Down-Houma blues with Tab Benoit (Houma, LA) on the opening night of the 2016 Crescent City Blues & BBQ. Here is a clip of “Solid Simple Thing” from 2003’s The Sea Saint Sessions. Benoit has crafted an authentic gunslinging blues style over the last 30 years. He learned the ropes in Baton Rouge from blues heroes like Tabby Thomas and Henry Gray in the ’80’s.
The 3 day event in Lafayette Square Park is open to the public and put on by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
Month: October 2016
Hendrix Band of Gypsys' debut to be released
Jimi Hendrix’ Band of Gypsys first show finally gets released. The 12/31/69 Fillmore East show opened sonic doorways into the 1970’s with Billy Cox on bass and Buddy Miles on drums. A totally divergent sound from that of his earlier Experience, this group fused a more muscular brand of blues rock on standout tracks such as “Machine Gun” and “Freedom.
Ride ’em on Down – The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones video cover of Eddie Taylor’s Ride ’em On Down. The Stones last featured it live on July 12, 1962 according to setlist.fm. They began their career as a Chicago blues cover band put together by founder Brian Jones. While he pushed for the Stones to remain more blues purist, he later settled for being a colourist accessorizing Jagger-Richard compositions. At the tail end of the 60’s Mick Taylor followed his bluesy Mayall Band stint with deep explorations into roots music for half a decade. After that the Stones played less Chuck Berry and fewer blues covers while still doing more than the next band. Now 50 years after moving away from blues as a main concert or album motif, the Stones seem prepared to take it in with a concentrated force unseen since 1965 when Satisfaction signaled their pop writing validation. The cd also contains count ’em 4 covers of Marksville, Louisiana’s Little Walter. In 2016, they returned to a work by a Chicago blues icon with Ride ’em on Down. Please enjoy the official video..
The Day Carlos Santana Met Miles Davis
“Miles was right. We didn’t understand harmonically or structurally what he and his band were doing. They had another kind of vocabulary, which came from a higher form of musical expression. It came from a special place—from Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie and John Coltrane—and at the same time it was deep in blues roots and expanded into funk and rock sounds” – Carlos Santana recounts meeting Miles from Ashley Kahn’s book Santana.
King Biscuit Blues Festival 2016
Finding some tasty Delta Blues at King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas. John Mayall closed out a great evening with Rebirth Brass Band and Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets (pictured). Looking forward to seeing Charlie Musselwhite this evening!
Buddy Guy – Louisiana Blues
Lettsworth, LA native Buddy Guy with Mississippian Muddy Waters’ classic Louisiana Blues:
I’m goin’ down in Louisiana
Baby, behind the sun
I’m goin’ down in Louisiana
Honey, behind the sun
Well, you know I just found out
My trouble just begun
I’m goin’ down in New Orleans, hmm
Get me a mojo hand
I’m goin’ down in New Orleans
Get me a mojo hand (oh take me with you, man, when you go)
I’m gon’ show all you good-lookin’ women
Jes’ how to treat your love
Let’s go back to New Orleans, boys
Fantastic Negrito – Lost in a Crowd
Cool back to the roots sound on this track recorded for NPR’s tiny desk. Playing Madison Square Garden and LA Forum opening for Temple of the Dog.