The despair of having your musical talent go unrecognized

"Paul, just bookmarked the page. It's extremely informative. Great read."
Pete, The Honest Mistake Band @fsrocko, California. 13 September 2013.

One of the reasons that working in the music business used to be so soul-destroying was seeing just how many unbelievably talented musicians and songwriters never made it, remaining unknown and falling by the wayside. I know it’s just the same today, probably even worse, with all this talent-contest garbage on TV.

A rare pic of Charlie Patton.
He made his name but his teacher didn't.

Sadly, this is how it has always been. So many great 

blues players, like Robert Johnson, only found 

recognition after their death. Others, like Henry 

Sloan, who taught Charlie Patton how to 

play the blues around the turn of the 19^th 

century, also remain totally unrecognized. Indeed, 

the delta blues pioneer, Tommy Johnson 

(himself mostly forgotten), once claimed that 

famous Charlie Patton songs like ‘Pony 

Blues’ were originally Henry Sloan 

compositions. Henry who? I bet you've forgotten 
his name already.

I’m sure this strikes a chord with so many individuals and bands out there today. You only have to hear the great stuff available at the click of a mouse on a twitter or blog post to appreciate all the talent that’s around. I’ve lost count of the great songs I’ve been asked to listen to.

For example, one talented electric guitarist contacted me the other day to rent his frustration at an industry that, these days, refuses to look past boy bands or middle-of-the-road TV-friendly balladeers. Since I have a soft spot for well-played electric blues and rock guitar, I ask you to give Will Ludford’s band, The Strats, a go.

Will Ludford.

Originally from Leighton Buzzard in England’s Midlands, Will Ludford must be around the same vintage as myself, having said he toured the USA with UK band Diamond Lil in the late 60s. Other credits, Will says, include working with such icons as reggae production duo, Sly & Robbie; godfather of rock-steady, Alton Ellis and those masters of musical parody, the Barron Knights. Incredibly, Will says he also worked with, and was encouraged by George Harrison, and jammed with Jimi Hendrix.

You’ve only to hear Will’s searing guitar work with his band, The Strats, to recognise the calibre of his playing. Why not take a listen here: 

You'd Better Stop. The Strats.

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=ae557c3daf&view=audio&msgs=140fdbff20165174&attid=0.1&zw 

Torpedo To Your Heart. The Strats.

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=ae557c3daf&view=audio&msgs=140fdbff20165174&attid=0.2&zw

You Blew Me Out Of My Mind. The Strats.

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=ae557c3daf&view=audio&msgs=140fdbff20165174&attid=0.3&zw 

Will and The Strats have more songs to view on YouTube and a new CD out called, “Falling Off The Edge Of The World”. This, Will says, is based on his experiences taking LSD and purple hearts, an amphetamine favoured by the original mods in the 1960s. 

The Strats latest album reached number five in the AiiRadio Charts and topped the ReverbNation Independent Chart. Here's a link to their web site:

www.thestrats.com

Jason Wells Band
While we're on the subject of not getting the musical recognition you deserve, why not give the fine

Jason Wells

blues rock of  Indiana's Jason Wells and his band a listen, too. You'll find various tracks and videos on the link below.
http://jasonwellsmusic.com/ 

A Deep Purple passage
I was interested to hear Jason's influences include Deep Purple. When I was young, I worked for Tony Barrow, the one-time Beatles publicist. One of the unknown bands I was given to publicise was Deep Purple. The next thing I knew they were top of the UK charts with Black Night. I must say that Roger Glover the bass player and drummer Ian Paice were two of the nicest people you could wish to meet. I didn't meet the other guys, by the way, just in case you're thinking ...