Albert Collins (1932-1993), “Lights Are On But Nobody’s Home,” live, Austin, Tx., 1988
How strange to think that Albert, a sweet, warm, gentle guy I had the good fortune to work with in the ’70s while at Alligator Records, has been gone nearly 20 years.
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lagniappe
musical thoughts
There’s one cat I’m still trying to get across to people. He is really good, one of the best guitarists in the world.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe with the Chicago Blues All-Stars (Big Walter Horton [harmonica], Willie Dixon [bass], et al.), “That’s All,” “Didn’t It Rain,” live, 1960s, Germany
What a treat to hear Walter, with whom I worked back in the ’70s while at Alligator Records, playing with Sister Rosetta.
passings
Michael Burks, singer, guitar player, songwriter
July 30, 1957-May 6, 2012
Here’s what I wrote when I first posted this clip (2/28/11):
When something is this lyrical, this convincing, there’s only one thing I want to do when it ends—hear it again.
“Empty Promises”
Live, Falls Church, Virginia, 8/21/09
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Michael came to Alligator Records long after I left. But a few years ago I did some legal work for him and got to know him. Soft-spoken, gentle, warm: these are the words that come to mind. He collapsed at the Atlanta airport after returning from a European tour—heart attack.
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“Fire and Water”
Live, Denmark (Frederikshavn), 2010
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“Since I’ve Been Loving You”
Live, Jacksonville Beach, Florida, 2010
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“House of the Rising Sun”
Live, Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, 2008
music clip of the day 