February 2010

RAMBLINGS

Wowwee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A huge thank you to all those who have viewed South of France Blues. You are part of a group of interested readers in France (many), the UK (just as many), Spain, Denmark, and the good old US of A. The response has been overwhelming and it is clear that there is a real desire to keep The Legend alive.

However, don’t forget, this is your site too. If you play I want to know, we all want to know, about your experiences, your likes and dislikes, and where you play so that we can all come and hear you.

If you like to listen, tell us what you like to listen to and why. Let us all know about that favourite track or album that we can all add to our collections. And PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do tell me about gigs coming up soon in your area – wherever you are.

One of the nicest emails I have received since creating this site was from a French blues artist who wrote “Thank you for putting the light on us french blues players. We need more recognition”. That makes it worth doing – doesn’t it?

BLUES NOTE

My next blues legend has to be Memphis Minnie and what a lady of blues she was.

Born in 1897 and named Lizzie Douglas she spent her early years growing up in Louisiana, near to New Orleans. She then moved to Walls, Mississippi, south of Memphis, and by her early twenties she was playing and singing on the local streets.

By the time she was thirty she had moved to Chicago and was playing the clubs with Joe McCoy as Kansas Joe & Memphis Minnie (original eh?). However, this only lasted until 1935 and then in 1939 she married guitarist Ernest Lawlars (Little Son Joe). They worked together to produce some potent blues, much of her songs crying out events in her life in true blues style.

Arguably the best example of this period in her life can be heard, on YouTube, with “In My Girlish Days” – and you gain the benefit of a mildly saucy video clip too! But do concentrate on the music, please.

“In my Girlish Days” and 24 other fabulously gritty songs can be found on her album “Me And My Chauffeur Blues”. A must for any serious collection.

As a singer/songwriter and instrumentalist she was the only female blues artist that matched her male contemporaries, and boy, did she do it good.

Minnie was a warm favourite well into the 50’s. Retiring and spending her remaining years back in Memphis. She died, aged 76.

THE COLLECTION


Ever since I saw Jimi Marshall Hendrix, around 1967, in London at what was said to be his last UK performance (he did do others later on), I have been a fan of his everlasting music. However, I had not thought of him as a blues man – until now.

“Blues”, by Jimi Hendrix, has proved to me that he was not influenced from the planet Zogg but that he was   beautifully weaned on blues legends Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and the like.

The more I play this album, well ……. the more I play it.

  I just love the acoustic version of “Hear My Train A Comin’” (Track 1) this is real    country blues that he performs remarkably well. There is an ‘electric’ version of the same song which definitely has an “Are You Experienced” feel about it. Not my favourite track but the others more than make up for it.

Other great tracks are “Red House”, “Voodoo Chile Blues”, and “Bleeding Heart”, all undeniably blues and all undeniably Hendrix.

It will be a long time before I stop playing this one.

ARTIST OF THE MONTH

Nico Wayne Toussaint is from Toulon, just east of Marseille – one of my favourite parts of France – and he found The Blues when he was just 15. Music was in his blood. His father played jazz and Cajun country music on piano and even helped Nico form his first band, Vent du Sud.

Nico now spends his time performing, on tour, in the USA, France, Spain, Switzerland, and elsewhere, playing over 100 gigs a year.

Track him down and you will find his music pleasantly lively, full of the passion you would expect from a southern boy, and wonderfully influenced by Muddy Waters and James Cotton, in the Chicago Blues style.

All music to my ears, and I wanted to know more about this great French Blues Man.


South of France Blues: "Hi Nico. You are now living in Miami, USA. Does this mean that we will not see you performing in France"?
 
Nico: "No, of course not. I play a lot in France and will be on tour during 2010. I'm in BORDEAUX this month"!
 
South of France Blues: "Do you write your own music and where do you go for your inspiration"?


Nico: "Yes, I like to write my own music and have done so for some of the tracks on my albums. I still am influenced by the great blues players like Muddy Waters but also by Parisian French singers as Brel or Brassens".
 
South of France Blues: "Tell us about your albums Nico, what is your favourite"?
 
Nico: "I have 8 albums available, all through Dixiefrog Records. I loved 'My Kind of Blues', and 'Transgender' has a special meaning as it was written for a good friend. My 'Blues Entre Les Dents' is my latest album and I love it. It is the result of many years of hard work and has 70% of the songs in French. I hope you like it".
 
South of France Blues: "I certainly do like it. Thanks Nico. Keep blowing that harp (I wish I could play just half as well!!), and we look forward to seeing you on tour.
 

Awesome. I love the green suit!!
 
Do try to see Nico. His full tour is listed on his website and, if you can't make it, you can find all his albums on Dixiefrog Records. Either way you will not be disappointed.
 
WHATS GOING ON ?


12 February           Nico Wayne Toussaint at Comptoir du Jazz, BORDEAUX (33)             

13 February          Nico Wayne Toussaint at Salle Jeliot, OLORON SAINTE MARIE (64)

13 February          ZIA at Les Pratx, GINESTAS (11) 0468 33 90 76                                  



10-17 July                The Cahors Blues Festival, CAHORS (46)                                      
22 July – 1 August    Cognac Blues Passions, COGNAC (16)                                                  
I hope you liked the Blog. Keep your comments and ideas, and gigs near you, coming in.

Cheers