Best Slow Blues Songs

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: PoppaGator
Date: 17 Mar 11 - 02:47 PM

Thanks for resurrecting this old discussion!

This time through, I noticed several mentions of Skip James, but not mention of one of his greatest slow numbers, "Devil Got My Woman" (in which the words "devil got may woman" do not appear):

I'd rather be the devil, than be that woman's man
I'd rather be the devil, than be that woman's man
Aw, nothin' but the devil, changed my baby's mind
Was nothin' but the devil, changed my baby's mind

I laid down last night, laid down last night
I laid down last night, tried to take my rest
My mind got to ramblin', like a wild geese
From the west, from the west

The woman I love, woman that I loved
Woman I loved, took her from my best friend
But he got lucky, stoled her back again
And he got lucky, stoled her back again

Verses 2 and 3 are "floating lyrics" found in a whole lot of "different" songs, but the first verse (repeated as the last verse as well) seems to be pure original Skip James.

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GUEST,Piner
Date: 17 Mar 11 - 01:12 PM

An awsome slow blues is "Life without you" from SRV...

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: Max Johnson
Date: 17 Feb 11 - 06:06 AM

John Lee Hooker - Graveyard Blues.

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: Smokey.
Date: 16 Feb 11 - 11:40 PM

The late Gary Moore.

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GUEST,jkl333
Date: 16 Feb 11 - 08:04 PM

magic sam "my love will never die"

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Sep 10 - 12:47 PM

Did you ever get cure or relief from the c chord pain?

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: Roberto
Date: 15 Aug 10 - 10:06 AM

Honky Tonky Blues by Johnny Copeland
River's Invitation by Percy Mayfield
Cold Cold Feeling by T-Bone Walker

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GUEST,John Keane
Date: 15 Aug 10 - 07:19 AM

"Please Send Me Someone to Love" by The Paul Butterfield Blues Band off the "Better Days" album. The first verse starts out as nothing all that special but it keeps building almost like this 5 minute crescendo. Amos Garrett on guitar plays a really tasteful solo. And the horn arrangment is beautiful. One of my favorites. If you like slow blues you got to hear it.

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 08 Aug 10 - 07:50 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVj9IYBNEvM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auDv6cf2PBM

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GUEST,JohnnyBeezer
Date: 08 Aug 10 - 07:21 AM

'Blues on the ceiling' is an extremely slow Blues number.

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Aug 10 - 11:12 AM

jlg         
morphine and choclate - 4-non blondes
long cold winter - cinderella
ride on - acdc
hoochie coochie man - steppenwolf

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GUEST,kjayne2010
Date: 14 May 10 - 02:08 PM

Check the Soundtrack to the movie, "Rush". There are several outstanding slow blues instrumentals by Clapton. Love 'em.

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GUEST
Date: 13 May 10 - 06:08 PM

how don't quote miss ida b ?

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: autoharpbob
Date: 14 Feb 10 - 08:59 AM

John Mayall has several, my favourite being "Thoughts about Roxanne" from "Turning Point"

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: Bobert
Date: 14 Feb 10 - 08:52 AM

Thanks, E-Jay...

Yeah, *we* did hit that one purdy good... I can't quite remember the entire story but I learned that version from Elenor Ellis ( a blueslady in DC) who learned it from ____________ who supposedly learned it from ______________.... You know, one of those stories that makes the blues so interestin'... That's one thing about alot of old blues songs... Ya' hang around enough old bluesplayers and they'll tell ya' these stories and lotta time you can trace the sonh thru 3 or 4 generations as to who learned it from whom...

BTW, as you know, E-Jay, I do it in Double Dropped D tunin'... That info is for others readin' this thread.... The DDD tunin' gives it that chillin' modal sound...

B~

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 13 Feb 10 - 02:52 PM

Bob, I liked the version you did of "See that my Grave is Kept Clean" that Leadfingers and I accompanied you on at the Getaway back two years or so. Definitely slow, chilling, but effective.

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GUEST,Alley
Date: 13 Feb 10 - 11:04 AM

I love it when I have something to contribute to the Mudcat Discussion Forum. My favorite Blues song is "Women Be Wise." Hope you like it too.

Alley

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: Bobert
Date: 13 Feb 10 - 07:27 AM

I like Elmor James version of "It Hurts Me Too" but then again, for post war bluesmen, I like Elmore James in general...

Whoever it was that mentioned Skip James' "Hard Time Killing Floor", yeah, that is one fine blues song... Kinda eerie, too... I do it in Double Dropped D tunin', BTW, which gives it that lonesome modal sound...

B~

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GutBucketeer
Date: 13 Feb 10 - 12:34 AM

Sam Chatmon's Last Chance for Shakin' in Bed With Me.
Blind Blake's One Time Blues.

Are both nice slow tunes that really work for my band Snakehead Run.

JAB

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: pdq
Date: 12 Feb 10 - 08:42 PM

"It Hurts Me Too" by lotsa people, from Tampa Red to Ron "Pigpen" McKiernan.

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: Arkie
Date: 12 Feb 10 - 06:49 PM

Fannin Street - particularly like John Hammond's version.
Spoonful - Willie Dixon, John Hammond, and others
Tell Old Bill - Dave Van Ronk, & others
Dink's Song

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 12 Feb 10 - 03:00 PM

These may not be blues, but they're bluesy, and I like to sing them.

Sentimental Journey
Since I met you Baby
When I Lost My baby, I almost lost my Mind
Old Devil Moon
Heartbreak Hotel.
Chicken Cordon Blues
Peace in the Valley - both tunes

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: Amos
Date: 12 Feb 10 - 11:47 AM

For slow, I am partial to "Come Back, Baby". Others that come to mind are "Which Way Does That Blood-Red River Run", and "How Long, Baby, How Long", and as mentioned, "WHen Things Go Wrong (It Hurts Me Too)".


A.

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 12 Feb 10 - 11:24 AM

How about It Hurts Me Too. Or Someone to Love. Or You Shook Me. These are all standards for my band Terraplane. We even do a VERY slow version of the Doors' Roadhouse Blues.

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Feb 10 - 02:02 PM

Peter Bellamy' - Devil got your man is one of my favourits

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Feb 10 - 10:45 AM

"I Wonder" Robert Cray

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: Neil D
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 02:12 AM

"Sitting On Top of the World" by The Mississippi Sheiks

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: quokka
Date: 06 Dec 09 - 08:38 PM

Yeasterday at a session I heard a slow blues version of Billie Jean - it was brilliant. It took a minute to recognise it, but it blew us all away it was so good.

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 08:25 PM

Death Letter by Son House - he's singing it on BBC4 right now.

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: deadfrett
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 11:46 AM

Skip James- Hardtime Killin' Floor Blues

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Nov 09 - 04:28 PM

Takin' a Dump Blues-Jerry Thatchett, the 1 minute intro is just amazing, really takes my mind away.

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GUEST,J.2.O.
Date: 02 Nov 09 - 04:25 PM

Blues without you-Stoney Curtis Band

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: TinDor
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 08:48 PM

Jimi Hendrix "Voodoo Chile"

Elmore James "Bleeding Heart" "The Sky Is Crying"

Led Zeppelin "I Can't Quit You Baby"

Alert King   "As The Years Go Passing By"(Live in Montreaux) ( the string bending and vibrato on this are top notch)

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: PoppaGator
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 10:39 AM

My first reaction upon seeing "Since I Met You Baby" and "Since I Lost My Baby" both mentioned in the same thread was: "Aren't they two verses to the same song?

I was wrong ~ they are indeed two different, but eerily similar, pieces. A quick search also revealed that both are "credited" to Ivory Joe Hunter. Of course, in the world of internet lyrics and tabs, there is usually a lot of confusion over who the person might be who is named with a song ~ usually the person (or one of several people) who recorded it, very rarely the actual songwriter escept in casesd where the performer was the composer.

I'm really intrigued by that "mildly mysterious" website. It would be nice to know more about who's responsible for it ~ lots of great old songs, with arrangements that look, at first glance, to be worthwhile. I'll have to delve in a little deeper to see it the tabs are really all that helpful.

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 04:43 PM

While looking for tunes, I came across this fine site, which has guitar tabs and MIDI's for some bluesy tunes.

mildy mysterious site

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 04:34 PM

When I Lost My Baby, I Almost Lost My Mind.

Does a song have to have sad lyrics to be the blues, or does sound-only qualify it? If so, I would add

Old Devil Moon - from Finian's Rainbow
Since I Met You Baby, My Whole Life has Changed
Peace in the Valley - either tune
Summertime - from Porgy & Bess

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: PoppaGator
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 03:53 PM

I recently bought the 2-DVD set of Cream's 2005 reunion gig at Royal Albert Hall (using a Christmas gift card).

Eric does a nice job singing and playing the T-Bone Walker slow-blues classic Stormy Monday, but I was also struck by one of the Cream originals from "back in the day" which was not exactly a traditional-format 12-bar blues, but nevertheless both (a) slow, and (b) undeniably The Blues in feeling and approach: Sleepy Time Time.

Terrific vocal by Jack Bruce, wildly creative guitar by Eric Clapton, plus of course the genius rhythmic underpinning provided by Ginger Baker.

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: bald headed step child
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 12:41 PM

Albert Collins-Angel of mercy, and cold cold feeling

Gary Moore- Still got the blues. the prophet(instrumental)actually a Peter Green composition. Midnight Blues

B B King-Pick an album

Otis Rush-Pick an album. I can't quit you baby

Led Zeppelin-I can't quit you baby. Since I've been loving you

I love alot of the Lonnie Johnson stuff from the 60's,(actually I love all his stuff from 1926 on). The stuff from the 60's with just him and guitar is mostly slow blues that will just tear your heart out.

These are just a few gems I didn't see above.

Trying to pick favorites out of all my cds is impossible. You will get a different answer by the day of the week or mood. Ask tomorrow and you'll get a different list.

Definately some good picks by all though.

BHSC

Subject: Lyr Add: BEANS TASTE FINE (Shel Silverstein)
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 12:29 PM

Here's a little Shel Silverstein ditty I always liked as a slow blues:

The first part, as I recall it, in a talking blues style -

Now a friend of mine, way back in Chicago --
You know, he finally made his pile.
Well he got himself a mansion on Butler and Sheff
An' he was livin' in the latest style;
But I run into him, he was eatin' in a greasy spoon
While parked in front was his big limousine.
I said, "Buddy, you've got so much money
How come you're in here, eatin' beans?"
An' he said --

After you've been havin' steak for a long time,
Beans, beans taste fine.
An' after you've been drinkin' champagne and brandy
You gonna settle for wine.

He said "The world is funny, and people are strange,
And man is a creature of constant change, and
After you've been havin' steak for a long time
Beans, beans taste fine."

Now, you know I ran into another friend of mine
In a rowdy old Clark Street Bar.
I said, "Friend, is it true what I heard about you?
I heard you married a beautiful 18-year-old shapely movie star,
Yet here you sit, tryin' to make out with some barfly
Who's too old and ugly to be true."
He said, "Shelley, you're still a very young man
So sit down. I'll explain it all to you.

He said --
After you've been havin' steak for a long time
Beans, beans taste fine.
An' after you've been drinkin' champagne and Chivas Regal
You gonna settle for Thunderbird wine.
He said "The world is funny, and people are strange,
And man is a creature of constant change, and
After you've been havin' steak for a long time
Beans, beans taste fine."

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: Janice in NJ
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 12:16 PM

The Whinin' Boy
Round 'Bout Midnight
Trouble in Mind
Keys to the Highway
K.C. Moan
Nobody Know You When You're Down and Out
St. Louis Blues
C.C. Rider
Every Night When the Sun Goes Down
Come Back Baby
How Long Blues
Woman Blues (when done slowly)
Dink's Song
One Kind Favor

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 11:39 AM

John Mayer - Out of My Mind

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 09:58 PM

John Mayer- Gravity

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: Bobert
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 06:03 PM

"Blues With a Feeling" by Little Walter is my favorite slow blues song... (On my CD, "13 Shades of Blues", BTW...)

"The Thrill is Gone" is also a fine slow one...

I like "Tobacco Road" but when I play it, it drives purdy good so I don't really think of it as a slow blues song but the version I play sounds more like the Spooky Tooth version which rocked out purdy hard...

B~

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: Joe_F
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 08:17 PM

Make My Love Come Rolling Down, by Eric von Schmidt.

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: PoppaGator
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 12:29 PM

Ooops, that title is "One-Room Country Shack," not "Thousand Miles From Nowhere," and I believe that the eleven-foot cotton sack in question is the singer's only wearisome, not "worrisome," companion.

(just an excuse to REFRESH, really...)

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: PoppaGator
Date: 14 Nov 08 - 12:19 PM

My all-time favorite album is Buddy Guy's "A Man and The Blues," recorded for Vanguard in about 1967-68 or so, if I'm not mistaken. It is a rare recorded collaboration between Buddy and the great Chicago blues pianist Otis Spann, longtime bandmate of Muddy Waters. I owned, wore out, and eventually lost a vinyl copy in the 60s-70s, and then went through the same experience with a casette tape edition during the 90s. I suppose it's about time for me to buy the CD.

About half the cuts are slow blues, and they're by far the longest cuts, making the album at least 60-70% s-l-o-o-o-w blues, intersersed with a few brief uptempo numbers. Both Buddy and Otis are masters of the slow-blues form, and it is absolutley excruciating to hear them trade licks throughout the long instumental passages between verses of the slow songs. Titles of a couple of the more notable cuts: "Worry, Worry, Worry" and "Thousand Miles from Nowhere":

Sittin' here a thousand miles from nowhere
In my little one room country shack (2x)
My only worrisome companion
Is this here 'leven-foot cotton sack.

(One of the albums quick little uptempo tunes is a favorite of mine, too: Buddy's unique interpretation of "Mary Had a Little Lamb.")

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: quokka
Date: 14 Nov 08 - 09:00 AM

Bring it on Home to Me - very slow, works great

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Nov 08 - 08:42 AM

Tobacco Road

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GUEST,Roger Knowles
Date: 28 Sep 08 - 06:53 PM

Here's a coupla favourites of mine as suggestions:
Bed Bug Blues
Stealin'

Subject: RE: Best Slow Blues Songs
From: GUEST,seth
Date: 28 Sep 08 - 06:04 PM

also try soulshine from the allman brothers band. it is pretty amazing