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4.18.96

willie mctell

papa mctell
Willie McTell will shave the hair off the back of your neck with his agile guitar playing and his aching thin voice. At least it's aching in the somber songs, where he takes you to meet Satan and Saints and bemoan the milk of black cows. But sometimes he just likes to do the Atlanta Strut, or Pinetop's Boogie, and you'll find yourself boogie-struttin' along with him.

I discovered him by way of "Roots of Rock" 5 dollar blues sampler CD. Statesboro Blues - a wailing twelve string soul screamer. Ben asks, is that a man singing?

Also Known As "Blind Willie McTell, but Steve pointed out that perhaps that's not so respectful (perhaps we should then call him William McTell?). Steve knows quite a bit about Mister McTell.

Bob Dylan must like him too, he wrote a song about him:

...nobody can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell

There's only one Willie McTell transcription I've found online - a damn good song of his, Statesboro Blues. Thing is, way he sings it on the record I've got, it's longer and better.

I got a sound sample, weary hearted blues (900k aiff), from firefly.

About Blind Willie from the Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival web site.

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