I know how much people like timelines….
Roots Music
Since our blues timeline was so popular, here is a follow up for a timeline based on American Roots Music. Naturally, this timeline does not have everything listed. Similar to the blues timeline, it simply provides a starting point into the timeline of American Roots Music.
If you would like to see updates, comment on this post, and I will add them to the timeline.
Enjoy!
Census Records Shed Light on Charley (Charlie) Patton
Charlie Patton
Recently, a reader of this site by the name of Jeff Giambrone came across some interesting information, and passed it along to me.
To my knowledge, this information has not been published before.
Census Records have been discovered for Charley Patton (spelled Charlie) in the 1900 Census Records for Hinds County. They show Charlie living with his parents and siblings.
These documents also provide more insight into his actual birthdate, which has been a mystery for years, as well as a possible connection to his birthplace.
Read more below to see images of the actual records, and see why this information is so important.
Records are Found That Rewrite History
Robert Johnson
Well, Steve LaVere has done it again.
Although he has done a lot, Steve is most notably credited with discovering what is believed to be the true final resting place of Robert Johnson. Now he has done it again – in issue #203 of Living Blues Magazine.
In the article, Steve reveals that he has found more never before seen documentation on Robert Johnson. These come in the form of census records, discovered in an unusual area. Seeing Johnson in both the 1920 and 1930 census records is very eye opening, especially to a Johnson scholar.
The information haunting, chilling, and most notably, sheds more light on the man that was Robert Johnson.
Blind Willie McTell
Old Blind Willie Could Play Them Blues
Though he wasn’t from the Delta, per se, he could play those country blues. “Blind Willie” McTell was one of the great blues musicians of the 1920s and 1930s. Displaying an extraordinary range on the twelve-string guitar, this Atlanta-based musician recorded more than 120 titles during fourteen recording sessions. His voice was soft and expressive, and his musical tastes were influenced by southern blues, ragtime, gospel, hillbilly, and popular music.
At a time when most blues musicians were poorly educated and rarely traveled, McTell was an exception. He could read and write music in Braille. He traveled often from Atlanta to New York City, frequently alone. As a person faced with a physical disability and social inequities, he expressed in his music a strong confidence in dealing with the everyday world.
Continue reading ‘“Blind WIllie” McTell aka Georgia Sam: A Profile’
Robert Curtis Smith, also recorded as RC Smith, is the Real Deal
Robert Curtis Smith
You can download the album(free) by following this link.
A classis story of a blues artist, Robert Curtis Smith – or “RC” as he was affectionately known – was the real deal. Born in 1930 in Mississippi, Smith supported his family with hard labor and hunting rabbits.
He was heavily influenced by Big Bill Broonzy, as was discovered by chance in a barber shop. Later, during the blues explosion of the sixties, he was re-recorded in 1962, but he failed to capture the ears of the predominantly whiter audience of the blues.
by 1969, Smith would give up the blues all together, and reunite with the church. Little more is known of him – but if he’s alive, he would be 79 years old, and live either outside Clarksdale or in the Yazoo area.
Everyone Knows the Hound! Did you Know He is Responsible for Alligator Records?
Taylor had 6 fingers on both hands... at first
Hound Dog Taylor is one of the lesser known, but most influential bluesmen of his time. Some say he was a pioneer of rock and roll, some say he was the first ever artist to shape modern punk.
The fact remains, however, that Hound Dog was a great musician, and an interesting character. Below is a look at Hound Dog’s life through the eyes of eye witnesses, reports, and first hand accounts.
If you haven’t seen Hound Dog play live, you should check him out here before you read the story. It will make for a more interesting read.
Continue reading ‘Hound Dog Taylor – Everyone Knows the Hound’
Blues History
Important Dates in the Blues
Often times I have people asking me about certain dates when it comes to the blues. So I decided, after reading a book about Blues that contained a very intricate blues timeline, that I would share a basic blues timeline on this site for those that were unaware.
This particular timeline was first posted at Mojo Hand, an online Blues store. I decided to re-post it for all those blues fans out there.
It may not have all the dates here, but it is definitely a great place to start. Moving forward, I invite readers to comment on this post, and request dates be added. I will add them as fast as I can…
Willie Brown Grave
M and O Blues - WIllie Brown
Willie Brown, perhaps one of the greatest bluesman, is buried in an unmarked grave in Prichard, MS.
In the near future, we will begin to raise money to erect a memorial headstone for Willie Brown, located in Good Shepherd Church Cemetery, his final resting place.
Born in Clarksdale, MS, Brown was not a self-promoting frontman. Instead, he chose to play and support some of the greatest of all time. This includes Charley Patton, Son House, Robert Johnson, and a whole lot more.
Though there was some confusion to his early identity, Brown played with Son House continually for years. Actually, when Brown died, Son House put down his guitar and his music for over 12 years due to his death.
Read more to discover the location of his grave, directions how to get there, and a few known pictures of the location.
We know he recorded November 23, 1936. Now we know the how. But the where….
Robert Johnson
We all know that good old Robert Johnson had his first recording session that faithful day in November, 1936. But still, a lot of speculation has recently emerged about that session.
Of course, there are the rumors of turning his back to the audience (the next group of musicians to record), and now there is speculation as to where this recording was actually done.
Read this article and see a diagram of Robert Johnson’s recording session, regardless of the place. Read on to discover more information about this historical recording session.
Where exactly was he recorded? What is corner loading? How was the room set up?
Continue reading ‘Robert Johnson Recording Set Up and Location’
As Told by Terry Manning, Who Recorded Furry in His Home on 4th Street.
Furry Lewis
This is the story, as told by Terry Manning, of that faithful day in 1969 when he went to the home of Furry Lewis, and recorded him in his room, on his bed.
It is a great story, and definitely part of the blues revival. In 1998 Terry decided to write of his experiences, and I do believe a book is either coming soon, or is already out.
Enjoy the recap of one of the blues recordings moments in history.
