Having completed my “50 Albums in 50 Days” expansion of Mr. Chris Estey’s August 24th directive “to post 25 albums in 25 days that have had a major CREATIVE impact on you”, I’ve decided to add a THIRD [slash] final batch of 25, in order to fill some remaining “gaps”—at least as I perceive such …
Legendary Chicago blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin has died. Born in Greenwood, Mississippi on November 16, 1931, Sumlin had recently celebrated his 80th birthday with a public appearance. He died of heart failure December 4, 2011 in Wayne, New Jersey. When reached for comment, EPB blues expert John Siscoe replied: “So Hubert Sumlin is dead. Though …
. Two versions of a Willie Dixon novelty tune form a study in contrast. In the first (1963 above), Wolf and his band are at their peak, with everyone knowing what to say and when. The lyrics may be forgettable, but the performance gleams. In the remake (1968 below), a haphazard assemblage of studio musicians …
Howlin’ Wolf—“Spoonful” (Chess 1960, 2:45) The day before I flew home to Montana from Providence (23 May 1982) I found a very useful, cartoon-jacketed, budget-line blues sampler—America’s Musical Roots—that contained many of the most famous singles ever to appear on Chess Records, this one foremost among them. Nothing about the chundering roar of Cream’s infamous …
If you love the Chicago Blues, you’ll count yourself lucky that Hubert Sumlin is still alive and playing guitar. His stunningly original and powerful technique, structured unlike any other in recorded blues, has many admirers but no successful imitators. As the lead guitarist for Howlin’ Wolf, he helped create a body of work that formed …
Although this clip looks as if it had been filmed at a Chicago Blues club, it actually took place at the Newport Folk Festival in 1966. The folklorist Alan Lomax had set up a faux juke joint where he could film blues players in a “realistic” club setting. Performers included Skip James, Bukka White, and …
By Tom Kipp “If I had to boil down for a Martian what “it” IS that made rock music the joy of my life, there could be no finer aural aid than this [The Sonics version of “Louie Louie” ] guitar/vocal Tandem Scream from the Id. They say Grunge was “raw”, but it may as …