Subject: Favorite Blues Songs From: Gene E Date: 17 Jan 98 - 11:23 AM Now that 1998 is under way and we seem to have exhausted the "Greatest Blues Songs" topic, I thought it would be interesting to discuss favorite bluEs songs. The greats aren't allways our favorites, or maybe they are but it might be interesting to explore the difference. One suggestion from the "Greatest Blues Songs" thread was to post lyrics as well as song titles. I liked that idea so my secong post to this thread could kick it off. See yawl down the thread. |
Subject: Lyr Add: I'M IN JAIL AGAIN^^^ From: Gene E Date: 17 Jan 98 - 11:24 AM I'm In Jail Again Mississippi Fred McDowell Open D Slow walking pace
Well, bring me my food an' chow, wow, wow, wow, I'm in jail again.
Now won't somebody tell me, wow, wow, what I'm supposed ta' do.
I'm beggin', Lord, please have mercy, wow, wow, wow, on my wicked soul. Slide guitar interlude.
Well bring me my food an' juice, wow, wow, wow, I'm in jail again. Slide guitar ending. |
Subject: Lyr Add: IF I HAD POSSESSION OVER JUDGMENT DAY^^^ From: Gene E Date: 17 Jan 98 - 11:23 PM Continuing the 1998 roll: If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day Robert Johnson
If I had possession over judgment day,
And I went to the mountain lookin' far as my eyes could see.
And I rolled an' I tumbled and I cried the whole night long.
Had to fold my arms and I slowly walked away. Spoken (I didn't like the way she done) Had to fold my arms and I slowly walked away.
Now run here, baby; set down on my knee. |
Subject: Lyr Add: FUTURE BLUES^^^ From: Jon W. Date: 20 Jan 98 - 10:53 AM FUTURE BLUES Willie Brown Can't tell my future, Lordy, I can't tell my past Lord it seems like every minute, sure gonna be my last. Well the minutes seems like hours, and the hours seems like days, yeah, the minutes seems like hours, and the hours seems like days, And it seems like my woman ought'a stop her low down ways. Ah the woman I love now, she's five feet from the ground I say woman I love now Lordy, five feet from the ground And she's a tailor-made, and ain't no hand-me-down. Lord and I got a woman now lordy and she lightnin' when she-- lightnin' when she-- Now thats wild-- I got a woman and she's lightnin' when she smile Five feet and four inches and she's just good huggin' size. Oh I know you see that picture now Lordy, up on your mother's-- Up on your mother's-- Mother's shelf I know you see that picture now, up on your mother's shelf Well you know by that I'm gettin' tired of sleepin' by myself. And it's "T" for Texas, now and it's "T" for Tennessee, And it's "T" for Texas, oh, it's "T" for Tennessee, God bless that woman that put that thing on me. Reissued on Yazoo 2002 "Masters of the Delta Blues" |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Gene E Date: 20 Jan 98 - 08:12 PM Jon W Good one. I think I have the same recording of Willy Brown sining that song on "Son House and The Great Delta Blues Singers." It's a great one. |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: DW Ditty Date: 21 Mar 98 - 11:22 PM Hey, Gene. When I spotted this thread, I somehow knew it was you - where you been? Don't have time to post right now, but I want to keep the thread alive. Sew long for now. DW |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Art Thieme Date: 22 Mar 98 - 01:24 AM "Mama & Papa Hopkins" (Lightnin' Hopkins) "Death Letter Blues" (Son House) "Stop And Listen" (Walter Vinson and the Mississippi Sheiks) |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: DWDitty Date: 22 Mar 98 - 05:52 AM Almost every version of Statesboro Blues - from Blind Willie McTell on up. Particularly dig aversion by David Bromberg I heard some years ago. |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: BFP Date: 22 Mar 98 - 10:38 PM How about Hank Williams's "I'm so lonesome I could die"? |
Subject: Lyr Add: STOP AND LISTEN BLUES^^ From: Jon W. Date: 23 Mar 98 - 11:54 AM Art mentioned "Stop and Listen Blues" but didn't post the lyrics. That's one of my favorites also, due to the intricate guitar rhythms, cutting fiddle, and intensely emotional and personal lyrics. The last line of each of the odd-numbered verses is sung with interjected falsetto (delta yodeling) which make them very difficult to understand but after many many listenings I think the way I have transcribed them is accurate.
STOP AND LISTEN BLUES |
Subject: Lyr Add: THAT'S WHY I'M WALKIN'^^ From: Mountain Dog Date: 23 Mar 98 - 12:44 PM "Favorite" for me depends upon a lot of things, including mood, season, but one I come back to time and again is a Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee version of "That's Why I'm Walkin"
My boss man is so mean I works just like a slave
I once had a car It were painted white and black
Well, I wouldn't tell a mule t'git up If he sat down in my lap |
Subject: Lyr Add: LEVEE CAMP BLUES^^ From: Gene E Date: 23 Mar 98 - 11:08 PM Hey look! This Favorite Blues Songs thread is back!! I've been so blue since it went away. I mean I don't know nuthin' about Irish songs and such. I begin to feel like a long line skinner with the shortest line. So I've been working on playing and singing my favorite blues songs. Ok all o' you blues types guess the writer / singer / artist. This is one version of some of the words to a pre-WWII blues song. Well I worked ol' Lou captain, You know I worked ol' Bell. I just can't find a mule with her shoulder well. I'm a long line skinner darlin'. You know I'm a long line skinner But I got that shortest line. You know I got my captain with a hard shootin' pistol. I'll take it from him in the mornin', You know if he makes me mad. ............................................. |
Subject: Lyr Add: PISTOL SLAPPIN' BLUES (Blind Boy Fuller) From: Frank in the swamps Date: 24 Mar 98 - 05:35 AM Blind boy Fuller, "Pistol slappin' blues". There are a lot of verses to this song that I don't remember. Gotta get an old-fashioned turntable so's I can hear all these old records again....
I know my bulldog, anywhere I hear him bark,
There's but two kinds of people in this world that I can't stand,
You didn't say you didn't love me, when you stretched out across my bed,
Well I feel like slappin' my pistol 'cross your face, Frank i.t.s.
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Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Frank in the swamps Date: 24 Mar 98 - 05:37 AM Oh, that wasn't in answer to Gene's question. I don't know that song. Frank. |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Jon W. Date: 24 Mar 98 - 10:35 AM Gene, I'll guess Fred McDowell. At least I've heard one of his songs that is something like that. |
Subject: Lyr Add: ULTIMATE BLUES (Clayton/Kraemer/Duncan^^^ From: Songster Bob Date: 24 Mar 98 - 01:08 PM Well, I'm no blues expert, but I always liked the "last blues lyric," which starts "I didn't wake up this morning!" In fact, I liked it so much I tried my hand at writing the rest of that particular song, with the help of some on-line friends. Here's the result. (The tune is pretty standard blues fare, but I can't point to a recorded example to show what it sounds like, so use your imaginations.)
Ultimate Blues |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Gene E Date: 24 Mar 98 - 08:48 PM Jon W. is right for fifty five cents! That song "Levee Camp Blues" was written in 1920 by Fred McDowell who didnt record it until the '60s. The cool thing about Fred is that he played and sang many versions of his songs with spare verses he saved and used when it struck him. Gene |
Subject: Lyr Add: WHAT'S THE MATTER NOW?^^ From: Gene E Date: 24 Mar 98 - 08:57 PM Like this one?
What's The Matter Now
Well, what's the matter now?
It was soon one mornin', everything was quiet,
Lord, bring me my pistol, Lord, my shotgun too,
Well, it's bye-bye, baby, I ain't got no more to say,
Rather see my woman come in sloppy drunk,
Well, it's bye bye, baby, Lord, if you call that gone, |
Subject: Lyr Add: KINDHEARTED WOMAN BLUES^^ From: Axe Date: 04 Apr 98 - 09:51 AM I'm new to Mudcat and I just found this thread. As Townes van Zandt reportedly said, "There's only two kinds of music... there's blues and then there's Zippity-Do-Dah". Anyway, here's one of my favourites:
Kindhearted Woman Blues - Robert Johnson |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: tom a. Date: 04 Apr 98 - 05:40 PM pops staples, "simple man" |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Gene E Date: 04 Apr 98 - 07:21 PM Welcome to Axe and tom a. Tom A. do I know you? |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: tom a. Date: 06 Apr 98 - 05:12 PM I don't think so gene, I'm new to the mud cat.This is the best blues discussion group I've found, I've bookmarked it and plan on checking in often |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Gene E Date: 06 Apr 98 - 10:48 PM Anyhow Tom, Welcome! We need all the blues fans we can get. To catch you up on the past few months I'm a large Missippi Fred McDowell fan so his songs are my favorites. Well the past few months of posts from my perspective. :} See ya 'round the Mudcat! |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Arkabutla Rick Date: 07 Apr 98 - 09:18 AM Favorite Blues Song? Easy question.One we can all relate to. "Slop Jar Blues" by Coon Elder Sittin on the slop jar, waitin for my bowels to move Sittin on the slop jar, waitin for my bowels to move I ain't constipated I got the slop jar blues.
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Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Corinna of California Date: 22 Apr 98 - 07:11 PM Soooo, where is the definitive list from before?? Could someone post an entry on the file to search for Mudcatter favs in the various genre (old english folk, irish folk, civil war laments, delta blues, Chicago blues, etc.)? |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Kate-Grace Mason Date: 18 May 98 - 07:05 PM Could someone please tell me the lyrics to these Charley Patton songs: -Bird Nest Bound -Tom Rushen Blues (or High Sheriff Blues) -Mississippi Bo Weavil Blues -Shake It And Break It -Dry Well Blues anything would be SO much appreciated! Also, does anyone have a copy of the book "King of the Delta Blues" by Stephen Calt? How is it? I'm trying to get a hold of a copy...Thanx, this page is AWESOME!!! |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Jon W. Date: 18 May 98 - 07:21 PM Welcome to Mudcat, Kate-Grace. I'll get these (I hope) tomorrow - they are all on the double LP put out by Yazoo Records called "Charley Patton: Founder of the Delta Blues." Liner notes contain the lyrics to all songs on it. Of course it's anybody's guess as to what Patton was really singing - he mumbled a lot. |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: murray@mpce.mq.edu.au Date: 15 Aug 98 - 03:35 AM Kate, amazon.com has the Calt book. You would make the people who provide the forum happy if you go to them from here--follow the "support the mudcat" link. When you are hooked up to amazon do a search for Calt, Stephen. Murray |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Brian Hoskin Date: 15 Aug 98 - 09:13 AM Kate, I've got a copy of the Calt and Wardlow book and, with certain reservations, its good. Just bear in mind that Stephen Calt likes to be contentious. Favorite blues songs - that's a difficult one, and mine change all the time. Today it's: Skip James - Devil Got My Woman Barbecue Bob - Ease It To Me Blues Curley Weaver - Sweet Petunia Bukka White - Parchman Farm Blues Tommy Johnson - Cool Drink of Water Blues Charley Patton - Jim Lee Blues Pt 1 Of course, tomorrow it'll be completely different! Brian |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: murray@mpce.mq.edu.au Date: 15 Aug 98 - 08:55 PM I was just going to say what Brian said. Everytime I see a thread like this, I think of a different answer. SOME of my favorites are: Son House - Death Letter Blues and Empire State Express Mississippi John Hurt - Let the Mermaids Flirt with Me and Louis Collins Mance Lipscome - Charlie James and Silver City Charley Patton - Some Summer Day and Elder Green Blues (which seems to have a tune similar to Charlie James) Murray |
Subject: Lyr Add: I WANT MY MONEY BACK^^ From: Barbara Date: 15 Aug 98 - 09:49 PM You let us other folks post to blues threads? I love a lot of the oldies, but here's a new one I also love:
I WANT MY MONEY BACK
When we first met you were such a prize.
You had delicate kisses and a permanent press.
CHORUS: I want my money back. 2X
BRIDGE: You got me in hot water and hung me out to dry.
When I love again I'll examine the label
BREAK, BRIDGE, CHORUS, |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Gene E Date: 16 Aug 98 - 12:48 AM Howdy all you bluEs types. I have to thank Murray for reminding me of Son House's Deth Letter Blues. A real favorite of mine. I got a letter this mornin' How d' you recon it read?................................. Gene |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Zorro Date: 16 Aug 98 - 07:51 AM For my money, Lightin' Hopkins was the greastest country blues singer, ever. And again, just me talking, his Penitentiary Blues, on Folkways ablum titled: "Lightin Hopkins.." was the greatest. |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: atechical@yahoo.com Date: 18 Aug 98 - 11:15 PM OK, this lyric fragment is posted in a "Lyrics Wanted" notice, but if we're going to talk about the blues I'll throw it in hoping someone can help a poor lost pilgrim. From a Canned Heat Album: Chorus Well I'm going to meet you, out in the sunshine Not in some secret rendezvous Because I'm tired, so tired of sneakin' all around town with you. Anybody know the rest of this one?
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Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Buzzy Date: 19 Aug 98 - 04:24 PM Big River - Song Lyrics Sung by Johnny Cash |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Jeremy J Date: 20 Aug 98 - 12:39 AM I am very new to computers, so I hope this works. My five favorite blues songs would have to include: Blind Lemon Jefferson: See That My Grave Is Kept Clean Mississippi John Hurt: Trouble i've Had it All My Days Bessie Smith's : Ain't Nobodys Buisness If I Do Dave Van Ronk: That'll Never Happen No More Sonny + Brownie: Born in The Blues About the Sonny and Brownie song, can anyone tell me if it's available on any CD's that are out there. I only have the song on an old video, when they were performing live at the CBC here in Canada. |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: JT$ Date: 21 Aug 98 - 07:07 PM I have so many that i'll just name my favorites growing up. From Texas: Albert Collins won my favor with " If Trouble Was Money" Lightnin' Hopkins with "Tim Moore's Blues". From the Delta, let's just say my son's name is McKinley and we call him "Muddy"
JT$ |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: murray@mpce.mq.edu.au Date: 21 Aug 98 - 08:02 PM I forgot one too. Bukka White playing "Poor boy a long way from home". He does it with his National on his lap sliding with a metal rod, and boy, does he get those high notes clean and sad. Murray |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Gene E Date: 27 Aug 98 - 09:32 PM Cool! |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: GUEST,Maritimesea Date: 15 Dec 06 - 05:21 PM Hehehe...talk about reviving a dead thread, I was searching for Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee's "Gonna Move Across The River" lyrics and stumbled in an eight year old thread. Well I hope everyone is still kickin out there! |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Wesley S Date: 15 Dec 06 - 05:47 PM I think this thread was just befoe my time. But I'll offer up: Come on in my Kitchen - Robert Johnson Devil Got my Woman - Skip James Let the Mermaids Flirt with Me - Mississippi John Hurt What the heck - anything and everything by MJH. |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Amos Date: 15 Dec 06 - 07:29 PM I've always loved Bessie's "Empty Bed Blues", "Up On Black Mountain", and "Ain't Done Runnin' Round". Among many others. A |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Joe_F Date: 15 Dec 06 - 09:59 PM "Make My Love Come Rolling Down" by Eric von Schmidt. |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: number 6 Date: 15 Dec 06 - 10:13 PM the previously mentioned "Levee Camp Blues" .. Son House version. and I'll add "Dust my Broom" .. Elmore James version. biLL |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Azizi Date: 15 Dec 06 - 10:25 PM When this thread started in 1998, there was nothing like YouTube. But in 2006, we have the oppotunity to not just talk about the Blues but also see & hear the Blues. I'm not sayin this song is my favorite Blues as I'm too new in the Blues scene to have a real favorite yet. But I'm betting that some folks here might be interested in watching this video clip and reading the comments posted about it. So here it is-Son House "Country Blues" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSkR0jnBbaI&search=Son%20Thomas%20delta%20blues%20guitar Added to Youtube September 13, 2006; From baz140 |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Azizi Date: 15 Dec 06 - 10:46 PM number 6 , with regard to your mention of Son House, "Great minds and all that Blues!" With regard to "Dust My Broom", here's two YouTube Clips of that song: Howlin' Wolf - I Believe I'll Dust My Broom http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YgG5NsJyvo&mode=related&search= Added to YouTube November 04, 2006 ; From shockg ** Elmore James Jr. - "Dust My Broom" live http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbOieU5ev_c Added to YouTube September 12, 2006 ; From checker758 "Elmore James Jr., who claims to be the actual son of the late blues great Elmore James, performs one of his dad's most famous songs at the "New Maxwell Street Market" (actually located on Canal St. in Chicago) in the summer of 2005. (Sorry for the short clip - it's all I have of this song.)" |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Azizi Date: 15 Dec 06 - 10:55 PM Or how about this song?- Black Ace - Sweet Mama http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7WiZvSflTs&NR Added to YouTube October 17, 2006 ; From Mandy39 "1963 film" or how about this one? - sonny boy williamson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0onTraMljqA&mode=related&search= Added To YouTube March 11, 2006 ; From MattySlim -snip- For what it's worth [and it's not worth much], that Sonny Boy Williamson is my favorite of those videos that I posted thus far. |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: GUEST,Scoville at Dad's Date: 15 Dec 06 - 11:50 PM Oh, I always liked "Come on in my Kitchen". I even like the Allman Brothers' version (did Shades of Two Worlds ever go back into production? I had to get a used copy on eBay). She's not delta blues, but we all like Etta Baker around here. Freaking amazing guitarist. |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Johnhenry'shammer Date: 16 Dec 06 - 01:11 AM Rev. Gary Davis: "Children of Zion" Dave Van Ronk: "12 Gates to the City," "Cocaine" Blind Willie Johnson: "If I Had My Way I'd Tear the Building Down" Son House: "Levee Camp Moan" |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: Elmer Fudd Date: 16 Dec 06 - 03:03 AM Feel So Bad, Feel Like A Ball Game on a Rainy Day (Sam "Lightnin' " Hopkins) You Got to Go Back to Mother Earth (Memphis Slim; also performed by Mother Earth) Messin' With the Kid (Junior Wells; also performed by Nick Gravenites) Got My Mojo Workin' (Muddy Waters; also performed by Paul Butterfield Blues Band) Hoodoo Man Blues (Junior Wells) Gimme a Pigfoot (performed by Bessie Smith, Billie Holliday) Texas Flood (Stevie Ray Vaughan) (Love is like) A Ball and Chain (Willie Mae Thornton; also performed by Janis Joplin) |
Subject: RE: Favorite Blues Songs From: GUEST,Tunesmith Date: 16 Dec 06 - 03:34 AM This has probably all been said before but... I like the "Walkin' Blues" body of songs, but, with the blues, maybe it's the individual performance that "makes the song". With that in mind, Son House's " Jinx Blues" would be my favourite. |
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