Happy Birthday Little Walter!

On May 1, 1930, blues harmonica legend Marion Walter Jacobs, AKA Little Walter, was born.

Walter would become one of the main pillars of blues harmonica in the Chicago scene, also famously known for being in Muddy Waters' blues band before going solo. His solo career would also be highly successful will hits like "Juke", "My Babe" and others.

He died at an early age in 1968 due to injuries in a nightclub fight. 

Here's a rare live performance from 1967:

David Gilmour Plays the Blues

Pink Floyd are not strangers to the blues; I have already mentioned that previously [here] and [here]. Hell their band name is a mish-mash of two bluesmen's names.

So since today is lead guitarist David Gilmour's birthday, I thought I'd showcase Gilmour playing some blues from the late 80's for ya.

Have a good one Dave!

Happy Birthday John Lee Hooker

On August 22, John Lee Hooker was born in Mississippi. Hooker was one of the most influential bluesmen of our times, having released several songs that have become blues standards, like 'Boom Boom', 'Boogie Chillen', 'I'm in the Mood', and many more.

His unusual guitar playing, emphasizing heavy bass rhythms, drive and tone, and his raspy voice, made him a force to be reckoned with. Many British rock bands covered his music and it elevated him to stardom.

In the 90's he reentered the spotlight and saw tremendous success. He died in 2001.

He was inducted to the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, the Blues Hall of Fame, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Enjoy an entire album of John Lee Hooker below!

In Memory of Blind Willie Johnson

Today marks the 118th birthday of blues and gospel singer Blind Willie Johnson. He was born in 1897. 

He bridged the gap between blues and spiritual music, recording the standard "John the Revelator" and many other songs, including "Nobody's Fault But Mine" which was recorded in 1927, also known as a very popular song recorded by Led Zeppelin.

Here's 'Nobody's Fault But Mine' for you below. Blind Willie, hope you're having a grand old time with the Maker.

Happy Birthday B.B. King!

On this day in 1925, Riley King, better known as  B.B. King, was born in Mississippi.

I don't really have to explain how important B.B. is in the blues and music world; he's one of the best guitarists ever (ranked 6th by Rolling Stone), and was inducted into the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

The blues sovereign turns 89 today, and he is still performing to this day. From the looks of it, he's not going to stop anytime soon; the 15 time Grammy Award-winner performed nearly 150 shows in 2013, and almost 80 so far this year.

Another birthday salute to Mr. King, one of the last remaining original blues gangsters!

Enjoy this 40 minute video of the full live show in Africa 1974:

Double Birthday! Willie Dixon and James Cotton

Today we have a double birthday celebrating two of the greatest bluesmen, Willie Dixon and James Cotton!

Willie Dixon was born in 1915 and James Cotton in 1935; Dixon is no longer with us, but Cotton is still here and still playing the blues, most recently nominated for best Blues album at the Grammys (read my rant here).

Dixon was the fore-front singer-songwriter and poet of the blues, writing several key hits and classics for other bluesmen such as 'Hoochie Cootchie Man' for Muddy Waters, 'Spoonful' for Howlin' Wolf, and others. He also was a formidable bass player.

Cotton is one of the best and most influential blues harp players (see more players here) of early Chicago blues, first by being in Muddy Waters' band and performed on many of his classics, but also as a solid solo artist and has won a Grammy award for Best Traditional Blues Album.

Two pillars, two birthdays! Here's a rare video with Dixon and Cotton on stage with the rest of the legends, Muddy Waters, Sunnyland Slim, Otis Spann, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee and Mable Hillery.

Celebrating the Birthday of Miles Davis

On May 26, 1926, Miles Davis, the legendary jazz leader, composer, and trumpeter, was born.

I've spent many articles on Miles in the past; but you can never have enough of talking or discussing this great figure, for his contributions to music generally, and jazz specifically, are far too numerous.

Never seeking to stay stagnant or fade into obscurity or being considered a 'relic' of the past, Miles always kept pushing his music further.

It started when he moved away from bebop, into cool jazz, a style that he was monumental in developing, to his shift to hard bop during the early to mid, 50's. His leap into modal jazz was cemented when he released the best selling jazz album of all time, Kind of Blue, to much acclaim.

He started playing with electric sounds and literally creating the genre of fusion, Miles released In a Silent Way, and then the Electric Miles phase was born.

Electric Miles

He even released (although posthumously), a hip-hop/jazz album with the help of Easy Mo Bee called Doo Wop.

His trumpet style is also widely duplicated, in the philosophy of "less is more".

His legacy lives on through his music, and all the awards such as the Lifetime Achievement Award, several  Grammys  and the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. 

We salute the King of the Cool, Miles Davis, and I leave you with one of his most recognizable songs, a live version of "So What" of the Kind of Blue album, featuring John Coltrane on the tenor sax, and don't forget the block party being hosted by his estate in NYC for the Miles Davis Way celebration!

The Legacy of Muddy Waters

The 4th of April marked the 101st birthday of McKinley Morganfield, better known as Muddy Waters.

Muddy Waters is my hands down favorite bluesman of all time. His music is where I draw my musical inspiration from, like the hundreds of others.

Like many bluesmen before him, Muddy traveled to Chicago from his native Mississippi. But it was his new 'electric' sound that brought him to the public and national light. Before this, music was all acoustic, and in live situations the guitar (and by extension the bass) was near inaudible over the drums and a horn section. Once he tried plugging in his guitar through an amplifier, the sound of the blues was changed forever. But it was also his Mississippi Delta upbringing that also gave his blues a raw feel. His use of amplification is cited as, the  missing link between Delta Blues and Rock 'N' Roll.

I Can't Be Satisfied, released in 1948, arguably 'the song' that changed music.  

Soon enough, it was hit after hit during the 50's, and his music defined the Chicago blues, such as Hoochie Cootchie Man, Rolling Stone, Mannish Boy, You Shook Me, and many more. His music and the evolution of rock n' roll dominated the scenes in the 1960's and 1970's. You owe him for many of the British bands of the day, like The Rolling Stones, Clapton, and Led Zeppelin. He has 3 albums in the Top 500 Albums of all Time. 

He has won Grammys, has a Lifetime Achievement Award and is a Rock n' Roll Hall of Famer. I could go on forever.

Here's the first track off of Muddy's comeback Grammy winning album 'Hard Again', featuring a new and dazzling version of Mannish Boy. Happy birthday Muddy!

Happy Birthday Bob Marley (and Bob Marley Day)

Today in 1945, 69 years ago, the reggae and music legend Bob Marley was born.

While I write about the blues on this blog, I consider reggae to be the Jamaican "blues". The beats and rhythms change, but the lyrical and roots similarities are very strong.

The blues and reggae both came from Africa, and reggae, and by extension the Rastafarai movement, seeks a more Afrocentric lifestyle, to stand up to exploitation.

Bob Marley is remembered not only the best reggae and Jamaican ambassador, but also an iconic pop culture behemoth, who still stands the test of time across all generations.

On this occasion, Mayor Rob Ford of Toronto, Canada has announced today to be 'Bob Marley Day' :

"Bob Marley became one of the greatest ambassadors of peace the world has seen. He used music to tear down the walls of apartheid and promoted African unity, culture and world peace both at home and internationally, with songs like One Love and Africa Unite. Today, his music continues to be loved by many and is instantly recognized around the world.

Now therefore, I, Mayor Rob Ford, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim February 6, 2014 as “Bob Marley Day” in the City of Toronto."

Happy Birthday to the rasta masta, and here's "Exodus" for ya mon:

Happy Birthday B.B.King!

On this day in 1925, Riley King, better known as  B.B. King, was born in Mississippi.

I don't really have to explain how important B.B. is in the blues and music world; he's one of the best guitarists ever (ranked 6th by Rolling Stone), and was inducted into the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

AT 88 he's still kicking ass, and he was in Lebanon last year (too bad I didn't go).

Another birthday salute to Mr. King, one of the last remaining original blues gangsters!

Here's B.B. King performing "How Blue Can You Get" at Farm Aid 1985:

Happy Birthday Memphis Slim!

Today in 1915, John Len Chatman, AKA Memphis Slim, was born in Tennessee.

His piano and vocal skills were what made him one of the most prolific bluesmen, having over 500 recordings made and dozens of albums. He is also remembered for the great live music sessions in Europe in the 60's and 70's where all were performed and recorded for the whole world to enjoy, as one of the leading blues ambassadors. 

He was inducted to the Blues Hall of Fame in 1989, one year after his death.

Here's his most known song, "Everyday I Have the Blues" live in 1962. Here's to you Memphis!

Happy Birthday Pinetop Perkins!

Today in 1913, blues piano legend Joseph "Pinetop" Perkins was born in Mississippi.

In the 50's he released a very well known (and now standard) song called "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie" and started touring and recording with Earl Hooker.

Pinetop is mostly known for being in Muddy Waters' blues band, replacing Otis Spann in 1969 and stayed on until Muddy's death in 1983.

From then on, he was a lead member of The Legendary Blues Band featuring other members of Muddy's band,  Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Calvin Jones, and Jerry Portnoy, during these years, and his debut album was released in 1988.

With a healthy and contant dose of albums and liver performances, Pinetop is the oldest-ever Grammy winner at the age of 97, winning the award for Best Traditional Blues Album for the 2011 album "Joined at the Hip", which he recorded with Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. He also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.

The later years...

He died a month after his Grammy win in 2011; we wish him a happy birthday; for he is a true pillar of the blues and of music in general.

Here's his blues standard calle "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie":

Happy Birthday Robert Johnson, King of the Delta Blues

After reading today's earlier post, I hope you did go out and read up on Robert Johnson, or heard one of his tunes.

I don't think it needs to be explained who Robert Johnson is, nor what his contributions to music are. I've mentioned them on this blog countless of times, and named his collection the best album to be introduced to blues music. He is the most authoritative force in the genre.

Today marks his 102nd birthday, and here's his classic "Crossroads Blues".

Happy Birthday Blind Willie McTell

On this day in 1898, William McTier, otherwise known as Blind Willie McTell, was born in Georgia.

Blind from a young age, he picked up the guitar and eventually became a star of his own. His ragtime blues and fingerstyle guitar playing, as well as his use of twelve-string guitars, gained him much fame in the 1930's and 40's. It later influenced many artists, including Bob Dylan and the Allman Brothers Band.

He also had a more soft, laidback voice compared to other rough, harsh blues singers of the day.

So to celebrate here's one of his later tracks called "Love Changin' Blues".

Happy Birthday George Thorogood!

He broke a thousand hearts, and he'll a thousand more!

Here's a happy birthday cheer to blues-rock veteran George Thorogood, who's most well known song is, you guessed it, "Bad to the Bone".

So enjoy this song which was featured in Terminator 2:

Happy Birthday Jimmy Yancey!

On this day in 1894, blues and boogie-woogie pianist James "Jimmy" Yancey was born.

He became very popular in the 40's, composing many songs and firing up the boogie-woogie piano style, mostly instrumentals. He had his wife Estelle record vocals with him on many tracks.

He died in 1951, but his musical legacy earned him a spot in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

Here's an instrumental number called "The Mellow Blues'; happy birthday Jimmy!

Happy Birthday Pink Anderson, the 'Pink' in Pink Floyd.

On this day in 1900, or 113 years ago, bluesman Pink Anderson was born in South Carolina.

His country blues and music was considered highly influential, to the point that legendary rock band Pink Floyd used his first name (and Floyd Council's first name) to create the name of the band.

While this legacy will remain forever, he was a great musician in his own right, having resurfaced in the 60's during the folk/blues revival.

Here's one of his older tracks called "Thousand Woman Blues":