Skip James "Special Rider Blues" Masters of Delta Blues Guitar

Nehemiah Curtis "Skip" James (June 9, 1902 -- October 3, 1969) was an American delta blues singer, guitarist, pianist and songwriter. Born in Bentonia, Mississippi, he first learned to play guitar from another bluesman from the area, Henry Stuckey. His guitar playing is noted for its dark, minor sound, played in an open D-minor tuning with an intricate fingerpicking technique. James first recorded for Paramount Records in 1931, but these recordings sold poorly due to the Great Depression, and he drifted into obscurity. After a long absence from the public eye, James was "rediscovered" in 1964 by three blues enthusiasts, helping further the blues and folk music revival of the 1950s and early 60s. During this period, James appeared at several folk and blues festivals and gave live concerts around the county, also recording several albums for various record labels. He died in 1969 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His songs have influenced several generations of musicians, being adapted by Kansas Joe McCoy, Robert Johnson, Cream, Deep Purple, Chris Thomas King, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Beck, Big Sugar, and Rory Block.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Masters
• of
• Delta
• Blues
• Guitar
• Skip
• James
• Special
• Rider
• Acoustic
• MDBG
• instructions
• guitar
• howto
• educational
• musical instruments
• blues rock

[safeandsound100]

Kevin, Kevin, Kevin .... I suggest you listen to the Corey Harris version. THAT"S Special Rider Blues. Not sure what you're playing there but please don't teach that to anyone.

G.P.

[kelvis97]

@safeandsound100 When you learn Blues, which I am guessing you have not a clue. You go to the source, the source is Skip James not Corey Harris, You want to learn Robert Johnson you go to Robert Johnson, Please dont comment until you have a clue, were is your version

[ninesticks]

thanks elvis

gonna get me moving again soon enough

[kelvis97]

@ninesticks Thanks ninesticks, happy to help any way I can

[safeandsound100]

Kevin, got your reply to my comment. Sorry, I must have missed it. You're great. Keep up the good work.

G.P.

[hchoron]

Once again a totally uninspiring lesson. Doesn't seem that he enjoys teaching?

[simonvanhooland]

a pity the guitar player dind't tune his guitar before playing

[tudstat]

this guy ain't no teacher

[gallanttimmy201]

I played that way when I was 9 yrs.old