I truly enjoyed the music Michael “Iron Man” Burks made and I truly enjoyed him as a person. He was sweet, very kind, a true gentleman, and just an all-around great guy.
He died Sunday after suffering a heart attack. He’d just returned to the States after his tour in Europe; in fact, he suffered the heart attack in the airport in Atlanta. Burks was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The world hasn’t just lost another great bluesman, the world has lost another great man. My condolences to his family and close friends. I will choose to remember him as a funny and charming man who is responsible for making me laugh often and for me meeting one of the best friends I’ve ever had.
Obama invented the blues. Or he discovered them and brought them to the nation at large. I know that’s what many sheeple will think. But, there’s history there. More than could have been packed into a single televised hour. More than you can find in a few books or on a couple of CDs. The blues: our musical gift to the world. A true American creation. And don’t you forget it!
Anyone else watch the blues at the White House special on PBS last night?
I could handle Mick doing his rooster strut. I could handle him singing “Miss You”. I could take all the artists they threw on that stage. But, I could not abide the President singing “Sweet Home Chicago”. Maybe, just maybe, if we’re lucky, it’s foreshadowing. Can we hope for that? For him to be sent back to Chicago after the elections?
Let us pray.
I would have much preferred to see/hear more of Shemekia Copeland, Keb’ Mo’, and the vested wonder that is Jeff Beck (seriously, how cool is he? Everyone else is dressed to the nines and Jeff Beck is there in a tank top and vest!).
What made me sad, other than Obama singing, was seeing B.B. King in a wheelchair. When I saw him, he was walking onstage on his own. I know he’s getting older and he has his health issues, but to see that much decline…it breaks my heart.
Okay. I’m done with my rambling for the day. Don’t mind me. I’m cranky because I don’t get out to see bands these days. I don’t get out to shoot the way I used to. It weighs on my heart. It makes my gut churn.
Still, I’m glad the people have been gifted with a night of blues even it had to come via The One. I just hope people will keep listening and exploring the music that is so very, very truly American.
Iverson “Louisiana Red” Minter died today. He’d been in a coma after suffering a stroke last Monday. He was a a true blues original.
I’ve written about him before but can’t find the post. His life read as one long blues song: his mother died shortly after giving birth to him, his father was lynched by the Klan, he lived in an orphanage for a spell, lost his first wife to cancer, and he left the U.S. to live abroad when it was obvious that Europeans treated our bluesmen better. Those are just a few of the key points. What you don’t get from any of that is just how vibrant his music was or how his smile would light up a room. While I’m so very sad to hear of his passing, I’m glad I have the memories of meeting him and watching him perform.
Some of you may remember this song I’d posted years ago. If you don’t, it’s a good introduction to the man’s music.
Dig through some of the videos on YouTube and enjoy Louisiana Red’s legacy. You won’t be sorry.
It’s been a tough year for the blues. A tough, tough year. So many gone…
I just want to go on record as saying I think Desperado was The Eagles’ best ever album. Hotel California is a close second, but Desperado was just so lyrically and musically magical that I almost can’t bear the harmonies when I hear them. They make me want to weep in absolute pleasure over their sweetness. Take “Saturday Night”. Listen to that mandolin and the yearning in earnest (as if there were any other sort of yearning)…it’s simple, it’s complex, it’s gorgeous! And “Doolin’ Dalton”. And “Desperado” itself. Tell me those songs don’t pull at your heartstrings and make you envision a time when you could just be wrapped in someone’s arms, slow dancin’ and praying the night could last forever.
Why there aren’t any Eagles vids for “Saturday Night” on YouTube, I haven’t a clue. Plenty of covers, but nary an actual Eagles version.
Imagine reading an article about a musician you once supported with great zeal and halfway through the piece you see a quote taken from an interview you did with said musician.
Yep. Just happened. The part about Home Depot. The interview was in 2006. We had a falling out right about that time. Okay, exactly at that time. And many tried to squelch any posting of links to that interview on Blogcritics because it was done by me. Yet it gets quoted on Gibson’s website.
Having a full on John Denver sort of longing. I know, mostly, it’s a longing for home, for my children. LD’s birthday is Monday. He’ll be 15. Mojo’s birthday is just another month away, too. She’ll be 19. How did that happen?
When the kids were young, we listened to a lot of John Denver and his music makes me terribly nostalgic for those times when we curled up at night and sang together as they headed toward slumber.
While not a “sleeping” song, this tune was one of our favorites. LD used to call for it all the time. I remember him in the back of the car, kicking his little legs to the music, calling, “Mommy! I can make the galloping sounds!” The ex hated it, but I thought it was precious. And Mojo, she’d beg for a guitar so she could learn to play Denver’s music “so the world will never forget him.” (That’s when he was still alive, too.)
Sigh.
A song few seem to remember.
The following used to be LD’s favorite sweet dreams song.
David “Honeyboy” Edwards, who just turned 96 in June this year, has passed away. He died of congestive heart failure. Honeyboy was a blues pioneer, having played with many of the Delta’s original trailblazers, including Robert Johnson. For me, Honeyboy was a link to a personal musical past as well as that of historical significance. The world is a quieter place now without him, but heaven just got a whole lot cooler.
All of you regulars are well aware of my love for Honeyboy and know this is weighing heavy on my heart today.
Please say a prayer for a man who helped lay the foundation for the music we call rock ‘n’ roll.
David “Honeyboy” Edwards, June 28, 1915 – August 29, 2011
My Honeyboy is officially retired as of Sunday. I understand why. Health issues. He’s 96. But I hate to think of him not playing his guitar and performing. Seems to me when you stop doing that which you love, that you’ve done for so long, it’s like giving your body permission to just…stop. So, I’m concerned, but also wishing him the best.
That said, it’s obvious I need to find myself another older bluesman to adore. That’s where Taildragger comes in.
Cute, eh?
Oh who am I kidding? I’m a collector. Nobody’s taking Honey’s place. They’re all special to me.
