Katie Webster- PUSSYCAT MOAN

Katie Webster who was often referred to as 'The Swamp Boogie Queen' or 'Two-Fisted Mama' was a master of the boogie-woogie, blues piano and PussyCat Moan is a great example of her energy and talent.

Katie WEBSTER - the Swamp Boogie Queen

In a documentary she described her music as a kind of gumbo.  It's got some soul, some blues, some zydeco, some gospel, some country stirred with Texas and Louisiana influence.  It all comes together and she together in what Katie calls - Katie Webster gumbo..  

She was known around the south and played with many artists, but I think most notably she was the opening act for Otis Redding for a couple of years.  I just can't imagine how good that would have been.

I got to see her with Detroit blues singer Thornetta Davis, and Bonnie Raitt in a Women of the Blues concert. 

What a great show that was.

Have a listen to this version which comes from a tribute to Alligator Records performance

PussyCat Moan

Foy Vance - MAKE IT RAIN

Make it Rain was written by, and performed here by Foy VANCE.  This version is from Live at Bangor Abbey which is located in his home town in Northern Ireland.

This song was made famous by Ed Sheeran.  As the story goes, Foy was touring and opening for Ed Sheeran a few years ago and at that time  Ed, who is a big fan of Sons of Anarchy connected with the producers and agreed to do a song for the show. Ed immediately thought of Make It Rain, which Foy performed often as part of his opening set..  Arguably it was the first two lines of the sang that made Ed think it would fit the show perfectly. - 

"When the sins of my father 

  weigh down my soul" 

Foy VANCE - Make it Rain

This song went on to be a hit for Ed Sheeran after being included in SOA.  - and nothing against his version - I prefer Foy's original

This version is from Live at Bangor Abbey - an old monetary in Northern Ireland.  

Make it Rain - Live at Bangor Abbey

The Record Company - HARD DAY COMING DOWN

The Record Company 

From the album Give it Back to You, which was nominated for a Grammy.


Rock 'n' Blues - Acoustic guitar, electric bass, drums, some good ol' hand clapping and a harmonica... what else do you need for a tough on your luck song like this.

If you like this then you might also want to listen to On The Move from the same album

The Record Company is a three piece band that keeps it pretty basic.  I first heard them on the tv show SUITS, and then as an opening act for John Mayer.  


This link is to a 'living room concert' version

Click here

Rev. Gary DAVIS - SAMSON AND DELILAH

 

Rev. Gary DAVIS

Rev. Gary Davis was born in 1896.  He travelled the south as a blues and gospel singer and was credited with a very unique finger picking style that went on to influence many.  He only used this thumb and first finger to play the guitar.  

While this post is about Samson and Delilah, I have included a link to Hard Walkin' Blues at the end of this post which shows a video of this unique stylings.

The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and many others credited 'Blind Gary' as the influence to a number of their songs.   

Samson and Delilah was covered by groups as diverse as the Grateful Dead and Peter Paul and Mary -  although for some reason the latter changed it's name to If I Had My Way.

LINK: Here is the original version of Samson and Delilah. 

LINK: Here is the Grateful Dead version

LINK: Here is Peter Paul & Mary version

LINK: Hard Walkin' Blues

John Mayer- WHERE THE LIGHT IS

This track is is for blues enthusiasts.  John Mayer has recorded country, pop, blues, rock, singer-songwriter, and has played with everyone from BB King  to Barbara Streisand to Keith Urban to Alicia Keys to Ed Sheeran.

If Eric Clapton can call him ' a guitar master'  and 'truly gifted'-- who can argue.

I like a lot of his stuff,  from all different genres  but his stuff from the John Mayer Trio still remains my favorite.   This particular track is 10 minutes of pure classic blues.

Listen here