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Blues Playlist
2008-04-04 10:01:00
OK, I thought I would repost my playlist again. I hope you all enjoy it, if not just press pause to stop the music.
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Video Experiment
2008-04-03 19:21:00
Please excuse the video player below. I am doing an experiment with Googles new YouTube player. So far I can't really get it to play the kind of blues music that I want it too. But if you don't mind seeing music other blues music you can watch it and let me know what you think.Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com
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Blues Piano Day 7 - Champion Jack Dupree
2008-04-02 02:46:00
I was going to post a video of Bukka White playing some Boogie Woogie, because I think it is such a cool video.Then I thought about posting this blues piano video (1), this one (2), this one(3), this one (4) and this one (5). And if you watch them all I am sure you will enjoy them.But then I came across a video of a bluesman, whose music I truly love. It's funny to me that I did not think of Champion Jack Dupree when I thought of doing a week of post on the blues piano.I guess it is true what they say about your memory being the second thing to go.Champion Jack Dupree with King CurtisChampion Jack DupreeI like Mr. Dupree so much because he was a true man of Louisiana (and a man of the world too), his speech, his diction, his style, his rhythm and of course his musical skills all spring from his youth in Louisiana. And that may be why I did not think of of him at first. I have included too many bluesmen from Louisiana in my list of blues piano players I fear, but what can I say. It...
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Blues Piano Day 6 - Albert Ammons
2008-04-01 08:17:00
There is a whole lot of tickling of those ivories going on in this video of Albert Ammons (left) and Pete Johnson (right). These guys really rip it up. This almost reminds me of classical music in the virtuoso piano playing that these cats display.Boogie Woogie DreamRead all about Albert Ammons here;Albert Ammons @ WikipediaAlbert Ammons @ JazzPolice.com
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Blues Piano Day 5 - Professor Longhair
2008-03-30 05:50:00
Professor Longhair is another Louisiana raised blues piano man. They called him the professor because he was not only a wizard of the keyboard but influenced many of those who have come after him.The Rock and Roll Hall of fame says; Henry Roeland ?Roy? Byrd - better known to the world as Professor Longhair or ?Fess,? for short - stands as the foremost exponent of New Orleans piano style. Byrd?s idiosyncratic style is a rhythmic jambalaya reflecting the freewheeling, good-time spirit of the Crescent City. Professor Longhair soaked up influences from close-at-hand sources - barrelhouse boogie-woogie, Caribbean rhythms like the rumba (many of his relatives were West Indian), and the Crescent City?s ?second line? parade rhythms - but the way he pieced these elements together is what made his style such a marvel of fluidity and drive.Professor Longhair's TipitinaProfessor Longhair - Documentary(Japanese language)In the word of others;"The best thing that ever happened to the piano in Ne...
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Blues Piano Day 4 - Marcia Ball
2008-03-29 03:32:00
I really like Marcia Ball 's sound and style. She was born in Texas (I don't hold that against her) but she was raised in Louisiana, and it shows. What with the way she handles a keyboard, is there any question?The way Wikipedia puts it;Ball is known for her piano style, which shows elements of zydeco, swamp blues, Louisiana blues and boogie woogie. Most of her most well-known recordings were released on Rounder Records in the 1980s and early 1990s. She was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame in 1990.In the video below, I like the little talk she gives the audience.MARCIA BALL ON THE MOUNTAIN Marcia Ball: Play with your Poodlereferences;Marcia Ball @ MySpaceMarcia Ball @ WikipediaMarcia Ball's Official WebsiteMarcia Ball @ About.com Watch for the pop-up but they do have an mp3 at the end of the article.
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Blues Piano Day 3 - Otis Spann
2008-03-27 00:10:00
Another award winning blues piano player, and a man who did as much as anybody to help create the Chicago blues sound is Otis Spann. According to LivinBlues ;A measure of recognition and respect in which Spann is held took place at a ceremony held at the 1972 Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival, when Muddy Waters presented Spann's widow, Lucille, with a plaque which read: 'The people of Ann Arbor Michigan in recognition of the talent, the genius of the late Otis Spann, sweet giant of the Blues, formally dedicate the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival, 1972 in the grounds upon which it stands to the memory of this great artist.' That September the performance area where the plaque was placed became known as The Otis Spann Memorial Field and remained so for the ensuing years of the festival. Probably best remembered for the much needed subtle and complementary support he provided for Muddy Waters music, both on stage and in the recording studio. Otis Spann was inducted into the Blue...
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Blues Piano Day 2 - Pinetop Perkins
2008-03-26 04:01:00
Photo by Manuel VicariCan't really have a blues piano week if you don't have some Pinetop Perkins , now can you? I think the bio on his official website says it all;Pinetop Perkins is one of the last great Mississippi bluesmen still performing. He began playing blues around 1927 and is widely regarded as one of the best blues pianists. He?s created a style of playing that has influenced three generations of piano players and will continue to be the yardstick by which great blues pianists are measured.I like the video below, because it it shows where Mr. Perkins is in his life. I really like the end where he says, "Well I'm trying to make it, 93 years young and I'm still trying to make it." Now that is the blues, I hope I'm still trying to make it in my ninities. Mr. Perkins will be 95 this comming July 7th, God willing.Notes from YouTube; Pinetop Perkins and Anthony Sapienza perform Pinetop's hit "Kansas City" the day after Pinetop's gig at B.B. King's Blues Club in NYC. No...
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Blues Piano - Day 1 - Some examples
2008-03-24 21:48:00
OK, to keep this interesting I want to cover blues Piano this week. I am partial to the harmonica because I paly that instrument, but I envy piano players becasue in my mind they have real skills. Not that us harmonica players do not, but the piano has so much more to offer and the best piano blues players are real showmen. According to Piano Blues @About.comThe piano has earned an honored place in the history of the Blues. Though not as popular or convenient as a guitar or harmonica, the piano has carved out a deep tradition in America's music. Why the piano? Why not the trumpet, violin, tuba, or other traditional musical instruments that were available throughout the evolution of the Blues. Let's take a look at history of Blues piano. A great point made in this article is "W.C. Handy made his name as the "Father of the Blues" by transcribing Blues music for the world to then learn." Facts like this help us to really understand what the blues have become over the years. That ...
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Harmonica Day 7 - I Feel Like Going To Church - Amazing Grace
2008-03-24 03:17:00
One of my favorite blues hymns to play on my harmonica is Amazing Grace . I really like this version by Terry McMillan. May God rest his soul. I could only hope to one day be able to play it this good.I think this version fits for a day like to day, and I hope you enjoy it."Amazing Grace" Played On Harmonica By Terry McMillan
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Harmonica Day 6 - Junior Wells
2008-03-23 01:50:00
There is no way that I could even try to do a blues harmonica week without doing a post on Junior Wells . The man is right up there with Liltle Walter in my mind. I love his song Messing with the Kid. It is one of the songs the attracted me to the blues harmonica. I also liked the style of Junior Wells and the work that he did with Buddy Guy.Junior Wells Hoodoman BluesOther cool videos at YouTube;Junior Wells Mike Bloomfield - Messin With The KidJunior Wells - Help Me (1978)Junior Wells - What'd I Say (1966)Blogs that are hosting Junior Wells mp3s (get them while they are hot).Blues Calendar Blues - Junior Wells. This is a interesting write up on Junior Wells and has four mp3s.Reverend Frost Blog. This post has three mp3s.the leather canary. This post has three mp3s and according to the post;here are a few songs from a 1972 album buddy recorded with the late, great junior wells entitled buddy guy & junior wells play the blues...it was produced by eric clapton, tom dowd & ahm...
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Harmonica Day 5 - Friday Funny Darth Vader Blues
2008-03-22 05:13:00
On Friday s I like to take a look at the funny side of the blues and because I am also doing harmonica week the below video seemed to fit. I'm a Star Wars fan too so it fits even better. The harmonica part is Sonny Terry, but I am sure that most of you know that.I think that the blues are a joyous music, for the most part. Even though many of the lyrics seem to be about bad things, often times this is "tongue in cheek" and is played to get a laugh. Living the blues means mostly having a hard time, but it also means having a good laugh too.Darth Vader Feels Blue
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Harmonica Day 4 - Little Walter
2008-03-21 02:31:00
Well back down there in Alabama, or any where else, you could walk into a pawn shop and buy a harmonica for 5o cents, after Little Walter put out that record Juke it went up to 5 or 10 dollars.Sam Lay - Drummer for Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf and Paul Butterfield Blues BandI relate to my favorite blues harmonica players for different reasons. Little Walter is one of my favorites because he is from my home state, because of the work he did in creating the Chicago electric harmonica blues sound with Muddy Waters, and because he was a man who definitely lived the blues.Little Walter R&R Hall of Fame filmNotes from YouTube - A brief film about blues harmonica icon Little Walter Jacobs, which was shown as part of his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on March 10, 2008.Hound Dog Taylor & Little Walter - Wild About you babyLittle Walter You're So FineReferences;Little Walter's induction into the R&R Hall of Fame - Chicago blues icon Little Walter was inducted i...
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Harmonica Day 3 - Sonny Terry
2008-03-19 21:58:00
Sonny Terry is of course a member of the duo Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. They had a great career as blues and folk musicians. If you want to be a blues harmonica player studying Sonny Terry and his playing style will serve you well. The man's timing was the best in my opinion, the way he sings, shots and plays the harmonica all at the same time is a kind of magic. I love the part of the below video when Mr. Terry ask, "What you say harmonica?" You have to love a man who talks to his harmonica.Sonny Terry - These Women Is Killin' Me (1966) Sonny Terry/Callin' MamaCheck out wikipedia's list of harmonica blues players.Notable harmonica performances by other bluesmen;Good Rockin Charles - Don't Start Me To Talkin' (1977) Big Walter 'Shakey' Horton - Shakey's Blues (1965)Sonny Boy Williams I Documentary
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Harmonica Day 2 - James Cotton
2008-03-19 02:37:00
I love the blues music of James Cotton . Probably because he is an award winning harmonica player and because he makes it look so easy. He always seems to be having fun when he is playing.You can read his bio at the James Cotton offical web site. James Cotton - Rocket 88James Cotton live at a radio show in 1993Here is a James Cotton interview in Spanish. The notes at YouTube say, "James Cotton in Buenos Aires, Argentina, few interviews during press conference." Over at the "I AM FUEL, YOU ARE FRIEND" Blog, there is an impressive group of mp3s for the song "Bring it on home" by many great musicians. You should check this out, it is a great post. One of them is James Cotton doing Bring it on Home. Not sure who is doing the vocals but Mr. Cotton is doing the harmonica.More James Cotton @ SqueezeMyLemon.
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A Little Sonnny Boy Williamson Christmas Music Video
2008-03-18 03:39:00
I love the blues harmonica. I play harmonica for my own entertainment mostly and consider it my favorite of all the instruments. It is so cool how this simple instrument became such a powerful part of the blues. I intend to post various videos and maybe even some mp3s of some of my favorite harmonica players all this next week.This video includes a couple of songs that have every thing that a good blues song should have, IMHO. Great lyrics, with many double entendres, references to the devil, great harmonica playing, all done by a master bluesman. I play these songs during the holiday period but they are good anytime I hear them.
More About: Video , Christmas , Music , Christmas Music , Music Video

I Feel Like Going To Church - Church Blues Video
2008-03-16 22:06:00
I don't really have words to describe how happy this video makes me feel. You just have to watch it, and as you watch it I want you to consider how far this music has come.Can't get that stuff no more.. Church Blues !!Notes from YouTube - The BJ Trio Live in Östersund Old Church, Preachin' the Blues.. Some videoclips here from our latest visit in the Old Church, always very nice to play the acoustic blues in churches. Here we had a huge crowd in the small church, more than 300 people had come to see us play!! Awesome, thanks everyone who came!!
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Old Mr. Pete Seeger
2008-03-15 03:20:00
"Technology will save us if it doesn't wipe us out first." - Pete Seeger Over at YouTube and here on squeezemylemon I read comments about Pete Seeger and I wonder if people really know who he is. And if they know about his contributions to blues music and folk music in particular.On some of the Elizabeth Cotten videos and some other Rainbow Quest videos people comment that they think that Pete Seeger is racist, that he is patronizing and there are even worst things said about him.In most of the videos, he is just trying to keep the show moving along. He and his guest are under time constraints, those videos were filmed for television. People who do not understand how a television show is put together think that he is being rude or disrespectful when he is just trying to keep the show on track.And as for Pete Seeger and Elizabeth Cotten, she knew Pete Seeger when he was a boy. She worked in his families household. Imagine the fun she was having being on Pete's show. This kind of st...

Friday Funny - Elizabeth Cotten Telling Jokes Video
2008-03-14 22:49:00
This video is not really a video at all, it is a static photo of Elizabeth Cotten, but the audio is so delightful. Mrs. Cotten really makes me laugh with her stories. And she ends with a song. I hope you like it.Here is another Elizabeth Cotten post Frieght Train.
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Dreams and Songs of the Noble Old - The Roots
2008-03-14 02:45:00
The blog went over 46,000 hits sometimes yesterday. I just want to say thanks to all those who come by and visit. Sometimes I wish I had more skills and time to make this a better place for all those who come here to download an mp3 or to check out some of the videos that I post.But I don't, and that gives me the blues. Sometimes people complain about squeezemylemon, as if I get paid to do this.I think this video goes a long ways in explaining why I do this in the first place. Check out the whole video and make sure you visit folkstreams.net. They have some great roots, blues and folk music videos there.Notes form YouTubeAlan Lomax's examination of the talents and wisdom of elderly musicians, singers, and story-tellers, who perform not for fame or fortune but to preserve and share their culture.That pretty much sums it up, I do this to share my culture.
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Doing that social networking thing.
2008-03-12 23:11:00
I want to continue posting a lot of good blues music, but right now I am trying to fix all my various affiliate links on the different blogs that I write. So bear with me and look forward my upcoming music post soon.I write this blog because I love the music, but I also have to get the word out about some of my other blogs as well as make contact with other like minded people. So to help maintain those connections I wanted to post all my social networking links.I am also working hard to get all the information about my blogs online with the new social networks that are popping up. It is a lot of work. If you want to check me out on the social networks visit me on the following links. My Blogcatalog profile My MyBlogLog profile My MySpace Page My StumbleUpon Profile My Technorati Profile
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Albert King & Stevie Ray Vaughan - Stormy Monday Video
2008-03-11 19:51:00
I have been thinking about posting much more of the post World War II type blues music. And that is what got me thinking more about Stevie Ray Vaughan . There are some great modern bluesmen like SRV, Clapton, and John Mayall. I will try to find and post more of their music as we go along.Having said that, and in keeping with my last post. Check this out;Notes from YouTube - Two of the greatest blues guitarists join together on this special jam at CHCH Studios in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. December 6 1983.
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Stevie Ray Vagn and Stevie Wonder - The Two Stevies
2008-03-11 05:45:00
I was wondering what I would post today, and then it occurred to me that I do not post enough Stevie Ray Vaghn. I really do need to fix that. And then low and behold someone posted some Stevie Ray with Stevie Wonder on YouTube. Now I know this is not the classical blues that I normally post in this blog, but who is going to complain about the two Stevies.SRV & Stevie Wonder Rehearsal "Come Let Me" Take 2Stevie Wonder and Stevie Ray Vaughan - Superstition

I Feel Like Going to Church - Ida Goodson Video
2008-03-09 20:08:00
click image to see 83 pictures of Ida CoxI think this video shows how gospel music has its roots in the blues, and also how the blues got some of its power from gospel singers. Ida Goodson is a very good example of a blues musician who lived in both worlds.You can read all about her at Wikipedia, they have a nice write up on her.This is in my mind a perfect example of how blues and gospel music are related from the mouth of someone who would know.Here is an mp3 of the roliking Something has got a hold on me from the Music from the Florida Folklife Collection.I also enjoyed this write up in the Piney Flatwoods Girl blog.
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Alberta Hunter Videos
2008-03-09 06:11:00
YouTube has a few cool videos of Alberta Hunter . Most of them when she is older. I like "Nobody Knows The Way I Feel This Morning" because her voice is more powerful and colorful then in some of the other videos. But having said that, you have to watch this first one, which can not be embedded. It shows what a powerful force she was.Alberta Hunter performing "My Castles Rockin" (DVD Preview)If she could sing like that at 82, then imagine her in her prime. This next one is kind of funny. They way only the blues can be.'My Handy Man'Nobody Knows The Way I Feel This MorningNotes from YouTube; - After a very hard youth (she ran away from home at the age of 12), Hunter managed to become one of the best and most popular entertainers of the 20's. Her discography spans the whole 20's decade and the first half of the 30's. This recording was made for Gennett on December 24th, 1924. She was accompanied by Clarence Williams' Red Onions Jazz Babies. On the label, Hunter appears under the...
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Friday Funny - Calhoun Tubbs sings the blues
2008-03-07 21:15:00
Notes from YouTube; Here is the entire clip of Calhoun singing about his good buddy Mississippi "Fatback" Weatherspoon.
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Blues Quotes - B.B. King & Duke Ellington
2008-03-05 09:43:00
?I've said that playing the blues is like having to be black twice. Stevie [Ray Vaughan] missed on both counts, but I never noticed.?B.B. King ?I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues.?Duke Ellington
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Blues Terminology: John The Conquer
2008-03-04 10:23:00
This is a repost from Mar of 2006.In 1954 Muddy Waters had a hit with the Willie Dixion song "Hoochie Coochie Man" and ever since I first heard this song I wondered what Muddy meant when he sang that line "I got the John the Conquer oo." It is part of the verse that goes;I got a black cat bone, I got a mojo too,I got the John the Conqueroo, I'm gonna mess with you,I'm gonna make you girls, lead me by my hand,Then the world will know, the Hoochie coochie Man. According to Answers.com"John the Conquer root, refers to a number of roots to which magical powers are ascribed in American folklore, especially among the hoodoo tradition of folk magic among African Americans. The root, in turn, is named after a folk hero called High John the Conqueror."Who was John the Conqueror?"John the Conqueror was supposed to be an African prince who was sold as a slave in the Americas. Despite his enslavement, his spirit was never broken and he survived in folklore as a sort of a trickster figure, bec...
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Etta Baker In Her Own Words - Video
2008-03-04 01:30:00
I really enjoy Etta Baker 's music, you may remember that I posted about her when she passed away last year. May God bless her soul.But I really like this video because it shows what a kind, simple and beautiful person she was. I hope you enjoy hearing her talk about her garden, her parents and how she learned to play guitar from her dad.Etta Baker - Knoxville Rag Notes from YouTube; - "Etta Baker stumped me hard. Her style was completely different. I like to think of myself as a well educated blues musician, but I must admit that I'd never played the Piedmont style, so I was a bit nervous. After a brief lesson, she kicked it off, and I just tried to keep up as best I could." - Kenny Wayne Shepherd
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I Feel Like Going to Church - Rev. Gary Davis - Oh Glory How Happy I Am
2008-03-02 11:29:00
Oh Glory How Happy I AmLYRICS:Oh, when I was out in the world of sinI had no one to be my friendJesus came and he taken me inGlory, halleluAnd he taken my feet out the miry clayHe placed them up on a rock to stayI thank God that I can sayGlory, halleluOh, Glory how happy I amOh, Glory how happy I amMy soul is washed in the blood of the lambGlory, halleluI was out in darkness and I could not seeJesus came and he rescued meHe claimed me and gave me a victoryGlory, halleluAnd one day while Jesus was passing byHe set my sinful soul on fireHe made me laugh and he made me cryGlory, halleluOh, Glory how happy I amOh, Glory how happy I amMy soul is washed in the blood of the lambGlory, halleluWhen I could not understandJesus, he give me a lending handLed me away to the promised landGlory, halleluOh, well he give me a horn and he told me to blowGo in peace and sin no moreHe led me away to the upright shoreGlory, halleluOh, Glory how happy I amOh, Glory how happy I amMy soul is washed in the ...
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