I'm from Melbourne Australia and have Fred tattooed on my left arm. One of the great delta bluesman and not given anywhere near the credit he deserves. What a noise! The time and place that produced this music no longer exists and will never be repeated. I relish this footage!
I think it’s so important that the titles said his style is “highly typical of the Delta Blues style.” While I in no way refute his talent and genius, it’s probable a bunch of guys down at the town store played the same. This was before the mythology of “having to invent yourself” crept into American thought. People did what their people did - and some were genius about it.
I am the most unlikely from all to like this and yet i love this music! I am a white Romanian. There is no other kind of Romanian but I said I should add that😂👍
Mississippi Fred McDowell inspired me so much in 1978 I passed thru Como, Mississippi after I called Mrs. Fred McDowell, and asked if I could stop by on my way to Atlanta. I was too young to ever see Fred play, bit it was important I tell his wife Annie Mae what an influence her husband was on me. Later I met R.L. Burnside, and blew harp, and a bit of guitar behind him between 1982 - 1994. Mississippi Fred McDowell was a huge influence on R.L.'s playing. I feel very lucky to have discovered both these players.
I’m a 62 year old Herbert from Essex / east London, I’ve been playing guitar since I was 12, I had never heard of the gezza that is sir Fred McDowell, until about 2 weeks ago. I have not been so buzzed up about playing and the blues since the early 70’s. He, is, was,and will always be a legend, out fucking standing. Peace.
I'm so sorry. I already gave my nieces my copy of "I Do Not Play No Rock 'n' Roll." Buy it, buy more than one because you will want to give it away. It's similar to "Our Band Could Be your Life"
Got that unbeatable Southern roots music railroad-chuggin rhythm, just like Sun Records-era Johnny Cash. Hypnotic, & apparently this mesmerizing groove owes much to Mississippi hill country blues, an even rawer & older form of the blues, with even closer ties to 19th Century musical forms like slave work songs, spirituals, even old-timey fife & drum bands. I think McDowell had lived both in the hills & down onna Delta... 🦃🎸🤯🦃
This is true American Blues, played with all possible complexities but so smoothly and full of excitement and perfect rythm. You cannot sit still and listen to this. What a musician!! What a pleasure to be able to listen to his music after his passing. Thanks for sharing from South Africa. It beats anything produced in the modern era of electronics.
@@harveybernstein5683holy $hit! And I thought I was blessed seeing Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee open for BB King at the Ivanhoe Theater in Chicago '78?
Boom Chackka-Chugga-Chucker-Chugger toot toot I think I hear a train-a-comin. Oh Man that rhythm of Fred's is maybe the infectious feel of all time. He is a genius, all hail the Great Fred.
The camera work is really helpful for folks who really want to examine McDowell's technique. It's obvious that both camera operators were guitar players.
This was recorded at KCTS Public TV on the Univ. of Washington campus, those doing the recordings were ethnomusicologists in the Music Dept. Fred played in Seattle many times, he was a great person, humorous, fun loving and a true gentleman. I was blessed to be a part of this scene when I came back from Vietnam, it was hearing Fred that I realized I could put my war experience and terrible "homecoming" into the context of the Blues.
This is totally amazing Fred is brilliant who can hold a candle to this guy even in this day thanks Fred you will still be remembered for a very long time
All you folks who also love my hero Mississippi Fred should check out the PBS documentary series Reel South. They explore Fred's life and legacy in depth in episode number 212 entitled Shake Em On Down (coincidentally, the first song featured in this clip). Enjoy!
I agree completely. I first heard him in 1972, the year he died, and I've loved his music ever since. Not the most influential bluesman ever, but arguably the greatest. 43 years later and he is still sending shivers down my spine!
+Dave Brokenshire Maybe you haven't heard of the Stones album Sticky Fingers, covering You gotta move. Not to mention the fact this man practically invented Hill Country blues, teaching the likes of R. L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough what the blues is all about. This man was pivotal to the evolution of modern blues, and without him The Black Keys, White Stripes and many other great bands would probably never happen. He was one of the most influential bluesmen, although like many other greats, never knew real commercial success during his lifetime (or afterwards, for that matter).
Owh isomebody told me he was blind.I am sorry but he was real amazing awesome.I love to hear him , i have a lot of respect for fred McDowell.A pitty that i can,t hear him live anymore but in the past what i hear is only such a great and beautifull blues the way he played was pure and honest.Thank you for the correctie.Fine sunday and all of you here.
I love the electric blues rock muisc and this is good guitarists on RUclips and I wish I can play blues rock like him and I have epiphone sg standard guitar and orange amp .
The day is done. The road dust settled. The yellow shadows fading by the roadside. The smell of an evening meal waiting. The girl I love waiting. The day is done.
Come to ma house ya don't find me around you know we somewhere baby lawdy shakin' em on down lawdy must I holler Put your knees together baby let your backbone move Tell you no woman in town can shake em down like you lawdy must I holler If you see my baby lord mama standin round you know we gettin ready honey we gonna shake em on down lawdy must I holler Run up on the hill baby lawd to get some ice before we got back baby lawd we shook em down twice lawdy must I holler The lyrics as I understand them to first song shake em on down R.I.P. Mississippi Fred Mcdowell
huh...was listening to to this and made me think of that R.L. Burnside tune "See My Jumper Hanging On the Line" playing is quite similar to make that come to my mind...maybe I'm just tired... anyone else hear that?
well well!!!! ahhhh hahaha I just went and looked up Burnside on Wikipedia and it says about R.L. Burnside.... "He played the harmonica and dabbled with playing guitar, beginning at the age of 16. He said he first played in public at age 21 or 22.[9][10] He learned mostly from Mississippi Fred McDowell, who had lived near Burnside since Burnside was a child. He first heard McDowell playing at age 7 or 8[11] and eventually joined his gigs to play a late set." I was listening to McDowell and bam... I knew somewhere they crossed paths....surprised I caught that although it's damn hard not too! Hard to not recognize that sound though I suppose =)
It's 2023 and i say Fred McDowell is one of the most fabulous musicians I've ever heard.
Saw him play approx 1969/70 at a folk club in Farnham, Surrey,UK....Life changed for me after that..Outstanding.
For me, its Elmore James. Greatest slide guitarist ever & his voice could cut stainless steel. 🔥🎙️🔥
I'm from Melbourne Australia and have Fred tattooed on my left arm. One of the great delta bluesman and not given anywhere near the credit he deserves. What a noise! The time and place that produced this music no longer exists and will never be repeated. I relish this footage!
I think it’s so important that the titles said his style is “highly typical of the Delta Blues style.” While I in no way refute his talent and genius, it’s probable a bunch of guys down at the town store played the same. This was before the mythology of “having to invent yourself” crept into American thought. People did what their people did - and some were genius about it.
I'm black transgender muslim. It's very important.
@@nicolausteslaus sike
I am the most unlikely from all to like this and yet i love this music!
I am a white Romanian. There is no other kind of Romanian but I said I should add that😂👍
@@vintagepipesnightmares
Aren't Romanians the same as gypsies?
Mississippi Fred McDowell inspired me so much in 1978 I passed thru Como, Mississippi after I called Mrs. Fred McDowell, and asked if I could stop by on my way to Atlanta. I was too young to ever see Fred play, bit it was important I tell his wife Annie Mae what an influence her husband was on me.
Later I met R.L. Burnside, and blew harp, and a bit of guitar behind him between 1982 - 1994.
Mississippi Fred McDowell was a huge influence on R.L.'s playing. I feel very lucky to have discovered both these players.
Wow. His slide is perfect, along with everything else.
Fred McDowell is a great blues player orchestra thumping train rolling over tracks . Thanx Fred 😊😊😊😊
Truly one of the most talented musicians on this planet.
I’m a 62 year old Herbert from Essex / east London, I’ve been playing guitar since I was 12, I had never heard of the gezza that is sir Fred McDowell, until about 2 weeks ago.
I have not been so buzzed up about playing and the blues since the early 70’s. He, is, was,and will always be a legend, out fucking standing. Peace.
The beauty of recorded music, it's never too late to jump in
I'm so sorry. I already gave my nieces my copy of "I Do Not Play No Rock 'n' Roll." Buy it, buy more than one because you will want to give it away. It's similar to "Our Band Could Be your Life"
Got that unbeatable Southern roots music railroad-chuggin rhythm, just like Sun Records-era Johnny Cash. Hypnotic, & apparently this mesmerizing groove owes much to Mississippi hill country blues, an even rawer & older form of the blues, with even closer ties to 19th Century musical forms like slave work songs, spirituals, even old-timey fife & drum bands. I think McDowell had lived both in the hills & down onna Delta... 🦃🎸🤯🦃
His guitar playing is literally flawless.
Has full command of the instrument
Thank you for preserving the blues history
It amazes me how underrated Fred McDowell is. He is one of the true legends of all American music.
He's not underestimated by those familiar with the blues.
If you know you know ❤
Fred at 65 years of age had more swagger than any crap from today’s popular music
That's what I've been saying all along too.
Gravitas is swagger
That's why I first fell in love with RUclips, many years ago...
All those great bluesmen, one click away from my eyes and ears. 🍻🍻
Isn't crazy how you can jump back in time and listen to this unbelievably amazing music
This is true American Blues, played with all possible complexities but so smoothly and full of excitement and perfect rythm. You cannot sit still and listen to this. What a musician!! What a pleasure to be able to listen to his music after his passing. Thanks for sharing from South Africa. It beats anything produced in the modern era of electronics.
The Hands on this Man should be in the guitar hall of fame, no ones touching this even today 😂
I saw Fred open up for Hot Tuna in 1970 at Town Hall here in NYC. Opened my eyes to the real deal. Country blues will never be the same without him.
I was at that show too. Fantastic.
@@harveybernstein5683holy $hit! And I thought I was blessed seeing Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee open for BB King at the Ivanhoe Theater in Chicago '78?
You lucky sod
This is THE MAN!!! He is The Blues. There is no one better IMHO. I love Mississippi Fred!!!
If you get stuck on a desert island, you need Fred McDowell -the greatest music of humankind
Boom Chackka-Chugga-Chucker-Chugger toot toot I think I hear a train-a-comin. Oh Man that rhythm of Fred's is maybe the infectious feel of all time. He is a genius, all hail the Great Fred.
One of the great guitarists.
The camera work is really helpful for folks who really want to examine McDowell's technique. It's obvious that both camera operators were guitar players.
This was recorded at KCTS Public TV on the Univ. of Washington campus, those doing the recordings were ethnomusicologists in the Music Dept. Fred played in Seattle many times, he was a great person, humorous, fun loving and a true gentleman. I was blessed to be a part of this scene when I came back from Vietnam, it was hearing Fred that I realized I could put my war experience and terrible "homecoming" into the context of the Blues.
This is totally amazing Fred is brilliant who can hold a candle to this guy even in this day thanks Fred you will still be remembered for a very long time
Mr Fred McDowell will always be my favorite artist.
A true legend!
Got. it. I was purchasing his Folkways Smithsonian recording when I was 15 years old back in 1969. Still moves me.
No need for a bass, drums, piano, sax, back up musicians, etc... just Fred & his guitar. 👊🏾
Lone player like hank William's sr. Yes!
Yeah he’s the rhythm section too
Less is often better
He's an amazing legendary blues hero. Fred was so deaply focused, amazing!
Making it look effortless
All you folks who also love my hero Mississippi Fred should check out the PBS documentary series Reel South. They explore Fred's life and legacy in depth in episode number 212 entitled Shake Em On Down (coincidentally, the first song featured in this clip). Enjoy!
If this doesn't send chills down your spine you have no soul.
or perhaps one may have exchanged said soul for a similar musical prowess exhibited here..... just sayin'... it IS the blues after all!
Or no spine.
I don't think it gets any more real than this. It goes as deep as deep can go.
Hey Mikey
No it sure doesn't...old ways ...always so damn good...give ya feelins in ya gut ..I'm seein the real deal HERE!
PAOLO
A virtuoso
this man was a fucking bad ass
you know something.. you're right :)
This is one of the best I ever heard and been listening for almost 70 years. Hear this long time ago got it on LP
Pure legend. Love you Freddy McDowell. I was born 1971, but i'll make sure you're never forgotten !!
Fred left us all standing on the train tracks....what great style
Sad but all the Ole Time Bluesmen have Passed Away, but their Music Legacy Lives on in their Great Music such as this...
People, look away from the screen and try to keep in mind this is just ONE guitar playing there. Unbelievable stuff. Soul thrashing.
The Jolly Horses i know, like how did he do that? Its amazing
He's Robert Johnson reborn for the electric guitar
You can't make me not look at the screen when this man is playing. I'm glued.
@@fredrikdahlin7869 Fred's acoustic recordings are better IMHO, I've seen him play both.
It is one guitar and all that's actually needed
Now look what you've gone and done you made me cry. Lord Almighty that just really gave me the Goosebumps and made me cry it's so beautiful
Astonishingly good rhythm. And then his voice just tops it off perfectly
This guy is too cool. I wish I could play my guitar half as good as him.
Me pareció impresionante lo que hizo con la guitarra y el sonido que le sacó , un groso.
Great, no words, is one of the biggest of blues!!!
Now THIS is what I call REAL blues!
Oh My God I am lovin this, haven't seen slides like that before . fantastic. TY for sharing .
That guitar of his signs along with em while he plays amazing rhythm sound...Canadian boy soothe my soul
Best slide guitarist there ever was, or ever will be.
Modern music,built on the shoulders of giants
Like a planet, Fred McDowell was created when masses of 100% pure coolness melded together inside of his Mom while he was in the womb. ✌️
THIS IS PROPER BLUES !!! ...
THIS MAN IS A LEGEND !!!
Love Mississippi Fred!!!
What years of farming will do to your hands and your soul. Got to respect this man.
Real man
He worked at a gas station too because he liked it. His friends were there. And it was his office. Bless his soul.
He is greatest bluesman, and I think, very underrated. Thanks for upload !
I agree completely. I first heard him in 1972, the year he died, and I've loved his music ever since. Not the most influential bluesman ever, but arguably the greatest. 43 years later and he is still sending shivers down my spine!
+Dave Brokenshire Maybe you haven't heard of the Stones album Sticky Fingers, covering You gotta move. Not to mention the fact this man practically invented Hill Country blues, teaching the likes of R. L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough what the blues is all about. This man was pivotal to the evolution of modern blues, and without him The Black Keys, White Stripes and many other great bands would probably never happen. He was one of the most influential bluesmen, although like many other greats, never knew real commercial success during his lifetime (or afterwards, for that matter).
Is true he never got aculaudes he deserved
Not just a great bluesman but also a great guitarist.
My ears and my soul has been touched
Another classic. Great stuff. just follow the musical trail.
Damn'this chap is bloody excellent...🙂👍
Fantastic, gotta love his raw slide guitar sound
Super!!! Beautiful!!! Blues!!!
I love this guitar.
God bless McDowell. I can't wait to get onto part 2.
This is incredible. Those fingers! Made for playing.
recorded the same month as woodstock....Fred should have been there
The editing at 5:36 really made my day! Nice to see that everyone was having a good time!
Jesus. Mr. McDowell, please put your soul in somebody and resurrect this sound. If I'm blind and someone has, please enlighten me.
This man played the best.
Whit Ives i agree, how does he keep that thumpin beat going the whole time? An absolute master
The masters of music...blues fills my soul ..luv it .. 🎶🎸🎶
One word. Authentic.
This man paved the way for the rest... BB ..ect.. & he never got that famous he was the man!
I believe by what i know about him..that he considered himself more of a farmer than a musician.
Besides the music being unreal...that guitar is so beautifull.
Incredible 🎉 Big Up
This is fantastic real a legend and blind , and then to play on this way is real amazing brilliant. I will always love his music,
Fred McDowell wasn't blind.
Owh isomebody told me he was blind.I am sorry but he was real amazing awesome.I love to hear him , i have a lot of respect for fred McDowell.A pitty that i can,t hear him live anymore but in the past what i hear is only such a great and beautifull blues the way he played was pure and honest.Thank you for the correctie.Fine sunday and all of you here.
You might be thinking of "Blind Willie McTell"
He was not blind!
Just love this - thank you ❤🙂🎸
Fantastic!
A master at work.
Any video with a single old black man playing guitar is gonna be a treat.
superb is a good word!
I love the electric blues rock muisc and this is good guitarists on RUclips and I wish I can play blues rock like him and I have epiphone sg standard guitar and orange amp .
Truly mesmerizing and hypnotic ,my inspiration for picking up a guitar again. Now if only i could play 1/5th as good and I'll be happy!
lovinit....Amen
This is amazing.
This channel is a blessing
Happy birthday to the ONE AND ONLY Fred McDowell
This is awesome🎸🎼🎶
Delta hop and slide. Pure energy.
Masterful and so,so good!
LEGEND
wow (every time, wow)
I'm so glad these videos exist and are free.
Can someone tell the tuning ?
open E
@ArteL01
"Good Morning Little School Girl" Love McDowell's take on it.
what a hero
This is the soul of America
Very close to the African roots of Blues music - Fred
added a chord to make 2 in total.
The day is done. The road dust settled. The yellow shadows fading by the roadside. The smell of an evening meal waiting. The girl I love waiting. The day is done.
He was beyond !!! ...
Come to ma house ya don't find me around you know we somewhere baby lawdy shakin' em on down lawdy must I holler
Put your knees together baby let your backbone move Tell you no woman in town can shake em down like you lawdy must I holler
If you see my baby lord mama standin round you know we gettin ready honey we gonna shake em on down lawdy must I holler
Run up on the hill baby lawd to get some ice before we got back baby lawd we shook em down twice lawdy must I holler
The lyrics as I understand them to first song shake em on down R.I.P. Mississippi Fred Mcdowell
Really puts ya in a funky mood! :)
Watching him makes my 26 years of playing all seem pointless .so good it hurts
Appreciation to Alan Lomax for first recording this gentleman
He’s Fred McDowell and he don’t play no Rock & Roll... He sure did make the template for it though. Just awesome 👏
Simply electrifying...
Lawdy Lawdy this man's got groove
Oh I love this man
A TRUE GREAT.
huh...was listening to to this and made me think of that R.L. Burnside tune "See My Jumper Hanging On the Line" playing is quite similar to make that come to my mind...maybe I'm just tired... anyone else hear that?
well well!!!!
ahhhh hahaha I just went and looked up Burnside on Wikipedia and it says about R.L. Burnside....
"He played the harmonica and dabbled with playing guitar, beginning at the age of 16. He said he first played in public at age 21 or 22.[9][10] He learned mostly from Mississippi Fred McDowell, who had lived near Burnside since Burnside was a child. He first heard McDowell playing at age 7 or 8[11] and eventually joined his gigs to play a late set."
I was listening to McDowell and bam... I knew somewhere they crossed paths....surprised I caught that although it's damn hard not too!
Hard to not recognize that sound though I suppose =)