My Cover of Muddy Waters 'I Feel Like Going Home'

Played in open G early this morning. Don't mind the slips ;)

63 Years Ago: 'Ludella' Recorded by Jimmy Rogers

In 1950, Jimmy Rogers recorded this blues classic for Chess Records. It was also his first solo recording for the label along with 'That's All Right". 

It was recorded similarly Muddy Waters' performance ; Ernest "Big" Crawford on bass, Little Walter on harmonica, and Jimmy singing and playing the guitar. 

Rogers was most well known for being in Muddy Waters band; but he eventually went on his own in 1954, before quitting the industry for a few years until his comeback in the early 80's.  He died in 1997 and was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1995.

Have a listen to this great classic!

Even BB King Didn't Escape the 80's

The 80's was a crazy decade; pink neon, denim jackets, new wave, Ronald Reagan...  and just about everyone was on cocaine.

I won't lie and say there wasn't some good music coming out of the 80's, however for the most part it was mostly cheese. And to stay relevant in the business, many established musicians caught that '80's sound'. Even blues legend BB King was not immune to this.

The movie "Into the Night" which starred Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Dan Aykroyd (of the Blues Brothers fame), featured three songs by BB King on the soundtrack, with "Into The Night" being title track of the movie (the other two were 'In the Midnight Hour' and 'Lucille').

The song features BB playing his signature guitar licks, which save the song, but the drum sampling and the synths are just cringeworthy.

Let's be glad the 80's are behind us; as no one was safe.

The Blues Musicians on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Of the hundreds of artists that have their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California, only three blues musicians have their own stars.

They are:

John Lee Hooker

B.B. King

Bonnie Raitt

Seeing that two of these three actually released a song together, here's John Lee Hooker and Bonnie Raitt performing "I'm In The Mood" :

Check Out The National Blues Museum

Established in 2010, The National Blues Museum in St. Louis, Missouri, is the home of the blues in the USA. Funded by the government and other investors, the National Blues Museum seeks to preserve the history of the blues and provide national awareness for the genre that shaped Western Music. It is the first of such type in the USA.

The  museum will feature exhibit space along with a classroom and a small theater. It will cover the history of blues and its influence on rock ’n’ roll, jazz other music genres, with a focus on interactive elements. Among the areas slated to be included are Evolution of the Blues, Blues Icons & Legends and a Blues Lab. There are lectures and public programs available right now. 

It's set to open early 2014, and it still requires our help. The donor initiative is called 'Buck Up for the Blues'.

If you don't want to donate directly, they have an online shop where you can buy some merchandise to support.

Someday I hope to visit this great place! Here's the video about the museum: 

Even Sheep Get The Blues - Eid Mubarak

Design a Buddy Guy Poster!

Creative Allies has started a commemorative poster design contest, asking inspiration from Buddy Guy's new album Rhythm and Blues! The award is $500.

There's been some great entries so far; I've posted a few below. I'm no artist (at least not a visual artist - ZING) and would have loved to participate.

 See the contest page [here].

51st Street Blues - Charles Mingus

"I was born swinging and clapped my hands in church as a little boy, but I've grown up and I like to do things other than just swing. But blues can do more than just swing." - Charles Mingus

Spanish Rap Meets Muddy Waters

Rapsusklei, a Spanish rapper, used a sample of Muddy Waters' "Hoochie Coochie Man" , to a not-so-bad effect.

Obviously I have no idea what he's saying, and I don't like the kids talking at the intro, but otherwise not a bad attempt. 

If I get some positive responses I could start a regular segment of blues / jazz samples with modern music styles.

20 Terrible Blues Song Names

Taken from Conan O'Brien's website, fan submitted:


The Terrible 20: Blues Song Titles

20. "Alcoholism And Depression Hotel"
    
19. "My Baby Left Me For A Guy With A Mullet"
    
18. "Black Magic Walrus"
    
17. "Give Me Back My February Issue of 'Cat Fancy' Magazine Please, Blues"
    
16. "I Got Gastrointestinal Discomfort Troubles"
    
15. “Born Under a Jersey Overpass”
    
14. “I've Misplaced My Back Scratcher” 
    
13. “No One Lets Me Ride Shotgun Blues”
    
12. "The View’ Is on While I’m on the Elliptical Blues”
    
11. “Ain’t No Salt on My Fries”
    
10. “I Only Got Me 140 Characters”
    
9. “Unidentified Rash Boogie”
   
8. “Accidentally Bought Lean Pockets Blues”
   
7. “Ain’t Nobody That Can Break This Hundred”
   
6. “Ain’t Got No Battery Left”
   
5. "My Old Lady Is Actually Quite Nice To Me”
   
4. “Undescended Testicle Boogie”
   
3. “Let’s All Get Drunk for Christmas and Slap Each Other Out”
   
2. “I Got Sick on Your Rug Blues”
   
1. “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Bath Salts”