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.
Due to interest in Jo-Ann Kelly I've now added this great vid of her performing. There are several vids of her on YouTube but this one is the best by far.
Nice Vid Bob, loved it!! Mike. 👍
ReplyDeleteHi Mike, yes that's a mighty fine performance by those two.
DeleteThank you for that video -- it's quite an intense performance! And thanks for the Jo-Ann Kelly album as well. I hadn't previously heard all that much from this artist (just a track or two on the odd compilations), but I will definitely be listening to her now.
ReplyDeleteHi Crab Devil, glad you enjoyed it, she was mighty good at doing country/Delta blues. She's not widely known, and I'm happy to have created some extra interest in her recordings.
DeleteI'd never heard it before, but listening to it, it's true that the connection could have been made with Canned Heat, a jam album like "Hooker 'n Heat." Bob Hite and Al Wilson must have been blown away listening to Jo-Ann Kelly. The video speaks for itself!
ReplyDeleteHi Patrick, I guess Canned Heat were looking to fill the void after the death of the Owl, so Jo-Ann would have filled that role perfectly.
DeleteThanks, as always, Bob. Was lucky enough to see Jo-Ann a few times in blues clubs. She was a force of nature and led me directly to “discover” Memphis Minnie. That vid with Mike Stewart is excellent (he took the Backwards Sam Firk name having been inspired by John Fahey who had record as Blind Thomas). Check out Jo-Ann playing with Fahey and also playing guitar behind Son House on a project with Stefan Grossman
ReplyDeleteThanks for your interesting comment Roy, it must have been good to see Jo-Ann perform live.
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