Author Archives: sixstrstories
Marking The Trail: One Melody’s Journey Through American Music – Part Four
Back on the trail! Walter Vinson/Vincson/Jacobs’ melody to “Sitting On Top Of The World”/”Things ‘Bout Coming My Way,” soon became a popular one to borrow. I know of four now-legendary Bluesmen from the 1930’s who each put it to very … Continue reading
Marking The Trail: One Melody’s Journey Through American Music – Part Three
The journey continues. But first, a divergence. “Things ‘Bout Coming My Way” soon began to blaze a trail of its own. On February 10, 1931 – twenty-two days after Sam Hill From Louisville (aka Walter Vinson) cut the inaugural recording … Continue reading
Marking The Trail: One Melody’s Journey Through American Music – Part Two
The journey continues: Rising to a higher elevation. Mississippi Sheiks was a string band from Bolton, Mississippi. [Pictured, L-R: Armenter “Bo Carter” Chatmon (1893/4-1964), Alonzo “Lonnie” Chatmon (1890-1942) & Walter Vinson/Vincson (1901-1975).] They made their first recordings on February 17, … Continue reading
Marking The Trail: One Melody’s Journey Through American Music – Part One
“Melody is the essence of music.” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) The trailhead. Leroy Carr (1904-1935) – singer, pianist, songwriter, performer and recording artist – was one of the most prolific, popular and influential Blues musicians of the 1930’s. Leroy … Continue reading
Last Thursday
I heard the motorcycle approaching from my left when I was about twenty paces from the crosswalk. The pedestrians ahead of me had paused to let a few cars go by – something that actually happens on occasion in this … Continue reading
Sparklers: “Tootie Blues” by Paul Geremia
This is the tenth installment of this category featuring recordings of outstanding performances by noteworthy guitarists – or – outstanding guitarists giving noteworthy performances. Good day, Viewers & Readers! Let me introduce you to… “Tootie Blues” by Paul Geremia. Give a … Continue reading
A Very Historic Day In Music: Doc Watson
I may be a little early getting to the party, but I did not want to risk missing the day and have not posted something! 100 years ago – on March 3, 1923 – Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson was born … Continue reading
This Historic Day In Music: “Dixieland Jass Band One-Step” & “Livery Stable Blues”
On Monday, February 26, 1917, five musicians – pianist Henry Ragas, clarinetist Larry Shields, trombonist Eddie Edwards, cornetist Nick LaRocca and drummer Tony Sbarbaro – gathered in the New York City recording studio of the Victor Talking Machine Company. This … Continue reading
Sparklers: “Greensleeves” by Jeff Beck
This is the ninth installment of this category featuring recordings of outstanding performances by noteworthy guitarists – or – outstanding guitarists giving noteworthy performances. Truth – the 1968 debut solo album by Jeff Beck – was an early addition to my record … Continue reading
Songs of 2022
These Songs of 2022 are not songs that I wrote this past year. They are the songs that came back to haunt me; songs that I finally finished; songs that got into my head and fingers for many days at … Continue reading
sixstr stories 