So tell me, what do you do when you are driving 1100 km, over 2 days, in the rain and in the car for 14 hours. If you’re me, you hit the radio and look for songs to Shazam for your blog. I think I found some. The first road tune I heard was a classic blues tune by former Fabulous Thunderbird, Jimmie Vaughn. The song. “Dirty Girl”. One of the Texas roadhouse blues guitar players that were spawned in the 70’s, Jimmy is a great player, very great. Seems to run in the Vaughn family.
A quick post to let you know I am still around. Life does trump all from time to time, and recent weeks are one of those trump times. Enjoy this cut, a CBC2 find once again, Jamie N. Commons performing the tune “Rumble and Sway, live on Conan. Could be a big one.
This post is a small milestone in that it is the first time I have devoted a Song Of The Day post to an artist that I have already given one to. Caro Emerald is really leaving a mark on my music psyche. The song, Absolutely Me, which is off her outstanding album “Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor”. Blues, Jazz, Hip-Hop, great song. Like it so much I put up the recorded version and a live version..
Regina born Roxanne Potvin, is a singer songwriter in the vein of Bonnie Raitt. In other words, excellent. She recorded this song with John Hiatt way back in 2006. It is on her second album “Tee Way It Feels”. The version I have placed here is live and, unfortunately, no John Hiatt.
Blues great Johnnie Bassett died on August 4, 2012 at the age of 76. He was a much in demand electric blues guitarist and a singer-songwriter. In addition to his session work, he toured with such notables as Tina Turner and Little Willie John. In session, he played with the Miracles and others. Here is one of his own compositions played live with the band, Hideaway.
I have been a big Joss Stone fan since she was a barefoot 16-year-old phenomenon, singing the blues with the crème of the Louisiana blues players. Not bad for an out of place Brit. She has strayed a bit from those first recordings, but is still a force. Quite the voice.
Pete Cosey, guitarist extraordinaire, passed away on May 30, 2012. He was 68. He was a session guitar player at Chess Records until 1973, playing on recordings by Etta James, Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters, among many others. In 1973, he joined the Miles Davis Band and played with them until 1975. When the band broke up in 1975, he pretty much disappeared, surfacing from time to time to play on someone’s record. He resurfaced somewhat in 2001, forming a band, The Children of Agharta. Check out the clips I have included. The guy was amazing.
–
May 29 was a very sad day for me. Doc Watson passed away. What a player!! Nothing to say, just listen.
–
–
–
What a talent, and a connection to the old blues and folk singers of the 20’s, 30’s and beyond. Greatly missed.
Carrie Smith, a terrific jazz and blues singer was taken from the world of music on May 20. She was 86. Her career spanned 50 years and she was still recording as recently as 2002. In this period she recorded at least 13 albums and appeared with many contemporaries. Here is a terrific example of her style.
–
A second song. This one shows the depth of her classic blues voice. A terrific band as well. And check out the tap dancing.
–
Just a quick note to acknowledge the passing of a great one, Donald “Duck” Dunn, on May 13. A member of Booker T & the MG’s, he replaced the original bassist, he is forever connected to Green Onions, even though he was not on the original recording.
–
–
He was also notable as a session player for Stax Records, which means he is on about 50 zillion songs recorded there. He also performed with a multitude of bands, such as CCR, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Rod Stewart, Levon Helm, Bob Dylan and the list goes on and on.   He was also the pipe smoking, wild hair bass player in the Blues Brothers.
–
Is It Possible To See It All 