Here's a nice version by Townes van Zandt
And here's Blind Willie McTell's fantastic original.
Three Blind Mice
and finally, Bob Dylan from his album World Gone Wrong
I found this video on youtube featuring Steve Earle singing the Townes Van Zandt blues, Brand New Companion. Earle has been promoting his tribute to the late Townes Van Zandt, simply called Townes. There are a couple blues on the recording, so I guess that allows me to post about it here. It's by no means a blues record though, although Townes Van Zandt sure had the blues. This recording features Earle's take on 15 of Van Zandt's tunes. He's made it clear that he believes his friend and teacher Townes was one of the best songwriters ever.
I remember the first time I heard Townes Van Zandt. A friend of a friend had told me about his music, and not long after, I stumbled across a record (yep, vinyl) called Live and Obscure. The songs and the performances were fantastic.
Steve Earle does a fine tribute to Van Zandt on Townes. Highly Recommended.
The Late Great Townes van Zandt...
Marie - this may be the saddest song I know
Talking Thunderbird
There are various tunes called Cocaine Blues. It seems it's a popular subject. Here's the Reverend Gary Davis version.
According to Wikipedia, Davis first heard the song in 1905 from a traveling carnival musician named Porter Irving. Versions similar to Davis' have been recorded by many musicians. Here's a take I really like by the late great Townes van Zandt, from his CD Roadsongs.
Here's Bob Dylan playing a very nice version of it live. Check out Dylan's guitar picking on this one.
There is also a western swing tune based on the melody to Little Sadie, which was popularized by Johnny Cash.
George Thorogood plays this one too...
Then along came J.J. Cale. (I guess everyone knows the super-famous 1977 close cover version by Eric Clapton...).
