Category Archives: Blues

Johnny Winter – “Highway 61 Revisited” (videos)

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In 1969, Johnny Winter covered “Highway 61 Revisited” on his second Columbia release, Second Winter. Winter’s rendition is regarded as “a career-defining track,” and the song continued as a live standard of his. A 10-minute version of the song appears on his 1976 live album, Captured Live !, and he also performed it live in 1992 for the The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration album, which saluted Dylan’s three decades as a recording artist. (wikipedia)

From “Second Winter” (1969) album:

Oh, God said to Abraham, “Kill me a son”
Abe said, “Man, you must be puttin’ me on”
God said, “No” Abe say, “What?”
God say, “You can do what you want, Abe, but
The next time you see me comin’, you better run”
Well, Abe said, “Where d’you want this killin’ done?”
God said, “Out on Highway 61”

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Feb 21: Nina Simone Birthday

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Jazz is a white term to define black people. My music is black classical music.
~Nina Simone

Once I understood Bach’s music, I wanted to be a concert pianist. Bach made me dedicate my life to music, and it was that teacher who introduced me to his world.
~Nina Simone

Nina Simone was one of the most gifted vocalists of her generation, and also one of the most eclectic.
~Mark Deming (allmusic.com)

Ain’t Got No…I’ve Got Life:

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Skip James: Devil Got My Woman

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skip james

I’d rather be the devil, to be that woman man
I’d rather be the devil, to be that woman man
Aw, nothin’ but the devil, changed my baby’s mind
Was nothin’ but the devil, changed my baby’s mind
~Skip James (Devil Got My Woman)

Coupling an oddball guitar tuning set against eerie, falsetto vocals, James’ early recordings could make the hair stand up on the back of your neck.
~Cub Koda (allmusic.com)

Skip James (June 9, 1902 – October 3, 1969) was an American Delta blues singer. He is regarded by most blues writers as a very important artist.

He is one of 3 blues artists to featured in Wim Wenders great documentary film The Soul of a Man (2003). 

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Jan 27: The late Elmore James was born in 1918

Elmore+James  No two ways about it, the most influential slide guitarist of the postwar period was Elmore James, hands down. Although his early demise from heart failure kept him from enjoying the fruits of the ’60s blues revival as his contemporaries Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf did, James left a wide influential trail behind him. And that influence continues to the present time — in approach, attitude and tone — in just about every guitar player who puts a slide on his finger and wails the blues.
~Cub Koda (allmusic.com)
Dust My Broom:

Jan 27: The late Elmore James was born in 1918

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Jan 25: The late Etta James was born in 1938

etta james 1 “When I sing for myself, I probably sing for anyone who has any kind of hurt, any kind of bad feelings, good feelings, ups and downs, highs and lows, that kind of thing” – Etta James

Etta James – Full Concert – 08/17/91 – Newport Jazz Festival :


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