Also have you seen the documentery film on Richard Trice? It probably has some good music on it: "Shine On: Richard Trice and the Bull City Blues (1999)". YOlu can buy it for $25 from Groove.

"Synopsis

Shine On: Richard Trice and the Bull City Blues tells the poignant and lyrical story of one man's fascinating journey through blues music to spiritual redemption. Richard Trice, who died at the age of 82 on April 6, 2000, was the last survivor of the heyday of the blues in Durham, North Carolina in the 1930's. Trice spent over 18 years in a healthcare facility in Durham prior to his death and was best known for his friendship with Piedmont blues king, Blind Boy Fuller, and his encounters with blues legends Reverend Gary Davis, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee.

In the film, he revisits with warmth and humor important landmarks from his sharecropping roots and his free-wheeling life as a roaming blues player. Through his memory, the memory of others, and evocative photographic and film images, a world of African American family, music and community emerges. Trices's musical career took him to New York city where he recorded for Decca and Savoy records in the 1930's-1940's.

As he reflects on his recording experiences, Trice hints at the exploitative relationship between race record companies and producers and blues players. Back in North Carolina, he performed at house parties, jook joints, and tobacco warehouses until the early 1960's. Shine On offers a unique perspective on blues music by transcending many of the stereotypes and preconceptions about blues artists and by revealing much about the tensions between secular music and the personal calling to spiritual rebirth. It is both a celebration of the Piedmont blues and an intimate story of Trice's attempt to look back and give meaning to his life.

running time: 49 minutes
original format: MiniDV
screening format: Beta SP/DVCam

Shine On: Richard Trice and the Bull City Blues

Production Credits

Directors: Kenny Dalsheimer and Jamie Hysjulien
Videographer/Editor: Kenny Dalsheimer
Composer/Original Music: Scott Ainslie
On-Line Editors: James Fink and Robert F. Landau
Animation Photography: Marty Rosenbluth
Additional music by: Richard Trice; Blind Boy Fuller; Reverend Gary Davis
John Dee Holeman and Willie Trice
Still Photographer: Lorraine Tipaldi (Photographs available upon request)
Participant List/Storytellers:
Mr. Richard Trice
Ms. Clara Trice
Mr. John Dee Holeman
Dr. Glen Hinson"

[This message has been edited by P. Diddy (edited April 16, 2003).]

I apologize. It was meant in fun but I understand how it could be seen as offensive. The whole hip hop language reminds me of the jive of the 70's. I find language fascinating. The choice of words, slang, contractions, inflections, etc can carry meaning (and possibly power) beyond the initial intended message. Although I haven't yet read Russel Simmon's book I bet he makes a similar argument. I'm impressed by your posts here on the forum and you often hit the nail on the head with short insightful comments. By the way, have you read "Where Dead Voices Gather" by Nick Tosches? I'd be curious to hear what you think.