Natasha James – “Tequila Time”

First of all, I have to say that I’m pretty much a blues and rock guy, so when I got the opportunity to check out Natasha James‘ “Tequila Time” CD, it was a bit of a departure for me. I’m willing to listen to most anything and let it stand on its own merits. I’ve ended up enjoying a lot of different styles of music that way.

So, this is country music. I think it’s officially referred to as “alt country”, to distinguish it from what they’re calling “country” music on the radio these days. Of course, now there are sub-genres of country music: pop country, rockin’ country, redneck country…whatever. This CD is pretty close to what I used to hear as a kid some 50 years ago now. Now THAT was country!

Anyway, I’ve heard country referred to as “white man’s blues”, and that’s pretty accurate in many respects. What they’re calling “blues” these days is a lot different from what I call blues and there are sub-genres of that, now, too!

Okay, enough of that. Natasha James is a fine singer and songwriter. She wrote 12 of the 15 tunes on this disc and co-arranged the other three. Her style is laid-back and easygoing. It’s obvious she’s very comfortable in her own skin, as the saying goes. Most important, in my opinion, it sounds like she’s having a good time

The title cut, “Tequila Time”, is straight ahead country with a hint of N’Awlins. I can see why it’s getting a lot of airplay. Two of her originals, “Fillin’ Station” and “Get Out Of My Way”, written in 1982 and 1983, respectively, have a bit of an edge to them, which I like. They’re a bit more blues-like, which is probably why they stuck out for me.

That’s not to take anything away from the rest of the cuts. “Cheetah On The Run” is another tune with a Zydeco flavor to it. “If You Think This Is Love” is a bluesy hip-shaker. “Ain’t Done Nothin’ Wrong” has a Delta feel to its paranoid musings. “Let Me Cry” could easily be turned into a rock anthem. The disc closes with “Modern Life” describing the dysfunctional family life that’s becoming more and more “normal” these days.

James’ simple, dead-on lyrics paint vivid mental and emotional images. The band is tight and the musicianship is up to the standard you expect from country musicians while covering a broad range of styles. There’s a lot to like on this collection. I suggest you check it out.

Roots, Rock ‘n Blues

Is It Blues? Or Is It SRV?

First of all, let me say that I’m a huge Stevie Ray Vaughan fan. The man was simply a brilliant player and had a style all his own.

I find it really interesting that people tend to either love Stevie’s stuff or hate it. I don’t find many that are indifferent to it. I guess that’s a sign of great art, or in this case great music.

There’s a lot of debate about whether Stevie’s music qualifies as “blues”. Personally, I think the definition of “blues” has been so blurred over the years that you can jam almost anything into the box labeled “blues”, so the debate becomes more about whether it fits someone’s personal definition.

Stevie covered a lot of blues classics. So, did he somehow make them not blues by doing so? I don’t think so. I think he took them and put his own personal stamp on them. There’s plenty of the originals still there, but the renditions are unmistakeably SRV.

Yeah, he did a lot of stuff that’s more rock (“Voodoo Child (Slight Return)”) and some rockabilly (“The House Is Rockin’”) and other stuff that’s harder to classify (“Lenny”), but his blues stuff seems to me to fit the description. All that said, I don’t think it really matters.

Listen to anybody’s covers of blues tunes. Unless they’re trying to copy them note for note, they’re going to be different. Everybody hears the tunes a little differently and they come out sounding like Little Walter, or Big Walter, or James Cotton, or whoever is playing the song. That’s as it should be.

Frankly, it cracks me up to hear somebody try to play “Juke” exactly like the Little Walter single on Chess. Little Walter never played “Juke” the same way twice (check out the several dozen alternate takes that exist), so why should anybody else?

After Stevie’s death, brother Jimmy Vaughan said “He never played a song the same way once, let alone twice!” IMO, that’s what it’s about.

The great musicians take a song and make it their own. Sometimes that’s what turns a pretty good song into a classic. For example, who remembers “The Thrill Is Gone” before BB King’s version? Or, in Stevie’s case, “The Sky Is Crying”? Yeah, the original was a good tune and I like listening to it, but Stevie just kicked that tune in the ass.

Is it blues? I think it is, but even more, I don’t think it’s worth arguing about. It’s great music, no matter what you call it.

Roots, Rock ‘n Blues

“Cadillac Records” Captures the Chess Records Era

“Cadillac Records” opened today in theaters across the U.S. “Cadillac Records” is the story of Chess Records and the amazing array of blues talent who recorded for them in the 1950′s and 1960′s.

Despite taking some liberties with the facts, the film provides a good feel for the time and the lives of the musicians who made musical history at Chicago’s Chess Records. The film’s name is derived from the nickname given Chess by Muddy Waters. The notion was that anyone recording for Chess who had any degree of success would get a Cadillac sooner or later.

One of the noteworthy things about this movie is that the actors do their own singing and playing. Beyonce is excellent as Etta James. Jeffrey Wright stars as Muddy Waters, Columbus Short is Little Walter Jacobs and Mos Def plays Chuck Berry.

Reviews I’ve seen are mixed, but generally agree that the movie captures the essence of the lifestyle of these incredible blues players. Sounds like a must-see to me!

Roots, Rock ‘n Blues

What About The Music?

A friend of mine attended an outdoor blues festival a few years ago. It was a typically hot summer day and things were progressing nicely through the slate of blues bands on the bill that day. As the afternoon went on, the crowd was digging it and looking forward to the headliners, a popular band in that area.

The next-to-last band was churning through their set when word got around that the headliners’ bus had broken down and would be late arriving. They expected to be there just in time to go on at their appointed time, but there was some apprehension as everyone awaited their arrival.

As it happened, the band on stage was just finishing its set when the bus rolled up in the backstage area. Great sighs of relief all around as the band finished up their set and left the stage to well deserved applause. Stage helpers and band members rushed to get the final band’s equipment on stage and set up accomplishing the task in record time.

The band members left the stage while the stage hands finished the setup. The crowd awaited their return…and waited…and waited.

Read more in Roots, Rock ‘n Blues News

Copyright ©2007 by John W. Sawyer and Chon Resources
All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Devil Music…or not…

In the early days of the 20th century when the blues was still evolving from field hollers, there were actually two lines of musical evolution. One was gospel music, which was obviously inspired by the teachings of the Christian churches. The other was blues, which was much more the music of roadhouses and juke joints. Not exactly places God-fearing people tended to hang out, at least not so they’d admit it! Not surprisingly, the blues became known as “the Devil’s music”, partly because of the venues in which it was often played, and partly because of references to selling one’s soul to the Devil and other topics not intended for tender ears.

Many blues players and singers started out with gospel music because their parents wouldn’t let them play the blues. They had to wait until they were older to go over to the “dark side.” Some sneaked out to blues clubs to play and sing without their parents’ knowledge, and had such success that they couldn’t keep the secret for long. Probably as much because it was forbidden fruit as in spite of it, the blues continued to evolve into what we know today. Gospel is still around, as well, and both have their devotees.

Read the rest of this article in Roots, Rock ‘n Blues News

Copyright ©2007 by John W. Sawyer and Chon Resources
All Rights Reserved Worldwide

---

We Be Jammin’!!

One of the cooler things about the blues and roots music is that at the heart of it it’s a fairly simple structure that doesn’t require a degree in music to learn to play and enjoy. Learn the 1-4-5 chords in a few popular keys on whatever instrument you want to play and you’re ready to wail with other players at your local open jams.

For many players, jams are a way to get on stage and play the music they love without having to commit to band practices, gig schedules and the rest that goes along with getting paid to play. For others, it’s a way to get some stage experience on their way to finding a band to gig with. For still others, it’s a get-together with friends and kindred souls. There are probably as many reasons as there are players and it’s what keeps players and their friends and fans coming out…

Read more in Roots, Rock ‘n Blues News

Copyright ©2007 by John W. Sawyer and Chon Resources
All Rights Reserved Worldwide

The Bo Diddley Beat

As those of you who are subscribers already know, Bo Diddley, the rock-n-roll legend, had a stroke this past week and as of last report was in intensive care in a hospital in the Midwest. It’s unfortunate that it takes an event like this to get us thinking about the influence of the greats, and Bo certainly qualifies as one of the greats. He, Chuck Berry and Little Richard were the Big Three of rock-n-roll back in the day and pretty much defined the genre. Each has his own distinctive style and each has been imitated countless times.

When I picked up the guitar back in the mid-60′s, one of the first songs I wanted to learn was “Who Do You Love?” The trademark Diddley beat was the attraction in that tune…

Read more in Roots, Rock ‘n Blues News…

Copyright ©2007 by John W. Sawyer and Chon Resources
All Rights Reserved Worldwide

---

It’s all about Roots, Rock ‘n Blues

Welcome! We are both fans and players of music that rocks, and while that is a broader category than the three listed above, this site will focus on where everything rock originated. That means the blues, beginning with the Southern blues of the early 20th century and culminating with the modern day blues as it has evolved. We’ll also be looking at rock from its early days as rockabilly, e.g. Sun Studios’ legendary output, as it started blending white and black influences, evolving through rock ‘n roll into today’s blues-rock or rockin’ blues, or whatever label is slapped on it in a given time period.

Yeah, we dig some “classic” rock and metal and were even into punk for a while in the 80′s, but it all evolved from the blues and early rock and no matter what we find interesting at any given time, we keep going back to the headwaters, so to speak. There are still some players today who would have been comfortable in the 50′s and are keeping the pure flame alive, Steve Guyger being a prime example. That’s not to dis the modern players, many of whom have as much soul as any of the early players. The fact is that music evolves just as everything else evolves as it must if it is to stay alive, vibrant and relevant. There will always be timeless classics that never seem to lose their impact, but every era produces its own classics and the stream rolls on.

We will be producing a weekly newsletter featuring views, reviews, playing tips, and other resources for lovers of roots music and its descendants. If you’d like to be on the list to receive it, please subscribe here:

http://RootsRocknBluesNews.com

Thanks for stopping by and checking us out!

Copyright ©2007 by John W. Sawyer and Chon Resources
All Rights Reserved Worldwide