Was looking at Wiki this morning and saw a link for Texas blues
History
Stevie Ray Vaughan was the most prominent figure in Texas electric blues in the late 20th century. (I'd say it was Billy Gibbons - yod)
Texas Blues began to appear in the early 1900s among African Americans who worked in oilfields, ranches and lumber camps. In the 1920s, Blind Lemon Jefferson innovated the style by using jazz-like improvisation and single string accompaniment on a guitar; Jefferson's influence defined the field and inspired later performers, like Lightnin' Hopkins, Lil' Son Jackson, and T-Bone Walker. During the Great Depression in the 1930s, many bluesmen moved to cities like Galveston, Houston and Dallas. It was from these urban centers that a new wave of popular performers appeared, including slide guitarist and gospel singer Blind Willie Johnson and legendary vocalist Big Mama Thornton.[1]
T-Bone Walker relocated to Los Angeles to record his most influential work in the 1940s.[1] His R&B influenced backing and saxophone imitating lead guitar sound would become an influential part of the electric blues sound that would be perfected in Chicago by artists like Muddy Waters.[1] He also influenced Goree Carter, whose "Rock Awhile" (1949) featured an over-driven electric guitar style and has been cited as a strong contender for the "first rock and roll record" title.[2]
The state R&B recording industry was based in Houston with labels like Duke/Peacock, which in the 1950s provided a base for artists who would later pursue the electric Texas blues sound, including Johnny Copeland and Albert Collins.[1] Freddie King, a major influence on electric blues, was born in Texas, but moved to Chicago as a teenager.[1] His instrumental number "Hide Away" (1961), was emulated by British Blues artists including Eric Clapton.[3]
In the late 1960s and early 1970s the Texas electric blues scene began to flourish, influenced by country music and blues-rock, particularly in the clubs of Austin. The diverse style often featured instruments like keyboards and horns, but placed particular emphasis on powerful lead guitar breaks.[1] The most prominent artists to emerge in this era were the brothers Johnny and Edgar Winter, who combined traditional and southern styles.[1] In the 1970s, Jimmie Vaughan formed The Fabulous Thunderbirds and in the 1980s his brother Stevie Ray Vaughan broke through to mainstream success with his virtuoso guitar playing, as did ZZ Top with their brand of Southern rock.[4]
[edit]Notable performers
Albert Collins
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Lightnin' Hopkins
Blind Lemon Jefferson
Billy Gibbons
Freddie King
Leadbelly
Mance Lipscomb
Delbert McClinton
Joe Pullum
Guitar Shorty
Goree Carter
Big Mama Thornton
Lonnie Mack
Jimmie Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan
T-Bone Walker
Johnny Winter
Smokin' Joe Kubek
Pee Wee Crayton
ZZ Top
Lil' Son Jackson
Gary Clark, Jr.
In my opinion, no one has ever topped Freddy King for blues PERIOD. But I can think of another couple dozen guitarists who should have been mentioned on this list, and a little surprised to see that my old buddy, Joe Kubek, has garnered this kind of respect.
Does anyone outside of Texas know who he is?
How about Gatemouth Brown? The Reverend Horton Heat? Alan Haynes? Bugs Henderson (the best "unknown" guitarist of all-time IMO)? There are still dozens more.
I could go on and on...
.
History
Stevie Ray Vaughan was the most prominent figure in Texas electric blues in the late 20th century. (I'd say it was Billy Gibbons - yod)
Texas Blues began to appear in the early 1900s among African Americans who worked in oilfields, ranches and lumber camps. In the 1920s, Blind Lemon Jefferson innovated the style by using jazz-like improvisation and single string accompaniment on a guitar; Jefferson's influence defined the field and inspired later performers, like Lightnin' Hopkins, Lil' Son Jackson, and T-Bone Walker. During the Great Depression in the 1930s, many bluesmen moved to cities like Galveston, Houston and Dallas. It was from these urban centers that a new wave of popular performers appeared, including slide guitarist and gospel singer Blind Willie Johnson and legendary vocalist Big Mama Thornton.[1]
T-Bone Walker relocated to Los Angeles to record his most influential work in the 1940s.[1] His R&B influenced backing and saxophone imitating lead guitar sound would become an influential part of the electric blues sound that would be perfected in Chicago by artists like Muddy Waters.[1] He also influenced Goree Carter, whose "Rock Awhile" (1949) featured an over-driven electric guitar style and has been cited as a strong contender for the "first rock and roll record" title.[2]
The state R&B recording industry was based in Houston with labels like Duke/Peacock, which in the 1950s provided a base for artists who would later pursue the electric Texas blues sound, including Johnny Copeland and Albert Collins.[1] Freddie King, a major influence on electric blues, was born in Texas, but moved to Chicago as a teenager.[1] His instrumental number "Hide Away" (1961), was emulated by British Blues artists including Eric Clapton.[3]
In the late 1960s and early 1970s the Texas electric blues scene began to flourish, influenced by country music and blues-rock, particularly in the clubs of Austin. The diverse style often featured instruments like keyboards and horns, but placed particular emphasis on powerful lead guitar breaks.[1] The most prominent artists to emerge in this era were the brothers Johnny and Edgar Winter, who combined traditional and southern styles.[1] In the 1970s, Jimmie Vaughan formed The Fabulous Thunderbirds and in the 1980s his brother Stevie Ray Vaughan broke through to mainstream success with his virtuoso guitar playing, as did ZZ Top with their brand of Southern rock.[4]
[edit]Notable performers
Albert Collins
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Lightnin' Hopkins
Blind Lemon Jefferson
Billy Gibbons
Freddie King
Leadbelly
Mance Lipscomb
Delbert McClinton
Joe Pullum
Guitar Shorty
Goree Carter
Big Mama Thornton
Lonnie Mack
Jimmie Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan
T-Bone Walker
Johnny Winter
Smokin' Joe Kubek
Pee Wee Crayton
ZZ Top
Lil' Son Jackson
Gary Clark, Jr.
In my opinion, no one has ever topped Freddy King for blues PERIOD. But I can think of another couple dozen guitarists who should have been mentioned on this list, and a little surprised to see that my old buddy, Joe Kubek, has garnered this kind of respect.
Does anyone outside of Texas know who he is?
How about Gatemouth Brown? The Reverend Horton Heat? Alan Haynes? Bugs Henderson (the best "unknown" guitarist of all-time IMO)? There are still dozens more.
I could go on and on...
.
It is what it is until it isn't
