A to Z: Covid 19 Blues

Once Corona was a beer. Open a cold bottle slide a wedge a lime inside. Used to be Jimmy Buffett's beer till he bought Landshark.

Of all the things it could be it turned into a virus, all that pent up anger I guess.

It could have been "Corinna" and Taj Mahal would sing about it...

Are you sure it's not Corvid 19, the Black Crowes did just get back together..

Maybe they are the "Remedy."

Yes Covid 19 is serious. It has spread the world faster than a "Love Trrain"

People have died. People have gotten very sick. Pretty much everything has been closed down. Hope is what we got. Hope for a vaccine. Hope that it will pass. 

See you something for D

Ten Concert Game: The Blues

Nine artists/groups and one that is a lie that I have seen in concert. I'm doing mine by genres, starting with The Blues.

1) B.B. King

2) Hubert Sumlin

3) Buddy Guy

4) John Lee Hooker

5) Taj Mahal

6) Robert Cray

7) Albert Collins 

8) Keb' Mo

9) Bonnie Raitt

10) James Cotten

Stealing a facebook game and turning it into a blog post. However, with this I get to expand and add music. Please put your guess in the comments. Winner will get their own post.

Battle of the Bands Results: Taj Mahal wins

On my last battle of the bands contest I wanted to pay tribute to Jerry Garcia since it was his birthday. It kind of went on it's own long, strange trip. Certainly I could have picked a Grateful Dead classic or a cover the Grateful Dead or the Jerry Garcia Band performed. I picked out of the box! I knew Jerry Garcia enjoyed bluegrass and I knew I would find something worthwhile on "Shady Grove" like the title track.

Doc Watson made since in my mind. Well known in bluegrass circles and a traditional take on the song. I wanted contrast. So, I went with a blues musician called Taj Mahal who has a love for world music.

The voting was down for this contest. Perhaps bluegrass scared some off. I thought for sure this was going to be a tie. I was thinking I might have to break the tie. Luckily for me Guilie Castillo voted on the last day casting her vote for Taj Mahal and deciding the winner.

Your vote counts on the Battle of the Bands and you can vote anytime until the closing date.  I wasn't expecting Taj to win this one. It was a longer version of the song and vocals didn't even play apart of the tune until about 2:30 minutes. However, his version was different and apparently that difference was enough.

Here is the winner with "Fishing Blues"...

Here he is on banjo with a tune called "Slow Drag"...

Thanks for voting! A new Battle of the Bands is brewing for August 15 so stay tuned!

Battle of the Bands: Jerry Garcia style with Doc Watson, Taj Mahal

Today is Jerry Garcia's birthday and it is also time for the Battle of the Bands. I'm in the mood to combine things a bit.



Hopefully this is the updated list of participants. I snagged it from STMcC Presents 'Battle of the Bands': 

@ ‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ by clicking HERE.
@ 'BOOK LOVER' by clicking HERE.
@ 'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CURIOUS AS A CATHY' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING' by clicking HERE.
@ 'DCRELIEF - BATTLE OF THE BANDS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THIS BELLE ROCKS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE DOGLADY'S DEN' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'ANGELS BARK' by clicking HERE.
@ 'JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'WOMEN: WE SHALL OVERCOME' by clicking HERE.
@ 'J.A. SCOTT' by clicking HERE.
@ 'NOVELBREWS' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'HOLLI'S HOOTS AND HOLLERS' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'QUIET LAUGHTER' by clicking HERE. 

Jerry Garcia is best known for his work with the Grateful Dead and his work with his own band The Jerry Garcia Band. However, Jerry also was into folk music and was a fan of bluegrass music. So my selection today is the title track of Jerry Garcia and David Grisman's album "Shady Grove."

It is a beautiful album and if you enjoy this type of music I highly recommend the album.

Now for the competition..

Contestant Number One

Doc Watson

Contestant Number Two

Taj Mahal

A bluegrass legend in Doc Watson battling it out against a blues legend, known for his love of world music and fusion of musical sounds. The song a beautiful traditional piece dating back to the 1800's maybe longer. I think Jerry would enjoy this battle and I hope you enjoy it as well! Please vote in the comments. I look forward to who you favor in this battle.

Celebrating Taj Mahal

Today Saturday May 17 was Taj Mahal's birthday. The 17 year old blues man is a living legend. I first saw him open up for Eric Clapton many years ago, then I saw him at the Wanee Festival in 2011, but it was when I saw him in 2012 at the State Theatre in Falls Church was when he blew my mind!

Here is a sample from the show I saw at Wanee in 2011...

with the Allman Brothers too...

My kinda blues here..

He is probably best known for this song...

Hope he has many more birthdays! Thanks for tuning in..