STAR BLUES on 23rd October 2011 at 22:00

Don't call me Scrooge just yet but STAR BLUES had its first cd of Christmas music yesterday - you can be sure I'll have it in a safe place when December comes around. From Santa to sex and cars in one seamless leap when the subject matter for song comes from Chuck Berry. We made him leave his Ding a Ling alone but we did let him bring a couple of pretty decent blues to celebrate turning 85 this week. Toby Walker also sang about automobiles for a song covered elsewhere by Ry Cooder (among others).

It is an unbelievable 40 years since Duane Allman was killed and we had no hesitation in marking the anniversary with some examples of his slide wizardry. His radio appearance with Delaney and Bonnie filled our 1001 Blues spot because we found more than our quota of trivia (Producer Phil Ramone was the man behind the infamous Marilyn Monroe "Happy Birthday" performance, he has worked with Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra and Pavarotti) (See what I mean). On Thursday we noted the death (age 35) of John Alex Mason from cancer, yet his photos show him as a good looking blond healthy guy that could easily be a pro-footballer. He often played a guitar made from a cigar box while wailing on bass and drums. He had the balls to take on some old standards like Rolling and Tumbling and make them his own. The sadness is in what may well have been and just two albums to remember him by.

Neat little gem this week from Chick Willis - a real down homey piece that features his old pal Travis Haddix. I almost left it in my home cd player as its become one of my picks for 2011. Jo Ann Kelly is another much missed genius and Superbird will issue a rarities set in November, caveat emptor though because the album was out for a very brief spell on the Indigo label before being withdrawn. Worth checking out just for the two interviews she gives on the last pair of tracks.

Carl Sonny Leyland is a Brit who recorded a fine piano project in New Orleans and we paired him with Jimmy Yancey's "Buggle Call" in the piano feature. Not just me that can't spell. Lou Rawls was lead voice for the Chosen Few on our gospel spot and Catfish Keith gave us something from his new retrospective too join in.

Trivia by the smidge load, tomfoolery by the smudgeload and white tee shirt by the washing load - we did it this week and with your help we'll do it again next week. Until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you

Ya Ya	Sonny Rhodes	7	Disciple Of The Blues	Sonny Rhodes	Wild Dog
Quicksand	Guitar Slim	17	The Story Of My Life	Guitar Slim	SPV
My Fannie Mae	Chick WillisTravis Haddix	7	Let The Blues Speak For Itself	Chick WillisTravis Haddix	Benevolent Blues
One Monkey Don't Stop No Show	Joe Tex	7	Skinny Legs And All	Joe Tex	Kent (U.K.)
I'm Living With The Blues	Shakura S'aida	10	The Blueprint	Shakura S'aida	STONY PLAIN
Falling Down Blues	Furry Lewis	24	Robert Johnson And Old School Blues	Robert Johnson	UNION SQUARE
Come On In My Kitchen	Delaney & Bonnie	5	Duane Allman: An Anthology, Vol. 2	Duane Allman	POLYDOR
You Just Using Me	Quintus McCormick Blues Band	1	Put It On Me!	Quintus McCormick Blues Band	DELMARK
Worried Life Blues	Chuck Berry	23	From Ripley To Chicago	Various Artists	INSTANT
I Want To Be Your Driver	Chuck Berry	17	His Best Volume 2	Chuck Berry	MCA/CHESS
Crazy 'Bout an Automobile	Toby Walker	2	Shake Shake Mama	Toby Walker	ltw
P.A. Slim Is Back	Rick Estrin And The Nightcats	7	Twisted	Rick Estrin And The Nightcats	Alligator
West Helena Blues	George Harmonica Smith	2	Blowing The Blues	George Harmonica Smith	el segundo
You Hurt Me	Little Willie John	24	Mark Lamarr's Roc-King Up A Storm	Various Artists	WESTSIDE
Rolled And Tumbled	John-Alex Mason	5	Jook Joint Thunderclap	John-Alex Mason
Rolling Log Blues	Jo-Ann Kelly	6	Key To The Highway (Rare Recordings)	Jo-Ann Kelly	MOONCREST
All The Way	Keb' Mo'	3	The Reflection	Keb' Mo'	Yolabelle International
Shout For Albert	Carl 'Sonny' Leyland	14	Boogie And Blues	Carl 'Sonny' Leyland	SOLO ARTIST
Yance's Buggle Call	Jimmy Yancey	18	The Best Of Boogie Woogie	Various Artists	DOCUMENTS
No Room At The Hotel	Chosen Gospel Singers, TheLou Rawls	21	Specialty Story	Various Artists	Specialty
Soul Of A Man	Catfish Keith	10	Rolling Sea	Catfish Keith	FISHTAIL
Mean Old World	Eric ClaptonDuane Allman	15	Crossroads	Eric Clapton	POLYDOR
Waiting For A Train	Boz Scaggs	2	Duane Allman: An Anthology, Vol. 2	Duane Allman	POLYDOR
Statesboro Blues	Allman Brothers Band, The	6	Duane Allman Anthology	Duane Allman	POLYDOR