DECEMBER 2007

Issue 193 Contents

Lurrie Bell – Surviving The Blues

By Deitra Farr

The life journey of bluesman Lurrie Bell has been one of intense highs and desperate lows. The son of blues harp master Carey Bell, Lurrie was born into the blues. The young rising star was making marks for himself in the blues world when drugs, alcohol abuse, and mental illness brought his world crashing down. But through love and determination Lurrie Bell began to rise again, only to be devastated once again this year by the deaths of his life partner and his father. But Lurrie Bell's life story is one of survival, not defeat. Strong, healthy, and determined Lurrie has just released a new album on his own label. Last month Lurrie Bell sat down with longtime friend and fellow blues performer Deitra Farr to tell his story.

Mac Arnold – Cornbread And Collard Greens

By Tim Holek

Greenville, South Carolina–based Mac Arnold has toyed with fame all his life. His first band included a young piano player named James Brown; after moving to Chicago he recorded with Otis Spann; later that year he ran into Muddy Waters when he was looking for a bass player and was hired on the spot. After moving to California he hooked up with his old friend Don Cornelius and the two launched a TV show called Soul Train. Arnold even played bass on the Sanford And Son theme song. But these days Arnold is the one out front. And with his second album just released, Mac Arnold is enjoying the role.

Pops Carter – 88 Years In The Making

By Jon Black

Hidden in small towns across America are local blues legends—men and women who for one reason or another never recorded, moved to the big city, or became national stars, but who are adored by their local fans. One such local hero is Pops Carter. At 88 years old Carter has just cut his first album and is living large in the North Dallas community of Denton, Texas.

Shakey And I – Memories Of Chicago And Big Walter Horton

By Charlie Musselwhite

When a young Charlie Musselwhite moved from his hometown of Memphis to Chicago in 1962 he suddenly found himself surrounded by the very musicians he had been hearing on record for years. Already a gifted harp player, Musselwhite soon found himself sharing the stage with these bluesmen. In 1963 Musselwhite was introduced to Big Walter Horton, and the two formed a friendship that lasted for two decades. This story is Musselwhite's personal remembrance of those years.

"Bad Bad" Leroy Brown – Perhaps Not Quite So Bad After All

By Justin O'Brien

"Bad, Bad Leroy Brown/Baddest man in the whole dang town," sang Jim Croce on his 1971 hit. Was Chicago's LeRoy Joyce one and the same?

Record Reviews

New CDs by Lurrie Bell, Sharrie Williams, and Howard Tate.

Reissues from Gatemouth Brown, Magic Slim, and the Staple Singers.

DVDs from Stax Records, Willie King and Solomon Burke.

Editorial

Blues News

Breaking Out

Obituaries       

Radio Charts