Country Blues

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Comment by Toby Walker on January 25, 2009 at 4:22pm

Oh... a little about me too..
I'm a full time musician... I've been at it for over 30 years. I play mostly on the east coast of the U.S., England and sometimes in northern Europe.

I also give workshops on the road... for the past 5 years I've been teaching at Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch in OH. I'll be there again in June.

There's more on my web site...

Good to be here with you all.

Comment by Toby Walker on January 25, 2009 at 4:19pm

Welcome aboard Mark... I'm real new here too but I sure do love this style of music.

Comment by Mark Malvasi on January 25, 2009 at 3:39pm

Just want to say hello to all. I'm a part-time, semi-pro musician and a full time writer and teacher. I play and listen to a wide variety of music, but never seem to find myself too far from the country blues. I even teach a course on the history of the blues at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, VA, So, I'm especially pleased to learn about this group and to make some new friends who, like me, are devoted to this wonderful music.

Comment by Doug MacKenzie on January 25, 2009 at 2:35pm

Hi Toby! Welcome. I'm sure you'll have some fine stories and ideas to share. Speaking of which, I also knew Turner Foddrell. I played with him and his son quite a few times. I loved cruising around in his old Model A (or was it a "T"?). He was quite the character. Thankfully, I have all his albums, as well.

I look forward to hearing more from you.

Best,

Doug

Comment by Toby Walker on January 25, 2009 at 11:13am

Hi everyone,

During my tours across the country I've had the opportunity to befriend many old time blues musicians who have since passed away. They've taught me quite a bit... not only through their music but by their approach to life as well. If anyone has any interest in this then by all means read on. I have lots more info about them on my web site, along with pics and music clips.
http://www.littletobywalker.com

Here's a few of the ones I've come to know and love:

Eugene Powell (Sonny Boy Nelson) - Greenville MS. Back in the 30's he used to record some amazing stuff, hanging with Bo Carter and Lonnie and Sam Chapman. He really taught me how to fingerpick the blues properly.

Jack Owens - Bentonia MS. Living in Bentonia he was close friends with the legendary Skip James. Jack played in that haunting Bentonia style and together with his harmonica playing friend Bud Spires really made an impact on me.

James 'Son' Thomas - Leland MS. I first heard of him through the book that William Ferris put out about Mississippi blues. What a thrill to discover that he was still alive and playing wonderful music. One of the sweetest blues musicians I ever met

R.L. Burnside - Holly Springs, MS. When I first heard the recording 'Poor Black Mattie' I knew I had to find out how this man slapped out a rhythm while simultaneously playing his guitar. It was only after sitting down with him while he patiently taught me his 'secret method' that I was able to finally get it.

There's quite a few more... Etta Baker of NC, Sam Carr of MS, Turner Foddrell of VA.. I could go on and on. If anyone has similar experiences with these folks or any others then feel free to join in.

Best,

Toby Walker

Comment by Doug MacKenzie on January 25, 2009 at 7:43am

Hi, Russ! Welcome aboard!!

First off, I'd recommend the fellow who's face is the avatar for this forum: Son House. He's raw, impassioned, and powerful. And, he was one of Robert Johnson's idols, along with Lonnie Johnson. Robert would sometimes refer to himself as "one of the Johnson boys", in an attempt to associate himself with Lonnie.

If you haven't gone back to the beginning, I'd highly recommend Charlie Patton.

THere are SO many others, but these three should give you a good background to Robert Johnson's work.

Comment by Russ on January 25, 2009 at 4:05am

Hi Doug,
I been listening to Blind Willie Mctell, Skip James and Robert Johnson, who else would you recommend?
Russ

Comment by Doug MacKenzie on January 24, 2009 at 7:31pm

Hey all! I've been playing, teaching, and preaching the old, rural country blues for over 30 years!! I can't think of a more honest, visceral, soulful, and powerful music that's come from our great country.

I'm hoping lots of folks will stop in, have a drink on the house, and yak about this amazing American cultural jewel that rstill rumbles just below the surface of all good American music.

Help me bring it into the open, so a whole new generation can feel the power of this mysterious and incredible music.......

I look forward to hearing from you...

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