-- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "Alex Stanley" <j_alexander_stanley@...> wrote: > > > > --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "curtisdeltablues" <curtisdeltablues@> > wrote: > > > > Oh you must be referring to Nabbie's comments. > > I'm always puzzled by him characterizing Mississippi delta blues as > "hillbilly music". To my thinking, that label would only apply to bluegrass > and country. >
Yours is the more common distinction. The music of the hillbilly is shaped by Irish and Scottish folk music rather than black culture. They are almost direct opposites musically. I think he is using it as a euphemism for "I don't like you". Growing up in the blues I made stronger distinctions between African American based blues and the white blues of say Hank Williams. In my recent research I am finding that there was more of a crossover between white and black cultures in music than I had realized, especially cowboy music. Black bluesmen were as crazy about cowboys as everyone else. When Alan Lomax went to record Muddy Waters before he went to Chicago in 1941 he knew more cowboy songs than blues songs! Alan only recorded his blues songs in that session which is kind of too bad. Tommy Johnson yodeled in his 1928 recording. I don't feel much affinity with the twang in their voices but the themes of the blues sure zoom forth in this song by Jimmy Davis who had a number one hit in '40 followed by Gene Autry's number one hit with the same song in '41. But check out the first verse for all the blues. Gene started with the chorus in his version, and it changes the blues vibe of the song completely. I play this in old folks homes, they love it. The other night, dear, As I lay sleeping I dreamed I held you in my arms. When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken And I hung my head and cried. You are my sunshine, My only sunshine. You make me happy When skies are grey. You'll never know, dear, How much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away. I'll always love you And make you happy If you will only say the same But if you leave me To love another You'll regret it all some day; You are my sunshine, My only sunshine. You make me happy When skies are grey. You'll never know, dear, How much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away. You told me once, dear You really loved me And no one else could come between But now you've left me And love another You have shattered all my dreams; You are my sunshine, My only sunshine. You make me happy When skies are grey. You'll never know, dear, How much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away.
