September 2011

Summers gone and soon it will be goblins and ghosts, then turkey and dressing. This summer seems to have flown by. By the time this issue hits the establishments that distribute it we will be presenting the last Tuesday Night Blues of the season MOJO LEMON. These guys really deserve to have been voted the Best Blues Band in the valley three years running. Their raucous boogie and blues make people shake their hips and yell for more whenever they play. To have them bring that joyful noise to the beautiful confines of Owen Park on the Chippewa River in Eau Claire always promises a big crowd and a good time! So be sure to join us Tuesday Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m.

When this concert ends it will be the 44 that has been presented at Tuesday Night Blues over three seasons. There have been many outstanding performances by some of the very best musicians in the region and a few from outside the area as well. You, the fans that attend Tuesday Night Blues on a regular basis seem always grateful for the opportunity to see these wonderfully talented and entertaining players and have expressed appreciation, to them, and to us, for the chance to see and hear great music for free in the historic and wonderful venue that is Owen Park’s band shell. It takes a lot of work, time and money to produce these free concerts and without the positive feedback and support that is received on a weekly basis it would not be worthwhile. So, I want to express my appreciation to ALL of the faithful that make it out to Tuesday Night Blues, come rain or shine. THANK YOU!!!!!

Coming to the State Theatre in Eau Claire on Sept. 14 is one of the finest singer songwriters around today. John Hiatt is  "...one of rock's most astute singer-songwriters of the last 40 years." - Los Angeles Times

John Hiatt's career as a performer and songwriter has spanned more than 30 years and his work has been covered by everyone from Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, BB King, and Bonnie Raitt to Iggy Pop, Three Dog Night and The Neville Brothers. Hiatt began his solo career with the 1974 album Hangin' Around the Observatory. His landmark 1987 release Bring The Family received critical praise and was his first album to chart in the U.S. In 1993, Rhino Records released Love Gets Strange: The Songs of John Hiatt, which collected many of the cover versions of his songs that were recorded during the 80s and 90s. 2000's Crossing Muddy Waters was released to critical acclaim and was called "The most natural and relaxed John Hiatt album in years…" by All Music Guide. In 2008, Hiatt was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and was honored by the Americana Music Association with their prestigious "Lifetime Achievement in Songwriting Award."

One of my personal favorites by Hiatt is “Ridin’ With The King” which was covered as a duo by Clapton and B.B. King.  This will be an excellent concert! For more information and tickets go to http://www.eauclairearts.com/event.phtml/4F5DDFC8/john_hiatt_and_the_combo/

In future Blues Notes, I will bring you some histories and more info about performers, concerts in the region and other blues news from around the country.

The next Chippewa Valley Blues Society meeting will be at Pizza Plus / Bottle & Barrel, in downtown Eau Claire 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13th, hope you can make it.

Thanks for lending me an ear! See ya around!