Tina Turner RIP

Desperately sorry to hear that the 'Queen of Rock and Roll', Tina Turner, has died aged 83. She joined Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm in 1957 and, together with ike, produced some of the most exciting R and B records of the sixties and brought a completely new level of excitement to their live performances. Fantastic recordings such as 'A Fool In Love', 'It's Gonna Work Out Fine', 'I Can't Believe What You Say', 'Nutbush City Limits' and 'Finger Poppin' set the standard for classy, no holds barred performances. The Phil Spector produced 'River Deep Mountain High', despite its inexplicable failure to be a hit in the US, reached new heights, yet many other recordings for a variety of labels, including 'So Fine', 'Come Together' and 'Proud Mary' showed what a compelling combination Ike and Tina were, and their live shows were something to behold. Born Anna Mae Bullock in Brownsville, Tennessee, Tina met Ike in St Louis and quickly joined his revue, becoming his common law wife. But eventually the alleged abuse of Tina by Ike led to a split in 1976 which has been widely reported over the years. After a period of relative obscurity Tina developed an image of a sex goddess and became, comparatively late in life, a super star, with albums such as 'Private Dancer', 'Break Every Rule' and 'Foreign Affair'. Her tours became major events and her hits included 'Let's Stay Together', 'What's Love Got To Do With It' and 'Simply The Best'. Film appearances included 'Tommy' in 1975 and 'Mad Max Thunderdome' in 1985. Tina retired in 2009 after completing her 50th anniversary tour. RIP Tina.

I can't ignore the death of another artist who had considerable chart success over many years, as well as being one of the UK's top TV entertainers, the Australian born Rolf Harris at the age of 93. He had major hits with 'Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport', 'Two Little Boys' and 'Sun Arise' and starred in countless TV shows. But eventually, in 2014, a history of indecent assault of young girls caught up with him and he was sentenced to five years and nine months in prison. Another death is that of Floyd Newman, aged 91 who was a sax player at Stax, including with the Mar-Keys and the Memphis Horns.

Latest music deaths

It's high time that I caught up on the musicians who have died while I have been away. The latest is Jamaican sax and trumpet player Lester Sterling at the age of 87. Lester was a founder member of the Skatalites and when the group disbanded in 1965 on the death of Don Drummond he joined Byron Lee and the Dragonaires before rejoining the Skatalites when they reformed in 1975. During the sixties he recorded several singles released in the UK on a variety of labels including Island, R & B, Doctor Bird and Unity and an album for Pama, 'Bangarang'. He continued with the Skatalites until 2014 and my photo shows him alongside bassist Lloyd Brevett at Dingwall's in 2003.

A significant death in the world of blues while I was in New Orleans was that of Chris Strachwitz, aged 91. Chris was the founder of Arhoolie records which was instrumental in recording dozens of blues and zydeco artists from 1960 onwards. His first artist was Mance Lipscomb and many others followed including Juke Boy Bonner, Mississippi Fred McDowell and Clifton Chenier. He recorded Country Joe and the Fish and in the seventies produced records by the likes of Charlie Musselwhite, Big Mama Thornton and John Delafose. He recorded many Mexican artists and later produced records by Michael Doucet and Beausoleil. For many years Arhoolie was based at Down Home Records in El Cerrito, near Berkeley, CA, which I visited in 2018.

Another blues death is that of Mississippi guitarist Bill 'Howl N Madd' Perry. Bill began singing with gospel groups in Chicago including the Clefs of Calvary and the Salem Travelers before being given the chance of singing and playing in a blues band by Little Milton. He recorded under the name Billy Easton in the sixties and appeared on Soul Train. He returned to Mississippi and formed his own band. I saw him in 2013 at the King Biscuit Festival where he played with his daughter Shy, who had recently recorded an album, and Cash McCall and also saw Bill and Cash playing on the streets of Clarksdale (pictured below)

Other recent deaths include Stu James, lead singer of the Mojos, who had a hit in 1964 with Everything's Alright.

Also guitarist Tim Bachman, who was one of the four founding members of Bachman Turner Overdrive.

A final word too for British singer/songwriter Linda Lewis. She recorded the Northern soul classic 'You Turned My Bitter Into Sweet' for Polydor in 1967 and had hits with 'Rock A Doodle Doo' and a revival of 'It's In His Kiss' in the seventies. And for Canadian singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, whose many songwriting successes included 'For Lovin' Me', 'Early Morning Rain' and 'Ribbons of Darkness'. As a singer he had a hit with 'If You Could Read My Mind' and recorded a string of successful albums in the seventies including 'Summer Side Of Life', 'Don Quixote', 'Old Dan's Records' and 'Sundown'.

More photos from the US trip

The US trip is over but here are a few more photographs from the trip. This is the group outside Fats Domino's former house in the 9th Ward of New Orleans.

This is Fats Domino's piano at the New Orleans Jazz Museum.

This is the 100 Men Hall in Bay St Louis on the Mississippi Gulf Coast..

Individual members of the Flatlanders: Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock.

Here's another photo of Buddy Guy at Jazzfest.

Here's one of me with Kermit Ruffins in the Mother In Law Lounge.

With Little Freddie King at Jazzfest.

With Kenny Neal at Jazzfest..

With Troy Turner at Madame Vic's.

Johnny Sansone, Terrance Higgins, Chief Monk Boudreaux, and Papa Mali at NOLA Brewing Co..

Smokehouse Brown at BJ's bar.

Lee, John and Alan in Abbeville, LA.

Michael Doucet at Jazzfest..

Shauna Sias Landry and David Mouton at Bon Temps Grill in Lafayette.

Final day of Jazzfest and more

We had a couple of days off going to Jazzfest on Friday and Saturday as the weather was none too good, especially on Saturday. but there was still plenty of music to enjoy.

On Friday we went to the NOLA Brewing Co for a free show featuring Johnny Sansone, Papa Mali, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and drummer Terrance Higgins. They are a sort of swamp pop blues super group and were excellent and hypnotic on a string of numbers including 'Walk On Gilded Splinters'. Next day after an excellent lunch at Sammy's we went to a place called Madame Vic's for another good night of blues by Guitar Slim Jr, who was joined for part of the time by Troy Turner, the former 'Teenage Blues In Baton Rouge singer/guitarist who I haven't seen in about 30 years. He's been living in Canada he said but has lost none of his guitar prowess. Slim's varied set ranged from soul to blues plus NO R and B and was very enjoyable.

The final day of Jazzfest began with some lively funky soul from New Soul Inc followed by some soul and blues from Martha Redbone who is part Choctaw, European and African American. From there we took refuge from the heat in the grand stand for an interview session with the Flatlanders (Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock) conducted by Ben Sandmel. The three of them have been playing together for over 50 years as well as having solo careers and this was fascinating stuff. They spoke about meeting up in Lubbock, early problems with getting their material released, a chance meeting with Townes Van Zandt and the origin of some of their songs.

After a quick look at a band called The Deslondes I went to the Blues Tent for a bit of New Orleans music by trumpeter James Andrews and The Crescent City All Stars. He is the grandson of Jessie Hill and an admirer of Louis Armstrong. His set was raucous and colourful with NO 'Baby dolls' dancing on stage and very popular with the big crowd.

From there I went to see Lena Prima, Louis' daughter, who sang some of her dad's songs including 'Pennies From Heaven' and 'Sing Sing Sing'. Then it was off for some excellent zydeco from Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas.

There were a host of big names finishing off the festival on various stages and it was impossible to see them all. But I did my best. I waited for quite a while for Maze featuring Frankie Beverley along with a big crowd which was 99 per cent African American but was a bit disappointed when they did come on. Frankie's vocals were muffled and he barely acknowledged the audience facing the band instead. But the crowd seemed happy enough and were singing along.

I slipped off to watch Tom Jones for a bit. He looked good at 83 and was in fine voice for largely Americana type songs. Finishing off the festival it was more excellent Americana from the Flatlanders with numbers including 'Tonight I'm Going To Go Down Town', 'Lawdy Miss Clawdy', 'Dallas', 'Sitting on Top of the World' and 'If You Were A Bluebird'. An excellent way to end the festival.

We rented a car for the last few days and had a drive out to Bay St Louis and Gulfport on the Mississippi gulf Coast, picking up a few more records at an antiques mall on the way. In the evening we headed out to BJs, a cosy bar in the 9th Ward, for Smokehouse Brown who proved to be a very good blues singer with a gruff voice who was excellent on '19 Years Old', 'I've Got My Eyes On You' and 'I Gotta Try You Baby'. A good night if a rather boozy one. Next day, our final full one, we checked out a mural of Dr John (pictured top) and took another look at Fats Domino's house (now in a renamed Fats Domino Avenue) before the heavens opened and drove us back to base.

New Orleans Jazzfest day 4

After a day of sightseeing and record hunting around Lafayette the evening was fairly quiet with dinner at the Bon Temps Grill with music by Shauna Sias Landry and sax man David Mouton followed by some folky music at the Blue Moon. Next day it was back to New Orleans with music from Little Freddie King at Gasa Gasa on Freret, a new venue to me.

Thursday saw us back at Jazzfest for another day which was very good on the whole. I had a look at a band called The Rumble featuring Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr in full Mardi Gras attire which someone had recommended. They proved to be a rock/funk/rap ensemble which didn't appeal so I stage surfed for a bit catching Cajun fiddler Michael Doucet, Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, featuring nine female dancers, and local group J and the Causeways.

Things began to pick up with David Batiste and the Gladiators, who I remember seeing at the Ponderosa Stomp a few years back. David formed the band in 1962 and they scored with 'Funky Soul'. David is a keyboard player who plays regular keyboard, a keyboard slung around his neck and the medolica. Celebrating his 75th birthday David's band includes four of his sons and is mostly an instrumental band playing N'Awlins funk but included a female singer who sang 'Blue Bayou' as a tribute to Linda Ronstadt and an impressive male singer who did 'There Is something On Your Mind' as a tribute to Bobby Marchan who David played with way back when. They finished with "New Orleans Is Coming Back' which David wrote post Katrina.

Next up was soul singer Durand Jones who I had heard good things about. He has a great voice as he showed on 'Miss Sadie' and tracks from his brand new album "Wait Til I Get Over', including 'I Want You', 'I'll Be Good To You' and "See It Through '. Definitely one to watch.

Biggest blues star of the day was Louisiana born Buddy Guy who looks and sounds amazing for his 86 years. He began with 'Damn Right I Got The Blues' and then teased the audience with brilliant guitar playing and tricks including playing the guitar on his sleeve and with a drumstick before launching in to 'Hoochie Coochie Man'. He had a smile on his face throughout, a rather lascivious one on the song '19 Years Old', and included snippets at the least of 'I Just Want To Make Love To You', 'Skin Deep', 'How Blue Can You Get' Bobby Rush's 'Chicken Heads', 'All Around The World', 'Take Me To The River', 'Boom Boom' and 'Fever'. It was a remarkable set by one of greats of the blues.

There was more blues back in the Blues Tent with the Roadmasters tribute to Walter 'Wolfman' Washington. There were guest appearances from Jon Cleary (playing guitar for a change), Deacon John, Ivan Neville, Mem Shannon and John Papa Gros, but the highlight of the entire day was Irma Thomas's impassioned rendition of 'Even Now', a song she recorded with Walter. It earned her a well deserved standing ovation.

From there I moved to the Gentilly Stage to see up and coming soul singer Leon Bridges. He has a silky voice and a big, young fan base judging by the huge crowd but on first hearing didn't stand out.

Final act was the rocking Cajun accordion player Jo-El Sonnier. This was high quality and at times exciting stuff with songs including 'Knock Knock Knock', Fats Domino's 'You Hurt Me So', 'Tear Stained Letter', 'Raining In My Heart ', 'Jole Blon', 'Louisiana 1927' and Cleveland Crochet's 'Sugar Bee'. A good way to close the day.

Jazzfest day 3 and Lafayette

Day three at Jazzfest was another beautifully sunny one and the line up was fairly strong with emphasis on blues and New Orleans funk. First up was Little Freddie King who was his usual immaculate self in black and white jacket with matching hat and shoes. It's always a pleasure to see Freddie who is now fully recovered from a bicycle accident a couple of years back.

He was followed on the Blues Tent stage by piano player Davell Crawford, also looking great in a colourful outfit. I stayed for some of his very good N'Awlins funk and then moved off to catch a bit of another two acts who were also very much in the New Orleans music tradition.

Ivan Neville and Dumpsterfunk were playing on the main stage in front of a huge crowd so I moved on to watch a new band to me called Cha Wa. They are a Mardi Gras Indian influenced outfit with a couple of members in full Indian dress and sounded great on numbers including 'Iko Iko' and 'Elijah Rock'. I had a quick look at Little Nathan and the Zydeco Good Timers before moving back to the Blues Tent for the highlight of the day Kenny Neal.

Kenny's act was very much a family affair with brothers Raful and Freddie on guitar and keyboards. Sister Charlene sang 'Down Home Blues' while his daughter sang one number and his son took a turn on the drums. Overall it was an excellent set with Kenny providing vocals and superb guitar playing on numbers such as 'Blues Stop Chasing Me', the swamp flavoured 'I Know Someone Cares' including a great sax solo, 'Funny', Honest I Do' and the aptly titled 'New Orleans', a song he wrote recently. Finally we (Alan Lloyd, John Howard and myself) had a look at Los Lobos but weren't over impressed.

Next day the four of us (Lee Wilkinson being the fourth) rented a car and headed for Lafayette. We wanted to check out the Brass Room, an out of town venue where there is a Monday night Blues show aimed at older music lovers. The shows have been running weekly for four years and include a free bowl of spaghetti. The band changes each week and this time it was the Greg Gordon Project, a six piece band which includes Greg on drums and excellent sax and guitar players. Greg has been around and played in bands with Sherman Robertson and Lil Buck and backed the likes of Lazy Lester, Barbara Lynn and Irma Thomas. The band's set covered blues, funk and soul and included several numbers from his 2021 album 'Resurrection'. Also singing with them on several numbers was Shauna Sias Landry, who was impressive on several songs recorded by her idol Etta James and others by Prince and even Ed Sheeran. As an evening's entertainment on a Monday night it was perfect and I would love to go back to the Brass Room again.