Acoustic Blues

[Old San Antone]

Big Joe Williams with his 9 string guitar and supported by Ransom Knowling on bass: Highway 49.

Released on CD in 1992 and worth seeking out for the superb musicianship alone of Williams' playing on guitar.

https://youtu.be/ZBUKSGOZNzs

Big Joe Williams is one of the greats.  One sideline fact was his friendship with Bob Dylan, whose harmonica playing Joe really liked.

[Irons]

Big Joe Williams is one of the greats.  One sideline fact was his friendship with Bob Dylan, whose harmonic playing Joe really liked.

I did not know that. Big fan of Bob Dylan too.

[Irons]

Dancing to the Blues.

https://youtu.be/c5JRWaUaxmM

[Irons]

Sleepy John Estes: Milk Cow Blues.

[Irons]

Snooks Eaglin: Brown Skinned Woman.

[Irons]

Lightnin' Hopkins: Bring me my Shotgun.


And a pocketful of shells! Blues at it's most authentic, a stunning track.

 

[Irons]

Muddy Waters: Manish Boy.

Must be mid to late 1960's I attended a Muddy Waters concert at Walthamstow, London during his European tour.
Two things stick in my mind from all those years ago - stage fright from Muddy himself, he appeared very nervous outside his comfort zone. Also, awful planning from the promoters with soul singer Joe Simon back up on the bill. I felt so sorry for him as he was booed by an audience only interested in Blues.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Snooks Eaglin: Brown Skinned Woman.

I went to his live in New Orleans a few times and talked to him!

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

I like this recording.

[San Antone]

Playing For the Man at the Door Showcases Legendary Mack McCormick Collection



On Aug. 4, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings will release Playing for the Man at the Door: Field Recordings from the Collection of Mack McCormick, 1958 – 1971, a three CD/six LP box set of previously unheard field recordings from McCormick's archive that includes a 128-page book of photographs from the collection and essays by leading blues scholars from the Smithsonian and beyond.

I haven't bought the box yet, but am very impressed with what I've heard via streaming.

[KevinP]

Muddy Waters: Manish Boy.

Not really 'Acoustic Blues' though.

Although I've warmed to them over the years, the Johnny Winter-era LPs are not my favourite era.

[Irons]

Not really 'Acoustic Blues' though.

Although I've warmed to them over the years, the Johnny Winter-era LPs are not my favourite era.

Quite right too. Is there an Electric Blues thread?

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Talkin about electric blues, I recently listened to these nice recordings from Cobra.

[Irons]

I went to his live in New Orleans a few times and talked to him!

Great! I smuggled myself in the dressing room at the Royal Albert Hall and sat down with Sleepy John Estes who like Snooks Eaglin was blind. I rather stupidly asked him for an autograph. He X my programme.