Any Blues Mentors Around

[Clover]

I’ve been getting more and more into the Blues, however, I don’t really have people around me to guide me. I was hoping someone around here could help put me on more of a guided course than I get streaming. With streaming playing various songs, I have a very poor understanding of who wrote what, how stuff evolved, how different regions and styles fit in, and just as importantly and what I’m missing. I’m open to advice and looking to learn, please teach me.

I guess I’m coming from a rock background and think some of my start was a lot more modern than most. I started getting into The Black Keys, Gary Clark Jr., Larkin Poe, Markus King, Ray Wylie Hubbard, the Grateful Dead, The Fumes, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Samantha Fish, Eric Gales, Santana, Tedeski Trucks Band, Govt. Mule, Walter Trout Tinsley Ellis, Sonny Landreth, Stevie Ray Von, Joe Bonamassa, Beth Heart, Robert Johnson, Robert Randolph, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Albert King, Eric Clapton, R.L. and Cedric Burnside, Buddy Guy, The Allman Brothers, ZZ Top and Billy Gibbons, JJ Gray and Mofro, Reverend Payton and his Big Damn Band, Beth Heart, and Blues Traveler.

It seems to me that most of what I know and have been fed is current. That’s great in some ways as I have enjoyed seeing a number of the above live, however, I know I’m still missing a ton. My friends don’t have a ton of knowledge here but I know some of you do. I’d be appreciative of anything as simple as a couple artist or songs to check out all the way to books I should read or documentary that are good to watch. Anyone that can teach me some history as I learn gets bonus points. Thanks in advance for the advice.

[dawkinsj]

You can start with Martin Scorsese’s seven part series on the Blues that aired on PBS. There were also a series of albums that were released after the show ran.

The Blues | PBS

Also Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s blues documentary 10 Days Out

Prime Video: Kenny Wayne Shepherd - 10 Days Out: Blues From The Backroads

For artists look into John Lee Hooker, Albert Collins, Luther Allison and Lucky Peterson. If you are using Qobuz and listen to those artists the “Radio” function should continue with your exploration.

[jerryd6]

A few not on your list: Rory Block, Junior Wells, Robben Ford.

[roger-macklin]

The blues were in the Mississippi Delta before migrations north including Chicago.
Don’t miss Charlie/Charley Patton, Robert Johnson, Lightnin’ Hopkins and others…

[weedeewop]

Jessie Mae Hemphill Feelin’ Good, IME the best place to start to understand North Mississippi Hills Country Blues.

As R.L. Burnside is known to say: Well, Well, Well with a big grin. R.L. represents the Mississippi hill country blues and is a great listen. The North Mississippi Hills Blues are rooted in the fife and drum marching band, and Jessie Mae Hemphill is the best example of the style. Once you “get” her music R.L. Burnside’s music becomes more “interesting”.

[jpg55]

Every Saturday between 11 - 2 pm Pacific time you can live stream on KPFA the wonderful radio show Blues By the Bay. It is hosted by the very knowledgeable Tom Mazzolini. For many Tom was the promoter of the much missed San Francisco Blues Festival. I think you will really enjoy this show. I listen religiously every week.

Blues By The Bay Archives | KPFA

[weedeewop]

This Charley Patton JSP box set is essential, while the sonics may challenge one’s enjoyment it is worth the effort.

Yazoo Records tends to have cleaner sounding CDs but can sound a bit sterile IME. The above is a great Charley Patton compilation, Founder of the Delta Blues. Note they are sourced from shellac 78s.

More Yazoo Charley Patton in no particular order:

Regarding the blues and suggestions, well I’m willing to put a fair amount of effort into it based on your interest. I’ve been into the blues since my teen years, going back to the early 70’s. In my youth I have hit up most of the Chicago blues joints and dive bars, before the days of Buddy Guy’s Legends Blue venue. In my experience the blues are best experienced live as the experience captures the raw energy, grit and pain associated with the music.

If you don’t mind historical recordings, and sonics that are poor obscuring the performance details I’d recommend starting with Charlie Patton JSP box set. It is essential IMO, and may take some effort on your part. As far historical blues compilations recent LP reissues, the LPs offer little sonic advantage over CD. Should you ever be in the CHicago area I can recommend a handful of Blues venues worth seeking out. As I’ve been known to say like barbeque joints for blues venues the more run down and dilapidated the better the experience, especially if he “facilities” are “out back”.

[weedeewop]

From the Alan Lomax Parchment Farm Recordings, essential IMO.

Early blues were often rooted in Negro Gospel and Spiritual field songs and Hollers, and were commonly referred to as the devil’s music. Depicting the plight of the impoverished and exploited, with coded lyrics as forms or release and protest. Also, they were a basis for gathering for social expression to party, drink, dance, and have plenty of sexual innuendo.

The above is a raw form of expression and provides insight to the early forms of traditional blues.

[weedeewop]

An easy recommendation is Robert Mugge’s documentary Deep Blues. It may still be available to stream on the Criterion Channel.

[weedeewop]

Bertrand Tavenier’s Mississippi Blues is an easy recommendation, currently available on the Criterion Channel:

Mississippi Blues

[lonson]

I agree Roger. I started there (and almost stopped as Blind Willie Johnson nearly scared me to death!) and then started exploring the Chess catalog, earliest onward.

[RonP]

There are a zillion blues artists with their (typically) regional styles. And there are two zillion books on the subject.
Maybe start here: The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings

[weedeewop]

That was helpful

[bootzilla]

Check out:

Freddie King:

Son House:

Albert Collins:

Son Seals:

[weedeewop]

Lonson had mentioned Blind Willie Johnson, which is an excellent suggestion. I’d consider The Columbia compilation double CD The Complete Blind Willie Johnson to be at the core of any serios blues collection. Several songs in particular immediately come to mind:

QOBUZ links:

Dark was the Night, Cold Was the Ground

Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning

John the Revalator

It’s Nobody’s Fault But Mine

[weedeewop]

Elmore James, Shake Your Money Maker: The Best of the Fire Sessions, best known for his slide guitar technique.

Dust My Broom

The Sky is Crying

Mean Mistreatin’ MamaThe History of Elmore James** The Sky is Crying**

[weedeewop]

Skip James The Complete Early Recordings of Skip James 1930, this being a Yazoo compilation is the best starting point for Skip James.

Hard Time KIllin’ Floor Blues

SkipJames influence was mighty:

Killing Floor

Hard Time Killing Floor Blues

[Clover]

Thanks to everyone who has replied. Tons of info already and my playlist has ballooned a ton. It’s going to take me awhile, but this is fantastic. I’ve tried to start with some of the oldest that was suggested and will try to work forward in time to a certain extent. I’m not sure what book I’ll start with yet, but it looks like I have some great options. I plan to keep coming back to share some of my thoughts and look for more guidance, but that you all again.

[weedeewop]

Hound Dog Taylor and the House Rockers

Hound Dog Taylor and the House Rockers Natural Boogie

She’s Gone

Give Me Back My Wig

Roll Your Money Maker

Hound Dog Taylor had considerable influence on Boston’s George Thorogood and the Destroyers, a great bar band IME.

Bad to the Bone

[weedeewop]

There is a lot of excellent Chess Albums out there, but if I could only have one it would be Chess Blues, a 4 CD box set.

To dive into the Chicago scene hard and deep there is the 30th Anniversary Alligator double CD:

I doubt either collection is available on TIDAL or QOBUZ.