|
The
Blues of Tampa Red
Of
all the fine blues slide guitarists only a few can be said to be truly
influential- that is they left a clear imprint on the development of the
style and were widely imitated. Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Robert
Nighthawk are good examples and without a doubt the man they called the
"guitar wizard"- Tampa Red was one of them. His 30-year recording
career produced hundreds of sides: hokum, pop, and jive, but mostly blues
including classics like "Anna Lou Blues," "Black Angel
Blues," "Crying Won't Help You," "It Hurts Me Too,"
and "Love Her with a Feeling" to name just a few. He
was born Hudson Woodbridge in Georgia around the turn of the century (birth
dates vary). Supposedly self taught on guitar he moved to Chicago in the
20's. Dubbed Tampa Red because of his adopted home town and his light skin he
started playing on the streets of Chicago's South Side. It wasn't long before
Tampa's reputation got around to the record companies.
Tampa began recording in 1928 teaming up with pianist Georgia
Tom (Thomas Dorsey). The second song the duo recorded was "It's
Tight Like That" which became a massive seller. The team
recorded dozens of popular sides for Vocalion Records occasionally
joined by vocalist Frankie "Half Pint" Jaxon. In
1934 Tampa switched to the Victor/Bluebird label and it was during this
time that Dorsey gave up popular music for the church. Tampa recorded
all types of music included straight blues with wonderful
bottleneck guitar, hokum, pop and dance numbers. He added a band called
the Chicago Five for many sessions. In addition to guitar he often
played kazoo and even a few sides on piano. Tampa's supporting musicians
were the cream of the crop including pianists Big Maceo, Johnnie Jones,
Blind John Davis and Black Bob plus harmonica players like Sonny Boy
Williamson and Big Walter Horton. In
the 30' and 40's Tampa's Chicago apartment become the main blues hangout for
musicians. It's been said that just about every artist who recorded in
Chicago or for Bluebird passed through his house at one point or another.
Some of the bluesman who stayed or rehearsed at Tampa's included Sonny Boy
Williamson I, Washboard Sam Big Boy Crudup, Honeyboy Edwards and Robert
Nighthawk who more than anyone else carried on Tampa's bottleneck style.
Tampa continued recording with Victor/Bluebird up until 1953 and despite the
changing sound of Chicago blues he kept up with the times releasing some very
up to date blues during his later period. Still his popularity began to wane
in the 50's.After his wife died in he began to drink more and after several
incidents ended up in a mental hospital.
In the 60's he pulled himself together and
managed and recorded two solo LP's for Prestige/Bluesville but his comeback
was short lived. He spent the last two decades of his life in relative
obscurity passing away in 1981. Tampa Red left an indelible mark on the blues
and is well represented on compact disc.
Essential Listening
Complete Bluebird Recordings, Vol. 1: 1934-1936 (RCA): Double
disc set containing 46 fine sides recorded for Bluebird in the mid-'30s.
Complete Bluebird Recordings, Vol. 2: 1936-1938
(RCA): Fine
companion to the above set
Keep Jumping 1944-1952 (Wolf): Excellent
collection from Tampa's later period. Features great piano work from Little
Johnny Jones.
Great Piano/Guitar Duo 1941-1946 (Epm
Musique): Excellent
collection of duets with legendary pianist Big Maceo
The Guitar Wizard
(Columbia):
Some of the earliest work (1928-1934) by the slide guitar great. Fine
mix of blues and hokum featuring Georgia Tom on piano.
|
