I finally made it through a week of full posing. I think I’ve got the system down, so it shouldn’t be too hard to keep it up. I hope everyone has enjoyed this week, I think it’s been a lot of fun. I’m debating on starting a blues wiki with information on at least everyone I’ve post, but of course the ability to add any and all blues figures. Maybe with samples kind of like Redhotjazz.com, but for blues. If ya’ll are interested in that let me know.

I’ve been really enjoying the new Richard Swift collection on Secretly Canadian a lot these months. Swift has a wonderful way with words and has some great bedroom production that is lofi but still managed to sound very lush. The collection is a full album from a few years back and a collection of his eps and 7 inches that brings us up to current times. The first song is from that first album – The Novelist and the second one is from a 7inch release somewhat recently.

Richard Swift – The Novelist
Richard Swift – In The Air

Going back to the request from yesterday, I know handful of people did Jockey Blues, but I haven’t found a female singing it, any ideas? Richard Silverstien has a good run-down of traditional music blogs up at his site (which also features world music and a keen political sense) he also has some kind words about Honey and parts of an interview with me up.

While looking for the long-lost horse blues song I did stumble upon Jazz Gillium’s Stavin’ Chain which was recorded fairly late in Gillium career so it doesn’t feature much of his signature harmonica sound as I would like, but it does show Gillium exploring other forms of blues while keeping the same rhythm and voice of his early work.

Jazz Gillium – Stavin’ Chain

I got an email last night from a reader with a question for all of us. He had heard a song on his local college radio station – female blues singer, sounded somewhat like Bessie Smith singing “an uptempo number where she’s singing about a horse. lots of saucy double entendres… “i’ve got a horse and you know i ride it all night” – that type of thing.” They only thing that I could think of was Jockey Blues, but that doesn’t really fit. It doesn’t appear to be a Bessie Smith song either. If you know what it is let me know!

Remember radio show tonight! 9-11est. only at wuag.net

Ethel Waters was one of the most famous black entertainer throughout pre and post war era. She was even nominated for an Oscar in 1949! Before she entered popular culture she was a very talented and skilled blues singer, unlike a lot of blues singers who are wonderful because they are clearly not skilled and just have their own flow, Waters is obviously very talented and her voice is one of the best I’ve heard. This track is from 1928 written and backed by the wonderful Clarence Williams, Waters sings about a beggin’ triflin’ man who is trying to win her back. It ain’t going to happen, pal.

Ethel Waters – Get Up Off Your Knees

I thought that the second part of the Dylan documentary was was to be shown last night, which it wasn’t does anyone know if PBS is going to show the second part of the movie anytime or do i need to Netflix the set.

Pete Johnson is one of the great blues piano players whose style is one of those who you only need to hear a few bars of to recognize that that it’s him. Along with Meade Lux Lewis and Albert Ammons he helped to develop the Boogie-Woogie style of piano playing and one that’s so uniquely tied to the blues. Johnson I think is a little more flashy that Lewis or Ammons, he plays faster and really pounds the keys harder than the others. It’s a real fun listen – and I’m presenting a Lomax recording of what would become his most famous work – Roll ‘Em.

Pete Johnson – Roll ‘Em

Hey look a Monday post. I had a pretty great weekend, so I decided to make sure the blog didn’t see anymore three posts a week this month. I also updated the blogroll with the new and wonderful Long Sought Home (the Charley Patton song he’s got up now is killer) and Workbook (anyone who posts Lonnie Johnson is okay by me) are now on the sidebar, so check them out and experience music from a time and a half ago.

Freddie Spruell was a two off recorder from the Mamlish label played a mean 12 string guitar and has this great voice that seemly comes up from his gut and out through his nose. This track’s lyrics are pretty standard pre-delta blues stuff, but his wonderful voice and great guitar playing really makes it an outstanding track.

Freddie Spruell -Lowown Mississippi Man