WHITE JOSH, FREE AND EQUAL BLUES RARE PERFORMANCES. DVD
The legendary Josh White (1914-1969) is widely considered to be one of the most influential blues and folk artists of all time. His singing and guitar playing electrified a generation of fans with his dazzling technique and passionate renditions of blues, folk songs and ballads.
We're delighted to present this video on the songs and guitar of Josh White by his son, Josh White, Jr., an accomplished actor, singer, performer and teacher. He knows his father's repertoire intimately and can replicate it with great accuracy. On this lesson he skillfully communicates Josh White's unique guitar style in a way that is easy to follow and accessible for all players. Learning guitarists with a knowledge of basic chords will be able to learn arrangements to his classic songs, along with blues chords, bass riffs, turnarounds, strumming techniques and more. The songs taught on this video are: "One Meat Ball," "Betty & Dupree," "House of the Rising Sun," "Uncle Sam Says" and "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out."
In addition to guitar style, you'll see how a seasoned singer phrases melodies and uses the guitar for powerful and effective accompaniments. Throughout the video, Josh White, Jr. shares memories of his dad, and recalls a time when this music was an important political, as well as musical, statement. He closes this fascinating video lesson with a compelling performance of the arrangement of "Waltzing Mathilda" that Josh made famous.
This is a very important lesson. We're priviledged to have the son of Josh White teaching his father's style and technique.
ABOUT JOSH WHITE
From his rural gospel and country blues recordings in the 1920s and '30s to his later radio, TV, concert and nightclub appearances throughout the US and abroad, Josh White was a groundbreaking guitarist and performer. He was the first African- American artist to have a million-selling record ("One Meat Ball"), and the first to play a command performance at the White House, for President Franklin Roosevelt.
Josh's involvement with the guitar began when, as a boy of eight, he led blind street musicians through the streets of Greenville, South Carolina. Deeply influenced by these Piedmont blues players, he later became equally at ease playing arrangements of American and British Isles folksongs like "Waltzing Mathilda" and "Scarlet Ribbons." Although he was controversial for his outspoken political views and his passionate struggles against racial prejudice, he became one of America's most popular artists. Today he holds a reverential place in American culture, celebrated this year with a commemorative US Postage Stamp.
Josh White was a key figure in the evolution of the folk and blues music revivals, a brilliant guitarist and dashingly sexy cabaret star who for three decades was the world's most popular acoustic blues performer. After a childhood leading blind street singers through the South, Josh was a popular recording artist in the 1930s golden age of acoustic blues; then in the 1940s he became the first bluesman to capture a large mainstream audience. Though his smooth, polished style is quite unlike the harder-edged approach that many people now consider basic to blues, his unique, lyrical guitar work and soulful singing made him a formative influence on the international folk scene. This video begins with a rare filmed snippet from the 1940s, then includes a range of European performances from the 1960s, showing the breadth and variety of Josh's repertoire, from traditional blues and gospel to folk revival standards and cabaret material. It captures the intimate, sophisticated style, swing and power that made Josh the most influential guitarist on the early folk scene and one of America's defining entertainers.
Apples, Peaches and Cherries
Blind Man Stood On The Road And Cried
Cindy
Danny Boy
Free And Equal Blues
I Wish The World Were Colorblind
Jelly Jelly
John Henry
Joshua Fit The Battle of Jericho
Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
Number Twelve Train
Scarlet Ribbons
Strange Fruit
The House I Live In
Uncle Sam Says
Waltzing Matilda
Whatcha Gonna Do
You Know Baby What I Want From You
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
Italiano
English
