This was one of my grandmother's favorite songs...& when she learned that I knew the song it made her so happy. After that she always wanted us to sing it together❤ r.i.p. momo😇
@@bobbieperkins3739 Yes I have heard of Stevie Wonder on the Harmonica. Have you not heard of Stevie saying numerous times that Little Walter was his main inspiration? Everybody learns from someone and there is ALWAYS someone who came before. You might want to ask your elders this.
Loved to hear the stories from my dad when he was in his 20’s in Chicago in the ‘50’s. They were all from the south and moved to Chicago for a better way of life. He said they knew when someone was performing that evening on the South Side of Chicago around 47th St because instead of it being free to get in, there was a $2.00 cover. It was the likes of Muddy Waters, Lil Walter, Howlin Wolf, and others.😎
I hate how it's easier for you to say "moved to Chicago for a better way of life" instead of 'escaped the lynching and violent racism of the South for safer Chicago". Most people are assuming that blacks moved to chicago for better economics or something just as innocuous. Black people were literally refugees in their own country for decades after the slaves were "freed" because of intense violence and murders and mayhem upon them. Let it be known it wasn't just for upward mobility like the Jeffersons tv sitcom portrayed it. They were escaping FOR THEIR LIVES!
@@igortakesabride1139 Not really getting your point. Yes, I can say EXACTLY what I said, because that’s exactly what it was. His parents(My grandparents), had/still have over 50 acres of land in the south. Working on the farm all your life, he wanted a better way of life. He had unbelievable work ethic that he passed on to kids. He thought his talents were more than the farm. He meet my mother in Chicago, who was also originally from the south. By the way, my mother also moved to Chicago from a small town because she wanted a better way of life. They decided after having 3 children to move from the big city where violence/gangs were starting increase. So we left. All good decisions. I know all to well about because I had cousins who ran away from gang life, where involved in gang life, and a few that died in gang life.
That explains why the Chicago Jazz style has a very blues sound. I'm from Texas but I've learned all my chops from in Chicago with some of the greatest players/teachers. So when I play here in Texas, my sound is a lot different than other pianist here. I know there's other styles but I'm right at home with the Chicago style.
We dont really know how old he was. He didn't have a birth certificate and reported multiple birth years throughout his life before eventually settling with 1930
Right i was bout to say you can tel he was a drinker bc he look old & you say he was 36 ....wow ..... Cant believe it ....look every bit of 56.....frfr
Other countries still appreciate American music , the best country band are in Sweden now , lots of folk and blues too , rockabilly and even heavy metal , our music industry executives high jacked the creativity and dictate what will get released now
We're so lucky that this video exists. This is music history. I just wonder what happens when the asteroid hits. I hope Little Walter's music survives. Stay safe out there you nuts.
My brother MADE ME listen to Little Walter when I was ten in 1970. I resented it at first. Then began to play harp. Thank God he did. I love this man. And all his music. Now at 60, it’s better than ever. I had the great pleasure to have a bunch of drinks with his drummer, Fred Below in 1978 when he was playing with Charlie Musselwhite. One of the biggest treats if my life.
I agree! truth be told however, the Germans and Europeans in general always treated these acts with the utmost of respect: the kind of respect they rarely got at home sadly.
My grandfather loved Blues and had an amazing Blues voice. I just bought an harmonica and will master it. We must keep Black American culture alive I am worried about Blues.
Oh yeah. Love Little Walter. He may look older than his age but that's what the blues are about. He looks young compared to how he looked when I first discovered him. Love Love Love this guy.
As much as everybody doesn’t like the guy talking over the music, this film footage only exists because they made a promo for a music festival. The idea was to promote the blues.
Written By Willie Dixon and Adapted from the gospel song “This Train” My Babe was first recorded by Little Walter on 25 January 1955, released in Feb 1955, peaking at #1 on R&B Chart. Notable Covers: Ricky Nelson (July 1958) Cliff Richard (Apr 1959) The Coasters (1962) Bo Diddley (1962) Lightnin’ Hopkins (1963) The Everly Brothers (Aug 1965) Gerry & The Pacemakers (1965) Ike and Tina Turner (1966) Elvis Presley recorded it Live on 25 August 1969 and released on his Album From Vegas to Memphis on 14 October 1969. Willie Dixon (1973) Chuck Berry (Feb 1975)
"This train is bound for glory..." Yeah, I tell my guitar students this when they get to "This Train" in their method book. Sadly, they've never heard either song.
Little Walter could play that harmonica and could sing what a great talent he left too soon here it is 2020 and his music is playing today go on thanks
've first recognised Little Walter in the tune My Babe, which I got on a blues compilation album more than 30 years ago. What a nerve and what a soound!
I been listening to this song everyday on the way to work for bout a month now, but the Cadillac records soundtrack version so I came here to show respect to the original. Glad I did
2021 Here. Thank God for the 1967 Blues Fest. Cause it would have been a shame not to see him sing live. Other then what's on you tube I cant find much of any thing. live on him.
Walter was almost at the end of his powers here but his sound was still remarkable on the harmonica. He wasn't used to playing acoustically like this for the latter part of his career because of course Little Walter developed all of the amplified techniques that harmonica players emulate today. That makes this recording even more interesting.
You are absolutely right we are not used to LW playing acoustic harp. I believe his character was assassinated by the film that presumed to depict Muddy Waters, and whoever chose the photo on the Chess album curated by Tom Swan, overblowing the most difficult parts of his personality. He plays and sounds so different here from when he's with Louis and Dave Myers and Fred Below, sophisticated guys who I think were a positive influence on him-- he adapts to Hound Dog Taylor, plays in what I think of as the Sonny Boy II style that I dislike, but genuinely gives his all, proving he was not as prickly and intractable as often portrayed. His technique, relying heavily on the hands, that we see here is much like what we see from others playing acoustic like Junior Wells, who seems to like playing away from his mic, or Walter Horton. Can't pick up the subtleties of his tongue-blocked amplified style, the My Babe lick on the record version, with the killer bebop ending to the 12 bar solo. I was in Chicago and just beginning to love the blues when Walter passed away after unwisely going to bed with a concussion.
@@lesliesawyer4640 Louis Myers was a friend and mentor. The Aces could play anything including Jazz. Louis said Walter's alcoholism and drug abuse led to them parting ways after the band had enough of the bullshit.
At first I questioned WHY Little Walter's solo sounded exactly like a German man speaking.. so out of curiosity I pulled out one of my older "Made In Germany" HOHNER harmonicas ..and wouldn't you know..
No matter how poor 🙏no matter what color 🙏no matter what background 🙏.....we can all achieve greatness...🙏 It's just how bad we want it 🙌 love his music ..."My Babe 👍" the remix with Guda is awesome too..
If only it were as simple and easy as you state it is. 2019 some of the best still falling through the cracks. One of the best too never make it. New Orleans. Clarance Gatemouth Brown.
Remembering You Walter 54 years after your passing. One Great Harmonica Player You Were. Elvis did a version of this song which I cannot stand to hear. He tries hard to sound like you, but to no avail. There is only one Little Walter.
Elvis did that song live for the first time in Vegas out of respect for one of his influences , little Walter. Both versions are great and Elvis adds more to power to the song as little Walter did it more bluesy. Even his background singers The Sweet Inspirations loved Elvis version. To me Columbus Short stole that film and was the highlight. In the words of BBKings, no white artist had more respect for the blues than Elvis who was his lifelong friend. BB said at sun studios , the white artists recorded in the afternoon and the black artists in the evening. When the white artists ( Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis , Roy Orbison , Carl Perkins and others ) saw the black artists arrive , they packed up to leave with no interaction as that’s how it was under Jim Crow laws. It was only Elvis whom, when we arrived, was familiar with the blues and stayed to interact with us. Always very respectful calling me Mr. King . He was t concerned about Jim Crow laws but loved everyone just the same. Even Buddy Guy who met Elvis while working with BB told Travis Smiley , “ people always say how the record companies stole from black artists, but few recognize they stole from Elvis too. And still steal from artists . “ if little Walter had lived, I’m sure he’d appreciate the financial royalties he’d of received from Elvis recording his song . But, alas, his family still gets those royalties. People say Elvis stole from black artists - that is the hateful race baiting media but those artists he covered never say that as they profited well. Nobody was a bigger fan of Elvis than Jackie Wilson and the feeling was mutual.
That white dude may have led an exemplary life, but when he died he arrived in hell and, when he asked why, they showed him this video of him talking over Little Walter's jam.
OMG Iwpuld have killed to see this live. Thanks to the Germans for the preservation. Also thanks to the Brits for renewing r'n'b in the 60s when I was growing up. AND some brit(?) sang this in the 60s - that how I know the song. Blues Forever!!!
