The Blues Of Clapton

Eric Clapton's journey with the Blues began in 1962, after listening to Freddie King, BB King, Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy. Eric asked his Grandparents for help in purchasing a double cutaway Kay electric guitar and the rest is history. His first group was The Roosters, followed by Casey Jones and the Engineers, then back to secular work. However, in 1963, the Yardbirds were formed and young Eric was all of a sudden making records ."For Your Love" was his first commercially sucessful song recorded. In 1965 John Mayall invited him to be the lead guitarist of his group; John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. Blues was Clapton's bread & butter and his guitar work hit its stride during those years. Cream, Blind Faith, Delaney & Bonnie, Derek and the Dominoes followed and all became part of his resume. He returned to his roots again in 1994 with the critically acclaimed album: "From The Cradle". Eric's music has proved to be timeless. It stands up to the test of time. Well into his sixties, Eric continues to amaze listeners with his musical genius, all steeped in the blues.

A Visit to the House Of Blues

Since their inception in the 80's, there is a common thread that runs through every House of Blue That is the ART that is indigenous to the Blues. Sort of raw and folksy, with some New Orleans influence, nearly every restaurant and club gives you that ambiance. The HOB of Orlando located  in the Downtown Disney area is no exception. I happened to be over with my trusty Nikon a few weeks ago. Enjoy this documented visit to the House of Blues.

Hendrix Art

Hubert Sumlin

Hubert Sumlin put the bite behind Howlin' Wolf.
And he then influenced a new pack of electric blues and rock guitarists.
Mr. Sumlin died Sunday in a hospital in Wayne, N.J., reportedly of heart failure. He had turned 80 on Nov. 16. Mr. Sumlin was best known as lead guitarist for Howlin' Wolf (Chester Burnett) from 1953 until Wolf's death in 1976.
This was no small feat. The combustible guitar parts in Wolf's big-voiced tracks — "Smokestack Lightning," "Spoonful," "Ain't Superstitious" — set Wolf on fire at Sun Records in Memphis and later at Chess Records in Chicago.
The 1953 summit of Mr. Sumlin and Wolf was to blues what the meeting of Scotty Moore and Elvis Presley was to rock just a year later.
In the current issue of Rolling Stone, Mr. Sumlin is ranked 43rd on the magazine's list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.

Joanne Shaw Tayfor Re - Visited

I enjoy going through the archive of photos of blues musicians I have acquired over the years. I recently was browsing the Joanne Shaw Taylor folder and found these. This young lady from accross the pond was some sort of spark plug as she laid down some amazing licks on  guitar while everything came together with the tight three piece band at McWell's in Orlando a few months ago.

Kenny Neal Archives

Two years ago Kenny Neal came to Orlando and played BB King's Blues Club. I took almost a gig of photos and every once in a while I will dig one out I have not published. So here are a few from the archives if you will . . . .

Another Good Read

With the winter months coming around the bend, there's nothing like finding a warm, cozy place and reading a good book. For Blues enthusiast there is an abundance of material, and the following is one I would recommend highly; Can't Be Satisfied - The Life & Times of Muddy Waters. An in depth and personal look into one of the first famous blues men. You can order via Amazon or other on line venues in hard cover, paperback or even digitally for your Ipad or Nook

Florida Festival This Weekend

The Paladins -Rockabilly Blues

The Paladins took the world by surprise during the 1980's with their very own version of Tex-Mex Rockabilly Blues. Dave Gonzalez was the leader of this tight three piece band. Highly underrated, his guitar work delivered on his signature vintage hollow body Gibson was fast and furious. His vocals were gritty and the upright bass and drums complemented  their overall magical sound. The studio recordings were good, but to appreciate these musicians, you had to see them in their raw natural state -Live! I caught up with The Paladins at their best in Dayton, Ohio at Gilly's around 1995. A night to remember! Sadly, the group is now a thing of the past. You can download their stellar Live recording: Million Mile Club on Itunes or other music outlets.

                                                                       

Studebaker John

Born in Chicago in 1952, Studebaker John is a very diversified blues musician well known and respected as a "Triple Threat" -harp player, slide guitarist and  vocalist. An Italian American, whose real name is John Grimaldi, began playing Chicago clubs in the 70's. In 1978 his recording career began and eventually was signed with Blind Pig Records and released a series of recordings with them. John and his band have toured all around the globe. I first caught up with Studebaker John and the Hawks  at the Cincinnati Blues Fest in 1994, and was fortunate enough to have a camera in my hands. The set was spellbinding especially his stellar harp & slide guitar work inspired by Hound Dog Taylor. Catch Studebaker John next time he tours near you.

Blues Art - Albert Castiglia

Recomendation of the Week

If you are like me, you appreciate the Masters. We prefer the original artists in their pure, unadulterated state. I was too young to see some of these guys in my lifetime, but through the magic of restored video tapes, and DVD digital transfer, you can be there front and center to enjoy the treasured performances of these musicians and you will know why they are so special to blues enthusiasts today. I highly recommend the following DVD's; The American Folk Blues Festival 1962 -1966 and Muddy Waters "Can't Be Satisfied" are both worth their weight in gold!

The Three Kings of the Blues

You may already know that there are three Kings of the Blues. They are in no particular order: BB King, Albert King and Freddie King. As to who is the greatest King, I will leave that up to your individual taste. Both Albert (1992) and Freddie
 (1976) are gone, and BB lives on and continues to add to his very long list of recordings dating from 1949 until now. BB is short for Blues Boy and it stuck with him all these years. Now in his eighties, BB is always in demand from other dignitaries of music and entertainment.  He is already in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, and tours many nights out of the year, even owning a bevy of BB King Blues Clubs around the country. Having had the privilege of meeting BB, he is a very humble man who remembers where he came from, how he paid his dues, and where he is going as he passes the torch to the new generation of Blues artists. You can't go wrong with the three recordings I recommend here.

How bout some Texas Slide?

 

Smokin' Joe Kubek delivers some of the best slide guitar ever!  

Classic Cars & The Blues

The blues and classic cars are like two peas in the pod. They seem to be a perfect fit for each other. That Little ol' band from Texas; ZZ Top used that combination for years with much of their Texas Blues based music. It works! Enjoy some classic cars with a blues theme.

Duke Robbilard

Make no doubt about it, Duke Robbilard is a genuine blues journeyman. Having co-founded Roomful Of Blues, and replacing Jimmy Vaughan in the Fabulous Thunderbirds, he has been steadily recording since 1978. A WC Handy winner of Best Blues Guitarist for several years, Duke is a master and can play some killer chops on a guitar that others aspire to imitate. Still at it and going strong, he is set to release yet another fine recording of blues on September 20th, entitled: Low Down and Tore Up. As usual, anticipation is high. I was fortunate enough to see Duke at a small club in Dayton Ohio -Gilly's, in 1997. Three piece blues at it's very finest! Enjoy a couple photographs from the show . . .

Jimmy Thackery

Jimmy Thackery  paid his dues with the Washington DC band The Nighthawks. His riveting guitar work made him a standout. The band is still going , but Thackery left years ago and has done quite well for himself with a bevy of recordings under his belt. Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers released their debut album; Empty Arms Hotel, back in 1993, covering BB King, Hendrix and adding some blues burners of their own. Several recordings  and colaberations followed subsequently, the finest in my humble estimation being the Live recording: Wild Night Out featuring a knock your socks off rendition  of "Edwards Blues" displaying Thackery's, huge guitar sound reminiscent of Roy Buchanan and Hendrix influences. Having seen Jimmy several times, he never disappoints hitting more notes than humanly possible. I have provided a few photographs taken around 1996 at a place called  Jefferson Hall in Cincinnati Ohio. Tremendous show!