Blues-man and legendary whiskey drinker, Elmore James spent his whole life between Mississipi, from which he originally hails, and Chicago, where he became knows as one of the pillars of the blues scene of the 1950s and 60s.
Not much is known about this character who died in '63 before the blues became more popular commercially with the white public.

His greatest success remains "Dust my Broom" which is still considered as standard blues to this day. However, his powerful voice and the steady tempo, almost rock-like, veered away from what was traditional blues at the time.

Another heritage from this blues-man is his slide guitar playing. He is one of the major references for all musicians who play this technique.

A blues giant.

Elmore Kames - "Shake Your Moneymaker" (1952, Fire)

Deliverance, which was on French cable tv last night, is one of those films which is associated with one single scene. In this case it is the scene where the poor sales rep is raped by two rednecks who've never seen a dentist. It takes place in the middle of a lost valley in the USA, destined to drown due to a dam under construction.
But the interest of John Boorman's film is more than just the joys of sodomy in open air. He investigates issues such as man's destruction of nature, the total igorance between urban culture and deep rural America, and the ravages of inbreeding in the latter.

Boorman was one of the first directors to embark on the issue of the environment. We remember also his "Emerald Forest", pleading the cause of the Amazon forest, long before Sting.

The soundtrack to Deliverance is an essential element of the film: it is atmospheric, threatening and disturbing. The famous duel of the banjos between one of the campers and a halfbreed encapsulates the entire film. The two musicians meet through music, admire each other, challenge each other and finally leave each other, a world of difference between them.

Eric Weissberg & Steve Mandel - "Dueling Banjos" (1972, WEA)

An interesting example of American late 60's psychedelic-blues, "Boogie Children" is an anthem that wouldn't have dismissed Ten Years After. John Fred got a huge hit with the single "Judy in Disguise" around that time, sort of pastice of the Beatles's "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and then disappeared from the front stage.

Raw energy, heavy blues and electric ghosts: you can tell John is from New-Orleans, pre-tornado era.

John Fred and his Playboy Band - "Boogie Children" from "Permanently Stated" (1968, Atlantic)

Sorry guys, no post yesterday I was far too busy taking care of myself. Back on track. I always have a soft spot for this short John Lee Hooker song. Faster tempo than usual (for those who are scared of moaning blues). Hooker's groove is always impressive: let's not forget this is only a man with a guitar.

Still Hip.

John Lee Hooker - "This is Hip" from "Soul Cellar Vol.2" (2006, Metro Doubles)