I'm trying something new, access my Patreon account if you are interested in supporting my work. My lesson video and extended tablature of this song will be made available to Tier 2 Patrons.
/ andrewlardnerguitar
Blind Blake's "West Coast Blues" has stood out in my mind as one of the hottest fingerstyle solos ever recorded. I've spent well over a decade listening to it, perplexed by how he was achieving his sound. I'm proud to say that I think I've got it figured out. This was transcribed from one of three takes, track 5 on CD 1 of "All the Published Sides." His recording is a little over 3 minutes long and includes 17 strains of the basic theme, each one played differently. Blake seemed to be able to conjure up an endless amount of variations. I transcribed his entire recording, but for my performance here I cut out several strains to make it less repetitive. I also luckily didn't have to call out the steps to the dance, as Blake somehow manages to do on top what may be the most virtuosic playing I've ever heard.
The guitar is a very rare Brazilian Rosewood single 0 sized Euphonon from 1937. The Larson Brothers made many small body 12-fret guitars in the 10s and 20s, but 14-fret models with a small body in the 30s are very rare, as in you can count the number that have been documented on one hand.
Thanks for stopping by and enjoy!
16 окт 2024
