"Got the Blues" is the story of rape, robbery and big big business. "Got the Blues" is also a story of love, artistic dedication, and spiritual strength above and beyond the call of duty. "Got the Blues" is a many-sided story told by the musicians that make the blues, the record companies that record the blues, the radio stations that do or don't play the blues, and the people who promote the blues...produced by Avotcja Jiltonilro y Fasanmi. This program was made possible by a grant from the California Arts Council. Program includes the words and music of J.C. Burris (speaking, harmonica, rhythm), Sonny Rhodes (b. 1940, guitar and voice), Omar Hakim Kayam (aka Omar Sharriff and Dave Alexander, piano), and the words of Don Moye (b. 1946, drummer, Art Ensemble of Chicago), Mary Lou Williams (1910-1981, pianist and composer), Reginal Lockett (poet, teacher, KPFA folio editor), Avotcja (musicican, poet, blues dj, historian), Tom Mozzolini (promoter, Blues dj, writer), Big Mama Thornton, known as "The Queen of the Blues" (1926-1984, voice, harmonica and drums), J.J. Jones (1927-2004, guitarist and voice), Johnnie B. Goode (guitarist and voice), Jordana Jiltonilro (aspiring singer), Chris Strachwitz (b. 1931, Arhoolie Records), Eli Thornton (owner Eli's Mile High Club in Oakland, CA), and Otis Evans (Blues dj, KPOO engineer), Martha Olman[sp?] and Laurie Garrett. These musicians, djs, etc. talk about their music, blues music promoters, radio stations, and record companies.
This recording has been digitally preserved as part of Pacifica's American Women Making History and Culture: 1963-1982 grant preservation project, and is available for research and reference . Please contact the archives via telephone: 818-506-1077 or email: americanwomen at pacificaradioarchives dot org for information on how to obtain a copy of this program. Thank you.
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