In close proximity to The Black Keys in the Blues/Rock'n'Roll section of the shelves is Testament - The Complete Slash Recordings by The Blasters
52 rocking songs of American Music by the boys from blue collar Downey, California
Fronted by brothers Phil and Dave Alvin on vocals and guitar and ably supported by John Bazz on bass and Bill Bateman on drums.
As youngsters the Alvin Brothers learnt their trade by hanging out at LA Blues Clubs such as the Ashgrove (immortalised in the Dave Alvin album of the same name) watching the likes of T-Bone Walker and Big Joe Turner
They did the original of Marie Marie which was a huge UK hit for Shaking Stevens.
I saw them at the Renfrew Ferry playing one of the best shows I have ever attended
So here is some American music
The Blasters - American Music
The Blasters - Fool's Paradise
Have always loved the early years of Slash and the Blasters in particular. I will be featuring them at my place when I get to the letter S. Have a great Slash comp from 1984 that has the Blasters, X, Rank and File, Dream Syndicate, Fear, Germs and the like. These were some stellar picks, CC. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a splendid compilation Brian
DeleteJoan Baez on bass? Are you sure about that?
ReplyDeleteShe plays a mean bass Ernie
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