We started a show with a track originally taken from the only truly essential blues album - the sessions had Albert King backed by Booker T and the MGs, sparse guitar lines and immaculate understated drumming from Al Jackson; fluid organ from Jones and rock solid bass from Duck Dunn. Non-pareil playing and arrangements.
Our birthday book had space for Larry Garner, Louis Jordan and James Cotton. The last named upset more than a few folks in blues by posing in dungarees on the porch of a run down shack for the artwork of his Verve project. The music was something special however, with Joe Louis Walker on earthy down-home guitar and Charlie Haden on "proper" standup acoustic bass.
Same instrument plus Sue Palmer on piano and Kid Ramos bringing unpretentious playing to Candye Kane's go at "Fine Brown Frame". She is constantly working, often for charitable causes, and I've never heard her bitter or complaining about her lot in life, she still sings well and gave the song a nice interpretation. I used the title as a subtle introduction to a pair of bicycle songs marking the Tour de France stage starting in the morning. Bob Gaddy rippled through his one and Fats Domino updated the "Bicycle Built for Two" theme on the b-side of a 1961 single on Imperial.
It's become our custom to be first out of the traps with a Christmas song and we took no chances by ensuring no-one could say we were just late for last year. Despite putting it into my FB status I'm sure there were some first time visitors who thought I wouldn't press play on Clarence Carter.
Both Luther Allison and Fenton Robinson brought wares from their Alligator cupboards, and Screamin' Jay rode close to the edge with a guitarist that I've not yet identified. Jesse Fuller showed his gifts in a different way. James Phelps had a decent secular career after following Johnnie Taylor in the Soul Stirrers. Before that he'd been lead voice for the Calvary Clefs who did gospel duties for us. Victoria Spivey had Lonnie Johnson along for support with deft fingers and urbane voice. That mood often suited Arthur Prysock but we found an uptempo treatment of "Good Rockin Tonight" he did for Old Town.
Next week we've a mind to go down Texas way at 10pm(BST) on Sunday night for more of Britain's Other Blues Show - 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 |
Laundromat Blues | Albert King | 1 | King Of The Blues Guitar | Albert King | Atlantic |
If You Come To Louisiana | Larry Garner | 8 | Blues For Sale | Larry Garner | Dixiefrog |
low down and dirty | luther allison | 1 | Crucial Chicago Blues | Various Artists | Alligator |
I Hear Some Blues Downstairs | Fenton Robinson | 12 | Crucial Chicago Blues | Various Artists | Alligator |
(She Put The) Whamee On Me | Screamin' Jay Hawkins | 21 | The R'n'b Hits Of 1955 | Various Artists | CASTLE |
linda lu | Robert 'Bilbo' Walker | 4 | Rock The Night | Robert 'Bilbo' Walker | ROOSTER BLUES |
Run Rose (Checker 957) | billy miranda | 1 | Slabs Of Humdingers, Vol. 1 | Various Artists | Vee-Tone Records |
Shine On | Lillian Offitt | 8 | Chief Records Story | Various Artists | one day |
Fine Brown Frame | Candye KaneKid Ramos | 8 | Guitar'd And Feathered | Candye Kane | Ruf |
Bicycle Blues | Bob Gaddy & His Alleycats | 7 | Bluestream | Various Artists | MAINSTREAM |
Rockin' Bicycle | Fats Domino | 26 | The Imperial Singles Vol. 4, 1959-1961 | Fats Domino | ACE |
Dealin' With The Devil | James CottonJoe Louis Walker | 4 | Deep In The Blues | James CottonJoe Louis Walker | VERVE |
Guitar Blues | Jesse Fuller | 5 | The Lone Cat | Jesse Fuller | ORIGINAL BLUES CLASSICS |
So Sweet | Drink Small | 2 | Hallelujah Boogaloo | Drink Small | MUSIC MAKER |
It Ain't Nothin' But The Truth | Johnny Rawls | 5 | Put Your Trust In Me | Johnny Rawls | JSP Records |
Ain't That Just Like A Woman | Louis Jordan | 18 | The History Of Rhythm And Blues Volume Two 1942-1952 | Various Artists | Rhythm and Blues Records |
Pinetop's Boogie-Woogie | Pinetop Perkins | 24 | Sun Blues Box : 1950-1958 | Various Artists | CHARLY |
Dynamite (Groove Ep Egb 1000) | boots brown | 5 | Slabs Of Humdingers, Vol. 1 | Various Artists | Vee-Tone Records |
Boot 'Em Up | Du Droppers, The | 7 | Groove Records Story | Various Artists | one day |
goin' crazy | pete guitar lewis | 1-25 | boogie uproar | various artists | one day |
Quinsella | Sonny Boy Johnson | 3 | Alley Special | Various Artists | COLLECTABLES |
going down to the river | clefs of calvary feat. james phelps | 2-28 | get your soul right | various artists | fantastic voyage |
Idle Hours | Victoria Spivey & Lonnie Johnson | 9 | The Bluesville Years. Vol 8: Roll Over, Ms. Beethoven | Various Artists | PRESTIGE |
good rockin' tonight | arthur prysock | 4 | too late baby | arthur prysock | ace |
Back Door Santa | Clarence Carter | 1 | The Original Soul Christmas | Various Artists | RHINO |
Nine Below Zero | Sonny Boy Williamson | 9 | King Biscuit Time | Sonny Boy Williamson | ARHOOLIE |
Worried Man Blues | Johnny Williams | 5 | Down Home Blues Classics - Chicago (1946-1954) | Various Artists | BOULEVARD VINTAGE |
lie to me | john and sylvia embry | 3 | troubles | john and sylvia embry | delmark |
Goin Away Baby (Round Like An Apple) | Smokey Wilson | 6 | Round Like An Apple: Big Town Sessions 1977-1978 | Smokey Wilson | ACE |
Dynamite At Midnite (Apollo 507) | king curtis | 13 | Slabs Of Humdingers, Vol. 1 | Various Artists | Vee-Tone Records |
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