Just received this and thought it certainly worthy to pass along.
The Houston Public Library has started a new music series called Tunes At Noon. According to Allen J. Westrick, Library Service Specialist, the program will feature local musicians performing in the restored Julia Ideson Building at 500 McKinney. The series is held the second Tuesday of each month from 12 noon to 1p.m. The duo of Snit and Org are the featured performers for July.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Friday, June 15, 2012
River Bottom Blues Reviewed
Just had to share that River Bottom Blues received a nice review on the Reader's Den website. I'll forgo the details and simply leave a link to the article. If you comment on the review, you have a chance to win a signed copy of the book from me. And I'll throw in a bookmark. If you don't win, then you can click on the cover in the sidebar of my blog and order a signed copy directly from me. I'll throw in the bookmark and a coupon from the publisher for a FREE eBook version. Of course, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Sony eReader, iBooks, Powells, Booksamillion, Diesel, and oodles of other places will see a copy to ya also.
http://www.readers-den.com/2012/06/river-bottom-blues-by-ricky-bush.html
The esteemed book review site Midwest Book Review also calls River Bottom Blues a "face pace mystery of murder and blues".
http://www.readers-den.com/2012/06/river-bottom-blues-by-ricky-bush.html
The esteemed book review site Midwest Book Review also calls River Bottom Blues a "face pace mystery of murder and blues".
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Upcoming Harp Events
2012 Texas Harmonica Festival
Sonny Boy Terry has announced that tickets are available for his annual harmonica extravaganza at: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1886794453/efblike It will be held on August 4 and once again at Dan Electros Guitar Bar in Houston. The fest will include a harmonica clinic for beginning/intermediate harmonica enthusiasts, including demonstrations of Lone Wolf Harp pedals by owner Randy Landry, Steve "Fess" Schneider's amplified harp tutorial, Michael Rubin's "Meat and Potatoes" instructional, and Sonny Boy Terry's beginner's lessons. All attendees will have a chance to jam with the professionals.
The pro showcase will be headlined by renowned blues harp master, RJ Mischo. Gulf Coast legend, Paul Orta will also be onboard with some real "Old School" blues whomping. Filling out the bill will be Sonny Boy Terry's band, Christian Dozzler, and Michael Rubin. Stay tuned. I'll post more information later.
The Bugle Boy Presents "Pocket Full of Soul"
If you need a harmonica fix sooner, then The Bugle Boy in La Grange, Texas will host a showing of the critically acclaimed harmonica documentary, Pocket Full of Soul, presented by the Houston Blues Museum on Sunday, August 24. The event will include a harmonica presentation and clinic by Houston blues harpman, Steve Krase. For more information go to: http://thebugleboy.org/events.php?status=active The Bugle Boy has gained a reputation as one of the finest music listening rooms in Texas. "How, how, how, how, how!"
Sonny Boy Terry has announced that tickets are available for his annual harmonica extravaganza at: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1886794453/efblike It will be held on August 4 and once again at Dan Electros Guitar Bar in Houston. The fest will include a harmonica clinic for beginning/intermediate harmonica enthusiasts, including demonstrations of Lone Wolf Harp pedals by owner Randy Landry, Steve "Fess" Schneider's amplified harp tutorial, Michael Rubin's "Meat and Potatoes" instructional, and Sonny Boy Terry's beginner's lessons. All attendees will have a chance to jam with the professionals.
The pro showcase will be headlined by renowned blues harp master, RJ Mischo. Gulf Coast legend, Paul Orta will also be onboard with some real "Old School" blues whomping. Filling out the bill will be Sonny Boy Terry's band, Christian Dozzler, and Michael Rubin. Stay tuned. I'll post more information later.
The Bugle Boy Presents "Pocket Full of Soul"
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Big Pete Choice Cuts
First off, let's not confuse this Big Pete with Big Pete Pearson. They both blow harp and both sing the blues, but this Big Pete's real name is Pieter va der Pluijm and he hails from the Netherlands. You'd be hard pressed to tell by his singing, which shows absolutely no hint of his foreign origins. Matter of fact, his vocal style reminds me eerily of Mitch Kashmar's. Solid.
Big Pete Choice Cuts from Delta Groove Productions is an All-Star affair with Kim Wilson, Johnny Dyer, Al Blake, Paul Oscher, Kirk Fletcher, John Marx, Mojo Mark, Shawn Pittman, Kid Ramos, Rusty Zinn, Malcolm Lukens, and Rob Rio lending their estimable talents in guest spots. Now, such discs can be a mixed bag with too many spoons stirring the chili, but if anyone can pull it off, it's Randy Chortkoff, Delta Groove's chief, who has done such for a few years now with The Mannish Boys. No telling who'll end up playing with those cats.
According to Scott Dirks' liner notes, after hearing Big Pete in action Chortkoff got him to the States and onto the stage at the Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Festival. It looks to me that half the musicians at the fest followed Big Pete into the studio after that for a three day recording session of these choice cuts, but the core unit here is Alex Schultz (guitar), Willie J. Campbell (bass), and Jimi Bott (drums). Big Pete is an unabashed disciple of Lester Butler, and in fact led The Lester Butler Tribute band around Europe for a time, and having musicians on board who played with Butler, such as Schultz adds to that vibe. The first song on the disc is Butler's "Driftin'" with Botts' opening whomps driving the hell out of the tune. Big Pete proves he knows his book of Butler right off the bat, complete with a soaring, high energy crescendo to top off the song. He adds the same style where it's least expected, such as on the Jody Williams' tune, mostly associated with Billy Boy Arnold, "I Was Fooled". His harp takes the song where it's never been before, proving that he just may be Butler's heir apparent.
BUT, Big Pete is far from being a one trick pony, enslaved by the master's blasting. A peek at this link points out just how diverse this young Dutchman really must be: http://www.deltagrooveproductions.com/music/newsletters/2011/blasts/choicecuts.html
He lays his harp down on Albert King's "Can't You See What You're Doing To Me" and allows Schultz to strut his stuff, who quotes King's licks, but plays it far from by the numbers. He lets Kim Wilson do his thang on Jimmy Rogers' driving shuffle, "Act Like You Love Me", while he sings the Chi-Town classic like he owns it. He revs the engine with some full chordal whomping and tongue slaps on Slim Harpos' seldom covered swamp rocker, "Don't Start Me Crying Now", with Schulz playing rapid, lights out licks. He relinquishes harp duties to Al Blake, he of the Hollywood Fats Band, on a straight up version of Big Otis Smothers, "Got My Eyes On You" with that wonderful "Green Onions" groove.
He whips out some Junior Wells' style acoustic work on "Hey Lawdy Mama" and absolutely turns Kirk Fletcher loose to do, well, what Fletcher does best, tear up the fret board. Who, by the way, also yanks out some stinging, stabbing leads on Muddy Waters' "Just To Be With You", credited to someone named Roth Bernard. Big Pete also takes his acoustic chops on a ride with a down the river take on Willie Dixon's "I'm A Business Man", which is highlighted by the Hammond B3 swirls from Malcolm Lukens.
He does rip into Little Walter's "Just Your Fool" as if Butler's ghost was standing by his side, egging him on to get down with it, but then he turns around with the big chromatic to do William Clarke's "Chromatic Crumbs" justice, and then he goes deep down in the alley with the Howlin' Wolf's "Rockin' Daddy". Kid Ramos rips and roars with a dirty tone that evokes the spirit of Pat Hare. The Mannish Boys connection to the proceedings arrives with vocals from Johnny Dyer on Jimmy Rogers' "Left Me With A Broken Heart", while Big Pete's harp dips, dives, and swoops through the song.
So, yeah, Lester Butler just might have influenced the young Pieter van der Pluijm to put down guitar and put the blues harp to his lips, but this disc proves that he has a whole lot more in him than being stuck playing in tribute. This All Star affair is definitely his show, and he proves he belongs in that elite group of musicians. 'Nuff for now.
Big Pete Choice Cuts from Delta Groove Productions is an All-Star affair with Kim Wilson, Johnny Dyer, Al Blake, Paul Oscher, Kirk Fletcher, John Marx, Mojo Mark, Shawn Pittman, Kid Ramos, Rusty Zinn, Malcolm Lukens, and Rob Rio lending their estimable talents in guest spots. Now, such discs can be a mixed bag with too many spoons stirring the chili, but if anyone can pull it off, it's Randy Chortkoff, Delta Groove's chief, who has done such for a few years now with The Mannish Boys. No telling who'll end up playing with those cats. According to Scott Dirks' liner notes, after hearing Big Pete in action Chortkoff got him to the States and onto the stage at the Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Festival. It looks to me that half the musicians at the fest followed Big Pete into the studio after that for a three day recording session of these choice cuts, but the core unit here is Alex Schultz (guitar), Willie J. Campbell (bass), and Jimi Bott (drums). Big Pete is an unabashed disciple of Lester Butler, and in fact led The Lester Butler Tribute band around Europe for a time, and having musicians on board who played with Butler, such as Schultz adds to that vibe. The first song on the disc is Butler's "Driftin'" with Botts' opening whomps driving the hell out of the tune. Big Pete proves he knows his book of Butler right off the bat, complete with a soaring, high energy crescendo to top off the song. He adds the same style where it's least expected, such as on the Jody Williams' tune, mostly associated with Billy Boy Arnold, "I Was Fooled". His harp takes the song where it's never been before, proving that he just may be Butler's heir apparent.
BUT, Big Pete is far from being a one trick pony, enslaved by the master's blasting. A peek at this link points out just how diverse this young Dutchman really must be: http://www.deltagrooveproductions.com/music/newsletters/2011/blasts/choicecuts.html
He lays his harp down on Albert King's "Can't You See What You're Doing To Me" and allows Schultz to strut his stuff, who quotes King's licks, but plays it far from by the numbers. He lets Kim Wilson do his thang on Jimmy Rogers' driving shuffle, "Act Like You Love Me", while he sings the Chi-Town classic like he owns it. He revs the engine with some full chordal whomping and tongue slaps on Slim Harpos' seldom covered swamp rocker, "Don't Start Me Crying Now", with Schulz playing rapid, lights out licks. He relinquishes harp duties to Al Blake, he of the Hollywood Fats Band, on a straight up version of Big Otis Smothers, "Got My Eyes On You" with that wonderful "Green Onions" groove.
He whips out some Junior Wells' style acoustic work on "Hey Lawdy Mama" and absolutely turns Kirk Fletcher loose to do, well, what Fletcher does best, tear up the fret board. Who, by the way, also yanks out some stinging, stabbing leads on Muddy Waters' "Just To Be With You", credited to someone named Roth Bernard. Big Pete also takes his acoustic chops on a ride with a down the river take on Willie Dixon's "I'm A Business Man", which is highlighted by the Hammond B3 swirls from Malcolm Lukens.
He does rip into Little Walter's "Just Your Fool" as if Butler's ghost was standing by his side, egging him on to get down with it, but then he turns around with the big chromatic to do William Clarke's "Chromatic Crumbs" justice, and then he goes deep down in the alley with the Howlin' Wolf's "Rockin' Daddy". Kid Ramos rips and roars with a dirty tone that evokes the spirit of Pat Hare. The Mannish Boys connection to the proceedings arrives with vocals from Johnny Dyer on Jimmy Rogers' "Left Me With A Broken Heart", while Big Pete's harp dips, dives, and swoops through the song.
So, yeah, Lester Butler just might have influenced the young Pieter van der Pluijm to put down guitar and put the blues harp to his lips, but this disc proves that he has a whole lot more in him than being stuck playing in tribute. This All Star affair is definitely his show, and he proves he belongs in that elite group of musicians. 'Nuff for now.
Monday, April 16, 2012
The Devil's Blues
Just a quick, but important, announcement regarding the further adventures of the blues slinging, crime fighting duo of Mitty Andersen and Pete Bolden. The Devil's Blues has officially replaced Soldiers of Satan as the title of my new thriller, due out from Barking Rain Press in the Fall of 2012. Stay tuned.
By the way, I'm getting some nice feedback from those in the blues community who have read River Bottom Blues. Their comments mean the world to me. So maybe I got it right. Grab a copy and let me know.
By the way, I'm getting some nice feedback from those in the blues community who have read River Bottom Blues. Their comments mean the world to me. So maybe I got it right. Grab a copy and let me know.
Monday, April 9, 2012
New Thriller and Marcia Ball
The blues playing, crime fighting duo of Mitty Andersen and Pete Bolden will continue fighting dastardly evil in my second novel, Soldiers of Satan. It has just been offered a publishing contract and should be available in the Fall of 2112. I'll post more about my new thriller down the road.
I'll be sharing my thoughts on "Writing What I Know" as a guest writer on Buried Under Books' Blog. Great site, by the way. www.cncbooks.com/blog
I'll be signing copies of River Bottom Blues at http://navasotabluesalley.com beginning at 2pm on April 14. It is in conjunction with the city's Mance Lipscomb annual birthday bash with Marcia Ball pitching a free concert. www.bluesbluebonnetsbbq.com Should be a fine time. 'Nuff for now
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