This Week in Blues History - June 17-23

“The Amazing Secret History of Elmore James” was the #1 New Release at the Amazon Kindle Store for Blues Books... thanks to the love and support of our fans all over the world! You can purchase your copy at https://tinyurl.com/yy6vlsv3 (Amazon) and at https://tinyurl.com/y4ql53s2 (Apple Books) “This Week in Blues History” aims the spotlight on important recordings, artists, and events from the golden era of the blues. This time, we profile Magic Sam, who appeared this week in 1969 at the legendary Ann Arbor Blues Festival. “This Week in Blues History” is available commercial free to our bandcamp subscribers! More info -- including how to get instant access to more than 170 episodes of Blues Unlimited -- that’s over 340 hours worth of entertainment -- is at http://bluesunlimited.bandcamp.com/subscribe NEW FEATURE! - You Tube playlist of songs featured on this segment of "This Week in Blues History" -- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3ryca_CqlibyYXiebVwFRHjrgdidLTs_ (note: “Looking Good” starts at 4:24 into the video)

“The Amazing Secret History of Elmore James” is STILL the #1 New Release at the Amazon Kindle Store for Blues Books. On sale now at https://tinyurl.com/yy6vlsv3 (Amazon) and at https://tinyurl.com/y4ql53s2 (Apple Books) The Imperial Record label, founded in 1948 in Los Angeles, is well known as the home of Fats Domino and other great New Orleans artists, as well as Texas guitar hero T-Bone Walker. On this episode of Blues Unlimited, however, we focus on some of the fantastic Country and Down Home Blues that Imperial held in their catalog over the years, from Lightnin' Hopkins, Clifton Chenier, Papa Lightfoot, Lil' Son Jackson, BooZoo Chavis, Snooks Eaglin, and many more. Partly inspired by a series of three LPs that came out more than 50 years ago, simply entitled "Rural Blues," we'll hear lots of rarities and classic sides from Imperial, as well as associated labels (such as Aladdin, which Imperial bought in 1961) and a few other operations that were on Imperial's radar as well. The three LPs -- the material for which was notably selected by Bob "The Bear" Hite and Henry Vestine of Canned Heat fame -- were originally subtitled "Goin' Up The Country" (Volume 1); "Saturday Night Function" (Volume 2); and "Down Home Stomp," and have long been considered to be classics of the genre. Pictured: The distinctive cover art for "Rural Blues, Vol. 1." Are you looking for ways to promote your band’s latest release, product, business, or service? Advertise on the podcast that’s been downloaded over one million times, and reach a global audience of blues lovers! Contact us at bluesunlimited at gmail dot com for more details! This episode is available commercial free and in its original full-fidelity high quality audio exclusively to our subscribers at Bandcamp. Your annual subscription of $27 a year will go directly to support this radio show, and you’ll gain INSTANT DOWNLOAD ACCESS to this and more than 170 other episodes from our extensive archive as well. More info is at http://bluesunlimited.bandcamp.com/subscribe

“The Amazing Secret History of Elmore James” is STILL the #1 New Release at the Amazon Kindle Store for Blues Books. On sale now at https://tinyurl.com/yy6vlsv3 (Amazon) and at https://tinyurl.com/y4ql53s2 (Apple Books) The Imperial Record label, founded in 1948 in Los Angeles, is well known as the home of Fats Domino and other great New Orleans artists, as well as Texas guitar hero T-Bone Walker. On this episode of Blues Unlimited, however, we focus on some of the fantastic Country and Down Home Blues that Imperial held in their catalog over the years, from Lightnin' Hopkins, Clifton Chenier, Papa Lightfoot, and many more. Pictured: The distinctive cover art for "Rural Blues, Vol. 1." Are you looking for ways to promote your band’s latest release, product, business, or service? Advertise on the podcast that’s been downloaded over one million times, and reach a global audience of blues lovers! Contact us at bluesunlimited at gmail dot com for more details! This episode is available commercial free and in its original full-fidelity high quality audio exclusively to our subscribers at Bandcamp. Your annual subscription of $27 a year will go directly to support this radio show, and you’ll gain INSTANT DOWNLOAD ACCESS to this and more than 170 other episodes from our extensive archive as well. More info is at http://bluesunlimited.bandcamp.com/subscribe

“The Amazing Secret History of Elmore James” is STILL the #1 New Release at the Amazon Kindle Store for Blues Books... thanks to the love and support of our fans all over the world! You can purchase your copy at https://tinyurl.com/yy6vlsv3 (Amazon) and at https://tinyurl.com/y4ql53s2 (Apple Books) “This Week in Blues History” aims the spotlight on important recordings, artists, and events from the golden era of the blues. This time, we profile Skip James, whose re-emergence at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival marked the advent of a new chapter in his career. “This Week in Blues History” is available commercial free to our bandcamp subscribers! More info -- including how to get instant access to more than 170 episodes of Blues Unlimited -- that’s over 340 hours worth of entertainment -- is at http://bluesunlimited.bandcamp.com/subscribe NEW FEATURE! - You Tube playlist of songs featured on this segment of "This Week in Blues History" -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT6zse-ndLk&list=PL3ryca_CqliYdovBi1Raxcp_324GKLRlI

“The Amazing Secret History of Elmore James” was the #1 New Release at the Amazon Kindle Store for Blues Books. On sale now at https://tinyurl.com/yy6vlsv3 (Amazon) and at https://tinyurl.com/y4ql53s2 (Apple Books) The first Hammond Organ -- the Model A -- was introduced in the United States in 1935 by inventor Laurens Hammond. He originally intended it for use in radio broadcasting, as a replacement for the piano in middle class homes, and as an affordable substitute for the pipe organ in churches. In the mid 1950s, the B3 model was introduced, and it quickly found a home in blues, gospel, and jazz music circles -- becoming one of their most popular sellers. On this episode of Blues Unlimited, we'll hear Hammond B3 rarities from Saint Louis-based keyboardist Sam Lazar (Jazz guitar legend Grant Green was an early member of the group) as well as J.C. Davis (his 45 for Chess, "Feznecky"), plus all time classics from Bill Doggett, Booker T. & the MG's, Jimmy McGriff, James Booker, and a special treat from Jazz keyboard legend Jimmy Smith. Although the original Hammond B3 was officially discontinued in 1974, we’re pleased to say that Suzuki -- who now owns Hammond -- recently came out with an updated tribute model, which is said to duplicate every single aspect of the original. Whether on a vintage Hammond B3 or the newly redesigned one, we look forward to more fine music being made on the Hammond B3 in years to come. Pictured: Hit maker for Stax Records, Booker T. Jones. Are you looking for ways to promote your band’s latest release, product, business, or service? Advertise on the podcast that’s been downloaded over one million times, and reach a global audience of blues lovers! Contact us at bluesunlimited at gmail dot com for more details! This episode is available commercial free and in its original full-fidelity high quality audio exclusively to our subscribers at Bandcamp. Your annual subscription of $27 a year will go directly to support this radio show, and you’ll gain INSTANT DOWNLOAD ACCESS to this and more than 170 other episodes from our extensive archive as well. More info is at http://bluesunlimited.bandcamp.com/subscribe

“The Amazing Secret History of Elmore James” was the #1 New Release at the Amazon Kindle Store for Blues Books. On sale now at https://tinyurl.com/yy6vlsv3 (Amazon) and at https://tinyurl.com/y4ql53s2 (Apple Books) On this episode of Blues Unlimited, we're movin' and groovin' to the sounds of the Hammond B3 organ. Popular in Jazz, Blues, R&B, Soul, and Gospel, we'll celebrate the history of this hit making instrument over the years, with rarities from Sam Lazar and J.C. Davis, plus all time classics from Bill Doggett, Booker T. & the MG's, Jimmy McGriff, and more. Pictured: Hit maker for Stax Records, Booker T. Jones. Are you looking for ways to promote your band’s latest release, product, business, or service? Advertise on the podcast that’s been downloaded over one million times, and reach a global audience of blues lovers! Contact us at bluesunlimited at gmail dot com for more details! This episode is available commercial free and in its original full-fidelity high quality audio exclusively to our subscribers at Bandcamp. Your annual subscription of $27 a year will go directly to support this radio show, and you’ll gain INSTANT DOWNLOAD ACCESS to this and more than 170 other episodes from our extensive archive as well. More info is at http://bluesunlimited.bandcamp.com/subscribe

“The Amazing Secret History of Elmore James” was the #1 New Release at the Amazon Kindle Store for Blues Books. On sale now at https://tinyurl.com/yy6vlsv3 (Amazon) and at https://tinyurl.com/y4ql53s2 (Apple Books) “This Week in Blues History” aims the spotlight on important recordings, artists, and events from the golden era of the blues. This time, we take a look at the American Record Corporation's 1939 field trip to Memphis. For the Bluff City, it marked the end of an era. “This Week in Blues History” is available commercial free to our bandcamp subscribers! More info -- including how to get instant access to more than 170 episodes of Blues Unlimited -- that’s over 340 hours worth of entertainment -- is at http://bluesunlimited.bandcamp.com/subscribe

“The Amazing Secret History of Elmore James” is the #1 New Release at the Amazon Kindle Store for Blues Books. On sale now at https://tinyurl.com/yy6vlsv3 (Amazon) and at https://tinyurl.com/y4ql53s2 (Apple Books) As a special treat to our listeners, here’s another blast from the archives that’s sure to be a crowd pleaser. Enjoy! —SBH. On this episode of Blues Unlimited, we take a look at some of the great harmonica wizards that were a mainstay of the Chicago Blues scene. Beginning with 'The Chairman of the Board' – John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson, who was pretty much responsible for putting the harmonica on the Windy City Blues map in the first place – and continuing on up through the early recordings of Little Walter, Snooky Pryor, Junior Wells, and Big Walter Horton, it's a veritable feast of Harmonica Blues, as we pull out some of the finest waxings the Windy City had to offer, including some rare gems and a look at some of the 'lesser knowns' who were a part of the scene as well. Pictured: Little Walter, the King of Chicago Blues Harmonica. Are you looking for ways to promote your band’s latest release, product, business, or service? Advertise on the podcast that’s been downloaded over one million times, and reach a global audience of blues lovers! Contact us at bluesunlimited at gmail dot com for more details! This episode is available commercial free and in its original full-fidelity high quality audio exclusively to our subscribers at Bandcamp. Your annual subscription of $27 a year will go directly to support this radio show, and you’ll gain INSTANT DOWNLOAD ACCESS to this and more than 170 other episodes from our extensive archive as well. More info is at http://bluesunlimited.bandcamp.com/subscribe

“The Amazing Secret History of Elmore James” is the #1 New Release at the Amazon Kindle Store for Blues Books. On sale now at https://tinyurl.com/yy6vlsv3 (Amazon) and at https://tinyurl.com/y4ql53s2 (Apple Books) As a special treat to our listeners, here’s another blast from the archives that’s sure to be a crowd pleaser. Enjoy! —SBH. On this episode of Blues Unlimited, we take a look at some of the great harmonica wizards that were a mainstay of the Chicago Blues scene. Beginning with 'The Chairman of the Board' – John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson, who was pretty much responsible for putting the harmonica on the Windy City Blues map in the first place – and continuing on up through the early recordings of Little Walter, Snooky Pryor, Junior Wells, and Big Walter Horton, it's a veritable feast of Harmonica Blues, as we pull out some of the finest waxings the Windy City had to offer, including some rare gems and a look at some of the 'lesser knowns' who were a part of the scene as well. Pictured: Little Walter, the King of Chicago Blues Harmonica. Are you looking for ways to promote your band’s latest release, product, business, or service? Advertise on the podcast that’s been downloaded over one million times, and reach a global audience of blues lovers! Contact us at bluesunlimited at gmail dot com for more details! This episode is available commercial free and in its original full-fidelity high quality audio exclusively to our subscribers at Bandcamp. Your annual subscription of $27 a year will go directly to support this radio show, and you’ll gain INSTANT DOWNLOAD ACCESS to this and more than 170 other episodes from our extensive archive as well. More info is at http://bluesunlimited.bandcamp.com/subscribe

“The Amazing Secret History of Elmore James” is the #1 New Release at the Amazon Kindle Store for Blues Books. On sale NOW at https://tinyurl.com/yy6vlsv3 (Amazon) and at https://tinyurl.com/y4ql53s2 (Apple Books) “This Week in Blues History” aims the spotlight on important recordings, artists, and events from the golden era of the blues. This time, we profile guitarist Blue Smitty, who cut his only session for Chess Records, this week in 1952. “This Week in Blues History” is available commercial free to our bandcamp subscribers! More info -- including how to get instant access to more than 170 episodes of Blues Unlimited -- that’s over 340 hours worth of entertainment -- is at http://bluesunlimited.bandcamp.com/subscribe