When I first went to school I was in a class of thirty pupils and that was the whole world as far as I knew, moving to Big School had 1200 in total which was way more than I could count. At my first football match there were 19023 in the crowd all standing shoulder to jostling shoulder. Even though I'm older and wiser now I can't get my head round ten times that number just taken in an instant in Haiti.
So - at the risk of being fired for encouraging listeners not to phone or text a radio station - I asked folks instead of calling to make even the smallest donation to http://www.dec.org.uk/ or the Red Cross during last night's STAR BLUES show.
We had a short musical tribute to writer and singer Bobby Charles including his original version of "Later Alligator" complete with authentic Louisiana feel. Brand new albums from Little Joe McLerran, Will Taylor and Electrofied were on offer as was an advance preview of local favourite Danny Bryant's new cd due on 8th February. On it he covers a John Hiatt song and supplies all the other songs himself. I'd like him to sound a bit more like Danny Bryant and less like Walter Trout but he is well established now with this his 7th outing. Ray Bailey has the album of the month in the new Blues & Rhythm magazine and he gave us a very fluid demonstration of his axe skill - as did Tony Fazio on "Bad Case of the Blues" by Electrofied. To prove yours truly (in his white tee-shirt) does indeed bring you blues in all shades within ten minutes we also had the bel-canto pleasure of Big Joe Turner and the deft guitar work of Robert Wilkins whose "No Way To Get Along" was converted into "Prodigal Son" by the Rolling Stones.
Over in the piano tent, Big Joe Duskin raised the tempo for his "Cincinnatti Stomp" and birthday boy Henry Gray gave us "Cold Chills". Gray made his name in sessions at Chess and twelve years in Howlin' Wolf's band (check out his playing on "Goin' Down Slow"), he will be 85 on Tuesday and still plays live in Pheonix with his band The Cats. Also in Phoenix is the KJZZ radio station that has a blues show hosted for over 25 years by Bob Corritore. There's an album "Broadcasting The Blues" that celebrates his milestone including a nice down home performance from Lazy Lester. Bob has also compiled an anthology of Phoenix acts from 50's and 60's that I'll feature on next weeks show. That one will celebrate the upcoming 80th birthday of the artist known as "The Voice", Bobby Bland. I hope you'll be able to come along for two hours more blues, news, reviews and tomfoolery (if I haven't been fired) this Sunday at 10pm (GMT) on 107.9/1 FM and from www.star107.co.uk. Until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that care care of you
Gary Blue
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