“Leave your ego, play the music, love the people.”
~Luther Allison

Even though we expect it at some point, it’s still never easy to say goodbye to those we love. Especially when that person plays such an important part in your life… The recent passing of a close family member has been sad, but if they ever thought I was being gloomy, I’d get my ass kicked… Not wanting to chance it, I decided to feature an artist, whose impeccable grace, creativity and spirit made it impossible to be glum.

After a two week writing absence, I stepped on the treadmill in my home gym and cued up Luther Allison’s Songs From The Road. The positive wave of musical energy that surges from this new release from Ruf Records is truly awesome! Listening to this during my routine workout, I kept thinking how thankful we should be for all the big-hearted souls who left us with such an enduring impression…

Luther Allison

was born August 17th 1939 in Widener, Arkansas. The fourteenth of fifteen children, Luther’s family migrated to Chicago in 1951. Getting a taste for the blues when he was 10, Allison was now taking in the sounds of artists like Muddy Waters and Sonny Boy Williamson. Luther went to school with Waters’ son and would sometimes stop by Muddy’s house to watch him rehearse. His big break came in 1957 when Waters invited him onto the stage.

Dropping out of school in 1957 he formed a band called The Rolling Stones, but was unhappy with the name. Now known as The Four Jivers, they played all over the West Side of Chicago. In no time Allison was jamming with greats like Magic Sam, Otis Rush, and Freddie King.

Allison recorded his first two songs as a solo act on the classic Delmark anthology Sweet Home Chicago. Afterward he got a headlining gig in 1969 at the prominent Ann Arbor Blues Festival which seriously raised his profile. Allison then released his debut album on Delmark Records called Love Me Mama.

As interest in the blues started to fade in the early seventies, Allison would find acceptance with European audiences and eventually settled down in Paris in 1977. While the crowds in Europe were gaining, his presence in the American music scene started to decline…

Thomas Ruf and friend of Luther’s left school in the eighties to become his promoter, and the label Ruf Records would eventually form. Luther was signed and would launch a major comeback in association with Alligator Records. Bruce Iglauer founder of Alligator convinced Allison to return to the States in 1994 and the album Soul Fixin’ Man was recorded and released. The record went on to win several WC Handy Awards (now known as The Blues Music Awards) further revitalizing Allison’s career.

Songs From The Road

The CD/DVD will be available in North America on February 9th, 2010. Filmed by The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation just four days before Luther Allison was diagnosed with terminal cancer, it features some extraordinary moments captured at The Montreal Jazz Festival on July 4, 1997. This represents Luther’s last live recorded performance.

(As a side note: One week later aware of his condition, Allison would give one last rousing performance when he took to the stage on July 10th,1997 in Madison Wisconsin and knocked everybody’s socks off.)

Stirring numbers like his 1996 Song of The Year “Cherry Red Wine” and “There Comes a Time”, “Serious”, “Will It Ever Change”, and the outstanding tune ”Living In The House of the Blues,” are just a few of the eleven tracks on the album… The DVD version of Songs From The Road show was edited into 56 minutes to fit a one hour television segment, and showcases seven of Allison’s most vibrant tunes from the CD.

Whether its Luther’s sizzling slide or blazing lead solos, he had a gift for engaging an audience and taking them along on his musical journey. Luther Allison’s courageous story and his amazing music presented on Songs From The Road is without a doubt medicine for the soul.

Whether your familiar with Luther’s incredible career or just discovering his essence for the first time, if you love the blues then Songs From The Road is a must own… For more detailed artist information and discography you can go to Luther Allison’s website by clicking here. And if you want to hear the Allison spirit flow through his son Bernard, you can go to Bernard Allison’s site by clicking here…

Now as my workout and post comes to a close, I’d like to turn it over to you… Are you familiar with Luther Allison? If you are, have you ever witnessed him in concert before? What are your impressions of this soulful blues legend? Your comments are welcome as usual…

The Blues Blogger

The persona of The Blues Blogger has allowed me to do a lot of soul searching and ponder aspects of my life in a way that was never possible before. It’s given me a canvas in which to express myself, and at the same time feature artists that have inspired and motivated me along the way…

Throughout the course of this blog, I always wanted to do an article on guitar legend Terry Kath… This weekend it will be 32 years (on Jan 23rd) since Kath tragically lost his life. And Sunday January 31st marks what would’ve been his 64th birthday, so the timing seemed right.

I could spend days thinking of the right words to express how talented and versatile an artist Kath was, but I’m going to let the music speak mostly for itself… I’m hoping this brief post gives those who remember, and perhaps others not so familiar, a taste of this man’s extraordinary work.

The First Ten Years of My Life

I grew up listening to my brother play guitar to a wide range of blues, jazz and rock tunes. He would practice endlessly into the night the grooves from albums he listened to earlier that day… On Saturday afternoons my brother’s band rehearsed in the basement of our house. I remember on several of those daze way back when they added 2 sax players and worked on some songs from Chicago Transit Authority‘s 1969 debut album.

For many people Terry Kath was one of the main focal points on that record and his finesse at one time even had Jimi Hendrix shaking his head in disbelief… Terry Kath’s incredible guitar work coupled with his distinctive style, tone and phrasing was simply remarkable.

Terry Kath

was born in Chicago on January 31, 1946. He began playing drums and at 10 years old switched to guitar; teaching himself by using his mother’s banjo. He gained inspiration playing along to records by The Ventures, and put together an instrumental group of his own, called The Mystics. After graduating high school, Kath met Walt Parazaider and Danny Seraphine while attending DePaul University and together formed The Missing Links. It was this band and The Big Thing that would later be known as The Chicago Transit Authority. Known for his scorching guitar solos and his astounding ability playing both rhythm and lead guitar, Kath was held in very high regard by many of his peers and inspired many guitarists along the way.

Terry Kath’s guitar playing and vocals continued to be heard on such signature Chicago hits as “25 or 6 to 4,” “Make Me Smile.” and “Wishing You Were Here.” Kath would appear on a total of 11 Chicago recordings from 1969 through 1977; all achieving at minimum a gold certification. Original band members Walter Parazaider, Danny Seraphine, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow, Robert Lamm, Peter Cetera and Kath formed a group with a unique vision and the result was a diverse powerhouse that created, “a new rock sound with horns.”

As most people already know, the band shortened its name to Chicago for their second album and eventually became a pop ballad juggernaut. While they gained massive appeal, many of their fans went in a different direction after the loss of Kath. However for older music lovers and rock historians that first album has gone into the history books as a hugely creative, experimental and very musical piece of work on the same level as some of the best music ever produced in a debut effort.

Chicago Transit Authority or CTA was actually the first double LP I could call my own and a gift from my brother when he moved out of the room we had shared all our life… Over 40 years later this LP stands out as a major influence and also brings cool memories of growing up in changing times…

Terry Kath has played a huge significance in remembering moments from my past. Does Kath’s music play any significance in time for you? Do you have any favorite songs that strike a chord? If so I’d love to hear from you.

Please share this post with others you think may enjoy it. Let’s not forget this very important artist in music history. Your comments are always welcome…

Remembering the Times,

The Blues Blogger

“The truth, according to this remarkable album, is that Ruthie Foster is one of America’s finest soul-blues artists… a full-on blast of soul and blues… The combination of a talented band, powerful songs, and Foster’s roaring gospel-inspired vocals leaves Truth with no weak spots among its dozen tracks. If this one doesn’t elevate Foster to the next level of popularity, it’s impossible to imagine what will.”
~Blues Revue

Last Sunday Afternoon

When you love music as much as I do, working on a weekly blog certainly has its limitations. There’s so much amazing music (past and present) that I enjoy listening to, I only wish I had time to generate more posts. Last spring one of those releases I heard but never got the opportunity to write about was Ruthie Foster’s album The Truth According to Ruthie Foster. Her energetic spirit and vocal prowess is absolutely wonderful. So when I heard the news of Foster’s Grammy nomination alongside performers such as Susan Tedeschi, Mavis Staples, Robert Cray and Derek Trucks for Best Contemporary Blues Album at this year’s upcoming awards, my interest in this extremely talented artist was rejuvenated.

Since it was unusually warm this past weekend, the atmosphere and good timing gave me an idea to do something that was long overdue…

I walked upstairs and went into the living room. My golden retriever Lucille was curled up basking in a spot on the carpet where the early afternoon sun shined brightly. Noticing I was staring, she nonchalantly glanced up at me with a tranquil gaze as if to say, ”Please tell me today is the day?”

With such a hectic schedule as of late, Lucille hasn’t been getting the exercise she’s used to, and I was determined to make it up to her. With an animated smile, she briskly headed for the front door as I displayed the leash that I was hiding behind my back… With my MP3 player in hand, Foster’s upbeat funky tune “Stone Love,” started to play as Lucille and I began our invigorating walk down the sun drenched avenue.

Ruthie Foster

is originally from Gause, Texas. Raised in a household with gospel roots, she was also exposed to a lot of jazz and blues. Foster always knew music was in her blood, even before her first appearance as a 14 year old soloist in her uncle’s choir. Moving to Waco Texas to attend McClennan Community College, she mixed music classes and audio engineering with visits to clubs at night. In her early teens Foster led a blues band in biker bars and other various settings from Dallas to San Antonio. In the late eighties Foster join the Navy and worked with an ensemble called Pride, where she traveled around at recruitment drives playing funk hits.

Foster moved to New York in 1990 and immersed herself in the folk scene and eventually landed a deal with Atlantic Records. But the label didn’t share her vision of what kind of artist she should be. Family obligations would bring her back to Texas, where she re-connected with her roots and put together a string of new material that would get her work both in a band setting and as a solo artist.

“It didn’t matter to me what genre it was,” she remembers. “I just took it all in as great music – music that moved me.”

In 1997 Foster released the album Full Circle before teaming up with Blue Corn Music, and then released Crossover in 1999, Runaway Soul in 2002, Stages (featuring a series of live tracks) in 2004, Heal Yourself in 2006 and The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster in 2008.

The Truth According to Ruthie Foster

Recorded in Memphis at Ardent Studios with the assistance from players such as guitarist Robben Ford, (The Yellowjackets, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell) well known Memphis keyboardist Jim Dickinson (the Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin), organist Charles Hodges (Al Green, Ann Peebles) and the Memphis Horns. This latest release is Ruthie Foster’s most catchy and successful work to date. And with a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album, the truth has never looked brighter.

Later Sunday Night

Most of the tunes featured on this album are influenced by early soul, gospel, funk and R&B. And as I look back with Lucille now contently snoring next to me, it seemed like the stress of everyday life were washed away at least for that moment during our afternoon jaunt… Ruthie Foster’s perspective on music is something that many of my readers have heard me say time and time again. In Ruthie’s words, “Music is a healer. It’s energy. And it goes into everything…”

If you are unfamiliar with Ruthie Foster then I can’t recommend this awesome album enough. It may just end up making your day. It sure did for me and my faithful hound… For more information and concert dates you can go to Ruthie Foster’s website by clicking here.

What do you think? Is Ruthie going to bring home the award on January 31st? Your comments are welcome.

The Blues Blogger

“An engaging, updated introduction to the world of Chicago blues… Captures the musical spirit of the city and traces its development through the past 50 years. This album celebrates the past by breathing new life into it. ” ~ PopMatters

On Sunday January 31st, 2010

they’ll be handing out the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. There are two categories: Best Contemporary Blues Album & Best Traditional Blues Album that for the most part relate to this blog… I wanted to briefly mention one of this year’s Grammy nominees – Raisin’ Music’s Chicago Blues: A Living History. Produced by Larry Skoller, this extraordinary and fresh voyage through blues history is sure to generate some cool moments for most fans of the blues. It’s also a terrific collection for those who are new to the genre and looking for a vibrant and entertaining reference to Chicago’s distinctive blues history.

During the late 40s and early 50s, a change of style from the Mississippi Delta sound was taking place which eventually saw the Chicago music scene as the dominant voice of the blues. This was mostly due to the migration of thousands of African-American farm workers from the south to the industrial cities of the north like Detroit and Chicago during World War II. In search of a better life, a number of talented blues musicians like Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker were part of that historic trip north.

Nominated For Best Traditional Blues Album

Chicago Blues: A Living History

came together in April of 2009 when local veterans Billy Boy Arnold, John Primer, Billy Branch and Lurrie Bell successors of the Chicago Blues landscape teamed up to pay tribute to the evolution of Chicago Blues from 1940-1991. Together they lead a fantastic group on songs made famous by legends like Big Bill Broonzy, Elmore James, Willie Dixon and Buddy Guy just to name a few. During this past summer of 2009, the band toured Europe and played to packed crowds at fifteen major music festivals in seven countries.

The Living History Band

Billy Flynn – Guitar
Matthew Skoller – harmonica
Johnny Iguana – Keyboards
Felton Crews – bass
Kenny “Beedy-Eyes” Smith – drums

Special Guests

Carlos Johnson – guitar and vocals
Mike Avery – vocals

I believe we can all learn something about life and communication by exploring the history of the blues. Any natural art forms’ roots should always be recognized and we need to acknowledge the historical context which blues developed. All popular music today is based on the blues and without that knowledge people are missing out on the fundamental aspects like jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, soul and R&B which derived from it. Its down-home honest/raw energy is medicine for the soul. The music assembled on this disc can’t help but make you feel good…

I’ll resist the temptation to elaborate further and let the music and videos featured in this post speak for itself… I know I’ll be paying close attention to this category come Grammy time on Sunday January 31, 2010. If you’re interested in further information and band bios you can go to Chicago Blues: A Living History website by clicking here…

Do you have any favorite Chicago blues artists which are featured on this disc? Please feel free to add your comments below. Your input will further enhance the post and is always appreciated.

The Blues Blogger

Music Was Everywhere

As a kid growing up in the sixties music captured my imagination… Back then I was still way too young to express myself. But I did know I was hooked and really didn’t stand a chance. I had an overwhelming desire to be involved somehow, but not necessarily as a musician. I remember my brother playing guitar along to the sounds of John Mayall and The Blues Breakers featuring Eric Clapton in the room we shared. And I also recall the blazing guitar riffs of Jeff Beck with The Yardbirds playing down the hall in my sister’s room. This set the tone and the learning blocks for my love of the blues…

Welcome New Visitors

For some of you, this will be the first visit to The Blues Blogger site. You may have been doing a search on “the blues” or happen to just stumble upon this blog. Perhaps you arrived through Twitter and other social media sites?

However, there are a select few that have been specifically invited here as my guest this time around. Some of us are just getting acquainted and others have known me for many years. They are now seeing what I’ve been up to, not only for the past 28 months, but in some cases the last 4o or more years. Now that I’ve broke open the dam a little, I’d like to officially welcome you to The Blues Blogger’s home on the internet. Please relax, browse around and make yourself comfortable…

As you check out the pages it’s important for you to know that without my dedicated online readers/friends who regularly stop in and say hello, this music site would not nearly be as much fun. Their sincere and warm comments really help enhance the posts I write. Please know that your input is always welcome and very much appreciated.

Often I’ll receive some pretty cool emails and while it’s difficult to get to them all, I do try my best. One of my favorite’s are the ones that will say, “I think (you guys) did a really good job this week.” Although I’m very flattered, for the record The Blues Blogger is entirely a one man show. I work on these posts in my spare time in the evenings and weekends and publish a weekly article on either Sunday or Monday nights. I never claim to know it all. The purpose of this blog was always just a therapeutic way to express myself while either remembering some music from my past or some new material I’ve come across, or which may have been brought to my attention.

Would I like to do two three or more articles a week? You better believe it! It boggles my mind when I see that my current internet statistics continue to rank above some record labels and artists that I admire. (There are many reasons for this that go beyond content which involves SEO, WordPress and the power of its blogging platform.) At the same time I do get a little frustrated because my creative side believes much more can be done. I receive many requests to write reviews, post press releases and upcoming information on artist’s performances in clubs and festivals etc… Unfortunately with a weekly post its hard to keep up with everything…

I have some really good ideas of what I’d do given the opportunity, and at the same time give back to those that have enriched my life so very much. But for me (as it is for many of us) family comes first and realistically my day gig is what helps turn on the lights. For those who’d like to see more posts, while I appreciate your enthusiasm, until a realistic opportunity presents itself where I’m able to afford more time and take The Blues Blogger up a notch, I’ll keep on doing what I’ve always done, and present to you (as often as possible) music that keeps me rockin’. And hopefully we’ll continue to hit some mutual chords along the way…

For All My New and Recently Invited Guests

here are some links to some of the articles I’ve written here as The Blues Blogger. These represent only a few of the many musical posts I’ve done from the Fall of 2007 to the present… I hope you enjoy them as much as I loved putting them together:

Blues Legends

Albert Collins: Master of The Telecaster
Buddy Guy: A Man & the blues (1968)
Elvin Bishop: The Blues Rolls On
Freddie King: Is a Blues Master
Johnny Winter: Self Titled Album (1969)
Junior Wells: The Hoodoo Man

Magic Sam: Sliding Back to the Past
Muddy Waters: Fathers and Sons (1969)
Otis Rush: I Can’t Quit You Baby
Remembering Little Walter
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band: East West (1966)
Willie Dixon I Am The Blues

Inspiring Newer Artists

Joe Bonamassa: Live From The Royal Albert Hall DVD Review
Mike Zito: Inspiring New Release Pearl River
Murali Coryell: Sweet New Release Sugar Lips

Sensational Women in Music

Ana Popovic: New Release Blind For Love
Beverly “guitar” Watkins: Playing It Like a Man
Etta Baker: Queen of the Piedmont Blues
Janiva Magness: Blues With a Soulful Expression
Joanne Shaw Taylor: Time Has Come With Debut Release White Sugar
Memphis Minnie: Blues Pioneer
Nina Simone: My Baby Just Cares For Me
Susan Tedeschi: Going Back to the River With Her Latest Release
Tal Wilkenfeld: Bass Guitar Prodigy
Shemekia Copeland: Upcoming Release is Called Never Going Back

Great Blues Rock and Soul

The Allman Brothers Band: The Road Continues
Blind Faith: Flash Back Summer (1969)
Boz Scaggs: (1969) Loan Me a Dime
George Thorogood & The Destroyers: The Dirty Dozen
Joe Louis Walker: Electrifying New Album Between A Rock And The Blues
The Robert Cray Band: New Album “This Time” Keeps You Rockin

Jazz Selections

Gene Krupa: Remembering 100 Years
Jaco Pastorius: The Great Innovator
Legendary Reunion: Return to Forever 2008
Steve Khan: The Blue Man

Music History Reflections

Beale Street: The True Home of the Blues
The Jewish Influence in Blues and Jazz
Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis: Play The Music of Ray Charles

I Love Music

These were the first three words back in the fall of 2007 that I wrote for this blog. As I’ve said many times before, music has intense healing powers and for me is the greatest medicine I know of. Perhaps Jimi Hendrix describes it best when he said, “Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.”

Yes, this is a reflective blog, but I also personally believe that 2010 will be a tremendous year in music. And as we adapt to this new age of sharing information, seasoned musicians and upcoming blues/jazz artists will be recognized more than ever for their contributions and commitment. It’s their heartfelt efforts that continue to motivate people like myself in a way that would not be possible without them…

Now it’s your turn… Are any of your favorite musicians on the list above or playing in these videos? Any musical moments that you recall while growing up? Your comments as usual are always welcome…

All the Best in 2010,

The Blues Blogger