Jim Hession / Memphis Blues / W.C. Handy

http://www.hessionsession.webs.com

http://allaboutjazz.com/jimhession


http://www.artistopia.com/hessionsession
The Memphis Blues was written in 1912 as "Mr.Crump" for a candidate running for mayor of Memphis. By 1913 it was republished under the name of the "Memphis Blues". It was the first huge hit for Handy. In this cut Jim incorporates many early versions of this blues, including those by Jack Teagarden, Louis Armstrong and Kenny Ball.

• Category

  Music

[Henry24542]

This is very fine version,I suspect influenced, in no small measure by Pete Wendling's of 1921; here we have 'swing/blues' rhythm rather than the old straight 8/8 of Ragtime. I play piano in this idiom myself - well done Jim!

[JimMartha Hession]

Thank you for the kind words. I do know about Pete Wendling, primarily through sheet music but have never heard any of his recordings. W. C. Handy's early blues lend themselves, equally well, to the ragtime or swing treatment ...so I will try to locate more info about Wendling.

[carolineamber]

I couldn't get the comment to register and I have no idea when or how it finally showed up/sorry about the "echo"

[JimMartha Hession]

We are having some problems with the comments, it will work itself out. Thank you for watching!

[Lifeofregret]

say if i were to look for the music to this song would it be the same or is this a variation on the original?

[JimMartha Hession]

This is a improvisation on the original.

[lrpinheio]

Awesome. I've been listening to this over and over again for the past few months and never get tired of it.  I should definetely go back to my piano classes, maybe I will be able to play like this before I die :)

[Noah Mccarthy]

looks like floating hands like thing from the Adams family 

[pirateguyee]

W.C. Handy is my cousin

[yee1yee1]

awsome!

[12bar88]

Man Just Too cool !!!!!!!

[apeirsman]

Other people need 4 hands for this track

[apeirsman]

Other people need 4 hands for this track!

[alo0hafromhell]

Love it <3...