Category Archives: Blues

“Choo-Choo-Ch’Boogie” Louis Jordan and the Tympani Five

Posted on September 28, 2011 by admin

Here’s the incredible Louis Jordan, all but forgotten today, one of the fathers of modern blues and rock. This hit, “Choo-Choo-Ch’Boogie”, one of many for Louis, originally came out in 1946 when the genre was called ‘jive boogie’ or ‘jump blues’ … Continue reading →

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‘Stormy Monday’ Double-Dip

Posted on September 26, 2011 by admin

No blues tune has been as abused by mediocre blues bands as T-Bone’s Walker’s signature 1947 hit, “Stormy Monday”. That said, his ‘blues box’ guitar solo and vocal styling on this cut inspired such greats as B.B. King, Freddy King, … Continue reading →

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“The Thrill is Gone” by B.B. King and…Luciano Pavarotti (?)

Posted on September 25, 2011 by admin

I’m not sure what inspired this combination, but a hat-tip to Pavarotti for trying and B.B. for letting him try. Still think it’s weird, though.

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Lightnin’ Hopkins in the Early ’60s

Posted on September 21, 2011 by admin

Texas bluesman Lightnin’ Hopkins (b. Sam John Hopkins in 1912) doesn’t get a lot of notoriety these days, but listen to the guitar licks and the rhythm on this video and you can hear the same patterns used by modern rock and blues … Continue reading →

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“Rag, Mama, Rag” by Blind Boy Fuller

Posted on September 20, 2011 by admin

Blind Boy Fuller (b. Fulton Allen) was a contemporary of Robert Johnson and popular in his day, but he never received the adulation and respect Johnson has. Here he is playing “Rag, Mama, Rag” recorded in 1935.

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“Monday Morning Blues” by Mississippi John Hurt

Posted on September 19, 2011 by admin

Who is Mississippi John Hurt, you ask? Man, you got to be ‘learned up’ on the King of Three-Finger Delta Blues Pickin’ who influenced a whole passel of later guitar players, such as Dave Van Ronk, John Fahey, Leo Kottke … Continue reading →

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The Last Words of Lee Hays

Posted on September 18, 2011 by admin

Shortly before he died in 1981, Lee Hays, the poet and writer, and bass voice of The Weavers folk group, composed his own last testament. Here it is: In Dead Earnest By Lee Hays If I should die before I … Continue reading →

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The Wicked Mr. Pickett and Jimi Hendrix On Stage Together in 1966

Posted on September 15, 2011 by admin

While Berry Gordy at Motown in Detroit was trying to tailor his soul acts to appeal to white pop audiences (i.e.: making them more doo-wop tame, ala The Supremes), over at Stax-Volt in Memphis they were going for the gut … Continue reading →

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‘Green Onions’ by Booker T. and the M.G.s

Posted on September 12, 2011 by admin

Back in the ’60s and ’70s it seemed like every garage band played this tune, or tried to, and it was frequently requested at club gigs, wedding receptions and the like.  Ironic that the biggest hit Booker T. and the … Continue reading →

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Ray Charles and Louis Jordan

Posted on September 9, 2011 by admin

You already know Ray Charles (and if you don’t read this), but Louis Jordan is a little more obscure for most people. Aside from being a major influence on Ray Charles, along with Nat King Cole, Charles Brown and Art … Continue reading →

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