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
West Coast Blues
Blind Blake Lyrics
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First thing we do... swing your partner
Promenade
See-saw to the right
Swing that girl over there with that blue dress on, and...
Bring her right on back to me
You stop your funny foolin'
Like to made me whoop
Swing that girl right on again
Now people, if you ever heard somethin' that makes you feel good...
You're gon' hear somethin' in a few minutes, but not now...
Play that thing, boy
Now here's somethin' gon' make you feel good
Just listen to that thing
Swing that girl right on again
It done got good to me
Good to the last drop, just like Maxwell House Coffee, yessir!
Just boot that thing!
[Look out, Jim?], better play that thing good
With all these people listenin' at it, I know it's good
Yeah, it's good, I made it good!
I'm gon' try to satisfy you if I can
Play that thing, boy
Well now, you ain't got but a few more minutes to get it straight
cnd that'll be all for this evenin'
Now that's all
The lyrics of Blind Blake's song "West Coast Blues" depict a lively and energetic country romp. The song begins by instructing the listeners to swing their partners and promenade, engaging in traditional country dancing. The lyrics emphasize the joy and fun of the activity, indicating that it has become sweet and pleasurable for the singer. The playful and upbeat nature of the song is reinforced by the line "It done got good to me" and the comparison of the experience to the satisfaction of Maxwell House Coffee's last drop.
Blind Blake's lyrics also reflect his skill as a musician and his desire to entertain his audience. He encourages the band to play and promises that the listeners will hear something that makes them feel good. He acknowledges the presence of the audience and expresses his commitment to satisfying them with his performance.
Overall, "West Coast Blues" conveys the joy and excitement of country dancing while showcasing Blind Blake's musical talent and desire to please his listeners.
Interesting facts about the song "West Coast Blues":
1. "West Coast Blues" is one of Blind Blake's most well-known and popular songs.
2. Blind Blake was a highly skilled fingerstyle guitarist, and his intricate guitar work can be heard throughout the song.
3. The song was recorded in 1926 and released as a single by Paramount Records.
4. Blind Blake was one of the most influential blues guitarists of his time and is considered a pioneer of fingerstyle guitar playing.
5. "West Coast Blues" is often categorized as a ragtime blues, blending elements of ragtime piano with country blues guitar.
6. The lyrics of the song showcase Blind Blake's charismatic and playful personality.
7. Blind Blake's unique guitar technique involved complex fingerpicking patterns and alternating bass notes, contributing to his distinctive sound.
8. Despite his success as a recording artist, little is known about Blind Blake's personal life, and he remains somewhat of an enigmatic figure.
9. "West Coast Blues" has been covered by numerous artists over the years, further cementing its status as a blues classic.
10. Blind Blake's intricate guitar playing in "West Coast Blues" continues to inspire and influence guitarists to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Now we goin' do the old country romp
We're about to engage in a lively traditional country dance
First thing we do... swing your partner
As the dance begins, the first step is to swing your dance partner
Promenade
Proceeding in a procession, moving together as a group
See-saw to the right
Sway back and forth to the right, mirroring each other's motions
Swing that girl over there with that blue dress on, and...
Take hold of the girl in the blue dress and swing her around
Bring her right on back to me
After swinging her, bring her back to my side
You stop your funny foolin'
Cease your playful antics
'Cause it done got sweet to me, ha ha!
Because it has become delightful to me, making me laugh with joy
Like to made me whoop
Nearly caused me to shout in excitement
Swing that girl right on again
Once again, swing the girl around in the dance
Now people, if you ever heard somethin' that makes you feel good...
If you've ever experienced something that brings you pleasure...
You're gon' hear somethin' in a few minutes, but not now...
You will soon hear something that will bring you joy, but not at this moment...
Play that thing, boy
Begin playing the instrument, my young musician
Now here's somethin' gon' make you feel good
Now, I'm about to perform something that will uplift your spirits
Just listen to that thing
Simply marvel at the sound of this music
Swing that girl right on again
Once again, swing the girl around in the dance
It done got good to me
It has become incredibly enjoyable for me
Good to the last drop, just like Maxwell House Coffee, yessir!
As satisfying as Maxwell House Coffee, leaving no pleasure untasted, indeed!
Just boot that thing!
Play the instrument enthusiastically and energetically!
[Look out, Jim?], better play that thing good
Jim, be cautious and ensure you play the instrument skillfully
With all these people listenin' at it, I know it's good
With so many people eagerly hearing the music, I am certain it is excellent
Yeah, it's good, I made it good!
Absolutely, it is remarkable, and I am the one who created its excellence!
I'm gon' try to satisfy you if I can
I will make an effort to please you to the best of my ability
Well now, you ain't got but a few more minutes to get it straight
Well, you only have a short time left to understand it fully
And that'll be all for this evenin'
And that will conclude our evening's performance
Now that's all
Now, that's the end of it
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JOHN FAHEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Piotr Barcz
I love this piece, one of my favorite Blind Blake songs
harcup1
Just found BlBl and cant put him down.. I love it and so back yard perfect.
John Sheehan
John Fahey recorded this on his 1st album I believe. Love playing this one!
Unus Annus
Great playing
Norm Turner
The Reacher book Killing Floor brought me here. The Reacher series brought me back again😌. Recorded nearly a 💯 years ago😯
alcides rios
Same here. Watching the series for the third time right now
Kyle j Rauscher
"Yeah its good! ..i made it good!"
Dougie H
🎵🤣🎶
Big-J
Who's here because of Reacher?