NationStates Jolt Archive

Any blues fans out there? Sometimes I feel lonely all by myself, listening to Mississippi John Hurt and Robert Lockwood. Do you have any favorite blues artists?

Any blues fans out there? Sometimes I feel lonely all by myself, listening to Mississippi John Hurt and Robert Lockwood. Do you have any favorite blues artists?

For me its the accoustic boys pre-Muddy Waters. Call me a luddite, but I'm still not convinced by the electrified urban sound when compared to your Charlie Pattons and your Lonnie Johnsons. Elmore James is probably the one example of a primarily electric player that really gets my juices going, but by playing the same simple slide riffs the whole time he seems to take it in a whole different direction from the unsatisfying pablum oft served up by the likes of BB King and his ilk. Maybe John Lee Hooker here as well, but he still played a style primarily influenced by simple chord work as influenced by years of simple accoustic work rather than the less-interesting by-ways of the 'new' electric sound.

Any blues fans out there? Sometimes I feel lonely all by myself, listening to Mississippi John Hurt and Robert Lockwood. Do you have any favorite blues artists?

The Black Crowes

James Brown (listen to "This is a Man's World" and tell me that ain't the blues)

Collin James

B.B. King

Jimi Hendrix (listen to Red House, Villa Nova Junction and The Wind Cries Mary)

Cream

Howling Wolf

Ray Charles

Robert Johnson

and

Led Zeppelin (ie. Bring it on Home, Since I've been loving you, Travelling Riverside Blues)

I'm a huge fan. When I was a grad student, I used to do a weekly blues show on the student radio station.

I'm a big fan of the Blind guys--Willie McTell, Lemon Jefferson, Willie Johnson--and of course, Robert Johnson. Personally, I think that the old bluesmen are the last set of true legends in this country, that intersection of history and storytelling where the facts and truth intermingle in a soupy and unclear mixture, where nobody and everybody knows the real story all at the same time.

For me its the accoustic boys pre-Muddy Waters. Call me a luddite, but I'm still not convinced by the electrified urban sound when compared to your Charlie Pattons and your Lonnie Johnsons. Elmore James is probably the one example of a primarily electric player that really gets my juices going, but by playing the same simple slide riffs the whole time he seems to take it in a whole different direction from the unsatisfying pablum oft served up by the likes of BB King and his ilk. Maybe John Lee Hooker here as well, but he still played a style primarily influenced by simple chord work as influenced by years of simple accoustic work rather than the less-interesting by-ways of the 'new' electric sound.
Like Blind Lemon Jefferson? He seems to be your kind of man.

I'm pretty fond of Skip James, Blind Willie McTell, Leadbelly, and Robert Johnson of course. I'm also big on some of the gospel blues guys, especially George Washington Phillips (unlike anything I've ever heard, absolutely stunning music) and Blind Willie Johnson.

Like Blind Lemon Jefferson? He seems to be your kind of man.

Yeah,... -ish. He has just never grabbed me with his particular brand of the music. Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee certainly deserve a mention here, along with the hundreds of unsung heroes that Lomax managed to capture for posterity (Bama? Theophilus Stokes?)

Having noticed the post above, I certainly feel I need to tip my proverbial hat to Leadbelly here as well.

Damn. Lightnin' Hopkins too.

Personally, I think that the old bluesmen are the last set of true legends in this country, that intersection of history and storytelling where the facts and truth intermingle in a soupy and unclear mixture, where nobody and everybody knows the real story all at the same time.

Yeah, but there are also more modern figues that stalk the same murky pastures, even though their exploits might have been better recorded and now, somewhat ironically, consigned to the Library of Congress - your Woddy Guthries and your Pete Seegers and your Dock Boggs's...

...but hye, I'm an incompetent 5-string banjo player myself, so I guess my perspective on these things is somewhat coloured.

Die Hard Blues fan here. :D

Yeah, but there are also more modern figues that stalk the same murky pastures, even though their exploits might have been better recorded and now, somewhat ironically, consigned to the Library of Congress - your Woddy Guthries and your Pete Seegers and your Dock Boggs's...

...but hye, I'm an incompetent 5-string banjo player myself, so I guess my perspective on these things is somewhat coloured.
Yeah--it's the documentation today that makes the difference for me. I love modern blues as well, but there's somethng mystical about the old stuff, that we only have a few scratchy recordings and the oral stories about their lives. You know, stuff like the fact that no one really knows how Robert Johnson dies or where he's buried--that's the stuff myths are made of.

Yeah--it's the documentation today that makes the difference for me. I love modern blues as well, but there's somethng mystical about the old stuff, that we only have a few scratchy recordings and the oral stories about their lives.

Bizarrely enough a lot of this kind of mystical mystery existed around obscure punk and hardcore bands until the advent of the internet - you know, being able to type a few words into a search engine, then click a few links and get the potted history of The Raped Teenagers complete with discography somewhat stole away from the whole power of the movement for me, compared to when it was a major achievement to even find someone that knew what the hell you were talking about when you mentioned their name.

Blues is what gets me through the day. I like all the greats, B.B. King (seen him twice) ZZ top (not hardcore blues but they do play blues, seen once) Eric Clapton (seen twice -- once I was 20 feet away from him in the front row!) Joe Walsh (seen twice, okay, so not everything he plays is blues, but still!) Robert Cray, Robert Randolph, Robert Johnson. Basically everyone from the Crossroads Guitar Festival. Did anyone else go to that? Because I must say it was awesome! :D

Love the Blues,
Blind Lemon, Lightning Hopkins, LeadBelly, my fav is Robert Johnson--how could it not be?

Jimi Hendrix near the end of his career was getting heavy into blues riffing, I mean he toured the Chitlin' circut for goodness sakes.

But good to see other blues fans here.

Isnt BackwoodsSasquath a blues fan?

I'm exposed to alot of blues defacto, since my dad is an utter and totall blues snob.
I enjoy John Lee Hooker and Dr. John lots, and even some hard core chicago guitar stuff, which I'm not sophisticated nough tobe able to talk about.

I'm a huge fan. When I was a grad student, I used to do a weekly blues show on the student radio station.
I never knew that, that's freakin' cool. I kept meaning to do the college radio thing but I always had an excuse. I wish I had.

I'm a big fan of the Blind guys--Willie McTell, Lemon Jefferson, Willie Johnson--and of course, Robert Johnson. Personally, I think that the old bluesmen are the last set of true legends in this country, that intersection of history and storytelling where the facts and truth intermingle in a soupy and unclear mixture, where nobody and everybody knows the real story all at the same time.
That was beautiful, like you was a poet or somethin' ;)

I agree, though I lump jazz and some folk in that catagory-it's the last of the giants to walk the earth, last of the legends. There can never be a 'truth' of Charlie Parker or King Oliver, the 'real' story of Robert Johnson-just legend. I love that. It made me at one point want to be an ethnomusicologist just to study early to mid twentieth century American music. (yes, I'm sure there are tons of interesting things happening elsewhere at the time, it's just that this is what I like)

I*'d lo9ve3 to9 co9nti8nu7e3 to9 co9ntr4i8bnu7te3 to9 thi8s di8scu7ssi8o9n, bu7t be3e3r4 i8n my ke3ybo9ar4d has r4e3nde3r4e3d my p0o9sts so9me3w2hat i8nco9mp0r4e3he3nsi8ble3. Thi8s i8s no9t a jo9ke3 - thi8s i8s ju7st co9mi8ng o9u7t as I* typ0e3 i8t... I*'ll ju7st add o9ne3 mo9r4e3 name3 fo9r4 the3 blu7e3s-ho9u7nds he3r4e3: Ge3o9r4ge3 Tho9r4go9o9d. I*s he3 au7the3nti8c? No9p0e3. I*s he3 r4o9o9tfs? No9p0e3, bu7tf du7r4i8n ghi8se3ar4lyjcar4e3e3r4he3ce3r4tfai8nlyjhadahabi8tfo9fp0lu7cki8ngtfhe3be3stfr4i8ffsfr4o9mhe3r4andtfh e3r4e3.

Oh, and I dig the hell out of Screamin' Jay Hawkins. His version of Old Man River is the best ever.

I never knew that, that's freakin' cool. I kept meaning to do the college radio thing but I always had an excuse. I wish I had.


That was beautiful, like you was a poet or somethin' ;)

I agree, though I lump jazz and some folk in that catagory-it's the last of the giants to walk the earth, last of the legends. There can never be a 'truth' of Charlie Parker or King Oliver, the 'real' story of Robert Johnson-just legend. I love that. It made me at one point want to be an ethnomusicologist just to study early to mid twentieth century American music. (yes, I'm sure there are tons of interesting things happening elsewhere at the time, it's just that this is what I like)
I'm discovering that Jazz is very similar. In fact, it was Ondaatje's book Coming through Slaughter about Buddy Bolden that got me to try to write some poems about Robert Johnson. They failed miserably, but the experience was good, and I salvaged some of the work and turned it into something else. I've been making my way through the Ken Burns jazz documentary and loving all the similarities I see with the history of the blues.

I'm discovering that Jazz is very similar. In fact, it was Ondaatje's book Coming through Slaughter about Buddy Bolden that got me to try to write some poems about Robert Johnson. They failed miserably, but the experience was good, and I salvaged some of the work and turned it into something else. I've been making my way through the Ken Burns jazz documentary and loving all the similarities I see with the history of the blues.
You know it's sad, but I've never seen any of that documentary. While persuing a music degree I did a lot of studying of jazz history and got more when I was a jazz buyer at the record store. I even taught jazz history to 5th and 6th graders for a few years. That was fun. I should get down to watching that and the Scorcese Blues series.

Haven't seen the Scorsese one either, but I highly recommend the Burns one. We got it for my father-in-law for Father's Day and we've been watching it as he goes through it--we wait for him to watch an episode first, then we get it. We're on volume 9 right now.

One to definitely stay away from is called "The Search for Robert Johnson." It's possibly the worst documentary ever made.

Anyone that's got a black cat bone say aye!

Any blues fans out there? Sometimes I feel lonely all by myself, listening to Mississippi John Hurt and Robert Lockwood. Do you have any favorite blues artists?

Buddy Guy
BB King
Jeff Beck
Etta James
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Eric Clapton
Otis Redding
Solomon Burke
Indigenous
Tommy Castro

I'll probably be outcast by all the diehard old-time blues fans here...but I've got to say that The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band is one of my favorite blues groups of all time. I have a few instrumental tracks that are simply amazing. Jack Johnson is an amazing musician as well.

I'll probably be outcast by all the diehard old-time blues fans here...but I've got to say that The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band is one of my favorite blues groups of all time. I have a few instrumental tracks that are simply amazing. Jack Johnson is an amazing musician as well.Shepherd is a hell of a musician--I saw him about three years ago at a Blues festival where he opened for B.B. King. He was traveling with Stevie Ray Vaughan's old band at the time--Double Trouble--and they put on a whale of a show.

I*'d lo9ve3 to9 co9nti8nu7e3 to9 co9ntr4i8bnu7te3 to9 thi8s di8scu7ssi8o9n, bu7t be3e3r4 i8n my ke3ybo9ar4d has r4e3nde3r4e3d my p0o9sts so9me3w2hat i8nco9mp0r4e3he3nsi8ble3. Thi8s i8s no9t a jo9ke3 - thi8s i8s ju7st co9mi8ng o9u7t as I* typ0e3 i8t... I*'ll ju7st add o9ne3 mo9r4e3 name3 fo9r4 the3 blu7e3s-ho9u7nds he3r4e3: Ge3o9r4ge3 Tho9r4go9o9d. I*s he3 au7the3nti8c? No9p0e3. I*s he3 r4o9o9tfs? No9p0e3, bu7tf du7r4i8n ghi8se3ar4lyjcar4e3e3r4he3ce3r4tfai8nlyjhadahabi8tfo9fp0lu7cki8ngtfhe3be3stfr4i8ffsfr4o9mhe3r4andtfh e3r4e3.
I caught George Thorogood out of that mess, and now that you have mentioned a white imitation bluesman, I feel compelled to bring up all the other white imitation blues players I like.

Rory Gallagher- at one point he was as popular as Clapton but never lived up to the hype, he still made some killer ass music though.

Johnny Winter- The whitest bluesman ever. He was an albino. Check out the Second Winter album.

The Allman Brothers Band- There covers of blues songs make every other blues cover wilt in comparison. Anybody who has ever covered Hoochie Coochie Man should run and hide after hearing ABB's version. Same goes for Statesboro Blues, You Don't Love Me, or Stormy Monday.

The Animals- Believe it or not, before they did House of The Rising Son and became famous, they were another super-white english blues band. Check out This live album (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000658FE/qid%3D1123604925/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/104-4714650-2076742), The Animals featuring Sonny Boy Williamson.

Canned Heat- Pure west coast psychedelic blues. Hot stuff.

Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac- Peter and Jeremy Spencer really ripped up the blues way before Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks turned the band into a pop hit machine. Peter Green is like Eric Clapton, but better.

John Mayall's Bluesbreakers- John started the careers of many great blues guitarists, like Peter Green and Eric Clapton.

Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated- Before he played guitar, Eric Clapton would come up and sing for the Blues Incorporated when they played at the Marquee Club. Alexis Korner also started the career of Brian Jones, the first English slide guitarist. Brian would go on to found the Rolling Stones.

Led Zeppelin- Every once in a while they would get up off their butts and play some blues. Their live version of Sonny Boy's Bring it on Home is very good.

Stevie Ray Vaughn- He brought the blues back to life in the 80's.

The Who- Their versions of Roadrunner and Young Man blues are very good.

ZZ Top- Before they got long beards and hot rods, they were good old down home Texas bluesmen.

Paul Butterfield Blues Band- The first American blues group. Also, one of the few real integrated blues bands in America.


That ends my list of white blues players. Now, go out and enjoy!

Rory Gallagher- at one point he was as popular as Clapton but never lived up to the hype, he still made some killer ass music though.

More interesting in a live context or when playing accoustic. I particularly like his glorious sloppy style of playing - mid solo he'll start fluffing notes and clanging strings without it worrying him or marring what he is doing. He remains one of IReland's best kept secrets.

The Animals- Believe it or not, before they did House of The Rising Son and became famous, they were another super-white english blues band.

No real surprise there if people had been paying attention - I can't recall if it was Leadbelly or Nina Simone that they learnt the song from.


Check out This live album (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000658FE/qid%3D1123604925/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/104-4714650-2076742), The Animals featuring Sonny Boy Williamson.

Ah, yes, but which Sonny Boy Williamson? Presumably the same one that played on the Yardbirds LP, but not the 'real' Sonny Boy Williamson.

John Mayall's Bluesbreakers- John started the careers of many great blues guitarists, like Peter Green and Eric Clapton.

In my opinion, the last time Eric Clapton played an interesting note was on the John Mayall's Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton LP.

Ah, yes, but which Sonny Boy Williamson? Presumably the same one that played on the Yardbirds LP, but not the 'real' Sonny Boy Williamson.
I think it is Sonny Boy II, who was not the original one. Sonny Boy II is more famous though.

In my opinion, the last time Eric Clapton played an interesting note was on the John Mayall's Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton LP.
I partially agree, although I do like the Layla album because of Duane Allman and I like Blind Faith because I am a big Traffic fan.

I tend to like the Texas Blues and Blues Rock I grew up listening to the best:
T-Bone Walker
Albert Collins
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Lightnin' Hopkins
Blind Lemon Jefferson
Freddie King
the Vaughans
the Winters
etc.

Let the Midnight Special
Shine her light on me,
Let the Midnight Special
Shine her everlovin' light on me.

I like lotsa other blues musicians as well, many of whom have already been mentioned.

(If you really want to see a knock-down-drag-out musical history scrap, point out to a Mississippi Delta Blues fan that the first blues song written down was "Nobody There", written down by Gates Thomas in 1890. That's 13 years before Charles Peabody started writing down Delta Blues song lyrics... :p and the source (http://www.thebluehighway.com/rural.html) for that tidbit is a history of the Delta Blues... :p :p

There's aparantly other evidence that the blues originated in Texas - not enough to make it conclusive, but enough to peeve off the Delta Blues fans. :))