I decided to do a quick edit. I’ve seen Los Lonely Boys 4 times. The first time was 10 or 12 years ago. None of us knew who they were when they opened for Robert Randolph & the Family Band but they blew Robert Randolph off the stage! My email to followers of this Blog talks about SXSW but this video gives more of a flavor of a Los Lonely Boys show. Now you’ll know why I won’t miss Los Lonely Boys whenever they come back again!
Keb’ Mo’ performing “Dirty, Lowdown and Bad” at Sessions at West 54th in NYC. I saw Keb’ Mo’ last night at the Barrymore Theatre in Madison WI. It was an intimate, seated show and Keb’ enjoyed talking with the fans in between songs. He started out slow during the 2 hour set but gained steam and had the women dancing in front toward the end. I had never seen Keb’ Mo’ before and really enjoyed it. He has some beautiful guitars and he really knows what to do with them! I picked this video because I like the song and Keb’s wearing the same hat that he wore last night.
Today I’m featuring Madison WI icon, Clyde Stubblefield, a/k/a “The Funky Drummer.” Clyde’s been under the weather recently and his many friends hope he’s feeling better soon! Clyde Stubblefield is best known for his work with James Brown and his recordings are considered to be some of the standard-bearers for funk drumming including the singles “Cold Sweat”, “There Was A Time”, “I Got The Feelin'”, “Say It Loud – I’m Black And I’m Proud”, “Ain’t It Funky Now”, “Mother Popcorn”, and the album “Sex Machine.” Clyde’s rhythm pattern on James Brown’s “Funky Drummer” is among the world’s most sampled musical segments. This is a short drum solo from a James Brown show in 1968. Here’s a link to the full show. Get well soon, Clyde!
Big Head Todd & The Monsters performing “Bittersweet” live at Red Rocks. Just by chance, I heard this song in 2 different bars yesterday. I hadn’t heard it for awhile and forgot how much I like it. Big Head Todd is one of those people I would drive 100 miles to see perform. I’ve seen him 4 times and hope I get to see him 4 more. This is a great recording at a great venue and perfect for a Monday.
Bobby Bryan at Terra Blues NY. I first met Bobby Bryan a few years ago when he was playing with my friends Pauli Ryan, Chris Aaron and Richard Davis in the supergroup, Bandallamas. Bobby has played with some of the best: Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland, his daughter Shemekia Copeland and Keb Mo’ along with many others. He proudly represented Wisconsin for the first time ever at the 2008 International Blues Challenge in Memphis TN. Bobby’s now living in NYC. Here’s the only video I could find on YouTube. Bobby talks for about a minute but then gets into it! To hear more of Bobby Bryan’s music, check out his website.
Poco performing “A Good Feeling To Know.” I found my autographed Poco hat yesterday. Hard to believe Poco was founded in 1968! The line-up has changed over the years but Rusty Young has been there from the beginning and Jack Sundrud has been there since 1985. I saw Poco a few years ago at the intimate Green Lake WI Opera House with my then girlfriend, Holly. It was an awesome show and we got to meet the band afterwards and nice guys that they are, they autographed my hat. I’m not with Holly anymore – she didn’t tell me she was married! – but at least I still have the hat!
The North Mississippi Allstars performing ‘Rollin’ and Tumblin.'” The North Mississippi Allstars are a trio comprised of brothers Luther and Cody Dickinson and Chris Chew. I’ve seen them several times opening for and playing with John Hiatt. The real fun of this blog is picking out the artists and videos to feature. This is one you gotta see. Dude’s playing a 2 string guitar made out of a coffee can, picking it with a credit card! Plus, it’s a great take on an old Blues standard.
Bobby “Blue” Bland passed away last June at age 83. He was known as the “Lion of the Blues” and also “The Sinatra of the Blues.” I kinda like that one. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame which described him as “second in stature only to BB King as a product of Memphis’s Beale St. Blues scene.” He also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. I got to see Bobby a handful of times over the years. Here’s a live performance from St. Louis with some of his best known songs.
Madison Area Blues & More 