Juke Boy Bonner

Bonner is a sadly overlooked Texas bluesman who started recording in the 1950s, and cut some great sides for the Arhoolie label in the 1960s. Bonner has a wonderfully ragged and soulful tenor voice that conveys a sense of intimacy and immediacy. He accompanies himself on electric guitar and harmonica, playing jumping, slashing shuffles and drones on the guitar while punctuating his songs with wailing, mournful harmonica solos. He bridges a gap between Electric Blues and Folk Blues by playing his electric guitar as if it was an acoustic. Bonner died in 1975, never really achieving any more than cult status.