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Perhaps the end of the year and a more quiet blues scene makes one more contemplative. Did you ever wonder how a legendary bluesman celebrates his birthday? Or what ever happened to a famous East Bay blues nightclub? Or why vital blues issues aren’t discussed more? Or what are some blues websites of interest? Or why blues aren’t more honored? These items and other news comments will be discussed in this column.




.....................................BY MARIA BAINER - 2003
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BLUES DRUMMER LIVES IT UP!

Francis Clay, one of the all-time masters of blues drumming and a member of Muddy Waters’ Band on and off for 15 years, celebrated his November 79th birthday in high style at one of the best blues clubs in San Francisco. He arrived and left by limo. There were balloons everywhere and even some of Francis’ poems graced the walls in big print. The Chicago blues for the evening was provided by the very powerful performer, guitarist and vocalist, Joe Beard and others in the band. Carey Bell was supposed to be on the program too, but missed plane connections. Big Bones filled in on harp, since he was visiting here from Europe and working on his CD. Two high points was a poem written in his honor from San Francisco’s Poet Laureate and a tribute letter to him from the mayor of his home town, Rock Island, Illinois. The place was sold out and people were turned away. Francis was very moved and very happy. For much more detailed information on Francis, including some of his writings, check out producer, Mark Naftalin’s website: www.bluespower.com/a-fc.htm. In fact, Mark has oodles of information on various bluespeople which can be found in his index. (Just leave off “a-fc.htm” when checking out other people on his website.)







OTHER ANNIVERSARIES

Sista Monica celebrated ten years of performing in the Fall of ‘02. She has added new sounds to her vocal repertoire that reflect how life is for her today which can be described as “ sure, assertive, sensitive, and soulful. "Her new show includes Afro-Latin percussions and strings, and her music “blends blues, funk, rock, and neo soul.” She was the cover story of the recent Dutch blues magazine, “ Block,” and performed 17 concerts over there this Fall.

In November, Biscuits & Blues, a popular and great San Francisco blues club, celebrated its seventh anniversary with its regular seven nights of live blues. They have had a lot of good blues acts, and it is a pleasure to go there. In fact, the owner, Frank Klein, is taking over the management of the well-known, Eli’s Mile High Club in Oakland. Hopefully, the blues will be kept alive over there now too.

Formerly owned by the late John Lee Hooker, the Boom Boom Room celebrated their fifth anniversary this Fall with music in two rooms. Unfortunately, the music there is mostly funk these days, and it is difficult to see the performers from many of the seats.








FIRST ANNUAL WEST COAST BLUES SUMMIT

Nineteen participants braved the first snow of the the season to attend this blues summit on Veteran’s Day weekend in November in Reno, Nevada. Their goal was to to discuss approximately 19 vital blues-related topics. Such subjects included: Presenting and Preserving the Blues Successfully and Cooperatively; Advertising and the Media; Helping Artists and Their Causes; Finding Volunteer Legal Aid to Help Artists in Need That Can’t Afford It; and Medical Group Coverage May Be an Option if Planned Correctly. For a complete list of topics and details, check out:www.cruzinbluz.com. In fact, this is a good website to refer to for blues news and events. It was a productive weekend and all the discussions were recorded and are being transcribed. Plans are being made for the 2003 summit, at the same place and date. Some emphasis will be on education and recognition of artists. An open invitation is extended to all.





LEGENDARY BLUES AND JAZZ LADIES HONORED

The well-known American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco presented Sandra Reaves-Phillips playing and singing the roles of Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Ma Rainey, Ethel Waters, and Mahalia Jackson. This production was called “The Late Great Ladies of Blues and Jazz,” and was the last week of December. Reaves-Phillips has starred in the musicals, “Raisin” and “Black and Blue,” and has been described as “classy, sassy, powerful, and unique.” She sang many signatures tunes of these ladies, and her one-woman tribute captured the essence of the women who defined American blues and jazz.







FRONT PORCH BLUES SHOW

Charlie Musselwhite, Elvin Bishop, Robben Ford, Corey Harris, Henry Butler, Duke Robillard, Deborah Coleman and others toured nationally in a “Front Porch Blues Show” in November. This show was sponsored by performing arts centers across the country. Coleman is touring behind her first live Blind Pig CD release, “Soul Be It,” which finally captures what the “Living Blues” magazine called her “fire on the fretboard flamboyance.”




UPCOMING DATES

Two dates have already come up for 2003 events. The first one is Mark Hummel’s Blues Harmonica Blowout with James Cotton, Paul DeLay, James Harman, Mark Hummel and the Blues Survivors with Jr. Watson, plus others. This show plays in eight California venues and runs January 10 through January 19. Check Mark’s website for further details: www.markhummel.com.

The Monterey Bay Blues Festival will be June 27-29,2003. Their website is: www.montereyblues.com.

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

In my last column, I mentioned that Charles Wheal had left Mark Hummel’s band to form his own band. Charles assures me that Mark’ s band is his priority and that he doesn’t plan to leave it anytime in the near future. Charles does have his own band, but only books dates with them when he is sure he is not working with Mark.

The sixties Soul and R&B singer, Solomon Burke, played two gigs in San Francisco at two venues owned by the same people. He was touring behind his latest CD, “Don’t Give Up On Me,” on the Fat Possum label. People like Bob Dylan and Van Morrison and others contributed songs for this album, and Solomon learned each song as he prepared to record it. It made me sad to realize that time marches on and that Solomon didn’t sound like his powerful old self. Frankly, I would opt for his 2-cd reissue of his live, vital recording, “Soul Alive!,” on the Rounder label.



Also playing in the city was Tone Cool/Artemis recording artist, guitarist and vocalist, Susan Tedeschi. She was on a nine-city tour to promote her new, second CD, “Wait For Me.” Her first CD, “Just Won’t Burn,” was a gold record. Her second album was “full of high points,” as one reviewer stated. Susan sings with extraordinary feeling, and evokes the deep South sixties soul of Otis Redding and others.

Far-away places lured some of our musicians. Craig Horton and Band played the Blues Estafette Festival in Amsterdam in November. Anthony Paule and The Johnny Nocturne Band played New Year’s Eve in Orvietto, Italy. Elvin Bishop played a blues fest at St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Steve Freund performed on a two-week, eight-gig tour in Israel. Even Los Angeles seems far away. Harpist, R.J. Mischo, moved there recently.


WEBSITES TO PERUSE

There have already been a few websites mentioned in this column. As you probably know, just putting in a musician’s name and .com can often get you to their website. Plus sometimes search engines, such as www.google.com can be helpful.

If you are checking out blues festivals, try: www.bluesfestivals.com . They list ones in U.S. and elsewhere in the world. They haven’t updated to 2003 ones yet, but I am sure they will soon.

The mouthpiece for southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego is a monthly publication called “Southland Blues.” They also have an extensive website: www.southlandblues.com . They list blues events in this area and have links that go directly to Southern California bands, clubs, festivals, and even big name record companies, like Alligator Records.

Jim O’Neal, former editor of “Living Blues” magazine, and music lover, has created the internet site: http://bluesoterica.com , which is an “archival, production, consultation, research, publishing, media, and mail order company dedicated to the esoteric appreciation of the blues.” Such a mouthful. Check it out.


MUSICIANS CONTINUE TO VISIT

Even though it is a more quiet blues time, musicians still visit. In these last three months, the list included: Debbie Davies; Duke Robillard Band; North Mississippi Allstars; John Mooney; B.B.King; Henry Butler; Taj Mahal; Jimmy Thackery; Tracy Nelson; Kelly Joe Phelps; Corby Yates; Michael Burks; Big Bill Morganfield; Mem Shannon; Studebaker John & the Hawks; Joanna Connor; D.C. Minner & Lady Selby; Jesse James; Roy Gaines; Finis Tasby; Sonny Rhodes and Buddy Guy.


NEW CDS

Blind Pig Records had several issues. They had a CD Rom of Norton Buffalo and Roy Rogers to go with their CD, “Roots of Our Nature.” They released a CD recorded live for Deborah Coleman called “Soul Be It!” Their Bill Perry one is called “Crazy Kind of Life.” They also distributed “The Ford Band - In Memory of Michael Bloomfield,” which featured Robben Ford and Chris Cain. This is on the Blue Rock’It Records label.

Fantasy, Inc. issued “Blues Around The Clock,” on their Pablo label. Performers were: Joe Turner, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, and Jimmy Witherspoon.

If I wait until next year to mention this Christmas CD, I might forget it or it might be sold out. Bay area resident and a veteran of more than 35 years in show business, Willie G. sings seven original songs that he has arranged on his Christmas CD entitled “The Lone Caroler.” He is backed by talented local Bay Area musicians. Willie can be contacted by phone: 510-639-7469 or by email: willieglive@aol.com. Be the first on your block to have a new Christmas CD for the season, which will be here sooner than we think, the way time is flying.

Joe Louis Walker has a CD, “In The Morning,” out on the Telarc label. He also has an an album, “ Pasa Tiempo,” out on the Evidence label where he uses jazz and R&B music to back his vocals. Arhoolie Records released Mance Lipscomb, Vol. 5: Texas Country Blues, which was recorded between 1968 and 1973.


BLUES MUSIC IS HONORED

Yes, it is true. Congress has officially declared 2003 to be the “Year of the Blues.” It was meant to be, in a literal sense, a tribute to the blues, “the most influential form of American roots music.” The blues, as Congress noted, have documented the Great Depression, “ race relations, pop culture and the migration of the United States from a rural, agricultural society to an urban, industrialized nation.” But of course the broader implications of such a year are too obvious to ignore. There are plenty of things in the world to make 2003 a blue, depressing year, not that blues music is all that sad and depressing. There is even a very extensive website for this blues year, with all kinds of valuable blues links. It is: www.yearoftheblues.com/about.asp. It is definitely worth checking into.

There are several ambitious projects to celebrate the heritage of the blues. These include: showcase concerts, record and DVD releases,, and a touring exhibit, “Sweet Home Chicago,” which will debut at Seattle’s Experience Music Project. Topping the list is “The Blues,” a seven-part PBS (public broadcasting system) series scheduled to air in the fall, with Martin Scorsese as executive producer. So we will give the idea two thumbs up and hope that 2003 brings a year of peace, prosperity, and more peace!!!!

................................................................................................................................................................... Maria Bainer