BO DIDDLEY: THE BLACK GLADIATOR TAKES THE RING

Bo Diddley: You, Bo Diddley Power House Funky Fly I Don’t Like You From Black Gladiator (Checker, 1970) Bo Diddley’s “Crackin’ Up” is a perfect song.  Right away, the guitar yanks you in, then the shakers and harmonies, then it’s all Bo proving why he’s ultimately the centerpiece to all his music.  It’s an early Diddley joint (1959) and is nothing like the Bo captured on the new reissue of his The Black Gladiator. Gone are glasses and bowties. He instead looks like an extr...

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