Mississippi Fred McDowell - Goin Down to the River

[rmfirebird]

This is HOLY. Its been said that blues started and ended with this performance!

[QuintinPenola]

i love this performance

[flp1977]

Very Nice !

[ScooterpupReljac]

Try as I may, I can never imitate this man's playing....He and Son House are the greatest Blues players in my book

[philemonkify]

most eternal sound in the world, thank you Fred.

[adolfGoooglification]

There are 'normal' people..

and then..... there is 'Mississippi Fred McDowell'..

[musicmankenn]

This is how the fuckin blues should be played.....

[mcnowski]

Any ad/commercial that can interrupt a Fred McDowell video, I will NEVER buy their product!!!!!

[lelliesandremains]

@mcnowski

I got that shit too!

Annoying.

[Kartoonkid95]

ZORAK

[lesteralive07]

20 ppl went down to da river

[Kento617]

Im 18 yet I question if I was born in the wrong time period. sigh, oh well. Im just glad I learned about this guy in Jazz Appreciation class last semester in college. =)

[mcnowski]

@Kento617 the fact that your hearing this music at all goes to show you are in the right period.

[cdcondrici]

This man is truly unique. Just pay attention how his notes played with the guitar match exactly his vocals. In my opinion he is the best. I'm completely in love with his music. Thanks for sharing this, people should wake up one day :)

[kiciekoutsider]

And than came Clapton, Page, Mayall and the rest of hansdome white boys trying to imitate. And we buy their records...heheheheeeeeeeeeeeee­e:)

[jcoleman26491]

just heard about him today, love it, just like robert johnson

[Glaeken1961]

If you don't believe words you can't sing them. This is why so much recent product is awful..the words have no meaning, the singer has no true connection to those words, and the whole is a kind of fantasy, a play-acting. But the Blues comes from life, the whole of it. (You still need to be able to SING of course, HA!)

[kyuubiDemon78]

This man is incredible, maybe only Ray Charles can compare to him. Awesome!

[cdcondrici]

@kyuubiDemon78 Ray Charles???? Man this guy is way up there with Son and Robert Johnson. No dis for Ray but this is REAL Blues man...

[kariaudar]

Greatest bluesman ever (and that´s saying something!).

[ArteL01]

This genius never got the true recognition he deserved/s, awe inspiring, soulful, meaningful, when I hear him sing I believe what he has to say.

[tommyau2006]

@ArteL01 amen to that

[spotoboy]

My very most fav is Bukka White's Aberdeen Blues,,,the is my all time 2nd favorite Youtube

[Danman917]

I'm going somewhere, you ain't never been ;)

[SueNamiii]

Thank you for posting this! This is fantastic! So awesome being able to see live footage. I LOVE Mississippi Fred! His voice is sheer perfection! And that guitar playing, just leaves you shaking your head speechless. Can't get enough! I wish I could find a good version of Fred's "The Girl I'm loving (got long brown curly hair" ("I ask for some whiskey Lord, she feed me gasoline!.. she tryin' to poison me, ha ha .. " )

[jrak]

ganges



[Morrissey71trfc]

20 people have no soul

[benji5441]

Angelic.

[PawPossum]

Wonderful !!

[Niblipix]

Blues like it should be.

[TheMadisonHang]

Gaga-stomping, Justin bieber-bashing blues

[neonbladedotcom]

This is the shit!

2 of my favourite Blues players are named "Mississippi"

[cata13081972]

This man is the best !

[timberbeast420]

@JAbernathy937DC good ol e bay, get a guitar,,a tuner break a few bottle necks till you get it right,,:)

[wonershmountain]

Man, this is GOOOOOD !

[allegra6868]

Ahhh, and that VOICE!

[CALICOTV301]

Straight from the soul! This is history. I can't imagine what guys like himself endured during these times especially as an African American in Mississippi. Absolutely amazing!

[theswampland]

I´m not a good guitar player, but fuckin´hell I NEED to learn this tune no matter what!,, any advice?

[alwaysdestroy84]

@theswampland Sell your soul to the devil

[CocacolaCowboy1919]

@theswampland Learn the blues shuffle (E and A string) and go from there thats how I figured I could do so many things.

[MrJasperjwood]

If anyone deserves the apres-nom mississippi its this guy

[treybruce]

wow



[aaroncrawford66]

Holy shit this is fuckin epic... R.I.P. Mr. Mcdowell

[OscillationFurnace]

Fuck me, this is fucking amazing.

[gageman70]

if you want to play along, tune to open F, but you might break a string so if you have a capo tune to open Eb and capo at the 2nd fret.

[wmlilgiant07]

Zombie apocalypse riding into the sunset.0.o

[stapme]

This is epic..music in its purest most powerful form.

[KingsizeBoogieman]

how can anything be this beautiful ..love

[TheBlueMarsupial]

2:38 - 'I believe I share my I-Phone'? lol

[stewart73]

un-freakin-believable

[darko1295]

I agree. HOLY FUCKING SHIT!

[KikeYopo]

Cool

[seerskater]

holy shit

[50155IMBIAC]

bayou

[Erkele]

Fantastic !!! - Erkele

[JayEm74]

YEP!

[81shovelhd]

saw him play a year before he died--kicked ass

[ThisTooShallPass314]

I'm pretty sure you could take over the world with this song.

[JesusMakeUpMyDyinBed]

@ThisTooShallPass314 this song just took over me bro

[talondesforges]

open E tuning. with a capo on the first fret get's the right notes. So with open D the capo would be on the third fret. To play it without a capo like he's doing you have to tune way up. F, C, F, A, C, F

you're right, F root

[villainjpe1704tks]

@talondesforges - ah nice! I don't know open tunings well (just learning to bang on them now) and hadn't heard of a common open F - so the 3rd fret capo on an open D makes total sense. Thank you good sir! :-)

[talondesforges]

hey DeltaBluesM I believe that's open D tuning

[villainjpe1704tks]

@talondesforges - just banging on a piano with it and the root sounds like an F...i'll have to mess with it and figure out the tuning.

[Martins555555]

music for soul!

[us1776]

un real so cool very good

[voivittujen]

What the fuck was wrong with the 18 people who didn't like this?

[nestorian9]

@voivittujen Maybe something bad in their water? I don't get it either. This is transcendent. And I love the way he plays the guitar.

[villainjpe1704tks]

@voivittujen 18 people are completely retarded :-)

[arlochapple]

it's amazing when you think about how technically hard it would be to recreate this sound using a modern studio. NOTHING approaches the feeling in this man's voice, unless that kind of emotion is actually present. There's no app for it.

[Farmaz]

@arlochapple

it cant be done, i agree 100% with what you said. There aint a button in a studio you can press that will add "soul, pain, levee camp memories or skill" like people add auto-tune these days.

I been a fred mcdowell addict for years, the addiction is over powering, you add a skip james addiction in the mix you got a serious blues issue you cant ever get over.

[onlyjoetee]

these blues guys always had so much trouble with women,all their songs are about that LOL

[bowassell]

greatest bluesman ever!!!!!!!

[hoozyerdaddi]

Goosebumps. I've yet to find a modern artist that can play with such emotion as these delta blues artists. The beauty of the internet is truly the ability to keep music like this alive. Thank you to the poster.

[MyMoppet52]

I'm trying to remain a bit of a lady. I've always told my kids that people who use certain words just didn't have a very good vocabulary and couldn't express themselves. If I wasn't 'Grandma' and my grandson might not see this, I'd say this was .....awesome@@@@!!!! I'd say this is ##### brilliant! Since I am not giving in to my first response, I have sent a prayer up for this music to NEVER disappear from our lives. Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is a Masterpiece!

[MrSpirosninja]

this song should be 5 minutes or more. can't get enough of it. masterpiece..

[bakedsushi]

I always wanted to ask Bonnie Raitt how her father John Raitt felt when she went to spend the summer with Fred. Being old school Quaker I hope he was accepting.

[muisire]

Until a few minutes ago I only heard Mississippi John Hurt. To find another Mississippi in the same groove has made my day awesome.

Thank you...

[jahja52]

If you fancy seeing some music inspired by Fred McDowell this March, Alabama 3 are performing acoustic and unplugged!

They are performing in this stripped down acoustic way to show the songs in a format reminiscent of the people that have been their inspiration, chiefly the old Delta Blues players like Fred McDowell and Bukka White.

See alabama3.co.uk for more details

[HunterMann]

@jahja52 Thanks for that information. I'll search for the Alabama 3.

[Hashassin03]

2:37

snoop doggs great grand daddy

[KawaZ650C]

I thought there was no life after Robert Johnson. There is. Plenty. Awesome. Whatever troubles you, put on Fred McDowell and your troubles are gone, forgotten. What trouble?

[DeltaBluesLivesOn]

The realist of the real. Best of the best with honors. Fred, you shall live on forever. 

[Farmaz]

you can allmost see the Levee's & feel the Mississippi mud when you hear this music.

Sonhouse used to be my delta hero but when i found fred he took top choice

[MrAxman84]

Fantastic thanks so much for this video 

[metalhead326]

1,666 Likes, 666 Comments.

Rock on

[punkie8686]

@metalhead326 - They say the blues are the Devils music. If thats so then the Devil must be awful proud.:)

[punkie8686]

@metalhead326 They say the blues are the Devils music. If thats so then the Devil must be awful proud.:)

[clittlegeorge]

Is he playing this in Open F?

[robfergusonjr]

18 ppl drowned in the river.

[greenbladesrising]

Love it!

[SueNamiii]

omg! Thanks for posting this!!! Mississippi Fred is one of my top 3 favorite blues artists! LOVE his voice! Best slide guitarist ever to have lived! Gives me goosebumps on a hot day!

[mrallcz]

Great blues.

[2butiful]

Wonderful!!! Mississippi Fred McDowell is my favorite of all the Delta blues artists. I finally get to see him play :-)! Thanks so much for posting

[hoozyerdaddi]

Why have I never heard this before? I've got chills. Thanks for posting!

[jweard]

This is a beautiful thing.

[tataso]

Fantastic !!

[bluepez57]

This is great!

[JayMoo8]

Why am I only hearing this now? Absolutley amazing.

[Sporofyt]

This is amazing!

Guitar, voice and stomping = soul!

[sugarmamaaa]

Buddy Guy: "We played for the love of music. Today they play for the love of money."

When you listen to Fred there ain't no doubt he's playing for the love of music just like all the Delta bluesmen. Love this version much more than the others. 

[antsorter]

where did this recording originate anyway?

[sugarmamaaa]

@antsorter This version is on the album: "The American Folk Blues Festival". YouTube "American Folk Blues Festival" and many videos turn up with all the blues legends of the time period who performed annually in Europe.

[sampenny100]

spooks what kind of dumb ass racist shit is thats how u look at us and you wish we were still discriminated against are you nuts you are dumb just plain dumb...

[TheMudSuns]

In my book he is one of my main blues influences. hands down. When his vocals comes in it almost takes my breath away almost every time. every time.

[oliverisgoinghome]

I wish black people were still discriminated against so good blues were still around.

[dainbramage777]

@oliverisgoinghome if you weren't ironic then look to Australia

[0Reilly08]

What year is this from?

[ThisTooShallPass314]

This song just KICKED MY ASS.

[IMattchewB]

@ThisTooShallPass314 You ain't kiddin. It kicks my ass every time I hear it!

[ThisTooShallPass314]

@IMattchewB - Fuckin A'

[haanselshwanks]

groovy



[haanselshwanks]

groovy

[beat1866]

see: Os mescalitos

[blueluger333]

Just found a new release of never before heard Fred McDowell recordings from 1967—“Come and Found You Gone,” from Devil Down Records---there are some free samples too

[carbert68]

Anyone know the lyrics here? Seems to be a variation on the usual lyrics for Goin Down to the River. I can't understand the last couple lines at all. Anyone get them?

[justamandawg]

Whewwwww Doggggies luv all this down home new orleans blues for sure!

[CompnyBiz]

My son is in a band called Listen 2 Three. They need to cover this song!

[MrYinky]

So you thought Hendrix could play?........He didn't have those short trousers.....

[backwoodsgps]

a loving Father

and Mother

individual great too

[backwoodsgps]

a loving Father

and Mother

[wileyx666]

awesome

[FingaStrings]

This is Great!

My lord,..this is the shit, man.

Palpable. Can just feel it, eh...

Yeah

[voodoomaster85]

Damn, Freddie knows his blues! guitar solo 1.15. Amazing! one of the best blues songs I have ever heard!!

[TheOrangeRoad]

Still looking for tabs for this song.

If anyone can help that'd be great

[misterd699]

...such a great guitarist & singer! Gutsy and beautiful playing! Really hits the spot!

[tom6612]

The man had it all. What a powerful voice and a face that looks like it done some hard livin and travelin . Killer guitar riffs to.

[backwoodsgps]

love you great grand daddy

[66velho]

see: Os velhos da montanha

[waylo4526]

absolutly chilling! too real and painfully honest blues

[osvelhos]

See: Os Velhos da Montanha

[MrBobcat1963]

The Master of Rhythm & Slide!

Unbelievable to find it here on You Tube....

[osca5151]

Awesome Fred. Thanks Man.

[diabolous616]

amazing musician, amazing song

[66velho]

@diabolous616 see: os velhos da montanha

[diabolous616]

amazing musician, amazin songg

[theglowpt4]

does anyone know if this particular recording is on any of his albums?

[VelvetRevolverMother]

fucking sick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this is music

[MrWilliamblewis1]

@VelvetRevolverMother

Idiot causician fool, this be real and you be a chump-wanna be.

[VelvetRevolverMother]

@MrWilliamblewis1

you really think that? thats messed up man.

and im not caucasian.

[Bakersfieldsucks777]

@MrWilliamblewis1 -shut up retard, this music is for everyone regardless of race or color, ur just as racist as any kkk member if that's what you really think, the feelings expressed in music can be felt by anyone.

[conguera]

@MrWilliamblewis1 You're obviously pretending to be black, but you're not pretending to be a jerk. That part's for real.

[matchboxblues]

i've watched this at least fifty times.

[TonalVibrations]

@matchboxblues tell me about it...

[cdvicious]

what a good buzz that guitar buzzzzz

[thelordnick]

Anyone know what tuning this is in? Or what Fred used often?

[Tubascope]

@thelordnick Open F; use a Capo or you will risk breaking your strings. Even if you don't break strings, open F tuning will put incredible stress on the guitar neck.

[thelordnick]

@Tubascope Thank ya kindly.

[JohnRC4]

@Tubascope

Open F? I play this in open D. I'd wager that most of Fred's songs are in Open D and Open G.

[DolleHengst]

Hey, this is from the "American Folk Blues Festival DVD"

[MrPhukkin]

That guitar work gives me a hard on.

[Devaprakash777]

His voice is fucking awesome live, unlike most modern musicians

[GiggleBlizzard]

@Devaprakash777 +he's really old in this vid!

[salsburysteakjr]

My favorite guitar player of all time, easy. Nobody plays the slide guitar like he can.

[Wayevy6302]

this is deep as blues can get

[giub81]

it feels like a dream to be able to watch these old legendary bluesmen play live

[patrick9648]

I'm from Mississippi and Its a shame all of the old blues men are dying off and the young cats these days are only interested in auto tune rap tunes about rims and bling. seems the only young dudes jamming the blues these days are white folk. at least someone has taken up the torch.

[ChronoNaut1000]

McDowell my main man!

[buffalobilly]

he even makes the fake background look real and alive

[tswsombdsd]

This is my favorite by Fred. Incredible!

[zthetha]

YES!!!!

[sunlitporch]

..one of the greatest players and one of the best moments in blues..

[RockandMetalforlife]

in the past black artist were so real, you can really feel the emotion in the old blues, the songs paint a picture in your mind....but today black artist give us Rap and Hip Hop? dance around and show off cars , money and bling... talk about a damn shame! nothing will ever have the soul that the blues has

[888binis888]

@RockandMetalforlife every music that is about being able to express oneself is worthy.hip hop was about self expression and talking about pain suffering or love and anger but like many kinds of music(and not only music)had to sell out,becoming the commercial shit we see about guns drugs cars and showing off.lets not forget that something like that happened to the blues as well,from the cotton fileds ended up in the big saloons and stuff..but still ,,,its the blues..

[SentinelConvergence]

@RockandMetalforlife People have made similar claims of most musical genres at one point or another. If we judged all metal bands by the hair metal of the '80s we might think that the genre is totally inane, but it isn't, andt's the same with hip hop.

A little effort is required to find those artists that treat their medium as something more than a means of filling their wallets.

[masqueradered]

@RockandMetalforlife

To be fair, rap and hip hop is little more than a natural progression of the blues and jazz. Black culture and traditions still managed to fight on within society, in spite of white bureaucracy constantly working against it. So why should Hip Hop artists not speak of their wealth and prosperity in a society which told them they could not attain it?

Just because the music on TV speaks of personal gain does not mean to say they all read from the same book. ;)

[antsorter]

@masqueradered whole-heartedly agree

i mean i'd love it if radio rap hell RADIO MUSIC had more of a lyrical depth than wimpy romance, money, cars, fame et al and allowed more creative lyrics and stories into the mix, but they do have a right to boast

[afkhajiit]

@masqueradered nice try, maybe another time

[masqueradered]

@afkhajiit Heh, a rather constructive comment. At least I can rest assured knowing I was able to cause you to question yourself. Another time, perhaps.

[afkhajiit]

@masqueradered what did i even respond to :\