Just got back from about 9 days in New Orleans, and it was an eye opening experience, and something I'm still digesting, both literally & figuratively. Clinging to a foothold in the sludge of the Mississippi basin, there's so much gustatory... visit for more mp3's & random revelations

When many people think about the roots of rock & roll, typically the first name that comes to mind is Elvis Presley . Another name that should be considered is Fats Domino . Fats' song The Fat Man from 1949 is considered by many to be one of the first true rock & roll songs ever released, and in the 50's and early 60's Fats ruled the rock & roll charts with 35 top 40 singles. If you want to question Fats' influence on present day music, simply take a look at [...]
NERVOUS MAN NERVOUS Big Jay McNeely 1953 Available on : The King R&B Box Set King : 1996 [Buy it] I'M SO GLAD Skip James Today! Vanguard : 1964 [Buy it] I'M SO GLAD Iggy & The Stooges 1973 Available on : Wild Love: The Detroit Rehearsals and More Bomp : 2001 [Buy it] SO GLAD Howlin' Wolf [...]
SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND Jimi Hendrix LADY MADONNA Fats Waller Fats is Back Reprise : 1968 [Buy It] OB-LA-DI-OB-LA-DA/WISE MAN (MEDLEY) Desmond Dekker & The Aces Beverly's : 1969 Available on: You Can Get It If You Really Want Trojan : 2005 [Buy It] AND I LOVE HIM Video Esther Phillips And I Love Him [...]
7 Means of Movement: Walking Edwin Starr, 25 Miles. Champion Jack Dupree, Walking The Blues. Benny Carter, A Walkin' Thing. Isn't it really quite extraordinary to see that, ever since man has walked, no one has asked himself why he walks, how he walks, if he walks, if he could walk better...questions that are tied to all the philosophical, psychological and political systems, which occupy the
While we may have 'rock' today, rarely do we see 'roll' anymore. The swingin' rhythm and blues side of rock 'n' roll that helped make it so popular. This week features the early pioneers of such music. These guys inspired the inspiring, they influenced the influential, they instigated the instigators, and well you get the point. One major reason for this influx of great music is that despite being at the height of racial tension in America, black singers were finally being recognised for their talent and listened to mainstream. In fact, out of this five, Elvis is the only [...]

Fat's Domino is sick and tired of being sick and tired. It's blue Monday here at the Flu. Sorry if I've been a little lax around here with the posting, but what started as a mission is starting to feel like a burden. Don't get me wrong, I love sharing this stuff, and Google Analytics tells me people from Siberia to South Africa are digging the flu. And not to sound like a Jewish mother or something, my dear readers, but would it hurt you to use the comments? Send me a love letter. Tell me you [...]
Normally, here you'd be treated to another literate, funny diatribe from Matt, but he decided to take a much-deserved/needed vacation to New Zealand, and before he left at the crack o' dawn today, he wasn't able to wrap his up. He did give me his tunes, though, and he had loads of fun with the assignment, too. We'd had chats where we shared thoughtful/insightful/interest ing observations about fat women and men in song, but I'm too fried to remember them properly. Instead, I'll walk you through his tunes, which, as usual, are classy all the way: [...]
6 Cardinal Colors: Blue George Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue. Henry "Red" Allen, (Trouble Ends) Out Where the Blue Begins. Langston Hughes, Too Blue. Louis Armstrong, Blue Again. Bessie Smith, Blue Blue. Men At Work, Blue For You. The Savoy Orpheans, The Blue Room. Jimmy Rowles, Serenade in Blue. Clifford Hayes, Blue Guitar Stomp. Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant, Blue Bonnet Rag. Sidney Bechet, Blue
The National Recording Registry was established by the Library of Congress , under the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000. The registry celebrates the richness and variety of the nation’s audio legacy and underscores the responsibility to assure the long-term preservation of that legacy for future generations. The Library announced the current 2005 Registry on April 1, 2006. In announcing the registry, [...]
Wow, it sounds like New Orleans is going to be rockin' this spring! Some really cool things are happening down there... The Tipitina's Foundation is helping musicians come back home to find work. It's one of several organizations helping artists in the aftermath of huricane Katrina. They've helped about 300 musicians with financial aid, replacement instruments and referrals for housing and gigs. Tipitina's bar has been showcasing local bands since the seventies. Nowdays, it has [...]
Flanked by an honor guard of local musicians Wednesday at the Sheraton Hotel, amid Mardi Gras festivities, Jazzfest producer Quint Davis announced the annual music celebration will return this year, and invited all the displaced citizens of New Orleans to return. The 2006 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival will feature an all-star lineup including Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Buffett, the Dave Matthews Band, Lionel Richie, Keith Urban, Yolanda Adams, Elvis Costello, The Ohio Players, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, and Little Feat. They will join hundreds of local favorites at the [...]

I got a job again. What else would you expect? Who worked 30+ hours with 7 AP/IB courses? (In case you don't recognize the terminology, just think of two or more full college semesters plus an almost full-time job.) I can't see a need for money and just sit around, nor can I accept Mr.'s offer to be my sugar daddy. I just wasn't raised that way. It's the same old bookstore chain this time too. Thankfully this location is much lower volume, so a 8 hour shift feels like 4 hours. [...]