Elvin Bishop/Janiva Magness/Steve Riley headline Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Fest. May 25-26, 2013

ELVIN BISHOP, JANIVA MAGNESS, SMOKIN’ JOE KUBEK PLUS
GRAMMY WINNERS STEVE RILEY & THE MAMOU PLAYBOYS
HEADLINE 24th ANNUAL
SIMI VALLEY CAJUN & BLUES MUSIC FESTIVAL,
SATURDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 25-26
Los Angeles area’s largest Cajun and Blues festival, held over Memorial Day weekend, features two stages, a Mardi Gras parade, kids’ stages, crafts and dozens of food booths

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — The 24th annual Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Festival will rock over Memorial Day weekend, May 25-26, at Rancho Santa Susanna Community Park, 5005 Los Angeles Ave., in Simi Valley. The festival features two full stages for each of its musical genres. Music will proceed non-stop each day from 12 noon until 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20 (adults 13+) and $15 (children) and are available online at http://www.simicajun.org or at the gate. Parking is ample and free. Fast-moving California Hwy. 118 (Ronald Reagan Freeway) can be taken to the Stearns Street exit; the festival is four blocks south.
Co-headlining the blues stage this year, Alligator recording artist Janiva Magness and Elvin Bishop will lead a Tribute to Finis Tasby.
Janiva Magness received the coveted 2009 Blues Music Award for B.B. King Entertainer of the Year (she is the second woman to ever win this award; Koko Taylor was the first). She also won Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year for three years. She has received a total of 22 Blues Music Award nominations to date, including five nominations this year. Her album Stronger For It is her tenth.
Elvin Bishop, who will lead a tribute to ailing Texas bluesman Finis Tasby, a member of the Mannish Boys, with John Nemeth and Kid Anderson, began his career with the Butterfield Blues Band. He notched a #3 pop hit with the single “I Fooled Around and Fell in Love” in 1976. His latest recording (and 18th album) is the live Raisin’ Hell Revue on Delta Groove Records.
Meanwhile, on the Cajun stage, Rounder Records artists and two-time Grammy Award nominees and 2013 winner Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, will headline both Saturday and Sunday; Swampland star Teresa Russell, Southern California’s own Lisa Haley, Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners, David Sousa & the Zydeco Mudbugs, J Paul D. & the Zydeco Nubreeds and Andre Thierry & the Zydeco Magic will create a Louisiana-style fais-do-do. A sizeable dance floor will be built alongside the stage. The annual Mardi Gras Parade will take place both days at 4 p.m.
Meanwhile, back at the blues stage (and festival goers are encouraged to go back and forth), other performers include the Mannish Boys with guests Curtis Salgado, Kevin Selfe, Peter Dammann, Otis Grand and Audrey Turner; Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bnois King with guests Bob Corritore, Rand Chortkoff and Big Pete; Sugar Ray & the Bluetones, Andy T/Nick Nixon Band with Anson Funderbaugh; James Herman’s Back Porch Revue; and the Delta Groove Harp Blast.
The blues stage also presents two young blues up-and-comers, redefining the genre for a new generation: Nathan James & His Rhythm Scratchers and Kara Grainger. Nathan James plays his self-invented washboard guitar, harmonica and kazoo. His 2012 What You Make of It album was called “one of the most original blues CDs (and bands) to come along in a long time.” Of Australian-born Kara Grainger — soon to release her Delta Groove Records debut album — Nashville’s Tennessean newspaper noted, "There's a whole lot of Bonnie Raitt in (her songs) . . . Grainger's alternately throaty and honeyed voice floats over a . . . bed of bluesy accompaniment."

The festival has received national press accolades: “Everywhere you turned, there was something exciting happening. Put this on your 2013 festival calendar,” wrote Blue Revue editor Art Tipaldi, who made the trek from New England. The Blues Blast writer enthused, “I attend many venues and festivals throughout the year but the ones that seem to impress me the most are the ones that serve the community in some way. I highly recommend you put this on your calendar for next Memorial Day weekend.” And the music industry trade journal Hits added, “As the last strains of (Candye) Kane’s set rang in our ears, we left the grounds fully sated by music, food, drink and, as the saying goes, bon temps.”
This family-friendly event boasts a huge kids’ area with bouncers, rock walls. specialty acts, crafts and talent shows.
The festival boasts dozens of food booths featuring a variety of fare: authentic Cajun creations and Southern BBQ as well as multi-cultural cuisine. More than 100 craft booths and retailers will be scattered throughout the festival grounds.
Tickets may be obtained online at http://wl.flavorus.com/rotaryclubofsimisunrise/cajunbluesfestival
Support of the not-for-profit Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival has benefited dozens of local community, national and international organizations a list of which may be found at http://www.simicajun.org/2013/whobenefits.html.
Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Festival web site:http://www.simicajun.org/2013/index.html

Ruth Davies' Blues Night with Elvin Bishop and Friends

Photos on the Steinway grand in Ruth's living room reflect her musical career. Several pictures get one's attention. Her mother, a music teacher, inspired Ruth to earn a music Bachelor of Arts degree. Mom poses with Dad in front of a venerable Harley Davidson motorbike. There's a group of young musicians glowing during a workshop. Ruth embracing Toots Thielemans in a Baku caravansary. Ruth playing at Bill Clinton's inauguration. Ruth hamming it up with singer Jackie Ryan and composer Amina Figarova. Some photos include celebrities or famous musicians. Others simply grab one's interest. What a life Ruth has had! Ruth has performed with such jazz and blues greats as Keb' Mo', Charles Brown, Clark Terry, John Lee Hooker, Bonnie Raitt, Jay McShann, Van Morrison, Maria Muldaur, Junior Mance, Barbara Morrison, Etta Jones, Terry Gibbs, Jimmy Witherspoon, and Little Jimmy Scott. Her discography (including several Platinum and Grammy-winning CDs) covers various jazz and blues styles as well as movie soundtracks. She has recorded with Charles Brown, Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker, Van Morrison, Clark Terry, Vassar Clements, Toots Thielemans, Ernie Watts, Elvin Bishop, Maria Muldaur, Jackie Ryan, and Ramblin' Jack Elliott, among others. She toured the world for ten years with the late Charles Brown, performing at major jazz festivals and concerts and on radio and television broadcasts worldwide. Ruth continues to spend considerable time abroad. She has recorded and performed internationally with Maria Muldaur, Denise Jannah, Dmitri Matheny and European pianist/composer Amina Figarova. Lately she has "returned to the roots" and travels with Elvin Bishop's band. Ruth believes in teaching and in bringing music to the public schools. She has been on the faculty at the Stanford Jazz Workshop for twelve years and has had a very successful "Ruth Davies Blues Night" series at the Stanford Jazz Festival. The San Francisco Symphony’s "Adventures in Music" program and the "Just Say Jazz" project deliver music education to the classroom. By any conservative estimate, Ruth has presented music programs to over one thousand school groups. That's a serious commitment. If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

Vote Today - Blues Music Awards - Delta Groove Receives 9 Nominations!

TO VIEW THIS MESSAGE AS HTML - CLICK HERE

	The nominees for the 34th Blues Music Awards have now been announced, and once again Delta Groove and its artists continue to make their presence felt. This year you can find our artists acknowledged in 9 categories including the prestigious Album of the Year, Traditional Blues Album of the Year, Band of the Year, and the Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female). The 34th Blues Music Awards will be Thursday May 9, 2013 at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee. Show your support for your favorite artists and releases by voting today! To register and become a member of The Blues Foundation and be eligible to vote for your favorite artists, please visit the Blues Foundation website at www.BLUES.org. 34TH BLUES MUSIC AWARDS - DELTA GROOVE NOMINEES ARE: THE MANNISH BOYS "DOUBLE DYNAMITE" (2 CDS) Album featuring Finis Tasby, Sugaray Rayford, Randy Chortkoff, Kirk Fletcher, Frank Goldwasser, Willie J. Campbell, Jimi Bott, and more! Special Guests: James Harman, Elvin Bishop, Mud Morganfield, Mike Finnigan, Jackie Payne, Rod Piazza, Kid Ramos, Junior Watson, Jason Ricci, and many many more! NOMINATIONS: - Album of The Year - Band of The Year - Traditional Blues Album of The Year "With personnel ranging from duets up to horn-fired big-band charts, this quintessential backup band takes center stage on their way to deserved recognition as a premier blues group in their own right." – All Music Guide "…an infectious revival of both '40s jump and '50s to '60s Chess-like styles from a band that lives inside the music..." – Wall Street Journal "The Mannish Boys' dedication to preserving the past is matched only by their musical aptitude." – Living Blues Magazine TRACY NELSON "VICTIM OF THE BLUES" & "THE BLUES BROADS" NOMINATIONS: - Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female) "Tracy Nelson isn't so much a singer as she is a force field — a blues practitioner of tremendous vocal power and emotional range." - Alanna Nash, Entertainment Weekly "…a bad white girl…" - Etta James, from her autobiography, Rage To Live "Tracy Nelson proves that the human voice is the most expressive instrument in creation." - John Swenson, Rolling Stone ELVIN BISHOP "THAT'S MY THING: ELVIN BISHOP LIVE IN CONCERT" NOMINATIONS: - DVD of The Year "Before Eric Clapton was old enough to shave, Elvin Bishop was hanging out in Chicago with the first generation of electric bluesmen." – Guitar World "Forever a crusader for fun blues and rock 'n' roll, Bishop gives his cherry red 1959 Gibson ES-345 a hug and places emphasis on his terrific slide guitar chops…" – Downbeat "It's impossible not to like Bishop (his lyrical persona is not just for show). He's always singing something lowbrow and uplifting..." – Chicago Sun Times "…Bishop's muscular guitar provides the sets pulse, as his soulful slide ripples through R & B classics and rowdy blues alike." – Relix BOB CORRITORE "LONGTIME FRIENDS IN THE BLUES" Album featuring Tail Dragger, Kirk Fletcher, and more! NOMINATIONS: - Instrumentalist-Harmonica "…a damn good harmonica player (Bob Corritore) with a lively sense of history." – Downbeat "If Phoenix, Arizona, had a blues mafia, then Bob Corritore just might be its resident godfather." – Living Blues Magazine "An incredible harmonica player." – Hohner Harmonica's Easy Reeding Magazine TERRY HANCK "LOOK OUT!" Album featuring Chris "Kid" Andersen, Johnny "Cat" Soubrand, and more! NOMINATIONS: - Instrumentalist-Horn "Terry Hanck is a fine vocalist, an amazing showman and my favorite sax player." – Elvin Bishop "Tenor sax player Terry Hanck sings like he blows — sweetly, with a touch of grit…" - Blues Revue "… he's one of the most formidable saxophonists in the blues and soul business." – Lee Hildebrand WILLIE J CAMPBELL Willie J. CAMPBELL (THE MANNISH BOYS) NOMINATIONS: - Instrumentalist-Bass JIMI BOTT (THE MANNISH BOYS) NOMINATIONS: - Instrumentalist-Drums Jimi Bott: The most nominated blues drummer in history…but no award yet! Vote in the Blues Music Awards and help Jimi finally win! Although this is his 14th nomination, Jimi Bott has YET to bring home the award. That is 14 nominations in the 18 years there has been a drummer category, and 12 in a row. His 14 nominations now make him the MOST nominated drummer in the history of the awards! That is more nominations than legendary drummers, Willie "Big Eyes' Smith (Muddy Waters) and Sam Lay (Howlin Wolf, Little Walter, Muddy Waters). But yet a lot of people still do not know who he is. My purpose of this is not necessarily to get you to vote for him, even though he truly is one of the most talented, deserving, and humble musicians around. It is to bring awareness of who he is and what he has done, for those of you who might not be familiar with him, so you can make an educated choice when it does come time to vote. Jimi has one of the most impressive resumes around as he has spent nearly three decades touring the world with The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Mannish Boys, Rod Piazza, and Mark Hummel. He has over 70 recordings to his credit including William Clarke, Billy Boy Arnold, and James Harman. But this is not about his past resume…this is about what Jimi has done just THIS year! He recorded on numerous CD's including The Mannish Boys "Double Dynamite" which is nominated for three 2013 Blues Music Awards, and Smokin Joe Kubek and BNois King's "Close To The Bone". In 2012 he performed over 150 shows in the U.S. and Europe, including the 2012 Blues Music Awards Ceremony (Memphis, TN), Notodden Blues Festival (Norway), Zouk Mikael International Music Festival (Lebanon), Cazorla Blues Festival (Spain), Simi Valley Cajun and Blues Festival (Simi Valley, CA), and The Waterfront Blues Festival (Portland, OR). JIMI BOTT VOTING ENDS FRIDAY, MARCH 1ST 2013! TO HEAR AUDIO CLIPS FROM ALL THE NOMINATED ARTISTS VISIT: WWW.DELTAGROOVEMUSIC.COM

Annie Mae - Elvin Bishop and Little Smokey Smothers

Little Smokey Smothers (January 2, 1939 – November 20, 2010) was an African American, Chicago blues guitarist and singer. His elder brother, Otis (died 1993), was known as the bluesman Otis "Big Smokey" Smothers, with whom he was sometimes confused. Albert Abraham "Abe" Smothers was born in Tchula, Mississippi, learned guitar at the age of 15, and relocated to Chicago two years later. He soon appeared on stage playing alongside Arthur “Big Boy” Spires, Magic Sam, Otis Rush and Lazy Bill Lucas. In 1958 he joined up with Howlin' Wolf, and played on Wolf's recording session for Chess Records the following year. Tracks Smothers contributed to included "I've Been Abused," "Howlin' for My Darling," and "Mr. Airplane Man." In 1961 he founded Little Smokey Smothers and the Pipeplayers. He later met Paul Butterfield and became a founding member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. He was replaced in the band by Elvin Bishop, but developed a friendship that lasted a lifetime. Throughout the 1960s Smothers appeared with Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Earl Hooker, and Junior Wells. Musical opportunities dried up in the 1970s, and Smothers worked in construction. He recorded again, after several years break, in 1979 as part of Mojo Buford's Chicago Blues Summit album. He re-appeared in the 1980s with The Legendary Blues Band. Their 1989 recording, Woke up with the Blues, included contributions from Smothers. In 1993, Bishop made a guest appearance on Smothers first solo album with the Dutch Black Magic label, Bossman! The Chicago Blues of Little Smokey Smothers. The recording also included work from Smothers' cousin, Lee "Shot" Williams. Bishop and Smothers played at the 1993 Chicago Blues Festival. Smothers had open heart surgery in 1995, but the following year issued Second Time Around. Smothers performed at the 1999 San Diego Blues Festival, and at a party for Mick Jagger's 55th birthday. Alligator Records then issued That's My Partner (2000), a live album recorded in San Francisco, which saw Smothers reunited with Bishop. Smothers also appeared at the 2000 Chicago Blues Festival. He also featured in Martin Scorsese's 2003 television series The Blues, with excerpts from his live show. In 2006 Smothers and Bishop played live at the Ground Zero club in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Latterly Smothers experienced health problems, and had both legs amputated due to diabetes. In 2009, Bishop compiled the benefit album, Chicago Blues Buddies, incorporating recordings made by Smothers and Bishop dating back to 1992. Proceeds from the album helped to pay for Smothers' medical costs. On November 20, 2010, after a spell in a Chicago hospital, Smothers died of natural causes. If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, -  ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!

New Release: Elvin Bishop "That's My Thing" (DVD)

	ELVIN BISHOP "THAT'S MY THING" DVD A BLISTERING PERFORMANCE FEATURING 18 ROLLICKING HITS PLUS A BONUS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ELVIN BISHOP! Retail: $25.99 Discounted Price: $17.99 + s&h "Before Eric Clapton was old enough to shave, Elvin Bishop was hanging out in Chicago with the first generation of electric bluesmen." – Guitar World "Forever a crusader for fun blues and rock 'n' roll, Bishop gives his cherry red 1959 Gibson ES-345 a hug and places emphasis on his terrific slide guitar chops…" – Downbeat "It's impossible not to like Bishop (his lyrical persona is not just for show). He's always singing something lowbrow and uplifting..." – Chicago Sun Times "…Bishop's muscular guitar provides the sets pulse, as his soulful slide ripples through R & B classics and rowdy blues alike." – Relix DETAILS FORMAT: DVD (ALL REGION) # OF TRACKS: 18 (96 MINS) RELEASE DATE: 10/16/12 CATALOG #: DGPDVD010 UPC NUMBER: 850021001704 MUSICIANS Elvin Bishop: Guitar and Vocals Bob Welsh: Guitar Ruth Davies: Bass Ed Earley: Trombone & Percussion Bobby Cochran: Drums & Vocals S.E. Willis: Keys & Accordion DVD CREDITS A VenMundi Production Produced by: Jarid S. Johnson TRACK LISTING 01. That's My Thing (5:17) 02. My Dog (5:10) 03. Gettin' My Groove Back (5:49) 04. Mellow-D (4:47) 05. What the Hell is Going On (3:40) 06. Arkansas Line (5:52) 07. Got to be New Orleans (5:16) 08. Travelin' Shoes (7:53) 09. Fishin' (6:52) 10. Stomp (5:26) 11. Stealin' Watermelons (6:09) 12. Rock My Soul (5:42) 13. Calling All Cows (5:12) 14. El Bo (5:13) 15. Booty Bumpin' (4:42) 16. Party 'Til the Cows Come Home (5:35) 17. Little Brown Bird (6:04) 18. Bishop's Boogie (2:11) Elvin Bishop's music has been making people smile for over 50 years. A founding member of the ground-breaking Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Elvin has performed and recorded with music legends such as B.B. King, John Lee Hooker and The Allman Brothers. From deep down gut-bucket blues played in smoky South Side Chicago taverns, to raucous roadhouse R&B, Bishop's instilled all of his music with passion, creativity and a healthy helping of wisdom, wit and good humor! That's My Thing: Elvin Bishop Live In Concert DVD presents a blistering performance by Elvin Bishop and his road-tested touring band recorded live in front of a sold out crowd on December 17, 2011 at Club Fox in Redwood City, California. Bishop exuberantly struts his stuff while simultaneously coaxing his "Red Dog" to howl (aka his trusty cherry-red1959 Gibson ES-345 axe) on a selection of 18 rollicking numbers including Travelin' Shoes, Rock My Soul, Fishin', Stealin' Watermelons, Gettin' My Groove Back, Party 'Til The Cows Come Home, Little Brown Bird, Calling All Cows and 10 more ! In addition to his live concert performance, the DVD also includes a bonus exclusive interview of Elvin Bishop taped at Hog Heaven Studio. This is the DEFINITIVE interview of Elvin, tracing his life and career from the farms of Oklahoma, through his blues apprenticeship in Chicago, to his breakout as a solo star (including his hit Fooled Around and Fell in Love), all the way to his present career. VIDEO PREVIEW: Trailer/Clip: Elvin talks about his guitar "Red Dog". UPCOMING TOUR DATES: 11/23/12: Brooks, CA - Cache Creek Casino Resort 11/24/12: Healdsburg, CA - Raven Theater 11/26/12: Fort Lauderdale, FL - Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 12/07/12: San Francisco, CA - Biscuits & Blues 01/20/13: Fort Lauderdale, FL – Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 01/21/13: Fort Lauderdale, FL – Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 01/22/13: Fort Lauderdale, FL – Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 01/23/13: Fort Lauderdale, FL – Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 01/24/13: Fort Lauderdale, FL – Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 01/25/13: Fort Lauderdale, FL – Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 01/26/13: Fort Lauderdale, FL – Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 02/22/13: Park City, UT - The Egyptian Theatre 02/23/13: Park City, UT - The Egyptian Theatre BOOKING: THE ROSEBUD AGENCY Mike Kappus Phone: (415) 386-3456 Fax: (415) 386-0599 mikek@rosebudus.com www.rosebudus.com WWW.DELTAGROOVEMUSIC.COM

Delta Groove artist: Elvin Bishop - That's My Thing DVD - New Release Review

First I've got to say...WOW!! I love Elvin Bishop and I am thrilled that he has been captured in concert. I've been a Bishop fan for more years than you can imagine and although I love his CD's the man just is a great performer! There is a sincerity and lack of pretentiousness that Bishop just brings along with him and a man with his credentials... it just makes me proud to be one of his greatest fans. I have traveled to both coasts to festivals based upon whether he was playing or not (other performers were icing but Bishop was the incentive). Now on with the show.I have the to be released DVD (available October 16, 2012) and let me tell you what's up!  Bishop opens with That's My Thing, a simple country blues romp with Crabshaw on old Red Dog and there aren't too many guitars in the world that I'd prefer to have. This guitar not only has provenance, it has character! It has tone! This guitar has seen stuff that blues fans only dream about! And here Elvin has it in a club and it sounds great! I also think Ed Earley is a great contributor with his perfect tone on trombone. Like Miles, his tone is his own and he fits Bishop like a glove. Next up is My Dog, a personal favorite and one that has personal feelings for me having lost my own personal companion "Wood" last week. Bob Welsh plays a smokin' guitar solo on this track and Bishop kills it on the end. He gets the crowd a howlin' and barkin' and having fun is what this is all about. There is one thing that is particularly cool about listening to such a variety of music (like I do) and that's that you really get to see what's different and what's all the same. Bishop has his own style and he is tremendously inspiring. Gettin' My Groove Back finds Bobby Cochran (drums) on sweet lead vocals and the band gets a Louisiana blues going with S.E. Willis on accordion coming through. Again Welsh plays an inspired solo and Bishop is sitting with Red Dog in his Over Hauls (Bib Overalls)and boots just rippin' out the tone. Next up is Bishop playing slide on Mellow-D. This is played on a more modern 345 and although it doesn't have the guts of Red Dog, I love Bishops tone on slide. His early tracks from the late 60's and 70's are definitely worth searching out. After a nice solo from Welsh, Bishop plays some first position slide work on the 5th and 6th string. That is the guts of the guitar ...then moving to the upper octave for the glory. Sweet. Next up is What The Hell Is Going On, with Elvin back with classic vocals. Elvin's voice is a perfect match for Red Dog's bark and this is a great track to illustrate that. Before I forget I want to mention Ruth Davies who holds down the bottom really tight on an electric upright. Welsh pushes Crabshaw with fine riffs on what looks to be a 60's sg with a Bigsby. Great clean (compared to Bishop) tone. Digging back into the 70's Bishop pulls out Arkansas Line and gives it a real Tex Mex sound (with a touch of New Orleans). This was a great track on Juke Joint Jump and now sounds fresh as ever with a new slant. It's really cool that Elvin plays Red Dog most of this concert cause the dog really likes to sing.

Pic by Bill Horton

This is pure music. It's really great seeing this in my own living room at my leisure (and permanent). Got To Be New Orleans is a great funk track with Crabshaw leading the way. This track should show up on Treme (hint guys). If you haven't seen Treme and you love new Orleans music, it's a must! This track is really loose and and the vocals just gotta make you smile. Welsh flashes some funky riffs on a white tele to punch up the belly of the song but this track is really about the slack! Another great 70's track, Travelin' Shoes is up next. One of my best friends in college actually turned me on to Elvin Bishop. He was a football player from Mississippi (Ernie Webster)and he was known as the Big E. He had the logo from JJJ painted on the front of his hippie van. This track sounds great and Willis does a nice job on keys. Elvin has altered the word to this tune a few times to describe the "a-whoppin" he was gonna lay on somebody head. Welsh rips out a great solo on this track and Elvin gets the dog barking in tandem. Great music! Elvin asks the crowd if they're having a good time... and he means it! Next up is Fishin' which is really the track that brought Bishop out of the blues/r&b line and into his own unique style. He had some really great tracks that strayed on earlier albums but this track I think was the major departure to Elvin getting into his having fun openly. Watch clips of Bishop at the Fillmore and catch the chills run up your back. Bishop is like Picasso who can paint a perfect portrait but have found his own unique and extremely potent style. He pulls a fishin' pole guitar out for the punch line and fishes a blonde out of the audience to join in the party letting her strum the old dog. Stomp is a terrific slide instrumental from Rock My Soul and another that I'm glad to see him revisit! Stealin' Watermelons is a funky track from Let It Flow. Again back on the modern 345 Bishop sets a great stage for the band to play. Davies sets a solid bottom and Willis takes his turn on keys, Walsh on his tele and the heads are bobbin as the band sings. There is just great electricity produced by this band and Elvin chides them along! Breaking back to Rock My Soul, a great old R&B tune (from Rock My Soul) Elvin and gang get the grind. Cochran sings Jo Bakers part and although he isn't Baker, the voices (with Earley) sound great. the breakaway with Elvin, Welsh and Earley is terrific! On Calling All Cows  the tandem guitar work was always great and equally matched here with a dash of New Orleans. Bishop and Welsh each take riffs on slide. Bishop takes a walk through the crowd on El Bo and pulls out the old Chicago licks. This is a great track and giving Crabshaw the space to show what Red Dog can really do. Earley gets a nice run on the trombone and Welsh also plays a nice solo before joining with Bishop for some dueling guitar. Elvin grabs a great riff to finish the track. The band plays Booty Bumpin', an uptempo boogie giving Davies a brief bass solo and Elvin gives Red Dog a thumpin again. I hope that the audience appreciates what a tremendous treat they were witnessing 'cause I sure do. Party Till The Cows Come Home which I only remember in live form from the Fillmore release, has become one of Bishops trademark songs. Little Brown Bird has appeared on a few live recordings and Bishop always does a tremendous job. Not only does Bishop sing his guts out, he really kicks the crap out of the guitar on this track! I know that Bishop is all fun and games, but when the man stops to say something serious, people you need to listen. This is it!! Elvin wraps the set with Bishop's Boogie. Like any great entertainer you leave the crowd on an uptempo track and Elvin kicks it in gear for a terrific encore! The icing on this cake is Elvin Speaks, a frank discussion with Elvin in what appears to be his home studio. This is a really great one on one look at Elvin's exposure to the blues as a child, his first concert, life in Oklahoma in the 40's and 50's, his perceptions of music (he even uses the same expression that I do when I talk about "stale music" "How Much Is That Doggie In The Window!") at the time, his trip to Chicago; his trips to Maxwell street, and exposure to older blues players that we've mostly only seen faint films of. He also reminisced about his times with Smokey Smothers (if you haven't heard Smokey you must check him out!) and Paul Butterfield, his first real band mate. He talks about Bill Graham and his influence on the integration of all genres of music into the mainstream. He even does a little short on Red Dog for guitar heads like me and talks Fishin! He takes a walk through his small garden and shows his real life. He talks about getting Mickey Thomas on his big hit and why. The grits and gravy is when he talks about his take on playing blues...he hits it square on the head. Enjoy this unique video of one of the great blues entertainers of our time. If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

 This is not from the film but representative of current work...enjoy!

Newport - Paul Butterfield Blues Band

Paul Butterfield (17 December 1942 – 4 May 1987) was an American blues vocalist and harmonica player, who founded the Paul Butterfield Blues Band in the early 1960s and performed at the original Woodstock Festival. He died of drug-related heart failure.
The son of a lawyer, Paul Butterfield was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in the city's Hyde Park neighborhood. He attended the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, a private school associated with the University of Chicago. After studying classical flute with Walfrid Kujala of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as a teenager, he developed a love for the blues harmonica, and hooked up with white, blues-loving, University of Chicago physics student Elvin Bishop. The pair started hanging around black blues musicians such as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter and Otis Rush. Butterfield and Bishop soon formed a band with Jerome Arnold and Sam Lay, both hired away from the touring band of Howlin' Wolf. In 1963, the racially mixed quartet was made the house band at Big John's, a folk club in the Old Town district on Chicago's north side. Butterfield was still underage (as was guitarist Mike Bloomfield.)
Paul Butterfield died of peritonitis due to drug use and heavy drinking on May 4, 1987 Los Angeles, California. Before then, Butterfield tenor sax player Ruben Riera had taken him to Bellevue Hospital in New York City for emergency surgery for perforated intestine. He died at his home in North Hollywood, California. A month earlier, he was featured on B.B. King & Friends, a filmed concert that also included Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Etta James, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan and Eric Clapton. Its subsequent release was dedicated to Butterfield in memoriam.

In 2005, the Paul Butterfield Fund and Society was founded. It petitions for Butterfield's inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

You Better Think - Elvin Bishop and friends

Relaxed accoustic set of "Think" with Elvin, Kid Andersen, John Nemeth and Finis Tasby Saturday afternoon Notodden Blues festival 2011
Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Sweet Home Chicago - Buddy Guy

Casual Talk between Buddies - Little Smokey Smothers - Pinetop Perkins - Elvin Bishop

Joseph William Perkins (July 7, 1913 – March 21, 2011), known by the stage name Pinetop Perkins, was an American blues musician, specializing in piano music. He played with some of the most influential blues and rock and roll performers in American history, and received numerous honors during his lifetime including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and induction into the Blues Hall of Fame.

Little Smokey Smothers (January 2, 1939– November 20, 2010)Albert Abraham "Abe" Smothers was born in Tchula, Mississippi, learned guitar at the age of 15, and relocated to Chicago two years later. He soon appeared on stage playing alongside Arthur “Big Boy” Spires, Magic Sam, Otis Rush and Lazy Bill Lucas. In 1958 he joined up with Howlin' Wolf, and played on Wolf's recording session for Chess Records the following year. Tracks Smothers contributed to included "I've Been Abused," "Howlin' for My Darling," and "Mr. Airplane Man."

In 1961 he founded Little Smokey Smothers and the Pipeplayers. He later met Paul Butterfield and became a founding member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. He was replaced in the band by Elvin Bishop, but developed a friendship that lasted a lifetime. Throughout the 1960s Smothers appeared with Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Earl Hooker, and Junior Wells. Musical opportunities dried up in the 1970s, and Smothers worked in construction. He re-appeared in the 1980s with The Legendary Blues Band. Their 1989 recording, Woke up with the Blues, included contributions from Smothers.

In 1993, Bishop made a guest appearance on Smothers first solo album with the Dutch Black Magic label, Bossman! The Chicago Blues of Little Smokey Smothers. The recording also included work from Smothers' cousin, Lee "Shot" Williams. Bishop and Smothers played at the 1993 Chicago Blues Festival. Smothers had open heart surgery in 1995, but the following year issued Second Time Around. Smothers performed at the 1999 San Diego Blues Festival, and at a party for Mick Jagger's 55th birthday.


Alligator Records then issued That's My Partner (2000), a live album recorded in San Francisco, which saw Smothers reunited with Bishop.Smothers also appeared at the 2000 Chicago Blues Festival. In 2006 Smothers and Bishop played live at the Ground Zero club in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Latterly Smothers experienced health problems, and had both legs amputated due to diabetes.

In 2009, Bishop compiled the benefit album, Chicago Blues Buddies, incorporating recordings made by Smothers and Bishop dating back to 1992. Proceeds from the album helped to pay for Smothers' medical costs.


On November 20, 2010, after a spell in a Chicago hospital, Smothers died of natural causes.

Elvin Bishop (born October 21, 1942)
is an American blues and rock and roll musician and guitarist.
Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Little Brown Bird - Elvin Bishop

Bishop was born in Glendale, California, and grew up on a farm near Elliott, Iowa. His family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, when he was ten years old. There he attended Will Rogers High School, winning a full scholarship to the University of Chicago as a National Merit Scholar finalist. Upon graduation, he moved to Chicago in 1960 to attend school, where he majored in physics. In 1963, he met harmonica player Paul Butterfield in the neighborhood of Hyde Park and joined Butterfield's blues band, with whom he remained for five years. Their third album, The Resurrection of Pigboy Crabshaw, takes its name from Bishop's nickname. In 1968 he went solo and formed the Elvin Bishop Group, also performing with Bloomfield and Al Kooper on their album titled The Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper.

In March 1971, The Elvin Bishop Group and The Allman Brothers Band co-billed a series of concerts at the Fillmore East. Bishop joined The Allman Brothers Band onstage for a rendition of his own song, "Drunken Hearted Boy". Over the years, Bishop has recorded with many other blues artists including Clifton Chenier and John Lee Hooker. In late 1975, he played guitar for a couple of tracks on Bo Diddley's The 20th Anniversary of Rock 'n' Roll album, and in 1995, he toured with B.B. King.

Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby - Elvin Bishop

Elvin Bishop (born October 21, 1942) is an American blues and rock and roll musician and guitarist.Bishop was born in Glendale, California, and grew up on a farm near Elliott, Iowa. His family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, when he was ten years old. There he attended Will Rogers High School, winning a full scholarship to the University of Chicago as a National Merit Scholar finalist. Upon graduation, he moved to Chicago in 1960 to attend school, where he majored in physics. In 1963, he met harmonica player Paul Butterfield in the neighborhood of Hyde Park and joined Butterfield's blues band, with whom he remained for five years. Their third album, The Resurrection of Pigboy Crabshaw, takes its name from Bishop's nickname. In 1968 he went solo and formed the Elvin Bishop Group, also performing with Bloomfield and Al Kooper on their album titled The Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper.

In March 1971, The Elvin Bishop Group and The Allman Brothers Band co-billed a series of concerts at the Fillmore East. Bishop joined The Allman Brothers Band onstage for a rendition of his own song, "Drunken Hearted Boy". Over the years, Bishop has recorded with many other blues artists including Clifton Chenier and John Lee Hooker. In late 1975, he played guitar for a couple of tracks on Bo Diddley's The 20th Anniversary of Rock 'n' Roll album, and in 1995, he toured with B.B. King.
Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Raisin' Hell Review - Elvin Bishop

Now here's a cd that I have been waiting for for quite some time. Elvin Bishop has been one of my favorite performers for as long as I can remember. He's a stellar guitar player with huge chops! He's seen it all, He's done it all! This cd is his first live cd in a while and was recorded on last years Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise. If you haven't done this, it's a must for blues fans. The party never stops and that's why Elvin "Crabshaw" Bishop is perfect for this type of venue.



When I first heard Elvin he was playing with Paul Butterfield and I was blown away. Skinny tie and Black suit. Some quick research told the story of the white kid genius who left left Oklahoma to study physics at University of Chicago but really went there under the guise of being close to the heart of the blues he was hearing on his radio at home. He met Paul Butterfield and joined forces playing traditional blues music. If you haven't caught my earlier post of Bishop playing at the Fillmore stop now and go find it. He set the place on fire. This clip appears live in the movie 'Fillmore: The Last Days'. Just outrageous!

After his stint with Butterfield, Bishop put out a number of solo albums with a mix of blues, country and Bishop. Wild guitar and clever lyrics.
Oh yeah...you want to know about the new cd!!

13 tracks that include some new and some tried and true.

Opens with Callin' All Cows - Elvin is this song! Check out the slide work!!
Who Lotta Lovin" can't say enough.... great guitars and groove!
Fooled Around...if you from this planet you really know it... great soloing again!
What the Hell is Goin" On - Pure Elvin... how do you write that if Elvin is on it it's great!
Down in Virginia...good harmonica... great guitar work!
Rock My Soul... a little break from traditional sound with a picked up end...nice touch! Everyone gets a time to solo on this one!
Cryin' Fool... I know this is a collaboration but this is a perfect song for Elvin's voice...but he lets Red Dog do his barkin... cool sax work featured on this track.
River Invitation fits nicely into the album but is just a taste of what's to come...
Dyin' Flu Elvin talks the blues to us...and then kicks it into overdrive!!
Tore Up Over You features the band and is a good tune.
It Hurt's Me Too... Elvin plays the serious blues!
Bye Bye Baby ... get that last dose of Elvin...it's over. Time to play it again!

Let me just start off by saying just cause Bishop is telling jokes and making funny limericks, doesn't mean he ain't serious about what he's doing. What he's serious about doing is having a good time and making sure that everyone else does too. He features some great supporting players including John Nemeth on vocals and harmonica, Finis Tasby on vocals, Terry Hanck on sax and vocals, Kid Anderson on guitar, Ed Early on trombone, vocals and percussion, Steve Willis on piano, accordion and vocals, Bob Welsh on guitar, Bobby Cochran on drums and vocals, Ruth Davies on bass and Lisa Leu Andersen on vocals but lets cut the BS. We are listening to this cd to hear Bishop sing and grind away on his 345 and he does both!!

Bishop comes up with the best lyrics, gravel voice and fat woody guitar sounds known to man and this cd is no exception. Now I'm not a big pop music fan so Fooled Around and Fell in Love ain't my favorite... but hey...a man's gotta make a living and if you look at his then followup cd (Small Town Boy Makes Good) even he makes good light of it. (If you haven't caught his cd's with Little Smokey Smothers...gotta do that too!!)

Do you get the feeling yet that I love Elvin Bishop music. There is rarely a musician that I can honestly say is a pure joy to watch and listen to. Elvin Bishop is one in a million and I hope that he keeps crankin' for all of us!

Raisin' Hell Review - Elvin Bishop

Well, He's done it again. Elvins got a new cd coming out.

Blues legend Elvin Bishop follows up on his acclaimed 2010 album Red Dog Speaks when Delta Groove Records releases the guitarist's live Raisin' Hell Revue on May 17, 2011. Recorded live on board last fall's Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, the new collection takes on a truly raucous party atmosphere. Bishop is assisted by veteran blues vocalist Finis Tasby, singer and harp slinger John Nemeth, guitarist Kid Anderson, and saxophonist Terry Hanck. The album's song selection runs the gamut from smoky blues and roots-rock to up-tempo R&B and even a little gospel. Nemeth fronts the vocals on Bishop's classic "Fooled Around And Fell In Love," adding his soulful flourishes to Mickey Thomas's original twangy delivery.

Gonna have to wait till I get my copy to get a review!
Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Little Brown Bird - Elvin Bishop

I think I warned you I love Elvin Bishop. If you haven't had the chance...see him!
Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Things That I Used to Do

King was born Earl Silas Johnson IV in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father, a local piano player, died when King was still a baby, and he was brought up by his mother. With his mother, he started going to church at an early age. In his youth he sang gospel music, but took the advice of a friend to switch to blues to make a better living.

King started to play guitar at age 15. Soon he started entering talent contests at local clubs including the Dew Drop Inn. It was at one of those clubs where he met his idol Guitar Slim. King started imitating Slim, and his presence gave a big impact on his musical directions. In 1954, when Slim was injured in an automobile accident (right around the time Slim had the #1 R&B hit with "The Things That I Used To Do"), King was deputized to continue Slim's band tour, representing himself as Slim. After succeeding in this role, King became a regular at the Dew Drop Inn.

His first recording came in 1953. He released a 78 "Have you Gone Crazy" b/w "Begging At Your Mercy" on Savoy label as Earl Johnson. The following year, talent scout Johnny Vincent introduced King to Specialty label and he recorded some sides including "Mother's Love" which created a little stir locally. In 1955, King signed with Johnny Vincent's label, Ace. His first single from the label "Those Lonely, Lonely Nights" become huge hit reaching #7 on the R&B chart. He continued to record during his stay at the label which lasted for 5 years, and during the time, he also he started writing songs for other artists such as Roland Stone and Jimmy Clanton.

In 1960, Dave Bartholomew invited King to record for the Imperial Records. At the label, he was backed by host of musicians including Bob and George French, James Booker, and Wardell Quezergue. It was at this label he recorded his signature songs "Come On" and "Trick Bag". The former of which remained a much covered standard for decades especially for Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Anson Funderburgh. The latter has also been widely covered including versions by The Meters and Robert Palmer.

Elvin Bishops cut oof this off of his solo cd called The Elvin Bishop Group still is one of my favorites.

The Sky Is Crying - Elvin Bishop

Can't say it too many times... Elvin Bishop is amazing. Here is some early footage of Elvin playing his old beat up 345 and crankin out the Chicago blues.
Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Small Town Boy Makes Good- Elvin Bishop

Another player who is only loosely associated with the blues primarily because he was once in the Paul Butterfield Blues Band is Elvin Bishop. Now Elvin is the real deal. He prefers to stick to his old country roots but the boy can play and he knows the blues like nobody's business. If you haven't had the chance to check out this stellar album... there's the tip. He does a great version of Things That I used to Do by Guitar Slim as well and it smokes.
Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE