i grew up in mississippi. we used to go pick him up and haul him to jackson to play for our parties. we were all about 18 years old. he would pass that hat around startin about 10 and about 1130 he would announce that he was ready to go home and we' d make the trip back to hollandale. we had no idea what we were listening to.
I met Sam in 1972 and in 1973 when he played a folk festival at San Diego State U. We spent a total of 6 days together, he was hilarious and really enjoyed performing.
Jesus wept, this is amazing! Sam Chatmon was 81 years old at the time this was filmed but his voice was still intact and he could definitely hit those pure, mournful notes. Terrific stuff!
I think his age adds to the soulfulness of it, honestly. You don't get to 81 without getting the blues a couple times. But crazy to think he was born in the 1800s.
I live in southern Mississippi and go to Arkansas several times a year. EVERY TIME we are on Hwy 61 around Cary, rolling fork, hollindale, arcola, Leland, etc we play Sam chatmon. All the way to the river bridge in Greenville. Might sound funny, but this music hits different when you are driving across those giant fields of the Mississippi delta and going through those poor little towns that "used to be". I don't know what you call it, but there's a strong feeling comes over you and you can't just shake it off. The good stuff!
56 people have spent thousands on lessons and hung it up when they heard Sam Chatmon play the blues. Cant blame em, this is the authentic stuff that they literally cannot teach you in the back room of the music shop.
I have looked on YT so many times for this clip and never found it. I saw this on tv in a documentary on the blues, I think narrated by Alexis Korner back in the early 80s. It was worth the wait. I will be watching it a lot and sharing it. Thanks.
Alan Lomax must surely be long dead by now, but I wonder if he was ever presented with some kinda award for his intrepid documentation of so many brilliant regional styles of American music. And just think: for every artist Lomax managed to record, there must be literally dozens and dozens of others who went forever unrecorded and unrecognized. I wonder if there are still any regionally distinctive styles of American roots music which haven't been homogenized by the forces of American consumer culture.
He's not dead for that long - Alan Lomax passed away in 2002. And oh yes, he was presented with many awards. Hell, he even chose music for voyager discs. That's quite something, isn't it?
I live in France, I acn tell you it's the same... wish I could do some of the same work with French deep culture before it disappears ... inspiring videos here ...
Alan came by it honestly. His father, John, was also a noted folk music archivist: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lomax Alan probably eclipsed his father in their never-ending quest for folk/roots music, but he had much better equipment to work with. John probably had better access to primary sources to work with, but lacked the high-tech recording equipment Alan had. Thank heavens for both, or who knows how much of this treasured music and its wonderful purveyors would have fallen away into oblivion.
I'm the 777th like - that seems fortuitous! But those 8 dislikes that made that possible... what, indeed, could you have been thinking? You must have accidentally pushed the wrong button. This is pure truth.
His voice is something its reminds ne of my nsn dhe could sing ! Even in her 9os she could wipe u ou5 with her voice I adored her I miss her so so much both my Grandmothers were musically gifted Musicans. Thku ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😊
Here is how not to blow your voice three years into your career, so you can wail like a banshee when you're a thousand years old. Tell that to some of your favourite rock singers.
It's so uncanny as you get older in life you learned that some of the things that seem so simple are actually very complex and very difficult to do or receive it's a wonderful thing to learn about life and how to live better just through a seemingly simple Blues progression Melody and presentation. In the dictionary next to the term... In the pocket, is a picture of this gentleman playing that song :-) check it out
I wonder if many people who know about Sam Chatmon are even aware of that fact, and/or aware of the fact that Charley Patton is Sam Chatmons half-brother, and that Sam Chatmon is an Uncle to Memphis Slim(John Chatmon). WOW, what a musically gifted family! Having many videos of this naturally brilliant musician to watch on RUclips is a cherished musical blessing and a very valued treasure to the musical ear and soul.
This is amazing I was just listening to “Sitting on Top of the World” yesterday and had no idea, the blues has endless connections and that’s what’s so fun about it.
Yup these old timers should have been Rich living large instead they get ripped of by Eric Clapton Led Zepl The Doors The Stones and the rest they all made Millions on the Blues They Stole. Great Stuff Cheers From Canada.
Love this motherfucker. He KNEW somebody way back when and got that sound and progression, but never got the breaks. This video is 1978. Is this man still alive?
***** He "got the breaks" in a certain manner of speaking. He was a part of the Mississippi Sheiks, one of the most popular groups in the Memphis/Mississippi Delta regions at the time, and later on, from the 60's until he passed in '83, he came out of musical retirement and developed a decent following. He didn't KNOW somebody - he WAS somebody! There are a lot of people around these days, including blues fans, who don't recognize his name, but they will undoubtedly recognize plenty of his songs - "Corrina, Corrina" and "Sitting on Top of the World" being the two most prominent examples that immediately spring to mind. The average person in the street may not know his name these days, but he's a legend in the blues. You should look up the Mississippi Sheiks and get to know some of their music. It's incredible. I'm also a huge fan of his brother, Bo Carter.
Ride the train thru the south. Play this music. Be at peace. You only have time. Stop acting dead and pay them some damn respect by living. That's what they would say.
I sat on his lap almost everyday as a kid.....he was my Santa Claus.....I miss and love my Sam so much.......he was always singing to me
👀
You were truly blessed
For real?
Wow!
Hi Marco- Do you know if the rumor is true that the great Charlie Patton was his father?
80 year old man with voice in perfect shape.
Now that's the voice of a blues singer.
Now that's a blues singer.
Sublime.
That s all right baby you re in love with another man so i put my stixk and walk on the road with my string lol
Amazing. Such talent.😍
You've gotta do a hell of a lot of livin' before you can do justice to songs like this.
Mark O boy that’s the damn truth
Amen brother
That's the truth. Songs are always better when you can tell that the singer can feel the song from having had life experience
Everybody's life is hell. Its bout being truthful in one's expression. If its authentic, its got soul. If its got soul, it'll stir yours.
@@peepas2633 it's damned hard to find the truth sometimes tho. I know what I feel, but I don't always know how to give it a voice.
I love traditional American music, I love these old blues and country singers, old as the history of the USA.
You gotta come from some were to be some were
@@codeyhodges6380 Agreed. Even the native americans' ancestors came from somewhere.
i grew up in mississippi. we used to go pick him up and haul him to jackson to play for our parties. we were all about 18 years old. he would pass that hat around startin about 10 and about 1130 he would announce that he was ready to go home and we'
d make the trip back to hollandale. we had no idea what we were listening to.
Tom Forbes hell yeah
Wow. That is great!
Like the other person said you had a front-row seat I'm extremely jealous but I'm happy for you all the same time thanks for sharing😁
That's A Story.
holy shit
Legend has it that his foot mark is still on that rug.
I met Sam in 1972 and in 1973 when he played a folk festival at San Diego State U. We spent a total of 6 days together, he was hilarious and really enjoyed performing.
This is the real deal. He’s got the blues that makes you feel better.
You can feel him cry inside when he sings, just pure blues!
You can hear a lot of things, not just how bad he had it as the son of an ex-slave.
Jesus wept, this is amazing! Sam Chatmon was 81 years old at the time this was filmed but his voice was still intact and he could definitely hit those pure, mournful notes. Terrific stuff!
81 years old!! wow!!
I think his age adds to the soulfulness of it, honestly. You don't get to 81 without getting the blues a couple times.
But crazy to think he was born in the 1800s.
THIS GUY IS JUST PURE DOPE...I mean...he's the real deal... I love this sound.
This is raw and pure...from the woods,from the country,amazing artist I ain't seen anyone touch this boy..
I've got goosebumps listening to this
Thats the Real Blues real simple and from the heart.Roll on blues man.
Sam chatmon is pure, unadulterated musical expression
this is absolutely amazing..
What a voice!!
I live in southern Mississippi and go to Arkansas several times a year. EVERY TIME we are on Hwy 61 around Cary, rolling fork, hollindale, arcola, Leland, etc we play Sam chatmon. All the way to the river bridge in Greenville. Might sound funny, but this music hits different when you are driving across those giant fields of the Mississippi delta and going through those poor little towns that "used to be". I don't know what you call it, but there's a strong feeling comes over you and you can't just shake it off. The good stuff!
What a genuine talent.
Incredible.
I wish I could have music in my bones like him.
Wow, he's great! I could listen to his music all day every day ! Damn, he made me cry !
same, I was almost crying halfway through the song
Placethis music in the history of USA....please dont loose it forever.
people say this is the devils music but this is the voice of God
Sam Chatmon is god?
@@klyoo2146late reply mate but its a metaphot
Wow!!!!😀👍👍👍 I've just found my favourite blues singer!!!
Amazing would be an understatement. Wow !!!
Best sound ever absolute best.
Thank you
Soulful voice...cannot teach that!
56 people have spent thousands on lessons and hung it up when they heard Sam Chatmon play the blues. Cant blame em, this is the authentic stuff that they literally cannot teach you in the back room of the music shop.
Clean music and natural sound. Ain`t gettin` no better! Ohhheeee
How wonderful bless u him too.
Sings like a canary! Fantastic, where are these musicians today
Somewhere... i'm sure they're out there somewhere.
Mr. Lomax how great this must have been to be there live.
Just Awesome.
Thanks for sharing these treasures.
Thanks for sharing the treasure.
I have looked on YT so many times for this clip and never found it. I saw this on tv in a documentary on the blues, I think narrated by Alexis Korner back in the early 80s. It was worth the wait. I will be watching it a lot and sharing it. Thanks.
Alan Lomax must surely be long dead by now, but I wonder if he was ever presented with some kinda award for his intrepid documentation of so many brilliant regional styles of American music. And just think: for every artist Lomax managed to record, there must be literally dozens and dozens of others who went forever unrecorded and unrecognized. I wonder if there are still any regionally distinctive styles of American roots music which haven't been homogenized by the forces of American consumer culture.
just discovered his work on here...fucking hats orfe to him fer sure mate
He's not dead for that long - Alan Lomax passed away in 2002. And oh yes, he was presented with many awards. Hell, he even chose music for voyager discs. That's quite something, isn't it?
Fantastic comment and questions!! My sentiments exactly!! And oh how very dreadful are the..........Forces of American Consumer Culture!!
I live in France, I acn tell you it's the same... wish I could do some of the same work with French deep culture before it disappears ... inspiring videos here ...
Alan came by it honestly. His father, John, was also a noted folk music archivist:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lomax
Alan probably eclipsed his father in their never-ending quest for folk/roots music, but he had much better equipment to work with. John probably had better access to primary sources to work with, but lacked the high-tech recording equipment Alan had. Thank heavens for both, or who knows how much of this treasured music and its wonderful purveyors would have fallen away into oblivion.
the old blues guy s aint got chit on this guy...very pleasing thanks Sam
This is original, true, genuine blues!
Wow first time hearing this absolute legend I'm in shock it's so raw. real .powerful .soulful . Just dam thanks for this
Wow. Thankyou, and wow.
love this guy
Just beautiful
I'm the 777th like - that seems fortuitous! But those 8 dislikes that made that possible... what, indeed, could you have been thinking? You must have accidentally pushed the wrong button. This is pure truth.
it's so good
Wonderful.
His voice is something its reminds ne of my nsn dhe could sing ! Even in her 9os she could wipe u ou5 with her voice I adored her I miss her so so much both my Grandmothers were musically gifted Musicans. Thku ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😊
RESPECT....
fantastic singer!!!
***** Oh yes he is !
AIN"T NEVER BEEN DONE BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I Love Blues !!
Fantastic!
that thumb is pure thunder...
judd sadac it’s made of steel from what I can hear and see. Damn this is good !
Why why why does the whole world not know who this man is. This is a person that the world is missing. A voice and soul THAT is real as it gets
great song, great singer
This is a really cool piece of history man, thanks a bundle for sharing it here! ( I got kind of giddy when I seen the "Pallet on the Floor" thing)
I feel it 😌💞💞💞
romania`salute`you..,
These guys are my heroes
Thanks for saving the sound!
Thanks Alan
REAL MUSIC..!
The cicadas coming through in the background add an extra touch of authenticity to this recording.
A legend. charley pattons half brother and a member of the sheiks. He had it till the end.
Is that a fact??
@@toastedcarrot9667 It is. I just looked it up and he really was.
@@bryanbridges2987 No, probably not true. Source; the new paramount book of blues.
Yes he was.
Bless his voice sells it but his eyes don't.... love out to his SOUL X
amazing!!!!! cheers from Brasil
Pretty fire set from the living room chair if you ask me
Here is how not to blow your voice three years into your career, so you can wail like a banshee when you're a thousand years old. Tell that to some of your favourite rock singers.
AnalogOpherm
Me sinto mais vivo com esse clássico!!
this is music this tells a story not like the xxxx we get today
It's so uncanny as you get older in life you learned that some of the things that seem so simple are actually very complex and very difficult to do or receive it's a wonderful thing to learn about life and how to live better just through a seemingly simple Blues progression Melody and presentation. In the dictionary next to the term... In the pocket, is a picture of this gentleman playing that song :-) check it out
Amazing
This at the age of 81!!
this man Sam and ol' popcorn should have met sometime in the past I hope
Great guitar playin’!
He was one of The Mississippi Sheiks.
I wonder if many people who know about Sam Chatmon are even aware of that fact, and/or aware of the fact that Charley Patton is Sam Chatmons half-brother, and that Sam Chatmon is an Uncle to Memphis Slim(John Chatmon). WOW, what a musically gifted family! Having many videos of this naturally brilliant musician to watch on RUclips is a cherished musical blessing and a very valued treasure to the musical ear and soul.
This is amazing I was just listening to “Sitting on Top of the World” yesterday and had no idea, the blues has endless connections and that’s what’s so fun about it.
I’m curious about a picture I have of Sam from Festival of America Folk Life. Appears to be 1924.
“There’s no way I can convince you woman, and I don’t care if I can”
Sweet playing, sweet vocals, terrific lyrics, rock solid meter (do you know how hard to do that is with a slow song) and all in the key of 'G'.
The blues is all about why a man should be single
GODS GIFT TO THE WORLD
((eehnowandagainandawonder)) beautiful
❤❤❤
Yup these old timers should have been Rich living large instead they get ripped of by Eric Clapton Led Zepl The Doors The Stones and the rest they all made Millions on the Blues They Stole. Great Stuff Cheers From Canada.
@Robert Craig That's why it's called the blues.
nice song
5 years before his death, and still his voice sounded like he what 40 years old
I thing im in heaven now
He put those shoes on special. Notice the dust on them. Also from a nurse perspective, he does not have congestive heart failure. ( Thin ankles)
I expect he normally wore work boots and put on his "dress slippers" for company and the camera.
I used to make shoes exactly like that.(Lewiston Maine).
This is insane
luv dat hat
Yeah.
👏👏💞💞💞💞
Love this motherfucker. He KNEW somebody way back when and got that sound and progression, but never got the breaks.
This video is 1978. Is this man still alive?
No, I believe he died a few years after this was filmed. Sam Chatmon was born in 1897 or thereabouts, so he was already 80 when this was filmed.
unfortunately he died in 1983, and if he were alive would have almost 120 years
***** He "got the breaks" in a certain manner of speaking. He was a part of the Mississippi Sheiks, one of the most popular groups in the Memphis/Mississippi Delta regions at the time, and later on, from the 60's until he passed in '83, he came out of musical retirement and developed a decent following. He didn't KNOW somebody - he WAS somebody! There are a lot of people around these days, including blues fans, who don't recognize his name, but they will undoubtedly recognize plenty of his songs - "Corrina, Corrina" and "Sitting on Top of the World" being the two most prominent examples that immediately spring to mind. The average person in the street may not know his name these days, but he's a legend in the blues. You should look up the Mississippi Sheiks and get to know some of their music. It's incredible. I'm also a huge fan of his brother, Bo Carter.
+HOLY MACKERAL Well if he managed to live to 119 years of age...then yes!
+Joseph Kirby We all know who he is up here at cafe 9 in new haven ct.
Ride the train thru the south. Play this music. Be at peace. You only have time. Stop acting dead and pay them some damn respect by living. That's what they would say.
How come he never plays a wrong note? awesome
Damn, there a million questions I wanna ask this guy 😁
Ok this guy is up there with Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry & Brownie Mcghee, and ole Lightnin' too
Sam may have known Bessy Smith and Jimmy Rushing, he even sings a lot like them.
What a gangster