Blind Willie Johnson Article

[slide496]

Jas Obrecht has some interviews and well written articles on old bluesmen and more this is the link to the Blind Willie Johnson one. Maybe some of you know of Jas Obrecht.

jasobrecht.com/tag/slide-guitar/

[Jaco]

@slide496

Thanks for the link. Obrecht does great interviews.There is one on the site with Ry Cooder. Very interesting. They conversed a lot about Blind Willie Johnson, and some obscure slide players, and old Gospel music that Ry knows of. Thanks again!!!

Best,
Jaco

[slide496]

jaco

Yes I have read the Ry Cooder awhile back I'll have to revisit it. Obrecht had this portion of his archive down for a while. He also has a long interview with Johnny Shines and Son House, if I am not mistaken. You can follow him on facebook. Currently theres a letter from Noel Redding featured.

[Michael Messer]

This is an interesting article. I don't have time to write much at this moment, but it is my belief that Willie Johnson used two slides. The vibrato and Indian style runs using quarter-tones and other weird notes, and the raspy bass string runs, do not appear on any recordings other than 'Dark Was The Night.....' I think he is using a different slide, possibly a razor or knife, or something similar.

Shine On
Michael

[snakehips]

Or playing lap style ???

Just throwing that into the list of possibilities.
Maybe it was a different guitar with much higher action ?

[Michael Messer]

I have considered the lap steel idea, especially with that full chord on the 12th fret that finishes the piece.

Shine On
Michael

[Jaco]

@496

I just took a look at the Redding interview, haven't read it yet though. I will definitely have to find the Johnny Shines and Son House interviews.

@ Michael It amazes me, your wealth of knowledge of Blind Willie Johnson and others. This forum is not only for sharing advice, but it's an education as well. Thanks Michael for your willingness to share all of this with us. MA.

Best,
Jaco

[Michael Messer]

Hi Jaco,

Thanks. I have been listening to and learning to play these people's music for most of my adult life. Many of my friends do the same and sometimes we talk about this stuff for hours. I guess that after 35+ years of doing it, one becomes pretty knowledgeable.

Last night I wrote something on this thread and edited my earlier post, but for some weird reason it isn't here. Maybe I was tired and hit the wrong button....

I edited my earlier post because I had said that you could not hear any slide knocking on the frets in the Dark Was The Night recording, but I was wrong, there are two loud ones between 15 and 20 seconds in. It doesn't disprove the lap steel idea, but I don't hear this as lap steel, I hear it as freehand (no anchoring) with a razor. The only part that I cannot rule out of the lap steel idea is the very last chord, which is a full six string strum across the 12th fret. That is difficult, but not impossible, playing upright with a razor, knife, nail or similar tool.

Shine On
Michael

[slide496]

Listened to it last night, and heard the knocks as well.

I don't think he played lapstyle in general as the picture of him has a cup attached and its set up for sitting, standing playing - I think the cup thing was pointed out in the article.He's reported as standing on corners, holding the slider between thumb and finger, reaching around - also article(?)

The record companies and the artists of those days seemed to have done a good job of protecting the unique techniques played so far a I can tell on weather beaten equipment that I believe inspire us.

I don't know whether this observation is valid or just my perspective but IMHO his music transcends the equipment and technique.

[Michael Messer]

I am with you on that Harriet. Blind Willie Johnson was one of America's greatest 20th century musicians.

Shine On
Michael