“The first authoritative documentary about McKinley Morganfield, an artist that paved the road for rock ‘n’ roll. It is a rich and compelling exploration of an American pioneer.”
Featuring Keith Richards, B.B. King, Chuck D., Bonnie Raitt, and Waters’ close family and friends.
Premiered on PBS American Masters 4/23/2003. Produced and Directed by Morgan Neville + Robert Gordon.
Thanks Marty, today we’re going to hear an original blues song written by two Arkansas musicians and played by an Arkansas band.
When I met Ben Ben Adler, way back in the nineties, he talked to me about bringing Mack Self and the Silver Dollar Band to Blues Fest. Well Mack was an American rockabilly singer, who recorded for Sun Records in the 1950s and that was a perfect fit for Blues Fest. It was great, Mack Self sang his rockabilly hits with his band including Ben Ben on drums.
When they came back again Ben Ben said he had a band too, and they would like to play, next year if posible. So I booked Ben Ben and when it was time for his set he got all spiffed up and came out with a guitar. After delivering a sizzling R&B set with his band and guest musicians I was a fan.
Well, I saw Ben Ben at the Levon Helm Down Home Jubilee last year and I talked to him about playing with Delta Legends. He was up for it and we got together at John Shepherd’s WhatEverLand studio outside of Wynne, Arkansas. We recorded in November and December and released two albums, “Mr. John B. Shepherd” and “Hog Jowl Blues”.
To close this circle, “Hog Jowl Blues” is a song that Ben Ben wrote with Mack Self. So we’re getting the Arkansas Roots all the way down. Just like turtles.
Hairy Larry and Lectric Liz Lottman outside of KASU where Liz just did an interview for Arkansas Roots. Liz is singing with Divas On Fire and has been featured on Something Blue.
