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OK…I'm not sure what I did right, but it seems every establishment in the state is throwing a party with a favorite musician of mine this month! Oh, for the days of twenty-nine cent-per-gallon gasoline. Well, since I'm going to put even more miles on my trusty Oldsmobile this month, why not have a high octane band or two on tap when I get there? Here's some great shows you'll want to cruise to as well.
VibroChamps w/ Knuckeldrager; Memorial Union, Madison, July 17: Hopefully, Alan Subola's voice has returned since their last show in town - but even raspy, this quirky quartet has a potent twist on the rockabilly genre. Listen for new material from an upcoming release.
W.C. Clark; Shank Hall, Milwaukee, July 18: Texas blues veteran Clark's mellow overtones are a deceptive setup for his stinging, precise solo work and penetrating tenor vocals, honed around Austin clubs since the 1960s. In the Triple Threat Review, Clark teamed with keyboardist Mike Kindred to compose the classic song "Cold Shot." After leaving the Review, a young Stevie Ray Vaughan borrowed the song from his old bandmates and launched his career. Clark, meanwhile, has built a solid catalog of releases on Black Top, including his latest, Lover's Plea.
The Blazers; Automatic Slim's, Neenah, July 21: So you think that Los Lobos is the only top ensemble out of East Los Angeles? WRONG. More playfully improvisational than their older musical brothers, the Blazers also keep more of a retro edge to their performances. Sure, it's a weeknight - but it's an early show, too - so come ready to dance off the beer & brats from the weekend.
Luther Allison Memorial Benefit with Bernard Allison, the Westside Andy-Mel Ford Band, and special guests; Barrymore Theatre, Madison, July 23: BIG SHOW. See the feature article for more info.
Rockin Billy & the Wild Coyotes; O'Cayz Corral, Madison, July 24: One of Chicago's hottest (and most tattooed) rockabilly outfits for the past several years, the group makes a rare Madison appearance. Lotsa noise, lotsa cuffed jeans and cutoff western shirts. Gotta love it.
Prairie Dog Blues Fest & Car Cruise, Prairie du Chein, July 31 - August 1: Old cars and new blues. Is this heaven? Maybe - Iowa is just across the river. But seriously, the lineup is strong, including Bernard Allison, the Lamont Cranston Band, and Skeeter Lewis on Friday; Lonnie Brooks, Kelley Hunt, the Blue Band, the Delta Drifters, and Mama's Worry on Saturday. Fill the tank with premium for this one.
R.J. Mischo; Silver Moon, Darien, July 31: Former Twin Cities harp swingster Mischo is actually a native of eastern Wisconsin; he moved west last year to the harmonica Mecca of northern California, home of Charlie Musselwhite, Kim Wilson, Mark Hummel, Rick Estrin, and James Harman, to name a few. No doubt this rare return of his will show just how much he's learned and developed in the company of such talent.
R.L. Burnside; Crystal Corner Bar, Madison, July 31: Death struck Burnside's backwoods buddy Junior Kimbrough earlier this year, but "Rule" keeps on pluggin', including a surprise guest show at the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival with other Fat Possum Records All-Stars. Jon Spencer has kept him busy in collaboration with the Blues Explosion, so here's your chance to see Burnside without wading through a sea of Generation X.
Atwood Summerfest: Atwood Avenue, Madison, August 1: The neighborhood block party on steroids. Check for details in the feature article.
Atomic Fireballs; the Rave, Milwaukee, August 8: This big jump/swing ensemble from Detroit is getting raves around the Midwest - not to mention a feature spot on VH1 during Summerfest. Such acclaim should get the scat-happy guys back from the studio sooner for an expected fall release.
Joel Paterson Trio featuring Jimmy Sutton; Harmony Bar, Madison, August 8: The popular east Madison bar and grill seems like it's been there forever, but in actuality, it's only been eight years. Celebrate their anniversary with killer food from their special event buffet, and then catch the timeless swing of this trio that's destined for the big time.
Brody Buster & the BWB Band, Rainbow Summer, Milwaukee, August 10: Blues at noon on Monday? Sounds great to me. Now 13, I first saw Buster jam harp to harp with James Cotton on stage at the King Biscuit Blues Festival two years ago. The Kansas City kid was strong then, and I'm almost scared to think how he's developed since then. His backing band includes some of the tightest players from anywhere around; don't be surprised to see the hounds that got Shepherd and Lang nipping at Buster pretty soon.
Buddy Guy with Robert Cray, State Fair Park, Milwaukee, August 10: If you're into stadium-style blues shows, this is your ticket. Both headliners have all the rock scene style down pat.
Susan Tedeschi at the Crystal Corner, August 13: The buzz on Boston-based Tedeschi was just beginning last time she played the Crystal, and her performance there only added fuel to the fire. She's got great licks, excellent vocal command and clarity, and (sorry, guys) a boyfriend - bandmate Sean Costello, a former Atlanta retro kid who dazzled King Biscuit fans three years ago - when he was only fifteen. Here's wishing them many happy years together - they'll certainly continue to give audiences must-not-miss shows.
Maurice John Vaughn (August 13) and Roy Hytower (August 14) at the Angelic Brewing Company, Madison: Two of Chicago's best regional players make this a killer one-two blues punch. Vaughn's "Everything I Do (Got to Be Funky)" is one of the great anthems of blues from the past two decades; his crisp guitar work and warm vocals keep him in steady demand. Hytower is one of the newer Chicago axe-slingers such as Will Crosby and Chico Banks; like Banks, his rock-inspired riffs and double-entendre lyrics keep the college kids hollerin' for more.
Now, doesn't that schedule make you feel like contributing to the global warming? Well, if you feel guilty, walk, bicycle, or carpool - just get to some of these shows.
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