Bad Temper Joe - The Memphis Tapes (12" Vinyl-Album)
Slowly but surely, Bielefeld-based blues musician, guitarist, singer, and songwriter Bad Temper Joe is forging his way through the musical 21st century. While his music doesn't claim to appeal to the masses, no one will be able to escape the sounds of his Weissenborn guitar once they've embraced it. With "The Memphis Tapes," BTJ is now releasing a very special piece of music for all blues lovers: an EP on vinyl, featuring an artistic design (artwork by Gerald Oppermann) and recorded at the famous Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee—the very place where blues greats like Howlin' Wolf, Junior Parker, James Cotton, and, not least, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash recorded many of their songs.
"The Memphis Tapes" recreates six songs from Bad Temper Joe's earlier productions in a completely new guise: with the sound that only Sun Studio and only a record can produce. The recordings take the audience on the night of February 2, 2020, to Union Avenue, where the venerable studio is located. Outside, a surprisingly warm wind blows for the time of year. Inside, the tape machine is already rattling. A single chair is provided. Joe, as always with only a guitar on his knees, sits down. Several microphones are arranged, and sound engineer Daniel Crockett signals through the glass: The recording is underway. Just one day earlier, the East Westphalian blues bard had sat on the stage of the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, playing his songs in front of more than 2.000 enthusiastic listeners. The theatre – also known for the Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line" – was the venue for the finals of the International Blues Challenge. Bad Temper Joe not only carried the colors of the German blues at the Challenge, but also received the special honor of performing in the final as the last remaining European. He had already thrilled the American audience in various clubs on Beale Street in the days prior.
Well prepared, they headed to Sun Studio. In a single night, Joe recorded several takes of the six tracks that are now being released as "The Memphis Tapes." The results are impressive: The recordings, mixed by Henning Strandt, give listeners the feeling of being right there: in Memphis, in Sun Studio, right next to BTJ. The ghost of Johnny Cash seems to hover over the late twenties when the country ballad "Girl from the East" plays. More than a few blues spirits are sure to nod in recognition as he sings once again about tears and diamonds. Finally, Joe takes his audience on a highway ride to bid farewell to the grumpy singer/songwriter who was only made for a life on the road – not without sipping the last glass while standing. There are probably only a few artists who manage to captivate their audience with such a minimalist setting. With "The Memphis Tapes," Bad Temper Joe proves once again that he succeeds in doing just that, from the first note to the last. "The Memphis Tapes" won't change the world. But anyone who lets themselves be drawn to the crackling vinyl record will forget the fast pace, the ups and downs, and the back and forth of our times for almost 30 minutes.
Page A
01 If Tears Were Diamonds
02 Hell's Gonna Fly
03 Girl From The East
Side B
01 Homeless
02 Sleeping Giant Blues
03 Man For The Road