Today we have new music from Afrissippi’s new CD "Alliance."  "Alliance" is the follow up CD to their successful 2005 debut CD Fulani Journey.  If you are not familiar with Afrissippi you are in for a real treat.  The band’s leader, Guelel Kumba hails from Senegal, West Africa.  He is of the Fulani tribe and moved to Oxford Mississippi a few years ago where he met several local blues musicians.  They soon discovered that the traditional music of Guelel’s tribe blended perfectly with the Hill Country style of blues that the rest of the band had been playing all of their lives.  The results of this musical fusion is a refreshing blend that they like to call World Boogie.  It was produced by Grammy award winner Jimbo Mathus and recorded at his Delta Recording Service in Como Mississippi for Hill Country Records.  Featuring Junior Kimbrough’s Chulahoma Juke Band, the band consists of Guelel Kumba on vocals and acoustic guitar, Eric Deaton on electric guitar, Kinney Kimbrough on drums, Papa Assane M’baye on percussion, and Justin Showah on bass with guest trombonist Jeff Callaway. Check out the links to Afrissippi and Hill Country Records in the Linkage section.  RW

 

Today we have the great Bobby Rush, recorded live in Ocean Springs, MS on July 8th, 2007. In this beautiful recording by taper jedi Kevin Byram, we hear the essence of the blues: one man, one electric guitar (ok, so not really unplugged), one harmonica and a whole lot of music. This legendary story teller and song writer has been an important part of the blues scene since 1951. SMMS is proud to bring you 42 minutes of Bobby Rush on this, our second anniversary. Be sure to check out Bobby's website: bobbyrush.net . With thanks to Bobby, Greg Preston and Kevin Byram...enjoy, my little taters, enjoy! rw

This week we're getting ready for the North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic in Potts Camp, MS happening June 29th and 30th. We've got cuts from Burnside Exploration, T-Model Ford, Jimbo Mathus, Kenny Brown, North Mississippi All Stars and Taylor Grocery Band. Go to kennybrown.net in the linkage section for the complete lineup and directions. Good food, good music, good times! rw

Today we have Tommie T-Bone Pruitt of Ellisville recorded this past February at The Shed BBQ in Ocean Springs.  Thanks to Butch Johnson and congrats to The Shed for winning all those awards at the Memphis In May BBQ competition this month.

It's shaping up to be a big year for Tommie. On March 17th, T-bone and the boys were recorded by a visiting Croatian film crew for inclusion in a documentary for Croatian Public Television about volunteerism in the USA (no, it wasn't Borat ;o)

Also check out Tommie's new page on the Mississippi Arts Council web site by clicking on "T-bones MAC Page" in the Linkage section on the left. Thanks to Scott Barretta for his effort in coming to Laurel to interview Tommie and setting the whole thing up. Scott is the host of HWY 61 a weekly blues show on Mississippi Public Radio as well as contributing editor for Living Blues magazine.  (photo courtsey of Scott Barretta for the MAC) rw

Today we've got Eden Brent recorded live at The Shedhead 3 Blues Festival on November 12th, 2006 in Ocean Springs, MS at the Shed BBQ.  Part of our continuing Shed series, this recording comes courtesy of Butch Johnson.

Eden Brent is a blues and jazz pianist and vocalist from Greenville, MS.  Known as Little Boogaloo, she is the 2006 International Blues Challenge Solo Artist of the Year.  Her debut CD, Something Cool is available from edenbrent.com. Follow the link in the linkage section while you check out this future blues legend! rw

Today, we continue our Shed series with Part One of Big Al and the Heavyweights recorded live at the Shed BBQ in Ocean Springs, MS.  Big Al and the Heavyweights are from New Orleans and their blend of Blues and Zydeco is sure to please. Be sure to check out their website at www.bigal.net and you can pick up their CD at www.mardigrasrecords.com (click on the links in the Linkage Section to keep the music from being interupted if you are listening with our pod player) Thanks to Butch Johnson and the entire Shed staff. Later taters! rw

This episode kicks off a new series of shows recorded live at The Shed BBQ in Ocean Springs, MS. These recordings are courtesy of Butch Johnson. Big Sam's Funky Nation hails from New Orleans and their funky brass sound is a holiday treat you don't want to miss. Be sure to check out their website listed in the Linkage section. Happy Holidays!! rw

This Sunday, Nov. 12th, L.C. Ulmer will be performing at the 3rd annual Shedhed Blues Festival at The Shed BBQ in Ocean Springs, MS and to celebrate we have L.C. performing live at Martin's in Jackson recorded on Sept. 15th. He will be joining an all star line up including: Coco Robicheaux, Duwayne Burnside, Big Joe Turner, Henry Gray, Eden Brent and T-bone Pruitt. For Shedhed details go to http://www.theshedbbq.com and join us! Check out L.C.'s page at http://www.myspace.com/lculmer .  Enjoy, my little taters, enjoy. RW

Today I've got "Old Scool Hot Wings" the new CD from Jimbo Mathus and "Now is the Time" from Olga. I know you are going to love this music from Jimbo's studio in Clarksdale. Also, I've got exciting news about T-Bone Pruitt and I'll answer the burning question "Where have I been?"

This episode features just some of the artists scheduled to appear at Kenny Brown's North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic in Potts Camp, MS on July 3rd. You'll hear Duwayne Burnside and the Mississippi Mafia, the Kenny Brown Band, the Burnside Exploration, and the Rising Star Fife and Drum Band. Admission is $15 per person. Check out the details at www.nmshillcountrypicnic.webhop.net . rw

This week we have Thomas Jackson doing a one man show late night at Nicks on April 25th. Thomas mixes blues and folk with his own unique style. His song writing skills continue to develope and his covers are always fun. Please check out his webpage listed in the linkage section. The above picture was taken at a recent art walk in downtown Hattiesburg. Enjoy.... rw

This week we have the Taylor Grocery Band with Carey Hudson, Jimbo Mathus, Guelel Kumba and Pithecanfunkus Erectus recorded live at the 4th Annual Crawdad Festival on April 15th at Joe's Crawdad Hole in Jackson.

Today we have two Indianola bands that share a common member. Levan Lortkipanidze is from the Republic of Georgia and winner of the Mississippi Blues Society's Blues man of the Year Award. First, we'll hear Levan playing keyboard and flute (yes, flute) with David Lee Durham's True Blue Band, recorded live at the Jesse Robinson Annual Musicians Christmas Ball at Hal and Mals. Then, we'll hear Levan playing keyboard and harmonica with his other band The Electric Mudd, recorded live on March 11th at The Shed in Ocean Springs. All related websites are in the Linkage section. rw

Today, I've got Casey Phillips and the Hounds with Greg "Fingers" Taylor from the CD Bad Luck Soul. Also, I've got Markus James from his CD Calabash Blues. Like Afrissippi, his is a blend of African Traditional and Delta blues. It is amazing. Check em out at firenzerecords.com. Afrissippi comes to the Hippo, March 11th! Don't forget Roots Reunion March 4th at the Saenger! rw

Its time for Mardi Gras and there is alot to celebrate. The next Roots Reunion will be held on March 4th at the Saenger Theatre in downtown Hattiesburg. Admission is free and you can hear it on WUSM 88.5. To celebrate, we have 21 minutes of highlights from the Dec.2005 show featuring the Patchwork String Band, the Veal Brothers and Hattiesburg bluesman Vasti Jackson. Be sure to check out Vasti's website over in the Linkage section, vastijackson.com. I also have three cuts from T-bone to celebrate his new website: t-bonepruitt.com. Come celebrate Mardi Gras with T-Bone and the guys at Copelands on Feb. 24th and 25th. rw

Today I have Jimbo Mathus and the Knockdown South with guest Casey Phillips recorded live at the Thirsty Hippo on January 16th. Also, I have tracks from the debut CD, Fulani Journey from Afrissippi featuring singer songwriter Guelel Kumba of Senegal, West Africa and Mississippi bluesmen Cedric Burnside, Kinney Kimbrough, Jimbo Mathus, Herman Green and the Taylor Grocery Band. Check out their website in the linkage section. rw

By popular request, we have 45 mins of NMAS recorded on December 27th in Jackson, Mississippi at Hal & Mals. Be sure to check out nmallstars.com and support our young blues guns. Don't miss the Hill Country Blues Review live at the Saenger Theatre in downtown Hattiesbug, January 28th. Featuring L.C. Ulmer, Carey Hudson and more. Check out the Saenger's website listed in the linkage section for details. RW

More great music recorded last month at The Sheds 2nd Annual Shedhead Blues Festival. The sons of R.L. came together to form a new group to honor his memory in this historic recording. Check out our new homepage: southmissmusicsampler.com. Hit the play button on the player in the top left and hear this podcast and all the rest in streaming audio format.

The Roots Reunion show will be held Dec.3rd at 7PM at the historic Saenger Theatre in downtown Hattiesburg and broadcast on WUSM 88.5. It is a free live showcase of the best local blues, bluegrass, gospel and more presented by the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage at the University of Southern Mississippi. This podcast features highlights of Roots Reunions of years past and features the Patchwork String Band, David McCoy and Curtis Carter, T-Bone Pruitt, the Dog River Boys and Carey Hudson.

Recorded live at The Shed BBQ in Ocean Springs Sunday November 6th, 2005 and featuring Kenny Brown and the North Mississippi Allstars! No announcements this week just a 40 minute solid chunk of blues. This year's festival was to honor the recently departed R.L.Burnside. The stage was dedicated to him and his sons shook the house down.

This week we feature Dave the Butcher from Jackson, MS and Ernest"Guitar"Roy recorded live this past summer at the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival. Check out their web pages in the linkage section. Also check out The Shed link for info on the Shedhead Blues Festival on Sunday Nov.6th in Ocean Springs. Starring The North Mississippi Allstars, Duwayne Burnside, Kenny Brown and many more!

This week we have Jimbo Mathus of Clarksdale recorded live at the Thirsty Hippo in Hattiesburg. Also, we check in with deadmandancing.com to see whats happening in the 'burg. Check out the SMMS webpage for links to Jimbo's webpage. Is your pickle lucky? Check out luckypickles.com. Don't forget Duwayne Burnside comes to Hattisburg this Friday! Duwayne Burnside and the Mississippi Mofia live at the Thirsty Hippo!