Interview with Blues legend Syl Johnson – “Getting Funky with Syl” – S02Ep01 (3 of 3)
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S02Ep01 (3 of 3) - Syl Johnson - Getting Funky with Syl
Interview Date: November 23, 2011 @8pm EDT
Special Guest: Syl Johnson (part 3) – This Chicago Blues/Soul man has been making his style of music for 60+ years. Starting off as a Blues man when he was a teenager, Syl Johnson later morphed into making Soul music for Twilight and Hi Records. Born in Mississippi and later moved to Chicago, Syl Johnson is as good as they come. Famous for some of the most touching and soulful music ever; he's the artist behind the songs "Concrete Reservation" and "Is It Because I'm Black." He has been part of the Chicago Blues Scene from the beginning, playing and associating himself with some of the top blues people of all time; people like Magic Sam, Junior Reed, Otis Rush, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Billy Boy Arnold, Freddy King, and many more. He is now been re-discovered by the new hip-hop scene with a vengeance and is now one of the most sampled artists of all time. What more needs to be said? He's a man that strikes the hearts of the individuals... In this podcast we talk about his smash hit "Is it Because I'm Black," his collaboration with Melody, the song "Take me to the river," funny stories about Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters and much much more.
Respects to Rhythm and Blues
Last week, two titans of the music industry passed away. You may have heard if your ear is to the ground, but if you haven't, I'm speaking of Etta James and Johnny Otis. They will be missed by many, for certain. They were loved.
Interview continued with Blues/Soul legend Syl Johnson – Come on, sock it to me – S02Ep01 (2 of 3)
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S02Ep01 (2 of 3) - Syl Johnson - Come on, sock it to me
Interview Date: November 23, 2011 @8pm EDT
Special Guest: Syl Johnson (part 2) – this 
Chicago Blues/Soul man has been making his style of music for 60+ years. Starting off as a Blues man when he was a teenager; Syl Johnson later morphed into making Soul music for Twilight and Hi Records. Born in Mississippi and moved to Chicago; Syl Johnson is as good as they come. Famous for some of the most touching and soulful music ever; songs like "Concrete Reservation" and "Is It Because I'm Black." He has been part of the Chicago Blues Scene from the beginning, playing and associating himself with some of the top blues people of all time; people like Magic Sam, Junior Reed, Otis Rush, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Billy Boy Arnold, Freddy King and many more. He is now been re-discovered by the new hip-hop scene with a vengeance and is now one of the most sampled artist of all time. What more needs to be said? He's a man that strikes the hearts of the individuals...In this podcast we talk about Magic Sam, Wu Tang Clan, How he first starting singing, the story behind twilight and twinight Records and his recent smash hit "Different Strokes" which has been sampled at least 134 times.
Blues Folklore - Getting Your Mojo Workin'
The story of Robert Johnson's deal with the devil is pretty well known, or one of those variations it comes in. Apparently, at first he was only a mediocre musician. He disappeared from town for a while but returned later possessing an absolute mastery over the guitar. Stunned by the remarkable change, people who heard him afterwards assumed he must have made a pact with the devil. Johnson didn't deny it. In his songs, he sings about meeting the devil at the crossroads; (at highways 61 and 49 in Clarksdale, Mississippi (although, there's some debate--there's always some debate)). He lived recklessly, and reveled in the attention of women. He died at the age of 27 most likely a victim of poisoning from a jealous husband, making him one of the first in the 27 club. If you're into the blues, or anybody that was influenced by him like The Rolling
Syl Johnson talks about his good friend Magic Sam [Listen 28:05 S02 Ep01] -Are You There, I’m Still Here Man
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S02Ep01 (1 of 3) - Syl Johnson - Are you there, I'm here man
Interview Date: November 23, 2011 @8pm EDT
Special Guest: Syl Johnson – this Chicago Blues/Soul man has been making his style of music for 60+ years. Starting off as a Blues man when he was a teenager; Syl Johnson later morphed into making Soul music for Twilight and Hi Records. Born in Mississippi and moved to Chicago; Syl Johnson is as good as they come. Famous for some of the most touching and soulful music ever; songs like "Concrete Reservation" and "Is It Because I'm Black." He has been part of the Chicago Blues Scene from the beginning, playing and associating himself with some of the top blues people of all time; people like Magic Sam, Junior Reed, Otis Rush, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Billy Boy Arnold, Freddy King and many more. He is now been re-discovered by the new hip-hop scene with a vengeance and is now one of the most sampled artist of all time. What more needs to be said? He's a man that strikes the hearts of the individuals...
The Re-Resurgence of Blues (on repeat)
Interview with Sly Dunbar [Listen 35:51min] -Feelin it, tryin to make it happy with Sly
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S01 Ep09 (part 5 of 5) - Feelin it, tryin to make it happy (you know)
Interview Date: October 23, 2011 @9am EDT
Sly Dunbar as of right now (Continued)
Last week we left off talking about Sly Dunbar’s renowned contributions to Peter Tosh’s band and the Mighty Diamonds first album for Virgin Records “The Right Time” (Virgin Records 1976). But this amazing outpouring was just the beginning of what was to become a string of groundbreaking albums from this innovative and influential man.
“Two Seven Clash” was yet another phenominal album by him and a band called Culture; both aiding in and revolutionizing UK music; helping to bring upon the reggae/punk culture which defined an era and shaped its music. This was one of the main albums that was known to have been an inspiration at the time for bands like ‘The Clash’ and ‘The Rolling Stones’ (who were motivated by and borrowed heavily from these reggae beats). When I asked Sly about recording with Culture on “Two Seven Clash” he said:
“[it] Was done a Joe Gibbs studio when