son house

Biography

Edward James "Son" House Jr. (1902–1988) was born near Lyon, Mississippi, into a family with musical roots but was initially drawn to the church, becoming a preacher and pastor in his teens. His early years were marked by a strong devotion to gospel music and a rejection of secular blues, a tension that would define much of his life[2][3][1]. Around age 25, House was inspired by local slide guitarists and the expressive power of blues, leading him to embrace the genre and develop a unique style that fused the emotional intensity of his preaching with raw, rhythmic guitar work[2][4].

House's career began in the Mississippi Delta, where he performed at local gatherings and juke joints, often alongside blues luminaries like Charley Patton and Willie Brown. In 1930, he recorded for Paramount Records, but these early recordings saw little commercial success due to the Great Depression[2][5]. Despite this, House became a significant influence on future legends such as Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters, shaping the sound and spirit of Delta blues[1][2][5]. After a period of incarceration and subsequent exile from Clarksdale, he continued performing locally before moving north during the Great Migration, eventually settling in Rochester, New York, where he worked outside of music for many years[5].

Son House was rediscovered during the 1960s folk and blues revival, thanks to the efforts of younger musicians and researchers. He returned to performing, captivating new audiences with his passionate, trance-like performances and powerful slide guitar. His legacy endures as one of the foundational figures in blues, revered for his emotional depth, innovative technique, and profound influence on generations of musicians[2][5][1].

Fun Facts

• Son House did not begin playing guitar until around age 25, much later than most blues musicians[4].
• He served time at Parchman Farm prison for manslaughter, which he claimed was self-defense[3][4].
• House was known for occasionally rising from his chair during performances to sing spirited a cappella gospel songs[1].
• His single "Preachin' the Blues" was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2017[2].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• James McCoy - Inspired House's interest in blues and slide guitar (Local performances, informal mentorship) [circa 1927]
• Willie Wilson - Slide guitar influence and early blues mentor (Local performances, informal mentorship) [late 1920s]
• Charley Patton - Collaborator and mentor; invited House to record and perform (Paramount recording sessions (1930)) [1930s]

Key Collaborators

• Willie Brown - Frequent performing partner in the Delta (Local performances, Library of Congress recordings) [1930s–1940s]
• Charley Patton - Shared performances and recording sessions (Paramount recordings (1930)) [1930]
• Alan Lomax & John W. Work - Recorded House and his band for archival projects (Library of Congress/Fisk University recordings (1941–1942)) [1941–1942]

Artists Influenced

• Robert Johnson - House's style and intensity deeply shaped Johnson's approach (Johnson's Delta blues recordings) [1930s]
• Muddy Waters - House's musicianship and emotional delivery influenced Waters' blues style (Waters' early recordings and performances) [1940s]
• Alan Wilson - Co-founder of Canned Heat; helped rediscover House and was influenced by his slide guitar technique (Canned Heat's blues repertoire, House's 1960s revival) [1960s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Death Letter Blues (Father Of The Delta Blues: The Complete 1965 Sessions)
2. John the Revelator (Father Of The Delta Blues: The Complete 1965 Sessions)
3. Death Letter (Forever On My Mind)
4. Grinnin' In Your Face
5. Levee Camp Blues (Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues: Son House)
6. Pearline (Father Of The Delta Blues: The Complete 1965 Sessions)
7. Death Letter Blues (The Original Delta Blues (Mojo Workin': Blues For The Next Generation))
8. John The Revelator (The Original Delta Blues (Mojo Workin': Blues For The Next Generation))
9. Empire State Express
10. Death Letter Blues (Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues: Son House)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #acoustic-blues, #blues, #delta-blues