sounds of Chicago
Sonny Boy Williamson II (AKA Alex or Aleck Miller, 1912-1965) with Hubert Sumlin (guitar), Sunnyland Slim (piano), Willie Dixon (bass), Clifton James (drums): “My Younger Days” (S.B. Williamson), live, 1964 European tour
**********
lagniappe
random sights
yesterday, Oak Park, Ill.
sounds of Chicago
Howlin’ Wolf (AKA Chester Burnett, 1910-1976) with Hubert Sumlin (1931-2011, guitar), et al., live, Chicago, 1971
**********
lagniappe
random sights
yesterday, Oak Park, Ill.
Chicago blues
day one
Howlin’ Wolf (AKA Chester Burnett, 1910-1976), with Hubert Sumlin (guitar), Willie Dixon (bass), et al., “Somestack Lightning,” live, England, 1964
**********
lagniappe
random sights
last night, Oak Park, Ill.
passings
Hubert Sumlin, guitar player, November 16, 1931-December 4, 2011
*****
Howlin’ Wolf, with Hubert Sumlin (guitar)
“Smokestack Lightning” (AKA “Smoke Stack Lightning”; rec. 1956, Chicago)
In a country that paid proper respect to its cultural heritage, this would be played for children in school, as part of their cultural education. Instead kids encounter it, if at all, on TV—the soundtrack to a Viagra commercial.
***
“Back Door Man” (rec. 1960, Chicago)
***
“Wang Dang Doodle” (rec. 1960, Chicago)
**********
lagniappe
musical thoughts
I started listening to people like Hubert Sumlin and trying to deal with a less muscular way of reaching people . . .
*****
random thoughts
Rankin, Loda, Cissna Park, Schwer, Gilmer, Watseka: the world is filled with places we’ve never even heard of (many less than 150 miles away), as I was reminded yesterday driving home from Danville, Illinois, where I’d gone to see clients at the prison.
Chicago Blues Festival, part 2
Howlin’ Wolf (with Hubert Sumlin, guitar), live, Chicago, 1966
“How Many More Years”
*****
“Meet Me In The Bottom”
**********
lagniappe
When I first heard him [Howlin’ Wolf], I said, ‘This is for me. This is where the soul of man never dies.’—Sam Phillips
music clip of the day 