GoLocal Interview - Blues Legend Bobby Rush
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
GoLocal Interview - Blues Legend Bobby Rush
Bobby Rush isn’t your typical 82-year-old. While others his age might be enjoying retirement, bluesman Rush enjoys touring the country playing over 200 dates a year. He’ll be in Rhode Island next week, at Chan’s in Woonsocket, where blues and jazz are served with a helping of egg rolls and fried rice.
I interviewed Rush by phone earlier this week as he arrived at the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas. He was in great spirits as he prepared to open the four-day event. Regarding his extensive touring schedule, Rush stated that it’s important to “think young.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“I think in young fashioned ways, live and learn from young and older people, mix it all up into one. And stay enthused.”
Bobby Rush
Rush was born in rural Louisiana in 1933, and his first instrument was the diddley bow, a home-made one stringed contraption made from broom wire. He eventually graduated to a full size guitar and began playing small town juke joints in the South.
His career took off in the mid-1950’s when his family moved to Chicago. There, he honed his chops performing with artists like Muddy Waters, Etta James and Jimmy Reid. Over the course of his career, he’s won 10 Blues Music Awards and has been nominated for several Grammys. He’s performed around the world, and in 2007, he was the first blues artist to perform in China, playing at the Great Wall.
Rush is a veteran of the “Chitlin Circuit,” an informal assemblage of venues throughout the South where African American blues artists have toured for years. The clubs, restaurants and juke joints have historically served mainly African American patrons, although Rush has always played “crossover” music, and has become popular with a broader mainstream audience.
Porcupine Meat
His latest release, Porcupine Meat, is considered by critics to be among the best of his 60+ year career. It’s a funky R&B influenced record that includes support from well-known recording artists Keb Mo, Joe Bonamassa, and Dave Alvin.
“It’s probably my best album in 20 years, declared Rush, with 5-6 popular songs “doing well.” The album opener “I Don’t Want Nobody Hanging Around,” premiered recently on NPR. It was the first album he recorded in his home state of Louisiana, and it features top New Orleans session players including guitarist Vasti Jackson. The release sounds fresh and alive, like it was recorded by an artist half his age. It’s got that classic Memphis blues sounds, complete with a horn section.
“It’s all about keeping up with the times,” an idea Rush has preached since the 1960’s. His biggest hit, “Chicken Heads,” recorded in 1971 is a soul classic, fusing blues, funk and R&B. The music may evolve, but “the stories don’t change. I’m still an old bluesman, and as far as that goes, there’s nothing new under the sun. It’s one foot against the other.”
Approaching his 83rd birthday, Rush expects Porcupine Meat to broaden his commercial appeal. “It’s a really good record and I hope everyone likes it. I want people to say ‘Damn he’s good.’”
Rush is known for his high energy stage presence and his cool demeanor - he works hard at connecting with audiences, and makes everyone in the room feel a part of show. He’s touring with a full band – “live horns, no overdubs, it’s the real deal, no sampling or anything.”
Audiences today can be hard to please, he noted. “They’re exposed to a lot of things, you got to make sure you give them all you got. A long time ago, there was not much to compare you with. Today, you got to have something bigger and better to offer them.”
Check out the video of "Porcupine Meat" here and see the legend for yourself when Rush appears at Chan’s next Wednesday October 12th at 8PM. Tickets are available here.
Ken Abrams reviews roots, rock and blues for GoLocal. E-Mail him here.
20 Must See Fall Concerts in New England - 2016
September 2
Bret Michaels at Twin River
Lincoln, RI
Bret Michaels is formerly the lead singer of the metal band Poison who have sold more than 45 million records all over the world and 15 million records in the United States.
Poison has ten singles in the to 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, including 6 top 10 singles and a number one single "Every Rose Has its Thorn."
Michaels also released multiple solo albums including the soundtrack album for the movie A Letter from Death Row, Songs of Life.
Michaels released his latest album in May of 2015 titled True Grit. The album featured 21 new and classic hits and a new single titled "Girls on Bars."
September 3
KISS at the DCU Center
Worcester, MA
KISS will be performing in Worcester as part of their "Freedom to Rock Tour."
Kiss was formed in New York City in 1973 by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and original band manager Lew Linet.
Since that time, KISS as been awarded 30 gold albums, most of any American band, while selling over 40 million albums in the United States, 25 million of them have been certified by the RIAA and their worldwide sales exceed 100 million.
The band is best know for the song "Rock and Roll All Nite," released in 1975 on the Dressed to Kill album.
September 3
Kanye West at TD Garden
Boston, MA
Kanye West brings his act to Boston's TD Garden on September 3.
Kanye West is one of the most acclaimed musicians of the 21st century and is already one of the best selling artists of all-time, having sold over 32 million albums and 100 million digital downloads all over the world.
He has 21 Grammy Awards and has had three albums ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All-Time.
West most recent album was released in 2016 and is titled “The Life of Pablo."
September 4
Rascal Flatts at Darling's Waterfront Pavillion
Bangor, Maine
Rascal Flatts formed in Columbus, Ohio in 1999 and recorded for Disney Music Group's Lyric Street Records from 2000-2010, releasing 7 albums in that time span.
They are now part of Big Red Machine Records and have released three more albums, their last called "Rewind" coming in 2014.
The band's studio albums have accounted for over 25 singles, of which 13 reached the number one spot on Billboard Hot Country Songs and or Country Airplay.
September 10
Steven Tyler at PPAC
Providence, RI
Rock n’ Roll legend Steven Tyler is coming to the Providence Performing Arts Center for one night only as part of his Out on a Limb Tour.
Tyler will be up close and personal sharing real life heartaches, trials and tribulations and much more.
Tyler was formally the lead singer of the Boston based rock band Aerosmith, one of the best selling American hard rock band of all time.
Aerosmith has sold over 150 million records worldwide, including more than 70 million records in the United States. They were inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.
Steven Tyler was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013.
September 14
Bruce Springsteen at Gillette Stadium
Foxboro, MA
The legend and "The Boss" Bruce Springsteen is coming to Gillette Stadium.
Bruce Springsteen is a rock n’ roll legend and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
Springsteen has sold over 64 million albums in the United States and more than 120 million records worldwide.
Springsteen’s hits include "Because the Night"," Born in the USA," "Glory Days" and so many more.
Historically, Springsteen’s concerts last over three hours. So be ready.
September 14 & 15
Adele at TD Garden
Boston, MA
For two nights, Adele will play Boston's TD Garden in mid-September.
Adele released her debut album, 19, in 2008 and it is certified seven times platinum in the UK and double platinum in the US. The next year, 2009, she won Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
She is the firs woman in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 to have three simultaneous top 10 singles as a lead artist and the first female artist to simultaneously to have two albums in the top five of the Billboard 200 and two singles in the top five of the Billboard Hot 100.
Her second studio album, 21, is the longest running number one album by a female solo artist in the history of the UK and US album Charts.
Adele released here third album, 25, in 2015 featuring the song "Hello." The song sold over a million digital copies in only one week.
September 17
Jeffrey Osborne at Foxwoods
Mashantucket, Ct
Providence, Rhode Island's own Jeffrey Osborne will perform at Foxwoods in mid September.
He started his music career with a band called Love Men Ltd, who later became known as L.T.D. Osborne actually started as a drummer and shared lead vocals as the band recorded hit singles like "(Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again, "Concentrate on You" and "Love Ballad."
Osborne left LTD in 1980 to start his solo career which included five gold and platinum albums, including his 1982 hit "On the Wings of Love."
Osborne is a 4 time Grammy Award winner, his last award coming in 2001 for best traditional R&B Performance.
September 17
Don Rickles at Twin River
Lincoln, RI
Okay, Don Rickles isn't a musician, we got it. However he is a comedic legend and he must be seen when he comes to Twin River.
Rickles frequently appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson as well as the Late Show with David Letterman and also The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast in 1973.
He also made appearances on shows such as The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Munsters, The Addams Family, The Mothers-in-Law, Gilligan's Island, Get Smart, The Andy Griffith Show and I Dream of Jeannie.
September 17
Maroon 5 at DCU Center
Worcester, MA
Better get those moves like Jagger out becausue Maroon 5 is coming to Worcester.
Formed in Los Angeles, California, Maroon 5, led by Adam Levine, has sold over 20 million albums and 70 million singles all over the world following the release of the release of their fifth studio album in 2014.
The band was originally called Kara's Flowers when they formed in 1994 but changed their name to Maroon 5 in 2001.
They released their first album as Maroon 5 in 2002 and it featured the song "Harder to Breathe" which debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 chart.
Maroon 5 is known for songs such as "Harder to Breathe,"Makes me Wonder" and "Moves Like Jagger" which was released in 2011 and featured Christina Aguilera.
September 23
Ziggy Marley at Alex & Ani Center
Providence, RI
The son of music legend Bob Marley, Ziggy is coming to the Alex & Ani Center in Providence to help close the month of September.
Marley has released six solo albums starting in 2003 with Dragonfly and his most recent album release coming in 2016 with the album "Ziggy Marley."
Along with Ziggy's own hits like Tomorrow People," "Lying in Bed" and others, you can expect Ziggy to play some of his father's classics, to the delight of fans everywhere.
September 28
Carrie Underwood at the Dunkin' Donuts Center
Providence, RI
Seven-time Grammy Award winner Carrie Underwood will be performing at the Dunkin' Donuts Center on Wednesday, September 28 as part of her Storyteller Tour - Stories in the Round.
After winning American Idol in 2005, Carrie Underwood has become a multi-format, multimedia star in both music, television and film. Underwood has won 7 Grammy Wards, racked up almost 100 major honors and has sold 58 million records worldwide.
She has recorded 23 #1 singles, 13 of which she co-wrote and has had her catalog of songs streamed over 1.5 billion times worldwide.
October 1
Blake Shelton at TD Garden
Boston, MA
Blake Shelton is known as much for his role as a judge on The Voice as he is for his singing talent.
In his career, Shelton has charted 31 country singles, including 21 number one hits including a stretch of 16 in a row. He also has six Grammy Awards to his name.
Shelton's list of number one hits include his debut song "Austin" was released in 2001 and it spent five weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
On The Voice, Shelton's teams have won four out of the 10 seasons. He has been a part of The Voice since it began.
October 1
Tim McGraw at Mohegan Sun Arena
Uncasville, CT
Country legend Tim McGraw is in town playing at Mohegan Sun Arena.
McGraw has released 14 studio albums, 10 of which have reached number 1 on the Top Country Albums charts with his 1994 album Not a Moment Too Soon being the top country album of the year.
McGraw's albums have produced 65 singles, 25 of which have reached number 1 on the Hot Country Songs or Country Airplay Charts.
In his career, he has won 3 Grammy Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, 11 Country Music Association awards, 10 American Music Awards and 3 People's Choice Awards.
October 6
R Kelly at TD Garden
Boston, MA
R Kelly was recognized by the Recording Industry Association of America as one of the best selling music artists in the United States with 40 million albums sold .
In his career, Kelly has released 12 solo studio albums and over 100 million records worldwide making him the most successful R&B/ Hip Hop artist in the last 25 years.
You could argue that Kelly's biggest hit was "I Believe I Can Fly" which won him three Grammy Awards and was featured in the movie "Space Jam" starring Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny.
Other hits include Bump N' Grind, The World's Greatest and Gotham city.
October 7
Bruno Mars at Mohegan Sun Arena
Uncasville, CT.
Bruno Mars will likely have everybody dancing at Mohegan Sun Arena when he plays in October.
In his career, Mars has sold more than 100 million signals and albums all over the world and has landed six number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 since the beginning of his career in 2010.
Mars first album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans consisted of two number one singles "Just the Way You Are" and "Grenade" and a number four single "The Lazy Song."
In 2012, Mars hit it big agains with his second album Unorthodox Jukebox which rose to number one in the US and featured singles such as "Locked Out of Heaven," "When I was Your Man" and "Treasure."
October 22
Styx at Twin River
Lincoln, RI
Styx is best known for combining the style of pop rock and hard rock with the power of a hard rock guitar.
The Chicago based group has five consecutive albums certified multi-platinum by the RIAA along with 16 top 40 singles in the US, 8 of which climbed inside the top 10.
They are known for songs such as "Lady", "Come Sail Away", "Babe", "The Best of Times," Mr. Roboto" and many others.
November 19
Trans-Siberian Orchestra at DCU Center
Worcester, MA
Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) was founded in 1996 by producer Paul O'Neil and have been ranked by Billboard Magazine and Pollstar as one of the top ten ticket-selling bands in the first decade of the new millennium.
TSO gained popularity when they began touring in 1999 after completing their second album.
Since then, the group has released a numb of rock operas such as Christmas Eve and Other Stories, The Christmas Attic, Beethoven's Last Night, The Lost Christmas Eve, their two-discNight Castle and Letters From the Labyrinth.
November 19
The Monkees at Twin River
Lincoln, RI
The legendary Monkees will perform at Twin River for their 50th anniversary tour in November.
In their career, the Monkees have sold more than 75 million records worldwide and had international hits, including "Last Train to Clarksville," "Pleasant Valley Sunday," "Daydream Believer," and "I'm a Believer."
The Monkees outsold The Beatles and The Rolling Stones combined in 1967.
November 25
Five Finger Death Punch & Shinedown at DCU Center
Worcester, MA
Five Finger Death Punch is an American heavy metal band from Las Vegas who was formed in 2005. Their band name comes from a fictional martial arts move in the 2003 movie Kill Bill.
The band's second album War is the Answer, sold 500,000 copies in the United States upon its release in 2009, while their third album American Capitalist, achieved Gold status upon its release in 2011.
