Furry Lewis was a stand-out in the first generation of Country Blues guitarists to record. His combination of intricate fingerpicking, expert slide guitar-playing, innovative arrangements and clever original lyrics gave his music a staying power that continues to this day. Everything that Furry recorded communicated so much personality. The combination of that personality and his musical gifts paved the way for recognition in his later years that included an appearance on the Tonight Show, recordings with Leon Russell, a role in a Burt Reynolds movie and being immortalized in song by Joni Mitchell.

In John Miller’s “Memphis Blues Guitar of Furry Lewis”, you’ll find transcriptions in tablature and standard notation of twenty of Furry’s recorded performances, fifteen from his 1920s recordings and five from his 1961 sessions in Memphis. Furry’s slide playing in Vestapol and Spanish tunings is well represented in the song selection, along with four of his spectacular tunes in the EAEGBE tuning. Such Furry classics as “I Will Turn Your Money Green”, “Kassie Jones” and “Billy Lyons and Stack O’Lee” are included. The book also includes a link to downloadable versions of the original recordings from which the transcriptions in the book were made. A biographical essay by Tyler Fritts provides background on Furry’s life.

“Memphis Blues Guitar of Furry Lewis” provides an opportunity to dig deep into Furry Lewis’s music - to learn how he did what he did on the guitar and to play the songs yourself. It’s a challenge, for sure, but so rewarding when the work pays off, and you’re actually able to play these wonderful arrangements.

Titles include: Kassie Jones, Billy Lyons And Stack O'Lee, Jelly Roll, Black Gypsy Blues, Creeper's Blues, Done Changed My Mind, Dry Land Blues, John Henry, Falling Down Blues, Frankie And Johnnie, Furry's Blues, Judge Harsh Blues, Good Looking Girl Blues, I Will Turn Your Money Green, I'm Going To Brownsville, Mistreatin' Mama, Old Blue, White Lightinin', Why Don't You Come Home Blues

Level 2 • 132 pages • Direct download link to audio files