The link back to last week's "Fake ID" took us to one of the biggest selling blues albums of them all: "Showdown!" by Robert Cray, Johnny Copeland and Albert Collins. The Hop Wilson composition "Black Cat Bone was something Collins and Copeland laid down on the first night before Cray showed up". Our closing link featured Shemekia Copeland, Johnny's daughter and the end of the chain so far...
The "You Me & 1001 Blues" piece we did at half past ten told the tale of Bruce Iglauer's passion to record Hound Dog Taylor that lead to Alligator's birth. It was fitting we had another piece at half past eleven looking into Chris Strachwitz' quest to record Lightnin' Hopkins in a juke joint that took a diversion by way of some lovely playing from Mance Lipscomb. In addition to sharing a hard won independence, both labels have strong communal spirit with small staff rosters and big family spirit. Mavis Staples and Fred McDowell held down the gospel tent and Professor Longhair and Robert Shaw showed off fabulous keyboard skills for the piano feature. Longhair's album proved to be his last while R L Burnside was on hand with one of his earliest pieces gathered on an anthology of 1960's Mississippi Blues. Chris couldn't spell the French name of Clifton Chenier's song so they settled simply for "Louisiana Blues" and Alligator was happy to act as the American outlet for a French album recorded by the old sparring partners Buddy Guy and Junior Wells.
There were folks I'd ear marked to play (Koko Taylor, John Jackson etc) that will have to await a catchup selection - both labels had fascinating stories to tell. Our music is immeasurably richer for their contributions and I hope last night's STAR BLUES gave a small taster. I've another white tee-shirt for next Sunday's show, until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you.
| Track | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|
| Black Cat Bone | Albert Collins&Johnny Copeland | [1-3]The 20th Anniversary Collection - Various Artists{- -} |
| Pontiac Blues | Sonny Boy Williamson (Aka Rice Miller) | [1-1]American Masters Vol. 2 : Urban Blues - Various Artists{- -} |
| Been Gone Too Long | Billy Boy Arnold | [1-16]25th Anniversary Collection - Various Artists{- -} |
| Anna Lee | Earl Hooker | [1-4]American Masters Vol. 2 : Urban Blues - Various Artists{- -} |
| Going Home | Son Seals | [1-11]Alligator Records 40th Anniversary (2Xcd) - Various Artists{- -} |
| Poor Black Mattie | R. L. Burnside | [1-14]American Masters Vol. 1 : Country Blues - Various Artists{- -} |
| Ain't Got Nobody | Hound Dog Taylor | [1-1]Deluxe Edition - Hound Dog Taylor{- -} |
| Wild, Wild Woman | Johnny Young | [1-1]Chicago Blues - Johnny Young{- -} |
| Burn Your Bridges | Cephas & Wiggins | [1-7]Crucial Harmonica Blues - Various Artists{- -} |
| Mercury Blues | K. C. Douglas | [1-2]Journey Of Chris Strachwitz (40 Years Of Arhoolie Records) - Various Artists{- -} |
| When A Guitar Plays The Blues | Roy Buchanan | [1-10]The Alligator Blues Sampler - Various Artists{- -} |
| Louisiana Blues | Clifton Chenier | [1-25]Journey Of Chris Strachwitz (40 Years Of Arhoolie Records) - Various Artists{- -} |
| Red Beans aka I Got My Mojo Working | Professor Longhair | [2-8]Alligator Records 40th Anniversary (2Xcd) - Various Artists{- -} |
| The Ma Grinder | Robert Shaw | [1-7]Arhoolie Presents American Masters, Vol. 8: 15 Piano Blues & Boogie Classics - Various Artists{- -} |
| Step Into The Light | Mavis Staples | [2-11]Alligator Records 40th Anniversary (2Xcd) - Various Artists{- -} |
| 'bout A Spoonful | Mance Lipscomb | [1-5]American Masters Vol. 1 : Country Blues - Various Artists{- -} |
| Give Me My Coat And Shoes | Buddy Guy & Junior Wells | [1-12]Alligator Records 40th Anniversary (2Xcd) - Various Artists{- -} |
| Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning | Fred McDowell & Johnny Woods | [1-13]15 Down Home Gospel Classics - Various Artists{- -} |
| Better Not Touch | Shemekia Copeland | [1-6]Deluxe Edition - Shemekia Copeland{- -} |
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