Message Board Archive: Thread Number 109

Just heard this piece on the album "Negro Blues and Hollers" by Rounder
and was blown away at how much the guitar sounds like a piano! Any hints
for playing this piece?
All the best,
Gerry

Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1998 22:12:04 -0400 (EDT)
From: onewent@alo.com (Tom W.)
Subject: Miss Blues
Message Number: 109.1

Miss. Blues is a great song and fun to play. I learned it as one of my
first pieces when I began taking lessons. The left hand moves up and
down the fingerboard quite a bit but, believe it or not, is easier to
play than a lot of first position-type Blake pieces. (for me, anyway)
Roy Book Binder recorded it back in his Blue Goose days -- maybe the
album "Travlin' Man" from the 70's, but I can't recall any other
versions on vinyl or disc, nor any TAB.
Keep in mind that there were several Willie/William Browns and this guy
isn't the "Willie" Brown that was a peer of Charlie Patton. Does anyone
on the board have any bio information on the "Miss. Blues" William
Brown? It appears real sketchy from what I've seen.
I can't begin to explain how to play the piece because of all the
movement, except that there are no white or black keys to worry about,
just six strings and 12 frets!
Ari -- did you ever learn this song from Dave VanRonk?

Date: Sun, 30 Aug 1998 05:15:45 -0400 (EDT)
From: gnelson@singnet.com.sg (Gerry Nelson)
Subject: Feedback: Mississippi Blues
Message Number: 109.1.1

Hi Tom,
Figured out how to play Miss Blues when I realised it was capo-d at the
third fret, no problem after that. It's also on Roy Book Binder's album
Bookeroo. He plays almost the same thing as Willie Brown but with no
capo so it's in A.
Thanks for the info and all the best,
Gerry

Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 13:41:29 -0400 (EDT)
From: vansicke@calumet.purude.edu (Bob Van Sickel)
Subject: Note: Miss. Blues Tab
Message Number: 109.2

yes, Mississippi Blues is a great guitar piece. It has been extensively
tabbed by several luminaries. It's in Stefan Grossman's book put out by
Mel Bay, "Complete Country Blues Guitar," and better yet, Stefan teaches
it on his video "How to Play Blues Guitar." It even appeared in Frets
magazine back in the '80s, and I'm pretty sure it's in Rory Block's
Homespun tape set, "Classics of Country Blues Guitar."
Bob Van Sickel
Valparaiso, IN