The Blues Blogger

“At that time, my writing partner was William Bell. He came over to my house the night before the session. William wrote the words and I wrote the music in my den that night. That was one of my greatest moments in the studio as far as being thrilled with a piece of music. The feeling of it, it’s the real blues done by the real people… I was there in the middle of it and it was exhilarating.” ~Booker T Jones (NPR Interview)

I’m not sure why, but whenever I get those moments when you’re feeling life’s hard rocky road, I drift back to the sixties and always find a cool moment that seems to smooth things out a bit. The sixties and some of the music from that era had a magical ability to sweep us away; taking us on a soothing, creative and in some cases, ground breaking trip. Fairly young at the time, I didn’t experience the same scene first hand as my older brother and his musician friends. But I was a keen observer.

In the mid to late seventies I had an extensive record collection and dedicated a whole room to store them. With space at a premium and today’s technology giving us access to instant digital media, why utilize the space? Yes, the convenience of a digital audio library at my finger tips is quite cool, but it does have its distinct disadvantages. All this new technology will never kick start my memory banks like going to my local used record store and looking at some old vinyl LP’s. I can search online, but it’s not the same as browsing through the record bins.

After hanging out and checking all the old releases from the sixties and reminiscing, I happen to come across the classic ground breaking 1967 release, “Born Under a Bad Sign.” by Albert King. Closing my eyes, I can still visualize the album cover easily even after all these years… Feeling privileged because it was Albert King’s birthday today, I bought the album and went home with a feeling that it was meant to be. I then converted the LP to MP3 and had a listen. And then I remembered how much this very album influenced some of the great musicians of our time… Great memories indeed!

Albert King

was born on April 25th, 1923 on a cotton plantation in Indianola, Mississippi. In 1931 when Albert was eight, the family moved to a farm in Forrest City Arkansas. One of 13 children, his real name was Albert Nelson and would be known as Albert King in 1953 after the release of his first single, “Be On Your Merry Way/Bad Luck Blues.” King’s parents were musical. His mother was a church singer, and his stepfather an amateur guitar player and preacher.

As a child King taught himself to play guitar and built his own instrument out of a cigar box. He started playing with gospel groups, but after hearing blues musicians such as Blind Lemon Jefferson, Lonnie Johnson, and many others; his sights were set differently. In 1950, he met MC Reeder who owned a nightclub in Osceola Arkansas called T99. In no time King moved to Osceola joining T-99’s house band, In the Groove Boys.

In 1956 King moved to St. Louis, where he sat in with local bands. Later that same year, he was headlining several clubs in the area. It was during those times that Albert began perfecting his style playing his signature Gibson Flying V, named “Lucy.” A left-hander, he learned to play the right-hand guitar upside-down.

King’s popularity was on the rise, but it wasn’t until 1967 with the release of his first album Born Under a Bad Sign with Stax Records that he earned international recognition. Backed up by the Stax house band Booker T. & the MGs, which consisted of guitarist Steve Cropper, bass player Donald “Duck” Dunn and Booker T Jones on keyboards, the album was a collection of recordings from five sessions between March of 1966 and June of 1967. The album’s tile track “Born Under a Bad Sign,” and several others would become a staple for many blues/rock guitarists for years to come such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Gary Moore, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Derek Trucks just to name a few.

Born Under a Bad Sign

Track Listing of Original Release

Side 1

1. “Born Under a Bad Sign” (William Bell, Booker T. Jones) – 2:47
2. “Crosscut Saw” (R.G. Ford) – 2:35
3. “Kansas City” (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) – 2:33
4. “Oh, Pretty Woman” (A.C. Williams) – 2:48
5. “Down Don’t Bother Me” (Albert King) – 2:10
6. “The Hunter” (Steve Cropper, Donald “Duck” Dunn, Al Jackson, Jr, Booker T. Jones) – 2:45

Side 2

1. “I Almost Lost My Mind” (Ivory Joe Hunter) – 3:30
2. “Personal Manager” (Albert King, David Porter) – 4:31
3. “Laundromat Blues” (Sandie Jones) – 3:21
4. “As the Years Go Passing By” (Deadric Malone) – 3:48
5. “The Very Thought of You” (Ray Noble) – 3:46

Complete with all the charming crackle of the vinyl format, listening to Born Under a Bad Sign after so many years was really cool. The songs are short, but so soulful and sweet. The brevity of the tunes was tied to the 3 1/2-minute limit set by the mandates of radio airplay at the time. But that still doesn’t prevent the album as going down as one of the most influential blues albums of our time. It’s a record that will be long remembered by musicians and fans worldwide.

And since today would have been Albert King’s 87th Birthday, I can’t think of a better time to reflect on this landmark release.

I’ve included a widget of Atlantic Records version of the album titled “King Of The Blues Guitar.” It includes all of the music on the 1967 Stax release, in addition to all of the recordings Albert King did with Booker T & the MGs. Have a listen!

Musicians

* Albert King – Electric guitar and vocals
* Steve Cropper – Electric guitar
* Booker T. Jones – Piano
* Isaac Hayes – Piano
* Donald “Duck” Dunn – Bass
* Al Jackson, Jr. – drums
* The Memphis Horns – Horns

Albert King would play his last gig in Los Angeles on December 19, 1992. He passed away of a heart attack two days later at his Memphis home on December 21, 1992. He was 69 years old. As his hearse sailed in a procession down Beale Street, the Memphis Horns led the way playing “When the Saints Go Marching In.” King would then be laid to rest at Paradise Gardens Cemetery in Edmondson, Arkansas.

While The Blues Blogger utilizes digital media to bring these articles to life, there still isn’t a product in the world that can take me back like an old 33 1/3… And “Born Under a Bad Sign” is a perfect example.

Do you have any favorite versions of the song Born Under a Bad Sign? Were you aware of the importance this album played not only on the musicians it inspired, but a whole generation of blues/rock music fans? I’d love to hear you comments.

Happy Birthday Albert King! You will never be forgotten…

The Blues Blogger

Tags: Blues Reflections, Reflections, The Sixties, blues by The Blues Blogger
7 Comments »

The Blues Foundation will present the 31st Annual Blues Music Awards (formally known as “W.C. Handy Awards,”) on May 6, 2010, from the Cook Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee. Artists, industry reps and supporters from around the world will have the opportunity to celebrate the finest in Blues recording and live performance from 2009.

Growing up in the sixties many of the vinyl LP’s that were spinning around the house featured artists on Delmark Records. It was Delmark’s class acts that inspired so many of us, and as a result would contribute to my initial introduction to the blues. Today any discussion regarding the genre and its illustrious past would not be complete without mentioning this historic label.

When I write about the blues I always tend to reminisce. It never fails whenever I hear a particular song or do some research; I seem to have some snippets of metaphors that have me drifting off…

Flashback 1967

Our car soared through the stillness of the dawn. Inside the vehicle you could hear my brother playing his lone acoustic guitar; recreating those classic sounds with tunes from blues legends like Junior Well’s “Hoodoo Man Blues” and Magic Sam’s “All Your Love.” The music captured the spirit of the moment and would inevitably be embedded into my earliest memories.

My father was taking my brother and me on one of our trips to visit family in Chicago. The three of us always left first thing in the morning, and I don’t mean 7 am. Some of that innate behavior my dad was known for (no doubt where I get it) had us on the road by at least three.

Hours later with the sun gradually rising, I opened my eyes to these sweet soulful sounds. My brother always took his position in the backseat where he had more room to do his thing. A young teen at the time with many years of practice under his belt, my bro played songs from LP’s he and my father had collected. Many were familiar to me as I heard him play it before in the room we shared while growing up… My brother’s guitar playing always compelled my dad to reach into his pocket and take out his harmonica. Of course he continued driving while playing his part as safely as possible. Just like a roller-coaster, the upbeat moments from our past are always the most treasured.

Back to the Present – Delmark’s 2010 Blues Music Award Nominees

Yes, The Blues Blogger is primarily a reflective blog indeed. But while these posts have me reminiscing about the past, I thought it might be cool to now take a look at some of the artists presently on Delmark’s roster which are currently nominated at the 2010 Blues Music Awards. The following lists of nominees have brilliant soulful backgrounds with strong links to the past. Their creative energy, commitment and talent are truly extraordinary.

DVD of the Year Nominee

In the spring of 2008 Delmark sponsored a 55th Anniversary party at Buddy Guy’s Legends club in Chicago featuring several of their artists. They celebrated the past while forging into the future, and created a moment with a DVD/CD compilation highlighting the night’s event for all to enjoy and forever recall.

Let’s Not Forget – The Sideman of the Year -

Bass player of the Year- Bob Stroger (on It Ain’t Over)
Drummer of the Year – Kenny Smith (on It Ain’t Over)
Guitarist of the Year – Lurrie Bell (on It Ain’t Over)
Harmonica player of the Year – Billy Branch (on It Ain’t Over)
Horn Player of the Year – (sax) Eddie Shaw (on It Ain’t Over)

Album of the Year Nominee

Sharing the stage in the late fifties and sixties with fellow guitarist like Magic Sam and Luther Allison, Eddie C. Campbell is one of the last of the “West Side” blues artists remaining. His name is not as prominent as other blues performers of the past, but his resume is impressive. He schooled his craft playing behind greats like Little Walter, Jimmy Reed and Howlin’ Wolf. He was also a member of Willie Dixon’s Chicago Blues All-Stars band.

Tear This World Up is Eddie’s first album in a decade, and with a current nomination for “Album of the Year” at this year’s 2010 Blues Music Awards, It’s obvious that Campbell hasn’t lost a step in the creative process…

I should also note that on May 6th, 2010 the same day as the BMA’s, Eddie C Campbell will be celebrating his 71st birthday. Now wouldn’t taking home the award be the icing on the cake?

Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year Nominee

Shirley Johnson

Getting her start singing gospel music in church at six years old in her hometown of Norfolk, Virginia, Johnson has been singing all her life. She eventually moved to Chicago in 1983 and continued her love for the blues.

In 2002 Delmark Records released her American debut CD Killer Diller; a record with a wonderful variety of gospel, R&B and soul. With her latest CD Blues Attack, Johnson attests that if you like your blues with lots of soul you’ve come to the right place. With this year’s nomination, the future for Shirley Johnson continues to look bright.

Zora Young

Like Shirley Johnson, Zora Young grew up singing gospel. Re-locating from her West Point, Mississippi home to Chicago at the age of seven, Young continued her gospel roots attending the Greater Harvest Baptist Church. A relative of blues legend Howlin’ Wolf, Young had music in her blood from day one.

As time moved on, she got inspired by R&B and would eventually progress into the strong blues vocalist she is known for today. Young has performed with artists such as Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Bobby Rush, Albert King and B.B. King. She has also recorded with Hubert Sumlin, Mississippi Heat and Willie Dixon among many others. Zora also has 30 tours of Europe to her credit as well being a featured performer six times at the Chicago Blues Festival.

The French Connection her latest release is collaboration with French multi-instrumentalist Bobby Dirninger. The CD showcases 14 tracks featuring three different bands and includes five live songs with nine studio recordings. The live tunes on the disc are from three different shows from Young’s 2008 tour in France. An eclectic record with half acoustic and the other half electric, The French Connection is a wonderful showcase of Young’s array of talent.

So there you have it…

A mixture of personal memories from yesteryear, a look at some of Delmark’s artists from the past and present, as well as a peek at the label’s nominations at this year’s 2010 Blues Music Awards. Good luck to all the nominees!

Are you familiar with any of the artists and their music featured in this post? Do you have any Delmark favorites that you would like to discuss? I’d love to hear from you! Your comments are most welcome and help broaden the subject matter which can’t be delivered in one post alone.

The Blues Blogger

Tags: Blues Music Awards, Blues News, Blues Reflections, New Releases, Reflections, Reviews, Soul, The Sixties, blues by The Blues Blogger
5 Comments »

It was around this time 41 years ago that Muddy Waters started working on his double vinyl release Fathers and Sons… And since today (Easter Sunday April 4th,2010) would’ve been Muddy’s 95th birthday, I want to briefly commemorate not only the album, but the man they called “Father of The Chicago Blues” on this special day.

By the time Muddy Waters’ Fathers and Sons was released in the summer of 1969, Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, Woodstock took place and I was still entranced with Elizabeth Montgomery’s role as Samantha in Bewitched… On a sadder note, that was the year I lost my grandfather and almost lost my father when he had a heart attack.

Whenever I drift back to those days, I realize just how remarkable those times really were. But because I was so young, it took a while to fully comprehend its meaning and effect on me. I would later discover that through heartache came new found inspiration. The events and music of the time influenced my interest in writing. And it was albums such as Fathers and Sons that helped generate a personal soundtrack to my past…

 

 Standard Podcast [1:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Waters singing was influenced by local bluesman Son House and he would learn to play guitar by studying Robert Johnson records. Muddy was the leading promoter of Chicago blues in the fifties. He brought the blues from the Delta making the transition to electric with sounds previously unheard of.

When Muddy moved to Chicago in 1943 he got work in a paper mill. It was during this time he started playing electric guitar and began performing. In 1946 Waters signed with Aristocrat Records. His original Aristocrat recordings did not make much of an impression in the beginning… But Muddy continued to play at the clubs continuously while driving a truck six days a week.

When the Chess Brothers changed Aristocrat to Chess Records in 1948, Waters’ first single on the new label “Rollin’ Stone,” became a major blues hit. Other tunes like “I Can’t Be Satisfied” and “I Feel Like Going Home” from that year would secure his position as a major blues performer. These recordings featured Muddy on electric guitar, writer/producer Willie Dixon on bass, and occasionally Little Walter on harmonica. By the early fifties he was backed by a complete band adding Otis Spann on piano, Jimmie Rodgers on second guitar, and Elgin Evans on drums.

The Tunes Kept Rollin in the Fifties…

“Honey Bee”
“She Moves Me”
“I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man”
“I Just Wanna Make Love to You”
“I’m Ready”
“Got My Mojo Working”
“Mannish Boy”

The above are shining examples of blues classics that would go to be recorded by many popular rock groups… The Rolling Stones even name themselves after his first single.

Waters also introduced new blues artists as they made their way through his band. Many of these included: Junior Wells, Jimmie Rodgers, James Cotton, and Buddy Guy. He would also be instrumental in the early careers of Howlin’ Wolf and Chuck Berry.

As successful as Muddy Waters was during the fifties, his record sales were for the most part limited to the Mississippi Delta, the New Orleans area and of course Chicago. However, by this time his reputation was internationally known and in the sixties his music began reaching rock listeners. He often appeared at concerts and festivals nationally.

With producer/guitarist Johnny Winter and utilizing members of his bands of the fifties, Waters made three of his best-selling albums, Hard Again, I’m Ready, and King Bee. Winter and Waters performed together regularly in the 70’s and 80’s.

Muddy last public performance was in June 1982 with Eric Clapton. He passed away in 1983 of a heart attack. And in 1987 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Fathers and Sons

is a fine example of students paying tribute to their hero and father figure of the Chicago blues… Listening to the recording after all these years is like a time machine to the past. It’s a vivid memory that brought me back to that electric blues sound and atmosphere I remember so well while growing up.

Whether your rediscovering your past, or just learning about the blues, I strongly suggest checking this album out. It’s an incredible piece of blues history from experienced artists old and new at the time… You’ll be richer for the experience.

If you have any thoughts or birthday wishes, please feel free to add your comments below.

Happy Easter,

The Blues Blogger

Father and Sons Session Musicians:

Muddy Waters – Vocals and Guitar
Otis Spann – Piano
Mike Bloomfield – Guitar
Paul Butterfield – Harmonica
Donald “Duck” Dunn – Bass
Sam Lay – Drums

With Guests:

Phil Upchurch – Bass on “All Aboard” only
Jeff Carp – Chromatic Harmonica on “All Aboard” only
Paul Asbell – Rhythm Guitar on “Walking Thru The Park”, “Forty Days & Forty Nights” and “Sugar Sweet” only
Buddy Miles – Drums on “Got My Mojo Working, Part Two” only