Born in Mississippi, Patton was considered one of the early innovative and influential figures in blues, ragtime, country songs, and spirituals. His “Pony Blues,” recorded in 1929, became a commercial success that made him a star in blues circles. He played with a loose style that bent bar lengths and timing, though his style was nevertheless earthy and rhythmic.

Charlie Patton was one of the great blues showmen. He played often at “jukes” (small bars) and often on street corners. One of his tricks, later adopted by rock musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, was to play the guitar behind his back.

If you listen carefully, you can hear Patton play instrumental responses to his sung phrases. He evoked sounds from the guitar in a crude percussive style, snapping strings and drumming on the instrument. He also tuned his guitar higher than normal to give it a bright, penetrating sound. By the time of his death in 1934, he had become a legendary figure in the Mississippi Delta who had influenced countless other blues musicians.