Did You Know? The Simpsons Recorded a Blues Album!

Yes folks; believe it or not, in 1990, The Simpsons released an album called "The Simpsons Sing the Blues". None of the songs except for one (Moanin' Lisa Blues) were ever aired on the series.

This album features famous musicians like BB King, Joe Walsh (The Eagles), Dr. John, and DJ Jazzy Jeff (Fresh Prince), and if any of you remember when we were kids, (I actually had this album on cassette around '93) it had the single "Do the Bartman". Lisa, Marge, Montgomery Burns, also bring their voices to the songlist.

The album was a hit and reached at number 3 on Billboard's charts.

Hearing Homer sing Albert King's "Born Under a Bad Sign" is just insane and it features BB King on the guitar!. Check it out below!

The "No PS3 Skyrim DLC" Blues

It's no secret I'm in love with videogames... I've had a few games related posts on this blog, the most being about the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim:

BRB: Dragons Await

My Wedding Photo in Skyrim

My Badass Skyrim Warrior

And now, A year after the game was launched, I'm still waiting for the 2 DLC's (downloadable content) that have been released ("Dawnguard" and "Hearthfire") and the just announced DLC "Dragonborn" (check it below at the end of the article) to be announced for the PS3. 

I don't have an up to date, top-of-the-line PC nor do I have the time to buy an Xbox 360 or additional console. I've played this game for hundreds of hours, have wallpapers and stuff all over my work PC and my phone and the the ringtone of the main theme,  got the freaking collectors editions (with the Alduin statue) and all that. I feel dissapointed that Bethesda still has no real reason (all they said was they are having difficulty coding the DLC and nothing else). 

Even their PR has went silent, which led many to believe (including myself) that the new DLC announcement was to include news of a PS3 version.

I guess all I can do now is wait and play the Ballad of the Dragonborn non-stop and just hope that the heavens bestow upon us this much needed addition to one of the best games ever.

Here's the latest DLC trailer; drool as necessary.

"Miles Davis: The Complete Illustrated History" Releasing Later This Month

[SOURCE]

A new book by Ashley Kahn, who also wrote the two jazz books I wrote about previously about Davis and John Coltrane's biggest albums, will feature 300 pictures and writings by people from actor Bill Cosby to saxophonist Sonny Rollins.

This is an awesome book to see the transformation of Miles from his squeaky clean bop days to his crazy fusion/electric jazz phase.

It will be released on November 17, so get to Amazon and be ready!

Slowtrane - John Coltrane

The album called "The Last Trane" was released in 1965 on Prestige Records, Coltrane's old record label before he moved to Blue Note and then to Atlantic. The songs on there are all from 1957-58 and were used from unreleased material.

This song, called "Slowtrane" is a mellow bluesy number, one of the album's highlights.

Milk Cow Blues - Kokomo Arnold

This song by country blues guitarist Kokomo Arnold from 1934 is what inspired Robert Johnson to write "Sweet Home Chicago" and "Milkcow's Calf Blues", and is one of the staples in the old blues standards.

 The unique singing by Arnold and his hypnotic slide guitar remains cemented in the blues roots.

How I Kept my Homesick Lebanon Blues Away

Thanks Dubai!

My Music Purchases from Dubai

I was in Dubai over the Eid holidays, and as usual it was another great week off. I noticed that this time, the jazz and blues selections at Virgin Megatstore were limited than before, I was able to find some gems within the sea of mediocre:

1) Prestige Profiles - John Coltrane 
2) Blues Greats - Memphis Slim 

I already spoke about the Coltrane compilation previously, so it was worth getting at the low price (AED 45) and it contains music from albums I don't have. The record compiles music from the mid to late '50's work of Coltrane, which featured a slight stylistic shift before moving on to modal jazz.

 The Memphis Slim compilation is a mix of songs from his career spanning from the '50's to the '70's. I love the piano/vocal work of Slim so any more music from him is a plus.

Big Bill Broonzy - Pillar of the Blues

Big Bill Broonzy is a centeral figure in the Delta and country blues. His licks and fingerstyle playing, along with his rhythmic thumb work, has influenced tons of musicians, even the old blues masters.

 He was active from the 20's until his death in 1958... and his many recordings stand the test of time as pillars of the blues.

 Below is a live version of "Willie Mae" from 1953:


 

My Response to the New Avenues Mall Logo

Psychedelic Blues from Chile: Aguaturbia

I have never heard of the Chilean band Aguaturbia before, until I listened to one of their songs on an online radio station.

After reading about them a bit, it turns out that, other than being from Chile, which is rad, they were pretty big in the psychedelic scene of the 60's and 70's in Chile, and they did gain some international recognition because of it.

Their music sounds a lot like that era of music, especially with the guitars of Carlos Corales. The vocalist, Denise, Carlo's wife, sings in English and Spanish which gives it a nice touch.

Here's a bluesy number for you called "Blues on the Westwide" from 1970: