Resophonic blues albums

[fibrebundle]

Hi, I am very new to the world of resophonic guitars, and recently got hold of a Republic tricone.
I wish to hear lots of blues played on resophonic guitars, so that I can emulate that kind
of playing, pick up licks, etc. I will appreciate a list of blues albums, records, old and contemporary, which are 'dense' in resophonic playing. This, for instance, rules out acoustic blues played by Robert Johnson, Lightning Hopkins, etc. Any recommendations will
be appreciated!
I will help if the recommendations are reasonably precise, that is, are about records/albums, and not artists in general. The idea is that once I have a list, I will get them shipped (to India!) from, say, Amazon. It is not possible for me to go to a music store and explore, experiment, since we do not get this kind of music around where I live.
Thanks.

[Deleted]

This ought to keep you busy for a while:

www.wirz.de/music/resofrm.htm

[bluesdude]

8-)Oh man thanks for rminding me about that site zak!
I haven't visited that in while,Ive got quite a few of them!

Kenny,

[fibrebundle]

Jan 24, 2009 22:39:17 GMT @zak said:

This ought to keep you busy for a while:

www.wirz.de/music/resofrm.htm

Wow! Thanks a lot!!

[Deleted]

There's a few records I would consider "absolutely essential listening" for any fan of National guitars - here are the amazon.com links.
In some cases I chose the least expensive "best of" sets or compilations with a good choice of material. You might want to investigate these artists further and eventually get everything that's available by them!



Bukka White - Tacoma recordings
Bukka's first post-rediscovery recordings, the entire session was recorded with Bukka's Duolian tuned low (C# on the vestapol tunes!) and in fine form. His "Big Daddy" CD, recorded on a Triolian, is also really great.

Son House - 1965 Columbia sessions
This may not be as intense as Son on his '30 Paramount recordings or his Library of Congress recordings, but he wasn't playing a National on those. Here he's playing what sounds like a Style O, though my old LP of it features a photo of him with a Duolian on the cover.

Bo Carter - Twist It Babe
Bo has always been a huge favorite of mine. Not a slide player, but he played a National Style N and used open E, DGDGBE, and dropped D along with standard tuning to play some really amazing accompaniments to his smutty lyrics.

Blind Boy Fuller - Get Your Yas Yas Out
Fuller recorded enough material to fit on 5 CDs (and yes I have it all!) and recorded exclusively with National Duolian guitars. He had a great bouncy style and some really catchy tunes.

Rev Gary Davis - 1935-1949
Rev Gary Davis was Blind Boy Fuller's mentor. He was associated with the big bodied Gibson SJ-200 flattops he used on most of his records, but his earliest recordings in the link were done with a National Duolian.

Johnny Shines - Traditional Delta Blues
Johnny Shines also played a Gibson flattop (B-15, I think) most of the time, but recorded some great slide numbers with a National.

Tampa Red - Guitar Wizard
Hudson Whittaker, aka Tampa Red was a sophisticated and influential Tricone player who recorded both blues and hokum material in industrial quantities. This compilation is a good mix of both, including some outstanding solo numbers.

Black Ace - Boss Card In Your Hand
B.K. "Black Ace" Turner also played a Tricone, but unlike Tampa Red he played lap-style on a squareneck model. This CD combines his 30s recordings and his excellent 60s recordings for Arhoolie Records.



Ok...If you want to expand your perceptions of what an open-tuned National is capable of, I would urge you to buy these records:

Chris Whitley - Weed
This is a great, intimate sounding record. Sounds like you're sitting right in front of his Triolian and Style O.
Dirt Floor <--another incredible record!!

Richard Leo Johnson - Legend of Vernon McAlister
This is really pushing the boundaries of what a National Duolian is capable of. Highly recommended.

[fibrebundle]

Thanks a lot, Zak. I will explore your suggestions .
I have everything by Son House, and found his playing quite intense, though
sometimes without a well-defined structure (enjoy it thoroughly, though). I have also listened to quite a bit of Johhny Shines, and love his playing, but he plays mostly on a flattop acoustic. Among contemporary players, I love the playing of Alvin Youndblood Hart (Big Mama's Door) and Corey Harris (Fish Ain't Bitin', Between Midnight and Day) . One artist I have been listening to recently is Sesick Steve, and I am stunned by his raw intensity, and have thoroughly enjoyed his songs. They seem to come straight from the heart . Doghouse Music has quite a bit of Resonator music.
One contemporary artist I have not enjoyed listening to is Bob Brozman . I find his playing too synthetic, though technically very good. I dig more of the 'raw' stuff', and exclusively Blues!.