I’ll admit it – I’m a YouTube junkie when it comes to keeping an eye on blues guitar greats – past and present.
This little gem was posted recently showing the Mike Flanigin Trio featuring the one and only Jimmy Vaughan on guitar at the Upstairs portion of the Continental Club in Austin Texas.
The song is “Hey Baby” – the massive one-hit produced by Bruce Channel who has been linked in history to Delbert McClinton (a name that is perhaps better known).
The Continental has a rich history opening in Austin in 1957 that includes stints as a popular burlesque club where girls like “Bubbles” and “Candy” graced the stage. How could this NOT evolve into a blues club right?
The 1970’s are where the magic happened with incredible blues guitar acts were booked including the Vaughan Brothers (Stevie Ray and Jimmie in their own bands through the 70’s into the 80’s as well as guys like WC Clark – going to catch him at Ottawa’s Bluesfest this year – The Cobras – with SRV and without – Joe Ely, Leroy Parnell, the Sexton Brothers (Charlie of Arc Angles fame and now a constant fixture in Dylan’s road bands).
Not bad right?
Thing is, you rarely see the big names giving back like this anymore. They all came out of the Texas blues or honkeytonk scene, this clip gives us a glimpse into what it must have been like back in the blues guitar heydey in Austin, not to mention the active club scenes in both Dallas and Houston.
Filed under Blog by on May 1st, 2013. Comment. 
One of my favorite tunes off of Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s “The Way I Go” is Backwater Blues.
Written back in 1927 by Bessie Smith about a flood (some argue it is the great Mississippi flood but others will suggest her song was written prior to the great flood), numerous artists have recorded and performed this great blues tune…which brings me to Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s treatment.
Now I absolutely love the tone and style of KWS…many people see him as a disciple of Stevie Ray Vuaghan’s and sometimes the similarity is too close for the die-hard blues guitar fans.
Others will criticize him for his lack of singing…to me he is just a damn fine guitar player that has carried on the tradition of Southern Blues and continues to both stay true to the music and give credit where credit is due.
“When It Rains For Five Days…And The Sky Turns Dark As Night” – a great intro to a brilliant blues tune.
The song begins with approximately 1-minute of traditional piano treatment, then we get the slow burn of Kenny Wayne’s Texas Shuffle guitar, from there I would have to say this is one of my favorite KWS Band songs…
Here’s a performance – judge it for yourself:
Can’t wait to see Kenny Wayne and the band this July at Ottawa Blues Festival…a highlight for sure.
Have you caught Kenny Wayne recently? How was the show?
Filed under blues guitar by on Mar 22nd, 2013. Comment.
King of the Blues
Back to the Blues is what I would call this year’s theme for one of North America’s largest music festivals – the Ottawa Bluesfest…even though officially the theme is “Take Me To The River”.
Bluesfest started as JUST a blues festival back more than a decade and a half ago growing each year to incorporate more music, a wider range of music and broader themes.
Last year’s focus on Electro Dance Music was too much for the die-hard fans to take and many didn’t buy tickets or come at all.
The result is a re-balancing act this year, a hold-the-line budget (so they can reduce ticket prices which have gotten out of reach for many), as well as a return to the balanced blues, country, rock and yes some Electro Dance Music and Rap – something for everyone.
So, what’s on tap for blues fans?
How about the first ever visit from the Kind of the Blues, Mr. BB King…ok, I’m sold!
Add to that names like Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters, Joe Spencer Blues Explosion, Eddie Shaw and no doubt some great local acts as well like the Maple Blues Award Winners MonkeyJunk.
Still, one could argue, room for more blues, but it’s a good start to seeing the lineup become more balanced.
Some interesting and very talented country acts I can’t wait to see include the first visit by The Zach Brown Band and the rough country of Justin Townes Earl
Other highlights include RUSH, Weezer, Fun and yes…EDM guru’s Skrillex. Lord help me when my kids find out Skrillex is coming back!
You can see the full lineup here – there are still a couple of prime spots left for a few last-minute surprise headliners – any bets on who those will be?
Filed under Blues Festival by on Feb 27th, 2013. Comment.
Man if you are going to tackle one of the King’s (in this case Freddie King) classics you better be up for it, and in this case Derek Trucks, Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill of ZZTop led by Joe Bonamassa brought their A game.
Going Down is a classic Freddie King number that demands tons of energy, power and prowess – these 4 treat his legacy right on the night he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame…and you get to enjoy the outcome.
Just for kicks I thought I would throw the original down below so you can see how it was really done decades ago by the blues guitar master Freddie King. I don’t know about you, but when I see Freddie I can’t help but get “the bug” again and ramp up the energy no matter what I’m playing.
And now for the original by the late, great Mr King (take special note of the energy, power and sheer embodiment of the blues)
Draw the same conclusion I did?
Even though Bonamassa, Gibbons and Trucks brought their top playing, they can’t come close to the great Freddie King – do you agree? Leave us a comment and vote?
Filed under freddie king by on Oct 15th, 2012. 2 Comments.
Can’t get enough stories about the early melting pot as Austin became the Blues Guitar ground zero for the likes of the Vaughans, ZZTop, Johnny Winter and opened the scene again for guys like Buddy Guy, Albert King, Albert Collins and Hubert Sumlin…largely impacted by the legendary club Antones – it was really the perfect storm of talent, inspiration, experience and desire and out popped an incredible blues reincarnation.
Here’s one of my favorite interviews with Stevie Ray Vaughan – he was clean, sober, happy and you can see the true man in every response to these questions…watch this
By the way – if you haven’t picked up both volumes of the Craig Hopkins “Day By Day, Night After Night” inside SRV story, you MUST pick this up. There are so many personal stories, original family/friend pictures, private stories from his earliest friends, gig posters and thorough gig lists…I couldn’t put it down.
Two things I pulled out of these volumes…
1. SRV was NOT an overnight success, he put in years of nightly gigs to pay his dues and learn the blues -by the time Texas Flood was released he was likely more experienced than most professional musicians at the end of their careers
2. He was, in many ways, a genius – gifted with an amazing ear and a passion for the guitar that dwarfed anything else in life…just as Steve Jobs obsessed over technology, SRV obsessed over the blues guitar. The books were incredibly insightful and interesting.
Filed under stevie ray vaughan by on Sep 3rd, 2012. Comment.
I never stop being amazed at the difference BB King has made not only to the world of music, but to the world in general. It’s usually not until someone passes on (and BB is far from that point…) that we learn of the stories of how generous and giving someone has been throughout their life. Yet with BB, we know that he CONSTANTLY puts his energy into helping troubled youth, gives back to his Southern communities and really is THE ambassador for the blues.
Case in point is the BBKing Blues Museum close to where BB was born and in the community (Indianola MS) where music is of course front and center, but so is education about the delta, its people and programs to support creativity and self-confidence. Along the way we get to learn about the inspiring story of how a sharecropper’s son made it from Indianola in the delta to Memphis and then the world. His has never been a story about his own greatness, it is rather about what is possible…what anyone can do to follow in his footsteps when you hang on to hope and optimism over fear and pessimism.
Has there ever been a more important time for such a message?
It seems that BB King’s message is just as important today for the world as it was 60-years ago.
Here’s a quick video on the museum – I know I have it on my top 10 list for travel. If you have visited the BB King museum, let us know your thoughts – leave a comment.
Filed under bb king by on Sep 1st, 2012. Comment.
Dance halls, Juke joints, seedy bars, the local watering hole, larger arenas and intimate theaters – blues music has always been about connecting with the people and pulling them in emotionally in as honest and pure a way as possible.
A top-notch blues shows IS about the performance, but it’s not about the flash, electronics and light show as much as it is about the energy, the passion, and empathy as the performer reaches deep into the heart of their fans and wins them over many times during a performance.
That’s why blues shows are so memorable…that’s exactly how I was hooked when I saw my first Stevie Ray Vaughan show way back in the 1980’s and have been to thousands of blues shows since.
Recently, BB King came back to Indianola for his annual BB King’s Homecoming performance (a community where King used to pick cotton as a youngster) for such an intimate performance where once again blues guitar royalty led the way guiding today’s young artists in the direction of becoming CLOSER to their audience than more distant.
At 86 King is the elder statesman – everything he does, you can be sure, is watched by those who are on the way up in blues music, so these sorts of situations are very important to the future of the blues where the past comes together with the present and guides the future.
King has always worn the ambassador’s role well – knowing that if he can attract the kids and teens not only can he keep them from getting into trouble, giving them an alternative path in life, but also keep the blues alive and well for generations to come.
By all accounts King allowed a young group of 11-14 year old’s (part of a rock ensemble from Clarksdale MS) to come aboard his “home” – his tour bus – to have a chat. Following that intimate encounter, he performed inches from his audience on a grass hill, connecting with his ecstatic audience.
The blues has always been about connecting with the audience…I have met many of my blues mentors at clubs or shows, that wouldn’t happen at today’s rock or pop shows. Intimacy is just another key human value that keeps the blues alive.
Filed under bb king by on Aug 28th, 2012. Comment.
It still seems like yesterday when I heard the devastating news of SRV’s death in a helicopter crash after a show at Alpine Valley. Yet, incredibly it is 22-years later and the flame burns ever brighter.
Stevie Ray continues to influence a generation of guitar players, continues to inspire those who find themselves mired in addiction and I believe continues to bless us with his spirit each and every day.
In an era of electronic music, selfish interests and celebrity – it reminds me of the eighties when Stevie hit with his authentic, raw talent single-handed re-invigorating the guitar and music with feeling…god we could use him NOW!
Our hope today is with guys like Joe Bonamassa and Doyle Bramhall II as well as Gary Clark Jr can pull us through. With Stevie, you go it all – incredible talent, that unique ability to channel raw emotion through an instrument, fundamentally kind soul and the ambition of a leader…those qualities don’t come along everyday and that’s why we may never again see another SRV.
For now, here are a couple of reminders of what we had, how we were blessed, what we lost and what (god willing) we may again see one day…
In this interview, Stevie shares some great opinions and views on the music business, blues and how we got his start as well as an amazingly well spoken explanation of his addiction struggles…
Love his answer to the question “Why do you think you appeal to the masses?” – SRV’s answer “Because I try my best to play the music that I love – it’s HONEST!”
And here is an interview with his band (Double Trouble) drummer Chris Layton…some additional insights into his past playing with Stevie Ray – explaining him as a “Kind Soul” and “Gentle” – pretty much sums it up…
Don’t know about you, I’m just happy to have witnessed and been inspired by Stevie Ray and Double Trouble.
Do you have a favorite memory of seeing Stevie – leave a comment and let everyone know.
Filed under stevie ray vaughan by on Aug 27th, 2012. 2 Comments.
Started recording some stuff this afternoon, intended on laying down a clean version of Freddi King’s Hideaway on my recently purchased Blues Deluxe Amp, but it just wasn’t happening. Then I ended up in this G Blues Shuffle that sounds not bad – a few mistakes along the way, but not a bad version – what do you think?
[mc id=”205″ type=”audio”]Blues Shuffle In G[/mc]
Filed under blues guitar, Jeff Smith by on Aug 19th, 2012. Comment.
I happened to be on Twitter (why not connect over at http://www.twitter.com/highertrust ) this past week heaping some praise on local legend in the making JW Jones for some of his latest work when we started exchanging posts about how he constantly seems to be linking up with blues legends in the process of carrying out his own blues guitar and music career.
In the process of our exchanges he pointed me to the video below where he explains how persistence, patience, focus, and some networking led to the opportunity working with Kim Wilson (front-man for the Fabulous Thunderbirds – one of the top Texas blues bands EVER!). If you have dreams of building your own blues or music career, listen to the lessons that JW shares in the intro of this video – oh yes, and the song isn’t bad either.
By the way – “Time To Move On” is from his 2002 CD “Bogarts Bounce”, you can also check out his latest work
Here’s a great promo video for Seventh Hour – his latest hot CD, you’ll definitely want to pick this one up.
Filed under blues guitar by on Aug 19th, 2012. Comment.
