STAR BLUES on 30th October 2011 at 22:00

Visitors to Star Towers are ushered reverently into the expanse of the reception area, now set aside as the training ground for our very own Slender Man (Mighty Mark Peters) assault on the 2012 Strictly crown. The well thumbed copy of "783 ways to tie a cumaband" on his desk was a giveaway.  Mind you, he will shortly have to compete for Lady Blue's affections with the devilishly (some say quirkily) handsome countenance of our Breakfast host Ryan Taylor after I reported back last night following a rare sighting (as we usually operate at opposite ends of daylight).

Our birthday book let us dwell on the gifts of Hadda Brooks as well as the drummer who played on the theme to the Flintstones: Earl Palmer. She was the first African American woman to host her own entertainment tv show in 1957 (a short step from there to Oprah?) and Earl Palmer started out as a tap dancer before the work we showcased last night from Amos Milburn, Shirley and Lee and Fats Domino - among thousands of others. His life is chronicled in a fascinating biography called BACKBEAT that you should consider asking Santa for if you've been good this year. The other celebrant was Peter Green, one of just two players who's beautiful playing has ever moved me to tears (if you're interested the other is Johnny Shines). we mused upon the question on the path Peter Green's life and career would have taken if his close friend Duster Bennett hadn't fallen asleep at the wheel of his van in 1976?

Further questions came to mind regarding Andrew Brown, his track was something he did for Bruce Iglauer's Living Chicago Blues project - somehow Andrew wasn't subsequently signed to Alligator in his own right. Not through lack of ability thats for sure. Our 1001 Blues was similarly inconclusive with me not finding out the true story behind "Garbage Man Blues" - the 1964 mandolin recording by Will Hatcher was suitably splendid however. That instrument deserves fuller exposure on Star Blues - so should the zydeco stylings of great artists like C J Chenier - he covered a Boozoo Chavis piece off his new project "You Cant sit Down" (bit like Mark in his cumaband). Johnny Taylor followed Sam Cooke in the Soul Stirrers and we had a look at his application for employment at Stax where he declared his study of Metaphysics. With a closing flourish from OV Wright - who  influenced the singing of Robert Cray - we were done. Two hours just aint enough sometimes.

Provided Mark doesn't find out about this blog, I'll be back with a sudge more tomfoolery next Sunday at ten (GMT don't forget) - until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you

Palace Of The King	John Mayall	4	In The Palace Of The King	John Mayall	EAGLE
Paper In My Shoe	C.J. Chenier	9	Can't Sit Down	C.J. Chenier	World Village
My Mind Is Working Overtime	William Clarke	6	The Hard Way	William Clarke	Alligator
You Can't Do That	Dave Myers	3	You Can't Do That	Dave Myers	BLACK TOP
Cold BlackMare	Whispering Smith	11	Swamp Blues	Various Artists	ACE
Little Bluebird	Johnnie Taylor	11	Wanted One Soul Singer	Johnnie Taylor	Atlantic
Garbage Man Blues	Will Hatcher	7	Mandolin Blues	Various Artists	Shout
Two Years	Andrew Brown	3	"Living Chicago Blues	Vol. 4"	Various Artists
Need Your Love So Bad	Fleetwood Mac	8	Blue Horizon Story Vol. 1	Various Artists	CBS
Jumpin' At Shadows	Fleetwood Mac	9	Hoochie Coochie Men : A History Of British Blues	Various Artists	INDIGO
Love That Burns	Fleetwood Mac	21	Hoochie Coochie Men : A History Of British Blues	Various Artists	INDIGO
Torn Down	Vaan ShawEddie Shaw	2	Morning Rain	Vaan ShawEddie Shaw	WOLF
Don't Stop By The Creek	Johnny Copeland	5	Honky Tonkin	Johnny Copeland	BULLSEYE
Louis Collins	Chris Thomas King	9	Antebellum Postcards	Chris Thomas King	21ST CENTURY
Sugar Mama	Blues Burglars	2	Harmonica Man	Paul Lamb	CASTLE
Brook's Boogie	Hadda Brooks	18	The Okeh Rhythm & Blues Story 1949-1957. Vol2	Various Artists	Blue Label / SPV
Rock All Night	Shirley & Lee	13	Backbeat	Earl Palmer	ACE
I'm Walkin'	Fats Domino	1	Radio Bob: Vol 2	Various Artists	UNCUT
Chicken Shack Boogie	Amos Milburn	1	Rock On	Various Artists	ACE
Loudella	Dave Thomas w. James Goodwin	4	Blues For Otis	Dave Thomas w. James Goodwin	blonde on blonde
Don't Take Everybody To Be Your Friend	Joanna Connor	14	Shout Sister Shout! (A Tribute To Sister Rosetta Tharpe)	Various Artists	MC RECORDS
Precious, Precious	O. V. Wright	5	Complete O. V. Wright - Vol. 1	O. V. Wright	HI