Sunday 22 February 2015

STAR BLUES on 22nd February 2015 at 22:00 - a night at the Oscars

a world away from Hollywood our STAR BLUES had plenty to celebrate on your red carpet. Birthday book entries for Fats Domino and Corey Harris amongst others. Johnny Winter (somewhat predictably won a posthumous Grammy) and would have turned 71 tomorrow (Monday). His winning project was earthier than many of his later albums and the prize befits a player whose obituary ran two full pages in Living Blues magazine. We also marked the passing of Vernon Ray Harrington who came to play Castor Village Hall not so long back.

Recent positive feedback on pre-war sides gave us the spur to include singles from Blind Willie Johnson and Blind Willie McTell. At the recent end of the spectrum we also had a track from Bobby Rush's new one (we've said it before: what's he got to do to get a Grammy). Eddie Boyd and Otis Spann both did sessions for Mike Vernon and his Blue Horizon imprint ; we include one apiece into the STAR BLUES cornucopia.

Our Oscars were Woods and McLollie - about as polar opposite   as you could imagine; we could have had Moore or Brown (or even Junior Walker based on his given moniker). They sat neatly alongside big guns such as John Lee Hooker, Bukka White and Big Joe Turner. With Spann and Boyd on piano stool we added Frank Frost and George Smith on Mississippi sax.

Fats Domino will be 87 on Thursday and his joyous sound spread over several decades and could've yielded a whole show for his party. He sold more records in the 50's than Elvis Presley and you're urged to look for a 4-cd set on EMI called "the Fat Man": as they say all killer no filler. Mike Sanchez is a versatile pianist, guitarist, singer and writer - he also had a birthday and his jumpin' swing numbers never fail to please. Missy Anderson had a nice live feel to her recent album with nice ensemble playing with emphasis away from electric guitar noodling - she had a birthday too.

track.title track.artistsort index album.title album.artistsort label
Going Back To Texas Bob Kirkpatrick 1 Going Back To Texas Bob Kirkpatrick JSP Records
my baby's comin' home James Wheeler 11 ready Kenny Parker delmark
Walking Thru' The Park Johnny WinterMuddy Water 9 Nothin' But The Blues Johnny Winter BEAT GOES ON
Can't Hold Out (Talk to Me Baby) [Feat. Ben Harper] Johnny Winter 2 Step Back Johnny Winter  
whole lotta nuthin missy anderson 2 in the moment missy anderson main squeeze records
love of a woman Blinddog Smokin', Bobby Rush 6 Decisions Bobby Rush With Blinddog Smokin'  
You Did Me Wrong Vernon Ray Harrington 1 West Side Blues Vernon Ray Harrington ATOMIC-H2
strung out Dave Thompson 7 Come On Down To The Delta (Plus) Dave Thompson (Plus) jsp
You Got To Move Corey Harris 5 Fish Ain't Bitin' Corey Harris Alligator
All She Wants To Do Is Rock Mike Sanchez 2 Women And Cadillacs Mike Sanchez DOOPIN
i hear you knockin fats domino 5 fat man sings fats domino music for pleasure
don't blame it on me fats domino 6 fat man sings fats domino music for pleasure
Mr. Lucky John Lee Hooker 1 The Original Mr. Lucky John Lee Hooker BLUES ENCORE
your time is gonna come henry oden 8 you're wrong for that henry oden n/a
T. V. Mama Big Joe Turner 16 The Blues Boss Big Joe Turner BLUES ENCORE
The Honey Jump Oscar McLollie 16 The R'n'b Years 1953: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1953 Various Artists BOULEVARD VINTAGE
It’s Gettin’ Late Al King 4 Together Al KingArthur K. Adams ACE
Strollin' With Bones T-Bone Walker 64 The Original Source T-Bone Walker PROPER
Stop For The Red Light Harold Burrage 13 Double Trouble The Cobra Records Story Various Artists One Day Music
Mr. McTell Got The Blues Blind Willie McTell 10 Statesboro Blues Blind Willie McTell ORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
Hard Dallas Blues Ramblin' Thomas 10 Let Me Tell You About The Blues: Texas Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
It’s Nobody’s Fault But Mine Blind Willie Johnson 3 Let Me Tell You About The Blues: Texas Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
Got A Date At Half Past Eight Jesse Fuller 14 Blues Roots Various Artists TOMATO
no more foolin Otis Spann 1-10 blue horizon recordings otis spann blue horizon
you gotta reap Eddie Boyd 3 blue horizon recordings eddie boyd blue horizon
Jelly Roll King Frank Frost 15 Blues Upside Your Head Various Artists CHARLY
Times Won't Be Hard Always George 'Harmonica' Smith 4 Now You Can Talk About Me George 'Harmonica' Smith BLIND PIG RECORDS
Going Down In Georgia On A Horn John Jackson 3 American Masters Vol. 1 : Country Blues Various Artists Arhoolie Records
Shake Your Stuff Richard Trice 5 Come On 'Round To My House, Baby Richard Trice  
The Panama Limited Bukka White 23 Let Me Tell You About The Blues: Memphis Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
Goin' To Alabama Al Smith 11 The Prestige/Bluesville Story Various Artists NOT NOW
T- Model Boogie Rosco Gordon 19 Let Me Tell You About The Blues: Memphis Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
Created: 22/02/2015 23:48:24




Sunday 15 February 2015

STAR BLUES on 15th February 2015 at 22:00 looking at the calendar for Magic Sam and Little Walter, the front cover for

.. RL Burnside and WC Clark as featured in the new issues of Blues and Rhythm and Living Blues magazines. Plenty of Chicago Blues too because Buddy Guy got a lifetime Grammy and we never need an excuse to play Otis Rush, Luther Allison or Jimmy Dawkins.

Otis Grand is for many a Marmite kinda blues player but there's no denying he's back to peak form with projects like Blues 65 where the lengthy solos have given way to concise crispness that recalls B. B. King in his hey day. His birthday on Valentine's Day has been shared with Magic Sam Maghett whose brief career produced such intense singing and playing which continues to be massively influential. Just last year Delmark put out some "lost" recordings Sam did in Milwaukee at the Avant Garde club, quite possibly the only essential live blues project. Our look at his work also went to an informal project Sam recorded at home - though the fidelity wasn't studio quality it was a terrific example of a master playing for himself with the same tone and presence as those early Cobra singles.

In the week there'd been birthdates for Little Johnny Taylor and Phillip Walker so we dipped into their finest for the playlist. The other major feature marked the death of Little Walter in 1968 reportedly following a fight outside a club. He played harp like Louis Jordan played sax with a flowing melodic grace and just about anything he did set the benchmark for other mortals.

Blues and Rhythm magazine has just put out issue #297 and is regularly producing top-notch research and opinion ten times each year. Not sure what the 300 plans are yet but for around 40 of the recent issues, Ray Templeton has written his "Rudiments" which survey the most significant recordings of the artists central to blues. This time out he has gone to the work of R.L. Burnside, considered as the architect of "Mississippi Hill Country" style blues. RL blends elements of Lightnin' Hopkins and John Lee Hooker but in a very different setting - his cover of "Wish I was In Heaven Sittin' Down" is credited to Mr. Traditional in the booklet but it's darn close to the song Mississippi Fred McDowell did for Alan Lomax in 1959.

It was a nice treat to hear the partnership of Mickey Champions vocals and guitarist/band leader Zac Harmon who put a new spin on an old chestnut; Carl Weathersby is one of the consistent current players who is somewhat under appreciated. Willie Brown is mentioned by name in the lyrics of Robert Johnson's "Crossroads Blues" and we paired him with James "Boodle-It" Wiggins for our pre-war spot.

Being deliberately different for a reason allows us the licence to play Saunders King and RL Burnside within an hour or so, just don't ask anyone to choose a favourite between them. In a trice we were packing up the tin trunk ready to regroup next Sunday at 10pm (GMT) round your place if you'll have us - 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
It Hurts Me Too Zac HarmonMickey Champion 7 The Blues According To Zacariah Zac Harmon BLUESTONE RECORDS
In Your Backyard Otis Grand 9 Blues '65 Otis Grand MAINgate
You Don't Love Me Baby Luther Allison 26 100 Blues Gems Various Artists CHESS
Singing Side Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials 6 Blues And Soul Sessions Various Artists UNION SQUARE MUSIC
wish i was in heaven r. l. burnside 4 wish i was in heaven r. l. burnside fat possum
Walking By Myself Jimmy Rogers 12 Chicago Bound: Chess Blues, R&b And Rock 'N' Roll Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
Future Blues Willie Brown 4 Guitar Blues Various Artists ABM
Corrine Corrina Blues James 'Boodle-It' Wiggins 12 Pure Vintage Blues Vol. 3 : Future Blues Various Artists EMPRESS
C C Rider Henry Butler 12 Blues After Sunset Henry Butler BLACK TOP / C.R.S
Bad Luck Blues Magic Sam 7 Live At The Avant Garde 1968 Magic Sam DELMARK
love me with a feeling Magic Sam 4 west side guitar magic sam flyright
sweet little angel Magic Sam 7 give me time Magic Sam DELMARK
all your love Magic Sam 5 west side guitar magic sam flyright
Everything I Do Carl Weathersby 9 Best Of Carl Weathersby Carl Weathersby EVIDENCE
I Can't Hold Out Elmore James 5 Chicago Bound: Chess Blues, R&b And Rock 'N' Roll Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
As The Years Go Passing By Fenton Robinson 5 I Pity The Fool - The Duke Records Story Various Artists One Day Music
mean old world little walter 3 at his best little walter chess
Roller Coaster Little Walter 13 Chicago Bound: Chess Blues, R&b And Rock 'N' Roll Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
mellow down easy little walter 11 at his best little walter chess
First Class Love Little Johnny Taylor 7 The Galaxy Years Little Johnny Taylor ACE
Further On Up The Road Bobby 'Blue' Bland 26 It's My Life, Baby: The Singles - As & Bs, 1951-1960 Bobby 'Blue' Bland Jasmine
Someday You'll Have These Blues Phillip Walker 11 The Best Of Phillip Walker Phillip Walker HIGH TONE
You'll Need Another Favor W. C. Clark 9 Texas Soul W. C. Clark BLACK TOP
get your hands out of my pocket Otis Spann 1 otis spann's chicago blues Otis Spann Testament
Can't Last Too Long Henry Gray 5 Swamp Blues Various Artists ACE
Love Me Mama Lightnin' Slim 20 I'm A Rolling Stone Lightnin' Slim Lightnin' Slim Jasmine
Fool For You Billy Boy Arnold 3 Sweet And Tough - The Blues From Chicago Various Artists MUSIC CLUB
write me a letter blues Saunders King 2 Blues Around Midnight Various Artists ACE
good mornin little schoolgirl Buddy Guy and junior wells 1 chicago blues bash various artists DELMARK
My Baby's A Good'Un Otis Rush 2 Deep Feeling Various Artists Fantatsic Voyage
Trying To Get To You Henry Oden 6 You're Wrong For That ! Henry Oden  
Created: 15/02/2015 23:50:01




Sunday 8 February 2015

STAR BLUES on 8th February 2015 at 22:00 almost enirely vinyl

.. with tracks from Ace collections at the Bayou, the SAR recordings of the Valentinos and Soul Stirrers - plus - earliest outings by Lightnin' Slim and Little Milton now available via Jasmine.

Over in L.A. at the Grammys, Buddy Guy was honoured with a lifetime achievement statue - my only question would be about the wait for an artist who cut his first recordings six decades ago. He has always had a knockout one-two punch of voice and guitar and has been a huge influence outside blues. These days there's just one Blues award up for grabs and it';; most likely go to Charlie Musselwhite or to Johnny Winter. (Our choice is Bobby Rush who continues to stretch himself with each new project.

Marquise Knox turns 24 today and already has two fine albums to his credit, with Jerron Paxton and Brandon Bailey of similar vintage I've started telling folks there's never been a better time to discover our music. From years gone by our birthday book falls open at pages marking Lonnie Johnson, Johnny Guitar Watson, Eddie Burns and Floyd Dixon.

In mid-June there'll be a celebration of the music of Lead Belly at the Royal Albert Hall starring Van Morrison, Jools Holland and Joe Bonamassa. Josh White Jr is down the cast list and there's no good reason why Corey Harris and Guy Davis shouldn't have been in the frame? we had our own small preview of what made Huddie Ledbitter  special.

Via Abkco, the Ace label is adding the previously issued gems from Sam Cooke's SAR label to previously unissued songs and marvellous memorabilia. Everything from that era Soul Stirrers is within their two disc set and the Valentinos survey also has the the Womack Brothers material. Our gospel spot played host to both. Ace also has a tenth volume with a "Bayou" theme starting from the vaults of J. D. Miller. Tabby Thomas is a case in point and the Guitar Gable track found his own voice (his other sides often used outside singers).

Otis Hicks will have a centenary this year, he recorded using the name Lightnin' Slim and those earliest cuts are offered in vinyl single order of A and B side for the first time. He missed out on the wave of blues artists coming to Britain in the Sixties, though he was here just after for belated success. His set is on Jasmine, like that of Little Milton whose sides in his days before Checker had a raw edge even if his producers tried to fashion his playing after B. B. King.

We're plotting further mischief, mayhem, trivia and tomfoolery to bring round yours on Sunday night at 10pm (GMT) if you'll have us - until then take care of yourselves and take care of those who take care of you

track.title track.artistsort index album.title album.artistsort label
Hooker's Blues Joe Louis Walker 9 $He's My Money Maker Joe Louis Walker JSP Records
Every Dog's Got His Day Johnny Copeland 6 It's Me Johnny Copeland Kent
let me love you baby buddy guy 11 stone crazy buddy guy orbis blues collection
let's have a ball finis tasby 1 what my blues are all about finis tasby electro-fi
COMIN' FOR YOUR LOVIN; Marquise knox 7 here i am marquise knox apo
Sweet Lovin' Mama Johnny 'Guitar' Watson 12 Only Young Once: The King Records Story Various Artists One Day Music
Voodoo Voodoo Lavern Baker 31 Voodoo Voodoo: Feisty Fifties Females Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
I Need's To Be Be'd With Carol FranClarence Hollimon 7 Soul Sensation Carol FranClarence Hollimon BLACK TOP
Orange Driver Eddie Burns 1 The Harvey Singles Eddie Burns HARVEY
mercy mercy Don Covay 1 mercy mercy // see saw Don Covay RHINO
see saw Don Covay 13 mercy mercy // see saw Don Covay RHINO
Key To The Highway Don Covay 17 The Platinum Collection Don Covay RHINO
long distance operator Little Milton 13 chicago blues ... little milton jasmine
i found me a new love Little Milton 14 chicago blues ... little milton jasmine
Sweet Angel Earl Hooker 70 Down Home Blues Classics Various Artists BOULEVARD VINTAGE
i'd love to tell tabby thomas 3 mad dogs@ rhythm and bluesin by the bayou various artists ace
long way from home guitar gable 5 mad dogs@ rhythm and bluesin by the bayou various artists ace
telephone blues floyd dixon 2-5 complete aladdin recirdings floyd dixon capitol blues collection
I'm Living For You Steve Gibson & The Redcaps 7 It's So Good Steve Gibson & Red Caps ACROBAT
Weasel Walk Joe Morris 10 The R'n'b Years 1949: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1949 Various Artists BOULEVARD VINTAGE
I'm A Pilgrim Soul Stirrers, The 1 Joy In My Soul: The Complete SAR Recordings Soul Stirrers, The ACE
Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray Womack Brothers 2 Lookin' For A Love: The Complete SAR Recordings Various Artists ACE
Packin' Trunk Blues Lead Belly 1 Diggin' My Potatoes Lead Belly SPV
rock island line Odetta 12 Lookin For A Home - Thanks To Lead Belly Odetta M.C.
take this hammer Lead Belly 14 Diggin' My Potatoes Lead Belly SPV
Come On In My Kitchen Josh White Jr. 8 Dealin' With The Devil Various Artists DELUGE
Lucky To Be Living Frank Frost 3 Jelly Roll King Frank Frost CHARLY
Me And My Crazy Self Lonnie Johnson 11 Why Should I Cry? Lonnie Johnson SPV
Bottleneck Blues Weaver & Beasley 15 Broke Black And Blue Various Artists PROPER
Baby Please Don't Go Big Joe Williams 11 The Blues Box Various Artists METRO
Mean Ole Lonesome Train Lightnin' Slim 17 I'm A Rolling Stone Lightnin' Slim Lightnin' Slim Jasmine
Rooster Blues Lightnin' Slim 7 I'm A Rolling Stone Lightnin' Slim Lightnin' Slim Jasmine
Dynamite At Midnight King Curtis 7 Wail Man Wail! King Curtis Fantastic Voyage
Created: 08/02/2015 23:50:45

Sunday 1 February 2015

STAR BLUES on 1st February 2015 at 22:00 celebrating the art of piano blues

.. before it disappears from blues radio.I got involved in a conversation about favourite blues players - it struck me early on that I was the only one not pushing the case of one guitarist or another. We wanted to pass on birthday wishes to Jody Williams, Charlie Musselwhite and Bettye LaVette but it was going to be piano blues thereafter. Bettye is in a class of her own these days with a grainy world weariness that completely remade the Gnarls Barclay hit song.

We promised a round two dozen items and we could've easily done two dozen more in various styles including leading exponents of boogie-woogie and barrelhouse styles. However the finest piece you're likely to hear anytime anywhere ahead of next Sunday's show came courtesy of Charles Brown: classy skills interwoven with deft picking from Johnny Moore. Their collaboration was the exact opposite of rough and ready pounding from the bawdy houses of New Orleans. Cosimo Matassa ran J&M studios there and we chose a couple off a recent four-disc survey of his work (including the much missed and underrated Lee Dorsey).

We're back next Sunday at 10pm if you'll have us, 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
Memphis Lonnie Mack 30 Teen Beat: 30 Great Rockin' Instrumentals Various Artists ACE
You Left Me in the Dark Jody Williams 1 You Left Me In The Dark Jody Williams EVIDENCE
Gallows Pole Alvin Youngblood Hart 10 True Blues Various Artists TELARC
mr highway man Howlin' Wolf 16 Sun Blues Box : 1950-1958 Various Artists CHARLY
I'd Rather Go Blind Etta James 2 The Best Of Etta James Etta James SPECTRUM
crazy bettye lavette 6 tankful and thoughtful bettye lavette anti
blues overtook me charlie musselwhite 4 comin home to the blues various artists music club
Treat Me Mean And Evil Joe Hill Louis 5 The Sun Story - Vol.1 Various Artists INSTANT
Every Day Every Night Professor Longhair 12 Blues From The Heart Various Artists FAB-14
Two fisted Mama Katie Webster 4 Two-Fisted Mama! Katie Webster Alligator
Real Gone Amos Milburn 15 Blues Barrelhouse And Boogie - The Best Of Amos Milburn Capitol
Vicksburg Blues Little Brother Montgomery 15 The Prestige/Bluesville Story Various Artists NOT NOW
At The Window Jimmy Yancey 13 The Blues Box Various Artists METRO
do-re-mi lee dorsey 24 Cosimo Matassa Story vol 2 Various Artists Proper Box
Reeling And Rocking Fats Domino 11 Cosimo Matassa Story Various Artists Proper Box
Junker Blues Champion Jack Dupree 16 New Orleans Barrelhouse Boogie Champion Jack Dupree COLUMBIA
Everybody's Whalin' Huey 'Piano' Smith 3 The Ace Story - Volume 3 Various Artists ACE
Strut That Thing 'cripple' Clarence Lofton 12 Broke Black And Blue Various Artists PROPER
Johnny's Boogie Charles Brown 8 Roll 'Em Pete : 25 Years Of Piano Blues And Boogie Various Artists INDIGO
Monday Woman Willie Mabon 7 Willie's Blues - The Greatest Hits 1952 - 1957 Willie Mabon Jasmine Records
You Got To Help Me Some Memphis Slim 19 You Got To Help Me Some Memphis Slim BLUES ENCORE
fine and brown roosevelt sykes 7 Roll 'Em Pete : 25 Years Of Piano Blues And Boogie Various Artists INDIGO
Climbin' And Screamin' Pete Johnson 17 The Best Of Boogie Woogie Various Artists DOCUMENTS
Indiana Avenue Stomp Montana Taylor 18 The Best Of Boogie Woogie Various Artists DOCUMENTS
parrish street jive little brother montgomery 19 The Best Of Boogie Woogie Various Artists DOCUMENTS
boogie woogie blues albert ammons 4 The Best Of Boogie Woogie Various Artists DOCUMENTS
Rehearsing The Boogie Hadda Brooks 25 Modern Music: 1945 Various Artists ACE
Midnight Steppers Big Bill BroonzyJoshua Altheimer 16 The Southern Blues Big Bill Broonzy CHARLY
Tired Of Crying Over You Morris Pejoe feat. Henry Gray 25 Chicago Bound: Chess Blues, R&b And Rock 'N' Roll Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
We're Gonna Rock Gunter Lee Carr (Aka Cecil Gant) 21 Roll 'Em Pete : 25 Years Of Piano Blues And Boogie Various Artists INDIGO
kidman blues big maceo 2 The Best Of Boogie Woogie Various Artists DOCUMENTS
cow cow boogie cow cow davenport 4 The Best Of Boogie Woogie Various Artists DOCUMENTS
 Created: 01/02/2015 23:55:59