For a while it's been our sorry lot to see a lot of the legends of blues and jazz pass away. A generation is fading that revolutionised contemporary music.
The last one to date is Snooks Eaglin'. To me, Snooks was simply the most astounding acoustic guitarist ever, bar none. Not only was he a prodigy from a technique point of view, but he was the most soulful musician as well. If you don't know his playing at all, you should absolutely get hold of New Orleans Street Singer. It will blow your socks off.
The paradox about Snooks is that he really dreamed of being an electric guitarist, but such was the fame of New Orleans Street Singer amongst guitarists and blues fans accross the world that he became kind of stuck with the image of innovative blues acoustic guitarist.
If you want a taste of what his music was like, there's a track from a radio bootleg (Josephine) in my New Orleans podcast.
Rest in Peace, Snooks. If there is a heaven, Professor Longhair's band just recruited a damn fine guitarist.
You can find some details about his passing away here.
Comments