October

Bonjour tout le monde,

There’s loads of stuff in the news right now. Can you believe it? Hugh Laurie says he wants to sing the blues! Even 70 years old Tom Jones has released (some time ago now) “Praise & Blame” in an attempt to reinvent his gospel/blues roots – and I thought he was from Cardiff.

Is this the start of a new era of celebrity talent finding themselves with The Blues – will we soon be seeing “(your country)’s Got Blues Talent” or “Blues Factor”?

And Keith Richards claims he has not been to Mick Jagger’s dressing room in 20 years! Lucky old Mick I say!

Sadly, Solomon Burke died on October 10 aged 70. Arguably the first man of “soul” he was a big man in every way; big on food, big on religion, and he leaves more than 80 grandchildren.

October 9 would have been John Lennon’s 70^th birthday had he not been gunned down outside his New York apartment on December 8, 1980. A lot of Lennon’s early stuff was Blues orientated and what about “Imagine”? Is that not blues?

Amy Winehouse (translates to Amy Cave in French!!) wants kids and also claims to have been drug free for 3 years. Anyway, to prove that she is still a real person, 27- year old Amy climbed up on stage at her local pub, the Hawley Arms in Camden, London, and gave a pitch perfect rendition of “Tears Dry On Their Own”. Apparently it was a charity gig and she just turned up and joined in. Well done, Amy. I wish other so-called super stars would follow your lead.

Coming out from the recording machinery is a much anticipated second round of Jimi Hendrix archive material – to be released October. And Backbeat Books has published a 256-page hardback “Day by Day, Night after Night” by Craig Hopkins which will be the first in a two volume set to trace the complete career of Stevie Ray Vaughan 20 years after his tragic death on August 27, 1990

Just over 11 years after another tragic death of a legendry singer, I have been drawn to listen to Dusty Springfield’s “Dusty in Memphis”

Dusty Springfield

Ask your dinner guests, as they sup your finest Bordeaux, what they remember of the much loved “Rusty Springboard” and it is odds on that they will recall the hits “I Only Want To Be With You” or “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me” or “Wishin’ And Hopin” or any of the dozens of 60’s tracks she is famed for. It is unlikely that mention will be made of her releases in French, German and even Italian, but someone might just remember her for her blues classic “Son Of A Preacher Man” which was a huge hit following her recording session at Atlantic Records in Memphis, Tennessee.

Even Dusty said “I rather associated Memphis with one kind of sound, a hard R & B sound. That’s not the thing I can do, and I’d rather leave it to those who can”. What followed was a landmark album that has assumed legendary critical status.

And, if you have heard Dusty’s hit single “Son Of A Preacher Man” (you must have?), you will know that the Memphis sessions revealed something new in her singing not heard before – a certain vulnerability that is quite moving and attractive.

So often in contemporary music emotions are expressed by screaming, grunting, and frankly, going out of tune. Plus, of course, the use of electronics to achieve supernatural vocal effects. On this album Dusty’s voice brings you a simple quality that seems quite miraculous these days.

A real cool, drifting, sexually distracted album, which still sounds uniquely classy. Try it on your guests at your next candle lit soirée.

Last but not Least; What’s Going on with Blues Music in France?

November

04                Rachelle Plas is playing at Les Crows, Paris

04 to 13    Connie Lush is in Denmark

05                Rachelle Plas is at Blues sur Seine, Paris

05        Nina Attal is at Blues sur Seine, Paris

06                Mannish Boys are at Grisolles (82)

06        Mannish Boys are at Mezin (47)

07                Dr Feelgood are at The Junction, Cambridge (UK)

08                Rachelle Plas is at the Eglise St. André d’Hébertot (14)

06        Malted Milk are at Festival Blues, Camarès (12)

09                Cisco Herzhaft will be at Nuit du Blues at Pontarlier (25)

09        Roland Tchakounte is at New Morning, Paris

10          J.J. Milteau is at Montparnasse, Paris

10        Nine Below Zero are at Le Fil, St. Etienne (42)

11          Mannish Boys are at Sables d’Olonne (85)

11        Nine Below Zero are at The New Morning, Paris

12                Nine Below Zero are at Ziquodrome, Compeigne (60)

13                Fred Chapellier is at l’Orange Blue, Vitry le François (51)

13        Mannish Boys are at Le Bourg St. Antoine Cumond (24)

14                Nine Below Zero are at Pub Chez Paulette, Nancy Pagney (54)

15                Leadfoot Rivet play at Jack’s Blues Café, Cagnes sur Mer (06)

16        The Honeymen are at Aulnay sous Bois (93)

18                Cisco Herzhaft is at Swamp Blues Festival, Calais (62)

18        Malted Milk are at Le Bar’Ouf, Cholet (49)

19                Cotton Belly’s are at Pub ADK, Roissy en Brie (77)

19        Roland Tchakounte is at the Festival Blues sur Seine, Paris

19          Cisco Herzhaft is at Nuit du Blues, Carvin (62)

19        Malted Milk are at La Grange, Blois (41)

20                Nico Wayne Toussaint is at Conilhac Corbiers (11)

20          Cotton Belly’s are at Noisiel (77)

20          The Honeymen are at the Union Jack, Le Mans (72)

20          J.J. Milteau is at the Festival Jazz & Blues, Ozoir (77)

21          J.J. Milteau is at the Jazz Festival, Limoges (87)

23        Beverly Jo Scott is at Sausheim (68)

24        Nina Attal is at Le Hot Jazz Club, Lyon (69)

25                Mannish Boys are at La Chaux de Fond, Switzerland

25        Nina Attal is at Le Sonograf, Le Thor (84)

26                J.J. Milteau is playing at Théâtre du Garde Chasse, Les Lilas (93)

26        Nina Attal will be at the Eden District Blues, Oraison (04)

27                Cotton Belly’s are at Salon Anglo-Saxon, Avon  (77)

27        Mannish Boys are at St. Julien la Nef (34)

27        Viktor Huganet is at Taco’s Bar, Lausanne, Switzerland

27        The Experimental Tropic Blues Band are at Clermont Ferrand (63)

A bientôt blues lovers

June 2010

T-Bone Walker (1910 – 1975) would have been 100 years old this month. Arguably the first bluesman to plug his guitar into an amp, and mentored by the great Blind Lemon Jefferson, his influence has rolled down the years to inspire BB King, Hendrix, Clapton, Bonamassa, and the like.




In the news Sir Paul McCartney got himself into trouble when his tour bus was attacked in Mexico City. Well Paul perhaps you should sack your security advisor for allowing your bus to be taken into a so called ‘no go’ area.

Another Sir, that of Mick Jagger, has put his lips in it by stating that he thinks the Isle of Man should legalise drugs. Off of his cloud again?

Moving on I had two opportunities this month to listen to some good live blues music in this sleepy part of the South of France. Uncl STF played, last Friday, at the Café du Pont, Esperaza (11) giving an appreciative audience three hours of continuous blues songs from Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Eric Clapton, and (after my recommendation) Mean Red Spiders.



Interchanging his guitars, from steel, acoustic, and electric, to suit the music style, Uncl STF gave us his version of; Driftin, Walking Blues, I Can’t Be Satisfied, Hoochie Coochie Man, Call Me Long Distance, and St. James’s Infirmary – and much more – despite the occasional technical problem with plugs and connectors.

Being a local chap STF often plays in the area or you can supply your own beer and listen to him on www.myspace.com/unclstf




This was followed, on Saturday evening, by an invite to a practice session with John Lansley’s “The Jam Tarts”. A relatively new band formed to play blues and blues-rock.

After a feast of BBQ duck, chicken, sausages, etc., the band set about tuning up – with greasy fingers – and then set the pace with Crossroads.

Inevitably things turned into a jam with several bluesmen turning up. A really great sax player (I’m kicking myself for not getting his details), Serge on his piano, Tony on his steel guitar, even a little black dog gave an occasional woof when he felt it appropriate. A very informal, and pleasant evening, and I hope I will be reporting on “The Jam Tarts” in future additions of South Of France Blues.




BLUES IN BURGUNDY - BLUES EN BOURGOGNE 24 – 27 June

In the village centre of Le Creusot (71)

By car or train the village is easy to get to. Just 1h20 from Paris or 40 mins from Lyon. There is plenty of local accommodation or there is a free camping aire (for motorhomes) with good facilities.

The four night line-up consists of:

Thursday 24 June
Soulville with Fabienne DELLA-MONICA. Fabienne is a Gabonese gospel soul singer who, apparently, also performs a Pink Floyd tribute ! Interesting.

Elliott Murphy. New York born, now living in Paris, Elliott certainly gets around with more than 20 concerts in Europe this year. He is not shy of the recording studio either and currently has cut 30 discs since 1973 with his latest being “Notes From The Underground”. His debut album “Aquashow” has been rated a classic album by Uncut magazine.

Friday 25 June

Bjorn Berge. Expect to be blown away by this Norwegian guitarist! He will present his tenth album "Fretwork". Alone on stage, Bjørn is universally recognized by the specialized press. Although his main influences are Robert Johnson and Elmore James, he does not hesitate to incorporate sounds from funk and Hip Hop music after the traditional blues.

He also admits his passion for artists like Beck and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. This eclectic music may indeed shine in his "Live in Europe" where he took the famous' Ace of Spades "by Motorhead.

Joe Louis Walker. BMA album of the year award winner with “Between A Rock And The Blues” Joe Louis brings his San Francisco blues to France. An accomplished blues guitarist and a lively singer Mr Walker is bound to give a superb performance. 1 year ago If this don't make you stand on the tables and dance then I don't know what??????

Saturday 26 June
Taste. In the true spirit of the Rory Gallagher band this tribute is sure to bring back memories of the legendary Isle Of Weight festivals of the 70’s.

Eric Bell Trio. A long history with bands; Them, The Bluebeats, The Jaguars, Shades, The Dreams, and then Thin Lizzy (and maybe more). Eric now heads up his trio with Brian Bethell on bass and Romek Parol on drums. This music will fill the night air and reach up to the stars.

Pat McManus Band. And finally another Irish band. Famously from his band Mama’s Boys – who played at Thin Lizzy’s farewell tour – Pat McManus has teamed up with Paul Faloon on drums and Gordon Sheridan on bass – and, of course, Pat on violin, guitar and vocals.

Sunday 27 June

A day of free concerts around the village.

Tickets cost 25 euros for a ‘day pass’ or 55 euros for a ‘concert pass’

Enjoy