Death Letter
| "Death Letter" | |
|---|---|
 1985 Edsel reissue | |
| Song by Son House | |
| from the album Father of Folk Blues | |
| Released | 1965 |
| Recorded | April 12–14, 1965 |
| Studio | Columbia, New York City[1] |
| Genre | Delta blues |
| Length | 4:19 |
| Label | Columbia |
| Songwriter(s) | Son House |
| Producer(s) | John Hammond, Frank Driggs[1] |
"Death Letter", also known as "Death Letter Blues", is the signature song of the Delta blues musician Son House. It is structured upon House's earlier recording "My Black Mama, Part 2" from 1930. House's 1965 performance was on a metal-bodied National resonator guitar using a copper slide.
One commentator noted that it is "one of the most anguished and emotionally stunning laments in the Delta blues œuvre."[2]
Folk revival performances
"Death Letter" was the centerpiece of Son House's live performances during the blues revival of the 1960s. House often altered the tempo and lyrics for different performances of "Death Letter", occasionally playing the song more than once during the same concert. Some renditions exceeded fifteen minutes in length.
Renditions
Skip James reworked the music and lyrics for his song "Special Rider Blues". Avant-garde blues artist Jandek added a verse from "Death Letter" to his song "I Went Outside". "Burying Ground" by Muddy Waters deals with the same subject. Captain Beefheart used an extensive reference in "I Feel Like Ahcid" on the album Strictly Personal.
"Death Letter" has been recorded by several popular musicians, including the Blues Band, Grateful Dead, John Mellencamp, Chris Thomas King, David Johansen,[2] Tony McPhee, the Derek Trucks Band,[2] the White Stripes,[2] The Tallest Man on Earth and the Growl. The White Stripes performed part of the song live at the 2004 Grammy Awards. Canadian punk rock band Eamon McGrath & the Wild Dogs recorded the song in a hardcore punk style. Diamanda Galás,[2] Cassandra Wilson,[2] James Blood Ulmer,[2] Gov't Mule, and Geoff Muldaur have also recorded the piece.
See also
References
- ^ a b
Cohn, Lawrence (1992). Father of the Delta Blues: The Complete 1965 Sessions (Album notes). Son House. Columbia/Legacy Records. pp. 9–11. C2K 48867.
{{cite AV media notes}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - ^ a b c d e f g Du Noyer, Paul (2003). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music. Fulham, London: Flame Tree Publishing. p. 160. ISBN 1-904041-96-5.