"Pony Blues" is a

Delta blues Delta blues is one of the earliest-known styles of blues. It originated in the Mississippi Delta, and is regarded as a regional variant of country blues. Guitar and harmonica are its dominant instruments; slide guitar is a hallmark of the s ...

song recorded by blues musician

Charley Patton Charley Patton (April 1891 (probable) – April 28, 1934), also known as Charlie Patton, was an American Delta blues musician and songwriter. Considered by many to be the "Father of the Delta Blues", he created an enduring body of American mus ...

. Patton recorded the song in June 1929 during his first session. The song was also the first song to be released by Patton on the Paramount label.

Recording and background

Patton wrote "Pony Blues" sometime around the age 19, and is one of the first songs Patton ever wrote. He would record another rendition of this song as "Stone Pony Blues" in 1934. With the help of record store owner H. C. Speir, Patton obtained his first recording session, for Paramount Records, on June 14, 1929. He cut 14 sides, including "Pony Blues" (vocal and guitar). Patton's composition "Down the Dirt Road" was also recorded at this session.

Renditions

Big Joe Williams Joseph Lee "Big Joe" Williams (October 16, 1903 – December 17, 1982) was an American Delta blues guitarist, singer and songwriter, notable for the distinctive sound of his nine-string guitar. Performing over five decades, he recorded the s ...

: ''Classic Delta Blues'' (1966) *

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: ''

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'' (1968) *

Son House Edward James "Son" House Jr. (March 21, 1902His date of birth is a matter of some debate. House alleged that he was middle-aged during World War I and that he was 79 in 1965, which would make his date of birth around 1886. However, all legal re ...

: ''The Great Bluesmen at Newport'' (1976) *

Cephas & Wiggins Cephas & Wiggins were an American acoustic blues duo, composed of the guitarist John Cephas (September 4, 1930 – March 4, 2009) and the harmonica player Phil Wiggins (born May 8, 1954). They were known for playing Piedmont blues. Hist ...

: ''Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad'' (1998) *

Howlin' Wolf Chester Arthur Burnett (June 10, 1910January 10, 1976), better known by his stage name Howlin' Wolf, was an American blues singer and guitarist. He is regarded as one of the most influential blues musicians of all time. Over a four-decade care ...

: ''The Best of Howlin' Wolf 1951-1958'' (1990) *

Corey Harris Corey Harris (born February 21, 1969, in Denver, Colorado, United States) is an American blues and reggae musician, currently residing in Charlottesville, Virginia. Along with Keb' Mo' and Alvin Youngblood Hart, he raised the flag of acoustic ...

: ''Between Midnight and Day'' (1995) *

Alvin Youngblood Hart Alvin Youngblood Hart (born Gregory Edward Hart; March 2, 1963) is an American musician. Career Hart was born in Oakland, California, and spent some time in Carroll County, Mississippi, in his youth, where he was influenced by the Mississippi ...

: ''Big Mama's Door'' (1996) *

Duke Robillard Michael John "Duke" Robillard (born October 4, 1948) is an American guitarist and singer. He founded the band Roomful of Blues and was a member of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Although Robillard is known as a rock and blues guitarist, he also play ...

: ''New Blues for Modern Man'' (1999) *

Paul Geremia Paul Geremia (born April 21, 1944) is an American blues singer and acoustic guitarist. Geremia was born in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. He recorded his first album in 1968, having been significantly influenced by both the rural blue ...

: ''Love, Murder & Mosquitos'' (2004)

References

External links

Interview with H.C. Speir
{{Authority control Blues songs 1929 songs Charley Patton songs Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients United States National Recording Registry recordings