T Model Ford is a crazy bastard
There can sometimes be an image of the bluesman being a kindly old gent who is a bit too partial to wreck the hoose juice, always down on his luck but generally satisfied with his poor lot in life.
Screw that, Claude.
T Model Ford plays filthy scuzz blues meant for drinkin’ dancin’ fuckin’ and fightin’ The 84 year old (or 85, he cant quite remember) ex trucker, ex farm hand and ex con (Murder. 10 years. Out in two, if you’re wondering) didn’t start playing till he turned 58 and started recording at 74, on fat possum records. By all accounts this hard livin’ pensioner still plays for hours outside his house and on Nelson Street, Greenville Mississippi. “People were rough on Nelson Street. I fought a couple of times up there, but I didn’t get whupped. I win!”
Check out his page at fat possum for details of the 5 releases so far. T Model reckons he’ll keep going till 110 years old, so there’s plenty of life left in the Old Taildragger yet!
Click Play to hear She Asked Me So I Told Her
Get Well Soon, Peter Case
Folk legend Peter Case is currently laid low after some pretty major heart surgery. Most recently known for his solo albums, including the Grammy nominated ‘Let us now praise sleepy john‘ , Peter is a guy with a real interesting history.
Ditching home at 15 he moved to the west coast to seek maybe not fortune, but certainly a life less ordinary. Check out his book As far as you can travel without a passport for the full rundown on this first part of his life. It’s a great read, and hopefully the 2nd installment will be along soon.
After stints in cool bands like new wave The Nerves and the power pop Plimsouls he released his first solo album in 86, and settled into a folksy, poppy vibe with biting social commentary. My favourite? think i’ll go for Thank You St Jude ,with violinist David Perales. He’s also busy with songwriter classes at Mc Cabes guitar shop and being a record producer.
The problem with Peter having the dicky ticker is that he needs cold hard cash to foot the bills. Please shuffle along to hidden love medical relief and make a donation! There’s also a lot of info on Peter there too
A couple of live tracks for you to savour