Smokestack Lightnin'

A fairly new one of Howlin Wolf - quite pleased with how this turned out. What can one say about the Wolf that hasnt already been said. Hearing moanin at midnight really got me properly into Blues. I recently bought an album by Taildragger with Bob Corritore - Longtime Friends in the Blues - quite a relentless grinding album in the ensemble chicago style and Taildragger doing his Howlin Wolf stylings. I like it though. Favourite track is actually a boogie woogie with Henry Gray doing great work while Taildragger has fun talking a bout a big legged dancing girl! Best recent Wolf cover I've heard is Bobby Rush reinventing Smokestack lightnin on Rawer tha Raw - a stunning performance. I love the way he sings '...with the Derby on' - with real menace in it.

My tribute to Little Richard

I did this shorty after the King ( and Queen!) of rock n roll died in May 2020. Long live the Quasar of rock n roll!!! I've recently been listening to his 60s vee jay stuff - some great performances that often get dismissed. Not as good as his Specialty work, but then what is??

Popa Chubby is The Catfish

Even though this album is a few years old I think it's the album I've listened to most in 2019. Especially travelling to work and back, a journey that really needs livening up sometimes. I really rate this guy, even though it's  largely blues rock, not the sort of blues I normally like, but I love Popa Chubby. He has great musical skills, personality and a varied approach to his stuff, never getting stuck in one groove. Anyone who references Motörhead, James Brown, Wes Montgomery and a load of other stuff is ok with me. It never sounds forced and he makes the listener feel like his friend throughout, laying down his own observations and truths as Popa Chubby sees it.  I'm going to see him early next year and am really looking forward to him doing his stuff live. Long live Popa Chubby!