Sylvester Weaver

Sara Martin w Sylvester Weaver

Source: Terry's Songs

Born on 25 July 1897 in Louisville, Kentucky, blues guitarist Sylvester Weaver's first recordings were probably with Sara Martin in 1923. 'I've Got to Go and Leave My Daddy' is thought to have gone down on the 24th of October. That was issued w 'Roamin Blues' on Okeh 8104, the latter recorded on 2 November. Also gone down on 24 October was 'Longing for Daddy Blues' toward release on Okeh 8117. Those aren't the first blues on record (see William Handy), but they're earliest known rural folk blues w guitar of the kind with which more people are familiar than Handy's transitions from ragtime for bands. Martin and Weaver nevertheless made the recordings below in New York City. On the same date (2 Nov) Weaver recorded his first versions of 'Guitar Blues' and 'Guitar Rag' toward Okeh 8109. Weaver became the daddy of blues guitar due largely to his early partnership with Martin.

'Longing for Daddy Blues'   Sylvester Weaver backing Sara Martin   Recorded 24 Oct 1923

Composition: Clarence Williams & Sara Martin   Issued on Okeh 8117

'Guitar Blues'   Sylvester Weaver   Recorded 2 Nov 1923   Matrix S-71986

Composition: Sylvester Weaver   Issued on Okeh 8109

'Roamin' Blues'   Sylvester Weaver backing Sara Martin   Recorded 2 Nov 1923   Matrix S-71998

Composition: Clarence Williams & Sara Martin    Issued on Okeh 8104

'Smoketown Strut'   Sylvester Weaver   Recorded 28 May 1924

Composition: Sylvester Weaver   Issued on Okeh 8152

Among others with whom Weaver recorded was violinist, E.L. Coleman, with Charles Washington on banjo for 'Steel String Blues' in St. Louis, MO, in 1925. Among tracks put away in 1927 below is 'Alligator Blues' with Helen Humes in November of 1927:

'Guitar Rag'   Sylvester Weaver   Recorded 13 April 1927

Composition: Sylvester Weaver   Issued on Okeh 80727 A

Original recording in 1923 issued on Okeh 8109

'Can't Be Trusted Blues'   Sylvester Weaver   Recorded 31 August 1927

Composition: one unidentified Jones   Issued on Okeh 8504

'Alligator Blues'   Sylvester Weaver backing Helen Humes   Recorded 27 Nov 1927   Matrix W81880

Composition: Spencer Williams  Issued on Okeh 8529

'Bottle Neck Blues'   Guitar duet w Walter Beasley   Recorded 27 Nov 1927   Matrix W81883

Composition: Sylvester Weaver   Issued on Okeh 8530   Later on LP Earl BD-615

Beyond titles mentioned above Weaver also composed: