Sunday, May 31, 2009

Gospel



Super


I Feel Like Going To Church - Blind Willie Johnson - Trouble Soon Be Over

This video is a re-enactment, but I really like it. I hope you enjoy it too, I think it is a great blues song for a Sunday morning.

Blind Willie Johnson Trouble Soon be Over


Blind Willie Johnson @Amazon.com


Saturday, May 30, 2009

Surfing the edges between blues and rock n roll

The James Cotton Band - Rocket 88


Ike and Tina Turner - River Deep Mountain High


Professor Longhair - Bald Head


Clifton Chenier and his Red Hot Louisiana Band
My Baby Don't Wear no Shoes


Local Band



Hoochie Coochie Man

Live at Scouthenge 2008 festival in Grasscroft near Oldham - where I live


Friday, May 29, 2009

One Man Band

The last time I saw a one man band perform, it was Johnny Lowebow at his shop in Memphis. I don't know exactly if you'd call this blues, but certainly it is squarely in a blues tradition. Here he is playing Katrina Dog.


Johnny Lowebow is by no means unique as a cigar-box guitar player. There's quite a strong tradition happening exploring these home-made instruments. Here's Dr. Oakroot.


Another fantastic one man band was Joe Hill Louis. He was recorded commercially for Sun in Memphis in the 50s. I love his groove. Here's the Hydramatic Blues. Great title!


Another well-known one man band is Jesse Lone-Cat Fuller. He's famous for San Francisco Bay Blues, but I quite like this version of John Henry. Mr. Fuller invented an instrument he called the fotdella, a foot-operated percussion bass that used six bass strings a body, foot pedals and padded hammers. Great idea.

Let's go out with Mike Whellans, human juke box.


Proud Mary



This song gets me!


Friday Funny - Battle of the Guitar Heroes

Battle of the Guitar Heroes

Battle of the Guitar Heroes
Originally uploaded by MarkCann


Thursday, May 28, 2009

It's the Birthday of T-Bone Walker

T-Bone Walker was born on May 28, 1910 and he passed away due to a stroke on March 15, 1975. He was an American blues guitarist, singer, pianist and songwriter who according to Wikipedia;

was one of the most important pioneers of the electric guitar. His electric guitar solos were among the first heard on modern blues recordings and helped set a standard that is still followed. He was ranked #47 in Rolling Stone Magazine's list of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.







I call that one the Gods of Guitar.



File under;


Koko Taylor Recovering from Surgery

According to an Alligator Records Press Release;

Koko Taylor, 80, Grammy Award-winning "Queen of the Blues," is recovering from surgery to correct a gastrointestinal bleed. The surgery was performed on May 19 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Her doctors anticipate a full recovery. Taylor is not accepting visitors or phone calls at this time.

Taylor's most recent live performance was at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis, TN, on May 7, 2009. She performed her signature song, "Wang Dang Doodle," after receiving the award for Traditional Blues Female Blues Artist Of The Year. This was Taylor's 29th Blues Music Award, making her the recipient of more Blues Music Awards than any other artist. In addition, she has received the NEA National Heritage Fellowship Award, which is among the highest honors given to an American artist. Her most recent CD, 2007’s Old School, was nominated for a Grammy (eight of her nine Alligator Records albums were Grammy-nominated). She won a Grammy in 1984 for her guest appearance on the compilation album Blues Explosion on Atlantic Records


Don't Panic

I just want to say that I'm not above posting the odd bit of accordion music over here....(hang onto your hats)

Check out the mean blues accordion on this piece by Los Bad Boys del Valle.


We really do live in a world museum these days, don't we? Not too many years ago, it would have been really unusual to hear a conjunto/norteno outfit incorporate blues riffs into their set. I love the way the accordion player switches between accordion and harmonica - and what a surprise to hear Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues materialize.


Joyful Noise

Was sitting in with Buddy Guy at age 12, became an official member of the Allman Brothers Band in 1999. Married to Susan Tedeschi.

Joyful indeed


Desdemona


With Allman Brothers


With t'wife here


Going Down Slow: A Compliation

I have always thought that the blues standard Going Down Slow is one of the saddest songs of all time.

Some of my favorite lines from this song are;

"Please write my mother and tell her the shape that I'm in"

"Don't send no doctor, cause the doctor can't do me no good"

Please consider these versions;

mp3s of Going Down Slow @Amazon.com

Going Down Slow by Little Walter.

Going Down Slow by B.B. King.

Going Down Slow by Johnny Winter.

Going Down Slow by Muddy Waters.

Going Down Slow by Howlin' Wolf.














I better stop now, because there are so many great versions of this song. My favorite which I can not find a video of is BB King and Bobby Blue Bland's version. Good stuff.


Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Jumping aboard

I want to thank Fitz for inviting me to post on SqueezeMyLemon! Some of you may know me from my regular hang-out. I live in Toronto Ontario Canada and for my first post here, I'd like to celebrate a local performer who has performed over the years with the likes of Bo Diddley, Bob Dylan, John Hammond, Spencer Davis and Willy DeVille. In Toronto just about everybody I know has been at a Paul James Band show at some point or another. I first saw him perform at a club called Nags Head North back sometime in the early 80s. His band opened for and backed up the amazing Bo Diddley. I should also mention that The Paul James band also played at my wedding to the lovely Tuffy P back in 2001.

Here's Paul James showing what he can do with the Bo Diddley riff.


Joint out Back


By the way, the bass player for The Paul James Band for many many years was the late Brian Kipping. Those of us involved in the art scene in Toronto knew Brian as a fabulous painter as well as a fine musician.

Finally, here's a blues called Mean and Evil


Have I told you



I don't tell people that mean much to me often enough!


It's the Birthday of Junior Parker

Funny How Time Slips Away
Funny How Time Slips Away mp3 album by Junior Parker


Junior Parker, who was also known as Little Junior Parker and "Mr Blues" was born on May 27, 1932, and he passed away on November 18, 1971.
He was a successful and influential Memphis blues singer and musician. He is best remembered for his unique voice which has been described as "honeyed," and "velvet-smooth". He was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001.


Monday, May 25, 2009

Films



Crossroads


Ray


Lady sings the Blues


Decoration Day - Memorial Day

Again I find myself thinking about Memorial Day and where it comes from, and its connection to the blues. I have heard songs by several of the prewar bluesmen like Sonny Boy Williamson I, that mention Decoration Day. So I thought I would do a little research on the topic.

Here is just a bit of what I found;

Some sites mistakenly credit Howlin Wolf as the writer of this song and say that Sonny Boy Williamson II (Rice Miller) covered his version. But I remembered hearing a version of the song titled Decoration Blues done by Sonny Boy Williamson I (John Lee Williamson) which made me think that the song had an eairlier orgin.

Decoration Blues
Sonny Boy Williamson I (John Lee)
(John Lee Williamson)
Sonny Boy Williamson I - vocals & harmonica
Yank Rachell - mandolin & guitar
Joe Williams - guitar
Recorded March 13, 1938 Aurora, Illinois, Leland Hotel
Album: Bluebird Recordings 1937-1938


Lord, I had a woman
She was nice lovin' in ev'ry way
Lord, I had a woman
She was nice lovin' in ev'ry way
Lord, but she died an left me
I have the blues on ev'ry *Decoration Day

Lord, I hated to see her leave me
Because these are the last words
My baby had to say
Lord, I hate to see her leave me
Because these are the last words
My baby had to say
She told me to bring her some flowers
On ev'ry Decoration Day

People, you havin' a good time, now?
Just like the flowers that comes in May
Peoples, you havin' a good time, now?
Just like the flowers that comes in May
Now, but Sonny Boy thinks about his baby
On ev'ry Decoration Day

(harmonica & mandolin & guitar)

Fare you well, mm
Baby, I ain't got no mo' to say
Fare you well, mm
Baby, I ain't got no mo' to say
Lord, but I'll always remember
I won't never forget, 'Decoration Day'.


*Declaration Day
~



Decoration Day
Recorded in Memphis, April 17, 1952. It's the same song as done by Sonny Boy Williamson, of course.

Decoration Day (Chester Burnett)

Lord I got a woman, she nice lovin' in every way
Lord I got a woman, she nice lovin' in every way
You know she done died and left me, I have the blues on every Decoration Day

So sorry see you to leave me [sic], I hate to see my baby get away
So sorry to see you leave me, I hate to see my baby get away
I want you to bring me some flowers, about every Decoration Day

Lord I was walkin' round her bedside, these were the last words my baby had to say
Lord walkin' round her bedside, these were the last words my baby had to say
She said bring me some flowers - be sure honey - on every Decoration Day

------------------------------------
Wikipedia says;

According to Professor David Blight of the Yale University History Department, the first memorial day was observed in 1865 by liberated slaves at the historic race track in Charleston. The site was a former Confederate prison camp as well as a mass grave for Union soldiers who had died while captive. The freed slaves reinterred the dead Union soldiers from the mass grave to individual graves, fenced in the graveyard & built an entry arch declaring it a Union graveyard; a very daring thing to do in the South shortly after North's victory. On May 30 1868 the freed slaves returned to the graveyard with flowers they'd picked from the countryside & decorated the individual gravesites, thereby creating the 1st Decoration Day. A parade with thousands of freed blacks and Union soldiers was followed by patriotic singing and a picnic.


mp3s @Amazon.com

Decoration Day Blues by Sonny Boy Williamson I

Decoration Day by Sonny Boy Williamson II (Rice Miller)

Decoration Day Blues by Howlin' Wolf

Decoration Day by Sunnyland Slim Blues Band

Decoration Day by John Lee Hooker

Decoration Day mp3 by various other musicians


Sunday, May 24, 2009

Be True


I Feel Like Going To Church - Eric Bibb - In My Father's House

I really enjoy Grammy Award nominated singer songwriter Eric Bibb's music. He captures the spirituality of the blues well.

He has many gospel blues songs that showcase the sounds of bouzouki, mandolin, accordion and gospel music. He seems to be inspired by bluesmen like Leadbelly who seamlessly married gospel music with blues.



Eric Bibb @Amazon.com


Saturday, May 23, 2009

Bad to the Bone



I really like Blues Rock ...... really


Blues Song In The Spotlight: Big Bill Blues

Big Bill Blues

Lord my hair's a-rising, my flesh begins to crawl
Aw my hair's a-rising, my flesh begin to crawl
I had a dream last night baby, another mule in my doggone stall

Now there's some people said the Big Bill blues ain't bad
Now some people said the Big Bill blues ain't bad
Lord it must not have been them Big Bill blues they had

Lord I wonder what's the matter, papa Bill can't get no mail
Lord wonder what's the matter now, papa Bill can't get no mail
Lord the post office must be on fire, the mailman must undoubtedly be in jail

I can't be a wagon, since you ain't gonna be a mule
Mmmm can't be a wagon mama, since you ain't gonna be a mule
I ain't gonna fix up your black tradition, I ain't gonna be your doggone fool


Big Bill Broonzy Big Bill Broonzy @ iTunes




Big Bill Blues: Big Bill Broonzy's Story
as Told to Yannick Bruynoghe
Big Bill Blues: Big Bill Broonzy's Story as Told to Yannick Bruynoghe





file under;
, , ,


Friday, May 22, 2009

Friday Blues Funny - Raven Symone Does Koko Taylor

This clip from the Cosby Show of a young Raven Symone lip syching the Koko Taylor song "I'm A Woman" is too funny.



Koko Taylor - I'm A Woman mp3 @Amazon.com


Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Help The Blue Shoe Project

Help The Blue Shoe Project by donating here >>> Donar Bridge Donation page or How to Double Your Donation.

The Blue Shoe Project is a Grammy award winning 501 (c)(3) non-profit charity whose mission is to educate youth about the rich culture, history and heritage of Blues music through engaging programs featuring acclaimed blues musicians.

Founded in 2004, The Blue Shoe Project has reached more than 47,000 students from across Texas. Our education programs cultivate a true appreciation for and valuable understanding of the global impact blues music continues to have on our culture and cultures around the world.

Please see www.blueshoeproject.org for full details.

And while you are there, buy their 2007 Grammy Award-winner Best Traditional Blues Album of the Year. Click image below for full details.

Last of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen - Live in Dallas album


New Release - Sonny Landreth – 'Levee Town'

Levee Town
Levee Town by Sonny Landreth


I'm always bragging on Sonny Landreth, when I answer questions over at Yahoo Answers. When ever people ask about blues guitar players of today who are putting out good music, he is one of my first recommendations.

This album has been a while comming, five years to be exact. But I think it has been worth it. I don't like to use too many superlatives when I write about a new ablbum because it usually takes some time to figure out just how good it is, but in this case it is clear, this is good.

Good on many levels, good songs, good singing and very good slide guitar playing. I have to say that Mr. Landreth is probably one of the best, if not the best blues slide guitar players around.

On this album there are special guests Stephen Bruton, John Hiatt, Bonnie Raitt, and Jennifer Warnes. Combine that with production from Mike Post, and you have a very nice presentation.

If you lik zydeco you will love the song "U.S.S. Zydecoldsmobile." I also enjoyed "Turning With The Century" which has Landreth's trademark slide and a very Louisiana blues sound, but with a rock edge. "Broken Hearted Road", is the bluesiest sounding song on here, with a slow Delta style groove and great singing.

All the songs are strong for the most part. I recommend Levee Town to any and all lovers of good slide blues guitar playing.

1. Levee Town feat. John Hiatt 6:29
2. This River 4:22
3. The U.S.S. Zydecoldsmobile 5:21
4. Love And Glory feat. Jennifer Warnes & Michael Boucet 4:17
5. Broken Hearted Road 4:44
6. Spider-Gris 3:44
7. Godchild 5:09
8. Turning With The Century 4:33
9. Z. Rider 4:06
10. Soul Salvation feat. Bonnie Raitt & Stephen Bruton 2:57
11. Angeline 3:58
12. Deep South 6:25


Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Blues Song in the Spotlight - Sitting on Top of the World

The folk blues song Sitting on Top of the World has been done by so many great musicians over the years that I thoght I would do a post on it.

It was originally written by Walter Vinson and Lonnie Chatmon, core members of the Mississippi Sheiks, a popular country blues band of the 1930s.

According to Wikipedia;

In May 1930 Charlie Patton recorded a version of the song (with altered lyrics) called “Some Summer Day.” During the next few years cover-versions of "Sitting on Top of the World" were recorded by a number of artists: The Two Poor Boys, The Famous Hokum Boys, Big Bill Broonzy, Sam Collins, Milton Brown and Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys. After Milton Brown recorded it for Bluebird Records the song became a staple in the repertoire of western swing bands.

"Sitting on Top of the World" has become a standard of traditional American music. The song has been widely recorded in a variety of different styles – folk, blues, country, bluegrass, rock – often with considerable variations and/or additions to the original verses. The lyrics convey a stoic optimism in the face of emotional set-backs and the song has been described as a “simple, elegant distillation of the Blues”.

Check this clip out, it is a vintage clip of Howlin' Wolf doing the song Sitting On Top Of The World. The thing that caught my eye is that it is in color. That and the fact that it is a knock out performance by Mr. Howlin' Wolf. The note at YouTube states that the video is from Chicago, 1974.



mp3s of Sitting on Top of the World @Amazon.com

Sitting On Top Of The World by Howlin' Wolf

Sitting On Top Of The World by B.B. King

Sitting On Top Of The World by Cream

Sitting On Top Of The World by the Greatful Dead [Live at Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA, February 8, 1970]

Sitting On Top Of The World by Al Jolson

Sitting On Top Of The World by Dean Martin

Sitting On Top Of The World by Van Morrison With Carl Perkins


Good Morning Little Schoolgirl


Monday, May 18, 2009

“Stomp the Blues Tonight”

A link here to brucebears - get your feet tapping. Duke Robillard's web site here - full of terrific stuff

To Stomp

jazz dance featuring heavy stamping of the feet derivative of Africanist dance movement vocabularies - or then again


Some advance news - this album is out in the UK in early June and the vibes are good.

A welcome recent comment
Don't forget the best chicken picker around! Duke Robillard!!!

Bruce Bears here (you may remember me as Toni Lynn Washington’s producer/keyboardist/general handyman…). I’ve been playing with The Duke Robillard Band for a while now and have to give you a heads up on the bands new CD “Stomp the Blues Tonight”… I feel it’s the best CD I’ve played on yet in my career, and I think it may stand up as one of Duke’s best ever! I’m not hyping you either… ”


Burnley Blues


Zydeco Album In The Spotlight - Lay Your Burden Down by buckwheat Zydeco

Lay Your Burden Down
Lay Your Burden Down by Buckwheat Zydeco



Track Listing

1. When The Levee Breaks (featuring Sonny Landreth) 5:15
2. The Wrong Side (featuring Sonny Landreth) 4:28
3. Let Your Yeah Be Yeah 3:37
4. Don't Leave Me (featuring Trombone Shorty) 4:46
5. Back In Your Arms 4:29
6. Throw Me Something, Mister 3:57
7. Lay Your Burden Down (featuring Warren Haynes) 5:22
8. Time Goes By (featuring Steve Berlin) 4:05
9. Ninth Place 3:23
10. Too Much Time 2:59
11. Finding My Way Back Home 4:40

Down load the track Ninth Place for free @Amazon.com


Sunday, May 17, 2009

Patience - Virtue

I found this track Angola Patience Blues - Robert Pete Williams

Even more desperately I found Serenity


I Feel Like Going To Church - Maxwell Street - Carrie Robinson


Saturday, May 16, 2009

Source of the Blues?



This is a tribute from Ali Farka's son using his original guitar.

His music is widely regarded as representing a point of intersection of traditional Malian music and its North American cousin, the blues. The belief that the latter is historically derived from the former is reflected in Martin Scorsese’s often quoted characterization of Touré’s tradition as constituting "the DNA of the blues". Touré was ranked number 76 on Rolling Stone’s list of “The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”.


Working Man's Blues


Blues Song In The Spotlight: John The Revelator

Son House's version of this song is the definitive version as far as I am concerned. But I'm trying to not be such a purist, and this song is a good jumping off point.







Lyrics of John The Revelator
From Wikipedia

The lyrics below are Blind Willie Johnson's version of "John the Revelator". Subsequent versions feature a variety of substituted verses and different interpretations of Johnson's lyrics.

[call] Well who's that a-writin'? [response] John the Revelator
Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
A book of the seven seals

Tell me what's John a-writin'? Ask the Revelator
What's John a-writin'? Ask the Revelator
What's John a-writin'? Ask the Revelator
A book of the seven seals

Now who art worthy, thousands cried holy
Bound for some, Son of our God
Daughter of Zion, Judah the Lion
He redeemeth us, Jesus bought us with his blood

Now tell me who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
Who's that a writin'? John the Revelator
A book of the seven seals

Well what's John a-writin'? Ask the Revelator
What's John a-writin'? Ask the Revelator
What's John a-writin'? Ask the Revelator
A book of the seven seals

John the Revelator, great advocator
Get's 'em on the battle of Zion
Lord, tellin' the story, risin' in glory
Cried, "Lord, don't you love some I"
[Repeat verses 4 & 5]

Well Moses to Moses, watchin' the flock
Saw the bush where they had to stop
God told Moses, "Pull off your shoes"
Out of the flock, a-well-a you I choose
[Repeat verses 4 & 5]


These are the lyrics for Son House's 1965 recording version.

[call] Well who's that a-writin'? [response] John the Revelator
Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
A book of the seven seals

[call] Well who's that a-writin'? [response] John the Revelator
Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
A book of the seven seals

God walked down in the cool of the day
Called Adam by his name
But he refused to answer
Because he's naked and ashamed
[call] Well who's that a-writin'? [response] John the Revelator
Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
A book of the seven seals

Christ had twelve apostles
And three he led away
He said, "Walk with me while I walk,
'til I go yon and pray."
[call] Well who's that a-writin'? [response] John the Revelator
Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
A book of the seven seals

[call] Well who's that a-writin'? [response] John the Revelator
Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
A book of the seven seals

Christ came on Easter morning
Mary and Martha were down to see
He said, "Go tell my disciples
to meet me in Galilee."
[call] Well who's that a-writin'? [response] John the Revelator
Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
A book of the seven seals
[call] Well who's that a-writin'? [response] John the Revelator
Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
A book of the seven seals


Revelations Chapter 1, versus 1-3, King James Version

(1) The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John: (2) Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. (3) Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.

mp3s @ Amazon.com

John The Revelator (Album Version) by Depeche Mode

John The Revelator by Gov'T Mule

John The Revelator by Son House


Friday, May 15, 2009

Bukka White remembering Charlie Patton




Diligence - Virtue

I think of diligence as hard work - I guess Blues was used by prisoners on the Chain gangs or further back by slaves to combat boredom, fatigue etc. Anyway - an excuse for some memories.
Work Songs


Negro Prison Songs


Bob Dylan - I always think of how revolutionary this video seemed to be at the time. I have diligently watched and read many times


Electric blues

According to Wikipedia;

The electric blues is a type of blues music distinguished by the amplification of the guitar, the bass guitar , and/or the harmonica. Electric blues is performed in several regional subgenres, such as Chicago blues, Texas blues and Memphis blues.

The electric blues first emerged as a fully-fledged genre in the mid-1940s. The initial wave of U.S. electric blues musicians inspired the British blues scene of the 1960s, which included artists such as John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Cream, Eric Clapton, The Yardbirds and the first incarnation of Fleetwood Mac, as well as rock groups such as The Who, Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones.

Though one of the most famous and arguably the best guitarist, was Stevie Ray Vaughn. He Brought the music of electric blues to a new level, inspiring and exposing it to a vast crowd which made this genre even more popular then it was previously.

John Mayer was first inspired by Stevie Ray Vaughn's playing though he took a more pop-sounding route. But later, he came back to his more bluesy roots with John Mayer Trio.

Electric blues artists include:

Bo Diddley
Joe Bonamassa
Eric Clapton
Cream
Bob Dylan
Fleetwood Mac
Rory Gallagher
Buddy Guy
Slim Harpo
Jeff Healey
Jimi Hendrix
John Lee Hooker
Howlin' Wolf
Elmore James
Albert King
B. B. King
Freddie King
Led Zeppelin
John Mayall
Pappo
Jimmy Reed
The Rolling Stones
The Who
The Allman Brothers Band
Jeff Beck
Eric Sardinas
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Derek Trucks
T-Bone Walker
Muddy Waters
Johnny Winter
Little Walter
The Yardbirds
The White Stripes
John Mayer
Stevie Ray Vaughan


Thursday, May 14, 2009

Hutru horas



Senegal Afro-Cuban - glorious


Congrats to Irma Thomas and Taj Mahal

Congratulations to Irma Thomas and Taj Mahal for being inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. Please see Irma Thomas Immortalized Among Blues Greats for more details.







Simply Grand by Irma Thomas
Simply Grand
Irma Thomas
[Rounder Records]




Maestro by Taj Mahal
Maestro
Taj Mahal
[Heads Up International]





Irma Thomas @SqueezeMyLemon

Taj Mahal @SqueezeMyLemon

Irma Thomas on iTunes
icon

Taj Mahal Maestro @iTunes
icon


Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Joe Bonamassa is on Twitter

The Ballad Of John Henry
The Ballad Of John Henry mp3 album by Joe Bonamassa


Joe Bonamassa is on Twitter JBONAMASSA. You can also check out his web official web site at jbonamassa.com.

He is on tour in Lithuania and givnig live updates. Check him out.

Joe Bonamassa mp3 @Amazon.com


Charity - Virtue

Alberta Hunter - Nobody Knows you when you're down & Out


Blind Willie Johnson - Let your light shine on me


I did have a crush on Shirley MacLaine and this film


Chastity - Virtue

Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Well I guess The Blues is vibrant, sensuous and sexy - so this is a well nigh impossible category to get entries for. My logic here is that I think of vows of chastity, then nuns, and we call them sisters so....


Then there is Chastity Brown who is really soul-folk but a nice sound anyway.


Any ideas?


Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Early Pete Green


Waiting for my Ya Ya


Sonny Boy Williamson I Documentary Clips

Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 5 (1945-1947) Sonny Boy Williamson (John Lee Williamson)
Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 5 (1945-1947)


Here is a short documentary film on the life of Sonny Boy Williamson, a pioneer of blues harmonica playing. Sonny Boy Williamson (John Lee Curtis Williamson, was born on 30 March 1914 and he was murdered on 1 June, 1948. He was first popular harmonica player to use the name Sonny Boy Williamson.

The film clips below give excellent bio information of Sonny Boy Williamson and shows photos of him and his wife.

I think that this film is important because I have noticed that some modern blues fans don't know that difference between Sonny Boy Williamson and Rice Miller. And I believe as a harmonica player it is important to study the playing of Sonny Boy Williamson.





Sonny Boy Williamson I @SqueezeMyLemon

Sonny Boy Williamson I @Amazon.com


Monday, May 11, 2009

Stephen Dale Petit

I love this music!!!!





Guitararama


Sloth - Seven Deadly Sins

This guy is anything but lazy.



Well being chilled isn't the same as slothful - my poetic licence!


Sunday, May 10, 2009

Greed - Seven Deadly Sins

Janis Joplin - Can't cope with any other car


Muddy Waters - I can't be satisfied. The man!


I Feel Like Going To Church - Black Delta Religion


Saturday, May 09, 2009

Ever Expanding Blues Tweeters List

Man I have been on twitter for about five days now and I am loving it. One thing that I have noticed is that there are quite a few blues music lovers over there. So if you have a twitter account and want to follow people who write, play, listen to and generally love blues music please check these tweeters out.

Please understand that this list is a work in progress, I will repost it and make changes as needed. If I have made any mistakes in presenting your info here please let me know. I just want to help create a strong blues community on twitter.

There is me, Fitzgerald
My other music blog KK&R Music Blog
My other other music blog (Reggae music) Me Inna Fever

fngrstyleblues
blogger fingerstyleblues.com

TheBluesBlogger
blogger TheBluesBlogger

Karen Hanson
Author Today's Chicago Blues
Blogger Today's Chicago Blues blog

Jason Ricci
Musician Harmonica Player/Teacher
Jason Ricci's YouTube Channel

Tony Eyers
Harmonica Player/Teacher
Tony Eyers Harmonica Academy

Carl Abernathy
blogger Cal's Juke Joint blog

Jane Geddis
blogger Radio Personality
Counter-Clock Records' Blog

TheAshGrove
The Ash Grove Club and Blog
Ash Grove Wolfgangs Vault Catalog
The Ash Grove Blog

HairyLarryLand
musician Hairy Larry Land.com

Mitch
blogger MitchRightNow

Harald ten Hoopen
blogger hsth.hl/blues

Harm501 blues blog

Elli Fordyce
Jazz musician blogger
Elli Fordyce Something Still Cool Blog

MurphysBlues bluse
music podcastor Murphy's Saloon Blues Podcast

CoonAssDotCom
blogger Bayou Child One Cajuns Life Blog

WorldOfBlues
blogger Worldofblues.com Blog

Blues4Ever
blogger Blues Underground Blog

BluesUnlimited
Author The Amazing Secret History of Elmore James

DoctorOakRoot
musician guitar maker DoctorOakRoot.com

joaofelipebruno
blues fan

Hardik Kheskani
blues music fan

essjam
blues fan

bluesmusic60
blues fan

If you know of anybody who I should add to this list please let me know. I would love to know of more musicians who tweet. Or if you just want me to follow you on twitter just send me a tweet, leave a comment or email me at fitzinator(at)gmail(dot)com. I really like to follow people who have something to say.

I've also joined a couple of twibes (like tribes but for twitter) which are groups for liked minded twitters;

blues twibe

blues harmonica twibe

jazz twibe

music twibe

folk twibe

gospel blues twibe

And remember as some wise man once said, tweet people the way you want to be tweeted.


Harmonica Web Site in the Spotlight

I recently wrote a post on some of the great YouTube tutorials for harmonica players. And I was contacted by Tony Eyers who operates the web site Harmonica Academy. I was pleased to hear from him because I think harmonica fans will want to check his site out.

According the his bio;

Tony was born in Australia and began playing harmonica in the 1970's, inspired by Jim Fitting while studying at Yale University. He returned to Australia in the 1980's, and became a well known blues player.
I spent some time going through his web site and I really like the instruction provided there. Very easy to understand, includes harmonica tabs as well as sound files that help you understand how the riffs being taught should sound.

Each lesson builds on past lessons. And even though I have been playing for years and have looked at a lot of different instruction methods I got a lot of good information from going through his instructions. And plan to go back often.

For example he has some blues harmonica lessons that I really enjoyed. The advanced lesson gave me some insights into the blues scale that I had not considered;


First blues harmonica lesson



Intermediate blues lesson



Blues Scale - Advance Blues Lesson 9


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Black Mountain Harmonica

Black Mountain Harmonica by Tony EyersTony also has a folk music CD out, if you would like to hear some of his music just click on the image to the left and listen to the mp3 samples provided.

This mp3 album includes a number of jigs, reels and rags. Tony's music is unique, quite pleasing and kind of makes me want to dance. LOL, at the thought of me dancing, and a jig no doubt, but it does have that effect on me. Gets my foot to tapping.


Friday, May 08, 2009

It's the Birthday of Joe Bonamassa

Joe Bonamassa was also born on May 8, 1977. Being born on the same day as Robert Johnson probably means that the boy was born under a good sign.

Can you believe that someone born in the seventies can play the kind of music that this young man can. The coolest part about him is that he shows that long after guys like me are sitting on the front poarch in heaven, young cats like him will be down here working their mojo.







And to get a taste of what the man is like today, check this video out >>> Joe Bonamassa - Blues Deluxe

Live from Nowhere in Particular
Live from Nowhere in Particular [LIVE] by Joe Bonamassa
click for info at Amazon.com


West African Blues



Guardian 8 May 2009

It goes without saying that West African music is at the roots of the blues and has direct links with rock'n'roll, but it takes a duo as exhilarating and enthusiastic as this to make the connection seem obvious. Two years ago, the British guitarist and producer Justin Adams teamed up with Juldeh Camara, a Gambian griot and virtuoso on the one-stringed ritti fiddle, to record Soul Science, an album that deservedly won awards for its fusion of rock energy and traditional African influences. If anything, this follow-up is even better; it's even more confident and refreshingly varied, with songs that echo the raw exuberance of the Clash, the rolling blues of Muddy Waters and the delicacy and grandeur of the ancient griot ballads. It starts with Keli Keli, in which Adams yells: "No passport, no visa," as Camara matches the pounding guitar riff with wild fiddle work and Fulani vocals warning of the dangers facing illegal immigrants, driven on by female backing singers and the percussion of Salah Dawson Miller. Elsewhere, the interplay between the two sounds almost effortless as they switch from slinky Bo Diddley-style riffs to rolling blues with an African edge, and quieter trance-like songs. Magnificent.

Tell No Lies


It's the Birthday of Robert Johnson

The Complete Recordings
The Complete Recordings [BOX SET] by Robert Johnson


Robert Leroy Johnson was born on May 8, 1911 and passed away on August 16, 1938. He was probably the most famous and influential of all the pre-war Delta blues musicians.

According to Wikipedia;
His landmark recordings from 1936–1937 display a remarkable combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that have influenced generations of musicians. Johnson's shadowy, poorly documented life and death at age 27 have given rise to much legend.

I have many post here at SML about him and his music; you can just click on the Robert Johnson label to see other post about him.

Over the years a lot of scholarship has gone into understanding just who Robert Johnson was and how he created his body of work. Some good examples of books that may be of interest to fans of Robert Johnson are;

Robert Johnson: The New TranscriptionsRobert Johnson: The New Transcriptions






Searching for Robert Johnson: The Life and Legend of the King of the Delta Blues SingersSearching for Robert Johnson:
The Life and Legend of the
King of the Delta Blues Singers






Crossroads: The Life and Afterlife of Blues Legend Robert JohnsonCrossroads: The Life and Afterlife of Blues Legend Robert Johnson





Robert Johnson - Signature Licks: A Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Legendary Guitarist's Style and TechniqueRobert Johnson - Signature Licks: A Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Legendary Guitarist's Style and Technique (Guitar Signature Licks)





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Robert Johnson @Amazon.com

Robert Johnson @SqueezeMyLemon