Memphis luminary Booker T. Jones released his first solo CD in two decades on April 21, 2009. This instrumental collection, recorded in Athens, Georgia, and San Francisco, California, proves a rock-soul soundtrack where Jones employs The Drive By Truckers and Neil...
This limited-edition CD/DVD preserves the soulful glory of Sir Doug Sahm. Born November 6, 1941, in San Antonio, Texas, Sahm–a guitar prodigy (and superb fiddler)–was invited to join The Grand Ole Opry when he was 13-years old. During his career Sahm worked with...
By James Calemine David Barbe ranks as an influential sonic guru/producer/player on the Athens, Georgia, music scene. He’s produced records for The Drive By Truckers, Vic Chesnutt, Bloodkin, Bettye LaVette, Booker T. Jones and a long list of others. The Athens players...
Neal Hutcheson’s documentary The Last One revolves around bootlegger Popcorn Sutton. It’s a compelling story. Originally from Maggie Valley, North Carolina, Sutton made his famous White Whiskey for decades in the Tennessee hills near his home in Parrottsville. In his...
By James Calemine Recorded live at the Bohemian Caverns in Washington, D.C. on May 25, 1967, this Carla Thomas recording serves as timeless testimony to her golden voice. Carla Thomas, daughter of the Memphis entertainer Rufus Thomas, sang at the zenith of her career...
Born September 23, 1930, John Coltrane grew up in Hamlet, North Carolina. He moved to Philadelphia after high school. Coltrane spent a year in the Navy, and in 1947 he joined Dizzy Gillespie’s band where he stayed until 1951. Coltrane’s lyrical saxophone resonates a...
By James Calemine Robert Johnson contends as the greatest bluesman of all time. Born May 8, 1911, in Hazelhurst, Mississippi, Johnson’s legend radiates from his 29 compositions. Johnson played harmonica at an early age, but soon took up guitar. Johnson learned songs...
Jim Dickinson died in August 2009. His music resonates just as much now as it did when he was alive. His well-known resume includes working with Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Sam Phillips, The Rolling Stones, The Replacements and Ry Cooder to only name a few. My...
By James Calemine Born in Mabry, North Carolina, Betty Davis ranks as a classic diva. She married Miles Davis and turned him onto Sly Stone, Jimi Hendrix and other funk purveyors. Davis, a songwriter before she met Miles, wrote a hit for the Chambers Brothers in 1964....
Pura Fe is her birth name. In Spanish it translates, “Pure Faith”. Born in 1959, Pura Fe was named by her Puerto Rican father, and raised by her Tuscarora mother in a family of female singers. “We can count four generations of seven singing sisters in a row, through...