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Good Recording....

Posted by Mark Werner on May 15, 2010 at 10:39pm in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts
I recently obtained (OK, downloaded) an album called "Blues Masters Vol. 18, Slide guitar classics."

Some gems on this one, Johnny Winter doing "Dallas",  Son House doing "Death Letter"    Muddy Waters, Elmore James... 
One cut stood out, a version of "John Henry" by Eddie "one string" Jones.   Eddie was evidently a very quirky (and likely disturbed) individual who was encountered by a musicologist-type back in the sixties.
Apparently homeless, he played a one-string diddley-bow or plank type of instrument on which he used a whiskey bottle as a slide and a piece of stick to tap and pound on the string.
The result is a very raw, jangly, emotional bit of music.
Evidently they recorded an album's worth of material:

http://www.amazon.com/String-Blues-Eddie-Jones-Edward-Hazelton/dp/B000001K1K

You can listen to samples....

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  • Keni Lee Burgess May 16, 2010 at 9:10am
    Yes, the one string diddley bow is a fasinating instrument. From a learning perspective, a great place to start. Not only will you learn how to accompany your vocals, but by exploration, get everything you can out of one string. Moving on to a two or three unfretted CBG, will be easier. Then if you add frets, even more ideas to expand your sound.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SXZ-LGu594&feature=PlayList&amp...

    There is nothing overly complex about early folk instruments...diddley bow, washboard, washtub bass, bucket drums, but when someone takes the time to really learn it, the result is very entertaining.

    Thanks for sharing. Enjoy, Keni Lee
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