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KPLU All Blues host John Kessler has expanded "The Blues Time Machine," which has been a popular segment on his weekend blues shows. The weekly series tracks one great blues song through history - from its earliest recording to its latest and sometimes, with some surprising interpretations. "The Blues Time Machine" airs on KPLU on Fridays at 12:10 p.m. during the "Blue Plate Special," and on All Blues Saturdays and Sundays at 8 and 11 p.m.

'Mercy, Mercy' and young Hendrix showcase the rhythm in R&B

Don Covay
Don Covay

This song emphasizes the “rhythm” in “rhythm & blues."

“Mercy, Mercy” or “Have Mercy” was recorded by Don Covay in 1964. It features 22-year-old Jimi Hendrix on guitar. He’s still a few years away from his own solo career, but his guitar playing is recognizable.

After his stint in the Army, Hendrix did gigs and sessions with people like Little Richard, The Isley Brothers, and Ike & Tina Turner. “Mercy, Mercy” was one of Covay’s many hit songs. He also wrote “Sookie, Sookie," “See Saw” and “Chain of Fools."

All the way to KPLU

One year later a young British band, whose singer was tremendously influenced by Don Covay, covered the song on their third album – Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones. Here they are from Shindig that same year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V2ESk8ASeM                                  

Years before his big pop hits like “Addicted To Love," and “Simply Irresistible," singer Robert Palmer cut “Mercy Mercy," with a groove heavily influenced by Little Feat, some of whom played on his 1976 track.

Shemekia Copeland is the daughter of blues singer Johnny Copeland, and she obviously learned well, with a string of successful albums with producers like Steve Cropper and Dr. John.

Her 1998 debut included “Have Mercy." Shemekia Copeland recorded at KPLU studios in 2010, this is “Never Going Back to Memphis” from that session:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJq3W076cVw

Here are the full versions of “Mercy, Mercy” tracked through time:

Don Covay “Mercy Mercy” 1964

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-989858.mp3

The Rolling Stones: “Mercy, Mercy” 1965

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-989859.mp3

Robert Palmer : “Have Mercy” 1976

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-989860.mp3

Shemekia Copeland: “Have Mercy” 1998

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-989861.mp3

John has worked as a professional bassist for 20 years, including a 15 year stint as Musical Director of the Mountain Stage radio program. John has been at KNKX since 1999 where he hosts “All Blues”, is producer of the BirdNote radio program, and co-hosts “Record Bin Roulette”. John is also the recording engineer for KNKX “In-Studio Performances”. Not surprisingly, John's main musical interests are jazz and blues, and he is still performing around Seattle.