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Elmore James
Elmore James ( Brooks; January 27, 1918 – May 24, 1963) was an American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter, and bandleader. Noted for his use of loud amplification and his stirring voice, James was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. His slide guitar technique earned him the nickname "King of the Slide Guitar". Biography Elmore James was born Elmore Brooks in Richland, Holmes County, Mississippi, the son of 15-year-old Leola Brooks, a field hand. His father was probably Joe Willie "Frost" James, who moved in with Leola, and Elmore took his surname. He began making music at the age of 12, using a simple one-string instrument (diddley bow, or jitterbug) strung on a shack wall. As a teen he performed at dances under the names Cleanhead and Joe Willie James. James was influenced by Robert Johnson, Kokomo Arnold and Tampa Red. He recorded several of Tampa Red's songs. He also inherited from Tampa Red's band two musicians who joined his own backing band, the Bro ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Richland, Holmes County, Mississippi
Richland is an Unincorporated area, unincorporated community in Holmes County, Mississippi, located approximately northwest of Goodman, Mississippi, Goodman and approximately north of Pickens, Mississippi, Pickens. History A post office operated under the name Richland from 1842 to 1906. In 1900, Richland was home to a church and academy. The Richland Male and Female Academy was opened prior to 1839 and was superseded by the Eureka Masonic College in 1848. The Academy could accommodate 130 pupils. The Eureka Masonic College Historic Eureka Masonic College, birthplace of the Order of the Eastern Star (OES), is located along Mississippi Highway 17, Highway 17, in the unincorporated community of Richland. The historic schoolhouse has also housed Freemasonry, Masons and Company C, 15th Mississippi Infantry, of the Confederate States Army, during the American Civil War. Presentation of Colors (1863) The 1st Mississippi Cavalry, of the Confederate States Army, was presented with it ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Trumpet Records
Trumpet Records was an American record company founded by Lillian McMurry in Jackson, Mississippi in 1951. Although it existed for only four years, it was influential. History The goal of Trumpet Records was to record musicians from the Mississippi Delta that did not have access to recording studios in New York City or Los Angeles. Trumpet competed with the Bihari brothers of Modern Records. Both companies recorded some of the era's best blues music, from ballads to jump blues and boogie woogie. Elmore James recorded his original "Dust My Broom" here, and the label was the first to record Sonny Boy Williamson II. Trumpet was founded by Lillian McMurry. Her husband Willard, was in the furniture sales business, and they purchased a hardware store which they were renovating to be a furniture store. The workers were playing some unsold records left behind and one caught Lillian's attention: Wynonie Harris's ''All She Wants to Do is Rock''. “'It was the most unusual, sincere and soli ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Sky Is Crying (song)
"The Sky Is Crying" is a blues standard written and initially recorded by Elmore James in 1959. Called "one of his most durable compositions", "The Sky Is Crying" became a R&B record chart hit and has been interpreted and recorded by numerous artists. Composition and recording "The Sky Is Crying" is a slow-tempo twelve-bar blues notated in 12/8 time in the key of C. It is an impromptu song inspired by a Chicago downpour during the recording session: The songs features prominent slide guitar by James with his vocals, accompanied by his longtime backing band, the Broomdusters: J. T. Brown (musician), J. T. Brown on saxophone, Little Johnny Jones (pianist), Johnny Jones on piano, Odie Payne on drums, and Homesick James on bass. James' unique slide guitar sound on the recording has generated some debate; Homesick James attributed it to a recording studio technique, others have suggested a different amplifier or guitar setup, and Ry Cooder felt that it was an altogether differe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fire Records
Fire Records was an American independent record label, set up in 1959 by Bobby Robinson. Amongst others, it released records by Lightnin' Hopkins, Elmore James, Buster Brown and Arthur Crudup. At one point it was thought Fire had issued the last commercial 78rpm disc in the United States. Although this has been dis-proven, the label is still known for their late-issue 78s. Selected discography *1000 - Tarheel Slim and Little Ann - "It's Too Late" (1959) *1008 - Buster Brown - "Fannie Mae" (1959) *1011 - Elmore James - "Bobby's Rock" / "Make My Dreams Come True" (Issued 1960 - A side is a 1959 recording but B side is a 1953 Flair recording bought in by Robinson) *1016 - Elmore James - " The Sky Is Crying" (1960, reissued with different B side in the mid 1960s on Flashback) *1024 - Elmore James - "I'm Worried" (1960) *504 - Elmore James - " Shake Your Moneymaker" (1961) *1034 - Lightnin' Hopkins - ''Mojo Hand ''Mojo Hand'' is an album by the blues musician Lightnin' Hopkins, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bobby Robinson (record Producer)
Bobby Robinson (born Morgan Clyde Robinson; April 16, 1917 – January 7, 2011) was an American independent record producer and songwriter in New York City, most active from the 1950s through the mid-1980s. Robinson produced hits by Wilbert Harrison, The Shirelles, Dave "Baby" Cortez, Elmore James, Lee Dorsey, Gladys Knight & The Pips, King Curtis, Spoonie Gee, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Doug E. Fresh, and Treacherous Three. He founded or co-founded Red Robin Records, Sue Records, Whirlin' Disc Records, Fury Records, Fire Records and Enjoy Records. Bobby Robinson's catalog is represented by Mojo Music & Media. Biography Born in Union, South Carolina, Robinson served in the US Army in World War II. After the war, Robinson moved to New York City and opened "Bobby's Record Shop" (later "Bobby's Happy House") in 1946. [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Big Joe Turner
Joseph Vernon "Big Joe" Turner Jr. (May 18, 1911 – November 24, 1985) was an American singer from Kansas City, Missouri. According to songwriter Doc Pomus, "Rock and roll would have never happened without him." His greatest fame was due to his rock-and-roll recordings in the 1950s, particularly "Shake, Rattle and Roll", but his career as a performer endured from the 1920s into the 1980s. Turner was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, with the Hall lauding him as "the brawny voiced 'Boss of the Blues. Career Early days Turner was born May 18, 1911, in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. His father was killed in a train accident when Turner was four years old. He sang in his church, and on street corners for money. He left school at age fourteen to work in Kansas City's nightclubs, first as a cook and later as a singing bartender. He became known as "The Singing Barman", and worked in such venues as the Kingfish Club and the Sunset, where he and his par ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chief Records
Chief Records, together with its Profile and Age subsidiaries, was an independent record label that operated from 1957 to 1964. Best known for its recordings of Chicago blues artists Elmore James, Junior Wells, Magic Sam, and Earl Hooker, the label had a diverse roster and included R&B artists Lillian Offitt and Ricky Allen. Chief Records was founded in Chicago in 1957 by Mel London, a 25-year-old R&B entrepreneur. London served as producer and wrote several of the label's best-known songs. Earl Hooker, one of the most well-regarded blues guitarists of his era, was an important contributor to the label. He worked closely with London and "was involved in over a dozen recording sessions, and his playing was featured on some forty titles and twenty-five singles, a dozen of which were released under his own name, the rest being ascribed to Junior Wells, A.C. Reed, Lillian Offitt, and Ricky Allen". Among Hooker's recordings are several slide-guitar instrumentals, including the 1961 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mel London
Mel London (April 9, 1932 – May 16, 1975) was an American songwriter, record producer, and record label owner. He was active in the Chicago blues and R&B scenes in the 1950s and 1960s. London is best known for his compositions for Chicago blues artists Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, and Junior Wells as well as being the record producer and owner of Chief Records (and its Profile Records and Age Records subsidiaries). In 1954, Mel London wrote the first of several hit songs for the blues and R&B markets. His "Poison Ivy" was recorded by Willie Mabon and reached number seven in the Billboard R&B chart in 1954. In 1955, three hits written by London followed: "Who Will Be Next" by Howlin' Wolf and two by Muddy Waters - "Sugar Sweet" and " Manish Boy.""Manish Boy" cowriters: Bo Diddley and Muddy Waters Not content with just songwriting, in 1957 he started his own record label, Chief Records. Chief's first single, the London-penned "Man from the Island," featured L ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chess Records
Chess Records was an American record company established in 1950 in Chicago, specializing in blues and rhythm and blues. It was the successor to Aristocrat Records, founded in 1947. It expanded into soul music, gospel music, early rock and roll, and jazz and comedy recordings, released on the Chess and its subsidiary labels Checker and Argo/Cadet. The Chess catalogue is owned by Universal Music Group and managed by Geffen Records. Established and run by two Jewish immigrant brothers from what was then Poland, Leonard and Phil Chess, the company produced and released many singles and albums regarded as central to the rock music canon. The musician and critic Cub Koda described Chess as "America's greatest blues label". Chess was based at several locations on the south side of Chicago, initially at South Cottage Grove Ave. The most famous was 2120 S. Michigan Avenue, from May 1957 to 1965, immortalized by the Rolling Stones in " 2120 South Michigan Avenue", an instrumental re ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Modern Records
Modern Records (Modern Music Records before 1947) was an American record company and label formed in 1945 in Los Angeles by the Bihari brothers. Modern's artists included Etta James, Joe Houston, Little Richard, Ike & Tina Turner and John Lee Hooker. The label released some of the most influential blues and R&B records of the 1940s and 1950s. History In the beginning, Modern bought master recordings from other small labels. The Biharis also often used pseudonyms to give themselves writing credit on songs. Having started as an R&B label, Modern was later one of the few R&B labels to routinely cover rhythm and blues hits on other labels, apparently in an attempt to broaden their appeal and reach the popular market. In 1958, the Bihari brothers formed Kent Records and stopped issuing records on Modern. In 1964, the Modern was revived and the Ikettes released a few successful singles in 1965, but the company became bankrupt a few years later and ceased operations. The catalog wen ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Meteor Records
Meteor Records was a Memphis-based R&B record label ran by Lester Bihari, one of the Bihari brothers, owners of Modern Records in Los Angeles. Founded in 1952, the label was a bold experiment to broaden the talent base by focusing on signing and recording Southern regional talent by having recording studios locally available. The label's first release, "I Believe" / "I Held My Baby Last Night," by Elmore James in 1952 was their biggest success. By 1956 it was clear that the growing teenage rock 'n roll market was not buying Southern based blues. In 1957, Meteor Records issued its last recording and the Bihari brothers consolidated their labels in Los Angeles. Although the label did not succeed economically, it was an innovative effort on the part of the Bihari brothers to broaden the musical base. Roster Elmore James was the first artist signed to the label and recorded the first release followed by Bep Brown's "Round House Boogie" / "Kickin' The Blues Around." Essentially the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Flair Records
Flair Records was an American record label owned by the Bihari brothers, launched in the early 1950s. It was a subsidiary of Modern Records. Its most famous artist were Elmore James, who released ten singles with this label (as listed below), Richard Berry, and Ike Turner who was a session musician and also released a single on the label. Flair is believed to have issued 80 singles total between 1953 and 1955. Discography Singles * 1953: "South Of San Antonio" b/w "No Home For My Heart" (Flair 1000) - Roy Harris And The Magnolia Boys * 1953: "Carroll County Blues" b/w "Begin The Beguin" (Flair 1001) - The Carroll County Boys * 1953: "Old Trail" b/w "The Mandolin Waltz" (Flair 1002) - The Broome Brothers * 1953: "Mexican Joe" b/w "Good Old Chlorophyll" (Flair 1003) - The Rhythm Harmoneers * 1953: "Guest Star In Heaven (A Tribute To Hank Williams)" b/w "I Know I'm Fallin' In Love" (Flair 1006) - Earney Vandagriff And The Big "D" Boys * 1953: "Tennessee Country Gal" b/w "Always A ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
