Monday 26 September 2011

STAR BLUES on 25th September 2011 at 22:00

The Rock God, Neil Jones, casts his runes every Sunday night just ahead of STAR BLUES - no surprise then that Led Zeppelin should take massive strides into our playlist kingdom on the anniversary of the death of Bonzo Bonhams: whose finest moment came with a track that carries co-author credit for Memphis Minnie. While the purists in our world will have hung their heads in despair, I hope we made amends later on.

Rita Chiarelli's trek down Highway 61 took her past the (Angola) Louisiana State Prison, her experience with the lifers led to the documentary film "Music from the Big House" wherein the artists shared the stage with the inmates. B B King plays to prison audiences as acknowledgement how thin the line is that kept him out. We also put in that Willie Big-Eyes Smith track held from last week with him on his first instrument, harp. Ray Charles birthday would have been 23rd September and his earliest sides for Atlantic (before "inventing" soul music) had him doing a cover of Lowell Fulson's "Sinner's Prayer". The later sides of Albert King on Stax brought forth the sublime version of "Angel of Mercy" taken off the 10 cd set of Stax singles (vol. 3).

Roosevelt Booba Barnes would have been in the birthday club at the age of 75 on the day. Though he only made his debut album in 1990, he was a good example of a working Mississippi Delta bluesman that Robert Palmer wanted for the film to follow up his definitive "DEEP BLUES" book from 1981. If you get the chance to find his album on Rooster Blues or see his videos on the wobbly-web, you won't be disappointed.

One of the Facebook forums that kindly lets me in discussed Barnes over the weekend, as well as Papa George Lightfoot. He was rediscovered in 1969 in a search for the man responsible for an over-amplified part on the Imperial single "Wine, Women, Whiskey". Surely this has to be the most downhome track ever cut at Malaco in Jacksonville (noted for Z Z Hill, Bobby Bland and so on).

Chris Thomas King and C J Chenier both have new albums that we will come back to after their showing last night - Catfish Keith starts his tour but we've not had his new projects for our turntables. Second helpings served from Bobby Marchan's gorgeous soulful pipes and Johnny Otis' consummate skills, piano from Mitch Woods and Champion Jack Dupree as well as gospel from the Soul Stirrers. Our Honeyboy Edwards celebration talked about a classic performance of "Drop Down Mama" done for Chess in 1953 but unreleased for almost 20 years. Thanks to Dave off the internet, he dug out the piece for us last night. Certainly well worth the wait.

120 minutes just whizzed by on STAR BLUES and it was a real privilege to get an invite to your place with all those blues and a smidge of tomfoolery. If you're up for it, I'd like to come back for more on Sunday at 10pm (BST) - until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you.
.

When The Levee Breaks
Led Zeppelin
8
Led Zeppelin Iv
Led Zeppelin
Atlantic
Labor Of Love
Robert Cray
4
Midnight Stroll
Robert Cray
MERCURY
Ain't Going To Boss Me
Lucky Peterson
1
Every Second A Fool Is Born
Lucky Peterson

Mississippi Boy
Rita Chiarelli & Inmates Of Louisiana State Penitentiary
3
Music From The Big House Soundtrack
Rita Chiarelli & Inmates Of Louisiana State Penitentiary
mad iris music
Greasy Spoon
Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith
5
Blues From The Heart
Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith
Juke Joint Records
Ain't Gonna Worry About Tommorow
Roosevelt 'Booba' Barnes
11
Deep Blues
Various Artists
Atlantic
She's A Hum Hum Dinger
Catfish Keith
2
Rolling Sea
Catfish Keith
FISHTAIL
New Mean Old Train
Papa Lightfoot George
2
Goin' Back To The Natchez Trace
Papa Lightfoot George
ACE
Louis Collins
Chris Thomas King
9
Antebellum Postcards
Chris Thomas King
21ST CENTURY
Baby Please Don't Go
C.J. Chenier
2
Can't Sit Down
C.J. Chenier
World Village
Sinner's Prayer
Ray Charles
13
Messing With The Blues
Various Artists
ACE
Angel Of Mercy
Albert King
7
The Complete Stax-Volt Singles, Vol. 3: 1972-1975
Various Artists
STAX
Part Time Love
Magic Slim & The Teardrops
1
Raising The Bar
Magic Slim & The Teardrops
BLIND PIG RECORDS
Drop Down Mama
Dave Honeyboy Edwards
1
Drop Down Mama
Dave Honeyboy Edwards
CHESSs
It Won't Be Very Long
Soul Stirrers, The
18
The History Of Rhythm & Blues, Volume 3 - The Rocknroll Years
Various Artists
Rhythm and Blues Records
Drunk
Mitch Woods
2
Jukebox Drive
Mitch Woods
EL TORO
41 Highway
Champion Jack Dupree
13
Barrelhouse Blues And Boogie Wogie Vol. 1
Various Artists
STORYVILLE
Korea Blues
Fats Domino
10
Early Imperial Singles 1950-1952
Fats Domino
ACE
Everything A Poor Man Needs
Bobby Marchan
7
Get Down With It The Soul Sides 1963-67
Bobby Marchan
Kent
(Don't It Make You) Feel Kinda Bad
Radiants, The
12
Chicago Radio Soul
Various Artists
Kent (U.K.)
Blues Before Sunrise
Elmore James And His Broomdusters
9
The Classic Early Recordings 1951-1956
Elmore James And His Broomdusters
ACE
Robey's Bounce
Johnny Otis and His Orchestra feat. Pete "Guitar" Lewis
13
The Johnny Otis Story Volume 1 Volume 1: 1945-57 Midnight At The Barrelhouse v a
Johnny Otis & His Orchestra
ACE

Monday 19 September 2011

STAR BLUES on 18thSeptember 2011 at 22:00


STAR BLUES draws on traditional and vintage recordings along with the best of the new breed and our show last night certainly ticked all those boxes. Charlie Musselwhite is in fine form these days and he came along to help George Thorogood on his new album of covers done first for the Chess label (Hence the project title of 2120 South Michigan Ave.). Charlie added a bit of light and shade to George’s boyish enthusiasm take on “My Babe” to ease in to our show after Rock God Neil Jones at ten.

Late addition to the playlist came in the form of a lovely piece of playing with Toby Walker in the songbook of Blind Boy Fuller. Toby’s understated album is a little gem that we’ll go to again. Still can't believe the classic Stax soul arrangement that Eli Paperboy Reed gives Lemmy's "Ace of Spades" but when we play it the phones get busy for all the right reasons!

Freddie Kings birthdate slipped by on 3rd September and we went to one of his Shelter recordings which showed off his muscular playing on the original of a piece that many rock/blues players cover these days. Namesake, but no relation, B B king had his 86th birthday on Friday 16th and with the live version of Gambler’s Blues  demonstrated why he was so far ahead of the pack in the Sixties. Celebrations were somewhat tempered with news of the death of Willie Big-Eyes Smith and so soon after his friend and musical partner Pinetop Perkins. Smith had two spells in Muddy Waters band and founded the Legendary Blues Band. He started as a harp player  and recently he returned to it as his instrument of choice. I’ve held back some of his solo sides but he got a showcase as sideman to Koko Taylor and one of his compositions from the multi-award winning album “Joined at the Hip” hid did with Pinetop. A few weeks before he died he must have smiled that big grin as his son Kenny got a gong from Living Blues magazine as Best Musician (Drums).

From the 1950s Jimmy Anderson was Naggin; Sonny Boy Williamson and Mighty Joe Young did things from the 1960s and one of the songs Jimmy Johnson but for Bruce Iglauer’s Living Chicago Blues project moved ourfocus to the 1970s. Our 1001 feature came from the last session Big Maceo did at the piano before his stroke  - the definitive version of Chicago Breakdown. Any significant remnants of the Jelly Roll Morton piece had long gone as far as I could tell.  The Blind Boys of Alabama have done duty in our gospel spot before but Bishop Dready Manning was in the tent for the first time with the “Gospel Train”. I got his track from Music Maker as I did the closing rocker by Beverley Guitar Watkins.

Next Sunday at ten (BST) we’ll have more STAR BLUES fare, thanks in advance for the kind invite to your place. Until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you.
.

My Babe (Featuring Charlie Musselwhite)
George Thorogood
10
2120 South Michigan Ave
George Thorogood
Capitol
Me And My Guitar
Freddie King
4
Texas Cannonball
Freddie King
SEQUEL
 Serves Me Right To Suffer
Jimmy Johnson
10
Living Chicago Blues Vol. 1
Jimmy Johnson
Alligator
W.C. Handy Sang The Blues
Roy Gaines
6
New Frontier Lover
Roy Gaines
SEVERN
What Kind Of Man Is This?
Bob Corritore, Koko Taylor, Bob Margolin, Little Frank Krakowski, Bob Stroger, Willie "Big Eyes" Smi
1
Harmonica Blues
Bob Corritore
Delta Groove
Chicago Breakdown
Big Maceo
14
20th Century Blues
Various Artists
CATFISH
I've Got Mine
Pink Anderson
12
All That Blues
Various Artists
ORIGINAL BLUES CLASSICS
Sylvie
Lead Belly
2
Goodnight Irene
Leadbelly
MUSIC CLUB
Sylvie
Louise SetaraLadysmith Black Mambazo
9
Still Waters
Louise Setara
EMI / MANHATTON
Early In The Morning
Mighty Joe Young
16
Legacy Of The Blues : Maxi Sampler
Various Artists
SONET
I'm His Wife You're Just His Friend
Ann Sexton
3
Sound Stage Seven Story
Various Artists
CHARLY
Ace of Spades
Eli "Paperboy" Reed & the True Loves
1
Ace Of Spades
Eli "Paperboy" Reed & the True Loves
not given
Gambler's Blues
B. B. King
2
Great Moments With B. B. King
B. B. King
MCA
Dog House Boogie
Seasick Steve
5
Dog House Music
Seasick Steve
Bronzerat
Iko Iko
Dr. John
1
Gumbo
Dr. John
ATCO
Take It Easy
Pinetop Perkins
9
Crucial Chicago Blues
Various Artists
Alligator
Grown Up To Be A Man
Pinetop Perkins & Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith
1
Joined At The Hip
Pinetop Perkins & Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith
TELARC
I Saw The Light
Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Hank Williams, Jr., The
12
Various Artists
Various Artists
not given
Gospel Train
Bishop Dready Manning
64
Music Maker
Various Artists
Music Maker
My Younger Days
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aka Rice Miller)
22
Work With Me
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aka Rice Miller)
CHARLY
Naggin
Jimmy Anderson
8
Louisiana Swamp Blues
Various Artists
FLYRIGHT
Keep On Truckin' Mama
Toby Walker
5
Shake Baby Shake
Toby Walker
VANGUARD
Street Singer
Ray Bonneville
9
Rough Luck
Ray Bonneville
BLUESIDE
I'm Gonna Rock Some More
Beverly 'Guitar' Watkins
41
Music Maker
Various Artists
Music Maker

Monday 12 September 2011

STAR BLUES on 11th September 2011 at 22:00

Harp Maestro Bob Corritore is also a blues-dj and club owner: his Rhythm Room club is celebrating 20 years this upcoming Sunday - as tribute to the quality of blues acts playing there , often with award winning recordings, we had a preview on STAR BLUES last night. So it was Mojo Buford, Kim Wilson, Robert Lookwood Jr and Bob himself brought good stuff to our show. Robert Cray and Bob Margolin will there in Phoenix at  the weekend for sets during the celebrations.

Given yesterday's date it was fitting that our "1001 Blues" feature did Big Jack Johnson with his the title track off  his 1998 MC album "We Got To Stop This Killing". Our feature usually goes back at least twenty years but there seemed to be no good reason to ignore the sentiments of the guitarist known as the Oil Man.

Candye Kane was also on hand later in the show for her "Jesus and Mohammed" song that celebrates the similarities rather than seeks to perpetuate differences. She has not been well lately and is on the mend, her spirit has never been more spot on than in this keenly observed piece. The Kent label has a new anthology of Bobby Marchan's solo sides, he's known for his work  with Huey Piano Smith and for writing the b-side to Slade's first hit single, this new cd shows what a fine interpreter of soul ballads he became, as evidence we included his version of "Meet Me In Church" done first by Joe Tex.

During the week, I've been contacted with enquiries on Etta Baker and the Stones instrumental "2120 South Michigan Avenue" (the address of Chess Records building in Chicago). Mick and the boys closed the show and while I'll leave Ms Baker for another week, I put in a nice finger picking piece in the style of Mississippi John Hurt from Bernie Pearl.

There's more of the same but very different next Sunday at 10pm (BST), you were great company last night until next week take care of yourselves and take carre of those that take care of you





Gotta Boogie
John Lee Hooker
8
Gaz's Rockin' Blues
Various Artists
ACE
I'll Play The Blues For You
Geater Davis
24
Take Me To The River: A Southern Soul Story 1961-1977
Various Artists
Kent (U.K.)
Tool Bag Boogie
Duke Robillard Band, The
10
Low Down And Tore Up
Duke Robillard Band, The
STONY PLAIN
Let's Have A Natural Ball
Johnny Dyer
4
Jukin'
Johnny Dyer
Come On In
R. L. Burnside
8
Not The Same Old Blues Crap
Various Artists
FAT POSSUM
In My Younger Days
Mojo Buford
8
Rhythm Room Blues
Various Artists
HIGHTONE
Meet Me In Church
Bobby Marchan
1
Get Down Get With it
Bobby Marchan
Kent (U.K.)
We Got To Stop This Killin'
Big Jack Johnson & The Oilers
1
The Best Of M.C. Records
Various Artists
M.C. RECORDS
I Ain't Hurt (Bernie Pearl)
Bernie Pearl
13
Sittin' On The Right Side Of The Blues
Bernie Pearl
Major
Sundown San Diego
Bob Corritore, Tomcat Courtney, Eddie Taylor, Jr., Chris James, Patrick Rynn, Brian Fahey
8
Harmonica Blues
Bob Corritore
Delta Groove
Sitting On Top Of The World
Robert Cray Band
6
Cookin' In Mobile
Robert Cray Band
VANGUARD
Smokin' Joint
Kim Wilson
7
Smokin' Joint
Kim Wilson
MC RECORDS
Feel Like Blowin' My Horn
Robert Lockwood Jr.
2
The Legend Live
Robert Lockwood Jr.
M.C. RECORDS
Meet Me With Your Black Drawers On
Gaye Adegbalola
5
Gaye Without Shame
Gaye Adegbalola
Hot Toddy
Building a Home
Persuasions, The
1
Live At McCabe's Guitar Shop
Persuasions, The
Jesus And Mohammed
Candye KaneBob Brozman
10
Guitar'd And Feathered
Candye Kane
Ruf
Riverside Jump
Tiny Grimes
9
The R'n'b Years 1951: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1951
Various Artists
BOULEVARD VINTAGE
Johnny`s Thunderbird
Johnny Heartsman
18
Bay Area Blues Blasters
Various Artists
El Cerrito
Lucky, Lucky Man
Henry Gray
5
Lucky Lucky Man
Henry Gray
Blind Pig
Got to Get Back (To My Baby) - The Bo-Keys (Feat. Otis Clay)
Bo-Keys (Feat. Otis Clay), The
2
Got To Get Back!
Bo-Keys, The
Sad As A Man Can Be
Ike Turner's Kings Of Rhythm
17
Trail Blazer
Ike Turner's Kings Of Rhythm
CHARLY
All Along The Watchtower

Taj Mahal
9
Hanapepe Dream
Taj Mahal
2120 South Michigan Avenue
Rolling Stones, The
7
12 X 5
Rolling Stones, The
UMG