BITS AND PIECES...
George "Harmonica" Smith on YouTube!
George "Harmonica" Smith was a superb harmonica player who created a unique octave toned style of Chromatic playing that has been often copied. On YouTube, there is a 1971 performance of "Leaving Chicago" with wonderful harmonica and vocals, and a tight band behind him. Check it out and enjoy!
RIP Earl Gaines
The blues world mourns the loss of R&B vocalist Earl Gaines who died on New Year's Eve at a Nashville hospital. He was 74. Gaines was a magnificent vocalist who was closely associated with the Nashville R&B scene. He first came into prominence as the lead vocalist of Louis Brooks & His Hi-Toppers with the hit "It's Love Baby" (AKA "24 Hours A Day"). He would later emerge as a solo artist with a number of hits including “The Best of Luck to You” in 1966 and “Hymn Number 5” in 1973. He recorded for numerous record labels including Starday, King, DeLuxe, Excello, Champion, Poncello, Hanna-Barbera, HBR, Athens, Sound Stage 7, Ace, Meltone, Appaloosa, Black Top, Ecko and Blue Fye. He was a featured artist on the 2005 Grammy-winning best historical album, Night Train To Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues 1945–1970. His loss comes on the heels of other recently deceased Nashville R&B greats such as Johnny Jones.
RIP Willie Mitchell
The following obituary comes courtesy of the recording academy via Betsie Brown of Blind Raccoon. We are deeply saddened by the passing of Willie Mitchell. An accomplished trumpeter who led one of the region's premier bands of the '50s, he made the transition to recording star at Hi Records in the '60s. At Hi he became a vital part of the organization by engineering, producing, scouting talent and eventually running the label. A true renaissance man, Willie Mitchell created his own Memphis sound - a uniquely sophisticated brand of funk. He put together one of the world's greatest rhythm sections - Hi Rhythm – featuring Teenie Hodges on guitar, Charles Hodges on organ, Leroy Hodges on bass and drummer Howard Grimes. He made stars of Ann Peebles, Otis Clay, O.V. Wright and Syl Johnson, creating recordings still revered, covered and sampled to this day. In 1969 while on tour with his Willie Mitchell Band, he met a young singer from Michigan in Midland, Texas and brought him back to Memphis. Together, he and Al Green made history, creating an unparalleled body of work featuring arguably the greatest voice in soul backed by Mitchell's unique mix of gritty southern R&B and elegant arrangements. In 2007 he was recognized by the Memphis Chapter of The Recording Academy at The Recording Academy Honors. In 2008 he received an even larger honor from The Recording Academy at the 50th annual Grammy Awards - The Trustees Award. His impact on Memphis and music is immeasurable. There will probably never be another one like him.
Blues Discography
As a component of my Master's Degree Thesis in 2000 as a student at Indiana University, I developed a recommended blues discography of the 50 blues collections I would recommend to get a blues collection started. I am glad to make that discography available to anyone who would like a copy. All I ask is that you provide me $1 postage (domestic), and I will be glad to mail you a copy. Please e-mail me if you are interested.
