Format : DVD
'The strangest most complex and bizarre of all blues artists.' John Fahey Skip James is perhaps the most stylistically original of the blues performers from the Mississippi River Delta region with his unusual Dm (Crossnote) tuning haunting falsetto vocals and an intense variable marriage of music and text. James made a number of recordings for Paramount before the Depression carried him into obscurity but those recordings would form the basis of his reputation and secure him as one of the legends of that classic era of blues. In this 2 DVD set Tom Feldmann brings you through Skip's classic 1931 bluesrecordings as well as a few fan favorites from his rediscovery years Crow Jane Worried Blues Look Down the Road and All Night Long. Nearly all of the 1931 guitar recordings were played using Crossnote tuning and DVD One is dedicated to those songs with Feldmann teaching you every aspect of Skip's playing in this tuning. DVD Two continues with two more classics in Crossnote tuning and then turns to Standard tuning for songs in D and E positions and ends with Skip's lone Spanish tuning (Open G) recording Special Rider Blues. Tablature is included as a PDF file on each DVD. In addition the original 1931 recordings of the songs covered are included as well as live footage of Skip James from the 1966 Newport Folk Festival.
SKU: MB.30844M
ISBN 9781513464268. 8.75 x 11.75 inches.
Skip James was one of the most influential early Bluesmen, but his importance as a stylist remained undiscovered until he was brought out of a long retirement by the Folk/Blues revival of the early 1960â??s. Born in 1902 and raised in Bentonia, Nehemiah Curtis James was brought up in a religious family: his father was a bootlegger who reformed and became a Baptist preacher. Skip learned piano in school but picked up guitar from his friend Henry Stuckey. In 1931 Skip was picked up by a scout for Paramount Records and he cut 26 tracks, of which 18 were released, in a two day session at their Grafton, Wisconsin studios. These recordings presented a unique and haunting genius that influenced legendary bluesmen as Robert Johnson, Kansas Joe McCoy and Johnny Temple. But the recordings sold poorly, having been released during the Great Depression, and he drifted into obscurity.
We have included as online downloads Skipâ??s 1931 recordings. The crackling sound of these rare recordings cannot obscure the brilliance of this seminal Blues master.
After over 30 yearâ??s retirement from music, Skip was rediscovered by Blues enthusiasts Bill Barth, John Fahey and Henry Vestine. They persuaded Skip to appear at the Newport Folk Festival in 1964, where his renditions of his old songs were still powerful and moving. His performances as well as his old and new recordings influenced a generation of new musicians: Eric Clapton, Alan Wilson of Canned Heat, Cream, Deep Purple, Chris Thomas King, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Derek Trucks, Beck, Big Sugar, John Martyn, Lucinda Williams and Rory Block to name a few.
Books on legendary Blues musicians written by white musicologists tend to offer a subjective perspective on how the artists felt, thought or reacted. A tainted picture is captured that has more to do with the writerâ??s social and musical experiences. This autobiography is different. The words, thoughts and feelings come directly from the artistâ??s lips. This is the story of Nehemiah â??Skipâ? James told by Nehemiah â??Skipâ? James.
SKU: MB.20619M
ISBN 9781513460932. 8.75 x 11.75 inches.
This book/online audio lesson is designed for the beginner and intermediate student. Basic fingerpicking styles are illustrated in all the major keys. The technique of the alternating bass is introduced in various settings both in standard and open tunings . The styles and techniques of Mississippi John Hurt, Rev. Gary Davis, Blind Blake, Blind Boy Fuller, Sam McGee, Skip James, Willie Brown and Tommy Johnson are explored. Includes access to online audio.
