The Train Blues
Woo... Woo-Hoo! Today I dedicate the episode of the Legends of the Rocking Dutchman to that means of transport that made America a nation - the train. Now the fifties may have been the decade of the rise of the automobile - for poor folks the only way to get somewhere was by public transport, and that's why the train always played an important role in the blues.
It wasn't just a way to get somewhere, the train served to escape the poverty and discrimination of the South and millions of black people have traveled to the big cities in the north searching for work and a better future - all by train. So the train was an instrument of hope - or despair when the singer's woman, whom he'd treated so badly, leaves for good by train. Or she comes back after a long stay away. Or the rhythmic sounds of the old steam locomotive are just an inspiration for a rocking good jump blues or a boogie woogie.
Playlist
- Jimmy Forrest - Night Train
- Jayhawks - Love Train
- Jackie Wilson - Love Train
- Mabel Scott - Boogie Woogie Choo Choo Train
- Papa Lightfoot - Mean Ol' Train
- Guitar Slim - Later for you baby
- Little Junior's Blue Flames - Mystery Train
- Danny Overbea - Train Train
- Tiny Bradshaw - Gravy Train
- Amos Milburn & His Aladdin Chicken-Shackers - Tell Me How Long Has The Train Been Gone
- Chuck Willis - That Train Is Gone
- Eddie Vinson - Lonesome Train
- Lightnin' Slim - Mean ole lonesome train
- Four Knights - Tennessee Train
- Ivory Joe Hunter - Stop Rocking That Train
- Doles Dickens & His Quintet - Choo Choo Bop
- Tiny Bradshaw - The Train Kept A-Rollin
- Four Blazes - Night Train
- Wild Bill Moore Sextette - Bongo Bounce
- Kirk Kirkland - The Saxaphone Rag
- Al Sears And His Orchestra - Now Ride 'D' Train
- Buddy Lucas Band - Night Train
- Lloyd Glen - Honky tonk train
- Wild Bill Moore Sextette-Bongo Bounce
- Louis Prima - Night Train