- This topic has 10 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 8 months ago by .
-
Topic
-
Champion Jack Dupree recorded some really great blues in the 1950s. One of the reasons was the company he kept, Larry Dale (born Ennis Lowery, that was the name he used when he recorded with Champion Jack) and Mickey Baker were two of his main accompanists; this Blues Roots is going to focus on the three of them.
If you only have a little time, don’t miss “South of France Blues” in Mickey Baker’s section.
This was the week I had planned to attend the annual Blues and Swing Week at the Augusta Heritage Center of Davis & Elkins College (when this year’s concerts become available online, I’ll do a feature). Meanwhile, life intervened—next year for sure—and instead I’ve heard some great playing at Terra Blues, SaRon Crenshaw and his quartet were playing the best I’d ever heard them, and Bobby Radcliff, playing with an acoustic trio, was electrifying the house, as always. Both of these guys are the best of NYC blues. It isn’t Chicago (or Memphis or St. Louis), but I could do a feature on them and the scene here if there’s interest (the clips below aren’t from this week).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::C:H:A:M:P:I:O:N::::J:A:C:K::::D:U:P:R:E:E::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Champion Jack Dupree was an orphan, a boxer, a veteran, a bluesman and much more (check the link in his name for the Wikipedia overview).Some of his 1940s–1950s singles, collected in album form.
A test pressing recorded February 20, 1954 (no guitar, but oh what a sound).
Blues from the Gutter (recorded February 4, 1958), with Larry Dale
Champion Jack’s Natural & Soulful Blues , lots of the English rockers on here, including Alexis Korner (1960)
From New Orleans To Chicago with Eric Clapton playing guitar on the first and last songs, Tony McPhee of the Groundhogs playing wherever else guitar is heard (1966).
Champion Jack Dupree and His Blues Band featuring Mickey Baker (1967). Mickey Baker enters on the fourth song, “When Things Go Wrong” (his take on Tampa Red’s “It Hurts Me Too”), at 7:39—a case study in how to play lowdown blues guitar.
Here’s a page of YouTube albums, about 40, some are likely equal to the ones I’ve highlighted.
……………………………………M…i…c…k…e…y…………B…a…k…e…r……………………………………
“Midnight Midnight” from The Wildest Guitar, complete album in link (1959). The album is a mixed bag to my ears, some of it is very great, some isn’t—“Midnight Midnight” is one of the coolest instrumentals ever.
“South of France Blues,” top of the top of the top of the top
From The Blues and Me with Arnett Cobb (tenor), Willie Mabon (tenor) and Panama Francis (drums) on “Sweetie Cat”; with Jimmy Rogers (guitar) and The Aces (Louis Myers, harmonica, guitar; Dave Myers, bass; Fred Below, drums) on “Don’t Try to Play Me for a Clown” (1973)
“Blues Before Sunrise” (1975)
…………………………………………L…a…r…r…y………D…a…l…e…………………………………………
“Feelin’ All Right” (1955)
“Please Tell Me” (1955)
“Drinkin’ Wine-Spo-Dee-O-Dee” (1962)
“Rock a While” (1969)
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::T:W:O:::G:R:E:A:T:::B:L:U:E:S:::I:N:::A:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::A:R:H:O:O:L:I:E::::R:E:C:O:R:D:S::::A:R:C:H:I:V:E::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chris Strachwitz , founder, president and owner of Arhoolie Records, is first and foremost a fan and a scholar or the blues. His website contains so much valuable blues-related information, even a casual fan will probably find something that appeals to them.Here’s the site for Arhoolie Records. Here’s the far more valuable and interesting Arhoolie Foundation website .
This Earl Hooker interview is one of my favorites. If you don’t know who he is, check out this playlist.
[The Arhoolie Archive section, above, is a repeat from an earlier Blues Roots.]
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::L:O:W:D:O:W:N::::B:L:U:E:S:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
“High Rise Blues” is the latest addition to the playlist below. Chico Chism (leader, vocals), Eddie C. Campbell, Jimmy Dawkins (guitar), Billy “the Kid”
Emerson (piano), Smokey Smothers (bass), Lester Davenport (drums), 1979
Don D.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.