Oh,man! I love BW! I go through different phases where I listen to a specific player,and study their songs. But I always come back to Big Walter. It's just something with the man that gets to me.. Thanks,Nick!
He was the 'shy' player, not in his playing but in his attitude. He looks nervous, his eyes are moving around. I think he is a bit bored, I do the same myself; nothing new, look around, whats happening man..
Good question. I studied have a good time, taking a start from Adam, and then looking at dave Barrett's transcription of the 73 recording. I found, since paying attention to it, there is a lot of big Walter in that song. So I think it's definitely a good one to study for a beginner Walkin by myself also comes to mind as an example of accompaniment which works so well as it follows the vocal without getting in the way and seamlessly steps up for the solo and then back to unobtrusive support Maybe "easy" because of how he demonstrates use of technique to add interest to a simple repeated melody. I'll have to think about the others. Those 3 are just the first that come to mind. ----------
Frank: Hm,I really don't know! When I pick songs I wanna study,I just pick whatever song I like,or listen to at the moment. I never pick songs because of specific things in the song I want to learn! I guess I don't have much structure in my practising :)
But my favourite stuff from Big Walter is the album he did with Robert Nighthawk,"An offer you can't refuse". The one with Butterfield on the other side. So I have to say any 5 songs from that album :)
@Frank - Why wouldn't you listen to Big Walter's body of work and decide what moves you? I've studied Big Walter a great deal. There is a lot going on his in playing. I don't think five tunes do his abilities justice.
Yeah, there is so much to love, enjoy and appreciate...I agree any song studied of him is a sure fire experience of "aha" moments. His playing is quite simply a treasure trove of golden instruction pointing the seeker to some incredible enlightenment only his source has to offer.
Here is one of his that inspired me to figure out what made it tick...A really fun filled learning experience - you need to summon your emotions to express things appropriately.
The Bt I used was the one ShoBlues made to play "juke" with...I used Audacity to lower the key to "D", then used it to play Big Walters "in the mood".
