Comments on: Blues Bytes – Like A One-Eyed Cat 10.12.12

By: mark schlesinger

mark schlesinger — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 23:09:45 +0000

Rock Mr. Blues, Rock! There’s fantastic, low priced box sets on the Proper and JSP labels containing all of his King label tracks, as well as good compilation discs on Rhino and others. I have the 81 track set on Proper, as well as single discs on Rhino and the old Charly label-all of which sound fine.

By: Rick Honeyboy Hart

Rick Honeyboy Hart — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:39:35 +0000

Thanks Billy. I’ve always been a big fan of “Good Rocking Tonight” from a Jump Blues compilation disc I found but didn’t know much about Wynonie. This gets my juices flowing and I will be on the track to keep learning more. Thanks again!

By: William Wirths

William Wirths — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 21:22:24 +0000

That sounds like him. Google the Jet magazine listings for even more Harris hi-jinx.

By: Chip Eagle

Chip Eagle — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 22:03:48 +0000

Sir, I am the chief editor and publisher of this publication. Thanks for your input, bu I have re-read the original copy, the edit copy, and the published copy of the article in question and nowhere do I find the mention of Coleman Hawkins. Further, I searched the final article and received no feedback on the word “Coleman.” If you would kindly advise where you think you saw it mentioned, we would be appreciated. Further, it would probably be more appropriate and more in tune with the common concept of the comment function if you make such comments on the article itself rather than some other article a week later. That way your could more readily confirm your statements. We would welcome comments like that.

By: Cousin Bill Hart

Cousin Bill Hart — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 17:26:11 +0000

Rev. Billy C. needs to correct the bandleader in his last posting on the Negro Nat’l Anthem. It was not Coleman Hawkins, but ERSKINE HAWKINS.

I would welcome pieces like it.

By: Bob Porter

Bob Porter — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:58:35 +0000

Black big bands were a big deal DURING WWII.
They start to fade with the end of the war but Hawkins, Cootie, Johnson, Ellington & Lucky had big hits during 42-45.

Don’t forget that Jimmie Lunceford played primarily a 2/4 groove. Dizzy played with Cab before Lucky. Agree about the groove on “Good Rockin’ Tonight” but that opening tenor break by Hal Singer helped as well.

In 1966, back in LA after Army service I went hunting for 78s at Jazzman, a legendary record store on Pico Blvd. There was had plenty of good stuff but no Wynonie. I asked why and the owner, Don Brown, said that Wynonie, who was working in the area as a bartender, bought out his entire stock. It seems he didn’t have any of his own stuff.

By: William Wirths

William Wirths — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 02:59:38 +0000

One last comment. Compare the picture that I found, with the promo shots of Wynonie that pull up on Amazon, etc.They show a brash,smiling young man on top of the world. Compare them this photo. The Conk is gone, his hair is thinning, and the face is heavily lined. He was no more than forty years old at the time. Reminds of some of those last pictures of Billie Holiday.

By: William Wirths

William Wirths — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 02:21:04 +0000

Thanks Barbara. The music we grew up with and still listen to. Great music is timeless, age has nothing to do with it my dear!

By: William Wirths

William Wirths — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 02:19:09 +0000

Thanks Quinn. After talking to Chip today, I think a few articles on the King label are due. Those Battle Of The Blues albums had some truly inspirational covers!

By: Barbara Rhodes

Barbara Rhodes — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:36:11 +0000

Billy, you and your articles are the best!. Introducing others to the music we listened to and loved so much growing up in the Carolinas. Few others seem to have our points of reference. I mention these names and get nothing but blank stares in return. Realize I’m old, but I’ll take this music any day, any time, over any other. Keep up the tremendous articles.