Blues Archives: Ole' Miss

Dear loyal viewers :-)...heeding the advice of the New Orleans Police Department...at least 1/2 of it.  I mean ... really...who wants to deal with 'pickpockets' ... (pause for big ol' Kat belly laugh).  I'm not against 'loose women' but I have to tell ya that it was so funny this morning over breakfast to look up and see this sign!  I almost choked.

For the last few days I've been here at the University of Mississippi (Ole' Miss) in Oxford, Mississippi.  A beautiful campus hosting the world's most extensive collection of blues called the Blues Archives.  Greg Johnson, the curator, a young hippie lad has been awesome to me!  And let me tell you I've put them and myself through the paces searching out records, articles and photos with a whole lot of dust on them.  In fact, for the first time on this trip I'm extending my stay here so I can see all I want/need to see this first time 'round.  

I am learning more than I can possible write.  It's a book's worth of learning.  I will however tell you that there was a certain energy charge and mojo that got cookin' when I held the weighty, thick Paramount recordings of Ma Rainey.  Yes indeed I held it, listened to it on headphones through a great turntable system and smelled it!  They waited since 1924 for me to get my mitts on 'em and I'd just like to thank them all.  (I'm feelin' very weird tonite.)  Let me tell you that the CD remastered releases which are accessible from all kinds of sources can't hold a candle to the tongue an' groove!  

Other highlights include the VHS of "Wild Women Don't Get The Blues".  It is an old documentary and it was incredible as were the "Yazoo Delta Blues & Spirituals" 78 record and the VHS "Bluesland: A Portrait of American Music".  Wow! Wow! Wow!  There are alot of videos out there on the market but nothin' like these two.  And the 78 drew a perfect picture of blues and spirituals.  

I really could go on an on but...why?  I'll save it all for the house party you host where I present the summary and such of this trip -- ha ha!  Second time I've mentioned it on this blog site so it must be a wish or somethin'.

Take good care,

Kat

Lost but Not So Much!

Mississippi John Hurt

My musical positioning is natural to the music of the Delta Hill Country (north Delta region) in the loping, lush green hills.  A genteness and an ease that is reflected in the musical artistry of folk-blues legend, Mississippi John Hurt, and Jessie Mae Hemphill.  There is not alot complicated in the music...strong on melody and on trance repetitive patterns would best characterize this style from my point of view.  

Mississippi John Hurt has been a long time favorite of mine ever since I saw a short video clip of his work a number of years ago.  His infectious smile and rhythmic nature are hard to resist and I found him to be a shy, humble and happy guy on the clips.  By all recollections of him this is true.  

He took me on quite a ride today to find his place.  It is the remotest location of all I have been to so far.  Deep in the groves along winding gravel roads I came upon his home, a shotgun shack now a museum.  The peacefulness of setting was beautiful and it was hard to leave.  But then it was like I couldn't leave because for the first time on this trip I was lost.  Circled his place for a couple hours growing tired but persistent.  I threw on a Jessie Mae disc and all was well with the world.  

Although Miss. John wrote alot about Avalon, his place is actually close to Valley (photo of the store).  It is a maze but well worth the trip!  Thanks for all your great tunes and perfect Delta attitude MJH !

Kat

Legendary Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson's life and death have been the kind of tales that blues music is famous for.  Bursting the bubble ever so gently, it is evident that this 27 year old man was like other Delta musicians of the era--a traveller, a story teller, a thief of other's material, a ladies man and an amazing talent.  He learned from Charlie Patton and Son House and went on to develop a style and a skill that likely took him many, many hours of practicing and a load of natural talent.  

Like so many, Robert grew up on a plantation (photo at the top) in Tunica, MS and moved around alot.  What is known about him on a factual basis is that he was a scoundrel that sought redemption in his final days before being poisoned in Three Forks Juke just outside of Greenwood, MS.  (Although cause of death from the medical doctor listed Syphilis).   Robert Johnson memorabilia is housed at the Robert Johnson Museum on the second floor above the Blue Parrot Cafe in Greenwood.  Steven LaVere has put this together for all of us to remember the archetypal figure Robert Johnson was in blues music.   And, as I understand it, there is continued controversy surrounding this collection as the descendants of Robert Johnson have not been paid their 'dues' (or so rumor has it...don't want to get myself sued here).

Despite all sorts of myths about where he is buried, the Little Zion MB church just north of Greenwood is the location as you can see in one of the photos that makes the point.  The other two graves are cool for the mythology but that's about it.  

It is hard not to get caught up in the mythology of it all but he is, in my mind, impossible to imitate because he is the culmination of all that is the Delta.

'Nuff said...

Kat

WGRM & Greenwood, Mississippi

Greenwood was really, really good to me.  First Bobby Rush then Ben Wiley Payton (acoustic blues legend of the area) and salads, salads and salads!  One thing about the Delta...not too big on veggies unless it's fried...it ain't food.  But in Greenwood I got my vitamins on track.  The Dancing Rabbit Book Store was this great little shop on Howard Street...I bought so many books and CD's I was almost embarassed...well, almost.  Really hard to find material was readily available in this shop.  After that great find I found Ben Payton.  A lovely gentleman with chops like you wouldn't believe on that acoustic guitar.  He made it look effortless and I learned alot by watching him play, sing and move his body.  We spoke for a long while at a break and he would really love to come to Canada and I would really like to make that happen for him.  A true blue acoustic blues legend in the area and let me tell you that's hard to find in these days of electric blues rock.  

Greenwood is very important to the history of Delta Blues from my perspective because it is also the town where Robert Johnson (I'll say more about that in the next blog).  But it is home to the Robert Johnson Museum in the building that housed the groundbreaking radio station, WGRM.  I put the information photo up so you could have a look.  And can you imagine just how much ancestral spit there is in that old microphone?  Lots of DNA let me tell you.  Ha Ha!

To make life even better I stayed in this luxurious Victorian mansion that is a B&B.  The owners had to be out of town so they left the keys under the mat and I helped myself to the entire place.  Quite the shift from the plantation cabins to this place.  And the view of the Yazoo River from the balcony was glorious!  Blessed I am.

Peace out...Kat

Bobby Rush: Raw (#1 CD of 2007)

Every time I put my pants on backwards I have an incredible day!  So when I realized that I had indeed done it again I knew this was gonna be a good one and was it ever...

It all starts a few months ago when my friend Vlad Gomez phoned me from a club in Toronto as he was listening to Bobby Rush and Honeyboy Edwards acoustic at a club.  At the time I couldn't believe what I was hearing in the background.  When he got home Vlad lent me each artist's CD (both signed) from the gig.  I had Bobby Rush's RAW playing in my car for 3 straight months.  (Even beat Lucinda and Mary Gautier's record.)  Well, as the story goes, and this will be a surprise to Vlad, I lost Bobby Rush's CD at the Saskatoon Blues Festival.  CD's are like socks in the dryer in my life...they just go missing no matter how much I value them.  Anyway, I was on a mission to get another one for Vlad but how to get a signature?  In the planning phase for this project I realized that Bobby Rush was playing in Greenwood, Mississippi the same time I was going to be in the Delta.  So...

Tonite I was taken to the side of the stage by Bobby's son, Carl, where I watched, video taped and photographed the show.  The vibe was incredible.  Funk like you wouldn't believe and that band was TIGHT!  Now it wasn't the acoustic show but I didn't expect that.  What I also didn't expect was how friendly and open Bobby and his son were with me.  After signing a few new RAW CD's (Vlad, yours is on its way home), he gave me another of his discs, signed a photograph and gave me his card to contact him at home any time I would like to.  Can you freakin' believe it!!!!!

This day and night will live vividly in my memory for the rest of my life.  I will get a chance to see Bobby again as he is nominated for two International Blues Awards:  Traditional Blues and Soul.  Talk about versitile eh?

That's it...over and out!

Kat "Delta" Danser

Charlie Patton: The Mentor of All Mentors

Charlie Patton is credited with creating the Delta Blues sound we love so much.  He is the grandpappy of them all and was born, raised and worked on the Dockery Plantation.  Musicians he is credited with teaching include Muddy Waters, BB King, Elvis, Robert Johnson and Son House.  Chances are if you were playing acoustic blues early in the 20th century you learned from Charlie Patton.  

Everything in the Delta seems 'just around the corner'.  In this instance just around the corner from Dockery Farms is Moorhead, Mississippi where the 'Southern Cross The Dog'.  A famous crossroads all of their own referring to the Southern and Yazoo rail crossing.  WC Handy went on to write and record Yellow Dog Blues.  As you can see there is little left of the track but thankfully it has been saved for the 'Delta Blues Hunters' with a monument as well.  

And just when I thought it couldn't get any better...

KD xoxo