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Feelin The Blues
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Subject: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 08 Feb 05 - 03:22 PM I have a confession to make. I don't really know that much about the Blues. Although I'm African American, my music diet when I was growing up consisted mostly of gospels, spirituals, and R&B. Up until about 6 months ago, shortly before I joined Mudcat, the only Blues CDs of that I owned were by Taj Mahal and Bo Diddley. Then I borrowed a KebMo CD and a Howlin Wolf CD from the public library and I was really feelin it. Since then I bought those particular CDs and other CDs by those artists. I also started buying Blues compilation CDs to get a better feel of what the Blues are about. And I've been keeping an eye out on Mudcat for mention of Blues artists, many of whom I'm ashamed to say I've never heard of. So, in short, since many of you are CONSIDERABLY more knowledgeable about the Blues than me, I'm asking for your help. Which Blues songs are your favorites and which Blues CDs would you recommend that I add to my collection? Ms. Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Lonesome EJ Date: 08 Feb 05 - 04:05 PM Welcome to the family of Blues Lovers here on Mudcat. There are lots of us who both play and listen to this great music. Some, like me for example, came to the blues through rock n roll. Shucks, I used to think groups like the Yardbirds, the Stones, and Zeppelin wrote those songs. Over the years, I have received an education on the blues. I think a great place to start is to pick up Volumes 1 and 2 of the Blues compilations put out by House of Blues. Volume 1 covers essential territory to an understanding of the roots of the blues, namely music of the Mississippi Delta and the surrounding area. Most of it is acoustic, but you'll get a taste of the guys that got the ball rolling, like Son House, Johnny Shines, Robert Johnson, etc. Volume 2 gets into the electric Blues, and features the great Chicago Bluesmen like Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf and Sonny Boy Williamson, as well as more contemporary artists like Buddy Guy, Freddie King and Robert Cray. I don't know where you live, but I think the best thing about the Blues is the excitement generated when it's performed live. Search out Blues venues in your town and you'll probably find out that some of the best stuff is being done in the bar down the street by some band with day jobs and no record deal. Good luck! |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: themutineer Date: 08 Feb 05 - 04:19 PM Hey Azizi, Welcome to a new world. It get's real good. I personally love the acoustic, traditional side of the blues. It's what got me really deep into acoustic music alongside people like Woody Guthrie, Bill Monroe and the Carters. I would suggest some of my favorites: Robert Johnson Son House Skip James Willie Mctell Blind Boy Fuller Mississippi John Hurt Leadbelly Tommy Johnson Rev. Wilkins Lemon Jefferson Fred McDowell Henry Thomas Howlin Wolf Sonny boy WIlliamson Muddy Buddy Guy Taj Mahal |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: wysiwyg Date: 08 Feb 05 - 04:21 PM Radio, radio, radio! THEN spend bucks. Let your ear and spirit be your guide. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 08 Feb 05 - 05:11 PM Thanks to all who have posted so far. Lonesome EJ, I'll try to find that CD set that you recommended. And though I'm not really the bar type, I can very well believe that unsigned groups or unknown individual artists sometimes make the best music. So I will try to look into this and see if I can convince a friend or two to go with me to hear some live blues music... themutineer, of the artists on your list, though I have now read about many of them, the only ones that I have HEARD are Taj Mahal, Howlin Wolf, Leadbelly, and Muddy Waters...I should have also said in my original post that I do have a couple of Muddy Waters and BB King CDs {though I see that you didn't mention BB King}..and I also have a Leadbelly CD for children. WYSIWYG, Blues music on the radio in Pittsburgh,PA??? If there is would someone please hip me to it... Unfortunately, because I'm on dial up, I don't think that I can get radio stations on the Internet..If someone knows about this, I'd appreciate hearing about it... I do believe that many more people-including African Americans- should embrace this music again. My theory is that once this music became disconnected with dance, we {African Americans} moved on to other music...I also think that many contemporary African Americans aren't in to Blues music because it is stigmatized as "lower class"... But that's another story or two or three stories... Thanks again. Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Wesley S Date: 08 Feb 05 - 05:19 PM You might watch for the series on PBS about the blues. It was produced by Martin Scorse. It's hardly a complete history but it would give you a good overview of the history. Perhaps your local library has a copy. Good Luck. And check out this link http://www.dirtylinen.com/linen/special/bystate1.html It a guide to whos playing where. I see that John Hammond Jr is plying in your town this Friday night- the 11th. If you enjoy the blues you should make an effort to see him. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: M.Ted Date: 08 Feb 05 - 05:21 PM I looked at this and thought, ah, it will be easy to drop three or four names--but it isn't that simple---the reason is that there are different styles from different times and places, and, depending on which you like, different people are important-- For me, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Charlie Patton, Son House, Lonnie Johnson, Robert Johnson,T-Bone Walker, Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Reed would probably be the ones I'd mention as being really important--but lately, I've been listening to Memphis Minnie, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Jackie Brenston/Ike Turner and the Rhythm Kings, Amos Milburn--there is so much good stuff, you would be overwhelmed by any list anyone comes up with--and I generally like the old, older, and oldest stuff-- What I would do, if I were you, would be to find an online blues station, and just listen and make note of the people you like--and not just one station, because no one showcases all the stuff that is out there-- And don't be in a hurry-- |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: wysiwyg Date: 08 Feb 05 - 05:35 PM For P'burgh area blues radio (and more), try: Pittsburgh Blues Society's Links ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GLoux Date: 08 Feb 05 - 05:38 PM Also, check out Elijah Wald's Escaping the Delta book. Also, check out some old threads here at Mudcat. There was one a while back on Leadbelly that Elijah Wald posted some comments on. -Greg |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: wysiwyg Date: 08 Feb 05 - 05:41 PM WRCT 88.3 FM, Pittsburgh - Carnegie-Mellon University Radio's page indicates they can stream even to the worst dialup connections. Or maybe you are close enough to just tune them in. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: ramblin Date: 08 Feb 05 - 07:20 PM The blues recorded in the 20s and 30s is what really turns me on - a good place to sample a lot of that is on the Weenie Juke: http://www.weeniecampbell.com/juke Takes requests, too. I guess if I had to pick one favorite blues musician, it'd be Blind Lemon Jefferson... but there are a lot of guys who maybe only recorded a handful of songs each - those are often among my favorites, too. Lots to explore! |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Peace Date: 08 Feb 05 - 07:31 PM http://www.thebluehighway.com/history.html http://tweedsblues.net/ |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Stewie Date: 08 Feb 05 - 07:41 PM Tony Russell is one of the most knowlegeable people around in respect of the blues and early country music. I commend to you a reading of his 'The Blues from Robert Johnson to Robert Cray' Harper/Collins. His recommendations of 'Milestone recordings' should set out a pretty good guide for you to be getting on with. Lawrence Cohen's (Ed) 'Nothing But the Blues' Abbeville Press also has a wealth of information. --Stewie. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Stewie Date: 08 Feb 05 - 07:45 PM My apologies - 'Lawrence Cohen' in my previous post should have read 'Lawrence Cohn'. Must have been thinking about Leonard! --Stewie. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Amos Date: 08 Feb 05 - 07:51 PM For me, the beginning was Sonny Terry and Bill Broonzy, on the one hand, and from the more urban side of the fork, Bessie Smith. A |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 08 Feb 05 - 07:58 PM Okay now I'm really going to get turned on... to Blues music that is. Thanks, Susan for info about 88.3 FM station. I am listening to that Carnegie University radio station on my radio as I am typing this. Although there are Radio Nation interviews on now, I understand that music is due in 10 minutes. I believe that I may have turned this radio station on at one time, heard talk and never stuck around to realize that the station also {mostly?] consist of music... I also am checking out the other links that were given and will go Searching through the old threads. I appreciate this, folks. Keep the posts coming! Azizi PS: This shows that sometimes the global Internet community can point you right back to resources in your neighborhood... Thanks! |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Leadfingers Date: 08 Feb 05 - 08:12 PM There are some great low priced CD's I have seen here in UK which are almost certainly available Stateside - Most of Robert Johnson on one CD , as well as the Jazz side of Blues , Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey from the late twenties through the thirties ! About twenty CD's in that particular set , and a great grounding in blues without going bankrupt . Oh - AND Billie Holliday too !! |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker Date: 08 Feb 05 - 08:30 PM "I don't know where you live, but I think the best thing about the Blues is the excitement generated when it's performed live. Search out Blues venues in your town and you'll probably find out that some of the best stuff is being done in the bar down the street by some band with day jobs and no record deal." .. sorry to take negative issue with this point in such an otherwise enthusiastic thread celebrating inspirational & influential blues music at the core of much of the best music of the last 70 or 80 years or so.. but as far back as the 1970's, nearly all live blues i have had inflicted on me by local amateur and semi-pro bar room guitarists has been uninspired performances, of turgid, emotionaly impoverished 12 bars 'by numbers' singing, mindnumbingly overlong and soulessly executed cliched guitar jam soloing, pityless and painfull blues murdering shite.. sorry but that seems to have been my reality of live 'grassroots' pub blues in the UK. Times like this i really miss living in a big city and enjoying decent touring 'authentic' performers; and i so envy Americans for living so close to the heart of the real thing |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 08 Feb 05 - 08:35 PM Just for the "record"..the 88.3 Carnegie Mellon radio station isn't all Blues.. I'm going to have to contact that station to find out when their Blues shows are on because-well let me say it this way-the music that is on now is not to my liking... But I still appreciate getting the information. And re Billie Holliday..I have a used CD that I purchased called Great Ladies Of Jazz..which has Billie Holliday singing "God Bless The Child" and "Come Rain Or Come Shine". The other women on this CD are Ella Fitzgerald Lena Horne Dinah Washington Sarah Vaughn Nina Simone Abbey Lincoln and Shirley Horne Leadfingers, I'm curious. I understand at some point Blues turns into Jazz. Would you [and anyone else can weigh in on this] say that those Billie Holliday songs that I mentioned were Blues or Jazz? And would you categorize any other those other singers as Blues singers also? Does it depend on the song that they are singing? Or do these questions open up a large can of worms..? |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Bobert Date: 08 Feb 05 - 08:36 PM Oh geeze, being a blues player myself, is kinda tough, not knowing what you like to direct you... I'm a hard Delta slde player myself so I like Son House and Fred McDowell the most. But there are so mnay styles. The Chicago sound is a lot different with lots of horns and electric guitars. I ain't into much of them.. But then there the real down home Hill Country stomp blues that came outta Fred McDowell's playing round Como, Ms. that I really like. R,L. Burnside, R Modrel Ford, Richard Johnston and Danial "Rev. Slick" Balleger play it. Thens there the quieter Piedmont style with lots on intricate finger pickin like John Jackson did so well. Then there's road-house blues which is like real noisey and Texas blues (think Stevis Ray Vaughn here)... Then there's the old,,old blues from the 20's which was played by botht black and white bands, though both could also play a variety of vaudeville stuff, show tunes and the like... Tell ya what, Azziz, you tell me what you like off the compilation recordes an' maybe I can tell ya who I think you might like. Also, as someone meantioned, stop over at tweedsblues.com (net?) Bobert |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Dharmabum Date: 08 Feb 05 - 08:55 PM Good source of compilation CD's here http://www.bluebirdjazz.com/whenthesungoesdown/index.html DB. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Leadfingers Date: 08 Feb 05 - 09:08 PM Azizi -New Orleans is where Jazz really got going , and a lot of early jazzmen were hearing the early bluesmen and were influenced by them . As a result , a lot of jazz was in 12 bar format , with a strong feel for the Bluesy side of things . As Jazz developed , the vocalists used a lot of Blues styling in presenting the 'Words' that went with the tunes . So Jazz Blues is just another developement of blues in the same way that Chicago and West Coast and Kansas City Blues are . |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST,Patrick Costello Date: 08 Feb 05 - 09:24 PM Don't buy go out and buy a truckload of CD's. If you want to understand the blues you kind of have to go out and find your own answer. A recording that means something to one person won't mean squat to the next. You might fall in love with the work of Big Bill Broonzy, Gus Cannon, Hound Dog Taylor or some dude in your neighborhood that nobody knows about - but to really feel it . . .well, it has to be your discovery. Methodically buying a bunch of records won't get your mojo working. The blues isn't a formula, a genre or any of that stuff. The blues just is what it is. My advice would be to pick up an instrument (a guitar, banjo, piano- the blues has been played on just about everything. For all I know there is some guy howling away at blues bassoon somewhere) and get out into your community. The blues is everywhere. It's a living art form and as such there is going to be people to play with and learn from in your neck of the woods. Get out there, get a personal connection with the music and let it take you where you need to go. After a while you won't just feel it, it'll be part of you. -Patrick PS Don't try to tell me that nobody plays in your area. I grew up in Philly and managed to find people to play with: Cool Old Dudes Finding Mississippi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 08 Feb 05 - 09:26 PM Brucie was the one who posted the link to the http://tweedsblues.net site, and also gave the link to a site that had some very interesting historical information about Blues.. I'm lovin all this information and feedback... Bobert, okay.. to give you a flavor of the types of Blues music that I have and I like right now, here's four CDs and some songs from them, listed in order of the ones I like the best: Howlin' Wolf {from The Best Of Howlin Wolf, The Millenium Collection} Spoonful The Red Rooster I Ain't Supersitious The Natchez Burnin Built for Comfort Keb'Mo' {from CD of that name} Angelina Am I Wrong Come On In My Kitchen Raw Blues Bo Diddley: Say Boss Man Blues Collection {disc 1 of 3 disc set} John Lee Hooker: Boom Boom Elmore James: Dust My Broom Johnny Otis: Barrelhouse Blues -- This exercise was good for me since it helped me be more aware of the kind of music I like now {I say now because my tastes will probably change, or at least expand with increased exposure to this music..} I note that I only have one instrumental on this list {I suppose this Johnny Otis is the same as the R&B artist?} Also, I also noted that I didn't select any female Blues singers. Actually the only female singer who was included on any of these CDs was Billie Holliday and [dare I say it?] I mean her no disrespect, but I personally am not into Billie Holliday's voice or music..maybe because it's slow.... Bobert, given this list, I'm interested in reading what other artists you think I might like... Thanks all! |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 08 Feb 05 - 09:36 PM GUEST,Patrick Costello, you said: "My advice would be to pick up an instrument (a guitar, banjo, piano- the blues has been played on just about everything. For all I know there is some guy howling away at blues bassoon somewhere) and get out into your community. The blues is everywhere. It's a living art form and as such there is going to be people to play with and learn from in your neck of the woods." Sorry, it may be sacriledge to write this here, but actually I have no desire to learn an instrument in this life {maybe during my next incarnation}. My "instrument" is my voice...I am a Storyteller and a public speaker. I also write. And I also love to LISTEN to music. And I love to sing also, but NOBODY-I repeat- NOBODY would ever pay to hear me sing...I sing just for the pleasure of doing so-at home, or in public settings like church along with other people... But even if I don't play an instrument, I can still appreciate Blues and other music forms, can't I? I believe so. Ms Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 08 Feb 05 - 09:38 PM I forgot to say that I also love to dance. But nobody would pay to see me do that either. Peace, Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: wysiwyg Date: 08 Feb 05 - 09:49 PM P'burgh blues women in those links of mine, 'Zizi. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Bobert Date: 08 Feb 05 - 10:43 PM Okay, Azzizi, 'er howver you spell yer handle... Here's some folks I thinks you will really enjoy: R.L. Burnside T Model Ford Ted Hawkins Lightnin' Hopkins Mississippi Fred McDowell Elmore James Son House Joe Richardson Express Rory Gallagher Johnny Winter Guy Davis Sparky Rucker Five Points Band Muddy Waters Richard Johnston Now, when yer up on these folks, PM me and' we'll see what else we can come up with.... ...but get everything you can find by Fred McDowell 'cause he is like the father of this kind o' blues... Bobert |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Drayman Date: 08 Feb 05 - 10:55 PM I saw Amos mentioned Sonny Terry...I recommend Sonny Terry along with his long-time blues partner Brownie McGhee. Brownie sings a lot and Sonny Terry plays a mean harmonica. Which brings me to Patrick Costello's advice: PLAY! grab that harmonica! No offense intended to the REAL harmonica artists out there, but even the rest of us can't butcher that harp too bad! And SING! If you're a storyteller, man, you got to love singing the blues. Patrick's right again though. Learn to play a little bit and the singing will come too. I played the sax for a lot of years and never learned to sing a lick with that thing in my face all the time. Horrible singer, like you. Then I started fooling around with some banjo and hollering the loud, funny words at the same time. Now...people don't run screaming from the room. He's right! Play! |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 08 Feb 05 - 11:09 PM Bobert gave me a long list of Blues artist and then wrote: "Now, when yer up on these folks, PM me and' we'll see what else we can come up with...." Umm, Bobert, it probably will take YEARS for me to be 'up on' these artists or 'down with them' as I think the latest AA [African American]hip hop lingo is [it's interesting that they both mean the same thing.. I remember when 'being down on' something meant that you didn't like it; maybe the difference is the 'with' word] Ahem!! Sorry about that... I digressed big time..That was a stream of consciousness moment. As I was saying... Bobert, I do appreciate the list that you compiled for me. I will try to check them out on the radio and probably [as finances allow] purchase some CDs with those artist songs on them, and particularly be on the look out for Fred McDowell. Of course I could get rid of this dial up and move on up to the high speed broadband all the time on Internet so then I can download some Blues songs, or did they make that illegal? Thanks again & Peace, Ms. Azizi, who is trying to get with the 21st century program while getting hip to one genre of early 20th century music of her people {and others} and needs all the help she can get.. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 08 Feb 05 - 11:17 PM Susan, Thanks also for that Pgh Blues Women site...I checked it out and it appears to be the name of a band {group?} of women singers. Though the site was last updated 2 days ago, most of the information posted on scheduling is one year old. But it still goes to show you that there's a lot of resources in my own back yard that I never knew about and would not have been aware of were it not for great folk {folkies!} like you. I appreciate it! Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST Date: 08 Feb 05 - 11:28 PM Etta James, perhaps. What a class act. And a voice to die for. She does what I call 'elegant' or 'uptown' blues. She takes it off the front porch where the old guys sat playing bottleneck blues on a National, and dresses up the tunes with horns and band arrangements for a big night out on the town. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 08 Feb 05 - 11:32 PM Guest, I love your writing style. Thanks for painting such vivid images with words. When you said "She takes it off the front porch where the old guys sat playing bottleneck blues on a National", May I ask what a "National" is? Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Bobert Date: 08 Feb 05 - 11:39 PM "Er, Azizi... Get you a ticket to on an airplane to Dulles International, I'll pick yer Azizi butt up and drag you out to my place on the Blue Ridge mountain an' me and "Harp Boy"( Vince Farrabaugh) will show you what it's all about... Bobert |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: wysiwyg Date: 08 Feb 05 - 11:41 PM A National is a kind of guitar. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 08 Feb 05 - 11:55 PM Drayman - I just saw your post..My bad..[another hip hop lingo that I love].. Let me first ask this question...when you wrote "If you're a storyteller, man, you got to love singing the blues.." does 'man' in that sentence mean that you think that I am a male?? I ask: "Why does everybody here ASSUME that I'm a male?" I answer: "Cause they haven't seen me that's why" I assure you that this confusion about whether I am male or female has never happened to me in real life. {though I consider this Internet discussion forum to be a part of my REAL life..} Because it's happened a number of times here, I started signing my name [actually my name and not a handle] Ms. Azizi, as the added 'Ms' would let people know that I'm a FEMALE. Maybe I should sign Sista Azizi instead. Would that help? It's really no biggie but I think people should know that there's alot of female Mudcatters around who have a thing or two to say. -and to that, all the sista Mudcatters shouted "Amen!" Anyway, Drayman- and I assume you are a man since your name ends with that word ;O)) I lied...I do sing in public. I intergrate songs into my children's stories and I lead the audience in a call & response way.. But that's the extent of my public singing... And BTW, I never said my voice was HORRIBLE. It's suitable for its purpose and I rather like it... Also, I also have been known to pick up a sekere to accompany the djembe drummer who does the African storytelling presentations with me... But that's the extent of my "instrumentationality" ability... Not that I wouldn't LOVE to be a guitar player or a drummer or a saxophonist or a trumpet player-well I married one of those and that didn't turn out so well... ANYWAY.. I'll pass on learning any instruments and concentrate on enjoying the music second hand... Sorry, and this doesn't mean that I don't appreciate your interest in helping me "get this" music...I feel the good intentions and sincerity in your words.. But I still pass on that experience-at least for now... Thanks anyway, Sista Azizi, who would prefer just to sign "Azizi" |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: wysiwyg Date: 09 Feb 05 - 12:05 AM We just need to get that trip up here organized, for both Bobert and Azizi. Meet here. You won't be sorry! ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 09 Feb 05 - 12:34 AM What trip? Is no one else invited? What about all of the Mudcatters?? Or at least Everybody who posts on this thread... Are you talking about a REAL event, Susan? |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: chris nightbird childs Date: 09 Feb 05 - 12:35 AM Hi Sista, Ms... Azizi. I think most of the lists on this thread are a good place to start, it really all depends on whether you're looking for electric or acoustic blues. Which do you prefer? - CNC |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 09 Feb 05 - 12:59 AM See this is what happens when somebody posts something while you're writing a post.. Until now I never saw Bobert's post in which he SOOOO gentlemanly invited me to visit him and Harp Boy. I particularly took note of the part when he said: "I'll pick yer Azizi butt up and drag you out to my place on the Blue Ridge mountain an' me and "Harp Boy"( Vince Farrabaugh) will show you what it's all about" "Drag me out to your place"..."DRAG my Azizi butt out to your place" and where-Oh joy-I'll be shown "what's it all about." I wonder what "it" is. See this is what I mean...I bet Bobert thought I was a man too.. [but would he drag a man by his butt anywhere...I think not, but then again I'm not up on [down with] Blue Eidge Mountain man lingo... But Bobert, man, [I assume you are a man] since you were kind enough to compile that list of Blues artist for me, I'm gonna play pass that post as the meaning that I got from it was probably other than what you intended... Like I said it aint no biggie... But as to your invite... No thanks, Bobert [and Susan too]. Actually I'm saving up my money to visit someplace else.. And when I get there, music will only be a small part of the agenda. Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 09 Feb 05 - 01:06 AM chris nightbird childs I could say "Well, Honey child, Ise really don' know.." but maybe that wouldn't be kosher... Seriously, Chris, if I might call you that.. I just learned what acoustic means by googling the word.. 'Any musical instrument not relying on external power for operation. Virtually all standard orchestral instruments are acoustic instruments while most instruments used by Rock musicians are electric.' [This from a music dictionary site that I didn't bother to get the URL for] I'm not sure but I guess whether the instruments in those songs I listed relied on external power or not. I guess I'm not up on that either. But that you for asking.. just plain ole Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 09 Feb 05 - 01:07 AM that last post was supposed to say "Thank you for asking" and I do.. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Roger the Skiffler Date: 09 Feb 05 - 03:41 AM Bobert has said it all, really. Fred McD, Leadbelly, Sonny & Brownie, Robert Johnson, Wolf,John Lee Hooker, Charlie Patton,Bessie Smith, Mama Thornton....pity you're stateside or you could browse my collection!! Get a good compilation set: Paul Oliver or Alan Lomax collections, for example, to get a feel for the different strands of the blues, look at the books by Bill Wyman (Blues Odyssey), Gayle Wardlow (Chasin' that devil music), Robert Palmer( Deep Blues) and Alan Lomax (Land where the blues began) to get more information, then go out & search out recordings by the ones that speak particularly to you. If you're lucky to have a blues club near you go out and listen to the music, there are a lot of lesser known but no less great blues men & bands out there, a few of them come to the UK to supplement the quite lively UK blues scene.! Warning: you may end up with a house full of recordings & books! Best of luck! RtS (White boy lost in the blues) |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST Date: 09 Feb 05 - 06:47 AM Azizi - It still happens that a lot of Jazz and Blues people address EVERYONE as 'Man' , I still know jazzers who call me 'Daddy' For crying out loud ! But they are older than Me !!! and Boberts posting style is somewhat idiosyncratic , as he does live in the hills and is ( I feel ) in fact a real gentleman ! |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST,Azizi Date: 09 Feb 05 - 08:26 AM Okay Guest. I'll accept that. I admit that I overreacted maybe a tad bit or maybe more. I offer no excuses besides my mood. So Drayman, I publicly apologize for getting on a set about your use of the word 'man' in reference to me. I recognize now that you could have been using it in the way that Guest suggests. And Bobert, I publicly apologize to you for taking your words and running with them-and implying that you are not a gentleman. For all I know, you are the most gentlemanly of gentleman. And I do appreciate the help that you gave me by asking me to think of what Blues songs I like, and then posting the names of Blues artist who you think given that list, I would also like. There was no need for me to publicly get up in your face about your use of words. I realize now that you meant nothing negative by those words, and indeed was just trying to be friendly to a fellow Mudcatter. I hope that you both accept my apology. I further apologize to all the readers of this thread, and hope that you also will accept my sincere apology. Drayman and Bobert, I will PM you both. Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST,Amos Date: 09 Feb 05 - 09:44 AM And now, Azizi's feelin' the blues!!! :D No harm done, ma'am -- we all get het up once or twice around here, and usually for wrong reasons we have to backpedal all over. Par fer the course! A |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST,Azizi Date: 09 Feb 05 - 09:48 AM Cute, Amos, cute. But since the phrase fits, I gotta wear it. Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST Date: 09 Feb 05 - 12:55 PM National brand guitar = one with a metal resonator plate, often used by blues players especially those of the 1920s-30s. These guitars were designed to be LOUD, back in the days shortly before electric amplification firt appeared. The body (soundbox) of some models is metal, but National made 'em with wood bodies as well. The resonator guitar sound is instantly recognizable as "bluesy." If you missed the PBS television series on "The Blues," see if you can rent it. I know that various people have their criticisms of this or that episode, and the series is of course not perfect, but it does provide a lot of great material and (most importantly) a very broad overview of the many varieties of the blues. Renting and watching these videos would probably be cheaper and easier than compiling a collection of blues CDs from square one. If you're not yet familiar with the music of Mississippi John Hurt, I'd recommend that you look into him. Although John lived in the Mississippi Delta, his style is all his own and not much like that of other "Delta Blues" players; indeed, some would say that it isn't blues at all, but is more properly classified as "folk." Blues or not, it's so unique and so sweet that you ought to give a listen. Much of MJH's appeal has to do with his mastery of guitar fingerpicking, which might not interest a non-intrumentalist; however, the true basis of his appeal is his basic good nature and his storytelling skill, which you probaly *would* recognize and enjoy. Another completely different personal recommendation, my favorite Chicago-style electric blues recording of all: "Buddy Guy: A Man and the Blues," recorded in the late 60s on Vanguard and still available as a Vanguard CD. Buddy was a member of Junior Wells' band at the time, and put together a group for this solo album featuring pianist Otis Spann, longtime member of the Muddy Waters band. The album is an extended duet featuring Buddy (guitar and vocal) and Otis (piano), with bass and drums in the background and a horn section adding a bit of flavor. A great example of how you can be slow and lyrical at the same time that you're playing loud and electric. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST,PoppaGator Date: 09 Feb 05 - 01:24 PM Ooops -- that last guest was me; I forgot that I had to come by the servants' entrance (back door). |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST,Azizi Date: 09 Feb 05 - 02:37 PM Dharmabum, thanks for the link! Roger the Skiffler, you win the prize [if I had any to give out] for listing some women Blues singers other than Billy Holliday. Now that you mention her name, I used to have a tape of Big Mama Thornton singing Hound Dog..and if I my memory is accurate, Elvis Presley copied off her. And hey, PoppaGator! I appreciate that background on Nationals. WYSIWYG had posted the answer to my question regarding that the use of that word in the vivid comment that GUEST 08 Feb 05 - 11:28 PM made. Thanks for the info.. BTW, I know that I'm doin alot of alot of 'thanks yous' & 'I appreciate its' [mixed in with a couple of I apologizes]..but they are heart felt. Maybe if I changed up a little and said 'thank you' in another language...well I know a tiny bit of Spanish-so I can say "Gracias". And I know even less Swahili, but I can say "Asante" {ah SAHN-tay}. If anybody wants to share any more ways for me to say Thanks I will use them now and again.. And, PoppaGator, I guess we're all using the back door today. What's up with that, anyway? Azizi, {Black lady tryin to listen to the Blues] |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST,PoppaGator Date: 09 Feb 05 - 03:07 PM For years, I had thought that "National steel" guitars were exclusively metal-bodied, and that the similar "Dobro" guitar often used in country music were always wood-bodied. I now know that it's not that simple; in fact, the whole mess is too complicated to go into here and now. There are several whole threads on the subject of resonator guitars you might find enlightening (even though you're not a player); one of the most recent was entitled something like "Oooh I want that stainless steel guitar." "The Blues" can be defined in many different ways, as a very broad category of music or in a very narrow and restricted sense. The various responses appearing within this thread represent a number of different ideas about what music is "really" the blues. You'll have to decide for yourself what it means to you. There is an old African-American tradition that draws a strict line between gospel ~ church music ~ and blues ~ the devil's music. I've never been able to hear that much difference between the blues and good soulful Black gospel music. (Of course, the lyrics differ.) There are a number of artists who divided their career into separate church-music and secular periods (Thomas Dorsey, Sam Cook[e], Al Green), but then there are others who always included blues and gospel in their repertoires at the same time (Fred McDowell, Gary Davis, Blind Willie Johnson). |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Jerry Rasmussen Date: 09 Feb 05 - 03:57 PM Two CDs ready for you, Azzizi: PM your address again, please... Jerry |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 09 Feb 05 - 04:07 PM Wow! Jerry, you're the Man!!! Asante sana {Thank you very much!!} There's a PM comin your way. Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Leadfingers Date: 09 Feb 05 - 04:21 PM Azizi - You may well be interested in Blindmans Blues forum ! I cant do Blue Clickies but stick Blindmans Blues in Google and have a look |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 09 Feb 05 - 04:39 PM Leadfingers, I followed these directions that a Guest had posted for Brucie in another thread: Subject: RE: BS: And It's 1,2,3 What Are They Votin' For? From: GUEST Date: 30 Jan 05 - 09:04 PM 1.Find a page you want to link to. 2.Right click on it and select properties. 3.That shows you the URL ( address) 4.Highlight the URL 5.Right click and select COPY 6.On the bit under the bit where you post your message to a thread, find the make clicky bit, press it. 7. In the space next to URL (top one) put your cursor and right click. 8. Select PASTE. 9. That puts the URL you chose in that gap. 10. Test that that does go to the page you want. 11. It then tells you on the page to copy and paste that into your thread. 12. Again just right click on it to copy it, and in the message part right click again to paste. -- Hopefully, these directions worked for the forum you mentioned to me. Click here for Blues' Forum And, By the way..in yet another thread, someone had posted the backdoor address for Mudcat if the front entrance wasn't working like this morning and some of this afternoon. Here's that address, in case anyone doesn't have it. http://207.103.108.99/threads.cfm While that address will usually get you here, members are listed as guests and we can't Private Message..but we can still read the threads and posts.. And Gracias, Leadfingers! Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Bobert Date: 09 Feb 05 - 09:09 PM Like I said in the PM, Azizi, no problem... Had you been 'round this joint longer I reckon you woulda knowed that I ain't got no bad bones an', hey, this is the way I really talk... Folks who have met me will tell ya, "Yup, that's the way the boy talks, all right." And the offer is still open... I am a purdy good blues guitar teacher and could get you ramped up in no time... Bobert |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: wysiwyg Date: 09 Feb 05 - 09:25 PM Bobert's.... the BEST. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 09 Feb 05 - 09:27 PM Thanks Bobert, I appreciate your offer and your response to my PM. While I'm here let me say I also appreciate Drayman's response to my PM. You guys are ACE! {as my mother would say..} that means "You are ALL THAT, and a bag of chips!" Ero Hamano {Thank You} * * I just learned this from a friend from the Luo ethnic group in Kenya, East Africa Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 09 Feb 05 - 09:28 PM Hi Susan! That's what I said. Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: wysiwyg Date: 09 Feb 05 - 09:33 PM Yeah, I know, but I BEEN to his house. :~) He's also married to the best. Since you're the best too-- well, if you were to hook up with them, at their place, I think it would be so powerful the roof would blow off. So come to my place instead! :~) ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Bobert Date: 09 Feb 05 - 09:35 PM Sniff.... Gettin' real mushy 'round here... (But, Bobert, ain't that what the blues is about???) Heck no, it ain't. It's about celebratin' survivin' another week of drivin' that ol' Ford tractor on Boss Hog's plantation... Bobert |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Teresa Date: 09 Feb 05 - 10:18 PM Hi Azizi, Just one comment about the local radio station. If it's public broadcasting, it may only play certain music at certain times. The website probably has a program guide or schedule you can look at for blues shows. Oh, one more way to say thank you, as I do for starting this thread and helping me learn so much: merci in French (mehr-see) with the accent on the second syllable. :) Teresa |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: dwditty Date: 09 Feb 05 - 10:25 PM The blues is not just about the music....it is about the people who make the music. I just finished reading Honeyboy Edwards' autobiography, "The World Don't Owe Me Nothin'." Honeyboy is just about the last link to many of the country blues artists referred to in this thread. For example, he was there the night Robert Johnson was killed. I saw him perform about 10 days ago...at 89 he is still doing two shows and drinking shots of Jack Daniels in between. His book gives his personal accounts of those he ran with....Big Joe williams, Sonny Boy Williamson, Skip James, Son House, Charlie Patton, and of course, Robert Johnson....so many others. The book is a wonderful document...available at www.earwigmusic.com This is not an advertisement! dw |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Bobert Date: 09 Feb 05 - 10:47 PM Hey, dw, I got Honey Boy's book, too... Honey Boy be the da' man in that it seems that he's 'bout the last one standin'... Wish ol' R.L. Burnside would get a book out but he's prolly a little too cranky... Too bad. I'm sure he's gotta a lot of good stories to tell... Bobert |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 09 Feb 05 - 10:50 PM Asante, Ero Hamano, Gracias, Merci, Thank you for the information you all are sharing. If anyone has any other ways of saying thank you I'll include them too. Music makes the whole world kin. Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: chris nightbird childs Date: 10 Feb 05 - 12:19 AM IT sure does. I've been here about 7 months, and it feels like I have some family here. Like a lot of people, I listened to the Blues backwards. I started with the electric stuff : Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, 60's stuff like Fleetwood Mac, Canned Heat, Allman Brothers... Then, I found the people that influenced them, the REAL DEAL, like Robert Johnson, Son House, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Blind Willie McTell, to name a few. The 'real' stuff has kept me ever since. It's what says the most to me & for me. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Peace Date: 10 Feb 05 - 12:57 AM John Hammond, Jr. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 10 Feb 05 - 03:48 AM Since Brucie wrote one name only in his post I'm thinking that this Blues artist must mean a great deal to him. And also I'm thinking that maybe he {Brucie that is] wants to see if I [Azizi that is] will not just wait around for knowledge to be handed to me on a silver platter but will put some personal effort into getting what I've admitted I wanted-that is-a greater familiarity with the Blues. So-though it really wasn't that hard-I google John Hammond Jr. Here is an excerpt from one website: "So how does he continue to do it and do it with such passion? "Because I love it, that's how," he said. "It's my life." Blues doesn't get any better than this, in concept or execution. Stay on the road, John Hammond. We need your blues." -- BlueSpeak "From coffeehouses to concert halls, festivals and beyond, John Hammond has spent forty years entertaining blues, folk and rock audiences around the world, performing intense solo-acoustic blues. A Grammy Award winner and four time nominee, Hammond is also a multiple W.C. Handy award winner who has shared the stage and/or recorded with many of the masters, including Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker and Howlin' Wolf. John has recorded over twenty five albums and his passionate commitment to traditional blues made him the natural choice to host the BRAVO TV special and Sony Home Video, The Search for Robert Johnson...." end of quote More on John Hammond Jr, --- BYW, the accompanying photos on that website show that John Hammonds Jr 'happens to be' White. Which is cool with me. I'm not one of those people who believe that you have to be Black to really feel the blues. I think that you have to have experienced SUFFERATION [to use a Jamaican Rastas term] to really play or sing the Blues. And sufferation happens to us all. I believe that Blues is one way to express a persons experiences with sufferation. Playing, singing, and {yes} listening or dancing to the Blues helps both the artist & his or her audience to overcome, work through, and come out on the other side of sufferation-hopefully stronger because of that experience. That being said, as even a beginning student of the Blues, I have already discounted the wide spread misconception that ALL Blues music is sad. It just ain't so as the lyrics and tempos of many songs demonstrate... -- And if I'm not mistaken John Hammonds Jr. is the first non-Black person listed in this thread of Bluesmen and Blueswomen. So Brucie, asante sana {thank you very much in Swahili} for starting that ball rollin. I'm certain that other 'Catters can recommend additional non-Black Blues musicians and artists. I thank you in advance. Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Roger the Skiffler Date: 10 Feb 05 - 03:59 AM Sister Az, I came to the blues via Jazz: Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, so I'm interested in the women blues singers, particularly the early ones. If you can, get hold of a double CD set called the Great Women Blues Singers, the Gold collection (Retro R2CD 40-75 is the UK version)which is a cheap label and is a good introduction to a wide range from Bessie Smnith to Nina Simone. Happy hunting! RtS (Can a blue man sing the whites?) |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 10 Feb 05 - 03:59 AM Thread drift-sort of Teresa was the only one so far that posted how to say "thank you" in another language. So Merci Teresa. And to demonstrate that googling is a wonderful, but addictive resource [kinda like Mudcat there] I decided to be pro-active and find a site that provided that information. And they are legion... Here is one: Thank You Worldwide And here are some examples from that site: Ewe Togo (Africa) - Akpé (Appé) Ewe Togo (Africa) - Apké na wo (Thanks to you) Fijian - Vinaka Finnish - kiitos (kee'-toas) Fon Benin (Africa) - Kpè nu wé French - merci (mehr-see') French - Merci Madame - Thanks (to a woman) French - Merci Mademoiselle - Thanks (to a young girl) French - Merci Monsieur - Thanks (to a man) F.Y.R.O.M. (Macedonia) - Hvala Gambia (Mandinka) - Abarka German - Danke (dahn'-kuh) German - Danke schoen (literally: nicely thank you, outdated) German - Danke sehr (Thank you very much) German -Vielen Dank (Many Thanks) Greek - Efharisto (ef-har-ris-tou') Greek - Efkaristo poly Guarani - Aguije (ah-we-JAY) native indian language of Paraguay and Western Brazil Guinea (Mandinka) - Abarka Gujarathi (India) - Aabar Hawaiian - Mahalo Hebrew - Toda (toh-dah') Hebrew - Toda raba (thank you very much) Hindi (India National Language) - Dhan-ya-vaad So Akpe everybody! PS. Since music makes the world world kin, we should learn more about our kinfolk, don't you think? Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 10 Feb 05 - 04:09 AM Roger the Skiffler, Your question "Can a blue man sing the whites?" was funny. You get some "Brownie points" for that one. -- And in my post on John Hammond Jr. 'BYW' was a typo. I was supposed to have typed BTW {By the way}.. But I have been known to make up some acronyms-none of which are memorable by even me..but it is a lot of fun to do so.. Toda (Hebrew for thank you} to all Mudcatters and their Guests who could easily join this welcoming Folk & Blues community... Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Amos Date: 10 Feb 05 - 05:39 AM Azizi: Put the word "blues" into the filter box at the top of the forum page where it says "Filter:" and set the "Age" drop-down to "All" for a survey of some really far-ranging discussions about Da Blues. A |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 10 Feb 05 - 06:07 AM Hey Amos, I got one word for ya for that suggestion: Mahalo! {Hawaiian for Thank you} And then two more words: Will do... Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Peace Date: 10 Feb 05 - 06:11 AM Blues, as it was explained to me by Lonnie Johnson, a mna for whom I had and have the highest regard, was never about feelin' bad. As Mr Johnson put it, blues was a way for people to 'woik thru' feeling bad. I had the honour of being the MC for him at Gerde's Folk City, and despite his admonition that I call him Lonnie, I just couldn't. I tried it twice I think and I do remember it feeling funny, so I reverted to Mr Johnson bot on and off the stage. (In retrospect, I asked some pretty dumb questions in my youth. What may have seemed tactless--and probably was--received serious answers from people, likely due to my age and Canadian citizenship.) Lines like, "The blues ain't nothin' but a good man feelin' bad" didn't explain to me how singin' about that 'sadness' would help alleviate it. Time has shown me that it works, although in a different context. A line I heard years ago and have remembered goes like this: If you have someting you need to talk about and you don't know how to talk about it, start by saying, "I have something I'd like to talk about and I don't know how to start talking about it." The blues seems to start that process. I don't think blues is only about that, but maybe it is, partly. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST Date: 10 Feb 05 - 08:41 AM You're welcome, Azizi. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Roger the Skiffler Date: 10 Feb 05 - 09:43 AM Thanks for the Brownie points, I won't eat them all at once! PS If you get the chance check out Susan Tedeschi, one of the younger US women blues singers (and guitarist)playing today. RtS (I'd be Ascot's answer to Washboard Sam but nobody will ask me the question!) |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Amos Date: 10 Feb 05 - 10:15 AM Il n'y'a pas de quoi, Mademoiselle. A |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 10 Feb 05 - 10:27 AM Roger the Skiffler - Sorry. Brownie points aren't edible.. I don't know where the phrase comes from, but at least how I've heard the phrase used and how use it, "Brownie points" refer to 'little acts of kindness' or some imaginary credit points that you get for doing something good. You can bank these points away for the time when you need some good luck and then you can 'cash them in.. Of course, As I am African American, I was also trying to make a play on words..You know..like I'm a "Brownie" and I gave you some brownie points...{I guess I blew that one, uhn??} Oh well. There's always the next time... But now that you mention it, baking some brownies sounds like a nice idea-especially since I just got a new stove delivered a couple of hours ago.!!!!... What say that I make enough brownies for everybody here?! Anybody allergic to peanuts? Vinaka {Fijian for Thank you- to you and all who have posted since my last international thank you!} Azizi BTW-that clicky in my post on thank you in different languages isn't the name of the website..but a description of that site... |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: PoppaGator Date: 10 Feb 05 - 12:38 PM Blues is about making yourself feel GOOD not matter how bad things get. The process is something that Aristotle called "catharsis." The great blues singers may not have had the book-learnin' to know that word, but they certainly knew all about the process. I think the expression "brownie points" had its origin in the idiom "brown-nosing," i.e., kissing up to an authority figure in anticipation of favorable treatment. It has taken on a life of its own, however, and there is no longer a negative connotation to "earning brownie points" ~ now it just means that you've done good deeds that deserve to be rewarded. I hadn't noticed that no white artists had been mentioned prior to John Hammond Jr. Let's fix that right now: Paul Butterfield Charley Musselwhite Mike Bloomfield John Mayall If we open the door to electric rock/blues, of course, there are plenty more Caucasians we can add: Stevie Ray Vaughn Bonnie Raitt Duane and Greg Allman Eric "God" Clapton Johnny Winter the previously cited Susan Tedeschi is, I believe, white as well as female ..and of course too many more to mention Then there are acoustic folk-blues players like Bobert and many others who are not as famous as they should be. I'll leave it to someone more knowledgeable than myself to contribute a few names from this group. If you don't know anything about Jeep Hammond's father, John Hammond Senior, Google him NOW. One of the most important figures in 20th century American musical history. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST,AR282 Date: 10 Feb 05 - 08:23 PM Hi Ms. Azizi, I have started a forum at Delphi that deals with blues rather fundamentally. It's only getting started and there isn't much traffic but perhaps something is there you might find useful. You or anyone here please feel free to drop in whenever. Post whatever you like, I'm easy to please. http://forums.delphiforums.com/roots1/start |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 10 Feb 05 - 08:34 PM PoppaGator, Thanks for your lists and the info re the origin of the phrase "brownie points". This thread is proving that Mudcatters are good with multi-tasking.. --- GUEST,AR282 - Maybe it's my lack of computer expertise, but when I went to that site you referenced, an advertising page came up and wouldn't go away. So, what's up with that? Are any 'Catters familiar with delphi forums? Is this one of those visit at your own risk sites? Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST,AR282 Date: 10 Feb 05 - 09:03 PM >>Maybe it's my lack of computer expertise, but when I went to that site you referenced, an advertising page came up and wouldn't go away. So, what's up with that?<< Yes, that seems to have become a problem lately. It's a site you have to register for if you want to post anyway. If you register you can get in. But that same problem has happened to me when I enter as a guest. Never used to and it ticks me off but there's nothing I can do about it. But a coworker of mine gets in no problem and she wasn't registered so I don't get it. And I hate the idiotic ad page. Well, anyway, if you register, you can get in. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Amos Date: 10 Feb 05 - 09:16 PM Azizi: Great fun rolling the Blues out at Tweed's Blues site if you haven't been there. Ole Tweed is a famous Mudcatter and a mean blues player. http://tweedsblues.net/ Enjoy! A |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 10 Feb 05 - 09:53 PM GUEST,AR282 Thanks but no thanks. Why didn't you say it was a register first site in the first place? Amos, Thanks for reminding me. Tweed's it is. Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST,AR282 Date: 10 Feb 05 - 10:23 PM >>Thanks but no thanks. Why didn't you say it was a register first site in the first place?<< Whoa. Never mind then, |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 10 Feb 05 - 10:48 PM Well I'm back from visiting Tweeds. And I'm impressed. Which doesn't mean the site isn't easy to figure out for newcomers. I kept looking for the discussion forum like here and I finally figured out it was the Field Hollers section {witty name that}. But before I even checked that out [actually I haven't done so yet cause I figured I might linger there and I wanted to let folks here know about my experience] I somehow landed in the Readers Write section. As I prefer the tried and true to the unknown, I was heartened when I saw some familiar Mudcat names {it kinda reminded me of home and gave me that I-got-your-back assurance that the non-adventurer in me needed. For instance, I recognized the names of Jerry Rasmussen, Khandu, Bobert, and Sorcha. And there are probably other 'Catters listed in the section who I [being a relative newbie on Mudcat] don't recognize yet. And I must give BIG PROPS to Bobert. What a storyteller he is!! Check this out! Bobert's Christmas Story Tweeds has vintage photographs too. Love it! And reviews of blues recordings & blues performances. For example {and, Guest who mentioned Etta James in that vivid two brief description upthread, I think you'll especially appreciate this} see this excerpt of a Red Woody's review of an Etta James concert at the Chicago House of the Blues: "Twenty minutes later, at 10 o'clock on the dot, the daughter of pool shark Minnesota Fats (true), the Matriarch of the Blues, and the only woman singing today who can be ranked with Billie or Etta or Sassy Vaughan, was revealed by the opening curtains to be onstage, large and in charge of her 8-piece Roots Band even while sitting down in a black swivel chair. Ms. James' health is clearly not good these days. Her hands, feet and legs are swollen, and between songs she's breathing heavily. She performs the entire set sitting down, driving the band from that board-room chair, wearing a sequined red gown which reflects sparks from the spotlight which is trained on her all night. Within moments of sailing straight into At Last, the audience is hers. The tune, recorded with strings in its original version, is played tonight as if it was straight from Muscle Shoals. The horns power forward, the Hammond B3 quakes and shakes. Three of the members of this band are family, and they clearly know that this could be their leader's last tour. They are giving it everything they have in their very cool L.A. way. And as she calls the number two tune of the night, Come To Mama, the room seems to rise on the moment. Now we pause to consider that Etta James' first hit record was The Wallflower (Work With Me Henry), recorded with Hank Ballard and the Midnighters and released in 1955. Nearly 50 years later, Etta James is clearly a senior citizen whose best days as a blues-belting temptress are behind her. But don't tell that to her, as she writhes in her leather chair, vigorously sucks her own thumb in demonstration of what she's gonna give you when you come to mama, and flirts salaciously with every man standing near the stage...this may be just performance, but it is damn convincing performance the versimillitude of her Roots Band, allowing for generous solos and detailed introductions.... Finally, amid shouts of "We Love You, Etta!!!" she delivered the evening's capper, Sugar On The Floor, dedicated to the memory of her mother, whom, she told the crowd, had died recently. "Sugar" had been her mother's favorite song, and she sang it looking straight up to Heaven, clearly believing her mother were listening, tears pouring from her cheeks. She morphed the number, by the last verse, into a gospel pleader, repeatedly offerring up her "Thank You" with outstretchd arms and her formidable voice. As the number came to an end and the curtains closed, she turned the cries of "Thank You" to the audience and cleared her tears. Ten minutes of calling, clapping, pounding and pleading ensued. But it was all over. She'd clearly given everything she had in a non-stop performance lasting over two hours and twenty minutes. I'd advise anyone to see Ms. James if she's touring near your town this summer. She is one of the greats, a singer without limits in blues, RnB, jazz, funk and pop. Clearly at least the equal of Ray Charles or BB King, and on par with the best female singers of the century. Like B.B., also now on tour, she won't be performing long, due to her health. And when you've missed her, you really missed something, friend." For the entire review Click here Etta James In Chicago All in all it was a great first trip. I've adding Tweeds to my Favorite list & I'm sure to go back! In the tradition of this thread, I gotta end with some thanks to Brucie for first mentioning the Tweed site [but life stuff got in the way and I forgot about it] and thanks to Amos for reminding me about it tonight. I appreciate it, guys!! Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST Date: 11 Feb 05 - 08:28 AM Thanks for the excerpts from the Etta James review, Azizi. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 11 Feb 05 - 09:17 AM You're welcome Guest. And uhm Guest, have you considered being a member here? Membership is free and does have some benefits like the ability to get private messages... I've only been a member for 6 months and I've learned so much here and "met" such interesting folks-[and encountered a couple of real humdingers, but such is that life]. I just wanted you and other Guests to know this.. If you [all] prefer to continue posting as 'Guest' that's your choice but sometimes it gets kinda confusing.. And especially to the-Etta-James-vivid-word-images Guest, please check out the entire Etta James review at TweedsBlues..I think you'll like it. Peace, Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Tweed Date: 11 Feb 05 - 02:20 PM EGAD!!!What's all this? Someone accusing me of running an interesting blues website? Unbelievable! It is a quagmire and the scourge of the internet! A ridiculous accumulation of terribly recorded songs and incredible lies. It is a miserable excuse for a blues site and assembled by a rabid, and drooling half-wit. Amos, you should be ashamed for leading this poor woman astray and into that den of iniquity known as tweedsblues.net. For god's sakes, Mz Azizi don't go under the porch. There are things living under there that are better off left.....undisturbed. Yours, Tweed |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 11 Feb 05 - 04:39 PM Do real people actually say "Egad!"? Well, Tweed you are FOR REAL. I appreciate you and your Blues website. {And the church said "Amen!!} Danke sehr (German for "Thank you very much" ) Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: wysiwyg Date: 19 Feb 05 - 10:33 AM Azizi, I've been thinking about how I used to grab online music when I was on a REAL slow dialup. So here are a couple of experiments for you. Please go HERE and let me know if you can download the video archive of Show #340 with the John Hammond Trio. What I mean is to right-click to actually save it onto the computer. It might tie up your modem overnight to get it, but then if it DOES download, you can open it to play for you. If you can do that, there are lots of other online resources I can point you to, that might suit what you are looking for. Also, please try saving the blues songs Max posted HERE. (Especially his and Dwditty's.) Does that work? ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST Date: 19 Feb 05 - 11:07 AM I just want to add another acoustic bluesman from the twenties: Blind Blake Don't miss out! |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 19 Feb 05 - 12:28 PM WYSIWYG, thanks for your suggestions. I FINALLY got highspeed connection this past week. Love it!! And while I'm here, I want to give a BIG public thank you to Jerry Rasmussen for two acoustic blues CDs with greats like Robert Johnson, Bukka White, Blind Boy Fuller, Charley Patton-All names that I had read but until I received the CD voices I had never heard. I am awed by the history represented in these CDs and treasure them for that reason, and the fact that a new cyberspace friend made the compilations for me. That being said I now know that I usually prefer the later blues music. Jerry's compilation CDs arrived around the same time as a package from Hollowfox of vintage African American books and a book on another passion of mind-name origns & meanings.. Efkaristo poly {Greek for thank you}, Hollowfox! And this week I followed Brucie's suggestion and started borrowing CDs from my area library...DUH! why didn't I think of that?? Guest who first mentioned Etta James, although this particular library branch didn't have much of a collection of Blues or ['other'?] folk music, I did get Etta James 'Matriarh of The Blues', and Etta James 'Blues to The Bone', and Jimmy Smith dot com Blues. Even better than that-I found out that I could reserve CDs from other branches of that library {and do it online even!!].. So again following Brucie's suggestion I reserved a bunch of Lonnie Johnson.. and because I was on a roll ,I also reserved a several other non-blues Cds such as a children's CD by Taj Mahal and, in honor of a high school teacher who first introduced me to this singer, I also reserved a 4 set folk music CD of Odetta. I'm passing this info along in case anybody else hasn't thought of borrowing CDs from the library... Asante sana, Brucie... And thanks to all who have posted here. I went back & read a number of archived Mudcat threads on Blues..You all have been very kind to me. As questions about blues and blues artists have been asked again and again, I could have been brushed off, but I instead I received warm consideration, advice, and support. I appreciate it. Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: chris nightbird childs Date: 19 Feb 05 - 01:23 PM I'm so glad you've 'discovered' this music Azizi! You won't be sorry. It's amazing! It happens to be my favorite too... - Nightbird |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST Date: 19 Feb 05 - 06:09 PM Ms. Azizi - If you go here...it's the woodsongs site mentioned before you can also check out Duke Robillard (guitarist who's been around for a while....in this video he does swing/jump blues, but he's done lots of variations on the blues, including just plain old "blues" throughout his long career)...also check out Shemekia Copeland show #239. She's not "blues" in the strict definition of the word, but she has one helluva voice and she sort of reminds me of Etta James.... Lots of facets to the "blues," come to think of it. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 19 Feb 05 - 06:23 PM Guest- WOW! I have to confess high speed does open up a whole 'nother dimension. And I saw other artists who I'm going to want to see and hear listed on that site besides those that you mentioned.. I'm supposed to be focused on this book on variations of children's rhymes that I'm editing [hopefully for publication]and now you just provided me with another point of distraction-besides checking out Mudcat threads that interest me.. Thanks alot. I really mean that in its good sense ;o)) Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST Date: 19 Feb 05 - 07:21 PM I'll take it in a good sense then...you're welcome. Hopefully the distractions won't sidetrack you too much from the editing job (good luck with that)... |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: honolulu baby Date: 19 Feb 05 - 09:11 PM hey, girlfriend, first, let me say that i have learned a lot, living here in honolulu. and one of the things i learned is that 'mahalo' is the hawaiian word for hello, which you can add to your list. and, living in such an ethnically diverse community, i learned that doomo arigato gozymus (pronounced: doemo adigato gozymuss) is japanese for 'thank you very much'. so mahalo and doomo arigato gozymus to you. second, being from pittsburgh like yourself, you know if you wanted to sit down and chat it up with someone about the blues, amir is the man. he is like a walking, breathing 'blues encyclopedia'. hope all is well with you. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 19 Feb 05 - 11:23 PM Hey Honolulu Baby!! Welcome to Mudcat!! Well, it goes to show you that you can't believe everything that you get from the Internet. I got that list of "thank you words" straight from the Internet page...I guess that's an example of a freebie being buyer beware..[or however that saying goes].. So what is the Hawaiian word for "thank you"? And you mentioned Amir..Well girlfriend "Lord love a duck!" . That was the saying that this New York City tour guide used on this bus trip from hell I was on this. I gathered that that saying meant something like "Goodness gracious!" but I thought Yep, I'm gonna borrow that saying-it was that funny to me... My point in using it was...Why didn't I think of contacting Amir?? Brother Amir-now he's someone who would love Mudcat. Can't you see him holding forth??? We gotta get him to join... I'm sure he will be as welcomed here as I was & am and as you will find you are-if you come out of lurking status more often ;o)) Please give me Amir's contact info as I haven't a clue where I put it.. And remember to Keep Hope Alive by singing the blues and playin them too! Doomo arigato gozymus, your sista/friend Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST,Leadfingers (Backdoored) Date: 20 Feb 05 - 07:41 AM Dont be blue - Its the 100th post !! |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: wysiwyg Date: 06 Mar 05 - 10:53 AM Following the Woodsongs link above, check out show 344-- Mike Seeger with a gourd banjo, and Precious Bryant-- a kickass blues woman! ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 06 Mar 05 - 11:47 AM Thanks Susan, I'll check it out. Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: wysiwyg Date: 13 Mar 05 - 11:47 AM It's A Girl Thang with audio archives. BluesLand/ with audio archives. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: wysiwyg Date: 13 Mar 05 - 11:57 AM Saffire--The Uppity Blues Women with audio. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: FG180 Date: 13 Mar 05 - 02:25 PM The "Howlin Wolf London Sessions" is a great album, you can hear the great man himself teach young wipper snappers (eric clapton & mick jagger) amongst others, how to play his songs. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Rustic Rebel Date: 14 Mar 05 - 01:56 PM Susan I'm glad you mentioned the Uppity Blues Women. They're a kick. I've seen and met them a few times, always a good show. Gay plays the harp in that group that is leading me to you Ms. Azizi.... Don't let your study on the blues go without checking out some of the great harmonica blues players out there! Here is a great link to get you started on the best players out there (hey, where's my name?!). I have seen many of these folks in concert also. I see they even mention Pat Hayes, a friend of mine from MN who plays a mean harp with the Lamont Cranston Blues Band. Check it out my dear! I just met Jimmie Wood Saturday night, he played with Jim Belushi and the Sacred Hearts. He did a couple of fine lead solos also. Peace back at you, Rustic |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 14 Mar 05 - 02:13 PM Greetings all!! I appreciate all of the links to & information about the Blues. But more than that, I appreciate the spirit of acceptance & sharing that this thread demonstrates. This thread truly is Mudcat at its best! We met as strangers and now we are family. Peace & love, Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: wysiwyg Date: 14 Mar 05 - 02:15 PM Yes, isn't it wonderful when one person's request becomes a repository of related information that can benefit so many others as time goes on? When I add my little bits and pieces to this kind of thread, I always like to think of people months later, doing a Mudcat search like we always hope new members will do-- and finding a goldmine like this one. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST,WYS Date: 06 Apr 05 - 12:16 PM Try the hour-long weekly show True Blues archived weekly online at the BBC. Playlist included. The "listen again" link is in the orange box on the righthand side of the screen. Kinda nice to leave USA culture for a UK DJ's view of the blues. ~S~ Blues music is deceptively simple. Three chords, sometimes two, occasionally only one - but behind this basic format lies a highly complex and intoxicating language of loss, torment, despair, ... and joy. Yes, joy. Often the blues is seen as being essentially downbeat or moody but this is only half the story. A lot of early blues was conceived as dance or party music and it should be remembered that this music's basic twelve-bar format was an integral ingredient in the formation of rock 'n' roll. True Blues presented by Euron Griffith tries to reflect all aspects of the blues and to do so in a way that, hopefully, doesn't treat the genre as a museum piece. Blues music has evolved over the past hundred years and True Blues reflects this, playing a wide range of blues styles from classic Delta and Chicago Blues through to contemporary exponents like Keb Mo, Eric Bibb, Robert Cray and Kelly Joe Phelps. Also featured are new artists like the White Stripes, who have famously fused the blues with punk and pop to create a heady and highly distinctive sound. This is a specialist music show but it's not for specialists. It's for everyone. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Le Scaramouche Date: 06 Aug 05 - 01:48 PM Completely biased, but the best blues number is Robert Petway's "Catfish Blues". Another fun one is "Baby Please Don't Go" by Big Joe Williams, with Sonny Boy Williamson on Harmonica. Some other good names, apart from Son House who was the very best, are Sleepy John Estes, Yank Rachell and Robert Lockwood. A recording to look out for is the plantation recordings by the lomaxes. Prefer country blues, but Chicago style is great for dancing. Loads of compilations with the likes of Little Walter, Muddy, Willie Dixon (wrote Hoochie Coochie Man, of course), Otis Spann and Howlin' Wolf. Am sure you don't get it in the States, but there's a French channel, "Mezzo" which often has lot's of blues content, including early footage. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: GUEST Date: 09 Feb 08 - 10:08 PM ..ran across a documentary, somewhat dated (early 90's) called "Deep Blues." The late Robert Palmer, from Rolling Stone magazine, takes a tour of the South (starts out in Memphis and ends up in Mississippi) in search of blues artists who're playing 'authentic' blues. He captures some memorable performances: R.L. Burnside playing on his front porch, Jessie Mae Hemphill playing in an obscure juke joint, the late Junior Kimbrough and his band playing to patrons in the bar that he owned...Bud Spires blowing blues harp accompanied by Jack Owens on the guitar, being faithful to the 'traditional' sound - that'll take you back to Robert Johnson's era.... Seems like these artists are working from a traditional Mississippi Delta blues background, but putting their own spin on it and taking the style a little bit farther on. There's also a scene from an authentic blues 'herbalist' who explains the meaning of lines that show up repeatedly in old blues tunes like, "got my Mojo workin'" and "John the Conqueror Root" ... And great footage of juke joints and people having a blast drinking and digging blues, especially in places like Greenville, Mississippi. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Leadbelly Date: 10 Feb 08 - 03:17 PM Dear Ms. Precious One (= Azizi), again, this was a very interesting thread contributed by you. But please don't tell all of us that when starting this topic "you don't really know that much about the Blues". Please be fair. Perhaps this was a nice stimulus and indeed it was. Bur I don't believe in lack of knowledge. By the way, what do you take before or while posting? Really interested, Manfred (remember?). Thanks so far! |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Lonesome EJ Date: 10 Feb 08 - 03:35 PM In this archival footage with Paul Butterfield, Son House explains the Blues about as well as anyone can. Son House |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: matt milton Date: 11 Feb 08 - 12:13 PM Some blues people I only just came across recently who aren't as well known: Robert Pete Williams Rosa Lee Hill Robert Belfour (still playing!) |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 11 Feb 08 - 12:43 PM Leadbelly, re your 10 Feb 08 - 03:17 PM post: Kudus to you on your play on the meaning of the name azizi. I'm sorry that you doubted my statement that I started this thread because I didn't know much about the Blues, but it is the truth. In the two years plus three days since starting this thread, I have learned more about this wonderful music genre. This is thanks in large measure to information and suggestions from Mudcatters. As to your question "By the way, what do you take before or while posting?", I'm not sure what you mean. I guess I take some breaths, but they're not necessarily deep. :o) |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 11 Feb 08 - 01:54 PM Oops, make that three years and three days. Time flies when you're having fun...and not. |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Leadbelly Date: 11 Feb 08 - 02:15 PM Azizi, I like you!!! That's it, Manfred |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 11 Feb 08 - 06:13 PM Thanks, Manfred. I like you too. And I like all the other folks who posted to this thread over the years, and those folks who may post to it in the future. Positive vibrations! Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Tweed Date: 12 Feb 08 - 09:41 AM Muddy Waters Fred MacDowell Jessie Mae Hemphill,(link to a video from that Deep Blues film of Mz Jessie doing "You Can Talk about Me") R.L. Burnside Slick Ballinger, Chester "Howlin' Wolf" Burnett Blind Mississippi Morris (Morris doing Wolf's "Smokestack Lightnin'") And of course Tweed ;~) |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Tweed Date: 12 Feb 08 - 10:24 AM Whoop, sorry 'Zizi... Jessis Mae's videw link fixed. Forgot to put the URL in the quotes in my agitated state and over exuberance. Try and check her out as she was really something else. Feisty as hell and carried a revolver and a little dog in her lap most of the time. Tweed |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: Azizi Date: 12 Feb 08 - 12:22 PM Thanks, y'all! I'm so excited! This feels like Christmas time! Keep 'em comin! |
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Subject: RE: Feelin The Blues From: dilly daly of Adelaide Date: 05 May 10 - 08:29 AM Any suggestions on web sites that contain guitar tab/notes of 1920,1930s songs of the Delta/Mississipi blues ? |
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