Monday 29 April 2013

STAR BLUES on 28th April 2013 at 22:00

STAR BLUES was on the spot last night with a new studio setup, some brand new bits and bobs unearthed on Record Store Day, a couple of passings to mark, and a swing outside the strictest definition of blues - you can chalk another one up as truly "different".

Big George Brock, JB Hutto and Mississippi Heat were found on RS Day and have proved to be nice additions to my collection; especially really liking those early sides with Deitra Farr's voice and Billy Flynn and Bob Stroeger added support to "I Love My Baby". The Buddy Guy live version of "Can't Be Satisfied" was done at Radio City in New York in 2003 and was on the soundtrack to the Scorsese film "Lightnin In a Bottle" - a 2 disc set.

A good night for the ladies too: Edith Johnson is featured in the new issue of Blues & Rhythm magazine and we had her her Eight Hour marathon time (or perhaps she was talking about some other physical exertion?). Hadda Brooks was a very stylish player and her 1946 instrumental outing for the Modern label closed the Vinyl Hour. Mahalia did our gospel duty and Betty James' classic single for Chess was an unexpected late addition to the running order.

Hugh Laurie excites much comment with everything he touches, his new album garnered six out of ten in Classic Rock magazine, I'd score it one or two more because he has never claimed to be an authentic bluesman (whatever that is). He celebrates and is able to bring outside interest to some lesser known artists and the project is a labour of love - as long as he stays away from the hoary old chestnuts we should wish him well. The singer on his version of "Didn't It Rain" is I think Jean McCain and she aquit herself admirably last night.

Similarly Bob Brozman never called himself a blues artist, he believed music to be the universal language. His songs would just as likely include Hawaiian or India influences as anything heard in the Delta cotton fields. At just 59 he died this week and we will miss his mastery of National Steel playing, as well as his knowledge and influence.

Artie "Blues Boy" White died last Saturday - blessed with an engaging voice and a keen eye for song writing, he always seemed to be on the edge of being lauded in the same way as Z Z Hill. We went to his first album he put out on Ronn Records in 1985, he later did projects for Ichiban and Waldoxy as well as four albums on his own label. With last years loss of Lou Pride, this style of singing is getting hard to find.

Pre-war gems from King Solomon Hill (who only cut 8 titles) and Charlie Patton (aka Charley Patton) who died this date in 1934. Neither were in the highest of fidelity but the power of the performances cut across the intervening years. Regular listeners will know the high regard I hold Johnny Shines - he'd have had a birthday this week so I was able to include his 1972 version of "Dyna Flow Blues".

Django Reinhard and Stephan Grapelli were regulars at the Hot Club of Paris and that same beautiful, elegant playing was here on "Swing Gitane" as we tried to usher in something summery - not blues by the strictest meaning but lovely skills nonetheless.

You were great company on STAR BLUES, many thanks for the many kind words about the Vinyl Hour - I was Gary Blue. I will be again next Sunday at 10pm (BST) if you'll have me - until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you.



Track.TitleTrack.ArtistSortIndexAlbum.TitleAlbum.ArtistSortLabel
My Heart Is Achin' To Love YouJ. B. Hutto5SlideslingerJ. B. HuttoEVIDENCE
I Love My BabyMississippi Heat1Learned The Hard WayMississippi HeatVan Der Linden
I Wouldn't-A Done ThatDuke Robillard Band, The1Independently BlueDuke Robillard Band, TheSTONY PLAIN
Rockin' ChairBig George Brock5Round TwoBig George BrockCAT Head
warm roomArtie 'Bluesboy' White1Blues BoyArtie 'Bluesboy' WhiteRONN
the leaning treejohn primer and bob corritore5knockin around the bluesjohn primer and bob corritoredelta groove
Swing GitaneSwing Gitane1Swing GitaneSwing GitaneBlau
I Can't Be SatisfiedBuddy Guy9Lightning In A Bottle. A Salute To The Blues [Disc 1]Various ArtistsColumbia / Legacy
Cypress Grove BluesBob Brozman7Blues ReflexBob BrozmanRuf
Didn't It RainHugh Laurie2Didn't It RainHugh LaurieWARNER BROS
i wanna do it to youSmokey Wilson1Round Like An Apple: Big Town Sessions 1977-1978Smokey WilsonACE
stop lyinTail Dragger9Stop Lyin'Tail DraggerDELMARK
Dynaflow BluesJohnny Shines3Ramblin' BluesJohnny ShinesORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
pony bluescharlie patton7pony Bluescharlie pattonorbis publications
Gone Dead TrainKing Solomon Hill7Blues Images Presents 1920's Blues Classics Cd - Volume 3Various ArtistsBLUES IMAGES
Gonna Tell Your MotherJimmy McCracklin1Modern Recordings, Vol. 2: Blues Blastin'Jimmy McCracklinACE
Eight Hour WomanEdith Johnson37Bedspring Poker - Meat In Motion 1926/1951Various ArtistsINDIGO
lorraineJohnny Young10The Complete Blue Horizon SessionsJohnny YoungBLUE HORIZON
Early MorningFloyd Jones2-17Down Home Blues Classics - Chicago (1946-1954)Various ArtistsBOULEVARD VINTAGE
my real gone rocketjackie brenston1-8rockin memphisVarious Artistsproper
baker street boogiewillie nix1-14rockin memphisVarious Artistsproper
salt in my coffeebetty james2miscVarious Artistsvarious
Dig A Little DeeperMahalia Jackson10As Good As It GetsVarious ArtistsDISKY
bluesin the boogiehadda brooks21946 modern yearsvarious artistsace

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