January/February 2005 Issue 272 Free 30th Anniversary Year www.jazz-blues.com SonSon SealsSeals 1942-2004 INSIDE... CD REVIEWS FROM THE VAULT January/February 2005 • Issue 272 Son Seals 1942-2004 The blues world lost another star Son’s 1973 debut recording, “The when W.C. Handy Award-winning and Published by Martin Wahl Son Seals Blues Band,” on the fledging Communications Grammy-nominated master Chicago Alligator Records label, established him bluesman Son Seals, 62, died Mon- as a blazing, original blues performer and Editor & Founder Bill Wahl day, December 20 in Chicago, IL of composer. Son’s audience base grew as comlications with diabetes. The criti- he toured extensively, playing colleges, Layout & Design Bill Wahl cally acclaimed, younger generation clubs and festivals throughout the coun- guitarist, vocalist and songwriter – try. The New York Times called him “the Operations Jim Martin credited with redefining Chicago blues most exciting young blues guitarist and Pilar Martin for a new audience in the 1970s – was singer in years.” His 1977 follow-up, Contributors known for his intense, razor-sharp gui- “Midnight Son,” received widespread ac- Michael Braxton, Mark Cole, tar work, gruff singing style and his claim from every major music publica- Chris Hovan, Nancy Ann Lee, charismatic stage presence. Accord- tion. Rolling Stone called it ~one of the David McPherson, Tim Murrett, ing to Guitar World, most significant blues Peanuts, Mark Smith, Duane “Seals carves guitar albums of the decade.” Verh and Ron Weinstock. licks like a chain On the strength of saw through solid “Midnight Son,” Seals Check out our new, updated web oak and sings like began touring Europe page. Now you can search for CD a grainy-voiced Reviews by artists, Titles, Record regularly, and even ap- avenging angel.” Labels or JBR Writers. Twelve years peared in an Olympia of reviews are up and we’ll be going Seals released 11 beer commercial. A all the way back to 1974! albums during his strong series of six more 30-year recording Address all Correspondence to.... successful Alligator re- career and toured Jazz & Blues Report leases followed through 19885 Detroit Road # 320 worldwide. Over the the 1980s and 1990s Rocky River, Ohio 44116 course of his career, (Seals also recorded Main Office ...... 216.651.0626 Seals was hailed as two albums for other la- Editor's Desk ... 440.331.1930 one of Chicago’s great bluesmen and bels during this time), growing Seals’ au- one of the city’s most powerful live per- [email protected] dience all over the world. Seals shared Web .................. www.jazz-blues.com formers. Musician stated, “Seals de- stages with a wide variety of blues stars, livers performances of the most pro- Copyright © 2005 Martin-Wahl Communications Inc. including B.B. King and Johnny Winter. found emotion – one of the genre’s Even the popular rock band Phish rec- No portion of this publication may be most soulful exorcists.” His most re- ognized Seals’ talent and power, cover- reproduced without written permission cent recording was an Alligator ing his song “Funky Bitch” on record and from the publisher. All rights Reserved. Records career retrospective, “Deluxe inviting Seals to join them on stage at Jazz Report was founded in Buffalo New Edition,” in 2002. Among his many many of their tour dates. York in March of 1974 and began in Cleve- accolades, Seals won three W.C. Handy Seals played his last live perfor- land in April of 1978. We are subsidized Blues Awards, one each in 1985, 1987 mances in October 2004 in California. solely through advertisement and ask that and 2001, and was nominated for a Survivors include a sister, Katherine Sims you support our advertisers. Grammy Award in 1980 for his partici- of Chicago, and 14 children. a W division of pation in the live compilation, “Blues artin-Wahl c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Deluxe.” Son Seals Discography: Frank “Son” Seals was born in The Son Seals Blues Band (1973) Alliga- Osceola, Arkansas on August 14, tor 1942. He became an accomplished Midnight Son (1976) Alligator "Buffalonious" drummer by the time he was 13. By Live And Burning (1978) Alligator the age of 18, Son had put down the Chicago Fire (1980) Alligator Original mascot from drumsticks and was leading his own Bad Axe (1984) Alligator the band as a guitarist. He moved to Chi- Living In The Danger Zone (1991) Alliga- Buffalo Jazz Report cago in 1971 and began playing regu- tor days – mid '70s lar weekend gigs at The Expressway Nothing But The Truth (1994) Alligator Created by Lounge and other clubs on Chicago’s Live-Spontaneous Combustion (1996) Al- Christine Engla Eber South Side, regularly jamming with leg- ligator ends like Hound Dog Taylor, Junior Watch for new t-shirts bearing his image–coming soon! Deluxe Edition (2002) Alligator Wells and Buddy Guy. Lettin’ Go (2002) Telarc PAGE TWO January/February 2005 • Issue 272 CJO Plays Kenny Wheeler’s Wilbert’s Celebrates Mardi Music for Large Ensembles Gras during February The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Cajun Music and Cajun Food Cleveland’s highly-acclaimed big band, Highlight the Month performs composer Kenny Wheeler’s cre- Wilbert’s Food and Music in ative and challenging Music for Large En- downtown Cleveland announced that sembles Saturday night, January 29, at 8 it will be celebrating Mardi Gras dur- p.m. at the Fairmount Temple Auditorium, ing the month of February with New 23737 Fairmount Boulevard, Beachwood. By Mark Smith Orleans style music, as well as menu It will be the fourth concert in the CJO’s specials. 2004-2005 World Class subscription se- Happy New Year!!!.... Here’s a few Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas ries. new discs to start out your year. kick things off on February 3, followed Born in Toronto 75 years ago, Wheeler New Release blues... Hubert Sumlin by Lil Brian and the Zydeco Travelers has been composing and playing in En- ( with special guests including Eric on February 10 and C.J. Chenier and gland for the past 52 years. His composi- Clapton, Keith Richards, David Johansen, his Red Hot Louisiana Band on Febru- tions, which some critics have hailed as James Cotton, Bob Margolin,, Levon ary 11. “amazing,” feature complex harmonies, Hlem , Paul Oscher, David Maxwell)- About the Food: changing times and rhythms, and vary in About Them Shoes; Sean Costello- Sean The daily menu specials through- style from straight-head swing to totally Costello; Precious Bryant- The Truth; out the entire month are: free. As a trumpeter, Wheeler has recorded Junior Kimbrough-Sunday Nights: The Monday-smotheredpork chops w/ with such artists as Anthony Braxton, Dave Songs of Junior Kimbrough; Roscoe red beans and rice, Tuesday-cajun Holland, George Russell, Keith Jarrett and Gordon- No Dark in America; John shepherd’s Pie,Wednesday-jambalaya, Michael Breeker. As both a performer and Hammond- In Your Arms Again; The Thursday-chicken and andouille a composer, his work has been described Bluerunners- Honey Slides; Downchild- gumbo, and Friday-shrimpetouffee. as “unpredictable and dynamic.” Come On In; Roomful of Blues- Stand- About the Music: The CJO will play compositions from ing Room Only; Corky Siegel- Traveling Thurs., Feb 3: Nathan & the Zydeco Wheeler’s 1990 recording Music for Large Chamber Blues; Sonny Landreth- Grant Cha Chas - $10/$12, 8:30 p.m.-Nathan Ensembles. Featuring nuance, depth and Street; The Five Blind Boys from Ala- Williams is different. While the rest of color, Wheeler’s music is not the traditional bama-The Legacy; Elmore James- Best the Zydeco nation wrestles over who big band sound of Count Basie and Woody of the Modern Years; Etta James- Best of will be crowned the next king— or Herman; it is more closely related to the the Modern Years; Johnny “Guitar” prince or duke — of Zydeco, Nathan pioneering works of Gil Evans and Maria Watson- Best of the Modern Years; T- has given himself the decidedly un- Schneider. The concert is part of what Bone Walker- Best of the Black & White royal sounding moniker, “The Zydeco Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Music Director Years; Ann Rabson (Saffire, the Uppity Hog,” and continued to focus on the Jack Schantz calls the CJO’s efforts to Blueswomen)- In a Family Way: Willie music for which he is renowned. “present the entire spectrum of the big King- Jukin’ At Betty’s... New Pig Thurs., Feb 10: Lil Brian & the band idiom.” Blues.... Blind Pig Records has an- Zydeco Traveler - $10, 9 p.m. - “Lil’ On March 26 the CJO will perform nounced the signing of its first interna- Brian — a trailblazer in the spirit of George Russell’s New York, New York and tional artist, Australian harmonica vir- Clifton Chenier and BuckwheatZydeco “Jazz for the Space Age. On May 14 the tuoso/didgeridoo performer/singer — revs up his mighty sound on FUNKY Cleveland band plays Bob Curnow’s big Harper. The first CD under the three NATION. This is great music, hard- band arrangements of the music of Pat record pact is scheduled to be released driving and irresistible.” — Michael Metheny and Lyle Mays. Both concerts will in May, 2005. The multi-award winning Tisserand, author of The Kingdom of also be at the Fairmount Temple Audito- artist plans to re-locate to Michigan in Zydeco and Editor of New Orleans rium early 2005 and begin a six month tour of Gambit Weekly Tickets for individual concerts are the US after the release of the new al- Fri., Feb. 11: C. J. Chenier and the available by phone at (440) 9429525, bum. Harper is currently recording his Red Hot Louisiana Band-$12, 9:30 online at www.ClevelandJazz.org, and by new CD in Melbourne, Australia.