwaukee http://www.bluesmusicnow.com/filipowicz.htm
CHIT & CHAT
Join Norton & Buffalo & Friends, for a night of unparalleled harmonica wizardry, and soulful vocals, Fri June 4, 8pm at Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse, Berkeley ... watch for Shawn Pittman's STAY. The latest my this young artist is excellent and well worth waiting for ... Guitarist Anthony Paule be at Sacramento's Jazz Jubilee, this Memorial Day weekend. He'll be performing with Roots fiddleman, Tom Rigney ... Aussie Bluesman Harper starts his US tour 6/8 , at the Dinosaur BBQ, Syracuse, NY ... Norwegian Blues Rockers Woodleg Odd's will be in the US this fall, promoting their CD NORWEGIAN WOOD ... Rusty Zinn's Zinnfidelity, will be released early next year (now, this is HOT!) ... Rainman Records added a few previously unreleased tracks to John Kay's Heretics & {Privateers, and will release the CD in early June ... check out Crosscut Records' BB & The Blues Shacks release BLUE AVENUE ... Keep an eye and ear out for BLUES EXPLORER, WC Spencer
... need something to do this weekend? The Santa Cruz Blues Festival is the place to be, Sat May29, and Sun May 30. Two of my favorites are going to be playing on Sunday. Tommy Castro; and Steve Evans with his band The Coco Montoya Band, featuring Coco Montoya. Be there or be square. http://www.santacruzbluesfestival.com
RADIO RODEO
The syndicated interview/documentary radio show Blues Quest has finally made it to The Bay Area. Mike Sanders' coast to coast, syndicated interview show, Blues Quest can be heard Sunday's 2-3am on San Francisco's KPOO.Just a few of Sanders' interviewees are: B.B. King, John Hiatt and Rory Block, Jimmy Thackery, Bernard Allison, Tab Benoit, L'il Ed, Big, Bill Morganfield
mikesanders@kcweb.net .
Happy 20th Anniversary ... Harry Duncan's weekly radio show In The Soul Kitchen with Harry D is 20 years old this year. Since January of 1984, Harry has been producing and hosting this award winning show, which features N.California's most diverse mix of black roots music. Harry's programs include all styles of blues, lots of deep Southern Soul-Memphis, Muscle Shoals, Miami, Chicago and more, New Orleans r&b/funk, a cappella quartet and quintet gospel from the late 40's-early 50's, some contemporary gospel, Washington D.C. go-go and trombone shout-band music, jazz from hard bop to the future, ska/roots reggae, African and select world music. In The Soul Kitchen with Harry D. airs every Tuesday between 8-10 p.m. on KUSF/San Francisco 90.3 FM. It can be heard on-line in Real Time by going to www.kusf.org or www.live365.com/stations/kusf. http://www.kusf.org
Roots Music ReportŠdon't forget to check out The roots Music Report. Take a look at their charts, and please, start reporting. http://www.rootsmusicreport.com
Have a safe and sane holiday weekend. If you're gonna drink, don't drive. If you're gonna drive, don't drink. Believe in the truth, and Pray for Peace.
Ciao For Now,
The Cranky Yankee
Christine Vitale
P.O. Box 320386
San Francisco, CA 94132-0386
Phone: 415-665-3091
Fax: 415-665-0262
e-mail: cv@christinevitale.com
www.ChristineVitale.com
Check out some of these links
http://www.shackupinn.com
http://www.chefeddy.com
http://www.cityhallrecords.com
http://www.smokestacklightnin.com
http://www.rivermusicexperience.com
http://friendsofamericanrootsmusic.org/
htp://www.baddogblues.com
http://www.bellyup4blues.com
http://www.airamericaradio.com