Harmonica Fats (born Harvey Blackston, September 8, 1927 – January 3, 2000) was an American blues harmonica player who was active in the 1950s through to the 1990s. Fats first achieved success with his cover version of the Hank Ballard song "Tore Up" in 1962, which established him as an in-demand session and touring musician. He is also remembered for his collaboration with blues guitarist Bernie Pearl, a partnership that resulted in four albums.
Blues Birthdays
Roy James Brown (September 10, 1920 or 1925– May 25, 1981) was an American blues singer who had a significant influence on the early development of rock and roll and the direction of R&B. His original song and hit recording "Good Rockin' Tonight" has been covered by many artists including Wynonie Harris, Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Joe Ely, Ricky Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Pat Boone, James Brown, the Doors, and the rock group Montrose. Brown was one of the first popular R&B singers to perform songs with a gospel-steeped delivery, which was then considered taboo by many churches. In addition, his melismatic, pleading vocal style influenced notable artists such as B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Elvis Presley, Jackie Wilson, James Brown and Little Richard.
Robert Hicks (September 11, 1902 – October 21, 1931), known by the stage name Barbecue Bob, was an early American Piedmont blues musician. His nickname was derived from his working as a cook in a barbecue restaurant. One of the three extant photographs of him show him playing a guitar and wearing a full-length white apron and cook's hat.
Tony Russell "Charles" Brown (September 13, 1922 – January 21, 1999) was an American singer and pianist whose soft-toned, slow-paced nightclub style influenced West Coast blues in the 1940s and 1950s. Between 1949 and 1952, Brown had seven Top 10 hits in the U.S. Billboard R&B chart. His best-selling recordings included "Driftin' Blues" and "Merry Christmas Baby"
I love his singing on this simple little song
I love his singing on this simple little song
Riley B. King, BB King, born 16th of September 1925. One of the finest guitarists ever, that vibrato of his is a thing of beauty. I love this story;
"...King had never played for a white audience until 1967, when he was booked to appear at the Fillmore West in San Francisco, a dance hall in the black section of town that had been taken over by the impresario Bill Graham and become the focal point of the burgeoning hippie scene.
'I’d played the Fillmore when it was a black theatre, but this time when we pulled up I saw all these long-haired kids outside. I thought, my agent’s made a mistake. See, once in a while I’d meet a white person who might say, “Boy, you sure is good,” but I wasn’t aware that a lot of these kids had been listening to me. So I sent my road-manager in to get the promoter. And sure enough, Bill Graham came out and he said, “No, B, this is the right place.” I was like a cat with seven dogs around him! And when we get inside – no tables. Just kids sitting on the floor! Took me up to the dressing-room, same old dressing-room we used to go; the same old sofa, with slashes in, like somebody had cut it with a knife. Now I was nervous because I’d never played to people like this before. So I told Bill, I’ve got to have a drink. He sent out and got me the smallest half pint of liquor I’ve ever seen. I’ve taken a sip of it or so and try to get my mind off what I’m doing. Then finally we get on stage, and Bill said, “Ladies and gentlemen” – and it got so quiet you could hear a pin fall on the floor – “I bring you the chairman of the board, BB King.” That’s the shortest intro, and the best one, I ever had in my life. They all stood up and they yelled. I guess I had a 45-minute set, and they must have stood up three or four times. That’s the night I saw the difference.’
"...King had never played for a white audience until 1967, when he was booked to appear at the Fillmore West in San Francisco, a dance hall in the black section of town that had been taken over by the impresario Bill Graham and become the focal point of the burgeoning hippie scene.
'I’d played the Fillmore when it was a black theatre, but this time when we pulled up I saw all these long-haired kids outside. I thought, my agent’s made a mistake. See, once in a while I’d meet a white person who might say, “Boy, you sure is good,” but I wasn’t aware that a lot of these kids had been listening to me. So I sent my road-manager in to get the promoter. And sure enough, Bill Graham came out and he said, “No, B, this is the right place.” I was like a cat with seven dogs around him! And when we get inside – no tables. Just kids sitting on the floor! Took me up to the dressing-room, same old dressing-room we used to go; the same old sofa, with slashes in, like somebody had cut it with a knife. Now I was nervous because I’d never played to people like this before. So I told Bill, I’ve got to have a drink. He sent out and got me the smallest half pint of liquor I’ve ever seen. I’ve taken a sip of it or so and try to get my mind off what I’m doing. Then finally we get on stage, and Bill said, “Ladies and gentlemen” – and it got so quiet you could hear a pin fall on the floor – “I bring you the chairman of the board, BB King.” That’s the shortest intro, and the best one, I ever had in my life. They all stood up and they yelled. I guess I had a 45-minute set, and they must have stood up three or four times. That’s the night I saw the difference.’
Apparently BB was a genuinely real nice person too Tich. Former daughter in law met him while working at an airport in Italy, on hearing son was a fan, gave her picks etc for him.
But most of all I remember one of Albert Collins band memebers saying BB sat with Albert for about 48 hours before he passed away, just being a friend.
But most of all I remember one of Albert Collins band memebers saying BB sat with Albert for about 48 hours before he passed away, just being a friend.
Dan54 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 20, 2024 7:52 pm Apparently BB was a genuinely real nice person too Tich. Former daughter in law met him while working at an airport in Italy, on hearing son was a fan, gave her picks etc for him.
But most of all I remember one of Albert Collins band memebers saying BB sat with Albert for about 48 hours before he passed away, just being a friend.
I really like stories where the people we admire turn out to be good people
John Coltrane, born 23rd of September 1926.
This is not a cheery post in celebration of the great man, but sadly it's still relevant. On Sunday 15th of September in 1963 a group of murderers set off a bomb at a church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four young girls and injuring 22 others. John Coltrane composed this piece of music to the rhythms and themes he heard in a speech given by Dr Martin Luther King in response to the incident.
This is not a cheery post in celebration of the great man, but sadly it's still relevant. On Sunday 15th of September in 1963 a group of murderers set off a bomb at a church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four young girls and injuring 22 others. John Coltrane composed this piece of music to the rhythms and themes he heard in a speech given by Dr Martin Luther King in response to the incident.
Have to say Tich, George Butler not a name I familiar with, but like that song. Thanks to your posts, I am finding out just how many more Blues players I still to hear. Is my favourite genre of music and I thought I had heard an awful lot of different old blues men/women, but you certainly introducing me to a few more . Thanks mate!!
Dan54 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 01, 2024 6:57 pm Have to say Tich, George Butler not a name I familiar with, but like that song. Thanks to your posts, I am finding out just how many more Blues players I still to hear. Is my favourite genre of music and I thought I had heard an awful lot of different old blues men/women, but you certainly introducing me to a few more . Thanks mate!!
Cheers Dan, for me the best part of this is posting the perhaps less famous Blues men and women, though there is no doubt most followers of the music will have heard today's offering;
Albert Collins, born somewhere in the first three days of October 1932, dates vary, but his biographer says the first, so we'll go with the probability that I'm a day late.
(he was an) 'American electric blues guitarist and singer with a distinctive guitar style. He was noted for his powerful playing and his use of altered tunings and a capo. His long association with the Fender Telecaster led to the title "The Master of the Telecaster"'
If I was only allowed to listen to one guitar player for the rest of my life it would be this guy.
Stevie Ray Vaughan, 3rd October 1954 - 27th August 1990. It was all about the tone, he could make that Strat squeal, cry, rage, shout in triumph, at times it sounded like the cartoon acme hammer on anvil from the Road Runner show, other times as gentle as could be.
SRV was a magpie, picking up influences from many players but his sound was all his own.
Stevie Ray Vaughan, 3rd October 1954 - 27th August 1990. It was all about the tone, he could make that Strat squeal, cry, rage, shout in triumph, at times it sounded like the cartoon acme hammer on anvil from the Road Runner show, other times as gentle as could be.
SRV was a magpie, picking up influences from many players but his sound was all his own.
Roy Book Binder (born October 5, 1941 as Paul Roy Bookbinder) is an American blues guitarist, singer-songwriter and storyteller. He was Rev Gary Davis' driver for a few years and became his friend.
He's been a great teacher of the Piedmont Blues guitar style over the years
He's been a great teacher of the Piedmont Blues guitar style over the years
O. V. Wright
Overton Vertis Wright (October 9, 1939 – November 16, 1980) was an American singer who is generally regarded as a blues artist by African-American fans in the Deep South; he is also regarded as one of Southern soul's most authoritative and individual artists.[2] His best known songs include "That's How Strong My Love Is" (1964), "You're Gonna Make Me Cry" (1965), "Nucleus of Soul" (1968), "A Nickel and a Nail" (1971), "I Can't Take It" (1971) and "Ace of Spades" (1971).
It's funny how you sometimes come across something that you really connect with in unlikely places. I first heard of O. V. Wright in a Nick Hornby book, bought for me by my wife. It is called "31 Songs" and details his emotional connection to the tracks listed.
I love this, the arrangement, the groove, the vocals being a bit unusual, everything.
Overton Vertis Wright (October 9, 1939 – November 16, 1980) was an American singer who is generally regarded as a blues artist by African-American fans in the Deep South; he is also regarded as one of Southern soul's most authoritative and individual artists.[2] His best known songs include "That's How Strong My Love Is" (1964), "You're Gonna Make Me Cry" (1965), "Nucleus of Soul" (1968), "A Nickel and a Nail" (1971), "I Can't Take It" (1971) and "Ace of Spades" (1971).
It's funny how you sometimes come across something that you really connect with in unlikely places. I first heard of O. V. Wright in a Nick Hornby book, bought for me by my wife. It is called "31 Songs" and details his emotional connection to the tracks listed.
I love this, the arrangement, the groove, the vocals being a bit unusual, everything.
Still catching up
Thelonious Sphere Monk (October 10, 1917 – February 17, 1982) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including "'Round Midnight", "Blue Monk", "Straight, No Chaser", "Ruby, My Dear", "In Walked Bud", and "Well, You Needn't". Monk is the second-most-recorded jazz composer after Duke Ellington.
Thelonious Sphere Monk (October 10, 1917 – February 17, 1982) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including "'Round Midnight", "Blue Monk", "Straight, No Chaser", "Ruby, My Dear", "In Walked Bud", and "Well, You Needn't". Monk is the second-most-recorded jazz composer after Duke Ellington.
Still catching up, I'll get back to a few in time
Big Joe Williams
Joseph Lee Williams (October 16, 1903 – December 17, 1982) was an American Delta blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter, notable for the distinctive sound of his nine-string guitar. Performing over five decades, he recorded the songs "Baby, Please Don't Go", "Crawlin' King Snake", and "Peach Orchard Mama", among many others, for various record labels. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame on October 4, 1992.
The blues historian Barry Lee Pearson (Sounds Good to Me: The Bluesman's Story, Virginia Piedmont Blues) described Williams's performance:
When I saw him playing at Mike Bloomfield's "blues night" at the Fickle Pickle, Williams was playing an electric nine-string guitar through a small ramshackle amp with a pie plate nailed to it and a beer can dangling against that. When he played, everything rattled but Big Joe himself. The total effect of this incredible apparatus produced the most buzzing, sizzling, African-sounding music I have ever heard.
Big Joe Williams
Joseph Lee Williams (October 16, 1903 – December 17, 1982) was an American Delta blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter, notable for the distinctive sound of his nine-string guitar. Performing over five decades, he recorded the songs "Baby, Please Don't Go", "Crawlin' King Snake", and "Peach Orchard Mama", among many others, for various record labels. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame on October 4, 1992.
The blues historian Barry Lee Pearson (Sounds Good to Me: The Bluesman's Story, Virginia Piedmont Blues) described Williams's performance:
When I saw him playing at Mike Bloomfield's "blues night" at the Fickle Pickle, Williams was playing an electric nine-string guitar through a small ramshackle amp with a pie plate nailed to it and a beer can dangling against that. When he played, everything rattled but Big Joe himself. The total effect of this incredible apparatus produced the most buzzing, sizzling, African-sounding music I have ever heard.
Chuck Berry
Charles Edward Anderson Berry (October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017) was an American singer, guitarist and songwriter who pioneered rock and roll. Nicknamed the "Father of Rock and Roll", he refined and developed rhythm and blues into the major elements that made rock and roll distinctive with songs such as "Maybellene" (1955), "Roll Over Beethoven" (1956), "Rock and Roll Music" (1957), and "Johnny B. Goode" (1958).[1] Writing lyrics that focused on teen life and consumerism, and developing a music style that included guitar solos and showmanship, Berry was a major influence on subsequent rock music
I could only really post one song, this is on the Golden Record on the Voyager space craft
In the comments on the YouTube post, someone wrote "He is so lucky that his cousin Marvin, Marvin Berry, phoned him that day..."
Charles Edward Anderson Berry (October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017) was an American singer, guitarist and songwriter who pioneered rock and roll. Nicknamed the "Father of Rock and Roll", he refined and developed rhythm and blues into the major elements that made rock and roll distinctive with songs such as "Maybellene" (1955), "Roll Over Beethoven" (1956), "Rock and Roll Music" (1957), and "Johnny B. Goode" (1958).[1] Writing lyrics that focused on teen life and consumerism, and developing a music style that included guitar solos and showmanship, Berry was a major influence on subsequent rock music
I could only really post one song, this is on the Golden Record on the Voyager space craft
In the comments on the YouTube post, someone wrote "He is so lucky that his cousin Marvin, Marvin Berry, phoned him that day..."
Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe, known professionally as Jelly Roll Morton, he was one of, if not THE, earliest jazz arranger. By fourteen years of age he was playing piano in a brothel in New Orleans.
From Wiki
He often sang smutty lyrics and used the nickname "Jelly Roll", which was African-American slang for female genitalia.[13][14] While working there, he was living with his churchgoing great-grandmother. He convinced her that he worked as a night watchman in a barrel factory. After Morton's grandmother found out he was playing jazz in a brothel, she disowned him for disgracing the Lamothe name.[15] "When my grandmother found out that I was playing jazz in one of the sporting houses in the District, she told me that I had disgraced the family and forbade me to live at the house. She told me that devil music would surely bring about my downfall..."[15] The cornetist Rex Stewart recalled that Morton had chosen "the nom de plume 'Morton' to protect his family from disgrace if he was identified as a whorehouse 'professor'."
From Wiki
He often sang smutty lyrics and used the nickname "Jelly Roll", which was African-American slang for female genitalia.[13][14] While working there, he was living with his churchgoing great-grandmother. He convinced her that he worked as a night watchman in a barrel factory. After Morton's grandmother found out he was playing jazz in a brothel, she disowned him for disgracing the Lamothe name.[15] "When my grandmother found out that I was playing jazz in one of the sporting houses in the District, she told me that I had disgraced the family and forbade me to live at the house. She told me that devil music would surely bring about my downfall..."[15] The cornetist Rex Stewart recalled that Morton had chosen "the nom de plume 'Morton' to protect his family from disgrace if he was identified as a whorehouse 'professor'."
Still a day late and a dollar short
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie (October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993) was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator and singer. He was a trumpet virtuoso and improviser, building on the virtuosic style of Roy Eldridge but adding layers of harmonic and rhythmic complexity previously unheard in jazz. His combination of musicianship, showmanship, and wit made him a leading popularizer of the new music called bebop. His beret and horn-rimmed spectacles, scat singing, bent horn, pouched cheeks, and light-hearted personality have made him an enduring icon.
I tend not to dwell on regrets and "should haves", but I should have gone to see Dizzy Gillespie when I had the chance. He was playing at the Preservation Hall off Bourbon Street in New Orleans when I was there. You couldn't pre-book so you had to stand in line to get a seat and I decided I couldn't be arsed waiting, so went to the pub instead.
What an eedjit!
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie (October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993) was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator and singer. He was a trumpet virtuoso and improviser, building on the virtuosic style of Roy Eldridge but adding layers of harmonic and rhythmic complexity previously unheard in jazz. His combination of musicianship, showmanship, and wit made him a leading popularizer of the new music called bebop. His beret and horn-rimmed spectacles, scat singing, bent horn, pouched cheeks, and light-hearted personality have made him an enduring icon.
I tend not to dwell on regrets and "should haves", but I should have gone to see Dizzy Gillespie when I had the chance. He was playing at the Preservation Hall off Bourbon Street in New Orleans when I was there. You couldn't pre-book so you had to stand in line to get a seat and I decided I couldn't be arsed waiting, so went to the pub instead.
What an eedjit!
Sonny Terry
Saunders Terrell (October 24, 1911 – March 11, 1986),[1] known as Sonny Terry, was an American Piedmont blues and folk musician,[2] who was known for his energetic blues harmonica style, which frequently included vocal whoops and hollers and occasionally imitations of trains and fox hunts.
Saunders Terrell (October 24, 1911 – March 11, 1986),[1] known as Sonny Terry, was an American Piedmont blues and folk musician,[2] who was known for his energetic blues harmonica style, which frequently included vocal whoops and hollers and occasionally imitations of trains and fox hunts.
I'm a day early because I'm impatient with this post. I genuinely think this is one of the greatest videos on Youtube. If Mahalia Jackson had sung in the United Free Presbyterian Kirk in Scotland I would probably still be a church-goer.
Mahalia Jackson (/məˈheɪliə/ mə-HAY-lee-ə; born Mahala Jackson; October 26, 1911 – January 27, 1972)[a] was an American gospel singer, widely considered one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century. With a career spanning 40 years, Jackson was integral to the development and spread of gospel blues in black churches throughout the U.S. During a time when racial segregation was pervasive in American society, she met considerable and unexpected success in a recording career, selling an estimated 22 million records and performing in front of integrated and secular audiences in concert halls around the world.
Mahalia Jackson (/məˈheɪliə/ mə-HAY-lee-ə; born Mahala Jackson; October 26, 1911 – January 27, 1972)[a] was an American gospel singer, widely considered one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century. With a career spanning 40 years, Jackson was integral to the development and spread of gospel blues in black churches throughout the U.S. During a time when racial segregation was pervasive in American society, she met considerable and unexpected success in a recording career, selling an estimated 22 million records and performing in front of integrated and secular audiences in concert halls around the world.
Emery Williams Jr. (October 26, 1931 – August 9, 2005), known as Detroit Junior, was an American blues pianist, vocalist and songwriter. He is known for songs such as "So Unhappy", "Call My Job", "If I Hadn't Been High", "Ella" and "Money Tree". His songs have been covered by Koko Taylor, Albert King and other blues artists.
Booker Taliaferro Jones Jr. (born November 12, 1944) is an American musician, songwriter, record producer and arranger, best known as the frontman of the band Booker T. & the M.G.’s. He has also worked in the studios with many well-known artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, earning him a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement.
It had to be this
There is another birthday today, to follow
It had to be this
There is another birthday today, to follow
The second instalment of the 12th of November Birthdays. In fact it's the second Booker T as well, they were both named after the African-American civil rights activist and educator Booker T Washington. So, Booker T (Bukka) White, born 12th of November 1906.
I've missed a lot due to being busier than a bee of late. I'll catch up when I can, but here is one from a couple of days ago.
Malcolm John Rebennack, Jr. (November 20, 1941 – June 6, 2019), better known by his stage name Dr. John, was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. His music combined New Orleans blues, jazz, R&B, soul and funk.
I guess this is his most famous song, due in no small part to this film
Malcolm John Rebennack, Jr. (November 20, 1941 – June 6, 2019), better known by his stage name Dr. John, was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. His music combined New Orleans blues, jazz, R&B, soul and funk.
I guess this is his most famous song, due in no small part to this film
I'll try to do better than I have of late. Here is what we in Scotland would call an absolute stoater (very good)
From Wiki
R. L. Burnside (November 23, 1926 – September 1, 2005) was an American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist. He played music for much of his life but received little recognition before the early 1990s. In the latter half of that decade, Burnside recorded and toured with Jon Spencer, garnering crossover appeal and introducing his music to a new fan base in the punk and garage rock scenes.
From Wiki
R. L. Burnside (November 23, 1926 – September 1, 2005) was an American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist. He played music for much of his life but received little recognition before the early 1990s. In the latter half of that decade, Burnside recorded and toured with Jon Spencer, garnering crossover appeal and introducing his music to a new fan base in the punk and garage rock scenes.
Before we get too far into December I must post this.
Walter Brown "Brownie" McGhee (November 30, 1915 – February 16, 1996) was an American folk and Piedmont blues singer and guitarist, best known for his collaboration with the harmonica player Sonny Terry
edited to take out the vid
oops, I just noticed I'd already posted that song for Sonny Terry's birthday
Here's another one
Walter Brown "Brownie" McGhee (November 30, 1915 – February 16, 1996) was an American folk and Piedmont blues singer and guitarist, best known for his collaboration with the harmonica player Sonny Terry
edited to take out the vid
oops, I just noticed I'd already posted that song for Sonny Terry's birthday
Here's another one
Alex or Aleck Miller (originally Ford, possibly December 5, 1912 – May 24, 1965), known later in his career as Sonny Boy Williamson, was an American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter.He was an early and influential blues harp stylist who recorded successfully in the 1950s and 1960s. Miller used various names, including Rice Miller and Little Boy Blue, before calling himself Sonny Boy Williamson, which was also the name of a popular Chicago blues singer and harmonica player. To distinguish the two, Miller has been referred to as Sonny Boy Williamson II.