The music we chose reflected John's own selections he lists on his website - echoing his enthusiasm for the originators of our music in whatever style. Given his knowledge of Freddy King's work for Federal (and how those guitarists plunged into cover versions of same) we were slightly taken aback by John's mention of the 1970s Freddy King reading of Don Nix's 'Going Down' - we went with it anyway. The 'Crusade' album was credited to Mayall without Bluesbreakers and he wrote a moving tribute song to JB Lenior who'd just died - we concur with his dismay at how sparsely the death had been noted anywhere.
By all accounts he was a hard task master and is said to travel in a car up the motorways while his band mates hunkered down with the gear in a transit van. His longevity in the business and his nurturing of others talents paid off for them and he has been the conduit to the baseline of blues for so many - it's pointless in debating his management style. STAR radio's rock god Neil Jones caught up with John on the way to [pick up that award for the Beano album, and the wily old campaigner nimbly dodged Neil's questions on his famous acolytes: he confirmed his perennial love for playing live and I think there's a star studded bash planned for his birthday.
In other blues, we had a cut from Dave Riley's third project with Bob Corritore showing the wizard has done it again. There's a simple approach with tight four man instrumentation rooted in Chicago blues. I almost played the wryly humourous song about the BP oil spill which may not really be suitable for young ears. You have to hear it. Eddie Taylor was a prolific sideman for John Lee Hooker and Jimmy Reed but he was no slouch as band leader for his own singles - fantastic challenge awaits someone in compiling a definitive box set of Eddie's work.We found Little Richard as an accompanist to Christine Kittrell and Julia Lee was elegantly playful with her boyfriends.
There's not much known about the fine Detroit singer Lena Hall who cut just two sides under her own name, she was helped by Washboard Sam and we had one of hers on the show. I've been on FB off and on and seen a thread asking for more information about her; I couldn't help with a full identification but I knew I had that single in my collection. That was about it until 10pm this upcomng Sunday; as we lurch into December we'll start putting together some lists to suggest to Santa on the off chance you get onto his "nice" list (or even if you join me over on the "naughty" one). 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 |
the stumble | john mayalls bluesbreakers | 3 | a hard road | john mayalls bluesbreakers | decca |
Stroll Out West | Eddie Taylor | 10 | Bad Boy | Eddie Taylor | CHARLY |
Come On, Pts. 1 & 2 | Earl King | 3 | Come On: The Complete Imperial Recordings | Earl King | Okra-Tone Records |
Long Distance Call | Muddy Waters | 20 | Reborn And Remastered | Muddy Waters | ROUGH GUIDES |
Home In Chicago | Dave Riley And Bob Corritore | 6 | Hush Your Fuss! | Dave Riley And Bob Corritore | Vizztone |
every night of the week | christine kitrell | 2-20 | just about as good as it gets | little richard | smith & co |
I'm A Mojo Man | Pee Wee Trahan | 14 | Boppin' By The Bayou - Volume 3 More Dynamite | Various Artists | ACE |
Steppin' Out | Eric Clapton With John Mayall | 11 | Bluesbreakers Feat. Eric Clapton | John MayallEric Clapton | DERAM |
Checkin' Up on My Baby | John Mayall | 12 | Crusade | John Mayall | DECCA |
when i am drinking | JB Lenoir | 22 | rhythm rockin' blues | various artists | groovesound |
Streamline Train | 'cripple' Clarence Lofton w. Red Nelson | 6 | The Best Of Boogie Woogie | Various Artists | DOCUMENTS |
worried life blues | Big Maceo | 3-22 | history of rhythm and blues | Various Artists | rythm and blues |
Hell Hound on My Trail | Robert Johnson | 5 | Contracted To The Devil | Robert Johnson | SONY / LEGACY |
Going Down | Freddie King | 18 | Old Grey Whistle Test Blues | Various Artists - Old Grey Whistle Test Blues | Wm UK |
What'd I Say | Ray Charles | 12 | Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974: Volume 4, 1957-1960 | Various Artists | Atlantic / Wea |
Don't Start Me Talkin' | Sonny Boy Williamson (Aka Rice Miller) | 11 | The R'n'b Hits Of 1955 | Various Artists | CASTLE |
Snatch and Grab it | Julie Lee & Her Boyfriends | 20 | The History Of Rhythm And Blues Volume Two 1942-1952 | Various Artists | Rhythm and Blues Records |
V-8 Baby | Tommy Brown | 9 | Let Me Tell You About The Blues: Atlanta | Various Artists | Fantastic Voyage |
Need Your Love So Bad | Little Willie John | 3 | The History Of Rhythm & Blues, Volume 3 - The Rocknroll Years | Various Artists | Rhythm and Blues Records |
five long years | lena hall | 3-24 | let me tell about the blues | various artists | fantastic voyage |
You Don't Have To Go | Jimmy Reed | 12 | The Anthology | Jimmy Reed | NOT NOW |
I'm a Rattlesnakin' Daddy | Blind Boy Fuller | 4 | The Essential | Blind Boy Fuller | ALLEGRO |
this maybe the last time | staple singles | 19 | sound of the city: chicago | various artists | emi |
Since I Met You Baby | Ivory Joe Hunter | 22 | The R&b Years - 1956 (Vol. 2) | Various Artists | BOULEVARD VINTAGE |
in the night | prof. longhair | 2-7 | mardi gras in new orleans | prof. longhair | jasmine |
Shout for Joy | Albert Ammons | 1 | Boogie Woogie | Various Artists | OBJECT |
Red Cherries | Floyd Dixon | 48 | Complete Aladdin Recordings | Floyd Dixon | Capitol |
She's My Baby | Peppermint Harris | 4 | Sittin' In With ... | Peppermint Harris | MAINSTREAM |