Blind Blake: Raggin’ the Blues
The only thing we really know about Blind Blake is that he was a hellish good guitarist. His bass notes are like a rock, steady as a metronome. His melody and grace notes are imaginative, jazzy, and impeccable.
Blake approaches the guitar like a ragtime piano, syncopated, and innovative. If you listen closely, you can hear how he influenced artists as diversified as Hank Williams, Gary Davis, and Keb Mo.
Marked by musical sophistication, a sly sense of humor, and an earthy outlook, Blake’s music echoes vaudeville, minstrel shows, and cakewalks. All we have of him is one picture, and the 79 sides he recorded for Paramount.
Compare Police Dog Blues to Blind Willie McTell’s Statesboro Blues.
The Reverend Gary Davis summed it up best, “Blind Blake was a sportin‘ guitar player.
Yes, he was.
Download Police Dog Blues Tab.
Categories: Artists, Guitar Tabs Tags: Blind Blake, Gary Davis
