Mississippi Fred McDowell
Fred McDowell (January 12, 1904 – July 3, 1972) known by his stage name, Mississippi Fred McDowell, was an American Hill country blues singer and guitar player.
Mississippi Fred McDowell: A True Legend of The Mississippi Blues
Born in the heart of Mississippi in 1904, Mississippi Fred McDowell is a legend of the blues music scene. He was a master of the slide guitar, known for his raw and emotional sound. McDowell’s unique vocal stylings and undeniable talent left an unforgettable mark on the history of blues music. McDowell’s music was characterized by deep, rich vocals, and hard-driving rhythms. His repertoire covered everything from traditional blues songs to gospel-inspired ballads. In this article, we will explore McDowell’s musical biography, music genre, best songs, and some of his most famous concerts.
Mississippi Fred McDowell was born in Rossville, Tennessee, on the 12th of January, 1904. He learned to play blues music from his uncle, a musician, in Como, Mississippi. His music style was deeply rooted in gospel music, which his grandmother taught him. His first recorded session took place in 1959, in Como, Mississippi, where he was discovered by ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax.
McDowell’s music was characteristically Mississippi Hill Country Blues, which is quite different from the Delta Blues style of Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson. Hill Country Blues is a style that originates in the Mississippi Plateau and is characterized by its unique rhythmic structure. The music is typically dominated by the deep, soulful vocals of the singer accompanied by a slide guitar.
McDowell’s best songs are a testament to his incredible talent. His iconic songs, You Gotta Move, Shake ‘Em On Down, and Going Down to the River, are considered timeless classics of the blues genre. These unforgettable songs were staples in McDowell’s live performances and showcase his raw and emotional talent.
In 1964, McDowell played alongside Sonny Boy Williamson at the American Folk Blues Festival in Europe, which proved to be one of his most famous concerts. McDowell’s haunting slide guitar and powerful vocals, along with Williamson's harmonica, made a lasting impact on audiences around the world. Critics praised the McDowell-Williamson concert as a soul-shaking combination of blues and gospel music that was impossible to resist.
Critics have also hailed McDowell as one of the pioneers of folk blues. His music has been an inspiration to performers across all genres and is considered a cornerstone of American blues music.
Mississippi Fred McDowell’s music is still played and enjoyed by fans of blues music worldwide. He left an indelible mark on the music industry, and his impact can still be seen today. His unique sound, his unmatched talent, and his unforgettable performances will continue to inspire singers and guitarists for generations to come. As Fred McDowell said, I do it because I love it, and I want you to love it too. McDowell loved his music, and it shows in every note he played and every song he sang. He truly was an icon of the blues genre.
Mississippi Fred McDowell’s music is still played and enjoyed by fans of blues music worldwide. He left an indelible mark on the music industry, and his impact can still be seen today. His unique sound, his unmatched talent, and his unforgettable performances will continue to inspire singers and guitarists for generations to come. As Fred McDowell said, I do it because I love it, and I want you to love it too. McDowell loved his music, and it shows in every note he played and every song he sang. He truly was an icon of the blues genre.
Mississippi Fred McDowell: A True Legend of The Mississippi Blues
Born in the heart of Mississippi in 1904, Mississippi Fred McDowell is a legend of the blues music scene. He was a master of the slide guitar, known for his raw and emotional sound. McDowell’s unique vocal stylings and undeniable talent left an unforgettable mark on the history of blues music. McDowell’s music was characterized by deep, rich vocals, and hard-driving rhythms. His repertoire covered everything from traditional blues songs to gospel-inspired ballads. In this article, we will explore McDowell’s musical biography, music genre, best songs, and some of his most famous concerts.
Mississippi Fred McDowell was born in Rossville, Tennessee, on the 12th of January, 1904. He learned to play blues music from his uncle, a musician, in Como, Mississippi. His music style was deeply rooted in gospel music, which his grandmother taught him. His first recorded session took place in 1959, in Como, Mississippi, where he was discovered by ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax.
McDowell’s music was characteristically Mississippi Hill Country Blues, which is quite different from the Delta Blues style of Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson. Hill Country Blues is a style that originates in the Mississippi Plateau and is characterized by its unique rhythmic structure. The music is typically dominated by the deep, soulful vocals of the singer accompanied by a slide guitar.
McDowell’s best songs are a testament to his incredible talent. His iconic songs, You Gotta Move, Shake ‘Em On Down, and Going Down to the River, are considered timeless classics of the blues genre. These unforgettable songs were staples in McDowell’s live performances and showcase his raw and emotional talent.
In 1964, McDowell played alongside Sonny Boy Williamson at the American Folk Blues Festival in Europe, which proved to be one of his most famous concerts. McDowell’s haunting slide guitar and powerful vocals, along with Williamson's harmonica, made a lasting impact on audiences around the world. Critics praised the McDowell-Williamson concert as a soul-shaking combination of blues and gospel music that was impossible to resist.
Critics have also hailed McDowell as one of the pioneers of folk blues. His music has been an inspiration to performers across all genres and is considered a cornerstone of American blues music.
Mississippi Fred McDowell’s music is still played and enjoyed by fans of blues music worldwide. He left an indelible mark on the music industry, and his impact can still be seen today. His unique sound, his unmatched talent, and his unforgettable performances will continue to inspire singers and guitarists for generations to come. As Fred McDowell said, I do it because I love it, and I want you to love it too. McDowell loved his music, and it shows in every note he played and every song he sang. He truly was an icon of the blues genre.
Mississippi Fred McDowell’s music is still played and enjoyed by fans of blues music worldwide. He left an indelible mark on the music industry, and his impact can still be seen today. His unique sound, his unmatched talent, and his unforgettable performances will continue to inspire singers and guitarists for generations to come. As Fred McDowell said, I do it because I love it, and I want you to love it too. McDowell loved his music, and it shows in every note he played and every song he sang. He truly was an icon of the blues genre.
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LISTEN THE BEST MISSISSIPPI FRED MCDOWELL SONGS IN STREAMING
2022-11-01
The Musical Biography of Mississippi Fred McDowell: A Story of Blues and Tradition
If you consider yourself a music enthusiast or at least a blues aficionado, you might have already come across the name Mississippi Fred McDowell. Born in 1904, this legendary artist grew up in Tennessee, surrounded by the African American musical traditions that would shape his distinctive style. From his long career span, we get a chance to track the history and evolution of the blues in America. So without further ado, let's take a deep dive into the life, work, and legacy of Mississippi Fred McDowell.
Growing up, Fred McDowell's musical education consisted of learning slide guitar from his parents, who were both musicians themselves. But he took it on passionately, traveled and played in various towns and cities, developing his unique style, which incorporated techniques influenced by gospel, country, and the blues. It wasn't until the 1950s that he gained widespread recognition after recordings of his sessions made its way to the radio stations and he performed alongside other greats such as Furry Lewis and Bukka White.
This exposure elevated McDowell's career, leading to recordings and many gigs; he also began to incorporate electric guitars into the traditional slide blues, which wasn't common at that time, but he did it flawlessly. One of McDowell's most famous albums is Mississippi Fred McDowell: Live in New York. It's considered a remarkable performance, especially because the artist performed mainly for African American and mainly rural audiences. The record is a vivid illustration of his exacting rhythmic and timing precision, his ability to create deep and meaningful guitar lines that connect with his lyrics.
Among McDowell's most famous songs is his version of You Gotta Move, which has become a blues standard. Other songs such as Kokomo Blues, Got to Go, and When You Get Home Please Write Me a Few of Your Lines had a huge influence on the blues scene in the 60s and 70s. Today, they remain timeless classics that showcase his remarkable talent and contribution to the blues genre.
There are varying opinions on McDowell's impact on the blues scene, some say his career took a hit when he moved to Los Angeles in the late 60s, while others argue that McDowell's ethereal vocals and masterful touch on the slide guitar had a huge influence on the blues of his era and beyond. His traditional blues-rural sound, loaded with raw emotions, still gives chills to younger generations of music lovers in search of something deeply authentic and well connected to the heritage of African American folk-music influences of America.
Mississippi Fred McDowell's contribution to the blues and to American music has been astounding. With his raw and traditional sound, he has left an enormous impact on the blues scene and influenced generations of musicians that came after him. His legacy as one of the most exceptional blues musicians of the 20th century is undeniable. We hope that this post introduced you to or reminded you of his music and inspired you to dig deeper into his music catalog. Have you got any particular favorites from Mississippi Fred McDowell? Share them in the comments!
Growing up, Fred McDowell's musical education consisted of learning slide guitar from his parents, who were both musicians themselves. But he took it on passionately, traveled and played in various towns and cities, developing his unique style, which incorporated techniques influenced by gospel, country, and the blues. It wasn't until the 1950s that he gained widespread recognition after recordings of his sessions made its way to the radio stations and he performed alongside other greats such as Furry Lewis and Bukka White.
This exposure elevated McDowell's career, leading to recordings and many gigs; he also began to incorporate electric guitars into the traditional slide blues, which wasn't common at that time, but he did it flawlessly. One of McDowell's most famous albums is Mississippi Fred McDowell: Live in New York. It's considered a remarkable performance, especially because the artist performed mainly for African American and mainly rural audiences. The record is a vivid illustration of his exacting rhythmic and timing precision, his ability to create deep and meaningful guitar lines that connect with his lyrics.
Among McDowell's most famous songs is his version of You Gotta Move, which has become a blues standard. Other songs such as Kokomo Blues, Got to Go, and When You Get Home Please Write Me a Few of Your Lines had a huge influence on the blues scene in the 60s and 70s. Today, they remain timeless classics that showcase his remarkable talent and contribution to the blues genre.
There are varying opinions on McDowell's impact on the blues scene, some say his career took a hit when he moved to Los Angeles in the late 60s, while others argue that McDowell's ethereal vocals and masterful touch on the slide guitar had a huge influence on the blues of his era and beyond. His traditional blues-rural sound, loaded with raw emotions, still gives chills to younger generations of music lovers in search of something deeply authentic and well connected to the heritage of African American folk-music influences of America.
Mississippi Fred McDowell's contribution to the blues and to American music has been astounding. With his raw and traditional sound, he has left an enormous impact on the blues scene and influenced generations of musicians that came after him. His legacy as one of the most exceptional blues musicians of the 20th century is undeniable. We hope that this post introduced you to or reminded you of his music and inspired you to dig deeper into his music catalog. Have you got any particular favorites from Mississippi Fred McDowell? Share them in the comments!
Tag: Mississippi Fred McDowell, musical biography, best songs, playlist
SONGS OF MISSISSIPPI FRED MCDOWELL - THE BEST SONGS OF THE ARTIST
1 - Freight Train Blues
2 - Good Morning Little Schoolgirl
3 - Shake 'Em on Down
4 - 61 Highway
5 - John Henry
6 - When I Lay My Burden Down
7 - Louise
8 - You Gotta Move
9 - Wished I Was in Heaven Sitting Down
10 - Levee Camp Blues
11 - The Train I Ride
12 - Red Cross Store Blues
13 - Get Right Church
14 - You Got To Move
15 - Baby Please Don't Go
16 - When You Get Home, Write Me A Few Little Lines
17 - Milk Cow Blues
18 - Kokomo Blues
19 - Write Me A Few Lines
20 - Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning
21 - Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning
22 - Fred's Worried Life Blues
23 - Drop Down Mama
24 - Big Fat Mama
25 - Going Down To The River
26 - Kokomo Me Baby
27 - The Lovin' Blues
28 - Woke Up This Morning With My Mind On Jesus
29 - Done Left Here
30 - Someday Baby
31 - Red Cross Store
32 - You Gonna Be Sorry
33 - That's All Right Baby
34 - Jesus On The Mainline
35 - My Babe
36 - You Ain't Gonna Worry My Life Anymore
37 - Glory Hallelujah
38 - I Heard Somebody Call
39 - Write Me A Few Of Your Lines
40 - Fred Mcdowell's Blues
41 - Highway 61
42 - When The Saints Go Marching In
43 - When The Train Comes Along
DISCOGRAPHY OF MISSISSIPPI FRED MCDOWELL
2002: Mama Says I'm Crazy
2002: Mama Says I'm Crazy
1972: Live in New York
1972: Eight Years Ramblin'
1969: Amazing Grace
1964: Mississippi Delta Blues
1964: My Home Is in the Delta