Doc Powell Jazz Fusion Guitarist

Little Milton Blues and Soulman Guitarist

He was born Milton Campbell in a modest sharecroppers home on the outskirts of Inverness, Mississippi, on September 7th 1934. As a child, he was drawn by a very popular radio shows of the day (and still is): The Grand Ole Opry. He found an early connection to Country and western music and later fused it with the other two predominant musical influences of the Mississippi Delta: Gospel & Blues. A youthful “Little” Milton began studying what he heard and practiced; mastering songs and reciting them, no matter what the style or difficulty. By his early teens, he was performing in local clubs and bars across the Delta.

As Milton grew into a young man, he didn't waste any time learning the ropes or absorbing all the musical possibilities that existed at the time. He played street corners, alleys, dives, you name it, carefully developing his craft and attracting the attention of established acts and local record labels. By the time Ike Turner introduced Milton to Sam Phillips of Sun Records in the early 50's, he was a young but seasoned performer with a momentous live show that created a buzz in every town he played. His debut single Beggin My Baby  was recorded and released at the same time Sam Phillips was molding the sound of another unknown talent from Mississippi: Elvis Presley.   After recording a series of sides at Sun without great fanfare, Milton moved to East St. Louis’ Bobbin Records, where his recording career flourished. He also became Bobbin's A&R chief and working partner to its owner, Bob Lyons. During this era, Milton signed such artists as Albert King and Fontella Bass to the label. Most importantly, he cut his own first hit, I'm A Lonely Man, in 1958.   Milton's skyrocketing success soon drew the attention of Chess Records executives in Chicago, who signed him to Chess Checkers label and moved him north. Chess carried Little Milton from southern blues circuit fame to the national spotlight and to white audiences. Milton's recordings realized only moderate chart success, until he cut We're Gonna Make It, which hit No. 1 on Billboard magazines R&B singles chart in 1965. On the Checker label, he registered hits from 1962 through 1971 that would become American blues classics and staples of his live shows. His Checker recordings included Baby I Love You, If Walls Could Talk, Feel So Bad, Who's Cheating Who? and the unforgettable Grits Ain't Groceries. After the death of label founder Leonard Chess in 1969, the company eventually dissolved and Milton signed with Stax. At Stax, he joined a virtual who’s who of influential black recording artist of the day including Isaac Hayes, Rufus & Carla Thomas, Booker T. & The M.G.'s, Albert King and, coincidentally, another future Malaco star, the late Johnnie Taylor. Milton’s legend only grew at Stax, where from 1971 through 1975, he stacked up more mega hits…including Walking The Back Streets and Cryin and That's What Love Will Make You Do.  When Stax filed bankruptcy in 1975, Milton joined TK/Glades Records in Miami, then home to such artist as Betty Wright, K. C. & The Sunshine Band and Latimore. There, he racked up another charted hit, Friend of Mine. But the Glade label also went out of business.  Consequently, in 1983, he released his only album for MCA, Age Ain't Nothin But A Number. The title cut was an instant-charted hit. In 1984, Little Milton united with Malaco Records and began the longest professional association of his career. He continued his exceptional vocal and guitar styles and quickly became one of Malaco's biggest selling artists. He swept up such honors as the 1988 W. C. Handy Blues Entertainer of the Year Award and the 2000 Grammy award nomination. He also was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. Over the years, Malaco has released 14 of Little Milton's albums, including the critically acclaimed, Billboard blues smash hit Cheatin Habit. Cheatin Habit followed his wildly successful Little Milton's Greatest Hits compilation.  Some of Little Milton's Malaco cuts that have become American blues standards include Annie Mae's Cafe, The Blues is Alright, Little Bluebird, Room 244, I Was Trying Not to Break Down, Catch You on Your Way Down, Murder on Your Hands, and Comeback Kind of Love.

The year 2001 marked a successful run of sold out shows in the United States and Europe and the release of Feel It.  Malaco doubled back in September, 2002, with the release CD number 14, Guitar Man.  It's celebrated cuts include Guitar Man, Still Some Meat Left on this Bone, and Milton's soulful rendition of My Way.

In 2005, after more than a half century after his early SUN recordings, Little Milton made his debut on the TELARC label with the release of THINK OF ME, a mesmerizing CD consisting of a dozen tracks distilling a lifetime of rich guitar skills, compelling vocals and deft songwriting all wrapped into a single high powered package. It would be his last studio recording.

The man who made the THE BLUES IS ALRIGHT a national anthem with blues enthusiasts around the globe, passed away on August 4, 2005, after suffering a massive brain stroke.  Hundreds of family, friends, and fans attended his memorial on August 10, 2005 in South Haven, Mississippi in a final farewell to "MR. C".

Official Discography
http://www.littlemilton.com/music%20catalog.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Milton

• We're Gonna Make It (1965, Chess) (R&B #3 U.S. #101)
• Sings Big Blues (1966, Checker)
• Grits Ain't Groceries (1969, Stax) (R&B #41 U.S. #159)
• If Walls Could Talk (1970, MCA/Chess) (R&B #23 U.S. #197)
• Waiting for Little Milton (1973, Stax) (R&B #39)
• What It Is: Live at Montreux (1973, Stax)
• Blues 'n' Soul (1974, Stax) (R&B #45)
• Tin Pan Alley (1975, Stax)
• Friend of Mine (1976, Glades) (R&B #50)
• Me For You, You For Me (1977, Glades)
• Walkin' the Back Streets (1981, Stax)
• The Blues Is Alright (1982, Evidence)
• Age Ain't Nothin' But a Number (1983, Mobile Fidelity) (R&B #53)
• Playing for Keeps (1984, Malaco) (R&B #55)
• I Will Survive (1985, Malaco)
• Annie Mae's Cafe (1986, Malaco)
• Movin' to the Country (1987, Malaco)
• Back to Back (1988, Malaco) (R&B #73)
• Too Much Pain (1990, Malaco) (R&B #40)
• Reality (1991, Malaco) (R&B #57)
• I Need Your Love So Bad (1991, Golden Ear)
• Strugglin' Lady (1992, Malaco) (R&B #63)
• I'm a Gambler (1994, Malaco)
• Live at Westville Prison (1995, Delmark)
• Cheatin' Habit (1996, Malaco) (Blues #14)
• For Real (1998, Malaco) (Blues #13)
• Welcome to Little Milton (1999, Malaco) (Blues #10)
• Feel It (2001, Malaco)
• Guitar Man (2002, Malaco) (Blues #8)
• The Blues Is Alright: Live at Kalamazoo (2004, Varèse Sarabande)
• Think of Me (2005, Telarc) (Blues #14)
• Live at the North Atlantic Blues Festival: His Last Concert (2006 Camil)

Singles

Incomplete listing

• "So Mean to Me" (1962) (R&B #14)
• "Blind Man" (1965) (R&B #86)
• "We're Gonna Make It" (1965) (R&B #1 U.S. #25)
• "Who's Cheating Who?" (1965) (R&B #4 U.S. #43)
• "Man Loves Two" (1966) (R&B #45)
• "We Got the Winning Hand" (1966) (U.S. #100)
• "Feel So Bad" (1967) (R&B #7, U.S. #91)
• "I'll Never Turn My Back on You" (1967) (R&B #31)
• "Let Me Down Easy" (1968) (R&B #27)
• "More and More" (1968) (R&B #45)
• "Grits Ain't Groceries" (1969) (R&B #13, U.S. #73)
• "Just a Little Bit" (1969) (R&B #13, U.S. #97)
• "Baby, I Love You" (1970) (R&B #6, U.S. #82)
• "If Walls Could Talk" (1970) (R&B #10, U.S. #71)
• "Somebody's Changin' My Sweet Baby's Mind" (1970) (R&B #22)
• "I Play Dirty" (1971) (R&B #37)
• "If That Ain't a Reason" (1971) (R&B #41)
• "That's What Love Will Make You Do" (1972) (R&B #9, U.S. #59)
• "What It Is" (1973) (R&B #51)
• "Behind Closed Doors" (1974) (R&B #31)
• "Tin Pan Alley" (1974) (R&B #51)
• "Let Me Back In" (1974) (R&B #38)
• "If You Talk In Your Sleep" (1975) (R&B #34)
• "Friend of Mine" (1976) (R&B #15)
• "Baby, It Ain't No Way" (1977) (R&B #94)
• "Loving You" (1977) (R&B #47)
• "Just One Step" (1977) (R&B #59)
• "Age Ain't Nothin' But a Number" (1983) (R&B #89)

 Compilation albums

Incomplete Listing

• Greatest Hits (1972, MCA/Chess)
• Sun Masters (1990, Rounder)
• Welcome to the Club: The Essential Chess Recordings (1994, MCA/Chess)
• The Complete Stax Singles (1994, Fantasy)
• Stand By Me: The Blues Collection [#48] (1995, Orbis)
• Greatest Hits (1995, Malaco)
• Rockin' the Blues (1996, MCA Special)
• Greatest Hits (The Chess 50th Anniversary Collection) (1997, MCA/Chess)
• Chess Blues Guitar: Two Decades of Killer Fretwork (1998 MCA/Chess)
• Count the Days (1997, 601 Records)
• The Complete Checker Hit Singles (2001, Connoisseur Collection)
• Anthology 1953-1961 (2002, Varèse Sarabande)
• Running Wild Blues (2006, Charly)
• Stax Profiles (2006, Stax)
• The Very Best of Little Milton (2007, Stax)

 Appearances on other albums

http://www.littlemilton.com/biography.htm

Guitar Slim New Orleans Bluesman and son Guitar Slim Jr

Eddie Jones (December 10, 1926 – February 7, 1959),[1] better known as Guitar Slim, was a New Orleans blues guitarist, from the 1940s and 1950s, best known for the million-selling song, produced by Johnny Vincent at Specialty Records, "The Things That I Used to Do". It is a song that is listed in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.[2] Slim had a major impact on rock and roll and experimented with distorted overtones on the electric guitar a full decade before Jimi Hendrix
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar_Slim


Guitar Slim - The Things That I Used To Do

Guitar Slim - I'm Guitar Slim
http://youtu.be/etZmdNgtRTk

Warm and Tender Love (Sir Lattimore Brown) Soul Man

http://youtu.be/cdT2GAkeoFU


Lattimore Brown - I know that I'm gonna miss you


http://youtu.be/xgr1_XGSO2M

Lightnin Slim Guitar

Lightnin' Slim was born Otis V. Hicks in St. Louis, Missouri. moving to Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the age of thirteen. Taught guitar by his older brother Layfield, Slim was playing in bars in Baton Rouge by the late 1940s. He debuted on J. D. "Jay" Miller's Feature Records label in 1954 with "Bad Luck Blues". Slim then recorded for Excello Records for twelve years, starting in the mid 1950s, often collaborating with his brother-in-law, Slim Harpo and with harmonica player Lazy Lester. -Wiki

From the American Folk Blues Festival 1972, live in Paris

http://youtu.be/OwY2D0IgVhA








LIGHTNIN' SLIM ~ THATS ALRIGHT

http://youtu.be/_iVIxsUcNyI

MELVIN SPARKS Hassan - Akilah! (1972

Allah Ya Raham Rahim: Rest In Peace

The late 70s and 80s were a quieter but content time for Sparks: he converted to Islam and a drug-free lifestyle, focused on local jazz gigs and his wedding band, worked in his home studio and as a producer elsewhere, and raised four daughters and one son. However, in the 90s Sparks discovered that his recordings had become popular abroad and that American jambands were playing his music. He promptly launched a band and hit the road.

 
March 2011 - Melvin Sparks, guitarist on numerous soul-jazz and organ combo dates from the late 60s onwards, died on 13 March 2011 of complications from diabetes, aged 64.

Born on 22 March 1946 and influenced by, among others, Grant Green, he was heard mostly as a rhythm guitarist and occasional soloist, particularly with Hank Crawford, Charles Earland, Jimmy McGriff and Lou Donaldson.

Latterly he worked with such younger exponents of the organ combo as Joey DeFrancesco. He recorded widely for the Prestige and Savant labels.

Melvin Sparks (he later adopted the surname Sparks-Hassan) was born in Houston on March 22, 1946, into a musical family. His mother owned a cafe that featured weekly jam sessions. Two of his brothers were professional musicians. Mr. Sparks was 11 when he got his first guitar.

Melvin Sparks Allowed His Music to Transcend Race and Religion





by Dennis Day on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 10:29pm

I attended the funeral of Melvin Sparks Hassan today, in Mt. Vernon, New York, 20 miles north of Manhattan. Melvin was a devout Muslim. He passed Tuesday, March 15th. suffering a heart attack at home, he was 64 years old.

It was a very interesting learning experience for non-Muslims like me. I learned about some aspects of the Islamic faith that were unfamiliar to me , particularly regarding sacred burial customs. America is a remarkably diverse place. Our nation’s diversity is its strength. As global citizens we must actively pursue experiences that broaden our individual and collective understanding of one another .

Sadly many of our citizens balk at learning about others customs and beliefs. It therefore becomes easier to demonize and cast those not sharing the majority’s beliefs and practices as so called “others” even when the “other” represents over a billion human beings on the planet. Many great musicians and friends paid their respects to the Texas born guitarist. They represented every creed : Jews, Muslims, Christians, race, gender and nationality. Melvin's new band consists of young white musicians whose love and devotion for this gentle soul was apparent, Sparks is regarded as one who helped pioneer the genre known as Acid Jazz. Band members attempted to hold back tears of grieve when sharing memories and amusing stories of long hours traveling on the road together. The guitarist and band leader’s impact on his young charges was highlighted in terms of his being caring but stern father figure. He was described as a wonderful mentor, teacher and wise disciplinarian. Recalling their leader as one infused with a joy for life, love of music and friendship proved too over whelming . Their tears flowed as the audience listened but ceased after a vibrant musical jam session and repast in celebration of Melvin’s remarkable life .

Melvin never seemed to wear his faith on his sleeve, he lived it with a generous and buoyant spirit. Having known and gigged with Melvin over the years, I’m hopeful and believe that racial and religious tolerance are achievable. He left a fine example for his fellow Muslims, and Non- Muslims alike to immulate in terms of learning to respect and value others solely on the basis of the content of their character.

At the repast, I was privileged to sing with Nathan Lucas the wonderful Hammond B3 organist and a fine trio anchored by drummer, Jessie "Cheese" Hamin before an appreciative gathering of family, artists and hosts of friends. It was a beautiful home going celebration. RIP



Brother Sparks Family

In addition to Ms. Judy Hassan, Mr. Sparks is survived by four daughters: Akilah Waldrond of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., Aisha Sparks of Greenburgh, N.Y., Idrissa Sparks of White Plains, and Elizabeth Lockwood of Mount Vernon; a son, Melvin Hassan Jr., of Mount Vernon; and 13 grandchildren

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/21/arts/music/melvin-sparks-soul-guitarist-dies-at-64.html?ref=arts/&_r=0

http://www.sparkplugband.com/#!melvin

As a solo artist for Prestige Records, his albums included "Sparks" (1970), "Sparkplug" (1971), "Texas Twister)" (1974), "Sparkling" (1981), "I'm a Gitter Play" (1997) and "Groove On Up" (2005). He also appeared on a number of advertising campaigns and television commercials. He died from complications of diabetes.

In the so-called “Acid Jazz” era of the ‘90’s, Sparks underwent a bit of a career renaissance. Sparks! and Spark Plug were compiled on one CD as a part of Prestige’s Legends of Acid Jazz series, which got him some new attention.Sparks then recorded his first sides as a leader in almost two decades (most for Savant Records) and as the work came again for the other old soul-jazz cats, they gave Sparks a call. During the ‘90’s and early 2000’s he backed Donaldson and Earland again; as well as Jimmy McGriff, Hank Crawford and relative newcomer Joey DeFrancesco.He was still going strong until recently, bringing joy to multiple generations with his still nimble playing, as you can see in the clip below. He was a part of an era of jazz that many people unfortunately, try to forget. But Melvin Sparks should be remembered.MELVIN SPARKS Hassan - Akilah! (1972) Named after his daughter Akilah.Backing him up were Leon Spencer, Idris Muhammad, Buddy Caldwell, Virgil Jones, Sonny Fortune, Frank Wess, Ernie Royal, George Coleman, Dave Hubbard and Hubert Laws. An upbeat Love The Life You Live sets the perfect mood for the album. On The Up is a little more dirtier funky Jazz. All Wrapped Up is also a good number.

House Of The Rising Sun

1. Animals - House Of The Rising Sun

http://youtu.be/bwAw9ThDQmk

http://youtu.be/9xtTP3dk4EY

1. Sinead O'Connor - The House of the Rising Sun

http://youtu.be/_bDW-YQZVLw

House of the rising sun - Santa Esmeralda
http://youtu.be/dfJjS6r41Kw

Joan Baez ~ House Of The Rising Sun
http://youtu.be/rD80eZ6Gxz0


House of rising sun - Jimi Hendrix

http://youtu.be/uagOWNwDfLI

"The House of the Rising Sun" ("Rising Sun Blues")
Written by	Traditional
Language	English
Recorded by	Clarence "Tom" Ashley with Gwen Foster (Vocalion, 1934) Pete Seeger (Folkways, 1958) Joan Baez (Vanguard, 1960) Bob Dylan (Columbia, 1962) Conway Twitty (Decca, 1970) Sinéad O'Connor (Chrysalis, 1994)

 Am / / / / / C / / / / / / D / / / / / F / / / / /Am / / / / / C / / / / / E / / / / / E7 / / / / /Am / / / / / C / / / / / / D / / / / / F / / / / /Am / / / / / E / / / / / Am / / / / / E7 / / / / /







Tracy Chapman - House of The Rising Sun (Live Solo European Tour 2008

http://youtu.be/n1gp-k5y67E

http://youtu.be/W0M-Ck5USQc

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_House_of_the_Rising_Sun


Tracy Chapman - Stand by me

http://youtu.be/pjqre-8igAQ


Ain't no sunshine - Tracy Chapman & Buddy Guy

http://youtu.be/neFzQ-vBXm0