Sunday 27 October 2013

STAR BLUES on 27th October 2013 at 22:00

We're set to start on this side of the pond before cruising into over an hour of vinyl finery on STAR BLUES. Our start was actually in Canvey Island when Dr. Feelgood tickled the UK singles charts for the first time; John Philip Cawthra had joined the band to fill the considerable void left by Wilko Johnson, many diehard fans found it hard to accept "Gypie" Mayo who has died this week. I found the music of Johnny Guitar Watson, Solomon Burke and John Lee Hooker through seeing them live.

Thereafter Bernie Marsden reached back to 1967 for a track off the debut album from Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac and Otis Grand lovingly recreated that BB King big-band swing for his 1989 "Always Hot" out on the small French label, Special Delivery. Paul Jones picked up on it and in a trice our Otis was the featured star on the cd which celebrated the 100th issue of Blues & Rhythm magazine. In a very different style of playing - though arguably more influential - Bert Jansch gave a masterclass on his 1966 interpretation "blackwater Slide" (he cleverly interpolated some Indian chords into his coda). Manfred Mann have a seven-disc clamshell package of their original EP's with fabulous artwork: "I Put A Spell On You" came closest to our format, but collectors won't care when adding it to their Santa list.

Jo-Ann Kelly was Britain's more credible blues artist in the 1960's and Duster Bennett was her equal counterpart - much missed is something of an understatement. Paddy Milner and Carl Sonny Leyland effortlessly rippled those keys and Little George Suref was superbly controlled for Big Joe Louis' cover of a Snooky Pryor classic. 

The annual Blues Blast awards are on the way and both Johnny Rawls and Barbars Carr are deservedly nominated for their fine albums on Catfood Records. The Johnny Rawls selection was also a nod to his brand new project which celebrates the genius of his old friend and mentor O. V. Wright.  Other awards due to Eddie Shaw and Bob Koerster of Delmark Records, both with lifetime recognition (and further confirmation of the strength of Chicago Blues)  King Curtis came along twice, once under his own steam and once as featured sideman on a superb Big Maybelle single from 1957.
Little Willie John's sister Mabel was one example of what Berry Gordy had on his family of labels as the 1960s dawned. Fantastic Voyage has just issued a piece which by happy chance complements the Vee-Tone album we had as our feature last week. We also took the Little Otis answer song to "Duke of Earl" from the pack.

Garfield Love with Jimmy Spruell and Hound Dog Taylor were both singles licenced by Blue Horizon for British release with glimpses of what was happening in US. Little Sonny and Lowell Fulson closed our show last night as we girded our loins for the trek outside into the approaching Hurricane. It didn't equal what we had for weather in 1987 when Sevenoaks in Kent became one overnight - it was still pretty mean and nasty. We dipped out on gospel last night but we'll be back this upcoming Sunday at 10pm (GMT) with the regular prescription of trivia and tomfoolery in a white tee-shirt. Did I mention armfuls of blues? Until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you

track.title track.artistsort index album.title album.artistsort label
Down at the Doctors Dr. Feelgood 14 25 Years Of Dr. Feelgood Dr. Feelgood Grand Records
Merry Go Round Bernie Marsden 6 Green And Blues Bernie Marsden ESSENTIAL
Whole Lotta Lovin' Otis Grand 6 Always Hot Otis Grand INDIGO
blackwater side Bert Jansch 2 Angie: The Collection Bert Jansch Sanctuary Records Group Ltd
love in vain Tony McPhee 3-12 Hellhounds On Their Trail Various Artists catfish
i put a spell on you Manfred Mann 4 no living without loving Manfred Mann UMbrella
Louisiana Blues Jo Ann Kelly 7 Key To The Highway Jo Ann Kelly Sanctuary Records Group Ltd
Worried Mind Duster Bennett 7 Bright Lights Big City Duster Bennett INDIGO
Boogie Twist Big Joe Louis & His Blues Kings 2 The Stars In The Sky Big Joe Louis & His Blues Kings  
Down the Road Apiece Carl 'Sonny' Leyland 3 Boogie And Blues Carl 'Sonny' Leyland SOLO ARTIST
21st Century Boogie Paddy Milner 1 21st Century Boogie Paddy Milner LAUNCH
goin' up the country Canned Heat 2 The Very Best Of Canned Heat Canned Heat EMI
blind crippled and crazy Johnny Rawls 2 memphis got soul Johnny Rawls Catfood
I Got the Blues Barbara Carr 4 Keep The Fire Buming Barbara Carr Catfood
One Monkey (Don't Stop No Show) Lavern Baker 12 Super Soul Sisters Erma FranklinLavern Baker EDSEL
lone prairie king curtis 1-28 Wail Man Wail! King Curtis Fantastic Voyage
Blues, Early Early Big Maybelle 2-28 Wail Man Wail! King Curtis Fantastic Voyage
Actions Speak Louder Than Words Mable John 3-20 For This I Thank You: Motown R&b, Popcorn And Rock N Roll Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
i out-duked the duke little otis 1-18 For This I Thank You: Motown R&b, Popcorn And Rock N Roll Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
Next Time You See Me garfiled love With Jimmy Spruill Orchestra 15 Blue Horizon Story Vol. 1 Various Artists CBS
Christine Hound Dog Taylor 21 Blue Horizon Story Vol. 1 Various Artists CBS
Country Boy Eddie Shaw & The Wolf Gang 12 Can't Stop Now Eddie Shaw & The Wolf Gang DELMARK
stormin' and rainin' lowell fulson 22 trouble trouble lowell fulson fantastic voyage
as the years go passing by fenton robinson 2-5 i pity the fool - duke records story various artists one day
i gotta find my baby little sonny 1-12 i pity the fool - duke records story various artists one day
Created: 27/10/2013 23:57:15

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