TOPICAL and NON-BLUES Links:
(Since the blues is about the human experience, here's some good sources for background material, as though you needed more!)
Watch this amazing promo for an upcoming PBS program on global warming, http://www.stonehaven.ca/images/2_Minute_Promo.mpg it's very good (takes a few minutes to download)! And it's important: please help promote this show to be aired Novmber 2, and, weather permitting, thereafter. Please share this link and put the program on YOUR calendar
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The Writings of Greg Palast This guy gets the blues, he also is perhaps the most worthwhile english-language journalist on the planet. Read his stuff or be cattle. Seriously. Also, he's funny!
FRIENDS AND MEMBERS OF ELMTREE BLUES SOCIETY:
Scrapple on Rye: The Collected Works in Progress of Steven Clotzman
Another ElmTree member who is a prolific, and wonderful, writer and musician!
http://www.chicagored.com/
A true one-of-a-kind bluesman, a fine person and a bon vivant. What more can one say?
Michael Hawkeye Herman - Blues Musician
He really is a fine bluesman, a good man, and a happenin' jammer in the ElmTree manner!
NICO "FROGGY" FOUQUET - HARMONICAS
Harp player extraordinaire, and Dave F's favorite harp tech, also a good teacher of language and music!
Also see Nico Fouquet's dad Claude's website, http://claudefouquet.free.fr/ he's among the best luthiers in France, handcrafting very fine and one-of-a-kind 6- and 12- string guitars and sculptured mandolins, he also accepts students in his ancient atelier in beautiful Puimisson, France, teaching them his unique methods and sardonic wit.
harmonicabob This is one harpman in SoCal who can really play, his band is hot and they love to jam!
Jeff'H,Guitariste Chanteur Harmoniciste Folk & Blues
Jeff Hugg is a true original, a fine and funky French bluesman with real soul and a good heart, he is one of the first Elmtree jammers in France!
Here's a link to Maudit Waters, http://r.faret.free.fr/ a lively and soulful rockin' blues band from Southern France. They are friendly and generous in the true ElmTree fashion, give 'em a listen!
http://www.gindick.com/Engine/Shopping/catalog.asp?store=6&category=256
Jon Gindick, Malibu denizen and global ambassador of all things harmonica, is truly the Johnny Appleseed of the blues harmonica. He is not only a great player, he is a warm, inspiring and inspired teacher. Check out his workshops, they are great, and Jon is a jammer of the first order.
OTHER MUSICIANS, VENUES, RESOURCES AND STUFF:
http://www.helenschneider.com/
A dangerously beautiful singer for whom David F. roadied in 1971, for Cricket Hill Band in Massachussetts. She's now slayin' 'em in Germany and all over the world!
dot com biz card: CAFE R&B
You want to be blown away? Go see Cafe R&B. The singer ain't merely Tina Turner meets Aretha, she's more, with a top-notch band.
Kulak's Woodshed: A Place for Songwriters!
This North Hollywood nonprofit venue is a watershed for musical culture in Los Angeles County, go support it, you'll have fun hearing amazing music with good folks.
!Blues Cruise - Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
Woodstock was cool, but wet, crowded and cold with crappy food. The Legendary Rhythm & BLues Cruise is like an ideal Woodstock in the Carribean with room service. Dave F says it's the best musical event he ever attended, and he even remembers some of both events! See the October West Coast Cruise, coming in October 2006.
For what's happenin' in roots music in the LA area, see this guide! http://www.aliveandpicking.com/calendar.html
And for blues, see this one, too: Los Angeles Blues
http://www.southlandblues.com/guide.htm
A must-read for blues hounds in SoCal, see this magazine at any good venue or record shop.
Big City Blues : Simply the best Blues Magazine on the planet. Love of the blues and the people who make it happen is what Robert Jr. & Sugar, and their whole editorial staff, is all about.
IF you are lucky enough to be in France, and want to find some blues, this is a good resource: http://lcdb.bluesfr.net/
The French Blues Chain, a listing of blues events, musicians and connections in France, Excellent!
http://www.blues-uk.com/ For all the Blues in Britain!
http://connect.to/LondonBluesJams : This is a great bunch of musicians who know how to really jam!
Up in Beautiful Sonoma County, California? Here's a jam for ya: Sonoma County Blues Society
In Chicago? check out http://www.rosaslounge.com/ a warm and welcoming neighborhood blues joint. Great Thursday jams, taker your ax!
http://www.bassharp.com/bh_itin.htm
World wide, see where and when some of the best harp players are playing!
And, last but not least: The locale of Elmtree's next branch: Site officiel de Carcassonne - Office de tourisme et ville - Official website of Carcassonne
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Dave Fertig *
The Initial
Elmtree Impresario, all the others do more work
Currently residing in Carcassonne France
and actively recruiting new members
(Actuellment, il habite en Carcassonne, France, est voudrait inviter les nouveaux membres. S'il vous jouer ou aimer "The Blues" l'envoyez un e-mail a mailto:drfertig@yahoo.com
Website by: Louisa A. "I thought I was supposed to be painting" Simpson
*A shameless plug for the artwork of Louisa A. Simpson