I was reading Elmore’s essay, “Thank God for Robert Johnson” and found it interesting that he initially had pegged Robert Taylor, ‘the coolest guy in the book,’ as a jazz fan.
You were right on to suggest to Elmore that Taylor would be listening to blues. I don’t picture him driving around the Delta with Coltrane coming out of the speakers.
I mentioned this in an earlier thread, but the blues angle in this book is what drew me in; and I was impressed with how Robert broke down the Delta players influence on the Chicago musicians and British kids.
I dig the part in early in the book when Robert asks Dennis if he likes the blues, and Dennis says he’s a fan of Hooker, BB King and Stevie Ray Vaughan. I come across this type of response often when I ask people what kind of blues they like. Not that there’s anything wrong with Hooker, BB or Stevie (I love ‘em too), but you could spend a lifetime listening to the blues and still not hear it all.
It’s akin to people saying ‘Yeah, I love reggae,’ and then they say Bob Marley is their favorite-and only—reggae artist, if that makes sense.
But Dennis redeemed himself later when he mentioned Little Walter (aka, the Hendrix of the harmonica).
Where did your research in the Delta take you? Did you visit the Delta Blues Musuem? Muddy Waters’ cabin, which I think was torn down recently? I’ve got to make a pilgrimage down there someday; though there aren’t many juke joints around there anymore. Maybe a few up are still around in the North Mississippi hill country (which still has a vibrant musical scene).
Anyway, just wanted to commend you and Elmore for the accuracy in the book. Even Charley Patton’s name is spelled correctly—I see it spelled Charlie a lot. And T-Bone Walker is surely one of the most underrapreciated guitarists of all-time. Musicians know how influential he was, but the public doesn’t for the most part. He was basically the first electric blues guitar player. There’s no Chuck Berry, Hendrix or Van Halen (I could do without the latter) without T-Bone.
The only minor gripe I would have is…I don’t think Stevie Ray Vaughan was directly influenced by the Delta Blues. He was a Texan of course, so he was listening to a lot of Lightnin’ Hopkins, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Albert King, etc.
Have a good weekend.