BB King Live at the Regal Paul Gambaccini is back with the award-winning series that re-visits the occasions on which a classic live album was recorded. He hears from those who were there, on-stage, backstage and in the audience, to re-create the event for all of us who, each time we play the album, think: [...]

  REVIEW OF 2011 The past twelve months have delivered a classic mix of pleasure and sadness. Dealing with the bad news first, in addition to the legendary blues performers admirably lauded by Grahame in his wonderful review of the year, we were greatly saddened by the loss of the much-loved Ralph Wareing in July. [...]

From the Houston Chronicle. http://www.chron.com/default/article/Album-gives-new-life-to-the-late-Rocky-Hill-s-2334849.php  

I found this modern day picture of the building 508 Park Ave, Dallas, Texas where legendary bluesman Robert Johnson recorded 13 of his famous sides. https://picasaweb.google.com/hhs249/Dallas#5630832246076731890 You can read more about Johnson and the historic building at the following links…. http://www.dallasobserver.com/2011-11-17/music/hidden-away-uncovering-dallas-faded-blues/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Johnson  

Is this the twilight of blues music? Chicago Tribune article. http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/ct-ent-1228-blues-20111229,0,6626078,full.column …and the shorter video http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/chi-111227-the-future-of-chicago-blues-video,0,6566419.premiumvideo Thanks to Jimmy Carlyle for the post.

http://rockhall.com/blog/post/6990_2012-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-inductees/ http://www.nola.com/music/index.ssf/2011/12/new_orleans_recording_legend_c.html

REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2011 Top ten albums . . . . Here’s my favourite ten of the year, in no particular order: 1.    Andreas Arlt – “All-Time Favorites” 2.    Josh Smith – “I’m Gonna Be Ready” 3.    Jon Amor Blues Group – self-titled 4.    David Philips – “The Rooftop Recordings” 5.    MonkeyJunk – “To [...]

Whether you prefer A or B.  I wish you a very Merry Christmas. A http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dExv4csO-l8 B http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMfGPZI59Zw

Here’s a snippet of the nominees…. Album of the Year Chicago Blues A Living History the (R)evolution Continues Billy Boy Arnold, John Primer, Billy Branch, Lurrie Bell, Carlos Johnson Evening Sugar Ray & the Bluetones Medicine Tab Benoit Revelator Tedeschi Trucks Band Rock and a Hard Place Eugene Hideaway Bridges The Lord is Waiting and [...]

http://bluesrockreview.com/2011/12/top-20-albums-of-2011.html

One of my favourite Christmas records is discussed over on Funky16Corners today. http://funky16corners.lunarpages.net/?p=2104

Gary Clark Jr. was on the top rated US TV programme Letterman last week. Here is an interview ahead of that appearance. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/blogs/1st-look/Whos-the-Music-Sensation-Clapton-McCartney-Bon-Jovi-and-Rolling-Stone-Are-Behind-Meet-Gary-Clark-Jr-135468168.html The Letterman YouTube is not online yet so check this out in the meantime. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_ZeDn-hHGE

For all those who wondered to where the raffle money raised in John and Lorraine Welsh’s blues nights goes. Here’s what John says. …. a couple of pics which were taken when we presented five DVD players to Alder Hey Cardiac Unit some months ago now. These DVD players were bought with money that our [...]

Not many British musicians on the roots circuit have ever had a photo book. http://www.iansiegalphotobook.com/

Man, what a bad year! http://www.ameriblues.com/2011/12/04/rip-hubert-sumlin/