12-21-09

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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)

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

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

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)

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