Few Blues musician’s are more frequently mentioned as a influence than Mississippi Fred McDowell. As blues fans we should all thank Mississippi Fred McDowel for his work in passing his influence to the likes of Bonnie Rait (slide guitar), R.L. Burnside and inspiring the likes of The Rolling Stones. If you think you’ve not heard any Mississippi Fred McDowell but you can hum “You Gotta Move” by the Stones, well that Fred McDowell’s tune you’d be humming. As a matter of fact they played in pretty much exactly as he did – check it out on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrT6uJotIgg Thats Fred McDowell! The original album is still available too – check it out.
A 1969 video called “Blues Maker” chronicled Fred McDowell’s life. It seems like an awesome movie, if I get it I’ll tell ya all about it. Here is a excerpt:
Seems Fred McDowell must have had a thing about rock and roll though – check these album titles by Fred McDowell: