Topic: Who is your best country blues lyricist

[ArthurBlake]

I have always marveled at the lyrical abilities of Robert Johnson and Blind Blake and many many others. Who is your favourite or favourites, purely for the lyrics. Of course it is always a matter of opinion but I usually prefer those who make me laugh. Robert and Blind Blake sure do, I LOVE double entendre's.
 
There is of course no RIGHT answer or opinion here.

P.S. If this thread needs to be moved to another location by John or another moderator please by all means do, just pm me if you can

[frankie]

St. Louis may well be the poignancy capital of the US:

Walter Davis
Clifford Gibson

and then there's always Lemon. It seems like his lyric bag runs the gamut - beautiful, impressionistic amalgams of 'floating verse' to carefully honed 'thematic' blues (Peach Orchard Mama really had legs, didn't it?).

[banjochris]

Lemon, McTell, Bo Carter, Robert Wilkins, Lonnie Johnson come to my mind.

[blueshome]

Leroy Carr, Tampa Red, Sleepy John Estes. Many of their songs still played today.

For social commentary - Hi Henry Brown.

[harvey]

Depends what kind of lyrics I supose.

Luke Jordan really makes me laugh even though the subject is often quite dark.. I would say that skill was before his time, if you make films like that these days you?re a genius. I am sure there are others in that category.

[ArthurBlake]

St. Louis may well be the poignancy capital of the US:

Walter Davis
Clifford Gibson

and then there's always Lemon. It seems like his lyric bag runs the gamut - beautiful, impressionistic amalgams of 'floating verse' to carefully honed 'thematic' blues (Peach Orchard Mama really had legs, didn't it?).

Good lyrics in many BLJ songs, with his repertoire the songs he wrote are easy to pick I think. Clifford Gibson is a beauty too, as for Walter I have just heard a few of his songs although I have heard him on a few other recordings backing Lucille Bogan. Feel free to post any of your favourite verses too.

[Prof Scratchy]

Sleepy John!

[eric]

I'm going to go with Blind Lemon; his lyrics are quirky, funny and original.

[One-Eyed Ross]

Blind Boy Fuller, Bo Carter, Blind Blake.  There are others I enjoy, but those three would be top of the list.

[Johnm]

Hi all,
So many of my favorites have already been named, but there's nothing that says we can't have the same favorites.
  *  All-around favorite, and especially for communicating a life lived--Sleepy John Estes
  *  Favorite single song lyrics--Walter Davis--"I Can't See Your Face", L.V. Thomas--"Motherless Child Blues"
  *  Favorite eccentric--Willie Blackwell
  *  Favorite Old-Time/Blues--David McCarn
All best,
Johnm

[GhostRider]

Howdy:

I'll second Luke Jordan and add my fav., Funny Papa Smith.

Alex

[harriet]

Rev Wilkins
Furry Lewis
Joe Callicott
Sleepy John Estes

[Stuart]

Charley Patton, because half the time I can't understand what he's singing and the other half I can't understand what he means. This aligns perfectly with my life experiences and world view. --And then there's the third half...

[banjochris]

Sleepy John Estes for sure, how could I forget (it was late!)? Lightnin' Hopkins had some great lyrics too.

[Old Man Ned]

I'll add Furry Lewis, great story teller who also makes my laugh.  In agreement with Sleepy John Estes.  His "Floating Bridge", I can almost taste the water when I listen to it.  And Willie Blackwell, who I'm listening to now, is just bizarre.....but wonderful.