Altoona Blues

from The Best of Blind Willie Deafman by Blind Willie Deafman

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Showing the obvious influence of John Lee Hooker, Deafman's Chicago Records debut "Altoona Blues" strayed from his earlier recordings by including rough percussion. In "Altoona Blues," Deafman describes his early encounters with blues music, including a reference to noted Delta bluesman Little Guitar Junior. Originally released as a 45 RPM single in 1950, "Altoona Blues" became the cornerstone of Deafman's first full-length album, PLAYS AND SINGS AND STRUMS THE BLUES, released in 1951.

lyrics

When I was fourteen,
I stayed out one night.
Oh mama!
I stayed out the whole night.
I didn’t tell my mama.
I was looking for a good time.
I was walking down 2nd Street
In the middle of Altoona.
Everybody was heading to the same place
With Little Guitar Junior.
He was playing so loud.
Louder than all get out.
Oh mama!

Louder than all get out.

When I came home that night,
I heard mama and papa yelling.
Papa said “Let that boy wear shortpants.”
And it seemed so right.
So I tried ‘em on
And it felt so right.
Oh mama!

credits

from The Best of Blind Willie Deafman, track released November 10, 1950

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