Fw: [Bluesville] Today In Blues - Dec 8


--- On Sun, 12/7/08, hiway_61revisited <hiway_61revisited@...>
wrote:

From: hiway_61revisited <hiway_61revisited@...>
Subject: [Bluesville] Today In Blues - Dec 8
To: Bluesville@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, December 7, 2008, 10:29 PM

Today In Blues - Dec 8

© 2004 L.W. "Junior" Jackson

On this 8th day of December in 1947 Southern Rock vocalist and
keyboard player Gregg Allman was born in Nashville, TN.
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Blues saxaphonist Johnny Board was born on this day in 1919 in
Chicago.
Johnny played with Lionel Hampton, Wes Montgomery, Fontella Bass,
Bobby "Blue" Bland, BB King, Johnny Ace, Teresa Brewer, Gatemouth
Brown, and Floyd Dixon, among many others.
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Blues and Boogie Woogie pianist and vocalist Cleo Brown was born on
this day in 1903 in Meridian, MS.
Known as a "Female Fats Waller", Cleo was a popular Blues
entertainer during the 30s and 40s. She got religion and
faded from the Blues scene, but re-emerged in the 80s.
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Piedmont Blues guitarist and pianist Henry "Rufe" Johnson was born on
this day in 1908 in Union, SC.
There is only one CD of Rufe in print, "The Union County Flash" on
Trix Records.
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Rock singer Jim Morrison of The Doors was born on this day in 1943 in
Melbourne, FL.
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The great Hammond B-3 organ player Jimmy Smith was born on this day in
1925 in Norristown, PA.
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West Coast Blues guitarist Hollywood Fats (Michael Mann) died on this
day in 1986 in L.A. CA at age 32.
Hollywood Fats died before he was recognized for his undeniable
talent. Larry Taylor, with forty years experience as a top Blues
bassist and member of "The Hollywood Fats Band", calls Fats 'The
Greatest Blues guitarist". The only CD The Hollywood Fats Band has
out is on Black Top. There is a release of studio sessions, but Fats
can be heard on The James Harmon Band`s "Extra Napkins" and Mo'
Napkins" and on William Clarke`s "Hittin` Heavy", "Blues From LA"
and "Tip Of The Top". Hollywood Fats is also on Rod
Piazza`s "Harpburn" and "Vintage Live:1975".
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Chicago Blues harmonica legend Big Walter "Shakey" Horton died on this
day in 1981 in Chicago at age 63.
Arguably one of the best of the post-war Chicago harp players,
Shakey`s shy demeanor and unwillingness to be a bandleader caused him
to gain less recognition than his peers such as Little Walter and
Sonny Boy 2. Horton has recorded with some of the greats of Chicago
Blues, including Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, Otis Rush, Johnny Shines,
Tampa Red, and many others. His work on Jimmy Rogers` "Walkin` By
Myself" is considered by many to be the quintessential Chicago Blues
harp song. Willie Dixon called Horton "the best Blues harmonica
player I ever heard". If you don`t own any Big Walter, start
with "Big Walter Horton with Carey Bell" on Alligator, and "Fine
Cuts" on Blind Pig. If you are a Big Walter fan looking for more,
try "Memphis Recordings:1951" on Kent Records, or "Johnny Shines With
Big Walter Horton" on Testament.
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New Orleans Jazz and pre-war Chicago Blues pianist Richard M. Jones
died on this day in 1945 in Chicago at age 53.
Jones was the composer of the Blues classic "Trouble In Mind". He
had an interesting career, beginning with a Jazz background in New
Orleans, and ending in Chicago with the Delta-gone-urban Blues sound
of 30s and 40s Chicago. His complete recorded works are available on
2 CDs ""1923-1927" and "1927-1944" on the Classics label.
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Jump Blues pianist and vocalist Julia Lee died on this day in 1958 in
Kansas City, MO at age 56.
Lee was a mainstay on the K.C Blues scene during the 40s and 50s.
She recorded frequently for Columbia from 1944-1950. Fans of Jump
Blues should check out "Julia Lee and Her Boyfriends" on JSP,
or "Kansas City Star" on Bear Family Records.
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Guitarist and songwriter John Lennon died on this day in 1980 in NYC,
NY at age 40.
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Blues drummer Willie "Rough-Dried" Williams died on this day in 1988
at age 66.
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