Mose and Sue

Mose Allison

I began with sing-alongs.  I could belt'em.  I grew in Winnipeg's north end, and I did not realize until I was well grown and gone, that I had been nursed in blues. I thought it was all rock'n roll.  But no.  It is the blues... with a swig of jazz.

Today Bill Bourne posted a great article about one of my all-time blues and jazz heroes, the honourable Mr. Mose Allison.  It is a #mustRead for blues fans.  I cover three of his tunes: Your Mind is on Vacation,  and here's a Van Morrison cover of it; Hello There Universe, and Your Molecular Structure. I remember struggling with the cord changes and laughter when I demo'd my first version of Universe - crushing, but did not quit.

Sue Foley

Also this week, Ottawa's Sue Foley, another of my long-time blues heroes, fell into the lap of my blue screen with an announcement of her next album, The Ice Queen.  She released a pile of terrific short videos of her playing (this is a FB link) and talking, and a link to her interviews with her heroes - women of guitar.  I cover Walk in the Sun, but I like to call it "Fine for Awhile". Lyric poetic.

They both do.

Reading about the blues - how it is not simple.  it is not banal.  it is deep and rich.  it is a structure under which Mose makes us laugh and crafts his jazz.  it is a platform under which Sue relays history and displays her unique take - makes me hungry to play.

Both Mose and Sue have spent their blues in the clubs.  This is where the the blues is.  This is how the blues gets done.  It is hard work setting up and tearing down (Another FB link by Sue) so you can do it.  The Blues.  The basis of jazz.

I love these two.
Mose and Sue.
They made me play
Again today.