CHICAGO/ The Blues Yesterday Volume 17

CHICAGO/ The Blues Yesterday 17

           

Pour ce 17ème volume de notre série "Chicago/ The blues yesterday", intéressons nous une fois encore à trois bluesmen peu connus qui, comme tous les autres soutiers du blues, ont eux aussi contribué à faire tourner la belle machine du Chicago blues des années 1950-60.

            Le chanteur et guitariste "Birmingham" George Conner (né le 25 mai 1934 à Reform, Al) est encore actif, participant à des festivals dans son Alabama natal! Avant de refaire surface dans les années 2000 auprès de son compatriote Willie King et de la Music Maker Relief Foundation, George a vécu plus de trente ans à Chicago où il tenait un club, "The Place". Il a enregistré deux 45t que nous proposons ici sous les noms de George Corner (sic) et Birmingham George, ce dernier en compagnie de Otis Rush et Lonnie Brooks! Il est retourné vivre en Alabama dans les années 1980 et y a rouvert un club.

            Bien qu'il ait substantiellement enregistré, un certain mystère continue d'entourer le chanteur et guitariste Big Daddy Simpson, probablement Marcellus Simpson et non Melvin comme généralement signalé. Il a vécu et joué dans les clubs de Gary, Indiana en compagnie de John et Grace Brim (qui se trouvent peut-être présents sur certains de ses disques). Il semble en outre que pour la dernière séance, ce soit son fils Melvin Simpson qui chante, ayant remplacé au pied levé son père malade dans les studios. L'harmonica sur plusieurs des disques de ces Simpsons là est joué par le mystérieux Middle Walter (James Jones)! Melvin Simpson participera plus tard à l'orchestre de Big Daddy Kinsey.

            Enfin, G.L. Crockett (George L. Crockett) est le plus connu de ce lot, ayant obtenu un "hit" avec son formidable rockabilly, Look out Mabel en 1958. Crockett est né le 18 septembre 1928 à Carrollton, Ms. Venu à Chicago durant la deuxième guerre mondiale, Crockett a chanté avec divers groupes dans les clubs du West Side avant d'être amené dans les studios par son ami Louis Myers qui joue la fabuleuse partie de guitare de ce morceau. En 1965, Crockett a encore obtenu un certain succès avec le savoureux It's a man down there qui sera repris par Jimmy Reed et Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller). Il est décédé peu de temps après à Chicago le 15 février 1967.

            Mille remerciements à Steve Wisner pour sa constante générosité.

                                                                       Gérard HERZHAFT

            With this 17th (!!!) volume of our "Chicago/ The blues Yesterday" series, let's bring the spotlight once again upon three very lesser known Chicago bluesmen who, anyway, also making their own contribution to this great style.

            Singer and guitarist "Birmingham" George Conner (born 25 May 1934 at Reform, Alabama) is still performing on festivals! Before being rediscovered in the 2000's and recording again thanks to the Music Maker Relief Foundation (and with his friend Willie King), Conner lived in Chicago for three decades, holding a blues club "The Place" and recording two much sought after singles under the names George Corner (sic) and Birmingham George, this last one backed by Otis Rush and Lonnie Brooks! George has gone back to Alabama during the 1980's, opening again a club.

            Although he has substantially recorded, singer and guitarist Big Daddy Simpson (probably Marcellus Simpson and not Melvin as it is generally told) is still shrouded in some mystery. Simpson has lived and played in Gary, Indiana with John and Grace Brim (who might be on some of his recordings), coming to Chicago for some gigs and recording sessions. It seems that for at least the last session inhere it is his son Melvin Simpson who replaces his father who went ill just before the studio. The harmonica on many of those recordings is blown by another mysterious name, Middle Walter (sic), in fact James Jones. Melvin will also play and record behind Big Daddy Kinsey.

            G. L. Crockett (George Crockett) is better known for his two "hits". Born in Carrollton, Ms on 18th September 1928, Crockett came to Chicago at the end of Second World War and began to sing with several West Side blues bands for whom he also composed songs. This is his friend Louis Myers (who also plays the guitar) who brought him in the studios in 1958 for the recording of the fabulous Rockabilly blues tune, Look out Mabel. In 1965, G.L. Crockett would again hit the Chicago charts with It's a man down there, a great blues that will also be recorded by Jimmy Reed and Sonny Boy (Rice Miller). Unfortunately, George Crockett died shortly afterwards in Chicago on 15th February 1967.

            A lot of thanks, once again, to Steve Wisner for sharing some of the rarest records over here.

                                                                      Gérard HERZHAFT

George Conner (as George Corner), vcl/g; band. Chicago, Ill. 1962

01. Morning love blues

02. You know you don't love me

03. Too hot to hold

George Conner (as Birmingham George), vcl/g; Billy Emerson, og; Otis Rush, g; Lonnie Brooks, g; bs; dms. Chicago, Ill. 1965

04. Poor boy

05. Back in town

Big Daddy Simpson (Marcellus Simpson), vcl/g; band. Chicago, Ill. 1960

06. I love my baby

07. Try and understand

Big Daddy Simpson, vcl/g; Middle Walter (James Jones), hca; band. Chicago, Ill. 14 janvier 1963

08. What can I do

09. You don't believe a word I say

Big Daddy Simpson, vcl/g; Marcellus Simpson, vcls; band. Chicago, Ill. octobre 1963

10. Give me back my ring

11. Let your hair down baby

12. Lonely man

Melvin Simpson, vcl/g; Middle Walter, hca; band. Chicago, Ill. 1964

13. Someday baby

14. So hard I & II

15. Don't leave me

16. I'm in love with you

G. L. Crockett (George Crockett), vcl; Louis Myers, g; Henry Gray, pno; bs; dms. Chicago, Ill. juin 1958

17. Look out Mabel I & II

18. Did you ever love somebody I & II

G.L. Crockett, vcl; Louis Myers, g; Henry Gray, pno; Lorenzo Smith, t-sax; Reggie Boyd, bs; dms. Chicago, Ill. 17 juin 1965

19. It's a man down there

20. Every hour every day

21. Every goodbye ain't gone

22. Watch my 32

G.L. Crockett, vcl; Louis Myers, g; Henry Gray, pno; Lorenzo Smith, t-sax; Reggie Boyd, bs; dms. Chicago, Ill. janvier 1966

23. Think twice before I go

24. Gonna make you mine