Alphablues: the Letter P for Poison

Alphablues returns with a new episode now available as a podcast. For this letter P as in Poison, Paco explores a theme deeply rooted in the history of the blues: tainted drinks, toxic love and troubled destinies.

Legend has it that Robert Johnson was poisoned by a jealous husband who slipped poison into his whiskey bottle. During Prohibition, no conspiracy was needed to get hurt: bluesmen often drank “canned heat” or “bootleg shine”, homemade alcohol sometimes boosted with methanol or even shoe polish.

In the blues, poison goes far beyond the idea of a deadly drink: it becomes a metaphor for betrayal, jealousy, destructive love or fate striking without warning.

This episode brings together a selection of tracks where poison — real or symbolic — haunts the lyrics and melodies.

🎵 In this episode:

• Lynyrd Skynyrd – Poison Whiskey
• John Mooney – Drink A Little Poison Before You Die
• Chris Whitley – Poison Girl
• William Bell – Poison In The Well
• Brownie McGhee with Sonny Terry – Poison Woman Blues
• Rufus Thomas – That Woman Is Poison
• Johnny Winter – Iodine In My Coffee

👉 Broadcast on Blues Actu Radio

📅 Sunday at 6:00 PM
🌙 Monday at 11:00 AM
🌃 Tuesday at 11:30 PM

🎧 Listen to the podcast

Alphablues S2 #16 P comme Poison – Alphablues