Artist of the week - Willie Mabon

Happy birthday to Willie Mabon

(B: Oct. 24, 1925; D: April 19, 1985)

Considered more sophisticated and urbane than "downhome" Bluesmen such as Muddy Waters, Willie Mabon provided some great tunes - often covered by other artists - that have made him legendary, such as "I'm Mad," "Poison Ivy" and the quirky "I Don't Know," which was perhaps his biggest hit.

Willie Dixon, in his "I Am the Blues" biography, attributes Mabon's lack of success with the Chess label to his interest in being paid for his work, which was often not the case for Blues artists in the 50s.

Arguing over the dollar was a sure way not to be invited back to record - at least not in a hurry. However, Mabon's legend will stand the test of time. His sultry, slurry vocals, piano and harmonica expertise land him firmly in the realm of the Chicago Blues greats.

Clair DeLune Oct. 25, 2009

Blues Moon Radio Show Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009

Tonight's playlist (will be updated through 8 p.m. - refresh often for updates):

Heavenly Gospel Singers - Mean Old World
Blind Alfred Reed - How Can A Poor Man Stand (such times and live?)
Willie "Long Time" Smith - Homeless Blues
Little Milton - Beggin' My Baby

Big Bill Broonzy - Black, White and Brown
Robert Pete Williams - Just Tippin' In
Mississippi Jook Band - Barbecue Bust

Some R&B for the next two sets:
The Moonglows - Real Gone Mama
Lee Diamond - Hattie Mulatti
The Pyramids - Shakin' Fit

R&B songs that were covered and became bigger hits for the cover artist(s):
Gloria Jones - Tainted Love
Betty Everett - You're No Good
Gene Allison - You Can Make it if You Try

Lonnie Johnson - A Handful of Riffs
Joe Liggins - Boom-Chick-a-Boogie

NEW RELEASES: (Artist/Song/Album)
Bobby Jones - She's the One - Comin' Back Hard
Coco Montoya - Fear No Evil - The Essential Coco Montoya
Nicole Hart - Treasure - Treasure

Seth Walker - Leap of Faith - (same)
Toni Spearman - So Called Friends (single)
Sean Costello - Take Me Back - Sean's Blues
Sean Costello - Lovin' Machine - Sean's Blues

Victor Wainwright & the WildRoots - Beale Street to the Bayou - (same)
Victor Wainwright & the WildRoots -Blues in the Rain - Beale Street to the Bayou

And speaking of Blues in the Rain, special thanks to Victor, and others, for braving the rain at the Columbia Blues Festival Saturday in Martin Luther King Park... great shows - all the artists were incredible - support Word of Mouth Productions (a non-profit group that puts out wonderful music - usually with no entrance fee - for the area). Check them out at wordofmouthproductions.com - thanks to everyone who supports great Blues music in the Midlands and around the world!

Goodnight - have a great week and be sure to check out the Blues News (earlier post below).
Clair DeLune

Blues News: Concerts, news and updates

Updates on concerts and other information for Blues lovers:

BLUES RADIO:
Tune in this evening for the Blues Moon with Clair DeLune, featuring some new releases - including Sean Costello memorium CD with some of his best songs.
Streaming audio: http://wusc.sc.edu and follow the links to listen.

UPDATES:
Nappy Brown's fundraiser for a headstone reported raised $4,000, which was reportedly sufficient. Thanks to all who participated in the tribute to this amazing man, incomparable singer and wonderful friend.

EVENTS:
Oct. 20 - Presentation - Thomson, Ga. - Author of book on Blind Willie McTell to give a talk about McTell's Blues music.
Oct. 22 - Presentation - Statesboro, Ga. - Author of book on Blind Willie McTell to give a talk about McTell's Blues music.
For more information:
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/10/15/rho_551890.shtml
Blind Willie McTell biography tells story of local music hero
Ramblin' Rhodes
By Don Rhodes Columnist
Thursday, October 15, 2009
It was his love for Bob Dylan's music that led British author Michael Gray to write a biography of local music hero and blues legend Blind Willie McTell.

Friday, Oct. 23 - Concert - Flat Out Strangers - Doc's BBQ near Fairgrounds - Columbia, S.C. - 6 - ? Family show, bring the kids AND the wife or hubb'in.

Thursday, Oct. 29 - Presentation - Durham, N.C. - Bill Ferris, author and Blues historian will talk about Blues. 7:00 p.m.
More information: http://www.regulatorbookshop.com/event/2009/10/29/day
UNC folklorist and professor William Ferris will discuss and sign copies of his new book, Give My Poor Heart Ease: Voices of the Mississippi Delta. The book, CD, and DVD feature more than twenty powerful interviews about black life and blues music in the Mississippi Delta. Ferris, author of Blues from the Delta and coeditor of the Encyclopedia of Southern Culture, is senior associate director of the Center for the Study of the American South at UNC-CH.

Tuesday, Nov. 3 - Documentary - Jazz and Blues:
Time: 8 - 10 p.m.; again at 11 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Location: Ovation TV (TWC 137)
Description: Have immensely enjoyed Ovation (TWC 137) channel's "Masters of American Music," which they said was Jazz, but which covered not only Jazz, but Blues, Swing and Rock Fusion. Amazing footage! If you get a chance to catch it when it replays, I'll guarantee you will thank me later.

Thursday-Sunday, November 5-8 - Concert -Pee Dee Blues Bash - Florence, S.C.
FREE - 11 venues; artists include: Charlie Sayles, Studebaker John & the Hawks, Bill Lupkin, Deb Callahan, Drink Small, Shrimp City Slim, Matt Walsh, Juke Joint Johnny & Drew Baldwin, Cotton Blue, Veronika Jackson, many more. Inaugural event destined to become a tradition.
More information: http://www.peedeebluesbash.com/

Friday, Feb. 5 - Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010 - Concert - 20th annual LOWCOUNTRY BLUES BASH
Charleston, S.C. - The southeast's longest running Blues event. 12 days, 20+ venues, 40+ acts.
Artists already booked include: Shemekia Copeland, Eddie Kirkland, Bryan Lee, Motor City Josh, Big Bill Morganfield, Lil Dave Thompson, John Dee Holeman & Andy Coats, Zac Harmon, many more...
More information (note - at this time 2009 info still posted FYI): http://www.bluesbash.com/

NEW RELEASES:
Sun, Oct 18, 2009 04:31 a.m.
He saves vintage music, turning 78s into CDs
http://www.newsobserver.com/life/story/146613.html

Also, check out http://www.oldhatrecords.com/ and http://www.oldhatrecords.com/releases.html andhttp://www.oldhatrecords.com/trunkfulloblues.html

LOST FILES:
Saddened to learn of the death last week of NRBQ's founder, Steve Ferguson, later replaced by Al Anderson. Capt. Lou Albano, who performed with the group at times, also passed away this week, making it an even sadder week for Q fans.
More information: http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009910080355