Two-fer Tuesday
This week we take a look at the Great Albino Blues Invasion. No, that’s not mean or insensitve. I’m just stating the obvious.
Let’s begin with Johnny Winter, shall we?
Johnny’s first album for Columbia Records drew the largest advance in the history of the recording industry — a reported $600,000. For many blues artists, this didn’t sit well. Some white guy (some REALLY white white guy) was drawing this incredible amount of money for playing the music they’d created through their blood and sweat equity. It didn’t matter that blues legends Willie Dixon and Big Walter Horton recorded a track for the album. People were unhappy. One of the more vocal critics was Muddy Waters, a man Johnny considered a hero. However, in 1977, Winter finally got a chance to work with the one man he always lauded in concert. Johnny produced the very successful Hard Again for Muddy, followed by I’m Ready and King Bee. Muddy himself acknowledged Winter “…had done remarkable work in reproducing the sound and atmosphere of Waters’ vintage Chess Records recordings of the 1950s. The albums gave Waters the highest profile and greatest financial successes of his life.” Winter had done right by the man who influenced him. He’s been playing professionally for over 50 years and I can tell you from personal experience, the man still brings it.
Next up is Malford Milligan.
Milligan, probably best known for his stint with Storyville, which formed in 1994, his range is rather astounding. Not content to be categorized as a bluesman, he brings his talents to gospel, soul, rock, country, and whatever else you got for him. Malford’s voice is perfect. I’d listen to him read the phone book if given the chance.
Bonus video:
:rofl:
Comment by Pam — 2010/06/01 @ 08:34
It was inspired, I tell ya.
Comment by DaGoddess — 2010/06/01 @ 13:18