Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help

26 Mar 06 - 10:42 PM (#1703530)
Subject: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST,Jonathan Swift

So I saw Robert Johnson's "King of the Delta Blues" for a good price at a used music store around town. Picked it up, listened to it, really started digging it. I went online and found Memphis Slim who I also liked and currently have a CD of him on its way to my house via Amazon.

I just need help from folks to find good artists. Knowing I like Johnson and Slim, what artists would you recommend? Also, where is a good place to go online to listen to blues music...whether it be new, old, signed, or independent. I'd like to hear some newer blues if possible.

Thanks for the help!

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27 Mar 06 - 12:50 AM (#1703568)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST,M.Ted

Charlie Patton, Son House, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Howlin'Wolf, to name a few--Basically, you want to hear Delta Blues, and Chicago Blues, which is electric blues by guys that moved north from the Delta. But it's all good.

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27 Mar 06 - 01:27 AM (#1703571)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: JohnInKansas

Click on the "Mudcat Cafe" name at the top of any page here, and you'll go to the real front page for the Mudcat Cafe. You'll find several links there to blues - since Max originally created Mudcat to be a blues site.

(click "Lyrics and Knowledge" to get back to the threads.)

John

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27 Mar 06 - 01:55 AM (#1703584)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Purple Foxx

I would also add the often overlooked Robert Petway to M.Ted's excellent list.

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27 Mar 06 - 10:38 AM (#1703844)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST

Jimmy Reed (singer and blues harpist), who I think doesn't get much deserved notice from the blues aficionados here on this site (big influence on the Stones, according to Mick and Keith)... and Buddy Guy ... the late Roy Buchanon (spelling may not be right on the last name) ... T-Bone Walker ... Etta James for sultry blues singing ...

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27 Mar 06 - 10:41 AM (#1703845)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: wysiwyg

Don't take this wrong-- I didn't title the book/CD:

Blues for Dummies

~Susan

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27 Mar 06 - 12:20 PM (#1703906)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Ebbie

Have a listen to our own Bobert, Guest J.S. He does Delta blues, including Robert Johnson and Son House among many others. He has a new CD out, called '13 Shades of Blues'.

If you join us a member (it's easy, free and safe) you can PM him. Although my guess is that he will see this thread very soon. The man loves blues.

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27 Mar 06 - 04:16 PM (#1704045)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Jonathan Swift

"Don't take this wrong-- I didn't title the book/CD:

Blues for Dummies

~Susan"


Thanks for the link. And I don't care if you're calling me a dummy...we all gotta start somewhere. ;)


"Have a listen to our own Bobert, Guest J.S. He does Delta blues, including Robert Johnson and Son House among many others. He has a new CD out, called '13 Shades of Blues'.

If you join us a member (it's easy, free and safe) you can PM him. Although my guess is that he will see this thread very soon. The man loves blues."

Cool, I hope to hear from him soon. I just signed up, so maybe I can get in touch with him sometime.

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27 Mar 06 - 05:59 PM (#1704128)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Wesley S

Jonathan - Welcome. There are several different kinds of blues. I like delta blues { Son House ect } but I LOVE Piedmont blues - check out Mississippi John Hurt sometime. There are other websites that deal with blues more than the Mudcat by the way. So check out all of the different styles. Some you'll like - some you won't.

Where do you live ? Is there a live blues scene you can check into ?

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27 Mar 06 - 06:28 PM (#1704142)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Leadfingers

Tweed (long time Catter) has a blues site - PM him for info - and there is a Blues Forum at - http://blindman.forumhoster.com/ - if you are interested . And I have been playing Blues Whistle since 1965 !

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27 Mar 06 - 06:32 PM (#1704144)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Azizi

Welcome to Mudcat, Jonathan Swift!

I joined this community a little over a year and a half ago, and also started a thread seeking information on the Blues. That thread is Feelin The Blues .

That thread may be of some interest to you.

Share, Learn, Enjoy!


Azizi

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27 Mar 06 - 06:45 PM (#1704153)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: bobad

This is a link to some old time blues recorded in the field by John and Ruby Lomax in the 1930's. Look around in this site, The Library of Congress, it is a treasure trove of Americana.

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/S?ammem/lomaxbib:@field(SUBJ+@od1(Blues+songs))

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27 Mar 06 - 07:01 PM (#1704163)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Amos

My own immersion in the blues began with Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, and Bessie Smith. I recommend them all whole-heartedly.


A

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27 Mar 06 - 07:11 PM (#1704168)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: wysiwyg

Welcome to Mudcat, Mr. Swift!

~Susan

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27 Mar 06 - 07:55 PM (#1704190)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Kaleea

When I was still working, some fellers in the office played some alleged "blues" recording which sounded like acid rock to me. The kids were flabbergasted when I told them that blues was invented by musicians who did not have electric instruments. I played for them some of my recordings which I had taped from 78's & LP's. Some were even-dare I mention it-not even guitar! They had never heard anything close to Blues befoe. One kid was in a "Blues band." He had his band learn several songs. I had to teach the guitar riffs & some of the progressions to him, & the piano parts to the keyboard player. They performed them at the local Blues Crawl contest & won the top honor.

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27 Mar 06 - 08:12 PM (#1704206)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST,khandu

And, meaning no disrespect to this very knowledgeable forum, I would also recommend Tweedsburg, a pitiful excuse for a website, but some rather smart blues lovers abide there.

ken

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27 Mar 06 - 08:56 PM (#1704225)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST,Penguin Egg

Probably the best thing to do is buy a compilation CD with all the major names-elmore james, muddy waters, et al- and decide for yourself who you want to check out. That is how I did it all those years ago when I was a mere slip of a lad.

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27 Mar 06 - 09:18 PM (#1704241)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Jonathan Swift

"Where do you live ? Is there a live blues scene you can check into ?"

I live in South Carolina...close to the border to North Carolina, and I'm not sure. I've been wanting to check out some live blues for a while now, but haven't been able to locate anywhere really close.

And I appreciate everyone's help. "Blues" is a very large genre, and starting out is a bit overwhelming to even a college student.

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27 Mar 06 - 09:20 PM (#1704243)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: wysiwyg

JS, I believe the thread Azizi linked for you a few posts back had links in it to some online blues radio-- good place to start for free.

~Susan

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27 Mar 06 - 09:24 PM (#1704247)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Bobert

Yeah, go on over to tweeds and we'll talk there...

BTW, go to CD Baby and listen to some of my stuff then get out yer credit card an order a couple hundred copies of "13 Shades of Blues"...

Thank you for yer support...

Bobert (Alias "Sidewalk Bob" @ CD Baby)

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27 Mar 06 - 09:36 PM (#1704256)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: open mike

i would second the recommendation to chck out Mississippi John Hurt.
A trio of musicians who admire his music have put together a recording
(and a tour) called Avalon blues. Chris Smither, Peter Case, and Dave
Alvin are this trio.

in order to play blues most often the "12 bar blues" pattern is used.

In order to learn which chords to play, you must first find the
foundation chord -- the one which denotes which key the song is in.
this is number one -- or l (roman numeral one) using the circle of
fifths, you determine which chords are the 4 (IV) and 5 (V) chords.

for instance in the key of A , A=I, D=4, and E=5

I, I, IV, I, V, IV, I

somehow that is only 7 bars, so now i really have the blues
cuz i can't count to twelve...i am sure there is a place where
you can get the information

blues are often in teh key of E...

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27 Mar 06 - 09:47 PM (#1704265)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Ebbie

Often in the key of E- or in some kind of arcane tuning very few people know. Hey, Bobert!

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27 Mar 06 - 10:01 PM (#1704274)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Bobert

Okay, yeah, lotta stuff is in E but lotta stuff in A or G or D.... C tunin's is "C"hick tunings... Might of fact I had never palying no open C stuff until I got into a battle of the bluesmen and it was 'bout 2 o'clock in the mornin' an' iot was between me and one of the instructors and he borrowed my Stell bodied reso and stuck it in open C... He was trying to mess me up... Well open C is like E but everything just kinda does a shift and so I did "Rollin' and Tumblin" in C...

But now, JS, you go on over to Tweeds and check out the thread about my new CD and if you pay attention and read it real good yer gonna get turned on to the baddest open tuning I have ever come onto which I learnt from listening night aferr night to a 1949 recording by John Lee Hooker...

BTW, you barely scratched the surface here, my frined... Wait until you hear Mississippi Fred McDowell and RL Burnside and Lightnin' Hopkins and Blind Lemon, etc....

Bobert

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27 Mar 06 - 10:11 PM (#1704280)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Jonathan Swift

What forum is your CD post in? There are several of them.

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27 Mar 06 - 10:51 PM (#1704311)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Bobert

JS,

Just go on over to Tweedsblues...

... 'er to CD Baby and check out "Sidewalk Bob" (me)...

'er better yet, do both...

Bobert (alias Sidewalk Bob)

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27 Mar 06 - 11:02 PM (#1704321)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Jonathan Swift

Found you on CD Baby. You sound good and there's a lot of other good stuff on the site. Thanks for the recommendation.

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28 Mar 06 - 02:05 AM (#1704372)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: KT

Welcome, Jonathan!
Glad you found Bobert. He's a blues man all right . And a good one, too. I taught him everything he knows about blues. (Ain't that so, Bobert? I need a copy of that CD! I'll be sending a PM!)

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28 Mar 06 - 04:47 AM (#1704450)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST

Open Mike:

I/// I/// I/// I7///
IV/// IV/// I/// I///
V7/// IV/// I/// V7///

Stu

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28 Mar 06 - 05:01 AM (#1704455)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Big Al Whittle

I always had an affection for the Koerner , Ray and Glover.
They did two albums Bues Rags and Hollers 1 and 2, and I thought they were very talented.

Like Bobert said Lightnin Hopkins is a great place to start. What he did was so simple, but in a way so unpredictable. He could really play ingeniously.

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28 Mar 06 - 06:57 AM (#1704491)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST,Gadaffi

If you're British, then certainly tune in to Paul Jones's rhythm & blues programme on BBC Radio 2 on Thursday nights at 8 p.m.

I've also been able to buy good cheap copies of key electric bands from the 1960s who are well worth listening to, e.g. The Animals, Spencer Davis Group, John Mayall, Booker T, etc. Until you hear Bo Diddley, you cannot grasp what an influence he was on the early Rolling Stones until Jagger and Richard started writing their own songs.

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28 Mar 06 - 09:22 AM (#1704591)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Big Al Whittle

there used to be these wonderful Chess compilations when I was a kid. you don't see them anymore.

They had
First Time I met the blues - Buddy Guy
Roadrunner- Bo Diddley
Fattening Frogs for Snakes - Sonny Boy Williamson
Smokestack lightning- Howling wolf
walking the boogie - John Lee Hooker
Reconsider - Lowell Fulson
got my Mojo workin' - Muddy Waters

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28 Mar 06 - 09:54 AM (#1704619)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST,me

Love the title of this thread - there's help out there, don't despair - find someone to talk to, your clergyman, a friend or relative, call a helpline; you'll get through this ...

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28 Mar 06 - 01:16 PM (#1704817)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Wesley S

Here is a website I found recently that is devoted to acoustic prewar blues.

http://weeniecampbell.com/mambo/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=83

By the way - the Carolinas are at the heart of the Piedmont blues.

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28 Mar 06 - 01:36 PM (#1704830)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Ebbie

"affectionados" Gargoyle

It may not be a word, gg, but I like it.

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28 Mar 06 - 01:59 PM (#1704853)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick

I've been racking my brains trying to think of a largish introductory blues anthology, and I just can't. There are plenty of cheapo labels about though and I would particularly recommend Indigo and Catfish if they are still in existence.

Otherwise, a good way of getting to grips with the idiom is to listen to The Dick Spottswood Show on Station WAMU, Washington DC. You can pick it anytime via the station's Listen Again facility on http://www.wamu.org/

The programme covers the whole gamut of race, country and ethnic music which was issued on 78 records from the 1920s through to the late 1950s. So there isn't actually all that much blues on it. However, Spottswood is a world renowned authority in this area and it's the best way I know of understanding the blues in relation to all the other music that was being played and recorded in the American south.

Cheers,

Fred McCormick

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28 Mar 06 - 03:12 PM (#1704905)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST,Hootenanny

Would have to agree with Gargoyle above,that there is much crapola on these mudcat threads and a few informative and interesting ones. That is why I also only remain a guest.

Some of the above reccomendations are not bluesmen (or women) but people who play and try and sing the blues. Sadly the real live Bluesman is almost a thing of the past.
I would suggest that you try some of the cheap compilations which are around particularly on the JSP label (an English label it's true but then it was us that taught you guys across the pond to appreciate the treasure that you once had there) JSP do 4/5 cd box sets at a very good price and if you don't like what you get you won't have thrown away a lot of money. There is a mail order company over here called Red Lick Records, it's on the web and their stock and service is excellent. That's the place to go for all things BLUES.
Don't be suckered into buying from the opportunistic pretenders pushing their own discs, listen to the real thing first. I guess
Robert Johnsosn was a good intro.
I hope you enjoy the voyage of discovery as much as I did.

Hoot

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28 Mar 06 - 03:22 PM (#1704911)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Wesley S

Hoot - Please oh PLEASE tell us who gets your vote as a real bluesman vs a pretender.

Those boxed sets are a good deal. I've got the Blind Boy Fuller set, the Carter family, Gus Cannon's Jug Stompers, and a Jimmie Rogers set. Good stuff for a good price.

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28 Mar 06 - 05:01 PM (#1704981)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Elmer Fudd

Check out this website:

http://www.chicagobluesreunion.com/

There's a little link on left-hand side of the home page (skip the introduction to get to it) that is marked in pink that says "Check out the CBR Audio Player" to hear some songs by this group of terrific electric Chicago-style blues musicians and singers who have been around for a long time, and have gotten together to record and tour this year.

Elmer

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28 Mar 06 - 05:02 PM (#1704985)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Elmer Fudd

Dang, I tried to make a blue clicky of that website--if a clone could kindly do what I failed to do in the above post, I'd me grateful.

E.

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28 Mar 06 - 06:06 PM (#1705043)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST

try here

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28 Mar 06 - 11:04 PM (#1705241)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST

imbecilical

Now there is another Gargoyle word that says a lot.

Read some of the Mudcat threads from 1998 to 2001 for additional suggestions on original roots.   Type in Blues and set the dates in the Advanced Search area.

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29 Mar 06 - 10:28 AM (#1705647)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Scoville

I started on Brownie McGhee, whom somebody already mentioned. My father loves Bessie Smith, and I recently got him some Ma Rainey.

We're big fans here of Etta Baker and Elizabeth Cotten, who are more what I think is called Piedmont blues--sort of an early blues/country combination. Whether you like the style or not, Etta in particular was (is?) an amazing guitarist and worth a listen.

I also like Mance Lipscomb but he's very primitive and not as purely blues as a lot of people would like.

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29 Mar 06 - 10:30 AM (#1705649)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Scoville

And if you want modern stuff, Paul Geremia and Chris Thomas King (the kid from O Brother! Where Art Thou?) are both good, although King is too electrified for me.

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29 Mar 06 - 08:20 PM (#1706117)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST,Wesley S

Paul Geremia does some great stuff. I have one of his CD's and another on order. Steve James, John Hammond and Paul Rishell with Annie Raines are all worth a listen. And Geoff Muldaur is in a class of his own.

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29 Mar 06 - 10:08 PM (#1706184)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST,van lingle

Compilations or sampler CD's ain't a bad way to go because otherwise you might miss some great artists whose didn't record much like Blind Joe Reynolds, Tommy Johnson, Willie Walker, the several Willie Browns and quite a few others. Columbia Masters of the Blues series and various Blue Goose anthologies might be a good place to start. vl

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30 Mar 06 - 01:08 PM (#1706774)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST,Hootenanny

Somebody above wanted to know who I meant by "pretenders".

The reccomendations made by Wesley S are exactly the sort of musician I mean. I do not knock their musicianship and entertainment value and I am sure that many, many people enjoy what they do. However if somebody has just got fired up about blues by listening to Robert Kohnson & Memphis Slim it would appear that he is interested in the real thing. Virtually everything recorded by the blues masters over the years since the twenties is now pretty easily available much of it on reasonably priced compliations. Listen to some of these and then make your choice. The Yazoo catalogue (which is not a cheapo label) has a huge amount of top- notch pre-war material from which to chose, people like Frank Stokes, Furry Lewis, Blind Blake, Bill Broonzy etc etc. So I would say the way to go is as suggested by van
lingle
FINALLY before any abuse comes, I repeat I AM NOT KOCKING the worth of those guys mentioned by Wesley S (well not all), just pointing out the fact that they are not the original article.

Hope you find what you are looking for, it's all out there.

Hoot

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30 Mar 06 - 05:10 PM (#1706962)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Lonesome EJ

Don't forget the two Sonny Boy Williamsons(Sonny Boy the First and Rice Davis) if you dig good blues harp. Blind Willie Johnson if you want to get a grip on some blues that gets away from the 12 bar format.

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31 Mar 06 - 06:26 AM (#1707389)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST,Hootenanny

Hey Lonesome EJ am I being a nit-picker ? you mean Aleck "Rice" Miller don't you ?

Couldn't agree more with your choices though. There is so much that is essential and enjoyable listening that would take for ever to list them all.

Hoot

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31 Mar 06 - 07:14 AM (#1707425)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Bobert

Well, not to be nit-pickin' myself but, hey, music is evolutionary in nature and defining the birth of blues by what was recorded when recording became possible is a tad narrow... I mean, the Blind Lemon's and Willie Brown's didn't just "wake up one morning" and think, "Hey, I'm going to invent a new sound today"... They heard it somewhere just at the Elmore James and Lightnin' Hopkins heard it from them and added their take, just as the Skip James's and the Sidewalk Bob's heard it and added their take...

"Pretenders", irregardless of how innoncent it was meant to be, is not the right word, especially for those of us who take what has been passed down and put our own interpratations on it... Like I said, Lemon Jefferson heard it somewhere....

End of nit-pickin'...

Bobert

p.s. And thankee, KT, fir leranin' me up this stuff... You are a dear... Maybe next year you'll let be play in yer band... LOL...

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31 Mar 06 - 10:59 AM (#1707581)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: PoppaGator

Opinions are like a**holes ~ everybody's got one, and most of 'em stink.

Robert Johnson was so very much one-of-a-kind; you were lucky to stumble upon such a great introduction to the blues, but it's impossible for us to identify what aspect of his playing you responded to, which would indicate which other artists would also turn you on.

Since Mr Johnson was a pre-war acoustic player, some respondants have been assuming that only the real "pure" early stuff will fill the bill. On the other hand, those who recognize him as an innovator who was ahead of his time figure that you might well be interested in more modern stuff.

That said, lemme offer my opinion as to the bluest blue recording of all time: Buddy Guy's "A Man And The Blues," recorded for Vanguard in about 1968 and featuring Otis Spann on piano. The slow tunes, especially, are absolutely excruciating. I've worn out a vinyl LP and a cassette; I'm sure it's available on CD by now.

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31 Mar 06 - 11:13 AM (#1707587)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Scoville

I swear I don't want to start an argument--I agree that the musicians suggested by Wesley S. (and myself) are not Delta blues, which appears to be what Jonathan Swift was asking about in the first place. So, you're right--if you're looking for Delta blues or "true" blues, those are not the original article.

However, since the title of this thread is JUST GETTING INTO THE BLUES, I thought it might be nice if somebody put out some suggestions that weren't the most obvious ones but might still be of interest to somebody who was new to it. It's not like you can't learn from somebody who learned it down the road. Some of the modern musicians have DVD's out and have done a *lot* of research. As far as I know, there are no DVD's of Robert Johnson playing the guitar.

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31 Mar 06 - 02:28 PM (#1707718)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST,Hootenanny

Sorry folks but I had to ask my self about a name mentioned a couple of posts back, who the hell is that? I then heard a clip of his version of "Little Red Rooster" and I must be honest; It's laughable much worse than when the Rolling Stones did it way back when. It's just the sort of material and performer I was thinking of in my first contribution re opportunistic pretenders.

But hey it's only my opinion and whether or not you liken it to a funky butt that's your perogative.

Hoot

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31 Mar 06 - 04:18 PM (#1707807)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Big Al Whittle

with most artists there's stuff in there to enjoy. occasionally you can find fault with theunderlying vision, but by and large - most people when it comes to being recorded, do their best - really give it their best shot - in terms of dedication and creative energy.

My advice to our neophyte bluesman is - look on the positive side - look for what you can learn and what you can steal from all these guys.

Someone clverer than me once said, a wise man can learn from anybody even if they're a fool - a fool can't learn from anybody.
Even if you're only learning what not to do - keep your ears and your mind open.

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31 Mar 06 - 06:20 PM (#1707889)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Bobert

Perhaps Hoot would like to share a link to where we can hear some of his stuff.... Or where he is playin'???

Scoville brought up an interesting point about DVD's and if yer willing to hunt there are some out there. Most are from the 2nd "recorded" generation folks but these's a real good one in particular with Son House and Bukka White that is available and very nice... Son gets into some of his preachin' and has the most bizarre littel feud with himself between his blues self and his minster self...

But, head to Tweeds and you'll learn alot of stuff other than jsut history... Like tunings, etc...

Bobert

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01 Apr 06 - 05:37 AM (#1708075)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST,Hootenanny

In answer to Bobert:
Despite messing around with a guitar for longer than I care to remember, I don't consider myself to be a performer worth spending good money on to hear when there is so much excellent material out there already. I do play in pub sessions two nights a week and have done for a number of years. I also play the odd club as long as the people booking me know exactly what to expect (usually the three chord trick). I do it for fun and that's it. I don't have an over inflated ego and certainly wouldn't claim to be able to sing blues (which I don't).
With modern advances in technology virtually anybody can make a CD of themselves and sell it, absolutely nothing wrong with that. But please don't describe the product incorrectly. As one of my southside Chicago friends often used to say "some people don't know shit from Shinola". I sing and play folk songs but I don't claim to be a folksinger.

Keep playing and keep having fun, ain't that what it's supposed to be about.

Hoot

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01 Apr 06 - 06:48 AM (#1708094)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Bobert

Well, Hoot, we agree on one thing: It's gotta be fun.

In addition to my peforming I have been a regular at the Archie Edwrds Blues Heritage Foundation, i.e. Archie Edwards Barber Shop, where folks from the the D.C. area collect every Saturday for an all afternoon jam session in NE Washington, D.C.. We also do workshops in schools and festivals and won the KBA (keep Blues Alive) Award at the W.C Handy's last year fir education...

As for the "Shinola" comment perhaps the poster is a purist who just feels that the blues should have died out when folks quit doing it the way he would like to hear it and when the second generation of recorded bluesmen died off??? We have an interesting thread going on over at Twwedsblues.net about "blues nazis" that perhaps might reflect on the Hoots reflections here???

BTW, Johnathan, there's ablues club in Charlotte, N.C.... Is that close to you? I think the name of it is the Double Door but don't hold me to it since I've only been there once and that years ago...

BTW, part 2. Have you checked out Tweeds as yet? Most of the folks there are blues players and several tour regularly... It's an excellent site with links to just about every blues sites and radio programs in the world. Check it out!!!

Bobert

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01 Apr 06 - 01:05 PM (#1708269)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Grab

If you're in the UK, Radio 2 have a programme about Howlin' Wolf on Tuesday night this week. If you're not in the UK, you can still have a listen via the internet, or the BBC "listen again" thing.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2

Graham.

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01 Apr 06 - 01:37 PM (#1708280)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST,Wesley S

"Real blues" are in the ears of the beholders.

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01 Apr 06 - 06:55 PM (#1708484)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Bobert

Exactly, Wesley... Plus there are so many different styles of blues that, as a genure, it purdy wid open....

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02 Apr 06 - 02:33 PM (#1708881)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST

Bobert, have fun with your music but stop pretending you're some kind of prime practitioner of the blues. The fact is you sound phony as a 3 dollar bill.

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02 Apr 06 - 08:10 PM (#1709117)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Azizi

"Phony" is in the ears of the listeners.

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02 Apr 06 - 08:23 PM (#1709128)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST,Wesley S

Guest - where can we buy your CD so we can compare yours to Boberts ?

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02 Apr 06 - 08:40 PM (#1709144)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: GUEST,Michael Morris

For early country blues (maybe even 'pre-blues') I recommend Papa Charlie Jackson of New Orleans. He generally recorded solo banjo and vocals, and he recorded about 60 sides in the 1920s and 1930s. His repertoire included stuff that most listeners would identify as "blues" as well as ragtime-sounding and vaudeville-influenced stuff. I should mention that there is a rumour he taught Big Bill Broonzy how to play guitar, but I don't know if there's any truth in that.

The stuff I have is on LP on the Biograph label, but I'm sure his stuff has been re-released on CD.

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02 Apr 06 - 09:02 PM (#1709166)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Peace

"Guest - where can we buy your CD so we can compare yours to Boberts ?"

Good question.

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02 Apr 06 - 09:06 PM (#1709170)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Peace

"There is so much that is essential and enjoyable listening that would take for ever to list them all."

Please list them and come back when you have.

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03 Apr 06 - 01:57 AM (#1709298)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Big Al Whittle

There should be some sort of filter on this Mudcat thing to remove shit like that last comment from Guest. Guest my arse, I'd chuck the bugger out of civilised company.

Bobert is accused of sounding phony. Well ....pardon me for farting in your face pal. That's the idea of a folk revival....we're all phony.

Martin Carthy sounds so little like a 19th century miner when he sings as one, that most 20th century miners (if you can find one, they're rarer than folksingers!)would find him laughable.

Pete Seegers scholarly tones don't sound like an Ozark Mountain hillbilly to anybody.

However Martin, Pete and Bobert are all serious artists. this is what they have done with their lives, and it deserves respect. they haven't been serial killers and hurt people. they have made music to enrich our lives.

And you Guest should go and have a sexually fulfilling experience with a duck.

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03 Apr 06 - 04:24 AM (#1709327)
Subject: RE: Just Getting Into Blues - Need Help
From: Big Al Whittle

On a more positive note.

I'm sure someone has probably suggested it, but Stefan Grossman's How to Play Blues guitar record was very good for my playing. there are some fine dissections of the blues styles. It will be particularly good if you want to get to grips with the more tricky finger picking styles - gary davis, Blind Blake, Robert Johnson - that sort of thing. It will get you started.

stefan has his detractors - you have to mix it in with going to see people who play these songs - just to get the feeling, but he and Aurora Block did a fine piece of work here. Obsession is the name of the game. None of this twenty minutes a day nonsense.

Strangely enough there isn't a blues in major E or A - of the kind favoured by Lightning Hopkins. A strange ommission by Stefan,from what is otherwise a faultless project. Listen to Lightning - its the only way!

if robert Johnson really is your man, you won't do much better than Scott Ainslie's video that he did for Starlicks. Scott is a great player - try and see John Hammond live for that feel, try an get a dvd of him.

the thing about Johnson is the writing, which is exquisite. About a couple of years ago I had the privilege of seeing two fine English slide players Bryn Haworth and Kevin Brown finish their set with Travelling Riverside. It was sinply one the best musical things I've ever heard in my life.

Sorry I lost my temper earlier. but you should respect people who put their lives a on the line with music and do their best. Youngsters and BBC folk dj's would do well to learn the value of that.

all the best

al

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