Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee: Backwater Blues

Since I just wrote about Our New Orleans last week, I thought you might enjoy this video I came across on YouTube. It's a version of "Backwater Blues" performed by Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, and it's pretty darn cool.

Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee met in 1939 and played as a duo for years. They were a part of a vibrant New York folk scene alongside Woody Guthrie, Ledbelly, and many others. I love the story-telling aspect of this performance, and the unexpected whoops from Sonny!

Read the Blues Access 1973 interview with Brownie McGhee

Read about Sonny Terry on Wikipedia
Brownie McGhee on Wikipedia