This one's for my unnamed cab driver, who, last week, gave me an effervescent and thorough history of blues music, complete with samples and countless recommendations, on what would have otherwise been a nondescript ten minute ride home.
Enjoy! There's some positively fantastic stuff in here.
Playlist
1- robert nighthawk - my sweet lovin' woman (ca. 1948)
originally a delta bluesman, he was good friends with muddy waters and had a great recording history in chicago. i love this song.
2- elmore james - sunnyland (ca. 1953)
known as king of the slide guitar ("he invented that opening guitar riff we use in so many rock songs today"), he always wore a bow tie and black suit like an undertaker. frail and asthmatic, he died at age 44 from a bad heart ("not drugs or anything like that").
3- tampa red - detroit blues (ca. 1938)
one of the great old school chicago bluesmen and a boundary-pusher in a lot of ways. i love the kazoo here...and the warning of the dangers of detroit. :)
4- lonnie johnson - another night to cry (ca. 1961)
a classic chicago bluesman in the 20's and 30's, he played with the likes of louis armstrong and duke ellington, and is known as the pioneer of the guitar solo. that's right, this man invented the guitar solo - specifically, on the 1927 track "6/88 glide". he was also known as a great soulful singer later in life, like in this tune.
5- freddie king - help me through the day (ca. 1973)
this famed texas and chicago blues guitarist started playing with many of the blues revivalists of the 60's, like eric clapton, just before he died of heart failure at age 42.
6- tampa red - things 'bout coming my way (ca. 1931)
a classic blues guitar instrumental. you can really hear the history in this one.
Do let me know what you think! Would love to hear comments, opinions, requests, or suggestions. And as always, tell your friends, and email me at marwajoy@gmail.com with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line if you want to get a weekly update email.
Download here: http://drop.io/tinycomets_sixblocks
