Reader — this week marks 10 years since my family and I moved from Maryland to Austin, Texas. In that time, I’ve discovered so much incredible music that grew out of the blossoming Austin scene in the 1970s. Willie, Jerry Jeff, Guy Clark, and so many others.

With that in mind, here’s a brand-new lesson for one of my all-time favorites... and one of the anthems of Texas country. Don't miss the handful of other Austin-inspired lessons further below! Thanks and enjoy ✌️ // David

LESSON #593

"London Homesick Blues" from Jerry Jeff Walker's Viva Terlingua

​Click to watch free video lesson »​

In today’s lesson I’ll teach you how to play London Homesick Blues from Jerry Jeff Walker’s amazing live album, Viva Terlingua.

Musically, this song starts out quite simply... moving through the typical G-C-D chords with a country strum in a leisurely manner. But as things move into the chorus, the musical hooks settle in — giving us an all-timer sequence that’s as fun to play as it is to sing.

I’ll teach you everything you need to know to pull this one off, no matter your skill level. I’ll start with a simple version and level things up from there, should you want to capture the essence of the full band recording.

A final note: this song was originally written (and sung) by Gary P. Nunn, a friend of Jerry Jeff’s who played along with the band during that infamous live concert in Luckenbach, TX.

​Watch my free video lesson »​
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Other Austin-Inspired Lessons

​Mr. Bojangles by Jerry Jeff Walker • In Michael Corcoran's excellent piece describing the making of Jerry Jeff's Viva Terlingua album (read it here), he notes how JJW wrote Mr. Bojangles in Austin, TX – and played it there live for the very first time. This one is a fun 3/4 (or 6/8?) tune that's was made more famous by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Sammy Davis, Jr. — but is a blast to play whether you're strumming or fingerpicking.

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​Dublin Blues by Guy Clark • Including this one not just for the big-picture Austin reference in the opening line... but for that incredibly specific detail of drinking Mad Dog margaritas in the Texas Chili Parlor. One of my favorite places in town! If you're ever in Austin, give it a visit.

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​LA Freeway by Guy Clark • While there's no Austin references in this one, I had to include it here given JJW covered this song. And man oh man, was this lesson (which I published in 2017) one of my first forays into the rich world of Texas songwriters.

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​There's Something So Feminine About a Mandolin by Jimmy Buffett • This one isn't a lesson I've made (yet), but it's one of my all-time favorite songs. Buffett wrote this in his early days when spending a lot of time in Austin, along with Jerry Jeff specifically. His songwriting here, and the production too, absolutely captures the place – in this case, a group of folks picking around a late-night campfire outside of Austin.

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I'll leave you with the final verse and chorus:

Thanks all, and take good care!

David
​Browse all my lessons at songnotes.net​