blues for Maceo rough mix

My good friend and musical guru, Maceo ( his User name) recently suggested that we combine forces and construct another in our random series of musical guides,

His chosen subject was blues / funk/ rock.

as ever with me, I carefully went through the CD's on my "playlist " pile, choosing those that resonate...
I then booted my PC up and compiled an 82 minute mix of blues, only one track from my original list!!!

So, for your entertainment and my embarassement, here's the rough mix of that initial creative burst.

I can't guarantee that any of these tracks will make the final cut - I might discard them all, but it's a work in progress and a chance for us to get back on that blogging podcast train...


I kick off with a live track from "The Dodge Brothers", The skiffle band put together by Mark Kermode, the Observer's film critic. It was gonna be a track off their new CD, "The Sun Set" but I loved the singer's introduction.

Then we've got a boogie shuffle from an ex boxer! Paul Thorn is an exception that proves the rule - witty, articulate, cynical and funny. 

Then a track from Bill Kirchen's latest CD - a reworking of his Commander Cody track " Truck-stop as the end of the world" I chose this as was too "in the zone" to dig out my CC Cd and rip the original version .
Then it's a new discovery for me, Corey Stevens - looks like a SRV clone, but plays more like Albert King .
Then a curve ball ( well, it's my podcast and I'll throw it in) Black Dub - Daniel Lanois and friends from the fantastic debut . This is one of several instrumental on the album,a firm office favourite last month.
Then the first "classic" blues number - Sean Chambers explosive reading of "Rock Me Baby". I think he's now fronting a resurrected "Blackfoot" but he can sing and play the blooz like a good'un.
Then it Billy Jones. Why he's not a mega star, I don't know. I stumbled over him on you tube, got hooked and now own 4 CD's. This is a Chicago blues rewrite of the Mother In Law joke with a twist.
Next up is Chris Anderson. Don't know much about him, but just listen to thr luyrical tones as he sings and plays on this. I downloaded the track then ,thanks to the web, ordered the CD from him, and it's fab.
Next up, the man of the moment, Mr Gary Clark Jnr, stomping and strutting his way to the top.
Follow that ,they said. So here's an alternative mix of Greg Allman's "I've got news for you" , more woodsy than the final version on his album "searching For Simplicity"
Next Up, Jess Rodens shows how to mix a full flight RnB band with a soul voice and a great song. The Ballad Of Big Sally, recorded live for the BBC back in the 70's.

Pat O'Bryan next - Don't know anything else about him, stumbled over this album, downloaded it, keep playing this track - the soundscape is wide open and sends the hairs on my arms into spasm.

Which is apt as the next track is the second of my "classic tracks" , It's Red House , by Prince. But not the "Rave Unto 2000" DVD version, but a more focused and tight club gig version from Le Bataclan in Paris from 1999.

I thought I'd better put a P track as he acts as the anchor for our musical interaction.Also I've been on a "dry " month and not been playing anything by him, despite obtaining some nice original silver boots via e bay etc. 
Nearly there now. Dirty Dave Ostin sounds like a bit player from "Sons Of Anarchy" and for all I know, he could be, but this is a great rip roaring modern American Guitar Hero letting rip - no excessive shredding or fretboard doodling, just straight forward blues rock.

And then, finally, a hint of where I'm at with my current listening  - "Freakpower" by "Freakpower" from their first album. Freakpower were formed by the Artist latterly  known as Fatboy Slim .
Far more soulful than his solo big beat tunes, and diametrically opposite the white boy pop of the House Martins.

I’ve tired to provide a wide palette of blues for this, and am fully aware that not every track will strike a chord with everyone, but they all deserve at least a listen…

And if you like one enough to go out and buy a CD, well ,job jobbed as we say

G