Sunday 5 April 2015

STAR BLUES on Easter Day at 22:00 - a golden anniversary

Fifty years ago in April 1965, Blues Unlimited reviewed the new album by B. B. King - "Live At The Regal". Our Easter Sunday STAR BLUES at 10pm (BST) focused on this remarkable project. As well as playing the whole album, we had a full table of other blues recorded live - from Ray Charles to Robert Cray.

e reviewer in #21 of Blues unlimited expressed grateful thanks to the person who had the idea to capture B B King in concert - previous studio pieces only hinted at how good he was when you saw him. The songs were chosen to showcase King at his best and he effortlessly delivered. "Live At The Regal" is often defined as the benchmark for blues in concert - and there are few genuine contenders for it's crown. Previous blogs have mentioned a few but this one is the fan's favourite.

It's probably about two years since I listened to the whole album straight through - STAR BLUES gave me that privilege this week. Only when you get the full context can you appreciate the power and majesty of King's performance. His modest brief introductions tee up some fierce fills - case in point "Worry Worry". Then there's "How Blue Can You Get?" ... 

That November 1964 date in Chicago is but one gig from the Windy City to feature on STAR BLUES this time out. Luther Allison was consummate master of all he surveyed and was the obvious choice to get our show started where everything was done in front of a live audience. Big Jack Johnson and Johnny B. Moore had gigs there out on live albums; Magic Sam, Otis Rush and Jimmy Burns were done for Chicago label Delmark.Travelling a bit further to our side of the pond: Larry Garner was in Germaby, London played host to Taj Mahal and Professor Longhair (the latter album coming out more recently through the Orbis Blues Collection magazine series). Jimmy Burns is one of Detroit's finest; he was but one of a number of men with gigs recorded and issued through Delmark. The Magic Sam gig was thought to be lost and caused quite a stir when issued for the very first time last year. Big Jack Johnson took no prisoners and must have been a top draw wherever he played.


Both Ray Charles and Muddy Waters reached wider audiences than just blues, partly through strong performances at various Neport festivals. The Robert Cray selection came from early in his career - at time he eschewed live recording - Austin Texas was the place for him. These days he's a much more relaxed performer who's warmed to the environment quite nicely.Roger "Hurricane" Wilson's two-hander with Willie "Big-Eye" Smith has a lovely relaxed feel and Smith relishes the setting to return to his first instrument, his harp.

All in all, our Easter Day STAR BLUES was something we'd not tried before and it proved to be a treat to hear our music played where it should be heard: in front of a crowd. We had the large Hadron Collider on standby just in case there were socks to eat. Not tonight Josephine. As for next Sunday, you'll need to be ready at your place at 10pm (BST) to find out - until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you


track.titletrack.artistsortindexalbum.titlealbum.artistsortlabel
Soul Fixin' ManLuther Allison2Live in ChicagoLuther AllisonRUF
Buzz MeOtis Grand6Live AnthologyOtis GrandMYSTIC
Phone BoothRobert Cray14Authorized Bootleg - Live, Outdoor Concert, Austin, Texas, 5/25/87Robert CrayUMI
Hello JosephineLuther 'Guitar Junior' Johnson8Live At The RynbornLuther 'Guitar Junior' JohnsonM.C. RECORDS
Eyesight To The BlindWillie 'Big Eyes' Smith And Roger 'Hurricane' Wilson1Live Blues Protected By Smith & WilsonWillie 'Big Eyes' Smith And Roger 'Hurricane' WilsonBLUESTORM
Everyday I Have The BluesB. B. King1Live At The RegalB. B. KingMCA
Sweet Little AngelB. B. King2Live At The RegalB. B. KingMCA
It's My Own FaultB. B. King3Live At The RegalB. B. KingMCA
How Blue Can You GetB. B. King4Live At The RegalB. B. KingMCA
Please Love MeB. B. King5Live At The RegalB. B. KingMCA
Catfish BluesMuddy Waters10Live At Newport // Sings Big BillMuddy Waterssoul Jam
You Gonna Miss MeJohn Lee Hooker9Live At Sugarhill Vols. 1 And 2John Lee HookerACE
night time is the right timeray charles1at newportray charlesatlantic
all my whole lifeJohnny B. Moore5Live At Blue ChicagoJohnny B. MooreDELMARK
the twistBig Jack Johnson6Live In ChicagoBig Jack JohnsonEARWIG
where the blues turn backLarry Garner6Embarrassment To The Blues? (Live In Europe)Larry GarnerRuf
mailbox bluetaj mahal2live at ronnie scottstaj mahalsanctuary
Whole Lot Of LovingProfessor Longhair3Live In LondonProfessor LonghairORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
i gotta find my babylittle arthur duncan13live at rosa's blues loungelittle arthur duncandelmark
You Upset Me BabyB. B. King6Live At The RegalB. B. KingMCA
Worry, WorryB. B. King7Live At The RegalB. B. KingMCA
Woke Up This MorningB. B. King8Live At The RegalB. B. KingMCA
You Done Lost Your Good Thing NowB. B. King9Live At The RegalB. B. KingMCA
Help The PoorB. B. King10Live At The RegalB. B. KingMCA
Still A FoolMagic Sam10Live At The Avant Garde 1968Magic SamDELMARK
Feel So BadOtis Rush10All Your Love I Miss Loving Live At The Wise Fools Pub ChicagoOtis RushDELMARK
Wild About You, BabyJimmy Burns11Live At B.L.U.E.S.Jimmy BurnsDELMARK
hot tamale babyJoe Louis Walker10Live At SlimsJoe Louis WalkerDEMON
Created: 05/04/2015 23:47:28


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