Wintertime Blues

Here we are in the middle of winter and not much going on except the COLD!!! We recently purchased a turntable that turns albums into mp3 files so that you can burn them onto cd's,or transfer to your itunes library as well, so what better way to spend a snow day but to start digging into some of my old albums so I can get them on my ipod. Some of them being very well played I decided to replace them from ITunes instead and discovered some new really good music in the process.

iTunes makes me feel like a kid in a candy store, you can be looking to replace and old album digitally and thanks to the GENIUS feature at iTunes discover something new and wonderful. So I thought it might be a good idea to share some of the older music and some of the new discoveries as well. This is in no way a complete list of faves, just a few that I have dusted off to play recently. Hope you can get a chance to check out some of the tunes and maybe some of them will find a home on your iPod as well. I am going to try and categorize some of it as I go, but some of the music is a fusion of everything imaginable, and that’s the way I like it best.

I wish you all a very Happy New Year and I leave with this great quote (For Heights and Depths no Words may reach, Music is the Souls own Speech) ...Cathy Ponton King. NEW ARTICLE COMING SOON, Shepherds Ford Productions (Making Magic on the River) till next time, see you around the stage, JoJo

BLUES -  BB KING - Album (IN LONDON)  This is a great album with a long list of guest players including Steve Merriott of Humble Pie. Good Stuff.
TOM PRINCIPATO - Album (RAISING THE ROOF) Blues guitar does not get any smoother polish than this.
BIG JOE TURNER - Album (LIVE....IN CONCERT) This late 1930's and 40's artist contributed much to the Blues/Jazz table with lasting songs such as Shake Rattle and Roll and my favorite version of (Night time is the right time. Heavy stuff for that time
BONNIE RAITT - Album (GIVE IT UP) The best early work of Bonnie in my opinion, and the most played album that I own.
BOBBY PARKER - Album ( BENT OUT OF SHAPE) Take one 1/2 cup of soul , mix with 1/2 cup Blues guitar = Bobby Parker
WATERMELON SLIM & THE WORKERS- Album - self titled, my favorite version of Baby Please dont go.
ETTA JAMES- Album - (BURNIN DOWN THE HOUSE) This is my favorite etta party album, You will dance...all the good stuff

ALTERNATIVE/ROOTS/BLUEGRASS - GOOSE CREEK SYMPHONY- Album (THE GOOSE IS LOOSE) the song " The corn wont grow so Rock and Roll " is as valid today as when this was released in the 70's. Maybe more so.
BAD LIVERS - Album- (DELUSIONS OF BANJER) I discovered these guys at the ending credits of a show I watch on HBO, hailing from Austin Tx. Most played out of my new stuff. But have since purchased all of their albums, ITS ALL GOOD !!!!!
LEGENDARY SHACK SHAKERS - Album- (COCKADOODLEDONT) A wild and crazy mix of GRASS/ROCK/BLUES Great new grass mixed with electric blues/rock.
SPLIT LIP RAYFEILD - Album - (SHOULD HAVE SEEN IT COMING)  This was a surprise , Kicks alternative new grass butt.
SCYTHIAN - Album - (LIVE AT MERLEFEST 09 ) I first discovered this band opening for Larry Keel in Blacksburg 2009, I was awed to say the least. Classically trained musicians gone wrong can be SO right. Two fiddles and some drums. check them out at scythianmusic.com
LARRY KEEL & NATURAL BRIDGE - Album - ( BACKWOODS)- The lyrics of  "Diamond Break" are the most beauitiful words I"ve ever heard and it brings me to tears every time I listen to it.
NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND - Album- (WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN)  One of my older newgrass vinyls, but a goodie.
SELDOM SCENE - Album (LIVE AT THE CELLAR DOOR) Hands down best version of (I KNOW YOU RIDER)
ABIGAIL WASHBURN and or with The SPARROW QAURTET, and or UNCLE EARL,the all girl band, A new discovery, most interesting find, plays a mean banjo with a hauntingly sweet voice,Would love to see her at WMPF.

CLASSIC ROCK - TRAFFIC - Album (THE LOW SPARK OF HIGH HEELED BOYS) an oldie but a goodie.
LOGGINS AND MESSINA- Album - (BEST OF FREINDS) This was my anthem album in the 70's !!!!!
BAD COMPANY- Album- (SELF TITLED) So many plays on this one its ridiculous, a 70's classic to be sure.
THE GUESS WHO -  Album (THE BEST OF) so many good songs by these guys I recommend the (BEST OF) compilation.
GRAND FUNK RAILROAD- Album- ANY  , Mark Farner in my opinion has the best voice in rock and roll. If I was a male singer, I'd want to sound like him, Hands down. E PLURIBUS FUNK and PHEONIX are the ones I played most.
DOOBIE BROTHERS- Album - (BEST OF) or (WHAT WERE ONCE VICES ARE NOW HABITS)
STEVE MILLER BAND - Album - (THE JOKER) Best classic,
RUSH - Album - 2112, One of the best classic harder rock albums of all time.
STEELY DAN - Album - (PRETZEL LOGIC) Lot of memories here.
THREE DOG NIGHT - Album- (THE COMPLETE HIT SINGLES)
ZZ TOP - Album  (TRES HOMBRES) This was my very first Vinyl .
YES - Album (THE YES ALBUM) or (FRAGILE) One of my first Vinyls. So ahead of their time.
TOMMY JAMES and THE SHONDELLS - Album (CRIMSON AND CLOVER) " Crystal Blue Persuasion " is one of the most beautiful songs ever. Also my first concert.
ROBIN TROWER - Album (BRIDGE OF SIGHS) A guitar classic.
BACHMAN-TURNER-OVERDRIVE - Album- (NOT FRAGILE) This 8 track was on heavy rotation. GREAT writing, what a team.

JAZZ/ALTERNATIVE  - PAPA JOHN CREACH- Album (SOUTHERN STRUT) Alternative Violin Butt kicking. I first discovered him on the Jefferson Airplane record (LONG JOHN SILVER) which by the way wins for best album cover.
BELA FLECK AND THE FLECKTONES- Album- (FLIGHT OF THE COSMIC HIPPO) is special to me, but all of Bela in any of his projects, are just fine by me.
ERYKAH BADU- Album- (BADUISM) I just love this record when I bought it and still do.
SADE - Album (BEST OF SADE) Ditto.
JEAN LUC PONTY- Album (LIVE) My first experience with violin gone wild.
Al DI MEOLA, JOHN McLAUGHLIN,PACO De LUCIA, -Album (FRIDAY NIGHT IN SAN FRANCISCO) LIVE. One of my favorite chillen on a sunday afternoon selections.
FRANK ZAPPA - Album- (ANY) A musical genious ahead of his time to be sure (R.I.P.)