Pinetop Perkins

Joseph William Perkins (July 7, 1913 – March 21, 2011), known by the stage name Pinetop Perkins, was an American blues musician, specializing in piano music.

He played with some of the most influential blues and rock and roll performers in American history, and received numerous honors during his lifetime including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and induction into the Blues Hall of Fame.

However prior to 1969 he was regarded as being more of a sideman until that is Muddy Waters hired him as a replacement for Otis Spann which led to 11 years in what most regard as the best blues band of its time.

Perkins never had an album devoted solely to his artistry, until the release of After Hours on Blind Pig Records in 1988.

The tour in support of the album also featured Jimmy Rogers and Hubert Sumlin.

Following a brief link up with Earl Hooker and Sun Records Pinetop recorded what became his signature tune, one which was heavily influenced by Pine Top Smith

“Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie” – Pinetop Perkins

His latter career was a mixture of recordings under his own name and a continual demand for his services as a session pianist culminating with a star-studded ”Pinetop Perkins and Friends” recorded over a 30 month period starting when he was 92!

Here he is with BB King

“Down In Mississippi” – Pinetop Perkins

His final release was 2010′s collaboration with Willie “Big Eyes” Smith “Joined At The Hip”

“Take My Hand Precious Lord” – Pinetop Perkins & Willie Blind Eyes Smith

He will be greatly missed.

To buy the music of Pinetop Perkins click HERE

I’d Rather Go Blind

“I’d Rather Go Blind” is a Blues song written by Ellington Jordan and co-credited to Billy Foster.

It was first recorded by Etta James in 1968, and has subsequently become regarded as a blues and soul classic.

Mr BB King said it all…………duet perfection

“I’d Rather Go Blind” – Christine Perfect

To buy the music of Christine Perfect click HERE

Cyndi Lauper Gets The Blues

If someone had asked me “Guess who has released a blues album” we would be there a long time before I would come up with Cyndi Lauper, however, she has and somehow it seems to have turned out great.

In a year that has also seen Sandi Thom turn to the blues (click HERE for my post relating to her release) Lauper’s “Memphis Blues” has taken it to a new level and has topped the Billboard Blues Charts for several weeks.

Lauper announced via her official Twitter account in December 2009 that she would be recording a blues album. Sessions were held in March 2010 at Electrophonic Studios in Memphis, Tennessee with producer Scott Bomar, her frequent collaborator Bill Wittman and special guests B. B. King, Charlie Musselwhite, Ann Peebles and Allen Toussaint.

It is obvious that much of the album’s success is due to the quality of musicians and guests who carry Cyndi deep into Memphis.

Highlights for me include her duet with Ann Peebles on Muddy Waters “Rollin’and Tumblin’”, BB King’s appearance on the album track ”Early In The Mornin’” though he doesn’t feature in the video below.

and her own composition “Just Your Fool” which features some great harmonica work by Charlie Musselwhite.

Less successful is her version of Robert Johnson’s “Crossroad Blues”

Overall what impresses is her ability to pull off a great blues album whilst retaining her own sense of eccentricity and not trying to sound like a black blues mama.

“Rollin’ and Tumblin’” – Cyndi Lauper (with Ann Peebles)

To buy the music of Cyndi Lauper click HERE

Ma Rainey

“This album is dedicated to Ma Rainey, mother of the blues, thanks for her work and style, and to all the early blues artists who travelled through the cross roads, suitcase in hand, to Memphis. Their music and spirit can still be felt today….much respect”

Cyndi Lauper 2010