Thanks to a listener I was able to give the explanation about "Smokestack Lightning" on last night's show as well as offering "Buy-One Get-One Free" deals on Canned Heat and Howlin' Wolf. The enquiry had come about the classic song and the lyrics describe the sparks given off from the stack of those old fashioned locos running the length and breadth of the States. A small bit oi trivia there for when it goes quiet in the snug.
As well as the fabulous celebrations of blues, the founders of Canned Heat all had massive record collections of thousands of 78rpm discs - the show came full circle when I was also able to play a track by Joe Hill Louis from the soundtrack to a film "Desperate Man Blues" about the collection of Joe Bussard and shown on television on Friday night. The guy is amazing - in his Seventies with the enthusiasm of a teenager - playing air guitar along with a Robert Johnson rarity; he believes his enormous set of records should be played and enjoyed not stored away and revered.
The same night on television included a documentary and concert by Seasick Steve - a true wonder of the age, an old boy playing a single string diddley-bow to a rapt audience of 25000 (who'd have thought it would happen in their lifetime? Blues in the mainstream anyone?)
Blues & Rhythm magazine did a news piece on the show and was picked up by a new listener to the online service of the show. He had fond memories of the Cambridge blues scene in the 1960's including a historic gig by Little Walter at the Alley club. His letter to the show included photos and a whole host of Chicago Blues goodies that will get added to future playlists.
I also did tracks by the new albums from Bobby Jones (ex. Four Aces) and Joanne Shaw Taylor (a teenager with blond hair and nimble fretwork), piano blues in boogie and barrelhouse styles, gospel, a tribute to the late Fathead Newman and the usual tomfoolery. God willing, I'll be doing some more at ten next Sunday on-line and on FM - the playlists will be on http://www.garyblue.co.uk/ tonight - until we can be together again take care of yourselves and take of those that take care of you
Gary Blue
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