Thanks to R.L!

I don't know what to say, after feeling unwell for so long. I haven't really felt like blogging.

I'm happy to be writing again, now! It can be frustrating to get back into the swing of blogging regularly -- but I have some music that I'm excited about.

To kick off this entry, I'm listening to 'First Recordings', recorded by the late bluesman R.L. Burnside in 1968. This disc of acoustic blues tunes, was recommended to me. Burnside has a very expressive voice -- ranging from a high wail, to a low, menacing growl. It's spine-chilling!

It's very raw, personal music. Sometimes frighteningly intense, but always amazing to hear! I think that R.L. must have dug really deep into himself, to produce these songs. This is about as genuine as music can be!

Guy Davis

I thought this was a great clip, from a modern bluesman, Guy Davis. Davis sings and plays harp, banjo, and guitar (both six and twelve-string).



This is an old Tampa Red tune, called 'Things About Coming My Way'.

Mitch's Playlist: 0.5

This is a special, post-birthday edition of Playlist. After a particularly unpleasant stay in hospital, I have some music to share with you.

• Essential Collection: The Classic Cobra Recordings 1956-1958 -- Otis Rush. Otis has an amazing feel as a guitarist, and also one of the best voices in blues music. The blues landscape, as we know it, owes much to Otis Rush. The recordings here have their place in *blues* history. (And it's a fun CD to play!) I just love these tunes; many of which were 'picked up' by British blues acts, like John Mayall, Eric Clapton, and Led Zeppelin. It's mighty difficult, when the originals are so good, though!
  
• Mississippi Fred McDowell -- Fred McDowell. I really enjoy this album; the atmosphere is very laid-back. McDowell is/was a gritty, honest bluesman. (The real deal!) His lyrical slide guitar, and vocals, always get to me! He absolutely tares through these songs. I think it might have actually been recorded in someone's house, which gives the whole thing a really unique, 'party' vibe. Everybody is enjoying themselves -- probably getting good and drunk, too -- and it brings out the best in Fred.

More soon... Stay tuned!

Michael Jackson Has Died

I thought I would blog this news, as it breaks. Michael Jackson, pop music icon, has died. He was fifty years old.

An American news article about Jackson's death: Pop Star Michael Jackson Has Died At UCLA Medical Center After Cardiac Arrest - kdka.com. It's been all over TV and The Internet.

It's just sad. I have my own cool memories of listening to MJ's music, when I was a little bit younger. I was a huge fan, in my early school years! Albums like Dangerous, Bad, and Thriller are well-loved classics, which continue to sell in huge numbers. The concert tours were epic, and his music videos were trail-blazing.

Jackson made a huge impact on music and pop culture. If you know anything about the popular music (or popular culture) of the last few decades -- you'll know of Michael Jackson.

They are lots of other things one could say about Michael Jackson... but you can make up your own mind!

Twitter and Blip.fm

I've wanted to program the music on the radio for a while. Now, in a way, I can! It's called Blip.fm.

Each user, known as a 'DJ', has their own station; which is a place to post the songs that they have picked. The library of music to choose from is huge (and ever-growing)! I think it's mostly sourced from track previews from iTunes and Amazon. Choices are beamed out, through services like Twitter, or Facebook. The music you choose to play appears on your station.

DJs find each other because of their tastes in songs or music. They can applaud good selections (by giving props to that person), and then add that song to their own playlist.

It's so cool to have this treasure chest of music to browse... and then choose from. I can simply pick a song and know it will (very likely) be there! When I find something I like, I can post it in real-time.

Eric Burdon and War drop in

I was lucky enough to discover the rich, earthy music of Eric Burdon and War about six months ago; when I bought the album Eric Burdon Declares War. (I love the album title, too!)

War had an expansive and funky sound... it is very joyful music.


('Spirit' is the song title.)

With the components of War's sound including a horn section; some Latin percussion; Burdon's strong, compelling vocals; Lee Oskar's harmonica...

and funk... lots of that!

Mitch's Playlist: 0.4

• The Very Best of Otis Redding, Vol. 1 -- Otis Redding. Albums with titles such as this one, often fall far short of their boasted greatness. In rare cases, an artist's body of work does not merit a 'best of' album; but that is rare. Most commonly, the songs that are chosen as 'the best of' don't meet the listener's expectations.
  

With this collection, though, one suffers no let-downs. I came to love both the CD, and Otis! All the songs here display Redding at his best -- often backed by the Stax record label's legendary house band! Highlights for me include: 'That's How Strong My Love Is', 'Pain in My Heart', 'I've Got Dreams to Remember' and more.

Otis was to make huge impact, in a short time. He played a highly-memorable set at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. Sadly, he was killed in a plane crash later that year, aged 26.

Redding's 'deep soul' music lives on.