What we did have were eleven new albums and a man from Senegal. The genesis of our music is often stated as exclusively coming from the African continent. Indeed the link is at the heart of the new Eric Bibb project where he is joined with Habib Koite for song arrangements as much to do with Senegal as the States. It sounds gentle and unassuming but there is both grace and power in their collaborations. Several of other other choice had a markedly different pace: dad-to-be Mike Sanchez lead the Big Town Playboys into a glorious celebration of "Glamour Girl" bookended with the unmistakable pipes of Clyde McPhatter.
The late Robert Covington was billed as "the Golden Voice", he was also a fine drummer whose opener heavily featured the young Carl Weathersby. Carl was at one time part of Mississippi Heat who now celebrate 20 years together. Their new album gave him chance to get back front and centre alongside harp maestro and band leader Pierre Lacoque. Kay Kay died earlier this year just about on the cusp of wider recognition she deserved from her three albums; Catfood Records takes the best from those as a "Best Of" and she got good solid support from her band The Rays.
Nathan Abshire took an accordion to the Arthur Big Boy Crudup classic composition and sounded nothing like Elvis. "Glory of Love" was a decent doo-wop version from the Cleftones and the piano tent was full with Katie Webster and the brand new cd+dvd package by the rippling Mitch Woods. Memphis Gold was on the cover of Living Blues a year or so ago, his is a fascinating tale and we let him in to show a more traditional side through his "Biscuit Boogie". Ann Rabson was in Saffire the Uppity Blues Women for a goodly while, she's invited Bob Margolin onto her new album and they make fine music together from her piano and his guitar. I really hope there'll be more from them in this vein with each sounding considerably younger than is possible given their vast experience.
Larry Garner is a stalwart of the blues scene, as he has been for a couple of decades now, his semi humourous "23 Past" was from the set he recorded on JSP in 1990. Robert Cray has over 20 albums now and old friend and bass player Richard Cousins is back in the fold. The new one has justifiably garnered plenty of praise for his singing and playing - my view is you should carefully check out the songwriting too. He doesn't have the anger or fire of Joe Louis Walker, but he sports a nifty titfer that Lady Blues says makes him look cute (I have one exactly the same in the same colour but she says I look like a Brussel sprout). Other axe wizardry came from Brownie McGhee, Black Ace and John Dee Holeman before we had to upsticks and pack our stuff away.
Our family of plastic ducks are stars in their own right - who's bright idea was it to mention them in one of the new jingles for Britain's Other Blues Show? As soon as I played it they noticed the webcam and posed and preened for the rest of STAR BLUES. All I can say is Lady Gaga, which is where we came in. We'll be back on Remembrance Day at 10pm (GMT), until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you
| Track.Title | Track.ArtistSort | Index | Album.Title | Album.ArtistSort | Label |
| I Don't Care | Robert Covington | 4 | Blues In The Night | Robert Covington | |
| No Mama's Boys | Kay Kay and the Rays | 1 | The Best Of Kay Kay And The Rays | Kay Kay and the Rays | Catfood |
| vENTILLATOR BLUES | Bopcats | 10 | 25 Years Of Rock'n'roll | Bopcats | eller soul |
| C.C. Rider | Richie Havens | 1 | My Own Way | Richie Havens | DOUGLAS |
| Overcoat Mama | Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith | 13 | Born In Arkansas | Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith | Big Eyes |
| 3d Loving | Piney Brown | 8 | Jumping At Jubilee | Various Artists | SEQUEL |
| think | the "5" royales | 17 | king new breed r&b | various artists | kent |
| Caledonia | Ann Rabson With Bob Margolin | 6 | Not Alone | Ann Rabson With Bob Margolin | Vizztone |
| that's all right mama | nathan abshire | 12 | boppin on the bayou | various artists | ace |
| Let The Boogie Woogie Roll | Clyde McPhatter | 12 | Let The Boogie Woogie Rock'n'roll | Various Artists | ACE |
| Glamour Girl | Big Town Playboys | 4 | Hip Joint | Big Town Playboys | BLUE HORIZON |
| a lovers prayer | vernon green | 24 | new breed r&b | various artists | kent |
| Changin' My Ways | Tas Cru | 2 | Tired Of Bluesmen Cryin' | Tas Cru | crustee trees |
| biscuit boogie | Memphis Gold | 2 | Pickin In High Cotton | Memphis Gold | |
| Mr. Mistreater | Mississippi Heat | 11 | Delta Bound | Mississippi Heat | DELMARK |
| Blues Get Off My Shoulder | Robert Cray | 6 | Nothing But Love | Robert Cray | PROVOGUE |
| No Good Woman | Black Ace | 14 | Gems From April 2011 | Various Artists | |
| Born For Bad Luck | Brownie McGhee | 7 | Okeh : Great Race Labels Vol. 3 | Various Artists | CATFISH |
| solid gold cadillac | Mitch Woods | 2 | blues beyond borders | Mitch Woods | club 88 records |
| Two Fisted Mama | Katie Webster | 3 | Comin' Home To The Blues | Various Artists | MUSIC CLUB |
| With My Maker I Am One | Habib Koité, Eric Bibb | 9 | Brothers In Bamako | Habib Koité, Eric Bibb | |
| Glory Of Love | Cleftones, The | 9 | Happy Memories | Cleftones, The | Jasmine |
| lookin the world over | maria muldaur | 5 | ...then came memphis minnie... | various artists | STONY PLAIN |
| Chapel Hill Boogie | John Dee Holeman | 10 | Piedmont Blues | John Dee Holeman | DOC ARTS INC. |
| past 23 | LARRY GARNER | 10 | DOUBLE DUES | LARRY GARNER | JSP |
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