Warren (User)
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10 Early Artists Who Defined the Blues 3 Years, 2 Months ago
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https://www.liveabout.com/early-blues-artists-4134323
Happier New Year Everybody, and y'all should know that in spite of 1956 being a good year - arguably Elvis' peak year - it's hard to top 1941. 
Enjoy the link.
Cheers. |
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Derek (User)
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Re:10 Early Artists Who Defined the Blues 3 Years, 2 Months ago
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Thanks Warren, and a happy new year to you too!
And thank you for an entertaining list. Of course you could pick many people as part of that but I'm just chuffed they included my favourite early bluesman, Tommy Johnson. He so often gets missed by people (and is certainly the most obscure of people listed there) but he's an incredible singer whose guitar style was incredibly influential around the Jackson area and beyond. Go Tommy!
(You could actually argue that the odd one out there is Robert Johnson, of whom it says: "Johnson is the cornerstone artist of the blues". That may be true now but until the rerelease of his music in the early sixties he really wasn't widely revered as he is now.)
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Warren (User)
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Re:10 Early Artists Who Defined the Blues 3 Years, 2 Months ago
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Thanks, Derek.
Possibly one reason why Tommy Johnson gets "missed" is that he produced a limited number of recordings. In addition, I think he got left in the wake of all the fuss about Robert Johnson.
I tend to agree with your point about Robert; there was all that selling-his-soul-to-the-devil business that "dressed up" his legacy. Don't get me wrong; he made some great recordings. But it seems not to have occurred to some that with a pair of hands like his, combined with plenty of practice and the time to do so, he could well have become a gifted guitar player in a relatively short period of time.
As for the list, there is a glaring omission, IMO: Blind Willie McTell, a performer whose records I owned some years before Bob's song surfaced, and I would drop Lead Belly from the list, mainly because I see him as a songster, rather than a blues-man. Besides, the 12-string guitar wouldn't be sacrificed with McTell replacing him.
I don't think there's any question that Dylan citing Patton in "Highwater (For Charley Patton)" and the song, "Blind Willie McTell," itself, are accidents. I see them as serving as signposts for the still unborn who will surface after Bob is dead and gone and who will gravitate towards his music. As well, it can certainly be Bob paying homage and letting it be known that mere mortal that he is (or, was), he stands on the shoulders of giants. And he just might be saying to future generations - reading between the lines - to look to other places besides Robert Johnson's crossroads.
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Last Edit: 2021/02/03 12:09 By Warren.
Reason: typos & word change
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Derek (User)
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Re:10 Early Artists Who Defined the Blues 3 Years, 2 Months ago
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Yes, I agree about Leadbelly. Fantastic though he was I don't think he's really a blues singer in the sense of the others.
And much as I love Willie McTell, and am constantly astounded by his using a slide on a 12-string, I think if I had to add one more to that list it would be Skip James. He was just so extraordinary and complex and emotive. Some of those early sides were spine-tingling with his minor-tuned guitar and spooky high voice.
I've heard that he was somewhat bitter in later years as he felt he had never been sufficiently appreciated as a musical genius on par with Mozart which is how he regarded himself. And when I listen to some of those intricate arrangements I sometimes wonder if he wasn't right. Also, a helluva piano player, again unique and astounding (check out "If You Haven't Any Hay Get On Down The Road" for an amazing early piano blues).
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Warren (User)
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Re:10 Early Artists Who Defined the Blues 3 Years, 2 Months ago
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I'm with you about Skip, Derek. And when I first heard "Hay," it was as if I was being transported to another world. Lights low, and in the wee hours, here's the man:
https://www.sendspace.com/file/0idii3 |
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Derek (User)
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Re:10 Early Artists Who Defined the Blues 3 Years, 2 Months ago
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Brilliant! What a incredible song that is.
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Re:10 Early Artists Who Defined the Blues 3 Years, 2 Months ago
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I agree that Leadbelly shouldn't be there.
And Warren is quite right Bobby points the way with Patton and McTell.
But about Robert Johnson.
I got the complete recordings (1 cd, 22 ? tracks) years ago.
On the basis of the reputation. From Bobby. Also the loathsome Keef and El Clappo.
All of them said he was the best.
So I listened and listened. Didn't get it. Didn't get it.
I was in Kathmandu, it was wonderful then a dollar a cd.
Got El Clappo 'Me and Mr Johnson'.
An MTV CD for WASPS.
In the Buddha bar I was watching a footy game. Nepal v Bhutan.
I asked but nobody knew what the score was!
So , if you can't beat them, join them!(ED
Burnt a few.
Then, put on the Robert Johnson cd. Well, obviously, there's a context here, but it was like
the first time I heard him. Made complete sense.
And I think he's rightly up there. Despite all that crossroads shyte. And the newish legend.
My current favs are Son House. 'John The Revelator' scares me to death!
If Son House says it's Sunday. It's Sunday!
Also loving Lightnin' Hopkins at the moment.
Just my thoughts.
ian
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Warren (User)
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Re:10 Early Artists Who Defined the Blues 3 Years, 2 Months ago
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^
Funny story, Ian.
I was going to post a pic of House the night I saw him, in 1965. I used to be able to do that stuff with my eyes shut.
Can anyone give me a refresher course of how to post a pic?
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Derek (User)
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Re:10 Early Artists Who Defined the Blues 3 Years, 2 Months ago
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Can I second that request - I wanted to post some of Bob's new artworks but I'm buggered if i can work out how to...
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