Topic: Blind Boy Fuller "Oh Red"

[finn]

Howdy all,  I've started to work out Fuller's version of the Harlem Hamfat's song "Oh Red".  I recognised a chord shape that Big Bill uses in "Hey Hey" and so thought Fuller's was also in the key of E.  But.... Fuller grabs that chord with no gap. In E, that puts it too far up the neck to play it so slick. It must be in C. You can hear an F shape in the song (which I initially thought was used for the A chord). Anybody know if I'm on track with working it out in C ? 

[Rivers]

Which chord shape did you recognize? That would help narrow it down.

And welcome to WC

[finn]

Big Bill uses a flat 3rd with a 6th on top for an E chord in "Hey Hey".                                                   In "New Oh Red" Fuller uses the same flat 3rd with the 6th. I think he's playing a 1st position C and then goes right to this chord. It seems like it's a 1st position D7 shape moved up 3 frets;  the notes C, E flat & A on top. I think he may use the open A in the bass with it....   It's a cool sound in a cool song.                                                                                                                                                   Hey, thanks for the welcome! This is my kinda place.

[Rivers]

Could be a two finger double stop-type chord? Closest I have gotten so far is std tuning, C position, the accent chord in question could be as simple as x 0 x x 4 5,
capoed up 3 frets of course.

It's a real quick change from a 1st position C and easy to bend/vibrate. Lot of damping going on on the bass end, Floyd Dipper Boy Council is taking care of business on the bass strings. Actually sounds pretty good like this: x 0 0 0 4 5, discordant but raggy.

I'll be interested to hear what others might say.

[banjochris]

Sounds like a partial diminished 7th to me -- xxx545, but he might hit some open strings too. And yes, definitely in C position.

[finn]

Thanks for the helpful replies,  it's a fun song to explore... Tim