First of all, see if you recognize the following names.
1. Little Richard
2. James Brown
3. Sam Cooke
4. Elvis Presley
I didn't know the last one either. How about these:
1. Michael Jackson
2. Luther Vandross
3. Whitney Houston
4. R. Kelly
5. Boyz II Men
Well, if you're under 8 years old, you should be in school. But I have some names for you too:
1. Alicia Keys
2. Beyonce
3. Usher
4. Ne-Yo
5. Chris Brown
The lists above are all names of artists that have elements of R&B in their music. You may be wondering, "What is this thing called 'R&B?'" R&B stands for "rhythm and blues," meaning there is blues integrated with rhythm. In fact, many blues artists were the first to play R&B music, around the 1940s. Since the 1950s, however, R&B has taken on a different meaning. Now, R&B can mean blues music, but it is most often referred to gospel, funk, and soul sounds. That's why R&B artists like Usher, Beyonce, Ne-Yo, etc. are commonly called "contemporary R&B" artists. To me, they are not really blues musicians, although I'd say Alicia Keys would probably be the closest because she frequently plays the piano and just has a bluesier sound than the rest (remember 2001's "Fallin'"? Kind of like blues...).
Could be worse.
I really haven't talked a lot about female blues artists. While the majority of blues singers and musicians are male, there are many that are female. In fact, there was a subgroup of blues music called "classic female blues." The music form was very popular in the 1920s, thanks to singers like Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey. They were instrumental in spreading the word of the blues and making the genre become popular among music listeners. By 1929, however, the classic female blues genre slowly declined. I've got some songs from my grandparents' good 'ol days. Here they are:
Ma Rainey (1886-1939)
Bessie Smith (1894-1937)
Ethel Waters (1900-1977)
Victoria Spivey (1906-1976)
Have to add Aretha Franklin too.
In other news, I was watching Family Guy last night and there was a clip of Muddy Waters that I thought was hilarious. I have all the respect in the world for Mr. Waters, but this is too good to not post.
Nope, they don't. My newest favorite relatively unknown blues artist is Dan Patlansky (www.myspace.com/danpatlansky). I've posted one of his songs on my Twitter page to your right. I'll wait to continue while you check it out.
Dan Patlansky
(Taken from musicalmover.com)
He's a cross between Josh Groban, Kenny G, and Weird Al Yankovic, but in only when talking about hair. Musically, he has a similar sound to Stevie Ray Vaughan without the 80's vibe. Here's a video (of the same song on Twitter - "Namaste/Love City"), taped at the 2011 Up The Creek Festival, held in Swellendam, NY.
Patlansky is from South Africa, which is located in the southern part of Africa. He plays the six-string Fender Stratocaster, similar to Eric Clapton. His first album, the independently released Standing At the Station (2001), was met with critical acclaim. On the album, he plays various songs, including George Harrison of The Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." In 2004, he released another album, True Blues, this time while signed to a record label. In 2005, he traveled to the United States (New Orleans, to be exact), but his time there was cut short when Hurricane Katrina struck. He returned to South Africa and later became endorsed by Fender guitars (1 of only 6 South Africans to do so). Another album, Real, was released recently and Dan continues to play festivals and shows, both in South Africa and abroad.
With his talent, Patlansky could easily be on top of the music world. But one thing that makes blues music great is that the entire genre usually goes unnoticed. That sounds like a bad way to put it, but blues music probably wouldn't be real blues music if all of the artists were playing in huge stadiums for every show. Part of blues music is returning to the broken down, rawest form of (usually) guitar/vocal torment. I may be wrong, but I believe any artist of any genre that has a love and respect for their music wouldn't mind playing anywhere at all. Sure, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and B.B. King perform in front of thousands of people. I think it's great that artists get recognition on big, small, and in-between levels, but I also believe certain musicians prefer to have their shows in a smaller venue with a hundred or so people in attendance.
Smaller types of shows are common in North Dakota, too. See, we have these areas called Native American reservations. On these reservations, there are big, extravagant gambling houses called casinos. And at these casinos, in addition to the rows of slot machines and a few blackjack tables, some musicians will come and sing for a cheaper price. The musicians are usually cover bands and/or washed-up, but that leads me to my next story. This past weekend, my mom went to see a country musician, Charley Pride, at Prairie Knights Casino and Resort. Pride is 73 years old and his last album to get a place on the U.S. country chart was in 1989 (Moody Woman). Needless to say, Pride is probably no longer in his prime as a country artist, but that doesn't mean his love for singing has gone away. And my mom got to meet him, so it wasn't really pointless for her to go.
Artist of the Week: Kenny Wayne Shepherd
(taken from upi.com)
He's like another Jonny Lang, except a few years older. Born in 1977 in Shreveport, Louisiana, Shepherd developed a passion for blues guitar playing after meeting the Stevie Ray Vaughan when he was 7 years old. Shepherd got his first big break after playing at Shreveport's Red River Revel Arts Festival. He was signed to Giant Records and released his debut album, Ledbetter Heights, in 1995. His next album, Trouble Is... was released in 1997 and holds the record for the longest-running album on the Billboard Blues chart. Other albums include Live On (1999), The Place You're In (2004), 10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads (2007), and Live! in Chicago (2010). Shepherd continues to play music and lives with his wife, Hannah Gibson (daughter of Mel Gibson) and their three children.
New Album of the Week: Shiver by Too Slim and the Taildraggers
Released 04.12.11
(taken from amazon.com)
Yeah, the album cover kind of freaked me out too. But the sound makes up for someone's obviously strange taste in visual art. Too Slim and the Taildraggers is a blues band that goes largely unnoticed. I had not heard of them until I listened to their previous album, 2009's Free Your Mind, which I highly recommend. Turns out the band's first album was released in 1988. Shiver is the band's 10th studio album and 2011 marks their 25th year of touring, so they've had their foot in the door for a long time and deserve respect. Their new release is filled with good tracks that every rock fan should enjoy. Too Slim and the Taildraggers do a wonderful job at incorporating traditional rock and Americana music into blues. So, if you like John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen, and Eric Clapton all mixed into one, Too Slim and the Taildraggers is sure to make your eardrums happy.
32nd Annual BLUES MUSIC AWARDS - MAY 5, 2011
Cook Convention Center
Memphis, TN
Broadcasted live on XM Sirius satellite radio (B.B. King's Bluesville channel)
Acoustic Album of the Year
Bet on the Blues, Paul Oscher
Booker's Guitar, Eric Bibb
Home Sweet Home, South Memphis String Band
Last Train to Bluesville, The Nighthawks
You Can Always Turn Around, Lucky Peterson
Acoustic Artist of the Year
Doug MacLeod
Eric Bibb
Guy Davis
John Hammond
Paul Oscher
Album of the Year
Ain't Got No Troubles, Eden Brent
Living Proof, Buddy Guy
Shake for Me, The Mannish Boys
The Devil is an Angel Too, Janiva Magness
The Well, Charlie Musselwhite
B.B. King Entertainer of the Year
Buddy Guy
Janiva Magness
Joe Louis Walker
Kenny Neal
Super Chikan
Band of the Year
Magic Slim & the Teardrops
Nick Moss & the Flip Tops
Rick Estrin & the Nightcats
The Derek Trucks Band
The Holmes Brothers
The Kilborn Alley Blues Band
The Mannish Boys
Best New Artist Debut
Chris O'Leary Band, Mr. Used to Be
Claudette King, We're Onto Something
Matt Hill, On the Floor
Peter Parcek , The Mathematics of Love
The Vincent Hayes Project, Reclamation
Contemporary Blues Album of the Year
Have Blues Will Travel, Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King
Living Proof, Buddy Guy
Name The Day!, John Nemeth
Still The Rain, Karen Lovely
The Devil is an Angel Too, Janiva Magness
Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year
Candye Kane
Janiva Magness
Karen Lovely
Robin Rogers
Shemekia Copeland
Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year
Buddy Guy
Joe Louis Walker
John Nemeth
Kenny Neal
Nick Moss
DVD
Black Hen, The Mississippi Sheiks Tribute Concert, Various Artists
Delmark, Live at Rooster's Place, Tail Dragger
NorthernBlues Music, Live at Ground Zero Blues Club, Watermelon Slim & the Workers
Ruf, Songs From The Road, Luther Allison
Woodward Studio, Nothing to Prove, Mac Arnold
Historical Album of the Year
Black Derby, Chicago Blues Buddies, Little Smokey Smothers & Elvin Bishop
Delmark, Jimmy Dawkins Presents the Leric Story, Various Artists
Delmark, Live in Boston 1966, Junior Wells & the Aces
For a moment, try to think of some superheroes. There is Spider-Man, Superman, Batman, Daredevil, Wolverine, Wonder Woman, Fantastic Four, Green Lantern, X-Men, Iron Man, The Incredibles, Spongebob, etc. Notice how there is no superhero representing blues music. But never fear - I'm about to create one. He shall be called Blues Man - defender of and friend to the blues music world.
I couldn't help but picture the newborn Blues Man looking something like the mascot of the NHL hockey team, the St. Louis Blues:
Louie
(Taken from secondcityhockey.com)
As nice and non-threatening as Louie the Polar Bear looks, I don't think his image would fit in with the other superheroes. Plus, there are certain qualities that a superhero needs to posess in order to be considered a genuine superhero. Unfortunately, Louie doesn't really have superhero traits. He may seem pretty great, but in reality he helps cheer on a losing team that never makes the playoffs. I mean, Batman does drive the Batmobile, which is pretty awesome. On the other side, Louie maybe gets to hitch a ride on the zamboni, if he's lucky.
Here are some of the characteristics of superheroes:
1. Strong
2. Brave
3. Intelligent
4. Wears a costume
5. Athletic
6. Role model
7. Has a weakness
8. Has an arch enemy
9. Secret identity (alter ego)
10. Love interest
11. Has a goal
12. Special powers
13. Earns respect
14. Has a sidekick
15. Unique
16. Uses gadgets
17. Has a lair or hideout
18. Interesting past
19. Vehicle
20. Determined
Blues Man has to be strong, brave, intelligent, athletic, a good role model, respected, unique, have a unique past, and determined. As for a costume, he could wear whatever the average blues musician wears, as long as he has a cape (so he can fly). His weakness would, of course, be hearing any type of music except blues music. With that said, his arch enemy would be Justin Bieber. His secret identity or alter ego would be easy to pull off. A blues musician is a person, so they can easily blend in with the rest of the human population. His love interest could be anyone really, as long as they're into blues. His number one goal would be to rid the world of terrible music (although not all non-blues music is terrible). I'm talking about Rebecca Black's "Friday," music like that. His special powers could include: flying, bluesy-soul singing, guitar playing, superhuman strength, superhuman speed, invisibility, and x-ray vision. His sidekick could be "Jazz Boy." The Utah Jazz, a NBA team, has a mascot that actually looks like a superhero, or at least a Chewbecca type of creature. Here he is:
Bear
(Taken from kenthorner.com)
Well, one out of two is better than nothing. It's better than the Minnesota Twins (1-2 as of right now). Anyway, Blues Man's gadgets would include the traditional grappling hook, nunchucks, and bazooka (joking on the last one..I think). Also, Blues Man could carry a guitar that shoots out bolts of lightning, hot lava, or both. His lair/hideout could be in one of the House of Blues, or in North Dakota because it's slightly isolated. And his vehicle could be the bluesmobile (as seen in The Blues Brothers). There you have it - a blues superhero called Blues Man.
CAUTION: RELIGION
The more I thought about superheroes and their characteristics, I began to realize that the greatest blues superhero guy of all time is Jesus. He's strong, brave, intelligent, unique, and determined. Sure, he didn't really wear a costume (unless you count a robe and sandals a costume) and he didn't have a love interest. However, he did perform miracles (water to wine, healing of the sick, etc.), walked on water, and rose from the dead. He didn't have a weakness, but he is Jesus (basically God in human form, so no weaknesses there). I'm not sure if Jesus was athletic, but he was and still is a good role model. He does have an arch enemy, who will not be mentioned in this blog because he doesn't deserve that respect. Speaking of respect, Jesus gets a lot of that too. To my knowledge, he didn't really have a secret identity, unless you count "nicknames" (Messiah, Jehovah, Savior, etc.). His goal is salvation through him dying, resulting in eternal life (accomplished). Jesus really didn't use gadgets because he generally believed in peace. He spent a lot of his time around Israel (he was born in Bethlehem, but grew up in Nazareth) and the Sea of Galilee region. He actually had 12 sidekicks called disciples. He didn't drive a vehicle, but he did ride a donkey into Jerusalem and elsewhere.
When you think about it, Jesus could be the ultimate blues superhero. Blues music wasn't around in Bible times, but it seems as though Jesus was always facing bad situations that would have fit well with blues music. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the donkey (or colt, depending on which Gospel you read), everyone liked him. He was basically the Lady Gaga of the day, when comparing the amount of superstardom present in the individual. But his likeability didn't last long. One of his disciples, Judas, betrayed him for thirty coins. Another disciple, Peter, denied his friendship with Jesus not once, but thrice. He was arrested, mocked, and sentenced to death. The people who had praised him before were now the ones saying he should die. He was humiliated, spit on, nailed to a cross (that he carried with some help from Simon from Cyrene), and crucified. Even when he was hanging on the cross, some people still made fun of him and stole his clothes.
Eventually, Jesus was under so much torment that he cried out to God ("My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" - Matthew 27:46). You'd think by now people would've had some mercy. It's really dark and gloomy outside, Jesus is half-dead; why not just close the show? Nope. Instead, they grabbed a sponge, soaked it with wine vinegar, stuck it on a stick, and raised it to Jesus to drink. Vinegar and wounds really don't go together so well.
After that, Jesus died. He was buried in a tomb (bought by a friend/follower, Joseph), and after three days he rose again. Then he went to heaven. So, it all ends well. But, there was some bad, blues-filled drama in there, too.
Since Easter is approaching, I think Jesus' story is appropriate. If you want to have a good visual of what Easter is all about, check out The Passion of the Christ (2004). Be aware that the film is rated R and contains gruesome graphics. Also, please be aware that Mel Gibson directed and he's about one outburst away from reaching the Charlie Sheen status on the anger management scale.
Artist of the Week: Eric Clapton (Taken from guitarbites.tv)
It's purely coincidence that Eric Clapton's nickname is "god" and he's the Artist of the Week (refer to the paragraphs above). Eric Clapton is an innovator of blues-rock. If you've never heard an Eric Clapton song, I am asking you to remove the rock from above your dwelling place. This guy is a genius in terms of guitar-playing, songwriting, and singing. Clapton is originally from Britain, and at first he played in bands like Cream and the Yardbirds. Later on, he ventured into performing solo and it's been that way ever since. Some of his greatest songs include: "Sunshine of Your Love" (w/ Cream), "Crossroads" (w/ Cream), "Layla" (w/ Derek and the Dominos), "Wonderful Tonight," and "Tears in Heaven." If you've never heard Eric Clapton, I encourage you to check out his musical masterpieces. Here's one:
New Album of the Week: Icon by B.B. King Released 04.05.11 (taken from walmart.com)
Speaking of great guitarists, B.B. King has a new album, Icon, to be released tomorrow. It's another "greatest hits" type of compilation, but that doesn't mean it loses its value in my eyes. Icon has got some of the best blues songs all in one disc. My recommendations are: "How Blue Can You Get?", "The Thrill Is Gone," "Ain't Nobody Home," and "I'll Survive." If you enjoy great guitar playing and blues music in general, you'll love B.B. King's new album.
Blues music oftentimes falls behind other musical preferences. Usually, country, pop, or country pop are the favorites among my peers. Along with pop and country, there are certain stereotypes that surround music genres and their individual cultures. Take rap music, for instance. When most people envision rap music, they hear heavy beats in their head with some guy talking really fast into the microphone and waving his outstretched arm in a Nazi-like pose (just kidding). The rapper is wearing quadruple X-sized clothing with a do-rag and shiny bling to match. You would probably never expect President Obama or a monk to be rapping, although anything is possible. Blues music is not exempt from a few stereotypes. I did some research on several well-known blues stereotypes and here's what I found:
STEREOTYPE #1: "Blues cars are Chevies and Cadillacs (Not BMWs. Or Volvos. Ever.). Other acceptable blues transportation is a Greyhound bus or a southbound train. Walkin' shoes also play a major part in the blues lifestyle."
WHY THIS IS TRUE: Chevys and Cadillacs are mentioned in a lot of blues songs. A Chevy is mentioned in Powder Blues Band's 1980 song "Doin' It Right (On the Wrong Side of Town)." Blues-rock slowhand Eric Clapton recorded a song, "I've Got a Rock 'n' Roll Heart," which is heard most frequently on that T-Mobile commercial. It pays tribue to his love for 1957 Chevys. Cadillac Records, a 2008 biopic, showcased record executive Leonard Chess (of Chess Records) and several blues musicians who recorded at his studio. Needless to say, BMW's and Volvo's are generally not welcome in blues music because they are of a wealthier quality. That fact ties in with my next point. The average cost for a Greyhound bus ticket is around $180, but you can go almost anywhere (note that I calculated it by "traveling" from Bismarck to New Orleans). Basically, the Greyhound bus is the poorer person's airplane and thus fits quite well with the blues music transportation stereotype.
WHY THIS IS FALSE: The most well-known bluesmobile ever in the history of blues culture is a 1974 Dodge Monaco, which famously jumped over a drawbridge in the 1980 hit The Blues Brothers. Oh yeah, and last time I checked "Chevies" is actually spelled "Chevys," if that makes any difference.
STEREOTYPE #2:"Age is also rigidly controlled. Only adults can sing the blues. Blues adulthood means being old enough to get the electric chair if you shoot a man in Memphis."
WHY THIS IS TRUE: I assume that is is generally assumed that the more years you've been around, the more life experience you have. I know a lot more now than I did four years ago. I know a lot more now than I did four minutes ago. Anyway, I don't think this stereotype is completely out-of-line. If someone is going to sing about the bank not giving them a loan, at least be old enough to actually have the bank deny you a loan.
WHY THIS IS FALSE: If cheap parents are pocketing their child's allowance, then I think it's perfectly acceptable for the kid to sing the blues about not getting their rightful cash. Simply put, music knows no age. Everyone, young and old, has sad times, trouble, and bad stuff to get off of their shoulders. I was a kid once (roughly 11 months ago), so I know the pain.
STEREOTYPE #3: "Acceptable blues colors are black and blue. Colors that don't belong in the blues are violet, beige, and mauve."
WHY THIS IS TRUE: Well, this is a given. Blues has the word "blue" in it. Also, black is dark and quite sad. Violet (purple) is rather happy, beige is boring, and I'm not sure what mauve looks like.
WHY THIS IS FALSE: Black is not a color.
STEREOTYPE #4: "No one will believe it's blues if you wear a suit. Unless you happen to be an old black man."
WHY THIS IS TRUE: Suits are traditionally for white-collar business people, not blue-collar blues people. Wearing one just doesn't make much sense. Of course, the person with the blues could've stolen the suit after he shot the man in Memphis, but that's unlikely. I mean, the DNA would be all mixed on the suit and that would be a dead-giveaway for the authorities (no pun intended).
WHY THIS IS FALSE: Who cares what blues-singing people wear? There a lot of professional people who have the blues just as much, if not more, than someone driving an 18-wheeler and collecting welfare. Jay and Elwood Blues wore suits. Eric Clapton often wears a suit. I wouldn't care if a blues singer was wearing elevator boots and a turban. I'd be scared, but I'd still listen to them if they were good.
STEREOTYPE #5: "You can have the blues in New York City, but not in Port Douglas. Chicago, St. Louis, and Kansas City still get good blues mileage...But the French Quarter is a blues no-no. The only hard times there is when the ATM is down."
WHY THIS IS TRUE: Chicago, St. Louis, and Kansas City are some of the best-known places for blues music entertainment. Port Douglas is a popular tourist destination in Queensland, Australia, void of almost any blues music. And, even though all of New Orleans was singing the blues after Hurricane Katrina, the French Quarter was hardly touched by the natural disaster.
WHY THIS IS FALSE: Blues music has no boundaries as far as location goes. Blues can be anywhere, it really just depends on the person/people there. What if a rogue wave swallows up Port Douglas? I think a few tourists would be singing the blues then. What if that ATM eats up your debit card and then spontaneously starts on fire? Anyone can have the blues, anytime and anywhere.
This un-legit website where I got the information, called The Blues Excuse, also had a nice tip at the bottom of the page. It reads "How to Create a Blues Name":
I thought I'd mix it up and let a jazz artist have the spotlight. I could ramble on about Trane all day, but I'll just give you the basics: John Coltrane is a saxophone legend. He primarily played the tenor, but he would from time-to-time play the soprano and alto. He is considered one of the best jazz musicians of all-time, right up there next to Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and Louis Armstrong. If you have ever listened to any type of jazz, a lot of it is happy sounding. But a lot of it is sad, too. One of my favorite jazz songs by Coltrane, called "Blue Train," is sad and actually sounds like it could be a part of blues. Blues and jazz go together pretty well, so I think it's appropriate that John Coltrane be mentioned in The Crossfire. Give him a listen, it's really easy to do. And, if you happen to be a saxophonist, check out this book of sheet music:
The book, available from Sheet Music Plus, comes with a CD and some of Coltrane's biggest songs like: "Giant Steps," "My Favorite Things," "Naima," and "Moment's Notice."
Move over, Jonny Lang - there's a new blues guitarist prodigy in these parts. 11-year-old Quinn Sullivan is taking blues music by storm with his debut album, Cyclone. The New Bedford, Mass. native started playing guitar when he was three. When I was three, I could barely grip a rattle. Anyway, I would love to say that Cyclone is nothing more than an overprocessed and bad album, but it's not. Sure, it's not the best blues album, but this kid still has got some talent. Plus, it's nice to see a younger artist not being promoted by the Disney Channel or riding on the success of their hair. Sullivan has played with B.B. King and Buddy Guy (he even opened on Guy's 2009 tour), so if that doesn't convince you to give his album a listen, I don't know what will. The best tracks on the album are: "My Sweet Guitar," "Buddy's Blues" (a tribute to Buddy Guy), "Summer of Love," "Blues Child," and the title track. Don't write off Sullivan because of his young age. More likely than not, he'll be around for awhile for good reasons.
The biggest entertainer since Milo Hatzenbueler is coming to the Bismarck Civic Center on April 6, 2011. Not only is this famed piano, singer/songwriter one of the best the music industry has ever heard, he is also British and we don't get too many real Europeans in North Dakota. Sure, we've got descendants of Norwegians, Germans, and the occasional Mennonite. But authentic, true-blooded, tea-and-crumpet- devouring Britains are a rare find here. The wunderbar of talent that is coming to Bismarck on April 6 is none other than Sir Elton John. Now, I'll admit that I'm not that big of an Elton John fanatic, so I will not be going to his show when he's here. Plus, I couldn't get time off of work. The reason why I'm giving him this shout-out is because my favorite Elton song of all-time (besides "Crocodile Rock") is "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues." Here it is:
Not too bluesy, but still not too bad. Come to think of it, does blues music always have to be a certain sound? Is it possible to consider any sad, depressing lyrics a part of blues music, as long as the artist has a few chips on their shoulder(s), a sparkle of sadness in their eyes, and a voice on the brink of either bursting into crying or erupting into anger? I would not classify Elton John as being a blues musician, but "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" could possibly be considered a blues song. Take a look at the lyrics (I got them from http://www.eltonography.com/):
"I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues"
Music by Elton John and Davey Johnstone
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
Don't wish it away
Don't look at it like it's forever
Between you and me I could honestly say
That things can only get better
And while I'm away
Dust out the demons inside
And it won't be long before you and me run
To the place in our hearts where we hide
And I guess that's why they call it the blues
Time on my hands could be time spent with you
Laughing like children, living like lovers
Rolling like thunder under the covers
And I guess that's why they call it the blues
Just stare into space
Picture my face in your hands
Live for each second without hesitation
And never forget I'm your man
Wait on me girl
Cry in the night if it helps
But more than ever I simply love you
More than I love life itself
The lyrics are most likely referring to a relationship, unless there's some sort of subliminal political message alluding to the presidency of Ronald Reagan (Reagan's presidency lasted from 1982-1988; IGTWTCITB was released in 1983). I think it's fair to say that this song, as a whole, is not registered within the blues category of music. However, if the lyrics were sung in a blues style, I would definitely call it a blues song. I realize there are literally thousands of song lyrics that could be blues songs if they were just played in a blues fashion. Think of all the angst-filled lyrics of Marilyn Manson. He's about as far from blues (musically) from what I can tell. If you take a look at the lyrics from "Misery Machine," you'll understand. (http://www.metrolyrics.com/)
"Misery Machine"
By Donald Clapps, Brian Hugh Warner, Carl Cicchetti, Brad Stewart, and Scott Mitchell Putesky
Man in the front got a sinister gun
Careen down highway 666
We wanna go, crush the slow
As the pitchfork bends, the needles grow
My arms are wheels
My arms are wheels
My blood is pavement
...
I had to stop after those few lines. I cannot understand what any of it means, and I really don't want to know. I guess I was wrong. Not all lyrics can be blues. If "Misery Machine" was molded into a blues song, I'm not sure I would be able to go on listening to blues music quite the same way as before. I'm assuming Mr. Manson would probably agree. Blues music has a distinctive sound and anyone with a love for it would not want to change it. Elton John can stay true to his proper piano-pop roots; blues people can continue listening to blues music; and Marilyn Manson can stick with his shock rocker sounds and too-scary-for-Halloween ensemble. Blues music is called blues for a reason. It's about putting life's misery into a soulful sound. It's not about being violent and twisting your arm into a wheel, thus making your blood turn into pavement. I guess that's why they call it the blues. And I guess that's why they call Marilyn Manson a sick, pale-faced zombie.
Artist of the Week: Pinetop Perkins (1913-2011) (image taken from http://www.montalvoarts.org/, 03.22.11)
Possibly one of the best blues musicians of all-time, Pinetop Perkins (1913-2011) was known for his piano-playing skills, as well as some of the greatest songs in blues/rock history. He was born in Mississippi, but spent time in Memphis and Chicago. He slowly got more and more involved with the blues music industry, at first by playing the guitar. When an injury forced him to quit playing guitar, he picked up the piano. Well, he did not actually pick up a piano. He hovered over it and played the keys. Anyway, he eventually got involved with the famed blues band, Muddy Waters, playing with them for over a decade. After he left Muddy Waters, he formed The Legendary Blues Band along with Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. Perkins never had an album to call his own until 1988, with the release of his solo debut After Hours. Fourteen albums later, he was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. At the most recent Grammy Awards, he picked up Best Traditional Blues Album for Joined at the Hip, which he recorded with Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. At age 97, he is currently the oldest Grammy winner of all-time. Sadly, he passed away on March 21, 2011 in Austin, Texas. He was the last of the Mississippi Delta blues musicians, but his legend will live on. And his heart will go on. I mean, if he was an organ donor, his heart could live on. I don't know who would benefit from a 97-year-old man's heart, but it's entirely possible that a life could be saved. Even if he donated his body to science, his heart could go on and on.
New Album of the Week: Dust Bowl by Joe Bonamassa Released 03.22.11 (image taken from http://www.amazon.com/, 03.22.11)
It would take a mass amount of cruel interrogation for me to say Joe Bonamassa is a terrible artist. Musically, he does no wrong. His latest release, Dust Bowl, is just as good as his other albums. It's something anyone can enjoy, save for the rap/hip-hop/celtic/electronica/mainstream pop fans. All the tracks on the album are excellent, but some standouts include "Slow Train," "Tennessee Plates," and "Heartbreaker." Even though he is frequently underrated, Dust Bowl is living proof that Bonamassa has not sold-out on his trademark blues roots. It's got a definite place on my list, and probably one of the best of 2011.
Do you ever wonder where blues lives? Africa created it, America perfected it, but where is it located now? Blues can be found in the hearts and souls of millions of people, that's true. But I'm wondering if there is a real, physical place that can be searched and pinpointed on Google Maps - a place that is the accurate living, breathing, heart-pumping, blood-flowing-through-the-veins, snoring-while-sleeping, nail-clipping, teeth-brushing, hair-combing, and chain smoking home of the blues. I found that exact place - the mecca of blues - and it's appropriately titled the "House of Blues." I did some more research and apparently there are several of these blues homes. The twelve House of Blues locations are in Orlando, Myrtle Beach, Boston, Cleveland, Chicago, New Orleans, Houston, Dallas, Las Vegas, Anaheim, West Hollywood, and San Diego. Being a blues fan myself (duh), I think there is a possible pilgrimage to one or more of these in my future. Oh, and there is an added bonus to visiting some of these cities. For all you 'coster/amusement park people, several Six Flags attractions are located in or near the places listed above. That's right! The House of Blues and Six Flags all in one place, the UND Fighting Sioux nickname/logo being rightly preserved, and Bismarck is finally getting The Pita Pit; all I can say is life is going pretty good right now. Here are some other attractions that could be fun if you want to go to a show at the House of Blues:
1. Orlando, FLOther than the fact that Orlando is pretty much the most magical city in all of Americaland, it also hosts a House of Blues location in Downtown Disney of Walt Disney World. I probably don't need to say more because Orlando is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, according to euromonitor.com. In my opinion, Florida during the hurricane off-season is one of the best places to go for some fun. There's Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, Ripley's Believe It or Not!, Universal Orlando Studios, Gatorland, Busch Gardens in nearby Tampa, and much, much more. (Just to let you know, in North Dakota, any body of water larger than a lake, with or without BP oil in it, is extraordinary).
2. Boston, MA
If you're a blues AND Red Sox fan, Boston is the place for you to visit. The House of Blues is located right across the street from Fenway Park. Can't afford tickets? Those are what scalpers are for.
3. Dallas, TX
I had to include Dallas because I'm a Mavs fan. So, other than watching basketball and going to the House of Blues, you could also: a) visit the Sixth Floor Museum, b) go to the Dallas World Aquarium, or c) see the Cowboys play. Well, maybe not option c.
4. Las Vegas
Vegas is self-explanatory. Bright lights, desert, Elvis, Ocean's Eleven...If you're of age, it's virtually impossible to not find something entertaining here.
The first House of Blues was started at Harvard University in 1992 by Hard Rock Cafe co-founder Isaac Tigrett and Dan Aykroyd of The Blues Brothers fame. Now, I probably already know what you're thinking. Here's another underdog company founded by a brainiac student in his Harvard dorm room that gains lots of fame and succcess, has legal issues, and sparks a 2011 Academy Award Best Picture nomination and then loses. No, that did not happen with the House of Blues. For one thing, Tigrett was 45 years of age when the company began. I'm not saying 45-year-olds cannot and do not go to Harvard, it's just they are often restricted from living on campus, and therefore the House of Blues should not be compared to the stylings of Mark Zuckerberg, facebook, Justin Timberlake, and the dislike button (or lack thereof).
The House of Blues is essentially a music club with southern-inspired food. Even though it's called the "House of Blues," there is an eclectic variety of music that is played at the venues. It sounds like false advertising, and it really is. I mean, if I'm going to go to place that's called the "House of Blues," I expect to hear a house full of blues. If I'm at the Hard Rock Cafe, eating an only-average meal for about $18, I want to listen to rock music, preferrably that which is heavily electric guitar-driven and dates back to at least 1965. I wouldn't go to a Hard Rock Cafe that played hip-hop or rap music, it's just not right. Even though the Houses of Blues do not correctly represent all that is blues music to the core, I'd still like to visit one or more of the House of Blues venues, maybe on an epic road trip across the world (in less than or equal to 80 days). But that is a story dropped in my bucket list that I'll save for later.
Artist of the Week: Johnny Cash (photo taken from gactv.com)
Nope. There's no other musician that goes by Johnny Cash except for the legendary Man in Black himself. He's known for playing country music, but he had some folk-blues songs, too. I thought it would be appropriate that one of his most famous, "Home of the Blues," be included here.
New Album of the Week: In Concert on Broadway by Harry Connick Jr. Released 03.01.11 (taken from amazon.com)
I admit that I enjoy Harry Connick Jr.'s music every now and again. He's definitely not within the blues genre, but he does have piano jazz/soul that generally fits in at least the same galaxy as blues. I was skeptical of his latest release, In Concert on Broadway, because any album with the words "In Concert" and "on Broadway" usually doesn't sound good. The editorial review on amazon.com claims that "after a critically acclaimed, 15 day sold-out run on Broadway comes the release of Harry Connick Jr. In Concert on Broadway. The show left critics raving and fans cheering." So it must be okay, right? Yeah, but it's not much more than just okay. If you're not a Connick fan, this isn't the album for you. I'd even go on to say that if you are a Michael Buble fan, I think you should stick with his work instead. Connick's album is not a bad one, but it's just not as good as some of his other stuff. In Concert on Broadway is only for the mellower, easy-listening audience.
VH1 has aired a series of programs on television that feature nostalgic moments from the past few years - the greater portion of the content of the shows is focused on popular culture. Pop culture includes all well-known TV shows, movies, music, books, significant political events, celebrity quotes, celebrity marriages and subsequent divorces, natural disasters, and any other news that is laugh-worthy or just really pathetic. Notable people comment on the pop culture topics and give their sarcastic insight on some of the biggest phenomenons of the 20th and 21st century. Here are a few titles that VH1 has aired:
- I Love the 80's (2002)
- I Love the 70's (2003)
- I Love the 90's (2004)
- I Love the New Millennium (2008)
- 100 Greatest Artists of All-Time (2010)
- 40 Dumbest Celebrity Quotes Ever (2006)
- 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons (2003)
- 25 Greatest Power Ballads (2003)
- 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders (2002)
- And more...
If you are ever bored, read a Kindle. If you are still bored, watch one of the aforementioned VH1 pop culture-filled shows. VH1 has not yet put together an "I Love the Blues" or "100 Greatest Blues Songs of All-Time," so I thought I'd create my own. Note that the content of this list was partially inspired by another list at http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/. Here goes:
100. "Trouble" by Ray LaMontagne
99. "Black Magic Woman" by Santana
98. "Hard Luck Blues" by Roy Brown
97. "Three O'Clock Blues" by B.B. King
96. "We're Gonna Make It" by Little Milton
95. "As The Years Go Passing By" by Gary Moore
94. "Man of Constant Sorrow" by The Soggy Bottom Boys
93. "The Seventh Son" by Willie Dixon
92. "Key to the Highway" by Big Bill Broonzy
91."You Don't Know Me" by Michael Grimm
90. "Blues Deluxe" by Joe Bonamassa
89. "I'm Tired" by Savoy Brown
88. "CC Rider" by Ma Rainey
87. "Eyesight to the Blind" by Sonny Boy Williamson II
86. "Blues After Hours" by Pee Wee Crayton
85. "Messin' Around" by Memphis Slim
84. "Everyday I Have the Blues" by B.B. King
83. "Rollin and Tumblin" by Elmore James
82. "Cryin' Shame" by Buddy Guy and Junior Wells
81. "How Many More Years" by Howlin' Wolf
80. "Hallelujah I Love Her So" by Ray Charles
79. "Breakin' Me" by Jonny Lang
78. "With a Little Help From My Friends" by Joe Cocker
77. "Tomorrow Night" by Lonnie Johnson
76. "Little Wing" by Stevie Ray Vaughan
75. "Killin' Floor" by Howlin' Wolf
74. "On the Road Again" by Canned Heat
73. "Caldonia" by Louis Jordan
72. "Rollin' Stone" by Muddy Waters
71. "Evil" by Willie Dixon
70. "Love In Vain" by Robert Johnson
69. "It's Tight Like That" by Tampa Red
68. "'Taint Nobody's Business If I Do" by Bessie Smith
67. "The Walkin' Blues" by Taj Mahal
66. "Me and the Devil Blues" by Robert Johnson
65. "Driftin' Blues" by Lightnin' Hopkins
64. "Help Me" by Sonny Boy Williamson II
63. "Stop Breakin Down" by Robert Johnson
62. "Kansas City" by Wilbert Harrison
61. "I'm Ready" by Muddy Waters
60. "Sitting on Top of the World" by Mississippi Sheiks
59. "Big Boss Man" by Jimmy Reed
58. "Smokin'" by Jonny Lang
57. "Reconsider Baby" by Lowell Fulson
56. "Highway 49" by Big Joe Williams
55. "Hideaway" by Freddie King
54. "The Sky Is Crying" by Elmore James
53. "Pony Blues" by Charlie Patton
52. "West Coast Blues" by Blind Blake
51. "Let The Good Times Roll" by Louis Jordan
50. "Somebody's Baby" by Jackson Browne
Just kidding! It's "Born In Chicago" by Paul Butterfield Blues Band
49. "Boom Boom" by John Lee Hooker
48. "I Can't Quit You Baby" by Otis Rush
47. "Further On Up the Road" by Bobby "Blue" Band
46. "Ball and Chain" by Big Mama Thornton
45. "Black Snake Moan" by Blind Lemon Jefferson
44. "I Know What You're Putting Down" by Louis Jordan
43. "Sweet Black Angel" by Robert Nighthawk
42. "I Ain't Superstitious" by Willie Dixon
41. "If Trouble Was Money" by Albert Collins
40. "You Shook Me" by Muddy Waters
39. "Texas Flood" by Stevie Ray Vaughan
38. "The Things That I Used To Do" by Guitar Slim
37. "All Your Love" by Magic Sam
36. "Hellhound on My Trail" by Robert Johnson
35. "I'm a King Bee" by Slim Harpo
34. "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" by Bessie Smith
33. "How Long, How Long Blues" by Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell
32. "Good Morning Little School Girl" by Sonny Boy Williamson I
31. "I Put a Spell On You" by Jeff Beck
30. "At Last" by Etta James
29. "I Can't Be Satisfied" by Muddy Waters
28. "Lie to Me" by Jonny Lang
27. "Baby Please Don't Go" by Big Joe Williams
26. "Preaching the Blues" by Son House
25. "The Little Red Rooster" by Willie Dixon
24. "Crossfire" by Stevie Ray Vaughan
23. "Forty-Four Blues" by Roosevelt Skyes
22. "Sweet Home Chicago" by Robert Johnson
21. "Juke" by Little Walter
20. "Born Under a Bad Sign" by Sonny Boy Williamson I
19. "Five Long Years" by Eddie Boyd
18. "Statesboro Blues" by Taj Mahal
17. "Spoonful" by Willie Dixon
16. "Aint Nobody's Business" by Jimmy Witherspoon
15. "Pine Top Boogie" by Pine Top Smith
14. "I'd Rather Go Blind" by Etta James
13. "Smokestack Lightning" by Howlin' Wolf
12. "Pride and Joy" by Stevie Ray Vaughan
11. "Crazy Blues" by Mamie Smith
10. "Rock Me Baby" by B.B. King
9. "Dust My Broom" by Elmore James
8. "Crossroads" by Eric Clapton
7. "Stormy Monday" by T-Bone Walker
6. "Mannish Boy" by Muddy Waters
5. "Georgia on My Mind" by Ray Charles
4. "Memphis Blues" by W.C. Handy
3. "Stormy Monday" by T-Bone Walker
2. "Boogie Chillun" by John Lee Hooker
1. "The Thrill Is Gone" by B.B. King
Or something like that. Given by most of the song titles listed above, it seems as though blues music cannot be positive or happy. That's not necessarily true. Blues music can be uplifting in it's own way, it just depends on how you perceive happiness. For instance, sometimes therapy (musical therapy) is best administered by thinking about one's problems. I know it sounds like it won't work, but when you voice the bad stuff in your life, the good stuff seems all that much better. Life has the potential to be a little easier once problems, troubles, and "blues" are on paper, an album, an iPod, or the radio. You've got others (artists, musicians, songwriters, etc.) who understand and, in my opinion, music that sounds good. So, grab a piano, guitar, sitar, triangle, harmonica, jaw harp, and/or ukele and start letting the blues flow through your veins. That is not a drug reference, by the way.
Artist of the Week: Casey Abrams (Image taken from wetpaint.com) American Idol, land of the free and home of oh-so-much musical talent packed in a two-hour reality television show. George Washington who? This is America at it's finest. Well, Emily Anne Reed, the first contestant I was going for the victory, is gone. But Casey Abrams, one of the top two best guys on American Idol this season, has been playing the blues and I think he deserves credit. First I thought he was Seth Rogen. Actually, I still think he is Seth Rogen. Whoever he is, he's got some awesome vocals and some equally awesome bearded bass gifts. With the additions of Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler as judges on American Idol, I think season 10 is looking up. The other extraordinary guy on Idol this year is none other than Jacob Lusk. Everytime Jacob sings, I think Luther Vandross smiles from heaven. That's how good he is. If you wanna hear these guys, tune in to American Idol on Wednesday nights at 7:00 p.m. on Fox. Here's a preview:
Casey
Jacob
New Album of the Week: Brand New Eyes by Doug Mcleod Released 03.08.11 (Image taken from amazon.com)
Doug Mcleod plays raw, mellow blues. If you enjoy the soft acoustic guitar accompanied by soulful vocals, Mcleod's Brand New Eyes is the album for you. He's an interesting mix of Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and Jason Mraz. The sounds of Joni Mitchell, Simon, and Garfunkel might me thrown in there, too. Anyway, it's a pretty good album if you enjoy listening to the acoustic, indie, Greenwich Village type of sound. I give it 473 stars out of 480 stars.
Look Out! Michael Grimm's new album will be here on May 17!
(Image taken from chuvachienes.com)
I am ecstatic about several things in this world. For now, I'll let you know about two:
1. Blues music.
2. Good films.
Blues music and good films fit together like Santa and Rudolph, Eminem and 50 Cent, Diet Coke and Mentos, and Jim Jones and Kool-Aid. Well, maybe not like Jim Jones and Kool-Aid, but blues and film do work together quite well all the same. Different films use blues music as a background and I would say The Blues Brothers is one of the best comedies ever made. I'm not a big fan of math, but when you take a plus b (a being blues and b being cinema), I believe the result would be The Blues Brothers. Keep in mind that I wasn't using one of those number devices (a calculator?), so you might want to double-check my answer just to make sure.
The Blues Brothers (1980), starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, is a comedy film based off of the Saturday Night Live sketch of the same name. The movie's title does not actually refer to blues music per se, instead referencing characters Elwood Blues (Aykroyd) and Joliet Blues (Belushi), a.k.a. "The Blues Brothers," also the name of their R&B band. That's right, R&B (rhythm and blues). I would not classify The Blues Brothers totally under the blues genre just yet, although the song "Sweet Home Chicago" is a definite exception:
Speaking of brothers, director/brother duo Ethan and Joel Coen made an excellent and really funny film called O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000). The Odyssey-inspired movie stars George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson as three escaped convicts searching for treasure in Depression-era Mississippi. The soundtrack is a mix of country and blues, with some folk thrown in too. In my opinion, there couldn't be a better musical combination. But don't be so quick to drink my Kool-Aid, judge for yourself:
The name of the band, comprised of George Clooney (lead vocals), John Turturro (background vocals), Tim Blake Nelson (background vocals), and Chris Thomas King (guitar), is called The Soggy Bottom Boys (a play-on-words in correlation with real-life bluegrass band, The Foggy Mountain Boys). O Brother, Where Art Thou?'s soundtrack was produced by T-Bone Burnett, who is among the top music experts in film. Burnett has worked on various other projects, including Walk the Line (2005) and Crazy Heart (2009), for which he has also received numerous Academy and Grammy Awards. Want to hear some more from The Soggy Bottom Boys? Check out http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/search?q=The%20Soggy%20Bottom%20Boys, where a playlist full of songs is there for you to enjoy.
I recommend both The Blues Brothers and O Brother, Where Art Thou? for some genuine hilarity. Prepare to be rolling over with laughter, because these movies are really funny. Out of the two, I would pick O Brother, Where Art Thou?, but that's only because I'm a bigger fan of the Coen brothers (The Big Lebowski, No Country for Old Men, and True Grit) than I am of John Landis (Michael Jackson music videos). The only film directed by the Coens that I didn't thoroughly enjoy was 2008's Burn After Reading.
I'm saying all of this because I'm waiting in anticipation for the 83rd Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) on Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 8:00 p.m on ABC. I look forward to watching this celebrity-filled extravaganza every year. I'm a little worried about the upcoming show, however, because Anne Hathaway and James Franco are co-hosting. In the past, tradition has been set forth that well-known, older comedians host the event. Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Jack Lemmon, Carol Burnett, Johnny Carson, David Letterman, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin, Chris Rock, Ellen DeGeneres, and John Stewart are some who have hosted since the awards show began in 1929. Almost all were older, somewhat funny people. James Franco is thirty-two and mildly hilarious (think of 2008's Pineapple Express). On the other hand, twenty-eight-year-old Anne Hathaway is not really that funny. I'll admit that I laugh at Hathaway's films, but that is only because I think she is terrible in them. One positive note is that the hosts are generally invisible during the show, only appearing sporadically to sing or read the teleprompter. Maybe it won't be so bad. Hopefully Anne Hathaway does good, and then I will owe her an apology.
Based on this clip from 2010's Alice in Wonderland, I doubt that will happen. Artist of the Week: The Soggy Bottom Boys(taken from http://www.timeinc.net/) Although they're not a real band that tours and makes albums year after year, they've still got one album and I think they deserve some credit for that. Technically, George Clooney and the rest of the band did not record their own music; meaning, they lip-synched in the film. I'm not that bitter, though, because they make up for it with their comical acting. Come on in and listen, boys and girls, the music's fine. New Album of the Week:Deluxe Editionby Shemekia Copeland
Released 01.18.2011 (taken from http://www.amazon.com/Deluxe-Shemekia-Copeland/dp/B004BBPKWM/ref=pd_nr_m_17?ie=UTF8&s=music)
I'll admit that I had never heard of Shemekia Copeland until I came across her album, Deluxe Edition, on Amazon.com. Once I previewed the opener, "Turn the Heat Up," I was blown away. Shemekia's got some amazing vocals, much better than I was expecting. I listened to this compilation album over and over again, entranced by her bluesy, Aretha-channeling voice. The 31-year-old singer is the daughter of famed blues guitarist Johnny Copeland, but she's proved that she is her own musician. Deluxe Edition is wonderful and I encourage anyone to give it a try. You can preview snippets of the album on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Deluxe-Shemekia-Copeland/dp/B004BBPKWM/ref=pd_nr_m_17?ie=UTF8&s=music), or you can check out http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/search?q=Shemekia%20Copeland to hear full length tracks.
I do! Disregarding any other opinions for the moment, I thought last night's 53rd Annual Grammy awards were given to the right people. Sure, every year there are always a few artists that probably do not deserve the nomination, let alone the award. However, I thought this year was at least better in terms of the shiny gramaphones being presented to their rightful owners. Outside of the blues genre, my personal favorite was Arcade Fire's win for Album of the Year (The Suburbs). I love this band and I'm glad they are finally getting recognition for their work. If you have not heard them and would like to listen to some of their stuff, I cannot help you. What do you think this is, an indie rock blog?
The biggest disappointment of the night for me, other than Justin Bieber's hair, was Bob Dylan. Despite his insightful lyrics, folky-rock sound, and magical harmonica, this veteran Woody Guthrie-wannabe was really not good. That's putting it in the most sympathetic terms. He sang live with Mumford & Sons and The Avett Brothers, who I think are decent. Honestly, the old guy brought the newbies down. Now, I'm a huge Dylan fan. Let me clarify, I'm a huge 1960's- and "Hurricane" (1975)-Dylan fan. Here is an example:
As you can probably already tell, the times really are a-musically changing. Still, I miss the old Bob Dylan. I understand that I should not complain. Who knows? Maybe he was just having a bad night or got infested with laryngitis. Hopefully in the future he can sound better (without auto-tune, by the way). The winners of my Grammy Awards, which have no validity and essentially mean nothing outside of my own mind, include:
Buddy Guy (Best Blues Song for "Thank Me Someday")
Eric Clapton (Best Blues Album for Clapton)
Joe Bonamassa (Best Blues Artist)
Like I said before, these "awards" mean nothing except to me. After thinking more about it, maybe receiving a Grammy is not all it is talked up to be. I realize that the Grammy's are a pretty big deal - they are the Oscars of music. But if artists like Eminem and Lady Gaga are the ones taking all the awards, maybe getting a Grammy is not all that special. Honestly, the musicians who create music solely for the love of creating music are the ones I think deserve the most recognition. Of course, it is impossible to determine if a musician makes music because they love it. Or is it?
"For me, it's about the music. I'm just the messenger, and I hope to do it as long as I live." - Eric Clapton (http://www.thinkexist.com/)
Eric Clapton? Never not heard of him. He's the real deal.
"My whole life, my whole soul, my whole spirit is to blow thath horn." - Louis Armstrong (http://www.thinkexist.com/)
I think the greatest trumpet player of all-time, not including Miles Davis, is a true musician.
Old-time jazzy singer Emily Anne Reed is a contestant on the tenth season of the popular singing show American Idol. Now, American Idol is not the happiest place on earth; DisneyWorld takes that crown. Therefore, this show can be quite tiresome and frustrating to the viewer, yet extremely addicting. Even so, the voter-generated reality program has given the universe some worthwhile talent. I could count on my hand the number of contestants on American Idol that I enjoy: LaToya London, David Cook, Fantasia Barrino, Chris Daughtry, and Melinda Doolittle. Sorry, no Adam Lambert.
Anyway, Emily Anne Reed has got a very unique voice that is jazzy enough to warrant my support throughout the upcoming American Idol season. She sings in a band called Emily Anne's Delights, which you can find more about here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Emily-Annes-Delights/241109978206. Although originally from Arlington, Virginia, Reed auditioned for American Idol in San Francisco by singing Harry Warren's "You're Getting to Be a Habit With Me," and later "Honey Babe Blues." She does not begin singing until about a minute into the video. Here it is:
Because American Idol is scheduled to air 1-2 nights during the next few months, I'll sporadically update on Reed's progress on the show, assuming she stays on for some time.
New Album of the Week: I Feel You by Herb Alpert & Lani Hall
Hey, it's Valentine's Day. I think this swing jazz album is the most appropriate for the occasion. It's not blues by any means, but it's still decent music. My recommended sample track would be the opener, "Moondance," because it was one of the first jazz songs I ever listened to. And, if it makes any difference, Alpert and Hall have been married for over 36 years.
Congratulations to Grammy winners...
Jeff Beck (Best Rock Instrumental Performance for "Hammerhead"), Pinetop Perkins & Willie "Big Eyes" Smith (Best Traditional Blues Album for Joined at the Hip), and Buddy Guy (Best Contemporary Blues Album for Living Proof).
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