Product Details

• Actors: Lurrie Bell, Billy Branch, Jimmy Dawkins, James Y. Jones, Kevin Shanahan
• Directors: Tom Koester
• Producers: Bob Koester
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Delmark
• DVD Release Date: December 13, 2005
• Run Time: 64 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000BBOTVO
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,517 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Tail Dragger: My Head Is Bald - Live at Vern's Friendly Lounge" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Tail Dragger - a holdout from the time when blues giants like Howlin’ Wolf and Magic Sam still ruled on the West Side. The neighborhood, the music, and the rest of the world have changed around him, but Tail Dragger still embraces the old ways. Even Tail Dragger’s original material, in which he addresses modern-day concerns, is hewn from the same raw materials utilized ‘back in the day’: loosely-swinging rhythms, snaky intertwining guitars, and often as not, a wailing amplified harp player leading the way. Ironically, he’s become unique by not changing for 40 years.

As a fan of Howlin’ Wolf’s music since before moving to Chicago in ’66, Tail Dragger began hanging around and sitting in with the big man himself. In addition to some first-hand tutoring, it was Wolf who gave Tail Dragger his stage name which he’s used ever since.

You really must witness a performance to fully appreciate the Tail Dragger experience. Like his early mentor The Wolf, there is almost nothing he won’t do – whether it’s crawling on all fours or slithering on his belly like a snake – in order to sell a song, or get his point across. And thanks to this live DVD release, blues fans who don’t live within driving distance of Vern’s Friendly Lounge will finally get a chance to experience the one and only Tail Dragger in all his earthy glory.

Booklet with complete notes by Scott Dirks enclosed.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Basically.... It's like you're there!, April 16, 2006

By 

B. Heying (Luxemburg) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tail Dragger: My Head Is Bald - Live at Vern's Friendly Lounge (DVD)

This is an EXTREMELY well done DVD. It captures the spirit of a great time in one of those old hole-in-the-wall bars you might find in big cities throughout the midwest. If you appreciate that kind of good time, you will love this DVD. Crystal-clear audio and video, multiple camera angles, not to mention the great musical artists themselves, make this a rare gem. Honestly, I've never heard of any of these guys before, but they are obviously real-deal Chicago blues players. (Drummers: the drumming on this DVD is how it's supposed to be done) I can't say enough good things about this DVD. I could almost smell the cigar smoke and stale beer on my cloths the next morning. Yea ... You need this!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Howlin' Wolf influenced Tail Dragger Gives Solid Live Performance, December 17, 2005

By 

R. Weinstock (Falls Church, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tail Dragger: My Head Is Bald - Live at Vern's Friendly Lounge (DVD)

This new Delmark release is on cd and DVD. James Y. Jones, the Chicago blues singer took his stage name, Tail Dragger, from a Howlin' Wolf song. This was fitting insofar as Wolf was a mentor and heavy influence on him as reflected in his singing, stage act and his music which employs some of the grooves and melodies associated with some of Wolf's classic recordings, even tossing ina yodel-like Howl on several tracks. My Head is Bald, Live at Vern's Friendly Lounge, Chicago. He benefits from a terrific band that has Billy Branch on harmonica, Lurie Bell on Guitar, Kevin Shanahan on guitar, Bob Stroger on bass, Kenny Smith on drums and Willie Young on tenor sax. Jimmy Dawkins replaces Shanahan on "My Head is Bald." Tail Dragger contributed all the songs except Jimmy Dawkins' "So Ezee." One song, "Cold Out Doors," is a DVD bonus track not on the CD version of this album. While one would be hard-pressed to call the Tail Dragger a major artist, he certainly entertains with a programme that evokes the Wolf. His vocals are slightly slurred and don't have Wolf's crispness nor is he as forceful as Wolf was, but still is a very enjoyable singer with the band rocking behind him. Billy Branch is typically outstanding while Lurrie Bell's stinging lines and riffs evoke Hubert Sumlin's playing with Wolf. The rhythm duo of Stroger and Smith provide a solid foundation for everybody else. Songs like "Tend to Your Business", "My Woman is Gone", and the title track, are typically of the solid evocation of Wolf's music present throughout and its entertaining to watch the DVD to see Tail Dragger singing for the woman, working the crowd and egging his musicians on. I was also impressed by the camera work and production on the DVD which really gives a sense of that evening at Vern's Friendly Lounge, and the sound sounded good as well to these aging ears. This is certainly welcome as an entertaining release that should appeal to fans of classic Chicago blues.

5.0 out of 5 stars CLASSIC, January 25, 2007

By 

Ronnie Cowlishaw Sr. (AUBURN WASHINGTON) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tail Dragger: My Head Is Bald - Live at Vern's Friendly Lounge (DVD)

Classic old Chicago blues style, with Lurrie Bell (Carey's son) Billy Branch & guest appearance by Jimmy Dawkins. Vocals are excellent, so are Lurries guitar & Billy's harp. I bought this to try it out, I had never heard of Tail Dragger (A name given to him by Howlin' Wolf). What a treat, a nice small club setting sound quality is excellent. Try it I think you will like it too.