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The Blues Time Machine
KPLU All Blues host John Kessler has expanded "The Blues Time Machine," which has been a popular segment on his weekend blues shows. The weekly series tracks one great blues song through history - from its earliest recording to its latest and sometimes, with some surprising interpretations. "The Blues Time Machine" airs on KPLU on Fridays at 12:10 p.m. during the "Blue Plate Special," and on All Blues Saturdays and Sundays at 8 and 11 p.m.

'Help Me' goes from blues to alt-rock

KNKX Public Radio | By John Kessler
Published December 21, 2012 at 12:00 PM PST
Sonny Boy Williamson
Sonny Boy Williamson

Sonny Boy Williamson’s career had a wide range. He played with Robert Johnson in the 1930’s and with Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page in the 1960’s. His ability to span eras is a testament to the timelessness of his voice and harmonica.

Sonny Boy Williamson recorded “Help Me” in 1963, and it bears a striking similarity to the instrumental “Green Onions," from Booker T and the MGs one year earlier. It is unusual because it uses minor chords, and has a sort of dark and foreboding sound.

Sonny Boy Williamson had a unique harmonica style, that provided a lot of rhythm, even without a band. This is a wonderful video of him performing “Bye Bye Bird:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELLV-qzSgIo

By the mid '60s, blues was making its way to the pop music mainstream with groups like Cream and John Mayall. There were several covers of “Help Me” – Canned Heat recorded it on their 1967 debut.

Sugar Blue is a true harmonica virtuoso. If you recognize his style, it’s because you’ve heard him on albums from the Rolling Stones. He recorded “Help Me” in 1994. His technique is inspired by Sonny Boy Williamson, as he explains in this clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm0NvPN6NSk

One year later, alternative rock singer Joan Osborne recorded “Help Me” on her hugely successful debut album "Relish." She introduced the song to an entirely new audience, who likely never heard of Sonny Boy Williamson, or even blues. Here’s a live clip of Joan Osborne performing "Help Me:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTx0g-TIym8

Here are the complete versions of "Help Me:"

Sonny Boy Williamson “Help Me” 1963

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-992457.mp3

Canned Heat “Help Me”  1967

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-992456.mp3

Sugar Blue     “Help Me”  1994

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-992455.mp3

Joan Osborne  “Help Me” 1995 

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-992454.mp3

Booker T. & the MGs “Green Onions” 1962

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-992452.mp3
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Music Blues Time Machine
John Kessler
John has worked as a professional bassist for 20 years, including a 15 year stint as Musical Director of the Mountain Stage radio program. John has been at KNKX since 1999 where he hosts “All Blues”, is producer of the BirdNote radio program, and co-hosts “Record Bin Roulette”. John is also the recording engineer for KNKX “In-Studio Performances”. Not surprisingly, John's main musical interests are jazz and blues, and he is still performing around Seattle.
See stories by John Kessler
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