Week #4. Lloyd Glenn instrumental

"Chica-Boo" - Lloyd Glenn [Swingtime 254]

The song was recorded during November 1950 and was released as a single in May 1951, it went to number#1 on the R&B chart for 2 weeks. "Jungle Town Jubilee" was on the b-side.

Texan Lloyd Glenn (born 19th November 1909 in San Antonio) moved to California in 1947 and got work as the pianist on sessions for T-Bone Walker and Lowell Fulson.

This instrumental piece has Billy Hadnott on bass, Bob Harvey on drums and Earl Burton on bongos. The piano style was very influential and can be heard on the earlier records of Ray Charles.

On STAR BLUES on 30th January 2011 we took the track from the four disc anthology called "History of Rhythm & Blues 1942-1952" [RHYTHMandBLUES label]

Week #3. Earl Hooker's Guitar is Blue

"Blue Guitar" - Earl Hooker [Age 29106]

This version was recorded in May 1961, and was released later that year as a single as the b-side of "Swear To Tell The Truth".

Earl Zebedee Hooker was born near Clarksdale, Mississippi on 15th January 1930. Though he recorded early in Memphis, he is best known as a Chicago blues player. A session in July 1953 for Sun Records with Pinetop Perkins included the first known recording of "Blue Guitar" - it eventually appeared on the Charly box set "Sun Blues Story". The 1961 featured track has AC Reed on tenor sax and Lafayette Leake on piano - it was produced by Mel London who sold it on to Muddy Waters as a backing track. Willie Dixon added lyrics and Muddy put it out as "You Shook Me", subsequently covered by Led Zeppelin.

Playlist for STAR BLUES of 23rd January 2011 took the track from vol#33 of the "Blues Collection" magazine+cd series published by Orbis c1994. The track is currently available on the Fuel label cd: "Introduction to Earl Hooker"

Week #2. Billy Boy Arnold joins Vee-Jay

"I Wish You Would" - Billy Boy Arnold [Vee-Jay 146]

Recorded May 1955, released as a single b/w "I Was Fooled".

Billy Boy Arnold (rn: William Arnold) was harp player with Bo Diddley. He was born 16th September 1935 and took up the instrument at a very early age; John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson was an influence. The song was written for Bo Diddley in a slightly different form and Bo suggested Billy Boy rework the piece and record it himself. According to Billy Boy, Leonard Chess didn't like him so he signed to Vee-Jay instead. The distinctive backbeat was provided by Earl Phillips.

Playlist for STAR BLUES of 16th January 2011 took the track from the Various Artists double disc anthology compiled by Charlie Gillet, "The Sound of the City - Chicago"

Week #1. Jimmy Rogers debut single

"That's All Right" - Jimmy Rogers [Chess 1435]

Recorded August 1950, released as a single b/w "Loudella". This was his first record as named artist.

Jimmy Rogers (rn: James A. Lane) was lead guitarist in the dream lineup of Muddy Waters' classic band. He was born 3rd June 1924 and started out as harp player, learning from his friend Snooky Pryor. The song has a clear antecedent in "Ora Nelle Blues" that Othum Brown cut in 1947 with Little Walter.

Playlist from STAR BLUES of 9th January 2011 took track from the Chess double disc set "Complete Chess Recordings"