STAR BLUES on 9th August 2009 at 22:00

Even if the white tee-shirt couldn't be seen last night, STAR BLUES did deliver blues in all shades - much of it from the distaff side. Lady Bianca has joined the group on Facebook and celebrated a birthday this weekend so we helped with a track from her latest album. She has a big voice and piano talent to match, her individual approach to blues is a welcome change to the many young guitarists who think the music is easy as long as it's played loud.

Candye Kane hasn't always been dealt a good hand by life but she is a straight talking feisty lady that plays the cards she has with some style. The title of her album "Superhero" indicates her overcoming recent health problems back to live and studio work - a year after she thought those things would be gone. Her project is one of the few by a female voice that the boss at home will listen to, and who am I to dare argue? Laura Chavez is on Candye's album and she turned in some stinging guitar on Lara Price's version of the Buddy Guy song "Can't Quit The Blues". At any age that'd be a challenge but from a very placid looking 22-year old, it was astonishing.

Memphis Minnie could be thought of as forebear to the genre of female blues guitar star and it was fitting to include her on the playlist too last night. Alison Krauss' pure voice went Down to the River gospel-style and Mike Kindred held up the piano blues end of things. A new artist to me, Gene Rodgers, also did some boogie work on the keys and you could hear how he held down a spot in Coleman Hawkins orchestra.

My DVD player developed some random faults last week, I fixed them and chose the DVD from Stevie Ray Vaughan's box-set to check it was all working. Hence my choice of "May I Have A Talk With You" from the Texan legend for our playlist. IN similar robust fashion, there was an unreleased live version of "Further On Up The Road" by Jeff Healey taken from a cd-set issued in very controversial circumstances. A judge Stateside has decreed the release is legal so STAR BLUES had the first UK play of the set.

Thanks to everyone who took time to chat on Facebook during the show, I will be back next Sunday at ten with two hours more blues and tomfoolery - I'd be pleased to have your company on line at http://www.star107.co.uk/ and on FM at the Commercial Radio station of the Year 2009. Until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you

Gary Blue