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_Title | Track_ArtistSort | Index | Album_Title | Album_ArtistSort | Label |
good rockin' man | roy brown | 1-2 | 1952 r&b years | various artists | boulevard vintage |
boogie woogie woman | b. b. king | 3-2 | 1952 hits | various artists | indigo |
louisiana blues | muddy waters | 23 | The R'n'b Hits Of 1951 | Various Artists | INDIGO |
My Baby Stole Off | Howlin' Wolf | 10 | The Modern Records Story | Various Artists | ACE |
One Hour Moan | Victoria Spivey | 15 | Moaning The Blues | Victoria Spivey | ORBIS BLUES COLLECTION |
Roll And Tumble Blues | Hambone Willie Newbern | 24 | The Greatest Songsters (1927-1929) | Various Artists | DOCUMENT |
When It Rains It Pours | Pee Wee Crayton | 3 | The R'n'b Hits Of 1951 | Various Artists | INDIGO |
i don't know | willie mabon | 1-15 | history of rhythm and blues vol 3 | various artists | rhythm and blues |
Riverside Jump | Tiny Grimes | 9 | The R'n'b Years 1951: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1951 | Various Artists | BOULEVARD VINTAGE |
T-99 Blues | Jimmy Nelson | 23 | The R'n'b Hits Of 1951 | Various Artists | INDIGO |
Key To The Highway | John Lee Hooker | 16 | The R'n'b Hits Of 1952 | Various Artists | INDIGO |
Got The Blues Can't Be Satisfied | Mississippi John Hurt | 14 | The Greatest Songsters (1927-1929) | Various Artists | DOCUMENT |
Georgia Rag | Blind Willie McTell | 28 | Definitive | Blind Willie McTell | CATFISH |
train kept a rollin | tiny bradshaw | 25 | 1952 r & b | various artists | boulevard vintage |
Good Old Blues | Johnny Otis Orchestra Feat. Pete 'Guitar' Lewis | 2 | The Johnny Otis Story Volume 1 Volume 1: 1945-57 Midnight At The Barrelhouse V A | Johnny Otis & His Orchestra | ACE |
Have Mercy Baby | Dominoes, The | 23 | The R'n'b Years 1952: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1952 | Various Artists | BOULEVARD VINTAGE |
Glory Of Love | Five Keys, The | 20 | The R'n'b Hits Of 1951 | Various Artists | INDIGO |
It Won't Be Very Long | Soul Stirrers, The | 13 | The R'n'b Hits Of 1952 | Various Artists | INDIGO |
John The Revelator | Golden Gate Quartet, The | 6 | The Golden Gate Quartet - Our Story | Golden Gate Quartet, The | COLUMBIA |
I Hate A Man Like You | Lizzie Miles With Jelly Roll Morton | 8 | Roll 'Em Pete : 25 Years Of Piano Blues And Boogie | Various Artists | INDIGO |
mardi gras in new orleans | prof. longhair | 4-4 | history of rhythm and blues vol 2 | varioous artists | rhythm and blues |
Yancey Special | Jimmy Yancey | 25 | Roll 'Em Pete : 25 Years Of Piano Blues And Boogie | Various Artists | INDIGO |
train kept a rolling | tiny bradshaw | 25 | r& b years 1952 | various | boluevard vintage |
5 10 15 hours | ruth brown | 4 | 1952 hits | various | indigo |
i'm gonna play honky tonk | marie adams | 3 | 1952 hits | various | indigo |
lawdy mis clawdy | lloyd price | 20 | r&B hits of 1952 | various | boulevard vintage |
cold cold feeling | t-bone walker | 10 | r&b hits 1952 | various artists | boulevard vintage |
one mint julep | the clovers | 12 | r&b hits 1952 | various artists | boulevard vintage |
rock me all night long | ravens | 11 | 1952 hits | various | indigo |
Night Train | Jimmy Forest | 18 | The R'n'b Years 1952: 100 Hot Rhythm And Blues Tunes From 1952 | Various Artists | BOULEVARD VINTAGE |
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