Mickey Baker
I’m always surprised, and somewhat disappointed when folk tell me that they are unaware of the work of guitarist/singer/composer, Mickey Baker. Most guitar players know well of the man and…
Blues And The Bear
Difficult as it is to imagine today, but back in the 1970s, it was not totally uncommon hereabouts to encounter American Bluesmen in your local supermarket, laundromat or in the…
From Earth To Black Sabbath Part I
With the 53rd anniversary of the release of the album, “Black Sabbath”, clearly in sight, it seems/seemed appropriate to dig into “Don’t Worry ‘Bout The Bear”, for an insightful view…
Birmingham’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Afghan Hound
A cutting from the October 2017 edition of HEM Life publication. I used to rent the upstairs room every Tuesday, proclaimed that Tuesdays is Bluesdays, and named the venture Henry’s…
Big Bear Believing In The Blues
In the wake of our recent office move, we’ve been trying, without notable success, to bring some sort of order to our vast archive of music-related material going back some…
Remembering Rosa Henderson, Trixie Smith and The Texas Nightingale
The history of The Blues is littered with long-forgotten names, who, in their day, achieved significant success, some reaching impressive heights. Almost always they came from the most humble beginnings…
Bob The Bear Talks To Big Bear
Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Canned Heat were among the best and biggest blues attractions around. Taking their name from Tommy Johnson’s 1928 recording of “Canned Heat…
Blow That Harmonica, Son
On January 6th in 1973 I took off on a 5 week tour in the company of Homesick James, Snooky ‘Little Bear’ Pryor, Boogie Woogie Red, Lightnin’ Slim, Washboard Willie…
Mr. Blues Is Coming To Town!
The most important thing to happen every July hereabouts is the annual jazz festival. Jazz, I hear you say, what’s that to do with us blues guys? Well, admittedly, most…
Little Smokey Smothers
L to R: Billy The Kid Emerson, Jimmy Dawkins, Jim Simpson, Lester Davenport, Little Smokey Smothers, Eddie C.Campbell, Good Rockin’ Charles, Chico Chism. Photo by Jim O’Neal. I met Little…