Melly on UK Blues scene

Subject: Melly on UK Blues scene
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 09:53 AM

BBC2 radio yesterday evening broadcast the first episode of a new 6 week series where George Melly talks about the blues scene in the Uk in the 1950s onwards, interviews with usual suspects (Lyttleton, Patterson,Wyman, Clapton, McGuiness), archive interviews with Josh White, Lonnie Johnson etc and musical clips (Bessie, Broonzy etec etc.)
For the other 2 or 3 UK bluesfans on Mudcat, next week he will cover the great Skiffle scare of the late '50s.
I was out (listening to John O'Leary band play tribute to Paul Butterfield) so I've just listened to the prog. on BBC website, it will be up until the next segment is broadcast.
Log on at Melly's Memory of the Blues

RtS

Subject: RE: Melly on UK Blues scene
From: Leadfingers
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 04:59 PM

Thanks for that Roger- I was out last night too - At Uxbridge Folk Club - But I have just listened on the Radio player. Must try and catch next week's skiffle offering if I can.

Subject: RE: Melly on UK Blues scene
From: Fossil
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 05:23 PM

Anyone who could call his autobiography "Rum, Bum and Concertina" has to be worth listneing to, no?

Subject: RE: Melly on UK Blues scene
From: pavane
Date: 12 Feb 04 - 02:55 AM

Heard that years ago as the Navy's reply to the Army's 'Wine, women & song'

Subject: RE: Melly on UK Blues scene
From: fat B****rd
Date: 12 Feb 04 - 03:27 AM

Listening to it even as I type.

Subject: RE: Melly on UK Blues scene
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 12 Feb 04 - 04:41 AM

Thanks for this Roger - an enjoyable way to ease myself into the day!

Subject: RE: Melly on UK Blues scene
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 12 Feb 04 - 08:18 AM

He's always worth catching, whether singing, talking blues or talking surrealism. A week or two ago, while I was in Cullybackey of all places, I happened to catch the BBC radio 4 jazz program hosted by the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Ken Clarke. Melly was the guest, and the subject was Bessie Smith. A splendid half-hour.

Subject: RE: Melly on UK Blues scene
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 18 Feb 04 - 03:57 AM

A few breaks in the online transmission of the second episode but I've got it on tape so I'll listen to it again. Interesting to hear Alexis Korner singing "Midnight Special" with a banjo accompaniment!

RtS

Subject: RE: Melly on UK Blues scene
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 18 Feb 04 - 09:22 AM

Listening to it online again as the light of my life failed to tape it: half an hour of nothing!

RtS

Subject: RE: Melly on UK Blues scene
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 18 Feb 04 - 09:43 AM

I listened online again this week - I enjoyed it, but the broadcast comes to an annoyingly abrupt halt. I often get this from the BBC's archived programmes, it is as if they set a timer and hope for the best.

Thanks again for the reminder Roger - keep refreshing the thread until the series is over, or I'll never remember to listen.

Brian

Subject: RE: Melly on UK Blues scene
From: fat B****rd
Date: 18 Feb 04 - 03:46 PM

I just listened to it in the bath.Thought you'd all want to know that.

Subject: RE: Melly on UK Blues scene
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 19 Feb 04 - 03:46 AM

NOT a picture I want in my head this early in the morning, Charlie!

RtS

Subject: RE: Melly on UK Blues scene
From: fat B****rd
Date: 19 Feb 04 - 03:06 PM

Roger !!! I and my rubber duck are deeply hurt. Great program aint it ??

Subject: RE: Melly on UK Blues scene
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 03:31 AM

Refresh, listening to it online, missed it last night.
RtS

Subject: RE: Melly on UK Blues scene
From: greg stephens
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 04:06 AM

Was that really Alexis Korner singing Midnight Special? It sounded like Ken Colyer to me, but I wasnt really listening that closely, and I'm only familiar with Alexis Korner's 1960 voice. maybe it was different in the early 50's.

Subject: RE: Melly on UK Blues scene
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 04:10 AM

Well Alex and Cyril did play with Ken for a while, but I was sceptical that it was Alex singing, but that's what the man said...!

RtS

Subject: RE: Melly on UK Blues scene
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 06:02 AM

Thanks for the reminder again Roger

Subject: RE: Melly on UK Blues scene
From: greg stephens
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 06:12 AM

Alexis Korner was definitely on the record.(I have the 45, and he's listed) I just assumed the vocal was Ken Colyer.

Subject: RE: Melly on UK Blues scene
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 06:29 AM

The BBC are currently playing an old Alexis Korner gig (1983 Marquee)on Radio 6 - available online here

Subject: RE: Melly on UK Blues scene
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 03:47 AM

Final prog. in the series this week.

RtS