Full circle: Blues as spiritual
Spiritual music was instrumental in the early development of the blues. African Americans incorporated it along with work songs and field hollers from the post-Reconstruction... Read more
A band from the other Washington
A very original play on a blues standard by a band from the other Washington. The percussion is hypnotic. Vocalist/guitarist Bobby Thompson is playing an... Read more
Blues lingo
Want to expand your blues lingo? What’s a Salty Dog, and what was Howlin’ Wolf referring to when he sang Spoonful? Rock musician Debra Divi... Read more
An album to be remastered
My first encounter with the blues, going for $200 for a CD on Amazon?!? There are many other compilations by Eric Clapton, but this one... Read more
Video of the week
Longer versions of Muslim Call to Prayer and Levee Camp Holler, referenced in Jonathan Curiel’s article (see previous post). Read more
Muslim roots in the blues
When listening to the blues, Muslim tradition is probably far from your mind. But the genre is rooted in the music of the African slaves,... Read more
Music and memory
Alzheimer’s and dementia can be devastating to patients and their families, and are irreversible, with no medical cure. But social worker Dan Cohen of Music... Read more
Video of the week
Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan – Voodoo Chile Which is better, Jimi or Stevie Ray? And what was drummer Mitch Mitchell on that night?... Read more
2017 WBS Best Of the Blues
The nominations for the 2017 Best Of the Blues awards from the Washington Blues Society are out. Polly O’Keary & the Rhythm Method, in Memphis... Read more
AJ & the Way set new album release
Multi-talented Seattle blues/rock artist Ayron Jones has finally set the date for the release of his second album, Audio Paint Job. It’s scheduled for June... Read more