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Posted by: sted Apr 18 2009, 12:58 PM

Went to see a true living breathing blues master last night in Southport, Louisiana Red. For those who dont know him here is a short excerpt from his life.

"Louisiana Red was born in Alabama in 1932, and is one of the last great
bluesmen still performing, who earned his place in the blues via the harsh
realities of life and who learned his craft from the fathers and grandfathers
of the blues; Son House, Elmore James, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Arthur Crudup,
Robert Nighthawk, Muddy Waters & John Lee Hooker, to name just a few!"

It was a small gig alongside Michael Messer who is an amazing slide player, only about 150 people in a small venue, to hear this guy talk about the days growing up and touring with Muddy Waters (Muddy used to introduce Red as his adopted son!) and running errands forArthur Crudup when he was thirteen was just amazing.
He's now 77 and a little unsteady on his feet but i just cant describe the feeling that i got when he started singing, it was like Muddy Waters and john Lee Hooker all rolled into one, everybody was just mesmerised.
If you get the chance go see him coz he wont be around too much longer and guys like him will soon just be a you tube clip.

I should mention a young girl also done a spot (didnt catch her name), only seventeen years old and up on stage with a dobro playing a son house number, good to know the blues is strong with as it ever was with all the people.

http://www.michaelmesser.co.uk/LOUISIANA%20RED%20&%20MICHAEL%20MESSER.htm

http://video.google.co.uk/videosearch?hl=en&rlz=1T4GFRC_enGB204GB205&q=louisiana+red&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=fr_pSYSMOIzLjAfH2OyeCg&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title#

Posted by: blindwillie Apr 18 2009, 02:04 PM

Yeah, he toured with Wentus Bluesband, a blues band from Finland. Unfortunatly I never got the oppuortunity to see them live. Saw a documentary of the tour though. Fun to watch.

Posted by: Sensible Jones Apr 18 2009, 03:09 PM

Nice one!!!!! I'll have to check if he's playing any London Shows!!!

Micheal Messer is awesome, I've worked with him at quite a few Shows/Festivals!! I first met him in '89!!!!

Quick edit!!
18/04/09 Norden Farm, Maidenhead
19/04/09 Norden Farm, Maidenhead
SLIDE GUITAR WORKSHOP

That place is about 3 miles away and I'm busy tonight and tomorrow!!!

Still, I'll try and catch them at this one!
26/04/09 Green Note, London.

I'm seeing Ultravox on the 24th, got a big Birthday Party on the 25th too!!!
I can see it all getting a bit silly!!!

Posted by: sted Apr 18 2009, 05:44 PM

QUOTE (Sensible Jones @ Apr 18 2009, 03:09 PM)

Nice one!!!!! I'll have to check if he's playing any London Shows!!!

Micheal Messer is awesome, I've worked with him at quite a few Shows/Festivals!! I first met him in '89!!!!

Quick edit!!
18/04/09 Norden Farm, Maidenhead
19/04/09 Norden Farm, Maidenhead
SLIDE GUITAR WORKSHOP

That place is about 3 miles away and I'm busy tonight and tomorrow!!!

Still, I'll try and catch them at this one!
26/04/09 Green Note, London.

I'm seeing Ultravox on the 24th, got a big Birthday Party on the 25th too!!!
I can see it all getting a bit silly!!!

Posted by: Sensible Jones Apr 19 2009, 04:52 PM

QUOTE (sted @ Apr 18 2009, 05:44 PM)

ultravox?!? wow, didnt know they were still going, they were out when I was a kid!!

Cool that youve worked with Michael, I had a quick chat to him and he seems a really genuine guy. I got him to sign a copy of Lucky Charms (His new album, not the cereal for everyone else!) which is a great album, I'm hoping to sign up for one of his teaching seminars so if you hear of any let me know please mate!!