Audio: Mississippi John Hurt “I shall not be moved”
. Biography by Bruce Eder No blues singer ever presented a more gentle, genial image than Mississippi John Hurt (1892-1966). A guitarist with an extraordinarily lyrical and refined fingerpicking style, he … Continue reading
John Lawson: For Jefferson Beauregard Sessions and my cousins Billie and Dave
When I was a boy in a Virginia suburb, The maids came on the bus each day, And cleaned and ironed and made us lunch. Outside, the colored vendor (“colored” … Continue reading
Doug Anderson: Morning Blues
Winter sneaking through the trees with his bag of salt. Winter sneaking through the trees with his bag of salt. Dark days coming ain’t nobody’s fault. Used to think love … Continue reading
Video: Mighty Sam McClain — When The Hurt Is Over
. Samuel McClain (1943 – 2015), billed as Mighty Sam McClain, was an American blues singer and songwriter. Born in Monroe, Louisiana, McClain began singing at the age of five … Continue reading
Video: Seasick Steve — Roy’s Gang
. Steven Gene Wold (born in 1940 or 1941) commonly known as Seasick Steve, is an American blues musician who plays custom guitars, sometimes made from found materials such as … Continue reading
Audio: Etta James — “The Sky is Crying”
[Email subscribers can click the title of this post to listen to the song for free.] . “The Sky is Crying” is included in the 2004 CD Blues to the Bone. … Continue reading
Audio: “Santa” by Lightnin’ Hopkins
Sam John Hopkins (1912 – 1982), better known as Lightnin’ Hopkins, was an American country blues singer, songwriter, guitarist, and occasional pianist from Houston, Texas. Musicologist Robert “Mack” McCormick opined that … Continue reading
Video: Willie King at Bettie’s Place
For a real blues experience nothing beats going to a juke joint in the deep South. There aren’t many left, but if you’re willing to go off the beaten track, … Continue reading
Video: Big Mama Thornton and John Lee Hooker — “Down Home Shakedown”
1960 harmonica jam session. If you love the blues, this performance is not to be missed. The harmonica, also called French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, was developed in Europe … Continue reading
Video: B.B. King animated by Blank on Blank
In this animated video by Blank on Blank, B.B. King tells the story behind the naming of his legendary guitar Lucille and talks about his attitude toward life and music. … Continue reading
