As it turned out neither STAR ROCK nor STAR BLUES were webcammed, we reached for new levels of sartorial elegance without diminishing the heights of trivia, tomfoolery or blues you've come to expect. We kept our end up with spanking new releases by John Primer, Marion James and Debbie Davies and more gems from 2012 from messrs Bassett, Garner and Morganfield (all candidates for gongs at Christmas). Special mention to John Primer who wrote all 13 of the songs for his project with the express intent of showing how the blues still has relevance and to give it a solid ground as basis for a tradition worth carrying on without dilution. Larry Garner similarly demonstrates the old stereotypes of hardship and privation are back in a big way for many who most folks step over.It was ever thus. Hattie Burleson made a telling commentary of life below stairs in 1928
Ivory Joe Hunter warned against "False Friends", later a bigger hit for Ruth Brown and Willie Borum's second full album was done for Sam Charters in 1961 with powerful guitar and harp accompaniment. I had a notion to include some tracks from gifted players who celebrate our music through their knowledge and passion for the originators: hence we welcomed Rory Block, Michael Messer, Guy Tortora and Toby Walker who each chose wisely for inspiration. Johnny Littlejohn wasn't a well man in the few years before his death in February 1994, his spirit and determination to refuse to compromise meant his live work and last albums were full of sparky playing and singing.
I found Kay Kay's great voice just a couple of weeks ago and now she's gone (this week). She made just three albums in the early Noughties, for which CatFood Records has filleted for a new Best Of survey - we wish it well with sadness that Kay Kay won't be with us to savour her due reward. Ernest Lane was known as the Boogie Woogie Master, he died last Sunday leaving just two full albums under his own name. He did play with Robert Nighthawk, Earl Hooker, Ike Turner and the Monkees (*TRUE*. I'm certain there is a clip of the lovable foursome accompanied by Ernest on piano). The two sides we included were done for the Modern label with Ike Turner on guitar (I think but will check).
The Time Monkey jumped on my back too early again last night - not before we had a stinging guitar piece from Otis Rush - and we were off into the night (or breakfast depending on where you are). Next Sundays show will feature two glorious anthologies on Fantastic Voyage, one on Arthur Crudup, one on Johnny Otis. I can't wait - until then please take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you
| Woke Up This Morning | Quintus McCormick | 11 | Still Called the Blues | Quintus McCormick | DELMARK |
| Blues In My Shoes | Mud Morganfield | 12 | Son Of The Seventh Son | Mud Morganfield | SEVERN |
| True Blue Fool | Debbie Davies | 3 | After The Fall | Debbie Davies | MC RECORDS |
| L And N Blues | Memphis Willie B. | 2 | Hard Working Man Blues | Memphis Willie B. | ORIGINAL BLUES CLASSICS |
| If You Don't Want Me | Johnny Littlejohn | 2 | When Your Best Friend Turns Their Back On You | Johnny Littlejohn | JSP Records |
| Lone Wolf Blues | Michael Messer | 3 | King Guitar | Michael Messer | CATFISH |
| 'ain't Nobodys Business' | Guy Tortora | 5 | Jefferson | Guy Tortora | TURTLEGROVE |
| False Friend Blues | Ivory Joe Hunter | 4 | Blues Tunes | Various Artists | HIT |
| Sadie's Servant Room Blues | Hattie Burleson | 7 | Territory Singers - Vol2 : 1928-1930 | Various Artists | DOCUMENT |
| Man Size Job | Marion James | 12 | Northside Soul | Marion James | eller soul |
| Proud To Be From Detroit | Johnnie Bassett | 1 | I Can Make That Happen | Johnnie Bassett | Sly Dog Recods |
| Hidin' Place | John Primer | 1 | Blues On Solid Ground | John Primer | Blues House Records |
| If You Come To Louisiana | Larry Garner | 8 | Blues For Sale | Larry Garner | Dixiefrog |
| No Mama's Boys | Kay Kay & The Rays | 1 | best of | Kay Kay & The Rays | Cat Food records |
| little girl | ernest lane | 22 | modern downhome blues vol. 1 | various artists | ace |
| What's Wrong Baby? | Ernest Lane | 23 | The Modern Downhome Blues Sessions Vol. 1 | Various Artists | ACE |
| I Belong To The Band | Rory Block | 4 | I Belong To The Band | Rory Block | STONY PLAIN |
| Something Is Missing | Holmes Brothers, The | 5 | Feed My Soul | Holmes Brothers, The | Alligator |
| Keep On Truckin' Mama | Toby Walker | 5 | Shake Shake Mama | Toby Walker | ltw |
| Born Under A Bad Sign | William Bell | 3 | Best Of | William Bell | STAX |
| Keep On Talking | Gary Primich With Omar Dykes | 8 | Just A Little Bit More | Gary Primich With Omar Dykes | Old Pal |
| Keep On Lovin' Me Baby | Otis Rush | 6 | Tops | Otis Rush | DEMON |
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