Blues/Questions Answered by Expert George Armstrong

SubjectDate Asked
Diamond In Your Mind1/18/2012
  Q: What is the meaning of the song "Diamond In Your Mind" as recorded by Tom Waits as well as Solomon ...
  A: Like a great sculpture or painting this song can be interpreted many ways. My personal feeling is ...
12 string12/7/2009
  Q: I play an awful lot of blues, amongst a great variety of other styles. Recently my father built an ...
  A: It is an honor to receive a question from another lead guitarist. I understand the master skill ...
please help me name this song8/21/2009
  Q: Theres a blues song. Its song by a woman some of the lyrics are hay ladies let tell you about my ...
  A: Ma Rainey and Hattie McDaniel both recorded songs "Let Me Tell You About My Man". Those are VERY old ...
Old Fashioned Melody/Electric Blues from Hair musical7/9/2009
  Q: I would really want to know, what is the precise classification of the genre of song "Old Fashioned ...
  A: The last time I heard this song was 40 years ago. However, I remember it as "Blues Rock". It's a ...
Blues Song Title6/8/2009
  Q: What is the name of this song that has the chorus "That's an a and b conversation, I'm gonna see my ...
  A: One thing I can tell you this is NOT. It's NOT "Dangling Conversation", either by Simon, Garfunkel, ...
blues music6/2/2009
  Q: who wrote "sweet home chicago"?
  A: Sweet Home Chicago was first performed by Robert Johnson around 1936. The song is an adaptation of ...
Help! i want to find a song!5/29/2009
  Q: all i know about the song is the refrain:" i can't find love" and a fraise: " will i find a women to ...
  A: There are two songs titled "Can't Find Love", one by Gemma Hayes, another by Jefferson Starship. I ...
name that song hi de hi de hi de hi5/16/2009
  Q: louis armstong or louis prima i think it goes... hi de hi de hi de hi ho de ho de ho de ho ...etc ...
  A: Hi-De-Ho is from "Minnie The Moocher" by Cab Calloway. Louis Armstrong may have played it as he was ...
Playing with it4/26/2009
  Q: I heard a song on the radio not long ago I think hook went something like this You playing in it. I ...
  A: I don't know the phrase "You Playin' in it" in a Blues song, I need more information. You can get ...
Blues3/25/2009
  Q: I had a cassette tape and I played it so much it broke and there were several songs on it that I ...
  A: If you still have the cassette, you can have it repaired, take it to an audio specialist. I'll try ...
Blues3/23/2009
  Q: I had a cassette tape and I played it so much it broke and there were several songs on it that I ...
  A: This is "Evil Gal Blues": originally done by Dinah Washington and Lionel Hampton. Aretha Franklin ...
Robert Johnson's innstrument3/4/2009
  Q: I know Robert Johnson played a Gibson L-1 but what style of guitar was that a Concert ,Dreadnought ...
  A: It was a flat top, of a smaller size; Not as small as a Parlor guitar. I own an Alverez that's ...
Robert Johnson2/24/2009
  Q: What Up G, My favorite Delta artist often played a slide on his pinky, I'm 6'1 225-230 lbs what ...
  A: If you'd like to perform fingering while using a slide I suggest the pinky finger. Take a look at ...
Robert Johnson2/23/2009
  Q: Did Robert Johnson mainly use a slide, while playing his music ?
  A: I suggest that most of Robert Johnson's recorded works are comprised of chordings and leads without ...
blue song1/31/2009
  Q: i heard this song some of the lyrics is playing with it can you tell me who sings this also a female ...
  A: Your question did not contain any lyrics! Please tell me the lyrics you are asking about? I ...
Don't Keep Me Wonderin'1/26/2009
  Q: What is Duane's tuning for his part on Don't Keep Wonderin'? There is YouTube video where they play ...
  A: I suggest that's the Open A Dobro tuning, 3 E's, 2 A, and a C#. I think he retunes the D, G, and B ...
Blues12/17/2008
  Q: What are some major events in blues history
  A: Blues started as "Call Outs" in the rural Southern USA; such as "I've been workin' all day long", ...
Otis Taylor's Nasty Letter11/21/2008
  Q: I was wondering if you knew anything about Otis Taylor's Nasty Letter, specifically if it's in an ...
  A: Yes, it's an altered tuning. I suggest it's standard tuning, but with the low E tuned to "D". Use ...
Identify a Blues song?10/27/2008
  Q: I was listening to the Blues on XM while working on the computer, and heard a song but not title or ...
  A: Go to the XM Radio web site for the channel you listen to, give them the time you listened, and the ...
R.L. Burnside lyrics10/18/2008
  Q: I was wondering if you know the lyrics of R.L. Burnside's Long Hair Doney. Iv looked all over but ...
  A: I think the title is: Long Haired Doney; however, I don't have the lyrics. Below is the 1984 ...
Organ on Covay's "House of Blue Lights"10/17/2008
  Q: Who played that monster blues organ on Don Covay's "House of Blue Lights"? There is no mention of ...
  A: Here is a page about the album: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_House_of_Blue_Lights_(album) and ...
Famous Blues Guitarists born in New York State9/27/2008
  Q: Any Famous Blues Guitarists born in New York State ?
  A: Ronnie Earl (born Ronald Horvath, March 10, 1953, New York) is an American blues guitarist and music ...
Stevie Ray Vaughan's gear.5/22/2008
  Q: I was wondering where are Stevie's Guitars and Amps? I know his brother maintains some of them, but ...
  A: Stevie was inducted into the Blues Hall Of Fame in 2000. It's in Tennessee. One of his guitars and a ...
what is blues like5/7/2008
  Q: hey i was just wondering what is blues like is it kool and what are the different types of blues
  A: Blues is Kool! The faster moving songs will pick you up when you're down, the slower ones will ...
the origins of blues music4/28/2008
  Q: Who was the very first "blues" artist.
  A: The "Blues" started as "Shout Outs" or "Call Outs" in the fields of the Southern U.S. One person ...
James Cotton4/17/2008
  Q: What type (key) and brand does James Cotton use? Does the microphone he uses change the sound of the ...
  A: A 532/20 is a Hohner 20 Reed Blues Harp with a wood comb. It is easy to bend the notes using this ...
James Cotton4/15/2008
  Q: What type (key) and brand does James Cotton use? Does the microphone he uses change the sound of the ...
  A: YIPPEEEEE! A real technical question!!!! James Cotton mostly uses the Hohner 532/20, key of C. He' ...
History and information about the blues3/23/2008
  Q: I was wondering if you could tell some history about blues in general. And some information about ...
  A: I picked some names for you, however, there are many more people that I suggest are Blues Pioneers. ...
History and information about the blues3/19/2008
  Q: I was wondering if you could tell some history about blues in general. And some information about ...
  A: Blues started in the rural south U.S.A. as "Call Outs" for work crews. Workers would sing out or ...
I need the name of artist or song2/21/2008
  Q: All I know about this song is that it sounds like blues, but not typical delta or Chicago blues. the ...
  A: I don't know this song, and I couldn't find it on the Blues Archives. If you have any additional ...
Luther Allison2/12/2008
  Q: Looking for album name of 1970's Luther Allison song Baby you make me mad.
  A: I don't know that song! I checked the entire discography at Luther's main web site: ...
blues2/5/2008
  Q: im doing a research thing and i would like to no about blues history and why it is so important
  A: Blues started in the rural south U.S.A. as "Call Outs" for work crews. Workers would sing out or ...
classical pianist1/30/2008
  Q: I am a classical pianist inspired to play jazz and found myself no getting anywhere. I have very ...
  A: First, I suggest listening to jazz. I have WDCB as the main button on my car radio (here in the ...
blues guitar style1/22/2008
  Q: My favorite is Sam Andrew on One Good Man (Joplin, Kozmic Blues). Sam Andrew doesn't play much like ...
  A: I thought you were asking about Sam Andrew's slide intro. However, aside from Robben Ford, you might ...
blues guitar style1/19/2008
  Q: My favorite is Sam Andrew on One Good Man (Joplin, Kozmic Blues). Sam Andrew doesn't play much like ...
  A: You've got outstanding taste. I was lucky to see Sam Andrew a couple of times here in Chicago at the ...
Finding the name of a blues song12/16/2007
  Q: I just recently downloaded a blues song, but there was no tag, or artist name attached. I only know ...
  A: I couldn't find it. It may be a new song. I'm including a URL to a Blues Archive, you can try them ...
blues question11/20/2007
  Q: a few days ago i stumbled on a radio station play lots of old blues bb king ect. some recent as ...
  A: "Monkey On My Back" is an old Blues song. I suggest trying Michael Blind-Dog Gatewood's version of ...
blus music10/18/2007
  Q: who was the first Persian to play the blues music? name some famous blues musicians? which ...
  A: If you consider that there may have been oral renditions of Rumi's or Hafez's poetry since the 13th ...
Blues Guitar10/17/2007
  Q: I too play guitar and really enjoy blues playing. Is there a web site you would recommend that has ...
  A: Please try www.e-chords.com, the basic service is free. It has Blues and as an example, I found ...
Coke Commercial10/17/2007
  Q: Theres this coke commercial playing on the radio here where this guy tells a story about bringing a ...
  A: I'm glad the Deadman Turner sounded close. At least we know it is likely a Dobro or steel guitar. ...
Coke Commercial10/12/2007
  Q: Theres this coke commercial playing on the radio here where this guy tells a story about bringing a ...
  A: The steel "dobro" guitar can have a sound a bit like a banjo. So, I think the song is "Imitation ...
Coke Commercial10/11/2007
  Q: Theres this coke commercial playing on the radio here where this guy tells a story about bringing a ...
  A: I thought I answered this follow up! Did you receive my response that I thought this might be ...
Coke Commercial10/9/2007
  Q: Theres this coke commercial playing on the radio here where this guy tells a story about bringing a ...
  A: Please tell me if the guitar has an acoustic "steel" guitar sound? Or, is the guitar an electric ...
Attracting attention with your music10/2/2007
  Q: Here's something that may or may not be in you're realm. Any references, links, etc. are most ...
  A: That's quite a set of questions you've asked. I can suggest Gigmasters. However, you'd need an ...
Tab sheets for Jazz & Blues standards9/24/2007
  Q: Can you recomend any free websites where I can find reliable, mistake-free guitar & Bass tablatures ...
  A: Please try www.e-chords.com, the basic service is free. It has Blues and Jazz. As an example, I ...
WOULD LIKE TO KNOW SONG TITLE AND ARTIST9/9/2007
  Q: THE SONG GOES HUNTING AN'T NO MO FUN NOW THAT THE RABBIT'S GOT THE GUN A MAN SINGS THIS SONG I ...
  A: The song title is "Rabbit's Got The Gun", and you can get a copy of it by several artists. I suggest ...

All Questions in This Category

Blues

All Answers


Answers by Expert:


Ask Experts

Volunteer


George Armstrong

Top Expert on this page

Expertise

I can answer almost any question regarding Blues. My main interest areas are Chicago, Delta, and Texas Blues. I can explain playing techniques, song writing, and other technical aspects. I can also explain the styles and techniques of many of the artists.

Experience

I have been studying the Blues since the 1960's. I followed many of the Chicago artists from local clubs to concerts. I started playing in blues/rock bands during the early 1970's, and have continued through the years. I also sing.

Education/Credentials
I have a BS degree in Computer Science. I have 36 years of experience playing lead guitar.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.