I have been wondering a lot, how come there is no thread about the Blues?? I want to start a thread about it, right here, right now
Since the Blues in general had a revival a few years ago, you should be able to contribute, with something?? I dont need to tell you guy's that the Blues was the mother, giving birth to Rock, do I? Blues, is pretty much the roots, all the rest is the fruits Willie Dixon, quote The quote, pretty much says it all!
My personal favourites include these : Skip James, Robert Johnson, Blind Willie Johnson, Son House, Muddy Waters and Albert king I would include some more, if pressed
Like J.B. Lenoir What an artist!! I know there is a bunch of Blues fans out there. What do you listen to?? Lets hear about it!
I am gonna see Joe Bonamassa, next month!!
Steen
Since the Blues in general had a revival a few years ago, you should be able to contribute, with something?? I dont need to tell you guy's that the Blues was the mother, giving birth to Rock, do I? Blues, is pretty much the roots, all the rest is the fruits Willie Dixon, quote The quote, pretty much says it all!My personal favourites include these : Skip James, Robert Johnson, Blind Willie Johnson, Son House, Muddy Waters
and Albert king I would include some more, if pressed Like J.B. Lenoir
What an artist!! I know there is a bunch of Blues fans out there. What do you listen to?? Lets hear about it!I am gonna see Joe Bonamassa, next month!!
Steen
I consider Muddy Waters the most important person of the 20th century. For me he's the inventor of music. Before him there was nothing. But at the same time I don't listen much to anything blues. Some of the worst music I know of, other than anything made by that Lloyd Webber guy, is blues. It's probably the hardest music to do right. It relies on honesty. At the same time it all too easily falls into cliché and camp.
Anyway, of "newisher blues artists, my vote goes to old man T-Model Ford.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=t-model+ford
Anyway, of "newisher blues artists, my vote goes to old man T-Model Ford.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=t-model+ford
Before I go to bed.
Blues is best live. And the Swedish Deltahead is no different. The album is so-so. But it's one of the best live bands in the history of the universe. A better description of the music is punk blues.
Web site and tour dates are here. If you're luck they're coming your way.
Blues is best live. And the Swedish Deltahead is no different. The album is so-so. But it's one of the best live bands in the history of the universe. A better description of the music is punk blues.
Web site and tour dates are here. If you're luck they're coming your way.
phn: " I consider Muddy Waters the most important person of the 20th century. For me he's the inventor of music. Before him there was nothing. ..."
Hear, hear, lets hear it for Muddy ..."Folk Singer" = "The most talked about "true audiophile" blues recordings ever. Captured from the original 1964 Chess analog master tapes, this true 24 / 96 and 24/192 transfer will bring the intimate and spooky studio production further into your listening room than ever before. ... Check this out: http://www.classicrecords.com/item.cfm?item=HDAD 2008 ... DVD-A player required ... or ... get the vinyl here: http://www.vinylbutiken.com/ (the CD is a poor substitute for either = 1/2 the dynamic range, 1/4 the pleasure).
Everyone interested in blues or interested in high quality digital reproduction should take a listen ... and after listening, you will appreciate the blues.
I tell my students of the recording art to listen to this to get a feel for microphone placement, usage and control = Muddy is the best. Check out also his mic usage on "The Last Waltz" DVD video.
Hear, hear, lets hear it for Muddy ..."Folk Singer" = "The most talked about "true audiophile" blues recordings ever. Captured from the original 1964 Chess analog master tapes, this true 24 / 96 and 24/192 transfer will bring the intimate and spooky studio production further into your listening room than ever before. ... Check this out: http://www.classicrecords.com/item.cfm?item=HDAD 2008 ... DVD-A player required ... or ... get the vinyl here: http://www.vinylbutiken.com/ (the CD is a poor substitute for either = 1/2 the dynamic range, 1/4 the pleasure).
Everyone interested in blues or interested in high quality digital reproduction should take a listen ... and after listening, you will appreciate the blues.
I tell my students of the recording art to listen to this to get a feel for microphone placement, usage and control = Muddy is the best. Check out also his mic usage on "The Last Waltz" DVD video.
Nice thread. I prefer well recorded blues. So John Lee Hooker (the Pointblank CDs) is my favourite.
There's a funny reading I've found about how to sing the blues. Here it is:
"How To Sing The Blues
(attrib. to Memphis Earlene Gray with help from Uncle Plunky)
1. Most blues begin "woke up this morning."
2. "I got a good woman" is a bad way to begin the blues, unless you stick something nasty in the next line. I got a good woman - with the meanest dog in town.
3. Blues are simple. After you have the first line right, repeat it. Then find something that rhymes. Sort of. Got a good woman with the meanest dog in town. He got teeth like Margaret Thatcher and he weighs about 500 pounds.
4. The blues are not about limitless choice.
5. Blues cars are Chevies and Cadillacs. Other acceptable blues transportation is Greyhound bus or a southbound train. Walkin' plays a major part in the blues lifestyle. So does fixin' to die.
6. Teenagers can't sing the blues. Adults sing the blues. Blues adulthood means old enough to get the electric chair if you shoot a man in Memphis.
7. You can have the blues in New York City, but not in Brooklyn or Queens. Hard times in Vermont or North Dakota are just a depression. Chicago, St. Louis, and Kansas City are still the best places to have the blues.
8. The following colors do not belong in the blues:
a. violet
b. beige
c. mauve
9. You can't have the blues in an office or a shopping mall; the lighting is wrong.
10. Good places for the Blues:
a. the highway
b. the jailhouse
c. the empty bed
Bad places:
a. Ashrams
b. Gallery openings
c. weekend in the Hamptons
11. No one will believe it's the blues if you wear a suit, unless you happen to be an old black man.
12. Do you have the right to sing the blues?
Yes, if:
a. your first name is a southern state-like Georgia
b. you're blind
c. you shot a man in Memphis.
d. you can't be satisfied.
No, if:
a. you were once blind but now can see.
b. you're deaf
c. you have a trust fund.
13. Neither Julio Iglesias nor Barbra Streisand can sing the blues.
14. If you ask for water and baby gives you gasoline, it's the blues. Other blues beverages are:
a. wine
b. Irish whiskey
c. muddy water
Blues beverages are NOT:
a. Any mixed drink
b. Any wine kosher for Passover
c. Yoo Hoo (all flavors)
15. If it occurs in a cheap motel or a shotgun shack, it's blues death. Stabbed in the back by a jealous lover is a blues way to die. So is the electric chair, substance abuse, or being denied treatment in an emergency room. It is not a blues death if you die during a liposuction treatment.
16. Some Blues names for Women
a. Sadie
b. Big Mama
c. Bessie
17. Some Blues Names for Men
a. Joe
b. Willie
c. Little Willie
d. Lightning
Persons with names like Sierra or Sequoia will not be permitted to sing the blues no matter how many men they shoot in Memphis.
17B. Other Blues Names (Starter Kit)
a. Name of Physical infirmity (Blind, Cripple, Asthmatic)
b. First name (see above) or name of fruit (Lemon, Lime, Kiwi)
c. Last Name of President (Jefferson, Johnson, Fillmore, etc.)
Mix and Match"
Regards
Asen
There's a funny reading I've found about how to sing the blues. Here it is:
"How To Sing The Blues
(attrib. to Memphis Earlene Gray with help from Uncle Plunky)
1. Most blues begin "woke up this morning."
2. "I got a good woman" is a bad way to begin the blues, unless you stick something nasty in the next line. I got a good woman - with the meanest dog in town.
3. Blues are simple. After you have the first line right, repeat it. Then find something that rhymes. Sort of. Got a good woman with the meanest dog in town. He got teeth like Margaret Thatcher and he weighs about 500 pounds.
4. The blues are not about limitless choice.
5. Blues cars are Chevies and Cadillacs. Other acceptable blues transportation is Greyhound bus or a southbound train. Walkin' plays a major part in the blues lifestyle. So does fixin' to die.
6. Teenagers can't sing the blues. Adults sing the blues. Blues adulthood means old enough to get the electric chair if you shoot a man in Memphis.
7. You can have the blues in New York City, but not in Brooklyn or Queens. Hard times in Vermont or North Dakota are just a depression. Chicago, St. Louis, and Kansas City are still the best places to have the blues.
8. The following colors do not belong in the blues:
a. violet
b. beige
c. mauve
9. You can't have the blues in an office or a shopping mall; the lighting is wrong.
10. Good places for the Blues:
a. the highway
b. the jailhouse
c. the empty bed
Bad places:
a. Ashrams
b. Gallery openings
c. weekend in the Hamptons
11. No one will believe it's the blues if you wear a suit, unless you happen to be an old black man.
12. Do you have the right to sing the blues?
Yes, if:
a. your first name is a southern state-like Georgia
b. you're blind
c. you shot a man in Memphis.
d. you can't be satisfied.
No, if:
a. you were once blind but now can see.
b. you're deaf
c. you have a trust fund.
13. Neither Julio Iglesias nor Barbra Streisand can sing the blues.
14. If you ask for water and baby gives you gasoline, it's the blues. Other blues beverages are:
a. wine
b. Irish whiskey
c. muddy water
Blues beverages are NOT:
a. Any mixed drink
b. Any wine kosher for Passover
c. Yoo Hoo (all flavors)
15. If it occurs in a cheap motel or a shotgun shack, it's blues death. Stabbed in the back by a jealous lover is a blues way to die. So is the electric chair, substance abuse, or being denied treatment in an emergency room. It is not a blues death if you die during a liposuction treatment.
16. Some Blues names for Women
a. Sadie
b. Big Mama
c. Bessie
17. Some Blues Names for Men
a. Joe
b. Willie
c. Little Willie
d. Lightning
Persons with names like Sierra or Sequoia will not be permitted to sing the blues no matter how many men they shoot in Memphis.
17B. Other Blues Names (Starter Kit)
a. Name of Physical infirmity (Blind, Cripple, Asthmatic)
b. First name (see above) or name of fruit (Lemon, Lime, Kiwi)
c. Last Name of President (Jefferson, Johnson, Fillmore, etc.)
Mix and Match"
Regards
Asen
Muddy Waters is a very important key-person. He was one of the very first to use an electric guitar, and generally considered the man who invented the Chicago-blues style. All of modern music is based on the work they did back then in Chicago. (Late 40's and onwards, The amplified guitar was added later in the 50's)
There should be a Blues genre to everyones taste, since it ranges from the simplest acoustic music to real heavy bluesrock.
I like the acoustic stuff, a lot. An added bonus about Blues is, that the cd's often sounds really good. Most of them are not nearly as compressed and over produced as the avarage cd's. You can often single out every instrument in the soundstage. I guess the blues-artist's are more demanding. In any case, the cd's often sound really organic.
As phn says: You gotta hear it live, indeed Last weekend I went to hear this guy: http://www.hplange.dk/en/default.asp Man, that guy can raise a few goosebumps and send a chill down your spine. He plays a lot of acoustic Delta-blues. I got the latest cd signed by the guy's and had a little chat with H.P afterwards
FastEddy, thanks for the link to that audiophile recording. Better get a copy of that vinyl pressing
If you want to hit up a group or an artist, here is a good place to start: http://www.allmusicguide.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=73:41
There are audio samples and album ratings. Nice.
Asen, that write-up pretty much is how the Blues archetype is
Occasionally you will find one that doesnt fit in. A case in point would be Keb' Mo'. If he has a dark side, I didnt find any trace of it All of his cd's are very well recorded. The sound holds an extremly high standard. A good place to start listening to Mr. Mo', is the "Martin Scorsese presents the Blues"- cd. Chek out this page, lots of good reading: http://www.pbs.org/theblues/
Steen
There should be a Blues genre to everyones taste, since it ranges from the simplest acoustic music to real heavy bluesrock.
I like the acoustic stuff, a lot. An added bonus about Blues is, that the cd's often sounds really good. Most of them are not nearly as compressed and over produced as the avarage cd's. You can often single out every instrument in the soundstage. I guess the blues-artist's are more demanding. In any case, the cd's often sound really organic.
As phn says: You gotta hear it live, indeed
Last weekend I went to hear this guy: http://www.hplange.dk/en/default.asp Man, that guy can raise a few goosebumps and send a chill down your spine. He plays a lot of acoustic Delta-blues. I got the latest cd signed by the guy's and had a little chat with H.P afterwards FastEddy, thanks for the link to that audiophile recording. Better get a copy of that vinyl pressing
If you want to hit up a group or an artist, here is a good place to start: http://www.allmusicguide.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=73:41
There are audio samples and album ratings. Nice.
Asen, that write-up pretty much is how the Blues archetype is
Occasionally you will find one that doesnt fit in. A case in point would be Keb' Mo'. If he has a dark side, I didnt find any trace of it
All of his cd's are very well recorded. The sound holds an extremly high standard. A good place to start listening to Mr. Mo', is the "Martin Scorsese presents the Blues"- cd. Chek out this page, lots of good reading: http://www.pbs.org/theblues/ Steen
Re: Muddy = "... He was one of the very first to use an electric guitar, and generally considered the man who invented the Chicago-blues style. All of modern music is based on the work they did back then in Chicago. (Late 40's and onwards, The amplified guitar was added later in the 50's) ..."
Yes ... that PBS special = very good source = Martin Scorsese's "The Blues" multi disc DVD video (PBS special) = several discs have Muddy on film with quite good audio tracks. His songs are also on the theme tracks for the whole set. ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/Martin-Scorsese-Presents-Blues-Musical/dp/B0002Z9XFQ/ = all regions! / PAL format ... http://www.amazon.com/Martin-Scorsese-Presents-Blues-Musical/dp/B0000CBHOI/ = USA / NTSC ... either is 24 bit 96K Dolby 5.1 :>)
(No offence, but "all CDs suck" says Bob Dylan ... refering to the abismal quality of 16 bit / 44K CDs with cranked up, overly compressed sound. ... 24 bit rules !!)
RE: H.P.LANGE ... got a link to any SACD or DVD-A recordings?? (24 bit rules!!)
Yes ... that PBS special = very good source = Martin Scorsese's "The Blues" multi disc DVD video (PBS special) = several discs have Muddy on film with quite good audio tracks. His songs are also on the theme tracks for the whole set. ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/Martin-Scorsese-Presents-Blues-Musical/dp/B0002Z9XFQ/ = all regions! / PAL format ... http://www.amazon.com/Martin-Scorsese-Presents-Blues-Musical/dp/B0000CBHOI/ = USA / NTSC ... either is 24 bit 96K Dolby 5.1 :>)
(No offence, but "all CDs suck" says Bob Dylan ... refering to the abismal quality of 16 bit / 44K CDs with cranked up, overly compressed sound. ... 24 bit rules !!)
RE: H.P.LANGE ... got a link to any SACD or DVD-A recordings?? (24 bit rules!!)
Steen,
Yes, I have Keb'Mo's "Keep It Simple" - a very nice recorded CD full of good music. And it was cheap compared to others. Keb's a very optimistic guy. I'm wondering if it's the blues he sings.
Other favourits of mine are:
1. Willie Dixon - I like "Willie's Blues"
2. Lightnin' Hopkins - try "Soul Blues"
3. Pinetop Perkins - I can recommend "Born In The Delta"
4. Last but not least - Harry Manx - a pleasant mix of blues and indian muzic. I can highly recommend "Mantras For Madmen" and "Road Ragas - Live". Harry's the only white performer that I like if we talk about blues.
Regards
Asen
Yes, I have Keb'Mo's "Keep It Simple" - a very nice recorded CD full of good music. And it was cheap compared to others. Keb's a very optimistic guy. I'm wondering if it's the blues he sings.
Other favourits of mine are:
1. Willie Dixon - I like "Willie's Blues"
2. Lightnin' Hopkins - try "Soul Blues"
3. Pinetop Perkins - I can recommend "Born In The Delta"
4. Last but not least - Harry Manx - a pleasant mix of blues and indian muzic. I can highly recommend "Mantras For Madmen" and "Road Ragas - Live". Harry's the only white performer that I like if we talk about blues.
Regards
Asen
RE: That H. P. Lang recording = "Alongside The Blues" ... I'd like to get it = the backup band is very good. If I can't find it in DVD-A or SACD, then I might like the LP ... (when my new Rega P3 turntable finally get here ;>)
(Decades ago: I went to a "new release" party in Austin Tx for Muddy's "Electric Mud" album circa 1968 = too cool and boy was he loaded. I saw Lightn'in Hopkins several times at a tiny little corner bar in "dark town" Houston Tx. He used to go there every Sunday afternoon, walk in unannounced, lay his upturned hat on a chair and just start playing ... sometimes for hours and hours as folks walked in and out dropping money in his hat ... such was the life of a dance hall push broom in the mid sixties ... no money, just the best music.)
(Decades ago: I went to a "new release" party in Austin Tx for Muddy's "Electric Mud" album circa 1968 = too cool and boy was he loaded. I saw Lightn'in Hopkins several times at a tiny little corner bar in "dark town" Houston Tx. He used to go there every Sunday afternoon, walk in unannounced, lay his upturned hat on a chair and just start playing ... sometimes for hours and hours as folks walked in and out dropping money in his hat ... such was the life of a dance hall push broom in the mid sixties ... no money, just the best music.)
Hi,
You guys should check out Seasick Steve.
He calls it 'three string trance music'. One man, one guitar, three strings and a carpeted wooden box that he taps his feet on.
Free downloads at his site : Seasicksteve.com
I first saw him on Jools Holland here in the UK and I was immediately struck by the simplicity of it all. Kinda made me wonder what Protools was for.
You guys should check out Seasick Steve.
He calls it 'three string trance music'. One man, one guitar, three strings and a carpeted wooden box that he taps his feet on.
Free downloads at his site : Seasicksteve.com
I first saw him on Jools Holland here in the UK and I was immediately struck by the simplicity of it all. Kinda made me wonder what Protools was for.
" ... it's hard for a white guy to do the blues ..."
Maybe. But not for a white girl = best bottle slide guitar there ever was and a really great voice: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bonnie-Raitt-Live-At-Montreux/dp/B0009JOPD0/ ... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bonnie-Raitt-Road-Tested/dp/B00005RG9N/ ... http://www.amazon.de/Bonnie-Raitt-Friends-CD+DVD/dp/B000HT1WNI/ ... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lightning-Bottle-B-B-King/dp/B00099BJ2A/ (with BB & John Lee just before he died = these are the only one's I would buy = 24 bit audio, but in the PAL format and need a zone 2 player.
Bonnie has been ridden hard and put up wet ... she knows the blues.
For those interested in watching the disc go around: http://www.amazon.de/Nick-Time-Vinyl-Bonnie-Raitt/dp/B0000001CO/ ... better vinyl than in the US.
Maybe. But not for a white girl = best bottle slide guitar there ever was and a really great voice: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bonnie-Raitt-Live-At-Montreux/dp/B0009JOPD0/ ... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bonnie-Raitt-Road-Tested/dp/B00005RG9N/ ... http://www.amazon.de/Bonnie-Raitt-Friends-CD+DVD/dp/B000HT1WNI/ ... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lightning-Bottle-B-B-King/dp/B00099BJ2A/ (with BB & John Lee just before he died = these are the only one's I would buy = 24 bit audio, but in the PAL format and need a zone 2 player.
Bonnie has been ridden hard and put up wet ... she knows the blues.
For those interested in watching the disc go around: http://www.amazon.de/Nick-Time-Vinyl-Bonnie-Raitt/dp/B0000001CO/ ... better vinyl than in the US.
I've been listening and playing acoustic blues guitar for a while now - and I'm white guy that doesn't play very well
Some of my favs, in no particular order.
- Mississippi John Hurt
- Junior Kimbrough
- Sonny Terry & Brownie Mcghee
- Tab Benoit
- Top Jimmy Lineup
- Robert Johnson
- Muddy Waters
- Willie Dixon
- Otis Spann
- John Lee Hooker
- SRV
- Blind Boy Fuller
- Keb 'Mo
- Buddy Guy
-Ken
Some of my favs, in no particular order.
- Mississippi John Hurt
- Junior Kimbrough
- Sonny Terry & Brownie Mcghee
- Tab Benoit
- Top Jimmy Lineup
- Robert Johnson
- Muddy Waters
- Willie Dixon
- Otis Spann
- John Lee Hooker
- SRV
- Blind Boy Fuller
- Keb 'Mo
- Buddy Guy
-Ken
You don't get whiter than Johnny Winters. White artists have brought a lot to the blues. But they usually aren't frontmen.
I'm a Johnny Cash fan.
Good ****:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e0EQlQXoEo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krVACUbciJE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRlj5vjp3Ko
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO9dbmJ_2zU
I'm a Johnny Cash fan.
Good ****:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e0EQlQXoEo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krVACUbciJE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRlj5vjp3Ko
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO9dbmJ_2zU
Great to see all the input and links to resources. I beleive this thread was needed Fasteddy, are you a teacher? I read at the PBS that the kids are having "Blues" in school in the US. What a great idea.
I bought most of the Scorsese series when it was recommended to me by a smart guy Thanks, Blues.
Its really great to watch the seven DVD set. Bonnie Raitt gives a great cover of Skip James "I would rather be the Devil" and she can play bottleneck indeed. Here is a nice little read on Skip James: http://paramountshome.org/articles/skip james project.pdf Somehow I find the guy amazing. His early music is a bit terrifying and spooky, but really appealing (at least to me) His guitarplay is some of the best, you will ever hear. Prepare for some surface noise though, its the old 78's thats been recorded.
Here is another great resource, if you want to look up an artist (or something else): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Johnson_(musician) I hit up an interesting guy, as you can see
Steen
Fasteddy, are you a teacher? I read at the PBS that the kids are having "Blues" in school in the US. What a great idea. I bought most of the Scorsese series when it was recommended to me by a smart guy
Thanks, Blues.Its really great to watch the seven DVD set. Bonnie Raitt gives a great cover of Skip James "I would rather be the Devil" and she can play bottleneck indeed. Here is a nice little read on Skip James: http://paramountshome.org/articles/skip james project.pdf Somehow I find the guy amazing. His early music is a bit terrifying and spooky, but really appealing (at least to me) His guitarplay is some of the best, you will ever hear. Prepare for some surface noise though, its the old 78's thats been recorded.
Here is another great resource, if you want to look up an artist (or something else): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Johnson_(musician) I hit up an interesting guy, as you can see
Steen
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