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Steve_A's avatar

Where can I find music and people who play old blues like this?

Asked by Steve_A (5130points) March 4th, 2010

I know a fair share of blues guys like SRV,BB king, Buddy guy,Eric Clapton, and that kind of style….

but I really like that old old sound, I guess I’m asking what came before these guys?

One guy I am hooked is Son House – Grinnin in your face

Also how do you find people who still play this kind of music? There is not much a “blues” scene around here least none that I am aware of…......

Thanks as always.

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32 Answers

TheLoneMonk's avatar

Try my friend Hubert Sumlin. Hubert has played with the Stones and Clapton and everyone in between and he lives in Milwaukee and still comes to clubs and sits in to play with the house bands. Do yourself a solid and check him out.

gemiwing's avatar

What I would recommend is looking for Delta Blues artists. There’s a channel on Last.FM, several podcasts as well.

Also- check out the Smithsonian’s blues collection for delta blues artists. They have one of the most extensive collections of recordings and also sell CD’s.

Delta Blues Museum Podcast

Cruiser's avatar

Anything by Robert Johnson is a great place to start…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC4M4eQlz5I

deni's avatar

BO DIDDLEY.

UScitizen's avatar

I second Robert Johnson

jeffgoldblumsprivatefacilities's avatar

You should try some of Tom Waits’ older stuff. Blue Valentine is a great record with a Blues-ish vibe. Give it a listen.

dpworkin's avatar

The Mississippi Delta is shining like a National Guitar.

Cruiser's avatar

Lead Belly was another great Delta blues player.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRtd9TFfScU&feature=related

aprilsimnel's avatar

Are you near Chicago? I used to go down there all the time when I lived in Madison to see people like B.B. King and Koko Taylor. The real old guys are pretty much gone, but there are clubs in Chicago that keep the spirit alive. I used to go to Kingston Mines a lot.

As for what you can listen to on your own, try some Leadbelly, Charlie Patton, Mississippi Fred McDowell and Sam ‘Lightnin’’ Hopkins (R.E.M. wrote a song about him).

OperativeQ's avatar

Son House is a favorite of mine. Try Muddy Waters. He’s brilliant.

Steve_A's avatar

@aprilsimnel Na, I live in FL haha…

deni's avatar

@OperativeQ excellent suggestion with Muddy Waters. yes. yes. yes.

Steve_A's avatar

@aprilsimnel Hey maybe I should move to Chicago hah! :)

rebbel's avatar

Follow this thread Great suggestions. GQ.

jonsblond's avatar

I agree with @gemiwing. LastFM is great for giving you similar artists. I’m listening to Buddy Guy right now on John Lee Hooker radio.

Steve_A's avatar

Thanks all gonna check out some more.

janbb's avatar

Mississippi John Hurt is a terrific finger-picking guitarist and a sweet, sweet blues singer.

OperativeQ's avatar

Pandora.com is a similar site to last.fm that I like much better.

dpworkin's avatar

@OperativeQ is firing on 8 cylinders today. Another GA.

Adirondackwannabe's avatar

See if Colin Escott has a website. He wrote the liner notes to my The Best of John Lee Hooker 1965 to 1974. I’ll look around a little when I get a chance.

josie's avatar

Bukka White and Muddy Waters were recorded around the same time or earlier than Son House. Robert Johnson.

dcbma's avatar

Newbie here! If you live in Florida, look for Ben Prestage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XElv0qy_FWY
check out the cigar box guitar. Lots of videos on YouTube.

BluRhino's avatar

Check out the dvd Lightning in a Bottle and most definitely peruse the Blind Pig label. Look for these guys too : Luther Allison, Junior Wells, Michael Burks, and my all time fave, the sound track from Rush Enjoy!

Jewel's avatar

Pandora is what I was going to suggest, but it has already been done! It was a great way to sample and be exposed to new music and musicians, like the original radio used to do!.

janbb's avatar

@dpworkin That is such a great song.

laureth's avatar

The Smithsonian Folkways label has a lot of great really old blues from the archives.

http://www.folkways.si.edu/

monocle's avatar

I think gemiwing has the best answer.

Jeruba's avatar

Still alive and going strong, still recording, still touring: my old friend Chris Smither.

He used to do a lot of old stuff like this:
Statesboro Blues

Now and for many years it’s mostly his own compositions:
No Love Today
Caveman
Help Me Now
Leave the Light On

He does a few covers, such as this:
Crocodile Man

Many more if you go looking. He’s the real thing. He learned from the old guys you like, especially Mississippi John Hurt.

john65pennington's avatar

Howlin Wolf and Lightin’ Slim. check them out on youtube. once you are on this site, check the sides for other gut bucket blues artists from the Delta of Misssippi.

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