Mississippi John Hurt: Make me a pallet on your floor:
John Hurt was rediscovered in 1963 by my guitar teacher, Mike Stewart and Tom Hoskins. I was in DC too late to have met John. But I was studying his tunes in 1963 as it turned out, independently.
Another great guitarist, Memphis Minnie in the 1930's:
Me and my chauffeur
Blind Reverend Gary Davis, whom I met and he taught me a bit in 1960:
One of his signature songs, 12 Gates to the city, here with Sonny Terry on harp, 1940!
Blind Boy Fuller:
"Meat Shakin' Woman":
Blind Willie McTell:
"You was born to die"
Huddie Ledbetter, 'Leadbelly', House of the Rising Sun:
Robert Johnson, "Crossroads" (story goes he was poisoned by his jilted girlfriend, died really way too soon)
Skip James 'Crow Jane"
And of course, Son House!
Death letter: