Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with Songs and blues

Songs by a world-weary cowboy/girl required...

0 answers — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:47:26 -0800

I have recently discovered that I really love the kind of music that is heartfelt, lyrically strong, with a wistful and melancholic vibe. The type that conjures up images of a world-weary cowgirl/boy (cowperson?) passing on words of wisdom as the sun sets in the distance... and I am looking for more! This realisation was bought on by finding the album Post War by M. Ward (YouTube example) thanks to Mefite breccia's answer to this question on great albums. I like everything about it and the best way I can describe it (badly) is a mix of Elvis, Johnny Cash, country and western, blues, and a sprinkle of Fleetwood Mac. The challenge is that, as a dude from England, I have no understanding of this musical style or how I might go about finding more of the same. It is so far off my usual taste-radar. I had thought of Johnny Cash as a first route to explore, but I honestly don't have the first clue. Can any fans of this style recommend me male and female singers, groups, albums or songs that are the really great examples of this genre? Up-tempo numbers or slowies are equally great.

Many thanks in advance. As a thank you I will attempt to cobble together a Spotify playlist of any recommendations you guys throw out.

with my double barrel shotgun and a whole box of shells we'll celebrate the fourth of july

you're a kitty! — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 16:52:43 -0800

Please suggest songs (mostly but not exclusively blues and americana) for a soundtrack to a story about two very bad people on a cross-country Bonnie & Clyde-style crime spree. Ideally the lyrics would be at least a little bit relevant, but that's less important than the tone. The best example I have so far is Holly Golightly's Devil Do. Best case would have a singer who's be more gleeful than guilty, but please do suggest anything that works in your head.

A few I've found so far that sort of work:
Nasty Letter — Otis Taylor (the sound is right, anyway)
Lose Your Soul — Dead Man's Bones
Wrong Side of the Road — Tom Waits
Sickle and Hood — Brown Bird

Thanks!

Blues Song

zzazazz — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:34:47 -0800

I am looking for a blues song about the dangers of a black man interacting with a white woman during the Jim Crow era. I thought it was an Otis Taylor song but I can't seem to find it in his catalog. I thought the song was called "White Woman."

What are the canonical "cocksman" blues performances?

Joe Beese — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 10:42:44 -0800

What are the canonical "cocksman" blues performances? i.e. Howlin' Wolf - "Back Door Man". I'm planning a "mixtape". That's what we called 'em. And we wore onions on our belts... which was the style at the time...

Headed out on the trail - help equip our sing-a-long arsenal!

jofuu — Wed, 14 May 2008 10:52:51 -0800

My girlfriend and I are hiking the Appalachian trail for two weeks at the end of the month. We're taking along a Martin Backpacker (guitar) and a small set of bongos. What are some very excellent blues/folk/bluegrass/mountain songs that we should learn before we go? We're also bringing a hand held recorder so we can remember all this.

I'm looking for more traditional rootsy stuff as opposed to anything by contemporary artists. Obviously, I won't reject any ideas though so throw them at me.

Thanks in advance Metafilter!

What great harmonica songs are in C or G?

bingoes — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:21:05 -0800

I'm trying to make a blues harp "inspiration" mix-tape as a gift for some new players. They only have a C harp, so I'm trying to find songs in either G or C for them to play along with. This previous question here has a great list of songs, but I can't find out what key they are in.
I've searched the green archives and done some extensive googling, but can't really find any information to help me figure out which key the album version is in. Short of listening to every song on suggested albums and figuring out the key manually can anyone help with song suggestions in C or G? Or a place where I can find out what key songs are in?

Thanks in advance.