Topic: Favorite Treatments of Musical Time

[Johnm]

Hi all,
I thought it might be fun for folks to list Country Blues performances in which the treatment of musical time brings them particular joy. I suspect that the way we respond to different grooves is a personal thing, and not some kind of area of universal agreement, which makes it all the more interesting. Anyhow, to get the ball rolling, I'll post a couple of my own favorites. Just to make tunes available to the greatest number of folks, let's limit ourselves to two tunes per post. Here goes:



That is Skoodle Dum Doo and Sheffield's "Tampa Blues", which for me is the swingingest East Coast blues ever. Boy, would I have loved to be at the session when those guys laid this tune down!



Frankie Lee Sims' "Lucy Mae Blues". No need to say anything more--whew!

Any other favorites out there?

All best,
Johnm

[dj]

So many wonderful examples to choose from!  I'll go with Blind Boy Fuller's version of Shake It Baby.



Fuller could drive a deep rhythm all by himself, but he often had help from one of the great washboard players: George Washington (aka Bull City Red, aka Oh Red).  Here the two of them get together to, as George Clinton would put it 45 years later, "Tear the roof off the sucker".  The washboard and guitar just fit together so sympathetically here, sort of pushing each other on.

Full disclosure:  This was the first song on Side 1 of the Blues Classics LP of Blind Boy Fuller.  When I was 15 (54 years ago!), I dropped the needle on this song and it changed my life.  So I might be just a little prejudiced.   

[lindy]

Here are two favorites at this particular moment in time because I listened to them earlier today. Ask me again tomorrow:



and



unplugged version:

[waxwing]

I'll just put up this one. I love how Bogus Ben Covington keeps the rhythm roiling under on the banjolin, coming and going like an AM radio. Then, always comes out of the narrative with "Hot Dog" perfectly understated but on time.

Wax

[Thomas8]

Great idea John!   

This has a rather relentless stomp to it



Charley Jordan always had very heavy time, particularly when playing with Peetie Wheatstraw

[Johnm]

Hi Thomas,
Thanks for posting. The Charley Jordan/Peetie Wheatstraw video you posted doesn't work in the U. S. If you tell what song it was, I may be able to find a version that will work.
All best,
Johnm

[Prof Scratchy]

It’s Greyhound Blues, John.

[Blues Vintage]

Leroy Carr, Scrapper Blackwell and Josh White – It's Too Short





Big Maceo And Tampa Red - Kid Man Blues

[Johnm]

Thanks for supplying the title of the Jordan/Wheatstraw tune, Prof! The version I posted is good for the U.S.--can you watch it in Scotland, too?
All best,
Johnm

[Prof Scratchy]

Did you replace Thomas’s link, John? It works fine here.

[Thomas8]

Thanks John, works fine here too.

[blueshome]

Loved this since I first heard it 1963. Joe really hits it with Ransome Knowling on bass.

[Old Man Ned]

This one from Snooks Eaglin brings me particular joy

[MarkC]

Dr. Ross - Cat Squirrel:



Muddy and Little Walter - Evans Shuffle:

[Johnm]

Hi all,
I thought I'd come back for some more. Here's Robert Pete Williams with "Poor Bob's Blues":



and Garfield Akers with Joe Callicott seconding him on "Cottonfield Blues, Part 2". Oh my goodness!



All best,
Johnm