Topic: Jailhouse Fire Blues- Buddy Boy Hawkins

[Norfolk Slim]

I've just taken delivery of a new toy and couldn't resist taking it for a spin with the camera running; so here is Buddy Boy Hawkins' Jailhouse Fire Blues.



As is often the case, once I had the gist of it I didn't listen much to the original and I suspect its taken on its own life to an extent.  Certainly I didn't try to emulate the weird singing.

The guitar is worrying me because it seems too good to be true :-)

Its an Oscar Schmidt Stella "The Gambler".  It plays beautifully- gentle action, no buzzes.  It has a more rounded and sophisticated tone (and more sustain) than other Stellas I have played.  It fits me like a glove- feeling very very similar to my 1946 Harmony Stella which is probably my favourite guitar in terms of how it feels to play, but sounding so much better.

Condition is excellent.  I spent an age yesterday doing online research and looking at it closely to check it was all authentic and have found nothing to suggest the contrary so I'm very pleased with it indeed 

[Parlor Picker]

I like it - nice performance on a fine guitar. You always seem to find interesting material to tackle, Simon.

[Blues Vintage]

Well done Norfolk. Came across Buddy Boy Hawkins on a compilation once. Gotta check out him out some more. But I think he didn't made that many records.

[Pan]

Very nice, Simon!

A beautiful Gambler too!

Cheers

Pan

[Prof Scratchy]

Great tune, great sounding guitar!

[Johnm]

Nice job, Simon!  Moving a lot of air with your singing and your guitar playing has a lot of dynamics, string-snapping and the like.  The guitar really does suit you!
All best,
Johnm

[frankie]

Great song and nice job, Simon! I have to confess that I never really thought of Hawkins' singing on this particular one to be weird...  but that prolly says more about me! 

[banjochris]

Very nice! And a beautiful guitar, too!

[uncle bud]

Nicely done, Simon. There's not enough Buddy Boy Hawkins in the world. Nice find on the guitar too, it's a beauty.

[Rivers]

Excellent combination of triplets and bass licks there, and a nice gravel edge to the voice. Gambler sounds great, I'd be interested to hear you attack it with metal picks but the soft fleshy sound is very nice indeed.

[Slack]

Really enjoyed that Simon!  The guitar is an inspiration - my favorite of yours!

[ArthurBlake]

Very enjoyable performance