Bo Weavil Jackson - Acoustic Guitar Forum

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Author	Topic: Bo Weavil Jackson
Hambone Member Posts: 642 From: Chicago, IL, USA Registered: Jan 2000	posted 01-20-2002 20:25 I'm concerned that I've become obsessed with the recordings of Bo Weavil Jackson (aka Sam Butler). I hear flamenco-like flourishes, demented ragtime, expertly executed bass runs, double-thumbing all over the place, rapid and complex bottleneck work. I've never heard anyone play a Bo Weavil Jackson song. Woody published tab of the bottleneck tune YOU CAN'T KEEP NO BROWN, but that's the only tab I know of. I overheard Bob Brozman drop Bo Weavil's name once. If memory serves, Bob was telling the story of being a very young guitarist and calling up Nick Perls, the bluesologist, and saying, "Hi!, I'm Bob and I can play like Robert Johnson!" As Bob tells the story, Perls replied, "Call me back when you can play like Bo Weavil Jackson." (Bob, if I've told this story wrong, please correct me.) The Document CD with Jackson's complete recordings is called BACKWOODS BLUES. Is there anyone out there who shares my obsession? [This message has been edited by Hambone (edited January 20, 2002).] IP: Logged
KYLEHAYNES1 unregistered	posted 01-20-2002 22:50 HAMBONE, I KNOW EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL. THERE IS A LOT MORE OUT THERE THOUGH, SOMEONE WHO REMINDS ME A LOT OF SAM BUTLER IS KING SOLOMON HILL, IM NOT REALLY SURE WHY. THEY ARE BOTH FROM SIMILAR REGIONS AND I DO BELIEVE THERE PATHS HAD CROSSED IF I REMEBER CORRECTELY. ALSO, CHECK OUT ONE OF MY NEW FAVORITES, OTTO VIRGIAL, I FIRST HEARD HIM ON THE YAZOO COMPILATION MISSISSIPPI MASTERS AND THEN FOUND ALL SIX OF HIS RECORDINGS. ALSO WILLIE LOFTON IS GREAT, AND I HAVE ABOUT A HUNDRED MORE OF THESE GUYS WHO ARE OBSCURE. SO IF YOU WANT TO KNOW SOME MORE JUST EMAIL ME. KYLE IP: Logged
Lcwx2 Member Posts: 249 From: Chicago Registered: Aug 2000	posted 01-21-2002 01:07 Ok guys. I'm kind of drunk, but I am totally enthralled by Bo Weavil Jackson! I have the Backwoods Blues on Document, and have been listening almost religiously for some time. I think Woody's transcription is very good; it's also one of my favorite songs by bo weavil. I've been working on many of his pieces for some time. His riffs are pretty amazing, given the time at which they were recorded; before electric recording! This guy actually sang into a can! Well, I hope to hear more on this subject, and I'll contribute more, when I'm not so inebriated. To me, he doesn't sound much like King Solomon Hill, but Otto Virgial is just as intense as jackson. if you haven't heard these guys, do so. You'll find they're very unique artists. Sorry: this is the best I can do in this condition. Hambone, that cousin... song is amazing, and has had me thinking about it for the last couple of days. I hear a lot of Patton-esque inflences in it. I want to buy the CD. Truly great stuff. Hopefully, some day soon I'll get the balls to call you. Kyle: thanks for bringing up these great artists. I'm sure you were just as pleased as I when seeing Bo Weavil's name on the site. I look for things like this. By the way, when are you performing next? I want to see what you're up to. Send any info to Lcwx2@aol.com P.S. Do you still have Curley Weaver's guitar? I've been getting more and more into Buddy Moss. I'm sure you have some enlightening things to say about him... talk to you soon... Jon IP: Logged
Kurt Member Posts: 1508 From: Suffern, NY USA Registered: Nov 1999	posted 01-21-2002 07:57 Where is the best place to buy "Backwoods Blues" online? IP: Logged
mr mando Member Posts: 1026 From: Heart of the Alps Registered: Apr 2001	posted 01-21-2002 09:03 It's http://www.document-records.co.uk/ it's CD 5036. Don't be tempted by this wealth of similar recordings. Buy only ten a year until you'll be 100 years old. I would have liked to be at your birthday jam. [This message has been edited by mr mando (edited January 21, 2002).] IP: Logged
Kurt Member Posts: 1508 From: Suffern, NY USA Registered: Nov 1999	posted 01-21-2002 10:00 Thanks dude. I'll have another celebration when I turn 50! IP: Logged
Lcwx2 Member Posts: 249 From: Chicago Registered: Aug 2000	posted 01-21-2002 10:29 Another good place is http://allegro-music.com/ Looks like they have just about all the Document discs. I ordered from them, and their service was good. Jon IP: Logged
mr mando Member Posts: 1026 From: Heart of the Alps Registered: Apr 2001	posted 01-21-2002 11:29 Great! Now I have a long term goal! IP: Logged
C C Rider Member Posts: 4 From: Ottawa,Ontario,Canada Registered: Jan 2002	posted 01-23-2002 08:30 I have never heard of Bo Weavil Jackson. I tried to download any of his songs, couldn't find any of them.If he is as good as you guys say I'm going to buy the Backwoods blues album. Can anyone tell me ... does he play with a band or is it just him with a acoustic? who is similar to his style? CC IP: Logged
Lcwx2 Member Posts: 249 From: Chicago Registered: Aug 2000	posted 01-23-2002 13:47 It's just him and his guitar. I can't think of anybody who sounds similar right off the bat. Maybe someone else could help out on this one? Jon IP: Logged
Adrian Freed Member Posts: 2360 From: Berkeley, CA, USA Registered: Oct 2000	posted 01-23-2002 15:23 "You can't keep no brown" is downloadable legally from here: http://www.emusic.com/albums/13126/ IP: Logged
hoodadoo Member Posts: 2011 From: Westport, Ct., Registered: Mar 2001	posted 01-23-2002 20:10 There's an artist I came across on the "Masters of the Delta Blues" CD by Yazoo that I really would like to know more about. From what I understand there are very few known recordings by Kid Bailey(sp?), but what I have heard by him is definitely great stuff. Besides what the liner notes to the CD say, do any of you know anything more about him? I couldn't find anything on him in the "Blues Who's Who". IP: Logged
Lcwx2 Member Posts: 249 From: Chicago Registered: Aug 2000	posted 01-24-2002 02:56 Kid Bailey only recorded the two songs you have on that disc, much to the loss of everyone. He is said to have played with Patton and Willie Brown, as well as Ishman Bracey and Tommy Johnson. All their influences are apparent on both of his sides. On "Mississippi Bottom Blues" the first guitar plays an accompaniment similar to that of the first guitar's accompaniment on Patton's "Moon Going Down". On "Rowdy Blues", he plays an accompaniment similar to that played by Willie Brown on his "M&O Blues", which in turn is what Patton plays on "Pony Blues" and others. On both of these pieces you can hear the influence of Tommy Johnson, in the relaxed, swinging beat (assuming that the influence was from Johnson to Bailey, and not the other way around). Incidentally, the only known source thinks his first name may have been John, but no conclusive evidence for this can be found. Also, it is thought by some, and with reason, that it is Willie Brown on second guitar on both pieces, but again, that can't be confirmed. He is thought to have lived and played in Leland from 1932-45 or 50. In 1950 Skip James saw Bailey in a Moorehead barrelhouse, where Bailey played a mandolin. He was seen in Indianola, playing on a sidewalk in 1958. In 1960 he was seen in Canton playing in a beer joint and on a sidewalk in front of a black brothel. After that, he disappeared. Kid Bailey was remembered as being a heavy-set "dark brownskin". Throughout his careeer he played with Ishman Bracey, Tommy Johnson, Willie Brown, and most notably, Charlie Patton, sometimes backing them up, other times being backed up. He is also thought to have played some piano, though was better known as a guitarist, usually soloing with voice. For more info on this extraordinarily enigmatic figure, consult: "King of the Delta Blues: The Life and Music of Charlie Patton" by Stephen Calt and Gayle Wardlow "Chasin' That Devil Music: Searching For the Blues" by Gayle Wardlow "The Blues Makers" by Samuel Charters Hope this helps. Jon IP: Logged
hoodadoo Member Posts: 2011 From: Westport, Ct., Registered: Mar 2001	posted 01-24-2002 13:32 Thanks Jon. Very informative. I do have 2 of the books you mentioned, but I am a very ssssssllllllooooowwwwww reader! Another Yazoo CD I've been enjoying recently is "Alabama Blues". IP: Logged
hoodadoo Member Posts: 2011 From: Westport, Ct., Registered: Mar 2001	posted 01-24-2002 13:32 Thanks Jon. Very informative. I do have 2 of the books you mentioned, but I am a very ssssssllllllooooowwwwww reader! Another Yazoo CD I've been enjoying recently is "Alabama Blues". IP: Logged

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