The blues is there when you need a friend. The blues helps you put your troubles in perspective when it seems there is no way out. The blues not only delivers the message that things are going to be all right, but it physically moves you in the right direction with its groove. Got the blues? Check out one of our town’s local blues distribution centers for the cure from whatever ails you.
There’s a new kid in town starting this month as Live at PJ’s collaborates with Blues Plus Productions to schedule some hot national blues acts on Thursday nights at the club. Look for more good things from this collaboration.
Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials roll into town on the 10th delivering house-rockin’ Chicago blues at its best. As a youngster, Lil Ed was taken to clubs and tutored in the blues by his uncle, slide guitar legend J.B. Hutto. J.B.’s advice was, “learn to play the slide in your own way,” a point well taken by Lil’ Ed and evidenced by his raucous yet reverent slide guitar performances. His latest recording is aptly titled Full Tilt.
Tommy Castro, one of the hottest guitarists around, makes his Ann Arbor debut on the 17th. The SF Bay native has paid his dues at home, on the road, and around the world with his gritty yet soulful rockin’ blues guitar style and a string of successful recordings. It has made him one of the most sought after blues acts. His 2009 recording, Hard Believer has gotten rave reviews everywhere. Don’t miss this one!
Guy O’Hollerin’s Local Blues & Brews at the Holiday Inn near U of M’s Campus counts you in on Saturday night with a line up of great local blues and roots music bands. The Terraplanes drive home house rockin’ blues and roots rock to get your weekend jumping on the 5th. The Bluescasters will blow your blues top with rock-edged boogie and jump blues on the 12th. Motor City Josh delivers rock-solid urban blues on the 19th. Get down with funky Motown style dance grooves and R&B with The Saints Of Soul on the 26th to highlight your holiday weekend.
The Ark steps it up with hot foot stompin’ zydeco with a Creole flavor from Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys on the 9th. As the son of famed accordionist Delton Broussard, Jeffery grew up in the middle of Louisiana’s musical gumbo. His zydeco and Cajun influences are spotlighted and complimented by the driving R&B force of the Creole Cowboys. A rockin’ good time.
Mr. B serves up some of his finest blues, jazz and boogie woogie for a Thanksgiving weekend roots piano feast at the Ark on the 26th.
Conor O’Neill’s keeps Main Street jumpin’ with a solid mix of traditional jump blues standards and rockabilly from
Michael May & the Messarounds on the 19th.
Live At PJ’s Happy Hour every Friday from 6 to 9pm continues to be a magnet for dedicated local music lovers. FUBAR resonates with pop and R&B renditions and originals on the 4th. Drivin’ Sideways creates a rockin’ urban honky tonk party on the 11th & 25th, Kevin Lynch & the Cadillac Cowboys, bring home traditional country ballads and shuffles on the 18th.
Laith al-Saadi plays Woodruff’s in Ypsilanti on Wednesdays. Check out his powerful, pyrotechnic guitar and vocals covering a wide range of pop, rock, soul, blues and jazz standards and originals.
The Detroit Blues Society keeps the blues alive in the Motor City. Checkout the website for event updates, information on area bands, monthly meeting schedules and membership opportunities at www.detroitbluessociety.org.jpg){kind=small}
