lunes, 4 de febrero de 2008

ARTISTS

BESSIE SMITH

Bessie Smith was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in April 15. Nobody knows exactly the year. It was probably in 1894. She had no education, cause she was born into poverty. Little is known of Bessie’s early life.


Known as the "Empress of the Blues," Bessie Smith revolutionized the vocal end of blues music in the 1920s with her rich voice and has influenced generations of musicians.

After singing with "Ma" Rainey's Rabbit Foot Minstrels traveling show for several years, Bessie Smith went solo and signed with Columbia Records. Her songs, the best known of which included "Down Hearted Blues," "Gulf Coast Blues," "Jealous Hearted Blues," and "Cold in Hand Blues," were about poverty, oppression, and unrequited love and touched the hearts of thousands. Her records sold excellently and she became a major attraction in vaudeville.

Changing tastes in music as well as alcoholism caused Bessie Smith's career to fade out by the end of the 1920s. Nevertheless, her singing talent did not diminish. From 1933 she was gradually making a comeback with a recording session and an appearance at the Apollo Theater. This was all cut short by her tragic death in an automobile accident.

She died on September 26, 1937 of injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Clarksdale, Mississippi.

A Good Man Is Hard To Find by Bessie Smith

My heart's sad and I am all forlorn, my man's treating me mean
I regret the day that I was born and that man of mine I've ever seen
Happiness, it never lasts a day, my heart is almost breaking while I say
A good man is hard to find, you always get the other kind
Just when you think that he is your pal, you look for him and find him fooling 'round some other gal
Then you rave, you even crave to see him laying in his grave
So, if your man is nice, take my advice and hug him in the morning, kiss him ev'ry night,
give him plenty lovin', treat him right
For a good man nowadays is hard to find, a good man nowadays is hard to find



STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN

Stevie Ray was born in Dallas, Texas, on october, 1954. He followed his older brother Jimmie as a guitar player. Jimmie became a popular Texas player and went on to form the Fabolous Thunderbirds, but Stevie wasn’t far behind. The Austin, Texas music scene attracted the young stringer and for years he honed his chops in some of the most legendary bars and clubs in the country.

Stevie Ray Vaughan fused Blues and Rock and turned on a whole generation to the Blues. His feary guitar playing and aching voice showed a wide audience the depths of Blues passion. To Blues purists, he’s a rock player. To most other fans, he’s a Blues player. But everyone agreed that they dug it.

Stevie’s manager got a word to Mick Jagger about his guitar phenomena and the good word soon spread. When David Bowie hired Stevie as his guitar player, the worldd discovered him. He recorded his first major album in less than one week at Jackson Browne’s studio in Los Angeles with a very impressed Browne picking up the tab.

Stevie Ray, as with most blues artists, was best live. His scorching band, “Double Trouble” with Tommy Shannon on bass, Chris Layton on drums, and Reese Wynans on piano and B3 organ, set the tone for Blues bands for the next decade.

As a major recording star SRV still had the Blues. He was reported to be in tears one night in Colorado in fear following Albet Collins, Albet King and B.B. King on the same bill. And who wouldn’t?

To hear where Stevie Ray was coming from, listen to Albert King’s guitar playing.

Vaughan was killed in a helicopter crash in 1990.

Pride and joy by Stevie Ray Vaughan (1982)

Well you've heard about love givin' sight to the blind

My baby's lovin' cause the sun to shine

She's my sweet little thing, she's my pride and joy

She's my sweet little baby, I'm her little lover boy

Yeah I love my baby, heart and soul

Love like ours won't never grow old

She's my sweet little thing, she's my pride and joy

She's my sweet little baby, I'm her little lover boy

Yeah, I love my lady, she's long and lean

You mess with her, you'll see a man get mean

She's my sweet little thing, she's my pride and joy

She's my sweet little baby, I'm her little lover boy

Well I love my baby, like the finest wine

Stick with her until the end of time

She's my sweet little thing, she's my pride and joy

She's my sweet little baby, I'm her little lover boy

Yeah I love my baby, heart and soul

Love like ours won't never grow old

She's my sweet little thing, she's my pride and joy

She's my sweet little baby, I'm her little lover boy



JOHN LEE HOOKER

Born near Clarksdale, Mississippi on August 22, 1917 to a sharecropping family.

Birmingham Sam, Texas Slim, Johnny Lee, Boogie Man, and John Lee Booker all had one thing in common, they were the same man.

He started recording en 1948 under these numerous names, outwitting contractual obligationes in the unbridled recording operations of the era. He moved to Detroit and found work in auto factories, and, at night, like many others trasplants from the rural Delta, he entertained friends and neighbours by playing at “house parties”.

John Lee is probably the most recorded man alive. Hooker recorded for more than two dozen labels.

During the late 1970s and much of the 1980s, Hooker toured the U.S. and Europe steadily but grew disenchanted with recording, through his appearance in the Blues Brothers movie resulted in a heightened profile. Then, in 1989, The Healer was released to critical acclaim and sales in excess of a million copies. Today “The King Of The Boggie” is enjoying the most successful period of his extensive career. In the past ten years Hooker’s influence has contributed to a booming interest in the blues and, notably, its acceptance by the music industry as a commercially viable entity.

Hooker style is easy to recognize. Usually one chord with a pulsing rhythmic groove chugging alone and open-tuned guitar with a choppy percussive sound.

John Lee Hooker died in his sleep in San Francisco in June of 2001.

I'm bad like Jessee James

I'm bad
Like Jesse James, uh-huh

I had a friend one time
Least I thought I did
He come to me
Said, 'Johnny?'
Said, 'What man?'
'I'm outdoor'
I say, 'Yeah?'

I taken the cat in
Get him a place to stay
And I found out

He goin' 'round town
Tellin' ev'rybody that he
He got my wife

Then I gets mad
I goes to the cat
Like a good guy should
I said, 'Look man
'I'm gonna warn, you just one time'
Next time I warn you'
'I'm gonna use my gun'

'Cause I'm mad, I'm bad, like Jesse James

I'm so mad, I'm so mad.
I'm gonna ruin you this mornin'.
I've got three boys
Do my dirty work
Now, you don't see me
I'm the big boss
I do the payin' off
After they take care of you

In their on way
They may shoot you
They may cut you.
They may drown you
I just don't know
I don't care
Long as they take care of you
In their on way

I'm so mad, I'm bad this mornin', like Jesse James.

They gon' take you right down
By the riverside
Now four is goin' down
Ain't but three comin' back
You read between the line
We're gonna have a deal

'Cause I'm mad, I'm bad, like Jesse James.

They gonna tie yo' hands
They gonna tie yo' feet
They gonna gag your throat
Where you can't holler none

An cryin' won't help you none
Set you in the water
Yeah, the bubbles comin' up.
Whoa
Rrrrrrr
Rrrrrrr

Oh yeah, I'm so mad!


B.B. KING

Riley “Blues Boy” King came out from behind the wheel of a tractor on a Mississipi cotton plantation, headed off to a Memphis, and found work as a disc jockey. “Blues Boy” was shortened to “B.B.”, and the rest is Blues history.

He was born in Indianola, Mississippi, on september 16, 1925. Sun Records recorded him in 1951. His first national hit was “Three o’clock blues”. He has gone on to record more than 70 records. But his relentless touring schedule has been what has really brought his music to the people.

Among his hits: The thrill is gone, Let the good time roll, How blue can you get, It costs to be the boss, Sweet little angel, and When loves come town.

A little sample of his prizes; 4 Honorary Doctorates, 7 W.C. Handy Blues Awards, 4 NAACP Image Awards, 9 Grammy Awards, and 27 Downbeat Awards.

One of B.B.’s biggest paths to success was juke boxes in bars and clubs around the country. It was rare to find a jukebox where his music wasn’t the most popular.

B.B.’s guitar is named Lucille. Named after a woman who enraged a man so much he set fire to the club B.B. was playing. He saved the guitar from the fire and he still has it today. You probably won’t hear the original Lucille at a concert –he uses encarnations of it-, but B.B. usually brings it with him.

To most of the world, B.B. King is the Blues greatest ambassador. His music has cut across cultural, political and social situations, relentless schedule of touring and recording.

Three o’clock blues by B.B.King (1956)

Well now its three oclock in the morning

And I cant even close my eyes

Three oclock in the morning baby

And I cant even close my eyes

Cant find my baby

And I cant be satisfied

Ive looked around me

And my baby she cant be found

Ive looked all around me, people

And my baby she cant be found

You know if I dont find my baby

Im going down to the golden ground

Thats where the men hang out

Goodbye, everybody

I believe this is the end

Oh goodbye everybody

I believe this is the end

I want you to tell my baby

Tell her please please forgive me

Forgive me for my sins



ROBERT CRAY

Born in August 1st in 1953 in Columbus, Georgia, belongs to the younger generation of Blues players –it could be argued that Cray more than any other individual was responsible for the revival of guitar based blues that began in the 1980s. Another of the artists who deviates from the pure Blues form –in his case by incorporating soul and rock influences- his vocals in particular are smoother than many of his contemporaries.

He hit big in 1983 with the album Bad Influence, although he had recorded an earlier debut record, Who’s Been Talking, which was reissued on the back of the success of the Bad Influence set.

Tineared critics have frequently damned him as a yuppie blues wannabe whose slickly soulful offerings bear scant resemblance to the real downhome item. In reality, Robert Cray is one of a precious few active blues artists with the talent and vision to successfully usher the idiom into the future without resorting either to slavish imitation or simply playing rock while passing it off as blues.

Just as importantly, his immensely popular records helped immeasurably to jumpstart the contemporary blues boom that still holds sway to this day. Blessed with a soulful voice that sometimes recalls '60s great O.V. Wright and a concise lead guitar approach that never wastes notes, Cray's ascendancy was amazingly swift in 1986 his breakthrough album, Strong Persuader, for Mercury (containing "Smoking Gun") won him a Grammy and shot his asking price for a night's work skyward.

Unlike too many of his peers, Cray continues to experiment within his two presiding genres, blues and soul. Sets such as Midnight Stroll, I Was Warned, and Shame + a Sin for Mercury show that the "bluenatics" (as he amusedly labels his purist detractors) have nothing to fear and plenty to anticipate from this innovative, laudably accessible guitarist. Sweet Potato Pie concluded Cray's stint at Mercury, and he moved to Rykodisc for two albums,

Take Your Shoes Off and Shoulda Been Home, both of which more fully embraced his soul leanings. Sanctuary Records was his next stop, where he further broadened his sound by including a couple antiwar protest songs and playing electric sitar on Time Will Tell (2003). Twenty, titled after another antiwar song, followed in 2005. Live from Across the Pond, which features material culled from seven nights at London's Royal Albert Hall, arrived in 2006.

I guess I showed her by Robert Cray band

(Intro)

I payed the clerk and moved right in

A single room with one big twin

There's a chest and mirror

Shower's down the hall

Room 16 ain't got no view

But the hot plate's brand new

I guess I showed her

I guess I showed her

Once again I've been burned

My suspicion's been confirmed

I saw her having lunch

With some new guy

I walked up and said, "Goodbye"

She said, "Wait, can we talk tonight?"

I guess I showed her

Mmmm, I guess I showed her

I guess I showed her

I guess I showed her

I guess I showed her that a man, yeah

Has his limits

Another man is where I draw the line

She can have the house

And everything that's in it

I guess I showed her, yeah

I guess I showed her

(Cool guitar solo)

She will be surprised

When she comes in tonight

Flips on the light

And finds an empty home

Yeah, every time she's lied

Will flash before her eyes

I guess I showed her, yeah, yeah

I guess I showed her

I guess I showed her, yeah, yeah

I guess I showed her

Now she can have the house

And she can keep the car

I'm just satisfied

Staying in this funky, little old motel

I'm so mad

Well I can't stand it

I can't stand it

Nooooooo!




JIMI HENDRIX

Hendrix was born in Seattle, Washington on November, 27, 1942 and he died in London, on September, 18, 1970.

His mother died when Jimi was 15 about the same time as Jimi began to take a serious interest in music and playing the guitar. When he was 12 he got his first electric guitar - the instrument which shaped the next 16 years of his life.

At the age of 16, Jimi was thrown out of school -apparently for holding the hand of a white girl in class - and he played rock'n'roll in teenage bands before voluntarily joining the army at 17.

After 14 months as a paratrooper, learning a lot about falling and flying, he suffered an injury and was discharged. He decided to enter the music field.

The following four years were hard work touring the States playing back-up guitar for various R&B bands including Little Richard, Ike and Tina Turner, Wilson Pickett, the Isley Brothers and the late King Curtis among others. The conditions were not suited to his radical temperament and eventually he was drawn to New York 's Greenwich Village where he recorded with the Isley Brothers, Curtis Knight and various other artists.


Then in late 1965 he formed his first band - Jimmy James and the Blue Flames. They worked the Village clubs where he was seen by other musicians who immediately recognized his talent, and word of this young virtuoso reached ex-Animals bassist Chas Chandler. Chas was so impressed after hearing him play he offered to become his manager and persuaded Jimi to accompany him back to England.

England at this stage - late 1966 - was musically ruled by bands such as The Who, The Beatles and Cream with Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck standing alone as the three leading exponents of the electric guitar.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience was formed with Noel Redding on bass and Mitch Mitchell behind the drums and suddenly there was this black guy on the scene doing things with his guitar that were just not possible. Respect from his peers and adoration from the crowds was instantaneous. They toured Europe, breaking attendance records at one club after another, and then signed a recording contract.

A series of singles that all gained top 10 rank, followed. 'Hey Joe', 'Purple Haze' and 'The Wind Cries Mary ' made Jimi a star in England, setting the stage for his Monterey appearance.

Hey Joe by Jimi Hendrix

[1st verse [Oo-backing vocals on each line]]

Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun in your hand?

Hey Joe, I said where you goin' with that gun in your hand?

Alright. I'm goin down to shoot my old lady,

you know I caught her messin' 'round with another man.

Yeah,! I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady,

you know I caught her messin' 'round with another man.

Huh! And that ain't too cool.

[2nd verse [Ah. -backing vocal on each line]]

Uh, hey Joe, I heard you shot your woman down,

you shot her down.

Uh, hey Joe, I heard you shot you old lady down,

you shot her down to the ground. Yeah!

Yes, I did, I shot her,

you know I caught her messin' 'round,

messin' 'round town.

Uh, yes I did, I shot her

you know I caught my old lady messin' 'round town.

And I gave her the gun and I shot her!

Alright

(Ah! Hey Joe)

Shoot her one more time again, baby!

(Oo)

Yeah.

(Hey Joe!)

Ah, dig it!

(Hey)

Ah! Ah!

(Joe where you gonna go?)

Oh, alright.

[3rd verse]

Hey Joe, said now,

(Hey)

uh, where you gonna run to now, where you gonna run to?

Yeah.

(where you gonna go?)

Hey Joe, I said,

(Hey)

where you goin' to run

to now, where you, where you gonna go?

(Joe!)

Well, dig it!

I'm goin' way down south, way down south,

(Hey)

way down south to Mexico way! Alright!

(Joe)

I'm goin' way down south,

(Hey, Joe)

way down where I can be free!

(where you gonna...)

Ain't no one gonna find me babe!

(...go?)

Ain't no hangman gonna,

(Hey, Joe)

he ain't gonna put a rope around me!

(Joe where you gonna..)

You better belive it right now!

(...go?)

I gotta go now!

Hey, hey, hey Joe,

(Hey Joe)

you better run on down!

(where you gonna...)

Goodbye everybody. Ow!

(...go?)

Hey, hey Joe, what'd I say,

(Hey.......................Joe)

run on down.

(where you gonna go?)



RAY CHARLES

Born in Albany, Georgia on September, 23, 1930 and died on June, 10, 2004.

Brought up with a rough childhood, Ray Charles was blinded at the age of seven because of an accident while trying to save his brother from drowning. While this may have not been the cause of his blindness, the unfortunate event plagued Ray for the rest of his life. However, being a most gifted musician and singer, even while attending the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, Ray was able to practice music all the time and even composed music for his classmates.

His parents both died tragically, when Ray was young. In his latter teens, he decided to leave Florida and head to Seattle, where he wanted to secure musical gigs to make a living. While there, he was able to get some recording sessions with Swingtime Records, where he recorded his hits, Confession Blues. In 1952, he followed by signing with the much larger Atlantic Records, who would market his talent across the full U.S.

In the mid-1950s, Ray Charles saw boundless success while recording singles. Here, he recorded such hits as I Got a Woman and Lonely Avenue. His fame grew even more when he began to perform live, offering the audience new takes on old favorites and even singing songs prior to their actual release date. He soon topped the charts with The Night Time is the Right Time.

Wanting artistic control over his music, Ray Charles moved to ABC records and performed an enchanting America the Beautiful. In his latter career, Charles saw the advantages of hopping onto the pop music arena and from thereon became internationally known for his appearances in both TV and film. A biography of Ray Charles referred to as a biopic was released in 2004. Actor Jamie Foxx depicts Ray Charles’ remarkable life and career. His portrayal won him an Academy Award for his role.

Ray Charles was taken into Police custody in 1965 after investigators found heroin in his possession. While that was a repeated offense, he made a deal that he would join a rehabilitation clinic. Upon his release, he had kicked the habit. Following, his career was both up and down, but he remained in the public’s eye by performing concerts all over the U.S. In The Blues Brothers, Ray Charles makes a cameo and sings on film. With the film’s popularity, people began searching for more types of soul music. Although he had a personal life that was up and down, along with a musical career that spanned decades, Ray Charles became an iconic representative of American mainstream music.

I got a woman by Ray Charles

well

I got a woman way over town that's good to me oh yeah

Say I got a woman way over town good to me oh yeah

She give me money when Im in need

Yeah she's a kind of friend indeed

I got a woman way over town that's good to me oh yeah

She saves her lovin early in the morning just for me oh yeah

She saves her lovin early in the morning just for me oh yeah

She saves her lovin just for me oh she love me so tenderly

I got a woman way over town that's good to me oh yeah

Sax Solo

She's there to love me both day and night

Never grumbles or fusses always treats me right

Never runnin in the streets and leavin me alone

She knows a womans place is right there now in her home

I got a woman way over town that's good to me oh yeah

Say I got a woman way over town that's good to me oh yeah

Oh she's my baby now don't you understand

Yeah and I'm her lover man

I got a woman way over town that's good to me oh yeah

A Don't ya know she's alright

A Don't ya know she's alright

she's alright she's alright

Whoa yeah oh yeah oh





MA RAINEY

Gertrude Pridgett was born on April 26, 1886 in Columbus, Georgia. Her stage career got its start with a song and dance troupe when she was only 14. In 1902, she heard her first blues song at a theater in St. Louis. She adopted the blues style for her shows, and quickly made it her own.

Pridgett married travelling entertainer Will “Pa” Rainey in 1904. Together they toured throughout the southern United States as “Ma & Pa Rainey and Assassinators of the Blues”. Ma would later become a solo act with several names, such as “Paramount Wildcat” (because of her relationship with Paramount Records) and “Gold Necklace Woman of the Blues”.

The period of history in which Ma Rainey lived didn’t provide many opportunities for success for an African American woman living in the Southern United States. Rainey didn’t sign a recording contract until 1923, after 25 years of performing for her loyal fans. She released over 100 songs during a six year recording career including: “C.C. Rider” (or “See See Rider”), “Jelly Bean Blues”, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”, and “Bo Weevil Blues”. In a few short years, Rainey led the transformation of Paramount Records from a subsidiary of a furniture company into a major record label.

Ma Rainey continued performaing for another seen years after her last recording in 1928. Quite often her audiences were racially segregated, or een exclusive. Her performance attire was extravagantly accesorized with sequins, diamonds and her trademark necklace made of gold coins. She performed with Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith and Thomas Dorsey. Despite all of the trappings of fame, Rainey remained loyal to her southern, rural roots and to her audience.

Ma Rainey liked her women.

“Went out last night with a crowd of my friends,

They must have been women, ‘cause I don’t like no men.

Wear my clothes just like a fan, talk to gals just like any old man

‘cause they say I do it, ain’t nobody caught me, sure got to prove it on me”.

“Prove It On Me” – Recorded by Ma Rainey in 1928

The newsaper ad that promoted the release of “Prove It On Me” featured Ma Rainey dressed in a man’s suit flirting with two other woman. Rainey was also outspoken on women’s issues and was seen as a role model for future women entertainers who took control of their own careers.

Ma Rainey was arrested in Chicago in 1925 when police responded to a noise complaint and found a room full of naked women in “intimate” situations. Rainey spent the night in jail for hosting an “indecent party” and was bailed out the following morning by her friend and fellow blues isnger Bassie Smith. Some accounts link Smith and Rainey romantically, but no one is sure. But it is clear that Ma made no secret of her bisexuality.

The popularity of the classics women blues singer declined in the 1930’s. Rainey retired to her home town of Columbus after her mother and sister died in 1935. There she managed two theaters that she had purchased with her earnings. She became active in the “Congregation of Friendship” Baptist Church where her brother was a deacon.

When Ma Rainey died on December 22, 1939 from heart disease, the obituary in the local paper listed her as a housekeeper by profession. However, her contribution to American culture and music has been honored by time.

Today, Ma Rainey is known as the “Mother of the Blues”.

Blues and booze by Ma Rainey

Went to bed last night, and boy I was in my sleep, sleep

I went to bed last night, and I was in my sleep

Woke up this mornin', the police was shakin' me

I went to the jailhouse, drunk and blues as I could be (2x)

But that cruel old judge sent my man away from me

They carried me to the courthouse, Lordy, how I was cryin' (2x)

They jailed me sixty days in jail, and money couldn't pay my fine

Sixty days ain't long if you can spend them as you choose (2x)

But this seems like jail than a cell where there ain't no booze

My life is all a misery when I cannot get my booze (2x)

I spend every dime on liquor, got to have the booze to go with these blues



BUDDY GUY

Born in Louisiana and discovered in Chicago, Buddy Guy has gone on to define the modern electric Blues sound. Though never a huge commercial success, his artistry has always received critical acclaim from Blues fans and musical peers around the world. A true Blues Guitar Master.

Eric Clapton has called him the world's greatest guitar player. Buddy does so much more that just play the guitar, he plays with the guitar. Plucking the strings with his teeth had to inspire younger guitarists who were soon to be on the scene, like Jimi Hendrix

Buddy was a session player for Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, and Koko Taylor to name a few.

Buddy started his music career in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and relocated to Chicago in 1957. It didn't take long before he was sharing the same stage with Magic Sam, Luther Allison, and Otis Rush, helping create the "Westside Sound" of Chicago Blues.

Like most great Blues performers, Buddy Guy is best experienced live!

Taking advantage of every possible sound a guitar and amplifier can make, without special effects, Buddy can make his instrument talk as coherently as normal conversation. He plays words, not notes.

Buddy has won more W.C. Handy Awards than any other Blues artist.

Buddy teamed up with harmonica master Junior Wells in the late 1960s. They were known as the Blues Brothers long before Jake and Elwood.

Buddy owns Chicago's premier Blues club, "Buddy Guy's Legends".

Buddy continues to tour and make appearances at his Chicago club. He has even been known to stir up a pot of gumbo in the kitchen and serve his guests after the show. Now that's some Blues hospitality!

You damn right, I've got the blues by Buddy Guy

From my head down to my shoes

You damn right, I've got the blues,

From my head down to my shoes

I can't win, cause I don't have a thing to lose

I stopped by my daughters house

You know I just want to use the pone

I stopped by my daughters house

You know I just want to use the pone

You know my new grand baby came to the door

And said, granddaddy you know ain't no one at home

I said now look out

You damn right, I've got the blues,

From my head down to my shoes

You damn right, I've got the blues,

From my head down to my shoes

You know I can't win, now people, cause I don't have a thing to lose

Alright

You damn right, I've got the blues,

You damn right, I've got the blues,

You damn right, I've got the blues,

You damn right, I've got the blues,

Yeah





ERIC CLAPTON

Eric Clapton was born in Ripley, England, on March, 30, 1945.

Eric Clapton is probably most famous for his mastery of the Stratocaster guitar. Clapton was a guitarist in quite a few bands, before he first found chart success with the Yardbirds in the mid-sixties. Their single, 'For Your Love', reached number two in the UK chart in 1964. From this point on his skill as a distinctive guitarist was revered.

He joined John Mayall's Bluebreakers briefly, and then formed Cream in 1966. The unwanted fame that Clapton found in this trio led him to produce work under different names. He and George Harrison worked together under the names Delaney and Bonnie. It was whilst he was part of Derek and the Dominos that he wrote one of his most famous tracks, 'Layla'.

He was a popular guest guitarist and worked with artists such as The Beatles, Aretha Franklin and Frank Zappa. He released his first solo album, entitled 'Eric Clapton', in 1970. This showed the strong influence of JJ Cale on his work.

Throughout the early seventies he was battling with heroin addiction, which he overcame through acupuncture and a short retirement.


His next solo album of 1974 was entitled '461 Ocean Boulevard' and again showed off his mellow guitar playing. His version of Bob Marley's 'I Shot the Sheriff' was on this album, and reached number one as a single.

He continued his solo recordings in the seventies and eighties with albums such as 'No Reason To Cry', 'Backless' and 'Behind The Sun'. Phil Collins produced his 1986 album, 'August',which was said to be his best work in years.

In the early nineties Clapton was struck by tragedy; three members of his crew were killed in a helicopter crash, and his young son died in another tragic accident within a year.

He has continued to play and record, and his 1997 album, 'Pilgrim', was critically acclaimed.

Blues Before Sunrise lyrics

I have the blues before sunrise, tears standing in my eyes.

I have the blues before

sunrise, tears standing in my eyes.

It was a miserable feeling, now babe, a feeling I do despise.

I have to leave, leave you baby, because you know you done me wrong.

I have to leave you baby, because you know you done me wrong.

I'm gonna pack up and leave you darling and break up my happy home.

I have to leave, leave you baby, I'm gonna leave you all alone.

I'm gonna leave you baby, I'm gonna leave you all alone.

I'm gonna pack up and leave you darling because you know you done me wrong.

Well now goodbye, goodbye baby, I'll see you on some rainy day.

Well now goodbye baby, I'll see you on some rainy day.

You can go ahead now little darling, 'cause I want you to have your way.



KOKO TAYLOR

“Blues is my life. It’s a true feeling that comes from the heart, not just something that comes out of my mouth. Blues is what I love, and singing the blues is what I always do”.

Born Cora Walton in Memphis, Koko Taylor grew up on a sharecropper farm and sang at the local Baptist church. Even though her father encouraged her to sing only gospel music, Koko and her brothers would sneak out back with their homemade instruments and play the blues.As a youngster, Koko listened to as many blues artists as she could. Bessie Smith and Memphis Minnie were particular influences, as were Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Sonny Boy Williamson.

She married in 1953 and moved to Chicago where she would thrive in the urban Blues scene of the 1950's and 60's. Discovered by Blues genius Willie Dixon, who told her, “My God, I never heard a woman sing the blues like you sing the blues. There are lots of men singing the blues today, but not enough women. That’s what the world needs today, a woman with a voice like yours to sing the blues”. Dixon first recorded Koko for USA Records and then secured a Chess recording contract for her. He produced several singles and two albums for her –including her huge 1966 hit single Wang Dang Doodle- firmly establishing Koko as the world’s number one female blues talent.

With her arrival to national prominence, Taylor's timing was perfect to cross-over to white audiences, just when the black audiences were leaving the Blues. Her formidable performances endeared her to new white music fans who had just discovered Chicago's urban Blues through artists like Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf.

In 1975 Taylor started a legendary relationship with Alligator Records. The label was dedicated to Chicago Blues and Taylor quickly became their most successful artist. She became an international Blues festival favorite and brought her urban shouting style to parties around the world.

Koko won a Grammy in 1984 and has won more W.C. Handy Awards that any other female Blues artist.

An accident in 1988, and the subsequent death of her husband, took her from the scene for a couple years, but she returned and has been able to keep her special Blues alive. Koko still makes appearances at festivals around the world (in the Jazz Festival of Vitoria-Gasteiz, but more often than not she is playing in the mid-west region of the United states. She has earned the title Queen of the Blues.

You can have my husband by Koko Taylor

YOU CAN HAVE MY HUSBAND

BUT PLEASE DON'T MESS WITH MY MAN (R)

I'M TELLIN ALL YOU GIRLS

I WANT YOU ALL TO UNDERSTAND

WELL THE MONEY MY HUSBAND MADE

WAS FOR RED BEANS & RICE

MY MAN COOKS ME STEAKS

NOW AIN'T THAT NICE

CHORUS

SOLO

WELL WHEN I WAS WITH MY HUSBAND

HE WAS REALLY MEAN

BUT NOW WITH MY MAN

HE TREATS ME LIKE A QUEEN

CHORUS

WELL, MY MAN HE'S LITTLE

AND HE LOOKS LIKE A FROG

BUT WHEN HE STARTS TO LOVE ME

I HOLLER, OOH, HOT DOG

CHORUS

DON'T MESS WITH HIM, guitar

HE'S MINE

BETTER DON'T WAIT GIRL, guitar

AND I AIN'T LYIN

YOU CAN HAVE MY HUSBAND

BUT PLEASE DON'T MESS WITH MY MAN.



ALBERT KING

His real name was Albert Nelson and was born in April 25th in 1923 in Indianola, Mississippi. He was one of the premier electric guitar stylists of the post-World Was II period. By playing left-handed and holding hid guitar upside-down (with tha strings set for a right-handed player), and by concentrating on tone and intensity more than flash, King fashined over his long career, a sound that was both distinctive and highly influential. He was a master of the songle-string solo and could bend strings to produce a particularly tormented blues sound that set his style apart from his contemporaries. A number of prominent artists, from Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix to Mike Bloomfield and Stevie Ray Vaughan, borrowed heavily from King’s guitar style.


King was born in Mississippi and taught himself how to play on a homemade guitar.

He worked with several record labels in the fifties, but he didn’t become a major blues figure until after he signed with Stax Records in 1966. Working with Booker T and the MGs, King created a blues sound that was laced with Memphis soul trains. They recorded the album Born Under a Bad Sign (1967), for example. Many songs of this album, like “Crosscut Saw”, became classics and King got popularity into the blues circuits, especially with rock guitarrists, who imitated his guita solos. His following album with Stax Records was recorded in live in the famous Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco. It contains the hit “Watermelon man”. Not only was the first blues artist to play the legendary San Francisco rock venue the Fillmore West, but he was also on the debut bill, sharing the stage opening night in 1968 with Jimi Hendrix and John Mayall. He was also one of the first bluesman to record with a symphony orchestra: in 1969 he performed with the St. Louis Symphony, triumphantly bringing together the blues and classical music, if only for a fleeting moment.

During the 1970s, trumpets and saxos introduction, added a basic aelement in his music, even after finishing his contract with Stax. King toured extensively, often playing to rock and soul crowds. He left Stax in 1974 to record for independent labels like Tomato and Fantasy. He continued touring throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, playing festivals and concerts, often with B.B. King.

He died of a heart attack in 1992, just prior to starting a major European tour.

WATERMELON MAN by Albert King

Hey - Watermelon Man

Hey - Watermelon Man

Bring me one that rattles when you lug it

One that's erd and juicy when you plug it

Do you understand - Watermelon Man

Hey - Watermelon Man

Hey - Watermelon Man

Hot and bothered need a little cooling

When I hear your call I start to drooling

Do you understand - Watermelon Man




FREDDIE KING

Freddie was born in Gilmer, Texas, on September 3, in 1934 with the given name of Freddie King to Ella May King and J.T. Christian. His father’s mother told him that her grandfather (who was a full-blooded Choctaw Indian) prophesied to her that she would have a child that will stir the souls of millions and inspire and influence generations. His grandmother and her brother Leon played the guitar. Freddie’s mother recognized early her first born interest in music. She and her brother Leon began teaching him to play rural country blues at the age of six. His early music heroes were Sam Lightnin Hopkins (who he credits his proficiency of the sown home thumb-finger picken style) and Louis Jordan (the jump blues saxophonist).

He had to pick up cotton till earn enough money to buy his first guitar, a silverstone acoustic.

Freddie King traveled a common Blues journey. Born in Texas, his family moved to Chicago when he was a teenager. Though he is no relation to B.B. or Albert King, his influence, especially among Blues guitarists, has been legendary.

Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and Stevie Ray Vaughan have all have given him loving recognition and tall props.

Gotta love a man who gave us The Bossa Nova Watusi Twist.

Freddie King was a double threat on vocals and guitar. His hits Country Boy, Have You Ever Loved a Woman, and the Blues anthem You've Got to Love Her with a Feeling became standards for future Blues singers. Hits like Hide Away and Stumble have become Blues guitar classics. I'm Tore Down hit the charts twice. Freddie's original, and Eric Clapton's cover on his 1994 release From the Cradle.

Hide Away was named after a popular bar in Chicago.

King's voice was light and airy. His intensity would come out in his guitar. The contrast of these talents was Freddie King's signature style. At the start of the 60's, King recorded instrumental records. In 1965 he cut Freddy King Gives You a Bonanza of Instrumentals. His later hits were vocal performances.

Freddie King recorded for numerous labels including Chess, Federal, Atlantic, and Leon Russell's Shelter Records. His last record, Burglar, was produced by Clapton for RSO Records in 1974.

Freddie's great backup bands were some of the first racially integrated Blues outfits. They toured with bigger rock acts in the early seventies, bringing the Blues to a new audience. Many a rock fan walked away from those shows remembering Freddie instead of the big act they came to see.

Freddie King died of a heart attack in Dallas, Texas in 1976 at the age of 42.

You’ve got to love her with a feeling by Freddy King (1967)

Now-ow, if you wanna love that woman

A-you love her with a thrill

'Cause-a if you don't

A-some other man will

You've got to love her with a feeling

You got to love her with a feeling

Love her with a feeling, man

Or don't you love at all

She shakes all over

A-when she walks

She made a blind man see

She made a, a dumb man talk

You know she love me with a feeling

A-love me with a feeling

Love me with a feeling, baby

Or don't you love at all

(guitar, bass, drums)

The cops took her in

How that woman didn't need no bail

How she wiggled one time for the judge

And the judge put the cops in jail

You know you love me with a feeling

A-love me with a feeling

Love me with a feeling, baby

Or don't you love at all.


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