Johnny Shines "Sweet Home Chicago"

Delta blues giant Johnny Shines sings "Sweet Home Chicago." From the Vestapol DVD "Legends of the Delta Blues."
This collection (Vestapol 13038) presents the unalloyed power of these Delta legends as they performed in the 1960s and 1970s. Son House is both philosopher and a man possessed; Johnny Shines, by turns subtle and intense, brings as much to Robert Johnson's example as he takes from it; Bukka White extols women and rambling freights in his stream-of-consciousness growl; a meditative John Lee Hooker reflects, I'll Never Get Out Of These Blues Alive. This is music which has mesmerized everyone from a young Muddy Waters to today's blues-based rockers. Its earthy vitality remains fresh in rare performances rife with slide guitars, driving rhythms and songs as searing as a hellhound's bay across the Delta darkness.
Titles include: SON HOUSE Talk About The Blues, I Had The Blues This Morning, Empire State Express, Levee Camp Moan, Don't Mind People Grinning In Your Face JOHNNY SHINES Sweet Home Chicago, Kindhearted Woman, Going To Algiers, Tell Me How You Want Your Rolling Done, I Don't Know, Ramblin' BUKKA WHITE I'm Going Settle Down, Old Lady, Freight Train Blues JOHN LEE HOOKER I'll Never Get Out Of These Blues Alive, It Serves Me Right To Suffer JOHNNY SHINES, HONEYBOY EDWARDS & WALTER HORTON Love Of Mine
To order: www.guitarvide...

[@polydiatonic]

I gotta tell you, I toured with Johnny towards the end of his life, in 1989. It was an incredible privilege and honor sit stand behind him on stage and play the bass with him and to sit with him in the hotels and at rehearsals; telling us stories about his days with Robert Johnson and all. I'll never forget it...

[@tonymostromable]

dammnnn

[@michaellawlor1267]

Lovely memories.

[@NoOne-kr4jc]

Tell us some Robert Johnson stories.

[@stefanthorpenberg887]

I spoke with him after a concert with Willie Dixon in Gothenburg 1969. I was 15 years old and asked what he thought about Cream’s version of Crossroads. He said it was OK, and then said that he played with Robert Johnson. I couldn’t fathom that, and had no answer. It was like talking to someone who had met Napoleon, or something.

[@jackiewilburn3063]

Johnny had the closest tone to Robert's that I've ever heard! The tone Robert had almost sounded like a piano instead of a guitar sometimes and Johnny nails it!

[@shodanart]

Jackie Wilburn Voice very close, too!

[@Adibarum]

The living connection to the Blues of Robert Johnson..the man that played from town to town with him..what a great version

[@countryboy6767]

Um hm m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3244748435569330&id=100001026151518

[@TheKINGisComing777]

Yes, I am familiar with Shines history with Robert Johnson and couldn't help but think that reason he plays this song so much like Robert Johnson is that he probably learned it from the man himself!

[@PeaceFullSpirit8]

This is my Great Great grandfather according to my grandma it was her mother's Father.

[@LeonardoVillalvazo]

and you got the blues?

[@PeaceFullSpirit8]

@@LeonardoVillalvazo I learned to play the guitar by sound so I might have gotten it from him.

[@ithakra]

I have one of his albums, great musician!

[@SupermanSavedMe]

Where are you from? I knew one of his daughters. We have lost touch over the years but I still live in the same area.

[@PeaceFullSpirit8]

@@SupermanSavedMe Tulsa, OK but all my family live in Chicago.

[@jfj619]

Amazing. Utterly brilliant. This should be required listening material in schools.

[@Youssef51]

Johnny Shines was one of the very greatest. It's always amazed me that he got so little attention - while he was still alive and playing - compared to Robert Johnson, who was long gone. I've heard that people used to bug the crap out of Shines by constantly asking him if it was true that he had known Robert Johnson (he had) instead of just listening to and appreciating Shines' incredible guitar and voice.

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

A true legend who personally knew the legend of all legends of the blues genre.

[@floydoneofmany]

I saw Johnny Shines in Auburn, Alabama's Supper Club bar, often -- about 89-91. He'd play there with the great Kent DuChaine, who rediscovered Johnny at this time. Johnny and Kent then went on to tour and record. At the time, Johnny was working as a auto upholsterer to make ends meet. I talked to him several times, and he sat at my table during breaks several times. He and I would laugh at my stutter, he'd say, boy, you've got it good! He stuttered some so he knew, it was a common connection...

[@t4texastomjohnnycat978]

I absolutely love old guitar blues, AND I sho nuff love Johnny Shines.... but this is as close to Chicago as I want to get.🎸

[@muddywinter]

Shines' got what it takes....Thanks Johnny and RIP.

[@fleetwood8016]

I met him at 10 years old and shook his hand at the King Biscuit blues festival in the late 80s.. Helena Arkansas I believe ..... I was 10 . Never forget he threw a cigarette but down and I grabbed it and put it in a MOJO sack. Thanks for the trip mom and dad... Still have the coffee mugs and the programs with everyone's signatures on the front including his... I wouldn't trade it for a million bucks

[@giacomopandiani6290]

So coool man! What an experience that must have been!

[@davemooreblues]

I was friends with Johnny Shines during his final years. He was a really nice, fun man... and I would give anything to relive the shows I saw him do at the Burly Earl and the Nick down in Birmingham Ala, shortly before his death.

[@tommytramp]

Did you see him play with Snooky Pryor? THOSE last recordings are incredible ...you can feel there years ,ya know so magical so damm good!!

[@NicolletIslandSlim]

It is a shame that Johnny is/was not more well-known. I saw him play many times, even got to shake his hand and bought a CD directly from him at the U of MN in front of Northrup Hall one summer night many, many years ago. For my money he is one of the top Delta blues performers of all-time. I think he was the equal of Robert Johnson on guitar, and had a more pleasing voice. And don't forget that he was versatile: electric, slide, acoustic, he was master of them all. And that voice....fantastic!

[@wildeman1253]

Word! One of my very favorites

[@steinsteel]

Johnny was a good friend of Memphis Minnie. You can hear alot of her 1940s sound in his singing.

[@ScotsPower]

I was lucky enough to see Johnny Shines quite a few times when I was in college at the University of Alabama. He used to play fairly regularly at a little bar called Egan's. I remember being enthralled watching and listening the the man playing and singing...and this was only a few years before his death. What a bluesman! And I always found him to be friendly.

[@whyis45stillalive]

Smooth as silk.

[@Gargaslicer]

I could listen to this man all day. Halfway there now.

[@子维-u1g]

Clean and perfect playing, truly a master!

[@georgethuesen4966]

Johnny came to my High School and talked about the blues and his travels in Scandinavia. He lived here in Holt Alabama until he passed. Met him several times at his home next to Boeteler on Crescent Ridge rd. Very kind gracious man.

[@otgiggs]

his travels in Scandinavia? Tell us more, please, I'd like to know.

[@georgethuesen4966]

@@otgiggs Just that the blues was more popular in Scandinavia and the reception he received was more accepting.He didn't like the cold weather being from the South and the food was as you can imagine was very different.

[@otgiggs]

@@georgethuesen4966 Thanks!

[@LenaRiess]

What a wonderful interpreter of RJ's and his own songs. His singing is indescribable, his playing more than excellent. He was and will be always in my musical heart. By the way: I would say, he's playing in standard tuning

[@FortunateJuice]

One of my favorite blues voices.

[@organjoe]

PURE BLUES GOLD!

[@leericeii8987]

An amazing part of my family heritage as my cousin.

[@jcandstonesfollower]

the best blues video on you tube!!!!!!!

[@batmite3000]

Sudden memory: 1970 I was an ex-grad student in Cambridge and saw a flier for something called Harvard Blues Society having a "workshop" with Johnny Shines, open to all. I showed up with my shiny Hummingbird (never gigged!). At one point, Mr. Shines asked to play it and handed me his National. Lasted for a while that way, but I don't know if he liked the too-new feel. I couldn't get a note out of his, which seemed like a solid piece of iron to me!

[@LeeRoads]

That touches me so deep, I shed a tear

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

Shines is just wonderful on this, and there's a very good reason for that (aside from his own natural skills), which is that he learned this song directly from the man himself, Robert Johnson. They traveled extensively back in the 1930s. It's so great to see Shines hadn't lost his touch all those years later.

[@mutherfreckle]

Wow!The best of the best!

[@patrickmccutcheon8860]

Has that perfect Gibson acoustic tone. Man. Great stuff.

[@ata1811]

Sensational!!!

[@CletusColtrane]

Love reading about Johnny and Robert Johnson playing around the south....good stuff

[@lamiamano]

sure. One of the greats with a wonderful voice too !

[@kennethmassey534]

I am very grateful for the time I spent with this man and Robert Junior Lockwood may they have eternal rest in peace🙏🙏🙏👍😇

[@jeronimopuentes4364]

wait what

[@legmaker50]

I have seen clips of him performing when he was much older and enjoyed them very much. This is a real treasure. Seeing him at his best is a real treat. So smooth and precise, singing and playing. A great bluesman. Thanks for posting.

[@jcandstonesfollower]

simply amazing!

[@EricThomasHunterSweetland]

How sweet Johhny. You couldn't ask for a better rendition and what a beautiful guitar style, so clear and precise - just found you, hope it's not too late for you to read this, much love & peace.

[@JacopoDeBenedictis1983]

This is a champion.

[@trailryder5813]

Dive by Johnny Shines street in Tuscaloosa on a regular basic, which is the street where he lived and is named after him. Each time I drive by I promise if you roll your widow's down you can hear the sweetest sound of a blues guitar and the echo of his voice on the wind.

[@54spiritedwill54]

Best voice in Delta Blues!

[@88AMPED88]

EXCELLENT THATS ALL I CAN SAY

[@jimihendrix1967]

wow wow wow !!! perfect

[@muddyguitar]

Absolutely wonderful. Full of the old time mojo-it comes from a very deep place. The voice is haunting-it's as close to the dark side as I want to go....

[@AnthonyRenzulli]

Blues Royalty 😎🙌 Johnny Shines!!

[@confoundedbrilliance]

He is great! Very unusual complete detachment from his own music....almost total indifference! Very effective.

[@tonymostromable]

good point !

[@fngrpckr]

Amazing!!!!

[@QuanYin71]

This is what Blues is about !

[@SlimDavenport]

Johnny Shines played very precise and clear. He travelled with Robert in the 30's and performed at a radio show with Robert and some other guy but the tape never surfaced.

[@AlexQerty64]

Chillin with a relative on Shines' right now making music. This is golden inspiration :)

[@stevefender1723]

Simply awesome..

[@cowboytony47]

this song and video sure does rock,love the blues my friend,thumbs way up high,have a really super nice day I have really enjoyed my visit here :)

[@miketayse]

Never heard before, great performance!

[@EricThomasHunterSweetland]

What an artist! Lovely.

[@andycarruthers3623]

Hell yeah...!!!!!! Love this guy 😎

[@A297MAN104]

@TomHunterUK......Great stuff...Thanks for the share....regards....Dave

[@mtaur100]

Man! That's some great guitar playing. Thanks for posting.

[@robloxpro_kady602]

Johnny music will last as long as people plays the blues .

[@joe61234]

Amazing playing. Thank you for posting/.

[@WhatWentWrong22441]

he makes it look so easy

[@saoirse579]

Thank-you Johnny!

[@DAVO1984FI]

Another bluesman so underestimate....outstanding!

[@kellyneese5216]

PERFECT.

[@hov345]

LONG LIVE JOHNNY SHINES!!!!!

[@flagemdown66]

I just saw Robert Johnson play last night... right in the graveyard... he was pretty good for a dead guy.

[@davemooreblues]

Johnny Shines traveled the roads w/ Johnson in the 30s... and learned directly from him. You're right, Johnny Shines is the closest to Johnston there ever was.

[@cartoonage]

Great ! thanks for posting this

[@LeeRoads]

wow!

[@masajhn]

OUTSTANDING voice!!!

[@pierrevanbentum]

Believe me, he is one of the true bluesgods.

[@jliz6435]

pierrevanbentum indeed 😎

[@xyzllii]

Beautiful.

[@kennyguitarallen5662]

just excellent

[@multidimensional1]

Yeah, and Robert would tell Johnny to go play on another corner down the street, across the way! I saw Robert Lockwood jr. at the Edmonton folk fest back in '91, he was the 7yr old son of a woman that invited Johnson to stay with them. Johnson built him a guitar, and showed him how to play it, apparently the only person ever taught by Johnson. Lockwood was amazing, it was weird, like he was injecting delta voodoo into the ground, and this mojo energy started emanating from everywhere! trippy!

[@Bamaboompa]

The best version period. Last weekend was the Johnny Shines Blues Festival in his backyard in Tuscaloosa. He lived here for 20 years and I never saw him play. My loss.

[@rapid287]

Beautiful tone

[@fernando1cunha]

Chicago, Linda!!!

[@NicolletIslandSlim]

Johnny playing that beautiful Delta-style blues guitar. Someone mentioned a washtub or bass? No way! That's just Johnny, doing the bass with his thumb. He's got a thumb pick and a finger pick on his index finger. Some guys wore a pick on the second finger, too. One of my all-time favorites is Johnny.

[@drysdale1979]

Awesome!

[@jefferylord3068]

great version!!!

[@David53D]

I saw this Robert Johnson clone a few times at the Mariposa Folk Fest in Toronto, in the 60's.

[@michaelcusumano880]

great tune thx !!

[@kennyguitarallen5662]

excellent.just love it.

[@autinspare]

Superb.

[@torqueup74]

Amazing...seems a whole band playing!

[@sirvidia]

massively underrated.

[@lazik48]

C'est un très grand bluesmann avec un style très agréable à écouter...Monseigneur pie 3.14

[@sayyes2bull]

shine on, johnny!

[@JesseTheBuss]

This guy is good.

[@1SPYRO]

Really reminds me of Robert. He was taught by the best.

[@HunterMann]

Thanks for telling us! You must be proud of Johnny. Are there any other musicians in the family? We'd love to hear them too!

[@HenkWessels]

i like it thx bro

[@aaron4wilkins]

Love it

[@Dastan1991]

This man is awsome :D GOOD MUSIC :)

[@aaronjaben7913]

what a voice

[@MrPisster]

The "mystery" in Robert Johnson's voice is that the Columbia release of the tracks are sped up in most cases around 2%-5%, sometimes more. Try it yourself with sound audio software and you'll find RJ will sound normal but still good (better in my opinion).

[@RaananVolesPianist]

@edboswell I thought it was because they often worked in the stockyards.

[@SuperOlds88]

this guy use to play in my dad's polka band on the south side of Chicago in the 50s, his real name is John Shinesowski, he usually played the accordion but I guess he played this stuff for fun.

[@hagakure72]

you're damn right

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

You and me both, brother.

[@letterli]

Lovely...

[@valentinfontanel2739]

Yes

[@Scoopy4444]

He know how to keep time ... my god : )