Sunday 17 November 2013

STAR BLUES on 17th November 2013 at 22:00

Several birthdates since I last sat here: Bobby Rush is now 73 and leads our celebrations that include Hubert Sumlin, Carey Bell and Candye Kane. Rush is criminally under-known outside the African-American community, yet his current album is as good as you're likely to hear in or out of the genre this year. He tours unceasingly with his own band and revue giving gig-goers a show they'll cherish. Check the ten year old Memphis film in the PBS Blues series for a fascinating insight into the workings of his craft.

Hubert was beloved and universally described as a "sweet man", generous with time and talent; known for his long tenure with Howlin' Wolf there was a feisty choppiness in his playing which he retained into his career as band leader in his own right (we went to his 1989 project for Blind Pig). Carey had a unique squall in his harp style, he was lead player in Muddy Waters band and I'm told he'd cover his instrument rather than let another player learn his secret. Some of his last recordings were done for Alligator and our choice gave him chance to stretch out.

Candye Kane is a remarkable woman who has overcome many challenges that would best lesser mortals - in every sense of the word she is a survivor with a fascinating story. Her new album was cut live in analog at 33rpm, it shows off a slight husky tone to her robust singing undercut with Laura Chavez' (at times brutal) guitar. We placed her in our running order alongside Lavern Baker (another anniversary of birth date) whose "Jim Dandy Got Married" for Atlantic clearly defined the connection in form between them. Mojo Buford was the harp play in Muddy's band at the pivotal Ann Arbor festival, he was also on the "Unk in Funk" album which was at the tail end of Waters' tenure at Chess. Buford was one of the classic players taken under the metaphorical wing of John Stedman for a set put out on JSP in 1989 - he had a fluid dynamic all his own (when he tried to learn from LittleWalter, he was rebuffed by the master who instructed him to just listen and play for himself).

We mentioned sonnyandbrownie for their on and off-stage interaction and we played a piece they did for Bob Shad in 1948. Piano duties were done in New Orleans by Fats Domino and the Shuffling Hungarians of Professor Longhair. I got a nice reminder about Curtis Jones during the week through FB and fortuitously walked into a proper record shop next day to find and buy his "Complete Blue Horizon Sessions" produced by birthday boy Mike Vernon. It isn't the best starting point for the man as his rudimentary guitar technique undermines his solid piano and clear vocals he made his name with.

The gospel tent had the Swan Silvertones with a great example of the pliability and power of the human voice. We didn't forget guitar technicians by any stretch of the imagination - a quintessential outing for Guitar Slim defined the term "blues guitar". Albert King, Hop Wilson and Johnny Shines' genius were similarly masterful, while wily old dogs John Lee Hooker and Lightnin' Hopkins boogied for all their worth.

Those two hours were soon gone and we will have a short chat with John Mayall on next week's STAR BLUES to tie in with his upcoming 80th birthday - 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
things i used to do guitar slim 1-30 cosimo matassa story various artists proper
be on your merry way Albert King 1 Ultimate Collection Albert King RHINO
Another Kind of Fool Bobby Rush 1 Look At What You Gettin' Bobby Rush DEEP Rush
Little Bluebird Johnnie Taylor 11 Wanted One Soul Singer Johnnie Taylor Atlantic
Sittin’, Drinkin’ and Thinkin’ (1954 Sun) Little Junior Parker 15 Ride With Me, Baby: The Singles 1952-1961 Little Junior Parker Fantastic Voyage
Let's Get Together Jimmy McCracklin 11 Modern Recordings, Vol. 2: Blues Blastin' Jimmy McCracklin ACE
She Just Won't Sell No More Wynonie Harris 19 Jump Mr Blues Wynonie Harris Fantastic Voyage
jim dandy got married Lavern Baker 12 soul on fire lavern baker ATLANTIC
i'm the reason you drink Candye Kane 3 comin' out swingin' Candye Kane vizztone
She's My Baby Fats Domino 6 Early Imperial Singles 1950-1952 Fats Domino ACE
Bye Bye Baby Professor Longhair 1-13 Mardi Gras In New Orleans Professor Longhair JASMINE
Statesboro Blues Taj Mahal 2 Taj Mahal Taj Mahal COLUMBIA
Key to the Highway Jazz Gillum 5 Sweet Home Chicago Various Artists INDIGO
The Gallows Pole Odetta 20 Crime And Punishment Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
Bring Your Love to Me Hubert Sumlin 2 Prime Chops. Blind Pig Sampler Various Artists BLIND PIG RECORDS
Every Dog Has His Day Pee Wee Crayton 11 Cosimo Matassa Story Various Artists Proper Box
Black Spider Blues Robert Lockwood Jr. 4 20th Century Blues Various Artists CATFISH
House Rent Blues John Lee Hooker 15 Complete Folk Blues John Lee Hooker MCA
Come Home Baby Mojo Buford 8 State Of The Blues Harp Mojo Buford JSP Records
LET YOUR HAIR DOWN Curtis Jones 7 Complete Blues Horizon Sessions Curtis Jones COLUMBIA
Dynaflow Blues Johnny Shines 3 Ramblin' Blues Johnny Shines ORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
The Panama Limited Bukka White 23 Let Me Tell You About The Blues: Memphis Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
Double Cross Carey Bell 2 Good Luck Man Carey Bell Alligator
my baby's got a black cat bone hop wilson 15 rhythm rockin' blues various artists groovesource
oh mary don't you weep swan silvertones 1-20 sound of the city: chicago various artists emi
Sittin' on Top of the World Sonny TerryBrownie McGhee 8 Hometown Blues Sonny TerryBrownie McGhee MAINSTREAM
wild wild woman johnny young 17 Let's Have A Blues Ball! Various Artists ACE
early morning boogie lighnin hopkins 16 rhythm rockin' blues various artists groovesource
Created: 17/11/2013 23:59:40 

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