Blues Night @ Harrigan's

Ello everyone-

Last Saturday, May 17th, was Blues Night at Harrigan's in Montville. NJ. It was presented by the United Jersey Blues Network (www.ujbn.com) and I have to say that they did a great job. It was a fun night and I am definitely going to make their Blues Night a regular spot on my calendar. Their next Blues Night is June 21st--if you are in the area you should check it out!

Someone asked me about the show, and the best word I came up with to describe it was "homey". It was relaxed...it was open...it was friendly...it had great music and people= homey :)

From what I understand it was not a typical playing night for the band Shuffle, Jump and Moan- they were short a guy and there was shuffling of guests...but it worked.

Matt Patutto on drums
Eric Kaplan on guitar
Larry Lipshultz on harp
Arthur Nielsen on upright bass (guest bassist)
Rob Signorile on guitar
Koran Nielsen as guest vocalist
Dave Gross as guest guitar and vocals

There was a nice mix of blues songs from old school blues and not so old school blues :) . Even though it was not their normal line up of members, it worked well and everyone seemed to have a good time. I think I blinded Matt and Eric with my camera most of the night...but they seemed to laugh it off and did not miss a beat. Rob did a good job guiding the music and I love his guitar. Arthur Nielsen normally works for Shemekia Copeland, but was able to join the guys for the night. He was relaxed and you could tell how much he enjoyed playing. I really enjoyed listening to Larry on harp. Wow...he was great. He came across to me as a quiet guy...but when he played his harp he shined bright. Dave Gross came up from the audience, stepped right without any hesitation and played with soul. I ended up having to leave early :( but before I left I did get a chance to see Koran on vocals. I am glad that I did not miss it. She did a fun...can't sit still version of Jim Dandy. I have that song stuck in my head now just remembering it :)

I love live shows the most when you can tell that the people playing are truly enjoying themselves, and I think that is the main reason why I enjoyed the night so much- everyone playing was having a great time jamming, playing and just being there. It was a nice seeing people step in and add their skills and passion. The regular band members were gracious, flexible, skilled and I loved that they could play such a variety of songs…and play them with heart and grit.

Great blues right around the corner…life is good :)

Keep Smilin
Jenn

http://www.steelstringblues.com/

Crazy month-awards, new vinyl and candye

Ello- This is what happens when I wait to long to write...it is going to be a long blog :)

First-

The Blues Foundation Awards were last week, and from looking at the pictures that people have posted... I really wish I was there and am saving up for the trip next year One of my personal favorites won- Kenny Wayne Shepherd for his documentary 10 Days Out. The dvd/cd and vinyl are awesome and I know of all the hard work that went into putting it together. I am very happy for everyone involved :) Here are the other winners of this years awards

Acoustic Blues -
Artist of the Year-Bobby Rush
Band of the Year-Watermelon Slim & the Workers

Contemporary Blues -
Female Artist of the Year-Bettye LaVette
Male Artist of the Year-Tab Benoit

Soul Blues -
Male Artist of the Year-Bobby Rush
Female Artist of the Year-Irma Thomas

Traditional Blues -
Female Artist of the Year-Koko Taylor
Male Artist of the Year-Hubert Sumlin

Best Instrumentalist -
Bass-Bob Stroger
Drums-Sam Lay
Guitar-Bob Margolin
Harmonica-Kim Wilson
Horn-Deanna Bogart
Pedal Steel-Robert Randolph

Acoustic Blues
Album of the Year-Bobby Rush - Raw
Best New Artist Debut of the Year-Diunna Greenleaf & Blue Mercy - Cotton Field to Coffee HouseBlues Song of the Year-Koko Taylor - "Gonna Buy Me A Mule"
Blues Album of the Year-Watermelon Slim & the Workers - The Wheel Man
Blues DVD of the YearKenny Wayne Shepherd - 10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads
Contemporary Blues Album of the Year-Tommy Castro - Painkiller
Historical Album of the Year-Muddy Waters, Johnny Winter, & James Cotton - Breakin' It UP, Breakin' it DOWN
Soul Blues Album of the Year-The Holmes Brothers - State of Grace
Traditional Blues Album of the Year-Koko Taylor - Old School
Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year Award-Honey Piazza
B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Award-Tommy Castro
Congratulations to everyone!

----Who are people you would have liked to see win?

Second-

I just got my copy of Jimi Hendrix- Woke Up This Morning and Found Myself Dead vinyl!!!!! It is a recording of Jimi and Jim Morrison and Johnny Winter jamming together in 1968. The first song is Red House...sweet! I can not wait to play it!!!

----Let me know if you have this album...what do you think?

Third-

HELP FOR CANDYE CANE- As some people might have heard through the news, or through other websites, Candye Cane has recently started treatment for cancer. I am going to keep an eye out for venues and musicians that are throwing fundraiser shows and will keep you posted. If you want to donate money to help pay for her medical bills etc., please check out her website at http://www.candyekane.com/news.html. You can donate through Paypal. Her user info is candyekanetour@aol.com. Or you can send a check to Candye Kane Cancer Fund 315 S. Hwy 101 47 Encinitas, Ca 92024. If you want to leave a note of encouragement, check out her myspace page. I have added it to my top 8, so you don't have to search for it. She has given us so much through her music. Now we can help her, even if it is by leaving a note of love and good thoughts.

Fourth- I went to a great blues night at Harrigan's. I will have pictures and a write up soon.

Keep Smilin
Jenn

www.steelstringblues.com

Sean Costello- 1979-2008

When life seems like it is crazy and little things annoy you...something hits you as a wake up call to how precious life is. Such was today when I read about the death of Sean Costello. Sean was a young blues musician with the skill and voice of an old soul. It is a deep loss for his friends, family and for his fans.

Rest in peace Sean.

The Sweet Stringin Soul returns to NYC

I first saw Anthony Gomes in October of 2000. My friend and I were in Memphis on vacation and she was the one that kept telling me how great of a musician and singer this guy Anthony was...you have to hear him. She was right. I remember being floored at the deep soulfulness of his voice....and I fell in love with his guitar :) He was a mix of blues, funk, gospel and rock. It made you move and every note was powerful.

Over the years I have gotten to see him in different cities and I each show is forever etched into my musical heart beat. One show in particular is the perfect example to me to show how moving Anthony and his music is. It was in NYC at the Red Lion a week after 9-11. My friend P had worked in the second tower to get hit. She was one of the very few survivors in her office. Something told her to leave her office, walk down the stairs and go home even though no one knew what had happened. She listened to that inner voice. Even when the speaker said to return to your office, she kept going. She walked down more than 40 flights of stairs, walk to the Brooklyn Bridge and walked home. She survived. Thank God. I had to find out from people in London that she had gotten out of the building before it collapsed. She had survived, but she was devastated. People she had worked with for 13 years were gone forever.

Anthony was playing in NYC a week later and I wanted to take P. During the show P was so absorbed by the music and she had such a great time. She later told me that it was the first time since everything had happened that she was able to not think about what had happened and was able to just be in the moment of what was going on right then. For me that says it all.

Last week when I was on the bus I saw in the paper that Anthony was playing at B.B. King's in the city on April 21st. I think I gave the driver a heart attack when I suddenly yelped for joy :) I have not seen Anthony in about 3 years. It is about friggin time he returns to the city..3 years is too long :)

So basically..in short...if you are in the NYC area April 21st. GO TO B.B. KING'S AND SEE ANTHONY! If you are not in the NYC area, find out when he will be around and check him out.
He has a new live cd out, which is currently #1 on the blues chart. I personally like his older music the best (Steet Stringin Soul has one song in particular that I always find touching), but nothing compares to his live performance.

I am very proud of Anthony and how far he has come [although I miss his iridescent pimp suit days of ole :) ]

Keep smilin
Jenn

www.steelstringblues.com