Bob's Chat

Today another in my "Albums That Deserve Another Listen" series, this time the remarkable Jo-Ann Kelly's 1969 self titled album. Jo-Ann Kelly and her brother Dave were both born in Streatham, London and grew up there. I was also born in Streatham however my family migrated to Australia when I was very young. I've often thought that had my parents remained living in London and I grew up in Streatham instead of Perth, then I almost certainly would have known Jo-Ann and Dave Kelly as by the late 1960s I was a passionate blues purist, as the Kelly's were, so it would be inevitable that our paths would have crossed at some time. Jo-Ann Kelly is widely considered to be one of the best white female blues singers of all time. Apparently Canned Heat were very interested in getting her to join their band, as was Johnny Winter. Sadly Jo-Ann passed away from a brain tumor in 1990 at the age of 46. Her younger brother Dave, now age 79, still performs blues with various British bands.

The Rockabilly & Early Rock & Roll series continues with another collection of great covers songs. The artists featured here today in Volume 121 include: Carl Perkins, Warren Storm, Elvis Presley, Conway Twitty, Johnny Rivers, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sonny Burgess, Laura Lee Perkins, and several others.

And Blues, R&B, Soul & Gospel Records Volume 259 brings you 21 fine recordings from 1948 to 2023 by Luther Allison, Muddy Waters, Albert King, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Johnny Otis, Louis Armstrong, The Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Bo Diddley, and other outstanding performers.

So my friends, dig in and enjoy.