g, voc, *1893 US, Newport News, Virginia
Singer / Musician of Blues
A.k.a. Arthur Blake Arthur Phelps (2) Billy James And His Guitar Blind Arthur
Born Arthur Blake, circa 1893, Jacksonville, Florida; died: December 1, 1934. Blind Blake recorded about 80 tracks for Paramount Records in the late 1920s and early 1930s. He was one of the most accomplished guitarists of his genre with a surprisingly diverse range of material. His complex and intricate fingerpicking has inspired Rev. Gary Davis, Jorma Kaukonen, Ry Cooder, Ralph McTell and many others. He is most known for his distinct guitar sound that was comparable in sound and style to a ragtime piano. Very little is known about his life. His birthplace was listed as Jacksonville, Florida by Paramount Records but even that is in dispute. Nothing is known of his death. Even his name is not certain.
The Paramount All Stars |
Yazoo All Stars |
Track list and 30sec audio provided by
Blind Blake voc, g 1915-1986 World |
Blind Blake And The Royal Victoria Hotel Calypsos World |