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*Trivial notes for mi late Uncle Connie Curtis "Pee Wee” Westcoast Blues AxMan: ============================================================ =*Connie Curtis "Pee Wee" Crayton recorded over the years for Modern, Vee-Jay, Aladdin & Imperial Recordings and Blind Pig Records...of which contains plenty of dazzling, marvelously imaginative guitar work and distinct vocals, especially on stunning instrumental tracks such as "Texas Hop," "Pee Wee's Boogie," and "Poppa Stoppa." As a young pre-teen in the early 70's, I was extremely fortunate to experience the greatness of his "vibes" up close and personal many times over... I would soak-up like a sponge the music and weld to memory those rare images & meetings when the "Texas 3," is what I usta' call them: (1) Uncle "Pee Wee" (2) "T-Bone" Walker and (3) "Big Joe" Turner (a pioneering mastre blues singer, whom was born in Kansas City, MO., yet he sang like he was from the state of Texas sometimes...); moreover, they would all get together at uncle "Pee Wee's" house next door (located on the westside of Los Angeles, California) and rehearse all day on Saturday or Sunday afternoons, way-up til the late evenings (including some rare appearances from Marshal Crayton Jr. on Saxophone), just before going to there "gig" to perform at a local favorite nite-club called, The Perisan Room (now a defunct legendary popular "nite-spot" during the 1960's - mid '80's located on the southwest corner of La Brea Avenue & Washington Blvd. in Los Angeles, California-- of which now sits a U.S. Postal Station). *"And, no his music is not public domain yet..." --"Big Dave" Burleigh, 'AmeriCanadian' Record Producre (May 2, 2006). =========================================================== *Johnny Otis, “Johnny Otis Show Live at Monterey” CD (Original Release 1971, Label: Sony. I remember Uncle "Pee Wee" asking my mom if he could take me with him to the festival and assured her that "Peaches" his daughter would take good care of me, unfortunately my mom said no...sadly to say even though I didn't get to experience the greatness of that weekend at the 1970 Monterey Jazz Fest...however, the behind the scenes rehearsals were exhilarating none the least! --"Big Dave" Burleigh (May 12, 2006). =========================================================== *Shuggie Otis “In Session: Great Rhythm & Blues” CD (Original Release July 23, 2002, Label: Cleopatra): The apple don't fall to far from the trees... Shuggie Otis, was a young teen with such reverence and respect for the Blues when he played on stage that day with my Uncle "Pee Wee" Crayton, his dad Johnny Otis Sr. and a host of legendary blues "fellas" at the 1970 Monterey Jazz Festival ("Live at Monterey" CD ~ Johnny Otis)... He is an awe-inspiring guitar player crafting his performance with lots of innovation and independence... I guess the apple don't fall to far from the trees; however, today many Behavioral Scientists proclaim that 100% of the mental genius for males comes from the mother...sorry Johnny :)) --"Big Dave" Burleigh, 'AmeriCanadian' Record Producre (May 23, 2006). ============================================================ *T-Bone Walker “T-Bone Blues” CD (Original Release Date: 1959 Label: Atlantic /Wea): I have got nothing but pure admiration and love for "T-Bone…” The late "T-Bone" Walker, a pioneering mastre of the electric blues guitar and a close friend of my Uncle "Pee Wee" Crayton another "axe-handler" during the immediate postwar era, whom was certainly unremitting influence by "Bone." However, avoiding comparisons, Uncle "Pee Wee" brought enough "heat" on his own and daring innovation to his playing to avoid being labeled as a mere "T-Bone" copy "kat." As a young teen in the early 70's, I was extremely fortunate to experience the greatness of his "vibes" up close and personal...sometimes Jimmy "Guitar" Nolan Sr. would jump in and rehearse all day on Saturdays or Sunday afternoons up until the late evenings... =========================================================== *Discography for Uncle Connie Curtis "Pee Wee”: (1) “The Modern Legacy Vol. 1” CD: Original Release 1996, Label: Ace Records UK). (2) Complete Aladdin & Imperial Recordings [IMPORT] CD: Original Release March 19, 1996, Import Label: EMI Int'l). (3) “Early Hour Blues” CD: Original Release June 22, 1999, Label: Blind Pig). (4) “Modern Legacy, Vol. 2: Blues Guitar Magic” CD: Original Release August 15, 2000, Label: Ace Records UK). (5) “Blues After Hours: The Essential Pee Wee Crayton [IMPORT]” CD: Original Release June 12, 2001, Import Label: P-Vine). (6) The Essential Recordings” CD: Original Release February 6, 2001, Label: Cleopatra) (7) “Rockin’ the Blues” Masters 1948-1960 CD (April 1, 2003) Label: P-Vine Japan). (8) Joe Turner with Pee Wee Crayton and Sonny Stitt “Everyday I Have the Blues” CD: (Original Release March 3, 1975, Label: Ojc. (9) Soundtrack: "Blues after Hours" is featured on the Music From The Motion Picture Soundtrack "Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)... ===========================================================* Get Your Own! | View Slideshow * *