Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Precious Lord - Mahalia Jackson

Written by Thomas Dorsey - known as "the father of black gospel music". Dorsey was the music director at Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago from 1932 until the late 1970s. His best known composition, "Take My Hand, Precious Lord", was performed by Mahalia Jackson and was a favorite of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and "Peace in the Valley", which was a hit for Red Foley in 1951 and has been performed by dozens of other artists, including Queen of Gospel Albertina Walker, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.






Elvis Presley - Precious Lord, Take My Hand - The most popular videos are here

Take My Hand, Precious Lord


It's the Birthday of Etta Baker

Etta Baker was a Piedmont blues guitarist, who was born in Caldwell County, NC, on March 31, 1913 she passed away on September 23, 2006. She was the product of a musical family, she learned to play the guitar as a child and from her father and other relatives. She played traditional blues and folk songs in the Piedmont style.





Etta Baker's music @Amazon.com


Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Bobby Bland - I Pity The Fool

"I Pity the Fool" is a song originally done by Bobby Bland in 1961 for Duke Records. The song was credited to Deadric Malone, a pseudonym of Duke Records owner Don Robey. David Bowie covered it under the name The Manish Boys in 1965 and it was released as his second single.





The Shane Pruitt Band playing "I Pity the Fool"


It's the Birthday of Eric Clapton

According to Wikipedia;

Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE (born 30 March 1945) is an English blues-rock guitarist, singer, songwriter and composer. Clapton has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo performer, as a member of rock bands; the Yardbirds and Cream. He is the only person ever to be inducted three times. Often viewed by critics and fans alike as one of the most important and influential guitarists of all time, Clapton was ranked fourth in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time"[3] and #53 on their list of the Immortals: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.


I find it very interesting the Clapton is the only person who has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times. Speaks to his awesome body of work.



Happy Birthday to Mr. Clapton, long my he live.

Eric Clapton @SqueezeMyLemon

Eric Clapton @Amzon.com


Monday, March 29, 2010

Ma Rainey - See See Rider

Wikipedia

"See See Rider", also known as "C.C. Rider" or "See See Rider Blues" or "Easy Rider" is a popular American 12-bar blues" song. It was first recorded by Gertrude "Ma" Rainey in 1924, and since then has been recorded by many other artists.

The song uses mostly traditional blues lyrics to tell the story of an unfaithful lover, commonly called easy riders: "See See rider, see what you have done", making a play on the word see and the sound of easy







Sunday, March 28, 2010

Lovin' Machine

I'm feeling like a little rockin blues tonight. Remember Wynonie Harris?






Hubert Sumlin & David Johansen - Killing Floor

Wikipedia

"Killing Floor" is a song by American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist Howlin' Wolf, featured on his 1966 album The Real Folk Blues. One of Wolf's best-known songs, "Killing Floor" has been covered by a wide variety of artists – including such high-profile acts as The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Eric Clapton and Led Zeppelin – and is frequently noticed as one of the most influential blues songs of all-time.
The Wolf's long time guitarist, Hubert Sumlin still performs this song. He played it with Eric Clapton, Jimmie Vaughan and Robert Cray at The Crossroads Guitar Festival.

The song's title references the slaughtering area of a slaughterhouse. The name also features as the title of an action-adventure novel by Lee Child (Killing Floor); the connection is likely to have arisen from the main character Jack Reacher's search for blues guitarist Blind Blake and the apparent link in musical genres.




I shoulda quit you, long time ago.
I shoulda quit you, baby, long time ago.
I shoulda quit you, and went on to Mexico.
If I hada followed, my first mind.
If I hada followed, my first mind.
I'da been gone, since my second time.
I shoulda went on, when my friend come from Mexico at me.
I shoulda went on, when my friend come from Mexico at me.
I was foolin with ya baby, I let ya put me on the killin floor.
Lord knows, I shoulda been gone.
Lord knows, I shoulda been gone.
And I wouldn't've been here, down on the killin floor.


J.B. Lenoir "I Feel So Good"


Saturday, March 27, 2010

Son House - Death Letter

Wikipedia

"Death Letter", also known as "Death Letter Blues", is probably the signature song of Son House. It is structured upon House's earlier recording "My Black Mama, part 2" from 1930. .......

Lyrically, the song is about a man who learns of the death of the woman he loves through a letter delivered to him early in the morning. The narrator later views her body on the cooling board at the morgue, attends her funeral, and returns to his home in a state of depression.

House's lyrics draw from traditional sources. Other blues musicians recorded related songs, including Lead Belly ("Death Letter Blues"), Ishman Bracey ("Trouble Hearted Blues"), Ida Cox ("Death Letter Blues"), Robert Wilkins ("Nashville Stonewall") and Blind Willie McTell ("On The Cooling Board").

.......

The song has been reworked by other major bluesmen. Robert Johnson, who was heavily influenced by Son House, may have incorporated and reworked "My Black Mama" / "Death Letter" into his own song, "Walking Blues", though that title also has its own pedigree in versions by Son House and in Charlie Patton's work. Skip James reworked the music and lyrics into his song Special Rider Blues. Avant-garde blues artist Jandek reworked a verse from "Death Letter" into his song "I Went Outside". Muddy Waters's closely related song about the same subject is "Burying Ground".






Amazon media


It's the Birthday of Johnny Copeland

Johnny Copeland was born on March 27, 1937 and he passed away on July 3, 1997. He was blues guitarist and singer.

He was born in Haynesville, Louisiana, where as a teenager he was influenced by T-Bone Walker. Still in his teens he formed the "Dukes of Rhythm" in Houston, Texas, and made his recording debut in 1956 where he signed with Duke Records. He played with Sonny Boy Williamson II, Big Mama Thornton and Freddie King.



Texas Twister

click image


It's the Birthday of Rufus Thomas

Rufus Thomas was not really a bluesman, but he was a great showman. I loved his music back in the day.

According to Wikipedia;

Rufus Thomas, Jr. (March 27, 1917 – December 15, 2001) was a rhythm and blues, funk and soul singer and comedian from Memphis, Tennessee, who recorded on Sun Records in the 1950s and on Stax Records in the 1960s and 1970s. He was the father of soul singer Carla Thomas and keyboard player Marvell Thomas. A third child, Vaneese, a former French teacher, has a recording studio in upstate New York and sings for television commercials.



Blues Word of the Day - Back Door Man

back door man/friend

1 - the lover of a married woman who sneaks out the back door before the man of the house gets home

This phrase can be found in:
Blind Boy Fuller, I Crave My Pigmeat, Howlin' Wolf, Back Door Man
Lightnin' Hopkins, Back Door Friend



Friday, March 26, 2010

Robert Johnson - Sweet Home Chicago

"Sweet Home Chicago" is a popular blues standard in the twelve bar form. It was first recorded and is credited to have been written by Robert Johnson. Over the years the song has become one of the most popular anthems for the city of Chicago.





Sweet Home Chicago


Thursday, March 25, 2010

Blues Britannia - The Yardbirds

The Yardbirds were an English rock band that had a string of hits in the mid 1960s, including "For Your Love", "Over, Under, Sideways, Down" and "Heart Full of Soul". The group is notable for having started the careers of three of rock's most famous guitarists: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page, all of whom were in the top fifteen of Rolling Stone's 100 Top Guitarists list





Amazon Store


Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Jelly Roll Morton: Hesitation Blues

Ferdinand Joseph Lamenthe, aka Jelly Roll Morton, born in New Orleans in 1890, claimed to the inventor of jazz. His “Jelly Roll Blues,” published in 1915 is certainly one of the first jazz compositions to make it to print.



I love this version



one more for luck


Tuesday, March 23, 2010

It hurts me too




This tune was a favourite of my dad's. In fact, it was my dad who told me about Tampa Red. I like his clean and stylish slide playing. Tampa Red was the first to record this tune in 1940, although many people think of it as an Elmore James tune, because of the following version from the mid-50s.





Here's Bob Dylan's take on the song:




There are plenty more versions of this great blues around, but let's wrap up with The Grateful Dead. I think this is the first time I've posted anything by the Dead on this blog. There's a first time for everything.



Popa Chubby — The Right Time


Blues Britannia - Mick Abrahams

Michael Timothy 'Mick' Abrahams (born 7 April 1943, in Luton, Bedfordshire, England) was the original guitarist for Jethro Tull. He recorded the album This Was with the band in 1968, but conflicts between Abrahams and Ian Anderson over the musical direction of the band led Abrahams to leave once the album was finished.





Amazon Artist Store


Tab Benoit "These Arms of Mine"



Notes from YouTube; Tab Benoit on the Main Stage of the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise Jan. 27, 2010 Thanks, Tab, for such a true cover of Otis Redding's classic "These Arms of Mine"

Fever for the Bayou

click image for CD or MP3


http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fentity%2FTab-Benoit%2FB000AQ29I0%3Fie%3DUTF8%26ref_%3Dntt%5Fmus%5Fdp%5Fpel&tag=sque-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957


Monday, March 22, 2010

Tommy McClennan - Deep Blue Sea Blues

Tommy McClennan was a delta blues singer and guitarist. He left a powerful legacy that included "Bottle It Up and Go," "Cross Cut Saw Blues" (covered by Albert King), "Deep Blue Sea Blues" (aka "Catfish Blues"), and others whose lasting power has been evidenced through the repertoires and re-recordings of other artists.


See early blues for a full description



aka Catfish Blues


Yesterday was also the Birthday of Bo Carter

Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order,
Vol. 5, 1938-1940
Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order, Vol. 5, 1938-1940 by Bo Carter


Armenter "Bo Carter" Chatmon was actually born on March 21, 1893 (the same day of the year as Son House) and he died on September 21 back in 1964. He was a popular early blues musician. According to wikipedia;
He was a member of the Mississippi Sheiks in concerts, and on a few of their recordings. Carter also managed that group, which included his brother, Lonnie Chatmon, on fiddle and occasionally Sam Chatmon on bass, along with a non-relative, Walter Vincson, on guitar and lead vocal.

Bo Carter Special Tribute Video


Bo Carter @Amazon.com


Sunday, March 21, 2010

Joe Bonamassa: Black Rock

Black Rock is Joe's sixth album, it was recorded at and named for Black Rock Studios in Santorini, Greece. A fusion of blues, bouzouki and clarino - I had my doubts on first listen my ear didn't quite tune. However by the third time of listening to the album I found myself grinning from ear to ear and definitely chilled. An album I'll listen to repeatedly 4* out of 5 for me. Mr Bonamassa is getting better and better - he is in a good place!

A seller is his duet with B.B. King on the Willie Nelson 'Night Life'.


I also like Leonard Cohen's poetic 'Bird On A Wire'


Buy the album - see him on tour - I will!



I look forward to seeing his collaboration with Jason Bonham, Glenn Hughes and Derek Sherinian in forming a supergroup called Black Country.


Sonny Boy Williamson - Cross My Heart

Website with full bio here

'Sonny Boy Williamson II, nicknamed "King of the Harmonica" by his peers, was one of the most inspiring harp players in blues history.'

If you cross your heart to someone
You`re not supposed to tell a lie
If you cross your heart to someone
You`re not supposed to tell a lie
Before you say a wrong
Or either do wrong
It have to be so long
Or either goodbye





Cigar Box Blues





It's The Birthday of Son House

There are bluesmen, who are a major part of blues music, and Son House definitely was one of those guy, but I would go so far as to say that Son House is a musician, who is a major part of music as a whole. If we consider those he influenced, like Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Stevie Ray Vaughan and those he played with, like Charley Patton and Willie Brown, then I'm willing to say that Elvis, the Beatles and any other musicians you can think of are probably influenced by him in some small way also.

"He was born Eddie James House, Jr., on March 21, 1902, in Riverton, MS. By the age of 15, he was preaching the gospel in various Baptist churches as the family seemingly wandered from one plantation to the next. He didn't even bother picking up a guitar until he turned 25; to quote House, "I didn't like no guitar when I first heard it; oh gee, I couldn't stand a guy playin' a guitar. I didn't like none of it." But if his ambivalence to the instrument was obvious, even more obvious was the simple fact that Son hated plantation labor even more and had developed a taste for corn whiskey. After drunkenly launching into a blues at a house frolic in Lyon, MS, one night and picking up some coin for doing it, the die seemed to be cast; Son House may have been a preacher, but he was part of the blues world now." ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide


Son House - Death Letter Blues


The Complete Library of Congress Sessions, 1941-1942
The Complete Library of Congress Sessions, 1941-1942 by Son House

This album, is a classic re-release of an item deleted in 1997 features 19 blues recordings from Mississippi Delta bluesman Son House recorded in 1941-42. He's on guitar & vocals, joined by Willie Brown, Fiddlin' Joe Martin & Leory Williams. A portion of this was recorded at Klack's Store, Lake Cormorant, Mississippi. You'll hear occasional railway noises in the background, as the store, which had the electricity necessary for the recording, was close to a branch-line between the lake & Robinsonville, which is where the remaining titles were recorded.

Track Listing;

1. Levee Camp Blues
2. Government Fleet Blues
3. Walking Blues
4. Shetland Pony Blues
5. Fo' Clock Blues
6. Camp Hollers
7. Delta Blues
8. Special Rider Blues
9. Special Rider Blues
10. Low Down Dirty Dog Blues
11. Depot Blues
12. Key of Minor
13. American Defense
14. Am I Right or Wrong
15. Walking Blues
16. Country Farm Blues
17. Pony Blues
18. Jinx Blues, Pt. 1
19. Jinx Blues, Pt. 2

Son House @SqueezeMyLemon

Son House @Amazon.com


Saturday, March 20, 2010

It's the Birthday of Marcia Ball

Peace, Love & BBQ
Peace, Love & BBQ by Marci Ball
I had to chuckle as I post this because last year when I posted Marcia Ball's birthday, I got the date wrong. But after a few quick checks I think I got it right this year.

March (born on March 20th 1949) is the birth month of Marcia Ball. I have posted here before how much I really like her sound and style. She was born in Texas (I don't hold that against her) but she was raised in Louisiana, and it shows. What with the way she handles a keyboard, is there any question?

Her recent album Peace, Love & BBQ was nominated for a Grammy Award. She wrote or co-wrote eight of the thirteen songs on the CD. It includes deep soul ballads and blusy stump your foot party songs to straight-from-the-heart storytelling. This album is delightful and if you are a long time fan you will love it. And if you are a newcomer this album will make you a believer.

The way Wikipedia describes her music;

Ball is known for her piano style, which shows elements of zydeco, swamp blues, Louisiana blues and boogie woogie. Most of her most well-known recordings were released on Rounder Records in the 1980s and early 1990s. She was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame in 1990.
In the video below, I like the little talk she gives the audience.

MARCIA BALL ON THE MOUNTAIN


Marcia Ball: Play with your Poodle



references;
Marcia Ball @ MySpace

Marcia Ball @ Wikipedia

Marcia Ball's Official Website

Marcia Ball @Amazon.com


Friday, March 19, 2010

Bessie Smith : Muddy Waters





Rotten Tomatoes

Bessie Smith died in Clarksville, Mississippi, in 1937, and it is said that 10,000 adoring fans attended her funeral. Amazing in view that as stated as fact, she was buried in an unmarked grave, and only got a tombstone later, many decades afterward from Janis Joplin, who was influenced so greatly by Bessie. The fact that she was buried with no tombstone after recording 160 songs, sounds so unfair to me. Bessie in a sense lives on in her music ,still inspiring many singers of the blues and artist of other genres as well. Bessie Smith truly was born into the blues and died in the blues. She is truly the Empress of the blues, who lived the blues from start to finish.



Ruthie Foster "Woke Up This Mornin' "

Notes from YouTube; ...With My Mind Stayed On Freedom. A great and powerful song from the Civil Rights Era sung by Ruthie in tribute to Odetta. Videotaped at THE LIVING ROOM in NYC by Anthony Pepitone.



The Truth According to Ruthie Foster

click image for CD or MP3s


Thursday, March 18, 2010

Bonnie Raitt - Devil Got My Woman

I'd rather be the devil, to be that woman man
I'd rather be the devil, to be that woman man
Aw, nothin' but the devil, changed my baby's mind
Was nothin' but the devil, changed my baby's mind


Bonnie Raitt - Devil Got My Woman


Bonnie Raitt - Devil got my woman (2003)
Uploaded by goldrausch. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

original Nehemiah Skip James in February 1931


Do you like both versions?


Keni Lee Burgess "Nobody's Fault But Mine"



Notes from YouTube; Nobody's Fault But Mine by Blind Willie Johnson. Performed by Keni Lee Burgess on a 1930 Stella guitar using the old style method of playing using only the Bottleneck and fretting no notes.


Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Steve Thorpe on THE Dobro bluegrass



Sent by a friend on Stumble - enjoy!


Wang Dang Doodle

"Wang Dang Doodle" was written by Willie Dixon for Howlin' Wolf at Chess Records in Chicago. Willie Dixon says in his autobiography that of all the songs he wrote for Howlin' Wolf, "Wang Dang Doodle" is the one he hated the most. However everyone seems to know it and has been heavily covered.

This?





or





or the original?





or



Blues Quote - Willie Dixon



"When everybody trying to sleep,
I'm somewhere making my midnight creep.

Every morning the rooster crow,
something tell me I got to go

I am a back door man"

~ Willie Dixon Backdoor Man


Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Taj Mahal - The Celebrated Walking Blues

Taj Mahal (vocal-slide guitar-harmonica); Jesse Ed Davis (lead guitar-piano); Ry Cooder (mandolin-rhythm guitar); Bill Boatman (rhythm guitar); Gary Gilmore (bass); Charles Blackwell (drums)
Recorded Hollywood, California; August 18, 1967

Sublime I think!


Blues Word of the Day - Alcorub

alcorub

1 - Tom "Bassman" Bartenbach, Puebla, Mexico wrote: "Alcorub refers to rubbing alcohol for sore muscles and bones. However, this was also used to sniff, much as other, more destructive substances are used today. A way to get a high. This stuff tasted lousy when ingested, so they sniffed it instead. Thanks to Tom "Bassman" Bartenbach for this contribution;

2 - Willie Lomax wrote to me: "Alcorub refers to "rubbing alcohol" i.e. isopropyl alcohol. It is inexpensive, easily obtainable, and although it is a cumulative poison, some desperate alcoholics have been known to drink it - with adverse effects. Thanks to Willie Lomax for this contribution;

3 - Greg Gurtizen says: "I believe that alcorub was a "Patent Medicine" of the time that alcoholics would use when they couldn't get their sterno (canned heat) aka "squeeze". Thanks to Greg Gurtizen for this contribution.

This phrase can be found in: Tommy Johnson, Canned Heat Blues


Monday, March 15, 2010

Johnny Shines - Delta Blues

According to the music journalist Tony Russell, "Shines was that rare being, a blues artist who overcame age and rustiness to make music that stood up beside the work of his youth. When Shines came back to the blues in 1965 he was 50, yet his voice had the leonine power of a dozen years before, when he made records his reputation was based on".

The album shown below created when he and Snooky both in old age but good nonetheless






It's the Birthday of Lightin' Hopkins

Sam "Lightnin’" Hopkins was born on March 15 in 1912 he passed away on January 30 in 1982.

Sometime back in the 80s when I was in the Navy, a good friend said, have you ever heard of Lightnin' Hopkins? I said no, he pulled a cassette tape out of his top shirt pocket and tossed it to me, "Give this a listen, your going to like it."

That has turned out to be one of the biggest understatements in this love affair that I have with the blues.

As I have mentioned in other post here at SML, I love Lightnin' Hopkins. My favorite album of his is Complete Aladdin Recordings*Complete Aladdin Recordings*

The Blues Accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins (1967)


Lightnin Hopkins' Last Gig


Complete Aladdin Recordings
*Complete Aladdin Recordings*
Complete Aladdin Recordings*Complete Aladdin Recordings* by Lightnin' Hopkins
click image for mp3 samples


Lightnin' Hopkins @SqueezeMyLemon


Sunday, March 14, 2010

Broke Down Engine

Here's a nice version by Townes van Zandt


And here's Blind Willie McTell's fantastic original.


Three Blind Mice


and finally, Bob Dylan from his album World Gone Wrong


Paul Leegan - Skiffle & Country Blues

British group whose home page is here





Happy stuff - good music for a summery night with a couple of pints


Mississippi John Hurt - "Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor"

Mississippi John Hurt playing Make Me a Pallet on the Floor.

I love the image created by this song, so warm and inviting.



D.C. Blues: Library of Congress Recordings, Vol. 2

click image for info


Mississippi John Hurt @Amazon.com


Mississippi John Hurt @ SqueezeMyLemon


Saturday, March 13, 2010

The SqueezeMyLemon Amazon.com Store

For those who want some ideas of Blues music to buy, please consider the SqueezeMyLemon Amazon.com Store.

We have put together a nice list of music that we have posted here in the blog on different occasions.


Friday, March 12, 2010

Jeff Beck: Emotion & Commotion

It is difficult to know where to start with Jeff Beck. He is a noted perfectionist with an immaculate pedigree ......

LastFM has a good synopsis

A rare breed of guitarist like Chuck Berry and Jimi Hendrix, Beck is not only compelling for what he plays, but for how he plays it. While some guitar players use racks of gear to create sound, Beck prefers a simple, natural approach that emphasizes manual dexterity over gadgets. As Eric Clapton once said, “With Jeff, it’s all in his hands.”





Amazon Store


John Lee Hooker - Chicken and Gravy



Notes from YouTube: John Lee Hooker performing at the Montreal Jazz Festival 1980.


Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Eric Sardinas and Big Motor

Eric Sardinas, is an American blues-rock guitarist born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1970. He’s noted for his use of the electric resonator guitar and his powerful live performances.
“The rawest, most emotional music is what sparked my excitement for the blues,” Eric says.

Not the most subtle of players but fun?





It's the Birthday of Norberto Napolitano

It is the birthday of Norberto Napolitano.

According to Wikipedia;

Pappo is the pseudonym of Argentine blues and metal/rock musician Norberto Napolitano (Buenos Aires, 10 March 1950 - Luján, Buenos Aires province, 24 February 2005). A native of the middle-class La Paternal neighborhood in Buenos Aires, Pappo started playing the guitar at the age of ten, and became active in Argentine rock since its beginnings; Pappo was a force in its transition from English to Spanish as guitarist of Los Gatos, the first rock band to enter the mainstream charts in Argentina. He also played in the first incarnation of cult band Los Abuelos de la Nada and in the quasi-psychedelic La Pesada del Rock and Roll.


Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Uno-dos-one-two-tres-quatro AHHHHHHHHHHHH

Yes, it's time...for Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. I used to have this album on vinyl.

Apparently these days Sam the Sham is a motivational speaker/poet. Hey Sam, if you're out there, check in and give us a high five over here at SqueezeMyLemon.


Mississippi John Hurt - "Candy Man Blues"






Monday, March 08, 2010

Chris Rea - Blue Guitars

Wikipedia

Following a severe bout of pancreatitis, and a predicted 50% chance of survival after an operation called a Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) in 2001, Rea promised himself that if he recovered, he would be returning to his blues roots. This near brush with death was the catalyst for a complete change in musical direction and motivation. The resulting Blue Guitars 11-CD collection of 137 blues-inspired tracks recorded in just 18 months, completed with his own paintings as album covers, is seen by himself as his finest work to date







It's The Birthday of Mississippi John Hurt

Happy Birthday going out to Mississippi John Hurt. One of the most gentle and kind hearted bluesmen of all time.

According to Wikipedia;

Mississippi John Hurt (July 3, 1893 or March 8, 1892 — November 2, 1966) was an influential country blues singer and guitarist. He sang in a loud whisper, to a melodious finger-picked guitar accompaniment.

Goodnight Irene


Coffee Blues - Lovin' Spoonfull


Avalon Blues: The Complete 1928 Okeh Recordings

click image for info


Sunday, March 07, 2010

Johnny Drummer - Unleaded Blues

From his web site

I got a chance to play with B.B. King in 1965, at a club called Lee's. It was B.B.'s birthday and his drummer didn't show up. Then in 1966, I went to see Muddy Waters in downtown Chicago, and he asked me to sit in. Muddy wanted me to go on the road with him, but I had a day job and was making more money than he was offering, so I turned him down. It was an honor though. He had Mojo Buford on harmonica, Otis Spann on piano, Willie Smith on drums, and Luther (Georgia Boy) Johnson on guitar.

In the '60s my band worked just about everywhere they hired a band on the South and West sides. I really started to leave the drums alone when we were playing at a nightclub on a show with Syl Johnson and Jimmy Witherspoon. The club owner put me out front as a singer, opening the shows.



He calls that religion...

The Mississippi Sheiks


The World is Going Wrong


and here's Bob Dylan's cover, World Gone Wrong.


Keni Lee Burgess "Preaching Blues Medley"

I try to limit the number of times I say "Wow." I think it is an overused word. But I think if you watch the YouTube clip below, you will agree with me that Keni Lee Burgess' performance of a Son House and Robert Johnson Preaching Blues Medley rates a "Wow!"

It is simply wonderful. This is not your regular Gospel Blues song that I normally post on a Sunday, but I think it shows very well how to two music forms are fused together by the not only modern day musics, but as I often contend, was fused by the founders of what we call blues music.

Notes From YouTube;

Preaching Blues Medley (including John the Revelator) by Son House and Robert Johnson. Performed by Keni Lee Burgess on Six String Resonator Cigar Box Guitar. Vestapol tuning: Open C (CGCegc).





Saturday, March 06, 2010

Blues Quote - Sleepy John Estes



I went up stairs to pack my leaving trunk
I ain't seen no whiskey,

but the blues made me sloppy drunk ~ Sleepy John Estes


Friday, March 05, 2010

Lynn Frances Anderson - Rose Garden

Sometimes - despite your own best intentions songs crop up - and won't go out one's head.

Sorry


Thursday, March 04, 2010

Angie Palmer - Tales of Light and Darkness

LastFM

Angie’s music is now being championed by Bob Harris who recently chose her as one of only two female singer-songwriters on his recent “Best of British” show calling her “one of the greatest British songwriters”.

Her new CD “Tales of Light and Darkness”, which like “Road” made the long-cut for the Mercury Music Prize, is a more musically diverse record, with longer storytelling songs rubbing shoulders with shorter simpler songs about “love, loss, and redemption”, again drawing heavily on literature: Steinbeck’s dispossessed (Rose of Sharon), Edgar Allen Poe’s dark visions (Ravens), and the symbolic landscapes of Mikhail Bulgakov (Fool’s Gold) as well as the confessional: the death of a close friend (Columbus for a Day) and starting up alone (Letters from Home). These new songs, she says, continue where Road left off, mixing strong narrative songs with the personal but ‘a personal’ that connects with ‘the universal’ and which all reflect the idea of the age-old metaphysical struggle of good and evil, life and death, light and dark. This is to be expected from an artist of whom HMV Choice said when choosing “Road” as one of their Top Ten, “not since Bob Dylan’s mid-60’s output has a singer jammed songs with so many high-culture reference points







Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Mean Florida Blues

I don't think there are too many blues tunes about Florida. I recall hearing Muddy Waters singing about going down to Florida where the sun shines damn near every day, but that's about it. Tonight I stumbled upon a violin player named Eddie Anthony. Enjoy this excellent audio cut from 1930.


Earl Thomas & The Kings Of Rhythm - Elijah Rock


Monday, March 01, 2010

I'm a Roadrunner baby

Sometimes I just need a little Bo Diddley. This is one of those times.


Skyport Ade Pottingshed Band

From his Myspace site

bio I started playing in a skiffle group on mandoline, then learned guitar from one of the other members. Played around folkclubs in West London, and ran The Anglers Teddington inthe early 1970s featuring such as Tim Hart & Maddie Prior, Sandy Denny, Alex Campbell, and many others. I moved to Berkshire in 1978 and have been playing around Reading, Newbury, and Basingstoke ever since. I'm called Skyport because I was born at Heathrow, sometimes known as Skyport


Looks to me like a few friends who are accomplished musicians and enjoying themselves




Blues Books - Clapton: The Autobiography

Clapton: The Autobiography

According to Amazon.com;

Readers hoping for sex and drugs and rock 'n' roll won't be disappointed by the legendary guitarist's autobiography. As he retraces every step of his career, from the early stints with the Yardbirds and Cream to his solo successes, Clapton also devotes copious detail to his drug and alcohol addictions, particularly how they intersected with his romantic obsession with Pattie Boyd. His relationship with the woman for whom he wrote Layla culminated in a turbulent marriage he describes as drunken forays into the unknown. But he genuinely warms to the subject of his recovery, stressing its spiritual elements and eagerly discussing the fund-raising efforts for his Crossroads clinic in Antigua. His self-reckoning is filled with modesty, especially in the form of dissatisfaction with his early successes. He professes ambivalence about the famous Clapton is God graffiti, although he admits he was grateful for the recognition from fans. At times, he sounds more like landed gentry than a rock star: bragging about his collection of contemporary art, vigorously defending his hunting and fishing as leisure activities, and extolling the virtues of his quiet country living. But both the youthful excesses and the current calm state are narrated with an engaging tone that nudges Clapton's story ahead of other rock 'n' roll memoirs. (Oct. 9)


Book Details

* Paperback: 352 pages
* Publisher: Broadway (May 27, 2008)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 076792536X
* ISBN-13: 978-0767925365
* Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 1 inches

Eric Clapton @Amazon.com