Today's post was going to focus on the 2008 Blues Award winners, but while looking up some blues festivals, I was checking the Pittsburgh Blues Festival site to see if their lineup was available.

It's not -- it's comin soon, they say -- but I did remember that I've been hearing that the great Taj Mahal would be one of the headliners. Crafty investigative journalist that BlueNotes is, he checked the Taj Mahal Web site, and sure enough, Taj is planning on being here Saturday night, July 26.

By the way, for those of you who might want to enjoy the Poconos Blues Festival this year, you should know that it's the same weekend as Pittsburgh's. And they have a pretty good-looking lineup. It might be worth the trip just to see Jimmy McCracklin and Sugar Pie DeSanto. (Why couldn't BlueNotes have a nickname like "Sugar Pie"?)

The Blues Hall of Fame winners were named last week (I know, it's this week already, but I was waiting for the list with all the nominees to come up on the Blues Foundation site.

This year, instead of Memphis, the awards ceremony (think of these as the Oscars of the blues) was held in Tunica, Miss. They had a lot of great nominees and a lot of great winners. The envelope, please: (winners in bold)

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Blues guitarist Chris Cain brought his bombastic self to Moondog's Saturday night, and tore the place up, down and sideways with his big guitar and even bigger voice.

Until Saturday night, I'd only known him through his recordings. What a difference a body makes. It was joyfully exhausting just to watch.

The San Jose, Calif., bluesman shows hints of rock and jazz in his versatile guitar work, which is flashy and functional at the same time -- that is, not just flash for its own sake. But his emphasis is the blues, and there's no mistaking that when he bends the wire. He's a manic-depressive on guitar, but minus the depressive.

From the first big guitar notes, he hits the stage with a presence that doesn't quit until the night ends. He moves, his head bobs furiously to the music, he grimaces and mugs and shoots sly little zingers into the audience between songs.

It's a complete performance by a veteran bluesman who knows how to work a crowd -- and work it into a happy blues frenzy.

Of course, I use the word "crowd" metaphorically. The "crowd" was probably 35-40 people at best, and a half-dozen of those were members of John Pergal's tough, bluesy Pawnbrokers, who opened the night with Pergal urging the audience to go home, get some friends, and come back.

I mean, c'mon blues fans. There must be hundreds of thousands of people with a half-hour or so of Moondog's. So it was a Pens-Flyers playoff night. Come out afterward and celebrate with some great music.

It's to the credit of Pergal and Cain that they turned in rousing sets for just a handful of appreciative fans. I guess that's why it's called the blues.

I sat behind a table of four, who it turned out, had motored from deep in the state of Virginia just to hear Cain whip the blues. Now those are fans.

He's a player you won't get to see that often, since he's not a regular in the club circuit on this side of the country -- I asked him how often he got here, and his quip was, "Whenever they let me out." He should get a hall pass more often.

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It turns out that the film industry pushed Pergal and the Pawnbrokers into Moondog's.

A DreamWorks romantic comedy called "She's Out of My League" is filming in and around town, and they had taken over the Thunderbird Cafe for four nights of filming. It should be interesting to look for the T'Bird scenes in the film,

By the way, for a little more info on Cain, here's a bio from the Blind Pig records Web site, where he's released some albums.

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By the way, if you click on the link under the photo above, you'll go to this article, again, but with a set of image links at the top left. CLick on any one of them for a little slideshow of my photos of Chris at Moondog's. It's kind of a clunky tool, but better than nothing. I think.

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There are a couple of unusual musicians in town this weekend, one bluesy, one -- well, rootsy, for lack of a better word.

First the blues. Tonight at Moondog's in Blawnox, West Coast guitarist Chris Cain comes to town.

Cain is an interesting blend of music and musician (African-American/Greek), with stinging guitar and a big deep voice that makes you look around for the real singer.

He was raised in a family full of music and the many early influences have given him a strong foundation in the blues.

He doesn't come this way very often, and should be worth hearing. He's not a real well-known artist, especially out here on the near-East Coast. Here are a few older intereviews that might help you get acquainted: Blues Access from 1997 and Triviana from 1992.

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The other show, Saturday at Moondog's is Webb Wilder, whose rootsy music blends country and rock, and according to some quarters, surf music. He's also a filmmaker who has produced award-winning short films, and has been described as "roots-rock's only true Renaissance man."

He's not really a bluesman, unless you consider that we are all bluesmen (ok, blueswomen, too).

I've listened to his new CD, "Born to be Wilder," and it's an indescribably pleasant mix of musical Americana, minus the pap. So give him a chance if you have the time.

Singer, guitarist, bandleader, filmmaker, humorist-Webb Wilder may be , and not to be missed.

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A new CD from Bonedog Records, the fine little Mon Valley blues label with the big sound, is its second by Pittsburgh's James Hilton -- "Out There." In fact, Hilton recorded the first Bonedog CD, "The James Hilton Band, Is It Rock?"

Hilton is an Alabama-born rock/blues/R&B guitarist and singer/songwriter who's been performing in the Pittsburgh region since the late '60s and early '70s.

But he's probably one of BluesBurgh's least-visible bluesguys, although he's blown strongly by some early rock and R&B breezes, listing the Ventures (can you hear it in the guitar licks?) as one of his earliest influences (The Ventures still live, by the way).

It's definitely a good album. There are choice covers -- the grim Louisiana Red tune "Too Poor to Die," "Midnight Bells are Ringing" by Lowell Fulson, "What About Your Daughter" by J.B. Lenoir (not his more well-known "Mama, Talk to Your Daughter," but an excellent take by Hilton), a Johnny Otis tune "I'm Gonna Whale on You" (who remembers Jonhhy Otis?), and a nicely updated "Where Can You Be" by Jimmy Reed.

Hilton's own "Mr. Bad Luck" fits right in; a nicely crafted bluesy ode to bad luck and trouble.

Hilton is a polished singer and guitarist, and his lack of exposure here is something of a mystery to BlueNotes.

A little research on the Web proved fruitless. Google searches bring up lots of hotel references and not much more.

I did find this 2006 post on the Billy Price blog, in which Billy expresses delight at his first exposure to Hilton.

The band here includes Hilton, guitar and vocals; Brandon Barnes, drums, Jimmy Britton, keyboards; and Jeff Ingersoll (the head Boneguy at Bonedog) on bass. There's great guesting by Robbie Klein and Rick Modery on saxes, Rick Lander's vocal on "Mr. Bad Luck," Mighty Lil Johnson's vocal on "Whale on You," Jarett Yuknalis on harp, Yolanda Barber's stirring background on "My Soul," and Robert "Pecky" Peckman on tambourine.

Speaking of "My Soul," a Clifton Chenier tune, it's one of my favorites on the CD. Hilton's strong singing, Barber's excited backup vocals, tasty keyboard and the shuffling guitar work make it a great outing.

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I do have a few quibbles (a tough job, but someone has to do it). As an old newspaper writer and copy editor, I like to see the little things done well.

The Lowell Fulson tune here is credited to Lowell Fulsom, a name he recorded under sometimes, but not who he really was.

I recognized the "Too Poor to Die" lyrics as an old Louisiana Red (Iverson Minter) tune, but I can't pin down the composers on the Web. He may deserve some credit for this tune, but I'm not sure. I'm pretty sure he spent some time in Pittsburgh years ago, but I can't find that, either. I do know that I saw him at the old Decade in Oakland in the late '70s. Red is still around, by the way, and will be at the Chicago Blues festival next month, if you're in the neighborhood. If you are, look me up, too.

Anybody have a similar memory?

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But the quibbles aren't meant to take anything away from this very nice CD by Hilton.

This album is a great example of the fine musical talent hiding here in Pittsburgh. He seems to play regularly at the Irwin Eagles. Maybe we can persuade him to show up at a few other local clubs. Spread the joy, James.

A reader also likes Mr. Hilton

Here's a response to the post above from loyal reader (as you'll see below) Cindy Gaich.

I agree, James Hilton is one of the best kept secrets on the blues scene in the area. He always has top musicians with him and every time I have seen the band they put out killer sets. Besides playing with his band, and sitting in at the Thursday Blues Jam with Gil Snyder at the Irwin Eagles, Jimmy on lead, Gil on keyboards, Pete Oddo (cousin to Norm Nardini) on drums and an awesome bass player (sorry I forget his name) get together as a band called Nowhere Road. Great sounds, and these guys have a lot of fun. In the Irwin area we have a long-running annual event, Biddlefest, an all day line-up of local bands as a fundraiser for a local Serbian Club. Nowhere Road played there last September, and knocked me out!

Since I mentioned it, if Blue Notes is ever out east of the city on a Thursday night, check out the Blues Jam at the Irwin Eagles. From what I am told, you never can tell who will show up. Chismo Charles stopped by a few weeks back.

Cindy Gaich (Yes, I'm still out here...reading Blue Notes faithfully!)

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Ever here of Mulebone? Probably not. But you can find out more about John Ragusa and Hugh Pool, by all acounts accomplished musicians with roots of blues, at Moondog's in Blawnox tonight.

Here's how Moondog himself announced them in his weekly newsletter:

I am honored to have one of my all time favorite artists performing tonight.

Hugh and I go all the way back to the days at the Graffitti!

I have always been mystified why such a musician has not been recognized in the mainstream media!

I promise you, you will enjoy an evening of magical music like you never had experienced before!

And, the best $5 you have ever spent!

Ron Esser aka/ Moondog

That sounds hard to resist. Photos and/or reviews from appreciative fans are welcome.

Notes from New orleans

Reader Ralph Colaizzi of Fox Chapel took me up on my offer to publish notes on his trip to the New orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Here they are:

Rain Shmain

Three blissful days at Jazzfest

My daughter and I are first weekend people. As every festival connoisseur knows, the New Orleans Heritage and Jazz Festival runs for 2 weekends at the end of April and beginning of May each year. We commit to attending weekend 1 long before that year's lineup is even is glint in organizer Quint Davis's eye.

Although it varies year to year, the first weekend tends to spotlight local acts first and foremost. The Electrifying Crown Seekers, The Big Sams, and the Tab Benoits -- all at home in Louisiana. Don't get me wrong, Sheryl Crow, Billy Joel and Tim McGraw were also on the 2008 bill, but, as in years past, we opted to stay close by the triangle of cool that is the Gospel Tent, Blues Tent and Jazz & Heritage Stage. This is where you see bands you don't know, bands who rarely tour, bands you can only hear in Louisiana. For us, this is the heart and soul of New orleans, and of Jazzfest.

To inspire you to join us next year -- first weekend of course -- and invest in the revitalization of New Orleans both culturally and economically, here's our Jazzfest 2008 band list. The music was so good, we practically forgot about the bone-soaking downpours of biblical proportions and the torrents that forced evacuation row by row in the Blues tent -- and that's saying something.

Thursday night:

• Kermit Ruffins at Vaughn's

Friday:

• Rufus "Rip" Wimberly & the Daydreamers (81 year old bluesman)

• Voices of Distinction (5 booming gospel women)

• Semolian Warriors Mardi Gras Indians (AMAZING, full blown feathered creatures)

• Gregg Martinez (white Sam Cooke, great band)

• Real Untouchables Brass Band (inspiring high school brass band)

• Barbara Lynn (50's 60's r&b singer, left handed guitar player, check her out)

• Big Sam's Funky Nation (Funk, soul, brass, rap. one of my New orleans faves)

• The Zydepunks (True to their name, with an eastern European/Klezmer feel)

• Doyle Bramhall with C.C. Adcock and the Lafayette Marquis (Doyle played drums with Stevie Ray Vaughn - great rock and roll)

• Tab Benoit (Guitar virtuoso his Cajun element. The blues tent was a rockin'.)

Saturday:

• Unstoppable Gospel Creators (Doo-wop and R&B Gospel, oh yeah)

• Rockie Charles & the Stax of Love (old time bluesman)

• The Imagination Movers (Kids on dads' shoulders weren't the only ones grooving and singing along)

• Worship Squad (tremendous Gospel choir in camo)

• Hadley J. Castille & the Sharecroppers (Cajun swamp fiddlers at Fais Do Do stage)

• The Electrifying Crown Seekers (Motown Gospel at its finest with a falsetto that'd make Smokey Robinson proud)

• Big Jay McNeely with Jesse Scinto (Tenor sax "king of the honkers")

• James Cotton (Blues harp legend still blows the bejesus out of that thing)

• Ponderosa Stomp Revue featuring:

• Dennis Binder on keyboards in a fabulous bright green suit

• Tammy Lynn waiflike and shaky, but with a voice that still kills

• Roy Head, a fabulous screamer who toured with James Brown and bit Elvis!

• Archie Bell sans Drells who sang "Tighten Up" just before the rain shut down the Fest

Saturday night

• The Blind Boys of Alabama with Allen Toussaint, Marva Wright and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band at Tipitina's

Sunday:

• Jo "Cool" Davis (raspy gospel singer)

• Paulin Brothers Brass Band (fantastic second line marching band)

• Shades of Praise (Gospel choir with at least 10 award-worthy soloists)

• Voices of the Wetlands All Stars featuring

• Tab Benoit's blistering guitar

• Dr. John on keys

• Big Chief Monk Bourdreaux in full regalia

• George Porter Jr. on bass

• Cyril Neville on bongos

• Anders osborne on guitar

• Johnny Sansone on harmonica

• Johnny Vidacovich on drums

• Waylon Thibodeaux on fiddle

• Mamadou Diabate (unbelievable Kora master from Mali)

• Irma Thomas and the Professionals (Soul Queen of New orleans, with Marcia Ball)

• Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint and the Crescent City Horns (these guys stole the show, sounded spectacular)

• Al Green (The Reverend)

• Delbert McClinton (We danced the Fest closed to a favorite blue eyed soul man)

Sunday Night

• Frenchmen Street in all its glory

Thanks, Ralph. I already felt bad because I wasn't there. Now I feel worse. But nobody promised me that being BlueNotes would be easy. At least I didn't have to write much today.

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The bluesy, swampy music of Kenny Neal is back in a new CD, his first solo album since 2001, "Let Life Flow" (Blind Pig), and it seems like the spirit of the title comes to life on the tracks.

If I had to pick one word to describe Neal's blues, one of them would be the smooth and funky "flow" of the title track and the rest of the music.

Neal's guitar and harp work, vocals and the arrangements here are all fill a laid-back groove, all typical of his Louisiana roots, which come through strong on "Lousiana Stew."

That doesn't mean the music lacks grit when needed, as on "Bleeding Heart," a tough horn-backed ode to lost love. In that same heartbroken vein is the tender "You've Got to Hurt Before You Heal."

There's a hint of the laconic Jimmy Reed on "Starlight Diamond" and fat, liquid guitar notes and sensuous vocals define the Ivory Joe Hunter classic (and one of my all-time favorites), "Since I Met You Baby."

He winds up with the old Willie Dixon tune, which you don't hear too much, "It Don't Make Sense You Can't Make Peace."

All together it's an excellent album by a versatile musician, recording again after a few years on hiatus. It's a welcome return.

Neal is the son of the late famed harpist Raful Neal, and the exposure to a life of music is obvious.

By the way, there's an excellent cover story about Neal in the current issue of Blues Revue magazine. It goes into detail about the personal tragedy in Neal's life over the past few years, including the death of his father, and his own battle with Hepatitis C.

A little-known bluesman

There's a very informative and interesting post on Big Road Blues about a very little-know bluesman named Joe Callicott.

Thanks to people who write articles like this and keep great blues history from disappearing.

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