Sunday 23 February 2014

STAR BLUES on 23rd February 2014 at 22:00 - building the roster of CBA

Just got Eddie Cotton's new album and had no hesitation in putting him onto our list of Current Blues Artists who play in the good old fashioned way. His guitar sounds evoke the best of Albert King and Robert Cray; he is now signed to Grady Champion's new label called Dechamp Records. The imprint also has JJ Thames with a new project that shows off her gospel sensibilities on the selection we made: the opening "Souled Out"; barely 30 she already has a strong presence. A while back there were a number of female blues singers trying to make headway by sounding like Koko Taylor, JJ is different as is Adrienna Marie. Front and centre to her Groovecutters she rubs shoulders with Little Esther, Billie Holiday, Big Mama Thornton and Helen Humes (who did the first version of "I Ain't In the Mood" in 1952).

Other new stuff from Dixie Peach and Blind Mississippi Morris made for a raucous first hour which is not what you'd expect from us. Corey Harris has just had a birthday, Linsey Anderson and Quintus McCormick have been round a few times than could be classed as newbies: they both record for Delmark. We are lucky to follow STAR ROCK in the Sunday night schedules and Buddy Guy and Joe Louis Walker drive awfully close to the boundary (sometimes crashing through the reservation). Joe's album is just out and it is a logical progression from last year's "Hellfire": he is in serious danger of leaving his more purist fans behind. At the other end of guitar playing, Eric Bibb made good use of a guitar which once belonged to Booker White; the Sunday Times says Bibb has the voice of an angel, he ain't no slouch on guitar either.

In a game of two halves, our lineup for hour number two could not have been more  different. Plenty of guitar skills on offer, don't get me wrong, this time from Lonnie Johnson and B. B. King. The Johnny Otis Orchestra backed both Little Esther and Mel Walker and Saunders King turned in a suitably urbane vocal for his song.  1914 marks the centenary of the birth of LC Robinson and we dipped into the work he did for Arhoolie. Snooky Pryor's piece was unissued by J.O.B at the time and Lonesome Sundown's swampy rocker had to wait for a Flyright album before release. Billy Boy Arnold did an album in 1962, we dipped in last night and Jimmy Reed's 1952 go at "I Ain't Got You" was an early hit for Vee-Jay (though Billy Boy's is more famous courtesy of the Yardbirds).

Ruth Brown sparkled, just like always - her contribution is part of an anthology put together by Stuart Coleman marking the hits we had to listen to here in Britain during 1954 and 1955. Our Etta James track wasn't the one I planned but her re-reading of "I Pity the Fool" was just as intense as our initial thought.

Next week's effort will be two vinyl hours and I'd be thrilled to have you along. Until then take CARE of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you.


track.title track.artistsort index album.title album.artistsort label
Raffle Ticket Linsey Alexander 3 Delmark 60 Years Of Blues Various Artists DELMARK
D.J. Play My Blues Buddy Guy 18 Can't Quit The Blues Buddy Guy SONY
Rick's Shuffle Dixie Peach 10 Blues With Friends Dixie Peach N/A
Ride On, Baby Joe Louis Walker 8 Hornet's Nest Joe Louis Walker Alligator Records
Crying Blues Corey Harris 1 Fulton Blues Corey Harris Njumba
A-Z Blues Eric Bibb 15 Booker's Guitar Eric Bibb TELARC BLUES
Souled Out JJ Thames 1 Tell You What I Know JJ Thames CDBaby
I Ain't in the Mood Adrianna Marie And Her Groovecutters 2 Double Crossing Blues Adrianna Marie And Her Groovecutters
Get You Some Business Quintus McCormick Blues Band 2 Hey Jodie! Quintus McCormick Blues Band DELMARK
Here I Come Eddie Cotton 1 Here I Come Eddie Cotton CDBaby
good evening blind mississippi morris 4 You know I like That blind mississippi morris n/a
Mojo in My Hand L. C. 'Good Rockin'' Robinson 1 Mojo In My Hand L. C. 'Good Rockin'' Robinson Arhoolie Records
Sunset to Dawn Mel Walker With Johnny Otis Orch 7 That's Your Last Boogie! Johnny Otis Fantastic Voyage
Quit Hangin' Around Saunders King 12 Blues Around Midnight Various Artists ACE
only a fool Etta James 1 Who's Blue? Rare Chess Recordings From The 60S And 70S Etta James Kent
Mistrustin' Blues Little Esther Phillips 16 The History Of Rhythm And Blues Volume Two 1942-1952 Various Artists Rhythm and Blues Records
as long as i'm moving ruth brown 2-14 The Road To Rock And Roll Vol. 3 Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
Ride With Me Tonight David 'Honeyboy' Edwards 4 i been around David 'Honeyboy' Edwards 32 blues
Racketeer's Blues Lonnie Johnson 18 Steppin' On The Blues Lonnie Johnson COLUMBIA
Get Out of Here Billy Boy Arnold 9 The Bluesville Years. Vol 12: Jump, Jumpin' The Blues Various Artists PRESTIGE
(Real) Fine Boogie Snooky Pryor 9 An Introduction To Snooky Pryor Snooky Pryor FUEL 2000
I Ain't Got You Jimmy Reed 2 You Don't Have To Go Jimmy Reed ORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
Baby Boogie Woogie Curly Weaver 3 Juke Joint Jump:A Boogie Woogie Celebration Various Artists Blue Label / SPV
b b boogie b b king 3 20 r'n'b hits of the 50s Various Artists ace
california blues lonesome sundown 7 rhythm and bluesin' by the bayou various artists ace
Created: 23/02/2014 23:51:23

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