JOHNNY OTIS INTERVIEW: Another interview from Jonas Bernholm’s “Mr. R&B Tapes” – this time a Howard Kozy’s 1989 radio interview in Pittsburgh with Johnny Otis transcribed by Tony Watson.
CAJUN & ZYDECO ESSENTIALS: Ray Templeton’s looks at Iry LeJeune and his family – more great Cajun music history.
GABRIEL – THE FLOCK ROCKER: Third part of this unique piece of R&B history on the St. Louis DJ, recording artist, producer, label owner and promoter. A full Gabriel discography by Bill Greensmith and Jim O’Neal with labels shots and memorabilia.
BEA & BABY BOX SET: Tony Burke’s special review of the new box set from Earwig Records featuring great Chicago blues and R&B recordings issued on Cadillac Baby and his variety of labels.
PHOTOS FROM THE PINKNEY ROBERTS COLLECTION: Dan Kochakain compiled some great photos of R&B stars of the 1940s and 1950s from the collection of MC and performer Pinkney ‘Fashion Plate’ Roberts. (Lionel Hampton in the UK will now appear in B&R 345!)
PLUS: The Blues Discography (3rd edition) Updates and Corrections; Donnie Fritts, Larry ‘The Mole’ Taylor, Pat Brown, UK bluesman Julian Piper obituaries; Big Jack Reynolds, Ann Arbour Blues Festival 1968, Hollywood Fats, William Clarke; Chris Bentley’s Curiosities; Chris Smith’s Words, Words; Words; CD & Book Reviews.
STILL AVAILABLE IN B&R #343
GOREE CARTER: Another interview from the “Mr. R&B Tapes” an interview by Dick Shurman transcribed by Dave Clarke, vintage interview with the great Houston blues man.
CAJUN & ZYDECO ESSENTIALS: Ray Templeton’s digs deeper into the roots of cajun and zydeco music this time into the roots of Zydeco music and Boozoo Chavis..
GABRIEL – THE FLOCK ROCKER: Second part of this unique piece of R&B History based on interviews by Bill Greensmith with Gabriel, the St. Louis DJ, recording artist, producer, label owner and promoter.
PLUS: Art Neville obituary by Paul Harris; Luther ‘Houserocker’ Johnson; Steve Richards; Jerry Lawson; Steve Franz; Billy Branch; Bobby Rush; Chris Bentley’s Curiosities; Chris Smith’s Words, Words; Words; CD & Book Review
STILL AVAILABLE IN B&R #342
GABRIEL – THE FLOCK ROCKER: Great R&B History. The first of a three part feature – interview with St. Louis DJ, recording artist, producer, label owner and promoter by Bill Greensmith.
CAJUN & ZYDECO ESSENTIALS: Ray Templeton’s digs deeper into the roots of cajun and zydeco music.
LARRY GARNER: The first in an occasional series of ‘Lost & Found’ interviews from the early 1990s by Neil Slaven.
FRANK VICK: Mike Stephenson interviews the Greenville, Mississippi drummer who played behind Howlin’ Wolf, Little Milton, Booba Barnes, Little Willie Foster and many others.
DAVE BARTHOLOMEW TRIBUTE: Billy Vera’s special tribute to the great New Orleans artist, songwriter and producer who died aged 100 recently.
PLUS: Dr. John – Mac Rebenack obituary by Neil Slaven; Chicago Downhome Blues Box Volume Two major review by Chris Bentley; John Broven’s ‘South To Louisiana’ revised/republished book reviewed by award winning cajun writer Nick Leigh; Chicago Blues Festival by Mike Stephenson; Luther Jennings; Gary John Williams; Lil Buck Sinegal; Jesse Fuller; Eddie Vinson plus Chris Bentley’s Curiosities; Chris Smith’s Words, Words; Words; CD & Book Reviews
COMING SOON In B&R 345
DINAH WASHINGTON : THE R&B YEARS: Fantastic research by Robert Pruter on the Queen of The Blues’ R&B recordings 1945 to 1953. Lots of rare graphics and label shots.
CAJUN & ZYDECO ESSENTIALS: Ray Templeton’s looks at Canray Fontenot and Bois Sec Ardoin – more great Cajun music history.
SUNLAND & FANTASTIC RECORDS: GABRIEL – Norman Darwen interviews Bob Scheir co-owner of Sunland/Fantastic Records on their blues 45’s released in the early 1980s.
THE SPECIALTY RECORDS STORY: Billy Vera previews his new book on the Specialty Records Story – great R&B history.
LIONEL HAMPTON ORCHESTRA: Rare and unpublished photographs for the collection of Sam Benjamin of Lionel Hampton’s debut UK tour in 1956 – when the UK press and jazzers told him to stop playing rock & roll!
PLUS: The Blues Discography (3rd edition) Updates and Corrections; Beverly ‘Guitar’ Watkins, Gip Gibson, Spot Barnett; Mississippi Blues Festivals; John Mayall; Screaming Jay Hawkins; Big Bear Story; Gospel CD releases; Chris Bentley’s Curiosities; Chris Smith’s Words, Words; Words; Mike Stephenson’s Under The Radar; CD & Book Reviews.
