musicology #0613
08 Dec 2010 1 Comment
in America, blues, Christmas, Rhythm&Blues Tags: christmas blues mp3, Christmas music, Christmas Rhythm and Blues mp3, Gatemouth Moore mp3, themusicologist
ChristmasComing #6
Gatemouth Moore – Christmas Blues
Today’s cut is courtesy of little known prewar blues icon, powerhouse singer and influential composer Arnold Dwight “Gatemouth” Moore, who turned his back on the world of ‘popular’ music in the late 40′s to serve as a minister, (preceeding the host of Gospel singers who went the ‘other way’ in the years that followed). Superb downtempo festive cut from the man whose nom de plume was a reference to the strength of his voice.
musicology #0607
04 Nov 2010 5 Comments
in America, blues, mod/ern/ist, Rhythm and Jazz, Rhythm&Blues, Rock and Roll Tags: 1938, amos milburn, Big Joe Turner mp3, Blues 'N' Rhythm mp3, Boogie woogie, Count Basie, ike turner, Jump, Kansas City, Louis Jordan, mod/ern/ist music, pete johnson mp3, Rocket 88, Roll 'Em Pete mp3, roots of rock and roll, themusicologist, Wynonnie Harri
Blues’N'Rhythm #2
Joe Turner & Pete Johnson – Roll ‘Em Pete
As important as Sam Cooke was to Soul, Big Joe took Jump, Boogie Woogie, Blues and Rhythm rolled them all up into a package and fathered Rock & Roll. Of course there were others who contributed, (Louis Jordan, Count Basie, Amos Milburn, Wynonnie Harris to name but 4), and as with all ‘Popular’ music no one person was responsible but as Doc Pomus is quoted to have said “Rock & Roll would never have happened without him…and as previously mentioned on themusicologist the dynamic duo’s late 40′s cut ‘Rocket 88 Boogie’ was the ‘inspiration’ behind Ike Turner’s seminal ‘Rocket 88′, a tune that has long been canonised into Rock and Roll history..
Today’s cut was recorded in the Big Apple on December 30th 1938…I’ll repeat that 1938 and released on a Columbia 78, which I was planning on laying down here but in truth it’s a piece scratchy !! so instead it’s the (top quality 24 bit), remastered version that certainly does the original justice….I can only imagine what it would have been like to witness these two in action back in Kansas City in the 1930′s a musical hotbed that kicked every bit as hard as Chicago, New Orleans and New York…Roll ‘Em Pete….
musicology #0606
02 Nov 2010 1 Comment
in America, blues Tags: 1934, amos milburn, blues mp3, Bobo Stomp mp3, charles brown, Count Basie, Leroy Carr mp3, Muddy Waters, ray charles, Rhythm and Blues, Scrapper Blackwell mp3, T-Bone Walker, themusicologist, Vocalion
Blues’N'Rhythm #1
Leroy Carr & Scrapper Blackwell – Bobo Stomp
Sliding out of the Cool Ruler tribute, (farewell Don Gregory gone but NEVER forgotten), into a new selection..
Don’t know how many of you are aware of the two Cats on this recording? but one in particular, (pianist, vocalist and songwriter Leroy Carr), almost originated the sophisticated Urban Blues style which in turn led to Rhythm & Blues.
Many a Rhythm & Blues legend such as Count Basie, Charles Brown, Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, Amos Milburn, T-Bone Walker, (to name a few), paid tribute to Leroy Carr.
Before Leroy, blues was distinctly ‘Country’…raw, rough and ready. Jazz was the ‘Urban’ sound for obvious reasons but it was, (predominantly), Leroy Carr who made the change and inspired all the Big Town Playboy’s who followed in his footsteps..from the Slick suits to the conversational, laid back style of singing and playing it begins with Leroy Carr in 1928 with his recording of ‘How Long, How Long Blues’ who epitomised ‘Urban Slick’. Today’s cut was recorded with his partner and friend Francis ‘Scrapper’ Blackwell in New York City on August 16th 1934 and released as a 78 on Vocalion. Leroy Carr died at the tender age of 30 less than a year later but his legacy is plain for all to hear.
musicology #0595
09 Oct 2010 4 Comments
in blues, Soul, vocal group Tags: Brooklyn Flea, Brooklyn Soul Festival, Deadly Dragon, Shoppin' For Clothes mp3, The Coasters mp3, themusicologist, vocal group mp3
Flow #14
Coasters – Shoppin’ For Clothes
Should have laid this down yesterday but didn’t make the time so before we hit the streets of Brooklyn today….here it is. All day yesterday I had this song running through my head mainly because we ended up on Madison Ave in gentlemens outfitters due to Sir Errol’s lack of clothes as a result of his luggage being redirected and not showing up !!
The day began with themusicologist getting my haircut in the excellent Tommy Guns on Ludlow St on the Lower East Side. If you’re in NYC and need a TOP RANKING cut, I would highly recommend it. Then it was over to the Deadly Dragon record shop where 3 hours slipped away before we realised that Sir E had to outfit himself for the upcoming night’s entertainment..
The first night of the Brooklyn Soul Festival was excellent..performances from Eli paperboy Reed, Vernon Garrett, Don Gardener, Roscoe Robinson, Tammi Lyn, Lee Fields and a few others that filled in for Barbara Lynn, whose names have slipped my mind…
Have to go now…the ‘Brooklyn Flea‘ is calling my name.
So hold this one from probably the longest serving Vocal group of all time.
musicology #594
06 Oct 2010 1 Comment
in America, blues, Mod, Soul Tags: Clarence Reid mp3, Don't Be A Fool mp3, Miami Soul mp3, Southern Soul mp3, The Outskirts Of Deep City mp3, themusicologist
Flow #13
Clarence Reid – Don’t Be A Fool
Second marrow trembler of the day but this time it’s from the opposite end of America and ‘The Outskirts Of Deep City’, (Miami), this is Southern Soul at it’s DEEPEST and finest courtesy of Clarence Reid. Yet another Highlight from the Numero connoisseurs. What a tune…
musicology #473
10 Jan 2010 13 Comments
in America, blues, femalevocalsUSA, Jazz Tags: Billie Holiday mp3, Billy Taylor and Kelly Martin, Decca mp3, Jazz mp3, Joe Guy, Joe Springer, themusicologist, Tiny Grimes, Weep No More mp3
2LegendsClash II #9
(Billie Holiday – Big Stuff)
penultimate cut of the two legends…feels like the time has come to move on up.
1946 cut on the Decca label. Recorded in New York on March 13th. Featuring Joe Guy, Joe Springer, Tiny Grimes, Billy Taylor and Kelly Martin.
musicology #472
09 Jan 2010 1 Comment
in America, blues, femalevocalsUSA, Jazz, Soul Tags: blues mp3, Catharsis, Dinah Washington mp3, Jazz mp3, Junior Mance, The Blues, The Man That Got Away mp3, themusicologist
2LegendsClash II #8
(Dinah Washington -The Man That Got Away)
Today’s appropriate cut from the Legend that we know as Dinah Washington is one for those who know that the only blues is the ‘done lost my wo/man’ blues and no-one sings ‘em better than Ruth Jones….Hold this quote from Pianist Junior Mance, ( 2 year musical companion of Dinah’s), who said;
“When I went to work with Dinah Washington, I learned what the blues were all about”
That’s not to say that the Blues are all about sadness…they’re not. I wrote recently about catharsis and that is what the blues are really all about. No good suppressing your feelings as one day when you are least expecting it they will come back and tear the heart and soul out of you. Another thing to bear in mind is that as sure as the sun shines trouble don’t last always and if you don’t feel pain you won’t recognise joy when it returns into your life.
This one from Dinah is from her Roulette days, (which turned out to be her last), recorded and released in the early 60′s by which time she had been married SEVEN times, (For those who don’t know her story she died at the tender age of 39 on December 19th 1963). Amazingly there are some who felt/feel that Dinah’s voice during this period had “lost it’s lustre” !! If I was there when they said it I would have simply replied;
“you’re talking shit and you don’t have a clue about music”…Job Done.
musicology #459
17 Dec 2009 1 Comment
in America, blues, Christmas, Rhythm&Blues Tags: Aladdin label, Amos Milburn Christmas mp3, Christmas Rhythm and Blues mp3, Louis Jordan, Robert Burns, themusicologist
TheManWithTheBag #9
(Amos Milburn – Let’s Make Christmas Merry Baby)
Intended on breaking the mould today and throwing the cut early?, (unless of course you’re in NYC, LA, ‘Chi’ or pretty much any State in America), but as Robert Burns wrote:
“The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men
Gang aft agley,
An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,
For promis’d joy!”
So stick that in yer pipes and smoke it !! while we slide into this cut from one of the great Rhythm & Blues pioneers Amos Milburn who, (along with Louis Jordan), had a major impact on the transition from swing to Rhythm & Blues in the mid 1940′s. recorded in 1949 for Eddie & Leo Mesner’s powerhouse Aladdin label, (the home of West Coast Rhythm & Blues).
musicology #453
10 Dec 2009 1 Comment
in America, blues, Christmas, duets, Jazz, themusicologist Tags: 1930, Benny King Carter, Billie Holiday, Butterbeans and Susie mp3, christmas mp3, Christmas music, Coleman Hawkins, duet, Eddie Heywood, Jodie Edwards, New York, okeh mp3, Papa Ain't No Santa Claus, Susie Hawthorne, themusicologist
TheManWithTheBag #3
(Butterbeans & Susie – Papa Ain’t No Santa Claus)
Top ranking slice of the Christmas pie courtesy of three swingin’ Cats, Butterbeans & Susie, (Jodie Edwards and Susie Hawthorne), a long standing and much loved Vaudeville duo who teamed up in 1916 !! and Jazz pianist Eddie Heywood….who went on to play with such luminaries as Billie Holiday, Benny ‘King’ Carter and Coleman Hawkins as wel as performing in his own right. Recorded in New York City, (ahhh…New York…what memories), on Wednesday August 13th 1930 and released on an OKeh 78.
musicology #398
08 Jul 2009 5 Comments
in America, blues, Curtis Mayfield, Funk, Jazz, Lyrics, Paul Weller, Rhythm&Blues, Soul Tags: 2002, Darker Than a Shadow lyrics, Darker than a shadow mp3, funk mp3, soul mp3, Speak Your Peace mp3, Terry Callier Lyrics, Terry Callier mp3, themusicologist
Sound&Fury #2
(Terry Callier – Darker Than A Shadow)
Slowing down the tempo a piece with this the second cut on the sound&fury courtesy of a Cat who has been a constant feature on themusicologist’s playlists over the past few weeks..poetic lyricologist of the highest order, childhood friend of Curtis Mayfield and one time Cabrini Green resident, Terry Callier.
This majestic slice is borrowed from his 2002 set ‘Speak Your Peace’. Just like to add thas far as I am concerned Terry Callier is an artist who deserves our support. Buy his sets, go to his concerts and let him know that he has some ‘warriors’ by his side.
“Darker than a shadow,
Darker than a shadow,
I was asleep and having dreams,
Awakened by a silent scream,
A raging wind and clouds of steam,
It was..darker than a shadow,
Unprepared for scenes like these,
With heavy air and boiling seas,
Destruction of societies,
It was..darker than a shadow,
What type insanity is this,
Standing on a precipice,
That leads into a deep abyss,
And it is darker than a shadow,
Darker than a shadow,
There was a storm like this before,
Aftermath where angels walked,
Poisoned waters, wasted shores,
And it was..darker than a shadow,
Is this all we have learned my friends,
We’re doing now what they did then,
Repeating great mistakes again,
Darker than a shadow,
What type insanity is this,
We are walking in a scorching mist,
Leads down to a deep abyss,
And it is darker than a shadow,
Darker than a shadow,
Darker than a shadow,
And then from out the deepest void,
There came a flaming asteroid,
One third of this world was destroyed,
It was…darker than a shadow
Mankind was in a raging fit,
And thermo-neuclear fires were lit,
We never saw the end of it,
‘Cause it was…darker than a shadow,
What mad insanity is this,
Standing on a precipice,
That leads into a deep abyss,
It is darker than a shadow
What type insanity is this,
Standing on a precipice,
That leads into a deep abyss,
And it is darker than a shadow,
Darker than a shadow,
Darker than a shadow,
Darker than a shadow,
Darker than a shadow,
Darker than a shadow,
Darker than a shadow,
Darker than a shadow”
musicology #370
08 May 2009 Leave a Comment
in America, blues, Rhythm&Blues Tags: 1951, blues mp3, Chester Burnett mp3, How Many More Years mp3, Howlin Wolf mp3, ike turner, rhythm and blues mp3, sam phillips, themusicologist, Willie Johnson, Willie Steele
SuchIsLife #4
(Howlin’ Wolf – How Many More Years)
Missed yesterday’s date with themusicologist but returning early this morning with a wicked slice of 1951 Rhythm & Blues from the magnificent Chester Burnett, (A.K.A Howlin’ Wolf), and band featuring none other than Ike Turner on Piano, Willie Steele on drums and Wille Johnson on guitar with the Wolf blowing up a storm on Harmonica. (Produced By Sam Phillips)
musicology #352
14 Apr 2009 4 Comments
in America, blues, Soundtrack, themusicologist Tags: 1960, alternative soundtrack, Big Bill Broonzy, George C Scott, Memphis Slim mp3, Mother Earth mp3, Piano Blues mp3, Piper Laurie, The Hustler, themusicologist, vee jay
AlternativeSoundtrack4 #19
(Memphis Slim – Mother Earth)
Today’s dialogue is unique in that it’s the first piece that doesn’t feature Paul Newman. The trio have arrived in Kentucky and Eddie has sloped off to join some old pool hustling aquaintances he meets in the foyer of the hotel they are staying at. Bert has aquired two adjoining rooms, (much to Sarah’s disaproval), and the two of them are left to ‘stake their claim’ on the kid. Bert finishes the scene with menace, (the first time we have seen this side of him), leaving an impression that he is not as cool, calm and collected as he prentends to be………
The music today is quite simply one of the best slices known to man, woman, child or beast from the mouth and hands of the majestic Memphis Slim whose career stretched over many decades. Starting out playing ‘Jukes’ in the 1930′s and later in the decade hooked up with Big Bill Broonzy whom he backed on many sessions. He was also a major influence during the 1940′s in the development of what became known later as Rhythm & Blues but at the time was known as ‘Jump’….Have to cut it short here as I’m off to earn a crust and need to get my skates on !!!
musicology #347
08 Apr 2009 1 Comment
in America, blues, Soundtrack Tags: 1960, alternative soundtrack, blues mp3, Buddy Guy mp3, Chess mp3, eric clapton, First Time I Met The Blues mp3, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Paul Newman, Piper Laurie, The Hustler dialogue, themusicologist
AlternativeSoundtrack #14
(Buddy Guy – First Time I Met The Blues)
After taking an old school battering as well as having his thumbs broken by the roughnecks who didn’t take kindly to his hustle Eddie turns up back at Sarahs apartment looking like he’s been ten rounds with Cassius Clay. She takes pity on the kid and wants to take care of him. Some women are funny that way…or is it just the mothering instinct? ..all the bravado and ‘front’ has gone and we catch a glimpse of the boy behind the man. If youve been there you know how it feels.
The music today is yet another slice of the Chess Blues pie but this time from guitar virtuoso George ‘Buddy’ Guy whose influence has spread far and wide touching almost every guitar player that followed; Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton have all cited Guy as a major inspiration, (especially Hendrix who was known to cancel concerts to go and hear Guy play). His stage antics are legendary which according to the man himself were inspired by, (at the age of 13), seeing Guitar Slim perform in 1949.
musicology #343
03 Apr 2009 1 Comment
in America, blues, Soundtrack Tags: 1960, alternative soundtrack, blues mp3, Muddy Waters, Otis Spann mp3, Paul Newman dialogue, Robert Lockwood Jr mp3, St Louis Jimmy mp3, The Hustler, themusicologist
AlternativeSoundtrack4 #10
(Otis Spann – The Hard Way)
On today’s slice of dialogue we hear the return of Eddie’s former partner Charlie who has tracked him down and wants to go back on the road hustling. Eddie doesn’t want to know and the truth comes out that he is planning on taking Minnesota Fats on again. Sarah is silent throughout the dialogue between them but sees a new, (to her at least), ruthless side to Eddie that hits her hard and during the conversation Eddie spits Charlie out showing a heart as cold as Ice which leads her to the painful conclusion that the ‘good times’ are over…
The musicology is courtesy of legendary Blues pianist and long time Muddy Waters cohort Otis Spann with a cut taken from a 1960 session featuring Robert Lockwood Jr on guitar and St Louis Jimmy on vocal duties.
musicology #340
31 Mar 2009 1 Comment
in America, blues, Rhythm&Blues, Soundtrack Tags: 1960, alternative soundtrack, blues mp3, I'll Know Tonight mp3, Jimmy Turner, john lee hooker mp3, Lefty Bates, Paul Newman, Piper Laurie, rhythm and blues mp3, Sylvester Hickman, The Hustler dialogue, themusicologist, vee jay
AlternativeSoundtrack4 #7
(John Lee Hooker – I’ll Know Tonight)
Our man Eddie wakes up from his short sleep at the bus station, sticks his bag in a locker there and heads back into NYC trying to decide what to do next..he hits a local bar and there in a booth, alone in an empty bar is the girl whose magnetism drew him to her at the Station..He buys her a drink and finds out that ‘Sarah’ is a ‘boozer’. Something about this lady intrigues and ‘attracts’ him but he only knows the “fast and loose” hustle so that’s the way he plays it..she clocks his small town play and initially declines his offer but as we are to find out later, birds with broken wings are a perfect match especially if they can help each other to become whole again.
The musicology is a 1960 slice borrowed from the LP ‘Travellin’ on Calvin and Vivian Carter’s Vee Jay label from the Inimitable John Lee Hooker, (featuring Lefty Bates, Sylvester Hickman and Jimmy Turner),with his unique combination of Delta and City blues perfected whilst drifting up from his birthplace near Clarksdale Missisippi through Memphis and eventually settling in Detroit.
musicology #289
18 Jan 2009 Leave a Comment
in America, blues, Jazz Tags: 1928, Basin Street Blues mp3, Chicago, Earl Hines mp3, Early Jazz mp3, Ken Burns, louis armstrong mp3, music, themusicologist, Zutty Singleton mp3
twolegendsclash #12
(Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra – Basin Street Blues)
Final cut of the ‘legends’ and it’s down to ‘Gate’ to close the show. Just like to say that such is the quality, (and quantity), from the twolegends that this selection could last a year !! The Cats featured over the last two weeks are an inspiration and deserve all the accolades that have been written and spoken about them over the last 100 years…
Today’s cut is the first of his many recordings of the legendary ‘Basin Street Blues’ recorded in Chicago 1928 on a special day for themusicologist, (December 4th), one of my favourite Satchelmouth cuts.. featuring two other legendary musicologists Earl Hines and Zutty Singleton.
musicology #288
17 Jan 2009 3 Comments
in America, blues, Rhythm&Blues, Rock and Roll Tags: 1940, Charlie Howard, Don Frye, early Rhythm and Blues mp3, early Rock and Roll mp3, Kenny Clarke, Louis Jordan, new orleans feetwarmers mp3, New York, Preachin' Blues mp3, roots of rhythm and blues, roots of rock and roll, Saturday Night Fish Fry, Sidney Bechet mp3, Sonny White, Wilson Myers
twolegendsclash #11
(Sidney Bechet & His New Orleans Feetwarmers – Preachin’ Blues)
“What a weeping and a waling, when the two legends clash….”
Final cut from Sidney Bechet and what a treat…Recorded in New York during January or Febuary 1940. A precursor to the Rhythm & Blues that was to follow and in turn be reclassified as Rock & Roll. All the hallmarks are there, small line-up, Electric Guitar, Boogie Woogie Piano, honking Sax…
Before signing Bechet off, according to a piece of information on Wikipedia;
“In the 1940s, (Louis), Jordan released dozens of hit songs, including the swinging ‘Saturday Night Fish Fry’ (one of the earliest and most powerful contenders for the title of First rock and roll record),”
I’m a BIG fan of Louis Jordan and his music certainly deserves all the accolades and he was certainly at the forefront in the development of Rhythm & Blues but the above mentioned cut was released in 1949. Whereas this one from Bechet is almost a decade earlier !!…which, as far as I can hear is as close to ‘Rock & Roll’ as it gets, Especially Brother Bechet’s playing.
As it’s the end of the Bechet road it just leaves me to thank the inspirational Cat for leaving us a recorded legacy of the HIGHEST quality…I’m sure he’s up there standing at the gate cutting the angel Gabriel to ribbons.
Blow Bechet…Blow.



musicology #445
26 Nov 2009 1 Comment
by themusicologist in Accoustic, America, blues Tags: Angola, Huddie William Ledbetter, Leadbelly mp3, New York City mp3, Social Commentary mp3, themusicologist mp3
NewYork NewYork #4
(Leadbelly – New York City)
Ranking slice of New York musicology from the man known as Leadbelly. Much speculation as to the origin of the name but my money is on his fellow inmates in ‘Angola’ mispronouncing it. The two others that I like the sound of are his ability to drink hardcore moonshine and the belly full of lead he apparently took from a 12 bore shotgun…
Not sure where I’ll be posting from tomorrow..as I’m landing in JFK around 1pm but I’ll try my best to keep up the flow..
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