ISSUE 145 The Publication of The Linn County Blues Society JULY 2006 ©2006—Linn County Blues Society Albert Cummings coming to Cocktails July 13 when Tommy encouraged Albert to just re- The Linn County Blues Society is a non-profit With the lax and play from the heart. “That was the release organization dedicated to the preservation, best advice I could have gotten,” Cummings promotion and perpetuation of Blues music in of “From says. “In time, I realized it was also the per- Eastern Iowa, as well as to provide charitable the fect name for the record.” contributions to other community organizations. Heart”, LCBS is an Affiliated Organization in The Blues In expressing his feelings about the Blues, Foundation’s international network. The the stun- Albert says, “I love the Blues because it is so ning BLUESPAPER is a monthly publication of LCBS. real, you just can’t fake it. There is some- Website: www.lcbs.org debut thing about the sound of a great Blues gui- Bluesline: 319/399-5105. from tarist that snaps my head around.” The Leaders—Officers: Massa- Andy Aledort, Senior Editor, Guitar World chutts’ President.........................................Dave Points Magazine, adds: “To be sure, many more Vice President..........................................Vacant Albert heads will be snapping to the sound of Secretary....................................Michelle Points Cum- Albert Cummings, too.” Treasurer........................................Susan Dergo mings, the guitarist/vocalist blasts onto the Blues/Rock scene armed with a rare Directors at Large: blend of power, authority and soul. Kansas City Blues checking Bob DeForest, Bill Meeks, Bob Dorr The 33-year-old Cummings turned a into Checker’s Tavern Chairs: youthful apprenticeship in bluegrass in Education.............................................Vacant the direction of gutsy, rocked-up Blues Entertainment...............................Gary Gibson at the inspiration of the late guitar great Membership..............................Kevin Cutsforth Merchandise..................................Andy Dergo Stevie Ray Vaughan. It is here that Albert Parliamentarian.................................Bill Meeks discovered his true voice as a musician. Program......................................Bob DeForest “Stevie turned my life around, musically • PJ Harrington has signed Levee Town Public Relations................................Interested? speaking,” Albert enthuses. Starting on for a July 9 playdate. Levee Town hails from Webmaster.....................................Evan Vulich the five-string banjo at age 12, the pri- Kansas City (although all members are from other cities and states). You’ll meet Bran- The BLUESPAPER folks: marily self-taught Cummings soon found Editor....................................Chris Weinbrenner himself gravitating towards the musical don Hudspeth on guitar, vocals; Jimmie Photographers.................See bylines each issue diversity of the guitar. Meade, harmonica, vocals; Jan Faircloth, Staff Writers.....................See bylines each issue “When I heard Stevie, I couldn’t believe drums; and Jacque Garoutte, bass guitar. Printing..................:.....................Superior Press Distribution..................Andy Dergo & Bill Meeks it. I didn’t think it was possible to play like that! I listened to him constantly, The gui- Membership: tar was an instant obsession.” To learn more about The Linn County Blues Soci- In 1987, Albert wandered into a SRV & ety or to join, see the membership form on the LCBS website. Your membership includes: DT show at Boston’s Orpheum Theater. • Discount admissions to many local Blues “That first time I saw them play, I was activities riveted. I had never experienced any- • Monthly LCBS BLUESPAPER thing that intensely powerful in my life.” • Voting rights in the LCBS Double Trouble’s Chris Layton and Tom- Contact Information: my Shannon would soon figure directly in • Scottyboy Daniels Blues Band, July 16, Deadline for news, band or club live entertainment Cummings’ career. “In October of 2000 I listing, or advertising: 2nd Monday of month. Send was scheduled to play in Troy, NY. I sug- brings Blues with a feeling played in the to Chris Weinbrenner, PO Box 407, Williamsburg IA gested getting Double Trouble on the bill true ensemble style exhibiting the 52361, phone/fax: 319/668-8113; and sent them my demo. After playing proper dynamics, swing, tone and taste [email protected] or web: www.lcbs.org that and another show with them, they said set forth by the Chicago and West Coast Moving? Send new address to LCBS, PO Box 2672, they wanted to produce me which was like masters...true traditional Blues is what Cedar Rapids IA 52406-2672 so you won’t miss a a dream come true!” they’ll bring to Checker’s! single issue of your BLUESPAPER. The album’s title, “From the Heart,” stems These guys love the Blues and it shows from the Austin, Texas recording sessions in every note! 2/The BLUESPAPER/July 2006 Tinsley Ellis and Lil’ Ed & Blues Imperials to play Blues on Grand, Des Moines, in July • Rock/Blues guitarist/vocalist Tinsely Ellis will perform • Lil’ Ed & Blues Imperials celebrate new CD July 21 live at Blues on Grand July 5th! Living Blues says: “Full of fire...high-octane Chicago slide gui- Rolling Stone says of Ellis, “Feral Blues guitar...non-stop gig- tar and raucous vocals. A balls-to-the-wall celebration.” ging has sharpened his six-string to a razor’s edge...his eloquence Alligator recording artists Lil’ Ed & Blues Imperials will celebrate dazzles...he achieves pyrotechnics that rival Jeff Beck and Eric their new release “Rattlesnake” with a live performance at Clapton.” Hard-rock Blues-soaked guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Blues on Grand. From smoking slide guitar runs to raw-boned Tinsley Ellis will celebrate his return to Alligator Records with his Chicago shuffles to the deepest Blues, Lil’ Ed and his blistering, first-ever live CD, LIVE-HIGHWAYMAN in Des Moines. The CD is road-tested band, get wild and crazy every time they pick up an Ellis fan’s dream-come-true because as great as he is in the their instruments. studio, it’s the stage where Ellis really fires it up. “Rattlesnake” features Lil’ Ed’s romping, sizzling guitar and his Ellis’ live shows feature extended fretwork filled with melodic rough-hewn vocals, his half-brother James “Pookie” Young’s and rhythmic experimentation, in the spirit of jam bands like thumping bass, Mike Garrett’s feral rhythm guitar and Kelly his friends Widespread Panic and The Allman Brothers. Tinsley’s Littleton’s unpredictable, yet bone-crunching, drumming. The hometown paper, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, calls his music Washington Post described Lil Ed’s music as “contagious wild- “a potent, amazing trip through electric Blues/Rock.” ness.” From working in a car wash, he now entertains all over The show is set for 8:00 PM, $10. www.bluesongrand.com the world! It’s Des Moines Friday, July 21, 9:30 PM, $10. The BLUESPAPER/July 2006/3 It’s time to jump & shout at BLUESMORE! Ticket Outlets... • Brucemore • Checker’s Tavern • CDs Plus • J.M. O’Malley’s • Music Lofts • The Flamingo • All West Music • Cocktails • Chappy’s Safari • Mahoney’s • CD Warehouse • Music-Go-Round • Home Town Restyling • Bob’s Guitars, Cedar Falls Tickets... • Headliner: • $11 in advance Roomful of Blues • $10 with a coupon • Headliner: • $13 at the gate Nora Jean Bruso Children under 10 admitted FREE • Opening: when accompanied by an adult. Ellis Kell Band Advance tickets available now at • Hometown Restyling Back outlets through August 5. Porch Blues Band with No refunds on advance tickets. Kevin “B.F.” Burt” No discounts the day of the show. • Sponsored by the Please, no pets, coolers or outside Linn County Blues Society food. No on-site parking. and Brucemore Location... • Brucemore Mansion 2160 Linden Drive SE Cedar Rapids, Iowa Information: • Brucemore, 319-362-7375 www.brucemore.org • Linn County Blues Society 319-399-5105, www.lcbs.org • BLUESMORE Sponsors... Thanks to Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust (CRBT) for being sponsor of the Main Stage; Homestyle Restyling signing up for the third year as Back Porch sponsor; and great old standbys, The Gazette and KCRG, as media sponsors. We couldn’t do it without you! 4/The BLUESPAPER/July 2006 BLUESMORE 2006...Saturday, August 5 year history, along with Shemekia Copeland Alligator Records releases new About the Bands... and KoKo Taylor. Cephas & Wiggins CD “Shoulder to Shoulder” • Roomful of Blues, Headliner • The Ellis Kell Band, Opener Originally formed in 1990, The EKB has The 4th Alligator release of Cephas The horn-fueled, jumping, swinging, performed in the midwest at many clubs, & Wiggins is filled with down-home, award-winning band, Roomful of Blues, concert venues and festivals. They play a acoustic Blues tour-de-force. are headliners for BLUESMORE 2006. The combination of original material and cover Because both guitarist/vocalist John great Count Basie called them “the hot- tunes of Blues and Rock selections. The band Cephas and harmonicist/vocalist Phil test Blues band I’ve ever heard.” Down- released its first CD in 1993 with “Down to Wiggins were born in Washington, DC, beat said the band is “in a class by itself.” the Levee,” and its second CD in 2000 with they bring an urban sophistication to the Without a doubt, Roomful of Blues is all “Ellis Kell Band & Friends - 2000”. traditionally rural Blues they perform. this and more, winning many W.C. Handy The band currently features Ellis Kell on With “Shoulder to Shoulder,” the spir- Blues as well as Grammy Awards. guitar and vocals, John Burchett on bass, Rick ited and seamless mix of both original After more than 35 years of jumpin’ and Stoneking on keyboards, “Detroit” Larry Davi- and classic material sheds a bright light swingin’ through nearly 50 band members son on harmonica, and Terry Hanson on drums. on Piedmont Blues. Of the album’s 12 (including such members as Duke Robillard In 2005, the band received the River Citiies’ songs, Cephas wrote or co-wrote six. and Ronnie Earl), this Rhode Island collec- Reader “Best Award” for Blues Band.