In the words of the great Philosopher (Berry, C.) "You Never Can Tell". You never can tell when or where the muse will strike for inspiration on what to include in STAR BLUES. Half-way up a ladder was I when Joe Duskin's version of "EveryDay I Have The Blues" was knocked on its ass by a caustic guitar solo for all the world like Eric Clapton. Except it was Peter Frampton. Who'd a thought it.
I was tempted to say I nearly came a Cropper but he was backing Albert King on our "1001 Blues" feature so we'll quickly move past the easy pun. Our chain started with an unplugged Clapton and ended with a fully energised Freddie King. Marie Knight did a version of Gary Davis for our Gospel spot and we went back to 1953 for a great track to mark Eddie Kirkland's tragic death last week. His "No Shoes" just had him and a drummer with John Lee Hooker nowhere to be seen in Detroit for the King label. Some researchers thought Hooker was in there by dint of Eddie's strong thumb-picked bass lines and the series of duet pieces they were turning out at the same time.
Etta James' rarest sides for Chess are now out through Ace, 18 for the first time on cd. Her health is still parlous and her unissued side from 1964 showed us what a great voice she had. Johnny Vincent's Mississippi label inspired Ace here in London and they now reach vol 3 of the label story. Bobby Marchon's "Loberta" was added to the original issue and was on the show last night. He had to wait to move from Huey Piano Smith's Clowns before finding success in his own right, even this track was doctored with Huey's voice before Vincent put it out.
The purists had plenty of evidence in the case against Rory Block last night, her go at "Worried Mind" was characterised with the guitar taps and mannerisms they find unpalatable, she is however drawing attention to the music of Mississippi Fred McDowell which aint no bad thing. I've got another white tee-shirt lined up and a few more surprises on the playlist for STAR BLUES next Sunday night at 10pm - until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you.
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