Archived :: August 8, 2003
View From A Broad
Hi Everybody
I hope your summer is everything you hoped it would be, and more.
Speaking of more...what's with this California governor recall circus? Do we really think that everything wrong with California is the fault of Gray Davis? Everything? The recall process is costing this bankrupt, land of opportunity, way too much money. I have an idea!.....I think an audition process would be much cheaper, and probably just as effective as this recall process. Why not hire a Hollywood casting director to cast our next governor? It would save time and money. Look who we have vying for the role. -------Austrian Body Boy, wrapped in the American flag, sucking on a way-to-big cigar, Arnie. Didn't he already star in a film titled Total Recall? How cleverly he chose to announce his decision to run...Cozy, on the Tonight Show couch, safe from the questions of reporters~~~~~~~Gary Coleman, you gotta be kidding!. What was the name of the TV show he starred in? No, he's not the little guy Michael Jackson used to pick up and carry around...........Then there is porn publishing mogul, Larry Flynt. The self-confessed smut peddler promises to legalize prostitution. What a surprise! I guess his honesty is what is going to appeal to the voters. After all, he is putting all his cards on the table, so-to-speak. Sheesh! I wonder what's keeping Anna Nicole and Ozzy from their hats into the ring.
Ah, yes...once again we Californians lead the country in the laughing stock race, with Ohio running a close second.
Still wonder why some call me the Cranky Yankee?
Now on the the important stuff.............
Tommy Castro
Heart & Soul Recording artist Tommy Castro has some great show coming up:The Harley Davidson 100th Anniversary, Milwaukee; The Bull Durham Blues Festival, 9/6 in Durham, NC; Blus at the Beach, 9/7 Virginia Beach, VA; The Sierra Blues Benefit, 9/13 Auburn, CA: and a fine Northwest tour 9/22 in Vancouver; 9/24, Seattle; 9/25, Portland; 9/26, Eugene; 9/27, Grants Pass; and 9/28 in Eureka.
Telarc Records, will release "Triple Trouble" with Tommy Castro, Lloyd Jones, Jimmy Hall and Double Trouble on August 26th. I haven't heard it yet (I'm sure someone will send me a copy), I've been told it sounds great! Tommycastro.com
New CD for Alberta Adams
Detroit's reining Queen of the blues, Alberta Adams is recording a new CD for the Blue Angel label. A three time WC Handy nominee, Alberta is a blues legend that got her start in Detroit's Hastings Street district, along with her friends John Lee Hooker, Baby Boy Warren, Boogie Woogie Red, Eddie Kirkland and Eddie Burns back in the 1940s.I'll keep you posted as to a release date.
In the meantime, catch Alberta 8/22 at Cozy's in Sherman Oaks; and August 23 at SoHo Restaurant and Music Club in Santa Barbara
Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise 2004
Most ships rock a little, but this one rocks a lot.....and it's going to rock more in 2004.... Why? Cuz I'm going to be there. If you haven't booked your cabin yet, shame on you. You better hurry cuz they're going fast. I'm so excited about this I could .....oh, you know. I'm ready..... I have two special outfits for the cruise.....a little sailor suit for day wear, and a sassy little pirate number for evenings. Check it out: BluesCruise.com
Anthony Gomes
33 rd Street Records'sensation, Anthony Gomes is riding high. The second hardest working man in show business, he's got 'em dreamin' and screamin' all across the U.S , and shows no signs of easing up. UNITY, Gomes' debut on 33rd Street Records, is a year old and still selling faster than ashtrays fill up.is Anthony is getting ready for his European tour which includes The Great British R & B Festival, in Colne, UK; and the Maria De Agosto Festival, in Santa Maria, Portugal. He asked me to go with, but I have to wash my hair. In the U.S., catch Anthony 8/15 at The Gibson Cafe, Memphis; and 8/16 at The Grand Emporium, Kansas City, MO. AnthonyGomes.com
Speaking of Anthony
Consumate sideman Anthony Paule, will be at Biscuits & Blues, San Francisco, Wednesday 8/27.He'll be doing his own thing with his own band, plus guest vocalist Ms Dee. Don't miss this opportunity to catch this fine blues guitarist step out front. For more info: 415-931-6012
Thank You Baby!
After spending some "quality time" with his family, James Harman is back and better than ever. (It's about time Harman!) James has just finished his debut CD with Pacific Blues Recording Company, LONESOME MOON TRANCE. To those of you familiar with James' work it will be no surprise to you that
LONESOME MOON TRANCE is nothing short of fantastic! We have worked together on a few projects in the past, and I've got to say I'm thrilled to be working with him again. Not only is LONESOME MOON TRANCE a musical masterpiece, wait until you see the booklet artwork......no player hunkered over his harmonica, here. Talk about creative!
James just returned from the Notodden Festival in Norway, and later this month will be heading to Canada for the Labatts Blues Festival.PacificBlues.com
Dancin' with the Devils
Thank you Joseph Jordan (Southwest Blues), and Kristen Clark (Biscuits & Blues) for sending The Blue Eyed Devils, my way. I am impressed and pleased. The Blue Eyed Devils have an exceptional way of combining traditional roots styles with the contemporary, coming up with a sound of their own. The Blue Eyed Devils show at Great American Music Hall, in San Francisco, was powerful, to say the least. Watch for these guys......they've got me, a fine CD THE LEGEND OF SHORTY BROWN , and distribution through Burnside Records. The Blue Eyed Devils will be playing Saturday 8/23 at Biscuits & Blues; and Saturday 9/27 at The San Francisco Blues Festival. The Blue Eyed Devils
Gene Taylor
The Fabulous Thunderbirds', master of the keys, Gene Taylor is flying solo with his self-titled CD, soon to be released on the Pacific Blues Recording Company, label. Another Jerry Hall gem , Gene Taylor will be ready to roll in about a month, or more, or less. In the meantime catch Gene with The Fabulous Thunderbirds: 8/23 at The Chicago Speedway, Joliet, IL; 8/30 Hal's Harley Run, Milwaukee; 9/06, The Greater Ozarks Blues Festival, Springfield, MO. PacificBlues.com
The Pauline Machine
Pauline York and her band are busy putting together a follow-up to her debut CD BLACKBERY WINE. I feel that Pauine is one of the most talented young women on "the scene" today. Pauline's no frills, what you see/hear is what you get, approach to her music expresses an honesty that is scarce in many contemporary recordings. Besides that, her soulful voice and thoughtful lyrics tug at my heart. paulineyourk.com....gig working on new CD. By not trying to impress, she's impressed the Hell out of me. Check her out, get back to me and tell me I'm right: 8/29, Tommy G's, Champaign, IL; 9/6, Greater Ozarks Blues Festival, Springfield, MO.
Albert Cummings
Under The Radar Music Group's Albert Cummings is being taken quite seriously. Albert's CD FROM THE HEART is showing up an playlists all over the place. His singing and guitar playing are making folks sit up and take notice. Check him out: 8/17 at The Chenango Blues Festival, Norwich, NY.
UTRmusicgroup.com
Oh, Those Aussies!
Another Under The Radar artist, Australian singer/songwriter, Harper has been zig zagging The U.S & Canada showing everyone that even Aussies get the blues. Promoting his latest release WAY DOWN DEEP INSIDE, Harper is incoming into the home stretch of his three month whirlwind tour. Before he heads back home, catch Harper 8/19, Bourbon St Blues and Boogie, Nashville; 8/29, Famous Dave's, Minneapolis; 8/30 The Harley Davidson 100 years Celebration, Milwaukee; and 9/11 Stevie Ray's, Louisville. UTRmusicgroup.com
There's No Place Like Home
After giving The Bay Area a good college try, blues rock singer/songwriter Susan Angeletti, decide to head back to Massachusetts. Susan's soon to be released BITTERSWEET is a solid collection of well written originals, and carefully chosen covers. Catch Susan: 8/16 at La Choza, Pittsfield, MA; and 8/30 at The Iron Horse Music Hall.
Alabama's Fave
Microwave Dave and The Nukes have been practically owning the Muscle Shoals WC Handy Festival, playing nine shows in six days
How did This Get in Here?
33 rd Street recording artist Peter Frampton is promoting his latest NOW. Peter has and "in-store", Tuesday Aug 12, at Borders, 100 Broadway (Wall St), at 5:30 pm Eastern. He will be a guest on the Today Show, 9/2. He's also going to be at the Harley Davidson 100 year Anniversary celebration, 8/29, in Milwaukee.....that's gong to be some festivla! Peter Frampton
The King Biscuit Time
Don Wilcock has brought back The King Biscuit Time. He sent me a copy of the magazine and it's a good one. I strongly suggest supporting this mag, and it's a good one!. Don sent me a for advertising info call or email
CHIT & CHAT
..................The 2nd Annual West Coast Blues Summit will be presented by the Blues Heritage Alliance on November 7-9, 2003 in Reno, Nevada. The goal is to create a resource center to help anyone involved with the promotion, education, presentation and preservation of the Blues art form. For More info contact : Thom MyersDirector - Blues Heritage Alliance & President - Sierra BluesSociety
.................International renowned jazz diva, Kim Nalley celebrates her CD NEED MY SUGAR, with a release party, Wednesday, September 17, at YOSHI'S, Oakland, CA for more info call:510-238-9200
.............Tom Mazzolini, host of the long running blues program Blues by the Bay, is solids as can be on KPFA, Berkeley. During coverage of the war, Tom's Saturday, noon-2pm (PDT) time slot, was pre-empted for special programming.
................Robb Morrison of Wichita's KRZZ radio, can also be heard on WQMF 95.7, Louisville. On Aug 10, tune into WMFQ, and catch Robb's interview with Junior Watson (check your local listings for the time). Heart & Soul Recording artist Watson will be playing at Stevie Ray's 8/11.
.............Congratulations to Monica Blakely, and her staff at Ben Manilla Productions. BMP secured gold medals for Best Regularly Scheduled Music Program for The House of Blues Radio Hour with Dan Aykroyd; and Best Culture & Arts Programming for The Loose Leaf Book Company hosted by Tom Bodett. Ben Manilla Productions Inc. (BMP), the premiere San Francisco based audio production company, has been awarded 2 Gold Medals and the Grand Award in the Entertainment category at this year's International Radio Programming Award Ceremony in New York City. For information about where to hear The House of Blues Radio Hour in your community, contact; Andy Denemark at United Stations 212.869.1111 ext 228 or Monica Hill Blakely at BMP 415.421.1220 x 23.
...............The Brass Monkey Brass Band plays their first SF engagement in six mos, Sat Aug 16 at The Elbo Room, 647 Valencia St, San Francisco. Show starts at 11. For more info: 415-552-7788
Well, this all for now. Be safe and happy.
Ciao for Now,
Christine