Illinois Blues - www.IllinoisBlues.com - Blues news across the USA.

News, photos, reviews, live Blues links & MUCH MORE in this issue! - Scroll or Page Down!

Hey Blues Fans,

It was a busy Blues week! Since we found quite a bit of Blues right in our own backyard last week, we decided to venture out a bit further this week. Here is a summary of our 800 miles of Blues travels and fun.

Thursday we made it to Bradley, IL to catch the fun at Brandon Casey as "The Friends of the Blues" put on another early show bringing Smokin Joe Kubek and Bnois King to town for another well attended Blues event.

This band is really hot right now as they are touring to support their newest CD release Blood Brothers. (Alligator Records)

See all the pictures CLICK HERE

Then on Saturday we made it to a show put on by the Mississippi Valley Blues Society in Davenport, IA.

They brought John Nemeth with Junior Watson along with Mark Hummel's rhythm section in for a show at Blueport Junction.

It was easy to see why Junior Watson is regarded so highly especially among guitar players. Pure Blues genius!

John Nemeth is a 2008 Blues Music Award nominee for "Best New Artist Debut" for his current CD Magic Touch.

To see all the pictures CLICK HERE

Finally just to put a few more miles on the car at $3.50 a gallon, we made it to Illinois Central Blues Club's "Blue Monday" show in Springfield, IL to hear Bryan Lee and the Blues Power Band at the Alamo. If you are not familiar with Bryan you should be.

Check out this clip of Bryan fronting a band that includes Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Hubert Sumlin on the Tonight show - CLICK HERE

Bryan was great this night singing his heart out and playing blazing Blues for a very appreciative crowd. Another great thing about seeing Bryan is his other guitar player Brent Johnson.

Brent know how to lay back and let Bryan shine but man when this kid takes off on a lead or breaks out his slide you are in for a real treat. Don't miss Bryan and this fine young guitarist if they come anywhere near you!

See all the picture of the Blue Monday fun, CLICK HERE

MORE Blues Reviews

James Walker reviews a CD by The Mud Angels. Ben Cox sends in a review of the new CD by Kim Field & the Mighty Titans of Tone and Chicago Editor Lordy is back this week with a show review by The Harry Garner Band at The Pump Room. All this and much More! SCROLL DOWN!

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Chicago Blues Update

Live Blues reviews by Chicago Blues editor Lordy

Blues Beat: Chicago (Photos by August Lord)

The Harry Garner Band at The Pump Room

The Harry Garner Band brought its rollicking barrelhouse blues to the Pump Room Bar to provide the soundtrack for a great night of dancing, drinking and friends. This is a perfect venue for Harry and his band. Sure they pack the famous Harlem Avenue Lounge and I have even seen them light up a country club lounge, entertain restaurant patrons, and put smiles on the riders at biker fests. In my humble opinion, shot and beer bars are home sweet home for the HGB. The band consists of Al Lopeztello behind the kit. He keeps the place tapping and spices up his work with a host of percussion surprises. The bass duties are in the hands of Mark “The Shark” Wydra, who spends most of his musician time as a “go to” six string player. J.R. (not junior) Wydra is the HGB guitar player. J.R. is also guitar man in Linsey “Hoochie Man” Alexander’s band.

Guess what Harry “The Harp” Garner plays. Harry handles most of the vocals, but the two guys named Wydra chip in as well. Harry has a distinctive vocal style that growls yet allows you to hear each word clearly. When he sings Dead Presidents, for example, you get it all. Harry was not raised in Chicago, but he surely has earned his blues stripes. He was originally from South Philly, which is, of course, and Eastern suburb of Chicago. From there to another urban mecca named Cleveland. After a stint in the Marines, Harry wandered a bit and found himself married to a Playboy bunny in Chicago. I will let you finish the story. Then, as he says, “I found the blues”. Harry is a private, intelligent individual with a serious intention to be true to Chicago blues. He means what he plays. Mark the Shark, is a music dictionary and has no problem throwing in riffs from rock or country to see if you’re awake. Not a problem, as I can’t imagine anyone falling asleep to the HGB.

CLICK HERE to visit Lordy's website at ChicagoBluesBeat.com

To see a Chicago Area list of upcoming events CLICK HERE

If you know of a Chicago Blues event or news, please send it to

Barstool Blues

New Release by Big Paw Records

Chicago style Blues Guitar
High energy all the way to the low-down

Chicago Bluesman Bob Levis with a host of Chicago area Blues greats including Lonnie Brooks, Brother Dave Kaye, Steve Ditzell, Westside Andy Linderman, Dennis "Link" Leary, Larry Pendelton, Jimmy Voegeli, Ted Lawrence, Marty Binder and Dave Wood.

"Authentic sound, infused with gritty energy of Chicago Blues." - Blues Blast Magazine

CLICK HERE to Purchase this CD

28 Bands - 3 days of Sun & Blues Fun

Kilborn Alley Blues Band, Kal David, The Kinsey Report, Elvin Bishop, Ben Prestage, Steve James and Del Rey, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Otis Taylor and the Black Banjo Project, Little Bobby and the Storm, Phil Guy, Teresa James, Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers, Koko Taylor, Kent Burnside & New Generation, Paul Geremiah, Big Pete Pearson & Rhythm Room Allstars, Great Black Music Ensemble, Billy Boy Arnold with Jody Williams, Iowa Blues Challenge Winner, Alexis P Suter, John Nemeth with Junior Watson, Denise LaSalle, Tinsley Ellis, Boo Hanks, Doug MacLeod, Marie Knight, Big George Brock, The Holmes Brothers

To see the complete schedule CLICK HERE

Click image above to visit our website for more info!

(Note: Our prayers are with Little Arthur! The Backscratchers will perform with another harmonica player if Arthur is unable to perform.)

Featured Blues Review (1 0f 2) SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE

Mud Angels - A Bolt From The Blue

Self Release - www.mudangels.com
www.myspace.com/mudangelsmusic

12 songs; 52:14 minutes; Splendid

Genre: Blues-Rock

Help! I’ve fallen in the mud, and I can’t get up. I am not calling for rescue; I am calling for company! Join me, neck-deep-in-love with the slide guitar opening, rocking rhythm, two six string mid-song solos, and angelic vocals from the Mud Angels’ debut album’s first track, “Derailed.” The album is a wealth of vocal and guitar melodies, performed by front woman Laura "Torch" England and lead guitarist Kenny Cobb. Sure, it’s a CD from a “regional band” in the Madison, Wisconsin area, but so what. Even The Beatles were a local hit before their inter-galactic success.

Laura England is the real star in this tone-rich, guitar-driven outing. The timbre of her voice instantly calls one’s attention away from even an interesting task, and she is wonderfully versatile across varying styles, emotions, intensities, and ranges. Her comely looks (seen in the liner photos) put the peanut butter square in the middle of this chocolate bar. England also shines as a songwriter; she crafted all of her vocal melodies, most of the lyrics, and some of the song structures. Born and raised in North Carolina, England only in recent years began singing Blues. Blues and Rock highlight the strength and style of her voice. "The expressive and challenging melodies of the blues feel so natural -- it’s like this is where my voice belongs," says England.

The Mud Angels are a Blues-Rock band justly nominated for three awards in both the 2007 and the 2008 Madison Area Music Awards competition (Female Vocalist of the Year, Blues Song of the Year, and Blues Artist of the Year). Their sound is created by England on vocals, Kenny Cobb and Jackson on guitars, Mike Burden on bass guitar, and Andy Mosey on drums.

At the band’s core are Andy Mosey, Mike Burden, and Jackson, who have been playing together in various forms for more than ten years. Serendipitously, they recruited singer Laura England to front the band in the spring of 2005 and lead guitarist Kenny Cobb in the fall of 2006 to complete their guitar-driven, vocal highlighted sound. It is Cobb, the band’s newest member, who provides the stylistic adhesion that pulls together the tightness of the core and vocals with crafty fretboard fireworks to create their full and rousing sound.

Through two years performing the influential bluesy tunes of powerhouses like Susan Tedeschi (to whom England is frequently compared), Sue Foley, Candye Kane and The Allman Brothers Band, the Mud Angels steadily added original songs to their set until this album shaped up.

The Mud Angels released A Bolt From The Blue in February 2008. The record includes 12 original tunes with a variety of styles coming from having three writers in the band, Laura England, Kenny Cobb and Jackson. The record showcases many moods, like slow, sexy numbers "You Sang My Note," "Bring Color Back," and "River Landing." "Kiss Me Slow" is downright sensual while "You Say I'm Picky" exudes sassy confidence. "On My Side" finds England chastising a selfish lover for soured love, but singing sweet devotion on "I Gotta Know." "Tell Me Where We're Going" and "It's Late" are flat out, catchy-guitar-hook, rocking blues. Jackson takes a turn at vocals on his edgy and bitter lyrics found in "Politics."

But, for a fun oddity, try the 90-miles-per-hour Rock and Rolling ode to sweet summer fruit, “Summer Tomatoes.” How many varieties of love apples can you name? There are no less than 21 types are listed in the lyrics.

The Mud Angels will be touring around Wisconsin and beyond in 2008 to promote this new record, with appearances at a number of regional blues festivals. Keep an eye out and both ears open to the Mud Angels for more of their catchy originals and favorite blues rock covers! To Purchase this CD now CLICK HERE

Reviewer James “Skyy Dobro” Walker is a noted Blues writer, DJ and Blues Blast contributor. His weekly radio show “Friends of the Blues” can be heard each Thursday from 4:30 – 6:00pm on WKCC 91.1 FM in Kankakee, IL

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.

Click image above to visit our website for tickets and more info!

Bull Riding and Blues?

After many failed attempts to secure a Country Band for for the Redneck Rodeo in Fort Madison, IA on April 26th, The Rodeo decided to try something different.

Blues slide master Eric Sardinas And Big Motor will perform at 9:00pm followed by Freebird - The Ultimate Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Band

Start time for the rodeo is at 7:00 PM

This should be a great time and very interesting. For advanced tickets ($10) contact Nichole at (319) 470-3068. Admission is $12 at the show.

The host hotel is the Travelodge (formally The Iowan) (319) 372-7510.

If you have not seen Eric Sardinas LIVE and Outdoors, don't miss this!

Blues Want Ads

Place Your Blues Musician Want Ad here for FREE

Blues Society Seeks Artist Dressing Trailers for Blues Festival

The Mississippi Valley Blues Society (Davenport, IA) seeks some Blues fans who have a large vacation trailer and want to attend one of the best Blues Festivals on the planet for FREE.

If you have a large travel trailer, touring coach or motor home (Air Stream etc) that we could use as a dressing room for our festival performers during the MVBS festival (July 3-5th, 2008) we can offer FREE VIP backstage passes and Hotel accommodations at our Festival hotel (The Lodge) in Davenport, IA in return for the use of your mobile trailer. For more information please contact the MVBS office at (563) 322-5837 or by email at mvbs@mvbs.org

Venue Wanted for Blues Jam

The Twist and The Groove Machaine Band are looking for a new home to host open night jams for thursday nights. We are out of the Will county area (Illinois). We have a good following, just need a good place to host. so if you are a bar, club, or theatre owner and you have live blues and R&B and can open your doors to us. Then drop us a line at jeffruffinsgiftworld@yahoo.com We just closed out a two (2 1/2 ) year run in Plainefield,I L. You can see video clips at myspace.com/jeffruffinthemuffinman

Equipment For Sale

Hartke XL 4-10 400 watt bass cabinet with cover. Used very little. $285.00. Cedar Rapids, IA.319.365.2686 evulich@mchsi.com

"workin Blues performers" can place Want Ads here for FREE. NO Commercial Ads!
Buy or sell equipment , musicians wanted, gigs wanted etc. Limit 100 words.

All ads submitted will be used if space allows. If space is limited, ads will be randomly selected to appear in the Blues Blast. Ads may be edited. Send your ad submission to

South Side Cindy & The Slip Tones