A History of the Blues: Chapter 4

1/ Avalon blues – Mississippi John Hurt. 1928. Before the blues, vol.1
B.1893, Miss. D.1966, Miss. The most gentle, genial of players. Excellent guitarist & totally immersed in his own style. Playing guitar by 1903. Played houseparties, etc. Never played outside Avalon except for a trip to N.Y.C. to record & spent most of his life farming. Late 50’s, a blues scholar rediscovered him & his career took off with his gentle version of the blues.
2/ Kassie Jones – Furry lewis. 1928. Memphis masters
B.1893, Mississippi. D.1981. Memphis, Tenn. Played blues & ragtime. In the 60’s & 70’s he was the only living 20’s bluesman to achieve huge attention. Moved to Memphis at age 7 & stayed for life. Made first guitar himself from scraps & was taught the blues by ‘Blind Joe’, whom nothing is known about other than the fact he taught Furry to play ‘Casey Jones’ & ‘John Henry’ amongst other trad. numbers. Lost a leg in a rail accident in 1917. First recorded in 1927 in Chicago. Was never more than a memphis cult artist in the 20’s & 30’s & found making a living difficult; worked the tent & medicine shows. Recorded over 20 sides between 1927 & 29, some in Chicago & some in Memphis. Gave up music in the mid 30’s. In 1959 Sam Charters persuaded him to record again & slowly became one of the most popular bluesmen around. Appeared in several films. Supported the Rolling Stones on their 1975 U.S. tour.
B.1893, Miss. D.1966, Miss. The most gentle, genial of players. Excellent guitarist & totally immersed in his own style. Playing guitar by 1903. Played houseparties, etc. Never played outside Avalon except for a trip to N.Y.C. to record & spent most of his life farming. Late 50’s, a blues scholar rediscovered him & his career took off with his gentle version of the blues.
2/ Kassie Jones – Furry lewis. 1928. Memphis masters
B.1893, Mississippi. D.1981. Memphis, Tenn. Played blues & ragtime. In the 60’s & 70’s he was the only living 20’s bluesman to achieve huge attention. Moved to Memphis at age 7 & stayed for life. Made first guitar himself from scraps & was taught the blues by ‘Blind Joe’, whom nothing is known about other than the fact he taught Furry to play ‘Casey Jones’ & ‘John Henry’ amongst other trad. numbers. Lost a leg in a rail accident in 1917. First recorded in 1927 in Chicago. Was never more than a memphis cult artist in the 20’s & 30’s & found making a living difficult; worked the tent & medicine shows. Recorded over 20 sides between 1927 & 29, some in Chicago & some in Memphis. Gave up music in the mid 30’s. In 1959 Sam Charters persuaded him to record again & slowly became one of the most popular bluesmen around. Appeared in several films. Supported the Rolling Stones on their 1975 U.S. tour.

3/ Pony blues – Charley Patton. 1929. The complete…..
B.1889, Miss. D.1934, Miss. He was the son of a preacher & one of 12 children. They moved to Dockery’s plantation whilst he was still a child & he learned to play the guitar around 1908. When he was an adult he was only 5’5”. His teacher was Henry Sloan, who was one of the earliest Delta bluesmen, although he never recorded. Patton inarguably helped to shape the blues & was a huge influence on all who followed him & was probably the first of the great delta bluesmen to record. His voice was more of a gravelly ‘holler’ & it was said he could be heard 500 yards away. He was also one of the first to develop the slide guitar.He drank heavily & had 8 wives! He was the consumate showman & would often play his guitar between his legs or behind his head. He would play anywhere, picnics, juke joints, house parties & levee camps. He was often accompanied by his friend & great blues guitarist Willie Brown. Was around the age of 40 when he was discovered by Mississippi music store owner & talent scout, Henry Spiers. Spiers contacted Paramount, who recorded his first 14 sides on fri.14.6.29, in Richmond, Indiana. His first release was ‘Pony Blues’. (Several recordings were issued under the name ‘The masked Marvel’).(At this time was playing a 6 string Stella). 3 months later he recorded another 22 sides with Henry ‘Son’ Sims on fiddle. His 3rd recording session was with Willie Brown, pianist Louise Johnson & Son House. His next & final session produced 25 sides in 1934, some of them having his last wife, Bertha Lee on vocals. He sang of his own life & topical songs that his audience could relate to, e.g. ‘Highwater everywhere’ about the 1927 Mississippi flood. He died 3 months after his last session.
4/ Walk right in – Cannons Jug Stompers. 1929. Roots of rock
Led by Gus cannon, who played Banjo & Jug, with the jug suspended around his neck from a harness. Their final session was in 1930. Gus carried on solo into the late’30’s, during which time he played the streets for tips. He was ‘rediscovered’ in the 60’s when he recorded again & played festivals. He had to sell the banjo on which he wrote ‘Walk right in’ in 1962 to pay for fuel to keep warm.In 1963 the Rooftop singers had a huge hit with walk right in.
5/ That’s no way to get along – Robert Wilkins. 1929. Roots of rock
B.1896, Miss. D.1987, Miss. A mix of Afro-American and Cherokee Indian, Wilkins hailed from De Soto County, MS, famous stomping grounds for Delta blues. Moved to Memphis ca.1920, & at times played with Charley Patton, Furry lewis,etc. First recorded in 1928. 1930 became a baptist minister due to the sleazy violent lifestyle of a bluesman. Was another who was rediscovered in the 60’s.
B.1889, Miss. D.1934, Miss. He was the son of a preacher & one of 12 children. They moved to Dockery’s plantation whilst he was still a child & he learned to play the guitar around 1908. When he was an adult he was only 5’5”. His teacher was Henry Sloan, who was one of the earliest Delta bluesmen, although he never recorded. Patton inarguably helped to shape the blues & was a huge influence on all who followed him & was probably the first of the great delta bluesmen to record. His voice was more of a gravelly ‘holler’ & it was said he could be heard 500 yards away. He was also one of the first to develop the slide guitar.He drank heavily & had 8 wives! He was the consumate showman & would often play his guitar between his legs or behind his head. He would play anywhere, picnics, juke joints, house parties & levee camps. He was often accompanied by his friend & great blues guitarist Willie Brown. Was around the age of 40 when he was discovered by Mississippi music store owner & talent scout, Henry Spiers. Spiers contacted Paramount, who recorded his first 14 sides on fri.14.6.29, in Richmond, Indiana. His first release was ‘Pony Blues’. (Several recordings were issued under the name ‘The masked Marvel’).(At this time was playing a 6 string Stella). 3 months later he recorded another 22 sides with Henry ‘Son’ Sims on fiddle. His 3rd recording session was with Willie Brown, pianist Louise Johnson & Son House. His next & final session produced 25 sides in 1934, some of them having his last wife, Bertha Lee on vocals. He sang of his own life & topical songs that his audience could relate to, e.g. ‘Highwater everywhere’ about the 1927 Mississippi flood. He died 3 months after his last session.
4/ Walk right in – Cannons Jug Stompers. 1929. Roots of rock
Led by Gus cannon, who played Banjo & Jug, with the jug suspended around his neck from a harness. Their final session was in 1930. Gus carried on solo into the late’30’s, during which time he played the streets for tips. He was ‘rediscovered’ in the 60’s when he recorded again & played festivals. He had to sell the banjo on which he wrote ‘Walk right in’ in 1962 to pay for fuel to keep warm.In 1963 the Rooftop singers had a huge hit with walk right in.
5/ That’s no way to get along – Robert Wilkins. 1929. Roots of rock
B.1896, Miss. D.1987, Miss. A mix of Afro-American and Cherokee Indian, Wilkins hailed from De Soto County, MS, famous stomping grounds for Delta blues. Moved to Memphis ca.1920, & at times played with Charley Patton, Furry lewis,etc. First recorded in 1928. 1930 became a baptist minister due to the sleazy violent lifestyle of a bluesman. Was another who was rediscovered in the 60’s.

6/ When the levee breaks – Memphis Minnie & Kansas Joe. 1929. Roots of rock
Minnie. B.1897, La. D.1973, Tn. One of the few genuine old time blueswomen. Exceptional guitarist & prolific recorder. Married Kansas Joe McCoy (B.1905. D.1950) & their guitar duets were some of the best ever.
7/ Roll & tumble blues – Hambone Willie Newbern. 1929.
The roots of Robert Johnson
B. 1899. D.1947. Little is known about blues songster Hambone Willie Newborn; a mere half-dozen sides comprise the sum of his recorded legacy, but among those six is the first-ever rendition of the immortal Delta classic "Roll and Tumble Blues." Played country dances & fish fries etc. While in Atlanta in 1929, Newbern cut his lone session By all reports an extremely ill-tempered man, Newbern's behavior eventually led him to prison, where a brutal beating is said to have brought his life to an end around 1947. Cousin of Sleepy John Estes, who taught Estes to play guitar.
8/ Sitting on top of the world – Mississippi Sheiks. 1930.
The Roots of Robert Johnson
One of the most popular string bands of the late '20s and early '30s. Formed in Jackson around 1926, the band blended country and blues fiddle music — both old-fashioned and risqué — and included guitarist Walter Vinson and fiddler Lonnie Chatmon, with frequent appearances by guitarists Bo Carter and Sam Chatmon, who were also busy with their own solo careers. The musicians were the sons of Ezell Chatmon, uncle of Charlie Patton and leader of an area string band that was popular around the turn of the century. Final session in 1935.
9/ Future blues – Willie Brown. 1930. The friends of Charley Patton
B.1900, Miss. D.1952, Miss. was arguably the quintessential accompanist of his era, most notably backing legends including Charley Patton and Son House. In addition to performing alongside Robert Johnson, he appeared on many of the seminal sides cut by Patton between 1929 and 1934, including a legendary 1930 Paramount label session which also yielded two of the three existing Brown solo cuts, "M & O Blues" and "Future Blues," as well as material with barrelhouse pianist Louise Johnson.
Minnie. B.1897, La. D.1973, Tn. One of the few genuine old time blueswomen. Exceptional guitarist & prolific recorder. Married Kansas Joe McCoy (B.1905. D.1950) & their guitar duets were some of the best ever.
7/ Roll & tumble blues – Hambone Willie Newbern. 1929.
The roots of Robert Johnson
B. 1899. D.1947. Little is known about blues songster Hambone Willie Newborn; a mere half-dozen sides comprise the sum of his recorded legacy, but among those six is the first-ever rendition of the immortal Delta classic "Roll and Tumble Blues." Played country dances & fish fries etc. While in Atlanta in 1929, Newbern cut his lone session By all reports an extremely ill-tempered man, Newbern's behavior eventually led him to prison, where a brutal beating is said to have brought his life to an end around 1947. Cousin of Sleepy John Estes, who taught Estes to play guitar.
8/ Sitting on top of the world – Mississippi Sheiks. 1930.
The Roots of Robert Johnson
One of the most popular string bands of the late '20s and early '30s. Formed in Jackson around 1926, the band blended country and blues fiddle music — both old-fashioned and risqué — and included guitarist Walter Vinson and fiddler Lonnie Chatmon, with frequent appearances by guitarists Bo Carter and Sam Chatmon, who were also busy with their own solo careers. The musicians were the sons of Ezell Chatmon, uncle of Charlie Patton and leader of an area string band that was popular around the turn of the century. Final session in 1935.
9/ Future blues – Willie Brown. 1930. The friends of Charley Patton
B.1900, Miss. D.1952, Miss. was arguably the quintessential accompanist of his era, most notably backing legends including Charley Patton and Son House. In addition to performing alongside Robert Johnson, he appeared on many of the seminal sides cut by Patton between 1929 and 1934, including a legendary 1930 Paramount label session which also yielded two of the three existing Brown solo cuts, "M & O Blues" and "Future Blues," as well as material with barrelhouse pianist Louise Johnson.

10/ Walking blues – Son House. 1930. The friends of Charley Patton
B.1902, Miss. D.1988. Mi. Son House's place, not only in the history of Delta blues, but in the overall history of the music, is a very high one indeed. He was a major innovator of the Delta style, along with his playing partners Charley Patton and Willie Brown. Few listening experiences in the blues are as intense as hearing one of Son House's original 1930s recordings for the Paramount label. He was the main source of inspiration to both Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson. Even after his rediscovery in the mid-'60s, House was such a potent musical force that what would have been a normally genteel performance by any other bluesmen in a "folk" setting, turned into a night in the nastiest juke joint you could imagine, scaring the daylights out of young White enthusiasts expecting something far more prosaic and comfortable. Served 2 years in prison for killing a man ina gun fight.After release he moved into the heart of the delta where he took up with Charley Patton. Recorded by Alan Lomax for the Library of Congress in 1941. Moved to N.Y.C, where he was rediscovered in the mid ‘60’s.
11/ Walking blues – Bonnie Raitt.1971. Bonnie Raitt
B.1949, Calif. First recorded in 1971. Did not achieve commercial success until ‘Nick of Time’ in 1989. An exceptionally good blues singer & one of the best modern day slide players.
B.1902, Miss. D.1988. Mi. Son House's place, not only in the history of Delta blues, but in the overall history of the music, is a very high one indeed. He was a major innovator of the Delta style, along with his playing partners Charley Patton and Willie Brown. Few listening experiences in the blues are as intense as hearing one of Son House's original 1930s recordings for the Paramount label. He was the main source of inspiration to both Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson. Even after his rediscovery in the mid-'60s, House was such a potent musical force that what would have been a normally genteel performance by any other bluesmen in a "folk" setting, turned into a night in the nastiest juke joint you could imagine, scaring the daylights out of young White enthusiasts expecting something far more prosaic and comfortable. Served 2 years in prison for killing a man ina gun fight.After release he moved into the heart of the delta where he took up with Charley Patton. Recorded by Alan Lomax for the Library of Congress in 1941. Moved to N.Y.C, where he was rediscovered in the mid ‘60’s.
11/ Walking blues – Bonnie Raitt.1971. Bonnie Raitt
B.1949, Calif. First recorded in 1971. Did not achieve commercial success until ‘Nick of Time’ in 1989. An exceptionally good blues singer & one of the best modern day slide players.

12/ Hard time killing floor blues – Skip James. 1931. The roots of Robert Johnson
B.1902, Miss. D.1969,Pa. Among the earliest and most influential Delta bluesmen to record. blues scholars rediscovered him in the '60s and found his singing and playing skills intact. Influencing everyone from a young Robert Johnson (Skip's "Devil Got My Woman" became the basis of Johnson's "Hellhound on My Trail") to Eric Clapton (who recorded James's "I'm So Glad" on the first Cream album).
13/ Hard time killing floor blues – Terry Garland. 1991. Trouble in mind
B.1953, Tn. A country-blues interpreter who plays a National steel-body guitar, often with a slide, in the style of Bukka White and Fred McDowell.
14/ Police station blues – Peetie Wheatstraw. 1932. Roots ‘n’ blues
B.1902, Tn. D.1941, Il. Peetie Wheatstraw was the name adopted by singer William Bunch, taking it from Black American folklore. He was "the Devil's Son-In-Law" or "the High Sheriff of Hell," & may have been partly responsible for the crossroads legend. First recorded in 1930 & continued until he was hit by a train in 1941.
B.1902, Miss. D.1969,Pa. Among the earliest and most influential Delta bluesmen to record. blues scholars rediscovered him in the '60s and found his singing and playing skills intact. Influencing everyone from a young Robert Johnson (Skip's "Devil Got My Woman" became the basis of Johnson's "Hellhound on My Trail") to Eric Clapton (who recorded James's "I'm So Glad" on the first Cream album).
13/ Hard time killing floor blues – Terry Garland. 1991. Trouble in mind
B.1953, Tn. A country-blues interpreter who plays a National steel-body guitar, often with a slide, in the style of Bukka White and Fred McDowell.
14/ Police station blues – Peetie Wheatstraw. 1932. Roots ‘n’ blues
B.1902, Tn. D.1941, Il. Peetie Wheatstraw was the name adopted by singer William Bunch, taking it from Black American folklore. He was "the Devil's Son-In-Law" or "the High Sheriff of Hell," & may have been partly responsible for the crossroads legend. First recorded in 1930 & continued until he was hit by a train in 1941.