Cover photo: James “Blood” Ulmer at the Pocono Blues Festival, 2005.
Credit: Joseph A. Rosen

James “Blood” Ulmer
There Is Power In The Blues
By Mark Camarigg
The odyssey of James “Blood” Ulmer has been a long and curious one. Starting in gospel groups in his native South Carolina, Ulmer later moved to Pittsburg to play R&B, then he went to Detroit and played jazz. During the 1970s Ulmer played guitar with Ornette Coleman and released a string of albums under his own name. In 2001 Ulmer was coaxed into the studio by friend and Living Colour frontman Vernon Reid do what has turned out to be a four album journey into the blues.

Marie Knight
If It Don’t Come Up From The Inside, Forget It
By Lee Hildebrand
The former musical partner of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Marie Knight had a long and fruitful musical career of her own. After leaving the music business nearly twenty years ago to become a minister in the Gates of Prayer Church, Knight has recently been coaxed out of retirement to record a stunning album of Reverend Gary Davis’ songs with former Bob Dylan sideman Larry Campbell as guitarist and producer.

Sharrie Williams
One Heart, One Beat
By Scott Bock
Saginaw, Michigan based blueswoman Sharrie Williams is making a name for herself in Europe as well as in the United States. With two current releases out this looks to be a big year for Willaims.

Blind Lemon Jefferson
Draft Card Blues
By Jonathan Black
A newly uncovered 1917 government document sheds light on some of the mysteries surrounding pre-war Texas blues legend Blind Lemon Jefferson.

Record Reviews
New CDs by Nappy Brown, Bettye LaVette, Corey Harris, and Nathaniel Mayer. Reissues from Vee-Jay Records, John Lee Hooker, and Arthur Alexander.

Editorial
Blues News
Breaking Out
Obituaries
Radio Charts