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MIDWEST BLUES BEAT |
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MIDWEST BLUES BEAT by Eric Steiner
A FALL HARVEST OF BLUES…November is one of my favorite months in the Midwest. Winter is just around the corner, and this month, I’d like to ask you to put another log on the fire, fill up your cup, and kick back with me to discover two new releases from local bluesman Byther Smith that are bright spots in my blues year. First off, I am simply wild about Byther Smith. He’s a South Side bluesman who tears it up with the best of them. He’s in the same league, in my opinion, of Lonnie Brooks, Jimmy Dawkins, or the late Magic Sam or Jimmy Rogers. This year, Byther’s got two new outstanding CDs out: Hold That Train (on Chicago’s Delmark Records) and Throw Away the Book (on Black & Tan Records from the Netherlands). Hold That Train was originally recorded in 1981 with Byther out front on vocals and guitar, while Bruce Felgen and Joe Pusateri stayed back on bass and drums. I’m glad that Delmark has released this blues gem, and wished I discovered Smith much, much earlier in my blues listening career. There’s 15 hot tracks on this new Delmark CD. “Hold That Train Conductor” and “Mississippi Kid” hit me like textbook examples of pure Chicago blues. Throw Away the Book captures Byther Smith last year in the studio with a European band that includes: Roel Spanjers on keyboards, JJ Goosens on drums, Nico Heilijgers on bass and Richard Van Bergen on guitar. Together, they all sound like Southside blues veterans as they power through “Running to New Orleans” and “All for Business.” Black and Tan Records has also brought back to the blues market artists like Boo Boo Davis, Ernie Payne and Big George Jackson. You’ll hear more in the pages of Midwest BEAT from Black and Tan artists, and there are song samples a plenty from Byther and other bluesmen and blueswomen online at: www.black-and-tan.com If you haven’t discovered this local blues treasure yet, go see Byther Smith live and pick up these two CDs. Byther’s got many great local blues connections as he’s used the Chicago Kingsnakes as his road band from time to time. APOLOGIES TO AMANDA GRESHAM... Last month, I wrote about hanging with Honeyboy Edwards, and shouted about photographer Amanda Gresham’s work. Well, I typed her name as Andrea by mistake, and wanted to also correct the spelling of Kenny Wayne Shepherd and encourage Midwest BEAT blues fans to check out her outstanding photography at: www.kennywayneshepherd.net Also, the Delta Music Experience Gallery will open in January of next year in New Orleans, followed by the inaugural Delta Music Experience riverboat adventure in March. Spend St. Patrick’s Night in the French Quarter on March 17th, followed by a four-night/three-day blues experience on the Mississippi River on the American Queen steamboat. SOME HOT UPCOMING SHOWS...Learn about Alvin Youngblood Hart’s Muscle Theory at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn on the 4th, and Deb Seitz brings her throaty blues to The Quest in Schererville, Indiana on the 12th. Seitz will also be one of great movers and shakers at the 22nd Annual Sopro’s Thanksgiving Blues Review at Tommy’s Place in Blues Island on November 27th, along with a host of great national and local blues artists, including: Patrick Doody, Motor City Josh Ford, John Falstrom, Peaches Staten, and host of others. Another very special show this month features The Steepwater Band and The Planetary Blues Band on the same bill on November 24th at the Recovery Room in Crown Point. Pick up the latest Steepwater release Dharmakaya (Funzalo Records) and the second self-released constellation of original blues songs from the Planetary Blues Band. On the 20th, join the North Mississippi All-Stars for their supercharged electric blues at the Back Porch Stage at the House of Blues, followed by the Neville Brothers at the Rivera Theatre on the 21st. I’ll be making a rare visit to the Midwest for my day job in November, and I’ve already penciled on my calendar the Willie Kent and the Gents’ show with Patricia Scott at Blue Chicago on Clark Street on the 17th. Midwest BEAT has helped me make many of my blues dreams come true, and I’ve dreamed about seeing Willie Kent and the Gents live for a long, long time. This month, I’m hoping that dream will come true. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY CHICAGO B.L.U.E.S. As I dash to this month’s deadline, folks behind the scenes at B.L.U.E.S. at 2519 North Halstead in Chicago are putting the finishing touches on the line-up for their 25th Anniversary celebration that will feature a full week’s worth of great live blues, November 7-13, including club regulars Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater and Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials. This club has been a favorite of players and blues fans alike, and over the past quarter-century. Visit www.chicagobluesbar.com to get the latest line-up for on this celebration of the B.L.U.E.S.! GIVING THANKS...Happy Thanksgiving to all of my extended Midwest BEAT family and readers! As we remember friends and family who serve our country, please celebrate our veterans on Veterans’ Day! I’ll close with special Thanksgiving wishes to those in uniform overseas and stateside. Next month, I’m going to suggest some holiday blues treats for your favorite blues fans. Until next month, play the blues!
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