The News Review:
- Rock pioneer Bo Diddley dies at age 79
- A little bit of blues says a lot
- Singing Tax Blues
- Lady sings the blues ‘” and then some
- Hounddog Movie Preview Starring Dakota Fanning and Robin Wright…
- Bo Diddley
Rock pioneer Bo Diddley dies at age 79
International Herald Tribune – Jun 2, 2008
“I don't know where the kids got it but the kids in grammar school gave me that name” he said adding that he liked it so it became his stage name. Other times he gave somewhat differing stories on where he got the name. Some experts believe a possible source for the name is a one-string instrument used in traditional blues music called a diddley bow. His first single “Bo Diddley” introduced record buyers in 1955 to his signature rhythm: bomp ba-bomp bomp bomp bomp often summarized as “shave and a haircut two bits. ” The B side “I'm a Man” with its slightly humorous take on macho pride also became a rock standard. The company that issued his early songs was Chess-Checkers records the storied Chicago-based labels that also recorded Chuck Berry and other stars. Howard Kramer assistant curator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland said in 2006 that Diddley's Chess recordings “stand among the best singular recordings of the 20th century.
A little bit of blues says a lot
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Pittsburgh Post Gazette – Jun 2, 2008
Charlie is one of those bluesmen who seems to let the music ooze from every pore. He looks the part sounds the part and has the uncanny ability to make you feel what he feels. He has legendary chops with an intense blues quality all produced in a relaxed and forthright manner. The music speaks for itself. And it speaks very highly of Charlie Musselwhite.
Singing Tax Blues
Forbes – Jun 2, 2008
Born dirt poor on a Tennessee cotton farm and orphaned at age 11 Cora Walton (nicknamed Koko for her love of chocolate) moved to Chicago in the mid-1950s with her now deceased truck-driver husband Robert Taylor. She worked as a maid and sang in nightclubs until a record producer discovered her powerful voice in 1963. Taylor has won the Blues Music Award 25 times more than anyone else. Her tax problems concern 1998 2000 and 2001; for those years combined her adjusted gross income was $949000. Taylor’s estimated tax payments came up short. At a 2006 Tax Court hearing in Chicago Taylor detailed some of the reasons. She had incurred losses from a failing nightclub she owned and finally shut.
Lady sings the blues ‘” and then some
Seattle Times – Jun 2, 2008
She is in the Washington Blues Society Hall of Fame and has won numerous Best of the Blues awards. Her reaction to my proclamation of lofty blues status would be about any hint of limits. Stuart says she gathers music from every genre: “My crowd is as broad-based as my music is. ” She can fill downtown Seattle’s Triple Door for a live recording session or ride a circuit of festival stages. Her 2007 CD “Freedom” on Country con Fusion Records is a showcase of her writing skills.
Hounddog Movie Preview Starring Dakota Fanning and Robin Wright…
Box Office Prophets – Jun 2, 2008
us Yep as in “you ain’t nothing but a” Hounddog stars Dakota Fanning in a drama taking place in the 1950s-era South. Fanning is Lewellen a 12-year-old who escapes from a neglected and abused life through the blues music of the era including the music of Elvis Presley. The film was written directed and produced by Deborah Kampmeier and also stars Robin Wright Penn and David Morse. Hounddog debuted at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival and immediately generated a great deal of controversy for a scene where it is implied that Fanning’s character is raped. Several people and organizations expressed opinions that Fanning (also 12 at the time of filming) had been exploited. The controversy died down relatively quickly upon the film’s screening but the additional publicity (as well as mixed reviews) didn’t help the film find a distributor as it will only now be theatrically released a year and a half later by the Empire Film Group.
Bo Diddley
People Magazine – Jun 2, 2008
Born Elias McDaniel he became Bo Diddley after his family had moved to Chicago when he was 6. “I don’t know where the kids got it but the kids in grammar school gave me that name” he said in 1999 though he actually told many versions of how he got the name the Associated Press reports. Some profilers cite a one-string instrument used in traditional blues music called a diddley bow as the origin. What is certain was Diddley’s signature look: homemade square guitar dark glasses and black hat. His pioneering song hits – 1955′s single “Bo Diddley” introduced listeners to his signature rhythm of bomp ba-bomp bomp bomp bomp – also helped define him among them: “Say Man” “You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover” “Shave and a Haircut” “Uncle John” “Who Do You Love?” and “The Mule.