Blues Pinoy

This is the future of Pinoy Blues! Here's the fearsome trio performing their own composition during their gig at UR FaceRadio. Catch them live at the CCP on August 24, 2011 for the 1st CCP International Jazz Festival 2011.

Blues music is one of the most important creations of man. As written in an earlier post, "Blues is not just a genre - it's a microcosm of life itself. There's sorrow, happiness, hope, loneliness, religion, hunger, satiety, sin, redemption, and love - all embedded in the songs and expressed through voice and instruments." Blues may now be considered an international phenomenon - it has crossed borders, no longer an exclusive American property. But here in the Philippines, it still is not a popular music form, much to the dismay of Pinoy Blues die-hard fans. Luckily, Blues has lately been experiencing a revival. With the tireless efforts of Blues stalwarts who conduct seminars, clinics, and provide "Blues exposure" through concerts and performances, plus video blogs like this one by haringulan , slowly but surely, the Blues is getting the attention it deserves.

We bid goodbye to another Blues legend and boogie-woogie master, Joe Willie "Pinetop" Perkins . In a career spanning eight decades, Perkins toured with Ike Turner in the 1950s and later with Muddy Waters. Perkins also won Grammy awards for Lifetime Achievement in 2005 and for Best Traditional Blues Album in 2007. Once asked about his longevity, Perkins said: "I always try to do something different all the time." Another blues legend, BB King, said: "He was one of the last great Mississippi Bluesmen, and he sure could play the piano. He will be missed not only by me, but by lovers of music all over the world." His agent said that his tastes were simple. "Two cheeseburgers, apple pie, a cigarette and a pretty girl was all he wanted."

Friday, April 1, 2011 at 9:00 p.m. - April 2 at 1:00 a.m. Featuring: 1. Jook Jam - plays Delta, Jackson, Bentonia, and other regions of Mississippi, Texas, Piedmont, and Eastern seaboard. 2. Rascals McFly- plays Texas, Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Mayer and the likes. Skarlet Jazz Kitchen is @ Scout Ybardolaza corner Timog Avenue (across Shell) Quezon City, Philippines

Cuarenta, Cebu's best Blues and classic rock band performs tomorrow March 11, 2010, 10:30 p.m. at the Tiki Bar in Bigfoot Mactan, Cebu. For more details, check them out here!

Here's proof that the Blues is alive and kickin' in the Queen City of the South! If you're a Blues fan and you happen to be in Cebu on the 4th, then don't miss this one. The Outpost is at 976-A Veteran's Drive Lahug, Cebu City (Nivel Hills before Cosmopolitan). Simultaneously, the Conspiracy Garden Cafe will be having its Blues Night, located at the Visayas Ave. (across Shell gas station), Diliman, QC featuring Blues Train, Blues Bruddahs, and the Blues Rascals. An open jam follows.

A sad, sad day for Blues fans all over the world. Farewell, Gary. We still got the Blues for you! 

This is certainly one for the books - a very rare and historic occasion where Pinoy Bluesmen of different generations (and regions) congregate to create a musical masterpiece. Here's the great Wally Gonzalez jamming with Cebu's pride, Cuarenta (Arnold, Lyndon, Juel) and with the dude who does the vocals and great Blues harp riffs.

Here's the granddaddy of Pinoy Blues, his excellency Wally Gonzalez, this time showing his slide guitar prowess and further reinforcing his position as one of, if not, the greatest Pinoys who ever played the Blues.

This post may be a bit late but still, let "The King" serenade you with this bluesy tune. Great guitar and blues harp riffs throughout. Hit it!!!

With the passing of NU107's Crossroads comes the next generation of Pinoy Blues artists - and they're getting younger every minute! Here is 14-year-old IdoKento with Manny Amador of The Breed fame doing a Jimi Hendrix classic at The Outpost, Cebu. More info about the band on my next posts.

Great jam from the King of Delta Blues and the British rock legends. I just couldn't get enough of this song!

One the latest additions to the Pinoy Blues force is Paul Marney Leobrera. The Pinoy Blues greats only have kind and appreciative words for him and rightly so. Here he exhibits to us his Blues guitar prowess. Just shows that you're never too young to be a Bluesman!

A soldier stationed in the South Pacific wrote to his wife in the States to please send him a harmonica to occupy his free time and keep his mind off the local women. The wife complied and sent the best one she could find, along with several dozen lesson & music books. Rotated back home, he rushed to their home and through the front door. "Oh darling," he gushed, "Come here! Let me look at you. Let me hold you! Let’s have a fine dinner out, then make love all night. I’ve missed your lovin’ soooo much!" The wife, keeping her distance, said, "All in good time lover. First, let’s hear you play that harmonica."

It's great to see more and more of the younger generation becoming Blues aficionados, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Pinoy Blues vanguards over yonder. And another Pinoy Blues harp player has come out and been counted!

Splendid slide guitar works and great vocals from Lady I. This is the band's version of I'm A Woman performed during the Blues Joint Project Master Class at University of Santo Tomas August 16, 2010. BLUES JOINT PROJECT: Irene "Lady I", vocals Kakoy Legaspi, guitar Joric Maglanque, guitar Thomas "Tomcat" Colvin, harmonica Nikki Cabardo, keyboards Eric Hernandez, bass Harald Huyssen, drums

Another fine performance during the Blues Joint Project Master Class at University of Santo Tomas August 16, 2010. BLUES JOINT PROJECT: Irene "Lady I", vocals Kakoy Legaspi, guitar Joric Maglanque, guitar Thomas "Tomcat" Colvin, harmonica Nikki Cabardo, keyboards Eric Hernandez, bass Harald Huyssen, drums

This is The Blues Joint Project band performing Hey Bartender at the Blues History & Performance workshop & concert held at the UST Conservatory of Music. I believe this is just one of a series of events to be conducted by the group to promote Blues music appreciation to Filipinos especially the younger generation. Hats off to the the organizers for unselfishly sharing their time and effort for this "noble cause." BLUES JOINT PROJECT: Irene "Lady I", vocals Kakoy Legaspi, guitar Joric Maglanque, guitar Thomas "Tomcat" Colvin, harmonica Nikki Cabardo, keyboards Eric Hernandez, bass Harald Huyssen, drums GUEST ARTISTS: Tots Tolentino, sax Butch Roxas, guitar Jun Lopito, guitar Roger Pullin, vocals/guitar Video courtesy of Harald Huyssen. Thanks bro!

Blues songs often tell a story about ordinary things in life. In this video, harperjohn sings about the plight of sugarcane workers in Mindanao, eerily similar to the situation of African American slaves during that infamous period in US history. You got the money, you got the land, You even own my sugarcane. How you gonna keep me down If i don't want to stay? How you gonna keep me down Tell me I pray.

After a long, long wait, I finally got to see Delta Slim's Cebu gig. Wish I'd seen this live though. Also in this video, Delta Slim's new Harana acoustic guitar had its debut and we can see what an outstanding instrument it truly is. (I can hear Boss Anot in the background excitedly commenting as well as the appreciative Cebuano crowd roaring at the end of each number.) Again, another great performance from a great Blues man.