Lightnin' Hopkins

I've been listening to a lot of Lightnin' Hopkins recently.  That's Sam John Hopkins, the legend.  In the second video, its Joan Baez he's singing to.

Download "Lightnin' Sings the Blues" HERE.

Eddie Cochran : C'mon Everybody

I believe this is from 1959, its Eddie Cochran.  Not much needs to be said.  Below is a nice and thorough (35 song) collection.

 Download "Portrait of a Legend" HERE.

Sonny Boy Williamson (II) - Bye Bye Bird

Possibly the coolest, most badass man ever to walk the earth, its Sonny Boy Williamson...aka Rice Miller aka Willie Williamson aka the Goat aka Footsie.  It was actually his radio sponsor on the King Biscuit Time show that started billing him as SBW, to capitalize on the fame of another popular blues singer, named Sonny Boy Williamson.  His year of birth is unknown, dates range anywhere from 1899 to 1912.  He died in 1965.   

 Download the "Best of" HERE .

September for lovers: Yves Montand "Les Feuilles Mortes"

Yves Montand was a very popular Italian born French singer and actor.  He was discovered by Edith Piaf in Paris, and she became his mentor, and lover.  He later went on to marry several times, and have affairs with high profile women, like Marilyn Monroe.  Yes, September is for lovers. 

""[H]e died on the set... On the very last day, after his very last shot. It was the very last night and we were doing retakes. He finished what he was doing and then he just died. And the film tells the story of an old man who dies from a heart attack, which is the same thing that happened!"

Download Chante Paris HERE. 

 

September for lovers: Otis Rush "Violent Love"

A truly entertaining and bizarre love song, "Violent Love" was written by Willie Dixon and first recorded by the Big Three (I believe).  That's also a great version.  Here's Otis Rush doing it in 1956.  Yes, September is for lovers.

Small Island Pride - Federation (1956)

From one of the best ever calypso compilations, here's Small Island Pride with "Federation."  This is from "Calypso Awakening" (Folkways), featuring recordings from the Emory Cook Collection.  Cook released some incredible music, including the fantastic "Luiz Bonfa: Solo in Rio 1959."

Download Calypso Awakening HERE.

BUY IT if you really dig it.

Jenks "Tex" Carman - End of the World

I like originals.  Jenks "Tex" Carman was definitely an original.  Some called him a genius, some an idiot savant; he combined hillbilly music, cowboy music, and Hawaiian sounds.  He recorded during the 40's and 50's...here's one of my favorite tracks "End of the World."  Below is a crazy live video from the 50's.  He was truly from another time...maybe another world.

The Complete Stax-Volt Singles 1959-1968

The Complete Stax-Volt Singles from '59-'68.  Amazing classic R&B and Soul from Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, Booker T, and so many others. 

Download Disc 1 Here

Download Disc 2 Here

Download Disc 3 Here

Download Disc 4 Here

Download Disc 5 Here

Download Disc 6 Here

Download Disc 7 Here

Download Disc 8 Here

Download Disc 9 Here

BUY IT if you really dig it.

London is the Place for Me: Calypso in London '50-'56

This is a cool comp of Calypso music in London during 1950-56.  There is also a Vol. 2 available.  Below you can download the record.

Download "London is the Place for Me"

BUY IT if you really dig it. 

Renato Carosone - Caravan Petrol (IT)

This is pretty amazing.  From Wiki about Carosone "At the height of his career, Carosone announced his retirement from music in 1960: I'd rather retire now on the crest of the wave, than being tormented later by the doubt that yè-yè fashion and new armies wearing blue-jeans may wipe away all that I have achieved in so many years of work and worries. His decision caused an uproar. Some even suspected obscure criminal threats. Away from the spotlight, Carosone turned to other interests, mainly painting."  Renato Carosone is the piano player.