Friday, May 25, 2007

Carey Bell, 1936-2007

















R.I.P.

I just learned that Chicago bluesman Carey Bell died May 6. He's heard to great effect on this Muddy Waters song. The tough 1988 performance serves as a reminder that Bell was one of the greats. Brought Up the Hard Way is just one of many excellent Bell titles. I also recommend this live video.

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Fans of Mac Lethal and P.O.S. will be pleased by this newly uploaded YouTube video.

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Forget the iPhone. Unless pending legislation dooms Pandora, their new deal with Sprint promises to make me very happy.

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I was pleased to snag the free live EP by The Black Keys at their MySpace page. "Girl Is On My Mind" is especially fine.

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Kansas City Click: It may be hard to muster much enthusiasm for Bow Wow, but it'd be a kick to see how Mims delivers the biggest song of the year tonight at Starlight.

I have to be in a certain mood to appreciate The McFadden Brothers. They're old-school entertainers, so it helps to pretend you've been transported to Vegas circa 1961. They play two sets Saturday night at the Blue Room.

Two terrific jazz acts play free outdoor gigs on the Plaza Sunday afternoon. Listen for Ida McBeth and Gerald Spaits.

1 comment:

Stivel Velasquez said...

Blues harmonica legend Carey Bell is one of the very few players today who didn't learn his craft by listening to old records, but by studying directly under the masters. "Little Walter, he showed me a lot of things," says Bell, "but Big Walter, he was crazy. He did all kinds of shit other harp players couldn't do." And like his teachers Big Walter Horton, Little Walter Jacobs and Sonny Boy Williamson II -- each with a sound of his own -- Bell was inspired to forge his own style. march madness It didn't take long for Bell to develop his signature "chopped" harmonica phrasing and deep-blues vocal attack. A veteran of both Muddy Waters' and Willie Dixon's bands as well as a searing solo artist with chops to burn, Bell's classic yet contemporary, funky yet subtle and deeply soulful blues place him firmly on the short list of blues harmonica superstars.
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