Sunday 30 November 2014

STAR BLUES on 30th November 2014 at 22:00 marking some silent strings and brand new projects

Back from foraging for blues in pastures northern - in time to play music from Mickey Champion and Little Joe Washington. I feel like a ten year old finding new music on vinyl for the first time. There are more places to look now, especially up and around Whitby: I guess the strong goth scene has kept things going there. So it was in my regular pilgrimage that yielded albums by Jerry McCain and Paul Kelly. Kelly's gospel stylings on "Come By Here" got him into  our playlist. Then in Bury St. Edmunds alongside the Christmas Fayre I scored a mint copy of a European release that couples early Otis Redding with Little Joe Curtis. Joe has a pretty decent voice and I can't believe these sides are the sum total  of his output?

Similarly in Bury, I spent time in HMV looking at their vinyl, with an increasing stock they now put it out in crates across the shop floor. I knelt down rummaging and I noticed a young lad with two companions looking at one of the albums. He then said to the girls "this is why I have to get myself a record player". When he'd gone I saw he'd been looking at "Muddy Waters at Newport".

Our show included a couple of things to mark the deaths of Mickey Champion and Little Joe Washington. Mickey was a one of the breed of glamourous r&b vocalists often out front for a big orchestra (she was discovered by Johnny Otis). Still working with regular club bookings in and around Oakland, with albums into this century, she will be much missed. Joe was one of far too many bluesmen who knew homelessness first hand. He was a distinctive figure with his bicycle on the Houston blues circuit, by reputation he was both ornery and marvellous in equal measure. His first recordings were on Federal (which I haven't found yet) and he did two top notch projects for Eddie Stout on the Dialtone label. I read somewhere Joe was revered in Japan and you're urged to dig out the cover piece on him in Living Blues magazine.

Our first hour flew past as we briefly dipped into new product by Billy Boy Arnold, Linsey Alexander and Eric Bibb; Chicago-born Douglas Watson made his debut on STAR BLUES after mightily impressing Lady Blue with his singing. The title "Soul Brothers" has graced dozens of lesser projects over the years; the new pairing of Otis Clay and Johnny Rawls is an entirely different league Otis has never sung better and Rawls playing is elegantly crafted as always. John Mayall has just had his 81st birthday - he's just played at the Corn Exchange here in Cambridge - we celebrated with a rarity off an e/p/ he did with Paul Butterfield. Our gospel spot had a piece from Sunday Wilde who has never been featured in the genre before.

Our vinyl hour covered several decades: from Memphis Minnie through to Phillip Walker. Depending on your base reference Minnie was married or not to Casey Bill Weldon. Lillian Offit has been in these parts before, Miss Janice hasn't. I only found her again after a prod from Facebook, as well as earthy passion in vox, there's agressive guitar too on her single on Proverbs. Houston Stackhouse and Houston Boines were promised and delivered, some unexpected bonus running time came our way so no better excuse than to indulge B. B. King and Elmore James. The holiday excursion for the year now seems far away but with some top notch treasure to add to my list of possibilities ready to bring back round your place. All being well we're up for another session on Sunday at 10pm (GMT) until then take care of yourselves and take care of those than take care of you


track.title track.artistsort index album.title album.artistsort label
Ridin' On The L & N John Mayall 20 A Hard Road John Mayall DECCA
Call My Wife Linsey Alexander 5 Come Back Baby Linsey Alexander DELMARK
my baby told me Joe 'Guitar' Hughes 1-4 rounder revue various artists BULLSEYE BLUES
when you got a heartache douglass watson 2 broken hearted man (e.p) douglas watson
Alley Cat Boogie Mississippi Heat 1 Warning Shot Mississippi Heat DELMARK
I Heard the Angels Singin' Eric Bibb Featuring Jean-Jacques Milteau and Blind Boys of a 8 Blues People Eric Bibb STONY PLAIN
Good For Nothin' Man Mickey Champion 10 No More Doggin': The Rpm Records Story Volume 1 1950-53 Various Artists ACE
Bam-A-Lam Mickey Champion 26 Voodoo Voodoo: Feisty Fifties Females Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
walk with me sunday wilde 13 he digs me sunday wilde untouchable
She's in New Orleans Little Joe Washington 5 Texas Fire Line Little Joe Washington DIALTONE
I Feel Alright Lil Joe Washington 3 Houston Guitar Blues Lil Joe Washington Dialtone Records
yama yama pretty mama richard berry 2-10 speak easy - rpm records story vol. 2 various artists ace
I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water Billy Boy Arnold 2 The Blues Soul Of Billy Boy Arnold Billy Boy Arnold STONY PLAIN
Momma Didn't Raise No Fool Otis Clay 2 Soul Brothers Otis Clay & Johnny Rawls Catfood
Hey, Hey, Baby's Gone Phillip Walker 9 Bottom Of The Top / Blues Phillip Walker DEMON
Wine-O Baby Boogie Big Joe Turner 79 All The Classic Hits Big Joe Turner JSP Records
Can't Go on (Excello 2139) Lillian Offit 13 45's Collection Prt 078 Various Artists
Down In Texas Mari Jones & Johnny Moore's 3 Blazers 20 Blues Belles With Attitude Various Artists ACE
Scarred Knees (Proverb 1080) Little Miss Janice 3 45's Collection Prt 066 Various Artists
Come By Here Paul Kelly 4 Best Of Paul Kelly WARNER BROS.
Backwater Blues (That Mean Old Twister) Lightnin' Hopkins 6 Country Blues Lightnin' Hopkins DOP
Where Is My Good Man At? Memphis Minnie 3 The Essential Memphis Minnie ALLEGRO
Outskirts Of Town Casey Bill Weldon 8 Roots Of Van Morrison Various Artists CATFISH
Cool Drink Of Water Houston Stackhouse 3 The Devil's Music Various Artists INDIGO
Going Home Houston Boines, 7 The Modern Downhome Blues Sessions Vol. 1 Various Artists ACE
boogie chillun john lee hooker 15 Roots Of Van Morrison Various Artists CATFISH
hand in hand elmore james 20 The Modern Downhome Blues Sessions Vol. 1 Various Artists ACE
you upset me baby b. b. king 1-11 speak easy - rpm records story vol. 2 various artists ace
losing boy eddy giles 1 southern soul brother eddy giles kent
a losing battle johnny adams 11 ric and ron vol. 2 various artists ace
Created: 30/11/2014 23:53:09


Sunday 9 November 2014

STAR BLUES on 9th November 2014 at 22:00

"Hard To Explain" is a brand new collection of funky blues 1968-1984 including two tracks from Finis Tasby who died last week - so we had no hesitation in putting them into our playlist.


track.title track.artistsort index album.title album.artistsort label
Angel Of Mercy Albert King 3 Ultimate Collection Albert King RHINO
army blues bobby blue bland 3 the 3b blues boy bobby blue bland ace
you're gonna miss me - live michael coleman 13 blues brunch at the mart michael coleman delmark
You'd Better Think Twice Jesse Anderson 4 Chicago/ The Blues Yesterday 8 ACE
i got the blues eddie giles 2 southern soul brother eddie giles kent
Richland Woman Blues Bonnie Raitt 13 The Lost Broadcast: Philadelphia 1972 Bonnie Raitt Left Field Media
I'm A Red Hot Mama Victoria Spivey 7 The Prestige/Bluesville Story Various Artists NOT NOW
Yes, Baby Big Mama Thornton & Johnny Ace 9 That's Your Last Boogie! Johnny Otis Fantastic Voyage
Two Timin' Baby Rabon Tarrant W. Jack McVea & His Orchestra 10 Rhythm And Blues All Stars Vol 3 : Jump And Shout Various Artists INDIGO
walk on finis tasby 4 more shattered dreams various artists bgp
find something else to do finis tasby 14 more shattered dreams various artists bgp
Jumpin' at the Cadillac Little Mack & James Cotton 10 Bachelor Blues Various Artists Neon Records (17)
Up Country Blues De Ford Bailey 6 Broke Black And Blue Various Artists PROPER
Pack Fair And Square (Peacock 1666) Big Walter PriceThunderbirds 1 Rhythm Rockin' Blues Various Artists Groove SOURCE
Stolen Love Miss Lavell 19 I Pity The Fool - The Duke Records Story Various Artists One Day Music
You Better Stop Andrew Brown 7 The Way I Feel Various Artists FLYRIGHT
poor boy's dream jimmy johnson 4 chicago blues bash various artists laserlight
johnny guitar johnny guitar watson 2-9 soul city los angeles various artists fantastic voyage
Blues Falling Jimmy Rogers 2 Selection Feat. Jimmy Rogers And More.... Various Artists
love my baby junior parker 6 honky tonk vol. 2 various artists ace
I Put My Trust In Thee Marie Knight 12 Screaming Gospel Holy Rollers Vol. 1 Various Artists Vee-Tone Records
higher grace gospel singers 3 Screaming Gospel Holy Rollers Vol. 2 Various Artists Vee-Tone Records
Detroit City Blues Fats Domino 2 Early Imperial Singles 1950-1952 Fats Domino ACE
Call Operator 210 Floyd Dixon 10 Let The Good Times Roll - The Aladdin Story Various Artists One Day Music
Runaway Man Blues Floyd Council 13 20th Century Blues Various Artists CATFISH
black ace black ace 14 20th Century Blues Various Artists CATFISH
Drop Down Mama Mississippi Fred McDowell 6 Story Of The Blues Various Artists SUNDAY TIMES NEWSPAPER
mercury blues K. C. Douglas 20 Mercury Blues K. C. Douglas Arhoolie Records
Toad Frog Blues Walter Beasley 8 Roll And Tumble Blues : History Of Slide Guitar Various Artists INDIGO
Just Tippin' In Brother Pete Williams 10 American Masters Vol. 1 : Country Blues Various Artists Arhoolie Records
Double Faced Deacon Tommy Brown 17 Jump 'N' Jive Various Artists METRO
Created: 09/11/2014 23:47:31 

Sunday 2 November 2014

STAR BLUES on 2nd November 2014 at 22:00

Sad news just before on-air time that Finis Tasby has died afte a long tussle with cancer, he was 74. Technical problems mean we've had to hold the three selections to mark a gorgeous warm voice who started as a drummer and reached far and wide as lead voice for the Mannish Boys. We also learned of the passing of guitarist Michael Coleman from Chicago. he played with James Cotton, Junior Wells and John Primer as well as putting out 5 albums of his own since his Delmark debut in 2000. Some of Michael's music next week too.

This week a remarkable bargain slab of vinyl by Marion Williams unearthed on a market stall in Bury St. Edmunds. Two other stalls and two record fairs in town on the same afternoon and the local HMV has overspilling crates of black 12 inch treasures. While I concede the use of cd's I've never cottoned on to those mp3 thingumy jigs: I can't process them at the studio and I can't audition them in my car. Her "Dead Cat On the Line" showed she could sing more than gospel. The Pilgrim travellers stretched out on Specialty for the formal gospel spot - and we had more piano craft than you'd care to shake a stick at: Eddie Boyd, Willie Mabon and Sunnyland Slim not withstanding.

Chicago blues stars to the fore  with Wolf, Muddy, Elmore and Sonny Boy. Pete Guitar Lewis and Little Milton brought crisp urgent playing to our showcase of the finest post-war fare. Lady Blue asked for the original swallows version of their risque outing and I could do naught but respond with the Dominoes Sixty Minute Man.

Billy Boy Arnold continues to go from strength to strength with another gem on Stony Plain, we also found a nice workout from Memphis Gold's back catalogue. The Little Devils are playing locally at the "Rock and Blues Club" next Sunday tea time and if you look sharp smartish you'll have time to nip into the Cambridge Corn Exchange to hear what John Mayall is getting up to in his 9th decade. Top that off with some trivia and tomfoolery in a white tee-shirt on your way home and you can round off a pretty spiffing evening. 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
The Moon Is Full Albert Collins 9 Collins Mix : The Best Of Albert Collins POINTBLANK
Bluesman for Life Roy Gaines 1 Bluesman For Life Roy Gaines JSP
You Got what It Takes Bobby Parker 2 n/a Various Artists .
Dynamite Earl Hooker 27 Chicago Bound: Chess Blues, R&b And Rock 'N' Roll Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
Life Could Be Miserable Willie Mabon 9 Willie's Blues - The Greatest Hits 1952 - 1957 Willie Mabon Jasmine Records
99 Lbs. Billy Boy Arnold 4 The Blues Soul Of Billy Boy Arnold Billy Boy Arnold STONY PLAIN
That's alright John Mayall 4 a Special life John Mayall .
On Top Of The World John Mayall 7 Live At The B. B. C. John Mayall DECCA
my perfect you little devils 1 . . .
Preacher Blues Memphis Gold 8 The Prodigal Son Memphis Gold Stackhouse Recording Company
Mean Red Spider Muddy Waters 2 Genesis - Beginnings Of Rock Vol. 3 Sweet Home Chicago Various Artists
Thunderbird Little Walter 21 chicago bound Various Artists fantastic voyage
moaning at midnight Howlin' Wolf 1-1 Howlin' Wolf / The Wolf Is At Your Door: The Singles 1951-1960 Howlin' Wolf Jasmine
can't hold out elmore james 2-5 chicago bound Various Artists fantastic voyage
mr highway man eddie boyd 10 blues is here to stay eddie boyd Jasmine Records
Bad Times Sunnyland Slim 3-17 Just For A Day: The Apollo Records Story Various Artists one day
Street Walkin' Woman Joe Hill Louis 7 The Modern Downhome Blues Sessions Vol. 3 Various Artists ACE
Whiskey Store Blues Larry Johnson 21 The Bluesville Years. Vol 6: Sweet Carolina Blues Various Artists PRESTIGE
hard times johnny fuller 1 The Modern Downhome Blues Sessions Vol. 5 Various Artists ACE
sad to be alone Sonny Boy Williamson (Aka Rice Miller) 17 Down And Out Blues // in memorium Various Artists bgo
Dead Cat On The Line Marion Williams 8 My Soul Looks Back - Best Of 1962-1992 Marion Williams SHANACHIE
Stretch Out Pilgrim Travellers, The 10 It's Spelt Specialty Various Artists Specialty
It Ain't The Meat Swallows, The 24 The History Of Rhythm And Blues Volume Two 1942-1952 Various Artists Rhythm and Blues Records
sixty minute man the dominoes 22 The History Of Rhythm And Blues Volume Two 1942-1952 Various Artists Rhythm and Blues Records
Boogie Guitar Johnny Otis Orchestra Feat. Pete 'Guitar' Lewis 7 The Johnny Otis Story Volume 1 Volume 1: 1945-57 Midnight At The Barrelhouse V A Johnny Otis & His Orchestra ACE
Boogie Freight Carl Green & Orchestra 20 The Complete Meteor: Blues, R&b, & Gospel Recordings Various Artists ACE
lets boogie baby little milton 2-22 The Complete Meteor: Blues, R&b, & Gospel Recordings Various Artists ACE
My Baby Done Gone schoolboy cleve 14 Shuckin' Stuff Various Artists WESTSIDE
got my nose open johnny littlejohn 15 Shuckin' Stuff Various Artists WESTSIDE
My Baby Left Me Little Eddie 3 Let Me Tell You About The Blues: Nashville Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
sittin here here drinking christine kitrell 11 Let Me Tell You About The Blues: Nashville Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
Papa Tree Top Blues Albennie Jones 13 The R'n'b Years 1947: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1947 Various Artists BOULEVARD VINTAGE
Mean Old World Eric Clapton And Duane Allman 4 Duane Allman Anthology Duane Allman POLYDOR
 Created: 02/11/2014 23:50:00