January 2010

Talking the Blues
There is very little that I could add to the heaps that have been written on the origin of the Blues. Without doubt it has a remarkable part to play, not only in terms of modern music, but also in the culture we now live in.

The Blues not only formed the base for Rock & Roll, and then R & B, but has strong links with Jazz and, of course, Gospel music. Early Blues was also the voice of Civil Rights movements throughout the southern states of America, and reflected the conditions of everyday life, the feelings and humour that helped people endure those conditions, and the long struggle for equality and freedom.

It is fabulously amazing that, from it's roots in Africa, the Blues is now performed and appreciated in practically every country and within almost every culture on this planet.

The Blues is truely the heart and soul of modern music and it is quite impossible to think of how music would have developed without it. In my small way I wish to help keep that great legend alive.

Better still Max D. Spiegel, Publisher, The Mudcat Café wrote:

"The Blues is very simply the purest form of Art that I have yet witnessed on this earth. Its meaning and history are something that are very nearly evidence of divine intervention. For such beauty from such pain, is magic, is glory to the human spirit. How strong it is, how it can find joy in misery, how it always has hope. Glory to the powers of creation and the reasons for it. Glory to the men and women that gave it to us. Men and women that you will see on this page. Men and women that should never be forgotten, for their example is a needed one. This project is in service to the preservation of American History, the History of Music, and the strength of humankind."

 

Blues Note
It is impossible to to talk about the Blues without talking about Mr Robert Leroy Johnson (8 May 1911 - 16 August 1938).

Robert Johnson was a gifted singer, guitarist and songwriter whose style has influenced a broad range of musicians, including Muddy Waters, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck and, of course, Eric Clapton who has called Robert Johnson "the most important blues singer that ever lived" and has dedicated an album to him; Me and Mr Johnson released in 2004.

Mr Johnson is known to have recorded only 29 songs before his death, at the age of just 27, in 1938 and, there exists only two photographs of him. His short but productive life is shrouded in mystery. He was known to be spontainious and, even, reckless jumping on freight trains just to see where they would take him. For him the Blues spoke of good-time women and big-shot gamblers, and he was to die, murdered, by a jealous husband or maybe a jealous girlfriend, while performing at a juke joint near Greenwood, Mississippi.

Listen to the lyrics of "Hell Hound On My Trail" - is he singing about his own lifestyle? Then listen to the marvelous "Sweet Home Chicago" which further expresses the feelings of this brilliant but insecure father of the Blues. A true legend whose music continues to influence and entertain us more than 70 years after his nimble fingers plucked their last chord.

If you want to know more about this incredible man see the The Robert Johnson Blues Foundation. Their aim is to ensure that Robert Johnson's legacy and the delta blues heritage continue into the future by recognizing and assisting young blues musicians through the New Generation Award.

Artist of the Month

This section will normally be dedicated to artists playing in, or having a connection with, the South of France. However, it is winter in these parts and not a lot is going on, but I will endeavour to introduce you to some great musicians in the coming months.

So, I would like to feature a young lad I have seen busking in the city of Cambridge, England. His name is Jack Luskin (Jack, if I've got your name wrong please let me know), and he sits on a corner of the market square in the city centre. Twice I have listened to him play his guitar, hooked up to a battery amp, and both times it was freezing, but his music was clear, bluesy, and beautiful. A real talented artist who I guess is only about fourteen (sorry if I got that wrong too). Hopefully I will see him play somewhere warmer in the future so I can listen a bit longer. If you are ever in Cambridge, with a big warm coat, check him out. He is good.

What's Going On?

As I said, there ain't a lot happening down here at the moment. At least, not a lot that I know of. However, a couple of don't miss events for 2010 are:

• STF Chante le Blues at "Relais de Riquet" La bastide d'Anjou - near Castelnaudary(11) 09 January
• STF Chante le Blues at "Club 620" Fonties Cabardes (11) - (montagne noire) north of Carcassonne 16 January
• The Heavy at Espace Tatry, BORDEAUX (33) 26 January
• Boney Fields & the Bone's Project at Le Jam, MONTPELLIER (34)   30 January
• The Cahors Blues Festival 10 - 17 July
• Cognac Blues Passions 22 July - 1 August

I'll give you more details on these and other great events nearer the time. Meanwhile, if you know of upcoming gigs let me know.

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In future issues of South of France Blues I intend to bring you local artists, and review clubs and bars. A hard job but I really must do it!

Thanks for reading.

South of France Blues