VARIOUS ARTISTS
THE BLUES FOUNDATION PRESENTS
INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE #33 2017
SHINE ON–DAWN TYLER WATSON LET’S HEAR SOME BLUES–JOHNNY FINK AND THE INTRUSION ‘TILL I GET TO MEMPHIS–RANDY MCQUAY 2029–BRODY BUSTER’S ONE MAN BAND DON’T DIG TODAY–AL HILL CATFISH BOOGIE–SOBO BLUES BAND I DON’T HAVE PROOF–RUTH WYAND AND THE TRIBE OF ONE GOOD LOVIN (HOT AND FRESH FROM THE OVEN)–THE SOULIZ BAND FEATURING SUGAR AND SPICE I HATE YOU ‘CAUSE I LOVE YOU–FELIX SLIM CHAINS THAT BIND–WES LEE ONIONS AIN’T THE ONLY THING–SAM JOYNER ELBOW GREASE–RAE GORDON AND THE BACKSTREET DRIVERS DANGEROUS–KING BEE MEET ME IN THE COUNTRY–SUGAR BROWN
It’s that time of year again, and we don’t necessarily mean the holidays. We’re talking about the exciting compilation CD put together thru a joint effort of The Blues Foundation and the good folks over at Frank Roszak Promotions. Yep–“IBC #33” features fourteen live cuts culled from the hundreds of performances occurring in the week-long festivities during The International Blues Challenge in Memphis back in February of this year. Players from both the Band and Solo/Duo Category are represented, and the songs are all-originals from the players.
First Place Band winner Dawn Tyler Watson leads off by taking us to Blues Church with the powerhouse gospel overtures of “Shine On.” Solo/Duo winner Al Hill plays piano on his “Don’t Dig Today,” but his axe skills also brought home the coveted Solo Division Outstanding Guitarist award.
Those who didn’t win have plenty to offer, tho. Check out Brody Buster’s One Man Band with his apocalyptic tale of what might happen on “September 23, 2029!” Ruth Wyand And The Tribe Of One touches on the topic of a cheatin’ lover with “I Don’t Have Proof,” while The Souliz Band Featuring Sugar And Spice are in it for a down-home good time on “Good Lovin (Hot And Fresh From The Oven).
We had a favorite, too. Likely this one is a crowd-pleaser wherever it is played, as Johnny Fink And The Intrusion dig on every classic riff they can get their frets on, from Freddie to Elmo and everywhere in between with the party anthem, “Let’s Hear Some Blues!”
In about six weeks or so, after the turkey is all eaten and the packages are all unwrapped, the festivities will crank up for the 34TH IBC, and if you’re lucky enough to go, you’ll be in the presence of the most comprehensive gathering of blues talent on the planet. For a taste of what’s coming, grab a shot of what has been with “International Blues Challenge #33!” Until next time….Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.
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