Via musicSUBMIT I came into contact with Big Poppa Stampley, a bluesman from Louisville, Kentucky (US). Intentially, it was just to promote his last CD ‘Here Come Big Poppa Stampley’. Only the way of how he approaches the blues decided that otherwise. So he describes his (blues) music as CariBluJazz. To me it’s interesting enough to go into it a bit deeper.

So CaribluJazz is Big Poppa’s own blues, which is drenched through with rock, jazz, R&B and Carribean music. A style which he’s already played for 20 years.

In the first place Big Poppa may call himself the proud owner of a wonderful voice. This sounds a bit heavy and fierce and on the other side it’s soft and warm. He also has perfect control of pitches and he really gets engrossed in his songs. And his guitar playing is something else. No dizzy notes for Big Poppa. No, he rather keeps it simple: the right tune, or the right guitar sound, this at the right time...(and that’s how it should be!). Sometimes playful, or very refined, then very intrigued. Which gives the whole thing integrity.

He brings his songs like a “griot”, (an African “storyteller”). A way best describes as: the story of each culture gets told in songs and rhythms. The storytellers (mainly the elderly) of these stories, whether they are myth or real, or a mix of both, ensure the cultures stay alive. Big Poppa sings/talks his songs like a “griot” with his own CariBluJazz feel. On his recent CD are ten tracks, all worth listening to. A few great examples are: ‘My Baby’s Got A Baby’ and ‘Aint Gonna Rain Forever’.

Make the time to listen to this music and maybe you’ll admit that this is a grand concept. An artist who belongs as well in the blues world as in the world of singer-song writers.

Video: Big Pappa Stampley - Lips

Websites:
www.markstampley.com
www.bigpoppastampley.com
www.myspace.com/bigpoppastampley
www.cdbaby.com/bigpoppastampley

Translation by: Marleen Crook-Geebelen

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