The Blues Blogger

Last year I dedicated one of my first posts called Beale Street: The True Home of the Blues to TheBluesBloggersWife, or TBBW as she is known to the blogosphere. The past year she is single-handedly responsible for guiding us through a very challenging time in our lives. Her incredible focus has generated a new healthy lifestyle for me and the result is a resurgence of creativity and anticipation that I didn’t think was possible a year ago… One of TBBW’s favorite performers is

Nina Simone

I remember listening to Nina’s records in the mid seventies, but my appreciation developed as a result of my wife’s awareness of this amazing and important artist. Simone has recorded over 40 albums with the largest volume of work being released between 1958 and 1974…

Nina has influenced many of today’s modern artists such Alycia Keys, Mary J Blige and Lauryn Hill as well as many others. Her music has been featured on several soundtracks such as The Big Lebowski, The Thomas Crown Affair and the recent Sex and The City Movie.

I could go on and on about Simone and mention many of her meaningful contributions to the music world and the Civil Rights Movement… But so much has already been written by more knowledgeable and credible people than me, that I will refrain from elaborating further. However, if you are interested in learning more about this artist you can click here…

Coincidently while writing this, I was sent a message regarding Simone’s daughter who is a recording artist and Broadway actress. I found her website and music very intriguing and I want to thank my online friend The Fitzinator at SqueezeMyLemon.com for his uncanny timing in sending the information my way. You can find that link here…

For The Past Year

I’ve had this incredible urge to get back to my love of writing. I’ve tried to jar loose some of the memories of my past that I have tucked away for so many years. TheBluesBlogger.com demands many hours of my time, especially on the weekends when so much needs to be done around the house. It couldn’t be possible without the support of my family… I love creating new articles and ideas for posts, and the readership that is growing is just the icing on the cake for me.

So why is it that the most important people you have in your life are the ones that seem to know the least about how you feel? Funny how that works! For the record, without TBBW there wouldn’t be TheBluesBlogger. I wouldn’t have survived nor had the inspiration, because it’s her love and faith in me that keeps me feeling good.

And no … I didn’t write this because I’m in the Dog House… Just credit where credit is due!

TBBW … This one’s for you!!!

All My Love,

TheBluesBlogger

Tags: Jazz Reflections, Reflections, The Seventies, The Sixties // 1 Comment »

As I’ve previously mentioned, this month marks the 1st anniversary of TheBluesBlogger site. This time last year, because of the circumstances surrounding my own health, I needed an outlet for my creativity that I had bottled up for many years…The persona of TheBluesBlogger became that means and slowly I have written articles that represent some of my most precious moments of my past musical recollections. Most of my posts discuss particular albums, but on this piece, I was haunted by a specific song.

I’m sure all of you had the experience when a song, for some reason or another manages to get into your head, and will continue to play on for days… I recall my brother practicing his guitar to the tune Loan Me a Dime in the middle of the night. Some of the tastiest licks I have ever heard him play along to…Then I finally realized why the significance of the song played through my reflective mind… As so much has changed in the world around us in 40 years, many things in life still do come full circle.

Back in 1969

my father suffered a heart attack that essentially changed the setting in our household. Life got a whole lot more serious and it was the music that my brother played in the early mornings that stuck in my mind; capturing my youthful imagination. My brother had his own way of dealing with the situation and I recall his playing taking a poignant spin into a more expressive and melodic tone. It always was, and I guess it always will be, the music that gets many of us through the difficult times we face in our lives.

Boz Scaggs

was born Royce Scaggs, June 8, 1944, in Ohio. Scaggs moved to Plano, Texas at an early age. His interest in music was sparked by his childhood friendship with Steve Miller. They were budding young artists that both attended St. Mark’s Preparatory School in Dallas. It was Miller who taught Scaggs the fundamentals of guitar playing and gave him the encouragement to sing.

In the early 1960s Scaggs and Miller formed the Marksmen Combo and honed their skills by playing local venues. Several years later, they both headed north to attend the University of Wisconsin in Madison; mostly due to its proximity to Chicago’s flourishing blues culture. In Madison they met another developing musician, Ben Sidran and together performed as the Ardells.

After a brief stint in Europe, Scaggs established a home base in Stockholm Sweden, where he released an album for Karusell Records. The release in 1965 was a collection of folk songs that had some success, but was relatively obscure in the United States.

Boz received an urgent message from Miller who moved to San Francisco and had formed The Steve Miller Blues Band. Miller had been offered a contract with a major record label and wanted his old friend to share in his achievement… Scaggs would record two albums with Miller, Children of the Future and Sailor. But his restless nature would drive him to strike out on his own once more.

His Self Titled Debut

entitled Boz Scaggs in 1969 was produced by Rolling Stone editor Jann Wenner. The signature song, the 12 minute Fenton Robinson composition Loan Me A Dime, featured some serious guitar work by none other than Duane Allman, who was unknown at the time. The album established Scaggs as a gifted songwriter and musician. It was called,

“a milestone … full of bluesy rock aggressiveness and spooky ballads.”—Steven X. Rea-

Despite some great critical reviews, it was not a commercial success. However Boz’s album and Duane Allman’s extraordinary guitar work obviously made quite an impression on a number of people… Including a 9 year old boy, who on his top bunk bed was serenaded by the sweet soulful bluesy early morning sounds.

Although Boz Scaggs is perhaps best known for his creative soul music during the 1970s, on albums such as Slow Dancer and Silk Degrees, this versatile performer has recorded many other styles of music as well, ranging from rhythm and blues and folk to urban pop… But it’s his version of the song Loan Me a Dime that will forever remind me of a time that through great personal change, soothed me during a difficult time. Even after nearly 40 years I still find this tune as powerful to me as it was back then…

Yes there was the law suit between Fenton and Boz… I’ve heard Robinson’s original version, and it’s excellent. So good, that it obviously influenced Boz. But that is not the subject of this post. It’s Boz’s timeless cover of the song with the unforgettable Duane Allman and a moment that I have personally captured while strolling through time.

TheBluesBlogger

Tags: Blues Reflections, Reflections, The Sixties // 4 Comments »

At Christmas time last year I wrote a post about blues guitarist Matt “Guitar” Murphy. You can view that post by clicking here. It was his 80th birthday that month and I wanted to make sure people were aware of the occasion… Several years back Matt suffered a stroke. When I heard of this terrible circumstance, I tried to find out as much information as I could, but there wasn’t many details. The only thing I found out was he was recovering in Florida, but as far as the extent of the stroke, and if he was capable of someday playing again was not readily known.

Several days ago I received an email from a friend telling me about a Birthday Blues Bash,and to everyone’s delight, Matt would be on the bill… This is great news to finally hear about the return of this legendary artist. He arrives just in time for the 30th Anniversary of The Blues Brothers.

A Three Day Event–Nov 14th-16th,2008–Fellsmere Riding Club Rodeo Arena in Fellsmere, Florida

This event features some amazing talent… The lineup is as follows:

FRIDAY - November 14th
Gates Open at 4:00 p.m.

Ernie Southern & The Deltaholics 5:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Smokin’ Torpedoes 5:45 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Darrell Raines 6:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
Eric Culberson 7:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Albert Cummings 8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

SATURDAY - November 15th
Gates Open at 11:00 a.m.

Betty Padgett 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Robin Rogers 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Joey Gilmore 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Rich DelGrosso with The Nouveaux Honkies 4:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Albert Castiglia 5:45 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Matt “Guitar” Murphy 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

HEADLINER ACT
Blues Guitar Legend Hubert Sumlin
8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

SUNDAY - November 16th
Gates Open at 11:00 a.m.

Ben Prestage 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
The Nouveaux Honkies 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Juke Joint Duo 3:00 p.m. - 4:14 p.m.
Alvin Jett & the Phatnoiz Blues Band 4:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Chris Duarte Group 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

For more information regarding this great blues event, you can check it out by following the link located here. You can purchase tickets by clicking on the poster image above.

If you love the blues and happen to live or be in the Florida area at the time, you should take the opportunity to check out this birthday blues bash. With a lineup like this at a price that is extremely affordable, it promises to be one amazing weekend indeed…

If you are attending the bash, please post your comments here. And let us know how the event turned out. I for one would love to hear how Matt is doing and how he sounds since his recovery.

TheBluesBlogger

Tags: Blues News, Blues Reflections // 3 Comments »

My son was asking me the other day about a picture I have hanging in my basement. It’s called The Blue Man and the artist is the late Jean Michel Folon. The artwork is also on the cover and is the title of one of my favorite guitarists Steve Khan’s albums. As my son is now 13 he is trying to understand the significance of some of the pieces of art I choose to display on the wall. He found it simple yet very intriguing. I told him that in a profound way, that picture and the music that was associated with it changed my life…

While working in an upscale record store as the head of blues and jazz, I was familiar with some of the works of guitarist Steve Khan from essentially two of his projects; his solo album Tightrope, and an acoustic album called Two For the Road with Larry Coryell.

I always enjoyed listening to Steve Khan’s playing, but right from the first note of 1978’s release The Blue Man, it struck a chord in me that turned my crazy notions of working in a recording studio into an obsession. Was it Khan’s expressive tone and phrasing? Thirty years has gone by and it’s something to this day that I can never really explain…

Steve Khan

Was born April 28th,1947 and is the son of lyricist Sammy Cahn. Steve learned to play the piano and drums as a child, and in 1962 was the drummer with a surf group called The Chantays. A late bloomer to the guitar, Steve picked up his main instrument at the age of 19.

After graduating from UCLA in 1969, Khan made the move to New York and became a productive musician; working consistently in jazz, pop and R&B settings. Khan is best-known for his fusion records, but has proven on many occasions that he can be extremely versatile. He has worked with many artists from Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich, The Brecker Brothers and Joe Zawinul. In addition he can be heard playing with such artists as Billy Joel, George Benson and Steely Dan.

In 1974 he performed in a duo setting with Larry Coryell and also became a key member in The Brecker Brothers. The albums Khan released with Columbia Records in the late seventies were really where I had my introduction. But there was something about that album The Blue Man that really caught my imagination; soulful and funky with a definite jazz flavor. The recordings for Columbia featured The Brecker Brothers with Steve Gadd, David Sanborn, Don Grolnick, Mike Manieri, Will Lee and several others.

Steve Khan was selected, along with guitar legends such as John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, Wes Montgomery, John Scofield and Django Reinhardt as one of the 22 All-Time Greatest Jazz Guitarists in Japan’s “Jazz Life” Magazine.

“I was a terrible drummer with no musical training. I had developed a love for the guitar, and when I was 19 I switched instruments. I decided that I would not make the same mistakes I had made with the drums and studied hard in college along with private lessons from Ron Anthony.”

Steve Khan’s The Blue Man was one of those albums that I had in both vinyl and cassette formats. While listening to the music from the LP, I started to make arrangements for my move to NYC. I created a strategy on how I would get through the door of any studio that was willing to accept me. With absolutely no experience in the field whatsoever, other than my passion for listening to music and hanging with my musician pals, I developed a crazy nonsensical plan. Nothing would stop me from accomplishing my goals! And I would have made it earlier had a 1972 GMC van not broadsided me while driving one afternoon. The accident would send me to the hospital in serious condition with a concussion and several broken bones; my face crushed beyond recognition. The driver of the van was old and apparently had a stroke while driving. His van was turned upside down several hundred feet down the road. I heard he survived the ordeal.

After many months of physiotherapy and visits from friends, I was determined more than ever to make the move. You can read more regarding my move to NYC by clicking here. But I will always remember Steve’s music as a major inspiration. I recall driving my parents nuts as I headed off in 1979; The Blue Man being one of the albums packed in my suitcase that took off with me on the runway to NYC.

After telling my son the story, he was interested in hearing the album for himself. He has a keen interest in music that has obviously been passed down. I converted the album to MP3 for him to check out. It’s been many years since I heard it myself… As I finish writing this piece I can hear the first track Daily Bulls being played for the 5th or 6th time in the background. It amazes me that 30 years has passed since this album was released… I’m sure my son will not be as obsessed as me, as he has other interests like sports that occupy his time…

Are any of you Steve Khan fans? Do you have a favorite selection from this guitar master?

For the latest information on Steve you can go to his website by clicking here. Or you can check out his myspace page and hear more of his stuff.

Tags: Jazz Reflections, Reflections, The Seventies // Add Comment »