Post by kudzurunner on Sept 7, 2008 22:45:21 GMT -5
I just learned today about the Spivey Records reissues, and I'm overjoyed. I knew Lenny moderately well--more than an acquaintance, not quite a friend. We frequently crossed paths at Dan Lynch, a New York blues bar, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was always proud of having contributed the first "official" write-up of my duo, Satan and Adam, to the German magazine, Blues Life (I think that was the title). His energy was irrepressible, and memorable. He was always eager to talk blues, document blues, record blues.
One person he recorded fairly extensively, and somebody whose name doesn't appear in the list of noted blues artists on the Spivey site, is Nat Riddles, one of New York's finest harmonica players. I have three Spivey LPs on which Nat appears; two of them are "New York Really Has the Blues" anthologies; one is solely a Nat Riddles album--"The Artistry of Nat Riddles," I believe it's called.
Until recently, there was absolutely no way of a curious blues listener obtaining ANY digital recordings of Nat Riddles. Since I've long been convinced that he is, or was, not merely one of New York's finest players, but somebody who deserved mention in the same breath with his contemporaries, Sugar Blue and Billy Branch, I took matters into my own hands. I assembled a double CD of recordings that I'd made of Nat and his guitar man, Charlie Hilbert (who also appears on the Spivey album) and issued them on my own tiny Modern Blues Harmonica label as "El Cafe Street Live!" I dedicated the album to Lenny, and very much felt as though I were following in his footsteps. He pioneered low-budget--some might say no budget--blues albums. His favorite phrase was "hi blues fidelity," which meant old school recording equipment, terrific atmospherics, and inspired performances.
It's easy enough to google the MBH album, if you're interested; I won't burden this thread with a link. "Nat Riddles" and "El Cafe Street" will get you there.
Meanwhile, I'd like to make a plea: Spivey folks, please reissue "The Artistry of Nat Riddles" on CD. And when you do, please let me know; I'll make sure to put a direct link on Modern Blues Harmonica. Nat was my teacher, as was Lenny, in his own way, and they're both sorely missed by those of us who knew them.
--Adam Gussow
One person he recorded fairly extensively, and somebody whose name doesn't appear in the list of noted blues artists on the Spivey site, is Nat Riddles, one of New York's finest harmonica players. I have three Spivey LPs on which Nat appears; two of them are "New York Really Has the Blues" anthologies; one is solely a Nat Riddles album--"The Artistry of Nat Riddles," I believe it's called.
Until recently, there was absolutely no way of a curious blues listener obtaining ANY digital recordings of Nat Riddles. Since I've long been convinced that he is, or was, not merely one of New York's finest players, but somebody who deserved mention in the same breath with his contemporaries, Sugar Blue and Billy Branch, I took matters into my own hands. I assembled a double CD of recordings that I'd made of Nat and his guitar man, Charlie Hilbert (who also appears on the Spivey album) and issued them on my own tiny Modern Blues Harmonica label as "El Cafe Street Live!" I dedicated the album to Lenny, and very much felt as though I were following in his footsteps. He pioneered low-budget--some might say no budget--blues albums. His favorite phrase was "hi blues fidelity," which meant old school recording equipment, terrific atmospherics, and inspired performances.
It's easy enough to google the MBH album, if you're interested; I won't burden this thread with a link. "Nat Riddles" and "El Cafe Street" will get you there.
Meanwhile, I'd like to make a plea: Spivey folks, please reissue "The Artistry of Nat Riddles" on CD. And when you do, please let me know; I'll make sure to put a direct link on Modern Blues Harmonica. Nat was my teacher, as was Lenny, in his own way, and they're both sorely missed by those of us who knew them.
--Adam Gussow