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Weekly Blues Music Report: Dion Debuts, Etta Still Rules!

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:01:44 +0000

A legend long before her tragic death, R&B great Etta James continues to rule the top of the charts. The Billboard magazine blues chart for the week ending February 11, 2012 shows James' budget-priced Icon collection reprising its turn in the top spot while the singer's final album, The Dreamer, holds down number two. It's only fitting that Miss Etta should be honored thus, and interest in her music remains as high as it's been at any time since her 1960s heyday.

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International Blues Challenge 2012 Winners

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:22:03 +0000

The Blues Foundation held its 28th annual International Blues Challenge this past weekend, February 1st through 4th, 2012. This was the biggest and best IBC to date, with a record 226 acts, a total of 748 musicians from 40 states and 16 countries from around the globe participating in the competition. This year's IBC was expanded from three nights to four, with quarter-final rounds held on Wednesday and Thursday nights, semi-finals on Friday night, and the final round on Saturday.

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Blues News Report: Ruthie Foster Tour Dates

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:02:23 +0000

Earlier this week, singer Ruthie Foster released her first studio album in almost three years, Let It Burn. Released by her own independent Blue Corn Music label, the album was recorded in New Orleans with some of the city's best and brightest blues, soul, and R&B talents.

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Doheny Blues Festival 2012

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:01:37 +0000

The good folks at the Doheny Blues Festival have announced the line-up of their 2012 event, the festival's 15th anniversary. Scheduled for Saturday, May 19th and Sunday, May 20th, 2012 at Doheny State Beach, a 62-acre state park in Dana Point, California, the festival features music on three stages, as well as an international food court and microbrew sampling; campsites are also available.

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Weekly Blues Music Report: Etta James Rules!

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:01:56 +0000

It's no surprise, really, that in the wake of the death of R&B great Etta James, that her most recent album and most popular compilation should both shoot to the top of the charts. The Billboard magazine blues chart for the week ending February 4, 2012 has James' budget-priced Icon collection grabbing the number one spot, and the singer's final album, The Dreamer, holding down number two. I expect Icon to hold onto the top position for at least another week, but since my predictions have been horrible, what do I know?

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Mud Morganfield CD Preview

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:01:48 +0000

With Severn Records reaching for the stars and signing blues powerhouses the Fabulous Thunderbirds and the Nighthawks, you'd think that the Maryland-based blues-and-roots label would be content with its good fortune...and you'd be wrong! Proof that good things come in threes, Severn has announced the signing of Larry "Mud" Morganfield, the oldest son of Chicago blues legend Muddy Waters.

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Blues News Report: The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Caribbean Cruise 2012

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:01:46 +0000

The good folks at The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise have announced the details of their October 2012 Caribbean cruise, and this is going to be one you won't want to miss. The exotic Caribbean cruise will take place from October 27th to November 3rd, 2012; departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico and stopping in the Barbados, St. Lucia, Martinique, and Dominica before returning.

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Essential Omar & the Howlers

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:01:37 +0000

For better than three decades now, the Austin-based Omar & the Howlers have thrilled audiences worldwide with their high-octane blend of roots-rock, hard-edged blues, and Texas soul. While the band enjoyed a brief notoriety during the Stevie Ray Vaughan-led blues-rock boom of the 1980s with the major-label release of 1987's acclaimed Hard Times In The Land Of Plenty, they've mostly gone the independent route since, releasing a dozen studio and live albums on labels like Bullseye Blues, Black Top Records, Watermelon Records, and most recently, for Ruf Records.

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Weekly Blues Music Report: Gary Clark, Jr. Upsets!

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:01:30 +0000

Now this was totally unexpected: after weeks of stealthy forward momentum, the Billboard magazine blues chart for the week ending January 28, 2012 shows that Texas blues guitarist Gary Clark, Jr. has unseated long-time champ Hugh Laurie from the number one spot. While I've had readers recommend Laurie's Let Them Talk album, it still smells to me like a dilettantish effort to ward off the boredom of a hit TV show and seven-figure paycheck. Clark, on the other hand, is the real deal, certified bluesy by Eric Clapton (for what that's worth) and following in the hallowed footsteps of Stevie Ray Vaughan. Clark's The Bright Lights EP is a fine collection of songs that will whet the listener's appetite for a full-length LP, hopefully in the near future.

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Knology Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival 2012

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:01:07 +0000

A new year also means a new blues festival season! While several of our favorite festivals took a bit of a beating last year, with the cancellation of many long-running events, the upcoming slate of festivals is looking strong. The Knology Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival is always one of the year's first major shindigs, and this year's event is looking like a real houserockin' good time!

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