Blues advice, please.

[earlofsodbury]

My brother's birthday's coming up, and we usually buy one-another music, but I'm at a bit of a loss what to get him at the mo.

He listens to 95% blues of many kinds, and has several hundred albums and collections - all the big names, and many of the lesser-known, spanning the earliest up to date.

Lately he's been enjoying some of the more modern, slightly more amped-up styles - Elmore James Jr. (note, Junior) is bang on the nail, R. L. Burnside's more recent stuff is enjoyed, while Little Axe is considered a little too polished.

All that said, anything out of the usual is in contention.

Anyone out there able to make any suggestions?

Thanks, sod.

[voiceofthemysterons]

I'm a bit out of touch here, but used to go to The Station Tavern in Latimer Road a lot when it was a full-on Blues club.
I loved hearing Big Joe Lewis (sorry, no link at the mo) and 'Little' George Sueref, his harp player. George could also sing like Janis Joplin.
Was really chuffed when I managed to see them again more recently, albeit seperately-they went different ways I think.
They both turn up from time to time at "Nothin' but the Blues" bar in Soho.

[take5]

Paul, Im wary ofmaking any suggestions, because he sounds much more experienced in this idiom than I am.

But, Elmore James and R L Burnside. oh yes.... that will do for me. love it.

If you think that he may like some "jazzier" blues then possibly check out Gene Ammons. But although playing blues (as well as standards), with a blues feel, it isnt the "gut bucket, down in the gutter, slit wrists" stuff that you brother may be used to. possibly too many notes!!

youve set yourself a hard task. good luck.

[voiceofthemysterons]

Agree with that! It's music that seems to be hard to get JUST right, very subjective.
Is RL Burnside (vvgood) on the Fat Possum label? Might be worth looking around there?

[earlofsodbury]

Some good thoughts there lads, thanks

And yes RLB is indeed on Fat Possum, I must check their site and see what's cookin'

Cheers!

[auralflea]

For a slightly more leftfield suggestion, try a look into William Elliott Whitmore


I know at least some of his stuff is on Southern Records

[earlofsodbury]

Thanks Kevin

[Professor Chaos]

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - Texas Swing

Pretty much as advertised, the virtuosic Brown on both guitar and fiddle accompanied by a small jump/swing combo. Lines between blues, jazz, and country obliterated

[auralflea]

Another name or 3 as I think of them...


North Mississippi Allstars

Kelly Joe Phelps

Rory Gallagher (there is a lovely box set of 5 live albums for example - "Let's Go To Work")

Taste (Rory Gallagher's original band)

Ben Weaver

Johnny Winter

[Muggles]

If he likes RL Burnside he should certainly check out Junior Kimbrough (on Fat Possum). Also check out the North Mississippi Allstars (try ‘Shake Hands With Shorty’, which is punk/rock country bar-blues, with RL’s son on guitar).

Two other favourites that your bro’ may not have heard: Corey Harris ‘Greens from the Garden' (blues-reggae-funk-jazz…), and Ernie Payne ‘Coercion Street’ (rootsy, soulful, contemporary delta-blues).

[Matt J]

Muggles beat me to it, I was gonna suggest Junior Kimbrough

Sounds like he knows his stuff though, so a tough buy from the sounds of it, make sure you give him the receipt!

[auralflea]

Not new names as such, but this was a favourite album of mine back in the 70s, alas now long gone.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blues-Real-S...89&sr=1-10

It may be a live concert recording he hasn't heard, and the names involved are not the first ones which usually spring to mind either.

I think I'm going to have to to come back to this one myself!

[earlofsodbury]

Nice one gents - looks like I got me some surfin' to do

[gjm]

This one is a bit off-the-wall but worth a listen - Jon Gomm.

Some blues, some folky stuff, all with fantastic guitar playing and music.

[dom_]

The next name is Oli Brown. New album out a few weeks ago.

He will be big in the blues scene soon. One of the 'cool' names to brand at the mo.

[earlofsodbury]

&

[russ abbott - royds brother]

http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/2407...Price&fb=0

maybe.

[russ abbott - royds brother]

http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/3475...g/Product.html

[ncdrawl]

Greens from the Garden-- Corey Harris

anything by Robert Cray

Shake It--Johnny Dyer and Rick Holmstrom

Spontaneous Combustion--Son Seals

Nice and Warm--Tab Benoit

Wise and Otherwise--Harry Manx

and one of my favorite bands--

Chili Cold Blood--Ass kicking country blues, dirty as hell, but with pedal steel

http://www.myspace.com/chilicoldblood

[earlofsodbury]

Sod my bro, some of this I'm gonna be getting for ME!