Topic: Leon Benton

[LoneWolf]

Leon Benton was a Texas guitarist (obviously VERY influenced by Lightnin') who recorded two sides in 1950 (I think) with Texas Alexander on vocals and Buster Pickens on piano as "Benton's Busy Bees".

Those recordings are not masterpieces but are enjoyable enough. I'm interested to know if Benton recorded anything other than those two sides.

[Bunker Hill]

That 78 is his only known appearance on record. Both Mack McCormick in 50s and Lawrence Brown in 80s drew complete blanks when trying to track down/identify Benton. I think that all Pickens had to say about him was that he was a "guitar player".

[LoneWolf]

That's a shame. He was a good guitarist, although he (and Pickens) seemed to have some trouble with Alexander's timing...

[Bunker Hill]

As an update, it appears that McCormick did finally track Benton down in the 60s and interviewed him. Some of this was included in the manuscript of the proposed Oliver-McCormick Texas Blues book which never happened (see MMcC's open letter to Blues Unlimited reproduced elsewhere).

Houston-based blues researcher Andrew Brown has kindly supplied me with the following dates for Leon Benton

Born: 19 Jul 1909
Died: 11 Oct 1992, Houston, Tx.

[LoneWolf]

Thank you for the info, sir!

[Bunker Hill]

Thank you for the info, sir!

Sir? Sir? Me? I don't think so,

[mississippijohnhurt1928]

Leon Benton was a Texas guitarist (obviously VERY influenced by Lightnin') who recorded two sides in 1950 (I think) with Texas Alexander on vocals and Buster Pickens on piano as "Benton's Busy Bees".

Those recordings are not masterpieces but are enjoyable enough. I'm interested to know if Benton recorded anything other than those two sides.

Texas Alexander was still alive in 1950!!??

Where can I find this record???

[uncle bud]

Leon Benton was a Texas guitarist (obviously VERY influenced by Lightnin') who recorded two sides in 1950 (I think) with Texas Alexander on vocals and Buster Pickens on piano as "Benton's Busy Bees".

Those recordings are not masterpieces but are enjoyable enough. I'm interested to know if Benton recorded anything other than those two sides.

Texas Alexander was still alive in 1950!!??

Where can I find this record???

Volume 3 on Document. These two songs are not strong sides, IMO. But the CD as a whole is definitely worth it.

[Bunker Hill]

Texas Alexander was still alive in 1950!!??

Died in 1954. Elsewhere on WC there's a doscussion pertaining to this. Try using the TAGs to locate it.

[mississippijohnhurt1928]

Leon Benton was a Texas guitarist (obviously VERY influenced by Lightnin') who recorded two sides in 1950 (I think) with Texas Alexander on vocals and Buster Pickens on piano as "Benton's Busy Bees".

Those recordings are not masterpieces but are enjoyable enough. I'm interested to know if Benton recorded anything other than those two sides.

Texas Alexander was still alive in 1950!!??

Where can I find this record???

Volume 3 on Document. These two songs are not strong sides, IMO. But the CD as a whole is definitely worth it.

Thanks! Are the last two tracks, the record in question?

[mississippijohnhurt1928]

I just listened to the sides, they're masterpieces in my mind.

Every country blues song I've ever heard is a masterpiece to me, I can't think of one pre-war country blues record I don't love.

[LoneWolf]

I can't think of one pre-war country blues record I don't love.

I can... For example, Charley Patton's "Pony Blues", this song sucks. I hate Charley Patton, he couldn't even play.

[Slack]

Ah, to be a troll ... and young again.   

[mississippijohnhurt1928]

I can't think of one pre-war country blues record I don't love.

I can... For example, Charley Patton's "Pony Blues", this song sucks. I hate Charley Patton, he couldn't even play.

That's a joke..... I hope. 

[LoneWolf]

Yes!! Somebody took it seriously!! Mission accomplished!

Patton is my favorite musician, but that's besides the point.