Hey there. Only a few more days before we can finally say hasta la vista baby to 2020. Can’t wait! Can’t wait! Can’t wait!
I’m planning on treating 2020 like that cousin nobody wants to talk about at family gatherings. And I’m hoping it fades from memory like a groggy bad dream.
Actually felt a small twinge of joy this past week. I’d forgotten what that felt like. My impulse was to try and squash it before something bad happened.
Gonna have to work on that!
This week: The Spotlight is shining on a man from the “Land of the Long White Cloud.” (AKA Middle Earth.)
And then in Short Licks, there’s a great Chicago Blues interview, a neat little toy, and some British chefs cooking’ up the Blues.
Spotlight – Darren Watson
Kiwis Anyone?
Okay, so when I say that Darren Watson was born in the South, you’d probably think he might be a Mississippi Delta man right? Wrong! Oh, he was born near the river alright. But it was the Whanganui River in New Zealand.
Not exactly what you’d think of as a Blues hotbed.
But while the Blues first made its way to the Kiwis by way of British Blues groups like Clapton and The Stones, it nevertheless took root. There’s a strong Blues culture percolating in the South Pacific. And Darren’s been a part of it since the 1980’s.
Blues Bona Fides
Darren’s first band was Chicago Smoke Shop. It was a very popular Blues group in the 80’s and 90’s. And served as the opening act for lots of international Blues tours that hit New Zealand. Acts like Robert Cray, Koko Taylor, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds.
In 2008 Darren won the International Songwriting Competition in Nashville. He won in the Blues category for his song “All Going Wrong.”
Then in 2010, proving it was no fluke, he nailed the Competition again. This time it was 3rd place with “Can’t Get Enough of You.” Not too shabby.
That Brings Me To
Mr. Watson’s latest album is “Getting Sober For The End Of The World.” Darren’s been going solo for a while now; recording in his home studio. And this is a little gem of an album.
It’s almost completely acoustic with light layers of just-the-right instruments blended in. Much like you’d add seasoning to a good recipe. The result is a tasty, mostly traditional, Bluesy sound.
But the lyrics aren’t traditional. They have a current freshness to them. And Darren’s vocals are sharp. He’s gifted with one of those voices that can carry a whole album by itself.
The Outro
I love the production values on this album. And when I think that Darren made this in his home studio, part of me wants to hate him. But it’s a real good listen, so it’s mostly recording lust I feel, not hate.
The songwriting is solid and I really like the way the sound pops off of this album. This is definitely something you can give an ear too.
Here’s where you can sample the album.
Getting Sober For The End Of The World
Short Licks
How Elvin Got The Blues
Here’s a little oral history about what it was like to be a kid, learning the Blues in Chicago in the 1960’s. Elvin Bishop hit the windy city in 1960 as a freshman at the University of Chicago. But before long, his studies were in the rear view mirror and playing the Blues was his total focus. Dave Specter asks the questions. Elvin name-drops and tells the tales. (A real nice inside look.)
Blues From The Inside Out Interview: Elvin Bishop
Broaden Your Horizons
I’m always looking for new music and artists that hit my musical sweet spot. Here’s a list put together by Martine Ehrenclou over at Blues & Rock Muse that can be a gateway for you into discovering something new that might tickle your music fancy. And, as Martine puts it, “they’re not holiday oriented, so you can breathe a sigh of relief.” (Good deal!)
Tiny Tunes
Got a great little gizmo at the bottom of my stocking this Christmas. It’s a D’Addario micro clip guitar tuner. A nice itsy-bitsy little thing that clamps to the headstock of my guitar. Can’t even really see it from the front. And it doesn’t get in the way when the guitar’s in its case. (Now I can pretend I have perfect pitch.)
D’Addario Micro Clip Guitar Tuner
Come For The Music, Stay For The Cummerbunds
Covid-be-damned. Billy F. Gibbons (can you spell ZZ Top?) is continuing his annual all-star Jungle Show concert this New Year’s Eve. Billy and his little hand-picked supergroup will be playing some livestreamin’ Blues from Antone’s in Austin, Texas. Tickets are $25 and the show will be available in 4 different time zones.
What’s Cookin’ Good Lookin’
One of my bucket list items is to go to the UK one day so I can listen (and drink) my way through all the Blues clubs I can find. Especially The Blues Kitchen. Until that time, I take a little solace from listening to The Blues Kitchen Podcast. It’s a little eclectic, but the two Brits that run it always cook up some interesting stuff. (It fits nicely into my Sunday morning “bagels and Blues” routine.)
I’ll Leave You With…
“Out of Bad Luck” by Walter Trout
(A goodbye song for 2020)
Thanks for reading,
Jon
Jon Beres
I’m one part Blues Fan and one part Digital Native (with a dash of Curmudgeon.) I’m also the publisher of AlltheWayBlue.com. If you love the Blues, I have a feeling we’ll get along just fine - cheers!
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