I'm still reading Unfogged regularly, and reeling from all the bad news down here in Mississippi.
R.L. had been very sick, and this was expected. The funeral will be a week from tomorrow, here in Oxford.
This represents something close to the end of the scene that Robert Palmer illuminated in the film and CD Deep Blues. R.L., Junior Kimbrough (who's juke burned several years ago), Napolean Strickland, Othar Turner, Frank Frost, Lonnie Pitchford, and Bobba Barnes are all dead. Jessie Mae Hemphill can no longer play due to a stroke, and Jack Johnson (while still quite active) has left the area. Only the drummer Sam Carr is still active and here.
It's partly sad to me because I knew this group of musicians well and first hand-- I considered a number of these people friends.
One thing it highlights is just how ephemeral such a scene is-- it was almost gone a couple of years ago when I realized it was passing.
There is still much worth attending to, down here-- Willie King, for instance. If you want to keep up and hear some great music, check out Scott Barretta's radio show here--http://www.highway61radio.org/
The July 22nd show was a tribute to my brother Robert, who also died this summer.
I'm so sorry about your brother, Tom, and it's been a rough patch for you all around, apparently.
But you're fortunate to have known these guys, and to have heard them play (Willie King at your wedding!). I just saw a documentary called "You see me laughin'" and thought of you, and all the stories you must have heard.
I think I mentioned to you in email that I was planning to see Alvin Hart when he was in town on your recommendation. I did, and he was amazing, so thanks for that.
I'm still reading Unfogged regularly, and reeling from all the bad news down here in Mississippi.
R.L. had been very sick, and this was expected. The funeral will be a week from tomorrow, here in Oxford.
This represents something close to the end of the scene that Robert Palmer illuminated in the film and CD Deep Blues. R.L., Junior Kimbrough (who's juke burned several years ago), Napolean Strickland, Othar Turner, Frank Frost, Lonnie Pitchford, and Bobba Barnes are all dead. Jessie Mae Hemphill can no longer play due to a stroke, and Jack Johnson (while still quite active) has left the area. Only the drummer Sam Carr is still active and here.
It's partly sad to me because I knew this group of musicians well and first hand-- I considered a number of these people friends.
One thing it highlights is just how ephemeral such a scene is-- it was almost gone a couple of years ago when I realized it was passing.
There is still much worth attending to, down here-- Willie King, for instance. If you want to keep up and hear some great music, check out Scott Barretta's radio show here--http://www.highway61radio.org/
The July 22nd show was a tribute to my brother Robert, who also died this summer.
Posted by TomF | Link to this comment | 09- 2-05 10:42 PM
I'm so sorry about your brother, Tom, and it's been a rough patch for you all around, apparently.
But you're fortunate to have known these guys, and to have heard them play (Willie King at your wedding!). I just saw a documentary called "You see me laughin'" and thought of you, and all the stories you must have heard.
I think I mentioned to you in email that I was planning to see Alvin Hart when he was in town on your recommendation. I did, and he was amazing, so thanks for that.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 09- 2-05 10:54 PM
I just listened to the July 22 show. That is awesome stuff.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 09- 2-05 11:54 PM
Thanks.
I'm still enjoying the blog....
Posted by TomF | Link to this comment | 09- 3-05 2:34 PM