Most avid listeners to STAR BLUES will already know this but the free disc on the new issue of UNCUT magazine (there are others) confirms my earlier assertion on how blues is back. To mark the continuing resurgence, and the breadth of the genre, I included tracks from Jimmy Reed, Wynonie Harris, Bobby Bland and Blind Boy Fuller on the playlist last night. Surely more than enough there to please the pure at heart?
Watermelon Slim is a member of MENSA - not your average bluesman stereotype I'm sure you'll agree - and he's one of the headliners at this months Cambridge Folk Festival. As it was 4th of July weekend, his "Red White and Blues" from his first blues album from 2003 seemed appropriate. My gaffe on Lloyd Glenn from last week was atoned for with a magnificent 1949 Chicago session from Little Johnny Jones (helped out by Muddy Waters on stinging guitar). To complete the restitution for the error I also had a nice piece from Jimmy Yancey with customary off-kilter ending.
The distaff side of blues was ably represented by the earliest Lavern Baker outing for Atlantic and a sensitive reading of Dan Tyler's "When Will I?" from Candi Staten in the gospel spot. A new name to me - Catherine MacLellan - followed Candi with "Everything'll be Alright" from her sophomore project, gently played and sung. Old-timers, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and Ry Cooder turned up to do their stuff; the Robert Cray Band backed John Lee Hooker and Booker T & MGs backed Albert King, while Tommy Castro claims "You Can't Keep A Good Man Down". No argument here.
I'm making plans for a special show due August Bank Holiday Sunday and already sorting out somethings for next weeks offering on blues from the Commercial Radio station of the Year 2009 - on FM and online at http://www.star107.co.uk/ starting ten pm. My playlist for this show will be on garyblue.co.uk before the end of the day and I look forward to spending two hours in your company on Sunday, until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you
Gary Blue
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