Police Dog Blues (Blind Blake cover)

[@colingourley1222]

Great song. Excellent rendition. 👍

[@kevindel338]

Excellent, thank you. Great playing, great singing. Great sounding guitar too.

[@yasdnilknarf1885]

Young Irish lass Muireann Bradley does a good cover too. Hope that doesn't offend anyone.

[@jlstilesmusic]

No I’ve heard it and it’s bad-ass. Blake is like a beacon of light for guitar but also his lyrical phrasing and singing are beyond the beyond. I’ve also found his techniques open up cool possibilities in my own songs.

[@donaldmacdougall2805]

Far from it! Miureann is a wonderful player and singer. Excellent to see her referenced here. Two great versions!

[@kevvymack]

Awesome job. You have a young soulmate in Ballybofey County Donegal Ireland. Muireann Bradley. 17

[@MarkEWallace]

How would that be offensive?

[@zacharyharris6311]

If that statement offends someone, then that's their problem. That young lady can pick it!

[@anvilkrandon]

Great tone from that guitar (and your fingers)! Nice work.

[@jimmystetler2572]

I agree, that tone is wonderful.

[@_PROLAPS_]

Bloody hell, this is some pretty unfiltered stuff, just like an original masterpiece. Спасибо!

[@jlstilesmusic]

Much appreciated!

[@Mcountryboy]

I was very impressed by your performance and singing. Bless you. From Japan.

[@Folk-Fan]

Outstanding. Both your playing and singing are first class.

[@jlstilesmusic]

Much appreciated!

[@joecontreras5068]

I’m a guitar man for at least 60 years and your execution of such a simple progression is really impressive, I’m impressed- thanks !

[@kaecake9575]

Amazing work. Thank you for keeping him heard after 100 years. I've been waiting for someone to cover this song in it's tuning since I heard Blind Blake when I was 13. I'm so happy we found his grave and are making him known to his fans. Muireann Bradley does an amazing cover. I'm glad to see my generation getting know these tunes from these incredibly influenced people from the south:) Beautiful guitar

[@jlstilesmusic]

Thanks! It’s an honoring of Blake, the inimitable maestro, but also, learning Blake makes solo guitar more versatile-particularly the thumbroll which Blake throws in quite often and gets you outside the standard two-beat. It can be used in most any style.

[@mnelson56]

Check out Jorma Kaukonen's version on "Quah"

[@kevinbodnar448]

Thanks for sharing your talent cheers

[@pauljanisch2825]

You've captured it brilliantly. Just subscribed

[@jlstilesmusic]

Wonderful to hear, thanks!

[@Blues40]

Brilliant!

[@JennyKerr]

You play this one so beautifully 💙

[@jlstilesmusic]

Thanks, amiga!

[@JohnDoe-jc3cl]

Trey-- Real nice. I played it about 3 x. Instant Subscriber. Made my day

[@Jadar...]

Very nice rendition or this all time favorite

[@paulward9849]

Ahh wowie great to hear the blues is making it back 🎉love it 👍👍🎉

[@Lu5gi]

i thought you said "i shit my drawers, down in Tennessee!! XD first time hearing. love the cover

[@jlstilesmusic]

That line is for a very old blues man. I’m not there yet…

[@haybob2527]

Excellent, love your hat as well🎸🎩

[@jlstilesmusic]

Thank you kindly!

[@rhomacity]

brilliant! Thank you for this.

[@jlstilesmusic]

Thanks, happy you like it!

[@eddiedonnelly2791]

Great rendition👏👏

[@jlstilesmusic]

Thanks for listening!

[@heath_vr]

best cover ive heard

[@rolandziemer3843]

Great Song, great cover

[@johnford7847]

Excellent performance, sir. Fine pickin', good vocals - got it all together. Thanks for sharing.

[@abdullah-nt5ic]

wow nice play amazing

[@jlstilesmusic]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@jonathanwhitfield2864]

Great singing and playing.

[@doctrot]

that made my day .....really nicely done thank you very much ...from an old MJH fan

[@ham60]

inspiring to see and hear you play this

[@jlstilesmusic]

Glad to hear it!

[@scottsoucy6186]

Fantastic stuff! I just subscribed to your channel and I look forward to seeing & hearing more!

[@TheIkasasikuy]

great performance Now I know how Blind Blake plays it

[@jlstilesmusic]

It is hard to know exactly his right hand as the recording is very old and all mid range-particularly his forefinger is heavy before the downbeat with the thumb. That can be misconstrued as a thumbroll, which he does, for instance, during the third guitar solo (playing two bass notes with one thumb stroke).

[@TheIkasasikuy]

@@jlstilesmusic I see. I understand very well! Thank you!

[@dandrury]

Lovin ya work!! 👍🏻👍🏻🤘✌️

[@jlstilesmusic]

Glad to hear it--this encourages me to make some more!

[@zzombiedeath]

very nice guitar , im learming deep river blues , nearly got it down , not the tommey version .great olde songs cheers mate . IRELAND ...

[@jlstilesmusic]

From 6000 miles away or so here in El Cerrito, CA, cheers!

[@RegentFaust]

Reminds Me Of The legend Of The Waco Kid! Great Vocals And Guitar Playing.

[@jlstilesmusic]

Not sure what yer referring to other than gene wilder in blazing saddles😂

[@VP05C]

perfect！

[@diddyKite2010]

Lovely!

[@jlstilesmusic]

🙏

[@lightingphillblues]

Inspiring. Thank you for mqking ny day better. Cheers!

[@jlstilesmusic]

I’m glad you liked it! Take care out there!

[@AllenBethea]

Best I’ve heard so far. Great job!

[@jlstilesmusic]

Thanks!!!

[@scottcarlson9913]

This is very good!

[@monkshillpottery]

I’ve been fingerstyle forever, (got a 000-15m used, love it). Never have figured that one out. Love the little intro to that tune.

[@jlstilesmusic]

With that tune the thumbroll is important, two notes in one stroke, ka-thunk like. He does it more in some of the others I put up here

[@ШаурменПивасов]

Шикарный цилиндр !

[@LeighHarvey-x6x]

Great foot tapping time.😄

[@cristianocastagno9680]

I enjoyed that ! Thank you. I tried slowing it down a bit and thought it still sounded good.

[@jlstilesmusic]

Thanks much! Yeah, the original is prob a hair faster than my cover but Blake never felt rushed because he's so even and there is a possibility the recording was sped up a little bit from the speed at which it was played.

[@CarlosOchoa-rs7ct]

Great cover! and i love your song "simple fools of faith"

[@jlstilesmusic]

I think I’ll put the “simple fools of faith” vid up there next, then, when I get a chance.

[@alexp1017]

I'm so glad you tackled this song and did such an awesome job. Now do dry bone shuffle 😉

[@RedHorse4191]

Sweet. 🎉 !¡!!!¡!¡

[@domdimensions9219]

This is a really great song. Nice guitar playing. That vintage stella guitar has a vibe.

[@jlstilesmusic]

Well, it’s a 2012 Blueridge Parlor guitar so not vintage but i put heavy gauge strings on it to beef it up a bit.

[@joecontreras5068]

@@domdimensions9219 My first guitar was a Stella about 65 years ago- my step dad saw it in a dumpster and brought it home to me, I was about 12 and I’m 78 now. You never forget your first love- I’m still playing today - I don’t know what ever happened to her

[@domdimensions9219]

@@jlstilesmusic haha yeah. I accidentially commented on this video with this comment. A little youtube glitch. Blueridge makes some nice guitars.

[@JohnSwampthingRae]

Top notch, Mate!

[@JB-tr6nu]

Cool 😎

[@beestonpoet]

Good stuff bro

[@jhmmi]

I really love this version. JL can you help me out? What are the three chords you play at "staying alone and doing the best I can"...

[@jlstilesmusic]

It goes to the B7 as you know, and the part in question is G diminished, which is like an F# 7 and back to B7 etc. This is a standard rag blues progression-goes to the 5 chord like when a blues does but then goes 2-5 (half measure each) back to the 1 instead of 4 back to the 1. In E, the 2 is an F#, the 5 is B, the 4 is an A. Note I’m playing in open E-EBEG#BE on guitar, which lends itself so well to this. The G dim I play has fingering on fret 2 on 5th, fret 3 on 4th, fret 2 on the 3rd.

[@jhmmi]

@@jlstilesmusic thank you!!! I really appreciate it!!!

[@davidkopec5587]

Great version. I also just subscribed

[@jlstilesmusic]

Awesome, thank you!

[@andrewwye1058]

Good job.

[@user-kq5qp6dh8l]

Nice job

[@miraccch]

its so cool!

[@randomscandinavian6094]

I remember trying to learn this from a cassette tape with tablature in… must have been the late ‘80s. And breaking strings tuning up instead of down. I never did master it but you sure have!

[@jlstilesmusic]

I think one of the keys is Blake hit a lot of treble notes with the thumb so the riff sits in there nicely with the standard thumb two-beat. I actually tuned up to open E there. But really, one can only try as Blake is inimitable!

[@jimmymullen7825]

Excellent stuff........

[@jlstilesmusic]

Many thanks!

[@dono1606]

Ha! Thank you! That made my day!

[@traildoggy]

Thanks much, you're a fine player. Ry Cooder also has a great version of this.

[@jlstilesmusic]

Oh yes, Ry’s is an excellent version

[@douglasanderson8636]

love it!

[@josephmunnangi647]

great man

[@jlstilesmusic]

Thanks, it’s great to hear.

[@pjk]

Great version! Really enjoyed that and subscribed. What kind of guitar are you playing? Great tone and love that pyramid bridge.

[@jlstilesmusic]

Thanks! That’s a blue ridge parlor from 2011 with 13 gauge strings.

[@farko63]

Jorma Kaukonen version ! Waiting for some Reverendo Gary Davis covers.....

[@jlstilesmusic]

Rev Gary Davis to come in time, gotta do cinc flow rag, buck rag, st Louis tickle one of these days-used to be part of my set!

[@bleakcandour]

Great one. You've got a lovely voice. Now, to think that Blake played with ONE finger only on his right hand. Sportin', fo' sure!

[@jlstilesmusic]

Thanks! Actually we really don’t know how Blake played exactly but I think for certain he did use at least thumb and two fingers. For instance, listen to Georgia Bound, the end of the first guitar break when he goes to the G chord-cannot do that move without two fingers. He also does a very quick run on the G chord in Chump Man Blues which indicates he must have used that middle finger. Rev Gary Davis only used thumb and one finger, amazingly.

[@bleakcandour]

@@jlstilesmusic True that. Some songs can deffo be played with one. John Jackson used one when doin Blake and two when doin MJH f. ex. Gary was the penultimate ragtime player. To me #1

[@jlstilesmusic]

​@@bleakcandour Yeah, Rev Gary is top notch, different than Blake in that Davis goes for bass movements up on the neck more so than Blake, more complex, more single notes, too. I will get around to posting some of Davis' stuff. Used to play Two Step Candyman, Buck Rag, Cincinnati Flow, St Louis Tickle--that one gets me ver klempt, just fabulous. Blake is more about the thumbroll, perhaps most typified in West Coast Blues or in the breaks of Police Dog (the beginning of 3rd break, for example). Davis thumbrolled as well but not to that extent and John Hurt never thumbrolled. The folk techniques are the best for songwriters, imo.

[@Tigrebleau1]

@@bleakcandour Penultimate means second best.

[@Tigrebleau1]

@@jlstilesmusic Doc Watson only used thumb and index.

[@alexandregauthier23]

Making it look so easy :)

[@mancebo7]

Absolutely wonderful. Congratulations!

[@jlstilesmusic]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@kurikokaleidoscope]

Ok wow. This is totally happening ❤

[@СергейПограничный-й1п]

отлично получается играть и петь ! кантри блюз )

[@jlstilesmusic]

Not sure what this means but I hope it’s good!!

[@petersmith9530]

11/10

[@GuitarguyRichard56]

Nice

[@jlstilesmusic]

Thanks!

[@bg7944]

Nice bro 😎

[@jlstilesmusic]

Thanks ✌

[@RegentFaust]

You look like Gene. You play Awesome.

[@jlstilesmusic]

Not sure who Gene is but thanks!

[@daveclinton4945]

Wonka!

[@1Sfeldman]

I Likeeee Brazillllll

[@garymelnyk7910]

The poet Wallace Stevens said: "Every image is a restatement of the subject of the image in terms of an attitude". So in music. Where the image is the melody, the chords, the modulations. But as in poetry, in music we also look for “the terms of an attitude”.

[@jlstilesmusic]

Your comment is very hard to understand but I’ll quote in jest Muhammad Ali when Howard Cosell remarked to him he was “less truculent” before a certain bout. Ali said, “I don’t know what truculent means but if it’s good, I’m it.”

[@nicholasalexander1201]

Jelly roll is served.

[@pedigreegudgeon]

just the job!

[@monkshillpottery]

Good picking. What is that guitar? Yes that young Irish lass is talented.

[@jlstilesmusic]

Thanks, the guitar is nothing special, a blue ridge parlor from 12 yrs ago but I put 13-gauge strings on it so the bass isn’t too flabby

[@monkshillpottery]

I’ve got a heck of a right hand (I very rarely use a flat pick). Just no patience or discipline. 😵‍💫

[@jlstilesmusic]

Just need to get baked and play guitar all day-you likely have too much discipline, 🤣🤣

[@PaisleyPatchouli]

Great version and a perfect guitar for the job! Who made it?

[@jlstilesmusic]

It’s a blue ridge parlor from 2010, not expensive but I put on 13 gauge to fatten it up-shoujd maybe do 14’s, even, but then it gets stiff and might lift up the bridge.

[@robertrowlands3642]

I've just got back from my 37th open mic. I've only been playing and singing for 5 years. I recorded my set and when I got home I listened to it and it was dreadful just sounded like down up down up down then I came across your video and I'm scratching my head why you haven't got thousands of subscribers. I would love to play the way you play but sadly I don't think I have enough time in my life left.

[@jlstilesmusic]

I feel the same way when I hear some people! Everyone’s got a lot to learn always and some are the harshest critics of themselves but it’s a valuable and worthy pursuit, regardless. Kudos!

[@charliejohnston5334]

If you are patient, sit with your guitar and just practice alternating your thumb picking E string to A string over and over until it becomes independent of your other fingers. It’s the secret of finger picking these Delta and Piedmont blues. That driving rhythm propels the song and frees your fingers to play arpeggios and alternating strings between the bass lines.

[@robertrowlands3642]

@@charliejohnston5334 Thanks Charlie, I appreciate your advice. 👍

[@BobsCountry]

What kind of Capo is that? Just Curious? Whoever does the mixing of your songs does an excellent job.

[@jlstilesmusic]

Thanks. There was no mixing as this is just an iPhone video and sound with a little external usb mic sitting on the desk 🤷🏽. The mic is a little better than the iPhone mic maybe but the advantage is I could lie it a little closer on the desk. I didn’t use a capo but the guitar is a blue ridge parlor about 2012.

[@BobsCountry]

Lol - How Strange, I left this comment on the Video I watched before, and the comment showed up here also. Thanks for replying though!

[@xanther97]

sad eyes--but great playing

[@jlstilesmusic]

Oh jeez, I’m too serious, 😆…note to self: Lighten up, lighten the f up…

[@MojoMedicineMan]

👍

[@adonis9555]

Can you please link the sheet music so we can learn how to play this song

[@jlstilesmusic]

I haven’t any sheet music for this but rather learned from the recording by Blind Blake. It’s in open E tuning EBEG#BE and I think via the video you can get the riffs but there is a whole technique built around the right hand there-I think you can get it if you watch it slowed down, particularly.

[@adonis9555]

@@jlstilesmusic thank you! I had no idea the tuning was different.Thanks! I come from playing classical guitar music like bach and segovia transcriptions so this is new and exciting for me

[@oharappro6581]

☆☆☆☆☆what's the open tuning, sir

[@jlstilesmusic]

Thanks-Open E, EBEG#BE

[@realsay]

hey great cover of this amazing song. I was wondering if you can possibly share the tabs?

[@jlstilesmusic]

Thanks! I learned by listening and never used tabs nor have I ever written them out. I would tune to open E and just get the thumb first, perhaps. There are some spots where I do the thumbroll, which hits two bass notes with one stroke-this is generally the hardest part about playing Blake’s stuff.

[@realsay]

@@jlstilesmusic Oh okay that you for the advice on how to learn this song.

[@keithwigley1256]

Many do the blues ..a few sound like the blues..

[@jlstilesmusic]

And we all get the blues…

[@ojaiandrew]

Excellent Playing/Singing! What guitar are you playing there?

[@jlstilesmusic]

Thanks. Thats a blueridge parlor from 12 yrs ago with 13 gauge strings-could bump it up to 14’s but that’s pretty stiff

[@robertnewell5057]

This is great! What's that guitar??

[@jlstilesmusic]

A blueridge parlor from 12 years ago with 13’s on it.

[@angeliquea9707]

Awesome picking and nice tone. Custom parlor guitar?😉

[@jlstilesmusic]

Thanks!!! It’s a very economical $800 blueridge parlor I bought new several years ago but I did use medium gauge strings because the 12-gauge are too weak sounding, esp on the bass strings.

[@angeliquea9707]

@@jlstilesmusic So you use 13-gauge? Impressive.

[@jlstilesmusic]

Yes, on that guitar.

[@jirabunjongkijnatt6155]

Like your guitar 😅😅

[@jlstilesmusic]

She’s just a blueridge parlor with 13’s but I like her, too!

[@monkshillpottery]

Ahh, those days are behind me….

[@jlstilesmusic]

What days? I hope not days of being attacked by police dogs…

[@nezabarom1]

Hi! What kind of guitar is this? Thank you.

[@jlstilesmusic]

It’s a blueridge parlor from about 12 years ago but I did put 13 gauge on there-coujd even do 14’s but that’s getting pretty stiff

[@zizela23master64]

is that open D tuning?

[@jlstilesmusic]

It’s open E, same thing as open D but no capo on 2nd fret

[@zizela23master64]

@@jlstilesmusic thank you

[@bertbregdenz2756]

Which Guitar ?

[@jlstilesmusic]

It’s just a blueridge parlor from maybe 8 or so years ago with medium gauge (13’s) strings because the scale length is pretty short so 12’s are too flabby.

[@RyanHeitz]

I was going to ask the same question. Blueridge BR-341? Sounds great, and great playing!

[@olivejalopy3623]

What is that guitar?

[@jlstilesmusic]

It’s a 2012 blueridge parlor with 13’s

[@bravesirgallahad]

I also sh*t my trunks in Tennessee.

[@jlstilesmusic]

Not sure how respond to this but that was bad chicken fried steak?

[@Steve-si8hx]

I'll bet all these black guys from the 20s and 30s never would have thought their music would have become the White Man's music 😅

[@jlstilesmusic]

Maybe they didn't think it would become a worldwide phenomenon. I view a great songwriter, singer and guitarist like Blake as a wellspring for lots of different kinds of songs and songwriting. He is pretty much unattainable though it's a good practice to hear and try to get his nuance.

[@gfirob]

Man, that is some serious picking. Blind Blake has always been a bridge too far for me. Nice little guitar too.

[@jlstilesmusic]

Thanks and Blake is a bridge too far for everyone, imo, but it’s worthy to chase the dream!!!

[@Esmae2018]

Sow

[@jlstilesmusic]

Not sure what sow means but I hope it’s good!

[@sashguitars_com]

I'd subscribe if there is a lesson after, otherwise, there are better performers on KZbin to show off.

[@jlstilesmusic]

I’m a songwriter and player whose teachers are the trad blues players not creating teaching vids but you can play the vid at slower speeds to learn if need be.

[@rodney4266]

The tab is out there free I have it just look

[@ValleyoftheRogue]

I don't know why people try to imitate somebody ultimately impossible to imitate on KZbin. Blind Blake was an original, and he was able to do what he did without being able to see what he was doing. His recordings are easily available on KZbin. There is no need to reinvent the wheel.

[@jlstilesmusic]

His technique has enabled my own expression as a songwriter immensely. Song beside my grave, big old party on this channel employ that thumbroll, if you know what that is. And there are others of my own I’ll put up there which I’ve recorded. It’s also hard to hear what’s going on so a vid is helpful for learning and apparently of interest to fans of Blake.

[@tedscott1478]

It's a display of respect and appreciation for a master of the guitar. Emulation or copying is the highest form of flattery and admiration...

[@tedscott1478]

He wasn't totally blind he was partially sighted.

[@andymathewson160]

You may be right but bear in mind that you can learn a lot by imitating the best players and incorporating their skills in your own playing and original material. Learning and reproducing Blind Blake is a good discipline -- though not a good ultimate goal.

[@rw4170]

What a dumb ass comment! There's also no need to reinvent stupidity!