How 'bout a thread on LONG JOHN BALDRY?

Subject: LONG JOHN BALDRY
From: Justa Picker
Date: 01 May 01 - 04:07 PM

I just did a search for the last 3 years and was surprised to discover that he's never been discussed on this forum before (at least no thread title featuring him).

Baldry has been involved with the blues for most of his 60 odd years, and has influenced and helped countless others in exploring the blues. I had the pleasure of jamming with him many years ago when our respective tours crossed paths (although I was a sideman not a headliner with the band I was with.) We spent the better part of an afternoon drinking, jamming, swapping licks and road stories. He even offered me a full time gig with him, but I had to decline for my own reasons at the time.

In any event, here is a recent interview with him. Seems he's lending his voice to certain video games and animated characters these days, but is still very much a force in the world of modern blues.

(You can find quite a lot of info on him by doing a search on his name in most of the major internet search engines.)

Anyone else, have any stories, recollections, albums, comments, etc.?

Baldry should have a place on Mudcat methinks.

Subject: RE: How 'bout a thread on LONG JOHN BALDRY?
From: Dita
Date: 01 May 01 - 04:22 PM

Sorry Picker, he's just "Let the heartaches begin" on the one hit wonder thread to me. I know he was in Steampacket, and was involved with Jools Driscoll, and Rod Stewart, but after that I just sort of peter out.....I look forward to learning more on this thread (got it marked). Paul Jones however.....
love, john

Subject: RE: How 'bout a thread on LONG JOHN BALDRY?
From: Kim C
Date: 01 May 01 - 04:27 PM

... and that boojie-woojie music...

Subject: RE: How 'bout a thread on LONG JOHN BALDRY?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 01 May 01 - 07:04 PM

Long John Baldry was the first "name" performer I ever saw, after I moved to the city from the wilds of Northern Scotland.

Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 1966. On the bill were Long John Baldry, the Graham Bond Organisation, the Moody Blues, some American blues chanteuse whose name I don't remember, and the great Chuck Berry. All the acts were really good. The ticket cost seven shillings and sixpence.

(I saw the Moody Blues a couple of weeks ago and the tickets were $60.00 each ........) Murray

Subject: RE: How 'bout a thread on LONG JOHN BALDRY?
From: GUEST,Fred
Date: 01 May 01 - 10:29 PM

Heard him a few times at the Calgary Folk Festival in the '80s. Enjoyed his deep bass voice singing blues. Also, as I recall, an excellent guitarist. Haven't heard much about him in recent years.

Subject: RE: How 'bout a thread on LONG JOHN BALDRY?
From: ddw
Date: 01 May 01 - 11:50 PM

Sorry, JP — can't work up much very positive when I think of LJB. I'd heard of him for years, but never heard him until recently. Got a CD from Columbia House, played it twice (just to make sure I really disliked it that much) and used it to play frisbee with my dog.

To each his own.....

david

Subject: RE: How 'bout a thread on LONG JOHN BALDRY?
From: GUEST,Van
Date: 02 May 01 - 02:54 PM

A bit peripheral to your thread but many years ago I used to frequent a club called Cousins in London. Ace blues/folk club. there was a guy who played who played stunning blues - Sammy Mitchel - who toured with Baldry once. Left the club in old denims - came back in a leather coat of many colours once. If Baldry had him as support forget "let the heartaches begin". Occasionally everyone has to sing crap to make a bit of money. It doesn't mean that all you do is rubbish. At the time we needed Baldry, Mayall, et al they kept the blues alive while a large part of white America ignored that part of its musical heritage. Thanks for bringing back a memory of the past and any news of Sammy would be welcome, Cheers, Van

Subject: RE: How 'bout a thread on LONG JOHN BALDRY?
From: scouse
Date: 13 May 01 - 06:02 AM

Didn't Baldry sing with Cyril Davis All Stars????? Scouse.

Subject: RE: How 'bout a thread on LONG JOHN BALDRY?
From: TonyK
Date: 14 May 01 - 11:12 AM

My first exposure to Long John Baldry was in the early 70's when I heard 'It Ain't Easy'. What a great album. I wish I could find the copy I used to have of it. Next I heard 'Everything Stops for Tea' and that too was excellent. I then got one that was pretty lame and I don't even remember the name. I may have used it for a frisbee also.

I saw him live in Asbury Park NJ in about 1972 and he was awesome. However, he was opening for Uriah Heep and their fans didn't appreciate him. Half the crowd was screaming for an encore while the other was screaming "get off the stage!"

I heard a rumor that he was in a mental hospital for a while but I couldn't confirm it. I wondered again when I saw his album 'Baldry's Out', thinking that meant he had been and now was out or that it was a play on words to 'Balls out', an expression for really letting loose. I dunno. You can't judge a book by looking at the cover.

TonyK

Subject: RE: How 'bout a thread on LONG JOHN BALDRY?
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 14 May 01 - 11:19 AM

He was one of the contributors to a recent UK tv programme on Rod Stewart (Herself likes them both). LJB looked quite smart in suit & tie with neat beard and, considering he must be about 60, looked pretty good.
(It was interesting {thread creep} that Rod S's former band members from various groups all seemed to be on good terms with him still, unlike some groups that break up acrimoniously).
I had supposed that once he hit the pop big time with "Let the heartbreaks begin" he turned his back on the blues, BUT I think he's been on Paul Jones' Blues programme this year or last. He may even tour with one of those Silver Sixties packages.
RtS

Subject: RE: How 'bout a thread on LONG JOHN BALDRY?
From: fat B****rd
Date: 14 May 01 - 02:52 PM

Dear Scouse, Baldry sang on the Alexis Korner R & B at the Marquee album with Cyril Davies on harmonica and vocals. Davies usually fronted his own AllStars and LJB had his Hoochie Coochie Men. I saw LJB at Grimsby in 1968 with a cracking band and although his repertoire was more sophisticated than before he still had a great voice and presentation. I thought let the heartaches was horrible but it must be tempting to make a few quid after slogging round Britain for years. Sharp dresser, mind you. On keyboard in 1968 was Reg Dwight. all the best fB