Here’s my fourth film on Original Chicago Blues. I totally forgot to upload it. Here is the missing fourth film from my series about the original era of Chicago Blues – the era BEFORE those iconic bluesmen Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker and company burst onto the blues scene in the 1950s. Actually, ‘burst… Continue reading Some forgotten Chicago Blues.
Year: 2016
A Kinky Sunny Afternoon.
It’s hardly rock ’n’ roll but we liked it. The first time I heard the Kinks, I didn’t know what struck me. Well, yes I did – probably the first power chords I’d ever heard; and they made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and start head-banging. It was high summer… Continue reading A Kinky Sunny Afternoon.
Clapton fires Stones on new album.
Eric Clapton guests on guitar, says Richards. 11 blues tracks laid down for new album, says Wood. It’s a rare blues fan who hasn’t imagined the scintillating blues of Eric Clapton’s electric guitar accompanying those vintage British rock and blues icons, the Rolling Stones. The good news, blues lovers, is our wait will be finally… Continue reading Clapton fires Stones on new album.
Heavenly choirs and, oh, happy days.
Back when Aretha Franklin was still in her (very late) twenties, I saw my first black gospel choir. It was at Ronnie Scott’s famous jazz club in London’s West End where I was lucky enough to have a free pass. If that sounds too good to be true, I also qualified for a free bar… Continue reading Heavenly choirs and, oh, happy days.
The Rolling Stones rock London. Again.
The Stones rock Chelsea. Again. New York’s next. Mick Jagger is said to be as “tight as a nun’s growler”, as former flames Jerry Hall and Marianne Faithfull have alluded, though not quite in those words. It was no surprise, then, to see tickets for EXHIBITIONISM, the Rolling Stones’ personal memorabilia exhibition, at London’s Saatchi… Continue reading The Rolling Stones rock London. Again.
Another top guitarist you won’t have heard of.
I don’t think there’s a town or city in the English-speaking world that doesn’t boast at least one potentially world-class rock guitarist. A big call, granted, but just think of all the great guitarists who’ve played in your local bands over the years, whom I bet remain mostly unknown. That’s the way it’s been since… Continue reading Another top guitarist you won’t have heard of.
First lady of bass
Don’t you just love thumping bass lines, bass lines that punch you in the guts, slap you around the head and slam you up against the wall. Scotland’s Jack Bruce, with that cream of rock power trios, Cream, it seems to me, was first to crank up the bass into another dimension. Jack Bruce was… Continue reading First lady of bass
Working for the Beatles’ man
R.I.P. Tony Barrow, press officer extraordinaire. I heard that one of my old bosses died this week. He was Tony Barrow, the Beatles press officer from 1962 to 1968, the man who famously coined the term ‘Fab Four’. Paul McCartney was quick to pay tribute, tweeting: “Tony Barrow was a lovely guy who helped… Continue reading Working for the Beatles’ man
John Mayall’s favorite Bluesbreaker guitarists
You won’t believe who’s second. John Mayall is a true blues phenomenon – an extraordinarily dedicated carrier of the blues torch. He was one of the very first to introduce electric blues onto the English music scene. Indeed, Mayall’s legendary bands, including his famous Bluesbreakers, influenced blues musicians across the UK and Europe from 1963 onwards. Now nudging an impressive 83… Continue reading John Mayall’s favorite Bluesbreaker guitarists
Name rock’s golden year?
He says 1971. But what’s your golden year? I’ve often though 1971 was a bit of a high spot when it came to rock, but now it’s been confirmed: sort of. According to an English rock journalist with four decades in the music business under his belt, more influential albums were released in 1971 than… Continue reading Name rock’s golden year?