Coming Home to the Blues

07-17-11

2011-07-20T13:12:00.000-07:00

Down Home Blues - Sunday Late Night
Underlined artists/bands are New Orleans local

-Gimme A Pigfoot - Laverne Baker
-I Got A Woman - Ray Charles
-I Love Your Lovin' Ways - Nina Simone
-I Just Want to Make Love to You - Etta James
-Trouble in Mind - Loose Marbles
-Springtime Blues - Billy Boy Arnold
-If I Can't Sell It, I'll Keep Sittin' On It - Ruth Brown
-Backwater Blues - Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns
-Jelly Bean Blues - Tuba Skinny
-I'll Be Your Sweet Black Angel - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-Another Man Done Gone - Irma Thomas
-Spoonful - Howlin' Wolf
-Black Night - John Lee Hooker
-Muddy Water Blues (acoustic) - Paul Rodgers

07-16-11

2011-07-20T12:57:00.000-07:00

Down Home Blues - Saturday Late Night
Again, New Orleans local bands/artists are underlined.

-Nobody's Blues but Mine - Tuba Skinny
-Dark Sunshine - Dr Michael White
-Lucky Devil - Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns
-Gimme A Penny - Big Mama Thornton
-She Moves Me - Paul Rodgers
-Let's Burn Down the Cornfield - Etta James
-Sittin' & Cryin' the Blues - Willie Dixon & Memphis Slim
-Short Dressed Woman - Lafayette Leake
-Sugar Blues - Preservation Hall Jazz Band
-Backlash Blues - Nina Simone
-Lonely Avenue - Ray Charles
-Tombstone Blues - Ronnie Magri & His New Orleans Jazz Band
-Petite Fleur - Sidney Bechet
-Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans - Lavay Smith

7-15-11

2011-07-16T13:08:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted here, since my DJing took a back seat to life and changes. I just moved to New Orleans in search of more design and architecture opportunities, and have been taking advantage of the prevalence of this city's amazing jazz musicians. This weekend is the San Francisco Down Home Blues Festival, and quite possibly my last event for a while as I start focusing more on my professional life for a while. However, music is not going to leave my life, and so while you might not see as many setlists posted here, I'll try to switch focus more towards finding great artists and songs to enjoy. Hopefully my blog will expand from just blues to include jazz, and will no longer be as restricted to just dance music.

Having said that - here's my first set this weekend. I've been wanting to feature local artists, so all the underlined tunes are New Orleans bands. Enjoy!

Down Home Blues - Friday Night
-High Heeled Sneakers - Tommy Tucker
-You Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had - Muddy Waters
-Sweet Home Chicago - Taj Mahal
-I Ain't Got Nuthin But the Blues - Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns
-Black and Blue - Kermit Ruffins
-Witching Hour Blues - Glenn Crytzer and His Syncopators
-Creole Love Call - Baby Soda Jazz Band
-Weary Eyed Blues - Tuba Skinny
-Delta Bound - New Orleans Racket Makers
-Down Home Blues - Satan and Adam
-Driving Wheel - Etta James
-Rock Me Baby - Hubert Sumlin
-Blues for Mama - Nina Simone
-My Daddy Rocks Me - Cyclowns (feat. Meschiya Lake)

02-26-11

2011-02-26T23:36:00.000-08:00

Blues Cafe
Splitting sets with the lovely and glamorous Devona Cartier. Got some new music recently, so I enjoyed branching out more.

-Rock Me Baby - Etta James
-C.C. Rider - Esther Phillips
-She Moves Me - Paul Rodgers
-Down in the Swamp - Tab Benoit
-Lord, Don't Move the Mountain - Angela Strehli
-Come Home Blues - Jennifer Nettles Band
-In the Mood for Memphis - Reni Simon
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-Don't You Feel My Leg - Maria Muldaur
-I'll Be Your Sweet Black Angel - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-Love Me Like A Man - Bonnie Raitt
____

-Springtime Blues - Billy Boy Arnold
-My Handy Man Ain't Handy No More - Alberta Hunter
-Short Dressed Woman - Lafayette Leake
-Sugar Blues - Preservation Hall Jazz Band
____

-Love Me or Leave Me - The Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartett
-Deep in the Delta - Brother Yusef
-High Heeled Sneakers - Tommy Tucker
-Sanctified Blues - Satan and Adam
-Converted - Nathan James & Ben Hernandez
-You Don't Have to Go - Pinetop Perkins
-Driving Wheel - Etta James
-Blues Tears - Sam Taylor
-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-Dark Sunshine - Dr. Michael White
-Blooz First Thaingh' Dis Moanin' - Wycliffe Gordon

02-03-11

2011-02-09T17:11:00.000-08:00

Blues Union
This was one of my favorite sets in a while - mainly because I was pushing myself not to use the same music I always do, so I spent a lot more time than usual prepping. I'd like to make that more of a habit - it gives my sets more versatility. Another thing I enjoyed was the fact that I was actively engaged in DJing this set the whole way through - I didn't talk to people or dance. I think that makes a really big difference. It's easy to lose track of the floor, especially when you're dancing. Also - found a new Nina song which I love!

-Shoes of Another Man - Brother Yusef
-You Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had - Muddy Waters
-Springtime Blues - Billy Boy Arnold
-A Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues - Diane Hoffman
-Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans - Lavay Smith
-Creole Love Call - The Baby Soda Jazz Band
-At the Jazz Band Ball - Kevin Clark
-I Just Want To Make Love To You - Etta James
-I Love Your Lovin' Ways - Nina Simone
-Blues In The Night - Ledisi
-Wade In The Wather - Carrie Smith
-Trouble In Mind - Aretha Franklin
-Son of a Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield
-Something's Gotta Hold On Me - Etta James

01-29-11

2011-02-09T17:06:00.000-08:00

Jamie's Going Away House Party
I DJ'd a set for Jamie's house party. It was really fun - I got to play stuff I never get to DJ. I'm looking forward to broadening my music and playing for different types of venues ... branching out more into funk, soul, hip hop and R&B. We'll see ...

-Remember the Name - Fort Minor
-Cornbread Fish and Collard Greens - Anthony Hamilton
-Cold Turkey - Anthony David
-Brown Skin - India Arie
-Every Planet We Reach is Dead - Gorillaz
-Neptune's Jewels - Mystic
-Painkillers/What It's Like - Everlast
-Hypnosis Theme - Wax Tailor
-Teardrop - Massive Attack
-When the Lights Go Out - The Black Keys
-Bump Bump Bump - B2K feat. P.Diddy
-Big Pimpin'/Papercut - Linkin Park & Jay-Z
-Mercy On Me - Christina Aguilera

01-06-11

2011-01-07T10:11:00.000-08:00

Blues Union: BFX Edition

I had a phenomenal time at the dance - there were so many great dancers from all over the country, and the energy was really high. I felt like I could take the dancefloor anywhere and everyone would be right on board.

-I Just Want to Make Love to You - Etta James
-Lord, Don't Move the Mountain - Angela Strehli
-Another Man Done Gone - Irma Thomas
-Saving All My Love - Miss Tess
-Last Call - Ronnie Magri & His New Orleans Jazz Band
-Backwater Blues - Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns
-Creole Love Call - The Baby Soda Jazz Band
-Burning Fire - Otis Spann's South Side Band
-Blacklash Blues - Nina Simone
-Night Time is the Right Time - Ray Charles
-Blues in the Night - Ledisi
-My Handy Man Ain't Handy No More - Alberta Hunter
-Sittin' & Crying' the Blues - Willie Dixon & Memphis Slim
-Paris, Texas - Greg Slapczynski
-Muddy Water Blues - Paul Rodgers
-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-Tin Roof Blues - Lake Village Ramblers Jazz Band

Editing Music

2011-01-06T00:12:00.000-08:00

I always feel bad about editing music ... it seems like cheating somehow, or lying. Or like I'm butchering a work of art. But I'm getting over that, and here are the reasons why:

1. Jazz and blues are adaptive art forms. They are not meant to sound the same every time you play them. Therefore changing a recorded track does not seem like sacrilege.

2. My job as a DJ is to provide danceable and accessible music. I edit tracks in order to make them so, especially if the song is one I really want to share, but has a section that makes it hard to dance to. I also edit songs to remove overly offensive/taboo material. This does not happen often, as there are few things I choose to censor.

3. I only edit songs that can be edited. Read: a song is successfully edited if a casual listener or someone who does not already know the song cannot tell where the break is. Having said that, here's a challenge. This song has a section cut (36 seconds, to be exact). I challenge you to give me the timestamp of the break, without listening to the original:

*I realize retrospectively that my player doesn't have a timer on it. If you care enough, find a stopwatch. Or count phrases or 8-counts in.

From a self-admitted traditionalist

2011-01-05T23:19:00.000-08:00

Here is a response prompted directly by Justin Riley's thoughts, and indirectly by BFX being just around the corner. I have to admit, to me the dance scene is a fascinating anthropological bubble of a society, and this split between "fusion" and "traditional blues" is an interesting manifestation of a divergence of culture. Here are my two cents (I suggest you read Justin's note first):

You talk of traditional blues dancers doing historical reenactments, that it's virtually a Ren Fair. Though trad dancing does borrow much more heavily from a vintage aesthetic, the culture has indeed changed with the times. So has the dancing. And the type of blues music which is played. When I DJ, I DJ almost entirely blues music, but I make a point of playing a lot of contemporary (and local artists). Yes, it's still blues, and often because of that (or the specific style, such as New Orleans jazz or delta blues) can have an older feel to it - but the context is contemporary, and that makes a difference. Blues music is not a dead art we are reviving - it is a living, breathing art form with a rich history.

Another assumption I am inclined to disagree with: "In the 1920s, no one was looking at how they were dancing in the 1840s, or trying to dance to music created 80 years ago." What about argentine tango? What about ballet? Hell, what about the waltz - one of the oldest partnered social dances. And what do you know - it's still being danced today. Does that make it invalid? We identify a past age by the new things it brought into a culture, not by the ties it chose to keep to the past. When blues and swing first started appearing (in back rooms and jook joints), the majority of people were still doing other, more traditional dances.

You talk about an ongoing cultural, creative and artistic movement within a larger context (I assume you mean of this society, and potentially globally). That's awesome. I'm all for it. I realize I'm a minority who is more stuck in the past than I have any right to be. I can't help it - the music I grew up with, identify with and that moves me to my core happens to be blues. And jazz. It's where my heart is. But I feel like I'm an anomaly, and I'm grateful that there are enough anomalies out there for me to be able to indulge in that. At the same time, I'm glad there is progress, movement, new ideas and new inspirations, because indirectly (or directly) I will be inspired by that energy.

The statement that strikes me as most false is that we lack an all-american dance form. Lindy hop and blues dancing, born out of jazz, are the essence of the all-american dance. Jazz historian Frank Tirro says: "jazz is an American phenomenon. It was born here in the United Sates, and it has not renounced its citizenship. It was first performed by black Americans newly released from bondage who expressed their God-given talents and their beliefs about freedom, identity, and art through their music. Jazz is still a profound manifestation of freedom, talent, achievement and identity." Born out of this uniquely American music was a uniquely American form of movement, inherently tied to a culture that carried influences from many places, but melded them into something recognizable different - something in my opinion truly American.

There are complaints of elitism and exclusionism in the trad blues dance scene ... and I can't fault anyone for complaining. I think a lot of dancers take themselves way too seriously, and get personally offended when someone disagrees with them or their preferences. It's dancing, people. It's supposed to be fun, and create community. But on the flip side, don't get offended if an event decides to go for a certain type of aesthetic, and your music request was denied. Do your research, let your money and attendance speak for you. If you don't like the music played at an event, don't attend it.

We seem to agree that terminology is an issue. What you are talking about is, in my eyes, no longer blues dancing. But fusion is a misnomber too. I'm intrigued to see what people will come up with. I also have a feeling that it will grow organically ... most movements do, shaped by people's preferences. So in some ways, it doesn't make much sense to dictate too strong a path if you're only one person - people will make it into what they need it to be, which is great.

Here's where I'm at right now: neither traditional nor forward-moving dancers rooted in blues are "wrong." It's just a question of where their preferences lie. Arguing that seems silly, and counterproductive. In the end, we all just love to dance. It seems like there is a separation of a culture happening, a diversifying, if you will. That's not a bad thing. What we all need to realize is that one form or style of dance does not invalidate the other - both can exist. It's also possible to enjoy both. Though I am a traditionalist at heart (jazz and blues music is what speaks to me and makes me want to move), the creative forward motion of taking our culture in a new direction is healthy and energizing, and I can still draw inspiration from that. It just so happens that I am happier returning to the roots. Personal preference.

Thoughts? Opinions? Clarifications? Corrections?

12-27-10

2010-12-29T15:25:00.000-08:00

Shades of Blues

-Trouble in Mind - Aretha Franklin
-Gimme A Pigfoot - Laverne Baker
-Real Gone - Sam Taylor & His All Star Jazz Band
-I Ain't Got Nuthin But the Blues - Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns
-You Shook Me - Etta James
-(Got Me Runnin') Where you Want Me to Go - Brother Yusef
-Come On In My Kitchen - Chris Thomas King
-Follow the Drinking Gourd - Linda Tillery & Cultural Heritage Choir, Eric Bibb
-Burn Down the Cornfield - Charlie Musselwhite
-Every Planet We Reach is Dead - Gorillaz
-Idlewild Blues - Outkast
-When the Lights Go Out - Black Keys
-Blues is My Wailin' Wall - Mighty Mo Rodgers
-Muddy Water Blues - Paul Rodgers
-Elijah Rock - Ollabelle
-Can't Stop Thinking About You - Martin Sexton
-Rosewood - Cassandra Wilson
-Tell Me More and More and Then Some - Nina Simone

12-16-10

2010-12-25T00:35:00.000-08:00

Blues Union
I had very little prep time since I also taught the lesson that day, so I was kind of on autopilot. Maybe that explains all the repeats from my last set. I definitely tend to have default songs ...

-You Shook Me - Etta James
-Backlash Blues - Nina Simone
-All Over You - Jim Byrnes
-Love Me Like A Man - Bonnie Raitt
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-I Ain't Got Nuthin But the Blues - Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns
-Kansas City Wrinkles - Count Basie
-Stormy Blues - Billie Holiday
-Lonely Avenue - Ray Charles
-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-Another Man Done Gone - Irma Thomas
-Dr Blues - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-Gimme A Pigfoot - Laverne Baker
-How Come My Dog Don't Bark - Dr John
-Please Mr Jailer - Wynona Carr
-Harlem Nocturne - Sam Taylor & his All-Star Jazz Band

12-11-10

2010-12-25T00:29:00.000-08:00

Mike and Reuel Workshop

The workshop went off pretty much without a hitch. We had two days of fantastic classes, and a dance which featured everything from up-and-coming DJs, old talents such as guest DJs Jenny Sowden and Dan Repsch, renditions of winning performances from recent blues events and a student performance. Oh, and lots of good dancing. All in all, a good weekend. Here is my set from that night:

-Gimme a Pigfoot - Laverne Baker
-Driving Wheel - Etta James
-Backlash Blues - Nina Simone
-Kansas City Wrinkles - Count Basie
-Sugar Blues - Preservation Hall Jazz Band
-I Ain't Got Nuthin But the Blues - Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns
-Saga of Bill Bailey - Nancy Wilson

Artist of the Week #4: Nina Simone

2010-12-07T16:58:00.000-08:00

Nina Simone is hands down one of my favorite female blues artists, though her music covers much more than just blues. Her real name is actually Eunice Kathleen Waymon, and Nina Simone was a stage name she took on, I think partially to separate her actual identity from the secular music she was singing in clubs and thus to avoid disapproval. One of the reasons I love listening to Nina sing is because she is in my eyes one of the most emotive vocalists out there. She spans the range from sultry to demure, defiant to submissive, angry to joyful ... and everything in between. Nina has a tendency to sing very fluidly, not keeping strict time, which can sometimes make her music difficult to dance to. Personally, I find it inspiring as opposed to challenging. I've been listening to her much more recently, mainly because of the amount of routines that have been performed to her songs in the last year. And the variety in these performances is another reflection of Nina's range of emotion. Here are just the ones I know about:

In the Dark: by the students at NSS (and Shawn Hershey and Julie Brown performing it at Emerald City Blues Festival)
Do I Move You: Chris Mayer and Campbell Miller
I Put a Spell On You: Amanda Gruhl and Paul Mandel

However, I want to draw your attention to one particular song I just discovered. It's gritty, bluesy, honest and moving in all the best ways. Thoughts?

Backlash Blues - Nina Simone

Artist of the Week #3: Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns

2010-12-01T14:44:00.000-08:00

It's been a while, but I've been frolicking in New Orleans for the last week, so I was understandably distracted. The music in NOLA is incredible - live music pretty much every day, and the musicians are fantastic. I went to Preservation Hall, checked out Bourbon St and Frenchman, and strolled around the French quarter to the sounds of jazz. Needless to say, I was in heaven. The coolest thing was that there was a much stronger connection between the dancers and the musicians than in most other scene's I'd been to. Part of that was due to the fact that most of the musicians were from a similar generation. One of my favorite bands to listen to was Meschiya Lake's (she rotated through musicians though some were pretty consistent). I love the vintage brass sound, and her voice suits the music perfectly. Check out "I Ain't Got Nuthin But the Blues" from her album Lucky Devil (for those interested, I think Peter Loggins plays the washboard on some of the tracks).

I Ain't Got Nuthin But the Blues - Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns (Lucky Devil)

Mike and Reuel Workshop

2010-11-21T20:56:00.000-08:00

Hey all - I realize I haven't been posting regularly, even though it was my plan to post at least once a week with my "artist of the week" endeavor. Needless to say, I've been busy, in part with this. We've been organizing a workshop to get Mike "The Girl" Legget (formerly from Philadelphia, currently residing in Cincinnati) and Reuel Reis (formerly from Nashville, currently in New Orleans) to come to Boston and teach a weekend workshop. Needless to say it's happening - and soon! Dec 11-12, we'll have two full days of classes, as well as a Saturday night dance where yours truly will be throwing down some blues, accompanied by Mike and DJ John Brooks.

Hope to see you there!

11-13-10

2010-11-13T23:24:00.000-08:00

MIT Blues Dance

-Driving Wheel - Etta James
-Burning Fire - Otis Spann's South Side Band
-Sugar Mama Blues - Snooky Pryor & Mel Brown
-Lonely Avenue - Ray Charles
-Blues in the Night - Ledisi
-I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues - Diane Hoffman
-Love Me Like A Man - Bonnie Raitt
-Blues Is My Story - Brother Yusef
-You Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had - Muddy Waters
-All Over You - Jim Byrnes
-Lord, Don't Move the Mountain - Angela Strehli
-Blues Is My Wailin' Wall - Mighty Mo Rodgers
-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-Burn Down the Cornfield - Charlie Musselwhite
-Wade in the Water - The Blind Boys of Alabama
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-Please Mr Jailer - Wynona Carr
-Kansas City Wrinkles - Count Basie
-Do I Move You? - Nina Simone
-Fumblin' With The Blues - Tom Waits
-Follow The Drinking Gourd - Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir, Eric Bibb

11-06-10

2010-11-07T21:54:00.000-08:00

"Everything But Dance" Evening Dance

I DJ'ed a quick set for the EBD evening dance on Saturday. I took the DJing classes (taught by John Brooks, Devona Cartier and Julie Brown), which was awesome cause I got to pick their brains for two days straight. About 15 minutes towards the end of my set, as I'm winding down the dancers (I had last set of the night), Devona comes up to me and says: "You know what I want to see? Make them dance fast." Alas, Devona's wishes shouldn't go ignored ... so I tried. I succeeded, but was sweating bullets, and the last couple of songs of my set were haphazardly placed. Everything up to Ray Charles I'm happy with ... after that, I was at a loss of where to go. I think I need to listen to my music more ... do more research. But it was an insane kind of thrill to sweat through the end of that set. I must be crazy to enjoy that.

-That's Why I'm Crying - Koko Taylor
-Gimme A Penny - Big Mama Thornton
-Sittin' & Cryin' the Blues - Willie Dixon & Memphis Slim
-Short Dressed Woman - Lafayette Leake
-Kansas City Wrinkles - Count Basie
-Sugar Blues - Preservation Hall Jazz Band
-Summertime - Renee Olstead
-Please Mr Jailer - Wynona Carr
-I Got a Woman - Ray Charles
-Power of the Blues - Brother Yusef
-Home - Marc Broussard

10-30-10

2010-10-30T23:13:00.000-07:00

Artisan's Asylum Halloween Dance

This might just be the most unusual set I've DJed in a while ... half the people were blues dancers, half were non-dancers, and the description I was given ran along the lines of ... fun party music that's good to dance to. Allrighty then ...

-Fireflies - Mofro
-Bad Seraphim - Alien Fashion Show
-Mercy On Me - Christina Aguilera
-Get Back Temptation - Ollabelle
-You Can Leave Your Hat On - Etta James
-Mercy - Duffy
-100 Days, 100 Nights - Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings
-Son of a Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield
-Brown Skin - India Arie
-Can't Stop Thinking About You - Martin Sexton
-I Idolize You - Lizz Wright
-Alice - Patti Plinko and Her Boy
-Sinkin' Soon - Norah Jones
-Missed Me - Dresden Dolls

10-24-10

2010-10-25T20:21:00.000-07:00

Blues Muse Sunday Night Dance

-The World Keeps On Turning - Fleetwood Mac

-Idle Hours - Victoria Spivey & Lonnie Johnson

-Gimme A Penny - Big Mama Thornton

-That's Why I'm Crying - Koko Taylor

-Black Night - John Lee Hooker

-Follow the Drinking Gourd - Linda Tillery & Cultural Heritage Choir, Eric Bibb

-I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues - Diane Hoffman

-Dark Sunshine - Dr Michael White

-Kansas City Wrinkles - Count Basie

-Tombstone Blues - Ronnie Magri & His New Orleans Jazz Band

-How Come My Dog Don't Bark When You Come Around - Dr John

-Trouble in Mind - Aretha Franklin

-Down Home Blues - Etta James

-Ruby Mae - Snooky Pryor & Mel Brown

-Come Home Blues - Jennifer Nettles Band

-Come On In My Kitchen - Porterdavis

-No Need Pissin' On A Skunk - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women

-If I Can't Sell It, I'll Keep Sittin' On It - Ruth Brown

-Stormy Blues - Billie Holiday

-Harlem Nocturne - Sam Taylor & His All Star Jazz Band

-Blues for Mama - Nina Simone

10-21-10

2010-10-25T20:15:00.000-07:00

Blues Muse Friday Main Dance

Blues Muse is hands down one of my favorite events, and Philadelphia has quickly made my list of favorite dance scenes. The level of dancing was awesome, all the instructors were great, the music was good, and people in general were so much fun to hang out with.

I DJ'd two sets over the weekend, and am pretty happy with how they went. Here's the Friday set:

-Driving Wheel - Etta James
-Love Me or Leave Me - the Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartet
-Springtime Blues - Billy Boy Arnold
-Decoration Day - Sunnyland Slim
-You Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had - Muddy Waters
-Sugar Mama Blues - Snooky Pryor & Mel Brown
-Another Man Done Gone - Irma Thomas
-My Handy Man Ain't Handy No More - Alberta Hunter
-Sugar Blues - Preservation Hall Jazz Band
-One Hour Mama - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-Last Call - Ronnie Magri & His New Orleans Jazz Band
-Sunshine in the Shade - Satan & Adam
-Deep in the Delta - Brother Yusef
-Love Me Like a Man - Bonnie Raitt
-Lord, Don't Move the Mountain - Angela Strehli
-Rain - Charlie Baty
-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-Muddy Water Blues - Paul Rodgers
-Tell Me More And More And Then Some - Nina Simone
-Saga of Bill Bailey - Nancy Wilson

Artist of the Week #2: David "Honeyboy" Edwards

2010-10-12T10:02:00.000-07:00

Photo by Valerio Berdini

Honeyboy Edwards is one of the last living original Delta Bluesmen, and the last living link to Robert Johnson. At age 94, he still tours the country playing concerts, and played at the House of Blues in Boston last Friday. It was a great concert, including blues musicians such as James Montgomery, Grace Kelly, Desiree Bassett and Brad Whitford of Aerosmith. Honeyboy played the full second half of the concert, accompanied only by another guitar and a blues harp, and the music was fantastic. He still had incredible technique, and his voice was strong enough to carry most songs well.

Delta Blues is definitely an acquired taste, especially for blues dancers, but I've come to love it. I've also realized that it is much easier to dance to live delta music than to recordings.

West Helena Blues - David Honeyboy Edwards (The World Don't Owe Me Nothing)

10-09-10

2010-10-10T10:30:00.000-07:00

Housewarming party at the DanceHouse.

The DanceHouse had its inaugural house party last night, and if it's any indication of what's to come, I'd say we're in for some good parties in the future. DJing was pretty laid back, I took over from Kevin and kept throwing on songs until I didn't feel like playing music any more. It ended up being a close to 3-hour set. Here it is, for anyone who's curious:

-Short-Dressed Woman - Lafayette Leake
-Sittin' & Cryin' the Blues - Willie Dixon & Memphis Slim
-Black Night - John Lee Hooker
-Sun Dirt Water - The Waifs
-Elijah Rock - Ollabelle
-Wade in the Water - The Blind Boys of Alabama
-Death Letter - Son House
-Follow the Drinking Gourd - Eric Bibb, Linda Tillery & Cultural Heritage Choir
-Dark Clouds - Chris Thomas King
-Steamroller Blues - Soul Miner's Daughter
-Come Rain Or Come Shine - BB King & Eric Clapton
-Double Trouble - John Mayall
-Stormy Blues - Billie Holiday
-Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans - Lavay Smith
-Petite Fleur - Sidney Bechet
-My Kind of Gospel - Michael Pewny
-Tell Me More and More and Then Some - Nina Simone
-Voodoo Chile - Gabriel Rios
-Can't Stop Thinking About You - Martin Sexton
-Let's Burn Down the Cornfield - Etta James
-Black Water - Charlie Musselwhite
-I'll Be Your Sweet Black Angel - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-Steal Away - Etta James
-Love in Vain - Keb Mo
-Blues After Hours - Pinetop Perkins
-Harlem Nocturne - Sam Taylor & His All Star Jazz Band
-Six O'Clock Blues - Ericc Bibb
-Love Me or Leave Me - The Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartett
-O Death - Tangle Eye
-Nobody's Fault - Rising Appalachia
-People Grinnin' In Your Face - Ruthie Foster
-Fumblin' With The Blues - Tom Waits
-Muddy Water Blues - Paul Rodgers
-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-Nice and Warm - Tab Benoit
-Pussycat Moan - Katie Webster
-My Handy Man Ain't Handy No More - Alberta Hunter
-You Got Me Running - Sugar Pie Desanto
-Converted - Nathan James & Ben Hernandez
-Sweet Home Chicago - Taj Mahal
-Decoration Day - Sunnyland Slim
-Saga of Bill Bailey - Nancy Wilson
-Come On In My Kitchen - Chris Thomas King
-That's Why i'm Crying - Koko Taylor
-Oreo Cookie Blues - Lonnie Mack
-Gimme A Penny - Big Mama Thornton
-In the Morning Blues - Ike & Tina Turner

10-07-10

2010-10-08T11:14:00.000-07:00

Blues Union: Monster Mike Welch

DJ'd the band break for Mike Welch at Blues Union last night. I had so much fun dancing to the band - it's a completely different deal dancing to live music, especially when the band appreciates the dancers and you start getting interaction between them and the dance floor. I'll try to get some full set gigs soon (at the latest that will happen at Blues Muse!).

-Driving Wheel - Etta James
-Love Me Like a Man - Bonnie Raitt
-Ruby Mae - Snooky Pryor & Mel Brown
-In the Mississippi River - Mavis Staples
-Color-Blind Angel - Robin Rogers
-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-Another Man Done Gone - Irma Thomas

The set worked out pretty well, with just one snag. I think every DJ experiences a point in time 30 seconds into a song where they realize "shoot, this is not what the dance floor wants right now." And no matter how much you usually love that song, the next 2-3 minutes are torture, as you watch your dancers fumble through and you start hating every beat of that music. If this happens to you, it doesn't mean you're a bad DJ - you just made a mistake (though obviously the goal is to avoid these situations entirely). The trick is recovering. Look at your dancers and see if you can tell how they want to be dancing, even though the song is not letting them. More energy? Faster? More pulse? More traveling? Slower? Pick a song that will let them do that. And you'll have your dance floor back. It's all about paying attention and being perceptive.

New Thought: Artist of the Week #1: Erin Harpe and the Delta Swingers

2010-10-04T20:48:00.000-07:00

So I'm trying to branch out and discover more blues, which always works better when I have something concrete to hold onto. Thus, my newest attempt at a project: I want to feature a different blues artist every week. I'll probably focus more on local artists who are less well known, though I might venture into the historic too. It will depend entirely on my mood and what I'm listening to at the moment. But hopefully any readers will get something out of it too.

My honorary first artist of choice is Erin Harpe. Erin is a Boston local, and after hearing a lot about her from fellow DJs, I finally heard her perform at Johnny D's for the Boston Blues Challenge (the winner of which will go on to the International Blues Challenge 2010 in Memphis). I'm definitely keeping my fingers crossed for them - they were fantastic. Erin is the daughter of bluesman Neil Harpe, and started playing in her teens. I love her traditional fingerpicking style, and both her playing and her voice are strong enough to hold their own against any blues band. Check out her website here.

Also, here's a clip of her performing at the Boston Blues Challenge. You can see she filled the dance floor (including Gui and I dancing in the front). You can purchase her music from her website, or on Amazon.

Mississippi Delta Blues - Erin and Neil Harpe (Country Blues Duets)

Winnie the Wailer - Erin and Neil Harpe (Country Blues Duets)

Happy listening!

09-16-10

2010-09-17T10:02:00.000-07:00

Solomon Douglas at Blues Union
I DJ'd the band breaks for Solomon Douglas last night. It was pretty laid back, but a great crowd who all seemed to be having fun on the dance floor. What more can a DJ ask for?

-Fine Little Angel (take 1) - Lafayette Leake
-You Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had - Muddy Waters
-Me And My Baby And The Blues - Charlie Musselwhite
-False Friend Blues - Ruth Hall
____

-Sugar Blues - Preservation Hall Jazz Band
-Love Me Or Leave Me - The Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartet
-Springtime Blues - Billy Boy Arnold
-Lonesome Blues - Nathan James & Ben Hernandez

08-06-10

2010-08-09T13:40:00.001-07:00

I played a short set to kick off the Down Home Blues Festival in San Francisco this weekend. This one goes out to Keith:

-Down Home Blues - Satan and Adam
-Springtime Blues - Billy Boy Arnold
-Rain - Charlie Baty
-Gimme A Penny - Big Mama Thornton
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-Driving Wheel - Etta James
-Lord Don't Move The Mountain - Angela Strehli
-How Blue Can You Get - Brother Yusef

At a loss ...

2010-08-05T10:20:00.000-07:00

Keith Shapiro passed away last night. I did not know him well, but from those who did and my own impressions, not only was he a central part of the swing and blues community, but a loving father and husband, a wonderful friend, a great DJ, and generally an inspiring person to know. He co-hosted the podcast Confessing the Blues, where he brought his love for the blues to a worldwide community. He has definitely been an influence and inspiration in my own DJing, and my thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest in peace, Keith.

07-23-10

2010-07-24T14:13:00.000-07:00

FNB

I jumped in last minute to DJ at FNB, closing the night with a one hour set after an entire night of great music by the fabulous Linda Maxwell.

-You Got Me Running - Sugar Pie Desanto
-Love Me Or Leave Me - The Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartet
-Dark Sunshine - Dr Michael White
-Easy Blues - Lafayette Leake
-Sittin' & Cryin' the Blues - Willie Dixon & Memphis Slim
-My Handy Man Ain't Handy No More - Alberta Hunter
-I'll Be Your Sweet Black Angel - Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women
-Come On In My Kitchen - Porterdavis
-Another Man Done Gone - Irma Thomas
-Driving Wheel - Etta James
-Blues for Angel - Soul Miner's Daughter
-In the Morning Blues - Ike & Tina Turner
-Six O'Clock Blues - Eric Bibb
-That's Why I'm Crying - Koko Taylor
-Pussycat Moan - Katie Webster

07-19-10

2010-07-20T13:18:00.000-07:00

Shades of Blues (alt)

Had a blast DJing the night with Whitton Frank - she is still one of my favorite DJs to play with, and our sets always flow seamlessly. We each played 45 minute sets, and transitioned with 3-song trades. Check out Whitton's (DJ Lil'Red) setlists here

-Come On In My Kitchen - Chris Thomas King

-Flesh and Blood - The Waifs

-In The Mood for Memphis - Reni Simon

-Get Back Temptation - Ollabelle

-When the Lights Go Out - The Black Keys

-Mercy On Me - Christina Aguilera

-Let's Burn Down the Cornfield - Etta James

-Black Night - John Lee Hooker

-Blues in the Night - Ledisi

-Dark Sunshine - Dr Michael White

-Last Call - Ronnie Magri & His New Orleans Jazz Band

____

-Muddy Water Blues - Paul Rodgers

-She's Gonna Take Sick and Die - Collard Greens & Gravy

-Please Mr Jailer - Wynona Carr

____

-O Death - Tangle Eye

-So Long I'll See Ya - Tom Waits

-Back Back Train - Aerosmith

____

-100 Days, 100 Nights - Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings

-I Put A Spell On You - Kim Nalley

-Can't Stop Thinking About You - Martin Sexton

I made an observation/realization last night. For a while now, I've seen "fusion" and blues dancing to alternative music rise in popularity. It seems as though most people are not interested in blues music any more, and as a blues DJ who plays because I love the music, I see that with a certain sadness. DJing wouldn't mean the same thing to me if I was playing a different style of music, because when you get right down to it, blues, with all its wailing, grit and soul is what makes me move and what makes me happy. But last night, I think my fears were laid to rest a little bit. Shades is an alternative blues venue, and I know many DJs that play there push themselves to find new songs or play more in fusion/pop styles than blues. Though Whitton and I were a lot more liberal with our definitions of "blues" than I know I normally am, the truth of it is that both of us played blues sets. And the dance floor loved it.

I think a lot of what DJs are struggling with currently is identity. As the music that is "allowed" at a dance expands and we have more and more choices, it's hard to find an identity for yourself as a DJ. One thing I've found works well for me is to be decisive in my sets. If I try to cover too much ground and make everybody happy, my set will sound disjointed and I will most likely lose my dancers. Usually I pick 2-3 styles and move through those within the set, making sure that my transitions are easy to follow and I don't leave my dancers behind. And regardless of where I play, my foundation starts in blues music. Not only does this approach help me ground myself and feel more confident, but I find that it makes my sets more memorable to dancers, which definitely helps.

07-01-10

2010-07-20T12:57:00.000-07:00

Blues Union

Sorry for the hiatus - finishing up college and preparing for the move to Boston has put my DJing on the back burner for a while. But I'm back now, mostly, and hoping to get in a few sets before I move away. Here is the setlist from Blues Union when I went out to visit Boston

-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-National Steel - Colin James
-Get Back Temptation - Ollabelle
-Blues Is My Wailin' Wall - Mighty Mo Rodgers
-Deep in the Delta - Brother Yusef
-Nobody's Fault - Rising Appalachia
-Come On In My Kitchen - Crooked Still
-Let's Burn Down the Cornfield - Etta James
-Bonnie & Clyde in D Minor - Chris Thomas King
-Please Mr Jailer - Wynona Carr
-I'll Be Your Sweet Black Angel - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-Do I Move You - Nina Simone
-People Grinnin' In Your Face - Ruthie Foster
-Sugar Mama Blues - Snooky Pryor & Mel Brown
-Dust My Broom - Etta James
-Springtime Blues - Billy Boy Arnold

05-22-10

2010-05-23T00:47:00.000-07:00

Drop Dead Blues
DDB rocked tonight - the dance floor stayed full, and everyone was on. The DJs played great music and the dancers were all having a blast. I had some of the hottest dances I've had in a long time, and was really happy with my set. :-)

-Sugar Mama Blues - Snooky Pryor and Mel Brown
-No Need Pissin' on a Skunk - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-Another Man Done Gone - Irma Thomas
-I Put A Spell On You - Nina Simone
-Let's Burn Down the Cornfield - Etta James
-Muddy Water Blues - Paul Rodgers
-Death Came A-Knockin' - Ruthie Foster
-Nobody's Fault - Rising Appalachia
-Can't Be Satisfied - Porterdavis
-Mr Siegal - Tom Waits
-You Got Me Running - Sugar Pie Desanto, Sunnyland Slim
-Short Dressed Woman - Lafayette Leake
-Sittin' & Crying' the Blues - Willie Dixon & Memphis Slim
-I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues - Diane Hoffman
-Sugar Blues - Preservation Hall Jazz Band
-Dark Sunshine - Dr Michael White
-Real Gone - Sam Taylor & His All-Star Jazz Band

Swing Interlude

2010-05-18T17:18:00.001-07:00

Lauren has been doing a 5-song featured set at Madonna Inn recently, where every week she features a different person. This week was my turn, so here are the five songs I picked (some of my favorites, mostly due to various associations and the fact that I can't help but be happy when these songs are playing):

-Blues My Naughty Sweetie - Sidney Bechet
-Minor Swing - Django Reinhardt
-Sunny Side of the Street -Dawn Lambeth
-Solid as a Rock - Ella Fitzgerald
-I Can't Give You Anything But Love - Hot Club of Cowtown

05-09-10

2010-05-16T14:04:00.000-07:00

SLOX Sunday Main Dance
-Let's Burn Down the Cornfield - Charlie Musselwhite
-Blues in the Night - Ledisi
-You Can Leave Your Hat On - Etta James
-Big Lovin' Woman - Shemekia Copeland
-I'll Be Your Sweet Black Angel - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-Muddy Water Blues - Paul Rodgers
-Blues for Angel - Soul miner's Daughter
-Dark Clouds - Chris Thomas King
-Back Back Train - Aerosmith
-Fumblin' with the Blues - Tom Waits
-O Death - Tangle Eye
-Voodoo Chile - Gabriel Rios
-Come Rain or Come Shinw - BB King & Eric Clapton
-Six O'Clock Blues - Eric Bibb

05-08-10

2010-05-16T14:01:00.000-07:00

SLOX Saturday Main Dance
-Down in the Swamp - Tab Benoit
-Driving Wheel - Etta James
-Sugarman - Kid Jonny Lang & The Big Bang
-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-Worried Now - Collard Greens & Gravy
-Ruby Mae - Snooky Pryor & Mel Brown
-Oreo Cookie Blues - Lonnie Mack
-Lonesome Blues - Nathan James & Ben Hernandez
-Deep in the Delta - Brother Yusef
-Keep Your Hands Off Her - The Black Keys
-Sweet Home Chicago - Taj Mahal
-In the Morning Blues - Ike & Tina Turner

05-07-10

2010-05-16T13:58:00.000-07:00

SLOX Friday Main Dance
-Saga of Bill Bailey - Nancy Wilson
-Sugar Blues - Preservation Hall Jazz Band
-Another Man Done Gone - Irma Thomas
-My Road Lies in Darkness - Charlie Musselwhite
-Bonnie & Clyde in D Minor - Chris Thomas King
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your spirit Down - Eric Bibb
-100 Days, 100 Nights - Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings
-I Just Want to Make Love to You - Etta James
-Love Me or Leave Me - The Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartet
-That's Why I'm Crying - Koko Taylor

SLOX Friday Late Night
-Follow the Drinking Gourd - Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir, Eric Bibb
-Do I Move You? - Nina Simone
-Lord, Don't Move the Mountain - Angela Strehli
-How Come My Dog Don't Bark (When You Come Around) - Dr John
-No Need Pissin' On A Skunk - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-Please Mr Jailer - Wynona Carr
-Short Dressed Woman - Lafayette Leake
-Sugar Mama - Billy Boy Arnold
-Come On in My Kitchen - Porterdavis
-Color-Blind Angel - Robin Rogers
-Flesh and Blood - The Waifs
-Tell Me More and More and Then Some - Nina Simone

05-01-10

2010-05-02T10:36:00.000-07:00

Drop Dead Blues

-Saga of Bill Bailey - Nancy Wilson
-Decoration Day - Sunnyland Slim
-I'll Be Your Sweet Black Angel - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-Do I Move You? - Nina Simone
-Another Man Done Gone - Irma Thomas
-Nobody's Fault - Rising Appalachia
-Come On In My Kitchen - Crooked Still
-Fumblin' with the Blues - Tom Waits
-Sugar Mama Blues - Snooky Pryor & Mel Brown
-You Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had - Muddy Waters
-Sittin' & Cryin' The Blues - Willie Dixon & Memphis Slim
-100 Days, 100 Nights - Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
-In the Mood for Memphis - Reni Simon
-Bump and Grind - Denise Lasalle

For those of you living under a rock

2010-04-23T13:51:00.000-07:00

I realized I never mentioned one of my most consistent blues-related enjoyments currently. With my thesis eating my soul and me gearing up for graduation, I have very little free time, which means I don't necessarily get to research as much music as I would like to. Enter Keith Shapiro and Jonathan Pechon, DJs from Austin and Dallas, respectively, who started a podcast about blues music for dancers (and DJs) roughly 8 or 9 months ago. Each month, they spend 70+ minutes sharing music (most of which has been unfamiliar to me), upcoming events, thoughts on various aspects of the social dance scene, DJing for blues dancers, and the history and tradition of blues music, and feedback from blues and dance enthusiasts from all over the world. It's a great way to keep my finger on the pulse of the dance scene until I have more time and energy to get my DJing back into full swing (or blues ... badum tshh :-P).

Check out Confessing the Blues

04-14-10

2010-04-18T14:12:00.000-07:00

Drop Dead Blues

-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-Lord, Don't Move the Mountain - Angela Strehli
-My Road Lies in Darkness - Charlie Musselwhite
-Red Rooster - Howling Wolf and Muddy Waters
-National Steel - Colin James
-Deep in the Delta - Brother Yusef
-Sunshine in the Shade - Satan and Adam
-I'll Be Your Sweet Black Angel - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-Love Me or Leave Me - The jimmy Cotton Blues Quartet
-Another Man Done Gone - Irma Thomas
-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-Sun Dirt Water - The Waifs
-O Death - Tangle Eye
-Son of a Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield
-Blues in the Night - Ledisi

Why I love Blues

2010-04-09T17:05:00.000-07:00

I ran across a thought today, and it beautifully summed up how I feel about blues dancing. I don't actually know the person who said it, but I hope she doesn't mind me passing it on:

"Isn't blues dancing just the physical celebration of Living despite how much pain and heartache we experience day to day? ...Blues 'aesthetic' is nothing without augmenting each move with a tempered sense of loss and of aging, a willingness to express aggression and even anger, a broken agreement to relive sorrow, but also a decision of optimism to explore joy, find a new romance, and carry a bold sense of confidence into each spontaneous (yet intentional) move and twist of the body? Personally, my favorite part of the spirit of blues, is simply holding someone else close--and with my eyes closed, gladly sighing with the sense that everything's gonna be alright."
-Amanda Lorenz

3-26-10

2010-03-28T14:21:00.000-07:00

Boston House Party
Paul hosted a house party on Friday, which was a lot of fun. I started out the night, and just kinda kept throwing music on until someone else decided to take over. One of my favorite things about this house party is that for once, it was a throwback to the house parties where we still played blues through the whole night. I miss that. Here's the set:

-Converted - Nathan James & Ben Hernandez
-Oreo Cookie Blues - Lonnie Mack
-People Grinnin' In Your Face - Ruthie Foster
-How Come My Dog Don't Bark (When You Come Around) - Dr John
-No Need Pissin' On A Skunk - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-If I Can't Sell It, I'll Keep Sittin' On It - Ruth Brown
-Long John Blues - Michelle Wilson
-Come Rain or Come Shine - BB King & Eric Clapton
-Dark Sunshine - Dr Michael White
-My Handy Man Ain't Handy No More - Alberta Hunter
-Who Will Comfort Me - Melody Gardot
-Nobody's Fault - Rising Appalachia
-Sun Dirt Water - The Waifs
-Follow the Drinking Gourd - Linda Tillery and Cultural Heritage Choir, Eric Bibb
-Elijah Rock - Ollabelle
-Wade in the Water - The Blind Boys of Alabama
-Do I Move You? - Nina Simone
-Lonesome Blues - Nathan James & Ben Hernandez
-Love In Vain - Keb Mo
-Dark Clouds - Chris Thomas King
-Steamroller Blues - Soul Miner's Daughter
-You Can Leave Your Hat On - Etta James
-Summertime - Renee Olstead
-I Idolize You - Lizz Wright

3-25-10

2010-03-28T13:53:00.000-07:00

Blues Union (Boston)

Paul and I taught the classes at Blues Union, and then I DJed the second half of the night. I had a great time, even though attendance was down because of Boston Tea Party.

-Love Me Like a Man - Bonnie Raitt
-Lord, Don't Move the Mountain - Angela Strehli
-Got My Mojo Workin' - Asylum Street Spankers
-Flesh and Blood - The Waifs
-Color-Blind Angel - Robin Rogers
-Back Back Train - Aerosmith
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-I Just Want To Make Love To You - Etta James
-Give Me One Reason - Tracy Chapman
-Muddy Water Blues - Paul Rodgers
-O Death - Tangle Eye
-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-Tell Me More and More and Then Some - Nina Simone
-Harlem Nocturne - Sam Taylor & his All Star Jazz Band
-Black Night - John Lee Hooker

03-13-10

2010-03-14T13:39:00.000-07:00

Drop Dead Blues

This set was fun to DJ, though it took me until about the fourth song to figure out the dancefloor. It seemed like mostly new dancers and I could not for the life of me figure out what they wanted. This was as on-the-fly as my DJing has gotten. I was also psyched from watching Laney DJ FNB on Friday - she rocked the house.

-Last Call - Ronnie Magri & His New Orleans Jazz Band

-How Come My Dog Don't Bark (When You Come Around) - Dr. John

-Another Man Done Gone - Irma Thomas

-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur

-Follow the Drinking Gourd - Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir, Eric Bibb

-Sun Dirt Water - The Waifs

-100 Days, 100 Nights - Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings

-Have Mercy - Shemekia Copeland

-Give Me One Reason - Tracy Chapman

-In the Mood for Memphis - Reni Simon

-Lord, Don't Move the Mountain - Angela Strehli

-Blues Is My Wailin' Wall - Mighty Mo Rodgers

-Bump and Grind - Denise Lasalle

-Summertime - Renee Olstead

-Death Came A-Knockin' - Ruthie Foster

03-06-10

2010-03-07T03:01:00.000-08:00

Drop Dead Blues

Had a kickass set tonight, I love making people dance! Had a regular one hour set, then jumped back in at the end of the night to trade twos with Mark.

-Petite Fleur - Sidney Bechet
-Tombstone Blues - Ronnie Magri & His New Orleans Jazz Band
-Summertime - Renee Olstead
-Rock me Baby - Etta James
-Blues Is My Wailin' Wall - Mighty Mo Rodgers
-Follow the Drinking Gourd - Eric Bibb, Linda Tillery & The Cultural Heritage Choir
-Color-Blind Angel - Robin Rogers
-Come On In My Kitchen - Porterdavis
-Love Me Like A Man - Bonnie Raitt
-Please Mr Jailer - Wynona Carr
-The Hole - The Soul of John Black
-Voodoo Chile - Gabriel Rios
-Tell Me More and More and Then Some - Nina Simone
-Pussycat Moan - Katie Webster
____

-Black Night - John Lee Hooker
-Let's Burn Down the Cornfield - Etta James
____

-Can't Stop Thinking About You - Martin Sexton
-Elijah Rock - Ollabelle

To pay or not to pay ...

2010-02-24T14:40:00.000-08:00

As a DJ, I've struggled with this whole grey area of payment. Do I set a price and refuse to work if it's not met? Do I accept whatever people choose or decide to give me, and be glad of the opportunity? Or do I try to figure out some other system. As my experience has changed and my expertise grown, this outlook has shifted slightly. As a new DJ, I was happy to play anywhere no matter whether I got paid or not. It was great to be a part of an event and have the opportunity to get my name out there. As a whole, that attitude is still true. If I didn't enjoy DJing, I wouldn't be doing it. It's something I'm passionate about, and I definitely do not do it primarily for the money.

Having said that, here's the catch. I do believe DJs should be getting paid for their time. Most organizers do pay their DJs, but some don't, choosing instead to see free entrance to the event as apt payment. I think on principle, I disagree with this. Unfortunately, I don't think most people realize the amount of time, energy and money that goes into being a DJ. We tend to be misrepresented as people who show up, day of, with our laptops, sit down at a desk and throw on a playlist. Far from it. Some DJs might function that way, but I know many (myself included) that pride themselves on their knowledge of music and skill at moving a dance floor. The sad story is that DJs at their best go unnoticed, because it's not about putting yourself in the limelight, it's about creating an experience for your dancers, and the more you push yourself to recognition, the more you interrupt the dance experience.
But lets break it down a little, and figure out why DJs should be getting paid.

Money: Acquiring music is expensive business. In a time when everyone trades and downloads music for free, it's easy to forget that a lot of DJs still pay for their music, especially when the music we DJ is not widely known or available. Also, while being comped into an event lifts that expense burden, DJs travel extensively to attend the events they are hired for, and rarely are they compensated for their travel expenses. Often, even if DJs get paid, what they are paid doesn't even cover the cost of travel.

Time: When we DJ, we don't show up at the event, throw down our laptop and magically play a great set. Most of us spend hours getting to know our music, researching and finding more great music to play. We put in our time consistently, not just at events. Also, depending on how much I DJ at an event, I tend to dance a lot less.

Effort: Being a good DJ is hard work. It's stressful. Before a set, I am consistently listening to the current DJ in the room, taking note of their style, the direction they are going in, and making sure I know what they played so I don't accidentally repeat songs. This means I don't get to show up late (or right before my set), I pride myself on being on time, being ready to go before it is necessary, and being flexible. If you hire me as a DJ, I see my job as making sure you have a great event with great music. If you need to shuffle me around or call on me in an emergency, I do my best to help you out. My job is to provide you with good music and help you to make your event run smoothly. When I DJ, I do my best to watch the dancefloor, be aware of what's going on and respond accordingly.

For these reasons, I think it is important that DJs start getting paid consistently. I'm not saying break your bank on us. It's not about the money - what I make as a DJ barely reimburses me for travel expenses, let alone the time and money I spend on my music. But that's ok. I do it because I love it. However, not paying your DJs devalues their efforts and expertise, and we feel more like a friend doing you a favor than a legitimate DJ providing a valued service. In the end, this will hurt the organizer most: I am less likely to hold myself to professional standards when I am not being treated as a professional.

I want to make it clear that this is not a black and white opinion. There are many events that I would choose to work for "free" (just getting comped), either because the event is small and doesn't have the resources, or because it is large enough that I don't feel I have the level of experience and reputation to offset the opportunity and exposure that DJing such an event would give me. But I would love it if more people recognized the amount of effort and passion DJs put into their jobs to consistently provide the dance scene with great music.

02-12-10

2010-02-17T23:09:00.000-08:00

Dexter and Michelle taught a workshop this past weekend, and it was such a great event. We kicked it off with a House Party, of which I DJed the first couple of hours. The classes were great, and taking them as well as a private with Dexter jumped my dancing (or at least the way I think about my dancing) to the next level. I'm excited to start really working on the things that were brought to my attention. Much of it has to do with using my body fully when I dance, initiating every movement from my core and following through all of my movements. I hope really working on these concepts will make my dancing much more powerful.

Here is my set from the house party:
-Blues in the Night - Ledisi
-Dr Feelgood - Aretha Franklin
-I'll Be Your Sweet Black Angel - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-Back Back Train - Aerosmith
-Come on in My Kitchen - Porterdavis
-Flesh and Blood - The Waifs
-Hot Potato - Circus Contraption
-How Come My Dog Don't Bark (When You Come Around) - Dr John
-Pussycat Moan - Katie Webster
-Death Came A-Knockin' - Ruthie Foster
-Lord, Don't Move the Mountain - Angela Strehli
-Get Back Temptation - Ollabelle
-2' Left to the Ceiling - Seth Walker
-Black Water - Charlie Musselwhite
-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-So Low - Big Bones
-Broken Toy - Jason Ricci & New Blood
-Blues 2.0 - Fruteland Jackson
-Tragic - JJ Grey & Mofro
-Oh Lady Be Good - Ray Brown Trio
-Mo' Better Blues - Gordon Webster Trio
-Black Night - John Lee Hooker
-Six O'Clock Blues - Eric Bibb
-That's Why I'm Crying - Koko Taylor
-In the Morning Blues - Ike & Tina Turner
-Can't Stop Thinking About You - Martin Sexton
-In the Mississippi River - Mavis Staples
-I Idolize You - Lizz Wright
-Sinkin' Soon - Norah Jones
-Summertime - Angelique Kidjo
-Little Wing - Stevie Ray Vaughan

01-30-10

2010-01-31T14:15:00.000-08:00

Tri-Dance Masquerade

Tim O'Neill and Whitton Frank came up to SLO to teach the lessons, and Mark Carpenter, Whitton Frank and I DJed the night. Started with one hour sets and then went into trading sets of three. Something about Whitton coming into town just guarantees a night of good music.

-Flesh and Blood - The Waifs
-Get Back Temptation - Ollabelle
-National Steel - Colin James
-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-Burn Down the Cornfield - Charlie Musselwhite
-Paris, Texas - Greg Szlapczynski
-Got My Mojo Workin' - Asylum Street Spankers
-No Need Pissin' On A Skunk - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-Deep in the Delta - Brother Yusef
-Come On In My Kitchen - Porterdavis
-Black Rattler - Carl Sonny Leyland Trio feat. Nathan James and Ben Hernandez
-Tombstone Blues - Ronnie Magri & His New Orleans Jazz Band
-Tell Me More And More And Then Some - Nina Simone
-Silver Bird - Collard Greens & Gravy
-So Long I'll See Ya - Tom Waits
-Back Back Train - Aerosmith
____

-Listen My Son - The Unseen Guest
-Tragic - JJ Grey & Mofro
-Color-Blind Angel - Robin Rogers
____

-Black Water - Charlie Musselwhite
-Down in Mississippi - Mavis Staples
-Be My Husband - Nina Simone
____

-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-Lord, Don't Move the Mountain - Angela Strehli
-Black Night - John Lee Hooker
____

-Blues in the Night - Ledisi
-Voodoo Chile - Gabriel Rios

01-16-10

2010-01-17T01:29:00.000-08:00

Drop Dead Blues
Erika Schmidt was visiting which brought a whole new level of awesomeness to our scene. Such a great turnout, and the dance floor stayed consistently full.

-That's Why I'm Crying - Koko Taylor
-Six O'Clock Blues - Eric Bibb
-So Low - Big Bones
-Color-Blind Angel - Robin Rogers
-Driving Wheel - Etta James
-Come Home Blues - Jennifer Nettles Band
____

-Tell Me More And More And Then Some - Nina Simone
-Black Rattler - Carl Sonny Leyland Trio feat. Nathan James and Ben Hernandez
-Elijah Rock - Ollabelle
-Sun Dirt Water - The Waifs
-Tragic - JJ Grey & Mofro
-The Hole - The Soul of John Black
-Memories of a Good Time - Nublues
-Come On In My Kitchen - Crooked Still
-Burn Down the Cornfield - Charlie Musselwhite

01-09-10

2010-01-17T01:19:00.000-08:00

Drop Dead Blues

-Ruby Mae - Snooky Pryor & Mel Brown
-Down Home Blues - Etta James
-All Over You - Jim Byrnes
-The Hole - The Soul of John Black
-Lord, Don't Move the Mountain - Angela Strehli
-Flesh and Blood - The Waifs
-Deep in the Delta - Brother Yusef
-You Got Me Running - Sugar Pie Desanto
-If I Can't Sell It, I'll Keep Sittin' On It - Ruth Brown
-Death Came A-Knockin' - Ruthie Foster
-Burn Down the Cornfield - Charlie Musselwhite

12-21-09

2009-12-22T12:03:00.000-08:00

Shades of Blues
-False Friend Blues - Ruth Brown
-Blues in the Night - Ledisi
-Dog Eat Dog - Little Charlie & the Nightcats
-Love Me or Leave Me - The Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartet
-So Long I'll See Ya - Tom Waits
-Flesh and Blood - The Waifs
-Alice - Patti Plinko And Her Boy
-Voodoo Chile - Gabriel Rios
-Bonnie & Clyde in D Minor - Chris Thomas King
-Lord, Don't Move the Mountain - Angela Strehli
-Get Back Temptation - Ollabelle
-Home - Marc Broussard
-Mercy - Duffy
-Tell Me More And More And Then Some - Nina Simone
-Ocean of Tears - Ruthie Foster
-Come On In My Kitchen - Porterdavis
-When The Lights Go Out - The Black Keys
-Every Planet We Reach is Dead - Gorillaz
-Cornbread Fish and Collard Greens - Anthony Hamilton
-Knockin' - Luminescent Orchestrii
-I Idolize You - Lizz Wright
-Bad Seraphim - Alien Fashion Show
-Summertime - Angelique Kidjo

12-12-09

2009-12-13T01:40:00.000-08:00

Drop Dead Blues
-Alice - Patti Plinko & Her Boy
-Come On In My Kitchen - Crooked Still
-Flesh and Blood - The Waifs
-When The Lights Go Out - The Black Keys
-Home - Marc Broussard
-Lord, Don't Move The Mountain - Angela Strehli
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
____

-Blues for Mama - Nina Simone
-Blues in the Night - Ledisi
-Tombstone Blues - Ronnie Magri & His New Orleans Jazz Band
-That's Why I'm Crying - Koko Taylor
-I'll Be Your Sweet Black Angel - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-No Regrets - Porterdavis
-Back Back Train - Aerosmith
-Burn Down the Cornfield - Charlie Musselwhite

12-05-09

2009-12-06T17:08:00.000-08:00

Chris and Campbell Workshop, LA

-Blues in the Night - Ledisi
-Dog Eat Dog - Little Charlie & The Nightcats
-Dark Clouds - Chris Thomas King
-Burn Down the Cornfield - Charlie Musselwhite
-Flesh and Blood - The Waifs
-So Long I'll See Ya - Tom Waits
-Tell Me More and More and Then Some - Nina Simone
-Got Me Runnin' - Brother Yusef
-No Need Pissin' On A Skunk - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-If I Can't Sell It, I'll Keep Sittin' On It - Ruth Brown
-Last Call - Ronnie Magri & His New Orleans Jazz Band
-Come On In My Kitchen - Crooked Still
-Got My Mojo Workin' - Asylum Street Spankers
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Black, Maria Muldaur
-In The Mood for Memphis - Reni Simon
-Lord, Don't Move the Mountain - Angela Strehli
-In the Mississippi River - Mavis Staples
-Hot Potato - Circus Contraption

11-21-09

2009-11-22T22:59:00.000-08:00

The Rent Party

-Blues In The Night - Ledisi
-Tombstone Blues - Ronnie Magri & His New Orleans Jazz Band
-Love Me Or Leave Me - The Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartet
-She's Gonna Take Sick and Die - Collard Greens & Gravy
-Deep in the Delta - Brother Yusef
-National Steel - Colin James
-Cause I Love You - Mike Morgan and the Crawl
-Red Rooster - Brother Yusef
-Rain - Charlie Baty
-Burn Down the Cornfield - Charlie Musselwhite
-Color-Blind Angel - Robin Rogers
-Sun Dirt Water - The Waifs
-People Grinnin' In Your Face - Ruthie Foster
-Come On In My Kitchen - Crooked Still
-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-Blues for Mama - Nina Simone
-Sittin' & Cryin' the Blues - Willie Dixon & Memphis Slim
-Big Long Sliding Thing - Dinah Washington
-Black Night - John Lee Hooker
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-In The Mood For Memphis - Reni Simon
-Elijah Rock - Ollabelle
-Silver Bird - Collard Greens & Gravy
-So Low - Big Bones
-Steamroller Blues - Soul Miner's Daughter
-Pussycat Moan - Katie Webster

The * Workshop

2009-11-15T21:45:00.000-08:00

The Dream Team struck hard this weekend - Cid Galicia, Whitton Frank and myself DJ'd the afterhours for the SLO * Workshop, and rocked the house. Instead of taking the traditional one hour set, we went all night trading 3-song sets back and forth. I haven't been that inspired in a long time. We filled the room, kept people dancing, and I actually heard from someone that they were using the lindy room to "cool down" from the blues room. It was a ridiculous partay. Here are my contributions:

11-13-09 (Friday Night)
- Falling Out of Love - Mary Gauthier
-She Ain't For Nobody - Roosevelt Sykes
-Rock Me - Muddy Waters
____

-She's Gonna Take Sick and Die - Collard Greens & Gravy
-Summertime - Angelique Kidjo
-John the Revelator - Gov't Mule
-St James Infirmary - Creed Taylor Orchestra
____

-Black Rattler - Carl Sonny Leyland Trio feat. Nathan James and Ben Hernandez
-Come On In My Kitchen - Porterdavis
-Rain - Charlie Baty
-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
____

-Pussycat Moan - Katie Webster

11-14-09
-Sun Dirt Water - The Waifs
-In the Missisisippi - Mavis Staples
-In the Mood for Memphis - Reni Simon
____

-Alice - Patti Plinko and Her Boy
-Elijah Rock - Ollabelle
-People Grinnin' In Your Face - Ruthie Foster
____

-Rosewood - Cassandra Wilson
-Last Call - Ronnie Magri & His New Orleans Jazz Band
-Paris, Texas - Greg Szlapczynski
____

-When the Lights Go Out - The Black Keys
-Every Planet We Reach is Dead - Gorillaz
-Be My Husband - Nina Simone
____

-Harlem Nocturne - Sam Taylor & His All Star Jazz Band
-Black Night - John Lee Hooker
-Burn Down the Cornfield - Charlie Musselwhite
____

-Voodoo Chile - Gabriel Rios
-St James Infirmary - Collard Green & Gravy

10-24-09

2009-10-26T22:51:00.000-07:00

Drop Dead Blues

-You Got Me Running - Sugar Pie Desanto
-Down Home Blues - Satan and Adam
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-I Just Want To Make Love To You - Etta James
-This Little Light of Mine - Mavis Staples
-Got My Mojo Workin' - Asylum Street Spankers
-Paris, Texas - Greg Slapczynski
-Burn Down The Cornfield - Charlie Musselwhite
-She's Gonna Take Sick and Die - Collard Greens & Gravy
-People Grinnin' In Your Face - Ruthie Foster
-Come On In My Kitchen - Chris Thomas King
-Voodoo Chile - Gabriel Rios
-Blues For Mama - Nina Simone

10-17-09

2009-10-20T12:05:00.000-07:00

Blues Muse

I had such a great time in Philadelphia this weekend - so many awesome people in such a great city. Definitely my favorite event in a while. Here is my set from the Saturday Late Night:

-You Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had - Muddy Waters
-Decoration Day - Billy Boy Arnold
-Love Me Or Leave Me - The Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartet
-Down Home Blues - Satan and Adam
-I Just Want To Make Love To You - Etta James
-I Think She's Pretty - Big Bones
-Come Home Blues - Jennifer Nettles Band
-Down at JJs - Anson Funderburgh and The Rockets
-Come On in My Kitchen - Porterdavis
-Deep in the Delta - Brother Yusef
-Black Rattler - Carl Sonny Leyland Trio feat. Nathan James and Ben Hernandez
-No Need Pissin' On A Skunk - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-You Got Me Running - Sugar Pie Desanto
-Ruby Mae - Snooky Pryor & Mel Brown

10-03-09

2009-10-04T23:45:00.000-07:00

The Rent Party

-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag You Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-I Just Want To Make Love To You - Etta James
-Ruby Mae - Snooky Pryor & Mel Brown
-She's Gonna Take Sick And Die - Collard Greens & Gravy
-I'll Be Your Sweet Black Angel - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-Got My Mojo Workin' - Asylum Street Spankers
-Deep In The Delta - Brother Yusef
-Come On In My Kitchen - Porterdavis
-Dangerous Mood - Keb Mo
-Sugarman - Kid Jonny Lan & The Big Bang
-In The Mood For Memphis - Reni Simon
-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-Do I Move You? - Nina Simone
-Ocean Of Tears - Ruthie Foster

09-26-09

2009-09-28T20:05:00.000-07:00

Drop Dead Blues

-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-Ruby Mae - Snooky Pryor & Mel Brown
-Deep in the Delta - Brother Yusef
-Come On In My Kitchen - Chris Thomas King
-Give Me One Reason - Tracy Chapman
-In the Mississippi - Mavis Staples
-Dangerous Mood - Keb Mo
-Six O'Clock Blues - Eric Bibb
-Do I Move You - Nina Simone
-Penny Candy - Porterdavis
-I Think She's Pretty - Big Bones
-Black Water - Charlie Musselwhite

09-19-09

2009-09-20T18:01:00.001-07:00

Drop Dead Blues

And we're back to routine ... as much as I will ever have a routine.

-So Low - Big Bones
-Six O'Clock Blues - Eric Bibb
-Tombstone Blues - Ronnie Magri & His New Orleans Jazz Band
-Blues for Mama - Nina Simone
-Love Me Or Leave Me - The Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartett
-Easy Blues - Lafayette Leake
-Son of a Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield
-In the Mood for Memphis - Reni Simon
-Hot Potato - Circus Contraption
-Voodoo Chile - Gabriel Rios
-Rosewood - Cassandra Wilson
-St James Infirmary - Collard Greens & Gravy

Porterdavis

2009-09-18T23:29:00.001-07:00

Officially my favorite blues band currently, Porterdavis is a band local to Austin, Texas. Their sound is markedly percussive, with mindblowing harmonica riffs. Doesn't get much better. They just came out with a new album, which has serious promise. Check them out on their website (and preview their entire album): www.loveporterdavis.com

09-14-09

2009-09-18T23:24:00.000-07:00

Shades of Blues - SFLX Afterparty

-Can't See the Hook - Kinsey Report
-Damn Right I've Got the Blues - Buddy Guy
-I Think She's Pretty - Big Bones
-You Got Me Running - Sugar Pie Desanto
-No Need Pissing On A Skunk - Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women
-Dangerous Mood - Keb Mo
-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-In The Mood For Memphis - Reni Simon
-Down In Mississippi - Mavis Staples
-Mercy - Duffy
-Got My Mojo Workin' - Asylum Street Spankers
-Come On In My Kitchen - Porterdavis
-Burn Down the Cornfield - Charlie Musselwhite
-Summertime - Angelique Kidjo

09-05-09

2009-09-07T00:45:00.000-07:00

Drop Dead Blues

Chelsea and I traded sets of two for the entire night. Good fun. Not much dancing though.

-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb
-Deep in the Delta - Brother Yusef
-She's Gonna Take Sick and Die - Collard Greens & Gravy
____

-Down Home Blues - Etta James
-Come On In My Kitchen - Porterdavis
____

-Elijah Rock - Ollabelle
-Burn Down The Cornfield - Charlie Musselwhite
____

-Black Night - John Lee Hooker
-Blues for Mama - Nina Simone
____

-Go Back To Your Used To Be - Jesse Mae Hemphill
-Oreo Cookie Blues - Lonnie Mack
____

-In The Morning Blues - Ike & Tina Turner
-So Low - Big Bones
____

-Easy Blues - Lafayette Leake
-Stormy Blues - Billie Holiday
____

-Oh Lady Be Good - Ray Brown Trio
-Summertime - Angelique Kidjo
-Alice - Patti Plinko and Her Boy

08-24-09

2009-08-25T15:02:00.000-07:00

Shades of Blues

-Dangerous Mood - Keb Mo
-You Got Me Running - Sugar Pie Desanto, Sunnyland Slim
-I Just Want To Make Love To You - Etta James
-Sunshine in the Shade - Satan and Adam
-No Regrets - Porterdavis
-Burn Down the Cornfield - Charlie Musselwhite
-I Think She's Pretty - Big Bones
-Converted - Nathan James and Ben Hernandez
-In the Mississippi River - Mavis Staples
-In the Mood for Memphis - Reni Simon
-Elijah Rock - Ollabelle
-Blues for Mama - Nina Simone
-Come on in my Kitchen - Chris Thomas King
-Oreo Cookie Blues - Lonnie Mack
-I Put A Spell On You - Tab Benoit
-Woke Up This Morning - Alabama 3
-Bad Seraphim - Alien Fashion Show
-I Idolize You - Lizz Wright
-Six O'Clock Blues - Eric Bibb

08-15-09

2009-08-23T11:46:00.000-07:00

Drop Dead Blues

Two song trade sets with Cid and Mark. Fun times.

-Ruby Mae - Snooky Pryor & Mel Brown
-Deep in the Delta - Brother Yusef
____

-Drivin' Wheel - Earl Hooker
-Come On In My Kitchen - Porterdavis
____

-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb
-Got My Mojo Workin' - Asylum Street Spankers
____

-Help Me - Sonny Boy Williamson
-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
____

-In the Mood for Memphis - Reni Simon
-Elijah Rock - Ollabelle
____

-Down in the Swamp - Tab Benoit
-My Road Lies in Darkness - Charlie Musselwhite
____

-Bad Seraphim - Alien Fashion Show
-I Can't Stand the Rain - Ann Peebles
____

-St James Infirmary - Collard Greens & Gravy
-Tell Me More and More and Then Some - Nina Simone

08-11-09

2009-08-12T18:21:00.000-07:00

Beat the Blues, Berkeley

I had a blast with this set. Something about the energy was just right.

-Down in the Swamp - Tab Benoit
-My Road Lies In Darkness - Charlie Musselwhite
-You Got Me Running - Sugar Pie Desanto
-Help Me - Sonny Boy Williamson
-Deep in the Delta - Brother Yusef
-Be My Husband - Nina Simone
-In the Mississippi River - Mavis Staples
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-In the Mood for Memphis - Reni Simon
-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-Come On In My Kitchen - Porterdavis
-Paris, Texas - Greg Szlapczynski
-Tell Me More and More and Then Some - Nina Simone
-I'll Be Your Sweet Black Angel - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-She's Gonna Take Sick and Die - Collard Greens & Gravy
-Mr Siegal - Tom Waits
-Hot Potato - Circus Contraption
-Alice - Patti Plinko and Her Boy
-Voodoo Chile - Gabriel Rios

08-01-09

2009-08-03T23:46:00.000-07:00

Texas Housewarming Party

So I started the night, but the first 30 to 45 minutes really aren't worth talking about. I discovered (the hard way) that house parties are different when they're not in SLO. Different game plan required. So ... to really get the party started, Cid and I started trading songs. Here are my contributions:

-Cornbread Fish and Collard Greens - Anthony Hamilton
-Every Planet We Reach Is Dead - Gorillaz
-Hot Potato - Circus Contraption
-Mr Siegal - Tom Waits
-In the Mississippi River - Mavis Staples
-Real Gone - Sam Taylor & His All Star Jazz Band
-Deep in the Delta - Brother Yusef.

PS We owned that floor ...

07-31-09

2009-08-01T17:37:00.000-07:00

FNB

-Last Call - Ronnie Magri & His New Orleans Jazz Band
-Love Me Or Leave Me - The Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartet
-Ruby Mae - Snooky Pryor & Mel Brown
-I Just Want to Make Love to You - Etta James
-I Got the Blues - Brother Yusef
-Me And My Baby And The Blues - Charlie Musselwhite
-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-In The Mood For Memphis - Reni Simon
-Down in Mississippi - Mavis Staples
-Blues for Mama - Nina Simone
-Silver Bird - Collard Greens & Gravy
-Down in the Swamp - Tab Benoit
-Double Trouble - John Mayall
-Steamroller Blues - Soul Miner's Daughter
-Black Night - John Lee Hooker
____

-Real Gone - Sam Taylor & His All Star Jazz Band
-Down at JJs - Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets
-Blue Cat Blues - Crawl
-I'll Be Your Sweet Black Angel - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-Sugarman - Kid Johnny Lang & the Big Bang
-Six O'Clock Blues - Eric Bibb
-Blues All Night - Charlie Musselwhite
-Dark Clouds - Chris Thomas King
-Decoration Day - Billy Boy Arnold
-In the Morning Blues - Ike & Tina Turner
-After Hours - Boz Scaggs
-Tell Me More And More And Then Some - Nina Simone
-Rock Me Baby - Hubert Sumlin
-Come On In My Kitchen - Porterdavis

07-27-09

2009-07-28T17:46:00.000-07:00

Shades of Blues

Live music with Regina Pontillo, I DJed the band breaks.

-Petite Fleur - Sidney Bechet
-Purple Wail - Red Prysock
-I'll Be Your Sweet Black Angel - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-Love Me Or Leave Me - The Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartet
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
____

-Come On In My Kitchen - Porterdavis
-How Blue Can You Get - Brother Yusef
-Be My Husband - Nina Simone
-Converted - Nathan James & Ben Hernandez
-My Road Lies In Darkness - Charlie Musselwhite
____

-Ruby Mae - Snooky Pryor & Mel Brown
-Give Me One Reason - Tracy Chapman
-I Can't Stand The Rain - Ann Peebles
-Steamroller Blues - Soul Miner's Daughter
-Black Night - John Lee Hooker
-Tell Me More And More And Then Some - Nina Simone

Down Home Blues!!

2009-07-20T17:02:00.001-07:00

The event was a complete success in my book. I haven't hit my dancing that hard in a long time, and feel like I got one of those pushes to take my dancing to the next level. Mainly I focused on technique, especially being a lot more grounded and letting my follow lag more, as well as musicality and really exploring how much of my own style and interpretation I can bring to the dance. It's making dancing way more fun.

As for DJing - I had a one-hour slot at the Sunday main dance, and I feel really good about it. Met some of the other DJs, got to talk some music, and generally had a lot of fun. Highlight of the set: some lady asking me to play Amy Winehouse. You should have seen Damon's face.

Here's the set:

-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-Don't Ever let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb
-Deep in the Delta - Brother Yusef
-She's Gonna Take Sick and Die - Collard Greens & Gravy
-Down Home Blues - Satan and Adam
-I'll Be Your Sweet Black Angel - Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women
-Love Me or Leave Me - The Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartet
-Tombstone Blues - Ronnie Magri & His New Orleans Jazz Band
-Real Gone - Sam Taylor & His All Star Jazz Band
-Sanctuary - Charlie Musselwhite
-Red Rooster - Howling Wolf and Muddy Waters
-Down in the Swamp - Tab Benoit
-Driving Wheel - Etta James
-Sugarman - Kid Jonny Lang & The Big Bang
-Sugar Mama Blues - Snooky Pryor & Mel Brown

06-27-09

2009-06-28T14:31:00.000-07:00

Drop Dead Blues

-Folsom Prison Blues - Keb Mo
-Down Home Blues - Satan and Adam
-I Just Want To Make Love To You - Etta James
-Love Me Or Leave Me - The Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartet
-In The Morning Blues - Ike & Tina Turner
-Red Rooster - Brother Yusef
-Dangerous Mood - Keb Mo
-Mercy - Duffy
-Down in Mississippi - Mavis Staples
-When The Lights Go Out - The Black Keys
-St James Infirmary - Collard Greens & Gravy

Bonus Songs (1 song trade sets):
-Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
-Double Trouble - John Mayall

6-22-09

2009-06-25T15:34:00.000-07:00

Shades of Blues

Anna invited me to DJ at Shades, and it was a blast. Other than one slight hiccup, I think the set went really well. The venue focuses more on "turquoise" and alternative music (funk, R&B, soul, gospel, trip hop, etc), so it was fun to push myself to play a more varied set.

-Down in the Swamp - Tab Benoit
-She's Gonna Take Sick and Die - Collard Greens & Gravy
-Deep in the Delta - Brother Yusef
-I Just Want to Make Love to You - Etta James
-Sweet Home Chicago - Taj Mahal
-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-Answering Machine - Kinsey Report
-Give Me One Reason - Tracy Chapman
-Ruby Mae - Snooky Pryor & Mel Brown
-This Little Light of Mine - Mavis Staples
-Keep Your Hands Off Her - The Black Keys
-I'll Be Your Sweet Black Angel - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-Alice - Patti Plinko and Her Boy
-Tell Me More And More And Then Some - Nina Simone
-Hot Potato - Circus Contraption
-Black Rattler - The Carl Sonny Leyland Trio feat. Nathan James & Ben Hernandez
-Real Gone - Sam Taylor & His All Star Jazz Band
-My Road Lies in Darkness - Charlie Musselwhite
-Blues For Angel - Soul Miner's Daughter
-Voodoo Chile - Gabriel Rios
-Sentimientos - Andres Linetzky & Ernesto Romeo
-Every Planet We Reach Is Dead - Gorillaz
-I Idolize You - Lizz Wright
-Silver Bird - Collard Greens & Gravy

06-06-09

2009-06-07T11:34:00.000-07:00

Drop Dead Blues

-I'm Ready - Buddy Guy
-Dangerous Mood - Keb Mo
-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-My Road Lies In Darkness - Charlie Musselwhite
-How Blue Can You Get - Brother Yusef
-Sweet Home Chicago - Taj Mahal
-Alice - Patti Plinko and Her Boy
-Got My Mojo Workin' - Asylum Street Spankers
-Love Me Or Leave Me - The Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartet
-Down At J.J.'s - Anson Funderburgh and The Rockets
-New Orleans Bump - Jelly Roll Morton
-Voodoo Chile - Gabriel Rios

05-30-09

2009-05-31T17:09:00.000-07:00

Drop Dead Blues

So worth losing sleep to play this set. Had a blast.

-Hot Potato - Circus Contraption
-Real Gone - Sam Taylor & His All Star Jazz Band
-Stormy Blues - Billie Holiday
-Lonesome Blues - Nathan James & Ben Hernandez
-Oreo Cookie Blues - Lonnie Mack
-Deep in the Delta - Brother Yusef
-Keep Your Hands Off Her - The Black Keys
-Can't See The Hook - Kinsey Report
-Folsom Prison Blues - Keb Mo
-Silver Bird - Collard Greens & Gravy
-My Blues After Hours - Mojo Bluesband
-Black Night - John Lee Hooker
-Death Letter - Cassandra Wilson

Ruthie Foster

2009-05-27T01:34:00.000-07:00

Ruthie Foster played at Downtown Brew in SLO, so a few of us went to see her. Unfortunately, it was a 21+, and most of our college based scene couldn't go, but for those that could, it was amazing. She's got such a stage presence and her voice was incredibly powerful. It was a little weird to see an artist I DJ regularly and whose music I am so familiar with live. There were only five of us dancing, and we were definitely a generation younger than anyone else in the place, but we made it count.

05-23-09

2009-05-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

Drop Dead Blues

Finally back in the DJ groove! I felt like I was paying more attention and was more focused on my set, and definitely saw the difference on the dancefloor.

-Red Mud - Chris Thomas King
-Worried Now - Collard Greens and Gravy
-Ruby Mae - Snooky Pryor & Mel Brown
-Dr Blues - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-Black Rattler - The Carl Sonny Leyland Trio feat. Nathan James & Ben Hernandez
-Tell Me More and More and Then Some - Nina Simone
-In the Mississippi River - Mavis Staples
-Elijah Rock - Ollabelle
-Trouble in Mind - Aretha Franklin
-Come Home Blues - Jennifer Nettles Band
-Down in the Swamp - Tab Benoit
-Sweet Little Angel - Buddy Guy
-Voodoo Chile - Gabriel Rios

SLO Exchange

2009-05-18T14:52:00.000-07:00

05-15-09

Wasn't my best set ever - I was definitely distracted and trying to run an event didn't give me much time to set up my music beforehand. Still - it was an awesome night.

-Real Gone - Sam Taylor & His All Star Jazz
-She's Gonna Take Sick and Die - Collard Greens & Gravy
-Sugar Mama Blues - Snooky Pryor & Mel Brown
-You Got Me Running - Sugar Pie Desanto
-I Put A Spell On You - Tab Benoit
-Sugarman - Kid Johnny Lang & the Big Bang
-Stranded In Your Love - Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
-I Got the Blues - Otis Rush
-This Little Light of Mine - Mavis Staples
-Tell Me More and More and Then Some - Nina Simone
-Black Rattler - The Carl Sonny Leyland Trio feat. Nathan James & Ben Hernandez
-Bonnie & Clyde in D Minor - Chris Thomas King
-Joe Lee's Rock - Boy Blue, Willie Jones, Joe Lee
-Do My Thang - Collard Greens & Gravy
-Sanctified Blues - Satan and Adam
-I'll Be Your Sweet Black Angel - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-Sweet Home Chicago - Taj Mahal

05-02-09

2009-05-04T14:19:00.000-07:00

Drop Dead Blues
I didn't really like my set today. I had too much on my mind, so I was distracted and not really watching the dance floor. It got better towards the end of the set, but took me way too long to find my groove.

-Give Me One Reason - Tracy Chapman
-I Just Want To Make Love To You - Muddy Waters
-John the Revelator - Gov't Mule
-St. James Infirmary - Louis Armstrong
-Blues for Angel - Soul Miner's Daughter
-Bad Seraphim - Alien Fashion Show
-Mercy - Duffy
-In the Mississippi River - Mavis Staples
-The Mooche - Sidney Bechet
-Sunshine in the Shade - Satan and Adam
-Dr Feelgood - Aretha Franklin
-Why Should I Suffer with the Blues - Canes
-Double Trouble - John Mayall
-You Got Me Running - Sugar Pie Desanto

Finally!

2009-05-01T17:50:00.000-07:00

The song I have been referring to up until now as "Harmonica and Drums" is in fact called "Digging My Potato" by The Seatbelts from the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack. Thanks for the info, Whitton.

04-25-09

2009-05-01T17:40:00.000-07:00

Drop Dead Blues

-You Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had - Muddy Waters
-Oreo Cookie Blues - Lonnie Mack
-Sweet Home Chicago - Taj Mahal
-You Got Me Running - Sugar Pie Desanto, Sunnyland Slim
-Rocks in My Bed - Duke Ellington
-Bad Seraphim - Alien Fashion Show
-Sinkin' Soon - Norah Jones
-Oh Lady Be Good - Ray Brown Trio
-I'll Be Your Sweet Black Angel - Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women
-Got My Mojo Workin' - Asylum Street Spankers
-Sugar Mama Blues - Snooky Pryor & Mel Brown
-Bonnie & Clyde in D Minor - Chris Thomas King

Great artist

2009-04-21T17:57:00.000-07:00

So I (re)discovered an awesome jazz/blues band. I first listened to them on my trip to Switzerland last summer - they're a local band from Bern called the Lake Village Ramblers Jazz Band, and they just sound incredible. Their music is precise, detailed, and soulful. Their version of Tin Roof Blues (although 8 minutes long) is one of my favorites. I'm not sure if anyone can find them, since they're so small and local and foreign, but they are definitely worth checking out.

04-18-09

2009-04-21T17:51:00.001-07:00

Drop Dead Blues

-Burning Fire - Otis Spann's South Side Band
-You Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had - Muddy Waters
-I'll Be Your Sweet Black Angel - Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-Joe Lee's Rock - Boy Blue, Willie Jones, Joe Lee
-Trouble in Mind - Aretha Franklin
-I Got the Blues - Otis Rush
-Listen My Son - The Unseen Guest
-Heart Attack and Vine - Tom Waits
-Every Planet We Reach Is Dead - Gorillaz
-Voodoo Chile - Gabriel Rios
-Steamroller Blues - Soul Miner's Daughter
-Spoonful - Cream
-Love Me or Leave Me - The Jimmy Cotton Blues Band
-People Grinnin' In Your Face - Ruthie Foster

04-11-09

2009-04-15T20:27:00.000-07:00

Drop Dead Blues
Still sick, but at least I can DJ. Even dance a little.

-Heart Attack and Vine - Tom Waits
-You Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had - Muddy Waters
-Down in the Swamp - Tab Benoit
-Wade in the Water - Blind Boys of Alabama
-Elijah Rock - Ollabelle
-Stranded In Your Love - Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
-Mercy - Duffy
-Stormy Blues - Billie Holiday
-Why Should I Suffer With the Blues - Canes
-Come On In My Kitchen - Chris Thomas King
-Listen My Son - The Unseen Guest
-Steamroller Blues - Soul Miner's Daughter

Sunday Dance, SacX

2009-03-23T16:07:00.000-07:00

The weekend was fun, even though I got incredibly sick and didn't go to half the dances. I DJed the Sunday dance, both first and last set. Here's what I played:

Opening set
-Damn Right I've Got the Blues - Buddy Guy
-Don't Throw Your Love On Me So Strong - T-Bone Walker
-Down in the Swamp - Tab Benoit
-Converted - Nathan James & Ben Hernandez
-Listen My Son - The Unseen Guest
-Heart Attack and Vine - Tom Waits
-Sugarman - Kid Jonny Lang & The Big Bang
-Down Home Blues - Etta James
-You Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had - Muddy Waters
-Do I Move You? - Nina Simone
-Come On In My Kitchen - Chris Thomas King
-Lonesome Blues - Nathan James & Ben Hernandez
-Come Home Blues - Jennifer Nettles Band
-I Got The Blues - Otis Rush
-Five Long Years - Eric Clapton
-The Thrill Is Gone - BB King

Closing Set
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-Trouble In Mind - Aretha Franklin
-This Little Light of Mine - Mavis Staples
-Joe Lee's Rock - Boy Blue, Willie Jones, Joe Lee
-Spoonful - Cream
-Love Me or Leave Me - Jimmy Cotton Blues Band
-I Put A Spell On You - Tab Benoit
-Burning Fire - Otis Spann's South Side Band
-Tell Me More and More and Then Some - Nina Simone
-Stormy Blues - Billie Holiday
-My Kind Of Gospel - Michael Pewny
-Oreo Cookie Blues - Lonnie Mack
-Dangerous Mood - Keb Mo
-Suspicion - Shemekia Copeland
-Stranded in Your Love - Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
-Every Planet We Reach Is Dead - Gorillaz
-People Grinning In Your Face - Ruthie Foster
-Wade In the Water - Blind Boys of Alabama
-Elijah Rock - Ollabelle
-Son of a Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield
-Got My Mojo Working - Asylum Street Spankers
-In the Mississippi River - Mavis Staples
-Why Should I Suffer With the Blues - Canes
-Rock Me Baby - Hubert Sumlin
-Blues for Angel - Soul Miner's Daughter
-Dr Feelgood - Aretha Franklin
-Death Letter - Cassandra Wilson
-Love In Vain - Keb Mo
-Double Trouble - John Mayall
-Come Rain or Come Shine - Eric Clapton and BB King
-Black Night - John Lee Hooker
-Steamroller Blues - Soul Miner's Daughter
-That Evening Train - T-Bone Walker
-In the Morning Blues - Ike & Tina Turner
-Folsom Prison Blues - Keb Mo
-Sinner's Prayer - Eric Clapton
-Mo' Better Blues - Branford Marsalis
-Petite Fleur - Sidney Bechet
-Little Wing - Stevie Ray Vaughan

Sacramento Lindy Exchange

2009-03-19T00:40:00.000-07:00

I'm guest DJing a late night set at the Sac Exchange, which is exciting (especially since that was the first exchange I ever went to, so it has some sentimental value). I've been listening to a lot of blues lately (more than usual).

Something you should check out if you're interested in the blues:

Martin Scorsese Presents: The Blues: A Musical Journey.
It's a 7-part television series done by various well-known directors who all have a passion for blues music (Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, Charles Burnett, Wim Wenders, Richard Pearce, Marc Levin, and Mike Figgis). The films are collages ranging from fictional montages to documentaries, interviews, archival performance footage and current performances. Absolutely fascinating, especially if you're interested in the history of blues. Check it out.

3-14-09

2009-03-15T20:39:00.000-07:00

Drop Dead Blues

I was really happy with this set - I felt like mixing it up a little and playing some music our scene doesn't get a lot of. So I did a mainly gospel inspired set. So much fun!

-Converted - Nathan James and Ben Hernandez
-Give Me One Reason - Tracy Chapman
-I Got the Blues - Otis Rush
-My Kind of Gospel - Michael Pewny
-Trouble in Mind - Aretha Franklin
-This Little Light of Mine - Mavis Staples
-Elijah Rock - Ollabelle
-Amazing Grace - Blind Boys of Alabama
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-Listen My Son - The Unseen Guest
-Come Rain Or Come Shine - Eric Clapton, BB King

03-07-09

2009-03-11T20:45:00.001-07:00

Drop Dead Blues

-Burning Fire - Otis Spann's South Side Band
-Down Home Blues - Etta James
-Love Me or Leave Me - The Jimmy Cotton Blues Band
-Blues for Angel - Soul Miner's Daughter
-I Got the Blues - Otis Rush
-Wade in the Water - Blind Boys of Alabama
-Give Me One Reason - Tracy Chapman
-Sugarman - Kid Johnny Lang & the Big Bang
-Love In Vain - Keb Mo
-Stormy Blues - Billie Holiday
-My Kind Of Gospel - Michael Pewny
-Summertime - Gene Harris

02-21-09

2009-02-22T23:22:00.001-08:00

This was an end of the night set, and I'm kind of proud of the fact that with our scene, I was able to take it from turquoise back to blues without killing the dance floor at all. We started going turquoise early enough in the night that I felt like I wanted to bring it back, and really didn't have much more to play in the turquoise realm. (PS the song Alex handed the night off to me with was "What It's Like by Everlast - evil evil move)

-Sinkin' Soon - Norah Jones
-Death Letter - Cassandra Wilson
-Stormy Blues - Billie Holiday
-Black Night - John Lee Hooker
-Tell Me More and More and Then Some - Nina Simone
-Listen My Son - The Unseen Guest
-Got My Mojo Workin' - Asylum Street Spankers
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-Three O'Clock Blues - Eric Clapton, BB King

02-14-09

2009-02-22T23:19:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

-Burning Fire - Otis Spann's South Side Band
-Petite Fleur - Sidney Bechet
-My Kind of Gospel - Michael Pewny
-Black and Tan Fantasy - Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra
-Steamroller Blues - Soul Miner's Daughter
-Rambling On My Mind - Tab Benoit
-Trouble In Mind - Aretha Franklin
-Right Place, Wrong Time - Otis Rush
-Down Home Blues - Etta James
-Double Trouble - John Mayall
-Come Rain or Come Shine - BB King and Eric Clapton

02-07-09

2009-02-22T23:12:00.000-08:00

Drop Dead Blues

-The Thrill Is Gone - BB King
-Frisco Blues - John Lee Hooker
-Do I Move You? - Nina Simone
-Burning Fire - Otis Spann's South Side Band
-Damn Right I've Got The Blues - Buddy Guy
-Down Home Blues - Etta James
-Listen My Son - The Unseen Guest
-New Orleans Bump - Jelly Roll Morton
-Nobody knows You When You're Down and Out - Sidney Bechet
-My Kind of Gospel - Michael Pewny
-Down In Mississippi - Mavis Staples
-Wade in the Water - Blind Boys of Alabama
-Son of a Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield
-Dr Feelgood - Aretha Franklin
-Blues For Angel - Soul Miner's Daughter
-Oreo Cookie Blues - Lonnie Mack
-Come On In My Kitchen - Chris Thomas King
-Dangerous Mood - Keb' Mo'
-Down in the Swamp - Tab Benoit
-Double Trouble - John Mayall

Dave and Haley Workshop (Sunday)

2009-02-22T23:03:00.000-08:00

I took the second-to-last set, with Whitton Frank after me. We decided to trade songs for a bit until I got tired or she wanted to take over. We ended up enjoying the trade so much that we kept going until the end. Definitely one lf the most fun and inspirational sets I've ever played. I think we started trading after "Stranded In Your Love"

-Mannish Boy - Muddy Waters (original recording off the Natural Blues album)
-Joe Lee's Rock - Boy Blue, Willie Jones, Joe Lee
-Listen My Son - The Unseen Guest
-Harmonica and Drums - unknown
-Stormy Blues - Billie Holiday
-Petite Fleur - Sidney Bechet
-Black and Tan Fantasy - Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra
-Nobody Knows the Way I Feel This Morning - Aretha Franklin
-Stranded In Your Love - Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
-Got My Mojo Workin' - Asylum Street Spankers
-Right Place, Wrong Time - Otis Rush
-In the Mississippi River - Mavis Staples
-Wade in the Water - Blind Boys of Alabama
-Death Came A-Knockin' - Ruthie Foster
-Dont Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-Black Night - John Lee Hooker

Whitton finished the night with a few well-placed songs.

Dave and Haley Workshop (Saturday)

2009-02-22T22:49:00.000-08:00

1-31-09

Set 1
-Damn Right I've Got the Blues - Buddy Guy
-Trouble in Mind - Aretha Franklin
-Temperature - Aerosmith
-Double Trouble - John Mayall
-Five Long Years - Eric Clapton
-Burning Fire - Otis Spann's South Side Band
-West End Blues - Louis Armstrong

Trade
These songs were played in a 3-DJ trade set (so there were two songs played between every one of mine). The other DJs: Ben Nathan and Mark Carpenter.
-I Got the Blues - Otis Rush
-Do I Move You? - Nina Simone
-Got My Mojo Workin' - Asylum Street Spankers
-In the Mississippi River - Mavis Staples
-Wade in the Water - Blind Boys of Alabama
-Tell Me More and More and Then Some - Nina Simone
-My Kind of Gospel - Michael Pewny
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-St James Infirmary - Lou Rawls
-Nice and Warm - Tab Benoit
-Georgia On My Mind - Gordon Webster
-Little Wing - Stevie Ray Vaughan

1-24-09

2009-01-30T00:08:00.001-08:00

Drop Dead Blues

-Help Me - Sonny boy Williamson
-Damn Right I've Got the Blues - Buddy Guy
-Tell Me More and More and Then Some - Nina Simone
-Got My Mojo Workin' - Asylum Street Spankers
-Son of a Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield
-Black and Tan Fantasy - Lincoln Jazz Center Orchestra
-Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans - Lavay Smith
-Sugarman - Kid Johnny Lang & the Big Bang
-The Blues Keep Falling - Jimmy Cotton Blues Band
-Heartstrings - Anthony David
-Every Planet We Reach Is Dead - Gorillaz
-Teardrop - Massive Attack

1-17-09

2009-01-29T23:54:00.000-08:00

Drop Dead Blues - Lesson

These are the songs Alex and I used to teach our musicality lesson. For the main part, we'd pick three versions of the same song.
Note: Integrating so much music into the lesson made it a lot easier to DJ the dance. I feel like people had instant song recognition, and since we went over quite a broad range of styles, most dancers were comfortable with a broader variety than usual. They even managed to dance to Robert Johnson (which is usually hard to connect with for beginners). Yay!

Blues Fundamentals
-Damn Right I've Got the Blues - Buddy Guy

Musicality
St James Infirmary
-Louis Armstrong
-Bobby "Blue" Bland
-Lou Rawls
I Put A Spell On You
-Nina Simone
-Tab Benoit
-Kim Nalley
I Believe I'll Dust My Broom
-Robert Johnson
-Taj Mahal
-Pyeng Threadgill

Contrast
-Joe Lee's Rock - Boy Blue, Willie Jones, Joe Lee
-Find My Baby - Moby

Connecting with Your Partner
-Give Me One Reason - Tracy Chapman
-Stranded In Your Love - Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

Dance Set

-I Just Wanna Make Love to You - Muddy Waters
-Sugarman - Kid Johnny Lang & the Big Bang
-I Put a Spell On You - Tab Benoit
-Oreo Cookie Blues - Lonnie Mack
-Come on in my Kitchen - Chris Thomas King
-In the Mississippi River - Mavis Staples
-Son of a Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield
-Black Velvet - Alannah Myles
-Find My Baby - Moby
-Idlewild Blues - Outkast
-Down Home Blues - Etta James
-Dangerous Mood - Keb Mo
-Stranded in Your Love - Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
-Tell Me More And More And Then Some - Nina Simone
-Black Night - John Lee Hooker
-Come Rain or Come Shine - BB King & Eric Clapton
-Dissolved Girl - Massive Attack

Homecoming Blues (01-07-09)

2009-01-10T11:22:00.000-08:00

First time DJing now that I'm back ... it was just for a small house party. I don't think I'll start DJing at Drop Dead Blues for another week - I want to get a feel for the crowd first, since apparently it's changed quite a lot since I left. Here are the two sets I DJed at Mark's:

Set 1:
-I Just Want to Make Love to You - Muddy Waters
-Dangerous Mood - Keb' Mo'
-Burning Fire - Otis Spann's South Side Band
-Do I Move You? - Nina Simone
-Give Me One Reason - Tracy Chapman
-Down in the Swamp - Tab Benoit
-Every Planet We Reach is Dead - Gorrilaz
-Idlewild Blues - Outkast
-Le Ballet - Celine Dion
-Blues for Angel - Soul Miner's Daughter
-Wade in the Water - Blind Boys of Alabama
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-Come Rain Or Come Shine - BB King & Eric Clapton
-Down Home Blues - Etta James
-Sinner's Prayer - Eric Clapton

Set 2:
-Little Wing - Stevie Ray Vaughan
-Mo' Better Blues - Branford Marsalis
-Son of a Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield
-Got My Mojo Workin' - Asylum Street Spankers
-Come Home Blues - Jennifer Nettles Band
-In the Mississippi River - Mavis Staples
-Oreo Cookie Blues - Lonnie Mack
-Spoonful - Cream
-Sugarman - Kid Jonny Lang & The Big Bang
-I Got the Blues - Otis Rush
-Black Velvet - Alannah Myles
-Find My Baby - Moby
-Heartstrings - Anthony David
-Sentimientos - Andres Linetzky
-Black and Tan Fantasy - Lincoln Jazz Center Orchestra

Gotta love the blues ...

2008-10-12T05:18:00.000-07:00

I've been to see a few blues bands in Rome, and they are amazing. Who would've thought Italy had such great blues musicians? There's a harmonica player here who used to tour with the son of Muddy Waters. Needless to say, he's amazing.

Here is the playlist I put together for my first lesson (which wasn't really an official lesson)

-The Thrill is Gone - BB King
-Red House - Jimi Hendrix
-Frisco Blues - John Lee Hooker
-Spoonful - Cream
-Six O'Clock Blues - Eric Bibb
-Down in the Swamp - Tab Benoit
-Dangerous Mood - Keb Mo
-Give Me One Reason - Tracy Chapman
-Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
-Got My Mojo Workin' - Asylum Street Spankers
-Blues for Angel - Soul Miner's Daughter
-Down Home Blues - Etta James
-Black Night - John Lee Hooker
-In the Mississippi River - Mavis Staples

PS - As we were waiting for the blues band to play at Ombre Rosse, Jeff noticed the music playing over the sound system, and asked what it was. I had never heard it before, but my gut instinct was ... sounds like Mavis Staples. So he asks the bartender, and what do you know, I was right. I guess the hours on end of listening to blues have done something after all. :-)

Blues in Rome

2008-09-25T01:17:00.000-07:00

Taught my first mini-class last night. There were only four of us, but it was a lot of fun. They were all lindy dancers, so the concepts came easily enough, and they seemed to really take to it. We're very excited about where to take this.
Valentina helped me as my follow - she's really fun to lead. Her and her dance partner are going to start teaching a lindy class, which I will try to attend.

Plans while in Europe

2008-09-21T06:35:00.000-07:00

-Help expand the lindy scene in Rome ... maybe teach a workshop or a couple of classes ... get some organizing experience under my belt
-Start a blues scene (or maybe rather an enthusiasm for blues ... the scene will follow) in Rome. I have a base of interested dancers.
- Go dance in Barcelona
- Got to the London Balboa Festival.

Yay dance!

BluesShout?

2008-08-24T11:34:00.000-07:00

I was down in SLO practicing solo blues with Mary, and we made some tentative plans. We both really want to go to BluesShout in Chicago (sometime in March I think), but that's one expensive trip - flights plus event plus food for a weekend etc. But we'll figure it out. And Mary and I pretty much want to do everything, so ... I know I'm competing again, in as many events as I can find partners for, and hopefully Mary and I are doing a routine.

First step ... find a song. I think we want something a little more vintage.

I'm excited ...

Roots

2008-08-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

I went to Roots last night after my dad's birthday dinner. It was the smallest turnout I've ever seen. Not including Damon, Liz and myself, there were at most only two people in the room at any point. So I basically spent the night hanging out with Damon and Liz, and I got some awesome feedback on my dancing. Here's what I need to work on:

-Think more athletic, less dancing. I need to be more into the ground, bend my knees more. I'm sure it will help my follow, but it's also an aesthetic thing.
-Don't whip through my turns. I think this is a leftover of my ballet training. I don't spot any more, but I need to make my turns consistent.
-RELAX! This is my constant problem. It's slowly getting better, but I have so much tension, and it's hard not to let that affect my follow.

Yay for feedback!

8-16-08

2008-08-19T21:08:00.000-07:00

Christine/Graham's Going Away House Party

I should throw house parties more often - our house is such a great space to do it in.
I didn't DJ much, just a short set towards the beginning of the night.

- Give Me One Reason - Tracy Chapman
- Six O'Clock Blues - Eric Bibb
- Come Home Blues - Jennifer Nettles Band
- I Put A Spell On You - Tab Benoit
- Why Should I Suffer With The Blues - The Canes
- In The Mississippi River - Mavis Staples
- St James Infirmary - Bobby "Blue" Band
- Down In The Swamp - Tab Benoit
- Down Home Blues - Etta James

8-4-08

2008-08-06T21:31:00.000-07:00

Backroom Blues - House Party

Small party, chill atmosphere, organically deteriorating from dancing into ... sleeping? It was late ...

Burning Fire - Otis Spann's South Side Band
Denver Blues - Tampa Red
Come Rain or Come Shine - BB King & Eric Clapton
My Kind Of Gospel - Michael Pewny
Dr Feelgood - Aretha Franklin
I Put A Spell On You - Tab Benoit
Three O'Clock Blues - BB King & Eric Clapton
Why Should I Suffer With The Blues - The Canes
Frisco Blues - John Lee Hooker
Six O'Clock Blues - Eric Bibb
Down In The Swamp - Tab Benoit
The Thrill Is Gone - BB King
Black Night - Buddy Guy
Sinner's Prayer - Eric Clapton
I Can't Quit You Baby - The Otis Rush Blues Band
Got My Mojo Workin' - Asylum Street Spankers
Come On In My Kitchen - Chris Thomas King
Rosewood - Cassandra Wilson
Nice And Warm - Tab Benoit
In The Mississippi River - Mavis Staples
Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur
People Grinnin' In Your Face - Ruthie Foster
Peel Me A Grape - Diana Krall
Le Ballet - Celine Dion
Wade In The Water - Blind Boys of Alabama
Georgia On My Mind - Gordon Webster
Choux Pastry Heart - Corinne Bailey Rae
F-Stop Blues - Jack Johnson
My Blues After Hours - Mojo Blues Band
Hide And Seek - Imogen Heap
Hypnosis Theme - Wax Tailor