Blues Monday #1: Shake It And Break It by Charley Patton

I've already written about my discovery and subsequent love of the blues, so I am branding the first Monday of each month Blues Monday (see what I did there? Clever, eh.) I shall keep it simple, a brief post, a link or two for further reading and a damn fine blues song. It is also not intended to be compared with Charity Chic's excellent Blues Collection series; I was lining this sort of thing up before I actually discovered his blog, so no imitation or plagiarism is intended.

To get you started, a cheeky little number from one of the true pioneers of the genre, Charley Patton. Responsible for influencing some of the all-time greats including Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker and Robert Johnson, Patton was there when it all began in the earliest years of the 20th century. Being one of the very first people to play this new kind of music earned him the posthumous title 'Father of the Delta Blues'.

Shake It And Break It was recorded during his first ever studio session in 1929, by which time he was in his late 30s/early 40s (his age is disputed). Three further sessions were recorded before his death in 1934.

The Wikipedia entry on Charlie Patton pretty much covers all you need to know about the man.

Soundtrack:

• Shake It And Break It (But Don't Let It Fall Mama) - CharleyPatton (recorded 1929, Richmond, IN)