There's a new book out drawing on reminiscences of Jimmy Page and the Rolling Stones and provided an excuse - not that I need - to play tracks from both on the show last night. STAR BLUES also took an unusual look at the upcoming Cambridge Folk Festival by playing an AC/DC cover off Lucinda Williams' new album - she tops the bill at the end of July. There's a strong lineup of names of interest to avid listeners and I'll feature another one every week until the day. Disgracefully overlooked by HM Queen in the birthday honours, John Mayall supports BBKing on the short series of stadium-size dates underway this week. Henceforth known as Lord Mayall of Macclesfield he did a great run through of "Cannonball Shuffle" in evidence of his claim and Mr. King got an outing from his best cd - not for nothing, King of the Blues.
This year the boss has taken on an allotment and our first crop of spuds is small but perfectly formed - former cop Robert Brown was on hand "Diggin his Potatoes" under his nom-de-blues - Washboard Sam. No other blues show on the planet combines gardening advice of this quality. Add to the mix the very first plays of albums by John Nemeth, Duke Robillard and Ronnie Earl and you've got a pretty varied two hours. That's without mention of piano blues from Dr. John and Eddie Boyd and gospel from the Staple Singers. The latter also provided a way of marking the death of session keyboard player Barry Beckett who starred on a number of classic sides from the likes of Wilson Pickett and Aretha Franklin. Oh to have been at those sessions, many including the much missed guitarist Duane Allman who started the show with familiar gusto in the songbook of Blind Willie McTell.
I've a couple of requests for Father's Day next week when Star Blues returns at 10 on FM and online at the Commercial Station of the Year 2009. Until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you
Gary Blue
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