Humble apologies

I've been extremely busy over the last few days. That's the reason I've not been able to upload new albums. Every now and then one has to work in order to generate enough cash-flow in order to by new music. However......
I promise to make up for the lost time, and upload albums over the next few days.
Hang on in there!

Nothing But The Blues XIX

Today we turn to Walter Brown McGhee, aka Brownie McGhee. Brownie was born in 1915 into a very musical family. His father was a professional musician who was proficient on several instruments. Apparently he played with white people, what was quite unique in those days. His uncle was a famous violinist who gave Brownie his first instrument: a 5 string homemade banjo.
Brownie had polio at the age of 4. As a result of this he could hardly walk. It wasn't until the age of 22 that an operation enabled Brownie to really walk, and thus move into the world with just his guitar.
Brownie was 'discovered' by James Baxter Long, the producer of the successful Blind Boy Fuller. He made the first Brownie recordings in 1940. When Blind Boy Fuller died in 1941, Long wanted brownie to replace him. To achieve this Long use several tricks. He had Brownie record under the name Blind Boy Fuller No. 2, had Brownie use Blind Boy Fuller's original guitar for the recordings and released records with songs of Blind Boy Fuller and Brownie on it.
This disc contains the songs from Brownie's first recording session on August 6 and 7 1940 in Chicago (tracks 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10,11,12). The rest of the tracks date from may 22 and 23 1941 and feature 'Blind Boy Fuller No 2'.

2000 - Nothing But The Blues - disc 19 - Born For Bad Luck

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A forgotten hero

The title of this blog says more about me then about Jimmy Rogers, the hero I forgot. In fact it wasn't until a guy I've been working with for the better part of two years now, handed me this album that I became aware of the importance of Jimmy for the Blues. (thank you Johan!)
Jimmy Rogers was born in 1924 under the name James A Lane. Jimmy was the hart of Muddy Waters Blues Band during the second half of the 40's and during the major part of the 50's. As a matter of fact it was Jimmy rhythm guitar that created the freedom for muddy to improvise. These two man were such a perfect duo that it is said that there must have been a telepathic link between the two when they were playing. It was Jimmy who introduced Muddy Waters to Little Walter and Otis Spann.
although many of Jimmy's own recordings are well worth listening he was mainly in demand as a sessions player. It was Jimmy who handled the guitar on the five live tracks from the album by Koko Taylor I posted earlier.
This album is Jimmy's last project. He made, and finished, it himself in 1997, but it was not released until 1998, when Jimmy had already died of cancer. On this album Jimmy plays with people like Jeff Healy, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Keith Richards. Pretty unique is the version of Sweet Home Chicago (track 6) with Stephen Stills and track 9 with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and Eric Clapton. Enjoy!

1998 - Blues Blues Blues

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Nothing But The Blues XVIII

It is absolutely not surprising that the life and works of Robert Johnson are surrounded by so many legends and stories. This man is considered to be one of the most influential musicians ever. He took the work of Son House, Charlie Patton (with whom he both played), but also Kokomo Arnold, Leroy Carr, Skip James and Lonnie Johnson (no relative) and converted them in a new direction of the Blues. He played with people like Howlin' Wolf and Alec Miller. As mentor to Elmore James and a major influence on Muddy Waters his work can be traced to the roots of Rock 'n' Roll. His influence was not only trough a later generation. There is a direct influence as well, as the first compilation of his recordings was issued in 1961.
People like Keith Richards and Eric Clapton have always admitted this influence. But also performers like Bob Dylan, or even the Red Hot Chili Peppers, are known admirers of his work.
Combine this influence with the knowledge that Robert only had two recording sessions, the fact that there are only two (!) picture available which are confirmed pictures of Robert and his lifestyle. Yep all the ingredients are there to be legendary!
The most amazing is perhaps the fact that there is no honorary title for Robert Leroy Johnson. Although the earlier mentioned compilation from 1961 was titled King Of The Delta Blues Singers, this never stuck. May I introduce a new one? How about The Delta Roamer?

2000 - Nothing But The Blues - disc 18 - Cross Road Blues

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Nothing But The Blues XVII

These next two disc are dedicated to Robert Johnson. I know I already posted his complete recordings, but I also know there are people who want these wonderful collection complete, so......
There are a lot of stories and uncertainties about Robert Johnson and his life. Some of these stories are really great. You probably all heard the story about Robert standing at a crossroad somewhere in the Mississippi delta at night, striking a deal with the devil. According to this story Robert sold his soul to the devil in return for his amazing abilities on the guitar. I do not know where this story originates, but as all good legends it has some truth to it.
In order to interpret this one you should be aware that in those days all Blues was considered to be the Devils work. There wasn't a preacher in the delta who would not 'fight' this music. Not it the least because of it's close association with Juke Joints, drinking, gambling and loose women. And Robert was one of the 'worst'. He roamed throughout the delta, playing in these Juke Joints, drinking, gambling and chasing women. Story has it that Robert died as result of a jealous husband poisoning his drink! On top of that there is a famous quote of Son House. When Son House first met Robert he was not really impressed with his guitar playing. Just a few years later, when they met again, Robert's playing had improved so dramatically that Son House said: "You must have sold your souls to the Devil in order to play like that!".
Re-reading Robert's life story I found another error in one of my earlier posting. I told you that Elmore James married a daughter of Robert. That still stands. Another fact is that they did play together. But knowing that Robert died at the age of 27 it is unlikely Robert ever knew Elmore as his son in law.

2000 - Nothing But The Blues - disc 17 - Phonograph Blues

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Again the thrill is there!

Riley B. King was born on September 16, 1925 in Berclair Mississippi. He started his career as a Blues musician by playing under the name of The Pepticon Boy. This later became The Beale Street Blues Boy, after the famous Beale Street in Memphis, where it was all happening at that time. This name was shortened to Blues Boy, which eventually became B.B.
Born in 1925? He must be 80 by now!
Correct. And to commemorate his 80th birthday he recorded a special album called......80!
On this album he repeated the success formula of 1997 (Deuces Wild) by having for every track a famous pop idol as a special guest. For this album they are: Van Morrison, Billy F. Gibbons (ZZ Top), Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Daryl Hall, John Mayer, Mark Knopfler, Glenn Frey (The Eagles), Gloria Estefan (still alive apparently), Roger Daltrey, Bobby Bland and Elton John.
Some of these liaisons I don't get (for instance Gloria Estefan CAN NOT DO BLUES!!!!!). But some are really fun. Remarkable is, for instance, the combination of B.B. With Eric Clapton on The Thrill Is Gone. How many times has B.B. played this song. How many times has he recorded this song? With how many people has he recorded this? And it still works!
But perhaps the most remarkable is John Mayer. This young man (born in 1977) is relatively unknown. He was a price winning singer / songwriter and now is....... A Blues musician.
Did his working with B.B. had anything to do with it?

2005 - 80

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Nothing But The Blues XVI

Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup wasn't a keen performer. The reason for this is not known. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that he wasn't a master on the guitar while so many of his fellow musician were. Fact is that Big Boy didn't climb the stage often. But on the occasions he did it would often be with people like Alec Miller (Sonny Boy Williamson II) or Elmore James. He furthermore was a friend of Nat King Cole.
After Big Boy left the Blues scene in the mid 50's the was 'rediscovered' in the middle of the 60's. The difference with people like Mississippi John Hurt and Skip James here is that Big Boy recorded in those days a few records with new stuff again.
This new interest in the boys changed Big Boy's audience from mainly black to dominantly white. Just before his death Big Boy toured with Bonnie Raitt. Arthur Crudup died in March 1974.
Today's disc is prove of the immortality of Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup's work. All recordings date from either 1946 (Tracks 1,2,3,4,8,9,10,20) or 1947 (rest). Again Crudup is credited for all songs alongside R. Knowling and L. Riley. Today's disc will also take away any doubt you may have had about his honorary title ' Father of Rock 'n' Roll'. Listen to Track 6 Crudups Vicksburg Blues and know. You also might recognize track 3 That's All Right as the songs that delivered Elvis Presley his big breakthrough.

2000 - Nothing But The Blues - disc 16 - Crudups' After Hours

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