Vince Lee – UK Blues Vocalist & Guitarist

In this episode of Talking Blues, we talk to Vince Lee, a blues vocalist, & guitarist based in the South West of England. He has fronted several bands from The Big Combo to The Wildcards, and musical projects over the last 35 years. From Ragtime to rock & roll. Vince a versatile performer who displays a deep love for early blues music, pulls back the curtain—on the gear, the grind, and the groove.

These days, he’s teamed up with double bassist and partner Sophie Lord. Together, they’ve built a global following with stripped-back videos that feel like front-row seats in a smoke-filled juke joint. Millions of views. Major U.S. festivals. Zero gimmicks.

Hit play, and then:

Visit https://www.VinceLeeSophieLord.bandcamp.com to buy music direct from the blues artists.

CONNECT WITH VINCE LEE & SOPHIE LORD:

Website: http://www.vinceleebigcombo.co.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vinceleeblues/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/dynocruiser

Twitter/X: https://x.com/#!/Bigcomboman

Stream the episode now at https://www.TalkingBluesPodcast.com or wherever you podcast.

Matt Cooper, Broadcaster & Host

If this conversation moved you or got you thinking—join the Talking Blues Backstage Pass right here on Patreon. It’s free to join, and you’ll get early access, behind-the-scenes stories, and the chance to shape future episodes.

In this episode of Talking Blues, we talk to Adam Gussow, a seasoned blues harmonica player and PhD Professor of English & Southern Studies at The University of Mississippi. He shares his journey through the world of blues music, about his legendary partnership with Mister Satan and why the blues still matters in a world grasping for meaning.

He’s written the definitive texts on blues history and culture—including Mister Satan’s Apprentice, Seems Like Murder Here, Beyond the Crossroads, and Whose Blues? We also dig into his most recent book, My Family and I: A Mississippi Memoir—a revealing personal journey that stitches together race, roots, and the complicated truth of the South.

Gussow also delves into the ideologies surrounding blues music, the importance of humor in the culture, and his experiences teaching harmonica. Throughout the discussion, he emphasizes the significance of mastering the instrument and shares personal anecdotes that highlight the rich history and emotional depth of blues music.

Hit play, and then:

https://www.amazon.com/My-Family-I-Mississippi-Memoir/dp/B0DGF7LNLT/ - My Family and I: A Mississippi Memoir – February 25, 2025 by by Adam Gussow (Author)

http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com – visit for modern blues harmonica instructional videos, blues harp tabs, and more….

https://www.hohner.de/en/adam-gussow - "I've been using the Hohner Marine Band Harmonica for 50 years.”

CONNECT WITH ADAM GUSSOW:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adam.gussow

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@modernbluesharmonica

YouTube: : Gussow’s Claddic Blues Harmonica Videos

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/adamgussow

Stream the episode now at https://www.TalkingBluesPodcast.com or wherever you podcast.

Matt Cooper, Broadcaster & Host

If this conversation moved you or got you thinking—join the Talking Blues Backstage Pass right here on Patreon. It’s free to join, and you’ll get early access, behind-the-scenes stories, and the chance to shape future episodes.

His landmark work is Up Jumped the Devil: The Real Life of Robert Johnson, co-authored with Gayle Dean Wardlow. The result of over 50 years of chasing documents, recordings and oral histories, it destroys the crossroads myth and brings us a more complex, brilliant—and human—Robert Johnson

In this engaging conversation, Bruce Conforth, a lifelong bluesman and ethnomusicologist, shares his journey through the world of music, from his early influences in New Jersey to his pivotal role in the folk revival and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He discusses the profound impact of Robert Johnson's music, his experiences with Reverend Gary Davis, and the cultural shifts in music during the 60s. Throughout the discussion, he emphasizes the importance of authenticity in music and the rich history of blues and folk music.

Whether you’re a blues fan, a history buff, or someone seeking clarity in myth, this episode digs deep. Bruce Conforth doesn’t just tell stories—he lays the evidence on the table.

Hit play, and then:

bruceconforth.com – visit to explore more from Bruce Conforth – award-winning author, musician, and ethnomusicologist and to buy music straight from the man himself

Amazon.com: Bruce M. Conforth: books, biography, latest update – visit to purchase book “Up Jumped the Devil: The Real Life of Robert Johnson”

CONNECT WITH BRUCE CONFORTH:

Website: https://bruceconforth.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Bruce-Conforth-100040296168814/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bruceconforth8220

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Conforth

Stream it. Share it. And if it moves you, support the artist—and join us for more.

Matt Cooper, Broadcaster & Host

Join the movement: https://www.talkingbluespodcast.com

Raw Chicago Blues from a man who lived it—and never left it behind.

What do you call a guitarist who stood beside Muddy Waters for seven years, played The Last Waltz, and still sounds like he’s got the South Side of Chicago running through his cables?

You call him Bob Margolin. The blues world calls him Steady Rollin’—a name he’s more than earned.

Bob doesn’t just carry the tradition—he embodies it. His playing is steeped in the electrified Delta that Muddy, Wolf, Elmore, Reed, and Little Walter hauled up to Chicago and set ablaze. What Bob calls Raw Chicago Blues—it’s not about vintage gear or studio tricks. The sound lives in the fingers and the heart of the musician.

He’s not here to reenact history. He’s here to pass it on.

In this episode of Talking Blues, Bob talks about his time with Muddy, the blues ethos, guitars that bite back, and what keeps the music honest. You’ll hear the stories behind the sound and feel the weight of a life lived on stage—and in service of something bigger.

Hit play, and then visit:

https://www.pinetopperkinsfoundation.org/ - Bob also gives back through the Pinetop Perkins Foundation mentoring the next generation of blues musicians.

The Blues Foundation - https://blues.org/become-a-member/

CONNECT WITH BOB MARGOLIN:

Website: https://www.BobMargolin.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bobmargolinfanpage

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/bobmargolinofficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobmargolin/

Twitter/X: https://www.x.com/bobmargolin

Stream it. Share it. And if it moves you, support the artist—and join us for more.

Matt Cooper, Broadcaster & Host

Join the movement: https://www.talkingbluespodcast.com

The Talking Blues Podcast shines a light on blues musicians both past and present. We dig into their craft, influences, gear, and stories from the road. Sometimes it’s pure promotion. Sometimes it’s a deep dive.

We’re also here to archive the living history of seasoned blues musicians—to help preserve personal histories, cultural blues heritage and valuable lessons for future generations. It’s part interview, part hangout—all heart. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. We’re here to keep them alive.

Give an episode or two a listen. If you like what you hear, stick around. The Talking Blues community is a friendly and inclusive space for anyone who loves the blues, whether you play, listen, or are simply Blues curious.

Stream it. Share it. And if it moves you, support the artist—and join us for more.

Matt Cooper, Broadcaster & Host

Join the movement: https://www.talkingbluespodcast.com