Sunday 30 December 2012

STAR BLUES on 30th December 2012 at 22:00

You'd think any blues radio show worth its salt would, on the last Sunday of the year, take the chance to kick off the sneakers and reflect on the last 12 months, basking in the finest the year had to offer.......

You'd think ...

.... well you would unless you're talking about Britain's Other Blues Show (different for a reason). 1952 instead. It gave us a baseline for our choices as well as being a great excuse to celebrate one of the best ever years for our music. The 1001 feature was "I Don't Know" by Willie Mabon who started his run at number 1 in the R&B charts on 27th December 1952. The song was covered by the Blues Brothers who somewhat overplayed the humour in the lyrics for the film, hopefully some royalties ended up with Mabon. He also wrote "Seventh Son" and you shouldn't overlook his easy voice and tidy piano skills. Also atop those charts were Ruth Brown and the Dominoes lead magnificently by Clyde McPhatter on what is now sometimes known as the first gospel number 1. Sam Cooke was barely out of his teens in the Soul Stirrers but gave an astonishingly confident mature performance on the years "It won't be very long". The Clovers, the Ravens and the Golden Gate Quartet each illustrated the power and beauty of the voice.

We also had the chance to showcase Hambone Willie Newbern  who wrote and recorded "Roll and Tumble" as one of just six sides he ever did (and those in just one two-day session). From the same anthology on Document we had the graceful playing of Mississippi John Hurt and the Orbis Blues collection was source of Victoria Spivey's "One Hour Mama" with no need for a one-minute papa. Perhaps she means crochet time-trials.

Guitar Pete Lewis was a formidable player and he stood front and centre for Johnny Otis' Orchestra and reminded us of the loss to the blues community this last January. Jelly Roll Morton, Professor Longhair and Jimmy Yancey celebrated piano skills in different ways and we heard the foundations of rock'n'roll in both Tiny's tracks. (Pretty sure "Train Kept Rollin'" was in the Blow Up film where Jeff Beck played lead for the Yardbirds and Jimmy Page on bass?)

Jimmy Forest's "Night Train" was covered by James Brown but the original is the one used for dancing. He closed the STAR BLUES book on 2012. I've a few surprises for the coming year including a centenary celebration for Muddy Waters.

You've made me most welcome at your place every Sunday - and on Christmas morning - it's been a real privilege, I couldn't have asked for better company. From my family to yours, have a healthy, happy and safe New Year - we hope you will get closer to the ones close to you - until Sunday at ten pm (GMT) take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you


Track_TitleTrack_ArtistSortIndexAlbum_TitleAlbum_ArtistSortLabel
good rockin' manroy brown1-21952 r&b yearsvarious artistsboulevard vintage
boogie woogie womanb. b. king3-21952 hitsvarious artistsindigo
louisiana bluesmuddy waters23The R'n'b Hits Of 1951Various ArtistsINDIGO
My Baby Stole OffHowlin' Wolf10The Modern Records StoryVarious ArtistsACE
One Hour MoanVictoria Spivey15Moaning The BluesVictoria SpiveyORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
Roll And Tumble BluesHambone Willie Newbern24The Greatest Songsters (1927-1929)Various ArtistsDOCUMENT
When It Rains It PoursPee Wee Crayton3The R'n'b Hits Of 1951Various ArtistsINDIGO
i don't knowwillie mabon1-15history of rhythm and blues vol 3various artistsrhythm and blues
Riverside JumpTiny Grimes9The R'n'b Years 1951: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1951Various ArtistsBOULEVARD VINTAGE
T-99 BluesJimmy Nelson23The R'n'b Hits Of 1951Various ArtistsINDIGO
Key To The HighwayJohn Lee Hooker16The R'n'b Hits Of 1952Various ArtistsINDIGO
Got The Blues Can't Be SatisfiedMississippi John Hurt14The Greatest Songsters (1927-1929)Various ArtistsDOCUMENT
Georgia RagBlind Willie McTell28DefinitiveBlind Willie McTellCATFISH
train kept a rollintiny bradshaw251952 r & bvarious artistsboulevard vintage
Good Old BluesJohnny Otis Orchestra Feat. Pete 'Guitar' Lewis2The Johnny Otis Story Volume 1 Volume 1: 1945-57 Midnight At The Barrelhouse V AJohnny Otis & His OrchestraACE
Have Mercy BabyDominoes, The23The R'n'b Years 1952: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1952Various ArtistsBOULEVARD VINTAGE
Glory Of LoveFive Keys, The20The R'n'b Hits Of 1951Various ArtistsINDIGO
It Won't Be Very LongSoul Stirrers, The13The R'n'b Hits Of 1952Various ArtistsINDIGO
John The RevelatorGolden Gate Quartet, The6The Golden Gate Quartet - Our StoryGolden Gate Quartet, TheCOLUMBIA
I Hate A Man Like YouLizzie Miles With Jelly Roll Morton8Roll 'Em Pete : 25 Years Of Piano Blues And BoogieVarious ArtistsINDIGO
mardi gras in new orleansprof. longhair4-4history of rhythm and blues vol 2varioous artistsrhythm and blues
Yancey SpecialJimmy Yancey25Roll 'Em Pete : 25 Years Of Piano Blues And BoogieVarious ArtistsINDIGO
train kept a rollingtiny bradshaw25r& b years 1952variousboluevard vintage
5 10 15 hoursruth brown41952 hitsvariousindigo
i'm gonna play honky tonkmarie adams31952 hitsvariousindigo
lawdy mis clawdylloyd price20r&B hits of 1952variousboulevard vintage
cold cold feelingt-bone walker10r&b hits 1952various artistsboulevard vintage
one mint julepthe clovers12r&b hits 1952various artistsboulevard vintage
rock me all night longravens111952 hitsvariousindigo
Night TrainJimmy Forest18The R'n'b Years 1952: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1952Various ArtistsBOULEVARD VINTAGE
Created: 30/12/2012 23:54:42 



Thursday 27 December 2012

STAR BLUES on Christmas morning 2012 at 10:00

Wow, we pulled it off (with many thanks to everyone behind the scenes who (weekin, weekout) make STAR BLUES happen, including the long-suffering Lady Blue) - live blues on commercial FM radio in Britain on Christmas morning.

Junior Blue was on hand to take calls, keep Deefer Duck from stealing the show and for mopping my fevered brow in the festive frenzy of trivia and tomfoolery. At one stage he told me to sit still as my cavorting round was jiggling the webcam too much to keep pinsharp focus on our diva Deefer.

We were told to include the news at eleven which was harder than you think when your smallest measures of time are the metric smidge and the imperial tad. Somehow it happened and we had 118 minutes of a blast. You were incredibly brave to have us round at yours on Christmas morning and we brought round some old favourites we've played before as a refuge from yet another spin from Michael Buble or George Michael. There was an outside chance our 11:11 dip into the difficult and dangerous would result in me getting fired for paying more attention to "Too Much Butt" than is good for a married man. Thanks for not letting on to Lady Blue.

If you think every edition of STAR BLUES will be like that, you best be there again on Sunday night at ten pm to see how it turns out. Until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you



Track.TitleTrack.ArtistSortIndexAlbum.TitleAlbum.ArtistSortLabel
Playin' With My FriendsB. B. King & Robert Cray1Blues SummitB. B. KingMCA
Help MeSonny Boy Williamson (Aka Rice Miller)7Woke Up This MorningVarious ArtistsMCA
DimplesJohn Lee Hooker13White LightningVarious ArtistsINSTANT
I Feel So GoodBig Bill Broonzy14I Feel So GoodBig Bill BroonzyINDIGO
close to youmuddy waters18messin with the manmuddy waterscomplete blues
little bitty pretty onethurston harris11golden age of american rock'n'rollvariousace
At LastEtta James18The Best Of Etta JamesEtta JamesSPECTRUM
It's Gonna Work Out FineIke & Tina Turner12Trouble Up The RoadIke TurnerSECRET RECORDS
honey hushbig joe turner8greatest hitsbig joe turneratlantic
have mercy miss percylong tall marvin7gaz's rockim' bluesvariousace
Born Under A Bad SignAlbert King14Ultimate CollectionAlbert KingRHINO
back door santaclarence carter1original soul christmasvarious artistsrhino/atlantic
steppin outjohn mayall's bluesbreakers11john mayall's bluesbreakersjohn mayall's bluesbreakersdecca
She Likes To Boogie Real LowJohnny Winter2Hey Where's Your Brother?Johnny WinterPOINTBLANK
Red HouseJimi Hendrix3:BluesJimi HendrixMCA
Too Much ButtSaffire - The Uppity Blues Women10Havin' The Last WordSaffire - The Uppity Blues WomenAlligator
Mess AroundRay Charles1Let The Boogie Woogie Rock'n'rollVarious ArtistsACE
honky tonk train bluesmeade lux lewis11boogie woogievarious artistsoriginal
Hey JudeWilson Pickett2The Fame Studio Story 1961-1973 Home Of The Muscle Shoals SoundVarious ArtistsKent
baby how longhowlin wolf1back door manhowlin wolfessential blues
Madison BluesElmore James7Chess Blues Classics 1957-1964Various ArtistsMCA/CHESS
Terraplane BluesRobert Johnson14Contracted To The DevilRobert JohnsonSONY / LEGACY
Up Above My HeadSister Rosetta Tharpe With Marie Knight15Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Complete Works Vol.3Rosetta TharpeDOCUMENT
highergrace gospel singers3screamin gospelvariousveetone
Here Come The GirlsErnie K-Doe1Rolling With The Punches - The Allen Toussaint SongbookVarious ArtistsACE
JukeLittle Walter13The Influences Behind The Rolling StonesVarious ArtistsHoodoo Records

Sunday 23 December 2012

STAR BLUES on 23rd December 2012 at 22:00

36 hours to go before the Christmas Day live blues extravaganza and the ducks are getting pre-show nerves....

One of the finest West Coast piano players, Jimmy McCracklin, died a couple of days ago - his career spanned seven decades and we went back to his earliest sessions for Modern and his later album for Bullseye Blues. On the way we stopped off at his best known recording for Checker "The Walk" a huge hit after an appearance on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. Ironically his best reward came from covers of "Tramp" a song he co-wrote with Lowell Fulson and a major hip-hop smash for Salt'n'Pepa. With the deaths of Etta James and Johnny Otis as well, the LA Blues scene has lost so much this year. So much of the backbone of our music has passed in twelve months, we need to remind ourselves how much young talent there is now: Blind Boy Paxton, Quintus McCormick, Brandon Bailey and Marquise Knox to name but a few.

Three "Big" songs to start, each in a different style and plenty of Christmas blues songs, including a magnificently triumphant piece from B. B. King that came out on Kent (making it way over 50 years old). Bang up to date was a track from James 'Buddy' Rogers who plays a lot like Albert King, Robert Cray and Robert Ward. One internet review had issues with his singing but I found it a refreshing change to have someone not go balls-out to sound like Otis Redding or Howlin' Wolf. Steve Dupree has Marcia ball on his new album and we got a free History lesson from the Billy Bats' delightful slide-fuelled romp. We closed with a heartfelt tribute to the much underrated Roy Buchanan by Gwyn Ashton off his new "Radiogram" project. Gwyn is one of those guys who carves out a blues career the hard way and is one of a dwindling number of artists prepared to slog it out up and down the British highways and byways (so many other blues stars come to Europe but forget about us here). Not so Catfish Keith, who has a gospel retrospective out to promote his recent visit (BTW check out the lovely Penny's photographs of where they've been, you can tell she's fallen in love with our countryside).

Imelda May's song was, we're sure, intended to celebrate the finely chiseled good looks of both Neil Jones and the Mighty Mark Peters. I tried for quite a while to research Zilla Mays to lead you from her fantastic "Midnight" opus to her other work she cut for Savoy, well worth the journey as it turned out. Hank Ballard did what only he can for Christmas, and so did Chuck Berry in a different styleee. We often do Albert Collins' cover of "Brick" by Johnnie Morisette so we had chance to put in the original on STAR BLUES last night. Satan and Adam's album almost didn't come off through major health worries for both men and Ann Rabson clearly likes playing alongside Bob Margolin - whoever thought of recording them together, more please!

I'm off to try to calm down for Christmas morning, I'm saying its the four ducks excited but you can really include me in that. Junior Blue will be on hand at ten a.m 25th December for live blues. I've been told I must include the news at 11 which will be a real challenge to a man whose closest measure of time is a "Smidge" or a "Tad"... Be great to have your company to egg me on in that endeavour. Until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you

Track.TitleTrack.ArtistSortIndexAlbum.TitleAlbum.ArtistSortLabel
Big Bad Handsome ManImelda May5Love TattooImelda MayUCJ
Big Bag O' BluesSonny Rhodes1a good day to play the bluessonny rhodesSTONY PLAIN
Big BirdEddie Floyd3Best OfEddie FloydSTAX
rockin round the christmas treebrenda lee1-1rockin round the christmas treevarioous artistscrimson
santa claus is cominghank ballard2-2rockin' around the christmas treevarious artistscrimson
Run Rudolph runChuck Berry2Rockin Around The Christmas TreeVarious ArtistsCRIMSON
dont cry babyetta james1861 r&b spotlightvarious artistsfantastic voyage
The Wobble (Mercury 71412)Jimmy McCracklin9orbis blues collectionjimmy mccracklin
Beer Drinkin' WomanJimmy McCracklin3modern recordings 19481950jimmy mccracklinace
my storyjimmy McCracklin11my storyjimmy mccracklinbullseye
The WalkJimmy McCracklin1orbis blues collectionjimmy mccracklin
Nightshift BluesZilla Mays8I'm A Bad Bad GirlVarious ArtistsINDIGO
The Soul Of A ManFontella Bass16Chess SoulVarious ArtistsMCA
Sad And LonelyEarl Forest3Ace's Wild!Johnny AceFantastic Voyage
blame it on the bluesjames 'buddy' rogers6my guitar's my only friendjames 'buddy' rogersstony plain
keep your hands off my babyJohnnie Bassett2The Gentleman Is BackJohnnie BassettSly Dog Records
The Nina, The Pinta, The Santa MariaBilly Bats, The3Lather Rinse RepeatBilly Bats, The
brickjohnnie morisette6rare blues guitarvarious artists
Big Boss MannSatan And Adam1Back In The GameSatan And Adam
No Time For The BluesAnn Rabson With Bob Margolin11Not AloneAnn Rabson With Bob MargolinVizztone
first dancesteve dupree w. marcia ball2dr dupree's love shopsteve dupree--
Christmas CelebrationB. B. King1Rhythm & Blues ChristmasVarious ArtistsACE
i'm so gladfamous ward singers4screamin gospel and holy rollersvarious artistsvee-tone
white christmasotis redding2The Original Soul ChristmasVarious ArtistsRHINO
You Got To MoveCatfish Keith4A True Friend Is Hard To Find: A Gospel RetrospectiveCatfish KeithFISH TAIL
im not the oneBettye Lavette2Thankful N ThoughtfulBettye LavetteAnti
Bluz For RoyGwyn Ashton10RadiogramGwyn AshtonPROPER
Created: 23/12/2012 23:57:55

Sunday 16 December 2012

STAR BLUES on 16th December 2012 at 22:00

At one stage during STAR BLUES, I was convinced I'd be fired for playing Joe Williams with Count Basie doing a cover of "Everyday I Have The Blues". The sheer power of that full orchestra and how even that ensemble can't compete with flawless phrasing from Joe - those moments are so rare in any genre, I just didn't care. If you don't know the piece, where have you been? The closest modern equivalent is that transition Bjork used on "Quiet In Here" (though she is more subtle and restrained).


We lifted the lid on your chance to pick an Artist of The Year (Seasick Steve won in 2011 and Robert Plant before him), Contact me in any of the usual ways to get your vote in. Just one restriction, votes are for artists we've had on our playlists since 1st Jan 2012. Can be living musician or otherwise just so long as we've played their music. Deefer, Spot, Mrs Doubtfire and Ernest can't vote .

WE paid tribute to Eddie "Guitar" Burns last night - he died on Wednesday aged 84. Like so many of his age and calibre he was criminally under recorded as a band leader (his debut was cut in 1972 in London). He was based in around Detroit and was a harp player of some note who played with John Lee Hooker in the Early 50s. We did a couple of his own sides as well as a marvellous "Burnin' Hell" that came out under the Hook's name. In later years Burn did an album for DElmark with younger brother Jimmy and his own label played host to his final album in 2008. Eddie's not easy to find via Google but that shouldn't put you off - he was one of a kind. Steve Hooker sent us a re-edited version of his "Wicked Blues" and showing us at the same time the state of blues fro the Essex Delta. (Check out him and Jackson Sloan next time your over that way).



Ace have the fifth volume in the history of their namesake imprint that came out of Jackson, and sister label have a gorgeous couple of dozen soul ballads from which we chose Jimmy Soul (prev. unissued). Our two closing pieces could hardly have been more different: Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" and Buddy Johnson's "Goin Upside Your Head" - just another reason why we don't claim to be better but we are palpably different.

The homework for the boys on the naughty stair was Ray Charles definitive early version of Doc Pomus' "Lonely Avenue", if only Mick Hucknall had taken the time and trouble (etc) before putting the song onto his new "Amercian Soul" project. For lovers of the classic era of electric blues, Freddie King, Guitar Slim and Elmore James showed their wares. T-Bone Walker did "Vacation Blues" for the Black & White label his sublime mastery doiminated our running order on STAR BLUES (as always). Wayne Bennett ran him close second with an understated performance in support of Bobby "Blue" Bland on "Stormy Monday Blues". We had another impressive single from Garnett Mimms with "Cry Baby" written by Jerry Ragavoy and Bert Berns which set a very high bar for the later going over by Janis Joplin. The Charioteers did "Wade In The Water" for our gospel spot and we had a small cluster of Christmas outings.

The Ducks and the Dude in the white tee-shirt are really getting into the Christmas spirit with just 8 more sleeps until we all come back through the webcanm and your wireless on Christmas morning - don't forget to leave sherry and mincepies out the night before or Deefer will pout like Marilyn Monroe. You were magnificent company as always and we'll be back with a smidge more on Sunday night at ten pm (GMT), until then take care of your selves and take care of those that take care of you


Track.TitleTrack.ArtistSortIndexAlbum.TitleAlbum.ArtistSortLabel
hideawayFreddie King2-16r&b spotlight 61various artistsfanrastic voyage
The Story Of My LifeGuitar Slim5The Story Of My LifeGuitar SlimSPV
Strange Kinda Feeling (Take 1)Elmore James13Blues After HoursElmore JamesACE
I'm So GladLazy Lester16I'm A Lover Not A FighterLazy LesterACE
Voo-It! Voo-It!Blues Woman (Marion Abernathy)10Great Googa MoogaVarious ArtistsACE
JerryMilton Hopkins & Jewel Brown9Juke-Shakin' SoundsVarious Artistsclassic rock - blues magazine
Where Did You Stay Last NightEddie Burns25Let Me Tell You About The Blues: DetroitVarious ArtistsFantastic Voyage
Burnin' HellJohn Lee Hooker8Boogie ChillenJohn Lee HookerINDIGO
Hello Miss Jessie LeeEddie Burns2-7let me tell you about the blues: detroitVarious Artistsfantastic voyage
dig that crazy santaoscar mclollie1-11rockin round the crhistmas treevarious artistscrimsom
christmas timeblack ace2-2blues, blues christmasvarious artistsdocument
Lonely AvenueRay Charles2The Pomus And Shuman StoryVarious ArtistsACE
wicked bluessteve hooker1wicked bluessteve hookersteve hooker
she likes gto boogie real lowfrankie lee sims23ace story vol5various artistsace
Good Morning BluesJimmy Rushing11The R'n'b Years 1947: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1947Various ArtistsBOULEVARD VINTAGE
everyday i have the bluesjoe williams1-25r&B years: 1955Various Artistsboulevard vintage
Vacation BluesT-Bone Walker22The Complete Capitol/Black And White RecordingsT-Bone WalkerCapitol
Stormy Monday BluesBobby 'Blue' Bland11The Voice : Duke Recordings 1959-69Bobby 'Blue' BlandACE
(I Believe I'll) Dust My BroomGuy Davis1Stomp Down RiderGuy DavisRED HOUSE
Straight ChurchCool John Ferguson4Guitar HeavenCool John FergusonMUSIC MAKER
Never Let Me GoKatie Webster24Louisiana Roots : Jay Miller R'n'b LegacyVarious ArtistsACE
if it aint one thinghuey piano smith20ace story vol. 5various artistsace
Wade In The WaterCharioteers13A Portrait Of GospelVarious ArtistsGALE
Cry BabyGarnett Mimms1Cry Baby / Warm And SoulfulGarnett MimmsBEAT GOES ON
fall into these armsjimmy soul14here comes the hurtvarious artistskent
Strange FruitBillie Holiday25Crime And PunishmentVarious ArtistsFantastic Voyage
(Gotta Go) Upside Your HeadBuddy Johnson7The R&b Years 1955 Vol.1Various ArtistsBOULEVARD ENTERTAINMENT
Created: 16/12/2012 23:43:20

Sunday 9 December 2012

STAR BLUES on 9th December 2012 at 22:00

From time to time, we set a mainstream pop or rock act some homework revision and last night we challenged both Jeff Lynne and Paolo Nutini. The Move/ELO/Wilbury has chosen to have a go at Don Covay's "Mercy Mercy" for his second solo venture. His video has him mugging it up playing with his clones - far better the simpler more direct approach of Don's original in our humbles. The Scottish Italian was on Jools Holland's Hootenanny in 2009 and now part of the Christmas all-star cash-in project, in truth Paolo did a pretty decent cover of "Lovin' Machine" though not even he can stand in the same room as the lascivious version from the man who wrote it, Wynonie Harris.

The secret is out: our STAR BLUES extravaganza will become the first live blues show on Commercial FM radio to run in the UK on Christmas morning. No pressure then. I did get asked in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 but was far too shy - now I have relented under the combined entreaties of the Mighty Mark Peters and Deefer Duck. Be afraid, be very afraid around your transistor wireless apparatus come 25th December at 10:00 am. Preparations began in fine style last night on STAR BLUES with Big Joe Turner, Jesse Thomas, Amos Milburn and the fabulous tones of Louis Armstrong. Lady Blue was so taken with the Drifters' version of "White Christmas" that she played it four times in a row during our journey back from IronBridge on Saturday: Christmas has officially started - Lady Blue says so.

Finis Tasby has had a health scare this week, so as well as sending him much love and good wishes we played something he did for the Big Town label to showcase his vocal gifts. Junior Wells would have had a birthday (9th December 1934) and I dug out a very rare b-side on the Blue Rock label to mark the date. Strangely he'd left his harp at home, as did James Harman on the Lightnin Hopkins song "Jake Head Boogie". Dave Kelly and Paul Jones' gig at the Ram Jam Club was recorded for two live albums on SPV Blue and "Come On In My Kitchen" proved to be a real tour-de-force for Dave on vocals and slide guitar. Rory Block dabbled in the songbook of Son House and our sacred spot was filled by the Gospel Clefs with a rousing, organ fuelled, performance.

A quick reminder (which just tried to auto complete as a quack reminder, honest) that there is a free e-copy of "Gary Blues Almanac 2013" for you in exchange for a proper e-mail address that can receive a zip file. Just drop me the details to gary.blue@star107.co.uk if you like what you see, please give a small donation to the Music Maker organisation. The shortest two hours of the week passed by in a trice and I'm looking forward to more of the same, but different, next Sunday at 10pm for Britain's Other Blues show. Until then take care of yourselves and take care of those who take care of you
Track.TitleTrack.ArtistSortIndexAlbum.TitleAlbum.ArtistSortLabel
Low Down And DirtyLuther Allison13RecklessLuther AllisonRuf
Can't Stop Loving YouEugene 'Hideaway' Bridges2Jump The JointEugene 'Hideaway' BridgesARMADILLO
It Took A Long TimeFinis Tasby2Shattered Dreams - Funky Blues 1967-1978Various ArtistsBGP
Dime A DozenRosco Gordon6Bootin' - The Best Of The Rpm YearsRosco GordonACE
She's Little And LowRobert Lockwood Jr.11The Story Of Black And Blues :1976-1988Various ArtistsFREMEAUX ET ASSOCIES
Merry ChristmasJesse Thomas9Lookin' For That WomanJesse ThomasBLACK TOP
white christmasdrifters2-5rockin' around the christmas treevarious artistscrimson
zat you santa clauslouis armstrong3-20rockin' around the christmas treevarious artistscrimson
Mercy MercyDon Covay5DefinitiveDon CovayRAZOR & TIE
You're Tuff EnoughJr. Wells32Lost And Found : Blue Rock RecordsVarious ArtistsMERCURY
Jake-Head BoogieJames Harman13Mo' Na'kins Please!James HarmanCANNONBALL
Married Woman's BoogieBilly Wright12Jump 'N' JiveVarious ArtistsMETRO
let's rockjohnny otis18r&B humdingersvarious artistsveetone
One Monkey Don't Stop No ShowBobby Rush5The Last Soul CompanyVarious ArtistsMalaco Records
too late to changelafayette thomas10blues guitar blastersvarious artists
hey babyLong John HunterTom 'Bluesman' Hunter1One Foot In TexasLong John HunterTom 'Bluesman' HunterDOC BLUES
Blind Arthur's BreakdownBlind Blake5EssentialBlind BlakeCLASSIC BLUES
Dry SpellRory Block5Blues Walkin' Like A Man: A Tribute To Son HouseRory BlockStony Plain Music
Merry Christmas BabyJohnny Moore's Three Blazers - Vocal By Mari Jones23Be CoolJohnny Moore's Three BlazersACE
christmas date boogiebig joe turner2-20rockin' around the christmas treevarious artistscrimson
lets make christmas merry babyamos milburn3-2rockin' around the christmas treevarious artistscrimson
steal away to the lordgospel clefs1-26gospel celebritiesvarious artistsfantastic voyage
Lovin' MachineWynonie Harris48Bloodshot EyesWynonie HarrisINDIGO
I Ain't Mad At You, Pretty BabyGatemouth Moore13Jump 'N' JiveVarious ArtistsMETRO
Midnight SpecialLead Belly2420th Century BluesVarious ArtistsCATFISH
Come On In My KitchenPaul Jones & Dave Kelly3Live At The Ram Jam ClubPaul Jones & Dave KellySPV
 Magic Tricks  Giles Robson             10     Juke Shakin          Various artists         

Sunday 2 December 2012

STAR BLUES on 2nd December 2012 at 22:00

Even as 2012 rushes towards the turnstile into another year - we still have things to mark, festive fun to fool with, new discs to spin and remind ourselves of some goodies Santa may grace us with. in a few weeks time.

The Yuletide songsheet started with the first Christmas record from Gary US Bonds since 1967, rippling boogie from Sugar Chile and the dirtiest Ho-Ho-Ho you've ever heard from Back Door Santa. It seemed the right moment to unveil the secret that shocked the socks off me: I will host a live show on Christmas morning from 10 til noon here on Star107.9/1FM (stuffed full of country comforts and folk favourites).

Our shiny brand new contenders included Tutu Jones, Smokin Joe Kubek with Bnois King, Mike Wheeler and the evergreen Larry Garner (if there's a gap in your collection where he is filed, shame on you). Big Walker's project "Roots Walkin'" repays each listening with something new and the Bopcats collection hits that spot on the cusp of rhythm & blues and rockabilly. Johnny Cash's "Get Rhythm" - nice.

In the birthday book, Robert Ealey, the second Sonny Boy Williamson and RW Penniman. No-one know the exact year of Aleck Rice Miller Ford's birth, I've seen both 1899 and 1912 though the sources agree on 5th December. So should we mark a centenary or not?  Definitely 5th December 1932 was where Mr Penniman came in - as Little Richard he was the self styled "Architect of Rock'n'Roll" who had a foot in both soul and gospel camps for Don Covay's song "Dont Know What You Got". Our start of his birthday bash went  to "Heebie Jeebies" and "All Around The World" instead of "Tutti Frutti" and "Long Tall Sally" you will surely hear this upcoming Wednesday. Look for Chas White's brilliant biography for the story of a man who added more nuance to the term "Sex and Drugs &  Rock'Roll" than Ian Dury dared dream of.

Don't forget Gary Blue's almanac is days away from being mailed out, its free and is stuffed to the gunnels with facts figures trivia and tomfoolery - you'll need to contact me at gary.blue@star107.co.uk with an email address that can accept PDF files. In the birthday book for December is Pops Staples who graced our show yesterday with the "John Henry" he recorded for Stax in 1971 but didn't come out until KENT's "Ultimate Collection" a few years ago. I'll check those dates before the Almanac is published.

Mark Lamarr compiled a Christmas set for Acrobat and a Screamin Gospel set for VeeTone - no better excuse needed to pilfer a couple of tracks for your  entertainment. Martha Davis knew her stuff when singing about old records: we took a gospel classic from Arhoolie by Louis Overstreet, as well as the controversial "Two Wings" from Utah Smith and some amazing axe shredding. The argument is over whether he did the song for Checker or if they leased it in from another source?

Before we knew it the shortest two hours of our week was done in a trice, hopefully leaving us wanting more next Sunday at ten pm (GMT) right here on Star107 with Spot The Duck and Deefer Duck (who is such a tart, hamming it up for the webcam for all she's worth). I'll be back to marshal them into some semblance of sanity, until then take care of yourself and take care of those that take care of you
Track.TitleTrack.ArtistSortIndexAlbum.TitleAlbum.ArtistSortLabel
Better Not Look DownB. B. King2Introducing B. B. KingB. B. KingMCA
Weekend DriverTutu Jones3Inside OutTutu Jones
I'm WorkingMike Wheeler13Self Made ManMike Wheeler
I Had A DreamRobert Ealey1Rounder RevueVarious ArtistsRounder
Get Out There And Get ItSmokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King & Kirk Fletcher5Close To The BoneSmokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois KingDelta Groove Productions
christmas is a phone call awaygary us bonds5christmas is ongary us bondsg l a
Heebie JeebiesLittle Richard10Cosimo Matassa StoryVarious ArtistsProper Box
I Don't Know What You've Got But It's Got MeLittle Richard5Have Mercy! The Songs Of Don CovayVarious ArtistsACE
All Around The WorldLittle Richard19The E.P. CollectionLittle RichardSEE FOR MILES
Get Out Those Old RecordsMartha Davis19Chronological Recordings (1946-1951)Martha DavisCLASSICS
candy manmississippi john hurt2-1roots of the bluesvarious artistsvanguard
raise a ruckusbig walker7root walkingbig walkern/a
Get RhythmBopcats1525 Years Of Rock'n'rollBopcatseller soul
Back Door ManHowlin' Wolf20The Back Door ManHowlin' WolfEssential Music and Marketing Ltd
Back Door SantaClarence Carter1The Original Soul ChristmasVarious ArtistsRHINO
Christmas BluesGatemouth Moore24Mark Lamarr's Rhythm And Blues ChristmasVarious ArtistsACROBAT
Christmas BoogieFrankie 'Sugar Chile' Robinson23Blues Blues ChristmasVarious ArtistsDOCUMENT
Got To Be Some Changes MadeLarry Davis10Funny StuffLarry DavisROOSTER BLUES
Treat Me RightRobert Belfour5What's Wrong With YouRobert Belfour
Two WingsUtah Smith5Screamin' Gospel Holy Rollers Vol. 2Various ArtistsVee-Tone Records
I'm Working On A BuildingRev. Louis Overstreet1215 Down Home Gospel ClassicsVarious ArtistsArhoolie Records
John HenryPop Staples22Ultimate Staple Singers: A Family AffairStaple Singers, TheKent (U.K.)
i'm so gladSkip James3Roots Of The BluesVarious ArtistsVANGUARD
Help MeSonny Boy Williamson (Aka Rice Miller)10Chess Blues Classics 1957-1964Various ArtistsMCA/CHESS
Miss BossLarry Garner4Blues For SaleLarry GarnerDixiefrog
Created: 02/12/2012 23:22:52

Sunday 25 November 2012

STAR BLUES on 25th November 2012 at 22:00

There's something a little hinckey when you think about a man of 69 front and centre of a rock band with a packed-out venue in the palm of his hands. Such was Mick Jagger's fate last night as the Stones marked their first half century on the crazy Ferris wheel of music. Even more strange when remembering Muddy Waters was 68 in 1981 when he invited a gleeful Jagger with Richards, Wood, Wyman and Stewart onto the stage at Buddy Guy's Checkerboard Lounge. You're never too old for blues but mainstream rock is another brussel sprout altogether.

I was talking about that Checkerboard gig because BBC4 had shown the newly remastered DVD in the middle of Saturday night. Muddy was awesome with slashing slide on "Country Boy" before the cameos started - his band had John Primer and Rich Kreher on guitars, Lovie Lee on Piano and an amazing display of harp dexterity from Mojo Buford. I've promised to get myself on Santa's good list next year if he'll slip the soundtrack under my pillow (it's too late to redeem myself for 2012). We had to make do with the 1971 version Muddy did live at Mr Kelly's for our 1001 Blues feature.

More guitar mastery from Lonnie Johnson (who did so much to shape B B King's sound), Ray Agee, Roy Gaines and Etta Baker on the playlist. Birthday boy Jimmy Johnson sang gospel for many a year and you can hear that fervour in his voice, his axe skills are pretty decent too. Jimmy Burns had brother Jimmy on hand to cover "Your Cash Aint Nothin But Trash". Otis Grand's new "Blues 65" project is a goodun cementing a nice partnership with Sugar Ray Norcia. At the age of 6 Gitlo Lee played with Sonny Boy Williamson and he now has a solid album out under his own brand, his old boss got things under way from "Down & Out Blues", the first album in the Pye R&B series eagerly devoured by blues fans on this side of the pond. Preston Shannon's celebration of "Cold Beer And Good Times" closed us off leaving us to ask why he isn't better known?

The John Lee Hooker song "Boogie Children" got a going over from the Playboys (with John Fred without Judy - disguised or otherwise). Nathan Abshire reworked Arthur Crudup's "Thats AlRight Mama", Phil Upchurch's hit "Can't Sit Down" was tastily updated by Willie Mitchell and the amazing bass voice of Jimmy Ricks was recorded in New York as part of Benny Goodman's Sextet. Otis Clay did our gospel duty and Eddie Boyd was on keys. In a show of such depth and variety, Mud Morganfield (Muddy's yoiunger son) is in Norwich tonight and was as majestic as his dad for a track from his latest album on Severn Records where he is part of that ol' magic called Bob Coritorre.

The BBC headline suggested some contestants had also lost their socks, but I bet it wasn't the same reason as me. I can't say anything else yet but I can point you in the direction of my next e-book, "Gary Blues Almanac 2013". Free. Send me your email details to gary.blue@star107.co.uk and when its done it will find its way direct to you. Please make a donation to www.musicmaker.org if you like it and can make use of it (no amount too small).

We'll look at what you can put on your Santa list next week at 10pm (GMT) until then take care of yourself and take care of those that take care of you.

Track.TitleTrack.ArtistSortIndexAlbum.TitleAlbum.ArtistSortLabel
Wake Up BabySonny Boy Williamson (Aka Rice Miller)8Down And Out Blues / In MemoriumSonny Boy Williamson (Aka Rice Miller)BEAT GOES ON
Feelin GoodJaniva Magness4The Devil Is An Angel TooJaniva MagnessAlligator
Go Ahead And Blame MeMud Morganfield9Son Of The Seventh SonMud MorganfieldSEVERN
Ain't Studdin' You BabyGitlo Lee10Comin Out the HoleGitlo Lee
You Can't Sit DownWillie Mitchell11Memphis Rhythm KingWillie MitchellBACKBEAT
Go Ahead OnGuitar Red23Sun Records - Ultimate Blues CollectionVarious ArtistsVARESE
Rolling LogRory Block10The Very Best Of The BluesVarious ArtistsORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
country boymuddy waters2my home is in the deltamuddy watersblues encore
rockin all daydennis gruenling1rockin all daydennis gruenlingvizz tone
midnight lover manRoy Brown7saturday nightroy brownel toro
Oh BabeRavens, The26Birds Of A FeatherRavens, ThePROPER
boogie childrenplayboys feat john fred27boppin on the bayouvarious artistsace
bopogie woogie feelingtony casanova22wid streakvariousveetone
Those Days Are GoneOtis Grand12Blues '65Otis GrandMAINgate
your cash aint nothing but trashEddie & Jimmy Burns2Snake EyesEddie BurnsJimmy BurnsDELMARK
country preacherjimmy johnson1country preacherjimmy johnsonorbis blues
All of My LifeRoy Gaines9Rock-A-Billy: Boogie Woogie Blues ManRoy Gaines
Love Is A Cold ShotRay Agee23Bay Area Blues BlastersVarious ArtistsEl Cerrito
thats all rightnathan abshire12bopping by the bayouvarious artistsace
Save A Seat For MeOtis Clay4The Gospel TruthOtis ClayBLIND PIG RECORDS
Hard Headed WomanEddie Boyd9Chicago PianoVarious ArtistsPAULA
Jackson’s BoogieLittle Willie Jackson21Let Me Tell You About The Blues: West CoastVarious ArtistsFantastic Voyage
Railroad BillEtta Baker & Taj Mahal5Etta Baker With Taj MahalEtta BakerTaj MahalMUSIC MAKER
Racketeers BluesLonnie Johnson16The Original Guitar WizardLonnie JohnsonPROPER
Walkin' These Blues AwayEomot Rasun2Three Days Walkin'Eomot RasunAPO
cold beer good timePreston Shannon12All In TimePreston ShannonBULLSEYE BLUES
Created: 25/11/2012 23:43:19 

Sunday 18 November 2012

STAR BLUES on 18th November 2012 at 22:00

Richard "Hacksaw" Harney was born in 1902 and by the age of ten he was earning a living as a street singer. He cultivated a unique style which combined finger picking - which mimicked a mandolin - with solid bass figures that sound like a second player is on the date with him. as far as I know there's just one album under his own name: 'Sweet Man' on Edsel from a 1972 session; we dipped in for "Adelphi Stomp".




Dan Pickett was another supremely gifted player who was based on the East Coast, his work is rarely anthologised - which is a big shame given his skill and reputation amongst those "in the know". We had no problem in sharing his 1949 song "99 and 1/2" with you on last night's STAR BLUES.



Our pitch opened with Louis Jordan for no other reason than he matches my definition of sublime and it was a refreshing change to hear the original of "Buzz Me" rather than any one of a number of electric versions which always centre on guitar showings off. The erudite scribe Charles Shaar Murray wrote about Jimmy Witherspoon: "Too jazz for blues and too blues for jazz". I can see his point but Spoon was bigger than either genre, his effortless shouting was a highlight at the 1959 Monterey Jazz Festival when conventional wisdom said his time was long gone, killed off by rock'n'roll. He and tenor sax man Ben Webster had other ideas. We took their cover of "St Louis Blues" from a volume in the Orbis magazine series.



Ann Peebles gets waaaaay less props than she should, I doubt many folks could name one of her songs which isn't about "Rain". After many years with Willie Mitchell at the helm, Ann jumped ship from Hi to Bullseye for a project produced by Ron Levy. His touch brought out a grittier edge to her voice and she was steered towards less obvious songs such as those by Delbert McClinton. Nice. Ollie Nightingale can sound like Sam Cooke at times, not that's a bad thing because it's double qualification for duties in the gospel tent. Amos Milburn held keyboard court with one of his Aladdin recordings, ably supported not once but twice by Otis Spann and Muddy Waters (even if Muddy was smuggled into 'Blues will never die" as Dirty Rivers). "Blow Wind Blow" was the first song Otis Spann did as part of Muddy Waters' band and its one of the mere handful of sides Walter Horton cut with Muddy. I used the opportunity as a reminder that 1913 will be the centenary of Muddys birth and we will be doing some special shows next April in celebration.



Freddie Kings work for Cotillion is sometimes overlooked when compared with the early stuff for Federal and his later stuff for RSO, I like it for the way King Curtis put Freddies guitar up front and let everyone else try to keep up from behind. The 1967 album "Never Get Out Of these blues" isn't one of John Lee Hooker's best but it does have a couple of flashes of what Hooker does best, mostly on Al Kings song "Think Twice Before you Speak" and we also had a smidge of the man himself from a Kent collection of proper R&B. Just time to mention a project from Ann Rabson and Bob Margolin on Vizztone, full of charm and old-fashioned pleasure of two seasoned players enjoying each others company.



Regular listeners will know I always wear a white tee-shirt - and once a year I sign one for charity. Just done it, there's is only one of them, You can bid for it by taking part in the Thursday auctions on Ryan Taylor's breakfast show on Thursday mornings. He's keeping it a secret on when it will be, you should listen to him to find out. I've slipped a few extra goodies into the basket so I hope you'll want to follow the auction and time those bids precisely. Meantime you were splendid company yesterday, I was Gary Blue and if you'll have me I'll bring some more trivia and tomfoolery next Sunday night at ten pm (Mr Ernest, Mrs Doubtfire and the two little ducks, Deefer and Spot will already be there). Until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you


Track.TitleTrack.ArtistSortIndexAlbum.TitleAlbum.ArtistSortLabel
Buzz MeLouis Jordan3Reet Petite And GoneLouis JordanINDIGO
Miss LucyBig Al Downing5Holy Mackerel! Pretenders To Little Richard's ThroneVarious ArtistsACE
Lucky To Be LivingDave Riley & Bob Corritore4Lucky To Be LivingDave Riley & Bob CorritoreBlue Witch Records
Think Twice Before You GoJohn Lee Hooker6Tantalizing With The BluesJohn Lee HookerMCA
Dyin' FluAlbert Collins6The Cool Sound Of Albert CollinsAlbert CollinsBLUE CITY
Read Me My RightsAnn Peebles3Full Time LoveAnn PeeblesBULLSEYE BLUES
St. Louis BluesJimmy Witherspoon15Ain't Nobody's BusinessJimmy WitherspoonORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
Home In Your HeartSolomon Burke23Handy Man - The Songs Of Otis BlackwellVarious ArtistsACE
Ain't Givin Up NothinAl King20New Breed R'n'bVarious ArtistsKent (U.K.)
Nobody Knows You When You're Down And OutJoe Hicks7Stax: We'll Play The Blues For YouVarious ArtistsSTAX
Adelphi RambleRichard 'Hacksaw' Harney4Sweet ManRichard 'Hacksaw' HarneyEDSEL
Tough LuckRobert Lee McCoy1Prowling NighthawkRobert NighthawkCATFISH
I Wonder WhyFreddie King3My Feeling For The BluesFreddie KingREPERTOIRE
Tin Pan AlleyPhillip Walker2Bottom Of The Top / BluesPhillip WalkerDEMON
Choo Choo BoogieClarence 'Gatemouth' Brown5Just Got LuckyClarence 'Gatemouth' BrownORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
I've Got A New HomeOllie Nightingale & The Dixie Nightingales8Gospel Celebrities And Celestial LightsVarious ArtistsFantastic Voyage
cut you a-looserick allen10age & chief blues storyvarious artistsfuel 2000
Blow Wind BlowMuddy Waters23Mad Love : Introduction To Muddy WatersMuddy WatersPROPER
The Blues Never DieOtis Spann6All That BluesVarious ArtistsORIGINAL BLUES CLASSICS
Anybody's BluesAmos Milburn32Blues Barrelhouse And Boogie - The Best OfAmos MilburnCapitol
Anywhere You GoAnn Rabson With Bob Margolin10Not AloneAnn Rabson With Bob MargolinVizztone
99 1/2 Won't DoDan Pickett23Shake That Thing!: East Coast Blues 1935-1953,Various ArtistsJSP Records
Blues After HoursPee Wee Crayton13The History Of Rhythm And Blues Volume Two 1942-1952Various ArtistsRhythm and Blues Records
need your love so badfleetwood mac10fleetwood macfleetwood macblue horizon
frogs in the long grassEddie Martin & His Big Blues Band1Looking Forward Looking BackEddie Martin & His Big Blues BandBUEBLOOD
Created: 18/11/2012 23:55:00

Sunday 11 November 2012

STAR BLUES on 11th November 2012 at 22:00

Permission to speak Mr Mainwaring?




With the passing of the Corporal, the handover from Neil and our opening from Johnnie we had more Joneses at ten on STAR BLUES than in a miner's snug in the Rhonda Valley. (I just thought: Are they open on Sundays in Wales these days?) Johnnie's "Chip Off the Old Block" was a robust peformance from a man usually known for grace and subtlety; he had a decent voice too leading us neatly into the consummate blues artist, Little Milton. He was on four of the seminal record labels of 50s 60s 70s 80s (Sun, Chess, Stax, Malaco) and had "Greatest Hits" on each with no overlaps. His final project in 2005 on Telarc was done with Jon Tiven who brought out some late period gems from our hero. We also had the final album from Michael "Iron Man" Burks - he got the nickname from his energetic and enthusiastic work ethic that meant he never gave anything less than full measure, his big loud guitar could well put off a few of our purist bretheren but that huge voice forgives him anything in my hum. Robert Cray's new album has a decent set of songs looking at traditional blues themes from the perspective of this century - the tales of rejection, pain and misery arent about never having had things like family, comforts and stuff, these are about taking it for granted and losing them suddenly and unexpectedly from outside forces.



We weren't short of female stars either: Koko Taylor at her imperious best (with Buddy Guy on guitar); Etta James with one of the finest Chess records ever made outside Chicago (down at Muscle Shoals); the lithe singing and playing of a very young Bonnie Raitt captured live on a Philadelphia Radio Show; (she just had a birthday); the irrepressible Candye Kane who just doesn't know how to slow down in spite of her recent health worries (she has a birthday on 13th) and Ruth Brown did "RB Blues" in 1950 and showed why at the time she was the only hit maker Atlantic could rely on. Richard Rosenblatt runs Vizztone and he is having a great birthday celbration with new releases on Doug Demming and Dennis Gruenling, the same band but double the fun.



Sugar Chile Robinson was the official piano blues standard bearer as well as being our youngest ever contender, Jimmy Liggins was on hand with the "Honeydripper" and it was a real pleasure to do the full version of Ramsey Lewis' "Wade in the water" - so often you just get a minor smidge as backing bed to a promo or advert. Mark Lamarr's big stack of records provides fabulous anthologies to the Vee-Tone label, the second volume of "Screaming gospel and Holy Rollers" was our dip into the gospel pot for the Soul Seekers. Mighty Joe Young did some good stuff for Blind Pig, shame his wikipedia entry is a film about a gorilla. Dave sent through a fine Magic Slim single on Mistreater and we had chance to enjoy it together last night. Slim still epitomises the spirit of modern Chicago blues.



While we are now ensconsed officially as "Britain's Other Blues Show", it's never just about the blues: I have a family to care for too! On getting into the studio last night, I could see Ernest Borgnine and Deefa but not Mrs Doubtfire or Spot. They usually flaunt themselves from the top of the speaker to make sure the webcam gets the best angle (Deefa Duck is a real tart I can tell you). About half way through the show, I glimpsed a flash of yellow and found Spot and Mrs D hiding behind the monitor where they'd been since the fireworks on Bonfire night. Before those men with the natty white coats that do up at the back catch up with me, I'll be off to plan some more trivia and tomfooolery for next Sunday at ten pm (GMT) until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you


Track.TitleTrack.ArtistSortIndexAlbum.TitleAlbum.ArtistSortLabel
Chip Off The Old BlockJohnny Jones1I Was Raised On The BluesJohnny JonesBLACK MAGIC
Second Hand LoveLittle Milton10Think Of MeLittle MiltonTELARC
(I Got) All You NeedKoko Taylor8Wang Dang DoodleKoko TaylorORBIS BLUES COLLECTION
Wade In The WaterRamsay Lewis Trio1Mojo Chess ClassicsVarious ArtistsMOJO
don't you lose a good thingdan penn4the fame recordingsdan pennace
Cadillac Assembly LineAlbert King18Best Music Catalogue In The WorldVarious ArtistsCHARLY
Sitting On Another Man's KneeLonesome Sundown20Genuine Excello R'n'bVarious ArtistsACE
Family RulesGuitar Jr.7On Bended Knee - The Birth Of Swamp PopVarious ArtistsGREAT Voices Of The Century
Flip, Flop And BopFloyd Cramer4Teen Beat Vol.2VariousACE
Willie Mae BluesBilly Boy Arnold7Billy Boy Arnold Sings: Big Bill BroonzyBilly Boy ArnoldElectro-Fi
Mighty Tight WomanBonnie Raitt1The Lost Broadcast: Philadelphia 1972Bonnie RaittLeft Field Media
nobodys fault but mineJohn Renbourn18The Essential: The Best Of John RenbournJohn RenbournCastle Pulse
wonder whymagic slim2magic slimmagic slim
Fix ThisRobert Cray7Nothing But LoveRobert CrayPROVOGUE
end of the lineMighty Joe Young7Mighty ManMighty Joe Youngblind pig
R. B. BluesRuth Brown6Miss Rhythm - Greatest Hits And MoreRuth BrownSEQUEL
SecurityEtta James20Tell MamaEtta JamesCHESS
Numbers BoogieSugar Chile Robinson4The R'n'b Years 1949: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1949Various ArtistsBOULEVARD VINTAGE
the honeydripperroy milton7The R'n'b Years 1949: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1949Various ArtistsBOULEVARD VINTAGE
somethings gotta hold of mesoul seekers18screamin gospel and holy rollersvarious artistsvee-tone
Count On YouMichael Burks1Show Of StrengthMichael BurksAlligator Records & Artist Management, Inc.
I'm My Own Worst EnemyCandye Kane7Guitar'd And FeatheredCandye KaneRuf
whoevers thrilling you is killing mez z hill17rolling with the punches: allen toussaint songbookvarious artistsace
Cotton Picking BluesBig Mama Thornton6They Called Me Big MamaBig Mama ThorntonProper Introduction
bloodshot eyesdennis gruenling11rockin all daydennis gruenlingvizztone
one good reasondoug demming3whats it gonna takedoug denningvizztone
Created: 12/11/2012 00:02:03

Sunday 4 November 2012

STAR BLUES on 4th November 2012 at 22:00

Being glossy and photogenic will get you quite a number of places however we don't care if your name IS Lady Gaga, got a white tee shirt and an electric guitar - you're just not in STAR BLUES tonight. You too Jessie J and Cheryl Cole!!

What we did have were eleven new albums and a man  from Senegal. The genesis of our music is often stated as exclusively coming from the African continent. Indeed the link is at the heart of the new Eric Bibb project where he is joined with Habib Koite for song arrangements as much to do with Senegal as the States. It sounds gentle and unassuming but there is both grace and power in their collaborations. Several of other other choice had a markedly different pace: dad-to-be Mike Sanchez lead the Big Town Playboys into a glorious celebration of "Glamour Girl" bookended with the unmistakable pipes of Clyde McPhatter.

The late Robert Covington was billed as "the Golden Voice", he was also a fine drummer whose opener heavily featured the young Carl Weathersby. Carl was at one time part of Mississippi Heat who now celebrate 20 years together. Their new album gave him chance to get back front and centre alongside harp maestro and band leader Pierre Lacoque. Kay Kay died earlier this year just about on the cusp of wider recognition she deserved from her three albums; Catfood Records takes the best from those as a "Best Of" and she got good solid support from her band The Rays.

Nathan Abshire took an accordion to the Arthur Big Boy Crudup classic composition and sounded nothing like Elvis. "Glory of Love" was a decent doo-wop version from the Cleftones and the piano tent was full with Katie Webster and the brand new cd+dvd package by the rippling Mitch Woods.  Memphis Gold was on the cover of Living Blues a year or so ago, his is a fascinating tale and we let him in to show a more traditional side through his "Biscuit Boogie". Ann Rabson was in Saffire the Uppity Blues Women for a goodly while, she's invited Bob Margolin onto her new album and they make fine music together from her piano and his guitar. I really hope there'll be more from them in this vein with each sounding considerably younger than is possible given their vast experience.

Larry Garner is a stalwart of the blues scene, as he has been for a couple of decades now, his semi humourous "23 Past" was from the set he recorded on JSP in 1990. Robert Cray has over 20 albums now and old friend and bass player Richard Cousins is back in the fold. The new one has justifiably garnered plenty of praise for his singing and playing - my view is you should carefully check out the songwriting too. He doesn't have the anger or fire of Joe Louis Walker, but he sports a nifty titfer that Lady Blues says makes him look cute (I have one exactly the same in the same colour but she says I look like a Brussel sprout). Other axe wizardry came from Brownie McGhee, Black Ace and John Dee Holeman before we had to upsticks and pack our stuff away.

Our family of plastic ducks are stars in their own right - who's bright idea was it to mention them in one of the new jingles for Britain's Other Blues Show? As soon as I played it they noticed the webcam and posed and preened for the rest of STAR BLUES. All I can say is Lady Gaga, which is where we came in. We'll be back on Remembrance Day at 10pm (GMT), until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you

Track.TitleTrack.ArtistSortIndexAlbum.TitleAlbum.ArtistSortLabel
I Don't CareRobert Covington4Blues In The NightRobert Covington
No Mama's BoysKay Kay and the Rays1The Best Of Kay Kay And The RaysKay Kay and the RaysCatfood
vENTILLATOR BLUESBopcats1025 Years Of Rock'n'rollBopcatseller soul
C.C. RiderRichie Havens1My Own WayRichie HavensDOUGLAS
Overcoat MamaWillie 'Big Eyes' Smith13Born In ArkansasWillie 'Big Eyes' SmithBig Eyes
3d LovingPiney Brown8Jumping At JubileeVarious ArtistsSEQUEL
thinkthe "5" royales17king new breed r&bvarious artistskent
CaledoniaAnn Rabson With Bob Margolin6Not AloneAnn Rabson With Bob MargolinVizztone
that's all right mamanathan abshire12boppin on the bayouvarious artistsace
Let The Boogie Woogie RollClyde McPhatter12Let The Boogie Woogie Rock'n'rollVarious ArtistsACE
Glamour GirlBig Town Playboys4Hip JointBig Town PlayboysBLUE HORIZON
a lovers prayervernon green24new breed r&bvarious artistskent
Changin' My WaysTas Cru2Tired Of Bluesmen Cryin'Tas Crucrustee trees
biscuit boogieMemphis Gold2Pickin In High CottonMemphis Gold
Mr. MistreaterMississippi Heat11Delta BoundMississippi HeatDELMARK
Blues Get Off My ShoulderRobert Cray6Nothing But LoveRobert CrayPROVOGUE
No Good WomanBlack Ace14Gems From April 2011Various Artists
Born For Bad LuckBrownie McGhee7Okeh : Great Race Labels Vol. 3Various ArtistsCATFISH
solid gold cadillacMitch Woods2blues beyond bordersMitch Woodsclub 88 records
Two Fisted MamaKatie Webster3Comin' Home To The BluesVarious ArtistsMUSIC CLUB
With My Maker I Am OneHabib Koité, Eric Bibb9Brothers In BamakoHabib Koité, Eric Bibb
Glory Of LoveCleftones, The9Happy MemoriesCleftones, TheJasmine
lookin the world overmaria muldaur5...then came memphis minnie...various artistsSTONY PLAIN
Chapel Hill BoogieJohn Dee Holeman10Piedmont BluesJohn Dee HolemanDOC ARTS INC.
past 23LARRY GARNER10DOUBLE DUESLARRY GARNERJSP
Created: 04/11/2012 23:43:15