Josh White - Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out

[Stellar650]

It's awesome!

[QuintinPenola]

he had good hands

[wirsindamleben]

Also listen to Katie Melua's version of this song!

[tubahead16]

Totally awesome!!!!!!!

[jdcrouhy]

Hello does recording after 1945 of JOsh White exist ?

[skorcha]

there are five "1%'ers" : )

[toddallenhooper]

I just found Josh in 2011 and it has proven to be one of the best musical discoveries I've ever made! I love his bluesy tunes!

[pedrovanhalen]

@frg8526 who's his dughter ,jack white ? \o/ HAHAHA

[dojasak707]

very special recording. 

[John55son]

I saw Josh in the winter of '63 in El Paso. Had a chance to actually sit and talk with him and ended up driving him and his bass player to the airport. I actually strummed his 0021NY Martin. Then saw him twice in the winter of '65 in Detroit and howdied him after the performances. He's playing his Guild Josh White model which is now in the hands of a Michigan man--or so I've been led to believe. Elijah Wald's JOSH WHITE: SOCIETY BLUES is the best bio of Josh that I've read.

[sawabojo]

@John55son that must be a special memory im sure

[aussiebaron]

As a struggling piano player early '60's, Josh White and Charlie Byrd were both an inspiration. Still today, i play the keyboard (yamaha tyros) and endeavour to recreate this sound. What a player, what a voice, and what a family..

Although i do remember JW being known as a traditional folk singer in those days.. Now a blues singer of world renown. something special..

Thanks for the technology that provides us all with such magical gems, never to be forgotten..

[cantorgasma]

Absolutely the greatest of the great, a true original. An immortal. I still have all hisLPs from 50+ years ago. Do you have "So Soon inthe Morning"? I can never get tired of it.

[John55son]

@cantorgasma So Soon in the Morning's disc info is:

JOSH WHITE SINGS BALLADS-BLUES

ELECTRA 114

1957

It's one of my favorites too. I think it is out on CD.

[auntiezanne]

Damn. I was 19 when he died. And now that I am 61 I wish to fuck I had listened to him before now. I'd give him a place to stay, food, drink, and a nice bathroom to let him slip and slide with whatever honeys he wanted. What a fantastic, mellow voice he had. I hope when he died he had some idea of how great he was!!

[133Lumumba133]

I should guess that the bass player is a Swedish guy, Sture Nordin.

So I guess that this is recorden in Stockholm int the early sixties.

I saw Josh mysel at Gröna Lund in Stockholm 1959 or 1960, in a wonderful midnight show. (But without his daugther, sadly to say...)

[martymcflyunzipped]

@frg8526 his son is great too

[nsdtr01]

just loved his voice & guitar work - saw him in Baltimore when he played at the Blue Dog and he did a couple of songs on a 12 string guitar

[Pictus6662]

This man was a genius! Shame I just heard about him after constant research in Blues circles and chatrooms... boy, for the time he really had an amazing courage to challenge the social and political basis of an America which, had not been because of extremism, could have easily fell to the Ku Klux Klan! Great man!

[theoriginalbadbob]

I saw Josh at a great venue, Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, in 1963. The show was billed as Josh, his son, and his daughter. I believe his daughter was ill and couldn't be there, and his son's wife was having their baby, so it was Mr. White by himself. The show was fantastic, but I regretted not being able to see his son and daughter perform, especially now that I've finally heard her sing. She has an amazing voice.

[THOMAS1945STO]

My absolutly biggest IDOL in the 60s. . I attended all his concerts at Gröna Lund (Stockholm, Sweden) 1959-1962 I think it was. Tried to copy his quitar playing with no success but I still have Josh Whites musical influence in me. Base player Sture Nordin was always there except the last year in Stockholm.

[jleoblues]

Is that Chris Barber on Bass? Is this a UK video performance Chris Barber was a bassist/trombonist who played with Lonnie Donegan and was instrumental in starting the "Skiffle Movement"

[scotswanderer]

@jleoblues I don't think that's C. Barber. He's not mentioned in the credits at the end. I grew up with the Blues & Trad Jazz in the 50s & 60s. My Dad was a drummer in a Trad Jazz band, & they played with Barber at Whitecraigs G.C. a few times. I saw Barber, Ball, & Bilk in Glasgow about 2005. Great stuff.

[breckandy]

I saw him at Utica College in Utica , NY in 1966, I think,.....he would show up with the 2 white dogs, Samoyeds on a leash, I think. Anyone else remember?

[SpaceManSpliff93]

I heard him from Huge Hefners documentary on playboy when he was around this age. it truely was an Era i missed out on.

[MyMoppet52]

This music is timeless! He is brilliant and his daughter seems to have inherited his musical genius. Thank you for this posting.

[trishandjohnp]

ugh. he's the best.

[portraitartistdamour]

Josh White was a genius singer and guitarist, and an enormous part of American music history. His guitar playing was complex and brilliant. Find Josh at Midnight with bass siner Sam Gary and bassist Al Hall. Exquisite album!

[glennfryenpie]

who's the babe with the voice?

[rulo1256]

Excelente canción!! Muy buen blues, luego covereada por Lennon y Clapton! Temazo!

[thebrandnewcolony]

Thank you so much for uploading this. He was a music genius. This is posted at thebrandnewcolony music blog

[saullouis]

I haven't heard this in a long long time.

[cowboytony47]

Awesome channel my friend,I love the blues,you can check out my new blues song I just done if you want,I subbed my friend

[kikunagirl]

i love this video!! thank you so much for uploading it.

wondering if she's still working as an artist. i googled her name "Julianne Beverly White", but couldn't find anything...

[bostonteabagger71739]

josh is a personal hero of mine for more reasons that just his music. a true pioneer and example for human kind. also one of the most underrated blues guitarists and vocalists ever. yall should check out his old stuff. I got his 4 disk prewar anthology and the first time i heard it, it blew my mind.

[John55son]

@bostonteabagger71739 Not trying to one up you but in the interest of sharing--a college professor who knew I loved Josh passed away and left me Josh's four record 78 album of Ballads and BLues. Decca A-447. I don't really play them. Too precious to risk. I also have a ten inch lp of his I got at a thrift shop. Amazing what people discard--or maybe it was their way of passing it on to someone like me. Cheers.

[jubilaz]

This sounds like Man in a Shed by Nick Drake.

[busessuck1]

who sings the original... it's on the piano i think

[MsGoldenMorning]

@busessuck1 Bessie Smith is the original singer

[Cleatusbodean]

she sounds a little like bonnie raitt!

[ivanluisgomes]

amazing

thks for post it

[dirosaga]

way better then clapton. ;) Gota learn this too. Shouldn't be too hard?

[theoriginalbadbob]

I saw Josh White, at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, in 1963. Both his son and daughter were supposed to appear with him. His son's wife was giving birth to their first baby, so Josh Jr. went home to be with her. Josh's daughter was, I believe, ill, so she wasn't there either. Nevertheless, Josh was great, all by himself. Great performer and human being.

[nicmart]

Interesting article about White, the blacklist, and his association with the Left.

greenleft[dot]org.au/node/2502­1

[pekoe67]

The Nat Cole of blues guitarists/ singers.

Always elegant even when getting low-down.

A great figure in American music- I hope his legacy increases.

He's an astounding guitarist in the school of Blind Blake, Bill Broonzy, Lonnie Johnson et al, but a finer vocalist than most.

A true artist.

[wa6tkq]

In the late 1950's Josh White used to perform once a year at the University of Hawaii. I remember he used to tuck his cigarette behind his ear and sing about the St. James Infirmary or the Man Going Round Taking Names.

[12stringsforme]

historic

[unitsofsixty60]

heavy

[pekunius]

Wow, he is great and so is the girl !!

[chinzebo]

Where have I been all my life to have missed this guy till now? Amazing artist!!

[LadyQuirina]

bello bello bello

[GreenSoulJournal]

He is not so much of blues singer he is known around the world as a folk music artist. But still very good and impresive lyrics.

[drvinnievegas]

Thank you for posting! One of the true, classic bluesmen. An authentic and unique talent. (And Beverly is a real gem. Is she still singing?) And...thank God for all the dedicated ethnomusicologists who were wise enough to begin preserving great American music like this in the beginning of the 20th century.

[Roselyne18]

Very well played, congratulations to the singers!

[berkeyberk]

Great, one of the best versions of this song.

[alcore3]

go good singer this girl

why isn t she famous ?

[cool20000000000]

thats amazing !!

[JessieSoul]

His daughter sings well  and I like the sound of his guitar )

[JRobson1955]

Glad you liked it. The 1st time I saw (and heard it ) It blew my mind. It's a lot of fun to play!

[Patsea111]

@JRobson1955 Loved This. Oh my, Thanks for posting it...I'm trying to find St James Infirmary ..hope I find it by him.

[cmMerlin]

Wow! Fantastic!!!

[brockvond]

She's got the phrasing down!

[alcore3]

amazing girl

who is she ?

[nomissimo]

it's his daughter judy white

[alcore3]

thx

[MrPlaymaker3]

nomissimo, Yuo're wrong. That's not Judy , That's our sister Beverly. Josh white III

[mashtones]

There is an episode of the PBS TV show History Detectives where they trace a Guild Guitar built for Josh White before Ovation created a model for him.

[adamkotta888]

As far as legendary bluesmen go, Josh White was the best singer of them all.

[htrfdes]

This is nice........

Thank-you!

[GiftOfOneLiner]

Thanks for this. Beautiful.

[fatburger100]

He sang this so wonderfully!!

[rave44boy]

Josh White was a spectacular guitarist. Great to see this video of him.

[PETERMARIAFLOWERS]

BIG COOK

[DJRU2]

the Woman in this vid is gourgeous!

[PorroFirst]

@DJRU2 There were beautiful people in the 60's too you know.

[jondrick]

As a student at G'town U. ('65) I worked at The Cellar Door and got to know him as a close friend along with Bud Dashiell & Ian Tyson. Heady stuff for a waiter. Josh loved my girlfriend from Marymount [Loretta]...happly married 43 years now. Big scotch drinker...ha ha John Ondrick

[joshgura]

i have been down many times, and those times can be the most interesting because you find out who is real. this 'economic depression' is fake. people make value, and there are no shortage of people, just a shortage of people who know what is really valueable. thats what education is about, imo.

[freakyhead20]

great tune..what a song :) Im in the mood already

5/5 !!

~Mr. Boogie Woogie

[MrPlaymaker3]

You have the incorrect information, that is not my father and Odetta. It is in fact my father and my sister Beverly. Daniel Joshua White, Josh's illegitimate son. And yes my brother and my four sisters know and acknowledge me.

[ccaammiiittoo1]

Thank you, Mr. Playmaker3 for your response. But I'm afraid I'm confused. Going to the discographies of both White and Odetta, I find both artists recorded "Nobody....Down and Out." In fact, no blues artist of note didn't record it. And the visage appearing above does seem to be White. At any rate, Josh White is a giant in my musical appreciation!

[MrPlaymaker3]

in response; the woman pictured in this video is Josh's daughter Beverly. She and my brother Donny also performed with my father in Sweden in 1963, I don't know offhis available to the public. I do know that my brother has a vcr copy, I played mine so much that it wore out.

[ccaammiiittoo1]

Thank you again for your response! And again, I was never too busy not to listen to Josh White. And I'm going to make my admiration stronger. He is a giant in music who remains unseen by the public. Can you put forth a documentary and correct this injustice to one of America's greats?

[JessieSoul]

Nice version! Thanks for posting!

[floppybollox3]

What year was this?

[pipewatcher]

fantastic!!!

[pixiepqueen]

love that bass

[aviseverhard]

great version thanks

[BOTFA111]

He likes a bit like john lee hooker. i like the way he plays.

[doubleXchris]

excellent !! merçi l'ami pour le post

[TriLimTim]

very good

[4u2cmeinstyle]

no not the same girl..

[JRobson1955]

There is a girl in the Beatles Anthology sitting behind Murry the Kay in the control room looks alot like her. Same girl?

[fessormojo]

@JRobson1955 I would bet that is probably Little Esther who recorded a hit on the Beatles "And I love him"

[JRobson1955]

@fessormojo Another mystery solved. Thats a good loking girl. Thanks

[Secessionville]

@JRobson1955 That would be his daughter. He played regulary at the white house for Elenor Roosevelt. Look up Seeger, he hosted Josh on his show.

[Secessionville]

@JRobson1955 That would be his daughter. He played regulary at the white house for Elenor Roosevelt. Look up Seeger, he hosted Josh on his show.

[4u2cmeinstyle]

the girl singing with him is his youngest daughter Judy..she was in her teens on this clip

[lobizoon1]

Best version

[LBW999]

By far

[Quag7]

I like this version, but I actually like the Folkways Eric von Schmidt/Rolf Cahn one just a little bit better. Either of these are better than the poppier covers I've heard.

[willieashe]

Class, who is the girl singing she is awesome.

[GoodOldGar]

That's Josh, Sr. in the video. Reportedly he used to follow Robert Johnson and Ledbelly around the streets of New orleans (or Houston, or Dallas, as you like) around the time of WW1, when he was still a little kid.

I saw Josh at Chicago's Gate of Horn, new year's eve, 1961. Some kid named Judy Collins opened for him. I wonder what ever happened to her. :-)

[mchaletube]

Just thanks, he and other started me of on the road.

[aladindubai]

harte worte weich gesagt

[John55son]

I need to amend my prior post. It is Judy WHite and not Beverly. Judy made the tv appearances in 1967 in Sweden and proof of the date of this is evidenced by Josh's guitar. It is an Ovation built to his exact specifications in 1967. It's not his traditional insturment, a Martin 00-21NY. That was the giveaway once I looked at the video a second time. Sorry for not double checking.

[Padremigel]

I asked Josh why he traded the 00 for the Ovation. "Two reasons," he said. "Money from Ovation, and my goddam son dropped the 00 down the stairs.+

[John55son]

Padremigel,

Interesting comment. I only met Josh on three different occasions. Along with the money, Another strong motivation was the continual fingernail infections, making playing an often painful and bloody business. Ovation engineers built the OVation with a bit of extra space between the strings and built up his nails with a kind of epoxy that they later patented as Super glue. See Jeremy Wald's HIGH SOCIETY BLUES for more details.

[Padremigel]

Yeah, he said the glued nails was "like playing with gloves on." I didn't know him that well either, but I think he was a great guy.

Didn't know about the Super Glue history.

Fr. Mike+

[John55son]

She appears on "Josh White at Town Hall," a concert recording from the 60's. Mercury, MG 20672. So is his son, Josh, Jr. However, I think her name is Beverly,not Judy as reported in an earlier post.

[darcystube]

Judy was born in 1947. She released a handful of great soul records on Buddah and T-Neck in the late 60s, then toured with the Patterson Singers until '72.

[kluffe81]

is it Sture nordin on bas?

[a1healer]

I saw Josh in 67 I think, his bass player was Bill Lee...The father of Spike Lee, no less. Josh died at age 59, heart attack. Far too young, he was one of the greats...Don't smoke kids!!!

[KonsThord]

måsste va sture... inspelningen var ju från sveriges television eller nåt sånt med... han e grym! vreeswijk måsste vart avundsjuk när sture fick spela med josh :)

[saltysailor07]

She is very cute..Josh is a good looking refined man..Posswibly she might be his daughter...She;s probably in her mid 70's now

[saltysailor07]

No one sang blues as smooth as Josh...no-one

[dunkus42]

I second that....

[Juijk]

third.. only I'm a girl

[THOMAS1945STO]

Josh White was my absolute favorite i my teens in the 60ies. I went to every concert at Gröna Lund, Stockholm. His musicality and warmth impressed me deeply. As an extra show he changed a string that broke and tuned it in the middle of a song was fun. THANK YOU FOR SENDING IN THIS TAPE !!!!!!!!Thomas

[12Zwolf]

Right, just give this 'family' situation one black-out in July 1977 in New York, and they'll be grabbing, running, yelling 'it's Christmas'; because they're members of the socially acceptable religions;

amen, ya'all.

Valkyrie Ziege Mourne

[tbcass]

Shut Up!!!

[BluebirdGuitar]

Some great father/daughter chemistry going on there. Thanks for posting!

[JRobson1955]

The girl can sing too. She looks like she's about to laff afew times after making eye contact with Josh. I bet I can guess why.

[radaphhesig]

@JRobson1955 And why would that be, you think?

[dirosaga]

@JRobson1955  Lmao