Great stuff! I’m a Spokane Indian who grew up on our reservation and I have a few Native musician friends who claim that the Blues originates from the marriage, literally and musically, of Black and Native American people in the South. Ain’t it interesting how creation stories also make the teller of the tale look best?
Oh man, what a charged conversation - what blues is the best?! As lover of music, blues, and especially Delta Blues, I must say the for me Delta Blues as an amalgam hits me much harder than other regionalized version of the blues. That said I have been a huge SRV fan since Texas Flood was first released, and still remember exactly were I was - working in a seafood restaurant kitchen in Destin FL, when I first heard Pride and Joy. Later went on to see him live 6 times. The first, was on the Texas Flood tour, in October 1983. I was fortunate enough to be on front row in front of Stevie. Afterwards I was lucky to have been able to go out his bus and chat for a bit. He was gracious, full of smiles, and welcoming. And, of course he blew us all away, and remains the best concert of the hundreds I have seen throughout my 57 years. BTW, on a sound reading of your book!
I don’t know that Leadbelly truly belongs on this list. His major development as a musician was in Shreveport as he learned to play in the brothels and the speakeasies. It’s where he married Martha. He’s also buried not far down the road. The real shame is that we don’t do more to recognize him. We did rename The Bottoms to Ledbetter Heights. There is also a smaller than life statue to him downtown. I still wonder why we don’t invoke him for our Jazz and Blues festival. Oh well, maybe Shreveport doesn’t deserve him!
Love (love) this piece. Unlike you, I am a musical ignoramus, but I listen a lot, and I LOVE blues. Wendy & I saw Albert Collins at the Fillmore in SF (music great, occasional talking between songs very awkward), and we saw Janis Joplin many times (great too, of course, but depressing later on, when her downward trajectory was clear).
As always Ted, a very enjoyable and informative article. T-Bone Walker is a favorite of mine, particularly his Imperial recordings. This not to say that the others are not without loads of talent. My blues library is a bit thin though and leans towards Chicago blues.
I must comment on Stevie Ray Vaughn and his charisma. I saw him twice in concert here in Toronto and he had no charisma at all. He sat on a stool, never looked up and just played his guitar. Yes he could play amazingly well but in a live concert I want to see some life.
Oh, gosh, I'm so happy to see Johnny Winter included. He played a small club in 1970 in a nearby town and to this day I am still amazed my parents let me hitchhike to see that show. I saw him many times over the years and have worn out several copies of "Johnny Winter And Live" - to my mind one of the best live albums ever. His only peer on the dobro is Taj Mahal. I fear his contributions will be remembered only by purists. But there was nothing like seeing him finger-pick his way through "Mean Town Blues" and then grab his National Steel to play "Hustled Down in Texas" while the rest of the band took a break. RIP, Johnny.
Texas pride… or Texas jerk? And yes I live there. So I can say this. Ahem. I’d say the latter. No need to be that way. Great read today!
This is great, thanks. I'm curious how you would express in words the difference between Delta and Texas blues.
Great stuff! I’m a Spokane Indian who grew up on our reservation and I have a few Native musician friends who claim that the Blues originates from the marriage, literally and musically, of Black and Native American people in the South. Ain’t it interesting how creation stories also make the teller of the tale look best?
Oh man, what a charged conversation - what blues is the best?! As lover of music, blues, and especially Delta Blues, I must say the for me Delta Blues as an amalgam hits me much harder than other regionalized version of the blues. That said I have been a huge SRV fan since Texas Flood was first released, and still remember exactly were I was - working in a seafood restaurant kitchen in Destin FL, when I first heard Pride and Joy. Later went on to see him live 6 times. The first, was on the Texas Flood tour, in October 1983. I was fortunate enough to be on front row in front of Stevie. Afterwards I was lucky to have been able to go out his bus and chat for a bit. He was gracious, full of smiles, and welcoming. And, of course he blew us all away, and remains the best concert of the hundreds I have seen throughout my 57 years. BTW, on a sound reading of your book!
I don’t know that Leadbelly truly belongs on this list. His major development as a musician was in Shreveport as he learned to play in the brothels and the speakeasies. It’s where he married Martha. He’s also buried not far down the road. The real shame is that we don’t do more to recognize him. We did rename The Bottoms to Ledbetter Heights. There is also a smaller than life statue to him downtown. I still wonder why we don’t invoke him for our Jazz and Blues festival. Oh well, maybe Shreveport doesn’t deserve him!
Love (love) this piece. Unlike you, I am a musical ignoramus, but I listen a lot, and I LOVE blues. Wendy & I saw Albert Collins at the Fillmore in SF (music great, occasional talking between songs very awkward), and we saw Janis Joplin many times (great too, of course, but depressing later on, when her downward trajectory was clear).
As a native Texan I apologize to you for that rude reception at the book festival! Pride can sometimes lead to pomposity.
One of my most cherished memories is seeing SRV and double trouble in a trashed out movie theater in downtown Austin.
As always Ted, a very enjoyable and informative article. T-Bone Walker is a favorite of mine, particularly his Imperial recordings. This not to say that the others are not without loads of talent. My blues library is a bit thin though and leans towards Chicago blues.
Great and valuable introduction to Texas Blues.
I must comment on Stevie Ray Vaughn and his charisma. I saw him twice in concert here in Toronto and he had no charisma at all. He sat on a stool, never looked up and just played his guitar. Yes he could play amazingly well but in a live concert I want to see some life.
Oh, gosh, I'm so happy to see Johnny Winter included. He played a small club in 1970 in a nearby town and to this day I am still amazed my parents let me hitchhike to see that show. I saw him many times over the years and have worn out several copies of "Johnny Winter And Live" - to my mind one of the best live albums ever. His only peer on the dobro is Taj Mahal. I fear his contributions will be remembered only by purists. But there was nothing like seeing him finger-pick his way through "Mean Town Blues" and then grab his National Steel to play "Hustled Down in Texas" while the rest of the band took a break. RIP, Johnny.
Three tracks from this list are always in the listening program of my popular history courses!
Just realized that your list included Albert COLLINS (whom we never saw in person), and I responded by mentioning Albert KING. Brainlock. Sorry.
May thanks for this entry. It is a treasure!
I have a vague memory of hearing Mance play at a little Houston joint called Jubilee Hall in ‘68 or so~