HEAR HERE:
PLAYLIST:
“The Monkey Speaks His Mind” – Dave Bartholomew
“Man Smart, Woman Smarter” – Clifton Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band
“Ways Of Man” – Guitar Shorty
“Soul Of A Man” – Maria Muldaur (featuring Taj Mahal)
“Men” – Mic Conway’s National Junk Band
“Monkey Face Woman” – Otis Spann
“You Gonna Look Like A Monkey When You Get Old” – Robert Hill
“One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show” – Big Maybelle
“Monkey Skulls And Thunderstones” – Steve Tallis
“Got My Mojo Workin’” – Muddy Waters
“Secret Mojo Blues” – Brownie McGhee
“Mojo Hand” – Lightnin’ Hopkins
“Black Cat Bone” – Albert Collins, Robert Cray & Johnny Copeland
“Stepped In What?! ” – Johnnie Johnson
“Johnny Ace Is Dead” – Dave Alvin
Things that make you go, “Mmmm…”
I had to wonder about this one. It could hardly have been mere coincidence but if this were and episode of say, ‘Sesame Street’, it would be brought to you by the letter ‘M’.
Let’s see, we have Blues about Men, Blues about Mojos, Blues about Mishaps and Misadventure – and Blues about – Monkeys. Now, don’t be too quick to laugh. You’d be surprised at just how many Blues song there are about them tree-swingin’, banana-chompin’, faeces-flingin’, furry little miscreants.
We’re barely scratching the surface here, I swear.
Of course there’s plenty of Blues about Men, too – but if I can point to one favourite I was happy to include, its the Gypsy Blues song called, “Men” by Mic Conway’s National Junk Band, sung by (the now, sadly missed) Judy Backhouse (aka Ukulele Lola). Here at Trés Le Parque, Mic Conway (as well as his harmonica playing brother, Jim) have been big favourites since the heady days of The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band in the 1970s.
They helped to ignite a young Cultural Detective’s intrigue (and enduring deep affection) for the majesty of Jug Band Blues.
In light of the recent loss of legendary Bluesman and Rock ’n’ Roll pioneer, Chuck Berry, you’ll hear a song from his long-time piano man, Johnnie Johnson, that is bound to bring a smile to your face, on the subject of …watching your step.
You’ll also hear a classic song from Dave Bartholomew, one of the architects of New Orleans R&B – and a long-time collaborator of Fats Domino. It’s a telling observation of humanity from the intellectual perspective of the Monkey – from which mankind has (reportedly) evolved. Only, for a change – it’s the Monkey who’s dissing the proposition.
I asked Alexa about the significance, or otherwise of the “M” in this show. She just shrugged and said, “Mmmm…”.
Perhaps, I was Merely Mistaken, Mostly Misguided or Momentarily, Making Mountains out of Molehills. …“Mmmm…”.
I gotta get me a Mojo. Oh, and that reminds me, you’ll hear some Blues about them here, as well.
So, how do we fit all that into one concise hour of wildly-compelling radio? Channel your inner Bluetooth by clicking the play button above and I guarantee, you’ll find out.
As always, thanks for listening,
Gideon Rhyme – Cultural Detective
The show’s fifth episode premiered on the gist.net.au at midday (CST) on Saturday the 25th March 2017, receiving an ‘encore’ airing at 7pm (CST) on Wednesday 29th March 2017.
Trés Le Parque 