Loose Blues News

Blues birthdays: In addition to Mel Brown's milestone 65th birthday (see photo cap) Electro-Fi artist Snooky Pryor celebrates 83 years and Jimmy Bowskill just turned 14, proving that you're never too old (or too young) to sing the blues.

New Fathead website: Visit www.fathead.biz for fast loading pictures, a scrapbook full of tour photos and old promo shots, upcoming news, gig schedules, and more. Soon there will be audio tracks available as well, to download at no cost.

Bill King's Jazz & Blues Images: "I've finally got it together after all of these years. My first website of music and images is up and rolling at www.musicandimages.com. There are nine albums with everything from dance, events, people, places, things, country, rock, jazz, and blues. Jazz and blues are the most extensive." King says he'll be adding as he plays catchup. "There're a few years missing, I'll complete in time. Have a peek. If you choose to look for a specific artist just type the name in and hit enter."

Doc Maclean's 'Narrow House': Doc is offering a pre-release version of his CD to help raise funds. "Colin Linden produced, played guitar, mandolin, and sang, Larry Taylor (Jerry Lee Lewis, Canned Heat, Tom Waits) and Stephen Hodges (Rod Piazza, John Hammond, Tom Waits) helped to lay down some wicked section parts. Gut strings, real skins, hammers, chains, a T-Bone blessed room full of vintage mics, and the "biggest freakin' kick drum in California".

Maclean played his 1929 National and sang a bunch of his recent songs. Now that some 10,000 free, preproduction MP3s have been downloaded from his #1-ranked Google website, (delta blues MP3s, www.docmaclean.com), he's betting the farm that some of you will actually buy a finished CD. "If this intrigues you enough to pony up 20 bucks an advance order, I will not only be very thankful, but I'll also be able to use the funds to complete the project (without melting any more bank cards)". Maclean will provide the following bonus goodies: Your name included in the liner notes, specially labeled, numbered, custom-manufactured CD including bonus preproduction and production tracks which will not be on any subsequent commercial release - and the whole package personally dedicated and autographed. No more than 250 of these special edition subscriber copies will be made or sold.

Purchase deadline December 15, 2004. (If ordered after December 1st your name may not be included in the liner notes.) Projected shipping, January 2005. In Canada, each CD is $20. Price includes shipping. Cheque or money order to Doc MacLean, 305-680 Queen's Quay West, Toronto, ON, M5V 2Y9, Canada. For further information, please visit www.docmaclean.com.

When Love Comes To Town: Aside from the song title just mentioned (which included an appearance by B.B. King), most people don't usually equate the music of U2 with the blues. Well, on the first weekend in November, that is going to change. Toronto, for the second consecutive year, will be the host city for InTO The Heart, an international U2 FanFest, and programmer and entertainment co-ordinator Mark Neveu has decided to bring some `rootsy vibes' to one of the events taking place. Friday November 5, at the Hard Rock Cafe/Club 279, he will be presenting Salvation in the Blues, a special tribute to U2 and the album Rattle N Hum. This double album will be performed in its entirety and in chronological order, but will feature some of the finest musicians from the world of roots in Canada. Each performer will be given the opportunity to bring their own unique interpretations of these songs while staying true to the original spirit. The performers participating in this event include Mike Daley, Michelle Josef, Victor Bateman, Suzie Vinnick, Rob Lamothe, Margaret Stowe, Harrison Kennedy, Shakura S'Aida, and Wild T & The Spirit (Tony Springer). The concert will then be followed by a rock and roll dance party hosted by acclaimed photographer/author/publicist better known as official D.J. Guru & Viber on U2's 92/93 Zoo TV Tour, King Boogaloo himself, B.P. Fallon. Net proceeds from all events that weekend will be donated to Casey House & Amnesty International. For more info regarding tickets and schedules, visit www.intotheheart.com or e-mail Mark at mudcatblues@hotmail.com.

Kitchener Blues: Boomer's Basement in Kitchener has apparently closed. A Fathead gig was cancelled and the phone is disconnected. No further information available at this time.

And the Dutch Mason Award goes to: New Brunswick's Isaac & Blewett are this year's recipients of the Prestigious Dutch Mason Award, presented annually at the Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival in recognition of outstanding contributions in Maritime Blues. Congratulations!

2nd Edition of The Lys Blues Awards, 2004: Presented by www.lenetblues.com, the Quebec winners are Dawn Tyler Watson (Female Blues Artist Of The Year), Bob Walsh (Male Blues Artist Of The Year), Kevin Mark (Show Of The Year), Gaz Bar Blues by Guy Bélanger & Claude Fradette (Album Of The Year), Jimmy James, Guy Belanger - Gaz Bar Blues, Jim Zeller, Carl Tremblay, Pat The White - Gaspésie (Performances Of The Year), and Vincent Druda - Vincent Druda & Voodoo Blues (New Artist Of The Year). As well, Le Net Blues paid tribute to Stephen Barry.

Deadline For Canadian Music Week "Indies" And Showcase Spots at 2005 Canadian Music Week Festival: Independent recording artists have until October 29th to apply for the 5th Annual Canadian Independent Music Awards ('The Indies'), to be held in Toronto on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 as part of Canadian Music Week (CMW) festivities. Submission instructions, rules and regulations can be obtained from the CMW website at www.cmw.net or apply on-line at www.sonicbids.com/cmw2005. Last year's winners include The Salads, Fidgital, Warsawpack, Pavlo, Alexisonfire, and Jimmy Bowskill. CMW is now accepting applications for showcase spots at the 14th annual Canadian Music Week Festival, running March 2 to March 5, 2005 at selected venues throughout downtown Toronto. The deadline for applications is October 29, 2004. Entry forms can be obtained from the CMW website at www.cmw.net or apply on-line at www.sonicbids.com/cmw2005. For more information, visit www.cmw.net.

A Milestone Event for Harris Institute in Support of Metronome: The 15th Anniversary of Harris Institute for the Arts will be celebrated at a gala special event on Sunday, October 24, 2004 at The Berkeley Church, 315 Queen St. E., Toronto. The Toronto-based private college has become one of North America's preeminent educators in the field of audio production and the music industry. It was selected in the U.S. as one of Mix Magazine s Finest Media Arts Institutions and its graduates are in leading positions throughout the Canadian music industry. In 2004, the school completed its sixth peace and reconciliation program for young adults from conflicted areas in the north and south of Ireland in conjunction with the International Fund for Ireland. It partnered with schools in Moscow and British Columbia in a prototype program with students from Siberia and the Salmon Arm Reserve. It introduced a Certified Digidesign Pro Tools Program; launched Opening Act, a national search for new musical talent with the Canadian Recording Industry Association and established a broadbased academic partnership with the University of Paisley in Glasgow, Scotland. The college also achieved exceptional results in the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities 2004 rankings of Key Performance Indicators - KPI s. Its Recording Arts Management Program (RAM) had an unprecedented 100% job placement rate and a 0% student loan default rate. "This very special event will be a gathering of the new leaders in the Canadian music industry", says the school's founder, John Harris. "We will celebrate the dramatic contributions the faculty and graduates are making to the future of music in Canada". The event will feature the Harris Alumni Awards for Excellence and a rare appearance by the Invigilators, an extraordinary band composed of Harris Faculty members. Proceeds from the event go to Metronome Canada, the non-profit initiative to create an integrated music city on Toronto's waterfront.

Free Blues in the Schools Implementation Guide: Fruteland Jackson and the "All About The Blues Series Blues in the Schools program" has published a free downloadable Blues in the Schools implementation guide for artist and teachers. According to Fruteland. This free instructional manual was put together to assist artist, program coordinators or other interested individuals on how to organize a Blues in the Schools program. This guide was put together with the hopes of assisting anyone who endeavors to keep the Blues alive in the classroom. www.geocities.com/fruteland/programs.html.

Rare Performance by the Last of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen: On October 16th at 7 pm, The Blue Shoe Project is pleased to present four living blues legends that represent the last remaining link to the beginning of blues as a musical genre for a rare, one-of-a-kind performance at the Majestic Theater located in downtown Dallas. Henry James Townsend, 94, is the dean of St. Louis Bluesmen and reigning Patriarch of the Blues. This is the first time Henry Townsend has played in Dallas and, according to Henry, may be his final performance. Henry holds the distinction of being the only artist in history to record consecutively for eight decades. He celebrated his 90th Birthday with two movie premieres, That's the Way I Do It - The Life and Times of Henry Townsend, and Hellhounds on My Trail - The Afterlife of Robert Johnson. Henry's life has been chronicled in the recent autobiography Henry Townsend - A Blues Life. Henry is also a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship Award. Joe Willie "Pinetop" Perkins, 92, is widely recognized as the world's best blues piano player. Pinetop, along with the likes of Pete Johnson, Meade Lux Lewis, Albert Ammons and Little Brother Montgomery, provided the basic format and ideas from which countless swing bands derived their sound. Although Pinetop never played swing, it was his brand of boogie-woogie that was shaped to form swing and, eventually, rock and roll. He is a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship Award, and most recently was awarded a W.C. Handy award for Best Traditional Blues artist at the 2004 awards ceremony. Diunna Greenleaf and the Blue Mercy Band will accompany Pinetop. Robert Lockwood, Jr., 89, is one of the last surviving Delta Bluesmen of the Twentieth Century. Robert learned to play the guitar at age 11 from his stepfather, the legendary Robert Johnson. From Johnson, Lockwood learned chords, timing, and stage presence. By the age of fifteen, Robert was playing professionally, often with Johnson; sometimes with Johnny Shines or Rice Miller, who would soon be calling himself Sonny Boy Williamson II. Mr. Lockwood was one of the first recipients of a W.C. Handy award, was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship, holds two honorary Doctorate degrees and is a Grammy nominee. Robert will be performing with his full eight-piece band.

David "Honeyboy" Edwards, 89, is one of the last original acoustic Delta Blues slide guitar players. Honeyboy, like Robert Lockwood, is one of the last living links to Robert Johnson, and one of the last original acoustic Delta blues players. He is a living legend, and his story is truly part of history. He is the real deal. In 1942, Alan Lomax recorded Honeyboy in Clarksdale, Mississippi for the Library of Congress. The subject of two autobiographical books, he is also a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship in 2002.

Each artist will perform individual sets followed by an All-Star jam. This will likely be the last time these artists play together in a combined performance. Tickets are on sale Ticketmaster. For more information about the artists or The Blue Shoe Project, visit www.blueshoeproject.org. The Blue Shoe Project was founded in 2004, for the purpose of increasing the awareness of, educating and promoting appreciation for the blues, R&B and Roots music in our community and in secondary and post-secondary education through the voice of living music industry legends.

Raful Neal, 1936-2004: Famed Bayou bluesman, singer/harmonica player Raful Neal, died Wednesday, September 1, after a long battle with cancer. He was 68. With his relaxed vocal style and behind-the-beat harmonica playing, he was considered one of the best bluesmen to emerge from the south Louisiana area, bringing the sounds of the region to a worldwide audience. Neal was the patriarch of the famed Neal clan: nearly all of his children are blues musicians, including recording artist Kenny Neal. Raful Neal was born in Baton Rouge in 1936, and began playing harmonica at age 14. Heavily influenced by Little Walter, Neal's playing quickly earned him a reputation as the area's premiere harpist. His vocal mixed swampy Louisiana blues with soul and R&B. Combined with his harmonica playing, Neal helped create a sound now known worldwide as Louisiana Swamp blues. Neal formed his first band, The Clouds, when he was just 17. The group originally featured guitarist Lester Johnson (later known as Lazy Lester) who was soon replaced by the young Buddy Guy. Little Walter himself heard the band while he was in Baton Rouge and invited them up to Chicago to fill in gigs he couldn't make. While Guy headed north, Neal stayed in Baton Rouge to raise his growing family. Neal's first single, "Sunny Side Of Love" came in 1958 on Don Robey's Peacock label. A series of singles followed on regional labels like Witt and La Louisiane. During the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, Neal became a local legend, performing around the south and teaching his children the finer points of the blues. As his reputation grew, a 1987 single for the Fantastic label, "Man, Watch Your Woman", was nominated for a W.C. Handy Blues Award. His first full album, Louisiana Legend, was released on King Snake Records in 1988 and was later reissued by Alligator.

A 1991 recording for Ichiban, I Been Mistreated, and a 1998 release, Old Friends, for the Club Louisianne label, helped Neal stay in the public eye. Neal appeared on a number of compilation CDs for the Telarc label, including The Hoodoo Kings, and Superharps II. These recordings kept Neal's tour schedule full, as he performed from Baton Rouge to points all over the country. Nine of Neal's 11 children inherited his blues-playing prowess and play professionally, including guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Kenny Neal, who played on Louisiana Legend and has made 10 albums on his own. Other famed musician family members include Raful, Jr., Fredrick, Darnell, Larry, Graylon, Noel, and Jackie. Raful was inducted into the Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame in 1995.

TBS MERCH AVAILABLE ONLINE

As a result of the blues festivals that didn't happen,
we have lots of brand new TBS T-shirts sitting around the office.

To make it easier for you to own a new TBS T-Shirt or other merchandise, we have added secure transactions on our website to allow you to buy merchandise over the Internet.
Visit our merch page.

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