Rod's Ramblings

Please leave a comment

In this 8th Episode in the 'Ramblin' Through The Blues Series, I look at the storytellers of the Blues world.  I've chosen a wonderful combination of artists. The contrast between the wit and storytelling of Arlo Guthrie and the warm, conversational musicianship of Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. From the infamous littering incident behind Alice's Restaurant Massacree to the lifelong friendship and musical partnership of Sonny and Brownie.  Music is also provided by Chester Malone with his track 'World Gone Bad' and Will Harrison's track, 'Catchin' Every Breeze'.  The theme music is 'Late Night Ramble' by River Run Dry.  All music has been provided by Epidemic Sound.

Please leave a comment

In this episode we look at the lives of John and Alan Lomax, the father and son team that travelled the southern states of America recording blues music during the 1920s and 30s.  Additional music 'King of Hearts' and 'Little Butterfly' by The Tap Room provided by Epidemic Sounds.  Rod's Ramblings theme tune is 'Late Night Ramble' by River Run Dry.

Please leave a comment

In this episode of Ramblin' Through The Blues we look at the lives of three of the most powerful and influential women in Blues History, Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.  Music is provided by Epidemic Sounds in the form of 'Different Times' and ''Deal Breaker' by Jett Everill.  Rod's Ramblings theme tune is 'Late Night Ramble' by River Run Dry. 

Please leave a comment

In this episode of Ramblin' Through The Blues' we look at the lives of two great Blues guitarists, Joe Bonamassa and B.B. King.  Additional music is provided by Chester Malone featuring Henry Nolte.  Rod's Ramblings theme tune is 'Late Night Ramble' by River Run Dry.  All music is provided by Epidemic Sounds. 

Please leave a comment

In this fourth episode of 'Ramblin' Through The Blues' we look at Paul Rodgers and Muddy Waters.  We follow the trail of the blues, from Muddy’s Mississippi roots to Paul's soulful rock delivery looking at their individual careers and how they both used their musical skills to influence Blues music through the generations.  Music is included by the band 'Duke Herrington' and the Rod's Ramblings theme tune is 'Late Night Ramble' by River Run Dry.

Please leave a comment

What happens when one of the greatest voices in soul strips it all back to the blues? In 2004, Etta James released Blues to the Bone—a Grammy-winning album of raw, no-frills performances that proved the blues isn’t just history, it’s survival.

In this episode, we dive into the stories behind the songs, the family collaboration that shaped the record, and why this late-career triumph still resonates today.

Join me as we explore Etta James’ Blues to the Bone—an album that shows the blues never dies, it just gets deeper." 

Please leave a comment

In this episode of 'Ramblin' Through The Blues' we look at The John Mayall and Eric Clapton album, Bluesbreakers, which became known as The Beano album.  We look at the individual band members, review the individual tracks, the recording difficulties that were overcome and the effect that the album had on future generations of music lovers.  Two tracks by Roots and Recognition, 'Backroad Blues' and 'Printers Alley' are included.  Rod's Ramblings theme music is ''Late Night Ramble' by River Run Dry.  All music is provided by Epidemic Sounds. 

Please leave a comment

Join me in the latest Series - Ramblin' Through The Blues.  In this initial episode we talk about the Blues standard, 'Little Red Rooster, the Stones version and the original written by Willie Dixon and recorded by Howlin' Wolf.  Theme music is 'Late Night Ramble' by River Run Dry and the two tracks are 'Suppertime Blues' and 'Stride Till I Die' by Will Harrison.  All music has been provided by Epidemic Sounds.

Please leave a comment

Step into the soulful world of the blues as we embark on an auditory journey through one of music's most influential genres. The blues isn't just music—it's a feeling, a story, raw and timeless. From its humble beginnings in the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta to the electrifying stages of London and beyond, this musical tradition has shaped generations of artists and listeners alike.

This new series of Rod's Ramblings delves deep into the heart and soul of blues music, exploring how it emerged from the pain, resilience, and creativity of African-American communities in the American South. We'll examine the distinctive elements that make the blues so powerful: the 12-bar structure, emotional call-and-response vocals, and authentic storytelling that speaks to universal human experiences.

Together we'll trace the footsteps of legendary pioneers like Willie Dixon, Howlin' Wolf, Bessie Smith, and Robert Johnson, whose innovations laid the groundwork for modern popular music. Discover how their sound crossed the Atlantic to inspire British musicians including Keith Richards, Alexis Korner, John Mayall, and Peter Green, catalyzing the British blues explosion that forever changed rock music. And looking to the present, we'll celebrate contemporary artists like Joe Bonamassa, Robert Cray, and Susan Tedeschi who keep the blues tradition alive while pushing its boundaries forward. Subscribe now and join this musical journey through time! Have a favorite blues artist or song? Share it with me—I'd love to hear what moves you in this everlasting genre that Eric Clapton rightly called "the mother of American music."

Please leave a comment

The twilight of a controversial genius unfolds in this exploration of Richard Wagner's final opera and complex legacy. As we follow the dramatic conclusion of Der Ring des Nibelungen with Götterdämmerung, we confront the challenging duality of a composer whose transcendent art stands in stark contrast to his deeply troubling personal views.

Wagner's anti-Semitism wasn't merely casual prejudice but deliberately articulated ideology, most notably in his essay "Das Judentum in der Musik." Yet contradictions abound – he maintained complex relationships with Jewish musicians like conductor Hermann Levi, who admired Wagner even as the composer tried to convert him to Christianity. These paradoxes mirror Wagner's music itself, which explores universal themes of redemption while its creator rejected the humanity of entire groups.

Götterdämmerung represents the pinnacle of Wagner's artistic achievement, a sweeping mythological narrative culminating in Brünnhilde's sacrifice that brings down the gods themselves. Through the tale of Siegfried's betrayal and tragic end, Wagner crafted some of opera's most powerful moments, including the famous immolation scene and Siegfried's funeral march. The opera serves as both thrilling finale and profound meditation on destruction and renewal.

The shadow of Hitler's posthumous appropriation of Wagner's works has permanently complicated our relationship with this music. Though Wagner died in 1883, long before Nazism's rise, Hitler's profound admiration cemented an association that remains impossible to fully disentangle. This connection forces us to confront difficult questions about separating art from artist – can we embrace revolutionary musical innovations while acknowledging they came from a deeply flawed human being?

Wagner's death in Venice prompted reactions ranging from King Ludwig's dramatic grief to Verdi's acknowledgment of a "great personality" whose impact on art history was undeniable. Today, the Bayreuth Festival continues under his descendants' leadership, both celebrating his achievements and wrestling with his problematic legacy. The festival stands as living proof that Wagner remains what he has always been – brilliant, controversial, and impossible to simplify.

Join us for this final installment of our Harmonious Histories series before we embark on a new journey exploring the rich tradition of the blues. Subscribe now to continue following these musical explorations through history's most fascinating sounds and stories.