cktimes.ca Archives for Classic Vinyl


Classic Vinyl

With Allan Day

BEST OF THE BLUES BOYS PART 2

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Big Bill Broonzy Big John Wrencher Claude Bolling Ivory Joe Hunter Lowell Fulson

I had a request to do another small feature on more blues artist for all the NEW YOUNG BLUES PLAYERS and blues album collectors, so here are a few more blues albums in my collection and a brief history of the historical makers---a couple of jazz players also
 
BIG BILL BROONZY was born in Scott Mississippi 1893---he was one of seventeen children--at a very young age he was a share-cropper, coal miner, then went into the service---after the army stint, he headed to Chicago, working for the Pullman Company---his mentor, Papa Charlie Jackson, helped develop his guitar skills---by the late 30's, he made his debut at Carnegie Hall---still he couldn't support himself with the little money he made singing the blues. He picked up odd jobs as a cook, piano mover and a porter while his fame grew, and soon with the help of a very successful Euro peon Tour, he became know all over the world as "Blues Personified. If you were to buy any blues recording today, the album I have attached in this weeks cktimes will full-fill all your blues needs (just an amazing blues selection on this double album)
 
BIG JOHN WRENCHER born in SunFlower, Mississippi 1924---raised on the Davis Plantation---a country boy with a powerful stage presence, a command of the harmonica, mellow voice and a huge repertoire. As a youngster, he saw Sonny Boy Williamson, Robert Nighthawk and Robert Jr. Lockwood perform at the local roadhouses with his father and it was a huge musical experience when invited to sit in on the occasional jam. Existing on his musicianship, he headed to Tennessee/Missouri and then Chicago soaking up all the blues that was en route---settled in Detroit in 1956 and stayed there for the next 5 years. It is at this time, he lost an arm in a car accident---he became a skilled one-handed harp player as an side-man for Baby Boy Warren---moved to St. Louis in 1960 and toured with Albert King and James DeShay---European tours also helped Big John Wrencher get the recognition as a GREAT Blues Player.
 
CLAUDE BOLLING was born in Cannes 1930---grew up in Paris and started playing piano at a very young age---He was 15 when he played his first professional engagement---started out as a jazz man, then musical arranger for different singers and film companies--he had a strong kinship with Duke Ellington/Lionel Hampton and Louis Armstrong--composed scores for several films in Hollywood---featured on the attached album scan, is his second album on the Mercury Label,  a great selection of piano blues---he was and is Frances most outstanding jazz pianist.
 
IVORY JOE HUNTER was born in Kirbyville, Texas 1914---another musical family of 4 sisters and 9 brothers who all became pianists or drummers in local celebrated bands---he received his classical piano training from his god mother at 13 yrs. old---a barrel house pianist extraordinaire, was recorded by John A Lomax when he was 16, onto a wax cylinder for the Library of Congress. Moved to California in 1942 and had his first successful commercial recording "Blues at Sunrise". He also recorded in Cincinnati with members of Duke Ellington's Orchestra. Successful recordings throughout the 50's and 60's brought more fame as many of the Rock and Rollers of the day, recorded his material---Stones/Clapton/ Zeppelin etc. and openly stated  "well most of our material comes from the Blues men from the USA--they are the originators. 
 
LOWELL FULSON born in Tulsa Oklahoma1931---he was part American Indian that sang emotionally charged, personal songs about the hard times along the Brazos river---sang with echo's of Blind Lemon and Texas Alexander--He was accompanied by his brother Martin and played Texas Blues in the old barrel houses and Jook Joints. He played weekend country suppers and house parties, met up with Texas Alexander (a powerful singer) and replaced Howling Wolf (aka Funny-Paper Smith) as his guitar player. Worked until 1940 travelling around Texas and then ventured to San Fransisco Bay Area and became a very successful player and stayed on in the West Coast.
 
This week's youtubes the amazing Big Bill Broonzy "Hey Hey" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm1qtX7Mz5w Big John Wrencher "How Many More Years" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aHrPlpCDZY&feat...ted Claude Bolling Trio "Live in Paris" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpSOh0n...Y270 Ivory Joe Hunter "Since I Met You Baby" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxvFF1bQ...Nu8 Lowell Fulson "Reconsider Baby" in 1983 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dN4UoyeiL0&feat...ure=related 
 
The Official Chatham Kent Music Archive 
http://demokidblog.wordpress.com/
 
Hope you enjoyed this weeks column and see you in 2 weeks---contact me at bluesslider88@yahoo.ca or at cktimes with any comments you would like to make about classic vinyl



Allan Day----long time acquaintance of John Gardiner----I presently live in Goderich Ontario, retired (oh yeah) and live for the sound of music, especially from the 60's music explosion---I hope you enjoy some of my articles and they bring back some lost memories of bands gone by. Now I have to let you know that I am a HUGE Rolling Stones fan, collector, historian and I hope to hear any stories you might have on this GREAT Band from the 60's----email me at CK Times and let me know what you have or memories you have of this group. I will include stories and short stories on The Stones each week.