Big Road Blues - 12 string guitar - Tommy Johnson

[iF3nd3r]

very nice guitar play and singing

[BillyBeale]

What kind of Gibson is that? I stumbled across one today at a local pawnshop... the truss-rod cover said LC-12, same as yours, but I've been unable to find any information searching online. They're asking $450...any info you can provide would be appreciated. Thanks

[daddystovepipe]

@BillyBeale

bought mine for $700 on ebay so know nothing much about it; they were made in the late 60ies

it's LG12(little gui!tar) not LC

$450 is ok if the guitar is in good playing order, good luck

[vitorsuman]

What tuning you used?

[carsguitarswomen]

awesome playing!!!

[jmcgaughey1]

Who is this guy? and why is he not on tour?

[MarioSavioTZM]

was that done using finger picks as well as the thumbpick?

[daddystovepipe]

@MarioSavioTZM

only thumbpick

[retropicker]

This song kills it in the 12. Thanks DSP!

[pimple22]

That is really amazing, best yet pure brilliance, what chords are uesd I don't recognize any, but never the less fantastic playing and singing.

[daddystovepipe]

@pimple22

thanks for the kind words

the song is played out of D position so the chords are D. G and A

there are lessons which teach the basic arrangement here on youtube

[bavarianlynx]

@daddystovepipe Great! I'm still trying to get some reasonable sound out of my 12-string Höfner, not to think of blues tunes.

[FamilyMcManus]

Great job. You've really improved upon the original version.

[KISSbestfan]

I have to say again that this is a great cover of this song. It made me wants to play blues some day.

Unfortunately my guitar is now very damaged, but Ill do my best to repair it - at least I have an unigue guitar these days. And I love it so much. Its like my second girlfriend

[spotoboy]

Bee, Tommy Johnson's recording was one guitar. Blind Lemon Jefferson sounded like 3 when he played

[BillBrown101]

I just picked up a Guild D4-12 string and love it...it has inspired me to to start a facebook page for 12 string fans. I appreciate any input.

If interested search " 12 string guitar fans " on FB and join in.

Cheers

[gstouff]

Very nice. And I think it's great to play it on twelve strings guitar. I believe there is still much to create with the 12 strings guitar, underemployed these days.

[bavarianlynx]

@gstouff 12-strings became famous with Roger McQuinn of the Byrds, but was never recognized played by old blues men.

[MILWAUKEEthriller08]

you just did tommy a freakin favor. youre awesome

[hhhooo81]

great great performance brother. im a guitar man out of anchorage.keep pickin

[Bumblebee38]

NICE , very good ...............but why do you play this on a 12 string guitar

Do try Blind Willie McTELL for a change

[daddystovepipe]

@Bumblebee38

On a 6-string guitar this song sounds a bit thin (the original version has

two guitars btw), hence the 12-string to get a fuller sound.

I did record a BWMcT tune, check my Playlist "12-String"

[spyRG]

What guitar does he use? Acoustic or Classic? Both can be used for country, but wonder what guitar is this.

[tinpanalley67]

@spyRG It's acoustic 12 string.

[bluesgurugod]

Go Daddy!

[Hatredismypride]

Wow this version is much better awesome carl keep going.

[ijitdunn]

Great Stuff!

[Jumbofreddy]

excellent, for the guitar and the singing! Thanks

[OregonsDijionTalion]

Daddy I don't know who you are but I know that I wish I could play as well as you. I play the 12 string myself from time to time when I have one around, and might I say playen them has made me more aware of harmony and I want to be able to start playen the blues slides like you do just I don't got the material soon I will be uploading my own recordings cause I'm trying to become a one man band so I'll comment on you when I have if your intrested maybe give me some pointers. Keep playen the soul!

[namnoiz]

That was awesome !!! Im subbing right now!!!

[forrwigington]

can u play this song on a 6 strined guitar ?? just wandering cuz i realy like it

[daddystovepipe]

Sure, the original by Tommy Johnson is played on a 6-string.

[GoyoBlues]

buen toque, excelent. Goyo DElta blues desde Argentina

[ViniciusMaffei]

Fantastic man! Blues is all! Greetings from Brazil!

[etransform]

Unbelievably talented. Wow! Inspires me to try and play again after decades.

[Jeddystardog]

hey man ..you should have an honourary doctorate from the Nobel commitee for blues history and possessing the necessary soul to bring these vintage songs back to life..NICE 1

[jaysonrules]

I'am from Brazil and I watch this video frequently. Best regards!

[littledrago7]

cool :)

[Lanceberg01]

great playing. I really enjoyed it.

[thudds]

thanks for sharing, great to see the chords

[dimesy94]

Very nice mate, also a Gibson 6 string has a very sharp tone, how much sharper is it on a Gibson 12 string?

[Sointula2]

You can't get away with 'close enough' on a 12 string like you can on a 6. This is great. I love the sound of the acoustic 12 string played so well.

[musicfreak4207]

Lovin' It...My Favorite Kind Of Boogie Woogie Moanin' The Blues!!!!!

[bradfordevery]

Fantastic as always.

[drpickup]

Great sound, great vocals, great guitar tone - you hit it on the nail man

[GroovyGuitar02]

got tabs for this ? sounds so nice ! that's actually a good lil' blues =D

[houndheadhenry]

impeccable as always, you're an inspiraiton :-)

[TeleKeith]

About every week I type something in the search bar...... and sure enough, there you are! I must use all of your tag words! LOL

Man, I dig your playing. You got the right wailin' voice for the Delta singin' :P

[saptime1]

it BLUE my mind

[henrymade]

I love it....you are a Blues Master! So well done.

[sabbia12]

FANTASTIC

[DaveLavender69]

i just love the little look you give at 1.52

its like hmmm not bad

i love it lol

great picking

[JordanMedina]

This was great

[longj33]

That's what I'm lookin' for. Thank you for taking the time to lay down a fucking straight jam like that. Enjoyed it very much

[xcrossfire225x]

12 string guitar looks hard

[CipollaErMeyo]

no, not hard. only great sounding.

[guitarl4]

only if played correctly

[em613]

:) just made my rainy, Sunday morning. Thanks for a great tune!

[gitfiddlejoe]

YEAH GO Daddy! Awesome as always!

[xdarkdaysx]

please can you cover drink of cold water blues

[TheUltraViolence]

that was flawless

[squenj]

Stovepipe---as an amateur blues man myself I really have to say how wonderful it is the way you put your stamp on these great tunes while still retaining the feel of the original artist.You are an unsung hero--long may you pick!

[daddystovepipe]

That's a very nice comment, thanks -

Thanks to all commenters btw :)

[guitardan102938]

The blues fingerstyle guitar Maestro at work!

[bluesgurugod]

Awesome job DS.

[oggendoggen2]

what is the chord at 0:11?

[oggendoggen2]

nevermind, it's G7

020031 in tablature

how about the last one at 3:30 or so?

[ddmadlock]

daddystovepipe you are the best

[grubsta]

love it!

[jeremymarquez]

I have a fender F55-12 acoustic and it looks simaler to yours. How much would a good condition F55-12 sell for these days? If anyone wants to buy my 70's vintage fender acoustic 12 string give me a good offer.

[rrdoran]

Do you have a picture of it?

[jeremymarquez]

I can email you one if u give me ur email address in a personal message?

[jeremymarquez]

Oh i live in Darwin, Australia so "rrdoran" if your still interested in buying it give me a buzz and like i said give me your email so i can give you pics of my guitar. I'm going to America in july so don't worry about changing the US $ to Aus $ if you live in America?

[inkeeperqtlmn3]

So cool!

[prosepp]

great performance - beautiful !!

***** & greetings & subbed

[everydayuncommon]

That was great! Your playing was amazing.

Watch speeding up, though. It's pretty helpful to rehearse with a metronome. It can hurt at first, but once you get used to it, it will really aid you.

[eriklares90]

now i feel stupid, i always got tommy johnson and robert johnson confused. btw, your playing is incredible.

[loeldean]

Very nice! I've always loved this tune.

[racecarjerry]

Dude you rule.

Epic win.

[plastabrick]

Some of those guitar passages have a sound similar to the sound used in travelling river side blues by Zepplin. groovy man...

[CoombesKidd]

how does he play a 12 stringer fingerstyle?

[jessupar]

the same way he plays a 6 string fingerstyle.

[southerncelts]

Just love the passion, well done

[Alkinoos7]

Great voice, great playing, perfect guitar by the way and of course the skill is great!

[PunkHippie1971]

WOW MAN!! your an epicly amazing finger picker. That's some wicked advanced stuff.

[apythonnamedmonty]

This is freakin awesome dude. Mighty impressive.

Rock on.

[1bad1955chevy]

HA HA!! I was in a foul mood all day and your video put a smile on this ole sour-pusses face. You play from the heart and thats the BEST kind of music. Keep playing and spreading the joy. Thanks for the smile.

[C3POROBOT1]

Absoutely loved it! Right on dude!

[FugginNorb]

Cool mate. Nice singing + playing, just has a neat-swaggering feel to it.

[chuck089y]

uve got the blues in ur bones mate, nice

[gfreak007]

Thats an AWESOME song! I wish i could play a 12-string like that. You make it look so easy. Thanks for posting it! :)

[FraJa1980]

Cool! I like that Gibson Lg12!

The song i like too, it sounds a little like Willie Brown's "Future Blues" in the beginning.

Mooi gedaan meneer Stovepipe!!! Vijf sterren!

[nobuttjoe]

thx for sharing. enjoyed.

[EdwardBlues]

well done

[hell44444]

Great song! True blues!

Cheers from Poland!!!

God bless you

[samhudso]

true blues

[madcowgirl4h]

Awesome video all around- great pickin' and I love how much soul you put into the music!

[Sherk465]

wow man very good! i am learning to play the guitar, but is a regular guitar (6 strings) the same as a twelve string? please help me out thx!

[daddystovepipe]

Yes it's the same but every string has an extra string (6+6=12). Strings 1/2 and 3/4 are tuned the same; the other strings ar tuned an octave apart. So e.g. your 4th string D is like the D on your 6-string guitar but the second D string is tuned higher and sounds like your B string fretted on the third fret.

[fatcatkaya]

You just gave me a reason to keep playing the blues on my old twelve. Thank ya kindly

JoelB from baltimore

[jayseanNO9]

good

[Bluesmanstrat1]

I've seen this video I don't know how many times but I haven't commented on it cause each time I see it my jaw just drops and locks and just can't say anything!! What an amazing sound and what technique. You are amazing and inspiring. Ever consider doing a lesson on this one cause I've been trying to learn it for months now!lolol Take care!

[daddystovepipe]

Thanks for the kind words. I did a new longer version of this song on my new cd (see my profile for more info)

[valdorane]

Good!

[pickinpop]

love the energy in this i think ill learn this one; 5 stars Mr Stovepipe!!!!!!!!!

[Kronok]

Great voice and great playing! But especially great voice, authentic sound! 5 stars!

[elgaucho565]

so great i had to watch this one twice in a row.

[mikedh9]

brilliant version. thank you!

[ukpianist]

nice. I cant wait to buy mine.

[zepherous1]

Amazing, love it

[ginmillsinger]

Some folk play the blues. Some folk IS the blues! Mighty fine blues 'IS' Mr. daddystovepipe! :c)

[namja03]

This sounds like something out of the mississippi deltain the 30's. Great playing and the voice and expressions are perfect. He loves what he is playing, thank you for sharing. Can't get enough!!!!

[jaysonrules]

You rule, man!

[nevrensh]

Gadzooks sir! A veritable masterpiece.

[rockitmn]

Wow!!!!

[dgenr88]

good one dude

[PileTheMighty]

nice!!

[kingorbit]

wonderful...i love your voice

[csuncsi69]

Astonishing. Love it totally!

[monkeyfeetsmell]

wowah!!!

[steviebellbuilt]

Thats the shit mister!!!! Great Job!!!!

[wfd57fatman]

BRAVO!!!

[ZoneIII]

Excellent!

[dekotaj]

WHAT A TRIP!!!!WOW THANK YOU

[NossedEvo]

Ain't nobody lyin' on this page either! Thanks...

[srdjanNS87]

beautiful....just beautiful!!!!

[oicsaywhat]

very nice man I dig it big time!

[flipieflipie]

nice.

[Fjunberg15]

håve narr

[jessupar]

so THAT's what this song is called! i heard it once and didnt know... thanks

your version was awesome. now i want a 12 string even more.

[punkluke]

dude i love this song so much! What a great version...any chance of a tutorial?

[slidingdelta]

ouahhhh, awesome, i never this one, it's amazing, alway on top, slidingdelta your friend

[guitar24man]

Awesome job, It seems that there are so many variations to this song. Its amazing and on that 12 strang. GREAT JOB

[PACHUEZO]

eres una máquina del blues. Desde España te sigo con admiración.

[justtakinalook]

I've had to comment on this vid twice cause its fantastic. This is a truely fantastic gentleman who obviously loves blues and commands the fretboard with great passion. Please take the time to watch his other vids as they will amaize you.

GO DADDY!!!

[EvangelionFan]

Great :P

[lopster579]

Your a great singer. im sending this to my father

[BFGUITAR]

You rock! This is one of the best things ive watched on youtube in a long time. Youve got skill!

[Folky53]

Just the best - 12s are like a heavenly orchestra. What make is it - it has a beautiful tone, and the dropped D just gives the bass notes somewhere to run. Congratulations.

[budje]

just like the old days!!

[virusguitarest]

sweet

[justtakinalook]

wow, had to watch this twice, rock on daddy

[pomel01]

just arrived from texas........... jajaajja

[Amityrockstarx]

12-string guitar. Awesome sound

[dirtywojta]

party on, dude!

[502502]

i can hardly play and sing

[filu89]

man you're the best :-D

[caioneach]

You need a stage to sport that stuff man. Seriously.

[xxxapolloxxx]

awesome video!

[bigdjindustriez]

I See it's a little Gibson..but how little is it? haha. Good playing my friend. 12's are good for slide.

[Dave51262]

daddy -

What kind of microphone do you use? Your playing is great, but so is the sound quality of your videos. Keep them coming!

[daddystovepipe]

Thanks for the compliments, all of you.

I use a JVC Everio505 camcorder with a harddisc. The camera does all the recording, so no separate mike (although there's a serparate mike connection).

[vasfinst]

Amazingly good job. I loved it, even though I hate that type of music. You did a very well job on playing that. Singing and playing at the same time is HARD. You nailed it. Again, great job.

[kevg43]

I love that sound.

[bobdwilliams]

Man, I keep dropping back to see if this was as GREAT as I first thought......yep! You got it dow-in Daddy!

thanks again for posting your stuff! It STANDS UP!!!

[emokid12524]

not my type of music

but your awesome at the guitar

and you can sing good

[PixelVen]

Really great style, and a great sound you have. Thanks for posting this Daddy.

[churchboose]

This takes talent, which you indeed have a lot of.

[lennypurnell]

Hey Daddy,could you tell what your tuning is? Thanks!

Sounds Great!! If I can get tuned like you,I'd like to learn Big Road blues from your video. Lenny

[daddystovepipe]

Yo Lenny, tuning is drop D (DADGBE low to high). Have fun, it's a great tune.

[lennypurnell]

Thanks Daddy!!

[Leichenwagenrocks]

really great!! :D

[hankbubba]

I would like to add to stovepipe's comment. I think it is probably safe to assume everyone playing in that area (mississippi) may of had a "big road blues" at that time. (20's,30's) The arrangement and melody were probably requested and as someone making a living playing in jukes it was necessary to please the crowd. If you listen to the artists of that time period they usually had their own version of a "crow jane 8 bar type blues". Great performace D stovepipe!

[bluephil]

Please everybody...Stop talking about the guitar and watch the man...Great blues daddystovepipe ! Thanks.

[nickdrake1984]

Great playing, nice guitar!

[CoolJack2]

This tune is also used for the Mississippi Sheiks "stop and listen blues"

[daddystovepipe]

Indeed, the Miss.Sheiks used the same guitararrangement for their "Stop and Listen Blues" and recorded it February 1930. Tommy Johnson recorded his "Big Road Blues" in February 1928. It's most likely that the Sheiks modeled their version after Tommy's song...but who cares, both are great songs.

[twotunsoup]

Nice one. Go Weenie.

[zkagtrendy]

its a 12 string u can tell by the bridge adn the sounds ..

[organizedblues]

great playin man

[pachacamacs]

I enjoyed this a lot ! Fantastic playing and a very cool 12-string guitar.

[humanist7117]

That is not a 12 string guitar

[organizedblues]

yes it is

[organizedblues]

look at the bridge... and you can tell

[LamenameRodriguez]

Erm...sorry, but it very obviously is!

[baka86]

that is as surely a 12 string guitar as you are blind, dumb and deaf

[humanist7117]

Why the sarcasm? This one is different from the ones I have seen before. NC

[elpanchito421]

just realised how similar the chord progression is to canned heat blues

[cheesepleaseNL]

wow, VERY good!

[Thundermaned]

omg man, you play like my stephdad who died 4 years ago.

He also had that style... so I have to like it :)

[lennypurnell]

Very nice! Nailed it!