Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: gillymor
Date: 18 May 20 - 11:20 AM

I totally forgot about too soon gone Hollywood Fats, his one and only LP was such an inspiration to us back in the '80's.
Okie Dokie Stomp
We went up to Dallas to see him in a club and his playing was just so jazzy and carefree and full of good humor and his band could really swing.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: GUEST,Rob Mad Jock Wright
Date: 17 May 20 - 05:07 PM

Well said it before and saying it again British Blues slide guitarist Kevin Brown must be on the list . Love his albums Mohave Dust and Tin Church.
The bonus is he is live streaming regularly.

Not one to miss.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 May 20 - 04:58 PM

Here's a brilliant Web page that helps identify blues songs.

https://quizlet.com/444409171/history-of-blues-midterm-1-song-identification-flash-cards/

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: Stewie
Date: 05 Mar 20 - 08:49 PM

In a similar vein to that posted above by Kenny, there is Patrick Sky's 'Child Molesting Blues'. It is totally politically incorrect and comes from his classic swipe at all and sundry - 'Songs that made America famous'. There was thread on it:

Click

For those unaware of the album, they can listen to the song and the entire album here:

Album

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Mar 20 - 05:16 PM

matt,tin what sort of way? ,neither of them yodelled, both of them were much more accomplished as guitarists

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: matt milton
Date: 05 Mar 20 - 04:08 PM

...although such was the popularity of white singer Jimmy Rodgers that there are one or two songs in the sizeable repertoires of Blind Blake and Blind Lemon Jefferson that are distinctively Rodgers-esque.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: GUEST,Joseph Scott
Date: 05 Mar 20 - 03:24 PM

"If someone is singing or playing a blues song I really don't care what category someone says they belong to." Amen. Louis Jordan wasn't trying to sound like Jimmie Rodgers who wasn't trying to sound like Booker White who wasn't trying to sound like Skip James who wasn't trying to sound like Papa Charlie Jackson and that's just the way it is.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: GUEST,Joseph Scott
Date: 05 Mar 20 - 03:22 PM

Here's an overlooked recording by someone occasionally remembered, Buster Ezell:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDH6X_lhZXU

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: matt milton
Date: 05 Mar 20 - 12:13 PM

My new favourite old blues singer is Charley Jordan. Dunno why I never heard of him before a few months ago - I thought I new my old pre-war bluesmen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxpA5S4x6t8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjYz80E94VA

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 05 Mar 20 - 05:15 AM

https://youtu.be/OL0F8HiKp6Q

:)

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: Neil D
Date: 04 Mar 20 - 10:22 PM

Charlie Patton, Mississippi John Hurt, Little Walter, Robert Lockwood Jr.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: Stewie
Date: 03 Mar 20 - 08:15 PM

Here is something gathered from coincidence. David Allen Coe's debut album 'Penitentiary Blues' is raw but worth a listen. It was inspired by his considerable number of years behind bars and different from his subsequent output. You can listen to it on Youtube and the CD is still available.

Album

My favourite track:

Walkin' bum

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: keberoxu
Date: 03 Mar 20 - 05:09 PM

Peter Green's live recording of Duster Bennett's
"Jumping at Shadows"
has enough music in a few minutes
for another guitarist/singer 's entire album.
Time stops when I listen to it.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: gillymor
Date: 03 Mar 20 - 04:07 PM

If someone is singing or playing a blues song I really don't care what category someone says they belong to.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 03 Mar 20 - 03:46 PM

Looking at some entries above it never ceases to amaze me how many people classify rock musicians and musicians from various other musical genres as Blues Singers just because they sometimes sing or play a blues number.

It reminds me of the book "Blues Who's Who" published some years back which included Woody Guthrie and a girl singer from Yorkshire.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: GUEST,Joseph Scott
Date: 02 Mar 20 - 06:16 PM

Some Scott Dunbar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrRkbq_Er7Y

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: Nick
Date: 15 Feb 20 - 11:19 AM

Ooh... I do like those. But very partial to Boz Scaggs' voice

Big thumbs up to those

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: gillymor
Date: 15 Feb 20 - 07:33 AM

You don't hear much about Fenton Robinson any more, I thought he had an elegant style.

Texas Flood

Somebody Loan Me a Dime

Boz Scaggs did a fine recording of the latter with Duane Allman on gtr.

Boz

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: gillymor
Date: 13 Feb 20 - 04:33 PM

I saw Stevie Ray a couple of times before he hit it really big and my ears were ringing for a couple of days after but I never heard a more inventive blues guitarist, it seemed like he could go on all night. Great singer too. Jimmie was very different, a minimalist compared to his brother but so gritty and groovacious. He came up with so many great riffs in the T-Bird days. I kind of lost track of him after that except for the album they did together, "Family Style" that was quite good. I think Stevie kind of dialed it down a bit to fit in on that one.

I like those Joe Bonnamassa gear videos. He's an entertaining guy and he can play.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: Nick
Date: 13 Feb 20 - 04:04 PM

Definitely Jimmie. Unnecessary ‘Ray’ added. I think Stevie was already dead.

1990 or 1991. Second row of the stalls in the Albert Hall so very close

Stevie trebly? Try ‘Stang’s Swang’ off Couldnt stand the weather.

And Joe Bonamassa very impressive. Sad I never saw Peter Green in his prime.

Saw Walter Trout when he was on his old liver. Was good. And Hendrix was no slouch when playing straight blues. Probably one of the aspects of his playing that I liked. The world of feedback and experiment I found a bit tedious.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: Joe_F
Date: 13 Feb 20 - 03:32 PM

Eric von Schmidt, Make my Love Come Rolling Down.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 13 Feb 20 - 03:24 PM

I bought a Stevie Ray CD back in the 90s because I thought I ought to,
but I found his guitar tone too treble ear piercing,
which put me off straight away..

These days Joe Bonamassa is very prominent on youtube
because of his vintage guitar and amp collecting,
as much as his superior musicianship...

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: gillymor
Date: 13 Feb 20 - 03:10 PM

Jeremy Spencer of the old Fleetwood Mac did a lot of Elmore James.
It looks like the band is playing to the album track judging from the lack of guitar cables.

Shake You Money Maker

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: gillymor
Date: 13 Feb 20 - 02:47 PM

Are you confusing Jimmie Vaughan with his brother Stevie Ray or vice versa, Nick?
I'm a big fan of both, saw them together in Austin in the 80's when Jimmie was in the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Quite s memorable evening. T-birds Kim Wilson was another favorite, a great harpist, singer and songwriter.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: Nick
Date: 13 Feb 20 - 01:50 PM

Big Albert Collins fan too. Saw him onstage with Clapton, Buddy Guy, Robert Krause and Jimmy Ray Vaughan and I thought he was the one who stood out.

And I’m partial to BB King singing.

Bonnie Raitt works for me too. Glad to see her play about 10’ away last year

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 13 Feb 20 - 10:21 AM

I totally agree with your last sentence pfr..it dosen't have to be complicated it just has to be honest and heartfelt. It isn't always "the best" musicians who are the most inspiring.
I have learned a lot and been introduced to a lot of new (to me) stuff on this thread, thanks.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 13 Feb 20 - 09:14 AM

"He played in a rudimentary fashion but his intensity in his playing and singing is what drew me in."

..sounds like a description of the best punk rock..

Arguably, there is an intrinsic universal spirit of perseverance, resistance, defiance, and protest,
that crosses and unites musical genres...

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: gillymor
Date: 13 Feb 20 - 08:06 AM

He played in a rudimentary fashion but his intensity in his playing and singing is what drew me in.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: PHJim
Date: 13 Feb 20 - 07:59 AM

On 08 Feb 20, at 05:34 PM, GUEST,Pseudonymous said, "Elmore James does that open-tuning slide guitar stuff, (over and over again I sometimes feel, though very well) not harp."
_________________________________________________________________

I recall reading a Frank Zappa interview where he said something like, "Elmore James is my favourite slide player. He played the same solo for every song, but I get the feeing he really meant it."

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: gillymor
Date: 13 Feb 20 - 07:53 AM

Rope Stretching Blues- Daddy Stovepipe
D.S. captured that Blind Blake bounce, John Miller also got it.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: gillymor
Date: 13 Feb 20 - 07:34 AM

Bobby Radcliff- Catfish Blues
I loved to see Bobby in a trio format, he kept the rhythm part going and did call and response with himself.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: GUEST,Pseudonymous
Date: 13 Feb 20 - 07:28 AM

What about a mention for Sylvester Weaver and Sara Martin, just on the basis of Weaver being recorded so early?

Examples on You Tube:

Guitar Rag (on OKEH originally)
Guitar Blues
Weaver Roamin Blues

Document Records produced a complete works. The 'discogs' web site has a discography. Some of his work is on youtube, some on Spotify.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: GUEST,Rob Mad Jock Wright
Date: 13 Feb 20 - 03:55 AM

British Bluesign guitarist Kevin Brown is a must for the list. Two of his best albums are Tin Church and MoAve Dust.
Think he is on hols in Goa at present

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: gillymor
Date: 11 Feb 20 - 08:15 PM

Magic Sam was so good, I used to wear out his West Side Soul LP.

Mama Mama Talk to your Daughter

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: gillymor
Date: 11 Feb 20 - 07:55 PM

Those two go together like ham and eggs.

One of my favorites-
TAJ MAHAL - Leaving Trunk w/ Jesse Ed Davis on gtr.

Bobby Radcliff with the Nighthawks - Dresses too Short Two the the great D.C. area blues acts back in the 70's and still going strong, so I hear. This medium quality video doesn't fully capture the full intensity of a Radcliff performance but it comes close. Mark Wenner on the harp.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: Nick
Date: 11 Feb 20 - 03:51 PM

Used to play this song years and years ago

Taj Mahal and Keb Mo do it rather well - Diving Duck Blues

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 11 Feb 20 - 12:17 PM

'From New Orleans To Chicago' by Champion Jack Dupree - not deep blues but Jack was a man who made his home in this country and hence we'd see him a great deal around the clubs in the 60s. A fair few white boys in his pickup band - Clapton, Mayall etc. On Decca originally (Mayall's label back then) Nice laid back feel. It reminds me of Dansette listening in my mate's front room with bottles of Guinness, so it'a sentimental listen for sure. I still have the vinyl but BGO reissued it on CD a few years back.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 11 Feb 20 - 12:01 PM

"Confessin' the Blues" - Various Artists

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 11 Feb 20 - 10:00 AM

I listened to some Magic Sam on Amazon music yesterday,
and he seemed all over the place..

Blues, soul, rockabilly.. a right masher up of genres..

Love his guitar sound, he used his amp FX to the max...



Btw.. so who was the 1970s Sonny Boy, touring provincial UK venues...???

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 11 Feb 20 - 09:41 AM

Well, I sure have learned a lot here and enjoyed many of the suggestions. I am still working my way through your suggestions Stewie, really like Hop Wilson.
I have a lot of Albums by Jimmie Rodgers, The singing Brakeman, I love his stuff, but is he blues or country ?
I n my opening post I mentioned Ellen MacIllwaine as one of my favourites, does anyone else listen to her. Her first Album, sort of, The Real Ellen Macillwaine is one of my all time favourits lps.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 11 Feb 20 - 06:03 AM

Sonny Boy Williamson(2) Alec "Rice" Miller seems to be being criticised by Joseph Scott for not even bothering to sound like John Lee (Sonny Boy) Williamson.

Why would he want to? He had his own style and a pretty distinct one at that.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: Stewie
Date: 10 Feb 20 - 07:02 PM

HiLo, I agree that Little Walter was the best. Blues doesn't come any better than this;

Sad hours

Hop Wilson's 'Houston ghetto blues' album was a cracker:

Hop Wilson

'1949 Country Blues' is a gem of an album:

Dan Pickett

This Dutch bluesman is always worth a listen:

Hans Theesink

Bill Williams was a fine bluesman/songster who was recorded late in life. His albums on
on Blue Goose are beaut.

Bill Williams

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: gillymor
Date: 10 Feb 20 - 03:42 PM

Thanks to this thread I'm listening to Sonny Boy II for the first time in a while. Eyesight to The Blind, One Way Out, Help Me... that guy could swing.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 10 Feb 20 - 02:33 PM

The one we saw in the mid 70s was at least a third Sonny Boy...???

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: GUEST,Joseph Scott
Date: 10 Feb 20 - 01:54 PM

"I found it interesting that you think of him" FWIW Holcomb was asked what kind of singer he was and said blues singer.

There was only one Sonny Boy Williamson. Because Sonny Boy was hugely popular and influential (e.g. harmonica became much more popular in blues music because of him), Rice Miller chose to be a local and eventually -- after Sonny Boy's death at a young age -- international imposter who didn't even bother to sound like Sonny Boy and lied that he was the "original" Sonny Boy when Sonny Boy came up.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 10 Feb 20 - 01:49 PM

Pfr; I just had my first listen to Jo Ann Kelly...Jaysus, why wasn't she world famous.I just loved it. Thanks for the Mention.
Stewie, also just listened to Luke Jordan, whom I had never heard of, and liked it a lot. He goes back a long way, dosen't he ?
   I have got to stop running to you tube to hear all of these great suggestions, I'll never get another thing done !

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: Nick
Date: 10 Feb 20 - 12:14 PM

I'm a big fan of Matt Schofield. Looks over his shoulder at many of the great guitarists that preceded him but has lots of stuff that is him. Paid his dues along the way. Anything But Time but could have picked any of his albums. Never bores me whether playing slow or fast. Fluent, inventive and tasteful.

Aynsley Lister I have seen a few times and like too.

Guthrie Govan isn't a blues player but quite impressive when he does. Will evoke the 'too many notes' response I know. And another
Sure you can find others. Sometimes I like a lot of notes and seeing someone who can and still appears to be playing within himself.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: Elmore
Date: 10 Feb 20 - 10:47 AM

My favorite blues artists are Rev. Gary Davis, Paul Rishell and Annie Raines, and Son House, all of whom I was lucky enough to see perform live several times. I suppose it might be argued that Rev. Davis was a gospel singer, but he did plenty of blues and ragtime. Big Al Whittle is not too shabby either.

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: gillymor
Date: 10 Feb 20 - 09:24 AM

Jo Ann Kelly was a force of nature.

Freddie King - Goin Down

Subject: RE: Favourite Blues Albums/ Singers
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 10 Feb 20 - 09:21 AM

It seems Sonny Boy was something like a McDonalds franchise..

There were different Sonny Boys popping up all over the world at various times;
in the days before 'tribute acts, were so common or legitimate...

Me and my mates saw one of the Sonny Boys at a west country Arts Centre circa 1975...

Dodgy promoters could get away with that sort of thing way out in the provinces,
decades before google and wiki...