Search - Blind Boy Fuller :: East Coast Piedmont Style

Exellent good time vocals with rag & blues guitar!

03/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Blind Boy Fuller is one of the more urban blues palyers fro mthe period, yet he uses a lot of ragtime chords especially on the 1st two selections, bur especially on the opening number Rag Mama Rag, his voice is also more masculine then other blues palyers fro mthe period, he sound particularly strong on good time hokum tunes like Rattlesnakin' Daddy, this CD is essential for any comprehensive classis blues collection. Timeless music from one of the greats."

Classic Piedmont style

M. J. Smith | Seattle, WA USA | 05/02/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Piedmont style is an East coast tradition; think of its borders as Richmond, Virgina, the Atlantic Ocean, Atlanta, Georgia, and the Appalachian mountains. It often has a distinct ragtime piano sound and some scat singing. An "official" definition from http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1844107 "Piedmont-style blues is characterized by a unique finger-picking guitar style which mimics the ragtime piano. The bass line rhythm is played with the thumb while melody and harmonies are defined by two or three fingers. The sound therefore is more rhythmically complex and especially melodic than the Delta Blues". Several of my favorite blues artists fall into this category - Reverend Gary Davis, Brownie McGhee, Blind Willie McTell, Sonny Terry, Cephas and Wiggins. Blind Boy Fuller fits nicely into this august group.



In this collection he ranges from the rollicking "Rag, Mama, Rag" to the simpler, bluesy "I'm Climbin' on Top of the Hill". More than many recordings, the ties to other musicians pique my interest - Rev. Gary Davis playing 2nd guitar on "Rag, Mama, Rag" and "Baby You Gotta Change Your Mind". Or compare "Log Cabin Blues" to Blind Willie McTell's "Come On Around to My House." Or listen to the subtle complexity of Bull City Red's washboard on "Sweet HOney Hole." Or compare "Walking My Troubles Away" with "Walking My Blues Away" by Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee.



This collection is worth adding to your collection for two reasons: 1. Blind Boy Fuller is a solid blues artist with a repetoire for dance hall or street (2) it provides the raw information for hearing the interconnections between various better-known Piedmont stylists and distinguishing them from the Delta or Chicago blues."