SMOKEY BABE, SALLY DOTSON, and HiLLARY BLUNT: YOUR DiCE WON'T PASS

MRS. SiDNEY CARTER sings PHAROAH

SiD HEMPHiLL

Incredible post on fife and drum master Sid Hemphill, Grandfather to Jessie Mae Hemphill HERE


THX to Chris Johnson of The Deep Blues Festival for this!

THEE VERDUNS from France to MSP & The Deep Blues Festival

Thee Verduns shot by Heidi Kellner

BROKE and HUNGRY RECORDS is FOUR YEARS OLD

Broke and Hungry Records is celebrating it's fourth birthday. The label is home to the best new true delta blues recordings available. Ten wicked releases and counting. Label head Jeff Konkel reminisces:

(ST. LOUIS) – In October 2005, blues fan Jeff Konkel sat in a juke joint in rural Mississippi, lamenting the fact that so many of the region’s most compelling blues artists were unknown outside of the Delta. Over the course of the evening – and an untold number of beers – an idea began to take root. By the following month the hangover was long gone, but the idea had become a reality: Broke & Hungry Records was born.

The label was established to shine a light on some of the lesser-known rural blues musicians in the Delta. This month the label, which recently celebrated the release of its 10th title, looks back on four years of raw blues, damaged livers and questionable business decisions.

“It’s been a wild ride,” Konkel said. “I feel fortunate to have met and befriended so many great artists, juke owners, deejays, journalists and music lovers over the past four years. I’m also thrilled that the musicians we have worked with are now known and appreciated by blues fans around the globe.”

Below Konkel reflects on each of the seven CDs released by his label along with the three M For Mississippi titles released jointly by Broke & Hungry Records, Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art and Mudpuppy Recordings:

JIMMY “DUCK” HOLMES – BACK TO BENTONIA (BH1001)
“The CD that started it all. This was cut just days after I formed the label. The bulk of the record was cut at Jimmy’s juke joint, the Blue Front Cafe in Bentonia, Mississippi. He’s joined on several cuts by harp player Bud Spires, who’s best known for his work with Jimmy’s longtime mentor, the late Jack Owens. Jimmy and Bud had some ‘spirited’ disagreements during the session. Bud wanted more moonshine, while Jimmy preferred a more temperate approach to recording. Eventually a compromise was struck, and we ended up with some great music. A few days later Jimmy met us in Clarksdale for a second session with the great Sam Carr on drums. Sam was one of my musical heroes, so it was a thrill to work with him. This CD earned us a lot of attention and netted three Living Blues Awards. It’s still one of my favorites.”

ODELL HARRIS – SEARCHING FOR ODELL HARRIS (BH1002)
“Whatever challenges we faced in the recording of Back To Bentonia were child’s play compared to this record. For starters, I decided to record him sight unseen and music unheard. I’d received numerous reports that he was an amazing hill country guitarist who shared much in common with R.L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough. I’d also heard that Odell was as hard to find as an honest politician. Once I tracked him down, I knew I might not have another chance. We hastily arranged a session to be held after hours at a blues club on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. To our great surprise, Odell showed up. That’s when the real troubles began. He was uncomfortable with direction and showed an almost pathological resistance to singing into the microphone. To make matters worse, our relations with the club owner deteriorated rapidly when we “shushed” a few of his friends for talking during the session. The threat of pending violence hung in the air. At several points I considered shutting the session down and trying again later, but I knew later might never come. We persevered and eventually it all came together. We ended up with a rollicking, raucous record that is much loved by the handful of folks who have heard it. To no one’s great surprise, Odell once again dropped off the map after we cut the CD. We’re still searching for him.”

TERRY “BIG T” WILLIAMS & WESLEY “JUNEBUG” JEFFERSON - MEET ME IN THE COTTON FIELD (BH1003)
“This pairing was Roger Stolle’s idea. Although I had seen Big T and Wesley perform many times, both separately and together, I had never seen them play in the stripped down duo format found here. Roger – of Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art fame – had seen them as a duo and recommended I capture it. The acoustic stuff on the CD was recorded at Jimbo Mathus’ now-defunct studio in Clarksdale. The electric cuts, which found the duo expanded to a trio with drummer Lee Williams – was cut on a Sunday evening at Red’s Lounge, the favored juke of Big T and Wesley. Both artists acquit themselves beautifully on this disc, but my favorite cuts – “The Wolves Are Howling” and the title track – both belong to Wesley. They show him to be one of them most captivating songwriters in recent Delta blues history. The record definitely increased the profiles of both artists and it earned them a coveted slot at the 2007 Chicago Blues Festival. Within months of that triumph, Wesley was diagnosed with lung cancer. Sadly, he succumbed to the disease this summer. I’m proud to have captured some of his artistry during his lifetime.”

JIMMY “DUCK” HOLMES – DONE GOT TIRED OF TRYIN’ (BH1004)
“A couple of tracks on this CD were recorded at the November 2005 sessions for Back To Bentonia. The bulk, however, stem from a session held the following summer at the Blue Front. These recordings find Jimmy playing and singing with greater confidence, buoyed by the critical response to his debut. It rained like hell during that second session, and we had to stop several times because the microphones were picking up the sound of the rain slamming against the corrugated metal roofing. Lightnin’ Malcolm, better known as the guitarist in his duo with Cedric Burnside, joins Jimmy on drums for several cuts, giving the proceedings a slightly hill country feel. Mostly though, it’s just straight up Bentonia blues. This CD was another critical success and was nominated for a Blues Music Award for Acoustic CD of the Year.”

THE MISSISSIPPI MARVEL – THE WORLD MUST NEVER KNOW! (BH1005)
“This is definitely one of the crazier releases in our catalog . . . and that’s saying something. I happened upon this artist in the summer of 2006 playing at a rural Delta juke. I was immediately struck by the power of his voice and the raw sound he wrestled from his guitar. Over the course of the next year, I talked to him several times about recording, but he always demurred. Eventually I discovered that he was a deacon in a conservative black church that frowned on blues. Rather than risk alienation from his community, he turned down my offer to record. Never one to take ‘no’ for answer, I returned with the idea of recording him under a pseudonym and without using his picture. Thus, the Mississippi Marvel was born. The CD features the Marvel doing several solo acoustic numbers, including a powerful version of ‘Laundromat Blues,’ made famous by Albert King. There are also several raucous electric cuts. My favorite cut is a rollicking take on Muddy Waters’ little-known ‘Waterboy, Waterboy’ featuring Bill Abel on second guitar, Lightnin’ Malcolm on drums and Jimmy “Duck” Holmes blowing harp. So was the project worth all of the subterfuge? My accountant would say no, but my answer is a resounding ‘hell yes!’”

PAT THOMAS – HIS FATHER’S SON (BH1006)
“During the first several years of my love affair with blues, I listened almost exclusively to prewar blues, but during the mid-1990s I began listening to the newer rural artists of the Delta. One of my favorites was James “Son” Thomas. Sadly he died before I had a chance to meet him in person. Thankfully, his son Pat Thomas has kept the flame alive, performing many songs he learned at the foot of his father. This record was recorded over the course of two days at Bill Abel’s Big Toe Studio in Duncan, Mississippi. Pat was in great spirits, telling hilarious yarns on the way to and from his modest home in nearby Leland, Mississippi. My favorite of these was his harrowing (to him, at least) tale of his first and last airplane ride. His good humor carried over to the session, and Pat played his father’s songs with confidence and affection. This a sweet record that always makes me smile. Don’t miss the hidden track at the end!”

JIMMY “DUCK” HOLMES – AIN’T IT LONESOME (BH1007)
“Rural blues artists are a rarity these days. Rural blues artists who write new songs prolifically are practically nonexistent. Jimmy is in this latter category. Whenever he’s worked up a new batch, he calls to see about recording them. The songs on his latest CD were recorded during two sessions held a year apart. The first took place in a back room at the Blue Front in Bentonia on the same day we shot Jimmy’s segment for the film M For Mississippi (about which, more below). The second was held at the Big Toe Studio. To my ears, Jimmy has never sounded better. Critics seem to agree. Blues Bytes recently hailed the CD as ‘arguably Jimmy ‘Duck’ Holmes’ best release yet.’ Stand out tracks include the electric “All Night Long” with Lee Williams on drums and Jimmy’s mournful acoustic version of ‘That’s Alright.’”

M FOR MISSISSIPPI: A ROAD TRIP THROUGH THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE BLUES – DVD (M4M001)
“This was a harebrained idea that Roger Stolle and I cooked up over the course of a couple of years. We wanted to partner on a project that reflected the wild, unpredictable nature of the Delta blues scene as we – a couple of glorified fans – experienced it. Eventually we settled on the idea of doing a road trip film. We brought in some help in the form of cinematographer Damien Blaylock, audio engineer Bill Abel and co-producer Kari Jones of Mudpuppy Recordings. The film features some of our favorite blues artists: T-Model Ford, Jimmy ‘Duck’ Holmes, Terry ‘Harmonica’ Bean, Robert Belfour, L.C. Ulmer and many more. We shot the film in a week and released it on DVD just six months later. The film has screened at festivals across the globe and netted a bunch of awards including a Blues Music Award for DVD of the Year. It’s as close as we’ve come to a hit.”

M FOR MISSISSIPPI: MUSIC FROM THE MOTION PICTURE (M4M002)
“This is the first of two companion CD soundtracks to the film. It features a host of great performances, ranging from the driving title track by Big George Brock to the back porch blues of Cadillac John Nolden and Bill Abel performing ‘Give It All To Me, Baby.’ To my ears, the crown jewel of the set is the amazing ‘Rosalee’ by 80-year-old L.C. Ulmer of Ellisville, Mississippi. It’s an instant classic. This volume is also notable for containing the final recording of Wesley Jefferson, a full-band rendition of ‘The Wolves Are Howling.’ It’s a rousing and fitting epitaph for a great, under-appreciated bluesman.”

M FOR MISSISSIPPI: MORE MUSIC FROM THE MOTION PICTURE (M4M003)
“Released earlier this year, this second volume of the soundtrack to the film features another big batch of great blues from some of our favorite artists. These songs were recorded during the filming and most of them ended up in the finished movie. One performances that didn’t make the film is the version of “Walking the Back Streets” included on this volume. It features Wesley Jefferson’s band (minus Wesley) with Miss Gladys Kile on vocals. It’s got a brassy swagger that I love. Other highlights include T-Model Ford’s sweet acoustic take on ‘Hi-Heel Sneakers,’ the Mississippi Marvel’s menacing version of ‘Evil’ and another gem from L.C. Ulmer, ‘When I Was In Trouble.’ This CD and the preceding title give a great overview of the Delta blues today.”

As Broke & Hungry approaches 2010 – and its fifth anniversary – the label has several exciting projects in store. In the meantime, fans of rural blues can check out any of the label’s current titles at http://www.brokeandhungryrecords.com.

For more information on Broke & Hungry Records, contact the label at info@brokeandhungryrecords.com

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THE BONNEViLLES - GOOD SUiTS AND FIGHTiN' BOOTS!

One of my favorite albums of the year! Available HERE!

DO THE RUMP!

Thx to Chris "Wisconsin" Johnson
of The Deep Blues Festival for the upload!

A younger JUNiOR KiMBROUGH plays ALL NiGHT LONG

THX to Wisconsin Johnson for this version!

JUNiOR KiMBROUGH - ALL NiGHT LONG

The Maestro from his Juke via the classic documentary Deep Blues.
Buy it cheap HERE and while yr at it yr gonna want to pick up the Fat Possum Records
story You See Me Laughin' HERE featuring rare performances by Cedell Davis,
RL Burnside, T-Model Ford, Junior Kimbrough, Kenny Brown, Iggy, John Spencer and more!

R.L. BURNSiDE: 1998 French TV Show

Thx Shane Speal!

WHiTEY ON THE MOON

BUY iT!


BUY iT!

Ain't it a shame?

found via THiS BLOG

What The Deep Blues Festival is all about.

I was reading an article in the New York Times about music critic Robert Palmer, author of the seminal blues history book Deep Blues. In the article Anthony DeCurtis, editor of a new anthology of Palmer's writing entitled Blues and Chaos, says that in his view:

"Palmer had no interest in pop spectacle and craved music that had deep emotional power and broad ambitions. “Bob was all about essences,” .

I am sure that all those associated with The Deep Blues Festival, from the musicians to the fans would agree that that is what DBF is about as well.

Btw, Hand Of Fatima, a film made about Mr.Palmer by his daughter Augusta Palmer will be shown, along with other fantastic music related films, at this years Deep Blues Film Festival.

For more info on the Deep Blues Film Festival click HERE.

MUDLOW

Just a couple jams from our boys and Brighton's finest aka MUDLOW to get you through the night. From their first collection Mudlow Country:

So Long Lee MP3

Down In The Snow MP3

Filthy new album in the works!

The Music of: THE ACES

Really, I shouldn't dig these guys as much as I do. But I can't help myself. Everybody knows I got issues with harmonica players. They rarely know when to shut the hell up and let the song breath. The Aces harp man/singer Sky O'Bannion (I actually googled to see if he copped his name from a celluloid cowboy/super hero. Nope) gets my gripe and gives his fellow Aces plenty of room to breath and roll and that is seriously refreshing. Not enough bands understand that what you don't play is just as important as what you do. The Aces get it. If you're the type to judge the book by it's cover
you might think The Aces are just another Cali standard blues act. But to think that would be wrong. Yeah, they play in a more traditional form than a lot of the blues bands I dig but they also
rock it in a manner more coarse and driven than what I hear from the straighter, safer blues crews. Fact is they did quite well at the 2009 International Blues Challenge in Memphis placing in the top ten. Represent Sacto! This stylish and bass-less two guitar + drums n' harp unit happily gives trad blues a shiny sharp toed boot square in it's musty dusty emasculated-by-corporate-interests nethers and sends it forward into the past. That The Aces can achieve such a fine balance of rawass juke blues wrapped tight in a stylin' honest package is to be commended. The Aces would be just at home scaring the local blues society as they would be slappin' it down on The Deep Blues Festival stage. Their material is original and smart (they play almost no covers) and the sound is fresh and dark. I've been aware of these fellas for a few years now and things ain't always been bright. They've seen the dark end of the street, hence they know damn well of what they sing and play and they bring the sound what it feels like to be dangerously down. The Aces are a very live and tight hard working American blues band whose time has come. Today. The Aces are overblown, overdriven, and in complete control playing their un-modern blues in a fresh old modern way. That's how we like it. Check 'em.

The Aces debut album "No One Rides For Free" is available NOW
from yr friends at CDbaby!

You Stole Something From Me


Shed Some Light On Me


Knee Deep In Mud


Drinkin' Song

COAL

Mr.Wisconsin Johnson rocks a Hasil Adkins song on the diddley-bow

THE MUSiC OF: DOGBREATH

Good gawd what hath Sweden begot? Dogbreath is a taut n' hot, heavy punksoulaltblues thing from the land of whatever the hell happens over there. Dirty swede-filtered 'merican pants shakin' skirt liftin' blueblack rock and roll soul music from tomorrow played hard & husky. A beast with the soul of early Prince, the heart of D.Boon, the sexy hands of the Gang Of Four, and the throat & balls of the Wolf with a taste of the brains of each. Contorted pop sipping blues chugging post-Troutmask era Beefheart VS pre-Double Nickles era Minutemen-ness is what i'm talkin' about. Swede-style Burnside hill-stomp punk available in Xtra-crunchy and chunky-smooth.

I wrote the following about them after the release of their first album in 2004
(Now available as a FREE download from the DOGBREATH website!):

They rock much harder and groove far deeper than any band from Solleftea Sweden has a right too.
But then you remember Oh Yeah! Solleftea is a sister city to Madison Mississippi and it all makes sense.
Their album is the hottest thirty-four minutes I've spent in a very long time.
Mere words cannot do it justice. Only volume can. You'll soon find out why Solleftea is home to the worlds longest 2X4!

Three albums and an ep under their shiny black heavy leather hand hewn belts, Dogbreath shake their full figured alt-boogie 'til it starts to burn. These are the Swedish dudes yr mother warned you about.

Their new album Pale Face Baby is available HERE
DogBreath @ MySpace
DogBreath OnLine

Dogbreath has more -than-graciously given me permission to allow
You to steal these MP3s. Do iT then send them a Thank You note like yr mama taught ya.
A freakin' albums worth.
Serious.
Say thank you.

DOGBREATH - Gotta Go - MP3 from Taste It!
DOGBREATH - Gonna Be Me - MP3 from Dogbreath
DOGBREATH - Run Cold - MP3 from This Time ep
DOGBREATH - Around - MP3 from Dogbreath
DOGBREATH - Fuck It Up - MP3 from Taste It!
DOGBREATH - Stupid Itch - MP3 from Pale Face baby
DOGBREATH - A Heart That Breaks - MP3 from Pale face Baby

THE MUSiC OF: STAFF BENDA BiLiLi

Via The Guardian.co.uk:

From Kinshasa to your town:

The incredible rise of Staff Benda Bilili

They wanted to be 'the best handicapped band in Africa'.
They have become one of the most exciting live bands on the planet.
READ MORE.