Archived :: September 9, 2003
View From A Broad
Hi Everybody
H. H. the 14th Dalai Lama was in San Francisco, today. I learned about his visit only last week. I was leaving a Tibetan Restaurant and noticed among the fliers and and free newspapers that seem to collect in the entryways of non-chain restaurants, a stack of promotional postcards.The cards were announcing the Dalai Lama's appearances at USF, and the link to a website where I could get more info. I was surprised and ticked off that I had not been privy to this information weeks ago. I went home and immediately checked out the website which kindly let me know how sorry someone was that there were no tickets left for any of his engagements, but if I so desired, I could click on his link and send him an email. Email the Dalai Lama! You gotta be kidding! At this point I figured I had nothing to lose, so I typed my little heart out. I was hoping that if I gave him a bit of a sob story and told him how challenging my life has been lately, and that I really need to see him, he'd call (I included my phone number) or email back and say, "Hey Christine, c'mon over. There will be all-access passes for you plus one, waiting at will call." I got up in the middle of the night and checked my email and my voice mail, I checked fist thing in the morning.......but he never got back to me. Silly me, I don't know what ever made me think the Dalai Lama would get back to me.......Dr Phil never does.
..
The Devils' Music!
The Blue Eyed Devils, that is. I am thrilled to be working with these guys. Talk about having your own sound! Imagine if you will....Blind Blake and The Red Hot Chili Peppers... together. Their CD THE LEGEND OF SHORTY BROWN has been picked up for national, retail distribution by Burnside Distribution. Virgin Records is putting the CD on listening stations at their "Homegrown" stores, nation-wide from mid-September to mid-October.
The Blue Eyed Devils will be performing 9/18 at Cafe Boogaloo, Hermosa Beach; 9/20 Blue Cafe, Long Beach; and 9/27 at the San Francisco Blues Festival.
The Blue Eyed Devils
Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes!
Anthony Gomes, recently returned from headlining sold out festivals in Portugal and England, and without missing a beat, worked in a new bass player. Biscuit Miller, longtime bass player with The Lonnie Brooks Band, moved over to the Gomes camp, and we're glad he did.
9/19 Anthony Gomes and band will be at Black Eyed Sally's, Hartford, CT; 9/22 they head to Canada for a tour that runs through 9/27. Cities include Wingham,ONT, Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, and Toronto.
Anthony Gomes
Why Didn't I Think of That?
My last newsletter prompted several people to suggest that I get Tommy Castro to run for governor of California. Governor Castro...it does have a nice ring to it.
9/14 Tommy is hosting a Closing Day All-Star jam to wrap up the Temecula International Film Festival, Temecula, CA. The show begins at 1:00pm. Tommy's greater Northwest tour runs 9/21-9/28. Cities include Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, Eugene, Grants Pass, and Eureka.
Tommy Castro
Albert's Comings and Goings...what did I say?
9/14 Albert Cummings is one of the All-Stars at Tommy Castro's Closing Day All-Star jam for the Temecula Film Festival
"Put your money on Albert Cummings - he could be the
Seabiscuit of the blues guitar world!" -Dave Rubin, Guitar One
UTR music group
Pauline Machine
Pauline York is getting ready to record a follow-up to BLACKBERY WINE.
If you weren't lucky enough to catch Pauline and her band at The Greater Ozark Blues Festival,9/26 she'll be at West Plains Opera House, West Plains, MO
Pauline York Band
I Don't Know About That Boy....Never Could Make Up His Mind
Two weeks ago, the day after selling out Biscuits and Blues in San Francisco, Anthony Paule began working on his third CD...it's country. Real country, whiny, nasally, yeeee haaaaa, country. It sounds terrific.
I Mean It This Time!
Jerry Hall at Pacific Blues Recording Company is shipping me all the supplies I need to get the new James Harman CD LONESOME MOON TRANCE, into your CD players. I know, I've been promising you for a while now, but this time it's gonna happen....and I must say......James has outdone himself on this one...it's gonna grab ya and shake ya.
What's going on with the other Pacific Blues artists?
........Gene Taylor can be heard & seen with The Fabulous Thunderbirds, 9/12 KCPT-TV Kids Benefit, Kansas City, MO; and 9/19 BayFest, Corpus Christi, TX Fabulous Thunderbirds ..........Nathan James & Ben Hernandaz 9/28 at The San Francisco Blues Festival.....10/24 Jamie Wood will be appearing at Blue Cafe, Long Beach; and 1026 at the North HollywoodBlues Splash Festival Pacific Blues
Where's Stevie?
It is so rare to come across a young blues musician whose knowledge and appreciation of blues music doesn't begin and end with Stevie Ray Vaughan, and I'm not saying that doesn't have it's place. I am saying however,that David Jacobs- Strain, has found another dimension of this treasured American music. David is 20 years old and plays acoustic blues guitar, and sings, with more conviction and soul than most musicians twice his age. Dave Rubin turned me on to David, and I'm glad he did.Try to make one of these shows: Sep 12 Swallow Hill -- w/ Mary Flower, Denver, CO; or Sep 13 The Listening Room, Hastings, NE.
David Jacobs-Strain
Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise Queen
Kathe Kaul, whip crackin' queen of The Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise office is celebrating a birthday this week.....I believe it's Friday 9/12. Kathe, a Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise veteran says the ship will rock like never before in 2004!
For information, give Kaul a call at 1-888-Bluesin'.
Blues Cruise
Crosscut Records' New Releases
September 30, 2003 Crosscut Records will be releasing three, count 'em three stellar recordings.
SHADES OF BLUE by Kirk Fletcher (CCD 11076)
BLUJU by Frank Goldwasser (CCD 11077)
and
SOMETIMES by Claudia Bettinaglio (CCD 12006)
Crosscut Records
CHIT-N-CHAT
..........October 9, HashBrown Will be on the Sonny Boy MainStage, King Biscuit Blues Festival, Helena AR
...........TheGroove Hogs: /19 Chord On Blues, St Charles, IL; 9/26 & 27 The Slippery Noodle, Indianapolis.
Groove Hogs
............Detroit's "Queen of the Blues" Alberta Adams' new self titled CD will be out on the East Lawn label....not soon enough for me. I'll keep you posted.
Until next time....
Ciao For Now,
Christine Vitale
Oh, by the way........I did get to see the Dalai Lama