White imitates black, black imitates white; and today’s blues is initiated.

White imitates black, black imitates white; and today’s blues is initiated.

“Good Blues blog. I really enjoy the trivia and often obscure facts associated with this musical genre. Nice job.” Al @Resoguitar, September 25, 2013. BLUESMUSE36. Back in June, I wrote a post about Charles Matthews, the English comedian who basically kick-started today’s blues into life in 1822. (See 28 June archive.) What Matthews did was…

Hoochie coochie was in the water long before Muddy emerged.

Hoochie coochie was in the water long before Muddy emerged.

“Fascinating!!! Where do you research this stuff???” Richard Wall @writinblues, September 20, 2013. “Awesome research.” nora j mckiddie @mckiddie_j, September 21, 2013. UPDATED October 15, 2021 BLUESMUSE35. Just like rock & roll, hoochie coochie was old-time African-American slang for sex. To most blues aficionados, the term is synonymous today with the blues great Muddy Waters,…

The despair of having your musical talent go unrecognized

The despair of having your musical talent go unrecognized

“Paul, just bookmarked the page. It’s extremely informative. Great read.” Pete, The Honest Mistake Band @fsrocko, California. 13 September 2013. One of the reasons that working in the music business used to be so soul-destroying was seeing just how many unbelievably talented musicians and songwriters never made it, remaining unknown and falling by the wayside….

Black Keys and White Stripes prove ‘less is more’

Black Keys and White Stripes prove ‘less is more’

“@paulgmerry. Well, thank you. I only absorb from those that speak the truth.”     DJ Bob (@zczbob). September 1, 2013.  Bluesmuse34. Is there a more insightful creative notion than less is more? The best designers and most successful musicians have always worked to this principle. Less is more is the forerunner to such modern recording studio…