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

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