May 8: Blues Legend Robert Johnson Birthday

 

“Just look at the picture of him with the acoustic guitar: His fingers are in the weirdest position. If you’re a guitar player looking at that, you know this is a guy who’s not even thinking; he’s just there. … The soul of his creative originality plays a huge part in music making for everyone who’s ever written a song and really known what they’re doing.”
~Neil Young

“You think you’re getting a handle on playing the blues, and then you hear Robert Johnson — some of the rhythms he’s doing and playing and singing at the same time, you think, ‘This guy must have three brains!’ ”
~Keith Richards

Favorite album? I think the Robert Johnson album. I listen to that quite a bit still.
~Bob Dylan (Rockline interview – June 1985)

Cross Road Blues:

I went to the crossroad, fell down on my knees
I went to the crossroad, fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above “Have mercy, save poor Bob, if you please”

Yeoo, standin’ at the crossroad, I tried to flag a ride
Standin’ at The Crossroads, I tried to flag a ride
Ain’t nobody seem to know me, everybody pass me by

Check out:

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10 Great Country songs from the 1970s (videos & spotify playlist)

The 1970s brought us many great country songs, here are 10 I´m listening to today.

I´ve also added a spotify playlist at the end of the post.

Kris Kristofferson – Help me make it through the Night (1970)

Take the ribbon from your hair
Shake it loose and let it fall
Layin’ soft upon my skin
Like the shadows on the wall

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May 6: Happy Birthday Bob Seger

 

Mediocrity’s easy, the good things take time, the great need commitment.
~Bob Seger, Lock And Loaded

That’s a good way to live, go against the wind.
~Bob Seger

Combining the driving charge of Ryder’s Detroit Wheels with Stonesy garage rock and devotion to hard-edged soul and R&B, he crafted a distinctively American sound.
~Stephen Thomas Erlewine (allmusic.com)

Kid Rock inducts Bob Seger Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions 2004:

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May 4: Randy Travis Birthday

 

To me, country music tells a story about, and deals with, the way people live their lives and what they do.
~Randy Travis

I’ve learned the importance of loving what you do. I have also learned more patience due to the nature of the music business.
~Randy Travis

Like the Beatles in rock, Randy Travis marks a generational shift in country music. When his Storms of Life came out in 1986, country music was still wallowing in the post-urban cowboy recession, chasing elusive crossover dreams. Travis brought the music back to its basics, sounding like nothing so much as a perfect blend of George Jones and Merle Haggard.
~Stephen Thomas Erlewine (allmusic.com)

On the other hand (live):

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May 3: The Late Folk Singer Legend Pete Seeger Birthday

Photo – Dan Davis

Being generous of spirit is a wonderful way to live.
– Pete Seeger

He’s a great man, Pete Seeger.
-Bob Dylan (Paul Zollo interview April, 1991)

Harry Belafonte and Arlo Guthrie induct Pete Seeger into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during the 1996 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony:

Pete Seeger & Bruce Springsteen – This Land is Your Land – Obama Inauguration (2009)

As Pete and I traveled to Washington for President Obama’s Inaugural Celebration, he told me the entire story of “We Shall Overcome.” How it moved from a labor movement song, and with Pete’s inspiration, had been adapted by the civil rights movement. That day as we sang “This Land Is Your Land,” I looked at Pete, the first black president of the United States was seated to his right, and I thought of the incredible journey that Pete had taken. My own growing up in the Sixties in towns scarred by race rioting made that moment nearly unbelievable, and Pete had 30 extra years of struggle and real activism on his belt. He was so happy that day. It was like, “Pete, you outlasted the bastards, man!” It was so nice. At rehearsals the day before, it was freezing, like 15 degrees, and Pete was there. He had his flannel shirt on. I said, man, you better wear something besides that flannel shirt! He says, yeah, I got my longjohns on under this thing.
-Bruce Springsteen

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May 1: Johnny Cash released “I Walk The Line” in 1956 – here are 5 great live versions

I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time.
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you’re mine,
I walk the line

“I Walk The Line” was written by Johnny Cash & recorded on April 2, 1956 @ Sun Studio, Memphis, Tennessee. It was released May 1, 1956 on the Sun label.

Celebrating this masterpiece today, here are 5 great liver versions.

Live at The Tex Ritter Show (1956?):

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