Tag Archives: blues

From the Twitter- & other -verses

  April 1, 2012 - 12:47 pm | , , ,
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A few odds and ends collected or sent on Twitter (and other sources) recently.  See @tomusicpix A retweet from @RootsMusicCanada Fair enough. RT @alannealottawa: Kiran Ahluwalia wasn’t impressed that presenter didn’t attempt her last name #cbcjunos http://yfrog.com/ny3sgsaj Via  @RealWorldRec: Creole Choir of Cuba recording ‘Tande’ in the Wooden Room at @RealWorldStudio http://youtu.be/fHBQ-jzgNBU (Creole Choir is better known in Toronto as Grupo Vocal Desandann) 60 years ago: the first rock & roll concert & first rock & roll riot. Alan Freed in Cleveland: http://t.co/0CyVP0uh via Assoc. Music Parents “I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my … Continue reading →

Chuck Berry & T-Bone Walker, 1972

  March 29, 2012 - 9:35 pm |
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The rock & roller and one of his idols share a guitar on “Everyday I Have The Blues” at the Montreux Jazz Festival, 1972. According to a poster on Charlie Gillett’s music forum (where I found this clip), Walker’s own set the previous day was recorded and released on an LP, Fly Walker Airlines which was to be his last album. Walker was the first bluesman recorded playing electric guitar and died in 1975.

Sonny Boy Williamson, Robert Jr Lockwood: on film, 1942

  January 29, 2012 - 3:48 am |
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Amazing colour film footage from 1942 of Sonny Boy Williamson II (Rice Miller) and Robert Jr Lockwood playing on the front porch of an Arkansas grocery store in 1942. It also features some shots of Williamson playing with his band in 1952. No sound, but as one YouTube commenter wrote, “The music is there! You just can’t hear it”. This is quite an amazing artifact. It was apparently shot by Max Moore, the owner of the King Biscuit Flour company which sponsored the now-legendary (an overused word, but in this context, highly appropriate) King Biscuit Time radio show on KFFA … Continue reading →

Howlin’ Wolf: “What is the Soul of Man?”

  January 25, 2012 - 3:34 am | , ,
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In early December, I made my yearly note that the Oxford American‘s annual Music Issue was about to hit the streets.  Usually full of interesting takes on musicians, unknown, little known, or well known, it includes a CD of music by all artists profiled. (NOTE: The issue has been out for some time, but Soundscapes on College always gets in a good stock. Information on the issue, along with some articles, and online music is available on the OA website ) This year’s issue focuses on the music of Mississippi, and the cover features Howlin’ Wolf, who’s the subject of … Continue reading →

RIP, Hubert Sumlin

  December 10, 2011 - 1:07 am | , ,
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One of the truly great Chicago blues guitarists, long-time guitarist for Howlin’ Wolf, Hubert Sumlin died on Dec 4 at the age of 80. New York Times obituary (which is where I learned that Sumlin’s guitar — and Wolf’s howls– were a selling point for Viagra!) Mick Jagger & Keith Richards will pay all the costs of his funeral Some video: “300 pounds of Heavenly Joy“… a Wolf song, written by Willie Dixon featuring typical excellent guitar work Sumlin (“Little Hubert”) with Sunnyland Slim, 1964 From the DVD: “Hubert Sumlin – Living the Blues“  

Bassekou… and other upcoming events

  November 23, 2011 - 3:08 am | ,
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A few upcoming shows of note. Details of these, and many more (going into the new year) are posted at www.events.to-music.ca   Nov. 27: Bassekou Kouyaté & Ngoni Ba West African music fans around Toronto have been looking forward to this Sunday’s concert for some time: Bassekou Kouyaté and Ngoni Ba make their second Toronto appearance at the Great Hall (Queen W & Dovercourt). Anyone who saw this band — the only all-ngoni band in the world! — last year at Luminato will definitely be back for more. For my tastes, the group is one of the top live performances … Continue reading →

St Louis Blues: Bessie Smith’s only movie

  August 15, 2011 - 1:19 am | ,
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For no particular reason… The Empress of the Blues” in her only film appearance (what a shame!). Below are links to the full 15 minute 1929 film, built around her 1925 hit. It’s poor quality, but the opening gives you more evidence of how rotten her man is. This page has some background on the film. Part 1: Part 2

Notes: Mapfumo, Bombino, Ragovoy, Congotronics &…

  July 21, 2011 - 3:42 pm | , , , ,
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Shows at the Lula last week As noted in another post, Thomas Mapfumo closed out Afrofest, but because some of his band members didn’t get visas for Canada, filled in with some local musicians (including guitarist Larry Lewis & Tich Maredza on bass).  Mapfumo wasn’t happy with the struggles to get the tightness he wanted, but those who were at both shows agreed that the whole band was much better with another day under their belts on the Monday night at the Lula, and the dance floor was busy. The next night, Bombino (Omara Moctar), the Tuareg guitarist/singer and his … Continue reading →

Happy 100th Birthday to Big Joe Turner

  May 19, 2011 - 12:02 pm | , ,
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Slightly belated congratulations to the greatest of the blues shouters, who was born in Kansas City on May 18, 1911.  I’m sure Joe won’t mind me being a day late, as he’s been playing a steady gig in R&B heaven since 1985. He started singing on the streets & in church, and later became known as The Singing Barman.  He and partner/pianist Pete Johnson ended up performing in the first of John Hammond’s “Spiritual to Swing” concerts at Carnegie Hall in 1938, and the pair made their first record the next year, “Roll ‘Em, Pete”. It seems a big jump … Continue reading →