Delta Blues Bassist

Shakin-Slim · #1 05-30-2011, 08:26 PM

Hi there,

Years ago I remember seeing a video of someone playing blues, a lot like delta blues only solo on a bass. They may have been using a slide. I know this is far from conventional for blues players but I'm interested in finding out who this was. Anybody have any idea? I have a feeling the gig was at Montreaux or somewhere of the sort.

Cheers,
Slim

acleex38 · #2 05-31-2011, 08:16 AM

Possibly Colin Hodgkinson - no slide, but he played/plays a lefty p-bass with a lot of chords and does some solo blues stuff. Check out Alexis Korner, Live in Paris. There are some videos of Hodgkinson on youtube so you can see if that's what you're remembering.

Shakin-Slim · #3 05-31-2011, 08:41 AM

Thank you! This video is what I've been keeping my eye out for for years
YouTube - ‪Colin Hodgkinson‬&rlm;

Doctor Dirt · #4 05-31-2011, 03:57 PM

I've never heard a bass player whose into blues play anything like the above video but I guess theres no reason not to do something like that, after all the Blues is a freedom type of music and expression is a large part of it. If you (OP) want to hear blues bass I'd suggest the man who played on many recordings and he also produced many recording for the Chess label, Willie Dixon. Willie was more than capable of busting loose and offering more than his traditional approach at any given show. He also was adept at slapping the crap out of a upright with incredible speed and accuracy. If your looking for a groove type player I will suggest Duck Dunn playing on Albert Kings recordings. Donald has a unique style in the pocket and can make a straight forward drum beat into a funky type groove easily. I'm trying to think of a bass player who used to tour with Buddy Guy & Junior Wells back in the late 60's that had a great sound and pressence, damn it I'll think of him tomorrow at lunch!!! Get back to you on that one HA! Doc

acleex38 · #5 05-31-2011, 08:59 PM

Slim - glad to be of help. If you're looking for some more of Hodgkinson's playing, check out the band "Back Door" - Bass and occasional vocals/Sax/Drum trio, with Colin taking some solo blues numbers, including "32/20 Blues" on the album "8th Street Nites."

Doc - you're right about Hodgkinson isn't like just about any other traditional blues bassists out there. He's capable of it, and was a frequent collaborator with Alexis Korner before Korner died, but a lot of his material tends to get lumped in with early fusion (Back Door did a tour opening for Return to Forever at one point). He also did a brief stint as bassist for Whitesnake.

As for Willie Dixon - it's hard to find something in blues he *didn't* touch in some way. I'd tend towards putting his influence as a songwriter ahead of his bass playing, but that's because you can't throw a pebble at a blues jam without hitting someone playing a Dixon cover.

AcidFripp · #6 06-01-2011, 04:37 PM

I was just listening to Robert Johnson when I stumbled upon this thread.
I have nothing to contribute but, I'll say that delta blues is awesome.

Shakin-Slim · #7 06-05-2011, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctor Dirt

I've never heard a bass player whose into blues play anything like the above video but I guess theres no reason not to do something like that, after all the Blues is a freedom type of music and expression is a large part of it. If you (OP) want to hear blues bass I'd suggest the man who played on many recordings and he also produced many recording for the Chess label, Willie Dixon. Willie was more than capable of busting loose and offering more than his traditional approach at any given show. He also was adept at slapping the crap out of a upright with incredible speed and accuracy. If your looking for a groove type player I will suggest Duck Dunn playing on Albert Kings recordings. Donald has a unique style in the pocket and can make a straight forward drum beat into a funky type groove easily. I'm trying to think of a bass player who used to tour with Buddy Guy & Junior Wells back in the late 60's that had a great sound and pressence, damn it I'll think of him tomorrow at lunch!!! Get back to you on that one HA! Doc

Oh don't you worry mate, I know all the players

Been into blues since I was a baby. Just had been years since I had heard of this guy.