Motherless Children by Blind Willie Johnson 1930 Stella Guitar Bottleneck Blues

[deltabluesrookie]

I like the open C sound. NICE

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@deltabluesrookie Thank you for your comment. The lower tuning works better for my voice. The same thing can be done with open G (DGDgbd) Tune all the way down to the key of E. BEBeg#b. Happy Holidays. Enjoy.

[FamilyMcManus]

Really enjoyed it.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@FamilyMcManus Thank you for your comment. Enjoy.

[orilliajunction]

cool sound

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@orilliajunction Thank you for your comment. Enjoy.

[bigjimmyrocker]

right on bro

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@bigjimmyrocker Thank you friend. Enjoy.

[501sFIT]

I have watched this vid a few times now.. it is superb man. Great great cover, guitar tone is sooo nice, slide hits home, got my attention, and then your vocals just nailed it for me.. hats off to you. You have right there the sound so many hanker after, very nice.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@501sFIT Thank you for your comment. I appreciate the encouragement. Hard to believe its been four year since I recorded this video. Must have sung this song thousands of times on the streets since then. LOL Enjoy.

[divostar1dude]

Dude you rock! wonderful feeling... thanks

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@divostar1dude Thank you. I greatly appreciate your encouragement. Happy New Year 2011. Enjoy.

[slutpuppy69]

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@slutpuppy69 Thank you for your comment. I appreciate your encouragement. Enjoy.

[neonbladedotcom]

Best version since Josh Whites, might even be better!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@neonbladedotcom Thank you for your kind and generous comment. Enjoy.

[snoopdarr]

could you recommend me chords for this song which i could use for rhythm guitar? thanks!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@snoopdarr Thank you for your question. I do not play guitar in standard tuning. My renditions are based on the originals using open tunings and fingerpicking. My best suggestion would be to listen to the original and by singing the melody line decide what chord changes work best to accompany your vocals. It certainly can be done, but it would be more of a flatpickers interpretation. Enjoy.

[burnm6rk]

don't know if you noticed Keni but there's a poodle behind you...

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@burnm6rk LOL Actually, my dog, Onyx is a Cockapoo. Half Cocker Spaniel and half Poodle. I will send you another video were he appears for a surprise ending. Enjoy.

[hummersmstr]

do you have tableture or a video teaching how to play this song and some of your others, that you play? I am learning the dobro and was looking for songs to learn. Also any help with technique would be handy.

Thanks.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@hummersmstr Thank you for your interest and questions. Please visit ebay and seach: keni lee

I think you will find my series of video lessons (CD 1 - 3) very helpful with your studies. Very reasonable priced too. Please feel free to write if you have any questions. Enjoy.

[1958wvpicker]

sounds realy good Keni

keep up the good work

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@1958wvpicker Thank you for your encouragement. Enjoy.

[TheAnalogEye]

Wow, this is excellent! Great guitar playing and your voice goes well with it! Great job!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@TheAnalogEye Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Enjoy.

[planetjames9]

Awesome sound. I love Blind Willie. What tuning are you playing in here? Thanks.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. I love BWJ too. I am in Vestapol Tuning. This is commonly known as Open D Tuning (DADf#ad) low to high, but I am tuned down a whole step for my voice to the key of C (CGCegc) Happy Holidays. Enjoy.

[SPRUTH1154]

wow.Out of 10 I give you a 15.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your generous rating. Happy Holidays. Enjoy.

[tonijam]

georgous man!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. Happy Holidays. Enjoy.

[mgordoa]

Wow, Keni that's powerful good, got right next to my soul

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. I am glad you enjoyed my performance.

[Rossco602]

ha ha kenilee,you so awesome!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Enjoy.

[goodwave67]

5 stars

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your generous rating. Enjoy.

[RascalKyng]

Do you have a resource for all these old school slide licks [just the slide] ??

'Slide guitar tabs' doesnt cut it on google..

I end up getting 'goo goo dolls' :P

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your question. No, these licks I create using my understanding of music theory and my knowledge of an open tuned fingerboard based on the impressions I get while listening to the original Blues recordings. If you would like to better understand my approach please check out my instructional video CDs that are for sale on ebay. Search: Keni Lee. Please feel free to write if you have further questions. I think you you find the CDs helpful. Enjoy.

[Tutlabrok]

This is so good, you have a perfect blues voice and paying the guitar wonderfully. I just loved it! I added all your performences to my favoritelist. Thank you for a good time :)

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad you are enjoying my performances.

[SpaztikFrank]

your voice is perfect for the song. great stuff!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. Enjoy.

[harleyblues]

..great work... 5/5

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment and rating. Enjoy.

[lennypurnell]

Nice job Keni!!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. Enjoy.

[stressa12]

So good!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Enjoy.

[endofdays212]

One of my all time favorite songs...and your version is amazing!! I absolutely loved it!! Great great great!! You are so talented! <3 :)(:

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Please feel free to write if you have any questions. Enjoy.

[nighTr0]

awesome guitar play! nice voice!

Greetings, keep on rocking!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for the kind words. Enjoy.

[TomekHarp]

wow - it's really cool! greatings from Poland!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. Enjoy.

[LeeAnne2001]

this is awesome, thanks :-)

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Happy Holidays! Enjoy.

[bigfreddy74]

Absolutely great!!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment and your purchase. I'm sorry to hear about your fingers, but I'm glad you found a solution. You know what they say when it comes to fingerpicking, it is not your left hand, but it is your right hand that makes all the magic. Enjoy and please stay in touch.

[zfh10]

great stuff...really nice. Inspirational. I'd love to hear you play a concert...might look at your album now. Cheers

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. If you enjoyed this song, please check out my performance of Nobody's Fault But Mine. I don't play many concerts, but the upcoming documentary will feature many of my street performances.

[bluescouse2502]

I come across this looking for something else and i'm glad I did, inspired me with new ideas for my new band thanks man

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Please visit my page and click on Playlists. The videos are organized for better selection. Please feel free to write if you have any questions. Enjoy.

[46ringchaser]

WOW!!!! out of all your songs i can't get enough of this one. Makes the hair on my neck stand up every time i hear it. I hope you didn't sell your soul but sure sounds like you did. Your the best man and truly gifted keep it up.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Well, I haven't been down to the old crossroads lately, so I guess my Soul is still in my possession. I'm glad you are enjoying the music.

[johnty1]

Quite simply this is the best version I've ever heard, second only to BWJ.

Teach that on disc along with your version of 'Cold is the Ground..' and I'll be right at the front of the queue for a copy.

Hell, I'd buy 10 copies!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Have you considered buying my instructional CD that is available for sale on ebay? Just search: Keni Lee I truely believe if you work thru these lessons, you will have no trouble figuring out these songs. Please check it out.

[johnty1]

just ordered it!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your order. Please feel free to write, if you have any questions, as you work thru the lessons.

[sonofwill]

hell yeah all i play is the blues man keep it up the grassroots of all music in my opinion

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. Ya, gotta just love those Blues!

[mara235]

a good thing - very fine.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you...a great old Blind Willie Johnson tune, a cheap ladder braced 1930 Stella guitar, a glass Bottleneck, and metal Fingerpicks...I agree...priceless.

[mara235]

yeah - seriously - we'd love to own that "cheap" guitar of yours..and give more to play it!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Well, Thank you again. Actually, this Stella I found on Ebay for less than $200. The neck is slightly lifted so it is not desirable to a conventional player, but using the slide allows me to hit the right notes. What makes these guitar ring so nice is their cheap construction. The braces don't stiffen the top, unfortunately thats what causes the neck to lift. As for playing, it comes down to desire and taking the time to sit for endless hours trying to perfect basic skills.

[bombalu5]

Awesome performance!!!...Perfect voice I give you two thumbs up bro :)

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you very much.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. I'll be posting another Blind Willie tune soon. "Nobody's Fault But Mine".

[ingodscountry75]

Hey man, your version is a time machine.. it takes me to the 30s... truly great stuff thx for sharing..

[medcreate]

Well done, superb. Loved the guitar and the vocals. I'd stand and applaud if I saw him perform this live...

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. This is one of the best compliments I have ever received. Please visit my page, there are more videos to watch. Also, if you are a player, go to Ebay and search: Keni Lee. There you will find my instructional video CD for only $9.99

[spheenx]

well played son...well played

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you.

[donk70]

Excellent

Thank you for the traditional arrangement

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you.

[slowmonkey156]

You are awesome - end of story.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you.

[hotfirecaster]

It's a Great pleasure to listen to you, Because you're a good player and also because, you've got a very bluesy voice. Tell us when it will be possible to buy your CD.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. I'm trying to get my cd finished. It is almost done. I'll post when it is available. Thank you for your interest.

[pete2778]

Count me in for one of those, great playing and singing, a really authentic blues sound. Thanks for posting these movies!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your interest.

[bighousebob]

Thank you so much, you are inspirational.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your kind words.

[kemacoli]

This has a purity comparable with the original.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. What a kind thing to say. :)

[kemacoli]

Would you kindly state here when your CD is published, as I am confident that many here would be straight to the shop!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. I am almost done with the CD. A few delays have slowed down the completion. I will clearly post when it will be available. Thank you for your interest.

[ulli61]

Excellent playing and a fine warm voice!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you.

[Winston523]

excellent. thankyou!! just saw live-- clapton's more upbeat cover and it was very good. you have talent and your teaching style is very approachable and kind!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your kind words. Clapton does great covers of Blues classics. In this version, I'm trying to play in the style of Blind Willie Johnson.

[Winston523]

it's a great version, though i've never heard wilie jophnson's music. your vocals and plkaying is superb!i dig alot of old school acoustic delta blues player e.g., honeyboy edwards etc.of course, i think johnny winter is a fine steel guitarist on slide.he was great live in 1973 in long beach.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Well, if you want old school, buy a Blind Willie Johnson CD. He is a real master.

[daddystovepipe]

very nice arrangement !

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you.

[JuanDeSoCal]

Nice sound and good playing. You actually have a good blues singing voice too, which is tough when you're a white guy (as am I despite the moniker).

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. I've been working on improving my singing. Most people will spends countless hours on guitar lessons and practice, but very little time on their voice. Actually studying voice makes it easier to hear and understand the guitar.

[2000XPSD]

great song...any tab available?

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Sorry, no tab. This is an arrangement I created using the lyrics to form the melody line. Please check out my instructional videos. After you go thru the lessons, you will have no problem figuring out this song yourself or making up your own arrangement.

[Rmelcher77]

nice playing

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Please watch my other videos.

[deltatransfer]

Dog goes to sleep in this one, so cute. I am awe-struck by your bottleneck guitar.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Do you play?

[bentonio07]

Fantasic! Sounds really awesome. Too bad I can't find fingerpicks for lefties here ...

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Finding fingerpicks should not be a problem because they are the same for lefties and righties. But you should contact Elderly Instruments for a lefty thumb pick. They should be able to help you.

[bentonio07]

Yeah, the thumbpicks are the problem, looked for them everywhere. Some miles away from my hometown is Europe's biggest music store, but not even there you can get them.

So, thanks for the tip, I've written an email to them

[parapedal]

Quite right! I'd love to get ones for myself as well, this vid is great!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

I got this Stella on Ebay for about $250. The problem of course with this old guitar is that the neck is lifted and the action is high. Fingering chords is not going to happen. Thats when the good old Bottleneck comes in handy.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Ebay is great. To find an old 1930's guitar, search in parlor, stella, oscar schmidt, regal, sears, wards (guitar).

[downhill240]

Man you own the bottleneck!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Playing in this style is very strong and clear. The whole guitar gets to vibrate.

[mikeylt56]

is it important to use finger picks when playing slide? i've been more of an electric player and have just started getting into slide playing in open tunings, should i work on using finger picks, or stay with what im used to, a straight guitar pick?

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Traditonal country blues players used fingerpicks. Mainly because they had acoustic guitars and needed more volume. Also, resonator guitars are like banjos. Picks create a better tone, metal pick against metal string causes more vibration. I don't play electric, but in general a pick always sounds better than the soft flesh of the fingers. Even classical guitar players use their nails on nylon strings.

[jojo216]

R U recorded? Where can I buy your stuff?

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. I'm currently working on a CD. It will be completed soon. Only 3 more songs to go.

[klasek]

This is as authentic as it gets!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. I'll be posting more traditional style tunes soon.

[bluespower]

thanx keni, hope the family and the dogs are well!! what tuning are you using? shades of leo kotke.what is the bottle neck? stella has a real sweet tone!!!regards bluespower...

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thanks Bluespower. Dog is well. Had a nice visit to the vet because of an ear infection, but as you can see in the video he is good. I'm tuned down to open C (CGCegc)The bottleneck is made from an old, very large Mateus wine bottle. They don't make this bottle anymore, but if you are lucky you might find one. Ya, old Stellas really vibrate. Very light construction.