Muddy Waters Memes

It's not usual to find Muddy Waters (or other bluesmen) memes; but this is the internet, so they exist. Here are a few I found on Quick Meme:

100 Greatest Blues Songs

Over on Blues-Ain't Nothing But, a list of unknown origin or authorship was posted. It contains what seems to be a good, but perhaps not accurate, list of the top 100 blues songs of all time.

It features the cream of the crop of the best blues players, from Delta to Chicago to Texas.

You can check the full list [here], and I'll post the top 20 for you:

1. Memphis Blues – W.C. Handy
2. Crazy Blues – Mamie Smith
3. Pine Top Boogie – Pine Top Smith
4. Dust My Broom – Elmore James
5. Boogie Chillun – John Lee Hooker
6. Mannish Boy – Muddy Waters
7. Stormy Monday – T-Bone Walker
8. Hellhound On My Trail – Robert Johnson
9. Spoonful – Willie Dixon
10. The Thrill Is Gone – B.B. King
11. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl – Sonny Boy Williamson I
12. Born Under A Bad Sign – Albert King
13. Forty Four Blues – Roosevelt Sykes
14. Smokestack Lightnin’ – Howlin’ Wolf
15. Statesboro Blues – Taj Mahal
16. Hoochie Coochie Man – Muddy Waters
17. Juke - Little Walter
18. The Little Red Rooster – Willie Dixon
19. Come In My Kitchen – Robert Johnson
20. I’m a King Bee – Slim Harpo

Embassy Gig Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, I've got a gig at the British Embassy (before you ask, it's a private event; sorry!).

The band consists of fellow Lounging Criminals band mates and others of another local band. There is no band name as of yet (procrastination to the max!)

We'll be playing some covers and a few originals, of a "hard-funk rock" if that term works.

I haven't been on the stage in Kuwait since the Bija Concert since June!

Here's a pic of my Jaguar Bass all packed up and ready to rock!

If I have any pics I'll post 'em at a later date.

African Blues

We all know the blues that started in the United States at the turn of the 20th century came from the African slaves working in the plantations of the South.

And those slaves brought their musical heritage with them, especially those from western Africa.

I've come across the most famous "African blues" musician, Ali Farka Touré. He is from Mali and was known for mixing his native music with American blues. He's their most famous musician, and is even ranked number 76 on Rolling Stone's  “The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”.

Here's a song from his 1990 album , called Hondia, and it shows how the blues was rooted in African music.

Is Innovation Required in Jazz Today?

via  da-educa.com

There's a really cool (and long) article on the state of jazz today over on Pop Matters, written by Will Layman.

 If you have some time to spare, check out the article [here].

Happy Birthday Blind Lemon Jefferson!

Today in 1893, "Blind" Lemon Henry Jefferson was born. He was extremely influential in setting the blues firmly on the ground. In the 20's, he became very popular until his early death in 1929. Happy 119th Birthday Blind Lemon!

 Here's one of his famous songs, "Black Snake Moan" from 1927:

Booze and the Blues - A Mutual Relationship

You can't have the blues without booze (unless you live in Kuwait, which means you got the blues on a whole new level); alcohol is a common subject and commodity that has been mentioned (and used) in blues music since it's origins.

 Booze is an ailment to feeling lonesome, sick, or heartbroken. It's also drunk when you are celebrating an event or holiday. Add to it the Prohibition Era of the United States in the early 20th century, and the organized crime, bootlegging, and speakeasies that became rampant in those times, up to the Great Depression.

 Booze can lead to dangerous situations, like losing your baby, your friends, bad health, committing adultery and murder, or being sick. It can also lift your spirits and ease the pains of normal life, hence a good subject and perfect for the blues!

 I complied a few songs that talk about alcohol abuse; so here we go:

 Pigmeat And Whiskey Blues - Josh White

I got drunk last night folks, talkin' all out my head 

Drunk last night, talkin' all out my head 

It wouldn't have been so bad, but my baby heard every word I said

 'Bad Whiskey Blues' : Leroy Carr & Black Boy Shine

I'm going back home, and start drinkin' again

I'm going back home, and start drinkin' again

My whiskey is almost done, and my baby just begin

 'Sittin' Here and Drinkin' (Whiskey Blues)  - Muddy Waters

Well I bin sittin here drinkin, I'm just as lonesome as a man can be

Well I bin sittin here drinkin, I'm just as lonesome as a man can be

Well now you know tell me dollar woman player remains

I wunder were you the one for me

'When I Been Drinkin' - Big Bill Broonzy

I don't need no money, I've got lucky oil on my hands

I don't need no woman's voice, always raisin' sand

When I been drinking, yeah, when I been drinking

Now, when I come home, baby, please let me lay down and rest

Corn Liquor Blues - Lewis Black

I want you to put one bottle : in my hand
So I can drink my way : to the Promised Land

Oh Lord mama when I die : I want you to bury me low
So these corn liquor gals : know I ain't coming here no more

Happy Birthday John Coltrane!

I really don't have to speak too much about one of my favorite artists of all time, the jazz sax legend, John Coltrane.

On September 23, 1926, John Coltrane was born. And here we are 86 years later celebrating the birth of this divine individual.

From humble beginnings, to drug abuse, to jazz giant, Coltrane defied the odds time and time again as showed by his start from bebop, and then shifting into hard-bop as a solo artist (his "Blue Train" album remains a staple of that era in the late 50's, fooling around with modal jazz (where he became a central figure, including performing on jazz's best selling album "Kind of Blue" by Miles Davis) and showcasing his capabilities with "Giant Steps" and "My Favorite Things", into more freedom and into avant-garde and free jazz until his death in 1967.

His seminal album,A Love Supreme, remains one of the best albums of all time and is of legendary status. I could keep talking forever, about how he was canonized as a saint by the African Orthodox Church, about his spiritual pursuits, about his immense musical contribution, but I'd rather let the man show you himself; "Impressions" from 1965, in his final years.

 

Just Another Day at a Public Hospital

My wife's sister gave birth today; so I went to visit her in Sabah's maternity hospital. Truely a desolate place... freaks me out.

Here are a few snaps from the visit:

Kokomo Arnold - Country Blues Master

From Georgia, James "Kokomo" Arnold played his own unique style of blues; his haunting vocals and slide guitar works were impeccable. His music influenced many, including Elvis Presley, Aerosmith, and even Robert Johnson. He didn't continue his music career after 1938; even though many wanted him to return after the explosion of blues interest in the 50's.

 Here's "Cold Winter Blues" from 1937: