Blues Beyond the NW
Blues Beyond the NW
2012 International Blues Challenge In Review
The 28th annual International Blues Challenge was presented by The Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN, over January 31st – February 4th. More than 200 acts converged on Beale Street for the week of competition, seminars, showcases, jams and award presentations in what has to be the largest single gathering of blues acts from all over the world. The weather was kind this year following some chilly events over the past few, with pretty much sunny skies and temperatures around 60 degrees all week long.
Jensen, Santini, and LawsThe event opened with an International Showcase, which was added to the event schedule a few years back and it has grown quite immensely since the first one was held at Alfred’s, a Beale Street venue. Now held in the concert hall at The New Daisy Theater, sixteen bands from around the world were featured that gave a grand presentation of just how universal the blues has become. Some of the countries represented were Italy, Norway, Australia, Canada, The Netherlands, Croatia and South Africa.
This was the second year that the competition has used its new format that includes two nights of quarter-finals and one of semi-finals held in venues along or near Beale Street and the finals held on Saturday at the grand Orpheum Theater. All of the acts are split up between nineteen venues, with bands and solo/duos split to compete amongst like groupings. They are scored each night by a group of three different judges who are all prominent blues aficionados either as well known media, promoters, artists or knowledgeable fans. The top four scoring acts from the quarter-finals from each venue then move to the semis with yet another new set of judges. For the finals, the top scoring band from each venue moves to the band finals on Saturday afternoon and the top two solo/duo acts move on for the finals held Saturday evening.
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New Music To Note - Feb 2012 [for Jan 2012]
A listing of new music received at the CBA office or purchased personally this past month that should be noted:
Amy Hart – Congratulations (Painted Rock Records)
Bordertown – All The Ups (Self Produced)
Debbie Bond – Hearts Are Wild (Blues Root Productions)
Eddie Cusic – Leland Mississippi Blues (Wolf Records)
J.C. Rico – First Offense (Criminal Records Northwest)
Joe Louis Walker – Hellfire (Alligator Records)
Jumpin’ Jack Benny – I’ll Be Alright (Boppin’ Records)
Kenny Brown – Can’t Stay Long (Devil Down Records)
Lee Gray Blues Band – Box Wine Woman (Self Produced)
Levee Town – Pages Of Paperwork (Self Produced)
Paul Jones – All My Friends Can Sing (Criminal Records Northwest)
Poor Boy’s Soul – Burn Down (Self Produced)
Roy Roberts – Strange Love (Ocean Beach Records)
Samantha Fish / Cassie Taylor / Dani Wilde – Girls With Guitars (Ruf Records)
Sean Costello – At His Best - Live (Landslide Records)
Various Artists – The Blues An Evolution (Electro Glide Records)
William Scott Browning – A Little Bit More Lucky (Self Produced)
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New Music To Note - January 2012
A listing of new music received at the CBA office or purchased personally this past month that should be noted:
Alexis P.Suter Band – Two Sides (Hipbone Records)
Beverly McClellan – Fear Nothing (Junk Drawer Records)
Chris Ruest – No 2nd Chances (Blue Mule Record Company)
Dave Keller – Where I’m Coming From (Tastee Tone Records)
Jesse Samsel – A Stitch In Time (Rooftop Magic Records)
Laurentian System – Predisposed Nonsense (Self Produced)
Rita Engedalen – Chapels And Bars (Bluestown Records)
Sista Monica – Living In The Danger Zone (Mo Muscle Records)
The Bo-Keys – Got To Get Back (Electraphonic Records)
The Mighty Mojo Prophets – The Mighty Mojo Prophets (Rip Cat Records)
Various Artists – The Fame Studios Story 1961 – 1973 (Kent/Ace)
Whiteboy James And The Blues Express – Extreme Makeover (Rip Cat Records)
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Best Self-Produced CD [2012] Update
The first round of voting by the judges in the Best Self-Produced CD competition held annually by The Blues Foundation has been completed. A record total of 74 discs were received this year, including the Cascade Blues Association’s entry Are You In, Kid? by HiFi Mojo. The list was pared down to 30 discs in this round, but unfortunately our entry did not make the cut this year.
Congratulations and good luck is offered to the following CDs still in the running from other Northwest blues societies: from the Ashland Blues Society Pete Herzog’s Steel Guitar – a blues opera; from the South Sound Blues Association The Randy Oxford Band’s Festival; and from the Walla Walla Blues Society The Coyote Kings’ Move. One other disc of special note from the Colorado Blues Society is former Portland-based artist, the late John-Alex Mason’s CD Jook Joint Thunderclap.
There will be another trimming of the discs still involved and the final winner will be announced during the finals of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis on Saturday, February 4th.
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Northwest Artists Recognized With [2012] BMA Nominations
The Blues Foundation has announced the nominees for the 2012 Blues Music Awards and once again a handful of Northwest artists have been recognized. Northwest power trio and CBA Muddy Award Hall of Famers Too Slim & The Taildraggers have received a nod for Rock-Blues Album. Jimi Bott received his unprecendented 13th nomination in the Drums category. 2010 recipient Curtis Salgado is up once again for Soul-Blues Vocalist. And Mary Flower has received two nominations this year, Acoustic Album and Acoustic Artist! Congratulations and good luck to all.
The 33rd annual Blues Music Awards will be held in Memphis, TN, on Thursday, May 10th. For information on tickets, lodging or any other questions you may have regarding this event, visit The Blues Foundation’s website at www.blues.org.
Here is the full list of 2012 nominees:
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