Our friend and blues great Vasti Jackson serves up a tastey Thanksgiving song for everyone today! Hear a snippet here and go pick up a copy of the song to enjoy all day long!
Tina Turner (Anna Mae Bullock) was born this day in 1939 in Nutbush, TN. From her early days with Ike to her massively successful solo years, Tina proved nobody could put on a show like she could. She was inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1991. Here's some highlights showcasing some of her blues leaning songs...
Joseph Vernon Turner Jr. ("Big" Joe Turner) died this day in 1985. He was known as "The Boss Of The Blues" but also had a big effect on Elvis Presley, Bill Haley, Johnny & Dorsey Burnette and others that covered his tunes. Here's some select tunes from his great catalog as well as some choice covers...
"Shake, Rattle & Roll"- Big Joe Turner
"Shake, Rattle & Roll"- Bill Haley & His Comets
"Shake, Rattle & Roll/ Flip Flop Fly"- Elvis Presley
The Beatles On Air: Live At The BBC Volume 2 was just recently released and now we are presented with this wonderful new music video to their cover of Buddy Holly's "Words Of Love".
For his 100th album, Cliff Richard gets back to his early rock roots for The Fabulous Rock 'N' Roll Songbook. Sir Cliff Richard is in top form covering his favorites from the era. Here's a complete track listing:
1. Rip It Up 2. Wake Up Little Susie 3. Poetry In Motion 4. Sealed With a Kiss 5. Stood Up 6. Such a Night 7. School Days 8. Teddy Bear & Too Much (medley) 9. Don't Let Go 10. Dream Lover 11. Stuck on You 12. Fabulous 13. Rave On 14. Johnny B. Goode 15. One More Sunny Day
Bonnie Raitt was born this day in 1949. Raitt has released 18 albums so far (including her most recent Souls Alike). She has incorporated Blues, Soul, Folk, Country and Rock into her recordings. Her biggest commercial hits came along in the early 90's with the hugely successful string of hits like "Something To Talk About", "Love Sneakin' Up On You", "I Can't Make You Love Me" and others. Her love for the Blues came from spending time with Dick Waterman (an important Blues concert promoter) while in college in the late 60's. Soon she found herself playing clubs with the likes of Howlin' Wolf, Son House, Mississippi Fred McDowell, John Lee Hooker and other blues legends. Raitt was inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2000. Enjoy some select video choices from Raitt's career here...
Ike Turner was born this day in 1931 in Clarksdale, MS. Years before he started a duo career with Tina Turner, Ike played key roles with his band "Kings Of Rhythm" in early Rock & Roll and blues. In fact, many regard a recording called "Rocket 88" that featured Ike on the piano (song credited to Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats) to be the first rock and roll record. This recording has one of the first examples of guitar distortion. This was a result of the amp falling off the truck and puncturing the speaker en route to record this song with Sam Phillips in Memphis. The piece of paper and tape used to fix the amp gave it that distorted sound. Check it out here...
Jack White and the fine people at Third Man Records have taken the preservation of blues and roots music to a higher level. This new set of Paramount Records recordings is stunning. They've described this not as a box set but as a piece of furniture. The handcrafted box is just the beginning. You get 6 180 gram records pressed on burled chestnut vinyl with hand engraved, blind-embossed gold-leaf labels. The USB drive has 800 songs from 127 artists. There's so much more to this set. It's a bit pricey but it's also one of the most unique sets you're likely to ever find. Read more about it and order HERE