So I have a lot of music I want to share, but just not the time to get an album up here everyday. I do, however, want to get back to women in blues. While some women have sweet mellow voices like Irma Thomas, or even unmatched guitar prowess, today's woman is the roughest, gruffest voice on the block. She makes Howlin' Wolf sound like this guy:
Koko Taylor, known in some circles as "Queen of the Blues," is a Memphis born lady who made her way to Chicago and hit it big when none other than Willie Dixon heard her singing in a club. Her first, and biggest, hit was the song I have for you today, "Wang Dang Doodle." It is actually a Dixon tune, and was performed by Howlin' Wolf five years before Taylor ever performed it. Now I'm not sure what a Wang Dang is, or who wants a doodle of one, but this is an awesome song, and KoKo Taylor is just plain rockin'.
Hello all. Sorry it has been so long since I've posted, I was off on Spring Break and spent most of my time relaxing and doing nothing. One thing I did do however, was listen to a whole lot of Jazz. I really love jazz, it is so free and ranges from so mellow to incredibly intense. Today I am featuring a nice jazz tune by an artist I am just starting to really fall in love with.
Charles Mingus was a bass player, but more importantly, he was a band leader. In much the same style as Duke Ellington, Mingus' real instrument was his orchestra. He was a master of arrangements and always knew what parts to give to what players. Additionally, his music is so technical and advanced that it was once believed it would be to hard to play without the direction of Mingus himself. But, it turns out a ton of people wanted to play it, and many even compete in a Hugh School Charles Mingus competition.
Smokin' a stoagie.
This song is called "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" and is quite cool. It is about 6 minutes long, so if you plan to listen to the whole thing, I recommend giving yourself ample time to do so. Without further adieu:
I think that women in blues are generally under appreciated. Sure, there was Mamie Smith, Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, and a great number of others women who pioneered vocal blues. But there are still great women performing blues. Women who play guitar with the best of them; croon and moan with the best of the men. The next few posts will be an effort to introduce these women to you.
A few weeks ago a buddy of mine recommended I check out Bonnie Raitt. His blues knownledge is really extensive, so I decided to give her a listen. I hopped right online and started downloading an album. I hadn't listened to it until just a few nights ago as I've been so busy sifting through tons of other music. But I was driving somewhere and I figured, why not? And then, to my surprise and excitement, I found that the album I had found was a live performance of her album "I Ain't Blue" recorded right here at Syracuse University in 1971. Pretty awesome, huh?
See?! I told you!
Anyway, enough about me. I really dig this gal, and today I have her version of a Robert Johnson tune, "Rollin' and Tumblin'." You may recognize some of the lyrics, as Johnson's lyrics, and lots of blues lyrics in general, are often reused by later artists.
Today I want to feature something a little off the beaten path from traditional blues. This is a Gospel tune called "I'm His Child" sung by Zella Jackson Price. I love this song, and especially this video. I don't know if it's that hair, that voice, or just the pure jubilation everyone receives from her song.
I really dig Gospel music. Those of you who know me know I'm not exactly a God-fearing man, but it is just so moving. This will definitely not be the last Gospel tune featured, I'll also feature jazz, and other forms of music (generally Black music) that is less known to the general public. This clip is from the documentary called "Say Amen Somebody," which is primarily a film about the transition Gospel went through from sacred to popular music. It is actually quite enjoyable, and if you're interested in music at all I recommend you check it out. It features a huge number of Gospel greats all in a similar setting, and let's be honest: this music is best in its true spiritual form.
So, for you listening and viewing pleasure, here is Zella Jackson Price singing "I'm His Child"
So just recently I entertained a request from a certain lady I know to find and post some Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup. So today I have a great little album from a very authentic delta bluesman.
Born in 1905, Crudup is probably best known for writing songs that were later redone by Elvis Presley; "That's all right mama" and "My Baby Left Me." Many of his records come from the 1940s when he was performing with Sonny Boy Williamson II and Elmore James. Unfortunately, like many Black musicians, Crudup received almost no royalties and actually had to work extra, labor intensive, jobs. He was so unhappy about his almost non-existent royalties he often referred to his more famous follower Elvis as Elvin Preston.
In the 1960s he actually quit making music and started bootlegging and a farmer. Either way, his songs are great. I wanted to find some with him and Sonny Boy, but I may have to look a little harder. Here is "Rock Me Mama" by Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup:
