The Purdie Shuffle

The Purdie Shuffle

A great multimedia article about little-known Bernard Purdie, one of the most prolific drummers in history, is best known for a rhythm called the Purdie Shuffle. NYTimes, March 31, 2009. Sounds a little like Bonzo ripped the Shuffle for "Fool in the Rain!"

http://www.bernardpurdie.com/

15 Artists to Pay It Forward With

Sonny Landreth

Unless you discovered them on your own- radio, online, or rummaging through your parents' record collection- someone showed you your favorite little-known artists. These are some of the best artists to share with others or that others have shown us (and those responsible!):

(1) Martin Sexton - "Glorybound" was the first song I heard (Chuck Bingham, c. 2000)
(2) Blind Lemon Jefferson - E. Texas bluesman (Drew Carlson, Wortham Blues Fest., c. 1997)
(3) Sonny Landreth - amazing slide guitarist, (Bill Clanton, 2006)
(4) Finley Quaye - "Sunday Shining" + "Your Love Gets Sweeter" (Jesus Rodriguez, c. 1999)
(5) Geggy Tah - "Gina" (my brother Hunter)
(6) The Jayhawks - Rainy Day Music (link is a fan page)
(7) Nick Drake- "Pink Moon" (Volkswagon, not embarrassed 2000)
(8) Toots and the Maytals - (Josh Van Maele, c. 2005)
(9) Beta Band - "Dry the Rain" John Cusack, Hi-Fidelity (also now defunct)
(10)Hayes Carll - "Chickens" Joe Judd + John Childers, c. 2004 (Floore's Country Store)
(11)Little Walter - Dave Bond, 2004
(12)Gomez - Bingham, 2000
(13)Daft Punk- great Euro techno duo
(13)Supergrass - Jesus Rodriguez, 1999
(14)The Word- virtuoso Robert Randolph, w/ North Mississippi All-Stars and John Medeski
(15)Old Crow Medicine Show - amazing bluegrass Appalachia/folk country

NYTimes Critics' Choice

Article here:

New York Times music critics review the new releases from Prince, Gorilla Zoe, Diana Krall, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Walking Through Clarksdale

Clarksdale, MS is the blues Mecca- constantly calling to those who love Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and the later British blues explosion that reinvigorated the American icons in our minds. This is where Hwys 61 and 49 intersect at the fabled Crossroads, where some say you can still make the timeless bargain- your soul for limitless musical ability.

The Dallas Morning News has a great article about this storied destination, and who's keeping the town intact, thought you would enjoy!
Clarksdale native Muddy Waters.
Link to Article

Festivals in Clarksdale:

Juke Joint Festival, April 17-18. www.jukejointfestival.com

Clarksdale Caravan Music Festival, May 9. www.clarksdaletourism.com

Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival, Aug. 7-9. www.sunflowerfest.org

SXSW Update- Quincy Jones Keynote Address

Quincy Jones with Herbie Hancock, 2006.


















Quincy Jones gave the keynote speech at SXSW on Thursday, and made an astonishing admission about an early choice of profession: gangster. A run-in with a musical instrument during a break-in "saved his life."

Music legend Quincy Jones stirs SXSW crowd
By Hector Saldana and Jim Beal Jr. - San Antonio Express-News

AUSTIN — Frank Sinatra was the first to call him “Q.” The nickname stuck. It's become the platinum standard.

In his 60 years in music, Quincy Jones has worked with almost everyone of note in the industry, from Lionel Hampton and Ray Charles to Lesley Gore, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Alicia Keys, along with Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey.

from the San Antonio Express-News: complete article here.

"Who Knows" - Jimi Hendrix, The Band of Gypsys

I have several songs I still remember hearing this for the first time, Zeppelin's Kashmir + Fool in the Rain, Robin Trower's Bridge of Sighs, and this track, one of Hendrix's first outings with his new backing band after the Experience, live at the Fillmore East (1970). It's the first cut of the self-named live album, if you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up:



Do you remember where you were when you first heard a song that blew your mind? In the back of your VW van? Friend's dorm room? Sneaking copies of your older brother's record collection that he would still beat you if he found out?

Something for Wes Anderson- The Feelies

Rob Bennett for The New York Times; Photo illustration by The New York Times

A few weeks ago, the NYTimes had a great article on a band called The Feelies. I went to their myspace page and the song "Slow Down" evoked images of a young Tripping Daisy- simple but inevitably charging on and catching your ear... Check them out and read up on their sordid tale!

(A wager to Bond: $10 says they're on one of the next two Wes Anderson movie soundtracks.)

http://www.myspace.com/thefeeliesband