blues news - december 1990

8/7/2019 Blues News - December 1990

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KANSASCITY

BLUESSOCIETY

DECEMBER 1990

Holiday Blues GreetingsKCBS hopes everyone has a very merry Holiday Blues

Season. Ifyou would like to give your blues friends a Christmas

present that they can enjoy throughout the year, buy them a

\..10 KCBS membership. As you know being a_...0 ~ KCBS member is a great deal. You receive, ~ ' J , . . a monthly newsletter, discounts on blues

shows, blues merchandise, blues CD's and

records at the Music Exchange and Pen-

nylane.

Right now, there are numerous blues

CD's to choose from and some of my

favorite blues from 1990 include: Muddy

GRE~1f'NGS Waters' Chess Box, Bo Diddley's Chess

~ Box, Jimmy Rodgers' Ludella, Robert

b Sh' I OWe Johnson's Complete Recordings, Holmesy lrey ns Brothers' In the Spirit, Koko Taylor's lump

for loy, and Boozoo Chavis' Zydeco Trail Ride. More recently,

the following blues have been often featured on my blues show,'The Traffic Jam", on KKFI -PM 90.1 from 4 to 5 p.m. (Monday,

Wednesday, and Thursday): Charles Brown'sAll My Life, Black

Top label Blues-A -Rama, Volume III & IV, Marcia Ball, Lou Ann

Barton, and Angela Strehli's Dreams Come True and there are

many more .... Check out the "The Traffic Jam."

Also, consider checking out your local bookstore. I just pick-

ed upWillie Dixon's I Am the Blues and its aptly titled. I enjoyedhis photos, especially the one of Willie on the camel. Another

book, Going to Chicago (Woodford Publishing), isa photo essay

focusing on Chicago blues artists with their comments. It's

interesting but with flaws. Somehow Jimmy Rodgers is iden-

tified as Jimmy Reed. Whoops!

Finally, other Christmas ideas include supporting the Delta

Blues Museum, which sells lapel pins, t-shirts, postcards, and

posters. Write to Carnegie Public Library, 114 Delta Ave., P.O.

Box 280, Clarksdale, MS 38614, or go to an after hours jam at

H & M BBQ! Merry Christmas, Baby!

Season Blues Greetings!

Annual Elections -Your vote is your blues voiceThe Blues Society is currently in search of candidates to run

for the Board of Directors for the 1991 year. Board members will

be elected by secret ballot by the membership at the Annual

Election Party to be held January 10 with the Gilbert Millage

Band, time and place to be announced.

Any member with a paid membership is eligible to serve on

the board, eleven in number, but please only consider being a

board member if you have the time to donate.

The Board meets approximately twice a month, makes

decision, and works with committees comprised of board mem-

bers and the membership to carry out the decisions. This year

promises to be very exciting with the possible merging of the

Blues and Jazz Festivals into the largest music festival we haveproduced to date. Execution of this event will take countless

hours.

Ifyou are interested in serving on the Board of Directors, and

have the time and dedication to devote a year of service, please

submit your name to the K.C. Blues Society, P.O. Box 32131,

Kansas City, MO 64111, sign up at the membership meeting

December 13,8 p.m. at the Grand Emporium or tell a currentboard member by December 20 to be listed on the printed ballot.

Nominations, as write-ins, will be accepted up to and including

the night of the election party.

Absentee ballots for the annual election will be provided to

paid-up members on prior written request showing good cause

for inability to attend the annual meeting. Requests for absentee

ballots should be received no later than December 26. 0

Raisin' Hell with Leon Estelle

Too often, blues and jazz musicians must endure a lifetime

of benign neglect or modest recognition, only to be hailedas truly great after death. For- .....

~~~:~e~r~l~~ 0!a~~7~~ ~~t~;e ~~~s~ eA 1 : Ut lHT 'day, October 23, at a well attended m"1:'HE ACTtribute at the Grand Emporium.

Guitarist Leon Estelle has been

known as KC's "Mr. Blues" for many

years. He has put in his time un-

obtrusively, while constantly plying his

trade and influencing a host of youngerblues musicians. MUSIC REVIEW

After an opening set from a develop- by Tom Baker

ing KC blues outfit, The Hellhounds ....

(John Paul Drum-harp, vocals, Tony

Anderson-guitar, rock-solid Joe Whitfield-bass, and John

Hobbs=-drums), it was "showtime." Leon came out and imme-

diately got down to business, backed by Glen Patrik (guitar),

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

• Grand Emporium(Meetin at 8 PM)

BLUES NEWS • 1



Beale St. Blues

Beale Street, for the first quarter of this century, was one

of the roughest and toughest, most rocking and swinging,

wide-open streets in the country. It was a close counter-

part of Kansas City's Eighteenth and Vine. Memphis was the

. next major port up the Mississippi River from New Orleans, and

Beale Street started right on the docks where the big steamboats

unloaded their cargoes of cotton, corn, cows, and chickens.

Down by the river, Beale was lined

YESTERDAY'S with chitlin' joints, saloons, brothels,cigar stores, and pool halls. Moonshine

whiskey was sold on every corner, and

cocaine sold for a dime a box at

Lehman's Drug Store. From out of this

mix came a blues, rich and mature, the

likes of which had not been heard

before.

To Walter Lewis, Beale Street was

home. His family had moved there

from Greenwood, Mississippi, in

1899, when Walter was six years old

and about the time he picked up the

nickname "Furry." Furry never went to

school much; he got his schooling onBeale Street. He learned his first chords on a homemade, put-

together guitar and was soon sitting in with some of the older

street musicians.

Dr. Benson's Medicine ShowOne musician that Furry idolized was Jim Jackson, a minstrel

performer from Hernando, Mississippi. When Jackson went to

join Dr. Benson's Medicine Show, Furry left home to follow him.

Even though he was only twelve or thirteen years old at the time,

The Kansas City Blues News is published monthly by the

Kansas City Blues Society, Inc. Articles, reviews, band calendar

dates, and items of interest must be submitted by the 20th of each

month, and become the property of the Society.

Founding Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roger NaberEditor Shirley Owens

Contributing Writer Carolyn Wicker

Typesetting/Layout Matt Quinn

Board of Directors and Off icers

Chairperson Shirley Owens

President Roger Naber

Vies- President , Suzanne Colbert

Vice-President Patrick Flemington

Secretary Pam Jackson

Treasurer Jon Lowe

Membership Chairperson Marcie Ryan

Director Daisy Lujan

Director Kenny Taylor

Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Provine Hatch

Director Scott Mackey

Director Joyce Mourning

The Kansas City Blues Society, a Missouri not-for-profit corpora-

tion was formed for the sole purpose of promoting and preserving

various styles of blues music. Founded in December of 1980, the

Kansas City Blues Society presents: monthly jam sessions, various

local and national groups in concert, and our main presentation -

The Kansas City Blues and Heri tage Festival. Members receive the

newsletter, discounts on Society events and discounts on purchases

at certain participat ing businesses. Annual dues are $10 per person

or $15 per family and $50 per Corporate Membership. To join the

Society send your name, address, phone number and dues to:

Kansas City Blues Society, P.O. Box 32131, Kansas Ci ty, Missouri

64111.

he stayed on the medicine show circuit for the next two years.

By the time Furry got back to Memphis, W.C. Handy had come

to town and was heading one of the most popular bands in the

city ...Although he was never a regular member of Handy's

orchestra, Furry often played with them. He was always proudof his association with Handy and, in later years, often boasted

with great pride that the famous orchestra leader gave him his

first good guitar.

About the time Handy moved to New York, Furry hit the road,again hoboing around the South, working tent shows,jookjoints,

and street corners. His versatility as an entertainer made him a

favorite with tent show audiences. He was as much a comedian

as musician and could crack a joke, tell absurd stores, dance a

little soft shoe, or perform an unabashed black-face routine.

In 1916, while trying to hop a freight train somewhere in

Illinois, Furry fell under the wheels and lost a leg. The accident

slowed him down for a while, and he had to return to Memphis.

He became one of the regular Beale Street characters, frequently

playing with Gus Cannon, Will Shade, and Jim Jackson. Even

though Furry was popular and in demand in the clubs, the pay

was low and unsteady. In 1923, he began working for the city as

a street cleaner, a job he held for forty-five years.

Walter "Furry" Lewis' RecordingIn 1927, Furry made his first recordings for Vocalion Records

of Chicago, and during the next two years, he recorded more than

twenty sides for the Vocal ion and Victor labels. Most of these

were Memphis blues standards, but a few songs like "John

Henry" and "Stack-O-Lee" are especially notable in that they are

in the older pre-blues style of the African-American songster.

After his final session with Vocalion in 1929, Furry did not

record again for thirty years.

The early recordings show that Furry was an able guitarist and

expressive singer. He used the Delta bottleneck slide technique,

but influences of medicine show banjo picking and sophisticated

jazz stylings could also be heard in Furry's guitar. His voice was

high pitched, with a limited range, but he was able to express a

quiet subtlety in his singing that was uncommon among bluessingers.

With the stock market crash of 1929, Beale Street started to

decline and so did Furry's career. He finally stopped performing

except as a pastime until, like many of the old blues musicians,

he was rediscovered by the folk and blues revival crowd in the

1960's.

Furry Lewis' long-time friend and mentor, Jim Jackson was

a minstrel and medicine show entertainer who spent his life

playing traveling shows throughout the South. In between shows,

he played Beale Street. In 1927, he recorded a song entitled,

"Kansas City Blues" for Vocalion. Itbecame one of the all-time

best selling face records, and the precursor of the song Kansas

knows and loves, the ever popular, "Goin' to Kansas City." 0

Sources:l. William Barlow, Looking Up at Down.

Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1989.

2. Bruce Cook, Listen to the Blues.

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1973.

3. Sheldon Harris, Blues Who's Who. New Rochelle, NY:

Arlington House Publishers, 1979.

4. Margaret McKee and Fred Chisenhall, Beale Black and

Blue. Baton Rouge, La.: Louisiana State Univ. Press, 1981.

2 • D E CE M B ER 1 99 0



What's "The Tuba?""What's the tuba? Well, it's a big hom with valves, a large

mouthpiece and lots of brass."

"No! The place on Southwest Blvd.!"

"Oh, you mean the nightclub, 'The Tuba'!"

Located at 333 Southwest Blvd., The Tuba has been in

existence for about two years. The present house band, the KC

Bottoms Band, was put together by the drummer of the band and

owner of this estab-

lishment, Mike Harvey.

Recently, Harvey began

making a few improve-

ments.============ There is now a stage

by Carolyn Wicker built in the center of theroom. No more are the

------------ musicians stuck in the

comer just after you walk in the front door. Mike is also tearing

out the kitchen to increase the capacity. With this new set up,

there won't be a bad seat in the house.

You may need to call The Tuba to know just who may be

playing on any particular night. Live music is featured Wednes-

day through Saturday nights. On Wednesdays, Jean Yancy will

be featured on vocals backed by the KC Bottoms band.

Thursdays are Jam nights. Among some of the jammers that have

been see there are Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, BugsyMaugh, and Bobby Watson. Some locals who occasionally sit in

are Rick Hendricks (guitar), Paul Hartfield (bass), Mo Paul

(harp), Jim LaForte (vocals), and Tom "Trashmouth" Baker

AT THE

JAMS ...

16 , 7 , 8

13

141520

2122

27

9

39th St. B lues BandDan Doran BandThe Continenta lsHora ce Wash ingtonS in C ity D isc ip fe sM ark V an A rlC& Urban R en ew alMythHoriz on ta l MamboL it tle Hatch

(harp, vocals), just to name a few. You never know what you

may find.

And how about that KC Bottoms Band? Well, if you haven't

seen them yet, you don't know what you're missing.

First, Larry VanLoon plays keyboards and sings. He has

played with a variety of local and national musicians, as well as

a short tour with Matt "Guitar" Murphy. No doubt you will enjoy

his powerful vocals and unique style. Lester "Duck" Wamer also

songs, as well as playing trumpet and flugelhom. "Duck"

traveled with the "Grand Old Man of Memphis Soul," Rufus

Thomas, and has been entertaining Kansas City with a numberof local top acts. Then comes Greg Worrell. Greg's ability with

the bass does not outdo his ability to mix sound for the band.

Before playing with "The Bottoms," he was engineering and

doing live sound in and around KC.

As if these musicians weren't enough talent, The Bottoms

Band boasts a new addition. Todd Wilkinson plays a variety ofsaxophones and percussion, as well as sharing in the vocals. He

has a Baccalaureate in jazz performance, and a Master of Arts in

music theory and composition. He is presently the Education

Committee chairman for the Jazz Ambassadors and has written

a book which the Ambassadors have published called Kansas

C it y J az z a nd B lu es N ig ht L ife a nd S urv iv al K it.

Last, but not least, Mike Harvey's own accomplishments

could fill a book. He lived in L.A. as a studio musician for nineyears. Family matters brought him back to the KC area, and he

discovered the many untapped musical resources here. Mike

worked as a booking agent and director of publishing for a local

talent agency. It then came time to start his own nightclub, andassemble what is now known as The KC Bottoms Band. 0

7 2 3 0 W . 7 5 t h S t . • O v e r l a n d P a r k , K S

(913 ) 236 -6211

E t N N f s-,~ - a'~ f ie-. r-12 ~IfNd, 7~ a'tua ~

De,ember B lues C alen dar

BLUES N EW S • 3



LET'S PARTY!

Notes from Mattie and MaeAttention: Dear Gentle Blues Readers,

What: M&M's 1st Annual Christmas Cocktail Party and Jam

Where: English's, Home of the Downtown Blues, 1101 Walnut

When: December 14,7:00 p.m.

With: These two groovy Blues chicks, Horace Washington,

and all the other too-cool-for-school musicians who come to

jam with them and entertain us. (Can you do any

tricks? ...M&M)

Why: So you, dear readers, and we can get into the holiday

spirits. Remember to bring our presents and we want the fol-

lowing:

Christmas Wish List1. A designated driver for the above party or any party for that

matter with, preferably, a Cadillac or a Lincoln Continental.

(Where's Bluesboy Albert King when we need him...M&M)

2. Tickets to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction to be

held in January in New York. Tickets are only $350 each.

(We've already got our private limo, thanks Little Bobby

Porter ...M&M) We want to see Ike and Tina Turner (We'll

have on our boxing gloves and our swimsuits just in

case ...M&M), Dave Bartholomew, Ralph Bass and all therest of our best Blues pals that are getting this special honor.

3. Two plane tickets to the Big Apple and two tickets for open-

ing night, January 18, 1991 to the Broadway Show starring

our brown-eyed handsome man and confidante, Kenny Neal.

It's called "Mulebone" with music scored by ole buddy Taj

Mahal. It is a 1930's comedy about African-American life.

4 • DECEM BER 1990

4. A trip for two (Not one, Mr. Kenny Taylor ...M&M) to the

New Orleans' Jazz & Heritage Festival, either weekend or the

entire duration, April 27 through May 6, 1991. Hotel in the

Quarter is preferred. (A nightlife expense account for

Tippitina's with already booked tour guides Naumann Scott

and Earl King would be appreciated. We'd really like this

one ...M&M.)

5. Round trip tickets for the Chicago Blues Fest tentatively

scheduled for June 14, 15 & 16, with reservations at the Pal-

mer House. (Only the best for us, as so many of you dearreaders know ...M&M.)

6. Penthouse suite at the Ritz for our Holiday Festivities, i.e.

_______ ..(Fill in the blanks. We always

do ...M&M.)

Present Category No.2 forthe Budget Conscious Shopper

(Remember, we're never cheap ...M&M)1. The double CD of Complete Recordings of Robert Johnson

on Columbia. Their senior vice-president, who we know only

as Snuggles, called to say it's a f--, amazing and a total

phenomena. As of November 12, it had sold over 135,000

copies. Surely, you can give us just one, a piece. (Snuggles

gave us something else ...M&M).

2. A night with B's Buzzing beginning at Boss Jock L.S. 46's

new BBQ joint, BB 's Lawnside Barbecue at 1205 E. 85th.

(We go for the ribs and the mulebones ...M&M).

3. Free drinks at the Anson Funderburgh and Sam Myers

show at the Oasis of the Blues, the Grand Emporium on either

12/21 or 12/22, or both, followed by an after hours Blues

Party at H&M Barbecue, 1715 N. 13th St. in Kansas City,

Kansas.

4. A designated driver for anytime, anywhere, any place.

5. Money, you dear readers, could take up a collection for our

planned European Summer Blues Tour - we'll let you know

with who later.

6. Stocking stuffers, such as tickets, other CD's and records,

Blues memorabilia. (We've created some of that...M&M),

credit card numbers, Blues stars and other holiday stash, espe-

cially cash will very much appreciated and will go to very

good use.

Surprises for you dear readers and us are in store at the

First Annual Mattie and Mae Christmas Cocktail Party and



"MATTIE & MAE" FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Jam, December 6. Be there or be square!!! (Free drinks will

be accepted ...M&M.)Remember, English's is at 11th and Walnut, down the es-

calator and under the sidewalk. (We'l1 be under the

tables ...M&M.) If you can't attend the party, mail the presents

or drop them off at the Grand Emporium or Nightmoves.

Anyone bringing us gifts or buying us cocktails or mulebones

will receive our very special gift to you. You must be present at

the party to receive your gift. (We don't want it all. We just wanta little bit...M&M.)

Lonnie Brooks blurts it out"It's a Dirty Job ...A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do,"

laughed Lonnie in the hot, sweaty, smelly confines of the Grand

Emporium band room at 4:00 a.m. about his duet with Koko

Taylor on her new Alligator release Jump for Joy.

After raising two families (which one did we meet, Lon-

nie? ..M&M), he advises the men, "The best is when you get

women to chase you. It'll save you money." (Not when it's

us ...M&M)

He confided that he is appearing on PBS's documentary about

Koko Taylor's life. Part of the footage was shot at Buddy Guy's

club Legends in Chicago with Buddy, Willie Dixon, Lonnie and

Mattie and Mae to be aired in February, 1991.Lonnie, a vegetarian for nearly five years, says for his

birthday, December 18, besides us, he wants his next record on

Alligator to be a million dollar seller.

His career was helped by three events (1) opening for Stevie

Ray Vaughan in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, (2) an appearance on Hee

Haw several years back, and (3) meeting Mattie and Mae (you've

enhanced our career, too, Lonnie ...M&M.) ~

Congratulations are due... ~Congratulations to Darrel Nulisch former member of Anson ~ 1 f

and the Rockets and Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters and ~ ---.,.L-""--

Steve Gomes, also an ex-Broadcaster who have left toform their f 5 [ } ; V ~ ~own band, Texas Heat. !,0~

Congratulations to Terrence Simien and his new wife, who \ ~ ~are expecting in January. (we're expecting to hear from ~' ~_~

YO~'~~~:ation to Buddy Guy for signing with a new record '( \ \ ~~8~6~ .i.>label. (We promised not to tell which one, yet, but we're glad he () 1 \\\# d( ' i f1T:n

took our advice ...M&M) to record some long awaited originalJ~~d ~numbers. (We know only you know that we know what you can ~ \ 1 \ ~ ~ ~do ...M&M) - .~ '\~~ z

...And Finally CdMattie and Mae's advice for the holidays is: You better watch

out, you better not cry, we're telling you, dear readers GETWILD AND KEEP THE BLUES ALIVE!!!

Remember - the Blues is like Margarine ...It's gotta be

spread ... just like holiday cheer. (We want party invites,

too ...M&M)Love and kisses,

Mattie and Mae

P.S. Tad, Tad, Tad - Bad, bad, bad. Send your gift UPS.

P.P.S. To Little Bobby P. - We want the tickets to go with

the limo you promised us last Sunday, you bad boy, you.

P.P.P.S. Send all your news, Blues tidbits, outright gossip,

money, airline tickets, tapes, survival kits, and good karma to:

Mattie and Mae, KC Blues Society, P.O. Box 32131, Kansas

City, MO 64111.

Idll' 'The !:: ; , . r : : = " ": ~ ...Undsay Shannon, PropI1etor

~ 1205 E. 85th St . Kansas City. Mo.

BAR B Q(One block ~st of Stroud's)

Tues. - Sat. 11.00 am- 10.00 pm•• Sun.-Noon-9 pm

8BB-RIBS (822-7427)

T u s l l a , & . l e w s d a , D e C em h a r

LUNCH SPECIAL!* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

P i t S m o k e d D D OBeef, Ram, Turkeyor Sausage Sandwich *•••plus Batter Frl.. fISoft Drink

$4.00(Save.•••x.as.••Eat Ben or Carryout)

Speelal good eve17 Tuesday fIWeclneadayInDeeemher, from •• ,00 am • 4100 pm

* * * * * * C O M r L E T ED A RS E R V I C E * * * * * *

KANSAS C I T Y ; M O

S A T U R D A Y

• 8 'M··l AM•

BLUES NEW S • 5



Jump for Joy - Koko Taylor

Sticking to My Guns - Etta James

by L.M. Smith

There are a lot of parallels that can be drawn between Koko

Taylor and Etta James. Both have had long, distinguis~ed. and influential careers. They both also have outstandmg

new albums.

The primary difference between the two is that while Taylor

is a straight blues singer, James is more an R & B stylist. That

difference is pointed out by the duets that grace the two albums.Taylor teams up with blues master

Sf,, [ ' e U E S Lonnie Brooks, while James is

paired with rapper Def Jeff. The

optimistically inclined would

probably say that Taylor pays

homage to the tradition as James is

moving towards the future. The

cynic would probably say thatJames is making a blatant attempt at commercialism in an effort

to sell albums.

I was ready tobe disappointed in Sticking toMy Guns because

James' last album, Seven Year Itch, was so good. It can be

difficult to put out two fine albums back-to-back because there

is usually an attempt to make the second album a carbon copy of

the first. James has deftly avoided this trap. Guns is a more

funk-oriented album than Itch was. The duet with Def Jeff is

entitled "Get Funky" and could well serve as the theme song for

the album.

The set opens with "Whatever Gets You Through the Night."

It isn't the John Lennon opus, but the sentiment is the same. "It

ain't wrong/If it makes you feel right/Whatever gets you through

the night." The tune is the perfect opener and helps set the mood.

Other highlights include "You Good Thing (Is About to

End)," the bluesiest tune on the album, "A Fool In Love" and

"The Blues Don't Car."

Compared to James' smooth voice, Taylor's is like 150

sandpaper - gently abrasive. Jump for Joy is an excellentvehicle for that voice.

The duet with Brooks is an excellent, and fun, ditty entitled

"It 's a Dirty Job." The pair's voices complement each other well,

as do their phrasing.

Other highlights include "Hey Baby," 'Tired of That," "The

Eyes Don't Lie," and the title cut. Throughout, Criss Johnson

provides some very fine guitar work.

These are two musically solid and very dancable albums.

Which you prefer will depend on individual taste. Personally,

I'm glad to have both in my collection. 0

ON VINYL

r - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~I M E M B E R S H IP A P P LIC A T IO N :

ANNUAL DUES: Single-$10.00

Family-$15.00I NAME

ADDRESS _

CITY/STATEIZIP -'-- _

I TELEPHONE:

DATE D New D Reneu'alH 'h

Send Check or Money Order to:

I KANSAS CITY BLUES SOCIETYI

L !._O:_~ c : x _3~~3~ ~ ~A_NS~SCIT_Y~ ~~S:~U_R~ ._6~1~~

Putting on Our Zydeco Shoesby Jon Lowe

While getting bored just looking over the Handy Award

ballot, I thought that this year we would just have to see

some live hot music. Then I pulled out an old

Wavelength that contained a map of the Southwest Louisiana

dance halls and said "Why not?" So, without a great deal of

forethought, we were in the air toward "Nawlins."

Our two hour rental car drive to Lafayette was notable be-

cause, while I had heard about bayous, swamps, alligators, etc.,I hadn't seen real ones. By the time we passed Baton Rouge, we

knew we were really in Acadiana. -

We barely had time to unpack Friday night when we were off

to the modem zydeco palace called El Side's. Sid's place is

owned by Nathan Williams' brother, and Nathan and the Zydeco

Cha Chas were playing their regular Friday gig. This is one hot

band and Nathan is a special talent. Nathan says that "they play

Zydeco the old fashioned way - three hours non-stop. Actually,

it was three-and-one-half hours and the dance floor was packed

the entire time. This band has become Lafayette's favorite band

because of Nathan's strong vocals, innovative accordion and his

newly added rock and role style sax. Added guests were Chubby

Carrier and his band who drove down from Lawtell to watch. It

turned out to be one of the more fun shows I've seen and one ofthe few times I ever felt I had danced enough.

Unfortunately, there was no show at Richard's Club in Law-

tell on Saturday. This club has gotten a lot of notoriety lately with

live recordings and we had planned on going there. So, we picked

out our second choice and drove to Oepelouses and saw Boozo

Chavis at the venerable Slim's Y-Ki-Ki lounge. Slim's has quite

a history as Clifton and his band were regulars for years. Even

an hour before the show started there was standing room only as

Boozo is a big favorite in this area. Slim's sells beer and setups

and everyone brings their own food and eats. Unlike the newer

Sid's, this is an old style dance hall. It was a foot stompin' good

time as Boozo churned out requests for hours. The crowd was

older and more proper but everyone danced with reverence and

gusto. After all, this was the show in town.Before heading back to Nawlins, we caught Pierre and the

Zydeco Dots in Lafayette. They are a talented group from Hous-

ton with a soul/zydeco mix. While entertaining, their music just

didn't catch on too well with the crowd that undoubtedly had

become spoiled by hearing the best.

While partying on Bourbon Street the next few days, we were

able to drop in on the Rebirth Brass Band which plays traditional

brass band music with a level of energy that is unsurpassed.

Perhaps the big disappointment on the trip was that a 24-hour

virus caused us to scratch Roomful of Blues at Tipitinas.

But at least we were okay to see the musical highlight of any

zydeco trip, Rocking Dopsie at the Maple Leaf. Dopsie left no

doubt that he deserved the crown with two extraordinary two-

hour sets. His band has grown extremely tight with his two sonsand the great saxophone player, John Hart. He, more than

anyone, has fired a combination of old Nawlins R & B and

zydeco. There is no better accordion player than the king and it

just seemed that every song was better than the last one for the

two two-hour sets that he played. We were drained but satisfied.

Vacations can't last forever and we had to return. Needless to

say, we have not had enough and are already planning our next

trip this spring when we want to see even more zydeco bands.

Some people just can't get enough of a good thing. 0




"CAUGHT IN THE ACT" FROM PAGE 1

"Professor" Dave Creighton (Hammond organ), Jesse Dunn

(bass), and Ron Moore (drums).

Although it was Leon's night in the spotlight, he was gracious

enough toshare it with his many compatriots from this area. Leon

invited one of his long-time associates, organist Lawrence

Wright, to the stage. From that point, the party was, and the jam

session began. Among the featured musicians were Eddie

Pay well (bass), Little Hatch (harp), James "Spoon" Wilson

(drums), and Ray Reed (vocals). The stage was soon changedand several members of the regular band featured at H & M

Barbecue ("Cabbage"-guitar, Jesse Dunn-bass, and Stacey

Harris--drums) ripped into Donnie Hathaway's ''The Ghetto,"

bringing the audience to a frenzy.

To add to the festive mood, during a break in the show, Leon

was presented with two honors. First was a certificate of achieve-

ment from the city ofKansas City, Mo., signed byMayor Richard

Berkley. Then, KCBS chairperson Shirley Owens awarded Leon

a lifetime Blues Society membership.

A word of commendation should also be extended to KCBS

director Scott Mackey for coordinating this event. Also, all the

musicians who donated their time and talents deserve special

recognition. And finally, congratulations are due to "Mr.Blues,"

Leon Estelle, for enriching all of us with the blessing of his~~. 0

Keep the Blues Alive ...

Support the KC Blues Society

with the

Traffic Jam Blue. Hour 4-5 pm

and on Tuesdays & JJJursdayswith the Breakfast Club

7:30 - 9:00 am

KeBS Membership ReportEarlier this year, Vicki Lowe, wife KCBS Treasurer

Jon Lowetook on the tedious job ofprinting our mailing

labels and updating the roster. Because ofVicki's gener-

ous contribution oftime, the KCBS stands to save about

$500 a year! Wethank Vicki and want everyone toknow

what a great job she is doing for us. Bear in mind, how-

ever, that if something is wrong with the way your

name, address, etc. appears on your mailing label or ifyou have an address change, this information shouldbe

directed to Marcie Ryan 531-0538 (M-F, 8:30 a.m.-4:00

p.m.),

The Kansas CityBlues Society couldnot exist without

the support of all our members. We would like to wel-

come our new members: Brian Augspurg, Nikki L.

Banister, Denise Barber, Richard Barrow, Frank Bel-

lucci, Cheryl Bollinger, Joe Bonino, Marliee Dawn

Bradford, Louie and Carolyn Brown, Paula Capehart,

Kathy Chase, Fred Chatlos, Douglas A. Clapp, RobertClifton, Vicki Combs,William ACoombs, AmyCrippen,

Rodnel and Hazel Cunningham, R.E. ("Pryo Maniac")

Elkins, Susan Embretson, Howard Erenberg, John

Ervin, Barry Evans, Joseph Evans, Rhonda Fawcett,

Charles A. Frazier, Lonnie and Debbie Fugett, Linda J.Fund, Sherry Funk, Bob Gahagan, Marciana H.

Glassman, James and Kathleen Goodale, Norma Gray,

Paula and Eric Gray, Joy L. Gregg, Dale Groom,

Deanna Hampton, Henry Hart, Susy Noah Hensel,

Robert and Ann Hernandez, Lisa S. Hines, Anke Hirse-

korn, KimHuerter, Jay Jackson, Sandy J. Jacobson, Joe

Jenkins, David Jones, Hazel Jordon, Anne K.Kessler,

AngieM.Kirkpatrick, Jerry Klukow, GregA.Krotz, BobKrouse, Austin and Roberta Landreth, Monica Larson,

David Lewis, Connie Long, Dave Magee, Anita Malott,

Valorie Marchbanks, Dan Marcus, Peggy McElhany,

Mark McMullin, Hans and Marie Mierswa, Julie Mil-

lard, CindyNeeley, Ernest Nelson, Scott Nelson, Jackie

Nemitz, Pete and Wendy Newcomer, Jo and Jim Phil-

lips, Tony Platt, Janelle B. Pointer, Todd Price, Tulsa

Read, Harry L.Rinacke, Joy Roundtree, Tim and Janet

Ryan, Wes Scaggs, Jim and Kelly Scott, Greg Seymour,

John K. Shelton, Chuck Smiley, Brad Speaks, Rick

Starr, Carla Thomas, Elaine Ulrich, Sandy Vice, Judy

Walter, Ralph Whipple, Todd Wilkinson, Charles and

Becky Williams, Jeanna Williams, Patsy Williams,

Robert ("Monkeyman") and Felicia Wroten, Gail Young,

DougZacherle and Ken and DeeZweygardt.

We would like to thank our renewed members for

their continued support: David Anderson, Tommy W.

Brown, Donald F. Butler, Dr. FrankR Carella, Rhonda

D. Ellis, Jay Garcia, King Alex, Ron Lacy, Larry May,

Jacinto Mendoza, Jim Mullin, Monte Phillips, GeoffRol-

lert, Vern Rourke and Cindy Gillespie, John Selzer, Tim

Shacklett, Robert E. Sharp, Dan Sheridan, Jack

Sprecher and Shirley Warmington.

BLUES NEW S • 7



KC BLUES JAMS

SUNDA Y JAMS • = JAMS - Bring your instruments

• Aud ito r ium B ar & G il l, 2 17 W . 1 4t h, 4 21 -8 48 3, f ea tu ri ng

R i c k Hen d r ic k s & Th e H it & R un B an d

• E ip ic ure an L ou ng e & R es ta ur an t, 7 50 2 Tro os t, 3 33 -8 38 3

• Th e R ox y, 7 23 0 W . 7 5th S tr ee t, 2 36 -6 21 1, fe atu rin g

Th e B lu es N otio ns , 8 :0 0 p .m . - 1 2:0 0 p .m . ( s e e a d v e rt .)

• U pto wn -D ow n & D ir ty , 6 50 8 M a rtw ay , M is sio n, K s 2 3 6-5 30 0, D an D ora n B an d

MONDAYJAMS• B la yn ey 's , 4 15 W estp ort R oa d, 5 61 -3 74 7,1 0 p .m ., Th e 3 9th S I. B lu es B an d• C aju n B is tro , 3 42 1 B ro ad wa y, 5 61 -8 77 5

• C ity L ig ht, 7 42 5 B ro ad wa y, B lu e M on da y ja m 8 p m - m id nig ht

• Th e F ab ulo us In fe rn o S ho w L ou ng e, 4 03 8 Tr oo st A ve nu e, 9 31 -4 00 0, S on ny

K en ne r's B lu es B a nd

• H urr ic an e, 4 04 8 B ro ad wa y, 7 53 -0 88 4, K C B lu es B an d, 1 0 p m -2 a m

TUESDA YJAMS• B la yn ey 's , 4 15 W estp ort R oa d, 5 61 -3 74 7, Th e 3 9th S I. B lu es B an d

• The Levee , 4 3rd & M a in , S on ny K en ne r B lu es B an d, 8 :3 0- 12 :3 0 p m

• Th e P oin t, 9 17 W es t 4 4th , 5 31 -9 80 0, L on nie R ay B lu es B an d,9 p m - 1 :0 0 a m

WEDNESDA Y JAMS• E th alo 's , 9 11 O S P ar ke r, 7 64 -3 88 4

• H er b's , 7 27 C en tra l A ve , K an sa s C ity , K s, fe atu rin g B lu es fo r R en t, 8 -1 1 p m

• The Levee , 43 rd & M ain , Th e 1 23 4 B an d, 8 :3 0-1 2:3 0 p m

• N ig htm ove s, 5 11 0 N E V iv io n R d, 4 52 -4 39 3, Th e 3 9th S I. B lu es B an d, 8 -1 2 p m

THURSDA Y JAMS• Th e Tu ba , 3 33 S ou th we st B lv d a t B ro ad wa y, 4 71 -6 51 0, M o P au l, 7 :3 0 p m

SATURDA YJAMS• C ha te au L ou ng e, 5 93 4 P ro sp ec t, 5 23 -9 33 3, Th e F re eze , 3 - 8 p .m .

• G rand E mpo rium (see advert . ) , 3 83 2 M a in , 5 31 -7 55 7,

G ilb er t's S a tu rd ay B lu es P a rt y, 4 -7 p m

• H arlin gs U ps ta irs , 3 94 1 M a in , 5 31 -0 30 3, D ia na R ay & R ich V an S an t, 2 - 6 p .m .

• H & M B arb ecu e, 1 71 5 N . 1 3th , Ka nsa s C ity , Ks, Ab b L oc ke , 1 0 p m

• M C 's L ou ng e, 5 70 9 Tr oo st, 3 63 -9 37 6, S atu rd ay & Sunday ,

K in g A le x a nd Th e U nto uc ha ble s, 4 :0 0 - 8 :0 0 p .m .

• N ig htm o ve s, L ittle H atc h & th e H ou se ro ck ers , 3 -7 p .m .

OTHER CLUBSo B ir dl an d, 1 6 00 E . 1 9t h, 8 42 -8 46 3

o Th e B o ule va rd B e at , 3 20 S o ut hw e st B lv d. , 4 21 -7 20 7

o E b lo n's , 1 6 01 E . 1 8t h S tr ee t, 2 21 -6 6 12

o Eng l is h 's , 1 1 0 1 Wa l n u t, 2 2 1- 8 8 7 0

o G r an d Em p or iu m ,F rid ay s- Lit tle H a tc h's H o us ep ar ty , 6 -- 8p .m .

o J im m y's J ig ge r 1 82 3 W . 3 9th S t, 7 53 -2 44 4

o K ik i's B o nt on M a is on , 1 51 5 W e st po rt R o ad , 9 31 -9 41 7

o Q ua ff B u ff et & S a lo on , 1 01 0 B ro ad w ay , 4 71 -1 91 8

o S an te F e S alo on , 4 44 W e stp ort R d., 9 31 -1 36 3

o S id et ra ck s, 1 33 1 W . 4 0 H ig hw a y, 2 29 -9 45 5

o S tr ou ds R e st au ra nt , 4 54 -9 6 00 , 3 33 -2 13 2, f ea tu ri ng R o y S e ar cy

o U pto wn -D ow n & D ir ty , 6 50 8 M a rtw ay , M is sio n, K s. 2 36 -5 30 0

o V is it or 's , 5 54 1 M e rr ia m D r, M e rr ia m , K s.

K a n s a s C i t v B l u e s S o c ie tvpo. Box 32131, Kansas City. MO 64111

Do Not Forward - Address Correction Requested -

Return Postage Guaranteed

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w it h C h uc k H a dd oc k

D aily , 4 :0 0 to 5 :0 0 p .m . - "Tra ffic Ja m'

Tuesday & Th ur sd ay , 7 :3 0 to 9 :0 0 a .m .-

'B re ak fa st C lu b' w ith D av e C re ig hto n

S unday, 7 to 10 p .m . - 'Kansas C ity B lues S how "

w it h L in ds ay S h an no n

M on da y-F rid ay , 1 2 t o 1 p .m . - 'L un ch a t t he O ld ie s'S atu rday , 3 to 5 pm - "B lues fo r Tw o' w ith J .S . M arsha ll

B l u e s d a i ly


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G R A N D E M P O R I U M

~~~"'~~~~'l~- 6t6r~._.

~ D E ~ E M B E R 8 ~ H E D U L E ~

1 J d i e ' d ' " ~ ~ - ~ Sat. 4 t67~.-.

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blues news - december 1990

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