STAR BLUES on 28th September 2014 at 22:00 with 2 full hours of music by Blues Women

It's fair to say the earliest blues stars were female and it's been like that ever since. We had as many as we could from Bessie Smith to Missy Andersen in a show with songs from the 1920's onwards. Missy's project is characterized by confident hard edged vocal and neat guitar backup; Bessie was more obviously from a era not long out of vaudeville, her big voice and stage presence barely needed amplification to fill out the sound. Not much is known about Lottie Kinbrough, she created just five years output, latterly on Gennet from whence came the iconic "Rolling Log". My background research said even her only photograph was that of her more photogenic sister. Lottie was one of the first players of substance to accompany themselves. Memphis Minnie took matters to an even higher level.

From the jazz side of the fence, Mildred Bailey had a plaintive edge and a record collection which inspired Bing Crosby. Dinah Washington came along slightly later on but could do some tough blues as we found out last night. Lesser known names like Trixie Smith and Effie Smith, got an outing too.

The inspiration for the show was largely down to Lady Blue who shares me passion for the classic elegance of strapless silk cocktail dresses and long elbow length gloves. just look at those pictures of Hadda Brooks, Ruth Brown, and Laven Baker. Glamour never goes out of style. The young Etta James did rock'n'roll right , we used a rare take of a single out on Modern; a few years later Koko Taylor forced Buddy Guy and Walter Horton to bring their A-game despite being junior in years with seasoned session men.

With two Sisters on the roll-call, it wasn't hard to pick our gospel offerings Hadda Brooks and Ella Mae Morse did piano duties, the former came during the first year of the Bihari's Modern imprint. Aretha was already a big star when her 1970 album "Spririt in the dark" hit the shelves (complete with re-interpretation of a BB King piece). Big Maybelle was another easily recognizable talent - the booklet credits the song to "Williams", My own imperfect recollection has the song put down to Roy Hall but it says Williams here.

Neither Jessie Mare Hemphill nor Beverly Guitar Watkins get their due so we weren't about to miss a chance to show then off - even though we set a new record count we know we barely got started for blues women on our radar. Next Sunday we are off tho the West Coast, having been to Chicago, New Orleans and Texas during  the past few months, we look forward to being with you round your place. 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
Rent Party	Missy Andersen	1	In The Moment	Missy Andersen	MAIN Squeeze
i love a lover like you	Koko Taylor	2	koko taylor	koko taylor	CHESS
Confessin' The Blues	Karen Carrol	3	Wild About That Thing - Ladies Sing The Blues	Various Artists	DELMARK
why i sing the blues	aretha franklin	12	spirit in the dark	aretha franklin	atlantic
Rock And Roll Blues	Linda Hopkins	22	Voodoo Voodoo: Feisty Fifties Females	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On	Big Maybelle	1-3	I Put A Spell On You: The Okeh Story	Various Artists	One Day Music
You Make Me Feel So Good	Beverly 'Guitar' Watkins	8	Back In Business	Beverly 'Guitar' Watkins	MUSIC MAKER
House Of Blue Lights	Ella Mae Morse	24	I'm A Bad Bad Girl	Various Artists	INDIGO
Bluesen The Boogie	Hadda Brooks	2	Modern Music: 1945	Various Artists	ACE
Talk To Me, Talk To Me	Jean DuShon	27	Right Now: Atlantic Club Soul And Deep Cuts	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Shake It, Baby	Jessie Mae Hemphill	8	Shake it Baby	Jessie Mae Hemphill
Rolling Log Blues	Lottie Kimbrough	10	The Great Women Blues Singers	Various Artists	RETRO
Me And My Chaauffeur	Memphis Minnie	2	The Sound Of The City - Memphis	Various Artists	Emi Records Ltd
Swing Low, Chariot	Sister O. M.Terrell	18	The Slide Guitar:Bottles,Knives & Steel	Various Artists	Blue Label / SPV
I Saw The Light	Sister Rosetta Tharpe	12	Screamin' Gospel Holy Rollers Vol. 2	Various Artists	Vee-Tone Records
Souled Out	JJ Thames	1	Tell You What I Know	Jj Thames	CDBaby
T'aint Whatcha Say, It's Whatcha Do	Little Esther	8	Voodoo Voodoo: Feisty Fifties Females	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Bam-A-Lam	Mickey Champion	26	Voodoo Voodoo: Feisty Fifties Females	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
King Size Papa	Julia Lee	6	I'm A Bad Bad Girl	Various Artists	INDIGO
Be Bop Boogie	Effie Smith	6	Blues Belles With Attitude	Various Artists	ACE
Hey, Hey, Baby	Helen Humes	7	Blues Belles With Attitude	Various Artists	ACE
Love Me Right (Atlantic 1150)	Lavern Baker	19	R&b Humdingers Volume 11	Various Artists	Vee-Tone Records
Tough Lover	Etta James	4	Holy Mackerel! Pretenders To Little Richard's Throne	Various Artists	ACE
Daddy Daddy	Ruth Brown	13	Right Now: Atlantic Club Soul And Deep Cuts	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Squeeze Me	Mildred Bailey	4	Ladies Sing The Blues	Various Artists	HALLMARK
Empty Bed Blues	Bessie Smith	19	Blues Queen. The Definitive Collection	Bessie Smith	Phoenix Records
Freight Train Blues	Trixie Smith	20	The Great Women Blues Singers	Various Artists	RETRO
I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)	Ivie Anderson	16	Ladies Sing The Blues	Various Artists	HALLMARK
blues oh blues	ma rainey	3	The Great Women Blues Singers	Various Artists	RETRO
Evil Gal Blues	Dinah Washington	3	The History Of Rhythm And Blues Volume Two 1942-1952	Various Artists	Rhythm and Blues Records
Why Don't You Do Right?	Lil Green	9	Why Don't You Do Right	Lil Green	BLUES COLLECTION
They Call Me Big Mama	Big Mama Thornton	4	Jiving Jamboree	Various Artists	ACE

Created: 28/09/2014 23:36:16

STAR BLUES on 21st September 2014 at 22:00 - birthdates marked for Fenton Robinson and Ray Charles, Tiny Kennedy and Albert Ammons ...

... Little Joe Blue and more. We also took a dip into the vaults of Atlantic Records.

The new single from Robert Cray's album is out there to announce his headline status at the upcoming London Blues Festival. John Mayall will be at Cambridge Corn Exchange on 9th November - his gifts undiminished now in his 9th decade. Sunjay is a new name to me, he spread some Memphis Jog Band magic over a decent go at "Drop Down Mama" - he's on tour at the moment and comes to Cambridge Folk Club in October. the album isn't completely within our purview but is worth checking out.

If you only had songs by artists born on 23rd September, you'd still have an enviable collection, the hard choice was what to play, what to leave out. The playlist speaks for itself. Those chaps over at Fantastic Voyage have an insane programme of reissues at the moment and there are plenty of others mining the same veins. The 3-cd retrospective of stuff which came out on Atlantic prompted our eagerness to immerse ourselves in gorgeous gems from the like of Jimmy Ricks and Joe Turner (his "Boogie Woogie Country Girl" is described in the booklet as the greatest rock'n'roll record of all time. No argument. No electric guitar. Go figure.
Music from the classiest women who wore satin cocktail dresses and over the elbow gloves graced our car journey to the beach on Saturday and our airwaves on Sunday night. Lady Blue's interest was picqued and suggested a whole show. She's the boss.

We concluded with just one of the dozens of singles Bo Diddley did for Chess between 1955 and 1962. Even if you bought the Chess box set, there's plenty of reason you ought to investigate this one on Hoo-Doo for B sides etc. Within just under seven days we'll be ready to be round your place again, this time with a pretty decent size survey of blues women. 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
hold on	robert cray	1	hold on - single	robert cray	nozzle
Mess Around	Ray Charles	46	Mess Around	Ray Charles	PROPER
that's alright	john mayall	3	a special life	john mayall
Won't Give Up	Chick Willis	9	Won't Give Up	Chick Willis	DEEP SOUTH SOUNDS
How Long Must This Go On	Roosevelt 'Booba' Barnes	1	Heartbroken Man	Roosevelt 'Booba' Barnes	ROOSTER BLUES
'Gator's Groove	Willis Jackson	15	Right Now: Atlantic Club Soul And Deep Cuts	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Boogie Woogie Country Girl	Big Joe Turner	7	Right Now: Atlantic Club Soul And Deep Cuts	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
You're The Boss	Lavern Baker & Jimmy Ricks	2	Right Now: Atlantic Club Soul And Deep Cuts	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
The Big Mule	Joe Jones	28	Soul City New Orleans: Big Easy Gems From The Dawn Of Soul Music	Various Artists	Fantatsic Voyage
southern country boy	Little Joe Blue	8	southern country boy	Little Joe Blue	jewel
Well Oh Well	Tiny Bradshaw	13	The History Of Rhythm And Blues Volume Two 1942-1952	Various Artists	Rhythm and Blues Records
Boogie Woogie Stomp	Albert Ammons	1	The Best Of Boogie Woogie	Various Artists	DOCUMENTS
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.)
drop down mama	sunjay	2	sunjay	sunjay
Come Back Baby	Ray Charles	3	Ray Charles: Eight Classic Albums	Ray Charles	IODA
May Be The Last Time	Bobby Radcliff	2	Soul Survey	Various Artists	BLACK TOP
When I'm Gone (She Treats Me Mean And Evil)	Joe Hill Louis	12	Rockin' Memphis	Various Artists	Proper Box
I Got To Know	Eddie Bo	2	Cracking The Cosimo Code • 60s New Orleans R&B And Soul	Various Artists	ACE
Sassy Sara	Huey Smith & The Clowns	26	Soul City New Orleans: Big Easy Gems From The Dawn Of Soul Music	Various Artists	Fantatsic Voyage
Mule Train Stomp	Roy Buchanan	5	Teen Beat Vol.2	Various Artists	ACE
early in the morning	Mighty Joe Young	16	The Sonet Blues Story - sampler	Mighty Joe Young	SONET
As The Years Go Passing By	Fenton Robinson	5	I Pity The Fool - The Duke Records Story	Various Artists	One Day Music
didn't it rain	mahalia jackson	2-17	just for a day - apolllo records story	various artists	one day music
Talkin' 'Bout You	Ray Charles	17	Right Now: Atlantic Club Soul And Deep Cuts	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
shake it up and go	b b king	2-4	no more doggin - rpm story vol. 1	various artists	ace
big fat mama	gene phillips	1-7	no more doggin - rpm story vol. 1	various artists	ace
hoy hoy	little johnny jones	3-11	Right Now: Atlantic Club Soul And Deep Cuts	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Black Jack Ride On Josephine	Ray Charles Bo Diddley	9 2-3	Ray Charles: Eight Classic Albums Roadrunner: 1955-1962	Ray Charles Bo Diddley	IODA Hoo-Doo

Created: 21/09/2014 23:50:30 

STAR BLUES on 14th September 2014 at 22:00 marking B.B. King's birthday and "Cracking the Cosimo Code"

The day I got the new anthology on Ace celebrating the genius of Cosimo Matassa, we also learned of his passing. I hope we can do him justice as well as delve into the huge body of work done by B.B. King

track.title	track.artistsort	index	album.title	album.artistsort	label
In Your Backyard	Otis Grand	9	Blues '65	Otis Grand	MAINgate
Better Not Look Down	B. B. KingCrusaders, The	11	Lucille And Friends	B. B. King	MCA
Ain't That Just Like A Woman	Louis Jordan	10	Reet Petite And Gone	Louis Jordan	INDIGO
Hard Time Getting Started	Mark Hummel	11	The Hustle Is Really On	Mark Hummel	Electro-Fi
Blue Monday (Feat. Dr. John)	Johnny Winter	13	Step Back	Johnny Winter
Can't Blame Nobody But Myself	Marcia Ball	9	The Tattooed Lady And The Alligator Man	Marcia Ball	Alligator Records & Artist Management, Inc.
Dimples	Sharbaby & Dave Thomas	2	Juke	Sharbaby & Dave Thomas
Wanted: Lover (No Experience Necessary)	James Govan	6	The Fame Studio Story 1961-1973 Home Of The Muscle Shoals Sound	Various Artists	Kent
You Got Your Mojo Working	Eddie Bo	12	You Talk Too Much: The Ric & Ron Story Volume 1	Various Artists	ACE
The Monkey (Speaks His Mind)	Dave Bartholemew	5	Theme Time Radio Hour - Season 3	Various Artists	ACE
Love Coupons	Travis Haddix	1	Love Coupons	Travis Haddix	Benevolent Blues
Bootleg Whiskey	Grady Champion	2	Bootleg Whiskey	Grady Champion	Malaco Records
My Dog Can't Bark	Kim Wilson, Mud Morganfield	2	For Pops	Mud Morganfield
I Hear You Knockin'	Lazy Lester, West Weston's Bluesonics	4	One More Once	Lazy Lester
Be Careful With A Fool	B. B. King	14	The Vintage Years	B. B. King	ACE
Cuttin' Out	Annie LauriePaul Gayten	45	The R'n'b Hits Of 1949	Various Artists	INDIGO
Broken Levee Blues	Lonnie Johnson	17	Let Me Tell You About The Blues: Texas	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
The Way I Feel	Detroit Jr.	12	The Way I Feel	Various Artists	FLYRIGHT
New Orleans Twist	Blazer Boy	4	Cracking The Cosimo Code • 60s New Orleans R&B And Soul	Various Artists	ACE
Trick Bag	Earl King	3	Cracking The Cosimo Code • 60s New Orleans R&B And Soul	Various Artists	ACE
play a cornbread song for me	joe hayward	24	Cracking The Cosimo Code • 60s New Orleans R&B And Soul	Various Artists	ACE
The Hustle Is On	T-Bone Walker	17	You're My Best Poker Hand: The Definitive Collection	T-Bone Walker	Fantastic Voyage
Gambler's Blues	B. B. King	2	Great Moments With B. B. King	B. B. King	MCA
Bukka's Jitterbug Swing	Bukka White	16	The Slide Guitar:Bottles,Knives & Steel	Various Artists	Blue Label / SPV
Tough Times	John Brim	1	Down Home Blues Classics - Chicago (1946-1954)	Various Artists	BOULEVARD VINTAGE
Baby I Need You	Little Otis	6	For This I Thank You: Motown R&b, Popcorn And Rock N Roll	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Saturday Night Rub	Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin	1	Common Ground: Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin Play and Sing the So	Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin

Created: 14/09/2014 23:32:50

STAR BLUES on 7th September 2014 at 22:00 with LIVING BLUES awards winners

Expected gongs for James Cotton and Buddy Guy along with overdue recognition for Birdlegg and Johnny Rawls. The full list of winners is here; LIVING BLUES AWARDS 2014
 the arrangements on a couple of winners (Buddy Guy; James Cotton) sit close to the line with Neil's excellent show and it gave us a different sound from where we are normally.

The early James Brown cover of Guitar Slim was done in response to a listener request which showed even in 1964 the Godfather of Soul had blues on his side. Otis Redding was born 73 years ago this upcoming Tuesday 9th so it seemed neat placing to play his first foray into the recording studio even if they told him to sound like Little Richard.

Ike Turner took lead voice chores for our gospel spot, the 1973 track was part of those awards because some rare backstage footage of their tours in 1971 and 1972 were voted for by the readers as top DVD.

After wrapping up our coverage, it was time for Ray Agee and Morris Pejoe to drop in for some blasting guitar and the rarely recorded Jack The Bear Parker followed. The 1949 cut from Clarence Gatemouth Brown had fairly low-fi but it showed him in good form from a time before he brought his violin to the studios. Our show next week has a B. B. King theme to mark his birthday on 16th (he'll be 89) - that's round your place on Sunday at 10pm (BST) if it's ok with you. 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
Roll Roll Roll	Lonnie BrooksLong John HunterPhillip Walker	5	Blues And Soul Sessions	Various Artists	UNION SQUARE MUSIC
Gain Your Love	Tutu Jones	7	Inside Out	Tutu Jones
Standing in the Rain	Dave Thompson	1	Come On Down To The Delta (Plus)	Dave Thompson (Plus)	jsp
Same Old Blues	Irma ThomasMarcia Ball	13	Simply Grand	Irma Thomas	Rounder / Umgd
The Things That I Used To Do	James Brown	2	Messing With The Blues	James Brown	POLYDOR
hey hey baby	otis redding	6	holy mackerel	various artists	ace
Wrapped Around My Heart	James Cotton Feat. Ruthie Foster	6	Cotton Mouth Man	James Cotton	Alligator
Gone Too Long	Charlie Musselwhite	7	Delta Hardware	Charlie Musselwhite	REAL WORLD
Comin' On Strong	Tab Benoit	8	Legacy: The Best Of Tab Benoit	Tab Benoit	TELARC
Well I Done Got Over It	Buddy Guy	7	Rhythm & Blues	Buddy Guy	Sony Music Entertainment
No Hard Feelin' With Me	Bobby Rush	5	Blind Snake	Bobby Rush	{NO DETAILS}
Down In My Shoes	Birdlegg	12	Birdlegg	Birdlegg	DIALTONE
talk it over	Billy Boy Arnold	5	The Walter Davis Project	Various Artists	Electro-Fi
24 Hour Blues	Lurrie Bell	7	Blues In My Soul	Lurrie Bell	DELMARK
My Turn To Win	Johnny Rawls	5	My Turn To Win	Johnny Rawls	JSP Records
fussin' and fightin' blues	Little Junior's Blue Flames	19	feelin' good	junior parker	hoo doo
lightnin's boogie	Lightnin' Hopkins	1	his blues	Lightnin' Hopkins	ace
feel so good	Michael Bloomfield	1-3	Don't Say That I Ain't Your Man! : Essential Blues, 1964-1969	Michael Bloomfield	Blue Label / SPV
Take My Hand Precious Lord	Ike & Tina Turner	17	Sweet Rhode Island Red / The Gospel According To Ike & Tina	Ike & Tina Turner	BGO
Scramin' And Cryin'	Morris Pejoe	10	Trouble In Mind : Chicago Blues Of The Fifties	Various Artists	KC
Love Is A Cold Shot	Ray Agee	23	Bay Area Blues Blasters	Various Artists	El Cerrito
Atomic Energy	Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown	6	Guitar In My Hand	Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown	CATFISH
I Need You, I Want You	Jack (The Bear) Parker	3	Aladdin Story	Various Artists	EMI
At The Window	Jimmy Yancey	2-13	The Blues Box	Various Artists	METRO
boom boom that's alright mama three o'clock blues	john lee hooker arthur crudup b/ b. king	1-1 1-11 1-13	The Blues Box	Various Artists	METRO
Midnight Prowler	Frank Frost	5	Midnight Prowler	Frank Frost	EARWIG
diggin my tomatoes	Brownie McGhee	4	brownie's blues	brownie mcghee	indigo

Created: 07/09/2014 23:44:31

STAR BLUES on 31st August 2014 at 22:00 marking birthdates for Freddie and Milton

Freddie King and Little Milton - two of the finest blues artists of all time, and it is tempting to fill an hour with one and the second hour with the other. Of the three men best known by "King" to the mainstream, Freddie was the best vocalist with a big voice that left you in no doubt as to his state of mind selling the song. He wore his guitar slung over one shoulder and he stood front and centre stage challenging all naysayers. His style knew when to let loose and when to hold back - it made him popular with dozens of wannabes. I first found his music via his assault on the disco-friendly arrangements he committed in the early Seventies. Even in that setting his skills were obvious. He'd have been 80 this week, there's barely a week goes by without his music in my car at least once.

Milton Campbell had a long and successful career on some of the biggest record labels: Sun, Checker, Stax, Malaco and Telarc. With a warm, throaty vocal style he was equally at home on soulful blues ballads as on the rockier arrangements he was forced towards on his later work. That guitar was edgy and unflustered, a lack of flash keeping him out of lists of 500 guitarists that ain't worth a hill-o-beans anyway. His 80th year was due on Sunday 7th.

Elsewhere in our first hour we caught up with some new stuff from Lucky Peterson at that edge of the genre and a heartfelt project from Mud Morganfield going to his father's records (Kim Wilson tidily supple in accompaniment). Speaking of blues harp: I just got the latest issue of Living Blues magazine and it has fulsome coverage of blues harp and its current practitioners. We include something from one of the featured names, Omar Coleman. Mem Shannon and Memphis Gold made welcome returns to our listing and it would be a treat to get them both back into the studio before the year is out.

Pretty decent opening salvo to seamlessly segue from the STAR ROCK show: Otis Grand and Earl Green swinging like a pub sign in a Force-8 and then his producer Joe Louis Walker with the opener to his early solo piece called "The Gift". I've been known as a shameless hussy for a while now, willing to steal ideas from anywhere. STAR BLUES this time out reprised the Albinia Jones track that Liza Tarbuck had on her BBC Radio2 show. Not sure she's yet done Russell Jacquet, if it;s in her portfolio next week you know where she heard it. (If I told you she's already done Stick Horse Hammond there's a good chance he'll get another outing for us sooner or later).

Our couple of hours round at your place just flew past, you made me feel most welcome. Next Sunday night at 10pm (BST) we'll have music from the runners, riders and winners of Living Blues Awards - 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
Things Are Getting Harder To Do	Otis Grand	1	He Knows The Blues	Otis Grand	SEQUEL
one time around	Joe Louis Walker	6	The Gift	Joe Louis Walker	HIGH TONE
still a fool	mud morganfield and kim wilson	5	for pops	mud morganfield and kim wilson	-
biscuit boogie	memphis gold	2	pickin in high cotton	memphis gold	-
Mojo Hand	Omar Coleman	8	Louisiana Swamp Stomp	Various Artists	honeybee
Annie Mae's Cafe	Little Milton	11	The Last Soul Company	Various Artists	Malaco Records
she's a burglar	Freddie King	5	staying home with the blues	various artists	spectrum
get your business straight	shawn holt and teardrops	6	daddy told me	shawn holt and teardrops	blind pig
you move me	Robert Cray	1	in my soul	Robert Cray	PROVOGUE
Doing The Best That I Can	Mem Shannon	12	Memphis In The Morning	Mem Shannon	SHANACHIE
feeling they call the blues	lucky peterson	2	travellin man	lucky peterson	jsp
rooster blues	Robert 'Bilbo' Walker	3	Rock The Night	Robert 'Bilbo' Walker	ROOSTER BLUES
Bring It On Home	Sonny Boy Williamson (Aka Rice Miller)	8	Led Astray	Various Artists	CONNOISSEUR COLLECTION
Mr. Lucky	John Lee Hooker	1	The Original Mr. Lucky	John Lee Hooker	BLUES ENCORE
Worried Man Blues	Big Joe Williams	1	Baby Please Don't Go	Big Joe Williams	ORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
No No Blues	Curley Weaver	20	Let Me Tell You About The Blues: Atlanta	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Hey Little Boy	Albinia Jones	26	I'm A Bad Bad Girl	Various Artists	INDIGO
Have You Ever Loved A Woman	Freddie King	14	Here 'Tis	Various Artists	CONNOISSEUR
Blind Man	Little Milton	3	Stand By Me	Little Milton	ORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
Shake Walkin'	Mickey Baker	9	In The '50S: Hit, Git & Spit	Mickey Baker	Rev-Ola Bandstand
Cross Bones	Russell Jacquet	12	The R'n'b Years 1949: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1949	Various Artists	BOULEVARD VINTAGE
Vicksburg Blues	Little Brother Montgomery	11	History Of Rhythm And Blues Part One	Various Artists	Rhythm and Blues Records
mama oh mama	luke jones	1-3	no more doggi' - rpm story vol. 1	various artists	ace
Larry Birdsong	Three Times Seven	15	Champion Records The Singles Collection	Various Artists	SPV
red hot rockin' blues	jesse james	23	backbeat	various artists	ace
Lonesome Highway Blues	Lazy Lester	20	I'm A Lover Not A Fighter	Lazy Lester	ACE
The Welfare (Turns It'sback On You)	Freddie King	19	Texas Sensation	Freddie King	CHARLY
Beggin' My Baby	Little Milton	22	Rockin' Memphis	Various Artists	Proper Box
chicago jump	jimmy lee robinson	2	bandera blues and gospel	various artists	ace

Created: 31/08/2014 23:43:29 

STAR BLUES on 24th August 2014 at 22:00. Walkin' to New Orleans by John Broven

was published 40 years ago by Blues Unlimited magazine. Other than an update in 1978, the book remains one of the defining works about rhythm and blues. It is a good read as it interviews many of those featured who were there at the time - just about every major artist and label is covered and indexed. Those original editions go for silly money now but our playlist on STAR BLUES should give you an idea of why?

Fats Domino had more hits on the charts in the Fifties than Elvis, he has an engaging voice and nimble fingers. The book title John chose marked one of Fats' most successful singles; we also had the lesser known 'Ida Mae ' on hand to illustrate the session playing of guitarist Justin Adams (who played just about every hit session Johnny Vincent did over at Ace.) Adams was one third of a stellar axis of guitar men who showed the Crescent City would be known for something more than rollicking, pounding, keyboard that was born in bars and bordellos. Ernest McLean was considered the most adept and even in his advanced years found joy playing for tourists on the streets visiting Disneyland. Not far behind came Edgar Blanchard whose aggressive style appealed to the rock'n'rollers.

We had plenty of keyboard dexterity from the usual suspects: I first saw Longhair filmed at a club for a Jools Holland documentary around 1990; I was spellbound, still am. Jack Dupree was one heck of a character who never left New Orleans no matter where he was. We cheated for the second of his tracks by going to the version of 'Stagger Lee' he did in New York City for his seminal 'Gutter' album. James Booker could be described as mercurial and he's been a hard one to pin down with consistency in his output. Our closer wäs an instrumental named after the lead character in a cult film and Archibald was a leading player not often heard these days..

It would have been remiss to skip over the hits from Smiley Lewis, Joe Jones and Huey Piano Smith; it was fun to mix them with lesser known titles by Lloyd Price and so on. Dr. John was on piano for Jerry Byrne and Ernie K. Doe brought something I first heard covered by the Yardbirds. Thanks to the constant rotation on TV for Boots, his 'Here Come the Girls' is never far away.


Irma Thomas is probably the Queen of New Orleans and she still has a gorgeously pliable husky voice. Chubby Newsome was one of the names playing the clubs in the city in 1947; Joe Google Eyes August and Roy Brown were two more  After the second Petrillo ban ended Cosmo Matasa enlisted Brown to cut some sides for the Deluxe label in 1948 - their 'Good Rockin' Tonight' wasn't a hit which gave Wynonie Harris time to steal the thunder with his go. Sid Nathan's King label had meantime bought the name and catalogue of Deluxe - and the track was a smash next time out. A&R man Henry Glover was a big fan and together they created three consecutive years of solid gold. John Broven's book has further fascinating detail.

Broven was one of the founding fathers of Blues Unlimited magazine, his passion for the artists working out of Louisiana has been an inspiration to many, hopefully our show did him justice. We're back Sunday at 10pm with something guaranteed to confirm we are Britain's Other Blues Show - until then take care of yourselves and take care of those who take care of you

track.title	track.artistsort	index	album.title	album.artistsort	label
Walking To New Orleans	Fats Domino	11	The Imperial Singles Vol. 4, 1959-1961	Fats Domino	ACE
good rockin' tonight	roy brown	2-1	let me tell you about the blues:new orleans	various artists	fantastic voyage
Barefootin'	Robert Parker	17	This Is Soul Vol.2	Various Artists	CLASSIC SOUL
A Certain Girl	Ernie K-Doe	20	R&b Spotlight '61	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
I Didn't Want To Do It	Spiders, The	5	Cosimo Matassa Story	Various Artists	Proper Box
Bald Head	Professor Longhair	1-1	Mardi Gras In New Orleans: Complete Recordings 1949-1962	Professor Longhair	Jasmine Records (UK)
Longhair stomp	Professor Longhair	1-7	Mardi Gras In New Orleans: Complete Recordings 1949-1962	Professor Longhair	Jasmine Records (UK)
Don't You Just Know It	Huey 'Piano' Smith & The Clowns	25	The Golden Age Of American Rock 'N' Roll - Volume 6	Various Artists	ACE
Shake Baby Shake	Archibald	23	Gettin' Funky	Various Artists	PROPER
Let's Try And Talk It Over	Tommy Ridgley	18	You Talk Too Much: The Ric & Ron Story Volume 1	Various Artists	ACE
Just To Hold My Hand	Big Boy Myles	13	Rip It Up: The Specialty Story	Various Artists	One Day Music
lights out	jerry byrne	4	Rip It Up: The Specialty Story	Various Artists	One Day Music
don't mess with my man	Irma Thomas	3	Jockomo Jockomo	Various Artists	MUSIC CLUB
Feel So Good	Shirley & Lee	5	Let The Good Times Roll - The Aladdin Story	Various Artists	One Day Music
Those Lonely Lonely Nights	Earl King	3	Kings Of New Orleans R'n'b	Various Artists	MUSIC CLUB
Things I Used To Do	Guitar Slim	6	Things I Used To Do	Guitar Slim	BLUES ENCORE
Hard Luck Blues	Roy Brown	26	The R'n'b Years 1950: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1950	Various Artists	BOULEVARD VINTAGE
New Orleans Lover Man	Chubby “Hip Shakin’” Newsom	4	Let Me Tell You About The Blues: New Orleans [Disc 1]	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Country Boy	Dave BartholomewErnest McLean	3	The History Of Rhythm And Blues Volume Two 1942-1952	Various Artists	Rhythm and Blues Records
Let's Get It	Edgar Blanchard	6	You Talk Too Much: The Ric & Ron Story Volume 1	Various Artists	ACE
Ida Jane	Fats DominoJustin Adams	3	The Imperial Singles Vol. 5 1962-1964	Fats Domino	ACE
Early Morning Blues	Boogie Jake	13	Bluesin' By The Bayou	Various Artists	ACE
You Talk Too Much	Joe Jones	22	You Talk Too Much: The Ric & Ron Story Volume 1	Various Artists	ACE
Big Time Mama	Champion Jack Dupree	3	Gettin' Funky	Various Artists	PROPER
stack'o'lee	Champion Jack Dupree	10	blues from the gutter	champion jack dupree	atlantic
Just To Be Home With You	Joe (Mr. Google-Eyes) August	107	Gettin' Funky	Various Artists	PROPER
I Hear You Knocking	Smiley Lewis	8	Cosimo Matassa Story	Various Artists	Proper Box
Working In The Coal Mine	Lee Dorsey	8	Soul Mine	Lee Dorsey	CLASSIC HITS
Mailman Blues	Lloyd Price	19	Let Me Tell You About The Blues: New Orleans [Disc 1]	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
Gonzo	James Booker	17	Teen Beat Vol. 5	Various Artists	ACE
Who Drank My Beer While I Was In The Rear	Dave Bartholomew	19	Cosimo Matassa Story	Various Artists	Proper Box

Created: 24/08/2014 23:45:51 

STAR BLUES on 17th August 2014 at 22:00 birthdates for Luther Allison and John Lee Hooker

... as well as Eric Bibb, Lil Son Jackson and Roy Gaines. Somewhat shame-faced I conceded on-air that I really didn't "get" Luther Allison until after his passing: The cursory judgement I'd made didn't properly do him justice for the control he had even at high volume. "Cherry Red Wine" won armfuls of awards when first issued through Alligator though my favourite of his projects was done for Motown in 1971. Roy Gaines is still very active gig-wise though I wish he'd get back into the studio to add to the items on his shelf in my study.

Eric Bibb is a beautiful man with the voice of an angel, we went back almost 20 years to an album he did on an audiophile label; the song "Shingle by Shingle" came from his own pen with a spiritual message from the ancients in the live environment he can attack his axe in the manner of Big Joe Williams. John Lee Hooker at one time or another was the most famous bluesman of them all, often wilfully free with the twelve bar structure, there was no-one else like him who could bear down on a riff in the same way.

We've played "Cairo Blues" by Lil Son Jackson several times, to mark what would have been his 99th birthday with a different song. He is known for being an influence on Eric Clapton but deserved rather more than that. Larry Johnson is another name with a long and reliable pedigree, I dipped into the box set marking the Blue Horizon label for the track taken from his 1966 recordings done in NYC. It was heartening to read a FB post during the afternoon making a similar suggestion: guess great minds and all that. Larry Lampkin is hot right now and it's pretty apparent when you hear him sing and play; I've got two albums by him and there'll be more riches to come if he doesn't get hi-jacked by the plank-spanker brigade.

Roy Roberts has a soft husky tone ideally suited to that soul end of blues where you'll often find Johnny Rawls (they've done an album together already). Joe Doucet is on Dialtone and we didn't quite get time to showcase him on our Texas blues special a few weeks back and Beverley Guitar Watkins made a welcome return. David Vest's album found him unfettered and un-constrained by convention in his piano style, the self-penned instrumental was a breath of fresh air. Our other newcomer was Matt Backer though he did bring old stager Adam Gussow with him for flexible harp support. In something of a treat for harp fans we sneaked in a track from Harmonica Shah's recent Electro-Fi album (someone else who is well overdue another record).

Henry Stone, owner of TK Records and first man to coax Ray Charles into the studios, died last week. His operation in Miami played home to a pair of albums Little Milton did for Glades after Stax folded. We chose Milton's go at "Angel of Mercy" from the second one. Pete Welding was another great label owner and he had a series of albums called "Masters of Modern Blues" which had blues from JB Hutto and Johnny Shines who both featured Walter Horton on harp. well worth seeking out if you can find them.

Those splendid folks at Ace have just anthologised the first three years' output on RPM, time for a couple selections you can be sure we'll return p-d-q. With a couple of slide maestros (Elmore James and Homesick James), the original of Robert Lockwood's "Take a little Walk" and our blues ladies included Ella Johnson and Alberta Hunter, rocking in their own ways - it was over all too soon. The birthday survey was done in depth because our Bank Holiday show is going to mark 40 years since John Broven wrote his definitive history of Louisiana music, called "Walking to New Orleans". My challenge is to squeeze all that fabulous stuff from the bayoux into a mere 118 minutes - expect three or four failed attempts between now and Sunday at 10pm (BST), 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
new frontier lover	roy gaines	1	new frontier lover	roy gaines	severn
Cherry Red Wine	Luther Allison	5	25th Anniversary Collection	Various Artists	Alligator
Running For Your Love	Larry Lampkin	1	When I Get Home	Larry Lampkin	Kaint Kwit
I'm Never Gonna Stop	Roy Roberts	5	Strange Love	Roy Roberts
My Baby Left Town	Beverly 'Guitar' Watkins	4	Back In Business	Beverly 'Guitar' Watkins	MUSIC MAKER
I've Got to Find My Baby	Joe Doucet	12	Houston's Third Ward Blues	Joe Doucet	DIALTONE
sata fe steamer	david vest	8	roadhouse revelation	david vest	cordova bay
shingle by shingle	eric bibb	3	needed time	eric bibb	opus 3
I Don't Worry About A Thing	Matt BackerAdam Gussow	1	Get Backer	Matt Backer	Right Recordings
10. Blind Man Crying In The Middle Of Detroit	Harmonica Shah	10	Havin' Nothin' Don't Bother Me	Harmonica Shah	Electro-Fi
Take A Little Walk With Me	Robert Lockwood Jr.	22	Dust My Broom - Mississippi Blues	Various Artists	INDIGO
Rockin' And Rollin'	Lil' Son Jackson	13	Let Me Tell You About The Blues: Texas	Various Artists	Fantastic Voyage
My Kind of Woman	Jb Hutto & The Hawks	6	Masters of Modern Blues	Jb Hutto & The Hawks	Testament
Angel Of Mercy	Little Milton	12	Complete Tk Sessions	Little Milton	SEQUEL
Highway 60	Johnny 'Guitar' Watson	5	Space Guitar	Johnny 'Guitar' Watson	CHARLY
fine litle honey dripper	t-99 nelson	1-17	no more doggin: rpm story vol 1	various artists	ace
you don't know	jimmie huff	2-22	no more doggin: rpm story vol 1	various artists	ace
early in the morning	Louis Jordan & His Tympani Five	19	reet petite and gone	Louis Jordan	indigo
My Castle's Rockin'	Alberta Hunter	6	Empty Bed Blues : Best Of The Good Time Mommas	Various Artists	PULSE
they don't want me to rock	ella johnson	3-32	voodoo voodoo	various artists	fantastic voyage
Got To Move	Elmore James	6	Complete Chess Chief Fire Recs.	Elmore James	CHARLY
the cloud is crying	Homesick James	9	blues on the south side	Homesick James	original blues classics
Southern Train	Larry Johnson	9	Blue Horizon Story Vol. 1	Various Artists	CBS
44 blues (prev. unissued)	big joe williams	9	60 years	various artists	delmark
I’m A Boogie Man	John Lee Hooker	10	Deep Feeling	Various Artists	Fantatsic Voyage
no more heartaches	sugar boy crawford	11	slabs of humdingers, vol. 1	various artists	veetone
one little boy had money	don covay	1-19	soul city philadelphia	various artists	fantastic voyage
Walkin' Blues	Johnny Shines Band, The	8	Masters of Modern Blues	Johnny Shines Band, The	Testament
Blues Stay Away From Me	Jb Hutto & The Hawks	8	Masters of Modern Blues	Jb Hutto & The Hawks	Testament
Little Red Rooster	Luther Allison	1	The Motown Years 1972-1976	Luther Allison	GORDY

Created: 17/08/2014 23:48:54