Brits & Blues In Charleston

Robin Trower (photo Neil Calandra)

Low Country Blues Bash Feb. 3 – 19, 2011

Blues aficionados from the Carolinas, Georgia and all over the southeastern U.S. will soon be making their way toward Charleston, S.C. for the twenty-first annual Lowcountry Blues Bash, which begins Feb. 3 and rocks on through Feb. 19.

Not officially part of the Blues Bash, but warmly welcomed by the local blues community are two British blues-rock legends – Robert Plant, former frontman for Led Zeppelin and Robin Trower, from the legendary Procul Harum. Plant will appear with his Band of Joy at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center on Feb. 4. ($55.30 – $76.50 including fees).Trower, also performing on Feb. 4, will be at the Music Farm. ($23 ADV/$25DOS) Wow! Trower for $23. No brainer! Bummer they’re on the same night. Tickets for both are available at the venues.

As in the past, organizer Gary Erwin of Erwin Music and the Lowcountry Blues Society are bringing a mix of

Keyboard player Gary Erwin aka Shrimp City Slim organizes the Lowcountry Blues Bash every year. (courtesy photo)

local, regional and national talent to the Palmetto City. The blues-driven frets-n-frenzy takes place over 17 days and features high-end performances by 50 different acts at 25 different locations.

Highlights include guitarist Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones with Dennis Gruenling. Deming’s group alone is a much sought after swing band. Add Gruenling to the lineup and according to Erwin, you get “pure postwar blues bliss.”  (www.dougdeming.com/www.dennisgruenling.com)

South Carolina’s favorite son, Drink Small, returns to the Bash, bringing a cure for whatever ails you. The Blues Doctor’s in the house! (www.myspace.com/drinksmallblues)

From Texas comes one of our favorite singing drummers slash harp players, the genre-jumpin’ Randy McAllister.

Hip-swingin’ blues mama DieDra, all the way from Alabama, will get you out of your chairs. Bring yo’ dancin’ shoes! (Click here for CD review.)

North Carolina’s King Bees deliver swingin’ blues at every turn. Can’t go wrong here.

Frankie’s Blues Mission from Atlanta dishes up some hot West Side Chicago-style electric blues. Yeah!

Another Atlantan, Lefty Williams is on the roster, too. If you’ve never heard this one-armed guitarist, get you to

Penny Zamagni of the King Bees brings take-your-breath-away vocals and solid songwriting to each performance. (courtesy photo)

Chucktown. It’s worth the price of gasoline.

Ten Foot Polecats are coming all the way from Boston,  y’all. For my buck, this punk-edged Mississippi-inspired trio is the act to catch. Jim Chilson’s guitar work is some of the finest you’ll see. They’re at Fiery Ron’s Hometeam BBQ on Sullivan’s Island Feb. 5. I dare you to sit still!

There are so many more topnotch players at this year’s Bash – Mac Arnold & Plate full O’ Blues; acoustic icon

Paul Geremia; Big Bill Morganfield, making his daddy proud; from the Grand Strand, the talented My Buddy Todd; the rockin’Johnny Mac & the Booty Ranch; Charleston’s own Skye Paige bringing rockabilly and blues to the stage.

There’s a special dedication to Lil Dave Thompson, who tragically died in an automobile crash while returning home after last year’s Blues Bash. The event will take place at Fiery Ron’s Hometeam BBQ on Sullivan’s Island  on Sunday evening, Feb. 13.

Most ticket prices will be less than $15 and many are free. Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina at Patriot’s Point in Mt. Pleasant is offering preferred rates for festival goers. Call 843 856 0028 and mention the Blues Bash.

To see the entire lineup, venue listing and schedule, visit http://www.bluesbash.com and download your very own

From the S.C. Upstate come harpman Freddie Vanderford (shown) and guitarist Brandon Turner. (courtesy photo)

brochure in PDF format.

Rick Strickland’s Lucky Number ‘Seven’

I had to laugh when I asked Charleston musician Rick Strickland to give me the names of all the players on his new CD, even the background vocalists.

“Well, there’s Art Benton on keyboards and then there’s . . . me,” he answered.

You see, it was just about a year ago that I interviewed Rick about his new  Rick Strickland Band when he told me, “We’ll be going into the studio almost immediately after [the band’s debut]. We are excited about putting a band album out. It’s gonna be great.”

So what gives, Rick?

Turns out Rick is so excited about the band’s sound, he decided – along with the group – that because his own studio was set up for a single musician/engineer, they should wait and do it right. “I didn’t want to be overdubbing vocals. I want the band in the studio together, and we’re definitely going to do that, but for right now I have a new solo CD.”

Rick Strickland's newest CD, Seven, to be released mid April 2010.

Rick did the drum programming. He played all the bass, lead guitar and rhythm guitar parts. He also sang all the lead and background vocals. And wrote all the tunes.

The multi-talented musician also created the orchestral arrangement and then taught it to Art one part at a time.

The 12-track recording is titled Seven. Why Seven? This is Rick Strickland, remember, and I’ve learned there are surprises around every corner.

“You know, this is my seventh solo album,” I can hear him grinning over the phone. “ My band has seven members … my wife Gail really did figure out these things. My favorite Beach Boy album is Pet Sounds, album number seven. My favorite Beatles album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band, their seventh. The photo we used for the CD cover … was shot from out on the water and when we looked at the  image, there was number seven on the pilings!

“And don’t even get me started on the biblical references.”

I’m happy to report, however, that the disc isn’t limited to seven songs. The 12-track recording has the classic Rick Strickland sound his fans love to love. Seven is a mix of old and new, with the main theme being relationships – getting together, staying together, breaking up, second chances, leaving, longing and love. Track one, “I’ve Got Your Back,” is a funky soul tune that will be the first single released to to deejays and radio stations. By the way, this is also one of Rick’s favorites. Picking up the pace a bit is track two “Fever,” penned back in 1980 and just as much fun today. Up next is “Life Boat,” great for a slow shag or cha cha.

“I’ll Give You More” is a sweet promise as only Rick Strickland can. Track five, “I Wanna Know You,” showcases a classic Strickland melody, but it was a lyrical surprise to me: “I wanna get to know you, before we do the physical thing.” Sweet, old-fashioned concept. I’ll be surprised if this isn’t one of the album’s most popular cuts.

“Why You Wanna Pick On Me” is the kind of tune you blast on the highway and sing along at the top of your voice. It’s a pure toe-tappin’, shoulder-shakin’ romp through a relationship. Fun.

The next track, “Faith,” written in 1988 has special meaning to Rick and his wife. “My wife really  had to love me a lot to marry me. I was dead broke and for our first Christmas together, I didn’t have money to get her anything. So I wrote “Faith” and that was my first Christmas gift for her. She likes my eccentricities,” he laughs.

“I Forgive You” is about staying in a relationship when you know better. “I’d rather hear your lies than try and live without you.” You can shag through your tears.

“Forbidden Fruit” is for anyone who fantasizes about stepping out on their sweetie, but resists the temptation. The next track is “Addicted.” Rick’s talent on guitar and his soulful vocals are evident on both of these tunes.

In “Back To Square One,” we get to hear a little of that falsetto voice we’ve come to expect from Rick Strickland. It’s never enough.

“If Our Love Must End” is about taking the high road when you’re afraid the object of your affections is moving on. Okay, I’ll be a grown up, but it’s not what I want.

The band is starting to include some tunes from Seven into their live show. Seven to be exact. Rick said, “I came to rehearsal with a list of songs I wanted the band to learn, and Lesa Hudson said to me, ‘Do you realize how many you’ve included? Seven!’

Seven is due for release in two or three weeks. The seven-piece Rick Strickland Band will be at the Spanish Galleon in North Myrtle Beach for the Kick-off to KHP’s Summer Concert Series on April 16 and then again at HOTO’s in Cherry Grove on April 25. Visit Rick’s website at rickstrickland.org or join the band’s Facebook fan page.

Oh, one last thing I forgot to mention: how many grandchildren does Rick Strickland have? Seven.

Charleston’s Down With Da Blues

Harp man Charlie Sayles (Photo Perry Manuk)

Once again, the Lowcountry Blues Bash is combining a lineup of stellar out-of-town talent with a crew of topnotch local area performers to give blues lovers one sizzling show after another. According to organizer Gary Erwin, the event, which is in its twentieth year, is offering 53 different acts performing 90 shows at 24 venues throughout the Charleston, S.C. area during the 12-day blues crawl.

I’ll give you some highlights here, but the best way to figure out which shows you gotta see is to mark your calendar for Feb. 5 – 16 and download your own brochure at http://www.bluesbash.com.

Headliners for 2010 include  Charlie Sayles & the Blues Disciples; Paul Geremia; blues legend Eddy Kirkland; blues mama Beverly Guitar Watkins; and Bryan Lee & the Blues Power Band.

Harp man Charlie Sayles picked up his first harmonica during a stint in Vietnam. He’s known as much for his authentic song- writing as for his soulful harmonica sound. Add to that, the smokin’ guitar of Tony Fazio and this band is a Gotta See in my book.

Traditional bluesman Paul Geremia is considered to be one of the best country blues hand pickers in the country. He paid his dues playing with legends such as Yank Rachell and Howlin’ Wolf; today he’s a jazz and blues scholar, an esteemed songwriter and a legend in his own right.

Born in Jamaica and raised in Alabama until he went off with the Sugar Girls Medicine Show at the ripe old age of 12, Eddie Kirkland is truly the “Gypsy of the Blues.” He toured and recorded with John Lee Hooker; he was a bandleader for Otis Redding; he still tours over 40 weeks out of the year. Eddie Kirkland & the Energy Band will perform two shows on opening weekend.

It makes me feel good just knowing that Beverly Guitar Watson is still out there kickin’ and pickin’. She growls originals and classics into the mic while she ignites her guitar.

Braille Blues Daddy Bryan Lee. (Courtesy photo)

If you haven’t heard of Bryan Lee, he’s nothing less than a bona fide New Orleans blues institution. Eric Clapton calls him “… one of the best bluesmen I have ever heard…” Blues Revue magazine says “… Lee’s fiery Telecaster is unstoppable …” You’ve got three chances to catch him at the Lowcountry Blues Bash.

Daddy Mack Blues Band is back by popular demand bringing their downhome, funky Beale Street sound to town during the second weekend of the crawl.

Shemekia Copeland will be at the blues bash that weekend, too. Still in her twenties, the daughter of blues legend Johnny Copeland has opened for the Rolling Stones, headlined the Chicago Blues Festival and shared the stage with Buddy Guy, B.B. King and Taj Mahal. Mark my words, it won’t be long before Shemekia is going to own the stage! Gotta See!

I’m excited to report that Delta Highway is on the roster for this year’s Bash in Charleston. I saw this rockin’ group in 2008 at the Cape Fear Blues Festival. Led by founders Brandon Santini on harp and guitarist Justin Sulek, their sound has traditional roots, but definitely takes you for a ride through some uncharted territory. If this is the future of the blues, count me in!

Now you may know Col. Bruce Hampton & the Quark Alliance, but for this gig, the Col. Bruce Hampton Blues Trio will be front and center, exploring their blues roots. Another rare opportunity for lovers of the genre!

Guitar wizard Rickey Godfrey is bringing his Telecaster to town for one show only. If you’ve never experienced his unique brand of soulful blues and the utterly raw power of his vocals, make sure you’re in the neighborhood of the Hometeam BBQ on Sunday, Feb. 7. It’s not just the barbecue that will be smokin’

Another hot rockin’ show in the lineup is Johnny Mac & Booty Ranch. Charleston locals love the raunchy blues of this exciting bar band. But it’s the musicianship of these guys that keeps packing the room.

Atlanta’s Big Bill Morganfield is sure to pull a crowd. Son of the legendary Muddy Waters, Big Bill is on his own blues journey and making his daddy proud. He has been named Best New Blues Artist at the W.C. Handy Awards. The Chicago Tribute has said, “… it’s eerie, as if his father and Howlin’ Wolf had never left…”

There are so many more to mention: singer/songwriter Davis Coen; my favorite lowcountry bard, Jeff Norwood (whose latest CD, Awendaw, I love!); Drink Small, the blues doctor; Wanda Johnson, another S.C. gem; the King Bees from N.C.; the one- man blues band of Robert Lighthouse; Cole Train, which is the new group led by the amazing young guitarist Sarah Cole (Stone Cold Sarah); Lil Dave Thompson and his Mississippi brand of electric juke joint blues; and The Scissormen from Nashville. I have to say, I don’t know this group, but I love Gary Erwin’s description of them: “Blues/rock mayhem and wild slide guitar.” Gary’s alter ego, Shrimp City Slim will be performing throughout the festival, too. This is going to be another great Lowcountry Blues Bash. Hope to see you there!

Discount lodging is available at the Rodeway Inn at River Crossing at the foot of Ravenel Bridge in Mt. Pleasant. Be sure to mention the Blues Bash to get the special rate. Call 843-884-5853 or visit http://www.theinnatrivercrossing.com.

Piccolo Spoleto Blues in Charleston, S.C.

Spoleto, Charleston’s art & culture extravaganza runs from May 22 through June 7, 2009. It’s a wonderful festival, but some folks prefer their art a little less formal and, in some cases, less expensive. That’s what Piccolo Spoleto (also in Charleston) is all about and it takes place during the same time period. Since I’m a great lover of the blues, I wanted to let you know what Piccolo Spoleto Blues has in store for you. The following information is from the Piccolo Spoleto website:

Blues On the Dock

Blues Romp in the Swamp

5/23 4PM – 7PM

Blazing guitar blues from two great guitarists, Rev. Dr. Johnny Mac & Booty Ranch and Dr. Kim May, plus the incisive humor and sharp harp of Smoky Weiner & the Hot Links and their high octane blues outfits. Food and drinks available for purchase.
Bowen’s Island Restaurant
1870 Bowen’s Island Rd., James Island

Blues Diva Wanda Johnson & The Shrimp City Slim Band

5/24 4PM – 7PM

Greenville’s Goddess of the Blues, Wanda Johnson, will warm your heart and sear your soul backed up by the originator of Lowcountry Blues, Shrimp City Slim. Food and drink available for purchase.
Bowen’s Island Restaurant
1870 Bowen’s Island Rd., James Island

Mudcat N` Mama

5/31 4PM – 7PM

Georgia showman and his leggy Charleston protégé Skye Paige provocatively mash down home Southern blues with a twist of rockabilly. Food and drink available for purchase.
Bowen’s Island Restaurant
1870 Bowen’s Island Rd., James Island

Early Bird Blues

Cotton Blue

5/27 4PM – 7PM
Gator Rob and Detroit Debbie inhabit the verdant jungles of Edisto Island and emerge to present a spicy program of swampy rock and Geechee blues. Food and drink available for purchase.
Mad River Bar & Grille
32 N. Market Street, Downtown Charleston

Drink Small

5/22 4PM – 7PM
6/5 4PM – 7PM

South Carolina’s iconic 76-year-old blues legend has been on the international scene since the mid-1950s. Razorwire guitar and inimitable basso profundo vocals have made this unique artist a blues favorite for generations of Carolinians. Food and drink available for purchase.
Mad River Bar & Grille
32 N. Market Street, Downtown Charleston

Geoff Achison

6/3 4PM – 7PM

Back by popular demand, Geoff Achison; “Blues Thunder from Down Under,” is a world-class guitarist/singer from Australia who will return to Piccolo on his annual tour of the U.S.A. Food and drink available for purchase.
Mad River Bar & Grille
32 N. Market Street, Downtown Charleston

Jeff Norwood

5/28 4PM – 7PM
Jeff Norwood is one of the area’s best-traveled blues bards, logging in many miles ‘tween here and the juke joints of Clarksdale, Mississippi. Delta blues and Hill Country stomp…latest CD is “Awendaw.”
Mad River Bar & Grille
32 N. Market Street, Downtown Charleston

Juke Joint Johnny & Drew Baldwin

5/29 4PM – 7PM
Juke Joint Johnny has been dubbed “The Harmonica High Priest of the Southeast” while Drew Baldwin has mastered the harp guitar (1910 vintage guitar with added bass strings)-a rootsy, bluesy sound we doubt you’ve heard before. Food and drink available for purchase.
Mad River Bar & Grille
32 N. Market Street, Downtown Charleston

Matt Walsh Duo

6/2 4PM – 7PM

North Carolinian Matt Walsh (slide guitar/vocals/epic hairdo) leads his duo through torrid readings of classic Chicago blues. His dossier includes recent stints with Howlin’ Wolf’s guitarist Hubert Sumlin and Bob Margolin of Muddy Waters. Food and drink available for purchase.
Mad River Bar & Grille
32 N. Market Street, Downtown Charleston

Porkchop Meyer

6/1 4PM – 7PM
Ed “Porkchop” Meyer is a Chicago-bred pianist/singer who has plied his trade all over the world. Funky jazz/blues/cabaret with a nod to Tom Waits and Mose Allison. Food and drink available for purchase.
Mad River Bar & Grille
32 N. Market Street, Downtown Charleston

Skye Paige & The Original Recipe

5/26 4PM – 7PM
Seductive vocals and guitar from one of Charleston’s blueswomen, admittedly influenced by the fabled Memphis Minnie. Paige and her combo specialize in prewar blues, rockabilly and surf music. Food and drink available for purchase.
Mad River Bar & Grille
32 N. Market Street, Downtown Charleston

Blues & Jazz: Piccolo Harbor Cruises
Franklin Ashley Quartet

5/26 7:30PM – 10PM
Enjoy a unique night of original jazz with a renowned theatre professor at the College of Charleston, who has played for several U.S. Presidents. Food and drink available for purchase.
Fountain Walk Dock
360 Concord St., Downtown Charleston

John Tecklenburg & Friends

6/3 7:30PM – 10PM
Join Lonnie Hamilton III, John Tecklenburg, Brian Reed and Frank Cothran as they serve up a night of swinging jazz standards while cruising the Harbor. Food and drink available for purchase.
Fountain Walk Dock
360 Concord St., Downtown Charleston

Rolling on the River Revue

6/4 7:30PM – 10PM
Delighting Charleston audiences for more than three decades, Rivers and Company is known throughout the state as the premier beach music and Motown band.
Fountain Walk Dock
360 Concord St., Downtown Charleston

Smoky Weiner & The Hot Links featuring Nature Boy Nik

5/28 7:30PM – 10PM

Hot blues and swing band that’s sure to get you dancing and laughing with old swing tunes. The Links have played up and down the East Coast, including most recently at presidential inaugural balls. Food and drink available for purchase.
Fountain Walk Dock
360 Concord St., Downtown Charleston

From Gary Erwin-2008 Lowcountry Blues Bash

Blues fans:
The 10 day extravaganza known as the
18th annual SOUTHERN COMFORT LOWCOUNTRY BLUES BASH February 8-17, 2008
Historic metro Charleston, South Carolina
10 days, 23 venues, 48 acts, 90+ shows
continues this week through Sunday. We just had three epic days with mind-blowing performances from the likes of
STUDEBAKER JOHN & THE HAWKS
One of the best slide guitarists in the blues…doubles on fiery harp as well.
CREOLE ZYDECO FARMERS
Strictly ‘real deal’ traditional zydeco…joyous!
RICKEY GODFREY BLUES BAND with ANGEL RISSOFF
A revelation … Rickey is the best blues guitarist you’ve never heard of and Angel sings his ass off
DRINK SMALL
The Blues Doctor shows everyone how it’s done
SHARRIE WILLIAMS & THE WISE GUYS
Ultimate blues/gospel show-woman with incredible band…remarkable James Owens on guitar
ROBERT PAIGE & THE HOLY CITY SINNERS
Local band makes for a booty-shakin’ blues party
MATT WALSH
With partner Matt Hill, surprised a packed house at the Isle of Palms with heartfelt gutbucket blues
ROBERT LIGHTHOUSE
Great harp-in-the-rack and droning guitar…the ghost of Dr. Ross
lives through him and so many more. THIS WAS A GREAT START. But the BASH CONTINUES
THIS WEEK ALL OVER CHARLESTON.
Please come down.

(Photos: Top right, Blues guitarist Rickey Godfrey; middle left, Gary Erwin a.k.a. Shrimp City Slim sits in with the Rickey Godfrey Blues Band at J.B. Pivots on Feb. 8, 2008; bottom right, Angel Rissoff “sings his ass off.”)

The weather toward weekend should be 66-70 degrees F. and partly
sunny. Print your own brochure & check your choices at
http://www.bluesbash.com
——————————————————————-
WANDA JOHNSON & SHRIMP CITY SLIM this week
at the SOUTHERN COMFORT LOWCOUNTRY BLUES BASH

New CD from Wanda: “Hold What You Got”
http://www.wandaj.com
http://www.shrimpcityslim.com
Listen & securely purchase: http://www.cdbaby.com/wandaj3

The first overseas review of the new CD is in (Blues & Rhythm,
UK)…Norman Darwen writes:
“The material is all original…all worthy of note, but most particularly the multi-layered lyrics of the different and broodingly intense blues “Riding Out This Love”. Wanda’s straight ahead blues singing is something of a rarity these days, as too is the band’s generally piano-led sound. This is another winner from this distinctive and individual singer!”

CASHBOX MAGAZINE REVIEW
Ben Franklin has also posted a nice review at
http://www.cashboxmagazine.com

SEE WANDA & SCS at these BLUES BASH gigs:

Tues Feb 12, 6-9 pm:
SHRIMP CITY SLIM solo at Mimi’s Creekside
(1241 Harborview Rd., Charleston, SC 29412)

Wed Feb 13, 6-9 pm:
WANDA JOHNSON & SCS duo at Mimi’s Creekside

Thurs Feb 14, noon-1 pm:
WANDA JOHNSON & SCS at the Public Library
(68 Calhoun St., Charleston, SC 29401) (with JEROME GRIFFIN,
bass/vocals; LAMONT GARNER, drums/vocals)

Thurs Feb 14, 4:45-5:15 pm:
WANDA on The Bridge 105.5 FM interview/music

Fri Feb 15, 10-11 am:
WANDA & SCS duo on “Lowcountry Live” TV
ABC News 4, Charleston

Fri Feb 15, 1-4 pm and 5-7 pm:
WANDA & SCS at the Mills House Hotel
(115 Meeting St., Charleston, SC 29401)
(with JEROME GRIFFIN, bass/vocals, LAMONT GARNER, drums/vocals, MIKE
“MR. BIG” KINCAID, sax)

Sat Feb 16, 1-5 pm:
WANDA & SCS at the Mills House Hotel
(same as above PLUS SILENT EDDIE PHILLIPS joins on guitar/vocals)

See you at the BLUES BASH!

Gary Erwin Organizer, SoCo LOWCOUNTRY BLUES BASH Founder, Lowcountry Blues Society (est. 1986) Charleston, South Carolina USA