Sunday, November 30, 2008

I Feel Like Going To Church: Gospel Train Coming

Gospel Train Coming: Gypsy Carns


Saturday, November 29, 2008

Squeeze My Lemon: A Collection of Classic Blues Lyrics

Squeeze My Lemon: A Collection of Classic Blues Lyrics
Squeeze My Lemon: A Collection of Classic Blues Lyrics
Click image for info @Amazon.com


Product Description - "They call it stormy Monday, but Tuesday's just as bad/Wednesday's worse, and Thursday's also sad." There's a lot more to the blues than three chords played on an old beat-up guitar. Squeeze My Lemon is a collection of some of the best bluues lines ever recorded. From birth ("Born under a bad sign/I've been down since I began to crawl") to death ("Everybody wants to go to heaven/But nobody wants tto die") and everything in between, this volume quotes classic blues phrases by ssongwriter/artists B.B. King, Bessie Smith, Muddy Waters, T-Bone Walker, Robert JJohnson and many, many others. Compiled by award-winning author/Grammy-nominated record producer Randy Poe, Squeeze My Lemon: A Collection of Classic Blues Lyriics features classic photos of many leading blues artists. A great gift book, itt is highly entertaining not only for blues lovers, but for anyone who appreciatees great lyrics. Categorized by subject matter (Love - Or the Lack Thereof, Bluess and Booze, Blues Behind Bars, Make Mine a Double Entendre, etc.), Squeeze My Lemmon is a book you'll return to - and quote from - again and again.


Blues Books @SqueezeMyLemon

Blues Music Books @Amazon.com


Friday, November 28, 2008

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving to You and Yours.

I was looking for some music to post today to say how thankful I am. The video below by Bonnie Raitt popped up, it seems to fit.

On Thanksgiving day, I like to ask other people why what they are thankful for, it often points out things that I have not even thought about being thankful for.

Thank You (Bonnie Raitt)


I pray that this post finds you all doing well, and that you spend today thinking about all things that you have to be thankful for. Food, friends, family you know the three F's. Take care and be thankful.


It's the Birthday of Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix - Blues
Jimi Hendrix - Blues
Click image for info @Amazon.com



Jimi Hendrix was born on this day back in 1942. It goes without saying that he was one of the most influential guitarist of all time.

I am always amazed by the different ways that we all come to the music. Hendrix, who most people think of as a Rock musician, has always been a bluesman to me. Because I grew up in Louisiana and my older relatives listened to all the classic bluesmen non-stop, I did not get around to blues rock music until much later. Unlike some people who came to the blues the other way around, by lestening to Rock music.

I remember when I first heard Hendrix. I knew that he was playing blues music, but I did not totally get it. My older cousin and his friends loved him, so I figured that he must be cool. And as I listened to him more and more I realized just how special he was.

Jimi Hendrix - Hear My Train A Comin' (Acoustic)


Jimi Hendrix- Red House


Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Susan Tedeschi's NPR Interview

I was pleasantly surprised to hear an interview of Susan Tedeschi on the NPR program All Things Considered. She went into how she wrote some of the new songs on her latest CD, her family life and what it is like to be a touring blues musician with two small children.

You can read and listen to the interview here >>Susan Tedeschi's Motherly Blues

Susan Tedeschi @SqueezeMyLemon



Sunday, November 23, 2008

It's The Birthday of R.L. Burnside - Blues Story - Poor Black mattie

R. L. Burnside was born on November 23, 1926, and he passed away on September 1, 2005. May God rest his soul. I imagine that if heaven has a front poarch he is sitting out there playing his guitar.

He was a Delta blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist who lived much of his life in and around Holly Springs, Mississippi. I remember when he came on my radar screen back in the early 1990s, I played a cassette tape of his over and over. Wanting everybody I knew to hear this music. You could tell that he had been playing and living the blues all his life. Too bad that he only received reconigition in the latter part of his life.

These two videos below, give a glimpse into his world and his music.

RL Burnside - Blues Story - Poor Black mattie


R.L Burnside talks bout killin a man


R.L. Burnside @SqueezeMyLemon
R.L. Brunside mp3s @Amazon.com


Saturday, November 22, 2008

New Release Memphis Slim Legend of the Blues



Legend of the Blues
Memphis Slim Legend of the Blues
Click image for info @Amazon.com



I like Memphis Slim's music so much that I'm not sure that I can be objective. I have no problem calling him one of the greatest blues piano players of all time. And his singing is up there with the best blues vocalist too. I have to admit that I have never heard one of his CDs that I did not like. This one is no different. This album was issued on the Jubilee label in 1967 and is a very nice showing of Memphis Slims piano playing, this reissue is mastered from the original so it lives up to the first issue. And now we get it on CD.

Memphis Slim mp3s @Amazon.com
Memphis Slim @SueezeMyLemon
Memphis Slim @Hype Machine


Thursday, November 20, 2008

New Release The Definitive Leadbelly Box Set

The Definitive Leadbelly
The Definitive Leadbelly [BOX SET]
click image for track listing


Sometimes I want to scream, "OH NO, not another box set!" But then I have to remind myself that most people don't collect this stuff like I do. The Definitive Leadbelly is three-CDs with 75-tracks and the whole thing won't put too big of a dent in your back pocket. It has some of Leadbelly's best stuff, like blues, spirituals, work songs, and folk ballads. Of course songs like "Midnight Special," "Goodnight Irene," "John Henry," and "Death Letter Blues" are included. If you are a fan of Huddie Ledbetter than this is the collection for you.

Leadbelly mp3s @HypeMachine
Leadbelly mp3s @Elbos.ws


Wednesday, November 19, 2008

New Release Jimmy "Duck" Holmes – Gonna Get Old Someday

Gonna Get Old Someday
Jimmy
click image for info @Amazon.com


Check out the video below where Jimmy "Duck" Holmes describes his "Bentonia" style of the blues. He explains how it was created by Mississippi bluesman Henry Stuckey in the early-1920s. It is based on an open E-Minor guitar tuning that was also played by Skip James and Jack Owens. This is Duck's third CD . (Release date: 11/11/08)

Jimmy "Duck" Holmes



Jimmy Duck Holmes at W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival


Jimmy "Duck" Holmes @Amazon.com


Tuesday, November 18, 2008

The Blues and Politics: The Lee Atwater Story

Red Hot & Blue: Lee Atwater & Friends
Red Hot & Blue: Lee Atwater & Friends
Click image for info @Amazon.com


I am a student of the blues becasue the blues is life, I really believe this. The blues is history, if you want to understand American history, take a look at the blues. Take a look at the peopele who listen to the blues, who play the blues, and the themes of the music. And I believe that you will learn a lot about history and politics.

Consider Lee Atwater, a man who some say was a blues musician. He played with noted bluesmen like B.B. King

The new PBS Frontline edition titled boogie man: the Lee Atwater Story paints him as a guy like Robert Johnson, a man who sold his soul to the devil. And if it is to be believed I would say that he lived the blues too.

Bad Boy: The Life And Politics Of Lee Atwater
Bad Boy: The Life And Politics Of Lee Atwater



According to Frontline, this story is of;
The rise and fall of the charming, Machiavellian godfather of modern take-no-prisoners Rebublican political campaigns.


Monday, November 17, 2008

New Release: Howlin' Wolf - Rockin' the Blues: Live In Germany 1964

Rockin' the Blues Live in Germany

Click image for info @Amazon.com



Rockin' the Blues: Live In Germany 1964 is a cd that contains many never before released Howlin' Wolf shows, back when Wolf was at full force. You get many of the high powered blues men of the day backing Wolf up here. Guitarist Hubert Sumlin, bassist Willie Dixon, pianist Sunnyland Slim, and drummer Clifton James throw down Chicago blues the way only they could.(Release date: 11/11/08)

Howlin' Wolf - Don't Laugh At Me with Hubert Sumlin


Sunday, November 16, 2008

I Feel Like Going To Church: Larry Carter

Larry Carter Guitar Blues Gospel


Saturday, November 15, 2008

Trina Hamlin: It's ok to love your harmonica...

OK, this maybe a case of my reaching out past the boundaries of blues and kind of dabbling over into the folk rock genre, but I think this is cool to do from time to time. I'm trying not to be locked into the blues thing, because I think many musicians are not.

Consider Trina Hamlin. Any body who can play a harmonica the way she plays it in the below video is alright with me.

It's ok to love your harmonica...


Trina Hamlin @Wikipedia
Trina Hamlin mp3s @Amazon.com


Friday, November 14, 2008

Friday Blues Funny - Face The Music Photo Gallery

Jimi Hendrix Mug Shot


RollingStone.com has a very funny gallery of photos of musician mug shots called Face the Music. Hendrix is the only bluesman/rocker featured most are rock and pop musicians like Kid Rock, Johnny Cash, Foxy Brown, Mick Jagger, Jack White and others.

Not only are the pictures funny and sad, but the reasons that they were arrested in some cases is really funny.

Jimi Hendrix @ Amazon.com


Thursday, November 13, 2008

It's the Birthday of John Hammond

It is the birthday of John P. Hammond. He was born on 13 November 1942 in New York. He is somtimes mistakenly called "John Hammond, Jr", which is his father's name. He is a blues singer and guitarist. I like his voice, he sounds like he has got the blues.

John Hammond - Phonograph Blues


Push Comes to Shove
John Hammond - Push Comes to Shove
Click image for info @Amazon.com



Wednesday, November 12, 2008

It's the Birthday of Bukka White

Today is the birthday of Bukka White. He was born November 12, 1909 and passed away February 26, 1977.

According to Wikipedia

Bukka White (November 12, 1909 -- February 26, 1977) was a delta blues guitarist and singer. "Bukka" was not a nickname, but a misspelling of White's Christian name by his second (1937) record label, (Vocalion).

Born Booker T. Washington White near Houston, Mississippi, he gave his cousin B. B. King, a Stella guitar, King's first guitar. White himself is remembered as a player of National Steel guitars. He also played, but was less adept at, the piano.
White started his career playing the fiddle at square dances. He claims to have met Charlie Patton early on, although some doubt has been cast upon this; regardless, Patton was a large influence on White. White typically played slide guitar, in an open tuning. He was one of the few, along with Skip James, to use a crossnote tuning in E minor, which he may have learned, as James did, from Henry Stuckey.

He first recorded for the Victor Records label in 1930. His recordings for Victor, like those of many other bluesmen, fluctuated between country blues and gospel numbers. His gospel songs were done in the style of Blind Willie Johnson, with a female singer accentuating the last phrase of each line.
Nine years later, while serving time, he recorded for folklorist John Lomax. The few songs he recorded around this time became his most well-known: "Shake 'Em On Down," and "Po' Boy."

Bob Dylan covered his song "Fixin' to Die Blues", which aided a "rediscovery" of White in 1963 by guitarist John Fahey and ED Denson, which propelled him onto the folk revival scene of the 1960s. White had recorded the song simply because his other songs had not particularly impressed the Victor record producer. It was a studio composition of which White had thought little until it re-emerged thirty years later. White was at one time managed by experienced Blues manager, Arne Brogger. Fahey and Denson found White easily enough: Fahey wrote a letter to "Bukka White (Old Blues Singer), c/o General Delivery, Aberdeen, Mississippi." Fahey had assumed, given White's song, "Aberdeen, Mississippi", that White still lived there, or nearby. The postcard was forwarded to Memphis, Tennessee, where White worked in tank factory. Fahey and Denson soon travelled to meet White, and White and Fahey remained friends throughout White's life.. He recorded a new album for Denson & Fahey's Takoma Records, whilst Denson became his manager.

White was, later in life, also friends with fellow musician, Furry Lewis. The two recorded, mostly in Lewis' Memphis apartment, an album together, Furry Lewis, Bukka White & Friends: Party! At Home.

One of his most famous songs, "Parchman Farm Blues", about the Mississippi's infamous Parchman Farm state prison, was to be released on Harry Smith's fourth, never realized, volume of the Anthology of American Folk Music. His 1937 version of the oft-recorded song, "Shake 'em on Down," is considered definitive, and became a hit while White was serving time in Parchman.

White was sampled by electronic artist Recoil for the track, "Electro Blues For Bukka White", on the 1992 album, Bloodline; the song was reworked and re-released on the 2000 EP "Jezebel".
Bukka White - Parchman Farm Blues


Bukka White @Amazon.com
Bukka White @SqueezeMyLemon


Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Cadillac Records Soundtrack

Cadillac Records (Music From the Motion Picture)
Cadillac Records Soundtrack
Click image for info @Amazon.com


Track Listings
1. At Last (Beyonce)
2. I'd Rather Go Blind (Beyonce)
3. Once In A Lifetime (Beyonce)
4. No Particular Place To Go (Mos Def)
5. Nadine (Mos Def)
6. Hoochie Coochie Man (Jeffrey Wright)
7. I'm A Man (Jeffrey Wright)
8. My Babe (Columbus Short)
9. The Sound (Mary Mary)
10. Let's Take A Walk (Raphael Saadiq)
11. 6 O'Clock Blues (Solange)
12. Last Night (Little Walter)
13. Bridging The Gap (Nas w/Olu Dara)

Cadillac Records (Trailer)


Monday, November 10, 2008

Wikipedia's Picture of Leadbelly

Leadbelly with Accordeon


I like this photo of Leadbelly with an Accordeon. I found it on Wikipedia, which I reference a lot. I know that there are those who don't like Wikipedia, but I think it is a great source. And they have many entries that can be of interest to blues fans. Their article on The Blues is very comprehensive, and I think is a must read.

Please donate something to Wikipedia


It's the Birthday of Bobby Rush

Today is the birthday of Bobby Rush. He was born November 10, 1940 in Homer, Louisiana. And as you will see from the video he puts on quite a show.


Bobby Rush @SqueezeMyLemon
Bobby Rush @Amazon.com

Bobby Rush mp3 Chicken Head @If Its Good, Its Good Blog.

Bobby Rush mp3 Loving A Big Fat Woman @Lil Mike's Known Thoughts & Random Revelations


Sunday, November 09, 2008

It's the Birthday of Susan Tedeschi

Today is the birthday of Susan Tedeschi. I did a post on her new album Back To The River. I just could not resit posting her bio and another video of one of her songs that I love.

According to Wikipedia;

Susan Tedeschi (pronounced te-DES-ki) (November 9, 1970 in Boston, Massachusetts) is an American blues and soul artist, who has risen to fame with multiple Grammy Award nominations, powerful singing voice, and her marriage to Derek Trucks of the Allman Brothers Band and The Derek Trucks Band. She is also known for the "Soul Stew Revival", a conglomeration of both her band, that of The Derek Trucks Band, and assorted other personnel.


Susan Tedeschi - Rock Me Right


Saturday, November 08, 2008

It's the Birthday of Bonnie Raitt

Bonnie Raitt was born November 8, 1949. She is blues singer-songwriter who was born in Burbank, California.

As I have said many times, the type of music that I want to hear at any given time is a function of my mood. Sometimes I get in the mood to hear a female sing the blues. And when that happens one of my favorite female bluse musicians is Bonnie Rait. She has the ability to communicate the blues through her excellent vocals and her guitar playing. I also like many of the songs that she has written.

Bonnie Raitt - Angel from Montgomery (live)


Bonnie Raitt and Friends (with Bonus DVD)
Bonnie Raitt and Friends
Click image for info @Amazon.com



Bonnie Raitt @Amazon.com


Friday, November 07, 2008

Gratuitous CD Cover: Let Me Squeeze Your Lemon

Let Me Squeeze Your Lemon: The Ultimate Rude Blues Collection
Let Me Squeeze Your Lemon
Click Image


People talk about the dirty low down blues, well here it is. This is one of those CDs that I am posting just becasue I like the title and the album cover. I have heard many of these songs on this two disc set and like them for the comedy value above all.

Editorial Reviews
Subtitled - The Ultimate Rude Blues Collection. 49 original blues classics of a risque nature, this double CD collection isn't so much X-rated as exhilarating, offering rib tickling rump shakers - each with their own nudge-nudge, wink-wink meaning. Featured artists include Charlie Pickett, Bull Moose Jackson, The Honeydripper, Mississippi Sheiks, Big Bill Broozy, Lonnie Johnson, Dirty Red, Bo Carter and many, many more. Great Voices Of The Century. 2003.

Disc: 1
1. Catfish Blues - Thomas, Bobo "Slim"
2. I Want a Bowlegged Woman - Glover, Henry
3. Hard Lead Pencil
4. Little Red Dress (Drawers)
5. Love Operation
6. Blue Bloomer Blues
7. Let Me Squeeze Your Lemon
8. Doodle Hole Blues
9. One More Greasing
10. Kitchen Man - Razaf, Andy

Disc: 2
1. Sweet Honey Hole - Fuller, Blind Boy
2. Banana in Your Fruitbasket
3. Mouse's Ear Blues
4. I Want Plenty of Grease in My Frying Pan
5. Let Me Play With Your Poodle - Hopkins, Lightnin'
6. I Let My Daddy Do That - Parth, Johnny
7. She Want to Sell My Monkey
8. I'm a Mighty Tight Woman - Wallace, Sippie
9. Phonograph Blues - Johnson, Scott [Son
10. She Shook Her Gin


Thursday, November 06, 2008

Today Is The Birthday of Rory Block

Rory Block was born on this day back in 1949, in Princeton, New Jersey. As I mentioned, in another post, she is a female blues guitarist and singer.

The Lady and Mr. Johnson
The Lady and Mr. Johnson
Click on image for info @Amazon.com


terraplane blues



Rory Block mp3s @Elbo.ws
Rory Block mp3s @Amazon.com
Rory Block @SqueezeMyLemon


Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Today Is The Birthday of Ike Turner

Today is the birthday of Ike Turner who was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He was a Grammy Award winning musician, bandleader, talent scout, and record producer. He is probably best known for his R&B work as part of the Ike and Tina Turner duo. His career lasted half a century and he played blues, soul, rock and funk.

His first recording, "Rocket 88" by "Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats," in 1951, is considered to be the "first rock and roll song" ever.

He and Tina Turner were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 and in 2001 were inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame.

Ike Turner - Funky Mule ( Instrumental )


Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Blues Quote: John Lee Hooker



I have heartaches, I have blues.
No matter what you got, the blues is there. 'Cause that's all I know - the blues.


And I can sing the blues so deep until you can have this room full of money and I can give you the blues.


Monday, November 03, 2008

Blues Books: A New Series

I love to read. It feels weird even writing that, it probably goes without saying. At least I hope it shows that I try to do research on this music that we all love so much.

I've thought for some time now that I wanted to present my favorite books on the blues. I probably have too many books myself (can you have too many books?), but hey this is a chance for me to change it up a bit and offer more info on the blues.

So here goes! The first book that I want to present is Nothing But the Blues : The Music and the Musicians

Nothing But the Blues : The Music and the Musicians
Nothing But the Blues: The Music and the Musicians
Click to see Book @Amazon.com


I think that editor Lawrence Cohn, a Grammy Award-winning blues producer, does a good job presenting the history of blues music. This book includes eleven essays that cover the roots of the blues, Texas and Southern blues, Gospel blues (my favorite) along with the urban blues, white country blues, the sixties blues revival, woman of the blues and modern blues are all covered here.

I like this book because it has many illustrations and also that it iscomprehensive. The 325 illustrations include Leadbelly's NYPD rap sheet. It also has recording contracts and rare historic photos of blues performers making music.

If you are a true fan who enjoys reading the perspective of different authors than you won't be disappointed with this book. Authors contributing to this book include David Evans, Mark A. Humphrey, Bruce Basti, Jim O'Neal, Richard K. Spottswood and Mary Katherine Aldin among others.

There are some limited editions of this book that contain a CD. If I have a criticism of this book it is that, like most books, it doesn't do a good job covering the up to date history of blues music. But then again, that is why we have blogs right.


Blues Books @SqueezeMyLemon

Blues Music Books @Amazon.com


Saturday, November 01, 2008

Gratuitous Harmonica Playing: Girl With Harmonica

This is just some gratuitous harmonica playing. And it helps that it is being done by a young lady. I came across this video while searching for something totally different. It reminds me of some of my solo jam sessions, and I like it and and hope you do to.

Girl with harmonica


Notes from YouTube;Justine from UK (harmonica), Lukasz from Poland (bass), Javier from Spain (guitar) are playing blues on festival in Poland. Which was organized by association EMKA and members of workcamp in Wieliszew.