“If you don’t know the blues…there’s no point in picking up the guitar and playing rock-n-roll or any other form of popular music.” – Keith Richards
November 25, 2020 Volume 1, Issue 29
Premiering Right Now! Be one of the First Fans to See it! Learn Chicago Blues: Song + Lesson with Dave Specter (At Home Chicago Blues Musical Director) and Brother John Kattke
“Chicago Style” by Dave Specter, with Brother John Kattke, Song with Lesson
Dave Specter and Brother John Kattke walk you through the song “Chicago Style” and share tips and nuances to help you learn to play Chicago Blues. You can learn with the Chicago Blues Masters, email info@chicagobluesnetwork.com for information. Online lesson packages are $23.95/month. (First month is free for subscribers of bBlues Note!)
Photo of the Week: Katherine Davis by Peter M. Hurley
The resplendent Katherine Davis. A beautiful show woman whose radiant smile invites the listener in and doesn’t let ’em go until they’ve been warmed by her crackling blues fire. A narrative tradition is upheld; every word and phrase is an expression with a story, an inflection with meaning. Her hands are the key. Follow along as she dances with them and orchestrates the band of her heart.
Regality comes to life on Katherine’s stage: that of Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey and Katherine herself. She sings ’em sweet and sad, it’s the blues after all.
“My favorite composers are Gertrude Pritchett (Ma Rainey) Bessie Smith, Thomas A. Dorsey, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louis Jordan, and many more,” says Ms. Davis.
“The songs that I sing always have a real meaning of something that I have lived and experienced or would love to experience. I love to tell stories through music about life and it’s circumstances and reaching my audiences. And that we all agree we are not alone. Then we can enjoy the music together gathering and enjoying each other without judgement.”
This photo was taken at Ms. Davis’s featured performance for At Home Chicago Blues Trading 4s in August of this year. For more info on Ms. Davis’s work with Blues In The Schools and booking info, please see: bluessingerkatherinedavis.com and on Facebook.
-Peter M. Hurley 11-25-2020
Mr. Hurley is a contributing photographer and writer for Living Blues Magazine and the staff photographer for Chicago Blues Network. His recent book Blues Legacy: Tradition and Innovation in Chicago, in collaboration with Blues historian and author David Whiteis, showcases his work in the field. His passion for blues music began with the Chess Studios’ sound of Bo Diddley and continues to this day. pmh1951.wixsite.com/blueportraits
Watch Katherine Davis & More Chicago Blues Masters with At Home Concerts At Home Chicago Blues Trading 4s
Get your favorite drink and sit in a front row seat at home to enjoy this concert with Chicago Blues Masters: just click play!
Katherine Davis & Paul Kaye, Mike Wheeler & Larry Williams
Special Feature: “Great Blues Books” by Marty Weil @ChiBluesHistory
Reading about the blues will give you a new level of understand and appreciate of the critical role that blues music has had in shaping America’s cultural landscape. To help you on your literary journey into the blues, I put together a list of fantastic books that have provided me with deep insight into the blues.
“The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you.” – B.B. King
Marty Weil is the editor of@CHIBLUESHISTORYon Twitter. Marty is a blues researcher, educator, and social media influencer.
Have fun learning to play Blues music Online lessons for Blues Guitar, Bass, Vocals & Keys
This week’s featured Instructor is Chicago Blues Master Bassist Harlan Terson. If you sign up for lessons, or forward this to a friend to sign up, the first month is on us!
Then, the online lesson package is just $23.95/month, and includes “office hours” with Q&A directly with Chicago Blues Masters.
