Gallery Different, at 14 Percy Street, London W1T IDR, in the centre of the West End, is celebrating the Olympics with an exhibition of art related to London music. And what better than Rock Family Trees? Downstairs in the exhibition you’ll find some of the signed framed limited edition prints, so you can see what they look like in real life. And if they appeal, you can order one from the gallery, to be signed by Pete who will add a personal message if that’s what floats your boat.

The exhibition, has a wealth of really exciting art, including the shocking work of Keith Haynes, former art director on Rock Family Trees TV programme. Shocking not because of the subject matter but he makes his art out of real records made of real vinyl, as in the example above. We are assured that he chooses only unplayable scrap vinyl, but still it is a challenging concept. Go and take a close look for yourself. The exhibition runs to the end of August.

Found on the Facebook page for the London Bluesfest.

OK, so you should be in with the spirit of things now. If not, click here for a spot of revision.

So, where to next? How about Rolling Fork and Vicksburg, 45 miles apart, mostly on Route 61, skirting the Delta National Forest. And here we find two giants of the blues, Muddy Waters, born in 1915, and then Willie Dixon born the same year. But then it gets a bit murky. Robert Gordon, in his biography of Muddy Waters, called I Can’t Be Satisfied, says the correct birth date is 1913, at Jug’s Corner, Issaquena County, a few miles away. That’s the blues for you.

Here is Pete’s take:

We’ve discussed Willie Dixon before in detail, so here we’ll focus on Muddy Waters. Pete generously credits a book called Deep Blues by Robert Palmer (no, not ‘Addicted to Love’ Robert Palmer, but the superb music critic). Published in 1981, and now in its 39th impression, it is a must-read for anyone who has got this far in this post. The Library of Congress recordings that Pete mentions are available as The Complete Plantation Recordings, and include a few interviews as well as the first Muddy Waters recordings. Here is one of the first two numbers he cut: I Be’s Troubled.

Think you recognise it? This is the version you probably know better:

One of our favourite Rock Family Trees is not so much a tree but a visual and historical map: Mississippi, Cradle of the Blues. A remarkable account of the blues artists originating in the state of Mississippi. Here are the four short columns at the start the tree, top left:

In the coming weeks we will bring you some of the highlights of the tree. Here is one to start with, the blues artists associated with the town of Clarksdale:

We all know this born-in-Clarksdale bluesman:

But what about Brother John Sellers?

And this beautiful number from Maxwell Street Willie Davis?

Need your own copy of Mississippi Roots of the Blues? We have a special offer on the limited edition, signed Fine Art Print: £200 (including UK postage) until the end of June.

Special deals are also available on posters: A2 (420 x 594) £17.50 including UK postage
A1 (594 x 841) £22.50 including UK postage

All enquiries and orders to Jo at familyofrock.com

And of course, if you need a copy of More Rock Family Trees you know what to do:

Sad to hear of the passing of darts legend Jockie Wilson at the early age of 62.

But what does this have to do with music, you may ask? Those familiar with the British pop show Top of the Pops know the answer.

In 1982 Dexy’s Midnight Runners were in the charts with their big hit ‘Jackie Wilson Says’. Darts was huge on TV at the time, and Jocky Wilson a household name. And who was Jackie Wilson? Not known at the BBC. The stage was set, literally, for some accidental comedy. Look out for the big black and white picture of an angelic, smiling, darts genius.

We were very pleased to receive a Google Alert pointing us to a new review of Pete’s fabulous Even More Rock Family Trees. Here it is:

My neighbor bought Even More Rock Family Trees from the Internet. After they have used. It has made them love it so much. Because Even More Rock Family Trees can make them very easy to use, not difficult and is equipped with a durable, I’ve seen it,Even More Rock Family Trees would be to try to see what it is affordable. Compared with the property itself. Even More Rock Family Trees is durable in use. And proper manner. If you are looking for a product like this I would highly recommend Even More Rock Family Trees .

Machine-written reviewing still needs some work, it seems. But funnily enough, my neighbour did buy one as well, and he also found it very durable too. Get yours here:

With the temperature beginning to stir it is about time to end this blogging hibernation. And what better way than to trace some wonderful classics as they appear in Trees through the ages. Lets start with that gritty classic, Midnight Special. I’m always a sucker for a song where a new line starts just when you think the singer should be taking a breath, and this is one of the best.

Leadbelly got there early on:

And Odetta sings it how it should be:

So, who in the Trees has done justice to the song?

Not, in my humble opinion, the otherwise fab Spencer Davis Group:

And here is a short take from Journey, who happen to get a whole Tree just to themselves:

Then there’s Ken Colyer’s skiffle version with Alexis Korner:

Luckily we have Van Morrison, to bring it all back home. There’s hope after all:

And if you haven’t had enough yet, here’s Van, with Lonnie and Chris Barber, in a skiffle revival version of 2007.

but the reviews of Even More Rock Family Trees show why it is this year’s Xmas gift for the discerning rock maniac.

Five stars at Record Collector.

And in the best books of the year at Shindig Magazine.

Take a look for yourself.

Not so long ago we drew your attention to the new Creation Records film, Upside Down. Well, you can see it on BBC4 tonight at 9.00 pm and if you like it, stay tuned for Creation at the BBC, archive footage of Creation bands, and if that isn’t enough, a documentary of Alan McGee (proud owner, by the way, of number 1 in the limited edition of the Creation Records fine art print. Which, of course, appears in Pete’s new Even More Rock Family Trees).

Even More

Its here!! Well almost. Officially released on November 1st, Pete Frame’s officially long awaited Even More Rock Family Trees. Never appearing in print before, Grunge, Elton John, The Allman Brothers Band, and so many more, all in loving and painstaking detail. Some said it would never happen. Well, they were wrong. Better make sure that you add it to your collection.