Blues on My Mind

What do you get when you mix blues, rockabilly, jump, swing and humor? You get the high energy fun of Little Charlie and the Nightcats. Explore the elements of their sound.

Where did the west coast sound come from? Who originated it? What are its signature features? Explore these and other questions in an analysis of T-Bone Walker's "Party Girl."

What distinguishes the blues out of Texas? Explore the blues of guitar great Johnny Winter and his recording of "Third Degree."

What does Texas style sound like? Where is Abilene? What does it represent? Explore these questions in Lightnin' Hopkins' "Abilene."

What kind of music is associated with Kansas City? What kind of blues? How do musical styles evolve.  Explore these questions in an episode dedicated to Big Joe Turner's "Jumpin' at the Jubilee."

What's up with the women in St. Louis? Why are they so mean? Explore what Lonnie Johnson has to say about St Louis in his "Low Down St Louis Blues."

Where is Friars Point? Why does Susan Tedeschi mention it? What is the significance of the other cities mentioned? Explore blues places in this episode of the podcast.

What does the blue bird represent? Is it the bluebird of happiness or is it an incarnation of the blues?  Why use a bluebird to carry a letter? Explore these questions in Jimmy Rogers' "Blue Bird."

Is this song really about a cat? Could it be about something else? Explore playful ambiguity in Memphis Minnie's "Black Cat Blues."

What does restrained power sound like? What does it symbolize? Explore these questions in Muddy Waters's live performance of "Howlin' Wolf."