Being from Canada and a big blues guitar fan Colin James is one Canadian artist I have followed consistently over the last 22-years, since his first self-titled debut “Colin James” was released. Though now with him living out in Western Canada, we don’t get to see him as much as I would like.
Colin was rooted in the blues at an extremely early age, was touched by the magic of fellow blues guitar slinger Stevie Ray Vaughan as a teen and has since gone on to be one of the most diverse, entertaining and creative artists in Canadian music history.
While Colin always stays rooted in the blues, he hasn’t been afraid to mix it with equal parts jazz, jump jazz, country and pop – we never know what we are getting from Colin next, but rest assured it will be worth listening to.
Here is a cool clip from a recent Canadian tour where Colin does some mean acoustic blues guitar with a rhythm that just won’t quit. Sounds like his is mixing parts from a few blues classics in here – definitely Rock Me Baby is mixed in, but it is the acoustic guitar work that really makes this clip interesting – take a watch.
How’s that for some nifty finger-picking and with the old I-IV-V chord progression?
Filed under blues guitar, Blues Legends, New Blues by on Jan 30th, 2010. Comment. 
There is no retirement in the blues music world for sure, but surely at age 84 and 73 – blues guitar greats BB King and Buddy Guy could be excused for laying low and not wanting to put on so many bus miles, yet they continue to amaze with fairly full schedules.
Today we hear about these brilliant blues kings hitting Caesars Atlantic City on February 13th – a must see show for anyone who understands the influence on music these two giants have had.
Just take a look at Buddy’s travel schedule for shows over the next couple of months, whew – not sure I could keep up with this..(he’s even making his way over to Australia for some shows in March!)
All of this after a series of shows Buddy Guy has played at his own “Buddy Guy’s Legends” famous Chicago blues club. Back in September news was released of an impending move of Buddy’s Legends club, it turns out plans are made and within the next few months he will be moving from his latest location.
I have been to Legends 4 times and always make it a point to stop there if I’m in Chicago for any length of time – it is a MUST visit no matter what night of the week. Here’s the Legends website to keep track of things as they wind down their current location and get ready to start another.
We are so lucky to have BB and Buddy still with us, I’m hoping to catch BB later in the Fall of 2010 when he visits Ottawa and the great National Arts Center — something to look forward to for sure!
Filed under bb king, blues guitar by on Jan 31st, 2010. Comment.
The Recording Academy has recognized one of the last remaining touring delta blues blues guitar players David “Honeyboy” Edwards. According to the Academy…”The Lifetime Achievement Award honors lifelong artistic contributions to the recording medium” – a full press release can be found here
Pretty good company too including musicians: Leonard Cohen, Michael Jackson, Loretta Lynn, Bobby Darin, Andre Previn, and Clark Terry spanning blues, pop, country and jazz…just the way music should be.
At the ripe young age of 94, “Honeyboy” is still actively touring putting me in mind of the great Pinetop Perkins – dedicating their lives to blues music.
Born in 1915 and having known Robert Johnson when he was growing up, it is so important that we listen, learn and appreciate guys like Honeyboy – they are the history of blues guitar.
Honeyboy Edwards was known for songs including “Long Tall Women Blues” and “Just Like Jesse James” – this is one of my favorites, just listen to the blues guitar work on this one – sweet…
Filed under blues guitar, delta blues by on Jan 31st, 2010. Comment.
