IAN SIEGAL
“YOUR TOP BLUESMAN SPEAKS OUT!”

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ED, ER
Of course we were gonna come back!
“…Guess there was never any doubt Ian Siegal’s “Swagger” would be amongst your favourite albums

of the year, his label-mates didn’t fair too badly, either, but all our main recording artist features relate to acts you voted into the top-50 of this poll. I’m sure we’ll profile many more of the acts
that have gained a position in the coming year (well, I know we will, I’ve set them up!)…”

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COVER FEATURE… IAN SIEGAL AHEAD OF THE GAME (INTERVIEW: CAROL BORRINGTON)
“What you are left with is a kind of museum Blues - people trying to perform it as faithfully as possible to the original stuff, and usually failing - and a more contemporary take on the Blues, with artists taking the essence and 'heart' of Blues and giving it a contemporary spin. Unless radio, press and venue promoters take a gamble on these new artists, they will disappear.”

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JJ GREY & MOFRO
NOW WE’RE COOKING
(INTERVIEW: JAMIE HAILSTONE)
“I grew up when the 'root hog or die' days were still fresh in the minds of my parents and grandparents. I was brought up to earn it and not waste it, to respect womanhood and promote manhood, and to be thankful for what you got. By today's standards, we ourselves, and most of the folks we knew, lived below the so-called 'poverty line'. We were land and culture rich, and dollar poor, but I wouldn't trade my upbringing for any other."

THE WILDCARDS
TAKE AIM BEYOND THE BLUES
(INTERVIEW: ASHWYN SMYTH)
“Well, these things go around in cycles, sometimes it's down and it's hard to find a gig and enough money to survive, then you get a load of clubs opening up, festivals spring up and things look good. At the moment it's generally down but not at rock bottom. The scene never dies; it just seems to sleep for a little while!”

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Issue 42 continues Blues Matters! ethos of Blues Without The Blinkers! as we feature a varied collection, of beautifully illustrated, interviews …

EDDIE MARTIN
STILL LOOKING TO CATCH HIS BREAK
(INTERVIEW: CAROL BORRINGTON)
“When it comes to the music, as long as it is conveying something emotional, that's the most important thing. You have got to connect, it's about communication. I'm not interested in writing songs as a vehicle for the best guitar solo, or the best harmonica solo you have ever heard. I'm interested in using those instrumental techniques to add to what I'm trying to say.”

WILL TANG
IT’S ALL IN THE MIND
(INTERVIEW: DARREN HOWELLS)
“Sometimes, I wish people could be a bit more open-minded. I mean like the line-ups at Blues festivals are all a bit predictable. Seems we live in an era of backing tapes and tribute bands - all a bit sad, really. Aren't people bored of it already?”

BARBARA & GARY HOOD
FESTIVE CHEER
(INTERVIEW: KEVIN WHARTON & DARREN HOWELLS)
“Ticket sales are rocketing, so why change? We have created a Blues festival which many people hold very dear. The event is successful because it has stayed true to its roots. A punk-Blues event may be very popular with a new audience, but that is another festival with a different audience.”

SUGAR BLUE
KEEPS COMING BACK TO THE BLUES
(INTERVIEW: BILLY HUTCHINSON)
"I was on a mission to deplete the world supply of cocaine so as to protect young aspiring musicians and other like minded children from an ignominious fate (smiles)… It's more than time that I ended my self-imposed sabbatical - so, here it is!"

METRO RIOTS
CREATE UNREST ON THE BRITISH MUSIC SCENE
(INTERVIEW: ANDREW BOYERS)
“The punk ethic is quintessential to our sound; all Blues music was and is written and played by the same set of principles. Maybe the repetitive nature of our heavy, driving riffs could be determined as an old-school punk style, but we like to think of it as more of a sex orgy between Judd Nelson (circa 85) and Steven Seagal (circa 91).”

THE MALCHICKS
QUICK Q&A
(INTERVIEW: SIANE DALEY)
“Simply because we are young and white, people seem baffled to hear that we play '50s and '60s style Delta Blues. People who listen to music often have no idea about the fact that everything stems from the Blues - the roots. We feel it's important to expose that.”

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PLUS! Don’t forget all the regulars!

FORTUNE DRIVE’S BOBBY ANDERSON IS
GETTIN’ THE BLUES
‘THICKFREAKNESS’ (The Black Keys), ‘LETS MOVE IT ON’ (Eddie Martin), ‘JIMMY THE EXPLORER’ (The White Stripes): “The White Stripes definitely have the modern Blues edge down in their earlier stuff. For a new band, they got that whole dynamic onstage, too. You know they're real people, you know they shag hard.”

“EASE THOSE BLUES,”
decrees Anthony Stobart, “with ‘Highway’”

NOW, BEFORE WE FORGET…
SKIP JAMES
“…The extent of James' religious belief is demonstrated by his ordinations as a Baptist minister in 1932 and as a Methodist minister in 1946. In stark contrast, at the same time, James lived the life of a Bluesman; working parties, jukes and barrelhouses and spending time as a pimp and bootlegger. He was frequently drawn into violence and was guilty of a number of shootings, which he carried out with a cold, steely indifference. Preaching against the 'Devil's music' by day and playing it by night clearly tortured James.”

COVINGTON’S ART, PART 3…
BUKKA WHITE
"Using raw materials, I try to project a reverence, not only for the cultural/historical aspects of my subjects but for the integrity of the individuals, as well."

NEVER FORGET
Blues artists that have sadly left us
BOB ENOS, PHILAD ELPHIA JERRY RICKS and IKE TURNER.

CD REVIEWS
Listening for your Blues lovin’ ears
The most COMPREHENSIVE Blues review section you’re likely to find anywhere! In for review this issue: OTIS TAYLOR, ROBERT PLANT, BILL LUPKIN, FATS DOMINO, ROOMFUL OF BLUES, GUY TORTORA, TWO GALLANTS, VAN MORRISON, DOUG JAY & THE BLUE JAYS, ALABAMA 3, AL BASILE, SHARRIE WILLIAMS, DION, LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS, BESSIE SMITH, THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA, LURRIE BELL, LUTHER ALLISON, HEAVY TRASH, BERNARD ALLISON, GREG KOCH AND OTHER BAD MEN, BEVERLY GUITAR WATKINS, TOBY WALKER, ERIC BIBB, NICK MOSS & THE FLIP TOPS, CAROLINA CHOCOLATE DROPS, BOB BROZMAN, JASON RICCI & NEW BLOOD, THE GUN CLUB, ERIC CLAPTON, THE HEAVY, GALLON DRUNK, JOHN MARTYN, DAVE MASON, JOHNNY WINTER, ERIC LINDELL, LARRY MILLER and many, many more…

DVD REVIEWS
Releases with a Blues vision
SON SEALS, THE ROLLING STONES, ROBERT JOHNSON, LITTLE ARTHUR DUNCAN, PAUL JONES & DAVE KELLY and more…

BOOK REVIEWS
Reading with a Blues matter
DAVID ‘HONEYBOY’ EDWARDS, JOHNNY CASH and more…

GOT LIVE
Artists keeping the Blues alive
LED ZEPPELIN, DEVON ALLMAN'S HONEYTRIBE, THE PRETTY THINGS, DEREK TRUCKS BAND, IAN PARKER BAND, THE KILLS, JOOLS HOLLAND & HIS RHYTHM & BLUES ORCHESTRA, SEAN WEBSTER BAND, THE STUMBLE, BLUES CARAVAN and more…

FESTIVAL FEVER
Events that have helped showcase the Blues
CARLISLE BLUES FESTIVAL, BENALMADENA BLUES FESTIVAL and TENBY BLUES FESTIVAL…

(Acts/artists featuring include EUGENE ‘HIDEAWAY’ BRIDGES, CONNIE LUSH, THE NIMMO BROTHERS, RAY MINHINNETT, ALVING YOUNGBLOOD HART, J44, WILL KILLEEN and many more)…

HAPPENIN’
Latest news from our Blues world
So what has been going on in the Blues world (both here in the UK and further away) in the last two months – well get a reminder (or find out) here…featured in the news this issue are OLI BROWN, THE HOAX, HAMILTON LOOMIS, THE BLACK KEYS, THE GUTTER TWINS, THE ZUTONS, JW-JONES, BLACK LIPS, KATIE MELUA, KYLA BROX, SAMUEL JAMES, DANNY BRYANT, WATERMELON SLIM AND THE WORKERS, THE SUGARS, DUFFY, MORELAND & ARBUCKLE and many more…

BLUE BLOOD
Unsigned acts on their own Blues mission
TROY FAID and THE HELLFIRE CLUB are in the spotlight this issue… “We are based in Ireland, a place where rural communities still hold some stock in their myths, and so the arcane themes that run through the voodoo lyrics of Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Bo Diddley and Jimi Hendirx interest us. The best music should always feel like magic performed by sorcerers. Some of our songs are prayers and spells.” (Mark Garrett)

NET THE BLUES
Blues for nowt
POLLY WOOD, UNCLE SLACKER and more…

FANS FEEDBACK
Share your thoughts with fellow Blues lovers!
We always want to hear what you think and you certainly do tell us…
“John Mayall's contribution to British music is inestimable, yet how many British magazines even mention his name today - it seems unless you can sell-out arenas, you're finished and forgotten past 40, no matter the quality of your music…”

Tell us what you think!
When you've finished reading this issue, why not send us a letter to let us know your thoughts? E-mail your views on anything related to the mag, or the Blues scene in general, to: mail@bluesmatters.com.

PREVIEWS
Don’t forget Blues Matters! is where you can find all the details of upcoming releases and festivals. This issue find out about the forthcoming BIG WHEEL BLUES, LEICESTER CITY BLUES, BODELWYDDAN CASTLE, BURNLEY NATIONAL BLUES, ASHBURTON BLUES, THE BIG BLUES, BOOGALOO BLUES, GLOUCESTER RHYTHM & BLUES, OTIS TAYLOR TOUR, ACOUSTIC FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN and more…

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SUBSCRIBE IF YOU WANT TO…
WIN! A VINTAGE® AV2S3SB ADVANCE GUITAR WORTH £329!

ANOTHER VINTAGE
Courtesy JHS, one lucky new subscriber will win the Vintage® AV2S3SB Advance… The Vintage Advance AV2S offers a new slant on a classically-styled single cutaway guitar, featuring a 'high access' bolt-on, satin finished maple neck with 22 fret Indian rosewood fingerboard. The unique Bubinga heel extension provides enhanced mechanical coupling between the neck and body, whilst the subtly offset body is constructed from acoustically chambered American alder, giving extra depth and breadth to the resonance and additional personality to the tone.

BLUES DUE CREDIT
Courtesy Guy Tortora, 2 subscribers will win a signed copy of his new album, "Living On Credit". The collection, released in February 2008, shows a slight change of direction for Guy and features the harp playing of Giles King on two tracks. Alongside originals, Tortora tackles classics from Blind Willie Johnson, J.J. Cale, Curtis Mayfield and Rick Estrin.

REWARDING LISTENING
Courtesy Yellow Dog Records, 3 subscribers will win a set of 3 2008 Blues Music Award nominated albums; Fiona Boyes And The Fortune Tellers "Lucky 13" (Contemporary Blues Female Artist Of The Year); The Soul Of John Black "The Good Girl Blues" (Best New Artist Debut); and Mary Flower "Instrumental Breakdown" (Acoustic Artist Of The Year). All three albums have received positive reviews in previous issues of Blues Matters!, with Fiona receiving particular high-praise for encompassing “many of the better raunchy female Blues singers” on a “solid and punchy release." (Issue 39)

To be in with a chance of winning any of these prizes simply subscribe, or subscribe a friend, by 25th April 2008.

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MEMBERS’ COMPETITIONS

A BLUES THEME
Courtesy Chrome Dreams, we have 3 copies of "Bob Dylan: The Best Of Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour" to giveaway. On 3rd May 2006, Bob hosted the first of 50 hour-long themed shows on XM, Satellite Radio. Each show featured "old songs" that a young Bob Zimmerman would stay up into the early hours listening to. Included on this 2-disc, 52-track collection (culled from each of the 50 shows Bob hosted) are the likes of Bessie Smith, Big Joe Turner, Chuck Berry, Little Walter, Blind Willie Johnson, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Hank Williams and Dinah Washington.

A GREAT FIND
Courtesy Digital Classics and Snapper respectively, we have 3 sets of DVDs to giveaway. "The Search For Robert Johnson" tells the story of the legendary Bluesman and features performance footage and interviews with the likes of David 'Honeyboy' Edwards, Eric Clapton and John Hammond Jr., as well remastered original Johnson recordings. The "Live At Nashville" DVD captures Solomon Burke at a one-off gig recorded at the Belcourt Theatre in Nashville on 25th September 2006. The show featured guest performances from Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch and Patty Griffin.

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