1 comments about Gettin' Up: Live at Buddy Guy's Legends, Rosa's & Lurrie's Home.

1. Listening to and watching Carey Bell's vigorous vocals and harp playing on a new CD/DVD he share with his son Lurrie, "Gettin' Up Live" (Delmark), one will be astonished to learn that Carey had suffered a stroke, fell and broke a hip weeks before and yet still appeared at Rosa's a few days after leaving the hospital. This new recording/ video captures the two at Rosa's in July, 2006 and at Buddy Guy's Legend's in October 2006, along with some intimate performances at Lurrie's home the day after the Rosa's performance. With strong supporting musicians for the band sides and the empathy they demonstrate whenever they perform together, the Bells have produced both a strong CD and a delightful DVD. The CD has 4 performances from Rosa's, Legends, and Lurrie's home, while the DVD adds two performances from Rosa's. The band selections are excellent with Roosevelt Purifoy certainly adding solid keyboards in support and the bass drum duos of Bob Stroger & Brian `BJ' Jones or Joe Thomas & Kenny Smith keep things going. Scott Cable joins on guitar on Lurrie's vocal at Rosa's (a solid Baby Please Don't Go) and the Legends' performances. Carey is first heard on Junior Wells' What My Mama Told Me, which is appropriate because Bell's vocals evoke Wells. "Gettin' Up" is one of those funky blues Carey was effective at, while at Legends he does a couple of Little Walter numbers along with his "Low Down Dirty Shame." In addition to Bell's vocals and really solid harp, Lurrie is marvelous with his mercurial guitar playing recalling some of Jimmy Dawkins' equally fiery accompaniments on Carey's first album over 35 years. Lurrie has really emerged as one of the finest blues guitarists, especially as an accompanist with suggestions of Dawkins and the equally individualistic Hubert Sumlin. Despite the flash and sizzle of his playing, he never overshadows his father's performances, rather his embellishments and solos strengthen these marvelous performances. Carey handles three vocals at Lurrie's home in the more intimate setting including John Estes' "Broke and Hungry," and J.T. Brown's "Short Dress Woman," before Lurrie closes things out with a heartfelt traditional gospel number, "Stand By Me." The two songs on the DVD not on the CD are older Bell recordings although honestly are a tad bit weaker than those on the CD. The video on the DVD is simple and straightforward and all the more effective for its focus on Carey, Lurrie and their band. No claim that this is the best either has ever done, but this still is a first-rate disc of Chicago Blues that is highly recommended. Enjoy.
   This was written prior to Carey's death, and having enjoyed him on disc as well as live over forrty years, I will miss him as will all blues lovers.

No comments about Alone, Vol. 2.

No comments about Alone, Vol. 1.

1 comments about Basie in Europe.

1. A great live set from the Count Basie Orchestra recorded in from Nice, France during the summer of 1977 on the same tour that produced "Live at Montreaux 1977." Check out Clark Terry as the guest soloist on "Basie." The recording levels are off -- John Duke's bass is a little hot, though it is nice to be able to hear him better than on other albums. Nevertheless, it's well worth the low price (like other Laserlight albums, it's cheaper than most others).

3 comments about That's My Partner!.

1. Born in California in 1942, Elvin Bishop played co-lead guitar opposite Michael Bloomfield in the Paul Butterfield Blues Band back in the mid-60s, drawing a blueprint for all other twin lead guitar combos that followed them. And he hasn't lost any of his chops, as is evident on this warm and enjoyable live album.
   
   Howlin' Wolf's guitarist in the late 50s, Albert "Little Smokey" Smothers (b. 1939), befriended the young Bishop when he arrived in Chicago in the early 60s..."you were square as a pool table and twice as green", Smothers says on the rollicking opener "That's My Partner". And here they are together, recorded live in January, 2000 at "Biscuits & Blues" on Mason Street in San Francisco, front and center on a 12-song set of originals and a few hand-picked covers.
   
   Bishop and Smothers are backed not by a slick funk-band but by a real, low-down blues combo. Pianist and occational organ player S.E. Willis is top-notch, contributing mightly to the deep, swinging groove on songs like "Hello, Baby" and "Roll Your Moneymaker", and Terry Hanck plays tenor sax like each and every song was written specifically with just those saxophone parts in mind.
   There is nothing fancy here, just 55 minutes of Chicago blues highlighted by the originals "That's My Partner", "Travelin' Shoes" and "Middle Aged Man", and a fine, gritty rendition of Howlin' Wolf's "Little Red Rooster". Drummer Bobby Cochran gets a thumping Bo Diddley-beat going on the swaggering instrumental "Stomp", and the slow blues "Annie Mae" features some smouldering lead guitar playing and another grade A-performance by the band.
   
   It gets a tad predictable at times, perhaps, but everything is delivered with power and conviction, and the much-more-than-capable band helps raise even lesser songs above mediocrity. Elvin Bishop and Smokey Smothers plays off each other, banters a little, and seem to be having a great time. And any semi-serious blues fan should be able to find some to groove on here as well. 3 1/2 stars.



2. recorded live in sf in january of this year elvin & little smokey combine to recorded a great live set of tunes covering both of the artists career except for a cover of "little red rooster". every song is high energy of great blues guitar with great horns fillimng in.



3. It seems that when some musicians get together, they both sound better than either sounds alone. The first track shows both guitarists in full flower. The sound on this live CD is the best. There is not quite as much banter as you might expect from Elvin, but as always the lyrics are a riot. And listening to Smokey, you can hear where Elvin got some of his best licks.

2 comments about Mama's Blues.

1. This albumn is creative and shows the wonderful guitar style of Son House as well as other bluesmen that Rory has melded into her own unique sound. She brings new thought into the blues community by both being female and telling "Mama's Blues" from that perspective. (A song that unfortunately I think a lot of women can relate to-that's what the blues are all about! everyday ) In addition "Got to Shine" can lift even the most depressed soul up. Please have a listen to this CD-you won't regret it!



2. This is one of Rory's best releases. (Hey, any CD that starts with a train whistle has got to be great!)

   All of the songs have Rory's trademark passionate singing and acoustic guitar playing. Terraplane Blues, The Spirit Returns, and the title cut are standouts. Got To Shine and Do Your Duty have a gospel flavor. Weepin' Willow Blues is also great.

   Liner notes written by Rory, talking about her musical influences and some stories behind some of the songs on this CD. (Even explain the train!)

   If you're looking for more Rory, Confessions of a Blues Singer is another great release.

2 comments about Live at the Lake.

1. It's not that the music itself on this collection is so extraordinary, it's Karen Lawrence's raspy, sultry vocal delivery that makes this a must-hear. With a voice that falls somewhere between Tina Turner & Janis Joplin (but with more vocal control), or perhaps Dale Krantz of the Rossington-Collins Band would be a better comparison, Lawrence squeezes every bit of emotion out of a song. Nowhere is that more evident than on the pleading slow blues of "Fun & Games". Truly one of the best slow blues I've ever heard. I'd actually rate this collection somewhere between 3 & 4 stars.



2. Blue By nature is a joy to see live, and this double live cd captures an unforgettable show. A real find.

1 comments about Live in '63.

1. Chicago, 1963, Nina's Lounge on the West Side. A small club with a little homemade stage in the corner & an old upright piano off to the left of the stage. Not as well known as Pepper's, Sylvio's, or Teresa's, Nina's was the center of Chicago blues on July 9, 1963. Norman Dayron, student at the University of Chicago, armed with an Ampex tape recorder and a pair of Electro Voice mics placed just right, recorded this exceptional night of blues. On piano, Sunnyland Slim,On guitar J. B Lenoir. Eighteen tunes, one hour, and done. Helping on vocals John Lee Granderson, doing three tunes. Sunnyland & JB split the vocals on the rest. Sneakin' in from the alley, on guitar, Mike Bloomfield. You are sittin' first row. You are there. Live Blues gets no better then this.As intimate a CD as I have hear in a long time.Sunnyland & JB playin' & preaching the blues, as uncomplicated as it gets.WARNING, this is an acoustic CD. This is one helluva good live performance. You love Chicago blues, circa 1963, GET IT !! A Fuel 200 release, JB LENOIR SUNNYLAND SLIM & FRIENDS Live in '63 @ Nina's Lounge

No comments about Live in Europe.

5 comments about One String Blues.

1. I bought the album "One String Blues" at Shane Speal's suggestion almost three years ago, and it is truly a gem. I instantly fell in love with the raw sound of Eddie "One String" Jones' diddley bow, and from the information on the first track of Jones describing his instrument and the information and pictures in the CD liner notes, I built my own version of Eddie Jones' instrument and taught myself to play it in his style--it is now my main instrument.
   
   Slide guitar does not get any more primal than this--a board, two nails, a length of broom-wire with a little bottle and scrap of wood to tension the wire. The rhythm is beat out on the string with a stick, and a whiskey bottle is used to change the pitch of the string. Simple in concept, but in order to get coherent music out of the instrument, the performer must pay attention to many subtleties. Jones makes masterful use of left-hand damping to obtain driving rhythms, bottle rolls (jumping the half-pint whiskey bottle from one edge to the other to make a 2-3 half-step change in pitch) and extensive use of the open string as a pedal note to maintain a tonal center. The man was a genius!
   
   "One String Blues" is one of those very rare recordings that really can change your life. If you can find a copy do not hesitate to buy it. Thanks for recommending it, Shane!
   
   More information on diddley bows and diddley bow players (including Eddie "One String" Jones) can be found in the article by Dr. David Evans in Afro-American Folk Art and Crafts (Center for the Study of Southern Culture Series). This book also contains an article on Lewis Dotson, another diddley bow player.
   
   Commercial recordings of traditional diddley bow players are relatively rare. Other recordings which include one or two cuts of diddley bow music include: One String Sam ("I Need $100" and "My Baby Oooh")Rural Blues, Vol. 1, Napoleon Strickland ("Key to the Blues") Bottleneck Blues, Lonnie Pitchford ("Real Rock Music: Crawlin' Kingsnake" and "My Babe") All Around Man, Willie Joe Duncan ("Unitar Rock") Teen Beat, Vol. 4("Twitchy" and "Cherokee Dance") The Specialty Story and Compton Jones ("Shake 'Em On Down") Afro-American Folk Music from Tate and Panola Counties, Mississippi. Many of these recordings are out of print. Snap up a copy when you can find one. Two excellent videos that include traditional diddley bow players are American Patchwork: The Land Where the Blues Began and Deep Blues: A Musical Pilgrimage to the Crossroads.



2. Eddie "One String" Jones was discovered in LA's Skid Row carrying a instrument made from a 2x4 plank, a single broom wire, bottles and a paint bucket. The instrument was unmistakably a 'diddley bow,' the fabled one-string instrument played by poor children in the South.
   
   But Eddie wasn't a child...and he wasn't anywhere near the Mississippi Delta. He was an eccentric musician who played his diddley bow with passion and precision. He really believed he was a major musician (read the liner notes to the cd...they're very detailed about the experience) and his playing proved him right.
   
   It's one thing to play slide guitar using frets and position markers to guide your slide hand. It's another to play incredible tunes on a 2x4 with broom wire. Eddie "One String" Jones should be classified as a slide guitar legend because of his pitch and skill. His slide hand (he used a whisky bottle as a slide) hits each note perfectly.
   
   I love this cd and have let many many friends borrow it. If you like slide guitar, blues, O Brother Where Art Thou music or anything labeled "outsider music," then you'll want to get this disc. You'll thank me later.
   
   -Shane Speal
   curator of the National Cigar Box Guitar Museum.



3. I first heard this on and LP (remember 33 1/3?) in the late sixties when I bought it just because it looked interesting. I am really pleased to see it available on cd. This is a must have if you are into collecting folk music at all. I was also pleased to see the original liner notes included with the cd, so you can see how this one string instrument is made. Eddie "one string" put his together from the junk pile, and it has a totally unique sound. Kinda makes one want to go the garage and put one together just to try it out. And Edward Hazelton Jones is a great harmonica player with a very haunting sound. Check this out! This is the real deal and you won't regret it.



4. this recording is a really interesting album,if you are lookin for this kind of sound, this is about as raw as it gets.I love the pure delta sound like son house and robert johnson and this for me was a real diamond in the rough! It's sad that most of these musicians were poor and treated bad even though there music was rich and full of emotion.



5. These recordings are all that exists of street musician Eddie Jones' music. Playing a home made instrument akin to the African diddleybow, Jones' Delta inspired blues sounds primative and authentic. Jones shares this CD with another street musician, Edward Hazelton, who accompanies himself alone on harmonica to interesting effect. If you're wanting something original and authentic, this is about as unique as it gets.