Another year, another issue another
sampler going from the rails through the church and ending on the river.
As we return form the “Holy Land”—the South, New Orleans,
Mississippi and Memphis, my mind turns to how hard it is to make music
in this country. They say hardships bring good songs out but where do
these songs go? How do the musicians support themselves? Music has to
be supported; it is not free. This sampler is free to subscribers to Big
City Rhythm & Blues Magazine. Its purpose is to put in front of you
some music and musicians that have been at our campfire. We hope the musicians
and their songs will entertain you and that you will be interested in
hearing more. So if rising gas prices have kept you from going out very
often we are bringing the music to you! The Blues is Holy! Gospel and
Blues are cousins and we feel that all music starts in 4 bar blues so
it is: Holy Blues!
Mahalo! Aloha! May the river be with you!
Love, Peace & Happiness. — Robert Jr. Whitall
Big thanks to all the musicians who understand the value of being part
of the hardest working blues magazine—Big City Rhythm & Blues
Magazine’s sampler. You have stepped up to the plate and hit a homerun!
Thousands of subscribers will now have the opportunity to hear you this
summer. Musicians making music is what Big City Rhythm & Blues Magazine
is all about and introducing them to music lovers. As Junior and I travel
coast-to-coast, north and south and all the crossroads in between this
summer and beyond it will be a pleasure to proudly promote Holy Blues!
Listen, enjoy and support these hard working musicians who love Big City
Rhythm & Blues Magazine like you do and “I Ain’t Lyin’!”—
Sugar Mae
Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu… the world is filled with so many
religions. What brings them all together…? Music. My favorite religion
is the “blues”. Hey, the blues has a spirit of it’s
own anyway… right? For musicians, the stage is the altar and the
audience is the congregation. We get to preach our message at every gig
. Who says it HAS to be religious? Just like religions, the blues has
many faces. Whether it be Rock-Blues from a cab driver in NYC or Texas
Swing from a Locksmith in Dallas or Delta Blues from a cotton picker in
Mississippi. We all feel the same things when our hearts break or when
they’re filled with joy. I’m so proud to be part of this collection
of wonderful blues musicians from all over the country. I hope you find,
like I have, that this compilation will be like a new hymnal for your
blues listening enjoyment! — Dave Fields
1. Kenny Brown w/Little Freddie King
"Get You A Job" (2:28)
(Brown-King-Gross) BMI
"Meet Ya In The Bottom"
Funky D Records
www.myspace.com/kennybrownmusic
www.myspace.com/funkydrecords
"Get You A Job" features great storytelling by Little Freddie
King and slide guitar and vocals from Kenny Brown. Produced by Tino Gross
in Detroit, this bluesy duet is one of the highlights from “Meet
Ya In The Bottom”
2. Joey Gilmore
“Blues All Over You” (4:58) (G. Drout)
Bluesman-(bl~oose~man)
Big Bolt Music BMI
Bluesbobby2@aol.com
joeygilmorebluesman@gmail.com
South Florida’s blues man extraordinaire and 2006 IBC champion Joey
Gilmore is a blues force to be reckoned with. Over 40 years of blues work-smooth
guitar, rich tenor/baritone vocals and original songs makes Joey Gilmore
a breath of fresh air on the blues scene. “The “Bluesman (bl~oose~man)”
is Joey Gilmore’s 2008 release. It is high-energy sanctified blues
that will rock your soul. We are hungry to here more from Gilmore and
look forward to his upcoming tour.
3. Dave Fields
“Rabbi Blues”(5:59)
(David B Fields)
Times’ A Wastin’
FMI Fields Music Publishing (BMI)
www.fieldsmusic.com/
www.myspace.com/davefieldsmusic
Dave Fields pays tribute to his “roots” with RABBI BLUES featuring
his brand of “collard greens meets mahtzah ball soup” New
York City blues. Dave’s explosive guitar playing and smooth as silk
voice is the trademark of this award winning producer/musician.
4. Dave Keyes
{Lay Down Sweet Mary” (5:07)
Covered In Blue
Keyesland Records
www.davekeyes.com/
NY based Dave Keyes's rockin' rhythm & blues has been heard and seen
throughout the world- He performs both as solo artist and with his own
band and is a previous winner of the Blues Foundation's IBC competition.
Lay Down Sweet Mary is a rollicking original as is all of the material
on his most recent CD Covered in Blue which received 3 and 1/2 stars from
Downbeat. Dave also currently performs with gospel great Marie Knight.
5. Billy Gibson
“What Is Love?” (5:22)
(Billy Gibson)
Live At Rum Boogie Cafe
North Magnolia Music (BMI)
www.billygibson.com/
“The uncrowned ‘Prince’ of Beale St.” Mississippian
Billy Gibson is captured live at this home for many years—The Rum
Boogie, which is the House of Blues in Memphis. Like Junior Wells in Chicago,
Billy brings magic to the stages at home and abroad. Check out his new
CD & DVD
6. Bill Sims,Jr.
“Gotta Go Down” (4:08) (traditional)
Billy Sims,Jr & Mark LaVoie
Self-Produced
www.billsimsjr.com/
www.middlebury.net/lavoie/
Bill Sims Jr. is considered one of the best musicians in the New York
blues scene and Mark LaVoie is a master harmonica player who was Sonny
Terry’s driver. Heard together here on “Gotta Go Down”
from their CD, “ Bill Sims Jr. and Mark LaVoie” they play
Blues, as a duo should together “like a glove on a hand.”
Sonny gives this cut an “Amen!”
7. David F Hughes
“Last Of The Mississippi Jukes” (5:14)
Just For The Halibut
Voice Of The South Music Records
www.fieldsmusic.com
From the producer of the film Last Of The Mississippi Jukes, this track
is a tribute to the once thriving Subway Lounge. Mississippi Guitarist
and filmmaker David F Hughes has a distinctive voice and guitar style
and a knack for story telling. Produced by Dave Fields featuring Billy
Gibson on Harp and the legendary Hubert Sumlin on guitar.
8. Biscuit Miller
“If It Makes You Happy” (5:28)
Come Together
www.BiscuitMiller.com
Biscuit’s smile always makes you smile too! But he seriously blends
the funky blues with soulful grooves, hot horns and rockin’ guitars
all mixed up for some hip-shakin’ fun. Feel good music is here!
It will make you happy! Check out his CD, “Come Together.”
Amen!
9. Chick Rodgers
“Crossroad” (6:08)
“It’s My Time”
Spellbound Records
Joyceandlee@comcast.net
Koko Taylor’s protégé, little chick with a huge chirp!
Her debut CD, “It’s My Time”, will be on Koko Taylor’s
new label,Spellbound Records. We hope this cut, “Crossroad”
will rock your world like Chick’s live performances at the 2007
Chicago Blues Festival and the 2007 Pacific Legendery Rhythm & Blues
Cruise! She was the hit of the Boat and she had the Front Porch Stage
jumpin’!
10. Diedra
“Hip Swingin’ Blues” (3:43) (Diedra Hurdle)
Overcoming Hurdles
Paisley Guitar Publishing (BMI)
Ruff Pro Records
www.diedraathome.com
Coming hot outta Alabama, Ms. Diedra brings love, passion and with one
foot in the church and one foot in blues, is ready to “overcome
hurdles” with her new CD and with this cut here, “Hip –
Swingin Blues.” Sweet Southern Soul Mama!
11. Steve Johnson
“Walk With Me” (4:32)
Leaving New York (Steve Johnson)
House Of Mouse Music ASCAP
ACM Records Inc
www.stevejohnsonblues.com
"Walk with Me" by New York area guitarist Steve Johnson is a
big, fat, toned-up Stratocaster boogie ala Jimmie Reed or Elmore James
that weaves a story of questionable romance between gritty vocals and
firey blues riffs. Play this tune, get a drink, get girl, get lucky.
12. Shade Tree Mechanics
“Comin Home” (3:51) (Rochelle, Lawson, Schmalzried)
Crazy Mixed Up Blues
Alienhead Music
Elmosgarage@aol.com
This is one of New York’s finest Blues/Rock bands. They will “call
yo mama” or put you on a long stretch of open road headed for the
hills. The Mechanics have been turning heads for the last two years and
Big City Blues’ Sampler is proud to feature, “Comin’
Home” from their CD “Crazy Mixed Up Blues.” And they
will keep your motor running!
13. Ray Brooks
"You Gotta Pay"(4:48)
Let's Try Love
Yar Records
www.raybrooksmusic.com
Singer, guitarist and songwriter, Ray Brooks has played with all the greats
from the Texas – Louisiana circuit, Floyd Dixon, Gatemouth Brown,
Joe Turner, Lowell Fulson, Ruth Brown, Percy Mayfield and many others.
He is personally keepin’ the Blues alive and with his CD, “Let’s
Try Love,” insists “You Gotta Pay!” His new single lights
up Big City Blues’ Sampler. Thank-you Ray!
14. Professor Fernando Jones
“I’ve Got A Friend”(4:30)
Mississippi Portfolio
On Acoustic Pages
www.FernandoJones.Com
“The Blues has always produced tormented souls. The eternal struggle
with good, and what others may deem not so good. Nevertheless, one ends
up having fun anyway. Most of us want to go to Heaven, while daring get
there through hell. I enjoyed dusting this song off and recording it for
the Sacred Steel compilation.” — Prof. Jones, Blues Ensemble
Director. 2008 "Keeping the Blues Alive Award" recipient
Founder of Blues Kids of America
Columbia College Chicago’s Blues Ensemble Director
15. C4
“Get Off My Back” (3:52)
Pass The Dynamite
Spellbound Records
Joyceandlee@comcast.net
The name C4 comes from family-band members Derek and Trevor Caruso. This
four piece powerhouse is filled with fiery chemistry rounded out with
members Phil Hardesty and Noah Edmaiston.
16. Reverend Robert Sexton
“Have Mercy” (4:15)
Soul Savin’ Service Station
Big Time Records
www.MySpace.com/ReverendRobert
Have Mercy! The good Reverend is on a mission from God! This Detroit blues
outfit is the Gospel truth! Enjoy this cut from their CD, “Soul
Savin’ Service Station” and you will see the light!
17. Leonardo & “Foxfire”
“Trouble Soon Be Over” (4:53) Big City Rhythm & Blues
Records
www.myspace.com/leonardogia
Leonardo performs solo acoustic Delta Blues concerts and workshops in
the Detroit, MI area. He can be found on multiple Blues CD’s, and
DVD’s. On this song, along with the vocals of “Foxfire”
(Denise Marie Stein & Maggie Ferguson), they put a “fresh coat
of paint” on a “Blind” Willie Johnson classic!
Special Thanks to: My Love -Sugar, My Bishop - Solomon Burke, My Musical Director- Dave Fields, Judy & Jasper Fields, My surf inspiration -Dick Dale, Motor City Blues Brothers Tino and Jake, My bicyclin’ buddy - Little Freddie King, our Love Guru - Dr Eric Cassell, Our Mama - Koko Taylor, Our Keeper Of The Torch - Antoinette K-Doe, Muse #1-Catalina Island and Muse #2- the City Of New Orleans
A cure for the blues
six times a year.
1. Kenny Brown
w/Little Freddie King
"Get You A Job" (2:28)
(Brown-King-Gross) BMI
"Meet Ya In The Bottom"
Funky D Records
www.myspace.com/kennybrownmusic
www.myspace.com/funkydrecords
2. Joey Gilmore
“Blues All Over You” (4:58) (G. Drout)
Bluesman-(bl~oose~man)
Big Bolt Music BMI
Bluesbobby2@aol.com
joeygilmorebluesman@gmail.com
3. Dave Fields
“Rabbi Blues”(5:59)
(David B Fields)
Times’ A Wastin’
FMI Fields Music Publishing (BMI)
www.fieldsmusic.com/
www.myspace.com/davefieldsmusic
4. Dave Keyes
{Lay Down Sweet Mary” (5:07)
Covered In Blue
Keyesland Records
www.davekeyes.com/
5. Billy Gibson
“What Is Love?” (5:22)
(Billy Gibson)
Live At Rum Boogie Cafe
North Magnolia Music (BMI)
www.billygibson.com/
6. Bill Sims,Jr.
“Gotta Go Down” (4:08) (traditional)
Billy Sims,Jr & Mark LaVoie
Self-Produced
www.billsimsjr.com/
www.middlebury.net/lavoie/
7. David F Hughes
“Last Of The Mississippi Jukes” (5:14)
Just For The Halibut
Voice Of The South Music Records
www.fieldsmusic.com
8. Biscuit Miller
“If It Makes You Happy” (5:28)
Come Together
www.BiscuitMiller.com
9. Chick Rodgers
“Crossroad” (6:08)
“It’s My Time”
Spellbound Records
Joyceandlee@comcast.net
10. Diedra
“Hip Swingin’ Blues” (3:43) (Diedra Hurdle)
Overcoming Hurdles
Paisley Guitar Publishing (BMI)
Ruff Pro Records
www.diedraathome.com
11. Steve Johnson
“Walk With Me” (4:32)
Leaving New York (Steve Johnson)
House Of Mouse Music ASCAP
ACM Records Inc
www.stevejohnsonblues.com
12. Shade Tree Mechanics
“Comin Home” (3:51) (Rochelle, Lawson, Schmalzried)
Crazy Mixed Up Blues
Alienhead Music
Elmosgarage@aol.com
13. Ray Brooks
"You Gotta Pay"(4:48)
Let's Try Love
Yar Records
www.raybrooksmusic.com
14. Professor Fernando Jones
“I’ve Got A Friend”(4:30)
Mississippi Portfolio
On Acoustic Pages
www.FernandoJones.Com
15. C4
“Get Off My Back” (3:52)
Pass The Dynamite
Spellbound Records
Joyceandlee@comcast.net
16. Reverend Robert Sexton
“Have Mercy” (4:15)
Soul Savin’ Service Station
Big Time Records
www.MySpace.com/ReverendRobert
Have Mercy! The good Reverend is on a mission from God! This Detroit blues
outfit is the Gospel truth! Enjoy this cut from their CD, “Soul
Savin’ Service Station” and you will see the light!
17. Leonardo & “Foxfire”
“Trouble Soon Be Over” (4:53) Big City Rhythm & Blues
Records
www.myspace.com/leonardogia