ou might know songs like by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Fleetwood Mac, John Mayall and Jimi Hendrix. But all these and many more were written and originally performed by this fabulous singer and slide guitarist. Elmore’s version of is perhaps definitive slow 12-bar blues, and many others. It became Elmore’s signature, but he was about much more than that. He was one of the biggest influences on the 60s blues revival in both America and the UK, and songs performed by James were relished by bands on both sides of the Atlantic. Guitarists including Jimi Hendrix, Brian Jones (The Rolling Stones), John Mayall, Jeremy Spencer (Fleetwood Mac) and even Frank Zappa mentioned him as an influence. As with so many blues greats it was never all about the guitar with Elmore; instrument and voice played vital roles in delivering his music, and James connected to his audience with both in equal measure. One of the greatest unsung bluesmen ever? We think so.
