Sorry for avoiding the blog for a few weeks but i’ve slowly but I’ve started the slow crawl to unemployment as my work contract has unexpectedly terminated, or rather will be terminated sometime in January or February whenever I finish what I’ve been working on recently. I think I’ve come to the acceptance phase of termination and I’m pretty excited to move on to other and hopefully better employment or possibly grad school.
I am looking for recommendations on graduate schools - I’m interested in getting into a southern studies/history or a musicology program like the one at University of Memphis where I could focus on southern musical culture or history. In my brief search I’ve discover programs at both Ole Miss and University of Memphis that excite me , but I’m open and interested in other programs around the country. I’m sort of nervous about going into a music department because I’ve never taken any music courses (I was a history major in undergrad) and a lot of music programs have very daunting requirements for someone who can’t read music. But please send me your recommendation and advice to pkpatnaik at prewarblues.org
I was sent this album a few weeks ago by a reader it was released by a small british label, Mississippi, called Life is a Problem - and I can’t get it out of my head. This track in particular has really changed my mind about Utah Smith - a post-war gospel guitar player who until I heard both of his tracks on this album I thought he was so boring and all coffee shop hype. This track in particular “I Am Free” with his noisy electric blues guitar and his backing chorus with handclaps and shouts that really bring this song alive.
The two releases that I’ve heard of by this label are available for purchase here (UK) and are vinyl only.
For domestic readers of this site - Other Music stocks the album online - here.
Utah Smith - I’m Free
“Lord, I’m Troubled About My Soul” is my favorite traditional gospel song, though it does not have a deep recorded tradition as many southern gospel songs. This version is by Lillie Knox who was recorded by John Lomax on one of his Library of Congress field recording trips through South Carolina. Lillie Knox has a incredible voice - and this track recorded acapella is one of the most moving recordings I’ve ever heard.
Lille Knox - I’m Troubled About My Soul (1937)
I like the design. More than I like that Black Lips song. I will be working on a fixed or selectable resolution for those under 1280×1024. The idea behind the design was a 78 album sleeve - orange and brown (colors that also invoke honey and age) with a pre-war style design for both the bee’s and the logo. Edith Johnson’s cover for Honey Dripper Blues is the foundation from which the idea sparked and I think we accomplished the task of modernizing that style in a very respectful manner.
These tracks were recorded by Fisk University on the Mooreheed Plantation in Mississippi. The church and congregation were lead by Rev. McGhee although he doesn’ appear to be the vocal focus on any of the tracks. It is rumored that he might be the same as F.W McGhee ,but it is hard to tell from these tracks. These track feature an incredible energy - the foot stomps dominate the mix and the vocals mimic that rhythm in shape note fashion. Really incredible track for those tax day blues.
Rev. McGhee and The Church of God in Christ - No Condemnation (1941)
Rev. McGhee and The Church of God in Christ - Testimony (One Day Lord I’ll Give Up This World For You) (1941)
Rev. McGhee and The Church of God in Christ - Jesus Is My Everything (1941)
Rev. Edward Clayborn is often dismissed as being a one-dimensional guitar player and lyricist, which isn’t without merit. However, that one plodding driving bass line that underscores most of his recorded work is really good. Granted he isn’t as diverse lyrically as Rev. Gary Davis or Blind Willie Johnson, but he is good at what he does - translating Bible scripture into easily understandable music lyrics that never feel preachy or didactic.
Rev. Edward W. Clayborn - Men Don’t Forget Your Wives For Your Sweetheart (1928)
Thanks to Richard on giving a heads up on the new Sam Jackson movie Black Snake Moan, it looks fantastic and features Son House, Blind Lemon Jefferson and other pre and post war blues songs on the soundtrack. The production company is named “Southern Crosses the Dog” and it’s directed by Craig Brewer of Hustle and Flow fame. The trailer on the website makes it seem like a reverse Foxy Brown, but the description on the site itself makes it seem less seedy than that.
I still can’t get enough of Arizona Dranes - this set is easily my most listened to album this year so far.
8. Arizona Dranes - I’m Going Home On The Morning Train
9. Arizona Dranes - Lamb’s Blood Has Washed Me Clean
10. Arizona Dranes - I’m Glad My Lord Has Saved Me
11. Arizona Dranes - I Shall Wear A Crown
12. Arizona Dranes - God’s Got A Crown
13. Arizona Dranes - He Is My Story
14. Arizona Dranes - Just Look
Apparently I never realized how broken the Stagolee Archives are. I fixed some of the files, but apparently I’ve lost all of my backups of Stagolee songs, so I’ll need some help fixing the links. I’ll post the ones I need later today or tomorrow.
This album is the Complete Recorded Works of Arizona Dranes 1926-1929, as released by Document Records. It is currently out of print and asks for silly prices on eBay/Amazon. Rare gospel singers aren’t only for the rich - so here are the first batch of songs off that record.
1. Arizona Dranes - In That Day
2. Arizona Dranes - It’s All Right Now
3. Arizona Dranes - John Said He Saw A Number
4. Arizona Dranes - My Soul Is A Witness For The Lord
5. Arizona Dranes - Crucifixion
6. Arizona Dranes - Sweet Heaven Is My Home
7. Arizona Dranes - Bye and Bye We’re Going To See The King
We’ve been working hard on a new revision for the website, I think it will be ready by next month - but I’m most excited about our new logo which looks pretty awesome:
Arizona Dranes (Drane) was a Texas gospel singer who recorded a couple dozen tracks during the 20s, and mixed scared singing and up and coming Texas blues sounds like barrelhouse piano to make up her unique sounds. This sound is so incredibly fresh and exciting today - Dranes leads the chorus while playing piano in a style that would never be aloud in any church of the time and predicts Ray Charles’ blend of gospel and soul by some thirty years. I believe her complete works are out of print now - so if interest is high I’ll post the rest of her songs this week.
Arizona Dranes - Lamb’s Blood Has Washed Me Clean
If Chinatown, My Chinatown didn’t make you rush out and buy How Low Can You Go? Hopefully this track By Rev. D.C. Rice and His Sanctified Congregation will. D.C Rice is one of the best overall preachers from the pre-war era, his voice and band were leagues ahead of most and on this track he’s backed by the wonderful Bill Johnson, who Dust To Digital spends disc 3 of the box set on, and of course his amazing chorus who really make the track I think.
Buy this box set direct from the wonderful people at Dust To Digital.
Rev. D.C. Rice and His Sanctified Congregation - He’s Got His Eyes on You (1929)
Everyone go visit Tuwa’s Shanty and give him a big thanks for hooking me up with a Google Analytics account. Also download the awesome Big Joe Turner song at the bottom of the page.
John Byrd and Walter Talyor (Washboard Walter) were gospel singers, but were influenced and tempted by blues a lot more than some of their contemporaries. The first song Heavenly Airplane features Taylor singing and Byrd preaching backed by Mae Glover at times. It’s a great effect and more rewarding to listen to than a lot of the ranting preaching tracks. The allmusic review of this song calls it comic, which seems pretty judgemental and awful.
John Byrd and Walter Taylor - The Heavenly Airplane (1929)
| 