Classic pre-recorded dialog interviews (with occasional live performances) that were conducted by Bob Putignano.
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Date Interview detail
1/22/2003
Part 3 of 3
"Howlin' for Hubert"

On January 22nd, 2003 the New York Blues & Jazz Society organized a fundraising event for the great Hubert Sumlin who needed to raise money for lung surgery. January 22nd, 2003 was an unusually brutally cold evening, but that did not deter Hubert's fans from supporting their hero, who sold-out B.B. King's Times Square Blues Club. Additionally kind & generous fans donated for Blues memorabilia raffles that the New York Blues & Jazz Society ran throughout the star-studded evening of Blues performances.

This is the third & final of 3 installments from the 3-hour plus "Howlin' for Hubert" all-star concert.

The third portion of this segment continues with a full band that Jimmy Vivino titles as The Wolf Tribute Band; featuring Hubert Sumlin, Levon Helm, David Maxwell, Greg Piccolo, Mike Merritt, Frank Pagano & Vivino. Plus additional special guest: Shemekia Copeland, Arthur Neilson, Bob Margolin, Jon Paris, Ann Rabson, and a few others.

Here's the breakdown:

  • The 3rd portion opens with Anthony Kane (harp) and guitarist Bob Margolin joining the core Wolf Tribute Band with "I Got to Love Somebody," followed by "Got My Mojo Working."
  • Ann Rabson replaces pianist David Maxwell. Rabson vocalizes a slow rendition of "Sitting on Top of the World."
  • Margolin & Rabson make a quick exit as Maxwell returns on piano, as David Johansen leads the band into "Evil."
  • Jon Paris joins the Wolf band, as the band exudes heat with the classic segue coupling of "Smokestack Lightning," into "Spoonful."
  • Shemekia Copeland takes the microphone with Arthur Neilson's guitar and swings into "It's My Turn - To Turn the Tables On You." Shemekia follows with a lengthy Blues ballad "Pot of Gold At the End of My Rainbow."
  • Shemekia & Neilson exit and Margolin reappears for "Little Red Rooster."
  • Margolin exits as the core Wolf Band concludes the 3-hour "Howlin' for Hubert" festivities with "Killing Floor."
  • And that's how the curtain came down near Times Square on 42nd Street at the now defunct B.B. King's on January 22nd, 2003. The full-house crowd happily exited the club and were still "Howlin' For Hubert." That being the one & only Hubert Sumlin.

1/22/2003
Part 2 of 3
"Howlin' for Hubert"

On January 22nd, 2003 the New York Blues & Jazz Society organized a fundraising event for the great Hubert Sumlin who needed to raise money for lung surgery. January 22nd, 2003 was an unusually brutally cold evening, but that did not deter Hubert's fans from supporting their hero, who sold-out B.B. King's Times Square Blues Club. Additionally kind & generous fans donated for Blues memorabilia raffles that the New York Blues & Jazz Society ran throughout the star-studded evening of Blues performances.

This is the second of 3 installments from the 3-hour plus concert. This second segment opens with a "Guitar Quartet" set featuring Marc Ribot, Elliott Sharp, Michael Hill, and Hubert Sumlin, and runs for about 30 minutes.

The second portion of this segment brings on a full band that Jimmy Vivino titles as The Wolf Tribute Band; featuring Hubert Sumlin, Levon Helm, David Maxwell, Greg Piccolo, Mike Merritt, Frank Pagano & Vivino.

Here's the breakdown: Guitar Summit:

  • Michael Hill sings a new tune dedicated to Hubert "Pickin' & Strummin' with Hubert Sumlin."
  • Hubert leads the quartet vocally & with his guitar with "Baby How Long," and closes with "Killing Floor."
  • The full band hits the stage with pianist David Maxwell leading the way with a high-paced swinging instrumental that exemplifies that musicianship of guitarist Vivino, Piccolo's sax & Maxwell's brilliant keys.
  • For the next tune "Shake for Me" adds Hubert Sumlin & vocalist David Johansen.
  • Followed by "Built for Comfort," "Going Down Slow," and "Crawling King Snake."
  • At that point Bob Margolin & Anthony Kane are announced to join in on guitar & harp.
But that's where the second CD segment ends. So stay tuned during the coming weeks to hear the third and final portion of "Howlin for Hubert."

Bob Putignano

1/22/2003
Part 1 of 3
"Howlin' for Hubert"

On January 22nd, 2003 the New York Blues & Jazz Society organized a fundraising event for the great Hubert Sumlin who needed to raise money for his lung surgery. January 22nd, 2003 was an unusually brutally cold night, but that did not deter Hubert's fans for supporting their hero, who sold-out B.B. King's box-office. Additionally the fans donated more with Blues memorabilia raffles that the New York Blues & Jazz Society ran throughout the star-studded evening of Blues performances.

This is the first of 3 installments from the 3-hour plus concert. The opening acts were The Fins, who had Greg Piccolo (Roomful of Blues) sitting in with them during the last portion of their set. The Fins were followed by Michael Hill's Blues Mob who had Vernon Reid (Living Colour) sitting in with the band for a few songs as well.

Here's the breakdown:

  • Emcee, NY Blues & Jazz Society President and radio host Bob Putignano introduces Hubert Sumlin to the crowd, then Hubert gives a short speech of heartfelt thanks to the audience.
  • The Fins open the show with an untitled instrumental, followed by "Fast Food Annie," then a slow blues titled "A Solid Mess." Ex Roomful of Blues sax-man Greg Piccolo joins the fins and delivers another instrumental that was seemingly titled "Piccolo Man." The Fins close out their show with their popular rendition of "Spiderman."
  • Michael Hill's Blues Mob opened with their "Heart of the City, NY, NY," followed by "Monticello Night," "Evil in the Air," "The Blues Will Get Around to You," and closed with "Young Folks Blues." Vernon Reid of Living Colour fame sits in with Hill's Blues Mob for a few tunes.
Those looking forward to part 2 of "Howlin' for Hubert" will be interested to know that the second segment opens with a "Guitar Quartet" set featuring Marc Ribot, Elliott Sharp, Michael Hill, and Hubert Sumlin! Keep checking http://www.SoundsofBlue.com over the coming weeks to see when the second installment of "Howlin' for Hubert" will be available for your listening pleasure. In the meantime enjoy The Fins' & Michael Hill's performances.

Thank you, Bob Putignano

11/4/2004 On 11/4/2004 Bob Putignano was contacted by Back Beat Books to assist with the promotion of Dan Aykroyd's book: "Elwood's Blues." Putignano's job was to solely assemble & handpick a Blues band to play at the Sirius Radio offices at their performance studio in midtown NYC. Putignano contacted & enlisted all of the performance musician/band-members (except for Dan Aykroyd which was a given.) Featured performers: Mose Allison, Hubert Sumlin, Bettye LaVette, David Maxwell, Jerry Jemmott, Rob Paparozzi, Blue Lou Marini, Calvin Owens, Michael Hill, Dan Aykroyd/Elwood Blues and more. It's a 1-hour concert that consisted of:
  • Mose Allison performing "Your Mind Is On Vacation and Your Mouth is Working Overtime," and "When You Get to the City."
  • Pat St. John interviews Dan Aykroyd about his book "Elwood's Blues."
  • Aykroyd & St. John then introduce most of the band.
  • Bettye LaVette performs "Everyday I Have the Blues."
  • Hubert Sumlin performs Little Walter's "Everything Gonna Be Alright."
  • David Maxwell (in a trio) setting perform an instrumental titled "Boogie To the Max"
  • Michael Hill covers William Bell's & Booker T. Jones' "Born Under a Bad Sign."
  • Calvin Owens delivers a slow Blues Instrumental.
  • Rob Paparozzi, Bettye LaVette & Nikki Armstrong cover Chris Kenner's "Something You Got."
  • Dan Akroyd/Elwood Blues close the night with the classic "Sweet Home Chicago" that Robert Johnson recorded.
  • Bob Putignano adds some (recent/sour grapes) observations with closing comments about this 2004 Blues show featuring "The Sirius Special Blues Band," a band title given by Aykroyd.
Enjoy the show.
02/09/2005 Ruth Brown interview with Joel Dorn and myself. It runs about 23 minutes. There's also an after Joel 4-minute segment with just Joel Dorn & I summarizing the time with Ruth Brown and a few other sweet nuggets.
12/28/2004 John Mayer interview from 12/28/2004 with yours truly. This was recorded when Mayer was taking the Blues on the road, and later performed this very evening with Hubert Sumlin sitting in for a portion of Mayer's set. The outro song I used (after our interview) is from Mayer's 2CD limited edition set title "As/Is" the track I programed is appropriately titled "Blues Intro." This interview was also transcribed for an article I wrote for Goldmine Magazine.
8/3/1977 (part 1)
(part 2)
Steve Miller has dug deep into his archives and found an unreleased, full-length concert recording, Steve Miller Band Live! Breaking Ground: August 3, 1977, out now via Sailor/Capitol/UMe.
Dan Neer is the radio host for this 1 hour special.
6/10/2021 (part 1)
(part 2)
Over the next hour, we'll celebrate the 50th anniversary with archival George Harrison interview, and thoughts and tales from Eric Clapton, Gary Wright, Dave Mason & Badfinger's Joey Molland. Welcome to George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass at 50: All Access." Hosted by Dan Neer.
8/12/2004 Joel Dorn, Mark Moorman & Bob P talk about "Tom Dowd - The Language of Music" documentary/film/DVD, from 2003. But make no mistake: This is really Joel Dorn's show who colorfully opines about Brother Ray Charles, King Curtis, Duane Allman, The Allman Brothers Band, how Tom Dowd introduced Eric Clapton to The Allman Brothers, Nesuhi Ertegun, the 2 Golden Periods of Atlantic Records, George Harrison, Lamont Dozier, making music albums and Mark Moorman's "Tom Dowd - The Language of Music."
(*) Song selections by Bob Putignano, audio editing & mix by Mario Campanella.
12/2/2015 Please enjoy Bob P's Bob James & Nathan East 1-hr interview, recorded on Dec 2, 2015.
11/7/2006 This is a 19 minute Joe Bonamassa interview that was recorded 11/7/2006. The interview includes a warm discussion about Tom Dowd who worked with & produced Bonamassa, plus 2 live acoustic performances.
6/30/2001 This interview with author Jan Mark Wolkin, co-author of If You Love These Blues, a book about Michael Bloomfield. A couple of items I'd like to mention about listening to this 2001 interview from nearly 20 years ago is how I was worried how I sounded after only being a DJ for WFDU for about 1 year. But I felt the interview flowed well, the interview also offered a lot of great Bloomfield stories from the author. I hope you dig it, this was a great flashback set of memories for me.

Two other points to observe at the end of this interview: Longtime WFDU listeners will recall the top-of the-hour Paul's Motors Volvo ads that ran for decades at WFDU, plus I had forgotten about our NY Blues Society ads that also ran alongside Paul's Motors. The NY Blues Society ad with Across the Tracks Program Director Dave Grogan. & I trying to sell the merits of our non-profit Blues Society; good memories here too.

Lastly, I just added a favorite Bloomfield track of mine from Barry Goldberg's 1969 Buddah LP "Two Jews Blues" a slow Blues track titled "Blues for Barry and... (dedicated to Big John's." where Bloomfield was a guest artists on a few tracks though I recall Bloomfield was uncredited due to contractual issues. Another noteworthy item (that I don't play here) is: Duane Allman also appeared on this "Two Jews Blues" recording too, but Allman & Bloomfield were not on the same track "It Hurts Me Too."