A Blues Life

by Henry Townsend

The blues guitarist recounts his life and the blues scene in St. Louis during the 1930s

Genres: Biography

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 14, 1999

Reviews

[Jeff Crompton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered Henry Townsend's wonderful music by accident nearly 30 years ago, with the chance discovery of his 1979 "comeback" album, Mule. Townsend's strong, but genial blues style appealed to me instantly, as did his prowess on both guitar and piano.

My discovery of his autobiography (edited by Bill Greensmith) was just as accidental. I read it with a good deal of interest, but my feelings about it are mixed. Townsend's memories of the St. Louis blues scene - who recorded with whom, who was really behind this or that pseudonym, etc. - are extremely valuable historically, but they don't always make for compelling reading. More gripping are Townsend's more personal stories - but I can't say that they're always enjoyable. Townsend left home at the age of nine, and violent encounters were a fact of life for him. To give one example, bluesman J.D. Short stabbed Townsend in the back (literally), for reasons Townsend claimed not to know. Townsend was ready when they met again; he shot Short's nuts off (again, literally) and called it even.

The extensive end notes and detailed, complete discography add to the value of this book for historians and blues geeks. This is essential reading for those who know and love Townsend's music; most others can safely skip it.

[Paul Secor · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friend Jeff Crompton nailed this one with his review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I don't have a lot to add to that except that, reading Henry Townsend's account of his life, I was struck by how his accounts of violent occurrences were recounted in much the same way as everyday occurrences were. That may say something about Henry Townsend or about the lives of blues musicians in those times or both.
Reading this book got me to go back and listen to and enjoy my Yazoo and Mamlish LPs and CDs of St. Louis blues recordings. - a very good thing.
As Jeff said, four stars for him (and for me) - probably not essential for most others.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great profile of Saint Louis blues master Henry Townsend, and the various blues people that came into and out of his life..... Robert Nighthawk, Roosevelt Sykes, Sonny Boy Williamson.... and others. Highly recommended, particularly for anyone interested in the history of the blues, and its migration from Mississippi up through Memphis, northward to Saint Louis, and finally Chicago.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone into old blues music, this is a relatively short, but fascinating read. Henry Townsend recounts much of his life, including his times with other greats such as Roosevelt Sykes, Joe Willie Wilkins, Walter Davis, Robert Johnson, etc. It's unfortunate that this is one of the only first-hand accounts documented of the St. Louis blues scene...