Living Blues #280 September/October 2022

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Mr. Sipp

I Never Really Left Gospel . . . I Brought Gospel to the Blues Stage

By Scott Barretta

In 2013 Mr. Sipp, “The Mississippi Blues Child,” seemed to come out of nowhere and reached the IBC finals in Memphis. But Castro Coleman was already a well-established name in the gospel scene in Mississippi; he was just rebranding himself as a blues artist. Over the past decade he has used the skills he learned in gospel to wow the blues world.

EB Davis

Ambassador of the Blues

By Bill Kopp

Vocalist EB Davis grew up in the Arkansas Delta and built his career in the clubs of Memphis and New York. But, after an army deployment to Germany, Davis settled in there to become one of the most popular blues artists in Europe.

Melody Angel

It’s a Healing Thing

By David Whiteis

Guitarist Melody Angel is one of the top rising young stars on the Chicago blues scene. Her dynamic guitar playing and energetic live shows have quickly made her a crowd favorite.

Larry Lampkin

I Couldn’t Get That Backbeat Groove Out of My Head

By Scott M. Bock

Texan Larry Lampkin came to the blues late, guided by a dollar store Freddie King CD. Mentored by U.P. Wilson and Ray Reed, the young guitarist was soon a budding bluesman. Within a few years he was on tour with Vernon Garrett and over the last decade has focused on his own career.

Let It Roll

Blind Blake – Paramount Records, Richmond, Indiana, August 17, 1929

By Jas Obrecht

Blind Blake is one of the most skillful guitarists in the history of the blues. His remarkable guitar runs and seemingly effortless playing continue to amaze listeners today. By August of 1929 Blake was one of Paramount Records’ most popular artists, and for this session they paired him with Detroit’s premier pianist Charlie Spand. The result was some of Blake’s best sides including one of his most popular, Diddie Wa Diddie.

Record Reviews

• New Releases: Shemekia Copeland, Harrison Kennedy, and Wallace Coleman
• Reissues: Phil Guy, Jackie Brenston, and Syl Johnson & Smokey Smothers

Editorial

Blues New

Breaking Out: Dylan Triplett

Obituaries

Radio Charts

Cover photo by Bill Steber: Mr. Sipp, July 7, 2022.