compared to what

Reports are spreading quickly this afternoon that Michael Jackson died today of a heart attack.
A deeply troubled and deeply talented soul has passed through. Whatever else may or may not be true of this enigma, there’s no doubt about the creativity he left this world. Both in his words and in his life, he [...]

For the past couple of years, I’ve been going to a small blues festival near me in Greeley, CO. Most years, there’s someone in particular I’m wanting to catch. This year, that wasn’t the case, but I went anyway because it seemed like a good way to spend a beautiful day. The festival takes place [...]

The essential Koko Taylor died today in Chicago at age 80. Here’s one of thousands of great performances:
Come to Mama

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…and with Umphreys McGee, New Year’s Eve, 2008. She was swinging to the end:

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(and [...]

I have been and still am swamped at work, but I did download the new Backdoor Slam album, titled appropriately for me right now, “Coming Up for Air”. No time for much commentary, but y’all’ve got ears as good as mine.
It’s more rock and less blues than his first album. Davy Knowles‘ voice is [...]

Last summer, I ran across a terrific artist, Paul Thorn. I bought several albums, posted about him here and have been generally keeping track of what he’s up to. As I said at the time, his swampy mix of the sensual and spiritual really rocks.
In early September, I got a chance to hear him open [...]

I just got back from a visit to friends and family in the Bay Area. One of the highlights was going, with a good friend, to hear Davy Knowles (of Back Door Slam) open for Jeff Beck at the newly restored Fox Theater in Oakland.

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Like a voice from the grave, Back Door Slam, the now defunct version of it, has released a live album, the straightforwardly titled Live from Bonnaroo, on iTunes. If you want one more chance to hear the old configuration, this is it. Personally, I can’t quite shake the taxidermical feeling I have about it. [...]

A few weeks ago, I got to hear one of my favs, Jason Ricci and New Blood. As I said at the time, it was a terrific show. I’ve finally got my audio cut and uploaded, so I want to post a few more comments. You can skip all the blather, though, and find the [...]