SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2015
Johnny Otis - Formidable
Johnny Otis modeled an amazing number of contrasting musical hats over a career spanning more than half a century. Bandleader, record producer, talent scout, label owner, nightclub impresario, disc jockey, TV variety show host, author, R&B pioneer, rock & roll star -- Otis answered to all those descriptions and quite a few more. Not bad for a Greek-American who loved jazz and R&B so fervently that he adopted the African-American culture as his own
California-born John Veliotes changed his name to the blacker-sounding Otis when he was in his teens. Drums were his first passion -- he spent time behind the traps with the Oakland-based orchestra of Count Otis Matthews and kept time for various Midwestern swing outfits before settling in Los Angeles during the mid-'40s and joining Harlan Leonard's Rockets, then resident at the Club Alabam.
It wasn't long before the Alabam's owner entreated Otis to assemble his own orchestra for house-band duties. The group's 1945 debut sides for Excelsior were solidly in the big-band jazz vein and included an arrangement of the moody "Harlem Nocturne" that sold well. Shouter Jimmy Rushing fronted the band for two tracks at the same date. Otis' rep as a drummer was growing; he backed both Wynonie Harris and Charles Brown (with Johnny Moore's Three Blazers) that same year.
The Otis outfit continued to record for Excelsior through 1947 (one date featured Big Jay McNeely on sax), but his influence on L.A.'s R&B scene soared exponentially when he and partner Bardu Ali opened the Barrelhouse Club in Watts. R&B replaced jazz in Otis' heart; he pared the big band down and discovered young talent such as the Robins, vocalists Mel Walker and Little Esther Phillips, and guitarist Pete Lewis that would serve him well in years to come.
Otis signed with Newark, New Jersey-based Savoy Records in 1949, and the R&B hits came in droves: "Double Crossing Blues," "Mistrustin' Blues," and "Cupid's Boogie" all hit number one that year (in all,Otis scored ten Top Ten smashes that year alone!); "Gee Baby," "Mambo Boogie," and "All Nite Long" lit the lamp in 1951; and "Sunset to Dawn" capped his amazing run in 1952 (vocals were shared byEsther, Walker, and other members of the group). By then, Otis had branched out to play vibes on many waxings.
In late 1951, Otis moved to Mercury, but apart from a Walker-led version of Floyd Dixon's "Call Operator 210," nothing found pronounced success with the public. A 1953-1955 contract with Don Robey's Peacock logo produced some nice jump blues sides but no hits (though the Otis orchestra backed one of his many discoveries, Big Mama Thornton, on her chart-topping "Hound Dog," as well as a young Little Richard while at Peacock). Otis was a masterful talent scout; among his platinum-edged discoveries were Jackie Wilson, Little Willie John, Hank Ballard, and Etta James (he produced her debut smash "Roll with Me Henry").
In 1955, Otis took studio matters into his own hands, starting up his own label, Dig Records, to showcase his own work as well as his latest discoveries (including Arthur Lee Maye & the Crowns,Tony Allen, and Mel Williams). Rock & roll was at its zenith in 1957 when the multi-instrumentalist signed on with Capitol Records; billed as the Johnny Otis Show, he set the R&B and pop charts ablaze in 1958 with his shave-and-a-haircut beat, "Willie and the Hand Jive," taking the vocal himself (other singers then with the Otis Show included Mel Williams and the gargantuan Marie Adams & the Three Tons of Joy). During the late '50s, Otis hosted his own variety program on L.A. television, starring his entire troupe (and on one episode, Lionel Hampton), and did a guest shot in a 1958 movie, Juke Box Rhythm.
After cutting some great rock & roll for Capitol from 1957 to 1959 with only one hit to show for it, Otis dropped anchor at King Records in 1961-1962 (in addition to his own output,Otis' band also backed Johnny "Guitar" Watson on several sides). Later in the decade, Otis recorded some ribald material for Kent and watched as his young son Shuggie built an enviable reputation as a blues guitarist while recording for Columbia. Father and son cut an album together for Alligator in 1982, accurately entitled The New Johnny Otis Show.
In later years, the multi-talented Otis added operating a California health-food emporium to his endless list of wide-ranging accomplishments. He was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Otis died at home in Altadena, California in January 2012 at the age of 90. If blues ever boasted a renaissance man among its ranks, Johnny Otis surely filled that bill. (Allmusic - Bill Dahl)
Post: http://www76.zippyshare.com/v/mACoOTOS/file.html
Post: http://www76.zippyshare.com/v/mACoOTOS/file.html
William 'Blues Boy" Wells - Blues Boy
William Wells was from Kansas City. He plays guitar and sings on some
tracks of the live "Little Hatchet Band" LP on the German M&M label which was recorded at a K.C. club in the 12th Street & Vine district in 1970. He was
known in K.C. as "Junior" Wells, and after he moved to Los Angeles he did
some recording for Pandora (which was owned by Jack Lauderdale, who also ran
the older Swingtime label) and Castle. K.C. musicians tell me he later
became a preacher. He was the nephew of Leon "Mr. Blues" Estelle, who was
generally recorded as K.C.'s best blues guitarist. (Jim O' Neal)
tracks of the live "Little Hatchet Band" LP on the German M&M label which was recorded at a K.C. club in the 12th Street & Vine district in 1970. He was
known in K.C. as "Junior" Wells, and after he moved to Los Angeles he did
some recording for Pandora (which was owned by Jack Lauderdale, who also ran
the older Swingtime label) and Castle. K.C. musicians tell me he later
became a preacher. He was the nephew of Leon "Mr. Blues" Estelle, who was
generally recorded as K.C.'s best blues guitarist. (Jim O' Neal)
This one is for Hartmutt.
Also sorry about the terrible scans but it couldn't be avoided.
Post: http://www76.zippyshare.com/v/X3zQ67kn/file.html
If you're having problems try the link below for more options:
http://www.embedupload.com/?d=2WIQEXNYAS
If you're having problems try the link below for more options:
http://www.embedupload.com/?d=2WIQEXNYAS
Homesick James - The Country Blues
His correct age may remain in doubt (he's claimed he was born as early as 1905), but the slashing slide guitar skills of Homesick James Williamson have never been in question. Many of his most satisfying recordings have placed him in a solo setting, where his timing eccentricities don't disrupt the proceedings (though he's made some fine band-backed waxings as well).Williamson was playing guitar at age ten and soon ran away from his Tennessee home to play at fish fries and dances. His travels took the guitarist through Mississippi and North Carolina during the 1920s, where he crossed paths with Yank Rachell, Sleepy John Estes, Blind Boy Fuller, and Big Joe Williams.
Settling in Chicago during the 1930s, Williamson played local clubs and recorded for RCA Victor in 1937. The miles and gigs had added up before Williamson made some of his finest sides in 1952-53 for Art Sheridan's Chance Records (including the classic "Homesick" that gave him his enduring stage name).
James also worked extensively as a sideman, backing harp great Sonny Boy Williamson in 1945 at a Chicago gin joint called the Purple Cat and during the 1950s with his cousin, slide master Elmore James (to whom Homesick is stylistically indebted). He also recorded with James during the 1950s. Homesick's own output included crashing 45s for Colt and USA in 1962, a fine 1964 album for Prestige, and four tracks on a Vanguard anthology in 1965.
Williamson has never stopped recording and touring; he's done recent albums for Appaloosa and Earwig. No matter what his current chronological age, there's nothing over-the-hill about the blues of Homesick James Williamson.
Post: http://www76.zippyshare.com/v/6x6VKwk8/file.html
Requests are always welcome and if I can't help out maybe a regular visitor can.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2015
Visitors requests....maybe you can help out
From now on I'll be using this post for your requests that I'll copy from the Chatbox. I'll do my best to keep it up te date.You may also leave requests, comments and replies in the usual way and after moderation they will appear. As this posting will drop down the list with every new posting I will update it once a week to insure that it stays visible and near the top. Comments will be deleted regulary to keep them up to date.
Please do not request new or easy to find CD's as they will not be posted here. There are other excellent blogs that can help you out with your request.
That all been said we will have to start from scratch with the requests.
Requested:
01-09-2014 Steve626: Big Joe Turner - The Real Boss of The Blues on Bluestime
07-09-2014 Leroy Slim: VA - Savannah Syncopators (CBS [UK]
12-09-2014: Riley: VA - Orange County Special (Flyright)
15-09-2014: Kempen: Snooks Eaglin: Message From New Orleans (Heritage vinyl)
03-10-2014 Anonymous: Herwin 405 "Cannonball: Piano Ragtime Of The Teens, Twenties & Thirties Vol. 2" and Wolf WSE106/WBCD-006: James "Yank" Rachel: Complete recordings in chronological order Vol. 1 (1934-38)
03-10-2014: Aunt Fin: New Orleans Willie Jackson – 1926-1928, Old Tramp – OT-1215
03-10-2014 Fabio: CC Richardson - Blues Of The City (Blue Jay) & I Ain't Got Nothing But The Blues
10-10-2014 Anonymous: Down Home Slide – Testament record
14-10-2014 Anonymous: Memphis Slim - 'If The Rabbit Had a Gun LP
17-10-2014 Sanma Bluesandroll: Wade Walton: Shake Em On Down" Bluesville LP BV 1060
19-10-2014 Anonymous: Screamin' Joe Neal - Rock & Roll Deacon
26-10-2014 Anonymous: Big Bill Broonzy – Lonesome Road Blues LP
27-01-2015 Sam Blues: Big George Brock LP call "Should Have been there".
Litlte mack simmons religious works (70' lp's)
22-02-2015: Pablow: Harmonica Frank Floyd: Blues That Made The Roosters Dance (Barrelhouse)
03-03-2015: Anonymous: Cash McCall's - Omega Man (Paula)
03-03-2015 Marineband: San Francisco Blues Festival [1976]
Jefferson Records BL-602 (1977).
04-04-2015: Gerard Herzhaft: Bob Starr/ Stop the energy crisis (Blue Power Records)
SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2015
Frits's Tapes Number 114, 115, 116, 117, 118 & 119
Tape 114: http://www26.zippyshare.com/v/gRK5ONxi/file.html
Tape 115: http://www26.zippyshare.com/v/yWATTe9x/file.html
Tape 116: http://www26.zippyshare.com/v/kxG1mLeb/file.html
Tape 117: http://www26.zippyshare.com/v/o3U6XeZS/file.html
Tape 118: http://www26.zippyshare.com/v/s4oaPd2C/file.html
Tape 119: http://www26.zippyshare.com/v/A62NBhwg/file.html
A big Thank You (I owe you a beer or two) goes to Frits for taping his 45's way back before computers made life easy and for sharing them with us. All in all about 1785 tracks covering a wide spectrum Blues, Soul, R&B and whatever else there was.
This also is a good moment for me to take a long break after about 7-8 years of ripping and posting. With the excellent informative site "Blue Eye" from Gerard Herzhaft which is a must for any blues fan and newcomer "The Blues Years" from MarcFr whose postings of out of print LP's and CD's are a very welcome addition you won't go without the Blues.
.... or at least for some time.
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