Miami2017
1 post
Apr 09, 2008
12:06 PM
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I went to the local FYE music and movie place and asked "where is your blues section?". The guy behind the counter said "over there" he told me that nobody ever comes in and buys the blues. I looked at him kind of dumbfounded. It reminded me of the opening number on the Blues Brothers Definitive Collection. When Dan says how you never hear a master blues man practicing his craft and how you will only be able to find the blues in the classical records department of your local library (or something like that). He directed me to the back left hand corner of the store past the rock/pop/R&B. Past the country, past the rap and the classical. Back in the left hand corner of the store was a shelf maybe the length of my arm (I am a small guy so it isnt that big). Don't get me wrong I do like B.B king and Muddy Waters but I was a little surprised by the lack of blues albums. Are Tina Turner and Ike even considered blues? I already have a decent Muddy Waters collection so I reluctantly settled for Eric Clapton "Me and Mr.Johnson". This album is awesome. Exactly the stuff I was looking for. I was never a big Clapton fan because I am sick and tired of the radio over playing his stuff but I can tell you I am sorry I never gave him a chance. This CD is definately going onto my mp3 player.
Here is my question, who is Mr.Johnson? I assume these are covers he is doing but I can't find anything about a Mr.Johnson. The song "Milkcow's Calf Blues" is my favorite on the disc but Im sure I heared it somewhere before. Anyone know of other Clapton albums like this one? I love his voice. Not enough harmonica on the tracks but I will live.
Last Edited by on Apr 09, 2008 12:12 PM
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bluemoose
2 posts
Apr 09, 2008
12:19 PM
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Robert Johnson, king of the delta blues. See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Johnson_(musician)
moose
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Miami2017
2 posts
Apr 09, 2008
12:47 PM
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lol I forgot about wikipedia. Thanks
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bluzlvr
21 posts
Apr 09, 2008
1:53 PM
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You've brought up one of my pet peeves. The Blues gets absolutely no respect in this country. Go into just about any record store, and the Blues section is miniscule or non existent. Without the Blues, much of America's, if not the worlds popular music would exist in an entirely different form.....
And don't even get me started about the Grammies!
Last Edited by on Apr 09, 2008 2:00 PM
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ChipperHarp
13 posts
Apr 09, 2008
5:19 PM
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I think the entire music industry in this country is pretty much broken. Most radio stations are owned by the big boys and they don't care about the music, only the bottom line.
For instance, take WBOS in Boston. A pretty good, more or less unformatted station. Until about a 6 weeks ago. On Sunday Night, Holly Harris would have her Blues Show from 7-12. Often she would have a band spotlight. My recent band, with our new CD was spotlighted with Holly talking us up and playing opur stuff for a half hour. WBOS was transmitting over six states which gave us great coverage. Our websites got pounded with hits, and, we were actually getting some radio play.
Then the corporate hammer fell: Most of the DJs, including Holly, were sent packing. The station now plays a prerecorded tight format that is no different than any other station in the rock genre.
Well, that is just another sign of the times: Even contemporary music is pretty bland as are a lot of club bands. Of course at the bottom of that totem pole is the blues. The ignorance of most people re: impact of the blues is pretty astounding. Especially when one considers that Led Zep was a blues/rock band as were many of the great Classic rock Bands.
I have been to jams where the host will shun the blues but eagerly play The Allman Brothers, One Way Out! Hellooooo!
BTW, I condsider Ike and Tina to be more R&B or Soul
Chipper
Last Edited by on Apr 10, 2008 5:55 AM
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snakes
Guest
Apr 10, 2008
1:43 PM
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You want to hear something even sorrier? I was in a large store (I won't mention what because I frequent there)and they sell many CD's DVD's, etc along with your usual selection of audio visual equipment. I asked where the Blues section was in the very large music CD area. The reply I got from the salesperson was "what's a blues." I tried to explain that it was a genre of music and was told that they never had heard of it. So sad, they don't even know what they are missing.
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bluzlvr
22 posts
Apr 10, 2008
3:08 PM
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Good luck trying to find any blues in a House of Blues nightclub....
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harpmonkey
10 posts
Apr 10, 2008
4:20 PM
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Regarding radio stations.
When you "got da blues" you can either sit and feel sorry for yourself, or you can get up and poor out your soul.
You can do it alone or with a group, but you have express yourself.
If you don't, and simply sit and feel sorry for your self you get nothing out of the blues.
Blues is about communication.
So communicate.
Listen to the stations, get the call sign, so you can get others together, then contact those who advertise directly, either by email, phone letter whatever, and tell them you want Blues.
Tell them you will buy their products, and use their services and let them know you will tell others.
At worst, nothing changes. At best, the stations will hear it from the advertisers.
Squeaky wheel and all...
Last Edited by on Apr 10, 2008 4:21 PM
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oldwailer
29 posts
Apr 24, 2008
6:51 PM
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I you think there isn't much harp on "Me and Mr.Johnson," you just haven't heard it play on my ipod--in my truck, there is a lot of harp on all the cuts I could find a harp to match the key--it's one of my favorite jam tracks--"Unplugged" has some good stuff on it too, and the general sound quality is a bit better.
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DutchBones
2 posts
Apr 29, 2008
12:29 AM
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Oldwailer is right about "Me and Mr.Johnson," not only has it lots of very ,very good comping by Portnoy, there are also at least 7 or 8 songs where you can use your D harp on.
If I'm not mistaking there are many vids from Adam where he uses a D harp, so you might perhaps have one already. If not..well...it's well worth getting one because there is lots of good stuff for a D harp out there...
Anyway.."Me and Mr.Johnson," is a great cd to play along with.
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Leanground
7 posts
Apr 29, 2008
4:46 AM
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I saw Jerry Portnoy the other night at Mark Hummel's Harp Blowout with Rick Estrin and Curtis Salgado front row center...great show,great shoes!
Jerry's still got it!
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Preston
13 posts
Apr 29, 2008
7:33 AM
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I got "The Billy Gibson Band Live At Rum Boogie Cafe" album last night, and I have literally not been able to stop listening to it. I ripped it to my computer at home, my computer at work, and keep the CD in the truck for the commute in between.
I know guys like Carlos Del Junco and Jason Ricci are taking the "modern blues harmonica" to new levels with overblows and pushing the envelope of the blues sound, but this guy is staight ahead 12 bar blues. Yet somehow Billy and his band pull it off in a way that you don't feel like you are on a retro trip.
He goes on high speed,face melting, harp blowing solos, floating over the 12 bars and then comes in off the turn around with catchy lyrics and vocals. He also isn't afraid to do simple riffs in between his own vocals. On one laid back track, he even gets that fat, deep tone reminiscent of the Walters.
And don't forget about his band either, they can keep up with Billy and throw down some good beats of their own.
I recommend all harp / blues nuts to pick this one up.
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