Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Jackie Washington RIP

Canadian blues treasure, Jackie Washington, has died at 89. Among his distinctions, Washington was Canada's first black disc jockey. He has played with the likes of Duke Ellington, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Lionel Hampton, Gordon Lightfoot and Joni Mitchell.

I've seen him perform at a number of festivals spanning many years. He was a great entertainer, and I always looked forward to his sets.

Here is Jackie Washington at the Hamilton Festival of Friends in 1976


RIP


Living Blues Magazine 2009 Readers' Awards

According to a press release from Aligator Records;

Living Blues magazine announced the nominees for their 2009 Living Blues Readers’ Awards. Blues master Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater is nominated for three awards, Lil’ Ed Williams (of Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials) and Marcia Ball are each nominated for two. Buckwheat Zydeco and Michael “Iron Man” Burks are nominated for one award apiece.

Members of the public may vote online at www.livingblues.com anytime on or before July 5, 2009.

Artists and nominations are as follows:
16th ANNUAL LIVING BLUES READERS’ AWARD NOMINATIONS


West Side Strut by Eddy Clearwater (Audio CD - Mar 4, 2008)
West Side Strut
by Eddy Clearwater (Audio CD - Mar 4, 2008)
EDDY “THE CHIEF” CLEARWATER
Blues Artist Of The Year (Male)
Best Blues Album of 2008 – West Side Strut
Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar)


Full Tilt by Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials (Audio CD - 2008)
Full Tilt
by Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials (Audio CD - 2008)
LIL’ ED WILLIAMS
Blues Artist Of The Year (Male)
Best Blues Album of 2008 – Full Tilt



Marcia Ball @Amazon.com

MARCIA BALL
Blues Artist Of The Year (Female)
Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard)



Micheal Burks @Amazon.com

MICHAEL BURKS
Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar)



Buckwheat Zydeco @Amazon.com

BUCKWHEAT ZYDECO
Best Live Performer


A 'Band's Band'

Last FM

With a seemingly constant tour schedule, Little Feat is easily one of the hardest-working and enduring bands in the industry today. With a history that spans more than 30 years, Little Feat is regarded by many rock music critics as a “band’s band”, and as one of the greatest rock bands in American rock music history. Best known for their combination of California rock and Dixie-inflected funk-boogie, they craftily blend folk, blues, rockabilly, country and jazz to create a unique style all their own, garnering a faithful grass-roots following. Simply put, Little Feat’s sound transcends traditional music boundaries and they offer fans an unforgettable live performance.



Monday, June 29, 2009

Nick of Time























"Bonnie Raitt does something with a lyric no one else can do; she bends it and twists it right into your heart."
After picking up the guitar at the age of 12, Raitt felt an immediate affinity for the blues. Signing with noted blues manager Dick Waterman, she was soon performing alongside the likes of idols including Howlin’ Wolf, Sippie Wallace, and Mississippi Fred McDowell and in time earned such a strong reputation that she was signed to Warner Bros.






Amazon UK
Bonnie Raitt and Friends [CD + DVD]
Green Light


Am I Blue?

Hoagy Carmichael sings with Lauren Bacall in To Have and Have Not


From the same film, Hong Kong Blues
This song was covered by Ramblin Jack Elliott not so long ago.


Here's Nat King Cole singing Carmichael's best known tune, Stardust


Dave Perkins - Pistol City Holiness

I just received a copy of Dave Perkins latest CD Pistol City Holiness, and overall I really like it. This CD will be getting heavy rotation in my CD player for sure.

Dave Perkins is one of those musicians who has "crisscrossed the map of American music." And it shows, this CD is well crafted and the presentation shows a deep understanding, respect and love of playing, esp playing blues music.

The overall sound of the CD is very bluesy, that is propelled by a big bad harmonica, some smoking boogie woogie piano playing, whaling electric guitars and very good singing. Perkins lyrics are steeped in the blues, but fresh as he delivers them with confidence and style. There is no doubt that Mr. Perkins is a student of Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf.

I really enjoy how many of the themes of blues, folk, gospel, and rock music are blended here to make a coherent whole. Which again speaks to how good the lyrics and the delivery are here.

With Pistol City Holiness, Perkins comes full circle to his first love—the blues. “The blues was the first music to capture my imagination,” says Perkins. “It grabbed me because it was something other—alien—and, yet, at the same time, deeply familiar. I’ve never gotten over it. I’ve worked in a lot of different styles of music, but my approach to each one was and will always be shaped by the blues.”
I really enjoy the harmonica playing of TJ Klay, and the piano and organ playing of Reese Wynans on this CD. As a matter of a fact that is what stands out about this CD, the playing is top level. And Dave Perkins' singing and electric guitar make this a pile of red hot smoking blues rock. Just the way you like it.

Track Listing for Pistol City Holiness

1. Break (starts and ends with some blistering Harmonica)
2. Going Down (singing and guitar playing)
3. Cherryfish & Chicken (nice harp and organ work)
4. Reveval (nice gospel themed blues rock here)
5. Long Eleven Road (love the interplay of harp and guitars)
6. Bottles and Knives (barrel house at its best, great piano)
7. Train at Night (foot tapping blues song, reminds me of Muddy)
8. Flown (one of those sad heart ache blues songs)
9. Tiger Texas (good Texas blues rock, lyrics)
10 Devil's Game (sweet little blues song, cool acoustic guitar)
11. Preacher Blues (great lyrics, more religion and spirituality)
12. Mercy in the Morning (great singing, harmonica and organ playing here)



DAVE PERKINS: Pistol City Holiness
Buy the CD @CD Baby


Pistol City Holiness @Amazon.com

Dave Perkins @MySpace


Sunday, June 28, 2009

Beefheart

Captain Beefheart was the invention of Don Van Vliet, who some time ago gave up performing for painting. Beefheart was difficult to slap a category on, but his music was certainly soaked in the blues.

Here's Bat Chain Puller


Big-eyed Beans from Venus


I Feel Like Going To Church - Eric Bibb - Don't Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down

Big Moma told me, boy don't you let nobody drag your spirit down, going to be some people trying to turn you around...






Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down

by Eric Bibb From the Album Painting Signs

Eric Bibb @Amazon.com

Eric Bibb @SqueezeMyLemon


Furniture For the People

An acquired taste jazz/bluesy voice
Chuck E.'s in Love 1979

Flying Cowboys


The Evening of My Best Day
Track Listings
1. Ugly Man
2. A Second Chance
3. Bitchenostrophy
4. Little Mysteries
5. Lap Dog
6. Tell Somebody (Repeal The Patriot Acts Now)
7. Sailor Song
8. A Tree On Allenford
9. It Takes You There
10. Mink Coat At The Bus Stop
11. The Evening of My Best Day
12. A Face In The Crowd

Amazon UK The Evening Of My Best Day


Saturday, June 27, 2009

The Blues is All

Due to both his musical talents and performing stage antics such as somersaults and back flips, he has been considered "among the leading live acts on the blues scene."

Played with Ray Charles, Guitar Slim, Sam Cooke,





The Blues Is All


Cowboy hat and accordion

What more do you need?


This is Gino Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie



This next one has poor video quality but it's a rockin version of Promised Land


Blues Song In The Spotlight: Robert Johnson - Dead Shrimp Blues



Dead Shrimp Blues

Lyrics:

I woke up this mornin
and all my shrimp was dead and gone
I woke up this mornin ooh
and all my shrimp was dead and gone
I was thinin about you baby,
why you hear me weep and moan

I got dead shrimp here
someone is fishin in my pond
I got dead shrimp here, ooh
someone fishin in my pond
I served my best bait baby
and I can't do that no harm

Everything I do babe you got your mouth stuck up
Hole where I used to fish, you got me posted up
Everything I do,
You got your mouth stuck up
And the hole where I used to fish baby
you've got me posted out

I got dead shrimp here
someone fishin in my pond
I got dead shrimp here
someone fishin in my pond
Catchin my goggle eyed perches
and they barbequein the bone

Now you take my shrimp babe
you know you turned me down
I couldn't do nothin, till I got myself unwound

You taken my shrimp
oohh know you turned me down
Babe, I couldn't do nothin, untill I got myself unwound


Robert Johnson: The Complete Recordings


Robert Johnson @Amazon.com


Friday, June 26, 2009

Check out this little gem....

Featuring Rompin' Ronnie Hawkins, the late Jeff Healey, Levon Helm, Jerry Lee Lewis, the late Carl Perkins and who knows who else...


It's Friday and I got the Scrap Iron Blues


Lido Shuffle

With the Steve Miller Band


Silk Degrees

I dare anyone not to dance along

Heart of Mine

Amazon UK
Steve Miller Band The Best of 1968-1973
Silk Degrees
Heart of mine (1988) [VINYL]


Friday Blues Funny - Guitar Face



by Parkinsonsniper


Blues Humor @SqueezeMyLemon


Thursday, June 25, 2009

A Salty Dog

His UK fan site is here. He is famous for his Fender Stratocaster

Well I go back to Procol Harum - I had A Salty Dog 1969 on vinyl


I remember Bridge of Sighs 1974


He is mates with Jack Bruce (BLT 1981)


and Brian Ferry (Dylanesque 2007)


Amazon UK Bridge Of Sighs
Dylanesque
Bridge of Sighs
A Salty Dog (40th Anniversary series)


Ron's Top Ten

At the moment - in no particular order

Bonnie Raitt - Angel from Montgomery
Keb Mo - Dirty Low Down & Bad
Lightnin Hopkins - Have you ever loved a woman
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Pride and Joy
Buddy Guy - Damn Right I've Got the Blues
BB King - The Thrill is Gone
Otis Rush - I can't Quit You Baby
John Mayall - Room to Move
Jeff Beck - She's a Woman
Muddy Waters - Got my Mojo Working


I want to Know

Historical footnote from Last FM

In 1960, DeSanto rose to national prominence when her single, “I Want To Know,” rose to number four on Billboard’s Hot R&B Sides chart. DeSanto continued to write & release popular songs throughout the 1960’s, including some collaborations with Etta James.

From 1959-1960, she toured with The James Brown Revue, where she was known to perform backflips on stage. DeSanto is proud to say, despite numerous propositions, she stayed professional, and claims to be the only woman in his revue who never slept with the lascivious Brown, nor any of the other “old goats” like Willie Dixon, and Muddy Waters she met on the met on the blues touring circuit while supporting her Chess recordings.


Her records were popular on the Northern Soul scene







Amazon
Go Go Power - The Complete Chess Singles 1961-1966


3 string Cigar Box Guitar playing delta blues

After seeing Mister Anchovy's great post on the Diddley Bow I was please to stumble across this video. Really nice sound coming from a 3 string cigar box guitar.





Build Your Own Electric Guitar: Complete Instructions and Full-Size Plans
by Martin Oakham (Paperback - Jan 1, 2006)



Build Your Own Acoustic Guitar: Complete Instructions and Full-Size Plans
by Jonathan Kinkead (Paperback - Feb 1, 2004)



Saga LC-10 LP Style Electric Guitar Kit
by Saga (Sep 5, 2008)


Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Spirit I am.



I awoke to this - it is going to be a good day

Amazon
Live at FIP (2CD)
Rainbow People


All this over a $5 Stetson hat


Lloyd Price had a big hit with Stagger Lee


Nick Cave changed it up quite a bit, but it's the same old story, isn't it? (language alert!)


Hank Shizzoe and Sonny Landreth


Taj Mahal - Stack O Lee


Lee Shelton, known as Stag Lee, shot William Lyons in a dispute over a hat in St. Louis in 1895. For more on the story and the legend, visit The Stagger Lee Files Over 50 different performers have recorded versions of this enduring story-song.

Six big horses and a rubber-tired hack,
Taking him to the cemetery, buy they failed to bring him back.
All about that John B. Stetson hat.


Led Zeppelin - The Song Remains the Same on Blu-ray

Led Zeppelin -
The Song Remains the Same [Blu-ray]
Led Zeppelin - The Song Remains the Same [Blu-ray]


Probably not what most think of when they think of blues music, but I always associate Led Zeppelin with the blues.

I can't tell you the number of times that I have seen the Led Zeppelin Concert movie The Song Remains the Same. Filmed during the band's legendary three-night stand at Madison Square Garden in July 1973 and released theatrically in 1976, The Song Remains The Same features Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and the late John Bonham in a mesmerizing movie with classic music performances that include 'Dazed and Confused', 'Stairway to Heaven', 'Whole Lotta Love' and more.

It used to get shown here in San Diego as a midnight movie back when I was a young seamen in the Navy, back in the early eighties. Me and my buds would go to the midnight movie, and try to pick up girls, in various states of sobriety (that is why I can't remember just how many times I have seen it.)

But I will admit that I enjoyed it every time, that is why I kept going back, LOL.

This two disc set contains;
In addition to their performances, fantasy sequences and at-home glimpses of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and the late John Bonham, this Special Edition has over 40 minutes of newly-added extra features including: Two never-before-released songs in rare performance footage: Celebration and Over the Hills and Far Away; Vintage TV Footage: Drake Hotel Robbery during the New York Concert Stand; Robert Plant BBC Interview and Tampa Concert Band Arrival.



Other Led Zeppelin DVDs @Amazon.com

Led Zeppelin @SqueezeMyLemon


Tuesday, June 23, 2009

The Bluest Blues

Ten Years After formed in 1966 (after Elvis 1956?)
This was an anthem for my mates and I



Woodstock - I've seen this dozens of times


MP3 69p The Bluest Blues
Album Cricklewood Green


The Men Behind The Bluesmen: Alan Lomax

Alan Lomax was born on January 15, in 1915 and he passed away on July 19, in 2002. He was an American folklorist and musicologist who did a great deal to help popularize blues music.

He was one of the great and best known field collectors of folk music of the 20th century. He and his father John Lomax, recorded thousands of songs in the United States, Great Britain, Ireland, the West Indies, Italy, and Spain.

According to Wikipedia;

A pioneering oral historian, he also recorded substantial interviews with many legendary folk musicians, including Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Muddy Waters, Jelly Roll Morton, Irish singer Margaret Barry, Scots ballad singer Jeannie Robertson, and Harry Cox of Norfolk, England, among many others. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor he took his recording machine into the streets to capture the reactions of everyday citizens. While serving in the army in World War II he made numerous radio programs in connection with the war effort. The 1944 "ballad opera," The Martins and the Coys, broadcast in Britain (but not the USA) by the BBC, featuring Burl Ives, Woody Guthrie, Will Geer, Sonny Terry, Pete Seeger, and Fiddlin' Arthur Smith, among others, was released on Rounder Records in 2000.

The article at Wikipedia on Alan Lomax is a must read.


DVDs by Alan Lomax @Amazon.com



Lomax the Songhunter
~ Alan Lomax (DVD - 2008)




American Patchwork: The Land Where the Blues Began
~ Jack Owens, Sam Chatmon, and Othar Turner (DVD - 1990)




American Patchwork- Jazz Parades
~ Alan Lomax (DVD - 2006)



Alan Lomax @SqueezeMyLemon


Monday, June 22, 2009

Just Curious...

If you had to, right now, off the top of your head, list your ten favourite blues tunes, what would they be?

I think mine might change from day to day, week to week, but for right this second, and in no particular order, here goes:
Brokedown Engine (I like both the Blind Willie McTell version and the Bob Dylan version from World Gone Wrong)
Rocket 88 (Some people call it the first rock n roll song, on Sun Records. It's credited to sax player and vocalist Jackie Brenston but it was Ike Turner's band).
Don't Start me Talkin' (I love the way James Cotton covered this great Sonny Boy Williamson tune).
Sitting on Top of the World (Mississippi Sheiks, Howlin Wolf)
Natural Born Eastman (Furry Lewis)
Fattening Frogs for Snakes (Sonny Boy Williamson II again. He was a great songwriter)
Lonesome Day Blues (Bob Dylan from Love and Theft)
Flip Flop Fly (Big Joe Turner, Downchild Blues Band)
Sugar Bee (I like the Boozoo Chavis version of this often recorded tune)
Built for Comfort (You could substitute any number of Willie Dixon tunes here).

Here's Bob Dylan performing Don't Start me Talkin


But Mister Anchovy, how can you have a list like that and not include this one?


Har! Here's another one that should have made the list...


Attention blues bloggers - AllTop.com

Dear readers, this post is aimed at those of your who are blues music bloggers. I think all the support and responses that I get from bloggers is so cool, and I appreciate it so much. We all have to hang together and support each other.

A couple of weeks ago I submitted a list of blues blogs to be included in the AllTop.com website.

According to them they are;

an “online magazine rack” of popular topics. We update the stories every hour. Pick a topic by searching, news category, or name, and we’ll deliver it to you 24 x 7. All the topics, all the time.

In a nutshell they are a way for your blues blog to be seen and read by more readers and blues fans. They can also be a source of news and info for you. They are described as a RSS aggregator. And they are very heavily promoted on Twitter (which is where many readers are at right now).

Alltop is managed by Guy Kawasaki, the venture capitalist, blogger and former Apple Computer evangelist. You can read their about page for more information.

The good people over at AllTop created a topic for blues music see AllTop's blues music topic. They put up some of those that I recommended. You have to have an RSS feed to submit your blog.

You can also check out MyAllTop - Fitzgerald page.

I suggest that if you want your blog indexed on this new emerging website that you click on the link above and submit your blog. I think this is a good thing for blues music bloggers (or any website masters for that matter) to be listed on a site that is heavily promoted on Twitter.

I also have one of their widgets on my sidebar, you can check it out.


Sunday, June 21, 2009

Blind Genius

A sorely missed Canadian, another one who lost the battle with cancer - Wikipedia says he was a hot-jazz performer. (jazz that is emotionally charged and intense and marked by strong rhythms and improvisation).

A Bob Dylan tune


An excellent version of a Doors classic


Amazon UK
The Very Best of Jeff Healey
It's Tight Like That


Maxwell St.



Boss Man


On the Chicago News


Old Maxwell St.


Hubert Sumlin talks (briefly) about Maxwell St.


I Feel Like Going To Church - Eric Bibb - Spirit I am

Coming at you this morning with some of that Gospel blues music, trying to raise your spirit on a Sunday.





Spirit I Am (MP3 Download)
by Eric Bibb

Eric Bibb @Amazon.com

Eric Bibb @SqueezeMyLemon


Saturday, June 20, 2009

Blues Song In The Spotlight: Robert Johnson - From Four Till Late



Lyrics:

From four till late
I was wringin my hands and cryin

From four till late
I was wringin my hands and cryin

I believe to my soul
that your daddy's Gulfport bound

From Memphis to Norfolk
is a thirty six hour ride

From Memphis to Norfolk
is a thirty six hour ride

A mans like a prisoner
and he's never satisfied

A woman is like a dresser
some man is always ramblin through its drawers

A woman is like a dresser
some man is always ramblin through its drawers

It cause so many men
wear an apron overhaul

From four until late
she get with a no good bunch and clown

From four until late
she get with a no good bunch and clown

Now, she won't do nothin
but tear a good mans reputation down

When I leave this town,
I'm 'onna bid you fare...farewell

When I leave this town,
I'm 'onna bid you fare...farewell

And when I return again
you'll have a great long story to tell


Robert Johnson: The Complete Recordings


Robert Johnson @Amazon.com


Friday, June 19, 2009

Worried Life Blues




Oh Lordy, Lord
Oh Lordy, Lord
It hurts me so bad, for us to part
Someday baby, ain't gonna worry my life anymore

You're on my mind every place I go and how much I'll miss you
You'll never know, someday baby ain't gonna worry my life anymore

Do you remember lyin' on my bed, drinkin' all of that whiskey, talkin' all out of your head
Someday baby, you ain't gonna worry my life anymore

Goodbye baby, I'm leavin' you now
Don't make much difference, 'cause you never meant me no good anyhow
Someday baby, ain't gonna worry my life anymore


I've have had my fun....

...if I don't get well no more. You know my health is fadin me and I'll be goin down slow.


Eric Clapton


Eric Bibb and Brian Kramer


Johnny Winter


Friday Blues Funny - Guitar Face



by hodgsongreg @ flickr.com


Thursday, June 18, 2009

Taj Mahal - Leaving Trunk

I really like Taj Mahal's cover version of Sleepy John Estes' song Milk Cow Blues which appears on Taj Mahal's, 1968 eponymous album, Taj Mahal, titled Leaving Trunk.

The video clip below, I believe, is from the The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus. It is very cool because it also features Jesse Ed Davis, Ry Cooder et al kicking ass and taking names.

WAKE UP MAMA,

I GOT SOMETHIN TO TELL YOU

YOU KNOW I'M A MAN

WHO LOVE TO SING THE BLUES

Here's the lineup according to the liner notes: Jessie Edwin Davies,(sp) lead guitar; Ryland P. Cooder, rhythm guitar; James Thomas, bass; Sanford Konikoff, drums; Taj Mahal, harp






Leaving Trunk mp3
by Taj Mahal


Milk Cow Blues mp3
by Sleepy John Estes.