Introducing "Bluesmen" series from VS

[W4ASZ]

I'm curious. Robert Johnson is kind of the epitome of pre-war country blues. Why would you envision a Robert Johnson hat in an urban style? Being a poor traveling bluesman I imagine he couldn't afford the latest in style?

Good point. But Robert Johnson is a substantial mystery as well as a great figure in American music.

Did the Devil tune Johnson's guitar at he crossroads in exchange for his soul, and throw in a nice hat, suit of clothes, and shoes to sweeten the deal ?

 

[seabass]

Art!
yesterday you announce your line of Blues Hats
& today i had the pleasure of seeing blues great Billy Boy Arnold in a small up close venue as a guest at a Blues Themed Vintage Wedding

He's one of my faves,,,,Sorry im not wearing your hats,But this was your hat. A Colbalt blue Lee that you saw & recognised as a hat from your old Collection that you sold to our friend Roberto Isola,,small world huh...Any way please place me on your que list for a Art-Blues hat, Maybe a (Po-Bob)
[video=youtube;vk6LPcxmRd8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=vk6LPcxmRd8[/video]
Crappy Video, But this is a rare occasion to see a Great Artist live like today 10-20-12 enjoy !
che

Update !
here is the original cut from 1955 ( I wish you would )
[video=youtube;QKGQyt1ewKg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=QKGQyt1ewKg[/video]
which was covered by the Yardbirds in 1964 with a young Eric Clapton
I dig the original cut By Billy Boy Arnold but really prefer his late versions

 

[mayserwegener]

Good point. But Robert Johnson is a substantial mystery as well as a great figure in American music.

Did the Devil tune Johnson's guitar at he crossroads in exchange for his soul, and throw in a nice hat, suit of clothes, and shoes to sweeten the deal ?

I don't think that photo is an anomoly. These guys were aware of their appearance. They made money playing, hustling and gambling. It was a very up and down life style. Here is a quote on Johnson from when he just started out.

Fellow musician Shines was 17 when he met Johnson in 1933. He estimated Johnson was maybe a year older than himself. In Samuel Charters' Robert Johnson, the author quotes Shines as saying:


"Robert was a very friendly person, even though he was sulky at times, you know. And I hung around Robert for quite a while. One evening he disappeared. He was kind of a peculiar fellow. Robert'd be standing up playing some place, playing like nobody's business. At about that time it was a hustle with him as well as a pleasure. And money'd be coming from all directions. But Robert'd just pick up and walk off and leave you standing there playing. And you wouldn't see Robert no more maybe in two or three weeks ... So Robert and I, we began journeying off. I was just, matter of fact, tagging along."

 

[TomS]

As always, VERY nice designs, Art!

 

[Art Fawcett]

Again, I'm jealous Che, what a great way to celebrate a new marriage!!!
You are in the queue Sir, Thank you.
BTW the panama was finished yesterday and will be heading home tomorrow and no, I'm not telling what I did

Thank you Tom, this is what is most fun for me, new designs, new combo's

 

[Art Fawcett]

Gentlemen, here is
"Nighthawk"

This is named for my friend and keyboard and Harmonica player Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms

How about
"Blind Lemon"

or

"Bobby Blue"

 

[mayserwegener]

They all look great but I am partial towards "Blind Lemon".

 

[DJH]

Art Fawcett is out of control!

 

[Blackthorn]

Art Fawcett is out of control!

And I'm glad he is! I'm loving these new models.

 

[tonyb]

I'm diggin' 'em all, Art, but that Blind Lemon model looks good enough to eat.

Does the finish on that one feel as rich as it looks?

 

[Art Fawcett]

Art Fawcett is out of control!

And your point is?

Yes Tony, smooth as a babys umm smooth.

 

[seabass]

They all look great but I am partial towards "Blind Lemon".

ME TOO !
all fine Lids but that Blind Lemon, WOW
soooooo howza bout Po-Bob ?
You a savin the best for last ? Gotta be hard to do There All (Best) Hats....................

 

[tonyb]

I also dig the brim treatment on that one, Art -- the way it takes that sharp but short curl at the sides and rear. I'm pretty sure I know how you did it, but I ain't gonna speculate out loud here in front of God and everybody. I'll give a holler over the telephone box.

 

[Captain Lex]

Oh man, the color scheme on that Nighthawk is just about designed to send me over the moon. The tragedy is I'll never own anything astonishing enough to pair with it.

 

[gqmagic]

Gentlemen, here is
"Nighthawk"

This is named for my friend and keyboard and Harmonica player Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms

How about
"Blind Lemon"

or

"Bobby Blue"

I pulled out my felts this week and was wondering if I needed a darker hat, thse give me some good ideas, I like the steel one in post one too

 

[Neophyte]

Love these models, and it's awesome to see the Tater Red! That Bobby Blue is calling to me, like the Orpheus to my Eurydice.

 

[Thunderball]

Robert Nighthawk was a great early slide player
[video=youtube;rJW9lJDwl_w]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJW9lJDwl_w[/video]

Blind Lemon Jefferson
[video=youtube;TLcUEeiyhM0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLcUEeiyhM0&feature=related[/video]

Not to be confused with Blind Mellow Jelly
[video=youtube;oGTdTB3NwC0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGTdTB3NwC0[/video]

Bobby Blue Bland
This version heavily influenced Duanne Allman. He even mentions it on the Fillmore East recording
[video=youtube;BCqEzfWrXfM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCqEzfWrXfM[/video]

 

[Art Fawcett]

Man John, you are an absolute wealth of info, Thank you
I can't count how many times I've heard Stormy Monday and still not tired of it.

 

[Thunderball]

I really started with the blues by listening to college radio back in the 1980's. I still do. Only I listen to it on the local college station and the local publlic radio station in Huntsville AL. I went over to Columbus GA from Auburn AL to see BB King and Bobby Bland back in the 1980's. The concert was sponsored by Champelle Malt Liquor.

Anyhow, here is Stormy Monday from Live at the Fillmore East (The best live Rock Album of all time IMHO) At the beginning Duanne mentions Bobby Bland.
[video=youtube;1gDhR1R3S0s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gDhR1R3S0s[/video]

 

[Thunderball]

T-Bone Walker did indeed write Stormy Monday. Here is a live performance where he mentions the fact he wrote it.
[video=youtube;T5lokLq6fY4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5lokLq6fY4&feature=fvwrel[/video]