Son House - Full Live Performance (November 15, 1969)

A classic clip of Son House performing; I've edited it to be shown in its entirety.
Watch, and be amazed, by the late, the great: Eddie James "Son" House!
Songs are:
"Death Letter Blues"
"John the Revelator"
"Preachin' the Blues"
"I Wanna Live so God Can Use Me"
"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."

[@mixmastercj100]

Wow! I'm amazed at how many views this has gotten. Only 8 dislikes, but hey, the majority seem to be in favor of Son! Let's keep his legacy, music, and wisdom alive and well!

[@EliezerKaplan]

how can ANYONE dislike THIS?

[@mixmastercj100]

It's a strange world we live in...

[@elianagomez8096]

Kid Cameron Blues m

[@annechatoka3902]

@@EliezerKaplan We should feel sorry for those people who dislike because, either they haven't got ears or they truely can't feel or recognise such raw sincerity. I believe that, people who do possess such raw sincerity are on a for want of a better word (a kinda celestial mission). Perhaps this is the reason why they don't hit it big time because they were not supposed to. Some people need loads of razmatas to shine. There are very few who need/seek international fame and yet they get it without really trying. Perhaps I haven't made such a good explaination, but there is a reason why.

[@Joel-np9vl]

Amazing history awesome program wonderful music amazing Talent Son House is

[@3top5]

Saw him play before he passed. All by himself. The crowd just loved him. Powerful.

[@mixmastercj100]

I can’t even BEGIN to fathom how powerful that must have been.

[@Mauroleiicus]

The transformation from quiet old man to what he becomes when he plays and sings is amazing

[@bwebster6234]

I know he is so intense.. I have seen this several times ..but today I turned it off because it makes me so sad. I will watch again when I have less on my mind.

[@blankpool]

Oh yeah

[@sulaymanluigisavona2582]

spirit of the blues

[@michelehouston7036]

@@bwebster6234 . Be muro

[@michelehouston7036]

@@bwebster6234 I want to live so GOD can use me. Anywhere and anytine. M. H.

[@molinkie]

I feel privileged to have seen Son House in performance in Detroit in the mid-'60s.

[@kingcat61]

wowwww you are a lucky man

[@jerryporter1700]

Wow...that is a privilege to see this legendary bluesman...what was the name of the venue?

[@quitoslady]

That would have been awesome!

[@molinkie]

@@jerryporter1700 I don't remember the exact location of the performance, but I do remember that it was in a small lecture hall, and I was attending classes at Wayne State University and hanging out at gatherings of the Wayne State Folk Music Association at the time.

[@raphaelrousso7124]

you are

[@davidzimmerli489]

That's the most raw and intense Blues I've ever heard.

[@jackssmirkingrevenge9365]

nah.. this, also by son house l - is the most raw and intense blues youll ever hear. enjoy; kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2fXpKmtp8hmedU

[@stormpetrel6750]

@@jackssmirkingrevenge9365 Son house is good and intense, but still i have yet to really hear any blues match this in terms of rawness: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYmzqGNvrbWWisk

[@Gardosunron]

You said it brother. The source.

[@jjohn341]

Just discovered him ....what a find .

[@guidosarducci1943]

This was @ 1980, I would close the bar I was working at, then take a 6-pack out to the parking lot and sit on a cold stone curb. Traffic was dead, the city was silent, except: Son House lived across the street and John Mooney would come to jam after his gigs. How can a man be more blessed? Did cost me a girlfriend though...

[@anthonyreidel3750]

A gf well lost

[@9999bigb]

She wasn't worth it, brother.

[@mixmastercj100]

I concur with the last two. I don’t know the full story, but if she couldn’t stick with you to witness and savor THAT kind of talent, it wasn’t meant to be. 😉 Thanks for sharing!!

[@danielmiller210]

I do believe that be worth a couple of girlfriends to lose to hear that😊

[@bigbacon12345]

Hell yeah

[@rinkichamkar]

America is fortunate that such a singer walked its land. His voice literally breaks because he feels that pain that he is expressing. I had to look at the lyrics to understand him but really , his voice transfixes anyone who listens. Respect from India !

[@mixmastercj100]

Thanks for your great comment! It’s always great to hear from people around the world who love this music. I’m so glad that you enjoyed this. :)

[@mikekaatman3194]

This shuold be taught in schools not in music class...but in history class .It gives insight about life in general and history and music in particular.

[@cathbuck2870]

Governments: Hey, that's a sensible idea?! I have a feeling Mike Kaatman is going to have a nasty accident.

[@doctoralzheimersacademiama]

It does! At least here in Germany and in the higher education classes.

[@mikekaatman3194]

@@cathbuck2870 Hi Cath...nahhh still alive and extremely well on the spectacular island of Curaçao...but point well taken. Have a superday!!

[@pippottopazzo]

a honest man, very poor ( he never became a rich man with these records), true singer of the human pain and suffering , he was a saint of the blues music ...

[@mixmastercj100]

Right on!

[@carolsaxton839]

He was rich in true talent.

[@johnsolis7631]

he lives in all entirety, like blind willie johnson out in the spaceship with chuck berry and some german dude.

[@johnnybourgeois13]

He worked on the railway, a job, like most other struggling working class people. A Proletarian, a hero like all the rest. Some day, they'll inherit the earth, like they should do.

[@alexdebua2666]

Rip Son

[@robertcaffrey6097]

This is incredible he is so soft spoken and gentle until he starts playing, he is really channeling that music in a shamanic way. This is very special indeed.

[@maebewood]

yes exactly i coun't have said it better myself

[@Quinn_Wise1]

I just recently discovered him at a African American music historical museum in Nashville, TN when I saw him I immediately had chills. He looks identical to my grandfather and his brothers. I believe he is a ancestor of mines. ♥️ I feel blessed to experience these live performances of him. Blessing on to him ♥️

[@mixmastercj100]

BROOO GET YOUR DNA TESTED ASAP! THAT WOULD BE SERIOUSLY COOL. BUT EVEN IF YOU AREN’T RELATED, IT’S STILL SO COOL THAT YOU DISCOVERED HIM IN THAT WAY. YOU ARE BLESSED FOR SURE!

[@Quinn_Wise1]

@@mixmastercj100 yeah definitely! If I could upload a photo of my grandfather in the comments it would seriously blow everyone’s mind the resemblance lol 😂 Thank you for the kind words ♥️ and I’m on my journey of discovery my family tree so I’m going to check into it for sure.

[@concars1234]

"you can't hold the devil in one hand and God in the other."

[@Jason918114]

You can also not hold either. You can also choose NOT to play the game. Good, bad. Black, white. Jesus, devil. Yin, yang. Humans are hardly ever that black and white but full of grey... Fortunately

[@hughsnuts7318]

Amen brother

[@concars1234]

@shadow run Well, the Christian message is that there's a narrow path to salvation and many will fall short of grace. or something. So it all gets accounted in the end and each transgression has a just punishment.

[@somebonehead]

12:33

[@Zion83n6]

If all one does is sing contrived GOSPEL one is bound to make the Lord devilishly angry...

[@roberttornello8062]

I tear up every time I hear Death Letter. He was a master at conveying emotions.

[@rczarco]

Robert Tornello p

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

No doubt! That song is devastating.

[@nojuice457]

death letter blues - 2:20 - 6:35 john the revelator - 8:20 - 9:52 preachin' blues - 14:56 - 19:57 so God can use me - 22:09 - 24:51

[@davidgrantlloyd]

One of the best performances ever recorded

[@xorxzorz6995]

I saw Son House a number of times at the Club 47 in Cambridge in the early or mid 60's. He was an other-worldly figure. Son House, Willie Brown and Robert Johnson were three friends, legendary blues men who gave us so much. I was a really lucky young person to see Son up a close in person.

[@fridayniteshowdown]

Don't forget Charlie Patton, maybe the greatest of them all.

[@Rainydaydreamaway7]

Something I only found out recently was that Howlin’ Wolf was playing around the same area at the same time and knew those guys too, when he was still cutting his teeth before he made it big in Chicago. Found that fascinating, there is some cool interviews where he talks about it

[@skilldren]

I could listen to Son tell stories all day. I have great respect for him and his music.

[@ytb460]

The best performance I have ever seen.

[@bill1388]

I’m a lifelong metal head but have also loved the blues since I was in my early teens . It’s amazing the similarities between the heavy and beautiful nature of both types of music . I’ve played son house for many people over the years and it never ceases to amaze my other metal head friends how amazingly similar the song structures and way of putting forth emotions he has . I would chop off my fret hand to play 1 10th as well as he did . Pure genius all hail the king

[@carlwalker9635]

Read the history of "Metal" Music, it comes from the blues, wow, what a ridiculous comment.

[@rondy702]

The man IS music...blues music! From his soul!!

[@blankpool]

Say more words Rondy

[@deVon30241]

This man really attacked his guitar when he played

[@peterwelsh1932]

Not physically. That'll hold you back if you try and copy. Light and smooth. These dudes had crap instruments and COULD NOT afford to break a string (whiskey money😹... Ignore theatrics / play light

[@greglarry11]

My favorite acoustic blues performance. They'll never be another Son House.

[@theblakex]

The American Epic documentary shows an unreleased performance of Son House in color that is amazing

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

@@theblakex Gonna see if I can chase that down!

[@davidjenson1570]

I got tears in my eyes watching this! That man was awesome, and his preaching was just the greatest while also playing that awesome music of his!

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Someone once described Son Houses guitar style as 'playing with his fists'...what a delivery. Spine chilling. I forgot to mention just how much I love this entire performance. Seems like he influenced everyone ever. I heard r a lot of Howlin Wolf, Robert Johnson, Captain Beefheart, Alan Wilson and all those many other folk in these performances. "I love everybody"...there's your message to man right there.

[@nathanoman1]

its the heart of emotion,and that he worked it away and actually forgot all these old tunes..Son can make you cry

[@JerryDArezzo]

Credence's papa

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

You may already know this, but when Dick Waterman and his friends finally relocated Son living in Rochester, NY in the 1960s, Son had retired from playing and performing for nearly thirty years. Alan Wilson was brought in to refresh Son from all those years of not playing by "teaching Son House to play like Son House." It would be amazing to have those lessons on tape, but you can bet that even the great "Blind Owl" was incredibly honored to perform this valuable service.

[@stevenkarnisky411]

Son House lived in Rochester in a home with a family on Atkinson St. I have met and talked with a few members of that family. Son House may not have played inn public for many years, but there was always a guitar around in that house!

[@michaellittlewood3032]

This man gave it all he had. Magnificent.

[@DeOmnibusDubitandum76]

It's so fascinating to me. On the one hand, one wished there were no suffering, misery, racism, poverty, disappointment... but then, one wonders if, without it, sublime blues like this would have ever been possible.

[@TheRoyayers]

No robot or AI will ever be able to understand why this is awesome. We win. This is the best description of a song I haven’t read in years! The truth.

[@robertsinnett2126]

complete control of the slide on the guitar......amazing

[@reblliondog6088]

I feel his music in my soul. This gentleman was truly, a gift from God.

[@gl2700]

There are not beautiful enough words for this man and his music. Pure and real soul. He definitely got it and wanted us to get it too. Thanks for this and thank you and bless you Mr House.

[@zeus-mt7wx]

G L Hey beautiful words. When I was 14,15 had the chance to spend time with Champion Jack Dupree stayed at his home in Halifax England. I got the creole blues.

[@timkjazz]

Music, no frills, as bone-chillin' as can ever be found.

[@kellyalexander7222]

Good description.

[@MrSpacejase]

Son House singing that last song..I want to live so GOD can use me..he has so much genuine love and joy..it brings tears to my eyes. ...yes Son House GOD used you to show me the joy in faith 💖

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

That's called being a Christian witness and sharing Him with others in your daily life. Jesus is the key. Seek His face.

[@caine12212]

Jason Young.....😍

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

Yes, Son definitely had his own way of preaching. Let us not forget his song "Preaching Blues" from his early days. His intensity on those early recordings is insane, even through all the pops and crackles that plague the extremely rare (some of his recordings now exist on only one ancient record) recordings of him from back then.

[@jamesbueker11]

I’m facing kidney failure. I want to live for the exact same reason and to take care of my sweet wife. Love it

[@TheBobber777]

it speaks to the inside of my soul.

[@susancollender6478]

I got to see him my freshman year of college...’68. Privilege.

[@jamesbradshaw3389]

A wise, smart, gentleman, so smart he knew more than his teacher plus one of the greatest singer-songwriters, guitar player, storyteller, and a man who knew Gods love, The white boy from the Emerald Isle, the very great Rory Gallagher learned from Son House and spread new good for many years

[@LoneKharnivore]

Thank you so much for putting this on YT. This deserves to survive the human race.

[@opheropher9639]

I count myself incredibly fortunate to have seen Son play in 1970. He was amazing - such a force. He brought everyone to their feet. One of the best performances I've ever seen.

[@tabbygail7]

All the technology today cannot stand up to an artist letting his soul pour forth through the music he creates. This man was so far ahead of everyone else he made my blues collection obsolete. Never have I ever heard music so real, so pure, and so beautiful. God bless and rest you Son.

[@JewelsR4ever]

I bet old Son was one helluva preacher ... Yep. I said it.

[@guidosarducci1943]

He quit 'cause no money in it

[@MOBROOKS]

I love listening to him talk. He has that old wise man type of charm. You can tell he’s seen and been through some rough stuff. Hell, he might’ve even done some rough stuff. Haha He’s the true epitome of a Blues Man.

[@johnnybourgeois13]

They don't make 'em this tough any more. Pure and true as a rock.

[@gustavoestevez4113]

Uruguay , south america greeting from. God bless the musicians of The Delta.

[@bigdbigooo7829]

A master at his craft here. I've always been into a bluesy hard rock sound. So I started researching the origins. And he's was the start.

[@boadicea5856]

The Blues IS spiritual. (Listen carefully)

[@johnburrows6542]

This is history. It is now, and will be in the future, a "did you see this" moment.

[@itsallgood3210]

Thanks so much for uploading this, Cameron The man that taught both Robert Johnson AND Muddy Waters to play

[@mixmastercj100]

My pleasure, Scott. Anything to keep his legacy going!

[@plop202]

what incredible soul and spirit..absolutely stops me in my tracks...the 24 dislikes must be from Bieber fans.

[@blankpool]

I disliked but I'm not a Bieber fan

[@blankpool]

Lol I'm just kidding

[@blankpool]

I am a Bieber fan

[@AlBergstein]

the real thing. Son House.

[@botulismcasserole9832]

Compared to what exactly? Fake son house?

[@Itsnotbrettreddell]

Nobody’s got a style like him! I’ve never seen somebody play with there strumming Hand like that love it what a voice too

[@kevingruenofficial]

This is my second time watching this and I never watch things twice.

[@briang.4249]

Rarely has brought me to tears, but this geezer has. Talk about playing from the heart, Eddie plays from the soul. To watch his guitar playing is pure magic. What a voice.

[@yarmouk334]

I don’t say it much but amen. I wish I could’ve met this man.

[@paulmorris4180]

Magnificent... The blues masters changed humanity, gave us the incredibly useful gift of turning our sorrows into a cool blues song,, bless them forever

[@harpojackson6997]

Intense. Beautiful. I'm gratified this vignette exists. I saw him perform at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco in the late '60s.

[@jeanmarieLillymar]

Total RESPECT.

[@TheWill2112]

Thank you, I have just discovered Son House after watching a Robert Johnson doc so brilliant. What a great guy and artist👍

[@dennisjohnson7602]

The Black man has lived he hardest life than any man in existence , from the Babylonian exile to the present . The expert of the blues we are .

[@danieleirhart8424]

I dunno good sir... the Jewish people have had it pretty rough...i definetly and undoubtedly agree with your ladder statement...

[@carlosescalante1080]

America. A country built on the backs people stolen from their land. On a land that was stolen from its people. It’s the only place such trauma can birth the Blues.

[@thecowboypreacher6568]

@@danieleirhart8424 ironic statement there because the biblical Hebrews were black African people.

[@robertkane691]

This is real talent. Thank God he blessed us with this sound.

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

With "Death Letter," I'm getting both arms with the hairs standing up straight. That voice! There's a reason why Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote "Swamp Music" as a tribute to Son's amazing voice.

[@jimbojones101]

It's been 54 years and the blues eventually found me out! ❤

[@ericm.9424]

amazing... pure music, stripped back but full of emotion

[@stevenhearrell1564]

Son House is the real deal. He is a musical genius, a raw, yet elegant voice of the blues, and life.

[@GjaP_242]

The blues invigorated American popular music with African musical techniques and values -- and rock and roll and jazz were born. By Debra Devi, Contributor 6:09 [HuffPost]

[@coravisser727]

Bless you all the great musicians of Delta you deserves so much good things.

[@glennpiticco1470]

This guy was incredible….all this time and I shamefully never heard of this amazing man before….I’m just floored….what an incredible talent….this is what blues is all about in my opinion…..just love these black & whites

[@abeaziz3678]

Thank you , With all the going’s on these days The blues are still the core of it . JAMES SON HOUSE May he Rest In Peace.

[@jeffm5181]

Happily Son House got his due later in life and toured the world. Many original MS blues musicians never had that chance. Love the bottleneck slide and resonator guitar combo.

[@ChrisMezzolesta]

Amazed doesn't even begin to describe...Gobsmacked perhaps. Known about Son House for years but never really listened to this style...came back here via Alan Wilson & Canned Heat. I'm jaw-dropped at this, just wonderful.

[@mixmastercj100]

Love Canned Heat! Owl Wilson has been a musical idol of mine for years.

[@NoOne65847]

(In my humble opinion) Best 25 minutes in music history

[@sonjadietz5297]

My too !

[@martta2i4]

I saw a bluesdocument few year ago, and I fell in love with Son House then. I've been searching videos of him all over youtube. Now I found this. He is a amazing man! Love him!

[@Melbelster]

I agree. I've never heard of Son House until I landed at The Blues Hall of Fame, earlier this year. I took a photo of his entry, my life has never been the same since. it's all I listen too.....genius is here.

[@Thedude-uq5mf]

For ANYONE who gives a DAMN about what music should be! Sing it Son!

[@DonBelial]

One minute into Death Letter my body is completely covered in goosebumps and I have tears in my eyes. I've heard and loved a lot of different kinds of music from all continents and different periods but there's nothing that touches me more than Delta Blues

[@takfam07]

He already seems old here, but he lived another 30 years after this performance. He died in 1988 at age 86.

[@andrewwabik5125]

The earth needed him.

[@markusr7421]

Recording is from 1969 and he died 19 years later in 1988.

[@gerardoalmaraz1407]

Estos genios inventaron la música . Sin ellos el rocanrol no hubiera existido saludos desde cdmx

[@saduce09]

Thank you so much for posting this! Real, true, delta blues. I almost cried with the amount of soul he played with🙏🏾

[@dada_man]

Son House was a man who escaped the blues of his youth and survived to preserve his wisdom for the generations to follow.

[@diane9247]

This country has been so fortunate to have these great inventors of the blues. Our gift to the world.

[@user-qb6fq5xr6b]

Black Americans contributions magically becomes, "ours." Really.

[@HuwDouglasEvans]

Such a powerful presence it's almost supernatural.

[@fordsrestorations970]

Astonished and amazed at this masterpiece.. My gosh that's the real man , Son House is the real king of Blues , early teacher major influence on Robert Johnson.

[@albert20001000]

Son is One of my new Musical Hero's! This has really touched my spirit. I will always play the Blues until I'm gone.

[@123viveleheavy9]

thank you for uploading this rare video, we need learn about and hear this old blues as pure and spiritual and know differents pioneers.r.i.p Mr Son House

[@joaobrandi]

Can you all hear the playback being played in the background of "I Wanna Live so God Can Use Me". Maybe to help Son remembering the lyrics!? Just Surreal! He's voice has every quality the blues could have. I can see why Robert Johnson channeled some of his own vocals thru Son's vocal delivery. Awesome, Thanks for posting.

[@brianstobbs2923]

A very enigmatic performer very enjoyable to watch and listen to.

[@Itsnotbrettreddell]

I love John the revelator one of my favorite songs !!

[@namcat53]

He is so powerful it'll make you cry, he can grab you so hard you can't help it. It's a beautiful, fearsome level of music. Nothing between you and him as he pulls you in. Son House is an intelligent, kind man.

[@johns6362]

I ran a bar outside of Syracuse< NY in the mid seventies, I had live music all the time, jams and there was only one other bar in the Syracuse area that booked blues bands. There was a girl from Auburn, NY, that played acoustic blues at my bar, and she had found Son House in Rochester and used to go and learn things from him, her name was Gena DiAugustino, I really regret not making more of an effort to get Son to come down and play at my bar.

[@usefulvidiots7869]

All I ever needed to know in life I learned from Son House.

[@danielcallahan5404]

Son House is an amazing soul.

[@johnmitchelljr]

I've loved a lot of blues giants, but every time this video pops up I have to watch the whole thing again to remind me of genius feeling. Thanks for sharing.

[@tsiyyonlinel12]

The best KZbin video I've seen in a long time! GOD Bless.

[@thecentralscrutinizerr]

The angels rejoice when one sinner repents. Son House, you came home. There is no power that can take you out of the right hand of God.

[@tillytogs]

This music comes from pain and suffering. It breaks you down completley and picks you back up again with a smile on your face all at the same time❤

[@mixmastercj100]

Man, I couldn’t have said it ANY better! ❤️

[@Ayo.Ajisafe]

Amen!!

[@BigFinni]

That was Amazing! Thank you for sharing. I know I saw the light at [19:43].

[@rollacoastaride1937]

wow! this footage is pure gold

[@jasonmusic3]

He'll be a remarkable star ⭐ in the heavenly choir 🎶🎶🎧🎧💘👍🏾👍🏾🌟🎊🎉🙏🏾Thank you again Son House!

[@maxrb67]

Incredible man, thanks

[@richardwatkins4220]

Another WOW from me, this Musician/Christian/Pastor/Shaman/Bluesman was a most amazing blessing for this Earth.

[@chrismannion3418]

Music? That's pure spirit and emotion.

[@morganmagill668]

Great stuff...there is only one Son House!!

[@timrichards8636]

a complete legend of the times .

[@tudormiller8898]

I don't think I've ever seen anyone playing guitar like that before. Amazing! Watching from London UK.

[@rrrogster]

A real jewel. Thank you so much for sharing.