Blue 88 Band

It is indeed very cool to get the chance to review such a powerhouse product. I wish I could climb to the tallest mountain, building or whatever and scream out to all: "Go out and get Blue 88's new DVD!"
This is a genuine keepsake/collector's item that was generated from the Toys For Tots benefit in Lawrence in 2003. Mark and Sue Corbett, lead guitar and rhythm guitar respectfully are joined by the tremendous talent of bass player Rocky Britton and drummer Don Correu to bring 11 of their songs together for this special benefit.
Ten of the songs are originals, which adds even more class to this masterpiece.
The songs are: "Wade in the Water," "Stand Up," Who You Want Me to Be," "If This Dog Gets Loose," "Out of Town," "Strange to Say," "Pay Your Dues," "Each and Every Way," "Life's Gettin' too Short," "You Always Feel Blue" and "Little Francis."
One of my favorites is "Pay Your Dues," which I caught on video myself during one of Blue Sunday Concert in the Parks series here in Kansas City.
I suspect that Sue and Mark lead one hell of a full life. Not only are they accomplished musicians, but they handle one of the busiest band schedules I've seen. Locally, they've lent a helping hand in several of the Kansas City Blues Society's events, and I'm sure if you've had the chance to meet them you too will share a huge sense of pride by seeing these really great people elevate to such a strong and professional level.
The interviews are my favorite part of this whole DVD. You will hear of their teachings and some of their philosophies, desires and strengths as it relates to their students. Mark tells a a great story of the band's name. Hearing each band member share some heartfelt memories and stories are very cool and special.
Watching Sue and East Coast Al brainstorm and come up with the cover is totally cool.
Kudos to Merle Zuel of BlueZMAN Productions for creating a great product! Merle and guys did an outstanding job! The video is excellent, created by Avalon Video in Lawrence, with great transition effects between scenes, even some far-out effects during some of the interviews and performance. The DVD artwork, design and layout are done by East Coast Al and David J. Harris.
Contact Sue or Mark to get your copy of this great DVD. Better yet, go to a live performance (the schedule is on their Web site, www.Blue88.net) and pick it up in person. That way you can get it autographed. - Kansas City Blues News, April 2004

Led by the married couple that started the goup thirteen years ago, singer-guitarists Mark and Susan Corbett, Blue 88, remains a full-throttle force. The group gigs on an almost daily basis, with Grand Emporium and Blayney's slots sharing calendar space with exotic events such as the Wide Open Magazine Rock and Ride in Warsaw, Missouri; the Labor Day Rally in Lake Perry, Kansas; and the notorious motorcycle rally at Sturgis, South Dakota. Blue 88 has two shows scheduled on the day of the Showcase, including a nightcap at the Red Water Creek Campground in Beulah, Wyoming. Somehow, the group managed to scrap together a fourth self-released album during its sporadic off dates, it will release the results later this summer. - PITCH MUSIC SHOWCASE, Aug. 7, 2003

BLUE 88 has become one of Kansas City's most popular Blues Bands. You'll find Susan Corbett playing guitar, keyboard and singing while her husband Mark plays guitar and sings. Danny Montero plays drums and percussion and Rocky Britton plays bass guitar and sings.
Blue 88 has been creating their own unique sound since 1989. When asked to describe their music, Blue 88 responds "Blues with a Twist". They have opened for such legends as Robin Trower, Junion Wells, Savoy Brown, Marshall Tucker and Canned Heat. - ROYALS BASEBALL TEAM, SEP. 15, 2004

Closer to home, the Kansas City Blues Society will kick off their Blue Sunday Concerts in the Park series July 14. The six week series which will run through August 18, are free concerts presented in Washington Square Park and showcase local (Blue 88, Fresh Brew) national (Ronnie Baker Brooks, W.C. Clark) and international (Australians Harper and Lloyd Spiegel) blues artists in a community environment drawing families, tourists, and music lovers of all kinds together as on the blues can do. For more info check out http://www.KCBluesSociety.com - Big City Blues, June-July 2002

Saturday night we traveled north of the river again for the Parkville Jazz & Fine Arts River Jam. This was a mixture of fresh art on exhibit and excellent blues and jazz performances. The weather definitely cooperated, and seeing the Missouri River roll past behind the stage made the scenery truly memorable.
Blue 88, the Cobalt Project and Myra Taylor were the performances that we saw that night.
As Cobalt Project's manager, Mario DelCastillo, put it,"Blue 88 is always a crowd pleaser, and their performance was no different! The husband-and-wife team of Mark and Susan Corbett make it happen! What they did last night was nothing more than electrifying with a capital E!!! From the opening number they were hitting on all cyliinders!! - Kansas City Blues News Magazine, July 2003

Blues music is rarely aimed at the pre-teen demographic.
With frank lyrics that tell of heartbreak, affliction and regret, the style doesn't generally appeal to the Teletubbies crowd.
However, Saturday night at Liberty Hall, blues musicians and their fans are making a connection with area children through the Ninth Annual Blues Revue/Toys for Tots Benefit.
Four bands will take the stage: Lee McBee and the Confessors, The Mezcal Brothers, Blue 88 and Music Row. Proceeds will go to the local chapter of the charity organization (originated by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve) that distributes toys to needy youngsters over the holidays.
"No child should have the blues--that's been our motto," says Rick Reding, founder of the event.
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"Blue 88 is a melding of blues and Southern rock, kind of in the vein of The Allman Brothers or Janis Joplin," Zuel (concert promoter)describes. They won the first round of the KC Blues Society's Battle of the Bands competition. They're going to the final round at the Grand Emporium. The winner heads to Memphis to represent Kansas City." - Lawrence Journal-World, Nov. 1, 2002