The Robert Johnson myth is one thing, his playing and writing evolved into a style which popularised a number of themes and motifs already being played in the clubs he did. Three years after his centenary he is still one of the most identifiable of all blues artists.
Regular listeners will have often heard me say "Electric blues guitar gets no better than T-Bone Walker" and his "Hypin' Woman" was another excuse for him to give a master class in not playing too many notes nor too few. Larry Lampkin's name was unknown to me six months ago but his brand new album is a treat for fans of fluid guitar playing, we dipped into that project on STAR BLUES - you can bank on us going back there before we get too much older.
They say apples don't fall too far from the tree and Rip Lee Pryor is proof of that maxim. His dad was Snooky Pryor and his harp style has the same easy flow on the new Electro-Fi album. All being well we will have more next time.
I'm not very good at Facebook but I do shamelessly use it for inspiration on what to put into the show: one of my friends has a dip into his sumptuous collection of 78's at the weekend and inspired me with Chuck Higgins' instrumental "Wet Back Hop". Great sax too on that Bill Doggett selection. Our very own "Brian the Cleaner" is an internet sensation for the show he hijacks here instead of hoovering and dusting - he did the early breakfast show the other day and asked for songs with a train theme. My suggestion for "Honky Tonk Train Blues" got onto the list but not to air. The hidden bonus Mike Sanchez version on STAR BLUES was our nod to Mike now he has an autobiography out which neatly chronicles the live British blues scene - I've never seen him without a broad grin swinging the heck out of guitar or keys.
Bobby Blue Bland did just Part 1 of his single on Duke and the under appreciated vocal gifts of Joe Medwick matched him on a survey labelled as Southern Soul but full of tasty blues and r&b. Carol Fran, Hadda Brooks and Erline Harris stuck up for the blues women with different shades of our music.
Late period Otis Rush saw a return to playing form on the title track of his album from 20 years ago, Guitar Slim and Freddie King at the other end of the show did us proud heading into the midnight hour. Piano duties fell to Jimmy Yancey did his trademark Eb ending while Faber Smith carefully enunciated vocal accompaniment. We dipped out on gospel for some reason but I hope we covered enough bases anyway on STAR BLUES for you to get an idea of what we're about. As always you were magnificent and I plan to be back round your place suitably attired and equipped at 10pm (BST) on Sunday. 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 |
| Ain't Enough Comin' in | Otis Rush | 9 | Ain't Enough Comin' In | Otis Rush | THIS WAY UP |
| Your Good Thing Is About To End | Robert Cray Band | 4 | In My Soul | Robert Cray Band | PROVOGUE |
| I Cried | Joe Medwick | 1 | Where Southern Soul Began 1954-1962 | Various Artists | HISTORY OF SOUL |
| Emmitt Lee | Carol Fran | 6 | Where Southern Soul Began: 2 | Various Artists | HISTORY OF SOUL |
| Ain't Doing Too Bad | Bobby 'Blue' Bland | 14 | The Voice : Duke Recordings 1959-69 | Bobby 'Blue' Bland | ACE |
| blues is real | larry lampkin | 1 | blues is real | larry lampkin | kaint kwit |
| Honky Tonk Train Blues | Mike Sanchez And His BandImelda May | 15 | Almost Grown | Mike Sanchez And His BandImelda May | DOOPIN |
| Boozie Boogie | Cecil Gant | 1 | The R'n'b Years 1947: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1947 | Various Artists | BOULEVARD VINTAGE |
| Don't You Want a Good Man | Tail Dragger | 4 | Stop Lyin' | Tail Dragger | DELMARK |
| nobody but me | rip lee pryor | 1 | nobody but me | rip lee pryor | - |
| Just a Little Bit | Rosco Gordon | 28 | Solid Stroll | Various Artists | LUCKY Gal |
| Sweet Lovin' Mama | Watson, Johnny "Guitar" | 11 | Soul City Los Angeles | Various Artists | Fantastic Voyage |
| Wet Back Hop | Chuck Higgins | 9 | Jiving Jamboree | Various Artists | ACE |
| Afternoon Jump | Bill Doggett | 3 | Complete Recordings: 1954 | Bill Doggett | CLASSICS |
| Blue Mood | Hadda Brooks | 12 | Modern Music: 1945 | Various Artists | ACE |
| Jump and Shout | Erline Harris | 12 | I'm A Bad Bad Girl | Various Artists | INDIGO |
| Hypin' Woman Blues | T-Bone Walker | 14 | 1947 : Chronological Recordings | T-Bone Walker | CLASSICS |
| R.B. Boogie | R.B. Thibadeaux | 4 | The R'n'b Years 1950: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1950 | Various Artists | BOULEVARD VINTAGE |
| Landlord Blues | Ivory Joe Hunter | 34 | Blues At Sunrise | Ivory Joe Hunter | INDIGO |
| East St. Louis Blues | Faber SmithJimmy Yancey | 1 | Broke Black And Blue | Various Artists | PROPER |
| Half Ain't Been Told | Otis Spann | 8 | My Home Is In The Delta | Otis Spann | ORBIS BLUES COLLECTION |
| Down the Line | Robert Nighthawk | 2 | Black Angel Blues | Robert NighthawkForest City Joe | CHARLY |
| Tired Feelin' Blues | Two Charlies [Charlie Jordan & Charlie Manson] | 65 | Roots 'N Blues : Retrospective 1925-1950 | Various Artists | SONY |
| Ramblin' on My Mind | Robert Johnson | 7 | Contracted To The Devil | Robert Johnson | SONY / LEGACY |
| When There's No Way Out | Guitar Slim | 7 | Atco Sessions | Guitar Slim | ATCO |
| Side Tracked | Freddie King | 11 | Texas Sensation | Freddie King | CHARLY |
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