I was talking about that Checkerboard gig because BBC4 had shown the newly remastered DVD in the middle of Saturday night. Muddy was awesome with slashing slide on "Country Boy" before the cameos started - his band had John Primer and Rich Kreher on guitars, Lovie Lee on Piano and an amazing display of harp dexterity from Mojo Buford. I've promised to get myself on Santa's good list next year if he'll slip the soundtrack under my pillow (it's too late to redeem myself for 2012). We had to make do with the 1971 version Muddy did live at Mr Kelly's for our 1001 Blues feature.
More guitar mastery from Lonnie Johnson (who did so much to shape B B King's sound), Ray Agee, Roy Gaines and Etta Baker on the playlist. Birthday boy Jimmy Johnson sang gospel for many a year and you can hear that fervour in his voice, his axe skills are pretty decent too. Jimmy Burns had brother Jimmy on hand to cover "Your Cash Aint Nothin But Trash". Otis Grand's new "Blues 65" project is a goodun cementing a nice partnership with Sugar Ray Norcia. At the age of 6 Gitlo Lee played with Sonny Boy Williamson and he now has a solid album out under his own brand, his old boss got things under way from "Down & Out Blues", the first album in the Pye R&B series eagerly devoured by blues fans on this side of the pond. Preston Shannon's celebration of "Cold Beer And Good Times" closed us off leaving us to ask why he isn't better known?
The John Lee Hooker song "Boogie Children" got a going over from the Playboys (with John Fred without Judy - disguised or otherwise). Nathan Abshire reworked Arthur Crudup's "Thats AlRight Mama", Phil Upchurch's hit "Can't Sit Down" was tastily updated by Willie Mitchell and the amazing bass voice of Jimmy Ricks was recorded in New York as part of Benny Goodman's Sextet. Otis Clay did our gospel duty and Eddie Boyd was on keys. In a show of such depth and variety, Mud Morganfield (Muddy's yoiunger son) is in Norwich tonight and was as majestic as his dad for a track from his latest album on Severn Records where he is part of that ol' magic called Bob Coritorre.
The BBC headline suggested some contestants had also lost their socks, but I bet it wasn't the same reason as me. I can't say anything else yet but I can point you in the direction of my next e-book, "Gary Blues Almanac 2013". Free. Send me your email details to gary.blue@star107.co.uk and when its done it will find its way direct to you. Please make a donation to www.musicmaker.org if you like it and can make use of it (no amount too small).
We'll look at what you can put on your Santa list next week at 10pm (GMT) until then take care of yourself and take care of those that take care of you.
Track.Title | Track.ArtistSort | Index | Album.Title | Album.ArtistSort | Label |
Wake Up Baby | Sonny Boy Williamson (Aka Rice Miller) | 8 | Down And Out Blues / In Memorium | Sonny Boy Williamson (Aka Rice Miller) | BEAT GOES ON |
Feelin Good | Janiva Magness | 4 | The Devil Is An Angel Too | Janiva Magness | Alligator |
Go Ahead And Blame Me | Mud Morganfield | 9 | Son Of The Seventh Son | Mud Morganfield | SEVERN |
Ain't Studdin' You Baby | Gitlo Lee | 10 | Comin Out the Hole | Gitlo Lee | |
You Can't Sit Down | Willie Mitchell | 11 | Memphis Rhythm King | Willie Mitchell | BACKBEAT |
Go Ahead On | Guitar Red | 23 | Sun Records - Ultimate Blues Collection | Various Artists | VARESE |
Rolling Log | Rory Block | 10 | The Very Best Of The Blues | Various Artists | ORBIS BLUES COLLECTION |
country boy | muddy waters | 2 | my home is in the delta | muddy waters | blues encore |
rockin all day | dennis gruenling | 1 | rockin all day | dennis gruenling | vizz tone |
midnight lover man | Roy Brown | 7 | saturday night | roy brown | el toro |
Oh Babe | Ravens, The | 26 | Birds Of A Feather | Ravens, The | PROPER |
boogie children | playboys feat john fred | 27 | boppin on the bayou | various artists | ace |
bopogie woogie feeling | tony casanova | 22 | wid streak | various | veetone |
Those Days Are Gone | Otis Grand | 12 | Blues '65 | Otis Grand | MAINgate |
your cash aint nothing but trash | Eddie & Jimmy Burns | 2 | Snake Eyes | Eddie BurnsJimmy Burns | DELMARK |
country preacher | jimmy johnson | 1 | country preacher | jimmy johnson | orbis blues |
All of My Life | Roy Gaines | 9 | Rock-A-Billy: Boogie Woogie Blues Man | Roy Gaines | |
Love Is A Cold Shot | Ray Agee | 23 | Bay Area Blues Blasters | Various Artists | El Cerrito |
thats all right | nathan abshire | 12 | bopping by the bayou | various artists | ace |
Save A Seat For Me | Otis Clay | 4 | The Gospel Truth | Otis Clay | BLIND PIG RECORDS |
Hard Headed Woman | Eddie Boyd | 9 | Chicago Piano | Various Artists | PAULA |
Jackson’s Boogie | Little Willie Jackson | 21 | Let Me Tell You About The Blues: West Coast | Various Artists | Fantastic Voyage |
Railroad Bill | Etta Baker & Taj Mahal | 5 | Etta Baker With Taj Mahal | Etta BakerTaj Mahal | MUSIC MAKER |
Racketeers Blues | Lonnie Johnson | 16 | The Original Guitar Wizard | Lonnie Johnson | PROPER |
Walkin' These Blues Away | Eomot Rasun | 2 | Three Days Walkin' | Eomot Rasun | APO |
cold beer good time | Preston Shannon | 12 | All In Time | Preston Shannon | BULLSEYE BLUES |