Doc’s Juke Joint

JAZZ 90.1 FM WGMC (SUNDAY NIGHTS)
Mail Address: 613 Westchester Ave. Rochester NY 14609

**** NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS FOR MUSIC SERVICE, WE NEED NEW RELEASES/REISSUES ****

THIS PLAYLIST SUBMITTED TO LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE

Honorable Mentions:

Warren Storm – Willie Tee/Warren Storm-Willie Tee and Cypress/Jin Records
John Dee Holeman/You Got To Lose, You Can’t Win All The Time/Music Maker
Chris Harper/Blues Is My Life/Chris Harper
Larry Carlton w/ Robben Ford/Live In Tokyo/335 Records
Scrapomatic/Sidewalk Caesars/Landslide Records
Eric Deaton/Gonna Be Trouble Here/Knock Down South
Deborah Bonham/Duchess/Atco-Rhino
Forrest McDonald/A Decade of Blues/World Talent Records

If Mojo Nixon had a brother and he had a new blues release, it might be Big Joe Shelton. The similarities to Mojo stop at the singing voice. Big Joe is no novelty act, he is a straight forward southern juke joint rocker. Vocalist/Harp player Big Joe Shelton’s new release “Black Prairie Blues” (Alt 45 Records) is a journey down to the northeast part of Mississippi known by the same name. Big Joe was raised surrounded by the blues. Early influences include a fortunate relationship with blues legend Big Joe Williams. In the mid seventies Shelton moved to Chicago and experienced the electric blues scene first hand. While in Chicago Big Joe was able to see the likes of Muddy Water, Howlin’ Wolf and Buddy Guy.

Big Joe really rocks the harp or as he likes to call it – his “Mississippi Saxophone.” Guitarist Willie King makes a guest appearance on the title track (“Black Prairie Blues”) which is a great tribute to Bukka White and the many other blues musicians of this region. Other favorites include “Ribs and Cat Whisky,” “Chitlin’ Lovin’ Man,” “One’s Too Many” and “Cat Fish Alley.” If you like your blues to rock-a-little or just have fun, take a trip down to Mississippi with Big Joe Shelton. Greg “Doc” Lefebre

I have to admit, I didn’t know who Gary Allegretto was when his cd landed on my doorstep. What I do know is that I will now never forget his name. “Many Shades of Blue” (Big Fiore Records) is the title of the new disc by vocalist/harp player Gary Allegretto. 14 solid tracks of pure electric and acoustic blues, is how I would describe Gary’s new cd. Allegretto wrote 12 of the 14 tracks and chose to cover two of the greatest songwriters ever (Chuck Berry “Back To Memphis” & Hank Williams “Mind Your Own Business”). Gary was inspired by the Piedmont Bluesman John Jackson at a very young age. One of the many guests on this new release is John Cephas (a contemporary and close friend of John Jackson). Other guests on “Many Shades of Blue” include Ivan Neville, Doug Macleod, Rich Delgrosso and vocalist Janiva Magness.

Gary is one of the great sideman on todays blues scene. He is also the founder and director of Harmonikids which is a 501(c)3 non profit charitable organization that provides music therapy with harmonicas and lessons to special needs children internationally. Allegretto has provided aid to special needs children from the Tsunami refugee camps of North Sumatra, Indonesia to the Katrina evacuee trailer villages of Louisiana and many points in between. Harmonikids has recieved widespread acclaim in the media including The Today Show, Blues Revue, and Living Blues Magazines. For more information about his unique charitable work visit www.harmonikids.org and see You Tube video.

Sometimes the sideman needs to step into the spotlight to really shine. This one shines all the way through. I hope Mr. Allegretto finds Rochester, NY on his GPS soon.

On a side note, you can catch the legendary harp player John Cephas with his partner Phil Wiggins (Cephas And Wiggins) at the Chenango Blues Festival, August 15 & 16th in Norwich, NY.     Greg “Doc” Lefebre

The folks at Blues Witch Records have brought us a new blues artist. At 79 years old, its hard to be called “new,” but Tomcat Courtney is really new to most blues fans. Originally from Texas, Tomcat moved around and then settled on playing the blues in San Diego in the early 70’s. Playing as much as four nights a week for 35 years will help hone the skill of any blues musician. Tomcat also married into the blues. He married the niece of prolific bluesman Smokey Hogg in 1951. Courtney played with both Smokey and his cousin, guitarist John Hogg. Tomcat credits John Hogg with showing him how to play like T-Bone.

Tomcat Courtney’s new release is entitled “Downsville Blues” (Blue Witch Records). From its opening track, “Cook My Breakfast” to its closer “Railroad Avenue” I was immediately hooked into the serious blues sounds of vocalist/guitarist Tomcat Courtney. This is real Texas blues that make me think of Lightnin’ Hopkins with smoother voice. The album gets its title from the town where Tomcat originally grew up (Downsville, Texas). Courtney recently paid a visit to Downsville and didn’t exactly like what had become of his former playground. Many great originals are contained in “Downville Blues” including the title track and “Disaster Blues,” a song inspired by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Tomcat penned an impressive 9 of 14 tracks on “Downsville Blues.” The Tampa Red classic “Cryin’ Won’t Help You” helps round out one of my most favorite discs of the year. Tomcat breathes new life into the well covered “Bottle Up and Go” and lays down a nice version of the Mance Lipscomb classic, “Meet Me In The Bottom.”

Producer Bob Corritore who also takes on the harmonica duties on the disc, assembled a great cast of players to give Tomcat’s first national release the right sound. Former Muddy Waters’ skin beater and fantastic solo artist Willie “Big Eyes” Smith played drums on three tracks, Brian Fahey picked up the sticks on the rest. Long time Tomcat sidemen Chris James joined Courtney on guitar, while Patrick Rynn lays down some solid bass work.

Its amazing what 79 years of living will inspire.      Greg “Doc” Lefebre