Content description by former LB contributor Edward Meyer:
Living Blues #30, Nov-December 1976, J.B. Hutto, Blind Joe Hill, Chess/All Platinum Records
Cover Photo: J.B. Hutto by Jim Addler
List of Articles
Editorial: the price of the magazine, currently at 75 cents
being raised to $1.00 next issue [note the magazine started at 50 cents (issues
1-14), 60 cents (issues 15-23) 75 cents (issues 24-30)
Frank Thomas Jr. by Steve Wisner
Artists mentioned: B.B. King, Robert Jr., Lockwood, Muddy
Waters, Bob Anderson, Little Mack Simmons, James Cotton, Koko Taylor, Howlin’
Wolf, Cornell Campbell, Jimmy Reed, (John Lee) Hooker, Jimmy Rogers, hares
Ware, Fuzzy Jones, Charles Edwards, Roy Stevenson, Roy Hamilton, Earl Hooker,
Frank Jr., and the Illinois Flames, Little Walter, Freddy King, Luther Allison,
Leo Wilson. Tall Milton, Eddie Jr., McDaniel, Joe Carter, Johnny Junious, Dusty
Brown, Prentice Bland, Little Richard, Ray Charles, Albert White, Birmingham
Jones, Willie Johnson, Willie James Lyons, Johnny Twist, Willie Hudson, Ricky
Allen, Ivory Parker, L.B. Higgins, Ben harper, Necktie Nate, “Wooden
Finger”, Les Paul (guitar), Purvis Scott, Barkin’ Bill, Tail Dragger
Jones, Ben Ofjoy [Payton], Little Monroe Jones, Big Red, Lester Davenport,
Eddie Payne, Hip Lankchan [Linkchain], Shorty Gilbert, Kansa City Red, Jimmy
Dawkins, Eddie Shaw
Article summary: article was to be a future feature, but
became an extended obituary when Thomas was murdered; guitar star of the 1950s
who stopped playing and moved back to Mississippi in 1963, returned to Chicago
in 1973 and had started playing again; fondly remembered as a major guitarist
in the 1950s; toured with Little Walter
I Am the Blues, by Willie Dixon-
-artists mentioned: Walter Horton, Otis Rush, the Branding
Irons
-article summary: Dixon talks about “production” vs raw
talent, his best-selling songs, his favorite recordings (with his band); “The
Blues is Truth”: talks about everything he writes being the truth
St Louis Blues Club Guide by Jim O’Neal
Artists mentioned: Walter Davis, Big Joe Williams, Roosevelt
Sykes, Lonnie Johnson, Henry Townsend, Henry Brown, Willie Kizart, Albert King,
Clayton Love, Thurmon McCain, Tommy Bankhead, Davis Brothers, Albert King, B.B.
King, Bobby Bland, T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, James DeShay, Arthur
Crudup, Big George Brock, Ike Turner & the Kings of Rhythm (Ike has moved to Los Angeles, but members of
the band are still around, some playing under the name the Family Vibes), Billy
Gayles, Weights, Scales & Measures, Jesse Knight, Jimmy Summers, Cecil
Travis, Oliver Sain, Little Milton, Sleepy John Estes, Fenton Robinson, Charles
McDaniels, Steve Kaufman, Milton Daveys, the Groove Masters, James Cotton,
Charles Taylor, Walter Westbrook, the Davis Brother Blues Band, Doc Terry, Honey
Bee, Nat Riggins, Eddie Simpson, Arthur Lee “Oscar” Williams, Frank Frost”
Article summary: blues labels concentrate on St. Louis
prewar blues but there is an active blues scene albeit not distinctly regional
as in the past; author lists active players and styles followed by a list of 20
clubs regularly playing live blues; listed alphabetically with location,
contact info and bands that have appeared lately
Akron’s One- Man Band” Blind Joe Hill by Thomas (Mit)
Schuller
-artists mentioned: Jimmy Reed, Muddy Waters, John Lee
Hooker, B.B. King, Robert Lockwood, Arbee Stidham, Bubble & The Rolling
Stones, Charles Winston, T.C. Cromley, Guitar Slim, The Regulator, Chuck Berry,
Lefty Bates, Marshall Wright, “Scotty” , James Brown, O.V. Redding, Freddy
King, Amos Milburn, The Hideaways/ Article summary, one-man blind musician
lives in ana rea with virtually no other artists, or opportunities to record;
influenced by Jimmy Reed; recorded an LP in Chicago but it remains unreleased
Living Blues Interview: J.B. Hutto, by Dave Weld (with
sidebar by Bob Koester)
-artists mentioned: George Mayweather, Elmore James, Muddy
Waters, the Golden Crowns, Homesick James, Floyd Jones, Walter Horton, Hound
Dog Taylor, Porkchop, Little Walter, Robert Nighthawk, Johnny Ferguson,
Washboard Sam, “One-armed John” (Wrencher), Frank Kirkland, Bo Diddley, the Hawks,
the Twisters, Jimmy Rogers, Bill Broonzy, Lightnin’ Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, Sonny
Boy Williamson (No. 1), Joe Williamson, Sonny Boy Williamson (No.1), Willie
Stevenson, John Littlejohn, Lee Jackson, Joe Custom, “Ben”, Johnnie Mae Dunson,
Jimmy Reed, Kansa City Red (Arthur Lee Stevenson)Memphis Minnie, Son Joe,
Memphis Slim, Eddie Boyd, (Big) Walter (Horton), Johnnie Jones , (Howlin’) Wolf,
(Big) Joe Williams, J.B. Lenoir, J.T. Brown, J. D. Buckner, Ray Charles, the Thunderbirds,
the Nighthawks, B.B. King. Bobby Bland, Bob Reidy, Bom-Bay Carter, James
Brickhouse, Mike Alden, Koko Taylor, Otis Rush/Herman Hassell, Frank Kirkland,
Dave Myers, Sunnyland Slim Lee Jackson, Maurice McIntyre, Sleepy John Estes,
Roosevelt Sykes, Willie Dixon, John Prine, Bob Dylan, Paul Butterfield, James
Cotton
Article summary: includes a sidebar interview with Bob
Koester, and a discography 1954-1976; author discusses other slide players
outlining the differences; J.B. claims Sonny Boy Williamson (No. 1) to be his
biggest influence; troubles keeping a band together, critical of many sidemen;
failure to date to record an LP that he
is happy with that matches his Chance 1954 singles; originally from Georgia, he
did not start playing slide until after arriving in Chicago
A Platinum Mine of Blues: by Steven J. Hoffman
Artists mentioned: Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Lowell
Fulson, Buddy Guy, Bo Diddley, Jimmy Rogers, Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy Williamson,
J.B. Lenoir, Howlin’ Wolf, Otis Rush, Little Milton, Dan Nooger, Shirley &
Co., Mickey (Baker) & Sylvia Robinson, Willie Dixon, J.B. Lenoir, Sugarboy
Crawford, the Moonglows, the Flamingoes, Dale Hawkins, Bobby Charles
-article summary: All Platinum label (partially owned by
Sylvia Baker of Mickey & Sylvia fame) described as small, somewhat like the
Chess family operated label purchased all of the Chess vault; to date they have
released 6 double LPs (with controversial cartoon covers); they have plans for
more double LPs of blues artists as well as single releases of rock ‘n’ roll
performers
Live Blues: Midwest Blues Festival 6, Notre Dame, Indiana by
Dick Shurman/ Monterey Blues Afternoon, Monterey, CAL by Tom Mazzolini/ A Night
with the Blues, Los Angeles, by John Breckow
Artists mentioned: Johnny Shines, Magic Slim, Junior Pettis,
Nick & Douglas Holt, B.B. King, A.C. Reed, Steve Cushing, Rich Molina,
George Smith, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Sunnyland Slim, Fenton Robinson, Lazy Bill
Lucas, Big Guitar Red, Walter Horton, John Wrencher, T-Bone Walker, Floyd
Jones, Albert King/ James Cotton, Jimmy Witherspoon, Joe Willie Wilkins, the
Hollywood Fats Band, Margie Evans, the Olympia Brass Band, the Seaside Church
Choir, Johnny Shines, Queen Ida and the Bon Ton Band, Dave Alexander (Omar
Khayam), the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Al Lewis, Nathan Abshire, Sonny
Boy Williamson (No.2), Larry Taylor, Fred Kaplan, Al Blake, the Johnny Otis
Revue, Big Joe Turner, Jimmy Reed, Matt Murphy/Bob Hite, John Lee Hooker (no
show), Albert Collins, Lloyd Glenn, Lowell Fulson, the Louisiana Shakers,
Bessie Smith (film to be shown, but projector failed), Cousin Joe Pleasant,
Sunnyland Slim, Little Brother Montgomery, Kid Ory, Sidney Bechet
Article summary: two-night festival with 4 bands each night;
mixed review, show ended with King having a beer bottle thrown at him, and as a
result, refusing to finish the show; drunks marred both evenings; trio of Slim,
Lockwood and Smith were the biggest hit/ artist by artist review of six hours
of excellent blues; Wilkins, jamming with Cotton was one of the surprise high
points; unannounced appearance by Taylor; Cotton finished in grand style; Fats’
band did their own set but also backed
up other performers; Witherspoon a local favorite long associated with the
festival [since live 1959 recording]/mixed revue: Hooker and Smith
cancellations made some people want their money back; Collins was too loud and
wild for the sedate crowd, and neither Slim or Montgomery were at their best.
On the Road Again
-alphabetical list of 9 touring blues bands from Juke Boy
Bonner thru Mighty joe Young, plus future festivals for January thru March 1977;
list include dates, geographical locations and club names
Blues News
San Francisco-artists mentioned: Jimmy McCracklin, Sonny
Rhodes, HiTide Harris, John Mayall, J.J. Malone, Gary Smith Band, Tom
McFarland, Reggie Scanlon, Jerry Robertson, J.C. Burris, Gino Skaggs, Little
Joe Blue, Jimmy Dawkins, Schoolboy Cleve, Boogie Jake, Mike Henderson, Freddie
Roulette, Luther Tucker, Mark St. Mary, Big Rodger Collins, Lafayette Thomas,
Elvin Bishop, Johnny Fuller, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Little Frankie Lee, Queen
Ida (newspaper article), Sugar Pie DeSanto, Little Willie Littlefield, Dave
Alexander, Charles Brown (left area for a Christmas tour), Muddy Waters, James
Cotton, B.B. King, The Band [Last Waltz]:
Paul Butterfield, Charles Conley, Bobby Blues Ray, Bobby Bland, Albert
King, Johnny Heartsman, Charlie Baty, Rick Estrin/ Film Festival: Leadbelly,
Pete Seeger, Mance Lipscomb (new Les Blank film), Fred McDowell, Ed Young,
(Rev.) Gary Davis, the Georgia Sea Island Singers, Son House, Jesse Fuller,
Lightnin’ Hopkins, Howlin’ Wolf, Mike Bloomfield, Robert Nighthawk, Johnny
Young, John Wrencher, Arvella Gray (Maxwell Street Documentary: “And This is
Free”)
Memphis-artists mentioned: new film of Johnny Woods, Fred
McDowell, Phineas Newborn Jr., R. L. Burnside, Sleepy John Estes
Chicago-artists mentioned: French MCM recordings: Magic
Slim, Johnny Littlejohn, Eddy Clearwater, Andre “Voice” Odom, Hip Lankchan,
Andrew “Blueblood” McMahon, Jimmy Dawkins/ Steve Patterson, Mick Jagger, Willie
Mabon, Luther Allison, Mack Simmons, Son Seals, Joe Carter, Blind Joe Hill, Joe
Simon, B.B King (at opening of “New Burning Spear Show Club”-formerly the High
Chaparral), Bobby Bland, Bobby Rush, Sunnyland Slim, John Brim, Floyd Jones,
Jimmy Walker, Erwin Helfer, Homesick James, John Wrencher (Elsewhere on Lincoln
club moves off Lincoln), Lazy Bill Lucas, George Smith, Byther Smith, John Lee
Hooker (rare Chicago appearance), Ron Thompson, Sonny Terry & Brownie
McGhee, Martin , Bogan & Armstrongs, James Brown, Tyrone Davis, Clayton
Love, Doc Terry, Memphis Slim, Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows, Lonnie Brooks/
List of Clubs not previously listed in LB-artists include: Tommy Brooks, Ray
Scott, Lefty Dizz, Little Pat Rushing, J.B. Hutto, Big Red, Abb Locke, Jimmy
Johnson, Homesick James, Big Moose Walker, Little Wolf Solomon, Aaron Band, Johnny Littlejohn, Blind John Davis, S.P. Leary,
Tampa Red (newspaper article), Phil Upchurch, Rufus Foreman, Son Seals, Fred Below,
Willie Black, Lacy Gibson, Little Milton, Rico McFarland, Alvin Cash, Mr. Leo,
Koko Taylor, Lee Jackson, B.B. Jones, Johnny Drummer, Jimmy Reeves Jr., Jimmy
Tillman, Fenton Robinson, Billy Boy Arnold, Harmonica Hinds, Wayne Bennett,
Prince James, Houston Stackhouse, Bobby King, Shelley Fisher, John Bishop/
Ralph Metcalfe Jr-starting a Chicago Blues Archive at the DuSable Museum of
African American History/ Henry Townsend, Sammy Price, harmonica Frank Floyd.
Mama Yancey with Erwin Helfer, Carl Perkins
Lake Charles, LA-artists mentioned: Clarence Garlow, Hop
Wilson, Boozoo Chavis, Big Walter Price, Guitar Jr (Lonnie Brooks)
New York-artists mentioned: Big Walter Horton, Brooklyn Slim
& His Blues Band, John Nichols, Big Joe Turner, Lloyd Glenn Wayne Wright,
Sammy Price, Brownie McGhee, Louisiana Red, Sugar Blue, Lefty Dizz, Marie
Knight
Detroit-artists mentioned: Louisiana Red, Sonny Terry &
Brownie McGhee, The Copeland Blues Band, Mark Boatright, Les Cochons Blues
(Blues Pigs), Joe Williams, Count Basie Orchestra (without the Count, who is
recovering from hospitalization)
Washington, D.C.-artists mentioned: Jimmy Dawkins, Carey
Bell, Otis Rush, J.B. Hutto, Fenton Robinson, the Nighthawks, the Fabulous
Thunderbirds, the Rhythm Kings (of Philly), Taj Mahal, Ry Cooder,
Germany/Austria-artists mentioned: piano blues enthusiast
looking to book bands/players/ J.B. Hutto, Brewer Phillips, Ted Harvey, Detroit
Jr., Hubert Sumlin
Philadelphia, Salt Lake City-artists mentioned: Roosevelt
Sykes, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Martin, Bogan & Armstrongs (Carl Martin,
Ted Bogan, Howard Armstrong and newcomer Tom Armstrong on bass), Steve Goodman/
Bessie Smith: husband Jack Gee Jr., suing Colombia Records for back royalties
from LP reissues
Salt Lake City-artists mentioned: B.B. King, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker,
Charlie Daniels
Bridgeport, Conn.-artists mentioned: Lou “Guitar” Williams,
Jimmy Reed
Miami-artists mentioned: Latimore, B.J. & His Band,
Swami, Snooky Dean, Dr. Cool & His New Breed Blues Band, The Shipyard
Brothers
West Orange, NJ-artists mentioned: Eva Taylor, Clarence
Williams, Katherine Henderson, Spencer Williams Jr., Roy Smeck, Victoria
Spivey
Australia-artists mentioned: B.B. King (collapsed on stage
in Sydney on previous tour), Bobby Forte & John “Jabo” Starkes (not allowed
in New Zealand based on past drug offences)
Sweden -artists mentioned: Sonny Rhodes, J. J. Malone, Eddie
Boyd
Obituaries
Frank Thomas Jr. (murdered) (1937-1976)
Charlie West
James Richard
Mail
Letter from Mit Schuller with response by Jim DeKoster
Letter from John Stedman, Jazz Center Society (England)
Letter from Friedrich Marshall (Germany)
Letter from T.J. Wheeler
Record Reviews
Various artists-Detroit After Hours, Vol. 1 (Trix)
Various artists, Blue Bay (Messaround)
Various artists, Good Time Blues: St. Louis 1926-1934
(Mamlish)
Various artists, Hard Time Blues: St. Louis 1933-1940
(Mamlish)
Various artists, Mr. Johnson’s Blues (Mamlish)
Luther Allison, Night Life (Gordy)
Luther Allison, Luther’s Blues (Gordy)
Bobby Bland and B.B. King, Bobby Bland & B.B. King
Together Again, Live (ABC)
Various artists, Lonesome Harmonica (English-London HAU)
Various artists, Dark Muddy Bottom (English-London HAU)
Various artists, Stretchin’ Out (English-London HAU)
John Lee Hooker, Never Get Out of these Blues Alive (ABC)
John Lee Hooker, Born in Mississippi, Raised up in Tennessee
(ABC)
John Lee Hooker, Kabuki Wuki (Bluesway)
John Lee Hooker, Free Beer & Chicken (ABC)
Various artists, Barrelhouse Blues & Stomps Vol. 4
(Euphonic)
Various artists, Barrelhouse Blues & Stomps Vol. 5
(Euphonic)
Big Chief Ellis (Trix)
Clyde Bernhardt-Jay Cole Blues & Jazz Band, More Blues
& Jazz from Harlem (VLP)
Clyde Bernhardt and the Harlem Blues & Jazz Band,
Sittin’ On top of the World (Barron-VLP)
Lowell Fulson, The Ol’ Blues Singer (Granite)
45s
Etta James, Jump Into Love/I’ve Been a Fool (Chess)
Little Milton, Too Many Rivers to Cross (Chess)
Juke Boy Bonner, The Wind Came/ Six Over ten (Home Cooking)
Dave (Fat Man) Williams, I Ate Up the Apple Tree/ Juke Box
Sadie Lee (New Orleans)
C.C. Richardson, C.C Stomp/Same Old Train (C.C. Richardson
home recording)
Calvin Leary, What Kind of Love/ Give Me Your Loving,
Loving, Loving (Soul Beat)
Calvin Leary, Free from Cummins Prison Farm/ Enjoy Being
Hurt By You (Soul Beat)
Records Received
-article summary: lengthy list of 55 different labels (more
than 100 LPs) that supplied Living Blues with new releases for review; editors
hope to review as many LPs as possible in future editions
Film Review:
March of Time, 1935 (newsreel): Leadbelly, intro and
transcription by Herman Gebhard [transcription of a 1935, 4 -minute long
interview between John Lomax and Leadbelly; racist-patronizing dialogue]
LeadBelly (Paramount) by Roy Ames-Texas blues expert finds
fault with romanticized big budget bio film
List of Adverts
Barrelhouse Records, p. 2
Goldband Records, p. 4
Jive in the Hills, Record Sales, p. 4
Edith Wilson/J.B.
Hutto/ Delmark Records, p. 5
J.J. Records, p. 11
Living Blues Magazine Mail Order, p. 13
Paul Garon, Blues & the Poetic Spirit (book), p. 26
Sunnyland Slim/Airways Records, p. 26
Otis Rush/Bullfrog Records, p. 33
Blues Power Package (LP), p. 34
Alligator Records (letter), p. 35
Home of The Blues Records & Tapes (Miami), p. 37
Pernell Charity/ Detroit After Hours (LPs)/Trix Records, p.
40
Classified Ads, p. 42
J & F Southern Record Sales, p. 43
Number of Pages: 44
Published in Chicago
Cover price 75 cents
I have
many more records, CDs and magazines listed at my eBay store, BluEsoterica.com
Mail Order, and if you are in Kansas City, see my bins at Happy Rock Antiques,
100 NW 72nd St. in Gladstone, MO (10 miles north of downtown KC via U.S.
Highway 169). The store is open every day (10am-8 pm Tuesday through Saturday,
noon-5pm Sunday, 10am-6pm Monday). My booth is number 152 (the one with the
most soul, jazz and blues records; there are several other booths with records,
too).
-- Jim O'Neal, Co-founder, Living Blues (eBay seller Stackhouse232)
Thanks for buying from my eBay store. Your purchases support my blues writing and research work!
Please kee