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From the Twitter- & other -verses
A few odds and ends collected or sent on Twitter (and other sources) recently. See @tomusicpix A retweet from @RootsMusicCanada Fair enough. RT @alannealottawa: Kiran Ahluwalia wasn’t impressed that presenter didn’t attempt her last name #cbcjunos http://yfrog.com/ny3sgsaj Via @RealWorldRec: Creole Choir of Cuba recording ‘Tande’ in the Wooden Room at @RealWorldStudio http://youtu.be/fHBQ-jzgNBU (Creole Choir is better […]
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Chuck Berry & T-Bone Walker, 1972
The rock & roller and one of his idols share a guitar on “Everyday I Have The Blues” at the Montreux Jazz Festival, 1972. According to a poster on Charlie Gillett’s music forum (where I found this clip), Walker’s own set the previous day was recorded and released on an LP, Fly Walker Airlines which […]
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Sonny Boy Williamson, Robert Jr Lockwood: on film, 1942
Amazing colour film footage from 1942 of Sonny Boy Williamson II (Rice Miller) and Robert Jr Lockwood playing on the front porch of an Arkansas grocery store in 1942. It also features some shots of Williamson playing with his band in 1952. No sound, but as one YouTube commenter wrote, “The music is there! You […]
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Howlin’ Wolf: “What is the Soul of Man?”
In early December, I made my yearly note that the Oxford American‘s annual Music Issue was about to hit the streets. Usually full of interesting takes on musicians, unknown, little known, or well known, it includes a CD of music by all artists profiled. (NOTE: The issue has been out for some time, but Soundscapes […]
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RIP, Hubert Sumlin
One of the truly great Chicago blues guitarists, long-time guitarist for Howlin’ Wolf, Hubert Sumlin died on Dec 4 at the age of 80. New York Times obituary (which is where I learned that Sumlin’s guitar — and Wolf’s howls– were a selling point for Viagra!) Mick Jagger & Keith Richards will pay all the […]
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St Louis Blues: Bessie Smith’s only movie
For no particular reason… The Empress of the Blues” in her only film appearance (what a shame!). Below are links to the full 15 minute 1929 film, built around her 1925 hit. It’s poor quality, but the opening gives you more evidence of how rotten her man is. This page has some background on the […]
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Notes: Mapfumo, Bombino, Ragovoy, Congotronics &…
Shows at the Lula last week As noted in another post, Thomas Mapfumo closed out Afrofest, but because some of his band members didn’t get visas for Canada, filled in with some local musicians (including guitarist Larry Lewis & Tich Maredza on bass). Mapfumo wasn’t happy with the struggles to get the tightness he wanted, […]
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Happy 100th Birthday to Big Joe Turner
Slightly belated congratulations to the greatest of the blues shouters, who was born in Kansas City on May 18, 1911. I’m sure Joe won’t mind me being a day late, as he’s been playing a steady gig in R&B heaven since 1985. He started singing on the streets & in church, and later became known […]