STAR BLUES on 30th March 2014 at 22:00 marking 65 years of the 45 rpm single

Our vinyl month concludes with a 45 rpm single bonanza. Here's what the Guardian newspaper said five years ago :  http://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/mar/27/45rpm-vinyl-singles 

We went to the number 1 hit by Canned Heat to mark the only chart topper in our genre as well as a number of radio favourites in Britain during the early Sixties. Our choice of perfect single of all time came as no surprise to regular listeners: Little Johnny Taylor had it all: killer arrangement, cutting guitar, anguished vocal, sharp lyrics in just four perfect minutes. The irony is the song was only ever considered as the "B" side of the single during pre-release planning.

The ancient medieval lore enforcing a Chuck Berry for every Bo Diddley was observed and the Lowell Luson single was later covered by Robert Cray who was on hand for one of his earliest commercial chart ticklers. At one point our playlist resembled the lineup of Ready Steady Go with John Lee Hooker and Jimmy Reed; Muddy and the Wolf also on hand. Bobby Parker's riff was borrowed in numerous places by folks like the Beatles, we had his original as an example of a classic single.

Our scope hereabouts includes both JoAnn Kelly and Duster Bennett and we were prompted by a chat on Facebook to mark the date of Duster's fatal car accident after playing support to Memphis Slim in 1976. Scant chance to see him through YouTube which is a shame for a uniquely intense player.  Ripley's Eric Clapton had a birthday and while he lives on Neil's side of the fence we dug out a rare session performance on a single King Curtis did for Atlantic.

Next Sunday we'll be back at 10pm (BST) to bring you some of the very finest projects out in 2014 thus far. If you're a fan of the British live R&B scene you'll want to be listening right to the end to STAR BLUES this upcoming seven days hence. 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
Lights Out	Jerry Byrne	16	Rock On	Various Artists	ACE
Rock Me	Muddy Waters	15	Messin' With The Man	Muddy Waters	Essential Music and Marketing Ltd
Tell Mama	Etta James	10	The Fame Studio Story 1961-1973 Home Of The Muscle Shoals Sound	Various Artists	Kent
You Can't Judge a Book By the Cover	Bo Diddley	16	Jungle Music	Bo Diddley	ORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
Boogie In The Dark	Jimmy Reed	4	The Anthology	Jimmy Reed	NOT NOW
Tollin' Bells	Lowell Fulson	13	Trouble, Trouble: The Definitive Early Years Collection	Lowell Fulson	Fantastic Voyage
Blue Guitar	Earl Hooker	7	Let Me Tell You About The Blues: Memphis	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Going Up the Country	Canned Heat	2	The Very Best Of Canned Heat	Canned Heat	EMI
worried mind	Duster Bennett	7	Bright Lights Big City	Duster Bennett	INDIGO
Jumpin' at Shadows	Duster Bennett	8	Bright Lights Big City	Duster Bennett	INDIGO
Strange Things Happen	Lazy Lester	9	Lazy Lester	Lazy Lester	FLYRIGHT
T-Model Boogie	Rosco Gordon	3	I Pity The Fool - The Duke Records Story	Various Artists	one day
Will My Man Be Home Tonight	Lillian Offitt	1	Age / Chief Blues Story	Various Artists	FUEL 2000
as the years go passing by	fenton robinson	5	I Pity The Fool - The Duke Records Story	Various Artists	one day
Teasin’	King Curtis With Delaney Bramlett, Eric Clapton & Friends	13	Eric Clapton	Eric Clapton	POLYDOR
The Welfare (Turns It'sback on You)	Freddie King	19	Texas Sensation	Freddie King	CHARLY
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark	Robert Cray	1	Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark	Robert Cray	HIGH TONE
Angels In Houston	Larry Davis	13	I Pity The Fool - The Duke Records Story	Various Artists	one day
I Smell Trouble	Bobby 'Blue' Bland	23	It's My Life, Baby: The Singles - As & Bs, 1951-1960	Bobby 'Blue' Bland	Jasmine
Fussin' and Fightin' Blues	Junior Parker	19	Feelin' Good	Junior Parker	Hoodoo Records
Number Nine Train	Tarheel Slim (Aka Alden Bunn)	7	The Fire And Fury Of Bobby Robinson	Various Artists	RPM
Strange Kinda Feeling	Elmore James	13	Gaz's Rockin' Blues	Various Artists	ACE
Watch Your Step	Bobby Parker	25	R&b Spotlight '61	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
spoonful	Howlin' Wolf	19	back door man	Howlin' Wolf	complete blues
Boom Boom	John Lee Hooker	17	Boom Boom	John Lee Hooker	CHARLY
baby lets play house	arthur gunter	1-4	history og rhythm and blues vol. 3	various artists	rhythm and blues
Part Time Love	Little Johnny Taylor	3	The Galaxy Years	Little Johnny Taylor	ACE
Stop For The Red Light	Harold Burrage	13	Double Trouble The Cobra Records Story	Various Artists	One Day Music
ain't that a shame	fats domino	2-12	history of rhythm and blues	various artists	rhythm and blues
i hear you knockin	smiley lewis	2-13	history of rhythm and blues	various artists	rhythm and blues
brown eyed handsome man	chuck berry	2-24	history of rhythm and blues	various artists	rhythm and blues
Every Dog’s Got His Day	Johnny Copeland	11	Slow 'N' Moody, Black & Bluesy	Various Artists	Kent
Hony Tonk	Bill Doggett			Various Artists

Created: 30/03/2014 23:49:47

STAR BLUES on 23rd March 2014 at 22:00 - maximum vinyl

Last ten days or so in March mark anniversaries of Otis Spann and the first artist recorded as Sonny Boy Williamson - -tracks from both this edition of STAR BLUES.

John Lee Curtis Williamson's recorded career lasted just eleven years before his death aged just thirty-four in 1948. The short form of his biography puts him squarely in the country blues mould but that understates his incredible facility with his harp and he was almost certainly the first to establish the instrument as a credible lead instrument rather than just playing in a supporting role. some of the pieces he did for Bluebird in 1940 pre-date the urban Chicago sound of Chess by ten years or more. Such was his reputation that he could entice players of the stature of Big Bill Broonzy into the studio for two handers like "Good Gravy". a second player (Alec "Rice" Miller) from another Mississippi borrowed the name to secure work locally after our hero left for the Windy City. Their timespans of recorded output don't overlap and is useful when flicking through record racks of on-line listings, Miller became more famous through the patronage of the Sixties British Blues Boom but you're missing out if you don't have slots for both men in your collection. The prime choices are set out for you by Ray Templeton in the new issue of Blues & Rhythm magazine: to mark SBW centenary he's first and next issue Ray will look at SBW2.  Rather than showcase "Good Morning Little schoolgirl" we dipped in four times to his other work.

Otis Spann is justifiably known as the greatest blues pianist of them all; his session work fills 89 pages of discography and just about every major side put out on Chess in the 50s and 60s was graced with his subtle power. He'd have been 84 last Friday and we had time for just two pieces he cut with Muddy Waters (complete with harp maestro - still going strong - James Cotton).

I put Sonny Rhodes in as opener because it coincides with the anniversary of one of my earliest blues memories, the session he did for Paul Jones on radio 2. Been a sucker for lap slide every since. The Guitar Jr number came off a rare vinyl album cut in 1969 and he now goes out under the name Lonnie Brooks with the same caustic voice and guitar. More rarity quotient with Little Joe (aka Joe Hill Louis) with the top side of a 1957 single on House of Sound. He is one of dozens of artists to be found on the sumptuous box set of Sun blues artists put out by the Bear Family last year, we went there and found another variant of Pat Hare's landmark single. B. B King is on that collection but he was never as naked visceral  as he was for the 1966 live recordings which came out as "Blues Is King". You should start there instead of "Live at the Regal" to understand why he was so magnetic.

Lest you think - as do some other blues shows - the electric guitar is where it all starts and ends, we proudly worshipped at the church of the saxophone this week. Buddy Johnson and Roy Montrell got us in the mood while T J Fowler and Lynn Hope bubbled away quite nicely. Its inconceivable to imagine rock'n'roll without the instrument. Buddy was taken from a set on Fantastic Voyage compiled by Stuart Coleman to bring us the music that was around immediately prior to Elvis hitting the airways. Lady Blue and I have been enjoying the two discs in the car, so much so I had to run down stairs during the show to retrieve it from the car player. Lula Reed is on that one too.

If you're confused by the two (at least) with records as Sonny Boy Williamson, just think of the trouble when you're one of three going by Dr. Feelgood! And as for names, I prefer living in a parallel universe in which Gordon Sumner pays tribute to Amos Easton aka Bumble Bee Slim). With a brief outing from very early Robert Lockwood Jr. we were just about done.

This month is the 65th birthday of the 45rpm single and we'll round off our vinyl March with a full-fat survey of 25 of the best on the next STAR 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
Ya Ya	Sonny Rhodes	7	Disciple Of The Blues	Sonny Rhodes	Wild Dog
wee wee hours	guitar jr.	1	broke an' hungry	guitar jr.	capitol
Let's Have a Natural Ball	Albert King	1	More Big Blues	Albert King	ACE
Rough Treatment	Little Hudson	11	Blues Is Killin' Me (1953)	Various Artists	FLYRIGHT
Have You Ever Been Mistreated	Gatemouth Brown	19	The Rogana Story - 'Hossman's Blues'	Various Artists	SPV
Crazy 'Bout A Saxophone	Buddy Johnson & His Orchestra	22	The Road To Rock And Roll Vol. 3	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Bump On A Log	Lula Reed	5	The Road To Rock And Roll Vol. 3	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Soulful Dress	Sugar Pie Desanto	1	Go Go Power • The Complete Chess Singles 1961-1966	Sugar Pie Desanto	Kent
You're the One	Jimmy Rogers	12	That's Alright	Jimmy Rogers	ORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
Jivin' the Blues	John Lee 'Sonny Boy Williamson	20	History Of Rhythm And Blues Part One	Various Artists	Rhythm and Blues Records
I Been Dealing With the Devil	Sonny Boy Williamson (Aka John Lee Williamson)	18	Sloppy Drunk Blues	Sonny Boy Williamson (Aka John Lee Williamson)	ABM
Bear Cat Crawl	Meade Lux Lewis	15	The Best Of Boogie Woogie	Various Artists	DOCUMENTS
Let's Have a Good Time Tonight	Piano Red A.K.A. Dr. Feelgood	3	Snatch And Grab It! Rhythem & Blues Classics	Various Artists	DEAR FAMILY
jesus said it	heavenly lights	2-4	hop skip jump - screamin gospel hpoly rollers vol. 3	various artists	vee-tone
Gambler's Blues	B. B. King	2	Great Moments With B. B. King	B. B. King	MCA
Cheatin' and Lynin' Blues	Pat Hare	19	The Sun Blues Box Sampler - Blues, R&b And Gospel Music In Memphis 1950 - 1958	Various Artists	bear family / b&r magazine
glamour girl	little joe hill louis	3	glamour girl (1957)	little joe	house of sound
Mudd	Roy Montrell	20	Mr Joe's Jambalaya // Loaded Down With The Blues	Various Artists	CHARLY
blow lynn blow	lynn hope	1-26	jump blues jamaica way	various artists	fantastic voyage
wine cooler	t j fowler	5	wine cooler	t j fowler	savoy
What's on Your Worried Mind?	Otis Spann	14	Live The Life	Otis Spann	Testament
I Got a Feeling	Otis Spann	13	The Bluesville Years. Vol 2: Feeling Down On	Various Artists	PRESTIGE
X-Temporaneous Boogie	Camille Howard	13	It's Spelt Specialty	Various Artists	Specialty
Lonely Avenue	Ray Charles	8	Ray Charles: Eight Classic Albums	Ray Charles	IODA
Back in Jail Again	Bumble Bee Slim (Aka Amos Easton)	14	The Essential	Bumble Bee Slim (Aka Amos Easton)	CLASSIC BLUES
(I'm Gonna) Dig Myself a Hole	Robert Lockwood Jr.	6	Down Home Blues Classics - Chicago (1946-1954)	Various Artists	BOULEVARD VINTAGE
Good Gravy	Sonny Boy Williamson (Aka John Lee Williamson)	10	Sugar Mama	Sonny Boy Williamson (Aka John Lee Williamson)	INDIGO
Whiskey Headed Woman Blues	Sonny Boy Williamson (Aka John Lee Williamson)	8	Sugar Mama	Sonny Boy Williamson (Aka John Lee Williamson)	INDIGO

 Created: 23/03/2014 23:39:20  

STAR BLUES on 16th March 2014 at 22:00 with oodles more vinyl

Just ahead of the new Big Mama Thornton biography by Michael Speorke we had two of her hits on STAR BLUES and our current commitment to vinyl during March continues. Willie Mae Thornton was a hugely influential artist on Peacock in the Fifties and Arhoolie in the Sixties. She had the extreme misfortune to have had not one but two definitive versions of songs remade in the mainstream by inferior copies (Elvis with "Hound Dog" and Janis Joplin with "Ball and Chain". We dipped into two other examples of her craft and the new book is much anticipated.

The Vee-Tone outfit is based in Scotland and they have a limited edition vinyl collection of top-notch gospel. The selection is the work of Doubting Thomas Lamarr which guarantees a no holds barred take on the genre to be bathed in at high volume. He lovingly annotates the set and if you need an excuse to upgrade your hi-fi kit this is it. It's the third time he's put out a Gospel project for Vee-Tone, add in a  clutch of rare rock'n'roll discs with stuff you can't get elsewhere and you're darned near the definition of essential in my book.

A fair chunk of the remainder on our list was cut in the pre-war yeas and I shamelessly went to one of the supporting pieces Scrapper Blackwell did for Leroy Carr: he was one of the first players I came to when discovering the blues genre. Trixie Smith had just one extended sequence of sides to her name, her voice reached out across the ages for us. We tickled the trivia spot by noting hers was the first recorded instance of the phrase "rock'n'roll" on another of her hits. Blind Willie Johnson was one of the greats at a time when that word still meant something, not blessed with a wide vocal range he compensated with shimmering slide playing. Like his namesake (though not related) the circumstances of his death are told several different ways and no-one will know for sure. Romeo Nelson's piece was on the bawdy side and recounted in that half spoken mode used on "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie".

Electric blues guitar badges were worn by Guitar Slim and Left Hand Frank , and Ike Turner was on hand to illustrate how much he contributed during rock'n'roll's most formative era. Whatever his reputation or truth thereof, he changed what we all hear in several genres. I put in some Big Bill Broonzy because I came across his masterful "Guitar Shuffle" embedded in a legal drama soundtrack on one of the satellite channels. Elton Anderson was one of the lesser known stars on Johnny Vincent's Ace label and Whispering Smith was part of a double album project called "Swamp Blues" with a band which had Henry Gray on piano. This week I heard a 1983 version of a Louis Jordan song, and while I track down a copy for airplay we were tempted with Jordan's original "Woman".

We don't play nearly enough R&B sax heroes, something I must put my mind to but hopefully Red's closer will whet your appetite. You were magnificent company and I'm humbled by the feedback we've had in both Russia and Ukraine at a time they've got more than enough other stuff to deal with. Next weeks show is being planned already and will be unleashed at 10pm next Sunday -0 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
linda lu	left hand frank	14	living chicago blues	various artists	alligator
Bad Luck Blues	Guitar Slim	4	Things I Used To Do	Guitar slim	BLUES ENCORE
Egg or the Hen	Koko Taylor	10	Wang Dang Doodle	Koko Taylor	ORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
This is My Story	Gene & Eunice	6	Aladdin Story	Various Artists	EMI
Bradshaw Boogie	Tiny Bradshaw	5	Jivin' Jamboree 3	Various Artists	ACE
little bitty pretty one	thurston harris	27	Aladdin Story	Various Artists	EMI
baseball Boogie	mabel scott	3	Jivin' Jamboree 3	Various Artists	ACE
Looking the World Over	Whispering Smith	1	Swamp Blues	Various Artists	ACE
Roll on Train	Elton Anderon	6	The Ace Story - Volume 5	Various Artists	ACE
Guitar Shuffle	Big Bill Broonzy	4	House Rent Stomp	Big Bill Broonzy	BLUES ENCORE
Alabama Women Blues	Leroy Carr With Scrapper Blackwell	21	Heavy Hitters Vol. 1	Various Artists	PIGMEAT RECORDS
They Call Me Big Mama	Big Mama Thornton	4	Jiving Jamboree	Various Artists	ACE
Mischevious Boogie	Big Mama Thornton	4	They Called Me Big Mama	Big Mama Thornton	Proper Introduction
Ain't That Just Like a Woman	Louis Jordan	18	The History Of Rhythm And Blues Volume Two 1942-1952	Various Artists	Rhythm and Blues Records
Drown in My Own Tears - Lacy Gibson	Lacy Gibson	1	Living Chicago Blues, Vol. 3	Various Artists	Alligator
loosely	ike turner	1-25	flair: dust my blues	various artists	ace
I'm Gonna Move Cross the River	Brownie McGhee	6	Let Me Tell You About The Blues: New York	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Freight Train Blues	Trixie Smith	14	That's Blues	Various Artists	THAT'S BLUES
Walkin' the Blues	Champion Jack Dupree	19	Blues For Everybody	Champion Jack Dupree	CHARLY
Getin' Dirty Just Shakin' That Thing	Romeo Nelson	13	Pure Vintage Blues Vol. 3 : Future Blues	Various Artists	EMPRESS
Devil is a Busy Man	Sunnyland Slim	12	Down Home Blues Classics - Chicago (1946-1954)	Various Artists	BOULEVARD VINTAGE
God Don't Never Change	Blind Willie Johnson	3	The Slide Guitar:Bottles,Knives & Steel	Various Artists	Blue Label / SPV
hop skip and jump	blind boys of alabama	3	hop skip and jump	various artists	vee-tone
buryin ground	nightingales	9	hop skip and jump	various artists	vee-tone
Dry Land Blues	Furry Lewis	8	Beale Street Blues	Frank StokesFurry Lewis	ORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
Slow Mama Slow	Sam Collins	15	Let Me Tell You About The Blues: New York	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Chickasaw Special	Noah Lewis	19	Let Me Tell You About The Blues: Memphis	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Purple Wail	Red Prysock	4	The Very Best Of Burlesque	Various Artists	Not Now Music

Created: 16/03/2014 23:27:37

STAR BLUES on 9th March 2014 at 22:00 with more vinyl treasures

Up and running with a preview of Robert Cray's new album "In My Soul" and vinyl all the way into the Midnight Hour. There's a new line up based around bass player Richard Cousins and the songs will hark back to the era of classic soul on Stax etc. Cray has long been a favourite player though he is long overdue a focus to a project his gifts deserve.

More and more new releases include a vinyl format which can only be a good thing, and March right here is all about music that was created for 78 45 or 33 rpm on black plastic. Little Walter was on our playlist three times, one apiece with Big Crawford on bass adding support to Muddy Waters and Jimmy Rogers, and a magnificent piece under his own name that was anything but mellow. During the week I'd heard Z Z Top give their treatment to it and needed to remind myself of the grace and brio of Walter's axe. We dipped into the Chief recordings of Junior Wells with Earl Hooked and Willie Dixon but his harp was buried in the mix on Universal Rock.

Rogers was one of five artists with first name Jimmy and is certainly the best known. In a different strain of our music, Jimmy Liggins purveyed an engaging form of jump blues and Jimmie Lee Robinson was dubbed Prince of the Blues and shown wearing a turban on the front cover photo for his recordings on Chicago's Bandera label. Jimmy Nolen was a caustic player able to carve stinging solos and is oft overlooked; Jimmy Johnson was chosen by Bruce Iglauer to open his three album project which showcased the growth of Chicago blues since Sam Charters original survey on Chicago the Blues Today.

On a night for great players we had the already much missed Bobby Parker and Neal Pittman (who was backed by Cookie Stark and Tan Mahal), Taj had already been on show with his reading of Statesboro Blues taken from his eponymous full label debut on Columbia. The scorching slide there was the work of Jesse Ed Davis - and according to brother Gregg interviewed for a BBC4 documentary on Muscle Shoals studios - the inspiration which drove Duane Altman's slide prowess.

Hadda Brooks was  beautiful elegant woman who could dust those keys nine ways till Sunday, as a mark of her significance during the first year of the Bihari's Modern imprint in 1945 she is the face for the artwork on the current survey. We're played Varetta Dillard before though her place in my collection is shamefully scant, something I fully intend to put right. From the same era we put in a seminal piece of John Lee Hooker and noted the album No Friend Around is still the first stopping off point for anyone who is serious about JLH. Over in Philadelphia, the nimble skills of Dan Pickett turned to a song from Sonny Boy Williamson, and though he often covered work by others he too had a unique style.

Tabby Thomas died at the start of the year and it was nice to be able to go to another of his earliest rockin' sides and Eddie Lang was our first choice from a new anthology of Ric Ron records out on Ace. We didn't confuse him with the urbane jazz guitarist  of nearly the same name, though you may if you spend too long on Wikipedia. At the moments in my time growing up, I always seemed to find something by the man known as 'the Voice' : Bobby Blue Bland and there are dozens of great reminders of his prowess. The A and B sides of his Duke records are out on Jasmine (the same source gave us our Willie Mahon and Eddie Boyd selections last night).

Our current playlists are from the vinyl area and our commitment to showcasing the Current blues artists who still play in the old fashioned way marks out STAR BLUES as wilfully different, and we make no apologies. Thank-you for the very kind words on Britain's Other Blues show; back next Sunday at 10pm if you'll have us, 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
you move me (single)	robert cray	1	in my soul (album)	robert cray	provogue
Statesboro Blues	Taj Mahal	2	Taj Mahal	Taj Mahal	COLUMBIA
Got to Move	Elmore James	6	Complete Chess Chief Fire Recs.	Elmore James	CHARLY
Crosscut Saw	Otis Rush	2	Tops	Otis Rush	DEMON
Bottle Up and Go	Neal Pattman	11	Prison Blues	Neal Pattman	MUSIC MAKER
Shake That Thing	Kokomo Arnold	13	Old Original Kokomo Blues : His 20 Greatest Song	Kokomo Arnold	WOLF
Decoration Day	Dan Pickett	20	Shake That Thing!: East Coast Blues 1935-1953,	Various Artists	JSP Records
No Friend Around	John Lee Hooker	7	No Friend Around	John Lee Hooker	RED LIGHTNING
Wipe Your Tears	Jimmy Nolen	15	Scratchin'-Federal 52-56	Pete 'Guitar' Lewis-Jimmy Nolen-Cal Green	charly R&B
Tear Drop Blues	Jimmy Liggins	25	The R'n'b Hits Of 1948	Various Artists	INDIGO
Pretty Mama Blues	Ivory Joe Hunter	19	Roots Of Rock'n'roll	Various Artists	PRISM
Ridin' the Boogie	Hadda Brooks	11	Modern Music: 1945	Various Artists	ACE
Mercy Mr. Percy	Varetta Dillard	3	The R'n'b Years 1953: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1953	Various Artists	BOULEVARD VINTAGE
Roll on Ole Mule	Tabby Thomas	3	Genuine Excello R'n'b	Various Artists	ACE
easy rockin'	eddy lang	11	ric and ron story vol. 1	various artists	ace
Universal Rock	Junior Wells	6	Junior Wells 1957-1963	Junior Wells	Chief
serves me right to suffer	Jimmy Johnson	2	Living Chicago Blues, Vol. 1	Various Artists	Alligator
long distance call	muddy waters	4	Chess Blues Classics 1947-1956	Various Artists	MCA/CHESS
That's All Right	Jimmy Rogers	3	Chess Blues Classics 1947-1956	Various Artists	MCA/CHESS
Snow Cone - Part 1	Albert Collins	12	The Cool Sound Of Albert Collins	Albert Collins	BLUE CITY
Shade Tree Mechanic	Z. Z. Hill	18	The Last Soul Company	Various Artists	Malaco Records
No Blow No Show	Bobby 'Blue' Bland	9	It's My Life, Baby: The Singles - As & Bs, 1951-1960	Bobby 'Blue' Bland	Jasmine
Low Down Dirty Shame	J. B. Lenoir	20	J. B. Lenoir	J. B. Lenoir	ROOTS
Times is Hard	Jimmie Lee Robinson	6	Bandera Blues And Gospel From The Bandera, Laredo And Jerico	Various Artists	ACE
No Feelings for You	Slim Willis	8	Dave's Anthology Of Chicago Blues - Vol. 1	Various Artists
Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning	Mississippi Fred McDowell	9	The First Recordings	Mississippi Fred McDowell	Rounder
Night Latch Blues	Yank Rachell	23	20th Century Blues	Various Artists	CATFISH
dont drive me away	bobby parker	9		various artists
I don't know Five long years Mellow Down Easy	Willie Mabon Eddie Boyd Little Walter (Aka Marion Walter Jacobs)	1 1-21 1	Willies Blues Blues is here Chess Blues	Willie Man on Eddie Boyd Various Artists	Jasmine Jasmine CHESS

Created: 09/03/2014 23:41:45

STAR BLUES on 2nd March 2014 at 22:00 - two hours of vinyl blues

Everything played on STAR BLUES during March first saw release at 78 or 45 rpm (ok maybe a few at 33 1/3..). We're fairly sure Alberta Adams is currently the most senior blues artist (almost 98 years old) - she had pride of place in a playlist which also said Happy 86th Birthday to Fats Domino.

Alberta was playing last year and still gives a feisty interview by all accounts. She is best known for her presence on the Detroit blues scene going way back and her recording with TJ Fowler was a strong confident reading of "Say Baby Say", a song she remade for Cannonball Records in 2000. Our second hour had that first version as a peach along with more distaff blues from Little Esther, Annie Laurie and Big Maybelle. We don't play nearly enough of this stuff. There was a tinge of mystery to the Bea Booze track as she is thought by some to be one and the same as Muriel Nicholls, now known to be different artists (despite what Wikipedia says).

I read recently that Fats Domino sold more records in the Fifties than anyone else (including Elvis) - he had a birthday the other day and we could have dipped into his rich canon almost at random and come up with a big slice of Crescent City bonhommie.He did an interview with Jools Holland a while back and they did a couple of two handers which put the squeeze on Jools. Though known for his own unique barnstorming style, Little Richard showed a soulful side to the track we played from a new collection of his gospel sides. If you expected hell and damnation or fire and brimstone, you'd find some deft, sensitive phrasing on some heartfelt songs.

The companion piece in the sacred spot was a cut put out on Arhoolie from Robert Pete Williams who will shortly pass the centenary of his birth - Williams was discovered by Harry Ostler while serving a life sentence for murder, the term was cut to twelve years and he was coaxed into the studio when out on licence. If his was an idiosyncratic style we had guitar prowess in ample supply too: Richard Trice, Wade Walton, Gabriel Brown and Big Bill Broonzy and proving you don't need heavy electrification to purvey our music.

There were vocal gymnastics too from Steve Gibson's Red Caps, and the Five Royales. Then by jingo the clock on the wall beat us just as we got into our stride - we never claim to be the best Blues Show on the planet but we're pretty confident were are different. Britain's Other Blues show will be back with more vinyl at 10 pm (GMT) 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
Young Man Blues	Luther 'Guitar Jr' Johnson	9	I wanna Groove with you	Luther 'Guitar Jr' Johnson	Bullseye Blues
Say What You Mean	Robert Ward	3	Rhythm Of The People	Robert Ward	BLACK TOP
I'm a Lonely Man	Little Milton	15	St. Louis Blues Revue - The Classic Bobbin Sessions	Various Artists	ACE
havin a good time	soul sisters	1	Uk Sue Label Story, Vol. 4	Various Artists	Kent (U.K.)
Baby Say You Will	Jesse Allen	4	The Ace Story - Volume 5	Various Artists	ACE
Lost in a Dream	Buster Brown	10	Uk Sue Label Story, Vol. 4	Various Artists	Kent (U.K.)
Blueberry Hill	Steve Gibson & The Redcaps	10	It's So Good	Steve Gibson & Red Caps	ACROBAT
I Wanna Walk You Home	Fats Domino	3-17	the Fat Man	Fats Domino	EMI
I'm walkin	Fats Domino	2-14	the fat man	fats domino	emi
Blue Monday	Fats Domino	1-24	the fat man	fats domino	emi
(I Can't Believe) She Gave it All to Me	Ernie K-Doe	25	Sehorn's Soul Farm • 50 New Orleans Soul Classics	Various Artists	CHARLY
That's No Way to Do	Pink Anderson	14	The Bluesville Years. Vol 6: Sweet Carolina Blues	Various Artists	PRESTIGE
I'm Gonna Take it Easy	Gabriel Brown	20	Shake That Thing!: East Coast Blues 1935-1953,	Various Artists	JSP Records
down hearted man	richard trice	12	down hearted man	richard trice	savoy
sinner don't you know	robert pete williams	4	15 down home gospel classics	various artists	arhoolie
stop talkin start walkin	annie laurie	2-1	I'm A Bad Bad Girl	various	indigo
Race Horse	Tiny Davis	17	I'm A Bad Bad Girl	Various Artists	INDIGO
I'm A Bad Bad Girl	Little Esther Phillips	3-1	I'm A Bad Bad Girl	various	indigo
Say Baby Say	T.J. Fowler & Alberta Adams	17	Let Me Tell You About The Blues: Detroit	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
My Country Man	Big Maybelle	4	The Okeh Sessions	Big Maybelle	CHARLY
these young men	bea booze	3-13	le blues	various	NIGHT AND DAY
YOUR SISTERS KEEPER	UNKNOWN MALE	23	HALL OF FAME VOL. 3	VARIOUS	KENT
Baby Don't Do it	Five Royales, The	24	Bells Of Love	Various Artists	Blue Label / SPV
Go on Kokomo	Gene & Eunice	17	Go On Ko Ko Mo !	Gene & Eunice	ACE
God's Beautiful City	Little Richard	8	God´s Beautiful City	Little Richard	the Gospel Truth
Cotton Crop Blues	James Cotton	17	The Sun Blues Box Sampler - Blues, R&b And Gospel Music In Memphis 1950 - 1958	Various Artists	bear family / b&r magazine
Lonesome	Big Bill Broonzy	18	Rockin' In Chicago	Big Bill Broonzy	Rev-Ola Bandstand
Big Fat Mama	Wade Walton	9	Bluesville Vol. 1 : Folk Blues	Various Artists	ACE
NEW 4 DAY RIDER	Walter Brown	15	1945 - 1947	WALTER BROWN	CLASICS
My Daily Prayer	Lowell Fulson	22	Trouble, Trouble: The Definitive Early Years Collection	Lowell Fulson	Fantastic Voyage

Created: 02/03/2014 23:42:12

STAR BLUES on 23rd February 2014 at 22:00 - building the roster of CBA

Just got Eddie Cotton's new album and had no hesitation in putting him onto our list of Current Blues Artists who play in the good old fashioned way. His guitar sounds evoke the best of Albert King and Robert Cray; he is now signed to Grady Champion's new label called Dechamp Records. The imprint also has JJ Thames with a new project that shows off her gospel sensibilities on the selection we made: the opening "Souled Out"; barely 30 she already has a strong presence. A while back there were a number of female blues singers trying to make headway by sounding like Koko Taylor, JJ is different as is Adrienna Marie. Front and centre to her Groovecutters she rubs shoulders with Little Esther, Billie Holiday, Big Mama Thornton and Helen Humes (who did the first version of "I Ain't In the Mood" in 1952).

Other new stuff from Dixie Peach and Blind Mississippi Morris made for a raucous first hour which is not what you'd expect from us. Corey Harris has just had a birthday, Linsey Anderson and Quintus McCormick have been round a few times than could be classed as newbies: they both record for Delmark. We are lucky to follow STAR ROCK in the Sunday night schedules and Buddy Guy and Joe Louis Walker drive awfully close to the boundary (sometimes crashing through the reservation). Joe's album is just out and it is a logical progression from last year's "Hellfire": he is in serious danger of leaving his more purist fans behind. At the other end of guitar playing, Eric Bibb made good use of a guitar which once belonged to Booker White; the Sunday Times says Bibb has the voice of an angel, he ain't no slouch on guitar either.

In a game of two halves, our lineup for hour number two could not have been more  different. Plenty of guitar skills on offer, don't get me wrong, this time from Lonnie Johnson and B. B. King. The Johnny Otis Orchestra backed both Little Esther and Mel Walker and Saunders King turned in a suitably urbane vocal for his song.  1914 marks the centenary of the birth of LC Robinson and we dipped into the work he did for Arhoolie. Snooky Pryor's piece was unissued by J.O.B at the time and Lonesome Sundown's swampy rocker had to wait for a Flyright album before release. Billy Boy Arnold did an album in 1962, we dipped in last night and Jimmy Reed's 1952 go at "I Ain't Got You" was an early hit for Vee-Jay (though Billy Boy's is more famous courtesy of the Yardbirds).

Ruth Brown sparkled, just like always - her contribution is part of an anthology put together by Stuart Coleman marking the hits we had to listen to here in Britain during 1954 and 1955. Our Etta James track wasn't the one I planned but her re-reading of "I Pity the Fool" was just as intense as our initial thought.

Next week's effort will be two vinyl hours and I'd be thrilled to have you along. 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
Raffle Ticket	Linsey Alexander	3	Delmark 60 Years Of Blues	Various Artists	DELMARK
D.J. Play My Blues	Buddy Guy	18	Can't Quit The Blues	Buddy Guy	SONY
Rick's Shuffle	Dixie Peach	10	Blues With Friends	Dixie Peach	N/A
Ride On, Baby	Joe Louis Walker	8	Hornet's Nest	Joe Louis Walker	Alligator Records
Crying Blues	Corey Harris	1	Fulton Blues	Corey Harris	Njumba
A-Z Blues	Eric Bibb	15	Booker's Guitar	Eric Bibb	TELARC BLUES
Souled Out	JJ Thames	1	Tell You What I Know	JJ Thames	CDBaby
I Ain't in the Mood	Adrianna Marie And Her Groovecutters	2	Double Crossing Blues	Adrianna Marie And Her Groovecutters
Get You Some Business	Quintus McCormick Blues Band	2	Hey Jodie!	Quintus McCormick Blues Band	DELMARK
Here I Come	Eddie Cotton	1	Here I Come	Eddie Cotton	CDBaby
good evening	blind mississippi morris	4	You know I like That	blind mississippi morris	n/a
Mojo in My Hand	L. C. 'Good Rockin'' Robinson	1	Mojo In My Hand	L. C. 'Good Rockin'' Robinson	Arhoolie Records
Sunset to Dawn	Mel Walker With Johnny Otis Orch	7	That's Your Last Boogie!	Johnny Otis	Fantastic Voyage
Quit Hangin' Around	Saunders King	12	Blues Around Midnight	Various Artists	ACE
only a fool	Etta James	1	Who's Blue? Rare Chess Recordings From The 60S And 70S	Etta James	Kent
Mistrustin' Blues	Little Esther Phillips	16	The History Of Rhythm And Blues Volume Two 1942-1952	Various Artists	Rhythm and Blues Records
as long as i'm moving	ruth brown	2-14	The Road To Rock And Roll Vol. 3	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Ride With Me Tonight	David 'Honeyboy' Edwards	4	i been around	David 'Honeyboy' Edwards	32 blues
Racketeer's Blues	Lonnie Johnson	18	Steppin' On The Blues	Lonnie Johnson	COLUMBIA
Get Out of Here	Billy Boy Arnold	9	The Bluesville Years. Vol 12: Jump, Jumpin' The Blues	Various Artists	PRESTIGE
(Real) Fine Boogie	Snooky Pryor	9	An Introduction To Snooky Pryor	Snooky Pryor	FUEL 2000
I Ain't Got You	Jimmy Reed	2	You Don't Have To Go	Jimmy Reed	ORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
Baby Boogie Woogie	Curly Weaver	3	Juke Joint Jump:A Boogie Woogie Celebration	Various Artists	Blue Label / SPV
b b boogie	b b king	3	20 r'n'b hits of the 50s	Various Artists	ace
california blues	lonesome sundown	7	rhythm and bluesin' by the bayou	various artists	ace

Created: 23/02/2014 23:51:23

STAR BLUES on 16th February 2014 at 22:00 More CBA entrants

Josh White was born 100 years ago and was a key figure in getting wider acceptance of blues outside the African American audience. Eddie Taylor took the approach of rural pre-war blues into the electric setting to help create a distinctive form of Chicago blues. He's marked in the new issue of Blues & Rhythm magazine and two of his children are now part of the 400-CBA (Current Blues Artist) project. We started out with once upon a time child prodigy Lucky Peterson (he was first in a recording studio age 3) he is a skilled guitarist and keyboard player with an already impressive back catalogue. Tre and Vance Kelly both did stuff on WOLF, and brothers Jimmy and Syl Johnson are of a different vintage and neither reached the fame levels they deserve (Syl always seemed in Al Green's shadow at Hi records and Jimmy just isn't flashy or loud enough to get the column inches his lesser peers could attract). There's a third brother - Mac Thompson - who is a pretty nifty bass player.

Steve Grills did a session with Ernest Lane that has a lovely feel we dipped into the project for a Mercy Dee Walton piece. Kim Wilson is one of my guilty pleasures, he swings like a good' un and few other current harp players get close. A few miles west of here, at Castor, those splendid folks at Shakedown regularly put on gigs by those "real old school blues players". Two of their best - Frank Ace and Wallace Coleman - graced STAR BLUES this week. Wallace played with Robert Lockwood jr; so did Steve Grills (see how this stuff is deliciously linked). If memory serves 80 years young Tomcat Courtney did a Castor gig too.

Our second hour is pure vinyl and guitar got a top class outing from Pete Wee Clayton, hot on the heels of a rare solo side from Pat Hare.  If only life had dealt him a different hand. You may not think you know the name Eddie Taylor but you'll certainly be aware of his gifts on all the big VEE JAY hits on Jimmy Reed and John Lee Hooker. He uniquely straddled the rural pre-war style of Robert Petway and Tommy Johnson into the urban Electric Chicago scene. Both facets were evident in the two choices we had from either end of his canon.

With a couple of Josh White pieces from his blues repertoire and another pair of rollicking slices of a Ivan jamboree we were done for another week. You were absolutely magnificent and I was Gary Blue - we can be again this upcoming Sunday at 10 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
Repo Man	Lucky Peterson	4	Triple Play	Lucky Peterson	Alligator
Born to Love the Blues	Tre	4	I'm Through With The Blues	Tre	WOLF
Dog on a Chain	Vance Kelly	12	Call Me	Vance Kelly	WOLF
Two Johnsons Are Better Than One	Syl JohnsonJimmy Johnson	1	Two Johnsons Are Better Than One	Syl JohnsonJimmy Johnson	EVANGELINE
one room country shack	steve grills feat. ernest lane	1	after hours	steve grills	toogaloo
Get on Line, Baby	Frank Ace	1	Get On Line, Baby	Frank Ace	CHUEFFA
Going Down Slow	Wallace Coleman	17	Mr. Coleman & The Blues	Wallace Coleman
Lookin' for Trouble	Kim Wilson	12	Lookin' For Trouble	Kim Wilson	M.C.
Trying to Make a Living	Demetria Taylor	10	Bad Girl	Demetria Taylor	DELMARK
Welfare Blues	Eddie Taylor Jr.	2	So Called Friends	Eddie Taylor Jr.
Shake it Up Baby	TomcAt Courtney	4	Downsville Blues	TomcAt Courtney	Blue Witch Records
Walking Through the Park	Eddy 'The Chief' Clearwater	12	West Side Strut	Eddy 'The Chief' Clearwater	Alligator
gonna find my baby	john and Sylvia embry	8	john and Sylvia embry	john and Sylvia embry	DELMARK
Bonus Pay	Pat Hare	22	Sun Records - Ultimate Blues Collection	Various Artists	VARESE
Bop Hop	Pee Wee Crayton	7	20 R'n'b Greats Of The 50's	Various Artists	CASCADE
Stroll Out West	Eddie Taylor	5	I Feel So Bad	Eddie Taylor	Advent
Ride 'em on Down	Eddie Taylor	3	Bad Boy	Eddie Taylor	CHARLY
Catfish Blues	Robert Petway	18	The Blues Roots Of The Rolling Stones	Various Artists	complete blues
Big Road Blues	Tommy Johnson	7	Let Me Tell You About The Blues: Memphis	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
St James Infirmary	Josh White	19	The Roots Of The Doors	Various Artists	SNAPPER MUSIC
Prodigal Son	Josh White	17	Great Blues Guitarists- String Dazzlers	Various Artists	Blue Label / SPV
My Sweet Woman	Drifting Slim	9	Rpm Blues Story	Various Artists	one day
Bomp and Stomp Blues	Mercy Dee	10	20 R'n'b Greats Of The 50's	Various Artists	CASCADE
Hey girl, hey boy	Oscar maclollie	22	Jivin' Jamboree	Various Artists	ACE

Created: 16/02/2014 23:38:24