Ok so I’m sitting here, Jonesy has finished and I’m listening to this week’s Dave Raven’s podcast available here. Dave says that there’s a tune coming up that mixes old with new. My ears prick up – I love sample-based music and the blues are closest to me heart. The tune will be by Stephen Dale Petit so I stop typing and sit back to listen.
The song starts, I recognise the sample immediately (from The London Howling Wolf Sessions I think). “Cool” thinks I, this guy is going to create something new and exciting, modern but blues-based (a little like one of my favourites Rick Holmstrom’s Hydraulic Groove). Was I in for a shock? Imagine four and a half minutes of dull guitar-wank workout over the top of one looped groove — He’s going to be huge! *sigh*.
Check it out from Raven ‘n’ Blues - 3rd song in. Crap!
Yup, some people think it’s the easy one – create a loop and then solo over it. Very few artists have achieved anything significant using blues sampling or developing blues/dance crossover. Best examples: (the late, great) RL Burnside; Little Axe; Jeff Beck’s version of Rollin’ and Tumblin’; some of Moby’s stuff.
I think, however, that there is more territory to be explored here.
Jimmy Baudelaire of
The Baudelaire Brothers
http://www.baudelairebrothers.com
I agree 100%.
Just as when blues is mixed with jazz there is that fantastic sweet spot right in the middle, surely the same must apply between blues and dance.
I reckon that Rick Holmstrom got it right a couple of years ago when he released his Hydraulic Groove CD.
Cheers.
Check out also the latest Son of Dave album, O2. Stripped down harmonica and beatbox that is true to the tradition yet breaking new ground.
Cheers
Jimmy
http://www.baudelairebrothers.com