"Madison Blues" is a blues song by American blues musician

Elmore James Elmore James ( Brooks; January 27, 1918 – May 24, 1963) was an American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter, and bandleader. Noted for his use of loud amplification and his stirring voice, James was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ...

. It is an upbeat Chicago-style shuffle featuring James' amplified slide guitar and vocal. He recorded it in 1960 for Chess Records, during a session that also produced " Talk to Me Baby" ("I Can't Hold Out") and "The Sun Is Shining", a follow-up to his popular single " The Sky Is Crying".

Background

James recorded the song with his long-time backup band, the Broomdusters: tenor saxophonist J. T. Brown, pianist

Little Johnny Jones ''Little Johnny Jones'' is a musical by George M. Cohan. The show introduced Cohan's tunes " Give My Regards to Broadway" and " The Yankee Doodle Boy." The "Yankee Doodle" character was inspired by real-life Hall of Fame jockey Tod Sloan. Bac ...

, and second guitarist

Homesick James Homesick James (April 30, 1910December 13, 2006 was an American blues musician known for his mastery of the slide guitar. He worked with his cousin, Elmore James, and with Sonny Boy Williamson II. Early years Homesick James was born in Somervil ...

, with drummer Odie Payne. It is a twelve-bar blues notated in 4/4 time in the key of D and includes a twelve-bar slide-guitar intro and two twelve-bar sections with Brown's sax solo. The chorus makes a pun on "blues": Music writer Don Snowden describes the session as "showcas nghis mature style—the trademark bottleneck guitar licks and raw-edged, gritty vocals complemented by J. T. Brown's braying sax solos, tinkling piano by Johnnie Jones and Odie Payne's tough, propulsive drumming." The song was not issued as a single, but was later included on the Elmore James/

John Brim John Charles Brim (April 10, 1922 – October 1, 2003) was an American Chicago blues guitarist, songwriter, and singer. He wrote and recorded the song "Ice Cream Man" which was later covered by the rock band Van Halen for their first album, and ...

compilation albums ''Tough'' ( Blue Horizon, UK, 1968), and ''Whose Muddy Shoes'' (Chess, US, 1969).

Other versions

Several musicians have recorded their renditions of the song, including Fleetwood Mac, who recorded it with Willie Dixon and J. T. Brown for their 1969 '' Blues Jam in Chicago'' album with slide and vocals by

Jeremy Spencer Jeremy Cedric Spencer (born 4 July 1948) is a British musician, best known for playing slide guitar and piano in the original line-up of the rock band Fleetwood Mac. A member since Fleetwood Mac's inception in July 1967, he remained with th ...

. George Thorogood and the Destroyers also recorded it for their eponymous 1977 debut album. Original Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green, recorded a version for his 1999 release '' Destiny Road''. Both Fleetwood Mac and Thorogood have recorded live versions of the song.

References

{{authority control Blues songs 1960 songs Elmore James songs Fleetwood Mac songs George Thorogood songs Songs written by Elmore James