Connecticut Blues Society Quarterly newsletter

1. State of the
BLUES
The official
publication
of the
Connecticut
Blues Society
SUMMER 2006
Connecticut
Blues Society Hear Connecticut’s Best Blues
Bands at Challenge Final
A non-profit organization
P.O. Box 651
Higganum, CT 06441
www.ctblues.org
MISSION STATEMENT
The Connecticut Blues Society is by Kent Kirkland 2:45 – 3:15 p.m. The Mike Crandall Band
T
dedicated to the promotion and
took the third night and will entertain
preservation of the Blues as a he West Hartford Hannon-Hatch
unique music form in the State from 3:30 – 4 p.m. The Johnny Boots
VFW post will host the 2006 CT
of Connecticut. Founded in 1993, Band, as winner of the fourth night, will
CTBS is a non-profit organiza- Blues Society Challenge Final
be on stage from 4:15 – 4:45 p.m. Ryan
tion and an affiliated member Saturday September 9 from 2 to 7 p.m.
of the Blues Foundation, a Hartt & The Blue Hearts, who took
Don’t miss a fun afternoon that provides
worldwide network of 50 Blues the 5th preliminary, will play from 5
Societies with an international local bands with the opportunity to hit
– 5:30 p.m., and the winner of the sixth
membership in 12 countries. the big time. One band will be selected to
(The Foundation produces the preliminary evening, The Mojomatics,
represent Connecticut at the International
annual W.C. Handy Awards, the will take the stage from 5:45 – 6:15 p.m.
Lifetime Achievement Award, Blues Challenge (IBC), in Memphis, TN in
Just as in the preliminaries, blues-
the International Blues Talent February. The list of blues greats that have
Competition, and the nationally knowledgeable judges will use IBC
competed in and come out of the IBC over
syndicated Blues radio show, guidelines to rank each band, using
Beale Street Caravan). the years is impressive indeed including
blues content, talent, originality, and
CTBS is a great way to cultivate Slick Ballinger, Michael Burks, Tommy
one’s love for the Blues and stage presence as criteria. Tom Retano,
Castro, Albert Cummings, Delta Moon,
make friends that share this entertainment chairman of the Berlin
interest. Members receive State Larry Garner, and Susan Tedeschi.
Blues Festival, will continue the engaging
of the Blues, our newsletter, Over 30 blues bands from all over the
which provides information on Master of Ceremonies services he
state signed up for this year’s Challenge,
the local and national Blues provided throughout the preliminaries.
scene, along with reviews of CDs necessitating an expansion from the
Retano also organized impromptu jams
and other Blues products. traditional five-week preliminary process.
of attending musicians at the end of each
Each Thursday night for six weeks
preliminary to keep excitement high while
throughout June and half of July five bands
the judges’ votes were tallied.
rocked crowds at Black-eyed Sally’s. With
The Final winner will be awarded a
a number of high quality acts each night,
slot in the 2007 Berlin Blues Festival,
judges had difficulty narrowing the 30
a number of other quality gigs around
preliminary bands down to six finalists.
Connecticut, and a cash prize to offset
Participating musicians deserve kudos.
travel expenses for the Memphis trip.
Of course they wanted to win but especially
Last year’s winner, Jr. Krauss & The
this year, bands supported each other with
Shakes, won $1,500. The IBC winner in
a high level of camaraderie. Ten bands were
Memphis will win $1,000 of studio time,
new to the Challenge; two of the new bands,
an appearance on the Legendary Blues
one from Waterbury and the other from
Cruise, and an opportunity to open for
Fairfield, won slots in the Final.
the Blues Awards, and the King Biscuit
The band that won the first night’s
Festival.
preliminary, Fade to Blue, will open Sat.’s
The Hannon-Hatch VFW is located
Final, playing from 2 — 2:30 p.m. Eran
at 83 South St., West Hartford, CT.
Troy Danner & Hot Dallas, which got the
Admission is $5. Coolers are not
most points from the judges on the second
night of preliminaries, will perform from Continued on Page 10
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2. State of the
BLUES
The official publication of the Connecticut Blues Society
An Interview with Annie Raines
by Lauren Davis Shea It allowed me to make a sound that I’d felt but I couldn’t
produce. And the sound of a harmonica is similar to that
LS: You’ve been described as, “The best female blues of a woman who sings in the alto range.
harmonica player, ever.” And, “One of the best harp LS: What does your mother think, now ?
players around, period.” Which do you like better? AR: She hopes I’ll be able to make a living at it someday.
AR: I’d rather be described as a top player—really there Paul (Rishell) and I have been raising a daughter for the
are no women I could compare myself to in terms of last ten years since her mother died and haven’t been able
wanting to grow as a harmonica player. to get ahead financially.
LS: W “James Cotton, Jr.?” LS: Didn’t your partnership with Paul begin in ’92 at his
AR: Oh, I love that! It’s one of the coolest things. I had wife’s suggestion?
the pleasure of playing with him on several occasions. AR: Paul’s wife, Leslie, was his manager as well. She
LS: Your blues influences included Muddy Waters, was adamant that we play together and she did everything
Howlin’ Wolf, and Big Walter Horton. Where did you she could to help the partnership grow, from booking
get the ambition to make it not only in a man’s world but gigs and making travel arrangements to haranguing club
playing a man’s instrument? owners to pay us what we were owed. She was diagnosed
with breast cancer in ’94 and died in ’96. Their daughter
was nine.
LS: How horrible.
AR: We had to keep the most important things first, the
family and the music, and the career would fall where it
will. She’s 18 now, and has turned out so well.
LS: You recorded on Paul’s Swear to Tell the Truth CD
in ’93. You’d been playing harmonica at that point since
you were 17, for eight years. Have you found your musical
soulmate?
AR: He’s my only living musical soulmate—there are
several soulmates who died before I was born; Sonny Boy
Williamson, Little Walter. They’re my inspiration—I feel
very close to them. “Soulmate” is a Pollyanna concept;
however I can say Paul and I share so many unspoken
values that come out through our music. We listen and
respond to each other.
LS: What made you decide not to stick to singing, a far
more traditional field for women musicians?
Photo by Alan Orling AR: I felt very insecure about singing; didn’t consider
Paul Rishell and Annie Raines have played together for 13 that an option. I never sang publicly until ’95, when I
years and have been described as “the best blues duo in the sang a song I wrote called Got to Fly.
world.” LS: How did your initial experiences playing with Blues
AR: My mother was part of the feminist movement of by Butch influence you?
the late ’60s. She decided to become an artist when I was AR: Butch McClendon was an intense person and great
born, to inspire me to do what I wanted to do by setting teacher. I had a great rapport with him from the time I
an example. She gave me an alternate set of life tools joined his band in 1988. He died in 1992 at the age of 39,
to work with, teaching me not to worry about fitting in and I started freelancing. I realized how rare it is to find
with the mainstream. The harmonica gave me a voice. such a connection with another musician. When I started
Continued on Page 8
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3. State of the
BLUES
2006 Blues Challenge Preliminaries
The 2006 Challenge Judges:
2005 Challenge Winner Jr. Krauss & Shakes band
members Shawn Leonard, Bob Bequillard, Ben Boylan,
Doug “Jr.” Krauss, and Andy McDonald; Blues Music
Writers & Artists Mary Lou Sullivan, Lauren Shea, and
Fran Drew; “Super Fans” Sue Meeker and Ed Stack;
Blues DJs Ben Shaiken, Doug MacNeil, and “Ramblin’
Bert Rand (WHUS), “River City Slim” Peter Rost
(WWUH); Blues musicians “XY Eli” Williams and
Tony Lupia; and CD Producer Glenn Holley.
The Participating Bands:
Walter Lewis Blues Band, Don’t Tell Muddy, The
Bluesmeisters, Ironwood, Fade to Blue, Blues Deluxe,
Bryan James Gatten Band, Ms. Marci & The Lovesick Other:
Hounds, Eran Troy Danner & Hot Dallas, Cobalt CTBS Director Ed Stack assisted in balloting and
Rhythm Kings, Bluzberry Pi, The Mike Crandall in staffing the CTBS table; CTBS President Dave
Band, Steve Polezonis & Free Chicken & Beer, D. O’Neil staffed the CTBS table; CTBS Director Zeke
Smith Blues Band, Wanted, Basically Blues Band, EZ Ster was the first in and last out, delivering, setting
Street, Gene Donaldson & The Stingrays, The Johnny up, and breaking down the drum kit and bass; Terri
Boots Band, Tinted Blue, Pete Scheips Band, Drew Jones handled timekeeping; Ray Meeker tabulated
Blood Blues Band, Ryan Hartt & The Blue Hearts, ballots; and Kent Kirkland, CTBS Director, was
The Pawnbrokers, Troy T. Blues Band, Bad Boys Blues photographer and Event Coordinator. Blue Moon
Band, Blues on the Side, ED & The Bluepills, The Ale co-sponsored the preliminary process along with
Known Unknowns, Mojomatics. Black-eyed Sally’s.
$$ 1,000 DOLLARS $$ State of the Blues
Summer • 2006
That’s what it costs the Connecticut Blues Society to produce, print
and mail this summer edition of the newsletter. We mail an edition out Connecticut Blues Society Board of Directors
every quarter, so that’s $4,000 every year that we spend to keep you DAVE O’NEIL–president
informed about the Blues in and around Connecticut. It is your member- SARAH SANDERS–treasurer
ship dues that we rely on to help defray this cost, as well as, the cost of DOM FORCELLA–past president
our website, our event postcards, sending the Blues Challenge winners TOM SANDERS–past president
VINNY CERVONI–director
to Memphis and running the regular Blues events throughout the year.
ED STACK–director
None of the volunteers in this organization are paid for their efforts, but ZEKE STER–director
we do need a steady stream of income to keep you informed about Blues DAVE JONES–webmaster
in Connecticut and help promote this genre of music we love so much. KENT KIRKLAND–director
Please take a moment after reading this newsletter to look at your mail-
LAUREN DAVIS SHEA–editor
ing address. It should contain the Expiration Date of your Blues Society KENT KIRKLAND, ART TIPALDI, ART SIMAS
membership. If your membership has expired, please renew and help us MARK ZARETSKY, PETE DOYLE, TOM SANDERS–writers
continue to promote the Blues. Thank you for your continued support! FRANCES DREW–newsletter design
State of the Blues — Summer 2006 3
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4. State of the
BLUES
The official publication of the Connecticut Blues Society
Jammin’ in Chicago
asked if a solid, not-so-famous harp player might
sit in. He said Saturday was a “harp jam” and could
work. On Friday, I met my four old friends at the fest.
When I said I might play Saturday, my friend Dan—
By Mark Zaretsky the guy who introduced me to Muddy Waters—said,
I
’ve been going to the Chicago Blues Festival for 20 “Whattaya mean play tomorrow? We’re here today!
years as an expatriate Chicagoan, returning home
to draw from the well. Generally when people
ask who’s playing I tell them, “It doesn’t matter; it’s
about being there,”— in ‘the Home of the Blues,’
surrounded by 100,000 blues-lovin’ friends.
OK, so this year I was wrong. That’s because this
year there was a new performer debuting on the
Mississippi Juke Joint Stage. Me. That guy sitting
in with Dave Specter and Aron Burton, bassist for
Albert Collins’ Icebreakers – with four of my junior
high buddies in the audience – was me; living out one
of my longest-running blues fantasies. I’ve played
blues harp for more than 20 years now and have
fronted Connecticut blues band The Cobalt Rhythm
Kings for 10. But my experience
playing in Chicago generally
was limited to appearances at
Headliner Bettye Lavette performs on the main stage.
relatives’ weddings and a
few jams at Kingston Mines, As Specter got ready to go on I told him my crew
a well- known Chicago blues was there and THEY wanted to know if I could
club. play. “Catch my eye about an hour into the set,”
So when I heard Spector replied. Just a few minutes after I did that—
this year that immediately after an appearance by former Muddy
organizers Waters bassist Calvin “Fuzz” Jones—Spector called
booked me up to join the band.
a “house We played two songs, “Kiddio” and “Everyday I
band” led by Have the Blues,” both songs I do with my own band.
Specter, who When Burton gave me “the look” and I took my first
happens to be a solo on “Kiddio” a couple of thousand people cheered,
friend, and Burton, to including my buddies. Actually, it was more like a
run a “Jam Station” roar. Inside, so did I.
each evening, I e- The next day, I ran into another old blues buddy,
mailed Specter. He told Tony Mangiullo from Rosa’s Lounge, one of
me to touch base when Chicago’s top blues joints. I told him about the
I arrived. previous evening’s excitement. “You never told me
On opening day you played the blues!” Mangiullo said. Didn’t I?
I stopped by to talk He invited me to sit in at Rosa’s – with Lurrie Bell
before his show and no less, one of my favorite Chicago guitarists and
son of one of my harp heroes, Carey Bell. The next
Mark Zaretsky, of CT’s Cobalt night there I was, playing “Messin’ With The Kid”
Rhythm Kings, solos while with Lurrie – with Super Chikan’s bassist sitting in
sitting in on the Mississippi on guitar and Mangiullo himself on drums, piling one
Juke Joint Stage. day’s fantasies-come-true on top of another.
4 State of the Blues — Summer 2006
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5. State of the
BLUES
Bluzin’ in Chicago
By Pete Doyle
A
ll enthusiasts who want a genuine experience in
Blues music, culture, and history need to go to
the great Chicago Blues Festival. Four full days
of music with six different stages, all with different
themes, keep music fans on the move. The Gibson
Guitar Crossroads stage-where guitars were always
jamming, and the Mississippi Juke Joint stage-with
a more acoustic Delta sound, are at the ends of two Headliner Elvin Bishop is joined by his mentor, “Little
streets. The Main Stage/Petrillo Music Shell starts Smokey” Smothers on the main stage.
at 5 each night, and runs to 9:30 p.m. sharp. No one
complains about the lack of encores because, hey the jazzy, good-time band had things jumping. His piano
whole festival is free admission! playing, party atmosphere was a true Bourbon Street
A quick rundown of some shows: • Elvin Bishop show. • ’Lil Ray from Baton Rouge had great guitar
and his old blues teacher, Smokey Smothers. They work and two pianos. The six-man band jammed real
played an hour later than the scheduled time but no hard for the very friendly crowd. • Catherine Russell
one cared. • Super Chikan from Clarksdale, Miss., from New York, clearly influenced by her bandleader
and his all-female, high-energy band drew a huge father, gave a very good performance within a wide
crowd. He played guitars made from a ceiling fan, range of musical styles. • Henry Butler played piano
a gas can, and a cigar box! His adult-rated nursery and sang like Ray Charles. He and Vasti Jackson
rhymes had everyone more than amused. He ended played smokin’ Chicago blues. • Eddie Shaw and the
every song with the phrase “somebody shoot that Wolfgang played many classic Wolf tunes with three
thang!” Presumably the chicken! • Duwayne Burnside side performers from the early days of Howlin’ Wolf.
and The Mississippi Mafia tore things up with hard- Real good stuff. • Zora Young has a powerful gospel-
driving, down and dirty blues. Great music and I like voice and a solid band. Her guest, Koko Taylor,
thought a good name for a band. • Eddie Bo and his sang ‘Wang Dang Doodle.’ • The great Sam Lay sat
in on the drums with the Siegel-Schwall Blues Band,
and later received a lifetime achievement award.
His contributions to blues through playing, writing,
producing and the number of bands he helped start
is truly amazing. Look him up. • Walter “Wolfman”
Washington showcased his tight jazz fusion type
band. • Bobby Blue Bland did his usual thing,
although now confined to a wheelchair.
Thinking of going next year? Southwest flies from
Bradley to Midway Airport direct. The Best Western
and Congress Plaza Hotel are good /better places to
stay. Take the Orange Line train to Grant Park for
$2, where the festival is held. All you need to know
is Michigan Ave., and two streets running parallel:
Wabash and State. Buddy Guys’ Legends club is
on Wabash. You can’t go wrong with Miller’s Pub.
Closer Bobby “Blue” Bland performs on the main stage. Everything you need is within walking distance.
State of the Blues — Summer 2006 5
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6. State of the
BLUES
The official publication of the Connecticut Blues Society
REVIEWS By Art Tipaldi
Little Milton, His Last watch that on the chitlin’ circuit, Milton’s style and songs
Concert, Live At The North are as popular with audiences as B.B. King’s songs.
Atlantic Blues Festival, Once he began to sing, it was with a distinctive voice
(Camil Productions) One of that blends Beale Street soul and Mississippi Delta real-
the most devastating tragedies ism in the stories he told. From there, he reprised another
last year was the untimely classic, “Annie Mae’s Cafe,” which transported these
death of Little Milton waterfront Maine blues fans back South to a backwoods
Campbell. Milton was the Mississippi Bar-B-Q joint. His pictures and descriptions
picture of health and energy. were so vivid that fans here were probably wantin’ some
Every performance was a white lightnin’ with their lobster rolls. Follow that with
class act. Then, in August “Walking The Backstreets Crying” and “A Possum In My
2005, we suddenly lost him. His final performance was at Tree” and it’s easy to see why Little Milton connected so
the North Atlantic Blues Festival on July 9th and thank- directly with his fans. His intimate storytelling augment-
fully, it was filmed by festival promoter Paul Benjamin. ed by his hanging, bent notes personalized every Little
Benjamin approached Milton’s widow, Pat Campbell, Milton experience.
about the possibility of releasing this to grieving fans of Milton once told me about his sound. “I think my
Little Milton around the world. originality is control and power. I approach songs with
From the moment he took the stage singing “Still Some power or softness, letting the voice start telling the story
Meat Left On The Bone,” one thing was clear. Other then and gradually building into a climax-type thing. You can
B.B. King, no one is as honored in the world of blues as mimic me, but if you don’t feel it, it’s not gonna come out
Little Milton. Amid the pouring rain of the day, Benjamin right.” This is evident in all the songs here. No Milton
accurately captured the essence of Milton’s greatness. show would be complete without the international blues
His throaty tenor is one of the most recognizable in the anthem, his world famous “Blues Is Alright.” After two
blues. His eloquent single string guitar work was born mid tempo, slow blues songs, “Blues Is Alright” energeti-
from growing up deep in the Mississippi Delta. Like all cally bathed blues over the Maine crowd like the sunshine
the blues greats, Little Milton played and sang every song that finally peaked through on this rainy day. First Milton
here with over a half century of musical history in every soloed on his Gibson, then he put the guitar down and led
note. the fans in a side to side sing-a-long.
On the second song, Milton talked and sang his way The CD recorded from the performance also has
through the soul ballad, “Just One Moment.” Resplendent Milton’s seven minute encore “Shake, Rattle, And Roll.”
in green and gold, Milton delivered his pleadin’, age old, The words of farewell from his widow, Pat Campbell tell
love song of need as only he could. The third song, “I the world the kind of man Milton Campbell was through-
Don’t Believe In Ghosts,” had Milton wondering about the out his life. His love of all people and music lived right
strange happenings in his home, including being bitten until his final days.
by his own dog. During this song, Milton put the shiny, Milton’s unique voice, guitar, and soul will be greatly
wood grained Gibson over his shoulder and ripped off missed around the world. This CD and DVD are musi-
some of that single string lead guitar he is known for. cal treasures every fan of honest American music should
Milton began his 20 minute soul blues medley with his own. This CD is available at http://www.littlemiltonsstore.
signature thick toned guitar intro. The four tunes included com.
in the medley are classic Milton. On “Catch You On The All proceeds from the CD go to Milton’s widow. The
Way Down,” Milton offered a guitar primer for every DVD is available at https://pour.midcoast.com/~bluesman/
guitarist watchin’. No string was left untouched, no tone nabrecords.html and part of the proceeds from that sale
unexplored by the master. Remember while you listen and will go to the Blues Foundation in Little Milton’s memory.
6 State of the Blues — Summer 2006
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7. State of the
BLUES
REVIEWS By Art Simas
Dan Stevens Road to “Sleepin’ Alone” by Toby Walker recounts the famil-
Memphis (River Road iar tale of travel on the road. On this one, Stevens allows
Music) Dan Stevens is one of himself some fun and cuts loose by finger dancing on the
the best at playing traditional frets. Its corollary, Stevens’ original “Ramblin,’ ” moseys
blues with personal passion. along without looking back because, “I’m like a dog that
As he embarked on his jour- don’t remember his name.” This inevitably leads to the
ney Stevens gave listeners state of “Broke Down and Hungry,” another Stevens com-
a glimpse of what to expect position. While none of us want to be there, we find our-
when he reached his last stop. selves in this predicament every now and then. There’s no
While the geographical des- fault or blame to be handed out. We’re just here; now we
tination is Memphis, Tenn., I get the sense that Stevens have to deal with it.
isn’t concerned about where he ends up. It’s the journey One of the most interesting songs is the combined “It
that’s most important – the meetings, discoveries, and Hurts Me Too” by Elmore James and “Come Into My
Kitchen” by Robert Johnson. Stevens initially teases the
friends who happen to be on the same road.
listener with an all-too-short solo that captures the essence
With a mix of originals, tried and true standards, and of the lament during the first song. But he recovers to
a sprinkling of rusted nuggets, Stevens blends his unique make a sly midnight creep into the Johnson tune. With
talents with an understated reverence for the music. On an elongated 6:36 minutes, the listener will get his or her
the classic, “Drinkin’ Muddy Water,” the resonance of the full of “Kitchen.” A playful “That’s Alright” by Arthur
National guitar seeps into your skin ever so slowly, like a Crudup emerges after a bit of reminiscing about a visit to
man crawling, in search of himself. The gospel according Sun Studios in Memphis and the ghost of Elvis.
to the Rev. Gary Davis shines on “Oh Glory,” a technical- The CD finishes with the last original by Stevens,
ly difficult tune to carry, both with the fingers and vocally. “Can’t Make Me Blue,” about meeting up with someone
It’s interesting that “Oh Glory” precedes a cover of who did you wrong way back when. Divorcées and driv-
Memphis Minnie’s “Down in the Alley” who’s got to ers and passengers on the boulevard of broken dreams
get her business “fixed all right.” As in most blues, the take heart because, “You can’t make me blue no more …
interpretation and meaning is wide open to the listener, I’m done dealing with the pain I went through over you.”
depending upon where you’re at in your life. Now ain’t that the truth!
Jason Nocera provides all art work for The Worldʼs Most Annoying CD, available at: http://www.prankplace.com/annoyCD.htm
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8. State of the
BLUES
The official publication of the Connecticut Blues Society
Annie Raines cont'd from page 2 in front of so many people, especially such a hip crowd. It
was such an honor to be part of his show.
playing with Paul, I was in a position to appreciate it. LS: You left Antioch College your first year to pursue
LS: The bantering you and Paul engaged in when I saw music fulltime. Do you think about going back?
you perform is genuine, funny, and politically incorrect. AR: I’ve gone to Road U., but I always want to continue
How do you manage that playfulness on stage? my musical education. I love learning new instruments
AR: I’m known as a loose cannon on stage. The crowd in and new styles.
Connecticut was so welcoming. We love playing listening LS: You play piano, mandolin, mandolin harp, Hammond
rooms like Canton's Roaring Brook Nature Center. B-3 organ, percussion. How have you learned so many
LS: More than playing at clubs? instruments?
AR: We have a band that we bring with us for club dates. AR: I’ve played piano since I was a kid. Paul started
These are musicians with finesse; with patience and me playing mandolin when he wanted to play guitar
an ear for the idiom—there’s more to blues than three on Kansas City Blues. The mandolin has a certain
chords. We also love playing festivals—blues, or folk, or resemblance to the harmonica in that it’s set up in fifths.
bluegrass, or roots. I’d like to spend more time learning how to play. I’m also
LS: How have you and Paul pulled off being such studying tap dance, because physicality is important in
crossover artists? African and folk music. Dancing is percussive, and it will
AR: Those classifications are born of convenience for influence my playing.
record sellers. I’m a blues musician at heart. Some of LS: How about songwriting? How does that happen for
my songs may remind others of folk or rock, but what you?
people call “the blues” is really subjective anyway. Try AR: That’s really my first love; I’ll get a few words
comparing Stevie Ray Vaughan with Mississippi Fred or phases and then a melody comes to mind. Paul has
McDowell. Which is blues? inspired me as a songwriter. I respond to the stimulus of
LS: Your CDs together have included ’96’s I Want You doing a lot of gigs. I want to do more. We played about 50
to Know, which was nominated for four Handy Awards; gigs last year and this year it looks like we’ll go back up
’99’s Moving to the Country, which won the Handy for to what we were doing before 9/11, about 100.
acoustic album of the year; and ’04’s Going Home. What LS: Why do you put so much time into teaching others
has winning the Handy done for your career? how to play harmonica?
AR: I was surprised how much it helped, getting us more AR: Teaching is learning. It forces you to examine more
press and bigger crowds. We were very gratified to win, deeply the subtlety and motivation behind the technique.
as we always considered ourselves to be on the outside The secret delight is that you are communing with music
looking in. when you share how to do it with another person who is
LS: What’s it like playing with people like Pinetop appreciative.
Perkins and Susan Tedeschi? LS: Your website creates an inviting forum for interaction
AR: I’d been listening so hard for the harmonica when I with fans. Why do you make the time to write there?
heard Muddy Water’s music; when I played with Pinetop, AR: It’s exercise in playing with words—dusting off an
I became more appreciative of the impact of his piano unused part of my mind. Whenever you take the stage you
in creating the overall sound. Susan Tedeschi hired occupy two roles, as guest and hopefully as gracious host.
me in ’95 when she was just getting started playing That’s something I always work on. We want our website
clubs around Boston. She, Adrienne Hayes and I had to be a reflection of that—a nice place that we host where
a good energy together, but there was a lot of pressure people can hang out.
to be a commercial “girl band,” playing grandstanding LS: Is there anything I haven’t asked that you’d like to
rock’n’roll—we were trying to play the blues. Susan was talk about?
a big inspiration to me as a singer and as a musician, but I AR: Ask me whatever it is that you were hesitant to ask
already knew where my heart was musically, and that was about.
in playing with Paul. LS: Are you and Paul married?
LS: What is your most memorable moment on stage? AR: We’re planning to be. We went about this
AR: Opening for Ray Charles. We get energized playing
Continued on Page 10
8 State of the Blues — Summer 2006
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9. State of the
BLUES
“Ask The Blues other blues musicians? I’m sure if you asked them you’d
get many answers, but primarily in no particular order:
• They are busy; wife, kids, business, whatever. Just
Curmudgeon” can’t find the time.
• They’re more interested in improving their own
(Tom Sanders is the Blues playing, so they play as much as they can. Can’t make the
Curmudgeon. He is a founder time.
and former president of the • They’re just more interested in themselves, period.
CTBS, winner of the 1996 Blues Couldn’t give a rat’s ass about supporting others.
Challenge, for 15 years founder • The driving thing with the DUI laws. Young guys
and bandleader of the Hornets— don’t care as much—they will take more chances. But
and currently the Known Unknowns, and all around there aren’t many young people into blues, especially
blues idea man. the women. Just look at the difference in the crowd at
Hey Blues Curmudgeon, Hartford’s Sally’s and Pig’s Eye.
With so few opportunities to hear live blues around Need I say more! So maybe the answer is, too many
Connecticut, why don’t the considerable numbers of local old guys trying to hold onto a piece of their youth, still
Blues musicians attend other blues bands’ gigs? into the blues, and not enough young people giving a shit.
Next question.
This is a great follow up to the question that I
answered in the last newsletter about getting more people
out to blues shows. It’s complex; I don’t claim to have
the answer, but first here’s a little background on my
perspective.
When I first got the blues fever I would go to hear any
blues band I could find. This was the late ’70’s/early ’80’s
when there were very few local blues bands although
some big time artists like Muddy Waters passed through
now and then. I’m sure I’ll be corrected on this, but
Roomful of Blues, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, Duke
Robillard & The Pleasure Kings, Albert Otis, L.A. Jones,
and Hash Brown are the only ones I remember playing
blues locally on a regular basis. However, this was a great
time to hear blues. All these guy’s were hitting it hard. Blues, Booze, BBQ
The venues close to me that had blues bands were
Hartford’s Rocking Horse, New Britain’s Angelico’s and and a record label too!
Rosie O’Grady’s and—the most unlikely—Middletown’s
Elbow Room. In the mid-’80’s, Manchester’s Hungry Check out Phil Guyʼs latest CD on Black Eyed
Tiger and New London’s Bank St. Café also came on the Records. Recorded at Paranoise Studios in
scene. Hartford, and mixed by Bert Teague
The point I’m trying to make is that there were far at Hidden Valley Studio in Granby, CT.
fewer blues musicians, so much less competition for the Now Available at
gigs. Today, CT has about 60 blues bands looking for
gigs every weekend. Most of these bands are average, and
a few are a little better. Some are just not ready to play
out and are a big part of why the crowds are not as big
as they could be. Sorry, but it’s the truth. I’m not saying
musicians shouldn’t keep at it; just don’t bring it out too 350 Asylum St • Hartford, CT 06103
soon. Phone: 860.278.7427 • Fax: 860.808.0149
Now, why don’t local blues musicians go out to hear
State of the Blues — Summer 2006 9
BSaugust2006.indd 9 8/11/06 4:23:48 PM

10. State of the
BLUES
The official publication of the Connecticut Blues Society
Send your classifieds to chilijonesy@aol.com
Musicians Looking For Bands I’m a “mature” bass player currently in a classic rock band, but I’m
looking for a blues side project (which is the music I love). Contact
47 year old harmonica player/entertainer looking to hook up with
Ray at raymartin33@comcast.net
guitar or keyboard player to form duo and play small gigs. I also sing
and play a little guitar. Very profesional. Blues, roots music, show-
tunes, you name it I’ll play it. Hartford–Springfield area. Call Rich at Bands Looking For Musicians
1–860 -413–9484 or e–mail : sharpharp@cox.net
wanted ........drummer for working blues trio, must be able to play
A 35 year old blues lead guitarist looking for band of like minded twice a week. Mail me at hotdallas@msn.com
blues people. dpaddock1216@sbcglobal.net
Annie Raines cont'd from page 2 and that still feels more like real life than houses and
relationship backward. It started out as business with me clothes and bills.
just being a hired gun. Then we were business partners. Challenge Final cont'd from page 1
Then we had a daughter to raise, and then we became a
couple. After we get married we’ll have a chance to date permitted; there will be inexpensive drinks and food
each other! In the last 10 years, some of the only time we available. Bring your chair and wear your hat; this event
have had alone together is on stage in front of an audience features an outdoor stage and tent, with a hall in the event
— we’re so into the music that we’re in our own universe, of rain.
Connecticut Blues Society
Membership Form
___New ___ Renewal
Name________________________________________________________
Address______________________________________________________
Optional:
or
ow f I would like to be on the following committees
T B S n t he
t he C i ve
Join nd rece ” CD.
$2 0 a F la v o r ____Newsletter ____Events ____Membership
al
“ Lo c
____Mailings ____Media ____Advertising
Phone_________________________ E-mail________________________
$15 for membership renewal.
Please make your check payable to: The Connecticut Blues Society
Mail To: P.O. Box 651, Higganum, CT 06441
10 State of the Blues — Summer 2006
BSaugust2006.indd 10 8/11/06 4:23:49 PM

11. State of the
BLUES
Blues Plate Special
Weekly listings for blues on the tube . . .
www.BluesTV.net
ADELPHIA-NORWICH COX-MANCHESTER
Tuesday 9:00 PM, Ch. 14: Bozrah, Colchester, Franklin, Wednesday 9:30 PM, Ch. 15: Glastonbury, Manchester,
Lisbon, Norwich, Preston, Sprague Newington, Rocky Hill, South Windsor, Wethersfield
ADELPHIA-OLD LYME COX-RHODE ISLAND
Tuesday 9:00 PM, Ch. 27: East Haddam, Haddam, Lyme, Sunday Midnight, Ch. 13: All of Rhode Island except Warren
Old Lyme, Salem & Block Island
COMCAST-BOLTON COX-WARREN, RI
Wednesday 8:00 PM, Ch. 5: Andover, Bolton, Ellington, Sunday Midnight, Ch. 49: Warren
Hebron, Marlborough, Tolland, Vernon
EASTERN-NEW LONDON
COMCAST-SIMSBURY Sunday 9:00 PM, Ch. 24: East Lyme, Griswold, Killingly,
Thursday 2:00 PM & 9:00 PM, Ch. 5: Simsbury Montville, New London, Plainfield, Putnam, Sterling,
CABLEVISION-NORWALK Waterford
Friday 7:00 PM, Ch. 77: Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, TELE-MEDIA-SEYMOUR
Norwalk, Stamford, Westport Wednesday 10:00 PM, Ch. 10: Ansonia, Beacon Falls,
CABLEVISION-SOUNDVIEW Bethany, Derby, Naugatuck, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton
Wednesday 11:00 PM, Ch. 34: Bridgeport, Fairfield, Milford,
Orange, Woodbridge
CHARTER-WINSTED
Tune in to the Blues
Thursday 9:00 PM, Wednesday 3:00 PM, Ch. 13: A Directory of Blues Radio Shows in Connecticut
Barkhamsted, Colebrook, Harwinton, New Hartford, WNHU 88.7 Sunday 11:00 pm – 2:00 am, Dr. Bill
West Hartland, Winchester, Winsted Monday 8:00 – 11:00 pm, Miss Rusty J.
CHARTER-WILLIMANTIC WESU 88.1 Thursday 10:00 am – Noon, Garson Fischer
Thursday 4:00 PM, Ch. 14: Ashford, Brooklyn, Canterbury, WRTC 89.3 Saturday 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Chris/Dave
Chaplin, Columbia, Coventry, Eastford, Hampton, Lebanon, WPKN 89.5 Sunday 6:00 – 10:00 pm, Bill Nolan
Thursday 6:00 – 10:00 pm, Bob Shapiro
Mansfield, Pomfret, Scotland, Thompson, Willimantic,
Willington, Windham, Woodstock WECS 90.1 Wednesday Noon – 2:00 pm, Don Denley
Tuesday 8:00 11:00 pm Ramblin' Bert: Rockin the Blues
COMCAST-CLINTON WCNI 91.1 Sunday 9:00 – Noon, Rocky Wagner: Sun. Morn. Blues
Thursday 8:00 PM, Ch. 19: Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Monday 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Kim Scott Red Hot Smokin’ Blues
Monday 6:00 am – 9:00 am, Dan Loftus: Wicked Madam Blues Review
Durham, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Old Saybrook, Saturday 9:00 am – Noon, Dana Fargnoli: Out of the Blues
Westbrook Saturday 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Dan Sefton: Not So Blues
COMCAST-CROMWELL WWUH 91.3 Monday 3:00 – 6:00 am, River City Slim
Monday 1:00 – 4:00 pm, Mike Marti: The Marti Party, Blues, R&B, Oldies
Thursday 10:00 PM, Ch. 3: Cromwell, East Hampton, Monday 9:00 pm – Midnight, Bart Bozzi: Blue Monday
Middlefield, Middletown, Portland Thursday 6:00 – 9:00 am, River City Slim: Pine Grove Blues
Friday 1:00 – 4:00 pm, Dwight Thurston: In The Weeds
COMCAST-NEW HAVEN
WHUS 91.7 Sunday 2:00 – 4:00 pm, Ramblin’ Bert Rand: Bluesline
Tuesday 9:00 PM, Ch. 27: Hamden, New Haven, West Haven Tuesday 5:00 – 7:00 am, Mac
Thursday 1:00 – 3:00 pm, Ramblin’ Bert Rand
COX-CHESHIRE Friday 2:00 – 5:00 am, Matt Talbot: Blues Before Sunrise
Wednesday 9:30 PM, Ch. 15: Cheshire, Meriden, Southington Saturday 9:00 pm – Mid., Dave Carpenter: The Blues Bus
COX-ENFIELD WEFX 95.9 Monday – Friday 10:00 pm, Lonesome Dave
Thursday 9:30 PM, Ch. 15: East Granby, East Windsor, WCCC 106.9 Sunday 6:00 pm – Midnight, Sunday Night Blues with Beef Stew
Enfield, Granby, Hartland, Somers, Stafford, Suffield, Union, WFCS 107.7 Thursday 10:00 am – Noon, The Road Hog
Windsor Locks
State of the Blues — Summer 2006 11
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12. Connecticut
Blues Society
A non-profit organization
P.O. Box 651
Higganum, CT 06441
www.ctblues.org
Connecticut Blues Society
11th Annual Blues Challenge
e
Saturday, September 9th Doo
Insid M u rs Ope
rs, Rain m sic s n
tdoo Eran Troy Danner & Hot Dallas
2p t a r t at 1 p
Sh ine Ou t a r ts at s at m
ic s 2 pm
Mus Mike Crandall Band • Johnny Boots Band
Ryan Hartt & the Blue Hearts
Fade to Blue • Mojomatics
Doors Open at 1:00 pm • Music starts at 2 pm • Admission $5 Bucks
No coolers • Food and Drink Available
Held in conjunction with West Hartford VFW Post 9929
83 South Street, W. Hartford, CT 06010
Benefits various VFW veterans’ projects, Blues4Vets, and CT Blues Society.
DIRECTIONS: From I-84. Take the SOUTH MAIN STREET exit- EXIT 41- toward ELMWOOD. Turn onto CT-173/S MAIN ST
towards Elmwood. Turn LEFT onto CT-173/CT-71/NEW BRITAIN AVE. Continue to follow CT-71/NEW BRITAIN AVE. Turn RIGHT
onto SOUTH ST (after underpass). End at 83 South St, West Hartford, CT 06110-1922. Cannons and Flag in front.
BSaugust2006.indd 12 8/11/06 4:23:52 PM