Jazz Articles about Jay Gordon's Blues Venom

Jay Gordon's Blues Venom: Slide Rules!

by C. Michael Bailey
December 18, 2019

The first slide guitar recording (and first instrumental blues recording) was made by Sylvester Weaver for Okeh Records (No. 8109) in 1923, the A-side being “Guitar Blues" and the B- side “Guitar Rag." Since that time many practitioners have distinguished themselves as exceptional. Early players included Ur-bluesmen Charlie Patton, Son House and Robert Johnson. Middle players included Robert Nighthawk, Earl Hooker, Elmore James and Muddy Waters. The later and most contemporary exceptional slide guitarists include Duane Allman, Johnny Winter, Derek ...