The end of November marked the end of Blogcritics' Blues Bash extravaganza as far as the calendar was concerned, but I'm pleased to say it appears that the Blues just don't know when to quit and are playing on well after closing time. I've been doing my share to keep the party going and will continue to do so as long as they let me.
In the past week or so I've been focusing on one record label in particular, Ruf Records from Germany. I've given you an overview of their history and reviewed their twelfth year anthology disc. So it seems to me only fitting that we hear from the founder of the label Thomas Ruf to conclude this mini-feature on Ruf Records.
Needless to say Thomas is a very busy man. When I emailed him the series of questions at the end of November, he was actually in the United States overseeing a recording session for their forthcoming Blues Caravan release. (This year's is a Blues Women starring Sue Foley, Deborah Coleman, and Canadian newcomer Roxanne Potvin.) So it took him longer than he expected to send back his answers, but it's all worked out for the best.
Today will be the first half of the interview and you'll be able to read the final bits tomorrow at this same web log channel. Oh one final word; needless to say English isn't Thomas' first language, and he's asked us to correct any errors we think are too glaring. Aside from those few minor fixes, probably far less then editors have to do on my articles on far too many occasions, his answers are reprinted here verbatim. Enjoy.
Could you tell us a little about yourself, where you are from and your background?
I grew up in the Black Forest on a wine farm. I guess I learned about labour at a very early age as kids are a needed work force during harvest time on a family run farm – a model that still existed back in the 60’s & early 70’s before agriculture changed into a global speculation business at the mercy of the world’s stock markets.
Article comments
1 - Luther Allison, Jr.
That's a nice article. Thanks. There are a few corrections that need to be made and REPRINTED: 1st; Rocky is not my mother. My father is/still/was married to my mother, Fannie M Allison. She still lives/resides in Peoria, Ill. I wish that that these corrections are made and stop slandering our name and acknowledge and respect my Mom. Or acknowledge the fact that Rocky and my dad were, "kickin' it", maybe? Bernard and I are tired of being asked how is your mom (Rocky)? Our response is not nice.
2 - Richard Marcus
Luther Jr.
Yikes that's not cool is it. The best I can do for you, as this was an interview with Thomas Ruf, and he was the one who made those refrences, is to forward what you told me to him in Germany, and to my contact with Ruf Records in North America.
I have to say I agree with both you and your brother's opinion, I wouldn't have wanted anyone thinking any of my Dad's girlfriends or even my stepmom were my mom. I would have been pissed too.
I'll make sure the people at Ruf records are corrected so at least they won't make the same comments in the future. Also your comment is printed underneath this interview and I will see about getting it posted in the other places the interview has been published. Cool?
Once again I agree with what you're saying, and I'd be upset too. So I hope I can make sure that some people will stop saying it.
cheers
Richard Marcus
p.s If you want to contact me directly, email the site's publisher - you can find the contact information on the front page - and he can email your address and I'll get back to you.