Abigail Washburn – Nobody’s Fault but Mine

While shooting a music video for the title track of her City Of Refuge CD, Abigail Washburn also shot a solo live video for Nobody’s Fault But Mine, a Blind Willie Johnson song she recorded for her Song Of The Traveling Daughter album.

It’s a one-take wonder, filmed by Mason Jar Music on the upper floor of a 19th century building in Manhattan, while the stage was being set for a more elaborate video with a full band downstairs.

The camera and microphone follow her as she walks through the dilapidated rooms, singing and playing the blues.

In an email exchange with NPR’s All Songs Considered blog, Abby shared her remembrance of the shoot.

“Before shooting this video where I walk and sing (for the first time), we checked for potholes and landmines — we chose the path carefully and I survived. However, it was so cold that, despite the fact that I wore a sparkly dress with saddle shoes for the big shoot with the orchestra, I mistakenly ended up wearing the puffy green down jacket you see in this video of Nobody’s Fault but Mine. As for the song, I ran into it about eight years ago listening to a compilation of Blind Willie Johnson from the 1930s called Sweeter As the Years Roll By. To this day, it’s the album that gets heaviest rotation on my long road trips around the USA playing music.”

The City Of Refuge video is expected in early May.

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About the Author

John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.