Introduction

Hi, this is my first issue of South Of France Blues which will be a monthly online magazine dedicated to those interested in The Blues.

I am not an expert on any kind of music nor do I play music (apart from a few riffs on a Hohner harmonica) but I do love the blues.

Recently I made a visit to the USA, to visit friends, and to find some good blues music. With a couple of exceptions I was disappointed (not with the friends, but with the music!). Some years back I had visited Philadelphia many times on business and often enjoyed a good blues evening in Warm Daddies. Sadly, they have moved to a soulless building away from downtown and, in my opinion, have lost the warm appeal they had in the past. Soul music was being played on the evening I went and both the lady singer and the band would have sounded just as good at half the volume.

In Chicago I was advised to visit Kingston Mines blues club. A much better atmosphere than Warm Daddies and good ribs too. This venue boasts two stages in two rooms. A strange system whereby you can listen to the band in one room until their break and then move to the adjoining room for the start of the second band. The first band was good the second a noise.

Nashville lived up to its reputation as the home of country music. Almost all the bars and clubs had live country bands playing and most were good. The Music Hall Of Fame is amazing and traces the roots of country and blues music and displays memorabilia from Hank Williams (all three of them), Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Elvis, and many more.

Memphis on the other hand was another disappointment. As a blues fanatic I had set my heart on finding real blues in Memphis but, oh dear, walk as often as I may down Beale Street, my ears were accosted with disco music and very poor karaoke. Such a shame.

I did find a blues band called "2 Weeks Notis" tucked down beside a bar and they were doing their best to provide some good music regardless of noise from the disco bar opposite. During their break I chatted to Bill, their lead singer and bass player, and he confirmed that the blues had almost been pushed out of Memphis.

Whilst in Memphis I went twice to BB Kings club, on Beale Street (good ribs too!). The resident band played on my first night and they were OK but not impressive. Don't get me wrong, I like virtually all kinds of music but it needs to be good and this band resorted to 30 minutes of poorly sung Michael Jackson covers - at BB Kings club, on Beale Street, Memphis? No ....................!!

My next night at BB Kings was more for the ribs than the music but boy was I in for a surprise. Playing the early slot was the Will Tucker Band. They comprise Russ Wheeler on keyboards, Randy Middleton on Bass, and Pete Mendillo on drums. Plus, of course Mr Will Tucker, who provides an amazing concert with his guitar and singing ranging from numbers by Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, etc. Whilst listening and watching this young maestro my wife and I tried to guess his age. With his incredible skills and total confidence on stage we guessed him to be around nineteen at least. Were we to be shocked when Pete Mendillo announced that the band leader is only 15 years of age and has been playing the guitar for only three years. Look him up on the above link (however, if you go to his Youtube site I don't think this does him justice).

My final destination on this quest for good music was New Orleans. Another place I have enjoyed in pre-huriccane Katrina days. The French Quarter was not seriously damaged by the floods but I'm afraid it has washed away the music - unless you like disco, karaoke, strip tease clubs, and bad food. Very sad.

So, what's all this to do with the blues in the south of France? Well, my trip also took me to Long Beach, California (just south of Los Angeles) which is a really nice place and home to the "HMS Queen Mary", now used as an hotel. Just as I was leaving my hotel and heading to San Diego I noticed a magazine called Southland Blues, in the lobby, and what a great find it was.

And, this is what has given me the idea to create a blog, in the south of France, for all those that want to keep the blues alive - wherever you are.

Thanks for finding me and reading my blog. In the months to come I hope to provide you with interesting articles on the blues, details on artists and events, and anything else that will keep the legend alive.

Please do feel from to contribute. I need all the help I can get.