I was hunting through Blues & Rhythm of the 1990s and upon reaching the April issue the first of the following leapt out at me. Nothing odd in that but upon arriving at the August issue, well what can I say? It speaks for itself.
Highway 49: A Story Of The Blues
Keri Leigh for the Oklahoma Blues Society
1989; 21pp; price not given
This 21 page, comb bound booklet was originally produced as a free gift for members of the Oklahoma Blues Society and writer, Keri Leigh, obviously feels that it might be of interest to a wider audience.
In her introduction Leigh states that: "The articles have been written on two levels. Those just beginning to learn about the blues will (hopefully) find basic facts laid out in a clear and concise manner. More knowledgeable readers will find these basic facts have been arranged in such a way to suggest new insights and approaches...". To attempt a summary of the blues in 21 pages is nigh impossible and Leigh has had to leapfrog her way through its chronology/history in four chapters in a "journalese" that attempts to convert her readers to the wonders of the music: quite a refreshing approach even if the literary style makes this particular reader wince. To give Keri Leigh her due, she does convey the general history of the music and works into it the main protagonists with accuracy (though where she gets the idea that Jay McShann was in London recording with Mayall and Clapton on "Raw Blues" is a poser) but, try as I might, I couldn't discover any "new insights" to have me leaping around in amazement at my own short-sightedness. One positive thing which did suggest itself to me about this booklet is that it would make very good copy, and serve a useful purpose, if marginally expanded and reprinted in the rock press with view to spreading the work in those circles.
Otherwise, if you're in the Oklahoma area and would like a copy of "Highway 49: A Story Of The Blues" write to: Oklahoma Blues Society, 3481 NW 27th Oklahoma City, OK 73107, USA
Alan Balfour (Blues & Rhythm 51, April 1990)
Below from letter page B&R 54 (August 1990)
DUPLICATION BLUES
First of all, congratulations on your fine publication, which I have read since its inception. Question of the month: Do all Oklahoma blues fans named Kerry/Keri think and write identically... or does one just plagiarise the writings of another? In issue 51 of B&R I noted with some dismay and only a little amusement Alan Balfour's review of Ms Leigh's booklet, 'Highway 49'. What caught my eye was the paragraph quoted from the introduction. Actually it is MY paragraph from an introduction to a booklet I wrote in December 1987 called 'About The Blues'. This booklet was mailed out as a Christmas gift to members of the Tulsa Blues Club (of which I am currently president) in that year. Sound familiar?
I have since obtained a copy of 'Highway 49' and was further dismayed (but not really surprised) to discover that the first two articles in it are in reality the first two articles in 'About The Blues' with only their titles changed. I have enclosed a copy of the latter for comparison.
Alan Balfour was correct in saying that information written on this level would be useful to novice fans. That was my purpose in writing 'About The Blues' for our club members, many of whom know about the blues via Eric Clapton or Stevie Ray Vaughan, etc.
In her introduction Ms Leigh also mentions "years put into compiling... information" and "endless hours stuck behind her computer". She might also have mentioned her time at the photocopy machine. History will deal with Ms Leigh; that and the fact that she may read this in your letters column. Meanwhile I am considering a proposal of matrimony to this diligent researcher so that our two minds may become one... or has this already happened? Please set the record straight.
PS: 'About The Blues' is available in the USA from the address below for $3.50 postage included.
Kerry Kudlacek PO Box 702426 Tulsa, OK 74170-2426 USA
Highway 49: A Story Of The Blues
Keri Leigh for the Oklahoma Blues Society
1989; 21pp; price not given
This 21 page, comb bound booklet was originally produced as a free gift for members of the Oklahoma Blues Society and writer, Keri Leigh, obviously feels that it might be of interest to a wider audience.
In her introduction Leigh states that: "The articles have been written on two levels. Those just beginning to learn about the blues will (hopefully) find basic facts laid out in a clear and concise manner. More knowledgeable readers will find these basic facts have been arranged in such a way to suggest new insights and approaches...". To attempt a summary of the blues in 21 pages is nigh impossible and Leigh has had to leapfrog her way through its chronology/history in four chapters in a "journalese" that attempts to convert her readers to the wonders of the music: quite a refreshing approach even if the literary style makes this particular reader wince. To give Keri Leigh her due, she does convey the general history of the music and works into it the main protagonists with accuracy (though where she gets the idea that Jay McShann was in London recording with Mayall and Clapton on "Raw Blues" is a poser) but, try as I might, I couldn't discover any "new insights" to have me leaping around in amazement at my own short-sightedness. One positive thing which did suggest itself to me about this booklet is that it would make very good copy, and serve a useful purpose, if marginally expanded and reprinted in the rock press with view to spreading the work in those circles.
Otherwise, if you're in the Oklahoma area and would like a copy of "Highway 49: A Story Of The Blues" write to: Oklahoma Blues Society, 3481 NW 27th Oklahoma City, OK 73107, USA
Alan Balfour (Blues & Rhythm 51, April 1990)
Below from letter page B&R 54 (August 1990)
DUPLICATION BLUES
First of all, congratulations on your fine publication, which I have read since its inception. Question of the month: Do all Oklahoma blues fans named Kerry/Keri think and write identically... or does one just plagiarise the writings of another? In issue 51 of B&R I noted with some dismay and only a little amusement Alan Balfour's review of Ms Leigh's booklet, 'Highway 49'. What caught my eye was the paragraph quoted from the introduction. Actually it is MY paragraph from an introduction to a booklet I wrote in December 1987 called 'About The Blues'. This booklet was mailed out as a Christmas gift to members of the Tulsa Blues Club (of which I am currently president) in that year. Sound familiar?
I have since obtained a copy of 'Highway 49' and was further dismayed (but not really surprised) to discover that the first two articles in it are in reality the first two articles in 'About The Blues' with only their titles changed. I have enclosed a copy of the latter for comparison.
Alan Balfour was correct in saying that information written on this level would be useful to novice fans. That was my purpose in writing 'About The Blues' for our club members, many of whom know about the blues via Eric Clapton or Stevie Ray Vaughan, etc.
In her introduction Ms Leigh also mentions "years put into compiling... information" and "endless hours stuck behind her computer". She might also have mentioned her time at the photocopy machine. History will deal with Ms Leigh; that and the fact that she may read this in your letters column. Meanwhile I am considering a proposal of matrimony to this diligent researcher so that our two minds may become one... or has this already happened? Please set the record straight.
PS: 'About The Blues' is available in the USA from the address below for $3.50 postage included.
Kerry Kudlacek PO Box 702426 Tulsa, OK 74170-2426 USA