Lyr/Tune Req: Delta blues songs

Subject: Delta blues lyrics sought
From: Steve
Date: 17 Feb 99 - 06:45 PM

I'm seeking a source for older Delta Blues lyrics and music. 'Fishing Blues', 'Annie's Lover', performed by Taj Mahal & 'Candy Man' by Mississippi John Hurt are examples of the Delta/Country/Folk Blues I'm interested in finding.

Subject: RE: Delta blues lyrics sought
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 17 Feb 99 - 07:52 PM

Hi Steve,

You must be new, so let me lead you around the Mudcat Cafe a bit. Here on the forum we love to help people find out lyrics, tunes, and general information about blues and folk music.

But we are lazy as well and would like you to do the work when you can.

First, there is a database of thousands of song lyrics that you can access via "Search the Digitrad Database" in the blue box at the upper right hand corner of your screen. For instance, I type [candy man] in the white rectangle and clicked "Search." By George, those lyrics for which you are looking are right there. The brackets [ ] tell the search engine to look for that exact phrase.

There is another source of lyrics. That is this forum which has been running for several years. All of it is archived. You can access it by clicking on the blue "Forum Search" at the top of the main page. You can search for a keyword or phrase either as a thread "subject" or in the "body" of a thread.

You could also search the DT by typing in @blues. That will get you all of the blues songs in the data base.

Finally, if you still are lost, ask for a specific song. We work best with one request per thread. For instance, you might start a thread entitled LYR REQ: Fishing Blues. We usually jump right on these requests. There is a broad range of experience on the Mudcat Forum, we will seldom let you down.

Welcome, Steve, to the Mudcat Cafe Discussion Forum. There will not be a test next week. If you need more help, just ask.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Delta blues lyrics sought
From: dwditty
Date: 18 Feb 99 - 10:22 AM

In addition to info found here, there is a great book called, "The Blues Line" that contains the lyrics to several hundred blues songs - Delta, Texas, Piedmont, Chicago, etc.

Subject: RE: Delta blues lyrics sought
From: Steve
Date: 18 Feb 99 - 10:59 AM

Roger, thanks for the introduction/mini tour of the Mudcat Cafe.......dwitty, thank you forthe line on the book.

Subject: RE: Delta blues lyrics sought
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 18 Feb 99 - 11:04 AM

Another good source for blues lyrics is the following:

www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Delta/2541/

It may have some of lyrics that DigiTrad doesn't.

On another note (No pun intended), I have been a blues fan for years, finding the blues the same way that most people of my generation did, through rock of the late sixties and early seventies. Johnny Winter, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, The Stones etc. I have since tried to find their influences and have become a big fan of Robert Johnson, Muddy, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter etc, . I had heard of Taj Mahal for years, but had never actually heard him. I picked up Taj's Blues about a month ago on a whim and flat out love it. He has such great feel. Fishin' Blues is one neat song. Do you know what tuning he uses as I want to try to figure it out? I really like East Bay Women, his version of Statesboro Blues I'll certainly be getting more of his material.

Good Luck finding what you're after.

Regards,

Steve Latimer

Subject: RE: Delta blues lyrics sought
From: puzzled
Date: 18 Feb 99 - 05:40 PM

Not only are the tunings from Taj Mahal great, his rhythm is awe inspiring.
I, too, Thank you, Roger, for giving such a nice clean explanation. It should definitely be part of the "Mudcat Introductory Course".

Subject: RE: Delta blues lyrics sought
From: dwditty
Date: 18 Feb 99 - 10:14 PM

I've always played Fishin Blues in Dropped D Tuning. I believe the song is generally attributed Henry Thomas.

DW

Subject: RE: Delta blues lyrics sought
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 19 Feb 99 - 12:39 PM

DWditty, thanks, I play the 5 string banjo badly, but think that "Fishin' Blues" would be a great tun for my instrument.

Taj Fan's, as I said, I just got Taj's Blues. What should I get next? I prefer the acoustic stuff from what I've heard so far.

Subject: RE: Delta blues lyrics sought
From: Steve
Date: 19 Feb 99 - 12:56 PM

Steve L., as a long time Taj fan I suggest "Take a Giant Step", lots of acoustic and banjo. Another worth listening to is "Rising Sons", Taj and Ry Cooder together.

Subject: RE: Delta blues lyrics sought
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 19 Feb 99 - 02:52 PM

Steve,

Thank you. I saw a listing for "Take a Giant Step/De Old Folks at Home" it would appear that this is a two CD set, how is Dofah?

Steve L

Subject: RE: Delta blues lyrics sought
From: Steve
Date: 19 Feb 99 - 03:08 PM

Steve L.,

It is a single CD with 23 cuts, the entire album is excellent. I have a nearly 30 year old vinyl copy I pull out and play on occasion just to hear it with the scratches. Reminds me of some of the old Sun & Chess recordings.

Subject: RE: Delta blues lyrics sought
From: GUEST,mary
Date: 13 Feb 00 - 03:49 PM

We are looking for lyrics to Take A Giant Step from Taj Mahal. Can anyone help, please? thx

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: TAKE A GIANT STEP (Taj Mahal)
From: Owlkat
Date: 13 Feb 00 - 11:34 PM

Hi hi,

Look what I found.
Enjoy
TAKE A GIANT STEP- Taj Mahal
Drop E down to D (DADGBE)
D
Though you failed at love and lost
D/C
And sorrow's turned your heart to frost
D/B
D I will mend your heart again
Remember the feeling as a child
When you woke up and morning smiled
Its time its time its time you felt like that again
CHORUS:
D C D C
There is just no percentage in remembering the past
D C G B
Its time you learned to live again and love at last
G D
Come with me leave your yesterday your yesterday behind
G D
And take a giant step outside your mind
You stare at me with disbelief
You say for you there's no relief
But girl I swear it won't do you no harm
Don't sit there in your lonely room
Just looking back inside that gloom
Mama that's not were you belong
Come with me I'll take you where the taste of life is green
N' Everyday everyday hold on woman just got to be seen
Come with me leave your yesterday your yesterday behind
And take a giant step outside your mind
FIRST VERSE, CHORUS

NOTE: This song really needs two guitars to give it justice, but I've worked it out here for one.
For the verse chords, there is a little riff to play on each, on the first string. Something like this:
E ---2-0h2-3-2-0-2---2-0h2-3-2-0-2---2-0h2-3-2-0-2----
B ---3-3---3-3-3-3---3-3---3-3-3-3---3-3---3-3-3-3----
G ---2-2---2-2-2-2---0-0---0-0-0-0---0-0---0-0-0-0----
D ----------------------------------------------------
A -----------------3---------------2------------------
D -0-----------------------------------------------0--
D: 0 0 0 2 3 2 G: 5 0 0 0 0 3 C: x 3 2 0 1 0
B: x 2 4 4 4 2 D/C: 0 3 0 0 3 2 D/B: 0 2 0 0 3 2

Cheers,
Owlkat.

Subject: RE: Delta blues lyrics sought
From: Owlkat
Date: 13 Feb 00 - 11:38 PM

Hi hi,

Guess the chords got a little muddled, but if you know the tune, it'll make sense.
It was originally written,(I think) by either Neil Sedaka, or Carole King/Gerry Goffin.
I do know that it was recorded and was a hit for the Monkees.
There, I'm done.
Owl.

Subject: RE: Delta blues lyrics sought
From: Stewie
Date: 15 Feb 00 - 07:10 PM

Steve, I'll post the lyrics of 'Fishing Blues', as recorded by Henry Thomas, as a 'lyr add' thread.

Stewie.

Subject: RE: Delta blues lyrics sought
From: Lucille
Date: 30 Sep 00 - 10:23 AM

Wow!