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February 2011
The Sugar
Prophets – CD Release and By Sandy Hannum The PCBS
strongly supports the Prophets in the challenge, and hopes to raise enough
funds with this event to offset the costs of the band’s travels to and from Obviously,
this event is an absolute must! Be at The almost
unfathomable success that The Sugar Prophets have achieved in just over a year
is easier to understand when you look at the backgrounds of the talented
individual band members. I am now going to quote from an officially sanctioned
press release: |
“The Sugar
Prophets are an interesting amalgam of backgrounds and talent that have
seemingly merged together in the right time, place, and groove. Fiery singer
and harmonica slinger Josh Spence had been around the Central Illinois Blues
scene as a regular guest performer with both local and national touring acts
for years before deciding to form the band in March, 2009. The band played
several shows and went through a few personnel changes until February 2010,
when the present lineup was set. Since then, The Sugar Prophets’ profile has
continued to rise in Central Illinois Blues circles and beyond. After playing
just over 100 shows in their first year, The Sugar Prophets were chosen to go
to Now, don’t
get the impression that this band is just a group of young pups trying to run
with the big dogs. No, The Sugar Prophets have a lot more experience and savvy
than that! In their current form, collectively, they’ve logged over 5,000
shows. In fact, some have recorded and played with some of the finest musicians
in the worlds of Blues, Gospel, R&B, and Blues-Rock. Guitarists
Joe Asselin, former member of the Kilborn
Alley Blues Band, and A.J. Williams, who has logged miles with Murali Coryall,
Shirley King, and legendary blues sax-man A.C. Reed, combine with bassist Al
Chapman, best known as the rock-solid groove-man in Billy Galt’s Blues Deacons,
drummer extraordinaire, Aaron “A Train” Wilson, who has performed with Nick
Moss & the Flip-Tops, and the Kilborn Alley Blues
Band, and Joe Moss, and front man, Josh Spence to form The Sugar Prophets.” The 2011
International Blues Challenge on February 1-5 will be the 27th such
event to be presented by the Blues Foundation in The PCBS
wishes all the best to The Sugar Prophets at Corporate Membership Memphis on Main is a corporate member of the Prairie
Crossroads Blues Society. |
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Hot Artist With
Rising Stock – Introducing: Shawn Pittman 1) Undeniable (2010 Self Release 2) Too Hot (2010 European Release) Feelin’ Good Records ( www.myspace.com/ shawnpittmanband By James
“Skyy Dobro” Reprinted
with permission by Blues Blast magazine 1) 11 songs; 43:57 minutes; Suggested 2) 15 songs; 56:21 minutes; Suggested Styles: “Good old butt-rockin' Blues and Rock 'n' Roll” When it comes to CD output, there are
three levels: productive, prolific, and Pittman. In 2009 and 2010, Shawn, who
first broke nationally in the late 90s, has released two solo CDs in each year.
His latest, “Undeniable” is, incredibly, the eighth album for a guy only 35
years old! He also collaborated with Overall, Pittman is a master of his
guitar in playing the recognized styles of the one to overplay in tedious, too-long solos, and he keeps
song times averaging four minutes. You’ll hear influences of the King, Smokin' Joe Kubek, Jim Suhler, and Mike Morgan. Pittman's
songs usually rely on a guitar powered trio, but Undeniable’s
opening track “Hard to Hold On” finds Shawn’s solid and appealing vocals
pleading with a wavering lover while his guitar is at some of its melodic best
above a chunky rhythm. "Change of Heart" is another killer track. Howlin’ Wolf fans will enjoy the “Forty Four” inspired “Mindin’ My Own Business.” The set closer “Looking Good,” is a ferocious
instrumental created by the late Magic Sam and the only non-original on the CD.
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Also available for 2010, in both Too Hot’s title track is the Jerry “Boogie” McCain number that was the impetus
for the recording session in By age 18, this But, by 2004, Shawn completely retired
from the music scene to stop the loose caboose his career had become from
completely jumping the tracks. A couple of years at an office job, and after
some serious self-examination and resulting positive changes, Pittman in
mid-2008 resolved to make another serious attempt at a music career. He has since done marathon tours of Still considered “young” at 35, Pittman
is a lot older and wiser than he was at 23. His dedication and perseverance has
paid off while maintaining a soulfulness that simmers to a boil. Fans of a hard
driving Pittman, who has just been signed to
Delta Groove Records, will be performing at Buddy Guy’s Legends on
Saturday, February 5, opening for Magic Slim.
Man, these young guys have talent! Yeah…Looks like the Blues is alive and
well. Mmmhmm. Going to Band Memberships The Kilborn Alley Blues Band have been nominated for Band
of the Year by the Blues Music Foundation. Good Luck Guys. Kilborn
is also playing at Buddy Guys Legends February 22. The Sugar
Prophets have a new CD and are ready to compete in
the International Blues Challenge in Memphis February 1-5. Good Luck, Guys. The
Painkillers have
been playing an early Saturday evening set at the Iron Post in Urbana about
once a month. |
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A Few
Thoughts By Rich
Cibelli If you would allow me, I’d like to make
mention of two very important items related to the world of blues music that
recently caught my attention and should yours. The first of these is news that
The Pocono Blues Festival scheduled for 2011 has been canceled. However, even
more troubling is the talk circulating that would make the famous Chicago Blues
Festival a paid event. I’ll take each of these subjects one at a time. For a long time now I’ve wanted to
travel to The Pocono Blues Festival at Beautiful Big Boulder Resort in Lake
Harmony, PA. I guess I won’t get my chance now. I can’t really recall how many
times this festival was promoted in the blues magazines I subscribe to, but it
was a lot. Moreover, it was well respected as one of the best blues festivals around
anywhere. 2011 would have marked the 20th year this event would have taken
place. The promoters claim that the troubled
economy caused them to decide to cancel the event and look elsewhere for
revenue sources. In this day, we have to face the fact that many more
businesses may choose to follow this same path in order to sustain operations.
Let’s hope our local blues events continue to prosper and we don’t have to face
this sad reality. My mention of the Chicago Blues Festival
is noteworthy as well. This is the festival that really opened my eyes to the
blues and showed me why it is so important to our history. I had heard about it
from friends. They even mentioned repeatedly how good the performers were and
how you could walk from stage to stage and see someone else. The event was free
and easy to travel to, which made it even more attractive. I have attended the event twice now and
both times impressed me immensely. Not just because of the great music, but more
so about the people who go year after year. They came from all over just to be
able to share this event and to meet their favorite blues musicians, just as I do. It was here that I got to see John
Primer, Eden Brent, the late Lil’ Dave Thompson, Billy Gibson and many more.
While later one night after the festival in 2009, I got to enjoy a memorable
trip down South Michigan Avenue to the home of “Chess Records,” or “2120,” as
they used to call it. Yes, this was the home of the blues during the days of
Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and many other great
Chicago blues performers. Now it is home
to Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven, a foundation dedicated to the blues run by his
surviving family. It was on this night that really made my
trip to Chicago for the blues festival an event to remember. Koko Taylor, the
undisputed queen of the blues had passed away just days before and her spirit
was alive and well. |
I sadly recall earlier in the day when
my wife and I stopped to sign our names on a card that was designed as a
memorial. This really touched my heart as had each time I got to hear her great
voice and see her big smile. Over the years I have been able to take some real
nice photos of Koko that I will forever treasure. But one thing that I will not forget is
the current talk in Chicago. It seems the city that is known more for political
games and back room deals is at it again. This time the powers are talking
about charging to go to the Chicago Blues Fest. And that’s not all. Seems there’s some deal in the works
that would give the rights for all of the city’s big events to one player. What
will they think of next? Sure times are tough, we all know that, but charging
admission to this event is in my opinion a real slap in the face to the people
and the performers who show up each year.
Moreover, politics is the best way to
ruin what has been for many years one of the best festivals to attend anywhere.
However, Greg Kot, an on-line music critic for The
Chicago Tribune, wrote in a January 4th piece that he believes “charging
admission to some of Chicago’s bigger festivals would allow the
promoters to bring in better acts”. He goes on to say that “too many of the
bands are amateurish and play too many covers.” I say horse feathers, and wonder if Kot has even gone to the Blues Fest. “Better bands” I
say? What’s wrong with the bands that
are playing now? Don’t blues bands play covers, and if they do what’s wrong
with that? Who doesn’t play “Crossroads” or “Mustang Sally” once in awhile?
Bottom line, my friends, if this idea becomes reality it will really turn some
heads. So here’s my solution. Let’s forget
about Chicago for now and instead turn our attention to the folks
right here in Champaign-Urbana where we can make a difference. Moreover, I
don’t need politics to help me decide what band I’m going to go hear or what
venue I’m going to spend my money at. Sure The Chicago Blues Festival is a one
of a kind that I have attended and really enjoyed being a part of, but at this
point I have more important things to worry about than political games. Enough
said! Writer’s note: I began writing this story soon after it
was announced that the 2011 Pocono’s Blues Festival had been canceled. I’m
happy to tell you that since then another event has been scheduled to take its
place. I wish the promoter the best of luck this year and beyond. |
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PCBS Business The February Prairie Crossroads
Blues Society Meeting is scheduled for February 16 at the Champaign Public
Library. Recommended deadline for submission
of articles for consideration and ideas for articles to appear in the Inclusive
newsletter is February 16. Time-sensitive exceptions will be taken on an
individual basis. Prairie Crossroads Board of Directors President Rich Cibelli Vice President Steve Stoerger Treasurer Teri Stoerger Secretary Greg Altstetter Inclusive Staff Co-Editors Dennis Wismer Co-Editor Sandy Hannum Contributing Writers James Walker Rich Cibelli Tech Consultant Bob Paleczny at BP Computers Mojo Tech Sherry Cibelli |
EVENTS Jan 29 - Kilborn Alley Blues Band - Downtown Marriott - Des Moines, IA Jan 30 - Sugar Prophets and Kilborn Alley Blues Band - Memphis On Main - Champaign – 2 pm Jan 31 - Sugar Prophets - Alamo Club – Springfield, IL Feb 1-5 – Sugar Prophets - International
Blues
Challenge - Memphis, TN Feb 2 – Kilborn Alley Blues Band - D.R. Digger’s - Champaign Feb 5 – Candy Foster and Shades of Blue – Memphis on Main - Champaign Feb 11 – Kilborn Alley Blues Band – Memphis on Main - Champaign Feb 11 – Sugar Prophets – Diligaff Pub –
Leroy, IL Feb 18 – The Impalas – Bentley’s Irish Pub – Champaign Feb 22 – Kilborn Alley Blues Band – Buddy Guy’s Legends – 700 S. Wabash, Chicago, IL Feb 24 – Sugar Prophets – Ko Fusion – Champaign Feb 25 – Chainsaw DuPont – Memphis on Main – Champaign Feb 26 – The Impalas – Huber’s Pub – Champaign Mar 4 – Sugar Prophets – Bentley’s – Champaign Mar 4 – Charlie Musselwhite – U of I Sangamon Auditorium – Springfield, IL Mar 5 – Sugar Prophets – Uncle Buck’s Sports Bar – Mahomet, IL Mar 8 - Blues at the Crossroads – Krannert Center –
7:30 pm Mar 9 – Joe Bonamossa – Peoria Civic Center –Peoria, IL Mar 12 – II Ton Heavy Thing – East End Tavern – Monticello,IL Mar 17 – Sugar Prophets – Pop’s Place – Ludlow, IL Mar 31 – Sugar Prophets – Ko
Fusion |
