STAR BLUES on 30th December 2012 at 22:00

You'd think any blues radio show worth its salt would, on the last Sunday of the year, take the chance to kick off the sneakers and reflect on the last 12 months, basking in the finest the year had to offer.......

You'd think ...

.... well you would unless you're talking about Britain's Other Blues Show (different for a reason). 1952 instead. It gave us a baseline for our choices as well as being a great excuse to celebrate one of the best ever years for our music. The 1001 feature was "I Don't Know" by Willie Mabon who started his run at number 1 in the R&B charts on 27th December 1952. The song was covered by the Blues Brothers who somewhat overplayed the humour in the lyrics for the film, hopefully some royalties ended up with Mabon. He also wrote "Seventh Son" and you shouldn't overlook his easy voice and tidy piano skills. Also atop those charts were Ruth Brown and the Dominoes lead magnificently by Clyde McPhatter on what is now sometimes known as the first gospel number 1. Sam Cooke was barely out of his teens in the Soul Stirrers but gave an astonishingly confident mature performance on the years "It won't be very long". The Clovers, the Ravens and the Golden Gate Quartet each illustrated the power and beauty of the voice.

We also had the chance to showcase Hambone Willie Newbern  who wrote and recorded "Roll and Tumble" as one of just six sides he ever did (and those in just one two-day session). From the same anthology on Document we had the graceful playing of Mississippi John Hurt and the Orbis Blues collection was source of Victoria Spivey's "One Hour Mama" with no need for a one-minute papa. Perhaps she means crochet time-trials.

Guitar Pete Lewis was a formidable player and he stood front and centre for Johnny Otis' Orchestra and reminded us of the loss to the blues community this last January. Jelly Roll Morton, Professor Longhair and Jimmy Yancey celebrated piano skills in different ways and we heard the foundations of rock'n'roll in both Tiny's tracks. (Pretty sure "Train Kept Rollin'" was in the Blow Up film where Jeff Beck played lead for the Yardbirds and Jimmy Page on bass?)

Jimmy Forest's "Night Train" was covered by James Brown but the original is the one used for dancing. He closed the STAR BLUES book on 2012. I've a few surprises for the coming year including a centenary celebration for Muddy Waters.

You've made me most welcome at your place every Sunday - and on Christmas morning - it's been a real privilege, I couldn't have asked for better company. From my family to yours, have a healthy, happy and safe New Year - we hope you will get closer to the ones close to you - until Sunday at ten pm (GMT) take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you

Track_Title	Track_ArtistSort	Index	Album_Title	Album_ArtistSort	Label
good rockin' man	roy brown	1-2	1952 r&b years	various artists	boulevard vintage
boogie woogie woman	b. b. king	3-2	1952 hits	various artists	indigo
louisiana blues	muddy waters	23	The R'n'b Hits Of 1951	Various Artists	INDIGO
My Baby Stole Off	Howlin' Wolf	10	The Modern Records Story	Various Artists	ACE
One Hour Moan	Victoria Spivey	15	Moaning The Blues	Victoria Spivey	ORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
Roll And Tumble Blues	Hambone Willie Newbern	24	The Greatest Songsters (1927-1929)	Various Artists	DOCUMENT
When It Rains It Pours	Pee Wee Crayton	3	The R'n'b Hits Of 1951	Various Artists	INDIGO
i don't know	willie mabon	1-15	history of rhythm and blues vol 3	various artists	rhythm and blues
Riverside Jump	Tiny Grimes	9	The R'n'b Years 1951: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1951	Various Artists	BOULEVARD VINTAGE
T-99 Blues	Jimmy Nelson	23	The R'n'b Hits Of 1951	Various Artists	INDIGO
Key To The Highway	John Lee Hooker	16	The R'n'b Hits Of 1952	Various Artists	INDIGO
Got The Blues Can't Be Satisfied	Mississippi John Hurt	14	The Greatest Songsters (1927-1929)	Various Artists	DOCUMENT
Georgia Rag	Blind Willie McTell	28	Definitive	Blind Willie McTell	CATFISH
train kept a rollin	tiny bradshaw	25	1952 r & b	various artists	boulevard vintage
Good Old Blues	Johnny Otis Orchestra Feat. Pete 'Guitar' Lewis	2	The Johnny Otis Story Volume 1 Volume 1: 1945-57 Midnight At The Barrelhouse V A	Johnny Otis & His Orchestra	ACE
Have Mercy Baby	Dominoes, The	23	The R'n'b Years 1952: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1952	Various Artists	BOULEVARD VINTAGE
Glory Of Love	Five Keys, The	20	The R'n'b Hits Of 1951	Various Artists	INDIGO
It Won't Be Very Long	Soul Stirrers, The	13	The R'n'b Hits Of 1952	Various Artists	INDIGO
John The Revelator	Golden Gate Quartet, The	6	The Golden Gate Quartet - Our Story	Golden Gate Quartet, The	COLUMBIA
I Hate A Man Like You	Lizzie Miles With Jelly Roll Morton	8	Roll 'Em Pete : 25 Years Of Piano Blues And Boogie	Various Artists	INDIGO
mardi gras in new orleans	prof. longhair	4-4	history of rhythm and blues vol 2	varioous artists	rhythm and blues
Yancey Special	Jimmy Yancey	25	Roll 'Em Pete : 25 Years Of Piano Blues And Boogie	Various Artists	INDIGO
train kept a rolling	tiny bradshaw	25	r& b years 1952	various	boluevard vintage
5 10 15 hours	ruth brown	4	1952 hits	various	indigo
i'm gonna play honky tonk	marie adams	3	1952 hits	various	indigo
lawdy mis clawdy	lloyd price	20	r&B hits of 1952	various	boulevard vintage
cold cold feeling	t-bone walker	10	r&b hits 1952	various artists	boulevard vintage
one mint julep	the clovers	12	r&b hits 1952	various artists	boulevard vintage
rock me all night long	ravens	11	1952 hits	various	indigo
Night Train	Jimmy Forest	18	The R'n'b Years 1952: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1952	Various Artists	BOULEVARD VINTAGE

Created: 30/12/2012 23:54:42 

STAR BLUES on Christmas morning 2012 at 10:00

Wow, we pulled it off (with many thanks to everyone behind the scenes who (weekin, weekout) make STAR BLUES happen, including the long-suffering Lady Blue) - live blues on commercial FM radio in Britain on Christmas morning.

Junior Blue was on hand to take calls, keep Deefer Duck from stealing the show and for mopping my fevered brow in the festive frenzy of trivia and tomfoolery. At one stage he told me to sit still as my cavorting round was jiggling the webcam too much to keep pinsharp focus on our diva Deefer.

We were told to include the news at eleven which was harder than you think when your smallest measures of time are the metric smidge and the imperial tad. Somehow it happened and we had 118 minutes of a blast. You were incredibly brave to have us round at yours on Christmas morning and we brought round some old favourites we've played before as a refuge from yet another spin from Michael Buble or George Michael. There was an outside chance our 11:11 dip into the difficult and dangerous would result in me getting fired for paying more attention to "Too Much Butt" than is good for a married man. Thanks for not letting on to Lady Blue.

If you think every edition of STAR BLUES will be like that, you best be there again on Sunday night at ten pm to see how it turns out. 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
Playin' With My Friends	B. B. King & Robert Cray	1	Blues Summit	B. B. King	MCA
Help Me	Sonny Boy Williamson (Aka Rice Miller)	7	Woke Up This Morning	Various Artists	MCA
Dimples	John Lee Hooker	13	White Lightning	Various Artists	INSTANT
I Feel So Good	Big Bill Broonzy	14	I Feel So Good	Big Bill Broonzy	INDIGO
close to you	muddy waters	18	messin with the man	muddy waters	complete blues
little bitty pretty one	thurston harris	11	golden age of american rock'n'roll	various	ace
At Last	Etta James	18	The Best Of Etta James	Etta James	SPECTRUM
It's Gonna Work Out Fine	Ike & Tina Turner	12	Trouble Up The Road	Ike Turner	SECRET RECORDS
honey hush	big joe turner	8	greatest hits	big joe turner	atlantic
have mercy miss percy	long tall marvin	7	gaz's rockim' blues	various	ace
Born Under A Bad Sign	Albert King	14	Ultimate Collection	Albert King	RHINO
back door santa	clarence carter	1	original soul christmas	various artists	rhino/atlantic
steppin out	john mayall's bluesbreakers	11	john mayall's bluesbreakers	john mayall's bluesbreakers	decca
She Likes To Boogie Real Low	Johnny Winter	2	Hey Where's Your Brother?	Johnny Winter	POINTBLANK
Red House	Jimi Hendrix	3	:Blues	Jimi Hendrix	MCA
Too Much Butt	Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women	10	Havin' The Last Word	Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women	Alligator
Mess Around	Ray Charles	1	Let The Boogie Woogie Rock'n'roll	Various Artists	ACE
honky tonk train blues	meade lux lewis	11	boogie woogie	various artists	original
Hey Jude	Wilson Pickett	2	The Fame Studio Story 1961-1973 Home Of The Muscle Shoals Sound	Various Artists	Kent
baby how long	howlin wolf	1	back door man	howlin wolf	essential blues
Madison Blues	Elmore James	7	Chess Blues Classics 1957-1964	Various Artists	MCA/CHESS
Terraplane Blues	Robert Johnson	14	Contracted To The Devil	Robert Johnson	SONY / LEGACY
Up Above My Head	Sister Rosetta Tharpe With Marie Knight	15	Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Complete Works Vol.3	Rosetta Tharpe	DOCUMENT
higher	grace gospel singers	3	screamin gospel	various	veetone
Here Come The Girls	Ernie K-Doe	1	Rolling With The Punches - The Allen Toussaint Songbook	Various Artists	ACE
Juke	Little Walter	13	The Influences Behind The Rolling Stones	Various Artists	Hoodoo Records

STAR BLUES on 23rd December 2012 at 22:00

36 hours to go before the Christmas Day live blues extravaganza and the ducks are getting pre-show nerves....

One of the finest West Coast piano players, Jimmy McCracklin, died a couple of days ago - his career spanned seven decades and we went back to his earliest sessions for Modern and his later album for Bullseye Blues. On the way we stopped off at his best known recording for Checker "The Walk" a huge hit after an appearance on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. Ironically his best reward came from covers of "Tramp" a song he co-wrote with Lowell Fulson and a major hip-hop smash for Salt'n'Pepa. With the deaths of Etta James and Johnny Otis as well, the LA Blues scene has lost so much this year. So much of the backbone of our music has passed in twelve months, we need to remind ourselves how much young talent there is now: Blind Boy Paxton, Quintus McCormick, Brandon Bailey and Marquise Knox to name but a few.

Three "Big" songs to start, each in a different style and plenty of Christmas blues songs, including a magnificently triumphant piece from B. B. King that came out on Kent (making it way over 50 years old). Bang up to date was a track from James 'Buddy' Rogers who plays a lot like Albert King, Robert Cray and Robert Ward. One internet review had issues with his singing but I found it a refreshing change to have someone not go balls-out to sound like Otis Redding or Howlin' Wolf. Steve Dupree has Marcia ball on his new album and we got a free History lesson from the Billy Bats' delightful slide-fuelled romp. We closed with a heartfelt tribute to the much underrated Roy Buchanan by Gwyn Ashton off his new "Radiogram" project. Gwyn is one of those guys who carves out a blues career the hard way and is one of a dwindling number of artists prepared to slog it out up and down the British highways and byways (so many other blues stars come to Europe but forget about us here). Not so Catfish Keith, who has a gospel retrospective out to promote his recent visit (BTW check out the lovely Penny's photographs of where they've been, you can tell she's fallen in love with our countryside).

Imelda May's song was, we're sure, intended to celebrate the finely chiseled good looks of both Neil Jones and the Mighty Mark Peters. I tried for quite a while to research Zilla Mays to lead you from her fantastic "Midnight" opus to her other work she cut for Savoy, well worth the journey as it turned out. Hank Ballard did what only he can for Christmas, and so did Chuck Berry in a different styleee. We often do Albert Collins' cover of "Brick" by Johnnie Morisette so we had chance to put in the original on STAR BLUES last night. Satan and Adam's album almost didn't come off through major health worries for both men and Ann Rabson clearly likes playing alongside Bob Margolin - whoever thought of recording them together, more please!

I'm off to try to calm down for Christmas morning, I'm saying its the four ducks excited but you can really include me in that. Junior Blue will be on hand at ten a.m 25th December for live blues. I've been told I must include the news at 11 which will be a real challenge to a man whose closest measure of time is a "Smidge" or a "Tad"... Be great to have your company to egg me on in that endeavour. 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
Big Bad Handsome Man	Imelda May	5	Love Tattoo	Imelda May	UCJ
Big Bag O' Blues	Sonny Rhodes	1	a good day to play the blues	sonny rhodes	STONY PLAIN
Big Bird	Eddie Floyd	3	Best Of	Eddie Floyd	STAX
rockin round the christmas tree	brenda lee	1-1	rockin round the christmas tree	varioous artists	crimson
santa claus is coming	hank ballard	2-2	rockin' around the christmas tree	various artists	crimson
Run Rudolph run	Chuck Berry	2	Rockin Around The Christmas Tree	Various Artists	CRIMSON
dont cry baby	etta james	18	61 r&b spotlight	various artists	fantastic voyage
The Wobble (Mercury 71412)	Jimmy McCracklin	9	orbis blues collection	jimmy mccracklin
Beer Drinkin' Woman	Jimmy McCracklin	3	modern recordings 19481950	jimmy mccracklin	ace
my story	jimmy McCracklin	11	my story	jimmy mccracklin	bullseye
The Walk	Jimmy McCracklin	1	orbis blues collection	jimmy mccracklin
Nightshift Blues	Zilla Mays	8	I'm A Bad Bad Girl	Various Artists	INDIGO
The Soul Of A Man	Fontella Bass	16	Chess Soul	Various Artists	MCA
Sad And Lonely	Earl Forest	3	Ace's Wild!	Johnny Ace	Fantastic Voyage
blame it on the blues	james 'buddy' rogers	6	my guitar's my only friend	james 'buddy' rogers	stony plain
keep your hands off my baby	Johnnie Bassett	2	The Gentleman Is Back	Johnnie Bassett	Sly Dog Records
The Nina, The Pinta, The Santa Maria	Billy Bats, The	3	Lather Rinse Repeat	Billy Bats, The
brick	johnnie morisette	6	rare blues guitar	various artists
Big Boss Mann	Satan And Adam	1	Back In The Game	Satan And Adam
No Time For The Blues	Ann Rabson With Bob Margolin	11	Not Alone	Ann Rabson With Bob Margolin	Vizztone
first dance	steve dupree w. marcia ball	2	dr dupree's love shop	steve dupree	--
Christmas Celebration	B. B. King	1	Rhythm & Blues Christmas	Various Artists	ACE
i'm so glad	famous ward singers	4	screamin gospel and holy rollers	various artists	vee-tone
white christmas	otis redding	2	The Original Soul Christmas	Various Artists	RHINO
You Got To Move	Catfish Keith	4	A True Friend Is Hard To Find: A Gospel Retrospective	Catfish Keith	FISH TAIL
im not the one	Bettye Lavette	2	Thankful N Thoughtful	Bettye Lavette	Anti
Bluz For Roy	Gwyn Ashton	10	Radiogram	Gwyn Ashton	PROPER

Created: 23/12/2012 23:57:55

STAR BLUES on 16th December 2012 at 22:00

At one stage during STAR BLUES, I was convinced I'd be fired for playing Joe Williams with Count Basie doing a cover of "Everyday I Have The Blues". The sheer power of that full orchestra and how even that ensemble can't compete with flawless phrasing from Joe - those moments are so rare in any genre, I just didn't care. If you don't know the piece, where have you been? The closest modern equivalent is that transition Bjork used on "Quiet In Here" (though she is more subtle and restrained).


We lifted the lid on your chance to pick an Artist of The Year (Seasick Steve won in 2011 and Robert Plant before him), Contact me in any of the usual ways to get your vote in. Just one restriction, votes are for artists we've had on our playlists since 1st Jan 2012. Can be living musician or otherwise just so long as we've played their music. Deefer, Spot, Mrs Doubtfire and Ernest can't vote .

WE paid tribute to Eddie "Guitar" Burns last night - he died on Wednesday aged 84. Like so many of his age and calibre he was criminally under recorded as a band leader (his debut was cut in 1972 in London). He was based in around Detroit and was a harp player of some note who played with John Lee Hooker in the Early 50s. We did a couple of his own sides as well as a marvellous "Burnin' Hell" that came out under the Hook's name. In later years Burn did an album for DElmark with younger brother Jimmy and his own label played host to his final album in 2008. Eddie's not easy to find via Google but that shouldn't put you off - he was one of a kind. Steve Hooker sent us a re-edited version of his "Wicked Blues" and showing us at the same time the state of blues fro the Essex Delta. (Check out him and Jackson Sloan next time your over that way).



Ace have the fifth volume in the history of their namesake imprint that came out of Jackson, and sister label have a gorgeous couple of dozen soul ballads from which we chose Jimmy Soul (prev. unissued). Our two closing pieces could hardly have been more different: Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" and Buddy Johnson's "Goin Upside Your Head" - just another reason why we don't claim to be better but we are palpably different.

The homework for the boys on the naughty stair was Ray Charles definitive early version of Doc Pomus' "Lonely Avenue", if only Mick Hucknall had taken the time and trouble (etc) before putting the song onto his new "Amercian Soul" project. For lovers of the classic era of electric blues, Freddie King, Guitar Slim and Elmore James showed their wares. T-Bone Walker did "Vacation Blues" for the Black & White label his sublime mastery doiminated our running order on STAR BLUES (as always). Wayne Bennett ran him close second with an understated performance in support of Bobby "Blue" Bland on "Stormy Monday Blues". We had another impressive single from Garnett Mimms with "Cry Baby" written by Jerry Ragavoy and Bert Berns which set a very high bar for the later going over by Janis Joplin. The Charioteers did "Wade In The Water" for our gospel spot and we had a small cluster of Christmas outings.

The Ducks and the Dude in the white tee-shirt are really getting into the Christmas spirit with just 8 more sleeps until we all come back through the webcanm and your wireless on Christmas morning - don't forget to leave sherry and mincepies out the night before or Deefer will pout like Marilyn Monroe. You were magnificent company as always and we'll be back with a smidge more on Sunday night at ten pm (GMT), until then take care of your selves and take care of those that take care of you

Track.Title	Track.ArtistSort	Index	Album.Title	Album.ArtistSort	Label
hideaway	Freddie King	2-16	r&b spotlight 61	various artists	fanrastic voyage
The Story Of My Life	Guitar Slim	5	The Story Of My Life	Guitar Slim	SPV
Strange Kinda Feeling (Take 1)	Elmore James	13	Blues After Hours	Elmore James	ACE
I'm So Glad	Lazy Lester	16	I'm A Lover Not A Fighter	Lazy Lester	ACE
Voo-It! Voo-It!	Blues Woman (Marion Abernathy)	10	Great Googa Mooga	Various Artists	ACE
Jerry	Milton Hopkins & Jewel Brown	9	Juke-Shakin' Sounds	Various Artists	classic rock - blues magazine
Where Did You Stay Last Night	Eddie Burns	25	Let Me Tell You About The Blues: Detroit	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Burnin' Hell	John Lee Hooker	8	Boogie Chillen	John Lee Hooker	INDIGO
Hello Miss Jessie Lee	Eddie Burns	2-7	let me tell you about the blues: detroit	Various Artists	fantastic voyage
dig that crazy santa	oscar mclollie	1-11	rockin round the crhistmas tree	various artists	crimsom
christmas time	black ace	2-2	blues, blues christmas	various artists	document
Lonely Avenue	Ray Charles	2	The Pomus And Shuman Story	Various Artists	ACE
wicked blues	steve hooker	1	wicked blues	steve hooker	steve hooker
she likes gto boogie real low	frankie lee sims	23	ace story vol5	various artists	ace
Good Morning Blues	Jimmy Rushing	11	The R'n'b Years 1947: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1947	Various Artists	BOULEVARD VINTAGE
everyday i have the blues	joe williams	1-25	r&B years: 1955	Various Artists	boulevard vintage
Vacation Blues	T-Bone Walker	22	The Complete Capitol/Black And White Recordings	T-Bone Walker	Capitol
Stormy Monday Blues	Bobby 'Blue' Bland	11	The Voice : Duke Recordings 1959-69	Bobby 'Blue' Bland	ACE
(I Believe I'll) Dust My Broom	Guy Davis	1	Stomp Down Rider	Guy Davis	RED HOUSE
Straight Church	Cool John Ferguson	4	Guitar Heaven	Cool John Ferguson	MUSIC MAKER
Never Let Me Go	Katie Webster	24	Louisiana Roots : Jay Miller R'n'b Legacy	Various Artists	ACE
if it aint one thing	huey piano smith	20	ace story vol. 5	various artists	ace
Wade In The Water	Charioteers	13	A Portrait Of Gospel	Various Artists	GALE
Cry Baby	Garnett Mimms	1	Cry Baby / Warm And Soulful	Garnett Mimms	BEAT GOES ON
fall into these arms	jimmy soul	14	here comes the hurt	various artists	kent
Strange Fruit	Billie Holiday	25	Crime And Punishment	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
(Gotta Go) Upside Your Head	Buddy Johnson	7	The R&b Years 1955 Vol.1	Various Artists	BOULEVARD ENTERTAINMENT

Created: 16/12/2012 23:43:20

STAR BLUES on 9th December 2012 at 22:00

From time to time, we set a mainstream pop or rock act some homework revision and last night we challenged both Jeff Lynne and Paolo Nutini. The Move/ELO/Wilbury has chosen to have a go at Don Covay's "Mercy Mercy" for his second solo venture. His video has him mugging it up playing with his clones - far better the simpler more direct approach of Don's original in our humbles. The Scottish Italian was on Jools Holland's Hootenanny in 2009 and now part of the Christmas all-star cash-in project, in truth Paolo did a pretty decent cover of "Lovin' Machine" though not even he can stand in the same room as the lascivious version from the man who wrote it, Wynonie Harris.

The secret is out: our STAR BLUES extravaganza will become the first live blues show on Commercial FM radio to run in the UK on Christmas morning. No pressure then. I did get asked in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 but was far too shy - now I have relented under the combined entreaties of the Mighty Mark Peters and Deefer Duck. Be afraid, be very afraid around your transistor wireless apparatus come 25th December at 10:00 am. Preparations began in fine style last night on STAR BLUES with Big Joe Turner, Jesse Thomas, Amos Milburn and the fabulous tones of Louis Armstrong. Lady Blue was so taken with the Drifters' version of "White Christmas" that she played it four times in a row during our journey back from IronBridge on Saturday: Christmas has officially started - Lady Blue says so.

Finis Tasby has had a health scare this week, so as well as sending him much love and good wishes we played something he did for the Big Town label to showcase his vocal gifts. Junior Wells would have had a birthday (9th December 1934) and I dug out a very rare b-side on the Blue Rock label to mark the date. Strangely he'd left his harp at home, as did James Harman on the Lightnin Hopkins song "Jake Head Boogie". Dave Kelly and Paul Jones' gig at the Ram Jam Club was recorded for two live albums on SPV Blue and "Come On In My Kitchen" proved to be a real tour-de-force for Dave on vocals and slide guitar. Rory Block dabbled in the songbook of Son House and our sacred spot was filled by the Gospel Clefs with a rousing, organ fuelled, performance.

A quick reminder (which just tried to auto complete as a quack reminder, honest) that there is a free e-copy of "Gary Blues Almanac 2013" for you in exchange for a proper e-mail address that can receive a zip file. Just drop me the details to gary.blue@star107.co.uk if you like what you see, please give a small donation to the Music Maker organisation. The shortest two hours of the week passed by in a trice and I'm looking forward to more of the same, but different, next Sunday at 10pm for Britain's Other Blues show. Until then take care of yourselves and take care of those who take care of you

Track.Title	Track.ArtistSort	Index	Album.Title	Album.ArtistSort	Label
Low Down And Dirty	Luther Allison	13	Reckless	Luther Allison	Ruf
Can't Stop Loving You	Eugene 'Hideaway' Bridges	2	Jump The Joint	Eugene 'Hideaway' Bridges	ARMADILLO
It Took A Long Time	Finis Tasby	2	Shattered Dreams - Funky Blues 1967-1978	Various Artists	BGP
Dime A Dozen	Rosco Gordon	6	Bootin' - The Best Of The Rpm Years	Rosco Gordon	ACE
She's Little And Low	Robert Lockwood Jr.	11	The Story Of Black And Blues :1976-1988	Various Artists	FREMEAUX ET ASSOCIES
Merry Christmas	Jesse Thomas	9	Lookin' For That Woman	Jesse Thomas	BLACK TOP
white christmas	drifters	2-5	rockin' around the christmas tree	various artists	crimson
zat you santa claus	louis armstrong	3-20	rockin' around the christmas tree	various artists	crimson
Mercy Mercy	Don Covay	5	Definitive	Don Covay	RAZOR & TIE
You're Tuff Enough	Jr. Wells	32	Lost And Found : Blue Rock Records	Various Artists	MERCURY
Jake-Head Boogie	James Harman	13	Mo' Na'kins Please!	James Harman	CANNONBALL
Married Woman's Boogie	Billy Wright	12	Jump 'N' Jive	Various Artists	METRO
let's rock	johnny otis	18	r&B humdingers	various artists	veetone
One Monkey Don't Stop No Show	Bobby Rush	5	The Last Soul Company	Various Artists	Malaco Records
too late to change	lafayette thomas	10	blues guitar blasters	various artists
hey baby	Long John HunterTom 'Bluesman' Hunter	1	One Foot In Texas	Long John HunterTom 'Bluesman' Hunter	DOC BLUES
Blind Arthur's Breakdown	Blind Blake	5	Essential	Blind Blake	CLASSIC BLUES
Dry Spell	Rory Block	5	Blues Walkin' Like A Man: A Tribute To Son House	Rory Block	Stony Plain Music
Merry Christmas Baby	Johnny Moore's Three Blazers - Vocal By Mari Jones	23	Be Cool	Johnny Moore's Three Blazers	ACE
christmas date boogie	big joe turner	2-20	rockin' around the christmas tree	various artists	crimson
lets make christmas merry baby	amos milburn	3-2	rockin' around the christmas tree	various artists	crimson
steal away to the lord	gospel clefs	1-26	gospel celebrities	various artists	fantastic voyage
Lovin' Machine	Wynonie Harris	48	Bloodshot Eyes	Wynonie Harris	INDIGO
I Ain't Mad At You, Pretty Baby	Gatemouth Moore	13	Jump 'N' Jive	Various Artists	METRO
Midnight Special	Lead Belly	24	20th Century Blues	Various Artists	CATFISH
Come On In My Kitchen	Paul Jones & Dave Kelly	3	Live At The Ram Jam Club	Paul Jones & Dave Kelly	SPV

 Magic Tricks  Giles Robson             10     Juke Shakin          Various artists         

STAR BLUES on 2nd December 2012 at 22:00

Even as 2012 rushes towards the turnstile into another year - we still have things to mark, festive fun to fool with, new discs to spin and remind ourselves of some goodies Santa may grace us with. in a few weeks time.

The Yuletide songsheet started with the first Christmas record from Gary US Bonds since 1967, rippling boogie from Sugar Chile and the dirtiest Ho-Ho-Ho you've ever heard from Back Door Santa. It seemed the right moment to unveil the secret that shocked the socks off me: I will host a live show on Christmas morning from 10 til noon here on Star107.9/1FM (stuffed full of country comforts and folk favourites).

Our shiny brand new contenders included Tutu Jones, Smokin Joe Kubek with Bnois King, Mike Wheeler and the evergreen Larry Garner (if there's a gap in your collection where he is filed, shame on you). Big Walker's project "Roots Walkin'" repays each listening with something new and the Bopcats collection hits that spot on the cusp of rhythm & blues and rockabilly. Johnny Cash's "Get Rhythm" - nice.

In the birthday book, Robert Ealey, the second Sonny Boy Williamson and RW Penniman. No-one know the exact year of Aleck Rice Miller Ford's birth, I've seen both 1899 and 1912 though the sources agree on 5th December. So should we mark a centenary or not?  Definitely 5th December 1932 was where Mr Penniman came in - as Little Richard he was the self styled "Architect of Rock'n'Roll" who had a foot in both soul and gospel camps for Don Covay's song "Dont Know What You Got". Our start of his birthday bash went  to "Heebie Jeebies" and "All Around The World" instead of "Tutti Frutti" and "Long Tall Sally" you will surely hear this upcoming Wednesday. Look for Chas White's brilliant biography for the story of a man who added more nuance to the term "Sex and Drugs &  Rock'Roll" than Ian Dury dared dream of.

Don't forget Gary Blue's almanac is days away from being mailed out, its free and is stuffed to the gunnels with facts figures trivia and tomfoolery - you'll need to contact me at gary.blue@star107.co.uk with an email address that can accept PDF files. In the birthday book for December is Pops Staples who graced our show yesterday with the "John Henry" he recorded for Stax in 1971 but didn't come out until KENT's "Ultimate Collection" a few years ago. I'll check those dates before the Almanac is published.

Mark Lamarr compiled a Christmas set for Acrobat and a Screamin Gospel set for VeeTone - no better excuse needed to pilfer a couple of tracks for your  entertainment. Martha Davis knew her stuff when singing about old records: we took a gospel classic from Arhoolie by Louis Overstreet, as well as the controversial "Two Wings" from Utah Smith and some amazing axe shredding. The argument is over whether he did the song for Checker or if they leased it in from another source?

Before we knew it the shortest two hours of our week was done in a trice, hopefully leaving us wanting more next Sunday at ten pm (GMT) right here on Star107 with Spot The Duck and Deefer Duck (who is such a tart, hamming it up for the webcam for all she's worth). I'll be back to marshal them into some semblance of sanity, until then take care of yourself and take care of those that take care of you

Track.Title	Track.ArtistSort	Index	Album.Title	Album.ArtistSort	Label
Better Not Look Down	B. B. King	2	Introducing B. B. King	B. B. King	MCA
Weekend Driver	Tutu Jones	3	Inside Out	Tutu Jones
I'm Working	Mike Wheeler	13	Self Made Man	Mike Wheeler
I Had A Dream	Robert Ealey	1	Rounder Revue	Various Artists	Rounder
Get Out There And Get It	Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King & Kirk Fletcher	5	Close To The Bone	Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King	Delta Groove Productions
christmas is a phone call away	gary us bonds	5	christmas is on	gary us bonds	g l a
Heebie Jeebies	Little Richard	10	Cosimo Matassa Story	Various Artists	Proper Box
I Don't Know What You've Got But It's Got Me	Little Richard	5	Have Mercy! The Songs Of Don Covay	Various Artists	ACE
All Around The World	Little Richard	19	The E.P. Collection	Little Richard	SEE FOR MILES
Get Out Those Old Records	Martha Davis	19	Chronological Recordings (1946-1951)	Martha Davis	CLASSICS
candy man	mississippi john hurt	2-1	roots of the blues	various artists	vanguard
raise a ruckus	big walker	7	root walking	big walker	n/a
Get Rhythm	Bopcats	15	25 Years Of Rock'n'roll	Bopcats	eller soul
Back Door Man	Howlin' Wolf	20	The Back Door Man	Howlin' Wolf	Essential Music and Marketing Ltd
Back Door Santa	Clarence Carter	1	The Original Soul Christmas	Various Artists	RHINO
Christmas Blues	Gatemouth Moore	24	Mark Lamarr's Rhythm And Blues Christmas	Various Artists	ACROBAT
Christmas Boogie	Frankie 'Sugar Chile' Robinson	23	Blues Blues Christmas	Various Artists	DOCUMENT
Got To Be Some Changes Made	Larry Davis	10	Funny Stuff	Larry Davis	ROOSTER BLUES
Treat Me Right	Robert Belfour	5	What's Wrong With You	Robert Belfour
Two Wings	Utah Smith	5	Screamin' Gospel Holy Rollers Vol. 2	Various Artists	Vee-Tone Records
I'm Working On A Building	Rev. Louis Overstreet	12	15 Down Home Gospel Classics	Various Artists	Arhoolie Records
John Henry	Pop Staples	22	Ultimate Staple Singers: A Family Affair	Staple Singers, The	Kent (U.K.)
i'm so glad	Skip James	3	Roots Of The Blues	Various Artists	VANGUARD
Help Me	Sonny Boy Williamson (Aka Rice Miller)	10	Chess Blues Classics 1957-1964	Various Artists	MCA/CHESS
Miss Boss	Larry Garner	4	Blues For Sale	Larry Garner	Dixiefrog

Created: 02/12/2012 23:22:52