Blues for Bobby Charles

January was a bad month for soul music, with the passing of Teddy Pendergrass and the great Willie Mitchell. Perhaps less significant than either of them but a personal favourite of mine was Bobby Charles, who died in the same week. If the name is not familiar, the songs may be: "See You Later, Alligator", "Small Town Talk", "Walking To New Orleans". I first knew him from “Down South in New Orleans” on The Band's Last Waltz (which you can see in the video below, with Dr John playing guitar and beret). Read some lovely appreciations at Home of the Groove, Groovescapes, Aquarium Drunkard, Naive Harmonies and Groover's Paradise.

Another passing to mark: that of Mick Green, British guitar hero.



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