There was no drum roll, there was no confetti or parade, but the results of the 2011 Linn County Blues Society Board of Directors election are in, nonetheless. While it may not be national news, we are glad to have the election completed and grateful to the willing candidates for stepping forward to help. The annual Board of Directors election was held on Monday, October 3, 2011 during the monthly board meeting at the Best Western Longbranch in Marion. Thanks to our membership for their support of this dedicated crew.

Andy Dergo was elected to his first term as Vice-President of LCBS; congrats, Andy. Stephanie West was re-elected to fill the Office of Secretary, keeping track of our board meetings can be a daunting task. Kevin Cutsforth was re-elected as Membership Chair, leading the challenge to help us retain our current members while seeking new members to re-invigorate us. Greg West was selected to continue as the Entertainment Chair, looking to continue our excellent record of high quality Blues artists for Bluesmore and other LCBS shows. Phil Smith joins our ranks as our new Merchandise Chair, thanks and best of luck to Phil. Bill Meeks continues on the Board as a re-elected Director-At-Large Board member rounding out our newly elected 2012 – 2014 Board of Directors.

These newly elected Officers join the other current Board members who all have a year left on their terms: Frank Wilson, President; Sue Dergo, Treasurer; and Janet Evans and Bob DeForest as Directors-At-Large, to complete your current Board of Directors. The Education Chair position on the Board is currently vacant and we are seeking interested, qualified candidates to fill that position.

Please congratulate all these hard working individuals when you see them out and about. They generously volunteer their time and talents to help keep the Blues alive in Linn County; somebody HAD to do it!

There are other duties within the LCBS that we always seem to need help with. If you are interested in volunteering to work on events, in Blues Education, in PR and promotions, on the Bluespaper writing articles, taking photos or delivering newsletters; we have a number of openings for you. Please contact any board member to express your interest; their email contact information is listed on our website at www.lcbs.org. WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Bluespaper August 2011

• CR Amphitheater Music Festival
• Gary Gibson at Cedar Ridge Winery
• Susan Werner at CSPS for 2 shows!
• Dr. Phil’s CD review: Levon Helm
• Joe Ely at the Iowa Arts Festival
• Rev Rants

Levon Helm

Ramble at the Ryman

Released May 17, 2011 on Vanguard Records

He’s over seventy years old now, and still nothing quite gets in the way of Levon Helm‘s tenacious desire to make music. Arguably one of the two most notable people to ever call such a little place like Turkey Scratch, Arkansas, home. The other being the legendary Robert Lockwood, Jr. Ramble at the Ryman, the newest release from Helm, is a live album. Capturing the essence of the old time medicine shows, he shares the stage with big name talent like Sheryl Crow, John Hiatt, Buddy Miller, and Billy Bob Thornton to name a few. With Helm handling vocals, drums, and the mandolin, Larry Campbell on guitar, and (Little) Sammy Davis on harmonica, it’s quite an impressive arcade of musicians.

Six of the fifteen tracks are oldies but goodies written by one of Helm’s original band mates from the Band, Robbie Robertson. Kicking off the show, is a lively version of “Ophelia”. It’s such a great song, and sets the mood for swingin’ good time. Wrapping up the album, we get to hear a fabulous rendition of “The Weight”, recorded with special guest vocalist, John Hiatt. And in between, fabulous performances of “Evangeline”, recorded with Sheryl Crow, “Rag Mama Rag”, and “The Shape I’m In”.

Harmonica aficionados should really enjoy the back to back tracks, “Fannie Mae” and “Baby Scratch My Back”. Davis owns the stage with his riveting harp playing. It’s just great to listen to. Other great listens include the chilling ballad, “A Train Robbery”. Helm sings his heart out on this one. Rounding out the rest of the album, is a very nice cover of Chuck Berry’s “Back to Memphis”.

This event is also available on DVD, which I plan to picking up sometime soon, because I love the CD so much.

Warren Haynes

Man in Motion

Stax Records - Released May 10, 2011

Warren Haynes will tell us all about himself if we just listen close enough. Shoot, he’ll even print the lyrics. But all we have to do is listen to the title cut. The mighty Gov’t Mule hooks & Allman Brothers duels are replaced by some soulful grooves recorded at Willie Nelson’s in Texas. Warren Haynes’ voice takes over this recording and he’s at his sad and soulful best on these nine original tunes plus a cover. Ivan Neville, organ and George Porter, Jr. add gravitas with Ron Holloway playing sax, Ian McLagan on piano and Ruthie Foster singing background vocals. Its finely crafted music that oozes soul and passion that hits on many levels. I always thought of Warren Haynes as a soul singer first and foremost and this CD shows he’s at his best in this genre. Warren Haynes is definitely a Man In Motion.

Bluespaper July 2011

• Blue Band hits 30! OMG!
• LCBS welcomes John Shultz!
• Big Mo’s CD review: Warren Haynes
• Chubby Carrier headlines Bluesmore 2011
• John Lisi – Bluesmore 2011
• Heath Allan Band at Parlor City

Bluespaper June 2011

• 2nd Annual Irish District Music and Arts Festival
• Rev Rants: Bluesmore
• Gary Gibson plays Blues in the Schools at Four Oaks Bridge
• The Pumpers! Who are they?
• Phil Smith reviews Retro Deluxe’s “Watermelon Tea”

The kids in attendance were really enthusiastic (high energy) with the music and cool instruments.

On Friday, May 13, Four Oaks Bridge hosted Blues In The Schools with Gary Gibson, education chairman of the Linn County Blues Society. This cultural event taught the children about the rich history of blues music and included many opportunities for the children to participate. Gary encouraged lots of singing and clapping out musical time. Other musicians in the Gary Gibson Group included Bob Mays on the bass guitar and Charlie Faulkner on the drums.

After their performance, Gary then took many questions from the enthusiastic group of children afterwards. One question I think threw Gary a bit was “Where did heavy metal originate?”
The large group of K-4 grade students that were in attendance were somewhat of a tough crowd, though. They seemed to be really attuned to today’s music.

Gary Gibson, guitar in hand, helps a young blues enthusiast to pluck the strings while Gary, of course, helps with the chords.

The program began about 4PM and ended with a huge round of applause for the kids and teachers around 5:30PM. The event was really a great success. It appears that this will be an program that will grow as intrest was expressed to have more of these types of presentations. Of course, the LCBS will be all over this!

Retro Deluxe

Watermelon Tea

Rinkled Rooster

Retro Deluxe, one of the newer blues bands on the scene, is staking out its territory on the playground with the release of their second CD, Watermelon Tea. Boasting sixteen tracks, all originals, written by manager Bob Thompson, Watermelon Tea, like its namesake, is quite a refreshing treat. Founded by lead vocalist Bobby Joe Owens, and produced by Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers, South Memphis String Band), Retro Deluxe has a way of capturing that classic blues-boogie sound of the fifties and sixties.
It is impossible to miss the influence of the iconic Memphis Sun Studio greats on this album. Owens’ voice is surprising similar to that of Elvis Presley, and at times will transition the listener to a simpler time and place. Guitarist Zack Sweeney adds a touch of Led Zeppelin to Owen‘s Elvis-like vocals on ‘I’ve Got One Woman’. This favorite of mine is only a reggae beat away from Dread Zeppelin. Billy Earheart, a wild man on the piano, slaps those keys around like Jerry Lee Lewis on ‘What in the Devil Did I do Last Night’. With a sound similar to Lewis’s ‘Great Balls of Fire’, this track lyrically more of a follow-up to ’Tennessee Saturday Night’.
And for that simple and soulful sweet electric blues, ‘The Mother Nature Song’ hits the spot. One listen, and I caught myself reminiscing about soaking up some live delta blues music on Beale Street in Memphis.
Watermelon Tea is an enjoyable listen. I look forward to hearing what comes next for this band.

Last month I wrote about the new LCBS calendar of events. The new calendar will be on-line before you receive the July Bluespaper; we are working out the last few kinks. There is still time to send your comments or suggestions about the calendar. Use our Contact LCBS form to send them to me.

One of the comments I received last month was from a member who has not been receiving the BluesBlast email. If you are an LCBS member and don’t receive the BluesBlast e-mail, contact me using the link above and we’ll get you on the list.

If you are not a member, and would like to receive the BluesBlast e-mail every week, please consider joining the Linn County Blues Society. It’s only $20 a year. That’s less than 40 cents a week to be notified of where all the best live music is in our area. And we send you the Bluespaper every month.

Bluesmore

Many of you have heard already about the artists featured at this year’s Bluesmore. Next month’s Bluespaper will be packed with information about Bluesmore. But for those who have not heard, the 18th annual Bluesmore will open with Perry and the Pumpers (from Cedar Rapids), followed by John Lisi and Delta Funk (from New Orleans) and headlined by Grammy Award winners Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band (from New Orleans). Chubby won the Grammy this February for best Zydeco or Cajun album. This year should be a great show, so put Saturday, August 6 on your calendar.

We just got the Bluesmore posters and advance tickets back from the printers, so you will start seeing these around town soon. The best value is to buy your tickets in advance. Tickets are $15 at the gate, but only $13 in advance, or $12 with the coupons you will find in the Gazette. Check online for the local ticket outlets.

Shameless Plug: Regular readers will note a different picture of the Rev this month. The Rev finally got fed up with his friends asking where he got the mug shot that usually accompanies this column, so he got a new caricature from Barb Jacobs. You can get one from her, too. Her web site is barbjart.com. Check it out. This month, go out to see some live music, and remember to say hi to the Rev when you see him.

Bluespaper May 2011

• Get down in the Irish District! 2nd Annual Irish District Music & Arts Festival
• Rev Rants: New lcbs site coming
• Lacy Gibson 1936- 2011
• LCBS donates to KCCK fund drive
• Phil Smith reviews Marcia Ball’s “Roadside Attractions”
• Campbell-Steele Gallery hosts the Blue Band
• South Skunk SOS Answered
• Charlie Morgan Winter Bash