Who is your favorite blues artist?

Subject: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,MusicCityChick
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 10:48 AM

So who are your favorite blues artists? I have several…lots of classic blues and a few contemporary blues artists such as Buddy Guy, Howlin Wolf, Son House and Robert Cray. By chance, is anyone familiar with Kemp Harris? He's been one of my favorite blues artist since his first album "Sometimes in Bad Weather" came out in 2002…do you have this one?

I'm waiting in anticipation for his new CD that's coming out on March 13th and joined up to be part of his street team.   I heard some of his new music on MySpace and it sounds like The Holmes Brothers are singing on the song "Sweet Weepin Jesus." http://www.myspace.com/kempharrismusic

Would love to know if anyone else here has heard of Kemp as he's a fantastic pianist/vocalist in my opinion.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Wesley S
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 10:55 AM

For acoustic blues I'd have to say Mississippi John Hurt. No contest there. But Blind Boy Fuller is a favorite too. Along with Son House and yes - Robert Johnson.

For electric stuff which I listen to far less often I's have to say Muddy Waters. What a voice. That's the blues.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Bubba
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 10:59 AM

Etta James, ain't none better.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: avrosimones
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 11:03 AM

I'm a fan of Blind Willie McTell personally. He wrote some cracking tunes.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: gnu
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 11:19 AM

Each of the names brings feelings of awe. Favourite? Can't be said, but, since I was introduced to blues by Dutch Mason, The Prime Minister of The Blues, I gotta say he holds a special place in my memory. Of course, my memory also floats back to the first time I saw Donnie "Mr. Downchild" Walsh play a blues harp.... no favourites, just grand memories.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: redsnapper
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 11:20 AM

Skip James

RS

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 11:30 AM

Bubba - I read an interview (I think with Frank Zappa)where he was asked about his favourite guitarist in various genres. He said his favourite slide player was Elmore James; "He played the same solo for every song, but I get the feeling he really meant it."
Wesley - I love John Hurt too, but don't really think of him as a blues singer. Like Lead Belly, he did some blues, but a lot of other stuff too.
I've just rediscovered Karen Dalton while organizing my vinyl, and though she performs in a variety of genres, she sure can sing the blues.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Alec
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 11:36 AM

The only Blues track by Robert Petway I know is "Catfish Blues" but he does that so well I consider him worthy of a mention on the strength of it.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Scoville
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 11:44 AM

Semi-blues: Mississippi John Hurt & Mance Lipscomb, who was much less polished than Hurt but very interesting musicologically.

My mother got me a Brownie McGhee CD when I started taking guitar lessons. I consider him to be sort of "easy-listening" but sometimes that serves a purpose, too. At least, he's less harsh than some of the others (I still haven't learned to play like him, though. Sigh. One of these days).

Etta Baker. Very interesting country/blues style.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: The Sandman
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 12:42 PM

etta baker, missippi john hurt,sam mcghee all good.
but blind blake and big bill broonzy great too, but my favourite is memphis minnie.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 12:53 PM

Blind Blake -dead acoustic players.
Paul Geremiah - live acoustic players
Roy Buchanan - best electric blues player, dead or alive.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Teresa
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 12:59 PM

I don't listen to a lot of blues, but I do like them from time to time. Have to echo Mississippi John Hurt and also I just *love* Bonnie Raitt. She can sing sweetly or earthily and it all sounds amazing.

Teresa

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 01:38 PM

Son House, what a voice.

And I really like Sonny Boy Williamson II(Rice Davis) because of his harp technique and vocal tone.

Robert Johnson for his unique and innovative guitar style.

John Mayall for being such an excellent preserver of the tradition, and getting so many great white blues guitar gods their start.

Janis for giving us all of it, every time.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: gnu
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 01:53 PM

Oooooh Lord, wontcha buy me a Mercedes Benzzzz... yup, she did.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: oldhippie
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 03:38 PM

Rory Block

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Bernard
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 03:48 PM

Dai Thomas...

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Alec
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 04:19 PM

Great link Bernard!

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Bernard
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 04:21 PM

You should see Dai in person... I've yet to meet anyone so knowledgable, skilled and entertaining.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: mrdux
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 04:26 PM

all of the above -- especially Muddy and Wolf and Fuller . . . and a few more:

acoustically:
Blind Willie Johnson -- amazing Texas slide guitar
Rev. Gary Davis
Charlie Patton
Fred McDowell

and out of Chicago:
Magic Sam
Otis Rush
Little Walter

michael

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Peace
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 04:57 PM

Picasso, 1901-4.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Armen Tanzerian
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 05:14 PM

Leroy Carr

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,282RA
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 05:27 PM

Charley Patton, John Lee Hooker and T-Bone Walker.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Jeff
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 05:42 PM

Surprised nobody's mentioned B.B. King yet, so I will. The very first time I even HEARD the blues...being raised rural and uninformed was also the first time I smoked weed. Someone put the 'Live AT Cook County Jail' LP on the stereo and I sat there completely pasted. Never heard anything so audacious, fun and painful...all at the same time. Have seen him several times...love 'im, just love 'im.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 06:09 PM

Hmm, no mention of Jo-Ann Kelly

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Elaine Green
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 06:17 PM

So many great ones, and I love most all of them, but if I had to pick one, it would probably have to be Patton. What an innovative, brilliant mind. What a voice.

I also love Mississippi John Hurt, though I guess he was more of a songster than a bluesman (though that element was always present). I love his gentleness and that beautiful, beautiful guitar style.

I base my life on the teachings of these two masters. Now excuse me while I go murder someone in the flood.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Sorcha
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 07:00 PM

Bobert.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: kendall
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 08:10 PM

Bobert

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 08:42 PM

She's been gone a long time, but the choice is easy. Jo Anne Kelly.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 08:46 PM

Bobert's Ok, but that Pedestrian's harmonica player...WHEW!!!!

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Azizi
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 09:53 PM

Here's your blue clicky, MusicCityChick.

http://www.myspace.com/kempharrismusic

Kemp Harris reminds me of Taj Mahal and Keb' Mo', two artists I like. But I feel that I still don't know enough about the Blues to name my favorites.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 09:58 PM

There are a lot of good names mentioned here.

I would re-endorse:

Bessie Smith
Sonny Terry
Brownie McGhee
Lightning Hopkins
Spider Joe Koerner
Josh White
Taj Mahal
Rory Block
Missippi John Hurt
Robert Johnson

Actually no one mentioned Bessie Smith and Lightning Hopkins. For shame!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 10:08 PM

Bobert, of course- and his harmonica player, of course. :) Actually you guys sound very good together.

But I've been converting some albums to CDs for Buddy Tabor and I've fallen in love with some stuff I'd never heard before. Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry- now, I realize they are a kind of country blues but they are luscious.

And the Reverend. I listened over and over to my favoUrite one of his, 'I am a True Vine'. Buddy brought over about 6 of the man's albums and this one was my favorite. I knew I liked his guitar work, on both 5 and 12 strings, but I hadn't actually heard his voice before.

Seguing from blues- Buddy brought another album that blew me away. 'Young Django'. Stephane Grappelli on violin, and the group together were awesome.

Buddy's tastes are eclectic- his whole life is music so he brought some stuff I didn't care for. I was surprised to find that Eric Clapton- well, he bored me. I recognized his musicianship but for me the balance is bad- I want the voices up front, not back there buried in the whanging stuff.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Alba
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 10:55 PM

Too many amazing Blues Artists to be limited to one only.
Three that stand out for me though are Memphis Minnie, Bessie Smith and Mississippi John Hurt.


Special soft spot for Stevie Ray Vaughan throwing it down on 'Pride and Joy'

Jude

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: number 6
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 11:29 PM

Otis Spann

John Hammond jr.

biLL

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 11:52 PM

Jimmy Reed.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Wordsmith
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 12:21 AM

When I first started reading this thread, I immediately thought: BB King, then Etta James, Roy Buchanan, Janis, surprised me, but I thought Ian, and then Joplin. John Lee Hooker, yes. I was amazed to see Reinhardt and Grappelli, but then "Minor Swing" is my favorite song of theirs, and it's kind of bluesy. I see I have a lot more names to sample from above. Although, I recognize a few more. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Azizi
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 01:20 AM

It took me a moment {okay, more than a moment}, but I finally "got" Peace's referent to Picasso's blue period .

Picasso sure does give added meaning to the referent "blues artist".

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Alec
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 03:20 AM

I thought it was one of Peace's better ones Azizi.
Peace, I doff my hat in your general direction.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 04:11 AM

Some stuff about Jo-Ann (who I knew slightly, but my late wife Jacqui and her first husband Barry knew rather better - to the extent that Jo-Ann and Jacqui would swap maternity and baby clothes according to the state of budding) is here Jo-Ann Kelly

Now is there an argument about whether she was a blues singer or a revivalist? Grin.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: JennyO
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 05:03 AM

Oh - where to start?

I love the old blues artists, like Bessie Smith, Lightnin' Hopkins, Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, then there's Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and BB King.

Then of course, there's Sidewalk Bob (Bobert) - love his stuff!

Probably lots of others that I've forgotten too.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 05:32 AM

Most of them... but Fred McDowell of the men and Bessie Smith of the women stand out.

RtS

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,buspassed
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 06:22 AM

Thanks JennyO, someone at last mentions Big Bill Broonzy! The Man!!!

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: John Hardly
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 09:06 AM

Chris Smither, though I've lately been listening to Susan Tedeschi a lot.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Alba
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 09:37 AM

Susan Tedeschi is a mighty fine performer John.
I have been an admirer of her voice/music for some time now.
Jude

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: John Hardly
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 09:47 AM

First time I ever heard the CD "Just Won't Burn" you could have wrung what was left of me into a very small saucer.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Homeless
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 09:53 AM

Sonny & Terry.
Although as far as composers go, I frequently find that songs I especially enjoy are credited to Willie Dixon, no matter who the artist covering it is.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 10:19 AM

JennyO-

Thanks for mentioning Big Bill Broonzy.

I still have fond memories of attending my first blues concerts way down to Boston, featuring Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, back in the early 1960's. I don't have a clue what the concert hall was, either Brookline or Cambridge. That was a 3-hour drive one-way from Maine in those days.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: JennyO
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 10:25 AM

Lucky you, Charlie! I haven't had the opportunity to see any of them live. I just love listening to the music.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Deckman
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 10:33 AM

MudCatter Reggie Miles, of Sultan, Washington

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 12:31 PM

Vi Redd didn't record much, (I only know of one album, Lady Soul. I think it came out before Aretha started using that title) but she had an amazing voice and could vocalize like no one else. She also cooked on the alto sax.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Scoville
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 12:38 PM

Anyone for Ma Rainey? Rough but interesting, too. I'd love to know what she would have sounded like with newer recording technology.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Wayne
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 01:18 PM

Kent Duchaine

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Leadbelly
Date: 04 Feb 07 - 10:45 AM

Apart from almost all artists mentioned Abi (Abraham) Wallenstein. Living in Hamburg, Germany he's doing a fascinating job on his 12-string guitar over more than 40 years now.

Manfred

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Fred Bailey
Date: 04 Feb 07 - 12:18 PM

anybody know "Rabbit Brown" ?
fantastic lyrics
been on his trail for awhile

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 04 Feb 07 - 02:05 PM

My favourite guy was a chap called Gerry Lockran, who died a few years ago. he used to play the English folk clubs. He had an old Martin, but in later years opted for an Ovation.

He was Indian/Celtic - Scottish or Irish - and originally he was Loughran. he had a stunning guitar tone, the whole room would be rocking from the just the first bluesy phrase thats seemed to hang in the air. he also had a deep growling voice, and he was a beautiful looking guy.

There is a good reminisence of him and one or two pictures in Derek Brimstones second volume of autobiography. His son Jason has put a website about him together. I suppose he was one of those geniuses the English folkscene throws up occasionally.

if you are interested in the subject of blues singer/guitarists, I should like to mention occasional contributor to Mudcat, Elijah Wald. he has written a most remarkable book about the late Josh White - which is utterly fascinating reading.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 04 Feb 07 - 03:42 PM

I can't stand white lads singing "de blues", and there are so many of them! No white person can match the pre-war vocal power of Son House, Robert Johnson and Skip James; and, no white person can match the post-war power of Buddy Guy or Otis Rush. Having said that! I'm a big Bonnie Raitt fan. Instrumentally, maybe I'll concede that a few white lads can produce the goods.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: redsnapper
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 09:29 AM

I am ashamed!

I should have mentioned Jo-Ann Kelly too specially as she was a friend!

RS

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 09:30 AM

Nice to see a mention of Kenny Duchaine, the first American bluesman I saw when I started visting my local club after I retired. He hasn't been back since though he still tours UK each year. Got a couple of his CDs.

RtS

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 09:39 AM

Paul Kossoff.

Resistance is futile....

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 10:15 AM

Too many to mention, but . . .

Charlie Patton
Curley Weaver
Skippy James
Lonnie Johnson
Robert Johnson
Willie McTell
Blind Lemon Jefferson

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Wesley S
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 11:58 AM

Tunesmith - The old "whitemen can't sing the blues" argument? In a word - hogwash. I won't try to convince you that you're mistaken so let's just agree to disagree. Since after all - like the lady said who kissed the cow - it's all just a matter of taste.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 12:49 PM

just somebody trying to be controversial. Don't waste your time.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 01:23 PM

Read the posting properly!!! I didn't say that white men couldn't sing the blues. I said that I didn't like white men singing the blues with phoney, black affectations! i.e. trying to sound like they come from Mississippi, when, for example, they come from the UK or Boston, USA! But, I will maintain that no white singer has the power or command of the singers that I cited in my original posting. Strangely, it is a women, Bonnie Raitt, who, to my ears, comes closest - as a white person.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Wesley S
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 02:02 PM

I read your post which is why I replyed. You are welcome to your opinion - I just don't happen to agree with it. I'll cite both John Hammond Jr, Geoff Muldaur and Steve James as modern day performers who play blues with feeling and passion. If you doen't enjoys their artistry that's fine. It's just a shame that you've dismissed a lot of excellent performers. IN MY OPINION - which you are welcome to disagree with - the "blues" is not defined by a date or the color of the performers skin.

PS - In my CD player today - Bukka White recorded in 1937 and 1940. Powerful stuff.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 02:59 PM

John Hammond Jr was a rich, middle-class white kid trying to sound like a dirt poor working-class black man from the Deep South! That says it all!

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 09:40 PM

If you really revere the black performers, perhaps you will take a word of advice from the great Son House who famously said, Nothing I hate worse than hearing a man's music being criticised......

If you listen more carefully to Mr Hammond, I think you will hear someone trying for self expression, using the techniques that he has chosen.   He's also worked bloody hard to put together what he has done.

theres just too much of this on Mudcat. People deriding a lifetime's effort of creativity. A few weeks ago, we had some idiot talking about Ewan MacColl in utterly disparaging tones.

If WE can't show a bit of respect for people of ability who do their damndest to produce something, what hope is there for the greater society out there.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 10:13 PM

Nobody's mentioned him, and I know that a lot of purists (who never heard his earlier stuff) scorn him, bu Josh White has to be one of the shining stars in the blues galaxy.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Mr. Bourgeois
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 10:55 PM

I'll put a plug in for Ry Cooder. A blues slide guitarist whose merits cannot be argued. I would also like to take the opportunity in this thread to salute the late Paul Butterfield, a blues harmonica virtuoso and singer in his own right.

Who said middle class caucasin kids can't grow up and perform the blues? Probably the same dope who says Afro American girls from lower class environments can't grow up and become opera singers such as the outstanding diva herself Grace Bumbry.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Janice in NJ
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 11:23 PM

Favorite: Bessie Smith. Runners-up: Billie Holiday, Etta Baker, Ma Rainey.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 03:54 AM

Again, here we go! It is very important that one reads postings very carefully! White men can sing the blues! I have no problem with that! My "problem" arises with white singers doing "impersonations" of black artists. I would agree that some do it very, very well. I remember the first time I saw Jo Anne Kelly ( Bunjies, July 1966 ). I was amazed! BUT, I feel an artist must find their own voice - which should be a recogniseable extention of their own speaking voice - and not mimick the voices of singers from a very different social, cultural and geographical background

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: fat B****rd
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 04:59 AM

Good morning, Tunesmith.
Exeffingactly !! Here we go again. If singers didn't mimic the voices of other singers then hardly anybody would sing !
Not just Folk and Blues but what about Opera ?
The different social, cultural and geographical backgrounds of characters in Opera couldn't be more different from those of the performers.
This sort of thing has been dealt with on other threads but I find it fascinating.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 05:50 AM

Does it bloody matter? You do what you can. Some artists find they have an affinity with water colours, others with oils, some with electrocuting fish in public.

The miniscule differences between Derek Brimstone and Martin Carthy and Bob Copper have kept an entire army of busybody thought police of the folk music movement happy as Larry - dissing whichever side they didn't like.

They would have been better occupied trying to inject a little creativity into their own lives - rather slinging verbal shit at hardworking musicians.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Wesley S
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 09:07 AM

"My "problem" arises with white singers doing "impersonations" of black artists."

For the sake of argument - do you feel the same way about English performers {The Beatles come to mind} that sing like Americans?

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 10:07 AM

Where will it end, how do you feel about teachers who try to sing like illiterate miners and farm workers?

Value your artists for not burying their talents in a field, but working and trying to do something with it. Its the natuire of art that some people have more supporters than others.

If this is how a person spends his life rather than beating up old folk, and selling drugs, and planning multiple murders or sitting mindlessly in front of the television - just what does it take to earn a nod of approval.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 10:13 AM

First, yes The Beatles did sing - or try to - in American accents, but they must have seen the error of their ways as the American influence clearly diminished over time. And, yes, I think it's rather silly for "teachers" to try to sing like some 90 year old rural character.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Mr. bourgeois
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 06:24 PM

Tunesmith, you sound like you are totally out of tune.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Joe_F
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 08:27 PM

Eric von Schmidt of blessed memory.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 07 Feb 07 - 11:36 AM

I am never out of tune! I have perfect pitch! And I won't put up with pale(!)imitations - life is too short!

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,maire-aine
Date: 07 Feb 07 - 11:44 AM

Several people have already mentioned Memphis Minnie, and I'd like to add Ruth Brown, who passed recently.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,'buked and scorned
Date: 17 Nov 08 - 09:07 PM

Without any doubt....Lightnin' Hopkins.

Not the entire catalog, but the ones that do speak to me, speak volumes. Some haunting stuff to be found in his rambling. Sho' nuff.

Thanks Lightnin'

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Elmore
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 09:35 AM

Favorite white blues artists:Dave Van Ronk,Paul Rishell, Andy Cohen.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Mr Red
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 10:33 AM

Ma Rainey

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Mark Ross
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 11:50 AM

Lonnie Johnson
Blind Willie McTell
Sam Chatmon
Brownie McGhee & Sonny Terry
Rev. Gary Davis
Blind Boy Fuller
Leadbelly
Paul Geremia
Roy Book Binder
Andy Cohen
Bob Suckiel
Mary Flower
John Hammond
Dave Van Ronk
Mississippi John Hurt
Mance Lipscomb
Spider John Koerner
Eric Von Schmidt.....

The list could go on and on and on and on..........

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Silver Slug
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 12:59 PM

Most of my generation in the UK would never have gotten into the blues if it hadn't have been for the likes of John Mayall, Johnny Winter and other white blues artists of the time. It's thanks to them that I came to appreciate the likes of Robert Johnson, BB King, Bessie Smith and the other greats. And if they tried to sound like the people who inspired them to play the music in the first place, then so what!
My personal favourite will always be Peter Green, who made BB King shiver!

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 01:25 PM

What!?   No one gonna mention Odetta?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSDeROnTq64

What about this from Mahalia Jackson typically gospel but what about this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc2vVPV_ZTQ&feature=related
Well maybe more jazz than blues. But thrilling. What did she do in St Louis Blues?

BTW I like Billie Holiday too.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 01:45 PM

Josh White
John Hammond
Mose Allison
Sam Gary

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: olddude
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 03:24 PM

DW Ditty
Amos
Bobart

Van Ronk

Sleepy John

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Bobert
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 09:17 PM

Geeze???

How 'bout Mississippi Fred McDowell... Yeah, as far as I'm concerned he is where my style of blues started...

Nothn' aginst Son House, Bukka White, Johnny Shines, Robert Johnson, etc, mind you but Fred McDowell took it to another level with his slashin' geetar licks and his vocals right with 'um... No one did it like this until Fred McDowell...

But the best part is that he passed this sound down to R, L Burnside and Junior Kimbrough aand Jessie Hemphill and T Model Ford and these folks passed it down to Richard Johnston and Ben Prestige and John Alex Mason and these folks influenced folks like...

....ahhhhhhh, me, and Daniel "Rev Slick" Ballinger and John Lowe and a bunch of other 3rd generation folks....

But it all started with Fred McDowell... He is the root and all the rest of us are parts of the tree...

BObert

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: olddude
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 09:27 PM

Well he would be proud of what you do bobert, along with Amos and Ditty

you guys are the best and he would be honored I am sure

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Mark Ross
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 11:16 AM

Almost forgot,

John Jackson


Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 12:13 PM

I don't have any one single favorite artist...BUT:

There's a very special place in my heart for Mississippi John Hurt, both as a role-model instrumentalist and as a beautiful musical personna. The question is, is he definitively a blues artist? Not really, to my way of thinking; when I think of the blues, I'm thinking of something more intensely emotive.

Then there's Bobert's favorite, Mississippi Fred, who I was fortunate enough to meet in person once, many years ago, and who certainly provided a certain kind of inspiration, although I never did come to follow very closely in his footsteps in any kind of stylistic sense.

As a strictly acoustic guitar owner and player, I have a number of favorite "role models" ranging (chronologically) from Dave Van Ronk to Keb Mo. DVR also serves as one of my white-guy favorites along with Butterfield and Bloomfield, John Hammond Jr., John Mayall and many others.

But there is one blues player, a Chicago-style electric blues giant, someone whose playing I could never hope, never even try, to emulate, who really captured my imagination, years ago, like nobody else: Buddy Guy.

Just a couple of days ago, I wrote an appreciation of my favorite Buddy Guy recording in another thread, one on the topic of "slow blues":

A Man and The Blues

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: olddude
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 12:18 PM

Pappagator
you are right how could we forget Mississippi John Hurt
the guy could make a guitar dance no question, good call

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Janice now in Western NY State
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 12:26 PM

Billie Holiday
Bessie Smith
Ma Rainey
Victoria Spivey
Rev. Gary Davis
Rev. Frederick Douglass Kirkpatrick
Prof. Julius Lester
Blind Lemon Jefferson
B.B. King
Muddy Waters
Little Richard
W.C. Handy
Leadbelly
John Hurt
Pink Anderson
The young Bob Dylan

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Leadbelly
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 02:03 PM

Obviously Ford "Snooks" Eaglin is not a famous name ever among blues collectors resp. mudcatters because he is not mentioned so far.
He's a lot more than a country singer. Just listen to his version of "Alberta" or "I'm a country boy". This is Leadbelly-like without Huddies great technique but a swinging guitar-playing. Or listen to "The walking blues" which remembers me of great L. Hopkins. He's a very versatile musician. Right?

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 02:40 PM

I was never a huge fan of 'original' blues but the electric blues really blew my mind as a youngster - Eric Clapton, Jon Mayalll etc. Followed on from the Electric Folk of Steeleye Span etc. and while in later life I grew to love accoustic folk I never really trnsfered to accoustic blues. I think it may have had more to do with the electric guitar styles and while I can see the influences that the old time bluesmen have on Clapton, Henrix and co. I like the 'modernised style better.

Just me of course. And I can see why people do love the old blues so much.

Cheers

DeG

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Wesley S
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 03:05 PM

My connection with the blues is this: John Mayall's current guitar player is Buddy Whittington - a neighbor of ours. His daughter is our sons babysitter. So it's almost like I'm in the band - right?

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 03:11 PM

It is indeed, Wesley, it is indeed - Glad I bumped into you. I remembered something you may be able to help with - PM on it's way:-)

DeG

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 03:23 PM

Leadbelly:

Snooks Eaglin is indeed a great musical personality sometimes classified as a blues player, sometimes not.

I think of him mainly as a proponent of New Orleans old-style R&B. He is hardly a "country" type, having been born and raised in the city of New Orleans, but he currently lives well out of town in St. Rose, LA, which is more of an "exurb" than a "suburb."

I would hardly characterize Snooks' playing as "Leadbelly-like without Huddie's great technique," at least not based upon the way he's been playing for as long as I've been attending his appearances (i.e., since the erarly 70s). I realize that there are some old recordings of Snooks playing solo acoustic guitar (although not, I don't think, 12-string)~ which might invite comparison to the great Huddie ~ but in today's world, he's an electric-guitar-playing bandleader whose amazing fingerpicking technique is unlike anyone else's, and arguably superior to anyone else's.

A pretty fine vocalist, too, and an extremely sly and entertaining comic stage personality.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Leadbelly
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 05:12 PM

Thanks for your contribution,PoppaGator!!!
The record I own is an older one from the 60' or probably earlier where he played solo acoustic guitar. Some tracks seem to be home-made because of twittering birds from the background.
Indeed, ..."he incorporates some country blues, a lot of rhythm and blues, some popular standards and even some rock'n'roll..." (from the sleeve ;by Robert Shelton).

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 06:07 PM

Why, ME, of course!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRpHCVGi-yo
BR

But seriously Folkmeisters, ya gots ta love Robert Johnson, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Paul Geremia,
Ken Lyon, J. Geils, Jukebox John Hammond, the extra-freakie Dr. John, and how could anybody forget Paul Butterfield, Musselwhite, Little Walter, Blind Lemon, Spider John Koerner, Clapton, Gary Moore...
BUDDY FNERKING GUY!, Junior Wells and ALL da boys from, "Chicago: The Blues Today!" Mr. Jimi Hendrix, The most Reverend Gary Davis(no Gary, yer boi won't play none of that durn Rock n' Roll just dem 'natrel Blues, just like you asked me to when we was jammin. How IS Heaven Rev? Wassat? "It's not all it's cracked up to be..." My My.)
Y'all want me to check out that Blues Bar way down below? Frequented by Da Debbil hisself, Booty Sista and Mr. Steve Vai?, Sho' nuff. I BEEN DER!
"You know Karate? Well I know RAZOR!" Thanks James...God Bless...
And there's Mick & Keith who control the soul of Rock n' Roll, but grew up lovin' these Blues.
And all of dat backed up by legions of long haired men in heels, the legitimate & illegitimate sons of the Masters all over dis here world. LAWDY LAWDY, somebody HELP me!
And we MUST not forget Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Great God Amighty, Bo Diddley...
ENOUGH of dis here TESTIFYIN', I musta left out thousands...
I Luv all a yas...
bob

Got myself a car today, Yikki Yikki Yay. Now I can move on up da road and start jammin' and slammin', jus like the 'ol days...Praise God!

And as we slip into a quiet evening, preparing ourselves to play for our lives before an audience of the dead, I bid each of you peaceful dreams...NOW...BEND SOME STRINGS!!!!!!!!!!
BR
(I'm O.K. now...)

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Bobert
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 06:15 PM

Well yeah, Mark Ross, John Jackson was not only a great blues player but a gentleman, to boot... Had the pleasue of jammin' with him every afternoon at Blues Week in 2001.... Very nice man...

And unbeknownst to alot of folks Mississippi John Hurt and John Jackson had alot in common... Both playued a similar style and both played with Archie Edwards of the Archie Edwards Barber Shop, where I cut my teeth, fame...

Yup, seems that John Hurt's daughter lived with Archie while in college and John Hurt moved to DC and he and Archie went off to Europe together on a tour... John Jackson also frequented the barber shop in the early days...

Funny story... I was talkin' with John Jackson about places he ahd worked and discovered that he had worked a a gas station in Fairfax, Va. at the same time I was working as a "car-hop" at a drive in resturant right accross the street from him??? Small world...

BTW, anyone heard the new commercial for the "Sopranos"??? "That's bad"... Well, if I am not mistaken that is the late R.L. Burnside...

BTW, Part B...

...100

B~

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Bobert
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 06:16 PM

Bad guess...

How's about 102 now...

B~

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Fortunato
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 02:26 PM

Eleanor Ellis, without qualification. If you don't know her work (yes, she's a living blues musician) you ought to have a listen to her new CD.

http://www.eleanorellis.com/

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Bobert
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 05:13 PM

I learned Blind Lemon Jefferson's "Please Keeep My Grave Kept Clean" from Eleanor... Yeah, she is one fine blues player... I miss not seein' her since I moved... Sniff...

B~

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: frogprince
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 07:01 PM

Bobert, of course; no one else has a recording out that has my name in the credits!
                           Dean

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Bobert
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 07:41 PM

And a fine job you did, Deano...

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: olddude
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 07:46 PM

Bob Ryszkiewicz
Bob I just added you to my list, great great job my friend
wonderful !!!

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 06:02 PM

Blues is not my forte but Mississippi John Hurt ranks high in my opinion as a great guitarist and a wonderful personality. Ray Charles was fantastic in any musical vein. Dutchie Mason is regarded by many as Canada's top bluesman.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 06:48 PM

olddude: Thanks. I've been reading your computer giveaway post, and wrote a humorous(hopefully it will be received as such) piece about it, hoping that you'll take it in good spirits. What your doing is great. Kudos to you, my friend...bob

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 07:26 PM

Nobody has mentioned this great performer so far.

A fine piece of blues playing, innit ?

I see no reason to alter my post on the thread a year and a half ago

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Murray MacLeod - PM
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 12:53 PM

Blind Blake -dead acoustic players.
Paul Geremiah - live acoustic players
Roy Buchanan - best electric blues player, dead or alive.

We could go on and on discussing acoustic blues players, with justifiable arguments from all sides, but there is no disputing that Roy Buchanan stood alone as the supreme exponent of electric blues playing.

I mean, nobody, not Hendrix, not BB King, not Buddy Guy, not anybody ever came within hailing distance of Buchanan.

And nobody ever will.

His death was the greatest musical loss ever ...

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Bobert
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 07:51 PM

UI didn't load fir me but if this is the late Roy Buchanan, yeah, he was great....

I don't think he was better than Jimi Hendrix when Hendrix was playin' real blues and seein' as Buddy Guy and BB ain't my kinda blues, I'd put him above those two...


Put him up with Fred McDowell in a juke joint in Mississippi or Memphis and he wouldn't have done too well against the likes of them... Nor R.L. Burnside...

But I guess it depends on what sound you want...

I put Buchannon in the Rory Gallagher/John Hammond category... Nice stuff... Accomplished... Clean but...

...no Fred McDaowell...

But that's just MO... That's what makes music interesting... Different tastes and perspectives...

B~

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Becks
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 08:05 PM

Rory Gallagher and Seasick Steve.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: van lingle
Date: 22 Nov 08 - 04:56 AM

Murray, that Wizz Jones video was killer! And that old Epiphone sounded fantastic.
My tastes run to Charley Patton, Willie Brown (the one who did M&O and Future Blues), Big Bill, and RL Burnside for acoustic and though I'm not a big fan I can't deny the genius of Robert Johnson. But, hell, I like so many of them including Blake who I don't really think of as a bluesman.
On electric Otis Rush is way up there (even though his recordings seem to range from brilliant to not so hot) along with BB and Albert King, Magic Sam, Hendrix and SRV (who ,to me, could me incredibly soulful) and Bobby Radcliffe, and Jimmy Vaughn and on and on.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,RickS
Date: 22 Nov 08 - 05:51 AM

Charlie Patton, by a mile.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: van lingle
Date: 22 Nov 08 - 06:09 AM

and Fred Neil was a great blues singer even though he was considered a folkie, John Mayall put on some great shows in the few times I sa w him and always seemed to employ great guitar players, Lightning Hopkins was a one and only and I loved Peter Green in the early Fleetwood Mac...

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Mr Red
Date: 22 Nov 08 - 06:53 AM

My favourite name - can't remember if the music was as good

so named because he thought his reputation would improve if he presented as a blind musician. The public gave their verdict.

Bogus Blind Willie

And a mention for Mike Raven and his (UK) R1 blues programmes of the 70's who introduced us to Otis Span, Boogie Woogie Red etc and played mostly record released on Arhoolie or Saydisk.

A curious coincidence is that Mr Saydisk comes to our Stroud Ceilidhs 1st Sat Oct to Apr though he is retired and has sold his back catalogue.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Bobert
Date: 22 Nov 08 - 07:13 AM

BTW, there is a nice 3rd generation of North Mississippi Hill Country blues artists who have taken up where R.L. Burnside and Fred McDowelll before him left off...

Richard Johnston is probably at the top of that list, followed by Ben Prestage, Rev. Slick Ballenger, Jimmy "Duck" Holmes and John Alex Mason just to name a few...

(Then there's folks like Sidewalk Bob...)

B~

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Eric
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 05:04 PM

I'm Suprised Nobody Mentioned The Late Great Tyrone Davis, Johnnie Taylor, Chico Banks, Lonnie Brooks; Bill Coday, Marvin Sease,
Otis Rush, Kenne Wayne(Landry), L.J. Echols, Charles Wilson, Beau Hall, Bob Levis, Moody Scott, Sir Charles Jones, Jeff Floyd, Chuck Roberson, Cicero Blake, Nathaniel Kimble, Reggie Sears, Jesse Graham, Luther Lackey, Maurice Davis, Robert "Duke" Tillman, Theodis Ealey, Unckle Eddie, Vick Allen, Vasti Jackson, William Bell, Mel Waiters, Latimore, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Wilson Meadows; ect.
Those Are My Favourite

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: olddude
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 05:14 PM

and our Amos also

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: dwditty
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 07:00 PM

Oscar Brown Jr.,
Dave Van Ronk
David Bromberg
Watermelom Slim
Big Bill Broonzy
John Mooney
Willie McTell
Blind Blake (and his sportin' right hand)
GAry Davis (of course)
Mose Allison

...and a few hundred others

dw

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Peace
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 07:05 PM

"RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?"

I'd have to say him.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: kendall
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 07:27 PM

Bobert

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,clipper
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 08:23 PM

Leadbelly..fave song John Hardy
Lightnin' Hopkins... some great sides with Terry/McGhee...loose lipped blues
Lowell Fulson
T-Bone Walker
Big Boy Crudup
Willie Dixon
Robert Cray... emotional player, sweats blues
Jake and Elwood...too cool to be omitted
Carey Bell...wicked harp
Richard Hidalgo..smooth as silk
Tampa Red
Stevie Ray...no one better on electric...ever been, ever will be
Van Morisson..

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Bobert
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 08:31 PM

Thankee, Kendall...

I'm still stickin with Fred McDowell, Junior Kimbrough, R.L. Burnisde, Jessie Mea Hemphill, Richard Johnston, Reverand Slick, T-Model Ford...

Guess it all depends on what get yer pant leg a'shakin'...

B~

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: kendall
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 08:54 PM

Well, I kinda like Leadbelly too.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: matt milton
Date: 25 Feb 09 - 06:19 AM

Robert Pete Williams. One of the strangest sounds in music, let alone the blues.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Neil D
Date: 25 Feb 09 - 02:20 PM

Robert Lockwood Jr.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Jayto
Date: 25 Feb 09 - 03:19 PM

Blind WIllie Johnson
I love a ton of these guys but something about BLind Willie hits me hard.
cya
JT

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: topical tom
Date: 25 Feb 09 - 05:42 PM

They've likely been mentioned before, but to name a few at the top, John Hammond Jr., Mississippi John Hurt and Rory Block.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: olddude
Date: 25 Feb 09 - 05:46 PM

Our Sidewalk Bob can COOK also
there just is so many great blues players.   John Hurt probably for me is what i wish I could be most like

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Bobert
Date: 26 Feb 09 - 08:55 AM

Interesting story, olddude...

I played for years with the Archie Edwards Blues Foundation at Archie Edawrds barbershop in NE Washington, D.C.... Archie was quite a bluesman and every Saturday afternoon he would stop cutting hair at 1:00 and folks would spend the afternoon jamming... Bluesmen from all over knew about this legendary Saturday afternoon jam and over the years just about every bluesman worth his salt would stop in for at least one jam...

Story is that John Hurt's daughter was accepted to college in D.C. and she stayed in Archie Edwards house... Then dad, John Hurt, showed up and became fast friends with Archie and became a regular for the Saturday jams... The two of them also headed off to Eurpoe and did a tour...

The barbershop finally closed last year but all the stuff was removed and is now in storage... One of things in storage is a nice photograph of John Hurt playing there in the barbershop... That was before my time but it's kinda cool to think that I jammed in the same joint as the likes of John Hurt...

B

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: olddude
Date: 26 Feb 09 - 08:59 AM

Wow Bob
and if anyone here has not heard our Boberts CD "Sidewalk Bob" get it, absolutely amazing ... Bobert is a blues master without a doubt

Great story my friend

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Joseph de Culver City
Date: 26 Feb 09 - 10:07 AM

Lowell Fulson
Johnny "Guitar" Watson
Hubert Sumlin

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Bobert
Date: 26 Feb 09 - 10:22 AM

(Unpaid Advertisement)

Yes, olddude, if ya'll ain't got my CD then run, don't walk, to CDBaby and order yer copy today and...

...thank you for yer support...

Sidewalk Bob(ert)

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Rob The Roadie
Date: 26 Feb 09 - 11:46 AM

John Mayall
John Mac Glaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra

John Lee Hooker
Howlin Wolf

Doc Watson
Muddy Waters

Eric Clapton
Kevin Brown

Robert Johnson

Early Fleetwood Mac

Rory Gallagher
Taste
Cream