Champion Jack Dupree, actually was a champion lightweight boxer, but better known as a heavyweight blues pianist.
'Blues from the Gutter' was Jack Dupree's debut
album, released in 1958 on the Atlantic Records label.
The album has at
least three songs that the lyrics would have been considered
controversial in 1958. "T.B. Blues" covered the topic of dying from the
disease of tuberculosis. Musically, the song has a perfect blend of
piano, lead guitar, and alto sax. "Can't Kick the Habit" and "Junker's
Blues" were written about drug addiction and the life of a junker or junkie. Writing about drug addiction in 1958
(William S. Burroughs, not withstanding)
was ahead of its time, it just wasn't mainstream to talk about it. Dupree added two excellent songs about love life "gone south" called "Evil Woman" and "Bad Blood".
Champion Jack Dupree was a top-notch Blues pianist, arguably equal in skill to the great Otis Spann
and Eddie Boyd. The album also has Pete Brown's alto sax in the mix, as
well as the understated, but distinct lead guitar work of Ennis Lowery.
The
depth of feeling in Champion Jack's voice is exceptional, but what makes
this album for me is how the different instruments weave
together and blend throughout the melodies of the songs. The combination
of piano, drums, bass, guitar, and alto sax works well with Dupree's
songs on this album.
If 'Blues from the Gutter' isn't in your Blues collection, then you don't have a Blues collection. Seriously.
The album
has excellent sonics and separation for a 1958 vintage Blues album, with the vocals and instruments crisp and clear. The freeload is a 24 bit / 96 kHz vinyl rip from my collection.For the freeload, who's your favorite living or dead fighter (e.g., boxer, wrestler, martial artist etc. etc.).
1995 - After the MLB all star game. in Arlington TX. I ran to catch an elevator up to the fifth floor. Jumped in and right in front of me was the GOAT - Muhammad Ali. Just him and his two body guards. I said " Hi Champ" and he put up his fists and smiled.
ReplyDeleteHe is and will always be the greatest of all time. My only regret is that my 13 year old son was up in the room and missed it.
No one compares to The Champ!
ReplyDeleteI'm not into fighters (incl. Muay Thai) at all, but as a kid remember being impressed by Muhammad Ali a lot...
ReplyDelete4th vote for Ali - he transcended sports.
ReplyDeleteMuhammad Ali, there are many, many other greats, but no one else floated like a butterfly (I think), thanks Babs.
ReplyDeleteCassius Clay was pretty good, too.
ReplyDeleteMuhammad Ali was my favorite boxer. However, Bruce Lee would have kicked his butt, six ways to Sunday.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Tarantino, Brad Pitt might have something to say about that...
DeleteMuhammad and pretty boy Brad are no match for Jeet Kune Do. As for Quentin, even I could wipe the floor with him.
DeleteAli Ali Ali Ali Ali Ali...... All the way.
ReplyDeleteGot on a lift at Broadcasting House in the 80's, pushed the up button, someone stuck his hand in to stop the doors closing. On gets an entourage, three or four bodyguards and... Ali!!! I stood next to Ali for four floors. I could hardly breathe from the awesomeness of the moment. Unforgettable.
Link
ReplyDeletehttps://workupload.com/file/aJRrPfwqrcW
The next post will be on Friday, as I have way too much going over the next few days.
ReplyDeleteTake your time Babs, There are more important things to do than post for us freeloaders. We'll be here when you get back. Thank you for all you do do. Or is that doo doo?
DeleteDid I steal that from Wavy Gravy?
Hope you're able to sneak in a little fun in the next few days. Thanks Babs, great place you've got here.
DeleteIts been at least 30 years since I took any real sort of interest in fighting sports so I'm not really fussed but if I was going to name anyone it would be Henry Cooper who if not for the bell (so for the sake of 10 seconds) would have defeated Ali in Ali's 19th fight and boxing history might well have been very different.
ReplyDeleteAs for American boxers I'd rate Sugar Ray Leonard as my favorite. World Titles at 5 weights and as good a record as Ali albeit in fewer fights. Ali was great entertainment and I favoured him in most of his big fights but the mythology around the Cooper fight (the illegal smelling salts, the cut / tampered with glove, the extended break between rounds) always left a sour taste.
Furthermore I tended to prefer weights below Heavyweight as a lot of the big guys were just too lumbering and slow in their motion which of course wasn't true of Clay in his early days but was of Ali towards the end.
Sadly of course some of the best fighters of them all have records outside the ring as unworthy as their records inside the ring are worthy which precludes them from mention.
Beyond that If I still had an interest in boxing these days I'd probably say Joe Calzaghe who being both a Brit and retiring with an undefeated 46-0, winning all the Super Middleweight World Titles and a Light Heavyweight world title is recognised as possibly the best ever in British if not European boxing. Ironically he beat another of the most unique and entertaining British boxers to win his first title. I always found Chris Eubank good value if somewhat eccentric for a boxer.
Even as someone who is not the least bit interested in sports, I have to say: Who else? Every child in Germany knew him back in the 60s, when he was still called Cassius Clay.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteMike Tyson once offered a zookeeper $10,000 to open the gate so he could go in the pen and fight the gorilla who has bullying the other primates. Tyson’s offer was turned down.
My vote still goes with Ali/Clay.
Muhammad Ali made me some serious bucks as a kid in high school working after school at a barbershop where I shined shoes, swept up hair, and got an earful about the state of US malehood, circa 1964. The Liston-Clay fight was coming up and the kid from Louisville with the big mouth was a serious underdog at 8 to 1. I got the barbers in the shop to give me the same odds, and I bet my meager savings on the fight. When Liston wouldn't get off his stool in the 8th, I walked around the shop, my hand extended for payoffs and undoubtedly, a smirk across my face. As Muhammad Ali, he wowed me time and again with all his exploits within and outside the ring. And on Vietnam, I felt genuine kinship..
ReplyDeleteDunno about fighters, but
ReplyDeleteI had the original (UK issue) vinyl of this and then got the CD.
The versions of "Strollin'" are different, the CD is worse.
The Vinyl version is on YouTube somewhere, and I'm hoping it's on this download. I'll tell you when I listen.
Well, that's a downer. Track that started the LP renamed as Walkin' and relegated to A5. It's not the track on the CD either, it's even worse.
ReplyDeleteThis is the track off my LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXd7Q2m1p0Q
I want all you teenagers and bobbysoxers to gather round the jukebox!