Welcome to the Triple Threat Blues Band library: a collection of text, graphics, links, and (coming soon:) audio files. Some items relate directly to Triple Threat (like our lyrics and liner notes); some acknowledge our influences and, we hope, reflect a bit of the American musical landscape. The first two pieces introduce some of the mythology associated with the blues. Three items relate to guitarist Michael Bloomfield, whose work has influenced Triple Threat's musical development.

 

1. The story of W.C. Handy "discovering" the blues in Tutwiler, Mississippi, from Father of the Blues -An Autobiography: Handy's account of hearing an anonymous Southern bluesman while waiting for a train in 1903. Includes photos & links.

2. The Legend of Robert Johnson: Michael Bloomfield's insightful perspective on the myth of Robert Johnson at the crossroads, from an interview given two days before Bloomfield's death in 1981. Text & photos.

3. Excerpt from Me And Big Joe by Michael Bloomfield: Bloomfield recalls his travels with bluesman Big Joe Williams.

4. Recollections of Mike Bloomfield and Big Joe Williams, by Art Thieme. On-line press clippings describe Art Thieme as a "Midwestern folksinger, punster and raconteur", and "America's best-loved troubadour". He was a witness & contributor to the Chicago folk & blues scene in the early 1960's, and sometimes shares his well-told recollections on the web. The wonderful stories included here are culled from a thread on the Mudcat discussion forum.

5. Excerpt from Bob Dylan's Grammy Acceptance Speech, 1998: Dylan's 1997 release Time Out of Mind earned the Grammy award for Album of the Year. Part of his acceptance speech is included here for it's heart-felt acknowledgments of Buddy Holly and Robert Johnson. Go Bob. Text & photos.

6. Text of Chief Seattle's speech to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs: This famous oration is, in part, the inspiration for Triple Threat's original blues song "Walk Light On This Earth". The "Walk Light" audio and lyrics by former TTBB vocalist Steve Ilsley are also posted.

7. Liner notes from Triple Threat's 2001 CD Jump & Shout, by Rico Cass