Blues In The News

I recently wrote an article on the reissue of Mike Shea’s legendary film on Chicago’s Maxwell Street Market, And This Is Free. Barry Mazor wrote an excellent piece on the release for the online version of the Wall Street Journal.

The Spiders

I got word recently that fine the R&B singer Chuck Carbo passed away on July 11th after a lengthy battle with cancer. I first became acquainted with Carbo with the two excellent comeback records he cut for Rounder: Drawers Trouble (1993) and The Barber’s Blues (1996). I recall these records getting quite a bit of play on my radio program at the time. I soon tracked down his early recordings with the Spiders, a fabulous New Orleans vocal group who had a string of R&B hits in the 1950’s, led by Carbo and his brother Chick. Just about all these sides can be found on Bear Family’s 2-CD The Imperial Sessions. After the Spiders Carbo cut a number of 45’s, only a few that I’m familiar with, and returned to music after a long absence. Carbo’s passing has been well covered and below are links to some of the obituaries.

offBeat Obituary

The Times Picayune Obituary

WWOZ Obituary

I Didn’t Want To Do It [Spiders] (MP3)