Order the
"KB and The Kid"
cassette for $10.00
(postage and handling paid)
Please make check or money order payable to:
North Magnolia Music Company
Post Office Box 1816
Oxford, Mississippi 38655
North Magnolia Music home
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The story of "KB and The Kid"
By Mitch Cohen
Winter 1992, Oxford, Mississippi
It was a weird, long road that brought me here to the South. I've always had ideas of the place, pictures, images of the blood and guts of the blues, a murky history of the strongest of the truely American cultures. Stereotypes, too, "black bodies hanging from the poplar trees" and all, but more than that, there was the undeniable hunger for the thickness of the place and its music. There was something down here that called me, dragged me southward to find it. It is pool tables, roots and the time after you step away from work when I walk through the door of the bar and into their world.
Looking back now, I can say without a doubt that it was the best night I've had here in Oxford. It was probably the best I've had in Mississippi at all and I blame it on the music. The minute I walked in, I saw the band. At the mike, he stood, tall, thin and behind glasses, cap on head and blowing harp. I think it was "Kansas City" that they were playing when a whiskey stinking scruffy redneck leaned into me and asked how a white boy learned to play like that. I don't know. But he blew, and he blew and blew and carried the blues to the be bop realm. That place where music evolves into something divine, spiritual and full of color. It made my body shake.
I took a seat to the left of the band and settled in for the night. It was foot stompin', sitting on the table and howling. Time was, when I listened without feeling, that I would have said it was the perfect booze and bar music, but that won't do now. This is music that deserves more on the part of the listener than a bunch of drunks'll give it. The band was playing and I went with them, allowing myself the freedom to rise with the sounds guitar and harp and drums and twist in the air alongside them.
Time passed, night turning into deeper, darker night and friends gathered around me and we shared this thing they were giving us. I got high, and if my memory can be trusted, it was only the music that got me there. I spun, and then time dissolved and it was two months later and The Counts of Rhythm were my friends.
Beautiful people. The drummer and half the vocals, Mr. Bobby Little, a man whose very presence makes me glad. Billy Gibson, harmonica wizard and happiest man alive. And last but not least, on bass and electric guitar respectively, there is Lauric Stirratt and Cary Hudson, implants into this blue animal from two of Oxford's best bands, The Hilltops and Blue Mountian. (editor's note: Also appearing on this cassette on keyboards is "Jo-Jo" Herman from Widespead Panic.) It's a magic combination when these four play together.
When the tape you have in your possession was given to me, and I was asked to write these words, I was thrilled and honored to be even a little part of this endeavor. The magic is golden, the songs are perfect. "Nightmare" is something extra special, it's an original of Billy's and live, it captures the audience and won't let go, leaving everyone hanging in mid-air with the last line- "...and you just might... have to die." It hits hard and fast and then sneaks out the side door and into the night.
My only regret is the the band's version of "Summertime" isn't on the album, but that's ok, cause if you want to hear them do it like only they can, then you'll have to get yo' ass out to see them live. And live is the only way to truly catch them. But, if you haven't been lucky enough to see them yet, this album here will give you a taste of the glory. Enjoy."
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