Frankie Miller -- Little Angel

From his 1974 High Life album, produced by none other than the late, great Allen Toussaint. For those were the days...

Milligan Vaughan Project -- Here I Am

One from Stevie Ray's nephew, Tyrone Vaughan, and Company on Father's Day. To family and friends...

Robert Cray Band With The Memphis Horns

The Forecast (Calls for Pain) from Mr. Cray's 1990 Midnight Stroll powerhouse release, original and live in Austin for your viewing pleasure. If I could go back in time, methinks 1990 would be a year in the running for better than Cray and Company with the Horns, not likely...

Oh! Suzy Q -- Dale Hawkins, James Burton & Company

The year - 1957, the place - Shreveport, La., and with 20-year old songwriter Dale Hawkins on vocals and 15-year old James Burton on guitar, Swamp Rock was born...

Train -- Drops Of Jupiter

For E. R., my friend and fellow Villanova grad. This one also with a PA and a family connection if you look for it. Hope you like it. May the road always rise up to meet you and yours... Go 'Cats!

Marcia Ball and Honey Piazza -- North Atlantic Blues Festival

Alexis just commented "Look, Dad's smiling." Bit of a rarity these days. So back to the music for that special release. Better than these two together, not likely...

Frankie Miller -- Sail Away

Meanwhile In America...

Anders Osborne -- I'm Ready

From one of Nola's best, no truer words, thanks Coach D, studio and live, take your pick...

Brickyard Blues -- Three Times...

Another gem by the great one of New Orleans, Allen Toussaint, describing his meeting with Frankie Miller who recorded in New Orleans back in the early '70s. Mr. Toussaint wrote seven songs for Frankie's killer second album, "High Life." Three Dog Night took it out for a spin as well in 1974 with just a bit of success. As my friend DeucE would say - "good stuff, great stuff, listen without prejudice." Amen Brother, a day early...

New Orleans -- Gary U.S. Bonds

Practicing this classic on the drums today adding a little 'Easy touch to it for fun but if only I could dance like that...

The Nighthawks -- With Willie Dixon's Baby, I Want To Be Loved

Got to see and talk it up with the 'Hawks last night at the Bradfordville Blues Club. Mark Wenner was kind enough to sign and add quite the self-caricature to an old Nighthawks' album cover from the '80s. I thanked him for the solid blues over the many years and he offered that he's been at it for over 40 years now. That's a legacy and then some. Johnny Castle was kind enough to take time out to "talk bass" with Evan, even suggested that Evan check in with him periodically to continue the discussion. Already knew that Mark's as good as it gets on harmonica and last night, he, Johnny on bass, Paul Bell on guitar and Mark Stutso on drums left no doubt what it's about, none whatsoever...

Blues Attack -- Sonny Landreth & Nick Forster

Has to be a good one if I'm offering it as a shout out to the L'Man, this one is from Lafayette, Louisiana, an old favorite of mine recorded when eTown was out on the road recently. It's a very nice combination of slide and acoustic, easier said than done for many musicians. If Nick Forster says Landreth's the baddest and the best, well who am I to argue, kind of like Steve Layman's blogspot...

Otis Rush -- I Can't Quit You Baby

One of Mississippi's finest leaves no doubt with this one, his first single...

Jimi Hendrix -- Lover Man

From Both Sides Of The Sky due out this month...

Taj Mahal -- Queen Bee

Down in NOLA - sure does this 504 boy good...

The Sky Is Crying -- Gary BB Coleman

Had to circle back after my last post with a blues classic. Mr. Coleman was the real deal out of Paris, Texas. From his debut album in 1986 to his untimely death in 1994, he covered a fair amount of blues territory. Didn't want certain folks to think I was losing my touch...

Jump -- Van Halen

So this one hit, and at Number 1 for five weeks, back in 1984, some 34 years ago on this Day. Man, where does the time go? Must confess that I saw VH in Baton Rouge in '86 with my younger brother. As a guitarist, he mainly wanted to see Eddie on guitar and being a drummer, I looked forward to checking in on Alex. Lo and behold, much to our surprise and chagrin, that goofy David Lee Roth, who penned this tune right after seeing a tv news report of a man threatening to jump off a building, stole the show and then some...

Mardi Gras Mambo -- The Meters

Got back home just last week for retirement plan management training in the Quarter of all places, sure good to know the back streets to get in and out this time of year...