When people from Australia or Japan or Italy say, 'Oh, I love the blues,' they're not talking about the Southwest blues styles, the Georgia 12-string players, ragtime Piedmont styles or whatever. It's the Delta blues. If you say, 'Who do you like?' they'll name Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf, Son House - Dick Waterman, to Francis Davis, quoted in Davis' book
No-one seems to have transcribed this excellent song so here it is. I hope the abridged choruses are acceptable - they are all the same on the recording. There's one line I'm not sure about because it sounds so odd. In the third verse, the only possibilities I can hear are "Got a load of wood", "Bought a load of wood" or "Order a load of wood". Is he really saying "a load of wood" or is it something else? Any help appreciated.
Goin? down to the station Gun in my hand Tryin? to get something my woman been Givin? another man
I?m grievin? and I'm worryin? Babe I?m grievin? and I'm worryin? Babe I?m grievin? and I'm worryin? Mama ?bout the way you do
I wanna say something mama I want you to understand Don?t be givin? my lovin? To no other man
Babe I?m grievin? etc...
Gone up town Got a load of wood Run right back, my baby She got something good
Now I?m grievin? etc...
I worked for that woman Through that ice and snow Weather done got warm now She don?t want me no more
Babe I?m grievin? etc...
« Last Edit: July 10, 2020, 06:18:25 PM by Johnm »
Hi all, Floyd "Dipper Boy" Council was an exceptionally strong singer and player from North Carolina whose musical career was unfortunately inadequately documented on recordings; given how expert he was, there are just too few recordings of him. "Runaway Man Blues" has him accompanying himself out of A position in standard tuning, working very much the same territory as such Carolinas players of the '30s and '40s as Blind Boy Fuller, Rich and Willie Trice, Sonny Jones and Baby Tate. Boy, was he good! Here is the song:
SOLO
When I left my home, I left my baby cryin' When I left my home, I left my baby cryin' Singin', "Daddy you going to leave me, and it sure do grieve my mind."
Yeah, my mama in the kitchen, sister in the door Hey, hey, 'ey, sister in the door But my baby in the back yard, cryin', "Daddy, don't go."
Don't you worry 'bout me, mama, don't count the days I'm gone Don't you worry about me mama, don't count the days I'm gone 'Cause you got to remember, someday your daddy will be back home
SOLO (Spoken: All right, boy)
I'm gon' get me a razor, knife and a blue-steel gun I'm gonna get me a razor, knife and a blue-steel gun So I can cut you if you stand, shoot you if you run
All best, Johnm
« Last Edit: July 20, 2015, 03:28:50 PM by Johnm »
Hi all, Floyd Council played "Looking For My Baby" out of C position in standard tuning, putting in lots of nifty touches in his opening solo that indicated he wasn't simply channeling Blind Boy Fuller, but had a lot of his own ideas to offer. Here is his rendition of the song:
SOLO
Walking and walking, walking all by myself I been walking and walking, walking all by myself Because that woman I love, lovin' somebody else
Get me my black horse, and rope up my gray mare Get me my black horse and, rope up my gray mare I got to find my baby, she's in this world somewhere
SOLO
I done walked and walked my, feet down to the nub I done walked and walked my, feet down to the nub I'm gon' keep on walkin' 'til I find that woman I love
I'm gonna get me a woman, woman that's old and gray I'm gon' get me a woman, woman that's old and gray Maybe she'll stay at home and won't be givin' my lovin' away
All best, Johnm
« Last Edit: September 07, 2018, 09:25:43 AM by Johnm »
Hi all, Floyd Council recorded "Working Man Blues" on February 11, 1937 at a session in New York City, accompanying himself out of A position in standard tuning. Like many Carolina blues players of his era, he was particularly strong and inventive working in A position. I particularly like his signature lick at :35--:36. Here is "Working Man Blues":
INTRO SOLO
A working man, ain't nothin' but a dog A working man, ain't nothin' but a dog When he work hard all the week, payday, his woman wants it all
I came home this morning, 'tween 9:30 and 10 When I got home this morning, between 9:30 and 10 When I found that old backbiter, right settin' [sic] back in my den
Babe, I feel like snappin', my pistol in your face Hey-hey, my pistol in your face Let some low-down undertaker, carry you to your resting place
A working man, oughta come home 'head of time Hey-hey, oughta come home 'head of time So you could catch your dirty woman, just like I caught mine
Lord, Lord, ain't gon' work no more Lord, Lord, ain't going to work no more I'm gon' get me a working woman, and let this housekeeper go