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Thursday, November 1, 2012

Ghouls, Ghosts, Blues!

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Diggin: "Mojo Hand"
John Dee Holeman
photo by Jimmy Williams
Note: Our thoughts this week are with everyone in the Northeast experiencing the devastation of the storm. We hope you are all safe and sound!

Blues history is fraught with tales of the supernatural, from Robert Johnson's midnight pact with the devil to hoodoo magic winning gambling games in drink houses.
I've listened to John Dee Holeman perform his take on classic blues tune "Mojo Hand" several times over the last few weeks and I can't get over how perfect his voice is for it - it injects just the right amount of matter-of-factness with the muted blues wail that John Dee is so good at pulling off.

A mojo hand was a bit of hoodoo magic - usually "little red flannel bags that smelled of oils and perfumes; some were pierced by a needle or two" (in the words of Robert Palmer.) This recorded version of "Mojo Hand" is a bit more rollicking than usual, but still a good jam: "I'm goin' down down down / And buy me a mojo hand / I'm gonna show all these womens how you ought to treat your man," John Dee sings; it's just the right amount of eerie for a chilly Halloween week.

-- Whitney

Precious Bryant
Precious Bryant, pictured in front of her new home
Photo of the Week by Aaron Greenhood
Planning a Holiday Party? Music Maker Artists will make it unforgettable!
 
Christmas Guitar We know it's only November 1st, but holiday decor has been up in malls across America for a month by now. The Holidays are right around the corner, though it is always hard to believe!

You might be thinking about hosting a Holiday party in the coming months for your friends, family or co-workers. The perfect addition to any Holiday gathering is a Music Maker artist! If you're interested in hiring one of our amazingly talented Roots musicians, Aaron would love to help answer your questions about pricing, etc. You can reach him 9am - 5pm, Monday through Friday at 919-643-2456 or aaron@musicmaker.org.
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MM Gang at Jazzfest
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Listen: 
John Dee Holeman -   Mojo Hand
Missed Capitol Blues Night? Don't miss these awesome videos! 
Captain Luke and Cool John  
Cool John Ferguson, Ironing Board Sam, Captain Luke, Big Ron Hunter, Sol and Ardie Dean, along with harp player Phil Wiggins rocked the stage last week in DC. We saw many of you out there, and the artists were so thrilled that you loved their performances! If you haven't seen on our Facebook, there are several live recordings of the event - check them out here from The Hamilton, and here on YouTube, from supporter Dominique Meekers. 
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Upcoming Shows: Click here for more info on upcoming events 
10/27- 11/2- Ironing Board Sam, Carolina Chocolate Drops - Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
11/02 - John Dee Holeman - They Eddy Pub, Saxapahaw, NC
11/02 - Albert White - Northside Tavern, Atlanta, GA
11/08 - Ironing Board Sam - The Crunkelton, Chapel Hill, NC
11/09 - Ironing Board Sam - The Depot, Hillsborough, NC
11/11 - John Dee Holeman -  Pinecone Music of the Carolinas, NCMoH, Raleigh, NC
11/15 - Ironing Board Sam - The Crunkleton, Chapel Hill, NC
11/17 - Lakota John and Kin - American Indian Heritage Festival, NCMo, Raleigh, NC
11/22 - Ironing Board Sam - The Crunkleton, Chapel Hill, NC
11/29 - Ironing Board Sam - The Crunkleton, Chapel Hill, NC
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Music Maker Relief Foundation, Inc. helps the true pioneers and forgotten heroes of Southern music gain 
recognition and meet their day to day needs. We present these musical traditions to the world so American culture will flourish and be preserved for future generations.       

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