Charley Patton may or may not have been born in 1891, but he was from Hinds County Mississippi and is considered to be the father of the delta blues. He was a landmark musician whose music perfectly reflected his African, Native American and European heritage. He also performed with and helped mentor Chester Burnett (Howlin’ Wolf), Fiddlin’ Joe Martin, and Robert Johnson.

“Down the Dirt Road Blues” was recorded in 1929 for the Paramount Record label. It was Patton’s fourth recording, and is a powerful song that paints the picture of a visit to the Cherokee Nation reservation.
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I love this song and how his vocals reference the Helushka or Hethoshka music of the Central Plains. It’s a very raw performance and very American.  

If you were around during the swinging sixties in London England, you would have heard of Screaming “Lord” Sutch and his musical and political endeavors.

Born in 1940 in Hampstead North London, David Edward Sutch was a musician, entertainer and political leader who formed various satirical political parties while running for parliamentary election. His most famous party was the Official Monster Raving Loony Party formed in 1983. They poked fun at the real life absurdity that many working class citizens faced during the Thatcher years.
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“Flashing Lights” is the third song from his 1970 debut album Lord Sutch and Heavy Friends. It’s a rocking, bluesy number that winks at Bo Diddly, and if it sounds similar to another British band (Led Zeppelin) it’s because it was co-written by Jimmy Page and features performances by him and drummer John Bonham.

Lord Sutch and Heavy Friends did not sell well and was not well received, but over the years it has developed a following as it features Jimmy Page, John Bonham, Jeff Beck, and Noel Redding among other great London studio musicians.

David Sutch tragically committed suicide in 1999, but his legacy as a charismatic band leader and socially conscious and satirical voice in British politics will hopefully never be forgotten. 

Betty Harris is probably best known for her 1963 version of Solomon Burke’s “Cry to me.” It was a top 25 billboard hit and put Harris on the musical map. In 1964, she began a working relationship with legendary producer Allen Toussaint. With his help she recorded some fantastic music, but never found the same success.

“There’s A Break In The Road” was recorded and released in 1969 on SSS International. Written by Toussaint and backed by The Meters, it’s a funky, strange number that showcases Harris’s raw gritty talent and powerful voice. I think it’s especially interesting for the eerie overdriven organ and horns swirling in the background towards the end.
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A year after recording this track, Betty Harris left the music business to raise a family. In 2005 she returned and performed at various music festivals and made a couple of recordings. It’s a shame we never got music from her during that 35 year hiatus.

After storming the charts and carrying the torch for Glam Rock bands of the mid 70’s, Sweet left RCA for Polydor and changed their look and sound. Eyeliner, mascara and stadium rock flair were pushed aside for strings, horns and occasional disco elements.
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“Love Is Like Oxygen” was the first single featuring their new sound. It’s from their 1978 album Level Headed, and was an international top 10 hit. I love this song. Sure, you could consider it sugar pop camp, but that chorus is so catchy and always brings a smile to my face.