From the Southside of Chicago

In a few weeks I'll be sailing the Pacific with some of the Blues' finest. I can only imagine how proud artists Koko Taylor & the Blues Machine, Elvin Bishop, Magic Slim and Ronnie Baker Brooks must be of Chicago’s own. Congratulations, Barack Obama, on accepting your presidential nomination on the 45th anniversary of Dr. King’s “Dream” speech. Politics aside, every American can honor and admire this historic event. ..................................................................... For a further look, visit our sister blog, 60 Quick Seconds. Link's on the right. Thanks.

Wishing Koko Taylor’s Blues Machine Speedy Recoveries

Here again is an all-too-real reminder that life on the road for our beloved artists is often fraught with danger. The good...no, great...news is that all are expected to not only recover, but to be on board when we set sail in October. In my initial posting about the news of the accident, I ranted a bit about, well, my favorite rant: the evils of file sharing. "...Charlie Musselwhite told us stories about being rolled into the ER after the van rolled off the road, saying, 'Just patch me up, Doc. I gotta get to my next gig.' And don’t get me started on P2P. When we burn Deanna Bogart, we burn Deanna Bogart. When we rip Ruthie Foster, we rip off Ruthie Foster. For every hour they’re on stage, it’s probably a factor of four to get ‘em there..." Turning your friends on to the music that turns you on is a joyful thing. In the right doses. Give 'em a taste -- and let them buy the CD so our artists can keep food on their proverbial tables. In other words, sampling music is good; stealing it, not so much. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 26, 2008 CONTACT: MARC LIPKIN / ALLIGATOR RECORDS / 773-973-7736 x235 EMAIL: publicity@allig.com THE BLUES MACHINE, KOKO TAYLOR’S BAND, INVOLVED IN VAN ACCIDENT The Blues Machine, Koko Taylor’s band, was involved in a serious van accident near Black River Falls, Wisconsin early morning on Saturday, August 23. Koko was not in the van at the time. The van was the only vehicle involved in the accident. They were on their way to Thief River Falls, Minnesota for a concert and planned to meet Koko there. Traveling were guitarist Calvin Louden, guitarist Shunsuke Kikuta, bassist Ricky Nelson, drummer Brian Parker, keyboardist Stanley Banks, driver Jesse Hutson and road manager Lee Threatt (husband to Joyce “Cookie” Threatt, Koko’s daughter). Louden, Kikuta, Nelson, Parker, and Banks all suffered broken bones and required surgery. Hutson and Threatt were treated and released from the hospital There were no life-threatening injuries and all are expected to make full recoveries. Cards can be sent to individual band members care of Alligator Records,P.O. Box 60234, Chicago IL 60660 ###

North to Alaska!

Got your heart racing a bit, didn't I. It's not on the books yet, according to Roger Naber, but it is a great idea, isn't it? For those of us who love to sail on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, taking a regular voyage to Alaska just doesn't fill us with the anticipation we're used to. Somewhere in the Caribbean on my virgin cruise in 2004, I floated the rumor that we’d be sailing the Pacific in a couple of years or so. And look what happened with that manifestation. In 2006, we set sail out of San Diego and have been every October since. (Hmmm, maybe I'm onto something. Did you hear about my new book on manifesting that's coming out next year? Yeah, publishers even started a bidding war. Heh.) More recently, maybe in the Pacific, then again coulda been the Caribbean (I was there, so I can’t remember), I mentioned that we’d be sailing by some glaciers every five years. I figure by then, a lot of us won’t mind missing the sun and wind for a chance at drinking in Mother Nature’s majesty with other like-minded folk. For a change-up, I “heard” it would be a combo Blues Cruise/Film Fest, with some herbology and hydroponics workshops thrown in with the cuisines and the photogs. And I suspect more than a few of you will agree that folks like Dick Waterman could fill us up with memories morning, noon and night and still not satiate us. Screening films on the Blues Cruise isn't a new thing, of course. But seems like new bluesish documentaries keep cropping up. Maybe we'd have the at-sea premiere of Pocket Full of Soul, featuring such LRBC veterans as James Cotton, Magic Dick, Rick Estrin, Mark Hummel, Charlie Musselwhite, Lee Oskar and Kim Wilson. As long as I’ve got my wish list out, can we crooze southward through the Panama Canal too?

Happy Birthday, Magic Dick!

Straight from his bio: “Born on May 13, 1945 in New London, Connecticut, Magic Dick arrived in post-war America to the Atomic Bomb, World Peace, Bebop and Rhythm & Blues.” Looks like his stars knew he was destined to be on the LRBC, doesn’t it? We're the bomb. We’re hippies gone wild with peace and love and all that. We’re loaded with bebop and rhythm & blues, among other things. And he can fill the legendary bill all by himself. When we were cruising the Caribbean, I asked him, “How are you enjoying your virgin voyage?” “Quite a bit. Are you a virgin, too?” “Not anymore. I’m one of the addicts. I think this is my fifth.” “So,” he paused, peering over his shades and letting some stage patter slip in, “what is it about this cruise that you enjoy so much?” “Well,” I replied, drawing on my inner Mae West, “I would ask how long you’ve got, but you’re a guy.” I could not resist adding, “And your name is Magic Dick.” He grinned and acknowledged that other parts of him are excellent as well. One evening after performing on the Pool Deck somewhere in the Pacific, Dick said that from the stage the crowd looked just like the poster – all dazzling dancers and joyful energy. “So,” I had to ask, tweaking just a tad, “what is it about this cruise…” We’ve always had magic on board. Maybe our stars will bring Magic on board, too.

A Mother's Day story about how I got on the Blues Cruise

From the “I suck at blogging, but at least I’m not a Spitzer” Department The biz gets bizzy. The dogs get their cuddle time. The garden lurks with that come-play-in-my-dirt leer. Nigel, the new old Benz, deserves his TLC. Terrific blues artists come through town and I’m helpless to stay away. And, well, criminy, after logging soooo many hours in front of the screen all week/months/years/decades, who wants to spend more time pounding the keyboard? Oh yeah…me. At least occasionally. Such as today: Mother’s Day. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... A charming little story about how my Mother got me on the Blues Cruise My mom died. That’s not the charming part. My Blues Cruise-ing brother was her favorite child and he probably deserved to be. Me and the other one? Not so much. My mother and I were like oil and vinegar quaking in the cruet. She kicked me out at 21 and I’ve been grateful ever since. She had an operatic voice and loved to torment her kids with Madame Butterball. Our father was a natural athlete whose jitterbug cleared the dance floor. She had two left feet. They paid him not to sing. I dance like my mother and sing like my father. I coulda been Bernadette Peters. You can stop laughing, Universe. In her last several years, she made the move out West where my then-husband and I tended to her needs. Every so often, broski would get a call from his maniacal sister for a kvetchfest. I didn’t intend to guilt him, but that’s probably the way it was in his eyes and ears. Sorry, bro. But, hey, look where it got us. Mom was a Depression Era baby and a retired RN who, despite putting three kids through college, managed to leave something behind. Broski, all sweetness and guilt, whispers in my ear after the service, “Listen, I appreciate everything you did. I’d like you to have my share of the estate.” “Wow!” I chirp, somewhat shocked at the largesse, but not really. “Really? Well, all right! Then I’ll take you on a cruise.” And that’s how it happened. Charming. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Broski is an audiophile with a predilection toward jazz and blues. Thinking we might do well with a bunch of blues types (more denim, less dry clean), I Google two words: Blues and Cruise. Up pops the Web site. I call. “Hi there, just found you guys online and I’ve got some questions.” “You’re calling at the right time since we just opened our signup to nonveterans,” says LRBC. I ask about demographics: About 50/50 men to women. About 50/50 couples to singles. And an astonishingly high rate of return, a marketeer’s best test of success. I ask about seasickness. LRBC laughs. “What do you mean?” I must know, remembering that, as a kid, broski always got to ride shotgun because of alleged carsickness. “I hear about those stabilizers, but neither of us has cruised before.” “Well, seasickness is rarely the problem with our cruisers.” “Oh?” I inquire, getting a little tickly inside as I recognize when I’m being fed a line I’ll probably find delectable. “What is the problem then?” “Sleep deprivation.” (Let me digress. I’m chuckling now as I write this, because I am, after all, the “No Sleepinest Woman” and proud recipient of the Wang Dang Doodle Award, a hotly contested honor for the croozer with the least amount of sleep. Speaking of which, happy birthweek, Magic Dick.) “I see. Sounds great. I’ll call you right back.” With headset still on, I track down broski at the office, a full continent away. “Quick! Go to www.bluescruise.com and tell me what you think!” “Looks good….wow, outstanding lineup,” he says. “Yeah, let’s do it.” And that’s how we got on board. Our mom dies. He gives. We sail. And sail and sail and sail… I’ve shared this story about my mom and bro a few times and I still find it charming – as well as a fitting tribute on this day to a woman who loved to sing. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Whoa! Now, as it turns out, Mother has something to add… Literally seconds ago – I mean seconds! -- I was about to send this to both brothers so they could read it first. I open Outlook and – bam! – here comes an email from noncroozingbro. Everything’s timing in life and, apparently, in death. Seems it figures prominently in how some of us like to look for signs of life on the other side. Yes indeed, today is Mother’s Day. And it also happens to be the only day of the year that noncroozingbro gets his hair cut. For years, it’s been his traditional offering to his mother. The rest of the time, he’s David Crosby’s wiry twin. So, thanks, Mom! That little rush I get in the Piano Bar really is you! Glad to know you’re enjoying life over there, singing long into dawn. Have a great day today and every day. Oops, better edit that last line: I’ve shared this story about my mom and bro a few times and I still find it charming – and a fitting tribute on this day to a woman who loves to sing.

I’m almost packed to head off tomorrow to DC & NYC for three Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue gigs. Looking very forward to seeing my bro and the band and lotsa croozers at the State Theatre in Falls Church, Virginia, BB King’s in Times Square and Ramshead in Annapolis. Many thanks to my bro for kicking in some frequent miles to get me there. : ) I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Whatever snake oil these guys are selling, I’m buying. I figure it’s cheaper than a visit to the spa and a helluva lot more fun! Four hours of kick-a** high-octane peak performance – and best of all, the show’s always different! That’s the way it is on board the Blues Cruise when they jam. And that’s the way Tommy Castro leads the Revue. A year ago, I hadn’t been off the boat more than a week when I headed back East for just one more show. This time, with three of ‘em, I feel like I’m manifesting all things wonderful all over again. Folks around here asked last year why I would fly across the flippin’ continent for just one show. I felt like saying, “If you have to ask the question, you can’t understand the answer.” But I didn’t. Instead, I said something like: -- The Tommy Castro Band remains one of the most reliably energizing rock ‘n’ roll bands touring today. Sure, they play around my nabe a lot. Lucky me. -- Deanna Bogart….well, I could go on and on and on. And I will one of these days. Suffice it to say, she’s a, what?, quadruple threat? Vocalist, keyboards, sax, songwriter…and one of the most genuine people you’d ever want to know. More on how a mudslide brought us together. And I’m not talking about a cocktail. -- Magic Dick. He is. The first part, I mean. His music kickstarted every college weekend for me. I swear, his feet never touch the stage. And I absolutely adore how he comes on stage during Deanna’s set to revel in her glory. As a matter of fact, one of the greatest things about the Revue is the reverence all they guys pay The Girl In The Band – on stage and off. -- Ronnie Baker Brooks. He changes everything. Fluid and solid. Amusing and heart-rending. He’s it and that’s that. . . . . . . . . . A few things I posted today on the message board before I go. Some Ruthie Foster sniplets: Many thanks to long-time Austin croozers Peggy & Kathy who’ve been writing in Ruthie for years now. They’re so close that Ruthie entertained at Doc’s/Peggy’s 80th birthday party. When they introduced me to her last cruise, felt like family to me. ...Caught Ruthie and her folks getting a last-night pic with their dining room waiter. It was as if they just couldn’t get off the ship without it. ...If we can’t always have Irma Thomas leading our Gospel Brunch, I vote for Ruthie! ....Happened to be sitting next to Mike Finnegan during Ruthie’s last Pool Deck set, who opined that she was one performer he did not want to miss. And, oh yeah, that was during the Finnegan Rainbow event in St. Kitts! Quotes overheard onboard: ...Blame it on the boat. Said PG, a lot. ...That's when you know the night's about over. Said Carlton with a smile around 6 am when a croozer lamented he dropped his roach in his jello shot. . . . . . . . . . Awright…’nuff for now. Except to thank you for your wonderful support and kind words about my doing this. It’s my pleasure. After 100 or so years pounding out copy for others, now it’s my turn.

'Scuse me...I'm having a Dr. Martin Luther King moment

The above posts are about the October ’07 Pacific Blues Cruise. I can rightfully say “ditto” about the cruise just past–the January ’08 offering on the Caribbean. At the Ft. Lauderdale pre-sail party, Captain Roger Naber gave me his blessings to blog away. So, away we go. Dam* the typos; full speed ahead. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Today is Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday. Haven’t gotten much sleep in recent days. Haven’t unpacked or picked up groceries since returning home last night. Seems all I’ve done is filter thru hundreds of emails. The chores will wait. Because today is the day to tell a story about heavenly intervention on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise. A new Blues Cruise tradition was born, I believe, when Irma Thomas and friends took the stage on Day 3 for the Gospel Brunch. Ms. Thomas set the bar in the upper cosmos with her inclusiveness and humanity, her inspiration and soul. (More on Ms. Thomas and an elevator experience later.) Blingalicious emcee Jimmy Lynch, tears streaming down his cheeks, took the microphone to pay his homage. You see, Jimmy’s father was a Baptist minister, his mother a Pentecostal one. They were more than contemporaries of Dr. King’s; they were his friends. Jimmy delivered a tribute that was both heart-breaking and heart-healing in its personal experience, profound reverence and eternal hope. The Vista was near capacity. We didn’t rock the house so much as sway it – in unison with our hands holding one another’s tightly, singing We Shall Overcome. I happened to have a seat on the steps leading to the stage, giving me a perfect view of the scene. Even Joe Rosen set down his camera to join hands. Hey, did someone get a pic of that? Joe without his gear…well, glory be. Now, this little New Age Jewish Neo-Pagan girl has participated in a bit of gospel here and there. But this time, this time I tell you, I am here to testify. Sometime later in the day – gonna guess it was around Tommy Castro’s set – I had a Pool Deck moment with Jimmy Lynch. I told him that his tribute touched me like none before. We glistened and gleamed at each other in full afterglow. And then I said, “Dr. King is here on this boat with us right now, you know.” Jimmy’s eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped and we both presented our goose-bumply arms as witness. Testify. Can I get an Amen.