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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!


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Showing posts with label Oklahoma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oklahoma. Show all posts

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Casual Talk between Buddies - Little Smokey Smothers - Pinetop Perkins - Elvin Bishop


Joseph William Perkins (July 7, 1913 – March 21, 2011), known by the stage name Pinetop Perkins, was an American blues musician, specializing in piano music. He played with some of the most influential blues and rock and roll performers in American history, and received numerous honors during his lifetime including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and induction into the Blues Hall of Fame.



Little Smokey Smothers (January 2, 1939– November 20, 2010)Albert Abraham "Abe" Smothers was born in Tchula, Mississippi, learned guitar at the age of 15, and relocated to Chicago two years later. He soon appeared on stage playing alongside Arthur “Big Boy” Spires, Magic Sam, Otis Rush and Lazy Bill Lucas. In 1958 he joined up with Howlin' Wolf, and played on Wolf's recording session for Chess Records the following year. Tracks Smothers contributed to included "I've Been Abused," "Howlin' for My Darling," and "Mr. Airplane Man."


In 1961 he founded Little Smokey Smothers and the Pipeplayers. He later met Paul Butterfield and became a founding member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. He was replaced in the band by Elvin Bishop, but developed a friendship that lasted a lifetime. Throughout the 1960s Smothers appeared with Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Earl Hooker, and Junior Wells. Musical opportunities dried up in the 1970s, and Smothers worked in construction. He re-appeared in the 1980s with The Legendary Blues Band. Their 1989 recording, Woke up with the Blues, included contributions from Smothers.

In 1993, Bishop made a guest appearance on Smothers first solo album with the Dutch Black Magic label, Bossman! The Chicago Blues of Little Smokey Smothers. The recording also included work from Smothers' cousin, Lee "Shot" Williams. Bishop and Smothers played at the 1993 Chicago Blues Festival. Smothers had open heart surgery in 1995, but the following year issued Second Time Around. Smothers performed at the 1999 San Diego Blues Festival, and at a party for Mick Jagger's 55th birthday.


Alligator Records then issued That's My Partner (2000), a live album recorded in San Francisco, which saw Smothers reunited with Bishop.Smothers also appeared at the 2000 Chicago Blues Festival. In 2006 Smothers and Bishop played live at the Ground Zero club in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Latterly Smothers experienced health problems, and had both legs amputated due to diabetes.

In 2009, Bishop compiled the benefit album, Chicago Blues Buddies, incorporating recordings made by Smothers and Bishop dating back to 1992. Proceeds from the album helped to pay for Smothers' medical costs.


On November 20, 2010, after a spell in a Chicago hospital, Smothers died of natural causes.



Elvin Bishop (born October 21, 1942)
is an American blues and rock and roll musician and guitarist.
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Saturday, June 11, 2011

Little Brown Bird - Elvin Bishop


Bishop was born in Glendale, California, and grew up on a farm near Elliott, Iowa. His family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, when he was ten years old. There he attended Will Rogers High School, winning a full scholarship to the University of Chicago as a National Merit Scholar finalist. Upon graduation, he moved to Chicago in 1960 to attend school, where he majored in physics. In 1963, he met harmonica player Paul Butterfield in the neighborhood of Hyde Park and joined Butterfield's blues band, with whom he remained for five years. Their third album, The Resurrection of Pigboy Crabshaw, takes its name from Bishop's nickname. In 1968 he went solo and formed the Elvin Bishop Group, also performing with Bloomfield and Al Kooper on their album titled The Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper.

In March 1971, The Elvin Bishop Group and The Allman Brothers Band co-billed a series of concerts at the Fillmore East. Bishop joined The Allman Brothers Band onstage for a rendition of his own song, "Drunken Hearted Boy". Over the years, Bishop has recorded with many other blues artists including Clifton Chenier and John Lee Hooker. In late 1975, he played guitar for a couple of tracks on Bo Diddley's The 20th Anniversary of Rock 'n' Roll album, and in 1995, he toured with B.B. King.


Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby - Elvin Bishop


Elvin Bishop (born October 21, 1942) is an American blues and rock and roll musician and guitarist.Bishop was born in Glendale, California, and grew up on a farm near Elliott, Iowa. His family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, when he was ten years old. There he attended Will Rogers High School, winning a full scholarship to the University of Chicago as a National Merit Scholar finalist. Upon graduation, he moved to Chicago in 1960 to attend school, where he majored in physics. In 1963, he met harmonica player Paul Butterfield in the neighborhood of Hyde Park and joined Butterfield's blues band, with whom he remained for five years. Their third album, The Resurrection of Pigboy Crabshaw, takes its name from Bishop's nickname. In 1968 he went solo and formed the Elvin Bishop Group, also performing with Bloomfield and Al Kooper on their album titled The Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper.

In March 1971, The Elvin Bishop Group and The Allman Brothers Band co-billed a series of concerts at the Fillmore East. Bishop joined The Allman Brothers Band onstage for a rendition of his own song, "Drunken Hearted Boy". Over the years, Bishop has recorded with many other blues artists including Clifton Chenier and John Lee Hooker. In late 1975, he played guitar for a couple of tracks on Bo Diddley's The 20th Anniversary of Rock 'n' Roll album, and in 1995, he toured with B.B. King.
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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Raisin' Hell Review - Elvin Bishop


Now here's a cd that I have been waiting for for quite some time. Elvin Bishop has been one of my favorite performers for as long as I can remember. He's a stellar guitar player with huge chops! He's seen it all, He's done it all! This cd is his first live cd in a while and was recorded on last years Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise. If you haven't done this, it's a must for blues fans. The party never stops and that's why Elvin "Crabshaw" Bishop is perfect for this type of venue.



When I first heard Elvin he was playing with Paul Butterfield and I was blown away. Skinny tie and Black suit. Some quick research told the story of the white kid genius who left left Oklahoma to study physics at University of Chicago but really went there under the guise of being close to the heart of the blues he was hearing on his radio at home. He met Paul Butterfield and joined forces playing traditional blues music. If you haven't caught my earlier post of Bishop playing at the Fillmore stop now and go find it. He set the place on fire. This clip appears live in the movie 'Fillmore: The Last Days'. Just outrageous!

After his stint with Butterfield, Bishop put out a number of solo albums with a mix of blues, country and Bishop. Wild guitar and clever lyrics.
Oh yeah...you want to know about the new cd!!

13 tracks that include some new and some tried and true.

Opens with Callin' All Cows - Elvin is this song! Check out the slide work!!
Who Lotta Lovin" can't say enough.... great guitars and groove!
Fooled Around...if you from this planet you really know it... great soloing again!
What the Hell is Goin" On - Pure Elvin... how do you write that if Elvin is on it it's great!
Down in Virginia...good harmonica... great guitar work!
Rock My Soul... a little break from traditional sound with a picked up end...nice touch! Everyone gets a time to solo on this one!
Cryin' Fool... I know this is a collaboration but this is a perfect song for Elvin's voice...but he lets Red Dog do his barkin... cool sax work featured on this track.
River Invitation fits nicely into the album but is just a taste of what's to come...
Dyin' Flu Elvin talks the blues to us...and then kicks it into overdrive!!
Tore Up Over You features the band and is a good tune.
It Hurt's Me Too... Elvin plays the serious blues!
Bye Bye Baby ... get that last dose of Elvin...it's over. Time to play it again!

Let me just start off by saying just cause Bishop is telling jokes and making funny limericks, doesn't mean he ain't serious about what he's doing. What he's serious about doing is having a good time and making sure that everyone else does too. He features some great supporting players including John Nemeth on vocals and harmonica, Finis Tasby on vocals, Terry Hanck on sax and vocals, Kid Anderson on guitar, Ed Early on trombone, vocals and percussion, Steve Willis on piano, accordion and vocals, Bob Welsh on guitar, Bobby Cochran on drums and vocals, Ruth Davies on bass and Lisa Leu Andersen on vocals but lets cut the BS. We are listening to this cd to hear Bishop sing and grind away on his 345 and he does both!!

Bishop comes up with the best lyrics, gravel voice and fat woody guitar sounds known to man and this cd is no exception. Now I'm not a big pop music fan so Fooled Around and Fell in Love ain't my favorite... but hey...a man's gotta make a living and if you look at his then followup cd (Small Town Boy Makes Good) even he makes good light of it. (If you haven't caught his cd's with Little Smokey Smothers...gotta do that too!!)

Do you get the feeling yet that I love Elvin Bishop music. There is rarely a musician that I can honestly say is a pure joy to watch and listen to. Elvin Bishop is one in a million and I hope that he keeps crankin' for all of us!

Friday, May 13, 2011

Raisin' Hell Review - Elvin Bishop


Well, He's done it again. Elvins got a new cd coming out.

Blues legend Elvin Bishop follows up on his acclaimed 2010 album Red Dog Speaks when Delta Groove Records releases the guitarist's live Raisin' Hell Revue on May 17, 2011. Recorded live on board last fall's Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, the new collection takes on a truly raucous party atmosphere. Bishop is assisted by veteran blues vocalist Finis Tasby, singer and harp slinger John Nemeth, guitarist Kid Anderson, and saxophonist Terry Hanck. The album's song selection runs the gamut from smoky blues and roots-rock to up-tempo R&B and even a little gospel. Nemeth fronts the vocals on Bishop's classic "Fooled Around And Fell In Love," adding his soulful flourishes to Mickey Thomas's original twangy delivery.

Gonna have to wait till I get my copy to get a review!
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Saturday, April 30, 2011

Little Brown Bird - Elvin Bishop


I think I warned you I love Elvin Bishop. If you haven't had the chance...see him!
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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Tales of Travel Woe


In the seventies Super Stars like Leon Russell drove a van... Leon...a super Star? Oh Yeah. Man had an entourage that included Leon Russell – vocals, guitar, piano, organ, Jesse Ed Davis – guitar, Claudia Lennear – vocals, Jim Price – organ, Jim Keltner – drums, Jim Gordon – drums, Barry Beckett – organ, Chuck Blackwell – drums, Joey Cooper – guitar, vocals, John Gallie – organ, Roger Hawkins – drums, David Hood – bass, Jimmy Johnson – guitar, Kathi McDonald – vocals, Don Preston – guitar, vocals, Carl Radle – bass, Chris Stainton – guitar and Jimmy Page. Not to regurgitate just to talk but this band is incredible. Jim Gordon and Carl Radle were both Dominos in Eric and Duane's band.Roger Hawkins band turned into The Band (earlier featuring Duane Allman), Chris Stainton probably played as session piano for every brit super player on the planet... I could go on. Lets just say... the road life ani't easy.
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Monday, April 11, 2011

The Sky Is Crying - Elvin Bishop

Can't say it too many times... Elvin Bishop is amazing. Here is some early footage of Elvin playing his old beat up 345 and crankin out the Chicago blues.
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Small Town Boy Makes Good- Elvin Bishop


Another player who is only loosely associated with the blues primarily because he was once in the Paul Butterfield Blues Band is Elvin Bishop. Now Elvin is the real deal. He prefers to stick to his old country roots but the boy can play and he knows the blues like nobody's business. If you haven't had the chance to check out this stellar album... there's the tip. He does a great version of Things That I used to Do by Guitar Slim as well and it smokes.
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