Blues Blues!

Marantz Cinema Series AV Receivers
For the blues fans. Now spinnin, the only man who ever learnt directly from the great Robert Johnson, the man who ‘made the deal with the devil’ himself. Johnson shackled up with Lockwood’s mother off and on for many years and became something of a mentor and step dad to young Robert. Learning from him, he then began performing with him, and also Sonny Boy Williamson II. So much so that he was called Robert ‘Jr’, somewhat to his chagrin. This record is from a two day blues festival in Tokyo in 1974. Lovely, easy electric blues. The records originally came bundled with a 7inch single (which I sadly don’t yet have).

Robert Jr Lockwood and the Aces, Live Blues. Trio Records, 1975

IMG_7491.jpeg
 
Hot Tuna was the blues-rock side experiment of Jefferson Airplane’s Jorma Kaukonnen and Jack Casady. It went on to lead a much much longer life than the great Airplane. Hoppkorv is their seventh album and their last on Grunt Records. And although it has a couple of covers of Mud and Chuck Berry, this album is much much more hard classic rock than blues rock. Heavy riffs and lots of waaah-waaah! And appropriately psychedelic 3D cover art to go with the music.

Hot Tuna - Hoppkorv. Grunt, 1976, US

IMG_7493.jpeg
 
71pVStdv+zL._UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg


.
 
Not pure blues but relevant here. Al Kooper’s quest to introduce a horn section into electric blues gave us this gorgeous band and album. Blood, Sweat & Tears’ debut in 1968 is the only one with him, as he was ousted after this. Nevertheless, Child is Father to the Man is a masterpiece infusing horns into blues rock or perhaps fusing them all. And this is a lush, gorgeous 2007 Speakers Corner pure analogue reissue. Bliss.

IMG_7740.jpeg
 
A really nice compilation. Not just a piano blues record but plenty of guitar-driven toons. Memphis Slim - Rockin the Blues. Charly, 1981, UKIMG_7749.jpeg
 
Blues-adjacent or blues-infused so I’m posting this here.

When Felix Pappalardi announced he was leaving Mountain, Leslie West and Corky Laing started exploring the possibility of a new band/venture. Pappalardi’s extensive production for Cream meant they all knew each other really well. And so, Jack Bruce joined hands with Laing and West, and in an era of short-lived supergroups one more was added to the roster. Why Dontcha was their first of two studio albums. Clearly the loose, loud, freewheeling Mountain sound with Bruce’s vocals - hard rock with more than a hint of blues a la Cream - good clean fun!

West, Bruce & Laing - Why Dontcha. 1972, Columbia/Windfall, US

IMG_7916.jpeg
 
Now spinning Duane Allmam - An Anthology. 1972, Capricorn Records. 1975ish Burbank Warner Japanese reissue

IMG_8426.jpeg
 
Late night blues (is there any other kind?!)! Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown going somewhat mad on his fiddle in ‘Blackjack’. 1977, mim, US.

IMG_8727.jpeg
 
Great idea for a thread Blues and jazz really do go hand in hand, and it’s always fun discovering new tracks through others’ favorites. That’s a solid list you’ve started with—Buddy Guy and Muddy Waters are timeless, and Otis Taylor brings such a deep, haunting feel. Looking forward to seeing what other blues gems everyone shares here.
 
Nothing like a little early Allman Brothers to dial up the afternoon. A double issue of their first two albums - self titled and Idlewild South. Listening to them in succession is not something I probably would’ve done if they weren’t bundled like this. But they just flow absolutely seamlessly! As if they were meant to be a double. Glorious stuff. 1973, Japanese issue - a very sweet pressing indeed.

IMG_9513.jpeg
 
Well after Greg, I just had to go and pull out perhaps my favourite ever electric blues album. The breakout record from the Iceman himself! Nominated for a Grammy in 1979. And a certified all time classic!

Albert Collins - Ice Pickin’
1980, Atlas, Japanese reissue

IMG_9515.jpeg
 
Audio Technica AT-LP60X Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Turntable
Buy from India's official online dealer!
Back
Top