Blues through Rhythm and Blues to Soul

[Rocker]

Slim Harpo "Lovell" ES-330


Gibson is proud to introduce the "Lovell" ES-330 hollow body guitar; a tribute to Slim Harpo and his wife Lovell, a creative tandem that developed a unique sound and produced chart-topping hits during the 50s and early 60s.

The new Gibson Slim Harpo “Lovell” ES-330 hollow body guitar is part tribute, part historical artifact that celebrates the influential, albeit short career of James H. Moore aka Slim Harpo. Slim was a working man’s blues man from Lobdell, Louisiana; holding down 9 to 5 gigs as a longshoreman, and iron scrap hauler in addition to his side hustle as an artist. His wife and collaborator; Lovell, for whom the guitar is named was a huge influence and contributor to Slim’s evolution as performer and song writer. Together they forged a creative partnership that yielded pop-crossover success in the late 50’s and 60s, an era that was less than kind to black artists.  Despite this, it didn’t take long for others to recognize and be inspired by Harpo’s talent and unique take on the Blues; a subgenre he unwittingly created appropriately called Louisiana Swamp Blues. Slim’s most popular tune “I’m a King Bee” achieved cross-over success at a time when that was far from the norm.  Other artists also achieved chart successes with their covers of “King Bee” including the Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead, Lou Rawls, and Muddy Waters among others. While Slim’s time on the planet was short, his impact and influence are and will continue to inspire for generations to come.

The Slim Harpo "Lovell" ES-330 features 3-ply maple / poplar / maple top, back and sides with spruce bracing, a mahogany neck with rounded C profile, rosewood fretboard with small block inlays, ABR-1 bridge with Trapeze tailpiece, Vintage Deluxe tuners with white buttons, Dogear P-90 pickups with hand-wired controls and Orange Drop® capacitors, and has a custom "Lovell" logo on the back of the headstock to honor Slim Harpo's life partner, manager and the co-writer of many of his biggest hits, Lovell Moore.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRaKLiy0caI


https://www.gibson.com/Guitar/USA3I4189/Slim-Harpo-Lovell-ES-330/Vintage-Sunset-Burst

[Rocker]

Now, here's 19 mins. of Mississippi Fred McDowell for you:


Mississippi Fred McDowell Live Footage - Legends of Bottleneck Blues Full Performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6KhFbEDkqI


Looks like he's playing a Trini Lopez ES-335

[Rocker]

Buddy Guy Honored In ‘The Blues Chase The Blues Away’ Documentary
The film includes contributions from Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Gary Clark Jr., John Mayer, and Kingfish, as well as Guy himself.


https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/buddy-guy-blues-chase-blues-away-documentary/?utm_source=ka&utm_medium=fa&utm_campaign=FB%3A100%20Years%20of%20the%20Blues-News&utm_term=05bee42f-3efb-406d-9054-b519cee09fa4&fbclid=IwAR1BMbOyQJCKh_5wjUqHA8WBbsHiBL3gEEb25xohzvlFFU-vSaKEkAR-YJ8

[Rocker]

"Buddy Guy: The Blues Chase the Blues Away" premieres Tuesday, July 27 at 9 p.m. on PBS


https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/stream-buddy-guy-blues-chase-blues-away-documentary/17954/?fbclid=IwAR26k8H7JDhpuzJJDC8-RKGorbXMLTaU5GWAqi392Nba10ZJFl7zZr0li7U


Dive into the career of the legendary blues guitarist, a pioneer of Chicago’s West Side sound and major influence on rock titans like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. Featuring new performances and interviews with Carlos Santana and more.

[Rocker]

The story of Specialty Records, the most influential label of all time: “Songs never die”
As it celebrates its 75th anniversary with a new compilation, Jordan Bassett explores the imprint that gave us Little Richard – and therefore The Beatles, Prince, David Bowie and so much more


https://www.nme.com/features/music-features/rip-it-up-the-best-of-specialty-records-75th-anniversary-little-richard-3006616?fbclid=IwAR2twuSXhqb-hBRpVZ7xXQD57Ay5Jx-xpVBEvZDHprPp8DsRePKtBIxqiio

[Rocker]

Muddy Waters home gets final Landmarks Commission approval, moves to City Council


https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/8/5/22611907/muddy-waters-home-gets-final-landmarks-commission-approval-moves-city-council?fbclid=IwAR1sg2gjAAI3Xhi0GVvZ5gjGy-h4MK2C0w9DygYJUV4JseCQpmH29w2wzR0

[Rocker]

Slim Harpo "Lovell" ES-330


Gibson is proud to introduce the "Lovell" ES-330 hollow body guitar; a tribute to Slim Harpo and his wife Lovell, a creative tandem that developed a unique sound and produced chart-topping hits during the 50s and early 60s.

The new Gibson Slim Harpo “Lovell” ES-330 hollow body guitar is part tribute, part historical artifact that celebrates the influential, albeit short career of James H. Moore aka Slim Harpo. Slim was a working man’s blues man from Lobdell, Louisiana; holding down 9 to 5 gigs as a longshoreman, and iron scrap hauler in addition to his side hustle as an artist. His wife and collaborator; Lovell, for whom the guitar is named was a huge influence and contributor to Slim’s evolution as performer and song writer. Together they forged a creative partnership that yielded pop-crossover success in the late 50’s and 60s, an era that was less than kind to black artists.  Despite this, it didn’t take long for others to recognize and be inspired by Harpo’s talent and unique take on the Blues; a subgenre he unwittingly created appropriately called Louisiana Swamp Blues. Slim’s most popular tune “I’m a King Bee” achieved cross-over success at a time when that was far from the norm.  Other artists also achieved chart successes with their covers of “King Bee” including the Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead, Lou Rawls, and Muddy Waters among others. While Slim’s time on the planet was short, his impact and influence are and will continue to inspire for generations to come.

The Slim Harpo "Lovell" ES-330 features 3-ply maple / poplar / maple top, back and sides with spruce bracing, a mahogany neck with rounded C profile, rosewood fretboard with small block inlays, ABR-1 bridge with Trapeze tailpiece, Vintage Deluxe tuners with white buttons, Dogear P-90 pickups with hand-wired controls and Orange Drop® capacitors, and has a custom "Lovell" logo on the back of the headstock to honor Slim Harpo's life partner, manager and the co-writer of many of his biggest hits, Lovell Moore.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRaKLiy0caI


https://www.gibson.com/Guitar/USA3I4189/Slim-Harpo-Lovell-ES-330/Vintage-Sunset-Burst

Mine Was a Bit Different From the Rest... | 2021 Gibson Slim Harpo Lovell ES-330 Review + Demo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQZcxOH6rGY

[Rocker]

Review: Son House ‘Forever On My Mind’


By Chris Wheatley

Blues releases don’t come much bigger than this collection of previously unissued material from legendary singer and guitarist, Son House. Forever On My Mind is set to release March 18 on Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound.

Like Robert Johnson, Son House’s highly emotional style is immediately recognisable and compelling. Born in 1902, the guitarist grew up in the classic era of blues and enjoyed a short career which saw him play alongside fellow great, Charley Patton. House was one of many blues stars ‘re-discovered’ by avid enthusiasts during the 1960s, and it is from this period which these recordings come.

These eight tracks derive from the personal collection of House’s then-manager, Dick Waterman, who taped this live concert in 1964, at Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana. Crucially, this album is being issued via Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound. Auerbach has an established history of working on such projects with suitable reverence, and that commitment shines through here. Given the analogue source, same hiss is to be expected, but that does not detract from the captivating material on offer.

On the opener and title-track, we’re immediately thrust into another world. House sounds remarkably up-close and personal. His slide guitar absolutely sings, the sparse, bare-bones playing conjuring up a wealth of pathos with just a few notes – the sure sign of a master. The presence of the crowd is palpable, but never intrusive. As Waterman recalls: “There may have been up to 50 people, something like that. There were no barriers, there were no filters. He was just giving them the plain, unvarnished Delta material, as he knew it and as he sang it.”

Very few knew it, sang it, or played it as well as House, and this material is wonderful to hear. “Preachin’ Blues” rolls and sways, guitar alternating between strummed rhythm and striking, wailing licks. House plays a steel-bodied, National resonator here – a legendary instrument, originals of which now cost thousands of dollars. On these performances, the guitar and the singer feel in perfect harmony. “Empire State Express” thrills with its side-stepping cuts and ringing flourishes. Not only is this an important historical document, this is Son House at or close to his best.

As Auerbach himself observes: ““He sounds like he’s in a trance, and his singing is so nuanced here. It sounds so right to me.” Auerbach ought to know – he grew up listening intently to Houses’ Father Of Folk Blues, and his own Black Keys were always deeply influenced by the blues. The astonishing “Death Letter” underlines Auerbach’s opinion. On this wonderful number, House sounds completely in the zone, filling every moment with visceral power. “The late-’64 stuff is as good as it’s going to get,” echoes Waterman, and it would be hard to argue with that statement.

Following his rediscovery, House toured extensively across the US and Europe, alongside such luminaries as Skip James and Bukka White, before ill-health led to retirement, in 1974. He spent his last years in Detroit, Michigan. Upon the star’s passing, members of the Detroit Blues Society arranged for a suitable monument for his grave. Forever On My Mind builds on that monument, acting as a fitting reminder of the colossal talent which House possessed.

Many unearthed recordings are historically interesting and few make for vital listening. With this set, Auerbach, Waterman and, of course, Son House, give us both. Excitingly, this album marks the first in a planned series based around Waterman’s collection of quarter-inch tapes. That’s a prospect to savour for blues fans the world over.


https://www.rockandbluesmuse.com/2022/03/08/review-son-house-forever-on-my-mind/

[Rocker]

I just discovered this song by the great Lee Dorsey. You could almost think it's an Al Green number.


Lee Dorsey - Say it again

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY70O2mOm_g

[Rocker]

First I wanted to share this live performance by the great Joe Tex


Joe Tex - Papa Was Too (Live 1969)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y0ol3RR_pg


And second, does anybody know Junior Well's album "You're tuff enough"? I really dig it. That late 60s soul and funky sound is so great.

[Rocker]

Ep 83 - The Midnight Special | August 30, 1974


Hosted by B.B. King with special guest appearances by John Lee Hooker, Papa John Creach, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Paul Butterfield's Better Days, Big Mama Thorton, Joe Williams, Jimmy Witherspoon and Wolfman Jack.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbVQqitCQ7M

[Rocker]

Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab BB King ES-355 1974 "Rumble in the Jungle" - Demo and Review


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhJuyNBVJQo

[Rocker]

Carl Gardner, late Tyler native of hit band ‘The Coasters,’ to be honored at Thursday event


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdjRS31xlJE

[Rocker]

King Bee: The Slim Harpo Story


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4rXZWSBc3E



This story is told by James “Slim Harpo” Moore, via a 1968 interview with Susan Cassidy Clark at Steve Paul’s “The Scene” in NYC. His wife Lovell, his stepson William Gambler, his original King Bee band mates, James Johnson, Rudy Richard and Jesse Kinchen also tell the story along with the original King Bee.

James Moore and Lovell Casey Moore met in 1952 while Lovell was waiting for a bus on her way to work and James was putting a roof on a church. The rendezvous turned out to be the most magical and spiritual event in their lives. It was their destiny to write songs about their experiences inside and outside of a shared mystical love affair.

The relationship lasted 18 years until his death and produced several multi-million sellers covered and recorded by dozens of artists in many genres of music throughout the world. Slim and Lovell were a true couple, praising each other continuously. Their first composition began on a car trip after noticing beehives on the side of the road. Around 1956 James, referred to JD Miller by fellow blues man Lightin’ Slim, had the opportunity to record three of his songs. “I’m a King Bee,” “Don’t Start Cryin’ Now” and “I Got Love if You Want It.” Excello Records released the first 45 rpm recordings with “Don’t Start Crying Now” as the A side and “I’m a King Bee” as the b side.  In 1964 ,The Rolling Stones released their first LP with “I’m a King Bee” as the first single. Also in 1964, Van Morrison and Them released their first single “Don’t Start Crying Now.”  The Kinks followed with a recording of  “I Got Love If You Want It.”  In 1972 the Stones again covered a Slim Harpo Song -  “Shake Your Hips” on “Exile on Main St .”  Of the 13 songs on the album,  “Shake Your Hips” was the only non-original Stones composition.

Interviews with Ted Higgenbotham (Slim’s Barber), John Fred, Raful Neal and original King Bee bandmates Jesse Kinchen, James Johnson and Rudy Richard describe the style and personality of Slim Harpo - a “real nice” guy and “hard working” man.  A significant American artist. Over 250 artists have recorded his songs, including the Grateful Dead, The Doors, Neil Young, Hank Williams Jr., The Yardbirds, Muddy Waters, Otis Redding, Alex Chilton and George Thorogood to mention only a few.