Mississippi John Hurt is a personal favorite of mine. Love the intricate syncopated guitar work on this classic:
13 thoughts on “Song Of The Day: May 22, 2018”
bamboozer
I’m a new convert to country blues, especially on steel bodied “resophonic” (or resonater) guitars tuned to an open chord like Reverend Peytons Damn Big Band. Fairly sure this tune is finger picked, it harks back to the 30’s and 40’s blues. Vocals remind me of Canned Heat and “Goin’ to the country”.
RE Vanella
Avalon Blues… released on 78rpm in 1928. It doesn’t hark back to it. It is it. Great selection.
I’m amazed by the music I’m finding. We’ll definitely have to do at least a second week sometime soon as I can’t come close to including all the great artists I’ve discovered. RE, you can program that second week.
RE Vanella
You let me know. This genre and time frame is pitched right up in my slot. Jason and Al have my personal contact info. Not sure if I remembered to pass it along to you last time I saw you.
nathan arizona
Another treat. Mellower and “folkier” than some other early bluesmen. But if you do Son House that’ll be balanced out nicely.
I don’t know if you’d call this Piedmont Blues. But I do like that mellower and folkier blues style. It’s pretty much where Chris Smither, for example, derives his approach. As an added treat, here are more modern-day practitioners of the Piedmont style:
It is like Piedmont blues, but that was an East Coast thing. Think of the unsighted: Blind Boy Fuller, Blind Willie McTell, Blind Blake. Also the lesser-known Frank Hovington of Federica, Del., who could see just fine.
Blind Lemon Jefferson? Blind Willie McTell? Blind Blake? The possibilities go on and on. Folks were apparently fascinated by blind musicians, and they were so poor they couldn’t afford inoffensive nicknames.
Just for comparison, imagine Blind Ray Charles, Blind Stevie Wonder or Blind Jose Feliciano. The Blind Boys of Alabama are still around, but they began in 1939, so this practice must have died around World War II.
nathan arizona
Blind boys were steered into music because it was thought they wouldn’t be able to earn a living otherwise.
I’m a new convert to country blues, especially on steel bodied “resophonic” (or resonater) guitars tuned to an open chord like Reverend Peytons Damn Big Band. Fairly sure this tune is finger picked, it harks back to the 30’s and 40’s blues. Vocals remind me of Canned Heat and “Goin’ to the country”.
Avalon Blues… released on 78rpm in 1928. It doesn’t hark back to it. It is it. Great selection.
Also, I love Canned Heat.
That’s right. I’m offering up all originals this week. No derivatives. Although there are some excellent derivatives.
I feel like I’m going get a Charley Patton or Son House this week too. I eagerly anticipate it. 🙂
I’m amazed by the music I’m finding. We’ll definitely have to do at least a second week sometime soon as I can’t come close to including all the great artists I’ve discovered. RE, you can program that second week.
You let me know. This genre and time frame is pitched right up in my slot. Jason and Al have my personal contact info. Not sure if I remembered to pass it along to you last time I saw you.
Another treat. Mellower and “folkier” than some other early bluesmen. But if you do Son House that’ll be balanced out nicely.
I don’t know if you’d call this Piedmont Blues. But I do like that mellower and folkier blues style. It’s pretty much where Chris Smither, for example, derives his approach. As an added treat, here are more modern-day practitioners of the Piedmont style:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFs0fm_Btyk
It is like Piedmont blues, but that was an East Coast thing. Think of the unsighted: Blind Boy Fuller, Blind Willie McTell, Blind Blake. Also the lesser-known Frank Hovington of Federica, Del., who could see just fine.
https://youtu.be/WDoxamB0Hdk
David Bromberg’s early teacher was also one of the unsighted bluesmen.
Reverend Gary Davis
The Reverend is already scheduled to make an appearance later this week.
Oh, and we’ve also got another blind guy lined up.
You must be reading my mail.
BTW, Lonesome Road Blues is awesome!
Blind Lemon Jefferson? Blind Willie McTell? Blind Blake? The possibilities go on and on. Folks were apparently fascinated by blind musicians, and they were so poor they couldn’t afford inoffensive nicknames.
Just for comparison, imagine Blind Ray Charles, Blind Stevie Wonder or Blind Jose Feliciano. The Blind Boys of Alabama are still around, but they began in 1939, so this practice must have died around World War II.
Blind boys were steered into music because it was thought they wouldn’t be able to earn a living otherwise.