What Scruggs had done was to begin playing a five-string banjo with three fingers. His thumb, middle, and index fingers were all picking, creating two strands of harmony to buttress the melody. In a sense, he could function as a trio all by himself. Because he alternated three fingers, Scruggs could play one note […]
Read More
L-R: Doug Sahm – vocals, guitars, fiddle, arrangements Augie Meyers – organ Johnny Perez – drums Jack Barber – bass Frank Morin – saxophone, percussion, harmony vocals Huey Meaux died a week ago today (April 23, to be precise) at the age of 82, the last 15 years of which were spent behind bars. […]
Read More
“When (Sam Cooke) first heard ‘Blowin’ In The Wind’ on the new Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan album J.W. (Alexander) had just given him, he was so carried away with the message, and the fact that a white boy had written it, that he was almost ashamed not to have written something like that himself. It […]
Read More
“We’re getting standing ovations for the first time. We’re tighter and more together. We’re a much, much better band.” –Roger McGuinn to Rolling Stone, late 1969 1970 was The Byrds’ last great year of sustained excellence. They played around 200 gigs in the US and Europe and were consistently lauded for kickass live performances. […]
Read More
How in the name of Billy Joe Shaver did I overlook the Sir Douglas Quintet covering “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues?” It’s only one of my favorite Bob Dylan songs! Well, inspired by stewART’s link to the Dylan/Sahm rendition in last post’s comments, said oversight is now corrected — and hopefully improved upon. Sir Douglas […]
Read More