CHARLIE PATTON
(1891 - 1934)
Charlie Patton was the first great Delta bluesman; from him flowed nearly all the elements that would comprise the region’s blues style. Patton had a course, earthy voice that reflected hard times and hard living. His guitar style - percussive and raw - matched his vocal delivery.
He often played slide guitar and gave that style a position of prominence in Delta blues.
Patton’s songs were filled with lyrics that dealt with issues like social
mobility (pony Blues), imprisonment (High Sheriff Blues), nature (
High
Water Blues), and morality (Oh Death) that went far beyond traditional male - female
relationship themes.
Patton defined the life of a bluesman. He drank and smoked excessively.
He reportedly had a total of eight wives. He was jailed at least once. He
traveled extensively, never staying in one place for too long.
http://www.southernmusic.net/charliepatton.htm
View the underground comic book genius R. Crumb's retelling of the life of Delta
bluesman Charlie Patton, based on the biography by Stephen Calt and Gayle Dean
Wardlow.
http://www.celticguitarmusic.com/patton1.htm