Comments on: Mojo’s Cold Shot: R.L. Burnside, “First Recordings” http://popdose.com/mojos-cold-shot-rl-burnside-first-recordings/ your daily dose of pop culture Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:11:04 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: edmur http://popdose.com/mojos-cold-shot-rl-burnside-first-recordings/comment-page-1/#comment-41856 edmur Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:58:35 +0000 http://popdose.com/?p=6689#comment-41856 You're right about Iglauer and Alligator keeping the blues flames flickering...but man, I can't stand to listen to most of the crap they put out...maybe it had more to do w/ the label's production techniques, or that it was the '80s, but it all sounded (and still sounds) soulless to these ears. You're right about Iglauer and Alligator keeping the blues flames flickering…but man, I can't stand to listen to most of the crap they put out…maybe it had more to do w/ the label's production techniques, or that it was the '80s, but it all sounded (and still sounds) soulless to these ears.

]]> By: MojoHater http://popdose.com/mojos-cold-shot-rl-burnside-first-recordings/comment-page-1/#comment-41857 MojoHater Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:46:22 +0000 http://popdose.com/?p=6689#comment-41857 This time you've gone too far, Mojo...you're now the Sarah Palin of music criticism.<br><br>Wait a second, though - I'm in the middle of sending emails to folks like Chris Cotton, Otis Taylor, Hillstomp, Jimmy Wolf, Patrick Sweany, Isaiah Owens, Elvin Bishop, Keb' Mo' and countless others that they're painstaking and wonderful efforts are futile because they're laboring in a DEAD MEDIUM...<br><br>Yeesh. This time you've gone too far, Mojo…you're now the Sarah Palin of music criticism.

Wait a second, though – I'm in the middle of sending emails to folks like Chris Cotton, Otis Taylor, Hillstomp, Jimmy Wolf, Patrick Sweany, Isaiah Owens, Elvin Bishop, Keb' Mo' and countless others that they're painstaking and wonderful efforts are futile because they're laboring in a DEAD MEDIUM…

Yeesh.

]]> By: mojo http://popdose.com/mojos-cold-shot-rl-burnside-first-recordings/comment-page-1/#comment-41855 mojo Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:29:30 +0000 http://popdose.com/?p=6689#comment-41855 Nah, not authenticity. That's hard stuff to argue in music--one of my old saw debate tricks is to point out that all musical sound is derivative, traceable to some cave dude banging a stick against the cave wall.<br><br>MOre like audiences. Tedeschi brings young and old blues fans together, everyone agrees she's blues.<br><br>You might convince an old Yardbirds fan that Jack White's rendition of "Death Letter" is blues, but he might tell you to take you black keys and cram it up yours. <br><br>Scissormen, of course, played Deep blues festival. However, they predate most the other Deep Blues bands. You might make an argument that Ted predates the genre, and he's just and RL Burnside friend and student doing his own blues thing. BLack Keys did that, too, but to me they sound rock-ier.<br><br>Perhaps in the lexicon of blues 15 years from now, folklorists will say that Howling Diablos and BDH made blues music. For now, they're hard to wedge into the same category. They are bringing new fans to the table, however, who are getting into old blues for the first time. I likes that.<br><br>Don't diss Alligator. Bruce Iglauer and his pals at Delmark almost singlehandedly kept blues alive for a 20 year stretch while Americans listened to Disco and New Wave. If they didn't give a crap, we wouldn't be having our Cold Shots. Nah, not authenticity. That's hard stuff to argue in music–one of my old saw debate tricks is to point out that all musical sound is derivative, traceable to some cave dude banging a stick against the cave wall.

MOre like audiences. Tedeschi brings young and old blues fans together, everyone agrees she's blues.

You might convince an old Yardbirds fan that Jack White's rendition of “Death Letter” is blues, but he might tell you to take you black keys and cram it up yours.

Scissormen, of course, played Deep blues festival. However, they predate most the other Deep Blues bands. You might make an argument that Ted predates the genre, and he's just and RL Burnside friend and student doing his own blues thing. BLack Keys did that, too, but to me they sound rock-ier.

Perhaps in the lexicon of blues 15 years from now, folklorists will say that Howling Diablos and BDH made blues music. For now, they're hard to wedge into the same category. They are bringing new fans to the table, however, who are getting into old blues for the first time. I likes that.

Don't diss Alligator. Bruce Iglauer and his pals at Delmark almost singlehandedly kept blues alive for a 20 year stretch while Americans listened to Disco and New Wave. If they didn't give a crap, we wouldn't be having our Cold Shots.

]]> By: edmur http://popdose.com/mojos-cold-shot-rl-burnside-first-recordings/comment-page-1/#comment-41854 edmur Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:14:37 +0000 http://popdose.com/?p=6689#comment-41854 so, "authenticity" plays a role, then? is that what you're saying? BDH are not blues...Black Keys are? How about the Scissormen (to pick another random name off of the Deep Blues Festival lineup)...would they confuse ol' Muddy Waters?<br><br>I'm not disagreeing w/ you, either...and I feel the same way about Delbert McClinton and pretty much anyone that's ever been on the Alligator label (including the "Iceman" Albert Collins). Maybe it's their SOUND more than their songs. Their STYLE (flash) rather than their SUBSTANCE. All sizzle, no steak, as the old saying goes...<br><br>Agree w/ you also about Tedeschi and Shemekia...but I think you are now making my original point that the Blues is FAR from dead ;) so, “authenticity” plays a role, then? is that what you're saying? BDH are not blues…Black Keys are? How about the Scissormen (to pick another random name off of the Deep Blues Festival lineup)…would they confuse ol' Muddy Waters?

I'm not disagreeing w/ you, either…and I feel the same way about Delbert McClinton and pretty much anyone that's ever been on the Alligator label (including the “Iceman” Albert Collins). Maybe it's their SOUND more than their songs. Their STYLE (flash) rather than their SUBSTANCE. All sizzle, no steak, as the old saying goes…

Agree w/ you also about Tedeschi and Shemekia…but I think you are now making my original point that the Blues is FAR from dead ;)

]]> By: edmur http://popdose.com/mojos-cold-shot-rl-burnside-first-recordings/comment-page-1/#comment-19733 edmur Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:58:35 +0000 http://popdose.com/?p=6689#comment-19733 You're right about Iglauer and Alligator keeping the blues flames flickering...but man, I can't stand to listen to most of the crap they put out...maybe it had more to do w/ the label's production techniques, or that it was the '80s, but it all sounded (and still sounds) soulless to these ears. You're right about Iglauer and Alligator keeping the blues flames flickering…but man, I can't stand to listen to most of the crap they put out…maybe it had more to do w/ the label's production techniques, or that it was the '80s, but it all sounded (and still sounds) soulless to these ears.

]]> By: MojoHater http://popdose.com/mojos-cold-shot-rl-burnside-first-recordings/comment-page-1/#comment-19734 MojoHater Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:46:22 +0000 http://popdose.com/?p=6689#comment-19734 This time you've gone too far, Mojo...you're now the Sarah Palin of music criticism.<br><br>Wait a second, though - I'm in the middle of sending emails to folks like Chris Cotton, Otis Taylor, Hillstomp, Jimmy Wolf, Patrick Sweany, Isaiah Owens, Elvin Bishop, Keb' Mo' and countless others that they're painstaking and wonderful efforts are futile because they're laboring in a DEAD MEDIUM...<br><br>Yeesh. This time you've gone too far, Mojo…you're now the Sarah Palin of music criticism.

Wait a second, though – I'm in the middle of sending emails to folks like Chris Cotton, Otis Taylor, Hillstomp, Jimmy Wolf, Patrick Sweany, Isaiah Owens, Elvin Bishop, Keb' Mo' and countless others that they're painstaking and wonderful efforts are futile because they're laboring in a DEAD MEDIUM…

Yeesh.

]]> By: mojo http://popdose.com/mojos-cold-shot-rl-burnside-first-recordings/comment-page-1/#comment-19732 mojo Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:29:30 +0000 http://popdose.com/?p=6689#comment-19732 Nah, not authenticity. That's hard stuff to argue in music--one of my old saw debate tricks is to point out that all musical sound is derivative, traceable to some cave dude banging a stick against the cave wall.<br><br>MOre like audiences. Tedeschi brings young and old blues fans together, everyone agrees she's blues.<br><br>You might convince an old Yardbirds fan that Jack White's rendition of "Death Letter" is blues, but he might tell you to take you black keys and cram it up yours. <br><br>Scissormen, of course, played Deep blues festival. However, they predate most the other Deep Blues bands. You might make an argument that Ted predates the genre, and he's just and RL Burnside friend and student doing his own blues thing. BLack Keys did that, too, but to me they sound rock-ier.<br><br>Perhaps in the lexicon of blues 15 years from now, folklorists will say that Howling Diablos and BDH made blues music. For now, they're hard to wedge into the same category. They are bringing new fans to the table, however, who are getting into old blues for the first time. I likes that.<br><br>Don't diss Alligator. Bruce Iglauer and his pals at Delmark almost singlehandedly kept blues alive for a 20 year stretch while Americans listened to Disco and New Wave. If they didn't give a crap, we wouldn't be having our Cold Shots. Nah, not authenticity. That's hard stuff to argue in music–one of my old saw debate tricks is to point out that all musical sound is derivative, traceable to some cave dude banging a stick against the cave wall.

MOre like audiences. Tedeschi brings young and old blues fans together, everyone agrees she's blues.

You might convince an old Yardbirds fan that Jack White's rendition of “Death Letter” is blues, but he might tell you to take you black keys and cram it up yours.

Scissormen, of course, played Deep blues festival. However, they predate most the other Deep Blues bands. You might make an argument that Ted predates the genre, and he's just and RL Burnside friend and student doing his own blues thing. BLack Keys did that, too, but to me they sound rock-ier.

Perhaps in the lexicon of blues 15 years from now, folklorists will say that Howling Diablos and BDH made blues music. For now, they're hard to wedge into the same category. They are bringing new fans to the table, however, who are getting into old blues for the first time. I likes that.

Don't diss Alligator. Bruce Iglauer and his pals at Delmark almost singlehandedly kept blues alive for a 20 year stretch while Americans listened to Disco and New Wave. If they didn't give a crap, we wouldn't be having our Cold Shots.

]]> By: edmur http://popdose.com/mojos-cold-shot-rl-burnside-first-recordings/comment-page-1/#comment-19731 edmur Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:14:37 +0000 http://popdose.com/?p=6689#comment-19731 so, "authenticity" plays a role, then? is that what you're saying? BDH are not blues...Black Keys are? How about the Scissormen (to pick another random name off of the Deep Blues Festival lineup)...would they confuse ol' Muddy Waters?<br><br>I'm not disagreeing w/ you, either...and I feel the same way about Delbert McClinton and pretty much anyone that's ever been on the Alligator label (including the "Iceman" Albert Collins). Maybe it's their SOUND more than their songs. Their STYLE (flash) rather than their SUBSTANCE. All sizzle, no steak, as the old saying goes...<br><br>Agree w/ you also about Tedeschi and Shemekia...but I think you are now making my original point that the Blues is FAR from dead ;) so, “authenticity” plays a role, then? is that what you're saying? BDH are not blues…Black Keys are? How about the Scissormen (to pick another random name off of the Deep Blues Festival lineup)…would they confuse ol' Muddy Waters?

I'm not disagreeing w/ you, either…and I feel the same way about Delbert McClinton and pretty much anyone that's ever been on the Alligator label (including the “Iceman” Albert Collins). Maybe it's their SOUND more than their songs. Their STYLE (flash) rather than their SUBSTANCE. All sizzle, no steak, as the old saying goes…

Agree w/ you also about Tedeschi and Shemekia…but I think you are now making my original point that the Blues is FAR from dead ;)

]]> By: mojo http://popdose.com/mojos-cold-shot-rl-burnside-first-recordings/comment-page-1/#comment-19730 mojo Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:53:12 +0000 http://popdose.com/?p=6689#comment-19730 Oh yeah, I love Susan Tedeschi. She is new, exciting blues. And Shemekia Copeland, Johhny Clyde's daughter. They both are furthering the milieu and indeed should get they own Cold Shots in the future. Oh yeah, I love Susan Tedeschi. She is new, exciting blues. And Shemekia Copeland, Johhny Clyde's daughter. They both are furthering the milieu and indeed should get they own Cold Shots in the future.

]]> By: mojo http://popdose.com/mojos-cold-shot-rl-burnside-first-recordings/comment-page-1/#comment-19729 mojo Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:49:46 +0000 http://popdose.com/?p=6689#comment-19729 I guess I consider Deep Blues more like blues-rock, stuff that has as much in common with Cream and Hendrix and Zeppelin and ZZ Top, even the Sex Pistols and lo-fi punky stuff...as it does with blues ...and not blues proper. <br><br>If the Black Diamond Heavies showed up on a bill with confirmed blues artists such as Buddy Guy or BB King at a Harborlights in Boston (or whatever Corporate Name it has Now)...blues fans who came out to see it would boo them off the stage. <br><br>Not that that would be a bad thing. The last Harborlights gig I saw included delbert McClinton. HIs tired act made me want to cast myself into the harbor with a bass amp tied around my ankles. But he's blues. BDH is not.<br><br>I agree, the Deep Blues is fantastic, exciting, regenerative, and excellent to listen to. I just dispute the taxonomy. It's something new, it's an evolution of blues into some postpunk something. It would confuse old Muddy Waters. I guess I consider Deep Blues more like blues-rock, stuff that has as much in common with Cream and Hendrix and Zeppelin and ZZ Top, even the Sex Pistols and lo-fi punky stuff…as it does with blues …and not blues proper.

If the Black Diamond Heavies showed up on a bill with confirmed blues artists such as Buddy Guy or BB King at a Harborlights in Boston (or whatever Corporate Name it has Now)…blues fans who came out to see it would boo them off the stage.

Not that that would be a bad thing. The last Harborlights gig I saw included delbert McClinton. HIs tired act made me want to cast myself into the harbor with a bass amp tied around my ankles. But he's blues. BDH is not.

I agree, the Deep Blues is fantastic, exciting, regenerative, and excellent to listen to. I just dispute the taxonomy. It's something new, it's an evolution of blues into some postpunk something. It would confuse old Muddy Waters.

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