{Bluesville} Today In Blues - Dec 9


© 2004 L.W. "Junior" Jackson

On this 9th day of December in 1943, Roots-Rocker Rick Danko of The
Band was born in Simcoe, Ontario.
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Guitarist Blind Roosevelt Graves was born on this day in 1909 in
Summerland, MS. Graves was a Mississippi guitarist and singer who
stradled the line of sacred and secular music during the 20s and 30s.
He often played with his brother Uaroy and pianist Cooney Vaughn.
Graves recorded 21 sides fo the Paramount and American Recordng
Company labels, and those recordings are available on "Complete
Recorded Works 1927-1936" on Document. Graves formed The Mississippi
Jooks with his brother and Vaughn in the mid-30s, and they also
recorded for American Records. Graves disappeared in the early 40s
and it is not known where he settled or when he died.
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Harmonica player R.L. Griffin was born on this day in 1939 in Kilgore,
TX. Griffin reorded for Black Grape Records.
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New Orleans R&B singer Jessie Hill was born on this day in The
Crescent City. Hill is best know fo his 1960 hit "Ooh Poo Dah Doo".
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Chicago Blues guitarist Tom Holland was born on this day in 1977.
Holland has worked with John Primer, Eddy Clearwater, James Cotton
and leads Tom Holland and The Shuffle Kings.
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Texas guitarist and harmonica player Smokey Logg (Gila Monster
records) was born on this day in 1952 in Texas.
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Harmonica player Polka Dot Slim was born Monroe Vincent on this day in
1919 in Woodvile, MS. Vincent worked with guitarist Lightnin Slim in
the late 50s and recorded for Excello under the name Vince Monroe. He
also recordd as "Mr. Calhoun" for the Zynn label. He settled in New
Orleans in the 60s and began using the name Polka Dot Slim, playing
clubs with guitarist "Guitar" Joe Willis and recording for the
Instant label. He died in 1982.
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Chicago harmonica legend Amos "Junior" Wells was born on this day in
1934 in West Memphis, AR. Wells was an active performer
from the dawn of the fifties untill his death in 1998.
His career began when he was a young teen and joined Louis and David
Myers to form "The Dueces", eventually becoming "The Aces". Most Blues
fans know the story of Junior replacing Little Walter in The Muddy
Waters Band, and Little Walter returning to Chicago and hiring The
Aces as his band. Some don`t realize that Junior was 19 years old
when he joined Muddy. Junior Wells is one of a few true Chicago Blues
harmonica legends. There is a kings-ransom of Junior Wells CDs
available. Start with "Hoodoo Man Blues" on Delmark, which is
a "desert island" CD to most Blues fans. Also check out "Blues Hits
Big Town", also on Delmark, and "Come On In This House" on Telarc.
Fans of Junior Wells will love "1957-1966" on Paula. Wells also had a
long partnership with guitarist Buddy Guy, and has many CDs available
with Guy.
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Pianist Calvin Jackson, who played with Victoria Spivey, died on this
day in 1985 in Encintas, CA at age 66.
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Harmonica player Eugene "Texas" Ray died on this day in 1993 in
Electra, TX at age 56.
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On this day in 1925, Bessie Smith recorded "Lonesome Desert Blues" in
New York City for Columbia Records.
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On this day in 1927, Louis Armstrong And His Hot Five recorded "Got No
Blues", and "Struttin' With Some Barbecue" in Chicago for OKeh.
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On this day in 1928, Earl "Fatha" Hines recorded "A Monday Date", and
"Caution Blues" in Chicago for OKeh.
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On this day in 1978, comedians John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd's version
of Sam & Dave's "Soul Man" was released under the name, "The Blues
Brothers".