MIDWEST BLUES BEAT

by Eric Steiner

Happy Valentine’s Day

Writing about the blues for Midwest BEAT has been a real privilege for me. I’ve discovered many talented bluesmen and blueswomen since I first landed on these pages over six years ago, and I’ve been lucky to meet many of the artists I’ve covered.

Some readers may consider me sexist, but I am devoting this column to some of my favorite blueswomen.

This column a is a valentine – just like the little paper valentines I wrote when I was at Blackhawk Elementary School in Park Forest in the 1960’s – much to my wife Vickie’s chagrin.

I’m dedicating this column to the blueswomen I’ve discovered as your blues correspondent.

It is my “blues bevy,” if you will. “Eric’s Blues Harem” is not politically correct; neither is “Steiner’s Blues Sirens.” So, I’ll stick with bevy, from the Middle English verb bevy, which is similar to the French word for drink.

An adult beverage with my “blues bevy?” Absolutely! Bartender, set ‘em up before Freak’s in the house.

This Valentine’s Day, let’s honor some of my favorite women who sing the blues. Along the way, we’ll meet two Southern California blueswomen, and enjoy Blues Guitar Women, a two-CD release on German’s Ruf Records. Pop the cork on another bottle, let’s get started…

Welcome...Janiva & Michele!

First off, let’s celebrate Valentine’s Day with Janiva Magness. Her second Northern Blues CD – Do I Move You? – will be released next month. Co-produced by Janiva and award-winning producer Colin Linden, Do I Move You?, marks Janiva’s return to the blues ensemble sound from her earlier records. If the groundswell that kept Bury Him at the Crossroads on playlists throughout 2005 continues, Janivai will finally get some well-deserved, recognition.

Magness works more than most in Southern California, and Do I Move You? coincides nicely with her third consecutive Blues Music Awards (formerly the WC Handys) nomination for “Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year.”

Last year, I had the good fortune to meet “2006 Keeping the Blues Alive” winner Michele Lundeen.

The Blues Foundation honored San Diego’s “Queen of Steam” at the International Blues Competition for her work as editor of the annual Blues Festival Guide. At press time, Lundeen’s Song Inside Me was one of the four finalists for “Best Self-Produced CD” at the IBC. I’ll report on Her Highness’ progress next month.

When you see a show from Marilynn Claire, Liz Mandville Greeson, Deb Seitz, Peaches Staten, or Zora Young listed in Midwest BEAT, know that you’re in for a real blues treat from a woman’s perspective.

These talented blueswomen work hard, and they carry the fire originally lit brightly by the likes of Memphis Minnie, Koko Taylor or Big Mama Thornton. Keep the local blue flames burning by supporting local artists and local clubs, and this Valentine’s Day, make the blues your business by seeing a blueswoman live.

You’ll hear about some Blues Guitar Women in a moment, but check out Zora Young’s new CD on Delmark. Tore Up From The Floor Up, contains the best version of Muddy Waters’ “Two Trains Running” I’ve ever heard.

The CD ends with a short interview with Zora Young and Tore Up From the Floor Up also includes five new original songs.

Some Great Blues Guitar Women…

I think that Sue Foley is a genius. Along with producer Thomas Ruf, she’s behind a two-CD set called Blues Guitar Women (Ruf Records), featuring one disc of traditional and one disc of contemporary blueswomen who’ve picked up the guitar.

Blues Guitar Women features 29 cuts from blueswomen as diverse as Alice Stuart, Debbie Davies, Ana Popovic, Memphis Minnie, and Deborah Coleman, with liner notes penned by Foley.

Joanna Connor’s “Living on the Road” slices up the fretboards, and my favorite blues discovery on this release is Erja Lyytinen. I’ve now got a good reason to go Finland: to hear Erja live!

Erja’s channeling Elmore James like nobody’s business on her “Dreamland Blues.” I would love to see a similar CD that would highlight the diversity of Midwestern women who make the blues their labor of love.

Next month: I’ll report from the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, preview Sopro Production’s 2006 Easter Blues Revue, and the annual Midwest BEAT awards show.

‘Til then, take your valentine out to a local blues show!

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