A real treat for the blues buffs out there. Sure wish there was more video of this guy out there, especially something acoustic, but even on an electric Fred is something else
Fred was a friend of mine. For real. I met him at the Ash Grove in LA, and we talked on the phone a lot, which cost me all the money I had at the time. Money well spent. I requested this song, which he played on the first of 3 sets that night. It was a double bill with the Persuasions, but I never saw them, because Fred invited me into his dressing room to talk about things. Precious memories.
Hey brother, I had that experience with Memphis slim at sweet basil in NYc 39 years ago. THANX for sharing. I was never the same after meeting him.peace.
I never get tired of this. I can listen to this over and over again. Indeed I have. His playing is hypnotic. His sound is irresistible. I'm so grateful for this music.
Shane Woodbury he put a little of his own southern gospel twist on things I feel. I’ve learned to play several of his songs but some of them are really hard to make sound the way he played them. He just had something special
"Hypnotic" is right. I don't suggest driving a motor vehicle while playing this recording. I almost lost control of my pickup truck on highway 118 north of Terlingua, Texas back in 1994.
What a sound Fred gets from one guitar! He sounds like he's got a partner playing a 2nd guitar hidden behind a curtain, but we know it's really just Fred's own talent. I don't know how he plays such a perfect , hypnotic rhythm line at the same time as he's playing all kinds of beautiful lead notes, while playing slide too! He's a magician, & his magic produces soulful music!
I had a guitar teacher tell me a great guitarist should sound like two mediocre guitarists in a trench coat. If that’s the case I dunno what you would call Mr. McDowell than a savant of a player
Fred mcdowell is one name that rarely comes up when you talk to people about blues greats, this finger picking is unbelievable and this particular song has had me stumped for months, I dont know how the fuck hes playing this.
I just saw the Bruce Springstein version and he had like 20 musicians on stage. Meanwhile Fred and his guitar blow all 20 of them out of the water with perfect plucks and majestic tone. I first heard him on Ken Burns Jazz compilation almost 20 years back. best discovery of my musical life. Everyone else sounds light after FRED
How do some of these old school blues guys learn to keep the rhythem with the base notes so well. It never ceases to amaze me when I watch guys like this, JLH, and lightnin hopkins. They keep that base line rock solid no matter what they do. Sounds easy in theory but as I have discovered my own guitar playing its hard as hell to do.
Same here...i'm white...i think you have to be black...they seem to just have that rhythm in them. I've heard many great white guitarists play those bass lines that Fred is playing but it's just not the same
He is a true master of the slide in this song!!! I found out I had been holding my breath when this finished. He kept the speed going...just like the train. Great song! Love your video. I have a new 'favorite', but I do love all the old blues I see. He is really special in this song. Thank you so much for posting this.
@@aldito7586 Hill country blues (also known as North Mississippi hill country blues or North Mississippi blues) is a regional style of country blues. It is characterized by a strong emphasis on rhythm and percussion, steady guitar riffs, few chord changes, unconventional song structures, and heavy emphasis on the "groove", which has been characterized as the "hypnotic boogie". Wikipedia
Amazing !!! I have been listening to Fred McDowell for Decades and yet I am always hearing something new or different with each listen. Perhaps it is just age , I don't know. Timeless man. Dark ,deep, hypnotic soul .
my uncle HENRY was a sante fe RAILROAD MAN .. he taught me about the BLUES ...A GOOD MAN MY SON CARRIES THAT NAME HENRY ..... RIP UNCLE THANK YOU YOU WILL BE MISSED
He is playing through the pain in his soul...You can see it on his face!!! He sho is Praching!!! Better than most churches!!!20 Big Fat Stars for this video!!! ONE LOVE!!!
More importantly who can play like him ? I saw this in 2012 and i have never seen anyone play slide with this energy on RUclips with an electric guitar. Anything Mississippi Fred McDowell did live on film solo is a masterpiece but also as rare as hens teeth. For most of his life he played on acoustic archtop guitars only switching to electric later on. Some of the acoustic tracks he did for Alan Lomax are absolute gems. It's sad to think about how many people back then who weren't discovered or rediscovered by folk archivists like Alan Lomax and others.
John Henry was a steel-drivin' man John Henry was a steel-drivin' man John Henry died, a hammer in his hand John Henry died, a hammer in his hand John Henry was a steel-drivin' man John Henry, he said, just before he died What are the two more roads that he want to ride Lord, John Henry Lord, John Henry said before he died Lordy, two more roads he want to ride Lord, he want Oh Lord, he want Lord, I got up one mornin', well, it looked like rain Look around the curve, come a passenger train Lord, John Lord, John Henry said 'fore he died Lordy, two more roads he want to ride John Henry had a wife, dress she wore was red Last word I heard her say, "I'm goin' where Johnny fell dead. Lord, I'm Lord, I'm gwine Lord, I'm Lord, I'm goin', John Henry fell Lord, I'm goin' John Henry Lord, I'm goin' where John Henry fell
Yes, Fred is one of my all time faves! On a number of his tunes he very very gradually increases the tempo; what a great effect! He drove a tractor most of his life. He is "all in" one hundred percent! God I love this guy!
He showed bonnie Raitt some of his techniques and taught he trditional songs during the summer she stayed at his house. She was a teenager and caused some slight scandal when she stayed with Fred and his wife.
He did indeed mentor Raitt teaching her slide technique. She has always acknowledged her admiration and his influence on her style. Raitt paid for a special memorial stone for his grave in 1993.
Considering the average person on the street knows who Madonna, Britney Spears & Justin Bieber are,but likely doesn't know who Fred McDowell is (a far greater musical talent than any of those 3 pop tarts) - let's say a rare talent like Fred's deserves much more recognition! On the other hand, 440,951 views (as of this writing) of this video's welcome proof Fred's not forgotten! To me, Fred's the perfect bluesman, 'cause his playing & singing are both so compelling, even soothing. Fred's the man!
Es la primera piesa que escuche del señor Macdowell yo tenia como 10 años hoy tengo 56 y no hay quién le llege o se compare , gracias Mississippi Fred macdowell.
My uncle was a screaming eagle 101 he always listen to this man as i got older i grew to love him too we are from Massachusetts he told me a brother of his got him listening to Fred over in Nam
@@guidorollard2944 yes sir! He's mentioned in a few interviews he first heard Mississippi Fred McDowell on a cassette when he was 16, and taught himself a few of his tunes by ear
Heard him for the first time on the radio today and loved it! But I don't know the name of the song. The only lyric I could make out was "Who's that runnin?'" followed by a woman singing. He said it many times through the song, so I believe it was part of the chorus. Does anyone know the name of this song?! Thank you.
Towards the end of his career, when the Delta blues had been suffering in its marketability at the hands of rock n' roll, Mississippi Fred was asked if he would play some of the new rock n' roll at one of his final shows. He replied "Mississippi Fred don't play no rock n' roll, son" and went on to dish up some of this atomic caliber slidin. One of the GREATS.
I don't see the reason to complain.. I was damn happy R.L received some recognition and I'm happy any time somebody young copies a little off of a good old bluesman helps to keep it alive and maybe have some kid ask; hey where does that come from??
Brilliant. And I sure hope Bruce has heard this. I'd forward it to him if I knew how, know he'd love it as much as I do. (If anyone knows how to forward this to him, Bruce S., please do.)
Oh Lord...I just Love this guy.....Play my Fred records a Lot. The recordings from his home - in the kitchen - are Too F***** Much!...you can hear kids and family noises in the background. Would love to've been his next-door neighbor!!!
@gogoreddz I have made carrying on this music my number one goal in life, im 16 years old nd i listen to nothing but music from the 1920s to the 1970s. i play mandolin, harmonica, guitar, autoharp, banjo, tenor banjo, nd i sing, I will be sure to make sure this wonderful nd truly one of a kind music gets passed on to future generations.
@MJDx32 I second that! =) I was looking for this dude all day but for some reason his name just escaped me. Man I am so glad I learned about this guy in Jazz Appreciation at my college.
Fred was a friend of mine. For real. I met him at the Ash Grove in LA, and we talked on the phone a lot, which cost me all the money I had at the time. Money well spent. I requested this song, which he played on the first of 3 sets that night. It was a double bill with the Persuasions, but I never saw them, because Fred invited me into his dressing room to talk about things. Precious memories.
Ed Boswell if that's true, that's amazing. You knew a legend.
i dont believe it.
@@jeffbuckley4453 Based on what evidence?
Hey brother, I had that experience with Memphis slim at sweet basil in NYc 39 years ago. THANX for sharing. I was never the same after meeting him.peace.
Nothing more said.
This man is a legend. Everyone should know his name.
Fred McDowell is like a voice from the mountaintop. Just incredible.
I never get tired of this. I can listen to this over and over again. Indeed I have. His playing is hypnotic. His sound is irresistible. I'm so grateful for this music.
Shane Woodbury he put a little of his own southern gospel twist on things I feel. I’ve learned to play several of his songs but some of them are really hard to make sound the way he played them. He just had something special
"Hypnotic" is right. I don't suggest driving a motor vehicle while playing this recording. I almost lost control of my pickup truck on highway 118 north of Terlingua, Texas back in 1994.
@@randyraeder2333NJ Turnpike northbound Aug. 21, 2023. Yes, us northern folk get down with this man as well.
truly haunting. i've never heard something so raw.
Give a listen to Robert Pete Williams' music. Different style but at times he could make Fred sound smooth!
Dude are you still alive?
This is so damn good; One of the most under appreciated blues pickers ever, such a shame
Equally adept on acoustic and a slide master. Father of North Mississippi Hill blues and a true legend.
What a sound Fred gets from one guitar! He sounds like he's got a partner playing a 2nd guitar hidden behind a curtain, but we know it's really just Fred's own talent. I don't know how he plays such a perfect , hypnotic rhythm line at the same time as he's playing all kinds of beautiful lead notes, while playing slide too! He's a magician, & his magic produces soulful music!
I had a guitar teacher tell me a great guitarist should sound like two mediocre guitarists in a trench coat. If that’s the case I dunno what you would call Mr. McDowell than a savant of a player
My favorite blues musiscian. This guy changes my musical life. Thank you for Mississippi Fred McDowell...
no one else to this day can play like that man. damn.
Fred mcdowell is one name that rarely comes up when you talk to people about blues greats, this finger picking is unbelievable and this particular song has had me stumped for months, I dont know how the fuck hes playing this.
I just saw the Bruce Springstein version and he had like 20 musicians on stage. Meanwhile Fred and his guitar blow all 20 of them out of the water with perfect plucks and majestic tone.
I first heard him on Ken Burns Jazz compilation almost 20 years back. best discovery of my musical life. Everyone else sounds light after FRED
How do some of these old school blues guys learn to keep the rhythem with the base notes so well. It never ceases to amaze me when I watch guys like this, JLH, and lightnin hopkins. They keep that base line rock solid no matter what they do. Sounds easy in theory but as I have discovered my own guitar playing its hard as hell to do.
Same here...i'm white...i think you have to be black...they seem to just have that rhythm in them. I've heard many great white guitarists play those bass lines that Fred is playing but it's just not the same
@@davenorman6717 Well Bonnie Raitt comes pretty damn close. He taught her everthing he knew. She is about as close as you'll get.
Wow, I've listened to this man for a long time now, but I never have been able to see him play. Just pure awesome!
He is a true master of the slide in this song!!! I found out I had been holding my breath when this finished. He kept the speed going...just like the train. Great song! Love your video. I have a new 'favorite', but I do love all the old blues I see. He is really special in this song. Thank you so much for posting this.
Solid alternating bass with independent lead lines, you gotta love this stuff. Thanks to the poster.
A classic Mississippi Fred album was titled I Do Not Play No Rock n Roll. His words.
He played something a LOT better !!!
Correct! It was his first record featuring him on electric. Malaco Records 1969.
@@aldito7586 Hill country blues (also known as North Mississippi hill country blues or North Mississippi blues) is a regional style of country blues. It is characterized by a strong emphasis on rhythm and percussion, steady guitar riffs, few chord changes, unconventional song structures, and heavy emphasis on the "groove", which has been characterized as the "hypnotic boogie". Wikipedia
When I die, PLEASE Lord send me to Blues HEAVEN!
Mississippi hill country at it's best! Brother McDowell!
This is real masterwork brilliant touch my soul.
His sense of rythmn is amazing! All hail these kings..keep them coming...
This guy was amazing.
Talent beyond words... and for my money, the greatest blues guitarist .
reaches in, grabs you by the soul, never lets go. absolutely spellbinding.
Great sound. Legend.
Amazing !!! I have been listening to Fred McDowell for Decades and yet I am always hearing something new or different with each listen. Perhaps it is just age , I don't know. Timeless man. Dark ,deep, hypnotic soul .
Love them Delta Blues Just the sound of that guitar GodBlessLovePeaceToAllNations
That's hill country, not delta.🎸
@@douglaspaterson5269hill country is delta blues' kid.
@@tdb517 I'm sixty years old (definitely not a kid) and there is a difference between Delta and Hill county, my grandfather was from Mississippi.😉
Absolutely Dynamite!!!!
The Best "Authentic" Version!
Thanx For Posting!!!
my uncle HENRY was a sante fe RAILROAD MAN .. he taught me about the BLUES ...A GOOD MAN
MY SON CARRIES THAT NAME HENRY .....
RIP UNCLE
THANK YOU YOU WILL BE MISSED
He is playing through the pain in his soul...You can see it on his face!!! He sho is Praching!!! Better than most churches!!!20 Big Fat Stars for this video!!! ONE LOVE!!!
This man is pure blues super genius class...
speechless, thank god for this !
magnificent guitar pickin'
we'll never be lost with guys like these and performances like these.
Mississippi Fred, it doesn't get any better, absolute pure GOLD.....!!!!
And that's how to play a guitar
One of my favorite Blues Musicians!!! AMAZING!
never knew ... thx for posting... remembering what great musicians we had
This guy was beyond beyond man !!!
Who else listens to this masterpiece in 2020
More importantly who can play like him ? I saw this in 2012 and i have never seen anyone play slide with this energy on RUclips with an electric guitar. Anything Mississippi Fred McDowell did live on film solo is a masterpiece but also as rare as hens teeth. For most of his life he played on acoustic archtop guitars only switching to electric later on. Some of the acoustic tracks he did for Alan Lomax are absolute gems. It's sad to think about how many people back then who weren't discovered or rediscovered by folk archivists like Alan Lomax and others.
2021 here i'm 👍🇺🇾
Me too,love this,is great,grettings from Germany
My favorite blues...the "Singing Guitar" style. Amazing!
Totally addicted to this song. McDowell does a live version of this (with a bass backup). The crowd goes wild; with that verson was on RUclips.
this is, without a doubt, the best version of this tune i have ever seen.
I've rarely seen a man play guitar like he did. Love this song too, interesting version. Can't find lyrics for this version.
John Henry was a steel-drivin' man
John Henry was a steel-drivin' man
John Henry died, a hammer in his hand
John Henry died, a hammer in his hand
John Henry was a steel-drivin' man
John Henry, he said, just before he died
What are the two more roads that he want to ride
Lord, John Henry
Lord, John Henry said before he died
Lordy, two more roads he want to ride
Lord, he want
Oh Lord, he want
Lord, I got up one mornin', well, it looked like rain
Look around the curve, come a passenger train
Lord, John
Lord, John Henry said 'fore he died
Lordy, two more roads he want to ride
John Henry had a wife, dress she wore was red
Last word I heard her say, "I'm goin' where Johnny fell dead.
Lord, I'm
Lord, I'm gwine
Lord, I'm
Lord, I'm goin', John Henry fell
Lord, I'm goin' John Henry
Lord, I'm goin' where John Henry fell
aaaah god. thanks so much for posting this. it's unbelievable. I love Mississippi Fred.
A Real Treasure This Is!
Would Love to Hear More of These Originals!
Thanx!
This is rare video footage of a true master of the Delta Blues style...
It's Hill Country brother, not Delta...VERY different. 🎵
That is a nice looking guitar . . . .. brilliantly played of course .. . . :) .
Yes, Fred is one of my all time faves! On a number of his tunes he very very gradually increases the tempo; what a great effect! He drove a tractor most of his life. He is "all in" one hundred percent! God I love this guy!
He showed bonnie Raitt some of his techniques and taught he trditional songs during the summer she stayed at his house. She was a teenager and caused some slight scandal when she stayed with Fred and his wife.
Where did you read that? I'd like to know more!
He did indeed mentor Raitt teaching her slide technique. She has always acknowledged her admiration and his influence on her style. Raitt paid for a special memorial stone for his grave in 1993.
@@timothylewis2450 Thanks! I did not know about the memorial stone.
Absolutely amazing!!!
Good ol John Henry. These brothers had all the talent in the world an plus
Considering the average person on the street knows who Madonna, Britney Spears & Justin Bieber are,but likely doesn't know who Fred McDowell is (a far greater musical talent than any of those 3 pop tarts) - let's say a rare talent like Fred's deserves much more recognition! On the other hand, 440,951 views (as of this writing) of this video's welcome proof Fred's not forgotten!
To me, Fred's the perfect bluesman, 'cause his playing & singing are both so compelling, even soothing. Fred's the man!
I just love Fred,s music,he was so Damm good!!!😁😁😁
Es la primera piesa que escuche del señor Macdowell yo tenia como 10 años hoy tengo 56 y no hay quién le llege o se compare , gracias Mississippi Fred macdowell.
My uncle was a screaming eagle 101 he always listen to this man as i got older i grew to love him too we are from Massachusetts he told me a brother of his got him listening to Fred over in Nam
Absolutely amazing - love it- gonna shake to it all night
I Love this I come here regulally
Grandissimo
Haven't heard this guy before. Wow. I'll be hearing more that's for sure. Thanks for the post.
You're absolutely right ... he goes on to list a number of John's writings through the song.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching this. Many thanks for uploading it!
this guy was a huge influence on one man band Bob Log III
really? i have heard and listened to Bob Log before . I didnt know that
@@guidorollard2944 yes sir! He's mentioned in a few interviews he first heard Mississippi Fred McDowell on a cassette when he was 16, and taught himself a few of his tunes by ear
Whew! I needed that! Thanks for posting this Blues gem
Heard him for the first time on the radio today and loved it! But I don't know the name of the song. The only lyric I could make out was "Who's that runnin?'" followed by a woman singing. He said it many times through the song, so I believe it was part of the chorus. Does anyone know the name of this song?! Thank you.
So raw,brutal and beautiful!
Love both renditions: Fred McDowell(Delta Blues) and J.E. Mainer (Bluegrass)
MS HILL COUNTRY BLUES >> BUIY THE BLUES MUSIC
Absolutely wonderful!
Towards the end of his career, when the Delta blues had been suffering in its marketability at the hands of rock n' roll, Mississippi Fred was asked if he would play some of the new rock n' roll at one of his final shows. He replied "Mississippi Fred don't play no rock n' roll, son" and went on to dish up some of this atomic caliber slidin. One of the GREATS.
Please, someone post more Fred McDowell!
THIS IS THE ORIGINS OF ROCK....THE YOUTH NOWADAYS DONT HAVE ANYONE 2 CARRYON THIS MUSIC..THX 4 RUclips...
I don't see the reason to complain.. I was damn happy R.L received some recognition and I'm happy any time somebody young copies a little off of a good old bluesman helps to keep it alive and maybe have some kid ask; hey where does that come from??
Brilliant. And I sure hope Bruce has heard this. I'd forward it to him if I knew how, know he'd love it as much as I do. (If anyone knows how to forward this to him, Bruce S., please do.)
so glad you put these up
Love this blast from the 20th century.
Wow blues forever. Eternal like the spirit.
Brilliant !!! Singer Bonnie Raitt referred to him as her ideal blues stylist and inspiration. He died 3rd July, 1972.
this guy can PLAY....fantastic
Excellent
Got me a resonator guitar today.Nothin like Fred Mcdowell.Straight to the soul
Thank you, this has been added to our playlists here and on facebook...
Mississippi Fred is a glass finger player! :)
Fred was the best.
Oh Lord...I just Love this guy.....Play my Fred records a Lot. The recordings from his home - in the kitchen - are Too F***** Much!...you can hear kids and family noises in the background. Would love to've been his next-door neighbor!!!
the first time i saw him, i thought like you. but later i changed up my mind cause his music is real good.
One word: SlideTASTIC!!
@gogoreddz I have made carrying on this music my number one goal in life, im 16 years old nd i listen to nothing but music from the 1920s to the 1970s. i play mandolin, harmonica, guitar, autoharp, banjo, tenor banjo, nd i sing, I will be sure to make sure this wonderful nd truly one of a kind music gets passed on to future generations.
He makes what is so difficult look so easy!
Awesome vid ,
thanks !
Blues lives on and on and on and on and .... well you catch me drift i guess :)
cheers
@TheSlickAndroid I agree, thank goodness all these wonderful old clips stil exist and are available to watch on the internet.
Blind Willie Johnson - John the Revelator!! That's it! That's the one I heard! Thanks, buddy!!
Mississippi Fred McDowell plays like he's afraid not to play - i love it!
2021 still playing here.. 🎸🎶💯
A W S O M E, very awsome, - fantastic song, and such a great singer.
Fred don't play no mean guitar. Sounds like three different guitars playing. And this is live with no gimmicks.
man , this is so cool!
I am from Belfast NI. I love this!!
This guy rocks !
@MJDx32 I second that! =) I was looking for this dude all day but for some reason his name just escaped me. Man I am so glad I learned about this guy in Jazz Appreciation at my college.
classic! Awesome performance