Tag Archives: blues

The Coronaball Run, Day 3: Nashville to Oxford to Clarksdale to Little Rock

Posted on April 15, 2020 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: This is the third installment of my series about driving cross-country during the coronavirus crisis. Click here for first post and here for the second post. On day three we pulled off the 40 and detoured through the back … Continue reading →

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Let Us Now Praise the White Saviors of Black Music

Posted on January 27, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: In a dialogue with fellow New York Times movie critic A.O. Scott, Manohla Dargis criticized the continuing white-centric nature of most Hollywood films: “Sully” is about professionalism and expertise, specifically those of a white hero, which is … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Music | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Song Du Jour: “Blue Yodel No. 9”

Posted on September 19, 2016 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Ralph Peer — record producer, recording engineer, and talent scout — is one of the most influential men in the history of American music. Not only did he supervise the recording of Mamie Smith’s “Crazy Blues,” the song … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Song Du Jour

Posted on August 1, 2016 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes:

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Record Sleeve Du Jour

Posted on July 5, 2016 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes:

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Music Recommendation Du Jour

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: I’ve been listening to a lot of classic albums lately and this collection sticks out as one of the best. Each song is like a little short story — the sometimes dark subject matter belied by Hurt’s warm, … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Jewish Music and the Blues

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Fenster

Fenster writes: If you have not seen it, the PBS special on Jews and Broadway is very much worth watching.  It’s entitled Broadway Musicals: a Jewish Legacy.  Jews often seem to want to downplay their prominence in various fields, or … Continue reading →

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Blues Guys I Like More than Robert Johnson

Posted on May 10, 2014 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Lonnie Johnson T-Bone Walker Blind Willie McTell Son House I could name others. Don’t get me wrong — Johnson is great. Still, I think music writers have gone a little overboard in praising him. Many seem … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Performers | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Divas

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Bessie Smith appeared in only this one movie; it has an all-black cast and runs 16 minutes. Whatever one might say about the limitations of the story line, derived from the W.C. Handy song by the … Continue reading →

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White Boy Blues Update

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: ZZ Top have a new album coming out on Tuesday, and it’s getting raves. Guitarist Billy Gibbons in the New York Times: “It’s a real uphill challenge to battle the white-guyness,” Mr. Gibbons said of himself. “White … Continue reading →

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