Blues

Blues Classics: Skip James – “Devil Got My Woman”

Posted on by Egil Mosbron

I’d rather be the devil, to be that woman man
I’d rather be the devil, to be that woman man
Aw, nothin’ but the devil, changed my baby’s mind
Was nothin’ but the devil, changed my baby’s mind
~Skip James (Devil Got My Woman)

Coupling an oddball guitar tuning set against eerie, falsetto vocals, James’ early recordings could make the hair stand up on the back of your neck.
~Cub Koda (allmusic.com)

Skip James (June 9, 1902 – October 3, 1969) was an American Delta blues singer. He is regarded by most blues writers as a very important artist.

He is one of 3 blues artists to featured in Wim Wenders great documentary film The Soul of a Man (2003). 

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Nov 30: The late great Robert Nighthawk was born in 1909

Posted on by Hallgeir Olsen

Of all the pivotal figures in blues history, certainly one of the most important was Robert Nighthawk. He bridged the gap between Delta and Chicago blues effortlessly, taking his slide cues from Tampa Red and stamping them with a Mississippi edge learned first hand from his cousin, Houston Stackhouse.
~Cub Koda (allmuisc.com)

Goin’ Down To Eli’s (Live On Maxwell Street):

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Feb 21: Nina Simone was born in 1933

Posted on by Hallgeir Olsen

Jazz is a white term to define black people. My music is black classical music.
~Nina Simone

Once I understood Bach’s music, I wanted to be a concert pianist. Bach made me dedicate my life to music, and it was that teacher who introduced me to his world.
~Nina Simone

Nina Simone was one of the most gifted vocalists of her generation, and also one of the most eclectic.
~Mark Deming (allmusic.com)

Ain’t Got No…I’ve Got Life:

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Dec 11: Willie Mae ‘Big Mama’ Thornton was born in 1926

Posted on by Hallgeir Olsen

Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton (December 11, 1926 – July 25, 1984) was an American rhythm and blues singer and songwriter. She was the first to record Leiber and Stoller’s “Hound Dog” in 1952, which became her biggest hit. It spent seven weeks at number one on the Billboard R&B charts in 1953 and sold almost two million copies. However, her success was overshadowed three years later, when Elvis Presley recorded his more popular rendition of “Hound Dog”. Similarly, Thornton’s “Ball ‘n’ Chain” (written in 1961 but not released until 1968) had a bigger impact when performed and recorded by Janis Joplin in the late 1960s.

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Steve Earle live in the KEXP studio 2015

Posted on by Hallgeir Olsen

Steve Earle performing live in the KEXP studio. Recorded February 20, 2015.

I saw Steve Earle with The Mastersons/Dukes last week, it is the best concert I’ve seen all year (I’ve seen 56 shows this year, Steve Earle’s concert was number 55).  I have experienced Steve Earle several times on stage, but I’ve never seen him better.

We have dug up a performance from KEPX aired in February right after his lates album was released.

He’s talking about life, music and the blues in particular.

Here’s a wonderful performance:

Songs:

Ain’t Nobody’s Daddy Now
You’re The Best Lover That I’ve Ever Had
King Of The Blues
Copperhead Road

-hallgeir

photo: Born To Listen, Oslo, Norway 2015
photo: Born To Listen, Oslo, Norway 2015