"West Coast Blues," by Blind Blake

I'm trying something new, access my Patreon account if you are interested in supporting my work. My lesson video and extended tablature of this song will be made available to Tier 2 Patrons.
/ andrewlardnerguitar
Blind Blake's "West Coast Blues" has stood out in my mind as one of the hottest fingerstyle solos ever recorded. I've spent well over a decade listening to it, perplexed by how he was achieving his sound. I'm proud to say that I think I've got it figured out. This was transcribed from one of three takes, track 5 on CD 1 of "All the Published Sides." His recording is a little over 3 minutes long and includes 17 strains of the basic theme, each one played differently. Blake seemed to be able to conjure up an endless amount of variations. I transcribed his entire recording, but for my performance here I cut out several strains to make it less repetitive. I also luckily didn't have to call out the steps to the dance, as Blake somehow manages to do on top what may be the most virtuosic playing I've ever heard.
The guitar is a very rare Brazilian Rosewood single 0 sized Euphonon from 1937. The Larson Brothers made many small body 12-fret guitars in the 10s and 20s, but 14-fret models with a small body in the 30s are very rare, as in you can count the number that have been documented on one hand.
Thanks for stopping by and enjoy!

[@JohnBrown-cx3lv]

I've been trying to play this for 55 years, and still can't get near it! This is the best version I've heard.

[@andrewlardner]

Thanks John. Nice transcription and video lesson on my Patreon. Blink Blake book in the works too.

[@JohnBrown-cx3lv]

Thanks. I know the notes, just never managed to get the rhythm...

[@JohnBrown-cx3lv]

Having said that, I might take a look at your tab. Watching your version makes me think there might have been an error in Stefan Grossman's transcription in his original "How to play ragtime blues guitar" book.

[@bleakcandour]

@@JohnBrown-cx3lv As a rule of thumb, Grossman's transcriptions are often left incomplete and/or inaccurate on purpose to motivate students in transcribing particular pieces of interest to aid in ear training etcetera. Andrew, however, is doing the labour of love here for us, and I, for one, must applaud him for the work he's done so far. Brilliant stuff, Andrew mate.

[@mississippijohnfahey7175]

​@@JohnBrown-cx3lv also, you're gonna want to practice simple piedmont rhythms until you can keep your boom-chick going without thinking about it. Then just learn to hum the melody of the song and pick it while doing your boom-chick thumb. I personally will put on one song on repeat for a few days until I know the melody and rhythm better than I know my social security number lol

[@johngood331]

This really is the best version of West Coast Blues I've ever heard, besides Blind Blake himself. But we can hear this clearly and actually see how its done.

[@RichardD35]

This is one of the best versions of West Coast Blues on KZbin today. Great syncopation.

[@LeivReed]

Incorrect. THE best!

[@WadeHerndon]

You've been producing the cleanest fingerstyle covers on the Internet for a solid 20 years at this point.

[@droppedee]

has the "jump" everyone doesn't get..very nice.

[@andrewlardner]

Thanks dee. I think the “jump” you refer to is Blake’s use of thumb on adjacent eighths, but you may mean something different. I admit I don’t do it as effortlessly as he did but a few of the runs come out pretty stable here, still not quite at his tempo. Other things I believe he did were a lot of lifting in the left hand and probably some muting in the right hand. Tried to emulate a lot of that here

[@LeivReed]

OH LAWDY LAWD!!!! I thought I’d never see anyone play like Blind Blake! And you got that sweet roll that noone else can play like him! Damn sooon!

[@Demigogal]

Amazing. Best blind Blake covers on the internet. The most accurate for sure.

[@joelgratton5836]

The only thing more impressive than this being 100% clean is the authentic sounding rolling bass notes. These legit covers of old blues songs are becoming rare and this one sounds so close to the original.

[@andrewlardner]

Thanks Joel. Worked hard on this one.

[@brianwood7237]

Blind Blake is my fave for standard tuned rags and upbeat tunes. He had such a free feel and loved to 'push the bar' to his whim, and his humor came out in his playing, more like a Joplin or Dixieland banjo swing type of enthusiasm...great rendition, just close your eyes and smile NEXT time you play it,😎

[@dodo14ify]

Cosa dire davanti ad un'esecuzione del genere ....soltanto rimanere in silenzio ed ascoltare. Complimenti dall'Italia !!!!

[@Deepriver100]

Another vote for this being about as close as you can get to the original - it's like sitting in a small bar-room listening to Blind Blake play live! You have certainly nailed the double-thumb technique which gave Blake's music its trademark drive and syncopation. And that Larson sounds absolutely gorgeous!

[@johngeddes7894]

The ending is what makes it for me. I don’t really play this song, but I use a similar chromatic walkdown on a Jelly Roll Morton piece. Another Blind Blake piece with a lot of chromatic tricks is ‘Walking Across the Country’. I never heard anyone else tackle it.

[@pachacamacs]

You nailed it! Those rolling bass lines are hard to play well. Congrats.

[@bgbreslin4596]

Seriously. It’s taken me several years to get the steady thumb nailed down. The Blake thumb is next level.

[@andrealuciani3083]

Wow! Congrats, perfectly played. This is not a guitar, is an authentic dream...

[@TenWilder0]

That was fantastically played! Also Potentially a great tutorial with the excellent view of the picking and fingering.

[@3niknicholson]

The best Blind Blake I've heard, lovely, rhythmic, accurate. Thanks!

[@quirtdrozario856]

Marvellous. Each note is clear as crystal. Beautiful.

[@andrewlardner]

Thank you!

[@SingleMalt77005]

This is just perfect on so many levels. Nice to hear the new/old Euphonon!

[@andrewlardner]

Yes I might have gotten myself into trouble this summer, I also found a Euphonon dreadnought, so hopefully another video next month.

[@thomaswalz3515]

Nice job! I took this on when in my 20's.... only had vinyl to learn it by... but I did it... Now... The Seaboard Stomp.. that'll be a challenge.

[@greekflatpicker]

Yes!

[@andrewlardner]

Hey Yiannis!

[@greekflatpicker]

Andrew Lardner awesomeness

[@johnhills4126]

That dancing bass is no easy feat to master. Superb job Andrew, amazing work!!!

[@terryrobb1211]

This the most correct version I've heard of Blakes's West Coast Blues.

[@andrewlardner]

Hey, it’s Terry Robb! I think Melody suggested I get in touch with you when I was working on my John Fahey book

[@timtaunton2581]

Yes!! Very nice Andrew. Thank you!

[@bgbreslin4596]

Wow. You’ve got that “Blake thumb” nailed down.

[@uqbartlon1364]

You are the best covering Blind Blake .

[@lshields4279]

Smokin'! Great playing Andy. Keep posting.

[@erudite1579]

Utterly brilliant! And, love that Larson!!

[@andrewlardner]

It will be for sale soon through Tony Klassen!

[@erudite1579]

@@andrewlardner Hummm ... I have two of Tony's guitars. Thanks for the FYI ... BTW, do you ever do house concerts?

[@andrewlardner]

Haven't done public performance in a few years, working through carpal tunnel, it's getting better, but still hard to play for long periods

[@pjk]

That stumble blake bass is so hard to do! you nailed it. Amazing version. Well done!

[@dokazaado]

Most excellent playing, and what a guitar!

[@vieuxbouc2900]

Great playing ! Brings light into this world , your guitar sounds full and rich. Greetings !

[@andrewlardner]

Thank you!

[@LenaRiess]

Lovely! Wonderful!

[@bpvdd]

Great réédition Andrew , beautiful takoma shirt.

[@andrewlardner]

Thanks Bernard!

[@NimRankin]

Kudos to you, man! Very good playing!

[@MGreen-vz6yb]

Love that Travis picking!

[@mikerood3544]

Brilliant!

[@LukeCerny]

Thank you, Andrew. I live near where Blake recorded in the 20s and is now buried. I fell in love with his tunes about 10 years ago and learned some bastardized versions of a few songs, but they never felt right. I could never find coherent instruction or demonstrations that were even close to capturing what my ears heard when Blake played. I gave up for a long time, until recently when I started trying to transcribe West Coast Blues again and came across this. It’s about as close as it gets! I don’t even want to think about how long it took for you to figure this out, but I joined your patreon immediately, for the sole purpose of getting closer to nailing this recording to the best of my abilities. I’m curious, after 5 years, have you been able to get any closer to calling out the dance lines while playing? That would be the ultimate. The more I unlock the complexities of this recording, the more I realize how next level picker he was to have been able to not only compose and play this, but effortlessly rap over it as well. RIP Blind Arthur Blake!

[@andrewlardner]

Hey Luke thank you so much for recently supporting. I too live not too far from Grafton. I would occasionally perform at the historical society there. Ha no I've never tried to add the vocal layer on top.

[@JoelBiger]

Awesome ! Very nice playing. Absolutely stunning !

[@Demigogal]

“Bringing her right on back to me!”

[@davegoodwin9580]

Great music. Great playing. Thanks

[@andrewlardner]

Thank you Dave

[@jonesscotta79]

Fantastic Andrew! Thank you for posting. This is why I love KZbin.

[@andrewlardner]

jonesscotta 79 Thanks for tuning in!

[@jonesscotta79]

Andrew...been meaning to ask you. I have listened to this several times and am picking up on a bass blurp sound that pops out several times...like you strum the bottom two bass strings (4&5) in succession...like a thumb strum. Am I hearing that right? I stared at the video but it happens so quick I am not sure if it’s intentional or I am hearing things. I can’t remember noticing that sound before...until this song! Please keep up the good work.

[@andrewlardner]

Those bass notes are the core technical element of this piece. He throws them in all the time, usually string 6 to 5 or 5 to 4. Very hard to do well, many of them here are a little off, I probably play it the best at about 1:49. I’m not kidding when I say I spent at least 6 months feeling like I was relearning to play the guitar to get a consistent sound out of them

[@gibby6904]

I love that guitar!

[@mikesweeney263]

Guitar sounds awesome

[@simpsimpson5175]

Very nice job.. Blakes spirit is hard to capture with his "sportin right hand".. But you killed it!

[@WilliamBrownGuitar]

Great job.

[@andrewlardner]

Guitar is described in the video description, no idea on what strings are on there, they're dead though.

[@WilliamBrownGuitar]

@@andrewlardner Thanks

[@sofoclispetrosjulyan1397]

Bravo

[@giacomopandiani6290]

God level, period.

[@Chrisjwhit]

The best version I have heard! fantastic

[@nichenderson8763]

Incredible

[@bccamden]

Nailed it!

[@KeithChesterton]

Excellent - great thumb!

[@richardmorris3027]

You sure can roll that thumb Andrew.

[@JavierSanchez-eo8rg]

Nice Job. Sounds awesome!!

[@songwritercircle1330]

Beautiful playing and video quality. Love those old blues rags. Subscirbed!

[@shaunrogers8658]

Brilliant and very well played.

[@michiganjack]

You've got it.

[@stevenkoehler6018]

Well done!

[@johnhi47]

Good to the last drop! - BBlake.

[@mettsmusic3460]

Excellent!

[@Qpidon]

did you nail it, or what?!

[@JimFalboguitar]

Really enjoyed this!

[@vincentdesiano4861]

You go to the head of the class!

[@droppedee]

I believe bb played it like this ...without the 6 th string on the beginning bass roll ...has the illusory overtones of a very light accompaniment ...

[@johnmckenna6203]

Well done good sir.

[@andrewlardner]

Thank you John

[@bluespreacher77]

Superb!

[@irish_failed_guitarist]

Brilliant

[@presentpleasantpeasant]

Great stuff

[@doc31597]

As the saying goes “You’ve either Got It or not Got it”.. Quite simply on ALL aspects “You’ve Got It 👌😉”.. 2 of my friends are guitarist’s .. both over 30+ years playing.. Of many styles.. Both are fascinated by this/ you.. Neither can play it.. close to how you do.. Which says a lot 👍🤘

[@nashwilliams5852]

Dude this sounds awesome. If you ever have a few minutes to spare, you should consider doing a lesson on some of your tunes. Many people would love it!

[@andrewlardner]

Thanks Nash.

[@maxcuthbert100]

Tidy !

[@joheabany]

Awesomeness my friend!!!

[@foxman9851]

5* from Germany for this job.

[@joelgratton]

nice work

[@jimswainston]

Amazing!

[@andyimms1868]

Superb!!

[@pedigreegudgeon]

Respect due.

[@JoeMode213]

Really cool cover!

[@dwbstllambstl]

Great job! I have that same guitar except in mahogany.

[@leopp78]

Good sound!

[@russelsheartinacage]

Slaying

[@ardayedek9833]

Andrew can you do john faheys version of this song. I didnt see anybody doing it right. I think you can do it with justice. Love this!

[@andrewlardner]

Yes, perhaps, and thank you for recommending. That is included in the second half of my Blind Joe Death book which got held up in licensing limbo and I have not yet had the energy to finalize everything. If it is not included here someday, it will be in the second BJD release.

[@hukusirohinoki]

👏👏Blabo🧡🎵

[@Fernando-rf9tf]

Muy emocionante 🎉

[@RutherfordRyan1]

Can hear some of the “Nobody knows you” changes pretty clearly…

[@davidglemboski258]

I am guessing that THIS is what every finger picker would like to sound like.

[@mackraus5683]

Yo, I’ve been looking for one of those shirts everywhere! I would be forever grateful if you could give me a lead on where to find one!

[@keithdolge]

Hey Andrew. great job on this. Are you playing with or without nails?

[@andrewlardner]

When playing without picks I use my nails but don’t keep them very long

[@nobelweg]

Sounds like Marcel Dadi!

[@ddanze]

Ever hear Ton Von Bergeijk's arrangement done on Danish Radio 1979?

[@andrewlardner]

Dave Danze I haven’t

[@mattrobert1967]

Hi, Andrew. I've really been digging your videos and I'm a big Blind Blake fan. You really have his licks and essence nailed. Any tips for getting that muted gut sound? Is that the guitar, old strings, a palm muting technique?

[@andrewlardner]

It’s very obvious to me that Blake had a lot of bounce in his left hand, the frequent lifting you see me doing is an example of this. He had a lot of control with the right hand too, not likely muting with the palm but stopping the strings with his finger tips and I believe the thumb side of the right hand. The shuffle thing he does with the thumb is by far the most trademark element, and it’s tricky to do at his tempo. I’m thinking about doing another Blake tune next month and his technique is still coming into focus for me. Learning more each day.

[@mattrobert1967]

@@andrewlardner Reverend Gary Davis called it a "sporting right hand." I look forward to your next Blake tune!

[@benitobenitezmartinez745]

Hi Mr.Lardner I’m Tania

[@danielstoddart]

Andrew: I have a question I've never heard you respond to anywhere. Why do you use a thumbpick on some recordings and not on others? Maybe I've just missed it and didn't know you stopped using a thumbpick.

[@andrewlardner]

It’s situational, determined by the technique needed to most effectively perform that specific piece of music.

[@thatrecord5313]

Mr. Lardner, I thank you for your interpretation of this song! I have used it to make an arrangement for guitar, trumpet, and trombone. I play the brass instruments listed, but cannot play guitar. May I ask permission to use your video so I can pair the trumpet and trombone parts? Of course, I will give you credit for your part.

[@andrewlardner]

Yeah no problem. Id be curious to hear what it sounds like

[@jjthepikazard212]

this is a wonderful rendition, can i use it in my videos? with credit, of course

[@tommcnally3646]

Beautiful, all about that bouncing thumb 👍👌

[@haroldsteinblatt2567]

Nice double-thumbing, the key to his sound; most players can’t do it. I think Blake’s thumb was made of concrete.

[@jorammorales9716]

Joram?

[@andrewlardner]

Hey buddy

[@leothecuisinart]

Sounds pretty much identical to southern rag

[@moodswingy1973]

Sir - any chance you could do an Ann Arbor” lesson on Patreon

[@andrewlardner]

Who is it by?

[@moodswingy1973]

@@andrewlardner John Fahey. See 16:49 in the video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmmbfZyZp7VkaKc

[@moodswingy1973]

@@andrewlardner lol too easy?

[@andrewlardner]

@@moodswingy1973 Next time I solicit recommendations on Patreon feel free to add it to the responses. I’ll consider anything that has musical merit and enough people are interested in learning

[@moodswingy1973]

@@andrewlardner Of course lol I understand it’s not a free-for-all. More of a suggestion/“hey have you heard this one by Fahey” than a request or expectation.

[@UptheArsenal]

shirt?

[@andrewlardner]

Takoma

[@BroadcastsFromPoorFarm]

Andrew Lardner where did you find that one? Haven’t seen a rainbow colored one yet!

[@andrewlardner]

@@BroadcastsFromPoorFarm They made a few different designs, I have another that is burgundy with gold print. Have also seen another design with floating angels, they're all pretty hard to come by

[@kallejamsen8114]

Hi Andrew, what is the guitar you are playing here?

[@andrewlardner]

A Euphonon

[@kallejamsen8114]

@@andrewlardner That's what I thought it is. Great transcription, great playing & wonderful tone.

[@andrewlardner]

@@kallejamsen8114 Thank you Kalle