Blind Blake
There are at least two artists with the name Blind Blake
1. Arthur "… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two artists with the name Blind Blake
1. Arthur "Blind" Blake (c. 1893-c. 1933) was an influential blues singer and guitarist. There is only one photograph of him in existence.
Very little is known about his life. His birthplace was listed as Jacksonville, Florida by Paramount Records, but even that is in dispute. Nothing is known of his death. Even his name is not certain. During recordings he was asked about his real name and he answered that his name was Blind Arthur Blake which is also listed on some of the song credits, strengthening his case on his real name, although there is a suggestion that his real name was Arthur Phelps.
Blake recorded about eighty sides for Paramount Records in the late 1920s and early 1930s. He was one of the most accomplished guitarists of his genre, with a surprisingly diverse range of material. He is best known for his distinctive guitar sound, whose complex and intricate fingerpicking was comparable in sound and style to a ragtime piano.
His first recordings were made in 1926 and his records sold well. His first solo record was "Early Morning Blues", with "West Coast Blues" on the B-side. He made his last recordings in 1932, the end of his career being aided by Paramount's bankruptcy.
One would surmise, given Blake's importance, celebrity status, popularity and sizeable recorded output that we would know something about the man. And after more than five decades of searching conducted by experts on behalf of Blind Blake, we still don't know anything verifiable about Blake which he doesn't tell us on his records. Practically all of what is "known" about Blind Blake outside of that is a combination of conjecture, rumor, slander and nonsense. At one point a theory was advanced that Blind Blake's true name was "Arthur Phelps" and it is under this name that Blake's entry is filed in Sheldon Harris' Blues Who's Who. But the theory is easily debunked by Blake himself, who states on his 1929 recording "Blind Arthur's Breakdown" that his name is "Arthur Blake." He briefly breaks into Geechee dialect during the course of "Southern Rag," and this advanced a theory that Blake was really born in the Georgia Sea Islands and spoke Geechee as a first language, accounting for his "uncomfortable negro dialect" on records like "Early Morning Blues." But there is nothing wrong with Blake's "negro dialect," thus it was easy to disprove this ridiculous notion.
Blind Blake is known to have had family in the area of Jacksonville, Florida and was likely born there; Blake may have grown up in Georgia. Blake was first seen in Chicago in the mid-1920s. His birth date is assumed to be sometime between 1895-1897, as the only existing photo of Blind Blake, taken at his first Paramount session in August, 1926, shows a man of about thirty. Interviews with some of the musicians personally acquainted with Blake only reveal that he had a seemingly inexhaustible appetite for liquor. No one has discovered any reliable account of what happened to Blind Blake after his last Paramount session in June 1932. The story that has Blake murdered in Chicago shortly after his Paramount date did not hold up after an intensive search of local police files. The most reasonable notion about what might've happened to Blind Blake after 1932 is that he drifted back to Jacksonville and lived a few years more, with 1937 suggested as a possible date of death. In the summer of 1935, Mary Elizabeth Barnicle led an Archive of Folk Song expedition into the area where Blake is likely to have resettled and canvassed it for black musicians, yet never encountered him.
Many of the recordings made by Blind Blake are singled out as classic early blues performances, too many to be listed in detail here. But a few that stand out include "Early Morning Blues," "Too Tight," "Skeedle Loo Doo Blues," "That Will Never Happen No More," "Southern Rag," "Diddie Wa Diddie," "Police Dog Blues," "Playing Policy Blues" and "Righteous Blues." Several of Blind Blake's original tunes are by now country-blues standards, and judging from the further developments in Atlanta-based Piedmont blues, Blake's influence there must've been formidable, even if it came only by way of recordings. Anyone who hears Blind Blake can't help but be astonished by his sincerity, his gentle, off-the-cuff humor and the sheer effortlessness with which he plays some of the most treacherously complex finger-work on the face of creation.
Blind Blake is not to be confused, incidentally, with Blake Higgs, a Bahamian Calypso artist who also recorded as "Blind Blake."
2. Blind Blake was a Bahamian singer active in the 1930s and 1940s, often entertained rich visitors to the island. One of these was the former Edward VIII, who became governor general of the islands. Blind Blake's best known song, "Love, Love Alone", was written in praise of the things the former monarch gave up for love
1. Arthur "… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two artists with the name Blind Blake
1. Arthur "Blind" Blake (c. 1893-c. 1933) was an influential blues singer and guitarist. There is only one photograph of him in existence.
Very little is known about his life. His birthplace was listed as Jacksonville, Florida by Paramount Records, but even that is in dispute. Nothing is known of his death. Even his name is not certain. During recordings he was asked about his real name and he answered that his name was Blind Arthur Blake which is also listed on some of the song credits, strengthening his case on his real name, although there is a suggestion that his real name was Arthur Phelps.
Blake recorded about eighty sides for Paramount Records in the late 1920s and early 1930s. He was one of the most accomplished guitarists of his genre, with a surprisingly diverse range of material. He is best known for his distinctive guitar sound, whose complex and intricate fingerpicking was comparable in sound and style to a ragtime piano.
His first recordings were made in 1926 and his records sold well. His first solo record was "Early Morning Blues", with "West Coast Blues" on the B-side. He made his last recordings in 1932, the end of his career being aided by Paramount's bankruptcy.
One would surmise, given Blake's importance, celebrity status, popularity and sizeable recorded output that we would know something about the man. And after more than five decades of searching conducted by experts on behalf of Blind Blake, we still don't know anything verifiable about Blake which he doesn't tell us on his records. Practically all of what is "known" about Blind Blake outside of that is a combination of conjecture, rumor, slander and nonsense. At one point a theory was advanced that Blind Blake's true name was "Arthur Phelps" and it is under this name that Blake's entry is filed in Sheldon Harris' Blues Who's Who. But the theory is easily debunked by Blake himself, who states on his 1929 recording "Blind Arthur's Breakdown" that his name is "Arthur Blake." He briefly breaks into Geechee dialect during the course of "Southern Rag," and this advanced a theory that Blake was really born in the Georgia Sea Islands and spoke Geechee as a first language, accounting for his "uncomfortable negro dialect" on records like "Early Morning Blues." But there is nothing wrong with Blake's "negro dialect," thus it was easy to disprove this ridiculous notion.
Blind Blake is known to have had family in the area of Jacksonville, Florida and was likely born there; Blake may have grown up in Georgia. Blake was first seen in Chicago in the mid-1920s. His birth date is assumed to be sometime between 1895-1897, as the only existing photo of Blind Blake, taken at his first Paramount session in August, 1926, shows a man of about thirty. Interviews with some of the musicians personally acquainted with Blake only reveal that he had a seemingly inexhaustible appetite for liquor. No one has discovered any reliable account of what happened to Blind Blake after his last Paramount session in June 1932. The story that has Blake murdered in Chicago shortly after his Paramount date did not hold up after an intensive search of local police files. The most reasonable notion about what might've happened to Blind Blake after 1932 is that he drifted back to Jacksonville and lived a few years more, with 1937 suggested as a possible date of death. In the summer of 1935, Mary Elizabeth Barnicle led an Archive of Folk Song expedition into the area where Blake is likely to have resettled and canvassed it for black musicians, yet never encountered him.
Many of the recordings made by Blind Blake are singled out as classic early blues performances, too many to be listed in detail here. But a few that stand out include "Early Morning Blues," "Too Tight," "Skeedle Loo Doo Blues," "That Will Never Happen No More," "Southern Rag," "Diddie Wa Diddie," "Police Dog Blues," "Playing Policy Blues" and "Righteous Blues." Several of Blind Blake's original tunes are by now country-blues standards, and judging from the further developments in Atlanta-based Piedmont blues, Blake's influence there must've been formidable, even if it came only by way of recordings. Anyone who hears Blind Blake can't help but be astonished by his sincerity, his gentle, off-the-cuff humor and the sheer effortlessness with which he plays some of the most treacherously complex finger-work on the face of creation.
Blind Blake is not to be confused, incidentally, with Blake Higgs, a Bahamian Calypso artist who also recorded as "Blind Blake."
2. Blind Blake was a Bahamian singer active in the 1930s and 1940s, often entertained rich visitors to the island. One of these was the former Edward VIII, who became governor general of the islands. Blind Blake's best known song, "Love, Love Alone", was written in praise of the things the former monarch gave up for love
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Blind Blake Lyrics
Ashley St. Blues [Verse 1] I don't want none of you women to be…
Bad Feelin Blues [Verse 1] I got the bad feeling blues, keeps me worried…
Bad Feeling Blues I got the bad feeling blues, keeps me worried all…
Beulah Land Beulah Land, I'm longing for you cnd some day on thee…
Black Dog Blues Let me tell you, mama, what that black dog done…
Blake Worried Blues [Verse 1] cll last winter and all last fall I didn't have…
Brownskin Mama Blues [Verse 1] There's no need of you dogging me mama, I…
Candy Man Blues Well all you ladies gather 'round That good sweet candy man'…
Champagne Charlie Is My Name [Verse 1] Me and my true love never been there but Shoes…
Chump Man Blues I'm goin' to the river folks and take a great…
COME ON BOYS LET'S DO THAT MESSIN [Verse 1] Come on, boys, let's do that messin' 'round this…
Come On Boys Let's Do That Messin' Around I'm feeling blue, lowdown as I can be Come on gals,…
Depression's Gone From Me Blues [Verse 1] cll last winter and all last fall I didn't have…
Detroit Bound Blues [Verse 1] I'm goin' to Detroit, get myself a good job I'm…
Didddie Wa Diddie There's a great big mystery, and it sure is worrying…
Diddie Wah Diddie [Verse 1] There's a great big mystery cnd it sure is worryin…
Doggin' Me Mama Blues [Verse 1] There's no need of you dogging me mama, I…
Doing a Stretch [Verse 1] I had a fall five to twenty‑one When I get…
Down the Country [Verse 1] You ever wake up, just 'bout the break of…
Dry Bone Shuffle 'Let's go boys' 'That's the way to play them bones, boy' …
Early Morning Blues [Verse 1] Early this mornin', my baby made me sore Early thi…
Georgia Packing up my duffel, gonna leave this town Packing up my…
Georgia Bound Packing up my duffel, gonna leave this town Packing up my…
Gin & Coconut Water Gin and cocoanut water Gin and cocoanut water Gin and cocoan…
Hard Road Blues [Verse 1] Keep on walking and walking talking to myself Keep…
He's In The Jail House Now Remember last election Everybody was in action Tryin' to fin…
Hey Hey Daddy Blues [Verse 1] Hey hey your daddy's feeling blue Hey hey your dad…
Hot Time Blues [Verse 1] ch the rising sun going down ch the rising sun…
Ice Man Blues Well all you ladies gather 'round That good sweet candy man'…
Lonesome Christmas Blues [Verse 1] This is December, the last month in the year This…
Married Man Blues Well all you ladies gather 'round That good sweet candy man'…
My Money Never Runs Out Got a certain yellow joker lives around the town, yes…
No Dough Blues Verse 1] It's a hard hard time now, good man can't…
Notoriety Woman Blues [Verse 1] I love to gamble and gambling's all I do I…
One Time Blues [Verse 1] All last winter and all last fall I didn't have…
Panther Squall Blues I got a sweet mama, she ain't low at all She…
Pay Daddy Blues [Verse 1] Hey hey your daddy's feeling blue Hey hey your dad…
Playing Policy Blues I dreamed last night the woman I love was dead I…
Poker Woman Blues I love to gamble, and gambling's all I do And when…
Police Dog Blues [Verse 1] cll my life I've been a travelin' man cll my…
Rambin' Mama Blues [Verse 1] There's no need of you dogging me mama, I…
Rope Stretchin' Blues [Verse 1] Don't trust no woman, who mistreats her man Don't …
Rope Stretching Blues Don't trust no woman, who mistreats her man When you think…
Seaboard Stomp Spoken] Now we goin' on one of them old Seaboard stomps Nobo…
Skeedle Loo Doo I was walking down the street cnd my girl I chanced…
Stingaree Man Blues Well all you ladies gather 'round That good sweet candy man'…
Stonewall Street Blues [Verse 1] Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey Hey hey…
Sweet Jivin' Mama Did you ever know a woman with a red .......…
Tampa Bound [Verse 1] I'm going back to Tampa, to that girl I…
That I Lovin' Crave Listen here momma, I got a complaint to make If things…
That Will Happen No More Verse 1] I met a girl at the cabaret, said ""Pretty…
That Will Never Happen No More I met a girl at the cabaret Said pretty papa I'm…
They're Red Hot Hot tamales1 and they're red hot, yes she got'em for…
Too Tight Got my gal, took a chance We went, to a midnight…
Too Tight Blues [Verse 1] Grab your gal, fall in line While I play this…
Too Tight Blues No. 2 Got my gal, took a chance We went, to a midnight…
Too Tight Blues No.2 [Verse 1] Grab your gal, fall in line While I play this…
Wabash Rag Down south, on Wabash Street Everybody, you chance to meet …
Walkin' Across The Country [Verse 1] Walking walking talking to myself Walking walking …
West Coast Blues Now we goin' do the old country romp First thing we…
You Gonna Quit Me Baby [Verse 1] You gonna quit me, baby, good as I been…
You Gonna Quit Me Blues You gonna quit me, baby, good as I been to…
Your Gonna Quit Me [Verse 1] You gonna quit me, baby, good as I been…