Elmore James (January
27, 1918 – May 24, 1963) was one of the most influential blues guitarists,
singers, and songwriters of our time. Artists like Eric Clapton, Rory Block,
the Allman Brothers Band, Cream, Johnny Winter and a host of others have
covered his songs. He was known as "the King of the Slide Guitar." He was the illegitimate son of
15-year-old Leola Brooks, a field hand. His father was probably Joe Willie
"Frost" James, who moved in with Leola, and so Elmore took this as
his name. Elmore began
making music at the age of 12 using a simple one-string instrument ("Diddley
Bow or jitterbug) strung up on a shack wall. As he matured, he was strongly
influenced by Robert Johnson, even though Johnson died in 1938.
During World
War II, James joined the U.S. Navy, was promoted to coxswain and took part in
the invasion of Guam against the Japanese. Upon his discharge, Elmore returned
to central Mississippi and eventually settled in Canton with his adopted
brother Robert Holston; it was at this time he learned that he had a serious
heart condition. Working in Robert's electrical shop, he devised his unique
electric sound, using parts from the shop and an unusual placement of two
D'Armond pickups.
James's demise may have been hastened by his lifelong taste for, and manufacture of, moonshine whiskey, to which he was introduced at an early age. He died of
his third heart attack in Chicago in 1963, just prior to a tour of Europe with
that year's American Folk Blues Festival. He was buried in the Newport Baptist
Church Cemetery in Ebenezer, Mississippi. See how many tunes you recognize and
extra credit goes to those who can identify the modern day bands that have
re-recorded his songs.
Dust my broom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKo80b-QfK0
The sky is cryin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKEdlSTHjtU
It hurts me too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBA2REoRD98
Blues before sunrise: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_aZ0jPPiao&feature=related
Rollin and tumbling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsgZ5IDQu80&feature=related
Every day I have the blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJCH3xO-mYQ&feature=relmfu
Shake your money maker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn77rGEV6XM&feature=related
Done somebody wrong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNBk1faWI-k
I need you baby: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVp3VnCjLEE&feature=related
Fine little mama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZStV6Cd8uQ&feature=related
Knockin at your door: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ9eXuBSFlE&feature=relmfu
Something inside me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRXnmjFEWDo&feature=related
My wife and I were visiting Boston last week and after a
day of walking around all day in Boston’s heat wave didn’t feel like venturing
too far from our hotel for dinner. So we hit Brasserie Jo’s in the Colonade
Hotel. Turned out to be a good choice because we had one of the best salmon
dishes I’ve ever tasted. The fish was baked perfectly and covered in a beurre
blanc sauce (very unhealthy, but wonderful) on top of kalamata and green olives
and chantrelles. We needed something refreshing so I ordered a 2010 Chateau Routas Rouvier Rose
from the Provence region of France. Provence is famous for its Rose’s and this
one didn’t disappoint. The wine was a pale pink (which matched the salmon) with
aromas of strawberries and herbs. The flavor followed the nose with accents of
cherry and lime. It’s a zesty, refresher that compliments many foods as well as
the slide guitar of a classic, Mr. Elmore James.
Cheers!
1 comment:
I know Stevie Ray Vaughn did "The Sky is Crying" and The Allman Brothers did "Done somebody Wrong" but I'm not sure if there are more modern covers. Great stuff, regardless...
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