Blues Republic

Soul/Blues

Bill — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:17:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!!!!! Hope you all are gong to seek out some cool entertainment this weekend. The dog days of summer have kicked in full blast, and all I want to do is grab a cold one and listen to some tasty Blues.

Tad Robinson played regionally with a group called the Hesitation Blues Band, then moved to Chicago, where he became the vocalist for Dave Specter & the Bluebirds, singing on their 1994 album Blueplicity for Delmark Records. In 1994 he released his first album under his own name on the same label; three more have followed, two on the Severn imprint.

Check out Did You Ever Wonder If you like this try out his latest album "Back in Style" as I like to say "It's just good stuff"

There more info on Tad's website www.tadrobinson.com/

See Y"all tomorrow

Rainy Night In Georga

Bill — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:52:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

A bit of rhythm and blues today. Check out this great one from Brook Benton, Rainy Night In Georga This was Benton's last big hit before his passing in 1988

Brook earned a good living writing songs and co-producing albums. He wrote songs for artists such as Nat King Cole, Clyde McPhatter (for whom he wrote the hit "A Lover's Question"), and Roy Hamilton. Soon he released his first minor hit, "A Million Miles from Nowhere". Later he went on to the Mercury label, which would eventually bring him larger success.

In 1959 he made his breakthrough with his hits "It's Just a Matter of Time" and "Endlessly". "It's Just a Matter of Time" peaked at #3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, while "Endlessly" made it to #12. Both of the first two hits were written by Benton with Clyde Otis. They were originally offered to Nat King Cole, but when Otis became an A&R official at Mercury, he convinced Benton to sign with the label and record them himself, while asking Cole not to record the songs as planned. He followed this success with a series of hits, including "So Many Ways" (#6), "Hotel Happiness" (#3), "Think Twice" (#11), "Kiddio" (#7), and "The Boll Weevil Song" (#2). In 1960, he had two top 10 hit duets with Dinah Washington: "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)" (#5) and "A Rockin' Good Way (To Mess Around and Fall in Love)" (#7)

Whats up for Sunday?

Bill — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:59:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

Sundays here and I've got no plans, no "have to's", and no "want to's". Days like this don't come around to often, so when they do Ya just gotta take advantage!

You all should rest easy knowing that I'm taking it easy for all of you

Cant resist the temptation of this one...Sums my day up anyway Click for it here File this under "Cheese"

What can I say??? See Y'all tomorrow

Outlaw Music

Bill — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 13:03:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

Have been very busy during the week to post.. i'll try a little harder, I certainly don't want to let down my thousands of fans

Saturday morning here in the Ozarks is bringing in another hot one today. We're going on a few errands then, hopefully off to the lake.

Heres a great tune from "The Outlaws" to get you started today, Click here for it I grew up with these guys, and I miss Hughie Thomasson very much. He was without a doubt one of the great ones!

Heres some Wiki trivia:

The band was the first act signed to Arista Records under Clive Davis. Davis was in the audience at a show in 1974 where the band was opening for Lynyrd Skynyrd in Columbia, South Carolina. At the end of Lynyrd Skynyrd's set, lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant said from the stage: “If you don’t sign the Outlaws, you’re the dumbest music person I’ve ever met—and I know you’re not.”

The Outlaws' earliest well known songs were "There Goes Another Love Song" and "Green Grass and High Tides", both from their 1975 self-titled debut album. Their 1980 cover of "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky" from the album Ghost Riders was their biggest single chart success, reaching #31 on the Billboard "Pop Singles" chart.

Have a great day everyone

Sunday Barbeque

Bill — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 20:40:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

Have been slavin' over a hot smoker all day...GOT RIBS GOIN"!!!!

Serving about 6 if anyone is interested.

How about some barbeque music, heres Albert Collins, Roy Buchanan and Lonnie Mack doing "Further on Down the Road"

See Y"all tomorrow

Saturday Morning In The Ozarks

Bill — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 14:33:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

Hope this Saturday finds you all well...

Going to be a hot one again today, the only good thing is that we have been blessed with rain. Rain is a good thing in July here in the Ozarks.

So yeah, lets, let it rain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifff5NbKQZI&feature=related

Clapton wrote this with the help of Bonnie and Delaney Bramlett. They put most of it together while they were touring together in 1969; Clapton with Blind Faith, and The Bramletts supporting them with their group Delaney And Bonnie. Blind Faith broke up after their first tour, and Clapton formed Derek and the Dominos with Delaney And Bonnie's backup group, who Clapton became friends with on the tour.

Have a great day everyone

See Y'all tomorrow

Summertime

Bill — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 23:33:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

Well Fridays has rolled around once again!!!! Lets get a cold one!!!

Well summer is in full swing here in the Ozarks. For us its all about being on or in the water. Of corse we love our barbecues and live music as well. What ever you enjoy, we would all agree that summertime is the best time anyplace!

There are tons of "summer" songs but this one really hits it! Check out this one from War and see if you don't agree.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXOKNTv8YBY This is one of those tunes that you can close your eyes and remember the great summers in your life. have a great weekend!

See Ya"ll tomorrow

The best harp player of all time?

Bill — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:03:00 GMT

Hi Gang.

He was an American blues harmonica player whose revolutionary approach to his instrument has earned him comparisons to Charlie Parker and Jimi Hendrix for innovation and impact on succeeding generations. His virtuosity and musical innovations fundamentally altered many listeners' expectations of what was possible on blues harmonica. This is of course, Little Walter.

Little Walter Jacobs is widely credited by blues historians as the artist primarily responsible for establishing the standard vocabulary for modern blues and blues rock harmonica players. His influence can be heard in varying degrees in virtually every modern blues harp player who came along in his wake, from blues greats such as Junior Wells, James Cotton, George "Harmonica" Smith, Carey Bell, and Big Walter Horton, through modern-day masters Sugar Blue, Billy Branch, Kim Wilson, Southside Johnny (who named his band The Asbury Jukes after Little Walter's band), Rod Piazza, William Clarke, and Charlie Musselwhite, in addition to blues-rock crossover artists such as Paul Butterfield. As well as my good friend Karlos Von Weisenhorn, harp blues master extrodanare

Yeah, I think he was pretty good!

Check out Key to the Highway Recorded November 1958 with Otis Spann on piano

Love this poster!

See Y"all Tomorrow

Even the simple stuff

Bill — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:13:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

Sorry I've been away from my post...just to much stuff going on right now!

The simplest of riffs can become the hardest to get your soul into. The E-A-G riff is one I have been playing since I started. It's been used gazillions (thats a number) of times in tons of tunes. Now heres the progression that has it all... can you get it right???? Click For It Can you do this like the masters? Enjoy!

See Y"all tomorrow

Midnight Oil

Bill — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 02:50:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

Random iTunes found 1990 release of "Blue Sky Mining" from the Ausie band Midnight Oil

Im hoping Markus checks in on this, because if you check wiki on these guys.. there's a ton of info. This is the only record that I have, and I've got to say, Its Just Good Stuff! I think I'll check out some of the other offerings. It looks like the band broke up in 2002, and have had some reunion gigs since. Wasn't it these guys that coined the phrase "Better to die on your feet than to serve on your knees"

Well Im not sure about all of the politics here, but I like this one, check out from 2009, at the Royal Theatre in Canberra in preparation for the Sound Relief charity concert (in aid of the bush fire victims in Victoria ) held at the MCG.King of the Mountain This was one of the more popular ones when MTV still played videos.

See Y"all Tomorrow

Way Back When

Bill — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 23:12:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

Well the big weekend is winding down...Back to the grind tomorrow! Oh Well...

Dusting off the old LPs again and ran across this one. Mason Proffit and the album "Wanted" 1969 I think? Does anyone but me remember these guys?

From Wiki

Brothers Terry Talbot and John Michael Talbot played together in several local bands around Indianapolis, Indiana and later in Chicago. After their group Sounds Unlimited disbanded, in 1969 they formed Mason Proffit with a focus on the emerging blend of folk, country and rock that would come to be called country rock. Older brother Terry's "Two Hangmen" from their first album Wanted... Mason Proffit, became a regional hit and helped their second album, Movin' Toward Happiness, chart on the Billboard 200. In 1972, the band signed to Warner Bros. Records and continued touring, performing up to 300 concerts each year. Some of Mason Proffit's opening acts during that time included The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, John Denver, Mac Davis, and Buffalo Springfield. Their country-rock-bluegrass style was innovative yet difficult to place in a marketing genre. Their live shows were high energy. And once, while jamming with The Scruggs Review, John Hartford and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Earl Scruggs called John Talbot "the best banjo player I've ever heard." Warner Bros. re-released their two first two albums as a compilation called Come And Gone plus two more discs, Rockfish Crossing and Bareback Rider. Mason Proffit disbanded when brothers John and Terry Talbot left the band and began performing as a duo

Heres Two Hangmen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElwpZVkjMgs&feature=related Kind of a weird video, but what the heck, Enjoy!

So one last question, Who the hell is/was Mason Proffit?

See Y"all tomorrow

Happy 4th of July

Bill — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 02:56:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

Happy 4th of July to everyone. I hope none of you all have blown anything up, including yourselves

Don't forget what this Holiday is all about, take just a second and give a little thanks!

Check out The Boston Pops, and the 1812 Overture.

See y"all tomorrow

Stevie Nicks

Bill — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 19:22:00 GMT

Hi Gang, Hope the weekend is going good... Carful with those fireworks!

Have been listening to Fleetwood Mac today. Man what a band (all of them) I have most of the solo efforts by t he band members, and I have re.discovered Stevie Nicks.

Maybe its because her stuff sounds like the "popular" Fleetwood Mac time.. I don't know, Its just good stuff!

Heres a cool one Im sure you all remember, Rooms On Fire This is from her 1989 release of "The Other Side Of The Mirror"

See Y"all tomorrow

Canada Day

Bill — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:50:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

Happy Canada Day.

Frequently referred to as "Canada's birthday", particularly in the popular press, the occasion marks the joining of the British North American colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada into a federation of four provinces (the Province of Canada being divided, in the process, into Ontario and Quebec) on July 1, 1867. Canada became a kingdom in its own right on that date, but the British Parliament kept limited rights of political control over the new country that were shed by stages over the years until the last vestiges were surrendered in 1982 when the Constitution Act patriated the Canadian constitution.

When I think of Canada, I think of The Band, and this song. Acadian Driftwood from Night At The Palladium 1976 This is one of the "prettiest" songs from this bunch of Canadian brothers... plus one Ozark Hillbilly to boot!

As we Americans get ready for our own independence day, let's be sure and raise our glass to our good northern friends.

See Y"all tomorrow

ZZ Top is about to begin

Bill — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 20:18:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

It's going on about 2:30 PM CST, so according to the show schedule, ZZ Top should be on now. Check em out from Crossroads 2004

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VLWybq0oxc All right Im sure your tired of hearing whine... but Jeez O' Petes id like to be there!

Heres a copy of the show schedule

11:50 AM – 12:15 PM	Sonny Landreth
12:20 – 12:55 PM	Robert Randolph joined by Joe Bonamassa & Pino Daniele
1:00 – 1:40 PM	Robert Cray with Jimmie Vaughan & Hubert Sumlin
1:45 – 2 PM	Bert Jansch
2:05 – 2:20 PM	Stefan Grossman
2:25 – 2:50 PM	ZZ Top
3:00 – 3:40 PM	Doyle Bramhall II joined by Gary Clark & Sheryl Crow
3:50 – 4:35 PM	Vince Gill joined by Albert Lee, James Burton, & Keb' Mo'
4:45 – 5:00 PM	Citizen Cope
5:05 – 5:20 PM	Earl Klugh
5:25 – 5:50 PM	John Mayer
6:00 – 6:35 PM	Buddy Guy with Jonny Lang
6:45 – 7:35 PM	Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band joined by Warren Haynes, Sheryl Crow, David Hidalgo, Cesar Rojas, & Johnny Winter
7:45 – 8:20 PM	Jeff Beck
8:35 – 10:05 PM	Eric Clapton with Steve Winwood
10:10 – 10:30 PM	BB King with Robert Cray Band
10:30 – 10:50 PM	FINALE

See Y"all tomorrow

Crossroads Tomorrow

Bill — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:06:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

Well the big day is tomorrow. I sure wish I was going...

Heres a good one from 2004 Click For It

If your not sure what the Festival is for, check out this website http://crossroadsantigua.org/

See Y"all tomorrow

Count Down to Crossroads

Bill — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:27:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

I couldn't be more excited or more depressed... I'm not sure which??? Crossroads is this Saturday and guess what... I'm not going... couldn't get tickets... couldn't win tickets... Oh well, I'm pretty sure it will all happen with out me there

The following artists are confirmed to participate in this unique event to benefit Crossroads Centre Antigua:

Albert Lee, Allman Brothers Band, BB King, Bert Jansch, Buddy Guy, David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos, Doyle Bramhall II, Earl Klugh, Eric Clapton, Gary Clark Jr., Hubert Sumlin, James Burton, Jeff Beck, Jimmie Vaughan, Joe Bonamassa, John Mayer, Johnny Winter, Jonny Lang, Keb' Mo', Pino Daniele, Robert Cray, Robert Randolph, Sheryl Crow, Sonny Landreth, Stefan Grossman, Steve Winwood, Vince Gill, and ZZ Top.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

Heres a 2007 video, Clapton and Winwood doing "Presence Of The Lord"

Leon

Bill — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:03:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

Every once in a while I mention my buddy Ron Miller (musician extraordinaire!) Ron toured with this guy in the 80s. Claude Russell Bridges, but better known as Leon Russell... I have always liked Leon, especially live. Hope I get a chance to see him again.

Known first mostly as a session musician, Russell has played with artists as varied as Jerry Lee Lewis, George Harrison, Delaney Bramlett, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Eric Clapton, The Byrds, The Beach Boys, Willie Nelson, Badfinger, Tijuana Brass, Frank Sinatra, The Band, Glen Campbell, and The Rolling Stones. With a solo career involving the genres of rock and roll, blues, and gospel music, Russell began his musical career at the age of 14 years in the nightclubs of Tulsa, OK. He and his group "The Starlighters", which included J.J. Cale, Chuck Blackwell and Johnny Williams, were instrumental in creating the style of music known as the Tulsa Sound. After settling in Los Angeles, he studied guitar with James Burton, and worked sessions with Dorsey Burnette and Glen Campbell.

Heres a good one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JUuT8CpPnc

See Y'all tomorrow

A Little Gospel

Bill — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

Well just because its Sunday...

Willing to cross the line between sacred and secular by performing her inspirational music of 'light' in the 'darkness' of the nightclubs and concert halls with big bands behind her, her witty, idiosyncratic style also left a lasting mark on more conventional gospel artists, such as Ira Tucker, Sr., of the Dixie Hummingbirds. While she offended some conservative churchgoers with her forays into the world of pop music, she never left gospel music.

Give a hand to Sister Rosetta Tharpe playing, "Up Above My Head" This gal is swinging a Gibson SG!!! Great song...It just "Good Stuff"

See Y"all tomorrow

What's up for Saturday

Bill — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 14:09:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

Up and around already, coffee in hand, and checking out the various forums. Pretty hot here in the Ozarks, gonna try and stay cool. Just playing random tunes on the box this morning. Here one of my all time favorites "Layla" from.. You know who... Does anybody ever get tired of this one???

Have a great day, I'll see Y"all tommorrow

30th Anniversary

Bill — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:42:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

Happy Friday to everyone. Gonna make this quick, then head for the lake!

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the movie... "The Blues Brothers" So heres to Ya Jake and Elwood,

Heres a movie trailer CLICK

See Y'all tomorrow

New Steve Miller

Bill — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:23:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

Man, back in the day, Steve Miller tunes filled the air 24/7. I kind of lost touch with the Joker, but now he has a new album out called "Bingo" The album features cover versions of songs by artists such as B.B. King, Lowell Fulson, Jimmy Reed, and Jimmie Vaughan.

In Steve's words "This is a party record, man. It's about getting up and getting ready to dance. It's like the fraternity party gigs I used to play in college. I went through and picked all my favorite tunes that I really, really loved. I wanted to make this record forever; it started off as just kind of a goof, and then it got real serious".

The Itunes download is a bit pricey...$12.99.. I think Ill check some other sources

Heres a youtube "sampler" from the album Click Here For It

See Y'all tomorrow

What do we make of this?

Bill — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:24:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

So get this, "Pop Gal" Cyndi Lauper has recorded (but not released yet) a blues record. I believe its titled Memphis Blues. Heres a sample http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOG62QtEdxI Okay... Well Im impressed, Who knew she had this in her, and man what a voice. Cyndi had some great help with this one, including Charlie Musselwhite, B.B.King, Johnny Lang, as well as, several other fine musicians. I sure would like to hear the rest of the tracks,. It seems promising...

See Y"all tomorrow

Kenny Wayne Shephard

Bill — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:55:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

After yesterdays long post, heres a bit of a shorter one...

Heres an acoustic version of "Blue on Black" from Kenny Wayne Shephard http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee735pZ6kxk

He has released several studio albums and experienced a rare level of commercial success both as a blues artist and a young musician. In 1997, Guitar World ranked Shepherd #3 after B.B. King and Eric Clapton on their list of popular blues artists. Get current at his website http://www.kennywayneshepherd.net/See Y"all tomorrow

Under the Influence

Bill — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 21:20:00 GMT

Hi Gang,

I had "Gangster of Love" by Johnny "Guitar" Watson on the box. (You probably have heard the Steve Miller version). It was just a song on a compilation cd that I had. To me, Watson is one of those guys that you always knew about...but never really knew any of the details. I must admit...He never really crossed my play list...

Heres some Stats:

Johnny "Guitar" Watson (February 3, 1935 - May 17, 1996

27 Albums from 1957 - 1994

18 Singles from 1973 - 1979

Heres the cool stuff, check out the folks he influenced...

Frank Zappa stated that "Watson's 1956 song Three Hours Past Midnight inspired me to become a guitarist". Watson contributed to Zappa's albums One size fits all (1975), Them or Us (1984), Thing Fish ' (1984) and Frank Zappa meets the Mothers of Prevention (1985). Zappa also named Three Hours Past Midnight' his favorite record in a 1979 interview. His vocal on Zappa's song "In France" is considered a masterpiece by many.

Steve Miller not only did a cover of "Gangster of Love," he made a reference to it in his 1969 song "Space Cowboy" ("Some call me the a gangster of love") as well as his 1973 hit song "The Joker" ("Some call me the gangster of love"). Miller also covered "The Gangster Is Back", on his 1971 album "Rock Love".

Sly Stone was influenced by Watson growing up, and later they became friends.

Jimmie Vaughan, brother of Stevie Ray Vaughan, is quoted as saying: "When my brother Stevie and I were growing up in Dallas, we idolized very few guitarists. We were highly selective and highly critical. Johnny 'Guitar' Watson was at the top of the list, along with Freddie, Albert and B.B. King He made magic."

Elvis Costerlo's bootleg 1984 album is titled "The Gangster Is Back," a nod to Watson's 1975 album of the same title, which was also a bootleg compilation.

Bobby Womack: "Music-wise, he was the most dangerous gunslinger out there. Even when others made a lot of noise in the charts - I'm thinking of Sly Stone or George Clinton - you know they'd studied Johnny's stage style and listened very carefully to Johnny's grooves."

Near the end of his career, Watson toured with the O'Jays.

Etta James stated in an interview at the 2006 Rochester Jazz Festival: “Johnny "Guitar" Watson... Just one of my favorite singers of all time. I first met him when we were both on the road with Johnny Otis in the ‘50s, when I was a teenager. We traveled the country in a car together so I would hear him sing every night. His singing style was the one I took on when I was 17 – people used to call me the female Johnny 'Guitar' Watson and him the male Etta James... He knew what the blues was all about...” Etta Jamesis also quoted as saying: "I got everything from Johnny... He was my main model... My whole ballad style comes from my imitating Johnny's style... He was the baddest and the best... Johnny Guitar Watson was not just a guitarist: the man was a master musician. He could call out charts; he could write a beautiful melody or a nasty groove at the drop of a hat; he could lay on the harmonies and he could come up with a whole sound. They call Elvis the King; but the sure-enough King was Johnny 'Guitar' Watson."

Pearl Jam features a song called "Johnny Guitar" on its most recent album, Backspacer. The song is said to be inspired by a Johnny Guitar album cover hanging on a wall.

Wow, thats quite a list, Check out wiki for more details.

So if you made it through that read, enjoy "Gangster of Love" Pretty cool huh? Now go practice you "siren" technique

See Y"all tomorrow