Radiolab does Robert Johnson

Radiolab (a show on NPR) did a broadcast about Robert Johnson.  It was a wonderful history lesson.

http://www.radiolab.org/story/199705-crossroads/

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

Kitten Playing The Blues

I would get so much more done if it were not for all the kittens playing the blues gifs out there >>>

The Blues Guitar Handbook - A Complete Course in Techniques and Styles

The Blues Guitar Handbook - A Complete Course in Techniques and Styles

Book Details

• Hardcover-spiral: 256 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation; Spi Har/Co edition (August 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1617130117
• ISBN-13: 978-1617130113
• Product Dimensions: 1 x 9.2 x 11.5 inches

From Amazon.com:

This latest entry in Backbeat's bestselling handbook series starts by exploring the humble beginnings of blues guitar through the early decades of the 20th century, including profiles of such players as Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, and Son House. As the story moves into the '40s and '50s, and blues players migrate to major urban centers, author Adam St. James follows the evolution of the music at the hands of such electric blues kingpins as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and B. B. King. Then it's the blues-rockers of the '60s, '70s, and '80s (including Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and Stevie Ray Vaughan) before the story comes up to date, with blues flame-keepers such as Keb Mo' or Duke Robillard, and some not-quite-traditionalists, such as Robben Ford or Derek Trucks.  A comprehensive section for mastering electric and acoustic blues follows this historic overview. Starting from the very basics, it leads you into more advanced rhythm and lead techniques before examining four key styles: acoustic blues, classic electric blues, blues rock, and jazz blues. The many exercises in the book are supported by specially recorded audio tracks on the accompanying CD.

Eric Clapton Tee Shirt

WEA Men's Eric Clapton 'Army Of One' T Shirt

click image for info


WEA Cloting @Amazon.com

Boom Boom Boom

Check this little guy groving to the blues.

Adam Gussow's Crossroads Blues

From Adam Gussow's FaceBook Page;

"I'm delighted to announce that I've just signed a licensing deal with Right Recordings Ltd., a pop/indy label in the UK, for my self-produced solo debut, Kick and Stomp. The phrase "worldwide distribution" has a nice ring to it, as does the phrase "radio edit." Here's the new version of "Crossroads Blues

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crossroads-Blues-Radio-Edit/dp/B00GLO3T2A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384435693&sr=8-1&keywords=adam+gussow+crossroads+blues "

Adam Gussow @ Amazon.com

This Gets My Mojo Working

Not sure why I never did this before (post a Spotify playlist), but here is a little play list that I like to jam to when I need to get my mojo working

THE BO-KEYS - Making of The Electraphonic Singles Series

Got an email the other day from Nick Loss-Eaton who wanted to share the blow video with us. The Bo-Keys have an interesting line up and they make some cool and funky music. Check them out and check out their new singles.

Nick says; The Bo-Keys have made a series of new deep soul singles out of Memphis, Tennessee, two of which are coming out next Tuesday. This mini-documentary chronicles the recording of them, featuring band members Howard Grimes (Al Green), Archie "Hubbie" Turner (Al Green), and guest vocalist Percy Wiggins (ATCO Records). This is deep soul from a mix of the folks who recorded with Hi and Stax in the 1960s and a new crop of devotees.

Notes from YouTube:

Published on Nov 7, 2013

A behind the scenes look at The Bo-Keys at Electraphonic Recording Studio in Memphis, TN, recording a new series of 45rpm singles featuring vocalists, Percy and Spencer Wiggins.

"Writing On the Wall" B/W "I'm Still In Need"
"I Need More Than One Lifetime" B/W "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly"
"The Dark End of the Street" B/W "Wind-Up Monkey"

Available Now on 45rpm vinyl and digital.

www.thebokeys.com
www.electraphonicrecording.com

Directed by Nathan Black, Unbreakable Productions

Check Nick Loss-Eaton out @ http://nicklosseaton.blogspot.com
On Twitter: @harmonicaboy


The Bo-Keys @ Amazon.com

NPR's Tiny Desk Concert: Gary Burton

NPR often has some wonderful musicians in their series Tiny Desk Concerts.  I like them a lot, I'm sure that a lot of you do to, but if you have never heard or watched any of them please NPR @ http://www.npr.org/series/tiny-desk-concerts/ where you will hear some wonderful Jazz and Blues music.

Gary Burton is a vibraphone pioneer and he makes beautiful music in the below video.




To support NPR: http://www.npr.org/about/support/


Gary Burton @ Amazon.com

To Day is the Birthday of Susan Tedeschi

Today is the birthday of Susan Tedeschi, born on Nov 9, 1970 in Boston, MA.  She is a wonderful blues and soul music singer.  She has received multiple Grammy Award nominations and is the winner, with her other 10 bandmates in the Tedeschi Trucks Band, of the Best Blues Album Grammy for "Revelator".

Susan is one of my favorite singers, she reminds me of blues singers like Bonnie Raitt, who celebrated her birthday yesterday, Etta James and Janis Jopplin.  Here singing style is very gritty, low down and blusey when she needs to be, just the way I like it too.





Susan Tedeschi @ Amazon.com

It's the Birthday of Bonnie Raitt

It's the birthday of Bonnie Raitt.  Love, love, love her music.  She is such a down to earth musician and I think it shows in her music and her performances.  Please check out other post of her in this blog.

Please watch the below interview and performance when she visited the Craig Ferguson show.

I hope she has many happy returns of the day.

Zepparella Covering Led Zeppelin's When The Levee Breaks

This is a wonderful cover of Led Zeppelin's "When The Levee Breaks" by the all lady band Zepperella. They do a marvelous job on this great blues rock song.