Topic: Johnny Shines' "Delta Pines"

[Coyote Slim]

As an avid Shines fan and someone who primarily figures things out on his own, it took me a while to get around to the point where I realized I wasn't going to figure this one out just by listening and messing around.  The lyrics I have no problem with, I've pretty much got them memorized.  But he's doing so much on the guitar I can't even tell what tuning he's in.  Anyone got any ideas?

[frankie]

Is the tune you mean Delta Pine Blues - recorded in the 40s, or Delta Pine, which sounds like it was recorded in the 60s or 70s...  that last one is on the 'Traditional Delta Blues' CD on Biograph.  They both sound like they're in std tuning, key of E.  Delta Pine Blues has more of a shuffle rhythm, Delta Pine is faster, and has more of a 4-beat feel: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and...  less of a triplet feel.

he could be tuned lower or higher than the E, but it definitely sounds like he's playing in E position on both.

[frankie]

Delta Pine Blues also has a totally slick break - just awesome...  busts out of first position a little and is just perfectly executed.

[Coyote Slim]

The later ones -- the early one has the same/ similar lyrics but a different rhythm.  In addition to the Biograph recording there's one on another CD on Rounder that was recorded live in Washington state, I believe.

[Bunker Hill]

In addition to the Biograph recording there's one on another CD on Rounder that was recorded live in Washington state, I believe.

Can you spot it among this lot? http://www.wirz.de/music/shinefrm.htm

[Coyote Slim]

Yep, Bunker, it's the "Hey-Ba-Ba-Re-Bop" album.  Recorded in Boston, not Washington.  Wow!  Looks like I've got some Shines shopping to do....

[Coyote Slim]

Man... tough fast runs...  I've got some of it down... now I don't want to play anything else 'till I get it.