Handy’s Memphis Orchestra in 1918. Handy is third from right, back row Just as the first blues ever published (in 1912) was titled, “Dallas Blues”, so the first blues ever recorded (in 1914) was, “The Memphis Blues.” Unlike Dallas Blues, which was written and published in Oklahoma City, The Memphis Blues was actually written in…

Who would have guessed they had tea rooms in Deep Ellum, Dallas, back in the 1930s “Thanks for sharing.” Wasser Prawda Online Magazine @wasserprawda Greifswald, Germany. 25 May 2015. “LOVED your (How Blues Evolved) eBook series! Learned so much! Got me started off in many other directions of research and interest.” Steve Lane, srlane@consolidated.net Charleston, IL,…

It’s been six years since Beck last released an album, but a week or so ago, he released his twelfth studio album, Morning Phase. Now, Beck is far too well known to need an album review from me, but what I would like to remind those who didn’t know, or have forgotten, is how Beck…

Dr. Feelgood’s Wilko Johnson in his prime In Britain, the rock & roll guitarist Wilko Johnson is a national treasure. For years he laboured with his magnificent band, the sadly now-defunct Dr. Feelgood, barely noticed by the general populace, but extremely highly-rated by those in the know. Only in recent years has Wilko Johnson risen like cream to…

Who doesn’t like Prince, the tiny American pop star with a gigantic reputation? Sadly, some friends Lianne Le Havas. Prince played at her house visiting London recently didn’t fancy Prince enough to wait in the queue outside a small venue with me in London’s Camden as we chanced upon it a few weeks ago. Admittedly…