Blind Willie McTell - Lonesome Day Blues

[Andrew60ish]

I remember the first time I heard this girl sing on a Blind Willie record when I was a teenager. I was mesmerised. I just love her voice and the way she sings 'baybeee'. What is it? Soul, Jazz, Blues? I think it's all there and it's immortal.

[anitadavideduo]

GREAT!!

[TheOmniscientAtheist]

love this stuff - tinie tempah can jump in front of a train lol - a lonesome train

[buffalobilly]

This song is just devastating

[HANK313]

blues is where all good music originated

[duncanstpt]

I'm glad someone added the singers name. I thought maybe Blind Willie was born without testicles.

[Sheamusj]

Gorgeous performance... LOVE the female vocalist's sound! Thank you from Canada!

[karagheuz]

Ruby Glaze is singing the vocals on this track

[RealRockandRoll]

Blind Willie McTell, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Blind Boy Fuller, and Blind Blake... the four blind gate keepers of the blues!

[netiora]

@RealRockandRoll whatabout blind willie johnson

[RealRockandRoll]

@netiora Blind Willie Johnson was super!

[4l4ddin77]

that is awesome! i guess its a good thing she left young and went after willie, no use her waitin around another 40 years for little stevie wonder!

[miantiara]

Can anyone send me this song? I really love it and I've been looking for it for a while now. I really appreciate your help. Thank you.

[miantiara]

Hi Cox1356,

I wonder if you can send me this song to me. Been looking for it for a while now.

I really appreciate your help. Thanks.

@GivenJohn I'm also looking for the lyrics of this song. Hard to find. Anybody can help us? 

[GivenJohn]

Does anyone know the lyrics, or know where I can find the lyrics of this song?

[miantiara]

@GivenJohn It's a bit hard to find, the lyrics. Would love to have em as well.

[ecdude1000]

@4l4ddin77 - Approximately 36.

[4l4ddin77]

@ecdude1000

wow. thats...surprising. different times i guess.

[steven8807]

This is Miss Minnie and Blind Wille! Great song!

[trix2810]

Lovely!

[tunderbomber]

Who is is the female singer. Would like to check some of her work. It 's not Mean Minnie is it?



[nico19611]

@tunderbomber i think it's Ruthy Kate Williams, whom Willie married in 1934

[ecdude1000]

@nico19611 I think your right. I met Ruth McTier (McTell) in the late '80's. She had a home in Wrens, GA. On the wall of her living room was the posthumous Grammy awarded to BW for Atlanta Blues.

BW's name was actually McTier but was corrupted to McTell.

Miss Ruth told an interesting story of their marriage. It involved a prophecy that she would follow a blind musician by a local root doctor when she was 6. She left home with BW at 13.

[nico19611]

@ecdude1000 thanx for the interesting background facts! happy new year!

[4l4ddin77]

@ecdude1000

13? how old was he?

[4l4ddin77]

@ecdude1000

hey where'd you see that story about ruth and the root doctor?

[ecdude1000]

@4l4ddin77 I didn't see it - Miss Ruth McTier (McTell) told me the story. We were standing in her living room in front of her high top piano. Above the piano on the wall was the Grammy I mentioned in the reply to nico19611.

I got to know her well and met with her weekly for a couple of months.

[IMNOTAPOLICEOFFICER]

@ecdude1000

what is a root doctor?

[ecdude1000]

@IMNOTAPOLICEOFFICER An individual who practices a (sadly) disappearing type of folk medicine and soothsaying. In the part of the South where I grew up they are usually African-American. The practices probably originated in Africa. The term "root doctor" is colloquial. I'm sure there are many other terms in other areas.

[IMNOTAPOLICEOFFICER]

@ecdude1000

is it related to voodoo at all?

[ecdude1000]

@ecdude1000 Common origin I think.

[IMNOTAPOLICEOFFICER]

@ecdude1000

thanks thats what i thought it might be. im a white kid from suburban ohio and i think that culture is fascinating, i wish everybody lived like that today. i hate when people say that its evil. i am taking an african-american history class at community college this summer and i hope they talk about that.

[RatherCrunchyMuffin]

@tunderbomber if wikipedia is to be trusted, it was his second wife who I dont believe has a recording name

[jaimev21]

now this is the blues!

[muirhouseterrace]

Almost all them was blind, Lemon, Sonny etc, cept for the ones with just one leg, Peg Leg was a damn good hopper as well as a guitarist. I was a blues man myself, Blind Drunk XXXX.

[SqueezeMyLemonBabe]

When you're blind your vision doesn't blur the music. It entirely comes from the heart and is totally felt rather than seen on the fretboard - thats what I'd call real music.

[kblooz]

Are you sure this isnt Ruby Glaze singing? or did she just write it?

[spooninspoon]

nobody can play the blues like blind willie mc tell

[giub81]

the essence of blues...if i should have to explain someone what the blues is all about i would make them hear this one

[doubleotwentyone]

I too, have this on Bluebird Blues and I also have something to play it on...McTell is one of my favourite bluesmen and the greatest 12 string exponent...

[clabonkid]

I feel sorry for this guy. The last thing you want is a blind willy!

Just thought I'd add that note of maturity there.

[bleuskais]

this is cool

[49mrjd]

thanks.fcc.good.memories.of.ea­rly.seventies.croydon.

[friendcalledclive]

49mrjd Music shop still there but not sure if still called Potters

[hiuPok]

Ourmissboo: I also first heard this song on the" Bluebird Blues" album issued by RCA in the mid sixties. Excellent album. I still got it, but it is hidden in the loft somewhere. Even if I found it I have nothing to play it on!

[ourmissboo]

I first heard this song in the mid-sixties, on an album my mother had, called "Bluebird Blues". It was a compilation of a bunch of people who recorded on the old Bluebird label; and this was my favorite song on the album, although there were lots of good ones.

[Seanguy757]

Man anyone know the tab to this song or have any idea where he is playing this at?

[jkuebler89]

sounds like some kind of open tuning. possibly open g. thats an uneducated guess tho.

[jessupar]

it sounds like there are 2 guitars, to me atleast. I think "Georgia Slim" was in open G and McTell was in standard. (taking the name georgia slim from about 2:30 where he says "play it georgia slim play it")

[JamieGarry]

@jessupar sounds like two guitars too me. I hear a slide, but its def. not imposible either way.

[purplestuff]

@JamieGarry

Probably a 12 string.

[psparks60]

Kate McTell is singing

[jrubin68]

@psparks60 Does she sing in a lot of his songs? 'Cause I've heard a female vocalist in quite a few of his tunes.

[psparks60]

@jrubin68 I have heard that she did. However, I do not have any direct documentation about how often she sang.

[49mrjd]

??i first heard this masterpiece in a record booth in croydon south london in 1970 and was soon to buy a twelve string from potters music shop in south croydon is it still there ?

[49mrjd]

eddie is the dogs his music will live for ever

[RatherCrunchyMuffin]

funny that his wife is singing, I nearly thought it was Willie. no disrespect to mctell, as matter of fact its part of his appeal to me, but he can have a feminine voice at times

[49mrjd]

this beautiful musician comes out of thompson georgia ive been lucky enough to have listened to hisguitar plying for over35 years theres ton more available feast your ears

[nivek0270]

i guess i can here it now... lol now that im sober hahaha

[greenskeeper3000]

LOL alcohol and the Youtube are just da bees knees.

[49mrjd]

yow is rite after a few beers it only seems right to slag of anybody but its good honest fun lol

[joramba]

@greenskeeper3000 i'm a brazilian alcohol dude, due!

[HooDRidEWhiteY]

@greenskeeper3000 LOL fuck ya...funny you should be the first comment my wattery ass eyes are able to focus on!!! What a sweet day!!!

[twatwhite]

i was born in birmingham

[58cherokee58]

this video sucks for real

[zedinho74]

@58cherokee58 I love it, thanks for posting it !

[jrubin68]

@58cherokee58 You seem to be a fan of terrible music... from what I can tell from your account... so please go kill yourself and allow the rest of us to enjoy some real music in peace.

[MrsTrip68]

@jrubin68 your obviously a judgmental vicious , miserable cruel person maybe YOU should take your own advice?nobody is forcing you to listen to these posts. i feel sorry for you .you obviously have no family ,if you did they might have taught you courtesy and grace

[jrubin68]

@MrsTrip68 A post I made in sarcastic randomness a year ago leads you to believe that I'm a miserable cruel orphan. I find that people who dig so deeply into such posts have insecurities of their own.

[4l4ddin77]

@MrsTrip68

hey check it out.. 2 people who both like blind willie mctell, fighting...

[DrunkenBlur]

"I was bo'n, in Geogie..."

awesome.

[shrine52]

This is RUBY GLAZE, one of the first american women singers of the blues (1920's)... this is so sweet!*****

[acblues1]

Thanks for the info Shrine, I've been trying to find that out!

[nivek0270]

what??? sounds like mctell to me......

[maolchalium]

Nice one. Sung and played with feeling. The more I listen to this the more I like it .Added to my favourites.

[Hollywoodrocker311]

Ruby Glaze on Vocals recorded around feb and March 1932 in atlanta Georgia

[DropDownFreddie]

How said HA HA HE'S BLIND?? Blind or not blind, this guy is a genius! If you were blind, you'd be fucked.

[Antitodo2889]

Exquisito.

[blindwilliejohnson]

you dont have to cry nomore

[barrystock]

The tune's a rewrite of "Sitting On Top Of The World" by The Mississippi Sheiks.

[doctorwingnut]

barrystock- a lot of the old blues tunes were "rewrites"- bits and pieces of other songs. Sweeet Home Chicago was originally Kokomo Blues. Even more contemporary muscians, such as Led Zeppelin, did the same when composing their songs.

[fazeralgobichoinseto]

"Big Star falling, mama...tain't long before day. Maybe this sunshine will drive these blues away...-Blind Willie McTell........... (Mama 'tain't long before day)... Love it..........This is as good as it gets!!! Don't seem to be no one crazy about me, but that's okay,I've paid my dues, now I'm gonna go sing some blues.

[suprovalco]

great!!!

[zeikoru]

hes surely not deaf! hes amzing

[psychedelichobo]

haha he's blind

[zeikoru]

I know, i was saying that he can make great music even though he cant see

[BLKvids]

u suck

[maartendas]

Simply gorgeous, & addictive!

[psychedelichobo]

i like how bob dylan puts it, "these bluesmen may have been blind, but they had the best vision"

[stys85]

AGREE

[emilyrossetta]

I'm confused. Is there both Blind Willie Johnson and Blind Willie Mctell?

[norcalto773]

something about bein blind that puts that much more soul into the blues, eh? seem to be a good number of blind blues musicians

[itsgud2bdking]

i'd be pretty blue if i was blind

[ChavezRey]

Yep, Mr. Johnson from Texas, powerful baritone voice and stinging six string slide guitar; Mr. McTell from I think Georgia with punchy twelve string Piedmont blues . Both true masters of their instruments.

[nickothompson]

@emilyrossetta Yes... back then medicine wasn't very good, and disease, addiction, and unhealthy life was common.

[wexona]

mctells are great

[kblooz]

that makes sense, I always wondered why some guy was constantly talking throughout the song. Do you know if they wrote it together?

[psychedelichobo]

i kno the vid's not of RJ i was just mentionin a random fact haha

[kblooz]

this is ruby glaze not blind willie mctell

[psychedelichobo]

yeah its Blind Willie on the guitar, and some lady singer who maybe who you're talking about

[klavierabend]

Annie McTell

[psychedelichobo]

weird how this song was posted on the deathday of Robert Johnson..

tho willie mctell was around longer..

thanks for postin this

[nickothompson]

@psychedelichobo IMO willie mctell is a FAR BETTER SINGER, and also plays his guitar better, much of robert johsons shit isn't even in tune! His singing or his guitar!

[cretsina]

@nickothompson I think you are crazy 

[KarloR27]

I think Blind Willie Mctell is one of the greatest ever 12 string guitar player I ever heard. Better than Leadbelly.

[Halothewynd]

Bob D was bob on! - simply the best blues man ever!

[emilyek1]

This is Piedmont style 12-string songstering-- lots of European folk stuff going on his music, much more than in Delta or Texas music.

This is a really dull and uninspired cut imo, and I don't know who the woman singing is, but I'd much rather hear Willie solo.

There used to be a Blind Willie McTell 'greatest hits' on Atlantic, recorded in the 50s, I believe, and it was available on CD. It's definitely worth looking for if you want to get into him; there's some awesome stuff on it.

[Bkflipit]

the woman is his wife-Kate Mctell

[BinLadenMustDie368]

I just heard this song on the movie "Guy X"! its fricken amazing song! but its pissing me off cause i can't download it! grrr This is an amazing song anyone who disagree's must be beaten with a shovel!!

[almanacofsleep]

Haha, I did that once...

[CARLOVER112]

i would recomend Michael Grays book....HAND ME MY TRAVELIN SHOES in search of BLIND WILLIW MCTELL

[stanthco]

CLAAAASSSIC! I can feel the waters of the Mississippi on my feet.

[o0whitestripes0o]

He wasn't from the Delta, he was from Georgia, I'm not from America, and correct me if I'm wrong, but Georgia isn't apart of the Mississippi Delta.

[THEmindsPERCEPTION]

ur right but its still the southern states from under virgina thats were all the plaintations were

[o0whitestripes0o]

The funny thing is that he never worked on the plantations though, and spent a lot of his recording time in New York!

[pauls35]

Who cares? I can feel the waters of the Mississippi on my feet too :D

[o0whitestripes0o]

I was being a smart arse. :(

Still my favourite blues player by far tho.

=)

Peace

[pauls35]

thanks for the info man :) people like us know good music peace

[onebobtwo]

i'm from earth and you are wrong. you don't have 2 be in a certain physical state to feel the waters from where ever you choose 2 feel them from. we earthlings call it "using our imagination". try it at times. it may be good for your correct, fact checking, tight ass. good day.

[bornfedslaughter]

I can taste the georgia peaches in my mouth.

[Churnmilk]

Awesome

[joramba]

Yea..the Old McTell

[jessupar]

not too often that you hear a man's wife in this kinda music.

really good song - i have the album on my computer, but thanks for the upload anyways.

[bobacote2]

Who is the female singing ?

She is wonderful !

[jimilittle]

She is his wife. Kate Mctell.

[bobacote2]

She is great, thank you

[CurbUrEnthusiasm]

I love this song.