A weekly analysis of new hip-hop, influential blues, and noteworthy underground artists.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Jimi Hendrix: Blues (Track 2 of 11)

Johnny Allen Hendrix was born in Seattle, Washington he 1942. Hendrix is in the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the UK Music Hall of Fame, the Native American Music Hall of Fame, and he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It all started at the age of 15 when Hendrix laid down $5 for his first acoustic guitar, which he bought from a friend of his father's. Hendrix's first gig was with an unnamed band in the basement of a synagogue, Seattle's Temple De Hirsch. After too much wild playing and showing off, he was fired between sets (Wikipedia.org).
Hendrix grew up in a poor, unstable family. His father was in the army, and separated from his mother. He even spent time living with his grandmother in Canada, when things were bad. He took what he could get and ended up playing a right-handed guitar lefty... and being one of the greatest musicians ever.
This track is called Red House. It's another another typical Hendrix blues in B-flat, but there are a couple things I really like about it. First, the intro. It's just really good, that's all there is to it. The licks are really simple, but sound great. The second thing I like is that the song his hilarious. You have to listen to it twice, once to laugh, and once to cry about how much better he is than you.  If my baby don't love me no more, i know her... sister will!


Here is the video of Hendrix playing Red House at Woodstock. Watch it.  It's strange, he plays the intro looking incredibly focused, almost nervous.  When the lyrics begin, however, his godlike persona emerges.

The Game-I'll Find You


Finally, we've got The Game back on a Just Blaze beat. Even if his lyrics are still all cars, clothes, bling and women, you gotta love his flow over these drums. Supposedly a cut track off of Detox. If this is getting cut, I'm definitely looking forward to the stuff that makes it.
Download: I'll Find You

French Montana-I'm On It (feat. Big Sean, Nipsey Hussle and Wiz Khalifa)



The line-up on this track is just too good for me to wait to post it until the end of the day. Goin coast to coast with the features on this one, French Montana definitely brought it.
Download-I'm On It (feat. Big Sean, Nipsey Hussle and Wiz Khalifa)

Friday, April 30, 2010

Harvard Square Musician David Johnston


David Johnston plays a steel guitar on the upper-level sidewalk outside of Hidden Sweets, next to the red line stop. He is a fantastic musician and a reliable presence. On most nice days, he can be found in his usual spot, sitting on the street, playing the blues. On weekends, he gathers crowds, right there on the sidewalk, as the original bluesmen did. Johnston is a fine street musician, and honestly, I think he should be much more than that. I would hire this guy for gigs all the time. Johnston is fantastic with the slide and has a classic blues voice. I might classify his style as swamp blues, but I'm not sure. I am sure, however, that he is great. I could rave about him all day and night, but really, you need to get out to 25 Brattle St. in Harvard Square and see for yourself. If you can't make it out there to see him, buy a CD online. All I have electronically for you right now is this YouTube video. Johnston is the white guy on the right of the screen. The song is Muddy Waters' Honey Bee. The black guy's voice is excellent, but unfortunately, I have no idea who he is. When I get more info I'll update this post.

Check out Johnston's MySpace page.

Offthechart's New Tracks of the Day

Too many ill songs came out today to make posts for each of them, so I threw them all in this post. If you're only gonna download one of these, make sure to check out the Jay Electronica track. Dude is crazy. Also of note, this Sunday, be on the lookout for a collection of the best tracks from the past weeks. This is for all of you who don't have time to check hip-hop blogs on a daily basis and just want your quick fix of good music once a week.


Offthechart's Random Tracks of the Day

From the 3-disk Mixtape Messiah 1, 'Call some Hoes' features Kanye West and Stat Quo, as well as an awesome chorus. Although Chamillionaire didn't see any mainstream success until over a year later with his single 'Ridin', this song makes it clear that Chamillitary Mayne has always been killing it. Fun fact to know and tell: Chamillionaire's music has been completely profanity free since his 2007 album, Ultimate Victory.

Off of KiD CuDi's first mixtape, A Kid Named Cudi. In my opinion, this tape was stronger than the album. With songs like 'The Prayer', 'Cudi Get' and '50 Ways to Make a Record', KiD CuDi had to have made one of the strongest debut mixtapes in history. Looking forward to his upcoming CD, The Legend of Mr. Rager.

This song is an absolute banger for your car. Released to build up hype for Slim Thug's latest CD, Boss of All Bosses, the beat on this is insane. Slim Thug consistently drops some incredible tracks, so expect to see some more of him on my random track posts. Fun fact to know and tell: Lupe Fiasco's 'Hip-Hop Saved My Life' is based Slim Thug's life.

Bluestone's Track of the Day: Pride and Joy

Stevie Ray Vaughan was born in Dallas, Texas, in 1954.  He began playing guitar at an early age and dropped out of high school to move to Austin, Texas with his first band, Blackbird.  He was heavily influenced by Albert King, Otis Rush, Eric Clapton, and Jimi Hendrix, but he said, "Lonnie Mack really taught me to play guitar from the heart."  Vaughan died in a helicopter accident in 1990.

Pride and Joy was released as a single in 1983 and is on his double platinum album Texas Flood.  It's a Friday, so I wanted to post an upbeat tune.  SRV plays a fast paced, heavily electrified style in this track, as in most of his hits.  Pride and Joy has a distinct rhythm section, with a good baseline and fast SRV style lead.  He plays a great turn around, as well (following "She's my sweet little baby, I'm her little lover boy").  Basically, this blues makes you jump up, it's an all around great song.

Buy Album off Amazon.com: Texas Flood