Mike Henderson: First Blood

Another slide guitar ace, Nashville’s Mike Henderson, recalls the loose, raw sound of early Sun Record rockabilly on First Blood (Dead Reckoning, 48:48). Backed by his band The Bluebloods, he displays some soulful slide work on “When I Get Drunk” and sheer wreckless abandon on remakes of Hound Dog Taylor’s “Give Me Back My Wig,” Howlin’ Wolf’s “How Many More Years” and Elmore James’ “Mean Mistreater.” He also plays some raunchy Little Walter styled blues harp on “Bloody Murder” and turns in some superb Delta playing on the unaccompanied “Pony Blues.” But in spite of his fine playing throughout, Henderson might be more remembered for his novelty number “Pay Bo Diddley,” a play off of “Hey Bo Diddley” which contains the pointed commentary: “Bo Diddley had a rockin’ good time but he never made a solitary dime.”

Originally Published January 1, 1997