I heard a guy say once, that John Jackson was the only man he knew that was so naturally talented, that he probably came right out of the womb crying in perfect tune! Now that's one hell of a compliment.
SAW HIM AT SULLY PLANTATION FESTIVAL IN CHANTILLY,VA WHEN I WAS ABOUT 17-19YRS OLD,NOW I'M 37,IT WAS GREAT!!!STILL CAN HEAR HIM NOW WITH THE COOL AIR, THE SMELL OF APPLE BUTTER IN THE AIR TOO.PLAYED GOOD NIGHT IRENE AND YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE,AND A FEW OTHERS
While a student at GWU (1967-71) I took over running a coffeehouse called "The Pit" in the basement of the Newman Center. John would show up a few times a year, and all present were glad of that. I was learning the Piedmont blues style at the time, and was probably as bad and as enthusiastic as any newbie. John had encouraging words for me whenever he heard me play. He was a real fine gentleman. The last time I heard him live was in NJ, a year or two before he died.
it took me years to and try and learn this song. I got it thanks to his son James. When Mr Jackson played at my high school in the late 60's I've been trying to play Piedmont Blues ever since. Thanks also to Mr Perdue (right place at the right time) :~)
had the pleasure of hanging out w/ John for about an hour once backstage at the Philly Folk fest back in the 80s ...such a soft spoken,beautiful soul ..R.I.P. Mr Jackson
Just wonderful. This is an old Blind Blake song, related to 'keep on trucking mama' by blind boy fuller. Perfect voice for ragtime blues. Great find. Big thanks from me!
Amazing connection he has to the ragtime sound. It's like he knew the people of that era: a true, "living" relic of a long gone era preserved. Just amazing talent! Wish I could sing like that! The changing cadences & singular intricacies show why it was so hard for brits like the rolling stones to just pick up blues by "knocking about a bit" according to Howlin' Wolf, for one.
The first time I heard of john was back in th early 90 living in Maryland he was doing a show at Solomons Islands when it was over the blue never seem the same. as to way and what John was playing it's powerful but low key simplistic but fulfilling never again did I need hype to listen to great blues. Thank you GtrWorkShp for the post how did the world miss this meager star........
@bradlfcle3 I knew the man and he was something else. He was also one of the most gentlemanly and cordial people that I've ever met. Nobody has ever played that well in that Piedmont style since Leadbelly, it's an almost forgotten art form. JJ lived in Fairfax Station, Va (suburban DC) and died of cancer in 2002. Chase him down on Wiki to learn more about this fascinating man.
Not sure Leadbelly ever played Piedmont style? He was from Louisiana and lived mostly in Texas - he had a few ragtime numbers but never really Carolina/Virginia style?🤔
Wow... Seldom saw John so nervous, but then he never really liked playing in front of a camera . . . Regarding the person who said nobody else in VA talked like John, that's not true. There were people in Rappahannock County that sounded very much like him, but it was not a common dialect, to be sure. Finest man I've ever had the privilege to know . . .
@bassmangotdbluz iv been waiting for a reply i thought nobody would tell me but thanx alot.. i will do and im sure he was amazing as an artist and a person. thanx
Response to blues countryfolk; completly agree with your comment; yet it makes a lot of difference if you want to play in that style: _picking hand=only 2: thumb and pointer _ & No thumbnails. Hear J. Jackson's rythm, stomping the beat:a perfect synthesis of Blake'style who remains outasight!!. He can sing, also...
@added23 He is playing this in standard tuning, in the key of G. I would have to take issue with the poster below who said that he has Blake's right hand down to a "T". Jackson's right hand is nothing like as sophisticated as Blake's. I mean, not even in the same ball-park.
John Jackson is my gpa's brother, my great uncle
Congratulations !
Hes my grandfather's uncle. Hes sister is my great grandmother, Roberta, or Hattie, Bert to some
Right on! Did you know him well?
I was given a L.P. on Johns when I was about 17 and I consider it a treasure!
I met John in the mid-1970s and we were friends who occasionally crossed paths until he died. A great talent.
wow. where have I been all my life? First time hearing John Jackson. Great, Great, Great
I heard a guy say once, that John Jackson was the only man he knew that was so naturally talented, that he probably came right out of the womb crying in perfect tune! Now that's one hell of a compliment.
One of my absolute favorites! Love Jackson
SAW HIM AT SULLY PLANTATION FESTIVAL IN CHANTILLY,VA WHEN I WAS ABOUT 17-19YRS OLD,NOW I'M 37,IT WAS GREAT!!!STILL CAN HEAR HIM NOW WITH THE COOL AIR, THE SMELL OF APPLE BUTTER IN THE AIR TOO.PLAYED GOOD NIGHT IRENE AND YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE,AND A FEW OTHERS
3 down thumbs? Seriously!? This clip is simply amazing, not to mention his socks!!!
Beyoncé fans!
Eric Standefer hahahaha!
Agreed, this should be in a blues documentary.
While a student at GWU (1967-71) I took over running a coffeehouse called "The Pit" in the basement of the Newman Center. John would show up a few times a year, and all present were glad of that. I was learning the Piedmont blues style at the time, and was probably as bad and as enthusiastic as any newbie. John had encouraging words for me whenever he heard me play. He was a real fine gentleman. The last time I heard him live was in NJ, a year or two before he died.
There was no one else in Virginia that talked like him... and told stories the way he did.
it took me years to and try and learn this song. I got it thanks to his son James. When Mr Jackson played at my high school in the late 60's I've been trying to play Piedmont Blues ever since. Thanks also to Mr Perdue (right place at the right time) :~)
had the pleasure of hanging out w/ John for about an hour once backstage at the Philly Folk fest back in the 80s ...such a soft spoken,beautiful soul ..R.I.P. Mr Jackson
Just wonderful. This is an old Blind Blake song, related to 'keep on trucking mama' by blind boy fuller. Perfect voice for ragtime blues. Great find. Big thanks from me!
I got it from Pink Anderson. Great tune!
Guess that’s why Hot Tuna recorded both songs. Jorma and Jack are great on both.
hate the imposing ads like this.
A wonderful musician. I saw him live in Winnipeg in the early 80's. Thank you MItch Podolak
john we miss you, there is only one of you and thank god for your talent.
Amazing connection he has to the ragtime sound. It's like he knew the people of that era: a true, "living" relic of a long gone era preserved. Just amazing talent! Wish I could sing like that! The changing cadences & singular intricacies show why it was so hard for brits like the rolling stones to just pick up blues by "knocking about a bit" according to Howlin' Wolf, for one.
The first time I heard of john was back in th early 90 living in Maryland he was doing a show at Solomons Islands when it was over the blue never seem the same. as to way and what John was playing it's powerful but low key simplistic but fulfilling never again did I need hype to listen to great blues. Thank you GtrWorkShp for the post how did the world miss this meager star........
Wow. Fantastic socks. And great voice too.
That must be one of the best blues videos on you tube. It captures the true soul of blues.
reallt gr8 stuff!!!
That's a mighty right thumb!
@bradlfcle3 I knew the man and he was something else. He was also one of the most gentlemanly and cordial people that I've ever met. Nobody has ever played that well in that Piedmont style since Leadbelly, it's an almost forgotten art form. JJ lived in Fairfax Station, Va (suburban DC) and died of cancer in 2002. Chase him down on Wiki to learn more about this fascinating man.
Not sure Leadbelly ever played Piedmont style? He was from Louisiana and lived mostly in Texas - he had a few ragtime numbers but never really Carolina/Virginia style?🤔
lots of power in that playing !
The most stylish socks of any blues artist.
Lightnin hopkins big joe Williams John Lee hooker..
Hardly ever looks at the fretboard throughout the entire song.
simply incredible
This guy is incredible!
Great Stuff Indeed !!!
❤yeah man
just love it.
WoW love this
5*********
great
Terry
Not to mention the great guitar playing.
Come for the music, stay for the socks.
Great stuff! Not come across J.J. before. Thanks for posting.
thumbpickr1812 I did.. in "Blues Houseparty".
Wow... Seldom saw John so nervous, but then he never really liked playing in front of a camera . . . Regarding the person who said nobody else in VA talked like John, that's not true. There were people in Rappahannock County that sounded very much like him, but it was not a common dialect, to be sure. Finest man I've ever had the privilege to know . . .
Marvelous video... great pickin' and singin'... and blues men used to really know how to dress..
Have his autograph!
Man.
Great John J
ackson RIP
favourited!
Cool!
¡Maestrazo del Rag que adoro!
@bassmangotdbluz iv been waiting for a reply i thought nobody would tell me but thanx alot.. i will do and im sure he was amazing as an artist and a person. thanx
When he starts my leg starts in synchronization with his
John has it alright. He's got Blake's right hand down to a "T".
Response to blues countryfolk; completly agree with your comment; yet it makes a lot of difference if you want to play in that style: _picking hand=only 2: thumb and
pointer _ & No thumbnails. Hear J. Jackson's rythm, stomping the beat:a perfect synthesis of Blake'style who remains outasight!!. He can sing, also...
I love my dog
can someone please re-upload a video of john jackson playing john henry?? they took it down
ruclips.net/video/DphzN7XP3gs/видео.html
What year and model gibson is he playing ?
looks like an old '40s J50
@added23 He is playing this in standard tuning, in the key of G.
I would have to take issue with the poster below who said that he has Blake's right hand down to a "T".
Jackson's right hand is nothing like as sophisticated as Blake's. I mean, not even in the same ball-park.
there is a lesson by a fellow on youtube that teaches this song very well, just searh it
Yes, good socks, but a lot of good music.
@bluescountryfolk oh, but for the select few like us who enjoy it, NOTHING is sweeter.
It is your uncle he was my grandpa. Which family member are you in the tree?
He's my mom's cousin as well. Her dad was William Henry Jackson.
what tuning does he play this in??? i try learning his songs in standard tuning but i just cant get it
who was he can anybody tell me ?
No need to sell your soul at the crossroads if you got some sportin' socks.
This out of tune bend at 1:26 is cool...