Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
KPLU All Blues host John Kessler has expanded "The Blues Time Machine," which has been a popular segment on his weekend blues shows. The weekly series tracks one great blues song through history - from its earliest recording to its latest and sometimes, with some surprising interpretations. "The Blues Time Machine" airs on KPLU on Fridays at 12:10 p.m. during the "Blue Plate Special," and on All Blues Saturdays and Sundays at 8 and 11 p.m.

'Shake 'Em On Down' created the cutting edge for blues

Bukka White
Bukka White

Most blues started in the country before becoming urbanized, and Bukka White brought his brand of Mississippi blues to Chicago in the 1930’s and 40’s.

It is likely that he met and learned from elemental bluesman Charley Patton, and he was known for playing a National steel guitar with a slide. He recorded “Shake ‘Em On Down” in 1937 and established the cutting edge.

Here is a clip of Bukka White performing a different song, but the style is very similar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ptrcBDeiLk

Big Bill Broonzy was a key figure in the transition to urban blues, he was a facilitator for other artists, as well as a composer and performer of some important songs like “Key to  the Highway." He actually helped Bukka White get a record deal with Chicago’s Melrose Records. Later on Broonzy became known as more of a folk-blues artist, but when he recorded “Shake ‘Em On Down” in 1940, he was on the cutting edge of the blues.

The North Mississippi All Stars have brought a totally modern sound to the music that originated in their state, and they owe a particular debt to Mississippi Fred McDowell, who also recorded “Shake ‘Em On Down”. Their sound has a distinctive rhythmic drive and a modal simplicity that is based on primal Mississippi blues. “Shake ‘Em On Down” appeared on Shake Hands With Shorty from 2000. They perform live from 2011:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA_NlPpOHzE&feature=related

John Alex Mason is a younger bluesman who has taken a modern look backwards at blues, often performing as a one-man-band. He is building on a blues foundation, and adding some subtle touches that show an awareness of today’s sound and studio techniques. He recorded “Shake ‘Em On Down” in 2008. He performs the tune in this 2006 clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ELjvXQ4eZo

Here are the complete versions of "Shake 'Em On Down"

Bukka White "Shake 'Em on Down"  1937

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-999742.mp3

Big Bill Broonzy  "Shake 'Em on Down"  1940

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-999741.mp3

North Mississippi All Stars "Shake 'Em on Down"  2000

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-999740.mp3

John Alex Mason  "Shake 'Em on Down"  2008

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-999739.mp3

John has worked as a professional bassist for 20 years, including a 15 year stint as Musical Director of the Mountain Stage radio program. John has been at KNKX since 1999 where he hosts “All Blues”, is producer of the BirdNote radio program, and co-hosts “Record Bin Roulette”. John is also the recording engineer for KNKX “In-Studio Performances”. Not surprisingly, John's main musical interests are jazz and blues, and he is still performing around Seattle.