Welcome to Blues & Rhythm!
Blues & Rhythm, The Gospel Truth is published 10 times a year. Each issue contains in-depth articles, ground breaking interviews, discographies, regular feature columns and all the latest blues news, CD, DVD and book reviews.
Blues & Rhythm covers the full blues and R&B spectrum from pre and post war blues, rhythm and blues, doo-wop vocal groups, vintage soul and gospel and the contemporary blues scene.
NOW AVAILABLE – B&R #312
THE IMPERIAL – LIBERTY LEGENDARY MASTERS SERIES – Ray Templeton’s over view of the one of the most famous blues and rhythm and blues reissue series – originally produced by Canned Heat’s Bob Hite.
TRUDY LYNN – HOUSTON’S QUEEN OF THE BLUES – Mike Stephenson’s interview with Trudy who tells of her early years in Houston with the likes of Big Walter Price.
THE BLINKY ALLEN STORY – More rhythm and blues obscurities – this time an article by Ray Astbury on drummer and bandleader Blinky Allen.
SELBY WALSH – An obscure blues/gospel singer tracked down by Dan Kochakian
Plus: As all our regular columns including: Chris Bentley’s ‘Curiosities’; Mike Stephenson’s ‘Under The Radar’; Chris Smith’s ‘Words, Words Words’; Letters; Reviews; News and reports from gigs and festivals in Chicago & Mississippi.
STILL AVAILABLE – B&R #311
GOSPEL HERITAGE – Ray Templeton’s over view of the Gospel Heritage series of classic gospel vinyl abums.
HENRY CLEMENT – Ian Saddler tells the story of this enigmatic Louisiana musician sometimes known as The Swa,p Doctah or Big Cheif Takaawaka!
MILAWUKEE BLUES TODAY PART TWO – Mike Stephenson’s overview of the current Mailwaukee Blues Scene featuring Milawukee Slim, Marvelous Mack Jim Liban and others.
KNOXVILLE BOX SET – Chris Smith looks at the new Bear Family set of pre war recordings from the town of Knoxville
Plus: As all our regular columns including: Chris Bentley’s ‘Curiosities’; Mike Stephenson’s ‘Under The Radar’; the return of Chris Smith’s ‘Words, Words Words’; Letters; Reviews; News.
STILL AVAILABLE – B&R #310
RAY CHARLES – THE R&B YEARS – Billy Vera takes an extensive look at at Ray’s recording carerr from the late 1940s to the early 1970s.
KENT ANTHOLOGY OF THE BLUES – Part Two of Ray Templeton’s two part look at at the legendary Kent series of compilations and single artist releases – Mississippi Blues, Detroit Blues, Arkansas Blues, etc plus Elmore James, B. B. King, Lightnin’ Hopkins.
MILAWUKEE BLUES TODAY PART ONE – Mike Stephenson’s overview of the current Mailwaukee Blues Scene featuring Harvey Westmorland, Gerome Durham, Steve Cohen and James Cosey.
COSIMO AND EDDIE – John Broven on the relationship between New Orleans producer Cosimo Matassa and Goldband’s Eddie Shuler.
P.P. ARNOLD – Seamus McGarvey talks to the singer P. P. Arnold about her early Gospel and R&B career.
Plus Lonnie Mack; Letters; News; Steppin’ Out – as well as all our regular columns including: Chris Bentley ‘Curiosities’; Mike Stephenson’s ‘Under The Radar’ (Chris Smith’s ‘Words, Words Words’ is taking a break this month.
STILL AVAILABLE B&R #309
VIDO’S BOOGIE – Dan Kochakian tell’s the story of sax man Vido Musso – who played jazz for much of his career but cut some fine R&B recordings.
KENT ANTHOLOGY OF THE BLUES – Part One of a two parter from Ray Templeton who looks at the legendary Kent series of compilations and single artist releases – Mississippi Blues, Detroit Blues, Arkansas Blues, etc plus Elmore James, B. B. King, Lightnin’ Hopkins.
PARADISE LOST – Mike Rowe looks at the blues and R&B heritage of Detroit in the 1940s and 1950s, with unique photos and graphics.
Plus Ernestine Anderson; Lee Andrews; Tommy Brown – as well as all our regular columns including: Chris Smith’s ‘Words, Words Words” Chris Bentley ‘Curiosities’; Mike Stephenson’s ‘Under The Radar’
STILL AVAILABLE – B&R #308!
ARCHIVE INTERVIEW WITH JOHN & GRACE BRIM – By D. Thomas Moon historic interview from the ‘Mrs & Mrs of the Blues’ from 1998.
CBS BLUES PAPERBACKS AND ASSOCIATED ALBUMS: Ray Templeton looks at the historic book series of ‘Blues Paperbacks’ and their accompanying albums including ‘Story Of The Blues’, ‘Savannah Syncopaters’ and spin off albums.
THE TRAVELS OF RHYTHM WILLIE: Another fine peice of research by Chris Smith on the engimatic blues harmonica player and entertainer Rhythm Willie.
JOHN DUDLEY: Bob Groom uncovers the story of this obscure bluesman recorded on field trips in 1959.
B. B. KING BOX SET: Tony Burke on the new mamouth release from PVine in Japan
Plus all our regular columns including: Chris Smith’s ‘Words, Words Words” Chris Bentley ‘Curiosities’; Mike Stephenson’s ‘Under The Radar’; L. C. Ulmer; Bobby ‘Top Hat’ Davis; Toronzo Cannon; Shuggie Otis; Memphis Minnie; Elmore James 45’s Box Set and loads more.
STILL AVAILABLE B&R #307!
THE M&R R&B INTERVIEWS: Part Three of this major interview series with Jonas Bernholm, blues record collector and owner of the Route 66 stable of reissue labels. Part Three will cover the trial and tribulations booking tours with US rhythm and blues artists and a full listing of all of his reissue albums.
FONTANA BLUES & GOSPEL: Ray Templeton looks at the Fontana label and its series of releases of classic blues and gospel albums and EPs.
THE STAPLE SINGERS: Chris Smith takes a detailed look at the new Staple Singers ‘A Family Journey 1953- 1976’ 4CD Box Set’
JERRY LEE LEWIS: Tony Watson undertakes in-depth look the new Bear Family Sun Records set from ‘The Killer’.
PLUS: Shirley Gunter; Long John Hunter; Joe Houston; Steve LaVere, Otis Clay; B. B. King; Under The Radar; Words, Words, Words; Chris’s Curiosities plus a full review section of CDs, DVDs Books etc.
STILL AVAILABLE B&R #306!
THE M&R R&B INTERVIEWS Part Two of a major interview series with Jonas Bernholm, blues record collector and owner of the Route 66 stable of reissue labels. Part Two will cover Jonas’s move into the reissue business with his Route 66 stable of Blues, R&B and Gospel albums
ATLANTIC BLUES ORIGINALS: Ray Templeton looks at the classic Atlantic album series featuring Professor Longhair, Blind Willie McTell, Texas Guitar, Detroit Blues etc.
WHO WAS SHIFTY HENRY? Billy Vera spills the beans on the obscure R&B musician who was named checked on Elvis Presley’s ‘Jailhouse Rock’.
THE SUPER RARE DOO WOP BOX: Tony Watson takes an in-depth look at Rock Beat’s new box set of rare doo wop discs.
PLUS: Allen Toussaint; Rev. Johnny ‘Hurricane’ Jones; Gene Norman; Rhythm Riot!; Lucerne Blues Festival; Under The Radar, Words, Words, Words; Chris’s Curiosities plus a full review section of CDs, DVDs Books etc.
STILL AVAILABLE B&R #305
THE M&R R&B INTERVIEWS Part One of a major interview series with Jonas Bernholm, blues record collector and owner of the Route 66 stable of reissue labels. Part One will cover Jonas’s travels in the US searching out blues and R&B artists – complete with unique photos.
ORIGIN JAZZ LIBRARY: Ray Templeton looks at this pioneering pre-war blues reissue label.
KING EDWARD REMEMBERS JOHNNY HI-FI: Mike Stephenson follows up on Robert Pruter’s original research on the mysterious Chicago bluesman Johnny Hi-Fi in an interview with bluesman King Edward.
RARE R&B SHEET MUSIC: Dan Kochakian shares some of his collection of rare sheet music from the 1940s and 1950s.
PLUS: Words, Words, Words; Under The Radar; Chris’s Curiosities and tons of reviews of CDs, DVDs Books etc.
ALSO AVAILABLE – B&R #304
THE LEGENDARY JAY MILLER SERIES: Part Two of this superb feature on Flyright’s ‘Legendary Jay Miller’ series of albums, by Ray Templeton.
THE BOB SHAD STORY : Opal Louis Nations tells the story of legendary record man Bob Shad and his labels.
ORANGE JEFFERSON: Who? Scott M. Bock interviews more new blues talent.
SWINGIN’ ON CENTRAL: Peter Vacher writes about his reserach for his new book on the Los Angeles R&B and Jazz scene in the 1940s and 1950s.
PLUS: Words, Words, Words; Under The Radar; Chris’s Curiosities and tons of reviews of CDs, DVDs Books etc.
ALSO AVAILABLE – B&R # 303
THE LEGENDARY JAY MILLER SERIES: Part two of a major feature on Flyright’s ‘Legendary Jay Miller’ series of albums, by Ray Templeton. A great feature on a great record man!
CURTIS JONES – Part Two of a career spanning overview of the great pre and postwar piano bluesman by Bob Groom
ACE RECORDS AT 4O! We asked John Broven to look at 40 years of one the great UK Blues, R&B, Soul and Reissue labels. John tells the story of Ace Records. Great feature!
PLUS: Juke Boy Bonner; Edinburgh Blues Festival; Mighty Sam McClain; Eddie Cusic; Don Kent; Words, Words, Words; Under The Radar; Chris’s Curiosities and much more.
ALSO AVAILABLE B&R #302
CURTIS JONES – Part One of a career spanning overview of the great pre and postwar piano bluesman by Bob Groom
SUN ROOTS OF ROCK SERIES – Ray Templeton’s looks at the great Charly series of albums of Sun blues material
TAMPA RED – John Broven tells of his search for unissued RCA sides for the new Ace double set.
JOHNNY RAWLS – Interview by Mike Stephenson
PLUS: Words, Words, Words; Under The Radar; Chris’s Curiosities; Harold Batiste and much more.
B&R #301 Our Special B. B. King Tribute Issue
TAKE A SWING WITH ME – A Career spanning overview of B. B. King by Bob Groom
B.B. KING – THE END OF AN ERA – Ray Templeton’s extensive obituary of The King Of The Blues
B.B. KING AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL 1969 – Special feature on his UK debut and tour
REMEMBERING B. B. KING – B&R Contributors recall B.B. King
B.B. KING’S FIRST BIG HIT – Steve Propes tells the story of B.B.s first big hit ‘3 O’Clock Blues’
ONE KIND FAVOUR I ASK OF YOU – B.B. King’s biographer Charles Sawyer reports on B.B.s funeral
RAY’S RUDIMENTS: THE GREAT BLUES LP SERIES – Magpie Piano Blues – The start of a set new features by Ray on classic blues album series.
THE BAYOU BLUES: Bill Millar gives his take on Ace’s ‘By The Bayou’ reissue series
PLUS: Words, Words, Words; Under The Radar; Chris’s Curiosities; Bruce Lundvell, Billy Butler, I. J. Gosey, Mel Waiters, Johnny ‘Rockhouse’ Green, Sherwood Fleming and much more.
ALSO AVAILABLE!! B&R# 300 64 PAGE ISSUE
BLUES BOYS KINGDOM – Dan Kochakian’s great research into B. B. King’s own label
LILLIAN CALIBORNE & DC RECORDS – Major article by Jay Bruder on the Washington DC R&B recording scene in the 1950s and 1960s
JAY McSHANN – Ray Templeton’s overview of the R&B pianist and bandleader’s recordings over four decades
SLIM HARPO BOX SET – Neil Slaven’s major review of the new Slim Harpon Bear Family box set
THE VIOLINAIRES – We have to have some gospel music in issue 300 and Opal Louis Nations delivers the goods with a look at the career of the gospel group The Violinaires
PLUS: Words, Words, Words; Under The Radar; Chris’s Curiosities; Percy Sledge,
WHAT’S COMING UP IN B&R #313?
A CONVERSATION WITH BOBO JENKINS PART ONE – During the 1970s Mike Rowe met with a number Detroit bluesmen. In our next issue we will publish the first part of a lenghty conversation with Bobo Jenkins in our ‘Mike Rowe’s Detroit Blues’ series.
GENESIS: BEGINNINGS OF ROCK BOX SETS – Ray Templeton looks at the classic three box sets released in the 197o’s which featured rare Chess tracks and set the standard for future reissue series.
SAX KARI AND THE ASHEVILLE R&B CONNECTION- The ever intrepid Dan Kochakian continues his pursuit of information on the R&B pioneer Sax Kari and visits Asheville in North Carolina with surprising results!
Plus: Review of the ‘Detroit Special’ box set; Chris Smith’s ‘Words, Words, Words’; Edinburgh Festival; Chris Bentley’s ‘Curiosities’; Mike Stephenson’s ‘Under The Radar’;
Current issues of Blues and Rhythm can be purchased for: UK £6.25 – Europe airmail £8.75 – USA, Canada, Japan etc: £10.00 – Australasia: £10.25. Prices include post & packaging. Lots of back issues still available at discount prices! Wanna do a deal? Just ask!
