I've chosen Spoonful for this months song. There are so many terrrific versions of this tune I can't pick out a single one I like best. How do you pick between the Charlie Patton, Charley Jordan and Howlin Wolf versions.
Given the popularity of the song among musicians across, country blues, chicago blues and soul I've been surprised how little background I've been able to dig up. Like other tunes I've posted for SOTM, recording starts with Papa Charlie Jackson so I'm guessing Spoonful goes back pre-blues. Any information on the background of the tune is welcomed.
I wasn't aware of Larry Johnson's or Etta James versions. I'm also guessing most folk have heard the versions I'm posting here so please add others I've missed.
Let's start with Spoonful by Papa Charlie Jackson (1925)
Here's a bunch of guitar versions. The Rev Gary Davis version is from the "Live at Newport Album" go straight to Lovin' Spoonful at 21:57 or if you have the time, ease up to it and enjoy the wonderful playing on the tracks before, then you'll probably want to stick around a listen to the whole album.
Charlie Patton (1929)
Charley Jordan
Two from Mississippi John Hurt
Lovin' Spoonful
Coffee blues
Larry Johnson
Rev Gary Davis
A couple of Chicago blues version, for want of a better phrase, a wonderful version from Howlin Wolf with the amazing Hubert Sumlin on guitar followed by Koko Taylor's version.
Jimmy Witherspoon
Koko Taylor
Here's Etta James version
Etta James
and rounding off with Tuba Skinny
Enjoy!
Given the popularity of the song among musicians across, country blues, chicago blues and soul I've been surprised how little background I've been able to dig up. Like other tunes I've posted for SOTM, recording starts with Papa Charlie Jackson so I'm guessing Spoonful goes back pre-blues. Any information on the background of the tune is welcomed.
I wasn't aware of Larry Johnson's or Etta James versions. I'm also guessing most folk have heard the versions I'm posting here so please add others I've missed.
Let's start with Spoonful by Papa Charlie Jackson (1925)
Here's a bunch of guitar versions. The Rev Gary Davis version is from the "Live at Newport Album" go straight to Lovin' Spoonful at 21:57 or if you have the time, ease up to it and enjoy the wonderful playing on the tracks before, then you'll probably want to stick around a listen to the whole album.
Charlie Patton (1929)
Charley Jordan
Two from Mississippi John Hurt
Lovin' Spoonful
Coffee blues
Larry Johnson
Rev Gary Davis
A couple of Chicago blues version, for want of a better phrase, a wonderful version from Howlin Wolf with the amazing Hubert Sumlin on guitar followed by Koko Taylor's version.
Jimmy Witherspoon
Koko Taylor
Here's Etta James version
Etta James
and rounding off with Tuba Skinny
Enjoy!