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.
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UK: £6.25; EUROPE: £8.70; REST OF WORLD EXCEPT AUSTRALASIA: £9.75; AUSTRALASIA: £10.00
OUT NOW B&R #322
POLYDOR JUKE BLUES SERIES – Ray Templeton pays tribute to Mike Leadbitter and finalises his ‘Rudiments’
FRANK STOKES AND THE MEMPHIS SOUND – Great research into Frank Stokes and The Beale Street Sheiks by T. DeWayne Moore
THE BOB KOESTER INTERVIEW PART ONE – Mike Stephenson’s extensive interview with Delmark Records boss Bob Koester about his early years selling records via mail order, his Jazz Record Mart business and finding blues artists such as Big Joe Williams.
EDDIE KIRKLAND INTERVIEW – Norman Darwen digs further into his vaults and turned up a 1987 interview with Eddie conducted in London with lots of new information on his recordings for Tru Sound and Prestige.
PLUS: Chicago and Bentonia Blues Festivals; Words, Words, Words; Under The Radar; Chris’s Curiosities; Curtis Womack; Deacon Jones; Eddie Lewis; Big Boy Crudup; CD, DVD & Book Reviews
STILL AVAILABLE B&R #321
THE APOLLO RECORDS STORY – Billy Vera tells the story of the pioneering 1940s and 1950s indie label owned by Bess and Ike Berman.
SUNFLOWER RECORDS – Ray Templeton looks back at another bootleg series of albums issued in the late 1960s by Pete Moody.
ELVIS AND THE BLUES – Bob Groom updates an original work on Elvis and his blues influences on the 40th anniversary of the King’s death.
THE GOOGIE RENE STORY – Great research by Steve Propes in this feature on record producer, label owner, songwriter and pianist Googie Rene.
OFF THE WALL – This time Tommy Lofgren with some great posters for blues gigs from the 1960s and 1970s.
PLUS: Goldband Records; Words, Words, Words; Under The Radar; Chris’s Curiosities; Stacey Johnson; Richard Noblett; CD, DVD & Book Reviews
STILL AVAILABLE B&R #320
THE SOUL STIRRERS – THE EARLY YEARS – Opal Louis Nations takes a look at the early recordings of the great gospel quartet The Soul Sirrers.
BLUES OBSCURITIES – Ray Templeton looks back at the original Blues Obscurites bootleg albums and the the official releases issued by London Records.
CHUCK BERRY – Billy Vera pays a personal tribute to Chuck – with some great anecdotes and stories.
MUSIC MAKER FOUNDATION – Mike Stephenson’s detailed feature/interviews on the charitable organisation which helps blues artists get recognition – includes Beverly ‘Guitar’ Watkins; Albert White; Eddie Tigner; Sam Frazier Jnr etc.
OFF THE WALL – A Bob McGrath feature on the great gig posters from the golden age of 1950s Rhythm & Blues.
FINE BOOGIE – CHICAGO DOWNHOME BLUES: Pete Moody previews a forthcoming five CD set of rare and unissued Chicago downhome blues
STILL AVAILABLE B&R #319
JIMMY CAV
ALLO – Dan Kochakian and Chris Bentley interview the great white R&B sax player and bandleader who appeared in ‘Rock, Rock, Rock’ complete with discography.
BIG BAND BOUNCE BOOGIE – Ray Templeton looks back at the Affinity re-issue series of albums from 1980s with albums by R&B pioneers such as Lucky Millinder, Cootie Williams, Lionel Hampton, Jimmy Rushing and many more.
CHUCK BERRY – Neil Slaven pays tribute to the late Chuck Berry in his own inimitable style.
DOROTHY PRINCE – Robert Pruter takes a look at the career of the 1960s Chicago soul singer.
LITTLE JOE BLUE– Opal Louis Nations on the recordings of Joe Valery aka bluesman Little Joe Blue.
PLUS: Words, Words, Words; Under The Radar; Chris’s Curiosities; Larry Jonson; Jimmy Dotson; TNT Tribble; CD, DVD & Book Reviews
STILL AVAILABLE B&R #318
PEE WEE CRAYTON INTERVIEW – Bill Greensmith has dug deep into his files and comes up with this great interview with the master of the West Coast Blues.
THE SPECIALTY STORY – Ray Templeton goes back to the 1980s and provides a fascinating overview of the classic series of vinyl re-issue albums from the Specialty Records vaults.
THE GERMAN BOOGIE KING PART TWO: German boogie and blues pianist Axel Zwingenberger is in further discussions with Michael Hortig talking about his recordings with Lionel Hampton, Jay McShann, James Crutchfield, Sippie Wallace and Champion Jack Dupree.
HOT ROD HARRY – Dan Kochakian looks at a rare novelty disc by Scatman Crothers
PLUS: Words, Words, Words; Under The Radar; Chris’s Curiosities; Guitar Gable, Birmingham George Conner, Bobby Freeman, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, CD, DVD & Book Reviews
STILL AVAILABLE – B&R #317
THE SCREAMIN’ JAY HAWKINS LETTERS – Jonas Berholm recounts the trials and tribulations of trying to get a record deal with the R&B legend – it wasn’t easy. Great R&B history by the Route 66 stable of labels’ Jonas Bernholm.
CHICAGO BLUES SESSIONS PART TWO – Ray Templeton looks at the great album reissues of recordings issued by Cadillac Baby and the Ralph Bass Sessions which produced the I Didn’t Give A Damn If White’s Bought It’.
THE GERMAN BOOGIE KING – PART TWO: German boogie and blues pianist Axel Zwingenberger talks to Michael Hortig about his career with blues artists such as Champion Jack Dupree, Eddie Vinson, Big Joe Turner, Mama Yancy, Lloyd Glenn and others.
KIRK FLETCHER INTERVIEW – Mike Stephenson interviewed U.S. blues artists Kirk Fletcher on his recent UK tour.
BILL DOGGETT CENTENARY – Rare photos and memorabilia compiled by Bill Doggett’s nephew to celebrate 100 years of the R&B organist and pianist.
Plus: Chris Smith’s ‘Words, Words, Words’; Chris Bentley’s ‘Curiosities’; Mike Stephenson’s ‘Under The Radar’; Rhythm Riot; Terry Cryer; Nat Hentoff; Sven Zetterberg; CD, DVD, book reviews.
STILL AVAILABLE B&R# 316
MUDDY WATERS, THE WESTMONT YEARS – D. Thomas Moon’s lengthy feature on Muddy’s ‘Westmont Years’, his late 1960s and early 1970s recordings with insights and contributions from Billy Boy Arnold, James Cotton, Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith, John Primer, Pinetop Perkins and Eddy Clearwater.
CHICAGO BLUES SESSIONS PART ONE – Ray Templeton looks Vanguard’s classic ‘Chicago/The Blues/Today’ series, Alligator’s great ‘Living Chicago Blues Series and ‘The New Bluebloods’ album in the first part of a two parter which will also look at 1960s Chicago blues in ‘Meat & Gravy’ and the Ralph Bass Sessions series.
CONVERSATION WITH RABBIT JOHNSON: The final installment in Mike Rowe’s great Detroit blues interviews, this time Mike interviews guitarist Rabbit Johnson (with Bob Jenkins in the background).
SLIM HARPO – Howard Rye reviews Martin Hawkins’ new new biography of Harpo.
JONTAVIOUS WILLIS – Mike Stephenson interviews the new critically acclaimed country blues artist.
Plus: Chris Smith’s ‘Words, Words, Words’; Chris Bentley’s ‘Curiosities’; Mike Stephenson’s ‘Under The Radar’; Clifford Curry; Billy Miller; Herb Hardesty; Mose Allison; Joe Ligon; Lucerne and Bay-Car Festivals; CD, DVD, book reviews.
STILL AVAILABLE B&R #315
A CONVERSATION WITH BOOGIE WOOGIE RED – During the 1970s Mike Rowe met with a number of Detroit bluesmen. In B&R 315 we publish Mike’s lengthy conversation with Boogie Woogie Red in our ‘Mike Rowe’s Detroit Blues’ series.
AGRAM RECORDS – Ray Templeton looks at Guido van Rijn’s pre-war blues series of albums from the likes of Barbecue Bob; Alice Moore; Scrapper Blackwell; Charley Jordan; Washington Phillips and many others.
PHILLY SOUL & R&B – Tony Watson takes a look at a a new book tracing the history of R&B and Soul in the City of Brotherly Love.
THE SUN KING OF THE UK – Lyle Ferbrache talks to record collector Larry Williams about his unquie collection of Sun recordings including some amazing rarities.
Plus: Chris Smith’s ‘Words, Words, Words’; Chris Bentley’s ‘Curiosities’; Mike Stephenson’s ‘Under The Radar’; Mississippi Festival Reviews; Ted Harvey; Ray ‘Killer’ Allison; Stanley ‘Buckwheat’ Durell; CD and DVD reviews.
ALSO AVAILABLE B&R #314
A CONVERSATION WITH BOBO JENKINS PART TWO – During the 1970s Mike Rowe met with a number of Detroit bluesmen. In our next issue we will publish the second part of a lengthy conversation with Bobo Jenkins in our ‘Mike Rowe’s Detroit Blues’ series. Plus a full label listing of Bobo’s Big Star label with rare label shots.
CHESS GOLDEN DECADE – Ray Templeton looks at the classic eight volume reissue series released in the 197o’s which featured classic and rare racks from the Chess stable of labels.
LIONEL HAMPTON – THE R&B YEARS – Billy Vera takes a look at Hamp’s R&B Records with great photos from the era.
MATTHEW ROBINSON – Scott M. Bock interviews this excellent Texas Bluesman
THEO HUFF – Mike Stephenson interview this up and coming soul-blues artist.
Plus: Chris Smith’s ‘Words, Words, Words’; Chris Bentley’s ‘Curiosities’; Mike Stephenson’s ‘Under The Radar’; Prince Buster; CD and DVD reviews.
STILL AVAILABLE 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 lengthy 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’; CD and DVD Reviews.
STILL 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 Swap Doctah or Big Chief Takaawaka!
MILAWUKEE BLUES TODAY PART TWO – Mike Stephenson’s overview of the current Milwaukee Blues Scene featuring Milwaukee 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.
ALSO AVAILABLE – B&R #310
RAY CHARLES – THE R&B YEARS – Billy Vera takes an extensive look at at Ray’s recording career 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.
MILWAUKEE BLUES TODAY PART ONE – Mike Stephenson’s overview of the current Milwaukee 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 tells 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 piece of research by Chris Smith on the enigmatic 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 mammoth 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 research 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, CD, DVD & Book Reviews
WHAT’S COMING UP IN B&R #323?
JIMMY DOTSON: Great interview by Keith Schoffam with the legendary Houston-Louisiana bluesman who recorded for Zynn, Rocko and Home Of The Blues.
THE BOB KOESTER INTERVIEW PART TWO: Second part of Mike Stephenson’s extensive interview with Bob Koester about Delmark Records, Jazz record Mart, finding Sleepy John Estes, Otis Rush, J. B. Hutto, Jimmy Dawkins, Magic Sam and many more. .
THE PARAMOUNT GOSPEL SINGERS: Great post war gospel research on the early years of the classic Bay Area quartet by Opal Louis Nations.
A DAY WITH JOE BUSSARD: D. Thomas Moon interviews the King Of Record Collectors Joe Bussard about collecting blues and country 78s and the American Epic TV series and box set.
PAUL OLIVER : Neil Slaven pays tribute the the late Paul Oliver who died in August.
PLUS: Blues Festival reports from Poretta, Gaildorf, Briggs Farm; Gig reports on Music Maker Revue, Five Blind Boys and Mr. Sipp; L. C. Cooke; D. L. Menard; William ‘Dicey’ Galloway; Words, Words, Words; Under The Radar; Chris’s Curiosities; CD, DVD & Book Reviews
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!
