Sunday 28 September 2014

STAR BLUES on 28th September 2014 at 22:00 with 2 full hours of music by Blues Women

It's fair to say the earliest blues stars were female and it's been like that ever since. We had as many as we could from Bessie Smith to Missy Andersen in a show with songs from the 1920's onwards. Missy's project is characterized by confident hard edged vocal and neat guitar backup; Bessie was more obviously from a era not long out of vaudeville, her big voice and stage presence barely needed amplification to fill out the sound. Not much is known about Lottie Kinbrough, she created just five years output, latterly on Gennet from whence came the iconic "Rolling Log". My background research said even her only photograph was that of her more photogenic sister. Lottie was one of the first players of substance to accompany themselves. Memphis Minnie took matters to an even higher level.

From the jazz side of the fence, Mildred Bailey had a plaintive edge and a record collection which inspired Bing Crosby. Dinah Washington came along slightly later on but could do some tough blues as we found out last night. Lesser known names like Trixie Smith and Effie Smith, got an outing too.

The inspiration for the show was largely down to Lady Blue who shares me passion for the classic elegance of strapless silk cocktail dresses and long elbow length gloves. just look at those pictures of Hadda Brooks, Ruth Brown, and Laven Baker. Glamour never goes out of style. The young Etta James did rock'n'roll right , we used a rare take of a single out on Modern; a few years later Koko Taylor forced Buddy Guy and Walter Horton to bring their A-game despite being junior in years with seasoned session men.

With two Sisters on the roll-call, it wasn't hard to pick our gospel offerings Hadda Brooks and Ella Mae Morse did piano duties, the former came during the first year of the Bihari's Modern imprint. Aretha was already a big star when her 1970 album "Spririt in the dark" hit the shelves (complete with re-interpretation of a BB King piece). Big Maybelle was another easily recognizable talent - the booklet credits the song to "Williams", My own imperfect recollection has the song put down to Roy Hall but it says Williams here.

Neither Jessie Mare Hemphill nor Beverly Guitar Watkins get their due so we weren't about to miss a chance to show then off - even though we set a new record count we know we barely got started for blues women on our radar. Next Sunday we are off tho the West Coast, having been to Chicago, New Orleans and Texas during  the past few months, we look forward to being with you round your place. 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
Rent Party Missy Andersen 1 In The Moment Missy Andersen MAIN Squeeze
i love a lover like you Koko Taylor 2 koko taylor koko taylor CHESS
Confessin' The Blues Karen Carrol 3 Wild About That Thing - Ladies Sing The Blues Various Artists DELMARK
why i sing the blues aretha franklin 12 spirit in the dark aretha franklin atlantic
Rock And Roll Blues Linda Hopkins 22 Voodoo Voodoo: Feisty Fifties Females Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On Big Maybelle 1-3 I Put A Spell On You: The Okeh Story Various Artists One Day Music
You Make Me Feel So Good Beverly 'Guitar' Watkins 8 Back In Business Beverly 'Guitar' Watkins MUSIC MAKER
House Of Blue Lights Ella Mae Morse 24 I'm A Bad Bad Girl Various Artists INDIGO
Bluesen The Boogie Hadda Brooks 2 Modern Music: 1945 Various Artists ACE
Talk To Me, Talk To Me Jean DuShon 27 Right Now: Atlantic Club Soul And Deep Cuts Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
Shake It, Baby Jessie Mae Hemphill 8 Shake it Baby Jessie Mae Hemphill
Rolling Log Blues Lottie Kimbrough 10 The Great Women Blues Singers Various Artists RETRO
Me And My Chaauffeur Memphis Minnie 2 The Sound Of The City - Memphis Various Artists Emi Records Ltd
Swing Low, Chariot Sister O. M.Terrell 18 The Slide Guitar:Bottles,Knives & Steel Various Artists Blue Label / SPV
I Saw The Light Sister Rosetta Tharpe 12 Screamin' Gospel Holy Rollers Vol. 2 Various Artists Vee-Tone Records
Souled Out JJ Thames 1 Tell You What I Know Jj Thames CDBaby
T'aint Whatcha Say, It's Whatcha Do Little Esther 8 Voodoo Voodoo: Feisty Fifties Females Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
Bam-A-Lam Mickey Champion 26 Voodoo Voodoo: Feisty Fifties Females Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
King Size Papa Julia Lee 6 I'm A Bad Bad Girl Various Artists INDIGO
Be Bop Boogie Effie Smith 6 Blues Belles With Attitude Various Artists ACE
Hey, Hey, Baby Helen Humes 7 Blues Belles With Attitude Various Artists ACE
Love Me Right (Atlantic 1150) Lavern Baker 19 R&b Humdingers Volume 11 Various Artists Vee-Tone Records
Tough Lover Etta James 4 Holy Mackerel! Pretenders To Little Richard's Throne Various Artists ACE
Daddy Daddy Ruth Brown 13 Right Now: Atlantic Club Soul And Deep Cuts Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
Squeeze Me Mildred Bailey 4 Ladies Sing The Blues Various Artists HALLMARK
Empty Bed Blues Bessie Smith 19 Blues Queen. The Definitive Collection Bessie Smith Phoenix Records
Freight Train Blues Trixie Smith 20 The Great Women Blues Singers Various Artists RETRO
I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) Ivie Anderson 16 Ladies Sing The Blues Various Artists HALLMARK
blues oh blues ma rainey 3 The Great Women Blues Singers Various Artists RETRO
Evil Gal Blues Dinah Washington 3 The History Of Rhythm And Blues Volume Two 1942-1952 Various Artists Rhythm and Blues Records
Why Don't You Do Right? Lil Green 9 Why Don't You Do Right Lil Green BLUES COLLECTION
They Call Me Big Mama Big Mama Thornton 4 Jiving Jamboree Various Artists ACE
Created: 28/09/2014 23:36:16


Sunday 21 September 2014

STAR BLUES on 21st September 2014 at 22:00 - birthdates marked for Fenton Robinson and Ray Charles, Tiny Kennedy and Albert Ammons ...

... Little Joe Blue and more. We also took a dip into the vaults of Atlantic Records.

The new single from Robert Cray's album is out there to announce his headline status at the upcoming London Blues Festival. John Mayall will be at Cambridge Corn Exchange on 9th November - his gifts undiminished now in his 9th decade. Sunjay is a new name to me, he spread some Memphis Jog Band magic over a decent go at "Drop Down Mama" - he's on tour at the moment and comes to Cambridge Folk Club in October. the album isn't completely within our purview but is worth checking out.

If you only had songs by artists born on 23rd September, you'd still have an enviable collection, the hard choice was what to play, what to leave out. The playlist speaks for itself. Those chaps over at Fantastic Voyage have an insane programme of reissues at the moment and there are plenty of others mining the same veins. The 3-cd retrospective of stuff which came out on Atlantic prompted our eagerness to immerse ourselves in gorgeous gems from the like of Jimmy Ricks and Joe Turner (his "Boogie Woogie Country Girl" is described in the booklet as the greatest rock'n'roll record of all time. No argument. No electric guitar. Go figure.
Music from the classiest women who wore satin cocktail dresses and over the elbow gloves graced our car journey to the beach on Saturday and our airwaves on Sunday night. Lady Blue's interest was picqued and suggested a whole show. She's the boss.

We concluded with just one of the dozens of singles Bo Diddley did for Chess between 1955 and 1962. Even if you bought the Chess box set, there's plenty of reason you ought to investigate this one on Hoo-Doo for B sides etc. Within just under seven days we'll be ready to be round your place again, this time with a pretty decent size survey of blues women. 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
hold on robert cray 1 hold on - single robert cray nozzle
Mess Around Ray Charles 46 Mess Around Ray Charles PROPER
that's alright john mayall 3 a special life john mayall
Won't Give Up Chick Willis 9 Won't Give Up Chick Willis DEEP SOUTH SOUNDS
How Long Must This Go On Roosevelt 'Booba' Barnes 1 Heartbroken Man Roosevelt 'Booba' Barnes ROOSTER BLUES
'Gator's Groove Willis Jackson 15 Right Now: Atlantic Club Soul And Deep Cuts Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
Boogie Woogie Country Girl Big Joe Turner 7 Right Now: Atlantic Club Soul And Deep Cuts Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
You're The Boss Lavern Baker & Jimmy Ricks 2 Right Now: Atlantic Club Soul And Deep Cuts Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
The Big Mule Joe Jones 28 Soul City New Orleans: Big Easy Gems From The Dawn Of Soul Music Various Artists Fantatsic Voyage
southern country boy Little Joe Blue 8 southern country boy Little Joe Blue jewel
Well Oh Well Tiny Bradshaw 13 The History Of Rhythm And Blues Volume Two 1942-1952 Various Artists Rhythm and Blues Records
Boogie Woogie Stomp Albert Ammons 1 The Best Of Boogie Woogie Various Artists DOCUMENTS
You Make Me Feel So Good Tarheel Slim (Aka Alden Bunn)Little Anne 24 Uk Sue Label Story, Vol. 4 Various Artists Kent (U.K.)
drop down mama sunjay 2 sunjay sunjay
Come Back Baby Ray Charles 3 Ray Charles: Eight Classic Albums Ray Charles IODA
May Be The Last Time Bobby Radcliff 2 Soul Survey Various Artists BLACK TOP
When I'm Gone (She Treats Me Mean And Evil) Joe Hill Louis 12 Rockin' Memphis Various Artists Proper Box
I Got To Know Eddie Bo 2 Cracking The Cosimo Code • 60s New Orleans R&B And Soul Various Artists ACE
Sassy Sara Huey Smith & The Clowns 26 Soul City New Orleans: Big Easy Gems From The Dawn Of Soul Music Various Artists Fantatsic Voyage
Mule Train Stomp Roy Buchanan 5 Teen Beat Vol.2 Various Artists ACE
early in the morning Mighty Joe Young 16 The Sonet Blues Story - sampler Mighty Joe Young SONET
As The Years Go Passing By Fenton Robinson 5 I Pity The Fool - The Duke Records Story Various Artists One Day Music
didn't it rain mahalia jackson 2-17 just for a day - apolllo records story various artists one day music
Talkin' 'Bout You Ray Charles 17 Right Now: Atlantic Club Soul And Deep Cuts Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
shake it up and go b b king 2-4 no more doggin - rpm story vol. 1 various artists ace
big fat mama gene phillips 1-7 no more doggin - rpm story vol. 1 various artists ace
hoy hoy little johnny jones 3-11 Right Now: Atlantic Club Soul And Deep Cuts Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
Black Jack

Ride On Josephine
Ray Charles

Bo Diddley
9

2-3
Ray Charles: Eight Classic Albums

Roadrunner: 1955-1962
Ray Charles

Bo Diddley
IODA

Hoo-Doo
Created: 21/09/2014 23:50:30 



Sunday 14 September 2014

STAR BLUES on 14th September 2014 at 22:00 marking B.B. King's birthday and "Cracking the Cosimo Code"

The day I got the new anthology on Ace celebrating the genius of Cosimo Matassa, we also learned of his passing. I hope we can do him justice as well as delve into the huge body of work done by B.B. King

track.title track.artistsort index album.title album.artistsort label
In Your Backyard Otis Grand 9 Blues '65 Otis Grand MAINgate
Better Not Look Down B. B. KingCrusaders, The 11 Lucille And Friends B. B. King MCA
Ain't That Just Like A Woman Louis Jordan 10 Reet Petite And Gone Louis Jordan INDIGO
Hard Time Getting Started Mark Hummel 11 The Hustle Is Really On Mark Hummel Electro-Fi
Blue Monday (Feat. Dr. John) Johnny Winter 13 Step Back Johnny Winter  
Can't Blame Nobody But Myself Marcia Ball 9 The Tattooed Lady And The Alligator Man Marcia Ball Alligator Records & Artist Management, Inc.
Dimples Sharbaby & Dave Thomas 2 Juke Sharbaby & Dave Thomas  
Wanted: Lover (No Experience Necessary) James Govan 6 The Fame Studio Story 1961-1973 Home Of The Muscle Shoals Sound Various Artists Kent
You Got Your Mojo Working Eddie Bo 12 You Talk Too Much: The Ric & Ron Story Volume 1 Various Artists ACE
The Monkey (Speaks His Mind) Dave Bartholemew 5 Theme Time Radio Hour - Season 3 Various Artists ACE
Love Coupons Travis Haddix 1 Love Coupons Travis Haddix Benevolent Blues
Bootleg Whiskey Grady Champion 2 Bootleg Whiskey Grady Champion Malaco Records
My Dog Can't Bark Kim Wilson, Mud Morganfield 2 For Pops Mud Morganfield  
I Hear You Knockin' Lazy Lester, West Weston's Bluesonics 4 One More Once Lazy Lester  
Be Careful With A Fool B. B. King 14 The Vintage Years B. B. King ACE
Cuttin' Out Annie LauriePaul Gayten 45 The R'n'b Hits Of 1949 Various Artists INDIGO
Broken Levee Blues Lonnie Johnson 17 Let Me Tell You About The Blues: Texas Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
The Way I Feel Detroit Jr. 12 The Way I Feel Various Artists FLYRIGHT
New Orleans Twist Blazer Boy 4 Cracking The Cosimo Code • 60s New Orleans R&B And Soul Various Artists ACE
Trick Bag Earl King 3 Cracking The Cosimo Code • 60s New Orleans R&B And Soul Various Artists ACE
play a cornbread song for me joe hayward 24 Cracking The Cosimo Code • 60s New Orleans R&B And Soul Various Artists ACE
The Hustle Is On T-Bone Walker 17 You're My Best Poker Hand: The Definitive Collection T-Bone Walker Fantastic Voyage
Gambler's Blues B. B. King 2 Great Moments With B. B. King B. B. King MCA
Bukka's Jitterbug Swing Bukka White 16 The Slide Guitar:Bottles,Knives & Steel Various Artists Blue Label / SPV
Tough Times John Brim 1 Down Home Blues Classics - Chicago (1946-1954) Various Artists BOULEVARD VINTAGE
Baby I Need You Little Otis 6 For This I Thank You: Motown R&b, Popcorn And Rock N Roll Various Artists Fantastic Voyage
Saturday Night Rub Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin 1 Common Ground: Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin Play and Sing the So Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin  
Created: 14/09/2014 23:32:50


Sunday 7 September 2014

STAR BLUES on 7th September 2014 at 22:00 with LIVING BLUES awards winners

Expected gongs for James Cotton and Buddy Guy along with overdue recognition for Birdlegg and Johnny Rawls. The full list of winners is here; LIVING BLUES AWARDS 2014
 the arrangements on a couple of winners (Buddy Guy; James Cotton) sit close to the line with Neil's excellent show and it gave us a different sound from where we are normally.

The early James Brown cover of Guitar Slim was done in response to a listener request which showed even in 1964 the Godfather of Soul had blues on his side. Otis Redding was born 73 years ago this upcoming Tuesday 9th so it seemed neat placing to play his first foray into the recording studio even if they told him to sound like Little Richard.

Ike Turner took lead voice chores for our gospel spot, the 1973 track was part of those awards because some rare backstage footage of their tours in 1971 and 1972 were voted for by the readers as top DVD.

After wrapping up our coverage, it was time for Ray Agee and Morris Pejoe to drop in for some blasting guitar and the rarely recorded Jack The Bear Parker followed. The 1949 cut from Clarence Gatemouth Brown had fairly low-fi but it showed him in good form from a time before he brought his violin to the studios. Our show next week has a B. B. King theme to mark his birthday on 16th (he'll be 89) - that's round your place on Sunday at 10pm (BST) if it's ok with you. 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
Roll Roll Roll Lonnie BrooksLong John HunterPhillip Walker 5 Blues And Soul Sessions Various Artists UNION SQUARE MUSIC
Gain Your Love Tutu Jones 7 Inside Out Tutu Jones
Standing in the Rain Dave Thompson 1 Come On Down To The Delta (Plus) Dave Thompson (Plus) jsp
Same Old Blues Irma ThomasMarcia Ball 13 Simply Grand Irma Thomas Rounder / Umgd
The Things That I Used To Do James Brown 2 Messing With The Blues James Brown POLYDOR
hey hey baby otis redding 6 holy mackerel various artists ace
Wrapped Around My Heart James Cotton Feat. Ruthie Foster 6 Cotton Mouth Man James Cotton Alligator
Gone Too Long Charlie Musselwhite 7 Delta Hardware Charlie Musselwhite REAL WORLD
Comin' On Strong Tab Benoit 8 Legacy: The Best Of Tab Benoit Tab Benoit TELARC
Well I Done Got Over It Buddy Guy 7 Rhythm & Blues Buddy Guy Sony Music Entertainment
No Hard Feelin' With Me Bobby Rush 5 Blind Snake Bobby Rush {NO DETAILS}
Down In My Shoes Birdlegg 12 Birdlegg Birdlegg DIALTONE
talk it over Billy Boy Arnold 5 The Walter Davis Project Various Artists Electro-Fi
24 Hour Blues Lurrie Bell 7 Blues In My Soul Lurrie Bell DELMARK
My Turn To Win Johnny Rawls 5 My Turn To Win Johnny Rawls JSP Records
fussin' and fightin' blues Little Junior's Blue Flames 19 feelin' good junior parker hoo doo
lightnin's boogie Lightnin' Hopkins 1 his blues Lightnin' Hopkins ace
feel so good Michael Bloomfield 1-3 Don't Say That I Ain't Your Man! : Essential Blues, 1964-1969 Michael Bloomfield Blue Label / SPV
Take My Hand Precious Lord Ike & Tina Turner 17 Sweet Rhode Island Red / The Gospel According To Ike & Tina Ike & Tina Turner BGO
Scramin' And Cryin' Morris Pejoe 10 Trouble In Mind : Chicago Blues Of The Fifties Various Artists KC
Love Is A Cold Shot Ray Agee 23 Bay Area Blues Blasters Various Artists El Cerrito
Atomic Energy Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown 6 Guitar In My Hand Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown CATFISH
I Need You, I Want You Jack (The Bear) Parker 3 Aladdin Story Various Artists EMI
At The Window Jimmy Yancey 2-13 The Blues Box Various Artists METRO
boom boom

that's alright mama

three o'clock blues
john lee hooker

arthur crudup

b/ b. king
1-1

1-11

1-13
The Blues Box Various Artists METRO
Midnight Prowler Frank Frost 5 Midnight Prowler Frank Frost EARWIG
diggin my tomatoes Brownie McGhee 4 brownie's blues brownie mcghee indigo
Created: 07/09/2014 23:44:31