Ervin Rucker – She’s Alright

When I was looking for a copy of Done Done The Slop by Ervin Rucker a couple of years back - I spotted a mint copy of this Rucker track somewhere online (eBay probably) and grabbed it for a few quid hoping it would be uptempo. To my delight it IS an uptempo number, though a different kettle of fish to Done Done The Slop. Not much seems to be known about the Musette label, but I’m guessing this was recorded early to mid 60s. Check out the minor-to-major key shifts between verse and and infectious, gospel-style chorus. Praise be!

Champion Jack Dupree – Dirty Woman

I’m a sucker for great percussion and well, check out the wild and crazy beat on this blues number by piano-playing Champion Jack Dupree. I actually think the percussion follows on nicely from the rhythms of the drumming in the last track I posted - hugely different tracks though they are. This VIK disc was cut in 1957 when Dupree was in his late 40s and right on top of his game. It was a sweet day I bagged this near mint copy!

Bobby Bland – Honey Child

If I have any regular readers left, well, thank you: I haven’t posted since April - I’ve been super busy this year! OK, without further ado, here’s a Bobby Bland record from 1964 I haven’t really played out much but, having pulled it out of the ol’ 7″ drawers the other week to give it a spin at home, I found myself thinking “wow”. This is a killer track and it’s now where it probably should have been before: in my record box!

Wendy Rene – Bar-B-Q

Hugely inspired by my recent visit to #Meateasy on Saturday (see previous post) to sample its delights and spin discs with the lovely Roxanne Roll and Johnny Hotsauce, I’ve decided to dig out one of my favourite summer time soul records, Bar-B-Q by Wendy Rene on Stax from 1964. Yes, it’s time to get the barbeque out, buy some prime quality meat, some highly recommended meat rubs and sauces – and get some friends round for some good times in the garden!

I like a barbeque, you like a barbeque, we like a barbeque - let’s have a barbeque!

In an almighty clang-banging evening of mighty musical fun, two legendary London clubnights, Cowbella and Get Involved, are combining forces with one Johnny Hotsauce for a one-night-only comeback at London’s fabled burger destination, #Meateasy…

Cowbella, in case you don’t know, was a monthly night fronted by DJ Roxanne Roll. Similarly to good ol’ Get Involved, it ran for several years and saw records spun, live acts perform, and percussive instruments bashed enthusiastically by the assembled. Good vibes every time!

So grab your favourite cowbell / maraca / tambourine and join us as Cowbella and Get Involved get their shake on at London’s hottest burger joint FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY! Roxanne Roll and G the P will be joined by Johnny Hotsauce and will be bringing boxes of records, bags of cowbells and muchos maracas to the meaty environs of #Meateasy on the occasion of the venue’s penultimate Saturday of trading in its current room-above-a-pub guise. Meat, music and mayhem in equal measures. Bring something to bang!

There’s an event page on Facebook - check it out!

Cowbella vs Get Involved w Johnny Hotsauce
at #Meateasy, Saturday 2nd April