Tag: blues

Fightin’ a Losin’ Battle But Having a Lot of Fun Trying to Win

This great Brownie McGee and Sonny Terry favorite is available on record, CD, iTunes, etc. It’s a great song to play, so I wanted to put it on the blog. It’s already recorded on my CD (see Up in the Bronx page above). This time, I tried using two tracks, adding the harmonica on the second track. If it sounds at all like the way Brownie and Sonny used to do it, then forgive my presumption. They were both inimitable, great musicians. I do know that they are recorded extensively. Folk Archives, Everest, A&M, and other labels. Probably Library of Congress too. Check them out. Meanwhile, if you want to hear the song press play

Kansas City Blues

I don’t know why I have such a fondness for the city of Kansas City, Mo. Others dream of the Himalayas, Kathmandu, sunsets on the isle of Capri. But here I am thinking about Kansas City, Mo. all the time.  Now there have been a lot of versions of Kansas City Blues. Everybody and their brother have recorded the song. But I’ve been fooling around with this blues progression that plunges into the 4th (like Midnight Special and many others). Also, I’ve thrown in an extra 5th on alternate verses. Click to hear yet another version of Kansas City Blues.