April 2010

RAMBLINGS

Thanks to all those that are keeping me supplied with blues fodder, and a BIG thanks to YOU for reading this blog. I hope you like it. Any comments, advice, or ideas will always be appreciated . And do please pass the  blog link on to any friends. Thanks. 

In this issue we have news of Joe Louis Walker coming to Cahors. The wonderful voice of Connie Lush (see March 2010 issue) will be in France too. Nico Wayne Toussaint, harmonica fantastic, continues with his tour in France and Spain. Malted Milk are running around, and BB King will be in Cognac again.

Other news is that the UK government has announced that they want to put a stop to the illegal downloading of music. I cannot imagine how they will do that, it is all a bit too late, but I wish them luck - after all it is wrong. But then, so is fiddling one's expenses!!!!!!!!!!! What do you think about music downloads and copying? Has the music industry shot itself in the foot? Let me know your thoughts.

WHAT'S ON?
April

01   Eric Bibb is at salle Grappelli, Nice (06)

02   American Gospel Connection is at Palavas les Flottes

02   Eric Bibb is at Mainvilliers -­ Salle des fêtes

03   Connie Lush is at Regneville-Sur-Mer (76)

03   Eric Bibb is at St Rémy-Les ­Chartreuses -­ Jazz à Toute Heure
06 - 10  Nico Wayne Toussaint is at Hotel Meridien, Paris  
15   Nico Wayne Tousaint is at Ruel Malmaison (92)
17   Little Bob is at Le Mans (72) - Circuit 24h Moto
23   Pura Fe is at Merville (59) - Espace Culturel

23   Malted Milk is at Le Thor (84) -­ Le Sonograf   
24   Malted Milk is at Périgueux -­ Les Toquets
25   Pura Fe is at Grande-Synthe (59) - Centre Culturel
25   Malted Milk is at La Roche Posay ­- Festival Images en Scènes

BLUES NOTE

Joe Louis Walker adds to the line-up of magnificent blues artist to perform at the Cahors Blues Festival in July 2010.

Starting out in his teens, in San Francisco, Joe Louis hung out with guitarist Mike Bloomfield and jammed along with visiting bluesmen in the local clubs.

At some stage he moved to gospel and sang with the gospel quartet, the Spiritual Corinthians which, at the time when blues was more clearly defined as ‘Delta’, ‘Chicago’, or ‘West Coast’ seemed to confuse his listeners. But by the mid 90’s he was becoming more consistent and set about setting himself new challenges. Great Guitars (1997), with leaders like Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, and Ike Turner is an interesting feature of his work and reveals his wide knowledge of the blues.

Multiple Grammy and WC Handy award winner, Joe Louis Walker, is now a ‘must’ to see and hear. A guitar legend and a singer/song writer he now relentlessly tours the world spreading his unique style of his blues passion. He now has 19 solo albums and countless compilations with guest appearances.

Joe Louis Walker is truly keeping the legend alive and he is coming to the South Of France this year. Don’t miss him.

ARTIST OF THE MONTH

John Lansley - Musician

John’s first visit to the Aude (11) was more than 4 years ago, when he and his then musical partner made the long trip down from Luxembourg to play at a birthday party. Seduced by the south of France, he has now made his home here and has started to get actively involved in the music scene.

South Of France Blues – What is your musical background?

JL – I started at the tender age of 13 and within a few years was serving my apprenticeship in various bands playing everything from Cream to Jethro Tull, Black Sabbath to Genesis, Pink Floyd to Yes. Over the years I have graduated from what might be termed English Blues through ProgRock, experimental music, reggae, and latterly back to the blues.

South Of France Blues – Guitar favourites and influences?

JL – Early on I guess it was Clapton, Rory Gallagher, Tony McPhee (The Groundhogs), then people like Santana, John McLaughlin, Steve Howe, Bob Fripp, Allan Holdsworth, Mick Ronson. But stand out influences are Peter Green and Jeff Beck – both have superb sense of touch, dynamics and melody, originating in blues forms, but taking the original ideas forward rather than churning out the same riffs.

South Of France Blues – What are your plans now?

JL – I love playing live and have been trying to find suitable opportunities here in France. I also love playing with interesting musicians who are involved in different types of music, and seeing what happens. So creating, writing and recording are also very important to me.

It is clear there are some good musicians in the area, and lots of people interested in listening to live music, but there seems to be relatively few venues capable of providing for the demand. I’m involved with a group of people trying to address this. Watch this space!

South Of France Blues – Aha! Do tell us more...

JL – Well its early days but we’d like to set up a sort of Blues Association which would help put musicians in touch with each other, publicise and even arrange gigs, help with recording projects and so on. But we’ve got some work to do before we’re ready to launch it. Anyone interested in helping should get in touch with me (john.lansley@yahoo.co.uk)!

South Of France Blues – So you’re a professional musician? Or (dare I suggest it) retired?

JL – Ha ha. Neither. I have always wanted to have fun playing and made the decision not to rely on music to pay the rent. My ‘day job’ is in the investment planning field – I was a tax consultant advising expatriates around the world and over the last 20 years have also been specialising in helping people invest their money tax-efficiently, deal with pensions, inheritance issues, and related financial matters. I am a member of the Spectrum IFA Group (www.spectrum-ifa.com) and will gladly discuss either music or finance with anyone!

At the time of this Blog chapter South Of France Blues is working with John to find a suitable venue in the Aude (11) for blues events and for ‘open mic’ jamming sessions. Anyone who can also assist in this direction, or is interested to play, can contact John on the link above or through the comments link on this page.

Loads more gigs coming up in May. Keep watching this space. As the South of France starts to warm up so will The Blues.

A bientôt