Driftin' Blues
Encyclopedia
"Driftin' Blues" or "Drifting Blues" is a blues standard
done in the West Coast blues
style. Written and first recorded by Johnny Moore's Three Blazers
,the song became one of the biggest blues hits of the 1940s. Over the years, it has been interpreted and recorded by numerous artists. The original "Driftin' Blues" has been acknowledged by the Blues Hall of Fame
and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
.
(vocals and piano), Johnny Moore (guitar), Eddie Williams (bass), and Johnny Otis
(drums). The song was developed during their frequent Los Angeles club appearances and is credited to Brown, Moore, and Williams. The song is a slow-tempo twelve-bar blues, that features Brown's vocal and piano. Brown commented that it "was the first song that I wrote down and tried to sing". Their performances of the song were well received and led to a recording contract with Philo (soon to become Aladdin
) Records. "Driftin' Blues" became a hit, spending twenty-three weeks in the Billboard R&B chart. The song reached #2 and "emerged [as] one of the top selling black records in 1945 and 1946".
was performing it regularly. As he commented: "Charles Brown was a powerful influence on me in the early part of my career, especially when I was struggling down in Florida. I made many a dollar doing my imitation of his 'Drifting Blues'. That was a hell of a number". In 1950, Lightnin' Hopkins
recorded a different arrangement of the song, accompanied only by his amplified guitar (John Lee Hooker
made a similar adaptation in 1961). Billy Eckstine
recorded it in 1959 for the album Basie/Eckstine Incorporated
. Chuck Berry
recorded his interpretation for his 1960 album Rockin' at the Hops
.
"Driftin' Blues" entered the charts again in 1968 when Bobby "Blue" Bland recorded it. His version reached #23 during a stay of eleven weeks in the Billboard R&B chart. Bland's version also made an appearance in the Billboard Pop chart
at #96. At the Monterey Pop Festival
in 1967, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band (complete with horn section) performed an eight-minute version of "Driftin' Blues". Another live version of the song, featuring an extended guitar solo, was recorded by Albert King
at the Fillmore Auditorium
in 1968. In 1969, Charles Brown recorded an updated version of "Driftin' Blues" that "came off as new, thanks to Earl Hooker
's inspired slide work". Eric Clapton
recorded several versions of the song, including a group arrangement for his live 1975 album E. C. Was Here
and a solo acoustic piece (as "Driftin'") for his 1994 album From the Cradle
.
Blues standard
A blues standard is a blues song that is widely known, performed, and recorded by blues artists. The following list identifies blues standards and some of the blues artists that have recorded them...
done in the West Coast blues
West Coast blues
The West Coast blues is a type of blues music characterized by jazz and jump blues influences, strong piano-dominated sounds and jazzy guitar solos, which originated from Texas blues players relocated to California in the 1940s...
style. Written and first recorded by Johnny Moore's Three Blazers
Johnny Moore's Three Blazers
Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers were a successful and influential African-American vocal and instrumental group in the 1940s and 1950s.The original members were :-Johnny Moore and his younger brother Oscar grew up in Texas and then Phoenix, Arizona, where they both started playing guitar and formed...
,the song became one of the biggest blues hits of the 1940s. Over the years, it has been interpreted and recorded by numerous artists. The original "Driftin' Blues" has been acknowledged by the Blues Hall of Fame
Blues Hall of Fame
The Blues Hall of Fame is a listing of people who have significantly contributed to blues music. Started in 1980 by the Blues Foundation, it honors those who have performed, recorded, or documented blues.-1980:*Big Bill Broonzy*Willie Dixon*John Lee Hooker...
and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
.
Original song
Johnny Moore's Three Blazers recorded "Driftin' Blues" in 1945. The group, sometimes known as a "club blues" combo, was composed of Charles BrownCharles Brown (musician)
Charles Brown , born in Texas City, Texas was an American blues singer and pianist whose soft-toned, slow-paced blues-club style influenced the development of blues performance during the 1940s and 1950s...
(vocals and piano), Johnny Moore (guitar), Eddie Williams (bass), and Johnny Otis
Johnny Otis
Johnny Otis is an American singer, musician, talent scout, disc jockey, composer, arranger, recording artist, record producer, vibraphonist, drummer, percussionist, bandleader, and impresario.He is commonly referred to as The Godfather Of Rhythm And Blues.-Personal life:Otis, the son of Alexander...
(drums). The song was developed during their frequent Los Angeles club appearances and is credited to Brown, Moore, and Williams. The song is a slow-tempo twelve-bar blues, that features Brown's vocal and piano. Brown commented that it "was the first song that I wrote down and tried to sing". Their performances of the song were well received and led to a recording contract with Philo (soon to become Aladdin
Aladdin Records (US)
Aladdin Records was a post-World War II United States record label, with headquarters in Hollywood, California. The label was founded in 1945 by brothers Eddie, Leo, and Ira Mesner and was originally called Philo Records, before changing to its better-known name in April 1946.Aladdin Records...
) Records. "Driftin' Blues" became a hit, spending twenty-three weeks in the Billboard R&B chart. The song reached #2 and "emerged [as] one of the top selling black records in 1945 and 1946".
Other versions
Due to the song's popularity, other artists were soon performing and recording "Driftin' Blues". Some followed the original, while others interpreted it differently. As early as 1946, a young Ray CharlesRay Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
was performing it regularly. As he commented: "Charles Brown was a powerful influence on me in the early part of my career, especially when I was struggling down in Florida. I made many a dollar doing my imitation of his 'Drifting Blues'. That was a hell of a number". In 1950, Lightnin' Hopkins
Lightnin' Hopkins
Sam John Hopkins better known as Lightnin’ Hopkins, was an American country blues singer, songwriter, guitarist and occasional pianist, from Houston, Texas...
recorded a different arrangement of the song, accompanied only by his amplified guitar (John Lee Hooker
John Lee Hooker
John Lee Hooker was an American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist.Hooker began his life as the son of a sharecropper, William Hooker, and rose to prominence performing his own unique style of what was originally closest to Delta blues. He developed a 'talking blues' style that was his trademark...
made a similar adaptation in 1961). Billy Eckstine
Billy Eckstine
William Clarence Eckstine was an American singer of ballads and a bandleader of the swing era. Eckstine's smooth baritone and distinctive vibrato broke down barriers throughout the 1940s, first as leader of the original bop big-band, then as the first romantic black male in popular...
recorded it in 1959 for the album Basie/Eckstine Incorporated
Basie and Eckstine, Inc.
Basie/Eckstine Incorporated is a 1959 album featuring Billy Eckstine and the Count Basie Orchestra. It was released by Roulette Records, then later reissued by Capital Records.- Track listing :# "Stormy Monday Blues" - 3:11...
. Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry
Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" , "Roll Over Beethoven" , "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B...
recorded his interpretation for his 1960 album Rockin' at the Hops
Rockin' at the Hops
Rockin' At The Hops is a Chuck Berry album which was released in 1960 under Chess Records. Its opening track, "Bye Bye Johnny", was a sequel to Berry's earlier hit, "Johnny B. Goode".- Songs :...
.
"Driftin' Blues" entered the charts again in 1968 when Bobby "Blue" Bland recorded it. His version reached #23 during a stay of eleven weeks in the Billboard R&B chart. Bland's version also made an appearance in the Billboard Pop chart
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
at #96. At the Monterey Pop Festival
Monterey Pop Festival
The Monterey International Pop Music Festival was a three-day concert event held June 16 to June 18, 1967 at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in Monterey, California...
in 1967, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band (complete with horn section) performed an eight-minute version of "Driftin' Blues". Another live version of the song, featuring an extended guitar solo, was recorded by Albert King
Albert King
Albert King was an American blues guitarist and singer, and a major influence in the world of blues guitar playing.-Career:...
at the Fillmore Auditorium
The Fillmore
The Fillmore Auditorium is a historic music venue in San Francisco, California, made famous by Bill Graham. Named for its original location at the intersection of Fillmore Street and Geary Boulevard, it lies on the boundary of the Western Addition and the Pacific Heights neighborhoods.In 1968,...
in 1968. In 1969, Charles Brown recorded an updated version of "Driftin' Blues" that "came off as new, thanks to Earl Hooker
Earl Hooker
Earl Hooker was an American Chicago blues guitarist, perhaps best known for his slide guitar playing. Considered a "musician's musician", Hooker performed with blues artists such as Sonny Boy Williamson II, Junior Wells, and John Lee Hooker as well as fronting his own bands...
's inspired slide work". Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
recorded several versions of the song, including a group arrangement for his live 1975 album E. C. Was Here
E. C. Was Here
E. C. Was Here is a live album released in 1975 by Eric Clapton. Recorded in 1974 and 1975 at the Long Beach Arena, at the Hammersmith Odeon, at the Providence Civic Center.-Track listing:...
and a solo acoustic piece (as "Driftin'") for his 1994 album From the Cradle
From the Cradle
From the Cradle is a blues cover album by Eric Clapton. Released on 13 September 1994 by Reprise Records, the album was Eric Clapton's long awaited follow-up to his massively-successful live album, Unplugged...
.