We took a moment to play a Mighty Sam McClain song from his 2009 album: his unique, rich voice was stilled on 16th June and in truth I don't know of a bad record by him. James Cotton turned 79 this week and his graceful yet urgent harp was never better than on the heartfelt three-hander he did for Verve with Joe Louis Walker and Charlie Haden. Our other dip into the birthday book found Champion Jack Dupree on one of his 1940 sides issued on Okeh.
While over in the piano tent we heard Memphis Slim - I mused that considering his music was some of the first I found, he isn't a regular contributor. Still can't explain why; there's a fabulous photo of him in Francis Wilford Smith's back garden inexplicably holding a penny farthing bicycle.
Roy Gaines and Gorgeous George Stancell (both respectively out of the JSP stable at the time) set out our stall for proceedings. I almost posed a silly question at the start of our second hour following the robust guitar soloing on "Texas" track off the fairly-rare album done by Long Jong Hunter and Tom "Bluesman" Hunter: I almost ventured that they are the only pair of brothers in this game (then I remembered Syl and Jimmy Johnson). Called it an honourable draw.
Three new anthologies on Jasmine caught our attention, each one with the very first output of its star (Don Covay, Joe Tex and JB Lenoir). The first two started out with gospel in their voices aimed at covering Little Richard, but who soone developed individual styles ideal for R&B. The Lenoir set has 22 unissued cuts in addition to his hits from 1950-1960.
Fans of blues guitar were further delighted by tracks on Otis Rush, Johnny Shines, Little Joe Blue, Ray Agee and Earl King; harp lovers got Sydney Maiden and the second Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Willie Littlefield did piano duties. As for blues singers, not doing too bad when you can call on Wynonie Harris, Tiny Topsy and the sock selection from Evelyn Freeman. (This is the choice show highlight for our challenge that if you can find another track on UK blues radio as good as this, I will eat my socks).
What we do ain't pretty, thanks for your kind invite to your place to let us do it - we're already cooking up more trivia tomfoolery and blues as good as these for next Sunday at 10pm (BST). 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 |
Bluesman For Life | Roy Gaines | 1 | Bluesman For Life | Roy Gaines | JSP |
Mississippi Woman | George Stancell | 8 | Gorgeous George | George Stancell | JSP Records |
thats fair play | johnnie bassett | 4 | blues insurgents | johnnie bassett | cannonball |
lift me up | mighty sam mcclain | 9 | lift me up | mighty sam mcclain | telarc |
Meet Me In Church | Joe Tex | 2-28 | yum yum yum. The early sides | joe tex | jasmine |
Pony Time | Don Covay | 18 | Rockin' And Doowoppin' - The Early Years | Don Covay | Jasmine Records |
She'll Be Sorry | Tarheel Slim | 7 | Too Much Competition | Tarheel Slim | sundown |
Mama, 'Tain't Long Fo' Day | Blind Willie McTell | 2 | Statesboro Blues | Blind Willie McTell | INDIGO |
c c rider | Lead Belly | 10 | Goodnight Irene | Leadbelly | MUSIC CLUB |
Dynaflow Blues | Johnny Shines | 3 | Ramblin' Blues | Johnny Shines | ORBIS BLUES COLLECTION |
Wild As You Can Be | Mary Ann Fisher | 7 | Ain't Gonna Hush: The Queens Of Rhythm & Blues | Various Artists | Fantastic Voyage |
I Ain't Mad At You | Bobby "Mr Blues" Merrell | 13 | The Last Shout | Various Artists | Fantastic Voyage |
miss you so | Tiny Topsy | 1-10 | Ain't Gonna Hush: The Queens Of Rhythm & Blues | Various Artists | Fantastic Voyage |
didn't it rain | evelyn freeman | 1-11 | Ain't Gonna Hush: The Queens Of Rhythm & Blues | Various Artists | Fantastic Voyage |
two trains runnin | james cotton | 9 | deep in the blues | james cotton | verve |
One Foot In Texas | Long John HunterTom 'Bluesman' Hunter | 2 | One Foot In Texas | Long John HunterTom 'Bluesman' Hunter | DOC BLUES |
Double Trouble | Otis Rush | 13 | Good'uns : The Classic Cobra Sides | Otis Rush | BLUESIDE |
love is a gamble | Ray Agee | 7 | West Coast Blues 2 (1952-1957) | Ray Agee | |
Packin' Up | Earl King | 11 | The Ace Story - Volume 5 | Various Artists | ACE |
You Keep Me Yearning | Arbee Stidham | 1 | Tired Of Wandering | Arbee Stidham | |
I've Been Down For So Long | J. B. Lenoir | 1-27 | i wanna play a little while | J. B. Lenoir | jasmine |
You Keep My Nose To The Grinding Stone | Little Joe Blue | 16 | Little Joe Blue - Greatest Hits | Little Joe Blue | collectables |
I Got To Know | Eddie Bo | 13 | Baby I'm Wise | Eddie Bo | ACE |
Grandma Plays The Numbers | Wynonie Harris | 11 | Don't You Want To Rock? The Acetate Masters | Wynonie Harris | ACE |
I Ain't Drunk | Lonnie The Cat | 7 | Speak Easy - The Rpm Records Story Volume 2 1954-57 | Various Artists | Ace Records |
Once Was Lucky | Little Willie Littlefield | 2 | Boogie Blues And Bounce : Modern Recordings Vol. 2 | Little Willie Littlefield | ACE |
Gamblin' Man Blues | Champion Jack Dupree | 1 | New Orleans Barrelhouse Boogie | Champion Jack Dupree | COLUMBIA |
Diggin' My Potatoes | Memphis Slim | 12 | That's Blues | Various Artists | THAT'S BLUES |
Hurry, Hurry, Baby | Sydney Maiden | 3 | The Flash Records Story | Various Artists | ACE |
Flat Foot Sam | Tv Slim | 6 | Rhythm & Bluesin' By The Bayou - Rompin' & Stompin' | Various Artists | ACE |
Work With Me | Sonny Boy Williamson (Aka Rice Miller) | 3 | Work With Me | Sonny Boy Williamson (Aka Rice Miller) | CHARLY |
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