News & Updates — blues

"The King of the Slide Guitar", Elmore James tinkered with electronics in his brother's shop to create his raw amplified sound. He hit in '52 with "Dust My Broom" (from his first leader session) and "The Sky Is Crying" is oft-covered. With his wicked slide, "violent" sound and soulful vocal he was a major influence on both subsequent bluesmen and British & US rockers alike (especially Jimi Hendrix and the Allman Brothers). We give a nod to Elmore on his birthday. Check out "Dust My Broom":

The much loved R&B icon Etta James sang classics like "Tell Mama", "I'd Rather Go Blind", "At Last", "Seven Day Fool", the funky "All The Way Down" and many more. A Los Angeles native, she started singing in the church as a child. She got an early jump when Johnny Otis helped nurture her young career before she signed with Chess in 1960, her label for many years. She dated BB King, sang with Chuck Berry, toured with the Rolling Stones and her music covered doo-wop, gospel, ballads, R&B, blues, jazz, soul, funk & rock. Dig one of my faves...

Blind Willie Johnson, the gospel blues singer/guitarist from Texas was responsible for one of the single most haunting songs in the American song canon, "Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground" (a song which has been sent into outer space). Allegedly blinded by his stepmother in an act of revenge against his father, Johnson's hard life included living in the streets and in the ruins of his burned-down home. While ill, he was refused admittance at a hospital due to being black and blind, dying with no treatment. Here is that deeply stirring song as we celebrate his birthday...

Here is the brand new video for Ray Lugo's "Now". 'Now" is a meditation on the importance of the present moment and redirecting the mind away from a past we cannot change or a future we seldom control. SHARE if you recognize and let's go forward with clear thoughts. Featuring some frequent collaborators with Ray (Terrificos, Kokolo, Boogaloo Destroyers, L.E.S. Express): "Big respect to the talented artists who worked on this tune and made it shine: Ian Toole: Guitar, Keys, Casey Howard: Saxophone, Andy Averbuch: Guitar Jake Fader: Guitar Mixed by: Dusty Mastered by:Adam Boose. All blessings to you, fellas."...

It's always legit to have Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears back on the scene with new music and a tour. The veteran Austin TX-based band has several raucous records and are an entertaining live act. Boozy & garagey, they mix R&B, punk & blues with Daptone-esque horns, a concoction that is groovy and nasty. Taken from their forthcoming fifth LP Backlash, produced by Stewart Sikes (Loretta Lynn, Cat Power) and out Feb 10, "PTP" (Power to the Pussy) is a sexually charged romp of a song that sounds like Stax-gone-garage. They've made a fun animated video for the tune...