Mississippi Fred McDowell - Goin Down to the River

[@MooseWolfBear]

Mississippi Fred should be on radio every day.

[@rievans57]

Agreed!

[@MrDlang93]

This is my great great grandfather. He's a beast.

[@brian666belcher1975]

Seriously?

[@johnvanhorn2553]

He is one of the best guitar players ever, up there with Jimi, Eddy, Duane!

[@merkjanoosterhoff1590]

You'll be proud man! He's been my hero ever since l bought my first Fred mc Dowell arhoolie album in 1967.

[@pinschermamm]

That's amazing! What a wonderful legacy

[@mundproduction6578]

that’s a funny comment

[@rm3150]

40 million videos here, and i finally found the best one

[@davisworth5114]

I was blessed to know Fred McDowell when I was a concert promoter in Seattle in 1970s, I saw him first in 1969 after I returned from Vietnam and it was digging Fred and discovering country blues that saved my life. Fred was a true gentleman with a sardonic, tongue-in-cheek humor. His first album on Arhoolie was with an acoustic guitar and even though he was playing electric in these years, I always thought he sounded best on acoustic, and I have two arch-top F-holes to play this style. Order his first two Arhoolie releases, they are the best!

[@Barock-mt8bc]

I am an ex-vet in the french army special forces, I am 50. May I ask you please how old are you ? Are you 80 ? My dad gave me the fever of blues and RNR when I was a child

[@catdaddy3302]

The old gas station sign. He worked at Stuckey’s in Como, Mississippi pumping gas, when I knew him. It amazed him, his bossman and everybody else when he’d get calls from Europe and everywhere else in the world.

[@chrismoede2885]

You knew him personally??

[@domcha131]

He was never famous like BB King, Buddy Guy or Robert Johnson...but the music he created has had just as big of an impact. He's one of the pioneers of Blues and Rock n Roll.

[@yared8771]

domcha131 And people talk about Elvis...pfff

[@pozegausaill]

AMEN!!!!! He shovels the road for it!!

[@DonDeering]

This interview with Fred McDowell contains the quote "I do not play no rock 'n' roll" in context, and its meaning is very different to the scornful way it's often interpreted. Enjoy! www.mtzionmemorialfund.org/2017/09/interview-with-mississippi-fred-mcdowell.html

[@catdaddy3302]

BB would’ve told you, he wouldn’t have been playing blues if it weren’t for men like him.

[@rafaeld.2554]

Monster of blues, BAD mtf

[@charleshendrix232]

RIP Dick Waterman, recently dead, he brought these Bluesmen to the attention of the kids in the 60s at Newport etc. Took Mr McDowel’s photo of course, and Son House and Skip James. Most of us Whiteys would have never known what they look and sounded like and how great. I have Mr Waterman’s book signed by him.

[@davisworth5114]

There were hundreds of young white men who brought the blues into the US mainstream, I was blessed to be one. Black people had abandoned the blues by the 60s, and as a concert promoter for the Seattle Folklore Society, I was regularly thrown out of Seattles' black radio station, KYAC. Unbelievable ignorant comments here.

[@charleshendrix232]

@@davisworth5114 Son, for someone who claims knowledge you sure sound like a fool

[@charleshendrix232]

@@davisworth5114 Black people didn’t abandon it, the country abandoned them. Bluesmen couldn’t make a penny off their own music. Yes a lot of white acts re-popularized their art form and it benefitted everyone. But it was a disgrace that such an art form had been basically rejected by most Americans. And its a shame it took white acts to “legitimize” a great form of music.

[@oogam123]

Fred McDowell was, is, and forever will be a legend in blues, hail to the king

[@Methilde]

Just saying, Heil in German is said Hail (Hitler).

[@crowsnest1510]

Jamall

[@grendel2771]

I'm a heavy metal fan through and through but something about this style of blues really speaks to me. One of my favs for sure.

[@magicalxan]

Grendel2771 Same for me, that's a blues that moves me. Extremely simple and 100% effective.

[@mons3020]

Well there is classical and folk elements in metal, so I wouldn't say all of it's the blues, just partly.

[@bobbymcearlton]

Does your liking of blues have anything to do with Mashed Potato Johnson?

[@thomasharlovic7470]

Metal heads seem to be the only faction of music fans that can sit and appreciate any type of music. Respect

[@magicalxan]

Tom H Not true, I like any music but metal... So here you go...

[@petekitay]

Fred McDowell is the man...Givin people soul shivers since 1941.

[@bobnpvine]

I been playing blues for decades and "hill country" for the last 10 or 15 and Fred McDowell is the best of them all...

[@scottgroth9877]

Bob Harrison 3 years removed...how did you get started playing blues?

[@LaurenceHuntKenora_Ontario]

I agree. Fred is the ultimate.

[@thecowboypreacher6568]

Yes yes yes.

[@rievans57]

...with R.L. Burnside running a close 2nd!

[@bobnpvine]

@@scottgroth9877 Went to Blues Week in 2000 and took Sparky Rucker's slide guitar class... Then made two pilgrimages in Mississippi...

[@antoniosogni5752]

I'm only 12 years old and I love classical music, blues music, jazz, rock and roll, but rap and trap no. I found Missisipi Mcdowell last month and I love him. My favourite are Louise and You gotta move. i love you Fred

[@boatstrips]

The fact that this song has over half a million views gives me faith in humanity. Fred was fucking cool.

[@joejordanism]

boatstrips He was an expert pure music no stage gimmicks people like him inspired Keith Richards and Jimi-they inspired us

[@rollycabrita8129]

Now at a million and counting :)

[@vincentbuccieri9305]

Excellent Performance by Master Mcdowell!

[@carlosgood-day2983]

1.2M now

[@boatstrips]

@@carlosgood-day2983 been ten years lol

[@bannork]

That riff just hits straight home, combined with Fred's voice and that echo, it just calls for a beer on the porch, perfect music for the upcountry life here in Thailand.

[@drumfansdirect422]

+bannork Hey.....what are you doing in Thailand ? ...I love the place .

[@hihatjas9477]

Never forgot the first time I heard him. I was blown away. He just had something that no other bluesmen had.

[@donaldelley2802]

You can't get a cooler man or cooler music than this

[@leigh6629]

Pure legend. Love you Freddy McDowell. I was born 1971, but i'll make sure you're never forgotten !!

[@OKKOKA]

One night I sat and drank myself wasted and saw this video ..on replay whole night very beautiful and comforting

[@wanketta]

Beautiful. Masterful. What a consummate artist he was.

[@randykintzley5923]

Man that's a mean riff. It's dark, haunting and as big and heavy as a freight train.

[@inoshikachokonoyarobakayar2493]

Freight Train Blues, another great Fred McDowell song.

[@BlindMellowJelly]

So was the way men like this were treated back then, not much has changed R.I.P. George Floyd

[@DennisRash]

Only Fred could make it sound this way on a electric. I agree with everything you said.

[@BlindMellowJelly]

@@DennisRash Many dont realize black people were not allowed to order via white mail order catalogs. They only has Sears, Jewel and a few others. Being not all electric amps and guitars are high quality this added to their tone. Wealthy men like Tampa Red and Lonnie Johnson were able to own several guitars and amps because their family were in a better financial position than most.

[@BlindMellowJelly]

@@DennisRash My fav is Guitar Slim who wrote "the things I used to do" featured the new deluxe sears silvertone amp and solid body guitar as the pair cost a whopping 38.00 researched in a old late 1950s christmas sears catalog.

[@ryans9297]

One of the most beautiful tunes ive ever had the pleasure of hearing. This man , simply brilliant. What a gift to our great nation 🇺🇸

[@3rdshiftfornow]

I first heard Fred's music on a tape I checked out of the library shortly after the death of my father in 1999. I then ended up buying 6 different cds and this music really helped me deal with my dad's passing. Today I listen to a lot of different stuff, but it does'nt get more real than this !!!

[@doublahh]

I listen to this song at least once everyday!!! I love it!

[@garysvan]

I'm on it 3 times in a row at least 3 times a day. Cant stop myself.

[@rievans57]

Me 2!

[@fatknucklefreddy]

The greatest slide blues guitarist. Man, he could groove.

[@hitchvvv8583]

i agree. greatest slide bluesman ever

[@epicoutdoorracin2010]

Duane Allman was awesome, but ol’ Fred was the greatest. On acoustic and electric, he could pull off riffs and rhythms that nobody else could before or after him. He could possibly even give River Johnson a run for his money. But Robert was a different style of Blues, like Duane and Fred. Much respect to the Bluesmen. 🍻 🎸😎👍🏼

[@fatknucklefreddy]

@@epicoutdoorracin2010 so true 🤘🙏

[@roberttompkins6489]

Elmore James usually is attributed with that title---but Fred was great as well.

[@nikospaleologos3907]

That's one of the most beautiful and haunting riffs I've ever heard.. Amazing song

[@supremetruth9032]

MAN, I REALLY LOVE THE WAY HE PLAYS THE BLUES !!! ... BOTH HIS GUITAR PLAYING AND SINGING VOICE ARE PERFECT !!! THANK YOU .

[@UltimatePowa]

One my major inspirations.

[@rubenskiii]

An 18 year old KZbin music video is in itself a rarity. Let alone the music. Thanks so much for uploading this! Warm greetings from the Netherlands🇳🇱.

[@MyMoppet52]

I'm trying to remain a bit of a lady. I've always told my kids that people who use certain words just didn't have a very good vocabulary and couldn't express themselves. If I wasn't 'Grandma' and my grandson might not see this, I'd say this was .....awesome@@@@!!!! I'd say this is ##### brilliant! Since I am not giving in to my first response, I have sent a prayer up for this music to NEVER disappear from our lives. Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is a Masterpiece!

[@brockmcculloch7499]

Brother McDowell. Passed on my birthday but left a spark of light that can`t be dimmed! Reaches something of the eternal.

[@petergee7539]

This brilliant man redefined "underrated"... you simply cannot imagine the influence he has had, but among those who know, those who wish for the pure.

[@cdcondrici]

This man is truly unique. Just pay attention how his notes played with the guitar match exactly his vocals. In my opinion he is the best. I'm completely in love with his music. Thanks for sharing this, people should wake up one day :)

[@thrbrdrider]

the man is a legend forever. my humble homage to Mississippi Fred McDowell.

[@atuliti]

There is something very special in his singing and guitar playing that you feel as if you are listening to a complete band/orchestra playing along.

[@brenomonforte7022]

World need more music like this. World need more soul, more BLUES

[@xjaidlyn]

I was so fortunate to see him perform at the Ash Grove in Los Angeles/West Holllywood back in late 60s. Was my first exposure to Blues .. my dad got us tickets .. After this I was hooked. Love the blues.. and one of my other favorite bands in 70s was Climax Blues Band give them a listen.

[@alexandre210613]

xjaidlyn quelle chance de l’avoir vu jouer ! Comment était-il ? Tu as pu l’approcher ?

[@tom6612]

The man had it all. What a powerful voice and a face that looks like it done some hard livin and travelin . Killer guitar riffs to.

[@claptonfan54]

Can anyone imagine what it would be like to listen to this type of music alone in a dark room? I'll bet there'll be some serious chills.

[@davenewspeak3252]

I do that once in a while. It's like going back in time. A great experience.

[@aimanhakim4775]

im literally was 2 years old when u commented ☠️☠️

[@fathergascoigne4609]

​@@aimanhakim4775👶

[@corvuscorax8222]

Jesus he can play (and sing)! Definitely one of my favourites.

[@HowlinWilf13]

A beautiful record (and a great clip of the man himself) - brilliant accoustic guitar playing and his voice at its powerful best.

[@rmfirebird]

This is HOLY. Its been said that blues started and ended with this performance!

[@mranster]

Beautiful, haunting, soul-restoring.

[@paulwaymondo7568]

What a riff . What a solo. What a player!

[@KawaZ650C]

I thought there was no life after Robert Johnson. There is. Plenty. Awesome. Whatever troubles you, put on Fred McDowell and your troubles are gone, forgotten. What trouble?

[@dbacks2023-]

On some quiet day 10 years ago, kid-me randomly decided to search "Going down to the river" and came across this gem.

[@sarahstacy81]

Rock and roll guitar. Blues is the very foundation of Rock and Roll. Fred McDowell needs to be in the Blues and Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame.

[@ke6319]

This riff can go on forever. It haunts the soul until it completely captivates it. And when he sings, his voice is echoing inside my soul, as if it was a memory of a dark dream. He really had some demonic vocals that makes you feel possessed under their spell. I'll pick up guitar just because I want to play like this one day

[@bannork]

Love the Delta blues, what a wonderful voice Fred had too, powerful and expressive.

[@sunlitporch]

..one of the greatest players and one of the best moments in blues..

[@muisire]

Until a few minutes ago I only heard Mississippi John Hurt. To find another Mississippi in the same groove has made my day awesome. Thank you...

[@Kozmiknomadiko]

All-American 🇺🇲 Listening from South Africa 🇿🇦 ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@TRUCKAD38]

The ROOTS OF ALL MUSIC from a 52 year old UK TEDDY BOY ❤❤❤

[@billgonzales8978]

WRONG

[@alwaysdestroy84]

When I think blues, this is the song I think of. It's wonderful.

[@ArteL01]

This genius never got the true recognition he deserved/s, awe inspiring, soulful, meaningful, when I hear him sing I believe what he has to say.

[@joeprice9322]

For sure the king of blues in my book. Got style of his. Own

[@benoitdelbeauve6303]

For me This is The Ultimate Blues!

[@timwilliams7274]

Born in shelby county mississippi, these are the history of blues God rest him in peace,to this day I love your music.Your a Titan, you will always be loved

[@ProbableCauseBluesBand]

This guy is the real deal, he's one of the founders of the blues. Anyone who claims to like blues and doesn't like this guy is foolin' themselves!

[@billgonzales8978]

the blues had a baby and they called it rock&roll

[@gibson3524]

Looks like a clip from the 1965 American Folk Blues Festival on German TV. Great to see this footage of Fred on acoustic back after all these years.

[@johnford3089]

Absolutely love him.and his music

[@tumbledon]

I could listen to this every day...and never get tired of it....

[@talister106]

There is something that hits home listening to this. One man one guitar and a whole lot of talent.

[@jonno52]

Real chills, massively powerful. I don't want to play off one bluesman against another but Fred McDowell & Skip James do it for me at least as much as Robert Johnson. John Hurt is the one I love most but country blues is an entirely different musical form. BTW, thanks a million for posting this.

[@Methilde]

Don't forget Crapper Blakwell, Lonnie Johnson and a few others.

[@rievans57]

@@Methilde Lightnin' Hopkins!

[@Methilde]

@@rievans57 So many greats one, we could play ping-pong for hours with their names :) :)

[@koloft07]

Wow! Absolutely fantastic, you can't get more authentic than this.

[@aldito7586]

It really doesn't get better than this...

[@naomiburn8386]

I won’t be the first and I won’t be the last to say it. Music back then was at a higher level.

[@voodoomaster85]

Damn, Freddie knows his blues! guitar solo 1.15. Amazing! one of the best blues songs I have ever heard!!

[@JosephLance-x9q]

Not a lot of the greats left today, but thank god we have young ones that are carrying the torch

[@bobj3251]

Truly truly amazing, stunning

[@masterhairy123]

Fred has brought me through hard times, thank you

[@Yepyep226]

This is a beautiful thing.

[@FANKANable]

Jesus Christ. this is absolutely incredible

[@Istaysmoking]

one of the best blues performances caught on film

[@elrico1364]

This opens that place in ones soul that you did not even know exists... enjoy the visit.

[@johnellick63]

Down home music at it's roots. Great stuff!!!!

[@tmrezzek5728]

Man...when Fred hits those slide notes I feel like I'm on a peak and in the valley. Best rollercoaster ride ever!

[@fil4648]

He's been haunting me since the first time i heard of him...spooky kind of legend...

[@Chickenhawk9932]

That playing and singing, heartfelt and painfully experienced - Beautiful.

[@michaelsill5420]

stunning and hauntingly beautiful

[@leandrobatistadasilveira7134]

I was listening to some old school 80's trash metal. suddenly algorithm brought me here. WTF I'm mesmerized!!! This is amazing!!! I'm in love by Mississippi Fred McDowell's music!!! Why I never heard about him??

[@cal-lg]

one of the greatest pieces of music I've ever heard. From the soul, a classic

[@rievans57]

Me 2!

[@flavyn1]

He's brilliant....what a treasure!!!!

[@Istaysmoking]

Of the best blues performances caught on film

[@rolobur]

Jesus Christ this cat could sing !!! Goosebumps. What a treat.

[@logincar]

Excelente interpretacion. Es una canción para escuchar muchas veces. Se constituye un icono del blues americano. Gracias por este regalo Mr. Dowell.

[@jameskessel5138]

Fantastic Blues Man, Bonnie Rait always loved Fred.

[@rhyscallender1237]

This is the best rendition of this song I've heard him do, flows so beautifully, plus the guitar work is next level

[@edotoole]

Superb. He was the real thing. Many thanks for putting this on youtube.

[@MrDannysuzy]

straight from the soul...just like music was ment to be.

[@coravisser3846]

He played real from the bottem of his heart i adore this Blues of him.,Thank you NaAH123 for uploading for this great legend,

[@wolfsystem]

this is absolutely incredible. this video gives me a haunting feeling. I believe Mr. McDowell has seen a thing or two in his day.

[@2butiful]

Wonderful!!! Mississippi Fred McDowell is my favorite of all the Delta blues artists. I finally get to see him play :-)! Thanks so much for posting

[@cootman]

I agree, this is so pure an untainted. A man and his guitar just playing so beautifully and with so much passion as though his life depended on it. If someone did this on one of those non-talent shows that I cannot bring myself to mention, the so called expert judges would have no idea what it was and would probably wonder what on earth that strange wooden thing with strings was.

[@djbigleg3228]

i got a live lp by fred called shake em on down live in new york,re released in 1982,its just fred n a bass player in a club its my favorite lp by fred 1 of his last recordings and 1 of his best,its no blag that he is called the best slide guitarist in the history of the blues its a fact,his guitar skills r amazing n capture rawness n emotions 2days blues musicians can never acheive,should b in the hall of fame,tru talent stands out they never sellout,cos they live 4 music,so respect is due

[@diddywahdaddy]

This really gives me goosebumps.

[@rievans57]

Me 2!

[@linbee617]

Thank you so much for bosting this. It's like letting cool water flow over one's soul. Added to a couple of my playlists; wonderful. Thanks again.

[@DarkZeroXX-hw2bm]

True American music that cannot be beaten.

[@sandydority2532]

He was one of the greats of the blues,, Love this song🎸🎼💙

[@bromixsr]

The man was, and still is a genius.

[@mjjoseph8259]

best version of this song