| You are here: | About>Education>African-American History> Music / Musicians> Blues> Charley Patton> Charley Patton - Profile of Bluesman Charley Patton |
 | African-American History |
Charley PattonDates:exact date unknown, maybe 1887 or 1890Occupation:blues musicianAlso known as:Founder of the Delta Blues, Charlie Patton
Charley Patton’s ChildhoodIt is unclear when Charley Patton was born, but based on various dates given it is believed that it was in 1887 or 1890. Patton was born near Edwards, Mississippi to Anney Patton and either her husband Bill Patton, a preacher, or Henderson Chatmon, a neighbor and musician. Charley Patton ended up having the benefit of learning from two fathers: from Bill Patton he learned religious songs, and from Chatmon and his musically inclined children, he was the benefactor of a musical family.The Patton family eventually moved from the Edwards area to the Dockery Plantation in the Mississippi Delta. Migratory patterns had brought blacks to the area to work as farmers and sharecroppers. Among this group of residents were musicians. Since the black farming population lived in close quarters on the plantation, Patton was surrounded by blues singers. Sure enough, the collaboration of ideas, songs, and guitar styles were exchanged. Around 1908 Patton learned to play the guitar and was mentored by Delta bluesman Henry Sloan.
Charley Patton’s Blues StyleNot long after learning to play the guitar, the five-foot five-inch Patton embarked upon a life as a musician. Although he was small, Patton was known for his loud voice and larger-than-life stage presence. His performances at picnics, house parties, and juke joints displayed his stage antics that included playing the guitar behind his neck and in between his legs. While audiences certainly remembered Patton’s performances, other musicians such as Son House did too. House, a Delta bluesman who traveled with Patton in the 1930s, recalled later that Patton loved to clown around on stage and with the lyrics to his songs.Besides his wild entertainment style, Patton was an influential bluesman. He was one of the first to develop the slide guitar sound. He often used a knife or the broken off neck of a bottle to get the slide sound. Patton also often interjected his songs with commentaries, especially in his recordings. Sometimes, though, Patton’s gruff voice made it nearly impossible to decipher what he was saying. This, in turn, has made the transcription of some of his songs impossible. Even Son House remembered that Patton was often difficult to understand no matter how close in proximity he was to him.
Charley Patton Records the BluesAlthough Patton was one of the first country blues singers, he was not the first recorded. In 1929, five years after the first recording of the country blues was made, Patton finally received the opportunity to record with Paramount. On June 14, 1929, he recorded 14 songs, including “Pony Blues.” Patton went on to record for Paramount on three other occasions. His recordings included “Mississippi Boweavil Blues” and “High Water Everywhere.” His last recording session was in 1934.Like many country bluesmen, Patton lived a hard life. He was a heavy drinker and enjoyed women. It is reported that he had as many as eight wives. After his last recording, an ill Patton returned to Mississippi where he died in Indianola a few months later on April 28, 1934. This article was written on May 6, 2008. Charley Patton
|
|
All Topics | Email Article | |  |  |
| Advertising Info | News & Events | Work at About | SiteMap | Reprints | Help | Our Story | Be a Guide |
| User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | ©2008 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved. |