Blind Pig Records

At one time, I’d buy whatever Atlantic Records put out. Anything on Sun Records tempted me and folk music on Electra was pretty much a must. Those labels, all independents at that time, had their own identity, their own characteristic types of music and for an artist to be associated with them was a sign of quality. I haven’t felt that way about a record label in a long time but now I’m falling in love with Blind Pig Records.
Blind Pig, a small but important indie blues label out of San Francisco, that issues two or three CDs a month and is putting out some of the most significant roots music in America today. Anybody who loves American – even examples of it that originate in Australia -- music should be paying attention. To make my point, I want to take a look at their releases from the last two months.
Peter Karp and Sue Foley
Peter Karp and Sue Foley are both well-known blues artists. They began emailing each other, discussing life on the road and pretty soon those emails grew into songs and the result is “He Said, She Said,” a duet album in which they explore human relationships. The songs are all over the map; they’re driving bluesy, rocking, light-hearted and funny. They’re also beautifully written. Both of these artists can write, they can both sing the rubber off of a truck tire, and they know how to dress up a song – they play acoustic guitars, electric guitars, classical guitars, harmonicas, bring in horn sections when they’re appropriate and they sound like they’re having the time of their life doing it. Peter Karp and Sue Foley demand to be listened to.
Popa Chubby
Last month’s other release was Popa Chubby’s “The Fight is On.” Though the label says it’s his first CD in two years, it appears that the prolific guitar-slinger puts out an album a month. Each release is thematic, ranging from salutes to Chicago blues to a two-CD tribute to Jimi Hendrix. This time out, we get the arena rock side of Popa Chubby. He salutes classic rock with a set of guitar-driven anthems. In the notes, he says the songs were built out of his fooling around with classic riffs and you can hear them in the playing, a little Zeppelin here, some Sabbath there, but Popa Chubby everywhere.
John Nemeth
This month, Blind Pig leads off with John Nemeth’s “Name the Day.” Nemeth, a harmonica playing soul singer, comes across as a man who has been internalizing rhythm and blues since birth. He’s at home with all of its forms, from the hard-charging, horn-driven uptempo shouters to the soft ballads. Retro-looking in tight suits, skinny ties and porkpie hats, Nemeth never comes across as a throwback He’s today and his writing, singing and playing are going to be key elements of tomorrow’s soul music. Take Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Ray Charles, mix them together and then add a shot of a brand new artistic touch and you’ve got John Nemeth.
Harper
Harper, who divides his time between Australia, his birthplace and Michigan, began as a blues singing harmonica wizard but on tour in Colorado a decade or so back, he met some Native Americans and was inspired to investigate the aboriginal music of Australia. He became proficient at the didgeridoo and soon developed a world music-based blues that incorporated native instruments and influences. It’s a fascinating sound and on “Stand Together,” his new album, he goes much deeper into it because for the first time, he is recording with his touring band, rather than a group of touring musicians. The songs range from ballads calling for peace to straight ahead rockers but the didgeridoo keeps it from being familiar. You’ll hear the blues in a new way.
Magic Slim
You’re not going to hear the blues in a new way in Magic Slim and the Teardrops’ new CD, “Raising the Bar.” The veteran blues picker Magic Slim and his group have been called the last of Chicago blues bands. A master of Delta blues, he has traced the same Mississippi to Chicago path blazed by Muddy Waters and I’d say he’s currently at his creative peak if it weren’t for the fact that a lot of times in the past twenty years or so, I’ve said he was at his peak only to hear him get better. Magic Slim is a genius of the blues; he’s the man who keeps digging in a played out mine but keep coming up with new and fresh treasure. Magic Slim himself is a national treasure.
What do these artists, different and unique as each one is, have in common? They’re all on Blind Pig Records. That should send you a signal or two about this label.