Author Archive
Saturday, August 2nd, 2008
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 [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Blues News by Jeff
Thursday, July 31st, 2008
Roosevelt Holts: Presenting The Country Blues
Roosevelt Holts was a country bluesman of considerable skill who in a small way was caught up in the blues boom of the 1960’s, finally getting the opportunity to record scattered sides and a couple of LP’s in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Holts, who was born in 1905, likely would have achieved greater recognition if [...]
No Comments » - Posted in 1960's Blues, Mississippi Blues, Music Reviews by Jeff
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008
Chicago Defender Blues Advertisements: Blind Lemon Jefferson
Rambler Blues (MP3)
As we continue to reprint the blues ads that appeared in the Chicago Defender we turn to Blind Lemon Jefferson, one of the biggest male blues artists of the 1920’s. He was also the most heavily advertised blues artist, just behind Lonnie Johnson and Bessie Smith, with forty-four ads appearing in the [...]
1 Comment » - Posted in 1920's Blues, Blues Ads, Texas Blues by Jeff
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008
And This Is Free: The Life And Times Of Chicago’s Legendary Maxwell Street
After languishing out of print for many years, Mike Shea’s legendary film on Chicago’s Maxwell Street Market, And This Is Free, has finally been reissued by Shanachie and I imagine news of this will stir up quite a bit of excitement in blues circles. Shanachie has done an exemplary job with the packaging; housed in [...]
4 Comments » - Posted in 1960's Blues, Chicago Blues, Music Reviews by Jeff
Sunday, July 20th, 2008
Big Road Blues Show 7/20/08: Mix Show
ARTIST
SONG
ALBUM
Lula Reed
I’ll Drown in My Tears
I’ll Drown in My Tears
Lula Reed
(Let Your Love) Watch Over Me
Boy-Girl-Boy
Lula Reed
I’ll Upset You Baby
I’ll Drown in My Tears
Bukka White
Fixin’ To Die Blues
Vintage Recordings (1930-1940)
Bukka White
Sad Day Blues
Miss. Blues Jam In Memphis Vol. 2
Papa Lightfoot
My Woman Is Tired…
Goin’ Back To The Natchez Trace
Joe Hill Louis
Hydramatic Woman
Jook Joint Blues
Rhythm Willie
Wailin’ Willie
Blowing [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Playlists by Jeff
Saturday, July 19th, 2008
Chicago Defender Blues Advertisements: William McCoy
Mama Blues (MP3)
Out Of Doors Blues (MP3)
Train Imitations & The Fox Chase (MP3)
Central Tracks Blues (MP3)
In our ongoing series of reprinting old Chicago Defender blues ads we turn to an obscure but excellent early harmonica player by the name of William McCoy. His records were advertised in the Defender on May [...]
1 Comment » - Posted in Blues Ads, Harmonica Blues by Jeff
Friday, July 18th, 2008
Percy Mayfield: The RCA Years
It’s not hard to see why Percy Mayfield has been so frequently covered and so often mentioned with admiration among his fellow blues singers; he was a master of the moody blues ballad, he had flawless timing and phrasing and as a writer his songs had a frank, penetrating insight into the dark, complex side [...]
2 Comments » - Posted in 1970's Blues, Articles by Jeff
Sunday, July 13th, 2008
Big Road Blues Show 7/13/08: Raisin’ Sand - The J.O.B. Records Story
ARTIST
SONG
ALBUM
Johnny Shines
Ramblin’
JOB Record Story - Rough Treatment
Johnny Shines
Cool Driver
JOB Record Story - Rough Treatment
Johnny Shines
Fish Tail
JOB Record Story - Rough Treatment
Robert Lockwood
Aw Aw Baby
JOB Record Story - Rough Treatment
Robert Lockwood
Pearly B
JOB Record Story - Rough Treatment
Moody Jones
Why Should I Worry
JOB Record Story - Rough Treatment
Snooky Pryor
Raisin’ Sand
JOB Record Story - Rough Treatment
Snooky Pryor
Cryin’ Shame
JOB Record [...]
1 Comment » - Posted in 1950's Blues, Chicago Blues, Playlists by Jeff
Thursday, July 10th, 2008
Chicago Defender Blues Advertisements: St. Louis Cyclone
St. Louis Cyclone Blues (MP3)
In our ongoing look at the blues ads that appeared in the Chicago Defender we examine two topical numbers about the St. Louis Cyclone of 1927. The St. Louis Cyclone hit five months after the flooding of the Mississippi river. The 1927 flood provoked an outpouring of songs by both [...]
1 Comment » - Posted in 1920's Blues, Blues Ads by Jeff
Sunday, July 6th, 2008
Big Road Blues Show 7/6/08: Harpin’ On It - Downhome Harmonica
ARTIST
SONG
ALBUM
Papa Lightfoot
PL Blues
Blues Harmonica Wizards
Papa Lightfoot
Mean Ol’ Train
Blues Harmonica Wizards
Papa Lightfoot
Jump The Boogie
Blues Harmonica Wizards
Schoolboy Cleve
Strange Letter Blues
Juke Joint Blues 1943-1956
Lightnin’ Slim
Lightnin’s Blues
Juke Joint Blues 1943-1956
Schoolboy Cleve
I’m Him
Juke Joint Blues 1943-1956
Schoolboy Cleve
She’s Gone
Juke Joint Blues 1943-1956
Coy “Hot Shot” Love
Wolf Call Boogie
Juke Joint Blues 1943-1956
Coy “Hot Shot” Love
Harpin’ On It
Juke Joint Blues 1943-1956
Joe Hill Louis
We All [...]
