Roots of Blues -- Lead Belly „I'm Sorry Mama"

„I'm Sorry Mama"
(Trad)

Recorded:
Louisiana State Penitentiary, July 1, 1934
Lead Belly (vcl) (g)

Huddie William Ledbetter, (January, 1888 -- December 6, 1949) was an American folk and blues musician, notable for his clear and forceful singing, his virtuosity on the twelve string guitar, and the rich songbook of folk standards he introduced.
He is best known as Leadbelly or Lead Belly. Though many releases list him as "Leadbelly," he himself spelled it "Lead Belly." This is also the usage on his tombstone, as well as the Lead Belly Foundation.
Although he most commonly played the twelve string, he could also play the piano, mandolin, harmonica, violin, concertina, and accordion. In some of his recordings, such as in one of his versions of the folk ballad "John Hardy", he performs on the accordion instead of the guitar. In other recordings he just sings while clapping his hands or stomping his foot. The topics of Lead Belly's music covered a wide range of subjects, including gospel songs; blues songs about women, liquor and racism; and folk songs about cowboys, prison, work, sailors, cattle herding and dancing. He also wrote songs concerning the newsmakers of the day, such as President Franklin Roosevelt, Adolf Hitler, Jean Harlow, the Scottsboro Boys and multi-millionaire Howard Hughes. Fame in 1986.
The day of his birth has also been debated. The most common date given is January 20, but other sources suggest he was born on January 21 or 29. The only document we have that Ledbetter, himself, helped fill out is his World War II draft registration from 1942 where he gives his birth date as January 23, 1889
Lead Belly's boastful spirit and penchant for the occasional skirmish sometimes led him into trouble with the law, and in January 1918 he was thrown into prison for the second time, this time after killing one of his relatives, Will Stafford, in a fight. He was incarcerated in Sugar Land, Texas and it is there that he got the inspiration for the song Midnight Special. It is said that he was released two years into his 35-year sentence after writing a song appealing to Governor Pat Morris Neff for his freedom. Lead Belly had swayed Governor Neff by appealing to his strong religious values. That, in combination with good behavior (including entertaining by playing for the guards and fellow prisoners), was Lead Belly's ticket out of jail.
In 1930, Lead Belly was back in prison, this time in Louisiana for attempted homicide. It was there, three years later, that he was "discovered" by musicologists John and Alan Lomax, who were enchanted by his talent, passion and singularity as a performer, and recorded hundreds of his songs on portable recording equipment for the Library of Congress. The following year Lead Belly was once again pardoned, this time after a petition for his early release was taken to Louisiana Governor O.K. Allen by the Lomaxes. The petition was on the other side of a recording of one of his most popular songs, "Goodnight Irene". The state's prison records, however, show he was released due to

for more Information see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_Belly

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Blues
• Roots_of_Blues
• History_of_music

[zezt]

Leadbelly is mythically amazin!! His singin and playing goes DEEP into my soul

[hergreenjacket]

such a brilliant singer / songwritter

[skankdude5]

@nosorog91 "Jawbone walk and Jawbone talk; jawbone eat ya with a knife and fork." Not the title, but some of the words. Also, Sukey Jump, that was mentioned. I think he played (live" more than recorded, as it was easy to transport and had good volume for dances and he could still work that walking bass thing, though more primitive. So...two that I know of, and I think I've heard em all...

[joeyquills]

My favorite song by my favorite artist! I feel exactly the same way sometimes; so genuinely sorry for my actions but too fucked up to understand why they're wrong. This song captures the deep regret and frustration of a misfit.

[dubfortheyouth]

@nosorog91 Sukey Jump...and he does a number called Laura in which he plays accordion (or at least I assume it's him)

[nosorog91]

are there any records where Leadbelly plays accordeon?

[skankdude5]

Lead Belly's parents were not "ex-slaves," and his rhythms are complex...he was often known to keep a steady beat w. his left foot, while his right tapped out complex, syncopated rhythms, while he played 12-string, sometimes slapping the guitar for accents on top of that. He also played Cajun accordion and piano. And right on re: Geo Harrison, "No Lead Belly, No Beatles." His voice and guitar were so powerful they could project over any hall pre days of amplification.

[cnkilts]

Brilliant

[mherbert]

NO Lead Belly NO Beatles- I didnt make that up George Harrison did! go to the indiegogo site & look up leadbellyfilm

[9903kateyes]

Dorian, thanks for sharing all of Leadbelly's masterpieces from yesteryear..true downhome music gets right into your soul.....

[sonicscreamingblue]

Just read the description......This guy killed a man and sung his way out of jail. He wrote songs about people in pop culture before it was in vogue. He played various instruments. And his parents were most likely ex slaves,so I'm guessing he didn't go to any fancy music schools to sharpen his craft......thats just fucking badass!