On this day in 1918 one of the most influential blues musicians was born Elmore James. While James passed before I started listening to music big-time, He certainly influenced many of the artist that I’ve listened to through the years and his legacy lives on there are several covers of his classic “Dust My Broom” in my music library. Here’s some background from Wikipedia:
So on a sad note, Max Stalling posted this to his Facebook Page this AM:
Folks, on a somber note, I’d like to take a moment to note the passing of Bruce Kidder, former DJ at KHYI 95.3 The Range (OFFICIAL) in Dallas (and KFAN/Fredericksburg prior to that). He was crusty and cranky on air and only partly like that in real life. He was a supporter of music and songwriters and became my friend. He was an old school DJ/radio personality with real opinions and attitudes about music and topics. He picked up on my music and put it into regular rotation. I will miss him and my condolences go out to his wife Julie, all his family and anyone else who had the good fortune of knowing him.
So the other day I put several albums on the IPod to listen to, one I’ve already written about Tiger Maple String Band’s Coming Home and last night on the way to Target and back home I had a chance to listen to part of Nels Andrews latest Scrimshaw.The thing about listening to an album like this in the car is that you need to pay attention more to the road than to the music, when in fact the music demands more attention!! From the not real great listen that I gave the album, I could tell that it’s special. So special, that Jim Blum at NPR’s Folk Alley picked ‘Scrimshaw‘ in his top records of 2012 and Dutch popmagazine Heaven put Scrimshaw in its top 10 for 2012. writer Pieter Wijnstekers places it in fine company, with Iris DeMent, Phantom Limb, Rose Cousins, Glen Hansard, Husky, Gretchen Peters, Anais Mitchell and Kathy Mattea.
So last night I was checking out the Roots Music Report for some new music, and there at No 45 sat a band named Tiger Maple String Band. Their name looked interesting. I usually like bands with String Band in their name because that evokes in me thought of old timey music and tthat’s what I heard when I gave their recent release Coming Home a listen. I recognized a couple of old Appalachian standards mixed in with some great instrumentals. I love those instrumentals Here’s what they say about their music – from their website:!
Ok, so the first time I listened to Joe Louis Walker , I really wasn’t that impressed. I even forget the first album I listened to, but the other night I listened to the first few tracks of his latest album Hellfire and I knew that this one was going on the iPod! Not only that but I think it’s one of my favorite blues albums of the YEAR! Evidently the Blues Music Association agrees and has nominated Walker in four categories! They include: B.B King Entertainer Of The Year, Contemporary Blues Album, Contemporary Blues Male Artist and Gibson Guitar and I think the nominations are well deserved. Here’s some other press from his website:
I first heard Chris Wall’s music through Jerry Jeff Walker’s cover of his songs. The racious “Trashy Women” and the sublime “I Feel Like Hank Williams Tonight” both appeared on Jerry Jeff’s Live at Gruene Hall album. “I Feel Like Hank Williams Tonight” is one of my favorite all-time songs songs!
