Keeping things funky!

Hey, everyone. It's Mitch! 

I think it's time to post again! Let's 'get on the good foot'— and I'll talk about music that I'm into, at the moment! 

So, lately I've been listening to lots of very cool music. I'd say that I've been moving more towards the funk, rock, and R'n'B 'direction'. 

To be clear, when I say that I love 'R'n'B music', I'm talking about classic, old-school, awesome rythym and blues music. I'm not into the modern, popular stuff that gets labelled 'R'n'B' these days. 

Modern or popular R'n'B isn't my thing at all! I'm going to leave the current, popular stuff for other people to enjoy.

I'm getting back into rock music again, as well. For a while there, I wasn't listening to so much rock music; but I'm back into it, at the moment.

And I'm always listening to the blues! I never stray too far from the blues.

So here's what I've been listening to:

ZZ Top

I'm discovering ZZ Top, and it's way cool! I'd already heard many good things about those guys — but I never really took the time to listen to the music properly. I knew most of the hits, but then I started hearing other stuff, as well.

It's great music! It's bluesy, and it grooves!

Ry Cooder

I love Ry's work. I've heard lots of other musicians speak highly of him, as well. He has feel, AND incredible chops too! He's played with, and recorded with, so many great musicians. Like Taj Mahal, The Rolling Stones, Little Feat, Captain Beefheart. 

Snooks Eaglin

A very versatile blues and R'n'B singer/guitarist. He could play many different songs, and styles of music; like the old-school 'street singers' from the 20s and 30s. Watching him play guitar is amazing!

I've also been listening to Jimmy Reed.

Tune in next time for more! I've got way more to cover. But this post was hanging around, unpublished for a bit too long! This isn't all!

Dig this song, my friends! Dusty Brown

Hi, friends.
It's Mitch. :)

I wanted to post about this music that I wasn't aware of, until very recently. It comes from a pretty obscure harp player/singer, named Dusty Brown. I'll cheerfully admit that I know almost nothing about Dusty Brown. It seems as though he wasn't nearly as well-known as some of the other harp players, who where part of the scene, at the time. But there are still some great Dusty Brown recordings available to buy. (I used iTunes, in this case.)

The song that I featured, in this post is called 'Well You Know I Love You' by Dusty Brown. I discovered Dusty's music through a video interview on:
www.bluesharmonica.com
Great instructional website.

I love finding different music. Peace.


Mitch.


 

Harp talk, and an update

Hi, everybody. I'm back!

As always, I'm listening to heaps of music at the moment. I'm learning about lots of different music, too. That's one of the many ways that I can keep my mind active.

I love music! And I love discovering new, and different, albums or artists! It might be new material — or simply music that I hadn't heard before. (For whatever reason.) But there's always something cool, waiting for me out there, that I'm yet to hear. 'The quest' (my quest) to hear more cool music, keeps it fresh for me.

I enjoy learning about different subjects, too: the arts, history, spirituality, philosophy, music history, politics, and psychology. 

…And I love to write! So, writing about music is a wonderful way for me to combine two, beautiful things into one venture!

I've been learning to play blues harp for seven years, too. It's great; and it's a wonderful way to express myself. 

When I blow harp, I am personally connected to the music that I love so much! Being able to play — and practice harmonica is even cooler for me; because I didn't think I would ever be able to play a musical instrument, due to my Cerebral Palsy. But blues harp is a really good fit for me, musically!

I tried to play slide guitar — but I never had the necessary motor skills to do so. (Many other boys similarly dream of being a 'guitar hero'; so I wasn't alone!) Even so, it was mighty hard to accept that guitar wouldn't work out!

But blues harp fit me much better. It's small, and I can pick it up, and put it down again. I only have one arm to use, but there have even been great one-armed harp players, before. (Big John Wrencher, for example.)

The great harmonica players can get so many beautiful sounds and textures from that small, deceptive instrument! I love dipping into the music of the great players; and studying it! I try to practice often. Every day, or every other day.

Here's a short list of some of the guys/artists who I'm really enjoying, at the moment. (It's not exhaustive, definitive, or complete.) And it's not in order.

Junior Wells

James Cotton

Carey Bell

Gary Smith

Louis Myers

Big Walter Horton

Snooky Pryor

Bacon Fat

Rod Piazza

Little Walter Jacobs

Rice Miller (AKA 'Sonny Boy Williamson #2')

George 'Harmonica' Smith

Paul Oscher

John Lee 'Sonny Boy' Williamson (The original 'Sonny Boy Williamson'.)

Charlie Musselwhite

Howlin' Wolf

So that's it for now. I hope you enjoyed this post! By all means, let me know what you think. Tell your friends about this post, and the whole blog.

Mitch

Hello. It's me, once again! And Little Walter

Hi, everybody! It's me, Mitch.

Yep, that Mitch. The Mitch, hahaha! Just kidding. ;)

So, I'm back again! With a renewed and re-discovered desire to write about music, the arts, culture, and life. Still playing blues harp, too.

The year of 2012 wasn't a great year for me, in terms of my health. It's nice to leave it behind!

It's been an exceedingly long time between 'drinks' (or posts), in terms of my blogging activity. I'm not even certain how long it has been between my blog posts. Doesn't matter now.

But I couldn't let this blog die, nor would I want it to go silent for good! I enjoy writing about music, and the arts, far too much for that to happen. I enjoy the research that I do about music, and the process of discovery. I love finding and hearing new artists! It's just fun for me to discover the music and also, the history that's attached to music!

There's been loads of interesting music in my consciousness, since I last blogged. Lots that's worth talking about here! Let's get started, brothers and sisters!

I wanted to talk about this CD box set... that comes to us from 
The Great Little Walter! 
(AKA Marion Walter Jacobs)

It's a great CD set, from the blues harp master -- and generally wonderful musician -- Marion Walter Jacobs, AKA 'Little' Walter. (1930-1968) The box set's called 'The Complete Chess Masters: 1950-1967'. If you're into blues harp, or blues music generally (and both of those things are true of me), then get this set. The music here is spread over five discs, and it's all great!

Jacobs is often compared to Charlie Parker, or Jimi Hendrix; and it's justified! He was simply that good! He changed the landscape of blues music and blues harmonica with his virtuosity, use of amplification/distortion, and jazzy phrasing. Walter recorded as a sideman (w/ Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, Otis Rush) and also as a bandleader/solo artist.

It's difficult to overstate his musical impact. He had a sophisticated, imaginative approach to his music, and Walter often treated his harp like a sax. Mind blowing music!

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!

Back in business: with Muddy!

It is my first music-related post in a while. And I had hoped to deliver something special to my readers!

I think I have found a gem.



The late, great Muddy Waters is interviewed here in 1972 , on the television program 'The Old Grey Whistle Test'. I found it really interesting to hear about Waters' reasons for moving from Mississippi to Chicago. (Many black musicians of this era made similar choices to move to urban areas, like Chicago. As the musicians adapted to new environments, so did the music. Chicago then became the birthplace of urban or electric blues.)

Also, it was fascinating to hear about the reasoning behind the switch from using acoustic instruments, to playing with electric instruments. These are all points of real social interest, for me!

We also get insight into what Muddy believes the future of the blues would be (as it stood then). This is gold!

So much fun: Paul Lamb and The King Snakes!

It looks like so much fun -- I just had to post!

This clip has Paul Lamb and The King Snakes, playing in Frederikshavn Bluesfestival; on September 29th, 2007. I did not film this. The song is 'You Better Mind'. Paul plays blues harp in the band.

I love when he refers to the other singers (I think they're the rest of the band), as 'The Staple Singers'! (Famous gospel group.)

Credit goes to the artists. Enjoy!

Freddie King: Ain`t No Sunshine (When She`s Gone).

Freddie King. Deep, deep soul blues! I believe this song was written by Bill Withers.

Freddie is too often overlooked, commercially; but he had 'it'. His feel was amazing. I'll pick up my jaw, now!

He also wrote 'Hideaway'-- which a young Eric Clapton covered and recorded, in 1966, with The Bluesbreakers. King passed away, in 1976. You are missed!

(Some raw facts came from Wikipedia, but I write my own stuff!)

Harmonica Slim with Boogie Bill Webb

I don't know much about these musicians, but this deserves to seen by more people.

Full credit to these guys!

Big John Wrencher: tribute

From previous posts, you might know that I have a passion for playing harmonica. I am also enthralled by the blues, and its various musical offshoots.

I take what I am doing fairly seriously; but I also have a lot of fun. I have been playing every day -- whenever I possibly can -- for roughly 3 years.

As with everything, there are challenges. For example, I can't hold the harmonica in the standard way. I can only use one hand. It can be difficult; because I have seen the majority of players hold their harp, in a certain, accepted way. I started to wonder if my physical differences would prevent me from becoming the harmonica player I wanted to be.

Then, I saw Big John Wrencher!

Wrencher was born in Sunflower County, MS, in 1924 on a plantation. His youthful interest in music -- particularly the harmonica -- kept him on the move as a traveling musician, playing throughout Tennessee and neighboring Arkansas from the late '40s to the early '50s. In 1958, Big John lost his left arm in a car crash in Memphis. By the early '60s, he had moved North to Chicago and quickly became a regular fixture on Maxwell Street, always working on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to nearly 3:00 in the afternnon virtually non-stop, as Sundays were the big payday for most busking musicians working the area.

(from Answers.com)

'How many more years', Big John Wrencher.

Big John passed away in 1977. I am using this material, only with the greatest of respect. This post is a tribute to possibilities. I feel re-energised!

Blindman's Blues Forum

If you are one of those people, who thinks they know a little something about blues, folk, gospel, jazz, or rock music -- then you will want to check this message board out!

If you are a musician (aspiring or otherwise), whose music falls into one of the aforementioned categories, you will also want to check this forum out. The depth of knowledge is amazing!

The community is close and loving, as well. As an aspiring harmonica player, I have learnt so much. If your question happens to be within those broad fields, you will almost certainly receive a detailed response. I've been posting for a while.

Link:
Blindmans Blues Forum

It is a great community!

Looking into Wolfgang's Vault

The link below leads to a site that is known as 'Wolfgang's Vault':

Free streaming live music, Live concert recordings, Live music downloads, Classic rock concerts

So, what is so special about it? It offers rare and interesting concert recordings, for just about every influential musician you can think of. What's more, it's legal (and that is the real revelation). For once, it is possible to register for a free account and listen to your fill of hard-to-come-by music; without having to worry about going to jail for copyright infringement!

It seems far too good to be true! The website works because the artists are paid or compensated, every time the music is streamed. Also, I think the website buys the legal rights to use the music. Still more of the content can be bought by individuals and used.

The music that is offered not the usual mainstream, popular stuff, either. These were significant and historic (or just plain good) gigs. Everyone, from Jimi Hendrix to The Grateful Dead; to Van Morrison to Muddy Waters, to Neil Young; is listed. Each artist seems to have several shows to their name, at least.

I can only hope that it is, indeed, as good as it seems to be.

Son of Dave: '03'. A review!

I just bought (from iTunes) the album 03 by Son of Dave. I'm listening to it right now, as I write this.

It's amazing -- this guy is one cool dude! As the video would suggest, he operates as a one-man band.

Although, in the coolest possible sense.

This is how it works:

• Amplified harmonica
• Rattle in the other hand
• Vocals, mixed with beat-boxing
• A machine, that can handle digital loops
  

He does it all, at once!

(I don't want to shortchange the guy, by adding the video to this post; I just wanted to show how good it really is.) His blog and MySpace are worth looking at, also.

The music on this album really has the spirit of the blues -- but with some noteworthy twists. I have never heard it done quite like this, before. There is a lot of wry humour in the lyrics and presentation, too. It won't be a kind of blues that you are used to hearing; but that's what makes it exciting. The shadow of the old blues tradition can be heard, but something truly original, too.

I suppose that's what makes an artist: to take one's influences, honour them, but take it somewhere else!

Give this album a go. There is real musicianship and originality, here. Besides, it's just so juicy!

Feel so good: the blues

Some videos, that are worth seeing. The blues is not necessarily associated with feeling upset.

Feel so good -- Dr Isaiah Ross


Poor boy long way from home -- Booker White

(I'm pretty sure this is actually Bukka White, using another name.)


Terraplane blues -- Michael Pickett (cover)


I just had to put these out there... Enjoy!

All credit and respect to the musicians. This is incredible footage. Obviously, it is not my own. I would encourage everyone to go out, and try listening to the blues.

Charlie Patton: From 78s, to iTunes!

This record used to be the only way that anyone had a chance of being exposed to a musician such as Charlie (or Charley) Patton, or Blind Willie Johnson -- that is, unless you had been lucky enough to see them in person.

Then again, in the time of pre-war blues, the musicians were incredibly obscure. There was no powerful or instantaneous media to spread the word about your music; no national tours; very few, if any, music magazines, to give your record a good review... you get the idea. It must have been tough, to say the very least. In fact, it was very difficult for musicians of that time period to achieve any recognition, at all -- beyond the area in which they lived. In fact, most of the frame that musicians such as Patton achieved, occurred posthumously.

Now, we find ourselves in the age of digital music. It had brought about a really strange phenomenon -- which was helped along by the blues revival, in the 1960s. Through services like iTunes and Amazon.com, it's now possible to gain almost instant access to music. Along with the obvious addition of what is in the charts at the time, it is possible to find some very good (and in some cases obscure) music.

Also, it's possible for music fans to communicate on a much larger scale; by virtue of the Internet. So, all of a sudden, I have the opportunity to listen to Charlie Patton , Robert Johnson, Son House, Blind Willie Johnson, and so many others.

Further info:

http://charleypatton.com/

The Anthology: 1947-1972... Muddy

allmusic ((( The Anthology: 1947-1972 > Overview )))

This is a fantastic album. Anyone who has an interest in the blues, and loves the music, should own this! This will hopefully be the first in a long line of album reviews. I am pretty sure this was the first Muddy Waters album that I ever owned. It is very difficult to overstate the importance of Muddy's music, within the landscape of popular culture. The figure of the man is immense. His body of work is so good, it's intimidating.

It is difficult to find weak spots in this anthology, or to say bad words about it. There have been many compilations made of Muddy's music -- this may be the best.

If I have not convinced you yet, there are the many equally talented musicians, to were featured on this album, to back Waters; like Otis Spann, Willie Dixon, Little Walter... etc.