West African Rock and Roll

As I was driving home this evening, I heard this piece by Banning Eyre on NPR's All Things Considered on two albums from West African artists. I highly recommend listening to the reviews (and getting the albums):

The bluesy scales and shuffling rhythms American rock fans grew up on also exist in West African traditional music, via the history of the Atlantic slave trade. But rock 'n' roll is fundamentally a reflection of the American experience. There's a gritty attitude and expansive spirit that African takes on the genre have been missing — until now, that is. Two new CDs reflect this change: Vieux Farka Toure's Fondo, and Justin Adams and Juldeh Camara's Tell No Lies.

Bob Bogle Has Died

From CNN.com:

Ventures lead guitarist Bob Bogle, whose fretwork on such instrumental hits such as "Walk -- Don't Run" and "Hawaii Five-O" influenced countless bands, died Sunday in Vancouver, Washington.

He was 75.

The cause was non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, according to Don Wilson, who co-founded the Ventures with Bogle in the 1950s.

During their first years (1958-1963), the Ventures played Fender guitars (typically a Jazzmaster, a Stratocaster, and a Precision Bass) for both their live performances and their recording sessions. These instruments are prominently visible on the covers of three early albums: "The Ventures", "Bobby Vee Meets the Ventures", and "The Colorful Ventures." Then, in the early 1960s, California guitar manufacturer Mosrite designed and marketed a uniquely styled, futuristic-looking electric guitar called "The Ventures Model." The band adopted these guitars (which included a bass model) and first used them on The Ventures in Space (1963), one of their most influential albums because of the unique, unworldly guitar sounds it contained. From 1963 through 1968, a statement on their album covers announced that The Ventures used Mosrite guitars "exclusively" (The Ventures and designer Semie Moseley were partners in the distribution of these instruments). After the expiration of their contract with Moseley, the Ventures returned to playing mainly Fender guitars. Only rarely have they used Mosrite guitars since that contract ended.

In the mid-1990s, Fender issued a limited edition Ventures Signature Series of guitars consisting of a Jazzmaster, a Stratocaster, and a Jazz Bass, all with specifications determined by the band.

Aria Guitars and Wilson Brothers Guitars have subsequently issued Ventures Signature Model instruments. The Wilson Brothers guitar, in particular, is closely modeled physically on the original Mosrite design

Happy Birthday Mr. Paul

Today is Les Paul's 94th birthday:

Any way you look at it, Les Paul is a living legend.

Better yet, Lester William Polsfuss (later changed to Lester Polsfuss, and then Les Paul) is a national treasure like no other. He’s a rare, class-act-of-a man that comes around once in a lifetime, and anyone who has the pleasure of being in his presence is a better person for it.

Koko Taylor (1928-2009)

According to the news reports, Koko Taylor died today. The Queen of the Blues passed resulting from complications from surgery two weeks ago. She had a 40 year career as a musical icon.

She launched her career with a silly song called Wang Dang Doodle. In fact, I was listening to it yesterday on B.B. King's Bluesville (Exit 74 off the Sirius XM highway). That song still makes me smile. Every time I hear it.

She was a force to be reckoned with and respected in my world and she will be greatly missed.

14th Annual WMBF Recap

Ok, in all fairness, this is not much of a recap for today's show. I only got to stay for one act. Granted it was the Kelly Bell Band. Man, Phat Blues rocked! It was an awesome set.If you have never seen them live, you are missing out. Lots of music, energy, and laughs. Just what a music festival should be.

Here are some pics.

The crowd waiting for the start of the KBB set:


Here is the KBB's guitarist Mr. Ira Mayfield, Jr.


The man himself, Mr. Kelly Bell:


And the all important Blues Fest toilets:

It's Almost Time!!!

It is almost time! The Western Maryland Blues Fest is this weekend in Hagerstown, MD. It will be an awesome show. The line-up includes The Derek Trucks Band, Roomful of Blues, Jimmy Thackery and The Drivers, Campbell Brothers, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Janiva Magness, The Mike Stern Band, Bonerama, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, The Nighthawks, Ruby Hayes Blues Band, Chopteeth Afrofunk Big Band, Bad Influence Band, The Kelly Bell Band, Jumptown, The Rhythm Kings, and finally Ronnie Ray.

I am working the morning session on Saturday. Unfortunately, I will not be able to stay all day like last year so I will miss Derek Trucks. BUT! I will be at the Hot August Blues in Baltimore that this summer and he is also headlining that show as well. My my guitar maestro is playing Sunday with his band (The Rhythm Kings) so I will be there for that. Sunday's show in the City Park is free!

I will take pics, etc. and post them after the weekend.

The Boss' Guitar

Gibson.com has a very nice piece today on Bruce Springsteen's Fender Esquire:

Countless electric and acoustic guitars become legendary simply by being the instrument of choice of one guitar hero or another. Others, in addition to being played, are elevated to a higher level by virtue of their appearances on classic album covers. One of the most deserving of Legendary Guitar status of any electric on the planet, Bruce Springsteen’s ’50s Fender Esquire is both a cover star and a lifelong “No. 1” pick for this rock and roller. Springsteen has played other guitars, and naturally takes plenty of spares on the road with him, but the image of The Boss will forever be linked with that blackguard maple-neck Esquire, a guitar that he has consistently stated is the best he has ever played. Its initial appearance on 1975’s Born to Run arguably turned on more budding rockers to the simple pleasures of the Esquire and Telecaster than any other influence, and it has subsequently made a showing on the albums Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band Live 1975-85, Human Touch and Greatest Hits.

Reason #13797624 to Love Rock and Roll

Lynyrd Skynyrd Bassist Dies

Ean Evans has passed away after a long battle with cancer TMZ.com is reporting.

Two-Fer Tuesday Thursday

Gibson.com has a list of 25 most awesome road trip songs out. They are:
• Bruce Springsteen “Born to Run”
• Audioslave “I Am The Highway”
• U2 “In God’s Country”
• The Breeders “Drivin’ On 9”
• Jimi Hendrix “Crosstown Traffic”
• Big Star “Back of A Car”
• Iggy Pop “The Passenger”
• Arcade Fire “No Cars Go”
• The Clash “Brand New Cadillac”
• Lucinda Williams “Car Wheels on a Gravel Road”
• Prince “Little Red Corvette”
• Bob Dylan “Highway 61 (Revisited)”
• Adam and The Ants “Stand and Deliver”
• Tracey Chapman “Fast Car”
• Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers “Roadrunner”
• Incubus “Drive”
• Red Hot Chili Peppers “Road Trippin'”
• Interpol “Next Exit”
• The Replacements “Someone Take the Wheel”
• Madness “Driving In My Car”
• The Primitives “Crash”
• Talking Heads “Road To Nowhere”
• Steppenwolf "Born To Be Wild" (or "Magic Carpet Ride", take your pick)

Interesting, huh? I can definitely see a Boss song on there. I would have gone with Rosalita though. I will have to find some of these because I have never heard of them.

On a related note, I am working on a road trip of my own. I think I am going to take my 13 year old to Cleveland to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum. Via the train. Awesome, right?