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In The Basement, Soul Music Magazine (UK, Quarterly) Issue #17, February-April 2000 Quarterly Soul Music Magazine Dedicated to 'real' soul including southern, 'bluesoul', northern. News, views, features, vinyl spotlight and masses of reviews of CD releases of new and reissued material. Featured in the latest, 60-page issue, No:17, February-April 2000: William Bell*, Gloria Edward, Oscar Perry*, Velvelettes*. (*including up-to-date interview and discography.) Over 60 CD reviews including 'Star Pick' choices from JoJo Benson (new release), Hardway Connection (new release), Bridge (archive material), Walter Jackson (archive material), Oscar Perry (archive material), O.V. Wright (archive material), plus 'So Soulful 70's' and 'When A Man Cries' (various artists - archive material). (subscription information) Magazine cover art and photography Copyright © 2000 by In The Basement Magazine & the photographer. Website: www.btinternet.com/~inthebasement

BluePrint, The Magazine of the British Blues Connection (UK, Monthly) Vol. 2. Issue 33 Interviews with Mark Skirving (aka King Pleasure) from leading UK jumping jive/R&B/swing band King Pleasure & the Biscuit Boys, and with sixties R&B legends and rebels, the Pretty Things. Blues Archive interview this month features Italian blues guitarist Rudy Rotta. There is also an article on the Blueprint web site which is now up and running at http://www.blueprint-blues.co.uk. Plus the usual selection of blues news which includes the latest on the forthcoming festival line-ups in the UK and Europe, live gig reports (including the latest from the increasing number of residential blues weekends), book reviews, CD reviews (incorporating a reissues round-up), a review of demo tapes and CDs, and the extensive Gig Guide. (subscription information) Magazine cover art and photography Copyright © 2000 by BluePrint Magazine & the photographer. Website: www.blueprint-blues.co.uk

Blues & Rhythm, The Gospel Truth (Published in the UK, 10 issues per year) March 2000 (No. 147) The story of Christine Kittrell, one of the most significant early southern R&B soloists. Interviews with Clarence Spady, one of the newer generation of bluesmen, and with elder statesman, John Jackson. Also has the latest batch of updates and corrections to the last published edition of "Blues and Gospel Records 1890-1943." Regular features include a news update section, a live gig review(!), the ubiquitous obituary section (including Curtis Mayfield), book reviews, a lengthy CD review section, and a video review of Muddy Waters "The Lost Tapes - Live at the University of Oregon 1971." Album of the Month for March is the double CD Mojo Blues Band's "Blues Parade 2000 Volumes One and Two" (Styx CD 1002) which had the band playing on their own, as well as working in tandem with several US artists. (subscription information) Magazine cover art and photography Copyright © 2000 by Blues & Rhythm, The Gospel Truth

Juke Blues (UK, Quarterly) Issue 45 Interviews with Chick Willis, Bobby Patterson, and Skeeter Brandon. The Blues Heritage Series continues with Sonny Boy Williamson II. The "On the Soul Side" section includes an interview with Percy Sledge; the "Jazz My Blues" section looks at the career of Slim Gaillard; "The Gospel spot" considers Al Green, and David 'Pop' Winans; and the "Let's Go Zydeco" section reflects on Prince La La. There's a review of the 30th New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, along with several other international festivals (covering Great Britain, Holland, Belgium, Italy, Ireland, and the USA). The obituaries section looks back on Tommy Ridgley, Katie Webster, Brewer Philips and Grace Brim. Plus the regular extensive Bluenotes news section, and CD reviews for each of the sections in the magazine (Blues, Soul, Gospel, Jazz and Zydeco) and Blues books reviews. (subscription information) Magazine cover art and photography Copyright © 2000 by Blues & Rhythm, The Gospel Truth

Blues Revue (Monthly in the US, except Jan/Feb, Jul/Aug) Issue No. 57, May 2000 On the cover John Hammond’s smile belies the fact that he had an uphill road to success as a Blues performer. Some forty years ago as a kid with a pronounced stutter he struggled with both self doubt and direction. John’s world expanded beyond belief when he realized he had a gift for performing and since that time has become one of the most respected contemporary blues artists by followers and fellow performers alike. I remember at the time listening to Big City Blues (1964) and, as his first effort it has a folk-blues-almost coffeehouse kind of feel, I was then and still am a big fan of Mr. Hammond! Other articles feature Carey Bell and Chicago’s own Son Seals. Heading into the Blues Festival season, some of the most up-to-date information available is in this issue. Monthly columns by Art Tipaldi (T’aint Nobody’s Business), Doug’s Back Pages, Tom Hyslop covers "Blues Bites", "We Remember" this month is in fond memory of "Screamin’" Jay Hawkins. Record Reviews include: Deborah Coleman, Tinsley Ellis, Sam Lay Blues Band, Toni Lynn Washington, Terry Evans, Smokin’ Joe Kubek, Fruteland Jackson, Clifton Chenier with Mance Lipscomb and Lightnin’ Hopkins, Claude Williams, Rick Holmstrom, Lil’ Brian and the Zydeco Travelers, Josh White Jr., John "Juke" Logan & Doug MaCloud, Back Porch Rockers and others. Also as in every issue, the Classifieds, Sales/Record Charts, addresses and links to websites, labels, performers, catalogues and wearables for all your blues needs…or wants. (subscription information) Magazine cover art and photography Copyright © 2000 by Blues Revue. Website: www.bluesrevue.com

Living Blues Magazine (Published bimonthly in the US) Number #150, vol 31, number 2, (Apr/May 2000) Among those of us who have followed the careers of the more senior blues artists like Taj Mahal, who appears on this issue’s cover, his commentary reminds us much is still to be discovered. From his perspective of contemporary blues artists to the manner in which they conduct themselves, his observations are well worth noting. Another in a series of recent articles dealing with the legendary, though short lived Robert Johnson is also well worth reading. Jay McShann is featured as is a forum on the state of the blues as we enter a new millennium, entitled "Blues at 2000.". Festival previews along with the monthly columns, Blues and News, Record Reviews that include: Jay McShann, Beverly "Guitar " Watson, Lurrie Bell, Trudy Lynn, Roy Hytower, Super Chickan, Southside Slim, Will Roy Sanders, Phil Guy, Little Arthur Duncan, Larry Garner, Liz Mandville Greeson, (Bayfront perennial) David "Honeyboy" Edwards and others. Soul Stew presents a unique profile of Stevie Wonder and other releases of the soul genre. Obituaries pay tribute to Frank Front, Johnny "Big Moose" Walker, Don "Sugarcane" Harris among others. The Classifieds and Radio Charts round out a packed issue for everyone who loves the Blues. As Living Blues celebrates its thirtieth year it continues to deliver some of the most important commentary on the Blues in print (subscription information) Magazine cover art and photography Copyright © 2000 by Living Blues. Website: www.lblues@olemiss.edu

Blues Access (Published four times a year) Issue #41, Spring 2000 The Sweet Soul Queen of New Orleans Irma Thomas sits down for an insightful one on one with John Sinclair in a candid interview that will leave the reader with a "really"! sort of feeling after finishing the article. In a "giant" tenth anniversary issue no blues fan will want to miss are featured articles covering the career and stories of Little Milton, Debbie Davies, "Little" Freddie King and Cedell Davis. The upcoming 2000 Blues Festival is covered in as much detail as was available at press. Maxwell Street’s Jimmy Lee Robinson and Johnnie Mae Dunson take a stand as they continue telling the story of their Chicago blues roots. "In Memory" pays respect to Billy Davenport, Bobby Marchan, Willa Mae Buckner, Johnny "Big Moose" Walker, Don "Sugarcane" Harris, Early Wright, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and others. CD Reviews include: Little Freddie King, Little Milton, B.B. King, Sacred Steel Live, Little Arthur Duncan, Michael Burks, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Andre Williams, Beverly "Guitar" Watkins, Big Al Dupree, Billy Lee Riley, Blue Chamber (featuring Big John Dickerson), Catfish Keith, Claude Williams, Floyd Miles, George Stancell, Tom Hunter, Jeremy Lyons & the Deltabilly Boys, Johnny Laws, Johnny Sansone, Larry Garner, Pinetop Perkins and many more! Since Blues Access is published only (unfortunately) four times a year, every issue highlights more than 3 months of blues reviews! Quarterly columns dig deep and uncover "access" to the things any blues fan needs to know. (subscription information) Magazine cover art and photography Copyright © 2000 by Blues Access. Website: www.bluesaccess.com/ba_home.html

This feature is copyright © 2000 by Gordon Baxter, Terry Marshall, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved.