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at The Grand Emporium • January 10 • 8 PM
Performance by MiUeage Gilbert Blues Band
KANSASCITY
BLUES
SOCIETY
JANUARY 1991
BukkaWhite -1909-1977
Bukka White did not come to Memphis until about 1940,
when the first stage of his musical career was winding
down. After more than 30 years of rough-and-tumble
living, Bukka felt like settling down and chose Memphis as the
YESTERDAY'S place to do it. Alth?ugh he no longerperformed professionally, he could. . usually be found on Saturday night in
Handy Park jamming with the likes of
Furry Lewis, Gus Cannon, and Piano
Red. Bukka developed a great love and
respect for life on Beale Street and
lived nearby for the rest of his life.
Bukka was born November 12, 1909,
in Houston, Mississippi. He was
named Booker T. Washington White.
This rather weighty moniker was shor-
tened to Booker and later changed to
Bukka by record producers, althoughBy Doyle M. Pace he preferred Booker. His father, John
White, was a railroad man and part-
t ime musician who read music and was proficient on several
instruments. He started his son on the guitar early, and by the
time Bolla was nine, he was playing country frolics for 15 cents
and a can of sardines.
Since his father was a traveling man, Bukka lived with his
grandfather, Punk Davidson, who was a preacher and farmer.
Bukka got sick of the hard work his grandfather made him do,
so he left when be was 11 years old and made his way 100 miles
across the state ofMississippi to the Delta country where an uncle
lived. He stayed on his uncle's cotton farm for a few years until,
one day, Bukka and some other boys were playing on the cars of
a train. When the train started moving the other boys jumped off,
but Bukka was afraid to jump, so be ended up in St. Louis -scared, broke, and alone.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
HAPPY BLUES NEW YEAR, 1991 I!!
The big blues news for the month of January 1991 is first,
the 11th Annual KCBS Election Party on Jan. 10 at the
Grand Emporium. Secondly, a joint Blues and Jazz Fest
was passed by KCBS membership and 1990 Board members for
July 27 and 28.
OnJan.10th, the KCBS election party
will begin at 8 p.m. Any KCBS member
is eligible to run if they have plenty of
time in the evenings for meetings and
willing to devote even more time to be in
charge of a committee for blues events
such as the Blues Fest. Ifyou really don't
have a great deal of volunteer time,
please consider still participating on a
committee. Board members from 1990
who will be running on the 1991 ballot
and should be highly considered for re-
election include: Suzi Colbert, Pat By Shirley Owens
Flemington, Little Hatch, Jon Lowe,
Kenny Taylor, and Roger Naber. KCBS
appreciates all the former 1990 Board Members who made
KCBS' 10th year a successful one. Other KCBS members who
will also appear on the ballot are Monica Larson, Larry Smith,
Peter Horak, and John Stuerke. Write in nominations will happen
at 8 p.m. when the Election Party begins. Therefore, blanks will
appear on the ballot for those write-in nominations. Blues ballots
will be counted by Marcie Ryan and Chuck Haddix at 10 p.m.
During the election party everyone will be entertained with the
blues by KC's own Milleage Gilbert Blues Band. Also, during
the evening if you would like to join or renew your KCBS
membership, come on by and bring your blues friends.
Last month, after many long meetings between the KCBS and
Jazz Fest Committee, plus the results of the postcard fest survey,
it was passed to host the nth Annual KCBS Blues and Heritage
Fest at the same location and same time as the Jazz Fest. The
Blues stage will be at the lower level of Penn Valley park where
1990 Blues Fest took place. The Jazz stage will be on the upper
concourse in front of Liberty Memorial. There are many reasons
why the Blues and Jazz are doing a joint Fest. Money, city
tourism, KC's heritage, a major event and the future were some
of the considerations. The KC Blues Society will be able to gain
national recognition and have the backing to bring more blues to
KC. KCBS needs the membership to be involved if not as a board
member, consider your area of choice and pursue it.
Looking into the months ahead, Robert Jr Lockwood will be
coming for a KCBS event on Feb 16. Also, we will be having
our Annual Spring Blues Bash and two Blues Cruises. Plus,
every second Thursday of the month isKCBS' free blues jam.
on Feb 14, look for Paul Orta to make his KC Blues debut and
host the jam session. Every month KCBS publishes a Bluesnewsletter, any blues articles are welcome, contact Roger Naber
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
NOT f S
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"YESTERDAY'S BLUES" FROM PAGE 1
Fortuitously, he was taken in by a night club owner by the
name of Ben Wright. Between acts at the club, Bukka was
allowed to play guitar and piano. Eventually, he formed his own
band and played . in and around Sf. Louis. Bukka missed the
Delta and drifted
back when a
friend, Napoleon
Harriston, per-
suaded a record
store owner in the
town ofItta Bena,
Mississippi, to
get them a
recording date
with Victor.
Perhaps due to
the influence ofhis railroading ~~~~~~~~~~!!!!!!~.::!!C~~~
father, Bukka al-
ways had a liking
for trains and train songs, so it is no wonder that his first two
recordings were, "The Panama Limited" and "The Frisco Train."
Bukka and Napoleon Harriston's hard driving, staccato rhythms
created an exhilarating locomotive sound, a technique Bukka
often repeated throughout his career. Unfortunately, the
depressed economy of the 1930's stifled the recording industry,
and Bukka did not record again until 1937.
For several years, Bukka made his living outside of music in
a variety of jobs that included prizefighting and professional
baseball in the Negro League, only playing music part-time. In
1934, with George "Bullet" Williams as his partner, Bukka
started playing the jook-joints and barrelhouses around eastern
Bukka White
The Kansas City Blues News is published monthly by the
Kansas City Blues Society. Inc. Articles, reviews, band calendar
dates, and items of interest must be submitted by the 20th of each
month, and become the property of the Society.Founding Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roger Naber
Editor Shirley Owens
Contributing Writer Jone Lowe, Larry Smith
Typesetting/Layout Matt Quinn
Board of Directors and Off icers
Chairperson Shirley Owens
President Roger Naber
Vice-President Suzanne Colbert
Vice-President _ _ Patrick Flemington
Secretary Pam Jackson
Treasurer Jon Lowe
Membership Chairperson Marcie Ryan
Director _.. _ _ Daisy Lujan
Director _ Kenny Taylor
Director _ _ . . . . . Provine Hatch
Director . . Scott Mackey
Director Joyce Mourning
The Kansas City Blues Society, a Missouri not-for-profit corpora-
tion was formed for the sole purpose of promoting and preserving
various styles of blues music. Founded in December of 1980, the
Kansas City Blues Society presents: monthly jam sessions, various
local and national groups in concert, and our main presentation -
The Kansas City Blues and Heritage Festival. Members receive the
newsletter, d iscounts on Society events and discounts on purchases
at certain part ic ipatinq businesses. Annual dues are $10 per person
or $15 per family and $50 per Corporate Membership. To join the
Society send your name, address, phone number and dues to :
Kansas City Blues Society, P.O. Box 32131, Kansas Ci ty, Missouri
64111.
Mississippi. Both Bukka and Bullet had a serious weakness for
booze, and the two spent as much time drinking and partying as
they did playing music. Later in life, Bukka fondly recalled those
days. "We'd just sit around at the house and have our white
whisky and frying fishes and just having a big time. Go to a frolic
at night, we were going to ball all night long. Well, I like it that
way."
Parchman Farm BluesBut the good times came to an abrupt end one day near
Clarksdale, Mississippi, when Bukka got involved in a big fight.A man was killed, Bukka was arrested, tried, and sentenced to a
life term on Parchman's Farm, the Mississippi State Prison. He
never talked much about this unfortunate period of his life, but
Bukka always contended that he was innocent. Something did
happen to mitigate the sentence since Bukka only served two
years. It has been suggested that Lester Melrose, the Chicago
race record producer, was responsible for his release. Melrose
had gotten Bukka to record two sides for Vocalion in Chicago
just before he went to jail in 1937.
The worst thing that could have happened to an African-
American in the 1930's would have been to be sent to
Parchman's Farm or the Louisiana Prison at Angola. Judging
from prisoners' accounts of these places, they would have
preferred death. However, musical ability seemed to have madethings a little better for him. Describing it later he said, "Oh, it
wasn't any too tough. I was lucky. They set me playin' (music)
instead of workin'. Just playin' for the big rich folks was all I
was doin' there." During the time Bukka was incarcerated,
folklorists John and Alan Lomax came to Parchman's to make
field recordings of inmates for the Library of Congress. Bukka
recorded two songs for them.
When Bukka was released in 1939, Lester Melrose brought
him back to Chicago to join his stable of blues artists recording
for Vocalion, a group that included Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis
Minnie, Tampa Ted, and Washboard Sam. In March of 1940,
using a borrowed guitar and accompanied by Washboard Sam,
Bukka recorded twelve of his own compositions for Okeh and
Vocalion. Included were his famous "Parchman Farm Blues"and "A Fixin' to Die Blues," that was recorded by Bob Dylan
two decades later. These were the last recordings made by Bukka
until the blues revival in the 1960' s.
Bukka's Cousin, B.B.After Bukka had settled in Memphis, his cousin from In-
dianola, Mississippi, who was trying to make it as a singer on
Beale Street, moved in with him. Bukka charged him three
dollars a week for room and board. Later, his cousin fared better
in show business than he had on Beale Street. He has even made
a few TV commercials. His name is B.B. King.
In the 1960's and '70's, Bukka's singing style, a primitive
nasal drone, and the unflagging "boom-ching" rhythm of his
guitar, made him a favorite in college coffee houses and on the
folk festival circuit. He performed allover this country, Canada,
and most of Europe. In fact, this writer saw Bukka on stage in
Germany in 1967, as part of an American Folk Blues Festival
tour. Concert fees and royalties from the Melrose estate made the
last years of Bukka's life easier than it had ever been before. He
died in Memphis on February 26, 1977. 0
Sources:
1. Bruce Cook, Listen (0 (heBlues. New York: Scribners Sons, 1973.
2. Margaret McKee and Fred Chisenball, Beale Black and Blue.
Baton Rouge, La.: Louisiana State University Press, 1981.
3. Paul Oliver, The Story of the Blues. Philadelphia: Chilton, 1974.
2 • JANUARY 1991
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Kansas City Blues SocietyThe Year in Review
By Jon Lowe
1990began with the annual KCBS Election Party on January
11. The New 39th Street Blues Band provided music to vote
by. Also in January was a .
special party to celebrate our
friend Lindsay Shannon's 5thAnniversary as the host of the
KC Blues Show on KCFX radio
and the 10th Anniversary of our
society. Dan Doran and Little
Hatch gave the crowd at the
Grand Emporium live music
and Lindsay broadcasted his
show on site. There was a great
turnout and this Sunday night
get-together was a lot of fun.
Perhaps the best way to get
through a cold February is with some hot music - Dan Doran and
his band hosted the monthly jam session on February 8th. We
imported a sizzling Texas band for our National Valentine's Daydance and fundraiser. The Doyle Bramhall/Denny Freeman
Band packed the dance floor with their lively brand of R&B.
National recording artist, Ja Kubeck, was obtained as the host
band for the March Jam on March 8.
with the
Traffic Jam Blue. Hour 4-5 pm
and on Tuesdays & TJJursdayswith the Breakfast Club
7:30 - 9:00 am
Spring Blues BashSpring would just not be the same without the annual KCBS
Blues Bash. This year we had a visit from the Southern Soul
Review which featured 3 great artists. Renowned guitarist and
band leader Wayne Bennett opened the show and supported
veteran vocalists Nappy Brown and Johnny Adams. It was
soulful blues at its best.
Once again Dan Doran hosted the monthly jam session in May
which was well attended as it fell on the night of the Jazz Lovers
Pub Crawl. Also in May our "Blues in School Project" held twosessions and played at Van Hom High School. Many thanks to
Tom Baker, Glen Patrick, Pete Cole and Paul Hartfield for
donating their time.
Blues Cruise & Amateur Blues ContestOur first Blues Cruizc of the year departed June 5 on the River
Queen. Tinsley Ellis, a fiery and explosive guitar player, played
two steaming sets on the waters while Little Hatch and his House
Rockers did the honors on the top deck. Mike Harvey and Larry
Van Loon brought their K.C. Bottoms Band to the G.E. a week
later to preside over the June jam session.
July in K.C. is generally a super month for the blues. As part
of the G.E.'s 5th anniversary celebration, a benefit of the KCBS
was held on July I featuring Saffire, undoubtedly the best a11-
women acoustic blues group, and the return of Luther Allison.
This was Luther's last date in the U.S. before returning to his new
home in Paris. However, what July is really famous for is the
Amateur Blues Talent contest. Our preliminaries were really
tight and well organized this year. Millage Gilbert won out at
Nightmoves, the Freeze emerged from The Chateau Lounge on
Prospect and John Paul and the Hell Hounds outdistanced the
field at the Roxy. All shows were well attended. Also, the KCBS
sponsored an all star jam on July 24 as a benefit for the Free
Health Clinic.
Amateur Blues Final & Blues Cruise IIThe three winning bands fought it out in the finals on August
2 at the G.E. and Millage Gilbert's band won a close contest and
the free trip to Memphis for the National Amateur Blues TalentContest finals and recording time at Chapman Studios. We all
returned to the River Queen on August 15th for Blues Cruise II.
Marcia Ball delighted everyone with her lively and infectious
"Nawlins" piano style. The familiar Dan Doran band played the
top deck.
Over Labor Day weekend, KCBS set up a beer garden at the
K.C. Spirit Fest and helped produce Blues Alley. Gilbert made
his trip to Memphis and, though he didn't win, did well and got
home safely. A KCBS jam session was held September 13.
10th Annual KCBS Blues & Heritage FestUndoubtedly, the music event of the year in K.C. was the IOth
Annual Blues and Heritage Festival which is fresh in everyone's
minds. Even though itwas limited in terms of styles, it showcased
some of the finest blues guitar players alive in Albert King,
Lowell Fulson and Magic Slim. This was only the 2nd outdoor
festival for KCBS and it was well organized both from a produc-
tion and financial standpoint.
October included a volunteer party atNightmoves and a blues
jam by Blues Deluxe, a touring band from Minnesota. Also a
tribute to Leon Estelle was held. Many local musicians joined
this K.c. fixture on stage.
Finishing out the year were blues jams hosted by Little Hatch
in November and the Benders, from Columbia, in December.
With such a great 10th year behind us, all area blues lovers can
look forward with excitement to a new decade of K.C. blues. 0
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NOTES FROM MATTIE AND MAEDear M&M Blues lovers,
We know you were thinking about us, those of you who
missed the all too grooviest party of the year at English's
Downtown Home of the Blues. It's not too late, we have ex-
tended our deadline on gifts to whenever the spirits move you.
(Get down, chillin', get down ... M&M)
It's time for us to tell you all our New Year's resolutions. (We
know you've been anxiously awaiting ... M&M)
1. No more cave dwelling for us, no matter how many neon
beer lights and CD's there may be. (We're still into blues ex-
periments. Send us your ideas ASAP. Willing, ready and able
... M&M)
2. Attend as many Blues functions on the planet earth and else-
where. (We do like aliens and their territory, too, as pos-
sible ....M&M)3. Be special guests on Boss Jock L.S. 46's (Lindsay Shannon,
that is ..M&M) fifth annual live Blues Show on KCFX 101 the
Fox January 13 broadcast from B.B's BBQ, 1205 E. 85th.
(We'll have some mule bones for you. The B's will be buzz-
ing ...M&M)
LITTLE CHARLIE ADMITS INSANITY"Without a doubt. We're all the way crazy .We're pretty much
nuts fifty weeks out of the year," Charlie divulged between
breaks at their G.E. Friday night show. Look for their next
release, Captured Alive, on Alligator. (we can relate after the
cave ... M&M)
His fave music is Count Basie and Charlie Parker (That's
two KC boys ... M&M)
"I'm the only blues artist that plays tennis and reads science
fiction Spaceships. I like to think about space ships and far, faraway places." (Just like us. We're in orbit. We send people put
of this world ... M&M)
Rick Estrin, the smooth lead vocalist and harp player for
Little Charlie, happened by in his zoot suit hoping to catch our
blues eyes.
4. Give Roger Naber, Herb Palmer
and George Myers a year's supply of deodorizer for the hot,
smelly, sweaty, throbbing band room. (The new decorative
lighting is blue and it reminds us of the cave. Our legs are
green and our teeth are gray ... M&M)
5. To report the low-down, dirty stories for 1991 that we know
you dear readers want to hear. (i.e, Why does A.C.Reed want
to call his next record "Junk Food?" Why does Little Charlie
put the same stuff on his shoes as he does his hair and what is
it? Will Little Bobby Porter build another pyramid? Will Lit-tle Bobby Porter come to Kansas City to build his pyramid
with Bully Porter Boulevard beer bottles and will Mattie and
Mae be there?? Yes, dear readers, we will be with hot, baited
breath ... M&M)
6. We will watch Muddy Waters jump from the grave during
blues channeling ...also Sonny Boy, Otis Spahn, Little Walter,
Magic Sam, Howlin' Wolf, Hound Dog (We've met a
few ....M&M) Slim Harpo and Percy Mayfield. (Tune into our
channel... .M&M)
7. We resolve to never, ever take off our boxing gloves and
continue to fight for the blues.
8. To get a mobile phone so we can always do on the spot inter
views. (You owe it to us, Roger Naber. We haven't told what
we know about you ..yet ... M&M)
9. So much for these promises, let's get down with the low-
down.
4 • JANUARY 1991
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"MATTIE & MAE" FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
"Say, baby. Where'd you get them cool threads," we asked
only as we do.
"Well, I got my suit in Las Vegas (It's a full house when he's
around ... M&M) I got my tie from a Pennsylvania friend, (Bucks
County Blues Society rings our Liberty Blues bell ... M&M) and
the shoes came from Sacramento (We're waiting for our press
passes, Phil Gavant, producer of their Blues fest.See you soon
... M&M)
SUE FOLEY'S SECRETSSue Foley loved the Fabulous Inferno Show Lounge where
Roger "Bad Boy" Naber took her on a romantic Thanksgiving
night to see his fave comedian, Jimmy Lynch aka Funky
Tramp. (sorry we couldn't make it, Rog. We were holed in with
Albert King and Little Milton who we ran into at the traditional
K.C. breakfast dances. A blues hangover. That's O.K. We can
tell whatever we want, Roger, and you can't stop us. So there!!
... M&M)
Canadian Sue said that she hasn't been traveling much since
she signed on the Antone label and has been enjoying Cliff
Antone's hospitality in his luxury condo. (We know about that.
No Luther Tucker there aren't alligator's in the lake, but where
is Bruce Iglauer when you need him. We can swim can you?
You know us, dear readers, we always where our swimsuits in
public. Ready, set, go ... M&M)
Baby Sue, who is only 21 years old in her Blues shoes, said
that the players that send her to seventh heaven include Clarence
"Gatemouth" Brown, Earl Hooker, and Memphis Minnie. (We
have minnie faves, too ... M&M)
The Blues to her, she said while donning her pink
Telecaster..the same color as the newly painted girl's powder
room at the Grand Emporium are, "It's your feelings. An outlet
where I can express what I feel in a pure fashion, earthy down
and natural. It gets better as I get older." (Sounds like she's
describing us ... M&M)
BUDDY GUY, ALBERT COLLINS & MORE...Our favorite, the man declares on his amp in gold letters that
he is full ofS-,was so happy to see us again. He declared, "I'm
tired of this bullsh-. If Buddy Guy can do it (He did it ...
M&M), I can do it. Open a Chicago Blues Club." (He wants us
to manage it because we are two chicks he can trust ... M&M)
A.C. has been ailin' lately and needs to stay off that BBQ. He
said that one of his fondest memories (besides his night with
us...M&M) was his green Cadillac, velour seats, that smelled like
BBQ, chicken bones, and us following behind Albert Collins'.Woody Woodpecker van.
His New Year's Resolution for 1991 is to design clothes for
us to wear while we gather the real story. (We hope they are as
cool as yours, A.C ••••M&M
Anson Funderburgh and Sam Myers just in from the
Florida movie set where they recorded two songs for a murdermystery movie featuring Kevin Costner called "China Moon,"
kept our pre- Christmas date. One's a new song, "I Know what
you Want" (but you promised not to tell ... M&M) and an old
standard, "Wella, Wella Baby," Sam said.
After we outfitted Sweet Sammy at Bob Jones in five minutes
flat with two new pairs of shoes, we did some fancy steppin'
through the snowstorm and danced our Blues away. (Sammy,
was high steppin' for us, baby ... M&M)
The Bel Airs called long distance from the North Pole to let
us know they are going to be doing some gigs with Tracy
Nelson, Mother Earth herself. They've been sittin' in together
while in Texas and have come up with some pretty hot licks.
(That's what we have ... M&M)
Contrary to the rumor, The Dan Doran Band is not breaking
up as reported on a bathroom wall in Leavenworth. They'll be at
the Grand Emporium, January 26, Saturday night and we'll be
there.
Well, dear readers, if you want your Valentine published in
the Feb., 1991 M&M column, send them to us quickly. You can
even enclose extras inside .
We love you from the bottom of our Blues suede shoes.
Love and Kisses,Mattie and Mae
P.S. Thanks for the gifts and cards B.B. King, Koko Taylor,
Baltimore Blues Society and Hawkeye Herman and Cool
Papa. We love you.
P.P.S. Donnie, Donnie, Donnie, Tad, Tad, Tad-we are wait-
ing for the UPS package brother John (not as good looking
as you) said you were sending. We'll be waiting to see you
January 26.
P.P.P.S. M&M's predictions: 1) James Harman and those
Dangerous Gentelmen will soon be recording for a new label
with the initials "B.T." 2) Smokin' Joe Kubeck will soon be
spinning his blues on CD with Bullseye.
P.P.P.P.S. Send your blues news, tidbits, gossip, airline tick-
ets, money, blues stars and anything else we may find interest-
ing to Mattie and Mae, c/o K.C. Blues Society, P.O. Box
32131, Kansas City, Mo. 64111
F R I D A Y • 8 'M - - 1 2 M id n .S A T U R D A Y • 9 'M - - l A M
B LUES NEW S • 5
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"BLUES NOTES" FROM PAGE 1
531-7557 for more information on how you can be involved in
KCBS events,committees, and the blues news.
Remember, the "Fish Fry" has expanded to Friday evenings.
Tune in to KCUR-FM 89.3 on Friday from 8 to 9 p.m. for Handy
award winning "Blues Stage" with hostess Ruth Brown and from
9 p.m. to 12 midnight for the "Fish Fry" with host Chuck
Haddock. For the Saturday "Fish Fry," tune in between 8 p.m.
and 12 midnight. It will be followed by the "Lonesome Pine
Special" from 12 midnight to 1a.m.Chuck, the maitre de of R & B, comments, "I'm delighted
about the expansion to Friday nights, it proves that the blues are
alive and well in Kansas City."
Finally, Lindsay Shannon will host his KC Blues Show's 5th
Anniversary live from his newly opened Blues BBQ joint (BB's
BBQ), one block east of Stroud's on 85th Street. Tune into
KCFX-FM on Sunday, January 13 from 7 to 10 p.m. or drop by
and check out the live blues with Little Hatch. D
Keep the Blues Alive ...
Support the KC Blues Society
BLUES BIRTHDAYS
JANUARY 5 Johnny Adams (1932)
9 Katie Webster (1939)
10 Eddy Clearwater (1935)
14 Allen Toussaint (1938)
15 Chuck Berry (1926)
19 Henry Gray (1925)
20 Luther Taylor (1936)
21 Snooks Eaglin (1936)25 Etta James (1938)
27 Bobby Bland (1930)
30 Ruth Brown (1928)
31 Charlie Musselwhite (1944)
r - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~MEMBERSHIP A PPLICA TION
ANNUAL DUES: Single-$10.00
Family-$15.00NAME
I ADDRESS _
CITY/STATE/ZIP _
I TELEPHONE:
DATE o N ew 0 Rene 'Na l
Send Check or Money Order to:
KANSAS CITY BLUES SOCIETYI· IL !._O:._~~x_3~~3~ ~ ~A_N:~S_ C ~ T !~ ~~S:~U_R~ ._6~1~~
LlI " "The S', - &zzln
~-C ...undsayA!:,!~~!'~oPr1etor
~ 1205 E. 85th si - Kansas City, Mo.
BAR B Q(One block East of Stroud's)
• •TUes. - Sat. 11:00 am-lO:OO pm
Sun.-Noon-9 pm8BB-RIBS (822-7427)
B ! R - B - Q*
B L U E S*
B E E R*************************JANUARY 13, 1991
Undsay Shannon'sKCBlues Show (KCn 101)
Sth Anniversary PartywiD he Broadcast Uvefrom BB's from '-10 pm
*************************ShulBeboard, too...plus CD Juke Box
packed with Bot R 'n' BOpen Tuesday thru Saturday
****** C O M P L E T E B A B S E B V I C E ******B E E R B U C K E T S P E C I I L S . . . P B R a n d L a B a t t ' s
7 2 3 0 W . 7 5 t h S t . • O v e r l a n d P a r k , K S
(9 13 ) 2 36 -6 211
E~ Su,,,t,,,, - ~~ fie- r-12 ~
~7~~~~
'9 J Blues Calendar
6 • J AN U AR Y 1 99 1
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The Year in Reviewby Lare Bear
fter a short vacation in which the Fair Bear got on national
adio (Whad'Ya Know?) and got in a plug for the loc~
lues scene, it's back to work. The end of the year IS
traditionall y a time for reporters to reflect on the passing year, so
I am going to avail myself of the same oppo~uni.ty ..
Itwas a good year for music locally, culminating In the blues
festival. Not only did it present some great national talent ?utalso some of the best of local bands playing a lot of outstanding
music. Besides which, it raised
a large amount of money to help
the homeless. How can you beat
great music for a good cause?
Going back to last winter, the
Little Hatch/Charlie Mus-
selwhite/Lee Oskar concert
stands out. I went primarily to
see Musselwhite, whom I've
admired for a long time. But I
stayed through for the jam at the
end and I'm glad I did. The three
players had very different stylesthat contrasted nicely. Oskar
has a beautifully clear single note style that has few peers.
Musselwhite has a traditional urban blues style, while Hatch (as
a friend of mine put it) wants to rub your face across the sidewalk.
(I might add that Bill loves the raw edge of Hatch' ~p.layin.g.' So
do I.) That jam was not only eminently entertammg, It was
educational as well.
Twice during the past year I had the immense pleasure of
seeing Joanna Connor at Nightmoves. For me, there are no
superlatives sufficient to describe this po~e~house pe~former.
She has a strong voice, is an excellent guitanst (especially her
superb slide work) with great stage presence. If you missed her
in 1990, make it to Nightmoves for her February 22nd date. You
won't be disappointed.While I'm at it, kudos to Kenny Taylor for what he has
accomplished with Nightmoves in a year-and-a-half. One
measure of a local scene's strength is the quality and depth of the
clubs presenting live music. The Emporium rightfully remains
the crown jewel of Kansas City clubs, thanks to th~ hard ~ork
of a lot of people. But having other venues presenting national
acts not only provides the blues public with more choices, it
enhances the city's reputation nationally as well.
So to all of the club owners out there presenting live music,
my thanks and the thanks of numerous other music lovers.
The recent tribute to Leon Estelle paid homage to one of the
elder statesmen of local blues. Or drop into the Emporium any
Friday or Saturday evening an? listen to Millage Gi.lbert and
Hatch play. Sometimes they colhde head-on, but other umes theyproduce some of the most exquisite music you'll ever hear.
Another highlight for me involved the Dan Doran Band at the
Emporium night of the Jazz Pub Crawl. The band begins wit.ha
dance-solid rhythm section and features four outstanding
soloists. Doran's reedy vocals and romping piano style sets the
pace. Saxophonist Dana Smith is an always dependable soloist
who is reminiscent of King Curtis in his ability to play any style
of music he chooses. There may be better guitarist around than
Bill Dye, but there are none more consistently inventive. One of
the signatures of Kansas City Jazz, w~en that denoted a styl~ of
playing, was a trumpeter who could fide hot over a band gomg
full till. That describes John Selzer to a tee.
Dreams Come True-Marcia Ball,
Lou Ann Barton and Angela Strehli
When I first got out of the Air Force in '7~ 1~ved in Au~tin
for awhile. (Well, actually Georgetown, which IS sort of like
living in Liberty.) The blues scene there was in its infancy but
there was a lot of really good rock UES'n' roll and progressive country
being played. I fondly recall nights
spent at the Armadillo World Head- .. __
quarters listening to everything By L.M. Smithfrom Asleep at the Wheel to
Zappa while slamming down Lone Stars: .Shortly after I left I had a friend telhng me about this band
called Freda and the Firedogs. I never got the chance to see that
band but I have seen the singer.
That singer was Marcia Ball who has joined tw~ other
regulars from the Austin blues scene on an extremely enjoyable
album.From the wail that opens the set to the final bars of the slinky
"Snake Dance," this is a strong, satisfying album. Five years
went into its making, and it shows. It was time well spent.
The album opens with "A Fool in Love" which allo.ws all
three of the women to show off their voices. "You Can If You
Think You Can''''and "Something's Got a Hold on Me" alsoprovide showcases for the trio's v?Cal talents. One of the ~ough
parts of making the album, according to Barton, was learmng to
be a back-up singer. "You Can if You Think You Can" shows
they learned the lesson well.
Barton steps to the front for a rollicking versio~ of "Good
Rockin Daddy," a hit for Etta James back when the hne between
rock 'n' roll and R&B was more indistinct than it is today.
Ball wrote two songs for the album, "Dreams Come True"
and "Love, Sweet Love." The latter is ballad while the former is
a medium tempo dance tune.
"Turn the Lock on Love" lets Strehli stretch out on a Stax/V olt
style number. The tune was penned by Sarah. Br~wn, ~ho p~ays
bass and was primarily responsible for coordinating this project.
My deepest thanks go out to Brown for the effort she exertedseeing this album through to its final fruition. . .
Besides the headliners, there is an able cast m support. Begin-
ning with Dr. John, who produced the album and did some
keyboard, percussion and guitar work. "Fathead" Newman and
Mark Kazanoff are on hand to turn in some saxophone work.
Jimmy Vaughan provides some excellent steel guitar work on
"Snake Dance," serving as a perfect compliment to Ball's vocal.
This album is not the hardest blues you'll ever hear, but it does
feature three fine singers performing well crafted tunes with
outstanding support. It's an album well worth having. 0
This band has more licks than a Tootsie Pop, and they dis-
played them all the night of the Crawl. Dan and the Band had a
full house rocking.
There were numerous occasions I could mention. Such as 39th
SI. after Blues Cruise II (they were as hotas I've ever heard them,
and that's saying a lot), Ida McBeth at English's (a wonderfully
intimate club that was an ideal setting for McBeth), the Freeze,
Hellhounds and Gilbert at the finals of the Blues Contest, Lamont
Cranston at the Emporium (plain good fun) and a whole lot more.
But this has gone on long enough.
To those who made 1990 memorable, my thanks. And to those
scheduled for '91, and those as yet unscheduled, I'm ready.
Let's party! 0
B LUES N EW S • 7
8/7/2019 Blues News - January 1991
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/blues-news-january-1991 8/8
KC BLUES JAMS
SUNDA Y JAMS • = JAMS - Bring your instruments
• Au dito riu m B ar & G ill, 2 17 W . 1 4t h, 4 21 -8 4 83 , f eat ur ing
R i c k Hend r ic k s & T he H it & R u n B and
• E ip ic urean L ou ng e & R es tau rant , 7 50 2 T ro o st, 3 3 3- 83 8 3
• T he R oxy , 7 23 0 W . 7 5th S treet, 2 36 -6 21 1, featu ringT he B lu es N otio ns , 8 :0 0 p .m . - 1 2:0 0 p .m . (s ee advert . )
• U pto wn-D o wn & D ir ty , 6 50 8 M artway , M is sio n, K s 2 36 -5 30 0, D an D oran B and
MONDAYJAMS• B lay ney 's , 4 15 W es tp ort R oad , 5 61 -3 74 7, 1 0 p .m ., T he 3 9th S I. B lu es B and
• C aju n B is tro , 3 42 1 B ro ad way , 561-8n5
• T he F abu lo us Infe rno S ho w L ou ng e, 4 03 8 T ro os t A ve nu e, 9 31 -4 00 0, S cnnyK e nn er 's B lu e s B and
• H urric ane, 4 04 8 B ro ad way , 7 53 -0 88 4, K C B lu es B and , 1 0 p m -2 am
TUESDA Y JAMS• B lay ney 's , 41 5 W es tp ort R oad , 5 61 -3 74 7, T he 3 9th S I. B lu es B and
• T he Levee, 43 rd & M ain, S cnny K enne r B lu es B and , 8 :3 0-1 2:3 0 p m
• T he P oint, 917 W es t 44th , 531-98 00 , Lonnie R ay B lu es B and ,9 p m - 1 :0 0 a m
WEDNESDA YJAMS• E th alo 's , 9 11 O S P ark er, 7 64 -3 88 4• T h e Levee, 43 rd & M ain, T he 1 23 4 B and , 8 :3 0-1 2:3 0 p m
• N ig htm ov es , 5 110 N E V iv io n R d, 45 2-4 39 3, T he 3 9th S I. B lu es B and , 8 -12 p m
THURSDA Y JAMS• T he T uba, 3 33 S cu th west B lvd at B ro ad way, 47 1-$ 510 , M o P au l, 7 :3 0 p m
SA TURDA Y JAMS• C hateau L ou ng e, 5 93 4 P ro sp ec t, 5 23 -9 33 3, T he F reez e, 3 - 8 p .m .
• G rand Em po rium (see advert . ) , 3 8 32 M ain, 5 31 -7 55 7 ,G ilb er t'S S at ur day B lu es P ar ty , 4 -7 p m
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OTHER CLUBSo B ir dland , 1 6 00 E . 1 9t h, 8 4 2- 84 6 3
o C ity U gh t J az z C lu b, 4 74 9 P enns ylv ania, B lu e M o nd ay jam 8 p m - m id nig hto Eb lo n 's , 1 6 0 1 E . 18 th S t re e t, 221- $ 6 12
o Eng li sh 's , 1 1 0 1 Wa ln ut , 2 2 1- 8 87 0o G r and Em p or iu m ,F ri day s -U tt le H at ch 's H o u se par ty , 6 -- 8p .m .
o J im m y's J ig ger 1 82 3 W . 3 9th S t, 7 53 -2 44 4
o K ik i's B ant on M ais o n, 1 51 5 W e st po rt R o ad , 9 3 1- 94 17
o T he P ho enix, 3 02 W . 8 th S tr ee t, 4 72 -0 00 1
oQuaf f B u ff et & S alo o n, 1 0 10 B ro ad way , 4 7 1- 19 18
o S id et rac k s, 1 33 1 W . 4 0 H ig h way , 2 29 -9 45 5o S tr ou d s R es tau rant , 4 54 -9 6 00 , 3 3 3- 21 32 , f eat ur ing R o y S ear cy
o U p to wn- Do wn & D ir ty , 6 5 08 M ar tway , M is s io n, K s . 2 3 6- 53 0 0
oV is it or 's , 5 54 1 M e rr iam D r, M e rr iam , K s .
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