Various The 1968 Memphis Country Blues Festival With Bukka White

CD 1 of this set is a reissue of the Memphis Country Blues Festival as recorded on Saturday, July 20th,1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. Performers include Bukka White, Joe Callicott, Furry Lewis, Rev. Robert Wilkins and Nathan Beauregard – and it’s the latter two that steal the show. Beauregard, who by his own admission had stopped learning new material in the 1930’s, turns in the most decidedly electric performance of the evening. His versions of “Highway 61” and “Kid Gal Blues” included here are not to be missed – especially since he only ever recorded six songs! The Reverend Robert Wilkins is mostly remembered for his composition “Prodigal Son” that was covered by The Rolling Stones for their “Beggars Banquet” LP. At the time this Memphis festival took place, however, that Stones release was still a good six months in the future, and as much as I love Mick and Keith’s version, it pales in comparison to the passion and the fury present in these readings of “In Heaven, Sitting Down” and “What Do You Think About Jesus”. With John Wilkins on electric bass and Douglas Wilkins on backing vocals and percussion, the good reverend teaches a masterclass in simplicity and dynamics. -- Blueswebzine

File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Source: LL (from CD)
Released: 2006
Styles: Blues
Time: 50:20
Size: 116,0 MB
Covers: Full (20 page booklet)

CD1: The 1968 Memphis Country Blues Festival With Bukka White
(5:53) 1. Nathan Beauregard - Highway 61
(4:03) 2. Nathan Beauregard - Kid Gal Blues
(5:01) 3. Bukka White - Hello Central, Give Me 49
(2:35) 4. Bukka White - Baby Please Don't Go
(5:17) 5. Furry Lewis - Furry's Blues
(4:04) 6. Robert Wilkins - In Heaven, Sitting Down
(4:44) 7. Robert Wilkins - What Do You Think About Jesus
(6:57) 8. Mississippi Joe Callicott - You Don't Know My Mind
(6:00) 9. Mississippi Joe Callicott - Great Long Ways From Home
(5:41) 10. Bukka White - My Mother Died

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A Memphis, Tennessee studio recording from Sunday, July 21st, 1968, CD 2 of this set is devoted entirely to Bukka White. On the three tunes he had on the festival half, Bukka was accompanied by Jim Crosthwait on washboard; here, he works with various combinations of Crosthwait, Harmonica Boy (harmonica), Trevor Koehler (piano), Bill Barth (guitar), Anchor (bass), and Joe Gray (drums). Indeed: CD 2 is the album originally issued as “Memphis Hot Shots”, with what must surely be one of the most memorable blues album covers ever conceived. While no match for his pre-war output, the solo/duo tunes on this album are nevertheless solid – and the rest is genius! After all that 21st century hype about pushing the envelope and merging blues with hip-hop, it’s a relief to come across a recording that actually does all that and more. Recorded in 1968, the full-band version of “Aberdeen, Mississippi Blues” is well worth the price of this album alone, sounding more current than most of what you’ll find in the Contemporary Blues section today. -- Blueswebzine

File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Source: LL (from CD)
Released: 2006
Styles: Blues
Time: 51:35
Size: 119,2 MB
Covers: Full

CD2: Bukka White The Complete Blue Horizon Recordings
(2:51) 1. Bukka White - Bed Spring Blues
(3:08) 2. Bukka White - Aberdeen, Mississippi Blues
(3:54) 3. Bukka White - Drifting Blues
(5:59) 4. Bukka White - (Brand New) Decoration Day
(3:42) 5. Bukka White - Baby Please Don't Go
(2:32) 6. Bukka White - Give Me an Old, Old Lady
(6:33) 7. Bukka White - Got Sick and Tired
(2:40) 8. Bukka White - World Boogie
(5:36) 9. Bukka White - School Learning
(2:39) 10. Bukka White - Old Man Tom
(3:30) 11. Bukka White - Gibson Town
(3:51) 12. Bukka White - Drifting Blues [Master Version](bonus)
(4:32) 13. Bukka White - Old Man Tom [Master Version](bonus)

CD1 The 1968 Memphis Country Blues Festival
CD2 Bukka White The Complete Blue Horizon
artwork pt1
artwork pt2

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Robert Wilkins - Remember Me

File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1971
Styles: Blues
Time: 45:01
Size: 104,2 MB
Covers: Full

(1:23) 1. Jesus Said If You Go
(2:55) 2. (Jesus Will Fix It) Alright
(2:51) 3. You Gotta Move
(9:56) 4. Streamline 'Frisco Limited
(1:27) 5. Pray for Me
(3:14) 6. Don't Let Nobody Turn You 'Round
(0:53) 7. Why Don't You Do It?
(3:02) 8. Just a Closer Walk with Thee
(3:53) 9. Rock of Ages
(3:01) 10. Remember Me
(3:32) 11. You've Got to Stand Your Test in Judgement
(3:14) 12. When the Saints Go Marching In
(5:32) 13. In the Army of the Lord

If you were lucky enough to stumble upon this page, I congratulate you. I first stumbled upon the songwriting of Rev Wilkins when I heard the Rolling Stones version of "Prodigal Son". I was instantly curious to hear his recordings. This album draws you into a simple, but very spiritual place and fills your heart with a tearfully happy peace. The Reverand's voice is very moving from the first track "Jesus said if you go" all the way through to the last track "In the Army of the Lord" (which happens to be a live track). His lyrics are rather simple, but reach right into your heart. An interesting track on the album is the nearly ten minute "Streamline 'Frisco Limited". In this track he uses his guitar to mimic the rhythm of a train and it's whistle blowing while he sings/tells a story. This collection of songs is both timeless and priceless. You can't find this type of music anymore. It is the sound of an old man that has seen many days pass playing his guitar on a front porch in the late afternoon. -- Amazon.

Remember Me

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VARIOUS ARTISTS - Takoma Blues

Styles: Acoustic & Electric Chicago Blues,
Recorded: mid 1960's
Released: 1998
File: mp3 @ 320 k/s
Size: 157.19 MB
Time: 72:09
Art: Front+Back

01. Hesitation Blues - Little Brother Montgomery - 2:32
02. Minglewood Blues - John Lee Granderson - 1:39
03. Chicago Breakdown - Dr Ross - 5:55
04. I Feel So Worried - Big Joe Williams - 3:00
05. V 8 Ford Blues (Going To Your Funeral In A V-8 Ford) - James Cotton - 3:51
06. Crying Won't Make Me Stay - Maxwell Street Jimmy - 2:56
07. Michigan Water Blues - Little Brother Montgomery - 3:35
08. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl - John Lee Granderson - 2:46
09. Hobo Blues - Dr Ross - 4:36
10. Stack O'Dollars - Big Joe Williams - 2:43
11. Polly Put The Kettle On - James Cotton - 1:50
12. Five Long Years - Eddie Boyd - 2:54
13. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl - Dr Ross - 3:01
14. Alberta - Maxwell Street Jimmy - 2:57
15. I Ain't Got Nobody - Big Joe Williams - 2:57
16. Preachin' Blues - Son House - 4:43
17. I Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down - Rev Robert Wilkins - 3:54
18. Pleadin' Blues - Little Brother Montgomery - 4:21
19. Lend Me Your Love - Sunnyland Slim - 3:57
20. Two Trains Running - Maxwell Street Jimmy - 2:17
21. Whistlin' Pines - Big Joe Williams - 2:20
22. O Lord I Want You To Help Me - Rev Robert Wilkins - 3:25

Personnel: Various Artists - see above

Notes: The Takoma acoustic blues/folk recordings have been extensively reissued and written about in these pages for several years, making available once again those seminal sides by guitar geniuses such as John Fahey and Leo Kottke. To continue with this reissue programme, Takoma now presents a collection of recordings made in Chicago in the early 1960s by performers who, at the time, represented the predominant traditional blues sound of the city.

Recorded in various locations, from small apartments and tucked-away basements to intimate clubs and tiny studios, the selection demonstrates an easy and natural union between the musicians. There is no sense of formality, just a sense of trying to please one another, evoking a very personal and unusual compilation.

Little Brother Montgomery is best known for his dixieland playing in Chicago's larger and noisier clubs. But on 'Hestitating Blues' and 'Michigan Water Blues', accompanied by Michael Bloomfield, was a rare occasion where he played traditional tracks at a smaller club called the Fickle Pickle - the music he loved best.

John Lee Granderson was in his 50s when he recorded his solo contributions. A Tennessee man who had travelled and played all over the South during his younger days, here he recorded in a Chicago apartment were he worked as a janitor. Using the most basic guitar he displays a mastery of the instrument.

Dr Isaiah Ross acquired his nickname "The Doctor" because he obsessively read medical books during his military service. He played guitar and harmonica at the same time, and occasionally interjected with his own vocals. Both 'Chicago Breakdown' and 'Hobo Blue's were recorded in concert at the University of Chicago in 1965.

Big Joe Williams plays in the harsh Delta tradition and is best known for playing the 9-string guitar. Here he plays 6-string and is accompanied by Paul Butterfield on harmonica. Recorded in 1965 in a small film studio the two improvise a session reminiscent of the 1941 Bluebird sessions with Big Joe and Sonny Boy Williamson.

Harpist James Cotton was a pupil of Sonny Boy Williamson. He came to Chicago after a recording stint alongside Howlin' Wolf for Sun Records and joined Muddy Waters' band then went solo. Here he plays with Paul Butterfield, alongside guitarist Elvin Bishop.

Maxwell Street Jimmy's real name was Charles Thomas. He was discovered playing outside his restaurant on Maxwell Street, in his cook's apron. Here he was recorded at the Fickle Pickle on the traditional blues night in 1963.

Finally, Eddie Boyd arrived in Chicago having followed the same route as Cotton, but playing the piano. He left Waters' band saying Muddy didn't play sweet enough for his taste. Having recorded for many small Chicago labels, including J.O.B and Chess, he recorded his blues classic 'Five Long Years' in 1952. This version was recorded 11 years later.

                                                This post dedicated to dreumis :-)
                                                                 Takoma Blues
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