You Got To Reap What You Sow - Tampa Red

This is my first version of the classic slide instrumental by Tampa Red. It's played in Open D. I try to play it true to the original with a few original twists thrown in. I know that I don't quite have the turnaround down excatly how he played it, but I'm close enough for now. My all-time favorite Tampa Red Song is Denver Blues - which I am close to having down too.
I play acoustic blues in a variety of styles including songs by Blind Blake, Rev. Gary Davis, Mississippi John Hurt, Lonnie Johnson, and others. I also play a lot of Merle Travis stuff which I'll get around to posting eventually.
There are some great acoustic blues players out there and I've enjoyed watching videos posted by many different people. Hopefully, you'll enjoy my stuff too.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Acoustic
• Blues

[pixiepqueen]

great stuff. I'm trying to find a version of Tampa Red playing Dead Cat On the Line. Have you heard that one??

[djmoore20041]

I have not heard of that song - though it sounds interesting! The other Tampa Red song I've worked on is Denver Blues. It's tougher to play so it might take me awhile to put it on here.

[djmoore20041]

Just found that song on Napster! I downloaded it but have not listened to it yet.  It does have a vocal. He was a great singer too!

[vipvop]

What key? is it D?

[djmoore20041]

It is played in Open D. It's really not that hard to learn. The trick is to get the "touch" down with the bottleneck. I'm still seeking that Tampa Red tone.

[LizzyDouglas]

Am I wrong ? Please correct me !! What you hear here ÍS Tampa Red's "Denver Blues", I've Red's original 1934 recording of this blues!!

"You Got to Reap what You Sow" is as far as I

know written by the great Leroy Carr. There's also a song with the same name written by Walter Davis. Personally I know a fantastic version of "Reap" by Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup recorded Sept.1946, most likely an adaptation of L. Carr's "Reap".

Your rendition of "Denver Blues" is pure emotion just like the original.

[djmoore20041]

I just checked it out on Napster and sure enough - the tune I'm playing here IS "You Got To Reap What You Sow." "Denver Blues," in my opinion, is Tampa Red's masterpiece. When I can play that one, I'll be a real bottleneck blue player.

[SuperOlds88]

your making that Harmony sound real nice

[MrSouthpaw55]

Thanks for the tampa red slide I enjoyed it,I love slide guitar to drop by sometime!

[fngrpkn06]

Love the old Harmony guitar, great job .

[arjhendrix]

Wow David Bro

real nice and a grt sweet sound n feel

bliss

[philsblueshome]

Sweet!!!

[LizzyDouglas]

Casey Bill Weldon was the 1st husband of Memphis Minnie(=Lizzie Douglas) and a fantastic slide guitar player. I've several tracks of him in my blues-archive!

[bigfrank1961]

Great song and great playing...Red was the man! Another one of my favs are Casey Bill Weldon and Booker white. Do you know any of there stuff? Please check out my clip and let me know what ya Think.

[pixiepqueen]

cool! Yes he was a great singer. if you learn it can you post it on youtube? I can't seem to find a version of that song. great lyrics to it. they are kinda gritty.