Devil Got My Woman by Skip James

[@philipdubuque9596]

As a kid playing guitar I got to be at the Newport Folk Festival for 1964, '65 and '66. The high point was seeing Skip James perform this song. It's something you never forget.

[@lappleman]

Wow. How big a crowd was listening?

[@Tubascope]

"The blues is the roots; everything else is the fruits" - Willie Dixon

[@raulsevero8512]

Rock n roll

[@sirsancti5504]

Heavy-metal (the origins)

[@michealmartinez9194]

you got son house in the back and howlin wolf standing in the front all these blues musicians its beautiful how music draws people together

[@sterfishsoupster2572]

I beleive Bukka White was also there

[@davisworth5114]

@James Schultz *Est.1982 badass is getting like really trite.

[@michaelvance1118]

Skip James!! Rick who¿?😑🤨love me some skippy James!!!💚💙🙄☠

[@hyphield6471]

Mississippi John hurt too

[@spoookytooth]

Also they all got paid for being there 😂

[@GixxerRider1991]

The most unique voice in all of blues music.

[@itsallaroundyou7085]

I'd say Tommy Johnson is close but yeah probably gotta give it to skip

[@drunkdrywaller7840]

@@itsallaroundyou7085 Howlin and Lightnin as well.

[@daviaraujo5631]

Fantástico

[@jdrobinson3468]

​@@drunkdrywaller7840 Mr. Smokestack Lighting definitely has a unique voice but not like Skip James.

[@mjl.9-19]

I agree most unique. Skip James! The Canned Heat band use that vocal style

[@countblue]

Incredible music. This is not a simple video clip its a document of americas tradition.

[@shannon6708]

the heart and soul of America and rock music.

[@JTThomas82]

It's like a house full of Super Saiyan musicians.

[@keving9233]

No. These were flesh n blood humans. Not silly cartoon fantasy.

[@spliffsforbreakfast]

@@keving9233 Appreciate the fact that people of this generation can appreciate this piece of art and history while being able to connect it to the contemporary art of today that they know and love.

[@Gilbert_Dice_Gottfried]

More like ss4

[@madgepins1967]

​@@spliffsforbreakfastPlaying pretty fast-and-loose with the term "art," aren't you?

[@Noejjkkkj]

Super Saiyan musicians they were. Same as flesh n blood humans. There’s truth in it; cannot be without it, and it was and still is.

[@ke6319]

Skip James voice is both scary and beautiful. Love him so much ❤❤❤❤

[@CarlosPEnis]

I love Skip James man. Finally a blues guy that has a higher nasally voice like me lol. Just wish I could play like that. One of the best

[@gaspanda]

To me his voice elevates the blues to a different astral plain...

[@859mothertruckers5]

Fact: They had just pulled skip from the hospital and had no idea whether he could even sing. Then he did this.... beauty of the blues. Death cant stop it till he takes us himself.

[@Pabloignacioalvarez]

Best condition possible to play the blues to be honest

[@cooloutac]

@@Pabloignacioalvarez the Album called She Lyin one of his first if you can find it is really good. He was fresh out the hospital and in extreme pain throughout and it really comes out in his voice in playing.

[@cooloutac]

@@Pabloignacioalvarez Specifically that version of devil got my woman is my fav. You have to hear it man. i can't find it on the internet but I have it downloaded. the verison is on the album called "She Lyin'" Track 9. dude was in so much pain.

[@evilinkarnate]

oh. My. God. that picking. that falsetto. I could die happy in that room.

[@keving9233]

great comment, inkarnate thanks

[@tunesmith.blue.]

What a haunting voice, one of the best.

[@BSIII]

All those men in that room have all seen some pretty deep hardships, and Skip puts it in words over hypnotic, haunting acoustic melodies.

[@musicpersonale1231]

This is not only music this is History.

[@areguapiri]

My goodness!!!! That is pure magic! And surrounded by greatness in the room. A treasure that black America has lost in place of lazy garbage music of today.

[@davisworth5114]

sad but so.

[@kaecake9575]

Skip James has the progression of a crazed man. Amazing ✨

[@redskindan78]

Watch Skip James keep time with both feet. Takes me back to the first time I saw him. DC's Ontario Place, about 1964.

[@lesleyhalkett5675]

I'd give anything to have seen this legend. ❤

[@jimhurlbut3649]

Too cool! That must have been something!!

[@nelsonnoname001]

If a piece of my soul existed somewhere in time and a place, it would be in that room... Wolf, Slip, and Son, in the same room!

[@joarimuspapim8807]

The best footprints, of Skip James, better than the moon walk ! So lucky we can listening to that !

[@eliaszeminoi6389]

+Joarimus Papim Friend , I agree with you!

[@franzkafka77]

Oh hell yes my brother!

[@Alanoffer]

Joarimus Papim Skip James was real ,the moon landings werent

[@matthewsalvado4035]

His guitar playing is chilling, his voice is haunting, ladies and gentlemen I present you Skip James.

[@mnpli]

The voice of an angel

[@Gexxon]

Wow his take on the minor and diminished chords while playing blues riffs, is way different than any other blues artist out there, then and now. I LOVE IT! Never heard of him until now. Greatness right there, with all the GREATS in one room. OMG this is a national treasure in itself for sure. Howlin Wolf standing right there too.. I'll be damned. What a treat! Thanks for the upload. I truly enjoyed this gem.

[@kikeheebchinkjigaboo6631]

People play 40s or 50s blues like wolf and that mojo workin black dude. I really want to get down with some true delta blues

[@wiscgaloot]

Yeah, this is a looong ways away from the typical blues you hear. That man was just incredibly talented. And hidden away for 30 years, such a shame...

[@mavjimbo]

Speaking of Howling Wolf they filmed and recorded him also during this same session. I recognized the room immediately. Check it out.

[@giovanna8187]

Yes, I love those distinctive diminished or minor 6th chords. So ghostly! I read that he got into piano first, before guitar, and I think he learned them there.

[@daviaraujo5631]

Extraordinário

[@sirsancti5504]

That voice, man.. May he being singing in peace. Thank you, Skip!

[@nickihill1863]

most beautiful blues song

[@stacyblue1980]

Wolf standing and listening. Praise be. I have not seen Skip James' bit before. This was a great little film by Alan Lomax. Very important. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@treypeters1087]

This is incredible, makes me lucky to be alive

[@markkubiak8296]

The master at his trade. No one like him. Playing it like a blues piano!!

[@Karol-ds1qs]

Guitar playing, the whole delivery Unforgettable

[@NewYorkMuslim809]

The guitar playing is chilling!

[@mcampbell5158]

Awesome!! So glad that there are video's like this on KZbin!!!

[@AintItGreat]

Skip James was the absolute best

[@Human_Evolution-]

The greatest song ever? Maybe. Perfection.

[@andrewwabik5125]

This is only possible because of the horrific conditions he endured in the 30s. Beautiful

[@dwarless]

haunting is the correct word, masterpiece is another

[@johnking7008]

Imagine being in the room with those guys with Skip and the Wolf.

[@Jim-oe9pt]

So beautiful! So haunting! Thank you for posting this absolutely essential part of American Civilization!

[@WillyKidd]

Skip's recordings took place in 1931 - a point when our ol' pal Robert Johnson was likely still in Mississippi with Ike Zimmerman, learning to play the guitar. Therefore, Skip was the influence here, not Robert.

[@cngrinder9423]

I think Charley Patton was the first after the non-recorded blues, think that even son house had patton as a mentor and Son House is the influence of all the bluesmen here

[@nibbadelicious3918]

@@cngrinder9423 hello pentatonic scale :)

[@thebrazilianatlantis165]

@@cngrinder9423 Most of what you wrote wasn't close. House began playing blues in about 1926, long after Skip was. House was influenced early on by locals Willie Wilson, James McCoy, and Rube Lacey and Lemon Jefferson's records. He also knew Patton was one of the three or so most famous bluesmen in his area by then, knew him, and respected his work in some ways and not others. Patton was far from the earliest to record blues (or earliest from Mississippi to record blues, or earliest to play blues, or oldest to be recorded playing blues, or...).

[@cngrinder9423]

@@thebrazilianatlantis165 thank you for your comment, i used to take that statement because patton had Henry Sloan as mentor and at that time blues was hardly recorded. For example, there are no recordings of Sloan. In any case, i only mentioned about recorded blues and not actually compositions.

[@thebrazilianatlantis165]

@@cngrinder9423 We know virtually nothing about Henry Sloan (contrary to some imaginative writings about him that have cropped up on the internet). E.g. Gayle Dean Wardlow points out that we don't know if he ever played a blues tune. You mentioned who mentored and influenced whom. Given that they were all playing blues as of about 1926 -- and given that in e.g. about 1916 Patton, Skip, Tommy Johnson, etc. all were -- who first recorded in 1929 vs. 1930 vs. 1931 doesn't tell us much about that at all. The record companies showed up to try to make even more money than Blind Lemon, Peg Leg Howell, etc. were making them and who they hit first was basically random.

[@ddbr5790]

The 28 who have disliked this video need a word with themselves in my opinion, jeez ‘I prefer my music with a little less soul’

[@completecarnage]

Just stupid.

[@franzkafka77]

John Hurt behind James, Hubert Sumlin next to him. Looks like Carey Bell next to Wolf. Hubert and Bell would have been playing the Festival with Wolf. Skip James was a National Treasure. He was married to John Hurt's daughter Lorenzo, and is buried with her in Malvern on the Main Line outside of Philadelphia.

[@Nyama74]

Pretty sure that's Rev. Pearly Brown standing behind James. I don't think John Hurt was at Newport in '66.

[@djblackjackshellac]

Buried in Bala Cynwyd, PA. I'm in Malvern right now and he isn't here.

[@theloneliestmonk]

@@djblackjackshellac They are buried next to each other in Merion Memorial Park, PA. For those who are feeling pedantic www.findagrave.com/memorial/7936559/skip-james

[@eduardocarrochio6326]

i've read lorenzo was hurt's daughter, sister and niece. niece is from a biography of hurt so i am going with that.

[@MrOhjok]

Son House is next to Wolf.

[@coyotecreekblues6935]

Skips music was intense and so hypnotic.

[@joshuarosenblatt]

Skip James is my favorite. that voice. mmmmm incredible.

[@mlwsf]

I love Howlin Wolf bobbing his head here.

[@MrTeamsolutions]

Bluesman, thank you kindly for helping me out of a sad situation. RIP

[@MaineGeezer]

I think Skip James left this world and went to a different plane of consciousness when he sang.

[@MarkSmith-ly2fi]

Why isn't Skip James recognised as genius?

[@chipstern]

Kind of fell off the face of the Earth after his early 1930s Paramount recordings, and was out of music. Was rediscovered in the folk revival of the '60s, and Cream's cover of "I'm So Glad" really put him on the map. Alas, he died, cancer I think, as the '60s came to a close...but at least he got a taste of recognition and love. And yes, he is recognized as a singularity.

[@w13rdguy]

He's politically incorrect, that's why. He's also reputed to be the devil, as referred to in the Robert Johnson "Crossroads" tale.

[@seanfitzgerald5858]

ah he is.

[@nathangolliher2776]

correct!

[@paulgalligan1916]

w13rdguy explain dude ?

[@klausrain111]

Every time I hear Skip on one of these videos, his vocals just blow me away.

[@johnking7008]

Skip had a tragic life. Racism and poverty stalked him.

[@irisheyes0058]

Just love the vocal style and steeped In history with the audience

[@maeviac30]

Every time I hear Skip singing this tune , I get the chills ! Something about this song !

[@evilinkarnate]

play it in summer to cool down. Seriously. It's like a cool wind blowing in from far away, cutting through humidity and hot night air.

[@grahamstephenson7572]

TV

[@jamesebola1250]

Simply amazing...my hairs are all standing on ends...

[@brettskie0752]

Just a Pure GEM !!! like WOW...Blown away and wish we had older footage of the Legends/ Blues God's!! O HELL YEAH !!

[@jaimemcewen1403]

some of the best vocals ive ever heard. regardless of genre

[@jdrobinson3468]

I concur his voice is so different from everyone else to me. It's like Billie Holiday, well not like her but just stands out like her.

[@Alanoffer]

Howling wolf prowling at the bar ,

[@irisheyes0058]

Only left cause he needed a piss... I would piss myself not to miss a sec 😁

[@monicavargas4877]

What lyrics! And the voice!! Just so perfect! I love the story of this song

[@gibsonheggitt5485]

Hello dear,how are you doing

[@lucileartaud1762]

Pur genius.break my heart

[@GarimellaProduction]

Wow this is amazing music!

[@jeffmccomas2784]

I wonder what Howlin Wolf thought of Skip James type of Benitonia blues I know he idolized Son House but Mr James had a whole different style of blues

[@cathyw4564]

Alan Wilson. Now I get it.

[@yehudafine1015]

You are right on the dime. Skip James was deeply influenced by Skip James

[@willemjonker9730]

@@yehudafine1015 *Alan wilson

[@gibsonheggitt5485]

Hello dear,how are you

[@elijahrea]

Hard times create wonderful music

[@jamesbethea3100]

Love everything I see and hear

[@gibsonheggitt5485]

Hello dear ,how are you doing today

[@monsignormurphy]

Not Newport Folk Festival, but rather private filmed performance. Film of entire array of performances is available under title "Devil Got My Woman: Blues At Newport 1966". On that compilation, there is a superb performance by Howlin' Wolf.

[@Lostmychops]

I can’t believe this footage exists. Kudos to the cameraman. This is some evil and idiosyncratic blues. The best kind.

[@jungleninja8415]

The blues ain't evil

[@justfionacat9173]

Best song ever written.

[@snr.puente5109]

MASTERpiece!

[@gabrieledodero4654]

Real music for real people!! Great Skip!!!!

[@ariellehunter]

that is so cool ! his music lives on forever with this video.

[@spudcustardx1]

This and Freight Train of all I love this Skip track, I know nothing, but this is DNA

[@Tootufftocry]

we never doubted you skip

[@kennyguitarallen5662]

great footage of film,just love it

[@carthag]

such talent

[@wychwoodmusic]

What a fucking room

[@luciddreams2524]

Wow... Truly speechless.

[@charliedontsurf70]

anybody remember the movie ghost world?when steve bushemi sells thera birch an old blues album and she falls in love with this song?she asks steve for more songs that sound like this?and he tells her "their are no other songs like that"?priceless!

[@GAMEBOYn00b]

charliedontsurf70 Oh wow, I saw that movie years ago and I'd completely forgotten that link! Rewatched again today - Daniel Clowes knows where it's at!

[@callmecap10]

charliedontsurf70 I have never seen it but what a moving description

[@bugglemagnum6213]

This is so much better than the original recording, his maturity shows through his skill here

[@NataliaDiazJackson]

Thank you so much for posting! ❤️🙏🏽

[@andrewz4537]

A masterpiece! Is that Mississippi John Hurt standing behind Skip?

[@GAMEBOYn00b]

That moment when you remember Thora Birch listening to this in Ghost World. Beautiful music.

[@robgillan2245]

So the great HW couldn't even wait till the end of the song . What was it with those guys . Skippy brilliant HW great

[@josevivar5157]

That voice great Skip

[@rcsiegler]

Thank you so much for posting this.

[@montero11550]

Christ it’s like I’m hearing a whole band playing ....play skip play the next drinks on me

[@michaelglucksman147]

Love his guitar playing

[@JTThomas82]

That was SICK!!!!!

[@megisynynef2224]

That's what I'm talkin' 'bout. The one and only Skip James. YEAH.

[@renedessessandre42]

Pour moi le meilleur, la quintessence du blues, l'âme de toute une culture noire américaine.

[@trashiscool1]

Smile it's Skip.

[@michaelvance1118]

The baddest of the bad!! Best of all the best BLUES/ ROCK N ROLL CREATORS!!!! EVER!!!

[@cyclamenpersicum]

Si youtube se quedara con sólo este video sería suficiente

[@jimphilidor9031]

What a legend!

[@Osvaldo-Castro]

How! Great! If Blues is tear, then this is the true Blues.

[@sciexp]

Thanks for sharing. Nice...

[@adammwalch]

Fantastic.

[@kaecake9575]

"The blues is not about playing to feel better instead it's about making them feel bad just as much as you."

[@peterrichardson5503]

this is true music nothing like the absolute noise people listen to these days. blues is the most important music of the last 150 years (in my opinion)

[@ajricherson1099]

Anybody who knows anything about music would agree, even if they don't like the blues.

[@karyvarvenne3025]

yes so good !!!

[@gibsonheggitt5485]

Hello dear ,how are you doing today

[@michealjovanie7143]

all KZbin comments are invalid at this point.

[@thecapriciousamerasian639]

Incredible

[@j.m.harrincourt2208]

Howlin Wolf is clearly suffering. However, James is a real unicum and an unquestionable talent. ...although the Wolf thought otherwise.

[@georgefromgreece4119]

Where is stated by Wolf otherwise?

[@emmanuelmercer2595]

Oh man!!!, that voice, it's the voice of a man with a lot of pain, this guy, skip "master" james, is overrated, and one of the greatest blues musicians of all time 👏👏

[@ReneNYG1]

Love it

[@woodhd]

hurts to watch this ... wolf walks off to straighten houses necktie ... so much history in one room

[@mementomori8856]

Here from Ghost World, incredible

[@veroniquehecquet1347]

Leçon de vie à vie..❤️❤️❤️ Masters c'est Classé Master Classe.. Sans condition...Atout Majeur