Hey there. In an age when many folks change jobs (if not careers) every 5 years or so, there sits Bruce Iglauer. For the last 50 years Bruce has had just one gig, running Alligator Records. Man, that’s stamina!
His origin story is legendary in the record business. He started out in 1971 with $2,500.00, and recorded his first record with his favorite artist (Hound Dog Taylor). He parlayed that one record, and a whole bunch of sweat equity, into a viable record company. One that now sits on top of the Blues genre with a catalog of more than 350 recordings.
To celebrate Alligator’s 50-year anniversary, Bruce has put together a massive compilation of Alligator’s music. 58 hand-picked songs in all. Songs that represent the length and breadth of Alligator’s history. It took Bruce literally weeks to select just the artists. Weeks more to choose one song from each. (Talk about your tough choices!)
So be assurred that this collection is some terrific music. It’s also a wonderful history lesson, illustrating how the Blues has developed over the last half century. But with a listening time of 3 hours and 45 minutes it’s not something you’re going to casually dive into. Still, for any collector or serious Blues aficionado, this is a must-have.
As for Bruce, he’s not thinking about changing jobs any time soon. Nope. He’s thinking about all the new Blues talent he might discover in the next 50 years. You know, I think he’s just getting warmed up.
Online Corner
This week’s latest crop.
Videos
- Eric Bibb & Shaneeka Simon remind us that one thing’s for certain – every man in this world was “Born Of A Woman”
- Steve Marriner would like us all to know that if we say jump, he’ll just say “How High”
- Jonathon Long’s 1st single “Savior’s Face,” is out from his upcoming Parables Of A Southern Man album
- Jane Lee Hooker wants to hit the road in a big way and just “Drive” (Man, don’t we all?)
- GA-20 has a Hound Dog Taylor tribute album coming; here’s a cut, “She’s Gone”
Audios
- The Ronnie Wood Band is asking the age-old musical question, “Baby What You Want Me To Do?”
- Adam Schultz & Clarence Spady are sneakin’ past the censors with their tune, “A Real Mother For Ya”
Articles
- Mamie Smith opened the door for Black female musicians in 1920 – find out how in this KCRW article by Andrea Domanick
- Chicago Blues Museum Ever wonder why there’s no Blues Museum in Chicago? (Yeah, me too.)
Podcasts/Livestreams
- Live From Nerdville has a terrific interview with the man behind Alligator Records (for the last 50 years), Bruce Iglauer
- The Reverend Shawn Amos has a brand new interview-style Podcast called “The Cause Of It All” – check it out
- Eric Johanson has peeled away the curtain and is showing us how he puts together his Livestreams
Spotlight: Chicago / The Blues / Today!
This week is the week for collections. Here’s something that even pre-dates Alligator Records. The Vanguard Records Blues trilogy, “Chicago / The Blues / Today!”
This album was Samuel Charters’ brainchild back in 1965. Samuel was an A&R guy (record label jargon for “Artists & Repertoire”) – somone who matches up artists with songs to record. As he put it, “I wanted to document the raw strength of the blues tradition that was hanging on in the little clubs. Here’s the full story.
His little project was a big success. And was one of the keys that opened the door for the Blues to make its way into the mainstream.
Note! This album was a Record Store Day Drop.
New Blues Albums
This week’s collection.
Out Now
- Alligator Records: 50 Years Of Genuine Houserockin’ Music
- Caleb Johnson: Mountain Mojo, Vol. 1
- The Liberators: Waitin’
- Colin Alvarez: Long Time Coming
- Jon Butcher: Special Day
- Gerald McClendon: Let’s Have A Party
- Keith Kinkle: Room 414
- Debbie Bond: Blues Without Borders
Coming Soon
- Cedric Burnside: I Be Trying (Jun 25th)
- Dave Kalz: Relish (Jun 25th)
- Dom Martin: Savages Live At The Harlington (Jun 25th)
- Jonathon Long: Parables Of A Southern Man (Jul 2nd)
- Steve Marriner: Hope Dies Last (Jul 2nd)
ATWB: New Blues Playlist
More new tunes this week on the ATWB: New Blues Playlist. From Jon Butcher, The Ronnie Wood Band, Amythyst Kiah, and Eric Bibb (and more).
I keep the Playlist current every week with the new tunes that tickled my Blues Fancy. (you’re welcome!)
So check them out on Spotify — and please Follow or Share.
Photo by Steve Harvey on Unsplash
I’ll Leave You With: Some Etta James (And Friend)
Ladies and Gentlemen, the great Etta James, singing “I’d Rather Go Blind.” (With a little help from Dr. John.)
Etta co-wrote the song and it became one of her classics. And in this performance she showed she could still wail it. (What a voice!)
It’s sometimes forgotten just how influencial Etta James was. But she didn’t get inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Blues Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for nothing.
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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