Saturday, June 28, 2008

Blues Video Player

I've been trying to figure out how to share all the blues videos that I have on my blues playlist. I think I have it figured out. See the player below.


Friday, June 27, 2008

Sylvester Weaver blues guitarist

Andy Stahl hosts a short film on the significance of Sylvester Weaver - the first man to record blues guitar.





Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Introducing Prin's Blues Page

My online friend Prin, has created a new Blues Page. She is a big fan of the blues and loves to share her knowledge of the blues, as well as the latest news of about blues musicians.

Please go by and check out her new blog "Prin's Blues Page." Like me she is a prolific bloger and has many other interesting and cool blogs that you might like to read.


Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Taj Mahal's Web Site

Taj Mahal, who is one of my favorite living bluesmen, has got his web site Taj Blues.com set up for the celibration of his 40th anniversary. The man has had a good run, so far.

You can check out his photos, videos and he has a cool embeded music player that I have been jamming to for the last couple of days. It plays the following tunes;




Thursday, June 19, 2008

Juke Joints at the LOC

The Library of Congress has a Flickr account. Who knew? Well since I found out I have been spending all my free time looking at scans of pictures from the 30's and 40's.

Check out these cool pictures of Juke Joints from back in the day.

From Random House:
"Juke joint (or jook joint) is the vernacular term for an informal establishment featuring blues music, dancing, and alcoholic drinks, primarily operated by African American people in the southeastern United States. The term "juke" is believed to derive from the Gullah word joog, meaning rowdy or disorderly."

Living quarters and juke joint for migratory workers, a slack season; Belle Glade, Fla. (LOC)
Click on image to see larger picture

Migratory laborers outside of a juke joint during a slack season, Belle Glade, Fla. (LOC)
Click on image to see larger picture

Negro migratory workers by a juke joint, Belle Glade, Fla. (LOC)
Click on image to see larger picture


Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Top 10 Blues Harmonica Players

I wrote this post a couple of years ago, my mind has not really changed over that time, but I thought I would report it with links to Amazon.com this time. Enjoy, debate and let me know what you think of my list.

Here is my list of my top 10 favorite blues harmonica players. In loose order, the people listed below #6 can change depending on my mood, the first five guys are set in stone in my opinion. Feel free to leave me a comment with your top 10 favorites.

01. Sonny Boy Williamson II
02. Little Walter
03. Sonny Terry
04. Junior Wells
05. Sonny Boy Williamson I
06. Jimmy Reed
07. James Cotton
08. Charlie Musselwhite
09. Sugar Blue
10. Big Walter Horton






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Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Steve Ray Vaughan Albert King BB King - The Sky is Crying

A good friend sent me this link. I had not seen a clip of these three great guitar players together at the same time.


Sunday, June 15, 2008

You know Muddywaters, do you know Eddy Clearwater

Eddy Clearwater


NPR's music show World Cafe features several songs by Chicago blues man Eddy Clearwater. Take a listen.

World Cafe, June 12, 2008 - After decades of success, Chicago-based "rock-a-blues" legend Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater continues to try new things 16 albums into his career. In this session with host David Dye, Clearwater plays songs from the new West Side Strut.
Eddy Clearwater.com
Eddy Clearwater@Wikipedia


Friday, June 13, 2008

The blues by Yeats

Sometimes I'm asked just what is the blues? Well it is a lifestyle. A way of looking at the world, a worldview, you might call it. It is universal and has been expressed by many cultures over time.

Although mostly associated with African American culture, it is in fact just an explanation of the condition of man. At least that is what I think. Consider the words of William Butler Yeats, who wrote,

"We begin to live when we have conceived life as tragedy."

Now tell me if that is not a clear and concise statement of the blues.


Saturday, June 07, 2008

Jelly Roll Blues

Another friend was asking about a song called "Jelly Roll Blues."

Which lead me to this;

Bukka White - Jelly Roll Blues


Tim Sparks plays Jelly Roll Blues


Monday, June 02, 2008

RIP Ellas Otha Bates AKA Bo Didley

Bo Didley has passed on to the other side. While much more than a traditional blues man. We have to acknowledge the contribution to music in general and his inovations on the guitar will be learned by guitar players into the future.

Bo Diddley


BO DIDDLEY- IN HIS PRIME! BEST VIDEO! AMAZING!



Bo Diddley, Rock ’n’ Roll Pioneer, Dies at 79 by Ben Ratliff of www.NYTimes.com.