Low Down High Art

Long before Lil’ John and his sweaty balls were skeeting all over our earholes, the 20th-century blues musician Lil’ Johnson was singing about his hot nuts. Meet the dirty blues: a raucous and comical style of blues music that first gained popularity in the 1920s that dealt with taboo topics...

By Travis Newbill

July 22, 2010

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Long before Lil’ John and his sweaty balls were skeeting all over our earholes, the 20th-century blues musician Lil’ Johnson was singing about his hot nuts. Meet the dirty blues: a raucous and comical style of blues music that first gained popularity in the 1920s that dealt with taboo topics such as sex and drugs. Due to the edgy content of the music, the songs were jukebox favorites rather than radio hits. America has come a long way since then. Not only is today’s radio full of songs dirtier than Muddy Water’s tighty whities but the dirty blues of the last century have entered the realm of Shakespeare. Low Down Dirty Blues, a musical production by Randal Myler and Dan Wheetman, makes its Southeastern debut at Florida Stage at Rinker Playhouse now through September 5. The show features the songs and spirit that made the dirty blues a beloved (and behated) American phenomenon. Chances for ear devirgination will occur Wednesday through Sunday at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. at Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach). Tickets cost $47 to $50. Call 561-585-3433; or visit floridastage.org.
Wednesdays-Sundays, 7:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, 1:30 p.m. Starts: July 22. Continues through Sept. 5, 2010

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