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Track: Green River Blues
Artist: Charley Patton
Album: Circle Round the Moon

Artist Bio

Charley Patton Image

Name: Charley Patton
Spotify Genres: country blues, blues, classic blues, ragtime
Followers: 75,146
Popularity:

26/100

Biography

Charlie Patton, better known as Charley Patton, was an American Delta blues singer, guitarist and songwriter. Considered by many to be the "Father of the Delta Blues", he inspired most Delta blues musicians. Born: April 1891 (probable) in Hinds County, Mississippi (near the town of Edwards) Died: April 28, 1934 on the Heathman-Dedham plantation in Mississippi (near Indianola) Patton's parentage and race also are uncertain. His parents were Bill and Annie Patton, but locally he was regarded as having been fathered by former slave Henderson Chatmon, several of whose children became popular Delta musicians, as solo performers and as members of groups such as the Mississippi Sheiks. Biographer John Fahey described Patton as having "light skin and Caucasian features." Patton was considered African-American, but because of his light complexion there has been much speculation about his ancestry over the years. One theory endorsed by blues musician [a=Howlin' Wolf] was that Patton was Mexican or Cherokee. It is now generally agreed that Patton was of mixed heritage, with white, black, and Native ancestors. In 1897, his family to Dockery Plantation, a cotton farm and sawmill near Ruleville, Mississippi. There, Patton developed his musical style, influenced by Henry Sloan, who had a new, unusual style of playing music, which is now considered an early form of the blues. Patton performed at Dockery and nearby plantations and began an association with [a=Willie Brown (2)]. [a=Tommy Johnson], [a=Fiddlin' Joe Martin], [a=Robert Johnson], and [a=Howlin' Wolf] also lived and performed in the area, and Patton served as a mentor to these younger performers. He gained popularity for his showmanship, sometimes playing with the guitar down on his knees, behind his head, or behind his back. He died on the Heathman-Dedham plantation, near Indianola, on April 28, 1934, and is buried in Holly Ridge (both towns are located in Sunflower County). His death certificate states that he died of a mitral valve disorder. Patton's death was not reported in the newspapers. A memorial headstone was erected on Patton's grave, paid for by musician [a=John Fogerty] through the Mt. Zion Memorial Fund in July 1990.

Source: Discogs

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Discogs Release Info

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Release: Charley Patton - Green River Blues / Elder Greene Blues
Year: 1930
Genres: Blues
Styles: Delta Blues

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Source: MusicBrainz

LYRICS

I see a river rollin' like a log
I wade up Green River, rollin' like a log
I wade up Green River, Lord, rollin' like a log
Think I heard the Marion whistle blow
I dreamed I heard the Marion whistle blow,
and it blew just like my baby gettin' on board

I'm goin' where the Southern cross the Dog2
I'm goin' where the Southern cross the Dog
I'm goin' where the Southern cross the Dog

Some people say the Green River blues ain't bad
Some people say the Green River blues ain't bad
Then it must-a not been the Green River blues I had

It was late one night, everything was still
It was late one night, baby, everything was still
I could see my baby up on a lonesome hill

How long evenin' train been gone?
How long, baby, that evenin' train been gone?
You know I'm worried now but I won't be worried long

I'm goin' away, but may get lonesome here
I'm goin' away, baby, you may get lonesome here
Yes, I'm goin' away, baby, it may get lonesome here