'Jailhouse Blues' SLEEPY JOHN ESTES (1940) Blues Guitar Legend

Sleepy John Estes

Sleepy John Estes
Originally uploaded by george mitchell1

Notes from flickr.com

Sleepy John Estes

Sleepy John Estes, Brownsville, Tennessee, 1962. Taken with a Kodak Brownie camera.

Uploaded by george mitchell1 on 18 Feb 10, 8.19PM PDT.

Blues Quote - Sleepy John Estes

I went up stairs to pack my leaving trunk
I ain't seen no whiskey,

but the blues made me sloppy drunk ~ Sleepy John Estes

Blues Quote - Sleepy John Estes

Today is the birthday of John Adam Estes more commonly known as Sleepy John Estes. He was born on 25th January in 1899, and passed away on 5th June 1977.

Now look here mama you ask me to be your kid,
She said you can, only if you keep it hid,
Please don't let my husband or main man catch you here.

I woke up with the blues three different ways
One say go and other two say stay

~ Sleepy John Estes

Sleepy John Estes @Amazon.com

Careless Love

Taj Mahal - Leaving Trunk

I really like Taj Mahal's cover version of Sleepy John Estes' song Milk Cow Blues which appears on Taj Mahal's, 1968 eponymous album, Taj Mahal, titled Leaving Trunk.

The video clip below, I believe, is from the The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus. It is very cool because it also features Jesse Ed Davis, Ry Cooder et al kicking ass and taking names.

WAKE UP MAMA,

I GOT SOMETHIN TO TELL YOU

YOU KNOW I'M A MAN

WHO LOVE TO SING THE BLUES

Here's the lineup according to the liner notes: Jessie Edwin Davies,(sp) lead guitar; Ryland P. Cooder, rhythm guitar; James Thomas, bass; Sanford Konikoff, drums; Taj Mahal, harp

Leaving Trunk mp3 by Taj Mahal


Milk Cow Blues mp3 by Sleepy John Estes.

New Release Sleepy John Estes – On 80 Highway

Click Image for On 80 Highway @ Amazon.com

Drop Down Mama - "Sleepy" John Estes.


Man I love Sleepy John Estes, his voice, his playing, everything about him just says good blues music. On 80 Highway features Sleepy John on vocals and guitar and Hammie Nixon singing and playing harmonica and kazoo. This has got me wanting to get a kazoo.

Reports on this album say that "this session from July 19, 1974 was recorded just before Sleepy John and Hammie Nixon departed for a tour of Japan. None of these performances have ever been issued…."

This is Sleepy John after his rediscovery in the 1960's so he is at full force here. (Release date: 10/21/08)

Sleepy John Estes @SqueezeMyLemon