Why You Should Listen to Son House | His Life and Music | Delta Blues

แชร์
ฝัง
  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ต.ค. 2024
  • In this video, we look at the life and music of delta blues legend Son House and how he went from preachin' to preachen' the blues. His bottleneck slide guitar and powerful vocals put him at the forefront of the delta blues genre
    If you enjoy content like this, hop over to patreon where you'll get exclusive content, ad free youtube videos and other perks. / edwardphillips
    Get my album Edward Phillips Plays the Country Blues:
    edwardphillips...
    Throw a tip in the Paypal bucket:
    paypal.me/edwa...
    Contact me at edwardphillipsroots@gmail.com

ความคิดเห็น • 160

  • @LightsOnMultiMediaMindArts
    @LightsOnMultiMediaMindArts 3 ปีที่แล้ว +89

    I saw Son House perform at Indiana University in about 1970 or 71. I had heard of him, but hadn't heard any of his recordings prior. Picture this: Son House slowly walks on stage to applause without his guitar. Dick Waterman (I think it was) said a few words about Son and handed him his guitar. Son got comfortable with the guitar for a moment. Then he rolled back his head and let loose a blues moan that made the hair stand up on the back of my head. He slapped his slide against the neck of the guitar in imitation. I can still feel the chill of that moan. I've never seen or heard anything like it before or since. I am glad I had the chance to attend.

    • @themeadowlarkminutewithpau8184
      @themeadowlarkminutewithpau8184 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      That’s awesome.

    • @odie1123
      @odie1123 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Wow! I swear ! Same thing exactly happened to me at Memorial Auditorium in Burlington, Vermont, same time era. When he hit that guitar the whole world changed.
      The only thing I can add is that I remember them sayin’ something like that he was rediscovered in Rochester NY ( I think ) working as a janitor. SOB , he was OLD and when he hit that guitar it was like you said.

    • @doubletappinhillbilly
      @doubletappinhillbilly หลายเดือนก่อน

      From time to time life will sprinkle gold at your feet 👍!

  • @AnthonyRecenello
    @AnthonyRecenello 3 ปีที่แล้ว +107

    By the way Edward, this is the first video essay I've seen on your channel. Not sure if you've done this before but PLEASE do more! This is so excellent.

    • @donsurlylyte
      @donsurlylyte 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      very very excellent

  • @chrisjackson1023
    @chrisjackson1023 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Son House rattles me right to my core. This is the sound of a soul laid bare and begging for redemption.

  • @dylanwilliams7868
    @dylanwilliams7868 2 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    It's a shame that Americans know so little of their incredible music history. Jazz & blues are easily some of the finest genres of music ever created imho. Thanks Edward. Love your channel.

  • @vladtheimpaler7878
    @vladtheimpaler7878 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Son is one of the greatest bluesman, and my absolute favorite. Love deep delta blues.

  • @TheGuitarMan71
    @TheGuitarMan71 3 ปีที่แล้ว +41

    Son House, Lightning Hopkins, Robert Johnson, Albert King, BB King, Muddy Waters are just a few of the legends to come out of the South

    • @altonpack9419
      @altonpack9419 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      You could list names till the machine says no more 😂 that's how good it is down here

    • @tudormiller887
      @tudormiller887 22 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Without these legends there'd be no Chicago Blues or 'The British Invasion' during the 60s & 70s.😊

    • @tudormiller887
      @tudormiller887 22 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Without these legends there'd be no Chicago Blues or 'The British Invasion' during the 60s & 70s.😊

  • @AnthonyRecenello
    @AnthonyRecenello 3 ปีที่แล้ว +40

    I was just listening to him this week. He’s a beast. To me he’s the reason why heavy rock music exists.

    • @nellymoriarty_5783
      @nellymoriarty_5783 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I wish I'd known his stuff What a special style

    • @nellymoriarty_5783
      @nellymoriarty_5783 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Cool

    • @erinbarger3822
      @erinbarger3822 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      My all time favorite. He has as much influence on the blues and in turn Rock n Roll as Robert Johnson but rarely gets the credit he deserves.

    • @alabastardmasterson
      @alabastardmasterson 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I'm totally confused how you would make the leap from House to metal? Especially, when there are documented routes

    • @AnthonyRecenello
      @AnthonyRecenello 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@alabastardmasterson blues doesn’t have a connection to rock and roll? Rock and roll to rock? Rock to metal? Metal to heavy metal? I’m think maybe I’m confused?

  • @freddysr3437
    @freddysr3437 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    My favorite bluesman

  • @pn2543
    @pn2543 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    @7:30 What a cool story - Canned Heat's Alan Wilson re-teaches Son House guitar he had forgotten! There's a movie in there. 'Fathers and Sons' indeed.

  • @PaisleyPatchouli
    @PaisleyPatchouli 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Another beautifully and lovingly presented biography of one of the most influential bluesmen of them all, Son House. Thanks!

  • @electricgypsyblues4761
    @electricgypsyblues4761 3 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    Aww Man, You have really done with this one. Its all here. I commend you for making such an informative video. Son House was it Brother

  • @gregarnold1696
    @gregarnold1696 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I'm a blues fan. First time I heard death letter it shook me haven't got over it to this day the blues is a life long education program it will show you yourself

  • @robydeibeatcircus7438
    @robydeibeatcircus7438 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    the great Son House ... thanks Alan Blind Owl Wilson for bringing Him back to the 60s !!! (R.I.P.)

  • @alabastardmasterson
    @alabastardmasterson 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    The history is just as entertaining as the picking. This video should have exponentially more views

  • @laurietongish7941
    @laurietongish7941 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Watch him play Death Letter Blues. It's some of the most amazing guitar playing I've ever seen. Makes me tear up just thinking of it.

  • @larrytron1992
    @larrytron1992 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    Son House was the ultimate master of delta blues. I really love his cover of Patton’s Pony Blues

    • @michaeldonaghey
      @michaeldonaghey 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Charlie Patton ,Willie Brown, Robert Johnson, Kid Bailey and Tommy Johnson would all be equally entitled to be called ^ultimate master of delta blues.^

    • @rodjones117
      @rodjones117 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@michaeldonaghey Not to mention Bukka White or Skip James...

  • @QHarefield
    @QHarefield 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Fascinating hearing that verbal tussle between Son and Wolf! Thanks.

  • @harigeorgeson5885
    @harigeorgeson5885 3 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    This was really well done Edward. Son House was the real deal indeed.

  • @davidbranin969
    @davidbranin969 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Whoa. Howling Wolf let him have it.

    • @donsurlylyte
      @donsurlylyte 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      the wolf had it straight.

    • @kurtrightmyer
      @kurtrightmyer 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@donsurlylyteWolf was dead wrong. House wrote Preaching Blues, not Wolf. So Wolf had no business preaching to House about his drinking.

  • @TheNerdyMusician
    @TheNerdyMusician 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Been listening to Sun house and other great Blues guitarists for the past 12 years I love him. Awesome little bio about him here

  • @r.l.six-musicandrecords552
    @r.l.six-musicandrecords552 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    If you haven't done one, please do one on Skip James.

  • @schizoidman5957
    @schizoidman5957 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Son is awfully underrated

  • @jacqueskibu
    @jacqueskibu 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Awesome story!
    Son House is my favourite blues musician ever since I heard ‘Grinnin’ in your face’.

  • @PaulTheSkeptic
    @PaulTheSkeptic 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Son House is great. I guess that's all I have to say about him. Great blues man.

  • @johngore7744
    @johngore7744 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I’ve been listening to him for 40 years. Death Letter is one of my favourite songs.

    • @rossfairleigh754
      @rossfairleigh754 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Death letter best song I've ever heard

  • @phillippettitt3071
    @phillippettitt3071 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Edward please don't stop making these..... history channel series anyone????

  • @michaeltakesthegun9175
    @michaeltakesthegun9175 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    My wife says your voice sounds familiar- she is from Franklin Tennessee... I really do learn a lot from you .. keep up the good work , them ghost 👻 of Mississippi are happy I’m sure

  • @goodun2974
    @goodun2974 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    John Mooney, another good modern slide player, hung out with Son in Rochester. On TH-cam you can find Warren Haynes and Sonny Landreth covering "Death Letter Blues" , and Larkin Poe doing Preaching Blues ( which of course is very different from the Robert Johnson version).

    • @genri.a9128
      @genri.a9128 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Oh god, the Larkin Poe version is horrible..😅

  • @jdonland
    @jdonland 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Something to note about House's birth year: Statements he made regarding his own age would seem to place it around 1886. It's not clear whether he was just exaggerating his age, was genuinely mistaken about it, or was really significantly older than his legal documents implied. If he really was born in 1886, he would have been 102 years old when he died, which seems somewhat unlikely given his lifelong alcoholism.

  • @Beachbumartist
    @Beachbumartist 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great video man. Son House has a great song called Levee Camp Blues you would be great at playing. Thank you.

  • @johndufford5561
    @johndufford5561 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    First time I didn't hear you play on this channel. Have to say that I missed it, Sir, but your commentary on Son House is extraordinary! Learned a lot of important things & I thank you very, very much.

  • @frankmirra8243
    @frankmirra8243 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Yeah Son House was the deepest man who ever lived.

  • @woodrowmeeks5009
    @woodrowmeeks5009 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My first blues album was by Son. I loved the song Baptist Preacher.

  • @Manandmachine772
    @Manandmachine772 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Thank you for the history really enjoyed it

  • @ROBINRHODIE-b2w
    @ROBINRHODIE-b2w 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY LATE GRATE ONE BLUES MAN LIVING LEGEND SON HOUSE 🎂🎂🎂🎂🎊🎊🎊🎊

  • @bobbywright3479
    @bobbywright3479 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    This was great Edward

  • @TheNavalAviator
    @TheNavalAviator 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Dude, this reminded me of so much I knew about the blues.

  • @applejack9482
    @applejack9482 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Que vida dura tenían y en cambio que grandes eran
    Estos son los padres de U.S.A.

  • @weika1000
    @weika1000 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Yes man, thanx for the work you did...

  • @highclass3041
    @highclass3041 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I love Son House....they were some real hard ass killers back then too....House had 2 killings under him and leadbelly had one too Little Walter was accused of it a time or 2 as well. They could make u dance or break ur legs just as easy...I love the blues!!

    • @douglaspaterson5269
      @douglaspaterson5269 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      R.L. Burnside shot a man in a dice game.

    • @iicjguitar0416
      @iicjguitar0416 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Tail-Dragger Jones shot and killed his guitarist in 1993.

  • @TheNerdyMusician
    @TheNerdyMusician 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Can you do a video like this about Furry Lewis or Rev Gary Davis or Mississippi John Hurt?

  • @tomsilberberg1978
    @tomsilberberg1978 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    What a wonderful little documentary, great work Edward!

  • @ralph_s
    @ralph_s 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Great video, would love to see more about other influential blues artists.

  • @74dartman13
    @74dartman13 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I wonder if you've ever listened to Rory Block? She was heavily influenced by Son House. I saw her once, and sat in the front row of a small church, on a college campus. It was one of the best shows I ever saw. She was incredible! It was almost like listening to Son, himself!👍😎🎸🎶

  • @sapelesteve
    @sapelesteve 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Thanks Edward for that amazing Blues history lesson about Son House! Obviously he was the real deal when it comes to the Delta Blues. Just imagine the life that he lived. 👍😉🎸🎤😉👍

  • @markforster2794
    @markforster2794 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    If the blues was an ocean and it was reduced to a sea, then a lake, then a pond, then a puddle. Then a drop - that drop would be Son House.

    • @michavandam
      @michavandam หลายเดือนก่อน

      I believe it was Dick Waterman who said this.

  • @Caramou
    @Caramou 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thanks, some of the pictures are fantastic, Son House, Skip James and Mississippi John Hurt together, what a trio !

  • @Funz2022
    @Funz2022 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Great job using the latest discovered photos (of Son and RJ) and using the available audio and video. It's all out there on the internet to use but it's still rare to see an independent content-maker do as good a job as you've done here. As someone who's been a House fan for 25+ yrs seeing the knowledge and expertise behind this video has been a pleasure, thank you.

  • @sonnyblack71
    @sonnyblack71 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is the man that Muddy Waters called king!!!!

  • @jamesbrown55
    @jamesbrown55 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Thank you so much for this history lesson

  • @adequatebus8280
    @adequatebus8280 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    thank you, Edward. i’ve been listening to every Son House recording i can find since the early 80’s. thank you for assembling this excellent piece. -C

  • @el_chief_dannyboy
    @el_chief_dannyboy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    One of the greatest bluesman ever, along with Sonny. Boy Williamson ll.

  • @jeffruebens8355
    @jeffruebens8355 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    The Stones, Sabbath and Led Zep got vinyl blues albums and spread this music worldwide, as a harder and faster genre, especially by adding electric guitars for harder songs and acoustics for softer more folk songs.

  • @TOMPDUDE
    @TOMPDUDE 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    What a stellar video and excellent commentary. Can we tip this guy already!?

  • @charlesrich4749
    @charlesrich4749 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I truly believe his story and Honey Boy Edwards story about Robert Johnson more than any other. When Son House says Johnson was gone six or eight months, then I believe that's how long he was gone, not a year, or a year and a half, or two years because he was there. In other words, we hear it from the horses mouth. There's another account somewhere online where Son House tells this same story but that version also says that Johnson walked in the joint where they were playing in Banks, Mississippi with his guitar slung over his shoulder and Son leaned over and asked Willie Brown if that's who he thought it was. He also said that Johnson had added a 7th string to his guitar and that their mouths fell open when Johnson started playing. Son House's musical style, to me, is the most haunting of all. The way he plays that resonator is unmatched. Thanks Ed for posting this. Keeping the blues alive!

  • @Brother_Dre1900
    @Brother_Dre1900 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    "Pearline" was my mother's favorite Son House song.

  • @Happygilmore83
    @Happygilmore83 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    What a blues legend. Had the opportunity to play his guitar. Was an amazing experience

  • @lowellcalavera6045
    @lowellcalavera6045 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Why NOT listen to Son House?!!
    He influenced an in incredible number of musicians.

  • @jimjim506
    @jimjim506 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    I really liked this video, a new style of content from you Edward but really good and in your own style which compliments and fits in nicely with other videos on your channel, great stuff.

  • @josephloehr9617
    @josephloehr9617 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Recently got some Son House CDs. He SENDS me, and damn but makes me wanna get a Resonator.

  • @fnurbz
    @fnurbz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Beautiful story

  • @doubletappinhillbilly
    @doubletappinhillbilly หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you for sharing this treasure 👍!

  • @KBRblues
    @KBRblues 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Your channel is fantastic!

  • @cobraferrariwars
    @cobraferrariwars 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks for putting this together. Great man. Been to Friars Point, Robinsonville, Tunica, Lake Cormorant, the ground of Clack's store, Clarksdale, Stovall's, Parchman, Helena, etc. A time like that is singular. Not going to come again. Fortunate to have some connection.

  • @HarryRemer
    @HarryRemer 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you for the education!

  • @duaneholcomb8408
    @duaneholcomb8408 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    History is interesting. Thanks. For this. I enjoyed it,,,

  • @mattkane5329
    @mattkane5329 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    He's got that one song where the train is chugging by on the background to almost the foreground. Love it. Maybe somebody will develop the technology to bring the 30s & 40s recordings up to the fidelity of the 60s

  • @njcranes
    @njcranes 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I went to college just down the road from Clarksdale. Fell in love with that music!

  • @sdgc543df
    @sdgc543df 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Really enjoyed this, would love a similar video on Mance Lipscombe 😎

  • @musicislife6250
    @musicislife6250 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Amazing! Son House is amazing, this Channel is amazing! Please, do more videos like this.

  • @J-Loe
    @J-Loe ปีที่แล้ว

    Committed Son House fan.
    Thanks for a great tribute!

  • @harrypeachey6659
    @harrypeachey6659 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I was at the Son House concert at IU as well. I believe that was in 1972. As I recall, after Son played his first tune, those in attendance erupted in applause, and Son was moved to tears. It took him a bit to regain control and move on to his second number.

  • @reginaldd.paperstacks194
    @reginaldd.paperstacks194 หลายเดือนก่อน

    That picture at 6:47 is awesome

  • @KevinBrownmusic
    @KevinBrownmusic 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Superb docu...well researched and presented..historically correct. Son was my mentor and inspiration...met him in 69/70 via Dick Waterman his teaching influenced everything I do today xx

  • @FlareDoobers
    @FlareDoobers 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Love your videos dude.
    Was wondering if you'd consider doing a video on Bukka White and Parchmann Farm/ Mississippi State Penitentiary.
    Place of great suffering but recognised as a heritage location in the story of blues

  • @davisworth5114
    @davisworth5114 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Son was not in any way "overshadowed' by RJ in the 60s, he was dead. Son had more soul than Robert, no question. Johnson was a better picker, but there are a lot of country bluesmen that ranked RJ, never mind what Eric Clapton might say. I heard many stories about RJ from his runnin' buddy, Johnny Shines. I came to understand that RJs constant rambling and train jumping were a response to what today would be diagnosed with anxiety disorder, so many mental cases from those brutal times for our black brothers and sisters. And Son was traumatized by his stay in Parchman Farm, which remains a hell hole today.

  • @nellymoriarty_5783
    @nellymoriarty_5783 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great stuff Thank you so mucj

  • @jasonjodice8635
    @jasonjodice8635 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    love the joint of howlin wolf cuts on son. ...."thats plum out of it'....wise man said. respect.\ bro

  • @9blucats
    @9blucats 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Hey thanks for this.

  • @SteveSmith-qy4ty
    @SteveSmith-qy4ty ปีที่แล้ว

    Lucky to own a copy of Patton's Down the Dirt Road Blues and Johnson's Dust my Broom. Don't think I will ever own a Son House paramount but can dream. This video is great and I love your performance of Death Letter Blues Ed.

  • @Art-What..
    @Art-What.. ปีที่แล้ว

    Sad life..like any man says to himself I could have did more, been more, should have,could have,would have.. what a great blues player..

  • @lesshrubb203
    @lesshrubb203 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    A brilliant video, Edward. Thank you for bringing the story of Son House to us.

  • @hardthunder9913
    @hardthunder9913 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I met a man one time, back in the 1980's. In Texas. His name was Little Joe Nolan. He played a Bass Piano. Big, up right, wooden, piano. Said popular back when nickelodeons were out-lawed. Your video brought that memory back.

  • @Helo_rides_for_commies
    @Helo_rides_for_commies 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wonderful short documentary.

  • @toniekarta6686
    @toniekarta6686 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This channel is wowww.. I enjoy it

  • @one-handstrumman4616
    @one-handstrumman4616 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love Son House

  • @daveweed2765
    @daveweed2765 28 วันที่ผ่านมา

    All of these black blues musicians have been an influence. They are well respected, appreciated and missed. If you cant hear the influence od "Son" House in Cinderella which is more my time and how Tom Kiefer plays then or George Thorogood then maybe listen and learn.
    I tip my beer to them all.

  • @j1w2t3
    @j1w2t3 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    excellence video

  • @GymRat1217
    @GymRat1217 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    more of these historical videos!! i’d love to see history on blind joe reynolds or kokomo arnold

  • @clintondagenais4545
    @clintondagenais4545 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesome, thanks for sharing this. Son House personified essential blues, his voice was so powerful and moving and didnt need an instrument to back him up (ie. Grinnin in your face). He is part of my favorite 3 including Robert and Charlie.

  • @Hoganoutdoors
    @Hoganoutdoors 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Fantastic! Thanks for introducing me to this man's music.

  • @TheEasyeman
    @TheEasyeman 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video. So glad we have recordings like Son’s songs to learn from

  • @bigbeefscorcho
    @bigbeefscorcho 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent video my friend. thank you

  • @alertofdanger
    @alertofdanger 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    We need more of this content the history is really amazing and shows the greatness of American music. Also I want to see some electric blues that stuff get me feeling bluesy

  • @jameshogan1871
    @jameshogan1871 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks Edward :^)

  • @garygaither4382
    @garygaither4382 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love this man.........It's the real stuff!

  • @stevefearon9337
    @stevefearon9337 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Loved this👍👍

  • @velvetbees
    @velvetbees 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    All these musicians were so important. Rock and roll came from their genius.

  • @pedromusic4209
    @pedromusic4209 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks enjoyed that 👏🙏

  • @briantownsend989
    @briantownsend989 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Tanks