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 

PRESIDENT JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY BLUES on 10th November 2013 at 22:00

Britain's Other Blues show lead the way in being first to mark the fiftieth year this month since the shooting in Dallas of President Kennedy. We wanted to place those events in the context of the blues experience - ahead of what will unfortunately be a festival of ballyhoo about conspiracy theories and his celebrity lifestyle. The BBC is even promising a minute-by-minute reenactment; I've talked to folks who genuinely thought a nuclear war would start the next day.

I put some tracks into the playlist to set the scene by what was on the R&B charts in 1963: timeless music from Bobby Bland, Jackie Wilson and Little Johnnie Taylor made top spot (and weirdly / interestingly the R&B charts ended a week or so after the assassination). In May 1963 Elmore James died, in August Howlin' Wolf cut a classic session and in the summer Muddy Waters returned to his "unplugged" roots with Buddy Guy for his "Folk Singer" album. JFK was trying to find a way through some difficult times at home and overseas and he edged towards 1000 days in office.

Shortly after noon his motorcade turned right into Dealey Plaza and up towards the Texas Book Depository. In front of the building they turned left and moved away - within a few minutes the President was shot dead.

In the coming weeks of this half-centenary you'll hear and see plenty of theories and facts: his sudden death was felt particularly deeply in the African American community who were starting to believe that much needed change in Civil Rights legislation was coming. Boss of Testament Records, Pete Welding, became aware of a number of blues and gospel artists who had written songs about JFK the man and how they felt about his killing. The result was an album "Can't Keep From Crying " which was released in April 1964.- we featured just about all of it last night (just leaving out one of the versions of "Poor Kennedy" by Avery Brady). Husband and wife team James and Fannie Brewer did three songs and Otis Spann was cut twice. Johnny Young and Big Joe Williams captured the mood in their distinctive playing.

There's a full description of the artists and songs in a fine book compiled by the Dutch researcher Guido van Rijn ": Kennedy Blues ", this is a comprehensive survey of blues songs on contemporary themes recorded during the years of Kennedy's term in the Oval Office. There are similar books on all the US presidents since 1900 and the JFK one is particularly poignant.

I don't have a real sense of what actually happened and Guido's book and Pete's album have helped me understand how it affected a big part of America. I can't find a parallel for those events in my own purview and if we are lucky nothing like it will happen again.

My grateful thanks are extended to so many folks (who know who they are) for their help and patience while I did the background stuff for this edition of STAR BLUES; and to the Mighty Mark Peters and his team at Star Radio in Cambridge for doing this on commercial FM radio in the UK. The normal service of trivia, tomfoolery and blues will be back at 10pm (GMT) next Sunday until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you

STAR BLUES on 3rd November 2013 at 22:00

RIP Bobby Parker who we remember with some of his classy early singles and celebrating Birdlegg who is on the cover of both Living Blues and Blues&Rhythm magazines this month. A track from new projects by Toronzo Cannon and Jackson Sloan. The latter has already been described here as quite possibly the coolest man working the live British Blues circuit - he writes and sings in that good old fashioned way, no hanging around, take no prisoners with a voice which reminds me of the great Walter Brown.

Toronzo wears a sharp suit and plays a gorgeous powder-blue flying V guitar left-handed; his songs are nicely turned observations showing the currency of bang upto date Chicago blues. His new album on Delmark "John The Conquer Root" is a goodun. If you had any notions of what an artist called "Birdlegg" could be, be glad you checked those ideas at the door - he is a man schooled in the ways of Sonny Boy Williamson and Sonny Terry, dressed in white shirt tie and flat cap he is a cracking live performer and he is now part of the Dialtone outfit profiled in the new B&R magazine. His self-titled project was featured on last night's STAR BLUES - though he has Omar Dykes on guitar there's no room for any single instrument to outshine any other, this is ensemble playing nicely arranged. Label owner Eddie Stout runs a tight ship and his unerring passion for the music has done it again.

Bobby Parker died on Thursday and just about every obituary makes much of his 1961 hit for V-tone called "Watch Your Step" and how both the Beatles and Led Zeppelins riffs wore the influence. Our four selections from the same era proved he was already working at that level of consistency with achingly soulful vocal cut through with caustic guitar. His "Blues Get Off my Shoulder" still tingles my spine. We didn't get chance to dip into his latter period recordings for Black Top and he was gigging right through the summer. it's been especially tough this year after Bobby Bland, Magic Slim and Jimmy Dawkins each man leaves a huge hole.

Maxwell Davis did stuff under his own name and as sax-man, band-leader and arranger he graced dozens of top-notch 50's recordings by the likes of B. B. King. we chose Young Jessie's best known hit from the anthology newly out on Fantastic Voyage. Same outfit has another rummage around the soulful side of Detroit and I never need much excuse to play Singin' Sammy Ward (this time his "Part Time Love"). The selection is complied by soul-expert (and writer and dj) Clive Richardson which is a measure of quality in my book. Another distinctive voice who never delivers less than the best was that of Earl Gaines, we went back to Nashville in 1959 for his session. Little Milton was on Checker for a moving vocal performance, B B King's "Letter" was a single originally, ripe for repicking by the Bihari Brothers for their budget Crown label series of albums. Sonny Boy Williamson popped over, Lou Rawls earliest gospel roots were on show and Little Brother Montgomery owned the piano keys at Vicksburg.

The rule of the show during the Vinyl Hour is for songs which were first cut for 45 or 78 revs; our Etta James track was done for an album and the second Birdlegg track was there too. Talk of rules at the top end of the shop came about Sonny Rhodes (who had a birthday on 3rd November). Until 9/11 he wore a turban and these days its a stetson. When I heard his 3 song session for Paul Jones in Feb, 1992 I thought it was the law to play guitars standing up. The piercing lap steel on Lee Dorsey's "Ya-Ya" blew that theory even though I had no idea what a lap-steel was. From there I found Hop Wilson and the Rev, Lonnie Farrish - the rest is h....

Our STAR BLUES next week (10th Nov) marks the 50th year of President JFK's shooting; Pete Welding's album on Testament forms the basis of the show as it chronicles the African-America experience of the event and it's aftermath. I hope you'll let me round your place for what promises to be a fascinating look back at one of the Century's defining  moments and the reaction in the African American community. 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
before you accuse me	Magic Slim & The Teardrops	1	essential	Magic Slim & The Teardrops	BLIND PIG RECORDS
THE THINGS I WANT YOU TO DO	A. C. Reed	11	I'm In The Wrong Business	A. C. Reed	Alligator
Ya Ya	Sonny Rhodes	7	Disciple Of The Blues	Sonny Rhodes	Wild Dog
shame	toronzo cannon	6	JOHN the conquer root	toronzo cannon	delmark
98c in the Bank	Johnnie Marshall	1	98 Cents In The Bank	Johnnie Marshall	JSP Records
You Up Set My Mindt	Birdlegg	7	Birdlegg	Birdlegg	DIALTONE
Blues Get Off My Shoulder	Bobby Parker	1	45s	Bobby Parker	various
Don't Drive Me AWAY	Bobby parker	9	45s	bobby parker	various
Three Times Seven	Earl Gaines	6	24 Hours A Day	Earl Gaines	BLACK MAGIC
why don't you let me know	jackson sloan	10	shack sessions	jackson sloan	SHELLAC
won't be back	lourawls and chosen gospel singers	2-24	gospel celebrities	various artists	fantastic voyage
Your Letter	B. B. King	4	B. B. King The Crown Recordings: Disc 5 : Blues In My Heart	B. B. King	ACE
Blind Man	Little Milton	3	Stand By Me	Little Milton	ORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
There's Something About My Baby	Bobby Marchan	3	Get Down With It The Soul Sides 1963-67	Bobby Marchan	Kent
Blinded By Love	Etta James	9	Etta Is Betta Than Evvah!	Etta James	Kent
part time love	singin' sammy ward	1-25	soul: detroit	various artists	fantastic voyage
mary lou	young jessie feat. maxwell davis	3-28	wailin' daddy	maxwell davis	fantastic voyage
Number Writer	Dan Pickett	22	Shake That Thing!: East Coast Blues 1935-1953,	Various Artists	JSP Records
Sloppy Drunk Blues	Bumble Bee Slim (Aka Amos Easton)	19	The Essential	Bumble Bee Slim (Aka Amos Easton)	CLASSIC BLUES
vicksburg blues	little brother montgomery	2-11	history of rhythm and blues vol. 1	various artists	rhythm and blues
Steal Your Heart Away	Bobby Parker	9	Uk Sue Label Story, Vol. 4	Various Artists	Kent (U.K.)
Watch Your Step	Bobby Parker	25	R&b Spotlight '61	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Don't Set Down At The Table	Birdlegg	9	Birdlegg	Birdlegg	DIALTONE
Your Funeral and My Trial	Sonny Boy Williamson	11	Crime And Punishment	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
youy don't love me	willie cobbs	1	45s

STAR BLUES on 27th October 2013 at 22:00

We're set to start on this side of the pond before cruising into over an hour of vinyl finery on STAR BLUES. Our start was actually in Canvey Island when Dr. Feelgood tickled the UK singles charts for the first time; John Philip Cawthra had joined the band to fill the considerable void left by Wilko Johnson, many diehard fans found it hard to accept "Gypie" Mayo who has died this week. I found the music of Johnny Guitar Watson, Solomon Burke and John Lee Hooker through seeing them live.

Thereafter Bernie Marsden reached back to 1967 for a track off the debut album from Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac and Otis Grand lovingly recreated that BB King big-band swing for his 1989 "Always Hot" out on the small French label, Special Delivery. Paul Jones picked up on it and in a trice our Otis was the featured star on the cd which celebrated the 100th issue of Blues & Rhythm magazine. In a very different style of playing - though arguably more influential - Bert Jansch gave a masterclass on his 1966 interpretation "blackwater Slide" (he cleverly interpolated some Indian chords into his coda). Manfred Mann have a seven-disc clamshell package of their original EP's with fabulous artwork: "I Put A Spell On You" came closest to our format, but collectors won't care when adding it to their Santa list.

Jo-Ann Kelly was Britain's more credible blues artist in the 1960's and Duster Bennett was her equal counterpart - much missed is something of an understatement. Paddy Milner and Carl Sonny Leyland effortlessly rippled those keys and Little George Suref was superbly controlled for Big Joe Louis' cover of a Snooky Pryor classic. 

The annual Blues Blast awards are on the way and both Johnny Rawls and Barbars Carr are deservedly nominated for their fine albums on Catfood Records. The Johnny Rawls selection was also a nod to his brand new project which celebrates the genius of his old friend and mentor O. V. Wright.  Other awards due to Eddie Shaw and Bob Koerster of Delmark Records, both with lifetime recognition (and further confirmation of the strength of Chicago Blues)  King Curtis came along twice, once under his own steam and once as featured sideman on a superb Big Maybelle single from 1957.
Little Willie John's sister Mabel was one example of what Berry Gordy had on his family of labels as the 1960s dawned. Fantastic Voyage has just issued a piece which by happy chance complements the Vee-Tone album we had as our feature last week. We also took the Little Otis answer song to "Duke of Earl" from the pack.

Garfield Love with Jimmy Spruell and Hound Dog Taylor were both singles licenced by Blue Horizon for British release with glimpses of what was happening in US. Little Sonny and Lowell Fulson closed our show last night as we girded our loins for the trek outside into the approaching Hurricane. It didn't equal what we had for weather in 1987 when Sevenoaks in Kent became one overnight - it was still pretty mean and nasty. We dipped out on gospel last night but we'll be back this upcoming Sunday at 10pm (GMT) with the regular prescription of trivia and tomfoolery in a white tee-shirt. Did I mention armfuls of blues? 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
Down at the Doctors	Dr. Feelgood	14	25 Years Of Dr. Feelgood	Dr. Feelgood	Grand Records
Merry Go Round	Bernie Marsden	6	Green And Blues	Bernie Marsden	ESSENTIAL
Whole Lotta Lovin'	Otis Grand	6	Always Hot	Otis Grand	INDIGO
blackwater side	Bert Jansch	2	Angie: The Collection	Bert Jansch	Sanctuary Records Group Ltd
love in vain	Tony McPhee	3-12	Hellhounds On Their Trail	Various Artists	catfish
i put a spell on you	Manfred Mann	4	no living without loving	Manfred Mann	UMbrella
Louisiana Blues	Jo Ann Kelly	7	Key To The Highway	Jo Ann Kelly	Sanctuary Records Group Ltd
Worried Mind	Duster Bennett	7	Bright Lights Big City	Duster Bennett	INDIGO
Boogie Twist	Big Joe Louis & His Blues Kings	2	The Stars In The Sky	Big Joe Louis & His Blues Kings
Down the Road Apiece	Carl 'Sonny' Leyland	3	Boogie And Blues	Carl 'Sonny' Leyland	SOLO ARTIST
21st Century Boogie	Paddy Milner	1	21st Century Boogie	Paddy Milner	LAUNCH
goin' up the country	Canned Heat	2	The Very Best Of Canned Heat	Canned Heat	EMI
blind crippled and crazy	Johnny Rawls	2	memphis got soul	Johnny Rawls	Catfood
I Got the Blues	Barbara Carr	4	Keep The Fire Buming	Barbara Carr	Catfood
One Monkey (Don't Stop No Show)	Lavern Baker	12	Super Soul Sisters	Erma FranklinLavern Baker	EDSEL
lone prairie	king curtis	1-28	Wail Man Wail!	King Curtis	Fantastic Voyage
Blues, Early Early	Big Maybelle	2-28	Wail Man Wail!	King Curtis	Fantastic Voyage
Actions Speak Louder Than Words	Mable John	3-20	For This I Thank You: Motown R&b, Popcorn And Rock N Roll	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
i out-duked the duke	little otis	1-18	For This I Thank You: Motown R&b, Popcorn And Rock N Roll	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Next Time You See Me	garfiled love With Jimmy Spruill Orchestra	15	Blue Horizon Story Vol. 1	Various Artists	CBS
Christine	Hound Dog Taylor	21	Blue Horizon Story Vol. 1	Various Artists	CBS
Country Boy	Eddie Shaw & The Wolf Gang	12	Can't Stop Now	Eddie Shaw & The Wolf Gang	DELMARK
stormin' and rainin'	lowell fulson	22	trouble trouble	lowell fulson	fantastic voyage
as the years go passing by	fenton robinson	2-5	i pity the fool - duke records story	various artists	one day
i gotta find my baby	little sonny	1-12	i pity the fool - duke records story	various artists	one day

Created: 27/10/2013 23:57:15

STAR BLUES on 20th October 2013 at 22:00

Just announced: the UK record industry has just had the best vinyl sales for 12 years. Biggest consumers are 18-24 year olds by all accounts; they know what we already knew. To underscore the point Vee-Tone has just gone into the vaults of Motown Records and come out with 16 R&B cuts of the highest order. Our featured platter on STAR BLUES this week!

I felt this week just as I did at the age of 14 having unearthed some prize gem anxious to show it to the other two folks at school who'd know what it was. Junior Blue can download every single track in an artists' discography but not actually have anything with as much effort as it takes Google to find it. The period covered by Vee-Tone's album predates the smooth pop-soul projects which redefined Britain from about 1964 onwards. The Contours brought their debut disc and Gino Parks gritty punch drove his tracks hard and its always a treat to find a platter with the criminally under-known Singin Sammy Ward.

Jackson Sloan is quite possibly the coolest guy working the live British Blues Scene; his birthday will be Friday, he puts out EP's on his own label called Shellac (what else). New album due soon. Little Milton's best work for Stax came with his final single on the label which went bankrupt a few days after his single came out. In the finest tradition, Tommy Brown sang about cars and girls while fellow-shouter was more direct in his association with  with the petite women needed to ride as jockeys? The Memphis team came in full strength too with contributions from B B King and junior Parker; while the earliest Lowell Fulson came off a brand new triple on Fantastic Voyage. Thunder Smith was raw, downhome and in Texas and the Speer family did gospel duties for us on the same label as Cecil Gant's frolic around the keyboard.

The line between us and Neil's STAR ROCK was kinda wobbly at the top end of the shop but by crikey we finished well. Come along and hear how we get on this next 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
Reap What You Sow	Jim Allchin	4	Q.E.D.	Jim Allchin	Sandy Key Music
dark night	james armstrong	1	dark night	james armstrong	hitone
The Clock	John Primer & Bob Corritore	1	Knockin' Around These Blues	John Primer & Bob Corritore	Delta Groove Productions
sing it louder	cary morin	2	sing it louder	cary morin	music maker
I Had a Notion	Steve Howell & The Mighty Men	1	Yes, I Believe I Will	Steve Howell & The Mighty Men	Orchard
i can't turn back	jackson sloan	1	i can't turn back	jackson sloan	shellac
i feel so good	Chris James & Patrick Rynn	3	Barrelhouse Stomp	Chris James & Patrick Rynn	EARWIG
Same Thing (Tamla T54042 1961)	Gino Parks	19	Motown Rhythm & Blues '59-'62 DOWNLOAD ALBUM	Various Artists	Vee-Tone Records
Packed Up and Took My Mind	Little Milton	20	Complete Stax Singles	Little Milton	STAX
Get Out of My Life Woman	Lee Dorsey	6	Soul Mine	Lee Dorsey	CLASSIC HITS
sugar coated love	barbara lynn	19	a good woman	barbara lynn	kent
texas stomp - live	Bob Hall	15	At The Window - Plus!	Bob Hall	INDIGO
caldonia	louis jordan	1-10	History Of The rhythm and Blues (vol 2)	Various Artists	SUNDAY TIMES NEWSPAPER
V-8 Baby	Tommy Brown	9	Let Me Tell You About The Blues: Atlanta	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
my gals a jockey	big joe turner	1-19	History Of The rhythm and Blues (vol 2)	Various Artists	SUNDAY TIMES NEWSPAPER
Whole Lotta Woman (Motown M1008 1961)	Contours, The	3	Motown Rhythm & Blues '59-'62 DOWNLOAD ALBUM	Various Artists	Vee-Tone Records
I Wonder	b b king	12	rpm blues story	Various Artists	one day
boogie woogie baby	Cecil Gant	3-10	bullet records story	Various Artists	spv
ain't nobody's business	lowell fulson	2-1	trouble trouble	lowell fulson	fantastic voyage
dig a little deeper	speer family	3-20	bullet records story	Various Artists	spv
Big Stars Are Falling	Thunder Smith	2	Down Home Blues Classics Texas 1946-1954	Various Artists	BOULEVARD ENTERTAINMENT
telephone blues	little george smith	1-11	rpm blues story	various artists	one day
I Ain’t Drunk	Jimmy Liggins	19	Let Me Tell You About The Blues: West Coast	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Big Joe Moe (Tamla 54057 1962)	Singin' Sammy Ward	6	Motown Rhythm & Blues '59-'62 DOWNLOAD ALBUM	Various Artists	Vee-Tone Records
Bad Women, Bad Whiskey	Little Junior Parker	2	Ride With Me, Baby: The Singles 1952-1961	Little Junior Parker	Fantastic Voyage
Good Morning Judge	Wynonie Harris	71	Mr. Blues	Wynonie Harris	PROPER
Sadie Mae	Joe Haywood	15	Sehorn's Soul Farm • 50 New Orleans Soul Classics	Various Artists	CHARLY

Created: 20/10/2013 23:34:47

STAR BLUES on 13th October 2013 at 22:00

Whatever you're doing between 10 and midnight, wherever you find yourself at the time, we're here with trivia tomfoolery and an armful of blues stuff we promise will be different to anything else.


Serendipity was hard at work yesterday to ensure prompt arrival of the new project from Johnny Rawls on Catfood Records calleed "Remembering O V". Otis Clay adds further vocal gravitas on three tracks of the album celebrating Overton Vertis Wright. It would have been O V's 74th birthday during the week and we already planned to play his version of the classic song "Ace Of Spades". Done deal to go to Johnny and Otis' cover of "A Nickel and A Nail". Rawls is a master craftsman: singer, guitarist, writer, producer.

Similar soulful voice and tasteful understated guitar came from Kenny Neal (who has a birthday today, Monday). His 2010 outing on Bling Pig shows some maturity and unforced elegance compared with the upfront power he showed on earlier Alligator albums. The lush guitar solos were down to Larry Lamkin last night during "Cable Man" from his debut album; we eagerly await more from this man.

Lou Pride died earlier this year, his work for Ichiban was top-notch and we chose a song from his "Twisting The Knife" to note how deftly his soulful voice could be put into a blues guitar setting. Father and son team, Carey and Lurrie Bell, were in Chicago in 1988 for a set originally put out through John Stedman's JSP imprint, but taken last night from the series of fortnightly Blues Collection magazines which came out 20 years ago. (as an aside who would you add to an extension of the series if you were doing it today?)

Star Radio's Day-time jock O-J and his producer Adam skillfully bested all comers in the Great Potato Race in Ely on Saturday. Had to play Robert Brown's "Diggin My Potatoes", didn't we? In 1949 with the growing popularity of electric blues and the onset of rock'n'roll Washboard Sam (because it's him) fell out of favour and became a policeman in the Chicago force. I will resist the obvious remarks about peelers ...!!

It would have been Wade Walton's birthday yesterday (90 years) and he was known as the signing barber (he had his own haircutting shop in Chicago). There was a little curio he recorded with Richard Curtis Jones for Arhoolie where you hear him keep rhythm by sliding his cut-throat razor along the strop.

We were asked to play some more Furry Lewis, which is never a hardship, and our gospel feature went to Chicago outside a shop to sample Rev. Louis Overstreets amplified guitar and stomping bass drum with gear perched on a car bonnet (or should that be hood). He was issued by Chris Strawicz on the Arhoolie label, as was Melvin 'Lil Son' Jackson who brought us an early version of "Cairo Blues" which if memory serves the Ripley Kid did on his "Old Sock" album. Piano was on offer from Charles Brown and Floyd Dixon somewhat later in the running order than we normally do those 88s.

We were actually spoiled for guitar mastery last night with Jody Williams' debut single as a solo artist (aka Little Papa Joe) and fascinating interplay caught betwixt and between Taj Mahal and Etta Baker. The album first came out on Music Maker. Phillip Walker never disappointed and his artistry was balanced by a somewhat ragged performance BB King did at Tuff Green's house in Chicago c.1952 which had Johnny Ace on piano.

Next week I plan to play something from a vinyl album newly out on Vee Tone Records, compiled by Mark Lamarr from the R&B section of the Motown Vaults. If there's more lunches to pack, or work clothes to iron on Sunday at 10pm we'll be back at your place to help as best we can, as only we can. 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
I Got a Mind to Go to Chicago	Jackie PayneSteve Edmonson Band	5	Overnight Sensation	Jackie PayneSteve Edmonson Band	Delta Groove Music
Cable Man	Larry Lampkin	2	When I Get Home	Larry Lampkin	Kaint Kwit
Cadillac Assembly Line	Carey BellLurrie Bell	8	Second Hand Man	Carey BellLurrie Bell	ORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
I Smell Smoke	Johnny Winter	3	I'm A Bluesman	Johnny Winter	Virgin Records Us
Bitter With the Sweet	Kenny Neal	2	Hooked On Your Love	Kenny Neal	BLIND PIG RECORDS
I Didn't Take Your Woman (You Gave Her to Me)	Lou Pride	13	Twisting The Knife	Lou Pride	ICHIBAN
Ace of Spades	O. V. Wright	9	Soul Of O. V. Wright	O. V. Wright	MCA
nickel and a nail	johnny rawls and otis clay	4	remembering o. v.	johnny rawls and otis clay	catfood records
Build Myself a Home	Hans Theessink & Terry Evans	6	Delta Time	Hans Theessink & Terry Evans	BLUEGROOVE
Madison Street Blues	Etta Baker & Taj Mahal	4	Etta Baker With Taj Mahal	Etta BakerTaj Mahal	MUSIC MAKER
Hello My Darling	Phillip Walker	3	The Best Of Phillip Walker	Phillip Walker	HIGH TONE
I Got a Gal	B.B. King	10	Ace's Wild!	Johnny Ace	Fantastic Voyage
You Make Me Feel So Good	Tarheel Slim (Aka Alden Bunn)Little Anne	24	Uk Sue Label Story, Vol. 4	Various Artists	Kent (U.K.)
goion' home	rosco gordon	25	Uk Sue Label Story, Vol. 4	Various Artists	Kent (U.K.)
Calling All Blues	Junior Wells	21	Junior Wells 1957-1963	Junior Wells	Chief
Steal Your Heart Away	Bobby Parker	9	Uk Sue Label Story, Vol. 4	Various Artists	Kent (U.K.)
lost in a dream	buster brown	10	Uk Sue Label Story, Vol. 4	Various Artists	Kent (U.K.)
Looking for My Baby	Little Papa Joe	1	Early Singles	Jody Wiiliams	Various
Diggin' My Potatoes	Washboard Sam	16	Sweet Home Chicago	Various Artists	INDIGO
Cairo Blues	Melvin 'Lil Son' Jackson	4	Journey Of Chris Strachwitz (40 Years Of Arhoolie Records)	Various Artists	Arhoolie Records
barbershop rhythm	wade walton / richard curtis smith	5	Journey Of Chris Strachwitz (40 Years Of Arhoolie Records)	Various Artists	Arhoolie Records
Falling Down Blues	Furry Lewis	9	Roll And Tumble Blues : History Of Slide Guitar	Various Artists	INDIGO
believe on me	rev. louis overstreet	17	Journey Of Chris Strachwitz (40 Years Of Arhoolie Records)	Various Artists	Arhoolie Records
let the good times roll	shirley and lee	1	Aladdin Story	Various Artists	EMI
Lost in a Dream	Charles Brown	21	Sing My Blues Tonight - Ace (Ms.) Blues Masters Vol.1	Various Artists	WESTSIDE
Call Operator 210	Floyd Dixon	8	Aladdin Story	Various Artists	EMI
Royal Boogie (Take 1)	Gene Phillips & His Rhythm Aces	16	Beating The Petrillo Ban. The Late December 1947 Modern Sessions	Various Artists	ACE

Created: 13/10/2013 23:40:48

STAR BLUES on 6th October 2013 at 22:00

Just really nice to be in amongst such a wide range of top notch artists doing what they do best. That also includes being able to bring you an exclusive for the first record by Dee Shine Eye. Covers of "Need Your Love So Bad" tend to showcase someone's guitar gifts, Dee puts the emphasis back on the lyrics and what they mean.

Roy Gaines is a player of great substance with an enviable pedigree, he is playing in LA, taking about his work and musing on the history of rock'n'roll and blues. By all accounts he has a new live album, which is eagerly anticipated around here - we went to the opening track from his "Tuedo Blues" project, big bold brassy swinging stuff, just the job now the nights are drawing in.

Duke Robillard has similar depth to his canon and he is today's epitome of T-Bone Walker's cool. I dipped into a two disc survey on Stony Plain from 2007 to help mark his birthday this week; in truth we could have picked anything there is no such thing as a bad performance from the Duke.

Righteous old-time gospel flavour imbues the brand new album from the Holmes Brother, my only gripe is why has it been three years since the previous one. Top notch performances as you'd expect. I also felt I was 13 again this week: discussing favourite guitarists. I said Albert Collins was my no.2 to T-Bone Walker but there were pretty compelling arguments to counter from fans of Freddie King. He loses half a point from me because of those unfeasibly large wing-collars he wore in the mid-70's (I worried a small gust and he'd be up there with the Flying Nun). Albert also had the knack of getting that off-centre humour into his singing courtesy of his wife Gwen's lyrics. I broke all the rules last night by giving him 7 minutes to tell us why the lights were on but no-one was home. Ultimately you can't sensibly measure who is the better man but by crikey there's a fairly rich seam to mine from either man in trying to find out.

Kirk Fletcher has a couple of decent albums under his belt and his Delta Groove release gave us a splendid opener last night. Both Joe Tex and Robert Cray did covers of songs written by Don Covay and Earl Thomas has a criminally small catalogue of discs but a tasteful go at Rev. Gary Davis' song "Twelve Gates Of The City" did gospel duties for us.

Carla Thomas' unreleased session done at American Studios finally get to see light of day and her supple vocals made a nice pairing with the classic Sugar Pie DeSanto cut for Chess. Barbara Lynn cut a fine figure on left-handed guitar and Little Joe Blue was similarly edgy on his piece. Pre-war blues came from Bo Carter and from one of just six sides Willie Brown did. His track came from a disc given as companion piece to the book "Chasin The Devils Music". Not sure if its still in print but the bonus disc does have that rare Tommy Johnson track just auctioned on eBay for $37000.  A further curio in our two hours was one of the pair of uncredited Muddy Waters tracks to be found on a Memphis Slim album claimed to be done live at Carnegie hall in  1959 but actual studio-based from 1961.

Two hours was up before we knew it and you were truly magnificent, all being well we'll get together for some more stuff centred on blues at 10pm next 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
Club Zanzibar	Kirk Fletcher	5	Shades Of Blue	Kirk Fletcher	Delta Groove
He Don't Know	Robert Cray	2	Back To The Streets : Music Of Don Covay	Various Artists	SHANACHIE
Lights Are on But Nobody's Home	Albert Collins	4	Crucial Guitar Blues	Various Artists	Alligator
Jump the Blues for You	Duke Robillard	1	Duke Robillard's World Full Of Blues	Duke Robillard	STONY PLAIN
Need Your Love So Bad	dee shine eye	1	need your love so bad	dee shine eye	{world exclusive}
stayed at the party	Holmes Brothers	1	brotherhood	Holmes Brothers	alligator
Johnson's Early Morning Blues	Larry Johnson	3	Railroad Man	Larry Johnson	JSP Records
my baby's gone	Dave Riley	9	Whiskey, Money And Women	Dave Riley	fedora
Twelve Gates to the City	Earl Thomas	6	Plantation Songs	Earl Thomas	jp boman
Soulful Dress	Sugar Pie Desanto	1	Go Go Power • The Complete Chess Singles 1961-1966	Sugar Pie Desanto	Kent
hi de ho	carla thomas	5	sweet sweetheart	carla thomas	stax
Send for Me	Roy Gaines	1	Roy Gaines and His Orchestra: Tuxedo Blues	Roy Gaines
He Won't Bite Me Twice	Big Amos Patton	7	Rivertown Blues / R'n'b Sessions / Soul Years	Various Artists	HI
Dirty Work Goin' on	Little Joe Blue	19	Chess Blues	Various Artists	CHESS
Sound the Bell	Clarence Garlow	26	Rhythm 'N' Bluesin' By The Bayou	Various Artists	ACE
(Real) Fine Boogie	Snooky Pryor	9	An Introduction To Snooky Pryor	Snooky Pryor	FUEL 2000
Lights Out	Jerry Byrne	16	Rock On	Various Artists	ACE
She Said Yeah	Joe Tex	25	Have Mercy! The Songs Of Don Covay	Various Artists	ACE
Watch the One (That Brings the Bad News)	Barbara Lynn	5	A Good Woman	Barbara Lynn	Kent
I'm an Old Bumble Bee	Bo Carter	1	Bo Carter's Advice	Bo Carter	CATFISH
future blues	willie brown	3	Chasin' That Devil Music	Various Artists	BACKBEAT BOOKS
flyright little girl	Sunnyland Slim	4	Chess Blues	Various Artists	CHESS
Johnson Machine Gun	Sunnyland Slim	3	Chess Blues	Various Artists	CHESS
rock me	muddy waters	2	broken soul blues	memphis slim	b g o
Harpin' on a Riff	Charlie Musselwhite	1	Harpin' On A Riff	Charlie Musselwhite	MUSIC CLUB
Midnight In Memphis	J. J. Cale	5	Collected	J. J. Cale	Universal Music Group

Created: 06/10/2013 23:42:14