Bronx Blues

Theodore Joseph Horowitz was born in The Bronx, New York City 1960. His stage name is Popa Chubby. Do not let the name misguide you into thinking some rapper or Hip Hop artist is attempting to play the blues. This man can play the blues. He is both a student and a teacher of the blues and his expertise on the Stratocaster is in a word amazing and literally off the charts. A product of the seventies Ted Horowitz grew up listening to the music of the sixties: The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Cream. New York Blues is aggressive and Popa Chubby delivers it that way: Full throttle and unrestrained. In 1994 he released several albums on his own label before landing a record contract with Sony/Okeh. In 2000 he signed with blues label Blind Pig and did several recording sessions with them. His music crosses over to the masses. I hear his instrumentals on talk shows and in the background of films constantly. The Hendrix side of Popa Chubby is scary close to spot on. His vocals are outstanding. Case in point: His cover of the classic composition; Hallelujah. Itunes offers The Essential Popa Chubby which I highly recommend. Please check out the live HD concert in Germany of Hey Joe! Popa Chubby is making a point for the Bronx Blues and is currently in the studio recording new tracks.

James Moore - Aka Slim Harpo

Yet another influential  Louisiana blues man. James Moore was  born 1924 in Baton Rouge, actually Lobdell, a small place in the western part of the parish. A working man all of his life, James was a Longshoreman and a construction worker in the late 1930's and 1940's. He began preforming in Baton Rouge bars under the name "Harmonica Slim" and later accompanied by his brother- in- law "Lightning Slim" Producer J.D. "Jay" Miller actually gave him the nickname; Slim Harpo. It stuck and in 1957 he began writing and  recording a slue of hits for Excello Records out of Nashville. "I'm A King Bee" and "I Got Love If You Want It" were two of his most memorable compositions. "Rainin' In My Heart" (1961) was a Rock n Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Also one of the first cross-over hits ever on the Billboard Charts in 1966 was "Baby Scratch My Back".
The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds and Pink Floyd all featured Slims songs on their early recordings. American artists got on board with the Slim sound, as ZZ Top's La Grange famous guitar riff is borrowed from Harpo's 1966 hit: "Shake Your Hips". Not to mention The Fabulous Thunderbirds covers of his songs. The new Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey Whiskey TV Commercial features the Slim Harpo's song "I'm A King Bee"
Never a full-time musician, Harpo owned his own trucking company during the 1960's. He died in 1970 following a heart attack at the young age of 46.  I think he was just getting started on what he could have contributed to the blues world. He was a major influence and continues to be.

Guitars, Guitars and More Guitars

Although the Fender Stratocaster has been the mainstay of most blues musicians, their favorites come in all shapes, sizes and models. Going to blues shows through the years I have also seen my share of Telecasters, various Gibson's, Ibanez and Gretsch. A common thread that runs through blues musicians is that their guitars are treated like babies. They are pampered but after a few years show their battle scars well. Many blues players prefer vintage guitars found by being in the right place at the right time or by  on line collectors or pawn shops. Enjoy this plethora of stringed electric instruments.

In the works . . Buddy Guy/ Live At Legends

Not too far down the road, Buddy Guy will release the much anticipated; Live At Legends, scheduled for release December 18th. It was recorded during his annual residency in January 2010 and will include a couple of outstanding medleys : John Lee Hookers "Boom Boom" into Creams "Strange Brew" and the Hendrix anthem; "Voodoo Child" into Creams "Sunshine Of Your Love". Also Three previously unreleased songs from the Living Proof sessions; "Polka Dot Love". "Coming For You" and "County Boy". Looking forward to this one.