Chicago Blues News: February 2010

Friday, February 26, 2010

Chicago Blues: A Living History Got Shafted

CHICAGO LIVING LEGENDS Lurrie Bell, Billy Branch, John Primer and Billy Boy Arnold

(Chicago, Illinois.) I had to think long and hard before voicing my opinion of this year's Grammy Awards. The Blues world has taken a step backwards at this year’s Grammy Awards. Jack Elliot, a folkie got the nod over Chicago Blues: A Living History CD. Come on guys! You have got to be kidding!

Billy Boy Arnold, Billy Branch , John Primer and Lurrie Bell, the Chicago Four as I like to call them, are the real deal folks. I know one of the four on a personal level and believe me when I tell you this, he is as true to the craft as one can be. As are the others. They do not and I repeat do not come from a folk background. These four outstanding Blues men have earned the right to be called just that, “Blues Men”. I mean no offense to Jack Elliot’s talent. He is a great "Folk Singer" along the lines of Woody Guthrie or Bob Dylan. There is something drastically wrong with the system when a folk singer wins over seasoned Blues artists. I wonder who had the better publicist?

Truly a Cowboy.

Mr. Elliot’s own Press kit states (http://ramblinjack.com/bio) the following; “One of the last true links to the great folk traditions of this country, with over 40 albums under his belt, Ramblin' Jack Elliott is considered one of the country's legendary foundations of folk music.” Jack Elliot is truly a a folk icon not a Blues Artist. I just hope and pray that Lurrie Bell, Billy Branch, John Primer and Billy Boy Arnold do not record a folk album,,,,,,EVER.

BLUES ME OR LOSE ME
Terry "Gatorman" Lape Copyright reserved 2010

Current Chicago Land Jam Sessions Tequila Road House 11957 S Pulaski , Alsip Thursday's 8:300pm Boundary Waters Lodge 514 N. Halleck DeMotte IN. Wednesdays 219-987-5757 Starts Wed., the 3rd, and continues every Wed. March 3rd Guest Host, Delores Scott March 10th, it's Cory Dennison March 17th, the Amazing Eric "Guitar' Davis Broadcast Live by, the Spot Studio at justin.tv/thespotstudio Photo's by Mary Hampton T-Bird Huck (Original Joliet Jake) Bull Pen 716 Cottage (Rt 59) Shorewood, Illinois 2nd and 4th Sunday @ 4:00 pm. Don't Forget MARCH 20 www.electroGlideRecords.com

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Blues Dude Down The Street

Morning Coffee Spot (notice cup)

Just about a year ago I was on my morning trek for coffee and just happened to see the local newspaper at the coffee shop. Let me rephrase that, coffee shop-gas station-pizza joint-convenience store. I live in a small rural area and the gas station is were most early birds meet. Guys like Glen the farmer, lawn cutter and snow plower and Keith the handyman, wood hunter and emcee and Bob the concrete guy. If you stop there before seven AM it's a whole different crowd. It's the gentleman farmer on his way to the job in the big city time. There's Tom the nuclear reactor teacher and Glen the nuclear reactor operator. There are six reactors in Illinois and three are within 150 miles of my residence. I really do not worry about them. I am more concerned about the nerve gas storage facility in Newport, Indiana 155 miles away. That's another story.

JW with sponsors Hayes Amps and Nikita Guitar

Inside the paper on page 4 of 21 was an article about Jimmy Warren a blues rocker. It turns out that Jimmy lives about two miles down the road from my house and I had never heard of him. This of course peaked my curiosity. The article had a phone number. I called. I talked at length to JW and discovered him to be a warm, gracious and very spiritual individual. JW is an out of work Worship Pastor (another way of saying musical director) from one of those large mega churches.After the layoff JW made a decision to support himself and his family through his love of the guitar. He has been doing just that for almost a year and has done an excellent job, having assembled a massive fan base of over 30,000. In this past year I have become great friends with MR. Warren. JW and I have some of the same goals in the music industry although I have to give JW his Kudos. He is way ahead of me in the marketing aspect and guitar playing area. Jimmy has recently started a new record label called Electro Glide Records . His concept is to offer unsigned, often times ignored talent an opportunity. Since starting the label January 1 of 2010 he has already signed three artists. Jimmy has a brand new CD coming out called "NO MORE PROMISES". The release party and big showcase is March 20 on the South side of Chicago. At this showcase will be some of the EGR signed artists. There will be a raffle for a autographed signed Fender Stratocaster and included with the $20 winning raffle ticket will be a performance by Jimmy and the band. Subject to his schedule and the venue has to be within 100 miles of Beecher, Illinois. All proceeds from this raffle will be donated to a local food bank. Consult www.electrogliderecords.com for more information.

PS. Yours truly has been asked to EMCEE the proceedings. Yikes, in the spotlight and no guitar. Mr. Jimmy Warren may have unleashed a monster. Have no fear security will be on hand. GATORMAN PPS Nighthawk you had better get up here. www.chicagobluesnews.com www.zazzle.com/terlap

Saturday, February 13, 2010

HOW ABOUT SOME PHOTOS

I want to apologize to all for not posting last week. I was hit with a nasty virus or should I say my computer was. The infamous UPS virus. DO NOT OPEN EMAILS WITH AN .EXE attached. I had to completely back up 300 gb's and wipe the hard drive CLEAN. I had a virus checker in place, but somehow it did not pick this up.

Do not forget the big record release party March 20 for more info got to www.electrogliderecords.com

http://www.jimmywarrenband.com/

Visit this other blog on Thursdays for more stories of mine.

http://www.ameriblues.com/

I offer some photos you may or may not have seen before. Hope you like them.