Houston Blues Legend, Little Joe Washington, — 2003 Image by kenne
From the Houston Blues Society’s Newsletter:
On Wednesday afternoon, bluesman Little Joe Washington passed on, leaving a hole in the blues community’s heart that belies his diminutive 5′ 5″ frame. One of Third Ward’s legendary blues guitarists, comprising Albert Collins, Johnny Clyde Copeland, Johnny “Guitar” Watson and Joe “Guitar” Hughes, Little Joe displayed a raw and sparkling talent that earned great respect from his peers.
It’s true to say that he knew more than a few dark days in his 75 years, but with surprising tenacity he’d always bounce back to delight audiences with his virtuoso guitar skills, often finishing his set by running around the room and using his hat for a tip jar before disappearing into the night on a rickety bicycle.
******
Roger Wood wrote of the Third Ward eccentric guitarist in his 2003 book on Houston blues, Down In Houston: Bayou City Blues:
“I first picked up a guitar when I was playing drums with Albert Collins. I taught myself after that,” Washington explains. “I figure it out on my own.” Once he began to experiment with the guitar, however, the diminutive and now perpetually scruffy-looking fellow developed a unique style that is best described as raw and unpredictable — some would say wild. “I play with my teeth, my tongue, my head. I used to hang on the rafters when I was in Old Mexico,” he said.
“. . . Little Joe Washington has evolved into a Houston folk hero of sorts.”
I went out to the insane asylum And I found my baby out thereI said “Please come back to me darlin ‘What in the world are you doin’ here?” Then the little girl raised up her head Tears was streamin’ down from her eyes And these are the things That the little girl said “When your love has ceased to be(Lord have mercy) There’s no other place for me(Mmm mmm) If you don’t hold me in your arms(Oh child oh child) I’d rather be here from now on” “Some people have it halfway fare Without your love I ain’t nowhere” “Oh I can’t eat and I can’t sleep(Oh child oh child) Lord I can’t even live in peace(Mmm mmm) Please take me baby for your slave(Oh oh) And save me from that early grave” “Some people have it halfway fare Without your love I ain’t nowhere” And then sorrow struck my heart Tears began to stream down from my eyes The only woman that I ever loved in all my life Out here in a place in a condition like this And I began to thinkin’ about What my mama told me when I was a little boy She told me when I couldn’t help myself To get down on my knees and pray Then I fell down on my knees And these are the words that I said “Save me save me save me, babe Save me save me save me, dear Whoa, I don’t know just how I made it But I’m so glad our love is here But I’m so glad our love is here But I’m so glad our love is here” — Willie Dixon
Houston Blues Legend, Little Joe Washington, — 2003 Image by kenne
