Eric Burdon and War--Bare Back Ride

I'm sure most aficionados of Blues would not consider Eric Burdon & War a Blues band.  They'd probably be right.  However, no one can deny that blues was definitely an influence.  Eric Burdon, afterall, was straight out of the Blues influenced "British Invasion" of the early 60's.  One also cannot deny that that this particular song "Bare Back Ride" has a definite blues flavor.  The influential John Lee Hooker boogie rhythm and Lee Oskar's harmonica jam totally push this song into the realm of Blues Music.

I don't know why I'm so defensive about this.  It's not like there is a blues conspiracy against me and my beliefs (or is there?).   I just think that this 1970's gem is the kind of blues I like to hear and I thought you might like it too.


By now you have to admit that my music recommendations are spot on.  You're now thoroughly convinced and you don't even need to question my recommendation.  Just click on the link below and buy.  I don't just recommend the song, I recommend the whole double-CD.  There are a few other solid obscure gems.

One other thing.  If anyone thinks I'm getting rich pitching this music, get a clue.  I've nabbed a total of $1.33 so far this year, so help a brother out.


Edgar Blanchard--Let's Get It

Context is a very important part of listening to music.  The circumstances under which you hear a song can make you hate it or love it.

Such is the story of Edgar Blanchard's song, "Let's Get It."

I have previously mentioned my days as a volunteer DJ at KFAI community radio in Minneapolis.  Back in the mid 80's, KFAI was located at the corner of Bloomington and Lake Streets just south of downtown Minneapolis.  Back then this intersection was the Florence and Normandie equivalent of Minneapolis.  In other words, it was one of the sketchiest areas of the Twin Cities.  Roaming around this area at 2AM was a bit risky to your physical well being.

It just so happened that I had the overnight shift from 2AM to 6AM.  The station was locked up and the only way in was to call from a pay phone on the side of the building and the other DJ would then come down and let me in.

I went to the phone booth and dialed the studio.  It just so happened that the other DJ was currently on the air and couldn't answer the phone.  Just about this time, two nocturnal creatures emerged from the darkness clearly high out of their minds.

It seemed that these two dudes needed to make a phone call too.  And of all the phone booths in the neighborhood, they chose the one right next to me.  I started to worry when it was evident that they really weren't making a phone call.  One guy picked up the phone and put it to his ear but he never put in a quarter and he was whispering to the other guy.

I wanted very badly to just turn my back on these two miscreants and run.  However, every instinct told me that turning my back would have been fatal.  Instead, I just stared them down.  I kept my eyes focused on their every move until finally the DJ in the studio answered the phone.

I made haste around the corner and jumped into the security of the radio station.

Now, I may have been wrong about those two guys.  My life may not have been in danger.  But let's face it, if you're roaming the streets of Bloomington and Lake at 2A you are clearly not out performing philanthropy.

I took a deep breath and settled into the KFAI record library looking for some new music to play for the show and to sooth my ragged nerves.  That is when I found this tune by Edgar Blanchard.  It really is just a simple early R&B/Rock n' Roll beat from New Orleans.  But the context for me was just right and I've loved this song ever since.



I'm guessing the tale of my near death experience moved you so much that you feel compelled to support this blog by actually buying this song.  

Albert Collins & The Icebreakers--I Got That Feeling

It was sometime around 1984 on a cold winter's night in Minneapolis when I cajoled some of my fraternity brothers into breaking with their typically lame pop music and go hear the real thing.  I know I was asking a lot of my brothers to give up of their evening of listening to Men Without Hats singing, "The Safety Dance" but, damn it, I just bought a copy of Albert's "Frozen Alive" album and I wasn't going to settle for the same boring scene.

So I take them to The Union Bar (coincidentally the same bar where the "Frozen Alive" album was recorded) and we find a table.  We get a couple beers into us and one of my frat brothers makes some crack like, "This better be good."  I think I responded with, "Up yours."

As soon as the exchange ended, The Icebreakers took the stage.  They started right into it with a low-down blues kind of the like the one you are about to hear.  They are barely thirty seconds into the instrumental when my smartass frat brother leans over to me and shouts, "This is awesome!"

A sense of pride washed through me.  Anyway, below is a cool low-down blues called "I Got That Feeling."  It is from the "Frozen Alive" album.  This album probably won't make it on Rolling Stone's list of top Blues albums, but what do they know.   This is a must have for anyone wanting to hear true Chicago-like blues music.  This album has several great songs including "Frosty" and a funky bastard called "Cold Cuts" featuring the incomparable Johnny B. Gayden on bass guitar.

I hope I didn't hype it too much.


Hey fellows, I'm honest when I say that I've played this song at party's and contrary to what I would have expected, some of my female guests actually liked it.  So I suggest you buy it.  In fact, I think you should buy the whole album.

Wynonie Harris--Lovin' Machine

A little while back I posted a song by Buddy Miles, I stated he was the only artist I was aware of that hailed from Omaha, Nebraska.   Well it turns out that one of my favorite old blues shouters, Wynonie Harris, is also from Omaha.  It goes to you just how well I do my research.

Speaking of previous posts, I said in a past post about Ike Turner that his song "Rocket 88" was thought of as the first Rock N' Roll song.  Well there is another camp that believes that Wynonie Harris' song "Good Rockin' Tonight" is the first official Rock N' Roll song.

Wynonie Harris goes pretty far back.  In fact, he might be considered an "Old Fart."  It is alleged that Elvis Presley copied Wynonie's hip swiveling moves.  While this jump blues song sounds old, I just can't resist the foot stomping beat and the wailing tenor sax in this tune "Lovin' Machine."


If you're interested in purchasing this song click on the image below.  If you want to know about Wynonie Harris, click here.

G Love and Special Sauce--Shooting Hoops

G Love and Special Sauce are the intersection where urban Hip-Hop culture meets the Delta Blues.  It is another interesting modern interpretation of The Blues.  The rhythm in this song "Shooting Hoops" has a very strong similarity to the rhythm in my personal favorite blues song of all time, "Born Under A Bad Sign." (see Paul Butterfield post).  I don't fault them or accuse them of stealing the rhythm, they put it to good use.

Judge for yourself.


I'm guessing that you just can't resist the siren's call to buy this song.  Therefore, I have provided a simple means of obtaining it.  Just click on the link below.

Buddy Guy and Junior Wells--Stomach Ache

Maybe I'm just a square, but I'm not exactly sure what Junior Wells means by "stomach ache" in this song.  In fact, the lyrics don't really make much sense at all to me.  I presume that it is some kind of archaic sexual reference particular to South Chicago in the 1960's.  The fact is, however, it's not the lyrics that are important--it's the groove.

Buddy Guy and the rhythm section lay down a cool groove and Junior just raps along with it.  The song really kicks into gear during Buddy's guitar solo.  I'm sure you will like it.





I've never known too many ladies who like blues music, but I've played this number at parties and they seem to dig it.  So if that isn't motivation enough to buy this song, fellas, I'm afraid I'm going to lose respect for you.  So just do the right thing and click on the link below.  Afterall, it's only 99 cents.

Neil Young and the Blue Notes--This Notes For You

Love him or hate him, you have to admit that Neil Young is one of the most diverse stars in Rock N' Roll history.  He played folk rock in his early days as a solo artist.  He could bring on the hippie jams with Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.  He was a hard rocker with Crazy Horse.  He honored rockabilly and Alan Freed with his Shocking Pinks.  And he didn't leave out the rockin' blues when he formed The Blue Notes.

This particular song is a classic for more than one reason.  First of all, it's a low-down, funky blues with a blaring horn section and some mean-ass riffs from Neil.  It also is a classic MTV video from 1988.  It's hilarious particularly if you get the references to Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and obnoxious advertising campaigns of the late 80's.

The final reason is that, as always, Neil has a serious statement to make.  He's a very serious man.  In this song, he pridefully admonishes other rock or pop stars for selling out to advertisers and politicians.  Artistic integrity was still a bit of a sticking point back in the 1980's.  They sometimes bit the hands that were trying to feed them, but artists didn't typically sell out their integrity completely.  Neil was basically singing about the start of this slippery decline which started back in the late 80's and which has led to where we are now with "artists" selling out their integrity on a daily basis.

Anyway, enough of that.  Take a listen below.  Please note that the first minute or so is part of the music video but not necessarily part of the actual song--so be patient.


It's time to get with it folks.  Once again you have to prove to your friends and potential girlfriends just how artistically inclined you are by adding this cool groove to your music library.  Just do it.  Click on the link below and buy this song.

Evan Johns and the H-Bombs--If I Had My Way

In my view, there is a select group of entertainers who were just simply born to entertain us and Evan Johns is one of them.  Another blogger referred to Evan Johns as the "Lovable Lunatic."  Which is probably why he never transcended out of obscurity.   But that's what makes a true entertainer.  They do what they are compelled to do.  They don't compromise their vision just to make more money.

This enormously talented Good Ole Boy from the Washington D.C. area can swoon the ladies with Baja influenced melody or he can destabilize the structure of the building with a rip-roaring rocker.    Truly gifted, he plays the guitar like it was part of his anatomy.

I can't forget to mention his voice.  His cigarette scarred larynx sounds like a caricature of a stereotype--except it's totally genuine.

Take a listen to this homewrecker, "If I Had My Way."


I suppose you figured it out by now.  I'm going to encourage you to buy a copy of this song.   But I can't help it.  Like Evan Johns I am compelled to do what I do.  I encourage you to check out the whole album.  It's awesome!

Learn more about Evan Johns by clicking here.

Groovin' With Jesus--The Violinaires

Let me tell ya, if church was like this all the time, I would go every Sunday.  The Violinaires are not necessarily a Blues band, they're really a gospel group.   But that's OK, they get a pass because this song is from the famous blues label Chess Records.

I discovered this song surfing YouTube for Humble Pie songs.  I stumbled upon the Humble Pie version which is rather awesome too!  I just love the low-down groove that both groups lay down in this song.  I am also impressed by the vocal stylings of both Steve Marriott of Humble Pie and the singer for The Violinaires.  They lay down a cool 60's soul style rap.

Take a listen to both versions below.   Unfortunately for all you eager buyers, I could not find a site that sold either song.  I suppose an obscure cover by an even more obscure band don't add up to a high demand for product.  

However, that's usually the sign that it's a hidden gem.  Enjoy.




Don & Dewey--Bim Bam

Once again I discovered this obscure early rock n' roll duo from Pasadena, California in the dusty record stacks of KFAI Community Radio in Minneapolis.  As you may recall, I was a volunteer DJ there off and on for several years.  My first regular shift was overnight from 2A-6A.  I would put on some long jam like The Allman Brothers "Mountain Jam" and then finger through the stacks looking for some nuggets of musical gold.

I hit the mother lode when I stumbled upon Don & Dewey's "Rockin' Til Midnight, Rollin' Til Dawn" album.  This album has a couple of slow romance numbers that are pretty good such as "Leavin' It All Up To You."  But it also has some some good foot-stompin', old style rock n' roll songs like "Mammer Jammer", "Pink Champagne" and the original "Farmer John."  There is another song on the album (not my favorite) called "Koko Joe" which was produced by none other than Sonny Bono.

This song "Bim Bam" has a fast walkin' rhythm and the honking tenor sax solo just the way I like it.  I hope you like it too.



Now that you've heard raw, early rock n' roll and your adrenaline is flowing, you may want to consider purchasing this song.  Nay, you should buy the whole CD.  It has "Bim Bam" and all the songs mentioned above.  So get with it.

Magic Slim & The Teardrops--Wonder Why

Back in the day (this is for the younger audience now) people used to go to record stores and buy albums. What often made the record store experience so great was that the employees would often play promotional copies in the stores.  I enjoyed perusing the record stacks while listening to what the person had chosen to play.  Sometimes it was pretty good and I would buy it.

This often happened to me when I hung out at the famous Electric Fetus record store in south Minneapolis.  In fact, it was just such an occasion when I got my first introduction to real Chicago Blues.  One day the Fetus's cashier was playing Magic Slim's "Raw Magic" album.  I was hooked immediately.

Magic and the Teardrops are a real gritty and gravely Chicago Blues.  It's raw stuff but that's the way I personally like it.  I like it tight, but not polished (That's what she said, I know).

This song is not from the "Raw Magic" album, but it has that raw Chicago Blues appeal.  Take a listen.


Now that you're feeling a little like you could call Maxwell Street home, you might want to invest in some real blues music.  Afterall, you have to impress your friends with your diverse musical tastes, right?

The song "Wonder Why" can be bought on the compilation CD below.  This particular CD has several good blues tunes.  In addition to that, I have posted a link to the "Raw Magic" album too.  I highly recommend that one.




Learn more about Magic Slim. Click here.

Buddy Miles--Memphis Train

I am personally unaware of any other popular musicians that hail from Omaha, Nebraska.  Buddy Miles is the only one.  He had a great set of pipes and played some mean fatback drum.  Buddy first hit the big scene back in the Summer of Love era with his stint as drummer for a group called The Electric Flag.  Buddy knows his Blues.  In The Electric Flag he played alongside a couple of solid bluesmen, Nick Gravenites and Michael Bloomfield.

As you probably know, Buddy advanced beyond The Electric Flag and became part of Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsies.  He later released several solo albums.  On his "Them Changes" album from 1970, Buddy cover's Rufus Thomas' "Memphis Train."  It really is more of a Soul song, but who really cares

A relatively unknown bit of trivia about Buddy Miles is that he was the original voice of the lead raisin singing "Heard It Through The Grapevine" for the California Raisin TV campaign of the 1980's.

Anyway, take a listen below to Buddy Mile's version of "Memphis Train."


I know you're thinking that it has been a long time since my last post.  You may have thought I went out of business.  Not yet.  You can support the cause by adding this awesome soul tune to your personal collection.  Just click below.

Ike and Tina Turner--Contact High

Some credit Ike Turner's old song "Rocket 88" as being the first actual Rock N' Roll song.  That is open to debate.  But what isn't up for debate is how groovy this song "Contact High" is.  I found the LP with this song on it perusing the dusty record stacks of a thrift store in San Diego.  What a gem.  How could anyone resist this beat.  Judge for yourself.


Unfortunately, neither the song nor the CD of this album is available for sale unless you want to buy a Tina Turner solo album along with it.  I will leave that choice up to you.  There are a couple other good tunes on the "Come Together" CD.  I can't vouch for the Tina Turner solo thing.

The Blues Brothers--B Move Boxcar Blues

I'm not sure whether people realize it or not, but The Blues Brothers were not just some amusing Saturday Night Live skit.  They were probably one of the baddest-ass blues bands ever.  They had a serious line-up that featured "Duck" Dunn and Steve Cropper from the original Booker T and The MGs.  They had Paul Schaeffer (David Letterman band leader) and the original Saturday Night Live horn section.  They also had one of the best drummers of all time, a guy named Steve Jordan and a Chicago Blues guitar master, Matt "Guitar" Murphy.  And, in my opinion, one of the best front men in Rock N' Roll history, John Belushi.

This song, "B Movie Boxcar Blues" is a cover of a song by another Blues guy named Delbert McClinton.  The song starts out mellow and groovy and then ends and like a runaway train going down the tracks.

Finally, I'm not one to listen to lyrics too closely, but the trampy lyrics tell an interesting story.


I'm pretty sure that you will not be able to resist the temptation to buy this gem of rhythm music.  In fact, I could not give enough praise to the whole "Briefcase Full of Blues" album.  You should buy the whole thing.  For $5.99 it's a steal!

And if you are interested, the original Delbert McClinton version is pretty good too.  Scroll down to take a listen.  Unfortunately, Amazon doesn't carry the original.







Paul Butterfield Blues Band--Born Under A Bad Sign

Once again, it was back in the 1980's when I went to check out Paul Butterfield at the the legendary Wilebski's Blues Saloon in St. Paul, Minnesota.  It wasn't the first time that a band was way late for a gig at Wilebski's.  Not only was it off the beaten path in the middle of a residential neighborhood, the band's buses would often freeze up in the sometimes sub-zero temperatures of the Twin Cities.

People were starting to get tense and were demanding their money back.  I was one of them.  Some guy shouted at me from his table and told me to relax.  "Butterfield will show up and he's going to blow you away,"  he basically said.  Sure enough, shortly after that, Butterfield's bus pulled up.  He went on and he was awesome!

However, he didn't play the song you are about to hear.  This version of Born Under A Bad Sign epitomizes the funky blues (at least for me).  They really get down and groove on this one.  I only have one beef with this song and that is that they fade out just as Butterfield is starting to cut loose.

Listen for yourself.


You should trust me, just like I should have trusted that guy in Wilebski's that cold winter night in St. Paul, Minnesota.  You need to buy this song and add it to your permanent collection.  Click on the link below.


Lowell Fulsom--Tramp

I first discovered this song "Tramp" way back in the mid 1980's when I was a volunteer at KFAI-FM community radio in Minneapolis.  I had been a volunteer for some time and was anxiously awaiting my turn to get a time slot.  Then one day I came home from class (I was in college then) and the phone rang.  It was the station and they needed someone to fill in during the afternoon drive time because the blues DJ at that time had a family emergency.

I was speechless at first.  Was I really going on the air during drive time?  I grabbed an armload of albums and booked down to the station.  After I got settled down and got into the groove spinning records, I noticed that the DJ who had to leave suddenly left their bag of albums on the floor.  I started to finger through them and that is when I discovered Lowell Fulsom's "Tramp."  I put it on the platter and as my friends can attest, my life has never been the same.

Over the years I was stunned to find out that several people that I knew actually heard me that fateful day, my first day on the air.

Anyway, that's my story about Lowell Fulsom's "Tramp" and I'm sticking to it.  Enjoy.


I was unable to locate an individual copy of "Tramp" for sale (which astounds me quite honestly).  But if you're interested, you can find "Tramp" and several other good Lowell Fulsom tunes on the double CD below.

Canned Heat--Sandy's Blues

About twenty years ago I was visiting my brother in L.A.  While he was off to his classes at UCLA, I roamed around The Valley and stopped in a Tower Records store.  I perused the racks and found this Canned Heat CD called "Livin' The Blues."  I had an old scratched up LP version, so I decided to trade it in for the newer digital model.

That weekend my brother and I went out to a bar and, low and behold, if I didn't sit down right next to Larry Taylor, the bass player for Canned Heat.  So here I was sitting next to this guy who had played at the Monterey Pop Festival and who played at Woodstock.  I was awed by the whole scene.

I bought him and his girlfriend a beer and I asked him about this "Livin' The Blues" album.  He just kind of scoffed and said something to make me think he was actually ashamed of that LP.  I said, "No way" and I assured him that it was just fine.

In retrospect I have deduced the reason why he was ashamed of it.  When this album was recorded is was in the middle of the psychedelic 60's.  Every rock band with a tie-dye had at least one "hallucinogenic" song and Canned Heat was no exception.  On this album is an elongated, art noise sort of thing called "Parthenogenesis."  It's pretty bad.

However, the rest of the CD is pretty awesome.  So much so, that I am recommending the whole CD.  There is a great tune with Alan Wilson blowing the harp in a cover of "Walkin' By Myself."  Also on this album is a really awesome slow blues number called "Sandy's Blues."  Bob Hite is one of the best lead singers and front men ever.

Despite the theme of my blog being upbeat blues music, I am compelled to recommend this slow tune.  I hope you enjoy it.


Like I said, I recommend this whole CD.  CD #2 of the set is an infamous Canned Heat boogie that goes on for about a half-hour.  There are some good moments in that jam too.  I suppose I should also note that this particular CD has Canned Heat's biggest hit ever, "Goin' Up The Country."

Allman Brothers--One More Ride

It goes without saying that The Allman Brothers could have been considered a Blues band.  They performed several blues covers including "Stormy Monday," "One Way Out," "You Don't Love Me," "Done Somebody Wrong" plus others I'm unaware of.

This instrumental, "One More Ride" was cut out of what ultimately became the Idlewild South album.  It was clearly a mistake to exclude it.  Take a listen.


It has become clear by now that you need to buy every recommendation I make, so don't hesitate.  Click on the link below.

 

Doc Starkes and the Niteriders--Looking For My Baby

This obscure fellow Doc Starkes has material that may be considered blues, he has some that might be considered rockabilly.  Either style proves raw and raunchy just the way I like it.

I first heard this song on WEVL-FM community radio in Memphis, Tennessee.  The song has that often repeated theme in early rock and blues music about a guy violently taking back his old lady who just left him.  This theme, by today's standards, would be very politically incorrect (However, that doesn't seem to stop the rap music industry).

I like this song because of the sheer, raw raunchiness of it.  The gravely lyrics and the gritty tenor sax totally make it for me.

Take a listen below.


You know the drill.  If you want to buy it, click on the link below.



In my YouTube search for this song, I came upon a great modern cover of this song by the garage rock band from Detroit called The Detroit Cobras.  Listen to their version below and you prefer theirs to the original, feel free to buy that one instead.


Charlie Daniels Band--Whiskey

I love songs about drinking.  Perhaps it's because I like to drink myself.  Many may think of Charlie Daniels Band as "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" guys.  Or perhaps you visualize a country music act.  Well back in the 1970's, Charlie Daniels Band was an ass-kickin' southern rock band in the vein of The Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynrd.  They have several funky southern blues songs in their repertoire.  One of my favorite is this down home bluesy number called "Whiskey."

Take a listen by clicking below.


If you want to buy this catchy tune, click on the link below.  Note that the link says you're buying the whole album.  But if you click on it, you can choose just the song "Whiskey" so don't worry.  No one's trying to rip you off.

Freddie King--Boogie Funk

What is it about the state of Texas?  It has produced some of histories meanest guitar players.  There's Albert Collins, Gatemouth Brown, T-Bone Walker,  Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Johnny Winter, Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughn, Billy Gibbons and this guy Freddie King (I'm sure I've forgotten somebody so remind who).

This Freddie King instrumental "Boogie Funk" really cooks.  This version is live in 1973 from the British TV show "The Old Grey Whistle Test."  If you have never heard of The Old Grey Whistle Test, I highly recommend you YouTube it.  They have awesome, rare concert footage of just about every cool rock band--Lynyrd Skynyrd, AC/DC, The Faces, The Specials, The Tubes, Alex Harvey Band, the list goes on...

However, I digress.  The focus is on Freddie King and houserockin' Blues.  Check it out below.


I was unable to find a version of this song that rocks like the one above.  However, if you are so inclined you could purchase this studio version.

To learn more about Freddie King, click here.

John Mayall--Crawling Up A Hill

I suppose no Blues blog would be complete without at least one post from the father of British Blues, John Mayall.  Mayall's legend is well known.  It seems that just about every famous British rocker played for his ensemble The Bluesbreakers at one point or another.  The more notable Bluesbreakers alumni include Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor (of the Rolling Stones), John McVie and Peter Green (of Fleetwood Mac).  Later in the 1980's Mayall broke guitar slingers Walter Trout and Coco Montoya on to the Blues scene. The list of discoveries and collaborators is virtually endless.

John Mayall and his music have transcended several decades and as far as I know he is still out there playing.

I really like this earlier toe-tapping, finger snapping tune called "Crawling Up A Hill."


I know that you feel the siren's call, so don't fight it.  Just buy it.  Click the link below.

Willie Murphy and the Bumblebees--200 Pounds of Joy

Sorry, but I have to post another tune from the 1986 documentary "Survivors."  This film featured all kinds of obscure blues bands and was, as I mentioned previously, filmed at Wilebski's Blues Saloon in St. Paul, Minnesota where I used to play in the Monday Blues jams.  My last post featured the Gravenites Cipollina Band.  This one features the barnstorming Twin Cities R&B band Willie Murphy and the Bumblebees.

Willie and the Bees scoured the upper Midwest for decades entertaining people with their funky blues rock.  While "The Bees" have been broken up for some time, Willie Murphy still performs in Minneapolis.  Willie is an extremely talented but unheralded song writer, singer, piano player and guitar player.

Willie and the band really cut loose in this tune and go beyond the two and a half minute version of this old Howlin' Wolf cover.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do despite not having the greatest audio quality.

Learn more a about Willie Murphy and the Bumblebees by clicking here.

Gravenites Cipollina Band--Small Walk-in Box

Nick Gravenites and John Cipollina (R.I.P.) were both members of the West Coast hippie scene back in the 1960's.  Gravenites was a member of the "American Super Group" The Electric Flag.  The Electric Flag didn't reach the same heights as Cipollina's Quicksilver Messenger Service.  Regardless, these two lead guitar players joined forces after the Summer of Love ended and formed the blues based Gravenites Cipollina Band.

Here's a good bluesy, hippie instrumental jam for you.  This song makes me feel like I'm on a road trip to someplace.  The bass solo gets a little long so I apologize for that.

I also have to note that this particular version of the song was filmed back in 1986 for a movie called "Survivors" at a place called Wilebski's Blues Saloon in St. Paul, MN (my home town).  I used to play drums at the Monday night blues jams there so there is a sentimental reason for me to post this.


If, like me, you were mesmerized by this enchanting jam, you would not hesitate to click on the link below to purchase a slightly different studio version of this song.

Travis Wammack--Night Train

I'm dusting off this obscure fellow (although he may not be that obscure below the Mason-Dixon Line).  Travis Wammack is a wailing guitar player who is enshrined in the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.  He puts the pedal to the metal with this early cover of "Night Train."

What ever happened to the instrumental?


Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears--Get Yo Shit

I have to admit that I have been pretty much out of the modern day music scene.  It seems that all new acts fall into one of three genres that I could care less about--Pop Punk, Country and Hip Hop.  Anyway, I happened upon these young guys from Austin, Texas.  They have a nice modern interpretation of Blues music.

"Get Yo Shit" is a pretty funny and hard driving number with a good horn section.  CAUTION:  this video is pathetic.  I only posted it so you could hear the tune.


And of course, you know the routine.  If you just can't resist not owning this song for your personal music collection, then click below.

Slim Harpo--Don't Start Crying Now

Slim Harpo (aka James Moore) was the author of several songs that became popular Rock N' Roll covers.   His classics "King Bee", "Rock Me Baby", "Tip On In" and "Baby Scratch My Back" have been covered by such Classic Rock legends as Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and Jefferson Airplane.

However, I have always been particular to this upbeat, toe-tapping number "Don't Start Crying Now" that as far as I know has not been covered by anybody.  Take a listen by clicking below.



Since I'm certain that you like this song as much as me, you will not be able to resist the pull of the link below and buy it.  Afterall, it is only 99 cents.

Johnny "Guitar" Watson--Space Guitar

It amazes me how far today's popular music has sunk.  Of all the popular artists today, not one really knows how to play the lead guitar.  The lead guitar has disappeared from music altogether with the only exception of the Blues community.

When I listen to Johnny Guitar Watson I am amazed that such a virtuoso was cutting his chops such a long time ago and he can play circles around the idiotic strummers of today.

Johnny Guitar Watson was a huge influence on another Texas guitar slinger, Johnny Winter.  He was also a big influence on, of all people, Frank Zappa.  Frank admired Johnny because of the way he, "played the shit out of his guitar."  Frank and Johnny remained friends all the way until Frank's death in the early 90's.

This song "Space Guitar" is a wild instrumental.  You can check it out below.



If you just have to have this wild tune, click on the link below.

Ten Years After--I May Be Wrong, But I Won't Be Wrong Always

This has to be the longest song name in history.  Ten Years After is, of course, another 1960's hippie rock festival mainstay and later a favorite of Classic Rock stations.  But like a lot of those hippie rock bands from England in the 1960's, Ten Years After was at its roots a Blues band.

An old college friend of mine described Alvin Lee as "the fastest guitar player in the world."  I think he may be right after listening to this jazzy song.

Click below to see this old European TV clip of them playing this song.



Now, if you like this awesome tune as much as I do, you can buy it by clicking below.  I would also like to recommend this whole album.  It has lots of great upbeat bluesy and jazzy numbers including a good version of the song that made them famous at Woodstock, "I'm Going Home."  It is a live album cleverly named "Ten Years After:  Undead."  Funny, right?

If you are interested in buying the whole album, click on the second link below.

The Original Fleetwood Mac--Stranger Blues

Fleetwood Mac is one of the most popular bands in Rock N' Roll history.  However, many of you might be unaware that Fleetwood Mac started out as a blues band.   The original Fleetwood Mac composed several songs that are (or were) Rock N' Roll classics including "Oh Well" which was made popular by a group called The Rockets back in the late 70's and "Black Magic Woman" which, of course, was made enormously popular by Santana.

The band was originally led by a guy named Peter Green and featured a power-trio of lead guitarists -- Peter Green, Danny Kirwin and Jeremy Spencer.  This Elmore James cover "Stranger Blues" features Jeremy Spencer on slide guitar.

Take a listen by clicking below.


If you like this awesome song as much as I do, please feel free to purchase a copy by clicking below.



Charlie Musselwhite--Cha Cha The Blues

Charlie Musselwhite has been around a long time. He might even be considered an "old fart."  He is most often associated with the Blues revival period of the 1960's along with Paul Butterfield and Michael Bloomfield.  His early band featured Barry Goldberg on keyboards (who later formed his own Blues revival band) and Harvey Mandel who later replaced Henry Vestine with Canned Heat.

I like this early mellow groove "Cha Cha The Blues."  Click below to sample it.


If you are so inclined, you can purchase this awesome song by clicking below.

Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials--Icicles in my Meatloaf

Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials are one of the best Chicago Blues bands out there and they personify the entire reason I started this blog.  If you have a chance to see them live, I can't recommend them enough.

When I first saw the title of this song, I was certain it was going to be a horribly boring slow blues song.  I couldn't have been more wrong.  This may now be my favorite Lil' Ed song.  It has that train rolling down the tracks sort of groove that I just love.  Lil' Ed's wailing slide guitar totally rocks on this song.

The video I found is not the greatest quality of video or audio.  However, it gives you the idea.



I strongly recommend you buy this song.  Click the icon below.



There are several other good songs on this whole CD including an ambitious cover of a Who song called "Leavin' Here."  So if you are so inclined, I recommend the whole CD.