T-Bone Walker w/ Jazz At The Philharmonic – Live in UK 1966, by John Siscoe

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This is a nice clip. Aaron Tibeaux Walker. What can I say? Once almost as big as his contemporary, Louis Jordan, and now just as forgotten. A long, long string of r&b chart hits from the mid 40’s through the 50’s. A suave, seemingly effortless vocalist and guitarist, who penned most of his own material, pioneered the electric blues guitar, and influenced almost everyone. His was The West Coast (Los Angeles) Blues as opposed to the rougher Chicago Blues. Lots of horns and a swinging sound (Louis Jordan again). But it was the Chicago brand that won over the white college kids in the ’60s, leaving T-Bone virtually without an audience. A thoughtful, aimiable man, and a hard worker.

When I saw him in 1969 he was ill and tired, but he certainly looks good in this clip, and right at home in the company of a gaggle of jazz greats.

– John Siscoe

[East Portland Blog encourages Seattleites and concerned others to purchase all your books, used and new, from John Siscoe at Globe Books, 218 First Avenue South, near Pioneer Square, Seattle, Washington (206) 682 – 6882. (If you don’t find what you’re looking for on the shelves, John can order it for you.) Independent retailers provide you with service, knowledge and love for subject matter unavailable in other commercial settings. Please support local, independent stores, particularly book dealers, and particularly book sellers who happen to also be one of East Portland Blog’s team of celebrated regular contributors.]

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