"Santa" Sings the Blues- A Charles Brown Classic

I like this song! Thanks for bringing on the blues.

Thank you, Santa, for this most excellent present.

I saw Charles Brown perform in 1998 with Big Jay McNeely. Here's a photo (not mine) from the show. I think he died not too long after that show.

Thanks you so much Yvette.
And thank you too Janna. Was that at the Ann Arbor Blues Festival?

No, it was at Rockwell Hall at Buffalo State College in Buffalo, NY. There may have been one other act on the bill but I can't remember who.

This was fun! Thanks.

Santa, did you know you have competition?

Lo-fi or not, it sounds great.

I like the "Happy Everything" guy too. :-)

Sandy, I'd put my money on Santa, fat red demon or not. The competition is way overpriced, and as we know, people will go to Hell or Walmart for a bargain.

Good point, Aniko. My nickel goes to Santa too.

Even a grinch would like this. Thanks!

FIFTY BUCKS for a photo with J.C.!
What a f***ing Rip-Off! Photos with Santa on Fourth Street were FREE, with the option to donate to the Homeless Children's Education Center (or whatever the Hell they call it).
Thanks so much lovely ladies.

Janna- I had the wonderful experience of being Charles Brown's valet/nanny on the last two road trips he made prior to his death. The first one was to Bellingham, Washington, then Vancouver, B.C. and then a week in Seattle.
My primary 'job' was to make sure Charles was dressed and ready for the stage, but also included cooking for him when we stayed at the condos owned by the Seattle club owner.
The guest just previous to our arrival was Eartha Kitt. I'm pretty sure that she had not slept in the bed I had in the smaller room adjoining Charles', but just knowing that she had been there just before us was thrill enough for me.
Charles' last trip was a one-nighter at the House of the Blues in Nawlins, and then on to Arkansas for the Eureka Springs Blues Festival, where he jammed with his 'brother' Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown.
As soon as we got back to Oakland, Charles was admitted to Merritt Hospital for a tune-up (including dialysis). He never returned to his apartment at Harriet Tubman Terrace in Berkeley, but passed away at a convalescent hospital a couple months later.
I almost got to go on the trip before these last two, which was to the Ann Arbor Blues Festival, but, because Danny Caron, Charles' wonderful guitar player is married to a nurse, and Charles was dealing with some minor sores on his ankles, I got replaced by a 'health professional'.

Thanks Layla.
I'm a Sneetch myself.

Wow, Mugg--that must have been such a thrill! Mugg Muggles, Man With the Jive and Valet to the Stars.

Janna- There's a real bittersweet element of regret attached. I had some nice conversations with Charles, but there are so many things I wish I'd asked him.

Loved it, Muggs. That was grrrrreat. I used to always frequent Jazz and Blues joints, but unfortunately, the "demand" is not so much for it anymore. You catch it by word of mouth these days, and there aren't very many around anymore. Yes, I love live music.

Thank you for this.

I know he isn't Blues, but I did catch Gato Barbieri, when he was at Yoshi's weekend before last, though.

Thanks for dropping by Nalita.

Ah Yoshi's ! What a blessing that place has been (and still is).

I haven't attended that many shows since it moved down to Jack London Square, but I have some wonderful memories of seeing Charles Brown there back when it was located on Claremont Avenue. I think that's when I first got to meet him. My friend Steven was his bass player for a while.

I also fondly recall a great show with the PHENOMENAL ex-Howlin' Wolf guitarist Hubert Sumlin and old Muddy Water's sideman Jimmy Rogers.

They even had a weekly "jam" session there that I used to frequent when I was in the band "The Apes of Wrath".

Excellent. I am looking forward to seeing my daughter and husband after 2 years. He is stationed in Japan.

Thanks Anita.
Yours is definitely "glad, glad news".
Happy HoliDAZE!

Sounds Great Muggs, You have had A very interesting Life, Love the blues!!!!

Thanks Suzanne. I've just made a video of me singing "Blue Christmas" in a Santa suit. I'm hoping to post it on YouTube and here next week.

we will be looking foreword too it Muggs. :)