We think of Pops Staples every year around this time. Pops was born on December 28 in Winona, Mississippi and passed away near Chicago on December 19, 2000. Pops was primarily known as the patriarch, guitar player and a lead singer with his family band, The Staple Singers. But Pops had a blues side, too.  Mr. Staples had worked with legendary bluesmen Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, Son House and Robert Junior Lockwood.  He developed a unique style of playing guitar that continues to influence young blues and pop players. Last night Pops was our Artist of the Week on Blues Breakers.

We also premiered the new album by Buddy Guy, Live at Legends, coming out on December 18th.  We had to preview the album carefully before airing as many of the songs contain words not seen as acceptable for airplay.

Next Monday, December 17, please join us for our annual Blues Breakers Holiday program. 9p-10p. If you’re listening on a mobile device you can find us on the free Radio.com app.

Here’s the playlist:

Tom Marker’s Blues Breakers for 12/10/12

Artist of the Week: Pops Staples

 MUD MORGANFIELD – SHORT DRESS WOMAN  From Mud’s current record, Son of the Seventh Son, that came out early this year.  Mud will be at S.P.A.C.E. this Saturday.

POPS STAPLES – DOWN IN MISSISSIPPI  This somes from the 1992 album Peace To The Neighborhood that was considered his solo debut but he did have the rest of The Staples, Ry Cooder, Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Brown all on the record, too. This track was produced by Ry Cooder who also plays second guitar here.

BILLY BRANCH AND SONS OF BLUES – CRAZY MIXED UP WORLD  This song comes from the album, Live and Kickin’, recorded at Rosa’s Lounge. This Saturday Billy and the band return to Rosa’s for a welcome back to Chicago show after an extended tour of Turkey.

BUDDY GUY – BOOM BOOM/STRANGE BREW  A brand new Buddy disc. The title explains it, Live at Legends, but not entirely as there are three studio tracks at the end. The live tracks were recorded January 29 & 30, 2010. Info about the 16 nights of Buddy Guy performances at Legends this January can be found at buddyguy.com

POPS STAPLES – NOBODY’S FAULT BUT MINE  This song was introduced by Sister Rosetta Tharpe and was popular during the forties and fifties. Pops recorded it with The Staple Singers for release on their 1965 album, Freedom Highway. This version was recorded around 1990 for an album that has yet to come out.

POPS STAPLES – HOPE IN A HOPELESS WORLD  From the 1994, Grammy award winning album, Father, Father.

DAVE SPECTER w/ TAD ROBINSON – WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG  This is from the 1993 album, Blueplicity, by Dave Specter and the Bluesbirds featuring vocalist Tad Robinson. Dave and Bill will be claborating again this Wednesday for a Holiday Blues show at S.P.A.C.E.

POPS STAPLES – TUPELO  This song comes from a 1988 release called Jammed Together with Albert King and Steve Cropper.

BUDDY GUY – COUNTRY BOY  A brand new Buddy disc. The title explains it, Live at Legends, but not entirely as there are three studio tracks at the end.