Showmanship and the Blues
Who is today's finest blues showman?
I was on a thread this evening regarding the late Howlin' Wolf. By all counts on this particular thread, he was one of the Blues finest showmen.
Who today would you consider the blues finest showman?
Is showmanship in this music dead?
I was on a thread this evening regarding the late Howlin' Wolf. By all counts on this particular thread, he was one of the Blues finest showmen.
Who today would you consider the blues finest showman?
Is showmanship in this music dead?
Views: 59
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike Edwards on -
I'd consider Ian Siegel one of the best, he brings a lot of the Wolf to his shows.
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Permalink Reply by Mr. O'Muck on -
I saw a triple bill one time in 1968 or 1969 , I believe it was Junior Wells and Buddy Guy , Rev. Gary Davis and Son House.
The Chicagioans did their usual and already by then predictable moves and routines in other words showmanship, and while the music was intense and groovin' the show part was only a little interesting, if what you're really after is the music.
Contrast that with the deep mysteries offered up in the MUSIC of Gary Davis and Son House, two of the real giants of the form, who among other things exerted an incredible sense of Gravity by virtue of their relative stillness. Relative. Son House was twitching and writhing like a possessed man. Gary Davis's hands were hardly what one would call still, for Guitar players there was no better showman.
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Permalink Reply by Sugar Blue on -
God Help the music!!!!!!
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Permalink Reply by Mr. O'Muck on
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translation please....
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Permalink Reply by Alfie Dickson on -
iI assume you mean living Showmen .In my humble opinion the showman is the guy who keeps the audiance in the palm of his or her hand from the start of there performance to the end of it .i have saw a lot of great performers in my time but to me Doug MaCleod takes some beating , he came to our town to do an arranged gig but olso did a workshop for our high school kid there was 180 at this wokshop none who had ever herd the blues played before , you could have herd a pin drop in that large jim hall when Doug began , the music teacher said he was amazed he had never herd so many 13 year olds to be so quight for so long at the one time ,the same thing happened when Doug did his gig in the evening he had the crowd eating out of his hand ,with his story telling and his superb guitar playing .DOUG McLeod for me
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Permalink Reply by Skyla Burrell on -
Lil Ed gets my vote for the national slot and Biscuit Miller gets it for the regional.
I don't think showmanship is dead by any means in the blues.
All the best,
Skyla
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Permalink Reply by Gator Blue on -
Buddy is the ultimate showman, sometimes at the expense of his playing. I'm not criticizing him---he's arguably the best blues guitarist playing today (as Clapton was quoted as saying)--but he sometimes puts his playing backseat to his showmanship. But when he has both going on---killer all the way. He also has a very, very disciplined band that plays in a lean manner---leaving lots of air for his fiery solos. When he's on, you can't beat him.
In the 60-70s, no one could compare to Freddie King live, in my opinion. He was such a powerful presence--his huge gospel voice, his piercing guitar leads, and his incredible songwriting made him the entire package in a show. He would get the whole crowd in a frenzy---then drop down to a soulful bluesy song like "have you ever loved a woman" and hold you in the palm of his hand. What a performer.
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Permalink Reply by Alec (Night Train) Martin on -
Not yet...we make great efforts to put in a proper show. We have a vague 'theme' that runs through both sets. Must admit though Wolf won't ever be beaten. That Highway 49 vid is just amazing...no flash guitar prima donnas, very simple rhythm, but hell, thats what its all about!!! You dont take your eyes off him...even when he's sitting down doing nothing...love it!!!!
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Permalink Reply by paul polisano on -
Me and the other guitar player were discussing just that the other day , that's what bands lack today , the look the lights audience participation , it's not just about the playing . That's how your gonna win your audience and sell records and stuff . Show that's what it's about kick their ass , make them live u . We need to c more of this . By doing these things you'll get more money , etc better poster etc I'm working on this new lights dress coordinate songs , singalong
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