STAR BLUES on 3rd May 2015 at 22:00 celebrating the current crop of senior blues players

.. not just B. B. King; we are proud to celebrate Jimmy Johnson, Bobby Rush, Henry Gray, Eddie C. Campbell, Eddie Clearwater, Fats Domino, Otis Rush. Our thoughts of course are with B's family at this time of uncertainty. Just adding the ages of these artists gets you up around the 700 mark, but the sum total of their influence is so much more. These aren't curios gathering dust in a museum either: Henry Gray has a new album with Bob Corritore due out in June, there's a new one in the works from Jimmy Johnson and Dave Specter, and Eddie Clearwater released a new live record called "Soul Funky" just a month or so back. I even noticed Eddie live on Facebook while on air, no doubt smiling at our choice to include his "Cool Walk" track in the first hour. Already a listener favourite!

The life of a working musician for these players has been hard-won: all started out in an era of segregation made to feel second class the moment they came off stage. Slogging up and down the interstates, even driving their own tour bus has been part of who they are. That they are still making great music is remarkable indeed. I hope our survey on STAR BLUES last night did them proud.

Two artists with famous fathers at the top of the shop: Chris' dad is Joe Beard the jazz maestro and Rip Lee Pryor showed the apple don't fall far from the tree planted by his dad, Snooky Pryor. Plenty of substantial blues on the distaff side too from Bessie Jackson, Ruby Glaze and Margie Day. Pre-war highlight came in the form of Son House and the immortal "Walking Blues", the power bursting through the fidelity of eighty years hence. I stumbled across Square Walton on t'internet and was delighted to learn the track was already in my collection - and on your radio yesterday.

Over in the piano tent, Amos Milburn had a song rejected by the Aladdin label, rescued for first release by compiler Dave Penny when he put together a chronological survey on the Clasics imprint. The minor key flourish from Jimmy Yancey was his trademark and left no doubt who was in charge on the Faber Smith piece. Dave also writes for Blues & Rhythm magazine, whose issue #299 has just hit the mat - it has for the last thirty odd issues included "Rays Rudiments" a remarkable series of features on key blues artists with guide to their prime recordings. Ray Templeton is the writer/compiler and the latest to come under his gaze is Jimmy Reed. If you don't believe what Jimmy did for the blues, especially here in Britain, just ask Mick Jagger.

If you hear better blues guitar playing than that of Mississippi John Hurt's "Hot Time In Old Town" I'll eat my socks. With a single trice our two hours together were done, I'm planning two more next Sunday round your place at 10pm (BST) so 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
Hey Baby	Chris Beard	12	Who I Am & What I Do	Chris Beard	ELECTRO Glide
Stuck On Stupid	Rip Lee Pryor	9	Nobody But Me	Rip Lee Pryor
Stubborn Woman	Tutu Jones	9	I'm For Real	Tutu Jones	JSP Records
don't let daddy slow walk you	Rusty Zinn	1	sitting and waiting	Rusty Zinn	black top
Cool Blues Walk	Eddy 'The Chief' Clearwater	4	Box Of Blues	Various Artists	Rounder
Pleadin' For Love	Roscoe Shelton	17	The Real Excello R'n'b	Various Artists	ACE
i'm going upside your head	Jimmy Reed	22	rockin with reed	Jimmy Reed	charly
Angel Child	Peppermint Harris	7	I Pity The Fool - The Duke Records Story	Various Artists	One Day Music
The Trace	Phillip Walker	10	Stepping Up In Class	Phillip Walker	ORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
Small Town Baby	Maurice John Vaughn	12	In The Shadow Of The City	Maurice John Vaughn	.
Serves Me Right To Suffer Aka Memory Pain	Jimmy Johnson	3	Living Chicago Blues, Vol. 1	Various Artists	Alligator
first time i met the blues	Buddy Guy	29	chicago bound	Various Artists	fantastic voyage
Crazy Bout You	Bobby Rush	2	The Essential Recordings - Vol.1	Bobby Rush	DEEP Rush
Ain't That Just Like A Woman	Fats Domino	26	R&b Spotlight '61	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Watch Yourself - Henry Gray	Henry Gray	1	Chicago Blues [Parrot Blues]	Various Artists	V.I.
cool cool mama	Eddie C. Campbell	5	hopes and dreams	Eddie C. Campbell
She's A Good'un	Otis Rush	10	Good'uns : The Classic Cobra Sides	Otis Rush	BLUESIDE
Ice Cream Man	John Brim	13	Chess Blues	Various Artists	CHESS
Stubborn As A Mule	Margie Day	22	Voodoo Voodoo: Feisty Fifties Females	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Memphis Blues	Lizzie Miles	6	Blues Tunes	Various Artists	HIT
That's What My Baby Likes	Bessie Jackson	10	Broke Black And Blue	Various Artists	PROPER
Gimme Your Bankroll	Square Walton	99	Down Home Blues Classics	Various Artists	BOULEVARD VINTAGE
Playmate Shuffle	Eddie Boyd	7	The Blues Is Here To Stay	Eddie Boyd	Jasmine Records
Real Crazy	Amos Milburn	19	Chronological Amos Milburn 1950-1951	Amos Milburn	CLASSICS
Walking Blues	Son House	20	Broke Black And Blue	Various Artists	PROPER
Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight	Mississippi John Hurt	9	Complete Studio Recordings	Mississippi John Hurt	VANGUARD
Lonesomeday Blues	Ruby Glaze	8	The Great Women Blues Singers	Various Artists	RETRO
Can't Get Enough	Clara Burston	27	Cincinnati Blues	Various Artists	CATFISH
East St. Louis Blues	Faber SmithJimmy Yancey	1	Broke Black And Blue	Various Artists	PROPER
Ross Tavern Boogie	Art Hodes	8	The Best Of Boogie Woogie	Various Artists	DOCUMENTS
Believe In Me	Little Milton	5	Who's Cheatin' Who	Little Milton	TRACE

Created: 03/05/2015 23:52:13

STAR BLUES on 19th April 2015 at 22:00 with my first ever blues record

... because yesterday was RECORD STORE DAY. In truth there's something off each of the first four vinyl blues I bought. One of my choice cuts however will have to wait: the planned Little Milton version of "Stormy Monday" wasn't playable and a plea for last minute substitute didn't come through ahead of the live show.

From the current crop we went to a Little Freddie King project which got good notices in the new Living Blues magazine, and to the last known sessions by Pops Staples from 1999: his plans were for a Staple Singers album but Mavis recently asked her producer Jeff Tweedy to strip out Pops' voice and guitar to serve as foundation to a new release called "Don't Lose This". An obvious high point is the reworking on Blind Willie Johnson's "Nobody's Fault". It's here in gloriously stark guitar-only form.

Our "eat my socks" candidate is the renowned pairing of Jimmy deBerry and Walter Horton for the instrumental "Easy" - loping guitar versus intense harp. If you hear a better performance before next Sunday's STAR BLUES, the tootsie warmers are toast.

The remenisences came thick and fast for the bulk of the remainder of the playlist. The double vinyl "Blues Jam At Chess" came from Replays in Southampton, something of a rarity on the Sire label (shame about the purple and chocolate brown sleeve). For the Jan 69 date, Mike Vernon and Marshall Chess surrounded the then lineup of Fleetwood Mac with Otis Spann, Honeyboy Edwards, Willie Dixon and the aforesaid Shakey Horton. It was the fourth blues album I bought. That was about a fortnight after I bought the "Anthology" double album on Duane Allman from Replays. I've been a massive fan of Skydog ever since.

The second blues vinyl was the "Best of Chess Blues" mentioned above - Debenhams in Southampton as I recall. One cut apiece from anyone who was anyone at Chess, including the Sonny Boy Williamson number "Your Funeral" which so impressed booklet notesmith Don Snowden. He also remarked upon the McCarthyism that prompted the raid on the offices of Parrot Records before JB Lenoir's classic was licenced to the Chess imprint. The only slight flaw to an immaculate package was the rare photo of Little Walter playing guitar (it is printed across the fold of the gatefold sleeve).

I also touched on listening to Radio Luxemburg 208 under the bed clothes and discovering Roy Buchanan. Before that I'd just bought my first blues vinyl album from Caters Record Shop on Maldon High Street. Twice a day going to school I'd walked past the unassuming shop that barely hinted at the cornucopia of treasures within. The window displays were light bulbs, wiring, heaters, electrical gubbins and bee-keeping equipment. Mrs Cater was a woman of small stature, barely able to see over the counter. Not a talkative woman but knowledgeable on almost everything. She helped me countless times, including pointing me toward "Blues World of Eric Clapton" on Decca. It had performances of John Mayall, Otis Spann and Champion Jack Dupree. Remember this was Eric at his most blues playing as if his life depended on it, he was proud to call himself a purist.

I've never knowingly bought a record because it would be valuable, as a result I've memories which are priceless. Thank you for letting me share them with you on STAR BLUES, I hope Record Store Day did the same for you and that the day rekindled some old passions or sparked newly minted classics. If you'll have me, I'll bring some more STAR BLUES to your place at 22:00 (BST) 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
A Fool (For Hiding My Love From You)	Harold Burrage	11	Foxy R&b	Various Artists	ACE
Mean Red Spider	Muddy Waters	6	Rollin' Stone	Muddy Waters	CHESS
Too Many Cooks	Robert Cray	1	The Score	Robert Cray	CHARLY
How Can You Do It (Sunland 105)	Henry Gray	8	45's Collection Prt 037	Various Artists
Chickee Wah-Wah	Bobby Marchan	12	Gumbo Ya Ya: The Cosimo Matassa Story Volume 2	Various Artists	PROPER
I Feel So All Alone	Jody Williams	4	Chicago/ The Blues Yesterday 9	Various Artists
Nobody's Fault But Mine	Pops Staples	6	Don't Lose This	Pops Staples	Anti
Run Here Baby, Run	Little Freddie King	5	Messin' Around Tha Living Room	Little Freddie King
Watch Out	Fleetwood Mac	1	Blues Jam In Chicago	Fleetwood Mac	COLUMBIA
Easy	Jimmy And Walter	8	The Sun Blues Box Sampler - Blues, R&b And Gospel Music In Memphis 1950 - 1958	Various Artists	bear family / b&r magazine
Man Ain't Nothin' But A Fool	Sonny TerryBrownie McGhee	2	Hometown Blues	Sonny TerryBrownie McGhee	MAINSTREAM
Mean Ole Gal	Johnny Otis Orchestra, Vocal By Esther Jones, The	24	Blues Belles With Attitude	Various Artists	ACE
Have A Good Time Baby	Ursula Reed	7	Old Town Blues - The Uptown Sides	Various Artists	ACE
Send Me A Man	Alberta Hunter	11	Empty Bed Blues : Best Of The Good Time Mommas	Various Artists	PULSE
Mean Old World	Eric Clapton And Duane Allman	4	Duane Allman Anthology	Duane Allman	POLYDOR
Sweet Dreams	Roy Buchanan	1	Roy Buchanan // Second Album	Roy Buchanan	BGO
You Upset Me Baby	B.B. 'Blues Boy' King & His Orchestra	11	Speak Easy - The Rpm Records Story Volume 2 1954-57	Various Artists	Ace Records
Madison Blues	Elmore James	9	Slidin'	Various Artists	CHARLY
One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer	John Lee Hooker	1	20th Century Masters	John Lee Hooker	MCA
Your Funeral And My Trail	sonny boy williamson	225	Let Me Tell You About The Blues; Chicago - The Evolution Of Chicago Blues 1925-1958	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Nite Owl	Tony Allen & The Champs	24	Jump Blues Jamaica Way: Jamaican Sound System Classics Vol. 3	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
South Bound Train	Various Artists	205	Let Me Tell You About The Blues; Chicago - The Evolution Of Chicago Blues 1925-1958	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Chicken	Baby Boy Warren	21	Let Me Tell You About The Blues: Detroit	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Eisenhower Blues	J.B. Lenoir	16	Chicago Bound: Chess Blues, R&b And Rock 'N' Roll	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Pretty Girls Everywhere	Otis SpannEric Clapton	1	Clapton Is God: The Cream Of Early Eric Clapton	Eric Clapton	Castle Music Uk
Third Degree	Champion Jack DupreeEric Clapton	3	Clapton Is God: The Cream Of Early Eric Clapton	Eric Clapton	Castle Music Uk
Bernard Jenkins	John MayallEric Clapton	17	Clapton Is God: The Cream Of Early Eric Clapton	Eric Clapton	Castle Music Uk
t bone shuffle	t-bone walker	2	Masterworks Sampler Vol. 2	Various Artists	CHARLY

Created: 19/04/2015 23:55:20

STAR BLUES on 12th April 2015 at 22:00 without Andre Rieu but with socks

I will eat them if there is a blues radio show anywhere in the world that is playing better music. In evidence tonight: John Jackson a finger picker of awesome poise and grace

track.title	track.artistsort	index	album.title	album.artistsort	label
Miss Mercy	Michael Burks	5	Best Of Michael Burks	Michael Burks	Alligator
Room To Move	Debbie DaviesJames Cotton	4	Key To Love	Debbie Davies	SHANACHIE
Stood Up Again	Katie Webster	2	Two-Fisted Mama!	Katie Webster	Alligator
Blues Ball	Brandon O. Bailey	1	Memphis Grooves	Brandon O. Bailey	APO
Spider Eating Preacher	Eddie C. Campbell	2	Spider Eating Preacher	Eddie C. Campbell	DELMARK
Pretty Mama Blues	Ivory Joe Hunter	1=17	blues at sunrise	ivory joe hunter	indigo
ammons boogie	gene ammons	2-1	jump blues jamaica way	various artists	fantastic voyage
coffee grind	Hank BallardMidnighters	1	Let's Go Again	Hank BallardMidnighters	Jasmine
Bye Bye Blues - Arzo Youngblood	Arzo Youngblood	2	Living Country Blues Usa Vol. 9 - Mississippi Moan	Various Artists
so glad i'm here in jesus name	Shelton Powe	5	So Glad Am Here	Shelton Powe
chesterfield	John Jackson	4	front porch blues	John Jackson	alligator
better off with the blues	clarence gatemouth brown	18	no looking back	clarence gatemouth brown
daddy was a jockey	John Lee Hooker	1-20	too much boogie	john lee hooker	indigo
We Got The Winning Hand	Little Milton	3	Chicago Radio Soul	Various Artists	Kent (U.K.)
you got your mojo working	eddie bo	6	baby i'm wise	eddie bo	ace
c c rider	Wilbert Harrison	3-27	jump blues jamaica	various artists	fantastic voyage
cutting out	professor longhair	3-22	jump blues jamaica	various artists	fantastic voyage
Untitled Instrumental	Henry Gray & Morris Pejoe	18	Chess Blues	Various Artists	CHESS
Train Time Blues	Cecil Gant	4	Let Me Tell You About The Blues: Nashville	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Barrel House Woman	Leroy Carr	1	Let Me Tell You About The Blues: New York	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Stubborn As A Mule	Margie Day	22	Voodoo Voodoo: Feisty Fifties Females	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
The Gallows Pole	Odetta	20	Crime And Punishment	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
didn't it rain	marie knight	17	shout sister shout	Various Artists	MC
sugar coated love	lazy lester	12	blues masters	various artists	rhino
steady	jerry mccain	13	blues masters	various artists	rhino
got love if you want it	slim harpo	14	blues masters	various artists	rhino
thats how strong my love is	eddie giles	2-6	southern soul shake	various artists	charly
cummings prison farm	calvin leavy	1-16	southern soul shake	various artists	charly
the freeze	albert collins	9	blues masters	various artists	rhino

Created: 12/04/2015 23:50:58

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.title	track.artistsort	index	album.title	album.artistsort	label
Soul Fixin' Man	Luther Allison	2	Live in Chicago	Luther Allison	RUF
Buzz Me	Otis Grand	6	Live Anthology	Otis Grand	MYSTIC
Phone Booth	Robert Cray	14	Authorized Bootleg - Live, Outdoor Concert, Austin, Texas, 5/25/87	Robert Cray	UMI
Hello Josephine	Luther 'Guitar Junior' Johnson	8	Live At The Rynborn	Luther 'Guitar Junior' Johnson	M.C. RECORDS
Eyesight To The Blind	Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith And Roger 'Hurricane' Wilson	1	Live Blues Protected By Smith & Wilson	Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith And Roger 'Hurricane' Wilson	BLUESTORM
Everyday I Have The Blues	B. B. King	1	Live At The Regal	B. B. King	MCA
Sweet Little Angel	B. B. King	2	Live At The Regal	B. B. King	MCA
It's My Own Fault	B. B. King	3	Live At The Regal	B. B. King	MCA
How Blue Can You Get	B. B. King	4	Live At The Regal	B. B. King	MCA
Please Love Me	B. B. King	5	Live At The Regal	B. B. King	MCA
Catfish Blues	Muddy Waters	10	Live At Newport // Sings Big Bill	Muddy Waters	soul Jam
You Gonna Miss Me	John Lee Hooker	9	Live At Sugarhill Vols. 1 And 2	John Lee Hooker	ACE
night time is the right time	ray charles	1	at newport	ray charles	atlantic
all my whole life	Johnny B. Moore	5	Live At Blue Chicago	Johnny B. Moore	DELMARK
the twist	Big Jack Johnson	6	Live In Chicago	Big Jack Johnson	EARWIG
where the blues turn back	Larry Garner	6	Embarrassment To The Blues? (Live In Europe)	Larry Garner	Ruf
mailbox blue	taj mahal	2	live at ronnie scotts	taj mahal	sanctuary
Whole Lot Of Loving	Professor Longhair	3	Live In London	Professor Longhair	ORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
i gotta find my baby	little arthur duncan	13	live at rosa's blues lounge	little arthur duncan	delmark
You Upset Me Baby	B. B. King	6	Live At The Regal	B. B. King	MCA
Worry, Worry	B. B. King	7	Live At The Regal	B. B. King	MCA
Woke Up This Morning	B. B. King	8	Live At The Regal	B. B. King	MCA
You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now	B. B. King	9	Live At The Regal	B. B. King	MCA
Help The Poor	B. B. King	10	Live At The Regal	B. B. King	MCA
Still A Fool	Magic Sam	10	Live At The Avant Garde 1968	Magic Sam	DELMARK
Feel So Bad	Otis Rush	10	All Your Love I Miss Loving Live At The Wise Fools Pub Chicago	Otis Rush	DELMARK
Wild About You, Baby	Jimmy Burns	11	Live At B.L.U.E.S.	Jimmy Burns	DELMARK
hot tamale baby	Joe Louis Walker	10	Live At Slims	Joe Louis Walker	DEMON

Created: 05/04/2015 23:47:28

STAR BLUES on 29th March 2015 at 22:00 So much to report ...

... start of summer time. Wettest and windiest day of the month (of course).
... tax year starting so a young man's fancy is form-filling
... big vote starting with much hot air and bally-hoo

However -- What really mattered last night was the range of blues that started out on vinyl for our playlist; we also did Robert Lockwood's centenary: deservedly marking it with a fair sized handful of tracks. Lockwood was a uniquely gifted stringsmith with an audible jazz tinge in his guitar tone. He had a sound that fit with rural or urban blues. I speculated that he'd have gone by "Robert Lockwood Jr" rather than "Robert Jr Lockwood" because the second form was a way of linking him to Robert Johnson's legacy. I read several times how he grew weary at fending off questions about Johnson from those barely interested in Lockwood. There's a project he did for Trix that i'd hoped to include yesterday but our selection covered five decades and measured his influence. Two other Bob's at the top of the shop made for an unusual opening salvo. Covington's album is subtitle "the Golden Voice Of" - no argument here without even mentioning the fluid guitar breaks.

Mitty Collier is an ordained minister these days - with a record deal over at Dial Tone - and her brief career in secular music provided the cover of a song carrying a Willie Dixon credit. The Kansas Joe McCoy standard piece rarely gets an outing these days and it made for a neat framework with Lottie Kimborough around a short tribute to John Renbourn who'd died during the week. Along with fellow traveller's Bert Jansch and Davy Graham, Renbourn brought many to the blues during the early Sixties folk revival. By no means a blues artist in the strictest sense, his skill alone was excuse enough for us to say thanks to him.

Seasick Steve has a new album with surprisingly catchy pop choruses - his sound is rooted in a tradition which includes Lightnin' Hopkins and John Lee Hooker; they are in the show but we'll pass on Steve. The birthday book had Johnnie Walker (now 70) who showed me when I started out that it was alright for a jock to actually enjoy the music he played, we tipped our headgear to Eric Clapton a week early (ditto 70). When you're talking guitarists you start with T-Bone Walker (you can pretty much stop there as no other player has ever or will ever get close). We had his classic piece "Alimony Blues" from a new set on Jasmine. We challenged you to hear a better performance before next Sunday's STAR BLUES. That one will be live round your place at 10pm (BST) on Easter Sunday. It will mark 50 years since the release of B B King's "Live at the Regal" album. 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 Hate Taxes (1040 Blues)	Robert Cray	1	I Hate Taxes	Robert Cray	MERCURY
Better Watch Your Step	Robert Covington	3	Blues In The Night	Robert Covington
WALKING BLUES	Robert Lockwood Jr.	1	i got to find me a woman	Robert Lockwood Jr.	VERVE
I'M A BLUESMAN	Mojo Buford	5	State Of The Blues Harp	Mojo Buford	JSP Records
My Babe	Mitty Collier	9	I Had A Talk With My Man : Blues Classics	Mitty Collier	BLUE CITY
Mad Blues	Lightnin' Hopkins	18	(1946-1960)	Lightnin' Hopkins	STORY OF THE BLUES
When The Levee Breaks	Kanas Joe McCoy	12	Let Me Tell You About The Blues: New York	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Kokomo Blues	John Renbourn	14	The Essential: The Best Of John Renbourn	John Renbourn	Castle Pulse
Rolling Log Blues	Lottie Kimbrough	10	The Great Women Blues Singers	Various Artists	RETRO
I Miss You So	Faye Wilson With Johnny Otis Orchestra	22	That's Your Last Boogie!	Johnny Otis	Fantastic Voyage
I Hate To Be Alone	Roy Hawkins	11	Rhythm ... And Blues!	Various Artists	WESTSIDE
RAISE A RUCKUS TONIGHT	Buster Brown	13	I'M GOING BUT I'LL BE BACK	Buster Brown	Jasmine
Broken Hearted Blues	Buddy Guy	17	Deep Feeling	Various Artists	Fantatsic Voyage
Right Now Baby	Roy Gaines	13	Groove Records Story	Various Artists	One Day Music
(I'm Gonna) Dig Myself A Hole [MERCURY 1951]	Robert Lockwood Jr.	7	Down Home Blues Classics - Chicago (1946-1954)	Various Artists	BOULEVARD VINTAGE
Little Boy Blue [1941]	Robert Lockwood Jr.	18	Classic Slide Guitar	Various Artists	CATFISH
We're Gonna Ball Tonight	Robert Lockwood Jr.	8	Just The Blues	Robert Lockwood Jr.	BULLSEYE BLUES
Mr. Downchild	Robert Lockwood, Jr.	11	Delta Crossroads	Robert Lockwood, Jr.	TELARC
I Smell Trouble	Bobby 'Blue' Bland	23	It's My Life, Baby: The Singles - As & Bs, 1951-1960	Bobby 'Blue' Bland	Jasmine
LET'S GO AGAIN (Where We Went Last Night)	Hank BallardMidnighters	9	Let's Go Again	Hank BallardMidnighters	Jasmine
Good Man Blues	Roy Brown	15	Pay Day Jump - The Later Years	Roy Brown	ACE
Have A Little Mercy	Sugar Boy Crawford	17	Kings Of New Orleans R'n'b	Various Artists	MUSIC CLUB
Vicious, Vicious Vodka	Amos Milburn	23	Down The Road Apiece - The Best Of	Amos Milburn	ALADDIN
Bell Boy Boogie	Todd Rhodes	14	The R'n'b Years 1947: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1947	Various Artists	BOULEVARD VINTAGE
ALIMONY BLUES	T-Bone Walker	15	Get The Blues Off Me	T-Bone Walker	Jasmine
That Man	Nappy Brown	22	The R'n'b Years 1954: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1954	Various Artists	BOULEVARD VINTAGE
WHAT A DREAM	Slim Harpo	13	I'm A King Bee	Slim Harpo	Jasmine
Rock House Boogie	John Lee Hooker	44	Too Much Boogie	John Lee Hooker	INDIGO
Du Dee Squat (Criss Cross 110)	Little Luther	16	Slabs Of Humdingers Vol. 2	Various Artists	vee-tone

Created: 29/03/2015 23:56:15

STAR BLUES on 22nd March 2015 - centenary of Sister Rosetta Tharpe and a tribute to

..Sam Charters who died earlier this week. There's little doubt he loved blues and how he honoured the artists and the tradition. There are a number of fine books which bear his name: "The Country Blues", "The Roots of The Blues" and "Legacy of the Blues" each one thoughtfully compiled and making that kind of research legitimate (until then the preserve of jazz scholars). He encouraged others to go out and find similar artists for themselves. He also compiled several albums of lesser known blues - I discovered Mighty Joe Young and Robert Pete Williams through them. Best known were the three vinyl albums out almost exactly fifty years ago called "Chicago / The Blues / Today!" and our playlist on STAR BLUES went straight there as our way of saying thanks Mr.Charters; he was 85.

Friday was the centenary of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, she was a huge star in the cold fashioned sense of the word with twenty-five thousand at her wedding and queues round the block a regular feature of her gigs. She had a guitar style later imitated by Chuck Berry and she drew the listener in to her songs by uplifted eyes as if she was singing to the Higher Power. Her early contract with Lucky Millender forced her into a secular more risque style (such as "Tall Skinny Papa") it is the gospel sides she's best known for: solo, with Marie Knight or backed by Sammy Price. Her music never fails to thrill me and I was tempted to have a full two hour playlist full of that joyful spirit.  She wasn't thrown too far with the advent of rock'n'roll; we heard that in our choice from the "Holy Rollers" collection on Vee-Tone, here's the link to her biography I promised during the show: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shout-Sister-Rock---roll-Trailblazer/dp/0807009857/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427144516&sr=8-1&keywords=shout+sister+shout


There's  a brand new collection on the recordings Buster Brown did for Bobby Robinson; his raw rural power harnessed in a New York studio with backing from the genius Jimmy Spruill. Sure Brown sometimes sounded like Sonny Terry on his chosen harp - he was so much more than a one trick pony after his first hit with "Fannie Mae". Jasmine is where to go for this little belter.

Blues and Rhythm magazine is out again with issue '298 - feature star Wynonie Harris will be in next Sundays playlist - we went to a disc by Bo carter I was lucky enough to review for the magazine - our way of saying thanks to outgoing reviews editor Byron Foulger. His good ears kept the identity of the magazine within the purview of both words in the mag's title. The things he sent me often found their way out onto the airwaves through the wireless round your place. He's not leaving just passing on the editor's baton.

Our snippet from the Bluesbreakers closing the two hours was there to note Eric Clapton's forthcoming 70th birthday - we've remarked before that those John Mayall sides were as close as Eric got to playing as if his life depended on it - he's delighted many differing genres since those days 50 years ago: rarely has he ever been this passionate about blues.

all being well - if you'll have us - we plan another spoonful of the good stuff round your place on Sunday at 10pm. 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
bad mamma jamma	eddie the chief clearwater	4	cool blues walk	eddie the chief clearwater	bullseye
Don't Give Away That Recipe	Gary B.B. Coleman	2	Romance Without Finance Is A Nuisance	Gary B.B. Coleman	ICHIBAN
Whiskey Drinkin' Blues	Andrew 'Jr. Boy' Jones	3	I Know What It's Like	Andrew 'Jr. Boy' Jones
Headed Back To Hurtsville, Again	Theodis Ealey	2	Theodis Ealey A Collection	Theodis Ealey	IFGAM
meet me with your black drawers on	gaye agdebelola	5	gaye without shame	gaye agdebelola	hot toddy
I'm Gonna Move Cross The River	Brownie McGhee	6	Let Me Tell You About The Blues: New York	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Dig A Little Deeper In The Well	Eric Bibb	2	Deeper In The Well	Eric Bibb	Dixiefrog
southern country boy	carter brothers	8	blues upside your head	various artists	charly
it's love 24 hours a day	louis brooks	2-24	it's jamaica jump blues time	various artists	fantastic voyage
doctor brown	buster brown	7	i'm going but i'll be back	buster brown	jasmine
brooklyn boogie	louis prima	2-3	Jump 'N' Jive	Various Artists	METRO
flat foot suzie	slim gaillard	2-4	Jump 'N' Jive	Various Artists	METRO
Airplane Blues	Helen Humes	1-6	Jump 'N' Jive	Various Artists	METRO
The Right String But The Wrong Yo-Yo	Speckled Red	7	Boogie Woogie Masters	Various Artists	CLASSIC JAZZ
Rock Me	Sister Rosetta Tharpe	13	As Good As It Gets	Various Artists	DISKY
I Looked Down The Line (And I Wondered)	Sister Rosetta Tharpe	1	Gospel - The Ultimate Collection	Various Artists	RED Box
I Saw The Light	Sister Rosetta Tharpe	12	Screamin' Gospel Holy Rollers Vol. 2	Various Artists	Vee-Tone Records
Up Above My Head	Sister Rosetta Tharpe	45	The R'n'b Hits Of 1948	Various Artists	INDIGO
this train	Sister Rosetta Tharpe		gospel	Various Artists
T-Model Boogie	Rosco Gordon	3	I Pity The Fool - The Duke Records Story	Various Artists	One Day Music
When I Find My Baby	Arbee Stidham	12	Chicago Blues Harmonicas	Various Artists	FLYRIGHT
The Panama Limited	Bukka White	13	Dust My Broom - Mississippi Blues	Various Artists	INDIGO
In The Evening	Robert Petway	11	Mississippi Blues	Various Artists	CATFISH
Big Road Blues	Tommy Johnson	19	Roots Of Rock	Various Artists	ACROBAT
All Around Man	Bo Carter	10	Bo Carter's Advice	Bo Carter	CATFISH
It Hurts Me Too (When Things Go Wrong)	Junior Wells Chicago Blues Band	2	Chicago / The Blues / Today!	Various Artists	ACE
Everything's Going To Turn Out Alright	Otis Rush Blues Band	6	Chicago / The Blues / Today!	Various Artists	ACE
Dynaflow Blues	Johnny Shines Blues Band	7	Chicago / The Blues / Today!	Various Artists	ACE
Stealin' Back	Johnny Young's South Side Blues Band	4	Chicago / The Blues / Today!	Various Artists	ACE
Steppin' Out	Eric Clapton With John Mayall	11	Bluesbreakers Feat. Eric Clapton	John MayallEric Clapton	DERAM

Created: 22/03/2015 23:43:06

STAR BLUES on 15th March 2015 preserving the soul of America's blues and roots music

... so says the strap-line to an anthology from the not-for-profit Music Maker organization. We also marked Billy Boy Arnold's 80th birthday tomorrow and the 103rd anniversary of Lightnn' Hopkins

Tim Duffy heads up the team at Music Maker who try to help recognize the life-long gifts of blues players. Both Beverly Guitar Watkins and Shelton Powe are going strong and Tim's efforts provided a boost in profile to Jerry McCain and Chicago Bob Nelson at the end of their careers. Etta Baker was a skillful finger player with a slight voice and was a distinctive presence whether in her own songbook or that of Mr. Trad. We played something from each as well as four cuts off the new sampler called "We are Music Maker". Undoubtedly many artist we played will be new names to many and it's a tribute to the folks at Music Maker that these players aren't overlooked any further.

Lighnin' Hopkins recordings number into three figures and our dip into his canon could have taken us anywhere. The sheer depth of his work is quite daunting to the newcomer but it's pretty much a case of jumping in anywhere. Some themes and rhythms were inspirations more than once but when you've found something that sells ... Billy Boy is undoubtedly at the height of his powers as he stands on the cusp of his ninth decade. For many he first appeared as the originator of a single covered by Eric of Ripley and his birds in the yard; he's just as noted for the tribute projects done in a good old fashioned way celebrating Big Bill Broonzy and the first Sonny Boy Williamson. Chicago blues is in great shape these days and the man who played harp for Bo Diddley in the Fifties is leading the way.

Fantastic Voyage has carved out a niche for decent collections which include rarely heard gems with better known names within interesting and well-thought out frames. Three discs about the nearness of New Orleans to the Rocksteady of Jamaica. We had one apiece from Memphis Slim and Prof. Longhair. Johnny Adams was the Tan Canary of the Crescent City for many years and Ace now has the rights to the Ric and Ronn masters which facilitates a fabulous set of A and B sides on all eleven singles Adams recorded for them. Further bonus is on the cd from two rare cuts not issued until last years Record Store Day.

Next Sunday coincides with the centenary of Sister Rosetta Tharpe;s birth and all being well we can share some of her music on STAR BLUES. Until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that tale care of you

track.title	track.artistsort	index	album.title	album.artistsort	label
Bill Collectors	Larry Lampkin	4	When I Get Home	Larry Lampkin	Kaint Kwit
water into wine	d c bellamy	3	water into wine	d c bellamy	rooster blues
Train Fare Blues	Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup	1	Cool Disposition	Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup	CATFISH
One Monkey Don't Stop The Show	Shelton Powe	6	Carolina Blues And Gospel	Shelton Powe	MUSIC MAKER
Bad Love Blues	Jerry McCain	6	Unplugged	Jerry McCain	MUSIC MAKER
Willie Mae Blues	Billy Boy Arnold	7	Billy Boy Arnold Sings: Big Bill Broonzy	Billy Boy Arnold	Electro-Fi
I Wish You Would	Billy Boy Arnold	13	The Sound Of The City - Chicago	Various Artists	Emi Records Ltd
Coal Man	Billy Boy Arnold	1	The Blues Soul Of Billy Boy Arnold	Billy Boy Arnold	STONY PLAIN
i aint got you	billy boy arnold	9	blues upside your head	various artists	charly
Bus Driver	John Brim	16	Let Me Tell You About The Blues: Detroit	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Bring It On Home To Me	Albert White	1	Soul Of The Blues	Albert White	MUSIC MAKER
lonely drifter	johnny adams	19	i wont cry: complete ric and ron singles	johnny adams	ace
Walk Around Heaven All Day	Caravans, The	1	Birth Of Soul Vol.2	Various Artists	Kent (U.K.)
shake my mothers hand	voices of jordan	21	screaming gospel vol. 2	various artists	vee-tone
dont drive me baby	lowell fulson	3	slabs of humdingers	various artists	vee-tone
Route 66	Eddie Tigner	2	We Are the Music Makers!	Various Artists	MUSIC MAKER
country girl	memphis slim	1-20	jamaica jump blues time	various artists	fantastic voyage
baby let me take your hand	prof. longhair	3-12	jamaica jump blues time	various artists	fantastic voyage
Feel Like My Time Ain't Long	Essie Mae Brooks	1	We Are the Music Makers!	Various Artists	MUSIC MAKER
High Steppin' Mamma	Clyde Langford	1	We Are the Music Makers!	Various Artists	MUSIC MAKER
Mojo Hand	Chicago Bob Nelson	7	Tell Me Mama	Chicago Bob Nelson	MUSIC MAKER
Jake Head Boogie	Lightnin' Hopkins	20	Rpm Blues Story	Various Artists	One Day Music
Coffee Blues	Lightnin' Hopkins	4	The Prestige/Bluesville Story	Various Artists	NOT NOW
Sittin’ Down Thinkin’	Lightnin' Hopkins	22	Down Home Blues Classics Texas 1946-1954	Various Artists	BOULEVARD ENTERTAINMENT
8. Going Down The Road Feeling Bad	Etta Baker	1	Banjo	Etta Baker	MUSIC MAKER
2. I M Gonna Rock Some More	Beverly Watkins	1	Back In Business	Beverly Watkins	MUSIC MAKER
Greasy Greens	George Higgs	2	We Are the Music Makers!	Various Artists	MUSIC MAKER
11. Make That Guitar Talk	Big Ron Hunter	1	The Great Unknown	Big Ron Hunter	MUSIC MAKER
Send You Back To Georgia	Cootie Stark	9	Sugar Man	Cootie Stark	MUSIC MAKER

Created: 15/03/2015 23:38:13