Tag: blues

447. John Lee Hooker

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(October 2022) Episode 447 is JOHN LEE HOOKER. A true blues superstar.  A next-generation Delta Blues artist, his early recordings were primitive and powerful, which is why his Detroit years (late 40s-early 50s) are my favorite. Hooker may be best known for developing the single-note boogie; when he gets in a distorted and crunchy groove it’s just awesome.  He touched almost all varieties of blues in his long recording career – electric, jazzy, pop, including many collaborations.

Favorite album: Plays and Sings the Blues

Favorite collaboration album: Hooker ‘n Heat (with Canned Heat)

Favorite soundtrack album: The Hot Spot (with Miles Davis)

Favorite song: Boogie Chillen’ No. 2

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: go for the early recordings and the boogie stuff, but if you’re like me you can only take so much blues in one sitting.

434. The Staple Singers and Mavis Staples

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(September 2022) Episode 434 is the STAPLE SINGERS and MAVIS STAPLES.  This family (patriarch “Pops” plus four siblings, including Mavis) is proof that blues, gospel and soul all share the same DNA. They began as a gospel group, but with a restrained, down to earth feel in contrast to normal gospel fare, grounded in Pops’ Mississippi blues guitar. They transitioned into soul and later funk. Mavis, already an accomplished solo artist, has had a revival in her golden years, with her best albums coming in the last decade.

Favorite Staple Singers album: Freedom Highway

Favorite Mavis album: One True Vine

Favorite Staple Singers song: John Brown

Favorite Mavis song: Can You Get To That

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: try the mid-60s albums for some good soul and sweet harmonies

427. Screamin’ Jay Hawkins

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(July 2022) Episode 427 is SCREAMIN’ JAY HAWKINS. His contribution to the emergence of rock-n-roll was primarily his wild and macabre stage performances, making him a pioneer of shock rock.  The music was a mix of blues and R&B delivered in his booming operatic baritone, but is more style than substance.

Favorite album: At Home With Screamin’ Jay Hawkins

Favorite song: I Put A Spell On You

Most Realistic Song: Constipation Blues

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: just as a novelty

410. Blind Lemon Jefferson

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(May 2022) Episode 410 is BLIND LEMON JEFFERSON, known as the Father of Texas Blues.  He recorded a hundred songs in the 1920s, and was popular at the time for his distinctive voice and guitar playing.  He was rediscovered in the 1960s as lots of artists covered his songs. Allegedly Jefferson Airplane took their name from him.

Favorite song: Matchbox Blues

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: yes, for awareness of original blues

402. Blind Willie Johnson

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(April 2022) Episode 402 is BLIND WILLIE JOHSNON, one of the great gospel blues musicians, known for his bottleneck slide guitar and molasses-mixed-with-sand voice, sometimes accompanied by his wife. He had a short recording career between 1927-30, but many of his songs have been covered.

Favorite song: The Soul of a Man

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: for sure if you like pure, original blues

394. Reverend Gary Davis

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(March 2022) Episode 394 is REVEREND GARY DAVIS. Also known as Blind Gary Davis, he was one of the great finger-picking blues guitarists from the Piedmont tradition, as well as in a ragtime style. He became a minister and moved to New York City, so much of his songs have gospel themes.     

Favorite album: Harlem Street Singer, Trying to Get Home

Favorite instrumental album: The Guitar & Banjo of Reverend Gary Davis

Favorite song: Samson and Delilah (If I Had My Way)

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: a quality way to listen to the blues

387. Blind Willie McTell

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(February 2022) Episode 387 of the “opus project” is BLIND WILLIE McTELL One of the best blues artists there ever was, notable for his fingerpicking style associated with the Piedmont blues. He usually played a 12-string, and you can hear the direct influence on Jimmy Page and others. His voice was smooth and high in a ragtime sound.  All without his sight.

Favorite song: East St. Louis Blues (Fare You Well)

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: essential for any tour of the blues

377. Sister Rosetta Tharpe

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(January 2022) Episode 377 is SISTER ROSETTA THARPE. I’m not into the gospel message but the music can have a certain power, and is worth studying for its common roots with blues, rock, R&B and soul. Tharpe played an influential role in that history by putting her bluesy electric guitar out front and bringing the music into secular venues.

Favorite album: Gospel Songs

Favorite song: Strange Things Happening Every Day

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: for students of the history of rock and soul

337. Mississippi John Hurt

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(June 2021) Episode 337 of the “opus project” is MISSISSIPPI JOHN HURT. Guitar pickin’ blues, my favorite kind of blues I think.  That, along with his gentle voice and calm delivery (not to mention his uncomplicated personal life), make him distinctive if not unique in the genre. He was rediscovered in the 1960s and thus contributed to the folk revival. A benefit is that most of his recordings are of good quality.

Favorite song: Richland Woman Blues

Compared to expectations: ↑