I learned the blues late. It is very easy to act like you know music when you know more or less the basics to all kinds of music. As you grow older you understand that you do not know a thing and perhaps you are the smart-ass of the gang when you act like you know everything. It is very difficult to appreciate the old when you get used to the new with a perfect clean production result.
While with the blues things are simple, a basic structure, though it has no basic rule. The measure, proper recording, the knowledge of music can disappear. We are talking about the soul before the concept of Soul and attitude before the meaning of Rock & Roll. The humble mixtape that you will find below are not indicative of blues history, but selection by my own imperfect knowledge ...
Last kind word blues, Geeshie Wiley (hear it here )
I learned the song from the documentary Crumb of David Lynch. R. Crumb, except from being one of the most amazing cartoonists, is a manic collector of blues. In the documentary I first listened to a piece of Geeshie Wiley and literally shuddered. And I highly recommend the film.
" He's taken my mother, my father, my wife left me at the station cryin. Said Mr. engineer, please let me ride your blind." The first man to ever play guitar solos with one string. From New Orleans with love and charcoal ...
Hunkie tunkie blues, Charley Jordan (hear it here )
Of Saint Lewis, the most famous piece is the Keep it clean, but Hunkie Tunkie Blues I like more ...
Devil got ma woman, Skip James (hear it here )
Classic anthem for blues men and beyond, chilling interpretation that the many times I have tried to play live never reaches this feeling, because it can not be hold in measures, it has to be played freely!
Back door man, Howlin 'Wolf (heard here in )
I love Iowlin 'Wolf, scary guy in the first listening, he and Muddy Waters at Chess Records brought the identity it deserves. Usually I play live the Evil, but Back Door Man needs other balls ...
One of my favorite songs of all time and to imagine that the album Electric Mud has been renounced by Waters!
Hellhound on my trail, Robert Johnson (hear it here )
Grandfather of Rock n 'Roll, for many the most important ever blues man, Robert Johnson from the Delta of Mississippi died at the age of 27. Indeed, if he and Hedrix would turn forty, now our music would be approaching alien styles.
St. Louis blues, Bessie Smith (hear it here )
The only song on which this great lady was captured in film.
Black snake moan, Blind Lemon Jefferson (hear it here )
Born blind, Jefferson with the high notes was baptized the father of Texas Blues and made few recordings, but just masterpieces.
Jesus' blood can make me whole, Barbecue Bob (hear it here )
Barbecue Bob was the first to combine country with blues, and yes he was a barbecue cook! The guitar often resembles a banjo!
This is my first list, hope you'll enjoy! I swear I will not constantly write about old stuff, but what can I do, I like it!
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