Saw WS being interviewed about 15 years ago in New Zealand when he was on tour. Wasn't in a position to go and see him but boy, I really loved his sincerity and back story. Played a bit of Sm. Ltng. Have come back to this video once in a while to re-live that wonderful feeling when you have "discovered a cool new artist you've never heard of."
I saw him play this at Mike's College Bar in Stillwater, OK late-summer 2003. Best playing I have ever heard in person, he is a musical genius. Got to meet him later, he is a humble, down-to-earth guy who loves to play great blues. God bless you Slim!
WHen one man sits down with one guitar to do a set... magical things can happen. The starkness of one guitar and one vocal. especially one this powerful can almost be mesmerizing. It's super easy to be drawn in and spellbound by this performance.
I had seen an ad for Slim on Facebook... Decided to listen to a podcast seeing as he was a trucker. Now I've found his videos and they are truly awe inspiring... I can't stop listening to this song... It's truly amazing
I remember the first time I met Slim, it was 1998 in Stillwater Ok. At first I thought he was a homeless person, then he whipped out his harmonica and started playing the baddest shit I ever heard. One hell of a performer and all around great person.
oh wow i love this...there is that much soul and spirit put into this song its unreal...this would have to be one of the best slide guitar songs on the tube ..its the way its sung
Heard him do Wreck on the Highway the other day totaly blew me away .Then came here and listened to alot of other versions Nobodys came as close to the honesty of his.Almost made me cry.
I have seen Watermelon Slim perform for about 7 years now. This is classic "Watermelon Slim". His mannerisms while he performs, his slide Dobro and most importantly, his voice which reeks of life experience. He IS the blues. If there is any justice in the world, his new CD is bound to be nominated for a "Handy Award". The live DVD this clip came from is something every blues fan should have...great performances of classic stuff.
Now that's what I call the Blues! We have a local music center that features all kinds of music. Went to couple Blues festivals. Sounded more like Rhytem N Blues. Wish it were this good!!!!
I just saw him at a blues fest too. He should have been the headliner, and humble is right. I enjoyed talking to him so much. I had never heard of him before either, but am a huge fan now.
I saw Watermelon Slim in an odd way. Back when I was at Oklahoma State he was friends with a guy in my fraternity. This random old guy and a 20-something guy were friends. Anyways, Watermelon Slim played at my fraternity on the porch during Greek Week and I would just see him around campus at random times. It's odd knowing someone in such a unique way and then learning he is a significant person in his blues genre. He was just the old guy who played a steel lap guitar at the local college watering holes and would stop by to chat. But the guy just gave this air of knowing so much about a time and tradition that is 99.9% lost today.
i had been listening to mr. slim for a while, then i saw him at the windsor blues fest in ontario where i'm from. it was a life changing expierience, what else can i say. WOW..
I remember reading about him in Guitar One probably 2 years ago and thinking he seemed like the coolest guy. Never heard him play till now, and damn can he play!
he`s the real deal, he does not need a vocalist!, that would only suppress his creativity, thats the purpose!! this is a treat, another voice of the blues! and what i mean.. is when someone lives the blues and they can express it. you have the real thing, so he does not a singer!! he is the singer!! enjoy!
Saw Watermelon in October with his band the Workers. They were fantastic. He signed a couple of CDs for me and was as gracious as could be. People need to buy his CDs and to to his shows. I think he is one of the very best bluesmen alive. Maybe Eric Clapton should have him play as opener to get him more exposure. That's what you need to reach most people.
Nice to hear him honor The Wolf in his way (75% of the lyrics aren't those of Howlin' Wolf's song, but from other diverse traditional blues songs). Watermelon Slim has a nice rocking slide style. Currently (9/2010) a Viagra commercial runs Wolf's original "Smokestack Lightning" as background soundtrack, (Wolf wanted his images & music to be in ads. We took product shots during our famed photo-shoots. Also, a car commercial now runs Muddy Water's "Mannish Boy"
you know slim?? awsome... i play the guitar upside down and backwards like him, only i hold it up right. i love slim. Hard times is my favorite song by him
fantastic... i wouldn't hold my breath for the mayer/clapton fanatics to start coming out for this however. the smoother cleanedup crowd has good reason to like that stuff. kinda like reading the paper instead of taking a walk around. alot safer. thanks for the post... beautiful!
Holy shit, that's the baddest shit i ever fkkn heard a slide ninja slice up like that brother. Can't believe i never heard of you. Have now, Sir. Well played, indeed.
I would urge you to check his website for his schedule and catch him live near your home. I won't claim he is better than Wolf, but Slim is quite a showman and can really work an audience. I played bass behind him a few times at various jams over the last 6 years and I can tell you that he is a true maestro when leading a performance. His back up group, The Workers are a very tight band. I am looking forward to getting his newest release Wheel Man (April 2007).
@howlingsandy Actually, the song is based on earlier blues, such as Tommy Johnson's "Big Road Blues" (1928), the Mississippi Sheiks' "Stop and Listen Blues" (1930), and Charley Patton's "Moon Going Down" (1930). Wolf recorded it in 1951, as 'Crying At Daybreak'. It contains the line "O-oh smokestack lightnin', shinin', just like gold, oh don't you hear me cryin' ..." similar to the Mississippi Sheiks "A-ah, smokestack lightnin', that bell shine just like gold, now don't you hear me talkin'. ;-)
What can you say, this is right out there, and then some! His lap steel guitar is a Regal,and actually looks pretty close to the Black Lightning model.
Had the opportunity to hear him play in a hole in the wall in Clarksdale, Mississippi a few years ago he actually came outside while i was smoking a cig after he finished his set and we shot the shit for a few minutes. That was a good time and this man is a very serious and good musician who didnt mind taking the time to talk to someone he had clearly made an impression on.
This is the first line of the video description: This is Watermelon Slim - the only Oklahoma blues musician signed to a major label. lol.. clearly says where he's from...
hot damn Tijuana----they just don't grow bluesmen like this anymore....who said Okies couldn't jam the blues....WS gives us 70 + yr old blues junkies somethin' to cheer about
He is one smart dude, and I love his style of picking that dobro. Partied with him In DC when the VFP went there to protest the iraq war, and both of us were arrested at the White house fence. Lots of others, too. Good dude.
![Watermelon Slim on Mississippi Fred McDowell. The Blues Kitchen Presents.. [Interview & Performance]](/img/n.gif)
Lol believe it or not, this is my dad! I love seein' his stuff on UA-cam!
are you serious???
as a heart attack. My papa, watermelon Slim, AKA Bill Homans.
That is so cool! Can we be friends? Lol
I suppose?
Do you have a Facebook?
A real HAPPY 74th Birthday to Mr. William Perkins Homens III aka Watermelon Slim and really ALL the best to him ... (2023-0425)
Saw WS being interviewed about 15 years ago in New Zealand when he was on tour. Wasn't in a position to go and see him but boy, I really loved his sincerity and back story. Played a bit of Sm. Ltng. Have come back to this video once in a while to re-live that wonderful feeling when you have "discovered a cool new artist you've never heard of."
I saw him play this at Mike's College Bar in Stillwater, OK late-summer 2003. Best playing I have ever heard in person, he is a musical genius. Got to meet him later, he is a humble, down-to-earth guy who loves to play great blues. God bless you Slim!
The man has serious, serious talent. Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to see him play live.
WHen one man sits down with one guitar to do a set... magical things can happen. The starkness of one guitar and one vocal. especially one this powerful can almost be mesmerizing. It's super easy to be drawn in and spellbound by this performance.
I had seen an ad for Slim on Facebook... Decided to listen to a podcast seeing as he was a trucker. Now I've found his videos and they are truly awe inspiring... I can't stop listening to this song... It's truly amazing
I remember the first time I met Slim, it was 1998 in Stillwater Ok. At first I thought he was a homeless person, then he whipped out his harmonica and started playing the baddest shit I ever heard. One hell of a performer and all around great person.
Tommy Tallchief is a monster bass player and fantastic family man. Glad we just got back in touch :)
Unbelievable, shining like gold!!
No joke.
🇺🇸😎🙏
This man is true authentic blues...great slide work.
Filmed at The Staircase in Ontario/2005. Slim & I shared the bill. We also worked together in Levant in the UK. Slim is the real deal.
peace michael p
Woah...
😎🇺🇸🙏
WOW!!!!....What the hell is in the water in Oklahoma? Leon Russell, J J Cale, Delaney and Bonnie....they sure keep it real out there.....
doesnt get much better than this. wow that voice!
Mr. Slim is very talented musician, he revives best traditions in the blues music.
I`m trying to play harp while listening to his music, great stuff
Hear him quite a bit on Bluesville. Heard this for the first time on Strictly Blues last night. Howlin' Wolf would be proud of this rendition.
oh wow i love this...there is that much soul and spirit put into this song its unreal...this would have to be one of the best slide guitar songs on the tube ..its the way its sung
Heard him do Wreck on the Highway the other day totaly blew me away .Then came here and listened to alot of other versions Nobodys came as close to the honesty of his.Almost made me cry.
Definitely made me cry...
Just saying
I have seen Watermelon Slim perform for about 7 years now. This is classic "Watermelon Slim". His mannerisms while he performs, his slide Dobro and most importantly, his voice which reeks of life experience. He IS the blues. If there is any justice in the world, his new CD is bound to be nominated for a "Handy Award". The live DVD this clip came from is something every blues fan should have...great performances of classic stuff.
No question.
Great comment!!
🇺🇸😎🙏
Now that's what I call the Blues!
We have a local music center that features all kinds of music. Went to couple Blues festivals. Sounded more like Rhytem N Blues. Wish it were this good!!!!
I just saw him at a blues fest too. He should have been the headliner, and humble is right. I enjoyed talking to him so much. I had never heard of him before either, but am a huge fan now.
Watermelon Slim, thank you for this beautiful music.
I saw Watermelon Slim in an odd way. Back when I was at Oklahoma State he was friends with a guy in my fraternity. This random old guy and a 20-something guy were friends. Anyways, Watermelon Slim played at my fraternity on the porch during Greek Week and I would just see him around campus at random times. It's odd knowing someone in such a unique way and then learning he is a significant person in his blues genre. He was just the old guy who played a steel lap guitar at the local college watering holes and would stop by to chat. But the guy just gave this air of knowing so much about a time and tradition that is 99.9% lost today.
i had been listening to mr. slim for a while, then i saw him at the windsor blues fest in ontario where i'm from. it was a life changing expierience, what else can i say. WOW..
Without a doubt, top-notch blues right here.
No doubt.
Tyvm
🇺🇸😎🙏🙏
I remember reading about him in Guitar One probably 2 years ago and thinking he seemed like the coolest guy. Never heard him play till now, and damn can he play!
This is absolutely the best Watermelon Slim video on UA-cam and has been since it was posted.
Watermelon Slim rules, and he brings the blues to life!
That voice his playing!!! Great video.
one of the best smoke stack lightning covers
Love that Watermelon tastes so good !!!! You da man brother !!!!
he`s the real deal, he does not need a vocalist!, that would only suppress his creativity, thats the purpose!! this is a treat, another voice of the blues! and what i mean.. is when someone lives the blues and they can express it. you have the real thing, so he does not a singer!! he is the singer!! enjoy!
So glad I'm going to see him Friday in Wichita!
This is amazing talent here! thanks for posting this Sp33dBr33d Wow!
This is just pure gold drippin blues!!!
Man, wher have I been? Never heard of this guy. I'll certainly be looking for him when he comes to town. Brilliant work. Thanks for posting this.
Saw Watermelon in October with his band the Workers. They were fantastic. He signed a couple of CDs for me and was as gracious as could be. People need to buy his CDs and to to his shows. I think he is one of the very best bluesmen alive. Maybe Eric Clapton should have him play as opener to get him more exposure. That's what you need to reach most people.
good idea about having him open for Clapton.
I was at that show, sitting on the balcony upstairs. Alfie Smith opened for him if I remember correctly. One of the greatest shows I've been to...
saw him at calgary folk fest a while ago- he's got he chops and he's been the blues thx for posting!
loved this tune by howling wolf 1963 in the uk this guy does it more than justice
WOW!! That made me go cold all over. Absolutely fantastic-I love him!!!!
I liked this guys sound so much I bought his cd,I'm glad I did...good stuff..He blows a mean harp also.
The real deal indeed.I love this guy's stuff...
The guitar sound great, very good blues music.
DAMN! That is some deep Blues! I've heard of him, but never actually heard him.
That is the GOODS right there!
damn it this man is incredible
raw blues at its best
... mesmerizing... thank you
Just awesome. Can't wait to see him live...
Nice to hear him honor The Wolf in his way (75% of the lyrics aren't those of Howlin' Wolf's song, but from other diverse traditional blues songs). Watermelon Slim has a nice rocking slide style. Currently (9/2010) a Viagra commercial runs Wolf's original "Smokestack Lightning" as background soundtrack, (Wolf wanted his images & music to be in ads. We took product shots during our famed photo-shoots. Also, a car commercial now runs Muddy Water's "Mannish Boy"
Really great.
I can't wait to see the film.
This awesome... One of the best white blues guys I've ever seen!
Thanks, perfectly done, magnificent music.
i will see him tomorrow in France, Verdun. an honor !! in a little intimate place!
you can hear pain in that voice... a true blues player
really enjoyed this.never heard of the guy....will search for him
Wow! This is the first time I've heard this guy. He rocks!
you know slim?? awsome... i play the guitar upside down and backwards like him, only i hold it up right. i love slim. Hard times is my favorite song by him
fantastic... i wouldn't hold my breath for the mayer/clapton fanatics to start coming out for this however. the smoother cleanedup crowd has good reason to like that stuff. kinda like reading the paper instead of taking a walk around. alot safer.
thanks for the post... beautiful!
Absolutely amazing performance!
Holy shit, that's the baddest shit i ever fkkn heard a slide ninja slice up like that brother.
Can't believe i never heard of you.
Have now, Sir.
Well played, indeed.
Absolutely brilliant playing.
Slim! I used to catch you in Stilly whenever you played with Texas Ray Isom and Doren Recker! One awesome cat, blows the meanest harp around.
I really really like this, great!
A memorable piece of roots and old style.
very , very good!!! fantastic!!!!
I would urge you to check his website for his schedule and catch him live near your home. I won't claim he is better than Wolf, but Slim is quite a showman and can really work an audience. I played bass behind him a few times at various jams over the last 6 years and I can tell you that he is a true maestro when leading a performance. His back up group, The Workers are a very tight band. I am looking forward to getting his newest release Wheel Man (April 2007).
@howlingsandy Actually, the song is based on earlier blues, such as Tommy Johnson's "Big Road Blues" (1928), the Mississippi Sheiks' "Stop and Listen Blues" (1930), and Charley Patton's "Moon Going Down" (1930). Wolf recorded it in 1951, as 'Crying At Daybreak'. It contains the line "O-oh smokestack lightnin', shinin', just like gold, oh don't you hear me cryin' ..." similar to the Mississippi Sheiks "A-ah, smokestack lightnin', that bell shine just like gold, now don't you hear me talkin'. ;-)
Hi thats strange - great -i like it -greetings from germany - winni
The pain is strong with this one. Awesome track!
What can you say, this is right out there, and then some!
His lap steel guitar is a Regal,and actually looks pretty close to the Black Lightning model.
First heard this guy a coupla years ago. Fuckin' amazing. Thanks for posting.
Unbelievable. Just. Unbelievable.
Had the opportunity to hear him play in a hole in the wall in Clarksdale, Mississippi a few years ago he actually came outside while i was smoking a cig after he finished his set and we shot the shit for a few minutes. That was a good time and this man is a very serious and good musician who didnt mind taking the time to talk to someone he had clearly made an impression on.
Great to get to see him at the Linton Feastival in June 2010
so sod he got rained out in st peter and had to play at a bar,slim, brother please comeback!
WOW! THAT is Blues, Brutha!
Just awesome *****
the man blows a harp so good it made me cry.
Yes!
The real deal indeed....coooL man..!!!!
how the hell... im in awe at the sound of his guitar, AND he;s playing it lefty reversed?! wtf. how is he this good.
@jharri1 It was indeed, spoken by Willie Brown to Eugene; Willie was quoting Son House but couldn't remember who said it.
You're as young as way back when I knew you! Things just got old, that's all.
Slim is indeed the real deal.
some really good stuff here
This is the first line of the video description:
This is Watermelon Slim - the only Oklahoma blues musician signed to a major label.
lol.. clearly says where he's from...
@howlingsandy I only wish there was more of the stuff readily available. I'm a sucker for Delta Blues myself.
Shinin just like steel !
Forget comparing with Chester this guy is out there on his own....very cool!
Also check out 19th St Red & Nathan James.
awesome! looks like he's using a harmonica as a slide! gonna try that!
It's a shotglass that we had lying around my house.
awesome sound
God bless America.
where's my damn slide !!???!!! this man good
Wow!
thats great thank you
hot damn Tijuana----they just don't grow bluesmen like this anymore....who said Okies couldn't jam the blues....WS gives us 70 + yr old blues junkies somethin' to cheer about
i like so woolin wolf,thank you
not bad! there's a dude in Toronto that plays left handed upside down named Peter Boyd but he does more folky stuff.
excellent...
Classic ❤❤❤
just Great!!!
He is one smart dude, and I love his style of picking that dobro. Partied with him In DC when the VFP went there to protest the iraq war, and both of us were arrested at the White house fence. Lots of others, too. Good dude.