Charley Patton
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (February 2019) |
Charley Patton | |
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Background information | |
Also known as |
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Born | c. April 1891 Hinds County, Mississippi, U.S. |
Died | 28 April 1934 Heathman Plantation, Sunflower County, Mississippi, U.S. | (aged 43)
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instrument(s) | |
Years active | 1916–1934 |
Labels |
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Charlie Patton (April 1891 (probable) – April 28, 1934), more often spelled Charley Patton, was an American
Patton (who was well educated by the standards of his time) spelled his name Charlie,[1] but many sources, including record labels and his gravestone, use the spelling Charley.[2]
Biography
Patton was born in Hinds County, Mississippi, near the town of Edwards, and lived most of his life in Sunflower County, in the Mississippi Delta. Most sources say he was born in April 1891, but the years 1881, 1885 and 1887 have also been suggested.[3] 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.[4] Biographer John Fahey described Patton as having "light skin and Caucasian features."[5]
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
In 1897, his family moved 100 miles (160 km) north to the 10,000-acre (40 km2)
Patton settled in
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.[18] The death certificate does not mention Bertha Lee; the only informant listed is one Willie Calvin.[19] Patton's death was not reported in the newspapers.[20]
A memorial headstone was erected on Patton's grave (the location of which was identified by the cemetery caretaker, C. Howard, who claimed to have been present at the burial), paid for by musician
Recognitions
Patton's song "
In 2017, Patton's story was told in the award-winning documentary series
In May, 2021, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame posthumously inducted Patton into the 2021 class as an Early Influence.[31]
Historical marker
The Mississippi Blues Trail placed its first historical marker on Patton's grave in Holly Ridge, Mississippi, in recognition of his legendary status as a bluesman and his importance in the development of the blues in Mississippi.[32] It placed another historic marker at the site where the Peavine Railroad intersects Highway 446 in Boyle, Mississippi, designating it as a second site related to Patton on the Mississippi Blues Trail. The marker commemorates the lyrics of Patton's "Peavine Blues", which refer to the branch of the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad which ran south from Dockery Plantation to Boyle. The marker notes that riding on the railroad was a common theme of blues songs and was seen as a metaphor for travel and escape.[33]
Discography
Paramount recordings
Recording Date | Recording Location | Matrix | Song | Paramount Issue # | Release Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
June 14, 1929 | Richmond, Indiana | G15216 | "Pony Blues" | 12792-A | 1929 |
June 14, 1929 | Richmond, Indiana | G15211 | "Mississippi Boweavil Blues" | 12805-B | 1929 |
June 14, 1929 | Richmond, Indiana | G15214 | "Screamin' and Hollerin' the Blues" | 12805-A | 1929 |
June 14, 1929 | Richmond, Indiana | G15215 | "Down the Dirt Road Blues" | 12854-A | 1929 |
June 14, 1929 | Richmond, Indiana | G15217 | "Banty Rooster Blues" | 12792-B | 1929 |
June 14, 1929 | Richmond, Indiana | G15221 | "Pea Vine Blues" | 12877-A | 1929 |
June 14, 1929 | Richmond, Indiana | G15220 | "It Won't Be Long" | 12854-B | 1929 |
June 14, 1929 | Richmond, Indiana | G15222 | "Tom Rushen Blues" | 12877-B | 1929 |
June 14, 1929 | Richmond, Indiana | G15223 | "A Spoonful Blues" | 12869-B | 1929 |
June 14, 1929 | Richmond, Indiana | G15224 | "Shake It and Break It (But Don't Let It Fall Mama)" | 12869-A | 1929 |
June 14, 1929 | Richmond, Indiana | G15225 | "Prayer of Death, Part 1" | 12799-A | 1929 |
June 14, 1929 | Richmond, Indiana | G15225A | "Prayer of Death, Part 2" | 12799-B | 1929 |
June 14, 1929 | Richmond, Indiana | G15226 | "Lord, I'm Discouraged" | 12883-A | 1929 |
June 14, 1929 | Richmond, Indiana | G15227 | "I'm Going Home" | 12883-B | 1929 |
November 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0038=1 | "Elder Green Blues" ≠ | 12972-A | 1929 |
November 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0041 | "Mean Black Cat Blues" | 12943-A | 1929 |
November 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0050 | "Heart Like Railroad Steel" | 12953-B | 1929 |
November 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0047 | "Hammer Blues" | 12998-A | 1929 |
November 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0051 | "Some Happy Day" | 13031-A | 1930 |
November 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0049 | "When Your Way Gets Dark" | 12998-B | 1929 |
November 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0040 | "Devil Sent the Rain" ≠ | 13040-B | 1929 |
November 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0052 | "You're Gonna Need Somebody When You Die" | 13031-B | 1930 |
November 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0039 | "Circle Round the Moon" ≠ | 13040-A | 1930 |
November 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0048 | "Magnolia Blues" | 12943-B | 1929 |
November 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0043 | "Some Of These Days, I'll Be Gone" | 13110-B | 1930 |
December 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0077 | "Mean Black Moan" ≠ | 12953-A | 1929 |
December 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0044=3 | "Green River Blues" | 12972-A | 1929 |
December 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0061 | "Jesus Is a Dying Bed Maker" ≠ | 12986-A | 1929 |
December 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0037=1 | "Going Move to Alabama" ≠ | 13014-B | 1930 |
December 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0059 | "High Water Everywhere, Part 1" | 12909-A | 1929 |
December 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0060 | "High Water Everywhere, Part 2" | 12909-B | 1929 |
December 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0062=2 | "I Shall Not Be Moved" | 12986-B | 1929 |
December 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0064=1 | "Runnin' Wild Blues" ≠ | 12924-B | 1929 |
December 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0063=2 | "Rattlesnake Blues" ≠ | 12924-A | 1929 |
December 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0057 | "Jim Lee Blues, Part 1" | 13080-A | 1930 |
December 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0058 | "Jim Lee Blues, Part 2" | 13133-B | 1930 |
December 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0042=1 | "Frankie and Albert" | 13110-A | 1930 |
December 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0067 | "Joe Kirby" ≠ | 13133-A | 1930 |
May 28, 1930 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0432=1 | "Moon Going Down" † | 13014-A | 1930 |
May 28, 1930 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0433 | "Bird Nest Bound" † | 13070-A | 1930 |
May 28, 1930 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0431 | "Some Summer Day" † | 13080-B | 1930 |
May 28, 1930 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0429 | "Dry Well Blues" † | 13070-B | 1930 |
≠ Vocals and guitar by Patton, with Henry "Son" Sims on fiddle.
† Willie Brown on accompanying guitar
- 1929; Henry "Son" Sims (vocals), Patton accompanying guitar
Recording Date | Recording Location | Matrix | Song | Paramount Issue # | Release Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
November 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0046 | "Come Back Corrinna" | 12912-A | 1929 |
November 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0045 | "Farrell Blues" | 12912-B | 1929 |
December 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0066 | "Be True, Be True Blues" | 12940-A | 1929 |
December 1929 | Grafton, Wisconsin | L0065 | "Tell Me Man Blues" | 12940-B | 1929 |
Vocalion recordings
Recording Date | Recording Location | Matrix | Song | Vocalion Issue # | Release Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
January 30, 1934 | New York City | 14723=1 | "Jersey Bull Blues" | 02782-A | 1934 |
January 30, 1934 | New York City | 14725=2 | "High Sheriff Blues" | 02680-A | 1934 |
January 30, 1934 | New York City | 14727=1 | "Stone Pony Blues" | 02680-B | 1934 |
January 31, 1934 | New York City | 14739=1 | "34 Blues" | 02651-B | 1934 |
January 31, 1934 | New York City | 14746 | "Love My Stuff" | 02782-B | 1934 |
January 31, 1934 | New York City | 14747 | "Revenue Man Blues" | 02931-A | 1934 |
February 1, 1934 | New York City | 14749 | "Oh Death" ‡ | 02904-A | 1934 |
February 1, 1934 | New York City | 14749 | "Troubled 'Bout My Mother" ‡ | 02904-B | 1934 |
February 1, 1934 | New York City | 14757 | "Poor Me" | 02651-A | 1934 |
February 1, 1934 | New York City | 14758 | "Hang It On the Wall" | 02931-B | 1934 |
‡ Vocal duet with Bertha Lee
- 1934; Bertha Lee (vocals), Patton accompanying guitar
Recording Date | Recording Location | Matrix | Song | Vocalion Issue # | Release Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
January 31, 1934 | New York City | 14735=1 | "Yellow Bee" | 02650-A | 1934 |
January 31, 1934 | New York City | 14736=1 | "Mind Reader Blues" | 02650-B | 1934 |
Citations
- ^ "• Charley Patton April 28, 1891 – April 28, 1934..." Iloveancestry.net. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- ^ "Charley Patton (1891–1934)". Findagrave.com. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
- ^ Charley Patton Birthplace, Mississippi Blues Foundation.
- ^ Fahey 1970, p. 18.
- ^ Fahey 1970, p. 26.
- ^ "Mississippi Blues Trail". Retrieved February 3, 2024.
- ^ "New York Guitar Festival - Charley Patton Tribute". July 14, 2007. Archived from the original on July 14, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
- ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- ^ Palmer 1981, p. 50.
- ^ Palmer 1981, pp. 51–52.
- ^ Palmer 1981, p. 58.
- ^ Palmer 1981, pp. 59, 61.
- ^ Palmer 1981, p. 133.
- ^ Wardlow 1998, p. 30.
- ISBN 978-0-7864-0606-7.
- ^ Palmer 1981, p. 86-7.
- ^ ISBN 1-85868-255-X.
- ^ Wardlow 1998, p. 98.
- ^ Palmer 1981, p. 88.
- ^ Palmer 1981, p. 89.
- ISBN 1-904041-96-5.
- ^ "The Definitive Charley Patton: Releases". AllMusic. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
- ^ "The National Recording Registry 2006: National Recording Preservation Board (Library of Congress)". Loc.gov. May 13, 2011. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
- ^ "BBC - Arena: American Epic - Media Centre". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
- ^ "Mule Calls and Outlaws: A Conversation With 'American Epic' Director Bernard MacMahon". Men's Journal. May 23, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
- ^ "'American Epic' Recreates Music History With Elton John, Beck & More". Udiscovermusic.com. May 10, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
- ^ "American Epic". Stereophile.com. June 12, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
- ^ Lewis, Randy (May 14, 2017). "'American Epic' explores how a business crisis ignited a musical revolution". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
- ^ Wald, McGourty & MacMahon 2017, p. 120.
- )
- ^ "Class of 2021 Inductees | Rock & Roll Hall of Fame". Rockhall.com. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- ^ "Haley Barbour Unveils First Marker of Mississippi Blues Trail". Jazz News. Retrieved February 9, 2007.
- ^ "Mississippi Blues Trail Markers to Be Unveiled in Bolivar County" (PDF). Mississippi Development Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 7, 2007. Retrieved May 29, 2008.
References
- Calt, Stephen; Wardlow, Gayle Dean (1988). King of the Delta Blues, The Life and Music of Charlie Patton. LCCN 87072899.
- LCCN 67003863.
- LCCN 70548903.
- ISBN 0-14006-223-8.
- ISBN 978-1501135606.
- Wardlow, Gayle Dean (1998). Komara, Edward (ed.). Chasin' That Devil Music: Searching for the Blues. San Francisco, California: ISBN 0-87930-552-5.
Relevant literature
- Sacré, Robert, ed. Charley Patton: Voice of the Mississippi Delta. 2018. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi
External links
This article's use of external links may not follow Wikipedia's policies or guidelines. (February 2019) |
- History of Charley Patton recording on Paramount Records
- Charley Patton by R. Crumb
- Charley Patton Biography (Allmusic)
- Charley Patton discography at Discogs
- Charley Patton at IMDb
- The bluesman – Charley Patton (by Cub Koda)
- Charley Patton – Delta Blues
- Charley Patton Profile
- Works by or about Charley Patton at Internet Archive
- 1980 Induction into Blues Foundation Hall of Fame
- Milestone Charley Patton recordings at Three Perfect Minutes