2010 Christopher Mesi Scholarship
Written by Administrator Tuesday, 09 March 2010 20:24
The Cascade Blues Association (CBA) is pleased to offer a musical scholarship in the amount of $500.00. This award is to be used for tuition only by students enrolled in a music degree program at any Oregon or SW Washington College for the 2010 Fall Term.
This scholarship was established in January 1997 in the memory of Christopher James Mesi, who passed away on July 11, 1996 at age 22 months, due to health complications stemming from a rare respiratory condition known as “Tracheal Rings.” Funds continue to be raised to promote the life and growth of this scholarship and its contribution to the field of music.
The CBA encourages anyone pursuing an undergraduate degree in music at a local college to apply. Learn about the application process here.
Free Download - Blue & Evil from Joe Bonamassa’s Black Rock
Written by Administrator Tuesday, 09 March 2010 18:10
To celebrate the highly anticipated Black Rock
album from Joe Bonamassa - coming March 23, 2010 - a free download of track "Blue & Evil" is being offered to blues fans. Black Rock includes a special guest feature from blues legend and Joe’s mentor, B.B. King. To get the free download, follow this link to Joe Bonamassa's website and use the redemption code "BNE2010".
2010 Journey To Memphis
Written by Administrator Friday, 18 December 2009 18:05
Entry Applications Now Being Accepted -- Deadline is March 31st!
This past year was really quite exciting for our Journey To Memphis contestants. First our 2008 winners, the Ty Curtis Band, ended up finishing in second place overall at the International Blues Challenge finals in Memphis, our best showing for the CBA to date. And then our 2009 competition had stellar performances at both the first round at the Cascade Bar & Grill and then at out local finals during the Waterfront Blues Festival with Son Jack Jr. & Michael Wilde being named our solo/duo act and the Karen Lovely Band our overall winner. Not to mention that Karen’s set also won the Muddy Award for performance of the year!!
Applications for entry into the 2010 Cascade Blues Association’s Journey To Memphis competition are now being accepted. If you would like the chance to represent the CBA and our region at The Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, in early 2011, this is your first step to take.
New Blues in the Schools Director
Written by Administrator Monday, 15 February 2010 22:09
Ramblings On My Mind - Mar 2010
Written by Greg Johnson Sunday, 14 February 2010 21:29
Greg Johnson / CBA PresidentWow! This past few weeks leading up to the BluesNotes’ deadline sure have been eventful. Both at home and back in Memphis. And I have been blessed to see great live music consistently over that period.
It all began the night before I left for my annual trip to Memphis to help out with the International Blues Challenge. I had received a phone call from my good friend Eden Brent, who was playing at the Rogue Valley Blues Festival that weekend. She was going to be in Portland for the night before having to catch a plane herself in the morning and wanted to get together if possible. Of course I was going to make this happen. I do not get to see Eden that often. So I met up with her and a few other friends at EaT: An Oyster Bar, where Steve Cheseborough was performing that night. Oh what fun this was, with Eden coaxing (though I don’t think it took too much) Steve into playing some of the most risqué songs he knew, topped off by a duet with Eden of “If I Can’t Sell It (I’ll Keep On Sittin’ On It)/Woman Be Wise.” It was after midnight before I got home (as expected) and I got all of an hour-and-a-half sleep before having to head to the airport. It’s a good thing I sleep pretty easily on flights.
In Memory of Bob Hodges, Sunday Mar 14, 2010
Written by Administrator Monday, 15 February 2010 22:23
Bob was the former owner of Beale Street NW. He lost his battle to cancer. Bob was very generous to the CBA and a longtime supporting member. He had a permanent CBA merchandise display case, always displayed a CBA banner prominently in the venue and always gave the room to us whenever requested. Bob was very beloved by the blues community in Portland.
On Sunday March 14th friends & family will be gathering at The Trail's End Saloon. Please join us in remembering our friend. Stop by & tell a story, sing or play a song. Music from 1-8 with Ward Stroud's jam following. Donations at the door will go to the American Cancer Society in Bob's Name. Call for line up & info. 503-656-3031
Two Big Chances To Catch Too Slim & The Taildraggers, Mar 2010
Written by Administrator Sunday, 14 February 2010 21:27
Too Slim & The Taildraggers will be appearing in Portland at The Refectory (1618 NE 122nd) on Saturday, March 13th.
If you’re unable to make the show at The Refectory, or maybe you do but just need that second dose of Taildraggers, then head on out to Hood River two weeks later as the band will be playing at The Pines Tasting Room (202 State Street), at 8:00 pm on Saturday, March 27th, to celebrate the new Time To Live album with a CD release party.
Both shows are CBA co-sponsored events, so make sure you bring your up-to-date membership card to receive a $1 discount at the door.
30th Blues Music Awards DVD
Written by Administrator Sunday, 14 February 2010 21:23
Produced by The Blues Foundation
Have you ever thought about going to the Blues Music Awards in Memphis? Maybe you might want to take a look at this new DVD of the 30th Blues Music Awards ceremonies before you make your decision. This is the third year that The Blues Foundation has released a DVD of their signature event and much like the BMAs the videos have gotten better each consecutive year.
When you place the disc into your player, it’ll give you a handful of choices: Pre-Show, Winners’ Performances and Nominees’ Performances and a Slide-Show by Category. Your player may list these as titles with individual chapters. But be aware that there is a chapter not shown in the menu and that one has some of the not-to-miss performances on the disc. So make a point to go through it all, even if it means watching the same acts more than once. You’re going to want to anyway.
3-Time 2010 Blues Music Awards Nominee Candye Kane Returns To Portland, Mar 21, 2010
Written by Administrator Sunday, 14 February 2010 21:22
Did I say overcoming unbeatable odds? Over the past two years Candye has done just that. A survivor of pancreatic cancer, Candye has taken a whole new fresh take on what life hands you and has taken her songwriting and performances to even a higher level than she has been known for in the past. And this has not gone unnoticed. Her most recent release, Superhero (Delta Groove Records) is a superb album that has garnered critical acclaim and was also nominated by the Cascade Blues Association’s members for National Recording of the Year as well as receiving a 2010 nod from The Blues Foundation’s Blues Music Awards as Best Contemporary Blues CD. Even more impressive with the Blues Music Awards are nominations for Best Contemporary Blues Female and the prize of prizes the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year.
Candye will be returning to Portland on Sunday, March 21st at Duff’s Garage (1635 SE 7th) for an 8:00 pm show. Joining her will be her outstanding band, including son Evan Caleb on drums and guitarist Laura Chavez, perhaps one of the highest regarded rising stars on the blues scene today. Opening for Candye Kane will be Skip Heller. Cover is $10; this is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event, so members who show their current membership cards will receive a $1 discount at the door. But get there early, because this one is guaranteed to bring in a full house!
Northwest Favorites Back at Duff’s, Mar 19, 2010
Written by Administrator Sunday, 14 February 2010 21:20
Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin’ Daddies
Seattle-based Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin’ Daddies continue to exhilarate audiences throughout the Pacific Northwest. Known for raucous stage shows featuring their own distinct take on Chicago and Texas inspired blues that have the power to make crowds want to dance. The band is composed of one of the tightest groupings of musicians to be found anywhere. Led by vocalist Becki Sue Boyle and her guitar-playing husband Tom “T-Boy Neal” Boyle, Jeff Hayes on drums, Les “Wild Child” White on bass, and triple threat Jim King on saxophone, harmonica and vocals.
The band has been working at expanding their boundaries beyond the Northwest over the past few years, participating in the International Blues Challenge in 2007, performing at the Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival, shows at Ground Zero and Sarah’s Kitchen in Clarksdale, Missisissippi and coming up later in March the International Blues & Arts Fiesta in San Felipe Baja California, Mexico. The band has received multiple honors from the Washington Blues Society’s annual B.B. Awards, were named the Best Regional Act by the Cascade Blues Association in the 2008 Muddy Awards and were named the Best Local Band in Western Washington in an on-line poll taken by a Seattle television station. They didn’t come by these awards easily; they are a hard-working band and always well-worth catching whenever you can.
Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin’ Daddies will be performing at Duff’s Garage on Thursday, March 19th for a 9:30 pm show. This is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event, so make sure to show your membership card at the door for a $1 discount.
What’s on Tap for March’s General Membership Meeting (2010)
Written by Greg Johnson Sunday, 14 February 2010 21:15
Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder St., PortlandWednesday, March 3rd, 7:00 pm
Members always Free ~ Non-members $3.00
Opening Acoustic Set ~ The Jerry Zybach Duo
Second Electrical Set ~ Berthaline & The Cajun Love Brigade
What a great showing we had last month. We had a ton of people renewing memberships or signing up for new ones. It sure makes the heart fill with joy knowing that each and every member of our organization is out there doing their part to help support not only the Cascade Blues Association but the blues in our region in general. Thank you one and all.
And you can count on us to continue to bring to you first-class performances at our monthly meetings featuring acts you may or may not know, as well as bringing in a few guests from outside of the Portland Metro area.
This month we’re going to open with a very special duet of acoustic blues featuring a pair of artists from the Eugene area. I first met Jerry Zybach at a mini-festival held at the Hilton Hotel a few years back, put on by the then fledgling Rainy Day Blues Society, of which Jerry is a founding member. Jerry enchanted me with his adeptness on guitar as he played alongside Hawkeye Herman and Johnny Dyer that day. I have seen Jerry a handful of times since and he always is highly entertaining. Jerry has played with some of the biggest names in the blues, including touring with Honeyboy Edwards and Michael Frank. At home playing a fingerpicking Delta blues, smokin’ slide, ukelele or working out one of his own cigar-box guitars, Jerry Zybach has an ease on stage. For his performance at the CBA meeting, he will be joined by John Bryson, one of the finest and most soulful harmonica players in Oregon. Jerry and John have a real love for the blues and teamed up to play the many styles of the genre while sharing a little blues history along the way. Expect a foot-stompin’, danceable and authentic set from this pair!
To describe our second set, I think the words sent to me by the band themselves best tells what to expect: “Berthaline-style blues is a warm stew that sounds like peace, love, and crawfish. Bubbling in an earthy, spicy mix you hear Bob Shoemaker laying down Delta slide, with Steve Kerin jumping keys a la his Louisiana roots, Kris Deelane floating vocals over the top like an angel with punch, and Heidi Shu embracing it all with various percussive stylings. The band draws it's name from Berthaline, the hearty Southern grandmother of Steve, who in her 97 years of life lived in joy and simplicity: ‘She didn't really notice there was a Depression going on.’ The rattling rubboard you hear played is the very one Berthaline used for decades to get the laundry washed. The metaphor pulls this eclectic group by a common thread. Though these musicians come together from various parts of the country and many other projects, this collaboration is uniquely part home and part stretch, and a welcome place for writers Steve and Kris, to bring original music to life. It's joyful. It's brightness during process. It's carrying your old suitcase of clothes up a new stretch of highway. It's rock and blues. It's provocative and tasty.” Wow! I could’ve never stated it as well myself. This is definitely one act I will be keeping an eye on!Read more: What’s on Tap for March’s General Membership Meeting (2010)
Chikadelic
Written by Greg Johnson Sunday, 14 February 2010 21:13
Super ChikanBluestown Records
There is a certain charm about Super Chikan. Whether it’s that big smile, those homemade guitars made out of gas cans, hubcaps or whatever else he may be able to find, his incredible live performances, or the fun he brings about in his lyrics and music; whatever it is Super Chikan just may be one of the fastest rising stars in the blues today. The nephew of Delta legend Big Jack Johnson, James “Super Chikan” Johnson has certainly been surrounded by the blues his entire life living around Clarksdale, Mississippi and playing in the nearby jukes over the years has developed his own unique blues sound.
Chikadelic, the latest release from Super Chikan was recorded a long ways from the Delta, however. When he traveled to Notodeen, Norway to perform at one of Europe’s premier blues festivals, Chikan found himself in the studio with one of Norway’s best bands Spoonful Of Blues. But you’d never guess that this CD was recorded so far removed from Mississippi. It holds all of the grit and feel of the cotton fields and jukes of home. You could envision this same recording happening on stage at Ground Zero or Red’s. It’s not only a testament to Chikan’s skills, but also to those of the band’s: Jostein Forsberg (harp), Morten Omlid (guitar), Jens Haugen (bass) and Esklid Aasland (drums). Something I have been trying to convince many people of for years; there are some really terrific musicians in Europe.
One of the fun aspects of Super Chikan’s music is how well-rounded it really is. It’s like you can’t pigeon-hole his sound in any one direction. He can come across quite funky or down in the alley. He can take the old Bo Diddley beat and make it his own as he does very convincingly on “Hey Super Chikan.” He can pound out a burning slide number or sit back and tell you a story about a talking bass begging for his life. Or he can relate a happening in his own life that has made him who he is. And it all can take place within the same CD without missing a beat. He even ends the disc with a new take on his signature tune, “Shoot That Thing.”
Anytime there is a new release from Super Chikan it should be on your shopping list, because he is consistent with offering outstanding music every time. If you love Delta blues there is only one thing better than a new Super Chikan recording, and that is seeing him live. Chikadelic is one of the most fun times you’ll have listening to the blues this year! Or any year. Pick it up!
Total Time: 52:38
Tracks:
Ain’t Nobody / Hey Super Chikan / Fred’s Dollar Store / Juke Joint Saturday Night / Front Porch Boogie / Hello Mississippi / Bad Ass Bass / Here Comes My Baby / School In The Field / Down In The Delta / Eyeball Blues / Shoot That Thin – The Real Delta Version
Songs From The Road
Written by Greg Johnson Sunday, 14 February 2010 21:11
Luther AllisonRuf Records
Just as the 1980s saw the success of artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Robert Cray hitting the scene, the 1990s may be remembered for the influx of young performers like Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Susan Tedeschi. But despite these young guns acclaim, perhaps the greatest achievement in the blues world of the ‘90s had to be the resurgence of Luther Allison. For three years, he returned from Europe and completely took the fans of the United States by the hand on an amazing journey that is still talked about in high regards today. Just three short years and then he was gone. Taken from our grasp, but never to be forgotten.
A whole generation of blues artists have come since Luther Allison took us by the heart. He has become one of those artists that younger musicians speak of in enchantment, like Stevie Ray, Muddy, Wolf, Hooker or Son House, asking, “You actually got to see Luther?” Yes, I saw Luther all three years during his comeback. And for me personally, one of my highlights of my time as a blues fan was the day I spent sitting in the tent next to the stage at the Oregon State Fair alone with Luther Allison in a scene where I was not the interviewer, but Luther asked me about me. I will never forget that day and will cherish it always.
But for those who never saw Luther Allison live, or simply want to relive the magnificence the man held on stage, this newly released combination CD/DVD, Songs From The Road, is indispensable. Recorded at the Festival Internationaal de Jazz in Montreal just days before he was diagnosed with the cancer that would take his life (and only a few days before his final appearance at the Oregon Zoo in Portland), it showcases Luther with his American band that in its own right was a powerhouse much like Stevie Ray’s Double Trouble. It featured James Solberg on guitar, Ken Faltinson on bass, drummer Rob Stupka and Mike Vlahakis on keyboards. But as astounding that band was to back him, nothing could take the audience’s attention away from Luther himself. It’s all captured here in all its glory: the high kicks, the guitar stunts, the conversations between Luther and his guitar as he lathers up in a sweat showing just how much the man gave of himself to his fans. Everything that made a Luther Allison show a must-see. The song selections are pure Luther, including his Handy Award winning “(Watching You) Cherry Red Wine,” and the sound quality is supreme.
Songs From The Road would have been a highly welcome historical reminder of Luther Allison released just as a CD or a DVD alone. But combined with a very low cost for the set, it is something that everybody who holds his memory in their hearts or new fans wanting to see a blues performer of the utmost in their prime should own. Run out and buy Songs From The Road as soon as you can. What are you waiting for?
Total Time:
CD: 1:11:52 / DVD: 59:01
CD Tracks:
Cancel My Check / Living In The House Of The Blues / What Have I Done Wrong / Will It Ever Change / You Can, You Can / There Comes A Time / (Watching You) Cherry Red Wine / Low Down And Dirty / It Hurts Me Too / Serious
DVD Tracks:
Cancel My Check / Living In The House Of The Blues / You Can, You Can / (Watching You) Cherry Red Wine) / Low Down And Dirty / It Hurts Me Too / Move From The Hood
Karen Lovely Takes Second Place at the International Blues Challenge!
Written by Greg Johnson Sunday, 14 February 2010 21:06
The Blues Foundation’s annual event of bringing in bands from around the world to Memphis, Tennessee, to compete in the International Blues Challenge continues to grow in size and popularity every year. This year saw 110 bands, 82 solo/duo entries and 32 Youth Acts flock to Beale Street for the chance to showcase their talents before fans and industry people that include major recording labels, media, festival buyers and blues societies. Appearing on 19 stages along Beale Street, only one act may advance from each to compete in the IBC finals at The Orpheum Theater.This year the Pacific Northwest had probably it’s largest turn-out of representatives in the IBC as of yet. The Karen Lovely Band and Son Jack Jr. & Michael Wilde represented the Cascade Blues Association; Adam Scramstad was sent by the Rainy Day Blues Society; South Sound Blues Association had Blues Redemption and J.D. Hobson; Washington Blues Society sent The Randy Oxford Band; Klamath Blues Society was represented by Cee Cee James; and the Boise Blues Society had Lori B! and The Blue Diamonds as well as The BoDo Brothers. A stellar line-up of acts that in its own way was a showcase for the talent that is so abundant in our region of the country.
Read more: Karen Lovely Takes Second Place at the International Blues Challenge!
Somethin’s Wrong
Written by Greg Johnson Sunday, 14 February 2010 21:02
Billy D. & The Hoodoos
Craig Neil
Billy D. (Desmond) recently made the move to Portland from Sante Fe where he had been pleasing audiences with his raw, rockin’ style of blues. Something that should make him right at home here in Portland with the way local fans love their blues. To get a great glimpse at just what Billy D. & The Hoodoos are all about, pick up a copy of his latest self-produced CD Somethin’s Wrong. A collection of 12 original numbers that are all well crafted both lyrically and musically. Billy possesses that vocal charm that makes you want to listen, backed by his stellar guitar work, as well as Big Jeff Sipe on bass and Mikey Chavez on drums. Many of the songs draw upon that gut-bucket punch that makes your body want to groove (“Crazy Little Queen,” “Charlene”), ballads that can make you start to tear up (“Blue,” “Love Will Make You Cry”), swampy-sounding slide (“50”), or numbers that could easily cross-over and find favor between blues and rock genres (“Miss The Love,” “Save My Life”). Without doubt, Billy D. & The Hoodoos have a winning disc with Somethin’s Wrong and it should endear a whole new bevy of fans for them here in their new home, too. Recommended listening for sure!
Total Time: 44:01
Somethin’s Wrong / 50 / Why Ya Do It? / Hide My Heart / Blue / Miss The Love / Crazy Little Dancin’ Queen / Love Makes You Cry / Somewhere In The Middle Of The Blues / Charlene / She’s The One / Save My Life
Album: Billy D. & The Hoodoos: Somethin’s Wrong
by P Vaughn Shaver on February 9, 2010
Ain’t nothin’ wrong with Somethin’s Wrong, the new, self-released album from Portland-by-way-of-Chicago-and-Santa-Fe band, Billy D. & The Hoodoos.
Operating in the mode of Electric (with a Capital ‘E’) blues, this fine collection alternates between soulful blues ballads (“Somethin’s Wrong,“ “Blue” and “Love Makes You Cry”) and gritty guitar rave-ups such as the Thorogood-esque “50,” and the stomper, “Crazy Little Dancin’ Queen.” [more]
Blues Cures Studio Jam Vol. 2
Written by Greg Johnson Sunday, 14 February 2010 20:58
Various ArtistsFor the past three years, Sean Carney has hosted a holiday season event called Blues For A Cure in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio benefiting cancer research and The Blues Foundation’s HART Fund. The event has grown into a two night all-star laden revue that brings in many of the best names in blues; this past year’s event featured Henry Gray, Candye Kane and Jimmy Thackery amongst many others.
A new tradition to the event began following the second year, as a group of the artists in town gathered the next day to record a jam in the studio to help raise even more money for their cause. That first jam CD saw Sean Carney, Jonn Del Toro Richardson, Trampled Under Foot, Gene Walker and Henry Gray headline the disc. For the second jam disc recorded this past December, those same people were on hand, plus the addition of Jimmy Thackery, J.P. Soars, keyboard whiz Ricky Nye, up-and-coming young guitarist Micah Kesserling and the 2006 Guitar Center “King of the Blues” National champion Matt O’Ree.
This new release is every bit as fun as the first and if there are any flaws to be found, remember this is a studio jam and what you hear is exactly as it came across in the studio. Plenty of superb guitar work is offered throughout. What would you expect from something featurning four former International Blues Challenge Albert King Most Promising Guitarist winners: Richardson (2005), Carney (2007), Nick Schnebelen of Trampled Under Foot (2008) and Soars (2009). Thackery even composed a quick number for the four of them entitled “IBC n U” that closes out the CD. Piano work from Gray and Nye, sax magic from Walker and soaring vocals from TUF’s Danielle Hudspeth complete the whole package making this enjoyable from start to finish.
Great music supporting an even greater cause. How can you possibly go wrong?
Total Time: 55:30
Tracks:
The Hustle Is On / Voodoo Woman / Goin’ Downtown / No Whiskey Blues / I Need You So Bad / Central City Blues / Chloe’s Song / Blues Won’t Let Me Take A Rest / Maggie Campbell Blues / Jump On Board / IBC n U
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