Pick of the Week

Tab Benoit has been at it for quite a number of years. This Louisiana Bluesman keeps it coming and continues to make a name for himself with his Cajun style of the blues. A work ethic rivaled by none, he tours constantly playing Blues Festivals and one night gigs all over this country. This new collection is packaged very nicely with new twists on older songs, both live and studio. In particular; Shelter Me and These Arms of Mine are stellar cuts. He also joins forces with several guests including; Jimmy Thackery, Kenny Neal and Jimmy Hall. I highly recommend this one for your personal music collection, along with any other of his recordings.

The First Time I Ever Met The Blues

Can you remember the first time you heard the blues and it hit you square right between the eyes? Like many teenagers of my day I was listening to top 40 AM radio. If you happened to live in Cincinnati tri-state area, then WSAI was your station in the1960's. The British invasion was in full swing, battling the main stay American pop -rockers. It was the Beatles, The Stones, The Who and The Dave Clark Five vs Freddie & the Dreamers, The Young Rascals, The Turtles and the Beach Boys. A few years passed by and all of a sudden it was 1969. I was into the Doors, Hendrix, the Kinks and Cream. I went to the record store looking for a bargin. There happened to be a Capitol Records Sampler with a number of new artists on the record. Steve Miller Band, Bob Seger had cuts on the record and also someone I had never heard of before: Mississippi Fred McDowell. I listened to his cut and listened again and again. "Baby Please Don't Go" was the song that hooked me and introduced me to the Blues. Fred changed my entire take on music! It was McDowell that put me on the path to Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Slim Harpo, Hound Dog Taylor and a host of other players. I never got the opportunity to thank him, but thought it wasn't too late to let the world know now. Perhaps you have a similar story.

Damon Fowler Continued

Blind Pig recording Artist Damon Fowler was in the Central Florida area a couple months ago and I happened to be there with camera in hand to capture his energy & talent on this night. Damon is a blues journeyman having played for half his life at under 30 years of age!  After the first tune on stage you know he was born to do this. A natural talent, truly gifted, he continues to hone his skills making strides musically. The latest recording: Devil Got His Way, is a keeper. It speaks volumes of his abilities both in vocals and on guitar including stellar slide work. The cut: Cypress In The Pines is a tune that brings the listener front and center with what Damon is all about. The remaining cuts will be music to your ears as well. Check him out on Itunes or a show near you.

Blues . . .No Cover

My father once told me that nothing was free in life, and of course he was right. However, a blues lover can go to a local watering hole and sometimes listen to the blues with no cover charge. At times, as soon as you hear the first note you know why, other times you are pleasantly surprised and may witness a diamond in the rough. Usually I have my trusty Nikon in tow, and try to capture the emotion of the evening. A few examples of Blues with no cover through the years.