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2160 Edgewood RD SW319-654-8405Ask for Darin

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What aboutyou? Cool Issue 184 November 2009

Grooveyard to promote local, Bryce JaneyBig Mo’s CD reviewKris Lager at Parlor City Pub & Eatery November 1Living History Blues FestivalPaul Rishell and Annie Raines at CSPSLocal LIVE music schedulesLate breaker: Mike Zito at Chappy’s October 29

The Publication of the Linn County Blues Society- lcbs.org

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y Bi

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y

brycejaney.com

The Linn County Blues Society is a way cool, non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Blues music in Eastern Iowa as well as to provide charitable contributions to other commu-nity organizations. LCBS is an Affiliated Organization in the Blues Foundation’s international network. The BLUESPAPER is a monthly publication of the LCBS.

Website: lcbs.org

LCBS OfficersPresident - Andy DergoVice President - Evan VulichSecretary - Steve SpringerTreasurer - Sue Dergo

Directors at LargeBob De Forest, Bill Meeks, Frank Wilson

ChairsEducation: Gary GibsonPR Chair: Stephanie HeckEntertainment - Greg WestMembership - Kevin CutsforthMerchandise - David Andrews

The Bluespaper & LCBS folksEditor - Evan Vulich Photographers - Bill Ray, see bylinesStaff Writers - Bill Ray, see bylinesDistribution - Andy Dergo, Bill MeeksParliamentarian - Bill MeeksProgram - Bob De ForestWeb Admin: Evan Vulich

MembershipTo learn more about the Linn County

Blues Society or to join, see the member-ship form in this Bluespaper or the LCBS website. Your membership includes;

• Discount admissions to many local Blues activities.• Monthly LCBS Bluespaper.• Voting rights in the LCBS elections.• Being a part of the groove!

Bluespaper Contact informationSend news, band or club live entertain

-ment listings or advertising to:Evan Vulich at: evulich@mchsi.com.

Bluespaper Ad Rates$15.00 - Business card size - 2” x 3.5”$25.00 - Quarter page ad - 3.5” x 4.75”$50.00 - Half page ad - 4.75” x 7.25”$100.00 - Full page - 7.5” x 10”

Submission Requirements- All ads, photos or scanned images, either color or black/white, need to be 300ppi. Native Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, JPG, TIFF, EPS, PDF, BMP accepted. Ads created in Word may cause dimentia, severe cramp-ing and diarrhea. Deadline for submis-sions is the 19th of the month.

Moving? Send your new address to; LCBS, PO Box 2672, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-2672 so you won’t miss a single issue of your Bluespaper.

Bryce Janey performs at Chappy’s Safari Lounge.

article and photos by Bill Ray

Sometimes it’s difficult to be-lieve that Marion guitar sling-er Bryce Janey has been play-

ing and singing the blues well into his third decade now. But it’s true.

At age 36, Bryce is such a familiar face in local music venues that we tend to take for granted that he’s always been there. He’s paid his dues and be-come an accomplished blues player of the first order. He also composes some great songs of his own.

So it is gratifying to learn that Bryce will be affiliating with Grooveyard Re-cords this coming December. Groove-yard will release and promote his new-est album, “Blues In My Soul,” also in December. The company will addition-ally re-release two of young Janey’s previous albums–giving him the ad-vantage of national and world-wide promotion and distribution.

This is a wonderful leap forward for Bryce, and we all wish him continuing

success. Locally, we already know that when Bryce Janey and his band are playing, you are going to hear some great blues guitar work, excel-lent blues vocals and very danceable tunes. Regional ven-ues in Eastern Iowa know this, too.

Check out his web site brycejaney.com or MySpace Music site on your computer to catch one of his upcoming shows. Go enjoy the music and congratu-late him on his new recording label ven-ture.

3234 Center Point Rd.

Official Pizzaof Bluesmore!

364-4313

“Wes Montgomery played impossible things on the guitar because it was never pointed out to him that they were im-

possible. “

– Ronnie Scott

Mike Zito at Chappy’s October 29

Brook HooverJoel McDowell Kyle OyloeErik Marshall

Available at: Barnes and NobleMusic Go Round - Cedar RapidsThe Record Collector - Iowa City

“... when I saw Jimi Hendrix I knew immediately that this guy was the real thing ... and when he played it was like a rough sketch of what he was going to become ... this guy was our generation, and he wasn’t in a suit .. he played a Howlin’ Wolf song ‘Killing Floor’, and then we (The Cream) had to carry on

the set. It was pretty hard to follow” — Eric Clapton“a good player can make any guitar sound good”

— Michael Bloomfield

Sat. - The Firehouse- Jam with various players 4-8PMSun.- Mahoney’s - Various artists-Never a Cover, 6pmSun.- Charlie’s, Coralville-Blues JamWed.- Checkers Tavern-Kevin BF Burt solo 6-9Thurs.-J.M.O’Malley’s-T-Bone Giblin Jam Fest

Specializing inRIBS, STEAK, PRIME RIB, LOBSTER & CRAB

Featuring our award winningBBQ Pork Ribs!

Seafood • 30 item salad barKids menus • Specialty desserts

The LCBS meets the 1st Monday of each month. See you at the Longbranch on November 2, 6:30PM for the LCBS general meeting. Guests are welcome!

90 Twixt Town Rd., Marion • 377-6386.

November CalendarSun. 1 Mahoney’s Irish Pub Billy Janey Group w/ DJ. 6-10PM

Tue. 3 Chrome Horse Gibby’s Music Lab Jam; 8-11PM

Thur. 5 J.M. O’Malley’sMulligansSchuey’sQuenton’s, Iowa City

Blues Jam with Gibby the “Great One”; 9-1Billy Janey & Dan Johnson duo, 9-12David Zollo, 7-10PMKilowatt & Grizz, 9:30-1:30

Fri. 6 Blues On Grand, DMErnie’sThe Hub, Cedar FallsChrome HorseKnuckleheadsCSPS, Blues

Tinsley Ellis, Show TBA, $12.00McMurrin & Johnson. 6-9PMThe Blue Band; 6-9PM TGIF Party!Beaker Brothers BandSlide Williams solo, 9-1 AnamosaBeauSoleil Avec, Michael Doucet, 8PM, $18

Sat. 7 Firehouse- JAMYacht Club, Iowa CityChappy’s SafariMoose Lodge, CRSchuey’s

Various players, 4-8PMDaddy-O and the Demolition Band. 10PM24/7Electric Mule, 9-1David Zollo Band, 9-1

Sun. 8 Mahoney’s Irish PubCSPS, Celtic/Blues

Dick Prall, 6-10PMEnter The Haggis, $18 at the door

Tue. 10 Chrome Horse Gibby’s Music Lab Jam; 8-11PM

Wed. 11 Blues On Grand, DM Tommy Castro, 8PM, $15.00

Thur. 12 J.M. O’Malley’sSchuey’s, SchueyvilleFirehouse

Blues Jam with “the Great One”McMurrin & Johnson. 7-10PMThe Mike & Rob Show, 9-1

Fri. 13 Cedar River LandingPatty O’Rourkes

McMurrin & Johnson; 9PMThe Mike & Rob Show, 9-1

Sat. 14 Firehouse- JAMChappy’s SafariChrome HorseShuey’s

Various players w/ Dan Johnson, 4-8PM4Box O Rocks; 9PMGibbs BrothersElectric Mule, 9-1

Sun. 15 Mahoney’s Irish PubParlor City Pub

Bonnie Finken & The Collective, 6-10PMDemolition Band; 6-10PM

Mon. 16 CSPS, Blues Keri Noble, 7PM $12 at the door

Tue. 17 Chrome Horse Gibby’s Music Lab Jam; 8-11PM

Thur. 19 J.M. O’Malley’sDublin City PubShuey’s

Blues Jam with “ the Great One”; 9-1McMurrin & Johnson; 8-11PMThe Mike & Rob Show, 9-1

Fri. 20 Ernie’sJameson’s Pub HouseC & D, Mt. Vernon

Bryce Janey & Dan Johnson duo; 6-9PMThe Blue Band, 9PM. WaterlooSlide Williams solo, 8-1

Sat. 21 Firehouse- JAMChrome HorseChappy’s Safari5th Gear, CRSchuey’s

Various players, 4-8PMFunk DaddiesSarah Cram & The Derelicts, 9PMElectric Mule, 9-1Terry McCauley, 9-1

Sun. 22 Mahoney’s Irish Pub The Steez, 6-10PM

Tue. 24 Chrome Horse Gibby’s Music Lab Jam; 8-11PM

Wed. 25 Ernie’sChappy’s SafariSchuey’s

McMurrin & Johnson; 6-8:30PMDDog & The BBits, 9PMTommy Daugherty & bros. Live recording! 8P

Thur. 26 J.M. O’Malley’sChappy’s Safari

Blues Jam with the “Great One”; 9-1The Mike & Rob Show, 8-12

Fri. 27 Bottleworks BuildingThird Street SaloonNext Door

The Blue Band. New Bo Benefit, CR 8-11PMDick Prall Reunion ShowElectric Mule, 9-1

Sat. 28 Firehouse- JAMSchuey’s

Various players, 4-8PMFlaming Camaros, 9-1

Sun. 29 Mahoney’s Irish Pub Jacob Jones, 6-10PM

Late Arrivals: Checkers Tavern

Thur. 5th 7pm Nick Stika Fri. 6th 9pm Boogie WoogersFri. Nov. 13 Strangely FamiliarThur. Nov. 19 7pm Matt GogelFri. Nov. 20 9pm Twist & ShoutWed. Nov. 25 8pm Chubby TrioFri. Nov. 27, 9pm Kevin Burt Band (P.J.’s Birthday)Thur. Dec.3, 8pm Reverend Raven & The Chain Smoking Altar BoysSun. Dec.6, 6pm Johny Rawls Blues Revue

Late arrivals: Bryce Janey Sat. Nov. 7, Bryce Janey Band w/ Gibby

Jersey’s Pub & Grub 5761 C St. SW CR

Sat. Nov. 21, Bryce Janey solo / acoustic bluesSouth Main Events, 9-1 615 S. Main, Monticello

Wed. Nov. 25, Bryce Janey - Merrill Miller ReunionVIP, 648 8th St., Marion 9PM

Sat. Nov. 28 Bryce Janey, open micPitcher’s, 620 Lindale Dr., Marion 8P-12:30

Parlor City Pub Sunday, Nov. 1 Kris Lager & Jerimiah WeirSunday, Nov. 8 Daddy-O & the Demo BandSunday, Nov. 15 Useful Jenkins MankatoSunday, Nov. 22 JumbiesSunday, Nov. 29 TBA

A Tribute to The Mississippi SheiksThings About Comin’ My Way Black Hen Music

Release date: October 20, 2009

This was a labor of love for Pro-ducer Steve Dawson involving 17 different artists on 17 different Mis-sissippi Sheiks tunes. So this CD is really about the world’s greatest and most unappreciated string band. First recorded in 1930 with the Chat-mon Brothers, Sam on guitar and Lonnie on violin and were joined by Cousin Bo Carter and Walter Vinson on guitars who had their own solo ca-reers. From Bolton Mississippi, the Chatmon’s followed the same routes across the south as the itinerant blues musicians and went as far north as Chicago & New York. They were very popular in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s and recorded over 60 sides for Okeh, Co-lumbia with their last recording for Blue-bird in 1935 after which time they went back to Mississippi to farm. The Sheiks are responsible for “Sitting On Top Of The World” that was used by Howlin’ Wolf and their “Things About Comin’ My Way” was used by Robert Johnson for “Come on in My Kitchen”. Their songs range from blues to dances to hokum and provide a peek into the life of the segregated Deep South. This compilation is true to the origi-nals done in old time style and range from the joyous “We Both Are Feeling Good Right Now” to the remarkable “Bootleg-ger’s Blues” and the disturbing “I’ve Got Blood In My Eyes For You”. Artists include The North Mississippi Allstars, John Ham-mond, Bruce Cockburn, Bill Frisell, Kelly Joe Phelps, Bob Brozman, Ndidi Onuk-wulu, Robin Holcomb and many others. The songs are the real stars. If you’ve heard The Mississippi Sheiks before, then this CD will remind you why they were Bob Dylan’s favorite band. If you’re not famil-iar, then this is a good way to get started on the great music of The Mississippi Sheiks.

— John Heim (A.K.A. “Big Mo”)

Ric Holmquest

Lincoln Nebraska guitar slinger Kris Lager has a story to tell and a whole

new way to tell it! Lager will unveil his new Texas Blues Rock duo and lots of new material on Sunday No-vember 1, when he performs at Par-lor City Pub and Eatery from 6-10 pm. There will not a cover charge for this performance.

After two years of traveling with, opening for and performing as In-digenous, Kris Lager will take some time to musically refocus, perform as a duo and head back into the stu-dio. Life’s experiences on the road with Mato Nanji’s Indigenous and the breakup of a two year relation-ship have fueled Lager’s creative song writing, having penned thirty new songs to choose from for his new studio recording. “We have re-ally learned a lot from working with Mato” says Kris Lager, “gaining lots of experience, building relationships along the way and making it a com-munity”.

The Kris Lager Band’s lineup has changed dramatically, with long-time wingman and Hammond haul-er, Jeremiah Weir now positioned behind the drum-kit and perform-ing as a duo. The change of lineup necessitates new material informs Lager, adding “we feel we’re mak-ing the best music we’ve made in years!” Of his relationship with longtime band-mate Jeremiah Weir, Lager states “musically we take care of each other and communicate…ul-timately, we both just love to have a good time!”

Kris Lager says he is looking for-ward to sharing this new version of his signature Texas Blues Rock with his friends and fans in Eastern Iowa and then get right back into the studio to begin recording. Lager has become a Blues Rock fixture across the Mid-west, with many memorable perfor-mances in Eastern Iowa. Local Blues fans remember the Kris Lager Band opening a Linn County Blues Society concert at Third Street Live that fea-tured the Lonnie Brooks Band.

Parlor City Pub & Eatery1125 3rd St. S.E.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn. They teach you there’s a boundary line to music. But, man, there’s no boundary line to art.” — Charlie “YardBird” Parker

photos and article by David Andrews

Chris Caine

Joe Price

Matt Woods

E.C. Scott

Ronnie Baker Brookes

Matt Woods & The Thunderbolts

I was lucky enough to convince friends that we should attend the first ever “Living History

Blues Fest” in Des Moines, Septem-ber 5-6. We could not make it for the Saturday show, but managed to get to Des Moines on Sunday and enjoy the great festival that the Central Iowa Blues Society was putting on.

The Living History Farms grounds worked very well and the double stage setting/sound were all very well done. The sounds of Blues music was flow-ing early and continuously with local and national artists providing the en-tertainment on a warm and clear sum-mer evening.

Our group made it to the stage on several occasions to enjoy the music up close and personal. (Sorry, the dancing and carrying on cannot be published in a family type paper).

There was BBQ and Cajun food to be tasted and appreciated. I had to try both and was very pleasantly sur-prised by the great selection and fla-vors.

The entire package that CIBS put to-gether was very well done especially con-sidering this was the first year for LHBF.

My hope is that this is the

beginning of an annual LHBF. Watch your Blues Paper next fall. I will be there and I would encourage any Blues music fan to make it next year….this is the real deal.

Visit their web site at cibs.org.

Annie Raines and Paul Rishell perform at CSPS.

Annie Raines plays her harp

Paul Rishell on the steel guitar

article and photos by Bill Ray

Sometimes a concert exceeds all your expectations to the nth degree. I had heard this blues duo was good. But

I had no idea of the musical magic awaiting me at CSPS Saturday night, October 17.

Arriving early, I sat at a table up front-no more than ten feet away from the stage. On

stage were two empty chairs, two guitars, a bag of harmonicas, a mandolin, and a special set of microphones and amplifiers. The room was darkened, and I imagined it could have been an old-time tavern, an opera house, a coffee shop, or a church meeting room.

Paul Rishell and Annie Raines have ap-peared on Mountain Stage and Prairie Home Companion. They have played countless blues festivals in the U.S. and Europe. But this was their first appearance in Cedar Rapids as part of a three-week Midwest tour. CSPS co-direc-tor John Herbert made it clear in his introduc-tion that he had been trying to book Paul and Annie for years.

What followed was an education in roots blues from the 1920’s and 1930’s. Rishell and Raines are educators as well as consummate performers of old-time blues songs. They will tell you about the songs, their origins, the players and singers--and then demonstrate by playing the songs so authentically, that the listener is transported back in time, as if you were hearing that original song as played on the street corner, in that juke joint, or in that railroad station waiting room.

Playing his 1996 National steel guitar (given to him by the company,) Paul played and sang “Canned Heat Blues,” a 1928 tune by Tommy Johnson. Annie accompanied him with a subtle harmonica backing. Trading lead vocals, Annie then launched into “Honey, It

must Be Love.” Joining together, they sang and played a Francis Blackwell tune called “Trouble Blues.”

Annie Raines is surely one of the finest har-monica players in the country today. But her vo-cal renditions of the old blues songs are equally impressive. Indeed, she reminded the audience

that in the early days of blues recordings in the 1920’s, women domi-nated the field for half a decade.

She demonstrated her skills with mournful in-terpretations of Ma Rain-ey’s “Black Eye Blues” and a song called “Go-ing Back To Dallas.” For each different song, she seemed to pull a differ-ent harmonica out of her bag--of varying sizes and keys. And on the Ma Rainey song, she played the mandolin!

Paul Rishell is a master blues guitar player, whether using a bottleneck slide or just finger picking. His deep baritone vocals reveal a studied appreciation of the pain and joy of the original blues masters. He lives the songs (as does Annie.) Playing harmonica and singing (while Paul accompanied on steel guitar,) Annie responded with a woman’s an-them: “Got To Fly (Away From Here).” As the

first set ended with this song, I suddenly real-ized I was so immersed in the concert that I had forgotten to take any photos. I quickly grabbed my camera and squeezed off a few shots.

Annie Raines grew up in Boston, while Paul Rishell is originally from Brooklyn, New York. Based in Boston, the duo now does lim-ited performing tours. They are increasingly devoting more time to producing instructional videos, doing workshops, and recording music

in the studio. During the break, they easily in-teracted with audience members in the CSPS lobby area--answering questions and signing posters and CD’s.

Back for the second set, Paul did a haunting church-like lament with his vocal on Charley Patton’s “Some of These Days, I’ll Be Gone.” This masterful rendition, along with Annie’s quiet harmonica backing, seemed to me to transform the CSPS room into a blues cathe-dral. Annie answered with a light-hearted Bessie Smith tune, “Good Old Wagon.”

Moving forward in blues history, Paul grabbed his red electric Fender guitar while Annie got out her special hand-held harp mic. They did an instrumental version of Big May-belle’s tune “Candy” from 1956. Then they rocked out with a country blues song, “Old Heartbreak,” that had the audience clapping along.

Paul and Annie interacted beautifully with a gorgeous seven-minute rendition of Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Early In the Morning (About the Break of Day).” The intertwining vocals and instrumentation were a profound tribute to the old blues pioneers and the re-spect the duo has for this truly American mu-sic.

Two solid hours of great music was coming to an end. And I was sorry to have to leave. For their encore, Annie tuned up her man-dolin and joined Paul on guitar for a rousing Carter Stanley bluegrass tune, “Don’t Cheat In Our Home Town.” Yeah!