Post by Admin on Jul 10, 2015 20:30:44 GMT
Sleepy John Estes was also a pre-war blues artist and reknowned guitarist, songwriter and vocalist. Born in the West Tennessee town of Ripley, Tennessee, about 60 miles North of Memphis, Sleepy John's family moved to Brownsville, Tennessee, when he was very young. His father was a sharecropper and also played guitar. Sleepy John lost sight in his right eye in a baseball game accident. At age 19, he worked as a field hand and began playing at local parties and picnics. Estes made his debut as a recording artist in Memphis in 1929, later recording for Decca and Bluebirds labels. His style was a unique "crying" vocal one, and many of his songs were based on events in his own life or about people he knew from Brownsville, such as the local lawyer ("Lawyer Clark Blues"), local auto mechanic ("Vassie Williams Blues"), or a romantically inclined teenage girl ("Little Laura Blues"). In his music, he gave advice on agriculture ("Working Man Blues"), his lyrics combining keen observation with his talent for turning an effective phrase.
Sleepy John Estes - Last home in Brownsville, TN.
www.tnvacation.com/vendors/sleepy_john_estes_house/
"Milk Cow Blues" seems to me to capture the essence of his guitar playing as well as his unique vocals...
"Liquor Store Blues" was instrumental when we were first playing old time blues to a rock and roll beat in and around Memphis in the 50s.
His late in life collaboration with Hammie Nixon provides some of his best vocals IMHO
Sleepy John Estes - Last home in Brownsville, TN.
www.tnvacation.com/vendors/sleepy_john_estes_house/
"Milk Cow Blues" seems to me to capture the essence of his guitar playing as well as his unique vocals...
"Liquor Store Blues" was instrumental when we were first playing old time blues to a rock and roll beat in and around Memphis in the 50s.
His late in life collaboration with Hammie Nixon provides some of his best vocals IMHO
