I just realized that I never posted any information in here about Alabama Slim. He's a New Orleans blues musician that received the Music Rising guitar purchased by a group of supporters this past February. I was honored to present it to him in June, and have stayed in touch with him ever since. He's a talented artist that has been playing for years, and following his displacement after Katrina, his work has been supported by the
Music Makers Relief Organization.
I spoke with him today to find out the good news that he's been back in the studio recording. The guitar was with him too, and he said that it sounded so, so good. :)s
I'd like to share my experience about meeting him here, and invite you to visit
For Music Rising to learn more about the work with fellow supporters in buying the guitar. Please be sure to check out more about
Alabama Slim at Music Makers too. Scroll to the lower right corner to hear a sampler of his music. Thank you.
June 9, 2007Nao, Grace and I arrived in the hot, melting afternoon sun. Alabama Slim greeted us outside his home, and after our introductions I took the guitar out of the car. "Oh yeah!" he said without hesitation, and Grace and I gave it to him right away.
Before we knew it we were inside, the guitar was out of its bag and hooked up to an amp. As we got comfortable on the couch, Alabama grabbed a guitar strap, a guitar tuner, and kicked right in. My heart raced because I was so excited to hear him play. Everything was becoming a reality.
Wow, it sounded amazing from the first chords, and as he played more he enjoyed more. It appeared as if he was getting reacquainted with an old friend. He had lost his 335 Epiphone in Katrina, and it became obvious very quickly that this guitar was in the right hands. He truly appreciated it without saying one word.
Here's a ninety second snippet from early in the set. Grace was running the show with the camera, so you'll hear a tiny bit of her too.
3 Comments:
Hi there.
Was just reading your piece on Alabama Slim. I met Slim in 2007 during Jazz Fest. I and a friend were out there shooting a documentary. We filmed Slim performing in the trailer he was living in at the time. Well, we're now gearing up to shoot some more and complete the film, and have had trouble getting in touch with him. If you have any means of putting me in touch with him, I would be eternally grateful!
Many thanks, ScriptSimon
ScriptSimon, I just spoke with Alabama and he said that I can send his contact information your way. What is the best way of contacting you?
Hi Irene....it's been a while...ScriptSimon here again...I lost your email...thanks so much for getting in touch before...
After a long, uphill and ultimately fruitless battle trying to get funding to complete our documentary, I have now relocated to the US (Los Angeles) and am trying afresh...I would love to regain contact with both yourself and Alabama...
here is the Facebook page we have put together for the film, it contains the trailer, which of course, features Alabama. I would also love to put up 1 or 2 recordings I made of Alabama's music when we met him...but would really like to get his permission first...if you and he (and anyone else who's interested) could take a look at our page and make contact, you'd make us very happy!
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Voices-Of-The-Wetlands/121640131183951
many thanks, Simon
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