Topic: What Country Blues musicians would you most like to have seen perform?

[RB]

I did see a fair number of those mentioned play in the 1960's.  But I think the thrust of the original question was the dream of seeing performers in situ in the the 1920's or 1930's, in essence something that could only be a dream and never fulfilled. (I've felt that way around a lot of women.)  Something desired from a few recordings or from biography. 

Nobody mentioned Robert Petway.  I want to see and hear him play 'Catfish.'  'I didn't have no words to say.'  The I want to see and hear Roosevelt Graves and his brother playing those two very fine religious songs, 'I'll be Rested When the Roll is Called,' and 'I Woke up this Morning with My Mind on Jesus.'

[jed]

Ditto on Patton, Lemon, Harney, Geechie, etc., even RJ.  Barbecue Bob anywhere.  Old Mose Mason singing Molly Man.  Funny Papa Smith and Kokomo Arnold.  So many favorites. 

[Johnm]

Hi all,
I'm wishing that I could have seen a few of the players who were alive in my lifetime and whom I missed:  Frank Hovington, who lived just across the state line from me in Delaware, when I was in my teens and twenties, Henry Johnson, whom some of my friends were fortunate enough to see and hear many times down in the Carolinas, and particular favorites of mine from the George Mitchell Recordings:  Jimmy Lee Williams, Lonzie Thomas (!), John Lee Ziegler and Rosa Lee Hill.  In recent years I've been drawn more and more to music recorded and played in the Post-War period.
All best,
Johnm

[unezrider]

hey john,

In recent years I've been drawn more and more to music recorded and played in the Post-War period./quote]

i know that isn't the subject of this thread, but i find that interesting. & i was wondering if you are finding yourself drawn to that more now, because you are hearing things in those performances that are unique to the recordings made in those years? (i've read o'muck's thoughts on the urgency, among other things, he hears in those post-war recordings. forgive me, if i got the word wrong.)
i've spent more time in the past listening to pre-war recordings, & have found myself over the last year or so, listening to more post-war CB because it's stuff i haven't lived with the past 15 years. or simply, it's new to me.
chris

[Fatmouth Jones]

Big Joe Williams and Sony Boy together.
Mance Lipscomb when he was a young man.

[Zymeguy]

I would love to have seen Scrapper Blackwell...I just want to see his right hand in action! Also, a Tommy McClennan show would be exciting to say the least! That man could sing!

[Old Man Ned]

I see Willie Walker's been mentioned a couple of times.  I'd love to have seen the string band that Willie Walker and Rev Gary Davis are said to have played in.

[oddenda]

McTell, then Blake. Especially McTell who sounds like one incredible individual as well as musician.

pbl

[Steve Pajik]

Oh, I though of another one (I apologize if someone already mentioned it): I'd like to go back in time to watch Robert Petway record "Catfish Blues". Now wouldn't THAT would be cool to see/hear in person?!

Steve

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Romeo Nelson
All best,
Johnm

[outfidel]

The Big 4: Patton, Blake, Blind Lemon & Blind Willie Johnson

plus Mississippi John Hurt

[harriet]

Charllie Patton
Joe Callicot
Rev. John Wilkins
Blind Willie Johnson
Robert Johnson
Willie Mctell
Fred McDowell
Big Joe Williams

[GrasshopperBlues52499]

Blind Lemon Jefferson
Son House
Charley Patton
Blind Willie Johnson
Big Joe Williams
Blind Willie McTell
Sonny Boy Williamson I
Sleepy John Estes
Yank Rachell
Hammie Nixon
Barbecue Bob
Cannon's Jug Stompers
Memphis Jug Band
Robert Johnson
Memphis Minnie
Papa Charlie Jackson
Blind Blake
both Willie Browns (yes, including "Kid Bailey")
Henry Thomas
Willie Walker
Reverend Gary Davis
Tampa Red
Big Bill Broonzy
Lonnie Johnson (in his prime)
Jaybird Coleman
Buddy Boy Hawkins
Blind Boy Fuller
William Moore
Mississippi Sheiks
Tommy Johnson
Furry Lewis
Mississippi John Hurt
Lightnin' Hopkins
Howling Wolf (when he was playing in Dockery)
Muddy Waters (at Stovall's)
Bo Carter
Skip James

and, needless to say, so many others... including the ones who never got the chance to record! 

[Forgetful Jones]

Charlie Patton and Blind Lemon Jefferson are my main 2 pre-war guys. Post-war gotta be Mance Lipscomb.

I'd also add Junior Kimbrough to my list. When he died, I had been listening to him for just a year or two. A friend of mine brought him to my attention, mentioning that people from all over travel to his juke joint to see him. I wish we had made that trip!

[btasoundsradio]

Also:
Papa Harvey Hull and Long Cleve Reed. I don't even know how those vocal harmonies on "Two Little Tommies" were captured on record, absolutely chilling. Those guys were gifted.

Jed Davenport. I bet the spit was flying in the studio that day.

I also for some reason has a very clear visual of Lane Hardin playing when I listen to him. I see a movie of him in my head.

And of course Geeshie and L.V. Just wow.