Alternative World Fanzine, March 23, 2007, page twenty-four

THE LIVE REVIEWS & INTERVIEWS

Q: Judging by the amount of blues on the Internet, and My Space in particular, the blues seems to be pretty healthy these days.  Is that an accurate perception?

A: I think there is a resurgence of interest in the Blues now. People are finding Blues artists that write songs that apply to their own lives and situations. They're letting go of some preconceived notions that the Blues is all sad and lonely. The purpose of the Blues to me, always seemed to be to air what's bothering you, talk about it, find resolution, and have a good time while doing it. Can you dig it? I knew that you could!

The Internet and MySpace are helping blues fans find each other and artists of interest. At last, blues fans and musicians can access each other and hear the Blues any time of day. They're not confined anymore to hearing the Blues on a rare 3 to 6 am slot on the radio. The classic Blues forefathers and the latest artists are all well represented on the various Live 365 internet radio stations.

MySpace offers the opportunity of networking for artists and related industry and allows for musicians and fans to search each other out and relate on new levels, if handled properly. New music is discovered, stories about the Blues are told and shared. History of the Blues and its past greats can be found at many sites, sometimes founded by these artists' families, friends, or former bandmates.

For example, over the past year, I discovered the site www.myspace.com/PBFS (which is short for Paul Butterfield Fund and Society) which is dedicated to preserving the memory of Paul Butterfield. The site is maintained by Sally Squiterri and Gabe Butterfield, Paul's son. Some history on Paul can be found here, as well as the petition you can sign to have Paul inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

John Lee Hooker used to say "The boogie is in ya, and it's gotta come out". I think a lot more people are finding their outlet.

Q: We hear and read about so many different styles of the blues - Chicago, Texas, Bayou, etc.  How are these different from each other?

A: This is probably the most difficult question. I'll try to answer as best as I can. To me, Chicago style of Blues is mostly vocal, piano, harp, guitar, bass, and drums oriented. It concentrates heavily on shuffle rhythms and slow spatial blues, along with a west side soul music influence from the late 60's. Examples like Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Willie Dixon, Koko Taylor, and Buddy Guy

Texas Blues style always seemed more willing to absorb other outside styles such as swing, country, and rock and roll into the Blues. It also seems to me, to be more guitarist oriented. Examples like Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Albert Collins, Stevie Ray and Jimmy Vaughan

Bayou music is primarily accordion, piano, fiddle, and guitar oriented with different rhythms such as the second line beat and the rhumba from New Orleans. Not so much concentration on the shuffle Blues here. Examples like Clifton Chenier, Wayne Toups, Dr. John, and Beausoliel

Nowadays most new Blues is being channeled into three major categories, Contemporary Blues, Electric Blues, and Acoustic or Folk oriented Blues. Great new voices can be found in all these areas. Someone once described Blue Plate Special's music as a Chicago - Texas - Louisianna format, so I guess we've  been successful in absorbing it all.